~ Chapter Six ~

Gage could feel his partner slowly relax as he kept his arm tight around her. He knew her well enough to know that she would be blaming the whole incident on herself. He drew her closer brushing her forehead with his lips murmuring, "It's okay Syd." She had squeezed his hand tight but experience told him she was still very upset over the whole thing.

Even though both Raymond and Leon swore up and down that they had only planted one bomb they still had the dogs go through the house to make sure it was clear. Now they stood in the living room with Walker and Trivette going over everything that had happened since this case had started.

"This Cyrano is definitely the key to putting an end to this," Trivette stated the other three agreeing.

"We'll see you tonight," Walker told them as he and his partner headed for the door.

Gage walked them out as Syd went to the window once again staring out. She heard the door close yet still didn't move until she felt Gage behind her. "Don't even think it Syd," he began his arms going round her neck to pull her to him resting his chin on the top of her head.

"Think what Gage that thanks to me your new place almost got blown to kingdom come. That you could be dead thanks to…"

He had spun her around and taking her face in his hands he covered her lips with his. "Shh Syd," he whispered kissing her again. "We're not dead and our new place is just fine."

"Gage…"

"Sydney I know you said no promises… but sweetie this isn't your fault and you know it. This is your new home as much as it is mine and even if it was blown to kingdom it really wouldn't matter as long as we were both safe and together," Gage kissed her again as he finished speaking.

They stood quietly together unmoving until Syd finally spoke. "Francis how is it that you always know exactly what to say to me?" she asked leaning back to look in his face.

"It wasn't that long ago that I couldn't say anything right to you," he retorted remembering how long it took him to get her to even go on a real date with him. "But now Syd I just look in your face and the words come tumbling out. I love you Honey unconditionally and I just feel that no matter what happens as long as we can face it together we'll get through it," he told her his words going straight to her heart.

Her hands slid down his arms until she could take his hands in hers to lead him to the couch where she turned to give him a push. In one quick move she had swung her leg over him to face him her arms going round his neck. "If you don't quit scaring me like that," she warned her eyes fixed on his.

"What? What did I do?"

"Picking up bombs and carrying them outside," she scolded. "You could have tripped or jarred a wire… it could gone right up in your face," she admonished him leaning forward her lips almost touching his before suddenly pulling back.

"I do think you need to be reprimanded for your actions," she continued tracing his lips with her index finger letting him draw it into his mouth to gently suck on it.

"And you think that you should be the one to take the necessary steps to see this doesn't happen again?" Gage teased back working her blouse out of the top of her pants to slide his hands up her back.

"Do I ever," she purred beginning to undo the buttons on his shirt as his fingers began the same task with her blouse. As the last buttons opened Syd crushed her body against Gage pushing him to lean back on the cushions of the couch.

Rising on her knees so she was slightly above him she gently began to tease his lips with her tongue. Her fingers playfully skimming over them too Gage letting his lips part ever so slightly waiting for her next move. A moment later he was rewarded with a deep gratifying kiss as Syd's fingers played through his hair her body pressing against his awakening his emotions.

Suddenly the clasp of her bra gave way and she could feel his hands rubbing over her sides to finally cup her breasts. She moaned deeply her head tossing back her eyes opening to catch two small faces pressed against the french doors that lead to the deck.

"Gage," she cried out paralyzed for a moment as he began to lift her searching for the nipple of a breast.

"Gage stop it we have company," she cried out again trying to pull herself against him.

Opening his eyes he let them go to where Syd's were to see the neighbour's children getting a first hand look at what they were doing.

With one arm Gage pulled Syd to him and with the other arm he waved at the two little girls who having been caught scampered away. Quickly he moved his other arm around Syd and held tight.

"They're gone Syd," he whispered to her a chuckle starting to manifest itself deep down inside him over the whole situation.

"This isn't funny Gage," Syd exclaimed pulling herself back just far enough to give him a good shot in the arm with her fist before pulling away from him. With her blouse clasped in front of her Syd made for the open staircase disappearing from sight leaving Gage sitting by himself.

