Title: Legend: Sentimental

Author: Kimberly Knipp

Email: MCK8686@aol.com

Rating: PG-13

Classification: Vignette – Walker and Alex

Spoilers: None

The strain of wreck was hanging over both their heads. Admiral Chegwidden had issued strict orders for at least two days of rest and even though they didn’t answer to him, they abided right along with the others. They were tucked away in a hotel room – a private retreat like the ones Mulder and Scully and Harm and Mac had sought to recover. Walker was quieter than Alex could ever remember seeing him and it frightened her. But she understood why even as he seemed to withdraw from her.

They were sitting now on the small loveseat across from the bed. Alex scooted over closer to him and rested her bright head on his shoulder. There was no response from him. Images of the broken and twisted train flashed through her mind. It led her to other memories of nearly losing him. There was moment after moment when any sane woman would have turned around and walked away from the stoic Ranger. When she should have gathered the edges of her courage in and slipped away to protect herself. Alex wiped away a tear that slipped down her smooth cheek. No matter how much danger he faced, she would never leave him. She loved him more than life itself and she could no more walk away from him than she could make herself stop loving him. It was just that way.

"I’m sorry."

His softly spoken words startled her and she lifted her head. "Sorry? For what?" she asked.

"For putting you through this," he stated.

Alex cupped his jaw in her hand and turned him so she could see his eyes. "Is that what you think? That you have to be sorry? Walker, you have nothing to be sorry for. If anyone should be sorry, I am for all this wreck put you through. All those people…" her voice trailed off.

"We wanted the four of you to be out of danger’s path. We wanted you to be safe in case…" he voice cracked just slightly and she could see him mentally drawing up his will. "In case something happened."

"But you know we never thought anything would happen," she pointed out softly. "I’ll be forever grateful that we were behind the scenes because we were able to come after you."

Walker looked at her hard. "And you were still in danger."

"We were fine, Walker. Listen to me," she cradled his face in both hands and came up on her knees at his side. "I would go anywhere, Walker, do anything to get to you. No matter the danger. You are everything to me. You have never let me down in all the times that my life was threatened – even at your own risk," she emphasized.

"That’s because I love you," he murmured.

She smiled tenderly. "I know how deeply this is affecting you. I wish you would talk to me about it," she asked.

"I don’t know how. Alex, I became a Ranger so I could help people. I wanted to make a difference. But it seems like for every life we save, we lose two more. All these people from the train – they were innocent bystanders who got caught in the crossfire. This can’t even be blamed on a natural disaster!" he ground out in frustration.

"Do you think beating yourself up is going to change any of it? You did the best you could – we all did. We saved a lot of lives yesterday. More than would have been saved if the four of you hadn’t done so much. And you were injured yourself," she murmured, touching the tape that tightly encircled his torso where three cracked ribs lay.

Walker sighed and shook his head. As they sat there looking at each other, the air around them began to change. It wasn’t something one could pinpoint exactly, it was just - there. He turned slightly and stroked one finger over the smooth curve of her cheek. Alex met his gaze head on and felt a herd of horses stampede through her belly. His big hands slid down the bare expanse of her arms and around her waist to her back, guiding her to him. Alex’s hands perched on his shoulders as she leaned her weight into him. An inch at a time, Walker closed the distance between them. He wanted to draw this moment out forever. To freeze this instant when he was looking into her pretty eyes to the future. When he could forget all that happened yesterday and all that still waited to be done. He wanted to hide here with her forever and let the rest of the world fade away.

Alex’s lips parted and his eyes narrowed on her mouth as her tongue snaked out. A bit of deviltry glinted in her blue eyes, teasing him. An answering glint twinkled at her. Their mouths were only a breath apart now, their eyes focused on each other. Alex’s heart was beating so hard she felt it might burst from her chest as anticipation thrummed through her.

She could see desire in his face and felt the slow tightening of his body. The moment was affecting him as much as it was her. This was something they both needed. Something to reaffirm that they still had each other and their lives together. Walker released a slow breath and tightened his fingers on her waist. Alex started slightly at the first tender touch of his mouth. As the pressure increased, warmth flooded her and she realized how long it had been since he’d last kissed her. Walker moved his hands up to the middle of her back and pressed her against him, feeling the swell of her breasts against his chest. Alex cupped one hand around the back of his head and moved the other to his jaw, holding him as if she were afraid he would move away. Walker had no such intention. Angling his head a little more to the side, he deepened the kiss, touching his tongue to the seam of her lips. The floodgates were open and sensation was hurdling forth, consuming them, sweeping them away. Alex wiggled closer and parted her lips, allowing him the entrance he sought. When his tongue plunged in to investigate the dark cavern of her mouth, a low moan slipped from her throat. Walker fed on the tiny sound and increased his pressure, drinking from her sweet mouth.

