Chapter Three

"Gage what's wrong?" Syd asked seeing the panic on her husband's face as he furiously redialled his sister's cell phone getting no answer.

"I've got to get to Julie," he cried pushing by Syd.

"Gage, Gage wait do you know where you're going?" Syd called after him.

He stopped dead in his tracks, "God no I don't even have an address, we never even got to that."

"We did," Syd answered going by him into the study where she had put the slip of paper on the desk. "Get hold of Trivette and Sumner while I get it," she told him Gage all ready dialling Trivette.

Going into the study Syd scooped up the scrap of paper handing it to Gage as she turned to retrieve their weapons from the strong box where they were kept.

"All right I'll meet you over there," Gage was saying into the phone as he hung up.

"We'll meet you there I'm going with you," Syd told him handing his gun to him.

"Cody?"

"Chris is here Gage, Cody is fed give me one minute to let Chris know," Syd responded her partner nodding glad to have her with him.

As Syd spoke to Chris Gage grabbed his car keys and headed out to the car his mind on his big sister. "Let's go," Syd cried opening the door and jumping in with him.

Gage was peeling out of the driveway as Syd did up her seatbelt.

"Where are Mom and Dad going?" Piper asked coming up behind her brother who stood in the doorway watching their parents pull out.

"What are you doing up?" Chris half turned to his sister.

"I heard Dad then the door opened and closed then I got up. Now where are Mom and Dad going?" she questioned again.

"Aunt Julie's she called and needed Dad to come over," Chris simply told her.

"Where's Robin?" Piper persisted.

"I don't know Aunt Julie called and you know Dad he worries about her just like he does Mom and us…" Chris began to explain watching Piper roll her eyes to the ceiling. "All right you go back to bed before they get back and you are still standing here then we'll both be in trouble.

Julie And Robin's New Home

The house was dark as Gage pulled up Trivette moving in behind him Sumner in the car with him. Robin's car was in the driveway a black sedan parked in the driveway behind them. Both Gage and Syd were out of their car Trivette and Sumner joining them.

"Gage you and Syd go around back," Trivette was ordering as he and Sumner started for the steps of the front porch.

Nodding his head he and Syd started round back of the house guns drawn. Motioning to Gage that she was going up the steps her partner again nodded following close behind her. Going either side of the door Gage reached out to turn the door knob the door easily giving way. Silently they moved inside Gage leading the way Syd following into the kitchen to be met by voices. "So CZ beating on you isn't working maybe if we beat on your girlfriend a little it will convince you to tell us where the drugs are," one of them snickered as he yanked Julie to her feet.

"Leave her alone," Chafe shouted trying to go to Julie's defence a fist being driven into his gut.

"I think we hit a raw cord here Lonnie," the voice from before addressed the man that had hold of Julie. Jerking his head he signalled for Lonnie to make good on the threat.

Suddenly Trivette's voice accompanied by loud banging on the door could be heard as he shouted out Texas Rangers open up. The same moment Syd went flying into the man who was giving the orders and Gage's fist went flying into Lonnie's face.

Both Rangers had their adversaries down on the floor as Sumner and Trivette burst in. Julie had gone to Chafe who had taken quite a beating, he now lay on the floor his head in Julie's lap as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"You and the baby… all right," Chafe managed to get out.

"Be quiet will you we're fine," Julie admonished him as she looked into his bloody swollen face. "It's you we have to worry about!" she exclaimed.

"Jules are you sure you're all right?" it was Gage asking the question as he knelt beside her Sydney flanking her other side.

"I will be as soon as I know Robin is," she answered her eyes on his face.

"I'm fine," Chafe fought the words out trying in vain to sit up. "I just need to clean up a bit."

"Yeah sure," Gage cut in putting his hand against Chafe's chest not allowing him to move from Julie's hold.

"EMT is on it's way," Trivette told them squatting down with the group for a minute.

"Look I'm fine…" Robin protested once again trying to get up.

"Robin stop it," Julie commanded taking a good grip on his shoulders. "If you are so fine then the doctors will let you come home tonight and I'll stop being upset."

Finally with the sirens for the EMT nearing them Chafe gave in resting against Julie.

"Gage look after her and keep her out of this mess," Chafe's eyes pleaded with the ranger. "She's as hard headed as you."

"I fully intend to," Gage told him, "Starting with sending her to the hospital to get checked out too."

"Francis I'm fine."

"Just like you told Robin when the doctors will let you come home with us and I'll stop worrying," Gage threw back at her as the emergency people came flooding in.

Memorial Hospital

While Sydney sat Gage paced back and forth stopping every few minutes to look at the doors that lead to the exam rooms. Finally Sydney got up and going to where he was laced her arm through his bringing him back over to sit down with her.

"I can't believe this," Gage told her taking a tight hold on her hand. "Just a couple of hours ago they were landing in to see Cody and tell us their big news…" he said in one breath asking in the next breath if she had called Chris.

