Disclaimer: This was written for the soul purpose of my entertainment. I lay no claim on Walker Texas Ranger or any of its characters.
"Wilds of the Wild"
By: Janis Boisclair
jboisclair@rogers.com
Wildlife Park and Campgrounds late Sunday Night
The night was cold and clear for this time of year as the two men pulled their broken down camper to the far end of the campgrounds away from another living soul. While one kept watch the other had gone in the back busying himself with the grizzly task at hand. The door suddenly swung open and the occupant hopped to the ground turning to haul the remains that were tied in the blue tarp over his shoulder.
They walked along in silence stopping only once to shift the load from one shoulder to the other. Finally the one in lead turned saying, "Come on Gideon dump her body and let's get out of here.
"Not until we get to the gorge Anthony we want to make sure that she doesn't surface too soon," came the reply as they trudged on further. An hour later Gideon stopped and moving from trail trampled over to where the ground ended dropping away to the swirling water below.
"This is the spot Anthony," his brother said dropping the lifeless body on the ground. Picking up the shoulders he waited for Anthony to move round and pick up her feet. "Now on the count of three," Gideon instructed.
"I know, I know," Anthony replied swinging the girl's body and flinging it over on the count of three.
"Come on Gid if we hurry we should get home just as Mother is dishing up breakfast."
The thought of home and his Mother's breakfast must have soothed Gideon smiling he said to his brother, "Sounds good let's get going."
Neither gave a thought to the dead girl that had landed in the swirling water below.
Campgrounds Noon Monday
"All right everyone stay together it's just a short hike down to the lake, I don't want anyone getting lost," Jimmy Trivette was issuing orders to his wife and children like a drill sergeant as he helped Torrie from her car seat.
"Jimmy lighten up we are here for fun and relaxation," Erica reminded her husband.
"You're right, you're right Erica I'm sorry I just want to keep everyone out of trouble in the process I guess," Trivette confessed.
"You've been a ranger too long Jimmy and in need of some alone time with your family too," she smiled as he helped adjust her pack for her. "Remember the first time we camped out together?" she dreamily asked.
A smile immediately manifested itself across his face thinking about the day they had headed to the lake in look of a witness to collaborate her father's story and over turn his murder conviction. "Yeah except for people shooting at us it was pretty great," he said leaning forward kissing her.
"Are you guys coming Daddy?" Marcus yelled at his parents as they broke the kiss laughing as they did so.
"Jimmy where's Torrie?" Erica asked looking around not seeing her small daughter nowhere.
"Torrie," both Jimmy and Erica began calling, "Torrie where are you?" Trivette shouted trying to stay calm heading towards the front of their SUV.
As he neared the front Torrie jumped out shouting, "Boo Daddy," breaking into laughter. Grabbing his little daughter in his arms he held her close as Erica ran to them.
"Okay listen up you guys new rule no more scaring Mom and Dad."
Both Torrie and Marcus were laughing now as they all headed towards the lake.
"You're so funny Daddy," Torrie laughed hugging him tight.
"Well you're not so funny Miss Trivette. Let's all get a move on so we can get camp set up and start having some real fun here."
"Yeah," both children yelled running down the path ahead of them. No body noticed the two pairs of eyes that had focused on the family and especially Erica.
~~~~~
It took very little time to get the tents set up one for the boys and one for the girls. Jimmy and the kids went down to lake and with Dad's help cast their lines in to catch supper. The first line to have a nibble was Torrie's. "Hey are you helping me over here," Trivette called to his daughter who was busy playing in a little patch of sand.
Looking up the child came barrelling back over to where her father was reeling the fish in. "Me Daddy me," she shouted as Jimmy tried to reel the fish in the same leaning down so Torrie could help.
Finally the fish was out on shore and Jimmy was helping Torrie cast her line again. Before long they had their dinner caught and were heading back up to camp.
"I caught the first fish and he's right here," Torrie was announcing to her mother.
"I caught three," Marcus was explaining to her.
"And Dad you're going to clean them right?" Erica asked eyeing her husband.
"Of course my darling," Jimmy replied kissing his wife's cheek.
