Disclaimer: The character of Samantha Baker is mine. All others are property of Chuck and Aaron Norris and TopKick Productions.

She had seen the sign numerous times before; she lived just around the corner. Now here she was sitting in front of it. Thunder Karate. It was now or never. She summoned up her courage and pushed the door open.

"Block, punch, kick. Again"

In front of her, a class of about 15 students were being put through their paces by a tall, blond, well-built instructor. His ghi told her his name was Malloy.

"Okay, great class. See you next week." He had seen her come in out of the corner of his eye. Now he turned his full attention to her.

"Hi. Can I help you?" She had turned to look at the trophies and jumped at the sound of his voice. "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. Is there something I can help you with?"

She turned to face him. She was small, with delicate features and light brown hair pulled into a ponytail. There were traces of bruises on her face and she looked frightened.

"Do you give private self-defense lessons, Mr. Malloy?"

"Yes, I do, Ms....?"

"Baker, Samantha Baker."

"You can call me Trent." Trent's mind was racing...the bruises, self-defense lessons and definitely fear behind those beautiful blue eyes. Domestic violence? Maybe, but abused women don't usually sign up for self-defense lessons.

"When can I start?"

"Uhh...I guess I've got time now. I've just finished classes for the day." By now, all the students had left and they were alone. He noticed she had come prepared in a t-shirt and track pants. "Do you have any martial arts training at all Ms Baker?"

"Sam. And not unless you count watching Kung-fu movies as a kid." For the first time, her eyes softened and she smiled. Trent detected a slight accent...almost British but not quite.

"No, they don't count." He returned her smile. Sam instantly knew this was a person she could trust. "Private lessons are..."

"Price doesn't matter. I'm sure we can work something out."

"Alright, let's start." Trent slowly showed her some beginning moves; stretches, stance, blocks and punches. For almost an hour they worked. Sam was learning fast and kept wanting more. Her size hid a deceptive strength.

"Okay, this is a bit advanced but if someone comes after you from behind, you can.." He grabbed her, flipped her over her shoulder and pinned he arms at her side with his knees as he straddled her. "...do this!"

Almost instantly the panic rose in Sam's eyes. She screamed.

"GET OFF ME!!!" Trent was taken aback by the terror in her voice. He knew he had crossed some unseen line.

"I'm sorry," he stammered. Samantha sat on the floor hugging her knees, crying.

"No, I shouldn't have come. I thought it might help but..." Her voice trailed off as she cried. Trent gently sat down beside her.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No. I shouldn't have wasted your time." The tears has slowed a little.

"It wasn't a waste. I actually enjoyed giving private lessons. It is something I haven't done in a long time. And, I don't usually make my clients cry." A small smile came to Sam's face.

"Are you always this nice?" she asked.

"Only to beautiful women." Trent smiled and Sam laughed. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked again. Sam took a deep breath.

"I was attacked in my apartment about two weeks ago. I was alone, completely helpless and at his mercy." Her voice conveyed her anger. "I don't ever want to feel like that again so I thought self-defense lessons would help. Only problem was it took me this long to muster the courage to leave my apartment and come here. When you pinned me I had a flashback. I'm sorry." Trent looked at her bruises.

"No, I'm sorry. I should have known something happened. I saw your bruises." Sam's hand instinctively went to cover her face.

"It's okay. You couldn't have known."

"Did you call the police?"

"Yes. They were less than helpful," Sam admitted. Trent was taken aback. His best friend was a cop.

"Did they at least give you names of any crisis centres you can call?" Trent knew there were crisis centres that could help Sam with things like her fear of leaving her apartment.

"No. You're actually the only other person I told besides the police officer."

"What about your family? Friends? Didn't you tell them?"

"I just moved here to Dallas about a month ago, so I really don't know anyone, and I'm not on the best terms with my family." Trent saw the sadness in her eyes.

"So you have been dealing with this all alone?" Trent was amazed. Samantha nodded. "You are one strong person."

"Looks can be deceiving. I am actually quite a mess on the inside." Sam smiled again. She realized just how much she had told this stranger standing before her. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to come here and pour out my soul to you. You have been more than kind but I better go now." Sam started to quickly gather her things. "Can I come back tomorrow? I promise I won't bore you with any more details of my life." Trent smiled.

