CD's Bar & Grill

Walker pulled open the door to CD's Bar and Grill, he and his partner's favorite dive. Trivette slipped in before him, and together they made their way to the bar, where CD was filling up dished with goobers, a nut similar to a peanut. He smiled at them, but glanced past them at the clock.

"Hey, Big Dog, the usual," Trivette said, leaning on the counter.

"You look excited," Walker commented, taking in CDs anxious-looking face.

Trivette gave Walker a funny look. Walker caught it and asked, "What, Trivette?"

"You don't know?" Trivette scoffed. "Geez..."

"Know what?" Walker asked curiously, glancing from Trivette to CD, who was checking the clock again.

"Heather, CD's niece, is coming to Dallas!" Trivette reminded his partner, his eyes shining with amusement.

Walker's eyes widened as he remembered. "Oh, CD, I totally forgot! I'm sorry."

"Yes, you are." Trivette replied with a smile as his partner shot him a look and rolled his eyes.

"When's she coming in?"

CD gave a small shrug. "It's alright, Cordell... Except I would have expected somethin' like this from Jimmy." He smiled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Trivette asked, face etched with comic indignity.

"Just what he said," Walker replied grinning.

CD waved a hand at them. "Oh, will you stop it you two? She should be here any minute."

Just then, CD caught sight of someone over Walker and Trivette's shoulders. CD's face lit up as his young niece walked into the bar.

"Heather, right here honey!" CD waving to her. Heather raced into his arms and they embraced enthusiastically, both ecstatic to see each other.

CD gave his niece's shoulders a small shake. "Oh, honey, you're so grown up!"

Heather gripped his shoulders again. "I missed you so much."

"Same here, honey" CD assured her.

CD turned back to Trivette and Walker, an arm around Heather's shoulders as she had her own arm around his waist.

CD began the introductions. "You haven't met my friends... This is Cordell Walker."

Walker took Heather's pre-offered hand. "Hello," He said, giving her a smile.

"And Jimmy Trivette," CD continued.

"Pleasure to meet you," Trivette said, also giving her hand a shake.

"Trust me, the pleasure is all mine," Heather said, winking at the ranger.

"So where are you staying?" Walker asked, sitting on a barstool.

CD stared at him. "Cordell, are you braid dead or something?! I asked you a week ago if she could stay at the ranch, and you said yes!"

Walker resisted the urge to slap himself on the forehead. "Oops... I'm sorry. Sure, no problem."

"Thanks, Mr. Walker," Heather said, a little reluctantly. She eyed Trivette, secretly wishing she was staying with him.

"Please, just call me Walker," Walker said smoothly.

"Same here," Trivette offered. "Jimmy or Trivette - whatever works!"

"I like Trivette," Heather said, giving him another "special" smile.

CD made his way back around the bar. "Well, how about something to eat?" He asked Heather, as she took a barstool next to Walker.
Heather nodded, then grinned as Trivette pulled a barstool down the counter next to her and alighted on it, so that she was sitting between the two Texas Rangers. "How about some of that world famous chili I hear so much about?"

"Trust me, you don't - "Trivette began.

"Trivette!" Walker interrupted, chiding lightly.

Trivette looked sideways at Heather and Walker. "Sorry," He mumbled.

Walker slipped off of his barstool and reached around Heather to slap Trivette on the back. "Well, Trivette, we better get going. We got a lot of work waiting for us back at the office."

"Yay," Trivette replied flatly, standing up to follow his partner out.

"Nice meeting you, Heather," Walker said, adjusting his hat.

"You too," Heather replied sincerely.

"CD, you taking her to the ranch?"

CD nodded, setting a bowl of his world famous chili in front of Heather. "Yeah, I'll be there with her till you get home."
Walker nodded as he preceded Trivette to the door. Heather gave Trivette one last wave, then turned and dug into her uncle's chili.