The horror of the past twenty-four hours fell away as they united in that instant. All that remained now was the intense feelings they shared for each other. Walker shifted and delved his hands into Alex’s hair, turning her head as his mouth devoured hers. Time disappeared and Alex was only aware of the man holding her so tightly. Her best friend. Suddenly, Walker tore his mouth away and rested his forehead against hers, breathing heavily. Alex’s eyes were closed, her own breath coming in rapid spurts. Her hands curled around his forearms, holding onto him even though his fingers were still tangled in her hair.

She smiled against his neck. He rarely used her full name but it sent shivers down her spine when he did.

"Go to bed."

This wasn’t what she expected to hear him say. She studied his face for just a moment but could see him closing himself off. Sighing gently, she rose and went into her bathroom. Several minutes later, she was climbing into bed, face scrubbed, hair brushed and in her nightgown.

Feeling cold suddenly, she huddled beneath the blankets, curling into a ball. Moonlight streamed through the window because she hadn’t bothered to close the curtains and she stared at it now, a thousand different memories crowding in on her. She lifted her head and looked at the man who stood at the window, framed in the sliver of moonlight peering through the small opening in the drapes. She’d rather be lying in his arms, sharing the same space and whispering in the darkness. Alex sighed again and rolled over onto her back. Many nights had been spent together either at her house or his. After La Rue had come into their lives the second time, Walker had kept her at the ranch for several nights. And another time when she was kidnapped by some mountain men. He brought her home with him that time, too. Through all the horrible nightmares he had been there to soothe them away. Lying with her, holding her in his arms, giving her something to focus on.

The one and only feeling of safety she had left in her life came from being with him. A small smile touched her lips. Those had been tough days, but like everything else in their life, they got through it together. With the same certainty that told her the sun would rise in the morning, Alex knew with all her heart that she and Walker belonged together. Without stopping to think about the wisdom of her actions, Alex scooted from the bed and went to stand behind him. She eased stood very close, not touching him but warmed by the heat from his bare skin. Walker sighed deeply and shifted, turning slightly toward her. Alex held her breath, waiting to see what he would do. He stretched one arm out and gently curved it around behind her, pressing her into his back. She smiled tentatively as he finally turned.

"What’s bothering you?"

"I can’t sleep. I’d rather you come lay down with me," she confessed. "Do you mind?"

"Mind? No. "Come on."

He guided her across the room and waited until she slid beneath the blankets before he got in behind her. His jeans scratched along the tender skin of her bare legs but she huddled close to him anyway, tucking her hands between them against his chest and his arms encircled her tightly.

"I was thinking about things. I’m tired but I can’t sleep. Can we talk for awhile?" she asked softly, hesitantly.

Walker picked up on that hesitancy. "Sure. Anything in particular?" he waited for her answer.

"Not really, I just..." she was quiet for a moment and he waited. "There are a lot of things but I don’t know how to say any of them. I can’t find the words," she confessed.

"What kind of things were you thinking about?"

"Old memories."

"About us?" he asked gently.

"I was remembering how many other nights you chased my nightmares away," she whispered.

Walker studied her intently. "You know I would do it over and over if I had to. A lot of those nightmares were because of me," he murmured, reminding her of what he said earlier.

"Oh, Walker, no. Is that what you think?" she demanded.

"You’ve been hurt more times than I can count because someone used you to get to me. How do you think that makes me feel?" he asked softly, his voice gruff.

"But you always save me," she stated with conviction.

"But what if I’m too late one of those times? I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you."

"Don’t torture yourself with what-ifs. We can’t control the future. I trust you with my life and I know you’ll always be there for me."

He smiled and reached out a hand to her cheek.

"Do you remember when you got shot at the wedding?" he asked.

Alex swallowed hard. She’d almost died then. "Yes."

It was after that in the hospital – after the men responsible were dealt with – when he asked her to marry him.

She nodded.

"I almost didn’t ask you. I was too worried about making sure you got better and not letting you out of my sight," he told her. "And trying to figure out exactly how I did feel," he murmured, closing his eyes on a sigh.

