*TW- Mentions of kidnapping, captivity, torture and underage drinking*

Abeline was seated on the couch in the living room, working away on her knitting when Bonham and Maddie returned to the house. 'How did it go?' She questioned, glancing over at Maddie as she wheeled herself through the front door, Bonham closing it behind her. 'How was your therapy?'

'I walked Mawline, I walked!' Maddie replied, emotion thick in her voice as she stopped her chair in front of the couch. 'For the first time in months, I can walk again.'

'Oh honey, that's wonderful.' Placing her knitting aside she gave the girl a great big bear hug, holding her tight. 'I'm so proud of you sweetheart. Well done.'

She smiled, hugging her grandmother back. 'Thank you.' After a moment she pulled away, looking up at Bonham as he joined them in the living room. 'I even walked on my own two feet without holding onto the rails for a couple steps. Ask Grampa, he saw me.'

'She did too.' Bonham replied as Abeline turned to him and he took a seat in his recliner across from them. 'Last three steps she took all on her own.'

'That is such great news Maddie.'

Maddie nodded, still smiling a little. 'I'm just glad I'm able to walk again, even if it were only for a little bit. Tilly said I'm to start walking a little each day along with my other exercises so hopefully soon I won't need this damn wheelchair anymore.'

'Well just make sure you don't push yourself too much.' Abeline cautioned her with concern. 'You don't want to make yourself go backwards.'

'No, I know. And I'll admit, that little bit has really taken it out of me.' She glanced over at the clock. 'I think I might go lie down for a while and get some rest. I'll have lunch later, if that's okay?'

'That's fine honey. I'll leave yours aside in the fridge.'

'Thank you.' Wheeling herself backwards she started towards her bedroom then stopped, turning back to her grandparents. 'Can we... Can we keep this just between us three? For now? I want to tell Dad and the others myself tonight.'

Abeline nodded in understanding. 'That's alright. We won't say anything.'

'Great.' She smiled. 'I can't wait to tell Dad. He's gonna be so happy.'

Abeline was in the kitchen later that evening, preparing dinner for the family when a knock sounded on the door. 'Coming.' She called out as she quickly washed her hands from peeling the potatoes then wiped her hands on her apron as she walked through the house to the front door. 'Colton.' She greeted with a smile. 'Evening.'

'Evening Mrs. Walker. Is Maddie around? I've been trying to get hold of her this afternoon but she's not replying to my messages.'

'She could still be sleeping, she's been quite tired today.' She motioned for him to come in and she closed the door behind him. 'You're welcome to take a seat in the living room and I'll go check on her.'

'Thank you.'

'No problem. Would you like a drink or something while you wait?'

'Oh no, I'm fine. Thanks.'

'Alright. I won't be long.'

Colton took a seat on the couch as Abeline made her way up the hallway to Maddie's bedroom, knocking softly on the door for a moment before she quietly opened it. At first glance Maddie seemed to be peacefully asleep but after observing her for a second she realized that she was crying in her sleep. You poor darlin... She thought, her heart hurting for her. She'd read the magazine article that her son had given an interview for to the journalist. What he went through was enough to give anyone nightmares.

What had Maddie gone through?

Bubbles got up and that was what stirred Maddie, the teen wiping her eyes on the back of her hand as the cat nudged against her.

'Maddie-' Abeline started softly after a moment. 'Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you but Colton's here. He's been trying to message you and got worried.'

'Oh...' Reaching for her phone she opened it up and saw the missed calls and messages from her boyfriend. She sighed, rubbing her tired eyes. 'Alright. Tell Colton I'll be out in a moment.'

With a nod Abeline left to let Maddie get herself ready and returned to the living room, Colton looking up from his phone as she walked in. 'She'll be out in a moment, I woke her by accident.'

Hearing she'd just been sleeping and not ignoring him or something, he breathed out a sigh of relief and stood. 'How is she?' He questioned softly, glancing up the hallway to make sure that she wasn't coming yet. 'I mean, I've tried speaking to her about... things...' He sighed again. 'but each time I do, she doesn't want to talk about it. She shuts down.'

