~Chapter Three~
Ranger Headquarters
"Gage where are you?" Syd asked as she picked up the phone on the second ring.
"Syd calm down I'm at headquarters…" Gage began to say.
"What are you doing there we are off until Monday, we have a million things to do, a rehearsal dinner to get ready for…"
"Syd, Syd calm down will you and please just listen," Gage cut back in.
"Oh this had better be good Gage," she told him not giving him an inch.
Pausing a moment Gage began to explain about following Mad Dog and the subsequent arrest and that they were just about to question him.
"Gage what about…" she stopped mid sentence knowing Julie was beginning to worry about Mick not returning.
"Honey is Julie there?" Gage asked.
"Um hmm," Syd quietly replied.
"Syd I can't talk to her over the phone this is going to have to wait until I get there," Gage said pausing for a moment before asking, "How are you feeling?"
"Bout the same," she answered feeling everyone's eyes on her.
"Sumner and Trivette are with me here we'll all be there as soon as we can."
"Just make it sooner then later Gage," Syd answered going back to being tough.
~~~~~
Gage hung up angered all over again as he headed for interrogation C. Shoving open the door he bound into the room grabbing Mad Dog by the throat. Slamming him against the wall Gage brought his face into McClain's almost nose to nose. "Do you have any feelings at all for my sister?" he growled.
"More then you know Francis," he smirked at Gage. "She's quite a little tigress when it comes to loving her."
Without even thinking Gage drove his fist into Mad Dog's gut McClain slumping forward just as Walker opened the door. "Enough Gage," he barked Trivette coming in behind him followed by some guy in a suit Gage didn't know.
"Step back Gage," Walker warned him as Gage glared a moment more at McClain before letting him drop to the floor.
"Gage this is Agent Thomas Barber and the gentleman you just finished driving in the stomach is agent Robyn Chafe DEA," Trivette introduced.
Hearing Mad Dog identified Gage looked up at both Walker and Trivette for confirmation. Their eyes told him it was the truth.
"We have been working on this case for eleven months and we are close to a whole string of arrests and taking down the Blanchard organization," Barber was explaining. "After today's screw up it looks like we are going to need some help from the rangers office."
"That's where you come in Gage," Trivette piped up.
"We need to make it look like you work for Mad Dog in the Blanchard organization as well as the rangers," Barber announced to them followed by both Chafe and Gage voicing a stream of objections and complaints about the other.
"Gentlemen this is not up for discussion," Walker cut in, "Gage bring Sydney up to speed on things bring her in as back up. Any questions?"
"Walker I want Sydney kept out of this?" Gage answered his glare not leaving Chafe.
"Any particular reason?" Walker questioned.
"I…" Gage began to say choking on his words and finishing with, "have my reasons."
"Come on Gage we all know she can handle things," Trivette stated.
Gage stood there remembering the promise he had made to Syd that morning and with the wedding going on decided that things shouldn't get to out of hand before they could be rectified on Monday. "All right its fine," Gage agreed not liking any of this one bit.
"Then you had better get going, Chafe you can bring Gage up to speed on this as well as his wife," Barber instructed.
Everyone left leaving Gage and Chafe sitting there. "If you are expecting an apology don't," Chafe glared at Gage.
"At least we are thinking the same because I'm not about to be apologizing to you either," Gage shot back. "Just tell me one thing Chafe does Julie have any idea about this?"
"Your sister thinks I'm Mick Barron and I work for the accounting firm of Salmon and Michaels. I'd like to keep it that way for now," Chafe told him watching the anger rise in Gage again.
"I like Julie a lot," Chafe tried to explain Gage cutting him off.
"Oh yeah I bet you do you all ready told me how great it is to sleep with her."
"Will you listen for one minute," Chafe shouted.
"I'm listening," Gage replied unnaturally calm for him.
"Look in this line of work I just don't usually let anyone in my life but Julie well she's different," Chafe paused trying to read what Gage was thinking. "I care about her a lot I may even… that doesn't matter right now. After this is over I'm going to explain everything to her and hope that she cares enough about me to want to continue seeing me. Does that answer your question?" Chafe asked.
"Julie looked after me when we were growing up, she took care of me and made a lot of sacrifices for me. If you do anything I mean just anything to hurt her no matter how small the hurt I'll take up this discussion just where it left off before our bosses interrupted me. Do I make myself clear?" Gage asked.
