Part 4
Memorial Hospital 6:52 PM.
The screaming sirens, the EMTs shouting back and forth, the traffic on the Dallas streets all blended into a background fog while Cordell Walker sat anxiously watching them work on his wife as they sped towards the hospital.
"Our ETA is three minutes," someone was speaking into the radio.
"Roger that," the confirmation crackled back over the radio transmission.
The vision of what had happened, what had led to this crowded back into his mind. Trivette had hung up his phone and headed straight for his desk saying, "Grab your hat I'll explain on the way." It had taken them fifteen maybe twenty minutes to get to the Hanover Apartments and he had felt a relief wash over him upon seeing Gage's car already parked there.
Walking up the three flights of stairs they heard a loud roar and crashing thud as they neared the top step. He and Trivette without hesitation ran towards the noise to find Alex sprawled on the floor not moving and this monster of a man attacking Gage. Both his hands were around Gage's neck holding him tight against the wall lifting his feet six inches from the floor and squeezing tight. Walker had run at him leaping in the air so both feet could be driven into the assailant knocking him off of Gage who slumped silently to the floor.
It was only a matter of seconds before the attacker was up and coming after Walker. It took both he and Trivette squaring off against him to finally bring him down. As his partner put the man in cuffs and dialed for help he had gone to his wife who lay motionless on the dirty floor only inches from where Nancy Munro Ross had died. Walker had held her in his arms knowing Gage's intervention had probably saved her life.
Walker once more glanced at the people working to help save his wife, she moaned slightly and his eyes fixed on her. The right side of her face was swollen already the dark blue and purple hues were there evidence of the punch she had taken. Her blonde hair was matted with drying blood from her nose and possibly her ear more damage sustained in the attack. She winced in pain trying desperately to pull herself into consciousness out of the black hole that was keeping her from opening her eyes. "Walker," her brain was urgently screaming out yet her voice remained soundless.
The doors of the transport flung open wide Walker was the first one out. He stood by a quiet sentry the situation completely out of his control as the doctors and nurses trained for this rushed to Alex. They were asking all sorts of questions giving orders as they whisked her inside he followed behind.
"Ranger, Ranger," a young nurse had him by the arm trying to get his attention. "You'll have to come with me," she told him once again tugging on his arm.
Yanking his arm roughly from her grasp he told her in no uncertain terms, "I'm staying."
One doctor glanced up seeing Walker's face, seeing his set jaw, the look in his eyes called to the nurse, "It's alright let him stay."
He stood back against the wall his eyes fixed on his wife the sounds of people shouting as they worked on her blurred into one loud hum.
"Have we got an ID on her? Anyone know her name," one of the doctors was shouting for answers.
"Alex," Walker heard his own voice, "Alex Walker."
"Alex, Alex," the doctor had turned back to her. "Alex come on now open those eyes I know you can hear me, I know you are in there." There was still no response. "Let's get her up to x-ray," the same doctor could be heard giving orders the people around him hurrying to stabilize her.
The doctor turned walking over to stand in front of Walker to address him. "Ranger Walker?" he half asked half told Walker's eyes going to his face. "Alex is your wife?"
"Yes."
"Let's talk while the x-rays are being done," he encouraged Walker leading him towards the waiting room. "From my initial exam things seem to look not that bad, the cheek bone isn't broken or her nose. I suspect she is probably suffering a concussion, which we will know the extent of when the x-rays come back. Another concern at the moment is the damage her windpipe may have suffered. That too we will know when the pictures come back. It looks bad with the bruising and swelling but it could have been a lot worse."
Walker nodded his head indicating he understood, "Thanks Doctor…"
"Doctor Avery," the man filled in adding, "I thought I recognized you and your wife when you came in. I met you and your wife about ten years ago she was Alex Cahill then she helped me a girlfriend out of a jam changed both our lives for the better. I'm certainly not about to let anything happen to her now. If you have any questions anything at all that you want to know please don't hesitate to ask me."
"Thank you Doctor Avery," Walker murmured.
"A soon as I know more I'll be back to let you know. I want to get her settled in a room as quickly as possible so that you can sit with her and talk to her," he stated. "Now if you'll excuse me I want to get back to her."
Walker extended his hand to the doctor and once again thanked him before sitting down to wait.
Sydney and Gage's 7:02 PM
After pulling into his driveway Gage sat quietly in his car the recollection of what had just happened very fresh in his mind. The lights from inside the house glowed warmly yet a contrasting shiver went through him all the same. The side door opened to reveal his wife standing there, she hesitated but a moment then went to him.
