Disclaimer: This was written for the soul purpose of our entertainment. I lay no claim on Walker Texas Ranger or any of its characters.
"Let No Man Put A Sunder"
Janis Boisclair
jboisclair@rogers.com
~Chapter One~
One Week Earlier On a Small Farm Outside Dallas
"Well Billy what have you got for me?" Mad Dog asked walking over to where Billy Tiller stood.
"That shipment just like you ordered," Billy smiled bringing out two bags of pure cocaine.
Mad Dog McClain nodded his head to one of his associates who went forward opening the corner of one of the bags with a knife. Wetting his finger he touched it to the powder and then to his tongue smiling to his boss he nodded his head yes.
"You've done good Billy," Mad Dog smiled my boss is going to be pleased.
"So when are we going to get down to some serious business?" Tiller asked.
"Heh, heh," Mad Dog laughed. "Patience my friend, I need to discuss things with my associates. I'll be back in Dallas in two weeks."
"Two weeks!" Tiller began to protest." I've got lots more customers that I can be supplying to…"
"Then I suggest maybe you should do business with them because there are lots more suppliers out there that we can do business with as well. I doubt that you are going to find anyone to take as much as us or as consistently as us… but that is what this great country is all about free enterprise," Mad Dog smiled.
"All right two weeks," Billy agreed.
"Good," Mad Dog smiled going back to his chauffeur driven limousine and getting in.
~Chapter Two~
Two Days Prior to Anna B and Sumner's Wedding
It was four twenty-three in the morning it hadn't even started to get light yet when for some reason unknown to him Gage awoke. He turned to snuggle closer to his wife to find her side of the bed empty. Pulling himself up on one elbow his eyes were drawn to the light coming from the bathroom door. Throwing back the covers he got up to investigate.
Nearing the door he could hear what sounded like quiet sobs coming from beyond. "Syd are you all right?" he hoarsely whispered gently rapping on the door at the same time.
"Go away Gage," came the response from inside.
"Syd what's wrong?" he asked ignoring what she had said opening the door and going inside to find her sitting on the floor crying.
"Gage just go back to bed…" she started to say only to have him slide to the floor and wrap his arms around her. Not being able to help herself she turned into his chest crying more.
Gently stroking her hair Gage couldn't imagine what was upsetting Syd this much. It was so unlike her to get this upset over anything that she resorted to tears. "You might feel better if you tell me," he tried to coax it out of her.
"If you must know I'm late," she cried out pulling away from him mad at him all over again.
"Syd you're not late it's still dark out," Gage tried to reason just to have her punch him in the chest.
"Francis some times," she cried out. "I'm late and it's all your fault," she continued on tossing the test results from the home pregnancy test she had just taken at him as she scrambled to her feet to stomp out of the bathroom.
Gage looked after her for a moment then picking up the test he read the results, which were positive. Looking back in the bedroom to where Syd sat on the edge of the bed crying again he picked himself up and went to join her.
"Well this is sort of unexpected," he smiled down at her.
"Shut up Gage," she snapped back wiping her hand across her face.
He sat down on the bed beside her wanting to put his arm around her when she suddenly bolted back to the bathroom to be sick. Following her he opened the cabinet to retrieve a washcloth turning the faucet on at the same time. Gently he began to bathe the back of her neck and slowly she was able to relax the wave of nausea passing.
Putting his arms around his wife Gage lifted her from the floor and carried her back to their bed. Climbing in with her he pulled her to him and held her neither of them speaking.
"Gage how did we let this happen? We just got Cat into school full days," Syd sobbed again.
"I guess it happened the usual way," Gage answered her only to feel her wraith in his side again.
"Syd I'm sorry it wasn't my intention to have this happen…" he tried to sooth.
"You never take no for an answer either do you," she spit back.
"Syd this isn't all my fault you were just as willing," he replied bracing for another hit.
Instead he got more tears and a pitiful, "I know but I just don't want to be pregnant."
Being at a loss for words to comfort his wife Gage simply pulled her back closer to his chest letting his kisses tease her neck while his hands roamed to her tummy. He really hadn't given much thought to the possibility of this happening again. "I love you Honey," he whispered his hand moving toward her breast.
"Francis this is what got us into this mess," she complained grasping his hand.
"But Syd the damage is all ready done," he persisted nuzzling her neck again. "Besides you were the one to tell me I never take no for an answer."
"Damn it I want to be mad at you," she cried wiggling around in his arms to face him letting his lips take hers in a deep satisfying kiss.
