Chapter 2
"Gage there is nothing you can say that will make me forgive you for what you just did to me in there," she told him her voice even but her temper seething.
"I'd say it again in a heartbeat Syd," he quietly said, "even if I have no right to say it. Will you hear me out please?"
She closed her eyes the struggling had stopped and she stood motionless in his arms. Gage still held on tightly to her trying to choose his words trying to make her understand. He closed his eyes how could he make her understand what he didn't understand himself.
"Syd I'm scared for you…"
"I can take care of myself Gage," she cut in before he could finish his thought.
"I have no doubt in my mind about that," he replied the side of his face she had just smacked still stinging. "The thing is you are hurting and you are angry I'm just worried that you will take the wrong chances. If something happened and I couldn't get to you in time…" His voice trailed off and his grip lessened on her.
She turned slowly as his arms dropped to his sides. She stared at his chest for a moment before lifting her head to look into his face.
"Gage you're right I am hurting and angry," she agreed as he let out a sigh. "But," she said her hand cupping his chin, "that still doesn't give you the right to do what you just did."
He knew she was right. "I know, I know," he said taking her hand from his chin and holding it.
"I've got to do this, I've got to take this assignment I've got to find out what happened to Tammy. You understand don't you?" she asked looking into his eyes.
Unfortunately he did and he also knew he couldn't stop her so he had to do the next best thing, be there to protect her.
"Is it settled?" she asked.
"Almost," he replied.
"Well?"
"You didn't really mean it when you said you'd never forgive me did you?" He asked as his lower lip stuck out in a pout.
"Francis," she exclaimed at him and he knew things were smoothed over between them.
"Let's go see what Walker has in mind," he said opening the door for her.
~~~~~
"You two settle your squabble?" Trivette asked as the two of them walked back into the office.
"I think so for the moment anyway," Gage replied adding he was sorry for the interruption.
Walker eyed the partners trying to decide the reason for the earlier outburst finally deciding to let it pass knowing they were good at their jobs.
"The Lazy Jakes is looking for staff we are going to set you up as hostess and bouncer," Walker told them as Trivette went to set up the covers. "After a few days Trivette and I are going to try and get into one of the poker games that go on in the back room. I want you two to see if you can't become part of the staff that looks after those games."
Both nodded their heads in agreement. Syd's phone rang she walked to her desk to answer it. Without looking up from the file he was reading Walker asked Gage point blank, "Are you sleeping with Sydney?"
"Am I? Walker no… I… no I'm… we're not sleeping together," Gage stammered out his face beat red.
Walker's gaze was fixed on him as he asked the next question, "Then what was all that about this morning?"
"I'm just a little worried about her," Gage chose his words carefully, "she really took her roommate's death hard."
"Do you think maybe she shouldn't be on this case then?"
"She can handle it Walker. I was wrong to speak out this morning. I feel confident going in with her undercover," Gage stated hoping he was being convincing.
"All right Gage I'll take you at your word you know her better then any of us," Walker told him hoping he wasn't making a mistake.
Sydney and Trivette had both hung up their phones and come back over to Walker's desk.
"Okay if you two drop over to the club right now they'll show you the ropes and let you know when you start," Trivette informed the partners.
"You two take off then," Walker instructed, "and Gage keep in close touch on this one all right."
"Sure thing," Gage answered glad to be getting out of the office.
Walking beside Sydney the silence was deafening, as they got in the car Gage finally asked who had been on the phone just to make conversation.
"Tammy's father," she dully stated. "He was hoping that I could give him some answers. I told him I'd let him know as soon as I knew something."
"We're going to find out what happened," he tried to reassure her much like she had tried to reassure Tammy's father.
She smiled sadly at him and changing the subject asked what he and Walker had been talking about. Once again Gage could feel the colour rising in his cheeks as he cleared his throat not once but twice.
"He was just wondering if anything had changed between the two of us that's all," Gage hedged not really wanting to come right out and say it.
"Changed between us?" she asked at first not getting Gage's meaning. Suddenly her eyes grew wide and she repeated herself exclaiming, "Changed between us." Syd could feel the heat in her cheeks as she stared out the window.
"Syd I'm sorry it had to be what I did this morning that got him thinking that way," Gage tried to apologize.
Sydney wasn't listening to him her mind had wandered back to last night and this morning. Waking up with his arm around her and he stroking her hair… she felt like things had changed between. Maybe she was reading more into things then was really there. "Come on Cooke get your head in the case," she chided herself under her breath.
"I think I got things straightened out with him," Gage was saying as he parked the car at the club.
"It's all right Gage," she wanly smiled taking his hand for a moment and squeezing it before she opened the car door to get out.
It's all right Gage that was it that was all she was going to say. No tongue lashing, no scolding, she didn't even call him Francis like she did when he irritated her. He had no more time to think about it she had closed the car door then stuck her head back in the window to ask if he was coming or not.
"Right behind you Syd," he answered opening the door and getting out.