"You're hurt?" she cried concern and fear echoing in her voice her arm going around him helping him from the car.
"I'm all right Baby," he softly spoke his words raspy, his throat sore and dry from the punishment he had taken.
"Let's get you inside," Syd started to say as his arms went around her and he held on tightly to her letting a calm quiet transpire between them.
"I've got to tell you what happened," Gage slowly said. "We've got to tell Angela…" his voice died away as he swallowed hard.
With her arm around him Syd led him towards the house and inside. Quietly they went through the kitchen and past the family room where the kids were watching the television. Opening the bedroom door they moved towards the bed where Gage heavily sat down. Sydney reached for the small bedside lamp and flicked in on the warm glow illuminating the room. Walking back to the door she closed it tight before going back to the bed to sit beside her husband and cradle him to her.
She saw the ugly black and purple bruises on his neck biting her tongue to keep from asking waiting for him to tell her.
Slowly he began to explain, "I had a run in with your suspect from this morning." His arms were around her now too needing to hold her, needing to feel her body against his own. "You were lucky he almost killed Alex and me," he told her letting the story unfold from there.
"Trivette is already headed to the hospital to join Walker. Erica and her Father are on their way here so Erica can come with us and Fred can stay with the kids," Gage concluded the story.
Sydney's eyes squeezed tightly shut forcing back an ensuing tear. "I should have insisted she wait, I shouldn't have let her go there by herself. None of this would have happened if I hadn't let her go," she was muttering letting the blame for this rest heavily on her shoulders.
"Baby no this wasn't your fault," Gage comforted laying his hand on her cheek this thumb rubbing slowly across her bottom lip. "There wasn't a thing you could do to prevent this. It's over we have to concentrate our efforts on getting through it, concentrate on healing."
She looked into his blue eyes slowly shaking her head in agreement with him, letting his head bend to hers and their lips meet in a fierce kiss.
"Mom Dad Aunt Erica and Grandpa Fred are here," Chris was outside their door calling them.
"Tell them we'll be right there Chris," Syd was quick to answer as she untangled from Gage's very needed embrace.
"Ok Mom."
"We have to go," she said telling him what he already knew.
Helping each other to their feet the partners held each other's weary bodies close as they walked to the door. Gage reached for the doorknob, Syd stopped him long enough to brush her lips with his once more.
"Oh my God your neck Gage," Erica exclaimed shocked over the bruises around Gage's neck.
"It looks worse then it really is," Gage tried to make everyone believe his voice still very raspy.
"When are my Mom and Dad coming to get me and Danny?" Angela interrupted the grownups. She stood in the kitchen doorway hands resting on her hips demanding an answer much like her mother would.
Fred immediately took charge pulling out a kitchen chair and sitting down. He gently slapped his knee with Angela taking her cue and climbing into the older man's lap. "Danny I have another knee right here," Fred explained to the youngster as he lingered shyly at the doorway.
"Go ahead Danny," Chris prodded his friend and Danny walked warily over to Fred to be lifted onto his other knee too.
"Well Angela Danny," Fred began, "It's like this your Mom had a little accident tonight and she had to go to the hospital."
"Is she going to die?" Angela cried her lower lip beginning to quake and a giant tear rolling down her cheek.
"Heavens no there are too many good people looking after her and praying for her, but she may have to stay in the hospital for a few days. That means your Dad is going to be spending some time there with her and that also means that you will have to be brave too. Your Dad is going to need you to stay with Marcus and Torrie or Piper and Chris till she is ready to come home. Think you can do that?" he asked looking in Angela's little face.
Wiping the tear off her face she nodded her little blonde head and Danny not knowing what else to do nodded his head too.
Memorial Hospital 8:14 PM.
A cold damp drizzle had begun to fall as Gage swung the car up to the front entrance of the hospital getting as close as he could before stopping to let Sydney and Erica out.
"You two go ahead and go up while I find a place to park," he instructed as they opened the car doors to get out. Sydney glanced back at her husband who reading her thoughts smiled saying, "Go ahead I'm just a couple of minutes behind you. I'll find you."
She nodded her head and ran inside with Erica Gage sat watching them making sure they got in all right before looking for that elusive parking spot. Grabbing a ticket he drove through the gate and headed to the first available place cutting the motor. He got out of the car and pulled the hood of his jogging sweater over his head before making a dash for the hospital doors.
Sydney stood in the air lock between the doors waiting for him. "I sent Erica on ahead her sense of direction is much better then yours," she greeted him as he pulled the door open for her to proceed through.
It didn't matter why she waited he was glad of her company. "Where to?" he asked letting her lead the way to the bank of elevators.
