Bright star

by HomeFiction

Summary:

TK Strand is a young firefighter and paramedic, recently out of an abusive relationship, emotionally broken and recovering from a relapse into methamphetamine addiction. He moves from New York to Austin, Texas, to be a paramedic at the fire station where his father is the captain. In Austin, TK will go through a true process of maturation, will meet friends and finally will meet the love of his life, the police officer Carlos Reyes.

Tarlos ♥️

Notes:

This fanfic was written at least 2 years ago.

Warning of physical, sexual and emotional violence.
(There may be sensitive and disturbing themes, which may generate triggers)

Otherwise, enjoy reading, sorry for the mistakes (I don't have a beta)

English is not my native language, there may be mistakes in the writing that I will fix later.

Chapter 1: Prologue

After a tiring 24-hour shift, all TK Strand, a firefighter at station 252 in New York, wanted was a hot shower, a tasty dinner, and to relax in the arms of a loving boyfriend. It wasn't asking for much after all.

He lived in a small, run-down building in New York, an expensive city, and that was all TK could afford with his firefighter's salary.

That night, as soon as he turned the key and opened the door to his house, the idea of ​​a tasty dinner fell apart. An unpleasant smell came from the kitchen that was connected to the living room. The sink was full of dirty dishes, and on the stove there were leftover pizza, leftover cheesecake, and pieces of a rancid-looking tuna sandwich.

TK made a disgusted expression. 24 hours was enough for his boyfriend to turn their apartment into a dumpster.

"Alex, I'm home," he said, walking around the living room, kicking some beer cans scattered across the floor.

“You took forever,” Alex said, coming from the bedroom.

“We had a call that took longer than expected, a hard day,” TK said, looking at Alex. “Why is the house in such a mess?”

“I called you all day,” Alex gets closer.

“I told you, it was a hard day.”

“Come here?” Alex whispered, getting even closer, showing the bulge in his groin that needed attention.

“Look, Alex, it wasn’t an easy day,” TK said, trying to get away from his boyfriend. “Have you been drinking?”

“Just a little, now come here,” Alex grabbed TK tightly.

“No, not like that!” TK dodged, trying to get away. Alex got aggressive when he drank, and that had been happening a lot lately.

“What’s wrong? The princess doesn’t want fuck today? What the hell, TK?”

“You always hurt me when you’re drunk. This is crazy what we’re going through!”

“I’m sick of you”, Alex yelled. “Sex is the only thing you know how to do right. Now come here and please your man!” Alex opened his own pants, his worn jeans fell down to his ankles along with his underwear, he was already excited.

But TK had gotten tired of it. At first he thought he loved Alex, but without explanation Alex became cold and distant, then became aggressive.

“I’m not going fuck with you”, TK refused.

“Bitch!” Alex growled.

“Damn it, Alex. I’ve had enough! You’re out of control, man. Look at you, look at this apartment, look at us!” TK yelled with teary eyes. Their relationship had gone through the roof, but TK still tried to keep things going, perhaps out of shame for admitting that he was in an abusive relationship and accepting being beaten by his boyfriend.

“I want sex, damn it!” Alex shouted, shoving TK in the chest, making the firefighter fall against the hallway wall, hitting his back with a thud.

“Stop it, Alex!”

“Your usual unbearable blah-blah-blah,” Alex said. “Now come here, let’s get that delicious mouth busy with something worthwhile.”

“You’re high! And don’t touch me. I’m not going to suck you!”

Alex didn’t like the answer. He got closer, a large hand gripped TK’s hair, dragging him hard to the floor. TK screamed in fright, falling to his knees, Alex pulled him by the hair, bringing TK’s head directly to his bare groin.

“You’re hurting me!” growled TK, trying to punch the man’s thighs, trying to scratch Alex’s black skin. It was all so absurdly pathetic. He was a trained firefighter, he should be able to defend himself.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the first time Alex had forced him. The humiliations started timidly, a curse when TK wore a transparent blouse to go to a party, a harder pull on his arm when a guy at a bar hired TK.

Verbal abuse evolved into physical abuse, and then came the beatings. First a slap when TK complained about the wet towel on the bed, a push out of jealousy, a punch in the eye because TK didn’t want to have sex one night, a punch in the mouth because TK didn’t want to suck him again, punches in the stomach when TK complained about Alex being drunk the other night, and then there was no longer any reason, time or place, it just happened.

TK's eyes filled with tears, his scalp was on fire, it felt like his hair was going to be ripped out in clumps from his head, the strong and rancid smell coming from Alex's groin turned his stomach. TK felt dirty and humiliated, he felt disgusting.

"Please, let me go!" TK begged. Humiliation and revolt exploded in his chest. His body trembled. He opened his mouth to beg, to scream, to cry, Alex took the opportunity to put his phallus deep inside him.

"Oh, what a delicious mouth!" Alex moaned, tightening his fingers in TK's hair, moving his hips back and forth, fucking his boyfriend's throat. But that night TK had had enough of this degradation. One of the times Alex moved back, TK took a breath and courage, driven by an instinct for survival and preservation, he clamped his teeth against Alex's glans.

The scream of pain echoed through the house, Alex slammed his fist into the side of TK's face, who fell to the side, panting, and Alex jumped ridiculously, supporting the injured organ with his hands.

"You damn son of a bitch! I'm going to kill you! Damn it! I'm going to beat the shit out of you!" Alex was going to attack TK, but was stopped when he came face to face with a knife pointed at his chest.

"Get out of here!" cried TK, gripping the handle of a kitchen knife with his trembling hands. He had managed to get up after the punch and armed himself with a steak knife, which was on the sink.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Alex wondered if TK would have the courage, TK was too desperate to rethink whether he was going to ruin his life because of that man. Finally, Alex backed away.

“You’ll pay for it,” Alex swore, pulling up his pants with a grimace of pain and limping away, looking like a duck every time his pants hurt his injured penis.

TK dropped the knife, it fell with a clang of steel against the ceramic, he slid to the floor in tears, afraid that Alex would come back, so afraid that this hell would start all over again. He was distraught, he couldn’t deal with all this alone anymore, he just needed the pain to go away… he needed relief.

Chapter 2: Emotional rollercoaster

Summary:

TK moves to Austin and is still very confused and emotional. Owen is very affectionate and understanding with him.

⚠️ emotional triggers, anxiety and depression

🌎 English is not my native language (I don't have a beta)

❤️ Thank you for reading

Notes:

Emotional hypersensitivity is common in people who have just had an extreme anxiety attack.

When TK didn't show up for work the next day or answer any calls, his captain, Captain Trent, an old friend of his father's, sent a team of paramedics to his home. He was found unconscious on the living room floor, his face in a pool of his own vomit. The paramedics were able to revive him in time.

 

After the overdose, TK lost his footing. His father lived in Texas, his mother traveled the world, completely committed to her work. In New York, he had no support system, and he no longer trusted himself to stay sober.

His father, Owen Strand, was an influential figure within the fire department. Owen was the man responsible for revamping Station 252 after the September 11 attacks. He had moved from New York to Austin, Texas, with the challenge of rebuilding Station 126, which had been closed after a tragedy that killed almost the entire firefighter team. In just under a year, he had made Station 126 a reference place, and his team was like a family. The 126 had become Owen's home, a safe haven, and so it seemed like the right place to shelter his son.

As a personal favor to an old friend, Captain Trent filed the case as an accidental opioid intoxication and not an overdose or suicide attempt.

TK had fallen into an opioid addiction as a teenager, but he was in recovery, having not relapsed in years. And it would be hard to explain how and where he had gotten his prescription drugs. If that ever came to light, he would be suspended, or even kicked out of the fire department. And TK really didn't need that extra pressure in his already fucked up life, so Owen asked TK's captain to omit the criminal facts from the record.

 

***

 

Suddenly everything was happening too fast. TK's transfer paperwork to Austin came through in two days. So all he had to do was pack his bags and go. It wasn't a planned move, but after everything that had happened, it was the best option, in fact, after Alex had reactivated all the triggers, TK felt like it was his only option.

“So, that’s it?” TK saw the envelope with the transfer paperwork on his 252 captain’s desk.

“Your transfer to Austin. Everything is ok, you can go now.”

TK sighed, “It’s scary not to have control over your own life.”

Captain Trent smiled warmly. He was Owen's friend and was trying to help. In cases like TK's, an addict in recovery, having a support system and family affection was the best solution.

“TK, this job demands everything from us. A firefighter needs to be 100%.”

TK smiled dejectedly, "Sir, you don't feel safe having an addict on your team and you're kicking me to the bottom of the world so my dad can deal with my shit."

“Look, kid, that’s it too,” Trent shrugged.

“Thanks for the honesty, Captain,” TK muttered sarcastically.

“You’ll be fine,” Trent assured. “And it’s okay to be scared. There’s a lot going on.”

“Would anyone judge me for freaking out?” TK sniffed. His eyes were watering, but he wasn’t going to cry. “I’ve been sober for the last few years. And I thought I had it all together, I thought Alex and I were going to get married, and then all of a sudden, the ship sank.”

“Don’t worry,” Trent gently squeezed TK’s shoulder, “you’ll be fine. I’ve known Owen long enough to know he’ll take care of everything. He’ll never let you drift.”

 

***

 

Saturday morning TK landed at ABIA, his stomach in knots with anxiety. He wasn't expected to arrive until Sunday night, and Owen had arranged to pick him up at the airport, but something about staring at the dirty walls of his old New York apartment for another day made TK want to resort to opioids. So he just handed the keys back to the landlord, grabbed his bags, and left.

His hands were shaking as he called the Uber.

He was uncomfortable about moving back in with his father, there was a bitter feeling of failure in the pit of his stomach. In addition to the shame that burned inside his chest because Owen knew all the humiliations Alex had put him through, worse, that he had allowed Alex to put him through.

The abuse had gone beyond all acceptable limits, he should have left that unhealthy relationship when it all started, he felt weak and pathetic for not having left before the first punch or before the first sexual violence.

Owen returned home Sunday night after his shift. He was going to pick TK up at the airport, but as soon as he opened the door, the boy was sitting in the living room.

“TK?” Owen was surprised.

“I moved the flight up,” TK whispered, shrugging.

“I see,” Owen said. “And was everything okay?”

“Sure.” TK shrugged, but his green eyes began to water.

“Really?” Owen raised an eyebrow.

“Really.” TK nodded.

“TK, son?” His father knew he was lying.

“I…” everything wasn’t okay. TK was scared to death of his new life.

Owen clicked his tongue in annoyance. Everything wasn’t okay, but it would be. He crossed the room, pulling his son into a long hug, feeling TK’s thin body tremble in his arms.

“I’m sorry, Dad.” TK finally released the emotion that had been pent up.

“It’s okay, Buddy. I’ve got you.”

“I let him break me, Dad. I’m broken.” TK sobbed.

“We’ll fix you,” the captain promised.

Owen felt his heart break. It wasn't supposed to be like this. It wasn't supposed to be some bastard hurting his beautiful boy. TK was supposed to be happy, he deserved to find someone who would protect and love him, he was such a sweet and caring boy.

The crisis was calming down. TK's sobs were becoming sniffles and then light sighs, his body stopped being possessed by those unpleasant jolts. Father and son were sitting on the floor, Owen with his back resting on the couch, TK cradled in his chest. The father's fingers played with TK's hair, it had been a long time since the two had a moment alone.

“Are you feeling better, kid?”

“I’ll be fine, sorry about that,” TK whispered and buried his face in his father’s chest.

“Don’t apologize. You’re going through a lot.” Owen said.

“I want to make this work, Dad.”

“It will work, TK.”

“I don’t know if I can.”

“You’re strong, kid. You’re a Strand!” Owen encouraged him.

“Will you be with me?”

“Always!” Owen promised.

Owen swore to himself that he would make up for all the years of absence. As he stroked TK’s hair, flashes of the past came to him.

The 12th birthday, when Owen didn’t show up for birthday wishes because he was stuck at work, and he didn’t even remember to call his son. He woke up the next morning to Gwyn at his door screaming and accusing him of breaking TK’s heart, the child refused to cut the cake saying his dad would still come, Owen never did. ‘He was waiting for you.’

There was a memory of Enzo, TK’s stepfather, telling Owen that every Saturday at baseball, when TK got a base and smiled at Enzo, he wanted to smile at Owen, but Owen was never there. ‘One day he’s going to get tired of waiting for you.’

Owen remembered another moment in the timeline, TK was already 15 years old, in a fight, Gwyn told him that she had watched him torture her son every day for the last few years. Every time he promised to come, and didn't show up, Gwyn saw the sparkle in TK's eyes fade a little, Owen was slowly killing the admiration that TK had for him, until the day that TK no longer waited for him.

Owen shook his head, clearing the painful memories. That was in the past now. With Owen suffering from lung cancer, with his son there needing his love and support, he wasn't going to dwell on the past. What mattered was that they were here now.

“Are you hungry?” Owen asked.

“I don’t think so.” TK whispered.

“But maybe we can use food as a love language.” Owen winked suggestively.

“You mean really greasy, tasty food?” TK perked up, his stomach growling. He hadn’t eaten anything substantial since he’d arrived.

“Well, I’d take out the really greasy part, but I guess I can get away with the diet. One night won’t kill me,” Owen joked.

“Yeah, just tonight.” TK smiled back.

“How about Chinese food? I know a great place, it’s not like the one your mom loves in New York, but it’s pretty good.”

Later, the table was covered in packages and bags. Owen and TK ate in a comfortable and welcoming silence.

They both felt like there was a lot to say, but not at that moment. Neither of them was ready or in the mood, there had already been too much emotion for today.

“It’s a beautiful house,” TK commented, more for small talk.

“You should see the space outside, and it costs a third of a studio apartment in New York.” Owen nodded, looking at the garden.

TK shrugged. “New York has an expensive cost of living.”

“Excited to start at 126?” Owen asked, changing the subject.

TK shrugged again, discreetly tugging at the sleeves of his sweatshirt, as if he were having a nervous tic. Owen couldn't help but notice that his son was doing this a lot, tugging at the sleeves of his sweatshirt, when he felt uncomfortable, perhaps some defense mechanism his mind had created against that bastard ex-boyfriend.

“I haven’t thought about it much yet.” TK picked at his food, not sure what to think about his first day at 126.

“You’re going to love it. Everyone will welcome you so well, we’re a family there,” TK could feel the excitement in Owen’s voice, his father’s eyes shining when he mentioned 126.

TK looked up at his father with green eyes. “A family?”

“You’ll like them,” Owen assured him.

“I hope so,” TK said.

“You’ll be fine,” Owen promised again. He kept repeating it, TK needed to hear it a lot before he believed it.

Owen understood that his son was very emotionally broken. TK was now immersed in the fear of starting over.

Anxiety was a terrible thing, it made one very fragile emotionally. TK was on a rollercoaster of feelings, this emotional seesaw characterized by alternating between moments of agitation, depression, frustration, sadness and impulsiveness.

It wouldn’t be an easy journey, there would still be good days and bad days, but they would get through it all.

A new silence settled over the table, but this one seemed denser.

“Son?”

“Hmm?”

“Regardless of the reasons you’re here, I’m glad you’re here. I know everything seems out of place, but things will work out. This house is your home, and 126 will be your family,” Owen said.

“I love you, Dad.”

“I love you too, kid.”

 

***

 

The first night in Austin at his father's house was very strange.

Owen's house was comfortable and well decorated. TK's room was large and minimalistically furnished, but Owen had assured him he could decorate it however he wanted. The bed was warm and soft, the sheets cozy and fragrant, but it was still difficult for TK to relax.

Flashes of New York lit up behind his eyelids every time he closed his eyes. Alex's angry expression, the aggressions, the insults, everything kept coming and going in his head every time he closed his eyes.

TK was so exhausted that he finally fell asleep, a worried sleep, the kind where you wake up every moment, with that strange feeling that you're falling out of bed, or that weird feeling of waking up without knowing where you are, but then he remembered Owen's hug, and then he was home.

He finally made it home and everything was going to be okay.

Chapter 3: The new paramedic

Summary:

This chapter is a linking chapter to introduce TK to 126 as a paramedic. (It can be a little boring, but it's important to build the story)

Owen asks Tommy Vega for help and tells him how he feels about the silence between him and TK (his son can't talk openly about everything he went through with Alex), but Owen knows about the abuse.

TK is a firefighter and paramedic, and he has wanted to transition into paramedics since the overdose.

In the next chapter, Carlos will arrive in TK's life.

Notes:

Thank you for everyone leaving kudos and comments, It makes me so happy that you are reading.

Monday, day 1 of the redemption journey, this is how TK described that day in the diary app, he had his first online therapy session, and the therapist recommended that he create the habit of writing down whatever seemed important and challenging to him.

Looking at his reflection in the mirror, he saw a shadow of the TK from before Alex. But enough lamenting, today was his first day at 126.

TK was nervous in a good way, like that excitement that children get on the first day of school after returning from school holidays.

Owen seemed more tense than his son. As he drove to 126, he moved his legs nervously and constantly switched stations on the radio.

“Dad, is everything okay?” TK asked as Owen changed the radio station for the tenth time.

"Of course." Owen gripped the steering wheel.

TK knew his father well enough to know when something was bothering him. “You seem a little tense, Dad.”

Owen pressed his lips together, drumming his fingers against the leather steering wheel, uncomfortable.

“What’s bothering you?” tried TK.

“Ok.” sighed Owen. “Don’t you think it would be better to talk? You know? About…”

“Dad, please! Not that!” TK cut in sharply.

“Son, this guy hurt you so much, are you just going to sweep the whole mess under the rug?” Owen insisted.

TK practically begged with teary eyes. “Dad, I don’t want to talk about him. Please? I just can’t do it right now.”

Owen looked at his son from the corner of his eye, and thought the boy looked like a scared rabbit. There was no way to pressure TK further, so the best thing to do was accept the silence, at least for now.

“Right. But, I'm here if you need me,” said Owen, returning his attention to the road, but there was another concern on his mind. He hadn't told TK everything about the transfer to Austin.

“Thank you,” TK nodded.

Owen changed the subject, determined to ruin the mood. "Nervous?"

TK shrugged, looking absentmindedly at the road ahead. “A mix of fear and excitement.”

“We're going to be fine,” Owen stated.

 

***

 

They arrived early, before their shift started. Owen parked in the space reserved for the captain, next to the space of the paramedic captain, Tommy Vega, her car was already there, he needed to talk to her before making TK's formal introduction.

As soon as he entered fire station 126, TK had a good impression. The place was beautiful and welcoming, he could recognize his father's sophisticated touch in every detail of the decor, from the Italian coffee machine to the pool tables and the bean bags in the break room.

A lively group was talking in the kitchen when he approached, even though he was a little nervous, TK was one of those people with vibrant energy who can bring everyone together around him, a bringer of people.

The first one to greet him was Marjan, a girl with big, bright dark eyes and a vibrant smile on her lips. “Are you TK, the captain’s son?

In New York, after Owen came to Austin, TK had the chance to disassociate his image as a firefighter from his father's image. He was proud to be Owen's son, but being the captain's son was a two-way street, there were advantages, but there was also the judgment of people doubting his ability as a firefighter. Apparently in Austin he would have to retrace his steps until he was no longer seen as the captain's son.

“It seems so,” TK smiled back.

“Handsome like his father. It’s the Strand genes,” Owen smiled playfully patting his son on the shoulder.

“I hope he’s less cocky than his father,” Marjan joked. “Welcome to 126. I'm Marjan and this is Paul, he cooks for everyone here. And when he's in a good mood, he prepares everyone's favorite dish.”

“I'm Paul. You eat carbs, right?” Paul hugged him warmly. “Don’t give me the captain’s crazy diets.”

Marjan smiled. “He means don’t be a quinoa lover, please.”

“I don’t like quinoa, it’s enough to have one strange person in the family,” TK had fun teasing his father.

“This boy is one of ours. By the way, I’m Nancy,” said one of the tallest women TK had ever met. “And unlike these guys here, I'm on the winning team,” Nancy turned away showing the name Paramedic on the uniform.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” TK said, the initial tension dissipating naturally. Everyone received him so warmly that it was as if he were meeting old friends.

Owen was right about 126 being a family, and maybe TK could find a place for himself in that family.

Owen smiled at his son's interaction with the team members and couldn't help but feel a surge of pride in his chest, they were wonderful people. Leaving TK in good hands, he went upstairs, he needed to talk to Vega.

 

***

 

“Tommy, we have to talk,” Owen plopped down in the chair in front of her desk.

“When you sit in that chair with that face, I worry,” Vega put aside the reports he was analyzing, staying at Captain Strand. “Is it about your son? Today is his first day at 126, right?”

“TK is downstairs with the guys and is excited for the first day.”

"Then?" Tommy raised an eyebrow.

“He thinks it’s his first day as a firefighter,” Owen explained.

“Owen, didn’t you tell him?”

“Let's just say I may have left out some important facts,” Strand shrugged.

“Your boy is already having to deal with so much, and you still leave out something so important? You should have told him the position was for a paramedic, Owen.”

“What exactly would I say? That I don't trust him enough to go back to being a frontline firefighter on my team and that I convinced an old friend to take him on as a paramedic at the firehouse where I'm captain so I can keep an eye on him?” Owen shrugged.

“It would be the truth, at least,” Vega echoed Owen's gesture, shrugging.

“The truth is sometimes a hard pill to swallow,” he sighed.

“Your son was evaluated and released by the medical department. Why wouldn’t you trust him enough to come back?” Tommy looked at him suspiciously. “Owen Strand, what are you not telling me?”

“The medical department doesn't know the whole story,” Owen said with a shrug.

“Owen, if this kid is going to be under my supervision, I need to know everything I'm dealing with here, because in God's name I'm not going to risk putting someone who isn't ready on my team.”

“It’s complicated, Tommy.”

“You will need to be clearer with me, Captain Strand. What's complicated?

“I asked a friend to omit some details from TK's official report, about that night he was found passed out in his apartment. It was recorded as accidental opioid poisoning,” explained Owen. “But, it was an overdose, TK did that to himself.”

“Are you saying TK tried to kill himself?” Vega's eyes widened in surprise.

“I don't know,” said Owen. “I called him as soon as he was able to talk and he said he wasn't trying anything that extreme, he was just trying to ease the pain.

“How long has he been using it?” Vega asked.

“I’m not sure when it started, in his teens maybe,” Owen said with a shrug. “He lived with his mother and we didn’t see it coming until it was too late.”

“I'm sorry, Owen. I can’t imagine what it’s like to see our children lose the battle to addiction.”

"I know. No parenting guide prepares us to deal with the shit of having a child with addiction.”

“But, your boy is strong.” Tommy encouraged.

“TK is a survivor, Tommy. He is a recovering addict.”

“Do you imagine what could have caused the relapse?”

“An abusive relationship,” Owen said. “TK fell in love with an idiot who activated all the triggers again. He doesn’t speak out, but I know things have reached the extreme point of physical and sexual violence.”

Owen and TK hadn't talked openly about Alex since the overdose, Owen was trying not to pressure, giving his son space and time to feel strong enough.

“Oh, God!” Vega sighed. No one deserved to go through something like that.

“I had access to his care record that night,” Owen said.

“Of course you would, you know everyone in New York. What did you learn?” Vega jutted forward curiously.

Owen also projected his torso forward, his expression serious and his voice almost a whisper. The subject was delicate and personal, and he was opening it up to Tommy only because she needed to know since she would be his son's captain.

“TK had marks of aggression spread across his body, there were remnants of skin under his nails, there was a knife on the kitchen floor, traces of semen were found on his clothes. Everything leads me to believe that the bastard attacked my son, tried to rape him, there was a struggle, TK grabbed the knife and managed to free himself,” deduced Owen.

“No wonder he relapsed. Wasn’t the guy arrested?” said Tommy angrily.

Owen shrugged. “Because of a lover's fight, where neither of them filed a complaint? This is common on New York nights.”

TK never talked about the abuse with anyone. After waking up from the overdose, in the hospital he had simply said that he and Alex had had a very difficult breakup and he was so desperate that he had to resort to opioid relief.

Tommy let out a sigh, she was assimilating the information. It was a lot to process.

“Did he talk to you about it?” Tommy asked.

Owen shook his head, lost in thought. “I tried, but he shut down.”

“He needs to vent about the abuse, it’s not good to bottle up so much pain,” observed the paramedic captain.

“I can't push the limits of a person who just went through a violent emotional crisis and almost died after a cardiac arrest caused by substance abuse.”

"You are right. A more careful approach is needed,” said Tommy. “But, given everything you told me, I don’t know if it’s a good idea to put this boy on the streets, where people’s lives will be in his hands.”

“Tommy, all I’m asking for is a chance for me and my son.” Owen's eyes were teary.

Vega was disarmed by the look he saw on Owen's face. Suddenly Captain Strand had become just a father fighting for his son and she thought about how her husband fought for his daughters.

“Owen, when I needed you most, you were there for me. I will be here for you.”

“Does that mean…”

“That TK is my new paramedic. This boy deserves a chance to be happy.”

“Thank you, Tommy, for helping me bring my son home,” Owen said figuratively.

“TK’s journey back home has just begun. And trust me, there will be good days and bad days. Nothing about recovering from an addiction like this is easy,” she said with a sweet smile.

 

***

 

“TK, this is Tommy Vega, our paramedic captain,” Owen introduced them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” she said. “It will be great to have you on my team.” Tommy informed.

“On your team?” TK looked at Owen questioningly.

“The vacancy is not for a firefighter, but a paramedic,” Tommy informed.

“I feel like I should have mentioned it at some point,” said Owen innocently.

“You should,” TK agreed, but he understood his father.

“I thought it fit, at least temporarily. After all, you have the necessary training and experience,” said Owen.

“Your resume is incredible. Your experience as a firefighter-paramedic is exactly what we need,” said Tommy.

Profiles like TK's, especially with experience in New York, were highly sought after in all EMS units.

And TK was relieved. Being under the supervision of someone other than your father would be less pressure on being “the coach’s son.” Plus, since being revived after the overdose, he had been thinking about requesting transfer to an EMS team.

He looked at Vega, then at his father, “I think it’s going to be a great experience.”

“Then officially welcome to 126. Paramedic TK Strand,” Vega said only.

Notes:

I wrote this fic about 2 years ago, I'm updating some things and I hope you like it.
Thanks for reading.

Chapter 4: Just a Bad Day

Summary:

-Carlos and TK finally meet
-Carlos is a Texas Ranger (I really liked the idea of him being part of an elite police force) following in his father's footsteps. Then he actually became one in the show.
-Detective McGregor is an idiot
-Owen neglected TK a bit in this chapter, but Owen is dealing with cancer stuff (which TK doesn't know about yet)

The first week at 126 flew by as TK settled into the paramedic team. Captain Vega was an incredible woman who was passionate about her job, and TK immediately felt a connection of admiration and respect for her.

 

Today's shift started off busy. Firefighters and paramedics went to attend to an accident involving two cars.

Judd was acting captain, as Owen was off duty.

After controlling the fire in the cars, the firefighters rescued the victim and turned him over to the care of paramedics. TK listened to the man's chest, reporting that his airway was clear, but the patient was tachycardic. Vega instructed Nancy to put the patient on O2 and notify West Park Hospital that they were on their way.

Nancy took the wheel of the ambulance while Tommy and TK tended to the patient, but something was wrong. The man was unresponsive to calls, although there were no apparent bruises. A concussion was ruled out, there was no head trauma, no lung damage, nothing to explain the man's lethargic state, which led Tommy to conclude that he had been in this state before the accident.

“Dialysis marks,” Tommy whispered, looking at the patient’s arm. Opening his shirt, they found a nasty, infected cut with rough burrs on the left side at the level of the kidney.

TK frowned. “What’s that?”

“Judging by these stitches, he’s had a kidney transplant. And he’s unconscious because he’s still under the anesthesia,” Tommy concluded.

 

When they arrived at the hospital, there was no emergency team waiting for them, which was odd, considering the severity of the case. Tommy left TK to take care of the patient's removal and went to find out why no one had come.

“Where's the trauma team?”

“The nurse asked us to wait. They're waiting for the doctor to get back from lunch,” Nancy said.

Tommy snorted. The man had only been transplanted a few hours ago, and for some inexplicable reason he had been released, and there was no one waiting in the emergency room?

“We’re not going to wait. Nancy, go get that doctor!” Tommy commanded and Nancy ran after the doctor.

 

As soon as Nancy disappeared through the door, Tommy heard an unexpected thud coming from the ambulance. The captain narrowed her eyes and slowly approached the vehicle. A feeling of apprehension took hold of her as she approached. She saw the IV bag used by the patient lying next to the ambulance, and an oxygen cylinder rolled across the floor. The scene she saw when she looked inside the ambulance froze her heart.

