~ Chapter Two~
The Early Hours Of The Morning… Trying To Make Sense…
"Shh Honey you didn't kill anyone," Gage tried to quiet her, tried to get to the root of what had brought this on.
"You don't know, you don't understand, you just weren't there…" she sobbed crushing herself closer still to him some how hoping she would just disappear.
Rocking them gently trying to comfort her he softly spoke, "Make me understand, take me there Syd."
"Gage I don't think…" she stopped mid sentence tears over taking her again.
"Lay back with me Syd," Gage urged easing them back against the pillows. "No matter what it is you know that I will understand," he continued feeling her arm go around his waist her head slowly nod yes.
Finally she gave in letting the words begin to tumble out. "I hadn't been a cop very long but because of my looks and background I was picked for this assignment at one of the local highschools. I drew Luis Alvarez as a partner he was given the assignment for the same reasons as me he would fit in.
Gage absently kissed the top of her head his mind wandering to the case she was referring to. When he had drawn her as a partner he had made it his business to find out what he could about her. This had been her last case before being accepted by the rangers and coming to Houston. Like Alvarez he had drawn her for his partner because of the case he was working, her looks and her background. He had never looked back.
"We had to find some way to get in tight with Ricky Taurus… we knew he was the leader of the car theft ring we just had to make the connection. I had found out from his old lady that the only way to do that was challenge him in a race. A high speed race through the city streets…"
Gage recalled reading that was part of the initiation into Taurus' inner circle in Syd's report.
"Alvarez didn't want to do it, didn't want to take the chance and I should have listened to him," Sydney had continued her grip on Gage's hand tightening once more.
"I just wouldn't let up Gage… you know me when I get an idea in my head I just don't stop. I badgered him, threatened to go over his head, finally telling him he was a coward that I was up to the challenge more then he was." Tears had come to her eyes again as that night and the argument they had replayed in her mind once again.
They lay quietly Gage stroking Syd's back waiting for her to continue a few minutes later she did. "We had it all mapped out with our boss exactly where the race was to go, then Taurus pulled a fast one on us… he changed the race site. Said he wanted Alvarez to drive one of his cars that they had been working on we were going to the local raceway. I didn't even give my partner a chance to refuse I butted right in asking what are we waiting for."
"You can't blame yourself for that I would have expected you to do the same if it was you and me…"
"Great you'd expect me to get you killed thanks partner," she spat out wrenching away from him, throwing the covers back and jumping out of bed. Going the length of the room she threw herself into her wing chair to stare out the window.
"Wait a minute Syd," Gage was out of bed right behind her once again he was squatting in front of her taking her hands. "You know full well that is how we would have played it we wouldn't have backed down…"
She knew he was right her eyes closed the sound of the crashing car was in her ears, she could see it rolling over and over again finally coming to rest in the center field. Sydney had run to the car while the rest had just run… her partner had died in her arms and she blamed herself.
A shiver ran through her Gage ran his hands up and down her arms, "Come back bed with me Honey, come on," he coaxed.
Shaking her head yes she let him help her up and lead her back to bed.
"Syd I'm not going to take any unnecessary chances," he told her once again snuggling in beside her. "Besides this isn't like the last time."
"I know Gage," she told him swinging her leg over him so she could slide on top of him. "It's just… the dream was so real," she whispered settling against him.
"Dreams can be," he replied his eyes closing.
"Yeah," she agreed deciding not to tell him that in her dream when she had gone to help Alvarez from the wreck it had actually been Gage. She hugged him close and closing her eyes she tried to sleep.
The Texas Motor Speedway
Both rangers were up early the next morning. After checking into the hotel they piled back into Gage's car to go to the racetrack. Going through the gate Gage looked over to where Sydney sat beside him.
"Hey Callie Morris you ready for this?" Gage asked using her cover name.
"I'm ready all right Jeff Stevens," she answered forcing a smile to her face catching the excitement in Gage's.
"You sure Honey?" he asked as Gage not Jeff.
"You worry about driving that car Francis I can hold my own," she retorted.
Smiling at her he knew that she was right.
