Blind Faith (Part 2)
By: Lorrie
The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series "Walker, Texas Ranger". The characters belong to CBS Productions, Top Kick Productions, etc., but the story is mine. ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)
Thanks to Emily for taking time to proof-read.
"Syd, I can't see!" Gage's words echoed in Sydney's mind.
"It's going to be OK, Gage. The paramedics are on their way." Please hurry, she thought as she held Gage's hand.
"My head really hurts, sharp pain behind my ear." Gage winced as Sydney barely touched the back of his head and drew back a blood stained hand.
"Gage, don't move!" Sydney ordered, not knowing exactly how serious his head injury may be. Gage didn't respond, but lay perfectly still.
"Where's Julie?" Gage asked.
"She's in front of the house, waiting for the paramedics." Just then, Julie rounded the corner with the two paramedics close behind her.
"How's he doing?" she asked.
"Not so good." Sydney replied. Gage gripped Sydney's hand tight and she stopped short of telling Julie that he couldn't see.
Walker and Trivette were still after Anderson who had escaped from the barn and into the woods. "Trivette, anything over there?" asked Walker.
"No! Where could he have gone?" asked Trivette.
"I don't know, but one things for sure; he knows these woods much better than we do. We're going to need some local help."
Walker and Trivette headed back to check on Gage.
"Sydney, how is he?" asked Trivette. Sydney pulled both Walker and Trivette to the side.
"He can't see and now he's unconscious. He evidentially hit his head pretty hard when the blast from the bomb knocked him down."
"Oh no." replied Walker. "How's Julie taking it?"
"She doesn't know yet. Gage wanted to speak to me alone, so I asked her to wait for the paramedics at the front of the house and when he made sure she was gone, he told me that he couldn't see," replied Sydney. "I'm going to take her to the hospital with me and try to find a way to tell her on the way there."
"We'll catch up to you later. Right now, we're going to the sheriff's office and see if we can get some help in locating Anderson." Walker said.
"Frankie, it's going to be OK." Julie tried to comfort her brother, still not realizing that he couldn't see.
The paramedics quickly loaded him into the ambulance. "Julie, why don't you ride with me?" asked Sydney.
"Thanks. I'm sure he'll be OK. He always is. I just feel like I should be able to protect him. I mean, after all, he is my little brother." Julie could feel the tears welling up in her eyes.
"Julie, you're right, he'll be OK. We'll all be here for him to help him through it." Sydney replied. "Julie, there's something else you need to know. Gage can't see." There, she said it.
"What do you mean he can't see?"
"He told me. When you were up front waiting for the paramedics. He hit his head hard when the blast knocked him down." Sydney glanced down at her own hand, which still had some of Gage's blood on it.
"Oh my God! No! Not Frankie. Anderson is going to pay for this. He hurt Frankie enough when we were kids." Julie turned her head towards the window of the car and cried.
Sydney pulled into the parking lot of the hospital and parked the car. "We have to take this one step at a time. We don't know the extent of his injuries yet. We need to be strong for Gage."
Julie nodded her head and dried her tears as she and Sydney made their way to the crowded waiting room. It looked like it might be a long night.
A nurse came out and asked if someone could complete Gage's medical forms for registration. "You know him better than I do," said Julie as she handed Sydney the clipboard and got up from her seat. Sydney quickly completed the paperwork and returned it to the nurse's station.
"Julie?" Sydney had detected an edge in Julie's voice when she handed her the clipboard. "Is there something you would like to say to me?"
"Do you love him?"
"What?" Replied Sydney, caught off guard by Julie's question.
"Do you love him? My brother has had enough hurt in his lifetime. I can't stand the thought of someone getting close to him and then crushing him. Do you love him?"
"Julie, we're partners. I do . . ." Sydney didn't have a chance to complete her thought, Dr. Martin approached the waiting room.
"Ranger Cooke, isn't it?"
"Yes, have we met?" replied Sydney.
"I was Ranger Gage's doctor in Dallas a few months ago. I believe it was a bear attack that time."
"Yes, I remember," said Sydney. "This is Gage's sister, Julie."
"Pleased to meet you Doctor. How is my brother?"
"Ranger Gage has a pretty nasty concussion which seems to be putting terrific pressure on his optic nerve. That's causing the blindness."
"So, it's temporary right? When the pressure is relieved, he'll be able to see again," said Julie hopefully.
"It's a little more complex than that. A hit as hard as Ranger Gage took on the head shakes up the brain and sometimes causes swelling, the swelling causes pressure and so forth and so on. We need to wait until the swelling goes down before we can determine the amount of damage, if any, sustained to the optic nerve. He could see tomorrow, or it could be weeks, months, or . . . "
"Or never," replied Julie.
"Yes. That is a possibility."
