Walker, Trivette, Alex, Gadge, and Sydney all sat at a table in C.D's Bar and Grill. Marsaha had just sat down some of her famauos Mexican food.
"Thanks Marasha." Walker smiled
"So, Walker," Trivette said taking a bit of his food. "How'd you get Chuck Norris to agree to enter you Kick Drugs OUt Of America Rodeo tonight?"
"It wasn't hard." Walker answered. "Chuck is a big supporter of Kick Drugs out of America. We were in a karate tournment years ago."
"So he just agreed?"
"Yep. We agreed it would be a sure way to get a sell out crowd."
"Well, it worked." Alex smiled
"What envent is Chuck in, again?" Gadge asked.
"Cutting." Sydley smiled.
"What does he cut?" Gadge looked confused..
"Don't you know anything about the west?" Sydley laughed at her fellow ranger.
"Yeah! Of course I do!"
The door to C.D's burst opened and a young man came running in.
"A man was just killed during the bull riding practice. The bull just wen wild and killed him." The guy seemed scared and out of breather.
The five friends jumped up and followed the young cowboy across the street to the area to see what had happened.
Chuck was standing at the door, a puzzled and sad look on his face.
"What happened?" Walker asked.
"The bull went wild." Chuck said shaking his head, still looking into the area.
"How so?" Trivette questioned.
"He ran into the gates and walls, trying to throw the rider. Once the man was thrown, the bull immentally mauled him, killing him on site. They had to tranqlized him."
"I never heard of a bull doing that. Anything happened to spook him?" Walker asked.
"They had trouble with a horse used for the wild bronc riding out back."
"That'd do it."
"Is the rodeo still on?" Chuck asked.
"Yeah. I don't see any sign of foul play. Accidents do happen. We'll make sure that the bull isn't used tonight. I am heading on home to get ready." Walker said.
"Alex?"
"Yeah, I am coming."
The couple left hand in hand.
"We're going too." Sydley and Gadge also left, leaving Trivette and Chuck alone.
"You too?" Chuck asked Trivette.
"Guess I'd better." he answered, looking down at his dustly clothes.
"See you tonight." Chuck called, heading to the area to practice cutting, where a rider takes his horse into a group of calfs, then seprates a calf from the group.
Chuck was waiting for Walker and Alex at the door.
"Walker, something strange happened."
"What?"
"One of the bulls died. Someone found him in the pen."
"Any idea of a cause?"
"None."
"I'll get a vet to take a blood sample. All of those animals were in top shape this morning.
All five freiends sat with Chuck. Just before the lights dimed, Walker said. "Chuck and I had better head down to the chute."
"You be careful." Alex warned.
"I will." Walker kissed her good-bye and followed Chuck to the chute.
Bull riding was the first up. Alex covered her eyes and peeked out as Walker rode a full eight seconds, with a high score of 89. He ran up to Alex and gave her a big kiss.
"Told ya I'd be careful!" he smiled.
Cutting was already in progress and Chuck was up next.
Chuck rode his horse into the heard of calfs. He was suppose to seperate number sixty from the others. He pointed his horse in the right direction and took off. Chuck and his horses had done this many times before on the ranch. They were a good team and knew what to do.
There were screams from the audiance and the calfs kicked up their heals and ran wild.
"Get out of there!" Chuck heard someone yell.
He looked up to see one of the bulls charging straight for him. He'd never been in this sistuation before and only knew one thing to do. RUN!
He tried to turn the horse in the oppersent direction, but all the commotion had spooked the horse, who reared up in from of the charging beast, his front legs lashing out. This action took Chuck by surprized and he was thrown from the horse, in the bulls path.
Walker and several other bull riders followed the rodeo clowns into the area, trying to distract the bull.
Chuck picked him self up off the ground and tried to dodge the bull, but was too late. The bull's horns went into his stomache.
"CHUCK!!" he looked up to see a little girl, about five years old standing at the railing, tears in her eyes. He gave her a weak smile before collaping to the ground.
The bull tried to continue his attack, but the men were able to hold him down enough to force him into the pen.
Parmedics rushed into the area and over to Chuck.
"How is he?" Walker asked, slowly approching them, fearing the worst.
"He's lost a lot of blood. Looks like he has some sever internal injuuries. We'd better get him to the hospital fast.”
Walker went into the stands to let Alex know what was going on. As he walked down the aile, he felt a little tug on his shirt. Looking down, he saw a little girl with tears in her eyes.
"Yes, honey?" he asked, bending down to make himself the girls size.
"Is Chuck gonna die?" she sobbed.
"No, of course not, honey. He'll be just fine." Walker gave her a big smile just prayed that he was right.