Doing his shirt up he stood up and headed outside. He could hear their two peeping toms a few doors down and made his way there. The two of them sat out on the deck with an older woman enjoying a snack as Gage made his way towards them. Stopping at the foot of the stairs that lead up to where they sat he called out a hello. Both little girls looked up and seeing who it was dropped their eyes downwards while the woman with them answered, "Hello to you can I help you with something."

"I think maybe," he replied climbing the first step. "My name is Gage Sydney and I just moved in a couple of doors down this past week…"

"Are you the Texas Rangers that had the bomb scare this afternoon?" the woman cut in.

"Well yes we did have a bit of a problem this afternoon but that has been taken care of. We usually don't have problems like that crop up. As I was about to ask," Gage was trying to steer things back to why he was there. "Do these two young ladies live here?"

"I'm Aida Lisbon and these are my granddaughters Lily and Tammy they are visiting for a couple of weeks," the woman proudly told him.

"I know with all the excitement around here that they were kind of curious about our place… and well normally it wouldn't be a problem…" Gage could feel the perspiration forming on his brow as he spoke. "It's just that with just moving in… With what happened this afternoon… we were sitting on the couch in a sort of compromising position and suddenly looked up to see two little faces plastered to our back doors."

"Oh my," Aida gasped looking over to her granddaughters.

"No real harm was done," Gage cut back in, "Things hadn't gone very far but it was a lesson for Sydney and me too. I just wanted you to be aware of what happened," he finished wanting to get out of there and back home having faced Aida Lisbon quite long enough.

"Thank you for letting me know," Aida had stood to address Gage. "It looks as if my granddaughters and I need to have a little discussion."

"Like I said no real harm was done," Gage repeated before telling Aida and the girls good-bye.

Opening the door and going inside at home he looked around hoping Syd had reappeared. She hadn't. He went to the kitchen and pulled two beers out of the fridge and walked back over to the stairs to go up.

The bedroom door was slightly closed and he almost felt as if he should knock before going in. Tapping lightly he pushed it open to find Syd at the far end of the room sitting leaning on the glass wall of windows staring out at the view below.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked handing one of the beers to her.

She reached up to take it smiling slightly only to turn her head back to the river. "You know Gage I've been thinking," she began Gage swallowing hard taking a seat beside her.

"About what?" he asked a feeling of dread creeping into the pit of his stomach.

"Other then blinds for those doors downstairs," she shot him a quick glance before looking out the windows once more. "I need a really comfortable chair for right here so I can sit and do a little reading, work on reports or just sit and daydream as I enjoy the view," she told him before bringing the bottle to her lips for a sip.

"What ever you want Syd is fine with me," he replied moving behind her so she could lean against him which she did enjoying his arms around her. "Is that what you were doing when I came in?" Gage quizzed her.

"What?"

"Daydreaming?"

Her cheeks coloured a little as she sheepishly answered, "Yes."

"So you going to tell me?"

"Some of it yes," she told him. "I've decided what to do with the bedrooms downstairs if that's all right with you."

"What ever you think Syd you're much better at this kind of thing then I am," he answered content that the last upset hadn't changed her mind.

"I thought the smaller bedroom we could kind of make into an office, you know take your computer out of the box…"

"I was getting to that you know," Gage agreed kissing the top of her head before taking a swig of his beer.

"Oh I know Gage I've seen you get around to it before," she smiled. "The other room I want to do up real cozy for when we have company," she continued.

"Company?" he questioned as if she had spoken a foreign language.

"Yeah Gage company you know like your sister or my Mom and Dad..." she let her voice trail off trying to read his reaction.

Coughing and clearing his throat Gage finally stammered out, "Your Mom and Dad?"

"You did say this was my home and I do from time to time have my Mom and Dad to my home," she proclaimed. "Gage this isn't a problem is it?" she asked.

"No… no problem," he replied his mind going to the only time he had met her father Joseph Cooke. He had taken Gage aside to warn him that since he was Sydney's partner he had better take good care of her. That if anything happened to his little girl…

"Honey are you all right?" Syd asked a second time reaching up to rub her fingers across his cheek.

"Umm yeah fine," he distantly replied.

