The Next Morning

Even though he hated hospitals Walker found himself relaxing and actually enjoying the small comforts he had. As he laid on the bed he took in the scents that he once despised. It has been little over three hours since his rescue and most of that time was spent sleeping. Hopefully he can stay awake for his family who is expected to show up in less than an hour.

The door to his room opened and in walked two doctors, a nurse and the man named Carter. Walker let out a low groan knowing it was now the time for questions. Wonder if he will have to write everything down?

"Hey there, Mr. Walker my name is Doctor Isham, I'm a ENT or a Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist." He pointed to the other doctor behind him. "And this is Doctor Jewels, he is an Ophthalmologist. We are going to be doing some tests while Mr. Carter here watches."

Another nurse came into the room pushing a cart with a small screen attached to it. As Isham put on some gloves two other nurses came in, went to Walker's bed then maneuvered it till it was laying completely flat. Walker took a look at the instruments on the tray then rested his hands on his abdomen.

"Okay, this might be a bit uncomfortable but I will need you awake for this test." He put on a green paper mask, turned on the machine then moved to Walker's head. "Okay, I'm going to take pictures of your vocal chords and throat."

As the doctor's did their tests the comfort Walker once felt quickly vanished. He did as the doctor's told him to do hoping it would make the tests go by quicker. After several minutes of questions and following orders Walker was allowed to sit back up. Unfortunately these tests were just two of many that will have to be done. One test in particular Walker was not looking forward to. Tomorrow Walker will be evaluated by some shrink to see if he was mentally stable.

Doctor Isham took off his gloves then heaved a sigh. "Mr. Walker, your vocal chords do appear damaged but I will get a good view once the MRI comes back. Good news is, with voice therapy you should be able to talk at a whisper."

"What about my eye?" Walker signed before realizing he did so.

"Don't worry, I speak sign." Explained Doctor Isham with a grin then repeated Walker's words to the other doctor.

"There is some good news, Mr. Walker." Said Doctor Jewels with a smile. "I'll be able to remove some of the scarring from the eye and I can repair the tear duct." He wrote a few notes down on an electronic clipboard then pulled out a tube from his lab coat. "This ointment is specifically formulated for people who can't produce their own tears."

Carter went up to Walker with a smile on his face. "Trivette called before we came in and your family is on their way." He put a electronic writing tablet on the table next to Walker. "That's just like a paper notebook except it actually translates writing into text."

Walker picked up the tablet then wrote: "How is Zadok?"

"He's just a few doors down from you and doing rather well." Carter took a deep breath as he crossed his arms. "Walker are you up for some questioning?" Walker nodded his head. "Very well, I will ask you questions and you can just write them on the pad. I will read it later."

The doctor's and nurses left leaving Walker alone with the young FBI agent. Walker took a deep breath, picked up the tablet then waited for Carter to ask questions. However instead of asking questions Carter glanced behind him towards the door before pulling something out from his pant's pocket. It was a folded up piece of paper with what appeared to be an image on it.

"Listen I work with the people who had kidnapped you." Carter stood up, went to the other side of the bed then rested his hand on Walker's injured thigh. "This piece of paper is your entire fight record since your stay at the original location." He began to squeeze causing severe pain to race through Walker's body. "They are still watching you and they will for awhile."

Walker writhed around on the bed, his mind only thinking about the pain in his leg. Why was this agent doing this? He turned his head to get a better view of Carter then lunged out with a punch. Walker's fist connected with such force both men crashed to the floor.

"What the hell!" Carter's hands flew to his face as blood began to pour from of his nose. "You're crazy!"

"What's going on in here!" Shouted an officer as he went to Walker's side. "Are you all right, sir?"

Intense pain raced up Walker's leg and he knew most of the stitches had been pulled. He shook his head as several nurses attempted to help him back onto the bed. Walker turned to look at Carter to see the agent was now being attended to by a doctor.

Another man, this one dressed in a suit came in while shaking his head. "Get him back in the bed and check his leg." He then went over to Carter. "Agent Carter, are you all right?"

"Yes sir, but I think my nose is broken." He cut a glare at Walker then shook his head. "I started questioning him and he just snapped."

