A man sat in a darken hotel room, lite only by a dim lamp. He was tall and muscluar, with dark hair and dark eyes.
He wore a tight black t-shirt that showed off his musclar build and faded blue jeans that had holes in the knees.
Beer cans laid scattered around the room. In his hands, he held the latestest copy of 'The Dallas Morning News'.
His eyes rested on a small part of the page. There was a picture of a Texas Ranger with reddish hair and beard.
Next to him stood the woman he wanted bad. Pretty, slim, blond hair, blue eyes...His jaw tightened as he read the
heading the article:
"Ranger To Marry Love Of His Life"
"Never married Texas Ranger, Cordell Walker of Dallas, Texas is finally tieing the knot with l ong time girl frined,
Assistant Distrant Attorny, Alex Cahill. After the death of his first finacee`, Ellen Garrett, over fifteen years ago,
the ranger has finally agreed to settle down with Alex Cahill after eight long years of dating, and then finally getting
engaged last year. "She's the love of my life.", Ranger Walker beamed when asked what he thought of the
wedding.
The couple will be married this Saturday Morning, May 27, 2000, at the North Church in Carrolenton, Texas. They
will be surrounded by over five hundered guests, including family, friends, and their fellow rangers. We wish Ranger
Cordell Walker and his finacee` all the best and many happy years. Ranger Walker and Ms. Cahill have
contributed a lot to our community. It's time they found happiness them selves.
The man grinned. "Well, now I guess I'll have to bring ya'll a little gift, won't I." he picked up a .22 rifle and smiled
at the happy couple in the photo.
***************************
In the back booth of C.D's Bar and Grill, Walker sat across the table from his finacee`.
"I am a little disappointed C.D. can't be here." she said.
"Yeah, I know. So am I."
"He sure would have loved it." Alex smiled.
"Too bad the crusise won't get back in time." Walker answered.
"Hey, guys! All set?" Gadge asked as him and his partner, Sydney Crook entered the bar.
"I believe so." Walker answered.
"Got the ring?" Sydney asked.
"The ring?" Walker looked worried.
"Yes, the ring. You know, to say 'I Do' with." Sydney shot back.
"Um. Well..." Walker looked over at Alex.
"Oh no! Don't you even DARE tell me you forgot the ring." Alex glared.
Walker stayed silent for a minute, letting his friends wonder.
"No, actually, Gadge has it." Walker smiled. "He's in charge of both rings for the wedding."
"Me?" Gadge patted his pockets.
All eyes turned to him.
"Ut oh..."
"I am waiting..." Alex tapped her figures.
Sydney look at Gadge and tapped his foot while Walker shot him a warning glare.
"Oh! Right here!" Gadge smiled, pulling out the black box.
*******************
The man smiled as he looked over the pictures he had cut out. He had serval of Alex Cahill taped to the walls. The
other ones he found of her and the Ranger together, he had ripped out Walker's photo and put it in the trash before
taping Alex's on the wall.
"Soon you'll be mind again, pretty." He grinned. "Soon. Real soon."
"If only that Ranger knew what was waiting for him Saturday. He would think twice about Walking down the ailse
with my woman. How dare him think he can steal you right from under my nose, Alex. And you, you should know
better. Didn't I tell you no other man will ever have you? You should have known better, now your cute little puppy
love will have to pay."
A evil laugh filled the room as he drank down the rest of his beer, and picked up another.
"This will be one wedding you will never forget!"
*******************
Walker had just left C.D.'s and arrived at Ranger Headquaters. He parked the truck and headed up the stairs. He
was in a hurry to get finished and head home to Alex.
"Hey Partner. Nervouse yet?" Trivette asked
"Why? Do I really look taht bad?" Walker grinned.
"No, not that you look bad, I was just asking."
"Well, kinda." Walker admittied.
"Thought so."
Walker looked at his best man for a minute, then headed to his desk.
Walker hurried down the steeps. One more day to go and then he had the next two weeks off, and he couldn't wait
to spend every minute of it with Alex.
"Hey there. Ranger Walker?"
A man approched him. This was Brad Evans, the same man who taped Alex's photos on the wall, and was planning a
nice little gift for the wedding, but Walker had no way of knowing this.
Walker stopped and greeted Brad.
"I read about your upcoming wedding to Ms. Cahill. Just wanted to say Congratlations. You have really helped to
make Dallas streets safer. I am happy you finally found a woman who is right for you."
'Well, I thank you sir." Walker said, shaking the man's hand.
