Chapter 3

Ch 3 starts the following Tuesday, Syd having been away 3 days

EL PASO

"Hey sis, are you ever gonna get off that phone" Sydney's brother Charlie was asking, somewhat annoyed that it had only been 3 days since her arrival and already she was homesick.

"Give me a minute, I'm just leaving Gage a message" Syd said as she heard Gages voicemail pick up

"Hi you've reached Gage, leave me a message"

"Hey Gage it's Syd, I was just calling to see how things were going, and if you missed me yet, call me later, take care" After letting out a heavy sigh, Syd got up and proceeded to follow her brother into the family room.

DALLAS

"Hey Gage let's go there has been a reported bank robbery" Trivette yelled as they both made a mad dash to Trivettes car. Since Syd was gone Gage and Trivette were temporary partners.

"Alright Trivette, I'll cover the back you take the front, they can't be gone yet"

"Ok Gage, lets go" after busting the robber followed by a lengthy interrogation the Rangers found out that the robber was not connected to anyone, in fact he only held up the bank so he could get money for his mom's taxes.

"Man Gage, that was funny, I have never seen such a stupid criminal," Trivette was laughing at this point

"Yeah he was pretty dumb, Sydney would never believe that"

"Speaking of, how is she doing?"

"Well she called while we were interrogating the witness, I have not listened to her message yet, but as of yesterday she was doing good, she likes being with her family, but she still misses us." Gage smiled as he thought of their last night together

"Well you better hope she does not like being there to much, I'd hate to think of losing her permanently" Trivette said, in a very serious tone

"What do you mean?" Gage asked worried "Well just that she never sees her family, and if she loves being over there, she might decide to leave us and move" Trivette was laughing inside, but showed nothing but seriousness on his face.

Gage got up and left just as Walker was entering the office, he had to hear what Syd's message said, could Trivette be right?

"Trivette, did you just do what I think you did?" Walker asked, knowing full well what his answer would be

"Hey it was your wife's idea and she's always right when it comes to matters of the heart" Trivette was beaming by now, his plan with Alex was to get Gage missing Syd, and then convince him that she was not going to come home, if he went to get her, then there was no way sparks could not fly.

EL PASO

Sydney was at the bridal shop helping pick out the brides maids gowns "Hey Sydney" said a familiar voice from behind her, "long time no see"

She turned on her heel to see non other than Jacob, her high school sweetheart, "Hey Jake, how are you?" She exclaimed as she gave him a warm hug.

"I heard the infamous Sydney Cooke was coming back into town, and I had to see it to believe it", Jacob was smiling, although he and Syd had a falling out, it was years ago, and besides she looked better than ever

"Well it's true but I am only here for 11 more days, Charlie is getting married, haven't you heard?"

"Yeah but still, his getting married does not compare to seeing you again, so did you bring the man in your life?" Jacob wanted to take her out again, to see if he could re-kindle the flame

"No Jake there is no man in my life right now, but that does not mean you have a chance, I told you when we broke up, I forgave you but I still haven't forgot." He had hurt Syd, he ditched heart prom and was caught making love to her best friend.

"Ok, fine, but can I at least take you to dinner, so we can catch up on old times?" He knew if he got her in the right mood maybe something could happen

"Hold that thought" Syd said as her phone rang

"Hey Gage, what are you doing" She left Jake standing there as she went outside to talk to Gage. When she got off the phone she came back in smiling, Gage was already missing her as a partner, and she was glad because she missed being with him to. Funny she thought to herself, why would he think I would stay here? Her thoughts were interrupted when Jacob asked her if it was yes or no, Since Gage put her in a good mood she told him yes, she'd see him Friday night. With everything settles Syd and the bridal party finally came to an agreement on the dress.

DALLAS (Friday 3:00C/2:00M)

"Hey Alex, did Syd ever mention a guy named Jacob to you?" Gage asked as he entered Alex's office

"No, she hasn't, why do you ask?" Alex knew all about Jake, but she decided not to tell Gage just yet.

