CD's Bar & Grill

Rick, Magnum, TC and Higgins strode into CD's a little late. This being their first time in Dallas, they had gotten a bit lost, and, being all men, there was no one willing to stop and ask for directions. Also, what had possessed them to let Magnum drive was a complete mystery.

Walker approached them in the center of the restaurant, extending his hand. "Hello. I'm Walker, Texas Ranger. You must be Heather's friends."

"I told you Higgy-baby would stick out," TC spoke up.

"Thomas Magnum," Magnum said, ignoring TC's remark.

Walker looked a tiny bit star struck. "The famous private eye."

"Private Investigator," Magnum corrected automatically. It was one of his pet peeves, being called a "private eye". He was an investigator. He investigated. He didn't like being called anything but his proper job title.

"Hardly famous," Higgins broke in. Magnum shot him a look, and if he had been standing next to Higgins he would have been greatly tempted to elbow him in the ribs.

"I'm Rick Wright," Rick said.

"Nice to meet you," Walker replied, as he and Rick pressed the flesh. He turned to the remaining man. "And you must be TC."

"It's a pleasure." TC smiled as Walker tipped his hat to him.

"I was told there was another ranger involved in this. Trivette, wasn't it?" Higgins asked. He glanced almost imperceptibly toward the Men's Room, asserting his theory on the whereabouts of Trivette.

"Trivette, yes. My partner. He's running a little late, just finishing up some paperwork at the office. He should be here soon, though." Walker, gracious host that he was, offered them seats at a six-chair table. "Have a chair. Can I get you guys anything?"

Walker gestured at the basket that was sitting at his place. "Great burgers here. Or do you guys like... Hawaiian stuff?"

Each man politely declined the offer, their main concern at the moment being CD and the case, though they realized that Walker was just as charming and finished as anyone, despite the fact that he wore cowboy boots and a large-brimmed hat.

"Do you mind if I eat while we talk?" Walker asked, indicating the food in front of him.

Magnum shook his head, while TC smiled amiably. "I assure you, we will not be offended," Higgins said.

"Great... I haven't eaten since I can't remember when," Walker explained, picking up his hamburger and taking a large bit.

Rick was first to get down to business, and asked Walker about what sort of investigative efforts he'd made so far.

Walker washed down a french fry with a sip of soda and began, in a sort of reluctant voice, "So far, we don't have many leads. We think we have a name." He looked at their faces, wishing he could tell them more.

Rick leaned his elbows on the table. "I have this friend," Rick began. He thought for a moment, then chose not to disclose Ice Pick's identity and circumvented the entire issue of his friend's name. "What's important is the information he gave me. It's always pretty reliable," Rick assured Walker.

"He says this Trenton fellow is your standard tough-guy, big on muscle but low on brains. But he isn't one to be messed with. He's got plenty of bright guys in his pocket. Before Trenton was arrested, he headed a gang called "The Clubs". They're local - maybe you've had some run-ins with them."

Rick looked at Walker. Walker shook his head. "Not personally. Seen some of their rap sheets."

"Then you know, the gang deals mostly with small timers, single-man drug operations, mostly on street corners... a couple of arson charges." Rick glanced around the table to make sure he still had everybody's attention. They were hanging on every word, even Walker, who was chewing his meal in an almost thoughtful way.

"When Trenton was finally busted, this guy Bret took over what little of the operations they could salvage, on the idea that he'd manage the territory until Trenton got out. When Trenton got back, however, Bret was reluctant to give away his position as head honcho."

Rick sighed. "This next part gets interesting. When Bret gave Trenton a hassle about giving back control of their illegal operations, Trenton brought in a retired Texas Ranger, who he'd been paying bribe money to for years."

He was staring at Walker again. "Recent word through the grapevine is they've set their first order of business as paying back one Cordell Walker. When Bret decided he didn't like that idea, Trenton arranged to have him killed."

Walker sat back, impressed and wishing his contacts were half as good. "How do you know all this?" He asked, a bit incredulous. He took another bite of his burger.

"A friend," Rick answered vaguely, hoping Walker wouldn't inquire further.
Magnum knew how Rick felt about Ice Pick, and also knew that sources should always be protected, so he stepped in and said, "Just a friend, Walker."
Walker nodded, leaving it at that.

"Does this help you at all?" Rick asked hopefully.

"It sure does," Walker admitted, still marveling at the amount of information provided by Rick's informant. He ate a few more french fries.

"Hey, Walker - these the friends Heather was talking about?"

Everyone at the table turned toward the voice. Trivette was approaching their table, having just arrived. He pulled up a chair, and soon he was introduced to everyone and brought up to speed on the new information Rick had given them.

"You eaten yet, Trivette?" Walker asked.

