Disclaimer: The original characters, stories, and concepts of High Mountain Rangers and Jesse Hawkes are the property of A. Shane Co with Sibling Rivalries and any other production company that has the rights to it. My only purpose is for entertainment and no profit is being made.
There are some scenes of domestic violence and rape. This continues the story, "A Ranger's Journey"
Part 4: A Nice Place to Live
Chapter 1: Ten Years Later
It has been ten years since Cody Hawkes lost his precious wife, Lizzie. Cody and his son Alex have lived up in the mountains ever since. There is almost an entire whole new crew of Rangers. There are some familiar names who have now grown up and continued their family tradition. Scott Wilson is now the Commander of the Rangers.
In the mountains near South Lake Tahoe, there is a mountain climber that is climbing down a mountain peak when suddenly the climber's rope snaps, and the climber begins to slide down the mountain. The climber is able to get ahold of an edge of the rock cliff, but his hands slipped, and he begins to fall again. The safety rope jerks the climber and the climber crashes into the side of the mountain. The climber is not moving, but just swaying in the wind. A friend of the climber is on top of the mountain and is shouting to their friend to see if they are okay. There is no response.
A chopper is flying over the mountain ranges near South Lake Tahoe, a man speaks over a radio. "Base to Snow Bird, come in Snow Bird."
"Snow Bird here, come in base," says the female chopper pilot, Jessica Avila.
"Snow Bird, we received a report that a climber is dangling off of Dead Drop Wall, possible unconscious and medevac is needed, " said David Teo, the male voice over the radio. David is the newest member of the High Mountain Rangers, which is referred to as a "Newbie". He will spend a year staffing the radio while on probation.
"Base, we are on our way, eta 15 minutes Snow Bird out," Jessica said.
Jessica says to the man sitting next to her in the chopper, "Is it a full moon or something, that is the 5th call today."
"Must be," said Jasper Hawkes aka Wingman, who is sitting in the passenger seat. "I only know of a couple people who have climbed down Dead Drop Wall."
"Jasper, who is that?" Jessica asked.
"My Grandfather and my Uncle Cody," said Jasper. Jasper is the son of Matt Hawkes and Robin Kelly Hawkes. Both former rangers.
"Oh yeah, I remember my dad talking about that," Jessica said. Jessica is the daughter of the former Chopper Pilot Frank Avila aka White Eagle. She is named after Jasper's Grandfather, Jesse Hawkes. "Today, might be your lucky day."
The chopper approaches the mountain. The climber comes into view, hanging from the mountain. Another person is on top of the mountain waving to the chopper.
"Snow Bird to Base, come back Base," Jessica said.
"Base here, come back Snow Bird," David responded back over the radio.
"We have two individuals; one hanging about halfway down Dead Drop Wall and appears unconscious. The second is standing on top of Dead Drop Wall and appears fine," Jessica responded.
"Lady Hawke and Lightning are in route to the bottom of the cliff and should be there in 30 minutes, Base out."
"Copy, I will be dropping Wingman off at the top of the mountain. Snow Bird out" Jessica messaged and then turned to Jasper. "Your sister is going to be so jealous."
"She will be, see you at the bottom," with that Jasper got out of the chopper went over to talk to the second climber. He signaled to the second climber to get into the chopper. Jasper got suited up in the climbing harness and Jessica helped him get the rope hooked up and get the safety and medical equipment that he will need to help the climber down. Jasper threw the rope down over the edge of the mountain and started to make his descent toward the climber. He secured the climber in support ropes and put a neck brace on him and wrapped a bandage around his head.
"Wingman to Base, come in Base," messaged Jasper.
"Base here, come in Wingman," David responded back.
"The climber is unconscious and hooked up to the safety strap. Looks like a concussion, broken arm, and whiplash. I will begin my descent down. Wingman out," radioed Jasper.
"Base, we copy you Wingman. Lady Hawk and Lightning will meet you at the bottom of the mountain, Base out," said David.
"Copy Base," said Jasper.
Jasper continued the descent to the bottom of the mountain with the climber. Two more rangers' approach on horseback. They helped Jasper with the climber and Officer Kelly Hawkes did an assessment of the man since she is a paramedic.
