Disclaimer: This was written for the soul purpose of our entertainment. I lay no claim on Walker Texas Ranger or any of its characters.

"Revisited Childhood"

Janis Boisclair

jboisclair@rogers.com

~Chapter One~

The Haunted Past

The doorbell had just rung Buddy was barking loudly and Cat was screaming, "I'll get it."

The youngest Gage pulled open the door expecting to see Anna B and Sumner standing there instead there was petite lady with short blonde hair standing there. "Who are you?" she asked looking the woman up and down.

"I have been away for far to long," the woman replied smiling at Cat. "Would your Mom or Dad be home?"

Just then Piper came round the corner to see why Anna B and Sumner hadn't come in her eyes catching the visitor at the door. "Aunt Julie," she cried out running towards her yelling for Chris, Mom and Dad at the same time.

Julie caught Piper in her arms in a tight hug just as Chris appeared. "Dad Mom come quick," he called running to her, "Dad Aunt Julie is here!"

"Julie?" Syd questioned followed close by her husband. Syd gave her sister-in-law a quick hug, as Gage stood just looking at her.

"Francis," Julie smiled holding out her hand.

Gage took hold of her pulling her close into a tight hug as he whispered, "Jules it's been way to long."

"I know it has," she whispered back enjoying her brother's arms holding her tight.

"Julie, Julie Gage is that you?" Anna B who had come up behind them with Sumner was crying.

"Anna B!" Julie exclaimed pulling away from Gage to grasp Anna B in her arms.

"What on earth are you doing here?" Anna B questioned.

"We were just about to ask her the same question," Gage stated slinging his arm over her shoulder and pulling her close once again.

"Can't a girl just come visit her brother and his family when she wants?" Julie asked looking accusingly at Gage and Anna B.

"Of course you can," Syd stepped forward putting her arm around her sister-in-law to escort her inside.

"Ahem," Sumner cleared his throat, "Since none of these fine people want to introduce me…" Sumner held his hand out, "I'm Matt Sumner I work with Sydney and Gage plus have the honour of being Anna B's fiancée."

"I'm sorry Matt," Anna B's face went red as she apologized. "Matt this is Julie Gage's sister."

"Pleased to meet you Matt," Julie smiled adding, "You are the brave one working with Gage and marrying Anna B…"

"Julie you aren't trying to say we're a bad pair?" Gage asked.

"Well if she isn't I will," Sydney piped up soliciting laughs from Matt and Julie. "Let's not stand in the driveway lets go inside."

"I'll get your suitcase Aunt Julie," Chris volunteered grabbing it up before she could.

"Will you sit beside me Aunt Julie?" Piper was asking all ready putting her hand in her Aunt's.

"I sure will Honey," Julie replied her arm going around her goddaughter's shoulder giving her a little squeeze as they headed inside.

Gage stood back as everyone went in the house wondering Julie's true reason for coming to Dallas. His thoughts were interrupted by his youngest daughter asking, "Is she really your sister Daddy?"

Reaching down Gage lifted Cat into his arms, "Yes Puss she is really my sister and your Aunt Julie," he laughed hugging her close.

