#Kevin Golden | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

walker-extended-universe · 8 months

Text

False Smiles and Pretty Lies

Relationship(s): August Walker & Cordell Walker, Cassie Perez & Cordell Walker, Larry James & Cordell Walker

Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe- Canon Divergence, Episode: s03e14-15 False Flag, Kidnapping, Gunshot Wounds, Blood, Blood and Injury, Bleeding Out, Near Death Experiences, Panic, Revenge, Angst, Heavy Angst, Angst and Feels, Hurt No Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Ghost Emily Walker

Summary:

James told Walker that his family had to attend the medal ceremony to keep Kevin's guard down and make it easier to catch him. Cordell reluctantly agreed and did his best to prepare his family for it. Unfortunately, they lose track of August during the panic when Grey Flag attacks and Kevin takes the opportunity to use him as leverage in his escape. Now it's up to Cordell to rescue his son and try not to do something to James that will cost him his badge.

Written for @whumptober alt prompt 11: Panic

Taglist: @theladywyn, @ihavepointysticks, @klaatu51, @itsjessiegirl1, @neptunium134

------

“Are you kidding me?”

“Walker-”

“Do not ‘Walker’ me, James!” he snapped. “Are you actually telling me that you think the best course of action is putting my family in danger? Are you telling me that their lives are worth Kevin’s damn peace of mind?! Is that actually what you’re telling me? Because that’s what I’m hearing!”

“That’s not what I meant,” James said calmly. “I understand your concerns but I think this is the best course of action. If we’re going to catch Kevin, we need his guard to be down. The best way to do that is to just go ahead with the medal ceremony as planned. We’ll be taking extra precautions with security, of course, and I recommend you warn your family.”

Cordell grit his teeth and nodded. It was clear arguing would get him nowhere. “Fine. We’ll be there. But if anything happens-”

“We’ll do our best to make sure nothing does.”

That wasn’t all that comforting but Cordell appreciated the effort. “I’ll see you there.”

He stormed out of James’ office and pulled out his phone as he made his way to the front door. “Something big came up, Liam. We need to hold a family meeting. Get Mama and Daddy and meet me at the farmhouse.” He hung up and texted Stella to ask her to be there too.

His thumb hovered over August’s contact info, then he went back and texted Stella again.

[Text to: Butterbean]: Don’t tell your brother. Just let him work on his speech. I’ll explain everything at the meeting.

It’s not that he didn’t want to tell August. Given how close he was to Kevin, he had as much of a right to know as anyone else. But he knew firsthand that August was a bad liar and he wasn’t sure he could trust his son to keep his cool around Kevin. The whole point was to catch Kevin off guard later. He knew August wouldn’t forgive himself if he blew this. Better not to risk it, as much as it pained him to do so.

—---------------

August read over his speech for what felt like the billionth time. He knew all the words; he just still wasn’t sure they were good enough.

Sighing, he put down the pages and glanced around the room from his table. Well, technically it was his family’s table but they all scattered as soon as they arrived. Dad had to go meet up with James and everyone else, Stella and Liam decided to network for the horse rescue, and Gramps and Mawline apparently knew every other person here. That left August sitting by himself. He considered getting up to talk to Kevin but every time August saw him, he was talking to someone. August didn’t think he should interrupt.

“Hey, I know you’re new to this whole thing, but generally speaking, you can’t really ‘work the room’ while you’re sitting in a corner.”

August startled and turned to see Kevin. “Oh, hey Mr. Golden…” He smiled sheepishly. “I know you’re right but…. I wouldn’t even know where to start….”

Kevin smiled and gestured for him to stand up. “Well, come on. I’ll show you a few things. I have another round to make to smooth things over with the guests since the mayor was late. Maybe you can learn a thing or two.”

August nodded and got up to follow him. He hoped he wouldn’t be expected to actually say anything to these people. He’d probably mess up and say the wrong thing and then Kevin would get mad at him and-

Breathe. He probably just wants you to follow him around and play personal assistant. He let out a breath, put on his best smile, and followed Kevin into the crowd.

It was simple enough. Kevin introduced him to some people and then mostly took over the conversation, asking questions and letting the people talk. “People at these things love talking about themselves. Just ask the right questions and they’ll take over; you don’t have to worry about a thing.” Kevin had lots of pieces of advice like that; August took them in like gospel. After about half an hour, he’d even started to enjoy himself a little.

Then, everything went to shit.

The gunshots shocked August still. For a brief moment, he was taken back to that awful day at the ranch a couple of years ago, when Clint West took over and Uncle Hoyt died. He was frozen. He knew he should be moving, running, helping and he just- couldn’t.