The phone rang saving him from further speculation. Untangling himself from her he went to answer it. "Hello," he said still looking over at his partner.

"Ranger Gage?" the voice at the other end of the line questioned.

"Yes," Gage cautiously replied not recognizing the voice.

"Ranger Cooke there with you?"

"She just stepped into the shower can I have her call you back when she gets out?" he tried to stall.

"Nice ploy Ranger Gage," the voice chuckled. "I hear you and Sydney are looking for me… maybe you are going to get a chance to meet me," the voice continued.

Gage had all ready put the phone between his shoulder and his chin to begin to sign to Syd, "Get a trace on the line."

"This wouldn't be Cyrano now would it?" he asked trying to hold him on the line to try and trace the call as Syd dialled to get things in motion.

"You're just too clever must be why they made you a ranger." Again there was a sarcastic laugh at the other end of the line.

"What is it you want Cyrano?" Gage asked

"Not much just you and Sydney dead," Cyrano smugly answered.

"I don't see that happening any time soon." Gage returned.

"Then you'd rather that I kill Lily and Tammy in your place?" he asked his voice turning cruel and vicious.

"What are you talking about?" Gage demanded knowing this had changed the stakes considerably.

"Those two nice little girls are going to keep me company until you two get here. Of course it goes without saying you'll come alone just you and Sydney. I get so much as a feeling that someone else is with you I'll slit their throats.

"If you…"

"You have no room to make threats Gage you and your partner have thirty minutes to get out Old River Road right out to the dead end where the road disappears you'll find instructions there." The line went dead.

Looking at Syd he cried out, "Let's go I'll explain on the way.

Old River Road

The minute they were in the car and on the move Sydney was dialing for Walker. Quickly she explained where they were going and what had happened in the past couple of hours since they had last seen him and Trivette.

"Tell Gage to stay back and go in by foot," Walker began instructing. "Trivette and Erica are here for dinner, Trivette and I'll come in the back way on horse back. Sydney you and Gage be careful."

"Always Walker," she answered breaking the connection to explain to her partner what the plan was.

"Syd…" Gage started to say her hand reaching out to take his.

"I'll be careful Gage you too," she replied the car slowing to a stop at the side of the road. He brought her fingers to his lips in answer to her both opening their doors at the same time.

Coming round to Syd's side of the car they headed into the brush at the side of the road. It was just dusk and the dark of the night was beginning to descend rapidly on them in one way it was good giving them cover in another way not so good making the going a little rougher. Either way the evening wasn't making the night any cooler or the humidity any less dense. With the tension of the situation high both rangers were feeling the effects tearing at their nerves as they trudged along in silence.

After walking half a mile Gage's eyes caught sight of a small glowing amber no more then a few feet in front of them someone up ahead was smoking a cigarette. He stopped pointing watching the heater glow again silently in the dark as the smoker took another drag.

Syd nodded her head to let her partner know she saw it watching as he motioned he was going to go round behind the sentry to neutralize the man. Again she nodded yes drawing her gun and watching as Gage came up behind the man grabbing him round the neck, slowly, quietly bringing him to the ground.

A moment later Sydney was beside him and they were moving forward again until they came upon a second man. Motioning to Syd for a second time Gage let her know he was going to circle this sentry as well taking him out the same way as the first.

Again she nodded drawing her gun for the ready once more. Circling around the man Gage moved as fast as lightening implementing the same manoeuvre as before. This time was different this guard had his finger on the trigger of his weapon and as Gage grabbed him he sent a round of bullets wildly up in the air, a warning to Cyrano.

A second more and Gage had the second man out on the ground Syd by his side just as they heard a loud shout, "Marco what's going on?"

Grabbing Syd's hand she and Gage sprinted off the trail and into the brush just as two more men appeared to find Marco out cold on the ground. Both squinted their eyes trying to see where the rangers were hiding the darkness and the dense woods doing their job of cover.

Turning the two of them headed back from where they came one shouting out, "Cyrano they got Marco."

