Part 6
Headquarters 12:36 PM.
Holding the door to headquarters open to let Syd pass Gage once again asked, "Are you sure you should be here? Are you sure after what happened this morning you shouldn't…"
Sydney had stopped dead in her tracks and turning around stood right in front of her husband hand's on her hips. "Francis Gage will you stop it this is going to be a very long pregnancy if we have to go through this every day."
"I'm sorry Syd it's just that the last couple of days have been a little stressful," Gage tried again.
"For who you or me?" Syd challenged turning on her heel and heading for her desk.
Gage stood in the doorway watching her sit down before he went over and sat at his desk right across from her. "I'm stressing you out aren't I," he asked?
Looking up she smiled at him and shook her head yes.
"I'm sorry Syd, I know this isn't our first but every time that you're expecting it's like I forget everything and just want to protect you and look after you and…" he stopped in mid sentence smiling at her. "I'm doing it again aren't I?"
She once again shook her head yes and once again smiled.
"Maybe I'll get it right by the sixth one," Gage smiled picking a file up and hiding behind it while a wadded up paper bounced off his head.
"Coming Gage?" Trivette asked setting his phone down and walking towards Gage's desk. Trivette was smiling to himself even though he had been on the phone he had watched the two partners as they had come into the office bickering back and forth as usual. An outsider would think that they could barely tolerate each other yet anyone who knew them was aware of the fierce passion that they shared.
"Where to?" Gage asked pushing his chair back and standing.
"To interview Deshon Jackson to see what he has to say about the other murders," Trivette replied as both men watched Sydney get up at the same time to join them.
"Where do you think you're going?" Gage asked as both he and Trivette looked at her.
"Come on you two I've got just as much of an interest in this guy as you do," she started before Gage cut her off.
"But I know first hand what this guy is capable of," he insisted pulling the collar of his shirt back, "and you aren't going any where near him even if he is in restraints."
"I agree with Ranger Gage on this one Sydney," Trivette added before she could protest.
With both of them ganging up on her she knew she was defeated before she started. "Do you two have any objections if I just observe from behind the two way glass?"
Trivette looked at Gage then back to Syd saying, "That's okay by me. How bout you Gage?"
Looking at Trivette Gage replied, "I don't know Trivette you know how she likes to but her way in."
"You really are asking for it today aren't you Gage?" she asked walking past both of them and through the door. Gage and Trivette were both chuckling now as they followed Syd out. Catching up to her Gage slipped past her and pulled the door to the observation room open for her. She stomped past him Gage grinning from ear to ear but knowing better then to laugh.
The door closed behind Syd as she focused her eyes on the two-way mirror and Deshon Jackson who sat in the next room. An involuntary shiver went through her at the sight of the huge man sitting on the other side of the glass. The uniformed guard who was leaning slightly against the wall stood up straight as Gage and Trivette opened the door to let themselves in. Gage too hesitated a moment at the sight of the man who had almost strangled the life out of him.
"Mr. Jackson," Syd could hear Trivette address the man, "We have you on two counts of attempted murder, Ranger Cooke can place you at Andrea Leavens' apartment when she gave chase to you.
Gage took up the conversation. "When the DNA comes back I'm sure the skin under Andrea's fingernails is going to match up with these scratches on your arm," he said pulling Jackson's arm out flat on the table.
Jackson was immediately on his feet the chair he was sitting on crashing to the floor. All three men were at the ready for a fight; Sydney rested her hand on her gun ready if needed.
A big smile crossed Deshon's face. "You're right Ranger I squeezed the life out of that little blonde girl, just like the ones before her, just like I was trying to do before you interrupted me," he calmly told Gage leaning forward on the table looking into Gage's eyes. "The first chance I get Ranger I'll finish the job I'll choke the life out of you."
"Well Deshon I'm not too worried," Gage retorted he too leaning across the table to look in Jackson's eyes, "cause at the very least you are going away for a very long time depending exactly what the DA's office wants to push for."
By the end of the interview Deshon Jackson had described and admitted to the other three murders of the blonde victims. Nancy Munro Ross the dark haired woman he claimed he never heard of.
Memorial Hospital 12:49 PM.
With Angela's hand held tight in one of his and Danny's hand in the other Walker walked through the front door of the hospital. Both children walked along very wide-eyed watching everything around them taking in all the sounds and smells of the corridors.
