A/N: I finally had enough time to sit down and write. Thank you so much for your patience. :] Sorry for the delay. This chapter was hard to write, but in good way. When I first wrote this, things went in a different direction than what it is now, but after a week or so, I decided to change it. This chapter could've played out in so many different ways, but I finally decided to just stick with one idea. I hope you like it. :]
He decided to try to call Sydney again and on the third ring, his phone call was answered.
"Hello?"
It wasn't Sydney though; it was the voice of an unfamiliar male.
"Who is this?" Gage asked,
"You're the caller, so you should already know who I am." The man said.
"Yeah, I called Syd, and last time I checked, her voice is wayyyy higher than this. Where is she?
"Sydney's asleep. I guess that explains why I answered her phone."
Gage was starting to get impatient. Who was this guy that was over at Sydney's house? "Who ARE you anyway?
"Whoa, calm down, buddy. You have nothing to worry about. We're just –."
"How am I supposed to calm down when I'm her partner and she hasn't shown up for work yet? That's not like Syd to not tell me that she wouldn't be at work. We're also best friends and right now I'm talking to a complete stranger that's answered Syd's phone while she's asleep, but I have nothing to worry about? Do I come across to you as stupid?"
The man on the other line let out a chuckle, followed by a sigh. "You know Gage, I was planning on being nice, but since you asked me that, I'll give you an honest answer. Yes, you do come off as stupid to me. I think you're a douchebag of a best friend/partner for slamming the door in her face. She WALKED to your house at midnight to talk to you after you ignored her phone calls and you SLAMMED the door in her face? Did I mention she WALKED to your house at midnight? Dude, what the hell were you thinking?"
"That isn't any of your business." The anger in Gage's voice was evident.
"It BECAME my business when Syd called me and asked me to pick her up. You seriously got upset because she was on the phone? You're worse than a possessive boyfriend. Look, I have to go. Sydney should be waking up and I'm making her breakfast." Without another word, the man hung up the phone.
Gage clenched his jaw and slouched back into his chair. He sat like that for a few seconds and began his work, occasionally glancing at Syd's empty desk.
"She took the day off, Gage. She has company to take care of. " Walker said, snapping Gage out of his thoughts.
"I know," Gage replied. He stood up and decided to take a walk.
The blonde ranger found himself walking to Alex's office. He needed to sort this out with someone to make sure he wasn't crazy.
Alex looked up to see a very frazzled looking Gage.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"Alex, just hear me out."
"Mmmkay."
"Two days ago, everything was completely normal. Then, Julie calls me to tell me that she's engaged. Syd and I have dinner and she thinks that I have feelings for some woman." Gage said aloud. "Then later on that night, Julie's friend calls me and asks me to babysit. I went over to babysit, but stayed the night since they were already comfortable in their house."
Alex nodded.
"The next day, Syd assumes that I was with a woman and tells me she was jealous of her. She also told me that she made a mistake for falling for me. Got that?"
"Mhhmm." Alex said.
Gage continued his rant.
"After that, she goes back to work, but not after shedding a tear or two. We went on assignment, and after work, she asks me for a ride. When we got to her place, she kisses me. You follow me?"
"Crystal Clear."
"Then we go in her living room, and it's completely silent. She happily answers her phone and runs outside."
"Then you called me and asked if Syd was seeing anyone and I told you no." Alex picked up, adding on to Gage's rant.
"Right. You said she wasn't seeing anyone. But she was still on the phone ten, fifteen minutes after I got off the phone with you. So I left. She tries to call me, but at this point I'm a bit upset. So I didn't answer. She comes knocking at my door a little after midnight asking to talk. My mood was already killed so out of anger, I sent her back home. This morning she doesn't show up for work, so I called to check up on her. This dude answers her phone. He obviously stayed the night because he's making her breakfast. Alex, am I missing something? Just YESTERDAY Syd tells me she's falling for me and that night she kissed me but this morning she has a boyfriend?"
"What makes you think she has a boyfriend?"
"It's obvious. What man stays the night with a lady and just decides to make her breakfast in bed?"
Alex shook her head and starting laughing. "I'm sorry Gage, but you're funny when you're jealous. You are jumping conclusions and you're over analyzing things." Alex chuckled before continuing. "I'm sorry. Are you done venting?" Alex asked.