"You're not boring me. Actually, how would you like to join me for dinner?" Trent hated the thought of sending Sam back to an empty apartment.

"Is this some kind of sympathy thing or a come on?" Sam said with a smirk on her face. She really didn't want to go back to her apartment either. Trent reddened slightly.

"I'm meeting some friends and I think they might be able to help you. Alex runs a centre that helps out victims. She can also give you other names. Plus, that will be all the more people you'll know in Texas." Sam hesitated. For some reason she couldn't readily explain, she felt safe with Trent. It wasn't just the martial arts training.

"Okay."

"Great! Just let me take a quick shower here and change. Do you want to wait for me or do you want me to pick you up at your place?" Sam decided to wait and told Trent so.

As Trent was showering Sam looked around the dojo. There were numerous trophies and ribbons but it was the photographs that caught her eye. Trent, with a handsome Hispanic man, laughing. They were obviously buddies. Trent with two younger boys and a young girl. There was an definite family resemblance. Trent in an army uniform. An older couple.

"Those are my parents." Trent was right behind her but she didn't jump. Somehow, she was comfortable with Trent, even though she had only known him for a few hours. It was like she had known him forever. "Ready?"

"You bet." They started to leave the dojo.

"Where's your car?" Trent asked.

"I walked. I just live around the corner on Lincoln."

"Oh. We can take my car and then go from your place." Trent locked the door and lead Sam over to his car.

"This is your car?" Sam was surprised when she saw the classic, baby blue Corvette.

"Yeah, why?"

"It's just....oh never mind." Sam didn't want to offend Trent.

"What?" Trent was curious now.

"I just didn't think you would drive something this flashy." Trent laughed heartily at her comment.

"My dear, this is Texas. This is not flashy!"

They got into the car and drove around the corner to Sam's place. It was a small house with chocolate brown trim. They got out and walked to the front door. Sam hesitated.

"Are you okay, Sam?" Sam was looking at the door with unseeing eyes. It was obvious to Trent she was having another flashback.

"He was waiting for me in the apartment when I got home. Leaving the apartment was tough but I never thought going back in would be so difficult." Her voice started to crack. Trent gently put his hand on her shoulder.

"Here, give me the key. I'll go in and make sure everything is okay." Sam handed him the key wordlessly. Trent opened the door and went in. It was a small downstairs apartment with only a kitchen, living room, bedroom and bath. Trent checked them all. "Coast is clear." He handed the keys back to her.

"I'm sorry," Sam started but Trent stopped her.

"Sam, you've been through a traumatic event. Your fears are justified."

"Thanks for the encouragement. I'm just going to have a quick shower. Help yourself to anything in the fridge, but I'm afraid it won't be much." She headed to the bedroom for a change of clothes and then to the bathroom. Trent heard the bathroom door lock.

While he was waiting, Trent looked around the room. It was obvious that Sam had been sleeping on the couch. Pillows and blankets were neatly folded up on the end of it. There was a small, well-worn stuffed tiger sitting on the pillows. Trent smiled. Some things were always comforting. There were still a few boxes on the floor that hadn't been unpacked yet, including one marked 'Pictures/Albums'. Trent thought about what Sam had said about her family.

Something in the corner caught Trent's eye. It was a table, folded in half. After looking at it for awhile, he finally realized what it was.

The sound of the shower had stopped and Sam came out of the bathroom dressed in jeans and a dark red Roots sweatshirt. She was gently drying her hair with a towel.

"Will this be okay for dinner?" Trent turned to look at her. She really did have beautiful blue eyes that sparkled when she smiled. Her hair was longer than he had thought and was set off by the colour of her shirt. She looked wonderful. He remembered the table.

"Is that table yours? I mean, do you know how to use it?" he asked. Sam smiled knowingly.

"Yes."

"Well, I think we can definitely work out something in the way of exchanging lessons for massages." Trent was grinning ear to ear.

"Somehow, I thought we might. My new job is teaching massage at a new school here in Dallas."

"Really? I didn't know there was a school."

"Yes. Where I come from there is a much higher educational standard required for licencing. My job is to help the school incorporate those new standards."

"How much education is required?"

