Walker sat at his alone at his desk, sipping coffee from his favorite cup, when the door opened. Walker looked up to see a beautiful woman with long dark brown hair walking in.
"Ellen?" Walker asked shocked. He couldn't believe his eyes
"Yes, Cord, it's me. I came back for you." Ellen replied, heading over to Cordell.
Walker got up form his desk and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around Ellen.
"I thought you were dead. Vincent Pike shot us both. They told me you had died instantly." Walker whispered.
"No, I was in a coma for about a year, and when I woke up, I couldn't remember who I was. I knew that I loved a man name Cordell, but I had not idea where to find you. I moved to a small ranch in Navasota. I had so many pieces of my life I had to put together. I had to find out where Cordell was. At last, I found you." Ellen smiled up at the man who she still loved after all of this time.
"How?" Walker asked her.
"Well, I remembered a name of an old friend, Darlene Jones. I looked her number up and found she was living in Plano. When I called her, she was shocked, just like you are. Of course, she didn't believe me at first. She said I was killed ten years ago. I drove up to Plano that same day to meet Darlene. She gave me a photo she had of Cordell and me. She told me that your name was Cordell Walker and that you are a Texas Ranger for Company B in Dallas. She said you were broken up by my death and took a leave of absents for some time." Ellen looked up at the ranger with tears in her eyes.
"Ellen, they buried you. I've been to the grave." Walker told her.
"Cord, did you see me in that coffin?" Ellen asked, hoping that Walker would believe she was still alive.
"No. And it has haunted me ever since. I was in the hospital. I tried to get out, but I couldn't. I left early the day after and went to your grave, then I went after Pike."
"Cordell, I don't know who they buried there, but it wasn't me." Ellen smiled at Cordell and kissed him.
Alex walked though the door.
"Walker..." She stopped at the sight she saw.
Turning when his name was called, Walker got a glance of Alex out of the corner of his eye, heading out of the door. Quickly pulling away from Ellen, he ran after her.
"Alex, wait! Let me explain!" Walker called to Alex as she headed down the hall with tears staining her eyes.
Turning sharply around, Alex said. "I thought I really knew you Walker."
Walker could see the hurt on Alex's face as she took her engagement ring off and threw it on the floor.
"Alex! NO! Wait, Let me explain to you!" Walker's own voice was filled with hurt. Had he really lost her this time. Lost her because of something stupid that he did without thinking. Because he left the past back into his life.
"Cord. Who was that?" Ellen came up behind him and asked.
"That was my fiancée." Walker said picking up the engagement ring Alex had thrown done.
"Fiancée? Cord, I thought we were engaged. You just forgot about me?" Ellen asked.
"No, I would never forget about you, Ellen. You could never imagine the pain I went though when Pike was released early from prison, but it's been 10 years since you've been gone, life moves on, and Alex is the woman I want to marry. She is just so special to me, Ellen."
"Can you tell me more about her?" Ellen asked Walker.
"She's an Assistant Distract Attorney. I met her in court about four years after I thought you were killed. We became friends and then our relationship grew into more. It took me long enough to ask her to marry me. I guess I have always loved Alex, I just never admitted it because I was afraid my job would get her hurt, just like I thought Pike killed you, because he was after me."
"I have to find her, Ellen. I really love her, and I can't lose her. I hope you understand."
"I understand. I will just wait here for you to get back, okay?" Ellen answered.
"Ok, thanks."
Walker hurried down the hall toward Alex's office.
"Hey, Jamie, Is Alex in her office?" Walker asked the secretary as he came though the door.
"No, Ranger, I am sorry. She had headed over to your office to tell you of a special getaway she had planned for you, but came running back in her office only a few minutes after leaving. She never said what had upset her so much, just grabbed her files and left." Jamie told the Ranger.
"How long ago did she leave?" Walker asked.
"Oh, about 2 or 3 minutes ago. What is going on, Ranger?" She asked
"I'll explain later." Walker rushed out of the DA's office and down the stairs to the parking lot. He searched for Alex's car, but only found an empty spot where it was parked this morning.
