Someone to Trust

by hearthandhomeauthor

While Carlos works to prove his young nephew's innocence, Trent is called upon to lead Camp Justice while Walker is detained by the case at hand with Carlos, leaving Katheryn in charge of the personal protection agency and her first case alone. Meanwhile, Molly begins to discover what could possibly be in her heart during Trent's absence. / Legacy of Thunder series (no. 8)

1. Part 1

This story takes place during the entire duration of the events that occurred in the episode "Lost Boys" and shortly after.

"Someone to Trust" PART ONE

"That's what life's all about, people. Making the smart choices, not the fast choices or the easy choices. Making the smart choices—that's what life is all about." – Cordell Walker from "Mr. Justice"

Trent Malloy brought his prized blue Stingray to a halt in the parking space just in front of the entrance to a rather unkempt bar on 42nd. Katheryn exited the vehicle from the passenger side immediately as it came to a stop, rounding the front of the low-lying beauty to find her place by Trent who was busy closing his door as he stood there giving the building a quick once-over.

Heavy rock music filtered out into the spring winds as two patrons filed out of the building. Their arms were drooped over one another's shoulders as the two inebriated love birds struggled to find out exactly where they were going. They decided the brick column was sufficient enough as the muscular man clad in all-black motorcycle garb pressed the woman's back against the hard surface and planted a rather provocative kiss on the consenting female who couldn't quite control her belting laughs. Both actions were equally due to their choice in drink and the amount thereof.

Despite the man's unruly actions, Trent knew they had a purpose there and carried on, opening the door for Katheryn and easing in behind her. They ambled through the darkened room, meandering around tables and chairs as they made their way up to the bar. The same music they had sampled briefly outside now blared relentlessly against their eardrums. The instant blend of rock and dubstep seemed to cloud the judgment of a well-meaning person quite easily. Perhaps that was done on purpose.

Katheryn mulled these thoughts over as she walked by Trent, not desiring to veer away from him unless absolutely necessary. Not because she was afraid. She was far from feeling fear these days. Yet wisdom told her this wasn't an atmosphere to be trifled with. Danger could be hidden behind the simplest wrong move or wink of the eye. Unpredictability swarmed a haunt like this without a doubt.

Trent and Katheryn stopped at the bar in unison and took a seat.

A tall man in a white apron and cautious downward frown reached for the bar rag on his shoulder and scrubbed the spot of counter next to the twosome. He suspicious nature kept him from making eye contact with either person. "What'll it be?"

"Soda."

"Make it two." Katheryn nodded.

The burly man never flinched. He simply turned around to retrieve the order and soon planted two sodas in front of Trent and Katheryn with a thud.

Trent smiled to himself and reached for his wallet. He planted the amount owed plus an extra dollar or two on the shiny bar surface. "Say, I'm in need of a bit of information."

The bartender moved his eyes only as Trent spoke. "What kind of information?"

Trent slid a small photo across the bar in his direction. "His name's Ralph Martin. Know where I could find him?"

Katheryn shifted her gaze from Trent to the bartender with a lift of her eyebrows.

The bartender thought for a few seconds routinely before extending his large index finger and placing it on the face of the photo. He then slowly scooted the photo across the short distance, shoving it back to Trent. "Sorry. Can't help." He turned his back on Trent and Katheryn and started scrubbing the inside of a shot glass with his dirty bar rag.

"Hey!" A voice from behind Trent yelled in a raspy, demanding tone. "What are you two doing here? You don't look like regulars!"

Katheryn grimaced as she surveyed the scraggly beard and dirt-smeared face before her. "Gee, you're uglier in person."

The man towered over Katheryn with an empty beer bottle ready to strike. "What did you say?!"

Trent stood to his feet and blocked the man at his chest with his firm palm. "She said that she thinks you're uglier in person."

"Well, I..." The man reared back with a flaming anger and hauled forward with his beer bottle in hand, only for it to shatter into pieces against the bar when Trent dodged it.

Trent managed to defeat the man with a roundhouse hick after a few rounds of fist-fighting. Even Katheryn got in on the action when a scrawny little dude took a swing at her from behind. Big mistake. The bruise in the man's ribs in the shape of her elbow was proof enough.

"Ralph Martin," Trent jerked the man up by the collar to his feet, clicking a pair of handcuffs together around the man's wrists. "By the authority vested in me by the state of Texas, I'm placing you under citizen's arrest for theft."

"You can't do that!" The man tried yanking away from Trent's strong grasp to no avail. "That storekeeper was lying, I tell ya! You can't do this!"

Trent arched his brow. "Oh yeah?"

Katheryn stepped closer to Trent and leaned in on the angry man. She lowered her voice to a gentle and direct whisper, widening her eyes as she sighed. "Yes. We can. And we will."

