EPILOGUE

Rachel and Ethan sat in the same hospital room, both of them pretending to read the same case files, their minds elsewhere. The fluorescent light hummed above them, casting long shadows in the otherwise sterile room. Ethan’s leg was draped in a bandage, the bullet removed and his pain medicated.

Rachel glanced over at him, tracing the lines of fatigue etched onto his face. He'd been through hell and back. And yet, despite everything, he remained at her side. Loyal to a fault, that was Ethan Morgan.

He caught her watching him and looked up, lowering the case file.

He gave her a soft, sad smile.

“You okay?” He asked.

“Healing.”

“Not talking about the bullets.”

She sighed, leaning back, head resting against the pillows.

"I know," she said, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "I'm still processing it all."

Ethan nodded, understanding twinkling in his tired eyes. He knew better than to push further right now.

A moment of silence stretched between them, the hum of the hospital and the quiet rustle of papers the only sounds punctuating the quiet.

Rachel's heart was heavy, burdened by grief for the family she never got to know, the secrets she wished she never uncovered. And yet through it all, one thing shone brightly amidst the darkness – Ethan.

His unwavering support had been her rock through it all. His steadfast presence was a constant reminder that despite the chaos around her, she was not alone.

"We arrested Dawes' accomplices," Ethan broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. “Three of his deputies knew about the murders. Dawes was apparently the trigger man.”

He offered this as if it were somehow something she wanted. Or needed.

But she found neither was true.

The news did little to ease Rachel's turmoil, but it brought a semblance of satisfaction. At least they were making progress.

"Good," she murmured, turning her gaze back to the case files. "At least that’s something."

Ethan gave her hand a small squeeze. His touch was warm and comforting amidst the cold sterility of their surroundings.

"We'll figure out your parents' story too," he assured her with a quiet intensity. “We’ll make sure they didn’t die in vain.”

Rachel turned to look at him, her dark eyes meeting his gaze head-on. "I know we will."

And it was in that moment Rachel Blackwood, Texas Ranger, felt an odd sense of resolve settle over her like a protective shroud. “What was it you wanted to talk to me about?” she said after a bit, studying her partner.

He was watching her closely, an odd smile on his lips. His sandy hair and puppy-dog eyes were like fixtures in her memory. He gave a soft, sad smile.

“It can wait.”

She relaxed, giving his hand a squeeze.

The two rangers sat in their hospital beds, recovering slowly, and staring out the window overlooking the Texas sunrise.