Dedicated to: My sister, Rogue; Tippie Canoe (I still miss you and always will. Rest in peace.); and the wonderful actors who breathed life into Trent Malloy and Carlos Sandoval in the first place -- Jimmy Wlcek and Marco Sanchez
Fandoms: Sons of Thunder; Spider-Man (Mary Jane Watson)
Rating: NC-17 due to sexual content
Genre: Romance
Couples: Carlos/Trina; Trent/MJ
Spoilers: Walker: Texas Ranger's "Son of Thunder"
Summary: Halloween approaches, bringing love to the Sons of Thunder.
Note: An SOT/Spiderman crossover that takes place in an AU where Trent has a twin sister.
Disclaimer: Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson are © & TM Marvel comics and are used without permission. Trina Malloy and Markus are © & TM Tippie Canoe and Kitka and may not be used without permission. Trent Malloy, Carlos Sandoval, CD Parker, Cordell Walker, Alex Kahell, Francis Gage, Sydney Cooke, Trivette, Moses, and all other characters used within this story are all © & TM their respective owners and are used without permission. Compaq, Krispy Kreme, Walker: Texas Ranger, Sons of Thunder, MS-DOS, Xena: Warrior Princess, Le Femme Nikita, and CD's Bar & Grill are © & TM their respective owners and are used without permission. Windows and Microsoft are © & TM Microsoft and are used without permission. Everything else is © & TM the author, Kitka. I make absolutely no profit whatsoever off of this story.
 
 

        "All right, you piece of crap, prepare to be pulverized if you don't cooperate this time," he muttered angrily. His red-shot blue eyes flashed with his fury as he pounded away. It was even at that moment that he heard a car pull up outside, but he did not grant it any notice until the door opened. Only then did he finally glance up.
        Even as she slid her key into the door, she could hear the furious keystrokes inside the living room. As the door swung open, she took one look at her twin brother and shook her head, a movement that sent her long, blonde hair shimmering down her shoulders. Stepping into the house, she asked him, "What's it been doing this time?"
        He returned his angry glare to the monitor as he responded, shaking his head in disbelief, "I was trying to read a file from Trivette when the power flickered. The computer went down. I haven't been able to get Windows back up or access the disk since. I've tried everything I could think of. I even went into DOS to try to figure out what was going on and still couldn't find the problem."
        As he had been talking, she had shut the door but had leaned back against it while listening to him. "Sounds like there might have been a virus attached to the diskette. Do you know where he got the disk from, or who might have had access to it previously?"
        "Any of the Rangers, I suppose," he replied with a shrug. "How am I supposed to know that?"
        "You haven't called him?"
        "He was set to go in early this morning. I didn't want to wake him."
        "If he can't fix it, I suppose you'll have to call in an expert."
        "Like?" he asked.
        Her blue eyes peered down at her twin as she fixed him with a Look meant to question whether or not he was truly there. "A computer expert? Some one who actually knows how those dang things work?"
        "But from where? Our warranty's dead."
        "Don't remind me," she muttered with a roll of her eyes and a puff of air directed at her blonde bangs. The Compaq company had proved to be a complete nightmare of imbeciles that were, as most people were in these days, only in their work for the money and could not care less for their customers. "But you could still try the ads in the paper or the computer stores."
        "True." His head slightly hung in shame. "I should've thought of that." He yawned.
        "Don't do that," she tried to say through her accompanying yawn. "I'm just as tired as you are. You couldn't help not thinking of it. Neither one of us thinks good when we're both tired and frustrated. Now," she continued, as she peeled herself up off of the door and headed towards the next room, "come into the kitchen and fix us some milk."
        "Yes, ma'am," he teased playfully.
        "Don't go there, Trent. I'm just too tired." As she reached the kitchen table, she grabbed a roll of napkins before plopping down in her chair.
        He fell silent as he went to the cabinet and took out two glasses.
        "Better make it three," she told him.
        He retrieved a third before making his way to the refrigerator and beginning to fill each glass with milk. As he did so, she opened the container she carried and removed a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. She then lifted the lid, and the delicious smells that rose from the variety of doughnuts made their mouths water in anticipation. She began to tear off three napkins as she spoke. "They were fresh when I chose them, but of course, after the commute, they're no longer that fresh, but at least they're still warm." Even as she spoke and tore off the third napkin, she heard the front door open and close. She knew he was trying to be as quiet as possible and realized that Trent probably didn't hear him.
        As he slid the milk back into the refrigerator and shut the door, Trent started to ask, "What kind of doughnuts . . . ?"
        He was interrupted by a cheerful voice as a smiling, familiar face popped into the room. "Somebody say doughnuts?" the newcomer asked with a charming grin.