It wasn't long until supper was ready and everyone was enjoying the fresh fish. Afterwards Erica got the children ready for bed while Jimmy cleaned up with a quick hug and kiss to Dad both children were tucked in.
"Come here Mrs. Trivette," Jimmy smiled as Erica backed out of the tent Marcus was sleeping in.
Erica quickly joined her husband snuggling against his chest as his arms went around her and his lips caressed her cheek. "I think I'm finally relaxing here," he smiled nuzzling her neck. "I really enjoyed the afternoon with the kids."
"They really are one of the best parts of our lives," Erica agreed. "Which brings me to something that I wanted to talk to you about."
"Go ahead Honey," Jimmy urged once again letting his lips caress her neck.
"I've been thinking about Sydney and Gage a lot lately," she began.
Jimmy stopped what he was doing pulling back a little to look in her face that was a light from the glow of the fire waiting for her to go on wondering what the Gages had to do with anything.
"It's just they have both really been so happy since they found out that Sydney is expecting again…"
"You aren't thinking what I think you're thinking are you?" Trivette asked now staring at her.
"Come on Jimmy we both love our kids and they are the best part of our lives…"
"Erica I thought we decided that two kids a boy and a girl were the perfect family…"
"Jimmy there is always room for another baby isn't there?"
"I don't know that I want another one."
"Fine we won't have any more," she told him pulling away and standing.
"Erica come back here."
"No that's fine Jimmy you've made our decision I'm going to bed." Saying that Erica walked over to the tent she was sharing with her daughter and crawled inside leaving her husband staring after her.
A streak of lightning suddenly lit up the sky followed by a bang of thunder the sky opening up and the rain pouring down. Jimmy high tailed into the tent with his son.
Monday Night Sydney and Gage's
"Come on Gage they're ready to kick off," Syd called to her husband as he came into the family room juggling a bag of chips, a bowl of salsa, a glass of juice for Sydney and a beer for himself. Gage's eyes focused on the television screen as he did a sort of side step between the couch and the coffee table to sit beside Sydney depositing the food on the table at the same time.
Reaching out she took hold of his wrist and retrieved her juice from him before he spilled it. Giving her a sideways glance he smiled saying, "here yeah go Honey," before his eyes moved back to the television.
"Thanks," she murmured just as focused on the screen as her husband was.
Miami suddenly had the ball and were running it, both rangers were yelling at the Cowboys to stop them and just as Miami was to open the scoring with a touch down there was a loud crack of thunder sending the whole house into darkness.
"Oh for crying out loud," Gage shouted at no one in particular, "does this not figure the home team is on 'Monday night football' and we have a power outage."
Getting up he made his way out to the kitchen for the flashlights stopping at the sink long enough to look out the window calling back to Syd, "looks like the whole street is out."
"Yeah it looks like you're right," Syd answered from beside him where she had come quietly to stand.
"Syd," Gage jumped. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" he asked not realizing she had followed him. Before she could answer another streak of lightening lit up the street followed by another loud bang of thunder making Syd scream out and jump. Gage caught her in his arms and held her as he watched the sheets of rain pound to the ground before a loud shriek for Mommy went up.
Syd instantly turned to go to her daughter's room but not before Gage caught her shoulder to hand her a flashlight. Turning it on she made her way down the hall Gage close behind.
As Syd went into Piper's room to comfort the child Gage went on down the hall to check on Chris. He was met by Buddy who had been whimpering just behind the door glad to see Gage as he came in the room. Bending he patted the dog reassuringly and continued over to make sure Chris was still asleep. Seeing his son laying there he couldn't help to put his hand on his hair and gently stroke his head before going back to join his wife and daughter.
Chris' eyes opened lazily to look at his father. "What's wrong Dad?" he asked.
"Nothing Chris," Gage whispered back, "just a little thunderstorm." A low rumble sounded in the background to confirm it. "Go back to sleep."
"Okay Dad," Chris agreed closing his eyes once more.
Pulling the covers around him Gage let his fingers play over Chris' cheek smiling again before turning to leave. He wandered back down the hall to Piper's room where Sydney had their young daughter in her arms.