"Well, I had to do 2200 hours of classroom and 150 hours of clinical. Here, I think it's 1000 or 500 hours of classroom."

"Wow, you must be good." Sam laughed.

"Let's just go for dinner." They headed out to C.D.'s, a favourite restaurant of Trent and his friends.

"Trent brought a friend." Cordell Walker and Alex Cahill turned to see what Jimmy Trivette was talking about. Sure enough, a young women was entering the bar with Trent. Alex's curiosity was peaked. Trent hadn't said he was seeing anyone.

"Hi everyone. I'd like you to meet Samantha Baker. She's a student of mine. This is Alex Cahill, Cordell Walker and Jimmy Trivette. Walker and Jimmy are Texas Rangers." Sam looked perplexed.

"The baseball team?"

"No, the other Rangers."

"What other Rangers?" Everyone stopped and looked at Sam. Finally Walker spoke.

"Your not from Texas, are you?"

"No, actually I'm from..."

"Wait! Don't tell me. I'm good with accents." Jimmy was thinking hard.

"Texas Rangers are police, Sam," Trent said.

"Oh, like in the Old West. The Lone Ranger, right? I didn't know they still existed. I guess it's kinda obvious that I'm new to Texas."

"Pacific Northwest. Seattle."

"No. I'm from a small town called Simcoe. It's in..." Jimmy cut her off.

"No wait. The Dakotas."

"Further north."

"What's further north than the Dakotas?" Jimmy asked.

"How about Canada?" Walker suggested.

"Really? You're from Canada?" Everyone was surprised.

"Do you ski?"

"No, Jimmy. And I don't play hockey either." Sam said with a laugh. Jimmy was embarrassed.

"I didn't mean it that way." Sam laughed.

"I know. It's just that some Americans, particularly here in the south seem to think Canada has snow all year long and that all we do is play hockey. Actually, the Dakotas and even parts of California are further north than where I am from." Soon C.D. arrived with the menus and dinner was ordered. Conversation was made until the food arrived. Sam realized how little she had actually eaten in the last few weeks. She was famished.

After dinner, Trent suggested that the guys play darts. It would give Sam a chance to talk to Alex. She had told Trent that she didn't want anyone else to know about the attack.

"Trent said you wanted to talk to me. What about?" Alex now noticed the bruises on Sam's face. Sam told Alex what she had told Trent.

"I thought things were getting better but I think I still need some help. I finally made it out of the apartment but I'm not so sure I could have gone back in if Trent wasn't with me. I'm a teacher so I can't be afraid of everyone."

"You weren't afraid of Trent." Alex reminded her.

"I know. I can't explain it but he makes me feel safe."

"That's our Trent, protector of the world." Alex laughed. "Didn't the police give you any names of rape crisis centres to contact?"

Sam cringed at the word 'rape'. It was the first time it had been said out loud. "No, they weren't very helpful to be honest."

"I thought it was standard. I'll get the numbers and call you tomorrow, okay?" The guys returned from playing darts. Walker as usual was the winner.

"Hey, where's Carlos?" Jimmy asked.

"He's working on that serial killer case. He said he'd be here if he could." Sam. guessed that Carlos was the friend in the picture at the dojo.

A slow song came on the juke box and Trent looked at Sam. "Care to dance?" Sam blushed.

"Sure." On the dance floor, Trent asked if Alex had been able to help Sam.

"Yes. You and your friends are really great." Together they danced slow and smooth like they had always been together. Samantha felt happier and safer than she had in a long time. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the wonderful presence that was Trent. Can something good come out of all this, she asked herself. I think I'm falling for a man I hardly know.

Trent too, had felt the chemistry between them. Don't rush anything, she's been through a lot, he told himself. Just be the friend she needs right now.

The others noticed the attraction too. "Trent's got it bad," CD observed from the table. Alex agreed completely. Wlaker and Jimmy just shook their heads.

Too quickly the song was over. Sam and Trent smiled at each other. It was Sam who finally spoke.

"I guess I should be going home now. Thanks for the dance." The two made their way back to the table. Good-byes were said and they headed out the door.

After they had gone, Alex told Walker and Trivette Sam's story. Walker agreed that he would check on the progress of the investigation. Just then Carlos walked in. "Who was that with Trent? He didn't even see me wave."