"I know you do but we have to put on a good front let Anna B and Sumner know how wonderful wedded bliss is," he teased seeing that she was mellowing.
"Anna B and Sumner's wedding," Syd gasped. "Gage promise me this is our little secret until after the wedding I don't want anything to take away from their day."
"It's our secret Honey," he promised. Of course he would have promised her anything at this point to keep her from crying again. Pulling her close he kissed her again deeply and passionately.
Later that Morning…
Julie Gage walked into the kitchen to find her brother putting the coffee on and struggling with breakfast. "Hey little brother where's your wife?" she asked stopping to kiss the top of Cat's head.
"Syd's sleeping late," he answered asking if she wanted some eggs
"Wait a minute your wife, my sister-in-law is sleeping late?" Julie questioned. "Is she not feeling well?"
"She does on occasion sleep late you know," Gage answered just as Chris entered the kitchen.
"I don't know Dad but by sounds of it I think Aunt Julie is right she isn't feeling very well," Chris added his two cents worth.
"Would you like me to check on her?" Julie asked.
"No but I would really appreciate it if you would take over making breakfast," Gage almost pleaded heading back down the hall but not before grabbing a gingerale for Syd.
"Is your Dad acting weird or is it just me?" Julie asked the kids.
"Dad always acts weird," Piper, answered her question the rest agreeing.
"Hmm," Julie mumbled deciding something was up and she was going to find out what. "Bacon and eggs kids?" she asked turning back to the task at hand.
~~~~~
Sydney was just coming out of the bathroom as Gage came in the bedroom she looked pale and pasty. "I forgot how awful this is," she mumbled to Gage letting him put his arm around her and help her back to bed.
"Lay down and I'll rub your back," Gage suggested moving on the bed beside her.
"Just let me lay up against you," she replied putting her arms around his waist as she lay on her tummy resting her head on his stomach.
Gage smiled down at his wife running his hand down her back he was kind of getting used to the idea of another Gage. The phone rang but he made no move to answer it he could all ready hear the kids shouting, "I'll get it."
"What time is it Gage?" Syd asked.
Glancing at the clock he answered, "Almost ten."
"Umm I've got to get up Gage I've got so much to do," she said rising up on her elbows to collapse against him again.
"Take it slow Syd," Gage cautioned. "Julie is here and I know she won't mind helping out."
Syd didn't have time to give him an answer Piper was knocking on their door. "Dad Uncle Walker is on the phone for you."
"Thanks Piper," Gage called back reaching for the phone.
"Oh Gage not today," Syd moaned as she heard him say, "Walker," into the phone.
"I believe the file is on Syd's desk… just a second," he said before turning to his wife. "Syd is that file on Mad Dog McClain on your desk?"
"Top drawer right hand side," she answered pulling herself to her feet and heading for the bathroom.
Gage repeated what she said to Walker who found the file with no trouble. "So what's up with McClain?" Gage couldn't resist asking.
"He was saw boarding a plane in Houston under an alias name, a Mick Barron. Trivette's checking out the name," Walker explained.
"Let me know what you find out," Gage told his boss before hanging up the phone.
"What did Walker want?" Syd asked looking in the closet for something to wear.
"He says that Mad Dog just boarded a plane in Houston under the name Mick Barron and is on his way to Dallas," he relayed.
"Maybe you'll see him when you go with Julie to pick up her mystery man," Syd replied giving a small shriek at the same time. "I all ready don't fit into my clothes," she grimaced wrestling the zipper on her jeans closed.
"You look perfect to me Syd," he smiled trying to steal a kiss only to be interrupted by another knock on the door.
"Anna B and Sumner are here," Julie's voice came from the other side. "Francis if you're coming to the airport with me you'd better hurry up."
"Be right there Julie," Gage called out to her before leaning down to kiss his wife. "You take it easy today," he warned. "Try and stop long enough to eat something even if you don't feel like it."
"All right Gage get going," she said almost pushing him into the hallway where Julie waited for him.
"Hi Syd, feeling better?" Julie asked.
"Who said I wasn't feeling good?" she asked giving Gage a glare.
"Chris mentioned he didn't think you sounded too good this morning," Julie replied.
"It was just a ploy to get me to come back to bed," Gage cut in pushing his sister down the hall.
"Sydney," it was Anna B calling. "I was just about to come down the hall and get you," she told her friend locking her arm through Syd's. "Come on we have to go I got your coffee poured."
