Chapter Text

Title: Run From The Shadows And Run To The Light

Chapter Summary: The final part - spoilers 

Words: 3100

Notes: Title from The Gates by Young Empires (There's a cool Lone Star fanvid on it on YouTube - see comments for link)

Here it is! The final chapter! I can't believe this whole thing turned out at nearly 17000 words - I underestimate myself so much! Anyway, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I know nothing about medical and police procedures other than from what I've watched, but I hope everything makes sense. Any mistakes let me know and I will fix!

Chapter 5: You Are Not Alone

A few minutes previously:

“Carlos. Is that you?”

Carlos breathed out steadily at the familiar voice. “Gr-ace?”

“Yeah, Carlos. It’s Grace. It’s good to hear your voice.” She confirmed. He could hear the relief in her voice, even over the poor quality of the radio. “Can you tell me where you think you are?”

“Some kind of forest?” Carlos answered, though it sounded more like a question than an answer. “I don’t know. It’s too d-ark, but think there’s w-ater next to me. I’m wet and I c-can hear it.”

“That’s good, Carlos.” Grace fell silent for a short while, but he could hear the faint taping of typing over the open line.

“Wait…” Carlos started finally recognising the accustomed sounds of dispatch centre. He thought Grace was still off from the accident. “I didn’t k-now you were back at w-work already.”

“I’m not officially, but I was visiting friends at the centre when I heard you were missing.” Yeah, that made more sense, he figured. “I thought I’d lend a hand.”

“Lucky co-oincidence.”

“I chose a long time ago not to question the mysterious ways of God’s will.” Grace reasoned. “Now, can you tell me what hurts?”

“Does everywhere count?” Carlos joked. The coldness was numbing most his pain, but there was still a dull ache in places he didn’t know was possible.

“It counts, but I need you to be more specific if you can, Carlos. Any bleeding I need to know about?”

“My head and maybe my side.” He answered, only barely remembering the shallow stab wound he’d received when this had all started. It’d was nothing compared to how much was soaking his hairline, but then again, head wounds always bled worse than they were.  “I don’t think it’s anything too serious though. I’m just wet and cold.” Carlos shivered even as he said the words. He paused for a moment though he kept his finger on the transmitter to show he wasn’t finished. “It wasn’t dark before though. How long have I been missing?”

“About four hours now, honey.” Grace informed calmly. “There’s quite a few people that will be pleased to hear your voice. I’m pretty sure you’ve got the entire APD looking for you, as well as almost every Texas Ranger in the state.”

“Dad knows?” Carlos groaned, if it wasn’t embarrassing enough to have every cop in the city looking for him, he now and the Rangers as well. He hoped his dad hadn’t told his mamá yet, or that she’d at least had someone with her when he did. She wasn’t the only person however that he knew would be frantic with worry, especially after the last few weeks. “What about TK? Did someone tell him? I don’t want him to worry.”

“TK knows, sweetheart.” Grace assured. “Mitchell took him to the station to help with the search, and as far as I understood from Judd, the rest of the 126 wasn’t far behind.”

“Good.” Carlos breathed out, pleased TK had people around to support him, and remembering his and TK’s last conversation earlier that day, he laughed shakily, soon regretting it as the movement shot another stab of pain through his head. “I’m pretty sure I’ve got a lot of ‘I told you so’s’ coming my way...”

~*~TARLOS~*~

“He’s alive….”

TK shot up straighter from the wall, relief flooding through his body as he charged back towards the conference room, the others close behind.

“You’ve found him!?”

“More like he called us.” Another officer revised, nodding as made her way over. “Dispatch Operative Ryder has him on radio now. He’s injured, but relatively secure – considering the alternative I mean.”

“Wh- where is he?” TK stammered; thankful Carlos had a familiar voice helping him but wanting nothing more than hear him himself.

“He’s doesn’t know where he is, but he figures the suspects abandoned him in a forest, near a riverbank.”

His stomach churned as he pictured his boyfriend being left for dead in a ditch somewhere in Austin, but TK still couldn’t help but rejoice at the news, Gabriel looking just as relieved beside him. “I need to speak to him. Please.”

“Mrs Ryder said you ask that.” She smiled, passing over her radio. “He’s on Channel 8.”

“Carlos?” TK all but snatched the radio, pressing the button and speaking as soon as it was in his hands. The silence in the room was overwhelming as they waited for a response.