Gage and Sydney were all ready moving forward again to the rendezvous point. As they got there they could see Cyrano's infamous hummer parked there, headlights on illuminating the immediate area. There were about half a dozen armed men standing with Cyrano while the Lisbon children sat on the ground together bound and gagged.

Cyrano had just finished conferring with the two who had found Marco and turning he grabbed up Lily Lisbon and shouted into the night, "Rangers you've just sealed the fate of this kid."

"Let her be I'm right here," Gage shouted stepping into the light hoping Syd wouldn't follow suit.

"Where's Sydney?" Cyrano hollered still using Lily as a shield.

"She's not with me I came alone," Gage replied catching a shadow coming up behind Cyrano knowing it would be Walker.

"What did I tell you Gage," he sneered reaching for his knife just as Walker came flying into the side of him knocking Lily free of his grasp. Gage and Trivette had made for Cyrano's people while Sydney had gone to Lily scooping her up to run to where Tammy was struggling to get to her feet.

After two hard hits from Walker Cyrano knew that he was completely out matched so instead of staying to fight he ran like the coward he was towards where Sydney was with Lily and Tammy.

Having taken care of two of Cyrano's people Gage had looked up just in time to see Cyrano barrelling down on Syd Walker a few steps behind him. Seeing the danger he had called out to her and started to run towards her but not soon enough.

With knife flailing Cyrano jabbed hitting his mark embedding the knife deep into Syd's shoulder Tammy escaping her hold.

Gage heard her cry out watching her stumble forward as Cyrano not even stopping scooped up Tammy under his arm to keep running for his hummer. Syd tried desperately to grab at his leg unable to succeed.

Knowing Gage was just steps behind him Walker kept after Cyrano and Tammy. He had shoved the little girl in his vehicle and jumping in behind he slammed it in gear narrowly missing Walker who was running full force to catch up to them. Grabbing the mirror on the passenger door as it speed past Walker was able to hoist himself up enough to hitch a ride as Cyrano tried to escape.

"Go after them Gage," Syd was screaming as he slide to the ground beside.

"Syd you're hurt," he yelled back.

"I'll live pull out my phone for me and go," she cried out.

Yanking it out of her pocket he pressed it into her hand shouting, "I'll be back," before taking after the fleeing vehicle Trivette close at his heels.

Dialling the phone Syd watched in horror as the passenger door opened Walker hanging precariously off of it as he tried desperately to work his way inside. Suddenly the vehicle veered side ways the driver seeming to loose control as it shot over the embankment and into the deep river water below.

Trivette and Gage stood momentarily watching as the hummer plunged into the water before sliding down the bank to dive in after them. Gage came up first Tammy in his arms to deposit her on shore. He could all ready hear the sirens of approaching police cars screaming down river road. Walker had made sure they were positioned about five miles out to wait for his call.

Seeing that she was breathing and would be all right Gage dived back under the black muddy water to where Trivette was trying desperately to get his partner loose from where he had been pinned in the crash. With Gage's extra strength they were able to jar the door loose and together bring Walker to the surface.

"Cyrano?" Walker questioned as he gasped for air relying on Trivette and Gage to get him to safety.

"He hasn't surfaced," Trivette told him Gage letting go to dive under the water again. Swimming completely around the smashed up vehicle he could find no signs of Cyrano.

The emergency people were all ready coming down the hill by the time Gage swam over to the bank. "No sign of him," he told them saying in the same breath, "I'm going to check on Syd."

"Okay Gage," Trivette, answered Walker nodding his head at the same time.

Fighting his way back up the bank Gage ran to where he had left Sydney and Lily waving to a second EMT unit to follow him. There were two police officers with them one untying Lily while the other was trying to keep Syd still and in one place. "Syd stop trying to move," Gage ordered all ready on the ground beside her taking her hand. The EMT coming beside her to tend to her wound.

"Tammy? Walker?" Syd was questioning trying hard to ignore the pain her shoulder was giving her as the paramedics began working on her getting her ready to transport.

"Tammy's fine, Walker got a little banged up he gets a trip to the hospital just like you," Gage explained as they brought the stretcher along side her.

"I can walk," Syd protested as a sling was put in place to take the tension off her shoulder. "What about Cyrano?"

