"Hey baby." Paige said softly as Walter stirred.

"Oh, my head." Walter complained first and then barely opened his eyes and a smile slowly spread across his lips seeing Paige sitting on the edge of the bed. "You're so beautiful." Walter said and then frowned as he tried to reach up to touch her. He felt and then saw the restraints binding his arms. "Was I bad?"

Paige smiled.

"A little. Toby's eye is healing nicely though." Paige said as she reached down and pulled the strap that released his right arm.

Walter reached up and gently touched her cheek.

"Sorry, I don't really remember." Walter told her.

"Well it isn't like Toby hasn't done enough things to cause you to lash out at him, but we all know it was the leftover effects of all the drugs they used on you. You've been out over four days trying to give you some peace from the craving as well as give the mood stabilizers time to build up in your system. Toby's had a rough time figuring out the dosage. What's the last thing you remember?" Paige asked him as she leaned her head into his hand.

"For sure, that Cabe left to take Sly to investigate some computer…something. So what is the bad news?" Walter asked as he dropped his hand down to hold her left hand.

"That's not too bad then. We have some good news, Collins was caught. He's being held in the Netherlands awaiting trial. We don't have any proof he had been involved in what happened to you. And since he escaped our custody twice now they aren't willing to release him to us until he's served his time there." Paige explained.

Walter nodded.

"So what is the bad news?" Walter asked again.

"Well, even though the CT scan came back all negative Toby wants to send you for a colonoscopy to be sure you are okay." Paige explained quietly.

Walter's eyes closed tightly even as he blushed.

"So everyone knows. I had hoped those were just nightmares from the drugs." He said as bravely as he could.

"Walter, what happened to you isn't your fault. You had no control and hadn't given permission for it to happen. Don't be embarrassed, none of us think bad about you. If anything we all feel horrible for you and about ourselves. If we hadn't done what we did, it wouldn't have put you into a position that all of this could have happened to you." Paige said after she bent over and kissed him.

"Maybe, but it is still embarrassing that I wasn't able to protect myself. What if you and Ralph had been with me? You can't possibly see me like you used too. I'm supposed to be able to provide for and protect you." Walter said softly.

"Walter, how did they catch you?" Paige asked.

"I was hit from behind when I went to the restroom." Walter told her as he thought.

"So it wouldn't matter then would it? Anyone can be taken by surprise. Surely you realize this?" Paige asked.

"I do but how can you trust me now?" Walter asked softly.

Paige smiled.

"Walter, you have no idea how much love I have for you. How I still see you as an amazing man, you easily can be a protector and provider if it is needed. How much I want us to resume our relationship and to continue growing together. Please don't sell me or my feelings short." Paige asked quietly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way." Walter said as his eyes closed tighter together in his shame.

"Do you think you are willing to do the colonoscopy?" Paige continued.

"If it will help." Walter said defeatedly. "Is Ralph in school?"

"No." Paige smiled. "It is Saturday. He's probably in his room dying to get in here to see you."

"I'd like you both to be here with me. I promise to do my best not to lose control again." Walter said as he looked up at her.

"Ralph, your Dad would like to see you." Paige called after she turned her head to the door.

Four days later:

"He's starting to come out from under the anesthesia." Paige called out of the small recovery area Walter laid on the gurney in.

Walter felt like his mind was swimming but his eyes tracked to the sound of Paige's voice and he smiled at her but she could see his eyes were still very unfocused.

"How are you feeling?" Paige asked as she sat back down next to his bed.

"My mind is swimming a good bit." Walter smiled as Paige squeezed his hand.

"That will get better shortly." Toby said as he walked into the small room followed by the young woman doctor he'd met earlier and Cabe.

Walter saw the look on Cabe's face and then he saw that Paige was struggling to keep her expression neutral.

"Well, what's the verdict?" Walter asked.

"Well the good news is, Dr LeBrae was able to visualize everything and there were no polyps or anything else concerning." Toby started.

"Yes, there are obvious signs of past trauma but you've thankfully healed very well from them and I don't believe there is anything else to be concerned about." Dr LeBrae spoke up.

"Well that is something anyway. Your faces tell me there is some bad news somewhere. So what about the CT scan earlier?" Walter asked. "Any word back yet?"

"Excuse me." Dr LeBrae said as she stepped out.

"Well that can't be good." Walter frowned.

"Oh no, don't worry about that. It isn't her field of study." Toby smiled.

"So, why are you delaying then?" Walter asked as he looked at Paige and saw some tears in her eyes.

Walter looked over at Cabe when he coughed trying to swallow his feelings.

"Well, the neurologist wants more time to completely compare your scan from a few years ago to this one to be sure. But, he's a little concerned at some structure inconsistencies. They aren't life threatening or anything and while you are clearly still thinking more quickly than most people, if I was betting man, I'd bet you don't feel like you think as fast as before." Toby told him.

