THE SAFE HOUSE

A bright sunny day was upon the ranger team as they took their positions for the bust; Walker waiting near the steps, Gage dressed in a maintanence uniform by the wishing well and Sydney sat with a stroller near the entrance. Trivette took his place near the getaway car and they just waited. Suddenly the alarm rang out and it was show time.

The first three passed by Sydney, she suddenly pushed the stroller out in front of the fourth man and knocked him to the ground. As he jumped up, she sent a hard kick to his chest and forced him back down to the ground.

The men started running for the stairs and after the first two passed by, Gage too his cue and pushed the third man into the fountain, soaking them both.

Man number one looked behind him to see two of his goons taken out and then came face to face with Walker's boot and fell back down the stairs. He did not get back up. Man number two got a kick to the chest as Walker used the railing to exert more force.

Cut back to Gage as he fought with the man in the water. Blocking the first punch, he sent a couple good hits to the guy's midsection before a spin kick to the face knocked him out cold.

Sydney delivered a swift kick to her guy's knee as he tried to take a couple swings at her. She finally ducked under his arm and using all her force, kicked him in the back and sending him face first into the metal pole.

Hearing his cohorts in trouble, the driver began to get out of the getaway car only to be stopped by Trivette. He kicked the gun out of his hand and sent a couple elbow jabs into his ribs before he subsided.

DPD showed up and the rangers began handing off the robbers. Gage picked up the baby doll that had fallen out of the stroller and looked at Sydney.

"Hey Syd, nice maternal instincts," he said, tossing the doll at her as it said Mama. He wondered what Sydney would be like as a mother and even more so if he was the father.

Trivette began to laugh as Walker chuckled to himself. Sydney sent a mocking glance at Gage as he just stared at her. Deep in his mind, he knew Sydney would be an amazing mother and would never put her child in harm's way, but being with the team, he had to keep his feelings in check.

Sydney just smirked at Gage, wondering how he would be as a father before she heard Trivette still laughing. She turned at tossed the doll at him. Trivette wasn't expecting it and it hit him in the gut as he grabbed onto the doll. The doll again cried Mama, Mama.

Once back at CDs for lunch, the four rangers gathered for lunch. Sydney had just finished telling CD that he should write down some of his past arrests and Trivette gave her a look. But before he could say anything else, Alex walked in.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

"Big Dog is going to write a book," Jimmy said, his mouth full of food.

"I think it's a great idea," Alex said.

"Thank you honey," CD said. "Would you like to have some lunch?"

"No thank you. I just came to tell Walker that Vince Termin's accountant turned himself in to the Louisiana authorities. Apparently Termin tried to kill him."

"Is Allen willing to testify against Termin?" Walker asked, coming to join the group.

"Yes he is. He and his family are on their way back to the border in the company of the Louisiana State Troopers."

"So Dallas' big time crime boss tried to take out his accountant," Walker mused.

"I never thought we'd be able to get this lucky," Alex added.

"Why haven't you been able to take Termin out?" Sydney asked.

"We got close," Jimmy said.

"What happened?" Sydney asked and Jimmy began to explain that they got close to taking Termin down, arresting him without a fight. But then the witness willing to testify against Termin was found dead, an 'accident' of 14 stories. Death was ruled a suicide since the coroner had no evidence of foul play. Charges against Termin were dismissed and he knew he beat us.

"Gage, I want you and Sydney to meet the troopers at the border and take custody of Allen and his family," Walker said.

"You got it," Gage said, taking one last bite of his sandwich.

"Yes sir," Sydney added. They took off out the door.

When they arrived at the border, the cops were in the middle of a shootout with some unknown men. Gage and Sydney quickly joined in and soon, the shots stopped. Gage called it in to Walker while Sydney did her best to calm the now shaken family of 3.

When Walker arrived on scene, he had Gage and Sydney take custody of the Allen family and escort them back to Dallas. Gage opened the back door and let the family into the car before getting behind the wheel.

As they drove down the road, Amelia Allen announced she was hungry and in their rush to switch cars, they realized they had left the food in the other car. Her father explained that because of her diabetes, she had to eat regularly and noticing a sign for a gas station, Gage said they would stop there for a bite to eat.

