Chapter Three

The Amadee Estate

"Syd are you all right?" Gage questioned his partner, she had pulled dinner off all right considering the situation but Gage knew her all to well. "We can call this off if you want, have Walker bring in the troops and get us out of here."

"I can handle it Gage," Syd returned pulling back the covers on the bed. "Let's see what Walker has planned before we bail. This is only Wednesday we have till Friday."

Smiling at her from the opposite side of the bed Gage pulled his side down too. He was glad to hear Syd say that it had been a long haul and he somehow knew that they were close to finding out what had happened to Robin. He stood silently watching Syd undress and slip under the blankets.

"You coming to bed or are you just going to stand there all night?" she teased.

Trying to keep things light Gage grinned at her answering, "I'd never pass an offer like that up." He had barely turned off the light and pulled himself around his wife when a commotion started up in the hallway. "What the?" he questioned throwing back the covers to grab for his robe and to head to the door.

"Joey what's going on?" he demanded seeing the man coming down the hallway from Amadee's room.

"I'm not positive what happened only that Jake got himself in a pile of trouble. All he had to do was pick up a woman and her kid and take them where we're holding that DEA agent. Instead he and his man get into it with the people that she's staying with," Joey supplied what he knew.

"Who's the woman?" Gage asked his heart racing fear gripping at him.

"Someone named Julie Gage," Joey blurted out just as Amadee's voice shouted from the other end of hall.

Earlier At The Gage Residence

Seeing his sister trying to defend the family Chris reacted immediately rushing in, throwing his arm around the gunman's neck he slowly brought the second man unconsciously to the floor just as his father had shown him. Piper had lifted her foot straight up dropping her heel down on the head of her opponent, who was on his knees on the floor, sending him sprawling and down for the count.

"Cat," Chris shouted with no reaction. "Cat," he tried again getting her attention, "Call Uncle Jimmy, get him over here!"

Letting go of Cody Cat grabbed up the phone and began dialling. "Uncle Jimmy, Uncle Jimmy," she cried into the phone jabbering into the it until Julie took the receiver from her hand.

"Jimmy we need you to come over right away," she began to explain ending with, "but don't worry Chris and Piper took them out."

By now Chris with Piper's help had the two thugs tied up. "You okay Squirt?" he asked Piper who answered with the nod of her head.

"Both Jimmy and Sumner are on their way over," Julie announced to her niece and nephew.

Flashing her the Gage smile Chris turned his attention back to their two prisoners prodding the closest one with his foot. "Just what in the name of God do you think you were doing?" he questioned.

"You don't know who you're fooling with kid," Jake Torreno barked back.

"Funny you should say that," Chris replied, "Because even though you may think you know who you are dealing with in reality you have no idea."

Torreno snickered, "You're so dead kid and I'm just the guy who'll make it happen."

"Just like you did this time," Chris taunted.

"You little…"

That was all that Torreno got before the back door opened admitting Matt Sumner, Jimmy Trivette right behind him. "That'll be enough out of you," Sumner warned.

"Who the hell are you?" Torreno focused his attention on the newcomers.

"Texas Rangers," Trivette informed him, "That's who. You two have just won a trip down to Ranger headquarters," he retorted yanking the perp to his feet.

"We'll be out before you finish your paper work," he jeered his eyes on Chris. "Then we'll be back for you."

"Get them out of here," Sumner barked the order to transport shoving Torreno towards them.

"You got it Ranger," the officer replied he and his partner taking the men into custody.

"Everyone all right here?" Jimmy was questioning.

"We're fine now," Julie acknowledged pulling Michael close the baby beginning to fuss and cry.

"Momma, wa… Momma," Cody cried for Sydney his arms clamped around tightly around Cat's neck his face wet with tears, Piper immediately going to them.

Trivette had turned to Chris hoping for the most comprehensive version of the story. Eyeing his brother and sisters, seeing Piper had things in hand Chris began to tell them what he knew, Julie adding what Chris had missed.

"They had some sort of agenda," she explained. "It was pretty clear that they were taking Michael and me with them." Julie bit her lip as spoke swallowing hard as she added, "but it was also pretty clear that they were going to shoot the rest of the kids." Her voice had become a mere whisper as she told the tale knowing full well if Piper hadn't reacted one or all of them may have died.

