~ Chapter Three ~

Slipping the car into park both rangers sat quietly looking at what was left of Syd's apartment building. The black ashes were still smoking hiding the hot embers of what remained of Syd's possessions.

She felt his hand on hers and without turning said, "I think we should start with the super Max Osgood. He's only been here a couple of months there's nothing I can put my finger on just a feeling."

"That's good enough for me," Gage smiled pushing the car door open.

Coming around to Sydney's side of the car they walked together to the second building where the superintendent's apartment was.

Standing together Gage reached forward and banged on the super's door. "Mr. Osgood Texas Rangers we need to have a word with you," he called out.

They could hear rustling inside until suddenly the door opened Max Osgood standing there his eyes wide and his mouth agape. "Ranger… Cooke," he stammered out. "They said there was a body I assumed it was you, you being sick and all."

"What do you mean me being sick and all?" Syd questioned staring straight in the man's eyes.

"That's what your friend said," Osgood defensively claimed.

"Maybe you better start at the beginning," Gage told him both Rangers waiting for the explanation.

"It was right around eleven thirty I was flipping back and forth from Letterman to Leno when the banging on my door started I thought they were going to hammer right through it," he dramatically added getting non plus looks from both Sydney and Gage.

"Anyway there was some guy out there said he had brought you home and you were really drunk and really sick. He said he needed to get you into bed so you could sleep it off but you had lost your keys and purse at one of the bars. I looked out and you were sprawled all over the sidewalk with a blanket around you half over your head. He asked me if I could open your apartment door and let the two of you in…"

"And you did?" Syd questioned anger beginning to build.

"I didn't want to see you left laying on the front lawn," Osgood tried to defend himself.

"No instead you opened my apartment and gave a perfect stranger access to it instead," Syd spat out.

"Syd," Gage intervened before turning back to Osgood. "After you agreed to open the door what happened next?"

"I got my keys and your friend picked you up threw you right over his shoulder and we walked together up to your apartment. I opened the door he thanked me and took you inside. I went back downstairs to my television and didn't hear another thing until about one AM when the whole place blew up," Osgood finished the story.

"At anyone time did you happen to see the woman's face and know positively that it was Ranger Cooke?" Gage questioned the man further.

"It was her all right," Osgood, insisted I saw her long black hair.

"Just for the record Osgood that wasn't me last night. I went out about quarter to seven…"

"I know I saw you all dolled up in that sexy red dress and high heels going out looking for some action," Osgood cut back in.

Getting between Syd and Osgood Gage addressed the man again, "I would caution you to use a civil tongue when you are referring to Ranger Cooke. It just so happens she was out for an evening with friends, you on the other hand opened her door to two perfect strangers one of whom murdered the other and blew up half the building. It is a lucky thing there wasn't more loss of life. As it stands you could possibly be charged with conspiracy to commit murder."

"I didn't know they were going to blow the place up, I didn't know that someone was going to get murdered," Osgood was nervously shouting his eyes going from Gage to Sydney and back to Gage.

"Then I would think it would be to your advantage to cooperate with us fully," Gage told him, "starting with a full description of the man who came to your door wanting into Ranger Cooke's apartment."

As Gage waited for Osgood to get his jacket and lock up to come with them back to headquarters Syd took the opportunity to walk over to where her apartment used to be. The CSI people were there sifting through the ashes catching sight of Sydney one of the lead persons came over to her. "Find anything at all that could possibly be salvaged?" she asked with a wistful smile.

"The fire pretty well took care of everything," Investigator Mike Windsor told her. "You're lucky you weren't here."

"Yeah wish I could say the same for Sally Benton," Syd told him.

He nodded his head in agreement before saying, "We did find a strong box it looks like the lock was jimmied there was nothing in it. We'll know more when we get it back to the lab."

"Yeah my service weapon would have been in it," Syd absently told him.

"Ready to go Syd?" Gage called out to her.

"Let us know if you find out anything at all?" Syd asked.

"You got it Ranger Cooke you're on a high priority list," Windsor told her going back to his job as she joined her partner.

The Estate Of Marshall Benton

"So does Alex know that Sydney and Gage are seeing each other?" Trivette tried to illicit some answers from his partner.

