Compound

Once back inside the cell Walker was instantly greeted by Joseph and Patrick who gave him a hearty handshake. After them was Theo who pulled Walker into a big hug. Surprised Walker had to laugh at the big man's gesture of friendship. Hector just stood back by the table with a huge smile on his face. Where was John? Walker glanced around the room to see his stuff had been moved to John's bunk, leaving his old bed free for storage. What had happened to the man?

Patrick glanced back towards the bunks with a frown on his face. "A week ago John went to fight, but never came back. We think he was killed." He shook his head. "We thought, after you didn't show up that you had died as well. Glad to see you're back with us."

"What happened to your arm?" Asked Hector.

"Broke it during the last fight." Walker sat down at the table to see more magazines and a few more board games. "I see we've won a few more fights."

"Yeah, but at what price?" Theo shook his head. "Listen, everybody here got together and we all agreed that you can have John's old bunk. It's got a bit more room than your old one."

Walker didn't know what to say, getting the top bunk was actually a big honor. He shook everybody's hands then slowly got up to stretch his back. In the few weeks that he was in solitary he had actually started to miss these guys. And now being back here, he actually felt more at peace and was able to let himself relax.

Theo sat down on the chair vacated by Walker and shook his head. "What happened to you man?"

"My last fight didn't do to well." Walker's mind quickly went to Gage and he hoped his friend was still alive. "Since I didn't perform to their standards, I was put into solitary confinement for two weeks." He shrugged and went to his bunk to sit down. "Did any of you guys loose fights?"

Patrick nodded his head. "Joseph won and so did Theo. The fights are getting more sporadic, making the days drag on."

Joseph shook his head. "We've been here over a month. Why haven't we been found yet?"

"Beats me, but I'm getting tired of this place." Hector slumped down into a chair and picked up a deck of cards. "Anybody up for a game of poker?"

All the men chimed in including Walker who hasn't played poker in many years. Theo opened up the Candyland box, pulled out all the playing cards then threw them on the ground in front of Hector. Walker sat down next to Patrick and was given five cards. Well, at least the men found a way to enjoy themselves on the time off between training and fights.

Theo gave Walker three of the Candyland cards. "These are your chips. We play for nothing, just try to have fun."

XXXX

Being back in the cell with the other guys was definitely what Gage needed to stay sane. Unfortunately his team did not have a good time while he was away. Aiden had lost again and still showed the bruises on his face. And he wasn't the only one that had lost, Eric had as well, but he showed no injuries. The only person who won was Truman and with his win the room was given one board game.

Eric approached Gage with a smile on his face. "Glad to have you back. Hopefully now we can win some matches."

"Glad to be back." Gage picked up the child's game and shook his head. "Memory match?"

"It's surprisingly entertaining." Aiden chuckled and slumped down into a chair. "Especially when you get ole Z to play along. Man he is competitive as hell."

Z chuckled. "I am not that competitive."

"Yes you are, Z." Nathan laughed out as he sat down on the other chair. "So, Gage what the hell happened to you?"

"My fight didn't produce enough money, so I was put into solitary." Gage went to his bunk and sat down. "These guys, they don't mess around." He shook his head. "They beat me all because I didn't win the way they wanted me to."

Aiden started to chew on his bottom lip, fear obvious in his green eyes. "What will they do to me if I loose again."

Gage took a deep breath then brought his knees up to his chest. "I will start training you along with anybody else that wants it." He nodded. "The next match, we will win."

Walker Ranch

The new year usually brought on enjoyment, but Alex only felt sorrow. Her husband was still missing with still no sign as to where he went to. She sipped her hot tea while looking out the living room window at the snow covered fields. It rarely snowed in Dallas, just wish Walker was here to see it with her. Will he ever be coming home? A tear fell from her eyes as her thoughts turned to funeral plans.

Very shakily she wiped her face while shaking her head. "Alex, can't think that yet…."

"Mom, is everything all right?" Angela slowly made her way to the couch with a mug in her hands. "Any news on dad?"

Alex shook her head. "I'm afraid not." She shifted her weight just enough so her daughter can sit down next to her. "But he will come home to us."

"When? It's been over a month and Uncle Jimmy still hasn't found anything."

"He just needs more time, Angie." Alex ran her hand through Angela's blonde hair. "Don't you worry, he'll be home soon."

