After the recess court was once again called to order and Walker waited very nervously for the verdict. He glanced around the room then back to the front wondering what was taking the jury so long on a decision. Finally, after what seemed like several hours, but Walker knew it to be only minutes the judge came out from a side room and the jury found their way back to their seats.

"All rise, Judge Simon Parker now residing!" Shouted a bailiff.

Judge Parker went to his seat and sat down. "You may be seated." He turned to the jury. "Has the jury decided on a verdict?"

"We have your honor." Said the foreman as he turned to face Walker. "We, as the jury find Texas Ranger Cordell Walker, guilty of two counts of Criminally Negligent Manslaughter."

This caused several murmurs to run through the courtroom and Judge Parker had to pound his mallet to get order back. "Order!" He took a deep breath then turned his attention solely on Walker. "We will meet again in two weeks for a sentence hearing. Till then, Ranger Cordell Walker you are under house arrest. You will have permission to see a doctor for your pneumonia." He pounded the mallet once again. "Court is dismissed."

Walker slowly stood, his mind racing about what could happen next. He knew the most time he could spend in jail would be only a few years. Alex made her way towards him, her face still showing the shock of the jury's decision.

"Oh Walker." She gave him a hug. "We'll figure this out, don't worry."

He nodded. "I know. What happens if I get jail time?"

"I'll be right by your side no matter what." She gave him a kiss then took hold of his hand as an officer made his way towards them. "Well, I guess it's time to go home. Angela is probably worried sick about you."

An Hour Later

The ranch house was quiet except for the muted sounds of a television playing in the living room. Angela sat at the dining room table trying to focus on her math assignment, but found it very difficult to do. She wanted to know the outcome of her dad's trial and Michelle wouldn't let her watch the news to find out. Frustrated she threw her pencil down to go into the living room to hopefully catch the tail end of Uncle Gage's news conference.

As Angela made her way into the living room the front door opened and in walked her mom with dad right behind her. Angela quickly ran to her parents, gave each a hug then made room so another person could come into the house. This person smiled down at Angela then made his way towards the kitchen.

"Mom, who is that?" She followed her parents into the dining room where her dad sat down in a chair with a huff. "Dad, are you okay?"

"Yeah, Angie, I'm fine." He coughed several times while mom got the oxygen tank ready. He took a few deep breaths then turned to the man in the kitchen. "What's my limitations, Troy?"

"Unfortunately, very limited." The man approached dad with a shake of his head. "Okay, which ankle you want the monitor on?" Dad raised his right foot and rested it on another chair. "All right, you know the drill. Don't take it off, you can take a shower and if you go past the barrier police will respond."

Angela shook her head in confusion. "Dad, what is that?"

Her dad pulled his pant leg down after the monitor was secured around his ankle then waved for Angela to come closer. "I have something to tell you, Angela." Dad put his arm around her. "Angela, I'm under house arrest…." He looked Angela straight in the eyes. "Sweetie, I was proven guilty of manslaughter. I might be going away….."

"What?" Angela shook her head. "But…why? How? You did nothing wrong, dad."

"Angela, because of me three men were killed. I have to live with that…."

"No!" Angela pulled away from her dad as anger swelled in her young heart. "You saved Randy! And Mrs. Minton talks to mom all the time!" She shook her head once again. "This isn't fair! You did nothing wrong, dad!"

She quickly ran out of the house and towards the barn where she climbed into the loft to hide. How could her father possibly be found guilty? According to mom and Uncle Gage all the evidence pointed to dad being innocent. How could anybody think he wanted to kill those officers that night?

"Angela!" It was her mother and judging by her voice she was very close. "Please, come out so I can talk to you?"

"NO!" Shouted Angela as she crawled into a corner. "Leave me alone!"

Her mother appeared at the top of the ladder, her dress suit covered in dust and hay. "Oh, Angela." She crawled into the loft then sat next to Angela. "We told you that there could be a chance your father might get jail time…."

