Chapter 6 – Dallas, Texas

The waiting room was alive with laughter as Angela squirmed on the floor while Trivette tickled her. A smile spread across Alex's face as a realization finally dawned on her. In the month that Walker has been in the hospital everybody's life was going back to normal.

Due to hospital expenses Alex had gone back to work taking on small cases while Trivette went back to full duty. Thankfully Erika was able to watch Angela after school while Alex spent time at the hospital.

Gage came into the waiting room, a huge grin on his face. "Angie, does the tickle monster have you?"

"Uncle Gage, help me!" Angela squealed out.

Trivette stopped tickling Angela and sat down on the floor next to her. "What's up Gage?"

The younger man let out a heavy sigh as he shook his head. "Just working as hard as I can to find any lead on Walker's case." He sat down, concern on his face. "And we might just have one. A couple of weeks ago Sydney and I started working on a case about a missing teenager. We think it actually could be connected to what happened to Walker."

Trivette quickly got up, shock on his face. "How?"

"Kid's name is Javier Torez, a sixteen year old from Irving. His mother reported him missing after he failed to come home from school. According to Bobby Smith in Fort Worth's PD's gang unit Torez was a runner for the Latin Kings."

"What has that have to do with Walker?"

Gage leaned forward with a heavy exhale. "He's not the only teen to disappear who were runners for the Latin Kings." Gage took out his smart phone, went to the notes and handed it to Trivette. "Reason why nobody thinks the cases are connected is because they're all from different factions. But Sydney and I think they are."

Trivette returned the phone to Gage obviously not convinced. "Gang members go missing all the time and eventually they do show back up."

Alex shook her head. "Remember, the twins said the group who attacked Walker were completely covered up. None of their skin was showing. So, if they are going missing then, why? Nobody can ever know who they are."

"Alex is right, what would be the point?" Asked Trivette.

"Again, Bobby told me that runners will do anything to get promoted within the gang." Repeated Gage.

"Including beating up a Texas Ranger…." Trivette's eyes went wide as he began to make the same connections as Gage and Sydney did. "That many gang members from different factions within Texas means this could be big." He let out a quiet curse as he slumped into a chair. "Why was Walker there alone? Why didn't he want me to come along?"

Alex quickly wiped a tear from her face as she looked down at her daughter who was currently drawing in a sketchbook.

"Unfortunately we will probably never get that answer." Alex waved to her daughter who quickly got up and sat down next to the former. "How you feeling, pumpkin?"

Angela swung her legs as she sighed. "I'm bored."

Erika knelt in front of the girl, a big smile on her face. "Why don't I take you to the kid's ward."

"Okay." Angela gave her mom a kiss then jumped off the chair. "Hopefully the game stations are available! Love you mom!"

As Erika and Angela walked away Trivette brought his attention back to the hallway to see Doctor Abboud coming towards them. "Alex, it's Doctor Abboud."

Alex quickly got up to greet the man who saved Walker's life a month ago. "Doctor Abboud, how is everything with Walker?"

Doctor Abboud smiled. "Doing pretty good and everything here on out should only be getting better for Walker. I believe that yesterday's surgery to his jaw might be the final major one until the wires are removed. Once they are, there could be some minor issues to fix." He glanced down at the clipboard in his hands then back at Alex. "I also have to make sure with a hundred percent certainty that he's no longer getting blood clots in his brain. So, I'm keeping him on blood thinners for a bit longer. Bearing that everything goes well he'll be moving to a rehabilitation center in two weeks."

"You mean that it's actually happening, he's leaving the hospital?" Asked Alex.

"Yes, we are going to try weaning him off the feeding tube starting today. And with this last surgery, the swelling in his face should finally be starting to go down so that he can finally breath on his own. Once that happens we can start decannulation, which is a process of removing the trachea tube from his neck." Doctor Abboud shook his head in amazement. "I believe it's a miracle that he's made it as far as he has."