Kevin grabbed his arm and tugged him toward the exit and he didn’t care to protest. Anywhere there wasn’t gunfire was a good place to be. He followed Kevin out of the back of the building and into a car that was waiting in the alley. He let Kevin push him into the backseat and let his brain come back online after he clicked in his seatbelt. “Thanks,” he murmured, trying not to let his embarrassment show.

“No problem, kid.” Kevin signaled for the driver to move.

August leaned back in his seat. As his heart slowed down, his brain started working again and he realized they were driving away from the ceremony. Alone. He didn’t see any other law enforcement vehicles following them. He guessed everyone was back at the hall; that made sense with the shooting and all. But it meant that no one knew where they were going. His family would be wondering where he was once the panic died down. He pulled his phone out of his pocket to text them and let them know where he was and that he was safe with Kevin.

“What are you doing?”

“Texting my dad. I just want to let him know that I’m okay and I’m with you. He’s probably worried….”

August didn’t even have the messaging app open when Kevin suddenly ripped the phone from his hand and tossed it out the window. “Sorry, champ. Can’t have you doing that.”

August’s jaw dropped. “I- What? Why did you-” His voice dropped off when he saw the gun in Kevin’s lap, pointed right at him. “Wha- What’s going on?”

“This is nothing personal,” Kevin said, voice as smooth and casual as it had been at the party. “Just a small change in plans. I didn’t want to do this, believe me, but I need a little insurance to keep me out of jail right now.”

“What?” August replied dumbly. Because what else could he say? None of this made any sense. Why did Kevin throw his phone away? Why was he pointing that gun at him? Why did he need to stay out of jail? What did any of this have to do with August? “What’s going on?”

“Don’t worry about it; we’re just going on a little trip, that’s all.” Kevin smiled at him, his same politician smile he’d been giving all day. Somehow, it didn’t shine the way it used to.

—----------

Cordell sighed and looked away from the dead security officer. To say things hadn’t gone to plan would be an understatement. But the damage definitely could’ve been worse so he was going to count that as a win. “What’s the next move, Cap?”

“Go check on your family,” James said. “Perez and I will handle things from here. We’re still waiting to hear from the Mayor.”

He nodded and jogged back up to the ceremony hall. In all the confusion, he hadn’t had a chance to check on them. He hoped they’d followed the plan he walked them through in their meeting earlier.

The hall had pretty much cleared out by then with officers escorting out the remaining civilians. His family was still there, huddled around their assigned table. He breathed a sigh of relief seeing everyone there. His parents, his brother, his daughter, his-

Wait.

“Where’s August?” He hoped against all hope that the answer to that question was Oh he just went to the bathroom real quick.

Liam cleared his throat. “Uh, he’s… He’s not here.”

Cordell swallowed. “He’s not here?”

“Look, we tried to keep an eye on him but we were networking and then the shooting happened….”

Cordell gripped the back of the chair he was standing behind. It took everything in him not to blow up at his family right then. “Is there any chance at all he’s just hiding somewhere in or around the building?”

“They’ve already searched the whole place,” Bonham said. “And a five block radius around here. Nothing.”

Cordell nodded. August was a fast runner, but not that fast. There wouldn’t have been enough time for him to go that far and he would’ve called someone by now if that were the case. And they knew Kevin left the second the panic started, and now they were both gone. That could only mean one thing. “Well. I guess we’re going to have to assume the worst happened,” he muttered, gripping the chair harder. “As in, the thing that was supposed to be avoided by everyone at this table keeping an eye on him and, most importantly, keeping him away from Kevin.”

“We’re sorry-”

“I don’t need an apology.” He cut his mother off and allowed himself to give her a curt look. “I need to know he’s okay. Try his phone; he may not be able to answer but we should be able to at least trace a location. I’m going to go report back to James so he knows we’re looking at a potential hostage situation.” And also maybe deliver an I fucking told you so but that could wait until he knew August was safe.

He stormed back to the parking garage to find James. “Walker, there you are. How’s-”

“August is missing. Kevin’s also in the wind. I wonder if those two things are connected,” he said through grit teeth.

“Ah, well-”

“Don’t,” he snapped. “I don’t want your apologies or any excuses. I want my son home safely. Make that happen and I might not do something to you that’ll cost me my badge.”

He turned on his heels and walked away before James could say anything else. He needed to get away before he lost his badge right then and there. He stormed out of the building toward his truck, hearing the quick footsteps of his partner behind him. “I don’t wanna hear it,” he muttered.

