Chapter Three

"Sydney, Gage, Piper are you guys all right?" Anna B questioned struggling to get up and go to her friends. She had rushed right over to the hospital after speaking with Matt and finding out first about Piper and then that Sydney wasn't well.

"Anna B we're going to be fine you didn't have to come all the way over here," Gage spoke for his wife and daughter too.

"You need a ride home don't you?" she asked undaunted by Gage's protests.

"Yeah we need a ride home," he admitted giving his friend a half smile catching Syd's eyes half close to quickly blink open. "Piper can you walk with Anna B while I help Mom to the car?"

Looking over to where her parents were Pipe nodded yes taking Anna B's hand they started out ahead of Syd and Gage.

"You sure you're all right?" Gage asked again.

"Yes Gage just tired. I just want to get home and lay down… I just want to be home with the kids… and you," she told him welcoming his arm around her shoulder.

"Okay Shorty then lets get you home I could use a little down time myself," he told her his lips brushing the top of her head.

Anna B was just pulling up to the curb as Sydney and Gage came down the steps of the hospital. Opening the door on the passenger side Gage helped Syd in and settled before climbing in the back with Piper.

"Hey what do you say we order in tonight?" Gage asked.

"Not more pizza Dad…" Piper groaned accompanied by Anna B asking, "Aren't you tired of pizza yet Gage?"

"Hey you tend to the driving," Gage scolded Anna B, "And I'll look for the culinary delights." Turning to his daughter he asked, "What would you like for dinner Pipe?"

"Something good…" she hedged.

"How bout Chinese?" Syd asked from the front seat.

"That sounds great," Anna B cut back in.

"Who said you were invited? Don't you have a husband to feed or something?" Gage teased.

"Next time Sydney and Piper can have a ride you Francis Gage can walk," Anna B shot back glancing in the rear view mirror to catch his grinning face.

"Of course you and Sumner are invited to stay," Sydney cut in.

"Sydney you need to be resting," Gage began to argue.

"Who said I wasn't going to be resting Francis," Syd replied using his Christian name too. "You'll be there to look after things."

"She's got you there Dad," Piper agreed whole heartedly with her mother.

"I know when I'm beat," Gage answered leaning back in the seat and putting his arm around his daughter.

Sydney and Gage's

The street was still blocked off when Anna B tried to turn down Gage once again got out to gain access for them to get to the house. "How's your daughter?" the sergeant from earlier asked.

"She's going to be fine I just need to get her and my wife home. Then I plan on tracking down this Ron Wilson and making sure that it doesn't happen again," Gage simply stated.

"If we come up with anything on him you'll be the first to know," James told him.

"Thanks," Gage replied as the sergeant walked him back to the car instructing the officers in his command to let the rangers and their family by.

Not only was Trivette's car in their driveway but Walker's familiar silver ram was parked out front. Anna B squeezed her car up the driveway to park beside Sydney's van, Gage had quickly gotten out to help Sydney. "Gage I'm fine," she chaste him feeling she had gotten her second wind, "Go look after Piper."

"Then who will keep an eye on you?" he teasingly questioned. "Besides Anna B is taking care of her," he told her sliding his arm around her waist.

"Pipe I want you to go lay down for a bit," Syd was calling after her child.

"Mom…" she pleadingly begged.

Seeing her plight Gage intervened, "Piper why don't you lay down with Mom she's going to take a nap too. That way you can keep each other company."

"Gage I don't need a nap I'm fine," Syd was arguing her husband sweeping her up in his arms. "You put me down right now Gage," she hollered.

"Pipe Anna B can you get the door," Gage called over his wife's words.

Inside Chris was all ready at the door opening it to hold it wide. "Hey Squirt," he addressed his sister, "nice face."

"Yeah why don't I hit you in the nose and see how you look," Piper defensively shot back.

"It will heal and you will look as pretty as ever," Anna B cut in moving her and Piper out of the way so Gage could get in with Sydney.

"Mom you okay?" Chris worriedly asked seeing her in his father's arms.

"I'm fine your father is being over protective again," Syd answered trying to be tough but leaning her head on her husband's shoulder all the same still not really feeling a hundred percent.

"Tell me that after you've closed your eyes for awhile," Gage insisted whisking her by everyone and down the hall. "Coming Piper?" he called not looking back knowing she would be rolling her eyes in Sydney fashion.

As the three of them disappeared down the hall Sumner came quietly up behind Anna B to wrap his arms around her letting his hands rub over her tummy and their unborn child. "And how are you feeling?"

"Perfect now your arms are around me," she smiled leaning her head back against his shoulder to catch his face.

"Are you going to kiss Anna B?" Cat asked feeling she had been quiet way to long for her.

"And what if I am?" Sumner answered the youngest Gage.

"Then do it and get it over with so I can show her the picture I painted at school today," Cat answered hands on her hips.

Giving Anna B a quick peck on the lips Sumner replied, "She's all yours."

Gage was just coming down the hallway from getting Syd and Piper settled to almost be bowled over by Cat and Anna B. "Keep it down Cat," he warned.

Getting, "I know, I know Mommy's taking a nap," from his young daughter.

"How is Syd?" Jimmy asked as Gage joined them in the kitchen.

"Fine nothing that a couple of days rest won't cure," Gage replied. "Her doctor says like always she'll probably go a little early. I just wish she would stay home now…" his words trailed off.

Patting Gage's shoulder Jimmy spoke again. "Erica said to tell you she can come by tomorrow and keep her company for the day just let her know."

"Thanks I think I'll take her up on the offer," Gage acknowledged. Changing the subject he asked, "What have we got on this Wilson?"

"He's been in and out of trouble for the past few years over different things, bar room brawls, drunk and disorderly, penny ante drug charges, but what stands out most is domestic violence," Trivette recited his findings.

