Disclaimer: Everything you recognize, the scenes, and characters, belongs to and is owned by Chuck Norris, Norris Productions, and other companies connected to the shows Walker Texas Ranger and Sons of Thunder. Monica Banon, Michelle Summers, Mike Larry, Eddie Corbin and any other characters are made up by me to go along with the story.
 
 

The blazing sun shined into Trent's eyes, he lost sight of the object for a second, but out of the sun rays, he saw it appear again. But he kept running down the field, watching the object fall to the ground, Trent spread his arms, and the football landed right inside his arms. He crossed the line and threw the ball down on the ground, and raised his arms of joy and yelling.

"Touchdown!!" He yelled, Monica came running closer and she jumped into his arms hugging him. Carlos then came jogging up to them out of breath.

"Luck, I almost had you!" Carlos said bending down resting his arms on this  knees, gasping for air. Trent and Monica only laughed walked closer to him.

"Yeah you wish Carlos, maybe next time!" Trent said, and Carlos followed them to the rest of the team mates cheering that their team scores a point.

The football field was empty on Sunday afternoons, which gave them a chance to have a game of football each month. The people who usually came for the game were officers from the Dallas Police Department, which were divided up in the two teams. The captains of the teams were Trivette and Trent. Trent's team consisted of Monica, Mike Larry, Kim, Walker and other officers.  And on Trivette's team was Carlos, Michelle, Alex and the rest of the officers. CD would be the referee, but he kept quite, he had too much of a good time seeing the young people running around after a ball. Trent and Monica joined their team cheering all the way, and Carlos returned to Trivette who called the team together for a huddle. Trent's team did the same to make the most of the last 5 minutes.

"Alright, we're 3 points behind! We can still beat them guys! Now, it's their kickoff. Carlos I want you to watch Trent! And I'll take Monica who's moved to fullback. Got it??" Trivette tells his team and they all cheer in agreement.

"Ok, Break!" Trivette says and claps his hands and the team with blue shirts go apart.

"Alright Mon, I'm going to go long again. Walker, you watch Carlos. Let's do this guys! Break!" Trent tells his red-shirted team, and with that they go apart and take their places. The red fullback lines up, she watches Trent go long and signals to her he's ready. Monica then calls out the numbers...

"Hut-Hut!!" Monica yells and with that she grabs the ball from Walker and steps backs and watches Trent run down field. She brings back the ball to throw it and sees Trivette running straight towards her yelling, she throws the ball just as Trivette tackles her to the ground, the ball flies through the air towards Trent, who was being closely chased by Carlos. Trent catches the ball, Carlos dives for a tackle but Trent jumps into the air as Carlos hits the ground and Trent lands on the ground. Carlos can only watch as Trent crosses the line to score another touchdown. CD blows the whistle just then to declare that the game is at an end, the red team runs cheering over to Trent.  Trivette helps Carlos up from the ground and the two just laugh and all of them join the winning team.   Trivette and his team clap their hands and congratulates them on winning.

"Yeah, Yeah. We'll get you next time!" Trivette said shaking Trent's hand.

"That's what you said last month!!" Trent says laughing at Trivette who can only join him, and so do the others. Mike then walks up to Carlos who was busy wiping the grass off his blue shirt, once he sees Mike walking up to him laughing, Carlos rolls his eyes and knew that he was going to get it now.

"Hey Carlos, just for the record. Your were supposed to tackle Trent, not the ground!" Mike says wrapping his arms around Carlos's neck, and Carlos playfully pushes him away.

"I know that smartass!" Carlos says and hugs Michelleas she walks up to him. Later everyone headed back to the locker rooms to clean up and get dressed. Trent and Carlos headed back to Thunder Investigation to finish a case, Walker and Trivette went back to Ranger Headquaters. Michelle joined the rest of the officers who went back to the Department. Monica and Mike on the other hand had a stop to make before heading back there.

The highway is streaming with cars, hard to get some speed, which was hard for a car with that powerful engine. But  Detective Monica kept the black Porche back to keep within the flow of the highway, she and Detective Mike Larry were heading back to the station after having an interview with a parol officer, just to keep tabs on all the criminals being released. Mike had been promoted to Detective just last week, so obviously his head was full of it, but he knew how much it irritated Monica, so he kept it to himself.

