"Thanks. Your pretty amazing yourself." Trent told her. He didn’t know if he should have said that, but when he saw the way she was blushing, he knew that he flirted back in the right way.
"Do you believe in fate?" She asked him out of nowhere. He smiled at her for a second and thought it through. He then gave her his answer.
"You mean how there could be one person on earth who was meant for you? And if you had found each other someday, would you know it was that person? I don’t know. I guess I will know the day I find her huh? What about you? You got someone back in New York?" He asked her, not really sure if he should have asked a question like that. She broke out in a smile laughing at the question.
"O no. Haven’t found him yet. But I’m hoping to....one day. Some day. Soon." She said and smiled brightly. The moment she looked into his eyes she wondered to herself if that day had maybe come.
"Maybe that day has come? I know mine has." He answered her, staring deeply into her eyes. She looked deeply into his eyes again, he smiled back at her. Trent lifted his hand, bringing it closer to her face. The touch of her face was soft and warm, she closed her eyes at the touch of his soft hands. She opened them and then placed her hand on his. Trent didn’t need more encouragement than that to bring his mouth to hers. Inches from each other they were startelled when Tommy came walking out of the office. Looking down at his bag while zipping it shut, not even seeing the moment between the two. "Hey Trent come on, time to go. Mom’s probably got dinner ready already and I’m starving!" He said but the second he looked up at them he knew what moment in time he had just disturbed.
"O I’m sorry, I’ll go wait in the car if you want?" Tommy said almost apologizzing to them as he pointed to the door.
"No that’s ok Tommy, we just wanna go change quickly." Trent said to him, taking his hand off her face and looking over to Tommy. Monica then wondered if he had wanted the moment to be broken. The two stood up to go and change.
After changing, Trent locked up the Dojo and the three head for his blue Corvette parked outside. Trent opens the door for Monica, and she gets in while Tommy gets into the backseat. They drive of to the Dallas Royal Hotel. Once there Trent get’s out and go gets Monica’s bag out of the trunk.
"Wait in the car, ok Tommy." Trent tell Tommy who only grins at his older brother. How come he could walk the movie star up to her room.
"Yeah, ok. Night Monica!!" Tommy quickly tells Monica.
"Good night Tommy." Monica answers him.
Monica and Trent walk into the Hotel. They walk to the ckeck-in and she recieves the key to her room. They then take the elivator up to the 3rd floor and once they reach her room, they walk inside and Trent put’s down her bags, and walks out.
"Well, I’ll be back in an hour and a half to pick you up, ok??" Trent tells Monica standing outside her room. There was a sense of uneasyness between them. The one not knowing how the other felt.
"Perfect. I’ll see you then." Monica says and turns to open her door. Trent then turns to leave.
"O and Trent." Monica quickly adds.
"Yeah??" Trent quickly turns around to face her.
"Thanks for the lesson and, you know, thanks for taking care of me. I may not show it, but I really am scared."She says with concern. But the answer could tell her if he really did care for her.
"Your welcome. And don’t be scared, I’ll protect you, I give you my word you’ll be save." Trent assures her.
"Somehow I have a feeling I will be, when I’m with you." She says smiling. That answer was all she wanted to hear.
"See you in a while." Trent says.
"Ok, bye." She then turns and walks into her room.
Trent then watches her walk into the room, she glares at him one last time and closes the door. He stands there for a few seconds, then leaves.
About an hour and a half later.
Trent is on his way to the Hotel to pick up Monica, when his cell-phone rings.
"Trent Malloy."
"Hey mister lover-man, where are you??" Carlos says on the other line.
"HaHa very funny. I’m on my way to pick up Monica. Why??" Trent says, not concerning himself with Carlos’s coment.
"Nah, just wanted to let you know that everyone is here at CD, and that we’re waiting for you guys." Carlos says.
"Yeh ok, we’ll be there in a few minutes." Trent replies.
"So, did you get her anything??Mmm??I know you did Trent, I mean the way you looked at her at the airport this morning, you had to have gotten her something." Carlos asks.
"Come on Carlos, I’ve only known her one day, I’m not going to.."
"Trent..!!" Carlos intertups him.