Stopping the car they both jumped out and headed to the Hollander garage where Gage was to meet Bobby Hollander. Going inside they were met with a loud argument going on at the far end of the garage between Hollander and another man.
"I deserve that car," the young man was shouting.
"Tye you're just not ready," Hollander argued back.
"I'm more ready then some no name driver that you're bringing in," he shouted back slamming his hand hard on the hood of the car to make his point.
"You're not ready until I say so," Hollander insisted.
"We'll see about that," the young driver shot back turning his back on Hollander to stomp towards the door pushing by Sydney and Gage.
Waiting a moment until Tye Reade had left Gage walked over to where Hollander stood. Offering his hand Gage introduced himself, "Mr. Hollander, Jeff Stevens."
"Jeff," Hollander grasped his hand a smile coming across his face. "Are you ready to show us what you got on the track?"
"Sure am," Gage grinned trying not to seem to over eager. "This the baby right here?" he asked his eyes beginning to go over every inch of the car in front of him.
"That's her," Hollander grinned running his hand across the car's front fender.
"Should I be jealous?" Syd jumped into the conversation.
"Sorry Callie," Gage smiled taking her hand. "Mr. Hollander this is my lady Callie Morris."
"Pleased to meet you Mr. Hollander," Syd smiled holding her hand out."
"Both of you it's Bobby," Hollander told them grasping Syd's hand.
"All right Bobby it is," Sydney told him smiling again.
Turning his attention back to Gage Hollander stated, "So lets see what you got?"
"Yes sir I'm ready," Gage answered.
"Then suit up," Hollander retorted raising his hand to wave Tinker Downs
over to them. "Tinker this is Jeff Stevens if his run pans out then he is
going to be behind the wheel of the Hollander race car. Keep your eye on him."
"You got it Bobby," Tinker replied nudging Gage to follow him. "Boys get
the car on the track and ready to go," he called to the pit crew, "We got a
possible driver here."
The crew stopped long enough to give Gage the once over before snapping into the action getting the car ready to roll.
As Gage disappeared to get ready for the run Hollander turned his attention to Sydney. "You and Jeff been together long?" he questioned her.
"Sweet hearts since high school," she told him.
"All this racing stuff doesn't bother you?"
"Mr. Hollan… Bobby," she corrected herself I just wish I could be the one out there driving," she told him. "Racing is our first love then each other."
"Boy where did Jeff find you you're a real gem not many women think like you," Hollander praised her.
She smiled at the man her eyes training on Gage as he stood ready to race conferring with Tinker. He looked good in his racing gear she felt more at ease then she had earlier seeing him dressed ready to go knowing that this was nothing like how it was when her first partner had died. "I think you are going to be very happy with what you are about to see," she told Hollander still watching Gage.
"You been on this track before Jeff?" Tinker was asking Gage.
"Just once," Gage replied.
"Then you know to try to stay tight to the inside on turn three?" Tinker asked, Gage nodding his head yes. He had, had a chance to come out with Walker and some of his friends on occasion and that is when they had let him take their car out. Walker had actually raced the car and Gage had been envious ever since learning that fact.
"This car is actually better then the number one car that we lost last week," Tinker began to explain. "We've got her tuned and running like there's no tomorrow. Take her slow for the first couple of laps get to know her and the track then let her show you what she's got."
Grinning from ear to ear Gage pulled his helmet over his head telling Tinker at the same time, "That's exactly what I aim to do."
Falling in line with Tinker Gage caught sight of Sydney she flashed him a smile giving him a thumbs up at the same time. He smiled back at her returning the jester before giving Tinker his attention. Silently Syd said a small pray hoping that Gage would keep his mind on what he was doing and not worry about her.
Watching him climb into the car and behind the wheel her confidence in his ability to pull this off began to build, the motor revived and he was off.
Coming out of the second turn the car suddenly shot forward as Gage stood on the clutch and geared up his foot punching the gas pedal almost simultaneously.
"What the hell are you doing?" Tinker's voice came across the headset.
"She's begging me to let her go," Gage retorted shifting the gears again and opening her wide.
"Pay attention Jeff you're coming into the third turn and she's tricky stay to the inside," Tinker was shouting his eyes riveted to the car as Gage safely manoeuvred the turn opening her wide again.