Both stared at each other for a moment Gage finally saying, "We better get our stories straight and get home."
Sydney and Gage's
Piper was sitting on the front step playing with Kitty when Gage pulled in the driveway with Chafe, Sumner was right behind them in Syd's jeep. "Hi Pipe," Gage greeted his daughter.
"Hi Daddy," Piper answered standing up to put her hand on her hip and ask, "What did you do this time Mommy is really mad and so is Aunt Julie?" Before giving her father time to answer she continued on. "You must be Mick you're in trouble too but only with Aunt Julie."
By now Sumner was getting out of Syd's car and Piper bestowed her words of wisdom on him. "You're lucky Anna B wants to marry you that's all I have to say on the subject," she told him.
"Thanks for the heads up," Gage smiled grateful for Piper's take of the situation.
"You do know you are going to get the blame for this Dad?" she questioned walking arm and arm with him into the house.
"Don't I always?" he leaned down and whispered to her.
"Yeah but at least I'm not your accomplice this time," she beamed back at him.
"Sydney they're here," Anna B's words sounded even before Gage got the door open. "Sumner where have you been?"
"Listen everyone before things get out of hand this is my fault," Gage announced as all eyes turned to him. "Matt and I were on our way back here when I caught sight of Mick at the plaza. We stopped and invited him for a beer got talking and I guess the time just got away from us."
Gage could tell most everyone was buying the story with the exception of his wife who turned and walked towards the kitchen.
Following after her Gage walked up behind her where she stood at the sink about to start peeling potatoes. Putting both arms around her he let his hands rest on her tummy leaning down to kiss her neck and whisper, "We need to talk Honey."
"That's an understatement," she answered. Turning in his arms she spit out, "What is he still doing here and why isn't he locked up?"
Gage didn't have time to answer Erica was shouting good-bye to them as were Matt and Anna B who were giving her a ride home.
"Bye," Gage shouted back as Julie came into the kitchen with Mick.
"Syd this is Mick you didn't get a chance to meet him earlier," Julie introduced.
"Nice to meet you Sydney," Mick smiled offering his hand to her. "I've heard a lot about you."
"It's nice to meet you," Syd curtly retorted turning to Julie at the same moment. "Julie I hate to impose but I really need to have a word with Gage would you mind looking after these potatoes… Please."
"Yeah maybe you can get Mick to help give him a taste of what life with the Gages is really like," Gage laughed as Syd reached up and grabbed his ear. "Oww, oww Syd," he whined as she dragged him with her into the study closing the door behind them.
"All right Gage what gives?" Syd demanded.
"His name is actually Robyn Chafe, he's DEA and I'm stuck with him," Gage explained all in one sentence.
"What?" Syd asked in disbelief.
"I didn't find out until I arrested him," Gage began explaining the whole thing to his partner.
"And Julie really doesn't know who he is?" Syd asked for the hundredth time as Gage nodded his head again. "Gage you think we are going to wake up any time soon and this nightmare of a day will be over?"
"There's more Syd," Gage began to say.
"More what more can there possibly be?"
"You got assigned as back up and I couldn't get you out of it with out telling everyone…"
"Gage you didn't," Syd hissed.
"No Syd the secret is safe for now as long as you don't get into the middle of something in this case."
"Gage…"
"Syd I'm not kidding around any more here," Gage told her grabbing hold of her arms and pulling her to him. "I don't want anything to happen to you or the baby."
"Gage about the baby… I know I was upset this morning and took it out on you
I just didn't think that this would happen again and we would be starting over
with a newborn."
"Syd Honey…"
"Gage let me finish please," Syd told him placing her fingers against his lips. "This baby is just as much part of us as the other three and just as important. I guess I had to get used to the idea that's all. I want this baby as much as I wanted the other three."
"I love you Syd," Gage grinned his arms around her holding her close. "I'm glad you're happy about the baby cause I got to tell you Honey I think it's wonderful." With that said his lips caught hers drawing her into a hungry kiss.
"Remember you said that when you are getting up for those two AM feedings," Syd laughed pulling back from him only to wind her arms around him for another kiss of her own.
Suddenly from the other side of the door a loud scream went up followed by Cat's wails, "Mommy Daddy Piper and Chris are picking on me."
"We are not you're just being a suck."
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Mom Dad," both Piper and Cat yelled together.
"Gage lets make this the last one all right?" Syd questioned as he kissed her again.