"Ok, ok. I got her flowers." Trent continues.
"Ooh, nice. Let me guess...red roses??" Carlos says.
"Yip. Think she’d like them??" Trent asks with concern.
"Of course she will, now just hurry up ok!! Bye!"
"Yeah ok, Bye!!" Trent says and they both hang up.
Trent pulls over at the Hotel and gets out. He walks into the hotel carrying the roses. He walks up to the room, and for a second freezes before knocking on the door.
The door opens and there stands Monica in a short ice blue dress, wearing her hair down in a curl. Trent stands there infront of her with his mouth open, trying to speak.
"Wow, you look, um, look..." Trent really tries to get his words out.
"Yes??" Monica helps him, her hands behind her back.
Waiting to hear his comment.
"You look really beautiful Monica." Trent finally says.
"Thank you." Monica smiles and blushes.
"Ah, these are for you."Trent brings the roses out from behind his back, and hands it to her.
Monica then gets a freighting sight in her face and looks in shock.
"Are you ok??" Trent asks and can see that the roses bother her. He quickly hides then behind his back again.
"Is it the roses? I’m sorry, I didn’t know what kind of flowers you liked so I just.."
"No, it’s not that Trent, their beautiful, it’s just that last week with the death treats and all. I revieced a bunch of red roses with a note on it saying that the next bunch of roses will be sent to my father, with my blood on them." Monica says in shock, putting her head down.
"I’m so sorry Monica." Trent says and reaches out his hand and lifts her head up at her chin.
"Hey. I promised you before and I will again, I won’t let anything happen to you." Trent says and smiles at her. Monica looks into his eyes and smiles back.
"Come on, let’s get you to a great dinner." Trent says hand show’s her the way. She walks past him and Trent quickly throws away the roses.
Soon after they arrive at the Bar. They get out and head inside.
Everyone is waiting there, Walker, Carlos, Alex, Jimmy, CD and Kim.
Walker walks up to them.
"Hi guys, glad you could make it." Walker says.
"Hey Walker." Trent and Monica greet him.
"Everyone, I’d like you to meet Monica Banon, she’s Race Banon’s daughter." Walker says and then introduces everyone to Monica.
"Nice to meet all of you." Monica says smiling.
"Ok, what say we all have a round of CD’s special Ranger Grill!!" Walker suggest’s.
"Sounds good to me!!" CD says from behind and leads everyone to their table.
NEW YORK
The phone rings in the huge office. The well dressed man steps up to it, lifts the head piece and brings it to his hear.
"Smith." He answers.
"It’s me." The voice says.
"Ah, Mr. Andrew’s. It’s late, this better be good." Jack tells him, taking out his bottle of Jack Daniels and a glass.
"Oh it is. You won’t believe where I am." Matt says.
"You still close to the Banon girl??" Jack asks puring the glass half full and sets the bottle down.
"I’m in Dallas, Texas. Seems her daddy sent her here to go under the protection of some P.I.’s. Their supposed to be pretty good at their jobs." Matts continues.
"Really, is that a problem??" Jack says taking a drink from his whiskey.
"No, I’ll just wait till she’s alone in her hotel room, then I’ll do the job." Matt says.
"Remember, nice and clean. I don’t want this pointing to me in any way." Jack warns him.
"Don’t worry Mr. Smith, after tonight, your name will be totally clear." Matt assures him.
"I hope so, for your sake." Jack warns him again.
"Good night." Matt then hangs up the phone.
"Good night Mr. Andrew’s...." The line goes dead. "...And good night forever Miss Banon." Jack takes the last drink from his whiskey.
DALLAS, CD’S BAR & GRILL
Everyone is finishing their drinks and talking.
"So, Carlos put’s on this old blue dress and this grey wig. He looks so convincing as an old lady two guys jump him from behind and try to grab his purse." Trent says while laughing. Carlos can only grin at him for telling that story to Monica, while everyone is laughing.
"Then what??" Monica asks.
"Well, after swirling around a few times he finally get’s hold of the guy, and knocks him down." Trent continues.
"With me and Walker’s help of course."Jimmy says.
