Chapter Six

The Supreme Brotherhood Compound

It had been hours since Meagher had showed up at the door of their prison and even longer since they had been there. The sun had all ready begun to go down and the once hot prison was becoming cold.

Syd huddled a little closer to her dad and closed her eyes. She had woken with an upset stomach that morning and with the commotion of going to find Colleen she had skipped breakfast altogether. Her back ached, she was hungry and thirsty not to mention cold. The baby soundly kicked her, she smiled in spite of everything. "Just like your Dad," she whispered, "Wanting your dinner."

"What did you say?" Joe asked pulling his only child a little closer.

"I was just talking to the baby he's hungry," she replied enjoying the closeness of her father something she hadn't felt in years.

"He's hungry is he?" Joe questioned her. "What made you decide you are having a boy?"

"I don't know Daddy it's just a feeling I've had lately," she moaned slightly in reply.

"Sydney are you all right?" her dad asked becoming alarmed.

"I'm fine Daddy just a little tired and this little one seems to be straining my back," she told him giving another small groan.

"Right about here?" Joe asked rubbing his hand on the small of her back.

"Yeah Dad that feels good, how did you know?"

"You gave your mother the same pain for nine months straight," he laughed. "Then you were born and the pain transferred to my neck."

"Stop it Dad," she jabbed her elbow lightly into his side.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said pulling her close again.

"Umm," Syd moaned again.

Being at a loss for what to do Joe whispered to her, "Francis will be here soon Honey just hold on."

"I know he will be," she whispered back letting her head fall against his shoulder.

In The Air Above The Woods Leading To The Compound

On the ground below a party of dozen or better trucks with armed personal aboard raced towards the Supreme Brotherhood Compound while in the air a helicopter with Walker, Trivette, Sheriff Ross and Gage raced there too.

The men sat silent the noise of the chopper preventing any talking. Gage's mind raced from one event to the next his loved ones flashing before him. He couldn't loose Julie or an Aunt he hardly knew for that matter either. "Shorty," he spoke Syd's pet name aloud swallowing hard. As much as he loved Julie he knew he couldn't go through loosing Syd or the baby he would never survive it, nor would he be able to control his actions.

Trivette's hand suddenly touched his arm he looked up watching as the ranger pointed at the ground below indicating that they were at the set down point. Gage nodded his head in understanding his hand going to his gun to check it.

The helicopter began to descend the four men dispersing before the chopper touched the ground. Sheriff Ross took the lead the other three close behind moving quickly and silently through the woods. As they approached the compound they began to slow hiding in the shadows staying out of sight until they could get inside for the rescue. Clenching his teeth it took every fibre in Gage's body to trust Walker and not go charging in blindly.

In the distance they could hear approaching trucks knowing once they arrived the attention would be focused on them and they would be able to slip into the compound. Walker was gesturing toward Trivette and Ross to circle to the left while he and Gage did the same approaching the fence behind one of the barracks. Pulling out wire cutters Trivette and the sheriff began snipping pulling the fence back far enough that Gage and Walker could slip through.

With Walker in the lead they edged their way to the front of the building Walker stopping to put his arm around the neck of one of the brotherhood members bringing him quietly to the ground. As he dragged the young man out of sight Gage peered around the corner catching sight of the building with the word Brigg illuminated with a light that hung above the sign. With Walker rejoining him he jerked his head towards the building his boss nodding his agreement.

There were two sentries standing guard at the door of the building both preoccupied with the commotion at the gate. One spoke briefly to the other then began walking towards where the noise was coming from while the other remained on guard duty. As he disappeared from sight Walker then Gage advanced to the brig taking cover at the side of the building.

Gage's mind was racing in a hundred different directions questions popping up taunting him. "What if they weren't there? What if they had separated them? What if they had all ready done something with them? What if they had hurt them or worse? What if Syd was?"

"Create a diversion," Walker hissed at Gage bringing him out of his wild thoughts, immediately he went into action.

