Chapter Six

Madam Beaubien's Cabin

The low mumbled chants of Madam Beaubien filled her tiny cottage as she sat at the table. Her fingers worked nimbly with the bits of cloth and string putting together the tiny doll. "There ma cher petite," she exclaimed holding the doll out in front of her to examine her handy work. "Soon you will be with me again so I can take care of you until your time comes," she smiled down at the doll that had been made to resemble Sydney gently stroking the face. She had fashioned the doll to look as if it was with child her smile widening as she stroked the tummy. "And you my little Prince I will teach you the ways of our people so you may lead them and take care of them…"

Suddenly the woman fell silent to stare mutely at the wall her eyes glazed over as if in a trance. She uttered a loud shriek, "No," while visions of Gage and Sydney being surrounded by Kyle Clayton and his men materialized in her head. "I'm on my way child," she cried hurrying out of the cabin and down the same trail the rangers had disappeared down earlier.

The Same Time Not That Far Away…

As soon as Walker and Trivette's plane had touched down they headed for the sheriff's office in Bayou country. For both men it brought back many memories, good and bad of the time spent there fishing with CD Parker. In the back of both their minds was who they were up against, Ferris Clayton and how ruthless a man he could be. Both harboured the same bad feelings that he may have captured the two younger rangers…

Sheriff Hugo LeBrun a friend and colleague had long ago retired replaced by his son Karl. The young man had grown up listening to his father and CD spin fish stories and tales of their accomplishments as law officers. He had heard many a tale that had told of legendary Texas Ranger Cordell Walker and his partner Jimmy Trivette. "Walker Trivette," the sheriff greeted them as they came through the door at the office.

"Karl," Walker answered back extending his hand to the young sheriff. "How's that father of yours?"

"Just fine. He wants you to stop by once we find your two rangers," Karl explained. "If you're ready I thought we might make a trip out to the Clayton place to pay them a visit."

"That's what I had in mind too," Walker agreed. Together all three men headed back outside towards the car. Opening the car door Walker suddenly stood stock still staring off into the distance a premonition crowding his thoughts. As clear as day he could see Kyle Clayton and his men surrounding Sydney and Gage.

"Walker you all right?" Trivette asked knowing that look in his partner's eyes.

"Yeah," he replied. Turning to the sheriff he asked, "Is there a clearing about half way to the Clayton place with a trail into the Bayou ending there?"

"Yeah there is," Karl confirmed.

"That's where we need to be, that's where they are and they're in trouble," Walker stated.

"How do you know?" Karl questioned as Walker got in the car.

"Don't ask," Trivette answered for his partner, "Just take his word for it.

With in moments the car was speeding towards the appointed spot.

In The Swampy Bayou

"This is really getting tiring Kyle. Haven't you got anything better to do with your time then chase Ranger Cooke and I around?" Gage boldly asked automatically stepping in front of her.

"Heh, heh," Clayton laughed. "Oh I've got lots better things I could be doing with my time and once you two have become gator food I'm going to be able to get at them."

"Let's do it and get it over with," Small urged his brother.

"We will but not before we take them up to the back country," Kyle replied his eyes still fixed on the rangers.

"That's not what Daddy wants," Bull piped up.

"Yeah well Daddy ain't here and I'm in charge," Kyle shouted spinning to glare at his brothers. I don't want these two connected with us in any way shape or form. We're going to take them deep into the swamp and let the gators take care of 'em. Anyone got a problem with that?"

Nobody said a word so Gage piped up. "Well I take offence to that," he cut in.

"Funny guy Mr. TJ Thomas," Kyle addressed him laughing again before ramming the butt of his riffle into Gage's side. Almost doubling in pain Syd was quick to put her arms around him and help him stay on his feet.

"All right everyone let's move out," Kyle ordered.

"Gage don't antagonize him," Syd whispered still helping him along he still catching his breath.

He answered with a forced smile, "I'm fine Syd."

"You two shut up and get moving," Kyle barked out leading the way deeper into the bayou.

With her arm still around her partner they began to move down the trail unaware that there was a pair of eyes watching them and a shadowy figure following them.

A twig snapped startling the group. "What was that?" Short nervously asked.

"Weren't nothing," Bull retorted looking over his shoulder while Gage and Syd too exchanged glances. "Keep moving," he ordered, "the boat's just up ahead."

"Um Gage," Syd suddenly cried out slowing her pace and stopping.

"Syd?" Gage questioned as she faltered and fell against him.

"What are you two up to?" Kyle demanded turning to towards the partners.