"Disappeared," Gage answered knowing it wasn't what she wanted to hear.

"Disappeared? How could he disappear? Owww," she cried out giving in to let Gage help her up.

"We'll worry about that once we get you patched up," Gage told her taking charge over her his arm protectively around her.

"All right Gage," she finally gave in Gage lifting her into the unit and climbing in behind her.

Memorial Hospital

The ambulance carrying Syd pulled in to emergency moments after the one carrying Walker and Tammy Lisbon. Syd had sat up leaning against Gage for the duration of the ride fighting the pain and the urge to pass out.

The unit doors opened and Syd made a move to get out only to dizzily fall back against her partner and fainted. Getting his arms around her he lifted her up to carry her into emergency.

"Trauma two," one of the nurses was calling Gage hurrying behind them. Gently he laid her on the exam table to be pushed out of the way by the trauma team who hurried to access his partner's injury.

"Let's get her up to surgery," someone was shouting as they immediately began moving her out.

Gage stood frozen his heart pounding in his chest as they moved Syd through the doors to head for the elevator. She'd been hurt before and he knew that this wasn't life threatening but still… He just wanted her safe… he just wanted to hold her… he just wanted…

"Ranger if you follow me I'll take you upstairs to the waiting room," the nurse smiled taking him by the arm and leading him towards the elevators.

"Gage."

He turned to catch sight of Alex coming in with Erica. Mrs. Lisbon had stood up as well she was flanked by a younger couple Gage assumed to be Lily and Tammy's parents.

"Alex they're just taking Syd up to surgery I haven't heard anything about anyone else," he honestly told her.

"Ranger Gage," it was Aida Lisbon speaking, "The girls are going to be fine."

"I'm really sorry that the girls got dragged into this," Gage began apologizing.

"Ranger I'm Jack Lisbon the girls' father. We know that this wasn't your fault and we also know that you all put your lives on the line to get Tammy and Lily back," he told Gage before adding, "Mom and the girls are coming home to Austin with us tonight until this blows over so you won't have us to worry about."

"Hopefully this will be coming to an end soon," Gage agreed.

"Mrs. Walker?" a young resident was asking for Alex she looked up going straight for the man. "Your husband has just gone up to x-ray. From our initial examination it looks as if it is just a few broken ribs and a mild concussion we'll know more when the pictures come back."

Hearing that Gage turned to Alex, "I'm going up to wait for Syd."

"Yes go ahead. We'll be up as soon as we can," she answered grabbing his hand for a moment before following the resident.

The elevator doors opened and Gage stepped inside turning to hit the button for the fifth floor. Anxiously he rubbed his hand over his face his mind going over what had happened in the last couple of days. The door opened on the third floor two nurses got in each pushing buttons for different floors both chatting with each other. Once more the elevator moved stopping on the fifth floor, excusing himself Gage got out and headed for the nurses station.

"I'm here for Ranger Cooke," he announced waiting for a reply.

The nurse looked down her chart seeing Sydney's name replied, "Yes Ranger right here she's in operating room three. Let me call over and see where things stand." With that she picked up the phone and dialled. A couple of minutes conversation and the nurse hung up looking up to Gage she began to speak, "Everything is going as expected they should be finished up in about an hour. You can have a seat over there while you wait."

"Thanks," Gage answered with a slight smile turning to go wait. Slumping down in the first convenient chair he leaned back his head going back sighing deeply.

He sat there for what seemed like an eternity but was only about thirty minutes when he suddenly heard his name called he looked up to see Trivette and Erica standing there. "Any word on Syd?" Jimmy asked.

"Not yet. You learn anything?"

"Walker is downstairs trying to get around Alex to sign himself out. The Lisbons just left for the trip back to Austin and there is no trace of Cyrano any where," Trivette relayed to Gage.

"So we're back to where we started," Gage sighed again.

"Except now your name has been added to the hit list with your girlfriend," Trivette absently reminded him.

"Yeah and I wish the whole thing was over and I could just take my girlfriend home," he replied.

Trivette slumped down with him holding his hand out to his wife to join them both lapsing into silence to wait with him.