Julie turned from Trivette and Chris to face the wall hugging Michael closer, she didn't know how or why but in her heart she knew her nieces and nephews almost died because of her.

"Aunt Julie," it was Chris speaking, placing his hand on her shoulder, "It didn't happen we're all safe and we're going to stay that way."

Julie spun around to face her nephew, he was a combination of his father and grandfather. "Chris we just got lucky," she flared not meaning to loose her temper with him wishing she could take it back the minute it was out of her mouth. "Chris I'm sorry I didn't mean…"

"Aunt Julie I know you're upset…"

"I should have been protecting you," Julie cut back in, "Instead if it wasn't for you and Piper…"

"Julie you're being too hard on yourself," Trivette intervened. "I know for a fact that even though Piper and Chris are kids their fighting skills are as honed as their parents. You're all unscathed lets put our energy on keeping it that way."

"You're right Jimmy," Julie agreed fighting her emotion back, "What do you want us to do?"

The Amadee Estate

Following Joey to where Amadee was Gage could hardly contain himself willing with every fibre of his body to stay calm. He had to know what had happened at home with the kids and Julie.

Gage remained just outside the door listening to what was being said. "That idiot," Amadee was shouting, "Instead of picking up the Gage woman and her kid he let a bunch of kids take out him and Paulie out. Now the rangers got them in custody and Julie Gage-Chafe is under protective custody. Get McNamara on the phone," he sputtered referring to his lawyer, "So he can get those two idiots out of jail."

Finally daring to breathe Gage sucked in air hastily retreating to where Syd waited for him. "What's going on?" his partner hissed out.

"They made a kidnapping attempt on Julie and Michael."

"Julie and Michael? Gage our kids?" The questions tumbled out as she grasped both of Gage's arms her nails cutting in.

"Everyone is safe, from what I can gather our kids took Jake and Paulie out. They're both in ranger custody down at headquarters. Amadee is having a fit trying to get them out," Gage got out Syd still not relaxing her grip on his arms.

"You're sure they're safe?" she demanded her heart beating wildly in her chest.

"As sure as I can be," he answered feeling her hold on his arms lessen slightly.

"Why Gage?" she asked answering her own question with, "It has to be Dominique, she has to be behind it."

Gage nodded his head in agreement there was no other answer. Both he and Sydney knew since that was the most likely answer that for sure they weren't fooling anyone, their host had to know who they really were. "Joey did say something interesting though," Gage continued once more trying to ease both their minds of the predicament they found themselves in.

"Yeah what?" Syd questioned giving her husband only half her attention.

"He said they were suppose to take Julie to where they were holding a DEA agent prisoner."

"DEA? You don't suppose?"

"With Dominique Sayer pulling the strings anything is possible…"

"Then whose body was it that was identified as Robin's?"

"Just some poor guy about Robin's size that was in the wrong place at the wrong time, that's if Robin really is alive," Gage concurred.

"Gage we need to get out of here." Syd could feel a panic setting in not for herself and Gage but for their children.

"Syd hold on a minute if we run , if we don't take her down again we'll always be running."

"Save the speech Gage I know it by heart," she interrupted hands on hips. "I'm not suggesting we run but we're sitting ducks here."

Neither had any more time for discussion, Syd's phone had begun to ring. "Amber Marston," she answered.

"Sydney its Walker."

"Daddy something going on at home?" she questioned her heart skipping a beat.

"They're all fine Sydney, tell Gage that you and he can be quite proud of both Chris and Piper they single handily captured both Torreno and his accomplice," Walker told them knowing that both Syd and Gage worked out with the kids.

Syd swallowed hard facing her husband to give him a reassuring smile as she continued to listen to Walker on the phone. "I'm coming in on this case as your father I'm going to make a surprise entrance at the estate first thing in the morning," Walker told her.

"DEA," Gage mouthed the words to her.

"There was quite a ruckus here tonight Daddy," Syd began to explain. "Seems that one of Amadee's men were to pick up some woman and her kid to take them where they are holding a DEA agent."