Nearing Alex's door Angela began dragging her feet pulling back on Walker's hand. Crouching down in front of his young daughter he looked into her blue eyes that were so like her mother's.
"Angela Honey what it is?" he asked.
"I don't want to see Mommy," she cried out
"Why not?" he gently asked seeing the fear and apprehension in her face.
Before she could give her father an answer the door to Alex's room opened and her grandfather stepped out. Seeing the man Angela was gone like a shot, shouting out "Grandpa," while racing to his arms.
Gordon engulfed her in his arms picking her up and hugging her fiercely. "Angela darling how are you?" he asked kissing her cheek.
Angela remained quiet she had peered over her grandfather's shoulder catching sight of her mother laying motionless in her hospital bed through the open door. Clutching tighter to Gordon's neck she whispered to him, "Will Mommy wake up soon?"
"I hope so but you know what will make her start to feel better if you come and tell her that you are here."
Walker had picked up Danny and walked over to where Gordon stood with Angela.
"Hello young fellow," Gordon smiled at the child who held tighter to Walker.
"That's Danny," explained Angela, "he lives with us now."
"Does he now," Gordon smiled asking the child. "I'm pretty sure your Mom would love to know that both of you were here to see her. You know what else?" Angela shook her head no. "After your visit if it's all right with your Dad I might be persuaded to take you and Danny for some ice cream."
Angela immediately looked to her Dad who nodded in agreement. Gordon smiled at Walker their eyes meeting in a silent appreciation of each other's support. Turning he walked into the quiet room with Angela setting on the bed beside Alex.
Angela sat looking at her mother for a minute before placing her hands on her hips and speaking. "Mom don't you think it is time that you stopped all this silliness and woke up?" she asked in the same fashion Alex would have asked her. Then turning to her Dad she asked him, "You think she heard me?"
Smiling at her Walker nodded his head, "yes I'm sure she heard you and will be opening her eyes as soon as she can."
Turning back she spoke again, "I love you Mommy and I miss you. I want you to come home and take care of us." Leaning forward she kissed her Mother's cheek and turned to Danny saying, "your turn."
Going to the other side of the bed with Danny Walker sat down still holding the boy. Shyly he squirmed around to see Alex a little better yet still clutched tight to Walker as he told him, "She's like my Mom she isn't moving either." A big tear ran down his cheek he wanted desperately for her to wake up. He didn't want her to go to heaven like his Mom he wanted her to stay here with them.
Walker held the child closer his own pain and frustration being pushed aside as he comforted the child. "Danny you can talk to Alex if you like. She can hear you even though she is too tired to wake up and talk to you."
"Mrs. Walker can you wake up please," the boy pleaded, "so I can pretend you are my real family again."
Everyone was silent, Gordon turned from his daughter's bed over whelmed with the boy's plea to her. Walker himself turned his head slightly fighting a tear that was welling up in him. Both men had become lost in their own thoughts until Angela called out, "Mommy is crying."
One solitary tear had slid from beneath Alex's eyelid at the corner of her eye and continued down the side of her face to disappear into her hair. Gordon and Walker's eyes went right to Alex's pale face.
"Alex Honey," Gordon called taking Alex's hand just as her doctor came in.
"She's crying," Walker simply said turning toward Doctor Avery.
"I can see that," he responded moving to take her hand, "If I could ask everyone to step outside for a moment." He caught the expression on Walker's face and let his hand come to rest on his shoulder saying again, "just for a moment."
Swallowing hard Walker nodded and picked up Danny to take him outside with his father-in-law and daughter.
"Walker I'm going to take the kids for that ice cream now if that's all right with you. You can fill me in once you speak with her doctor."
"All right Gordon," Walker agreed watching him walk down the hall a child's hand in each of his.
Leaning back up against the wall outside Alex's door Walker began to think about the ranch and his life with his wife and daughter wondering if it would ever be the same.
With the drone from the floor polisher that was being run at the end of the hall and the fatigue that was overcoming him Walker's eyes were lulled closed. A vision began to take over his mind; he could see himself he was sitting astride of Amigo with Alex beside him atop of her horse.
"We have it all don't we Cowboy?" Alex asked as they looked over the valley below them.
