Kathleen A. Klatte

"Taking the Scenic Route"

Feedback and commentary are most welcome.
Disclaimer: Walker, Texas Ranger is the property of CBS, Top Kick Productions, et al; this is a recreational endeavor, no profit is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.
Sydney/Gage Shipper
Thank you to Jenn and the folks on the Syd & Gage Shipper list!

******************************************

Sydney Cooke frowned at the large, rolled up gym mat in the back of Walker’s pickup and wondered for the tenth time where her partner was. ‘He’ll probably turn up after everything’s been unloaded,’ she thought sourly. Since Gage was the one who had volunteered them both to work on the charity fair to raise money for the Dallas H.O.P.E. Center, it seemed only fair that he pitch in with some of the actual work. It wasn’t so much that the mat was heavy – she could manage if it was just the weight – but the thing was about five feet long and she didn’t see any alternative other than dragging it, which would make it look as though it was too heavy for her...

"Pardon me," a polite voice interrupted her grumpy musings, "Can I give you a hand? That looks a little awkward for one person."

Syd turned and looked up at a tall, handsome man with sandy hair and clear blue eyes. He was dressed in jeans and a Thunder Karate tee shirt. Something in the way he carried himself made her think of a soldier. She realized abruptly that she must be gaping like an idiot. Shoving an imaginary strand of hair away from her face, Syd blurted out, "Um...yeah, if you don’t mind," then winced. God, this fellow must think her a total idiot!

If the gentleman noticed her discomfiture, he didn’t let on. He wondered who the lovely mystery woman was. Some friend of Walker, he guessed from the Texas Ranger tee shirt she was wearing. "It’s not really heavy," he said easily, "but it’s so big that it took four of us to roll it up this morning and two to load it. If you take one end and I get the other, we should be fine."

"OK," Syd agreed, thinking that if she kept her responses short, maybe she wouldn’t sound quite so stupid.

"We’re setting up for the karate demonstration over there," he told her, gesturing with his chin.

"So you’re working on the fair?" Syd asked.

"Yup. My senior kids are giving a demonstration with Walker’s senior Kick Drugs kids. The rest of them are supposed to be around here somewhere working."

"I sure hope we get a good turn out...Alex is hoping we’ll raise enough money so she can have all the plumbing in the center overhauled."

"Yeah...I think she wants to add to couple more bathrooms, too, so the center can be zoned for more residents. Here we go...we can set this down right here."

"Hey, let me give you a hand!" Walker exclaimed, hurrying over to help.

Alex followed him. "It’s so good to see you, Trent!" she told him, stretching up on her toes to give him a hug and kiss. She glanced from Trent to Sydney. "Have you two met?"

"Well, we haven’t been formally introduced," Trent answered.

Alex smiled. "Ranger Sydney Cooke, this is our dear friend Trent Malloy. Trent, this is Syd."

"Pleased to meet you," he said, clasping her hand in a firm, yet gentle grasp.

"Likewise," Syd replied.

"Is this the last of it?" Walker wanted to know.

"There’s just a few more things left in the truck," Syd told him. "Maybe two more trips."

"I’ll give you a hand...then we can do it in one trip," Trent offered.

"OK," Syd agreed, smiling shyly.

A speculative expression crossed Alex’s face as she watched the two of them head back to the truck. Walker noticed and wrapped his arm around her waist, leaning in close to whisper in her ear. "What are you up to, Mrs. Walker?"

"Nothing," Alex replied innocently.

******

Gage and Trivette strolled into the fair, looking around curiously at the various booths and tables.

"Some setup," Jimmy remarked.

"It sure is," Walker called, "and you have no idea how long it took to get it arranged."

"We must have gotten the times mixed up," Gage replied innocently.

"I vote that they get to break everything down!" Syd chimed in. She and Trent were manning a large barbecue grill filled with hot dogs.

"I vote that the two of ‘em get garbage detail!" C.D. hollered.

"You, too, Carlos," Trent added, waving a pair of tongs at his wayward partner.

"Who’s that guy with Syd?" Gage muttered to Trivette as they headed off in search of empty trash bags. His eyes clouded slightly as he watched Syd laugh at the performance Carlos Sandoval was putting on to avoid trash detail.

"Him? Oh, that’s Trent Malloy. He’s a real good friend of Walker – great guy."