Early The Next Morn
Seven forty-five the phone started ringing with one eye open Gage reached for his wife but she was all ready up and out of bed. He shut his eyes again thinking the day could get no worse then the day before or so he thought…
The door flew open and Cat came rushing in to land on top of him. "Mommy said to come get you up," she announced to her father.
"Did she now and what if I don't want to get up?" he asked. "What if I tell her we are going to stay in bed all day and watch cartoons?"
"I heard that," Syd told them coming into the bedroom with Gage's coffee.
"It sounds a whole lot better then what you have planned for the day," Gage challenged rolling Cat over and tickling her as she laughed and screamed, "Daddy no!"
"Cat go finish your breakfast," Syd told the little girl before turning to her husband to say Anna B is on the phone."
Still laughing and giggling Cat rolled off the bed and headed back to the kitchen while Gage picked up the phone.
"Hello," he said his arm going around Syd's waist the same time yanking her down on the bed with him. Relenting for a moment she laid her head on his chest.
"Gage you think you could spare time for lunch with me today?" Anna B asked.
"I don't know I have the social director right here I'll ask her if I even get time to eat lunch today," he teased both.
"If you get up and get going you have to get over to the church and get those tables and set them up in the back yard," she warned.
"I'll get Mick to give Chris and me a hand with that," Gage told her kissing her cheek before turning back to the phone. "I've got the okay how does noon sound?" he asked.
"Sounds great I'll be at your place for noon," she told him adding, "Thanks Gage."
Hanging up the phone he put his arm around Sydney and kissed the top of her head. "How are you feeling today?" he questioned.
"Fine now I got up at five for the upset stomach act," she replied. "You know when you were still snoring."
"You should have woke me up."
"Misery doesn't always like company besides I expect you to pick up the slack today if I need help," she warned.
"Got a deal Syd, sure you can spare me over lunch I don't want you doing too much."
"Yes I can spare you besides it isn't everyone who has the bride invite them for lunch," she leaned her head back to see his face and look into it.
Leaning down he kissed her feeling her arms go round his neck only to be interrupted by Chris who knocked loudly on the door clearing his throat even louder. "Aunt Julie says if you don't get out there she is feeding your breakfast to Buddy," he grinned at his mother and father.
"Tell her I'm coming," Gage retorted looking up at his son. "Chris don't go any where as soon as I eat we are going for those tables."
"Okay Dad," he answered.
"Hey Chris is Mick up?" Gage called.
"Yeah Aunt Julie has him helping her."
"Ask him if he wants to give us a hand."
"Sure Dad," Chris told him going back down the hall.
"We'll continue this later tonight Ranger," Syd told her husband getting up to get back to getting things ready for that night.
"I've heard that one before Cooke," he laughed watching her leave.
~~~~~
"Where's your father?" Julie asked Chris as he came back into the kitchen.
"He's coming when he finishes kissing Mom," Chris reported.
"I'm right here," Gage cut in following behind Syd. "Mick you want to give Chris and me a hand for an hour or so?" he asked sitting down at the table.
"Sure Gage I don't mind at all," Chafe smiled looking directly at Gage who could only imagine what he was thinking.
Once breakfast was finished the men headed out Syd shouting out after them, "No side trips. Chris keep an eye on your father."
"You got it Mom," Chris shouted back as they piled into Syd's Jeep Cherokee.
It took them only about twenty minutes to get the tables loaded everyone was about to pile into the vehicle when Chafe's phone began to ring. "Yeah," Chafe answered the phone turning his back to Gage and Chris.
"Get in the jeep Chris," Gage told his son who did so without argument. Gage walked around in front of Chafe just in time to hear him say; "I'll meet you there."
"Meet who where?" Gage asked.
"Gage this doesn't concern you," Chafe began.
"I beg to differ with you partner everything you do is my concern," Gage emphasized to him.
Chafe hesitated a moment before saying, "I have to go pick up a package."
"When?"
"Right now in the next ten minutes," Chafe replied.
Gage looked over to where Chris sat waiting for them asking, "What's is it?"
"Just another product sample. There won't even be anyone around."
Again Gage looked at his son saying, "All right lets go where to?"
"The same place you arrested me," Chafe answered.
Sydney and Gage's
"What's taking them so long?" Julie asked looking out the kitchen window to see Alex and Erica pull up instead of Mick and her brother.
"You know your brother he can find more excuses to be late then any one I know," Syd answered hoping that she didn't sound too anxious about them.