"Can we see him?" Sydney asked.
"He's asleep right now. In addition to the head trauma, he also sustained first and second degree burns on this chest and face. He also has numerous cuts and abrasions on his back, several required sutures. I'll have my nurse let you know when he's awake."
"Thank you doctor." Sydney said.
Julie and Sydney sat down again in the waiting room. "Sydney, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said the things I said to you earlier. I know you care about him. If you didn't, you wouldn't be here."
"It's OK, I know you're upset."
"Sydney, I think what really bothered me is that fact that I couldn't complete his medical forms. You really do know him better than I do. We write to each other occasionally and visit once in awhile, but you see him everyday. You know him. You can even complete his sentences. It's almost like the two of you complete each other."
Sydney smiled. "He loves you, Julie. He told me once that he felt like you needed a break from him, that you've constantly worried about him since your parents died and especially since he became a Ranger. I think he doesn't clue you in on every aspect of his life because he's afraid you'll worry about him too much. I'm the same way with my family."
"Thanks, somehow that makes me feel better."
"Ranger Cooke, Ms. Gage, you can see Ranger Gage now, but he's still a little groggy," said the nurse.
"Sydney, you go in first, I want to freshen up a little."
"Are you sure?" Sydney asked. Julie nodded and went to find the restroom.
Sydney entered Gage's room. His head was bandaged; he was connected to a heart monitor, a BP cuff and an IV. His eyes were closed, but Sydney sensed that he wasn't asleep. "Gage" she reached for his hand.
Gage turned his head away from her. "Get out Syd," he said calmly.
"What?"
"Get out! I don't want your pity or your help. I can't see and right now I want to be left alone!" Gage yelled.
"Gage?" Sydney was trying not to his words too personally; after all, he was still groggy from the sedative and traumatized by the blindness, but his words and tone bit into her like nothing she had ever experienced before.
"Please Syd, just go!"
She left Gage's room with tears streaming down her face. She stopped just outside of his door, leaned against the wall and sobbed. Gage had never shut her out before. Why now, when he needed her the most?
Walker and Trivette had the Sheriff's department organize a search party for Anderson. Sheriff Thomas and his men had searched every square inch of the woods near and around the farmhouse. "Rangers, I'm sorry, but he's just not here."
"You guys have done all you can. Thanks for your time and efforts. You did a good job." Walker said as he patted Sheriff Thomas on the back.
"Do you think he's left Fort Worth?" asked Trivette.
"I don't know. Why don't we head over to the hospital and see how Gage is doing. If he's up to it, maybe he or Julie can give us a little direction."
Walker and Trivette approached Gage's room and saw Sydney outside of the door, her head in her hands. "Sydney, what's wrong, is it Gage?" Walker asked.
Sydney nodded as she wiped her eyes, hoping that Walker and Trivette couldn't tell that she'd been crying. "He made me leave. Walker, he's never shut me out. He won't even talk to me. He's just so angry."
"Let me try talking to him." Walker entered Gage's room.
"Go away. I don't want anyone to see me like this." Gage said.
"Gage, I'm not leaving until we talk. I know how you're feeling. I've been there. You're mad at the world, even though you know that the world isn't responsible. You shut Sydney out because you don't want to depend on her, you don't want to be a burden to her. Well, guess what? All you managed to do was make her cry. Do you realize that in the two years that I've known Sydney this is the first time I've ever seen her cry? She came close in the cabin at Lake Ebby when she saw you after the bear attack. Gage, that woman loves you. I'm not sure if she realizes it yet, but she loves you. Learn from the mistake I made, don't shut her out like I tried to shut out Alex when I lost my sight. It won't work, especially if you love her."
"Are you finished with the lecture? I'm tired. I want to rest."
"OK" Walker sighed as he place his hand on the door.
"Walker, thanks." Gage mumbled.
Walker came out of Gage's room into the hallway. "Walker, we can't find Julie anywhere." Trivette said.
"She went to the restroom when I went in to see Gage, she wanted to freshen up. I just checked the bathroom and all I found was her purse," said Sydney.
"Have you notified security?" Walker asked.
"Yes, I just spoke with Mr. Gray, he's the head of security for the entire hospital," replied Trivette. "They're doing a floor by floor search."
"Ranger Trivette," Mr. Gray approached Trivette, "We found evidence of a struggle leading out to the parking garage. It looks like Ms. Gage may have been kidnapped."
"Anderson?" asked Trivette.
"That would be my bet." Walker replied. "I need to talk to Gage and let him know what's going on."
"Do you think that's wise?" Sydney asked. "I mean, in his current state of mind."
"He needs to know. Beside, I need some feedback from him. He might be the only person who would have a clue where Anderson might take Julie. He can't go back to the farmhouse, the Sheriff's dept. is still out there." Walker said as he headed towards Gage's room once again.
