~Chapter Five~

The Wedding

For once Gage was the first one ready he sat in the family room with Chris and Chafe watching a ball game on television eyeing first his watch then the clock. It seemed as if the girls had been getting ready for this since before breakfast.

"Well you two boys certainly look good in your tuxes," Julie commented coming to join them. Going over to sit beside Robyn she turned to him saying, "And you don't look too bad yourself."

"Thank you beautiful," Chafe returned the compliment.

"They almost ready?" Gage questioned his sister as the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," Chris cried almost ready to do anything at this point.

"They are just putting Anna B's veil on," Julie replied.

"Then that must be my cue," Gage said getting up and heading down the hall.

Stopping at the bedroom door he rapped gently on it Cat opening it just a crack. "No boys allowed Daddy," she informed him.

"Cat open the door and let your father in," Syd scolded as the little girl moved to pull the door wide.

Gage squatted down in front of his young daughter. "This is the time when the person giving the bride to be married has a chat with the bride," Gage explained.

"When I get married are you going to chat with me," Cat asked.

"I sure am," Gage told her smiling from ear to ear letting her put her arms around him in a hug. Gage pulled her tightly too him giving her a quick hug and kiss.

"I love you Daddy," she whispered.

"I love you too Puss."

Turning she shouted to Anna B, "My Dad wants to talk to you."

"Thanks Honey," Anna B told her as Gage stood waiting for Sydney to shoo everyone out.

"Wow you look beautiful," Gage told his young friend. "A far cry from those red pigtails and glasses."

"Oh Gage," Anna B blushed as red as her hair. "You think Matt is going to think so."

"I know he is," Gage answered gently kissing her forehead before continuing. He cleared his throat and began, "A while ago after your Grandmother became ill I had the opportunity to have a little chat with her. She asked me if Sydney and I would continue to look after you when she was gone which of course went without saying. Then she gave me this which she told me you were to have when you finally found a man to marry you."

"What is it Gage?"

"I don't know Honey I'm just the messenger," Gage smiled at her.

With trembling hands Anna B took the black jewellery case and envelope Gage offered her. Opening the envelope Anna B was soon to discover the letter had been written by her grandmother. She silently read it wiping a tear from her eye.

"Oh Gage I do wish she could have seen this day."

"I'm sure she is watching over you and Matt," Gage smiled.

Inside the jewellery case was her grandmother's engagement ring and her grandparents wedding rings. All three rings had been put together on a gold chain which Gage helped to fasten around her neck. Offering his arm to her he smiled, "Your groom awaits you."

Taking his arm she stood on tiptoes to kiss his cheek and whisper, "I'm ready."

Later At The Chapel and Reception

Sydney very proudly took her son's arm as she escorted him down the isle to her seat. She fought the urge to lean down and kiss him but she did make a mental note to make sure she had a dance with him later.

Before she had too much longer to think Matt, Walker and Trivette along with Chris came in at the front of the church. The music began to play and Cat started down the isle. Julie and Chafe were right behind her sitting with Alex and Danny, Erica and her three behind them. Julie reached up and nudged Sydney who was beaming with pride. Next came Angela her eyes focused on her father for a few moments before moving on to Chris. Piper followed the next in line her long black hair swept to the side she was the spitting image of her mother again Sydney smiled wide.

Then the moment everyone was waiting for came as Gage escorted Anna B down the isle to meet Matt. Sumner began down the isle meeting them half way Gage taking Anna B's hand put it in Matt's letting him take her the rest of the way to the front of the church.

Sliding in beside Sydney Gage took her hand bringing her fingers to his lips he smiled at her as if it was their day all over again. Before they knew it Father Winston was pronouncing Anna B and Matt husband and wife and they were headed out of the church.

And the Reception

Gage had Cat in his arms twirling her around the dance floor she giggled as she sang to the music that was playing.

"Daddy," Piper's voice could be heard behind him. "You promised me a dance too."