Trivette shook his head. "I was gonna order something at the office."
Walker pushed his plate toward him. "Got half a hamburger and some french fries if you're in a real rush."

Trivette looked down at the greasy offerings. "I'm... kinda in the mood for Chinese tonight," Trivette said, shoving the plate back. Walker shrugged, wiping his hands on a napkin.

Trivette stood. "Well, looks like its back to headquarters for me. I'll run these new names through the computer - something's bound to pop up."

"Thanks a lot, ranger," TC said sincerely. He realized that the two rangers probably hadn't slept in more than a day.

While Magnum, Rick, Higgins and himself had managed naps on the plane, the Rangers had been working overtime to find their friend.

"Is there anything we can do?" Magnum asked. He, too, was aware that Walker and Trivette hadn't slept in the past day or so.

As if to verify Magnum's thoughts, Walker yawned, looking up at his partner. "Until Trivette gets back with the info, all we can do is wait."

Trivette opened his mouth to offer a tongue-in-cheek reply, but was interrupted by Rick.

Rick, who had been looking impatient from the start, balked. "Wait?" He echoed in disbelief. He jumped up, spreading his hands. "What do you mean wait!? For all we know, CD could already be dead! And all we can do is wait?"

Magnum got to his feet next to him, putting a hand on his arm. "Rick," Magnum warned. Walker's face changed dramatically at the suggestion that CD could already be dead. He now looked... angry, eyes narrowed, staring up at Rick.

Rick whirled on him, pulling away from Magnum's hand. "I'm not gonna calm down, Thomas. This is bull-"

Higgins once again broke in, "Rick, at present, loosing our composure isn't going to help with anything."

Rick couldn't have cared less. "I don't care, Higgins." He shook his head angrily. "I don't see how you can just sit around, Walker - this guy is supposed to be your friend!"

Walker fought the urge to deck Rick, instead, he satisfied himself with slamming his fist down on the table, enough to make the remaining soda in his glass jump and slosh over the edge.

"Listen to me," he said, his voice low and angry, "We're doing everything we can. I love CD. He's like a father to me and Trivette and believe me if there is something we could do to find CD, then it's either been done or in the works." Walker's voice was rising gradually, his face dangerous. "So why don't you take your friend's advice and call down?!"

Rick softened. He had to remember that he wasn't the only one affected by this crisis, and that others - unbelievable as it may have seemed to him at the time - were having a more difficult time with this than he was.

"Walker, look. I'm sorry. I'm just worried about Heather, okay? I don't want to see her get hurt... I don't want to see anybody get hurt. I've seen pain on people's faces far too many times in my day. Most of it has been on my own. I - I've lost friends, family... And I don't want Heather to go through that."

He took his seat, then let out a few breaths. "I'd lay down my life to keep Heather from feeling that pain... If there's anything I can do - even if it includes sitting and waiting - I'll do it."

Those at the table sat in astonished silence. It wasn't often that Rick opened up like that, saying words straight from the soul.

Magnum, Higgins, and TC shared Rick's feelings about Heather, and they knew Walker and Trivette felt the same way about CD.

The same unspoken words were going through everyone's minds : With all of them working together, all of their love and determination, there was a much better chance of them finding CD and his captors than either group would have on their own.

Trivette was the first to break the silence. "That said... I'm going to the office. Walker, I want you to get some sleep." He patted his partner on the shoulder, and then directed his attention toward Magnum and his friends. "How about you guys? Are you going back to the hotel?"

Rick almost exclaimed, "No way!" but Magnum replied first.

"Yes," He said firmly, glancing at Rick, as if daring him to contradict.

"Thomas?" Rick questioned.

"We are going back to the hotel." Magnum's voice had an irrevocable note of finality in it.

TC yawned suddenly. "I don't know about you guys, but all that flight time is catching up with me."
"Jet lag," Higgins said, nodding a bit. "I'm feeling it too. It's caused by-"

"Hey, Higgie-baby, we don't have time for a lesson in biology."

"I'm sure that's what's gotten into Rick," Magnum said, standing up.

Rick glanced at him indignantly, but said nothing. Magnum, however, wasn't finished with him quite yet. "You are going to get some sleep. I'm sure Trivette will call us if anything develops."

Trivette smiled his half-amused, half reassuring grin. "Don't worry, Rick, I'll let you know the moment anything pops."

"I'll be at the ranch, Trivette. Give me a call." Walker took in Jimmy's appearance.

Despite the smile Trivette was wearing, he looked exhausted and worried.

"And then you, my friend, are going to get some rest yourself," Walker told him.
Trivette nodded. No argument there.