"Gage, are you asleep?"
"No, but I'm not in the mood to talk, or listen right now, so please just leave."
"Gage, Anderson has Julie."
"What? How?" Gage tried to get out of bed, but Walker stopped him.
"Easy Gage. Don't try to get up. Evidently, he was here at the hospital and took her. I need to know if you have any idea where he might go. The farmhouse is out of the question because the Sheriff's department is still there."
Gage closed his eyes and thought for a moment. "There's a cabin. I really can't remember exactly where it is. God, if I could only see, I could probably take you right to it. I know it's sort of hidden, it's in a deep thicket. Anderson used to make his liquor there and he didn't want to get caught by the ATF."
"I have an idea. Do you feel up to traveling?" Walker asked.
"Traveling where?"
"Let me check with your doctor and see what he thinks." Walker went out and talked to Doctor Martin.
"This may be the only chance we have of finding Julie. Gage knows where the cabin is." Walker explained to the doctor.
"Maybe, but he can't see to lead you there." Dr. Martin replied.
"He can't see with his eyes," replied Walker.
"Uh Oh" Trivette said, "The Cherokee is kicking in."
"What do you mean?" Sydney asked.
"Walker has a plan."
Gage was dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed when Sydney walked in. "Are you ready to go?" she asked.
"Syd? You mean you're still speaking to me after the way I treated you?"
"I know you're upset and were still groggy from the sedative. So, I'm letting you off this time."
"Sydney, it's more than that. Right now, I need to focus on Julie, but we will talk later, OK?"
"OK. Here let me help you." Sydney took Gage by the arm and led him to Walker's truck.
"Aren't you coming?" Gage asked.
"I'm going to ride with Trivette."
After Gage fastened his seatbelt, Walker looked at him. "OK, this won't be as hard as you think. First, where is the cabin in relation to the farmhouse?" Walker asked. "Think about the last time you were there and talk me to it."
"I went with Luke a couple of times. We walked out the back door of the house and through the woods by the barn."
"OK, that's a good start. We're about 10 minutes from the house now. Do you feel like walking?"
"I think so," replied Gage as he put on his sunglasses.
Walker and Gage pulled up to the farmhouse, followed by Sydney and Trivette. "I thought Walker said that Anderson wouldn't come back here." Sydney said.
"He did, but maybe Gage knows something we don't," answered Trivette.
"OK Gage, we're here." Walker opened Gage's door.
The four Ranger's headed to the edge of the woods as Gage had described to Walker. "Where to now?" Walker asked Gage.
Gage stood still, "I don't know, I can't tell where I am."
"Calm down, close your eyes."
"Walker, I can't see anyway, why close my eyes."
"Just do it, OK? Close your eyes and visualize yourself walking through the woods to the cabin."
"OK, it's this way." Gage started through the woods and tripped over a log. "Oh man, this is a stupid idea!" Gage held his hand to his chest.
"Are you hurt?" Walker asked.
Sydney looked away. She hated to see Gage like this. He had never been graceful, but she couldn't stand seeing him so helpless.
"I'll be OK. Walker this won't work."
"Yes it will. Let me hold your arm. Visualize your way through the woods. We need to find the cabin to find Julie."
"OK, for Julie." Gage held his arms out in front of him to keep the tree branches from hitting him in the face. "There should be a big pine tree just ahead."
"Gage, there are a lot of pine trees here," Sydney said.
"No, you'll know it when you see it. I mean it's BIG." Gage smiled.
"There it is!" Trivette said.
"I see what you mean." Sydney replied, looking at what was probably the biggest pine tree she had ever seen.
"The cabin is straight ahead, about another mile or so." Gage was breathing hard.
"Walker, he needs to stop." Sydney pulled Gage to a nearby log and sat down with him.
"Stay here with him. Trivette and I will go ahead to the cabin and check it out." Sydney nodded.
Walker and Trivette quickly found the cabin about a mile ahead. They walked up to the front entrance. Walker peaked in the window and saw Julie gagged and tied to a chair. Remembering the bomb in the truck, he carefully pried the window open and stuck his head in. There was what he expected, a wire from a small bomb to both the front and back doors. He carefully surveyed the area again to be sure there were no motion detectors, pressure plates, or anything connected to the window, when he was satisfied that the window was clean, he pulled himself through it and freed Julie.
"Thank you. How did you find me?" Julie asked, as Walker removed the gag.
"Gage. He was able to lead us to the cabin."
"How? Can he see?" Julie asked hopefully.
"No, it's a long story," explained Trivette.
"Where is he?" Julie asked.
"He and Sydney are about a mile from here. He's weak and couldn't make it any further." Walker explained.
