Caught in the Moonlight

By Gwen Mills




Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to whom ever holds the rights to the television series "Walker, Texas Ranger" with the exception of Wren O'hara and various bad guys I invent just to make the character of Carlos Sandoval miserable. This story was written for pleasure, not for profit. Please don't sue me... It would be a waste of your time and money since I'm already broke. Oh yeah- the plot line is mine too. And, no using it or Wren without my permission, because as previously stated I'm broke and I just might sue you for giggles...

This is a continuation of the American Roulette storyline series. Don't forget to read the lyrics at the end, as they are as much of the story as the story itself. Also - If you liked this and/or would like to get a better feel for the story - read the rest of the chapters and go buy the self-titled cd by Robbie Robertson.

Thank-you's going out to my list buddies for the critiques and beta editing; to Robbie Robertson for the incredible music to write by; to the creators of the original show for coming up with someone interesting enough to want to write about (and then casting someone mighty fine looking to play the part); and last but definately not least- Ms Sheri. Your friendship, encouragement, love and loyalty have made a world of difference for me. Thanks for the reality checks, the sanity checks ("yup- we're still crazy..."), the ego checks and the sobriety checks. Oh yeah - also for being there to smack me when I get panicky...

Hoo-haaaaaaa: Ten years clean, as of January 19th!!! I made it!

Now, on to the story...
 
 
 

"She called out a name." The taller man said. "Carlos, I think it was."

"I see. He is an officer as well?" The older man asked as his gaze moved across the dining room.

Nodding, the first speaker answered, "Yes sir. Plain clothes, but definately police. From what I've gotten from our inside source he's a Metro detective."

"And, this detective - he saw you?" Said the older man, looking at the younger man with questioning eyes.

"No sir. He took down Raymond right after he shot the woman. He didn't seem to notice anything but that nosy cop bitch laying at his feet."

The older man didn't appear to have moved, but the stinging slap to his face told the younger man otherwise.

"Watch your language." The older man stated, as he adjusted his tie casually. "The problem with you Rick, is that you have no class . None."

"I don't see what that-" The younger man started.

"If you are going to fill my deceased son's shoes, you had better see." The old man's voice was menacing even as his face was serene for the rest of the restaurant.

"Raymond is dead." The older man continued. "I intend to even the score. I intend for you to even the score. Consider it as you securing your position as next in line. You will kill the man that killed my son."

"Yes sir." The younger man smiled ruthlessly. "It would be my pleasure."

"You're too eager Rick. It will be your downfall one day." The man smiled as the waitress refilled his coffee cup. "Just see to it you don't take the family business with you or you won't survive your first night in prison."

"The woman sir?" Rick asked as he ran his hand through his dark tossled hair.

"What about her?" The old man asked with a tired voice. "She is still in the hospital, is she not?"

"Yes sir." Rick asked quietly."Should she be eliminated as well?"

"No. She will suffer as I have when she loses her loved one." The older man smiled then. "Grieving women are easy to manipulate. Perhaps then, she will be useful to the family."

"But sir-" The dark eyed man started to protest.

Raising his hand, the older man cut him off. "She will suffer as I have. If she did as you say and stepped in front of this man to take a bullet for him, then his death will pain her deeply."

"As you wish, sir." Standing, the younger man nodded slightly.

"And, Rick?" The older man said without emotion.

"Yes sir?" Rick stopped, turning to face the older man, a chill went through him as the older man's expression changed.

"Should this officer that killed my son suffer pain at your tender mercy," Pausing to take a long drag from his cigarette, letting his sarcasm drip through the air. "I would be..."

"Sir?" Rick asked when the older man paused.

"I would be most grateful." The older man smiled pure evil.

"I understand, sir." Rick turned once more to leave.

"See that you do."

***************

She opened her eyes slowly, it was quiet in her room but, she knew he was there. His hands were intertwined with hers. Turning her head, she saw him dozing lightly, his head resting on the edge of her bed. She brought her other hand across slowly and lightly ran her finger tips over his cheek.