"Fifth floor room five-twelve," she answered the same time as the elevator doors swooshed open and they stepped inside.
Erica and Jimmy were standing waiting for them to step off the elevators. "Hey how is she?" Sydney asked the moment she saw them.
"She's holding her own," Trivette began to explain taking hold of Erica's hand. "They just brought her down to her room and let Walker in with her. She still hasn't woke up which isn't good as you know the longer she is out the harder it will be for her to wake up." It was that point that he stopped speaking and looked away. He and Alex were close like brother and sister.
"How's Walker holding up?" Gage asked knowing how hard it was waiting on any news when Sydney was the one who was hurt.
"You know Walker," Jimmy answered, "I think what's hardest for him this time is we got the guy and there really is nothing he can be doing except worry about Alex." They all stood quietly for a moment contemplating what was happening.
"We may as well sit down," Erica suggested feeling that worry exhaustion creeping up on her and knowing how tired Sydney and Gage both must be after their day. "The nurse promised to come and get us when we can go in."
Walking down the hall they turned into the small waiting room and took seats lapsing into more uncomfortable silence.
~~~~~
A single light shone above Alex's head casting shadows on her battered face. An IV slowly, monotonously dripped into her arm as Walker kept up his vigil her hand in his. He glanced towards the window the tiny droplets of rain banning together to run down the glass.
She moaned slightly her face tightening in a frown only to relax in sleep once more. The door opening and Doctor Avery letting himself in interrupted his thoughts.
Walker began to rise from his chair only to have the Doctor place his hand on his shoulder. "Don't get up. I just wanted to let you know that besides the obvious injuries to her face and neck and then the concussion Alex is in pretty good shape physically. All her tests have come back normal brain activity."
"Then why isn't she waking up?"
"In Alex's mind she is in a good place, some place that is safe. We need to coax her out of that place and back to you and the life she has with you," Doctor Avery was explaining.
Looking from Alex Walker looked into the doctor's face with pleading eyes. "And how do we do that? How do we bring her back to us? How do I bring her back to me?" he quietly asked.
"By talking to her, you and her family and her friends. Surround her with some of her things that have meaning for her. Just keep enforcing to her how much you need her to come back."
Walker nodded his head in understanding so Doctor Avery continued. "I'm going to have Doctor Gray look in on her and,"
"No, no other doctors just you. You are who we need," Walker told him cutting the doctor's words off.
Avery looked at Walker he had gone back to sitting quietly with Alex, her hand in his, his eyes on her. He knew there was no point trying to convince the Ranger of anything different right now. "I'm going to let your friends come in, let them sit with her and talk to her too," he said not knowing if Walker heard him or not.
~~~~~
It had been about thirty minutes since the Trivettes and Gages had taken seats in the waiting room. Jimmy had just asked who wanted coffee when Alex's doctor appeared in the doorway asking for them introducing himself. Everyone immediately stood their anxious faces training on the man.
"How is she Doctor Avery?" Sydney asked still clutching tight to Gage's hand.
"Please everyone sit down it's been a long evening," he smiled slightly waiting for everyone to take a seat before joining them. Quickly he explained the situation to them each of them grasping what he was saying in their own way. "I know you all have jobs and families but if you can spare some time to talk to Alex each day, to remind her how much you care about her and need her back… I'm quite sure she can hear you and she is struggling to find her way back."
The four friends looked at one another all knowing they would do what they could to help Alex. Doctor Avery could see it in their faces, he hesitated a moment before speaking again. "Could you do one more thing?" he asked.
"Name it," Trivette spoke for all of them.
"Ranger Walker is going to need your support and help to struggle through this too."
"It goes without saying," Gage was quick to respond knowing how many times Walker and Alex both had been there for each and everyone of them.
Once again they all stood and following the doctor they slipped into Alex's room. Walker didn't turn even though he knew they were there. Instead he addressed Jimmy, "Trivette can you stay here for a few moments I need to make a phone call."
"Did you want some company?" Trivette asked.
"Yeah Gage come with me," Walker said standing up to face them.
"Sure Walker," Gage replied squeezing Syd's shoulder.
Looking at Trivette's surprised face he stopped a moment. "You're like her brother she needs you here."
Jimmy's eyes closed for a moment and he nodded his head in agreement.
Walker turned to go out Gage following behind him. The door closed tight Walker was all ready half way to the nurses' station when he turned to face Gage. "Thank you for saving her life," he simply and quietly said.
"Walker you returned the favour. I'd do it again in a heart beat just like I know you would for me," Gage replied bringing his hand to rest on Walker's shoulder.