        She laughed, her tired blue eyes dancing. "I knew you'd be coming before we could even get the first bite."
        "Don't you ever knock any more?" Trent teased with a chuckle and a grin.
        "I could, but why bother? By letting myself in I save you two from having to come do it." The Mexican swooped down on the glasses, picking up two as he headed towards the opposite end of the table. He set one of the glasses down in front of the woman even as he said with his most charming expression, "Here you are, beautiful."
        "Flattery will get you absolutely nowhere, Carlos," she informed him playfully, her smile growing even lovelier.
        "You never do slow down on Trina, do you?" Trent asked, shaking his head, even as he took his milk glass and dropped down into his chair.
        "Never," Carlos admitted, his rich brown eyes dancing, "and some day, it'll all pay off."
        "Yeah, in your dreams." Trina chuckled softly even as she selected a glazed doughnut and passed the box to her brother. While Trent chose another glazed doughnut, Carlos took his seat. He proved to be the first to select a chocolate doughnut.

        The blonde man turned from the sink and easily caught the towel his best friend tossed at him. He dried his hands before tossing the towel to his twin sister who in turn tossed it back to its place on the open cabinet. "So what are you two up to next?" the Mexican queried curiously.
        Trent stifled another yawn as he headed around the kitchen table and towards the living room. "I'm going to go see the kids off; then I'm coming back and going to bed for at least an hour or two."
        "Back in the bed already? What's wrong?" Carlos asked in concern.
        "Computer problems," Trent mumbled tiredly as he headed for the front door.
        "Don't forget to remind them of their lessons tomorrow afternoon," Trina called to the retreating back of her twin. She then announced as she turned from Carlos and began to leave the kitchen in the opposite direction, "I'm going to bed."
        "Trina?" Just as she was turning to go, he called her name and was rewarded when she turned back to look at him. His handsome face softened into his best begging expression as he fixed her with a charming grin and his sweetest puppy eyes. "Can I come?" he pleaded hopefully.
        For one second, Trina appeared to consider his words, but in fact, she was wondering just how hard his tail would have been wagging if he were indeed a dog. "Carlos!" Trent's astonished voice shattered her imaginings, and she laughed softly, her blue eyes dancing.
        Her laughter dashed Carlos' hopes, and his shoulders sagged in defeat. "Oh, well," he said carelessly with a chuckle. "I had to try."
        "If you want to," Trina told him, "you can take a nap on the couch in the living room, but don't you dare even begin to come near my bedroom." She then left the room just as the front door slammed shut. Carlos sighed heavily and headed for the couch.

        "Carlos! Carlos! CARLOS!" Two brown eyes flew open. Trina! She was calling him, but why?
        "Trina?" he called back. "What is it?"
        "I need you to do something for me," her enchanting voice floated back to his ears.
        "What?"
        "Come here, and I'll tell you."
        He was on his feet in an instant. "Keep talking," he told her.
        "Trent's not back yet, is he?"
        "No."
        "Good."
        "What do you mean good?" he questioned, his eyebrows rising slightly in surprise.
        "I'll explain when you get here," she told him just as he arrived at her bedroom door.
        His fingers closed around the knob, but he hesitated. "Are you decent?"
        "Come on in."
        Carlos took a deep breath. He had always wondered what the inside of Trina's bedroom looked like now that she was grown, but he had never wanted to find out this way. He had always wanted it to be when . . . His thoughts, heart, and body all froze as he opened the door and found Trina still laying in bed. The blankets and sheet were pooled around her feet, and her silk nightgown had risen up to reveal tantalizing glimpses of her creamy calves. He swallowed hard and fought to tear his eyes away. "Trina? I . . . Huh . . . I thought you said you were decent?"
        She grinned mischeviously up at him, and her baby blue eyes sparkled. "I never said anything of the sort. All I said was for you to come on in."
        "But you're . . ."
        "I know."
        "But you . . ."
        "I know," she said again, grinning.
        "Trina, what's going on here?" he demanded. "What is this? Some kind of test?!"
        There was both hurt and alarm in his chocolate eyes, and they pained her heart. "Carlos, it's nothing of the sort," she said. "I . . . It's . . . I want you, and I am sick and tired of hiding it! I have wanted you for the longest time and have loved you since even before I can remember! Carlos," she extended a hand, palm upwards, toward him, "make love to me?"
        "Trina, I . . . I . . ." How could he possibly say no? His very being had ached for her for so long; he needed her to fill him. If he were to deny her request now, he might never get another chance, but this wasn't the way he had always hoped it would happen. This wasn't how it should be. How could he even be thinking of defiling her like this?