"Man Tinker this guy is a winner," Reese Dawson, another of the pit crew commented standing beside Tinker as he too watched Gage sail around the track.
"Not if he don't learn to listen to me," Tinker flatly told him even though he was thinking the same thing as Dawson.
"Gear down and go high," Tinker was once again shouting at Gage into the headset watching him take the turn with the ease of a pro.
"All right open her up it's clear sailing," he shouted again watching Gage become one with the car once more.
By the tenth lap Dawson stop watch in hand was shouting again, "Did you catch that he's shaved .10 seconds off the official track time."
"Let me see that," Hollander shouted grabbing the stop watch off Dawson to look for himself.
"All right Jeff bring her in," Tinker was ordering as Gage headed into the eleventh lap.
"You got it," Gage answered hating to have to bring things to a halt.
"You were right Callie Jeff didn't disappoint. I think maybe we have a chance of winning us a race," he told her the car coming into the pits.
"With Jeff behind the wheel it's almost a sure thing," Sydney replied the excitement of the run beginning to hit her too.
The Other Side Of The Field In The Carson Pit
Tye Reade stood with David Carson watching as Gage took his test run. "Looks like Hollander is bringing in a ringer," Carson commented.
"I can match him or better Hollander just won't give me a chance," Reade complained. "If I had a sponsor and a car for this race…" his eyes focused on David as he spoke. He would like nothing better then to get on the track with Jeff Stevens and show Bobby Hollander the mistake he had made putting Stevens in his car.
"Tell you what Tye you break your contract with Hollander and I'll give you the second Carson car. Billy Duff is still going to be in the number one car but at least you'll be on the track," Carson bargained with him. "There will be a big bonus in it for you if you beat this Jeff Stevens," Carson sweetened the pot.
"I'm spending the money all ready," Reade answered a grin on his face.
At The Hollander Pit
The Hollander team including Bobby Hollander crowded around congratulating Gage as he crawled from the car. Syd hung back for a few moments watching everyone before pushing through the men to fling her arms around Gage and plant a kiss on him. "Knew you could do it Honey," she cried out feeling Gage pull her to him.
"What do you think Tinker?" Hollander directed the question to his head crew man.
"I think he's going get himself killed if he don't learn to listen to me," Tinker came back looking directly at Gage.
"Think you can do what this old codger tells you?" Hollander asked.
"I'm sure willing to try," Gage answered a quiet tension coming over them all.
"Then welcome to the Hollander team," Bobby announced grasping Gage's hand shaking it while a loud cheer went up among the team members.
Picking Syd up Gage swung her around giving out his own whoop. She grasped him just as tightly whispering, "I love you Honey."
"Enough of that nonsense Jeff," Tinker cut in. "We have work to do then you and the lady can celebrate all you want once we win."
"Yes sir," Gage answered planting another kiss on Syd before setting her on her feet again.
"Listen to the man," Syd scolded. "You've got only one lady to look after until you and her win the race then I'm all yours," she teased bringing jeers and laughter from the rest of the crew.
"Lets get started," Gage grinned his face slightly reddened.
"Then get back in the car," Tinker answered Gage doing as he was told.
With Gage back on the track Syd took the opportunity to converse with some of the pit crew Reese Dawson in particular. "Who was Bobby arguing with when Jeff and I came in this morning?" she asked not taking her eyes off the track as Gage whizzed by again.
"Our second driver Tye Reade," Dawson informed her dying to tell her the rest of the story.
"Why didn't they bump him up then instead of giving Jeff a try out?" she asked turning to face Dawson.
"Cause Bobby liked Jeff's stats and he don't really get along that well with Tye. Tye likes to be running the show trying to tell Bobby how things should be done. Truth be known he isn't much of a driver Jeff here can drive circles around him," Dawson enlightened her. "We were beginning to wonder how we would get paid if Tye was in our car," he added.
"Sounds like it was lucky for all of us that we made the connection," Sydney smiled at the man.
"Dawson get over here," Tinker shouted to him.
"Right there," he answered nodding at Sydney.