"Damn, we go any slower, we're gonna be driving backwards!" Mike said inpatient with the speed of the traffic, Monica just smiled at him as the drove past a 18-wheeler and picked up the speed.

"Sure am glad that parol officer is still keeping tabs on Matt Andrews." Monica said to him, remember what had happened a few months ago when Andrews was released from Huntsville.

"You asked the parol officer a personal favour huh?" Mike said smiling at her, Monica just glared back at him with a smiling grin.

"Yeah, I did. Just wanna make sure Andrews stays out of trouble." Monica said slowing a bit down. A call then came over the radio from the Police Station.

"This is dispatch to all units, gun fire reported at 231 Avenue Supermarket. No officers on scene. Over." The women said, Mike then picked up the handset and pushed the response button.

"That's just a few blocks from here." Monica said to Mike.

"Dispatch, this is Detective Larry. Detective Banon and I are on our way." Mike answered the radio.

"Roger Detective, back-up is on the way. Out." The women said and with that Mike switched on the sirens and Monica stepped hard on the gas. The Porche pulled away immediately with a great speed, the passed in and out between cars and turned off the first Exit. They then came in a quite neighbourhood and Monica turned down the street, and they saw the Supermarket on the left. She pulled the Porche over to the side and switched off the engine, they both got out and hid behind the car, taking out their pistols and loading them. They heard yelling and screaming coming from inside the store, sounded like a man giving orders for everyone to stay down.

"What do you think?" Mike asked Monica, she leaned over and looked at the store again, took a breath and answered him.

"We go in." She said.

"Right, I'll go in first. You cover my back, ok?" Mike said standing ready to move in.

"Right, I got your back partner." Monica said smiling at him, and with that Mike nodded and ran across the street towards the store. He ran up to the wall with his back, raised his gun and entered the huge supermarket store. Monica then brought her gun up and prepared to move in when she heard someone running up to her. She turned her head to see a black teenager walk up to her.

"Stop! Get back now!!" Monica yelled at him, but he kept coming.

"Yo man, my bro's in there! I've gotta help him!" The guy said to Monica.

"No, we're going to help him! You get back!" Monica said, she didn't have time to be distracted by this kid, she had to back up Mike. The teenager then suddenly stopped as the sound of gun fire went off inside the store, Monica's heart skipped a beat at the sound and looked over at the store which was silent  again.

"Get down now!" Monica yelled at him, the boy dropped to the ground and covered his head with his hand. Monica then took a deep breath and ran around the car towards the store. She entered the store keeping her pistol aimed and ready, once she passed the counter she saw someone's feet pointing out from behind the desk. She walked around and saw what seemed to be the store-owner lying on the ground, gunshot to the chest and head. Monica signed at the sight and continued down one of the aisles, there were other people lying on the ground covering their heads scared. She then saw a body lying on the ground at the end, she ran up to it and found Mike lying on the ground, not moving

"Oh no! Mike!! Can you hear me!?" Monica yelled shocked, she dropped to her knees and inspected his wound. There was blood all over his chest, she felt his pulse, nothing.

"Come on Mike. Dammit don't do this to me!" Monica said taking out her radio from the her pocket.

"Dispatch, this is Detective Banon. I'm at 231 Avenue Supermarket, one man down. Officer down, need assicetance!" Monica said over the radio, and waiting for a response.

"Roger Detective, back up is already on the way." The woman over radio answered her. Monica then signed at the relief of hearing sirens in the distance coming closer.

"Hang on Mike, don't you dare quit on me!" Monica said taking off her sweater and placing it on his wound to apply pressure.

THUNDER INVESTIGATIONS

"I cannot believe we kicked your butts again!" Kim said walking past Carlos who was sitting on the couch with his arms crossed, he knew that he would never hear the end of this.

"Man, and the way you hit the ground trying to tackle me!" Trent said laughing with Kim and the two high five each other.

"Ok, this is getting old! Could you guys cut it out!" Carlos said.