Walking into plain view of the guard he called out to him, "Hey Meagher wants you up front I'm suppose to take over."

"Do I know you?" the guard questioned beginning to raise his riffle.

"I'm new here I don't know to many of you but I've seen you around," Gage retorted watching as Walker moved up behind the man.

"What's going on up there," the guard jerked his head towards the entrance.

"You're being raided," Gage announced watching Walker's arm go around the man's neck in a sleeper hold.

Quickly Gage yanked open the door to be faced with a third man leaving Walker to drag the other one inside. "Hey you what's going on?" the third guard questioned rising from the chair he was on.

"We're on a rescue mission," Gage advised him catching him in the stomach with a hard punch at the same time to knock the wind out of him. Giving the man no time to retaliate Gage was on him locking his arm around his neck holding tight until the man was rendered unconscious.

"Get the keys Gage," Walker urged fending off yet a fourth guard.

"Got them," Gage called out just as the last guard went down. Unlocking the first door his hopes were momentarily dashed finding it empty. Leaving Walker to drag the guards inside he continued down the corridor searching for his family.

"Syd, Sydney," Gage began calling as he opened the doors to the cells panic setting in as he came to the last locked door.

"Syd," he called again as he swung the door open to almost be lambasted by Joe Cooke with the leg of one of the iron cots.

"Gage," Syd cried out trying to move to his arms her hand going to side, Julie going to her supporting her as her partner rushed to catch hold of her.

"Don't make a fuss I just need to eat and rest then I'll be fine," Syd tried to say as Gage wrapped an arm around her holding her to him.

"Joe?" he asked knowing the man wouldn't sugar coat things.

"I think that's all it is we need to get her out of here and home," Joe agreed with his daughter.

Nodding his head Gage turned to Julie and his aunt. "We're fine Francis," Deirdre spoke up, "You just look after Sydney and my grandson."

"Everyone all right?" Walker had just ducted into the cell with them Trivette right behind him.

"I think so once we get them home," Gage answered.

"Come on everyone," Sheriff Ross had appeared in the doorway. "Meagher is trying some sort of stand off we better get out the way we came in."

"You're right," Walker concurred.

"Syd?" Gage murmured to her.

"Never more ready," she answered letting his arm go around her.

Joe Cooke went to where Julie stood her arm around Deirdre saying, "Coming ladies we have a wedding to attend," as he offered his arm in support.

They turned to go out the door but before anyone made it Quentin Meagher's hulking frame filled the doorway. His two bodyguards were either side of him and they levelled their automatic weapons at the group.

"Mathew Gage," the cantankerous old self appointed colonel growled, "Or should I say Francis? You look enough like your father to be him. You're probably just as uppity as he was too. I didn't realize I should have finished the job and go back for his children too," he sneered.

"You murdering…"

Meagher began laughing before Deirdre could get the words out. "Now Colleen you can't mean that you're still here I didn't murder you," he laughed again. "Mathew had to be taught a lesson."

"You murdered them both, you gave the order, you had them ambushed, sent them out to Mattie and George Winslows that night and when they got half way there you had someone shoot out their tire. You had Sheriff Billy Robertson in your back pocket and he covered the trail. You coward," Deirdre cried out a new found strength moving in as she faced her sister's murderer.

"Colleen you're talking nonsense," Meagher laughed at her again.

"I'm not Colleen," Deirdre cried out, "She died that night with Mathew you took her away from me that night as you did her children. Mattie told me what happened it ate her up inside knowing what part she unwittingly had played in their deaths but she was too afraid to tell anyone until after George died. But you couldn't let that happened that's why you had her killed."

"Colleen you're crazy…"

"I told you I'm not Colleen, Colleen was my sister and you murdered her," Deirdre's venomous glare fixed on Meagher as she spoke.

