DALLAS, TX
Cordell Walker entered Company B Texas Rangers and looked around for his junior rangers. He spotted them by the coffee machine and proceeded to them. He knew they were the right people for this particular assignment.
Sydney Cooke was laughing at something her partner, Francis Gage, had just said and she had that twinkle in her eye. Gage was certainly something special and she wondered at how she had ever gone without meeting someone like him.
Gage was equally taken with Sydney. He knew in the back of his mind that he loved that woman, more than life itself, but didn't quite know how to share that information with her. He knew he'd never love another woman as long as he lived.
Walker stopped just shy of the partners and they turned to face him.
"What's up Walker?" Gage asked.
"Have you guys ever heard of Johnny Tamberelli?"
"Wasn't he wanted up north of a string of rapes?" Sydney asked.
"Yeah, mostly in New York state. We've just received word from some of the detectives of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit that they're sending two detectives here to assist in the capture of Johnny Tamberelli."
"We're getting another couple of hot shot New Yorkers?" Gage asked, remembering the time when Vincent Rosetti, a sergeant from New York had come to help them take down the Chairman.
"Gage, I doubt they're going to be that bad," Sydney said.
"They better not call me Tex. Man didn't it bug me when Rosetti used to call me that," Gage said, not really wanting the out of state officers to come to Dallas.
"Gage, you and Sydney will be working with these detectives to bring down Tamberelli. Make sure you all play nice," Walker said as he began to walk away.
"Walker? Who are they? What are their names?" Sydney asked.
"Dominick Carisi and Amanda Rollins. They'll be here in the morning. You two will meet them at the airport and once they get settled in, the four of you will report here for a debriefing."
Sydney looked at Gage. "You can handle a couple visitors for a few days, right?"
"I guess. I don't see why we need them. You and I are more than capable of handling this."
"Maybe these detectives know something we don't. Either way, they know more about the case and we know more about Dallas. We have to work together to bring Tamberelli down before more innocent girls get hurt."
"That probably means you'll be going undercover. I want you to promise me you'll be extra careful," Gage said to his petite partner.
"I'm always careful. Come on, let's get out of here."
"Dinner and a movie at my place?" he asked, hoping she'd say yes.
"Sounds good. I'll be over after I change. See ya later," Sydney said with a smile as she walked out the door.
MANHATTEN, NY
"Carisi! Rollins! My office," came the voice of Lt. Olivia Benson. The two detectives followed her in and shut the door.
"You guys are heading to Dallas."
"Why?" Dominick Carisi asked.
"We just got word that Tamberelli has made his way to Dallas. We need him back here to go to trial on the Van Horne case."
"When was he spotted?" Amanda Rollins asked.
"A few days ago, but unfortunately, there haven't been any other sightings. I've spoken with the commander of the Texas Rangers and he has assured me that they can help us bring him in."
"So why are we going to Dallas then?" Carisi asked again.
"I want you guys there to make sure nothing goes wrong. Commander Briscoe has told me that his sergeant, a Cordell Walker, will be giving you guys a couple rangers to work with."
"Who are they?" Rollins asked.
"Sydney Cooke and Francis Gage."
"When do we leave?" Rollins asked.
"You fly out in the morning. Take the rest of the day, get packed and be ready. You're flight leaves here at 7 am. You should arrive in Dallas about 3 pm, our time which is about 1 pm their time."
"You can count on us," Carisi said, standing to shake Benson's hand.
"I knew I could, Carisi."
"Come on Rollins," Carisi said, leading the blonde detective from the room. They grabbed their coats, called goodbye to Odafin Tutola and headed for the elevators. Fin looked up and Olivia as she came out of her office.
"You're really sending the two of them to Dallas?"
"Look, whatever is going on between them needs to be resolved. Maybe some time away from here where they can work things out will help them. Besides, they're the lead investigators on the Tamberelli case and I want them there for the arrest."
"Gonna be interesting. Sending Rollins and Carisi down to partner with a couple Texas Rangers. Hopefully Carisi can watch his mouth before it lands him in hot water."
"We all know Carisi speaks first and asks questions later."
"Man, to be a fly on the wall during that first meeting," Fin said, leaning back in his chair.
"Back to work, Fin," Olivia said, disappearing into her office.
DALLAS, TX
Sydney had met Gage at his place with a bag of takeout and a movie. This was pretty much their nightly ritual and Sydney had come to enjoy it almost as much as Gage. He opened the door and Sydney took in his appearance.
Gage had been working out before Sydney arrived, wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top. His arms and legs glistened with a slight sheen of sweat and his hair was ruffled on his head.
"Right on time," he said, flashing her that million dollar smile.