“I didn’t follow you to tell you off,” Cassie said, walking up to his side. “I just want to know how you’re doing. Besides pissed, I mean.”

“I’m fine.”

Cassie sighed. “Walker, your son has probably been kidnapped and you almost literally bit James’ head off back there. You’re not fine. And that’s perfectly understandable. But we need you to not be all shouty with everybody right now. You need to focus; getting angry isn’t going to-”

“I know! I know that, alright?!” He threw his hat off and ran a hand through his hair, tugging slightly on the ends. “I know panicking and yelling isn’t going to help anything. I know that. But I- I can’t do anything else. We don’t know where he is or if he’s even with Kevin or what’s going to happen to him if he is with Kevin. I- I don’t know what to do. What am I supposed to do, Cassie?”

“I don’t know,” she said gently. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now. But I can tell you that we’re going to do everything we can to find him. And it’s going to be a lot easier if our best ranger has his head in the game.”

He nodded. “Yeah. I know. I-I know. I just….”

“We’ll give you some time,” she said. “Take a lunch. Go drive out to an empty patch on that big ranch of yours and scream at God for a bit. Then come back to HQ and we’ll figure this out. Okay?”

He nodded and picked his hat up off the ground. “Thanks. I’ll catch up with y’all later.”

“Take your time.” Cassie hugged him. “We’ll find him, Walker. It’s gonna be okay.”

He didn’t believe her yet, but Cassie always followed through. “I know. Thanks.” He pulled away and got into his truck. He just needed a minute to melt down. Then, he could focus.

—---------

The car was silent for the rest of the trip. Aside from Kevin directing the driver to wherever they were going there was nothing.

August was still trying to wrap his head around this whole thing. He didn’t know exactly what was happening but he had a sinking suspicion that Kevinw as connected to those gunshots early. He was clearly involved in some illegal shit based on what he said earlier about trying to stay out of jail. August was just the unlucky human shield.

They eventually pulled up to an airfield. “Wait here,” Kevin ordered before getting out of the car and jogging to the airplane hangar.

August watched him go, gears turning in his mind. He could leave now. He didn’t know where he was but if he followed the road he would probably find a gas station or somewhere else he could use a phone. He was a pretty fast runner too; they probably wouldn’t be able to catch him. Yes, Kevin had a gun but he clearly wanted to keep August alive if he was looking for insurance. The gun was just an empty threat to keep him quiet.

He slowly unbuckled his seatbelt, keeping an eye on the driver and watching for any sign that his plan was blown. Once he was free of the strap, he kicked the door open and bolted down the dirt driveway. That should be a good enough headstart. He hoped it would be anyway. Kevin wasn’t watching and the driver would need time to-

He felt the bullet hit his leg before he heard the gunshot. The pain knocked him to the ground and he fell on his face. The first thing he thought was how upset Mawline would be at the state of his suit. His second thought was how much everything hurt. Aside from the bullet wound in his leg, he was scraped up from all the little sharp rocks he’d fallen on. He was pretty sure his cheek was bleeding.

Two pairs of hands roughly pulled him to his feet (Since when did they get here?) and he was dragged back toward the hangar. They dropped him unceremoniously in a lonely corner and rough hands tied something tightly around his leg (a tourniquet- to stop the bleeding- that’s what Corach Barnett called it, supplied his pain-addled mind).

He shook his head to try and clear out some of the pain, get his thoughts in order, and his vision cleared a bit to show Kevin standing over him, arms crossed.

“I thought I told you to stay put,” he said. “Then again, you are Walker’s son. I suppose I should’ve expected you to do something stupid like this. It must run in the family.”

August glared at him. “Well, I guess I’m staying put now,” he snapped. “Guess you must really need me for insurance if you’re willing to put a bullet in my leg. Who are you trying to protect yourself from?”

“Your father, obviously.” Kevin rolled his eyes. “Come on, Augie, you’re a smart kid; surely you could’ve gotten there on your own.”

“Why?” he asked. “Why my dad? What did he ever do to you?”

“He ruined my life.”

“What? How? He didn’t even know you until a few months ago!”

“And that’s exactly the problem.” Kevin sighed and checked his watch. “Look, I have a lot to do if I’m going to get out of here before your father finds me so I don’t have time to explain the whole sad story, but I’ll give you a summary because I’m just such a nice guy.

“So, your father and my older brother were in the same Marines unit. Your dad came home, my brother didn’t. Your brother also made no effort to even offer condolences to my family after it happened. And my family wasn’t exactly a great place to be so you can imagine how your father’s neglect to bring my brother back home didn’t make it much better. The point is, my life was a shit show from the day my brother died and your father- and everyone else in that unit- played a part in that. They ruined my life, so I’m ruining theirs.”

August couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “That- You sound insane, you realize that? Your brother went to war; people die in wars. This wasn’t some big plan to ruin your life; it was just… Unfortunate. And I’m sorry. But it’s not my dad’s fault.”

Kevin shrugged. “Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. But I’ve come too far to back down now. I’ve tracked down every other member of that unit and made their life hell before I killed them. Cordell is the last one on the list and he’s had the happiest life of them all, so I’ve made it just a bit worse for him. Kidnapping him and his brother was just the start. After today, I’ve set him up to look like a traitor. With the trail I’ve laid, the FBI will have him in cuffs by sundown. His reputation will be ruined and his precious little family will be splintered into bits.”

August swallowed hard. “And kidnapping me? Was that really just a little insurance? Or the icing on the cake?”

“Can’t it be both?” Kevin smirked.

A horrible realization hit him. “You never really wanted to be my mentor, did you? You were just using me.” He huffed. “You never wanted to help me. I bet you just wanted to show off to Dad that you were getting close to his family. That’s all I ever was to you; some fucking tool just to get one over on my dad.”

Kevin shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong kid; you do have potential. You’re smart and you’ve got natural charm. But that’s not really what I needed you for.” He checked his watch again. “I’ve really got some work to do. Why don’t you just stay put here until you’re needed again? Maybe practice that kicked puppy look for when your dad shows up.”

With that, he left August in his little timeout corner.

August sighed and knocked his head back against the metal wall.

He was so stupid. Why did he ever believe Kevin? Why would anyone try to reach out to him like that? Even his own family had given up on him. He should’ve known something was wrong the second Kevin started being friendly with him. And he just gave the man more opportunities to hurt his family by rolling out the red carpet into their home.

Now he’s probably just caused everyone more trouble by getting himself kidnapped. They’re going to have to track down Kevin and rescue him.

If they even want to save you an evil voice hissed in the back of his mind.

—-------------

Cordell came back to HQ when he felt he was ready to focus. The place was alive with activity, as it should be, and he made a beeline for his desk. “Please tell me there’s been some kind of progress,” he begged his partner.

“Trey’s checking up on a lead right now,” Cassie said. “He found some interesting information on where the money for Grey Flag’s compound came from and what other properties the bankrollers might own. He should be back in a few minutes. How are things with the family?”

He sighed. “Everyone’s worried and feeling at least a little guilty,” he said. “It also looks like Kevin planted a nice little clue trail to make me look suspicious so the FBI is poking around and the press is calling so, that’s fun.”

Cassie grimaced. “Well, once we find August and Kevin we can get that all cleared up too. We did manage to get a trace on August’s phone but it looks like Kevin tossed it as soon as he could so it wasn’t much of a lead,” she admitted. “Also, you’ll need to buy him a new phone. It got run over. Probably more than once.”

“As soon as he gets home, I’ll buy him whatever phone he wants.” He’d buy August a new car just to see his face again.

Trey came over then, brandishing a small stack of papers. “Okay, I think I found a lead.” he explained how he followed a money trail from one of Grey Flag’s investors to a local tech mogul who happened to own an airfield not too far out of town. “I remember one time we were talking about our hobbies and Kevin said he was taking flight lessons. I bet anything he’s at that airfield right now getting ready to flee the country.”

“Which means August is probably also there as some kind of human shield,” Cordell said. At least they had a lead. “What’s that address?”

“We have an address?” James stopped at the desk. “I take it your lead worked out, Barnett?”

“Yes sir.” Trey handed him the documents. “It’s a bit of a long shot but it’s the best lead we have.”

“I’ll go check it out,” Cordell said, already getting up. If there was even half a chance August was there, he was going.

“Walker, wait.” James grabbed his arm as he passed. “We need to-”

“Do NOT tell me to wait!” Cordell wrenched his arm out of James’ grasp. “My son is being held hostage by a damn domestic terrorist! And the only reason he was there to get grabbed in the first place was because of your bright idea! So, no. I’m not waiting for a warrant, I’m not waiting for backup, and I’m not waiting for you to come up with another grand plan. I’m getting August and I’m getting him right now. I don’t need- nor do I care to wait for- your permission.”

“I understand,” James said carefully. “But you shouldn’t go alone. We have no idea what Kevin has planned and he’s probably prepared for company. Let me get a few people together and-”

“And you can meet me there,” he snapped. “I’m not waiting. I can’t wait. And neither can August.”

James stared at him for a long moment, then nodded. “Okay. We’ll be right behind you.”

