Disclaimer: This was written for the soul purpose of our entertainment. I lay no claim on Walker Texas Ranger or any of its characters.
"Undying Love"
Chapter 1
Janis Boisclair
jboisclair@rogers.com
Black Cobra Roadhouse
He took the steps two at a time pulling open the well-weathered door of the seedy roadhouse. Scanning the notorious clientele his eyes came to rest on one person sitting at a table with a couple of his friends. He made a grab for a beer bottle breaking it to use as a weapon as he passed by. In one furious swoop he shoved the table out of the way and had Damien 'Tex' Wilcox by the throat jagged bottle inches from his face.
His buddies were getting to their feet but before they could make a move the assailant spoke in a menacing low voice, "Call em off Tex or I'll lay your face open."
"Back off boys," Tex choked out. "What do you want Reilly?" he snarled at his captor.
"What do you think I want Tex, my twenty thousand in drugs that you owe me," Reilly tossed back at him. "You made some serious mistakes here Tex first trying to cheat me on this deal and second sending those two clowns after my old lady to do it."
At this point a petite brunette, tight low cut jeans and high riding t-shirt walked over to where Reilly had Tex pinned. She held up a chain with a cross hanging from it and swung it in Tex's face. "This is all that's left of your two boys," she smugly told him.
"Why you," he spat out trying to make a grab at. Reilly immediately retaliated clutching his throat tighter and driving his knee into Tex's gut.
"Simmer down Tex don't go flying off the handle here. So now that you know we mean business when can we expect that shipment?"
Tex was gasping for air he glared into Reilly's face and all he could think is you're dead you and your old lady both when Hunter finds out, "I'll have to talk to Hunter we were just following his orders."
"You just do that Tex and don't make me come looking for you either," Reilly told him glaring in the man's face. He slowly let go nodding his head at his girlfriend to head for the door.
~~~~~
"Those two really love this stuff don't they?" Trivette asked his partner laughing at the same time as they listened to Gage and Sydney put on their little act for Tex Wilcox and his friends.
Walker nodded his head in agreement he'd never worked with two better undercover people then the Gages. It was uncanny how one always knew what the other was thinking no matter what the situation.
"Walker would you look at that. Is that who I think it is?" Trivette asked gazing at the couple that were walking across the parking lot of the roadhouse.
Hunter Blake was walking across the parking lot arm and arm with a young woman. Arm and arm with Annabelle McMurtrie.
~~~~~
Sydney and Gage had just gotten in the car when Sydney spied Blake's car pull in. "Here comes our big time drug dealer now," she commented. Gage had just put the car in gear and started to pull out. Instead he pulled back into the parking space and turned off the motor only to have his wife grab hold of him and pull him down on top of her in a kiss.
"Honey didn't you get enough of this last night?" he asked teasing her.
"Gage I just didn't want who was with Blake to see us," Syd countered.
"Who was with him?" Gage asked slowly raising his head to try and get a look finding he was too late they had gone inside. He looked down into Syd's face for the answer.
"Gage it was Anna B."
"Our Anna B?" Gage asked in disbelief.
"How many Anna Bs do you know?" Syd asked.
"I'm going to get her," Gage protectively snapped opening the car door.
Syd grabbed his arm holding tight, "Will you stop and think a minute you go charging in there right now everything we have worked on for the last six months will be for nothing. We can approach this with her on our terms Gage. Let me get Walker on the phone and they can keep an eye on her until she gets home."
Pulling the door closed he knew she was right they had worked long and hard to get this close to meeting Hunter Blake he couldn't afford to make a mistake at this point even if it was Anna B. He let his eyes stare out the windshield at nothing in particular reaching out letting his hand rest on Syd's leg knowing she was right. Syd was all readying dialing Walker as the phone made the connection and she said, "Walker," Gage took the phone from her hand.
"You see?" he asked.
"Yeah you two take off out of here we'll keep an eye on her and make sure she gets home safe until we can figure out what to do about it," Walker told him knowing how worried Gage would be about her.
"All right thanks Walker," Gage answered hanging up the phone and handing it back to his wife. "Back to headquarters," he asked.
