Walker was looking forward to some time off after a month straight of hard work. He planned to head out to the badlands first
thing tomorrow morning and spend a week out there.
Walker spent the night with his friends at CD's Bar and Grill. He sat next to his finacee`, Alex Cahill, his arm wrapped warmly
around her. His parnter, James Trivette, sat across the table.
"How can you call that fun?" Trivette was saying.
"No phones. No bad guys. No paperwork. That's good enough for me." was Walker's reply.
"How long will you be gone?" Alex inquired, hoping to have some more time to spend with her finacee`.
"5 or 6 days." he smiled at her. He knew that she never tried to hold him back She understood that he needed time alone at
least one time each year. She was willing to give him his space, she knew he spent all his other free time with her.
"Well, please be careful."
"Aren't I always?" He smiled at her, giving her a tight squezze.
"No." She smiled.
"I'll be careful. There's nothing out there to put me in danger." He assured her.
Walker finished the rest of his sandwhich.
"Well, I'd better get home. I have an early start tomorrow, and still have packing to do."
"See you next week." Trivette replied.
"I know. You'll also leave me tons of work." Walker kidded.
"I'll walk you to your truck" Alex offered, standing up beside Walker.
"I'll be honered!" Walker smiled warmly at the woman he loved.
"Bye, Trivette." Walker called. "Bye C.D." Walker said, passing the bar.
"You take care, Cordell." CD said.
Alex held Walker's hand as they walked.
"I know there are times when you have to get away, Walker, but it worries me too."
"Why?"
"I don't know, you're alone, no communication with anyone."
"That's the point, Alex."
"Yeah, but what if something happened? How would you get help?"
"I've been doing this for a long time. I'll be fine. Please don't worry."
"I know Walker. I'll try not to worry, but it's not easy."
They reached the truck.Walker let go of Alex's hand and turned her to face him. He looked into her bright blue eyes and
could see concern. Walker pulled her into a loving embrace and gave her a long, passionate kiss.
"I'll be back in a few days amd we can pick up where we left off, ok?"
"It's a deal darling."
************************
The next morning Walker headed out.
He'd driven for about two hours when he reached a little cafe. He parked and went inside.
"Walker!!" the waitress said.
"Hi, Gina. How have you been?"
"Real good, and you?"
"Can't complain." he said as he sat at the counter.
"You headed out?" she asked.
"Yep."
"You want the usual?" she asked as she filled his coffee cup.
"Yeah, that'd be great ."
"Which way you headed this time?"
Walker was finishing his second cup as he replied, "North."
"Well, you watch yourself, ya hear?"
"Thanks, I will."
"See you do. Can't have anything happening to the best looking Ranger in Texas, can we?"
Walker smiled and began to turn red.
"You want anything for the road?" asks Gina
"No, I'm fine. Can I leave my truck there, or should I pull it around back?"
"It's fine right there and we'll keep an eye on it."
"Thanks. I'll be back in five or six days."
"Ok, I'll have a hot meal waiting for you."
**********************
Walker looked at the growing dark clounds as he hiked North, to his faviort spot. Looked like rain would set in by morning.
"Little rain never hurt anything." he said to himself as he kept on walking.
Walker paused long enough to grab some grub for dinner. He was hoping to find a ratter along the way, but no such luck. He
was still full from lunch at the diner, so the grub was enough to hold him until he got to the river. Maybe he would find a snake
along the way, or be able to catch a fish.
The clounds got darker, and thunder rolled in the distance. Just as Walker got up and headed off in search of shelter, the sky let
loose and rain poured down.
"I said a little rain, not a flood." Walker sighed, looking up toward the sky.
He was sure there was a cave or rock somewhere he could use for shelter.
After about a hour of searching, Walker foud a small rock ledage he was able to crawl under. He was soaking wet and
shivering cold. There wasn't much warmth in the rock ledage, but it was dry. He had rocks on top, three sides
and bottom.
Walker pulled some soft pine needles from a tree close by, and lined the bottom rock with the needles. He then broke off some
branches and covered the front of the leadage. This would keep him warmer, and dry. Once the storm passed, the sun would
be back out, and it would be hot again.
***********************
Walker woke with a headach as big as all outdoors.
"Great." he thought, "That's all I need."
He decided maybe some breakfast would help and set off to find some berries. He found a couple bushes full of them and ate
until he was satisfied.
As he finished he looked at the sky...not a cloud in site. It was gonna be a very hot day.
Eating had helped his headache some but not completely.
"Oh well I guess I'll live." he thought.
Walker was walking back to his campsite when he caught site of a rattle snake.
"HMMM, dinner." as he got closer and started to reach down to grab it he sneezed and the snake backed up, then slithered away.