When they arrived at her door, Sam took the key. "I've got to do this myself Trent." She unlocked the door and boldly walked in. Her knees were shaking but she put on a brave face. Trent followed her in.

"Are you okay here?" Trent's voice showed his concern.

"Yes, thank you. And thank you for a great evening. I really had fun."

"Me too. Well, I guess I better get going. I've got classes to teach tomorrow." There was an awkward pause.

"Oh, hell." Trent leaned over and kissed Samantha tenderly on the lips. She put her hands on his chest and the kiss seemed to last an eternity. Then it was over.

"Wow!" Sam was momentarily speechless. "Can I uhh, come by the dojo tomorrow for more lessons" she finally managed to say.

"Sure. I'm free about 11. See you then." Trent finally turned to go.

"See you then." Sam closed and locked the door behind him. For a moment she watched him go, then turned around to face the apartment. Almost instantly, the memories of that night came flooding back to her. She slid down the door, hugged her knees and cried.

"Hi Carlos. How's the case going?" Walker had stopped by the Dallas P.D. Station.

"It's going Walker. Sorry I didn't get into the details last night but I just needed to put it out of my mind for awhile. At least there haven't been any new victims but he's due."

"Tell me about it and I'll see if I can help."

"It seems that at least two of the victims had filed rape reports two to three weeks before the murders. From interviews from family members, we believe at least 3 of the other had been attacked but didn't file reports. Seems his pattern is rape and then he returns two to three weeks later to kill the victims. Right now all sexual assault involving single women living alone are coming through me."

"Then you must have seen the one from Trent's friend Samantha."

"Who? Trent's friend from last night?"

"Yes. She told Trent and Alex she had been attacked. Samantha Baker. She lives on Lincoln." Walker was beginning to get a feeling something wasn't right.

"Don't think so." Carlos checked a file folder on his desk. "Nope, nothing from a Samantha Baker. And, like I said, everything is coming through me."

"I think I better talk to her."

"Okay Walker. Tell Trent to call me." Before Walker was out the door Carlos' mind was back on the murder case before him.

"Kiya!"

"Good. Again." Walker heard their voices before he saw them. Sam and Trent were working on punches. Trent was holding a target for her to hit.

"Hi guys."

"Hi Walker." Trent put down the target.

"Hi Sam. Trent, can I talk to you? Excuse us Sam."

"Sure." Sam watched as they moved to the other side of the dojo, talking in hushed voices.

"What? Carlos is sure?" trent's voice carried across the dojo and Sam knew they were talking about her.

"What is it?" Sam said, looking directly at them.

"Samantha," Walker turned toward her. "Dallas P.D. doesn't have any report about your assault." Sam instantly turned on Trent.

"You told him? And you had him check up on me? How dare you?" Sam was hurt and angry. She threw the target at Trent and turned to leave.

"Wait, Sam." Trent started to go after her.

"Trent didn't tell me anything. Alex did. She just wanted to make sure things were progressing," Walker explained.

"So now you don't believe me." It was a statement, not a question. She did not turn to face them.

"I believe you, Sam." It was Trent's voice. "Do you remember the name of the officer you spoke to?"

"That bastard. You know, I knew he didn't give a shit when I was talking to him. He lost interest when he saw my table."

"His name Sam. What was his name?" Trent came up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder, steadying her. She took a deep breath.

"I'm not sure. It was Connor, Coleman, something like that. It was definitely a hard C." She went and sat in Trent's desk chair.

"There wasn't a hospital report either." Walker told her.

"I asked if I should go to the hospital but he said because I'd had a shower it wouldn't be worth it." Sam was very uncomfortable getting into any details with Trent there.

"It is standard that a rape kit is done in the hospital in every reported case," Walker told her.

"Do you really believe me?" Sam looked from Trent to Walker.

"Yes, we do Sam. Now I just have to find out who this officer was and why he didn't file a report. Tell me exactly when it happened and when you called in the report. I'll get back to you." Sam gave Walker the details and he headed back to Dallas P.D.

Once they were alone in the dojo, Sam apologized to Trent. "I'm sorry I jumped all over you Trent. I never thought about Alex."

"It's okay. Alex was just looking out for you."

