Chapter 54--The latest chapter of this FF story is up. Hope you enjoy it and thanks for the feedback!


C.J. looked at Matt.

"What do you think it is," she asked.

He frowned slowing his car to a stop near two police officers.

"I don't know," he said, "It probably has to do with Daniels."

"A checkpoint set up to catch a sheriff," C.J. said, "You don't see one of those every day."

"Wouldn't be the first time."

"No it wouldn't be," C.J. said.

The two police officers walked up to their vehicle, and just as they expected, it was to find out if they had seen the fleeing Daniels. Matt explained that the last time they had seen him he had been running away from the diner where he had held hostages.

The two men paused and started writing on their notepads.

"Is there anything else," Matt asked.

The two men looked up at him, eyebrows raised.

"We've got to get back to the ranch for the rehearsal," she explained.

They shook their heads and so Matt drove off, heading down the highway back to the ranch. If they hurried, they could just about make it.

"I don't think putting up checkpoints is going to do it," Matt said, "He might be a fugitive but he's also a long-time law enforcement officer."

"I hope they catch up to him soon," C.J. said, "I think a lot of people will rest easier."

"He can't stay in hiding for long," Matt said, "Not without any help."

"They're rounding up his help," she said, "At least that's what I hope."

Matt studied her as she sat beside him. He knew that since she had arrived at the ranch, the work to fight to save the ranch land had been relentless in its pace without hardly much time to even breathe. It would have been hard enough if the people she and others had been fighting hadn't tried to scare her off and then when that failed, tried to kill her.

"You've been working nonstop on this," Matt said, "Not much of a vacation for you."

C.J. shook her head at that.

"I had a great time Houston. I think this is the best vacation I ever had," she said, "It's been very hard work but I love this place and the people."

"Yeah they are great aren't they," Matt said, "And Brody and Uncle Roy are right, spending time in the Rockies has done me a world of good."

C.J. smiled.

"You're looking better," she said, "You look tired when you came here."

"I think I just missed being with you," he said, "I should never have stayed away so long."

She shrugged and rubbed his shoulder.

"You're here now and I wouldn't have gotten as much done if you hadn't been."

"We've always worked well together," he said, "I'm learning we do other things great together as well."

She looked out the window, nodding.

"That we do," she agreed.

"Are you sure you're going to be able to handle having me out in Texas," he asked, "Do you think the state's big enough for the both of us?

She looked at him, smiling again.

"I think so."

"I really missed moments like this when we're wrapping up a case," he said.

"I missed that part of it too. I missed being me," she said, "and I think this is the closest I've come to it in a long time."

He paused.

"When we get this wrapped up here, I have to go out to L.A. to get things sorted out there but I won't be gone long this time."

She remained quiet for a moment and he looked at her.

"What is it," he asked.

She took a deep breath and started slowly.

"I was wondering if you'd mind if I came with you."

His eyes blinked and he looked at her, surprised.

"But I thought…"

She looked down.

"I know, but I have to move on and I can't avoid L.A. for the rest of my life," she said, "I've got friends there too."

"I want you to come along," Matt said, "Brody will look forward to seeing you again too."

"It's been a while hasn't it?"

"Of course, he's planning on proposing."

C.J. laughed.

"He's married."

"Well that might make things a bit difficult on the home front," he said.

C.J.'s eyes sparkled as she considered that.

"I might think about it," she said, "He's a great guy."

"I might have to talk you out of it and if that doesn't work..."

"I'll look forward to that," she said.


They finally got back to the ranch and stopped by the main house. Their friends were waiting there for them.

"I thought you'd never show up," Rhonda said, her arms folded.

"We just had some loose ends to tie up," C.J. said, "We're all yours now."

"The minister's waiting," Rhonda said, "It's okay, the groom to be just got here a minute ago."

C.J. looked up and saw Jonathan talking with Jed.

"So what was he doing?"

Rhonda sighed.