        Suddenly, she was standing before him, and before he could react, her lips had captured his. Her tongue dove into his mouth, quarreling with his, as she kissed him more deeply and passionately than any kiss he had ever before known. Her hands caressed his chest through the fabric of his shirt. Her eyes gazed lovingly down into his. She whispered to him between kisses: "I love you, Carlos, and I want you. I need you. Not just now but always." He was swiftly losing himself in her. "I want you to make love to me, Carlos. I need you to fill me just like I know you need to be filled by me. You can't deny it. Not after all this time. We shouldn't have to ignore how we feel for each other any longer." Her eyes searched his as she whispered again, her breath hot on his lips, "Make love to me?"
        "You're sure?" he finally managed to gasp out.
        "I've never been surer of anything ever before in my entire life."
        At her affirmation, he could hold back no longer. His lips recaptured hers, his tongue diving deep within her heated mouth. His hands reached up to caress her luscious breasts through her nightgown as her hips instinctively cradled the rising bulge in his pants. His thumbs ran over her hard nipples as his hands continued caressing her tight breasts. Their tongues quarreled seductively together as their kiss continued to grow in heated passion, their lips only leaving one another's to seek new positions and even deeper pleasures.
        Her hands ran up his chest and then began to unbutton his buttons. Her lips left his to begin a heated trail of kisses down his neck. The tip of her pink tongue flicked out to lick the base of his throat, and she gently nipped his neck before continuing on down. She kissed each inch of his skin that each unbuttoned button revealed.
        Her bosoms arched in his hands, and her body shook slightly with shivers of excitement. That slight shaking was all it took to send the bodice of her blue nightgown falling from her shoulders all the way to the floor and her blonde hair tumbling down her back like a cascading, golden waterfall. He lowered his head to softly nip her right nipple. His tongue then began to toy with her silky skin, darting a lick here and there, until he finally brought her right bosom fully into his mouth. He sucked hard but not hard enough to actually harm her, and a low moan of ecasty escaped her lips as she ripped his shirt from his pants, tearing the remaining few buttons loose.
        Her hands ran freely over his naked chest. His strong arms gently encircled the small of her back as he continued to taste the sweet nectar of her breasts. They stumbled blindly towards the bed even as her hands found his belt and quickly unbuckled it. Tearing it from his pants' loops, she flung it aside. There was a loud crashing sound, but neither paid it any heed as they were completely lost in each other. She unbuckled and unzipped his pants with the same sure swiftness she had removed his belt with. The ends of her fingers slipped into the waistbands of his pants and boxers and pulled them downwards. Even as his sword sprang free of his clothes, they fell back onto the bed. He caught himself on his elbows to keep his weight off of her.
        Her hands swept seductive caresses over his back as his mouth slowly left her right breast. His head turned, and he licked her hard left nipple. He had barely began the same treatment on her left breast when she could stand it no longer. "Carlos," she moaned his name, "take me . . . now . . . please . . ." His mouth left her breast as he leaned up and over her. His lips lowered and pressed against hers in a perfect fit. His tongue swept into her mouth even as his sword plunged smoothly deep inside her.
        Their lovemaking was mad and passionate; everything he had ever hoped for and incredibly much more. She gave as good as she received, and her every touch burned him greater than anything he had ever even imagined. They filled one another completely, and as they rode together toward the stars, they called out each other's names in perfect unison.
        Suddenly, the bed began to shake. His world was set spinning, and when Officer Carlos Sandoval opened his eyes again, he found himself in a myraid of sheets and blankets and sitting in a heap on the Malloys' living room floor. He groaned aloud. "Not again . . ." If he didn't stop having dreams like those, he'd never get any real sleep!

        A knock came at her door. She rolled over, pulling her blanket up to her chin. Her eyes never opened as she muttered barely loud enough to be heard, "I told you not to come back this way, Carlos."
        "Trina, please," his wonderful voice pleaded from the other side of her closed door. "I just want to talk. Honest!"
        "I've heard that one before."
        "From me?" he asked her. "Trina, you know you can trust me. I'd never lie to you. Well, not about the important stuff, any way."
        She groaned. "But why now, Carlos? I've been shooting all night! I'm exhausted!"
        "I know, but . . . " He sighed before continuing with an admission that she had never thought she would ever hear from his lips, "Trina, if I don't do this now, I'll lose my nerve. Please, let me in just long enough to say what I've got to say. Then, if you want to, you can kick me out. Just hear me out, please?"
        "Go ahead. Say what you have to stay," she told him, still not opening her eyes though he had finally earned her attention.
        "It's not something a man wants to say to a closed door," he told her.
        She sighed but forced herself up to a sitting position. She hugged the blanket to her as she said, finally opening her eyes, "All right. Come on in and get it over with."
