Disclaimer: The following story is based on characters from the television series "Walker, Texas Ranger," of which I own no part. I may also reference various movies or songs, which I claim no ownership of. If you recognize anything, it does not belong to me. These chapters are written solely for my entertainment. I make no profit from them.
Author's Note: This is my version of Season 10, Episode 2. Two new characters will be introduced. For those who reviewed my last story, please accept my sincerest thanks. I hope you enjoy this one as well.
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Title: "Sins of the Father"
By: T.M. Hoagland
Chapter 1
Adam King sat in the plush office of his stately home on Saturday afternoon. Anger and frustration were etched on his face in the furrows on his brow as he scrutinized the papers before him. He knew drastic measures needed to be taken to put an end to this. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Come," he called sharply.
"You wanted to see me?" his son asked. Adam observed the young man who looked so much like him for a moment before answering. The young man's lean frame was clothed in designer garb which matched the stylish cut of his dark hair. The haughty brown eyes set deep in the fair face augmented his feigned respect for his father. Adam saw in his son a calculating coldness in his aloof stance.
"Jeff, I've done you a disservice," began Adam.
"Oh?" replied Jeff, now quite intrigued. "And what might that be?"
"I never made you work for money," his father stated. "I've just been going through your latest credit card bills, together with the most recent reports from your instructors," continued Adam as he rose from behind his desk. Coming around and sitting on the front edge he looked Jeff in the face, barely controlling the seething contempt he had for his behavior. "All of your cards are maxed out again this month, and you're failing most of your classes. Your Professors tell me you rarely show up."
"Well, what can I say," answered Jeff casually. "It's boring. Besides, I don't need it. You've made enough money to last through my grandchildren."
"At the rate you've been using it, it won't outlast you!" yelled his father. Forcing control into his voice he continued, "I've talked to you all your life about appreciating the value of money. But ever since your mother died when you were so young, I've let you have whatever you wanted. And you've repeatedly abused my generosity. You don't care that I've worked hard to get where I am. And you're not willing to work at all. My mistake was in continuing to carry you. That ends today."
"What are you going to do, Father? Cut me off?" asked Jeff coolly.
"Jeff, you will be twenty-one a week from today. It's past time you started making your own way in the world. You have no job, so all of your accounts are in my name. I have paid your bills for the last time and closed your bank account and your credit cards. I'm leaving you your truck, so you will have transportation to work. I expect you to find a job and your own place to live by the end of next week. You have to learn that money isn't free."
"But don't you remember? You're the one who taught me to live off other people. I know how you do business: vulture contracts, cutting corners, and manipulation to start with. Always aiming at what's best for you."
Adam stood and backhanded his son. "How dare you talk to me like that!" His voice was low and menacing. "At least everything I've done is legal. How many times now is it that I've had to bail you out? The first trip I ever made to Juvenile Hall you weren't even twelve, caught stealing from the corner store when you had the money to pay in your pocket. You're a disgrace. As of now, you no longer have access to my resources."
Jeff returned his father's icy stare as he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Have it your way, Father." With that he turned on his heel and left.
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Walker and Alex awoke to the hungry cries of their daughter just before the alarm went off at 6:00 that Monday. Alex went to feed her while Walker turned off the alarm and headed for the kitchen to start coffee. After a quick shower he retrieved two cups from the fresh pot and joined his wife in the nursery.
"Good morning," he said with a smile. He kissed his wife, then his daughter, as he handed Alex her coffee. She was in the rocking chair with Angela in her arms, and smiled lovingly at her husband.
"Morning, Cowboy," she replied. "You look like you're ready to leave. Are you going in early?"
"Yeah," he answered. "Gage and Sydney have been hitting the gym before work. I want to have a word with them this morning."
"Is anything wrong?"
"Well, I've just noticed that things have changed between them in the last couple of weeks."
"Changed good or bad?" she asked with a worried frown.
"That depends on your point of view," he answered cryptically.
"Honey, just tell me what's going on."
Walker sighed. "I know they're best friends, and I know they've always been very close. But ever since the Turner case they seem to be… closer."
"So they finally got around to that, huh?" said Alex with a grin. "This can't be a surprise. I'm sure you've noticed how they do everything together, how nobody says just 'Gage' or just 'Sydney' anymore. It's always 'Gage and Syd.' Think about the things they've been through together, and how often they've saved each others lives. Not to mention how well they get along. And neither one of them has any other ties. It was bound to happen."
"That's not exactly the point, Honey. You know that kind of relationship with your partner can put your whole team in jeopardy if you lose professional judgment."
"And when within the last year have they ever done that? The feelings were there, even if they tried to deny it."
