HEY ALL! Thanks for the reviews. They keep me going. Here is my next chapter...I hope ya'll love! I don't own ANYTHING except my character and the story. All characters or names used as originals are completely pulled from the air and not intended to represent any real person.

The kid was breathing hard in the back seat. She was having a nightmare. Turning, she reached out to touch her knee and she sat up straight, gasping for breath, her eyes coming wide open. "Tiny." left her lips in a whisper.

Suddenly she couldn't breathe. Where was she? In a car. Looking down, she could feel the seat belt.

"Frankie?"

It was dark. Dammit, she couldn't get her bearings straight. Trying hard to not panic, she unbuckled the belt and notice the car significantly slow down and make it's way to the right. He was going to kill her. When the car came to a stop, she tried the door handle. But it didn't open. Sliding to the other side, she tried once more. But the result was the same as the other door.

"Frankie? Calm down, sweetheart. You're okay."

"Let me out."

There was absolute and utter fear coming from the voice that was suddenly so meek. "Okay, easy. I'm coming around. Just, take it easy. It'll be the passenger side. We're on the side of the interstate and it's too dangerous to try and let you out on the driver side."

Calming only slightly, she didn't respond as the dark vehicle was washed in light, making her squint and blink against the sudden intrusion to her eyes. She realized that the car was still running, as the back door opened and she bolted out of it. Making her way around the back of the car, it was impossible to not notice the eyes on her, as headlights passed the trio.

Taking a few breaths in, she realized it was warmer than it had been in Mississippi. An uncontrolled shiver went down her spine. "Please don't be mad."

"Mad? Frankie, I'm not mad. At all. Worried about you, but honey, you've done nothing wrong."

"I'm sorry I panicked."

"It's okay. You want to talk about it?"

Looking up at him, she shook her head, trying to catch her breath, now that it was finally slowing. She wanted to puke. Not that she'd tell him that. She didn't know him, and he'd probably just as soon throw her to the wolves at the first sign of weakness. She couldn't afford that. At this point, all she had was the cash in her wallet. Tiny was gone, which meant her job at the shop was gone, and her place to stay. As bad as she hated to admit it, she needed this guy and his partner. At least for a little bit. And hell, who knew. Maybe Texas would be a better place. She hadn't lied when she'd told the officer, ranger, whatever he was...that she thought she'd been in Texas when she was a baby, but her first memory was a place in Arkansas. She steadily moved East from there. She swallowed a couple of times.

"It's okay."

Shaking her head, her eyes misted. Clearing her throat, she straightened herself. "I'm okay. I'm...I'm sorry I panicked. I'll try not to let it happen again."

Feeling a tug at his heart, his brows furrowed. "It's okay, that you panicked. Don't feel bad. You're in new surroundings and were coming out of what seemed like a nightmare. You didn't do anything wrong."

Staring at him, she didn't respond right away. Holy hell she wanted to trust this man. She couldn't remember the last time anyone...Tiny. Tiny was the only one who had treated her with any type of decency and respect. Even the guys at the shop gave her shit on a daily basis. He always kept them from getting too rough, but she definitely got grief from the guys. Her eyes went to the passenger side door, now opening, as the woman stepped out.

"You guys alright?"

Nodding, Gage smiled. "We're good. She just needed some air."

"Boy, don't I know it. How about we stop up at the next exit, get out and walk around a bit. Maybe find a rest area?"

Looking around at the fact that sun had long set by now and the thought of being on some beaten path from a rest stop in … Lord only knew where she was … she shook her head. "Maybe something to eat?" she said, quietly.

Suddenly, the lady ranger, smiled. "Food sounds fantastic. Lets get going." and then she stopped. "If you're ready."

Nodding slowly, she took in another deep breath. "Let...let's go."

Loading into the car, they made it to the next exit, stopping at a Bob Evans and eating, before heading back out. "How much longer until we get to wherever you're putting me?"

Looking at his partner, and then his child in the rear-view, he shrugged. "Couple of hours. Less than. Depending on traffic. We're out of Dallas and I figured for the time being you could stay with Sydney and I."

"I don't want to be a bother."

"You're far from a bother. Let us get a few things figured out, and then whatever you want to do, I'll help you."