Brand heading off on his way as Walker got into the truck.. "Keep your friends close and your ememy's even
closer." Brad said as Walker drove off.
*******************
Alex had dinner waiting when the RAM pulled in the drive. She opened the front door and greeted him with a kiss.
"How was your day, honey?" she asked
"Great! And your's?"
"Oh not too bad." She grinned.
"Hmm. Something sure does smell good in here."
She followed him to the kitchen.
"My faviort! Turkey Loaf!" he pulled her inot a long tender kiss.
"Thank you honey. You're gonna spoil rotten." He smiled.
"Not any more then you have already spoiled me." she laughed.
"You nervouse about Saturday?" She asked, a grin playing at her face. She could see it in his eyes, now if only he'd
admit it to her.
"Just a little."
"Why? I am not." She smiled. "I thought big tough Ranger's were brave. Now you're gonna tell me a little old
wedding is going to scare you?"
"No, but remember, this isn't your first time." He pointed out.
"You had eight long years to prepare!"
"Doens't help much."
"Well, don't be too nervous. We made the news." She smiled.
"We did?"
"Yep." She showed him the copy of 'The Dallas Morning News'.
"Well, that expalins the guy."
"What guy?" Alex asked.
"Oh, just some guy who came up to me and Congraltaed me on the wedding. Said he was happy I finally found
happiness."
"Oh, well that was nice of him."
"Yeah. It was."
**********************
It was the next day. The eve of the wedding. Everyone passed good wishes around the office to Walker and Alex.
Trivette stayed at his desk and laughed at Walker's nerverous. His partner was too laid back for all the attention.
He just couldn't wait for Walker to find out about his surprize.
Once it seemed Walker wasn't busy, Trivette approched his partner.
"Hey, Walker."
"Yes, Trivette?" Walker looked up at his partner.
"You need to be at C.D.'s tonight at five."
"Trivette, I get off at four thrity. I was hoping to have the night for Alex."
"I have a banchlor party planned. The whole office will be there. Walker, man, you GOTTA come."
"Trivette, you know I am not much for parties, exspecial Banchlor Parties. Anyway, Alex will never agree to it."
"I already told her. She said 'Have a good time'.
Walker thought about this for a minute, then looked up at his partner. "Oh alright. If you went to the trouble to plan
it, I'll go for a little while."
"Great!" Trivette smiled.
**********************
Evans stood across the street and smiled as he watched the banchlor party get under way. He waited until the
ranger arrived and he mad his call.
"Yeah. The sexist girl you have."
" C.D.'s Bar and Grill, pronto."
"Cordell Walker."
" Yeah, I am a friend of his."
" Thanks."
A evil grin made it's way across the man's face as he hanged up and took a look at the bar before getting into a
black ford and leaving.
***********************
"See, this isn't so bad, is it, partner?" Trivette smiled as Walker sipped a cup of coffee, clearly bored by the whole
thing.
Trivette held a long neck in his hang and was swaying to the lound music, as most of the people were.
"It isn't so good either." Walker said.
"Oh, come on man. You could at least have one beer."
"No, Trivette. I don't drink unless Alex and I are out together."
"Alright, you win." Trivette gave in and made his way over some more buddies of his. He wasn't going to let this
night go to waste like his partner was doing.
Walker had just got up and headed over to Gadge who was enjoying the music while sipping a drink, when whistles
and hoots broke out across the bar. Walker turned to see what all the commotion was about.
A tall full figured woman with long blond hair and steel blue eyes approched Walker. She wore a black fur coat.
"Cordell Walker? A friend of your sent me." she said very seductive.
She slipped off the coat to reveal a almost see though bright red binkie that was very revealing.
Walker just tightened his jaw.
"Sorry, you have the wrong man."
He made his way past the stripper and a bee line for Trivette.
"I though better of you then this."
"What?" Trivette was total confussed.
"You know me better, Trivette. Why in the hell would you pull a stunt like this."
"Walker, man, it wasn't me."
"Save it, Trivette."
Walker stormed out of the bar and headed home.
*********************
Alex was just getting ready for bed when she heard Walker enter.
"Honey? I thought you had a banchlor party."
"I did."
"Then why are you home so early."
"Trivette did something stupid."
"What did he do?" Alex could tell Walker was angrey over something.
"I don't want to discuss it right now. I need a shower."
Alex watched worriedly as Walker headed up to the shower. She heard the water start running a few minutes later.
Alex went to the kitchen and put hot tea on.
After the tea was done, she poured two cups and brought them back into the living room.