Gage grunted noncommittally. "What’s he do?"

"He’s a retired Army officer - Special Forces. Now he runs a karate school and works as a private investigator. Carlos there is his partner."

******

Syd was laughing so hard at Carlos’ antics that she didn’t see the Frisbee flying towards her head until it was almost too late. She ducked quickly, grazing her hand on the hot grill. She gasped at the sudden pain, snatching her hand back as tears sprang to her eyes.

"What happened?" Trent demanded. "Let me see!"

"I’m all right," Sydney replied shakily.

"Let me see," Trent repeated. He winced at the angry red marks on her palm. Grabbing a jug of water, he began to pour it over her hand. "Butch! Watch the grill – we’ve had a little accident here."

"Sure thing," his friend replied instantly.

"It’s nothing – really," Syd protested as he steered her to the first aid tent, still pouring water over her hand.

"It’s a burn, and that hurts worse then almost any other kind of injury. It can also get infected if you don’t take care of it, so humor me, please?" he appealed.

Part of her wanted to protest that it was only a minor injury, but there was something so honest and kind in his concerned expression that she allowed him to lead her over to the nurse.

"Let me see," the nurse ordered. "Well, I think the water will keep most of this from blistering – that was good thinking, Trent – but this is going to hurt like the devil for a few days. I’m going to put a dressing on it to keep it clean and then I want you to put ice on it. And stay away from the grill, OK?"

"I’ll see that she does," Trent promised.

Again, Syd was tempted to protest that someone she’d only met a couple of hours before was trying to ‘take charge’ of her, but looking into his eyes, she read only sympathy and compassion...no calculation, no hidden agendas, just...caring, and warmth. She smiled slightly, despite the tears that still seeped from her eyes.

A little girl with dark, curly pig tails and a Thunder Karate tee shirt ran up to them when they exited the tent. "Trent! It’s time to start! They’re waiting for you!"

Trent bent down to speak to her. "Missy, my friend Sydney burned her hand. Can you go ask Mister Parker for some ice?"

"Sure," she nodded.

"OK. We’ll be there in a few minutes."

"Trent, if you have to be somewhere –" Syd began.

"I’ll get there in plenty of time. The kids know what to do and Walker’s over there. Besides, this is supposed to be a fun thing...nobody’s got a stop watch going."

She smiled and Trent took her arm gently. He led her over to the bleachers and got her a seat in the front row.

Gage called down from the top row to his partner. "Hey, where you guys been? They were gonna start without you."

Syd just rolled her eyes.

Missy came running up with a plastic bag full of ice and a Popsicle.

Trent took the ice and applied it to Syd’s hand. "Thank you, Missy."

The little girl wriggled and held out the Popsicle to Sydney, smiling. "Here. My mom always gives me one when I get hurt. I hope you feel better soon."

"Thank you, sweetheart," Sydney said, leaning down to kiss the little girl.

"Thanks, honey," Trent added. The child ran off to find a seat and Trent looked back at Sydney. Her eyes were sparkling as she smiled at Missy’s sweet gesture, and it occurred to him that she was really very beautiful. She was a Texas Ranger, which spoke volumes about her character, and Cordell and Alex Walker called her ‘friend,’ which meant even more to him.

He noticed Sydney struggling to unwrap the Popsicle one-handed and reached over to open it for her, loving the musical sound of her laughter as she chuckled at her own clumsiness. "Are you gonna be all right if I go check on the kids?" he asked.

"I’m fine," Sydney protested. "Really – go on."

"OK."

Syd couldn’t help but smile as she watched Trent go off to talk to his students. She hadn’t met anyone she liked this much in a long time. He was really very good looking and altogether charming. The fact that Walker and Alex introduced him as a dear friend was all the character reference she required.

******

"What happened to Sydney?" Walker asked as they watched the kids perform.

"She burned her hand on the grill. It’s not too bad, but it’ll hurt for a few days. Walker?"

"Yeah?" Sensing something different in his friend’s tone, Walker turned to face him.

"I was wondering...do you know if Sydney is...ah...seeing anyone?"

"Not that I know of."

"Do you think...that is..."

"Just ask her, Trent," the Ranger said, smiling and clapping the younger man on the shoulder. "She’ll let you know soon enough if she’s interested or not."