Ranger Headquarters

Trivette sat alone in the office he shared with Walker, working diligently on his computer. He was finding dead end after dead end, getting almost nowhere in trying to find something that would lead them to CD.

His mind, sleep deprived and caffeine driven, kept running the same thoughts through his consciousness over and over. All of the fun times he, Walker, and CD had had at the bar were playing in his head. The times CD had listened to his problems, given him advice... CD had been the one to get Trivette into law enforcement after he had suffered the injury that had ended his football career. In a way, CD had saved Trivette's life - given it back to him. CD had become a father figure to Trivette, and Trivette was determined not to let CD become nothing more than just a fond memory.

As Trivette pressed on with his work, the prospect of CD not being alive - as Rick has said - crossed his mind. He would banish it quickly, though, because deep in his heart he knew it was not true. Thoughts like that wouldn't help him. With that, his mind would wander somewhere else, to Walker, and he wondered how his partner felt, knowing that his best friend's life was in danger and feeling like it was his fault.

Walker's Ranch

Walker slumped in a chair on his porch, reminiscing about all the times he and CD had sat out there and talked. They had discussed so many things... probably closer to everything than any other two people would ever get.

His mind was full of memories of his partnership with CD, the many times he and CD would go at it like he and Trivette did now.

The thought of losing CD - of losing his best friend - had never, to his recollection, crossed his mind before. CD was retired, damnit. He was supposed to be able to take life easy, not have to worry about putting his life on the line every day.

Walker now wished that he had been able to tell CD what he meant to him, of the place CD had in Walker's heart. Guilt washed over Walker, filling his mind and heart till he thought he might break down and start weeping. Walker pushed back the tears ; he couldn't let that happen. He had to keep hoping - praying - that CD was alright and that Walker would get the chance to tell CD how he felt.

Walker looked up at the bright Texas stars, which reflected in the tears pooled in his eyes. A single shooting star crossed the sky, and instinctively, Walker knew that the spirits were watching over CD, wherever he might be. Walker forced himself to face the fact that CD might not even be alive. But he couldn't let that get him down, couldn't let that painful reality diminish his desire to find CD.

Magnum, Trivette, Rick, TC, Higgins, and Walker all had their own forces driving them to find CD, none more important or more significant than those of the others. For Walker, it was that he loved CD, and wanted to be able to tell him that, and also knew, in his heart, that he would be able to.

Alex's Apartment

Alex had stayed up with Heather again that night, in case she had wanted to talk, but in the end she dosed off, her head laying on the arm of her couch. Heather stayed up, standing at the window, staring at the stars. It was a small comfort, knowing that she and CD were beneath the same star-lit sky.

A shooting star caught Heather's eye as it sailed through the night. Heather wished, at that moment, with all of her heart and soul, that her uncle was alright and that she would be with him again soon.

Hotel

Magnum lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, bare-chested and exhausted, but too wound up to sleep. Through his open glass door, he heard a car roar past, then peaceful silence. Magnum pushed himself up in bed, listening hard. Not quite silence.

Head still cocked to the side, Magnum slipped out onto his balcony, where the sounds grew louder. Magnum, pretty sure that he had the source of the noise labeled, leaned around the concrete partition and saw Rick sitting in a patio chair, head in his hands, sobbing.

Magnum felt his heart twinge at the sight. "Hey, Rick?" He asked, not wanting to startle his friend.

Rick didn't even look up at him. Magnum bit his lip.

"Hey, buddy, I'm coming over," Magnum decided.

Magnum stepped inside and pulled on the first shirt in sight, yanking it over his head as he picked up the phone and dialed TC's room.

"TC, meet me at Rick's - right now," Magnum ordered, his voice urgent.

"What's up?" TC asked, catching the hint of fear in Magnum's voice.
Magnum, however, had already hung up the phone.

Simultaneously, TC and Magnum's doors flew open in the hallway, and they both stepped out, shooting each other a look. In unison, they reached the door and raised their hands to knock. TC dropped his fist, letting Magnum do the honors. Magnum knocked, then pounded, and finally stopped a passing employee in a housekeeper uniform.

"Excuse me, Miss..." Magnum attempted a disarming smile. "It seems I left my key in my room. I was wondering if you could let me in with the spares you keep for room cleaning."

The maid looked doubtful, but obliged, perhaps a bit intimidated by both Magnum and TC, who were at least a head taller than she was. She glanced in the room, but seeing no one, didn't ask any more questions and went on her way.

Magnum entered the room first, noticing the general disarray; Rick's clothes were laying all over the couch, and a small, empty bottle of whiskey sat next to the sink in the kitchenette.

Magnum and TC once again looked at each other, neither wanting to admit how troubled they were to find evidence that Rick had been drinking.