        He walked into the room, bringing the door to a quiet close behind him. "Trina, I . . . " he started, shoving a hand nervously through his dark curls.
        "Just say it, Carlos," she told him impatiently. It was then that she noticed the nervousness in his chocolate eyes, however, and her voice instantly softened, "Carlos, it's me. You know you can tell me anything. What is it? What's wrong?"
        He came to stand right next to her bed and gazed down adoringly at her. "Trina . . ." he tried but failed again. He bit his bottom lip and then tried a third time, "I'm sick of it, Trina. I'm sick of being rebuffed again and again when I know you feel the same way about me as I do you. Something as powerful as what I feel for you can not possibly be one-sided. You're afraid, and I understand that. I do," he insisted, his face filled with concern, "but I'm not going to hurt you. I'd never hurt you."
        Normally, she would have tried to say that he was simply full of bull, but she could clearly see the honesty he spoke with and his raw emotions in his eyes. "Oh, Carlos," she breathed, her own face becoming full of concern. "I know you would never purposefully hurt me, but things happen. Terrible things that aren't planned to happen but still do. Happily ever after doesn't exist, and sooner or later, something would happen. You'd hurt me or I'd hurt you, but something would happen. Then, our friendship would be destoryed, and Trent would lose you as a friend. I can't let that happen."
        "It wouldn't happen," he protested. "Trina, I love you, and even if something did happen . . . if . . . if you grew tired of me or something . . . we'd still be friends. I love you, Trina, but no matter what might ever happen, I can't and I won't lose you or Trent as my dearest friends. I refuse to, but we're meant to be together." His hand reached down towards her beautiful face. "Happily ever after does exist." When she didn't pull away or attempt to stop him, he cupped and gently caressed her cheek. "Please, Trina, believe me. I would never do anything to hurt you, and I would never allow anything to stop our friendship or my friendship with Trent. You don't have to be afraid." His thumb drew slowly across her cheek, sending an invisible lightning bolt of erotic electricity shooting through her body. "Please believe me," he repeated, moving his thumb to brush tenderly over her soft lips.
        She was lost completely in him by this point. She could not tear her eyes away from his. Her lips moved so that her tongue teased his thumb as she spoke, "I do."
        "Are you sure?" he asked her softly.
        "Absolutely." They smiled at one another; their faces and eyes were flooded with their joy and love. Silence reigned for a long moment before she finally spoke again, shattering the quiet with her whispered request, "Carlos . . . make love to me?"
        He gulped in shocked surprise. "Trina, I don't want to take advantage of your being tired," he managed to say, his tongue nearly tripping over his teeth and lips as he struggled to get the words out.
        "You're not," she breathed softly. "We've both wanted this for so long. It's past time we stopped denying our selves and what we feel." She suddenly reached up with one hand, grasped his shirt's collar, and pulled him down to her. She leaned up to meet his descending body, and her lips captured his in a heated kiss.
        At first, he was too shocked to move, but then his tongue slipped smoothly into her mouth to tempt and tantalize her own tongue. Their kiss grew until the room around them felt as hot as the Sahara desert at noon. His lips left hers to begin a trail of scorching kisses down her neck. "Trina," he moaned her name as her hands moved to caress his chest through the thin fabric of his shirt, "if you don't want this . . . if there's any doubt in your mind . . . stop me now . . . before it's too late . . ."
        "Carlos," she spoke his name huskily as she turned, swiftly flipping him over to where he lay, on his back, next to her in the bed. She quickly followed, straddling him as she did so. Her long, blonde hair fell to one side of her lovely face as she gazed down at him. Their eyes locked again as she asked him, "Any one ever tell you you talk too much?" Her hands lowered to the end of his shirt to begin to pull it upwards even as she leaned down to kiss him again. Her lips left his as she pulled his shirt off over his head, her fingers brushing across curls of his satin hair as she did so. She tossed his shirt aside and recaptured his lips with hers in a maddening kiss before moving her hands to sweep over his sexy chest with seductive caresses.
        Her hands soon reached his pants. His hands reached up to caress her breasts through the thin fabric of her nightgown even as her hands began to work on removing his belt. They continued to kiss, their lips parting only to seek deeper pleasures and new positions. Their tongues trysted within their heated mouths, and a simultaneous moan of pleasure was lost from both against one another's lips.
        She slid his belt out from its loops and tossed it aside. There was a crashing sound, but neither paid the unfortunate lamp any heed. Her hands next moved to the button of his pants, but his fingers suddenly closed over hers. She looked at him quizzically as he stopped kissing her to breathe her name, "Trina?"