"Now he can add a few new charges to the list," Sumner remarked.

Trivette's phone began to ring turning he answered it.

"Walker Piper is a witness to the attack he ripped the phone out of the wall and punched his wife in the face. Pipe yelled at him to stop that is when he hit her," Gage told Piper's story his body tensing and his hands clamping into tight fists.

"That was dispatch the car Wilson is driving has been spotted on the interstate heading out of Dallas. His daughter was still with him," Trivette spoke out.

"Let's go," Walker barked, "Gage you ride with me."

Giving Chris a quick glance Gage heard his son's reassuring words, "Don't worry Dad Anna B and I will look after things here."

"Thanks Chris," Gage smiled at his son knowing he could count on him. With out another thought he headed out behind Walker.

A Deserted Rest Stop Between Dallas and Austin

"How's Lorna Wilson doing?" Gage questioned his boss his eyes on the road watching for the car that her husband, Ron Wilson, had made his escape in. He had learnt from Walker that Wilson had demanded a car so he and his daughter MacKenzie could escape plus a substantial amount of cash.

While the deal was being put together there was suddenly the firing of two more rounds. Negotiators tried furiously to contact him again fearing he had killed his family and turned the gun on himself. Another agonizing hour passed before they were able to determine it was all clear to go in. They had cautiously moved only to find Lorna Wilson unconscious and bleeding on the floor with no sign of Wilson or his daughter

Ron Wilson had been able to quietly creep along the side of the house that was covered from view by the over hanging roof and an unruly vine that covered both house and fence. Just as you came to the end of the house there was a hole in the fence that he and his daughter squeezed through disappearing behind the neighbour's garage. The rest was easy they entered the side door of the garage hopped in the car hot-wired it and took off down the street no one the wiser.

Still another hour passed before it was discovered that he had used the neighbour's car to make his get away…

"Last report she was still unconscious but she'll recover," Walker told him. "This might be a solution to your problem Gage," Walker began. "Sydney spending some time with Mrs. Wilson and helping her through this will give her something to do at home."

"We'll see," Gage answered knowing from experience not to volunteer Sydney for anything with out talking it over with her first.

Gage didn't have any more time for further speculation Walker was guiding the truck into the rest area. The car was parked out in plain site a lone figure slumped over in the driver's seat. Walker brought his rig to a halt with Trivette pulling in beside them all four rangers cautiously getting out guns drawn.

With Trivette and Sumner on the passenger side Walker and Gage on the driver side they proceed to where the driver sat unmoving. Reaching out Walker tapped his weapon on the window getting no movement. With Gage holding his gun on the figure inside Trivette and Sumner doing the same Walker pulled open the door the man behind the wheel falling sideways Walker barely able to catch him. Gage immediately holstered his gun reaching forward to assist him. Moving his fingers to the man's neck he confirmed what they all ready suspected he was dead.

"Who is it?" Sumner asked he and Trivette coming round to the other side of the car.

Walker had lowered the man to the pavement now he and Gage were checking his pockets finally finding his wallet. "Brandon Lane," Gage read the name off the driver's license.

"We're still no further ahead," Trivette commented pulling his phone out to start calling for the coroner.

"Help, help," a muffled scream went up the rangers looking from one to the other. "Help me," the cry went up again followed with loud sobs.

"The trunk," Sumner cried all four men going round back. Walker quickly went to his truck coming back with a tire iron he pried open the trunk to reveal a trembling MacKenzie Wilson huddled in a ball inside.

Reaching in Gage lifted the little girl into his arms bringing her against his chest. "Shh Honey it's all right you're safe now," he soothed as she clung desperately to his neck.

"I want my Mom," she sobbed, "Is she okay?"

"She's going to be all right Kenzie. How bout you come home with me and stay with us until your Mom is well enough to look after you?" Gage asked.

Nodding her head yes she suddenly asked, "Is Piper okay?"

"She's fine and she is going to be so happy to see you," Gage assured the young girl.

"Are you going to stop my Daddy from hurting us?" she asked looking at all of them.

"Yes MacKenzie we are going to stop him," Walker told her the rest agreeing.

Sydney and Gage's

The room was dimly lit Gage had pulled the blinds before he had left his wife and daughter snuggled together on the bed. Syd lay comfortably back against the pillows her daughter fast asleep against her. She brushed a stray hair from her face the memory of how she came into this world coming to mind. She smiled once again the image of Gage placing that tiny bundle at her breast just seconds after he had delivered her tears in both their eyes.

Piper stirred quietly her arm going round her mother and like the day of her birth her head resting at Syd's breast. She smiled to herself watching her daughter sleep leaning forward to kiss the top of her head.

"Mommy," she suddenly cried out.

"I'm right here Honey," Syd answered holding her tight.

There was a slight rap on the door and Anna B stuck her head in. "Hi how are you guys doing?" she asked.

"Can we come in?" Cat butted in front of Anna B.

"Yes you may," Syd smiled at her youngest who came scurrying over to the bed.

"Are you guys okay?" she cried out climbing on the bed with them to wrap her arms around Syd's neck.

"I think so," Syd answered watching a frown appear on Cat's face. "What's wrong Cat?"

"I just think you are so lucky now everyone in this family has got to ride in an am…bu…lance but me," she pouted.

"Well Honey if you are lucky you won't get that chance either," Syd told her trying to hide a chuckle.

The phone rang interrupting them. "It's probably the Chinese food place calling back to confirm the order," Anna B stated as Syd picked up the phone.

"Hello," she said into the phone her eyes moving to the doorway as Chris appeared there.

"This is your kid's fault and now you're all going to pay for it," the voice at the other end of the line snarled.

Sydney had sat right up in bed listening to the line go dead.

TBC