Chapter 5

Thwarted Plans

The door to Chris' room opened and Walker stuck his head in. Gage had taken a position in a chair beside the bed while Syd sat with Chris on the bed laying back against the pillows with her son in her arms. Even in sleep Chris clutched tightly to his mother still worried about her wanting to protect her as much as his father did.

"How is he?" Walker asked.

"They gave him something so he could sleep," Gage replied letting his hand come to rest on Syd's leg.

Walker nodded saying at the same time, "Alex and I would like to take Cat and Piper home for the night if that's all right and then you can stay here with Chris."

"Thanks," Gage told him adding, "Let Alex know how much we appreciate it.

"Walker any luck finding the kids who did this?" Sydney asked their boss again feeling her anger rise.

"Not yet for now it looks like it was gang orchestrated…"

"But we all know that the Stewarts are behind this," Gage cut in wishing John Stewart was standing in front of him, wishing he could beat him as he had had his son beaten.

Syd took hold of her husband's hand and held tight, "Gage we'll get him he isn't going to get away with this. He will be stopped we'll see to it."

Letting out a deep sigh Gage pulled Syd's hand to his lips turning to face Chris the pain of not being able to protect his son contorting his face.

"Gage Sydney why not let me stay with Chris for a little bit and you two go with Alex and the kids to get some dinner. Piper and Cat could use a little of your support too," Walker suggested letting his hand rest on Gage's shoulder.

Both remained silent neither wanting to leave Chris. Understanding their hurt and fears Walker spoke again, "Chris and I'll be fine and you won't be gone that long."

Finally he got them to agree Gage helped Syd to untangle from Chris and with his arm around her walked to the door with her.

"Daddy, Mommy," Walker could hear the Gage girls calling to their parents before the door closed.

Cat had some how missed the step of walking she went right from crawling to running. Even though Alex had the three older children to help her she was all but wore out chasing Cat.

Gage scooped both Cat and Piper up and held them close.

"How's Chris?" Alex asked putting her arm around Sydney knowing she was due for a good cry.

"He's going to be fine," Syd got out trying unsuccessfully to keep the tears at bay. Alex walked with Syd down the hall to the bathroom leaving Gage with the kids.

"What's wrong with Mommy?" Piper asked her father.

"She's just upset that Chris got hurt that's all," Gage told his daughter letting Piper slide to the floor as he stared after Alex and his wife.

"Down Daddy down," Cat was chanting to him her little hands slapping his face.

Turning his attention to Cat Gage gave her a little squeeze saying, "How bout I just hold you and then I'll know where you are so when Mommy and Aunt Alex come back we can go for supper?"

Cat burst into a fit of laughter as if her father was madly tickling her squirming wildly in his arms. He finally had to swing her under his arm to keep a hold on her.

"Are you giving Daddy a hard time Cat?" Her mother asked coming up behind them.

"No more then usual," Gage tried to smile asking at the same time if they were ready to eat.

~~~~~

"Mom?" Chris asked his eyes searching the room for his mother.

"Hi Chris your Mom and Dad went to get some supper they should be back very soon." Walker had gotten up and came to sit beside Chris on his bed.

"Okay Uncle Walker," Chris acknowledged letting Walker take his hand.

"Chris I know you are worried about your Mom but I've known her for a very long time it is going to be pretty hard for these guys to get the best of her. Now that your Dad, Uncle Jimmy and I know what is going on it is going to be pretty hard for anyone to get close enough to hurt her," Walker was explaining trying to put the boy's mind at ease.

"I know I just don't want her to get hurt like me," Chris exclaimed the fear welling up in his eyes once again.

"I can understand that Chris Mom's are pretty special," Walker agreed his mind going to when he had lost his own Mother and Father understanding perfectly how Chris felt. "Chris can I tell you a little story that might make you feel a little better?"

Chris nodded his head yes and Walker began, "When I first met your Mom and Dad I knew your Dad was an excellent Ranger, could handle himself, had a good head on his shoulders. I knew right away that I wanted him to come to Dallas and work with Uncle Jimmy and me. Your Mom on the other hand… well your Mom was pretty I could tell your Dad thought so too. In fact I thought that might be the main reason your Dad liked having her for a partner. I really had my doubts that she could handle some of the situations and the bad guys we had to deal with. But well your Dad stood up for her, told me if your Mom couldn't come and be his partner then he guessed he would have to stay in Houston with her cause she was the best partner he had ever had.

I really wanted your Dad to come work in Dallas so I gave in and let your Mom come too. And you want to know something?"

"What?" Chris asked intrigued by the story.

"Your Dad was a hundred percent right and I was a hundred percent wrong," Walker laughed. Your Mom is every bit as good a Ranger as I could ask for. Your Mom and Dad they protect each other and you kids and they are both very good at their jobs."

"Hey you awake?" Syd asked as she opened the door and came inside.

"Hi Mom," he son greeted her.

"Your sisters would like to come inside for a minute and say hello if you feel up to it," Syd told him.

"Okay Mom," Chris agreed.

"You stay Sydney," Walker told her getting up, "and I'll send Gage in with them."

"Thanks Walker," Sydney replied.

"Uncle Walker," Chris called to him, "Thanks for the story I do feel better."

"Any time Chris you just get better," Walker retorted.

Syd watched her boss leave before turning back to Chris to ask what story he had been telling him. The door opened before Chris could answer and Gage came in with Piper and Cat.

The Stewart Home

David hadn't had much time to speculate on what his father had meant when he said he would have no more problem with the Gage children. Shortly after the announcement and David had been banished from the office his father had been interrupted. They had a visitor, a visitor who scared him even more then his father. Sam Clay had showed up on their doorstep bringing all the fear and terror that proceeded his reputation.

He had gone into his father's office uninvited and the door had closed but it really didn't matter both of them were loud enough that their words could be heard all over the house. David had gone into his room and closed the door burying his head under his pillows trying to drown out the sounds from below.