Gage all ready had his arm around her seeing how pale she looked. "She's not feeling good," he snapped back just as Syd fell to the ground sick to her stomach.

"What's the matter with her?" again he demanded.

"She's sick what's it look like?" Gage barked back not looking up as he held Sydney his hand on her forehead.

"Well get her up and get her moving," Kyle ordered. "We ain't got all day here." With that he prodded Gage in the shoulder with the barrel of his riffle.

"Give us a minute," Gage insisted ignoring Kyle and concentrating on Syd.

"I'm all right… help me up," Syd whispered sweat standing out on her forehead.

"Syd you're not all right," Gage voiced his concerns to her helping her as she struggled to her feet.

"I'll be fine," she answered a wave of dizziness threatening her as she once again fell against Gage.

"Listen to the lady ranger she'll be fine now both of you get moving," Kyle ordered his voice rising in anger.

Nodding her head slightly Syd didn't have time to take a step before Kyle went flying side ways the results of a flying kick executed by their boss. As Kyle was distracted by Sydney being sick Walker, Trivette and Karl LeBrun were able to quietly bring most of Clayton's people silently to the ground. Now as Walker took out Kyle Trivette and LeBrun finished off Bull Clayton while Gage helped Sydney back down to sit on the ground.

"You two okay?" Walker asked slipping a loop of rope around Kyle's wrists as he spoke.

"Syd's sick," Gage exclaimed cradling her against him.

"I'll be fine Gage," she tried to argue.

Not giving an inch he cut back in, "We'll let a doctor be the judge of that just in case…" He left the sentence unfinished Syd the only one getting his meaning she too thinking about Madam Beaubien's prediction.

"Gage is right Sydney," Walker agreed leaving Sydney not much choice in the matter. "Gage you want to look after your partner so Trivette, Karl and I can get this bunch back into town.

"Yeah thanks Walker," Gage replied once more slowly helping Syd to her feet.

Again from the shadows Madam Beaubien watched, nodding her head she murmured to herself, "Soon Sydney soon I'll be taking care of you and the babe."

Later At The County Hospital

Laying back in the hospital bed Syd closed her eyes clasping tightly to Gage's hand while they waited for the young doctor to reappear.

"Okay Honey?" Gage nervously asked her fingers tightening around his.

Her eyes flickered open to look in his face. She shook her head yes a wistful smile crossing her lips answering, "I'm fine how bout you?"

"Syd I…"

There was a knock on the door before Gage could say anything more and a moment later Doctor Cheryl Martin came in. "How are we doing?" she asked coming over to where Syd lay resting.

"I still feel a little queasy," she admitted letting Gage bring her fingers to his lips.

"There is very good reason for that Ranger Cooke," the doctor smiled her eyes drifting to Gage. "Maybe we should have a moment alone…"

Grasping her meaning Syd fixed her eyes on her fiancé saying at the same time, "Ranger Gage can hear what ever you have to say."

"All right then," Doctor Martin agreed. "Ranger Cooke according to our test results you are going to have a baby."

Her eyes going to the doctor's face Syd asked, "You're sure? No chance of mistake?"

"It's all right here. You're about five maybe six weeks along," Doctor Martin replied holding out Syd's chart. "And if you are about ready I have your release papers right here," she continued Sydney and Gage barely hearing her their focus on each other. "When ever you are ready Ranger Cooke," she repeated taking her leave.

"You all right with this Shorty?" Gage questioned her his hand going to her face, his thumb gently stroking her cheek.

Syd nodded her head yes asking, "Are you?"

By now both his arms were around her holding her close whispering, "Oh yes, yes, yes," his voice getting a louder with each yes. Pulling away from her just a little he placed his hand on her tummy wanting to feel as close to their child as Sydney did.

Smiling to herself Syd couldn't resist teasing Gage just a little. "Man you are going to have a lot of explaining to do to my Dad," she giggled her arms wrapping around his neck and pulling him close once again.

A look of panic spread across Gage's face as he reciprocated the hug. "He doesn't own a shotgun does he Syd?" he asked Syd poking his side.

Laughing Gage kissed her again before whispering to her, "Let's get you out of here."

"You'll get no argument from me," Syd answered all ready swinging her legs over the edge of the bed.

Grabbing up Syd's clothes Gage started to hand them to her only to have her not move. "Syd what is it?" he asked looking into her face.

"Marie? Did they find Marie?" Syd questioned.

Sitting beside her Gage answered, "Not yet they haven't or Charlie either for that matter."

