Ch3

After Walker dropped Trivette off at Company B so he could pick up his car, Trivette drove back to the truck stop. He sat in his car as he kept an eye on the place.

Meanwhile back inside Gina sat at the counter and stared at Alex's card and Walker's card in her hands. She so badly wanted to go to Alexs's support group and to call Walker but she couldnt. He would kill her. Just like she would have to regrettably give up her zumba class. She loved that class. She liked meeting Alex and her friends. She got up and went into the bathroom and locked the door. She looked in the mirror as she pulled up her shirt and looked at the bruises all over her body. She started to cry. Its not like any man would want her after this anyway. She didnt understand how any man could find her beautiful . She felt ugly and worthless. It was all her fault he hit her. She shouldnt have made him mad all the time. She looked at her watch. It was time for her break. She walked out of the bathroom and walked outside and took a deep breath. The fresh air felt good. She turned her head and saw Jimmy sitting in his car. She walked over.

"Jimmy what are you doing here?"

"I'm just keeping an eye on you Gina. Are you ok you look like you've been crying."

"I'm fine Jimmy. You dont need to stay here."

"That black eye tells me otherwise."

"For the last time you and Walker need to drop it. Just please go. I'm fine."

"Sorry Gina I'm not leaving until you leave."

"Fine have it your way but I dont need your or Walkers protection!"

She walked back inside and Trivette sighed. It was going to be a long day.

Meanwhile Gina picked up the phone and dialed a number.

Alex put down her pen as the phone rang.

"Alex Cahill-Banks."

"Alex?"

"Yes?"

"Ummm its Gina."

"Gina? Are you ok? Whats wrong?"

"Nothing. I mean I'm fine. I just called to tell you I wont be seeing you in zumba class anymore."

"What? Why?"

"I just dont feel like it anymore. It doesnt interest me anymore."

"Gina are you lying to me?"

"No Alex I'm not. Just dont expect me there anymore. Also I wont be coming to your support group. I dont need it."

"Gina really you should reconsider. I think you do."

"Alex thanks for last night but really I dont need to be there. Good bye."

Alex heard the click in her ear and she sadly hung up the phone. She wouldnt give up on her. She picked up the phone and dialed.

Walker sat in truck as he stared at the run down apartment building and he wondered which apartment was hers. It took all his restraint not to bang on every door until Ricky answered. Then it would give him pleasure to beat him to a pulp. He thought of Gina as he noticed she lacked self confidence. Ricky probably beat it out of her. However until she said something or he saw him doing it he couldnt prove it. She was so shy and wouldnt look at anybody. His thoughts were interrupted by his phone ringing so he answered it.

"Walker."

"Walker its Alex."

"Whats going on Alex?"

"I just got off the phone with Gina. She said shes not going to our zumba class anymore and she wont go to my support group. You think Ricky has something to do with that call?"

"Yes Alex I do. Dont worry I wont give up on her."

"I know you wont. I really think she needs us...you Walker."

"I'll protect her. Dont worry."

"Ok. Bye Walker."

"Bye Alex."

Gina's shift ended and she didnt know whether to be glad or scared. Glad that she didnt have to deal with the scum that walked in there anymore for the day or scared that she had to go home to Rick. she remembered Jimmy was sitting out there she decided to leave the back way. The last thing she needed was for a Texas Ranger to take her home. She grabbed her stuff.

Trivette looked at his watch. Her shift should have ended by now. He got out of the car and walked inside and walked over to the counter where another waitress was standing.

"Excuse me maam. Is Gina still here?"

"She left about ten minutes ago."

"I didnt see her leave."

"She left out the back. I thought it was a little weird."

"Well thanks."

He walked into his car and called Walker to give him the heads up.

Walker picked up his phone.

"Walker."

"Hey its me."

"What happened Trivette?"

"She gave me the slip out through the back door. I'm sorry man. Keep an eye out for her."

"I will Trivette thanks."

Gina walked home with her head down and didnt notice Walker parked across the street. He was about to get out of the truck when Ricky came out of the apartment and walked over to her. Walker noticed a scared look on her face as he grabbed her arm. He was out of the truck in a flash and walked over to them as she tried to get away.