******

"So, how exactly does Walker know this guy?" Gage asked as casually as possible. He and Trivette were loading equipment back into Walker’s truck. Syd sat on a bench chatting with Alex and supervising.

"Trent’s dad was a friend of Walker’s from way back. He’s known Trent since he was a kid...trained him in the martial arts. Why do you ask?"

"No reason," Gage answered quickly. "It’s just that he’s spent the entire day with Syd, and...ah..."

Understanding dawned on Jimmy’s face. "OK. Look, I know you and Syd are tight, but you don’t have anything to worry about. Trent is a good man – one of the best I know. He would never do anything to hurt her."

"OK," Gage nodded. He had confirmation from two of his best friends that the guy Syd was interested in was a great person. He should be happy for her...so why did he suddenly feel so lousy?

******************************************

THUNDER INVESTIGATIONS

"’Morning, Kim," Trent said as he entered the office, heading straight for the coffee machine.

"Good morning, yourself," she replied with an impish smile. "So, when are you taking her out?"

"What?" he spluttered, choking on a mouthful of coffee.

"That pretty Ranger you spent the whole day with – when are you gonna ask her out?"

"Kim, I only just met her...I don’t know if -"

"And you’ll never find out if you don’t ask her. Come on – the least you can do is call and ask how her hand is."

"Well, you’re right on that count," Trent conceded.

Kim nodded enthusiastically. "Uh-huh. And since cooking one-handed is sort of a pain, you can ask her out to dinner."

"Kim!"

Kim rolled her eyes and raised her hands skyward imploringly. "What is it with you two? Him, I would already be forwarding his mail to some Caribbean island and you I can’t get to make one phone call!"

"What’d I do now?" Carlos asked in confusion as he slouched in the door.

"Same as me...you were born," Trent told him.

"Oh...all right." Carlos helped himself to some coffee. "So, when are you gonna call that Ranger you spent all day with?"

"Not you too," Trent said accusingly.

"Hey, if you don’t want to call her, I’ll be happy to," Carlos offered, grinning broadly.

Glaring, Trent pushed past his partner and into the other office, pulling the door shut behind him.

Winking at Carlos, Kim pushed some buttons on her phone and Trent’s slightly tinny voice issued from the small speaker.

******************************************

TEXAS RANGER COMPANY B HEADQUARTERS

Ranger Gage smiled as he spotted his partner already settled at her desk. She was smiling radiantly and he wondered what could have happened so early in the morning to put her in such a good mood. "Good morning, Syd," Gage said, walking up to her desk and depositing a cup of gourmet coffee and a white pastry shop bag.

"Good morning," she replied automatically. "What’s all this?"

"Uh, well, you know with your hand and everything...well, I figured you could probably use a little breakfast," he stammered.

Syd carefully smothered a grin. She loved her partner’s ‘aw shucks’ routine – complete with shuffling feet, big silly grin, and puppy dog eyes. "I’m not helpless, Gage," she reminded him, trying to sound stern and almost succeeding.

"I know" he answered hastily, "but...it’s chocolate," he added giving her ‘the look.’

Laughing now, Sydney reached for the bag.

"How’s the hand?" Gage asked solicitously.

"It’s nothing," Sydney insisted.

"Well, it must be kinda hard to cook and stuff with the bandage, so how ‘bout I treat you to dinner tonight?"

"Oh, I’d love to, but I’ve got plans. Raincheck?" she asked hopefully.

"Sure," Gage replied at once, but somehow, his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes this time.

******************************************

C.D’s

"What are you looking at?" Walker teased his new bride affectionately.

Alex twisted back around in her seat to face him. "Trent and Sydney...they’re over there."

"I saw them when we came in," he replied patiently.

"Well? Isn’t it wonderful?"

"Alex, whatever ‘it’ is, it’s their own business."

"Walker, they’re our friends! I think it’s wonderful to see them together having fun."

"Yes, Alex, it’s very wonderful, but I think they might just appreciate a little privacy."

"Spoilsport," she scolded, smacking him in the arm.

"Now ain’t that a sight for sore eyes?" C.D. said as he brought their meals. "Trent’s a real fine fella, and Sydney’s much too pretty to be sitting home alone."

"Not you, too," Walker groaned.