"Yeah, but you're supposed to be helping me."
"Okay, Okay. He's definitely not her boyfriend. It's not even like that."
"You know the guy?"
"Yes, I know him. I've known him for a couple of months. You don't have anything to worry about, really."
"That's what he said."
"He's absolutely right. Just give her some space. That's all I'm going to say. Now not to kick you out of my office, but I have loads to do and I'm sure Walker needs you. I'll talk to you later."
- Meanwhile, at Sydney's House-
Syd was awakened by a soft knock at her bedroom door.
"Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey!" The voice said behind the door.
"Oh, you made food? Come in."
The man came in with a plate of blueberry pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs with a glass of orange juice. He handed the food to Syd and sat down on the empty space on the bed.
"Guess who just called not too long ago?"
Syd thought for a second, and knew who it was. "What did he want?"
"He wanted to know why you weren't at work. He sure wasn't expecting a guy to pick up the phone. He got angrier and more jealous as our conversation went."
"Well good, serves him right."
"You know Sydney, I've never seen a relationship as complicated as you and gage's."
"Mike, we're NOT in a relationship."
"Yet…. You have feelings for him, and he has feelings for you. Why is it so hard for you guys to see that? From what you and Alex have been telling me, Gage is a great guy. You and him will make a great couple."
Sydney looked down at her food and blushed.
"See, you're not denying it. You know it's true."
"Not exactly. I find it hard to believe that he has feelings for me."
The man named Mike lifted his legs onto the bed and leaned against the pillows. He then turned to face Sydney before speaking again.
"Sydney Cooke, you are one stubborn piece of work. He talked about how he felt about you. He wouldn't have said your name if he didn't feel that way, that Stephanie girl told you, too. Heck, he even told you himself before you kissed him. If he didn't like you, he wouldn't have stayed."
"I'm not sure. I mean, he's my best friend. I don't want to ruin that. He's also my partner. I don't want to risk us not working out. Imagine how awkward that'll be for us?"
"Then don't think like that. You're not putting your guard down. Maybe that's why he's holding back. Just give it a try. "
"Mmmm, I'll think about it."
Syd pushed Mike with her feet. "Now shoo, I want to finish my breakfast in peace."
"Or you want to think about Gage." Mike teased.
"Shut up and get out!"
Mike laughed and went into the living room. He watched TV for a while, then he decided to go take a shower. As soon as he stood up, Sydney's phone vibrated. He looked towards her room before answering it.
"Hey Alex, how's it going?"
"Hi Mike. I see you've picked up a habit of answering Syd's phone."
"No, not really. She was asleep the first time I answering and now she's just in her room. Do you need her for something?"
"Something like that. I just wanted to let her know that Gage seriously thought that you were her boyfriend. What did you tell him that made him so upset?"
"Nothing really. He's just frustrated I guess. Sydney won't accept the fact that Gage likes her back. She's just too stubborn to let her guard down."
"She's just scared. All they need is a boost. Since they can't seem to realize that they're perfect for eachother, then I guess we have to help them."
"And how can we do that?"
"It's simple; set them up on a date."
"Tonight?"
"Yeah. They won't know anything until then, but after this date, they won't have a choice but to become a couple."
"How are we going to get both of them there, then?"
"Easy. Let's say I received an award today for my outstanding work as D.A and we're celerating with dinner. I'll invite gage and of course he'll say yeah. Trivette can't make it because he and Erica are busy and Syd's somewhere with you. I'll tell Gage to meet us at the restaurant. "
"How can I convince Syd to go out?"
"Tell her you're thanking her for letting you stay at her place. When you get there, you go to the bathroom and never come back."
Alex and Mike then discussed which restaurant they're meeting at and what time. They then thought of a plan B just in case.
After hanging up the phone, Mike turned the TV off. He went to take a shower and afterwards, he remained in the guestroom , looking for something to wear that night. He then returned to the living room to see Syd on the couch reading a book.
"I was just thinking. It's time that I've done something nice for you. How about I take you out for dinner, my treat?"
"How about… NO!" Syd replied.
"Why not? You're letting me stay in your apartment, eat your food, watch your TV, and I think that dinner will be a nice way to say thank you."
"You're visiting me. Where else would you stay?"