"Rick?" Magnum called, heading through the bedroom and towards the balcony.
Rick, tear streaked but looking angry, met him at the glass door. His shirt was unbuttoned, and untucked, and he looked exhausted.

He shot TC a glare, then said, "Get out of here, Thomas!" He turned his back on them, staring out at the city vista. Before he turned, Magnum caught the tell-tale sign of alcohol on Rick's breath.

"We just came to see how you were doing," TC said gently, squeezing in front of Thomas and onto the balcony beside Rick.

"I'm doing just fine," Rick replied, still not facing them.

Magnum came out onto the balcony, and Rick moved away, flopping down on his chair again. Magnum stood in front of him, crossing his arms. "Yeah, we can see you're doing just great."

"What's the matter, man?" TC asked, leaning against the wall next to Rick's chair.
Magnum had a guess, and his thoughts were affirmed by Rick's next comment.

Rick cleared his throat. "TC, Thomas... did I ever tell you about my kid sister."

Rick began rehashing memories of his younger sister, who had been kidnapped and killed several years ago, mentioning her grades, her astounding looks, and how all-around great she was.

As he spoke, he looked more and more desperate, finally getting up and pacing. TC and Magnum had heard this many times before -whenever Rick was having a hard time, these memories seemed to surface with a vengeance- but their love of Rick was enough to overcome those kinds of things.

By the time Rick reached the end, he was sobbing again, shoulders trembling violently. Magnum worked an arm around his friend's shoulders, a brotherly gesture, and pulled him closer, letting Rick cry on his shoulder for awhile. Magnum sat Rick down in a chair, a hand on his shoulder, while TC took Rick's hand.

The three of them were close, closer than brothers, and they would do anything for each other. Rick kept repeating, a bit incoherently, that he didn't want Heather to feel the pain of loosing someone she loved. Magnum knelt next to the chair, looked Rick in the eyes, and promised Rick that they would find CD, and Heather would be alright.

Deep down, Magnum knew that eventually Heather would have to deal with the death of a loved one. When her parents died, she had been too young to understand death, or really remember them, but it was inevitable.

The three men certainly knew what it felt like to lose people they cared about, to deal with death. When they were in Vietnam together, and death had been all around them.

In Vietnam they had formed a lasting, unshakeable bond, one that transcended simple friendship and love. It was evident tonight, and any other night when one of them was hurt, or having a rough time. When one was suffering, they all felt it.

Suddenly, from the bedroom, the phone rang. Rick sat bolt upright in his chair. Magnum looked at him, gave his shoulder a squeeze, and hurried to get it.

"Ranger Trivette," Magnum mouthed to TC as he entered the bedroom. Rick followed slowly, wiping his eyes.

Magnum wrote down the directions to the ranch and hit the disconnect button, then began dialing Higgins number.

"Higgins? Get ready, we're going out again." He paused, listening to Higgins. "Then get dressed. That was Ranger Trivette. He wants us to meet him out at Walker's ranch."

Magnum listened, then said, "Okay. We'll meet you in the elevator."

Magnum hung up and looked down at his clothes. He was wearing a pair of swim trunks and his hastily donned shirt, which was at this point about two days old.

"Perhaps we should freshen up a bit before we go out," Magnum suggested, taking in Rick's appearance. He had a stain smelling of whiskey on his shirt.

Magnum went into the living room and grabbed one of Rick's shirts, then tossed it to him.

"Here, Rick. Put that one on."

TC, who was dressed - having never gotten undressed - announced that he was going to go get the car.

Magnum looked confused. "I thought I was driving."

"Uh, TM... I'm driving this time," TC said. He didn't want to inform Magnum of his slightly inferior driving skills, so he just smiled and left the room, catching the elevator in the hallway.

"Why does he get to drive?" Magnum asked, as Rick came out of the bedroom, buttoning his shirt. Rick ran his hands through his hair, checking himself briefly in the mirror.

His eyes were a little red from crying, but he could pass it off as lack of sleep. Rick turned and offered Magnum a small smile, which Thomas found heartening.

"Just 'cause, Thomas," Rick answered.

Magnum smiled back. Rick was mostly back to normal. 'As normal as Rick ever gets,' Magnum silently teased, feeling a happiness that bordered giddiness that Rick was okay again.

Rick sighed as Magnum grinned at him, then turned and walked out of the suite, back to his own room to change his own clothes. They had just shared a special moment, one of those rare, unguarded displays of affection, and it helped Rick a great deal to know that his friends cared about him so much.

As Rick waited for Thomas at the elevator, he found himself wondering if Walker and CD had such moments. The answer was almost undoubtedly yes. Rick realized that Walker was probably wishing he could be sure he would have more of those occasions with CD.