"Where is Anderson?" Trivette asked.
"He left about half an hour ago. I don't know where he went."
Sydney let Gage lay his head in her lap. "Do you feel any better?" she asked.
"Not really." Gage replied. "My head is throbbing again and my back hurts." Suddenly, there was a rustling of leaves a few yards from them.
"What was that?" Gage asked, not trusting the woods quite as much as he used to after the bear attack.
"I'm not sure." Sydney said as she pulled her gun.
"My, my, isn't this cozy." Anderson said as he crept up behind Sydney and stuck a rifle in her back. "Loose the gun, little lady."
Gage felt sick to his stomach. He couldn't see. How was he going to protect Sydney?
"Now, Lady Ranger, I know you're a martial arts expert. I've seen your work before so let me tell you how this works. If you attempt to disarm me, I'll kill our friend Francis here." Anderson then put the barrel of the rifle in Gage's back. Gage flinched.
"What's the matter boy, can't take it?"
"Leave him alone. Haven't you done enough damage?" Sydney said.
"Oh, the little bomb in the truck. Looks like I outsmarted you Mr. Texas Ranger. Too bad you got a little too close. How are your eyes anyway?" Anderson asked as he pulled off Gage's sunglasses and revealed his blindness. "Poor little Frank, can't see." Anderson teased. "Too bad, I was looking forward to a showdown with you before I killed you."
"Where are they?" Trivette asked, "I'm sure we left them right here."
"Maybe they headed back to the truck." Julie said.
"I don't think so. Gage was pretty weak. I don't think Sydney could have gotten him to the truck by herself." Walker replied. "Look, footprints. Looks like there were three of them."
"Anderson and his men?" Julie said. Walker nodded.
"So I was the bait."
"I'm afraid so. I can't believe I fell for that." Walker said.
Julie took Walker's arm, "Walker, Luke really hates Frankie for testifying against him and his wife. Without the video testimony, they both would have walked. I think he plans to kill him. You have to stop him!"
"Trivette, you get Julie back to the truck, I'm going after them," Walker said as he started tracking the group.
Two of Anderson's men pushed Gage and Sydney deeper into the woods. One of them put his arm around Sydney. "You sure are a good looking woman," he said as he tried to kiss her.
"Keep your hands off of me." Sydney said as she threw a left jab to the man's jaw.
"Ranger lady, remember what I told you." Anderson said as he turned off the safety on the rifle he held on Gage.
"Don't! I won't do it again."
"Remember that, or I'll have to teach you to behave." Anderson smiled a wicked grin.
"Lady Ranger, come here. I want some of that sweet mouth of yours." Sydney reluctantly did as the man said, knowing that Anderson would shoot Gage if she didn't.
"Syd, don't." Gage said.
"It's OK Gage." Sydney said as she approached the man.
"Taking up for your little partner there, boy. I can't believe they actually let women in the Texas Ranger's, but leave it to you to end up with one for a partner." Anderson dropped the rifle from Gage's back and pulled a whiskey flask from his pocket.
Gage listened carefully; he heard the sound of Anderson drinking the whiskey. He knew this was his opportunity. He tried to remember Walker's words, "Listen, visualize, see with your mind's eye. . ." Gage lunged forward and hit Anderson square in the jaw with a right jab, then again with a left hook.
Anderson, taken by surprise, picked himself up from the ground and returned a punch to Gage's head. Gage hit the back of his head on a rock as he fell and lost consciousness.
Sydney certainly had not missed this opportunity to take care of the two men she was seated between. She then leaped at Anderson and took him down with a flying kick to the chest. She quickly grabbed the rifle and knelt down by Gage.
Walker approached the scene, just as Anderson went down. "How's he?" Walker pointed at Gage.
"I don't know yet."
Walker cuffed Anderson and the other two men to a tree and joined Sydney beside of Gage, who was still unconscious.
"Gage! Gage, wake up!" Walker called.
Gage began to slowly nod his head from side to side. He winced in pain as he tried to open his eyes. "Syd?" He closed his eyes tightly.
"What is it, Gage?"
"Where are my sunglasses?" Gage said, with his eyes closed tightly.
Sydney looked puzzled, but picked up Gage's sunglasses from the ground and handed them to him.
Gage put the sunglasses on and sat up.
"Gage?" Walker said, puzzled. "Are you OK?"
"Yeah, the sun's just a little too bright out here." Gage replied.
Sydney's face lit up. "You can see!"
"Nothing's clear, but yeah, I can see!" Gage smiled.
"Let's go find Julie and Trivette. We'll send the Sheriff's dept. back for these guys." Walker said as the three friends headed out of the woods.
"Do you think they'll be able to find them?" Gage asked.
"Eventually." Walker replied.