"And you are very next on my dance card," Gage replied the song coming to an end and he setting Cat down. Cat scurried off the dance floor and Gage took Piper in his arms. He would have liked to have lifted her up and held her as he had done with Cat but knew she never would have forgiven him. Instead he gave her a hug and swayed with her around the dance floor.

As the music came to an end and another song began to play Gage felt a light tap on his shoulder to find his sister Julie standing there. "I think this next song is ours," she announced cutting in just as Anna B and Sumner had returned from changing to their travelling clothes. They joined the dancers on the floor for one last dance before going out to the parking lot to head out for their Honeymoon.

Gage stood beside Julie as the car drove away and even though he waved good bye just like everyone else his eyes roved over the crowd until they caught sight of his wife who had Cat by the hand Chris and Angela beside her. Her eyes caught sight of him the very same moment both being drawn to each other they began to move towards the other.

"I've danced with everyone in this family I think but you," Gage was saying as she moved almost within his reach. "I think Mrs. Gage it's your turn."

"I've been saving the next one for you," she answered reaching out to take his out stretched hand her eyes focused on his face.

He smiled his perfect smile just before two loud blasts sounded pitching Gage forward into Syd's arms knocking her to the ground with him. "I've been hit," he softly whispered to her before his blue eyes closed.

"Gage," Syd's voice was no more then a murmur as the reality began to set in. "Gage," she cried out again louder in panic seeing the blood begin to ooze from his back. "Oh dear God no," she cried her voice shrilling to calls for help.

"Mom, Mom what happened?" Chris was on his knees beside her and his father. Seeing the blood he yelled to Angela, "Get your Dad we need help." Angela took off in search of Walker.

"Sydney, Frankie," Julie was crying as she rushed to where they had fallen. A small crowd was now gathering she could hear Piper and Cat crying out for their parents she went to them instead taking them in her arms watching as both Walker and Trivette pushed in Chafe right behind them.

Trivette all ready had his phone to his ear to the 911 operator reporting they had a ranger down.

"Chafe," Walker was ordering, "Get these people inside." He too then crouched down to where Sydney held Gage, Chris his arm around his mother. Putting his finger on Gage's neck he was relieved to feel a strong pulse.

"ETA is seven minutes," Trivette told them crouching on the other side of them.

"Sydney are you hurt?" Walker was asking.

She shook her head no holding Gage tighter his head in her lap tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Uncle Walker I want Mom checked out too," Chris began exceeding his thirteen and a half years, speaking, as his father would have. "She's expecting another baby."

Both Walker and Trivette shot him a quick look before their eyes went to Sydney knowing that explained a lot of what had been going on with Syd the last couple of days. Walker gave the boy's shoulder a reassuring squeeze as the emergency unit rolled into the parking lot and over to where they were.

It wasn't long before they had Gage loaded for transport even though they had a hard time prying Sydney away from him so they could care for him. "Mom we want them to look after Dad," Chris had finally gotten through to her and with Walker's help had pulled her to her feet.

Chris was all ready a full four inches taller then his mother and with his arm around her he drawn her to him holding tightly to her. Once they had Gage inside the ambulance Chris helped his mother inside and sat with her on the long torturous ride to St. Mathews. He had taken his jacket off and wrapped it around her and now she leaned unspeaking against him. Both stared at Gage watching the EMT's work over him, he lay unmoving his eyes closed an IV running into his arm.

Finally the doors to the ambulance were being thrown open, Syd broke away from Chris scampering out behind the stretcher grasping on to Gage's hand their son close behind. The trauma team was waiting for them as they came in the emergency doors everyone was shouting at once as they ran along to the first open exam room Syd pushing her way in with them.

She stood stock still watching as a flurry of people rushed around Gage. "Get that tube down his throat and start bagging him," someone was shouting. Syd stared helplessly watching one of the doctors stand at Gage's head and slide a tube down his throat while one of the nurses stood ready to start pumping the bag.

"Mrs. Gage, Mrs. Gage," someone was calling her, "Come with me we have to let the doctors work."

