Chapter 4
By the end of the second day Gage was feeling much better and wanting to get home.
"Your doctor told you tomorrow," Syd reminded him.
"I know, I know but I don't see what the difference is. I just want to get out of here so every time I try to kiss you someone doesn't walk in."
Syd smiled at him and gave him a peck on his cheek.
"You are being careful aren't you?"
"This is about the twentieth time you have asked me that today Gage."
"I know, but being stuck here I've got nothing better to do but worry about you," he said swinging his legs over the edge of the bed and taking her in his arms.
Reaching up Syd put her arms around his neck moving towards him for a kiss as her phone rang. Instead she leaned her forehead against Gage's forehead as he reached in her pocket and retrieved her phone handing it to her.
"Ranger Cooke," she smiled at Gage as she answered it. "Hey Trivette, you found it, I'll tell Gage. Thanks for calling."
"Tell me what?"
"That they found the green SUV they think ran you off the road. It's just been towed in to compare the paint samples. It is part of the Marsello fleet, and they had it hidden in one of their warehouses. It's all smashed up on the passenger side with the same colour paint as your car."
The door opened before anything more could be said and Gage's doctor came in.
"I've just looked over your last set of x-rays and everything looks good. I know you are anxious to get out of here so if you promise to take things easy, I'll let you out now."
"You've got my word on that," Syd spoke up.
**********
"I thought that you were looking after things Arthur," John Marsello Sr. questioned his lawyer.
"I have John, Do you know who Ron Mitchell is?"
Marsello shook his head no as Arthur Davis explained further, "He worked out of our Galveston operation up until a few months ago when it was discovered he has lung cancer."
"What does that have to do with us?"
"A few years back he had a run in with Ranger Gage and now with this disease hanging over his head and a wife and two kids two hundred and fifty thousand dollars can go a long way. He is confessing to the crime of stealing the SUV and going after the Ranger to even the score before he died."
"Very good Arthur, hopefully John Jr. will keep his promise. At the end of the month he will be going out to California to visit with my brother. Maybe the change will inspire him to do something with his life," Marsello spoke trying to convince himself more then Davis.
**********
Within in the hour Syd was on her way home with Gage. As Syd closed the apartment door she turned around to see Gage still standing there not moving. Syd had, had the carpets cleaned and things straightened up but it was all still fresh in her mind as well.
"Okay Gage?" she asked, "It was hard for me to come in here the first time too," she took his hand as she spoke. They walked together into the living room and sat on the couch.
"I seem tired all of a sudden," Gage yawned.
"Then lay back and rest while I fix us something to eat."
"Don't go to any trouble Syd."
"Relax we have to eat don't we?"
He stopped arguing knowing there was really no point when Syd had decided on something. He lay his head down and closing his eyes fell asleep almost instantly. Taking the blanket from the back of the couch she pulled it over him.
Syd took the opportunity to grab a quick shower, before starting on dinner. She was just putting things on the table when Gage joined her in the kitchen.
"Smells good in here Syd."
"I hope you're hungry there's lots. Sit down."
Even though they had enjoyed many meals together in the past this was some how different. Even though they had grown closer and more intimate in the last few days there was still a nervous tension between them. Almost that first date feeling. As dinner finished Syd jumped up to clear up the kitchen, Gage volunteering to help.
"You are recovering go sit in the living room and put your feet up," she told him coming up behind him putting her arms around his neck. Gage turned taking her in his arms as all the apprehension that was plaguing them began to disappear.
"I'll make you a deal I'll relax but I'm going to stay here and keep you company."
"Okay you win but only cause you have been shot and in an accident," she laughed as she caught his lips with hers.
Breaking away from him it took her very little time to get things finished up. With Gage's arm around her they walked back into the living room. Sitting down they both made a dive for the remote as they playfully fought over it. Finally Gage came up the winner just as there was a knock on the door. Still laughing from all the tickling Gage had inflicted on her Syd went to answer it.
"Who is it?" she asked as she looked through the peephole of her door.
"Delivery for a Ranger Cooke from Ranger headquarters," came the voice from the other side of the door.