End of Part 2
By: Lorrie
The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series "Walker, Texas Ranger". The characters belong to CBS Productions, Top Kick Productions, etc., but the story is mine. ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)
Thanks to Emily for taking time to proof-read.
"Syd, I can't see!" Gage's words echoed in Sydney's mind.
"It's going to be OK, Gage. The paramedics are on their way." Please hurry, she thought as she held Gage's hand.
"My head really hurts, sharp pain behind my ear." Gage winced as Sydney barely touched the back of his head and drew back a blood stained hand.
"Gage, don't move!" Sydney ordered, not knowing exactly how serious his head injury may be. Gage didn't respond, but lay perfectly still.
"Where's Julie?" Gage asked.
"She's in front of the house, waiting for the paramedics." Just then, Julie rounded the corner with the two paramedics close behind her.
"How's he doing?" she asked.
"Not so good." Sydney replied. Gage gripped Sydney's hand tight and she stopped short of telling Julie that he couldn't see.
Walker and Trivette were still after Anderson who had escaped from the barn and into the woods. "Trivette, anything over there?" asked Walker.
"No! Where could he have gone?" asked Trivette.
"I don't know, but one things for sure; he knows these woods much better than we do. We're going to need some local help."
Walker and Trivette headed back to check on Gage.
"Sydney, how is he?" asked Trivette. Sydney pulled both Walker and Trivette to the side.
"He can't see and now he's unconscious. He evidentially hit his head pretty hard when the blast from the bomb knocked him down."
"Oh no." replied Walker. "How's Julie taking it?"
"She doesn't know yet. Gage wanted to speak to me alone, so I asked her to wait for the paramedics at the front of the house and when he made sure she was gone, he told me that he couldn't see," replied Sydney. "I'm going to take her to the hospital with me and try to find a way to tell her on the way there."
"We'll catch up to you later. Right now, we're going to the sheriff's office and see if we can get some help in locating Anderson." Walker said.
"Frankie, it's going to be OK." Julie tried to comfort her brother, still not realizing that he couldn't see.
The paramedics quickly loaded him into the ambulance. "Julie, why don't you ride with me?" asked Sydney.
"Thanks. I'm sure he'll be OK. He always is. I just feel like I should be able to protect him. I mean, after all, he is my little brother." Julie could feel the tears welling up in her eyes.
"Julie, you're right, he'll be OK. We'll all be here for him to help him through it." Sydney replied. "Julie, there's something else you need to know. Gage can't see." There, she said it.
"What do you mean he can't see?"
"He told me. When you were up front waiting for the paramedics. He hit his head hard when the blast knocked him down." Sydney glanced down at her own hand, which still had some of Gage's blood on it.
"Oh my God! No! Not Frankie. Anderson is going to pay for this. He hurt Frankie enough when we were kids." Julie turned her head towards the window of the car and cried.
Sydney pulled into the parking lot of the hospital and parked the car. "We have to take this one step at a time. We don't know the extent of his injuries yet. We need to be strong for Gage."
Julie nodded her head and dried her tears as she and Sydney made their way to the crowded waiting room. It looked like it might be a long night.
A nurse came out and asked if someone could complete Gage's medical forms for registration. "You know him better than I do," said Julie as she handed Sydney the clipboard and got up from her seat. Sydney quickly completed the paperwork and returned it to the nurse's station.
"Julie?" Sydney had detected an edge in Julie's voice when she handed her the clipboard. "Is there something you would like to say to me?"
"Do you love him?"
"What?" Replied Sydney, caught off guard by Julie's question.
"Do you love him? My brother has had enough hurt in his lifetime. I can't stand the thought of someone getting close to him and then crushing him. Do you love him?"
"Julie, we're partners. I do . . ." Sydney didn't have a chance to complete her thought, Dr. Martin approached the waiting room.
"Ranger Cooke, isn't it?"
"Yes, have we met?" replied Sydney.
"I was Ranger Gage's doctor in Dallas a few months ago. I believe it was a bear attack that time."
"Yes, I remember," said Sydney. "This is Gage's sister, Julie."
"Pleased to meet you Doctor. How is my brother?"
"Ranger Gage has a pretty nasty concussion which seems to be putting terrific pressure on his optic nerve. That's causing the blindness."
"So, it's temporary right? When the pressure is relieved, he'll be able to see again," said Julie hopefully.
"It's a little more complex than that. A hit as hard as Ranger Gage took on the head shakes up the brain and sometimes causes swelling, the swelling causes pressure and so forth and so on. We need to wait until the swelling goes down before we can determine the amount of damage, if any, sustained to the optic nerve. He could see tomorrow, or it could be weeks, months, or . . . "
"Or never," replied Julie.
"Yes. That is a possibility."