##

Trent turned into 118 Providence Way with a slight rev of his Stingray's engine under the twilight of the evening. The headlights flashed brightly, illuminating the driveway as he turned off the engine and stood out the car. Katheryn emerged from the other side, shutting the passenger side door just a fraction of second after Trent shut his. The outside commotion must have been heard from inside the house since the front door swung open seconds later as the twosome made their way across the veranda.

Tommy grinned as he leaned out of the door. "Hey, Trent. Kath. What took you guys so long?"

Trent smiled and reached a hand to shuffle Tommy's hair around. "Sorry, little brother. I'll be sure to tell the bad guys about the schedule they're supposed to be keeping."

Tommy grimaced and tried to duck from beneath Trent's hand. Doing so semi-successfully, Tommy eased back into the house to let his brother and Katheryn come inside out of the spring coolness.

The Malloy's foyer greeted Katheryn warmly. Its walls seem to speak to her and tell her she was home. Katheryn handed her light jacket off to Trent as he slipped off his own leather jacket and hung it on the pegs nearby. From there she moved forward and paused, taking a deep breath. It was good to be home.

Trent smiled briefly before looking up to see his youngest siblings rushing down the stairs.

"Ty! Come back here!" Tandy chased her brother down the stairs and into the living room.

"Can't catch me!" Ty threw over his shoulder as he dashed for the dining room, through the kitchen, and back upstairs.

Tandy followed him as fast as she could. "Ty!"

Katheryn opened her eyes back up with a smile, knowing well that her moment of reverie was over. But it didn't bother her that much. Tandy and Ty's voices were a welcome interruption.

Trent laid a hand on Katheryn's shoulder and grinned. "Come on. Let's go see what smells so good."

"Gladly!" Katheryn chuckled lightly and let Trent lead the way into the Malloy's kitchen.

Strong scents of cooking homemade marinara wafted its way towards Trent and Katheryn as they strode from the foyer, through the dining room, and into the kitchen. Katheryn paused by the oven and reached for the handle, slowly easing the door open to take a peek. The smell of fresh garlic bread rushed out of the oven and into her face. The warm steam evaporated against her skin and left a bit of moisture as the young woman stood back to full height and let go of the oven door. She cringed slightly as the door let out a bit of a thud. So much for being sneaky.

Trent meanwhile had meandered over to the stove to peer over the large pot of simmering marinara. The deep, red sauce bubbled and popped as the meatballs within absorbed their flavors. Trent smiled a bit and turned as his mom entered the room from the dining room, nearing Trent with arms outstretched.

"I thought I heard you drive up." Mrs. Malloy pecked a kiss on Trent's cheek amid their hug and offered Katheryn a warm embrace. She glanced at the cooking food and shot the young folks a glare. "You two haven't been sneaking any food. Have you?"

"They may not have, but I did." Tommy flashed a cheesy grin as he crowded in and scooted by Trent with a spoon. He scooped up a bit of marinara and dodged away into the cover of the dining room before Mrs. Malloy had a chance to swat at his hand.

Katie grinned broadly and turned to Katheryn. "Would you like to help set the table?"

"I'd love to." Katheryn didn't hesitate a moment and crossed to the cupboard containing the plates. "How many, Mrs. Malloy?"

Katie thought for a second before answering. "Mmm…eight I think."

Trent licked some sauce off the spoon in his hand. "Eight? Is Walker not coming?"

"Nope." Tommy reentered the kitchen, deposited his used spoon in the sink, and leaned against the counter next to Katheryn by the plate cupboard. He crossed his arms against his chest. "And neither is Carlos. Walker called about fifteen minutes ago. Seems the case with Carlos' nephew is heating up some. Carlos doesn't want to believe Jesse could do something like murder. But the evidence isn't adding up very well."

Katheryn relaxed from stretching to reach the plates and turned to Trent. "Carlos hasn't called me since yesterday. Do you think everything's okay?"

Trent nodded. "I'm sure it is. You know how a case can get deep rather quick." He winked at Kath as he reached for the salt. "He'll call soon. I'm sure he will."

Mrs. Malloy returned to the stove and searched for Trent's eyes, her arms crossed against her chest in an unimpressed manner. "Trent? Why are you adding salt?"

"It needs just a touch."

"Since when did you become the chef of the family?" Tommy laughed and glanced at Katheryn with a smirk.

As soon as Trent and Tommy were sent upstairs to see to it that Tandy and Ty were behaving and preparing for dinner, Mrs. Malloy drew a fresh pot from the cabinet and set it in the sink. She turned on the faucet and relaxed a bit against the counter as it filled with water. Katheryn had reached the plates and set them neatly in a stack on the counter and was now counting silverware from the drawer.