"It's harder when the feelings are out in the open. I've pored through the regulations and there's nothing specifically relating to this, probably because there have never been many female Rangers and this has not happened. But I do know what the general rules are that pertain to all police officers. And I know they would hate to be split up."
"Maybe there's a way around it. Do you honestly think you will ever find anyone who would be a better partner for either of them?" Walker paused before answering.
"No, I don't think so. I will have to talk to Captain Barrett, though. I can't make that decision on my own. I'm going to take care of the horses and get going. Have a good day. I love you."
"I love you, too. Maybe Angela and I will stop by later. I think it would be good to see everyone." With that Walker kissed his wife and left.
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Syd was looking forward to getting to work. As she parked and headed for the locker room her thoughts played over the last several days. She and Gage had discovered they loved being together. They had shared dinner every night, gone to the movies twice, visited each others churches, and fallen into the habit of meeting at the gym to work out every morning before anyone else was there. Wanting to not rush anything, they kept physical affection to a minimum. Otherwise, they continued as they always had at work, hoping nobody would notice a difference. After she had changed, she walked into the gym and saw Gage waiting for her.
"Mornin', Shorty," he called with a smirk across the empty room. "Ready to get whipped?"
"In your dreams, Francis," she said with a grin as she met him on the mat. They began by stretching, verbally prodding each other as they did. Then, staying well out of reach of each other they danced around throwing light punches into the air to warm up. Slowly they moved closer to each other and began sparring in earnest. They laughed and joked as each landed blows and sent the other to the mat. Finally, Syd swung at Gage with her right hand. He blocked it with his left as he stepped in and caught her in a bear hug. As she struggled to free herself, she looked up at his face. Something in his eyes made her go still, and her hands came to a rest on his shoulders.
"I love you, Syd," Gage whispered.
"I love you back," she whispered in reply as a smile played at the corners of her mouth. Slowly their faces inched together until their lips met in a gentle kiss.
"So you guys finally admitted it," called Walker as he stepped from the shadows. With their kiss abruptly ended, Gage and Syd stepped back. Both turned red, neither looked at their boss. "I had a feeling," continued Walker as he approached them. "When did you plan on telling the rest of us? Not that it would have been a surprise."
"Boss, I'm sorry," began Gage. "We were just…"
"I know what you were doing, Gage," replied Walker with a smile. "And like I said, it's no surprise. I'm not as upset as you may think." At this Syd and Gage visibly relaxed. "However," Walker persisted with a more serious tone, "I don't know what kind of repercussions may come of this. Keep it to yourselves for now. And this can't interfere with your jobs."
"It won't, Boss," answered Gage.
"Absolutely not," Syd chimed in.
"Alright. I'll see you upstairs." Walker moved toward the door. Syd and Gage watched him leave the gym before turning to each other.
"Well, that could have gone worse," stated Gage as he smiled nervously at Syd.
"You think?" she said with a tense laugh.
"Well, let's get upstairs." Gage smiled at her and brushed his fingers lightly over her cheek. Then they turned for their own locker rooms.
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Syd and Gage entered the Company B offices and saw Jimmy standing with Walker at his desk. A young man was with them, and they were talking quietly. Walker called them over.
"Good morning," Jimmy addressed them both. "Before we begin I just wanted to let you guys know that Erika and I want to get together with you all for dinner this Saturday. Walker, do you want Erika to call Alex?"
"I'll let her know. She may be by this afternoon." Gesturing to the man with them Walker continued. "Gage and Sydney, I'd like you to meet Ranger Max Bowen. Max this is Ranger Gage and Ranger Sydney Cooke." They shook hands with him in turn. He was about the same size as Gage only an inch or so taller. His thick, curly hair was coal black and close cropped, and he wore a full goatee on his tanned face. He gazed at Syd then Gage with piercing blue eyes as he addressed them.
"Ma'am," he said to Syd as he shook her hand. His deep bass voice had a natural gravelly sound.
"You can call me Sydney," she responded with a smile.
"Just Gage?" he asked as he shook Gage's hand.
"I hate my first name, so I never use it," answered Gage with a wry smile. Max smiled knowingly in return.
"Max has joined us from Lubbock," explained Walker to Gage and Syd. "He's been with Company C for the past eighteen months, since he joined the Rangers. Captain Barrett wanted us to bring him in to provide more flexibility to the unit. For now he won't be assigned a partner, but will work where he's needed most. I know you two have some left over paperwork, so I want you to finish that up while Trivette and I take Max to tour the building and meet Captain Barrett. When we get back I want you to take him out and familiarize him with the area."