"Cordell, I should think you, of all people, would appreciate seeing two of your friends find happiness."

"C.D.! For one thing, they just met yesterday, and for another, whatever Sydney and Trent have ‘found’ is their own business and I think maybe they’d enjoy some privacy. That’s all."

******

"Gage, what has got you so uptight?" Jimmy asked the younger Ranger.

"Nothing," Gage muttered around his beer bottle.

"Is this about Sydney?" Trivette asked with sudden insight. "Look, this is not like some dumb TV show where the heroine is falling for an ax murderer. Trent is a good guy."

"So everyone keeps telling me."

"Wait a minute...are you...?"

"So what if I am? It’s against regs and besides...Syd met Trent, whom everyone keeps telling me is Mister Wonderful."

"Gage, if you have feelings for the woman, you’ve got to tell her."

"Trivette, she’s seeing someone else. Someone that everyone keeps telling me is a wonderful guy. I can’t say anything now."

"Gage, she met him yesterday. It’s not like they’re going steady. Tell her how you feel, now, before this goes too far."

"Look, Jimmy, I know you mean well, and I do care for Syd very much, but that’s exactly why I can’t say anything to her. I want her to be happy, and right now she has a chance to be with a wonderful, caring person who will take good care of her. I won’t mess that up for her...I can’t." He slid some cash on the bar to cover his drink and walked away.

******************************************

Two weeks later...
TEXAS RANGER COMPANY B HEADQUARTERS

"Hey, Trent! Good to see ya!" Trivette called from his desk.

Gage looked up at the cheerful greeting. He’d become engrossed in fighting with his computer for possession of some reports that were long past due and lost track of the time – he’d meant to be anywhere but this room when Trent came to pick up Syd for dinner. Now it was too late. The private investigator was making a beeline for their corner of the bullpen – wearing a suit and tie and carrying flowers, Gage noticed.

"’Evening, Ranger Gage," Trent said, cordially extending his hand.

"Hi," Gage replied, hurriedly getting to his feet. "I think Syd went to change...I’ll go see if she’s ready."

"I don’t think they’ll let you in the ladies’ locker room," Trent replied good-naturedly.

"Oh. Yeah. Well, I was heading for the soda machine anyway. Excuse me."

Trent looked after the Ranger’s retreating form, feeling as though he’d missed about half of the conversation.

******

Out in the corridor, Gage nearly trampled over Sydney.

"Whoa, there, partner. Where’s the fire?" she laughed.

"Oh...I, uh, have to catch someone before they leave for the night," he offered lamely.

Syd crossed her arms and raised one eyebrow. "Francis?"

Gage winced and looked around to see if anyone had heard that. "I got...you know, reports overdue."

Syd relaxed somewhat – Gage with paperwork overdue was one of the staples of her existence.

"You look great," he added disarmingly. She did, too, in a bright red summer dress and her long, dark hair caught back from her face with a pair of shiny red combs.

"Thanks," Syd replied, smiling brightly at the all too rare personal compliment. "We’re going to Marta’s," she added.

"Well, uh...have a great time," Gage responded, quickly moving down the hall.

‘OK...that was strange, even for Gage,’ Sydney thought as she watched him disappear down the corridor. She made a mental note to ask him what was going on as she headed back into the bullpen.

Trent came to meet her and take her bag. "These are for you," he said, presenting the flowers with a flourish, "and you look great." He bent to kiss her cheek.

"Thank you, and you’re not too shabby yourself," Syd returned playfully.

"Ready to go?" Trent asked.

"All set," Syd assured him with a brilliant smile.

"Have a good time, kids," Jimmy called.

"Thanks, Dad," Syd replied.

"Trent, will we be seeing you Saturday?" Walker wanted to know.

"Alex’s first party as Mrs. Cordell Walker? We wouldn’t miss it for the world," Syd assured him.

Walker carefully smothered his grin at seeing her answer for both of them. "What about that partner of yours?"

"Hasn’t he RSVP’d yet?" Syd groaned in exasperation.

"Nope. Alex was asking at lunch."

"I’ll talk to him in the morning," Syd promised. ‘I’ll talk to him about a few things in the morning,’ she added silently.

******************************************

Next morning...
TEXAS RANGER COMPANY B HEADQUARTERS

Gage was hard at work fighting with his computer when Syd reached over and switched off the monitor. "Hey! What was that for?"

