Disclaimer: This was written for the soul purpose of my entertainment. I lay no claim on Walker Texas Ranger or any of its characters.

Rated: PG

"Full Circle"

Janis Boisclair

Chapter One

At The Home of Julie Gage-Chafe

A loud wail went up from the nursery, Michael Robin voicing his need for his mother. Throwing back the covers Julie swung her legs over the side of the bed grabbing her robe at the same time calling out to her son, "Momma's coming Michael."

Snapping on the light her eyes caught sight of the crystal framed photo on her night table, the frame that held her and Robin's wedding photo. A tear formed in her eye and she bit her lip hurrying to their son trying to push the memory of her late husband to the back of her mind so it wouldn't hurt so much.

"Shh baby Momma's here," she whispered in the child's ear as she plucked him from the crib and held him close. Michael's cries quieted for the moment his mother pulling him tight against her as she walked with him to the change table. Quickly she replaced his wet diaper with a dry one and settled them into the rocker to begin his two AM feeding. She gently stroked her son's head as he greedily took his fill a silent tear slipping down her cheek. "Oh Robin," she whispered clutching the child closer.

Francis And Sydney Gage's Home

It was late as Gage stole silently into the dark house, moving into the kitchen he stopped at the sink turning on the tape to pour a glass of water. Unconsciously his hand dragged through his hair that was becoming long, he hadn't cut it since he had gone undercover close to three months ago. It had been a while since either he or Sydney had taken an assignment that had lasted this long and it wasn't over.

Staring out the window his mind began to wander, he was getting close to cracking this case wide open, maybe then he could give his sister a little peace of mind.

"Gage?" It was Sydney standing at the kitchen doorway.

"Yeah it's me," he answered slowly turning from the sink to face her.

Going to him she wound her arms around him. "You here for the night?" she questioned.

"I came to get you," he told her returning her embrace. She felt so good in his arms he knew that the case could wait; he knew he needed her, needed to become lost in the love they shared with each other. Swinging her up in his arms he carried her down the hallway to the room that they shared to lay her on their bed falling down beside her.

"You came to get me?" Syd asked her fingers playing through her partner's hair.

"Shh, that can wait," Gage told her catching the back of her head to pull her to him for a very passionate kiss. She answered him with a deep kiss of her own.

Much Later In The Early Hours Of The Morning…

Gage laid with a pillow propped behind him Sydney in his arms letting her rub her hand across his chest her index finger slowly circling his nipple. They had both lay silently after making love just enjoying each others closeness.

Finally Syd broke the self imposed quiet, kissing his chest and asking at the same time, "What is it Gage? What's going on? Why do you need me?"

"That's kind of obvious isn't it?" he teased letting his hand tickle her side.

"Francis are you ready to take down Ray Amadee?" Syd sternly quizzed. This undercover assignment was beginning to take its toll on her as well.

It had been at Robin Chafe's memorial service that Walker had told them that the DEA had approached him in regards to Robin's murder. They were very interested in finding the proof they needed to take Ray Amadee down for not only the drug trafficking but for Billy Deets a.k.a. DEA agent Robin Chafe's murder.

As the agency had explained it to Walker they needed someone from outside the DEA that Amadee would not easily recognize or suspect to be in law enforcement. Walker had considered sending Sumner in but had changed his mind deciding someone more seasoned yet was young enough to play the part was needed… Gage was the logical choice.

Gage had been more then willing to accept the assignment he wanted Amadee and wanted him bad for what he had done to Julie and her newborn son.

The way the DEA presented the facts to them it sounded like an in and out assignment, that hadn't been the case. He had gone in as Teddy Rankin out of Seattle, associated with the Marston family he had been forced to leave the state when the law began closing in on his drug operation. A few phone calls made by bogus contacts within the DEA and Teddy had been welcomed with open arms by Ray Amadee. Amadee had been in need of some new blood with the untimely demise of Billy Deets. The only loose end with the story was Amber Marston.

Amber Marston was Johnny Marston's daughter, his only child. His wife, Amber's mother, had died when Amber was very young and for all the finishing schools he had sent her to he couldn't help but draw her into the family business. Amber had learnt the business well, she was beautiful and cunning, all ready made a name for herself when Teddy came along, they became inseparable.

With the law breathing down Teddy's neck it had been decided that he needed to make a start for them some where else. It was plausible when they thought it would be an in and out situation but it had dragged into almost three months now, Amadee was asking questions wanting to know when Amber would be joining him. Gage knew in the back of his mind that Amadee was hoping to make a liaison with the Marston family, hoping to have a new exclusive customer in the North West. He had put Amadee off for a month now but he knew he could put him off no longer. That's where his wife came in.