Angela shook her head. "Just wish I could believe that." She stood up with a frown on her face. "I'll be in my room."

Once Alex was sure her daughter was upstairs, she let the tears fall freely. Angela will be fifteen in four months and she was definitely showing the attitude of a teenager. But as of late Angela has been very reclusive, spending most of her time in her room or alone. Her attitude was becoming much more bitter and dismal which worried Alex. How will the events of the last month effect her in life? Angela is so young, so impressionable right now, how was she really taking all of this?

Alex shakily wiped her face then took a sip of her now cool tea. Hopefully when Walker comes back home Angela's attitude will change. And what if it didn't? What could she do to help her daughter if Walker didn't come back?

"Hey, is it all right if I come in?"

"Sure, have a seat." Alex moved over so Sydney can sit down next to her. "How is Meaghan and Josh doing?"

Sydney shrugged as she sipped at what appeared to be hot cocoa. "Confused, especially Josh. After that phone call, he hasn't really been the same." A light knock came on the door and one of the officers watching the house got up to answer it. "What do you think about having police here, twenty-four/seven?"

"Annoying, but I know they have to do their job." She smiled as Trivette came in with Erica, Tavon and Jaxon behind him. "How are you all doing today?"

Jaxon ran ahead of everybody with a smile on his face. "I got into a new school, Aunt Alex and I'm building a robot!" He sat down on the floor in front of the fireplace and took off his backpack. "But dad said I can't get on the computer anymore." A big frown crossed his face as he pulled out two books from the bag. "I'm grounded."

Trivette shook his head. "Caught him hacking again." He slumped down into the rocker and Erica sat on his leg. "Hopefully he has learned his lesson."

Tavon sat down next to his brother with a shake of his head. "Where is Meaghan?"

"In the guest bedroom reading a book." Alex put her cup on the side table then smiled at her two friends. "I'm just going to order some Chinese. Are you all hungry?"

Erica nodded. "Sure, let me help you order." As she got up she went past her sons and patted each on the shoulder. "Why don't you two go into the spare bedroom to do your homework?" Jaxon tried to protest, but Erica gave him a stern look. "Now."

"Okay, okay." Jaxon gathered his things and quickly left the room along with his brother.

Once the kids were away, Trivette cleared his throat then took out a small envelope from inside his dress coat. He glanced at the door then the stairs before he got up and handed it to Alex. Curious as to what was inside Alex was about to open it, but was stopped by Trivette. He took one more glance around then nodded his head.

Alex shakily opened the envelope then pulled out the pictures that were inside. They appeared to have been taken by a security camera, their quality very low and grainy. But it is what they were of that got her to smile and cry once again.

In one of the pictures was Walker and he appeared to be sitting on a thin cot in what appeared to be a cell. He wore a blue hoody, matching sweatpants and only flip-flops on his feet. His hair was still cut very short with the middle appearing much longer than the sides. Strange to see Walker with a hair cut like that, wonder if he likes it?

Her thumb rubbed the image then she flipped to the next picture, this one of Gage. He too was in a small cell, sitting on a cot, but he was wearing red clothes. Sydney let out a soft cry as she took the picture from Alex.

"He's lost so much weight." She traced the image of Gage with her fingers then smiled.

"This is dated from a few days ago."

Trivette nodded his head. "Yep, we got a few more images." He took the envelope from Alex and pulled out two more pictures. "Shows them looking up at the camera."

Alex took the picture of Walker from Trivette and quietly sobbed. Though grainy she could see that her husband had lost a lot of weight. Walker's cheekbones were actually visible now, showing his Cherokee features. His left eye appeared smoky and she started to wonder if he could see out of it.

"Though thin, Walker and Gage do appear relatively healthy." Trivette took a deep breath as he nodded his head. "Walker is still wearing the cast which means somebody must be taking care of him. That actually helped us and we now have a lead suspect."

Sydney looked up from the picture with tears in her eyes. "Really? Who?"

"Joseph Case, twenty-nine year old with a lot of money to burn and several connections to the medical field." He blew through his lips as he nervously started to bounce his foot up and down. "His grandfather was an oil and medical business tycoon, was one of the richest men in the nation. Joseph was heir to half of that wealth. Now, all we need to do is track him down."

The Next Night

The arena this time was the usual MMA ring and as Walker made his way forward he could see a large, stocky man already inside. This man wore black shorts and had several tattoos that told Walker of a white supremacist background. Which meant the man was a brawler and may not have a lot of fleshed out techniques.