"I… I can't," Syd, stammered out watching as two more doctors came rushing past her to attend her husband.

"We need to get him upstairs stat come on people let's move it," one of the two was shouting everyone moving at once.

"Where are you going? What's happening?" Syd was crying the nurse pulling her back out of the way.

"They are taking him up to surgery to try and save his life," she told her leaving her standing there.

Sydney tried to move to follow the room was spinning round her Chris was moving towards her. "Mom…" She could hear him everything was moving in a fog. She took a step towards him he called to her again, "Mom…"

"Sydney," it was Julie coming behind Chris with Alex both women moving towards her too.

"Chris, Chris Honey," her voice was squeaking out her hand reaching out to her son. His arm was suddenly around her Julie's too.

"Come on Syd we have to get you sitting down," Alex was taking charge.

"No I have to get upstairs they've taken… they've taken…" She couldn't finish tears over came her as they did her son.

"He's going to be all right Mom," Chris had his arms around Sydney one crying against the other.

Julie fought her own tears trying to be strong for her brother's family every ounce of her being wanting to scream out her pain.

"All right Sydney we'll go up to the fifth floor waiting room then you are going to sit down and not move until you can see Gage," Alex ordered her no nonsense way coming through. "None of us wants to face Gage if we let something happen to you and that baby."

Syd nodded her head and together they headed upstairs.

Four Hours Later…

Trivette, Walker and Chafe had arrived some time earlier; Walker had sat down with Sydney quietly asking her what had happened. "Walker we both felt it the other night," Syd told him. "Who ever did this was watching us," she said swallowing hard.

"All right Sydney," Walker had hold of her hand, "I'll make sure Piper and Cat are protected and we will find who did this."

"I know Walker I know you will," she replied trying hard not to let the tears get the better of her again. "Jimmy can you tell Erica thanks for looking after the girls."

"Hey don't you worry about that Syd," Trivette smiled, "We love having your kids around."

~~~~~

Chafe stood away from the group his phone to his ear. Julie's eyes were on him finally she got up to stand in front of him. "Robyn what is it?" she asked as he hung up the phone.

He stared out the window for a moment into the dark night watching the cars below as they moved to and from the hospital. Finally turning back to Julie he said, "I have to go."

"Oh no you don't," Julie declared. "You made me a promise and you are going to keep it."

Hesitating for a moment he finally turned to her, "I think I brought this down on Gage and I don't intend to do any more harm here."

"Robyn you can't do this alone. Let Walker and Trivette help you. I want these people stopped as much as you I don't want any more attacks on any of my family," she hissed at him holding tight to his arm. "I don't want anything to happen to you either," she told him her tone softening.

Noticing the two of them in conversation Walker had come up behind them. "Coming Chafe we could use your help?" he questioned.

Looking at Julie once more he nodded his head and kissing her cheek followed Walker and Trivette out.

~~~~~

Chris was leaning against Sydney his arms around her holding on tight when the surgeon finally came in to let them know how Gage was.

"Mrs. Gage," he asked Chris sitting up hearing the doctor. Alex had taken Syd's hand; Julie who still stood looking out the window came over to stand behind the doctor.

"Yes doctor?" Syd spoke trying to keep her voice strong.

"I'm Doctor Stevens," he told them offering his hand to Sydney. As she reached to take it he continued speaking. "Well he's not out of the woods yet but he is in better shape then when he was brought in."

"Oh Thank God," Syd cried. "Can I see him?" Syd was all ready struggling to her feet as she asked.

Smiling Doctor Stevens nodded his head. "If you would like to come with me I'll explain what exactly is going on with him."

Turning Syd drew her son into a hug Chris whispering, "Tell Dad I love him."

Shaking her head yes she whispered back, "You know I will."

Starting down the hall the Doctor began explaining the extent of Gage's injuries. "One bullet went in his shoulder and we easily dug that out. The second one is the one that gave us all the trouble. Your husband must have a charmed life though; the bullet went right through him missing his spine by a fraction of an inch piercing his lung going out his chest. But I'm very confident that we caught everything when we repaired. You are going to find his breathing a little laboured at this point and we are keeping him pretty drugged up to stop the pain. He's awake though and asking for you," Doctor Stevens smiled at her holding open the door to ICU.