Carlos' eyes fluttered opened, and he looked up at her. "You're awake." His smile was devastating, as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"So are you." She smiled back at him, quietly laughing. "Now."

"Merry Christmas." He leaned up and kissed her gently on the lips. "You ready to come home today?"

"More than ready." Her hand cupped his face. "Merry Christmas to you, too."

He smiled, and again Wren felt herself devastated. He took her breath away when he looked at her like that.

Carlos sighed, she was coming home, to him. Finally, after all the hell they'd been through, Wren was coming home to him. To their home. Their shared home.

"What are smiling like that for?" Wren asked him quietly. "You look like a kid on Christmas morning."

"I feel like one." He laughed. "I'm getting the present that I wanted the most."

"Oh?" Wren looked at him thoughtfully. "And, what's that?"

"You coming home today." He took her breath away with his dazzling smile once more.

"You're too sweet." She laughed pulling him back down to kiss him again. Hearing a throat clear from behind them in the doorway, they both looked in the direction of the doorway to see Trent leaning against the doorway.

"Hey, Trent. Merry Christmas." Wren smiled at the man who'd been Carlos' main support while she struggled for her life. She would be forever grateful for the way he looked out for Carlos. "Come here and give me my Christmas hug."

He smiled. "You sure there's room?"

"Get over here!" Wren rolled her eyes, smiling at him. When he leaned down and gave her a gentle squeeze, being careful of the bandages she wore. "So, what's for dinner?"

Trent laughed. "You've been hanging around him too long." Pointing a finger at Carlos.

"What?" Carlos said miffed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Not 'Hi, how are you?' or 'Hey, how's it going?' but, 'What's for dinner?' " Trent laughed at Carlos' wounded expression.

"Well, you'd be the same way having to eat what this place," Wren said gesturing around the room, "considers food."

"Are you sure you're up to it?" Carlos said quietly, concern showing in his eyes.

"Well, as long as no one is offended by my napping on the sofa," Wren said smiling at him. "I'll be okay."

"No problems there. Mom is looking forward to having you both over." Trent laughed at the face Carlos made, patting him on the back. "She wants to meet the thief of this guy's heart."

"Thief?" He leaned down and kissed her forhead, "Nah. I took one look and gave up. I know when I'm beat."

Wren laughed then. "Oh, right." She said catching her breath. "So, that's why it took you so long to--"

His hand covered her mouth, his eyebrow up. "You just be quiet about that."

"I sense a story here," Trent said laughing at the blush on Carlos' face. "Just wait till I get her alone. I'll get it out of her eventually!"

"Don't even think about it." He said looking to Wren. "One word and you can forget your present."

"Sorry T." Wren smiled, with a one shouldered shrug. "I gotta get my presents."

"Ah well," He laughed, "How about I tell you stories about-"

"Ya know," Carlos looked from one to the other, interrupting Trent. "It's not nice to gang up on me. It's Christmas."

"Okay," Wren winked at Trent, "How about New Year's?"

"Its a date!" Wren laughed hearing Carlos groan.

"You two are going to be the death of me." Carlos sighed, shaking his head.

"I saw the doc headed this way," Trent said with a smile. "I bet he's got your discharge papers."

"You'd win the bet young man." A voice said from behind him. "And, how's my favorite patient? Are you ready to go home?"

"Well Doc," Wren said with a smile, "Nothing personal, but I can't wait to get out of here."

"Well, I've got some papers for you to sign, and then-" he paused dramatically, "One of the nurses will wheel you down to the doorway."

"YES!" Wren whooped, giving Carlos a hug."I'm coming home!"

"Thats the problem with being a doctor," the older man laughed, "You get a good patient and they never want to stay."

"Don't take it personal doc," Trent laughed. "She's always breaking hearts."

"Not always." Carlos smiled down at her. "She didn't break mine."

"Nope," Trent shot back at him, laughing. "She's got yours under lock and key."