"You look like him, mister. Are you brothers?"
Walker laughed.
"No, honey, we aren't." He noticed the girl holding a movie in her hand.
"What have we here?" he asked
"My movie. I wanted Chuck to autograph it for me."
Walker looked at the movie.
"Top Dog, huh? Is that your faviort movie?"
"Yep. I liked the doggie. I used to have a puppy called Reno, but he got killed by a car. Momma said he went to heaven with Jesus."
"That's right, he did." Walker smiled.
"If Chuck dies, will he be with Jesus too?"
"Now, don' you worry about that. Chuck will be just fine. Matter of fact, when he feels better, what do you say I take you to meet him and we'll get that movie signed for you."
"Alright! Will you really do that for me?" The girl smiled.
"You bet!"
Walker was glad he made the girl smile again, he just hoped that he wasn't wrong.
"Honey, what happened?" Alex rushed over to Walker.
"I am not sure. Someone opened the gate and left the bull out. No one saw who did it, though. We all were watching the cutting. I intend to find out who9 and why." Walker stated.
"How about Chuck?"
Walker got a sad look. "They don't know, Alex. They said he had lost a lot of blood and could have server internal injuries. They rushed him to the hospital. What's killing me is that little girl down there." Wlaker pointed to the first row.
"She saw the whole thing. She had brought her faviorte movie for Chuck to sign. I made her a proise that I may not be able to keep. God, Alex I know. More I think about it, more I think I only added to her pain."
"Honey, what did you tell her?"
"I told her Chuck would be fine and that soon as he was better, I'd get him to sign her movie."
"Oh, honey." Alex wrapped her arms around her finacee`. "You were only trying to help.:
"I know, but I never makie a promise I can't keep, and I may not be able to keep this one."
Trivette came up to Walker. "Walker, I just got a call from the vet. That bull they found dead containted a over dose of a unknown drug. Apprantly the drug destorys brain cells and causes them to go crazy."
"Thanks, Trivette. Why don't you go on and have the bull that killed the rider and the one who attacked Chuck both tested. I have a feeling they have the same drug."
"On it, Partner. Where will you be?"
"I am going to the hospital and and check on Chuck"
"I am going with you." Alex said.
Alex and Walker went up to the office's front desk.
"We're here to see Mr. Chuck Norris. We're friends of his."
"Yes, Ranger Walker." The attentant smiled. She knew Walker from the many times he'd been at the hospital.
"I believe Chuck is still in surgery. You may wait in the waiting room"
"Thanks."
Walker and Alex took the elevator up to the waiting room. They sat there for a hour and half, watching doctors and nurses going by, annoucments being made.
"Walker, it's been over four hourses since it happened. Shouldn't he be out of surgery by now?" Alex asked.
"Yeah, he sould be. Maybe they don't know we are here for him." Walker approched one of the nurses.
"Excuese me, ma'm. Could you check on Mr. Chuck Norris for me, Please."
"Sure." the nurse headed back toward the surgery room. She returned a few minutes later with a worried look.
"Sorry sir." She said. "Oh, no." Alex whishpered, thinking the worst."
"He's still in surgery. They have had some complatiaions" The nurse said.
" What kind of complations?" Walker asked.
"I can't say. The doctor will be out as soon as he can."
Trivette sat at his desk, think ing of anything that might be a help. There werwn't any know stalkers for Chuck Norris, it had been years since his last katate tournment, so it couldn't be a revenge attack. They phone rang..
"Trivette."
"Yes."
"Same drug?"
"Thaks, Dr. Kinslow."
Trivette hunged up the phone and stared at his screen. There had to be a answer shomewhere. He decided to type in "Chuck Norries on one of the search engins and see what he couldn com up with. he browed though the results. Fan pages, news, bios, films, tournments, letters, exercise gear, posters, books, shirsts, action figuees, movies, coloring book., drug bust.
Trivette stopped. He remembered hearing about that. Maybe it could be a revage attack.
Walker check his watch.
"I am going to call Trivette. See if he's came up with anything yet."
Walker diealed his partners number.
"Hi, Trivette. Found anything?"
"Yeah I figured it would be. Yeah, I remember that. It was like threee years ago."
"No, they wouldn't wait this long, and it wouldn't be in a public place. I believe those guys are still in jail. Some of them appreared as bad guys in one of Chuck's movies. Got to be something eles."
"Ok. Thanks, Trivette."
"He's still in surgery. They said they had complations. Don't know what went wrong."
"Ok. Talk to you later, partner."
"Anything?" Alex asked.