After eating, Sydney escorted the women to the restroom while Gage waited with Mr. Allen.

"She's a great kid," Gage said, wondering what it would be like to have his own kid someday. He thought who he would want as the mother.

"She deserves better than this," Allen said.

"What happened?" Gage asked.

"I told Termin I wanted out. I can't believe I thought he'd just let me walk away. Instead he sends some ugly ex-prize fighter named Scully after me. And he didn't just come after me, he came after all of us; my wife and my little girl," Allen said as he began to remember the first attack against his family. "If it hadn't been for that state trooper, we'd be dead for sure."

"Is that when you decided to testify against Termin?" Gage asked.

"It was the only chance we had," Allen said.

"You're doing the right thing. A man like Termin deserves to be put away," Gage said, keeping a level face but his anger rising.

"Ranger, tell me the truth. Do you really think I'm going to live long enough to testify against Termin?"

"Mr. Allen, I have never lost a witness and I do not plan on starting now," Gage said as the women returned to the table. They got back in the car and headed for Dallas.

After another narrow mishap involving a helicopter assassination attempt and a stop by ranger headquarters, Gage and Sydney arrived at the safe house with the Allen family. They were assigned to keep them safe while Walker and Trivette went to arrest Termin.

"A few house rules, stay away from the doors and windows. Under no circumstances can you use the phone," Gage said.

"Can I watch TV?" Amelia asked.

"You can watch as much TV as your parents will let you. There's also a CD player, tons of magazines and a fridge full of food," Sydney said.

"Make yourselves at home," Gage said.

"We'll start some dinner while you go upstairs and get settled," Sydney added. The Allen family went upstairs and the rangers entered the kitchen having the classic debate "Who Cooks & Who Cleans".

"Do you even know how to cook?" Sydney asked, knowing full well that when they were undercover on the El Leon case, she did almost all the cooking.

"Of course, I'm a bachelor."

"What can you cook?" she asked.

"French Toast," Gage said, pouring a glass of juice.

"Really?" Sydney asked, picturing Gage in a little apron as he made French toast. She had to admit, it was a good mental image. She could picture herself watching him cook for her, wearing nothing but an apron and it was a good image.

"Yeah and cinnamon toast, raisin toast, rye toast…" he trailed off.

"What about dinner food?" she asked, teasing him.

"I'll clean," he said taking a drink.

After finding out that Mrs. Allen had made a call to her mother in the night, Gage and Sydney found themselves under attack. Gage was the first to notice them as Sydney and the Allen family were cleaning the kitchen. He called out for them herded them out of the house. He scooped Amelia into his arms as he ran just before the house exploded behind him.

Sydney had glanced back to make sure he was with them, hoping he hadn't gotten caught in the blast. As she saw him cradled the little girl to his body in order to protect her, Sydney thought what a great father he would be someday.

As she ran, she wondered why she was having these feelings and thoughts. Gage was her partner but right now she was having some very 'unpartner' like feelings rushing through her. She couldn't quite place her finger on it yet, but she knew she felt something for him. What was it?

They continued running just behind the garage as Gage gave Amelia to Sydney. He turned and returned fire on the goons chasing them. He wasn't sure what it was but he had an overwhelming urge to not just keep the Allens safe but Sydney as well. Sure, Sydney could handle herself but Gage wanted to be the one to protect her. Where was this coming from?

Sydney led the family to a hiding spot under the bridge. The huddled close together under the wooden planks as Gage looked at them.

"Stay here," he cautioned.

"I'll watch them," Sydney said. "Be careful Gage," she added with a note of concern in her voice.

Gage nodded before sending her an emotional look, urging her to do the same.

By this time, Walker and Trivette had shown up to help with the takedown. They each had a man to deal with and Walker finally flung Scully off the bridge with a powerful roundhouse kick, the fight was over. Gage ran back to Sydney and the Allens. Together, like they did everything, Gage and Sydney led the Allens to safety.

After the trial, everyone gathered at CD's: Walker, Trivette, Alex, Sydney, Gage and the Allens. Amelia was playing darts and CD had just commented how there was a ringer among them.

"What's a ringer Mr. CD?" Amelia asked.

"A ringer is someone who has played the game before."