"Sure, in about a month!" Trent says and he and Kim continue laughing. The office phone then rang, Kim walked closer to answer it.

"Thunder Investigations...." Kim answered.

"Sure Michelle, he's right here." Kim said waving Carlos closer, he got up and took the headpiece from her and answered.

"Hey it's me. What happened?? Alright, we're on our way, I'll meet you there." Carlos said to her over the phone, sounding very concerned. Once the put the headpiece down, he turned to Trent, who saw in Carlos's eyes that something was wrong.

"What is it?" Trent asked concerned, thinking that something had happened to Monica.

"Michelle only said that Monica and Mike are at the hospital, she wants us to meet her there." Carlos said and with that Trent walked up, they grabbed their jackets, greeted Kim and left the office.

As soon as Trent and Carlos arrived at the hospital they ran up to emergency room. Once they ran through the doors they saw Michelle standing at the end of the hallway, she saw them and ran closer, once she got to them she hugged Carlos.

"What happened?" Carlos asked her.

"All I know is that Monica and Mike responded to a gun fire report. I haven't seen them yet." Michelle said to him freighted. They then saw Monica come walking out of the ER room, her head hug down and arms crossed, Trent ran up to her. She tried to smile at him but only wrapped her arms around him, Trent hugged her tight, he signed at the relief that she was ok.

"Thank God your ok." Trent said to her kissing her forehead, but Monica only had tears in her eyes.

"What happened?" Trent asked again, wanting to know what had happened.

"I let him down, he..he asked me to back him up, and I didn't!" Monica tried to explain but broke out in tears again, Trent then hugged her again trying to comfort her.

"Ssshhh, it's not your fault." Trent said to her, he then saw Doctor Ross walking closer.

"Trent." Doctor Ross greeted him and also Carlos and Michelle who came closer.

"Hey Ross. How is he?" Trent asked him, Monica turning her attention to Ross.

"Well, we've done all we can for him. The bullet passed his lungs and heart, but he's lost a lot of blood. Right now it's up to him." Ross said and saw  the look on everyone's faces. Walker then came walking closer to them, hearing only the last part.

"He's in ICU right now, you can see him later. If you need me, just call." Doctor Ross said and turned around to walk down the hallway. Everyone then turned to Walker and greeted him.

"He got away. The shooter. Got out the back way." Walker told them, they all then sunk their heads, Monica closing her eyes in anger.

The two detectives entered the Police Station the next morning. Everyone only half-looking at them, not saying a word. Monica and Michelle went up the elevator to the 5th floor and headed to their office's. Once they walked past Captain Harris's office a voice called to them.

"Banon, get in here!" Captain Harris called from inside his office, Michelle saw the look on Monica's face, she knew Monica didn't have the streagh for this now. Monica then turned around and opened the office door and closed it behind her. Michelle then continued walking down the hallway towards her office. Inside Harris's office, Monica took a seat infront of his desk and didn't look him in the eye.

"I just went through your report about yesterday. And this part about you not being there to back up Detective Larry I don't understand." Captain Harris says closing the file and taking of his reading glasses.

"A savillion came onto the scene sir, and I warned him to get back. But he wouldn't. Then I heard the gun shots go off inside the store." Monica explained to him, not wanting to remember it.

"You knew you had to back him up, and yet you didn't."Captain Harris continued with her.

"I tried to make the best call I could at the time sir." Monica answered him, the image of Mike lying lifeless on the ground running through her head a million times.

"But clearly it wasn't. Therefore I think it would be better if you took a leave of absence, for the time being." He finished, Monica then looked up to him with one eyebrow raised.

"Are you suspending me sir?" Monica asked, but she knew what the answer was.

"If that's how you see it Detective, yes." Captain Harris said, and with that Monica got up from the chair and walked out the office. Michelle saw her storming out the office heading for the elevator, Michelle tried to catch up to her, but as the doors closed she lost sight of Monica.