The chopper flew from the top of the mountain to the base, so they could pick up the injured climber and transport them to the hospital. The Rangers are a well-trained team. Each member knows exactly what they need to do. They load the climber into the chopper. Jessica and Jasper went back into the chopper, and it took off for the hospital.
"Wingman to Base, Base come in," said Jasper.
"Wingman this is Base, come back," said David.
"We have a Twenty-nine-year-old man with possible, broken arm and concussion. We are enroute to Barton Hospital for medical support. Wingman out."
"Base, we copy you Wingman. Return to base when you are done. Base out, " said David.
"Base we copy, Wingman out."
The chopper flies towards South Lake Tahoe and the two remaining rangers and the second climber head back to the ranger station on horseback.
The chopper carrying Jessica, Jasper, and the injured climber flies over a secluded cabin up in the mountains. A young man looks up in the sky at the chopper and follows it. Then the young man spots an older man walking up a small hill.
"Dad! Dad! Uncle Matt is here!" Alex Hawkes shouts to his dad Cody Hawkes. Cody walks out of the cabin.
Alex runs up to his uncle, "Hi Uncle Matt."
"Hey, kiddo. Here some treats from your Aunt Robin," Matt pulled out a plate of cookies.
"Cool thanks," Alex took the cookies and brought them into the cabin.
"Matt, what brings you up here?" Cody asked his older brother.
"Hi Cody, can we talk?" Matt asked.
Cody responded, "Sure, what is up?"
"Commander Williams has informed me that he will be retiring in six months. So, we will be looking for his replacement. I would love it if you would put your name in the mix," said Matt. Matt is still the Director of the Western Region of the Search and Rescue.
Alex has the same love of the mountains that his father does. He knows the mountains as good as his father. But he is a shy kid with more of his Uncle Matt's personality. The only playmates he had as a child was his older cousins whenever they were around. He missed having a mother and always wanted to know what it would be like to have a little sister or brother.
Matt and Cody made sure their family stayed close, despite the age differences of the kids. Jasper and Kelly spent many summers up in the cabin with Cody and Alex. In return they spent time with Matt's family down in South Lake Tahoe whenever they had to go into town for something. Cody and Alex generally would fly out to see Lizzie's family at least twice a year. So, he would spend time with his mom's family too.
Now that Alex is getting older, Matt is having the same concerns with Alex being so isolated from the world, just like he did when Cody was with their father. He had been vocal about it to Cody, who was sick of hearing about it.
"Matt, we don't need to have this same old argument again," Cody said. Then Alex came out of the Cabin. "Alex, why don't you go down to the lake and catch some fish for dinner," He did not want his son to hear the argument between him and Matt again.
"Okay Dad," Alex said grabbing his fishing pole. "Uncle Matt are you staying for dinner?"
"No, I need to get back into town tonight. I will come down for a bit when I am done talking to your dad," Matt said.
"You promise, Uncle Matt," Alex waved his hand as he ran down to the lake. He was happy that his uncle would spend some time with him before he left.
"I will see you in a bit," Matt yelled.
Cody asked, "Want some coffee?"
"Sure Toad," Matt said.
"That is Ace to you," Cody said with a smile as he went in the cabin for the coffee.
Matt sat on the porch looking out at the barn with the horses and at the lake where his nephew was fishing.
Cody came out of the house carrying two cups of coffee, "How are Robin and the kids doing?"
"Robin is enjoying doing paramedic training at the university. She really likes the change of pace from working at the ranger station. But the rangers are missing her. I know the kids miss seeing her all the time," Matt continued. "The Ranger's just pulled a climber off Dead Drop Wall today."
"So, which of your kids got to do it?" Cody asked.
"Jasper, Kelly is going to be so jealous of her younger brother," Matt said with a smile.
"Hopefully, he will not be as bruised as I was," Cody said knowing that was something he had done that his brother had not. Cody was sixteen when he climbed down Dead Drop Wall. Cody had no choice as a family was trying to kill him and his dad after Cody witnessed a murder. Jesse sent his son to try to reach the rangers, they were hiking to Jack Knife Pass before being picked up by Avila. Cody had to climb down Dead Drop Wall to reach them.
"I have not seen him yet, but I imagine he was in better shape than you and dad. Jasper was little more prepared," Matt said.
"Jasper is a bit of a dare devil, afraid of nothing," Cody stated.