"Why don’t you tell, me?" Syd demanded, perching on the corner of his desk.

"What da ya mean?" Gage asked as innocently as possible.

Sydney wasn’t fooled by his pose. "Why haven’t you RSVP’d Alex’s party invitation?" she demanded.

"I thought I took care of that."

"Walker says you didn’t. This is Alex’s very first party since the wedding...it’s very important to her!"

"Syd, it’s just a party."

"No it’s not! It’s the first party where the invitations came from Ranger and Mrs. Cordell Walker! It’s the first party in her new home! You were in the wedding party – you have to be there!"

"OK, OK...I’ll call her today, all right?"

"Today," Syd repeated firmly.

"Yeah, I’ll call her today," Gage repeated.

"OK. And make sure you apologize!"

"Yes, ma’am. What time should I pick you up?"

"Huh?"

"Saturday...what time should I pick you up?"

"Oh...I’m going with Trent."

"Oh," Gage said flatly.

"Is there a problem with that?" Sydney asked, one eyebrow arching dangerously.

"No. Just that you’ve been going a lot of places with Trent lately."

"Aren’t you the one that said when I found a guy who was good enough for me, he wouldn’t be put off by my abilities?"

"Yeah," he answered slowly.

Syd reached out to touch his shoulder lightly. "Gage, you’re my best friend. I was hoping you’d be happy for me."

Gage instantly manufactured a smile. "Of course I am, Syd."

She smiled a little uncertainly. "Thanks," she replied softly.

"Any time, partner."

Syd moved off of his desk. "You’re gonna call Alex, right?"

"Right."

"Today?"

"Syd, do you see me picking up the phone?"

******************************************

WALKER’S RANCH

"How do you think it’s going?" Alex inquired anxiously.

"Everything’s perfect," Sydney assured the new bride.

"You think so?"

"Alex, it’s wonderful! Now, will you relax and enjoy your own party?"

Alex blushed slightly. "Sorry...it’s just that it’s my first party since the wedding, and I want everything to be perfect."

"It is...well, except for my partner’s idea of entertainment," Syd observed acidly.

Alex followed her gesture and saw Gage imitating an attacking grizzly as he recounted the adventures of Walker’s bachelor party to an avid audience. "That’s one story I could have lived without," she agreed. Alex spotted Trent Malloy among the listeners and she smiled. "So, how are things going with you and Trent?" she asked nonchalantly.

"Great," Syd replied brightly. "He’s a terrific guy. He never says a word about my job, and he treats me like a princess. We’re...having dinner at his mom’s tomorrow," she added shyly.

"Sydney, that’s wonderful!" Alex enthused. "So, does this mean he’s the one?"

"I...I don’t know," Syd replied hesitantly. "I mean, it’s crazy, right?" she continued in a rush. "I should just say yes – he’s the one. He’s perfect. It’s so rare to meet a guy who just accepts me for who I am, you know? I’m never gonna meet anyone else who’s such a perfect match...I don’t know what’s wrong with me..."

"Give it some time," Alex advised kindly. "If Trent is the one, you’ll know."

"You’re right," Syd answered. "I’m being silly...we just met a couple of weeks ago. It’s just...I see you and Walker together and...you can just see the love between the two of you...and I want that for myself."

"And you’ll find it," Alex assured her. "And when you do...well, you won’t need me to tell you."

******************************************

The alley was dank and fetid...the perfect breeding ground for the type of scum that sells drugs to kids, Sydney mused sourly.

"Oh, man," Gage groaned, "are we sure these guys are really in there? We haven’t seen anything move all day."

"Look, Gage," Syd replied patiently, "you know how this works...Walker and Trivette saw them go in. We haven’t seen them leave, ergo –"

"They’re still in there," Gage finished for her. "I know. I just get nervous when I can’t see what’s going on...I start to think that maybe they snuck out the basement or something."

"There’s no basement in there," Syd informed him, "and no back door, so whoever’s going to go in or out has to get past us."

"And we catch ‘em on candid camera and Alex gets us a warrant...I know, I know."

"What’s the matter?" Syd chuckled, "Got a hot date tonight?"

"Yeah, right," he snorted. "What about you? Going somewhere with Trent?"