"Shh it's only thunder," Syd tried to make her believe as another low rumble sounded in the distance making Piper jump and Syd grasp her closer.
Sitting down beside his wife and daughter Gage lifted Piper up in his arms and pulled her close letting her snuggle against his chest. One last loud defying crack sounded making both Piper and Sydney jumped. Gage put his arm around Syd drawing her close as well.
"You two make a great pair of chickens," Gage teased. "Man I'm glad we aren't camping tonight like the Trivettes. Chris and I would have you and Mom in our tent with us.
"We would have braved it out wouldn't we have?" Syd asked Piper.
"No 'fense Mom but Dad is better with thunders and lightning.
"None taken Honey," Sydney replied she too snuggling closer to Gage
Gage smiled as he snuggled his girls closer to him as the last of the rumbles diminished and Piper fell asleep in his arms. Tucking her back under the covers Gage brushed his lips across her cheek, then watching Syd do the same helped to her feet and they walked out arm in arm.
Guiding his wife towards their bedroom Gage stopped just inside the door letting his hands move to either side of Syd's face and holding her there began to kiss her. She felt his lips move from her forehead to her eyelids and on down her cheek.
She could still feel the excitement build in the pit of her stomach from his kisses and caresses like the first time they were ever intimate with each other. An involuntary moan escaped her lips as she moved her hands over Gage's chest. His thumb moved over her bottom lip and she drew it into her mouth.
His lips moving across her forehead again and he murmured, "I'm surprised Honey."
"Surprised at what?" she asked kissing the palm of his hand
"Well the electricity is out, it's a thunderstorm and raining to the point of flood conditions this is usually the kind of thing that is going on when you tell me you are going into labour."
Swatting him lightly on the arm she giggled knowing he was right but not wanting to give him the satisfaction of being right changed the subject answering, "You had better go turn off the television and the lights so when the power comes on you won't have to get up."
Kissing her lips he let go of her saying, "don't go any where I'll be right back."
The bedroom was in a warm glow of candlelight when he returned. Syd had shed her clothes for the comfort of the bedclothes. It took Gage only a few moments to undress and slide in beside her and pulling her close made love with her.
Monday Night Walker Ranch
Walker stood on the front porch watching the clouds roll in as Alex opened the door and stepped out to join him. She pulled her sweater around her against the chill of the night air letting Walker draw her close as she came to stand beside him.
"Everyone's tucked in," she told him leaning against his warm rugged form.
Walker lightly kissed her forehead letting his eyes move upwards to the sky. "Looks like a storm is moving in," he commented the wind suddenly picking up.
"I think you're right," his wife agreed. "I hope it doesn't ruin our camping trip. I've almost got everything ready so we can take off right after work tomorrow."
"I'm really surprised that Gage agreed to go with Sydney being as far along as she is and her history of early delivery."
Alex began to chuckle to herself as Walker turned to her smiling face. "All right Alex out with it," he demanded knowing she must have had something to do with the scheme to get Gage to agree.
"I really didn't do any more then what Sydney asked me," she began to confess as Walker gave her a yeah-right look. "No really Sydney had me ask Gage about the trip when Chris and Piper were both standing there that's all," she giggled again. A grin stole across Walker's face at this point too knowing Gage would have had no choice in the matter with both Sydney and the kids pleading to go.
Again Alex giggled as she added, "she told Gage he had nothing to worry about since both Doctors Gage and Walker would be there.
"Bet that made him feel lots better," Walker laughed at the thought of Gage's face.
A bolt of lightning interrupted them as it zagged towards earth followed by a low rumble and the pattering of rain. "Let's say we turn in early," Walker asked pulling open the door and holding it for his wife.
"Now you're talking Cowboy," Alex smiled as he took her in his arms selfishly holding her close to him. Arm in arm they headed up the stairs getting half way there when a loud bang of thunder hit rattling the whole house. Jumping Alex gave a little shriek grabbing on tight her arms wrapping around Walker's neck her heart pounding.
Instantly Walker's arms were around her and he laughed, "It's only thunder Alex."