It took Syd only a moment to zone in on her husband and make a beeline to him. She stopped for a minute at the bottom of his bed a new tear clouding her eyes. "Syd," he called out to her his hand going to his chest.

"Shh… don't try and talk Honey," Syd warned moving up beside him her fingers covering his.

"You're all right?" he managed to get out.

"I'm fine Gage," she answered her fingers brushing lightly through his hair.

"The baby?" he asked his face wincing with pain.

"The baby too Gage we're fine," she whispered fighting once again to keep from crying. "And before you ask the kids are all fine too. Chris is in the waiting room he stayed with me the whole time and looked after me. You should be very proud of him. He wanted me to tell you he loves you."

"I'm so lucky," Gage's mouth curled into a smile.

"Laying here with bullet holes and in pain that's lucky," Syd smiled to hold the tears back.

"Not that part," Gage grimaced his eyes closing in pain. He hesitated for quite a few minutes before saying, "That I have you all… to love me."

Syd caressed his face leaning forward to let her lips play over his cheek. "Francis I was so scared," she told him holding his eyes with hers neither speaking.

"Excuse me Mr. Gage."

Both Syd and Gage's eyes went to where the nurse stood. "I have something here to ease the pain so you can get some rest," she told them.

"Not yet I want to see my boy first," Gage gasped out to her squeezing Syd's hand tight as he spoke.

"He's out in the hall he'll only stay a minute," Syd tried to plead Gage's case.

The nurse looked from Syd to Gage but it was Gage's blue eyes and half grin that made her give in. "For just a couple of minutes no longer," she warned.

"I'll be right back," Syd told him once again pressing her lips against his cheek.

A moment later Syd was back her arm through Chris' arm. "Hey Dad," he murmured taking Gage's outstretched hand.

"Hey," Gage replied, "I wanted you to know I was all right…" his eyes closed as he drew a breath and waited for the pain to subside, "and thank you for taking care of your Mom."

"I didn't do that much Dad," Chris started to say only to have Gage cut him off by squeezing his hand.

"You were there when Mom needed… you. I love… you Chris," Gage managed to say before the nurse stepped back in to add the pain medication to the IV drip.

Leaning forward Chris gave his father a hug whispering, "I'm so glad you're going to be all right Dad. I love you too."

Ranger Headquarters

Walker, Trivette and Chafe walked into ranger headquarters, Chafe's boss Thomas Barber was waiting for them. "What happened Rob?" Barber asked as they came in the door.

"Ranger Gage got shot and I think Joey Blanchard is behind it," Chafe stated without batting an eye.

"For what possible reason?" Walker asked. "We set Gage up pretty good to look like he was bad and that Sydney was in cahoots with him."

"Sydney wasn't hit either and there wasn't a second attempt. She would have been a sitting duck too she never left Gage she sat in the middle of the parking lot with him," Trivette recited going over what had happened.

"I think it is time that I called Joey and ask what's up," Chafe announced beginning to dial.

After three rings Joey Blanchard picked up the phone. "Joey what gives?" Chafe questioned.

"You tell me Mad Dog," Joey came back.

"I'm trying real hard to set up an enterprise here for you. I had a Texas Ranger and his Ranger wife in my back pocket until you decided to change the rules," Chafe boldly raked Blanchard over the coals. "I spent weeks getting to know Ranger Gage's sister finally getting myself invited to this wedding. I got him all lined up and then you shoot him."

"Maybe you should clear things with me first and you would have known that Ranger Gage was a mistake," Blanchard shot back.

"I checked the Gages out myself Ranger Gage would do almost anything for cash," Chafe informed his boss.

"I have no doubt in your word Mad Dog it's just Ranger Gage and I go back quite a few years I was repaying an old debt. As I said you need to clear things with me before you make a move," Blanchard emphasized again.