Alex once again shook Doctor Abboud's hand, her mood lighter than it has been in days. "If it wasn't for you and your team Walker would be dead right now. Thank you so much for saving my husband and my daughter's father."

Doctor Abboud appeared rather humbled as he gave Alex a shrug. "We're just doing our job." He motioned a hand to the hallway leading to Walker's room. "You can go and see him. Unfortunately with the medication he's currently on he might be in and out of sleep."

In Walker's room Alex sat by her husband's bed studying the many photos that had been put on the walls and side table. She slowly picked up a framed picture almost crying when she saw how healthy Walker had looked. The photo was of the whole family taken last year at the ranch on Easter. She could tell just by looking in Walker's eyes he loved life.

Alex then took a look at him now and Alex can definitely tell that his facial appearances have changed. Walker's face was much thinner now, his cheekbones, though his face was swollen can now be visibly seen. She can also tell he has lost a lot of weight by looking at his arms. Wonder how long it will take for him to put some of it back on?

There was also other changes to Walker's face like his right eye which was a little droopy because of the orbit being shattered. Then there was the pink scar that traced across the left side of his face. The cut made to his face was to the bone but thankfully didn't do any nerve damage.

Alex put the photo down then gave Walker's hand a gentle squeeze. "Hey, cowboy." Walker slowly squeezed back. "So, you're awake?" He rolled his head towards her and gave a slight nod. "How's the pain?" He gave her hand two squeezes which meant bad or no. "Here's the morphine button." Alex placed it into Walker's hand but he didn't do anything. "I know you don't like it but it'll help." He eventually did and within a minute she could see her husband visibly relaxing. "Thankfully your jaw surgery should be the last major one for awhile."

As Trivette watched Alex comfort Walker his attention went back to the night of the attack. He was still at the Company working late doing paperwork. Walker had left earlier in the night to do what Trivette wished he only knew. Unfortunately due to the head trauma Walker may never know either.

Trivette took a deep breath to clear his mind knowing if he kept dwelling on that night it wouldn't help him solve the case. Instead he brought his attention to his close friend amazed on how much he has improved in a month.

"It's necessary Walker since your lips are so chapped." Alex got a big sponge from the table and soaked it with water. "This is what your really wanting." She gently squeezed the sponge allowing water to drip into Walker's open mouth. "Feel good." Walker nodded. "Thankfully in a few weeks the swelling will be down enough you can get the trachea tube out."

At the mention of the breathing tube Trivette looked down at Walker's neck. The hiss and click of the machine giving his friend oxygen has become strangely comforting to him. It'll be weird not hearing it but Trivette wouldn't miss the noise.

Trivette took hold of his friend's hand and smiled. "Just two more weeks here bud and you'll be in a rehabilitation center." Walker looked at him then gave Trivette a strong hand squeeze. "That's right, you keep fighting."

XXXX

Texas was pretty chilly as John and Michael made their way down the interstate to Methodist Hospital. Unfortunately the vehicle the military gave the twins to drive had no heat. This bothered Michael as he sat in the passenger seat, his arms wrapped tightly around his body.

"How much longer?" Michael asked through chattering teeth.

John chuckled. "Just down the road." He pointed to a tall building on the horizon. "See, it's only a few minutes from where we are."

"What do you think they will say about this?"

"I don't know, Mike." John turned to his brother shaking his head in disbelief. "Who would have ever thought that the man we saved could possibly be our father."

"If you really look at the photo we were given he sure looks a lot like us. But why would he not try to find us? Do you think he even knew?"

John shook his head. "No idea, but hopefully we can find out."

Once inside the hospital John went to the nurses station to ask where Ranger Walker's room was located. After she told him Walker was in the neuro-step down unit two floors up they headed that way.

As they reached the waiting room in the neuro-step down unit, their footsteps made two young Texas Rangers to look up. Both twins recognized them from their last visit a month ago.

