Disclaimer: I lay no claim on Walker, Texas Ranger or any of its characters.
A/N: Just a head's up, because of this chapter I'm changing the rating for the story to T.
Chapter 9
The first thing Gage did when he got home was shower. After three days roughing it, he smelled anything but good. He was just getting out when he heard his doorbell ring. "Hold on a minute!" he shouted before drying off and jumping into a well-earned clean pair of boxers and sweats. He was walking to the door as the bell sounded again.
He opened it and when he saw it was Sydney, he silently gave thanks for actually getting dressed and not answering the door in his robe. That would have been a little bit awkward, especially now. "Hey Syd," he greeted clearly happy to see her. "Impatient are we?"
"Well knowing you, I just figured you were sleeping or ignoring the door."
"Would I do that?" he asked feigning insult as he stepped aside to let her hobble in.
"Probably," she quipped slapping him in the ribs. She was a little surprised when Gage caught her arm and pulled her close for a kiss but she soon allowed herself to get lost in it and her senses to take over. Never one for facial hair, she savored his once again smooth face and that combination of aftershave and body wash – the scent that was all his – the one she'd only ever been able to enjoy from afar until now.
When they parted, Gage led her to a stool at his kitchen island. "So what brings you here? Not that I'm complaining of course."
"Well after Trivette left, I jumped in the shower and when I was drying my hair, I happened to glance at the calendar and remembered today was New Years' Eve."
"And you figured there was no one better to ring in the New Year with than yours truly," Gage finished.
"Not to further inflate your ego, but yes. So I got in a cab, stopped off at a convenience store and grabbed the necessary party favors and snacks and came over," Sydney finished gesturing to the bag she'd set on the counter.
At the prospect of food, Gage lit up. He immediately dove into the bag, exclaiming like he'd won the lottery when he came up with his favorite chips and soda, not to mention the New Years' crowns and noisemakers. Sydney smiled at his child-like behavior "Glad you approve. The only thing missing is the dinner food; I thought we could order a pizza."
"With everything on it?"
Sydney winced at the thought. "Okay, two pizzas – one with everything and one with just pepperoni."
"Deal." Gage grabbed a take out menu and the phone. Sydney listened as he ordered but her thoughts soon began to wander as she yet again realized her partner was in front of her and shirtless. She'd been taken back by it when he opened the door like that but ignored it so she could focus on a conversation with him. Now with nothing else to do, she moved her gaze to his well-toned chest and abs. She knew he took care of himself; they both made good use of the Ranger Gym whether it be weight lifting, the treadmill or her favorite – sparring.
Sydney had just started daydreaming about those strong, capable arms around her when she realized it wasn't a dream. Gage had finished ordering the pizza, saw the dreamy look on her face and crept over behind her where he snaked his arms around her slender waist. She smiled and leaned into him.
"Hey," he whispered.
"Hey yourself." Sydney wrapped her arms around his and tilted her head back for a kiss. Unlike their others, this one was deep and passionate and when they broke away both were breathless.
"So the pizzas won't be here for about an hour. I vote we move to more comfortable quarters – like the couch."
"I agree." Sydney grabbed her crutches and followed Gage to his living room. She watched as he sat down and grabbed the remote before extending his arm across the back of the couch, inviting her to join him, an invitation she quickly obliged to. Sydney snuggled in to his side with her leg on the coffee table and Gage's arm around her.
He flipped on the TV and found an action movie. While it was interesting, the stress of the last few days quickly caught up with them and they were soon fast asleep in each others' arms.
Under the fog of sleep, Sydney vaguely heard the doorbell ring and then felt Gage get up and lay her back down on the couch. Still, she didn't stir, she was too comfortable.
With her eyes still shut, she listened to Gage's conversation with the delivery boy. The poor guy was stuck delivering food to happy party-goers for another three hours. Sydney heard Gage offer some sympathy and no doubt a bigger tip before the door closed. Only then did she tentatively open her eyes.
Gage had set the boxes on the island and was now pulling out a couple of plates. Sydney watched as he put two slices on hers and three on his, grabbed a few napkins and headed back over to her. He put the plates on the table and then sat on the edge facing her. "You're awake," he said tucking a few stray strands of hair behind her ear. "Did you sleep okay?"
Sydney yawned and stretched before pulling herself up. "Yeah, I must have had a good pillow."
Gage smiled and handed her a plate before picking up his own. "I hope so. I'd hate to have had my arm fall asleep for nothing."