Cordell got his address and sprinted out the door. He wasn’t waiting any longer than he had to. When he got to his truck, he saw another car pulling into the lot and Bonham and Liam got out. “Any word on August?” Liam asked.

Cordell nodded, a little surprised to see them there. “Yeah, we think we have an address but what are you doing here? I thought the FBI was all on us?”

Liam shrugged. “There was a trail of evidence planted but not even Special Agent Graves hates you enough to think you’d keep explosives near your family so we’re in the clear and Kevin is looking really suspicious.”

“You said you had an address?” Bonham cut in.

“Maybe.” Cordell explained Trey’s legwork. “It’s a bit of a long shot but it’s all we have.”

“What the hell are we waiting for then? Let’s go get our boy.”

“You guys need some backup?” Cordell turned to see Cassie standing a few feet behind him, a stack of bulletproof vests in her hand. “I figure we could use these, just in case. Who knows what Kevin’s got planned?”

“Cassie…”

“Don’t even try to talk me out of this,” she said. “I know you’ve got this whole ‘family rescue party’ going on- and I love it, believe me- but I’m your partner. I’m not letting you walk into this alone. And I wouldn’t pass up a chance to punch Kevin in his stupid lying face.” She scowled and gave him the vests. “Also, you forgot to actually get the address. I’m driving.”

Liam chuckled. “She knows you.”

Cordell rolled his eyes, tossing a vest at him. “Be quiet and suit up. We leave in five.”

—---------------------

August was trying very hard not to fall over. Everything hurt and he felt completely drained. Kevin must’ve been really busy, since he’d been left alone after his little monologue.

Maybe he’s just going to leave me here to die…. Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.

He thought he heard gunfire in the distance, but he just didn’t have the mental capacity to think about it. And then, suddenly, Kevin was back with him. “It’s showtime, kid,” he said, roughly pulling August up to his feet. He cried out and fell against Kevin, his wounded leg unable to hold his weight. “Come on, work with me,” Kevin muttered, hauling him closer to the airplane. August felt the cool barrel of the gun against his forehead. It was almost comforting compared to everything else.

“I was wondering when you’d show up, Walker.”

August lifted his eyes just enough to see his Dad standing on the other side of the hangar. He was pretty sure the pain was getting to him since he saw Gramps and Uncle Liam too. Cassie was more believable.

“Let him go,” Dad demanded.

“Why? So you can arrest me?” Kevin laughed. “Besides, I think this is a little tit for tat. Thanks to you, I lost a brother. Now, you get to lose someone because of me.”

“Kevin, that’s enough.”

Kevin turned them to face the new voice. It was someone August didn’t recognize, but Kevin clearly did if the way his grip tightened was anything to go by.

He heard them talking but he wasn’t really focused on the words. Everything just hurt too much.

The next thing he was aware of was gunfire and being pulled toward the plane. He didn’t have the energy to resist but Kevin had a pretty hard time pulling his dead weight so he was going to count that as fighting back. Kevin tossed him into a seat and went to the front of the plane.

August slumped and tried to stay awake, but he was so tired. The last thing he was aware of was falling out of his side and onto the floor before sliding into blissful nothingness.

“-gust? August! Wake up, son. Come on, please wake up.”

August groaned and barely peeked his eyes open. “Dad?”

Dad breathed a sigh of relief. “There you are. Stay awake for me, okay? Help is almost here.”

“'M sorry Dad,” he mumbled.

“Don't apologize, Augie. Got nothing to apologize for…”

But I do, he thought. I let him in. I gave you to him on a silver platter. I gave him a way to hurt you. I made it harder to stop him. I ruined everything. Again. He just couldn't get the words out.

“Stay with me, Augie.” He could hear his dad shouting for a medic but it all sounded so far away. “Open your eyes. Look at me.” Rough hands jostled his face and August opened his eyes to see both of his parents looking down at him.

“Stay with your father, little toad,” Mom whispered. “It’s not your time yet.” She pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.

“Okay, I will,” he murmured. He could never say no to Mom.

“There you are.” Dad tried a small smile. “Help’s almost here buddy. Just stay with me. You’re gonna be okay. Everything’s gonna be okay. Just stay with me.”

“Okay. Okay….”

He tried to stay awake. He really did. But by the time they loaded him into an ambulance, he was just too tired. “Stay with me, Augie. I’m not going anywhere,” was the last thing he heard his dad say before he went under again.

#whumptober2023 #alt 11 #panic #walker #fic #blood tw #gunshot tw #walker fic #walker fanfic #my writing #my fic #august walker #cordell walker #kevin golden #cassie perez

12 notes · View notes