“TK!” Tommy yelled. The paramedic was slumped over in the ambulance, the stretcher empty. “TK! Hey!” Tommy called out again.

TK stirred with a pained groan. “He hit me,” he said dazedly.

“Are you okay?” Vega helped him sit up.

“I think so,” TK struggled to sit up.

Captain Vega scanned the parking lot with her eyes, there was no sign of the patient. He could be dangerous, someone with kidney failure could have aggressive behavior, in addition to running serious risks to their life due to organ rejection.

“He’s gone,” she said frustratedly.

TK looked down, feeling guilty. “I’m sorry, Cap.”

“It wasn’t your fault. Come on, you need to see a doctor,” Tommy felt bad about seeing his paramedic hurt. She should take care of TK and Nancy, they were her team and her responsibility.

“I’m fine, I just need a minute to… oh!” TK stood up, stopping talking as his head spun and a sharp pain exploded on the right side, behind his eye.

“You’re not okay,” Tommy said as she helped him out of the ambulance. “You need to be checked out.”

“I… I’m fine.”

“Cap, what happened?” Nancy appeared in the doorway.

TK shrugged, “Just me messing up.”

As they waited for medical attention, an FBI agent approached.

“Captain Tommy Vega? Detective Brian McGregor with the FBI,” he said, flashing his badge. “We’ve been called by the police about an incident with one of your patients, I need to ask you a few questions.”

Tommy and McGregor headed to an empty room where the detective asked them a few quick questions.

After taking Tommy’s statement, McGregor wanted to talk to TK. “Is that the injured paramedic? Did the guy under anesthesia do all this to him?” McGregor scoffed. Cynicism and indifference floating in his words.

TK seemed to drift in and out of reality. Sometimes he knew he was in the hospital with Tommy and Nancy, alternating with times he thought he was in New York with Alex.

McGregor sounded like Alex and TK felt ashamed for letting himself get hit like that. But what was new? It was only to be expected that he wouldn’t be able to defend himself against a weakened patient; he’d never been able to dodge Alex’s punches.

“I’m sorry,” TK muttered in his delirium.

“Stop apologizing. It wasn’t your fault,” the captain said fondly.

“It could have happened to anyone,” Nancy said with a shrug. She didn’t particularly believe she would have let a numb guy knock her out, but she didn’t voice that thought.

“But it happened to him,” McGregor commented. “How does an anesthetized patient knock out a paramedic?”

“It was my fault. I accepted it,” TK said deliriously. Now he was talking about Alex’s abuse.

“What do you mean you accepted it? You know this guy who beat you up?” McGregor narrowed his eyes. He knew TK was delirious, but he still needed to investigate all the possibilities.

“Alex. He hits me all the time.”

McGregor looked at Tommy. “Who’s Alex?”

“He hits me,” TK muttered. His eyes were unfocused.

“He’s got a concussion, he’s just delirious,” Tommy warned.

TK’s vision was blurry, his perception was fuzzy, he felt nauseous and his head ached, his chest tight with a feeling of drowning on dry land. He saw flashes, everything fuzzy and blurry. In his memories Alex stood over him with his fists raised.

TK remembered one of the first times he was hit by Alex, a slap for some silly reason. They entered a vicious spiral. Alex would get upset over something minor and react by slapping TK, they would fight, TK would refuse sex for a week, Alex would apologize, promise not to hit him anymore, they would make up, have crazy sex, be fine for a few days, and Alex would end up hitting him again.

Each time this cycle repeated itself, it got worse, until one night a random guy flirted with TK at a bar. Alex dragged TK home under insults and accusations. The fight got out of hand and ended with Alex slapping and punching TK.

Flashes came and went, like a cassette tape automatically rewinding a horror movie. TK drifted in and out of reality until the medicine the doctors had given him took effect and his body and mind were able to rest.

After the check-up, the doctors confirmed the moderate concussion, but TK would be kept under observation for the night. Tommy called Owen, but he couldn't come, it was the day of chemo, so she promised she would take care of TK.

Vega had just hung up with Owen when a man approached.

“Captain Vega?”

“Yes?” Vega turned to see a young ranger standing in front of him, wearing a white hat and cowboy boots.

“I’m Carlos Reyes, the Texas Rangers are taking over the case.”

“The Rangers? Is it that serious? I thought we would just have to find the guy who attacked my colleague and then we would understand the whole crazy thing with the kidney transplant,” Vega said.

“We have a hunch that we are dealing with something bigger than just an assault on a paramedic,” Reyes said. “No hospital in the area has performed a kidney transplant on someone with the characteristics of your patient.”

“So the problem is bigger, that’s why the Rangers are on the case,” she said.

The Rangers were investigating an organ trafficking ring. The fugitive patient had probably obtained the organ illegally.

 

***

 

TK opened his eyes, staring at the white ceiling of the hospital. Why? Ah, the transplant patient who attacked him. A feeling of shame slightly colored his cheeks.

“He’s waking up,” TK registered someone speaking next to him, but he didn’t recognize that deep voice.

TK slowly turned his head to catch a glimpse of the most handsome man he had ever seen standing next to his bed.

That guy looked like he had come out of a Western movie. He had dark skin, wore a white hat, and a light blue shirt that accentuated his broad chest and muscular arms, matching his navy blue polka dot tie. He wore two brown leather belts, which held his gun holsters. Completing the look were tight jeans that showed off his thick thighs, and finished off with cowboy-style buckled boots.

“Hey?” TK noticed the star badge on the handsome stranger’s left chest and wondered what he was doing there?

“How are you feeling?” Tommy was also in the room. She smiled when she saw him awake.

“I’m fine,” TK said simply, still without taking her eyes off the dark-haired man.

Tommy gave her a disbelieving smile, but it was sweet enough to be welcoming. “Sure? No pain?”

“No pain, just tired and a little nauseous,” TK admitted. “Can I go home now?”

“You’ll have to stay here tonight,” Tommy said.

TK scanned the room with his eyes, looking for Owen. His father was off duty today, so he must have been notified. “Where’s my father?”

“Busy with something at the barracks, he’ll be over as soon as he can,” Tommy felt bad for lying. She could see him wilt at his father’s absence.

TK’s fingers curled against the sheets, noticeably. He would have pulled up the sleeves of his sweatshirt if he had been wearing one at the moment.

“I want my dad.”

TK sounded so fragile that he sounded like a child, anyone could have judged him, but Tommy knew everything the boy was going through, and how emotionally distraught he was. Owen was his entire world now, the main pillar of his support system. The boy had moved to Austin because of his father, so it was only natural that he would want him there.

At that moment, the strange man in the room decided to intervene. “I’m glad you’re feeling okay, Mr. Strand. I need to ask you a few questions. This will be quick,” he said softly.

“This is Ranger Reyes, he’s the Texas Ranger in charge of our patient’s case,” Tommy introduced them, grateful that TK seemed amused by the officer.

“Was there another guy, Detective McGregor? I think that was it,” TK commented, even though he was delirious he remembered how intimidated he had felt by that man.

“The case was taken over by the Texas Rangers,” Reyes informed, taking off his hat and opening a genuine smile. Politely greeting TK.

“Oh!” TK looked at the man, he had beautiful, bright brown eyes.

Tommy touched TK’s arm gently. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

“Cap, call my father. Ask him to come as soon as he can,” TK shrugged in a show of vulnerability. She shook her head sadly and left the room.

Once they were alone, Reyes cleared his throat. “Mr. Strand?”

“TK, Strand is my father, I’m just TK.”

“TK,” Carlos repeated, testing the sound of that name. “Okay, TK. I need you to tell me everything you remember about the patient who attacked you.”

“He didn’t really mean to hurt me,” TK explained. “Kidney failure causes symptoms like mood swings, stress, mental confusion. I don’t think he’s a bad guy, he was just scared. I’m not going to press charges against him.”

“I’m not here because of a scared patient who attacked a paramedic,” Reyes was honest.

“Oh,” TK felt foolish, his cheeks starting to turn a soft pink. It was obvious no one would care about a mere paramedic, if not even his father had come.

“I’m afraid things are more complex,” the officer pulled up a chair, settling himself next to the bed.

“How complex?”

“Very complex. The transplant that Captain Vega and you identified in this patient was not performed in any hospital in the state of Texas. That’s why this case ended up on my desk.”

“Oh,” TK mentally slapped himself. Of course, this man was a Texas Ranger, they wouldn’t get involved if the matter wasn’t serious.

“We have evidence that leads us to believe that we’re dealing with an organ trafficking ring,” Carlos explained.

TK nodded. This case was big, his patient was just the tip of the iceberg.

He didn't remember much, just that he was waiting for the hospital emergency personnel when he saw the man move, and when he went to calm him down, he received the oxygen cylinder in his face.

“He didn’t say anything?”

“No.” TK shook his head.

“He just hit you with the cylinder? And then what?”

“I don’t know, I blacked out.”

Carlos shifted in his chair, leaning his torso closer to the bed. “TK, I talked to Detective McGregor when I took over the case, he mentioned that you said something about it being your fault, that you accepted the assault. What exactly does that mean?”

TK felt a surge of nervousness. His fingers kneaded the bed sheets. How was he going to explain that he was remembering abuse from an ex-boyfriend?

“Oh, that?”

“What exactly does that mean?” Carlos pressed.

TK wanted to run away. He looked at the door, his brain began to plot imaginary escape routes. Carlos followed his gaze, saw trembling hands clutching the sheets. TK’s slender body was tense.

“Just tell me,” Carlos said in a calm voice, appropriate for speaking to someone about to have an anxiety attack. TK looked like a scared rabbit.

“It’s nothing, I swear!”

“Who are you protecting?”

TK sighed in frustration. His pulse raced. “It’s nothing like that.”

“I need you to tell me everything you know. This case is very important,” Carlos said, carefully approaching the bed. His brown eyes made contact with the paramedic’s frightened green ones. “These organs are being removed against the will of innocent people and I can see in your eyes that you care about people. You’re a good person. I know that.”

“I have nothing else I can help.” TK looked at him suspiciously.

“Who’s Alex?”

“Alex?” At the mention of the name, a pair of thick tears ran down TK’s eyes.

“Who is he? McGregor mentioned that you mentioned an Alex in your ravings.”

“He’s my ex-boyfriend. We had a very difficult breakup.”

“Hmm.” Carlos nodded.

“Alex beat me up,” TK confessed.

“Oh.”

“I felt terrible when a debilitated patient beat me up. I felt weak and useless like I did when my ex-boyfriend beat me up.”

Carlos didn’t know what to say; no amount of training had equipped him to handle emotions as raw as the ones this kid was throwing at him.

“That event, coupled with the concussion, triggered his triggers,” Carlos summarized.

“I felt so vulnerable, the same way I felt when Alex beat me up. He only did it because I let him.”

TK started to cry. The relief of saying out loud that he was being beaten up was better than the humiliation he felt in admitting it. Strangely, he felt less judged for talking to a stranger.

Carlos felt for TK. He didn't want to get too intimate with someone like that, but he had to investigate all possibilities, it was part of the job.

“Look, I'm sorry for everything you've been through, but today you were very brave,” Carlos assured softly.

“I'm not brave, I'm a mess,” TK said softly.

“TK, listen,” Carlos said, holding TK's shaking, cold hands. “Bad days happen and today was just a bad day for you. Don't be so hard on yourself.”

“Lately it seems like every day has been bad,” TK sniffed. He didn't pull his hands away, in fact he enjoyed the touch, he was so needy, so in need of comfort.

“Do you know the worst day of your life?” Carlos said, in that sweet way and TK nodded.

There were so many bad days in his life. When Owen left home, when Owen didn't come to his 12th birthday, when his mother found him high in a drug shelter, all dirty and vomited, when Alex hurt him for the first time.

“On those bad days you must have thought it was the end, but it wasn’t. You’re here today. So wipe away those tears, today is just another bad day, but it’s not the end,” Carlos assured him with such strength and so much truth.

No one had ever said something so beautiful to TK before. He felt his eyes fill with tears. Carlos’ hands were big, firm and warm. TK believed in Carlos, it would pass, it was just a bad day.

Notes:

Carlos stepped out of the cop role a bit, but he can't help himself (TK has beautiful green eyes)

I hope you enjoyed it (I revised this chapter and tried to make it as short as possible)

Chapter 5: Judd gets a little brother

Summary:

Just a chapter showing a little suffering of TK, poor thing.

Judd had a schism with TK, something between distrust and jealousy, but after that night he became protective of the cute boy TK.

Sorry for the mistakes, English is not my first language.

Carlos Reyes left that hospital room when TK fell asleep. As soon as he left the room he let out a long sigh, he was tired.

TK Strand was so intense with his explosive emotional charge that the meeting between them was as if an emotional bomb had fallen right in Carlos' backyard and had blown up the entire previously established organization. Carlos felt that he had not conducted that interrogation in a professional way, he had let TK enter a place in his heart that was not reserved for a witness in a case.

“Ranger Reyes, I hope you got the answers you were looking for,” Tommy Vega, who was sitting outside TK’s room, walked over as soon as he saw the officer leave.

Carlos gently squeezed the brim of his hat in his hands and shrugged his massive shoulders in frustration. 

“He knows as much as you do, Captain. But at least we have a description of a potential kidney buyer.”

“It’s scary that something like this, a gang specializing in organ trafficking, is happening right here in Austin, so close to us. I mean, this is the kind of thing you only see in movies and crime shows, right?”

“You can bet some of us see things like this every day,” Carlos replied with a shrug. 

Vega’s cell phone rang and she excused herself with a gesture with her hands, indicating that she needed to answer it. Carlos nodded, moving away a little, trying to give the woman some privacy, however, out of habit he overheard the conversation.

“Oh, sure! I’m on my way,” Vega murmured, “tell her to wait for me so we can finish the story together.”

Carlos noticed how the captain’s voice had wavered between tension, guilt, and emotion, all with a hint of concern. “Problems?”

“One of my daughters, I have twins, is crying and the babysitter can’t stay overnight,” Vega explained. “Charlie, my husband, passed away less than a year ago and we’re still going through the process. There are good days and bad days, I guess today is one of the bad ones,” Vega sighed, smiling nervously. It seemed inappropriate to be telling this to a stranger, but she just needed to talk, and Reyes seemed like someone who would listen. “I’m sorry, I just dumped my emotional crap on you.”

Carlos shrugged again, it wasn't a big deal. He was used to people pouring out their frustrations to him, usually for advice, or like TK, because they were scared, or like Vega, just to vent. It was part of the job as a cop to listen to people, but it was part of who he was, to care about people.

“Okay, good days and bad days, right? Sometimes we just need to talk to someone,” said Carlos.

“Thank you, not everyone is willing to listen,” Vega said with a lighter expression.

Carlos sighed, he had to leave, there was nothing left to justify his presence in the hospital and he had a lot of work to do.

"What about him?" Carlos nodded towards TK's bed.

“Him?” Vega glanced at the entrance to TK’s room. What about TK? He would be alone because everything in life was a matter of priority, and she had Izzy and Evie as her top priorities. “He’s on medication, he’s being looked after by doctors and nurses. He’s going to be fine. Trust me when I tell you, this kid is a survivor.”

“His dad’s not coming, is he?”

“He’s not coming,” Tommy said.

“Don’t they have a good relationship?”

“It’s not that, it’s just… complicated,” Vega wasn’t allowed to talk about something so intimate. Something Owen hadn’t told TK, because the boy, according to Owen’s words, already had enough to deal with. “Owen’s just going through a really big thing, but they’re going to be okay.”

Carlos nodded. It wasn’t his place to judge, he didn’t know the details, and he didn’t even know why he cared, but he did. “Well, I should be going now. I have paperwork to go over,” he nodded politely. “Captain Vega, it was a pleasure meeting you and thank you for your cooperation.”

“Of course, Ranger Reyes, it was my pleasure,” Vega watched him until he turned the corner and disappeared from view. For some reason she thought he would come back, again and again.

 

***

 

The room was silent when TK woke up again, only the soft beeps of the machines could be heard. He identified the distinctive smell of ether, reminding him that he was in the hospital because of the concussion, the transplant patient, the steel cylinder on his face, below his right eye, automatically he raised his fingers to experimentally touch his aching face.

The image of expressive dark brown eyes came to his mind, those eyes were like a starry night, Carlos.

“Carlos,” TK whispered, testing the name on his lips. But what right did he have to dream about that gorgeous man? The guy was a ranger, maybe he was even taken. He would never be interested in someone like him.

“Look at you, you're broken,” TK muttered, entering that exhausting spiral of depression and anxiety and self-deprecating feelings, before when this happened his defense mechanism was opioids, then it was work, then the relationship with Alex, but now he had nothing, he was adrift, drowning in his own emotions with nowhere to hold on to emerge.

His mind was jumbled, everything was jumbled, mixing flashes of Alex, his father, and Carlos. He remembered Alex saying after a painful fuck, “You’re a broken toy and nobody wants a broken toy,” but he was in therapy, he was working at 126, he was trying to fix himself, he tried every day, 24/7. “Just a bad day,” he remembered Carlos’s comforting words.

“Hey?” Judd poked his head into the room.

“Hey!” TK smiled, thank God someone had come.

Judd smiled, studying TK for a long time. “Why did you look like you were freaking out?”

“Because I was freaking out,” TK shrugged. “Thanks for coming.”

Judd nodded as he walked in, showing off a small, beige, stuffed lion with a red mane, awkwardly wrapped in clear cellophane. “The others were worried, they all sent their regards and this,” the firefighter said awkwardly. “Well, I picked it out at the little gift shop here at the hospital reception, but Nancy and Marjan said to get something cute with soft eyes, but that represented something brave,” he shrugged.

“It’s cute. Thanks,” TK smiled gratefully. 

“He’s cute.” Judd agreed.

“What about my dad?”

Judd placed the stuffed animal on the dresser next to the monitors, the muscles in his broad back seeming to tense slightly at the question. Turning, he dragged one of the chairs over to the bed and sat down, looking at his colleague with a look that mixed compassion and frustration. They sat in silence, Judd really didn't know what to say.

“The captain had some business to attend to,” Judd said, which was only half true. “Knowing your father as I do, he’ll do anything to get here as soon as possible.”

TK nodded, looking at the stuffed lion instead of Judd. “Everyone in 126 seems to know him better than I do.”

Judd grumbled, shrugging, his lips twitching, not knowing how to respond. He and TK weren't close, TK was just Owen's son. He wasn't crazy about the boy, he thought TK had privileges for being the captain's son.

It was Vega and his wife, Grace, who sent him to stay with TK, since Owen was struggling with the reactions of chemotherapy and Vega had to stay with the daughters, and TK had no one else at the moment.

“Okay, let’s go!” Judd finally shifted in his chair, his right leg shaking with anxiety. “I just got off a shitty shift, I had to fill out some fucking paperwork because I was the captain’s job, I wanted to go home to my wife and daughter, but I came here,” he paused to take a deep breath. His face was flushed, his voice rising, “I bought that stupid lion. I spent half an hour in that store driving the saleswoman crazy, making her show me every stuffed animal because it couldn’t be just any stuffed animal, it had to be something special, and now you think I want to hear complaints from some spoiled little kid from New York?”

TK lowered his head in shame. His cheeks were turning pink, and his eyes were watering. Judd was sacrificing so much to be there, he had no obligation to be there, but he was. “I’m so sorry.”

Judd's lips twisted in regret, TK looked more vulnerable than the stuffed animal on the dresser. "Look, I'm not your dad, but he can't come, but I'm here. In 126 we're family, no one's ever alone, no one's ever left behind, you're not alone anymore, man."

It was so much more than TK needed at this point. In therapy, he was learning about baby steps, learning to take from people what people gave him. Sometimes it was something small compared to his expectations, but sometimes it was all they could give. Judd wasn’t Owen, Judd wasn’t even someone important to TK, but Judd was a husband and a father, and he was leaving the people he loved to be with TK in this moment. It was a lot.

TK sniffed softly, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. Judd thought he looked so small, yet so big at the same time. Judd didn't know the details, but he knew that TK was facing huge ghosts.

“Thank you,” TK said sincerely.

Judd drummed his fingers against his thighs and smiled awkwardly. He and TK didn't have much to talk about, he was a Texas guy, TK was a big city boy. 

They weren't going to talk much anyway, because suddenly TK made a strange expression, his head spun, he went pale instantly, all the color draining from his face, leaving the purple under his right eye accentuated.

"I'm going to throw up!"

“How?”

“I’m going to throw up!” TK repeated more urgently.

Judd was quick enough to grab the vomit bucket next to the bed and hand it to TK, who grabbed it as if his life depended on it. He gripped the bucket with shaking hands, squeezing it so hard that his knuckles turned white. He doubled over and vomited into the bucket with loud gagging, his eyes watering and his churning stomach bubbling with bile burning in his throat.

“God, I’m going to die!” TK whimpered between one choking and the next, and he vomited again.

When everything calmed down, TK let himself fall against the back of the bed, completely exhausted. Tears were streaking his face, he was sweaty, trembling and exhausted. His eyes closed slightly and then he began to cry softly, evolving into small sobs, then his body shaking with each sob.

“Hey, man. You okay?” Judd approached, worried, taking the bucket from TK’s hands. 

“No.”

“What are you feeling?”

“Nausea, headache, everything’s spinning, and I can’t stand to throw up anymore and… I peed myself,” said TK, his face is burning with shame.

“Oh, man!” Judd smelled a strong odor of urine rising in the air.

“I want my dad.” TK was a pitiful mess.

Judd couldn’t help but feel sorry for him, TK sounded like a child, almost like his younger brothers when they had colds. “I’ll call the doctor. And we’ll get you cleaned up. You’ll be fine.”

Judd watched quietly as the nurses helped TK clean himself up. They changed the sheets and discarded the vomit bucket, bringing in a clean one. Then the doctor on duty examined TK. She gently felt the swelling below his right eye, causing TK to flinch slightly and try to pull away. She checked the intensity of the pain, examined his pupils with a small flashlight, and instructed the nurse on new medication for headache and nausea. Judd noticed when she talked about avoiding any opioid-based medications.

“He had an anxiety attack that was made worse by the concussion,” the doctor explained, looking at Judd. “He’s been cleaned up and medicated. His condition is generally good. I’ll be back in the next hour to check on him again, but if he complains of anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

Judd nodded in understanding. TK was now asleep, his chest rising and falling gently, it didn't even look like he had just had an anxiety attack. He sat in the companion chair and tried to relax, the night would be long.

TK had a rough night. The doctor came to check on him every hour, waking him up, asking questions, checking his temperature, heart rate and medication.

Judd sat there all night, dozing here and there. Worried about his colleague.Eventually the day dawned, they had gotten through that terrible night.

Notes:

Thank you for reading! Thank you to everyone who is encouraging.

Some symptoms of the concussion, which can include headache, mental confusion, loss of motor coordination, memory loss, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, ringing in the ears, drowsiness and fatigue… all of this associated with the anxiety disorder made TK more fragile and vulnerable, but he will be fine.

Chapter 6: Case solved, love found

Summary:

-TK finally finds out about Owen's cancer (in the same silly way as in the show)

-Owen is kind of a jerk to TK in this chapter, but he's going through a lot with Cancer, but TK is sweet to him, and they get along fine.

-Carlos and TK meet again and there is super chemistry between them.

Notes:

In 911 - Lone Star, one of the things that I always found strange were firefighters, paramedics, telephone operators and ordinary civilians, investigating, gathering evidence and solving extreme cases, which even the FBI could not (it happened a lot with Owen, but I thought it was unusual)

In the Show, this case was solved by the FBI, Grace and Carlos, but in this fanfic, it was up to Carlos, Texas Rangers.

TK was released the next morning with a doctor's recommendation to rest for 2 days.

Judd had been a good friend, staying all night at the hospital, dozing awkwardly in the armchair next to TK's bed, waiting for TK to be discharged, taking him home, and standing by in case TK or his father needed help.

TK closed Judd's car door, leaning into the passenger window to thank him once again before heading into the house. "Thanks."

“If you or the captain need it, don't hesitate to call,” said Judd.

TK nodded his thanks, but before he turned and walked to the house, he ducked into the passenger window once again and pouted. “Won’t you tell the people at 126 about me pissing my pants?” Judd just nodded in amusement.

The house was quiet when TK entered. “Dad, I’m home!” He had no answers.

TK found Owen sleeping curled up in the covers. Something was so out of place. Owen would never miss work, or skip seeing TK at the hospital to stay home and sleep, unless he was very sick. And thinking about the way Vega and Judd were acting worried, they knew. TK wondered how many more people his father had told, how many people before him?

He approached silently, and carefully arranged the covers around Owen's shoulders. He was immensely worried about his father. So, following his paramedic instinct TK searched Owen's bathroom, on the counter there was a bottle of anti-nausea medicine for chemotherapy patients. It explained everything, the cough, the lack of appetite, the tiredness and fatigue.

TK felt a mix of emotions, tears filled his eyes. There was fear of losing his father, frustration at his father not letting him participate in such a delicate moment, anger at himself for not realizing something so serious. Frustration got the better of TK, Owen should have said. They were going to fight this battle together. Suddenly TK's mind came up with a thought: “He didn't tell me because I'm an emotional mess. He knew I would freak out when I found out and it would be one more thing for him to deal with. I am a nuisance to him.”

He was physically and mentally exhausted now. Reason and emotion fighting a duel inside him. The rational part told him to breathe and focus on his father's health, the emotional part trying to drag him down to the bottom. TK went back to his own room, maybe it would be better to just rest and get his thoughts together, once his mind was relaxed, he would find a way to balance this emotional seesaw and support his father. Fatigue took over TK's body weighing down his eyelids and he fell into a deep sleep.

 

***

 

Later when Owen woke up, he felt relieved to see Judd's messages about leaving TK at home and that he was okay. Owen got up going to his son's room, his heart was calm when he saw him sleeping. It was the place every parent wanted to see their children, safe in their warm beds.

Owen slipped into his son's room with the intention of repeating the affection that TK had given him hours earlier, arranging his covers, but a sudden movement indicated that TK was not sleeping.

“When were you going to tell me about the cancer?”

Owen pressed his lips together. It was time to have that conversation, “Did Judd tell you?”

“It wasn’t Judd.”

“Who was it?”

TK didn't understand the importance of how he found out, the fact was because his father hadn't told him.

“You left the chemotherapy patient’s anti-nausea medicine in the bathroom.”

Owen nodded, there was no escape. “I was diagnosed with lung cancer before I left New York.”

TK shook his head slightly in denial, “And you didn’t tell me.”

“When exactly would I do this? Back then your life was just Alex,” Owen realized was the wrong thing to say as soon as the words left his mouth. He didn't want to hurt his son; they were both too tired to waste energy on fighting.

TK closed his eyes as if he had been punched in the stomach. He deserved it, his father didn't lie. He had wasted a lot of time in his life regretting, taking drugs and loving the wrong person too much, but he was no longer the same TK who left New York.

“I would have prioritized you,” said the boy with watery eyes. “I would give my life for you, father. My whole life I've waited for you to need me, and I'd be there ready to help.”

“I wasn't there for you,” Owen murmured. That wasn't exactly what he wanted to say, he just wanted to hug TK without blaming himself for any kind of pain he may have caused by abandoning him. He was doing it all wrong again.

It was TK who brought maturity to the conversation. He didn't come to Austin from New York to accuse his father of past mistakes, he came to save himself. He is no longer a boy, and he no longer needed opioids to numb his emotions, he was learning to deal with them.

“Dad, what matters is that we are here now, for each other.”

The way his son's green eyes glistened with tears disarmed Owen. He needed TK, and TK was there, that's what mattered.

“I was going to tell you, but I was scared,” Owen admitted.

“Were you afraid I would freak out and be more of a problem for you?”

“Listen, son,” Owen approached, “you’re not a problem, you never were and you never will be. I didn’t tell you because I’m weak.”

“You are the strongest man I know,” the tears that filled TK's eyes rolled down his face, one by one, he wiped them away with the back of his hands.

“I knew that when I told you and saw the pain in your eyes, I would know for sure that this cancer is real and it is something too big, even for me. I was trying to get away from it.”

“No leaks and no lies. From now on we will no longer hide anything from each other. You can count on me. Let’s get into this fight together, dad.”

Tears ran down Owen's face. His heart was full of pride and affection. At that moment he knew that the decision to bring TK to Austin was the right one. They would be fine.