        What was he doing? He couldn't have changed his mind . . . could he? Fear began to creep into her heart, but then he reached up with one hand to softly caress her face. "I love you," he told her, "and I want you." Mischief suddenly twinkled in his breath-taking eyes as he teasingly asked her, "But don't I get to remove any of your clothes?"
        She bit back the giggle of relief that rose in the back of her throat as she lifted her arms and said instead, "Do with me as you will." She could feel his sword become even harder as she huskily spoke those words, and her smile brightened even more.
        Grinning, he told her, "You don't know how long I've waited for this moment." His hands ran lovingly over her body, sending electric sparks shooting through the thin fabric of her nightgown straight into her willing body, until reaching the hem of her nightgown. Then, slowly, he began to push it upwards, his fingertips softly stroking her naked skin as he did so. His breath caught in his throat as his eager eyes were filled with her beauty.
        Her heart was already hammering, but it felt as if it would surely explode at any second as his hands admiringly caressed her tight breasts after tossing her nightgown to the side. "Like what you see?" she managed to ask him, her baby blue eyes shining with a light brighter than any that had ever filled them before.
        "Like?" he repeated. "No." He shook his head, but then he grinned even more brightly. "Love is far more the word, mi belleza gloriosa."
        His Spanish tongue thrilled her so much that she could wait no longer to again taste his sweet nectar. Her lips met his in a kiss more passionate than any she had ever even imagined before. Her hands returned to his pants as his hands continued to caress her breasts, his thumbs gently rubbing her hard nipples.
        It took her only a heartbeat longer to push his pants and boxers down, allowing his mighty sword to spring free from its restraints. Her fingers caressed it lovingly, and it almost seemed to vibrate with a life all its own at her mere touch. His tongue thrust even deeper into her mouth as she leaned down over him, sliding smoothly onto his steed.
        She rode him through their wildly passionate love-making, but just as his warmth began to spread through her, she found herself falling. A sharp pain rammed through the back of her head, and her blue eyes flew open in shocked surprise as she found herself tumbling out of her bed. She landed hard but did not allow any sound to escape her lips. Reaching a hand to the back of her head, she gently rubbed the throbbing area before bringing her fingers back around. She sighed with relief. At least there wasn't any blood, and that lack of blood meant that there were no explainations that she would have to give.
        Picking herself up, she sent a frosty glare at the night stand that sat innocently next to her bed. She sighed again as her gaze moved to her bed. {So much for sleep,} she muttered to herself before heading for the shower that adjoined her bedroom.

        Trina stepped from the shower and reached for a towel. Just at her hand closed around a large, fluffy, white towel, a sharp yell from the other bathroom snapped her to attention. Carlos! Her heart had barely had time to begin to feel the dread setting in before she had raced from her bathroom, wrapping her towel around her as she did so.
        Having left a trail of water behind her as she had raced through the house, Trina reached the bathroom just in time to see Carlos backing out, his face darker than usual. "Where's the fly swatter?" he asked her without tearing his eyes away from the huge spider hanging down with its beady, red eyes fixed directly on him.
        Trina burst out laughing at his question. He turned to look at her, and his mouth dropped open in surprise. Her long, blonde hair lay limply behind her back, and the white towel, though large, still gifted him with quite a view. As she laughed, her baby blue eyes sparkled, and her bosom shook slightly. Despite himself, Carlos found his eyes drawn to the drops of water that glistened on the tops of her luscious breasts that peered out from the top of the towel. Realizing that he was beginning to stare, he shook himself and then demanded, "Just what do you find so damn funny, Malloy?"
        "We got you," she informed him between chuckles, shaking her head as she did so.
        "What do you mean -- you got me?" he questioned her. "It's not real?"
        Finally managing to compose herself, she moved past him and into the bathroom. Reaching up, she popped the plastic spider, causing it to swing backwards and forwards just as his figure filled the doorway. He looked at her with a clearly aggravated expression as he folded his arms over his chest. "Why didn't you tell me you finally got it to work?" he demanded.
        She turned to face him and found that their bodies were less than an inch apart. His delicious smell filled her nostrils, but she was careful to not allow the effect his closeness took on her to show in any way. She held her chin up high as her eyes met his. She shrugged one slender shoulder carelessly as she replied calmly, "We wanted to see how realistic it looked to others. I figured you'd be the perfect guinea pig." She smiled teasingly up at him, her blue eyes twinkling.
        As he looked down at her beautiful, smiling face, he found himself swimming in her baby blues. His hand suddenly itched to caress her cheek, but a voice shattered the mood just as his hand began to rise. "What's going on back here?"
        Trina looked over Carlos' shoulder at her brother. "It's nothing, Trent."