"Did you talk with Julie today?" Gage asked still trying to avoid the inevitable.

"Um hm," Syd answered trying to be patient with her partner.

"And?"

"She's about the same. I tried to talk her into coming over and staying for a few more days but she wouldn't hear of it."

Hanging on to Syd a little tighter Gage sighed before saying, "I'll call her in the morning so we can ask her for her help."

"Her help in what?" Syd's curiosity was peaked.

"To stay here a few days to look after Cody and Cat. I know Chris and Piper could manage but they're busy with school and I don't know how long this could take…" his voice trailed off.

"You better start explaining Francis," Syd used his Christian name the second time that night.

Kissing the top of her head he smiled as he began to explain that she was needed to play the part of Amber Marston.

"Are you up for it Shorty?" he quizzed knowing full well she wouldn't refuse the assignment.

"Glad to have my partner back," she replied hugging him closer still. She put on a good front but in reality her thoughts had gone back to an old case, a case that happened before any of their children were born. A case where Gage's death had been faked so he could take the place of a mob lawyer Michael Visser. It had put their friends at odds with them as well as entwining their lives with the notorious Perron family.

A shiver went through Sydney as thoughts of Anthony and Louise Perron went through her mind. Their son Ricky who had popped in and out of their lives until he had died saving Gage's life. The Talos family, and then there was Dominique Sayer Julie's old college roommate and John Talos' daughter…

"You are all right with this?" Gage was asking again.

"Yeah fine a few old memories from past cases were just haunting me," she answered.

"What old memories would that be?" his hand cupped her chin as he spoke.

"It was nothing…"

"Syd? You were thinking of Ricky weren't you?"

"I…" she sighed nodding her head yes wondering how Gage knew.

"I've had the Perron family on my mind a lot during this case too," he confessed sort of wishing that Ricky was still around.

"Dominique Sayer is due to get out of prison in the next few days Gage. A memo came through at the office," Syd informed him.

"Does Julie know?"

"I haven't brought it up with her."

"Let's keep it that way for now," Gage was thinking aloud as he spoke. Syd shook her head in agreement.

The Following Afternoon…

Gage brought his black jag convertible to a screeching halt in the driveway at the estate of Ray Amadee. Syd sat beside him and taking her hand he brought her manicured finger tips to his lips. "Ready Amber?" he asked.

"Yep Teddy lets get things underway," she replied drawing her hand from his to caress his face.

Jumping from the car Gage hurried around to pull the door open for Syd, reaching in to take her hand and help her out of the car.

Even though his actions didn't show it Gage's mind was still on the events that had taken place that morning. After a couple hours of sleep the Gages had gotten up to be with the kids. As Syd got everyone ready for school Gage had checked in with Walker and cleared Syd for the undercover assignment. Once that was done he had put a call in to Julie.

"Jules I'm not waking you am I?" he greeted his sister.

"Francis no… did you get him? Is it over?" Julie anxiously questioned hoping that was the reason her brother was calling her.

"We're close Jules, real close, in fact that's why I'm calling we need your help."

"Anything Frankie I just want these guys caught I want them to… to pay," her voice faltered for a moment before she could continue, "For what they did to Robin."

A tear had caught in her voice tearing at Gage's heart. He cleared his throat before continuing, "Jules I'm bringing Syd into the operation and we need you and Michael to move in here to make sure the kids are cared for. Chris and Piper are pretty self sufficient but the other two need you. The older two are pretty good with their little brother too so they'll be able to help…" Gage pleaded his case.

"Frankie I don't know," Julie began to try and beg off.

"Hey you used to love to come spoil my kids," Gage persisted trying to make light of things and goad her into it. "Besides the gang needs to get to know their new cousin."

"All right Frankie you win, when do you need me," she gave in.

"No later then noon, we'll see you then," Gage rushed not wanting to give her time to change her mind.

"Noon! Yeah all right Francis, noon it is," she conceded hanging up the phone.

"Hey Teddy who's the looker you got here with you?" One of Amadee's hired guns had swung open the door and was looking Syd over as he spoke to Gage.

"This is Amber Marston," Gage smiled an almost deadly smile hanging back as Sydney entered the house just long enough to issue a warning to the man, "And she's mine remember that."

"Mr. Amadee is waiting for you by the pool," the man responded taking the warning seriously.

"Thanks Joey," Gage returned as if nothing out of the ordinary had been said. "This way Honey," he directed Syd taking hold of her elbow to show her the way.

"Who's with Teddy?" A second man asked coming up behind Joey.

"That's Amber Marston and I wouldn't be getting any ideas about her she's Teddy's property," he retorted.