Another thirty minutes passed before a doctor approached the trio. "Rangers?" he asked as Gage stood to meet the man.

"Yes doctor how is she?" he asked.

"She's going to be fine. She was lucky even though the wound was deep it was clean, her shoulder is going to be sore for quite a few days but she'll be as good as new."

"Can we see her?" Gage questioned not wanting to seem to eager but not succeeding very well.

"The nurse will come and get you as soon as we have her settled in her room," the doctor smiled. He turned to go then as if remembering something stopped to face them again asking, "Are one you gentleman Francis?"

Gage's face went slightly red smiling he said, "That would be me."

"She definitely wants to see you," the doctor replied walking down the hall leaving Gage standing there.

Another twenty minutes and the nurse had come to escort Gage to where Sydney was. "She's still a little groggy but she is asking for you," the nurse smiled pushing open the door to Syd's room.

"Thanks," Gage smiled walking over where Syd lay.

"What are you doing about getting me out of here?" she greeted him.

"Hey I'm just getting past sighing deeply that you're okay," he told her taking her hand, leaning down and kissing her forehead.

"Umm sorry I worried you," she mumbled trying hard to hide the pain her shoulder was giving her. "Honey I'm not kidding around though you have to get me out of here I feel like a sitting duck."

"Sydney you're only an hour out of surgery will you slow down," Gage tried to tell her.

"I know but I just don't like staying here…" she pouted.

"I like it better when you're at home too," Gage agreed kissing again.

"How are Walker and the Lisbon girls?" Syd questioned her eyes closing.

"The girls are both fine and on their way back home with their mom and dad. Mrs. Lisbon is going to go to Austin and stay with them a while too until this blows over. Walker is downstairs double talking Alex to get out of here just like you are me," Gage answered her.

"I want to go home with you Gage," she softly spoke.

"Tell you what Shorty you lay back and relax let me go home, have a shower, pick up a change of clothes for you then see if they will let you out," Gage bargained with her.

"All right but I want to go home by tonight with you I'm going to sleep much better at home in our bed," she yawned.

"And that goes with out saying for me too. I sleep much better when you are in my arms," he agreed.

"Don't be gone long," she told him still tightly holding his hand.

"I'm not going any where until the guard is outside and you are sleeping."

"Thanks Honey," she whispered squeezing his hand once more before falling asleep.

Later…

After speaking with Syd's doctor Gage learned if all went well that day he would be able to take her home with him that evening. Alex had all ready lost her battle Walker had not only signed himself out but had stopped by headquarters on the way to the ranch.

Gage had made a quick trip to headquarters too on his way back to the hospital to see if there had been any new developments.

"The guys we brought in aren't talking they're just too scared of what Cyrano might do," Trivette informed him. "But we were able to find out once the hummer was pulled from the river that it was registered to a Deacon Kelly," he continued clicking a few buttons on his computer to draw up Deacon Kelly's face.

"So Cyrano has a real name," Gage retorted studying the picture of their adversary.

"Oh yeah and a real long rap sheet to go with it, everything from extortion to murder. He's changed his appearance and given himself a new name that's why it's taken us so long to catch up to him," Trivette explained bringing the old Deacon Kelly's picture with long dark hair and goatee up beside the new Deacon Kelly with short blonde hair and cleaned shaved face. "He came up from the streets having made a name for himself likes to keep in close touch with the gangs so he can blame them for his acts of violence and use them to help perpetrate his crimes.

According to eyewitness accounts he can be pretty ruthless if you fail him. By how scared these guys we have locked up are I think that the stories must have some merit," Trivette finished telling Gage.

"Any idea who he might be working for?" Gage questioned letting the new information digest as he stared at Cyrano's image on the computer screen.

"Nothing concrete but with the connection between Sally Benton and Syd I've been doing some digging into Benton Pharmaceuticals so far I've come up empty handed but then I've only begun to scratch the surface," Trivette told him.

"My money is on Benton too," Gage concurred. "I've got to get back to the hospital before Syd is leaving for home without me."