'To be honest, I don't know how she is.' Abeline replied sadly. 'I've tried too but...' She shrugged, her voice trailing off. 'Just love her Colton, she needs all the love she can get right now. She'll be okay, in time. She'll make it through.'

Though not fully convinced of her words, he nodded.

'I best get back to preparing dinner. Maddie shouldn't be much longer. Would you like to stay for dinner, Colton?'

'Thank you for the invitation ma'am but I need to be home this evening. It's my Dad's last day here, he's moving back to Thalia to be with my mom so... Yeah.'

'No worries.' She smiled. 'Some other time then.'

Colton nodded again, taking a seat on the couch once more as Abeline disappeared into the kitchen. Taking his phone out from his pocket he began reading through the article on Maddie's father again then quickly hid it when he heard Maddie's wheelchair coming up the hallway.

'Hey.' Maddie smiled tiredly as Colton stood. 'I'm sorry, I had my phone on silent while I was asleep.'

'That's alright. I just wanted to check on you. I got worried when you wouldn't reply.' He replied, giving her a hug and a quick kiss on her cheek. 'Feel better after your nap?'

She chuckled hollowly then sighed. 'No-' She stifled a yawn. 'still tired.'

'Awe. My poor girl. Would another kiss make you feel better?'

'Snuggles on the couch might.'

'Alright.' Sitting down once more he patted the space beside him, Maddie wheeling herself over to the couch. After a moment she had moved herself out of her chair onto the couch and snuggled up beside him, Colton placing his arm around her as she got comfortable. 'I can't stay too long.'

'That's alright.' Maddie closed her eyes, breathing his presence in as he gently began to rub her head. 'I'm glad you're here. I've missed seeing you this week.'

'And I've missed seeing you. Business with the Side Step has kept me busy.'

'Keeps you out of trouble.'

He chuckled a little at that. 'Yeah, I guess.'

'Can you stay for dinner?'

'No, no, sorry. I've got to be home. It's Dad's last day here so I wanted to prepare a nice meal for him before he goes.'

'Oh?' She opened her eyes, looking up at him. 'Where's your Dad going?'

'Thalia. He and Mom have decided against getting a divorce, they're gonna try working things out.'

'Oh Colt, that's great news!' Maddie exclaimed, genuinely happy for him. That happiness quickly dissipated though as another thought came to her mind. 'Does that... Does that mean you'll be leaving too?'

Colton shook his head. 'No. Austin is where I belong, this is home now. Besides, I can't leave you, can I?'

'It's not really up to me to make that decision. If you want to be with your parents, you should go. They're your family.'

'You are my family also, Maddie.'

She smiled sadly at that. 'What will you do though, with your Dad moving? Looking after your ranch is going to be a big job on your own.'

'I'm sure I'll manage. Besides, I've got you to help me, haven't I?'

'Don't really know how much help I'll be able to be but I'll give it a good shot.'

'That's all I ask.' Smoothing her hair back, Colton kissed her head gently. 'How did your therapy session go today?'

'Good.'

'Yes?' He prompted.

Maddie looked up at him again. 'I finally walked today, on my own.'

'Oh Maddie! That's such great news. You'll be up and out of that wheelchair before you know it.'

'I sure hope so. I hate being an invalid. I hate being a burden on people.'

'You aren't a burden, my love. Don't speak about yourself like that.' She nodded but didn't reply. After a time of silence, Colton finally spoke again. 'Maddie, we need to talk.'

A shiver ran up her spine hearing those words. 'What... What about?'

'You. I'm worried about you Maddie.' He replied carefully, trying to choose the right words. 'You haven't been yourself since, well... everything. You won't speak about it, when I've tried to ask you, you shut me down.'

'There's nothing to say.' She replied coldly. 'It's over. I'm fine.'

'Maddie-' He put a finger beneath her chin and gently made her face him again. 'I don't think you are.'

'Doesn't matter what you think Colt. I'm fine.'

A long pause followed until Colton spoke up. 'Maddie. I read the article. About your father. About-about what he went through in... in there.'

Hearing that, Maddie froze.

'What... What I'm trying to say, Maddie, is that I'm here. You can't keep it all bottled up inside forever. And after reading that article, I can't help but wonder what you went through.'