        "What do you mean it's nothing? Trina, I wasn't born yesterday as you very well know! This isn't nothing! You're standing in the bathroom with Carlos while wearing nothing but a towel!" Trent exclaimed, his blue eyes flashing.
        Trina smiled reassuringly at her twin. "It is nothing, little brother! I mean, come on, it's Carlos we're talking about here!"
        "Hello!" Carlos exclaimed. "I'm standing right here, you two!"
        "We know," Trina told him uncaringly. She glanced to him as she spoke but then immediately returned her eyes to Trent. "Carlos just found the spider, Trent, and nearly freaked. That was all."
        "I did not -- " he began to say only to be interrupted.
        "Please, Carlos, we both heard you. Your yell was loud enough to get me to come running, thinking something was actually wrong, and to actually pull Trent away from the computer." She then once more looked back at her brother, her blue eyes narrowing dangerously, as she demanded, "And just what are you doing still up?"
        Trent backed up into the hallway to give Carlos and Trina room to get out of the bathroom. Carlos slid past Trina to immediately return to the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. Trina turned expectantly to her brother. "Well?" she asked.
        "I was working on the computer," he admitted. "I can't just let it stay like it is."
        "Trent, it's not going anywhere, and you've got to get some sleep, little brother."
        "Trina, you were born only a second before me, and that . . . "
        "Doesn't give me any right to constantly lord being older over you," she finished for her twin. "Yeah. Yeah. I know all that. I've heard it a thousand times before, and you know I'm just looking out for my brother. Now," she continued, placing her hands on her hips and staring him down, "why don't you go to bed and get some sleep while I call Trivette and see if he can do anything about it?"
        "I already called him," Trent told her, "and he doesn't have the first clue what's wrong except for it being a virus or maybe a spike."
        "A spike?" she asked, looking at him quizzically.
        "Lightning," he explained.
        "Oh. I told you we should have gotten one of those switch protectors. What can we do to save it?" Trent shrugged. "Trivette couldn't tell you anything?"
        "He said it was probably already too late," Trent admitted with a heavy sigh.
        "It's never too late. You go on to bed; that computer's not going anywhere."
        "But, Trina, I --" Trent started to protest.
        "No but's, Trent. It's not often the three of us manage to get a day off together, but we still need our rest. Plus, tonight's Halloween, and we've got plans to have some real fun. Carlos and I have gotten our sleep, but you still have to get yours." She shook her head as she pleaded, "Don't make me force you, little bro."
        Trent sighed. He knew she would if he didn't comply with her order, and he also knew she was right though he hated to admit it. "Fine," he muttered before turning and stomping off for his bedroom.
        Trina's blue eyes flitted between her brother's retreating back and the closed bathroom door. Shaking her head, she muttered underneath her breath, "Men," and headed back to her bathroom.

        "So, Trina, what do you want to do while Trent's sleeping?" Carlos asked, turning off the TV as the blonde entered the room. His eyes slowly traveled her body, admiring her every curve. Her clothes were simple -- merely a red tank top and black jeans, both deliciously form-fitting --, but ever since his teen years, Carlos had found her to be the type of woman that could make any outfit undeniably sexy.
        "First, stop looking at me like I'm a juicy bone, and you're a dog that hasn't eaten in weeks," she teased him with a playful wink. Her modeling and acting work was reknowned globally, and she could not walk down a single street without some guy staring holes in her. She was used to all of them except for Carlos; his admiring gaze still threatened to melt her to her very core. "Secondly, I was thinking about just driving around town and seeing the sights."
        Carlos quirked an eyebrow in question. "You haven't done that yet?" He knew how much she loved Halloween and enjoyed the holiday's decorations. She'd never before put off her annual sight-seeing around Dallas this late.
        She shook her head in a movement that sent shimmers cascading through her long, blonde hair, causing his fingers to itch to run through its silky strands. "No. I've been too busy with everything else to be able to. I was going to do it last weekend, but you know I ended up going undercover to help you boys kick those smugglers' butts."
        "Yeah." He chuckled at the memory, his dark eyes dancing. "I don't know how you do it, Trina, but every time we pull something like that, the perps are more and more astonished when they find out we've had a hot ba --" He broke off abruptly as she glared at him, her blue eyes narrowed dangerously. He swallowed and then continued, "A beautiful woman underneath their noses the entire time."
        She smiled, nodding her approval. "It's a gift," she then said with a careless shrug.
        "I know. A wonderful gift. Trina, I know modeling doesn't really interest you, and you're so good at kicking butt and detective work. Why won't you consider joining us full time?"
        She looked away from him as she violently shoved back against the memories that threatened to float to her mind's surface. He caught just a glimpse of the angry mask he knew actually hid an aching heart and instantly regretted his question. "You know why, Carlos," she said softly.