"I'm sure. I just want all this to go away, but it won't will it?" Sam's eyes started to well up with tears and her lip trembled.

"You'll get through this Sam. And we'll all be here to help." He gathered her into his arms and pulled her to him. "I'll be here."

"Hi Rita!" A dark-skinned women sat behind a computer screen. She was a dispatcher for Dallas P.D.

"Hi Walker. Nice to see you but let me guess you need a favour." She smiled knowingly.

"Nice to see you, too, and you're right. Can you check for a call on the 17^th around 6:30am about a sexual assault? I need to know who responded."

"Okay." Her fingers flew across the keyboard. "Suspected assault, Lincoln Street. Ummm, Officer Dave Conacher responded." The hard C, thought Walker.

"Is he on duty now?" More clicking of keys.

"He comes on at 8:00 tonight. That it?"

"Thanks, Rita. I owe you one," said Walker as he left to find Carlos.

"Yeah, you and everyone else!"

"He didn't file a report or a rape kit? Geez. If they are all doing that we'll be spinning our wheels forever." Carlos was very upset. It was hard to do his job when others weren't doing theirs. "Let's talk to him when he comes in tonight." Walker agreed to meet Carlos back at the station at 8:00.

"Feeling better?"

"Definitely. Boy, you Texans sure know how to feed a person. I've never seen so much food." Spending the day together had considerably lightened both Sam and Trent's mood. Now they were going for a walk.

"Your family is great. It was really nice to spend time with real people and I just loved your mom's cooking." Trent thought that family was just what Sam had needed.

"I'm glad you had a good time. Sometimes they can be overwhelming." Trent laughed. His brothers and sister had taken to Sam immediately and his mom had kept giving him approving looks.

"No, they were great. The controlled chaos reminds me of when I was growing up. I have a brother and a sister back home." It was the first time Sam had mentioned her family.

"Why did you decide to come to Dallas?" he asked.

"The job seemed like a great opportunity. I'm essentially reworking the program from the ground up."

"Is that it?" Trent knew there was more to the story.

"No, there's more but we'll save that for another time. More bad memories," she said slyly.

"You don't have a husband waiting back in Canada, do you?" Trent asked with a smile.

Sam returned the smile. "Ex-husband but he's the least of my concern. No, I came here completely unattached. What about you? No wife, girlfriend?"

"Caught me in a dry spell," Trent said with a laugh. "Thank God for good timing." They had reached his car. They stopped, kissed. "Thank you for walking into my life Samantha Baker. I think I'm falling for you." Sam was taken aback. She was falling for Trent, too but there was so much they didn't know about each other.

"I feel the same Trent but..." Sam hesitated.

"But what?" Trent felt her pulling away.

"I just have a lot of things to work out and I don't think it's fair to you until I do. You have really been a great help to me but I just need things to go a little slower. I hope you understand." She looked into his ice blue eyes.

"I do. I just want you to know that I really care about you and I'll be here for you." Trent gathered her in his arms.

"Thank you. I really appreciate that." Trent turned and opened the car door for Sam.

"Home?" he asked.

"I think so." Sam's thoughts were racing. What was she doing? She knew she was falling for Trent but she was pushing him away. I have to get myself straightened out before I get involved, she told herself. Now, if she could only get herself to believe it.

Trent too, was confused but he knew Sam had been through a lot. Going slow was okay.

They drove on in silence, each wrapped up in their own thoughts. Soon, they were at Sam's door.

"Do you want to come in, Trent?" Sam hoped things hadn't changed between them.

"Only if you want me to check the place out. Something tells me you want to be alone."

"You're not mad are you?"

Trent helped her out of the car and gave her a tender, passionate kiss. "No. You're right. Things have been moving pretty quickly. I'm willing to slow down if that's what you want."

"You really are wonderful, aren't you?" Sam said with a smile.

"No, I just don't get many dates!" Sam laughed heartily.

"Now that I find hard to believe." They were standing on the front porch. "You better go now or you never will." They kissed again.

"Are you coming by the dojo tomorrow, Sam?"

"If I can. What time are you free?"

"Come around three. It's pretty busy tomorrow but I'll get Tommy to take that class."

"If it's too busy.."

"Nope."