Was he serious? No. There was no way. He wouldn't help. Of course he said he would. But they all talked. No one ever actually followed through. He broke her thoughts.

"Is...that okay? I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

Her brows furrowed slightly. Nodding, she gave in, knowing she needed a place to stay, until she found a place on her own. "Yeah." she answered quietly. Plugging back into her music, she wasn't aware of much, until the car slowed, pulling into the driveway. Suddenly, her anxiety ramped up, a hundred fold. Taking a deep breath, she noticed the eyes in the mirror. She couldn't do this again. He'd likely take her right back to the hospital. Swallowing the bile rising in her throat, she took another breath.

"Well, this is our home. I want you to feel like you're able to go wherever you want." and then he stopped and grinned. "Except the West Wing."

Her brows furrowed. What was he talking about?

He noticed her utter confusion and paused as he shut the car off, and made his way to her door, opening it. "Have you not seen Beauty and the Beast?"

Shaking her head, she didn't verbalize.

"Well, we're going to have to change that. When you're settled."

What the hell was he talking about?

Half smiling, he shook his head. "You'll have to forgive me. I grew up on Disney."

Laughing, Sydney spoke up. "You don't have any idea how bad it drives me nuts."

Chuckling himself, Gage stepped back as she got out. "Syd's got some clothes you can use for tonight then tomorrow we can go shopping."

"No, we can go shopping." then she aimed eyes at the kid. "Guys never know what we need." and she winked.

Not responding, she stood stiff.

"Frankie?"

Her eyes met the man's.

"It's okay. You want to come in?" and he watched her fight with herself. She wanted to, but she also wanted to run. He had to get her past the run part. "Take your time. I'm right here beside you."

Meeting his eyes again, she worried her bottom lip.

"You are safe here. I promise."

But she wasn't safe. Not anywhere. She thought she was safe in Columbia. Thought it was okay to open up. She had found trust, in Tiny. And she'd gotten him killed by trusting her.

Come on, kid. Don't run. You're okay. Just give me a chance. She surprised him, by walking around the car and following him. She was apprehensive as hell, but he'd take it. Opening the door, he showed her in, gave her a tour, and showed her the room she'd be sleeping in, not surprised that she went in and went to sleep.

Leaning against the door jamb, he watched her for a few moments, feeling Sydney's hand rub up his shoulder.

"You alright?"

His brows furrowed. "I know she's my daughter, Syd. I can feel it. If Linda wasn't already dead, I think I'd have to keep myself from killing her, just for keeping this from me." then he was quiet for a few minutes. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"If she is my daughter. Are you ready to be an instant mom, when we get married?"

"Gage...I love all of you. Not the parts of you that I pick and choose. All of you. If she is a part of you, then that extends to her too. She deserves it just as much as you do. That's not even a question to me."

Wrapping his arm around her, he squeezed quickly. "I know." and he moved from the door. "I have to keep her safe. At all costs."

"I know. I'm here. Don't forget that, okay?"

Meeting her gaze, he nodded before kissing her quickly. "I need to call Walker."

The next morning, she rose, almost confused that she hadn't had a nightmare. Making her way into the kitchen, she was surprised to see the two rangers already dressed.

Smiling, he looked up to see her coming in, looking fairly well rested. "Morning."

She didn't respond as she looked on the counter top, spotting the coffee pot. "Is it...okay..."

"Yeah! I like my coffee a little strong, I hope that's alright."

Nodding, she relaxed a bit. Tiny hadn't liked coffee, so it had been a bit since she'd had some. And most of the places in Columbia liked coffee flavored water, so dare she admit, she was a bit excited about this one. Fixing it like she wanted, she turned, stepping softly out of the kitchen, headed for the table in the connected dining room.

Rounding the corner, she was met by two men, one larger with a cowboy hat and beard, then a shorter man, though not by much, with darker skin, both in denim and cowboy boots. Dropping the coffee, she panicked, grabbing a knife from the butcher block and holding a defensive position, she felt trapped as the two converged on her.

Walker could see her hands shaking. "Calm down."

"Like hell!" she shouted.

"Calm down." he said again, softly as to not freak the kid out any more.

"Who are you?" and she stepped back as Gage and Sydney appeared to the other side, completely closing off the kitchen.