"The kids are fine Gage, Chris was just going to bed he was taking the baby monitor into his room. Julie is going to be fine and so is Robin," Syd answered him.

"Then what is taking so long?" he questioned more.

"Gage you know that this always takes forever will you try and relax," Syd coaxed bringing his fingers to her lips.

"Rangers Gage and Cooke?" a voice from the doorway was asking for them.

"Yes," Gage replied both standing to face the doctor, "How's Julie?"

"I'm Doctor Baker," he offered his hand to Gage who absently took it. "Your wife is going to be fine she's resting," the doctor answered.

"She's my sister," Gage cut in, "Can we see her?"

Sydney put her hand on Gage's arm before speaking, "Doctor Baker we are both quite worried about Julie and Robin. I know Julie isn't going to relax either until she knows how Robin is…"

Nodding his head the doctor continued, "As I was saying Julie is going to be fine she is just getting dressed. If you would like to go in you can keep her company while I try to find out how her…"

"Husband," Gage filled in with Syd adding, "to be."

"Husband… to be… is," Doctor Baker finished eyeing them both before leading the way to where Julie was.

Pushing open the door Gage hurried inside ahead of Sydney. "Jules," he cried out taking his sister in his arms.

"Francis, they haven't told me anything do you know what's happening with Robin?" Julie cried clinging to Gage.

"Honey the doctor has gone to find out about Robin then he'll let us know," Sydney began to explain.

"Are you sure you're all right Sis?" Gage asked her again.

"Frankie I'm fine just worried about Robin that's all… what if he's not all right… what if something happens to him?" Julie endlessly questioned Gage and Sydney.

"He's going to be fine," Gage tried to sooth the panic that was rising in her holding her close as the tears streamed down her face.

"Julie." All three looked up hearing Doctor Baker's voice. "Your fiancée is going to be fine he's a little banged up but a few days rest should take care of that. If you give us a few minutes you'll be able to go in and see him."

"Thank you Doctor," Julie murmured the man turning to leave. As the door closed behind him Julie squawked out, "Francis Gage! My fiancée!"

"That was Syd's idea," Gage tried to dodge the blame.

"Yeah Gage just married you off," Syd defended herself.

"Francis you have to leave it alone… I need the time to make my own decisions here… all right. You're just going to have to trust Robin and I on this and learn to live with what we decide," Julie spoke from her heart to her brother.

"Julie…" Gage began to wheedle.

"Miss Gage," a nurse had come to the door, "If you'd like to come this way I'll take you to Mr. Chafe."

Wrapping his arm around Julie Gage escorted her out and down the corridor. Stopping in front of Robin's door he pushed it open about to go inside with Julie until Sydney caught his arm. "You all right on your own?" she asked Julie.

Her eyes thanking Sydney Julie nodded her head yes proceeding inside while Gage swung around to face his wife. "What?" he quizzed his worry over his sister quite evident.

"Francis give her a minute with him will you," Syd responded.

"What if…"

"What if nothing Gage. Those times when I've been hurt or brought to emergency did you want the whole gang by your side when they finally let you in to where I was?" she questioned letting her voice soften. "Gage she loves him just as sure as we love each other. They share their lives as closely as we do she needs a few minutes alone with him to know that he is really all right no matter how worried you are about her."

Gage's mouth opened and then closed smiling at Syd he pulled her to him holding her fiercely against himself. "I guess growing up she never took the time for this with going to school, working and looking after me. If we hadn't gotten there when we did tonight…" his voice dropped away and he held Syd tighter still.

"But we did, Julie and Robin are going to be fine," Syd leaned back looking up into his face.

"It's just that so much has gone on in less the twelve hours. Man she's expecting, has no intention of getting married…"

"I know Gage, I know we just have to give them time it's all new to them too," Syd tried to reason with her husband. "They have to figure out what will make them happy first and then we have to be happy for them."

"This isn't easy," Gage sighed.

"Well get used to it Honey we have four children to get through the same process with," Syd smiled up at him.

"You really think we'll make it?" Gage smiled down at her.

"I'd put money on it," Syd replied standing on her toes to kiss him.

"Rangers," a young police officer cleared his throat as he addressed them. "I've been assigned to guard Robin Chafe's door."

Letting go of Sydney Gage became all business like again. "Nobody in or out without proper ID," he told the officer knocking on the door before he and Syd entered.

Ranger Headquarters Interrogation C

Trivette and Sumner walked into interrogation C where Lonnie Taylor sat waiting for them. "Lonnie, Lonnie, Lonnie," Trivette began, "Just what did you think you were doing tonight?"

Taylor sat mute staring at the wall.

"You know Lonnie hitting a woman isn't a very nice practice you have there," Sumner stated leaning across the table getting in Taylor's face.

"Bit me," Taylor replied glaring at Matt.

"Real sense of humour," Sumner half laughed standing up to face Trivette. "Do you think he'll still be laughing when we cut a deal with his pal Joey?"

"I don't know," Trivette answered opening a file and staring at it. "All I have to do is go next door and have Joey sign this statement and he is out of here while you go down for assault," Trivette shouted slamming the file on the table in front of Taylor.