1 WEEK LATER

Mike was still in a critical condition in the ICU. His family, mother and younger brother, stood by his side, waiting for him to wake up. Walker made a few stops to visit them, but they kept quite still shocked at what had happened. Walker stopped by at Thunder Investigations to see how things were going there.  He parked his truck and headed up to the office, once inside he was greeted by Kim behind the desk and Carlos who was sitting on the couch, we he was most of the time.

"Where's Trent?" Walker asked after greeting them.

"Hasn't come in yet." Kim said tying a few thing into the computer.

"Anyone of you seen Monica lately?" Walker asked, he himself hadn't seen her since Mike was shot. Michelle told him about Monica being suspended from the force, when he called her, Monica assured him that he was ok, but something told Walker that she wasn't. He promised Race before he died, that he would take care of Monica, like she was his daughter.

"No. Trent says she's ok, but I don't believe him." Carlos said rubbing his eyes. Just then the office doors open and Trent enters, greeting everyone.

"Sorry I'm late." Trent said not looking at anyone just keeping his head hung down. He hung up his jacket and went to his office. Walker then followed him closing the door behind him, Trent already sitting at his desk.

"I'm sorry Walker, did you want something?" Trent asked him going through his mail lying on the desk.

"You ok?" Walker asked him, he could see Trent was hiding something from him.

"Of course. Why shouldn't I be ok? I'm fine." Trent said still not looking Walker in his eyes.

"Trent!" Walker said trying to get his attention, he knew Trent was lying. Trent dropped the mail on his desk and looked Walker in his eyes.

"She made me promise not to tell you." Trent said looking him in his eyes, he knew Walker could tell if he was lying to him, but it was worth a shot.

"Tell me what Trent?" Walker wanted to know.

"That she hasn't slept in a week, hasn't eaten a thing. She keeps taking pain killers, I told her to stop and now she hinds them from me. She hasn't gone anywhere. She blames herself for what happened to Mike, Walker. And the shop owner who was killed. She keeps saying that if she had been there, Mike wouldn't be lying in the hospital right now." Trent tells Walker, standing up from his desk and looking out the window.

"It wasn't her fault Trent." Walker says.

"I know Walker! You think I haven't tried telling her that!" Trent answers him looking at him again.

"I know you have Trent. You're just going  to have to support her. She needs you." Walker said to him, he knew that Trent and Monica could help each other out of anything, together.

"I am Walker, I am." Trent answered him, then looked out the window again, watching the afternoon sun set over the huge buildings of the Big-D.

***

Trent pulled the Corvette into the Garage, he switched the engine off and got out. The Porche parked next to it hadn't been driven for a week. And the Jeep Wrangler even longer, but they kept it for special ocations.  Trent walked out and closed the Garage door, and walked up the stairs. The front door was closed as always, he took out his key and opened it.  He walked inside and the house was dark, he switched the hall light on and put down his keys on the counter. Trent then turned to see a dark figure come running down the hallway, he first was taken by surprised, but was then relieved to see it was Balto.

"Hey boy, what you up to huh?" Trent said kneeling down to the grey dog. Balto waved his tail excited, licking Trent's hands. Balto was a house warming gift from Carlos and Michelle, they found him at a local pound, he was about to be put down, but they rescued him. Now Balto was living on a huge Ranch with Trent and Monica, he had a short grey coat, and ice blue eyes.  After Trent greeted the friendly half-wolf dog, he stood up and walked in the lounge room, where Monica was usually sitting on her own. When he switched the light on, the room was empty, Trent then looked down a Balto who was still waving his tail at him.

"Where's mommy? Huh? Where's mommy Balto?" Trent asked him excitedly, Balto barked in response, turned around and ran down the hallway to the back door which led to the back porch. Trent followed the dog and found that the door was opened, Balto ran outside and turned right waving his tail. Once Trent got outside, he saw Monica dropping a newspaper on the ground. She was sitting on the potch swing, sinking her face in her one hand. Trent walked up to her, not yet saying a word he kissed her forehead and picked up the newspaper and the headlines read.

'One dead, and officer in ICU. Partner suspended from force.