“Ty?” Carlos’ voice was tired and hoarse, but the emptiness T.K. felt inside that had been steadily growing into a void since Mitchell had first appeared at the firehouse, shrunk that tiny bit smaller at the sound.

“Yeah, babe.” TK almost couldn’t contain the sob that threatened to slip out after words. “You okay? They said you’re hurt?”

“A little. Not too bad.” Carlos alleged, but the shudder in his voice relayed the opposite. “J-ust cold. I can’t stop sh-aking.”

“Shivering’s good, babe.” TK supported, encouragingly. The nights in Austin had been rather cold lately meaning body temperature could drop quickly, especially if already weakened from blood loss. “Mean’s your body still fighting.”

“Al-ways.”

“Hey son.” Gabriel joined in from next to TK. “Can you remember what happened?”

“Dad?” Carlos rasped. “I’m sorry. D-oes Ma-má know? I’m s-orry, I don’t want her to…”

TK frowned, worried with the way Carlos was starting to ramble. He was clearly becoming more and disorientated, either from the cold or blood loss, only increasing the need to find him, the sooner the better.

“She does, son, but it’s not your fault. I was with her when I heard.” Gabriel answered. “She’s okay. She’s with your Tia Lucy.”

“He can’t be too far out if his radio’s still working, right?” TK asked with sudden realisation.

“It certainly narrows it down, but it only down to within a 30-mile radius.” Gabriel replied. “Son, dispatch says you think you’re in a riverbank. If we can identify which one, we can follow the waterline to you. Is there anything else you can tell us?”

“Wa’ chasing two suspects. I had one in custody then...” Carlos answered slowly, as if he was finding it hard to focus. “I th-nk I got in the way of the get-away car. Got k-knocked out and w-ke up here.”

“They hit you!?” TK exclaimed, frantically, his thoughts whirring at the many different and dangerous complications that could arise the longer Carlos went without treatment.

“Didn’t see it coming.” Carlos rasped as explanation. “I t-th-nk it was a red chevy. Maybe brown? Plates ended 36Y. I d-dn’t c-tch the rest, s-sorr-y.”

“No, no. You did good, Carlos.” TK asserted, and it was true. Only Carlos could remember part of the number plate of the car that had hit him.

The description matched one of the vehicles already under investigation, but Carlos’ recollection of the number plate had given them more to work with, and Gabriel slipped away to share the new information with the technicians, leaving TK and Mitchell by the radio.

“Isn’t this where you say I told you so?” Carlos whispered, indecisively.

“Don’t worry about that, okay?” TK assured. “It doesn’t matter right now.”

“TK’s right Carlos. Peterson’s already got what was coming for him.” Mitchell added. “You didn’t mention this one here throws one hell of a right hook.”

“You hit him?” The words were the reverse to TK’s previous ones but layered with more weariness.

“He deserved worse, but I was more focused on finding you.” TK clicked off the radio, expecting Carlos side to engage with a familiar response, but when it remained silent TK pressed his button again, worriedly. “Babe, you there?”

“S-rry, dropped the radio.” Carlos mumbled, barely detectable over the broadcast, the continued exposure probably making him foggy and drowsy, not helped by the wet clothes and head trauma. “T-red.”

“I know, but you got to stay awake for us, babe.”

“Got a match!” One technician declared across the room, pointing at her computer screen. “One burgundy Chevy Silverado turning into Barton Creek Trail Head, timestamped 19:24. Matches the one seen on camera leaving the scene.”

The technician brought the satellite map of the area up onto the big screen, route of the trail clearly marked.

“Barton Creek?” TK repeated. “That’s got to be it.”

“Let’s go people!” Stokes called around the room, officers scrambling to move.

“You hear that babe? We think we’ve figured where you are!” TK exclaimed eagerly over the radio. No reply came for a long moment, and his heart quickened. “Carlos? You with me?”

“S-sorry, y-ah.” Carlos whispered hoarsely, his voice notably weaker. “Y-u’re c-ming?”

“Yeah, we’ve got you. We’re on our way.” TK promised softly. “Just hold on a little bit longer for me, okay?”

~*~TARLOS~*~

“Carlos!” TK shouted as loudly as he could. He’d already lost count of how many times he’d done before, as he systematically shone his flashlight across the ground. “Carlos, call out!”