Their kidnapping...

Liam screaming...

Sean pointing the gun at her head and pulling the trigger...

'I-I'm fine.' She forced out, trying to force those images of what she had experienced out of her mind. 'I-I've been doing counseling and everything. I'm fine. Nothing... Nothing more to say.'

'Are you sure?'

'Colton... Please. I don't... I don't want to get into it. Really. Just,' Maddie paused for a moment. 'just hold me. Please.'

Colton held her tighter as she snuggled deeper into his arms and kissed her gently on the head. 'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just-'

'Worried. I know.' She finished off for him with a sigh. 'Along with everyone else. But I'm fine. I'm fine.'

Somehow, despite Maddie trying to convince herself and Colton of the fact, they both knew she was far from being fine.

Quietly Maddie took her place at the table later that night to sit for dinner with her family, being the first to arrive there. The scents of dinner cooking in the kitchen wafted through the air and though she knew from the smell that Abeline had prepared a roast, she didn't feel particularly hungry. If it wasn't for the fact that she knew if she didn't eat, which would cause her family to be on her case, she wouldn't bother to eat at all. She just didn't feel like eating.

While her grandmother served up, her uncle was the first to come in and join her at the table. 'Hey Maddie.' Liam said, ruffling her hair on his way past to take his seat. 'Had a good day?'

'It was okay.' She replied softly. 'When Dad and my siblings join us, I've got some news to share.'

'News hey? Any hints?'

Maddie sighed. 'I'm too tired to play games, Uncle Liam.'

Liam frowned. 'You feeling alright?'

'No worse than usual. Took a four hour long nap this afternoon. Physio this morning really took it out of me.'

'Maybe Cordell should take you in to have a check up-'

'No, nope. No. I'm fine. I'm just worn out from my therapy.'

'You sure?'

'I'm sure.' She assured him, looking up at her grandmother as Abeline carried in the first of the dishes to bring to the table. 'That smells real good Mawline.' She commented, subtly changing the subject of conversation.

Abeline smiled as she set the plate with the roast down in the middle of the table. 'Thank you Maddie.'

'Need a hand Mama?' Liam offered, Abeline going back into the kitchen.

'I've got it under control. Thanks. Where's Cordell and the kids?'

'Right here Mama.' Cordell announced, Stella and August following along behind him as he came into the dining room. 'Dad will be along in a moment. He's just finishing up a couple things outside.'

'Alright, we'll wait for him then. Sit down, dinner is ready to be served.'

'Afternoon Maddie.' He greeted his daughter, Maddie offering a little smile as he sat down across from her.

'Hey Dad. Have a good day?'

He cleared his throat, nodding as she handed him his plate from the stack at the end of the table. 'Yeah, yeah. It was-it was good. Yours?'

'It was alright, I guess. Looking forward to getting back to work on Monday?'

'Am I ever.'

'Huh.' Stella commented in a teasing tone. 'Can't get away from us quick enough hey?'

'Now I didn't say that. Did I say that? No, I didn't.' He playfully swatted her with a napkin, his daughter laughing softly as she snatched it from him and placed it back on the table. 'August. School starts this week. Ready to get back into the swing of things?'

'Nope.' August replied, leaning back in his chair. 'Can't believe summer break is over already.'

'You and me both.'

As the rest of the family engaged in conversation while Abeline laid out the table, Maddie quietly withdrew back into her own thoughts. Colton had stayed with her for an hour or so before he'd had to go. While it was great news that his parents would be staying together, she was thankful that Colton had decided to stay. These days, she needed him more than ever.

'Dinner smells wonderful Abby.' Bonham remarked, pulling Maddie out of her thoughts as he came in through the back door, going over to the sink to quickly wash his hands. 'Sorry to make you all wait.' He continued, taking his place at the head of the table. 'Had a couple things to take care of. Ready for the blessing?'

Abeline nodded as she placed down the last dish onto the table and took her seat next to her husband. 'We're ready.'

Heads bowed and hands folded while Bonham said the prayer over their dinner and once he had finished, they began to serve up their meal.

'Maddie has something she'd like to share with us all.' Bonham spoke as the roast dish was passed around and he took a couple pieces for himself before handing it on. 'Table's yours, Maddie girl.'

