What Might Have Been

By: Shawna (norrisfan2@excite.com)

Cordell Walker stepped off the plane with his wife and their three children: Lisa-9, Carol-7, and Robert-5,

"Wow, Daddy! This is a big place!" Lisa exclaimed as they headed toward the Dallas/Fort Worth airport.

"Yeah, I love planes!" Robert added with a big smile.

"Well, maybe next year we all can take a big vaction. Somewhere far away." Walker's wife smiled.

They arrived at the Luggage Claim area.

Walker remembered a time he shared many years ago, at that same place.

They had went on a vaction to Hawii. When they arrived back home, Walker waited to pick up the luggage as Alex looked over vaction guides...

"I wish we could just runaway together! See the world!" Alex laughed as they headed out of the airport. Walker laughed as he pulled her close.

"I just might do that. matter of fact, let's go!" He laughed, pulling her back toward the airport.

"No! Not now, Walker!"

"Well when?" He asked.

"Just someday."

"Well, we know what they say. Sometimes someday will never come." He smiled.

"Oh, this someday will come. I know it." She smiled, kissing Walker as they continued back toward the truck.

If only he knew how wrong Alex was that day. If only he knew that that someday would never come to him. If he only knew, he would have

swept Alex away that day. Ran off to all of those far away cities she wanted to vist. He would have made every second of their life count, but

it's impossiable for a person to see into the future.

"Walker's wrong?" his wife asked, bringing him back to the present.

"Oh nothing. Just old memeries." Walker answered.

He sure missed thouse days. He regretted leaving. He wished he had listened to his heart. He always told everyone to follow their heard,

it was never wrong. Then, at the most important moment in his life, he didn't follow his own advice. Now he would have to live with it

for the rest of his life.

He was bringing his family back home. He had left without saying good-bye. He left his life in Dallas ten years ago. Now he had came for closer.

He flashed back to that day. The day that shattered his dreams, his goals, and his life.

It had started out as any other day.

Walker and Alex were eatting lunch at C.D's Bar and Grill with Walker's partner, Ranger James Trivette and his girlfriend, Jodie.

Walker and Alex had been making their wedding plans and C.D. was telling jokes as always.

Trivette's phone rang.

"Trivette."

"Ok, we're on it." he hanged up.

"Robbery at Texas First Bank on LBJ."

Walker kissed Alex. "We'll finish this when I get back." he winked and headed out the door.

Arriving at the bank, they learned that the robber had som children hostage in the building. The officer working the case informed him

that there were three people. No one expected the sharp shooter on the roof across the street.

Walker had headed around the back, trying to find a back way in. As he rounded the corner, he felt a sharp pain in his left leg and everything

went black. The doctores told him that he'd never walk again, and his Ranger caree was over. Walker didn't give up faith. He gave his all

trying to walk again. They even postponed the wedding until Walker could walk. He was so sure he could over come it.

He gave his all trying to prove the doctors wrong, but it was no use. He was only able to walk using a walker. He could see the pain in Alex's

eyes. He wasn't able to do anything he loved anymore. Trivette got a new partner. Finally he wasn't the Rookie anymore. Alex moved out

of her apartment to the ranch. He wasn't able to take her anywhere, do anything they used to do, make dinner for her, go riding, take care of the

horses. Nothing. He was helpless for the first time in his life. He had always dreamed of takeing care of Alex. Raising children together. Alex

had to go to part time so she had time to take care of him. And they could never have children with a crippled husband. It was like the burdon

was laid on Alex, and he couldn't stand it. He wouldn't do it. Walker couldn't stand to be putting his friends though this. So, one night after Alex

settled in bed, Walker got up and headed to the barn. He told his horses good-bye for the last time. He hated that night. He knew Amigo and

the other horses didn't understand he was going away forever. He'd never see them again. Taking one last look at his ranch, the ranch that he

called home for over 35 years. Walker fought his way into the truck and drove the best he could to the airport. He was thankful he didn't

run into anyone who would reconize him. It was hard enought to leave as it was, he knew if he saw any one of his many friends, he wouldn't

be able to leave. Walker brought his ticket, and headed over to the phone to make a call.

"I am coming home. Iam flying this time, so I'll need someone to pick me up."

"Yes, I am sure."

"Thanks."

A tear threatened to fall as they called his flight number. He was leaving his life, the only real friends he had, and the only women he truely

loved. This would be his last time in Texas. The state he loved so much. The state he thought he'd spend the rest of his life in.

He was leaving it all. He was close to turning around and going straight back home, but he knew he couldn't. It would cause Alex too much

pain.

"Last call, flight 237."

Walker headed toward the gate, and was a little embarred that he needed to use the handiecap entrance, and needed help getting on and off the plan.

As the plan flew over the Dallas skyline, Walker whispered. "Good-Bye Alex my love. Please God take care of her, and let her understand

that I am leaving because I love her too much toput her though this pain."