"I’m telling you, if we didn’t come out and help him out, they would have robbed him blind!!" Walker tries to say while laughing.
"Hey, that’s not true. I could have taken care of those guys, it was just hard fighting in a dress!!" Carlos adds. Then everyone breaks out in laughter.
"Ah man, look at the time. We better get going Alex."
Walker says looking at his watch.
"Your right, and you need some sleep Monica. You and me can start working on you case to get you ready." Alex tells Monica.
"Thanks Alex, I could use all the help I can get." Monica says while standing up with everyone.After thanking CD for a great dinner, everyone walks outside. Trent put’s his jacket on Monica’s shoulders.
"Thanks, I am quite cold." Monica thanks him, and touching his hand for a second, they both look at each other smiling.
"My pleasure." And he squeezes her hand.
They all say good night to each other and they drive off.
Trent stops at the Hotel and they both go inside, once at Monica’s room they stop for a moment.
"Thanks again for dinner Trent, I feel better now. And safer."Monica says leaning against her door.
"Your welcome. Will you be ok here tonight??" Trent asks.
"Yes, I’ll be fine. Could you maybe come pick me up tomorrow morning, so I can go and meet Alex??" Monica asks.
"It would be my pleasure." Trent smiles. After only one evening it felt like they knew everthing about each other.
"Well, good night Trent." Monica says.
"Good night." He smiles back.
Monica turns to open her door.
"Monica..." Trent says.
"Yes?" Monica turns around to face him, hoping to hear from him what she wanted.
"I just wanted you to know that I, well, I really..." Trent stops. Being lost in the moment of staring into her eyes.
"Nothing. Good night." Trent turns and starts to walk away.
Monica stands there for a second and then goes into her room.
Then coming from the other corner of the hallway is Matt, watching her go into her room. Then moves closer.
When Trent reaches the end of the hallway at the elevator, he stops, looks back, and hesitates. Every bone is his body told him to go back, but what would it lead to? But he knew the only way he would find out is to go back to that door. He then started walking back to Monica’s room.
Monica leans against her door inside her room, then hears someone coming down the hallway. She then opens her door and walks outside. She then sees Trent coming around the corner, walking towards her. Trent smiles at her and continues walking towards her. Just then Matt comes around the corner and pulls out his gun, aiming it at Monica. Trent sees him and stops in shock. Monica sees his face change, and she turns around, and sees the gun pointed at her and freezes. Just then Trent runs to her and knocks her down just as Matt fires a shot and bearly misses her head. They both fall to the ground and roll into a room next door. Matt fires a few more shots. And shoots Monica in her left arm. Monica yells in pain and falls at the foot of the door. She then quickly pulls out a mini gun from under her dress and leans over and fires a couple of shots at Matt. He then quickly backs away around the corner, then makes a run for it. Trent the realizes that Monica is bleeding, and takes a cloth from a table in the room and presses it against her arm. Monica moans in pain, and tries to hold it in.
Trent tries to comfort her.
"Don’t worry. It’s going to be alright, just hold on."
Trent assures her.
"Someone call 911!!" Trent yells at the people in the hallway.
"I’m ok, don’t worry. Are you ok??" Monica asks holding tight down on Trent’s hand.
"I’m fine. Thanks to you. Nice gun. You always keep it there??" Trent asks, trying to get a smile from her.
"Just for special occasions." Monica smiles at him, and he smiles back. Holding her hand tight.
A few minutes later the ambulance arrives and takes Monica to the Hospital. Trent then calls Walker on the phone and asks him to meet him there.
AT THE HOSPITAL
Trent is sitting in the hallway, with his hands together and his head down.
Just then Walker comes in.
"Hey Trent, how is she??" Walker asks.
"I don’t know yet, they took her into the emergency room. I’m still waiting." Trent answers.
"What happened??" Walker then sits next to Trent.
"There was a guy in the hotel waiting for her. As soon as I turned my back he came after her. He fired at us, but Monica returned fire and then he ran off." Trent says with guilt.
"It wasn’t you fault Trent. You saved her." Walker says, putting his hand on Trent’s shoulder.