Alex eyed him curiously. "What do you mean?" Surely he couldn’t be leading to what she’d hoped for.

Walker’s eyes opened and he seared her with his gaze. "I’ve loved you since we that very first New Year’s Eve we had at C.D.’s when I kissed you. I don’t think I realized it until later and once I did, I kept it hidden. I was afraid you wouldn’t have the same feelings for me. Then while you were there in the hospital, I kept thinking about all the times before when someone used to to get to me…" his voice trailed off for an instant. "I almost backed away to protect you."

His words made Alex’s heart sing. "We were blind for a long time – keeping it hidden the way we did. I was never quite sure how you felt about me. Every time I got close it seemed you’d push me away again. But I wanted whatever made you happy, Walker," she answered softly.

"What makes me happy is you," he pointed out tenderly. "It’s always been you, Alex."

Alex shifted slightly and brought her hands up to frame his face, loving the feel of his beard. "Do you realize what we have together? We’ve been through more than most people ever go through we’ve always managed to make it through. Our track record should speak for itself," she stated calmly.

"I still worry sometimes about us. About you finding someone else that if safer," he admitted gruffly.

"Both of us have had our share of bad luck, Walker. But this train wreck has only served to remind me of all that we do have. Some people live their whole lives and never know what’s like to love or be loved. I’m willing to take whatever time we have together. And if something ever happens…" she paused and kissed him. "If anything ever happens I’ll have my beautiful memories."

Walker took one of her hands and pressed a tender kiss to her palm. "I will never be able to put aside how I feel about you."

Without another word, Walker had her in his embrace. His arms crossed around her back, tangling in her hair as he crushed her to his chest. Alex swallowed down her tears and clung tightly to him, her fingers digging into his muscled back. He jerked back suddenly, his eyes blazing down into hers. His hands gripped her face, framing it, forcing her gaze up to his. His hands tightened painfully around her face and Alex’s fingers came up to shackle his wrists, but she didn’t push him away.

"Walker...."

Walker cut her off. "You know I will never let you go. I know there are times I don’t give you any reason to believe that but it’s the truth. You are my whole world and I wouldn’t begin to know how to go on without you."

One single tear slipped down his cheek and Alex found she could only stare at him in wonder. This was a Walker she’d never, ever seen before. A man who felt things incredibly deep, he was never one to lose control of his emotions. The Indian in him wouldn’t allow it. It was a part of him she’d come to simply accept. Walker engulfed her in his embrace again and Alex held him tight.

"All I could think of in that wreck was getting back to you." His words were garbled from where his face was buried in her hair.

Slowly, Alex lifted he head. Cupping her hands around his gorgeous face, she forced his head up until their eyes met. "Do you know I feel closer to you right now than I ever have before? We’ve been through so much together." Alex felt tears gathering again but she forced them down, gathering her courage. "We’ve had so much time filled with laughter, pain, love. You’ve been my friend from the start, my hero, and the ray of light when only darkness filled my world. You’re the biggest part of what makes me whole."

Walker’s eyes were riveted on her beautiful face, her words penetrating clear to his soul. His grip tightened on her back, not letting her back more than a couple of inches from him.

Walker grasped her beneath the arms and hauled her up until she was on her knees straddling his lap. His hands splayed across her back, holding her close. He opened his mouth but no words came out. Smiling ruefully, he glanced upward before once again settling his eyes on her face.

"I love you, Alexandra."

For a moment, Alex couldn’t speak. She stared down into the dark eyes she loved so much. Reverently, she touched her fingers to his lips.

"I love you, too, Walker."

The most glorious smile she’d ever seen flared to life on his face.

Without a word, Walker folded her close. Alex hugged him with all her might, never wanting to let him go. Walker tugged on her hair until she lifted her head and Alex saw the desire flaring to life in his heavy-lidded gaze. Without waiting for him, she dropped her lips to his. Fire licked through Walker’s veins the instant he felt the silky touch of her mouth. Tunneling his hands into her blonde hair, her crushed her to him, consuming her mouth. Alex parted her lips and moaned softly when his tongue slid inside, darting to and fro to explore the moist interior. Her hands tightened around his head, pressing him closer. They lay there for several minutes, kissing, reveling in the love they were finally able to show. Groaning raggedly, Walker lifted his head and stared down into her flushed face. Eyes heavy-lidded with desire, Alex met his gaze.

"We’ll get through this," she promised. "Nothing’s ever stopped us before and it won’t now."

The End