Walker hurried back up the stair to the Ranger Office, where Ellen was still waiting..
"Did you find, Alex?" She asked.
"No."
Walker went to his desk and dialed her cell phone...
"Come on Alex, answer." Walker said more to himself then anyone. After about ten rings, Walker hanged up and dialed her apartment. Only getting the answer machine.
"Alex. This is Walker. Let me explain what happened today. The woman you saw was Ellen. Alex, I.. I love you. Don't leave me." Walker begged her, then hanged up.
Ellen could tell how much Walker loved Alex. She knew she didn't stand a chance with him no more. What they had, was over. She had missed her chance.
"Cord, I am sorry I caused you this trouble. I didn't know that you had someone in your life. If I knew about Alex, knew that you were happy, I would have never came back. I will just head home now. Sorry." Ellen turned to head out the door.
"Ellen! Wait. I am glad you came back. All this time I thought you were dead. I blamed my self all of these years. I was afraid to get close to anyone. True, we could never have what we had ten years ago, all of that is in the past now, but we can always be friends." Walker paused. "I would like for you to stay for a while. Meet Alex. CD sure would be glad to see you again. And my partner, Trivett, I know he would love to meet you."
"I don't want to intrude. I have caused enough trouble for you. What's in the past, should be left there."
"Ellen. We would all love to see you again. It's not your fault what happened with Alex today. She didn't know. You didn't know. It was my fault. I should have told you right off hand that I was engaged and I should have held you and kissed you back. I was just so shocked and so happy. I should have spent more time with Alex and showed her more how much I loved her. I am not good with words, but I should have found a way to say "I love you, Alex" everyday. If I did, they she wouldn't have had any doubts."
"Cord, I will stay as long as you are sure it won't cause any more trouble, but, please don't blame yourself. You had no way of knowing. I am sure Alex loves you, she was just hurt."
"Thanks, Ellen. How would you like to see the Ranch again?" Walker asked.
"I would LOVE to! You still have that place?" She asked.
"Yeah, I could never part with it. I love it. I need some time alone with Alex to explain the whole mess to her, so, if you would like, you can stay at the ranch for a while."
"Sure!"
Walker lead Ellen to the Ram..
"Wow! I see you have a new truck!" Ellen smiled.
"Yeah. It's the best truck I've had. It has never left me down when I needed it."
"So, what have I missed in the last ten years?" Ellen asked, getting in the RAM.
"Well, CD got wounded in the knee, so he retired from the rangers and opened a Bar & Grill called "CD's". He still is helping us with cases, I guess there is no such thing as a retired ranger. Jimmy Trivett is my partner now. We are best of friends. CD helped Trivett get into the police force from Baltimore. When one of the Ranger's was killed in a robbery, Trivett became a ranger, and being that I was running alone, which I didn't mind, they paired us up. " "I have never loved another woman as much as I loved you, until Alex, she is so special to me, and I really love her. I know I should tell her that and make sure everyone knows, but I am just so afraid of hurting her. For the last eight years all I wanted was to marry Alex, but I am always afraid of leaving her a widow, or having someone come after he because of me. And children. Alex and I both want to have kids, but if I get killed on the job, then what about them. Alex will be left to raise children alone, and the kids will grew up with out a farther. I just can't do that to them. " Walker signed.
"Cord, stop talking like that. There are a lot of police officers out there AND rangers who are happily married with children, and nothing happens to them. Don't be so over-protective. Alex loves you. From just what little you have told me about her, I can see that. Cord, you will never find another woman as good as Alex. I will have to admit. I can't even stand up to her. If you had to choose, I know that Alex would always win your heart. I am happy for you Cordell, and I am not going to make you choose between us. I just want you to be happy, and I can see that Alex makes you very happy." Ellen said.
