The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series "Walker, Texas Ranger". The characters belong to CBS Productions, Top Kick Productions, etc., but the story is mine. ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)
NOTE: I had Joe Penny in mind for the role of Gino Martinelli when I wrote this.
"Deep Cover" Chapter 1
by Lorrie
"I don't want you to do this, Syd." Gage pleaded for the third time that morning.
Sydney stopped pouring them coffee, turned and faced her husband. "Gage, we've been through this already. I'll be fine. You'll be there to back me up."
"It's not the same and you know it." Gage replied with concern. "We already know that Marinelli likes petite, dark haired women. Syd, if he decides to take you as his new girl, I won't be able to protect you."
"Gage, I can take care of myself and believe me, if I need you I know how to get your attention."
"If Martinelli doesn't have me away from the house." Gage slightly shook his head and pursed his lips while looking at his wife. "Syd, it's all so iffy."
Sydney put her finger to his lips. "Shh. I promise, I'll be fine." She moved her finger away and before Gage could respond, she brought her mouth to his and kissed him passionately. "I love you."
Gage knew at this point that it was futile to continue the argument. "I love you too, Syd."
*****
Walker motioned Sydney, Gage and Trivette into his office "Everything's in place. Sydney, you have an audition at "The Men's Club" tonight at 8:00."
Walker looked at Gage. "Gage, I know you're not comfortable with this. To be honest, I wouldn't be either if it were Alex, but we've got the resources and we need to move fast if we're going to stay in position to bring down Martinelli."
"I know." Gage responded coldly.
"You'll be posing as Sydney's manager and if Martinelli approaches her, you make sure he knows that she doesn't go without you."
Gage nodded. "I've got it. Believe me, I won't let her out of my sight."
"Let me know when you're in place." Walker requested.
*****
Sydney packed a small, seductive dancer's outfit and a pair of 4" heels. Gage took the bag from her hand and tossed it into the back of the car. "You don't have to do this, Syd."
Sydney stared at Gage. "I know I don't have to, but the FBI has already lost one agent to Martinelli and possible two more." She paused. "Not to mention the drug trafficking we can already connect him to her in Dallas alone. I can't walk away from this one, Gage. There's too much at stake."
"Syd, I won't ask you not to do it, but you're right, there is a lot at stake here."
Sydney opened her car door. "What's that supposed to mean?" Gage got in the car, followed by Sydney. He looked at her left hand as she sat down.
"You'd better give me those." He pointed to her engagement ring and wedding band.
Sydney's mouth opened and she started to protest. The rings hadn't been off of her finger since Gage put them on her six months ago. She knew Gage was right, she certainly couldn't hope to get in tight with Martinelli if he knew that she was married. She slowly took the rings off and handed them to Gage. He reached up and wiped a tear from her eye.
"I'm sorry Syd. I just love you so much." He cupped her chin in his hand. "I can't stand the thought of losing you."
Sydney smiled. "You're not going to lose me. I'll be careful." She kissed her husband for a final time before they assumed the identities of Gena Cross and Ricky Manns.
Gage pulled the car into the lost of "The Men's Club". "Syd." Sydney stared at him with a look that dared him to say anything negative about the assignment. "Good luck."
"Thanks." She smiled.
They entered the club and were immediately met by the manager. "May I help you?"
Gage stepped slightly in front of Sydney. "You bet you can. I'm Ricky Manns and this is your next headliner, Gena Cross."
The manager eyed Sydney up and down. "Go change, honey and let's see what you've got."
"Sure, honey." Sydney said with a smile.
A few minutes later, Sydney was on stage. Gage sat at the bar with the manager and eyed Martinelli while trying to ignore all of the wolf whistles Sydney's provocative dance routine was earning.
"I like your girl a lot Manns. What is she, your girlfriend?" The club manager asked.
"No. Gena and I are strictly business. I'm her manager."
The club manager nodded. "You were right, I definitely want her as a headliner."
"How much money are we talking?" Gage asked.
Before the club manger could answer, Tony Cortez, Martinelli's right hand man interrupted. "Excuse me, Mr. Martinelli wants the girl."
"What? Who's Marinelli?" Gage asked.
"Mr. Gino Martinelli. He likes the young lady and wants her by his side."