Walker stood up and backed off.
"Perfect timing." he thought. Maybe he'd catch something later.
His head pounded as bad as it was this morning. Walker put his hand up to his head and closed his eyes for a minute. What was
with this heachache. He hadn't been sick in a long time, he couldn't even remember the last time he was sick. Maybe some cool
water would help.
Walker hiked up a unmarked trail he knew that lead to the river. His back and legs ached and he found him self paushing to
massage his aching muscles. Must have been the night spent on rocks and pine needles. Tonight he would sleep in the soft grass.
The sun was setting. Walker sat on a rock and looked out over the river. He had finally been able to catch a snake for dinner,
but it took him serval trys. He was dizzy, and his balance was off. His headache hadn't let up all day, and he felt like he had just
been though a rough karate match. Stared at the clear cool river, running smoothing. Everything was so peaceful out here. He
was sure he would feel better in the morning.
After watching the sun set, Walker found a grassy spot at the bottom of the hill. The sky was clear and the stars shoned bright.
The ranger stared up to the heavean until he drifted off to sleep.
*****************
Walker awoke with the sun rise that morning. His headache had eased up a bit, but still wasn't completly gone. Walker got up,
and felt his muscles tighting. His thoart was sore and Walker made a sour face as he rubbed his thoart .
Walker made his way back down to the river. He was surprized to find himself out of breath and coughing hard.
Walker was sure of it now. He was sick. He had gotton something. Possiable a cold from the rain.
"Oh well. Fresh air is the best thing for illness." Walker said, then dipped his hands down in the river, the bringing water up and
splashed on his face. The cold water felt good. As he wiped the excess water from his face, he felt the warmth from his face. He
could tell he was running a slight fever, but nothing serious. Walker figured if he didn't feel better by tonight he'd head back in
the morning.
As he stared into the river, he spotting a fat catfish swimming up stream. The fish looked good, and was easier then catching the
snakes. Walker studied the fish for a few minutes, and then shot his hand into the water.
He lost balanaced, mising the fish, and almost falling in himself.
"Well that was good." he mumblered, staring into the water. The fish was gone now. Guess it was berries. again.
Walker went in search of some berries.
**********************
It had been four days since Walker left the little diner, and headed North into the badlands. He slowly opened his eyes and
squinted up into the sun, that was already high in the sky.
He guessed it was around ten o clock in the morning. He remembered being up most of the night with a dry cough. He didn't
feel any better. Pain stabbed though his head and chest. It was hard to breathe. Walker slowly raised his hand to his head and
moured softly. He felt sick to his stomach, he knew he was burning up with fever, and his mucles and joints ached. Walker
turned to the side as another wave of coughing over took him. His body shook as he cough.
Walker knew he was really sick. He hated to admit it, but staying out in the badlands wasn't going to solve this promblem. He
had to head back.
Walker slowly turned, and pushed himself up on his knees. Sickness over took him, and he leaned down on his elbows as his
stomached turned up.
Whiping his mouth clean, Walker tried again.
He got up on his feet and swayed, losing his balance. He grabbed a near-by tree for support and closed his eyes, lowering his
head and waiting for the dizzy spell to pass him.
Finally he began the slow walk South, back to the dinner.
**********************
It had been five days now since Walker had left for the badlands. Alex sat at her desk, looking over a file. She kept glancing at
the door, hoping Walker would come though it. She couldn't shake the memery of a dream, or more like a nightmare she had last night.
Walker was laying in middle of a opened field. The hot sun was beating down on him. He was in great deal of pain, and no
longer had the streath to go on. He needed her. But she couldn't reach him. As hard as she tried, she couldn't get to him.
***************
The sun rose on the sixth day. Walker was only half concious.. The fever was at it's highest. He was miserable. He tried to
move, to get him self closer to the river so he could get a much needed drink, but his muscles were too sore, too stiff. It was no
use. He felt helpless laying there in middle of the badlands, unable to do anything to help himself.
Surely it's time for Alex to come looking for me, he thought. How many days has it been? Five? Six? Or maybe it was seven.
He didn't know. He kept drifting in and out and lost track of time.
He did know that night would be falling soon as now the sun was setting. Another day came and passed with out any sign of help.
************************
Alex stopped by the ranch on her way home. No sign of Walker. She sat on the porch swing, the same one that they had sat
together on so many times.
"Walker where are you?" she whishpered.
The sun was raising when Alex awoke, still sitting in the porch swing. The memerory of the nightmare still played in her hand.
Walker was in the field. He wasn't moving. She couldn't tell if he was dead or alive. "WALKER!!" she screamed out, but no
answer came. She ran toward him, but he kept drifting off farther and farther from here.
