Walker (Cordell Walker x Female!Reader)

Rubber Meets The Road

At Ranger HQ, (Name) is sitting at one of the tables in the courtyard, shaken up by everything that transpired at the abandon hospital. She slightly lifts up her shirt to look at the gruesome bruise mark on her waist, lightly touching it with her finger tips and wincing at the pain.

Cordell comes up behind her, now dressed in new clothes with the first two buttons of his shirt left undone, creating that V-neck look that showing off a bit of his chest hair.

He patted (Name) on the shoulder, who jumps and drops her shirt. "Hey. Julia's wrapping up. We should head home." Cordell said, moving to stand in front of her and pointing to the door.

"They should've taken us to the hospital." (Name) mutters, looking at Cordell's right hand, which has a red bandanna wrapped around it. Cordell sighs at the mention of going to a hospital. "(Name), the EMTs cleared us."

"Well, at least the 24-hour hold. MRIs. What if there's internal bleeding? A-And-and it's-it's internal so that, you know, we can't see it." (Name) stammered. "Internal. Right, that... You mentioned. Uh, hey, Cassie said my mama's making roast." Cordell said, dismissively.

"It's 2:00 in the morning." (Name) mumbled, really having an appetite after everything. "As good a time as any." Cordell said, chuckling. "I haven't eaten in-in days. Have you?" He asked. "No. Haven't slept, either. Every time I close my eyes..."

"Okay, we-we... we don't need to do any of that." Cordell said, shooting her down quickly. "Do what?" (Name) asked. "Compare notes about our time in... in there." Cordell replied and (Name) stares up at him, dejectedly.

"(Name)..." Cordell begins and sighs as he pulls up a chair to sit with her. "Listen. Arrests are being made all over the state. Whoever they are, they're falling. The threat is over. You're safe, okay? I'm safe, so let's not..."

"Compare notes?" (Name) said, sharply. "Cordell... I can't just ignore what happened back there. L-like it didn't happen." She argued. "That's not what I'm saying. I just mean, we don't have to talk about it. I promise. You'll-you'll see, in time, it's better this way." Cordell insisted.

(Name) stares at him like she just got slugged in the face, her eyes then flickering over to the door where Cassie appears. "Hey." Cordell greeted, turning to look at her. "Hey. You guys ready to go home?" Cassie asked, looking at (Name) with a gentle smile, who stares back at her like a wound animal.

"Are we ever." Cordell replied, getting up and quickly walking away from (Name) to follow Cassie outside. (Name) watches him go for a moment, feeling like he's turning his back on her. She groans as she pushes herself out of her chair and hobbles after them, clutching her waist.

At the ranch, Geri sat on the porch of the farmhouse waiting. She perks up when Cassie's car arrives and she stands up, watching as the car came to a stop and (Name) climbs out of the backseat.

"Hey." Geri said, walking over to her and pulling her into a hug. "I'm so glad you guys are okay." She said as hug (Name), who made very little effort to return the gesture. Her talk with Cordell has left her feeling crushed and alone.

Cordell and Cassie gets out of the car as well and Cordell walks over to the women as (Name) pulls away. "Hey." Cordell said, wrapping his arms around Geri. "Hey." She replied, returning the hug and the two held each other for a moment.

(Name) watches them, still clutching her waist... the sight of them hugging felt like a dagger to her already wounded heart. She knew it wasn't true but a part of her felt like Cordell is pushing her away yet he can let Geri in so easily. Or at least... she hoping that's not the case.

"Abby is never letting either of you leave home again." Geri said to Cordell as she pulls out of the embrace, who chuckles. "Yeah, because this place is so safe." (Name) said, bitterly and Cassie looks at her, surprised by her tone.