“Two Strands together are unbeatable,” Owen sniffed and pulled TK into a tight hug. Father and son cried promising that one would never give up on the other.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, Ranger Reyes was focusing on the organ trafficking case. Things started to unravel when a woman named Lexi Briggs contacted 911 asking for help. She had just woken up in a bathtub full of ice in a roadside hotel with a badly sutured and infected cut on her side, rescued by paramedics and taken to the hospital, it was discovered that they had performed clandestine surgery and that they had removed one of her kidneys.

It was the clue the ranger needed. Carlos returned to West Park hospital. Lexi was weakened by a serious blood infection, but she still managed to say the last thing she remembered before waking up in the hotel room, in the bathtub full of ice. She reported that she met a guy named Mike through Bash, a dating app. This guy, Mike, said that his job required him to travel a lot, and he was just going to be in Austin for a few hours, so he suggested that they meet at a bar near the airport.

From this testimony Carlos arrived at two lines of investigation, one where Lexi was suspected of selling her own kidney to an illegal transplant mafia, and the other where she was a victim, having been lured and had her kidney stolen.

The FBI's preliminary investigation, before the rangers took over the case, was restricted to the first option, as there was no history of conversations on the Bash app between Lexi and any profile called Mike. Lexi also couldn't say which bar she met the guy at, only that it was close to the airport, and there were hundreds of bars close to the airport. Eventually the police had found an envelope with $1,500 in the hotel room where Lexi was found. Everything led to the belief that she had sold her own organ, but this line of investigation went against her testimony.

A second line of investigation based on the girl's testimony was more promising. Unfortunately, Lexi did not resist the infection and died one day after being interrogated by Carlos, and he swore that he would honor her by solving the case.

Carlos clung to the hypothesis that Lexi was the victim tooth and nail, for a few reasons: Lexi was truly scared when she called 911, Carlos had listened to the recording of the service many times, in addition, it was not smart to sell an organ and call the emergency service right after. Lexi was a black girl from a dysfunctional family and alone in Austin, which made her susceptible to scams on dating apps, without friends and family around to question or advise about the risks of a blind date with a stranger, finally, because no one would sell a kidney for just $1,500.

The next step in the investigation was to access emergency service data and police reports of similar attacks in recent years, all of the victims were black women like Lexi, attracted by dating apps, drugged and operated on.

Carlos realized that there was a modus operandi there, but he was too tired to be able to connect all the threads of that romance. How to connect both ends, donor and receiver?

So, he presented his investigation to Ranger Campbell, an elaborate and smug but efficient guy who sat at the table across from him; they had already solved a couple of cases together.

"What do you think?"

Campbell was relaxed at his workstation, his back resting against the back of the chair, his feet in shiny leather cowboy style boots were resting comfortably on the desk, he clicked his tongue and raised his eyebrows.

“There is a pattern here. You have a description of the guy who attacked the paramedic, don't you? Have you ever thought about looking on the kidney transplant waiting list? So, you can check with the paramedic if he recognizes any of these guys.”

“That's a good guess,” Carlos nodded.

 

***

 

TK was back to work at 126 in 2 days. He just felt tired, but according to the doctors, his recovery was as expected. Upon returning to work, he received affection from his colleagues, and even some teasing because he fainted after being hit by an anesthetized patient.

“How did a nearly dead patient manage to knock you out?” Mateo implicated.

“The guy caught me by surprise, okay? And he hit me with a steel cylinder. That counts something in my favor,” TK defended himself with a shrug.

“At least now we know TK is a head-strong, he dented the cylinder,” Nancy smiled.

“Leave him alone, he’s a tough guy. I saw what he went through in the hospital that night, the guy is angry!” Judd defended him.

“What did he go through?” Marjan raised a curious eyebrow.

Judd was about to open his mouth to respond, but TK cut him off urgently. “Nothing, just nausea and normal concussion symptoms.”

TK knew they would find out about him urinating on his clothes if they continued questioning, Judd wasn't good at hiding things. He was saved by the bell, the arrival of Ranger Reyes made everyone's heads turn expectantly.

Carlos was standing at the entrance, he was always an impressive figure with his cowboy clothes tight to the body in a way that perfectly highlighted his muscles, his white hat, his two belts and buckles and everything else that a Texas Ranger wore that made them living characters from a western movie.

"Hey?" TK felt frantic excitement and inexplicable happiness at seeing the man he thought he would never see again. His green eyes were shining and he smiled like a fool.

"Hey." Carlos smiled back; it seemed like there was no one else in the place besides the two of them.

“Ranger,” Judd greeted him with a suspicious nod, “can we help you with anything?”

As soon as he heard Judd's voice, Carlos shook his head slightly as if clearing his mind. Remembering what he came to do at 126 he turned to TK. “I need to talk to you.”

“Oh.” Nancy sucked in air poking TK's arm.

Everyone was looking at him strangely, Carlos felt he needed to anticipate some explanation. “About the case,” he said pointing to his right eye.

TK closed his mouth and, coming out of his stupor, he waved his hand at the ranger to follow him. "Of course. Come with me.”

Once the two walked up the stairs, Mateo jumped up excitedly. “Was it a Texas Ranger?”

“A Texas Rangers scratching around in our yard,” grumbled Marjan suspiciously, the way Carlos and TK looked at each other was almost unprofessional.

“A real Texas ranger! Wow! The guy looks like a comic book hero!” Mateo exclaimed.

Paul narrowed his eyes, “Did anyone else notice that they were in their own little world?”

Judd shrugged. “The guy must be hot on the heels of the patient who attacked TK. Vega commented that the case had passed into the hands of the Rangers. They are treating it as a possible organ trafficking ring.”

“At times like these I wish I had taken that cylinder in the eye,” said Nancy jokingly.

“Uh-huh,” Paul shook his head, “totally gay.”

“TK is lucky,” Marjan shrugged.

“The guy is a Texas Ranger, if he came here, it's about the case, these guys don't tend to lose focus on the job,” Judd surmised.

Nancy, who was the sassiest and least filtered of the group, smiled. “To me he seemed pretty focused on TK’s ass.”

“I don’t understand… Is the Texas Ranger interested in TK?” Mateo said confused.

Judd decided to put an end to the gossip. TK didn't need to have his personal life exposed like this. He shooed everyone back to their activities. “Okay, let's focus on something. Mateo, have you cleaned the bathroom yet?”

“Hey, why always me?” Mateo rolled his eyes.

“Because you’re the intern!” Everyone spoke in unison playfully.

 

 

Upstairs, TK led them to the break room, which was empty.

“Are you ok?” Carlos asked pointing to the eye.

"Yes. Ready for another one.”

“I hope no other patient hits you with an oxygen cylinder,” smiled Carlos.

“You better not,” TK felt silly and anxious.

Carlos was also anxious; he wanted to know more about TK. How TK was dealing with his feelings, whether today was a good day or a bad day, whether he was currently dating, whether he would be willing to go out for a drink one of these days, then Carlos was just rambling about the hot paramedic in front of him.

TK cleared his throat, catching Carlos' attention. "Then?"

"Hey?" Carlos blinked

“You seem distant,” TK said with a soft smile.

“Oh.” Carlos squinted his eyes, focus, focus.

“You said you wanted to talk about the case,” TK said curiously.

“Yes,” Carlos took out his cell phone, opening the file of photos of men on the kidney transplant waiting list. “Do you recognize any of these men as the patient who hit you?”

TK approached the ranger inhaling the musky fragrance of Carlos' aftershave, the mere proximity made his body tremble with excitement. Carlos exuded a virility that left TK weak in the knees. He closed his eyes slightly imagining what it would feel like to have those muscular arms around his body.

“TK? Are you with me?” Carlos asked softly when he noticed that it was now the paramedic's turn to appear distant.

“Of course,” said TK with goosebumps, they were so close, their eyes met for a brief moment until TK decided that he needed to focus on the photos since the situation was getting too strange. Carlos was there for the case, not for him. Then he paid attention to the photos that the ranger was scrolling across his cell phone screen.

"No. No. Not that one,” TK was saying with each photo until his eyes widened, it was him. It was the guy. Holding tight to Carlos' wrist, TK warned. “It's him. That’s the guy!”

 

***

 

From then on, the case unfolded almost automatically. The Rangers arrived at Clint Harry's house, the transplant patient, the man was in an advanced state of sepsis, but the paramedics managed to revive him. After undergoing surgery and being out of risk, Mr. Harrys ended up revealing the names and the place where he underwent the illegal transplant, which was a dental office used as a front.

In a major operation, the Rangers caught the entire medical team red-handed while they were preparing for a new transplant. From then on, one by one, the entire gang betrayed each other and the entire scheme was ruined.

As soon as the case was finalized, Chief Bridges, in command of the Texas Rangers, gave an interview to the main media networks explaining the resolution of the case, plus one for the Texas Rangers' account.

Carlos couldn't be happier, he followed his instincts, his late father considered this his best quality as a police officer.

He thought about TK, without that paramedic none of this would have been possible. Carlos remembered the electricity that spread through his body when TK touched his wrist in the break room of 126. He took out his cell phone, scrolling through the contacts until the name “TK Paramedic from 126” – he had saved the contact because he needed some more information – for a moment he imagined himself calling TK, asking him to have a drink and TK accepting, his heart raced in foolish happiness and he opened a big smile, but what then? Where would they end up if Carlos had the courage to make the invitation and TK accepted?

Better to leave things as they were. Carlos already had a lot to worry about. He marked the contact, clicked on delete, then on confirm, it's better this way, he already had enough problems, he threw his cell phone in the corner of the sofa repeating to himself that it was better this way.

Notes:

I know that Carlos should have taken courage and asked TK to go out on a date, but Carlos was insecure and afraid of being happy. But, they will meet again, I promise!

Thanks for reading.
Thank you to everyone commenting and leaving kudos, it's really cute.

Chapter 7: Relief is not happiness

Summary:

-TK and Carlos meet again. This time Carlos sees TK working as a paramedic and is enchanted by the strong man who lives by saving lives

-A little about Carlos' family

-Gabriel has already been murdered and they are trying to move on (a shame, he shouldn't have died)

-Andrea gives Carlos advice

It was a quiet Saturday at 126. The medical team's shift was especially calm, they had a call in the early morning, a lady with severe chest pain, stabilized and taken to the hospital. And early in the morning a cyclist with a broken leg after a fall.

 

At 126 years old, TK was startled when he opened the locker's door and an XL package of adult diapers fell to the floor. He rolled his eyes wondering how old the guys in 126 were.

Stomping hard, TK burst into the kitchen with a bag of diapers in his hands. “Who was the funny one?”

“We thought you might need it,” Mateo said with a smirk.

“Judd!?” TK turned to his friend who had just entered the kitchen.

“Sorry, man. It wasn't my fault. Paul has foolproof investigative techniques,” Judd shrugged apologetically.

A small burst of laughter filled the kitchen as TK mumbled something about insensitive friends, his cheeks and ears turning a funny pink color. However, he was saved from greater embarrassment when the sound signal rang, summoning the team of paramedics to assist a man aged approximately 45 who was choking.

 

***

 

Carlos Reyes' family was of Hispanic descent, they were cheerful and noisy. They had a big blow with the violent death of Carlos' father, Gabriel Reyes, captain of the Texas Rangers, murdered in the living room door with a gunshot to the chest.

It was only after his father's death that Carlos joined the Rangers, approximately a year ago. He was previously a police officer in Austin. Carlos always had a gift for being an investigator, but the tragedy needed to happen for him to accept the invitation.

Gabriel was investigating something secret when he was murdered, the killer had not been found, and Carlos believed that being within the Rangers, he would have access to more information that would lead him to the killer, a year later he had no clue.

During the last 6 months Carlos had been balancing the cases assigned to him with the personal investigations of his father's case, which he just called the case, but the more he tried to connect the facts, the less sense it all made, maybe it was like Chief Bridges said, his father, over 30 years as a ranger, had collected enemies. He had sent hundreds of dangerous criminals to jail; his killer could be any one of them. Carlos felt that he was starting to get used to this doubt, after all, whether or not he discovered who murdered Gabriel, eventually his life would have to go on.

This Saturday, at the Reyes ranch, a family lunch was taking place, they were trying to get back to their family routine and there was a brother of Andrea, Carlos' mother, visiting them.

Carlos sat with a glass of margarita in his hands and observed the family, they seemed happy, despite Gabriel's absence they seemed happy. His brothers-in-law were talking to his uncle about their work, his nephews were running in the backyard on tag, and his mother and sisters were preparing lunch while laughing distractedly at some gossip about an aunt. Carlos and his family were clearly on different pages. They had decided to move on, while Carlos was stuck in that painful loop of resentment over his father's death.

Andrea repaired her son alone. Approaching, she squeezed the boy's shoulder affectionately, "Didn't you touch your margarita, Mi amor?"

“No desire,” he said, looking at the glass in his hands.

“Your thoughts are far away, would you mind saying where exactly?”

“Nowhere important,” he shrugged. “I’m just thoughtful.”

“Family lunches are for talking about your relatives’ lives, not for thinking about it, hijo.”

Carlos looked at his sisters, busy laughing, and wondered how they did that? “How do you do it?”

Andreia narrowed her eyes in uncertainty. “We got what?”

Carlos adjusted himself in the chair, he didn't want to take out his frustrations on his mother or sisters, but he felt like he needed to talk to someone.

“This,” he waved his hands, pointing at himself and the noisy children playing in the yard and the sisters gossiping excitedly, “looks like it used to, but it's different, nothing is like it was before.”

“This right here,” said Andrea. “This is us trying to pick up the pieces and move on, baby.”

“It seems so unreal,” he shrugged.

Andrea smiled sadly. “Do you think we are pretending?”

“I…” he stalled, pretending was a strong word to describe, when he knew everyone was suffering, they were just trying to get their lives back on track.

“Carlitos, things are as they are. No matter how unfair, outrageous, or painful a situation may be, sometimes there is little we can do but move on.”

“But how do I do that?” Carlos asked with his expressive and distressed brown eyes.

“Let go of what you’re holding inside, hijo. Let go, and you will make room for your old projects, dreams and desires that you have probably stagnated to prioritize this thirst for justice,” said Andrea. “And I'm not asking you to abandon your investigations, if you need it to bear the loss, just don't put it as a booster.”

“I need to know who and why,” said Carlos.

“Knowing who did it will be a relief, but it will never bring your father back.” Andrea caressed her son's arm. “Don’t make this your life project, Carlitos,” she advised gently. “Assuming you can. The next day, you will return to an empty and silent house, you will collect your investigation material, put it in labeled boxes in the attic, you will sit on the sofa relieved, but what then? Relief is not happiness.”

“I want to move on,” Carlos thought of TK, the green-eyed paramedic. The way TK wrinkled his eyes when he smiled filled Carlos' heart with life, a heart that had been empty since his father's death.

“Your quest for justice is changing the sweet and caring boy you always were, don’t let that happen.”

Carlos nodded; his mother had wise words. Carlos' pursuit of justice was tearing him apart. What if one day he found out? He had no plan for his life after this and relief was not happiness. And Carlos wanted to be happy. He wanted to have what his sisters had with their husbands, what his mother had with his father, he wanted someone who would make it all worth it.

 

 

During lunch they tried to talk about everyday topics, making small talk.

Luísa, Carlos's older sister smiled. “Congratulations on solving the organ trafficking case, I saw Chief Bridges' interview on television,” the unpretentious comment intended to make small talk had a melancholy effect, no one said it, but the thought was implicit, Dad would be proud of you.

The idea of ​​Carlos being a Ranger without Gabriel being there to give his blessing was like a knife in the family's heart. A wave of sadness passed across the table.

Carlos's uncle, his mother's brother, who lived in North Carolina and had recently moved to Texas, felt he should liven things up.

“So, Carlitos,” Uncle Ramirez said, swallowing a mouthful of stew, “now that you've adapted to the Rangers, you've already solved a couple of important cases, when are you going to introduce us to a girlfriend? The girls must be falling at your feet.”

Anitta, one of Carlos' nieces, let out a disguised laugh, Ana, the younger sister, opened her eyes wide, Luísa made a landscape expression, the brothers-in-law looked at each other, Andrea made an expression of disbelief. A new silence, this time awkward, took over the table, the family lunch was definitely being disastrous.

Carlos came out to his parents at the age of 17, and although his parents loved him with all their hearts and were willing to support him, they didn't know how to deal with their son's sexuality, so they chose to give Carlos’s space, and not comment on the subject until he felt comfortable introducing a boyfriend. This never happened and they never spoke about it again, neither among themselves nor with anyone else in the family.

“I'm gay,” Carlos said simply.

Uncle Ramirez had just stuffed his mouth with a generous portion of stew when he was faced with the unexpected answer. For a moment nothing happened, everyone was waiting for how the uncle was going to react, then he shuddered, dropping the fork on the plate, spilling broth onto the tablecloth, his eyes widening to a size that would have been comical, if it hadn't been desperate.

“Holy virgin, he’s choking!” Andrea deduced.

Uncle Ramirez's breathing was getting louder and louder. It is likely that a piece of meat was stuck in his throat, obstructing the air passage. He made pitiful squirming noises, everything seemed to happen in slow motion. The man panicked, slamming his hands against the table, knocking over plates and glasses.

“Uncle, breathe!” Carlos felt guilty; he could have waited for his uncle to swallow before saying he was gay.

“He’s suffocating!” Shouted the niece.

“Try to breathe calmly,” instructed Carlos, wrestling with his uncle trying the Heimlich maneuver. Chairs were thrown away; the pot of stew flew at Luísa's head.

“It’s not working! Someone calls 911,” Carlos commanded, trying to hit his uncle on the back, anything that would make the man breathe.

Uncle Ramirez began to twitch, tears were streaming from the corners of his eyes, everyone was panicking as Ana called emergency services.

 

The minutes passed in a blur as they waited for help to arrive. The ambulance stopped in front of the house with a crunch of tires.

“Paramedics!” Vega shouted coming running, TK and Nancy in hot pursuit. "What happened?"

“We were having lunch when he choked on the stew,” said Carlos urgently. “I've tried the Heimlich maneuver, hitting the back, massages, nothing helped.”

“Okay, get out of the way,” asked Vega, pushing his way through the family. “TK, bring the defibrillator in case you need it.”

Carlos was surprised to see his paramedic there. “TK?”

“Carlos,” nodded TK.

The ranger stepped aside, giving the paramedic room to pass. His eyes and TK's met for a brief moment, and Carlos somehow felt his heart calm down. Something in TK's eyes told him that everything was going to be okay, at least he wanted to hold on to that.

Vega took control of the situation. “Nancy, grab the medium retractor, the laryngoscope and a medium forceps. And TK, keep his head up, hold on tight.”

“Yes, cap!” TK and Nancy nodded.

Vega leaned over the patient. "Ramirez, I need you to stay calm and try to breathe very slowly," she said confidently, but there was concern in her eyes.

"This isn't going to be pleasant," Nancy commented.

Carlos watched the paramedics work, his eyes following TK's graceful and coordinated movements. His pretty hands in blue gloves held Uncle Ramirez's head in the right position, he was so precise and so delicate at the same time that Carlos thought TK was one of those people who was able to give an injection so gently that you couldn't even feel the sting.

Tommy Vega, on the other hand, was firm, her trained eyes shone with a professional determination that gave the impression that if she couldn't save a patient, no one else would, Nancy was harder to read, she seemed exact, but without expressing feelings, whatever she was feeling, she managed to keep to herself. Back at TK, Carlos could feel all the emotions pouring out of him. TK had a caring glow in his green eyes, Carlos thought he looked like a healing angel.

Vega moved surgically. While TK held Ramirez's head up, she inserted a metal hook into the man's mouth, then turned to Nancy, "Flashlight and TK, turn his head just a little to the left."

“See something?” TK asked.

"I think so. It's here,” Vega said, she used the laryngoscope to open the way and carefully sank the surgical forceps into Ramirez's throat and finally sighed removing a nasty piece of flesh.

Ramirez gurgled, pulling in air urgently, finally he could breathe.

“We're going to take him to the hospital, there the doctors will be able to do more tests, but he's out of danger now,” Vega informed the family.

“I really appreciate it, you were amazing,” said Andrea tearfully hugging Vega.

“It’s our job,” the captain smiled.

Carlos approached TK shyly. He had no words, only admiration. Seeing TK in action, saving lives, saving his uncle's life, stirred something inside him. The guy Carlos thought was broken was actually a hero.

“Small world, Ranger Reyes,” TK whispered.

“Just Carlos. And thank you for saving my uncle. We lost my father last year, my mother could not bear another loss,” he said.

“I'm sorry,” TK smiled softly, then the two of them stood there, looking at each other. TK wanted so much to raise his hand and caress that beautiful dark-skinned face. Carlos in turn felt the same, he wanted to pull TK towards him and hug him.

“TK?” Vega's voice removed the two, TK and Carlos, from their private little world.

“Hum?”

“We’re waiting to go, is everything okay?” Vega spoke.

“Oh!” TK blushed when he realized that the patient was on the stretcher in the ambulance, Andrea next to his brother, everyone just waiting for the interaction between him and Carlos to end.

 

***

 

Ramirez was fine, despite the scare and the discomfort in his throat, he was going to be fine.

The trip to the hospital took less than ten minutes, Andrea didn't take her eyes off the handsome paramedic, the man who seemed to have enchanted her son. She had never seen Carlos look like that at anyone. It was a look that mixed desire with curiosity and admiration.

“You and Carlos are friends, I assume?” Andrea asked.

“We are not friends, ma'am. I met your son because of that organ trafficking case.”

“TK is the cylinder-in-the-eye paramedic,” Vega explained.

Andrea nodded, she didn't want to extend the conversation, she didn't want to embarrass the boy, but she knew there was more between them than just a police and witness relationship.

“Carlos works so hard, it would be nice to have a handsome friend like you. That boy is very lonely,” said Andrea, almost indiscreetly.

TK nodded his head wondering why Carlos' mother was suggesting they be friends.

The awkward conversation ended when they arrived at the hospital, Andrea thanked the paramedics and followed with her brother. She smiled at TK before turning into the hallway, something told her that she would still see a lot of that boy.

 

Carlos arrived shortly after the ambulance left. He was a little disappointed not to see TK again that day, but the images of the beautiful boy, with his tight black uniform on his slender body, his nimble hands, his trained and bright green eyes, wouldn't easily leave his head.

Andrea approached her son in the waiting hallway, “What an interesting young man.”

Carlos was brought out of his reverie, “Who?”

“The paramedic who saved your uncle, TJ…”

“TK, mom. His name is TK,” Carlos immediately corrected her.

Andrea smiled, squeezing her son's arm, smiling affectionately. "Why don't you ask him out sometime?"

"What? Why?"

"Because you look like someone who needs to move on, hijo"

Notes:

Thank you very much for reading.
Thanks for the comments and kudos, they're cute!

Chapter 8: TK's emotional shelf

Summary:

-TK and Carlos still haven't had their date (next Chapter, I think)

-But it's important to show a little about TK's healing process and it's important to contextualize that his sexual desire is back and that he starts to have erotic dreams about Carlos.

 

Carlos stretched out in the chair, feeling the muscles in his back pulling with tension. He stared too long at the paperwork on his work desk, a pile of case files was piling up. He never imagined that the life of a Texas Ranger would be so busy and that unsolved cases would compete with each other on the investigators' desks.

He sighed, moving his sore neck, clicking here and there, the result of being in front of the computer for hours.

What eased his tiredness was looking at the box of Swiss chocolates with an extravagant golden bow on the table, he had bought the chocolates on his lunch break at the mall. His basic plan was to call TK after work and finally ask him out.

Just thinking about TK made his stomach do somersaults with anxiety and Carlos felt like a schoolboy experiencing his first love. A thousand doubts and insecurities crossed his mind, whether TK didn't want to go out with him, or if TK didn't like chocolates, or was allergic to cocoa.

"It's a shame the girl won't get the fancy chocolates," said Campbell, approaching.

"What?"

“Your date won’t happen.”

"Why not?"

“Reys and Campbell, I want them both in my room now!” Chief Bridges called them.

“Because of that,” Campbell pointed to the boss’s office.

"Do you always know when he's going to call us?" Carlos rolled his eyes.

"I'm a well-informed guy, Reyes.

We will escort the lieutenant governor to an event,” Campbell warned.

“Did it have to be today?” Carlos looked disappointed at the box of chocolates.

Campbell let out a dejected sigh. “Didn’t anyone tell you what the Texas Rangers were like?”

“My dad didn’t talk much about work at home, but it seemed more exciting from the outside,” Reyes shrugged. “And by the way, it’s a boy.”

"What?"

“My date is a boy.”

“Oh,” Campbell was really surprised, but it wasn't a problem for him. “Handsome, I suppose?”

“The most handsome I’ve ever seen.” smiled Carlos. However, the meeting would have to wait, now he had work to do.

 

***

 

TK's first month in Austin flew by. His adjustment was going better than he'd expected. He had online appointments with his therapist twice a week, attended a support group on his days off, and 126 was truly becoming his family.

TK was also growing closer to his father, as if they were healing their broken hearts and strengthening their father-son bond. TK even managed to balance his days off with Owen's chemotherapy routine.

In those days, after chemotherapy, Owen stopped being the fire captain and became just another guy fighting cancer, and TK was his support. And as much as Owen told him it wasn't necessary, they both knew it would be impossible to get through the days of diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, pain, and fatigue alone.

There were days when Owen was so weak he could only reach the bathroom leaning on TK.

There were days when Owen just slept, and TK sat silently, watching him sleep. There was the day they simply sat on the couch watching TV and drinking ginger tea with garlic and lemon, because TK had seen online that it was good for nausea. He didn't tell Owen he hated ginger.

There were days when Owen would get grumpy, kick TK out, and lock himself in his room.

There was the day when it all seemed too much for both of them. Owen was feverish and so exhausted that he wanted the suffering to end soon, one way or another. That day, TK considered retreating to his old comfort zone: his opioid addiction. It was a brief moment, and it passed. That day, they both cried, holding each other on the bathroom floor, hoping for better days.

 

 

Today he was off work, an afternoon off without much to do. TK threw himself on his bed looking at the ceiling, listening to his current playlist, his thoughts went to Carlos, the hot ranger who couldn't leave his head. Fate found a way to make them bump into each other.

TK didn't know exactly what he felt for Carlos, but whenever he saw that man, he felt his heart accelerate and was overcome with a strange euphoria, perhaps it was the phenomenon of butterflies in the stomach that romantic books reported.

Carlos' handsome face with his charming smile never left TK's thoughts. That beautiful man who combined strength and security when he was in his ranger version, with the sweetness and vulnerability of a boy when he was with his family. And TK found himself thinking so much about Carlos, how wonderful it would be to know all the layers of Ranger Reyes, how captivating it would be to be part of that man's life; however, he had had so little time since his abusive relationship with Alex that TK simply didn't think he was ready to give himself up again.

Today he would have an appointment with the therapist. TK straightened his back, settling in front of the notebook on the counter in his room waiting for the Skype call. He clicked the button to accept the call on the second ring, and Dr. Collina appeared smiling on the screen with her tortoiseshell glasses balanced on the bridge of her thin nose, the sight of the woman automatically made TK feel butterflies in his stomach, and he cringed nervously pulling at the sleeves of his sweatshirt.

She didn't comment on his posture or his shrinking, and began the questioning session about a week. TK enjoyed talking about a week; the last few had been calm and productive. He was rediscovering being a son, being a friend, and rediscovering the joy of being alive.

Collina made some notes and decided to broach the subject of family: "Putting work aside for a moment, how is your father's progress with his cancer treatment?"

TK shrugged. "He seems great sometimes, and other times, he seems like he's falling apart..."

"How do you feel?"

"I... I'm not sure... I think I'm terrified."

"It's natural..."

"I... I felt like using again..." TK interrupted her.

Silence. Collina let him speak, at his own pace.

"I just couldn't stand seeing my dad, the strongest guy in the world, falling apart, and me having to be his support. I thought if I used, all that pressure would ease," he confessed.

"TK, you were under pressure," Colina said. "Seeing people we love suffering makes us seek mental and emotional refuge, and for a long time, opioids were your refuge. It's normal to think about that when everything gets too much, but it's important that you resisted. You're taking responsibility for your choices and your life," he added calmly.

He nodded. And Collina decided to change the subject to his social life: "And how are you adjusting to Austin? I know it's not as hectic as New York, but have you been able to go out? Make friends outside of work?"

TK shook his head. 126 and support group meetings were everything. He really had no desire to go out, especially at night, to bars packed with people drinking or smoking. Dancing or flirting with random guys no longer made sense.

"I... I don't feel like leaving the house..."

“TK, anhedonia is a condition that is characterized by the loss of the ability to feel pleasure in activities that previously made sense, this condition is generally found in people with depression and victims of abuse,” explained the therapist.