"He heard about the APB they put out on Sheriff Daniels," she said, "and Mayor Parker has been hospitalized with a bullet wound and they have state police all over his hospital room."

C.J. smiled at her friend.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about with him," she said, "He really cares about you and you're going to have a great wedding tomorrow."

Rhonda nodded.

"I plan to," she said, "I'm not going to let anything interfere with it."

"Nothing will," C.J. reassured her, "You'll get through the ceremony, you'll be married and you can get back on your motorcycles and get back to your road trip."

Rhonda ran her hand through her hair.

"It will be great when it's just the two of us," she said, "Don't get me wrong. I love having you all here but…"

"I know what you mean," C.J. said, "You don't have to explain yourself to me."

"So what's next for you and Matt," Rhonda said, "Now that you've saved the valley from the predatory developers and crooked politicians and sheriffs?"

C.J. thought about it.

"We might stay here for a few more days," she said, "and then we're heading back to Houston with a detour in L.A."

Rhonda's mouth hung open.

"I thought you were never going back there."

C.J. sighed and looked away.

"I thought that way for a long time," she said, "but I've got friends and he's got family there and I want to be there with him. I can't be afraid forever."

"You're going to be okay C.J.," Rhonda said, "Nothing's going to happen to you there. He won't let it."

C.J. smiled, looking over at Matt talking to Jed and Jonathan.

"I know," she said, "and he's giving up a lot by moving to Texas."

Rhonda snorted.

"It's always been home for him and you're there and I think he's got everything he needs or wants there," she said, "Him moving there makes perfect sense."

"I want him to be there," C.J. said, "I just want him to be happy."

"Why wouldn't he be?"

"No reason," C.J. said, "I've just started to get my bearings again but I still have a ways to go."

"He knows that," Rhonda said, "He's been there with you anyway and he knows what lies ahead. Matt doesn't run away from challenges and he doesn't leave the people he loves."

"Me neither," C.J. said, "and I love him. I can't imagine living away from him."

Rhonda shrugged.

"Then you shouldn't have to because it seems like everything's going to work out for both of you and it's about time."


Matt scratched the back of his neck.

"I'm a bit worried about Daniels running around loose but the police are looking for him," he said.

"They'll find him Matt," Jed said, "There's really no place for him to go. He's got few friends here and most of them are being locked up even as we speak."

"I just don't like the thought that he might pull some surprises," Matt said.

"We'll keep an eye out for him," Jed said.

Jonathan nodded.

"They'll be feds and state policed in town and at the wedding tomorrow in case any unexpected appearances are planned."

"He'd be crazy to show up here," Jed said, "but then Daniels has had his unpredictable side."

Jonathan turned to Matt.

"So you heading back to L.A. after the wedding?"

He nodded.

"Just to get things organized before I…we return to Houston," he said, "C.J.'s going with me."

Jed and Jonathan looked at each other.

"Is she going to be okay?"

"I think she's going to be just fine," Jed said, "She wouldn't return there unless she was ready."

"Still that's where it happened," Jonathan said, "It's got to be difficult."

"She doesn't want to be afraid of a city anymore, especially one where she does have a lot of fond memories," Matt said, "We both do."

"She's going to have to come back there for the trial anyway," Jonathan said.

Jed narrowed his brows.

"That case is going to trial?"

"The U.S. Attorney's office will be appearing in court to schedule a trial date," Jonathan said, "It will probably be in the next six months. C.J. will be notified well ahead of time of course as she's a very important witness."

"We're going to have to sit down and have several meetings before she does testify," Matt said, "She's going to require some protection. There's still some principals running around out there."

Jonathan sighed.

"The feds are aware of that and are still actively investigating," he said, "They'll find the leftovers Matt."

"I have a little trouble believing that based on their track record," Matt said.

"And I don't blame you for that," Jonathan said, "I have my own feelings about how this whole situation has been handled."