Looking at the figure on the other side of the door everything seemed in order. Gage listening to the exchange had gotten up to join her at the door. Her service weapon was on the table where she had left it and Gage picked it up as he passed by it slipping the safety off. Syd turned the lock as the figure on the other side burst in followed by two accomplices. The three of them had thought that Sydney was there by herself and would be easy to take. None of them had counted on having to face her partner as well.
Syd moved into action as did Gage as best he could. All of a sudden one of them was running at Syd with a knife. Gage yelled for the attacker to stop the man ignoring him. As his hand moved back to strike Syd with the knife Gage fired the gun the attacker falling to the floor. Syd took off after the other two coming back with one in custody. Gage had slide to the floor in pain from the altercation they had just come through.
Cuffing her suspect to the table leg Syd went to her partner, "Are you all right?" she asked kneeling beside her partner and helping him up.
"Better then him," Gage smiled motioning to the still figure on the floor. It was John Marsello Jr.
**********
Chapter 5
"Those two meddling Rangers are going to pay for this," fumed the elder Marsello, "they have killed John. He was just a kid how could they have shot and killed a defenceless kid?"
"John take it easy John Jr. and his friends went to Ranger Cooke's apartment, forced their way in and attacked her with a knife. Her partner acted to save her life," Arthur Davis tried to point out to his friend trying to console him.
"They were unable to prove that it was John Jr. that ran the Ranger off the road so they set up their own scheme to take justice into their own hands," lamented Marsello. "I want them permanently taken care of. I will not let this go unanswered."
"John think about what you are saying..."
"I have," he shouted cutting Davis off, "If you have no stomach for this then I'll find some one that does. Get out of my office Arthur."
Davis turned and walked out he had never seen his friend so furious or committed. He dared not think what John might do; instead he went to his office and had his secretary book for himself and his wife a long extended vacation.
**********
Gage and Syd sat quietly together on the couch, Gage leaning against her exhausted from the earlier attack.
"I think we had better get you into bed Gage or was that not enough excitement for you first day home from the hospital?"
"This couch was pretty comfortable this afternoon," he told her not wanting to take her bed from her, "I'll sleep here you go ahead I'll be fine."
"The only reason you'll be fine is because you are coming with me to sleep in the bedroom."
Gage was about to say something when she cut him off, "I'm not doing this because I am totally selfless. It's for me too I want to have you close to me so I can reach out and know you are there safe with me. So no more argument lets go to bed."
The two of them made their way to the bedroom. Syd turned the bedcovers back as they undressed and slipped into bed. Moving over beside Gage she put her arms around him as he lay against her closing his eyes. Reaching over Syd switched off the light and kissing him lightly on the forehead whispered goodnight. Gage murmured slightly and putting his arm around her, pulled her closer drifting off to sleep.
**********
The Next Week...
Syd and Gage had rode into headquarters together. Gage was still staying with Syd and she wouldn't have it any other way.
Walker and Trivette had easily tracked down the third attacker and after some persuasion had gotten each of them to tell their version of what had happened. Both stories lead back to John Marsello Jr. as the mastermind behind the crimes, the home invasions, the attempt on Gage, the murder of Nicky Tanner and the final attempt on Syd.
With the confessions Alex was all but assured of a conviction, it was decided that a celebration was in order. Everyone agreed to meet later at CD's.
"Are you coming Trivette?" Gage asked as he watched him dial the phone.
"Just as soon as I get hold of Erika so she can join us, I'll see you over there," he replied waving them on as the phone connected.
Syd was all ready at the elevator and Gage hurried to catch up. They emerged into the parking garage and Gage hung his arm around Syd's shoulder as they walked towards her car. Suddenly from nowhere a van screeched out in front of them nearly hitting them as a second one came up behind them. Four assailants jumped from each van and even though they fought them they were still overpowered. The elevator doors opened just in time for Trivette to see Syd being shoved in the second van.
"Hey," Trivette shouted as he pulled his phone out and began dialling Walker, running to his car at the same time. Putting the car in gear he squealed after the fleeing vans.
Walker after hearing what Trivette had to say instinctively spun his Ram around speeding to intercept the vans.
The vans were headed to the warehouse district of town to the Marsello's warehouses. Pulling right into one of them the doors shut behind them hiding the vehicles from view, but not before Trivette saw where they had gone. Walker came screeching up beside him moments later.
