The Warrior Reborn : Long Way Home

"Why?" Ray asked when they entered thier home in Anaheim. 

They did not want to cause a scene in front of Ellen's office block, so heading back to their home was an obvious choice.

"Why? How dare you to ask me why? Shouldn't I the one that ask you this question?" Ellen burst out in anger, "You just disappeared for two years and all that is know is you are on a secret mission! I don't even fucking know you are dead or alive until today!"

Her words really made Ray feel so bad. He lowered down his voice and apologized, "I am so sorry that I made you worry... As I told you before, I am serving the nation and I am not allowed to contact anyone while on mission. Anyhow, I am alive and kicking as you can see! We can start all over again. Okay?"

"No! It's not okay!" Ellen shook her head vigorously. "You just do not know what I went through for the last two years! Where were you when I got into an accident and nearly died? Where were you when my dad passed away? "

"Accident? Are you alright now?" If her previous words made Ray feel bad, whatever spit out from her mouth at this moment broke his heart. "Your dad passed away?" 

He was shocked by the news and was full of regret that he could not be with her during all those hard times.

"Yup, he died of heart attack." Ellen nodded ferociously, "What else do you want to know? I can fucking tell you all night! But, why should I go through all these heartaches again?"

Ray was speechless for a moment before he could find something to say, "I am sorry. But, please believe me that whatever I did for the past two years was for the greater good..."

He was somehow interrupted by Ellen before he could finish his sentence. "You ain't no Captain America for God's sake! I just want a husband who can be around when I need him! I don't need a national hero!" 

She paused for a while before calming down. " Ray, let's face the truth. You can't give me what I need. Just be nice and sign the papers."

While Ray was hesitating what to do, Ellen added on, " If you have ever loved me even for a day, sign these fucking papers and let me have a life!"

Ray let out a sigh of despair and signed whatever handed to him without looking at any of the details. "So, this guy Frank, he can give you what you need?"

"This is really none of your business!" Ellen was evoked by his question. "But, if you really want to know so badly, yes! He was there when I was in the hospital and he helped me out in Dad's funeral."

She looked straight into Ray's eyes and said it word by word, "He did all the things should've done by you! Are you satisfied now?"

Ray nodded with a deadpan face. "I have nothing to say. So sorry I let you down."

Ellen let out a long sigh, "Ray, I know you are a good man and I loved you. I honestly loved you. But, with all that happened in the last two years, I could not love you anymore."

"I understand." 

Ray was ready to leave when Ellen stopped him. "Do you have a place to put up in Anaheim?"

Ray shook his head.

"You can stay here for couple of days if you want to. I do not know your plan but it wish you well in everything you do." 

Ellen gave him an offer that he truly appreciate but could not accept. So, he politely thanked her and left the house that used to be his home.

He checked in a small motel around five kilometres away from Disneyland and lied down on the uncomfortable bed once entered. He managed to get some sleep after a few cans of Budweiser. When the pain was too much to handle, one tended to find a way to escape, even just for a while.

Of course, the pain stayed on when Ray woke up with a burning head. He picked up his mobile and made a phone call to someone who he hated to contact.

"Hey Mickey, this is Ray here."

The other end was silent for a few seconds before Ray heard Mickey speaking, " Hi Ray. Thought I heard you blew your cover and were executed."

"I did not fucking blow my cover! Richardson wanted Senator Robertson dead and he used my team to get him killed." Ray tried to make things clear to Mickey.

"Okay okay... Now what do you want from me?" Mickey was slightly impatient.

"I want to have a talk with Director Carter." Ray put up his request. "I lost my life due to this mission and I want to get it back!"

Mickey chuckled, "So what do you expect Director Carter to do? Give you a new identity?"

"I want revenge. For myself and my team who had sacrificed." Ray said calmly but firmly, "I want whoever involved with this, pay for it. I believe Director Carter wants the same thing too."

There was silence again from Mickey's end for a short while before Ray heard him speaking again. "Okay. Tell me your location and wait. I will arrange."

Ray did what was asked and lied down on the bed again, with a new bottle of Budweiser in his hand. 

Director Carter. The person behind his secret mission. He was told that General Richardson was a corrupted person and had committed treason. His goal was to uncover the corrupted general's crime and bring him to justice. So, he flew to the foreign land and joined the arm forces there in the war against the ruthless rebels while collecting evidence. However, while he was getting close, he was accused for treason instead and the whole effort went down to drain.

Ray finished the Bud and fell asleep again. While Ray was in his dreams, his room door was opened and a tall dark man in his early thirties walked in, with a revolver in his hand. He walked cautiously, step by step, ensuring that his prey was not awaken. When he got near enough, he pointed his revolver to Ray's forehead and ready to shoot.