"Tell it to them," Alex said as they were met by screams and cries from both Angela and Danny who stood at the top of the stairs waiting for them. Walker scooped up Angela and Alex Danny as they headed into their bedroom with them another resounding crash causing more screams.
Before long everyone was under the covers and Walker was spinning some old Cherokee tales. Along into the second story the storm began to die down and the children's eyes began to close. In fact Alex's eyes had closed too with Danny lying against her and Angela lying against Danny. Pulling the covers around the three of them Walker smiled to himself before turning the light off to snuggle down with his family.
Sunrise Tuesday Morning
Throwing back the flap of the tent Erica emerged she hadn't slept well last night after the argument she had with Jimmy just before she stomped off to bed. "Serves you right," she thought to herself knowing she should have discussed the whole thing with her husband instead of stomping off. "I'm not giving in on this," she argued with herself, "he's not getting the last word on this."
She turned her attention to a small cache of wood Trivette had thought to put under a cover and proceeded to see what she could do about getting a fire going.
"I thought I'd find you up here," Anthony's voice boomed making his brother jump half out of his skin.
"For God sake Anthony," Gideon snarled turning his attention back to Erica you want to give us away. "Pretty ain't she?" Gideon nodded towards Erica, "she's going to be next."
"What ever you want little brother," Anthony agreed without hesitation his hand resting heavily on his hunting knife.
Noon Tuesday Ranger Headquarters
"Give me that report Gage and I'll finish it up so we can get out of here," Syd told her partner holding out her hand not looking up from what she was doing. Putting the folder in her out stretched hand he held tight not letting go when she pulled it.
Looking up her eyes met his and held there for a minute before Gage said, "You know there will be other camping trips."
"Francis the kids and I want to go on this trip, even this one," she added looking down at her swollen tummy. "Besides I checked with Dr. Marshall she assures me everything is on schedule, my health is good, nothing to worry about and the trip will probably do me good."
"Sleeping on the hard damp ground can't be that good for you Syd," Gage insisted still holding tight to the file as they began a little tug of war with it Sydney finally winning. "What if you need something in the middle of the night and have to wake Piper. I'd feel a lot better if I was with you just making sure you were all right."
"Gage I don't think you worried this much over Chris or Piper," she told him leaning her chin on her hand. "But if it helps any Alex and I talked over the sleeping arrangements and we thought we should be able to let the boys sleep together and the girls do the same then you can watch me sleep all night."
"I see there is no talking you out of this," he watched her shake her head no as he spoke, "so can you get that report finished so we can get going."
Grinning at her husband she picked up her pen and flipped the file open to put the finishing touches on it.
"You two just about ready to take off?" Walker asked as he came into the office.
"Just finishing this report," Gage retorted as Syd handed the file back to him. "How bout you guys?"
"Just as soon as Alex finishes in court," he yawned.
"Little thunder keep you up last night?" Gage asked as he shot a quick smile at his wife.
"No just the two extra bodies that were in bed with us," Walker admitted a grin coming to his face thinking about Angela and Danny.
Handing the last file to their boss Gage told him, "We'll see you up there." Walker nodded his agreement watching the two of them leave.
It was two hours later that Alex came into the office. "Sorry it took so long but it was worth it guilty on all counts," she beamed as she told Walker.
"Congratulations," he told his wife closing the folder and coming out from behind his desk for a quick hug and kiss.
"Thank you very much. If you're ready then so am I," she quipped.
Campgrounds Tuesday 4PM.
"Take one down and pass it around and no more bottles of beer on the wall," Gage, Chris and Piper sang out as they pulled up beside the Trivette's vehicle.
"Thank goodness," Syd cried out I don't think I could have taken another verse.
"You are the one that wanted to go camping with us," Gage reminded her as she turned to grin at him at his laughing face.
"Trying to make this into a long week Francis?" she joked back.
"Come on lets go find Marcus and Torrie," Chris called opening the door and jumping out.
"Hey you two stop in your tracks," Gage called everyone helps set up camp before we get down to some real fun.
Opening the trunk he handed the kids each their backpacks turning just in time to catch Syd lifting hers. "And what do you think you're doing?" he asked lifting the pack and setting it on the ground.