TK had called the rest of the team as soon as he’d left the precinct, informing them of what they’d found and planning to meet at the trail head and them, APD officers, Gabriel, and the Rangers had all quickly spread out up the creek, flashlights combing each and every darkened gully. Tracker dogs were in route to assist with the search, but were still a little out, and TK prayed they’d find Carlos long before they arrived.

He was clinging to every hope as they searched, but Carlos had stopped answering the radio nearly 20 minutes before, and TK was beginning to feel the bottomless pit of dread returning to swallow him whole.

“I don’t think we’re in the right place.” Paul spoke up suddenly, multiple beams of light suddenly spinning around to point in his direction, as the man looked up from studying something on his phone. “We’re too out in the open, and they would have wanted to risk someone finding him too quickly.”

“He’s got to be!” TK argued, not wanting to consider the alternative. Carlos didn’t have time for them have been searching in the wrong place. “The car was here.”

“I know but look…” Paul turned his phone screen to the others, displaying an opened map of the forest, zooming in on a location to the right of them. “…there: Sycamore Creek, running west off Barton. It’s more sheltered by trees and off the beaten path.”

“He’s right, brother.” Judd added, and TK couldn’t help but agree.

They spilt into pairs as they searched along the new bank, and TK had to restrain himself from racing further ahead, knowing he couldn’t risk passing right by Carlos because he’d been moving too fast to spot him in the dark.

“Carlos!” TK called once more, with wishful hope that it was only the radio that was faulty and preventing him from answering. “Call out!”

No response came, but several metres further up, TK almost choked on his own breath as the bright beam of his flashlight landed directly on Carlos’s body, lying twisted in the shallow ditch, his eyes closed, and face streaked with dried blood.

“We found him!” Paul shouted behind him as TK instinctively scrabbled down the small bank into the gulley, ignoring the various cheers in the distance.

“Carlos, we’re here. Can you hear me?” TK fell forwards, not caring about the mud as his knees sunk into the ground. “Carlos? Hey?”

He cradled Carlos’s face in his hands, concern etched into his face, before dropping them down and rubbing firmly at his sternum. “Baby? Wake up, Carlos!”

Carlos released a low groaned at the pressure, and TK almost laughed in joy at the sound before bringing his hands back up to cup his cheek as Carlos managed to peel his eyes sluggishly. “T’ger?”

 “Hey,” TK breathed out shakily. “Hey, baby. We found you.”

“Nancy and Tommy are coming. The others are directing them our way.” Paul called down from above them. “We got you brother.”

“P-aul?” Carlos mumbled. Recognising the voice, he started to lift his head, trying to pinpoint where it’d come from, but TK quickly halted his movements.

“Hey, we’re going to get you out of here, baby, but you gotta stay still for me.” TK asserted and Carlos let his head fall back down, this time turned in the direction of him, his eyes glazed slightly. “Just we check you over, okay. What hurts?”

“J-ust my head.” Carlos swallowed sharply before speaking, as TK started scanning him over. “C-concuss-on?”

“Afraid so.” TK reached up and ran his hand through Carlos’s hair, finding the source of the drying blood. “You can’t be lucky twice in a row. Anything else?”

“Maybe my side, but that doesn’t hurt anymore.” Carlos eventually answered, rather hesitantly. “Got stabbed, s-sorta? It was tiny.”

“What!?” TK exclaimed, starting to lift the corner of Carlos police shirt to get a closer look, being careful not to disturb the dried and clotted blood and risk causing the bleeding restart. “You don’t do things halfway do you?”

“It was before the car…” Carlos quietly objected, unconvincingly.

“I think that his point, man.” Paul joked, passing a large blanket down to TK from his own kit, who took it gratefully.

“Thanks. Here we go.” TK added, placing the blanket over Carlos’ trembling form. “We can warm you up better in a minute. How’re you doing?”

“I’m g-ood.”

“Yeah?” TK teased. “Maybe I’ll actually believe that one of these days.”

“Coming through!” TK heard his captain’s voice before she appeared, the gear shouldered. Nancy was close behind with the backboard. “What’ve we got?

“Hey, Cap. Moderate head trauma with a probable grade 2 concussion and shallow penetrative wound on his right side. It’s stopped bleeding for now.” TK relayed, as the pair slid more carefully down the bank to join him. He tried to keep his voice professional but couldn’t even tell whether he was succeeding or failing. “He’s hypothermic but responsive.”

“We warmed some saline ready for him.” Tommy replied, opening the kit, before addressing Carlos. “Hey Carlos, you with us?”

Carlos blinked slowly up at the new face. “C-captain V-vega...?”

