One Month Later

Life back at home wasn't at all what Walker had thought it would be, especially since he still had to live by a few rules. He still couldn't go anywhere without letting somebody know and he was on medication to control his anxiety. Hopefully after two months of seeing Doctor Noel Walker will be able to wean himself off the latter.

He shifted in the passenger seat then turned his attention to Alex who was driving him to his doctor's appointments. The last few weeks has really tested them since Walker still couldn't talk and kept mostly to himself. He didn't like how Alex constantly hovered around him and actually began to get angry with her. It took all his willpower not to verbally lash out at her, which scared him. What did the fight ring do to him? Why did he carry so much hatred in his heart?

Alex pulled off the expressway and while at a red light she turned towards Walker. "Walker, we're a little early for the appointment. Want to get something to eat?" He nodded his head knowing it would make Alex happy to spend some time with him. "I think there's a Jason's Deli nearby. We'll go there."

A few minutes later Alex pulled into a parking spot, but before she got out she turned to Walker. He instantly knew what she was thinking and showed her the tattoo on his arm. Another fighter had been killed all because he had hid his tattoo when going out in public. How was Case able to keep such a close eye on all his fighters?

He leaned over, gave Alex a quick kiss then got out of the car. As he walked towards the entrance his eyes constantly swiveled from side to side as though he was still living at the ranch. Will he ever relax or would he always be watching his back?

Alex took hold of his left hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay, Walker." She leaned into him as they walked. "Are you ready for the surgery?" Walker gave her a shrug as he opened the door for them. "I hope it will help with getting some of your voice back."

Once inside the restaurant Walker remembered another rule that was given to him. Because of his diet for the last six months he had to be careful with what he ate. Thankfully most of what was on the menu was low in fat and shouldn't upset his stomach.

He took out his notebook, wrote down what he wanted then handed it to the employee behind the counter. Since he came back to The Metroplex he tried to do things on his own which means he always had to carry around a small memo pad wherever he went. It was annoying, but it was better than relying on people to talk for him.

After the food was ready Walker took the tray, found a table by a window then sat down. As he unwrapped his sandwich Alex sat down across from him with their drinks. He took out the memo pad knowing he might need it to talk to his wife.

"Dude! You're one of those fighters!" A young man came up to the table, a huge smile on his face. "You're Pitbull! I've seen most of your fights on YouTube!" Walker's eyes narrowed as he tried to ignore the man by eating his sandwich. "Hey, can I get your autograph?"

Alex slammed her hands down on the table, stood up then pointed at the door. "Just leave!" Her voice quivered showing everybody her frustration. "We're trying to eat."

Walker held his hand up, put his sandwich down then turned to face the man. He wrote, "Please, leave us alone."

The man looked really disappointed but nodded his head. "Fine, I'll go."

When the man left Alex sat back down and buried her head in her hands. "Walker, we have to let Carter know that anybody can now view the fights." She took a deep, shaky breath then raked her fingers down her face. "I've lost my appetite."

Walker nodded his head, wrapped his sandwich back in it's wrapper then did the same with Alex's. As he did this his mind kept going over what the young man had said. So, his fights were now available to the public which means Angela could stumble upon them. He couldn't let his little girl see what he had done to survive.

Though he still didn't trust Carter, he had to in hopes the man could use his pull in the FBI to take down the videos. "Alex, go ahead and call Carter. See what he can do." Walker wrote down before standing up to leave.

Grand Prairie, Texas

The dojo was quiet since it was only Angela and Jackson that was working out. For the past month Angela has found herself spending more time at the dojo in hopes to escape all the tension at home. She thought things would return to normal, like they were before her father disappeared, but something had changed. Her father now stayed mostly to himself, either sitting on the porch or walking around the ranch. As for her mother, Angela could see the once strong woman was on the verge of snapping.

Jackson lowered the kick paddle then shook his head. "Angie, you're not focusing."

"Sorry, I was just thinking." Angela took a deep breath then let out a ki hap as she did a roundhouse kick, her right instep hitting the paddle perfectly. "Just wish my dad was the same, but something happened to him."