"You punching the bag around without me?" she asked.
"Needed something to do while waiting for you since you were taking your sweet time getting here. Why, you wanna go a little?"
"If you can stand getting your butt kicked before dinner."
"Can you?" he asked, teasingly.
"You're on Francis."
Gage stepped aside and let Sydney into the apartment. She placed the video on the counter and set the food inside the stove, so it would stay warm. Then she removed her jacket, tossing it over a chair in the kitchen. She followed him into the living room and they pushed the couch out of the way. They often sparred at night at his apartment, since it was bigger than hers.
"With or without gloves?" she asked.
"That's your call," he said, reverting to the old line from the Sage City gym. Sydney stopped what she was doing and looked at him.
"That's not funny, Gage."
"Wasn't meant to be, Syd."
"Then why would you say it?"
Gage was silent. He looked at her, standing there with her hands on her hips and glaring at him. She looked so pissed off and he thought she had never looked more adorable than she did right now. He took a step towards her and his eyes never left hers.
"Felt like the right thing to say," he said slowly, still walking towards her.
"You can't keep bringing that up," she replied, her voice starting to waver.
"Bringing what up?"
"That I kissed you at CD's."
"I didn't bring anything up," he said as he took another step. He now stopped within inches of her body and she became very aware of his presence. She stared up into the big blue eyes and softened a little.
"Gage, it was one time."
"Uh-huh and what about when you kissed me at the Raptor camp?"
"I do believe you were the one to kiss me," she said, recalling the last time they had kissed and how it shook her right down to her toes. She remembered the feeling of his lips pressed hot against hers and just the thought of it now caused her cheeks to flush.
Gage knew exactly what she was thinking about as he often thought about that kiss himself. It had seemed like the right thing to do at the time and he wished more now than ever, that he could do it again. She was literally inches from his face; he could close the gap if he wanted. But he wanted her to want it as much as he did.
"What are you thinking about?" he whispered to her.
"That you smell really good right now," she whispered back.
"I smell like sweat."
"Yeah, but it's kind of turning me on," she purred to him. Gage almost swallowed his tongue.
"Really?"
Sydney leaned in real close and her breath tickled his face. One swift turn to the right and she could find his lips, but not tonight. Instead she sighed again and whispered to him once more.
"Sucker," as she spun low to the ground, her leg coming behind him and bringing him to the floor. Gage was caught completely off guard and that allowed her to get the upper hand.
"Oh you play dirty!" he exclaimed.
"Can't handle it, Francis?" she asked him, teasing smile on her face.
"Oh I can handle anything you try to throw at me, Shorty," he shot back, using her hated nickname that he had for her. The two began a very playful sparring match and it seemed like Sydney had the upper hand until Gage swung around and pinned her to the carpet. This time felt just like that time in Sage City but he knew better than to bring it up.
Instead, he very slowly lowered his head to hers, giving her plenty of time to object or push him off of her, which he knew she could do if she wanted. Sydney didn't move as she realized that he was going to kiss her again. This sent a warm and tingly feeling deep into her tummy as she began to close her eyes in anticipation.
Gage's lips brushed hers so lightly, she wasn't even sure he had kissed her at first. But then she wound her arms around him, pulled him down and their lips met in an explosion of heat. Her fingers dug into his hair as his hands rubbed the length of her body. Neither of them knew how long they laid on the floor, just enjoying the sensations that the other was creating in them, but finally they broke apart.
"Wow, that beats both of the other kisses," Gage said with a smile.
"You weren't so bad yourself," Sydney said with a shy look on her face.
"Why did you kiss me?" he asked her.
"I just thought it might be time," she whispered to him.
"Time for what?"
"Time for me to admit to myself how I feel about you."
"And how do you feel about me?" he asked, hope rising in his heart and hoping his eyes wouldn't give him away.
"I'm not quite sure yet but I'm gonna have fun figuring it out," she purred and kissed him again.
MANHATTEN, NY
Rollins was just finishing making arrangements for Jesse to stay with Olivia when the doorbell rang. Eyeing out the peephole, she spied Carisi standing there with a grocery bag. She opened the door with a smile.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked.
"I've brought dinner."
"They sell dinner at the grocery store?"
"They sell the stuff to make dinner. Now you gonna let me in or do you not want the Carbonara?"
"Oh you've spoken the secret word. Come on in," she said, stepping aside to let him in. This wasn't the first time Carisi had made her dinner and probably wouldn't be the last. Rollins had to admit that she liked to watch him move around her kitchen, so effortlessly like he lived there. And she also had to admit that she almost wished he did.
"Hey Amanda? You still with me?"
Rollins shook her head and looked at him. "Sorry, what?"