"Frankie? It's okay, this is my boss and his partner."

She was starting to ramp up, and unable to stop it.

Walking between the men, Sydney made her way into the small enclosure. "Frankie? Easy, sweetie."

Her eyes flicked between all four people, her breaths becoming shorter and more shallow.

"Come on, let me have the knife." and she watched her composure starting to falter. She was going to strike out if she didn't get the situation under control. "Guys, why don't you back up, give me some room." and she watched as the instant there was some space, Frankie's composure instantly became less guarded. "Hey, look at me. Don't pay attention to them. Look at me." and she was amazed that the girl actually did what she was told. "That's it. Now take a deep breath. Breathe with me. Alright?"

Taking a deep breath, she relaxed a bit. Taking another, she relaxed a bit more.

"Now give me the knife. You're safe here. We're all rangers. All good guys. I wouldn't lie to you."

Eyeing the woman carefully, she realized that for whatever reason, she'd been telling the truth. Letting her arm drop, she didn't resist when the small fingers wrapped around the handle of the blade. Then something she'd never expected in a million years happened.

Syd put the knife on the counter, put her hands on the younger girl's face softly, wiped a tear away, and pulled her into a hug.

Was she crying? Giving into the warmth, she returned the embrace letting out a soft sob she hadn't even realized she'd been holding in. Then once again being shocked, she felt hands trying to soothe her, rubbing circles around her back.

"Easy, honey. You're alright. I've got you."

"I'm sorry." she whispered.

"Oh, hey, no. Don't apologize. You're alright."

The three men, standing back and watching, all exchanged glances. Mostly of concern.

Pulling back, she smiled warmly. "Okay?"

Looking up at all the eyes on her, she took another breath. "Cops don't like me."

Her smile getting proud, she stood straight. "Yeah but we're not cops. We're rangers. There's a difference." then with one last rub of the girls upper arm, she turned. Leaving her standing there, as to not freak her out again, she walked toward the guys. "Frankie, this is Ranger Cordell Walker, and his partner Ranger James Trivette. They both work with us in the same office, and have had a lot of rule there, as they've been there longer than just about anybody. We typically answer to Walker, but he answers to his wife, who is a DA."

Both men smiled at her, and nodded, but it was hard for her to reciprocate. The tall one spoke.

"I'm sorry I scared you, and sorry about your coffee. That was not my intent. We just wanted to introduce ourselves."

"Why?" she asked solemnly.

Choosing his words carefully, he didn't move as he noticed her step closer. "We're all family. Me, Trivette, Gage, Sydney and my wife Alex."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"You, are in my families care. That means that you automatically qualify as family."

"I don't...I'm not..." and her words trailed off. She stayed there, frozen in place, not saying another word.

Gage looked at her, then down to the floor. He'd gotten a towel and laid it over the place where the mug had fallen, thankfully not shattering as he'd originally feared. Taking a breath, he let it out. "Would you like a cup of coffee? I don't mind fixing it for you, if you'll tell me what you like."

Taking a deep breath, she stopped. She hadn't even been thinking about the coffee she'd been so excited about. Nor had she been thinking about the mess she'd made. Tears sprang, though she wouldn't let them fall. "I...I'm sorry...I didn't...didn't think about the mess." and she launched herself toward the floor, repeating her apology over and over.

"Frankie, stop, sweetheart. You're alright. I've got the mess. You get yourself a cup of coffee. Trust me. It's fine."

Stepping back once more, she closed her eyes and willed herself to stop shaking, taking in another deep breath.

Clearing her throat, Sydney inhaled. "Alright, I'm going to show the guys out, hon. I'll be back in a sec."

She watched the three older adults disappear around the corner, finally making eye contact with the man still in there with her. He perplexed her completely by offering her another cup of coffee.

"Here, sweetheart. You fix yourself a cup, I'm going to grab this towel. And listen, I'm sorry about probably making you feel like you were being ambushed. That wasn't my intent. I really just wanted to introduce you guys. They're going to be integral in both helping keep you safe, as well as helping me find out and end whomever is after you."

The confusion continued. This man wasn't mad. He wasn't upset. He...apologized. It was only a matter of time though…