TK nodded; they had talked about this before.

“The psychological and emotional remains in a person who has been abused in some way can be destructive. anhedonia combined with crises of anxiety, fear and disinterest, insecurity, low self-esteem, in short, this set of sensations makes life lose its shine.”

“Sometimes everything goes gray, like I'm anesthetized,” he nodded softly.

"Our task is to remove you from the abusive scenario and give you a chance to heal. So, anything goes. Start simple. Tell me something you did that made you happy this week."

He thought for a brief moment, then smirked remembering. “I made caramel chocolate chip cookies.”

Collina smiled. The cookies he made with his mother when he was little was a way for him and Gwyn to connect with each other, and make his father's absence less painful.

“I love cookies,” Collina said.

He nodded and smiled. “It tasted like childhood, I mean, the good part of my childhood.”

“How did you feel?”

He shrugged. “The same way I felt when I was a kid: safe.”

“And your father tasted them?”

"No, it's not good for his restrictive diet... because of the nausea..."

"I see," Collina noticed how TK's glow dimmed a bit as he remembered his father hadn't tasted the cookies. "Besides the cancer, is there anything about Owen that's bothering you? Would you like to talk about it?"

TK sighed. There was a service this week that emphasized how incredible Owen was on the field, a hero without a cape.

Then TK talked about a call where his father had rescued a baby who ended up in a tree after a car accident, Colline thought about how many strange things the rescuers saw throughout the week.

“What did you feel when you saw your father with the baby?”

TK paused for a moment. The first thing any child felt seeing a scene like that was pride. Of course, he felt proud, but then, looking around and seeing how the firefighters were closer to Owen than he was, TK began to let out feelings that had gone through him that night but that he had suppressed because they weren't appropriate.

“I was happy the baby was safe,” TK whispered.

“I can imagine. And then?”

“Pride,” he replied.

“Happiness and pride are expected in a situation like this,” said the therapist.

“What normal person wouldn’t be happy to see a baby saved and placed in its mother’s arms? And which son wouldn't be proud to have a father capable of such a heroic act? I don’t think there’s anything else to feel,” said TK.

“These are expected behaviors in this situation,” Collina agreed. “But we are beings driven by emotions, and sometimes we can mix it up, you know? Emotional intelligence is linked to knowing how to use the right emotions, at the right intensity, at the right time. Therefore, it is acceptable to feel emotions that differ from common sense.”

“Is it acceptable to be jealous?” TK asked.

“Did you feel jealous?”

"Yes."

“Did you want it to be you instead of the baby?”

“It wasn't the baby,” TK said, his shaking hands leaving the sleeve of his sweatshirt to go to his hair, running his fingers quickly and clumsily over and over again. His breathing became tense, his body trembled slightly.

“Breathe and inhale,” Collina's voice sounded soft and assured. “Don’t pull your hair, relax, we’re just talking.”

TK automatically lowered his hands, unconsciously tugging at the sleeve of his sweatshirt again. "Sorry."

“Don’t apologize, our motto is it’s okay to feel emotions,” she watched him tug at the sleeve of his hoodie, as if the mesh would serve as a shield, “Let’s get back to it.”

"OK."

“You were happy that your father saved the baby, then you were proud of him,” she said. “But then you got jealous, could you be more specific? Jealous of what?”

“Not what, who,” TK lowered his eyes, rubbing his hands on his faded jeans, no longer wanting to make eye contact with Collina. They were silent, she was patient, waiting for him to work through all the emotions that were surfacing now.

“Who were you jealous of?”

TK licked his lips and began to speak. “I was Captain Owen Strand’s son there, but all his firefighters were happier and prouder than me. And when he came down and handed the baby over, they all hugged him in such an intimate way. They had such a special bond. They are a happy family, and I seem to be invading.”

Collina made some notes. “Invading? Don’t you feel welcome in this family?”

“I feel like they’re too good for me.”

Collina made a loving expression. "Why?"

“I should be happy and proud, but I was too busy being a freak!” TK ran his hands through his hair again, ruffling the strands. He remembered Alex telling him all the time how pathetic and inappropriate he was, and how no one could get close to him because he pushed people away with this weird way. If everyone was happy, he always found a way to ruin people's happiness.

 

“That’s why your father left home.”

“That’s why your mother buried herself in work.”

“That’s why I’m leaving.”

“That’s why no one stays.”

 

Alex's words echoed in TK's head.

“Breathe and inhale slowly,” instructed the therapist. “Stop pulling your hair, relax your shoulders, breathe and inhale,” she said. After a few minutes of applying meditation and encouragement techniques, she felt TK calm down again,

“Alex always told me I was too intense, too inappropriate,” TK said quietly.

“It's not about what Alex thinks or doesn't think, it's about how you feel,” the doctor encouraged. “Feelings of abandonment, of not belonging, of not deserving, guilt and anger for not being able to be what they expect you to be,” said Collina softly,

TK, on ​​the other side was crying.

“The reason your classmates felt happiness and pride in Owen, while you felt something else, is because it was a trigger to activate memories that accessed your belief system. You have a history with your father that makes you feel this way, they don't. Do you understand me?”

He nodded slowly.

“How did you deal with those feelings after rescuing the baby?”

“I didn’t,” TK shrugged. “I just let it go and pretended everything was fine.”

“You just bottled it and stored it in an emotional cellar.

"Yes."

“What’s the name of the label?”

"I don't know."

“Uh-hum, you know.”

“Maybe it’s more than one label.”

“Synthesize then,” said the therapist.

“Pathetic and inappropriate that turns everyone off,” TK summarized. Strangely, expressing this hurt less than when it was Alex accusing him. Now it was as if it didn't make sense, it was as if those words no longer fit him.

“After what we talked about today, do you still think you’re pathetic or inappropriate just because you’re jealous? His emotions were completely in line with his experiences with his father,” she said.

He shook his head. It made sense now. He wasn't immature, spoiled, selfish, pathetic or inappropriate because he was jealous of his colleagues who had a relationship with Owen. He dreamed his whole life of having a relationship like this with his father.

“I'm proud of you, TK. You opened the door to your emotional cellar, went to the shelf and grabbed a bottle, opened it and we got drunk on ‘Pathetic and Inappropriate That Turns All People Off’ and look at us, we’re going to survive.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” TK managed a relieved smile, he was lighter.

“TK, about Alex’s memories. They activated triggers such as the feeling of abandonment.”

TK made a desolate face. Her beautiful green eyes shining with tears.

“He said no one could stay around me for long.”

“Some people may have needed to go for their own reasons,” began Collina.

Owen had left when he could no longer handle all the pressure of the job, when he could no longer balance being a firefighter and being a good husband. Owen was stretching those strings so hard, trying to hold them all together, until he had to let go of one of them before it broke forever beyond repair, he chose to let go of the marriage, he stopped being Gwyneth's husband, but he never stopped being TK's father.

“That doesn't mean they never tried to come back,” Collina said and TK nodded, his father called when he could, and today TK was adult and mature enough to understand that it was the most Owen could do at that time.

“People have reasons to leave our lives, and that doesn't mean we were the ones who sent them away. And it also doesn’t mean we need to be alone,” Collina continued her monologue. And each sentence she spoke activated triggers in TK that brought out good memories, not everything was pain, TK just had to access these good memories on his emotional shelf. Owen can't be there that often, but Enzo was. Enzo never wanted to be Owen, but he was there when Owen couldn't.

“Finally, many people who are gone find a way to come back,” she said, smiling.

TK was also smiling. It doesn't matter what reasons made Owen leave, what mattered was that he had returned to TK's life. They were together now and were making beautiful memories together.

In the end they still had a few minutes, TK couldn't hold back any longer.

“Collina?”

"Yes?"

“What if someone showed up?”

“Who, for example?”

“Someone new.” TK rubbed his hands uncomfortably.

“Where exactly are you trying to get to?”

TK thought for a moment exactly where he wanted to go. Alex hadn't done anything alone, TK was already an emotional mess before he appeared in his life, Alex had just pressed a few more buttons and activated old triggers.

“I feel like Alex pushed me off the edge, but I was the one who walked to the edge and stood there waiting for someone to save me, or for someone to screw everything up for good,” TK fiddled with the sleeve of his sweatshirt, amused.

“But the fall into that abyss didn’t kill him.”

“No, but it broke me. My heart is broken into a million pieces,”

“You are healing, slowly but progressively. Be patient and persistent.”

“I must wait,” TK frowned in frustration.

“Do you look disappointed?”

“It's just that there's a new guy, and part of me fantasizes that something incredible could happen.

“Let it happen, if it has to happen. Sometimes that's the glue we need to mend broken hearts,” she said.

TK sighed. They needed more sessions for him to feel secure in a new relationship.

 

***

 

That night, for the first time since arriving in Austin, TK had an erotic dream. This time it wasn't about Alex making him feel like crap, this time there was no pain, humiliation and intimidation. There were big hands touching him, there were wet kisses, a tongue inside his mouth, there was desire and affection.

In his dream he could feel the weight of a warm body on top of his, all the touches burning on his skin, kisses and soft bites on his neck, it felt so good… the man straddling him was none other than Carlos Reyes completely naked.

“Fuck!” TK opened his eyes clouded with desire. His phallus was hard, leaking into his pajamas. He was telling her he was having sex with Reyes only to wake up alone and excited.

How many years had it been since he had a dream like that? Maybe when he was a teenager and couldn't contain his youthful sexual urges, but it made sense, he was healing his mind and body, his libido was returning.

 

Notes:

If I'm not mistaken they will go out together in the next chapter

Thank you to everyone who is reading.
Thank you for the kind kudos and comments.

Chapter 9: My endgame

Summary:

People who have suffered in abusive relationships can lose their libido, TK is recovering and returning to his normal self.

Carlos understands that despite having sex, he still needs to win over TK, which will happen quickly.

Attention: The part at the end describes sex between the two (it wasn't very detailed, there will be a time in the future to focus on a chapter just about lemon)

There may be profane scenes and words, be careful.

 

Two months in Austin and TK was back to being himself. He was improving day by day, becoming happier, smiling and confident.

One of the indicators of his improvement was his libido returning. For a while, anxiety had created a mental, emotional and physical barrier. TK remembered Alex touching him and losing the desire for anything sexual, he felt dirty, inappropriate to have that kind of pleasure after everything, but it was passing, he was healing. Recently it was common for him to wake up in the middle of the night in a wet dream with an erection that needed tending.

That night TK woke up wet, excited and mumbling Carlos' name. Once again Reyes was the face of his sexual desires. TK slipped his hands under the covers, using his fingers to tentatively touch his cock, his fingers cupping the wet glans, sliding up and down the length of his cock. He moaned softly, closing his eyes, throwing his head back against the pillows, experiencing sensations of pleasure he hadn't felt in a long time.

He ended up in the bathroom relieving himself. A quick shower after ejaculating on his own hand and stomach, and TK couldn't stop thinking about Carlos, imagining what it would be like to be touched by those firm hands. What would it be like to have that man completely naked to him? How nice would it be to feel crushed under the weight of that muscular body? Or how good would it be to feel Carlos stretching his ass hole in a hot fuck?

TK was burning with desire for Carlos.

 

***

 

 

In the same way, Carlos also couldn't stop thinking about TK. He hadn't been able to get TK Strand out of his head since he questioned him at the hospital. The hot paramedic who brimmed with emotions in his big bright green eyes, who looked as vulnerable and scared as a fluffy rabbit, but immensely brave and determined in his mission to save lives.

 

Carlos was in love with TK, after all, TK Strand was passionate, but Carlos knew he had to be careful, the guy had in his soul the marks of an abusive relationship, TK himself had spoken about the beatings, rapes and humiliations suffered with his last boyfriend, that night that Carlos questioned him in the hospital.

At that time Carlos was investigating an important case, and reason told him to move on and forget the boy. However, TK crossed his path again as one of the paramedics who saved Uncle Ramirez, TK was impressive this time, with a safe and welcoming look, full of confidence and strength, he looked like a comic book hero when he helped Carlos' Uncle, at least that's how Carlos saw him.

 

They had met for the first time in an unusual situation, TK was just a fundamental piece in solving a case for Carlos, it was just work, but TK appeared again, and broke down the fragile barriers that Carlos had erected around his heart and now TK was settling there, in a special corner of the Ranger's heart.

 

 

***

 

 

At 126 they were on a break, Paul had just finished making beef stew for lunch, and Nancy was telling Mateo, Marjan and Paul about Saturday's call at a ranch, which wouldn't have been anything special except for the coincidence that the patient in trouble was the handsome ranger's uncle.

“You had to see TK's face when we got there and the hot ranger was the nephew of the guy who was choking,” began Nancy with a mischievous chuckle.

“I didn't make a face, I was just surprised,” TK rolled his eyes and went back to picking at his food.

“And him? The ranger?” Marjan perked up.

Nancy smiled a big mischievous smile. “He kept looking at TK in a way that looked like he was going to attack him at any moment.”

“And he was wearing a ranger, with the hat and everything?” asked Mateo, eyes shining.

“No, he was in civilian clothes,” TK rolled his eyes again, “it was a family lunch. And he didn’t look at me.”

“After Cap removed a giant piece of meat, bigger than this one,” said Nancy pointing to a piece of meat on Paul's plate, which made everyone in the audience make a disgusted face.

Mateo stuck out his tongue making a funny face. “Eww!”

“Yeah, yuck!” Marjan agreed.

“The guy stood there looking at TK, it was like he was seeing an angel in front of him,” Nancy raised her hands in an allusion to something sacred.

“Damn, TK? I can't believe you've been in Austin for two months and you've already hooked a hunky Texas Ranger,” Marjan sighed in awe.

"Serious? TK is like a Hollywood heartthrob; he must have never been dumped in his life. He can have any guy he wants,” Paul shrugged.

“It's not like that, I had a complicated relationship in New York,” TK sighed, but the uncomfortable way he spoke discouraged anyone from asking questions about that relationship.

“Hey, you're here in Austin now. With your father and with us, your family, ok?” Marjan shook TK's hand sweetly with a friendly smile. She didn't know about TK's past, but she knew how to recognize an abuse victim.

“I thought he was going to ask TK out,” Nancy returned to the previous topic.

“A real Texas Ranger. He’s going to come here and pick you up after work someday, right?” Mateo continued to be amazed.

“Guys, Carlos and I have nothing. We saw each other three times and in professional situations,” TK sighed.

“Are you talking about the handsome ranger? Has he asked you out yet?” Vega asked coming into the kitchen, opening the fridge to get a bottle of orange juice.

TK rolls his eyes. “Even you, Cap?”

Vega shrugged. “The guy has a crush on you, anyone can see it.”

Judd was sitting on the couch near the table, he looked up from the newspaper he was reading, joining the conversation for the first time. “The guy is interested in you, for sure. I felt that when he came here the other day, he came to demarcate the territory.”

“You too, Judd?” TK grumbled.

“Sorry, man. But an alpha knows when another alpha is prowling the grounds,” Judd shrugged, looking back at the newspaper.

“Do we have an alpha that’s in love with our omega?” Owen appeared in the pantry, joining the conversation.

“The handsome ranger who interrogated TK in the case of the patient who hit him with an oxygen cylinder,” Nancy explained.

“Oh, a ranger?” Owen narrowed his eyes.

“Hat and everything,” assured Mateo excitedly, rubbing his hands.

"Father? You too?"

Owen stared at his son for a moment. There was a shadow of concern in the captain's eyes. He remembered what it was like when TK fell in love with Alex, Owen never liked the guy, and he never liked the way he took TK away from everything and everyone.

"At least it's a ranger," Owen said, his concern was genuine, he didn't want to see his son get hurt again.

“Dad, nothing is happening between me and this guy. And for the love of God, just stop with this alpha and omega thing, why can’t I be the alpha?” TK rolled his eyes, almost childishly.

“You're definitely not an alpha, man,” Judd said simply.

“I think omegas are cute, they can have babies.” said Mateo, referring to the universe of fan fiction, which he liked so much.

Vega took a sip of juice while watching TK. “I still have his contact number, if you want.”

"Excellent! Let's invite the guy to the bar after our weekend shifts,” said Nancy.

TK rolled his eyes, his face was flushed with embarrassment, but he decided not to take them seriously. They love to mess with him.

Before they could embarrass TK further, the alarm indicating that the fire crew had a call rang. And TK silently thanked him, he loved that alarm that always got him out of embarrassing situations.

 

 

***

 

 

Since arriving in Austin, TK hadn't gone out to have fun, he had gone into a spiral of work, caring for his father and therapy, but that night he was convinced by the 126 group to go out with them to a typical Texas bar, after his shift.

The place was full. TK sat in the corner of the bar drinking water and having fun watching his friends dance awkwardly.

“Hey, handsome?” The voice with a drawl caught TK's attention. There was a large, bald man with a scruffy beard wearing a black leather jacket with silver studs sitting on the stool next to TK smiling suggestively.

"Hey?" TK replied dejectedly.

“I’ve never seen you around here before. I would remember you,” said the guy.

“My first time here,” replied TK looking at his friends who were on the dance floor.

"Can I buy you a drink?" The man asked, TK lifted the body of water, indicating he already had his drink. "Water?"

“Water,” confirmed TK.

“Can I get you something stronger, handsome?” The Man insisted.

“I’m fine with water,” replied TK, starting to get uncomfortable.

“Oh, then can we go to the back bathroom,” the guy was blunt and impolite.

“What did you say?”

The guy sat down on the stool, slightly opening his legs, showing a bulge in his groin, indicating he had an erection. “You know, little princess.”

TK squeezed the body of water between his fingers. In New York he lost count of the times he knelt in dirty bathrooms with his face buried in strangers' crotches, but that was in the past, in a time when he had already exchanged sex for addiction, a time so distant now.

“Sorry, man, I’m not interested,” he said with an air of forced sympathy.

If the guy didn't like being turned down, he didn't show it. He picked up his drink, nodded and stood up leaving TK alone. TK sighed, he didn't want to ruin his night or his friends' night because of some sex-starved idiot.

"Hey?" Someone else approached.

“Dude, I’m not interested, okay?” TK turned around abruptly, raising his voice impatiently.

“Oh?” Carlos Reyes was standing there with his brown eyes wide. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you.”

Embarrassment took over. That man was just the guy who had appeared in TK's erotic dreams in the last few weeks, he was the person he most wanted to see in a bar at night, and he treated the guy that way.

“Carlos?” TK could have fallen off the stool and crawled into a hole.

“I'm sorry,” Carlos said awkwardly, he truly believed he was reading the right signals and TK would be interested. He thought about the chocolate on his desk, it was a good thing he hadn't brought it. Maybe he and Campbell shared the box during some boring afternoon at the office.

“Look, it wasn’t about you. I thought I was the 90s biker again,” said TK embarrassed.

"Who?" Carlos made a confused expression.

“Just a guy wanting to go to the bathroom with me, but I brushed it off and thought he was back,” TK explained.

“There was a guy, a biker from the 90s, wanting to drag you to the bathroom? I understand, I should worry about competition,” Carlos scanned the area with his eyes, but didn't see the guy nearby.

“He left. I’m not a big fan of 90s bikers; I prefer the handsome rangers.” TK smiled a naughty little smile.

“So how about we start over?” Carlos suggested smiling, and TK thought it was the most beautiful sight in the world, that sweet smile.

With a playful manner, Carlos walked away from the counter, then returned with a smile: “Hey?”

"Hey." TK greeted him back.

"Would you like to dance?" Carlos asked.

“Sure,” TK accepted and the two headed to the dance floor.

Nancy and Paul looked at each other.

“Were you the one who called the Texas Ranger handsome?” Paul asked.

"No. How did he know we were going to be here? Could the ranger be a stalker?” Nancy said.

“I might have warned him,” Tommy commented casually.

“Cap? How was that?”

“I said I had his contact, because of the case,” Tommy explained. “I may have sent a wrong message confirming that we were meeting at this time at this bar today. I think I mentioned that TK was coming too,” she said with a shrug.

“Grace and I are an example of how amazing Tommy is with this,” said Judd, hugging his wife Grace, and heading to the dance floor.

 

 

***

 

 

Carlos and TK danced and smiled, and it was so much fun. There was that electricity between them. It was strangely natural to be in each other's company, TK made Carlos feel alive and Carlos made TK feel safe.

At a certain point in the night, when it no longer made sense to just dance without being able to kiss or hug, Carlos held TK's hand, gently pulling him out of the bar. TK let himself be led, Carlos's warm and firm touch made it feel right to give in to that man's desires.

Carlos took them through the parking lot, pulled out the key, and the headlights of a pearl blue Camaro came on, unlocking the doors, but before they got in TK pulled Carlos towards him.

“You’re amazing, Ranger Reyes,” teased TK sensually.

“So, Paramedic Strand, let me surprise you even more.” Carlos returned it in the same provocative tone.

“Make yourself comfortable,” TK said and Carlos wasted no time. He firmly grabbed each side of TK's narrow waist and spun him against the side of the car.

TK let out a surprised groan as his back hit the Camaro's bodywork.

Carlos pressed his body against TK's, keeping him exactly how and where he wanted. He placed a knee between TK's thighs, forcing him to open his legs slightly, his hands held his waist more firmly and finally they kissed. A kiss that started slow, their mouths touching for the first time, and gained confidence until it became a hot and needy kiss, TK's tongue inside Carlos' mouth, one body crushing the other. TK's hands dug into the back of Carlos' head, his nails scraping his scalp gently.

Carlos moved his hips purposefully making TK open his legs even more, fitting their pelvises, TK moaned into Carlos' mouth completely surrendered to the heat of that kiss.

When they pulled away it was as if pure electricity was coursing through every vein in their bodies.

"I want you. I’ve wanted you since I saw you in the hospital,” sighed TK urgently.

“I want you too,” Carlos nibbled on TK's neck, the sensitive, delicate skin raised goosebumps and TK trembled in his arms.

"Here?" TK looked around a little disappointed, with Carlos he fantasized about something other than kneeling in a dirty bathroom, or in a dark alley, he wanted more than a quick and awkward fuck on the hood of a car.

Carlos smiled, uncoupling their bodies, he took both sides of TK's face with his big hands, their eyes met.

“Not here, not like this,” he said looking at TK. “With you it will be special.”

 

 

They ended up at Carlos' house, about 20 minutes away by car. The journey was made with an exchange of complicit glances and small smiles of anticipation.

As soon as the Camaro parked in front of the white house with a well-trimmed green lawn, in a quiet neighborhood, Carlos pulled TK in for another deep kiss. They moved automatically, leaving the car, walking towards the entrance kissing, with teeth and tongues touching. It was as if their bodies already knew how to act around each other.

Between hungry kisses, they scrambled towards the door, Carlos fumbled with the keys, once the door was unlocked, they crawled inside kissing.

TK's trembling fingers unbuttoned his white shirt, which he threw to a random corner of the room. Carlos raised his arms, pulling his dark blouse over his head, messing up his curls, showing off his defined muscles as he stretched.

Their hands slid down each other's bodies, squeezing here and there. TK's hands went down his back, sliding down Carlos's lumbar spine, squeezing the policeman's delicious ass, experiencing the feeling of those buttocks in his hands.

Carlos smiled mischievously, lightly, he turned TK around, dominating him, pushing him against the wall and keeping him there with the weight of his larger body while he devoured his mouth with urgent kisses. TK pushed them back against another wall, Carlos's back not very gently hitting a piece of furniture, almost knocking over a lamp and a painting.

They seemed to enjoy a provocative war for dominance, neither of them seemed ready to give in, but Carlos shook TK's resistance when he threw him onto the couch and straddled himself on top, kissing him, his body pressing against the smaller man's body.

Their eyes met, their panting chests pressed together, Heat on top, TK below, TK seemed to give in, calm down beneath the other man, Carlos smiled when he saw that TK's struggles had stopped, but the paramedic smiled and turned his body, pulling Carlos, the two fell from the sofa, rolling across the floor, hugging each other, finally Carlos turned them around again using his physical strength, mounting TK's hips. With his large hands he held TK immobilized, pressing the paramedic's wrists raised above his head against the carpet.

The fights were over. Carlos looked deep into those beautiful green eyes, somehow asking TK to accept him, asking TK to surrender, and sending a clear message that he would never hurt him.

Something in that sincere look from Carlos disarmed all of TK's studies, somehow, he knew he could trust, and in that look TK gave himself up, he wanted Carlos more than anything in life, and he was going to receive everything that Carlos wanted to give him.

Finally, TK calmed down. It was okay to give himself up, Carlos wouldn't hurt him, Carlos wasn't Alex.

“Fuck me?” TK's voice was breathy, full of need.

“As you wish!” Carlos smiled kissing him, this time a calm kiss.

Carlos lingered with kisses on TK's neck, sucking the soft, warm skin, leaving soft, wet kisses, going down his shoulders, kissing here and there, going to his chest, where he gently sucked each pink nipple until he felt the small pieces of flesh become hard, TK moaned beneath him, moving excitedly, feeling every part of his body tremble with lust.

“Please, Carlos. I want to be yours!” TK begged as his body was boiling, he couldn't take the foreplay any longer.

Carlos nodded. He didn't want to go too fast, he wanted to make sure TK was comfortable with everything they were doing, there was always the residue of the abusive relationship, but TK didn't seem to remember Alex at any point, because he just gave in and let himself feel the magic of that moment.

TK helped Carlos remove his underwear, marveling as the massive, bulbous-headed penis glistening with pre-cum sprang up. They fit together like pieces of a puzzle. Carlos slowly sank into TK, with each thrust he entered TK a little, he waited for the paramedic's body to open for him, receiving him, then he thrust again and waited until at a certain point he was buried to the core.

“You… this… is perfect…” Carlos moaned, lost in pleasure, it was one of the best sensations he had ever experienced, being inside TK. The guy was wonderful, the hottest fuck of Carlos' life without any doubt.

They had sex for the first time on the living room floor, on the carpet, relaxed in pleasure. Each one gave their all and it was incredible for both, a meeting of body and soul, you could say. As if one was born to be the other's endgame. At least Carlos knew at that moment, when he came in the condom, with his cock pressed inside TK's anus, that he didn't want anyone else, he had found his safe haven in the world.

 

 

***

 

 

The first rays of sunlight began to illuminate the room. A noise of someone moving around the room made Carlos open his eyes, he saw with his eyes clouded with sleep his beautiful paramedic with his stunning slender body, looking for his clothes, scattered around the house.

“Hey?” Carlos purrs softly, stretching like a sly cat.

"Hey." TK responded hurriedly, without even looking at Carlos.

“You were amazing,” Carlos said about yesterday's sex. He expected to wake up in a more romantic way after everything they had together, but apparently TK had another idea for the next day, very different from his.

“And you’re not bad,” TK commented looking for the sneakers.

“I can still improve. Don’t you want another round in your room?” Reyes asked anxiously.

“Maybe next time?” TK found the second sneaker, putting it on, then took an apple from the basket on the table.

“What’s the hurry?”

“I have a shift today.”

“I’ll take you,” Carlos stands up on the couch, sitting down to look at TK who was already dressed, taking out his wallet and watch.

“I can go alone,” TK said, biting into the apple.

“I’ll call you then?” Carlos spoke hurriedly, but the door had already slammed, TK simply ran away without even a goodbye kiss. Without even looking Carlos in the eye.

Carlos plopped down on the couch with a sigh. The night was perfect, incredible, TK was everything he thought he was, affectionate, romantic, sweet, accepting, tight as hell, hot as hell.

“I'll have to catch him in the noose, like we do here in Texas,” said Carlos.

He knew it wouldn't be easy; TK has been through a lot. It was acceptable and expected, the guy had just gotten out of an abusive relationship, it was natural that he was reticent, but Carlos already knew that TK was his endgame, and he was going to win over TK little by little.

 

Notes:

Thank you for reading.

Thanks for all the comments and kudos.

I was unsure about the explicit sex scenes, but whenever there is something like that I will warn you at the beginning of the chapter.

Chapter 10: The Lake

Summary:

TK is exposed by an enemy of Owen, and is forced to reveal to his friends and coworkers about his addiction and the abusive relationship of his past.

TK and Carlos have a romantic moment.

Owen was in his office at 126. He hung up his cell phone with an unreadable expression. The call he had just hung up was from Gwyneth Morgan, his ex-wife, TK's mother.

She was a successful tax attorney, an amazing mother, and a beautiful, strong, and determined woman.

Gwyn remarried a businessman named Enzo. Owen and his ex's new husband did not get along, Owen felt threatened by Enzo, described by Gwyn as a perfect husband and a wonderful stepfather. It bothered Owen that Enzo had taken two of the three loves of his life, Gwyn and TK, the third being his work.

