Chapter Five
"Gage lets call it a night," Walker's voice came over the wire that he was wearing.
"Suits me fine," Gage replied. "Hey Sumner you and Chafe ready to go home?" he asked walking towards the door. Getting no answer he tried again, "Sumner you go to sleep?" Still no answer.
As Gage hit the street he glanced over to where Sumner was parked with Chafe seeing a vacant truck. "Walker I think we have trouble," Gage spoke trying not to keep the sinking feeling of worry from surfacing as he hurried to the Matt's pick up.
Walker screeched to a halt in front of Sumner's truck he and Trivette both jumping out. Gage was squatted down beside the driver's door straightening as Walker approached him. "What have you got?" he asked.
"Sumner's star," Gage replied holding it out for Walker to see.
"We were too busy watching for Tyrone…" Trivette's voice trailed off gawking up and down the street as if a clue to what happened was suddenly going to appear.
Suddenly Gage's phone rang startling him Walker and Trivette's eyes training on him as he pulled the phone from his pocket. "Danton," he tried to keep his voice calm and the charade up.
"Gage it's me," his wife's voice came across the line. "What's going on and where's Matt? Anna B called him to tell him it was time and he said he was working to call you."
"Syd," Gage began.
"Francis what is going on?" Syd repeated turning her back to where Julie sat beside Anna B on the couch.
"Syd both Sumner and Chafe have disappeared," Gage lowered his voice into the phone glad Syd was at home and not here.
"What?" Syd hissed trying to find out what happened without panicking the other two.
"It looks as if they've been grabbed," he explained to his wife.
"Gage we are going to the hospital," Sydney told him trying to keep a cool even voice. "You do what you have to and get Matt there."
"Syd we're doing what we can…" Gage tried to say only to be cut off.
"Just do it Gage," Syd warned hanging up the phone.
"What?" Walker asked eyeing Gage.
"We have to find Matt. Syd is on her way to the hospital with Anna B she's gone into labour," Gage told him.
"Hey Gage Walker come hear this," Trivette was calling to the pair of them. Standing beside a man dressed in Santa garb collecting money for the homeless Jimmy waited for the two rangers to join them.
"Santa tell them what you told me," Jimmy prodded the man.
"Like I told this ranger," Santa began, "There was two fellers sitting in that black pick up truck over there," he told them pointing at Sumner's truck. "A van pulled in behind them and two more fellers got out. One went to each side of that truck and forced the other two fellers out made em get in the van with them."
"Can you tell us anything about the van?" Walker questioned the other two anxiously awaiting and hoping for the right answer.
"It was white a big dent in the passenger door like someone had hit," Santa replied as if in deep thought. "The license plate started with…" he paused a minute more before repeating the first three numbers.
Trivette was right on it dialing his cell phone getting all the information he could on what the Santa had told them. "Put an APB out on that vehicle," Trivette barked into the phone.
"Tell them to approach with caution there might be law enforcement people being held inside," Walker added Trivette repeating his words before hanging up to face him and Gage.
"Cars registered to Tyrone his address isn't far from here," Trivette informed them.
"Let's go," Walker ordered Gage and Trivette all ready getting in his truck. As Walker peeled towards their destination all rangers kept look out for Tyrone's van.
Sydney And Gage's
"What did he say Sydney? Is he bringing Sumner?" Anna gasped out another contraction beginning.
"He said to get you to the hospital that he'd find Sumner and bring him there. Breath Honey lets get through this one and then we'll get going, come on breath," Syd ordered.
"Sydney I can't… oww… Matt where are you?" Anna B cried out tears beginning to flow.
"Yes you can I always think I can't do it either but I'm here to tell you can," Syd enforced letting Anna B's grip tighten on her fingers.
"Mom can we do anything?" Chris was asking standing at the door with his sisters he and Piper having seen their mother go through this with Puss. Cat on the other hand stood wide-eyed watching as Anna B lay on the couch crying out.
Turning to her son Syd gave him a half grin. "I know Mom I know," Chris began, "We'll take good care of Cody."
"Anna B I'll be right back as soon as I show Chris where everything is for Cody then Julie and I will get you to the hospital," Syd explained.
Taking Chris' arm Syd lead him down the hall Julie a step behind them. "Sydney what's going on?" Julie hissed.
Taking hold of her sister-in-law's arm she pulled her into the nursery behind her and Chris closing the door. "Robin and Sumner have disappeared," she bluntly answered.
"Disappeared?" Julie questioned panic crossing her face. "Disappeared where? They got them Darius and his people got them," she cried her voice rising.
