Chapter 9 – Christmas Day

Late the next day Walker sat in the passenger seat of his truck rather tired and ready to dose off. He had a good two hour nap after the present opening earlier this morning but it wasn't enough. Why was he so tired all the time? It was hard to keep positive but he had to keep telling himself things will get better even though it was so hard for him to believe it.

"Hey cowboy, wake up." A gentle nudge on his shoulder made him open his eyes. "We're at C.D.'s."

Walker took a deep breath then pulled his head away from the window to see that they had indeed parked next to the bar. When did he fall asleep?

Alex smiled at him then leaned over to gently clean the drool from his chin. Embarrassed Walker took the towel from her to finish the job. Because of the wires his mouth was always slightly open which meant he constantly drooled, especially when asleep.

Walker shoved the towel in his back pocket then opened the truck's door, the cold Texas wind hitting him in the face. He shivered as he pulled his coat tighter to his body. It hasn't gotten this cold in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in awhile and it was making him wish for a white Christmas.

"Let's go, dad!" Angela tugged at his coat sleeve as she moved aside for Alex who had Walker's wheelchair in front of her. "Everybody is waiting for us!"

Inside the bar, Clyde Brooksdale sipped at his beer, his accomplice, Johnny Harris sitting across from him. It was rather risky for both of them to be here, but he just had to see the Texas Ranger himself. Last time he had seen Ranger Walker was on a teenager's phone. It was a blurry photo that showed Clyde nothing. Though the teens did do severe trauma to Walker he wasn't dead.

"We shouldn't be here. There are cops everywhere." Hissed Johnny as he shakily put a beer to his lips. "Please tell me why we are here."

Clyde glanced over his shoulder as the main door to the bar and grill opened. A young girl held it open so a wheelchair can be pushed through.

Johnny shook his head. "My God, those kids did a number on him."

"They sure did."

Clyde couldn't believe how sickly Walker appeared and was taken aback by how skinny he was. The Texas Ranger's hair was rather short allowing Clyde to see a decent scar on the right side of the man's head. If those Marines didn't get in the way those teens would have definitely succeeded in killing Walker.

"Clyde, we need to leave."

"I know, I just need to see what I was dealing with."

"What do you mean?" Johnny sunk lower in his chair as the Walker's family walked passed them. "Marcelo should be okay with what those kids did."

Clyde got his wallet, took out forty dollars then placed the bills under a bill bottle.

"They didn't kill him and since I was the one that recruited most of the kids I'm to find the remaining two, kill them then finish their job." Clyde got up then motioned for Johnny to do the same. "And your going to help me."

Once Walker got himself seated at a booth he put his protein shake and water bottle in easy reach. Angela sat across from him, her new digital camera from John in her hands. She smiled before taking a picture of Walker.

Alex chuckled as she sat next to Walker. "Angela, why don't you go around and take photos." When their daughter ran off Alex gently leaned against Walker. "How are you doing?"

"I'm good." Walker took a drink of water then glanced around the room. "Wish the twins could have made it for Christmas." He began to fiddle with his hospital bracelet as anxiety came over him. "I'm worried…."

"Merry Christmas!" Shouted Trivette as he made his way over to Walker and Angela with glasses of eggnog. "Got non-alcoholic eggnog for Walker."

Gage sat down across from Walker with a huge smile on his face. "Glad you're with us for the holidays!" Gage raised his glass to Walker but quickly brought it down. "Walker?" When Walker dropped his glass Gage quickly got up. "Get him on the floor!"

With Trivette's help Gage got Walker onto the floor just as the latter's limbs began to spasm. Unfortunately this caused many people to stop what they were doing to look their way.

Trivette quickly got up to block people's view of Walker. "He's okay. Just get back to what you all are doing."

Alex quickly went to Walker's head where she cradled it in her lap. "Hang in there, Walker. It'll be over shortly." She gently rubbed his head, her heart aching for her husband. "Your doing okay."

Walker's whole body became tense as his limbs locked up and his hands began to flex. Trivette kept time on his watch as Gage got Walker's water thermos from the table. Most of the time, after a seizure he would have a brief moment of clarity, ask for water then he would fall into a deep sleep.

Trivette shook his head. "This is the longest one yet." He sighed in relief as Walker's body visibly relaxed. "I wish he didn't have to go through this." He glanced up at Gage who had sat next to Alex by Walker's head. "Is he awake, Gage?"

"He's asleep. Help me get him someplace quite."

Once Walker was comfortable on the floor behind the first set of booths Gage went to the bar and sat down on a stool. He took a deep breath as he graciously accepted the beer Maria put in front of him.

"It's really hard to see him like this." Gage took a sip of the beer as Trivette sat next to him. "Part of me hopes he'll return to his old self but I know that will never happen."

"Yeah, same here." Trivette took a deep breath as he sipped at his own beer. "Got to meet my new partner two days ago."

"Oh, how is he?"

Trivette smiled. "He's a great guy. Been with the Texas Rangers for five years." He turned to his friend and checked his watch. "Invited him here tonight. And trust me, you can't miss him."

As if on cue the door to the bar and grill opened bringing Gage's attention that way. In came a very tall, tan man who appeared to be in his forties whose frame almost filled the door. He wore a wool pullover half-zip sweater, dark blue jeans and tennis shoes. His hair was wavy and almost black, giving him an exotic look.

"Well, I now know who we're sending through the door first." Gage shook his head as the man came towards them. "That's your new partner?"