~~~~~
Gage held the door open for Syd and they entered the dimly lit entrance of The Lazy Jakes club. The door had no sooner closed behind them when they were greeted by a big guy asking if he could help them.
"Yeah we're looking for Terrance Majors," Gage spoke up.
"He's suppose to be showing us the ropes getting us set up with our hours," Syd added.
"What is it Jimmy?" a voice asked from behind Jimmy.
"The new employees the agency sent over," Jimmy replied moving back so Majors could get a look at the two of them.
"I'm Tina Mason," Syd volunteered.
"And I'm Rick Harper," Gage added.
"You two look like you'll do," Majors said his eyes not leaving Sydney's face or figure. "This is a class operation here, "black tux and tie," he directed at Gage, "And something sexy but not cheap," he smiled at Syd. "Be back here at eight thirty dressed and ready to go at nine."
"You got it boss," Gage replied .
"Thanks," Syd smiled coyly at him a smile stealing over his face as well.
Once out of earshot Majors commented to Jimmy, "Keep an eye on that one I'm sure she will be to Mr. Swanson's liking."
"I think you're right," Jimmy grinned.
~~~~~
"So far so good," Gage commented as he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. "Where to now?"
"Unless you have a black tux hidden away in your closet I think the rental shop is our next stop," Syd replied.
Gage made a face at her and turned the car left to head for the tux store. Catching the face her partner was making put the first real smile on Syd's face in two days.
Reaching over he brushed his fingers across her cheek and she found herself liking it.
~~~~~
Sydney pulled into the parking lot at exactly eight fifteen. They had decided it would be better to arrive separately and not make it seem they were friends. As Gage pulled into the parking lot Syd got out of her car to head inside. Catching sight of her he wasted no time hurrying in behind her.
"Well you certainly look different then you did this morning," Majors was telling Syd as he looked her over. She wore a long black skirt that was slit on either side up the length of her legs and a copper and black form fitting top with spaghetti straps. A gold chain with an assortment of charms hung down between her ample breasts accompanied by a second gold chain shorter with a pearl suspended from it that Gage had given to her for her birthday. Her hair was piled on top of her head falling down in small ringlets framing her face.
The sight of her took Gage's breath away the same time making him want to keep every high society low life from leering at her.
"Okay Tina as the customers come in all you have to do is greet them and take them to a table," Majors was explaining. "If they say they are here for Mr. Swanson's party Karen will look after them. That's all there is to it."
"That certainly sounds easy enough," Syd replied putting on a big smile.
"Rick good you're here too," Majors called to Gage seeing him coming towards them. Syd turned her partner was right behind her, she too took a moment to let her eyes look him over. She smiled to herself thinking how handsome he looked in that monkey suit.
"Jimmy can you come over here and enlighten Rick what is expected of him," Majors called extending his arm to Sydney. "If you would like to come this way my dear I'll introduce you to Mr. Swanson."
Gage watched his partner take Majors' arm and move away with him focusing on them until Jimmy's voice interrupted him.
"Okay Rick we're the peace keepers at this club, only suits and ties get in. You know the drill anyone causing a problem is asked to leave and escorted out. You definitely keep cliental away from the girls while they are on stage. You need to use your judgement we have a lot of working girls here too. You got it?" Jimmy finished up saying.
"Seems pretty straight forward," Gage replied.
"It is as long as you don't complicate it," Jimmy warned. "What's the story with you and Tina?"
"Been a friend off and on for a couple of years, ran into her at the employment agency this morning and since we were coming to the same place gave her a ride over," Gage repeated the story they had decided on.
"Just friends?" Jimmy quizzed.
"Yeah just good friends," Gage repeated emphasizing the word good.
~~~~~
Jack Swanson sat at a reserved table with two other men when Majors waltzed Sydney over.
"Jack, I wanted you to meet our new hostess Tina Mason. Tina our boss Mr. Swanson," Majors introduced.
"Tina is it? Pleased to meet you," Swanson told Syd standing and taking her hand.
"Thank you," Syd replied, "I hope to do a good job for you."
"Just be yourself and I'm sure you will," Swanson smiled back taking her hand holding it for a few moments.
Majors smiled to himself he had been right Tina did interest his boss.
Gage watched the scene from where he stood knowing that things were going well, Syd was making progress with Swanson, which was good even if he didn't like it.
~~~~~
The guests were beginning to come in and both Rangers took up their posts. The evening was going as expected nothing unusual. Their were half a dozen guests that came in for Mr. Swanson's party that were escorted into the back room the door closed behind them.
A couple of patrons thought they could move in on some of the girls Sydney being one of them, Gage was quick to move in and both men left without incident. Jimmy who had been standing with Majors commented that Rick seemed to handle himself pretty well.
"Looks like we may have got lucky with both Tina and Rick," Majors responded.