"She hasn't mentioned it if she does," Walker answered not saying any more.

"Well she can't or she would have told you," Trivette insisted.

"Trivette Alex is like me if she was asked not to tell anyone she wouldn't tell anyone," Walker replied keeping his eyes fixed on the road as he turned into the Benton estate.

"You are going to sit there and tell me that you and Alex don't share everything," Trivette asked turning to stare at his partner.

"That's right Trivette if we've given our word to someone we don't go back on it just so we can tell each other," Walker expressed to his astonished partner adding, "but if it makes you feel any better I don't think Alex knows either."

Trivette didn't have time for a come back Walker was all ready stopping in front of the Benton home. Dwight and Sally lived on the estate with Dwight's father Marshal.

Getting out of the truck they headed for the front door and knocked to be greeted by the Benton's butler.

"Texas Rangers," Walker announced them, "We are here to speak to Dwight Benton."

"Who's that at the door?" came a voice from inside.

"Dr. Benton it's two Texas Rangers here to speak with Dwight," the butler obligingly told the patriarch of the house.

Coming to the door Benton held his ground asking, "And what do two Texas Rangers want with my son?"

"I think that is between your son and us," Trivette answered for them.

Turning to the butler Benton addressed him, "Go and fetch Dwight so we can get to the bottom of this."

"Yes sir," the butler replied heading to where he thought he might find Dwight.

Smiling Benton once again addressed the rangers, "Gentlemen if you would like to step inside." He moved back at the same time making room for Walker and Trivette to enter. "If this is about Sally," he began again, "she's not here. She takes off for days on end and we don't see her. Dwight goes half out of his mind with worry when she is gone but she always comes back…" He didn't have time to say any more Dwight had sauntered into the entrance.

"Dad what's this about?" Dwight sullenly asked his father.

"These two Texas Rangers have come looking for you," Benton answered him.

Turning to Trivette and Walker he smirked, "Well you found me."

"Dwight when was the last time you saw your wife Sally?" Trivette quizzed him.

"Let's see at breakfast yesterday morning," Dwight quickly answered. "Why is she gone complaining again to that Ranger Cooke? That damn woman just doesn't know when to keep her nose out of someone else's business."

"She didn't have a chance to complain about anything to Ranger Cooke someone shot her in the head and then burnt her remains in a fire bombing before she talked to her," Walker answered hoping to wipe the smile off Dwight's face.

"You telling me that Sally is dead?" Dwight asked his face sobering as he went into a tirade of what rules he had laid out for his wife. "I warned her that this would happen, I forbade her to leave this house with out me, I told her something bad would happen if she left, I told her I warned her…"

"Rangers I'm going to have to ask you to leave I have to get medical attention for my boy," Marshal Benton had stepped in protectively putting his arms around his son to head for the upstairs.

"We'll keep in touch over any developments concerning the case," Trivette told them as he and his partner took their leave.

Once outside and in the truck Trivette asked, "And what do make of that?"

"I think we need to keep a close watch on Marshal and Dwight Benton," Walker answered.

Headquarters

The junior partners had spent the better part of the afternoon with Max Osgood trying to put a composite together. In the end it was no one that either of them recognized and now they were endlessly going through the police files trying to find anyone who remotely resembled the suspect.

Walker and Trivette had come in about twenty minutes earlier telling them of their meeting with Dwight Benton and his father Marshal. As Trivette worked with Sydney trying to ID the possible killer Walker pulled Gage aside. "Keep a close eye on your headstrong partner," he advised him. "I have a gut feeling that the Benton's are behind this and they aren't through yet. Trivette and I'll finish up here you get Sydney out of here for awhile start fresh in the morning."

"Thanks boss," Gage replied wanting very much to just take her home and have her curl up with him.

"Coming Syd?" he asked as he and Walker walked over to where their partners were.

"Where to?" she asked she had been eyeing the two of them while she looked over Trivette's shoulder.

"Trivette and I are finishing up here I want you two back in here early to hit the streets with this picture," Walker spoke up.

"Guys I'm fine," she began to protest.

"And you'll be even finer tomorrow besides there is nothing either of you can do tonight so goodnight," Walker insisted.