"Gage I'm sorry about back there earlier," Syd began biting her lip as she spoke. "I do know that it was Marie who made the moves on you. I've seen her in action it's just been a few years and she wasn't after my fiancé either." Her eyes had drifted to the floor not really wanting to look Gage in the face at that moment.

Enjoying Syd's apology to the fullest Gage placed his hand under her chin his famous grin spreading across his face before leaning forward to whisper in her ear, "I forgive you Syd."

Punching his arm Syd cried, "You better Daddy!"

"Oww, oww," Gage cried back feigning pain from the teasing blow. With his arms around her he pulled her close Syd suddenly becoming quiet. "What? What is it?"

"No matter what else Marie might be or do… Gage she wouldn't just up and leave without Charlie," Syd replied that old worry from before clouding her face once again.

"Maybe she met up with Charlie some where?" Gage suggested not wanting Syd to become upset over this whole thing.

"It doesn't ring true. Clayton's people grabbed her at the apartment and Charlie got away from them how would she know where to meet him?" Syd questioned on.

"Syd Walker and Trivette are looking into things…"

"So they don't think she's just disappeared either," Syd cut him off.

"They just want to tie up loose ends Syd, now if you'd get dressed then I'll take you back to the hotel so you can rest for a bit," Gage cut back in.

"Francis!"

"Sydney!"

Their eyes had locked on each other Sydney finally giving in. "All right you win," she pouted deciding the sooner she got this resting over with the sooner she could help look for Marie. Reaching out she grabbed the clothes that Gage had been holding from his hand, her hands going to the back of her neck to untie the gown.

When she finished dressing he put his hand beneath her elbow and helped her to stand up. "Gage will you stop fussing I'm fine this is going to be a long pregnancy if you hover over me for the entire time," she scolded.

Leaning forward again he kissed her forehead. "Humour me today will yeah Syd. It isn't everyday that I find out I'm going to be a father," he whispered through the kiss.

Unable to resist winding her arms around his waist she hugged him back to whisper, "All right Gage."

Suddenly Gage's phone rang breaking their embrace while he reached to answer the phone. "Yeah hello," Gage answered listening as Trivette began to talk. "Yeah Syd is going to be fine she just needs a little rest… we'll explain everything when we see you." Again Gage paused to listen before saying, "Let me get my partner settled and I'll meet you."

"Gage!" Syd tried to but in.

"Okay Trivette," Gage got in hanging up at the same time.

"What's going on?" Syd demanded.

"Nothing is going on Syd…" he began watching her hands go to her hips her eyes narrowing on his face. "All right, all right," he gave in knowing he was beat. "Short Clayton let it slip that Marie was at the estate. They caught up with her and run her off the road. Ferris has her under lock and key," he relayed the story.

"What are we waiting for?" Syd questioned heading for the door.

Grabbing hold of her arm Gage stopped her and turned her to face him. "Syd Honey you need to go back to the hotel and rest. We've had a scare and well… I… things are different for you, for us now," he managed to get out.

Even before he finished speaking Syd had realized that her life wasn't going to be her own for the next seven to eight months. "I know Gage you're right," she answered her eyes fixed on the floor.

Putting his finger beneath her chin he lifted her face to his. "Syd I know this isn't easy we'll work out something when we get home but for now… We'll bring Marie home safe," he tried to appease her.

"I know that you will," she forced a smile.

Sydney And Gage's Room At The Sheraton Hotel Baton Rouge

They had driven quietly back to the hotel an unspoken tension between them. Once inside the room Gage had pulled back the covers tucking her in and sitting beside her. "I'll call the minute we know something," he told her.

"You'd better," she pouted letting him lean forward to hold her close and kiss her. "Get out of here so you can get back to me," she teased pushing against his chest.

"Okay, okay I'm going you get some rest," Gage answered pushing her back against the pillows. "Be back as soon as I can."

"I know you will Gage," she whispered watching him go out the door locking it behind him as he went. Snuggling down she closed her eyes hoping that maybe she could get a few hours of sleep as she succumbed to a yawn. Within minutes she was a deep sleep.

As Syd slumbered the door to their room silently slipped open to admit three shadowy figures two men and one woman. They stole quietly to where Syd slept the woman laying her hand on Sydney's cheek. "My precious one," she whispered to Syd who tossed restlessly unable to wake to the danger. "You and the babe will be well looked after now."

Stepping back she nodded to one of the men with her. He in turn stepped forward lifting Sydney into his arms. With Madam Beaubien in the lead they silently slipped from the room to the stairs to a waiting vehicle downstairs whisking Sydney away with no one the wiser.

TBC