"Can we see him?" Sydney asked.
"He's asleep right now. In addition to the head trauma, he also sustained first and second degree burns on this chest and face. He also has numerous cuts and abrasions on his back, several required sutures. I'll have my nurse let you know when he's awake."
"Thank you doctor." Sydney said.
Julie and Sydney sat down again in the waiting room. "Sydney, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said the things I said to you earlier. I know you care about him. If you didn't, you wouldn't be here."
"It's OK, I know you're upset."
"Sydney, I think what really bothered me is that fact that I couldn't complete his medical forms. You really do know him better than I do. We write to each other occasionally and visit once in awhile, but you see him everyday. You know him. You can even complete his sentences. It's almost like the two of you complete each other."
Sydney smiled. "He loves you, Julie. He told me once that he felt like you needed a break from him, that you've constantly worried about him since your parents died and especially since he became a Ranger. I think he doesn't clue you in on every aspect of his life because he's afraid you'll worry about him too much. I'm the same way with my family."
"Thanks, somehow that makes me feel better."
"Ranger Cooke, Ms. Gage, you can see Ranger Gage now, but he's still a little groggy," said the nurse.
"Sydney, you go in first, I want to freshen up a little."
"Are you sure?" Sydney asked. Julie nodded and went to find the restroom.
Sydney entered Gage's room. His head was bandaged; he was connected to a heart monitor, a BP cuff and an IV. His eyes were closed, but Sydney sensed that he wasn't asleep. "Gage" she reached for his hand.
Gage turned his head away from her. "Get out Syd," he said calmly.
"What?"
"Get out! I don't want your pity or your help. I can't see and right now I want to be left alone!" Gage yelled.
"Gage?" Sydney was trying not to his words too personally; after all, he was still groggy from the sedative and traumatized by the blindness, but his words and tone bit into her like nothing she had ever experienced before.
"Please Syd, just go!"
She left Gage's room with tears streaming down her face. She stopped just outside of his door, leaned against the wall and sobbed. Gage had never shut her out before. Why now, when he needed her the most?
Walker and Trivette had the Sheriff's department organize a search party for Anderson. Sheriff Thomas and his men had searched every square inch of the woods near and around the farmhouse. "Rangers, I'm sorry, but he's just not here."
"You guys have done all you can. Thanks for your time and efforts. You did a good job." Walker said as he patted Sheriff Thomas on the back.
"Do you think he's left Fort Worth?" asked Trivette.
"I don't know. Why don't we head over to the hospital and see how Gage is doing. If he's up to it, maybe he or Julie can give us a little direction."
Walker and Trivette approached Gage's room and saw Sydney outside of the door, her head in her hands. "Sydney, what's wrong, is it Gage?" Walker asked.
Sydney nodded as she wiped her eyes, hoping that Walker and Trivette couldn't tell that she'd been crying. "He made me leave. Walker, he's never shut me out. He won't even talk to me. He's just so angry."
"Let me try talking to him." Walker entered Gage's room.
"Go away. I don't want anyone to see me like this." Gage said.
"Gage, I'm not leaving until we talk. I know how you're feeling. I've been there. You're mad at the world, even though you know that the world isn't responsible. You shut Sydney out because you don't want to depend on her, you don't want to be a burden to her. Well, guess what? All you managed to do was make her cry. Do you realize that in the two years that I've known Sydney this is the first time I've ever seen her cry? She came close in the cabin at Lake Ebby when she saw you after the bear attack. Gage, that woman loves you. I'm not sure if she realizes it yet, but she loves you. Learn from the mistake I made, don't shut her out like I tried to shut out Alex when I lost my sight. It won't work, especially if you love her."
"Are you finished with the lecture? I'm tired. I want to rest."
"OK" Walker sighed as he place his hand on the door.
"Walker, thanks." Gage mumbled.
Walker came out of Gage's room into the hallway. "Walker, we can't find Julie anywhere." Trivette said.
"She went to the restroom when I went in to see Gage, she wanted to freshen up. I just checked the bathroom and all I found was her purse," said Sydney.
"Have you notified security?" Walker asked.
"Yes, I just spoke with Mr. Gray, he's the head of security for the entire hospital," replied Trivette. "They're doing a floor by floor search."
"Ranger Trivette," Mr. Gray approached Trivette, "We found evidence of a struggle leading out to the parking garage. It looks like Ms. Gage may have been kidnapped."
"Anderson?" asked Trivette.
"That would be my bet." Walker replied. "I need to talk to Gage and let him know what's going on."
"Do you think that's wise?" Sydney asked. "I mean, in his current state of mind."
"He needs to know. Beside, I need some feedback from him. He might be the only person who would have a clue where Anderson might take Julie. He can't go back to the farmhouse, the Sheriff's dept. is still out there." Walker said as he headed towards Gage's room once again.