"Okay. I'll see you then." Sam turned to go into her apartment. Trent waited until she had opened the door. "Chivalry isn't dead is it?" Trent just smiled. "Good-night."

Trent looked at his watch as he got into his car. It was 8:05.

"Conacher." The officer turned around at the sound of his name.

"Hey, Sandoval. How's it going?" He had known Carlos from the academy. "Hear your working the serial case."

"Yeah, Dave. That's what I'm here to talk to you about. This is Ranger Walker."

"Pleased to meet you. What do you want from me?"

"A call you went out on a couple of weeks ago. An assault over on Lincoln." Carlos' tone was serious.

"Maybe." Conacher shrugged. "Why?"

"Why wasn't there a report filed and sent to me?"

"Truthfully?" Conacher asked. Carlos nodded. "Because she was a hooker. I didn't want to waste the time and energy." Carlos just about fell over. Trent's friend? He looked over at Walker.

"No way! What gave you that idea?" Walker asked.

"She's into massage. She had the table and everything. There was nothing else but boxes and there was no sign of forced entry. I figured it was a john who got a little rough."

"She's a massage therapist. You know, a respected health care professional, with a licence. Haven't you ever heard of massage therapists?" Carlos was livid.

"Yeah. I just figured it was a fancy name for prostitute."

"Regardless of your ignorance, all rape reports were to go through me." Carlos' voice was hard. "This guy rapes his victims and then goes back three weeks later and kills them. What did she tell you about the attack?" Conacher pulled out his book and flipped through pages.

"She said the guy had been waiting for her when she got home. There was no forced entry." A sick feeling was starting in Carlos' stomach. Conacher continued. "She said something about things being set up, like ties on the bed posts. He must have known she lived alone because he stayed for a few hours without worrying about anyone being home. When he left he made her get into the shower." By now, Carlos' was furious.

"This sounds like our guy. How long ago was this?" Carlos' knew the attacker returned to his victim between 14 and 21 days later. It was Walker who responded.

"16 days ago."

"Do you have her number? She shouldn't be alone."

"No, but we can call Trent on his cell phone."

Carlos turned to the officer. "We will deal with this later, Conacher. But, if anything happens to her, its on your conscience." Carlos turned and he and Walker ran to get the car. They would call Trent on the way. It was 8:10.

Sam locked the door and watched Trent leave. As she turned, she dropped her purse and jacket on the sofa. Suddenly, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end and her every muscle tensed. Something was wrong. Very wrong. C'mon Sam, she thought. You're imagining things. She was not convincing herself. It was too late to stop Trent. She could call his cell phone but what would she say? She was the one who told him to go. Her heart was pounding and every nerve was on edge.

"This is ridiculous," she said aloud. She went to the kitchen to get a drink. Suddenly, he was there, behind her. She screamed and tried to run but she was caught. She tried to remember what Trent had taught her. Elbow to the midsection. It was a hit. She heard a groan but she still couldn't get away. She stomped on his foot. Another hit and this time he let go. Run, she told herself. She tried to get to the door but he caught her by the hair.

"Stop fighting me, bitch!" he hissed. He punched her in the face and the world swam. She landed a few more blows but could not get away. He was dragging her to the bedroom.

Please God, not again, she thought. Trent, I need you. Please help me. She tried to scream but a hand clamped on her mouth as she was thrown on the bed. The ties were there again and soon she was tied down to the bed. She kicked as hard as she could and she landed a few blows. Soon, however, he had her feet tied down as well. Tape was placed over her mouth. The tears began to flow.

"Didn't think you would see me again, did you? You learned a few tricks but don't worry, you'll pay for that." Terror filled Sam's eyes as she saw the knife he had left on the dresser. She shook her head 'NO', her eyes pleading with her attacker.

"This is my favourite part." Sam thought she had heard something in the living room. Was someone there? Please help, she thought. She saw the flash of the knife and felt the sudden pain. Silently, she screamed help me, help me but then he was gone. The world spun around her.

Trent had grabbed the attacker. Carlos had called on his way to Sam's house, telling Trent to warn her. When he had knocked on the door and there was no answer he knew there was something wrong. He kicked down the door. He saw Sam on the bed as he grabbed her attacker. Punch, kick, punch, punch, punch. It was all a blur. He had never felt such rage.