"Angie, he's been a hostage for six months." Jackson lowered the paddle and shook his head. "He's probably got a lot on his mind."

"Maybe…." Angela wiped the sweat from her brow then nodded. "Let's keep going."

After working on several kicking drills Angela paused in her workout to catch her breath. Since she has met Jackson her life has changed and she found herself hooked on Olympic Tae Kwon Do. Angela worked out about five days a week while still keeping her grades up at school. It helped keep her focused on something other than what was going on at home.

A smile spread across Jackson's face and he went to put up the kick paddle. "Why don't we go somewhere to talk."

"But what about training?"

"Training can wait." Jackson handed Angela a bottle of water then bowed out of the dojo. "I know of this great deli not too far from here. It's a mom and pop joint, I think you'll like it."

Angela nibbled on her bottom lip before nodding her head. "All right, guess I do need a break." She took a drink of the water then bowed out herself. "Let me get changed."

An Hour Later

The small room was nicely decorated hiding the fact it was actually a psychologist office. Walker nervously shifted around in his seat wishing he could just leave. He took a deep breath as he stared at the man sitting across from him. During their last session Walker didn't even talk to Doctor Noel which he could tell annoyed the older man.

Doctor Noel placed his notebook on his desk then shook his head. "Walker, you need to talk things out." He laced his hands, rocked back into his chair then glanced over to his notes. "Tell me about the first time you realized you wouldn't be going home?" When Walker didn't respond Doctor Noel pinched his nose. "I know you can't talk, but you can write things down."

Walker quickly scribbled down, "There's nothing to talk about."

"Are you sure?" Doctor Noel picked up his notebook then jotted something down. "How was it like to live in an environment close to that of a prison?" When Walker didn't respond, Doctor Noel cleared his throat and picked up a file. "It says here you have developed friendships with some of your guards. Why is that?"

"You don't need to know that." Wrote Walker before he got up. "Can I go?"

"I really hate to resort to this, but I fear I have no other option." Doctor Noel took a deep breath then cleared his throat. "0535, please sit down."

Without hesitation Walker sat down and it took his brain several seconds to realize what he had just done. "Why did you react so quickly when I called you by the number on your arm?" Walker shrugged, unsure as to what to say to the doctor. "You don't know or you don't want to talk about it?"

Walker nibbled on his bottom lip then wrote down his answer. "Prefer not to talk about it."

Doctor Noel gave Walker a nod. "Okay, I understand." He let out a deep breath then crossed his legs. "I see the number means much more than just a tattoo." He laced his hands and rested them on his knee. "Walker, were you ever called by your name in the six months that you were a hostage?"

"Only had one person who did call me Walker." Walker wrote. "But it was more in secret, most called me Nathaniel or 0535."

"Interesting." Doctor Noel tapped his fingers on his knee then nodded. "Listen, Walker there is nothing to be ashamed about." He got up, opened a file cabinet then pulled out a small, hardcover journal. "Walker, I won't see you for another two weeks. I would like for you to start a journal."

Walker took the book from the doctor then stood up. "I'm not promising you that I will write in it." He wrote down.

"All right, I understand." Doctor Noel shook Walker's hand. "Good luck on the vocal surgery. I hope it works out for you."

Fort Worth

Being back at the Company was such a surreal experience for Gage that it took some adjusting. He sat at his desk, currently looking over a simple case about a gang related murder. After another brief look he closed the folder, let out a deep breath then leaned back into his chair. Wonder how it will feel to be back in the field after having several months off? Unfortunately he won't know till another few days when he gets off desk duty.

A light knock came on his door before it opened to show Trivette. "Hey Gage." He came into the room with a smile on his face. "How's it like to work again?"

This got a chuckle from Gage. "It's not too bad. Gets my mind on other things other than what had happened." He took a deep breath as Trivette sat down across from him. "So, my roommates are meeting here again and want me to join them."

"Well, are ya?"

"Not sure." Gage picked up a pen and began to play around with the cap. "I know it might be good for me, but I'm afraid it will bring back some memories."