"Let's go home and we can get her cell phone number maybe see if we can get to the bottom of this," Syd told him knowing that his mind would be on nothing but Anna B and what trouble she was bringing down on herself now.
"Yeah let's go home," he replied once again starting the car and putting it in reverse.
Syd's eyes studied her husband he had let his hair grow out over the past few months to fit the undercover part a little more she liked it a little longer. She could see the worry on his face as if Anna B was one of their own. She had been a part of their life for quite some time now and had always been close to Gage like brother and sister. He pulled into the driveway and shut the car off once more staring aimlessly out the windshield.
"What was she doing with him Syd?" he asked not really expecting any sort of answer.
"Honey your guess is as good as mine," she replied rubbing her hand on his arm that was still draped over the steering wheel. "Let's go inside and see what we can find out."
Pushing open the car door Gage stood and waited for Syd to come to his side of the car then loosely slinging his arm around her neck proceeded to the door. They could all ready hear the phone begin to ring before they had the key in the lock. Opening the door Gage made a beeline to it Syd could hear his voice as she quietly headed into the kitchen to grab her list of phone numbers.
"Anna B how bout Syd and I meet you," Gage paused and listened before she heard him say, "just pulling in the driveway."
Sydney's cell phone rang, "Cooke," she answered. "Thanks Trivette Gage is talking to her on the phone."
Gage had hung up and gone to the kitchen window to see Anna B emerge from Blake's car escorted by him.
"Sydney and Gage are everything to me," Anna B was explaining to Blake as the walked to the side door of the house. "It didn't matter what I did they always came to my rescue more then my parents did. Gage was my first real friend."
"Well knock on the door so I can meet this superman," Blake urged her putting his arm around her and kissing her full on the lips just as Gage opened the door.
"Gage," Anna B got out pulling away from her boyfriend at the same time.
"Anna B," Gage answered trying hard to keep his cool and not pop Blake in the eye.
"Gage I want you to meet Hunter Blake," she smiled wide as she spoke turning to Hunter said, "Hunter this is Gage."
Blake held his hand out to shake Gage's saying at the same time, "It's nice to meet you Annabelle has told me so much about you."
Gage stood filling the doorway looking Blake up and down suddenly feeling a not so subtle poke from Syd he took Blake's hand choking out, "It's nice to meet you."
"Anna B it's nice to see you it's been too long," Syd greeted her stepping around her husband and giving the young woman a warm hug.
"Sydney this is Hunter Blake, Hunter this is Gage's wife Sydney," Anna B introduced again.
"Gage aren't you going to invite them in," Syd asked as her eyes travelled to his face his manners suddenly coming back to him.
"Ah yes, I'm sorry it was just a long day at work," he apologized stepping aside so they could follow Syd inside.
"Put lots of bad guys in jail today Gage?" Anna B teased. "And what's with the hair?" she asked reaching up to get hold of it and tug. "You can't tell me this is regulation."
"Gage was doing his favourite today paperwork," Syd interjected, "And I for one think the hair looks great."
"Syd you're a push over you're in love with the man," Anna B laughed in the next breath asking, "So where are the kids?"
"Funny you should mention that I haven't even had a chance to tell Gage but Erica has volunteered to take the kids for awhile so we can have a quiet supper together," Syd informed everyone.
"Oh then we are intruding on your time," Anna B exclaimed jumping up from where she had plopped down on the couch with Blake.
"Nonsense what I'm thinking is why don't we all go out and have some dinner and some nice conversation," Syd suggested looking to Gage who still remained quiet.
"If it's all right with you Gage?" Anna B asked noticing her friend to be acting… she couldn't just put her finger on it but something wasn't quite right.
"Sounds good to me," Gage agreed.
"Let me go change," Syd shot Gage a small smile as she spoke and headed for their bedroom.
"Let me come with you Sydney," Anna B called going after her.