"Trent! That's enough, Trent! Trent! Stop!" It was Carlos, pulling him off the attacker. Trent looked at Carlos and his eyes focused.

"Sam!" Trent ran back into the bedroom, and saw the widening blood stain on Sam's shirt. "Carlos! Call 911. Hurry!" He quickly untied her arms and legs and took the tape off her mouth. "It's okay, Sam. You'll be okay." He grabbed a pillow case and packed the wound. "Sam? Stay with me Sam. I'm here. Everything is going to be okay." Trent wasn't sure who he was trying to reassure.

Sam looked at him as he held her head. "Trent," she said softly. She tried to fight it but blackness soon surrounded her.

Sam could feel the light on her face, but it was such an effort to open her eyes. Why does everything feel so heavy, she wondered. She tried to move but she had no energy. Pain radiated from her stomach. Okay, she thought, let's try the eyes again. Slowly, the world came into focus.

"Hi, there." Trent. She tried to smile but even that was an effort. "Relax," he said. "You've just come out of surgery and it'll take awhile for the anaesthetic to wear off." Sam sensed someone else in the room. Slowly, she turned her head to the side of the be opposite Trent. The friend from the picture, she thought.

"Sam, this is Carlos. Carlos, Samantha."

"Pleased to meet you, Samantha. Come here often?" This time Sam smiled.

"Oh, great, a comedian," she whispered.

"Canadian? No actually I'm Cuban." Carlos smiled, Trent groaned and Sam tried to laugh.

"Owww!"

"Sorry, I guess it only hurts when you laugh, huh?"

"Did you catch him?" It was all coming back to Sam; the attack and the rescue by Trent. Carlos and Trent looked at each other.

"Yes," Carlos told her. "There wasn't much left of him that wasn't hurting when Trent was through with him."

"Good."

"Don't worry about that now, Sam. You get some rest." Trent leaned over and kissed her forehead. "You really had me worried." Sam smiled at him.

Carlos took her hand. "I'll talk to you later, Sam. I'm going to need to take your statement but only when you're ready." Sam nodded. As they left the room, sleep slowly enveloped her once again.

Outside the room the two men stopped to talk. "She's really special to you isn't she?" Carlos asked.

"Yes, she is. I could have killed him if you hadn't pulled me off him."

"Yeah, well, just between you and me, Trent, I probably should have let you. This guy is one sick puppy. Hopefully, we can put him behind bars for good." With that, Carlos turned and left. Trent went back to sit with Sam.

Four Months Later

"You two were great in there. Now we just have to wait for the verdict." Alex was sitting in the hallway of the courthouse with Trent and Sam. They had just finished testimony and Alex had wrapped up her final arguments. Carlos, Walker and Jimmy were waiting with them.

"How long have they been deliberating?" Sam was nervous. She just wanted to put this behind her and get on with life.

"It's been almost two hours. Why don't you all go get some food and I'll let you know when the jury is back. It may not be until tomorrow." Alex kissed Walker and sent the group to CD's for food.

Sam was tossing and turning in her sleep when the phone ring. It had been a very restless night. She heard Trent answer the phone. She was still tired but she wasn't sure she wanted to try to sleep again.

"That was Alex. The jury is coming back at 10:00. Do you want to get up first or stay in bed a little longer?" Trent leaned over and kissed her. "Good morning, by the way." Sam smiled.

"I'll go shower first." She sat on the edge of the bed. "There is no way he can get out of this, is there?" There was a trace of fear in her voice.

"No way." Trent sat up and hugged her. Sam turned to him.

"I hope you are right."

They met Carlos, Walker, Jimmy and Alex at the courthouse at 10:00. As they went into the courtroom the jury was filing in.

"Have you reached a verdict, Madam Foreperson?" The judge's voice rang out over the courtroom.

"We have your Honour."

"In the case of People vs Nash, on the count of aggravated assault, attempted murder and first degree murder, how do you find the defendant?"

"Guilty on all charges, your Honour." Sam felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Tears ran down her cheeks. Trent hugged her and whispered in her ear.

"It's over, Sam."

"This court sentences you to life in prison with no chance of parole for the rest of your natural life. Take him away. Court adjourned."







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