"Do tell," a grin came across the man's face. "I guess we'll have to see about that."

"Jake don't do anything stupid…" Joey warned.

"Can I help it if once I turn the charm on the women are all over me," Jake smiled his eyes fixed on Syd's behind until she disappeared outside with Gage.

"I just don't want to be cleaning up the mess once Rankin finishes with you that's all."

"You underestimate me Joey," Jake answered his grin getting wider.

"Yeah sure," Joey snorted knowing the look he had seen in Rankin's eyes when he delivered the warning just moments ago. Rankin would be one of the last people that he would want to cross especially over a woman.

Outside by the pool Ray Amadee lay back in a chaise lounge taking in the sun and sipping on a margarita. "Teddy," he greeted Gage, "We finally get to meet the allusive Miss Marston."

"I don't think that I'm that allusive Mr. Amadee," Syd spoke up offering her hand, "Just cautious."

Smiling himself Amadee took her offered hand. "Touché Miss Marston, but please call me Ray."

"All right Ray as long as you call me Amber," Syd smiled back.

"I think we are going to get along very well Amber," Marston replied continuing to grasp her hand before addressing Gage. "Bright girl you have here," he condescendingly praised. "A looker and smarts about her," he rattled on to Gage as if Syd had suddenly vanished.

"Yeah Ray, Amber here is about as perfect as they come," Gage answered his arm going affectionately around his partner as he leaned forward to caress her temple with a kiss. "I trust her with everything the same as her father does," Gage went on trying to steer the conversation back to business.

"Oh yes your father," Amadee turned his attention back to Syd. "A very powerful man…" he left the sentence dangling.

"Yes father does have his influence," Syd agreed trying not to rush into anything and tip their hand. "But as Teddy has said he does put most of his trust in me when it comes to negotiating these… shall we say… small dalliances." She smiled sweetly watching a slow burn ignite in Amadee's eyes.

He recovered well keeping his cool, his eyes still fixed on Syd the evidence of hate creeping into him as he thought to himself, "the little bitch is going to pay for this."

"I know that you are eager to get things underway but I have a small request to make of you," Amadee began. "A very influential associate of mine who is very interested in taking part in our talks and decisions is going to be unavailable until Friday. So I'm going to have to ask you to indulge us with our hospitality for two more days until we can sit down and work out the details."

"An associate?" Gage questioned, "Who might that be?"

Amusement on his face Amadee laughed, "Her father was a dear friend, and you might say that he helped me get my start in the business. The last time I spoke with him was just before his untimely death when he made me promise that I would take care of his daughter."

Turning to Syd once again he addressed her, "She like you needs no one looking after her, she is like you smart and a real looker, she'll be able to handle her own affairs quite well. The only thing that I don't know about you though is if you are as ruthless as my friend but then time will tell when the negotiations begin."

"If your friend is such a formidable woman please indulge me with her name so I know what I might be up against. Does her reputation precede her?" Syd quizzed.

Again another laugh from Amadee before a smile crossed his face and the name Dominique Sayer crossed his lips.

"Dominique Sayer," Syd answered her voice void of emotion. "Her father died in prison, I thought she'd die there too."

"On the contrary she has run a very profitable business from where she has been incarcerated now all that wealth and power awaits her. She has done her time paid her debt to society as it is called. Come Friday morning at ten AM she becomes a free woman to step back into her life," Amadee concluded.

"We look forward to meeting Miss Sayer," Syd replied once again offering her hand to Amadee indicating the interview to be over as far as she was concerned.

"Teddy you have taken Amber's things to your suite upstairs haven't you?" Amadee questioned Gage wishing to keep Miss Marston under wraps for the next few days until the deal was set.

"We were going to check in down town you know and catch up on a few things," Gage answered his eyes fixed on Syd trying to look wantonly at her while recovering from the turn of events that had just come up.

"Nonsense you can do that here no one will disturb you," Amadee insisted. "Besides our security is much better then you'll find at a hotel down town no matter if it is a five star or not," he chuckled giving Gage a slap on the back. Both Syd and Gage understood his meaning, not only did no one get in that they didn't know about but nobody got out either.

"Very well Ray we'll take you up on your hospitality," Gage answered for both of them really having no other choice in the matter.

"Good my house is your house. Joey bring Miss Marston's things up to Teddy's rooms," he shouted to his body guard before turning back to the Gages. "Shall we see you for dinner around eight?"

"Around eight that sounds about perfect," it was Syd's turn to answer for both her and Gage. Then taking his arm she let him lead her back into the house and upstairs as they wondered how they were going to get past this turn of events.