Walter nodded.

"So, is this going to be permanent then?" Walter asked.

Paige tried to hold it back but a small sob came out as a tear ran down her face. Cabe put his hand on her shoulder as a tear ran down his face as well.

"We honestly don't know for sure Walter. It is possible you aren't who you used to be. But all your test scores are still amazing." Toby told him.

"But, I'm not reaching my 197 IQ anymore." Walter said as his hand reached up and caressed Paige's face.

"No, you're not. You are solidly in the 175-180 range though." Toby told him.

Walter laid there for a few moments just looking at Paige.

"It doesn't change how I feel." Walter said. "I still love you and Ralph, I still need you back in my life. If you'll have me. It will continue to be a struggle, especially with the addiction factor."

Paige smiled as she nodded quickly.

"Walter, you aren't your IQ and I wasn't attracted to you because of it. We'll deal with the addiction issues as best we can. So it doesn't change anything for me either. We were just worried how it would bother you to be honest. You've always been the king in the room so to speak." Paige told him.

Walter grinned.

"Well I am probably still a pretty decent king. As long as Ralph isn't there. But I'll gladly be second place to him." Walter told her as he moved his head closer towards her.

Paige smiled as she helped to close the distance and they kissed deeply.

"Well if you are up for it, everyone is anxious to see you and hear how things are. So we could go get lunch with them." Toby told him.

"Papa Carpinni's?" Walter asked after breaking the kiss with Paige.

Cabe laughed.

"You're the one that hasn't really eaten in over a year. So if that is what you want, that's what we'll get." Paige smiled as she nodded.

"Umm…Cabe. I've been remembering a little about, before I was taken and I don't know if it is still there but I need you to do me a favor." Walter asked as he slowly sat up on the side of the bed.

"Of course, what do you need?" Cabe asked quickly.

"There is a U-stor in New Jersey. I think my rental should still be good, but maybe not. But I can't remember if they had any requirements where I had to come by every once in a while or not. I'd left my stuff in it." Walter told him.

"I'll have Homeland run it down, give me the information." Cabe nodded as he got his cell phone out.

Paige helped Walter slide the gown down his arms and onto his lap.

Walter nodded and gave him the info while he slipped his shirt on. Paige helped him to finish dressing as Toby and Cabe stepped out of the room.

Walter looked around the restaurant at his friends, especially Ralph and a tear ran down his face.

"I feel like I've been asleep so long and woke up to find things so different." Walter told them.

"Well in a very real way you were." Ralph told him as they looked at each other.

Walter swallowed and nodded as Paige squeezed his hand.

"Chewing sure seems strange now too." Walter smiled before taking another bite of spaghetti.

"Oh your Mom called during your procedure. They will be here tomorrow. She said they'd have been here the other day but it took a while to get the farm taken care of so they could come." Paige started even as Walter shook his head.

"It's okay Paige. I know I'm not a priority for them. I never was and I never will be. I've been at peace with that since we went to Ireland." Walter told her.

"Oh it isn't that Walter." Sylvester started with an over-friendly smile until Walter's eyes flashed anger at him.

"Don't tell me I don't know what I know Sylvester. I hate people trying to minimize what my family did when it comes to me. Don't ever defend them to me." Walter snapped. "I sent my parents information for years that would help them with their farm and not once have they ever adopted any of it. My Father even questioned if I had that time. But you come along and give them some of the same information and they bend over backwards to accommodate it for you." Walter growled angrily.

"I-I, I didn't mean anything by it Walter." Sylvester stammered with fear written across his face.

Walter threw his napkin down in disgust before he stood up and stormed out of the restaurant.

"I'll go." Toby said as he dropped his napkin.

"No, I'll go." Paige said getting up and moving for the door.

Paige stepped out the door and saw Walter had moved about fifty yards away and was pacing back and forth along the edge of the parking lot.

"You want to talk about it?" Paige asked as she got closer.

Walter sighed as he heard her voice and stopped his pacing.

"Who does he think he is trying to explain my parents to me? He was married to my sister for less than half a year and suddenly he's the golden child of my parents. Like I need that? What a bunch of crap." Walter said.

"Walter, do you hear yourself? You said you were at peace with your parents, this doesn't sound like you are at peace." Paige said as she took his hand.

"I am at peace with them and the lack of priority of me in their life. What I'm mad at is him, flaunting his over inflated intellect trying to explain to me like I'm an ignorant child who doesn't know what is what." Walter said, shaking his head.

"Let me put it this way. Twenty years from now Ralph is working in a foreign country. And you find out he's gone missing. How often do you call to find out what is being done? If there is any new information?" Walter asked.