        "Trina, I . . . It's not as if it's the police force."
        "I know," she agreed, "but I'm not going back to that part of my life again. Besides," she said with a shrug as she picked her head back up and returned her gaze to him, her blue eyes hardened and her face perfectly hiding the emotions that warred in her heart, "I couldn't even if I wanted to. Do you really think a world-famous model and actress could ever get away with holding down a normal detective job?"
        "Trina, folks around here already know you're much more than a pretty face."
        "I know," she said softly. He opened his mouth to say something, but she shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it, Carlos."
        Silence reigned for a moment, but then he whispered softly, his dark eyes full of compassion that she couldn't bare to face and so turned away from, "I'm sorry."
        "I know," she told him, "but you shouldn't be. There's nothing for you to be sorry about. Now are you coming or not?" she asked him curtly as she began to head out the door.
        "Right behind you, beautiful," he said with a smile that hid his true feelings. Standing, he grabbed his coat, and for just a moment, he remembered the feel of his hands closing around that bastard's throat. He hardened his eyes against the fury that boiled within him at the memory of the man that Trina had come so close to marrying only to have her heart shattered. She had always deserved so much better than Markus. He had never regretted having ran him out of town after what he had done to his beloved; the only things that he had regretted was that he had not been able to save Trina from the miserable heartache and suicidal thoughts that had followed their terrible break-up and, every now and again like he was at the present moment, that he hadn't killed him.
        "Carlos," Trina's voice called, shattering his memories and thankfully returning him to the present, "are you coming or not?! I don't have all day, you know!"
        "I'm coming," he answered as he rushed after her, pausing only once more to turn off the light and shut and lock the front door.

        The tension of that moment soon dissolved into admiring smiles and happy laughter as the two life-long friends traveled the streets of Dallas and its nearby suburbs. Eventually, however, noon began to arrive. "Look at that one!" Trina suddenly exclaimed with a chuckle as she pointed to the right side of the road.
        Carlos looked in the direction where she pointed and couldn't help his grin growing even bigger. "Whoever lives there really knocked themselves out," he agreed, his dark eyes sweeping the lawn.
        Grinning pumpkins lined the driveway, and drops of a red substance led all the way up to the house's front door. Goblins peeked out from bushes, and a beautiful Witch peeked around the edge of a tree, watching a Vampire's open coffin where the Count looked out. Skeletons kept watch on the porch as ghosts hung from the trees. Black cats were scattered about, including one with a paw that moved repeatedly as if scratching wildly at something.
        As they continued on down the road, Carlos asked nonchalantly, "Are you getting hungry?"
        Trina shrugged as she answered only, "A bit. Are you?"
        "I could eat," he admitted.
        She laughed, and her laughter was music to his ears. "I've never seen you when you couldn't," she teased him.
        At first, he only grinned in response. Then, he asked, "Would you mind letting a friend treat you to lunch?"
        "Depends," she answered. "Who's the friend?" She winked playfully at him.
        "Well, he's not Brad Pitt, but he is some one who cares a great deal about you."
        "Yeah, you," she said with a soft laugh. "I'd like that," she admitted, "but only as friends."
        "Just friends," he agreed. "CD's?"
        "Where else?" she answered with a grin.

        He strolled into the little restaurant and was immediately greeted by a beaming, friendly face. "Trent! I wondered where you were! Everything all right?"
        The blonde walked up to the bar to greet his old friend. "Just fine, CD," Trent answered with a smile. "How are you today?"
        "Nothing worth complaining about," he answered with a twinkle in his old eyes. "They're over there," he then said, gesturing with his head to a booth in the shadows of one far corner.
        "Thanks." Trent smiled at his old friend again and then walked off. As he neared the booth, laughter met his ears, and his smile grew even bigger. "Thought you two could run off without me, huh?" he asked upon arrival at the booth.
        Carlos and Trina had been so lost in their mutual reminiscing of past Halloweens that neither had heard his approach. Both heads snapped up when he spoke, however. Carlos beamed, but a guilty look flickered over Trina's face for just a second. "I'm glad to see you two having fun," he assured them both before sliding into the seat next to his twin sister, "but I'm sure you won't mind a little company."
        "We never do, bro." Trina grinned at her brother and signaled CD to bring his regular as well as refills for Carlos' and her own glasses. "Sleep well?" she asked.
        Trent chuckled and, shaking his head, replied, "Once my head touched the pillow, I was out like a light." He then teased his sister, "I know you want to hear it, Trina. You were right. I needed it."
        "Then next time maybe you'll listen to me," she chided him, her blue eyes twinkling.
        Carlos looked from Trina to Trent and then back to Trina. "Hello. Remember this is your brother you're talking about, Trina."