"Well, the bulls all had the same drug that made them wild. We are sure now that they were after Chuck, just don't know who or why. Trivette thought it was connected to the Terell drug bust three years ago."
"But you don't think so?"
"No. I don't. I don't know, Alex. Something just don't fit in."
“Alright, we're almost done here."
"Doctor, he's crashing."
"Get the crash cart."
"Flatline. He went Flatline."
"Charge 200"
"Come on, Chuck."
"Clear."
"Charge 300"
"Clear"
"Nothing."
The doctor came out, a grim expression.
"Walker, I heard you were asking about Mr. Chuck Norris."
"Hi, Dr. Bryan." Walker greeted. Dr. Bryan had worked with Walker most of them he's been brought in. "Yes, I was. This happened at my Kick Drugs Rodeo."
"Well, I am sorry, but I am afraid I don't have good news."
"Doctor. No. Please tell me you didn't lose him."
Alex laid a comforting hand on her finacee`s shoulder. She knew it would tear him up. She knew Walker. He would blame himself for the death. He would blame himself for making the promise to the little girl. She was prepared for the worst.
"He went flatline on the table." Alex held tightly to Walker's hand.
"We were able to get him back, though. Surgery is complete, but I'll be honest with you, it doesn't look good. He lost a lot of blood, and his internal injures were server. The next twenty four hours should tell."
"Can we see him?"
"In a few minutes."
"Thank you, Doctor."
Trivette contuined his search. 'Celebrity Death Pool'. Trivette read the words, then clicked on the link. '$200,000 for the first to predit the death of martial artist, Chuck Norris.' the page read. Trivette made a face, "This is SICK!" he said aloud. Then scrolled down.
'We all know how fit the martial artist, Chuck Norris, is. I am willing to pay $200,000 to the person who's closet to the day he dies.'
"Man, isn't their a LAW AGAINST this!" Trivette couldn't believe his eyes. This very well could be who they are looking for. He read on.
"Brent Johnson, Fort Worth. March 18th, 2000."
"Oh my GOD!" Trivette gasped. That's the exact day that the rodeo happened.
Trivette punched a few keys and came up with the address of the web site creater. Jolting down the address, he picked up the phone and called Walker.
"Ranger Walker. You're partner is on line one for you." A nurse told him..
"Thanks." Walker took the phone.
"Hey, Trivette. What's up?"
"What? Death Pool! That's crazy."
"Yes, sounds very possiable. Only lead we have."
"Well, he's out of surgery. Next twenty four hours will tell."
"Alright, I'll meet you there."
"What's up?" Alex asked.
"Trivette got a lead. He found a betting site on the internet. Appartantly there's a $200,000 reward for the person who gets the closest to the day a celebrity dies. A Brent Johnson of Fort Worth bet March 18. The day of the rodeo."
"So this could be it?"
"Could be. I am meeting Trivette up there now."
"You be careful."
"I will."
Walker finds the address. Trivette is sitting across the street, waiting for his partner. Everything look normal.
"Anything out of the ordiary?" Walker asked.
"No, not yet. Let's have a look inside."
The rangers approched the door, and knocked.
"Yes, can I help you?" A young woman asked
"We're Texas Rangers. This is Walker, and I am Trivette. We are investagating a site on the internet created by a Brandon Wilson."
"Brandon? He's my son. Is he in any trouble?"
"I hope not Ma'am." Walker said.
"Brad, come down here. NOW!" the mother called.
Walker saw a young boy, about fifteen make his way down.
"Yes mom?"
"What did you do on the internet?" The mother asked
"Nothing, why?"
"These RANGERS want to talk with you."
"Rangers?" The boy was honestly confused.
"Son, did you creat this web site?" Trivette asked, showing him the piece of paper.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Someone almost got killed, and still may die, and we believe Bret Johnson, one of your betters is responiable.”
Walker filled the boy in on the past days envents.
"Rangers, I am really sorry. This was only meant as fun. Not serious."
"Someone took it serious."
"Am I in trouble."
"You could be, but I'll make you a deal.." Walker offered. " You close the site, and never open a site like that again, and you give us Bret's address. If you do that, we'll conside this a warning."
"You bet. Thanks Rangers."
Bradon gave the rangers the address, and as soon as they left, he closed the site, forever.
Alex sat in the waiting room. "Ms. Cahill? Where is Mr. Walker? I thought he wanted to vist Mr. Norris." The doctor came out. "Something came up. He had to leave.He should be back soon though."
"Ok. I'll get up with him when he comes back."
The doctor left, and Alex looked around the room. She had been there so many times before, but this time, she's here for a man she only met once. A man she doesn't really even know. At least it wasn't for the man she loved, the man she had watched suffer so many times before.