"Sounds good, Boss," replied Gage. "Let's get to it, Shorty," he said to Syd with a smile as they headed for their desks.
"Shorty?" wondered Max looking curiously between Walker and Trivette.
"Only Gage gets away with calling her that," responded Jimmy with a sly grin. "I wouldn't try it."
"I was just surprised he could," countered Max. "I'm familiar with her reputation."
"For a long time he couldn't," put in Walker. "But after you've saved someone's life enough times, some things are allowed to slide."
"I see," Max finished with a smile. Then the three men headed for the door.
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Jeff King sat with his three best friends. Rusty Morgan, Junior Collier, and Bobby Jacobs had known him all their lives. They each came from wealthy families as well, and had often been in trouble with Jeff. They were together this morning on the patio at Junior's house, commiserating with Jeff over his plight.
"I can't believe your Dad's cutting you off," said Bobby. His short, stocky frame was folded into a lounge chair and the bright shock of carrot red hair was disheveled over his brown eyes.
"I'm not gonna let him ruin my life just because he wants to get stingy," stated Jeff angrily.
"What can you do?" put in Rusty. His lanky body leaned on the frame of the sliding glass door. His long blond locks matched his deep blue eyes.
"Yeah, he's pulling all the strings," added Junior. His crew cut brown hair complemented his hazel eyes and muscular physique. He sat in a chair at the table next to Jeff.
"I have a plan, but I'll need your help to pull it off," answered Jeff. "Then I won't have to give up my good life or be dependant on my Father." The other three looked at each other and nodded, grinning mischievously.
"What did you have in mind?" asked Junior.
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After familiarizing Max with the building, Walker introduced him to Captain Barrett. Then Trivette took Max back to the offices, so Walker could speak with the Captain privately. He sat in a chair in front of the desk not sure how to begin and dreading where it might end up. Captain Barrett sat quietly watching his best Sergeant for a few moments, and then opened the conversation.
"Walker, I know you have something to talk to me about and I think I know what it might be. How are Rangers Gage and Cooke these days?"
Walker paused before answering. "Very close. I'm just not sure what to do about it. They're the best team I have."
"I had a feeling. I've gone through the regs, as I'm sure you have, and wanted your opinion on their professionalism before I addressed this. Would they be willing to work with other people if necessary?"
"I have no doubt that they would maintain the same professional competence no matter who they work with, though I'm sure they want to stay together. The question in my mind is whether or not I would be able to find anyone else who would fit them as well as each other. They have an uncanny ability to practically read each others minds, and it's always given them an edge on the job. And they've never allowed their feelings for each other to interfere."
"How long has this been going on?" Barrett asked.
"I think a lot longer than either of them have wanted to admit. But it's only been in the last few weeks that they've acknowledged they're feelings to each other," answered Walker.
"And you've seen no change on the job? Nothing that would put anyone in jeopardy? No unprofessional behavior?"
"No, sir. And I am confident I never will."
"Very well. For now we'll let things ride. There are few enough of us as it is. No sense splitting up a good team without cause. But if either of them allows this to endanger anybody the necessary steps will be taken. Keep this to yourself and watch them closely for the next few days. Keep me apprised of what's going on."
"Thank you, Captain." Walker rose and the men shook hands before he left.
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Walker returned to the offices to find Max arranging his desk and Gage and Syd finishing their paperwork. They both looked at him as he came in. He saw the worry in their eyes and smiled to put them at ease.
"When were you two planning on taking Max out?" he asked as he walked to their desks, which were situated back to back so they looked across at each other. Their eyes caught and Syd nodded to Gage as she closed a file.
"We're done here and figured on heading out now, unless there's been a change of plans," Gage answered for both of them.
"No change," Walker replied with a smile, noticing them relax.
"Max, you ready to go check out Dallas?" Gage called over to him as he and Syd stood up.
"On my way," he returned, grabbing his black cowboy hat as the three of them headed for the door.
"I'm driving," said Syd.
"It's my turn, as I recall," retorted Gage.
"We want Max to survive his first day on the job, and we all know what happens when you drive," countered Syd. "I'm driving."
"Come on, Syd," whined Gage as they went through the door and heard Walker and Trivette break out in laughter.
"What are we going to do with those two?" queried Jimmy with a smile.
"Just enjoy the entertainment," Walker replied with a laugh. Just then the phone on his desk rang. "Walker," he said as he answered it. He listened for a moment then responded, "We'll be right there," and turned to Jimmy as he hung up. "The First National Bank of Dallas on Third and Commerce was just robbed. Let's go check it out." Grabbing their hats they headed for the door.
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To be continued….