“Hey, pal.” Tommy returned, smiling. “Aren’t we glad to see you.”

“Temps 92.7.” Nancy called, before she starting to prep an IV. “Starting a line.”

Tommy cracked several heat packs from the gear, placing them around his next and under the blanket causing Carlos to groan at the sudden contrast of heat.

“Hot.” Carlos fidgeted slightly as if trying to pull away from the packs.

“I know, ‘Los, but they’re helping. I promise.” TK murmured, still holding Carlos’ hand while trying to keep him still. “It’ll feel better in a minute.”

“Okay, Carlos. Let’s get you out of here and back to the rig.” Tommy proposed, grabbing the stretcher. “Then we get those wet clothes off you, they can’t be helping.”

With the team’s help, they had Carlos secured on the board and up out the ditch in the matter of minutes, before starting their trek back through the dark forest.

“We’re nearly there, babe.” TK assured, running his hand through Carlos’ sticky and blood clotted curls. “You’re okay.”

~*~TARLOS~*~

Carlos peeled his eyes open slowly, squinting against the harsh overhead light until his eye adjusted, easily recognising the familiar sights and sounds of a hospital. The second thing he spotted was TK’s hand in his, the latter curled up in an uncomfortable looking chair next to the bed. His head was tipped sideways, eyes closed, and mobile gripped in his other hand as if he’d fallen asleep without planning to. He looked as exhausted as Carlos felt himself.

He did really want to wake him, but he must have made some noise or movement, as TK’s head shot up his tired gaze meeting Carlos’ immediately.

“Hey, you’re awake.” TK jumped his feet, his hold on Carlos’ hand tightening as he pressed a quick kiss to his lips.

“Hey.” Carlos returned, swallowing to clear his dry throat. “What time is it? How long have I’ve been out?”

“About 7pm, so almost a day. They woke you a few times for checks, but you were pretty out of it. I doubt you’d remember.” TK replied, filling a glass of water from a jug on the side and helping him take a sip through the provided straw. “How are you feeling?”

“Still cold, but definitely better than before.” Carlos shifted slightly in bed, pulling the scratchy blankets closer towards him.

“You’ll be feeling aftereffects for a few days.” TK informed him, sympathetically. “Paul and Marj dropped by the condo to pick up some warmer clothes than that thin hospital gown.”

“They didn’t have to do that.” Carlos replied, guilty at putting his friends of their ways.

“They didn’t. They offered, plus we both needed some things.” TK assured. “The Doctor still needs to confirm all’s well, but he was pretty confident you should be able go home tomorrow morning.”

“Can’t wait.” Carlos joked, thinking of his warm bed where TK would actually be able to join him. Then he remembered something else. “What about Dad? And work?”

“Your parents were here earlier. They just left for the night, but they said they’ll be back in the morning.” TK explained, warmly. “And you don’t need to worry about work right now. Looks like a couple more days of vacation in the near future. At least until those stitches come out your side.”

“I know, I mean…” Carlos returned, realising TK had misinterpreted his question. “I meant about what happened.”

“Oh. Er, Peterson’s suspended pended investigation.” TK clarified, voice dripping with anger at the reminder. “Captain Kendricks will need to speak to you at some point, but he said not the rush. I think he mention something about the longer it takes, the more time Peterson gets to stew. He said there might even be legal consequences.”

“I didn’t think he would go as far as that.”

“I know, just promise me next time you’ll talk to me.” TK pleaded. “Instead of holding everything in, okay?”

“I didn’t want you to worry.” He defended. “There’s been so much going on lately, without adding to it.”

“Worrying is just as much my job as much as it’s yours, and I always will.” TK counted, tone earnest. “I want to be there for you, as much as you are for me.”

“I promise.” Carlos squeezed him close as he could with the side rails of bed blocking them. “I love you, TK.”

TK smiled up at him, holding their gaze for a long while. “Love you too.”

*

Three weeks later, standing outside the ashes of their home after it burns to the ground from an arsonist seeking revenge, Carlos allowed himself to break down in TK’s arms, terrified but relieved they were both safe.

Notes: The End! Thanks so much for sticking with this despite all my mean cliffhangers. Hope you loved this as much as I enjoyed writing it. 

Comments and Kudos feed my morning. Thanks so much for all the ones so far - it's great to see them all sitting there when I turn on my phone every morning!

❤️

See you next time!

Edit: Couple of typos fixed!