Walker shook his head. "Not true." His voice however was barely above a whisper and he let out a grunt of frustration knowing most in the room did not hear him. Why can he not talk?

Once he was back on the bed the doctor helping out Carter went to check on Walker's leg. He removed the bandage and a frown spread across his face. After a quick conversation with one of the nurses the doctor put on a pair of rubber gloves so he can study the wound more closely.

"You pulled a few stitches, but I'll be able to fix it before your family shows up." He glanced up at the agent with the suit. "We need to call Doctor Castaneda and let him know about Mr. Walker's outburst."

Walker picked up the tablet and quickly scribbled down: Carter is one of them. He has a piece of paper. Ask him.

Carter quickly shook his head. "He's lost it." He showed his superior the paper he had in his hand which was now soaked with blood. "Mr. Henry, I was going to show him a picture of Raphael Winters to see if he recognized him. He's the guard that is willing to help us."

"Very well." Mr. Henry nodded his head. "Doc, stitch him and then secure him to the bed. When his family comes hide the restraints until they know what is going on."

A Few Miles Away

The closer they got to the hospital the more nervous Alex became. From what Trivette told her Walker had lost his ability to talk and will have to communicate by writing things down. It tore at her heart to even think Walker had a disability, wonder how he was taking it? Her hands began to fiddle around with her purse's zipper as her mind began to go over what she should say to her husband. If he did loose his voice will she and Angela have to study sign language?

"We're almost there." Trivette pulled onto a street lined with news vans. "Media is having a field day with this."

Alex shook her head. "Walker would be so frustrated if he found out how much attention he was getting. Hopefully the reporters will leave him alone like they have with Gage."

"Let's hope." He peered up at the rearview mirror, a smile spreading across his face. "Angela is asleep. How do you think she'll handle seeing Walker?"

"She's been stronger than me through this whole ordeal, I think she'll do just fine." She shook her head. "Gage wanted so badly to come up…."

"It could trigger something." Trivette let out a loud grumble as he reached the hospital parking lot. "There's also the swarms of reporters trying to get to Walker and any other fighter from the ring. Once those vultures see Gage they won't let up on him."

He pulled up to the main entrance where an officer was waiting for them. Alex reached behind her, shook Angela awake then got out of the car. Her daughter's eyes went wide at the sight of all the reporters and Alex quickly shielded her from the camera's prying eyes. With Trivette's help the two made it through the electronic sliding doors and into the safety of the hospital.

The officer led them to an elevator with a shake of his head. "Vultures I tell ya." He pushed the up button then smiled at Alex. "Don't worry, the ICU is free of reporters."

Once inside the elevator Alex began to feel a bit light headed and she had to lean against the railing for support. She took a few deep breaths hoping to control her emotions for Angela. The elevator dinged, the doors opened and the first face they saw was Carter. Alex's heart began to race when she saw the bandage covering the man's nose. What happened? Did somebody already try to kill Walker?

"What happened, Carter?" Asked Trivette, his voice showing his concern.

Carter shook his head. "I'll tell you later." He gave Alex a smile. "Walker's room is this way."

Alex followed the agent down the hallway while holding onto Angela's hand. What condition will Walker be in when they see him? Will he be like Gage or will Walker be able to handle the situation better? Unfortunately Walker has been gone for over six months, will he be the same?

A doctor stepped up to them with a smile on his face. "Mrs. Walker?" Alex nodded. "My name is Doctor Abernathy, I'm Mr. Walker's general physician."

"How is he doctor?" Asked Alex as she wrapped her arm around Angela. "Is he okay?"

Doctor Abernathy nodded his head. "He's doing pretty good. He suffered a serious wound to his leg but with time he should make a full recovery." His smile faded as he glanced down at the folder in his hand. "He suffered some serious injuries while a captive, some of which will require surgery to repair. The most noticeable is his voice and left eye. With therapy he should be able to talk at a whisper and with surgery he should see more out of his eye."

Alex slowly nodded. "That's good to hear." She took a look at Angela then swallowed hard. "How is his mental state?"

"We have a doctor coming in to assess him but we believe he is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD." He took a deep breath and shook his head. "He lunged out at Agent Carter, broke his nose."