"Yes we do Alex," he smiled reaching for her pulling her head forward to his to kiss her.
Suddenly Angela came riding up to them on Princess as fast as the pony would take her. She was crying out to them, "Mommy, Daddy he's gone, he's gone."
"Who Angela whose gone?" Walker called to her.
"Danny that bad man took him," she was crying over and over.
"Walker no," Alex cried out.
Walker's eyes snapped open and he pushed the door to Alex's room open. Her eyes were still closed but Doctor Avery's face confirmed it she had called out to him.
~~~~~
Trevor Ross along with four other inmates were being transported from lockup to the Tarrant County detention center to await trial. They weren't more then a couple of blocks from their destination when the front tire of the van blew out with a loud explosion. Two hooded men were instantly at the windows of the van shotguns pointing at the guards demanding that the doors be opened. In a matter of a few minutes all the prisoners were free and on the run.
It was the exact moment Alex called out for Walker.
Outside Alex's room 3:21 PM.
The elevator doors opened and Syd stepped out with Gage to nearly be bowled over by Angela chasing Danny.
"Hey you two slow down," Gage warned grabbing Danny under his arm as he passed by.
Just as he thought he had the two of them stopped Gordon Cahill came tearing around the corner calling to the two of them, "You don't stand a chance I'm going to catch you and lay you out to the buzzards."
"No fair Grandpa you had help from Uncle Gage," Angela laughed.
"Yeah no fair," Danny chimed in.
"Okay kids we have to straighten up the Rangers are here and will run us in," Gordon told them trying to put on his best stern face. "How bout you two go pick out a couple of books we can read and I'll be right in," he told them as Gage set Danny on his feet and the children took off into the waiting room.
"How's Alex this afternoon?" Syd asked wanting to know what to expect.
"They took her down for another cat scan and Walker went with her," he informed them. "She shed a tear this afternoon and called out for him."
"Oh that's great!" Syd exclaimed feeling Gage's arm tighten around her.
"Well now it's encouraging hopefully we'll know more when they finish the test and get back up here."
Before any more could be said the elevator doors opened to let the Trivette off. "What's everyone doing out here?" Jimmy asked.
"Waiting on Walker to get up here with Alex with some good news," Gordon smiled.
"Alex called out for Walker today," Syd cut in before Gordon could finish.
"Then she's awake?" Trivette asked his face lighting up.
"No not yet but they think a step closer to recovery and that is a lot better then when I got here this morning," Gordon confirmed to them the elevator doors opening once again. The attendants wheeled Alex out Walker keeping pace beside her. Seeing Gordon and their friends he stopped to talk with them as Alex was settled in her room.
"Well?" Gordon impatiently asked.
"The same as before everything is normal we just have to wait until she wakes up keep doing what we are doing," Walker reported as he sighed in exasperation.
Trivette's phone rang before anything else could be said. "Say again?" he asked as all eyes went to him. "Ranger Gage and I are on our way. Don't touch anything until we get there."
"What is it Trivette?" Walker questioned his eyes fixed on his partner.
"The transport van from holding to the detention center was hit this afternoon everyone got away. That includes Trevor Ross," he absently said as he began dialling Erica's number. After what had happened with Ross that morning Trivette needed to know that his wife was all right, that she hadn't had another meeting with the man. Turning as Erica answered he walked over towards the window to talk with her.
"Gage you and I'll go take a look at the van and I'll send Trivette over to the Hope Center to pick up Erica and the kids," Walker said taking charge. Looking at Sydney he asked, "Would you mind staying here until we get back so Gordon here can take the kids home for a couple of hours?"
"Not at all Walker Alex and I will be just fine."
"Thanks Sydney I appreciate this a lot," he told her going to retrieve his hat as Gordon went to round up Angela and Danny.
"Tell Alex I'll visit with her another time," Gage told his wife putting his hands on her face and kissing her deeply not caring who saw them. "I'll try not to be too long," he whispered kissing her cheek as he spoke.
"Gage cut it out," she hissed as Walker cleared his throat, Jimmy asked, "Can I interrupt you Gage?" and Angela informed Gordon, "They're always doing that just like Mom and Dad."
Without paying any attention to any of them Gage smiled at Syd telling her, "I'll see you soon," turned back to Walker and asked, "Ready?"
