Disclaimer: This was written for the soul purpose of my entertainment.
I lay no claim on Walker Texas Ranger or of any of its characters.


Chapter 3

The trip to Houston was uneventful. After last night's performance Elaine seemed resigned to sitting quietly reading a magazine during the flight. Sydney sat with her and Gage sat behind them. It wasn't until they started pulling up in front of her Uncle's home that the trouble started.

"You are dumping me, after promising my Mother you are dumping me. It's because of Gage isn't it; you are choosing him over me aren't you? It's not fair, you are picking him over me, and dumping me on an uncle that I hardly know."

Gage started to say something until Syd took his hand and asked him to leave her alone with Elaine for a moment. Gage opened the car door and got out, Elaine started up again.

"You maybe able to run Gage, but you can't run me," she yelled at Syd, "This isn't fair, you promised my Mother, you lied, you lied, you lied."

"Is the tantrum finished?" Syd calmly asked turning to face Elaine in the backseat. Elaine sat there glaring at Syd but she had stopped screaming, "Because when I speak to you I want your undivided attention."

Elaine still did not speak so Sydney continued; "Your Mother is missing does that not mean anything to you?" Elaine looked straight ahead starring out the window, "You came to Dallas supposedly for my help to find her, then you hinder me anyway you can. No it's more then that Elaine you've hurt me every chance you could. Gage has tried to help you; he's here now wanting to help. I call Andrew and he tells me of course bring you here; he welcomes you with open arms. Everyone wants to help you when are you going to let us?"

Elaine still did not speak she still stared straight ahead.

"Elaine I'm scared for your Mom I want to find her, Gage and I can do that if you let us."

"I'll do what you tell me for now Sydney," Elaine said still glaring she opened the car door and got out. Turning she smiled at Gage and went running to her Uncle's arms the tears instantly beginning to flow down her cheeks.

Gage opened the car door for Syd, she got out and they walked over to where Andrew was with Elaine.

"Sydney it's been a long time, would you and your partner like to come?" Andrew asked giving Syd a hug.

"Thanks but no, I want to get to the bottom of this. I want to know where Syl is."

**********

Syd sat with her own thoughts as Gage drove towards the trailer park where Sylvanna and Elaine lived. Gage sat patiently waiting for Syd to let him know what she was thinking. He stopped the car in front of the trailer and looking at Syd asked if she was ready.

"Gage," she paused as if wanting to explain more to him. He took her hand in his, "I'm ready," she said.

They moved up the steps to the door, Syd knocked calling out for Sylvanna. The door swung open and the stench of death hit them both. Gage stepped in front of Syd entering first, the trailer had been torn up as if someone had been searching for something. More then searching for something, it was more like being in a rage wanting just to destroy everything they could put their hands on. Moving towards the back, Gage opened the partially closed bedroom door with his foot, revealing a horrendous murder scene. Sydney was right behind him; he immediately turned putting his arms around her.

"I've got to see Gage," she cried trying to fight her way past him.

"Once the bodies are brought out Syd," he told her nearly having to pick her up to get her back outside.

"Is it her Gage?"

"I think so," he replied keeping one arm around her as he pulled out his phone and began dialling.

Gage was explaining into the phone who they were and what the situation was, when suddenly Syd bolted from him. Being overwhelmed by it all she had run to the side of the trailer where the waves of nausea over took her and she was sick. Gage was kneeling beside her now holding her hair, helping her back to her feet.

"Going to be okay?"

"I think so," she meekly told him as the first police vehicles began moving in.

Together they went to speak to the officers. When the bodies were brought out Syd positively identified Sylvanna. She was sitting in the car now waiting patiently while Gage finished up. A few minutes later Gage got in the car beside her.

"We have to tell Elaine and Andrew what has happened," Syd stated matter-of-factly.

"We'll do that a little later Syd, right now we are going to give you a break."

"I'm fine," Syd insisted trying not to show any more weakness then she all ready had that morning.

"Then humour me, I'm not speaking to you as your partner here, I'm the guy who loves you."

"Please Gage, just get us out of here," she said fighting tears.

**********

Gage drove to the hotel that he had made the reservation at the day before. After signing for and retrieving the key for their room he came back for Syd. He unlocked the door then putting his arm around her shoulder walked inside with her. Once inside Gage dropped the bags so he could bring his other arm around her.

Syd leaned into him letting Gage take complete charge of her for now, helping her cope. She was lucky to have him, there was a time she would have muddled through this by herself, but now she didn't have to.

She let her arms going around his neck and she whispered, "Make me feel like I'm still alive."

He drew her into a deep kiss, lifting her in his arms at the same time. He carried her to the bed where he made love with her.

Lying there in Gage's arms Syd finally began to speak, "I failed her Gage, she has always counted on me and I failed her."

"Syd you had no way of knowing that this would happen."

"Yes but if I had stayed here instead of going to Dallas…"

Gage knew she was talking crazy but let her ramble, pulling her a little closer, kissing the tears that had begun running down her cheeks.

"This would have happened whether you were in Houston or Dallas and you know that Honey. You did everything you could for her without giving her your whole life. You came to Dallas because we needed each other even if we didn't know that at the time."

"If I'd been here though Gage…"

"You would have found her a little earlier then today. Syd it is like you told Andrew you can't help someone that won't be helped."

Syd cried into Gage's chest as he held her, knowing in her heart that he was right there was nothing she could have done to prevent what had happened. A few more minutes past when Gage's phone rang.

Syd sat up allowing him to answer; it was Detective Mitchell from Houston PD. He had the autopsy report and what was thought to be the murder weapon; it was found about thirty feet behind the trailer. He was quite anxious to talk to Elaine.

Gage told him that they would meet him at his office before they went to Andrew Talbot's home to inform the family.

Syd had all ready begun to dress feeling guilty about indulging herself with Gage. He guessed what was going on in her mind and caught her in his arms for a minute more, "You had to get your mind straight before you can help others, what we just did was not wrong, you needed the time," he stressed to her.

Looking into his eyes she knew he was right. They finished dressing and left to meet Detective Mitchell.

Gage pulled the door behind them and the two of them walked to the car, getting in they drove away unaware that they were being watched.