Syd shook her head. "Not tonight...he’s on a case."

"I, ah, heard you went out to his mom’s last Sunday," Gage said in as casual a voice as he could muster.

"Yeah," Syd answered, looking down shyly. "I met his mom and his brothers and sister. It was really nice." A soft smile graced her features. "It was like...they’d known me all my life."

"Like coming home?" he whispered hoarsely.

"Yeah."

"So...does this mean...?"

"I don’t know...yet," Syd murmured.

Taking a deep breath, Francis Gage steeled himself to do the bravest thing he’d ever done in his life. "Syd? I know I’ve been kind of a jerk lately, but...Trent is a really great guy, and I can tell that he really cares for you. I’m happy for you...I really am."

Smiling brightly, Syd reached out and caught his hand. "Thanks. You’re my best friend, and that means a lot to me." Impulsively, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. "So, what about you?" she asked.

"What about me what?" Gage mumbled in confusion, his senses still reeling from the brief touch of her lips against his cheek.

"When am I gonna have someone to tease you about?" Syd laughed.

"Oh." Gage reddened. "I dunno...I guess...my problem is, I already met the girl of my dreams...she sorta ruined me for anyone else."

Syd was opening her mouth to ask something else when a disreputable black convertible slewed around the corner to stop in front of the building they had under surveillance. Several youths sporting brightly colored bandannas piled out of the vehicle.

"Diablos," Syd muttered under her breath.

"Call it in," Gage said tersely.

******

"Diablos?" Walker repeated for confirmation.

Syd’s voice came back slightly tinny and echoing over the radio. "They’re wearing Diablos’ colors."

"Have they spotted you?" Walker asked tersely.

"I don’t think so."

The older Ranger came to a quick decision. "OK...we’re calling for backup. Sit tight until we get there." Walker passed the radio to his partner and switched on the lights and siren.

"Los Diablos are the most vicious gang in the entire Metroplex," Jimmy observed quietly.

"Yeah..."

******

Gage checked his weapon carefully, then replaced it in his holster.

"We’re supposed to wait for backup," Sydney reminded him.

"I know. Whoa – Syd – we’ve got something coming down!"

The Diablos reappeared carrying a couple of large cardboard cartons that they loaded into the back of the convertible.

Syd grabbed the radio as Gage threw the car into gear. "Walker, they’re coming out! Moving to intercept – what’s your ETA?"

"We’re about a minute out," Walker replied. "Wait for us!"

"No can do, Walker," Syd answered, "we’ll lose them if we wait." She braced herself against the dashboard as Gage spun the steering wheel and their car swung out to block the Diablos’ escape.

‘Texas Rangers!" Gage shouted as he stepped onto the street. "Get out of the car with your hands where I can see them. Now!" he barked.

"You gonna make me, man? You an’ what army?" the driver of the black convertible sniggered.

"This army," Syd informed him coldly as she moved up beside her partner.

Snorts of derisive laughter mingled with the wail of approaching sirens.

"Gentlemen, you are under arrest," Syd began.

The gang members broke into fresh guffaws at her words, but then Gage saw the leader’s eyes flick back towards the building they’d just exited. Gage followed the other man’s glance and saw a figure shadowed by the doorway raising a shotgun. His world seemed to slow down as he launched himself at his partner.

Dallas PD and assorted Ranger vehicles screeched to a halt as a shotgun blast shattered the day’s calm.

Gage felt something smash into his back, propelling him forward into Syd. He tried to wrap his arms around her to cushion her fall, but his limbs didn’t seem to work right. He experienced a sickening sensation of falling, then blackness.

******

Walker spotted Gage sprawled on the pavement as he jumped from the truck and hit the ground running. "Gage!" he bellowed.

"Out of the car!" Jimmy yelled, leveling his weapon at the driver. Other officers moved to assist him and he headed around the black car towards Gage.

The driver slouched out of the car indolently. With a sudden swift lunge, he swung a length of chain at Walker, who lashed out with one booted foot and broke the offender’s wrist. His disgust evident, Walker kicked the chain out of his way and stepped over the howling gang member.

"Gage!" Jimmy called. "Sydney!"

Syd struggled to move out from underneath her partner’s inert form. "Gage?"

Walker and Trivette moved quickly to help.

"Syd, are you OK?" Walker asked.

