Things were comfortable for Ranger Francis Gage. He had everything he could've dreamed of: a beautiful wife in the form of Ranger Sydney Cooke, two beautiful children Andrea and Christopher, his sister Julie, brother Julian and wonderful friends he considered family. What else could he possibly want?

He sat at his desk, going over reports from their latest bust. Senior Ranger Cordell Walker was in his office with Ranger James Trivette and Ranger Julian Parker was getting some coffee. As for Ranger Sydney Cooke, she was upstairs visiting with Walker's wife, Alex. Alex was now 8 months pregnant with their second child and Gage began to wonder if Sydney was getting baby fever. She had constantly been around Alex since she announced her pregnancy.

"Thinking about something important?" Julian asked, perching himself on the corner of Gage's desk.

"Syd is up with Alex…again."

"Is that a bad thing?" Julian asked. He hadn't been a ranger long, going on seven months since he had been sworn in. When Julian first came to Dallas, he hadn't expected to join the Rangers, but after assisting the team on a big bust, Walker had asked him to join them.

"No, but I have a feeling that Syd is getting baby fever."

"Would that be a bad thing?"

"I kinda thought we had the perfect family already. I mean, we got Andie and Chris, one of each. Truth be told, I never thought about having kids at all and then I found out about Andie. Then we had Chris. I mean, everything should be perfect right?"

"Hey you're asking a guy who married his high school sweetheart and is recently divorced and fighting for custody."

"Seriously?'

"Yeah, Regina's fighting me. Ever since she told her dad she was going to move out here and he convinced her not to, she wants to keep Bryson in Pawhuska. Her father has never liked me and he really didn't like it when we got married."

"I thought you worked for him in high school."

"I did, I was fine as a ranch hand but as his son-in-law? That's a whole 'nother ball game."

"Sorry man. I know how much you were looking forward to having him here."

"It'll work out; I just need to be able to talk to Regina without her father around."

"Good luck man."

"Thanks brother."

Meanwhile, Sydney was upstairs with Alex. She had to admit, she felt a twinge of jealousy when Alex announced her pregnancy. Sydney never truly realized how much she loved being a mother until she had Chris. It was different with Andie, she hadn't carried her. But being pregnant was one of the happiest times in Sydney's life.

"So you guys didn't find out with this one either?" Sydney asked.

"Nope. Walker and I were in agreement this time. I know he's hoping for a boy but I still want another little girl."

Sydney sighed and it didn't go unnoticed by her friend.

"What's wrong Sydney?" Alex asked.

"Nothing."

"Yeah right, what's up?"

"I guess I was just thinking about Chris."

"Is he okay?"

"Oh yeah, he's fine. I just think back to when he was a baby and how I miss that baby time. Chris is almost 3 and I guess I just miss having a baby around."

"Have you told Gage you want another baby?"

"No, he thinks what we have is perfect now. I know I should be happy with our family, but I can't help it."

"I think you should talk to your husband. Every family is different. After everything that happened with Angela, I was sure I didn't want to go through it again. The traumatic delivery and thinking we were going to lose her, I would never wish that on anyone. But everything turned out fine and now she's almost 4."

"I know."

"Look at Erika and Jimmy. They have Dallas and as far as I know, they haven't talked about having anymore, although I'm sure Erika would love to have a little girl. Everyone is different. Just talk to Gage, I'm sure he'll understand your feelings."

"Maybe. I know he's been spending a lot of time with Julian right now."

"Is everything okay?"

"I guess his ex-wife has decided not to move to Dallas."

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. I know how they were hoping to co-parent their son here."

"Well I hope they'll work it out. Listen, I got to run. I'm due downstairs."

"See you later."

Sydney waved goodbye to her friend and headed down to Headquarters. She found Gage and Julian in what appeared to be a deep conversation.

"What are we talking about so intently?" she asked, walking up.

"Nothing," the guys said together.

"Yeah right."

Walker came out of his office and headed for the rangers. "Looks like we're going after him again."

"Who?" Sydney asked.

"Sonny Tantero."

"Isn't he still in jail?" Gage asked.

"His is but his son Sonny Jr isn't. He's taking over where his dad left off. Rumor has it; he's been dealing meth out of the Dallas Star Bar. Sydney, I want you and your partner to get over there and check it out."

"You got it. Ready to roll partner?" Sydney asked.

"Let's do this. See you later Gage," Julian said as he followed Sydney out the door. Gage sighed and turned to Walker.

"Walker, you got a minute?"

"What's up Gage?"

"I know you said we had to restructure some things, but why couldn't Syd and I stay partners? You said as long as we kept our personal life out of the job, we could."

"I know that but Briscoe wanted it this way. Sydney is your wife and Julian is your brother. By-laws say that you and Julian can't be partners because of your blood relation and Briscoe thinks it just makes sense to pair Julian with Sydney and you with Trivette. This is in no way a punishment; I hope you're not thinking it is."

"It just sucks that I'm not out there, watching her back."

"Julian would never let anything happen to Sydney, you know that."

"I know but I'm used to watching her back. We anticipate each other's moves."

"Julian has taken all this proficiency tests and passed his field tests. He's knowledgeable in hand to hand combat and has a history of dealing with drugs and gangs. There really isn't anything else I can say."

"I know. I just don't like it."

"I know Gage, trust me I know."