"You did resign from the Marshal's office," Matt said, "but you're thinking about another round with the feds."

Jonathan nodded.

"I'm thinking about it," he said, "Nothing's definite yet."


Thea and Bonnie joined C.J. and Rhonda.

"Where are Chris and Fran," Bonnie asked.

"Oh they're still cooing over Fran's babies," Rhonda said, "They'll be here soon. Is Reverend Blakely here yet?"

Thea nodded.

"He's waiting outside," he said, "He's ready to get this rehearsal on the road."

Butterfly buzzed by with her video camera.

"I'm ready to start shooting…"

Everyone stared at her.

"With a camera of course," she said, rolling her eyes, "You've really got to learn the lingo."

Thea looked at C.J.

"You've had an eventful couple of days," she said, "How are you doing?"

C.J. smiled.

"I'm feeling better," she said, "and excited about the wedding tomorrow."

"How's Matt?"

She smiled wider.

"He's fine," she said, "We're fine."

"That's great," Thea said, "I knew you would be."

C.J. rubbed her eyes.

"I'm going with him to L.A."

Thea's eyes widened a bit but she nodded.

"I think you're ready for that," she said.

"I think I am too," C.J. said, "I hope I am but I've got to know that I can handle this and move on with my life."

"You won't be alone this time," Thea said, "and those men who kidnapped you won't be there."

C.J. breathed deeply.

"I know that's in the past," she said, "but I'm still a bit nervous about being in a building I worked in for years."

"That's natural considering what happened," Thea said, "It'll pass, you'll see."

"I just remember thinking that night that everything would be okay if I could just prove that Houston hadn't done anything wrong," she said, "That he had nothing to do with any terrorists."

"You've come a long way since that night," Thea said, "You've still got some things to work out but you've made a life for yourself and you have a man to share it."


Matt walked over to where they were standing.

"What are you two still talking about," he said, "We've got a rehearsal to go to."

She looked up at him and nodded. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close as they walked outside with the others.

Later, they lay in bed, snuggled in each other's arms with her head resting on his chest. The rehearsal had gone smoothly and was videotaped for future viewings by Butterfly. Jonathan and Rhonda had remembered all their lines and as C.J. watched them, she felt happiness fill her because indeed, they were perfect for each other. She had loved Jonathan in the past and still did as a close friend who owed him a great deal including her life. She really wanted him and Rhonda to be happy together. Even though Blakely had his own misgivings about the couple he was about to marry, he smiled and hugged them wishing them well until the next day when they would be doing it for real.

Everyone headed back to the ranch for dinner and an evening of laughter and great company. He and C.J. begged off early because well, they wanted to get back to the cabin and finish out the day together. Every moment they spent together, falling more and more in love.

He stroked her hair.

"You know we really should do some fishing in that lake before we head to L.A."

She lifted her head to look at him.

"Really," she said, "I thought you'd had enough the other night with the guys."

"We haven't gone on our own fishing trip together," he said, "and I can already feel the tension coming back and the stress of city life."

She playfully slapped him.

"Oh you can can you," she said, "and what would the remedy be?"

"A couple more days spent in the arms of a beautiful woman," he said, "Fishing on the banks of the lake. Relaxing under the stars. Slow dancing to our own music. That kind of thing."

She pretended to consider it.

"I might be able to fill that bill," she said, "If you're interested in a brunette who's been in love with you for as long as she can remember."

He blinked his eyes looking at her, silent for a moment and then he smiled trying to look nonchalant.

"I guess you'll do just fine," he said, pulling her closer.

The phone rang suddenly, interrupting their interlude.

"I'd better go get that," she said, "I wonder who could be calling this time of night."

He watched her get up and pick up the phone. Her face grew troubled.

"What is it C.J.?"

She turned around and faced him after hanging up.

"That was Jed," she said, "He said that Daniels headed out to the Hyatt ranch with a gun and he's going after the mustangs."