A single tear dropped rolled down his cheek as the plane disappeared into the sky.

ONE YEAR LATER
Walker stood at the red river, looking over to the Texas side, sadness filling his eyes.

"Washoe. It has been a year now since you came home. The spirits have healed you completly now. It's time for you to go

home" White Eagle said.

"I can't, White Eagle. I can't. I abandoned Alex, the ranch, my friends. I left with no warning. I can't just waltz right back."

"It's best if I stay gone."

"Do what you think is best then, but if I were you, I'd follow my heart."

White Eagle turned and left. How Walker wished he had listened to his old friend now. Instead Walker left the reservation

that same week and moved down to Tampa, Flordia. Alex had always loved the beach. They were planning a trip to Tampa

the month after the accident. It was one of those 'somedays' that never came. Walker took a deep breath and tried to hold

back his sadness that filled his heart as he stepped off the plane.

Walker got a job on the beach as a life guard. He may not be a ranger anymore, but he still wanted to save lifes.

He enjoyed his job, but he never forgot Alex. Every couple he saw, ever family he saw, his mind went back to Alex.

"Oh Alex. I am sorry." He whispered, as he sat in the life guards chair, and watched the water.

He was scanning the water when he saw a person way out in the water. There was a few dolphins out there, and it appreared

the person was playing with them. He saw a raft out there.

"Why do people think they can team wild animals." he thought, and he dove in and swam out to them.

"Hey there!" he smiled. "Got some friends?"

He couldn't help but notice how pretty the woman was

"Aren't they so cute!" She laughed as one of them splashed water.

"They are wonderful animals, but they are wild. They can't be trusted."

"And you are a life guard?" she laughed

"Yes, ma'm."

"How long have you lived her?"

"Only a few months."

"You have a lot to learn my friend."

"It's Walker. Cordell Walker."

"Well, please to meet you. I am Donna."

"Will you come in now?"

Donna smiled at him. He was the best looking man she had seen at this beach. He had bright blue eyes and a wonderful

smile. And such a gentleman.

"Not until you make friends."

Walker smiled and looked at her, then at the dolphins.

"Ok. I am opened to new things. What do I do?"

"Lay flat and put your hand out." Donna did the same.

Two dolphins came up, and before he knew it, him and Donna were flying across the water.

"Told ya." she smiled

"Alright. I admit. I have a lot to learn about the ocen life."

They made a date for that night. And the next day they spent the day on the beach, and with the dolphins.

This was the first time Walker had felt love toward another woman beside Alex. They were married a year later.

One day Donna caught him on their patio, staring out at the ocean in deep thought.

"What's the matter, Walker?" She asked.

Walker smiled. Donna called him Walker just like Alex did. She understood he hated the name Cordell.

"Just thinking of home, honey." he replied.

Donna smiled as she stood beside him, hand on shoulder. Their three kids weren't far off, playing on the edge of the water.

"I think it's time we go home. I would love to meet all of your friends." Donna smiled.

The next day, she brought the tickets and the family were on their way.

"Walker?" Are you sure your're alright?" Donna asked.

"Yeah. Just a lot of memeries and regrets." he answered.

"You don't regreat marring me, do you?" Donna asked with a playful smile.

"Of course not!" Walker laughed and pulled his wife next to him, just as he had done with Alex all those years ago.

"I just regreat leaving everything behind and not even saying good-bye."

Donna remembered Walker saying how much he loved his RAM he had while being a Texas Ranger. She had a Dodge Ram

King Cab waitng for them. That would give them enough room for the kids too.

"You got a RAM?" Walker smiled.

"Well, being that we are back in you home town, I thought you would like to relieve some of the times."

"I married the best woman in the world!" He pulled her into a tender kiss.

"Ewww, Gross!" Robert made a face, and the two girls laughed.

Donna drove toward the Stockyards Hotel and the kids sat in the back, and Walker watched the the places passed. This was the place he loved. The place he

home. These streets held memeries of his life. His love. Why did he ever walk away.

The Stockyards Hotel was right in front of C.D's. Oh how he was looking forward to seeing C.D again. Maybe Alex

and Trivette would be there also. Walker could only hope. He couldn't wait to see Jimmy. See how far he had came.

Here all about him training in his new partner. In a way, it was best for Jimmy Walker left. Trivette was always Walker's

shawdo. He never got to shine on his own. That's one thing Walker didn't regreat. Jimmy had the chance to shine in his own

light. He just wish he didn't leave. Oh what a big mistake. He hoped he could get in touch with everyone again.

His heart had such a empty place in it. He missed his life as it was. Even though he moved on, and got a new one.

On their way to the stockyards, they passed a lot of places that held memeries for him. Oh so much has changed.

Walker turned to look at a little building on one side of the road. It used to be Drango's, Alex's faviort restaunt. They used to

always go there, and oh what fun they had. It was the highlite of the week for Alex