Taking hold of Julie's arms Syd replied, "Julie we don't know that Gage, Walker and Jimmy are going to find them they just had a few minutes head start."
"Sydney how can you be so calm?" Julie cried out hysteria creeping in.
"Julie we have to be for Anna B's sake," Sydney answered looking into Julie's eyes.
Shaking her head yes Julie stood silently as Syd gave Chris a few last minute instructions. "Mom we'll manage go look after Anna B," Chris coaxed another cry of pain going up from their friend.
"You're right," Syd agreed squeezing Chris' hand before going to help Anna B to the car.
Outside Tyrone's Domaine
The address Trivette had lead them to an old warehouse the van in question parked boldly out front. Walker drove past pulling to the curb half a block down the street. Before anyone could get out of the car a black limo drove past them the occupants hidden by the tinted windows.
The car slowed coming to a stop directly in front of the warehouse and the van. The driver jumped out from behind the wheel to open the door for the lone occupant as the rangers looked on. "Darius," Gage spoke through gritted teeth.
"Then Chafe and Sumner must still be alive," Walker observed the three of them waiting for Darius to go inside.
The driver had run ahead and was pulling open the door of the warehouse for Darius to enter following his boss inside.
In moments the rangers were out of the truck weapons drawn heading towards the inside of the warehouse as well. Slowly opening the door they made their way inside the sounds of a hard punch and painful grunt being heard.
"Isn't he a close enough friend CZ? We need to go get your little girl friend and bring her here? Be a real shame to have to bring her into your dirty business." They could hear Chafe being taunted as once again a fist was pounded into Sumner's gut.
"Leave her out of it and let him go," Chafe shouted back. "He's got nothing to do with this and neither does she." Darius throwing a punch into Chafe's face cut off his words.
"All this could have been avoided," Darius' voice was low and menacing as he grabbed a handful of Robin's hair yanking his head up so he could look threateningly into his face. "All I want are my drugs back, the drugs that you stole from me."
"I didn't steal anything from you," Robin insisted looking at Sumner who sagged in the grasp of two of Tyrone's people.
Another blow was driven into Chafe knocking the wind from him his resistance diminished from the punishment he had taken the day before. Walker was motioning for Gage and Trivette to move around the group and into to position so they could mount an effective attack both men silently moving.
"I've had enough of this little game," Darius was announcing. "Get rid of them both," he ordered turning to retreat from the warehouse to let Tyrone carry out his orders.
Tyrone pulling his gun nodded to his men they dropping Chafe and Sumner to the cement floor to pull their guns too. As they began to aim Gage came flying into the one group while Trivette came flying into the other.
Darius didn't have time to look back Walker had stepped in front of the drug lord blocking his path. "Stop where you are," Walker barked out. "You're under arrest for the attempted murders of a federal agent and a Texas Ranger."
Without hesitation the driver bodyguard stepped in front of his boss throwing a punch at Walker as Darius tried to run past them. It took only a moment for Walker to subdue the driver and give chase to Darius. Even though Darius tried futilely to throw a punch and escape with in seconds it was over and the notorious crime boss was in cuffs.
It hadn't taken Trivette or Gage long to accomplish the same feat with their opponents. Sumner had managed to get a few licks of his own, now Gage stood helping to hold his friend up while Trivette called for back up and EMT.
"Gage… Anna B she's having the baby," Sumner puffed out trying to move to the door needing to be with his wife.
"Slow down Matt," Gage cautioned the emergency people all ready beginning to pour in. "Anna B is with Julie and Syd they were taking her to hospital she's being looked after we're going to get you there too," he explained.
"I've got to go now," Sumner came back still fighting Gage's grasp to get to Anna B.
"Take my truck Gage," Walker cut in over hearing the young ranger knowing exactly how he felt.
"Thanks Walker," Matt managed as Gage took the keys from their boss. Letting Gage help him the two of them headed for Memorial Hospital.
Anna B's Labour Room, Memorial Hospital
Julie Gage had just stepped outside she wanted to check with emergency to see if by chance Robin or Matt had been brought in.
Inside Anna B lay silently resting awaiting the next contraction to begin holding tightly to Sydney's hand, wanting Matt to magically appear in front of her.
"You okay Sweetie?" Syd was asking finding the silence worse then the screaming out in pain.
"Sydney you'd tell me if he was hurt? You and Gage wouldn't keep that from me would you?" Anna B pleaded with her friend another pain beginning she grabbed tighter to Syd.