Taking the opportunity Syd walked over to the far side of the pit and pulled her cell phone quickly dialling Walker. "We're in," she told him keeping a close watch to make sure she wasn't over heard. "Can you see what you can find out on Tye Reade seems he got passed over in favour of Jeff and he wasn't very happy about it."
"I'll put Trivette right on it," Walker retorted saying at the same time, "Keep in touch."
"Will do Walker," she told him catching sight of a young woman coming into the pit area.
Quickly snapping her phone closed Syd walked towards the woman stopping as she approached Bobby Hollander. "Lindy what are you doing here?" he hissed at her taking hold of her arm steering her off to the side.
"I did what you told me Bobby where's my money?" she demanded not about to be put off.
"Lindy this isn't the place…"
"Where is the place then?" she argued back.
"I'll meet you at the lake tonight," he mumbled back squeezing tightly to her arm to make his point.
"All right, all right but you had better be there," she warned yanking her arm from his grasp to stomp off from where she came.
Sydney quickly turned to move back out front to watch Gage hiding the fact she had been eaves dropping on the conversation between Hollander and Lindy.
She made her way back over towards Dawson stopping to stand beside him. "Who's the girl?" she asked keeping her eyes trained on the track. "Anyone I should be worried about?"
"That's Lindy Tameron she had a thing for Donnie Maples," he replied pausing a moment before saying, "In fact she has a thing for most drivers… yeah maybe you should be worried if Jeff has a wandering eye."
"She goes near Jeff she'll answer to me," Syd retorted.
"I bet she will," Dawson agreed grinning back at Syd seeing her for the spitfire she was.
Eighty laps later Tinker was signalling Gage into the pits. "She's pulling to the left," Gage was telling Tinker as he crawled from the car.
"Boys lets get her into the garage and have a look at her," Tinker was shouting Gage a step behind him as the car was pushed into the garage.
Smiling to herself Syd ran to catch up with her partner knowing he was going to want to be in the thick of things. In fact she was finding a growing fascination with the car too. "Jeff," she called out, "Mechanical problem?"
"Pulling in the turns," he answered Syd nodding her understanding following along with Gage.
The crew worked on the car most of the afternoon and Gage took it out for twenty more laps before Tinker called him off the track. "Go home and take a break Jeff just be back here for ten tomorrow," he told him. "We've got two more days until time trials and I don't want you wore out before then."
"I've got so much adrenalin going here there isn't a chance of that," Gage honestly told him.
"Callie take him home and help him relax will you," Tinker addressed Syd slapping Gage's shoulder. "She might even let you help her wash a little of that grease off her face there," the crew leader teased watching Syd's hand immediately go to her face to wipe the smear.
"Maybe she will at that," Gage grinned at her.
"See you back here tomorrow," Tinker laughed.
"See you Tinker, Dawson," Gage replied slinging his arm over Syd's shoulder.
"Bye," Syd called too.
Once the rangers were out of earshot of the garage Gage picked up Sydney and spun them both around. "Was that fantastic or what?" he cried out pulling her to him and hugging her tight.
"I think it was fantastic," Syd laughed her arms winding tight around his neck her lips going to his for a passionate kiss.
"I think we have a little celebrating to do Syd," Gage whispered to her teasing her neck with soft kisses.
"We're suppose to be working a case Gage," she answered him.
"We are Syd they're all watching us," he murmured feeling Syd's legs wind around his body.
"I guess then we had better not disappoint them," she spoke into his ear before attacking his neck.
"I've got to get you back to that hotel Shorty," Gage gasped trying to grab the car door and open it. Finally succeeding he slid Sydney into the car sliding in right beside her, fumbling for his keys at the same time.
"Maybe I should be the one driving that race car," Syd teased as Gage put his vehicle in gear and hightailed it back to the Raceway Hotel.
The door to their hotel room flew open with a bang. "Jeff," Syd cried keeping up the charade.
Gage had swung Sydney over his shoulder heading inside stopping only long enough to catch the door with his foot slamming it closed. Tossing her haphazardly across the bed he fell beside her grabbing her close pulling her into a tight embrace his lips catching hers. "Oh Syd," he could feel her hands pulling at his t-shirt her nails raking down across his back.