"No reason, it's just I miss Syd a lot, if you can't already tell, and then today she tells me she's having dinner with an old friend." He had a very pained look in his face, his first week without her had gone bad, his paperwork was sloppy, he had not been of any help on busts, all he did was sit and wonder if she was ok, and if she was coming home.

"Of course I can tell you miss her, she misses you to ya know"

"Yeah how do you know that?" he asked doubtful

"Well it could be because she has not gone an hour without calling you."

"Well what can I do, I mean she's over there and I'm here, besides I still have another week to go." Gage was getting frustrated; all Alex was doing was make him miss her more.

"Walker hasn't told you yet?" Alex asked him laughing

"Told me what?" Gage asked

"You have the week off, and this weekend to, you requested it a month ago, how could you forget?" She was smiling at this point; they both knew he had not requested it.

"Yeah, funny how that slipped my mind" Gage told her, a smile creeping across his face "Just one more thing Alex, What's in it for ya'll"

"That's easy Gage, you and Syd are Angela's favorite babysitters, I'm sure she'd love to spend some more time with you, besides she just learned how to walk" Alex was laughing at Gage as he told her it was a deal and left. She knew what he was going to do; she just hoped it would work. "Hey thanks Walker" Gage said as he sat at his desk

"Don't thank me yet, I just hope it works, now get out of here you have a plane to catch" All of Company B knew what was cheering Gage on, him and Syd belonged together, and if he did not tell her soon, it might be to late.

EL PASO

"Hey Syd it's already 6 are you even going to start getting ready?" Sydney's 23-year-old sister Ann was yelling at her. While in El Paso Ann was whom Syd chose to stay with.

"Give me a minute, I am trying to get a hold of Gage, his phone has been off for the last 3 hours." Syd was confused; he never had his phone off. She shook it off and went to get ready, by 8:00 she was dressed to kill, she had decided that just because she wasn't going to let anything happen with Jake, didn't mean she could not have a good time. She had planned on messing with his mind, so she could hurt him like he had her.

"Sis, Jake is here"

'Alright guys, bye see yall later tonight" Syd said as she walked down the front porch

"Bye Syd have fun," Ann yelled as Syd disappeared from site. She was about to go to her room when she heard the doorbell ring.

"Hi, is there a Sydney Cooke around here by any chance" Gage asked, hoping to find her before she left

"Umm no, she just left, I know this might seem rude but who are you?" Ann was shocked that her sister would have strange, yet handsome men coming to her door.

"I'm Gage, her partner from Ft. Worth"

"Gage!" she exclaimed, oh man Syd would be so happy to see him, "Come on in, I'll give you directions to where she is at." Gage came in her house and sat down in the living room.

"How long are you here for" Ann asked

"That all depends on your sister" He said somewhat embarrassed.

"Well then that must mean for the week, Jake took her to Cowboys, she said there is one just like it in Dallas"

"Yeah there is, hey look can I use your restroom to go change, if I am going to surprise her I can't look like I just got off a plane." Gage got up and Ann led him down the hall to the bathroom.

"Hey don't get another cab, I'll be ready in a minute, I wouldn't miss this for the world" Ann exclaimed as she ran to her bedroom to change.

Within 30 minutes the pair was set off to cowboys, to find Sydney. "Hey Gage I know this is my first time meeting you, but you are everything she says you are."

"Thanks Ann, I appreciate it, but you're her sister you know, do you think she'll give me a chance?"

"Well in all honesty, I know she loves you, based on the fact that all week you were all she could focus on, but Gage I must tell you, Richard hurt her bad, and I am not sure if she'd start another relationship this soon." This shocked Gage, but it made him realize he'd only have to try harder.

COWBOYS

"Man Sydney, you look amazing tonight, theres not one man who can't keep his eyes off of you, including me" Jake told her, more trying ot get her into bed that compliment her.