Walker and Trivette pulled up to Bret Johnsoms house.
"Looks like it's empty."
"Yeah, it is."
Walker knew better then to enter without a search warrent. He rapped on the door with no answer.
"Some one lives here alright. The house looks nicely furnished."
"Well check back at another time."
Alex was still in the same chair when Walker and Trivette came in.
"Walker. The doctor was out looking for you a few minutes ago. I think he was just called to Chuck's room though, so I am not sure what it was."
"I'll wait out here for him then." Walker said.
"So, how did you ever meet Chuck?" Trivette asked.
"I attended a Karate Tournment here in Dallas a few years back. Chuck was milling around, meeting with the fans. He held such high honors as a martial artist, I wanted to meet him. As I approched him, I heard him talking to someone about wanting to help todays youth. Apparatly it was a young mother, who's son was killed in a gang. I approched him, and told him about my plan to start up Kick Dugs. He listened and told me he loved the idea. He told me he had wanted to do something to that affect, but didn't have the time for one on one contact with the students at the time. He told me he suppoeted me 1000% and would help whenever I needed it. I must credit Chuck for helping me. He donated the money I needed to pay the teachers, to open the school, and to get the uniforms I needed. He has been a big supporter over the years."
Walker was looking past the hallway, toward Chuck's room.
"What is it?" Alex asked
"I just saw someone enter Chuck's room. He's not familar to me."Walker got up and headed to the room.
Walker peered into the room and saw a man standing at Chuck's bed. He couldn't tell what was going on, so he steped in the room.
"Hi, There!" Walker greeted.
The man steped back, and Walker saw a pillow covering Chuck's face.
"Bret?" Walker ludged toward the man just as he tried to slip out the door.
Walker tackled him, bringing him to the floor. Then brought a knee up, hitting Walker in the stomach. Walker doubled over, then rolled, getting back on his feet the same time as Bret did. Bret rammed Walker, hitting his chest and knocking him agaist the bed and onto Chuck. Walker gave a worried glance over to Chuck, hoping that the weight of both men on his stomach would not cause more injuries. Bret grabbed Walker around the thoart and squazzed, trying to drain the air from his lungs. Walker grabbed the man's ears and pulled, breaking the hold. Walker took this chance to throw serval punches to the mans face, knocking him out cold.
As soon as the fight was clear, the doctors were able to get to Chuck.
"He's not breathing!" one yelled.
Walker stood by as they worked on Walker, trying to force air back into his lungs. Alex joined Walker, holding onto his arm.
"We got him stable again." The doctor informed Walker. He seems to be healing fine. I say he should be awake in the next day or two.
"Can I have a few minutes, please?" Walker asked.
"Sure."
"I'll wait with Trivette."Alex offered. She knew Walker needed to settle his feelings alone.
Walker approched Chuck's bed.
"Chuck, I am sorry. I asked you to take some time out of your scheduel to help me with my dream. You have given so much to my Kick Drugs schools. I have never offered you a helping hand for anything. I guess I just didn't know what a guy like you would need help with. I am really sorry to have put you here. I should have called off the rodeo. I should have knew something was wrong."
"Hey, don't blame your self, Walker. Kick Drugs was my dream too. I just didn't have time to devote to it with a busy filming scduale. I am starting a new TV series, and that will give me the time I need to devote to the schools, but you have done such a great job, I've decided to devote the extra time I have to raising money for Kick Drugs."
A WEEK LATER
Walker, Alex, and Trivette sat at the table. A little five year old girl sat next to Walker, looking at the door, holding her Top Dog movie.
"Do you really think he's coming!" she asked.
"Yep." Walker answered.
The girl looked at the door once again.
Finally it opened. Chuck Norris came in, holding a small black and white puppy and a autographed TOP DOG picture.
"CHUCK!" the little girl ran over to her hero.
"Hi there!" Chuck wrapped his arm around her, giving her a hug.
"Walker told me about Reno. Well, I had a extra puppy at my ranch who really needed a little girl to love him. I thought he'd be happy with you."
"Thank you! I'll name him CHUCK" the girl smiled
"I'll be honred.!" Chuck smiled.
He signed the girls movie, and handed her the picture of him and Reno. Marsha brought them all dinner and sat the plates around the table.
"So Chuck." Walker asked."What is this new Tv Seris you want to start."
"Well, I thought of " Walker, Texas Ranger."
"SEE! I told YA!" Trivette said. "We'd make a GREAT movie. Hey, Chuck, I got some scripts done at home you can start with!"
Chuck laughed and shook his head, followed by the others.
'WHAT!" Trivettee protested.
THE END
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