***************

Wren lay watching him. He was trying to move quietly, not realizing she was awake. She almost laughed at herself. Wren never had anything she couldn't resist-until now. Carlos had been pampering her in everyway he could think of, and Wren had to admit, she liked the way he thought. In fact, as tired and drained as she felt, she wanted more. More of the way his warm hands felt on her bare skin as he ran them over her in the tub, more of the way he had dried her off.

When she finally shook herself from her daydream, she found Carlos was looking down at her. As he went down on his knees next to the bed, he kissed her lips gently.

"Did I wake you? I was trying to be quiet." Carlos frowned.

"Umm... kiss me again and I'll forgive you." Wren said smiling up at him.

The frown dissolved as his beautiful smile found its place. Carlos leaned down and kissed her again, a lingering, gentle kiss. He wanted nothing more then to climb into the bed with her. Giving her a bath and drying her had put his self-restraint to the test and he wasn't sure if he was glad he passed.

"How you doing? Do you think you could eat something more?"

Wren nodded,"Oh yes, I think I'm starving."

"You think?" He said laughing. "You're not sure?"

"Yes, I could definately eat. You know hospital food just doesn't cut it." She laughed. "Any leftovers from dinner at Trent's mom's?"

Carlos shook his head. "Hmm, well- I could try to cook something, or I could go and get you something."

Wren laughed quietly, "You would try to cook for me? You're too sweet."

"I know. What did you ever do to deserve a guy like me?"

Wren found herself putting her arms around his neck and pulling him close to her. And she kissed him, a slow lingering kiss. "I put up with you, that is punishment enough."

"Ha-ha. You do need to eat though. Anything in paticular that you would like?" Carlos asked.

The smile that came onto Wren's face told him that she was NOT thinking food.

"Wren-" he started to protest.

"What?" She asked innocently.

"I-" He sighed. "I'm afraid I'll hurt you."

She shook her head, "You're too much." She ran her fingertips across his pouting lips. "It's not my fault that you're irresistable. Especially when you pout."

"I do not pout." Carlos said, frowning at her.

"Okay," She laughed, rolling her eyes. "You don't pout. You're still irresistable."

"I don't pout." Carlos said again. "And if I do, I learned it from you."

"Maybe, but-" Wren said quietly, "I think it looks better on you."

"And, I think you're delirious." He pushed himself off the ground. "So, what's it going to be? My cooking or take out from CD's."

"Would you be mad if I said CD's?" Wren asked tentatively.

He smiled down at her. "No, actually - I'd be relieved. You want anything in paticular?"

"Surprise me." Wren smiled up at him and he sat down on the edge of the bed.

He put his hands to her face and looked into her eyes for a long moment. "I love you." He said quietly, as if the words were a prayer.

"One CD surprise coming up." He stood again. "I'll be back in a bit. You'll be okay?"

"Yes, I'll be fine." She held out her hand to him, and he took it to kiss her fingertips.

"You're su-" He started to ask again.

"If you don't get going I'm going to start eating this pillow." She laughed, pouting. "I'll be fine. Just don't take too long or I'll get lonely."

"I'm going." He smiled as he bent down to give her a kiss. "Pouty face."

"I love you too." Wren said, running her fingers through his hair.

"See you in a bit." Carlos smiled as he stood and walked to get his coat.

***************

"Anything?" CD looked at Carlos doubtfully.

He laughed, "She said to surprise her. So, yes- anything you think she'd like is fine."

"How is the little spitfire doing?" CD asked laughing. "Happy to be home, I bet."

Carlos smiled. "Yeah, almost as happy as I am to have her home again."

"And for in time for Christmas too." CD smiled at the smitten man that sat across the bar from him. "Are you going back to work soon?"

Carlos shrugged. "I guess so. I was thinking after New Year's. She'll get her stitches out around then."

"So soon?" CD asked surprised.

"That's what the doctor said." Carlos smiled. "He said she is healing up faster then even he thought she would."

"Well, that sure is good news." CD said handing the order to a waitress as she scooted by.