"That’s just it, it was my fault. I promised her I wouldn’t let anything happen to her, and look what happened. I shouldn’t have left her alone." Trent says lowering his head.
"But that’s just it, you didn’t leave her alone, you went back to her. And that saved her life."Walker tries to assure him.
"You have to try not to make this too personal Trent."
Walker tells him.
"Too late." Trent says.
"I should’ve known, the way you two were at the Bar tonight. You like her that much?? You’ve only known her a day." Walker asks him. Even though it was the first time he had seen Trent like this, Walker knew well enough that the two had very strong feelings for each other.
"Like her?? I’m in love with her Walker. I mean, I’ve never felt this way about anyone." Trent says. He knew he could talk to Walker about this.
"Well then, just remember one thing about Monica. She’s not the innocent kind of girl, she knows how to take care of herself." Walker tells him. Since he had trained her he knew how she reacted in situations, and even though she sometimes took things into her own hands. But she always did things the right way, and Walker showed her how to make those choices.
"Tell me about it. I think that’s just what I love about her. I mean, the way she pulled that mini gun from under her dress...man!!" Trent says scaly with a huge smile on his face. Truelly Monica was something else.
Walker smiled back at him and knew exactly what Trent meant. Both their attenstion was then turned when the surgeon came walking towards them. They both stood up and greeted the white dressed man.
"How is she??" Trent asks the surgeon.
"Miss Banon was very lucky. The bullet only greezed her left arm. No muscle tissue was damaged. We cleaned up the wound, so she can go home now. She’s asked that Mr. Malloy come in first." He tells them.
"You go ahead Trent, I need to get back to Alex, she’s worried sick. Besides, I think you two need to talk." Walker tells him. He greets the Surgeon and leaves.
Trent follow’s the Surgeon down the hall to her room. Walking inside he sees Monica sitting on her bed and is already changed in other clouths.
"Hi, how you feeling??" Trent asks walking inside.
Monica lifts her head and smiles at him.
"Fine, thanks to you." She says carefully putting on her jacket. Trent sees her struggling and then walks closer to help her put it on.
"Me?? What did I do?? You were the one who pulled the gun."Trent says smiling back, done helping her put on her jacket.
"No, but you came back to me. That saved me. Thank you." She says, and climbs of the bed. Standing right infront of Trent she reaches up with her arms and wraps then around Trent’s neck. He then hugs her back, and for a moment time stops.
"Your welcome." He replies. The two then break the hug and smile at each other.
Trent then shows Monica the way out and they both leave the Hospital.
Once inside the car, Trent turns to her.
"Listen Monica, I don’t think it’s save to go back to the Hotel. So, why don’t you come and stay with me at my apartment??" He asks her. Trent had thought it over, and there was no question about it. Monica wasn’t safe at the Hotel. The hitman knew where she was and would sure enough come after her again.
"Your right. I’d love to come and stay with you at your place." She says, giving him a big smile.
Trent nods and starts the car. Just as they pull away, Matt comes walking out of the Hospital. He watches them drive off, and then takes out his cell-phone and calls Jack.
"It’s me. She got away again......I need a few men.......Don’t worry, she won’t make it to court."
He turns off the phone and walks down the street towards his car.
Once at Trent’s apartment, they get out of the Vette. Trent then takes out Monica’s bag from the trunk. and sees the surprised look on her face.
"You remembered my bag??" Monica asks him, when she sees what he takes out of his car’s trunk.
"Yeh, once the ambulance came and took you away, I ran back and just grabbed everything and put it inside. I hope you don’t mind??" Trent asks, while taking out his apppartment’s keys.
"No, thanks." She says.
Trent opens the door and let’s her walk inside first.
He switches on the light to reveal a huge apartment. With a t.v. and couch on the right side, the kitchen on the left and other rooms further down the hall.
"Oh Trent, this is a great place. Is it new??" Monica asks staring at everything.
"Thanks. Yeh, it is. I just moved in about a weeks ago. But I’ve been so busy at work, I haven’t been here much." He says and walks down the hallway, he stops infront of the first room on the right and opens the door.