"A hotel maybe? You and I hated eachother for the longest. I didn't think you'd let me stay here."
"That's the past. We hatED eachother, but now we get along, Besides, you're my stepbrother. You don't have to say thank you."
"Well, the least I can do is take you out. I insist."
"Okay, I'll go. I can tell you won't give up until I agree to go. What time?"
"6:30. Oh, and wear a dress. "
"I refuse to wear a dress. Is this a fancy restaurant?"
"Yes it is. Don't argue with me. I've already made the reservations."
-At ranger headquarters-
Walker was at his desk when he received an email from his wife.
We've come up with a plan to get Gage and Sydney together. Just go along with what I say and ask me out to dinner.
He smirked at the message and looked at Gage. He was in trouble, especially since Alex had something to do with the surprise.
Trivette received a similar email.
I'm going to invite you to dinner. Your job is to tell me that you're busy. Don't ask why, just do it. Ask questions later and don't say anything out loud about this email.
Of course Trivette was puzzled. He looked over at Walker, who glanced at Gage. Trivette furrowed his eye brow in confusion. Walker then mouthed the word "date"
Alex came into the room with a big smile across her face.
"Walker, guess who I just got off the phone with?"
"I don't know sweetie, you tell me."
"You remember that award I've been telling you about?"
"Yeah, the one that the governor gives out?" He improvised.
"Yes! I won it! The ceremony is tomorrow! I'm so excited! "
"That's great hun." Walker got up and kissed his wife. "How about we go out for dinner to celebrate?"
"That sounds like an excellent idea. You guys should join us."
"Yeah, we could use some company."
"I would love to, but I'm busy," Trivette said. "Erica and I have to eat dinner at her parent's house."
"How about you Gage?" Alex asked, hoping he would say yes.
"Uhhh, sure."
"I already talked to Sydney and she has other plans." Alex told the group,
"So what time should we eat?" Gage asked, of course always thinking about food.
"Meet us at 7. And please wear something nice. It's a fancy restaurant."
The next few hours passed by and when 6:00 rolled around, Sydney started to get ready.
She put on a blue strapless dress that went to just above her knees. Then, she applied light makeup to her face and curled her hair. She didn't want to overdo her outfit; just something simple, but dressy. 6:30 shone on her clock and she went to the living rom. The guestroom door was closed and Sydney didn't want to seem impatient. She sat on the couch and waited. At 6:40, she knocked on the door.
"Mike, are you ready? "
"Sorry, I overslept. " He lied. "I'll be ready in ten minutes."
"But we're already late." Syd replied.
"I called the place. They know that."
Sydney and Mike arrived at 6:50. They followed the hostess to a table and took their seats. Since the hostess was in on the plan, she made sure that nobody sat around the two so Gage and Syd could have enough space and privacy to talk alone.
Five minutes later, Mike announced he was going to the bathroom. He got up, and made his way to the back exit. He called Alex to make sure everything was going smoothly and he left.
Sydney was drinking some water when she realized that Mike hadn't returned. She tapped her fingers on the table impatiently, deciding to give him another minute before she called him.
Gage arrived at the restaurant at 7:00. He was wearing a black dress shirt and dark jeans. He went inside and asked if the Walkers had been seated.
The hostess named Tiffany smiled and nodded her head. You must be ranger gage.
"Yes ma'am. I am."
"Follow me, they're right this way."
Gage followed Tiffany and when she stopped at the table, he could not believe who was sitting there.
"Have a seat," She said. The shock on both the ranger's faces was priceless.
Gage did as he was told without a word.
Syd was the first to speak up.
"What's going on? This must be a misunderstanding."
The hostess smiled. "It is a misunderstanding on your part. Now allow me."
She lit a candle that was in the center of the table. She reached in her pocket and sprinkled rose petals around the candle. The two rangers just stared in complete shock and disbelief.
"Now Francis Gage, and Sydney Cooke, enjoy your date." She said, breaking the silence and walked away.
The next chapter will be the last. Questions about Mike will be answered there too. Homecoming is this week, so I definitely will not have the next chapter out unless I'm doing nothing on Saturday. If not, then I can't tell you when the next update will be. :[ I'll try to have it out within the next two weeks.
Please review. I know most people have forgotten about this story or just stopped reading because of the lack of updates, but they make me feel better.
:]