As the bedroom door closed behind them Anna B began talking, "Well what do you think? Isn't he just the cutest guy you have ever seen? Well I know you love Gage, but if you didn't?" Without giving Sydney a chance to say a word she rambled on. "He's the one Sydney I just know he's the one. When he smiles at me or his fingers touch my face, oh when he kisses me…"
"Earth to Anna B?" Syd was trying to get her attention.
Annabelle continued right along, "Do you think Gage likes him? You know Gage better then anyone. Do you think he approves?"
"Annabelle could I get a word in edge wise here?"
"I'm sorry Sydney I'm just so excited I just want you and Gage to like Hunter. You do don't you?" The girl's pleading face was almost more then Syd could bear.
"First I don't pretend to know what Gage is thinking and second we've barely said hello," Syd hedged around the questions and excitement. "All I know is Gage and I want you to be happy. Just do me and you a favour take things slow. Gage and I didn't rush into anything and you know it is the best thing we could have done. It has helped build our lives together stronger."
Syd knew it wasn't exactly what Anna B wanted to hear but she smiled accepting the advise for now.
~~~~~
Gage watched as Anna B trailed after his wife leaving him alone with Hunter Blake. He turned back to Anna B's new friend just as he started up with some conversation, "Annabelle tells me that you and Sydney are Texas Rangers," he smiled at Gage.
"Not when we are around family and friends," Gage acknowledged, "Just when someone is breaking the law." He looked straight at Blake when he said it. "So Hunter what is it you do to be able to afford that fancy car you're driving?" Gage continued on.
Blake laughed a small laugh, "Don't worry Gage everything is above board and on the up and up. My partner and I have a small consulting firm. You ever need any advise with investments…"
It was Gage's turn to slightly laugh. "Well Hunter it's funny you should be wanting to hand out some free advise because I've got some for you. You do anything to hurt Anna B ever, no matter how small or trivial you think it is your life won't be worth a plug nickel."
"Sounds like you have more then a passing interest in my girlfriend. Does your wife know about that?"
Gage held his temper but only because he heard the bedroom door open instead he simply said, "Strike one Hunter."
Even though Gage wore a smile on his face Sydney could read his mood like a book. "Where would you ladies like to go to dinner," he asked going to her side and putting his arm around her waist.
"Let's go to CD's you haven't taken me there in for ever," Anna B exclaimed all the excitement of an eager schoolgirl gleaming through.
"Okay with me," Gage told her, "Let's go."
The words were no sooner out of his mouth then Blake's phone rang. Excusing himself he pulled the phone from his pocket answering it as he walked to the far side of the room. As he talked on the phone Anna B took the opportunity to quiz Gage.
"Well?" she asked.
"Well what?" Gage asked antagonizing her not wanting to tell her just yet what he thought.
"Gage," she squawked out knowing how they loved to banter back and forth.
"I'm sorry to break this up but business calls," Blake announced to them.
"Oh Hunter can't it wait?" Anna B asked her bottom lip pulling into a little pout.
"Sorry Baby it can't be helped it's a rescheduled appointment that was cancelled. This is the only time I can see the client," Blake told her putting his arm around her and kissing her cheek.
Syd could feel her husband's grasp tighten on her at the sight of Blake kissing Anna B.
"I've just got enough time to drop you off at home," he was saying when Syd interrupted.
"Anna B why not come with us we can see that you get home safely."
"I brought Annabelle here I can get her home," Blake was quick to cut back in.
"I think that is up to Anna B what she would like to do," Gage took over the conversation planting himself firmly in front of Blake.
"Annabelle?" Blake looked at her.
"We can do this another time can't we?" she asked looking pleadingly at Gage.
"Sure we can," Syd replied.
"If that's what you would like to do," Gage conceded.
Throwing her arms around Gage's neck she whispered to him, "You're the best Gage."
Gage had wound his arms around her hugging her tight lifting her off her feet whispering back, "Always here for you." Setting her down she smiled at him and gave Syd a hug too. Blake had already moved to the door waiting for her. Saying good-bye she ran to join him, Blake not bothering to say good-bye to either Syd or Gage.
Gage quickly moved to the kitchen window watching Blake throw the car in gear and peel out of the driveway screaming down the street. Grabbing up his keys he bolted towards the door.