Before anyone could say anything else the door flew open and two men in suits accompanied by Walker entered. "We'll take it from here," the first suit told them moving behind Taylor taking his arm.

"Walker what's going on?" Trivette asked staring at his boss and friend.

"This is Agents Tompkins and Meadows," Walker made the introductions as Meadows yanked Lonnie to his feet. "The federal authorities are wanting to have a few words with Taylor and his friend Joey Wallace."

"And they can do that?" Sumner asked watching them drag Taylor out. "Gage is going to be some mad," he speculated.

"Not when he finds out that they are going to keep the two of them on ice so we can go ahead with our operation to take Darius down," Walker explained.

The Gage Residence

"Take it easy," Gage commanded as he brought the car to a stop in the driveway. Robin was all ready opening the car door to get out. He had insisted he was fine and there was no way that he was staying in the hospital as sitting duck.

Julie had her hand on his arm holding on tight, "Robin please let Frankie help you inside," Julie pleaded with him. Something in her eyes caught his attention and he leaned heavily back on the seat until Gage got around to his side of the car.

Sydney had all ready gotten out to open up the back door only to be met by the loud cries of Cody as Chris paced up and down the floor with his little brother trying to no avail to soothe the cries. "Mom are we glad to see you," Piper cried out she had been taking turns with Chris walking with Cody.

"What's going on?" Syd asked taking Cody from Chris' arms.

"He woke up crying about an hour ago and just won't stop," Piper explained.

"Did you try giving him his bottle?" Syd questioned further.

"No go Mom," Chris replied.

"Chris can you go see if you can help your father and Aunt Julie, Piper you go back to bed and I'll see what I can do about your brother," Syd began issuing orders to her children bouncing the baby on her shoulder while she spoke.

Going to the nursery Syd did a quick diaper change then sat with her wailing son in the rocker to begin nursing him. Almost instantly the tears subsided and he lay quietly in his mother's arms content as she fed him. "You are like your sister Piper," Syd accused her son, "And I'm going to leave your father to deal with you."

Even though she would never admit it out loud what Sydney had meant is that Cody was like both her and Piper. She also knew that Gage had an uncanny way of understanding them and dealing with them that she felt sure he would extend to their son.

Smiling she rubbed her fingers through the black hair on his head his brown eyes looking up at his mother.

"Syd everything all right in here?" Gage asked quietly slipping inside with her and Cody.

Hearing Gage's voice Cody's eyes went to his father. Going to where they sat Gage squatted down in front of them.

"Yes we are fine," she smiled letting Gage lean forward to kiss her. "Get Julie and Robin settled?"

Grinning Gage answered, "Yes and I really think Robin has met his match with Julie."

"How so?" Sydney quizzed bringing Cody to her shoulder for a burp.

"She's in there bossing him around just like she used to do with me when we were kids," he smiled again.

"Yeah well she needs to he's as hard headed as you," Syd retorted letting Gage take Cody who had fallen asleep to tuck into his bed.

"Now Syd," Gage whispered turning from the crib to take her in his arms.

Leaning against him she said nothing instead she leaned her head against his chest just glad to be there with him. They stayed that way for quite a few minutes when suddenly they were interrupted by the ringing phone.

Letting go of Syd Gage went to answer it. "All right Trivette I'm good to go with it tonight," Gage was saying into the phone as Syd entered their bedroom.

"Good to go with what?" Syd asked.

"Chafe's people came and picked up those two who were beating up on him Julie. They are going to be sure that they are kept out of circulation while we go ahead with our operation," Gage told her taking her hand.

"But for now how about you lay down with me and get a little rest before the kids are up again," Gage urged backing her up towards the bed tugging on her blouse to yank it from her slacks.

"I am a little bushed," she answered teasing him with a yawn.

"Not too much so?" he questioned pushing her back on the bed and dropping to her his hand wandering beneath her shirt.

"Gage," she whispered her arms going round his neck. "Umm," she softly moaned his lips catching hers. "Gage," she tried again his mouth still on hers, "When are we putting the tree up?"

"Not just this minute," he told her kissing her again.

"When?" she persisted. "The Christmas concert is on the twenty-third and you don't want to miss it Cat is playing Mary."

"Syd you know it is going to depend on how things go with this case. I can't just drop it with Julie being threatened like that," he answered. "We are just going to have to play this by ear Honey."

"I just want a day for the tree Francis," Sydney cut in wedging her hands between the two of them and pushing on his chest.

"Why don't you and the kids get it out and set it up and we'll go from there," Gage tried to appease her the phone ringing again.

"Geez," Gage cried catching sight of the clock to see it was four-fifty A.M. Rolling from on top of his wife he snatched up the receiver. "Gage ," he snapped into the phone.

"What do you mean she's not there Sumner?"

"Just what I said Gage," the panicked young man cried out. "When I got home she wasn't here, no note nothing she's just gone."

TBC