"So…how's things been going with you and Carlos since going undercover last week?" Mrs. Malloy was all smiles.

"Things have been pretty good." Katheryn tried her best not to smile; that was almost a hopeless cause. Instantly, Katheryn sank into her thoughts. She let out a breathy chuckle as she tapped the counter, recalling all the things they had been through together. "I can hardly believe it's been over half a year."

"What's that, hon?"

"It's been almost seven or so months since I first met you all." She sighed, all of the events happening within that time frame rushing into her mind and playing out like an instant movie. "And it all seems to have passed by so quickly."

Mrs. Malloy turned off the faucet and paused once more. She slowly eased over to Katheryn's side and placed a hand atop the young woman's hand.

Katheryn lifted her eyes to Katie.

"Katheryn, dear. Treasure each moment. Time flies so fast for you young people until you get my age and realize your whole life passed by in a blur. I have little regrets. Me and Thunder, we had a good life together. And seeing what Trent and my younger ones are accomplishing makes me so proud." Mrs. Malloy paused amid a smile. "But some days I wish I would have treasured each moment a little more as time went by." She chuckled, "I have a feeling that you and Carlos have wonderful days ahead of you. Trust me. I know when I see the real thing between a man and woman."

"Oh, really?" Katheryn tried not to blush as she accepted Mrs. Malloy's admonitions with a grin.

Katie nodded. "Just…Don't be in a hurry. Enjoy the little moments."

Katheryn nodded, her smile fading as she slipped into a moment of thought. "And the big moments. Lord knows we've had a lot of those so far!"

Mrs. Malloy gave Katheryn's hand a soft pat as they shared a brief laugh before turning back to her pot in the sink and hoisting it out. She carried it carefully to the stove and set it on the large burner in the front, clicking the fire on with a soft turn of the knob.

"Katheryn!" Tandy called out as she ran into the kitchen, stopping at Kath to tug on her shirt.

Katheryn laughed and hoisted the little girl up into her strong arms. "What is it?"

"Have a slumber party with us!"

"A slumber party? I don't know about that." Katheryn chuckled lightly, gazing into Tandy's eager blue eyes.

"C'mon! It'll be fun! We can stay up late and watch a movie and paint our fingernails!"

"Just be careful she doesn't do your makeup for you." Tommy inserted dryly as he strode through the kitchen and left through the other side.

Mrs. Malloy hid a chuckle from her son as he walked through. Tandy did likewise. Meanwhile, a confused Katheryn couldn't help but wrinkle her forehead and question the situation.

"I don't get it." Katheryn looked from Tandy to Mrs. Malloy.

Tandy stopped laughing and leaned back, still keeping her hands around Katheryn's neck. She nodded up and down slowly as her eyes grew wider. "It's a rather long story."

Katheryn smiled. "Oh?"

Katie poured two boxes of raw noodles into the boiling water on the stove. "Back when Trent first came back home, Tommy wasn't the best fighter and decided to employ Tandy to use my makeup to cover up his bruises."

"Ah! I see!" Katheryn put a finger to Tandy's nose, triggering a giggle from the little girl as Tandy shrank back. "You naughty kids." Katheryn looked back towards Mrs. Malloy as the latter turned around with a broad smile at her daughter's antics. "I have just one question."

"What's that?"

"Did it work? The makeup that is."

"Nope." Mrs. Malloy feigned a stern demeanor to get her point across. "I was very cross with a certain young man." Katie relaxed and let a smile come to the surface. "Trent nearly choked on his food and Tandy and Tyler denied their involvement."

"Sounds like Carlos should have come and interrogated you two." Katheryn softly pinched at Tandy's cheek this time with a grin following.

"Oh, I got it out of them just fine. Believe me. Their actions spoke a whole lot louder than their words."

An engine rev and stall alerted the little group from outside. Both ladies crossed to the window and peered outside.

"Looks like Alex is here." Katie inserted first, wiping her hands on the towel she held. She removed her apron and tossed it aside, smoothed out her shirt and patted down a wayward lock of hair in hopes of making herself presentable for her guests.

"And there's Molly right behind her." Katheryn set Tandy down by Mrs. Malloy and started for the foyer with a broad grin shining the way as she stopped her light run in front of the door and reached forward for the handle. Opening the door, she was instantly greeted with Alex and Molly's warm smiles and embraces.

"Hello, Kath!" Alex eased back from the embrace and sniffed. "Hmm! Something smells good!"