Gwyn called to say she was coming to Austin to personally give her son some news. TK was going to be a big brother. She was pregnant.

Owen sat there, not really understanding what he was feeling. Was it jealousy? But jealousy of what exactly? Or maybe he was just too proud to accept that another guy had succeeded where he had failed.

“Dad, are you okay?” TK poked his head into the captain’s room.

Owen greeted him with a smile, beckoning him in.

“You seem distant,” TK observed.

Owen was pleased with how TK had recovered. His son was getting happier every day. He didn’t seem like the same broken boy who had arrived in Austin two months ago. He was even more handsome, with his bright green eyes. His boy.

“So, Dad?”

“Your mom is coming.”

“Mommy? Oh my God!”

An immense happiness took hold of TK. He threw himself happily into the chair in front of his father's desk.

Gwyn was coming to see TK and tell him about the pregnancy, but Owen thought it best to leave the details for her to explain, he wouldn’t ruin the surprise.

"When is she arriving?" TK asked beamingly.

Owen found it interesting how TK became a mommy’s boy around Gwyn, but they had that special bond, the two were left alone and for a while they supported each other, until Enzo came into their lives.

“In a few days, I think.”

“Enzo is coming too?” TK brightened, but the question made Owen’s smile fade.

“Your insufferable stepfather isn’t coming,” Owen rolled his eyes with an impatient frown.

“He’s amazing,” TK retorted. “I don’t like it when you talk about him like that.”

“You and your mother are eternally enchanted by this guy.”

“Because he’s amazing. And let’s not ruin this happy moment,” TK stood up, twirling theatrically around the room.

At that moment a man stopped in the doorway, watching TK with a disapproving look.

“Billy? Are you here to see Judd?” Owen greeted the man standing in the doorway.

“I came to see you, New York.”

“Sure, by the way, this is TK, my son.”

Billy Tyson was a firefighter at 126 when the tragedy that killed nearly the entire crew occurred. Billy was on medical leave, but when he returned to work he was transferred to unit 121, where he became captain. He and Owen were officially introduced by Judd at a poker night.

Billy secretly felt jealous of all the changes Owen had made to the battalion and wanted to return to the 126 as a captain, but for that to happen Owen would have to leave.

Tyson kept sneaking around, pretending to be a friend, using Owens' vanity to get close. It took Billy a whole year to find some fault in Owen's conduct to report him to the corporation’s ethics committee.

Accusing someone like Owen would be no easy task. The guy was a decorated hero, an incredible manager, and a formidable captain, but Billy had found out about Owen's son in New York, a drug addict who had come to Austin to escape an abusive boyfriend after nearly dying from an overdose.

Billy had friends in the 252 in New York, and he had heard about Captain Strand’s son trying to kill himself with opioids, but the case had been hushed up.

“Hey, Billy! The poker game captain, Judd’s friend, right?” TK greeted him with a smile.

Tyson ignored TK’s outstretched hand and addressed Owen, as if TK wasn’t in the room, “I need to speak to you in private, Owen.”

TK was surprised by the man's aggressive behavior, but he didn't retaliate. He just smiled uncomfortably.

“I’m going back to work,” TK exchanged a glance with his father before leaving.

As soon as TK left them, Tyson sat down in the chair in front of the captain’s desk. “A handsome boy you have at home.”

“Yeah, he takes after his mother,” Owen agreed.

Billy nodded, “I didn’t have any children, but I can imagine a man would do anything for a son.”

Owen didn't understand what his friend was getting at. He noticed Tyson's animosity towards TK, but it didn't make sense, TK had never done anything to that man.

“Children are a gift,” Owen stated.

“Tyler is a gift to you?”

“He likes to be called TK. Of course, he is. He and 126 are the most important things to me.”

“That brings us to a problem, Owen.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re going to have to make a choice.”

“A choice?” Owen narrowed his eyes.

“A choice.” Billy nodded.

“What kind of choice?” Owen asked, circling the table, the tension in the room rising with each passing moment.

“Being a father or being a captain,” Billy explained simply.

“What game are we playing, Billy? What do you want?”

“I’ll get straight to the point,” Tyson whispered, standing up.

“Okay,” Owen glared at him.

“Give up 126.”

Owen took a step back, for a moment they were silent, Billy waiting for his reaction, Owen assimilating what he had been told, finally Owen burst out laughing.

“Is this a joke?” asked the captain of the 126 with a nervous laugh.

But Billy didn’t smile. On the contrary, he was more serious than ever. “Do you think the 126 or your son are a joke?”

What kind of game was Billy playing? Owen broke out of his friendly mode. He took a few steps forward, his tone changing.

“To hell with this little game. What the hell are you saying?” Owen’s eyes flashed dangerously.

“I’m giving you a chance, New York. Quit and leave 126, or I’ll report you to the ethics committee.”

“Are you crazy? I’d never do that. 126 is my life!”

“Come on, Owen. Take some time to take care of your cancer, and help your little junkie son,” Billy scoffed.

“Leave TK out of this.”

“TK is in on it down to the last strand of that pretty little hair of his,” Billy growled.

Owen held himself back from losing his cool and attacking the other captain. He had to keep his cool so as not to expose TK, who had nothing to do with Billy’s madness.

“If I don’t want to, are you going to use my son to force me?” Owen spread his arms wide.

“Bingo!” Billy clapped his hands.

“You’re crazy, Tyson.”

“Your junkie boy has enough problems already. How is he going to explain where he got the prescription drugs? Or how a firefighter tries to kill himself and still works?”

“He didn’t try to kill himself, he has a disease that’s under control,” Owen hissed angrily.

“Your son is a fucking junkie!” Tyson yelled.

“You bastard! Shut up!” At this point, Owen lost his patience. He leapt at Tyson, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt.

TK didn’t deserve this, no one deserved to be exposed like this. Addiction was a disease, not a character flaw, and TK was fighting bravely to overcome this disease. Billy had no right to get in the way of that.

“He didn’t do anything to you, Billy. Leave him out of this!” Owen yelled, shaking the man by the shirt.

“I’m just concerned about everyone’s well-being. You’re sick, and your son is an addict, neither of you are fit to do this job,” Billy said, taking Owen’s tugs on his shirt. His body swayed from side to side.

“You’ve been jealous of me since the first day we met at Judd’s house, haven’t you?” Owen yelled.

“Jealous of you?” Tyson smiled.

“Of my medals of honor, and of all the changes I made here. and of How the 126 went from a regular battalion to a reference."

“You brag so much, don’t you New York?” Tyson yelled.

“I can brag. The Strand name is respected, but who is Tyson? You weren’t even with your team the day they died!” Owen accused.

“You bastard! I was on leave fighting cancer!” Tyson yelled, he and Owen struggled, both pushing each other.

“I’m fighting cancer, but I never abandoned my team, unlike you!” Owen accused.

“But you abandoned your pathetic faggot son to die drugged and drowned in his own vomit! Your poor little boy choking on his own vomit and you weren't there!" Billy yelled.

From that point on, things got out of hand.

Judd ran up the stairs and was the first to reach the captain’s office. He jumped between the two, trying to stop the fight. “Hey, guys!” he yelled.

Members of 126 crowded into the hallway, attracted by the captains’ screams. No one understood what was going on.

“What’s all that screaming?” Tommy Vega approached, making space between the curious people standing at the door.

“Dad?” TK also made space between his colleagues, standing next to his father, facing Billy.

“Leave him out of this,” Owen warned.

“A talented kid, a brilliant, gorgeous firefighter-paramedic, ends up like this?” Tyson continued.

“What are you talking about?” TK looked at him confused.

"I'm telling you your father failed you, kid. And he's clearly making the same mistakes at 126!"

“He didn’t fail,” TK snapped indignantly.

"Didn't he? He raised a junkie son," Billy said.

“Junkie?” Nancy looked at TK.

“An addict who tried to commit suicide by overdosing in New York after he couldn’t stand being beaten, raped and humiliated by an abusive boyfriend anymore,” Billy said.

"What the hell are you talking about, Billy?" Judd asked, staring at his friend.

“He tried to kill himself?” Paul looked at TK. He knew from TK’s behavioral traits that he had been abused, but he didn’t know that he had reached the extreme.

“Interestingly, the report from the team that rescued the boy treated the case as accidental opioid intoxication. Why didn’t 252 report the suicide attempt?” Billy hummed.

This wasn’t how TK planned to tell his team about his addiction, but he wasn’t going to just stand by and watch some idiot tell his story.

“Billy Tyson doesn’t know anything about me, or about my father,” TK began, stepping forward, exposing himself to everyone’s eyes.

“TK, you don’t have to,” Owen warned worriedly.

TK looked at his father determinedly. He had to do this. “I’m a recovering addict.”

The impact of that sentence spoken by TK’s mouth was less than expected, the people there didn’t judge him.

“I’m in recovery. It had been years since I had a relapse, until this incident in New York,” TK explained, “and the record for treatment wasn’t a suicide attempt because it wasn’t one, I was just going through a lot with my ex-boyfriend and I tried to ease the pain. And yes, my ex-boyfriend beat me and humiliated me, and I’m not ashamed to say it, I survived an abusive relationship,” he said emotionally.

TK's voice was choked with emotion, his eyes filled with unshed tears, but somehow he was relieved to say something out loud that had been bottled up for a long time.

"I'm so sorry, TK." Marjan whispered.

"I almost died that night. I survived a destructive relationship and I survived drugs, and here I am fighting. Coming here saved me and this is where I want to stay."

"We're family, kid!" Paul walked over, pulling TK into a hug, Marjan, Mateo, Nancy followed suit, a heartwarming group hug.

Owen watched the team welcome his son with a heart full of pride and gratitude.

"I think this circus can end," TK said defiantly, staring at Tyson. One by one, all the curious people left.

In the end, Billy had nothing against them.

"Okay, everyone back to your duties!" Owen demanded.

"Captain?" Judd replied worriedly.

"Get back to work!" Owen said firmly. His tone was imperative, leaving no room for argument.

“Dad,” TK tried as well.

"That ambulance needs to be refueled before the next call," Vega gave Nancy and TK a pointed look.

“Okay, Cap.” TK nodded, taking one last look at the three captains before leaving the room.

Paul put his arm around TK’s shoulders affectionately. “They’ll be fine. The captain will deal with this guy.”

 

After everyone had left, Tommy turned to Billy, looking at the man with a mixture of pity and contempt.

“The only thing you accomplished with this bizarre show was to expose the kid and disrupt the order of our battalion,” Vega kept a firm expression.

“I can still take the case to the ethics board. Why is the kid in 126? Wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest?” Billy retorted.

“Go ahead, there’s nothing illegal. TK is a paramedic under my command,” Vega said.

“No conflict of interest whatsoever,” Owen confirmed, glaring at Tyson.

“I had an opening on my team and TK is a firefighter-paramedic from New York with 7 years of rescue experience, his resume makes him a sought-after person nationwide, so I was quick,” Vega said with a shrug.

Billy Tyson glared at the two of them, clenching his fists in anger. He had nothing against Owen or TK after all. It would be his word against theirs, and it would come to nothing.

“Now get out of here and stay away from my son,” Owen approached, his eyes blazing dangerously.

“This isn’t over, Strand. I’m still going to find a way,” and with that, Billy stomped off.

 

 

***

 

 

Meanwhile, Carlos began to think of a way to make TK open up and trust him.

But what did he really know about TK? They had only had sex, but they were like two strangers.

Carlos knew about TK's abusive relationship with Alex, he knew that TK was the son of Captain Owen Strand, the guy who rebuilt Fire Station 252 after the attack, the same guy who gave new life to the fire department in Austin after the tragedy.

There was a lot of information available about Owen Strand on the web, the guy was a decorated hero, Carlos had personally had the chance to cross paths with Owen in the field a couple of times in the last year.

There was little information about TK, just an article in a local New York magazine that talked about children who followed in their parents' footsteps in their professions. Tyler Strand decided to be a firefighter because of Owen. It was impossible for Carlos not to think of himself and Gabriel. Carlos was a Texas Ranger, following in his father's footsteps.

“Isn’t that the fire captain?” Campbell’s voice pulled Carlos out of his thoughts.

“What?”

“The guy on the screen,” Campbell nodded, pointing to the computer screen, where there were several tabs with Owen Strand’s face on them.

“That’s him, Captain Owen Strand,” Carlos confirmed.

“Is there a problem with the guy?”

“I’m just curious,” Carlos shrugged.

“Look,” Campbell sat at the end of his colleague’s desk, searching for the right words, “this guy doesn’t seem like the type to be impressed by a box of chocolates.”

“What? No, it’s not for him,” Carlos shook his head with a smile.

“I thought this was the guy. You were sighing in the corners, and there’s been this box of chocolates here for days.”

“This guy I like, he’s just complicated. He’s also from New York, but that’s not the problem.”

“What’s the problem then? Is he married?”

“No.”

“So?”

“He just got out of an abusive relationship and I’m trying to figure out how to make him trust me,” Carlos explained.

“Wow!” Campbell sighed. “Take it slow. Bide his time, and if he’s not from Texas, show him the pleasures of Texas.”

“I don’t think he likes Texas barbecue. I think he’s a vegetarian, maybe vegan,” Carlos shrugged.

Campbell laughed. “Man, what I’m trying to tell you is to do something different than what he had in New York.”

“Oh, that’s an idea.”

It might work, at least he could try.

“Reyes! In my office!” Chief Bridges yelled, ending their conversation.

“You’re going to be guarding the governor’s daughter next week. Good luck,” Campbell patted Carlos on the back and returned to his desk.

 

 

***

 

 

TK acted normally throughout the day, Nancy and Tommy asked him from time to time if he was okay, and he answered yes, however, as soon as the shift ended all he wanted to do was disappear.

He didn't want to receive the worried looks from his classmates, much less from his father. Suddenly TK became agitated and anxious, he felt like using some substance.

“Fuck!” TK groaned, slamming the closet door shut, frustrated and feeling terrible for thinking about using again. His life was like that, any trigger could reactivate the addiction.

When TK left the 126 he saw the blue Camaro parked. Carlos was leaning against the car with a square box with a fancy gold bow.

“Did we plan something today?” TK asked, approaching.

“I should have called first, shouldn't I?” Carlos shrugged with a helpless look that touched TK’s heart.

“Okay, seriously,” TK looked at the box. “Is this for me?”

“It’s kind of silly? I know.”

“It’s not silly,” TK took the box with a small smile.

“I got a smile, so it was worth it,” Carlos touched TK’s face affectionately.

“I’ve never gotten chocolates before. Are they Swiss?”

“Yes. I was torn between flowers and chocolates, some guys don't like them because they think they're too feminine,” Carlos explained.

TK shrugged. “It's okay, really. I like it. It's cute.”

“I look like an idiot, don’t I?”

“A little, but it’s cute,” TK looked at the Camaro, “Shall we get out of here? I don’t want to go to my dad’s house today.”

“Okay. I think I have a place in mind,” Carlos said.

 

 

The metallic blue Camaro sped through the streets of Austin out of the city, the buildings falling away, giving way to fields and crops until they reached a winding road that skirted the forest.

TK didn’t ask where they were going, but a break from their current routine was something he needed right now.

An hour later they pulled into a parking spot that led to the lake in the mountains, the place was beautiful and peaceful.

Carlos grabbed a blanket from the trunk of the car, and pulled TK by the hand. They sat under the stars looking at the lake, bathed in moonlight.

“I used to come here with my dad,” Carlos said.

“It’s beautiful.” TK said.

“It’s one of my favorite places in Austin,” Carlos whispered, full of memories of him as a boy fishing with his father, at a time when Gabriel was his great hero, before Carlos’ sexuality opened a rift between them.

“You must have some good stories here with your old man,” TK smiled.

“I do, but today we’re just going to admire this beauty,” Carlos put an arm around TK’s shoulders, pulling him into a cuddle under the blanket.

TK’s mind was spinning, a thousand things going through his head, worries, the desire to succumb to his addiction, Billy exposing him, Owen scared, Owen worried, Owen sick, Vega feeling sorry, Alex angry, Alex hitting, Alex screaming, the feeling of euphoric joy that numbs his body after consuming his addiction, as if life was inflating his body, the effects taking him to heaven, and then the lethargy after the effect wore off, the silence, the cold, everything gray and colorless, and then he needed more, he needed feeling alive again and that was the looping suffering of addiction.

TK shivered and pressed himself against Carlos' body, seeking comfort.

Little by little TK's mind began to calm down, Carlos had him in his arms, one of his hands making a circular caress on his back. TK pressed his face into the crook of the ranger's neck and began to cry.

Carlos didn't ask any questions, he just held TK tighter in his embrace and gave him all the affection he could. He supposed that today hadn't been a good day for TK, but he was there. He would always be there.

 

Notes:

Thanks for reading.
Sorry for the mistakes, I don't have a beta.

Chapter 11: No Labels

Summary:

TK and Carlos have a cute moment at the lake and TK starts to think of them as boyfriend and girlfriend.

They get into a dangerous situation at work, but Carlos saves TK from a criminal.

This criminal, however, tries to get revenge on Carlos, but TK ends up saving Carlos. Unfortunately, TK gets hurt.

Notes:

I can't resist TK and Carlos' suffering, but I love them

As soon as he got home after that chaotic shift, Owen collapsed on the couch. He closed his eyes, remembering the whole mess with Billy Tyson exposing TK in that cowardly and revolting way.

Billy was an envious guy who wanted to be captain of 126. Owen knew that man would continue to try to harm him, but right now, Owen was worried about TK. His son had reacted with courage and confidence, but TK was great at hiding his feelings.

Tommy had promised to keep an eye on TK's behavior during the shift today, and she assured Owen that TK was fine, but Owen couldn't help but worry.

 

***

 

Carlos and TK didn't have sex in the lake under the stars. That night TK needed a hug more than sex, he needed affection and support. And Carlos was the right person for that, the ranger hugged his paramedic affectionately, letting TK use his shoulder to cry on, no questions, no pressure.

“Thank you,” TK said after a while of silence, when he felt confident enough to speak.

“For what exactly?” Carlos whispered.

“For being here,” TK replied, lifting his head from Carlos' shoulder.

“I can be there whenever you need me, TK.”

“I really need it today,” TK looked at the lake, the peace those waters brought was incredible, “today, at 126 something horrible happened, I managed to stay strong and do my job during the shift, but after I took off my uniform, after the shift was over I...”

“You fell apart,” Carlos said, and TK nodded.

“When the shift ended, I wanted to use again,” TK confessed.

“I’m so sorry,” Carlos could see the pain, fear, frustration, and anguish on the paramedic’s face.

Carlos could only imagine how painful this emotional loop was that made people like TK’s lives revolve around addiction.

“I was so desperate, I wanted to feel that sense of relief, I wanted to feel good, and I feel terrible about it. I feel so weak,” TK said with a sniffle.

“But you were strong and you resisted. You’re clean, you haven’t used again!”

“There will always be triggers,” TK let out a tired sigh. “I don’t know if I can make it through.”

“Of course you can. When you feel a trigger coming your way, you’ll run like hell to your support system,” Carlos advised.

TK nodded. He was silent for a moment, watching the waters of the lake, the gentle waves formed by the breeze coming and going.

“Carlos, can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“You’re the hottest guy I’ve ever seen,” TK said.

“Do you think I’m hot?” “You made my day for the second time,” Carlos joked.

“You know it is, but that’s not what I want to talk about. It’s something that’s bothering me inside,” TK said, clutching his chest.

“Okay, go ahead, ask.”

“You’re handsome, athletic, smart, a great son, you’re a Texas Ranger, you have your own car, your own house, your stable life,” TK looked at the lake, “what do you want with a guy like me?”

“What do you mean?” Carlos stared at TK, not really understanding where he was going with this.

“At first we were just hanging out, the sex was great, but this now,” TK raised his hand to show the lake, “the two of us here. This is something I’ve never done with anyone before, it’s too intimate.”

“Oh,” Carlos understood. For TK, having sex on the first date was okay, it didn’t involve feelings, and he must have done it a handful of times with random guys in New York, but this moment at the lake, him crying on Carlos’ shoulder, was new and unique. TK had shown all his vulnerability. “I don’t have the right answer to that question. I like you, that’s all.”

“I’m not good enough for you,” TK said, getting straight to the point.

“Why do you think that?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Not to me.”

“Oh, please, Carlos. Just look at you and me. Just look at your life and my life.”

“I’m not perfect, TK. I’ve made stupid mistakes in my life too, just like everyone else.”

“Oh, yeah, did you forget to pay an electric bill?” TK scoffed.

“I like you,” Carlos said very seriously, he turned to TK, holding the boy’s hands between his, his brown eyes focused on the handsome face illuminated by the moonlight. “I liked you since the first time I saw you in the hospital, I wanted to take care of you.”

“You said beautiful things that day,” TK looked at Carlos’ hands holding his.

“Do you think I go around saying those things to every witness I question?”

TK smiled, “I hope not.”

“You are special to me. And I want to repeat this today whenever you need it.”

“Carlos, it won’t be easy. Living with this, I mean, living with this addiction, it’s not easy and I can’t promise that I won’t hurt you.”

Carlos knew it wouldn't be easy. TK was trying to say that there would be days when he would want to go back to where he started: his addiction. And if that happened, they would have to start all over again, but he wanted TK. He was in love, and he wasn't going to give up on that love.

“Don't promise anything, then,” Carlos suggested, kissing TK's hands.

“No promises?” TK looked at him, a little insecure, a little suspicious.

“No promises, no pressure, and no labels. That's what we'll do. As long as we stay within that line, we'll be fine,” Carlos said.

“No promises, no pressure, and no labels. I think I can do this,” TK confirmed.

 

***

 

Eventually, day dawned.

The magic of seeing the night turn into day, seeing the first rays of sunlight reflecting on the waters of that lake next to Carlos made TK emotional. He was not prepared for anything like this moment. He had never felt anything like what he was feeling now.

“How beautiful,” TK whispered.

“Yes, it is beautiful,” Carlos nodded.

They exchanged a knowing look, intertwined their fingers and looked forward again, at the sunrise.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, Owen hadn't slept a wink waiting for TK. He was about to start calling hospitals and police stations when he heard the sound of a car's engine stopping in front of his house, it was a metallic blue Camaro and it was TK getting out of the car. When did TK start to be interested in this kind of guy?

When TK opened the door, he didn't expect to find his father waiting for him with such a serious expression.

"I'm fine," was the first thing TK said, raising his hands, "but you look terrible."

"I put a spoon in the freezer to try to reduce the swelling under my eyes, look at these horrible bags," Owen said.

"Didn't you sleep?"

"You didn't answer my calls; I called all night. I was freaking out; I called everyone at 126 and no one knew about you. How the hell was I going to sleep?"

"Dad, please. Don't tell me you called the 126 guys because I stayed out one night? I can't believe this embarrassment.”

“After everything that happened with Tyson, you disappear, you didn’t answer my calls. Do you really think I wouldn’t freak out?”

“My phone battery died. That’s all,” TK shrugged apologetically.

“Who was the guy in the blue Camaro? What happened to the cop? Should I be worried?”

“No, Dad, you don’t have to worry,” TK rolled his eyes. “I’m fine, really. Sorry for making you lose your night’s sleep, I was safe, I swear. And the guy in the car was Carlos.”

Owen eyed him suspiciously. "So, the guy in the blue Camaro was the Texas Ranger? You two are dating?"

TK rolled his eyes again. “His name is Carlos, and we haven’t defined a label.”

"You haven't decided on the label yet?" Owen repeated.

“Dad, relax!” TK smiled, patting his father on the shoulder and left the living room, went upstairs, and went to his room.

Owen understood now what Gwyn had been through, it was a scary task living with his children, seeing up close that they could get hurt at any moment and not being able to do anything but pray.

"If I find a gray hair because of this worry last night, you'll pay for my dye," Owen yelled toward the stairs, where TK had just climbed.

 

***

 

“Are you guys dating?” Nancy almost shouted happily when TK had to explain to his friends at 126 why his father had freaked out and called each of them in the middle of the night when he didn’t answer his phone.

He was explaining that his cell phone had run out of battery and he was at a lake under the stars with Carlos.

“We’re not, Nancy,” TK snapped.

“You’re dating,” Paul said.

“Of course you are. I only took Grace to the lake when we were officially dating,” Judd mused.

“What’s it like to date a Texas Ranger?” Mateo asked, his eyes shining.

“No, guys. We’re not dating,” TK repeated. “It’s definitely dating,” Marjan concluded.

“Who’s dating?” Owen, who had just come down the stairs, joined the group.

“TK and the Texas Ranger,” Mateo updated him.

“The guy in the blue Camaro? Didn’t you say you weren’t going to put labels on it?”

“Dad…”

“TK and Carlos are dating? I want to be the bridesmaid at the wedding, after all I have a stake in this,” Tommy Vega said, approaching the group.

“You?” TK looked at the captain blankly.

“Why?” Tommy searched for something that wouldn’t reveal that she had texted Carlos almost inviting him to the bar, when TK and Carlos first hooked up. “You met at the hospital, and I was there.”

“Okay, anyway, we’re not dating,” TK repeated. As usual, the alarm went off, ending the conversation.

 

***

 

The scene was chaotic when the paramedics arrived. Captain Vega's team was the first to arrive on the scene.

“Make way for the paramedics!” someone shouted from the crowd of onlookers.

“What do we have?” Vega got out of the ambulance and observed the chaos. There was an SUV parked across the middle of the avenue, another car crashed into a pole, and there were police cars everywhere.

“Two victims in the SUV. A man and a woman fought back and were shot. A patrol car passed by at the time, exchanged gunfire with the bandits, who lost control and crashed the car into the pole, but the guy there only got scratches,” one of the officers reported hurriedly.

“Okay! Nancy, come with me. And TK, you give first aid to the car on the pole. And be careful, the guy is dangerous,” Tommy ordered.

TK shook his head, grabbed his backpack with equipment and ran to the car, but as he approached, he saw the driver being pulled from the steering wheel by a Texas Ranger and pushed with his face pressed against the hood.

“Hey!” TK yelled. “This man needs medical attention!”

“He only has a scratch,” the ranger snapped, handcuffing the man and pushing him to his knees on the ground.

“He’s bleeding, ranger…” TK glared at the officer defiantly.

“Campbell.”

“Okay, Ranger Campbell. I’ll do my job.” There was a determined gleam in TK’s eyes that said nothing would stop him from helping this patient.

“Okay, paramedic. Do your job.” Campbell scowled. The ranger clearly didn’t like the interference, but the paramedic was just doing his job.

TK nodded and crouched down beside the handcuffed criminal, assessing the cut on his eyebrow. “That’s going to need stitches,” he said, opening his bag, working quickly and efficiently with gauze soaked in antiseptic solution to staunch the bleeding in the wound.

“You have fairy hands, princess.” The man whistled a joke as TK cleaned the wound.

“Shut up. Save your energy for the deposition.” The ranger immediately retorted.

“Are you feeling any pain, any dizziness? Discomfort?” TK asked, feeling embarrassed, completely uncomfortable with the harassment, but he continued to stand firm, doing his job.

“I’m having trouble breathing, like there’s pressure in my chest every time I try to fill my lungs,” the guy said, forcing a pained expression. He then coughed a few times as if he was choking. “I can’t breathe!” The guy leaned forward in a coughing fit, groaning in agony.

TK went into emergency mode. “Take those handcuffs off him!”

Campbell took a few seconds, but the criminal was choking. He had no choice but to unlock the handcuffs.

Neither Campbell nor TK noticed the subtle movement of the guy reaching for a pocketknife hidden in his boot, below the hem of his pants.

“Breathe slowly and steadily,” TK approached, and everything happened quickly. The guy pulled the paramedic by the neck, easily overpowering him. The silvery glint of the knife was felt against TK’s neck.

“Shit!” Campbell growled, pulling out his gun. “Let him go now!”

“Or whatever creaks?” The man faced him, pressing the knife against the paramedic’s neck. “I’m the one giving the orders here. Move away, or I’ll rip his neck out!”

TK felt his heart beating fast against his chest, a wave of fear rose in the pit of his stomach, he felt the blade being pressed against the sensitive skin of his neck.

“Please! Let me go!” TK shouted, scared.

“Shut up!” The man shook him.

“You won’t get out of this well if you hurt him. Just let him go!” Campbell tried, then saw Carlos moving behind the guy.

“It would be a shame to ruin such a handsome boy, but…” the man didn’t have time to finish his sentence, a punch hit the hand holding the knife and he was jerked back. The knife fell with a clatter on the asphalt, free, TK ran.

Carlos threw the criminal to the ground, immobilizing him with an arm lock.