Gage stood up. "Well, then I guess he gets me too, 'cause where Gena goes, I go."
Tony stared at Gage for a moment, then walked back to Martinelli's table. "The girl's manger says that they're a package deal."
Martinelli rubbed his chin. "See if the kid can handle himself, if he can, we'll bring him in as a body guard." Tony started to walk away. "Tony, make sure that he and the lovely Ms. Cross aren't involved."
"Sure thing boss." Tony replied.
"Manns, Mr. Martinlli instructed me to stress how much he desires Ms. Cross."
"He can have her, but I come with her." Gage turned to face Tony and was met with a right hook. Gage was on his feet in a flash, retaliating with a couple of kicks and a backhand. He then pinned Tony to the bar. "Is that enough for Mr. Martinelli?"
"What?" Tony asked.
"I'm assuming that you threw that punch to get me to come after you for your boss' sake. Was that enough for him?"
Mr. Martinelli approached the bar. "Yes, that was enough for me Mr. Manns. You and the lovely Gena are welcome in my home."
Sydney approached the bar, now wearing jeans and a low cut shirt. Martinelli took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Ms. Cross, I am Gino Martinelli. Your manager and I were just discussing a business proposition."
"What kind of proposition?" Sydney asked.
"I would like for you to work for me."
Sydney half smiled. "In what capacity?"
"You would accompany me to luncheons, dinners, dances and in return I will provide you with full run of my 22 room mansion, clothing, jewelry, travel and many other benefits."
"Sounds like fun. What about Ricky?"
"He would join my body guards. He appears to be able to handle himself quite well."
"Sound good. What do you think Ricky?" Sydney looked at Gage.
"We're in." He shook Martinelli's hand.
Martinelli put his arm around Sydney and escorted her to his waiting limo.
"You ride with me." Tony said as he and Gage left the club, we'll come back and pick up your car later.
*****
Martinelli made small talk with Sydney in the back of the limo on the way to his estate. Sydney smiled and flirted a little but inside she was beginning to wonder what she had gotten herself into. She missed Gage already and dreaded to find out what Martinelli had in store for her, but she was already in place and had to continue to play the part now or risk exposing both her cover and Gage's.
"So Tony, what's it like being a bodyguard for Gino Martinelli?" Gage asked Tony.
"It has its ups and downs, but Mr. Martinelli is a very generous man. He makes it worth your while, if you know what I mean." Gage laughed with Tony.
*****
Martinelli escorted Sydney into his home and began the grand tour. He stopped outside his bedroom door. "This is the master bedroom and your room, dear Gena adjoins mine."
"With a locking door between, I assume?" Sydney stated.
"Of course. You are not the only young lady in my life." Marinelli smiled. "Yet." He opened the next door. "Here is your room. I believe you will find clothing in the closet in your size. Dinner is at 6:00. I'll see you then." He turned and left, closing the door behind him.
Sydney's cell phone rang. She quickly grabbed it from her purse. "Hello."
"Gena? Are you alone?"
"Yes. Where are you?"
"Downstairs. Are you OK?"
"Yeah. I'm being treated like a princess, why wouldn't I be OK?" She asked with mock sarcasm.
"Just be careful, your prince charming may want to collect on his good deeds soon."
"You're my only prince charming."
Gage smiled. "Be careful. I love you."
"I love you too."
Gage looked around until he was satisfied that he was alone, then put in a quick call to Walker
"Paxton & Paxton, Attorney's at Law, may I help you?" Trivette answered the cover number they had set up in case someone was listening to Gage's calls."
"Yes, this is Ricky Manns, I need to speak with Mr. Talon."
"He's not in, may I take a message?"
"My ex-wife is demanding additional alimony and I know she's staying with a guy. I'm not paying her another cent!" Gage said loudly as he saw Tony come around the corner. Trivette and Gage had agreed upon this phrase as a cue that Sydney was in with Martinelli.
"I'll make sure Mr. Talon gets the message."
Trivette hung up and looked at Walker. "They're in."
"That was fast." Walker replied. "Well, I guess we won't hear from them again until they feel that they have enough on Martinelli for a conviction."
"Unless they get in trouble." Trivette answered.