"You can sleep here tonight, I haven’t slept in my own bed much, but it’s ok, and the views great." He says smiling and walks inside the room with a window view of the entire Dallas.
"O Trent it’s perfect. But I don’t want to invade on your space, I could just sleep on the couch." Monica says worried.
"No,no,no. It’s no trouble at all, please."Trent smiles at her. She smiles back.
"Thank you, for everything." She smiles as he puts her bag on the bed.
"Your very welcome." He smiles back.
"Good night." She says, and quickly moves forward and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
"Good night."Trent says, and feels he’s legs go numb.
Trent slowly moves back out of the room, and Monica walks after him closing the door, giving him a smile.
Trent walks down the hallway, putting his hand on his cheek. That was the most softest kiss he had ever felt.
Later that night, Trent is busy sleeping on the couch when he hears a moaning. He wakes up and hears that it is coming from Monica’s room. Afraid of what might be happening to her, he quickly jumps to his feet and runs to the room. When he opens the door, he finds Monica lying in bed sweating. She looks like she is having a horrible nightmare. He walks to her side and tries to wake her.
"Monica! Wake up!" Trent tries to shake her awake.
Monica then opens her eyes and sees Trent infront of her, she then goes into tears and hugs Trent.
"O Trent, I was so scared. He was going to kill me." She says crying in his arm. Trent hugs her tight and tries to comfort her.
"Its ok, it was just a dream. Your save now, don’t worry." He hugs her and rests his head on hers.
Monica gathers her tears, and sits up straight and looks into his eyes, as they both hold each others arms. Trent only wearing his Boxers and Monica a short and a sleeveless dress.
They once again become lost in each others eyes. Trent tries to talk.
"Monica, I don’t know any other way to say this, but, I think...I think I’m...."
".. falling in love with you." Monica finishes his sentence, and smiles at him.
"Exactly." Trent adds.
They both smile at each other, Trent then moves closer and wipes the tears of Monica’s face. Monica puts her hand on his once more. Both wanting to pick up where they last stopped.
Trent leans forward and brings his lips to hers. The kiss was warm and tender. He placed his hand behind her head, her hands on his back. Their bodies pressed together as a sense of urgency grew within both of them. Almost like something deep inside them had connected, something discovered for the first time. Something they never knew they had, but somehow was released with the touch of this one special person. Monica pulled back. "Whoa," she said a little breathlessly. "You always have this kind of effect on women?"
"Just with you. I’m sorry if that was a little direct." Trent answerd her still lost in her eyes and holding her body close to his.
"No not at all."
"I just knew that if this didn’t happen, I wouldn’t know if I had lost something really special." He told her and she smiled at him, the most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to her.
"You won’t." She answerd him back, and once again leaned forward, their lips touching each others. The kiss even more passionate that the first. Monica leaned back, pulling Trent with her. His body covering hers. The kiss is broken for a second as the two look deeply into each other’s eyes again, smile, and then continue a night’s memory that would last forever.
The next morning they both wake up in each others arms. Trent watching her sleep peacefully, lying on her stomach, he brings his hand up and softly rubs her cheek. She smiles instantly and opens her eyes looking at him.
"Good morning." Trent tells her and then gently strokes his hand over her soft and bare shoulder.
"Morning." She smiles at him.
Trent looks deeply into her eyes and then smiles brightly.
"What?" Monica asks him smiling back at him, stroking her hand though his soft blonde hair.
"It’s just, do you have any idea how happy it makes me, to wake up in the morning and see you lying here beside me." Trent tells her touching her face softly with his hand.
"I do, because I feel exactly the same way." She pauses for a second before continueing. "I love you Trent Malloy." She says and also places her hand on his cheek. She had never told anyone she loved him this fast, but she knew that with Trent she couldn’t hold back her feelings, she just had to tell him how she felt about him.
"And I love you Monica Banon." Trent smiles at her, then moves closer and his soft lips touches hers, as they kiss pasionatly. He places his hand over her back and brings her closer to his body.
Then suddenly there’s a hard knock on the door, and they pull away from each other.
"Trent!! You in there?? Come on, time to wake up!!"
The person yells.
"O man, it’s Carlos." Trent realizes, and smiles at her.
