"We think we've got a line on Nicky Carter's whereabouts," Gage said breathlessly as he entered the office. "He has an old office over on James Street that seems to experiencing some renewed activity. Alex is getting the search warrants now."

"Okay let's go!"

"Carlos, you can't go. You are a private citizen..."

"Just try and stop me, Walker." The Hispanic stood toe to toe with the Ranger, staring into his eyes.

**

"Okay, Rachel..." As Trent was about to go over the plan, they heard footsteps approaching. "Remember what I said," Trent whispered as he moved into position. Rachel took up hers just as the door opened.

"He's hurt," she yelled, as the two men entered. As their attention focused on Trent, she tried to hit them with the board she had found. She missed. Trent reacted swiftly, lunging at the men. Unfortunately, as one turned to face her, Rachel screamed. Trent landed a spin kick to the mid-section of one and a kick to the back of the other. He knew that Rachel's scream would probably bring more men. "Hit him!" he yelled at Rachel as he went to block a punch. The punch landed on his broken wrist and his saw stars. It was that moment's lack of concentration that was his downfall.

Within minutes, he was gritting his teeth against the pain as his broken wrist was handcuffed behind him and he was being pushed down a hallway. He could feel blood from a cut on his forehead dripping down his face and he could hear Rachel crying behind him. The corridor opened up into a large open area. Sitting there was Nick Carter. Trent felt himself being pushed towards him.

"Fighting is useless," Carter said as Trent stood before him. Out of the corner of his eye, Trent saw Rachel dropped in a heap on the floor.

"Do you know what this is?" Carter asked, holding a small vial up for Trent to see.

"It's a vial," Trent answered.

"Yes, but it's what's in it that is important. You see, it contains digoxin, the drug that was used to kill my brother." Carter started to walk around Trent. "Someone sent it to me," he continued, "essentially bragging that they had killed my brother." From behind, Carter grabbed Trent's hair and jerked his head back. "Where is she?" he hissed in his ear.

"I don't know," Trent told him. "And even if I did I wouldn't tell you."

"Oh no?" Carter was inches from his face now. "We'll see." Still looking Trent in the eye, he called, "Joe, get out your knife." The thug beside Rachel picked her up and held a knife to her throat. She began to sob.

"I'm not her! I'm not Samantha! Ohhh please, don't hurt me!! Tell them, Trent!" Rachel's cries cut through Trent.

"Okay, I'll ask you again. Where is Casey?" Trent could smell Carter's breath in his face. As he hesitated, he heard Rachel scream as they yanked her by her hair again. He blinked.

"She was working at Methodist in the cafeteria, but I think she was going to leave Dallas."

"What name was she using?" When Trent hesitated, Carter motioned and again, Rachel screamed.

"Laura," he said quietly. "She never told me her last name."

Without ever taking his eyes off Trent, Carter spoke deliberately. "Kill her, Joe."

Rachel began to scream hysterically. Instinctively, Trent brought his knee up and hit Carter. As he doubled over, Trent brought his leg around to kick him. He tried to maintain his balance but with his arms handcuffed behind him, he was quickly overpowered by the other men behind him. "Leave her out of this," Trent yelled. "She isn't Sam. She doesn't even know Casey."

Carter smiled. "It doesn't matter now. I've got what I want." Trent struggled to get free but it was no use. He watched as they dragged Rachel out and down the hallway, screaming all the way.

**

Carlos heard the screams coming from inside the building. As the Rangers started for the front door, he headed around the back. He found the back door and entered cautiously, followed by Ranger Gage. Almost immediately they were on top of two men, dragging the screaming female they had heard. Carlos instantly recognized her as Rachel.

"Freeze! Texas Ranger," Gage yelled. The two men reached for their guns but didn't get to them in time. Carlos and Gage were on them, ending the fight almost as soon as it began. Gage grabbed the two men as Carlos went to Rachel.

"Where is Trent, Sam?" he asked. It would be much later before he realized his Freudian slip. Rachel only sobbed.

"I've got her," Gage told Carlos. "Go help Walker!"

Carlos headed down the hallway. As he entered the room, there was mayhem all around as the Trivette and Walker took care of Carter's men. Finally, Carlos saw what he was looking for; Trent and Carter were locked in battle. As Carlos headed over to help, he saw Carter pull something shiny out of his jacket. "Look out!" Carlos screamed, lunging at the man. As he hit him, the gun went off. Out of the corner of his eye, Carlos saw Trent go down. Carlos channeled all his anger at the man on the floor until Walker finally pulled him off. Seeing everything was under control, Carlos turned his attention to the figure lying on the floor.

"Trent? You with me?" he asked earnestly.

"Yeah," Trent whispered. "Rachel?"

"She's fine. Gage has got her. Are you hit?" Carlos started examining Trent for blood.

"OWWWW! Stop! Just get these handcuffs off me. My wrist is broken!" Trent yelled.

After searching the men, Carlos finally found the keys and freed Trent's wrists. Only then did he see the blood on his arm. "You were hit!" he exclaimed.

Cradling his wrist, Trent sat himself up. "Just a flesh wound," he said, smiling. "What took you so long?"

"Don't get me started," Carlos said, unsmiling. "Jessie..." he started, but was interrupted by Gage.

"Do you know anything about this?" he asked Trent. He was holding up an evidence bag containing a vial.

**

"Thanks a million, Jessie, for watching the bar," the former boxer said with a smile. "I don't know what I would have done without you."

Jessie smiled. "Does that mean you owe me a favour now, Butch? Am I the only one in Dallas who doesn't owe you?"

"Just keep that a secret, darlin' and we'll be okay." They laughed easily together, interrupted only by the presence of Kim.