Without much choice Sydney joined Gage at the door and the pair of them headed out of the office.

"What were you and Walker conferring about?" she asked.

"Not much he just thinks the Benton's are behind this and they only have half the job done," Gage answered her.

"Meaning he still thinks they are going to try and take me out," Syd spoke aloud.

Gage shook his head yes before saying, "So lets say we go home and relax for a bit."

"Gage do you mind stopping by the shooting range?"

"I don't mind but for any particular reason?"

"I just want to do a little practicing with this new gun," Syd replied her hand coming to rest on her new service weapon.

Nodding his head in agreement he let her take his hand in a light squeeze as she smiled, "Thanks."

Gage's Place

"Man it's good to be home," Gage sighed pulling Syd into his arms the second the door closed behind them. They had spent an hour at the firing range his partner finding her new weapon to her satisfaction just slightly out shooting Gage.

Heading home they had decided to order in while Syd had gone to do that Gage had brought her new things in that she had bought that morning. Dropping everything at the foot of the stairs he had made his way into the kitchen just as she finished ordering the food. It was at this point he had grabbed her to him sighing out once again he was glad to be home.

"What's the matter Syd?" Gage asked feeling her tense in his arms.

"You at least have a place to call home," she blurted out pulling away from him to run out of the kitchen.

"Sydney wait a minute come back here," he called after her following behind her catching her before she darted up the stairs.

"Let go of me I just…" she stopped dead in her tracks letting him hold her close a tear running down her cheek.

"Come sit with me Honey, I wanted to talk to you about this anyway I just wasn't really sure how to bring it up," he said leading her back towards the couch.

"Listen I'm sorry you've been great letting me stay here and all I don't mean to sound so ungrateful," she began to apologize feeling his hand cup her chin to silence her with a kiss.

"That's better," he told her breaking the kiss dragging her down on the couch to sit with him. "Now please Syd hear me out and really give this some consideration before you turn me down flat. Promise?"

"Okay I promise," she answered wondering what he was up to.

"When Trivette first got a line on these places I really had my doubts you know how his deals always turn out?" he asked watching the corners of his partners mouth turn up in a slight smile. "Anyway he pestered and pestered so I came over here with him. I fell in love with the place right away but I went home and weighed the pros and cons of buying it. I mean its way too big for just me…" he paused watching Syd listen to him letting his fingers caress her cheek.

"Things had been going pretty good between us," Gage had begun to talk fast a habit he had when he became nervous around her. "And, and one thing occurred to me maybe if I had this place with lots of room I might be able to talk you into coming to share it with me," he finally got out. "With what happened with your place…"

"Gage…" Syd began to say only to be interrupted by a knock on the front door.

"I'll be right back," he smiled kissing her cheek and jumping up to answer the door.

She stared after him for a minute listening to him as paid the delivery guy her eye catching the clock seven-ten. A little over twenty-four hours since all this had started. It would be so easy just to say yes but was that what she wanted? For that matter was that what Gage really wanted? She knew she loved him…

"Want to eat here or in the dining room?" he asked standing in front of her holding two take out bags.

"Where ever you're more comfortable," she smiled going to take one of the bags from him.

Later…

They quietly ate their dinner both feeling the tension of the unanswered question that hung between them. With dinner over Syd sent Gage to relax while she tidied up the dishes.

Once she had finished she went to the living room looking for him but Gage had disappeared. Walking to the window Syd gazed out the scene much like it had been the night before only tonight a thick mist was rolling off the water. Letting her mind wander she let it get lost some where in that fog too.

A moment later Gage was behind her his arms going around her. "A penny for your thoughts," he whispered his lips caressing her neck behind her ear.

"It feels so good here," she honestly told him.

"But…" Gage said expecting the other shoe to drop.

"No buts it feels good here… comfortable. Can't we just leave it at that?"

Turning her in his arms he drew her close, "We can do that," he answered kissing her forehead. "I took your stuff upstairs I hope you don't mind."

"I don't mind Gage we really couldn't leave things laying at the bottom of the stairs," she agreed her arms going around his waist.

"I've got a surprise for you upstairs care to come with me and see?" he asked his eyebrows going up a grin coming across his face.