"Let her go Donovan!"

Gina looked at him shocked. Oh Walker no!

Ricky looked at her and then at Gina.

"Uh Ranger...I think you are misunderstanding."

"You have three seconds to let her go before you have to deal with me and believe me you dont want to have to deal with me."

Rick let her go and Gina spoke.

"Walker please. I'm fine."

Walker ignored her and stared at Rick.

"You didnt look fine to me."

Rick spoke.

"Ranger...Walker is it? I didnt mean to grab her so hard. She was late and I was worried about her. Isnt that right babe?"

Walker looked at Gina and he thought she still had fear in her eyes. She quickly looked down.

"Yes Rick. Thats right. So Walker thank you but really I'm fine. Please just go."

Rick put his arm around her and Walker saw her flinch. He didnt want to leave her.

"Gina are you sure?"

"Yes Walker. Please just go. I'm fine. Really."

He walked over to Rick and grabbed him by the collar.

"Consider this my one and only warning Donovan. You lay a hand on her again and you are going to wish you never met me."

Walker walked away in truck and drove off. He would be back. He had an uneasy feeling in his stomach. Like something bad was going to happen.

Rick pulled Gina by the arm into the apartment and slammed the door. He then threw her down on the couch. He took off his belt.

"Oh bitch you are going to pay. What are you doing making friends with Texas Rangers?!"

"No Rick please dont! I'm sorry I wont see him again! It wasnt my fault! Please dont!"

She screamed as he bought the belt down on her stomach. He then turned her over as she cried and he bought it down on her back and she screamed again. He walked away and she cried. She wanted to die.

Walker sat at the bar at CD's and stared straight ahead. Something didnt feel right in his stomach. He felt like he needed to go back to her apartment and check on her. CD walked over to him.

"Cordell you look like you lost your best friend or something. Whats going on? Are you thinking about that pretty young lady again?"

"I am CD. Something doesnt feel right to me. I feel like something bad is going to happen."

"Go check on her. You'll feel better."

" I think I will."

He got up and CD stopped him.

"Get the son of a bitch Cordell."

"Thats my plan CD."

He put his hat on and walked out.

Gina painfully got up as Rick was passed out on the couch. She held her stomach as she walked into the bedroom. She walked into the bathroom and painfully shed her clothing and stepped into the shower. At least she was off from work tomorrow. She looked at the mark on her stomach from the belt. She cried as she didnt know how much longer she could take. She so badly wanted Walker to protect her but something was holding her back. She felt she didnt deserve his protection. She didnt deserve to have any man. She shut off the water and put her sweats on as there was a knock at the door. Now who could that be?

She walked passed Rick who was still passed out and opened the door a crack. She sighed when she saw Walker on the other side.

"What are you doing here Walker?"

"I came to check on you. I had a bad feeling. Are you alright?"

She crossed her arms over her stomach and Walker noticed.

"I'm...I'm fine Walker. Thanks for stopping by."

She began to close the door and he stopped her.

"What did he do to you Gina?"

"Nothing Walker. Now please just go."

She closed the door on him and he stood there for a second and walked back to his truck. He felt the worse was yet to come. He wouldnt leave. He would stay there all night if he had to.

He got back into his truck and began to think. Of course he always hated the abused women cases. How could any man lay a hand on a woman? He loved it when he could give them a taste of their own medicine. However this case was really affecting him. Was Trivette right? Did he really have a thing for her? He had to admit he felt something right away when he met her. She was so beautiful. He shook his head and talked to himself.

"Get the idea out of your head Walker. Shes too young for you."

But he felt like he had to protect her at all costs. She was so shy...tiny...fragile...she needed him.

He picked up the phone and called Trivette.

"Trivette its me. Listen I'm going to sit outside Gina's apartment the rest of the night. I dont feel right leaving her. No I'm fine. I'll call you if I need you. Ok bye."

Trivette hung up the phone. Yep Walker absolutely had a thing for her. He could try to deny it all he wanted.