"Alex call for backup," Walker told her as he got out of his truck to join Trivette.
**********
Gage held Syd in his arms as the guards held their weapons trained on them. They had struck Syd in the head causing a small gash in her head where the blood trickled out causing her to momentarily loose consciousness.
"I'm all right Gage," she told him trying to sit up.
"Stay down Syd," he whispered back as the vans sped into the warehouse, coming to a halt.
The doors opened and the partners were ordered out. Gage helped Syd out and put his arm around her supporting her.
"And now you know how my son felt when his life was about to be ended by you two," came a voice from the shadows. Slowly John Marsello Sr. stepped into the light to reveal himself.
"We acted in self defence," Gage declared as Marsello walked up to him until he was only inches away.
"Keep saying it Ranger maybe your maker will believe you, you'll be meeting him shortly," then looking at the guards he told them, "Kill them and dispose of the bodies.
No sooner were the words out Marsello's mouth then Walker and Trivette jumped from their vantage points above the scene that was playing out below. As they dropped to the ground they each knocked two of the guards to the floor giving Syd and Gage an opportunity to spring into action.
The guards and Marsello were soon brought down, as the cuffs were being put on Marsello he was whimpering to himself, "My boy didn't deserve to die."
"Maybe if you had let him take his punishment for his crimes then he would be with you now," Walker answered him.
***********
Syd and Gage were the last to get to CD's. After what had happened Gage had insisted that Syd go to the hospital to be checked out. With the exception of a slight headache Syd was fine. That didn't stop her partner from keeping very close tabs on her though, and keeping his arm protectively around her.
"I don't know about you Syd but this has been a long day," Gage stated to her.
Glad to take his lead Syd readily agreed she was ready to go home too. The rest said their goodnights smiling that understanding smile as the two of them left arm in arm.
Once outside Gage put his arm around her telling her it was his turn to look after her now. Syd gratefully leaned on her partner.
"I'm all yours," she told him as he helped her into the car.
Then getting in the car himself he told her, "And I mean to keep it that way." Putting the car in gear he headed it for home.
The End
By the end of the second day Gage was feeling much better and wanting to get home.
"Your doctor told you tomorrow," Syd reminded him.
"I know, I know but I don't see what the difference is. I just want to get out of here so every time I try to kiss you someone doesn't walk in."
Syd smiled at him and gave him a peck on his cheek.
"You are being careful aren't you?"
"This is about the twentieth time you have asked me that today Gage."
"I know, but being stuck here I've got nothing better to do but worry about you," he said swinging his legs over the edge of the bed and taking her in his arms.
Reaching up Syd put her arms around his neck moving towards him for a kiss as her phone rang. Instead she leaned her forehead against Gage's forehead as he reached in her pocket and retrieved her phone handing it to her.
"Ranger Cooke," she smiled at Gage as she answered it. "Hey Trivette, you found it, I'll tell Gage. Thanks for calling."
"Tell me what?"
"That they found the green SUV they think ran you off the road. It's just been towed in to compare the paint samples. It is part of the Marsello fleet, and they had it hidden in one of their warehouses. It's all smashed up on the passenger side with the same colour paint as your car."
The door opened before anything more could be said and Gage's doctor came in.
"I've just looked over your last set of x-rays and everything looks good. I know you are anxious to get out of here so if you promise to take things easy, I'll let you out now."
"You've got my word on that," Syd spoke up.
**********
"I thought that you were looking after things Arthur," John Marsello Sr. questioned his lawyer.
"I have John, Do you know who Ron Mitchell is?"
Marsello shook his head no as Arthur Davis explained further, "He worked out of our Galveston operation up until a few months ago when it was discovered he has lung cancer."
"What does that have to do with us?"
"A few years back he had a run in with Ranger Gage and now with this disease hanging over his head and a wife and two kids two hundred and fifty thousand dollars can go a long way. He is confessing to the crime of stealing the SUV and going after the Ranger to even the score before he died."
"Very good Arthur, hopefully John Jr. will keep his promise. At the end of the month he will be going out to California to visit with my brother. Maybe the change will inspire him to do something with his life," Marsello spoke trying to convince himself more then Davis.