Detective Mike Larry and the owner of a local supermarket downtown Dallas, were caught in a gun fire of a robber. The owner of the shop was killed and Detective Larry seriously injured. Detective Monica Banon, daughter of Captain Race Banon of the NYPD who was murdered a few months ago, is currently suspended and under investigation over the incident. The killer is still at large.' Trent signed at the paper and set it down on the ground.

"Funny how some headlines last over a week. Each time stabbing you in the back harder." Monica said after taking a sip of her strong drink. Trent then sat down beside her, putting his arm around her shoulder.

"Don't let them get to you. You didn't do anything wrong." Trent said to her, Monica then just stood up from the swing and stood infront of him.

"No Trent I did! That man died because of me! Mike is in the hospital because of me!..Because I wasn't there! I did what I thought was right at the time....but I was wrong." Monica said to him with almost fear in her voice, but also sadness.

"Alright that is enough Mon. You are not responsible for what happened to them! And if you feel that way, maybe you should leave the force." Trent told her standing up and looking straight into her face.

"What?" Monica said surprised.

"I am tired of waiting up each night. Waiting for you to come home. And I am so afraid of that one phone call, saying that you aren't coming home, because you were killed by a some store robber!" Trent said speaking out of his heart.

"Well, your aren't exactly the local mailman Trent!" Monica yelled at him.

"I know Monica. We both have dangerous jobs, but at least I don't go running after a thief who just stole a couple of dollars!" Trent told her back.

"Fine....you want me to leave, I'll leave!" She said and with that she stormed past Trent, walking down the hallway. Trent cursed himself at what he had just said.

".stupid!........Monica Wait!!" Trent first said to himself and then chased after her. But she grabbed the car keys and walked out the front door, quickly opened the Garage door and got into her Porche. She turned on  the engine and just as Trent came running outside, Monica pulled out the car, turned and drove off, Trent trying to stop her, but she was gone. He slammed his foot against the ground as Balto came to his side, moaning as the two watched her lights disappear into the darkness.

***

Monica drove off the highway into Dallas, the windshielwipers clearing the rain away for her to see ahead. Headlights passing her as she wiped away her tears. Her hands were shaking but tried to keep a firm grasp on the wheel. She didn't have any of her painkiller with her, at least they made her feel better. It kept the images of Mike's lifeless body out of her mind, but now they were there again. Things had begun to get better, after her dad died she was sure that with the support of all her friends and her fiancé Trent, things would get better. And now this. Life is a funny thing, just when you think things will take a good turn, it makes a turn for the worse. She listened to the music playing on the radio, she didn't know the artist, but the woman's words said it all.

'How do I undo the damage that I have done?
How do I forgive myself for what I've done?
Wish I didn't have to make up in the morning...
To face the truth
I'd rather face death....'

She listened closely to the words and the tears streamed down her cheek again. Her attention was then broken by an ambulance racing past her with sirens on.  She then realized that she was near the General Hospital. She took a right turn and was soon following the red and blue lights towards the hospital. Once inside she wiped herself dry of the rain and walked down the bright hallway, towards Mike's room. She didn't know what she was doing there, but maybe is would give her some sign at what she should do. Monica understood how Trent felt, the past few months had been hectic. And they both worried each other, but never really thought about it till the one got hurt. There weren't a lot of visitors, probably cause it was pass visitors time. But the doctors and nurses were still running the place full, and Monica tried to keep out of their way. She then got to the hallway she had last been in, and infront of Mike's room she saw a teenage boy sitting on a chair with his head in his hands. He raised his head, hearing Monica come walking down the hallway. He immedaitly got a grin on his face and stood up, walking towards her.

"Get out of here! We don't want you here!" He yelled at her pointing his finger, and Monica being afraid of warning teenager, who had a look of his face as if ready to kill.

"Excuse me?" Monica asked him confused, not knowing who he was.

"My bro is lying in there because of you! You were supposed to back him up! Huh, some partner you are!" He said yelling in her face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen." Monica said trying to hold the tears inside.

"I think you've done enough damage around here. Now get out of here!" He said to her pointing down the hall, then a elder woman came closer. Monica immediately recognized her as Mike's mother. Monica turned around and starting walking back down the hallway to the Exit.

