Kathleen A. Klatte

“Words From the Heart”

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

Tag scene to “White Buffalo” with alot of inspiration from “Without a Sound”

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

Gage stood gazing out the window as dusk slowly settled over the hospital’s park-like grounds. He’d been silent for quite some time, in deference to his partner’s stated desire to rest, but the thoughts that had been churning through his mind all afternoon demanded release.

“Syd?” he began softly, without turning around, “I know I said I’d be quiet and not bother you, but, well, there’s something that’s been on my mind for a while, and I just have to tell you. I know that I don’t say it as often as I should, but you know you’re one of the most important people in my life. The thing is, I guess I didn’t quite realize myself just how much you mean to me until today, when they told me you’d been shot. It was like...all of a sudden there was no air...I couldn’t move or speak...or even think, really.” He paused, scrubbing a hand through his hair. “They told me right away that you were safe in the hospital and that you were stabilized, of course, but those few seconds between one sentence and the next...that was the longest time I’ve ever lived through. I’ve never been so scared in my life.

“I’ve known for a long time that I don’t want to do this job without you, but I don’t think I realized until that moment what a big part of my life you’d become. I can’t imagine going a day without seeing you or talking to you. I don’t know if I ever told you, but you have the most beautiful smile...and I love to hear you laugh. And...I can’t imagine my life without you. And I just...um...wanted to tell you that.”

Gage stood silently, waiting for her to say something - anything. “Syd?” he called softly. “Syd?” Finally he turned around to look at her.

Sydney was fast asleep. Her book had dropped unnoticed to her lap and her head had slipped to one side. She looked utterly serene, in sharp contrast to her flustered partner.

“I guess I’ll have to tell you again sometime, when you’re wake,” Gage muttered. He carefully removed the paperbacked book from her slack fingers and set it on the nightstand. Gage gently smoothed Syd’s bangs back from her face, then bent and brushed a light kiss against her forehead. Moving very quietly, Gage turned off the lights and slipped out the door. He didn’t notice that Sidney’s lips had curved into a beatific smile.

Fin.