Walker smiled the first smile since Alex had been hurt. "Trivette you go over and pick up Erica and the kids I'll go with Gage," he told him.
"You sure partner?" Trivette wanted to know glad to be going to meet Erica.
"Yeah I need to get out for a bit before I'm no good to anyone," he told him.
The elevator doors opened and they began to file in Gage held the door waiting for Gordon and the children.
"Go ahead you have pressing business," he told them and Gage moved his hand letting the door close.
Turning to the Angela he said, "one minute more please Honey? I need to talk to Aunt Sydney."
Giving an exaggerated sigh Angela grabbed Danny's hand saying, "Come on Danny let's go finish the book."
Gordon and Syd smiled as they disappeared back inside the waiting room, "Quite the girl just exactly like her mother was at that age."
"What can I help you with Gordon?" Syd asked.
"It's Danny? Does he have a piece of Alex's heart the same as Walker's?"
"I only talked to her a few minutes about him but yeah Alex loves him I could tell. It's like he has always belonged," Syd smiled thinking about the little boy.
"Do we know anything about him? Is he on his own or is there someone who can serve as guardian?" Gordon questioned again.
"Actually I just finished his file up today. He hasn't another living soul to look out for him. He has a stepfather who is going away for murdering his mother," she told him reciting what she new about Danny's status.
"Thanks Sydney," he smiled leaning over and kissing her cheek, "I'd better get those two home, I'll see you later."
"You're welcome Gordon, see you," Syd replied pushing open Alex's door and going inside.
Syd stood in the doorway staring at Alex for a moment. She looked so peaceful at that moment a wall light above her head illuminated her face, "like an angel sleeping," Syd thought to herself. Walking over towards the bed she once again took her friend's hand in hers and gently rubbed her fingers.
"Alex it's me Syd. It's just the two of I thought maybe we could have a little girl talk here since it's just us. We were… I was unable to find any living relative for Danny. The file is ready to turn over to social services Alex and you know what that will mean. I can only keep in on my desk so long… Alex we all need you but Danny really needs you. He needs both you and Walker just as much as you, Angela and Walker need him. You need to come back to make it happen."
"Bravo, Bravo, Ranger Cooke," Sydney quickly turned to see Trevor Ross standing in the doorway clapping his hands.
"Ross what are you doing here?" she demanded.
Ross came into the room closing the door behind him. He had snuck into the hospital and helped himself to a set of surgical scrubs; no one even questioned his presence. "I've come for my boy," he said challenging Sydney as he spoke.
"Danny isn't yours he's only your stepson, you have no claim on him," Sydney told him.
"Ranger Cooke you couldn't be more wrong. Danny is my biological son."
"Danny's father is deceased," Syd insisted.
"That's what Nancy put on the birth certificate she thought that she would be able to run away from me keep my boy from me. But she was wrong they are mine," Ross' voice had begun to rise as he spoke to Sydney.
Detecting the anger bubbling to the surface Sydney began to bait him, "She was yours and you killed her is that why you want your son to kill him?"
"You shut up, shut up now," he shouted taking the few short steps towards her bringing his hand back in a quick snap to slap her face. Her arm went up quickly blocking his hand from striking her.
"You little… I'll kill you," he ceased to speak as he again rushed her pushing her across the bed and Alex, his hands closing around her neck tighter and tighter. Sydney was fighting him with everything she had it just wasn't enough, he was leaning his full body weight on her pinning her against the bed so she couldn't get her legs free. Suddenly her hand was on her gun, the room was spinning, she pulled it from the holster struggling not to loose consciousness, and there was a loud resounding bang as the gun went off. A sickening smile came across Ross' face as his hands loosened from her neck and he slowly slid down her body to the floor.
"Sydney, Sydney," Alex was sitting up calling her name; she had her hands on her arms trying to help her. The door flew open and a nurse came running in. "We need some help Ranger Cooke needs to be checked out," Alex was giving orders as if nothing had happened to her. "Don't try and move Syd."
"Alex," Syd gasped, "Alex… you're… awake," Syd finally got out grasping tight to her hand as she tried to stand up. The room began to spin again Sydney could her someone calling her name, "Ranger Cooke, Ranger Cooke," just before she blacked out.