Doctor Galloway ran up to Walker with foam and duct tape in his hands. "I need to cover that cast up." He motioned for Walker to sit down which he did without any argument. "I know it will be hard, but try not to hit the arm." He wrapped the foam around Walker's right arm then secured it tightly with the duct tape. "Okay, get up, 0535."

The foam added a bit more weight to Walker's arm and he knew that could cause problems in the fight. He started to bounce on the balls of his feet, grimacing at the soreness in his muscles. For the last few weeks he tried to exercise while in solitary confinement, but with a broken hand he was limited to what he could do.

Nathanial jogged up to him, his eyes barely visible through his mask. "Time to, go 0535."

Walker shook his good arm then jumped into the rig to face his next opponent. The man, who Walker decided to nickname "Tats" rotated his neck which began to pop rather loudly.

Tats rocked his arms to the front and back as a big smile spread across his face. "I heard ya a Half-breed! A dirty, filthy Injun!"

"Okay, listen up!" The announcer, who today was wearing an orange mask made his way into the center of the ring. "This will be two minute rounds. Stalling, will get you the cattle prod or worse. Anything goes this time and that includes biting, though I highly don't recommend that." He ran to the gate leading out of the cage. "Let's fight!"

Before Walker could get into his fighting stance the man charged at him like a bull. Being much smaller, Walker was able to easily get out of the way and was actually able use Tats momentum to shove him to the ground. Tats let out a few curses, jumped back to his feet and let out a loud growl of frustration. Unfortunately, what Walker only accomplished was to make his opponent very angry at him. This was going to be an interesting fight.

FBI Temporary Headquarters

Inside a small conference room Trivette sat next to Brodie Hess and watched the man type away at a keyboard. After several tense moments he finally found a fight that had already started. He spun his chair around to start typing on yet another keyboard while Carter set up a video camera to record what was taking place on the computer screen. Hopefully these fights will give them that small clue everybody has been looking for.

Hess cracked his knuckles as he brought up another fight. "Okay, there is two fights going on right now." He pointed to the right screen. "Wonder who these men are?"

Carter shook his head. "None of them our your guys." He grabbed a notepad and quickly checked a binder kept by the computers. "Okay, the names are Jeff Pennington versus Patrick Lindall." He shook his head. "The other fight is Charlie Lin versus Scott McDaniel." He wrote the names down then took a deep breath. "Lin, has won all his fights where as McDaniel lost all of his."

Trivette ran his hand down his face then nodded his head. "Okay, keep me updated, I'm going to check in on my family."

Compound

The fight was actually going pretty well for Walker only because he was able to dodge Tats' sluggish attacks. Unfortunately the referee called him on stalling which led to three stabs with the cattle prod. Walker knew he had to eventually come in for his own attack and with his main hand out of commission he will have to fight southpaw. Which meant he will be using his weakest side, not good.

He brought his hands up, the right almost completely obscuring his view of that side. Tats pounded his fist together once again then charged at Walker. Instead of moving out of the way, Walker attempted to lunge at the man's groin with a knee strike. He did hit his target, however the man didn't even flinch. Instead, Tats took hold of Walker and flung him to the side like a rag doll.

Walker rolled as he fell and managed to get back into his feet for another attack. Tats rushed at him again with fists flying, but this time Walker was prepared. Since the man seemed to only know fist attacks that meant he was definitely a true brawler. Which could mean his legs might not be as strong.

With a scream of frustration Walker slid to the left and slammed his right leg into Tats thigh. He must have hit the nerve since the man buckled so quickly he almost took Walker out with him.

"Dirty Injun!" He growled as he attempted to stand. "You will suffer for that!"

Walker gave a man a smirk as he rushed in for another attack, this time with his left fist. His hand slammed into the man's face, which was currently at face level with Walker's and broke the nose. Unfortunately this just made Tats very angry at Walker and he lunged out with a punch of his own.

The resounding thud as it hit Walker's right rib cage could be heard throughout the room. Instantly Walker's world faded as sharp pain in his side caused him to gasp out for air.

"Not so tough, are you now!" Tats took hold of Walker's right arm and violently pulled him up. "What is this! They let you fight with a broken hand!" He ripped off the foam then took hold of Walker's upper arm. "I'm going to make this arm useless to you!"