"Gage, are you asleep?"
"No, but I'm not in the mood to talk, or listen right now, so please just leave."
"Gage, Anderson has Julie."
"What? How?" Gage tried to get out of bed, but Walker stopped him.
"Easy Gage. Don't try to get up. Evidently, he was here at the hospital and took her. I need to know if you have any idea where he might go. The farmhouse is out of the question because the Sheriff's department is still there."
Gage closed his eyes and thought for a moment. "There's a cabin. I really can't remember exactly where it is. God, if I could only see, I could probably take you right to it. I know it's sort of hidden, it's in a deep thicket. Anderson used to make his liquor there and he didn't want to get caught by the ATF."
"I have an idea. Do you feel up to traveling?" Walker asked.
"Traveling where?"
"Let me check with your doctor and see what he thinks." Walker went out and talked to Doctor Martin.
"This may be the only chance we have of finding Julie. Gage knows where the cabin is." Walker explained to the doctor.
"Maybe, but he can't see to lead you there." Dr. Martin replied.
"He can't see with his eyes," replied Walker.
"Uh Oh" Trivette said, "The Cherokee is kicking in."
"What do you mean?" Sydney asked.
"Walker has a plan."
Gage was dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed when Sydney walked in. "Are you ready to go?" she asked.
"Syd? You mean you're still speaking to me after the way I treated you?"
"I know you're upset and were still groggy from the sedative. So, I'm letting you off this time."
"Sydney, it's more than that. Right now, I need to focus on Julie, but we will talk later, OK?"
"OK. Here let me help you." Sydney took Gage by the arm and led him to Walker's truck.
"Aren't you coming?" Gage asked.
"I'm going to ride with Trivette."
After Gage fastened his seatbelt, Walker looked at him. "OK, this won't be as hard as you think. First, where is the cabin in relation to the farmhouse?" Walker asked. "Think about the last time you were there and talk me to it."
"I went with Luke a couple of times. We walked out the back door of the house and through the woods by the barn."
"OK, that's a good start. We're about 10 minutes from the house now. Do you feel like walking?"
"I think so," replied Gage as he put on his sunglasses.
Walker and Gage pulled up to the farmhouse, followed by Sydney and Trivette. "I thought Walker said that Anderson wouldn't come back here." Sydney said.
"He did, but maybe Gage knows something we don't," answered Trivette.
"OK Gage, we're here." Walker opened Gage's door.
The four Ranger's headed to the edge of the woods as Gage had described to Walker. "Where to now?" Walker asked Gage.
Gage stood still, "I don't know, I can't tell where I am."
"Calm down, close your eyes."
"Walker, I can't see anyway, why close my eyes."
"Just do it, OK? Close your eyes and visualize yourself walking through the woods to the cabin."
"OK, it's this way." Gage started through the woods and tripped over a log. "Oh man, this is a stupid idea!" Gage held his hand to his chest.
"Are you hurt?" Walker asked.
Sydney looked away. She hated to see Gage like this. He had never been graceful, but she couldn't stand seeing him so helpless.
"I'll be OK. Walker this won't work."
"Yes it will. Let me hold your arm. Visualize your way through the woods. We need to find the cabin to find Julie."
"OK, for Julie." Gage held his arms out in front of him to keep the tree branches from hitting him in the face. "There should be a big pine tree just ahead."
"Gage, there are a lot of pine trees here," Sydney said.
"No, you'll know it when you see it. I mean it's BIG." Gage smiled.
"There it is!" Trivette said.
"I see what you mean." Sydney replied, looking at what was probably the biggest pine tree she had ever seen.
"The cabin is straight ahead, about another mile or so." Gage was breathing hard.
"Walker, he needs to stop." Sydney pulled Gage to a nearby log and sat down with him.
"Stay here with him. Trivette and I will go ahead to the cabin and check it out." Sydney nodded.
Walker and Trivette quickly found the cabin about a mile ahead. They walked up to the front entrance. Walker peaked in the window and saw Julie gagged and tied to a chair. Remembering the bomb in the truck, he carefully pried the window open and stuck his head in. There was what he expected, a wire from a small bomb to both the front and back doors. He carefully surveyed the area again to be sure there were no motion detectors, pressure plates, or anything connected to the window, when he was satisfied that the window was clean, he pulled himself through it and freed Julie.
"Thank you. How did you find me?" Julie asked, as Walker removed the gag.
"Gage. He was able to lead us to the cabin."
"How? Can he see?" Julie asked hopefully.
"No, it's a long story," explained Trivette.
"Where is he?" Julie asked.
"He and Sydney are about a mile from here. He's weak and couldn't make it any further." Walker explained.