**********
Within in the hour Syd was on her way home with Gage. As Syd closed the apartment door she turned around to see Gage still standing there not moving. Syd had, had the carpets cleaned and things straightened up but it was all still fresh in her mind as well.
"Okay Gage?" she asked, "It was hard for me to come in here the first time too," she took his hand as she spoke. They walked together into the living room and sat on the couch.
"I seem tired all of a sudden," Gage yawned.
"Then lay back and rest while I fix us something to eat."
"Don't go to any trouble Syd."
"Relax we have to eat don't we?"
He stopped arguing knowing there was really no point when Syd had decided on something. He lay his head down and closing his eyes fell asleep almost instantly. Taking the blanket from the back of the couch she pulled it over him.
Syd took the opportunity to grab a quick shower, before starting on dinner. She was just putting things on the table when Gage joined her in the kitchen.
"Smells good in here Syd."
"I hope you're hungry there's lots. Sit down."
Even though they had enjoyed many meals together in the past this was some how different. Even though they had grown closer and more intimate in the last few days there was still a nervous tension between them. Almost that first date feeling. As dinner finished Syd jumped up to clear up the kitchen, Gage volunteering to help.
"You are recovering go sit in the living room and put your feet up," she told him coming up behind him putting her arms around his neck. Gage turned taking her in his arms as all the apprehension that was plaguing them began to disappear.
"I'll make you a deal I'll relax but I'm going to stay here and keep you company."
"Okay you win but only cause you have been shot and in an accident," she laughed as she caught his lips with hers.
Breaking away from him it took her very little time to get things finished up. With Gage's arm around her they walked back into the living room. Sitting down they both made a dive for the remote as they playfully fought over it. Finally Gage came up the winner just as there was a knock on the door. Still laughing from all the tickling Gage had inflicted on her Syd went to answer it.
"Who is it?" she asked as she looked through the peephole of her door.
"Delivery for a Ranger Cooke from Ranger headquarters," came the voice from the other side of the door.
Looking at the figure on the other side of the door everything seemed in order. Gage listening to the exchange had gotten up to join her at the door. Her service weapon was on the table where she had left it and Gage picked it up as he passed by it slipping the safety off. Syd turned the lock as the figure on the other side burst in followed by two accomplices. The three of them had thought that Sydney was there by herself and would be easy to take. None of them had counted on having to face her partner as well.
Syd moved into action as did Gage as best he could. All of a sudden one of them was running at Syd with a knife. Gage yelled for the attacker to stop the man ignoring him. As his hand moved back to strike Syd with the knife Gage fired the gun the attacker falling to the floor. Syd took off after the other two coming back with one in custody. Gage had slide to the floor in pain from the altercation they had just come through.
Cuffing her suspect to the table leg Syd went to her partner, "Are you all right?" she asked kneeling beside her partner and helping him up.
"Better then him," Gage smiled motioning to the still figure on the floor. It was John Marsello Jr.
**********
Chapter 5
"Those two meddling Rangers are going to pay for this," fumed the elder Marsello, "they have killed John. He was just a kid how could they have shot and killed a defenceless kid?"
"John take it easy John Jr. and his friends went to Ranger Cooke's apartment, forced their way in and attacked her with a knife. Her partner acted to save her life," Arthur Davis tried to point out to his friend trying to console him.
"They were unable to prove that it was John Jr. that ran the Ranger off the road so they set up their own scheme to take justice into their own hands," lamented Marsello. "I want them permanently taken care of. I will not let this go unanswered."
"John think about what you are saying..."
"I have," he shouted cutting Davis off, "If you have no stomach for this then I'll find some one that does. Get out of my office Arthur."
Davis turned and walked out he had never seen his friend so furious or committed. He dared not think what John might do; instead he went to his office and had his secretary book for himself and his wife a long extended vacation.
**********
Gage and Syd sat quietly together on the couch, Gage leaning against her exhausted from the earlier attack.
"I think we had better get you into bed Gage or was that not enough excitement for you first day home from the hospital?"
"This couch was pretty comfortable this afternoon," he told her not wanting to take her bed from her, "I'll sleep here you go ahead I'll be fine."
"The only reason you'll be fine is because you are coming with me to sleep in the bedroom."