"You're not working the case are you?" CD asked concerned.

"No way." Carlos replied quickly. "There's no way for me to be rational about it. Besides, I know Walker and Trivette will do it justice. I trust them to get to the bottom of it."

"Good." CD smiled as the waitress handed him a large paper bag. "This is for you and the lady bird. Make sure she shares."

"Whoa... What is-" Carlos started to protest.

"I had the cook throw in some extra. I know you're not going to cook and you can't be running down here three times a day. Go on. Get back there. Before she gets it in her head to get up and cook something."

"Wow this smells good." Carlos said laughing. "I'm gone. I'll see you when this runs out."

CD's laugh was the only reply Carlos got as he walked to the door and headed home.

***************

He tried to move quietly, even knowing she was fast asleep. Dinner at Trent's mother's and then being awake most of the afternoon watching TV and eating part of the care package CD had sent had exhausted her. She'd fallen asleep with her head in his lap watching TV on the sofa. He'd carried her to the bed and covered her up without her stirring in the slightest.

Carlos was still trying to get a hold of his feelings. The emotional rollercoaster ride that he'd been on had left him reeling. What had happened to him? When did it happen? And, why now? He had never taken a relationship seriously. He'd just accepted the fact that he was going to be alone for his entire life. Now, he found himself unable to picture his life without the woman who slept in his bed.

He sat with his cup of coffee, half watching the game that was on and half watching her as she slept. She was truly beautiful. Her hair a silvery gold. And so long. It hung almost down to her waist when she left it loose, which was his favorite. That way he could run his fingers through it. And her laugh? Her smile. The way she looked at him. He felt so loved when she looked at him with those electric blue eyes.

Carlos sighed as he stood and walked his mug over to the sink. Rinsing his mug and then leaving it in the sink basin, he went back to his couch. He looked over to Wren, seeing her move restlessly but, she was still sleeping. Pulling the blankets over himself as he lay down, he fell asleep quickly to the murmuring sound of the TV.

***************

His head flew back as another punch landed across his cheek. The blood dripped from the split lip down his chin. The arms that held him up were all that kept him on his feet. The room was spinning around him, he hardly felt the punch that went into his stomache.

He could hear laughter from someplace far away, at least that was how it seemed. There was a roaring in his ears that was louder then anything else. He barely felt the impact as his knees hit the floor below him when the men that held him standing up let go. Instinctively, his hands went out as the ground seemed to rush up to meet him.

"Get up."

He heard the words slowly penetrating to his confused brain, and he tried to push himself from the floor. Appartently, he didn't react quickly enough for his captor, at least thats what the kick he took in the stomache seemed to imply to him as he flipped over on his back from the force.

"I said get up."

Carlos coughed. The metalic taste of blood registered somewhere in the back of his mind. He rolled slowly on to his stomache, pulling his knees underneath his upper body. He attepted to push himself up with both arms but couldn't seem to feel the left one of them outside of the ache that pulsed through it. Pushing with his better right arm he managed to get himself semi-erect, sitting back on his feet.

Blurred as it was, his vision cleared slightly, only to look down the barrel of what seemed to be the biggest gun he'd ever seen. His eyes widened slightly.

"I almost feel guilty about this Carlito. You actually did me a favor by killing Ray. I get to be the big man now." The man laughed as he looked down at his bloodied captive. "I come off smelling like roses to the old man. All thanks to you."

"Go to hell." Carlos' voice was hoarse.

"Now, thats not very nice." Carlos remained where he was despite the blow that went across his face. "You know, the boys were all saying how they'd love to take a couple shots at you. I thought it was a bad idea to let you live that long. Maybe I was wrong to deprive them of their fun."

"So kill me, there's no one here to stop you."

"Actually, I was planning on it." The barrel pressed against the center of Carlos' forehead. "Are you ready to die Detective? Any last words from that smart mouth of yours?"

"I'll see you in hell." Carlos choked out the words as he watched the man pull the hammer back.