Here goes... She thought as her family all looked at her. 'Well... As you all know, I've had physio and such the last few months to get me walking again.' They nodded as she paused for a moment. 'Well, today, I was finally able to walk again and even on my own for a couple steps at the end.'

'Maddie, that's wonderful.' Liam exclaimed with genuine happiness for his niece. 'That's brilliant.'

Stella reached over the table to give her sister a high five. 'Great news sis.'

'Way to go Maddie.' August added. 'Isn't that great dad?'

'Yeah, yeah.' Cordell cleared his throat before looking at his daughter. 'Great. Great news Maddie.'

Maddie looked at her father, Cordell returning his attention to the plate set before him. That... That's all I get, Dad? She questioned in her mind, slightly taken aback at his lack of enthusiasm and excitement about her news. The rest of her family were silent too, Abeline glancing over at her son as he began eating his dinner without another word. Deflated, Maddie picked up her fork and began pushing her peas around the plate. 'It's still gonna take time but hopefully soon I'll get to ditch this chair full time.' She continued with her head bowed. 'But that... That's all that I wanted to say.'

'Well, I say that's the best news I've heard all week.' Liam spoke up after a moment, looking over at his niece. 'And we're all very proud of you.'

'Yeah, what Uncle Liam said.' Stella agreed. 'Before you know it you'll be back to your old self.'

In response to her, Maddie smiled sadly.

August cleared his throat. 'Now that that's over, Dad, can you pass the mashed potatoes please?'

'Ah, yeah. Sure.'

Conversation started up around the table once more but Maddie absentmindedly pushed her food around on her plate, staring down at the meal she didn't have an appetite for. It had been hard enough that her father hadn't come to be with her for her therapy today but she was crushed with his reaction to her news. He hardly seemed to care...

'You not hungry Maddie?' Abeline questioned as the teen placed her knife and fork on top of her plate and pushed herself back from the table.

'Just tired.' She lied. 'I'm gonna have an early night. Good night.'

A short chorus of good nights followed her up the hallway which she hardly paid any attention to. Bubbles was asleep on the couch as she headed through the living room and she stopped for a moment to pick up her cat before continuing on her way to her bedroom.

Bubbles jumped off her lap as Maddie stopped to close the door behind herself and locked it, the teen flicking the light off before she went to bed. A soft glow of moonlight filtered in between the curtains, a soft breeze blowing through the crack of the open window. Bubbles jumped onto her bed, purring loudly as she waited for Maddie to finish changing into her pajamas.

Crawling into bed, Maddie opened the drawer in her bedside table and pulled a bottle out. Bubbles padded over to her across the quilt cover, flopping down beside her as she held the bottle of moonshine in her hand. With a shaky breath she unscrewed the cap and took a sip, holding the strong liquor in her mouth for a moment before swallowing it. The burn of the moonshine made her eyes water but that pain was nothing compared to how she felt inside.

No amount of alcohol could take it away.

Cat lying on one arm, bottle of moonshine in hand, the minutes began to tick by.

After her fourth (or was it fifth? Maybe sixth? She couldn't remember.) sip of moonshine, she slowly screwed the lid back on and returned it to the drawer, hiding it beneath her books. Closing the drawer again she rested her head back against the headboard, tears rolling silently down her cheeks.

Reaching for her phone beside her she opened it, taking a moment to pause to look at the photo she had of her and Colton set as her screensaver. They'd taken it back on their first date together, that ill fated trail ride. A sad smile came to her lips. Those had been happier times. It was hard to believe now that it was only a few months ago. So much had happened since then.

Opening up her web browser she put in a search for Julia Johnson and after a short scroll through the search results, found her latest published article. My Time In There - With a Ranger. A Marine. A Prisoner.

Taking a deep breath, Maddie began to read.

Tears came to her eyes again as she kept reading through the article, beginning to realize for the first time just what her father had gone through in there. Halfway through, she had to stop. She couldn't stomach reading anymore of it. With hands shaking she deleted the page and turned off her phone.

Staring up at the ceiling above she let the silent tears roll down her cheeks.

Could things ever go back to the way they were?