"Yeah, makes his mom a bit nervous," said Matt.
"I think his dad too," Cody said with little smirk.
"Yeah, his dad too," Matt said a bit shyly. "So how was your trip to see the Donavan family?"
"It was great. I think Alex had a good time with his cousins. I can't believe how big all the kids are getting," Cody said.
"It really good you and Alex have stayed so close to them after all these years," Matt said.
"Yeah, I do enjoy my time with them. And so good for Alex to be with his grandparents. He does not see mom much and never knew dad," Cody said bit sadly. "So, what did you come all this way to talk to me about? I am sure it is more than to just deliver cookies."
"Commander Williams is going to retire," Matt said.
"It is about time," Cody responded.
Matt said, "I know you are not his biggest fan."
"We got along well enough to work together, but I could have never worked for him," Cody said.
"Well, that is kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. With Wilson retiring, the Commander position is open. I know you had always wanted to be the Commander someday. I think this might be good timing for you and Alex. I know you do not want to hear it, but I think it would be good for Alex to be around kids his own age. You remember what it is like to be fifteen. Starting to like girls, sports, and adjusting to the real world out there. As you know, he will be living in that world before you know it."
Cody tried to interrupt his brother, but Matt will not let him this time. "Cody just hear me out. I lived in these mountains until I was fourteen and then I moved to the city. It took me a bit to adjust to people again. I made friends, went out with girls, got a football scholarship to college. Outside of leaving you and dad, I have no regrets for the time I was in the city. I am glad I had the opportunity to go to school with kids my own age, before going off to college. I know you did not have that opportunity until you went to college. I tried to convince dad that you needed to be around kids your age, go out with girls, that you needed to go to school, live in society."
"Do you think I turn out so bad?" Cody asked his brother.
"No Code, you turned out fine. But didn't you want to go out with girls, go to dances, be around kids your own age? The only kid you were around was Jennifer and she was four years younger than you," Matt said and Cody did not respond, instead he stared out at the lake where his son was fishing. A part of him knew Matt was right. "If I am not mistaken, you were bit girl crazy in San Francisco. Wasn't there a candy striper named Wendy. Your relationship was a bit more platonic than you wanted. Dad felt the justice system failed him, when TJ Cousins received a reduced sentence. He quit the rangers and moved to the mountains with you. You are just like him. When Lizzie died you did the same thing. Do you remember when we were in San Francisco, and you were trying to convince me, that dad should become a bounty hunter. That when he was hunting down the drug dealers, dad was more alive than you had seen in years. And you were right. He was alive again. Not that he was unhappy in the mountains. It just brought a spark back to him that had burned out. I do not want you to miss out on the same feeling."
"Matt, I am not dad," Cody said.
"You're the spitting image of dad, Code," Matt said as he got up. "Just think about it. It's getting late and I need to spend some time with my nephew."
Matt started walking toward the lake where Alex was fishing. Cody shouting to his brother, "Josh Cutler should be the next Commander. " Matt just waved his hand as he walked away. Josh had been working as a ranger for over ten years. Cody knew Josh better than anyone else. Cody and Josh remained close, even after Cody moved to the mountains. Cody had a lot of respect for Josh. He did not always appear to take things seriously, but that was his personality he showed to people. Cody had worked closely with him, so Cody knew that Josh was very serious and a leader. Matt did not feel the same, so Matt would never consider Josh a leader.
That evening the rangers were all gathered around the table to eat dinner.
Ranger Josh Cutler said, "Attention everyone, I have an announcement to make. Standing or should I say sitting before us today, we have 24-year-old Ranger Jasper Matthew Hawkes. Who, today become the third generation of Hawkes to climb down Dead Drop Wall. A feat most in this room, will never do and most hope never to do."
The rangers just started singing… "for he is a jolly good fellow", there was cheering and someone shouting, "speech, speech," Matt and Robin walks into the room with a cake with candles.
Jasper said in his humorous way, "Ladies, gentlemen, mom and dad I am honored to except this cake on behalf of the climber who decided to go down Dead Drop Wall today. With that fall he gave me an opportunity to save him and climb down Dead Drop Wall. Something I hope never to do again. Lucky for that climber, he will be just fine," Jasper blew out the candles.
"You said it little Brother," Kelly said as she gave her brother a side hug and a kiss on the top of his head.