"Ah… that's nice of you but I'm just a little off coffee today," Syd told her reaching for a glass to pour some juice.
Both Anna B and Sumner looked at her as if she had lost her mind neither saying anything to her but wondering what was up. There had been plenty of discussion and speculation before she and Gage had appeared from the bedroom… Now no coffee her most favourite drink this was weird.
DFW Airport
Julie and Gage stood facing Gate twenty waiting for the shuttle from Houston. Gage had taken a quick look around spotting the two rangers Trivette had sent to tail Mad Dog.
"So what's up with you and Syd?" Julie asked without taking her eyes from the gate.
"Nothing. What would be up with us?" Gage asked not looking at his sister either.
"Frankie even the kids noticed you were acting a little weird this morning," Julie answered turning to look at him.
"You know Syd she's just worried every thing is going to go according to plan," Gage said hoping she was buying it.
"Never mind me what's all this secrecy about this hot guy you're dating?" he asked trying to change the subject.
She didn't have time to answer the passengers were beginning to come through the gate. Suddenly she saw him running to him she shouted out, "Mick over here."
The man she was calling looked up catching her in his arms to hold her tight and kiss her while Gage stood with his mouth open wide. Julie had just run to the arms of Mad Dog McClain.
Taking hold of Mick's hand Julie brought him over to where she had left Gage standing. "Francis I want you to meet Mick Barron, Mick this is my brother Francis," Julie beamed to both men.
"Francis Gage Texas Ranger pleased to meet you," Mick said offering his hand to Gage.
"Mick is it?" Gage asked taking his offered hand, "Nice to meet you too. Julie," Gage smiled turning towards her, "why don't you and Mick grab his suitcase I really want to check on Syd."
"Ha I knew she wasn't feeling good," Julie triumphantly said.
"Okay you got us but you can't let on because she doesn't want anything to mess up this wedding," Gage looked pleadingly at his sister.
"All right all ready," Julie laughed taking Mick's arm once more and heading for the baggage carousel with him.
Gage quickly dialled his wife watching his sister walk away with Mad Dog McClain. "Gage you can't be calling me all the time …" he heard Syd's voice as the phone connected.
"Syd listen to me you aren't going to believe who the mystery man is."
"Some one famous?"
"Famous in the drug dealing category…"
"Gage what are you talking about?"
"Mick Barron alias Mad Dog McClain is Julie's date for the wedding."
"Get serious Gage."
"Sydney I couldn't be more serious I'm standing here looking at the two of them as we speak," he replied. "You had better alert the rest so they don't draw their guns on us when I show up at the door with him. Got to go Honey glad you're feeling better," Gage said for the benefit of his sister and Mick.
"Sydney's feeling better then?" Julie questioned.
"Yeah I guess Erica wasn't feeling that well a few days ago and she figures it must be the same bug," Gage fabricated the story as he went.
"Your wife is a Texas Ranger too?" Mick asked with interest making conversation.
"Yes… yes she is," Gage answered half stumbling over his words.
"And three great kids I'm told," Mick continued.
"I see Julie has told you more about us then she has told us about you," Gage said taking the offensive.
"That's so you can get to know Mick before you do a back ground check on him," Julie cut in standing on tiptoes to kiss her brother's cheek.
Sydney and Gage's
Sydney Anna B and Erica sat at the kitchen table Syd going down a last minute checklist. "Jimmy has the ring right?" Anna B asked.
"I have the ring," Erica assured her taking her hand, "and I'll give it to Jimmy just before he leaves for the church with Sumner."
"I don't know why I'm so nervous Matt isn't nervous at all," Anna B proclaimed.
"Well I know I was nothing but a bundle of nerves but Jimmy was the worse he's lucky his head was attached," Erica laughed.
"Was Gage nervous?" Anna B asked Syd who sat there staring down at the table. "Syd are you all right?"
Still no answer as Anna B and Erica stared at her.
"Sydney," it was Erica who spoke putting her hand on her friend's arm. "Everything all right?"
"Oh… yeah… I'm fine, just a little tired I guess," Syd tried to cover her inattentiveness.
"Maybe if you and your husband would go to bed to sleep…" Erica teased. "I really don't know why you don't have a bigger family," she persisted eliciting a giggle from Anna B.
"I'm just tired," Syd snapped getting up to run down the hall the bedroom door banging shut behind her.