Angela hiccupped as she buried her face into her knees. "But he did nothing wrong. Why must dad go to jail for something that he had no control over?" Her young mind raced with thoughts too mature for her to really understand. "Mom, I've been watching the news…."

"Angela, I've told you to not believe anything they say…."

"Mom, if you've just watched the news you would see that many supported dad!" Angela turned to face her mom as tears once again ran down her face. "Many believed that dad was innocent. Why did people find him guilty?"

Her mother wrapped her arm around Angela's shoulder, pulling her into a hug. "Some think your father had a different choice than the one he made that night." She shook her head. "Remember what I told you while dad was still in the hospital?"

Angela slowly nodded. "Yeah. You told me that dad had some demons to face." She wiped her face with her shirt. "Just wish this never happened."

"I know." Her mother started to rub Angela's back. "Your father really needs us right now." She gave Angela a kiss on the forehead. "He's going through a rough time and no matter how much we hate what might happen, we have to support him."

"I understand." She bit her lower lip as she started to play with a piece of hay. "How long will dad's jail time be?"

"The most he can serve is five years." Her mother gave her another hug. "But, he will be up for parole before then." She pulled back to look Angela right in the eyes. "Sometimes I forget how smart you are, Angela."

Angela shrugged. "I picked up a few things hearing you guys talk about cases."

Her mother gave her a nod. "Let's go back inside. Your father wants to talk to you."

Back at the ranch house, Walker sat in the living room his mind barely focusing on Troy Jenkins as he continued to explain the rules of house arrest. So, for two weeks he can basically just walk around the house. His limitations were so tight, he can't even go to the front porch. He knew it will drive him stir-crazy, but it won't be nothing compared to jail time. But, he deserved this. After all, because of his actions three men were killed….

"Walker, were you paying any attention to a single word I was saying?" Jenkins said as he switched on Walker's ankle monitor. "You have a one hundred yard radius from the device. That will allow you bathroom utilities, food and sleep."

"Thanks." Walker turned as his wife and daughter came in through the back door. "Are you done here?"

Jenkins shook his head. "Not yet." He went to Alex with a heavy sigh. "I need twenty-three dollars for today."

"Right." Alex went, got her purse and pulled out the money. "What time of the day do you think you'll be coming?"

"Depends on how busy I am." He put the money in an envelope then smiled at the family. "I'll be back tomorrow. Walker, just let me know then when your next doctor's appointment is and I'll work out a plan."

It frustrated Walker that, for the two weeks before the sentencing trial Alex will have to pay for him to live at their very own house. He started to cough once again causing his chest to burn. Alex rubbed his shoulder then turned on a larger oxygen tank they kept at the house. Hopefully Walker's lungs will get strong enough so he can actually breath on his own.

He took in a few deep breaths, thankful for the oxygen. "Angie, please sit down." She did so without looking at him. "I know you're angry, but I did something that night…." He paused to push down the emotions that threatened to surface. "Because of me three men were killed. I can't ignore that fact, Angela. I have to face the consequences for it."

"But you did nothing wrong!" Angela stood back up, her fists clinched by her side. "Randy and Mrs. Minton have even told me numerous times that you didn't have any other choice!"

Walker swallowed hard as his heart ached for his daughter. "Angela, in time you'll understand." His voice had gotten a bit shaky and he had to pause to collect himself. "Just remember, I'm always there for you, no matter what may happen…."

"Enough!" Angela shook her head as tears streamed down her face. "I might be young, but don't treat me like a kid! I understand perfectly what is happening!"

Walker watched his daughter storm up the stairs and to her bedroom before he turned to Alex. "When did I loose my little girl?"

Alex took hold of his right hand then gave it a squeeze. "She's matured much faster than most girls her age." She sighed heavily, her eyes misting up. "Walker, did we not give her a childhood? All of Angie's life she's been smart and stubborn, but was she ever a kid?" She shook her head. "She told me in the barn that she use to listen to us talk and argue about cases we were working on. You'll be amazed on what she has picked up."