"Have you ever known Gage to lie or keep something from you?" Syd countered with a question. "They are going to find Matt and bring him here as soon as they can…"
She was interrupted by Anna B crying out and clamping on to her hand as if it was in a bear trap. "Breath Honey come on breath," Syd cried out doing the exercise with her.
In the middle of everything Anna B's doctor came in. "How are we doing here?" she asked.
"How much longer?" Anna B struggled to ask.
"That's what I came to see if I can determine and maybe give you something for the pain," her doctor smiled down at her. "Mrs. Gage if you could just step outside for a moment…"
"Syd you're coming back aren't you?" Anna B cried out fear in her eyes.
"I'm not going any where I'm just going to be outside the door," Syd assured her patting her arm.
She nodded her head in acknowledgement easing up her gripe and releasing Syd's hand. Smiling at the girl she turned to slip out the door and into the corridor.
Julie had just gotten off the elevator and was heading towards Syd. "Anything?" she asked watching Julie shake her head no.
Sydney could see that Julie was close to tears going to her she put an arm around her to lead her to the waiting area to have a seat. "Sydney why do I have to be so stubborn," she began wiping her hand across her eyes.
"You can't help it, it's breeded in you look at your brother," Syd half teased.
With a little half smirk and smile Julie agreed.
Becoming more serious Sydney asked, "What is it Julie?"
Hesitating a moment Julie answered, "I don't know why it is that I can't just tell Robin yes. Tell him yes I want to be Mrs. Robin Chafe and have this baby and live happily ever after…" she ended with a sob.
"You will when it feels right," Sydney tried to say being cut off again.
"That's just it, it's always felt right…" again Julie paused.
Taking her hand Syd smiled saying, "Julie I want to let you in on a little secret. I'm very lucky that your brother is as stubborn as he is. You see it always felt right for me to be with him but I had this idea in my head that it was because we worked so well together. I thought that if I did anything to upset that perfect balance no matter how right it felt then that would be it he'd hate me, I'd loose him, it would be over before it even started. I fought the feelings for quite a while and then it finally happened… he held me and he kissed me and that was it."
The elevator doors suddenly opened across from where they sat Gage and Sumner rushing out. "Syd Julie where is she?" Sumner cried Anna B's door opening as they wheeled her out.
"Anna B," Matt cried rushing to her to take her hand.
"Just in time Matt," Doctor Lindsay Oaken told him, "We're headed for delivery."
"We'll be right up Matt," Gage called after their friends as they disappeared into the elevator.
With the doors closed Julie took hold of her brother's arm her nails sinking in. "Frankie where's Robin?" she demanded.
"He should be downstairs in emergency he took a few hits…"
"Oh my God," Julie was crying all ready hitting the elevator button.
"Julie it's not that bad," Gage was trying to console her looking at Syd for help.
"Gage go with Julie," she told him, "I'll go up with the Sumners."
Gratefully looking at his wife Gage stepped on the elevator with Julie while she took the next one up to delivery.
Downstairs In Emergency
"We're looking for Robin Chafe," Julie demanded from the girl at the desk.
"I'm sorry we have no one by that name…"
"Yes you do look again," Julie cut the woman off with her shouts.
"Julie calm down," Gage tried to intervene only to have her turn on him.
"Some thing has happened to him Francis hasn't it and you're just not telling me," she yelled at her brother totally out of control at this point from worry.
"Nothing has happened that I know of," Gage answered taking hold of her arms looking into her face. "Sumner and I got a jump on them because we knew Anna B was having the baby," he tried to explain.
Gage had no more time for explanations the doors from outside banged open the EMTs were wheeling a stretcher with Chafe on it inside as doctors, nurses and Julie Gage converged around it to run beside it.
Following after them Gage caught up with his sister getting his arms around her to keep her back out of the way giving the emergency people a chance to work. "Let me go Frankie," she squirmed in his arms fighting to get out of his hold.
"Jules let them look after him," he argued back not giving in to her finally feeling her relax a little. Together they stood watching as they bandaged and stabilized Robin.
"I'm going to marry him if he still wants me," Julie murmured not turning to see Gage's reaction.
"Of course he still wants you," Gage whispered glad she was finally coming to her senses drawing her closer at the same time.
They stood there for what seemed like forever until finally one of the nurses opened the door to ask for Julie Gage. "Right here," she answered asking at the same time, "How is he?"
"He's doing all right the doctor will explain everything to you. You can come in and see him while they get a room for him," the nurse told her.
Turning to Gage Julie smiled, "I think I can take it from here you go see how Anna B is doing the doctor may need a few pointers you're such an expert."