Ranger Gage quickly got up with a huge smile. "What are you two doing here?"

"We need to talk to Alex." John said, quickly getting to the point.

"Sure, I'll get her real quick." Gage said before he left.

While he waited John took out the picture from his coat pocket, still not able to comprehend the news. There definitely needs a blood test done to be a hundred percent sure that he and his brother were related to Walker.

Footsteps from behind made John spin around to see who was approaching. Coming down the hallway was Walker's wife and Ranger Trivette, both with concern on their faces. John quickly hid the photo back in his coat pocket as Alex approached to give him and Michael a hug.

Trivette gave both twins a hug then shook his head. "What are you two doing here? I thought you were overseas."

Michael cleared his throat, a bit nervous at what he was about to say. "Family emergency, sir." He took a very deep breath while he gave John a glance. "Sir, we need to tell you something but I prefer we were alone."

"Understandable." Gage wrapped an arm around his small wife then shook the twins hands. "Sydney and I will be at the coffee shop on the first floor if you need us."

Once the four of them were alone they moved some chairs so they were in a rough circle. After sitting down Michael gestured at John for the picture.

"Our mother passed away and she gave us this." Michael handed the photo to Alex. "She said in a note that man is supposed to be our father."

Alex shook her head in disbelief. "Walker has no children. If he did then he surely would have told one of us."

"We believe blood work can help solve this mystery." John brought his attention to Ranger Trivette. "That is if we can get permission."

"I'll talk to Doctor Abboud to see what he can do." Trivette rubbed the nape of his neck, a look of shock on his face. "I know you two look like him but it isn't like Walker too not help out with something this big."

"Jimmy's right." Alex slowly stood up and took a deep breath. "Would you two like to see him? It's still visiting hours."

"Yes ma'am." John said getting up to follow Alex down the hall.

As they stepped into the room John could see it was much more comforting from the last one he saw Walker in. It was decorated with colored pictures, cards and photos which adorned the walls and tables. John can definitely tell the man was loved by many.

When he looked at the bed John's breath caught in his throat upon seeing Walker. Even though the man's face was really swollen he can tell that through many surgeries it was definitely better than before. John can still remember rather vividly how Walker looked that night in the alley. Who would have ever thought this man would actually live with how badly beaten he was.

Walker slowly rolled his head towards John and Michael then slightly lifted his hand from the bed.

"Hey cowboy." Alex took hold of his hand and motioned for the twins to get closer. "Unfortunately he can't talk because of the trachea tube."

Trivette went to the other side of the bed, a huge smile on his face. "These are the men who saved you." Walker slowly nodded as he gave Trivette's hand a squeeze. "Do you recognize the uniforms?" Again his friend slowly moved his head up and down. "Rangers, Army, Marines…."

Alex grinned from ear to ear as Walker gave her hand a strong squeeze. "Yes honey they are." She began to gently rub her hand across the fuzz on top of his head. "Looks like his long term memory hasn't been lost."

Doctor Abboud came into the room, a smile on his face. "Gentleman, so good to see you here!" He went to Walker's bed, pulled a clipboard out from a slot on the foot board then began taking notes. "How's the pain, Walker?" Walker shook his head as he let out a low moan. "Okay, I'll start you on a stronger anti-inflammatory." He gave Walker's leg a gentle pat. "I will also increase the morphine, but only slightly. Don't worry, you will start feeling better."

Trivette took a deep breath, gave Walker a pat on the shoulder then motioned for Doctor Abboud to follow him into the hallway.

"Those men, Doctor Abboud think that Walker may be there father. Is there anyway we can get blood work done to confirm that?"

Doctor Abboud nodded. "Sure, it'll take a few days to get the results back."

Trivette nibbled at his lower lip as he thought about his friend. "Should we tell Walker?"

"His body is still in recovery mode. I honestly don't know how well he will take the news." Doctor Abboud glanced back at Walker then at the twins. "I prefer that you wait until he is stronger."