Author's Note - Not sure if this is the last chapter. Enjoy. :)

After Alex hung up the phone Walker could see her demeanor change drastically. She straightened her shirt, got a plate of food then sat down across from him. He started to watch Alex's behavior to see if she was hiding something from him. Sure enough Walker did see some worry in his wife's eyes. Who had just called that would upset her so much?

She cleared her throat as she placed a napkin on her lap. "Gage is coming over, he needs to talk to you and I." Her eyes shifted over to Angela. "Angie, when he does come over why don't you go into your room."

"Okay, I will." Angela looked at Walker then continued on eating her dinner. "Is everything okay, mom?"

"Everything is fine, sweetie." Alex cut her chicken into bite size pieces then smiled at Walker. "How is the food, Walker?" Walker nodded his head as he continued to eat his dinner. "Glad you like it."

Ever since his return home Walker has noticed that Alex always tries to start up some small talk, but he just didn't feel like writing or whispering his responses. Unfortunately because of his stubbornness he could sense a tension between him and Alex. Wonder how that was effecting their daughter? Lately Angela has been spending a lot of time away from home, always finding an excuse to go to the dojo. Maybe he should have a talk with her.

He took a look at Angela amazed at how much his daughter has grown in the last six months. She was now fifteen, learning how to drive and in a serious relationship. What had happened to his little girl? Why did the men keep him hostage for so long? Why did he survive when others were killed? Is it so he can always be reminded on the time he missed with his family?

"Dad, are you all right?"

Walker quickly nodded then continued on eating his dinner, his mind going to Gage. Why would his friend come over? What was so important that it couldn't wait?

After he finished with his dinner Walker got up, put his dishes in the sink then started to clean the counters. He was in the process of putting leftovers in Tupperware containers when a knock came at the front door. One look that way he could see Gage walking in along with Trivette, Carter and another man he has never seen before. The latter carried a backpack slung across one shoulder, his demeanor telling Walker he was here just for business.

Trivette made his way into the kitchen, his eyes going to Walker's head. "Hey buddy. We need to talk."

Walker wiped his hands on a kitchen towel then picked up his notebook. "What's going on, Trivette?"

His friend took a deep breath before shaking his head. "Another fighter was killed, but this time he had a photo of you near him." He motioned for Walker to follow him into the living room where the man was attaching a lens onto a digital SLR camera. "Walker…." Trivette's voice faded off as he moved in front of Walker. "Why didn't you tell us about the brand on your head?"

Walker's heart jumped into his throat as everything fell into place. Whoever the man was, he worked with the FBI and now needed to take a picture of the scar above Walker's ear. But why here and not at the police department?

Carter took a small video camera out of the backpack, checked it for digital memory then nodded at the man. "This is Steve, he works for the FBI." The young agent took a deep breath before turning the camera on. "Gage, you can show him the picture."

Gage went to Walker, gave him a picture in an evidence bag then shook his head. "When did they do this?"

Walker nibbled on his bottom lip as he stared at the image in his hands. It was a picture of Jasper when he burned the letters into Walker's skin, permanently reminding him of his time at the first fight ring. Why did this picture show up with a dead fighter? What was the message behind it?

Steve nodded for Walker to sit down on the ottoman while he attached a circular flash onto his camera's lens. "Need to take photos of all the burns you received while a hostage."

"Why can't this be done at the police department?" Walker signed knowing Gage can understand and talk for him.

Carter shook his head. "We fear that there might be some snitches inside the police."

This bit of news made Walker even more furious at Carter and he pointed at the young agent. "I don't want him here." He signed while Gage interrupted for him.

Alex shook her head. "Walker, he's clean." She tried to give him a hug, but Walker shied away from her. "Please, just allow him to help us out."

"Walker, can you hold your ear down for me?" Walker did just that allowing for Steve to take a picture of the scar. "Now, any more scars from burns?" Walker nodded and pulled up his t-shirt sleeve to show Steve the two thick scars on his bicep. "What were these made with?"

"Cattle prod." Walker said, his voice just a whisper.

Steve turned to Carter with a nod of his head. "Same as the man that was just killed." He showed the young agent the picture of Walker's brand. "Mr. Walker has the letters, 'EF1.' Not the same as the ones found on the victim."

"Walker, do you know what 'EF1' stands for?" Walker shook his head at Trivette's question. "Okay, hopefully we can get an answer later on."

Up the stairs Angela sat against the wall listening to the men as they questioned her father. Though she couldn't hear her father speaking she could feel the tension in the air. She heard uncle Gage talking and realized he must be interpreting for her father. Wonder if she will have to learn sign language?

Angela leaned sideways then slowly shifted her weight so she could get a view of the living room. Her father now had his shirt off and was showing a man the scars on his back. What was going on? Why was the man taking pictures?

"Okay, I think this will work." The man nodded at Angela's father. "Mr. Walker, go ahead and put your shirt back on."

Uncle Gage's attention shifted towards Angela and for a brief moment their eyes connected. He took a deep breath then nodded his head, a signal for Angela to come downstairs. As Angela made her way into the living room she was greeted by her mother.

"I'm sorry mom, I know…."

Her mother gave Angela a hug and led her to the couch. "It's all right, guess you're old enough to know." She took a look at the men in the room then held Angela's hand. "Angie, the men who did this to your father is still watching him."

Angela slowly nodded. "I know mom, I've seen it on the news." She took a look at uncle Gage and her father to see sadness in their eyes. "Whatever you two do, please don't remove the tattoo." Her voice quivered as she fought the urge to cry. "I'm so scared."

"Sweetie…." Her father's voice was the strongest it has been in weeks. "Oh, I'm so sorry." He sat down next to Angela and wrapped his arm around her for a hug. "Nothing is going to happen to me, I promise." Though his voice was soft, just hearing her father speak brought Angela to tears.