"You'll have a long wait." The man pulled the trigger.

***************

Wren sat up too quickly, trying desperately to untangle herself from the blankets that she'd twisted around herself in her troubled sleep. Her head spun as her feet hit the bare wood, she took a moment to get her bearings. Realizing Carlos must have put her to bed, and that he wasn't with her now. ~Breathe dummy - he wouldn't have gone anywhere without waking you first.~ Wren tried to focus her eyes in the flickering light of the television.

As her eyes grew accustomed to the dim light, she saw the outline of Carlos laying on the sofa. Standing slowly, she took a step. The room looked huge from where she stood, her body wavering precariously, but she took another step. It took her a few minutes to cross the room, but she did it. She looked down at his sleeping face. There were no bruises. No split lip. No swollen eyes. The dream had a firm grip on her still. Forcing her self to calm down, she reached out to him and touched his shoulder. He was really there.

"Carlos?" Wren shook his shoulder.

"Hmm?" He replied still mostly asleep.

"Wake up, please." The sound of her voice upset caught his attention and he came awake.

"What is it?" He asked sitting up quickly. "Whats wrong?"

"I just had the worst dream." Wren looked down at him from where she stood. "I just wanted to make sure you were really here. That you were okay."

"I'm fine." Carlos held his arms open to her and she sat across his lap slowly, curling up to him. Wrapping her with him in the blanket he had across his shoulders, "And I'm really here holding onto you."

The couple sat together for a long while holding on to each other in the quiet night. Noticing that Wren's eyes seemed to be getting heavy, Carlos wanted to get her back into bed.

"Better?" He asked as he gently kissed her forehead, and absently ran his fingers through her messy hair. She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder.

"It was so real." Wren started to tell him.

"Shhh. I'm fine. I'm not going anywhere." He kissed her forehead again lovingly. "I'm right here."

"Come to bed with me, please?" Wren asked quietly.

"Wren, I can't. I-" He sighed frustrated. He wanted nothing more.

"Just lay with me till I fall asleep again." She pleaded with him with her eyes as she pleaded with her words.

"Just until you fall asleep though. Okay?" Carlos wore a pained expression. "Okay?"

Wren didn't answer, only nodded into his shoulder slowly. Carlos picked her up and carried her back over to the bed, setting her down gently. He laid down next to her after he took his tee-shirt off and then gently pulled her against himself, running his fingers through her hair with one hand and rubbing her back with his other. Her head rested in the crook of his shoulder and his chest, and the soothing motion meant for Wren quickly lulled both of them into a deep sleep.

***************

"This the place?" The man behind the wheel asked.

Rick nodded. "Yeah, that's his car. And, there's her big old Pontiac."

"We gonna take him from here?" The driver asked as he slowed while passing the building.

"I'm not sure yet." Answering slowly, Rick eyed the old car. "Have Tom watch him. Get a feel for his routine. I want this to be a message to the police not to mess with us as much as it is a favor for the old man."

"No problem." The driver said speeding back up to pace with the traffic. "Guy's probably so thrilled to have that sweet little thing home, he's not going to notice anything else."

Rick sneered. "I have half a mind to take that little bird for myself. I think I could enjoy her."

The driver smiled. "Maybe take him while he's on duty? I bet he goes back to work soon."

"Maybe..." Rick said still smiling. "Perhaps get a few of the bangers to throw him a blanket party. I'm sure he's busted a few that would be happy to oblige us."

"I don't know about that, Rick." The driver said. "They're kids. Kids screw up."

"True," He replied. "And actually, I would like to watch his face. Ray was my friend. I'd like to hear him scream. Just like Ray did when he was shot."

"We could pick up a few free lancers." The driver said. "We've had pretty good luck with the local bruisers."

"Thats a thought." Rick said quietly. "I wonder if the old man wants to watch."

The driver laughed callously. "It would be just like the guy. Hell," He said as they drove into the night. "Knowing the old man- he'd probably want to help."

***************

Sonny Got Caught In The Moonlight

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