Gage was about to say something when she cut him off, "I'm not doing this because I am totally selfless. It's for me too I want to have you close to me so I can reach out and know you are there safe with me. So no more argument lets go to bed."
The two of them made their way to the bedroom. Syd turned the bedcovers back as they undressed and slipped into bed. Moving over beside Gage she put her arms around him as he lay against her closing his eyes. Reaching over Syd switched off the light and kissing him lightly on the forehead whispered goodnight. Gage murmured slightly and putting his arm around her, pulled her closer drifting off to sleep.
**********
The Next Week...
Syd and Gage had rode into headquarters together. Gage was still staying with Syd and she wouldn't have it any other way.
Walker and Trivette had easily tracked down the third attacker and after some persuasion had gotten each of them to tell their version of what had happened. Both stories lead back to John Marsello Jr. as the mastermind behind the crimes, the home invasions, the attempt on Gage, the murder of Nicky Tanner and the final attempt on Syd.
With the confessions Alex was all but assured of a conviction, it was decided that a celebration was in order. Everyone agreed to meet later at CD's.
"Are you coming Trivette?" Gage asked as he watched him dial the phone.
"Just as soon as I get hold of Erika so she can join us, I'll see you over there," he replied waving them on as the phone connected.
Syd was all ready at the elevator and Gage hurried to catch up. They emerged into the parking garage and Gage hung his arm around Syd's shoulder as they walked towards her car. Suddenly from nowhere a van screeched out in front of them nearly hitting them as a second one came up behind them. Four assailants jumped from each van and even though they fought them they were still overpowered. The elevator doors opened just in time for Trivette to see Syd being shoved in the second van.
"Hey," Trivette shouted as he pulled his phone out and began dialling Walker, running to his car at the same time. Putting the car in gear he squealed after the fleeing vans.
Walker after hearing what Trivette had to say instinctively spun his Ram around speeding to intercept the vans.
The vans were headed to the warehouse district of town to the Marsello's warehouses. Pulling right into one of them the doors shut behind them hiding the vehicles from view, but not before Trivette saw where they had gone. Walker came screeching up beside him moments later.
"Alex call for backup," Walker told her as he got out of his truck to join Trivette.
**********
Gage held Syd in his arms as the guards held their weapons trained on them. They had struck Syd in the head causing a small gash in her head where the blood trickled out causing her to momentarily loose consciousness.
"I'm all right Gage," she told him trying to sit up.
"Stay down Syd," he whispered back as the vans sped into the warehouse, coming to a halt.
The doors opened and the partners were ordered out. Gage helped Syd out and put his arm around her supporting her.
"And now you know how my son felt when his life was about to be ended by you two," came a voice from the shadows. Slowly John Marsello Sr. stepped into the light to reveal himself.
"We acted in self defence," Gage declared as Marsello walked up to him until he was only inches away.
"Keep saying it Ranger maybe your maker will believe you, you'll be meeting him shortly," then looking at the guards he told them, "Kill them and dispose of the bodies.
No sooner were the words out Marsello's mouth then Walker and Trivette jumped from their vantage points above the scene that was playing out below. As they dropped to the ground they each knocked two of the guards to the floor giving Syd and Gage an opportunity to spring into action.
The guards and Marsello were soon brought down, as the cuffs were being put on Marsello he was whimpering to himself, "My boy didn't deserve to die."
"Maybe if you had let him take his punishment for his crimes then he would be with you now," Walker answered him.
***********
Syd and Gage were the last to get to CD's. After what had happened Gage had insisted that Syd go to the hospital to be checked out. With the exception of a slight headache Syd was fine. That didn't stop her partner from keeping very close tabs on her though, and keeping his arm protectively around her.
"I don't know about you Syd but this has been a long day," Gage stated to her.
Glad to take his lead Syd readily agreed she was ready to go home too. The rest said their goodnights smiling that understanding smile as the two of them left arm in arm.
Once outside Gage put his arm around her telling her it was his turn to look after her now. Syd gratefully leaned on her partner.
"I'm all yours," she told him as he helped her into the car.
Then getting in the car himself he told her, "And I mean to keep it that way." Putting the car in gear he headed it for home.
The End