Cat wound her arms around her father's neck still not sure of this woman that she looked so much like.

~~~~~

The rest of the evening was spent catching up on each others news and discussing wedding plans. "So let me get this straight," Julie began, "You're letting Gage give you away?"

"Hey I'd do the same honour for you if you could find someone to take you," Gage teased his sister.

"As I recall Francis the last guy I was serious about you threatened to punch his lights out if he touched me again," Julie threw back at him.

"There were a couple of times that I thought maybe he might let me have it too," Sumner added, "Only I had Syd to protect me."

"Laugh all you want you guys," Anna B cut in, "But if Gage hadn't come into my life when he did… I owe you and Sydney a lot I don't think I would have made it quite literally without you guys." With that Anna B leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Daddy your face is all red," Cat interjected having felt she had been left out of the conversation long enough.

"But it looks good on your Dad don't you think Cat?" Sumner asked her everyone laughing.

Finally it was time for the kids to be tucked in Anna B and Sumner were on their way too.

"Well you two I'm off to bed too it's been a long day," Syd yawned wanting to give Gage some alone time with his sister.

"I'll be there in a few minutes Shorty," Gage told her with a smile taking her fingers in his hand letting them linger there before she pulled away.

"Night Julie, I'm really glad you're here," she told her sister-in-law.

"Night Sydney, thanks I'll see you in the morning," Julie replied.

Watching Syd go down the hall a comfortable silence began to descend upon them until Julie finally spoke, "Francis I have something that I need your help on."

"I knew it," Gage laughed, "I knew you showing up unannounced was more then just a social call."

"Frankie this is serious," Julie cut in knowing she should have expected this from him. It was his next reaction though that she was more worried about. She fell silent staring at the floor.

Gage waited a few minutes for her to continue and when she didn't he reached out and took her hand. "Jules you know if I can help I will…"

"That's just it Francis this is something I don't know if you will be able to allow yourself to help me with," Julie tried to explain.

"How bout you just tell me and let me be the judge of that," Gage answered once again slinging his arm around her shoulder and pulling her close.

Nodding her head yes Julie began her story. "A little while ago I met up with a woman… who I believe has been falsely accused in connection with a big drug bust."

"What makes you think she isn't involved?" Gage asked taking an interest in the story.

"She has three teenage boys one her own and two step-sons who live with her. All three have records as long as your arm gangs, petty theft, drug charges. They abuse her Frankie," Julie told him as Gage clutched a little tighter to her knowing how they both felt about someone helpless being abused.

"So what happened?"

"The police got an anonymous tip that her home was being used as a big drug distribution center and that the little old lady act that she put on was just a cover. They raided the place she was arrested and charged. Her three boys who are probably behind it weren't charged just her," Julie finished.

Gage sat thoughtfully for a few minutes before questioning his sister again. "What does this have to do with you? How did you get on to her?"

Again Julie looked at the floor not saying anything.

"Jules?" Gage had reached for her hand again. "Julie who is this woman?"

Taking a deep breath Julie paused for a moment before answering, "Lillian Millson."

Gage dropped Julie's hand like it was a hot potato staring at her in disbelief.

"Francis listen to me…" Julie tried to say.

"After what her and her husband did to us?" Gage asked raising his voice.

"Frankie things are different now people change," his sister was trying to plead Lillian Millson's case.

"I haven't changed that much. I still don't forgive, she can rot in jail for the rest of her life for all I care." Gage was standing now his voice loud enough to bring Syd back down the hall.

"What's going on?" she questioned both of them.

"I'm going to bed." Gage announced still unable to believe what Julie was asking of him.

"Julie what's going on?" Syd asked again after Gage had stormed down the hall slamming the bedroom door closed behind him.

"I asked him to do something that is just impossible for him to do," Julie simply said passing by Sydney on her way to bed too.

Same Time Anna B and Sumner's

Opening the car door Sumner held out his hand to help Anna B out they walked arm in arm to the front door. The young couple was so wrapped up in themselves that neither of them noticed the beat up old sedan that was parked across the street, or the grey haired man who sat watching them.

"It's hard to believe what a nice sweet sister Gage has," Sumner was commenting to Anna B.

"She may seem nice and sweet now but just cross her or Gage and look out," Anna B laughed back. "She makes Gage look tame."

"That I would have to see," Sumner replied unlocking the door turning to take Anna B in his arms for a kiss.

She in turn let her arms go around his neck drawing him into a more seductive kiss whispering, "I think we should continue this inside."

"You'll get no argument from me on that," Sumner readily agreed his hands playing up her back.

Pulling only slightly away from each other they went inside Sumner wrapping her in his arms once again bringing her close his lips teasing her neck as his foot caught and closed the door.

"Umm Matt go turn the bed down while I set the coffee machine up for breakfast tomorrow," Anna B purred Matt's response was to hold her tighter.