“Are you okay?” Campbell supported TK, watching worriedly as a trickle of blood ran down the paramedic’s neck.

“Yes, yes… it’s a superficial cut,” TK replied, trembling.

“TK!” Tommy and Nancy approached, worried. They had just finished administering first aid to the two victims in the other car, and putting them on the stretcher of another ambulance, when they saw the scene of their colleague being held hostage.

“I’m fine,” he said reassuringly.

Carlos handcuffed the man and put him in the back of the police car, the people around applauded the heroic act.

“What the fuck were you doing?” Carlos growled at Campbell.

“Hey, it wasn’t my fault!” Campbell held up his hands in apology.

“I’m fine. It wasn’t his fault,” TK said quickly. His voice was still shaky from the shock, but he was fine.

“He had an obligation to ensure the safety of civilians,” Carlos replied. “Are you really, okay?” His eyes shone with concern and affection.

“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks to you.” TK melted. The two looked at each other, as if the world had been pushed aside for just them to exist.

“Okay, now if it’s okay with you guys, I’m going to get my team out of here.” Tommy jumped in, touching TK’s shoulder, breaking the mood between him and Carlos.

“Yes, Captain. If your paramedic is okay, I won’t keep them busy for me,” Carlos said.

There was an internal procedure that would analyze if there had been any kind of failure or recklessness on Campbell’s part that could put civilians at risk, but TK assured him that it wasn’t the officer’s fault, nothing would happen.

“It wasn’t my fault, man.” Campbell apologized to Carlos once it was just the two of them.

“Okay, I guess I was a little rough on you. I was just nervous. Sorry I was rude.” Carlos shrugged.

“I know he’s important to you.”

“You know?”

“How many TKs with New York accents do we have in the Austin paramedic system?”

“Oh.”

“He’s cute. But I thought I’d meet my partner’s boyfriend in a more normal setting, but not in our regular work,” Campbell said.

“He’s not my boyfriend. We decided we’re not going to put labels on him.” Carlos responded, circling the car to take the wheel.

“The way you guys were looking at each other. You’re in love.” Campbell stated.

 

***

 

In the days that followed, it became routine to see Carlos' metallic blue Camaro parked at 126 at the end of TK's shifts.

“Your boyfriend is waiting in the parking lot,” Judd said as he entered the locker room. TK was finishing getting ready.

“Judd, Carlos and I aren't dating, we don't want to put labels on things.”

“How long are you going to keep up this nonsense, man? You're always so stuck together lately.”

“We have a good combination for both of us,” TK looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting his shirt, checking if everything was okay to meet Carlos.

“Are you sure it's okay for him?”

“Why wouldn't it be?”

“Because the guy is from Texas, not New York like you, that's not our way.”

“And what's your way?” TK turned to face Judd.

“The guy is in love, and he’s been patiently waiting for you to be ready to take him on. If you think that day will never come, let him go,” Judd advised.

Judd was right, what was left for the next step was up to him, but today TK decided he wasn’t going to think about it, he was just going to throw himself into Carlos’ arms.

“Hey.” TK wrapped his arms around Carlos’ neck.

“Hey, baby!” Carlos greeted him with a big smile.

“I like the baby, baby,” TK laughed.

Carlos pulled him by the waist. Little by little, TK was showing a side of himself that made Carlos fall even more in love. TK was light, funny, sweet and cute, in short, he made Carlos smile, he brought color to Carlos' world.

They kissed slowly. Carlos' hands went down to TK's round buttocks, it seemed like his big hands were made to fit that perfect ass.

"I was dying of longing," Carlos said emphasizing with a light squeeze on the cute buttocks.

"If you provoke me, Carlos Reyes, I swear I'll rip this starched shirt and have sex with you right here, on the hood of your car."

"Fetish for having sex naked on top of a Camaro?"

"Don't provoke me," TK smiled, moving away, circling the car and opening the door. "Come on, we still have to have wild sex today," and he made a gesture with his hand, imitating a tiger.

Carlos smiled and rolled his eyes at TK's antics. "Let's stop by the market first, we're off tomorrow and my plans include watching TV shows in bed with my gorgeous boyfriend." TK froze halfway between opening the car door. Judd was right, Carlos already saw them as a couple. But what about the deal? "Aren't you going to get in?" Carlos asked. He was already in the driver's seat waiting for TK. "I... I don't know..."

“TK, get in the car, please,” Carlos asked softly.

“Carlos?” TK whispered uncertainly, he finally got in the car.

“It’s just one word. It doesn’t change anything,” the ranger spoke softly, stroking the paramedic’s hair.

“It’s a label, and you said that…”

“I know, I’m sorry. Don’t get weird with me,” Carlos spoke softly, his brown eyes shining needily.

TK didn’t feel right hurting that beautiful and caring man because of a word, which as Carlos said didn’t change how they felt.

“Sorry. I’m not going to freak out,” TK said. “I still want the night of wild sex,” he joked trying to save the mood.

“My tiger is hungry,” Carlos smiled, starting the car.

 

***

 

It had started to rain lightly and badly that Friday night, making it the perfect weather to cuddle up at home. Carlos needed to stock up on groceries, so they stopped at the market before heading home.

“Shopping isn’t romantic,” TK complained with a pout, throwing a bag of chocolate chips into the basket, along with cookies that he was going to make with coffee while they watched TV.

“Not at all,” Carlos agreed, choosing an Italian baguette for his starter toast, before the fish he was going to make.

“This is the first time you’re going to cook for me.”

“Did you tell your dad you were going to stay with me? He freaked out last time.”

“I’ll tell him later,” TK rolled his eyes and Carlos smiled, thinking he was silly.

They chatted while they waited their turn in the checkout line, then walked distractedly through the supermarket parking lot.

Carlos and TK were walking through the parking lot when TK saw out of the corner of his eye the light of a headlight growing towards them, heading towards Carlos. From then on, everything that happened passed by in a blur. Maybe it was his calling to save lives, maybe it was just a reflex, but TK managed to push Carlos back, pulling him out of the way of the car.

Carlos fell to his knees, using his hands to avoid hitting his face, the skin on his hands scraping against the wet asphalt, the shopping bags flew away, there were lemons and oranges rolling across the floor, the fish and the baguette fell into a puddle.

TK had managed to save Carlos, but he didn't have time to think about himself. Everything happened too fast. TK crashed into the car's bumper, he felt a strong blow to his right hip, and a hot pain spread throughout his leg, up his spine to his neck. His body was lifted into the air like a rag doll and he fell with a thud onto the hood of the car, his head jutting back, hitting the windshield and then he passed out.

Carlos, who was still on the ground, where TK had pushed him, just watched without reacting.

The car reversed, TK's body slid to the ground, all limp, and he remained there, motionless, lying at a morbid angle.

The vehicle accelerated again, screeching tires and avoiding the body lying on the ground. Carlos felt his stomach doing somersaults as his adrenaline surged to its peak. The ranger acted on instinct, jumped to his feet and took off running after the black vehicle that had just run over TK. The car went up the exit ramp, taking the parking lot gate with it, the engine roaring loudly. When it reached the avenue, the SUV picked up speed and disappeared from view as it turned the corner.

A disoriented and breathless Carlos stood there staring at the track, he leaned on his knees trying to catch his breath while sucking in great gasps of air.

“TK?” His brain clicked and he remembered that his boyfriend was lying on the wet asphalt and ran back to that scene. There were people around TK's body, and he remained motionless, just as he had fallen.

The rain felt thin and cold, the ground was wet, TK's blood was slowly spreading, a red puddle was forming around his head.

Carlos thought he was going to vomit. Flashes of the accident were flashing in his head; he kept hearing the unpleasant noise of TK's body colliding with the bodywork of the car.

In the space of 3 minutes the ambulance's siren was getting closer, and soon paramedics were running towards TK.

That disturbing noise caused by the impact of a human body against the bodywork of a car wouldn't leave Carlos' head, he thought he would hear that noise every time he closed his eyes before going to sleep.

"TK!" Carlos called, this couldn't be happening, they were going to have a normal and perfect night, TK wasn't supposed to be bleeding broken on the wet floor of a supermarket parking lot, TK was supposed to be happy, not become a target of Carlos' enemies. The Ranger put his hands on his head, desperate and lost.

 

Notes:

Thank you for reading, thank you for the comments, kudos.

Chapter 12: In the hospital

Summary:

Sorry for the delay in posting, a lot of work.
Thank you to everyone who is enjoying reading this fanfic.

Carlos's head was buzzing with images of TK lying on the floor, there was so much blood, the ambulance siren, the feeling of panic and fear in his stomach. His whole body was shaking, he was a mess as he waited in the hospital reception. He was wet and cold, there was blood on his clothes, on his skinned hands.

At the crime scene he had tried to be as professional as possible, guiding the local police with every detail he could remember and still had the brains to call Tommy Vega, the paramedic captain, who was the only contact he had with anyone close to TK, only later had he driven to the hospital and now he was there, waiting for some news.

Ranger Campbell turned in the hallway, his eyes filled with relief when he saw Carlos.

"Reyes?"

“Campbell, it wasn’t an accident,” Carlos said urgently, running toward his friend. “It was meant for me. Someone tried to kill me and TK saved me and now he’s there.”

“I know, that’s why I’m here,” Campbell said. “The SUV that ran over your boyfriend is stolen; the vehicle was abandoned on a state highway 20 minutes from the market where the accident happened.”

“That means they’re close by. We need security camera footage from around the market.”

“We’re already analyzing all the footage. Including footage from private properties, the SUV has already been seized and is going for forensics, we’re going to catch these guys, Reyes.”

“I owe it to TK.”

“How is he?”

“I don’t know, they don’t say anything,” Carlos said, remembering the unpleasant thud of TK’s body against the car. “He saved my life. He can’t die.”

Campbell didn’t know what to say to comfort his friend. He just patted Carlos on the shoulder.

“He’ll be fine. He seems like a tough guy. He stood up to me to help that guy the day he was taken hostage,” Campbell said. “I just didn’t know he was Captain Strand’s son. You could have told me you were dating the fire captain’s son.”

“We’re not dating, it’s complicated.” Carlos replied, they weren’t dating now either, but he no longer had the energy to explain the whole label thing.

“So, my tip worked?”

“I guess so. I took him to the lake,” Carlos smiled, remembering that after that night TK had let him get close.

“I want to be the best man when you guys get married,” Campbell patted his colleague on the shoulder, but Carlos suddenly seemed distant.

“The guy who took TK hostage, do we know anything about him?” Carlos said.

“We know he’s part of a luxury car theft ring, why?” Campbell narrowed his eyes.

“Just a guess,” Carlos said thoughtfully.

“I’ll personally take charge of interrogating this guy,” Campbell promised. Reyes was a good guesser, maybe it ran in the family, Gabriel used to follow extinct and always got it right.

After Campbell left, Carlos slumped in the waiting room chair. He hung his head in his hands in a defeatist posture, flashes of the accident coming and going in his memory.

That was how Owen found him, he was the image of abandonment and desolation.

“Ranger Reyes?”

Carlos looked up to see none other than TK’s father. Guilt washed over him. How was he supposed to look Owen in the eye knowing that TK was in this situation for putting himself in front of a car to save his life?

“Captain Strand.”

“Just Owen,” the captain held out his hand. “Carlos,” he said, standing up, accepting the man’s hand.

“How is he?”

“They won’t tell me; they’ll just talk to the family.”

Owen nodded. Less than two hours ago he had been with TK in the 126 and now his son was in a hospital.

“Mr. Strand, I swear, the Texas Rangers are doing everything they can to find whoever did this,” Carlos assured.

Owen looked surprised. “What really happened? Tommy called me, said you called from the hospital, and that TK had been hit in a supermarket parking lot. Are you trying to tell me it wasn’t an accident?”

“It wasn’t an accident,” Carlos confirmed. “I was the target, but TK pushed me and got hit instead of me.”

“Oh my God!” Owen thought of TK, his beautiful, brave boy, he looked just like him.

“Mister, Strand, I… I swear to God, I would do anything to be me instead of TK. Witnessing that hit-and-run and being here without any news of him is hurting me more than it would have been me,” Carlos said in an anguished tone. A couple of thick tears rolled down his handsome face.

He had been holding in a lot, but now, in front of Owen, Carlos felt he could let it out.

Seeing Carlos breaking down, Owen had nothing else to do but pull him into a warm hug. They stayed there hugging for a long time, Carlos crying, Owen comforting him.

When everyone at 126 talked about the Texas Ranger who was interested in TK, or the few times TK himself admitted that he had something with the Ranger, Owen always imagined someone different. It never occurred to him that Carlos was just a boy, maybe even younger than TK, and that messed with Owen. Carlos and TK were just two boys discovering love and trying to be happy.

“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” Owen said.

“No, you didn’t see what I saw,” Carlos cried. “It was horrible, the noise, you know? His body against the car, and the ground was wet and then I ran, but the car drove away, and there was blood… TK’s blood and he was there on the ground… he just stayed there.”

“Calm down, Carlos. Hey!”

“Mr. Strand, he was there! And it can’t be our TK, he doesn’t stay still for more than five minutes, he’s restless, he’s a ball of chaotic energy all the time,” Carlos was slurring his words. “I was going to ask him out tonight, officially, but then I decided against it because he has this thing about labels, and I didn’t want to ruin our night. Oh God! How am I going to feel if he leaves like that?”

Owen felt his heart tighten, he had to stay strong for TK, for Carlos, and for him.

“Listen, Carlos,” Owen moved them to sit on the chairs, then he took Carlos’ face between his hands and made the man look at him firmly. “That’s TK Strand over there, you don’t know him like I do yet, but I can give you my word, he doesn’t give up on anything easily, son. When TK wants something, he holds on to it with everything he has, he has you now, he’s not going anywhere.”

Carlos somehow clung to what Owen had told him, like a person clinging to a buoy in a sea of ​​currents. He sniffed a few times, took a deep breath, and wiped his eyes with the back of his hands, trying to compose himself.

“Now, you’re going to let a nurse take care of those cuts on your hands, and get you a change of dry clothes, before you catch a cold. In the meantime, I’m going to go inside and find someone who can give us some news about our boy, okay?” Owen patted Carlos affectionately on the back.

Carlos nodded, feeling safe next to TK’s father. The man exuded security and order.

“I have dry clothes in the car, it’s in the parking lot… I didn’t want to leave here until I had family,” he explained.

Owen nodded gratefully that Carlos was so attentive to his son, it was clear he loved TK.

Strand stood up, waved with a confident smile and disappeared through the restricted access door, Carlos figured that since he was Captain Strand of the 126, few accesses were actually restricted.

 

***

 

While Owen was gone, Tommy Vega and Nancy arrived, worried.

 

They were trying to understand how TK had been doing so well a couple of hours ago and was now fighting for his life in a hospital bed.

 

Owen returned much later, he looked paler and more tired than before he disappeared through the restricted door.

“He’s out of danger,” Owen began, relieving everyone. “He suffered a mild head injury, a crack in the skull, on the right side of his head, but no brain damage, no concussion this time, the doctors said he was very lucky, they believe his body absorbed the impact, which saved his head from a collision that could have been fatal.”

“Thank God!” Vega celebrated.

“Is he going to be okay?” Carlos still couldn’t believe the good news.

Owen waved his hand in a calming gesture, “He’ll be fine, but he’s pretty hurt, he’s got bruises and bruises all over his body, and he’s fractured his pelvis, his right wrist, and he’s got sprains in some of his fingers on his right hand. He’ll need a few weeks to recover.”

“How is he coping with all this pain?” Tommy asked worriedly.

“He’s still unconscious, so we’ll see how he gets through the night,” Owen shrugged with a sigh.

“Do you need me to stay?” Tommy asked.

“No, only one person can stay in the room with him, and you have the girls. I really appreciate you being here. TK will be very happy to know that you came.”

“The whole 126 will be here tomorrow, Captain, TK has become our little brother. He is very dear,” Nancy said.

“Can I see him?” Carlos asked. Owen wanted to tell Carlos to go rest. TK was still unconscious, but he would wake up in so much pain that it might be better if only Owen and the doctors dealt with him, but he didn’t have the heart to say no.

 

***

 

Carlos walked slowly into the room. With each step he took closer to TK, he thought about how happy they had been earlier, how they had plans for the evening and the weekend, none of which included hospitals.

It was the second time Carlos had seen him lying in a hospital bed, but this time TK looked so small and fragile. It seemed so wrong to see TK like that. After getting to know him, it was hard not to associate him with energy and hyperactivity.

Carlos raised his hand and stroked TK's hair with his fingertips carefully, not wanting to hurt his wounds any further. There was a bandage on the right side of his forehead. That must be where the fracture in the bone had occurred. It was on that side that he had crashed into the car.

TK was so pale, paler than usual, and his skin was cold and clammy. Carlos could see scratches and dark purple marks scattered across his arms where his hospital gown didn't cover them. An IV was hidden beneath bandages on his left hand, where a heart rate monitor was attached to his index finger. His right arm was immobilized with a splint, leaving the tips of his swollen and bruised fingers exposed, and his right leg was bandaged and slightly raised on a support attached to the bed.

Carlos felt tears filling his eyes, he wanted to apologize to TK, the car came towards Carlos, TK wasn't supposed to get hurt.

“I'm sorry, baby,” Carlos whispered.

TK moved, he chose that moment to wake up. His confused green eyes registered the ceiling of the hospital, and then he stared at Carlos for a long time.

“Hey, baby? How are you feeling?” Carlos said with a mix of relief and concern.

“Like a car ran over me,” TK grumbled, he tried to lift his torso, but failed miserably, his body felt like it had been through a crusher. An unbearably sharp pain erupted from his hip, spreading through his right leg, up his lower back, ribs and neck.

“You're going to hurt yourself,” Carlos pressed his hands to his chest, gently making him return to the pillow.

“Oh, damn!” The pain was so intense that it triggered a mass reaction in TK’s already exhausted body. His head spun heavily, and his stomach churned. His watery eyes squeezed shut. He was out of breath, paler than before. There was a hot, throbbing pain in his right hip and leg. His lower back felt like it was breaking into a thousand pieces. His head hurt so much on the right side. “Oh, my God!” TK cringed and began to cry softly.

His body felt like it was on fire, head, spine, arms, and legs, all throbbing furiously, he closed his eyes, feeling like he was going to faint, the machines started to beep loudly.

“Is he awake?” Owen poked his head into the room.

“He tried to get up, and then he was in a lot of pain,” Carlos warned in panic.

“Oh,” Owen didn’t seem surprised. He pressed the medical call button, then approached and hugged TK carefully, avoiding his injured limbs, rocking his son as if he were a very big baby, speaking softly in TK’s ear, stroking his hair, drying his tears.

“Should I call a doctor?” Carlos felt overwhelmed by that interaction, because Owen knew exactly what to do.

“I already called,” Owen pointed to the button near the bed, which he had pressed before hugging his son. “How bad are you, son?”

“I don’t know, maybe eight?” TK whispered. “What happened, I don’t remember exactly.”

“You were run over,” Owen said.

“Run over?” TK repeated.

“You saved me,” Carlos said.

“Oh, the market, the headlights. Carlos!?”

“I’m fine. You saved my life there,” Carlos walked closer, coming into TK’s line of sight. The two looked at each other with such affection.

Owen carefully laid TK against the pillows, giving his son some privacy.

“Carlos,” TK whispered, “I don’t know what I would do if something had happened to you.”

“Nothing happened to me because you saved me. TK, I don’t want to wait any longer to tell you this…”

TK didn’t let him finish; he said it first. “I love you.”

Three words only, but it was incredible how they had the power to transform Carlos’ world. He felt his heart fill with affection and satisfaction.

“I love you, TK Strand.” Carlos kissed TK’s lips, just a peck, not wanting to hurt him anymore.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

“I ruined our night,” TK said.

“It wasn’t your fault…”

“Is the driver okay? No one else hurt?” TK asked.

“It’s okay…” Carlos said, exchanging a look with Owen. They both silently decided that they didn’t need to add to TK’s stress by explaining about an attempted murder to Carlos. It was better for now that he thought it was just an accident.

Carlos stood there gently stroking TK’s soft hair, tears streaming down his green eyes.

“Are you crying?”

“Carlos, I’m in so much pain,” he said. “God, it hurts so much!” TK sighed, frowning, his expression in pain. “Did I break myself badly?”

“You’re going to be okay, baby. It’s a crack in your skull right here,” Carlos lightly touched the bandage on TK’s forehead, “and your pelvis is broken. When the doctor comes, we can ask him to increase the pain meds…”

“No!”

“You’re in pain, TK.”

“I don’t want anything. Please, Dad? Won’t they…?”

“No. I told them before they started giving him the medication. You’re fine,” Owen promised.

Carlos looked from TK to Owen. Owen was okay. His son was in so much pain. Why couldn’t they give him something to help?

The doctor came in a few minutes later, asked a few questions, took some notes, and increased the dosage of Tylenol and some other mild sedative. TK slowly closed his eyes.

“They’re not going to give him anything for the pain? He’s clearly suffering. He was crying in pain, it’s torture,” Carlos said. It was agonizing just to watch.

“Carlos, he doesn’t want it,” Owen said.

“He just got hit by a car, hit his head, and he’s all broken up. Tylenol won’t help.”

“They’re not going to give him anything stronger than Tylenol. It would be too risky, and he’s not in danger of dying.” Owen explained.

“Oh,” Carlos understood. He glanced at TK, who was now in a light, restless sleep, full of sighs and groans. But even if TK’s pain level was severe, he would have to endure it. “The opioids.”

Because of TK’s addiction to opioids the doctors wouldn’t give him anything like morphine, tramadol, fentanyl… he would just have to endure it.

“Listen, son. He’ll be fine, I promise. Now go home, you need to rest too, it’s been a lot for today,” Owen said softly.

Carlos sighed; he nodded. They were all exhausted, it had been a very hard day. He figured TK and Owen would have a long night here, but tomorrow would be a new day.

“It’s just so unfair, Mr. Strand. He wasn’t supposed to be here, he wasn’t supposed to get hit by a car, and he can’t even have morphine,”

“Carlos, I’ll be fine… I just need to rest,” TK groaned from the bed, Carlos and his conversation waking him up.

“TK, I’m so sorry,” Carlos said.

“It’s not your fault,” TK said softly. “Come here,” TK said, moving his left hand slowly to call Carlos over.

“I…”

“I’ll be fine. Go to the cause, you need to rest. My dad will stay with me. He’s not as hot as you are, but…”

“I’m listening to this. And you’re hurting my feelings. I thought I was still hot,” Owen joked.

“Dad, you’re still hot, but you’re not my type,” TK rolled his eyes.

“I’ll come back tomorrow,” Carlos said, seeing how exhausted TK was.

“I’m sorry we won’t be having our wild night of sex…”

“We’ll have to postpone, tiger.”

“Seriously, guys? I’m still here!” Owen said with a smile.

The three of them smiled. And Carlos, seeing TK smiling, even though he was in so much pain, knew they were going to be okay.

TK fell asleep again a few minutes later.

Owen walked Carlos to the door, waving goodbye to him in the hallway.

“We’ve done this before,” Owen said.

“This?”

“TK admitted with pain only on Tylenol.”

“When he got the concussion, you weren’t here, I had no idea he couldn’t take stronger meds. How did he get through that night?” Carlos said.

“Judd, my lieutenant from 126, stayed with him, it wasn’t an easy night, but they got through it.”

“I didn’t know,” Carlos said.

“It’s okay, really. It’s not that shocking once you get used to it,” Owen said with a shrug. “He’ll be fine.”

After that night Carlos left with some decisions made, he loved TK Strand, the brave man who had saved his life, and he wanted to write his story alongside TK.

Chapter 13: Despite everything, good News

Summary:

Hi guys. Sorry for the delay in posting, but I was busy at work.

I am very grateful to everyone who is following and enjoying this fanfic. Thank you!

Notes:

-Carlos and Campbell solve another case.

-TK is out of the hospital

-Owen is recovering from cancer

-Everyone is happy

 

TK's broken body finally succumbed to the pain and exhaustion, and he fell into a sleep filled with groans and sighs.

Owen sat beside his son's bed, observing the excessive paleness on the young face. Owen remembered so many times he had been in this situation, sitting next to TK in a hospital bed.

He carefully held his son's hand, the one that wasn't in a cast, where the IV was sticking out from under a bandage. It was so cold, there were irritated bruises on his knuckles where the skin had been torn off when he had scraped against the asphalt. TK looked so fragile and Owen so tired.

Owen silently lamented how the cursed addiction had almost destroyed TK a few times, and continued to make him suffer. His son would have to deal with this for the rest of his life.

TK was an incredibly loving boy, all Owen wanted most was for TK to find people in his life who were capable of reciprocating all the love he gave. His intense boy gave everything of himself in relationships, most of the time people were not willing, or were not ready to receive that load of attention and affection and TK ended up hurt and frustrated, it seemed that now things were different, there was Ranger Reyes, who seemed to understand the depth of TK's feelings.

Owen caressed his son's hand. "You'll be fine," the captain said in a low tone.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, Carlos arrived home. He needed a hot shower after everything that had happened today. He got under the shower, the combination of the floral soap foam with soothing touches and warm water were relieving the pain and tension in his muscles, he was feeling more and more relaxed. His thoughts went back to TK. Even though Carlos was a police officer and had worked on the streets, he had never actually dealt with people addicted to such a deep level. The most he did was refer the person to a place of assistance, but he had never stopped to think about the situation of someone like TK, someone who lives with the shadow of addiction every day, and yet TK was invisible when he was in the field saving people, no one except TK would imagine the struggles he fought internally every day and that only made Carlos' chest fill with pride, his boy was one of the strongest and most resilient people he knew.

He had barely gotten out of the shower when the phone rang, and a hurried Carlos, wet and wrapped in a towel, answered.

“Carlos, we got the guy!” Campbell said into the phone.

“I’m coming.”

 

***

 

The fact was that everything about Carlos' attempted hit-and-run was too amateurish. The guy stole the car near the market, in a busy neighborhood full of public cameras and witnesses. Then he ran over TK, fled and abandoned the car on a busy highway with cameras. The criminal simply left clues as he fled. It was easy for the Rangers to find him in less than 24 hours. The problem was that the guy shouldn't have been on the streets, because he had been arrested a few days earlier by Carlos and Campbell, when he took paramedic TK hostage after a failed attempt to steal a car.

"You're part of a gang that specializes in stealing luxury cars, which is part of a major crime scheme in Texas. So, you steal a car, try to run over a Ranger, run over a civilian and walk down the street normally? But how is that possible if we arrested you a few days ago?

“Doesn’t it seem obvious?” the crook smiled.

“Not at all,” Campbell replied.

“I have a good lawyer,” the man shrugged.

“Jake Bill Trunks, you have an extensive criminal record. You were recently arrested for stealing a luxury car, resisting arrest, holding a hostage, carrying an illegal weapon, among other things, you shouldn’t be on the streets. How did you get out?”

On the other side of the glass wall, Carlos watched the guy who had run over TK closely. They decided to leave that part of the interrogation to Campbell, because Carlos didn’t know if he could contain himself in front of the guy who almost took TK’s life.

“I already told you, Ranger. My lawyer put me out on the street the next day.”

“I know, so you thought it would be a good idea to try to kill a ranger?”

“I wasn’t thinking very well. I just wanted to screw over the cop who put me in jail, but it went wrong, I ended up screwing over another guy.”

“Oh, just like that?”

“Yeah, man. I didn’t have a plan, I just wanted to get revenge on that Ranger. I’m not a murderer; I’m a car thief.”

“I’d say you’re improving your criminal record, attempted murder is a big step,” Campbell shrugged.

“Look, I never meant to hurt that kid at the supermarket, okay?”

“Wow! You just drove the car into his boyfriend.”

“That kid wasn’t supposed to be there, he wasn’t supposed to get hurt, but he just threw himself in front of the Ranger. The whole thing was for that stuck-up Ranger, not the kid!” the criminal explained.

“The stuck-up Ranger is my partner, and he was doing his job investigating crooks like you!” Campbell slammed the table angrily, his voice rising. “If anything had happened to my partner, you’d be rotting in jail.”

“I’m still going to rot in jail,” Jake said with a sigh.

“Unless you start cooperating. What I want from you are names. I want to know who you pass on the stolen cars to, how the scheme works. We know there are big names behind this gang, and the more names you give us, and that makes sense to us, the more your sentence will be reduced.”

“I want to see my lawyer.”

“This time you don’t have a lawyer in your name, you’ll have to appeal to a public defender, my friend.” Campbell smiled.

“Damn!”

“Looks like you’ve been left behind.”

“I’m not going to pay for all this shit alone. I’m going to cooperate with you guys!”