"DEA?" Walker questioned.

"That's all Teddy could find out."

"I'll get Trivette and Sumner working on it," Walker told her thinking aloud.

"Okay Daddy we'll see you in the morning," Syd replied hanging up the phone she headed for the bathroom.

"What?" Gage asked following behind her.

Turning on the shower once again Syd quickly repeated what Walker had told her. Even though Gage's thoughts were the case he couldn't help letting his mind wander proudly to the fact that Chris and Piper had been able to take charge of the situation.

"Gage… Gage are you coming back to bed?" Syd was nudging him.

"Yeah," he answered still smiling.

The Following Morning…

Even though the Gages had gone back to bed neither partner slept very well Dominique Sayer and their situation weighing heavy on their minds. Consequently both were up at the crack of dawn dressed and awaiting Walker's arrival.

Going down the back stairs they headed once again out to the pool area where breakfast was being laid out for Amadee and his guests.

"You two are up with the birds this morning," Amadee greeted them not letting the events of the night before rattle him. "I would have thought Teddy after such a long separation you would have kept the lady in bed until at least noon," he smugly chuckled.

"Nothing I'd like better," Gage answered his eyes adoringly on Syd as his hand grasped hers, "But we thought we should at least be up and mobile this morning in case duty called."

"Now what duty could be that pressing to keep you away from Amber?" Amadee questioned his eyes fixing lustfully on Sydney as he spoke.

"Boss we got company," Joey had just joined them to make the announcement.

"Company this early in the morning and unannounced?" Amadee turned his attention to Joey.

"Yeah says his name is Johnny Marston," Joey revealed staring at Teddy and Amber.

"Daddy said he'd be here early," Syd cut in.

"Your old man is here?" Amadee questioned the surprise written all over his face.

"Yes my father is here," Syd coldly corrected.

"Don't keep Mr. Marston waiting," Amadee tried to recover smoothly as Joey quickly retreated to escort Johnny in.

"So Amber what do we owe to this honour?" Amadee had turned to face Syd again.

"Daddy just likes to keep on top of all his dealings. He said he may have stumbled across something that he needs to discuss with you, but I'll let him explain all that," Syd was smiling sweetly as Walker came out onto the patio accompanied by Sumner and Trivette who were acting as bodyguards.

Catching sight of them Syd jumped up going to him to greet her 'father' with a big hello and a kiss. "How was your flight Daddy?" she questioned making small talk.

"Uneventful the way I like it Kitten," he replied kissing Syd on the forehead. "I see Dallas has been agreeing with you Ted," he continued turning his attention to Gage all but ignoring Amadee.

"Yes sir it has," he answered offering his hand, then as if suddenly remembering their host Gage added, "Oh Johnny this is Ray Amadee."

Turning to the man he had all but snubbed Walker held out his hand, "Ray I feel like we almost know each other."

"Like wise Johnny," Amadee graciously shook Walker's hand. "You should have let us know you were coming I would have had sent a car to meet you at the airport."

"I like the element of surprise," Walker told him releasing his hand to let his arm drop around Syd's shoulder. "I was wanting to mix a little business with pleasure and maybe get a first hand look where Teddy and Amber are hoping to set up business."

A short lived smile began to cross Amadee's face until Walker added, "There are just a few glitches I need to iron out, a small matter of one of my people, a small matter of Billy Deets."

"Billy Deets?" Amadee asked his eyes opening wide in surprise.

"Yeah Billy Deets alias Robin Chafe my man inside the DEA. Rumour has it you had him taken care of, that wouldn't be true would it?" Walker nonchalantly questioned eyeing the Gages to play along.

"Deets, Chafe what ever his name is he's one of your boys?" Amadee quizzed beginning to get his bearings his mind going in every direction.

"That's right Ray he was one of my boys," Walker answered the smile fading from his face. "In fact I think you made a big mistake when you threw in with Dominique Sayer," he continued Amadee's eyes beginning to bulge at the mention of his silent partner. "Didn't she Gage?" he asked throwing out his trump card.

"Gage?" Amadee sputtered out, "Seize them!"