"Oh, I've been playing darts ever since I was a little girl."

"That long, huh?" CD asked with just a hint of sarcasm but not enough for Amelia to notice.

Mrs. Allen leaned against her husband as he spoke to the rangers. "I can't wait to get to New Orleans and finally get our lives back together."

"So Trivette, are you going to put this in your book?" Walker asked.

"Nah, I'm done with that book thing," Jimmy said, taking a bite.

"Oh good," Walker sounded relieved.

"Screenplays are where the money is," Jimmy said casually.

"What?" Walker asked.

"Oh yeah. And it all boils down to one word: syndication."

Everyone laughed at Jimmy. He was always chasing one big 'get rich' scheme after another, but never seeming to strike it hot. Lord only knows how many times he went to Walker with a 'good' stock tip.

As the laughter died down, Gage cast a glance at Sydney. The blue jean top she had on really brought out the beauty of her exotic features. Her arm was next to his and as she brought a bite of food to her mouth, her arm grazed him. He shuddered slightly and hoped nobody had noticed.

Sydney noticed, mainly because she had the same shudder run through her. She looked at her partner beside her, admiring the way the black shirt clung to his well-muscled frame. As he lifted his drink to his mouth, his arm touched her again and it was all she could do to control herself.

Not long after dinner was over, Gage and Sydney said goodnight to their friends. They had ridden to CD's together in Sydney's Jeep and she was giving him a lift home. The ride was quiet, each ranger lost in their thoughts from earlier that evening.

Pulling up in front of Gage's apartment, Sydney stopped the car. She was about to say goodnight to him when Gage leaned over the center console, brought his hand to her cheek and brushed his lips gently against hers.

Shock initially came over Sydney before she slowly began to kiss him back. When Gage finally pulled away from her, her breath was ragged.

"What was that for?" she asked.

"Damned if I know."

"You kissed me, Gage."

"Yeah I did."

"Why?"

"I don't know but it felt good and I want to do it again," he said so quietly that Sydney almost didn't hear him.

"What?"

"I want to do it again," he said as he leaned over and kissed her again. This time, Sydney kissed him back, pouring herself into her kiss. His hand reached up her face to cup her cheek and her fingers found their way into his hair.

When it became necessary to breathe, they pulled apart. Gage slid out of the Jeep, walking over to the driver's side and opened her door. He offered his hand and Sydney accepted. Slowly, he led her up to his apartment.

Once inside, he turned to face her, taking in all her beauty before lowering his head to hers. He brushed his lips across hers, tentatively at first. She may have kissed him back in the car, but this was completely different.

Sydney couldn't take the slow pain that his light kisses were causing her. She wanted to taste him, that minty freshness that always flowed from his lips. She wound her arms around his neck, pressing herself up against him and feeling the hard planes of his chest. She tilted her head, getting a better angle and he took the hint to part his lips for her. Finally, she dove headfirst into the warmth, minty tingles of his mouth.

Gage wound his arms around her slender body; she seemed to fit in every angle of him. Why had it taken him so long to realize the feelings she stirred within him? He remembered the thoughts of her as a mother after seeing her with the baby doll, he thought of how scared he was, not just for Allens but for Sydney when he saw Scully with that rocket launcher. He always wanted to be there to protect her, but he had to know first.

He reluctantly pulled back from her, Sydney pouting as he did.

"What's wrong?" she asked him, her face a portrait of confusion.

"Nothing is wrong. Everything is finally right."

"Then why did you stop?"

"Because I need to know."

"Know what?"

He took a deep breath. "I need to know what you think we're doing here."

Sydney traced her finger along his jawline and up to his nose. "I think we're exploring and lucky for you, I'm very thorough when I explore something."

"Sydney, I have way too many feelings for you if this is all a game to you."

"Can I tell you something?" she asked.

"Sure."

"I have feelings for you too."

"Glad to hear it but what does it mean?" he asked.

"I think it means we should take it slow and figure things out together. We may not get everything right but at least we'll do it together. We do make a great team, don't we?"

"Yes we do."

"Speaking of something else we do right, come here," she said seductively as she crooked a finger at him. He leaned back into her and his lips sought out hers. This was one thing they most definitely got right!