“Great!” the ranger snapped his fingers with a victorious smile on his lips.

Jake started telling everything he knew, giving Campbell valuable information. After hours the Rangers had a lot to find out. They were very close to dismantling that gang.

 

***

 

“I wanted to punch that bastard in the face. When I think about TK being in that hospital because of that idiot!” Carlos groaned later.

He and Campbell were at their workstations writing up the indictment reports to present to their boss, they connected the names Jake had given them, which they were amazed included prominent Texas businessmen and even politicians, into a grand scheme of fraud.

“That’s why I had to lead the interrogation,” Campbell said. “This job is crazy, partner. You’ve made your first enemy.”

“I wonder… if something like this is why my father was murdered…” Carlos said.

Campbell sighed. Carlos’ father’s murder had never been solved. “Your father was one of the best, Carlos. He put the most dangerous guys in Texas behind bars.”

“That explanation isn’t enough for me. I can’t live with it. That he was killed just because he was an incredible ranger and had dozens of enemies.” Carlos shrugged.

“I can understand, but unfortunately that’s what we have.” Campbell grumbled.

“Okay, that’s what we have.” Carlos repeated with a resolute air. “Well, let’s get back to focusing on our current case?”

“Let’s get back to the case. And what a crazy case this is,” Campbell said with a sigh. “It’s amazing when we uncover a corruption scheme within the government. These people should be helping the population.”

“Unfortunately, we see this all the time,” Carlos shrugged.

 

***

 

A few days later, TK was released to go home.

Owen and the 126 crew had prepared a small reception for him at the captain's house. As soon as TK limped into his father's living room, the lights came on and his friends appeared with big smiles and screams of surprise. There was a big neon sign flashing a welcome sign and many lighted balloons scattered across the ceiling.

TK was in pain, but his heart warmed when he saw all his friends, such special people, who truly cared about him. He had never had anything like this before.

“You need to stop scaring us,” Nancy joked, patting TK on the shoulder.

“Our boy is a trouble magnet,” Paul said affectionately, hugging TK carefully.

“And here I thought he would be safe hanging out with the ranger,” Mateo commented, a little disappointed.

“Looks like this guy is more of a trouble magnet than TK himself,” Marjan joked.

“He’s not,” TK defended Carlos immediately.

“Leave TK alone and the ranger wasn’t to blame. The bad guys tried to erase him,” Judd said.

“What do you mean?” TK turned his head to Judd.

“You don’t know? Your boyfriend was investigating a case, and the criminals tried to take him out, at least that’s what I read on the web. The Ranger chief gave an interview explaining it,” Mateo shrugged.

“I read on a website that it was just some guy Carlos arrested a while back and the guy wanted revenge,” Tommy said.

“Anyway, it wasn’t an accident, it was an attempted murder,” Judd said simply.

TK looked at his father, “It wasn’t an accident?”

“You didn’t know Carlos was the target?” Tommy asked softly.

“No, I didn’t. No one told me anything.” TK said, sounding hurt.

“And would that make any difference?” Owen asked.

“At least I wouldn’t feel like everyone was trying to hide something important from me in case I freaked out and got high again,” TK was clearly upset.

“Oh, come on, TK.” Owen groaned impatiently. “You were in so much pain that night, this was out of place.”

“It’s been days, Dad!” TK raised his voice. “You’ve been with me in the hospital this whole time, Carlos has been with me, and you didn’t think to tell me?”

Carlos chose that moment to walk through the door. All eyes turned to him.

“Did I do something wrong?” the ranger asked under the weight of TK’s friends’ gazes.

“You and my dad failed to tell me a very important detail about the accident,” TK made sure to explain.

“Oh,” Carlos looked around the room, trying to get some support. “I…”

“He’s freaking out because he thinks you and the captain hid the fact that it wasn’t an accident because you were afraid he’d relapse,” Mateo explained.

“And let’s face it, you should have told him the truth,” Marjan added.

“No, no, guys!” Owen walked to the middle of the room, raising his hands. “Let's give TK and Carlos a break, let's try my pistachio punch with ginger, it's light,” he said shooing everyone to the table where there was a large container with a suspicious green liquid.

TK sighed as he watched his friends and father walk away, leaving him and Carlos on the couch. He felt guilty for ruining the party they had prepared with so much love. Carlos smiled awkwardly as he approached.

“Hey?” Carlos greeted, in that “let’s start over” way.

“Hey.” TK returned the greeting.

“You’re better, I suppose. No pain?” Carlos crouched down in front of TK.

“I’m fine, Carlos. I’m just frustrated that you and my father keep important things from me,” TK said and before Carlos could open his mouth to retort, he raised his hand and continued speaking. “My father has been doing this my whole life, it makes me so angry, it feels like I’m not capable of dealing with anything. He keeps everything from me. He kept the cancer from me.”

Carlos took a deep breath; he could understand TK’s frustration. He smiled, taking TK’s good hand in his affectionately.

“Baby, I understand. I know how bad it is to be left out by your parents, but about that accident, I can say in my defense that I was so worried about you that I didn’t even have the head to talk about it. I just wanted you to be okay. I… I thought I was losing you, TK.” Carlos’ brown eyes were filled with tears.

“Carlos? Are you crying?”

“I thought I was going to lose you. I was scared to death and when your father said you were out of danger all I could do was cry with relief, at that moment nothing else mattered to me, I didn’t have the head to think about anything but you,” Carlos said with all the sincerity he could.

“I’m… sorry. It’s just that my dad keeps things from me. I’m being an idiot, right?”

“Don’t be sorry, I understand, seriously. I was going to tell you when I had the chance, it’s just that it didn’t matter and it wouldn’t make any difference. TK, knowing that you’re okay is the only thing that matters.”

“I’m so sorry,” TK was feeling silly, a spoiled little boy, but he was actually frustrated and pressured.

“It’s okay, I understand. I can imagine how traumatic and scary it must have been to feel all that pain and be confronted with your fears about relapsing, but I just want you to know that you’re not alone, I’m here.” Carlos said.

“You’re so cute, sometimes I think I don’t deserve a guy as sweet as you.”

“We both do, baby,” Carlos came closer, pulling TK into a soft, welcoming hug.

TK let himself relax into those strong arms. He felt safe in that embrace.

“In the supermarket parking lot, you saved my life. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here,” Carlos whispered.

“I didn’t know what to do when I saw that car coming. I felt like I had to do something. I didn’t want you to get hurt,” TK said softly.

“Thank you, baby, for saving my life.”

“You’re welcome, love.” They exchanged a tender kiss.

“Oh!” Mateo smiled.

“So cute!” Nancy and Marjan sighed, grimacing as they tasted Owen’s pistachio and ginger punch.

“Oh, kisses! So, that’s all settled. That calls for a toast! Let’s have some delicious pistachio and ginger punch.” Owen clapped happily.

“Yuck!” Everyone smiled.

The mood returned to being light and friendly, and Owen took the opportunity to raise a toast and inform everyone about the progress of his lung cancer treatment. It seemed like the right time to reassure everyone.

“I want to raise a toast to TK, my son, this sweet boy, who is also one of the bravest and most resilient men I know,” said the captain with a loving look at his son, and everyone followed suit, raising their glasses and smiling. “And I want to raise another toast. It’s to the second chances that life gives us.”

TK smiled, he himself was getting his second chance in Austin, with a job and friends at 126 and with Carlos in his life.

“To TK. And to second chances!” Everyone raised their punch bowls.

“My second chance started when I came here and got this family, 126,” Owen said. “Then TK came too and we got the chance to be father and son in a way we never had before, and…” Owen paused emotionally, his voice cracking.

“And?” TK asked lovingly.

“The cancer has shrunk dramatically with treatment, and I still have my hair intact!” Owen cheered.

The room erupted in laughter and cheers.

“Dad!?” TK shouted happily from where he was sitting on the couch, he was so happy. It was the best news he had ever had.

“I still have to have surgery to remove the tumor, but it’s totally safe, it’s tiny now,” Owen said.

That was a happy day, they had so much to celebrate. The reception went on until late, everyone was so happy.

TK ended up dozing off on the couch, leaning against Carlos' shoulder, his sore and tired body winning the fight. Carlos, in turn, remained still, not wanting to hurt his boyfriend even more. He stayed there, admiring TK sleeping. He looked so vulnerable.

Little by little, the friends said goodbye, one by one they left.

When the room was empty, Owen looked at the two who were left, TK and Carlos, with a loving look. He could see his son and his new boyfriend together. There was so much affection in the way Carlos looked at TK.

"It would be better for him to rest in the bedroom. It's more comfortable for his hips," Owen advised.

TK's eyelids fluttered, he let an uncomfortable sigh escape his lips, his forehead creased delicately with an expression of pain, and then he slowly opened his green eyes.

"What?" TK sounded a little lost.

“We’re at your dad’s house,” Carlos said.

“Where’s everyone? What time is it?” The paramedic looked around the empty room in confusion.

“They’re already gone. You fell asleep, baby.”

“And I fell asleep on you?”

“You were tired and sore,” Carlos shrugged.

“Oh, my hip,” TK admitted with a pained expression, only now realizing he’d been sitting in the same position for too long when he should have been lying down.

“I can carry you to the bedroom. You weigh almost nothing,” Carlos shifted on the couch, slipping one hand under TK’s legs and the other supporting his back.

“Hey, no! Carlos!” TK stopped him. “Carrying me around will only make my injuries worse, and I can go by myself.”

“I… I just wanted to help.”

“You’re already helping,” TK turned to him, “but I’m not a damsel in distress, I’m not fragile, I’m not delicate, and I’m not going to break.”

Carlos nodded as TK straightened on his good leg. He was the strongest guy Carlos had ever met. And as strong as he was, he was also stubborn.

TK stopped at the top of the stairs. “You’re… not coming?”

“Do you want me there with you? I mean… in your room?” Carlos looked at him in astonishment.

“I… just wanted to cuddle and be quiet, I’m still in so much pain.”

“I think I can do that.” Carlos smiled. He followed TK up the stairs, alert, ready to support his boyfriend if he couldn’t make it up alone.

Owen smiled when he saw the boys climbing the stairs. There was a good atmosphere, he never had a problem with TK’s sexuality, but he never approved of any of the boyfriends, however, Carlos was different, Carlos was someone Owen knew was here to stay.

In the room, TK and Carlos fell asleep hugging each other, protected in each other’s arms. Everything had ended well.

 

 

Chapter 14: The Past Knocks on the Door

Summary:

Sorry for the hiatus in posting.

A lot of things happened and this fanfic was put on hold.

I'm slowly getting back to it.

Notes:

I am grateful for all the kudos, comments and encouragement.

A few weeks after the accident, TK was recovering. The cast had already been removed from his arm, the cuts and scrapes had healed, and although he still felt stiff and sore, the doctors said it was normal, his recovery was going very well. In a few days, he would be cleared to return to work. And he couldn't wait to return to 126.

On that sunny morning, the house should have been empty and quiet—Owen had already gone to work—but there were noises coming from the kitchen and a sweet smell hung in the air: cookies.

TK knew that scent all too well. It was the smell of childhood.

Gwyneth Morgan's melodious voice sang softly as she moved lightly through Owen's kitchen.

"Mom?" TK could hardly believe it. She was there. How he had missed her.

"My son," Gwyn turned and ran to hug him.

They hadn't seen each other since TK's overdose in New York.

She had wanted to see him when he suffered a concussion after being attacked by a patient with an oxygen tank, but Owen assured her everything was under control, and Gwyn postponed the trip.

But now, she was there. Breaking the hug, she touched her son's face, shoulders, and arms, as if to reassure her that he was truly okay, that no piece of his little boy was missing.

"Oh, my little boy... let me look at you. I was so worried," she said, stroking his face. "I know I should have dropped everything and run to New York when you..." She avoided verbalizing the overdose, then gave a soft smile, "but your dad took care of everything. And I knew you'd be okay with him here in Texas."

"Dad and I... I think we needed this time together," TK said, reflecting on how much her relationship with Owen had strengthened since arriving in Texas.

"I know. And he needed you so much," she replied with a serene smile.

TK looked over his mother's shoulder, taking a deep breath, excited. The delicious aroma was already filling the house. Her green eyes lit up when she saw the tray fresh from the oven. "You made my favorite cookies."

"Let them cool while I make coffee," she advised. "Tell me... how are you feeling?"

It was a simple question to ask, but complex to answer.

TK sat on one of the stools at the kitchen island, thoughtful. He could talk about his physical recovery, his emotional progress, his slowly returning self-esteem, his anxiety under control, his pride in his new job as a paramedic, his restored bond with his father, or his deep feelings for Carlos. So much had changed since arriving in Austin.

"I'm fine."

"That 's it?"

He shrugged. "Everything that was falling apart in my life... is starting to come together. Except, of course, the frequent hospital visits." He rolled his eyes slightly.

"Don't tell me. You're giving me gray hair. No hospitals for the next ten years, you hear?" Gwyn said, staring at her son.

"I'm fine, Mom," he replied with a sincere smile.

The two of them were silent for a brief moment.

Then Gwyn sighed, "TK, I don't want to drag you through that pain again... but what about Alex? Your father told me about the abusive nature of that relationship. Although Owen doesn't know exactly what went on between those four walls..."

"He doesn't know. Nobody knows. And I don't want to remember that phase when I accepted a guy beating me and forcing me to have sex.”

"I'm sorry..."

"At the height of my addiction, I traded sex for drugs because I needed to feel good. And with Alex... I let the same thing happen. But this time, I traded sexual favors for crumbs of attention. Oh, God... I feel weak."

"You're not weak, honey. You've overcome this. And you're starting over, that's being strong and brave. You'll be okay."

"I hope so," TK murmured.

She decided to change the subject: "What about Carlos? The handsome Texas Ranger who stole your little heart?" Gwyn asked with a smile, excited to learn more about her son's new boyfriend.

"He's amazing." TK broke into a big smile. "He's hot, strong, honest, caring... Mom, he's a dream. I've never loved anyone like I love him," TK replied, his eyes shining.

Gwyn thought TK looked like a young man in love, experiencing the best phase of love. Judging by his joy, he was truly in love for the first time in his life. She hoped this man—Ranger Reyes—wouldn't break her son's heart. TK deserved to be happy.

"He's so good... sometimes I almost think he's too good for me..."

"Oh, no, honey," she interrupted. "Don't start putting yourself down. You're beautiful, funny, sweet, and light..."

"But I'm a former drug addict, and he's a cop, a Texas Ranger..."

"TK, we've talked about this." She leaned in, touching his face with her fingertips. "You have a disease, not a character flaw, and you're fighting bravely to heal. Now stop putting yourself down so much; anyone who has you is privileged."

The morning passed with the two of them chatting animatedly. Gwyn noticed how TK's eyes lit up when he talked about Carlos. He couldn't hide the signs: he was in love.

They also talked about his progress with his anxiety, his therapy sessions, and his support group meetings. They talked about Battalion 126, how that team was like a family, about Owen and his cancer treatment, and about the incredible relationship father and son were building. They even talked about Enzo, TK's stepfather.

Then it was time for Gwyn to share the news.

"What about you and Enzo, Mom?" TK asked.

"You know Enzo and I were about to break up. He and I worked so hard we forgot we were a couple," she said, shrugging.

"But... you're still together," TK commented.

"Let's just say there's a good reason to try again," she said enigmatically.

"What reason?"

"Enzo and I almost broke up. We had a relapse... and after a while, I found out I was pregnant."

Silence.

TK heard his mother's words, but his brain couldn't seem to process them. He stood there, staring at her blankly.

"So?" Gwyn asked. "You're not going to say anything?"

"What do you mean, pregnant?"

"Pregnant, TK. The only way you know is possible," she joked, trying to ease the tension.

"But... but... you're... I mean... isn't it risky?"

"At my age, you mean?"

"That's it... no offense."

"No offense, honey. And yes, the doctor terrified me with all the possible complications. But I decided to have the baby. You're going to be an amazing big brother, TK."

It was too much information. Too much emotion to handle so suddenly.

"Mom, I... I don't know what to say," he said, unsure of what to feel or think. He needed time to process the fact that he was going to have a brother... at 27.

“You can take all the time you need, my love.”

“I’ve always wanted a little brother, but he’s late. I guess I wasn’t expecting this now.” TK was sincere.

“My little boy… no one is ever late. Your brother, for some reason, is arriving in your life at just the right time,” Gwyn said affectionately.

 

---

 

TK just needed some time to process the idea of having a little brother. He wasn't exaggerating. In fact, he felt excited... but also scared.

Everything would change from then on. Enzo and his mother now had a baby and, albeit belatedly, were finally starting their own family.

"I still don't understand the drama," Carlos said thoughtfully. There was no criticism in his voice; he just wanted to understand how TK felt.

"Are you asking if I don't want the baby? Because if that's the case, it's not my choice, I know," TK replied calmly.

"Yeah... it wouldn't be," Carlos agreed. "But that doesn't seem to be the problem."

"It's not. It's just that they finally have a good reason to give up on me. Now they're having a baby," TK said.

Carlos sighed. He recognized the mix of feelings in TK's eyes: insecurity, jealousy, anxiety, abandonment... and that echo of self-loathing. He knew the fear of being left behind was an old wound in his boyfriend's heart.

"Okay, honey. I understand this strange feeling of no longer being an only child. But you're a grown man. You have your father. You have your job, which you love. Your friends." Carlos held TK's hands. "And you have me."

TK smiled. Having Carlos in his life made all the difference. Nothing felt too heavy when he was around. Happiness made people feel lighter and more sensible.

"And how lucky I am to have the hottest, most caring, and sensible boyfriend in Texas. It's amazing how much calmer everything is when I'm with you," TK sighed.

They had bought tacos from one of the park's food trucks and were sitting together at one of the picnic tables. The sun was shining, the day was pleasant, perfect for an outdoor lunch.

"It's all so unexpected. I guess I wasn't ready to be a big brother. I'd already accepted that I'd be an only child," TK said.

"Even when your mom married Enzo? Did they never think about having another baby? Enzo didn't have any children, right?"

"I really wanted a brother. I asked her for that every birthday, or a dog," TK said, and Carlos smiled.

"And you didn't get either."

TK shook his head. "Mom never let me have a dog. She said I wouldn't take care of it and that neither she nor Enzo had time. I remember she got pregnant once, but she lost the baby early in the pregnancy. I don't know what happened, she doesn't talk about it."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"And then I grew up... and I had other things to worry about," TK said, his eyes far away.

Carlos understood what he meant: the addiction. He knew TK started very young, perhaps playfully, before he completely lost control. But he would never pressure him; TK would open up when he was ready.

They were immersed in their own little world; it was always like that when they were together; everything else faded away. That's why they didn't notice when a young woman approached their table.

"Carlos? Is that really you?" the female voice called.

Carlos turned in surprise. His eyes widened as he recognized the figure standing before them.

"Iris?" he exclaimed, rising from the table, completely perplexed.

She kept her eyes fixed on Carlos; he stared at her with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. It was clear: this woman was the last person the officer expected to find in that park.

"When did you get back?" he asked, perplexed.

"I arrived in Austin yesterday," she replied, taking a few steps toward him.

"But... Michelle said you were in a clinic for treatment," Carlos commented, trying to make sense of the situation.

Iris shrugged, as if it didn't matter.

"It was boring there. But I made some friends. Then we decided to go out and enjoy life... we traveled around South America for a while. I was in Colombia," she explained.

"In Colombia?" Carlos narrowed his eyes. That didn't make sense. But with Iris, he did almost nothing. "With who?"

"With a cool group," she repeated matter-of-factly.

"And then you decided... to go back to Austin?"

"I had to go back because of this..." she said, opening her jacket and running her hand over her belly. Beneath the sweatshirt, a slight bulge was barely visible.

"Are you pregnant?" Carlos's eyes widened.

"Pregnant?" Iris repeated, as if the question surprised her. Her gaze shifted for a second before returning to Carlos.

"So you're back for prenatal care?" Carlos persisted. "With my health insurance?"

"Oh, yes... I need to see a doctor. It would be prudent. I'll use the health insurance. Yeah... that's it," she replied lamely, as if she'd just remembered the idea.

"The last time I spoke to Michelle about you, she didn't say anything about Colombia. Or about this..." He gestured vaguely toward her belly. "She thought you were still in the hospital."

"Michelle didn't know. And this..." Iris looked down and rubbed her belly again. "It's very recent."

Throughout the conversation, TK remained silent, observing everything intently. The way she spoke, how Carlos reacted... and that barely noticeable belly. If Iris hadn't mentioned it, he never would have suspected.

"Carlos... who is she?" he finally asked, unable to contain his curiosity and discomfort.

Carlos seemed to wake up from a trance, only now remembering his boyfriend.

"This is Iris Blake. A childhood friend."

"And who is he?" Iris asked, looking at TK with a distracted look, as if noticing him for the first time.

"This is TK," Carlos said, hesitating about how to introduce them.

"He's not a friend, right?" Iris asked, her voice neutral. "He doesn't look like a coworker either. He doesn't look like a police officer."

"I'm a paramedic," TK replied firmly.

"Oh... like Michelle?" She arched an eyebrow. "Paramedics don't make much money."

TK swallowed.

"Yes. Just like Michelle," Carlos interjected, before the silence became too uncomfortable. “Michelle is Iris’s older sister. A good friend of mine. She worked as a paramedic captain at 126 before Tommy took over. Then she gave up her job to take care of Iris… it’s a long story,” he explained quickly, trying to put everything into context for TK.

“I earn enough to get by,” TK said, hurt.

Iris had no way of knowing, but the wound was real. TK had no financial reserves. Everything he had built had been destroyed by addiction and, later, by Alex—the abusive ex-boyfriend who had taken out loans in his name and left him mired in debt. The topic of finances was a trigger.

Carlos noticed the discomfort on his boyfriend’s face. It was subtle, but it was there, and it was beginning to sour the atmosphere that had been light and relaxed until minutes ago.

“That’s a low salary compared to a ranger’s,” Iris pondered thoughtfully. “He’s smart. An opportunist?” Iris studied TK up and down, coming around the table to get closer, watching him carefully.

"No, he's not," Carlos cut in, stepping forward, interposing himself between them. "He's my boyfriend. And we don't talk about money. It's about love."

"He's your boyfriend?" Iris arched an eyebrow.

"Yes, I am," TK replied firmly.

"So, you finally got the courage to confront your family?" she asked, surprised, looking at Carlos.

"My family never objected to my sexuality, they just didn't know how to deal with it. You know my story," Carlos replied, raising his voice, clearly uncomfortable with her approach.

"It doesn't matter. The fact is, you moved on and found someone. And he's handsome and has beautiful eyes. I love green eyes," she said, a little out of touch with reality.

"Thank you. Yours are beautiful too, but I prefer brown, like Carlos's," TK said, feeling foolish; the conversation with the girl seemed to oscillate between mockery and childishness.

Iris smiled, rubbing her invisible belly. "Are you two going to get married and have cute babies?"

The question took them both by surprise. They loved each other, but it was still too early for that conversation. TK dreamed of a family, but his life had been a mess until then. Only now did things seem to be settling down, maybe later.

"We will," Carlos replied. "One day, when the time comes."

His smile faded. "It's a shame you can't marry him."

"Why?" TK frowned.

"Because he's already married," Iris replied, smiling.

"What do you mean?" TK blinked, confused. "You're married?"

"Yes. To me," she said simply.

"What?!" TK looked alarmed, looking at Carlos. "You're married... to her?"

"He didn't tell you?" Iris spoke as if commenting on the weather. "He's my husband."

TK felt the ground disappear. He looked at Carlos, hurt and lost.

"TK, it's nothing like that..." Carlos began.

"Of course it is. We're legally married, with a marriage certificate," Iris insisted firmly.

"Damn it, will you stop this?" Carlos lost his patience.

"With what? Tell your boyfriend he's making a fool of himself?" Iris examined her poorly manicured nails, feigning disinterest.

"Carlos, why didn't you tell me something so important?" TK's voice was shaky, his eyes watering.

"TK, for the love of God, listen to me!" Carlos pleaded.

Iris tilted her head, looking TK up and down. "You two are so different... Carlos is huge, and you're so small. How can you stand it? He's like a giant, and your little butt..."

"Enough, Iris!" Carlos interrupted her.

"I was just having fun." She shrugged. "Your boyfriend is funny."

"Hurting people isn't funny. Stop it." Carlos's tone was like someone scolding a disobedient child.

She rolled her eyes and glared at TK. "I don't like him."

"Enough of this," Carlos said, grabbing her arm. "Let's take you home. And we'll figure it all out!"

"He doesn't have to go." Iris shrugged again.

"Maybe it's best you two work this out as a family," TK said, hurt.

"Nothing like that. We have a lot to talk about, TK." Carlos turned to him firmly. "I know it sounds crazy, but I can explain. Trust me."

TK sighed. He was so confused and distressed, but this was his Carlos. This was the man he loved, and he couldn't be so wrong about his character.

"Okay, I think I need to hear the whole story," TK said with a nod.

Notes:

Love 💖 you people.

Chapter 15: Carrying a death sentence

Summary:

Carlos, TK, and Michelle talk.
Iris hurts TK with her harsh words.
Iris's story is crazy; nothing makes sense, but little by little, each clue to this enigma is revealed.

Notes:

TK doesn't feel bad about knowing that Carlos married Iris; he understands it's Carlos's past. But he feels bad about thinking he's not good enough for Carlos because Iris threw it in his face. But he'll be okay!

 

Carlos called Campbell to let him know he'd be out for the rest of the day on an urgent personal matter. He put Iris and TK in the car and drove to the Blakes' house.

The drive from the park to Iris's mother's house was short—no more than ten minutes. The atmosphere inside the pearl blue Camaro was strange. Iris, in the backseat, seemed to have tuned out the world. Facing the window, she simply watched the scenery while rubbing her belly rhythmically, almost automatically.

In the passenger seat, TK watched her from time to time, out of the corner of his eye. He didn't know what to feel about her. There was something uncomfortable, something he couldn't quite define. But, as a paramedic, he recognized the signs: the girl's behavior wasn't normal. She oscillated between presence and absence, as if escaping reality from time to time.

TK also noticed that the spot where she occasionally rubbed her belly was practically flat. There was only a small, barely noticeable bump. Either the pregnancy was recent or she was too thin to show any obvious signs.

As soon as the car stopped in front of the house, Iris jumped out and ran to the door. Carlos and TK followed her.

"Iris?!" Michelle Blake, Iris's sister, was the one who opened the door. "Shouldn't you be at the therapy center?" She stopped, surprised to see Carlos and TK behind her sister.

"Michelle," Carlos greeted with a slight nod.

"Carlos? What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk," he said seriously.

"Why isn't she at the mental health center?" Michelle looked as lost as Carlos had moments before, when he'd met the girl in the park.

"Do I need to tell you everything again?" Iris rolled her eyes, ignoring her. "That place was awful. Afterward, I met some nice friends, we went on a trip..."

"You went on a trip? Where to?" Michelle raised an eyebrow.

"South America. Colombia. And now I'm here to use my husband's health insurance and see a doctor," Iris replied, shrugging.

"Why do you need a doctor, Iris? Can someone explain what's going on?" Michelle raised her voice, confused.

"We know as much as you do. She just arrived at the park out of nowhere and told the same crazy story," Carlos replied.

"Can't we talk inside?" TK interjected calmly and coherently. "There's a lot to explain here."

"Good idea. Come in!" Michelle made room, leading the way.

Iris entered, rolling her eyes. Carlos and TK followed close behind.

 

---

 

Michelle served them coffee, explained that her mother was taking a cooking class, and that they both believed Iris was still safe at the medical center.

Carlos introduced TK to Michelle as his boyfriend, but TK felt he was invading the family's privacy. Carlos, however, didn't see it that way. He sat on the couch and held TK's hand firmly.

Michelle looked at the two of them holding hands and couldn't help but smile. She was happy to see Carlos had found someone.

"So you're dating Captain Owen Strand's son?" she asked Carlos, before turning to TK sympathetically. "I met your father when he was a paramedic captain at 126. An amazing guy."

"He really is amazing," TK nodded proudly.

"And Carlos is a lucky guy. TK inherited Owen's good looks... and if he has half his father's character, you're in good shape," she joked, smiling at her friend.

Michelle and Carlos explained the story to TK; they'd known each other since childhood. Carlos and Iris went to school together and, for a time, were best friends.

During her adolescence, Iris had serious trouble making friends. She felt disconnected from the world. Carlos, on the other hand, was going through a turbulent time, trying to understand his sexuality. He was confused, afraid to come out to his family, and still didn't understand himself. In an impulsive, almost desperate thought, he and Iris decided to get married. They would help each other survive this moment.