"Angela, we won't let anything happen to your father." Uncle Gage knelt in front of Angela and took hold of her free hand. "Whatever it takes, we'll put Case behind bars."

Two Weeks Later

After the surgery to his throat Walker found himself once again in the hospital, but this time just as a precaution. He swallowed hard, the action making him grimace in pain. According to his doctor the surgery went rather smoothly and with therapy Walker should be able to project his voice above a whisper.

Walker rolled his head to the right and saw Alex sitting next to him. His wife gave Walker a big smile, took hold of his hand then leaned over to kiss his forehead.

"How is the pain?" Walker slowly nodded wishing he could talk right now. "Walker, Doctor Fagen should be here in a few minutes to give you some instructions."

"Hey buddy!" Trivette appeared next to Alex with a balloon in one hand and a bowl in the other. "Got ya some jell-o." He placed the bowl on a tray then sat down. "Angela is on her way up with Sydney and Erica, I think they have more balloons for you."

Alex gave Walker's shoulder a pat then took hold of his hand. "How is your breathing?"

Walker took a deep breath thankful for the nasal cannula in his nose. He nodded at Alex who ran a hand through his short hair. He closed his eyes and would have fallen asleep if it wasn't for someone checking the IV in his right hand.

When Walker opened his eyes he saw Doctor Fagen smiling down at him. "How're you feeling, Mr. Walker?"

"Good." Walker signed knowing the doctor understood him. "Will I have to stay overnight?"

Doctor Fagen nodded. "Since I had to use a laser to remove the scarring, I prefer you stay here just in case some swelling or other problems occur." He gave Walker a warm smile as he picked up the jell-o. "Unfortunately, you still can't eat, at least not for another twenty-four hours. And when you do, I want a nurse monitoring on how you swallow."

Walker actually frowned at the news getting a chuckle from Trivette. "Don't worry Walker, I'll make sure you get the cherry flavor again." He gave Walker a wink, but his smile quickly faded as his phone began to chirp. "Real sorry, be right back."

"Dad!" Angela ran up to Walker's bed and gave him a hug. "How you feeling?" She began to laugh at her own words. "Sorry, dad. I know you can't talk for awhile."

Trivette came back into the room, whispered something to Alex then looked up at Doctor Fagen. "Angie, why don't you go to the waiting room. Tavon and Jaxon should be there, why don't you take them to the cafeteria to get some dessert."

Angela nibbled on her bottom lip, but instead of questioning Trivette she obediently left the room. Curious as to what was going on Walker attempted to get up but a hand fell onto his shoulder quickly stopping him.

Doctor Fagen gave Walker's shoulder a pat then nodded his head. "If you have to move him, let me know." With that he left the room leaving Walker alone with Alex and Trivette.

Walker quickly picked up his notebook and scribbled, "What the hell is going on?"

Trivette shook his head. "Case has kidnapped thirty new men, one of them is your old roommate, Theo." He slumped down into a chair, frustration written all over his face. "Zadok is being flown here, he will stay at your ranch."

It took several seconds for Walker's brain to register what his friend just told him and when it did he tried once again to get up. Alex allowed him to swing his legs over the side then quickly covered them with a blanket.

"What about the other fighters? Patrick and Joseph?" Walker wrote wishing he could talk.

Alex nodded and sat next to Walker. "They're flying in as well." She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze then leaned into his shoulder. "Gage is meeting the men at a private airport right now."

Dallas Love Field Airport

The wind whipped around Gage as he waited out on the tarmac with several FBI agents, his eyes constantly surveying the area. How could Case kidnap another thirty men? Why take Nathan, a man who has already tolerated so much in the last fight ring? What was Case trying to prove? Will these new fighters be able to go home like Gage or is this new fight ring going to prove fatal?

Carter stuck his hands in his FBI jacket's pockets, his jaw flexing as he chewed on some sunflower seeds. "Case has to slip up. Nobody is this good." He spat out a few shells then shook his head. "We need to start thinking outside the box on this one, Gage."

A small jet landed several yards away from them and before the doors could open FBI agents, including Gage swarmed the jet. Inside should be Eric Payne and Joseph Bowen, two men who were still young enough to not worry about a wife or child. Wonder what they thought about Case starting up another fight ring?

"Gage!" Eric came down the stairs and gave Gage a hardy slap on the shoulder. "Man, you look really good."

"Same to you." Gage looked over Eric's shoulder to see a small man making his way out of the plane. "Guess you heard about Nathan."

Eric shook his head in anger. "How could this happen?"

"I'm hoping to find that out." Gage went up to the smaller man and shook his hand. "You must be Joseph."

Joseph cringed at the mention of his name. "Joey." He swiveled his head from side to side as though looking for someone. "Where's Walker?"

"He had surgery today." Gage nodded his head. "I think he would like to see ya."

Somewhere in Kansas

The old missile bunker had been converted into several rooms, but space was still very limited which means Joseph Case had to bunk with Mason Banes. He threw his duffle bag onto his bed then took in the smell of new paint. Hopefully this place will be as secure as the last location in Colorado. Sadly, the ranch in Montana had been raided but at least the only survivors still weren't talking.

Banes laid down on his bed, a smile spreading across his face. "This place is amazing."

Case nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but after this we need to take a break or the FBI might catch on."

"I'm still amazed that 0535 and 0221 haven't talked yet. I mean, they are cops after all, I thought they would have sang like a canary."

"Well, 0535 can't really sing right now." Both men laughed at Case's comment knowing the Ranger still had problems speaking. "Did you have any problems with the new fighters?"

Banes shook his head. "Nope, it was as easy as the last bunch."

"Very good." A smile spread across Case's face. "Let the fights began."