        She chuckled. "Of course. What was I thinking?" she asked with a playful roll of her eyes.
        "I'm not that hard-headed," Trent spoke up in his own defense to which all three laughed.
        It was then that CD arrived with a steamy bowl of chili and a pitcher of sweet tea in his other hand. "Please," he joined in the teasing, "you're as hard-headed as Cordell, Trent, and we all know it." The four Texans' laughter only grew at that.

        "Well, guys, I'll see you later," Carlos said, rising from his seat as he did so.
        Trina's head snapped up, her blue eyes flashing in surprise. "You're leaving?" she questioned, barely managing to keep her disappointment from sounding.
        "Yeah. I've got something I've got to go pick up," he started to explain.
        "Don't tell me," Trent interrupted his partner, "you did it again. You left picking a costume until the last day again?!"
        Carlos chuckled as he admitted, "Guilty as charged." He then looked back at Trina. "What are you coming as, any way? Xena: Warrior Princess? Le Femme Nikita?"
        She smiled beguilingly up at him. "It's a surprise."
        "Well, I'm sure every guy will be wanting to dance with you whatever you're wearing. Just save a dance for me, will ya? I'll see you guys tonight, and don't worry about the bill. I'll get it on my way out." With that said, he disappeared into the departing lunch crowd.
        Trent studied his twin's face as she turned her eyes back down to her glass. He continued to watch her silently as she sipped her tea. Finally, her blue eyes flashed as she looked up at him. "What?" she asked exaspartedly.
        "Trina, I know you really like Carlos, and I want you to know . . . " he started to say only to be silenced by her abrupt laughter.
        "Trent, stop trying to set me up with him! All he is to me is a friend! Can't you boys both get that through your thick skulls?!" she demanded.
        Trent sighed, and his eyes returned to his bowl. His muscular shoulders shrugged underneath his black leather jacket. "If that's the way you want it," he murmured softly before falling silent.
        Trina sighed and turned her eyes to look out the window just in time to see Carlos getting into his vehicle. She knew Trent meant well, but he just didn't understand the complications that any relationship beyond friendship between Carlos and herself would cause. She couldn't risk it, and she couldn't even admit the truth to her beloved brother. It was the only thing that she had ever kept from him, but she knew she had no other choice. If she were to tell Trent how she truly felt about his partner and their best friend -- that every time she saw him, her breath caught in her throat; that every time he spoke her name, her heart skipped a beat; or even that she thought him undeniably, amazingly sexy --, Trent would never rest until he was able to get the two of them together. She simply couldn't allow that to happen . . . no matter the toll that having to keep her love hidden took on her heart.
        "Trina?"
        "Hmm?"
        "Are you listening to me?"
        "Wha --?" Trina shook herself and forced her mind to return to the present reality with the two of them at the booth. "I'm sorry. I was just . . . thinking . . . "
        "Yeah. I kinda noticed," he said knowingly. "I asked if you're come with me to check out that computer store down on Main Avenue."
        "Sure," she answered. She then shrugged as she added, brushing a stray strand of blonde hair back behind her ear, "I'm stranded if I don't, any way. No wonder Carlos insisted on taking his vehicle to see the sights."
        "So you finally got to check out the decorations, huh?"
        "Yeah. Have you see that one house out on Highway 86?"
        "The one with the Witch watching the Vampire?"
        "Yeah. Isn't it amazing?"
        "They definitely knocked themselves out," he admitted, "but my favorite is . . . " They fell into a conversation of the town's Halloween sights, and Trina was relieved to get the subject of Carlos and herself out of her brother's mind for at least a little while.

        The day had been long and miserably uneventful. She'd been open since 9 o'clock, and it was now 2 in the afternoon. All she had had throughout the day were a few sales of software and one sale of a scanner. It was the slowest day she had had since becoming the manager of the computer store.
        A soft sigh escaped her red lips. It had to be the holiday. Either the townspeople were too superstitious to feel safe walking outside on Halloween or they were simply too busy with their celebration plans to be concerned with their computers. The sudden roar of an approaching motorcycle startled her out of her thoughts, and her head snapped up just as the engine died outside.
        Her lips pulled up in an instant smile as the hopeful thought that it might be a customer struck her. She wondered what kind of a biker would come to a computer store on Halloween, and her green eyes were glued on the door when the door opened. She watched with rapt attention as a white hand reached out and pulled the door open. Voices drifted to her, but she could not make out any of the words.
        The blonde woman that first breezed through the door surprised her. She recognized the woman immediately as the supermodel, Trina Malloy. She had admired her work, both as a fellow model and actress, for a long time. Her smile grew as Trina approached her desk, but then movement at the door caught her attention.