"I think so," she replied uncertainly.

"Hold still a minute," Walker instructed. "Gage?"

The young Ranger didn’t respond. Blood soaked the back of his jacket.

"Officer down! We need an ambulance!" Walker yelled. He carefully checked for Gage’s pulse. "Trivette, gimme a hand."

Jimmy holstered his service revolver and helped Walker to hold Gage steady so Syd could slide out from underneath him. She scrambled to her knees, cradling her partner’s head in her lap.

Jimmy laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Syd? Are you hit?" he asked urgently.

She shook her head dazedly. "No. I...he..."

"Where’s that ambulance?" Walker roared.

Her eyes wide with shock, Sydney focused on her partner’s slack face, willing him to open his eyes and say something...anything. "Gage?" she whispered. He didn’t respond. His usually mobile and expressive face was waxen and Syd came to a sudden, earth-shattering conclusion: she loved him. This was why she hadn’t been able to tell Trent she loved him…her heart had already belonged to her partner. And now he might die without ever knowing.

Gentle hands tried to lift her to her feet and she fought, gripped by a terrible panic.

"Shh…it’s OK Syd…" Walker murmured soothingly. "He’s strong and he’s hanging on, but you have to let the paramedics do their job." With Jimmy’s help, Walker got Sydney standing and wrapped both arms around her protectively. "What hospital?" he asked the one of the EMTs.

"Methodist."

"We’ll meet you there," Jimmy tossed over his shoulder as they led Syd to the truck.

Walker opened the door and started to help Syd into the truck. She froze suddenly, shaking her head as if waking from a bad dream. "The shooter from the building…the one who got Gage…has he been arrested yet?"

"I’m sure he has," Walker said soothingly. "Let’s get you to the hospital so you can be there when your partner wakes up."

Syd pulled away, drawing her weapon. "I have to make sure."

"That’s not a good idea, Sydney," Walker told her.

Trivette tried to grab her arm but she was too fast for him. "Syd! Syd, wait!" Trivette turned to look at his own partner. "She’s been hanging around you too much," he muttered accusingly.

They followed Syd into the building, pushing their way through a crowd of Dallas police officers who were arresting everyone inside.

Trivette approached the nearest officer. "Have you seen Ranger Cooke?"

"Upstairs…she seemed to think there was another one."

"Yeah…the one who shot her partner," Walker replied.

"Sydney!" Trivette yelled. She didn’t answer, but they heard a heavy thump from up above. The two Rangers charged up the steps and followed the sounds of a scuffle into a small room.

"Freeze! Texas Rangers!" Walker shouted.

Startled, Sydney’s opponent glanced in their direction – and promptly landed flat on his back with a jarring thud as Syd swept his feet out from under him. Groaning, the perp rolled on the floor, clutching a broken wrist. Blood streamed from his nose.

Syd stooped and picked up the fallen shotgun.

"Sydney, no!" Walker said quickly.

She ignored him as she sighted on her prisoner. "This thing makes a pretty big hole, doesn’t it?" she remarked coldly.

"He’s not worth it, Syd," Trivette added.

"He shot Gage," she replied, her finger curling on the trigger.

"And he’s going down for it," Walker assured her. He held out a hand for the shotgun. "Come on," he encouraged, "let’s go find your partner."

Reluctantly, Syd lowered the shotgun and put on the safety.

Walker smiled gently as he took the weapon from her. "Somebody want to take care of this piece of garbage in here?" he called to the officers gathered in the hallway.

A grim-faced Dallas Police officer hauled the suspect to his feet none too gently. "You have the right to remain silent," he stated pleasantly, "if you choose to give up that right, I’ll let the lady Ranger finish what she started."

******************************************

Sydney hated hospitals. She always had. She hated the bare sterility of the rooms and corridors, and she hated the pervasive smell of disinfectant. Most of all, she hated the waiting. She’d lost track of how many stale cups of coffee she’d swallowed, or how many times she’d paced the length of the family room.

Someone entered the room and she turned quickly, hoping it was the surgeon, with news about her partner. Instead, Trent Malloy’s lanky frame filled the doorway. He crossed the room in a few long strides to wrap his arms around her.

"I came as soon as I could," he whispered. "How is he?"

"I don’t know," Syd replied brokenly. Tears seeped from her eyes despite her best attempts to forestall them.