"Yes, she does make me happy, and I do have to admit that Alex will always win my heart, no matter what. She has been there for me though Uncle Ray's death. She saved me life while we were trapped on the Utah Mountains. We went undercover more then once as man and wife. And even though Vincent Pike. When he got release. Alex was right there for me. I never told her about you until then. Actually it was CD who told her and Trivett. I just never wanted to talk about it. Alex understood. She was there when ever I needed her. And we had postponed a trip up to the mountains so that I could track down Pike again. She never complained. Pike brought back so many memories. I got to the point where all I wanted was to go out there and kill him. Finish it once and for all, but Alex, she talked some sense into me. Got me to realize that I would be no better then Pike was if I acted that way. If it wasn't for Alex, I may not have even been a ranger today."
Ellen listened with interest as Walker filled in her missing years. Before long, the RAM pulled up to the Ranch.
"Just how I remembered it." Ellen said, looking around.
"Yeah, not much has changed."
"How about Uncle Ray? Is he still here, or did he go back to the reservation?" Ellen asked.
"I am sorry to say, Ellen. Uncle Ray's time was up, and he crossed the river a few years ago." Walker's voice held sadness.
"Oh, I am so sorry."
Ellen looked over to the barn and pasture.
"I see you still have horses." She smiled, walking over to the fence Ranger stood waiting for Walker.
"Yeah, that there is Ranger. He's a Quarter Horse. And the smaller horse who looks like Ranger, he's little Ranger." Walker said.
Ellen laughed a little looking at the two horses.
"What?" Walker asked, smiling a little.
"Little Ranger? How did you get that name?" she asked.
Walker got a sad look in his eye and Ellen's smile faded.
"Oh, sorry, Cord, did I say something wrong?" she asked.
"No, no it's not you. Little Ranger was Lucas's horse. Lucas was a little boy who we found at a drug raid. Lucas's farther abused him, and his mother had aids. I kept Lucas at the ranch with me. He was like a son to me. We went horse back riding, and I taught him some things about animals. Lucas died the day after I arrested his farther. We buried him on the ranch, by the river, that was his favorite spot."
Ellen say the tear Walker held back.
"I am sorry. I know how much that really hurt you"
Ellen said, now petting the nose of a white mare with a black mane.
"What about this baby?" she asked.
"That's Angle. I got her for Alex just a few months ago." Walker said
Walker lead Ellen from the barn to the ranch. As they entered, Ellen looked around the living room. Just as it was before, all but one thing. The pictures. Walker used to have a room full of pictures of him and her together. Now most of the pictures were of Alex, and Alex and him. She saw a some of Uncle Ray she looked closer at one of Alex. It was Alex and Cordell and a little boy. Could it be Lucas? She wondered. Walker answered the unasked question.
"That's Alex and me with Lucas. It was during his birthday party. We knew it would be his last, so we did everything in our power to make it his best." Walker looked at the photo as sad memories filled his heart.
"I have to go after Alex now. Will you be okay here until I get back?" Walker asked.
"Yeah, sure." Ellen smiled as she watched Walker leave.
Walker's thoughts ran wild. Where could she be. She didn't answer the cell phone, nor her apartment phone. She left the office. Maybe she was at CD's. Maybe she went to CD for advice
Walker pulled the RAM in front of CD's and rushed in.
"CD! Alex, is she here?" Walker asked.
"She was. And pretty hurt and upset if I might add. What were you thinking Cordell!" CD seemed upset himself.
"What are you talking about, CD? What did Alex tell you?" Walker asked.
"That you had another woman in your office kissing her!" CD seemed shocked.
Walker's face was full of hurt. Of course he did. Alex only knew what she saw.
"Well, did you!?" CD asked.
"Yeah, I did, but.."
"CORDELL WALKER! WHAT IN CARNATIONS WERE YOU THINKING!?" CD asked, really upset now.
"CD! It was Ellen. I know, that is no excuse. I should have pulled away sooner, should have left the past in the past, but I didn't. I made a huge mistake and now I have to make it right before I lose the woman I love." Walker was upset himself. Why did he always have to make such a mess of things.
"I don't know what you are talking about, but go find that little lady before it's too late." CD turned and headed back into the kitchen.
Walker left and headed for Alex's apartment. She must be there. She may not be answering her phone, but he couldn't think of any place else that she could have been.