It had been seven days since he left. She knew he was in trouble. She had to call Trivette.
"Trivette."
"Alex. Hi."
"I know something is wrong Alex. Walker wouldn't be this late."
"Alright, meet me here at Headquaters. I 'll have a chopper ready. We'll find him."
******
"See anything?" Alex asked Trivette as the chopper flew over the badlands.
"No."
They both contuined to look out the window. They have been circling the badlands for about a hour and half now.
"We're running low on gas. I have to go back!" The piolt told them.
"WAIT! There's Walker's Truck!" Trivette yelled.
"Where?" Alex asked.
"Parked in front of that building." Trivette pointed at the tiny dinner.
"Take it down." Alex told the pilot, who landed in the field next to the diner.
Trivette and Alex went in the diner. Gina was filling drinks for a table.
"Excuse me ma'm, can you tell me where the guy who owns that 1996 Dodge Ram is?" Trivette asked.
"Oh, hello Ranger. Yes, I can. He went out to the badlands, oh, about seven days ago. He had said he'd be back in about six
days and I promsied to have a hot meal waiting. I haven't heard from him yet though. I sure hope that he's ok. You know he is
the best looking ranger in, Texas."
Trivette smiled. "Yeah, I know. And he's this ranger's best friend."
"And my better half!"Alex smiled.
"Oh.. I see. Your his partner and his wife. He's late getting back, so you are looking for him." Gina smiled
"Well, almost. Walker is never late. So being that is is two days late getting back, we know something is wrong. So yes, that's
why we are looking for him.You were close though about me. I am his finacee`."
"They just act like a married couple." Trivette laughed.
Gina smiled. "I sure hope you find Ranger Walker."
"We will. Thanks for all of your help."
The friends headed back to the chopper. They had no choice but to head back to headquaters. They needed to refuel.
*************************
It had been eight days since Walker had left Dallas. He slowly opened his eyes. The sun was high in the sky. He couldn't
remember how long he'd been there. The fever was getting the best of him, and it took all his streghth to breathe. He heard the
cry of a eagle. Something eles too. He could hear another familar sound off in the distance.
That's it! It was a Chopper! His friends were looking for him.
"LOOK!" Alex pointed out the window.
"It's a eagle, circling a area!" She said.
"A eagle? That's Walker's protective animal, isn't it?"
"Yeah. Take it down there. He has to be there." Trivette said.
Alex was the first out of the chopper. She saw a limb, lonely figure sprawled across the ground.
"WALKER!" She took off running after him, Trivette following close behind.
"Oh, God, Walker!" She cried, reaching him.
"Call a Med-Vac! He's burning up!" She yelled
Trivette ran back to the chopper and Alex cradled Walker's head in her lap.
"Walker? Wake up, please." Alex pleaded, brushing his hair back.
"Med-Vac's on it's way. Here, I got some water for him."
Alex took the bottle of water and gently wet his lips.
"Looks like he's dehydrated." Trivette said.
"Walker? Can you hear me?" Alex asked..
"Alex? Alex?" His voice was barley a whisper.
"Yes, Walker. I am here. Help's on the way."
"I... I.. Love..you...Alex." Walker struggled to breathe, struggled to get the words out.
"I love you too." She cried. "Just rest honey."
Walker fell silent again.
"He's getting worse, Trivette." Alex said worriedly.
"Just hang in there, Partner.." Trivette said.
***********************
Alex starred out the window as Trivette paced back and forth.
"Ms. Cahill?" The doctor called.
"Yes?" Alex rushed over to the doctor and Trivette was right behind her.
"Ranger Walker will be fine. He's dehydrated and has phnomenia. He's in Room 310, you both can go see him now."
"Thanks, Doctor."
Alex and Trivette headed to the room.
"Hey, there Cowboy!" Alex greeted.
"Hi." Walker smiled weekly.
"Don't you EVER scare me like that again!" she smiled.
"I'll try not too."
"I am going to make sure you don't." Alex handed him a cell phone. "From now on this little phone goes where you go."
"Even in the bad lands?"
"Yes, even in the badlands. If you had that phone with you, we wouldn't be here now."
Walker smiled warmly at his finacee..
"And if we weren't here now, I won't do this." He gently pulled Alex down to his lips and softly kissed her.
"I love you."
"I love you too." She answered.
"I am not here." Trivette turned his back and headed to the door with a grin.
"You get back here, partner!" Walker called.
As Trivette approched the bed, Walker pulled him into a headlock. C.D. came in though the door.
"Well aren't we just a big happy family!" he smiled
"We sure are big dog. And I am the luckiest man alive to have friends like you!" Walker smiled.
THE END
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