"Yeah." Walker responded with worry in his voice.
End Chapter 1
NOTE: I had Joe Penny in mind for the role of Gino Martinelli when I wrote this.
"Deep Cover" Chapter 1
by Lorrie
"I don't want you to do this, Syd." Gage pleaded for the third time that morning.
Sydney stopped pouring them coffee, turned and faced her husband. "Gage, we've been through this already. I'll be fine. You'll be there to back me up."
"It's not the same and you know it." Gage replied with concern. "We already know that Marinelli likes petite, dark haired women. Syd, if he decides to take you as his new girl, I won't be able to protect you."
"Gage, I can take care of myself and believe me, if I need you I know how to get your attention."
"If Martinelli doesn't have me away from the house." Gage slightly shook his head and pursed his lips while looking at his wife. "Syd, it's all so iffy."
Sydney put her finger to his lips. "Shh. I promise, I'll be fine." She moved her finger away and before Gage could respond, she brought her mouth to his and kissed him passionately. "I love you."
Gage knew at this point that it was futile to continue the argument. "I love you too, Syd."
*****
Walker motioned Sydney, Gage and Trivette into his office "Everything's in place. Sydney, you have an audition at "The Men's Club" tonight at 8:00."
Walker looked at Gage. "Gage, I know you're not comfortable with this. To be honest, I wouldn't be either if it were Alex, but we've got the resources and we need to move fast if we're going to stay in position to bring down Martinelli."
"I know." Gage responded coldly.
"You'll be posing as Sydney's manager and if Martinelli approaches her, you make sure he knows that she doesn't go without you."
Gage nodded. "I've got it. Believe me, I won't let her out of my sight."
"Let me know when you're in place." Walker requested.
*****
Sydney packed a small, seductive dancer's outfit and a pair of 4" heels. Gage took the bag from her hand and tossed it into the back of the car. "You don't have to do this, Syd."
Sydney stared at Gage. "I know I don't have to, but the FBI has already lost one agent to Martinelli and possible two more." She paused. "Not to mention the drug trafficking we can already connect him to her in Dallas alone. I can't walk away from this one, Gage. There's too much at stake."
"Syd, I won't ask you not to do it, but you're right, there is a lot at stake here."
Sydney opened her car door. "What's that supposed to mean?" Gage got in the car, followed by Sydney. He looked at her left hand as she sat down.
"You'd better give me those." He pointed to her engagement ring and wedding band.
Sydney's mouth opened and she started to protest. The rings hadn't been off of her finger since Gage put them on her six months ago. She knew Gage was right, she certainly couldn't hope to get in tight with Martinelli if he knew that she was married. She slowly took the rings off and handed them to Gage. He reached up and wiped a tear from her eye.
"I'm sorry Syd. I just love you so much." He cupped her chin in his hand. "I can't stand the thought of losing you."
Sydney smiled. "You're not going to lose me. I'll be careful." She kissed her husband for a final time before they assumed the identities of Gena Cross and Ricky Manns.
Gage pulled the car into the lost of "The Men's Club". "Syd." Sydney stared at him with a look that dared him to say anything negative about the assignment. "Good luck."
"Thanks." She smiled.
They entered the club and were immediately met by the manager. "May I help you?"
Gage stepped slightly in front of Sydney. "You bet you can. I'm Ricky Manns and this is your next headliner, Gena Cross."
The manager eyed Sydney up and down. "Go change, honey and let's see what you've got."
"Sure, honey." Sydney said with a smile.
A few minutes later, Sydney was on stage. Gage sat at the bar with the manager and eyed Martinelli while trying to ignore all of the wolf whistles Sydney's provocative dance routine was earning.
"I like your girl a lot Manns. What is she, your girlfriend?" The club manager asked.
"No. Gena and I are strictly business. I'm her manager."
The club manager nodded. "You were right, I definitely want her as a headliner."
"How much money are we talking?" Gage asked.
Before the club manger could answer, Tony Cortez, Martinelli's right hand man interrupted. "Excuse me, Mr. Martinelli wants the girl."
"What? Who's Marinelli?" Gage asked.
"Mr. Gino Martinelli. He likes the young lady and wants her by his side."