"I need you back here in Houston get yourself on the shuttle and get back here," Blanchard ordered.

"I'll be back in the morning," Chafe answered hanging up the phone.

"He says that he was repaying an old debt with Gage. Anyone know anything about that?" Chafe asked.

Neither Walker nor Trivette had any idea what that was suppose to mean. Trivette went to his desk and turning on his computer delved into Gage's arrest records, which had become very long over the years.

Turning back to Chafe and Barber Walker even though he knew what he would do waited to hear what the two DEA agents. "Book two flights back to Houston," Barber was barking out to Chafe.

"Make that three," Walker spoke up. "Take Trivette back with you."

"Now hold on Walker," Chafe began.

"No you hold on we extended you the courtesy of our office and you almost got one of our people killed. He and his family aren't out of danger yet especially with his wife being a ranger too. Ranger Trivette is just as proficient under cover as Agent Chafe is, we are going to be in on this to the finish," Walker stood his ground.

Barber was about to protest when Chafe spoke. He normally would have agreed with Barber in this situation it was just something about Julie and her family that made him speak up now. "Tom Walker's right I'll fit Trivette into the equation some how."

Looking from Chafe to Walker Barber nodded his head in disgruntled agreement.

St Mathew's Hospital

Sydney had stayed holding Gage's hand just being with him until he had drifted off to sleep. His last words to her had been, "You look after you and the baby so I don't have to lay here and worry."

She had kissed him and reluctantly pulled herself away from him promising him she would be back early the next morning.

With assurances from the nurses that they would call her if anything at all happened she let Alex drive them to Erica and Jimmy's to pick up the girls.

Both girls were still awake and clung desperately to Sydney when she got there. Sitting down with them she quietly explained that there father had been shot but that he was going to be fine with a lot of rest and care. "Chris and I saw him and spoke to him he all ready wants to come home and be with us," she told them.

"Is it like when you got shot Mommy," Cat wanted to know.

Syd hadn't really considered that but yes it had to be a lot like when she had been shot and almost died. "Yeah Puss a lot like that," Syd agreed with her little girl.

"And Dad is going to be all right like you were right Mom?" Piper had asked.

"Yes Dad is going to be fine," Syd, affirmed to them again. "Now if we want to go see him tomorrow we have to go and get in our beds and get a good sleep," she told them gathering them tight in her arms hugging them to her.

Trivette and Walker arrived while Sydney was talking with the girls. As Erica helped Julie get everyone in the car Syd spoke briefly with the senior rangers. "I don't recall Joey Blanchard's name coming up in anything Gage and I worked on in Houston or since. Gage never mentioned anything to me about him now."

"Is it possible he left something out considering your condition and all?" Trivette asked.

Syd shook her head no. "Gage would have wanted me to be on my guard if he suspected that Blanchard was after him for some sort of revenge," she told them adding, "Even in my condition."

"Well now you are warned so be on your guard," Walker told her as Trivette helped her into the car to drive them home. Alex all ready had Angela and Danny in Walker's truck getting in himself everyone headed for home.

Julie had helped get the girls ready for bed letting Sydney have a moment to go in and speak with Chris. "Honey are you awake?" she began.

"Yeah Mom I am awake," he answered.

She sat on the edge of his bed; he had taken to sleeping in the bottom bunk since he had got older. "Chris I just wanted to tell you thanks for being there for me today. Nobody could have looked after me better then you did."

"Mom I didn't do anything," he began to protest before his mother cut him off.

"Yes you did Chris. I know how hard it is to see your Dad get hurt yet you put that behind you and looked after me when I didn't do half as good a job as you."

"Mom I was so scared he was going to die," Chris finally broke down letting Sydney take him in a hug as he cried against her.

"I know Chris we both did. I hope you never have to go through that again," she softly whispered to him.

He hugged her closer still thinking to himself that the chances were pretty good that he would go through it in the future. He had come to the decision today that he wanted to be like them when he grew up. He wanted to eventually become a ranger too.