Trivette got up as the tall man approached, a big smile on his face. "Glad you can make it, Hart." He patted Hart's arm as he pointed to Gage. "This is Gage."

Gage shook Hart's giant hand. "Nice to meet you."

"And you to." Hart's voice was deep and bassy, add his size and he was one intimidating figure. "Thanks for inviting me, Trivette. Wife is still in El Paso waiting for a transfer to a local hospital." He leaned his large frame against the bar, a big grin on his face. "I'm glad to be some place other than an empty house."

"So, no kids?" Asked Gage.

Hart chuckled. "I actually have two, a boy and a girl. Youngest is in college out of state and the oldest is running his own vehicle paint booth business."

Trivette turned to Maria with a big grin. "Maria, give this man a beer!"

As Walker slowly came to the first thing he felt was a full body ache. Once he opened his eyes he wasn't sure where he was at and it took him several minutes to finally focus on his surroundings. He was laying on the floor behind a set off booths, away from the party.

"You're finally awake." It was Alex, she was sitting next to his head leaning against a wall. She ran her hand through his short hair, a smile on her face. "You've been out for nearly two hours."

Very slowly Walker set up, took a drink of water then leaned against the wall next to his wife. "Is everyone still here?"

Alex laid her head on Walker's shoulder and closed her eyes. "Gage and Trivette was drinking it up at the bar with Hart until he had to leave. Susan and Erika is somewhere chatting with some friends. And Angela, she's asleep in the booth next to us."

"How's Hart?"

"He's a great guy. Don't worry he'll definitely fit in." Alex took hold of Walker's left hand with a smile. "I'm glad you're here with us for Christmas. Couldn't ask for a better gift."

Mesquite, Texas – One Hour Ago

As his dad's small truck drove down neighborhood streets Benji sat in the passenger seat chewing on his fingernails. Thirty minutes ago his dad told him and Ava to pack a single backpack with clothes and essentials. Dad didn't say why, said not to question him so Benji didn't.

Ava let out a heavy sigh as she shifted in the backseat. "Where we going?"

"To the old garage then anywhere but Texas."

Benji turned to his dad, to see him fully focusing on the road. He was stupid to volunteer that night a few months ago. Did he really think he would gain status in the Latin Kings? Why was he so foolish?

"It's okay, Benji." Dad said as though reading Benji's thoughts. "You grabbing that camera will help you, especially if it shows that you had no involvement with what happened."

Dad pulled the car next to a small warehouse, then parked it by the front door. After a minute of silence dad finally opened his door and got out.

"Ava, stay here! Call me if anyone and I mean anyone shows up." Dad brought his attention to Benji. "Come on, we need to get that disc."

Once Benji was out of the truck dad went to the door, unlocked it then went inside. Quickly Benji ran to catch up, his head on a constant swivel. As he got to the door he noticed a car slowly drive by.

"Dad, I think someone followed us."

"I know, that's why we need to hurry. Now, where is this disc?"

Benji began to make his way to a musky office, one that belonged to his uncle before his death. Five years ago dad and his brother ran a landscaping company and were doing rather well for themselves. Then, during a job Benji's uncle was shot in a drive-by. Since then the warehouse with all the mowing equipment was left untouched.

He made his way to the far right corner where he shifted a four door file cabinet away from the wall. As he was doing this dad's phone began to ring.

"Ava, calm down. We'll be out in a bit." Dad paused for a second before running to the office door. "Okay, mija lay down, be quiet and keep the phone close."

Benji's heart began to race as he stuck a hand into a hole that he had made in the drywall. He felt the camcorder's plastic body, grabbed it then pulled it out. With faint light from a lamppost outside he found how to open it. He took the mini disc out then made his way to dad.

"Dad, I have it."

Dad nodded as he pushed Benji through the office door. "We need to go out through the back." He kept looking over his shoulder until a loud thud sounded from behind them. "Mijo, go!"

Benji stopped between two trailers to see his dad was no longer with him. "Dad! Where did you go!"

Dad reappeared with a gas can in hand. "Brooksdale is here!" He went to Benji, the former's face the gentlest it's been in awhile. "Listen to me, mijo. You take that disc and you go to the Texas Rangers. Don't trust any other lawmen." His dad placed a callused hand around Benji's neck as tears began to fall from his face. "Always do what is right. Make me proud."

"Dad, what are you doing?" Benji shook his head, his own tears threatening to surface. "I need you! We need you!"

"Hey Mouse! I know you're in there! Where's that boy of yours!" Shouted a deep voice from near the offices. "He has information I need!"

"Mijo, be strong and always take care of your sister. She will need you now more than ever." Dad put his truck keys in Benji's free hand. "I love you both so much and don't ever, ever forget that." He kissed the top of his son's head then pulled back to look the latter in the eyes. "I'm going to distract them so you'll have time to get away."

Before Benji could say anything dad ran back to the offices, gas can still in hand. He could hear dad say something in Spanish before a shot rang out. This got Benji to move and as he did so he slipped the small disc into his jean's front pocket.

Benji got to the truck, unlocked it then jumped into the driver's seat. It took him several attempts to get his shaking hands to finally place the key into the ignition. He popped the safety brake, put his foot on the clutch and started the truck hoping he remembered how to shift.

"Benji, what happened?" Asked Ava from the backseat. "Where's dad!"

With tears streaming down his face Benji put the truck into first. "Ava, dad loves you very much. Just remember that, okay?" He wiped his face before quickly shifting gears. "We got to get someplace safe. Don't worry, Ava. I won't let anything happen to you."