"Slow down Gage," Syd yelled after him barely having enough time to dive into the car with him. "Will you stop and think please Francis."
Hearing her utter his Christian name caught his attention but didn't slow him, "Syd he's going to kill them."
"And this is helping trying to get us killed too. Gage he is taking her home slow down and just drive there," Syd argued. Gage finally heard what she was saying and slowed the car pulling to the side of the street.
"She's going to stop seeing him Syd and that's all there is too it. I don't know where she met him but that's it he's dangerous he's going to jail and she just isn't seeing him any more," Gage ranted on as Sydney sat rigidly still beside him staring out at a point on the far horizon.
He caught sight of the pained look that had crossed her face and his words dropped off into silence. He reached for her hand taking it in his waiting for her to speak to him. They sat a few minutes more before the words came tumbling out. "You can't just tell her she is forbidden to see him she's a grown woman."
"Sydney once we explain to her that we are looking at this guy for major drug trafficking and…"
"It won't make one bit of difference Gage she is in love with him. You should have heard her talking in the bedroom, she told me she thought he was the one, she brought him here for your approval."
"So when I don't give my approval that will be it," Gage insisted.
"When you don't give your approval she'll walk away from you just like she walked away from dinner tonight," Syd told him speaking the words hardly above a whisper.
"Come on Syd how can you be so sure?"
"I just am," she retorted finally facing him a tearful smile gracing her face.
"Sydney what's up?" Gage questioned her knowing his wife pretty well knowing something other then the situation at hand was bothering her.
"We'll talk at home tonight," she promised. Gage knew he would find out no more until then so putting the car back in drive he proceeded to Kathleen McMurtries' apartment.
There was no sign of Blake's fancy car so pulling around the corner and out of sight Gage took out his cell phone began to dial the McMurtrie home.
"Hello," came Kathleen's frail voice over the phone.
"Hello Kathleen it's me Gage," he began the conversation with Anna B's grandmother. After a few minutes of pleasantries Gage asked if he might speak with Anna B.
"She's not here right now Gage. She has a new boyfriend and I hardly see. In fact there are some nights she doesn't even come home," Kathleen told him the worry very evident in her voice. "Maybe you could check out this boyfriend of hers, you know on the sly, see what kind of a person he really is. His name is Hunter Blake."
"I'll see what I can do," Gage promised the distraught woman asking her to have Anna B call him when she came in he ended the conversation.
Hanging up the phone he relayed to Syd what he had learnt from Anna B's grandmother. They both sat silent for a moment until Syd suggested they go pick up their kids. "I just need to hold them a little Gage," she had told him.
Stealing a glance at his wife Gage again wondered what was bothering her she was staring out the window again. Gage would have normally said, "Let's make a run by Blake's and see if they are there." But something about Syd tonight… He turned in the direction of Erica and Jimmy's to pick up their three children.
Erica and Jimmy Trivette's Home
"That was quick," Erica told them as she pulled the front door wide. "I was just about to order pizza. Did you want to stay and join us?"
"Another time maybe," Syd was quick to answer for them.
"Come on Mom please," both Piper and Chris were pleading as she picked up Cat and held her close. Kissing Cat's little cheek she murmured, "What ever your Dad wants to do is fine."
"You two aren't going so soon are you?" Trivette was asking as he alighted from his car and came up the stairs of the front porch. His curiosity had been peeked with the appearance of Anna B today.
Gage glanced at Syd and she smiled back so looking at the kids and then Trivette told them all he guessed they could stay for a couple of pieces of pizza.
"Thanks Dad," Piper and Chris cried in unison running back to where they had left Marcus and Torrie.
Keeping tight hold on Cat Syd followed Erica towards the kitchen to make the phone call for the pizza. Gage stared after Sydney still unable to figure out what was bothering her. He knew his emotion was laying open he wanted to get Anna B as far away from Hunter Blake as possible. He thought that is what Syd would want too but she was going along with almost everything Anna B said and did on this.
"Are you listening to me at all Gage?" Trivette asked poking him in the shoulder at the same time.