Alex's hand flew to her mouth. "That can't be right, Walker wouldn't do anything like that."

"Unfortunately with PTSD anger outbursts are common." He took a deep breath then nodded his head. "You all can go see him now."

Angela squeezed Alex's arm then snuggled into her side. "Is dad all right?"

Instead of answering her daughter Alex led her towards Walker's room which had an officer stationed outside. Alex gave Angela's back a rub as they approached the door.

The officer smiled and picked up clipboard. "I just need to see all of your I.D.s."

After showing the officer all of their I.D.s he pushed the door open and allowed them inside. Alex took a deep breath then turned towards the bed to see a thin man with a Mohawk. His eyes were closed and she began to wonder if he was asleep. Was he really Walker?

The man moved his head towards the door as he opened his eyes. A huge smile spread across his face and that was when Alex saw the man was Walker. She quickly ran up to his bed, wrapped her arms around him and cried into his shoulder.

"Oh Walker!" She sobbed out. "This isn't a dream, is it?" When she didn't get a response she quickly pulled back to see a tear running down his cheek. "Don't worry, Walker." She moved aside so Angela can give her father a hug.

"Dad, I'm so glad your finally back with us." Her eyes fell upon his left eye then she bit her lip. "Can you see out of your eye?" Her father nodded. "But you can't talk?"

Walker picked up a electronic writing tablet, wrote something down then showed it to Alex.

"I have damage to my vocal chords." He said. "Sadly I won't be able to talk."

Trivette smiled down at his friend. "Glad to see your all right." He shook his head. "You going to keep the Mohawk?"

This got a laugh from Walker which sounded more like a cough. "Think it looks good?" He wrote.

Angela crinkled her nose. "I don't think my dad should have a hairstyle like that."

As Walker talked to his daughter via the tablet Alex studied her husband amazed at how much he had changed in six months. The one thing that stuck out was how thin he was. Walker had always been a stocky man, but right now Alex can actually see his cheekbones. Even though he was skinnier he didn't appear sickly. She took hold of his right hand and her eyes instantly spotted an impression on his skin. Did the doctors secure Walker's hands and feet to the bed?

She held his hand up, gave it a kiss then ran her free hand along his face. "Angela, why don't you step outside for a bit. Trivette and I need to ask your father some questions."

Walker quickly shook his head, his eyes showing concern. He picked up the tablet and wrote, "Don't leave her with Carter. He's one of them."

With these simple words Alex now knew why the doctor thought Walker was suffering PTSD. Sadly most of the men recovered from the last fight ring, including Gage had problems adapting to regular life. After six months of being captive, forcing to fight Walker did change. How will Alex cope with Walker's new attitude?

Angela gave Walker a smile then kissed him on the forehead. "I'm all right, dad." She hugged Alex. "I'm going to the cafeteria and get some food."

Trivette waited for Angela to leave the room before he sat down on a chair with deep concern on his face. "Walker, did you really lunge out at Carter?"

Walker nodded. "Yes, he works with the men who took me." He wrote.

"Walker, he's been helping us with the case…."

"You need to look into him more. He told me that they are always watching me." Walker shook his head as he tapped at the tablet. "Believe me."

Trivette ran his hand down his face knowing what Walker just wrote he wouldn't know about. But Carter could have let him in on some details of the case. Ever since Trivette met Carter six months ago the young FBI agent has been so eager to help out any way he could. Not once did he act suspicious so why was Walker accusing him of working with Ian Humphrey?

"Walker, Carter is a great individual, eager to help out." He gave his friend a smile. "In fact I'll invite him in so you can see for yourself." Walker quickly shook his head as he attempted to get up. "Whoa, easy Walker."

Doctor Abernathy came into the room with a shake of his head. "Walker, I saw your hear rate began to race." He shook his head as he injected a something into Walker's IV line. "I'm going to go ahead and give him a sedative. It will help him sleep."

Alex quickly wiped the tears from her eyes as Walker began to fight the doctor. "Walker, please just let the doctor help you."

Trivette shook his head. "I'm going to talk to Carter and see what's going on."