"Detective Banon?" The woman yelled after Monica who had already disappeared down the hallway.

"What did you do??" She asked her son concerned.

"It's alright momma, come on." He said putting his arm around her and they walked back to Mike's room.

Monica drove the car down the street as fast as it could go, she wasn't sure how fast she was going. But the faster she could get away from the hospital the better. Further away from people she had hurt. Her hand started shaking again, she wasn't sure why it did that, maybe because she was soaking wet and freezing or because of shock, she gripped the steering wheel tighter trying to get her hand under control. She then saw the sign of a pharmacy up ahead, she pulled the car over and got out into the rain. Locked it and ran inside the store, her clothes dripping with water she looked around the small store. She walked down the first ail, looking at the various medicines. There was a man wearing a black raincoat and cap who Monica recognized from somewhere. She didn't think much of it and continued on her quest for relief.  She then gasped as she felt a sharp sting in her right arm and then realized that she had bumped into the guy she had thought about.

"O God, I'm sorry." Monica said and the man just nodded and walked off, out the store and into the rain. She rubbed her arm and continued looking at the various pills, she finally decided on some pills in a white bottle. All she could make out of it, was that it was for pain and stress. 'Huh, perfect' she thought, she walked up to the counter, gabbed a bottle of water from the small fridge and handed it all to the woman on the other side. Monica tried to ignore the way the woman was looking at her, almost a worried face, but Monica was tired of looking at those kind of faces. Monica handed  the cashier money and she gave Monica the pills, water and the change back.

"You ok honey? You look like hell?" The cashier asked her looking worried, Monica only glared up at her.

"Well, I'm half-way there." And with that Monica walked out  the store, she walked through the rain up to her car, her right arm still hurt, but ignored it and opened the car door and got in. She took out the bottle of pills and the bottle of water. The opened both bottles and without looking at the recommended dose of the pills she absentmindedly took a few, threw them in her mouth and swallowed them down with the water, she grunted at the bad taste in her throat. She put the pills in her bag and drove off to her next destination.

The rain was still pouring hard and Monica quickly ran up the stairs to the apartment door with her bag and knocked on it hard four times. After seeing the lights go on, she heard locks being opened from inside and the door opened half way, revealing Monica's friend, Michelle.

"Monica?! O my God, what are you doing here! Come in out of the rain, you'll catch your death out there!" Michelle said putting her arm on Monica's shoulder and leading her inside. Michelle switched some of the other lights on to reveal a soaked Monica, Michelle locked the door and turned to her friend crossing her arms wearing her pink silky night gown.

"What happened?" Michelle asked concerned.

"Trent and I had a stupid fight. I just need a place to stay the night, please." Monica said tying to keep her tears inside, Michelle then stepped up and hugged her friend.

"O of course sweety! Ah, your soaking! Tell you what, why don't you go and take a warm shower and I'll fix you some coffee, huh?" Michelle said leading her to the bathroom.

"No, Michelle please. You go back to bed, and I'll go take a shower. Please." Monica said not wanting to infaid on her space.

"You sure?" Michelle asked her and Monica nodded.

"Ok, you can sleep in the guest room. I'll see you in the morning." And with that Michelle hugged her one more time and turned to go back in her room. She felt so sorry for Monica, and knew that she had to call Trent to let him know where she was. Once Michelle heard the shower go on, the picked up her phone and dialled Trent's number. After a few rings she heard his voice answer.

"Trent,  it's Michelle. Monica is here with me." She told him and heard Trent sign in relief.

"Is she ok?" Trent asked her concerned.

"Fine, she's taking a shower right now. What happened?"

"We had a fight, stupid!" Michelle heard how concerned he was.

"Well, she looked a little shook up. Tell you what, I'll take care of her, and when she's calmed down, you can come and see her." Michelle told him, she knew from experience between her and Carlos, that a fight only needed time afterwards.

"Ok, thanks Michelle. Monica is really lucky to have you as a friend." Trent thanked her.

"So are you. Good night." She said.

"Bye." And they both hung up the phone, Michelle then put away her phone and got back into bed. Turned the bed light off and closed her eyes.