Trivette nodded. "True, but it might help ya. I told Walker he should meet up with his old roommates as well since all of ya'll share something in common."

"Yeah, guess you're right." Gage checked his watch to see it was past lunch and decided he should probably grab a small bite to eat. "Want to get some lunch?"

"Sure, I wouldn't mind some food." Trivette turned around as the door once again opened this time to allow Carter inside. "Hey Carter, what's up?"

The young man took a look at Gage then pointed at the hallway. "We need to talk privately."

Trivette shook his head. "What you can say to me, you can say in front of Gage."

Carter cleared his throat before closing the door. "Another fighter was murdered in Houston, but this time it's different." His eyes settled on Gage, his eyes showing a deep sadness. "He still had his numbers, he was killed to prove a point to Walker."

Gage's heart sank so fast he could feel his depression once again kicking in. Why prove something to Walker? What did he do to make Joseph Case so angry?

"How do you know the murder was a message to Walker?" Asked Trivette.

"This." Carter pulled a photo from his coat and handed it to Trivette. "That was found near the man's body."

Gage quickly took the picture from Trivette, wanting to see for himself what had happened to the fighter. The man in the photo did not look familiar but the numbers, 0154 was emblazoned on his right arm. The victim had several burn marks that covered his bare torso and still had duct tape on his wrists. But it was something by his head that got Gage's attention.

He shook his head as he put the photo down on his desk. "This is going too far."

"First, a picture of Walker, injured after a brutal fight shows up after his attack in Denver and now this." Trivette ran his hand down his face then slowly stood up. "Do we tell Walker?"

"Yeah…." Gage's voice cracked as his emotions threatened to surface. "He needs to know."

Later That Night

The house was quiet as Alex stood in front of the stove cooking dinner for her family. Ever since Walker came home to them he has been on a strict low-calorie diet with limitations on acidic foods. His doctor suggested he see a nutritionist and with help from the both of them he was able to gain five pounds. It wasn't much, but it was definitely a start to get him back on how he use to be before being kidnapped.

She checked the chicken baking in the oven then decided she should start steaming the vegetables. As she got the broccoli and cauliflower out of the refrigerator she heard nails clicking behind her. Wonder if Angela will cut Murphy's nails tomorrow? Should she remind her daughter or just do it herself?

Alex took a deep breath then continued on cutting the broccoli and cauliflower into smaller florets. She just threw the veggies in the steamer when a hand gently fell onto her waist.

"Hey Walker." Alex leaned back into her husband who gave her a hug. "Dinner is almost ready." She turned to look Walker in his one blue eye and one gray eye then lifted her hand to touch his cheek. "How's your vision?" He gave her a shrug then a kiss on the forehead. "Walker, you can talk to me, I don't mind if your voice is soft."

He pursed his lips then nodded. "Okay." His voice was low, but audible. "I'll set up the table."

As her husband walked away Alex took a deep, shaky breath and continued with her cooking. Ever since Walker came home he's never been the same and she worried about his mental state. Wonder if there is anything she could do to make his life better?

"Mmm…smells good." Angela walked up to Alex and gave her a hug. "What's for dinner, mom?"

"Baked chicken and vegetables." Alex pulled the oven door open, grabbed a few mitts and handed them to Angela. "Can you put the chicken on the counter?"

"Sure thing." After she did this Angela leaned against the counter. "Mom, dad went back on the porch." Her daughter's voice showed deep concern for Walker. "I'm getting worried, he's just not the same anymore."

"You're father has been through a lot, Angie." Alex turned the oven off and patted her daughter's shoulder. "Can you get the plates ready?"

"Sure thing." Angela took a fork out of the drawer and placed a chicken breast on a plate. "Should I get dad?"

Alex nodded. "Yeah…." The phone began to ring making her mumble in frustration. "Better be important." She picked up the phone and pushed talk. "This is Alex."

"Alex, it's Gage. Is Walker there?"

"Yeah, we're just about to sit down for dinner." Alex looked behind her to see Walker coming in through the back door with Murphy right at his side. "What's going on?"

Gage took a deep breath before speaking. "Alex, I'll be right over."