Trent stroked her hair soothingly. "Gage is a strong man, and he has a lot to live for. He’s got good doctors working on him, and a lot of people praying for him."

Syd clung to him for a moment longer, then resolutely stepped back.

"Syd?"

"I need to tell you something," she began hesitantly. "I don’t quite know exactly how to do this…"

"You can talk to me about anything, Syd," Trent encouraged.

"Trent...I-I don’t know what to..."

"It’s OK...just say it."

"I...I like you a lot...you’re a wonderful man. It’s just...when I saw Gage lying there...when I thought I might lose him...I realized that if he died, part of me would die too. I can’t explain it any better than that, and I’m so sorry if I hurt you."

"There’s nothing to be sorry for," Trent assured her. "He loves you, Syd."

"You think so?" she whispered tremulously.

"I know so." He leaned down and kissed her cheek gently. "Be happy."

******

Gage opened his eyes slowly. For a moment he thought surely he must be dead...the room was bright white and fuzzy around the edges. The feeling was intensified when he heard the voice of an angel speaking to him.

"...don’t you quit on me Francis Gage...don’t you dare..."

Gage swallowed convulsively and tried to lick his parched lips. "Don’t...call...me...Francis," he murmured.

Sydney leaned forward, squeezing his hand convulsively. "Gage?" She gently brushed her hand through his hair. "Gage? Can you hear me? Do you know who I am?"

He smiled feebly. "The most...beautiful...woman...in the world."

"Yeah...right," Syd snorted, knowing very well that the long sleepless night showed clearly on her face.

"You been here...all night?"

Syd nodded.

"Where’s Trent? He shoulda...taken you outta here..."

"Trent went home a while ago."

"Oh. I...ah...that is...I thought..."

"So did I," Syd answered slowly. "But when I saw you lying there...when I thought I’d lost you...I realized that I didn’t love Trent...I couldn’t...because...I love you." She held her breath, wondering what his response would be. Had she waited too long?

"Now I know...I’m dying..." Gage murmured.

"Oh, no you’re not!" Syd informed him. "You’re going to get well and get out of here...we have a lot of things to talk about."

"Like what?" Gage asked. There was a mischievous glint in his eye beyond the haze of drugs.

"Like who is this ‘girl of your dreams’ that you mentioned?"

"Don’t you know, Syd?" he asked, all traces of teasing gone. "It’s you, Syd. I think...I’ve loved you from the start...it just took me a while to realize it."

His eyes fluttered shut and Sydney realized that he’d expended all the energy he had for the moment. She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. "Rest now. I’ll be here when you wake up."

"Promise?" he whispered without opening his eyes.

"Promise, partner."

"You’ll be...here?"

"Always."

Gage heard the promise in her voice and felt her soft hand wrapped around his own as he drifted contentedly back to sleep.

******************************************

WALKER’S RANCH

Gage was sitting on Walker’s front porch when Syd drove up. She honked the horn and he waved cheerfully in reply.

"Gage, sit!" Sydney yelled as he started to get up.

"First Alex, then C.D., now you," Gage grumbled good-naturedly.

"Yeah, but I have hand cuffs," Syd quipped as she sat down beside him. "How are you feeling?"

"A little stiff. The doc says I can go back to my own place next week, then maybe back to work two weeks after that."

"It sure was nice of Alex and Walker to invite you to stay with them."

"Well, it was either stay with someone or go to a nursing home for a week," Gage chuckled, "But I do feel a little funny…I mean, they’re newly weds – the last thing they need is a house guest."

Syd laughed at his flustered expression, laying her head against his shoulder. Gage smiled at her warmly and slipped his arm around her. They sat for a while in silent companionship as the twilight deepened to darkness and the crickets began to fill the night air with their music.

It was Gage who finally spoke. "Syd, in the hospital…we said some things to one another. What I mean is, well…it was a very emotional moment, and if – "

Sydney turned in his arms and laid a gentle hand across his lips. "I meant every word I said. I love you, Francis Gage," she stated firmly.

Gage softly closed his hand around hers and lifted it away from his mouth. "I love you, too, Syd." He raised her hand to his lips once more and brushed a gentle kiss across her knuckles. He bent his head and their lips met in a tender kiss that was rich with promise.