All eyes were on Deirdre as she finished her accusations and confession. Julie let her eyes go to Gage for a moment he nodded in confirmation that what the woman said was the truth. She wanted to scream out, attack this smug man that had killed their parents, who had taken everything they had known and loved from them. It took every ounce in her to keep from literally launching into an attack against him as her hate seethed inside, but her anger was nothing compared to the fury that was unleashed in Gage at the sight of Meagher.

Pushing Sydney behind him Gage stood face to face with the man who had robbed him of his childhood, robbed him of his parents, who now threatened his future and family once again. "You lying, murdering son-of-a… are you going to take the cowardly way out and order us all murdered too," Gage's voice had started low but had risen to a loud controlled shout.

The day Mathew Gage had interfered in his business, the day he had so brazenly came to the defence of Wilson Munro and beat Meagher within an inch of his life came flooding into Meagher's memory. "I see you need to learn the same lesson that I taught your Daddy so many years ago," he answered his voice low and even his eyes narrowing to mere slits.

"There isn't anything you can teach me about how you and your little operation works," Gage shot back. "The only thing I don't know is if you are man enough to face me or still the coward you were when you ordered my parents murdered."

Meagher began to laugh walking towards Gage as he did so until he was close enough to bring his hand back and with lightning speed to strike him in the face. "Uppity just like your Daddy," he growled watching Sydney take hold of hold of his arm in concern. Again he laughed partially turning to his cohorts who had lowered their weapons and joined in snickering at Meagher's actions.

In a fraction of a second Gage had rushed Meagher hitting the man around the middle throwing them both to the floor startling the two bodyguards. Neither were fast enough Walker and Trivette had both jumped into action while Syd had dove at the other trio taking Deirdre, Julie and her dad to the floor with her.

Meagher was trying to recover the hit he had taken from Gage driving his fist into his back and kidney. Letting out a groan Gage came back with his own hard hit rising above Meagher at the same time his hand closing around Meagher's throat.

"You punk," Meagher thundered out bringing his fist up to pummel Gage in the side of the head. Shaking it off Gage delivered a punch of his own, then another and another his hand squeezing tighter around Meagher's neck the colonel trying desperately to deliver another blow. Meagher's hand went out from his side grasping for anything his hand connecting with the iron bed post from the cot just as he took another hit from Gage. With all the strength he could muster he lifted the iron bar intent on bashing it against Gage's skull. As his hand and the bar came up close to Gage's head it suddenly went flying Sydney's foot smashing hard into Meagher's hand.

Hearing the bar clank on the cement floor Gage looked up his eyes met Syd's he held her look for a moment before looking down to see Meagher's eyes bulging from his head. He dropped his grip realizing if he didn't stop he would be no better then the man who had killed his parents. "You're not worth it Meagher. I want to be able to look into my son's eyes and know I'm not a killer like you."

"Sheriff Ross," a voice from outside called. "You all right?"

"Yeah Michaels just fine. We have people here who need to be transported," Ross shouted back to the deputies.

Walker had come over to where Gage had stood up to put his arm around Syd once more leaving Meagher laying semi-conscious on the floor. "All right Gage?" Walker asked.

Nodding his head he answered with, "I will be." Julie had come up behind him and Gage wrapped his free arm around her as Joe Cook stood with Deirdre.

"Okay Sis?" he asked her kissing her softly on the forehead.

"I think so," she answered her eyes going to Deirdre. Giving Gage a quick hug she went back to where the woman was standing and put her arm around her whispering, "It's time we took you home."

As the back up came pouring in to take people into custody Sydney's Dad joined her and Gage saying, "I think your sister has the right idea Francis, I think it's time we all went home."

With his arm around Sydney Gage lead the way out.

At Sydney And Gage's Townhouse

"I should be downstairs Gage we have a whole house full of people," Syd protested letting her almost husband pull the covers around her.

"If you want to be in any condition to walk down that isle tomorrow you're going to stay right here understand me?" Gage questioned her taking authority over her.

"That goes for you too…" she yawned back at him.