"Wow, I didn't know." Walker shook his head. "Should I talk to her?"

"No, just let her vent." Alex ran her hand along his back. "How's your breathing?"

He shrugged. "Doing okay." He tried to take off the cannula, but was stopped by Alex.

She gave him a kiss then patted his knee. "I'm going to start dinner."

With his wife now in the kitchen, Walker shook his head and leaned back into the couch. He then propped his foot up to get a good look at the ankle monitor. With his limitations as tight as they were, he will have to sleep in the living room. He rubbed his face as thoughts began to race through his mind. In two weeks his life might change or it might not. What if he did get jail time? What would it do to his family? Would his friends think less of him?

He was so wrapped up in his thoughts he didn't hear Gage walk in till the man shouted out his greeting. Gage made his way into the living room then sat down next to Walker. Both didn't say anything till Gage finally cleared his throat and wiped his clammy hands on his jeans.

"So, Walker…." He rubbed the nape of his neck then nervously shifted his weight. "I was asked, discreetly of course to officially become Company B Captain."

Walker smiled at his friend. "Well, I'm glad they choose you. You'll do great."

"Yeah? Thanks." He shrugged and shook his head. "They want me to clean up your office."

"I see." Walker slowly gave Gage a nod. "Just pack everything up in a few boxes and bring them here."

"Right." Gage cleared his throat. "You are officially no longer a Texas Ranger."

Alex came into the living room and went behind Walker to rub his shoulders. "Is it an honorable discharge…." Gage shook his head and Alex let out a quiet sob. "Oh, Walker. I'm so sorry."

Walker tore the cannula off of his face. "Alex, I caused three men to die…."

Anger flashed over Gage's face as he got to his feet. "No you didn't, Walker. What is happening to you, right now is unfair! I was there that night, I saw how severe the conditions were. If anything, I should be on trial." His voice shook with emotion. "I made the call for you to be with the men. I was the one in charge, not you!"

As Gage let out his emotions, Walker felt guiltier than ever. Not for what he did that night, but of how he had been acting since he found out three men were killed. He has been blaming himself for something that has been out of his control from the very beginning. Communications had been down, the team had been outnumbered and even if he had told the team to fight, maybe more men would have died that night. The sudden realization caused his whole body to tremble as reality finally set in.

"Oh God Alex, I might go to jail." His voice quivered as he shook his head. "I'm so sorry…." A tear ran down his face and he quickly buried his head in his hands.

Alex quickly sat down next to him, her arm around his shoulders. "If you do get jail time, I will be here for you. I will never leave you." She gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Just remember that, Walker."

Gage shook his head. "I'm real sorry, Walker." He sat back down, elbows on his knees. "Listen, all the Rangers are writing letters to the Governor. They want to see you honorably discharged." He took a deep breath and patted Walker's shoulder. "Many law officers and civilians are very angry about the decision made today. I have a feeling it's going to be a talked about case for years to come."

Walker wiped his face as he started to cough. "Thanks, Gage." He didn't argue as Alex began to wrap the nasal cannula back around his ears. "Sorry, I've been a real jerk these past couple of weeks." He leaned back into the couch and shook his head. "Gage, you're going to do great as Company Captain. Always knew you had potential."

Gage gave Walker a smile. "Thanks, glad…." His voice faded off as his cell phone began to ring. He quickly unclipped it from his belt and flipped it open. "Syd, is everything okay?" His eyes got real big as he went to his feet, nearly tripping as he did so. "Are you sure!" Walker could actually hear Sydney yelling on the other end of the line and had to chuckle. "Okay, I'll be right there! Tell Erica and Jimmy thanks for taking you…." He cringed. "I'm on my way now! Just take deep breaths!"

After he flipped the phone closed, Walker stood up. "Wish I could be there." He gave Gage a hug. "Remember take plenty of pictures." He then turned to Alex. "Why don't you go with him."

"But Walker…."

"I'll be fine." He gave her a kiss. "Now, get going you two."