"Hi all," Alex called opening the door as she, Erica and Angela came inside carrying boxes of prepared food for the evening's dinner.
"Where's Chris?" Angela asked setting the box on the table.
"With his father," Syd told her through gritted teeth going to help Alex with what she was carrying.
"That didn't sound good Gage in trouble again?" Alex asked having heard about yesterday's escapades from both Erica and Walker.
"Only this time he has help," Julie chimed in.
"Oh, oh," Erica whispered coming up close behind Alex.
The phone rang before anything more was said Syd scooping it up to greet the caller with, "Gage just one simple job I give you…" before she was cut off. "Walker where are they was anyone hurt… I'm on my way."
"What is it Sydney?" Julie asked everyone looking at her.
"Walker wasn't sure I've got to meet him," Syd said not wanting to disclose anything until she knew for sure.
"Sydney I'm coming with you," Julie said following Syd to the study where she had went for her badge and gun.
"Julie you can't this is an official call. I'll let you know the minute I know something all right," Syd told her rushing past her to get to where her husband and son were.
Yesterday's Warehouse
Walker's ram was all ready parked there Trivette with him when Syd pulled in. The EMT's were there and she could see one of them tending to Chris as she screeched to a stop hardly putting the car in park before she was running to him.
"Chris, Chris are you all right?" she shouted grabbing him to her.
"Mom, I'm fine I didn't even get shot just hit with some flying glass," Chris tried to tell her hoping she wouldn't make to big a fuss over him.
"You're sure?" she asked holding him at arms length looking over every
inch of him.
"Mom," Chris exclaimed exasperated by her worry.
"Syd…" Gage was behind her his hands on her shoulders.
Turning her hand came out and slapped his face hard before saying to him, "How dare you bring Chris here."
Gage stood there quietly looking at her knowing he deserved everything she gave him.
"How could you? How could you dare bring Chris here with you?" she cried her voice even her betrayal evident.
"Syd I'm sorry…"
She cut him off, "Chris is whom you should be saying sorry to."
"I have," he answered watching the pent up tears welling in her eyes. He reached his hand out to put his arm around her wanting to comfort her only to have her slap it away to go back to Chris. She took one step only to clutch her side slowly sinking to the pavement.
"Dad," Chris shouted watching his father pick his mother up in his arms and bring her to the emergency vehicle.
"Gage," Syd cried out clutching to him.
"Set her here," one to the EMT's shouted moving so Gage could.
"She just found out she's expecting," Gage told them holding tight to her hand as the technician began to look her over.
"Gage go and look after Chris tell him I'm fine can you do that?" Syd cried her words hurt but he knew she was right.
"I'll just be outside with Chris," he answered feeling her fingers grasp his hand watching her shake her head yes.
Emerging from the back of the rescue unit Gage went to where Chris stood waiting for him. "Is she all right?" Chris asked his hands shaking as his father's arm went around his shoulder.
"She's going to be, she sent me out here to tell you not to worry," Gage told him.
"Is she going to have another baby?" Chris questioned.
"You heard that did you?" Gage half smiled before answering yes that his mother was going to have another baby. "She doesn't want anyone to know until after the wedding though so can we keep this between us?"
Chris nodded his head yes as they waited anxiously for word that she and the baby were all fine.
"Gage where's Sydney?" Gage turned to face his boss who stood with Trivette and Chafe.
"Like usual she is doing to much with this wedding and she's been fighting a flu bug on top of everything else. This episode was just a little much for her she just collapsed," Gage began explaining.
"Gage I never dreamt Tiller would double cross me…" Chafe began.
"Chafe just shut up," Gage growled.
"Ranger?" the paramedic called him. Leaving Chris with Walker and Trivette Gage went to see how Sydney was.
Sydney was all ready sitting up as the EMT began explaining to Gage, "Ranger Cooke seems to be all right now I think the discomfort she experienced was brought on by stress. She really should see her own doctor..."
"I have an appointment on Monday I just want to go home," Syd insisted all ready trying to get up.
"Ranger you need to go home and lay down keep your feet up."
"She will," Gage cut in as she glared at him.
"Good luck," the tech smiled watching Gage help Syd up.
"Syd," Gage softly spoke to her as they climbed out of the back of the unit. "I've screwed up things enough over the last day we are going to take care of you."
"Just get me home Gage we'll talk there," she hissed back watching Chris running over to them.
TBC