"I asked if you wanted to pour the wine while I cook."
"Sure," she said, stepping into the kitchen and grabbing the wine opener. Carisi watched her as she expertly opened the bottle and poured a two glasses. She set one in front of him as he sliced the bacon and began chopping the garlic. It felt so nice, cooking dinner in her apartment with her, enjoying a glass of wine and spending the evening together. How he wished they could always be like this.
"You excited to go to Dallas?" she asked.
"Eh, it's no big deal," he said, his accent becoming thicker.
"It's somewhere I've never been."
"Me either. Born and bred in Staten Island, never really left the state."
"Well I can't imagine Texas being much more different than Georgia."
"Do you miss it?" he asked, stirring the ingredients in the pan.
"Sometimes. But I have a lot of things here that make me less homesick."
"Like what?"
"Well I have Jesse and my friends and my job."
"Anything else?" he asked, dishing out a couple plates before sliding closer to her. He was now mere inches from her. She could feel the warmth of his body next to hers and she longed to hold him closer to her.
Carisi took a deep breath in and inhaled the sweet aroma of her shampoo. She had showered before he arrived. He had hoped it was in anticipation that he was coming over, but he knew better. It wasn't like they spent every night together, wait. Yeah, actually they did. Well, most evenings.
"Shouldn't we eat?" she whispered to him.
"Suddenly not so hungry," he whispered back. His hand gently caressed her hair and she sighed, leaning into his touch. Carisi moved closer, his chest now pressed into her back. Rollins could feel the hardness of his chest and felt a small shudder go through her. Carisi felt it too and couldn't help himself. He twirled her around in his arms and gently brought his hand to her cheek.
"Amanda," he whispered.
"Enough talking, Dominick," she purred as her lips sought out his. If the way he responded was any indication, he wanted her as much as she wanted him. They were close, closer than she was with anyone else. When exactly had she fallen in love with him? And when had he fallen in love with her?
DALLAS, TX
After an evening of holding each other close, Gage and Sydney woke up in his bed. Though things certainly could've gone further last night, they both agreed to take it slow. This whole thing was new to both of them and even though they were deeply in love with each other, it was still a little scary.
Gage woke first, pressing a kiss to her neck as she stirred. She rolled over to look into those deep blue pools.
"Morning."
"Morning. How'd you sleep?"
"Pretty good. I never noticed how good I sleep in your arms."
"Lucky for you, you'll never have to."
She kissed him and let her love pour out in her kiss. God, she loved this man more than life itself and while it was be perfect to spend all day in bed with him, they would be due at the airport in a few hours. Maybe they could get in a workout before meeting the New York detectives.
"Come on Francis, we can't spend the whole day in bed."
"But why not? We're not due to be anywhere until 1 when the detectives get here."
"Fine, I guess I'll go spar by myself," she smiled as she slid from his bed. She knew he could never pass up a chance to get her on the mats. He scrambled out of bed behind her and picked her up, spinning around.
"What are we waiting for?" he asked as he set her down to try and beat her out the door.
MANHATTEN, NY
Rollins had never felt so satisfied. The night before had been wonderful. The wine was perfect, the food delicious and that kiss had been pure heaven. She stretched slightly before she realized the muscular arm wrapped around her waist. She rolled over and came face to face with a sleeping Carisi. As she quickly scanned the room, she saw clothes flung about and realized that they were both naked under the covers.
She gently poked his arm. "Carisi?"
He stirred and wrapped his arm tighter around her waist. His eyes began to flicker open and he smiled when he saw her looking at him.
"Morning," he replied, his accent thick in the morning.
"Did we do what I think we did last night?"
"Seeing as how my boxers are by the door and your panties are hanging off the bedside lamp, I'm going to say yes."
Rollins covered her head with the sheet and Carisi chuckled. She immediately withdrew her head.
"Are you laughing?"
"Why did you hide? It was what we both wanted, isn't it?"
"I knew I did, I didn't know you did."
"Who wouldn't want to be with an amazing woman like you? Everything about you is perfect."
"You wouldn't say that if you knew everything."
"I know what I need to know. And I love every bit."
Shock came across her face. "You love me?"
"Kinda thought that was obvious."
"It's just weird to hear you say it."
"Well, I do. What are you gonna do about it?"
Rather than speak her response, she smiled and dove in for a kiss. Hot and soul-searing, she let her kiss explain her emotions until she was sure he knew the answer. Breathless, she pulled away from him.
"Does that answer your question?"
"Yeah it does."
Rollins laughed. "Come on, we gotta get to the airport. Our flight leaves in an hour and a half."
"Lead the way honey, lead the way."