"Lifting it out for me to carry. Marcus you and Torrie want to show Chris and Piper where we are set up?"
Both turned at the sound of Trivette's voice behind them.
"Okay Dad," Marcus shouted back the kids all disappearing down the trail.
"Hey Trivette," Syd greeted their friend asking, "Where's Erica?"
"She took off a couple of hours ago book in hand saying she was going to find a quiet spot to read," Jimmy flatly stated. Then looking at Gage added, "And it is all your fault."
"My fault?" Gage asked pointing his finger to his chest as he asked. He looked at Syd hoping she could provide a clue to what was going on. Shrugging her shoulders they both looked back at Trivette.
"You are the one who wanted another baby aren't you Gage?"
Gage opened his mouth to say something then closed it again being at a loss even how to begin. Again Gage looked to his wife for help.
"Jimmy which direction did she go?" Syd quickly asked deciding she'd go look for her friend and leave setting up camp to Gage and Trivette.
"The trail down along the river," he replied lifting Syd's pack to his shoulder.
Once they got to the campsite Syd headed down the trail that Erica had gone done but not before whispering, "Good Luck," to her husband.
The kids had all ready headed down towards the river and Trivette was all ready unrolling one of the tents as Gage walked over to where he was working. "So Erica wants to add to your family," Gage tried to ease into the subject.
"Man after Torrie was born we talked it over from all angles," Trivette started. "It was her that was positive that we had the perfect family and two beautiful healthy kids were enough. Especially since one was a boy and one was a girl. Maybe I should have seen this coming I guess ever since Sydney found out she was expecting again she has sort of been hinting at. Last night though when she brought it up it was like it came out of left field and I acted like it too."
Gage smiled at his friend. "You know Syd probably reacted the same way as you when I first brought up the subject. We'd had similar discussions about the perfect family and two kids were lots and discussing this with me isn't going to make one bit of difference you know."
"Yeah I know I need to talk discuss this with Erica if I can ever get her to talk to me again," Trivette mumbled.
"You know you will," Gage smiled slapping his friend's shoulder.
"Daddy, Daddy," Both Piper and Torrie were running to their father's as if they had seen ghosts.
Trivette had scooped Torrie up in his arms and Gage had squatted in front of Piper.
"What is it Pipe?" Gage asked seeing the wild expressions on her and Torrie's faces.
"Somebody dead is in the river and Chris and Marcus are guarding them while Torrie and I came to get you and Uncle Jimmy," she cried wild eyed.
"Show me Pipe," he said taking her hand running down the trail with her Trivette still holding Torrie a step behind.
"Dad, Dad," Chris began shouting seeing his father emerge from the woods.
"Chris you and Marcus up here with Piper and Torrie," Trivette called setting his daughter down.
"We didn't touch nothing Dad," Chris told his father.
"That's good Chris," Gage told his son squeezing his shoulder, "Now if you can just go up and stay with the kids until your Mom and Aunt Erica get back."
"No problem Dad," the boy smiled at his father going over immediately where Piper stood with the Trivette children.
"Gage." Everyone looked to where Sydney's voice came from as she appeared from the woods.
"Mom we found somebody dead in the river," the kids were excitedly telling her.
"A body?" she looked at all of them fear crossing her face. "Guys stay here," she said going to where Gage and Jimmy stood with the body.
"Who is it? Who did you find?" she questioned all most in a panic.
"Syd we don't know who it is," Gage told her watching her hand go to her side. "Sydney." Gage's arm was all ready around her helping to ease her to the ground.
"I'm all right Gage," she started to say only to be cut off by her husband.
"No you're not Syd I was there the last two times remember."
"Gage I'm fine," she insisted as she looked at Trivette, "Jimmy I couldn't find Erica, I found her book. It looks like there may have been some sort of fight the book was trampled into the mud…"
Trivette was all ready running for the spot that he knew his wife had last gone.
"Gage go with him it's only a cramp from hurrying to get back here," she lied to her husband.
"You sure?" he put to her again.
She shook her head yes saying, "Will you get going."
He gave her one more doubt full look and took off after his friend.
When Syd thought Gage was out of earshot she called to Chris. "Can you come here and help me get up," she asked.