It was shortly after one A.M. that Syd's heart began to beat a little faster. She heard his voice and words, "Hi Baby doll," as he addressed Karen. Quickly Syd got out of sight behind some curtains. Peering out she saw him John Knight, Tammy's estranged husband walking in as if he owned the place. Karen smiled greeting Knight escorting him to where Swanson's poker game was going on.
"What's up?" Gage had come up behind her to ask.
"Gage you all but gave me a heart attack," she hissed back. "Did you see that guy that just came in?" Gage nodded yes, "That was Tammy's x-husband."
"Did he see you?"
"I don't know I don't think so," she replied.
"We got to get you out of here," Gage told her his concern showing.
"No I'm sure he would have said something to me if he had saw me. It's almost the end of the night I'll just watch for him and keep out of his way."
Gage was about to say something more when a commotion broke out at one of the tables and he had to go see what was going on. "Be careful," was all he got out.
The rest of the night went without any more trouble. At quitting time Rick had told Tina to wait up he would walk her out.
"Can I buy you a coffee Tina?" he asked waiting beside her as she unlocked her car.
"I'm really tired," she told him as she slipped behind the wheel.
"How bout letting me follow you home and make sure you get there safe?"
Sydney looked over the parking lot trying to see what her partner was seeing. Relying on his judgement she nodded her head in agreement. Watching from him review mirror she waited until Gage got in his car then began to pull out. As she towards the street she was cut off by another car crossing in front of her and screeching to a halt blocking her exit.
"What's the hurry?" one of the two men from inside the car asked swinging his door open to advance on Syd's car. The second one had gotten out now to coming to the passenger door trying to get in.
"Boys I really don't want any trouble," Syd smiled sweetly at the two of them recognizing them as the two Gage had put out of the club earlier. "So how about you just pull your car out of the way and let me pass."
"How bout you just open that door and get in our car with us Mel and I will show you what a good time is all about," the spokesman for the two smiled pulling up on the door handle of the car.
"You will?" Syd asked smiling at the man.
"Sure will Honey," he replied feeling confident that she was going to take them up on their offer.
All of a sudden the car door flew into the man knocking him backwards unto the pavement. His buddy Mel started around the car towards Syd. "You're going to pay for that girl," he shouted at Sydney just as Gage squealed to a stop getting out of his car to aid his partner.
"Unless you get back in that car and get out of here you are the one going to be paying for it," he informed Mel who took a swing at Gage. Ducking the punch Gage made a few fast moves pinning Mel's arm behind him and forcing him forward across the trunk of Syd's car.
Sydney's assailant had gotten off the ground making a lunge for her that only caused him to catch her foot square to the side of his head. A few moves later and Mel's partner was in the same position as Mel was Syd holding him tight against the car.
"I asked you once to move your car and let me pass," Syd repeated herself, "Now I'm telling yeah.
"All right you win," Mel, told her having had his fill for one night.
Letting go of the two of them they licked their wounds and got in their car and drove off.
"You okay," Gage asked standing behind her.
"Yeah fine," Syd replied. "You still interested in that cup of coffee?"
"Love one are you buying?" Gage teased.
"Tell you what follow me home and I'll make us some," she smiled getting in behind the wheel of her car.
"Right behind you," Gage told her closing her door and going back to his.
~~~~~
Turning into her driveway Syd looked into her mirror catching sight of her partner's car making sure he was still following. "Its only coffee," her mind said as Gage parked beside her. He came around to her side of the car as she opened the door, the cold night air catching her and she shivered against it.
"Cold Shorty?" Gage asked his arm automatically going around her and she leaned against him.
"Sydney what are you doing? What are you thinking?" She questioned herself relishing the feel of her partner against her.
As these thoughts ran through Syd's mind Gage was having a few thoughts of his own. "You feel so good Honey… Gage you are looking for trouble… but Syd I can't help feeling this way."
Fumbling with her keys Gage took them from her hands opening the door and they entered into the dark apartment. She reached for the light switch his hand was on hers turning her to face him a streak of light from outside shining across her face. There was a comforting silence between them as Gage took Syd in his arms their lips meeting in a deep kiss. His arms were suddenly lifting her, carrying her through the apartment to her bedroom, to her bed. Quietly and unhurried they made love, the passion they shared was unrivalled by none falling asleep in each other's arms.
~~~~~
"So who is your new hostess?" John Knight asked Jack Swanson as he joined him for a nightcap and a cigar.
"Girl named Tina something or another, hot little thing isn't she," Swanson smiled.
"Tina aye?" Knight grinned, "funny when she was best friends with my deceased wife she was Sydney Cooke Texas Ranger."
Swanson sat straight up in his chair looking at Knight, "Texas Ranger you can't be serious?"
"Very serious," Knight replied puffing on his cigar. "In fact the last time I saw her was a few years ago, I had just given Tammy a black eye. She came breaking in like gangbusters broke my nose. I owe her."
"I'll have to give this some thought," Swanson said throwing down his brandy, "I need to know what the Texas Rangers and Ranger Cooke think they are up to."
Knight lifted his glass as to toast and through the brandy down as well smiling at his companion.