"I'm sorry Trivette my mind was else where," Gage apologized. "What did you say?"
"Walker thinks that Reilly and Shauna had better drop out of the picture on this operation. He wants me to go in tomorrow and inform Tex that you two have been sent to Austin to straighten up some business and that I'm taking over for you, that you told me all about their little games and that I want to meet with Blake to settle this matter of the twenty thousand dollar deal."
"I'll let Syd know," Gage told him Trivette still getting the impression that his friend was only half listening.
"Something bothering you Gage?" he asked.
"Besides Anna B nothing I can think of," He replied adding, "I'm sure Syd will let me know when we get home if something else is bothering me or not." He smiled at Trivette watching a grin come across his face too.
Sydney and Gage's
The kids were all ready in bed and so was Syd when Gage came into their bedroom from taking a shower. Syd was lying on her side pulled tightly into a ball facing towards the window. Gage stood and looked at her for a moment without saying anything before pulling the towel from around his waist and climbing into bed with her pushing himself up behind her to take her in his arms. He could feel her body stiffen from his touch.
"Okay you turn over and let me hold you," he told her determined to get to the bottom of things.
"Don't tell me what to do Gage ever," she snapped back at him the playful kidding absent from her voice.
He was so surprised by her words that if he hadn't all ready been lying down he would have fallen over.
"Sydney turn over please and talk to me," he pleaded moving her hair to the side letting his lips caress her shoulder. "What's wrong Syd?" he persisted, "You told me we would talk later."
"It's this mess with Anna B and Hunter Blake it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better," she blurted out taking hold of his hand pulling his arm around her and holding tight.
"You don't know that once she realizes the kind of person Blake is she'll forget about him…"
"No she won't you just don't know," Syd sobbed. "He's gotten under her skin and I'm really scared for her."
Gage rolled Syd to her back and with his arms around her held her to his chest holding tight letting her cry. He knew she was worried about Anna B but crying uncontrollably was not how Syd dealt with things. "Shh," he gently whispered letting his lips come to rest on her forehead.
"Gage I love you so much and I should have told you this years ago but it wasn't one of my finer moments," she finally began.
"You can tell me now if you want to," he gently prodded her.
She lay quiet for a few moments gathering her thoughts before she spoke. "It was in college I was in love and I'd have done anything for him. He excited me like I'd never been excited before, I pined for him when he wasn't there with me. We moved in together after about three dates. I knew it all I was in love with him he was it.
The first thing he did was to alienate all my friends and my mother so I had only him to depend for everything. He began forbidding me to go anywhere unless I checked with him first. I didn't realize how serious he was until I had gone downstairs to do some laundry and took longer then he thought I should. One of the neighbours was there and I had been chatting with him. Derek had snuck downstairs and saw me talking to this guy when I came back upstairs he was waiting for me. He knocked the laundry basket from my hands and backhanded me so hard I thought I'd pass out. He hit me two or three more times calling me every dirty name he could think of. Then when I was almost unconscious he tied my hands and feet together, gagged me and locked me in the bedroom closet for two days. Afterwards he had begged for forgiveness, he told me how in love he was with me, that he only did it to show me how much he loved me that he couldn't stand the thought of anyone else even looking at me. Could I find it in my heart to forgive him? This was just the first of many more times to come."
Gage listened quietly tears in his own eyes as his wife told this horror story that he never knew she had lived through. "I'm sorry Sydney I had no idea…"
"Shh," her fingers were on his lips, "let me finish. I knew that this was wrong but some how in the back of my mind I let myself be talked into I deserved no better, that Derek loved me and nobody else ever would. Then it happened he lost his temper and lost control he beat me so bad I doubt my own mother would have recognized me. The neighbours had called in a domestic disturbance and he was caught in the act and charged with attempted murder.
It was at that point that I met Sergeant Leone Tompkins, she worked with me night and day, got me into a self defence program, got me really interested in police work. She stood there right beside my mother the day I graduated and joined the force." Syd paused for a moment before going on wanting the words to come out right as she finished her story.