"Hey, everyone," Kim announced as she took a seat by the bar.

"Hi Kim. How's everything?" Jess asked. She knew that the two investigators had been finishing things up upstairs with the Rangers.

"Good. They'll be down in a minute." As Kim spoke, Carlos came down the stairs from the office above. He ventured over to the bar before seeing Jessie.

"Beer, Butch." Staring at Jessie, he added, "and I'll take it over by the dart board."

"I guess he is still mad at me," Jessie murmured, trying to sound nonplused.

"You know, Carlos," Kim mumbled feebly. As Jessie nodded, she saw Trent coming down. Her heart leapt, glad in knowing he was okay except for a broken wrist, some stitches and numerous bruises. She smiled as he approached, not really hearing someone calling to him until she had realized that he had stopped and turned. Standing behind him was Rachel.

Sighing heavily, Jessie turned back to Kim. "Kim, I'm going to get out of here."

"Why?"

"Look," she said, pointing across the bar. "Carlos isn't talking to me and," she indicated the other side of the bar where Rachel had her arms around Trent's neck, holding him close. "I don't even want to get into what is psychologically wrong with that." Moving out from behind the bar, she went to Kim. "Please tell Trent I am glad he's okay." Patting Kim's arm she said, "I will see you around." Her voice was heavy but she had made a decision.

"That sounds like you aren't coming back, Jess," Kim said unknowingly.

"Take care, Kim." There was a sad smile on Jess' face as she turned and headed out the door.

**

It began with a hug. It was a 'glad everything turned out okay' kind of hug that lasted just a bit too long. As he held her, he looked into her eyes. Slowly, he leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. It was a tender lingering kiss that left her wanting more. Looking in to his eyes she kissed him back. Her fingers touched the stitches on his forehead. "Do they hurt?" she asked.

"No," he said, looking into her eyes. "Are you okay with this?"

Even as the voice in her head was listing all the reasons why she should stop, she heard herself say, "Yes. Are you?"

"Definitely." Their mouths met again, this time with a renewed hunger. As she ran her fingers through his hair, his hands began to wander over her. A slight moan escaped her lips as his fingers found her hardened nipple, teasing it through the fabric of her shirt. He reached down and scooped her off her feet, and carried her to the bedroom.

Gently he laid her on the bed, his hands moving to undo the buttons on her shirt and remove her bra. Her hands found his shirt and pulled it over his head in one swift movement, taking care not to catch it on the cast on his wrist. She threw the shirt off the bed, then began running her hands over his lean, muscular chest, careful to avoid the fresh bruises. He felt as good as she always knew he would. Still kissing him, her hips moved to allow him to slip off her jeans and underwear. Her hands found his zipper and freed him.

He looked deeply into her eyes, asking her again, "Do you want me to stop?"

"No, Trent," she murmured breathlessly, as she stroked him. He leaned down, taking her breast in his mouth, teasing it with his tongue and teeth. Another moan escaped her. Slowly, he traced his tongue down her, circling her belly button before continuing downward. She held her breath, waiting in anticipation for the next sensation. When it came, shivers climbed the length of her spine, exploding in her mind, unlike anything she had felt before. What passed her lips was a combination of his name and a primal scream. He continued to probe and tease her with his tongue until she thought she could handle it no more. Reaching down, she pulled him up to her, wanting to feel him. Smiling down at her, he entered her in a quick powerful thrust that took her breath away. As he buried his face in her neck, he found an easy rhythm. Nibbling his earlobes, she ran her fingers along his back, her grip getting tighter with each increasing thrust. As he drove into her harder and faster, she stifled a scream by biting his shoulder. She could feel his body tensing, as was hers. Together, they cried out as the waves of pleasure cascaded over them until finally they were spent.

They lay together, her head on his chest, him playing with her hair, for what seemed like an eternity. Her fingers gently traced the bruises that covered him. It had been a long time since either had felt so content.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked, lazily.

"Truthfully?" she asked, looking up at him.

"Yes." His interest was piqued.

"Sam."

Trent heard himself laugh. "Now there's one for the psychologist. You tell me the significance of you thinking about my wife now."

"I know, I know. I just wish I had known her."

Trent's thoughts wandered. "You two would have gotten along well," he said, almost sadly.

She looked up at him again. "I'm sorry. Did I bring up memories I shouldn't have?"

He smiled. "No. Did I ever tell you that she told me once that if anything happened to her, I would have to be celibate for the rest of my life?"

"You're kidding!"

"She was kidding. She would have liked you, Jess."

"She was a lucky women to have you."

"Well, you have me now. Does that make you lucky?" he gently kissed her forehead.

"Do I?"

Trent tensed. "What's that supposed to mean? Did you think was a one-time thing?"

"What about Rachel?"

"What about her? There was never any interest in her, Jess. She may have looked like Sam but she was nothing like her. The truth is I've felt this way about you for awhile but I wasn't sure how you felt."

"What about Carlos?"

"I never had a romantic interest in Carlos so I think you are safe."

Playfully, she punched him in the arm. As he winced, she apologized profusely. "I'm sorry! I forgot about the stitches there! Are you okay?"

"Yes," he laughed. "There really aren't too many spots on me that aren't bruised, stitched or broken."

"I'll bet I can find a few..."

**

The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon as she sat at her kitchen table in San Antonio. In front of her was the morning paper. The headline screamed "Carter Found Guilty of Murdering Brother." She smiled as she continued reading.

The article went on to say that Carter had also been found guilty of kidnapping, forcible confinement and attempted murder of an area private investigator. She smiled again to herself. Sometimes, drastic actions were justified.