"Funny Jules, real funny," Gage replied with his own smile before asking, "Are you sure?"
"Very," she answered standing on tiptoes and kissing his cheek. Leaving him standing to look after her she went with the nurse to be lead over to Robin. Leaning forward she took his hand and gently kissed him a feeling of relief and contentment coming over Gage. Standing a few minutes longer he smiled again turning to head up to delivery.
Fourth Floor Delivery
Sydney was pacing the waiting room floor when Gage came in the doorway. Going up behind her he grasped her in his arms whispering in a tease, "So this is what the delivery floor looks like."
Syd gave him a sharp poke in the side not appreciating his joke. "Francis," she sharply quipped turning to hug him all the same. His blue eyes captured her face and all the love and joy that they had shared with birth of their children descended upon them now. Leaning forward Gage's lips caught Syd's as they shared a passionate kiss only to be interrupted by the clearing of a throat.
"No baby yet?" Trivette asked a grin on his face Walker standing with him.
"Not yet," Gage answered loosening his hold but not totally letting go of his wife.
"Maybe they are just waiting for your help Dr. Gage," Trivette's grin getting wider as he spoke.
"They are on their own I'll be happy just to hold the little guy or girl when they get here," Gage informed them.
"I'd say you had your arms full now," Walker chuckled Gage immediately dropping his arms from his wife.
"A boy and a girl," Sumner was shouting as the rangers turned to face him.
"Twins?" Syd questioned, "You had twins?"
"Babies and Mom are doing fine," Sumner beamed as everyone crowded around the young man congratulating him.
"Sumner didn't you know that you were having twins?" Sydney questioned again.
"Well yeah," he admitted, "But Anna B wanted to keep it a surprise. I've got to call my Mom and Dad," he told them pulling away from his friends wanting nothing more then to be back with his wife and babies.
"Twins how bout that," Walker smiled.
"Sumner just don't know what he is in for," Trivette smiled too.
"I'll say," Gage agreed adding, "Anna B and twins."
Syd rolled her eyes skyward but deep down she really had to agree with her co-workers.
Two Weeks Later Christmas Eve…
Excitement was in the air everyone had gathered at the Trivettes for Christmas eve Between Julie and Robin's wedding plans and the Sumner twins David Mathew and Kathleen Annabelle, Katie for short, the grown ups were being kept busy.
No one really noticed when Piper took Marcus' hand and lead him out to the back porch. There was something that Marcus just couldn't put his finger on about Piper, she looked really nice tonight.
Piper held tighter to Marcus she wanted everything to go perfectly. She had enlisted Sydney's help finding the perfect outfit and then the hair…
"I'm glad you brought me out here," Marcus began not really sure what to say it was always Piper who got things going and now she was just standing here smiling.
"Are you really?" Piper asked her eyes darting to his face.
Shyly Marcus smiled back, "Yeah I have something for you," he told her reaching his hand in his pocket.
"Me too I have something for you too," Piper was quick to add reaching for the gift she had stashed there earlier to hand to him. "Open it," she urged as he ripped off the wrappings.
Inside was a picture of she and Marcus at some sort of function out at the Walker Ranch. She had put it in a silver frame similar to a picture Sydney had once given Gage when they were dating, that sat on his dresser at home.
"It's beautiful Piper," Marcus whispered to her a smile on his face as he looked at the pair of them in the picture.
Handing her the gift he had in his hands he smiled saying, "I hope you like it."
"If you picked it out I'm sure I will," she answered ripping off the wrapping paper to reveal a jewellery case. Snapping open the lid she found a locket nestled inside. "Oh Marcus it's beautiful," she cried, "Can you put it on for me?"
A moment later the locket was around her neck turning she wound her arms around Marcus as they shared their first kiss.
"Hey what are you guys doing out here?" Jimmy Trivette's voice interrupted the two of them. "The party is inside."
"Yeah right Dad," Marcus quickly answered taking Piper's hand to push past him.
Smiling to himself Jimmy decided he'd keep this one to himself for now, "Gage I just don't think you are ready for this," he chuckled.
"What's so funny Trivette?" Gage asked as Jimmy came in the door.
"Nothing Gage I'm just counting my blessing that's all," he chuckled again putting his arm around Erica. "Counting my blessings and realizing how truly blessed we are this Christmas."
Agreeing with his friend the trio went back inside to rejoin the celebration. Going up behind his wife who held Cody he leaned down to tease her neck with a kiss whispering, "Merry Christmas Syd," before letting his eyes wander over friend and family knowing they all were blessed this Christmas.
The End