Trivette smiled at his friend knowing what he said was probably true. In truth though in light of what Trivette had just told him Gage was anxious to get back to the hospital and be with Sydney. He knew he wasn't going to stop worrying about her until she was in his sight.

Memorial Hospital

Pulling his car into the most convenient parking space Gage got out. He looked around the parking unable to see anything unusual although he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Instead of going in the front entrance he made a quick detour and slipped in the side of the building stepping into the first elevator that he saw, an old supply one, he hit the button for the basement.

The elevator doors opened to a maze of pipes and mechanical workings accompanied by loud noise that kept the hospital working. Going down the isle Gage quickly ducked out of sight in among some of the machinery so he could keep his eyes on the elevator doors.

He didn't have long to wait before the elevator came back down to the basement and the doors began to open. There was a short pause before anyone stepped out unlike the usual gang members Cyrano usually employed two clean cut men dressed in regulation army garb stepped from the elevator side weapons drawn.

The first man motioned for the second to head down the opposite direction while he turned and came towards where Gage stood waiting. Taking a deep breath and holding it he waited until the enemy was almost in front of him before bringing his leg up hard to knock the gun flying from his hand. Before the man had a chance to recover Gage had brought his foot up once more nailing the guy in the head. The man spun and reeled backwards allowing Gage to grab him into a headlock rendering him unconscious. Dragging him back among the machinery Gage quickly peered out to see where the second guy was. He had disappeared from sight.

"Where did you go?" Gage silently asked himself gun drawn as he moved in the direction he had last seen the man going. All at once there was the loud ping of a bullet hitting a pipe beside his head and a blast of steam shooting out. Hitting the floor Gage rolled to the side as a second bullet ricocheted off another piece of equipment narrowly missing him. In that split second he got sight of the shooter and returned fire the would be assassin falling to the floor.

Cautiously Gage moved towards the hired gun kicking his weapon out of reach before bending to feel for a nonexistent pulse.

Quickly going back where he had left the first one laying he cuffed him and pulled his phone to dial headquarters. After relaying what he had happened to Trivette he hung up his phone just as his prisoner began to come around.

Grabbing his arm Gage hauled the man to his feet. "All right you going to tell me what's going on and why you and your buddy tried to kill me?" he questioned the would be killer.

"I've got nothing to say to you," he snarled back.

"Is that so?" Gage asked dragging the man to where the steam was still spewing from the pipe. Taking hold of the man's neck Gage pushed the guy's face towards the hot spray of steam holding it a few inches away. With a cool even voice Gage began to speak, "I know that you are working for Cyrano and you're going to tell me where he is and why he is so desperate to have me and my partner dead."

"I'm signing my own death warrant if I tell you anything," he cried out to Gage trying as best he could to escape Gage's grip on him.

"You're as good as dead smart guy," Gage answered, "Cyrano doesn't like failure and you have failed him."

"Please you can't do this, you have to protect me!"

"You want protection you start talking," Gage replied.

"All right, all right it's money. It's all about money," he cried out.

Loosening his grip Gage spun him around to face him. "Keep talking I'm listening."

"Cyrano usually doesn't get involved with the killing he usually subcontracts things out. There was something about this Sally Benton thing he said he had to take care of it personally. Said he had to take out Sally and her nosey ranger friend."

"Who put the hit out on Sally and the ranger?" Gage interrogated more.

"I don't know the same guy all the big contracts come from I guess. Cyrano never says he's always secretive who he does business with. Paranoid that one of us will take over and cut him out all together."

"Where is Cyrano now?" Gage relentless kept up the questions.

"I don't know you have to believe me. I got a call early this morning said he needed you and your partner finished off that you were at the hospital with her. My partner and I have been dogging you ever since. Said he'd be in touch when the job was done."

"And you trusted him?" Gage asked.

"He's never given me reason not too."

The elevator doors opened and Gage heard his name called. "Over here Trivette," he shouted back.

"You okay?" he questioned.

"Yeah I want to get up to Sydney to make sure that these two are the only ones Cyrano sent to take care of us," he answered handing his prisoner over to transport.

"All right I'll be up shortly," Trivette agreed watching Gage get on the elevator.

TBC