Erica and Anna B a like stared after Syd. "What on earth?" Erica mumbled the question out.
"Erica it has been this way all morning," Anna B volunteered. "And Julie told Matt and me that Gage hasn't been much better."
"Still I'd better go apologize for acting like my husband and make sure she's all right," Erica replied starting to get up. She didn't get too far before the back door opened and Gage came in with Julie and Mick.
Gage made the introductions asking at the same time where his wife was. "Gage I think I upset her a little," Erica began. "We were kidding each other about married life and I said I was surprised you didn't have a bigger family…"
"Oh boy," Gage mumbled to himself hastily saying to Erica, "Don't let it upset you Erica I think I know what's wrong."
Before another word could be said Gage disappeared down the hall. Opening the door he found Syd curled up on the bed a sleep. He pulled the comforter around her and kissed her cheek. Smiling he thought to himself definitely all the symptoms as he remembered them were coming back.
"Is she all right?" Erica asked worry showing on her face as Gage came back in the kitchen.
"She's fine just having a quick nap. She's just had a lot of things on the go lately and its stressing her out a bit," Gage answered being vague.
"I hope all this extra with the wedding…" Anna B began.
"Are you kidding she thrives on that sort of stress," Gage laughed putting his arm around her and giving her a hug.
Everyone took what Gage said at face value each keeping to their own thoughts on what they thought might be wrong an uneasy silence filling the air. Finally Mick spoke up, "Gage could I possibly borrow your car I have a couple of things to pick up that I didn't get a chance to pick up before I left Houston."
"Yeah… all right," Gage hesitated a moment before tossing the keys to him.
"Want me to go with you?" Julie asked.
"No that's all right Honey," he answered kissing her forehead. "I should only be about an hour."
"Okay," she smiled watching him go back out the door.
Gage's eyes never left Mick as soon as he heard the car moving down the driveway he grabbed up Syd's keys saying, "Man Syd is going to kill me I told her I'd pick up milk." Before anyone had a chance to say anything Gage was in Syd's vehicle tailing after Mick.
"I told you he was acting just as weird as her," Julie commented to Anna B and Erica.
~~~~~
It took only a moment for Gage to catch sight of his car Mad Dog was heading for the expressway and for downtown. He pulled his phone as he drove having himself patched through to the two rangers who had picked up the tail from the airport.
"Any idea what's going on Gage?" one asked as they began to tag him for the tail.
"None," Gage replied, "so lets not loose him."
Before long they were leaving the expressway and heading into one of Dallas' poorer districts. "For someone from Houston he sure knows he way around," Gage spoke aloud to himself.
Coming up on a set of railway tracks Mick suddenly turned down a service road that ran beside them turning once again into a yard where two old abandoned warehouses stood. The warehouses looked as if they hadn't been occupied for years Gage noted watching Mick go inside one of them. Getting out Gage drew his gun looking around he watched as Rangers Dillon and Kinsey took up positions behind him then he followed behind Mad Dog.
"Where's Tiller?" he heard Mad Dog demand.
"He told me to take a message," the one who seemed to be in charge answered.
"Look Einstein you get hold of Tiller and tell him that the Rangers are on to him and his little operation. The deal is off we aren't going down for his screw-ups," Mad Dog informed him.
"How do you know that?" Vince Parlance, the second in command questioned him.
"Lets just say I have an inside track with the rangers and I know what is going on from the inside out," Mad Dog snidely remarked.
Gage could feel his blood boil as he listened if he hadn't wanted to plough his fist into Mad Dog's face so badly he may have shot him on the spot.
"Look what I found?" one of the gang was suddenly shouting coming into view bringing Ranger Kinsey at gunpoint.
"Didn't I tell you there where rangers snooping around your organization?" Mad Dog demanded.
"We're going to have one less ranger snooping around," Parlance grinned bringing his gun up to fire.
Before the gun could discharge Gage had gone flying into Parlance and Mad Dog at the same time. Ranger Dillon had come flying into the fight too freeing his partner who went after Parlance leaving Gage free to face Mad Dog.
Both he and Mad Dog were pretty evenly matched but Gage had the edge. He had built up quite a head of steam over what this guy was doing to Julie and over his words he had the inside track over the rangers. In the end Gage had took him to the ground and snapped the cuffs on him.
"How you going to explain this to Julie?" Mad Dog jeered.
"Say her name again and it will be the last thing to ever come out of your mouth," Gage threatened handing him over to Ranger Kinsey.
TBC.