She stopped and stared at the scean in front of her.
Walker sat with water dripping from his hari and black shorts on. He stared into the fire.
Alex sat down the tea and slowly came up behind him and rubbed his shoulders.
"What is it?" she asked.
Walker didn't move. Just continued staring into the fire.
How was he suppose to tell her what had happened.
Would she be jealous?
Would she get mad at him? At Trivette?
"Trivette pulled a stupid little stunt at the party."
"Well, what did he do? Surely it can't be that bad."
"I thought I knew him better, Alex."
Alex stopped rubbing his shoulders. This wasn't going any where.
She came around to the front of the sofa and sat next to her finacee`.
"Tell me, Walker." she said softly, but stern.
"Trivett hired a striper to show up at the party for me."
Alex stayed silent for a minute.
Walker prepared himself for her response.
"Are you sure it was, Jimmy? That doesn't sound like him at all."
"Sounds just like him and his stupid pranks. I told him I didn't appreatiate it and left."
"Well what did Trivette have to say?"
"He denied it, of course."
"Walker, I've know Jimmy just as long as you have. He wouldn't do something like that."
"Alex, he planned the whole party. Who eles would do it!"
"Not Jimmy. I don't believe it." Alex said.
"Anyhow," She continued. "He's your best man. Don't let this one little insident ruin our wedding."
Walker thought her words though for a minute. He had acted on repluse. He didn't stop and think what he was
doing or saying. Alex was right. He was over reacting and did take it too hard on Trivette.
"You're right, honey. No harm was done."
He pulled her to his lips for a long passionant kiss.
"I love you, Alex."
"I love you too."
******************
Alex left the ranch early.
She had a lot to do, then had to head to the church and get ready for the wedding.
Gadge pulled up behind Walker's RAM. He noticed Alex's car was gone. Must have left early to get everything
done.
Walker was just finishing getting his suite on when he answered the door.
"Hey Gadge. What's up."
"I'd like to talk to you with you for a minute."
"Sure, what's up?" Walker asked.
"Listen, Walker, about last night...I helped Trivette with the plans for the party. There was no stripper involved. I
don't know who did this, but it wasn't, Trivette. He was really hurt last night when you accused him."
"Thanks for trying to clear things up, Gadge, but you don't know Trivette. It's just like him to sneak something in
like that. I am sorry, I shouldn't have went off like that. No harm was done." Walker paused. "Man, Gadge. You
know, I am just so devoted to Alex, it upseted me when that happened."
"Yeah, I can imagion. I am really sorry that that happened."
"Well, no harm was done. It's in the past now." Walker answered.
"Well, time to go buddy." Gadge said.
"Yeah." Walker followed Gadge out and got in the RAM.
*******************
Sydney was in the bathroom of the church, helping Alex to get ready for the wedding. Sydney was helping to get the
peach roses pinned into Alex's hair when Alex's cell phone rang.
"Wonder who that could be?" Sydney asked.
"I don't know, but it better not be Walker calling to say he'll be late."
She pickted up the phone.
"Alex."
"Ms. Cahill. Hello. I'd just like to congratlate you on the wedding."
"Who is this?" Alex asked, a little frightened at the sound of the guys voice.
"Just someone with your best instrest at heart."
"Well, thank you sure."
Brad grined as he hanged up.
"You may not know it yet, Ms. Cahill, but Walker isn't the best man for you."
"Who was that?" Sydney asked.
"I don 't know. Some guy congratlating me on the wedding." Alex said.
"Well then why do you have that look on your face. Looks like you've seen a ghost."
"I don't know Sydney. Something about his voice sent sivers up my spin."
"Maybe your just nervouse with all of this attention." she smiled.
"Yeah, that could be." Alex agreed.
******************************
Walker's cell phone ran in the seat nexxt to him as he followed Gadge to the church.
"Walker."
"Um. Is Ms. Cahill there?" a young man asked, hesident.
"No, she's not, but this is her finacee`, Walker. Can I take a message for you?"
"Cordell Walker? As in Texas Ranger Cordell Walker?"
"Yeah...Is there a promblem?" Walker asked, a bit confused.
"This is Mr. Thompson with the DreamFinders Travel Ageny. I was calling Ms. Cahill due to the report our offic
got of the death of her Finacee`, Ranger Cordell Walker. The called cancelled her honeymoon."
"Well, I am perfectly alive and well." Walker stated.
"I am so sorry, Ranger. It must have been a mistake."
"You sure it was for Ms. Alex and Cordell Walker?" he asked.