The three ladies continued to exchange light laughs and warm greetings as they moved inside and into the Malloy's welcoming foyer. Gentle tones of twilight streamed through the windows the surrounded the door as Alex and Molly eased from their coats and found a place for them on the Malloys' coat rack nearby. The atmosphere was instantly welcoming. Light laughter from the youngest family members erupted from the distance and mingled with the light kitchen din as Mrs. Malloy continued putting the finishing touches on the spread she currently worked steadily to prepare for her family and friends. Tommy laughed aloud at some antic of siblings. Molly and Katheryn exchanged smiles as they listened, their gazes drifting as they searched for where they should go next.

Alex set a hand on Katheryn's shoulder. "I'm going to go see if Katie needs any help."

The two young women nodded their agreement as Alex eased passed them and into the dining room through to the kitchen.

Katheryn softly squeezed Molly's hand. "I'm going to go make sure the kids aren't messing up the dining room." She released her friend's hand with a smile and carried onward to attend to what she had stated.

"Alright." Molly was then left alone in the foyer. She wasn't in a hurry at all as she eased forward slowly, examining the familiar haunts of the home while the sound of her own footsteps reached her ears, creaking against the floor beneath her own weight. Hues of faint sunlight made their way inside from the nearby windows and highlighted the floor's wood grains neatly and precisely, guiding a careful path to the sliding doors to her right. Drawing her attention, Molly noticed that the door was open about a hand's width in the middle. She crossed her arms and glanced upward and around her. With no one near, Molly took another step forward, helping herself right to where she could get a slight view into the room. She had not yet been inside this particular room ever during all her visits to the Malloy home with Katheryn over the past months.

Molly eased her hands into the small opening and carefully slid the doors apart. The doors made a slight noise as they slid along the floor much to her chagrin. Maybe it had not been heard.

With now a greater view of the room available to her, Molly lifted her eyes instantly to catch a glimpse of a painting on the wall. It was situated immediately on the opposite wall above her and seemed to shine over the entire room. A soft grin eased its way onto her face as she recognized the building. Its etches and colors were the epitome of the First Christian Church of Dallas. The uncanny resemblance was a welcoming landscape. Its bright hues and quite accurate depiction was to be admired.

Molly's curiosity could not be trampled now. She eased the door open some more and proceeded determinedly inside. A host of trophies and awards scattered around at various places in the room garnered her attention immediately. A stream of sunlight highlighted the golden edges of the treasured items and attracted her even more. Approaching the first and largest one on the table nearby, she ran a finger gently alongside its edge and smiled, seeing the name Trent Malloy etched on the gold and silver masterpiece.

"This room has lots of memories." A voice startled Molly from behind.

Molly jerked away from the trophy by near impulse and spun on her heel, interlocking her fingers behind herself at the base of her back as she focused on Trent's muscular figure before her.

Trent smiled as he strode into the room, looking the study over with one hand in his jeans' pocket and the other at his side. "Yep. Lots of memories."

Molly struggled to keep her composure as she gathered her thoughts, glancing to her feet and swallowing hard. "I'm so sorry, Trent. I shouldn't have come in here without asking."

Trent shook his head. "Nonsense. You're practically family."

Molly was relieved and tried relaxing some to prove it as a soft smile climbed its way to her previously pale face. Color had returned to her cheeks as she felt a bit more comfortable with speaking now. Trent's voice and presence always seemed to do that to her. She shook away her wandering thoughts and turned back to the trophies. "Are all these yours?"

Trent nodded, a proud smile leading the way as he crossed the short distance and glanced over the table's contents next to Molly. "Yup. Mostly. Except this one." Trent pointed to one near the front. He tapped the label which read Thomas Malloy. "Tommy earned this one last year."

Molly grinned. "That's wonderful. If Tommy is anything like his wonderful brother, this table will be very crowded before long." Molly stifled her smile as she repeated her words mentally. She hoped and prayed they had not sounded as forward as they sounded to her.

"Indeed." Trent chuckled lightly.

Molly smiled again, catching a glimpse of Trent before looking back down at the trophies and then back up at Trent again. She then realized how tense she currently felt and willed herself to relax. It helped some. But not much. Hundreds of thoughts seemed to be rushing through her mind at a mile a minute. Yet she couldn't figure out why.

"Dinner is ready!" Katheryn's face appeared in the doorway and disappeared soon after. She slapped at the doorframe with a grin as she hurried off back towards the dining room across the hall.

Trent softly squeezed Molly's shoulder. "C'mon. Let's eat."

Molly almost said, "Okay." But the words never came and stayed locked in her throat. She slowly lifted her eyes to Trent to find his gaze was still intently upon her. The silence remained, lingered, and seemed longer than the five seconds it really was before they finally pulled themselves into the present and chuckled softly between themselves.

Trent stepped aside for Molly to go ahead of him. He took a deep breath once Molly's back was turned to him, still struggling to figure out just what had happened in that brief window of time.