"Yes Syd that goes for me too. Now you close your eyes and the next time you open them it will be to marry me," he told her sobering as he recalled the facts of what had transpired in the last couple of days.

"I know what you're thinking Gage but it's over. I know it's been a lot to take in but it's finally over. We're all safe and sound, Julie is safe, you found an Aunt you never knew existed and tomorrow we are starting a new life together you me and our baby," Syd rambled on hoping she was making him feel better.

Letting a smile cross his face he leaned forward and kissed her. "I love you Sydney Cooke," he murmured before ordering, " Go to sleep I won't be long."

"All right," she yawned again sleep taking over.

Again he smiled kissing her forehead as her eyes closed. Getting up he moved for the door and down the stairs. Hitting the second floor he could hear everyone below stopping on the landing he recapped what had happened. Walker had called Alex who had come here to be with Syd's mom. Syd had talked with her mom and got her to arrange to have the rehearsal in the morning the wedding was still on. He smiled to himself, man was he lucky to have her.

He had been able to talk to Deirdre's doctor it seemed that for the most part she lived in her own little world. When her sister Colleen had died she had some how taken on Colleen's identity. It wasn't until Mattie Winslow had come to visit and confessed how the accident had happened that she had changed. He and Julie may have never known what had happened to their mother and father if it hadn't been for their aunt. Both him and Julie had vowed to make it their business to spend time with Deirdre as much as they could.

Walking down the rest of the stairs he was greeted by Amanda's anxious voice, "Sydney asleep?"

"Yeah she was pretty tired," Gage answered.

"Well she has a pretty big day ahead of her tomorrow," Joe cut in not wanting to be left out of the conversation.

"I think we all do Joseph," Amanda announced taking her husband by the arm to lead him towards the stairs bringing on a round of grins.

"I think that is our cue to get going," Walker smiled his arm around Alex.

"I think you're right partner," Trivette agreed standing to help Erica up.

Gage walked their friends to the door returning a few minutes later to the living room where his aunt and sister still sat. Leaning against the doorway Gage spoke, "How are you guys doing?"

"Francis come sit with us for a just a moment," Deirdre told him patting the couch beside her. "I promise I won't keep you."

Smiling Gage obliged her letting her take his hand in hers a warm feeling of contentment coming across him that he hadn't felt in a very long time. He felt as if he was a small child once again having a heart to heart talk with his mother.

"I'm sorry I was away from you for so long," Deirdre began.

"It really couldn't have been helped," Julie volunteered.

"Thank you for being so generous dear," Deirdre patted Julie's hand. "I know that I wasn't there for you children when you needed me. I let your mother and father down and I let you down too."

Both Julie and Gage felt their chests tighten with her confession.

"You're here with us now," Gage told her adding, "And we don't intend on letting you slip away from us again."

"Oh Francis Mom will always be here for you and Julie," she smiled squeezing his hand as she slipped back into her dream world.

"We know you will be," Gage answered her as Julie threw her arms around her in a hug.

Five Thirty The Following Afternoon At St Michael's Wedding Chapel

Standing at the front of the chapel flanked by Walker and Trivette Gage anxiously looked down the short chapel aisle waiting for his bride to appear.

Erica lead the way down the isle followed by Julie and Alex suddenly she was standing there with her father. The music was playing, the cameras were flashing and then she was beside him her father handing her hand to him.

The words were spoken each pledging their lives to the other, Father Davis was saying you may now kiss your wife and Syd was in his arms sealing their new bond.

The announcement was made, "For the first time ever let me present to you Mr and Mrs Francis Gage." Breaking the kiss Sydney and Gage turned to face their family and friends who were all smiling and clapping for the young couple.

Turning back to Sydney Gage rubbed his knuckles across her cheek whispering to her, "I love you Sydney Gage. I just love you."

Turning her head slightly she caught his fingers with her lips murmuring back to him, "Me too, I love you too Gage."

The End