~~~~~

"Have I taught you nothing John?" Sam Clay bellowed the same time reaching out and striking his son across his cheek with his gnarled old hand.

John held his temper glaring at the man who had fathered him wanting nothing more then this miserable old man to die. He loathed Sam Clay yet for reasons known only to the both of them they stayed bonded together as father and son.

"I want this problem taken care of by God," Sam barked at John, "Old CD Parker couldn't wait until I got out he robbed me of my revenge I won't be robbed twice. You make sure you look after Cordell Walker, you make him suffer, make his family suffer. I want you to forget all this business with David and his playmates. Don't you do anything that will jeopardize what I want."

The silent threat that was manifesting itself from Sam to his son deterred John for now. He had absolutely no intention of leaving David's lesson in power and leadership unfinished, he would finish what he started even if it interfered with Sam Clay's illustrious plans or not."

The Following Day

After an early morning exam from Doctor Casey Chris was released from hospital. As Sydney signed the paper work and got the last minute instructions Gage talked with Walker on the phone.

"Okay well see you in about thirty minutes," Gage said into the phone going to meet Syd and Chris who was in a wheelchair being pushed towards him.

"You two all set?" Gage asked taking over driving the wheelchair from the nurse.

"More then ready aren't we Chris?" Syd asked.

Shaking his head yes Chris asked at the same time, "Can we stop and get some breakfast on the way home?"

"Like father like son," Syd teased the pair of them.

"I'd love too but we have to rely on Mom's cooking this morning Uncle Walker and everyone are coming by with Piper and Cat very shortly," Gage explained to them. "Maybe some take out for supper."

"Okay Dad," Chris replied looking very down trodden.

"Chris I've not killed anyone yet with my cooking," Syd tried to cheer him up.

"I know Mom I just like it being you and me and Dad sometimes that's all."

Gage and Sydney smiled at Chris' comments and each other as Gage helped his boy into the car.

The Gage's Home

Walker and Gordon with the Gage girls along with the Jimmy Trivette were parked at their home when Gage pulled up.

"I've got coffee," Trivette told everyone as he emerged from his car carrying a restaurant flat with styro foam cups in it.

"Where are Alex and Erica and the rest of the kids?" Sydney asked as she greeted everyone taking Cat from Walker's arms.

"Alex was dropping Angela at school and then Danny at the Hope Center," Walker explained.

"And Erica's doing the same," Trivette smiled as they all walked towards and went inside the Gage home.

Quickly settling the children in front of the television Gage went to the kitchen where Sydney sat with the rest around the kitchen table. Gordon was explaining that what had happened to Chris and the threat against Sydney was just more evidence that it was a wrongful suit being brought against them.

"Sydney we've got you set up to go into the Stewart accounting firm as a junior accountant," Walker began.

Gage began to chuckle to himself. "What's so funny Francis?" She demanded.

"I've seen your accounting skills Syd," Gage countered back. "You might be able to do a lot of things but keep bank accounts isn't one of them."

"Not to worry Syd," Trivette cut in, "You just send everything back to me and I'll do it and send it back."

Sydney smiled at Trivette but couldn't resist sticking her tongue out at her husband. Gage grinned back at his wife masking that nagging feeling that was coming back to him.

"When do I start?" Syd was asking.

"Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock," Trivette told her.

"Good the sooner we get to the bottom of this the better," Syd added.

"The sooner this is over the better," Gage thought to himself.

They discussed a few more things then Gordon, Walker and Trivette got up to go leaving the Gages to their children for the day. Gage had gone into the family room and wheedled a place for himself on the couch with Chris. Now with Chris up against him both were fast asleep while the girls had gone to their room to do some colouring.

Syd stood in the doorway a moment before she went to the computer to pull up some files Trivette was sending her regarding her assignment for tomorrow. Gazing at her husband and son she noted that neither slept very peacefully. She hoped that this case could be resolved fairly quickly and the Stewart family would be out of their lives.

The phone rang and Syd jumped as she quickly went to answer it. It was Trivette letting them know that he and Walker had been to see Tammy Eastman and that she would survive the attack.

"She claims that Jake Eastman in actually John Stewart's son too. According to Tammy her and John were all ready on the outs when she became pregnant with Jake. Stewart claimed that Jake wasn't his and if Tammy didn't get out of his and David's lives for good with this illegitimate child then he would make sure she would never see either kid ever again," Trivette explained. "It has just been lately that Tammy has been going by the school just to get a glimpse of David. Well she saw him get a bloody nose from Piper and had tried to contact the school to find out how he was, the school was compelled by the courts to contact Stewart with Tammy getting shot the end result of things."

Sydney shook her head as she listened to Trivette explain. She felt Gage come up behind her and wind his arms around gently nuzzling her neck as she ended the call. Turning in his arms she quickly explained what she had learnt standing on tiptoes to kiss his cheek when she had finished. Gage was about to lean down and really kiss her when the phone rang again. Instead he reached to answer it. "What did you forget Trivette?" he asked smiling at Syd.

"How long has she been gone?" was his next question followed by, "I'm on my way."

"Gage what is it?"

"Angela her and another little girl have disappeared from school."

TBC