Monica just laughs.
"I’ll be right there Carlos!!" Trent yells back. Trent and Monica quickly jump out of bed. Trent grabs his pair of Boxers and puts them on and Monica quickly takes a T-shirt of Trent’s and puts it on along with one of his other shorts.
Trent walks then to the frontdoor and opens it, finding Carlos standing there in looking strangely at him.
"Morning!! What??" Trent can see how his friend is looking at him.
"Hi, are you sure it’s ok with Monica that you walk around like that??" He asks the half naked Trent.
Just then Monica comes walking out the room wearing only Trent’s shirt and short.
"Morning Carlos, how are you??" She asks smilling at him.
"Morning, fine and you??" He asks, and can see what is going on and glares at Trent, who just looks away with a grin smiling.
"Great thanks." Monica says and walks into the kitchen.
"Oh, you hear that Trent, she’s great." Carlos tells Trent and walks inside.
Trent closes the door and quickly grabs a T-shirt and puts it on.
"Would you guys like some coffee??" Monica asks switching on the kettle.
"I’d love some, thanks." Carlos says taking a seat at the table, Trent then goes into the kitchen.
"Let me get that Mon, you go and sit down." Trent tells her trying to take the coffee mugs, but Monica pulls them away.
"A Ah, I’ll make the coffee, you go and sit down." She smiles at him.
Trent goes and sits down with Carlos at the table.
"Mon???" Carlos grins at him. Trent gives a ‘what?’ look.
"So...Mon, I heard what happened last night, you sure your ok??" Carlos asks her.
"I’m fine thanks Carlos." She says and pours the coffee.
"Good, wouldn’t want to loose our best client. Walker would kill us." Carlos says joking, but Trent grins at him.
Monica just smiles and brings in the coffee.
"Thanks Mon, how’s you arm feeling??" Trent asks her, helping her set down the tray of coffee mugs on the table and pulling out a chair for her.
"It’s better. It doesn’t even hurt anymore." She says and sits down.
Carlos takes a sip from his coffee.
"Hey, Alex called this morning, she says you can come in at nine o’clock." Carlos tells her.
"Great. That gives me enough time to go get a shower."
She says and takes a sip of her coffee. They all finish their coffee, and soon after Carlos leaves.
Monica and Trent go get dressed after showering and leave the apartment.
They soon arrive at Ranger Headquarters and walk inside.
Alex, Carlos and Walker are all in Walkers office.
"Morning you two." Walker greets them.
"Morning Walker." Monica and Trent greet him back.
"Hi Monica." Alex walks to Monica.
"Hi Alex." Monica smiles at her.
"You ok after last night, we don’t have to do this today." Alex assures her.
"I’m fine. I want to do this, the sooner it’s done, the sooner all of this is over." Monica tells her.
"That’s the Monica I know." Walker tells her, and gives her a hug.
"Come on this way." Alex shows Monica the way and they both leave the room. Monica looks back at Trent who smiles back at her. She really didn’t want to leave him, she just felt so save being with him.
Walker then takes a seat behind his desk and stairs at Trent. Trent and Carlos turn to Walker.
"Carlos tells me Monica spent the night at your place." Walker asks Trent.
"She had to Walker. She couldn’t go back to the Hotel, it was too dangerous, you know that." Trent tells him.
"Yeh ok, how’s she holding up??" Walker asks him.
"Like you said Walker, she knows how to take care of herself." Trent tells Walker smiling.
"Yeh, but still. Even Monica needs help sometimes, even if she doesn’t show it." Walker tells him.
Trent nods. Walkers phone rings and picks it up, and starts to talk. Trent and Carlos then walk outside the office. Once outside Carlos turns to his friend.
"You slept with her, didn’t you??" Carlos asks him out of nowhere.
"What??" Trent looks at him surprised."Oh come on Trent!! I may look stupid, but I’m not that dumb. So don’t deny that you slept with her." Carlos tells him straight.
"Ok, then I won’t." Trent says with pride.
"Oh come on, just... What???" Carlos says in shock.
Trent just smiles and walks inside the elevator.
Carlos following him, and then just smiles back.