"Come on Honey the sooner I get done down here the sooner we can…" her sentence was left unfinished Matt had leaned forward again his lips catching hers, her arms going around him again.

"Sumner," she tried to scold Matt lifting her from the floor.

"I'll buy coffee in the morning," Matt told her between kisses heading towards the stairs with her. Before they made it up even one step they were interrupted by a loud rap on the front door.

"Expecting company?" Matt asked setting her down the rap repeating itself.

Going back to the door Sumner and opened it to find a tall older man with greying hair standing there. "Can I help you?" Sumner asked.

"I've come to see Annabelle McMurtrie," the man told him hesitating a moment before saying, "I'm her father."

Anna B had walked up behind Matt to see who was at the door. Hearing the man's words she quickly stepped around him to face her father. "How dare you come here?" she snapped at the man. "Get away from me and stay away."

"Annabelle please…" McMurtrie tried to say only to be cut off by Matt.

"You heard her please do as she wishes so no further action needs to be taken," Matt told him beginning to shut the door.

"Or what you're going to call Francis Gage?" McMurtrie snidely shouted.

Taking a stand in front of the man Sumner answered, "I don't think that we need to do that I think I'll be able to take care of you on my own. Come here or try to see Annabelle again and I'll have you in cuffs so fast it will make your head spin. This is your only warning."

McMurtrie glared at Sumner a moment before saying, "We aren't finished here Annabelle. I love you and want to be part of your life."

"I want nothing to do with you John," Anna B cried, "You are dead to me." With that she slammed the door shut leaving McMurtrie standing there.

Sydney and Gage's

Opening the bed door Syd was met with the sounds of the shower coming from their bathroom. She thought about striping down and joining him but decided maybe he needed the time alone instead. So taking a seat on top of the vanity she sat impatiently waiting for Gage to finish up.

The steam billowed up around his body as he shook off the pain of the blows that his mind was manifesting as if it had happened only moments ago instead of years ago. He could hear the woman's screeching voice. The memories he thought he had buried forever were suddenly coming back slapping him in the face, tightening around his throat, squeezing his very life out of him… Becoming too much for him Gage slowly sank to the shower floor the once hidden sobs escaping him again.

From where she sat Syd watched her husband slowly slide down the shower wall to the floor. Jumping up she pulled the door open and stepping in fully clothed dropped to the floor beside him pulling him into her arms the hot water beating down on them both.

Gage turned to her knowing that she loved him knowing that… "Oh Syd," he whispered clutching tight to her.

"Its all right Gage… shh lets get out of here and dried off then you can tell me if you want," she softly spoke to him feeling his pain moving bit by bit to her.

"I've got no right…"

"Francis you have every right." He felt her lips brush his forehead, her breast caress his cheek as she reached up to turn the water off. His arms went around her pulling her down on top of him burying his face against her breast he held her tightly once again. Her arms went around him returning the embrace.

Moments Later…

Lying quietly beneath the covers of their bed Gage listened to the soft purring of the hairdryer while Syd dried her long hair. The monotonous noise sent his mind wandering again, the image of Lillian Millson materializing before him, her words coming back to him even after such a long time ago…

"How dare you question Luke's authority here? Luke and I are law here," she had screamed followed up by several strikes from the leather belt she had in her hand. He had hardly noticed all he could hear were Julie's screams from behind that closed locked door. He hadn't understood at first what Luke Millson was doing to her but he did know that he had to stop him…

"Gage Honey are you all right?" Syd asked seeing his eyes rimmed with tears again.

"Yeah Syd I'll be fine," he half smiled to her trying to make light of things.

"You know," she began as she settled in beside him, "I make a pretty good listener if you want to tell me I want to listen."

"I don't know that you want to hear this…"

"Gage I know that you are hurting tell me what's wrong," Syd murmured holding him close his head resting against her.

"Do you remember when you first told me about Derek Shaw?"

Syd ran her fingers through his hair whispering, "yes."

"Do you remember me telling you I had a few of my own tales of horror that I hadn't told you?"

"Yes," again she answered pressing her lips against his head.

"This is one of those tales," he told her barely above a whisper.

Again Syd gently drew her fingers through his hair waiting quietly for Gage to continue.

Taking a deep breath he began, "You know that after Mom and Dad died Julie and I were sent to a group foster home. It was run by Lillian and Luke Millson…" Gage's voice trailed off at the recollection. Sighing again he continued, "I was always in trouble with the two of them and that always got Julie in trouble because she would stick up for me. Suffice it to say we got hit a lot by both of them.

Some where along the line though things changed. One day Luke came into the room just furious he had been drinking as usual and ordered Julie into his room. Julie was scared I could tell I could see it in her eyes, her face… I tried to get between them and got knocked head first into a wall for my trouble. That was just enough time for Luke to follow Julie into the bedroom and lock the door.

God Syd I could hear her crying and scream but it didn't matter how hard I hit that door I couldn't get in," Gage choked the words out pausing a minute before he could go on.