I know that when we both started having feelings for each other that I ran away from those feelings and you. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to think that I was any less of a partner because of my past. Then three years past and I found myself loving you and the past was just so ugly that I just never wanted you to know how stupid I was."
"I'd never think that of you Honey," he told her feeling her lips moving gently on his chest.
"I know that now but then was a different story. I don't like to even think about it much and I never really ever wanted to tell you about it. I knew that your feelings for me wouldn't change but…"
"I have a few of my own tales I've not shared with you either Syd and like you it's not cause I don't think that you will understand it's just that they are so ugly… I love you Honey."
She pulled herself closer to him letting his arms envelope her safely to him before whispering, "I'm scared Gage, I'm really scared for Anna B I don't want her to live through what I did."
"Then we are just going to have to put this guy away for a very long time."
"You're right Gage," Syd agreed letting herself relax and sleep in her husband's arms.
Memorial Hospital 3:45 AM.
"Gage the phone," Syd poked her husband hissing out the words. Reaching out Gage grabbed it bringing it to his ear without opening his eyes. Sydney had tried to sit up to see the time but he had pulled her back down against him before she could get a look.
"Hello," he mumbled into the phone. "Yes this is Ranger Francis Gage." Syd made a face hearing him identify himself with Ranger knowing it would be a work related call. She felt his arm tighten around her as he listened to the call. "How bad?" he asked. Listening a minute more he told them, "I'm on my way."
"Damn it," he cursed slamming the phone down.
"Gage what is it?"
"Anna B she's at Memorial she had me down as contact for in case of emergency," Gage was explaining as he hurriedly climbed into his clothes.
"Gage wait a minute," Syd told him throwing back the covers and getting up. "Did they say what happened?"
"Only that she had taken quite a beating," he replied grabbing up his keys off the dresser.
She stopped him at the doorway, "I'll join you as soon as I can," she told him wrapping her arms around him for a moment before letting him pass.
He held her tightly to him squeezing his eyes shut for a moment before kissing her and heading down the hall to go to the hospital.
~~~~~
Sydney arrived at the hospital shortly after six thirty to find Gage pacing the waiting room floor.
"Hey any news?" she asked putting her arms around him hugging him close.
"Broken ribs, concussion, bruises and cuts. I've just been trying to get up the nerve to call Kathleen," he confessed.
"It's all right Jimmy is on his way over to pick her up right now," she told him.
"Ranger Gage."
Both Syd and Gage turned around to face Anna B's doctor. "Doctor Merritt this is my wife Sydney," he introduced.
"Mrs. Gage," the doctor smiled offering her his hand before he continued. "Annabelle is resting comfortably she hasn't come to yet but you can come and sit with her if you like."
"Yes thank you doctor," Gage answered for both of them.
They followed the doctor to Annabelle's room and Gage pushed the door open for them to enter the darkened room.
There was a small light on above her head, as she lay motionless in the bed the IV monotonously dripping. Her face was swollen and bruised from the repeated hits she had taken. Sydney took hold of Gage's hand as they walked towards her bed.
"Oh God Syd if it wasn't for that carrot red hair…"
"Shh I know Gage I know."
"I… Syd he's going to pay for this. This is not going to go unanswered he is going to pay."
"Yes he will pay but for now Anna B needs us, she needs you Gage to just be here for her," Syd told him.
Walking to the bed Gage reached for her hand standing there he fought the tears that were springing to his eyes. "I'm sorry this had to happen Anna B," he whispered reaching to take hold of Syd's hand. She wasn't close enough she hadn't moved. He turned his head to see she was visibly shaking he knew reliving the horrors that had happened to her. "Syd Honey." He held his hand out to her and she came to his side letting his arm go protectively around her while she supported him.
The door behind them opened to admit a visitor who met the Gages with the words, "Well it figures you two would be here."
Gage turned in a flash seeing Hunter Blake standing there as big as life and all control and reason left him. In one move he had Blake by the throat holding him, choking him against the wall. "How could you show your face here after what you did to her," his voice cold and deadly as he spoke, his hand tightened around Blake's throat.