"Where is Anderson?" Trivette asked.
"He left about half an hour ago. I don't know where he went."
Sydney let Gage lay his head in her lap. "Do you feel any better?" she asked.
"Not really." Gage replied. "My head is throbbing again and my back hurts." Suddenly, there was a rustling of leaves a few yards from them.
"What was that?" Gage asked, not trusting the woods quite as much as he used to after the bear attack.
"I'm not sure." Sydney said as she pulled her gun.
"My, my, isn't this cozy." Anderson said as he crept up behind Sydney and stuck a rifle in her back. "Loose the gun, little lady."
Gage felt sick to his stomach. He couldn't see. How was he going to protect Sydney?
"Now, Lady Ranger, I know you're a martial arts expert. I've seen your work before so let me tell you how this works. If you attempt to disarm me, I'll kill our friend Francis here." Anderson then put the barrel of the rifle in Gage's back. Gage flinched.
"What's the matter boy, can't take it?"
"Leave him alone. Haven't you done enough damage?" Sydney said.
"Oh, the little bomb in the truck. Looks like I outsmarted you Mr. Texas Ranger. Too bad you got a little too close. How are your eyes anyway?" Anderson asked as he pulled off Gage's sunglasses and revealed his blindness. "Poor little Frank, can't see." Anderson teased. "Too bad, I was looking forward to a showdown with you before I killed you."
"Where are they?" Trivette asked, "I'm sure we left them right here."
"Maybe they headed back to the truck." Julie said.
"I don't think so. Gage was pretty weak. I don't think Sydney could have gotten him to the truck by herself." Walker replied. "Look, footprints. Looks like there were three of them."
"Anderson and his men?" Julie said. Walker nodded.
"So I was the bait."
"I'm afraid so. I can't believe I fell for that." Walker said.
Julie took Walker's arm, "Walker, Luke really hates Frankie for testifying against him and his wife. Without the video testimony, they both would have walked. I think he plans to kill him. You have to stop him!"
"Trivette, you get Julie back to the truck, I'm going after them," Walker said as he started tracking the group.
Two of Anderson's men pushed Gage and Sydney deeper into the woods. One of them put his arm around Sydney. "You sure are a good looking woman," he said as he tried to kiss her.
"Keep your hands off of me." Sydney said as she threw a left jab to the man's jaw.
"Ranger lady, remember what I told you." Anderson said as he turned off the safety on the rifle he held on Gage.
"Don't! I won't do it again."
"Remember that, or I'll have to teach you to behave." Anderson smiled a wicked grin.
"Lady Ranger, come here. I want some of that sweet mouth of yours." Sydney reluctantly did as the man said, knowing that Anderson would shoot Gage if she didn't.
"Syd, don't." Gage said.
"It's OK Gage." Sydney said as she approached the man.
"Taking up for your little partner there, boy. I can't believe they actually let women in the Texas Ranger's, but leave it to you to end up with one for a partner." Anderson dropped the rifle from Gage's back and pulled a whiskey flask from his pocket.
Gage listened carefully; he heard the sound of Anderson drinking the whiskey. He knew this was his opportunity. He tried to remember Walker's words, "Listen, visualize, see with your mind's eye. . ." Gage lunged forward and hit Anderson square in the jaw with a right jab, then again with a left hook.
Anderson, taken by surprise, picked himself up from the ground and returned a punch to Gage's head. Gage hit the back of his head on a rock as he fell and lost consciousness.
Sydney certainly had not missed this opportunity to take care of the two men she was seated between. She then leaped at Anderson and took him down with a flying kick to the chest. She quickly grabbed the rifle and knelt down by Gage.
Walker approached the scene, just as Anderson went down. "How's he?" Walker pointed at Gage.
"I don't know yet."
Walker cuffed Anderson and the other two men to a tree and joined Sydney beside of Gage, who was still unconscious.
"Gage! Gage, wake up!" Walker called.
Gage began to slowly nod his head from side to side. He winced in pain as he tried to open his eyes. "Syd?" He closed his eyes tightly.
"What is it, Gage?"
"Where are my sunglasses?" Gage said, with his eyes closed tightly.
Sydney looked puzzled, but picked up Gage's sunglasses from the ground and handed them to him.
Gage put the sunglasses on and sat up.
"Gage?" Walker said, puzzled. "Are you OK?"
"Yeah, the sun's just a little too bright out here." Gage replied.
Sydney's face lit up. "You can see!"
"Nothing's clear, but yeah, I can see!" Gage smiled.
"Let's go find Julie and Trivette. We'll send the Sheriff's dept. back for these guys." Walker said as the three friends headed out of the woods.
"Do you think they'll be able to find them?" Gage asked.
"Eventually." Walker replied.
End of Part 2