"Yes, Ranger. I am sure. I am so sorry. I'll have it taken care of right away. Please rest assure that none of your
plans will be changed."
"Thank you, Mr. Thompson."
*****************
Gadge pulled into the church parking lot where Trivette was already waiting for them.
"Hey, Trivette."
"Hi Gadge."
"Is he still mad?" Trivette questioned, looking over to where Walker had just pulled in.
"No, he's still convinced that you did it, though."
"Man, I swear, I knew NOTHING about it."
"I know Trivette. Just leave it. No harm was done. Walker seemed to have left it go."
"Left what go?" Walker asked, coming up.
"That thing last night." Trivette said, lowering his head, not knowing what Walker's reaction would be.
"Yeah. No harm was done, Trivette, but it looks like you aren't the only one who likes to play jokes."
"How so?" Gadge asked.
"I got a call just a few minutes ago. Appartentaly someone reported my death to the travel agency and cancelled the honeymoon."
"That's sick man!" Trivette made a face. At least his partner didn't pin THAT one on him.
"Is it all straightened out now?" Gadge asked.
"Yeah, everything is fixed."
"You sure it was just a joke, not a threat?" Trivette asked.
"Yeah. Nothing eles has happened. Just a sick joke. Nothing to worry about. But I don't want Alex getting wind of
this."
"Yeah, sure. No promblem man." Both Trivette and Gadge agreed.
"Alright, you ready, partner?" Trivette asked.
"Guess it's now or never."
Walker starts to follow Trivette.
Gadge double checks to make sure he has the rings. He finds one box. He opens it up. Alex's wedding ring. He digs
though all his boxes. 'Where is Walker's ring'?
"Um...I am going to run in and see Alex and Sydney for real quick."
"Hurry. Don't want to be late." Walker smiled.
*************************
"Alright. You ready?" Sydney smiles at Alex.
"Am I ever!"
Alex twrils around in her off-white wedding gown, cut at the shoulders, and covered in sparkling sequeans. The train
is a long one with peach roses though it. She decided not to have a veal, being that her farther had died, and C.D
couldn't make it. Those were the only two men she ever wanted to 'give the bride away'. Sydney reached up and
adjusted a peach rose in her hair, which had been cured that morning, and now laid down on her shoulders.
"You make a lovely bride!" Sydney smiles, just as there's a knock on the door.
"Who is it!" Sydney calls, making sure Walker wasn't trying to take a peek at the bride.
"Gadge."
"Come in."
Gadge rushes though the door.
"Alex, I lost Walker's ring."
"Gadge, stop the jokes." Alex smiles and turns to leave.
"I am seriouse!"
"Well, you better find it before the wedding." Alex and Sydney smiles and walkes out as the music starts to play.
Gadge franicly starts searching all the pockets again, and runs out to his car.
"It HAS to be here." he mumblered, ramshacking the car.
He searches the glove department, dash, and seats, finally he finds the black box contining Walker's ring under the
drivers seat.
Gade grabs it and rushes over to where Walker is standing at the outdoor alter.
Alex is just walking up the alise and smiles seeing Gadge take place next to Walker.
"What took you so long?" Walker asked
"Nothing."
Walker smiles and looks at his bride coming up the ailse. Oh how beutiful she was. This was going to be the best
day of his life. No one was aware of the hidden danger lurking up in a nearby tree, just waiting for the right time.
The man rested the shot gun on Walker and he peered though the scope as he took aim. A evil grin spread on his
face.
Alex took place in front of Walker.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered her today to join this man and this woman in holy matimory. If there's anyone
here today who has a reason why they should be joined together, let them speak now, or forever hold their peace."
The preacher paused and scanned the crowd.
The man in the tree grin. "Oh I'll speak alright, but it won't be now."
It seems to be a perfect day. A dream come true, but changes awaited.
"Do you, Alex Cahill take Cordell Walker to be your lawfully wedding husband, in sickness and in health, til death
do you part, forsaken all others."
Walker slips the ring on her figure as she says "I do."
Alex smiled at Walker as the preacher started Walker's vows.
"Do you, Cordell Walker, Take Alex Cahill, to be your lawfully wedding wife, in sickness and in health, til death
do you part, forsaken all others."
Alex reaches to slip the ring on Walker's figure as he opened his mouth to say "I do", but before Walker could
utter a word, he crumbled to the ground, uncounisous. A red blood stain spread across the front of his white shirt.
"NO!" Alex screamed droping to his side. "NO! WALKER!" She cried.
END PART 1
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