"Thanks Jake, but this is just an as friends thing, I only let you bring me here b/c I have not been to a club in awhile." Syd caught on to his antics so she was prepared for anything.

Right before Jake could ask Syd for another dance, the announcer hushed the crowd, " Ladies and gentleman, I hope your having a great time" The crowd cheered so he continued, "Tonight we have a very special request, Is there a Sydney Cooke in the club tonight?"

"That's me" Syd said as she walked over to where the announcer was

"Well Sydney a dedication has been made for you", All of a sudden Emerson Drive's Fall into Me started playing in the background. Before the words started the announcer said "The message is, To my Shorty, please listen to this song, I know things have been rough for you lately, but I love you and I know you love me"

You say you've turned it off
Hid your heart upon a shelf
Scared of what it might cost
To take it down for someone else
Cuz loving him you lost
Too much of yourself
Baby, can't you see
That he's not me
And..

Syd knew it has to be from Gage, she stood up on the nearest table and started searching for him. She saw her sister and then she saw him, he looked so handsome, she looked into his eyes and got off he table, ever so slowly making her way towards him

I need you to know you can fall into me
That my arms are wide open
And will always be
Right here waiting
Staying strong
Come and fall into me

Gage watched Syd as she made her way towards him, she was absolutely gorgeous. When she finally reached him he took her in his arms and started singing the song to her, she in turn laid her head on his shoulder and listend to his sexy voice.

I'll follow any road
Anywhere to get to you
I'll open up my soul
If that's what you need me to do
But now baby, it's your move
All you've got to do
Is believe in love, just believe in us
And...

I need you to know you can fall into me
That my arms are wide open
And will always be
Right here waiting
Staying strong
Come and fall into me

Sydney took her head from his shoulders and looked into his eyes, she was still wondering if this was a dream, or if he was really here. As they swayed to the song it was as if they were the only two in the room.

Just believe in love
Just believe in us
Baby
I need you to know you can fall into me
That my arms are wide open
And will always be
Right here waiting
Staying strong
Come and fall into me

Come and fall into me
Baby fall into me

As the song came to and end Sydney had tears in her eyes, she was overwhelmed with happiness.

"Did you listen to the words Syd, I meant every one, I love you forever and I always will" Gage was cut short by Sydney

"It's really you, I can't believe it, yes I listend to the words and God Gage, I love you to, I have missed you so much" Tears were in her eyes as he leaned in and kissed her fervently.

"Shorty I am so glad to hear you say that, I thought I was to late, that you'd somehow end up with Jake" He was holding her close never wanting to let her go.

"Jake, never, you are the only man I could ever truly love, lets get out of here" Syd grabbed Gage's hand and led him out the door to her sisters waiting car when they got back to Ann's house Syd led him into her room.

"Syd I love you so much, you know I would never hurt you" Gage told her as he fluttered kisses down her neck and shoulders.

"I know Gage, I know, please take me, give me what I've been wanting from you since I first saw your smile" She trembled at his touch, and then they fell across the bed and made love like never before, Gage caressed her body, mind and soul then he became one with her.

"You are amazing Syd, I love you so much"

"I love you to Gage" she told him as he rolled her over and held her, as if afraid to let her go.

Syd woke up the next morning in Gage's arms, she was almost afraid to look in case she had been dreaming, but she wasn't. Gage stayed with her for the rest of the week, she showed him her hometown and introduced him to her family and took him to her brothers wedding.

They had a great time together just being with each other, not like before but on a new intimate level , by the end of it they knew what their old lives had been missing, each other. When they finally borded the plane for Dallas they took one last look back, El Paso was where their lives had changed, Ft. Worth was going to be where there new lives would start.

***I lay no claim to the song Fall Into Me, sang by Emerson Drive, written by Danny Orton, Jeremy Stover.