The wedding took place when they turned eighteen, but it never came to fruition. Iris got involved with other friends, strangers, and distanced herself from Carlos and her own family. Shortly after, she disappeared. She was presumed dead for five years.

"Was that your way of dealing with your sexuality?" TK asked, looking at Carlos with tenderness and concern. He could imagine how painful it must have been.

"Back then, I was terrified. I thought the marriage was a way to avoid questions from my parents." Carlos shrugged, and TK saw a rare vulnerability there.

"It couldn't have been easy," TK said sympathetically.

"It wasn't," Carlos admitted. "I was trying to fix something that, I know now... was never wrong."

"And you never...?"

"Have sex?" Carlos stepped forward, anxious. "No. I swear. Nothing ever happened between us."

"And you didn't think about annulling or ending the marriage?" TK insisted gently.

“Iris disappeared shortly after. She was presumed dead. I became a widower... technically,” Carlos said, his expression heavy. “Michelle was the only one who never believed she was dead. She fought until the end to find her.”

“Iris was so close the whole time,” Michelle commented. “She had a paranoid schizophrenia episode. She ended up living in shelters, drug shelters, wandering the streets, alone, debilitated... until I managed to find her.”

“I couldn’t divorce her in that state. Married to me, she was eligible for the police health plan,” Carlos explained.

“She got better with the medication, but she didn’t want to live here, with Mom. That’s why I left the paramedics,” Michelle added. “To take care of her.”

“So you were the one who admitted her to the psychiatric center?” TK asked gently.

Michelle nodded. “It was a great place. She was fine there…”

“So she ran away with these people nobody knows, claims to have traveled through South America… and came back because she’s pregnant, wants to see a doctor and start prenatal care,” Carlos recapitulated, trying to organize the facts out loud.

"Did you say... pregnant?" Michelle's eyes widened.

"That's what she said..." Carlos confirmed cautiously.

"Iris?" Michelle approached her sister gently. "Honey, please... tell me what really happened. I need to understand so I can help you."

"I'm tired," Iris replied evasively, without looking at anyone.

"Talk to me, please," Michelle insisted, her voice firm.

"I don't want to talk to anyone! Only Carlos! I need him!" Iris pointed at Carlos, distressed, her eyes suddenly pleading.

"I'm here, Iris. I'll always protect you," Carlos assured her hurriedly.

"But now you have him! And he's going to ruin everything!" She turned to TK, her expression contorted with anger and insecurity.

"He won't ruin everything," Michelle tried to calm him.

"Yes, he will! He only wants to marry Carlos because he's a poor, broke paramedic! A selfish loser!" Iris screamed, finally bursting into tears.

TK curled up on the couch, stunned. Marriage? It hadn't even crossed his mind. There was so much to sort out in his own life before he even considered it.

And of course TK knew the financial gap between them. Carlos was financially stable: the impeccable car, the house, the elegant clothes, the dinners at fancy places. The family even had a ranch. And him? He still lived with his father, without a car, with bad credit, with debts that weren't even his—remnants of a failed relationship with Alex.

But the these disparity had never been a problem. Until that moment.

Not until someone threw it in his face like that.

"I... I don't want to get married," TK said, almost in a whisper.

Carlos looked at him. Somehow, those words hurt.

"Then go away!" Iris grumbled, her eyes dark.

"Iris, don't be rude!" Michelle scolded.

"She's right. I'm just interrupting your conversation," TK said, slowly standing up. "And Iris is pregnant. She can't raise a child alone. She needs more than just health insurance... She needs affection, care. She needs you, Carlos."

"No," Carlos said firmly. "She needs medical care. But I... I need you."

TK looked at him. A lump formed in his throat. He wanted to cry.

What if, during the pregnancy, Iris freaked out? What if she hurt herself? What if she hurt the baby? She needed someone by her side. She needed health insurance. Stability. And Carlos... he was her husband. Legally, at least.

"I think we all need some time... alone," TK said, backing away.

"No. We don't," Carlos shouted, trying to reassure him with his eyes. "TK?"

"Carlos, there's a baby who needs help. I... I don't want to carry this guilt if something happens to this child."

"What are you talking about? This baby isn't mine. And I love you," Carlos said, hurt.

"I want him out of here. Please," Iris said, wiping away her tears. Still hugging her sister, she stared at TK with desolation.

"He's here to help too," Michelle replied, smoothing her sister's hair.

"I need Carlos's help. I came back because I have this thing inside me. I need a doctor. I just need to get rid of it... And I need Carlos," Iris insisted, her voice weak, almost childish.

"You want to get rid of your baby?" Michelle was shocked.

"I just want this thing out of me, damn it!" She screamed, clearly out of control. "Carlos, get him out of here! Get out, fag!" She screamed, turning red, beside herself.

"And I'll help. In any way I can, but I won't allow you to insult TK. He didn't do anything to you," Carlos replied, his voice firm.

"It's okay, Carlos, never mind." TK restrained him, touching his boyfriend's arm affectionately. "We... we can talk later."

"Are you sure everything's okay, TK?"

"I think so... I'll call you later. I'm going now."

TK walked toward the door, his head down. Carlos watched him walk away and felt a tightness in his chest. He didn't want to let him go like that.

"TK?" Carlos reached out and grabbed him by the bicep, spinning him around easily.

"Carlos... I better go."

"I'll get a divorce as soon as possible. I swear. Nothing changes between us. TK, I love you with all my life," he said, his eyes welling up.

TK pulled him into a tight hug.

Carlos didn't know if it was affection... or a goodbye.

"I love you too. Nothing will change between us... but I need to go. I just need some time..." TK said, caressing Carlos's face.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you, honey."

"You didn't. It's not your fault. It's something from your past that you need to work through, that's all, Carlos."

"So... are we okay?" The Ranger smiled hopefully.

"Yes..." TK nodded with a soft smile. He kissed Carlos's lips and left.

 

---

 

Iris's story was chaos. Nothing made sense. Carlos and Michelle were already exhausted—confused, frustrated. Iris vacillated between mockery and fragility, between vulgarity and the crying of a frightened girl. Sometimes harsh, sometimes childish, her mood changed like a change of seasons. And one thing was certain: she didn't like TK.

This weighed heavily on Carlos. It hurt him to see TK being insulted, especially by Iris, who was like a little sister to him.

Carlos felt every part of the day slipping through his fingers. What had begun as a light lunch in the park—with laughter, sunshine, and TK's sweet presence—now ended shrouded in tension, hurt, and distrust.

When TK left, it was as if the light had also gone out. Carlos wilted. He never imagined such a beautiful day could end like this.

The door closed behind TK, and an uncomfortable silence filled the room.

Carlos stood there for a few seconds, staring into space. He could still feel the warmth of her boyfriend's embrace and the bitter taste of letting him go. But now, there was something urgent before them, someone crying out for help in their own twisted way.

He took a deep breath, shook off the weight on his chest, and approached his friends, crouching down next to Michelle, who was sitting across from Iris.

"We're alone now. Tell us what happened so I can help you," he said firmly and calmly.

“Who are these friends you traveled with?” Michelle asked attentively.

“My cool friends,” Iris replied, her eyes distant. “They said I could help them if I let them… use my body.”

“Use your body?” Carlos frowned.

“Iris… what does that mean?” Michelle asked cautiously.

“They said they needed my holes… and I thought it would be okay to lend them. It was all done with lube. It was painful, yes… but in the end, I endured it. I was even proud.”

Michelle put her hands to her mouth. Carlos stopped breathing for a moment.

“Iris… did they force you?” Michelle asked, her voice broken.

“It wasn’t like that. I went with them because I wanted to. It was different. It hurt, but I let them. They were kind. They took me to the airport, and I flew back alone.”

Carlos adopted a cooler demeanor, trying to maintain rationality.

“Do you remember where it happened? Was it in Colombia? Do you remember their names?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Jake, Nick, Noah… Some nice guys,” she smiled to herself.

Carlos and Michelle exchanged a worried look. It was all too vague. There were no dates, no places, no last names. Just disconnected impressions.

“When did you arrive? Why didn’t you come straight to your mother’s house? Where are your things? Did you come with the clothes on your back?” Carlos asked firmly.

“I’m tired. I think I’m going to take a nap,” Iris replied, as if the entire conversation had been an unbearable effort.

“Iris, there’s still a lot we need to understand…” Michelle insisted.

“I want to be alone!” Iris said, now agitated, lightly tapping her head. “That voice… that voice won’t stop!”

She burst into tears, looking around with growing dread. In a fit of rage, she pushed Michelle aside and ran to her old room. She slammed the door and locked herself inside.

Carlos and Michelle knew there was no point in forcing anything else that night.

“It was supposed to be a calm day…” sighed Michelle, sinking onto the couch.

“Don’t even tell me. I was having a lunch with my boyfriend in the park…” Carlos collapsed beside her, visibly exhausted.

“I thought she was getting better,” Michelle lamented.

“It’s a chronic condition. It can be managed with medication… but sometimes she seems lost in a world of her own,” Carlos said, looking back at the locked door.

“What now? What are we going to do?”

"Make an appointment with the obstetrician. I'll talk to the psychiatric therapy center, find out exactly when she left there and if any of those men showed up there. Then I'll try to track flights from Colombia, check airport cameras... anything," Carlos said.

Michelle shook her head thoughtfully. "Those names... this story... none of it seems real. It could all be in her head."

"It could be. But what if it's true? She's pregnant, Michelle. She could have been used, even without realizing it. We need to know."

Michelle didn't answer. She just stared at the floor in silence. The night was just beginning.

Meanwhile, Iris's belly wasn't carrying a life. It was carrying a death sentence.

Notes:

Thanks for reading.
Thanks for the kudos and comments, they make me happy!

Chapter 16: Paying the Debt

Summary:

Poor TK almost relapses.
Gwyn fears TK will use drugs again, and Owen comforts her.
Carlos tries to learn more about Iris's story.
Iris goes to talk to TK.
Iris's story begins to make sense, but it has a dangerous ending.

Notes:

🔔 Trigger Warning:
This chapter contains scenes of violence.
Read with caution.

 

TK walked the streets of Blake's neighborhood. It was an elegant place, with clean, tree-lined streets, luxurious homes with wide doors and well-kept gardens. He walked aimlessly, his mind racing. His encounter with that girl had touched deep triggers, awakening feelings of inferiority he wasn't prepared to face.

The thought immediately occurred to him: Carlos was too much for him. A Texas Ranger who appeared in newspapers and on TV, always solving important cases, the perfect son, the guy with a nice car, his own house, health insurance, social security, and a stable life.

Carlos was caring, sweet, responsible, self-assured. He was also one of the most handsome men TK had ever seen. Too good for me, he thought, and it hurt.

Tears welled in his eyes. What if Carlos knew who he really was? What if he saw the filthy places TK had frequented for drugs in the past? If he had seen him in his urine-soaked pants, covered in vomit, lying on dirty mattresses, delirious in a stupor... Carlos would have felt disgust. Shame. Worse still: pity.

The mere thought that Carlos might feel sorry for him cut through him like a blade. TK already felt sorry for himself. He couldn't bear to see it reflected in the eyes of the one he loved.

He crossed the street without looking. The screeching sound of brakes made him freeze. The car stopped inches away.

"Are you trying to kill yourself, kid?!" the driver shouted through the window and sped off.

"Sorry... I..." TK murmured, motionless on the asphalt, feeling like a failure.

His chest ached. He couldn't carry this burden for his father, who was fighting cancer like a lion. Nor for his pregnant mother, who had rescued him so many times from the worst of holes. And Carlos... Carlos already had enough problems with Iris. He didn't need another.

There was only one thing that could silence the pain: opioids.

Temptation pulsed in his mind. Addiction whispered. But TK took a deep breath, fighting the dizziness of relapse. He couldn't back down. Not now.

With trembling hands and cold sweat dripping down his forehead, he pulled his phone from his pocket. His fingers hesitated over the screen.

“Cooper?” His voice cracked.

 

The phone had barely rung twice when Cooper's firm voice answered: "Talk to me, TK."

"I... I'm not okay," TK's breath came out short, ragged. "I feel like I'm going to lose everything."

There was a brief silence, just long enough for TK to realize Cooper was actually listening.

"Did you use it?" his godfather asked matter-of-factly.

"No... but I thought about it. I thought about it a lot."

"Are you breathing slowly?" Cooper's voice remained calm, grave.

"I am..." TK whispered, his hands still shaking.

"Then that's already a victory. You didn't use it. And you called me. Two things you might not have been able to do yesterday."

TK closed his eyes, hot tears streaming.

"I don't know if I'm good enough, Coop. Carlos is... he's perfect. And all I can remember are the times I was on the floor, stinking, dirty, begging for another hit." If he knows… that I've already traded my body for… if he sees me as I really am…”

“As you really are?” Cooper interrupted firmly. “You're not that boy left on the floor, TK. You're the guy who got up, who fought, who's here now, talking to me instead of getting lost again. That's the real you.”

TK sobbed, stifling a suppressed cry. “But it hurts so much…”

“I know. It will hurt for a while, maybe forever, but you'll have to learn to live with this pain and understand that it doesn't limit you. It's just the past trying to pull you back. And guess what? You're not alone. You called me. I'm here.”

“I… I don't want to sink… I don't want to drown in this pain again…”

“And you won't. TK, whenever you feel like swimming in this ocean again, remember you have my hand to pull you in. We'll do it together!”

There was a long silence, TK taking a deep breath. 

“Thanks, Coop. I needed to hear that.”

“You’ll call me whenever you need me. Even if it’s late at night. Deal?”

“Deal.”

“Are you home?”

“No, I’m out…” TK said, looking around. It was starting to get dark, and he had no idea how long it had been since he’d left the Blakes’ house, or where he’d wandered.

“Listen, are you okay enough to get home?”

“Yeah, I’ll call an Uber.”

“Good. Now do me a favor: Go straight home. Take a shower, eat something hot, and lie down for a bit, and remember, you’ll still have Carlos tomorrow. Because, if I understand correctly, he doesn’t seem like the type to run away from trouble. So he’s not going to leave you.”

TK chuckled softly, his voice cracking. “Yeah… he won’t…”

“Great. Then go home and rest,” Cooper advised.

 

---

TK unlocked the living room door and walked into the house. The lights were already on. Owen and Gwyn practically jumped on him. Gwyn’s eyes were wide, his expression frightened; Owen, more composed, remained quiet, though clearly worried.

For a moment, TK was struck by a strange thought: during his adolescence, he had dreamed so much of a scene like this—coming home to find his parents waiting for him. But now he was a grown man… and time wouldn’t go back.

“You leave in the morning and don’t come back until almost eleven at night! Where have you been?” Gwyn blurted out, breathless. “I got Carlos’s number, called him, your father called your colleagues at 126, I even called your therapist. We were ready to patrol the streets, check hospitals, police stations…”

She approached, distressed, but stopped before touching him. TK had instinctively flinched, and she knew she needed to give him space.

Silence fell over the room.

Gwyn's blue eyes studied her son, attentive to every detail, as if trying to decipher the weariness etched on his face.

"Are you... okay?" she asked finally, trying to calm herself. What she really wanted to know was something else: did you use?

"I'm fine, Mom."

"Was it something I said earlier... about the baby?"

Guilt tightened TK's chest. He didn't want her to carry this burden. His mother should be happy, experiencing such a beautiful moment, not tense because of him.

"No, of course not. There's nothing wrong with the baby. I'm happy for my little brother," TK said.

"But then why..."

"I'm just tired," TK said, lowering his eyes.

"Was it the Ranger?" Gwyn's voice sounded firmer. "If he hurt you…"

"He didn't do anything, Mom."

"But why disappear like that? Tyler Kennedy, you almost worried us to death…"

"Gwyn…" Owen's voice cut in, soft yet firm, as he placed a hand on his ex-wife's shoulder. "He's fine. He just needs a good night's sleep."

TK looked up at his father. And that look of understanding was what held him together for a few more seconds. "I… I'm going to my room."

When TK went upstairs, the room fell silent. Owen sighed, looked at Gwyn, and said calmly, "He's fine. He's home, all right… you can relax."

"Relax?" She looked up, her eyes wet with fear and frustration.

"Yeah… the kid just had a rough time."

“You have no idea where this dark time can take him. Because you didn’t see what I saw, Owen. You weren’t there…”

“And you’re going to spend the rest of your life blaming me for leaving?”

“I’m not blaming you…”

“It seems you are.”

“I’m not, damn it!” Her voice cracked, somewhere between anger and pain. “I’m just saying you don’t understand my fear of losing him again to that degrading addiction. I saw things a mother shouldn’t have seen. And I saw it alone.”

“You could have called me. I would have helped. I never knew what he did on the streets as a teenager…”

“Because, even numb, he begged me not to tell. He was terrified of disappointing you and pushing you further away.” Gwyn sank back into her chair, trembling, her chest tight at the memory. “God… I can’t go through that again.”

Owen crouched down beside her. He felt the weight of what she said. She had held TK alone, lifting her son from the deepest holes.

“Hey… I know. But calm down. We won’t go through this again. It’s in the past. TK is fine, he’s strong.”

“Promise?” she whispered.

“I promise.” Owen held her hands. “This boy has been my rock during these months of chemo. I don’t know what I would do without him. He’s fine.”

They hugged. Gwyn let her heart soothe in Owen’s caress.

“I’ll talk to Carlos tomorrow. TK won’t tell us if there was a misunderstanding, so I’ll play alpha father and find out what happened.” He stood, taking a deep breath. “For now, let’s go to bed. Tomorrow will be another day.”

 

---

 

In his room, TK stood under the shower, the water washing away his discouragement. He moved slowly, almost automatically. He dried himself off, staring at his own reflection in the mirror. His haggard face… he remembered Alex saying he was “too pale, too thin.” He closed his eyes tightly, pushing the memory away.

"Enough self-pity for today…" he whispered to himself.

When he finally lay down, he picked up his cell phone. Several missed calls from Carlos. But he thought it best to talk the next day.

After learning that his mother had called Carlos as if he were an irresponsible teenager skipping school to play video games, he felt Carlos would find him even more problematic and childish. He didn't want to deal with that now.

He turned off the phone. He was exhausted. And, as Cooper had advised, and his father had endorsed, all he needed was a night's sleep.

 

---

 

Carlos was worried when TK didn't let him know he'd arrived home safely. And after receiving Gwyn's call asking about her son, he became even more worried and guilty. He should never have let TK go out alone, so distraught.

He texted and called several times. Owen was the one who calmed him down with a call informing him that TK was okay and home.

"Owen, do you know about TK? He's not answering his phone..."

"Calm down, kid. TK is fine. He's in his room now, sleeping."

"Is he really okay?" Carlos's voice was low and distressed.

"He's tired, upset..." Owen replied. "I don't know what happened between you two, but something hurt him. Did you fight?"

"No. He was fine when we said goodbye... I mean... It's hard to explain over the phone," Carlos stammered.

"It's okay, Carlos. It's late. TK is fine. Go rest. You and TK can talk calmly tomorrow."

Carlos sighed. "Okay... sorry for anything."

"Don't worry, son. Tomorrow's another day." Owen's voice was firm, almost fatherly.

That night, when he hung up the phone and went to bed, Carlos barely slept. He tossed and turned for hours, torn between worrying about TK and Iris's disjointed story. He mentally replayed every detail she had told him, trying to find gaps and weave a line of investigation.

When morning came, he got up with determination. He would give TK his space; after all, it had been a lot of information at once, and Carlos knew his boyfriend tended to pull away when things got too overwhelming. Carlos decided not to pressure him. TK would return the calls when he felt ready. So, the best thing he could do was solve what was within his reach: the mystery of Iris.

 

---

 

Later, Carlos parked his Rangers-emblazoned pickup truck in front of the Psychiatric Treatment Center where Iris had been admitted.

The receptionists stirred. The tall, muscular dark-haired man who entered was a real eye-catcher—his leather boots echoing with each firm step on the tile, his tight pants highlighting his thick thighs, the Rangers badge gleaming on his chest. Carlos politely removed his hat, leaning over the counter.

"Good morning, ladies."

"How can we help you, officer, Ranger?" one of them asked, smiling.

"I need a favor. Access to the visitor records of Iris Blake, a former patient of yours."

The other replied politely but firmly. "We can't release that kind of information without formal authorization, except to immediate family members."

Carlos took a deep breath and removed his marriage certificate from his briefcase. He hated using that document, but he knew it would give him legal leverage.

"She's my wife," he said.

The two women looked at each other. One of them grumbled softly in disappointment before going to get the registration books.

He thanked her with a charming smile and sat in the secluded corner of the living room. He leafed through the yellowed pages and quickly realized: only Iris's mother and sister were listed as visitors. No unfamiliar names. No sign of those so-called "nice friends." It didn't make sense.

"Would you like some coffee, Ranger Reyes?" One of the receptionists approached the secluded table where he was browsing the books.

"No, thank you. I'm fine," he replied, without taking her eyes off the papers.

"Excuse me for being curious... but are you really Iris's husband? It's just... we've never seen you visiting."

"I was out of town," he said quickly. He didn't want to delve into the matter. "Her sister took care of her hospitalization, and now I want to understand some facts better. Iris mentioned friends she made here. I'd like to know who they were."

The woman hesitated, but then lowered her voice, as if sharing a secret: "You won't find those names in her file."

Carlos looked up, alert. "And why not?"

"She shared a room with a lady named Valery Foster. Poor thing, she thought she was a queen. So sometimes she received visits from her grandson. He was the only friend I saw Iris make around here."

"And his name?" Carlos asked, already sensing the answer.

"Noah. Noah Foster."

Carlos's gaze narrowed. Noah. One of the names Iris had mentioned.

Valery had died shortly after Iris left. But the records listed his grandson's address. And that was all Carlos needed to follow the lead.

But unfortunately, the address revealed nothing. The neighbor, a woman in her late nineties, said that after Valery's death, her grandson Noah sold the house and never returned, leaving Carlos back at square one.

 

He returned to his desk at the Austin Police Station. Campbell appeared out of nowhere, looking over Carlos's shoulder at the computer screen.

"Why is this Noah Foster so important? You've been stuck with that name since you got here."

"I'm trying to find this guy's current address," Carlos replied, without taking his eyes off the screen.

"Check his criminal record," Campbell suggested, shrugging.

Carlos looked up suspiciously. "Does the guy have a criminal record?"

"Looks like he does." Campbell took a long sip of coffee. "What's your beef with this guy?"

Carlos sighed and leaned back in his chair. "It's a long story, man."

"I have all morning." Campbell pulled up a chair and sat beside him, ready to listen.

 

---

 

Meanwhile, at the Strand house, Gwyn hummed softly as she reorganized the kitchen. She was complaining to herself about how Owen kept Tupperware and pots on the same shelf when the doorbell rang.

Opening the door, she was greeted by a thin young woman with restless blue eyes.

"Good morning. Does TK live here?" Iris Blake asked.

"Yes... this is his house," Gwyn replied, surprised.

"I'm Iris. His friend." She introduced herself, almost automatically.

"Oh... sure." Gwyn smiled, a little suspicious, but made room for her to enter. "Make yourself at home. Would you like some coffee? Cookies?"

Iris didn't answer, completely ignoring the question. She looked around the room, studying every detail of the decor. "It's a beautiful house..." she finally commented.

"Yes, my ex-husband has good taste." Gwyn crossed her arms. "So you're friends with TK?"

"We met recently," Iris said, shrugging.

"At the support group?" Gwyn ventured.

Iris arched an eyebrow. At first glance, she realized TK had his own ghosts. She smiled.

"Sure. From the support group." She nodded, unblinking.

Gwyn was silent for a few seconds, assessing the girl. Something didn't make sense. But she decided not to press the issue. "I'll call him."

A little later, TK hurried down the stairs, surprised by the visit.

"Iris? How did you find out my address?"

"Everyone knows where Captain Strand lives. And you're his son." She shrugged.

"TK?" Gwyn appeared close behind, looking from one to the other. "Is everything okay?"

"Okay, Mom. This is Iris Blake... Carlos's friend."

"Ah... but she said..." Gwyn began, but changed her mind. "Okay. I'll make some coffee. If you need anything, call me."

As soon as his mother disappeared into the kitchen, TK turned to Iris, still in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

She stared at him for a long moment, as if sizing him up and down. The intensity of her gaze made TK uncomfortable, but he stood his ground.

"What do you want with Carlos?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" TK arched an eyebrow.

"Didn't you understand the question?" Iris looked at him critically. "It's simple. What do you want with him?"

TK ran his hand through his hair and pointed to the sofa. They sat down, facing each other.

"I understand the question, but showing up at my house to ask that is... unexpected and absurd," he replied, trying to remain calm.

"I don't think it's absurd. I'm his best friend and wife. It's natural that I want to know."

"Your concept of naturalness doesn't follow common sense..." TK scoffed, but took a deep breath. "Right. If you must know: I love Carlos. Like I've never loved anyone. He's everything to me. He's my soul."

"Impossible." Iris interrupted him.

"What? I can't love him?"

"You can. But no one can be another person's soul. Technically, everyone has their own soul. So Carlos is your own soul, and he can't be your soul. Do you understand?" She explained as if it were obvious.

TK blinked, confused. "No... I don't understand anything."

"It doesn't matter." Iris waved her hands impatiently. "What matters is that I know Carlos. I know he likes you. And I want him to be happy. If you promise to make him happy, I'll feel better."

"That's what I want most," TK said sincerely.

"Very well. But you know... Carlos is a man to marry. He values ​​family. Sooner or later he'll talk to you about this. And I'm still his wife."

"Iris, listen. We're dating. I love Carlos, but marriage isn't in my plans right now."

"For you, maybe not. But for him... it's a matter of time." She stood up, her mood already shifting. "Anyway, I came here to sort this out: I'll keep an eye on you. If you hurt Carlos, I'll kick your ass myself."

TK blinked, stunned. "Does that... mean you approve of me dating him?"

"For now, it's under review." Iris gave a wry smile.

"Does Carlos need your review?"

"Someone needs to take care of him. Carlos takes care of everyone. But who takes care of him?" she asked, almost seriously.

"I want to take care of him," TK replied. But inside, doubt gnawed at him: what if I can't even take care of myself?

"Very well." Iris glanced at her phone screen. "It's been ten minutes. Solved."

TK felt as if a hurricane had passed through the room. Yet there was something almost... sincere about it all. A crooked peace flag, but a peace flag nonetheless.

"I'll walk you to the door. Do you have a ride?"

"A friend is picking me up." She shrugged and left.

TK followed her to the sidewalk, uneasily. "A friend? Who?" Does Michelle know you're here?

"You're exactly the kind of man Carlos would be interested in." Iris smiled, deflecting the question.

"What do you mean?" TK arched an eyebrow.

"Beautiful. But broken. Inspiring affection. Carlos has always been drawn to broken things," she said. "As a child, he would collect fallen birds from their nests. He would try to save them. They always died far from their parents... and he was devastated." She looked him in the eye with sweet cruelty. "You are that to him. Carlos's greatest charity project."

TK was speechless. Only an "oh" escaped his lips.

Before he could respond, a black van with tinted windows rounded the corner and stopped abruptly in front of them.

The passenger door opened. A bald, muscular man wearing Ray-Bans, worn jeans, and a black leather jacket stepped out.

"Your ride's here, girl. Get in the car." He lifted his jacket, revealing the handle of a gun clipped to his belt.

"What do you want?" Iris took a step back.

"Isn't it obvious?" The man pointed at her stomach.

"You're the baby's father?" TK stepped forward, placing himself between them.

"What baby, man? Who are you?"

"He's my police officer friend's boyfriend. I told them everything!" Iris said, pulling TK by the arm, trying to pull him away from the man.

"The bitch told the police?" Another man jumped out of the van. This one had dark skin and a scar on his chin. His eyes blazing with anger, he advanced toward them.

"Hey!" TK stepped in front of Iris.

Without warning, the man raised his fist, and the butt of the gun exploded against the side of TK's head. The pain was immediate. White-hot. Blinding. His legs gave way. His vision blacked out. TK fell to his knees. Warm blood ran down the side of his face.

Iris screamed. She tried to run back to the Strand house. But before she could take the first step, the man intercepted her. His fist connected with her throat.

Iris's eyes widened. She tried to scream, but no sound came out. Her hands flew to her neck, gasping for breath. Her pale face became a mask of horror.

He dragged her by the hair. She still struggled, but she couldn't breathe. Gradually, her strength ebbed, and she went limp.

They were both thrown into the back of the van. The doors slammed shut with a metallic thud. The vehicle accelerated, tires screeching, and disappeared around the corner.

 

Notes:

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