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.)


"Trying To Remember"
By: Lorrie


Gage and Sydney had just returned from an eight-week undercover assignment where they had posed as husband and wife. Because of the details of the criminal's behavior, they had even staged a wedding, complete with pictures and a reception.

"Here come the happy honeymooners." Trivette chided as Gage and Sydney walked into Company B Headquarters.

Gage grinned from ear to ear. "Sorry to disappoint you guys but that was Mr. and Mrs. Coleton Bradwell, we're just Rangers Gage and Cooke. Right Syd?" Gage squeezed her hand.

"Oh yeah," she replied enthusiastically and squeezed his hand in return, both knowing that they had loved the eight week set up and had finally gotten their feelings for each other out in the open.

"Gage, Sydney, good work on the Wells case." Walker called out.

"Thanks." They replied in unison.

"I need you two to check out a warehouse of 5th for me. We're in the middle of trying to catch up with Wallace Tucker, he's wanted in connection with several bank robberies that have happened within the past five weeks or so." Walker handed Sydney the arrest warrant. "He's assumed armed and dangerous, so both of you be careful."

"We will." Sydney said as they walked out the door.

**********

Gage and Sydney pulled up to the warehouse with no sirens, not wanting to forewarn Tucker. They drew their weapons and entered the building.

Gage motioned for Sydney to go to the right as he searched the left side. They sweeped the first floor and found nothing. They then stealthfully made their way up the narrow steps to the second floor. Once again, Sydney took the right side as Gage took the left.

Suddenly Tucker was right behind Sydney, he grabbed her around the neck with his big, strong hands and began to squeeze.

Gage saw the attack on Sydney from across the room. He was on top of Tucker with three or four long strides and caught his head with a flying kick. Gage and Tucker scuffled while Sydney was still fighting for air, recovering from the attack.

Sydney picked up her gun; by this time Gage and Tucker were by the front wall of the building. Sydney watched in horror as Tucker picked Gage up and threw him out the window like a rag doll. Tucker turned and smiled at Sydney, then ran across the warehouse and out the door at the back. Sydney thought about chasing him down, but knew he had too much of a head start on her and she needed to get to Gage.

She looked out of the broken window and saw Gage laying face up on the top of the car they had arrived in. "Gage!" There was no answer, no movement.

Sydney put her gun in its holster and quickly made her way outside. She scrambled to the top of the car and checked Gage's neck for a pulse. It was there, but weak. She grabbed her cell phone and called for help, then called Walker.

**********

"Sydney how is he?" Trivette asked as he and Walker entered the hospital and found Sydney sitting in the hallway.

Sydney shook her head. "The doctor's still in with him."

"What happened?" Walker asked. Sydney gave them her account of what went down at the warehouse. When she finished, the doctor stepped out of Gage's room.

"Rangers, he's going to be OK. However, he's asking for his wife, Lauren and he insists that his name is Coleton Bradwell."

"That was our last assignment, we just spent eight weeks undercover as the Bradwells." Sydney explained.

"Well, that does explain a lot. Ranger Gage has what we call selective amnesia. I hope it's not too much of an imposition, Ranger Cooke, but it would be less traumatic to him if you go along with him for now."

"OK. For how long?"

"Hopefully his memory will return quickly. Most of our past cases have shown complete memory recovery with two to three weeks. He'll probably remember sporadically or even in dreams. Try to refrain from telling him too much at once, but if he asks questions, try to answer as truthfully as you can. Use your own judgment as to what you should tell him. Memory loss is traumatic, but sometimes recovering your memory is even more traumatic."

"How so?" Sydney asked.

"Just a quick example, let's say that you've had a very bad experience early in life, it could be a death, a bad situation, whatever but you've dealt with it and moved on with your life. A person with amnesia may only remember the bad experience and will have to put it behind them again." "

Sydney nodded, "Can we see him?"

"Yes, but remember, you're his wife and Ranger Walker and Trivette, there's a good chance that he won't know who you are." Walker nodded.

They entered Gage's room. "Hi honey." Sydney said as she sat beside Gage.

"Hey Lauren." Sydney leaned over and kissed Gage on the lips.

Gage starred at Walker and Trivette. "Can I help you Rangers?"

"We hope so. Can you tell us anything about what happened to you, Mr. Bradwell?" Trivette asked.

"I wish I could, but I don't seem to remember anything right now."

Walker smiled. "OK. If you do remember anything, please let us know, OK?"

"You bet." Gage responded.

"Mrs. Bradwell." Walker tipped his hat to Sydney.

"Cole, I'm going to step out in the hall with the Ranger for a minute."

"OK."

"Walker, can we use the same safe house we were set up in last week?"

"I'll make sure it's available. Sydney, if you need anything."

"I know. Thanks. Right now I need to take care of Gage." Sydney returned to Gage's room.

"She's good for him, you know?" Trivette said as they got into Walker RAM.

"Yeah, I know and he's good for her too."

**********

Gage was released from the hospital the following day and he ad Sydney returned to the house that they had called home for the past eight weeks.

"Man, it's good to be home." Gage started walking around the house trying to find something, anything to jog his memory. "It just doesn't feel right."

"What doesn't?" Sydney asked.

Gage picked up one of their wedding pictures. "Oh, honey, I'm sorry. Please be patient with me, it's just so frustrating. I can't remember anything about my life except you and this house. I don't even remember our wedding."

Sydney wanted so badly to tell him that even the memories he was taking comfort in weren't real, but she remember what the doctor had said about too much truth at once could possibly traumatize him further.

"Why don't you rest and I'll get lunch ready?"

"OK." Gage sat down and turned on the TV. A news report about Tucker came on. Sydney heard it and quickly called Gage into the kitchen.

"Could you come here a minute? I can't reach a bowl I need."

"Sure." Gage retrieved the bowl and handed it to Sydney, then put his arms around her and kissed her. "How long have we been married?"

This question caught Sydney off guard. "A little over two months."

"So, we're still honeymooners, um?"

"I guess you could say that." Sydney smiled and gazed into Gage's eyes. Gage kissed her again.

"Cole, I've got to fix lunch."

"I'm not hungry, at least not for food." He smiled mischievously.

"Cole. It's the middle of the day."

"So?"

"You were just released from the hospital, you're bruised up pretty bad and I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself more." Sydney tried to put him off.

"I guess you're right." Gage released the hold he had on Sydney. "Do you need help with lunch?"

"I'm fine."

"OK. I'm going to take a walk."

"Be careful and lunch will be ready in about 10 minutes."

End Pt. 1