"You do like enticing me don't you Francis," Syd smiled back before replying, "Lead the way."

Taking her hand in his he lead the way to the stairs and they started up. "With all these stairs you'd never get out of shape," Syd teased.

"Hey a dose of me every night and you won't get out of shape either," Gage played along.

Both were laughing as the made it into the dimly lit bedroom. "So where's the surprise?"

"Right this way my love," he whispered taking her hands in his walking backwards to the bathroom where a soft glow of flickering candlelight was being emitted. There was a faint scent of vanilla as Gage tugged her into the luxurious bathroom.

"Oh my God Gage when did you have time to do all this," she squealed in delight turning to take him in her arms. The deep bath tub was filled with bubbles of her favourite vanilla scent and a new bathrobe had been laid out for her.

"I'm not just a pretty face you know I was at your place enough times to notice a few of the things you liked," he smiled sprinkling kisses across her cheeks. "I just thought while you were trying on clothes this morning that you might enjoy a little pampering tonight."

"Gage this is just perfect," she cried bringing his fingers to her lips. "There is just one more thing that can make this more perfect."

"Name it Honey," Gage whispered his eyes not leaving hers.

"You joining me," she murmured letting her hands move to the buttons of his shirt.

"You don't know how much I was hoping you would say that," he answered

Moments later they had striped of their clothes and Sydney was settling back against Gage's chest feeling his hands gently rubbing her shoulders. "Gage this is wonderful," she sighed feeling his hand rub across her chest just above her breasts.

"Syd about what I asked you earlier…"

"Gage I…"

"Syd why don't you make this your home. You have to know I was going to ask you anyway," Gage's voice was almost pleading.

"What if we do this and everything gets screwed up," she cried her eyes closing tight.

"Sydney turn around and look at me," Gage demanded. "It wasn't that long ago that you were afraid to kiss me in case things got screwed up. I love you and I want to share every aspect of our lives. I want you here with me when I go to bed at night to share my bed with me. I want you here in the morning to snuggle a little closer, to enjoy morning coffee with. I want this to be a real home and Syd I need you here for that to happen I love you and I know that you love me too. Honey you aren't afraid to face anything or anyone out there on the streets please don't be afraid to be with me."

Her arms were suddenly around his neck and her lips on his her tongue pushing into his mouth as they shared in a fierce kiss. They weren't the exact words she had wanted to hear from him but they were close as close as he could manage for now and she knew it. She could feel his hands on her back moving slowly down rubbing over her backside, as she straddled him, her senses beginning to swim.

"Gage," she whispered her hands going to each side of his face her lips softly moving across his cheek suddenly feeling his lips fluttering kisses downward until he was able to catch the hard nub of her breast. "I want to… Gage… are you listening… to me," she managed between gasps of breath.

"Every word Syd," he murmured moving to the other breast Syd's head pushing back her body arching forward.

"Good cause… I have… lots… to say," she sensually bemoaned to him his hand roughly pushing between her legs to toy with her center.

"I'd be surprised if you didn't," he smiled catching the back of her head to bring her lips to his to once more send her reeling with a kiss.

"Francis," she nattered breaking the kiss just as her hand managed to wrap around his swollen shaft moving to the tip to torment his need further.

"Syd," he moaned his head going back his eyes closing yet still able to tease his fingers across her finally hitting his mark to slide inside her.

She fell forward against him her hand jerking away from him to catch his arms her nails stabbing into his muscles. "I've got to have you Gage… please I need to have you," she cried out in short pants feeling his fingers retreat from inside her.

He held her against him for a moment gently stroking her back till suddenly she was over him lowering herself on him his hands firmly holding her waist. Her arms went around his neck her lips to his passionately stealing a kiss as they took each other hard, cries of arduous excitement escaping both.

She fell to him again his arms around her holding her close as the candlelight flickered their shadows on the wall. "All right Gage you win. I do love you and I want to see just where this arrangement might take us."

Gage leaned forward intent on kissing her only to have her stop him. "I want you to know I don't make any promises here you understand."

"I understand Shorty," he replied finally getting a lock on her lips finally getting the kiss he wanted his heart light knowing they could make this work.

TBC