Gage stood up. "Well, then I guess he gets me too, 'cause where Gena goes, I go."
Tony stared at Gage for a moment, then walked back to Martinelli's table. "The girl's manger says that they're a package deal."
Martinelli rubbed his chin. "See if the kid can handle himself, if he can, we'll bring him in as a body guard." Tony started to walk away. "Tony, make sure that he and the lovely Ms. Cross aren't involved."
"Sure thing boss." Tony replied.
"Manns, Mr. Martinlli instructed me to stress how much he desires Ms. Cross."
"He can have her, but I come with her." Gage turned to face Tony and was met with a right hook. Gage was on his feet in a flash, retaliating with a couple of kicks and a backhand. He then pinned Tony to the bar. "Is that enough for Mr. Martinelli?"
"What?" Tony asked.
"I'm assuming that you threw that punch to get me to come after you for your boss' sake. Was that enough for him?"
Mr. Martinelli approached the bar. "Yes, that was enough for me Mr. Manns. You and the lovely Gena are welcome in my home."
Sydney approached the bar, now wearing jeans and a low cut shirt. Martinelli took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Ms. Cross, I am Gino Martinelli. Your manager and I were just discussing a business proposition."
"What kind of proposition?" Sydney asked.
"I would like for you to work for me."
Sydney half smiled. "In what capacity?"
"You would accompany me to luncheons, dinners, dances and in return I will provide you with full run of my 22 room mansion, clothing, jewelry, travel and many other benefits."
"Sounds like fun. What about Ricky?"
"He would join my body guards. He appears to be able to handle himself quite well."
"Sound good. What do you think Ricky?" Sydney looked at Gage.
"We're in." He shook Martinelli's hand.
Martinelli put his arm around Sydney and escorted her to his waiting limo.
"You ride with me." Tony said as he and Gage left the club, we'll come back and pick up your car later.
*****
Martinelli made small talk with Sydney in the back of the limo on the way to his estate. Sydney smiled and flirted a little but inside she was beginning to wonder what she had gotten herself into. She missed Gage already and dreaded to find out what Martinelli had in store for her, but she was already in place and had to continue to play the part now or risk exposing both her cover and Gage's.
"So Tony, what's it like being a bodyguard for Gino Martinelli?" Gage asked Tony.
"It has its ups and downs, but Mr. Martinelli is a very generous man. He makes it worth your while, if you know what I mean." Gage laughed with Tony.
*****
Martinelli escorted Sydney into his home and began the grand tour. He stopped outside his bedroom door. "This is the master bedroom and your room, dear Gena adjoins mine."
"With a locking door between, I assume?" Sydney stated.
"Of course. You are not the only young lady in my life." Marinelli smiled. "Yet." He opened the next door. "Here is your room. I believe you will find clothing in the closet in your size. Dinner is at 6:00. I'll see you then." He turned and left, closing the door behind him.
Sydney's cell phone rang. She quickly grabbed it from her purse. "Hello."
"Gena? Are you alone?"
"Yes. Where are you?"
"Downstairs. Are you OK?"
"Yeah. I'm being treated like a princess, why wouldn't I be OK?" She asked with mock sarcasm.
"Just be careful, your prince charming may want to collect on his good deeds soon."
"You're my only prince charming."
Gage smiled. "Be careful. I love you."
"I love you too."
Gage looked around until he was satisfied that he was alone, then put in a quick call to Walker
"Paxton & Paxton, Attorney's at Law, may I help you?" Trivette answered the cover number they had set up in case someone was listening to Gage's calls."
"Yes, this is Ricky Manns, I need to speak with Mr. Talon."
"He's not in, may I take a message?"
"My ex-wife is demanding additional alimony and I know she's staying with a guy. I'm not paying her another cent!" Gage said loudly as he saw Tony come around the corner. Trivette and Gage had agreed upon this phrase as a cue that Sydney was in with Martinelli.
"I'll make sure Mr. Talon gets the message."
Trivette hung up and looked at Walker. "They're in."
"That was fast." Walker replied. "Well, I guess we won't hear from them again until they feel that they have enough on Martinelli for a conviction."
"Unless they get in trouble." Trivette answered.
"Yeah." Walker responded with worry in his voice.
End Chapter 1