"Well I could have slept in the chair if I knew I was going to bother you."
"Nah," Gage replied moving to sit beside her, "you can sleep on me anytime."
The two ate their pizza in silence while watching the news, something they'd missed out on the last few days. When they were done, Sydney stacked the plates and reached for her crutches.
"Woah, woah, woah. Where do you think you're going?" Gage held out his hand to stop her.
"I'm going to clean up."
"I don't think so," he stood and took the plates from her hands.
Sydney rolled her eyes. "Gage, I'm perfectly capable of washing a couple of plates.
"Just how do you plan on holding them and your crutches and then standing at the sink to wash them? I'll do it."
Even though she wanted to argue, she knew Gage had a point. "Fine, I'll just go use the bathroom then." She grabbed her purse and hobbled off to the bathroom. Once she'd gone to the bathroom she looked in the mirror cringing at the sight of her messy hair and the remnants of grease from the pizza around her mouth. After she brushed her teeth, washed the toothpaste and sauce off her face and ran a brush through her hair, she deemed herself presentable again.
When Sydney returned to the living room she saw that Gage not only washed the dishes but also put the pizzas in the refrigerator and cleaned up the counter. Now he was plopped on the couch surfing through the channels. She headed over, "Is there room for one more?"
"Of course." He sat up to give her space to sit and when she did he automatically wound his arm around her waist. "So, it's a little before 7 – I figured we can watch a movie or two and then watch the ball drop; sound good?"
"Yeah but are we really going to last 5 hours? We already fell asleep once tonight."
"Tell you what; I'll set an alarm for 11:30 so if we do, we'll wake up in time."
Sydney nodded and watched as Gage set the alarm on his cell phone. "So what are we watching?"
"I don't know. It's a comedy so I figured why not."
They settled in to watch it, laughing occasionally at the characters' antics but within an hour, as Sydney predicted, both we once again fast asleep.
Sometime later, Gage's sleep was interrupted by an insistent ringing. He opened his eyes and saw his phone alarm going off. He grabbed it and silenced it, surprised to see that Sydney had slept through it.
"Syd, wake up. It's 11:30." Sydney moaned and snuggled deeper into his shoulder. "Come on, you don't want to miss the New Year."
"Okay," she mumbled.
Gage flipped the TV to the New Years' Eve special as Sydney finally opened her eyes. Mariah Carey was onstage singing her latest single while the crowd in Times Square cheered. She sat up straighter and Gage went to get them both a drink.
Sydney only made it through about ten minutes before she was dozing again. Gage knew she was tired but this was the start of their first year together – she couldn't miss it!
"Syd – come on, only 20 more minutes."
"Mmm hmm," she mumbled, her eyes remaining shut. Gage knew he'd have to switch tactics if he was going to wake her. He slowly began planting kisses along her jaw. When he got to her ear, he gently nipped at her earlobe.
Even half asleep, Sydney tilted her neck to give him better access. Gage began trailing his kisses down her neck as his fingers found the edge of her sweater. Moving it aside slightly, he began stroking her bare skin. Now he had her attention.
Their lips met for a fiery kiss as Sydney's hands began a journey of their own. As she began to caress his chest, Gage stopped her.
"Syd, we don't have to; I mean I'm not –"
"Shh." She laid her fingers across his lips to silence him and then replaced them with her own lips. As she ran her tongue against his lips, he pressed her back against the couch and their tongues met to create a dance of their own.
When they broke, Gage returned to his exploration of her neck, placing wet kisses all the way to her collarbone as his hands finally delved under that sweater, fluttering across her stomach where they stopped to gently stroked the sensitive skin above it.
Gage was creating sensations in her body that Sydney hadn't felt for a long time and when he carefully laid her down, positioning himself on top of her, she could feel that the same things were happening to him.
"Please Gage," she whispered, "Francis, please take me to your room."
Those were the last words Gage ever expected to come out of Sydney's mouth. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, please." She pressed herself into him and captured his lips once more.
Gage carefully stood with his beautiful girlfriend in his arms. Behind him, he could vaguely hear the countdown on TV.
6… He began walking as Sydney wound her hands into his hair, bringing him close for another kiss.
5…
4… He passed through the short hallway not even feeling his arm hit the wall as Sydney nibbled at his neck, his skin igniting under her touch.
3…
2… He pushed against the door and it slowly opened as the two disappeared inside.
1…
As the cheering began on TV, the door swung shut. On the other side, Sydney and Gage had a celebration of their own.