"I'd be on the first flight over and I wouldn't leave until I had him back in my arms." Paige said as a tear ran down her face.

"Exactly. If something happened to Ralph or you, I'd be livid. I'd be in the face of whoever I needed to be to get help finding you and I wouldn't stop until I had. Now, did my parents ever once come over? Or how many times have they called to ask you or Cabe what was going on? Once a month? Less?" Walter asked.

Paige bowed her head as she knew what Walter was driving at.

"Well I think they were mainly talking to Sylvester, but honestly, I didn't speak with them but a few times, I don't think they spoke with Cabe at all. Though they talked to Ralph too at some point. I didn't know he was talking to them. But the other day before you woke up the first time in the Loft. He'd explained to you that he had been talking to them. That they were really worried about you. They'd wanted to come over right away when they found out we'd found you. But he asked them not to. To give us time to help you reacclimate." Paige explained.

"Really worried about me. Is that what you would have done with Ralph? Or would you have charged right over?" Walter said as he cried. "My parents don't care about me Paige. I can't change who I am and I'm tired of seeking their approval. Please don't make me see them." Walter's knees gave out as he thought about seeing them and he fell to the ground.

Paige dropped to the ground with him and pulled him into her arms, hugging him tightly to her.

"Walter, you are mine, in every sense. If you don't want to see them, I will do everything I can to ensure it. I promise you." Paige told him softly as she ran her hands up and down his back.

"Dad, are you coming back in? Your food is getting cold." Ralph said.

"Ralph, please, Walter needs some time." Paige told him.

Walter shook his head as he struggled with his feelings.

"It's okay." Walter said as he cleared his throat. "I'm really not hungry buddy. But you and your Mom should go eat. I just want to sit in the car."

"Dad." Ralph said as he got down with his parents. "Did I do something wrong contacting your family? I didn't mean to."

"No, you didn't do anything wrong Ralph. You were struggling with your own feelings and everything going on with you over this. If my parents can support you properly then I am grateful for that." Walter told him.

"Then please, come in and eat with us? Like a real family." Ralph begged.

Walter struggled with his thoughts but slowly he nodded.

Ralph jumped up and offered his hand to his Mom and Paige took it as she stood and together they held Walter's hands as he stood up. Walter took a moment to gather his thoughts and then pulled them both into his arms and hugged them tightly.

"I'm so glad I have you both in my life." Walter told them. But I don't want to talk about my parents anymore today."

As they walked up to their table Paige quickly told everyone that the subject of Walter's parents was off limits for the rest of the day.

Greetings! I hope this finds you well!

Railman - hehe I got a feeling Collins won't be enjoying his stay there no matter how "nice" it is. lol It does appear the drugs have made the worst events seem more like nightmares rather than really happened to him. Though now he will have to deal with the knowledge that they did actually happen. Not sure if it is better or not. I'm not sure if they will ever find out to what extent Walter has circumvented and how many systems he has done it to. Yep, Ralph is going through sessions with Toby. Toby says he's doing good.

Lucy - hehe Glad you enjoyed it! Yep...Happy is definitely unhappy!

JerBr23 - Collins might be a good bit out of her reach...Bigelow might not...Depending on where he ends up. Happy does know some people who know some people. Walter was taken across state line for the abuse so that makes it a federal crime as well so he'll be in a federal prision for a very long time.

LouBe - hehe Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, Katherine was definitely worried about both of them and what they might do. Yes, his memories of it are indeed very clouded but not completely eliminated sadly. He'll probably handle it easier that way, but only time will tell. The big question is, can his IQ rise up to the challenge of the addiction...hopefully with time & counseling, with always being surrounded by love he won't get the chance to try and sneak off to get a fix. Ralph is doing well with the sessions Toby tells me. Yes, going as far as I did with this story took a lot...definitely not a head space I want to be in. Kind of goes with my current head space, still struggling to do anything meaningful. I haven't really written in a long while again. Other than editing stuff, oh and helping a friend with story ideas as she writes a novella for the November challenge. She's doing really well with it. She hopes to maybe use it to get into something Hallmark might use.

Margaret - Yep...Walter has suffered a lot. Thankfully no long lasting physical trauma...mentally it will be a battle for sure. Hopefully his IQ will prove to be a match for it. Well and of course in my stories he isn't just the man he sees as his Father but his real Father as well, but Toby says he is doing good. Yeah I was just in such a place last year this time when I started this story, most of the time my stories are always positive and upbeat which is what I want. And originally I wasn't even sure I would post this story because of where it was going. But not every story has to be completely positive. But I believe this story's "end" will be positive. We'll have to see if it speaks anymore in the future. It isn't that I thought he needed to go through any of this, it is just how the story presented itself.

To the Adventure! -Tim