"Sure Mom," Chris called out going to her side the rest of the kids following and with their help she was soon on her feet. Immediately her hand went to her side another pain waving down on her.
"Hey you guys what are you doing? Mom Dad they're down here," Angela was shouting back down the path she had just come from.
"Thank God," Syd silently whispered to herself.
"What are you guys doing down here?" Alex asked coming into the clearing.
"Alex is Walker with you?" Syd asked ignoring Alex's question.
"He's setting up," Alex quickly replied going to where Chris was letting his mother lean against him. "Syd what's going on? What's wrong?"
"Chris go get Uncle Walker."
Chris looked into his mother's face not wanting to leave her, "but Mom."
"Get going Chris we need him, Aunt Alex will stay with me."
"It's all right Chris," Alex assured him all ready with her arm around Syd helping to sit down again. Nodding his head Chris took off in the direction of camp.
"Sydney what's going?" Alex questioned again. "Where's Gage and Jimmy and Erica?"
"Can we come over there Mom?" Piper asked.
"I need to talk to Aunt Alex for a minute," Syd called back to her daughter squeezing her eyes shut at the same time against another pain. As it subsided Syd began explaining what had happened since they arrived finishing with, "I just thought Jimmy should have Gage with him."
"Alex, Sydney," walker was shouting to them.
"Over hear Walker," Alex called as both he and Chris ran to where his Mom and Aunt Alex were sitting on the ground.
"Mom you want me to go look for Dad?" Chris started to ask.
Standing Alex put her arm around Chris' shoulder telling him, "You are doing a great job here Chris right now though we need you and Angela to make sure the kids all stay together. Uncle Walker will get your Dad for your Mom all right."
"She's okay isn't she Aunt Alex?"
"She's going to be just fine," Alex tried to assure the anxious child.
"She's going to have the baby isn't she?" he asked remembering back to when Piper was born.
"It looks like she might be going to," Alex agreed with him looking into his brown eyes.
"Are you going to look after her until Dad gets back?" Alex nodded her head yes. "Then I'll do my part too," he declared looking once more to his mother then heading back towards the rest of the kids.
"You hang on Syd," Walker was saying as Alex came to sit down with her friend again.
"I am the pain seems to be easing up. Just find Erica okay Walker," Syd was almost pleading with her boss.
Walker nodded yes as he stood saying, "Gage will be with you in no time too."
~~~~~
Trivette stood in the small clearing by the river his heart pounding almost completely out of breath from running the whole distance to the spot his wife had last been. He moved to the river bank seeing the book laying there just exactly as Sydney had said it was flipped open in mud with a big boot print in the middle of it. He squatted down for a closer look seeing what Syd had thought had looked like a fight. He squeezed his eyes closed for a minute knowing she had been right about that too.
He stood up cupping his hands to his mouth calling out, "Erica, Erica where are you?" He received no answer.
"Trivette."
Jimmy turned to see Gage standing there.
"Anything?" Gage questioned his friend.
"Only that your wife was right," Jimmy, replied as Gage came to stand beside him.
"Looks like the tracks are headed back into the woods," Gage commented as both men head in the direction the tracks were leading, Trivette barrelling right into the under brush.
"Wait up Trivette," Gage called out to him grabbing hold of his arm at the same time.
"For what Gage? Wait for what? So they can get farther away with her and do what ever they are going to do to her," Trivette yelled at him.
"I know it's not easy," Gage tried to tell him having been in his position before. "We have to get help we have to do this right if we hope to find her."
"You go for help I'm following this trail," Trivette insisted bending down again to look closer at the tracks. "It's the same boot print. Who ever it is has got Erica and I just can't wait to go for help."
"All right, all right I'll go with you," Gage conceded.
"No you won't Gage I will."
They both turned to see Walker standing there. "We need Search and Rescue and Gage, Sydney needs to get to a hospital," he said taking charge, "Call for help once you get her there."
"Oh please God no," Gage was silently saying under his breath. "It's done Walker," Gage stated as he rested his hand briefly on Trivette's shoulder.
"You go look after your wife and I'll find mine," Trivette told him with renewed determination.