"Francis I need you to love me… I need… you…" her words trailed off to a moan Gage's hand beneath her blouse pushing her bra up to cup her breast to pinch her nipple, "Umm," she purred ripping at her blouse.
Within moments they had fought their way out of their clothes. Gage's head was at Syd's breast drawing hungrily on her as her back arched her body craving his touch. "Fran…cis," he had moved down her body his hands grasping her waist as firmly and confidently as they had held the steering wheel of the racecar that day. His tongue circled gently around her naval and she shuddered in pleasure crying out softly to her lover.
"I love you Syd," he whispered his fingers trailing down to her center her body squirming craving gratification.
"Gage stop torturing me," Syd suddenly cried bringing a grin to Gage's face. Again his head bent to her breast drawing on the hard button the same time lifting her, entering her, moving inside of her.
Her legs were around him; she thrust herself hard against him, her back arching, lost to him hearing him cry out in satisfaction moments after she did.
Falling on top of her both were silent except for the gasping of breath. Pushing up on his elbows Gage looked deep into Syd's face. "Marry me Sydney?" Gage asked.
"Marry you," she repeated. "I…" she tried to get out.
"Sydney it's what everyone wants, it's what you want," his voice was pleading with her.
"Is it what you want?" she questioned.
"I asked you didn't I?" he demanded.
Smiling her arms went around his neck. "Yes you did ask me but Gage you aren't just getting pushed into this are you?"
"Why do you do that?" Gage had let go of her and flipped to his back.
"I'm sorry Honey it's just… well you know it hadn't occurred to you except for my father…"
"I have a mind of my own Syd," he snapped at her.
"I know you do," she said pushing him back and curling against him. "Let me have the time Gage. I love you so much I just don't want to rush things. This is just too important… You understand don't you?"
"I… yeah… I understand," he managed to get out pulling her close again the fear of loosing her in the back of his mind.
As if reading his thoughts Sydney softly spoke, "Francis I'll always be yours."
A wistful smile came across his face leaning down he kissed the top of her head wondering if he would ever get it right with her. "Find out anything today?" he asked changing the subject.
"Yeah just a minute till I check in with Walker and I'll tell you what I know," she replied grabbing her jacket from the floor to retrieve her phone. Quickly she dialled their boss' number trying hard to concentrate on the job not what was happening between her and her partner. "Understand Gage?" she silently chided herself. How could she think Gage would understand when she really didn't? It was all she had really wanted to hear from him for the last few months… "Walker," she said hearing his voice on the other end of the line.
"Anything on Tye Reade?" she asked listening to Walker as he spoke. Reade has been with the Hollander team for about six months now… he's a good enough driver but he just doesn't seem to have what it takes for Hollander to put him on the track.
"According to Reese Dawson the team sighed in relief when he was passed by again in favour of my partner," Sydney explained dropping forward to lie on Gage's chest. He stroked her back as he listened to her.
"We had another visitor to the pits today a woman," Syd continued. "She had words with Hollander said she wanted her money, she had done what she was asked to do. Hollander became flustered said this was either the time or the place and he would meet her by the lake later. Dawson told me her name was Lindy Tameron and she was quite friendly with all the drivers."
"We'll check into this Lindy," Walker told her, "And see what we can find out about Hollander in connection with a lake."
"All right Walker," Syd retorted hanging up the phone.
"Lindy Tameron," Gage repeated her name. "If she is quite friendly with the drivers how come I don't know her?"
"Because you were in your car where you belong when she showed up," she told him with a smile. "And that's where you'll stay if you know what's good for you," she warned her eyebrows going up.
"Syd you wouldn't be harbouring a little jealousy would you?" he teased.
"Jealous? Me? Not a chance. Besides I'll break her in half if she comes near you," Syd declared bringing a laugh to Gage who hung on tight to her.
"I'm going to grab a shower going to join me?" Gage was still laughing as he asked.
Syd's phone rang as she answered, "Start the water I'll be right there."
She grabbed her phone up again the water beginning to splash in the tub. "Cooke," she answered only to gulp out, "Daddy is everything all right?"