Then Lillian came in wanting to know what the ruckus was. She took one look at that bedroom door and came after me with a leather belt locking me up in the basement until after Luke was finished with Julie and had gone out for the evening.

Right then and there I swore he wasn't going to separate us like that again, I was going to be there and maybe together the two of us could stop him…

It wasn't a week later that Luke went after her again and I tried to stop him. He got hold of my arm yanking it behind me hard enough that he broke it. If I stop and think about it I can still hear in snapping. The pain was awful it hurt so bad I was sure I was going to die from it. But he didn't stop there he grabbed a handful of my hair and hauled me through the house and without a second thought he hurled me down the basement stairs."

An involuntary gasp escaped Syd and she wrapped her arms tighter around her husband waiting for him to continue.

"Julie told me later that he padlocked the door closed and not even Lillian could open it. Two days later he sobered up enough to realize what he had done it must have scared him a little cause they took me to emergency. My arm was all busted up and my leg, I was in a coma for over three weeks. Julie thought I was going to die… All I remember about it was my mother's face. I know it sounds a little hoakey but that whole time I was in that coma I'm sure my mother was there holding onto my hand. I could see her face and she never left me until I was able to open my eyes."

"Gage I'm sure she was there with you for the whole time watching over you," Syd agreed knowing she had experienced the same feelings about her own mother when she was shot…

"All I know for sure is that the whole thing must have scared Millson. Even though he claimed that I had fallen down the stairs and they believed him he never touched Julie or me again. About six months afterwards we were bounced to another group home."

"Gage I hate that you had to live through all that. I wish I could make it all disappear…"

"You can't Syd any more then I can make the memories of what Shaw did to you go away…"

"What happened tonight Gage? What happened between you and Julie?" Syd questioned him.

"Julie some how recently has run into Lillian, she's got herself in some sort of scrape with the law and well Julie thinks she has been wrongly charged. She wanted to know if I could help her.

Syd I just don't have it in me to forgive her anything. She knew that Luke was raping Julie and she did nothing to stop him. Her solution was to take a belt to me for trying to save my sister. She knew I was locked in the basement for two days hurt maybe dead and she didn't lift a finger to help me.

Julie says people change and maybe they do but I don't have it in my heart to forgive her for what she did changed or not. I know it was years ago… I doubt I'll ever have it in my heart to forgive that woman to me she was twice as bad as he was!" Gage exclaimed his temper flaring.

"Shh its all right Honey there is nothing saying that you have to help her…"

"Yeah but how can Julie after what Lillian did to us forgive her and help her let alone come to me expecting that I would want to help?"

"I don't know I guess it is something that you will have to talk to Julie about."

"Syd I don't know at this moment if I can even talk to Julie at all."

"Gage give it some time don't let this come between you no matter what you decide."

Gage was silent for a few minutes more before finally agreeing with his wife.

Anna B and Sumner's

"Is he gone?" Anna B nervously asked Sumner as she peered over his shoulder at the window.

"He drove off as soon as he left Honey and he hasn't come back," Matt tried to reassure he for the twentieth time.

Sumner knew all to well who John McMurtrie was. When he had first started seeing Anna B she had been very secretive about who her parents were. She had confessed that her mother had been kidnapped and murdered but it had taken a lot for her to feel confident enough in her relationship with Matt to tell him the rest of the story.

That story was sketchy at best so Matt had gone to Gage who had filled in the details and given him the files of the case.

"But how did he get out? How did he find me?" Anna B asked again even though she knew Matt didn't have the answer… yet.

"Come on lets go to bed we can sort this out in the morning and take the steps to keep him away from you," Matt whispered holding her tight.

Anna B nodded her head yes taking Matt's hand letting him lead her upstairs. Half way there she stopped crying, "Oh Matt he had her killed, he had my mother killed, he might just as well have pulled the trigger himself he killed her."

Sumner had his arms around her holding her as close as he could saying over and over, "I'm so sorry Honey, I'm just so sorry this had to happen to you."

"Matt you really love me don't you?" she asked her tear stained face looking up into his.

"Honey with all my heart I love you," he told her placing a hand on each side of her face looking deep into her eyes. Slowly he leaned towards her his lips caressing each eyelid and her cheeks. "Annabelle you have become my whole life, yes Honey I really love you," he told her kissing her slowly and passionately full on the lips.

"I knew that you did I just need to hear you say it," she answered him allowing him to kiss her again.

"Lets go to bed Sweetie," Matt smiled rising his eyebrows slightly and raising his eyes up the stairs. Putting his arm around her she leaned against him and they continued up the steps.

"Matt I'm not his little girl any more I haven't been since that night in New Orleans. I knew before Gage told me what that monster had done to my mother. I just don't want to ever have to see him again," she was almost pleading with him.

"I'll talk with Gage tomorrow and we'll see what we can do about keeping him away from you," Matt promised. "He's not going to hurt you again."

TBC