Parking the RAM in the apartment complex parking lot, Walker half ran up the steps to Alex's door. Rapping lightly Walker called.
"Alex, it's me. Walker. Let me in Please. Let me explain things to you Alex. I.. I.. Love you Alex and I don't want to use you."
Walker waited a moment and the door opened. Walker stepped in slowly, and was shocked at the sight he saw. Alex had most of her belonging packed in boxes and stacked in the living room.
"Alex? What is this? Where are you going?" Walker asked.
"Chicago. There is nothing here for me anymore. I can't even trust the man I have loved for so long. The man I wanted to marry." Alex had tears in her eyes. "I guess this is good-bye, so you can go now. Go back to her."
"No, Alex. Don't do this to me. You don't understand. That woman. She was Ellen. She wasn't killed. When she came in the office, I was so shocked, so surprised, I went right to her. She kissed me, and I returned it. I know, I know, I shouldn't have. I should have backed off and told her I had moved on with my life, that I had someone who I loved and who meant the world to me. I made a mistake, Alex. I am sorry. Don't let this come between us. Not now, not after all that we have been though. I told Ellen everything. I told her all about you and that I moved on with me life. I told her we were getting married. She accepts that. She know that her and me, we can only be friends now." Walker looked Alex in the eye, the pulled her closer to him.
"I love you Alex. I know I haven't told you that as often as I should, and I sure haven't showed it. But I am telling you and showing you now." Walker dropped down to one knee and pulled the ring Alex and thrown down, out of his pocket. "I love you with all my heart Alex Cahill. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you please still marry me?" Walker begged her with his eyes.
"When, Walker, when will you marry me?" Alex asked. "Do you even have a date in mind?" She asked.
"May 29. I already have everything planned, but it is still changeable if you want another date. Anytime, Alex." Walker smiled. "So, will you marry me?" he asked again.
"Of course I will Cordell Walker. I love you. Oh, I knew you would never leave me. I knew it in my heart."
Walker picked up the boxes and headed out to the truck.
"WALKER! Wait, what are you doing?" Alex asked.
"Well, being that we are getting married, Why unpack all of this stuff now. Why don't you just move into the ranch now?" Walker smiled as he put the boxes in the back of the RAM and scooped Alex up in his arms.
"Sure. I sped most of my time there anyway Cowboy!"
Walker opened his eyes. The light over head was bright. Walker turned to his left, there was a dull pain in his chest. Some one was holding his hand.
"Alex?" he asked.
"Walker! Oh my gosh, it's good to see you awake again. You gave us a big scare Cowboy. How are you feeling?" Alex asked.
"W- What H-Happed? Where am I?" he asked, still groggy.
"You jumped off a bridge to save a little boy that was trapped in a sinking car. You got the boy out, but somehow you got your leg pinned under the car, and it took you under. You were almost killed, Walker. I have never been so scared in my life."
"Is the boy okay?" Walker asked.
"Yes, he's fine thanks to you, but Walker, you didn't even think of your self! I could have lost you!" Alex was still scared, but she didn't want to upset Walker. He will still weak. Alex laid her head on his shoulder and rubbed his chest. "I love you Walker. I am just thankful that you are okay."
"Alex, lean over here a little closer." Walker whispered.
"What's wrong?" ALex asked.
"Nothing, just lean over here a little more." Walker begged.
As Alex did so, Walker wrapped his arms around her and pulled her on top of his chest, kissing her.
"WALKER! Don't! You are going to hurt yourself!" Alex was afraid her wait would cause more harm to the Ranger.
"I am fine Alex. I love you more then anything in this world. I want to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you Alex. I know, I haven't told you that near as much as I should have, but I am telling you now. Let's get married. How's May 29th sound?" Walker asked.
"Walker! That is only a month away. How can we plan a whole wedding?"
"Don't worry. I'll get it done. I want to marry you. I want to make you my wife because I love you, Alex." Walker pulled her into a longer kiss.
When the doctor came in to check on Walker, he found him holding Alex in his arms, both sleeping peacefully.
THE END
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