For a moment his friend closed his eyes before saying, "I need to call Gordon, I need to call Alex's Dad."
Going to the nurses' station Walker asked for the phone and began to dial Gage leaned against the opposite wall giving his boss a little privacy. It was nine-thirty but Walker knew Gordon would still be up, he dreaded the call but knew it had to be done.
He dialed the number and waited for it to be picked up on the other end. Three rings later he heard Gordon's voice on the phone.
"Gordon, it's me Walker," he heard his own voice say.
"Walker how are you? I was just thinking that I needed to take a little trip down to Dallas before you and Alex let that granddaughter of mine grow up on me."
"Gordon," Walker began again, "There is something that I need to tell you."
There was a pause at the other end of the phone as Alex's Father sat down.
"What is Walker?" he asked bracing himself for what ever it was his son-in-law had to say.
"Alex has been hurt."
"Hurt? How? By who?"
"She was attacked we have the one who did it in custody."
"I'm coming to Dallas."
"Good we need you here. Let me know when your flight gets in." Walker finished his conversation and hung up the phone.
~~~~~
"Alex Honey," Syd was sitting on the bed beside her holding her hand speaking softly to her. "Erica and I are going to make sure Angela and Danny are looked after until you can come home and be with them." A tear began rolling down Syd's cheek and she was unable to go on speaking.
Erica reached for Alex's other hand taking up where Sydney faltered. "Right now everyone is over at Syd and Gages staying with my Dad. Angela knows that you had a little accident and that you will be better soon."
Jimmy was standing behind Erica his hands resting on her shoulders as she brushed a tear from the corner of her eyes too.
"Hey Councillor I've never known you to take things lying down." Jimmy had taken up the conversation. "You've got a lot of people depending on you, heck we all depend on you one way or another."
Walker and Gage had come back into the room. Walker surveyed his friends and then went to stand beside his wife taking her hand from Sydney he addressed her. "Alex you and I stand for the same things in this life." Turning he looked at the rest and said, "I know we got this guy on two counts of attempted murder, I want him tied to the other three murders. I don't want anyone getting him off on diminished capacity. He stocked the other three and Alex I want him put away for good."
"Walker are you sure you want to do this right now?" Trivette asked trying to decide what was going on in his partner's mind.
"What other time is there Trivette I'm sure. We've got to do this, Alex has to know that she really is safe from him," Walker explained as the rest began to see what he was saying. "Sydney, Gage go home," Walker began to say.
"Walker," Gage began to protest.
"Trivette you and Erica too I want this time with my wife alone."
The friends looked to one another until Trivette finally spoke for the rest. "All right Walker we'll see you in the morning."
Sydney reached out once more for Alex's hand and held tight softly telling her friend, "good night."
Once their friends has filed out Walker again turned to face his wife. He stood looking at her for a few minutes angered again with the sight of her beautiful face being so battered. Taking his place in the chair once more he picked up her limp cold hand bringing it to his cheek to warm it as he whispered to her. "Wake up Alex, we need you," he swallowed hard before continuing, "I need you Alex, I need you."
She moaned slightly, her face moving slightly as if she was in pain only to relax again her eyes never opening.
Lying back in the chair Walker allowed his eyes to close. The pure exhaustion from what had happened that day caused him to fall into a fitful sleep. Walker jerked as he slept a fine line of perspiration appeared on his brow as a dream began taking over...
A slight breeze blew softly ruffling his hair a lone eagle landed on a branch outside the bedroom window breaking the quiet of the night with its screech. Letting all know that he had come to watch over Washo and his family…
He was at home with Alex lying together in their bed. Walker tossed the covers from himself as he reached over to grasp his wife. She sighed deeply as he pulled her close and gently nuzzled her neck.
"I love you, Alex," he whispered to her, brushing her hair from her face at the same time.
She turned in his arms snuggling closer, letting him hold her closer, God how he loved this woman. Her arms were moving around his neck and her lips were on his. He was kissing her deeply; caressing her face… suddenly she was gone, like a puff of smoke. Some how she had slipped from his arms, he could hear her calling to him as she moved farther and farther away. He could still see her; she was hurt and couldn't wake up.
"Alex come back, I love you," he called again running to be with her, yet getting no closer no matter how fast he ran.
Suddenly he sat straight up, just as the eagle screeched out loudly again. He was drenched in sweat even though a cold chill went through his body. He took Alex's hand once again her face had contorted into another expression of pain and fear. Her lips moved and Walker was sure he heard her call him, sure he heard the word Cowboy pass her lips.
"Alex I'm here," he whispered to her and she relaxed again.