"Mom you had better go get some sleep, if you go to that hospital tomorrow looking like something the cat dragged in Dad is going to be all over you," he teased her.

"When did you get so much like him?" she questioned him.

"I've always been like him Mom," he was quick to answer. "Who do you think this new one will be like?"

"He definitely going to be another Gage," she smiled kissing his cheek. "Night Chris."

"Night Mom," he beamed back.

~~~~~

Syd had said good night to Julie who was talking on the phone to Chafe she assumed. Heading for the shower she let the hot water sooth her tired body the newest Gage beginning to kick up a fuss. She smiled slightly as she pulled back the covers and tumbled into bed grasping Gage's pillow to her and holding on tight.

Closing her eyes she slept fitfully for a couple of hours finally getting up around five to dress and head over to be with Gage. She left a note for the rest of them that she would see them at the hospital. Her stomach upset once more she left the toast sitting in the toaster where it popped instead grabbing her keys she left to be with her husband.

Sneaking past the nurse she settled herself in the chair beside Gage's bed taking his hand and watching him sleep. Before long her eyes had closed too and she slept as she held his hand.

"Syd," Gage whispered about an hour later his wife not moving. "Syd Honey," he tried again pulling his hand from hers to rest his fingers on her cheek.

Slowly her eyes opened and she took in her surroundings, "You aren't going to tell me you were there all night?" Gage asked.

"Umm, no I came back early this morning because I couldn't sleep at home with out you," she told him stretching out the kinks in her arms and back. "How are you feeling?"

"I've had better days," he replied gratefully letting her grasp hold of his hand once more.

"Let me get the nurse it must be time that they gave you something," Syd answered starting to get up.

"Syd just stay here with me they'll be making rounds soon enough," he told her grasping her hand again.

"All right," she conceded bringing her hand to his cheek. He turned his head catching her palm with his lips.

"They catch who shot me?"

"Chafe is pretty sure it was Blanchard they are working on proving it," she told him knowing that it was better that he know then keeping it from him.

"But why would he shoot me I thought Chafe and the DEA had this all squared away."

"Chafe talked to Blanchard, he told Chafe he was just repaying an old debt that you owed him," Syd explained.

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"We were hoping that you might know," Syd retorted.

"Got no idea. Other then knowing his name and who he is I've never had any dealings with the man."

The partners had no more time for speculation Dr. Stevens was there doing morning rounds. Syd excused herself telling Gage she would be right back she was just going to get a little breakfast.

"Don't be long Honey," he whispered not really wanting her out of his sight.

"Leaning down she teased his lips with hers promising she would be right back.

Syd stepped into the hall intent on going to the cafeteria for some toast and juice. The officer who was supposed to be outside Gage's door was not at his post. Looking around she noticed him at the nurse's station keeping time with the two nurses that were there.

Frowning Syd walked towards the trio clearing her throat, "Officer isn't your station outside that door?" she asked. This was a different officer then had been there when she had gotten there at five forty-five. Syd knew they would have changed shifts at seven and he wouldn't realize who she was.

"Well yes," he answered, "but these are a couple of really nice girls here and I thought I would just make their acquaintance after all it is going to be a very long day here."

"I suggest you get back to your post," Syd began to say just as someone in hospital greens slipped into the ICU without being checked. "So something like that doesn't happen," she continued running down the hall to check out the man the officer right behind her.

"What are you doing in here?" she called to the suspect seeing him talking to one of the nurses who was pointing towards Gage's bed.

Seeing Sydney her gun drawn and poised to shoot the impostor grabbed the nurse around the neck bringing a scalpel to her throat.

"Let me pass Ranger or I'll slit her throat," the killer shouted the nurse on the verge of hysteria. Edging his way to go around Syd she too turned slowly keeping her eyes focused on both the nurse and her assailant. As he came closer to the door the impostor shoved his captive into Sydney and the young officer sending them to the floor.

Syd was up in a matter of seconds giving chase but to no avail he had easily given her the slip in the crowded hallway.

TBC