Morning Star
Chapter 2
Pounding out frustrations that she couldn't even, didn't even, want to begin to understand, Syd worked out until she ached all over. What was the matter with her? So what that she hadn't had a date herself for months. So what that her life was basically work, she loved her job and had to invest just that little bit more than the guys to keep herself in their game. So what that she had come to count on Gage being unattached too and always being there to share a movie and pizza on a Friday night.
Gage. With a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader. Growling Syd punched the bag with renewed energy. She was jealous. Plain and simple. But, jealous because he had a date and she didn't? Jealous because Gage wouldn't be coming over tonight as they had planned weeks ago?
Jealous because Gage would never take her out to Lyman's?
With that last thought, Syd's head began to hurt. She gave the bag one last punch and then, catching the bag in both arms, rested her head against it for a moment. Then, with a resigned sigh and shaking her head as if to clear all the unwanted, unbidden, thoughts from her mind, she grabbed her gear bag and headed to the showers.
From the shadows Cordell Walker looked on in silence. He had walked in several minutes ago and had been about to greet Sydney when he noticed the almost frantic way in which she was working out. He recognized in her actions a frustration which he had felt many times before in his life. He didn't know what was bothering her but he did know to leave well enough alone. Syd was a very private individual, like himself, and she didn't open her heart and soul to just anyone. She was a good Texas Ranger but it was clear, at least to him, that she still had some demons to battle with. He hoped that today's workout helped her come one step closer to the peace that he himself had only recently found with Alex and Angela.
*********************************************
Showered and feeling somewhat refreshed Syd returned to the office where Trivette and Gage were still sorting through files. She could hear Gage whining loudly about doing paperwork and Trivette reminding the younger Ranger that the job was not all about takedowns and car chases. Syd smiled to herself, as did Jimmy. It seemed like only yesterday that it was Trivette that was complaining while Walker led his junior partner through the ropes.
"I'm back boys." Syd announced as she entered the room. She noticed that her coffee cup had been emptied and returned to the tray beside the coffee pot. Wondering if it was Gage or Jimmy who had noticed that she hadn't touched her first cup; she headed straight over and poured herself a cup, savouring the aroma. Not the freshest coffee she had ever had but not bad. Her head still hurt a little and she hoped that the caffeine was just the thing she needed to take the edge off.
"Hey Syd." Gage looked up as she came in. "Have a good workout? I would have loved to have come but Trivette has kept me here pouring over old records that I am sure he should have looked at three weeks ago when this paperwork was due."
Jimmy grinned sheepishly at Sydney. "Well, you know how much I love filing things."
"Uh, huh." Sydney smiled at them both affectionately. They both knew that Sydney was never late filling in her paperwork and had never been reprimanded by either Walker or Briscoe. To emphasize that point, she sat down and pulled the top file on her desk towards her and began silently making notes in it.
The next hour or so passed in companionable silence, each of the Rangers working at their own desks. For once Gage seemed to sense that Syd was not in the most talkative mood and left her alone; refraining from the usual taunts and teasing that often accompanied a day spent in the office. When the phone rang though, Gage grabbed for it, there was only so much sitting and being quiet that he could handle.
"Mmmm, hmm. Got it. We'll be right there Alex." Gage hung up and his friends waited expectantly. "Guys, we've got trouble. There's been a prison break and Les Myser, the guy Syd and I just put away last week on drug charges, has escaped."
"Where does Alex want us?" asked Syd, immediately standing up and arming herself with her gun.
"Walker is on his way to the jail, Trivette – he wants you to meet him there. Syd and I are going to the hideaway where Myser's girlfriend Rebecca has been holed up since he was arrested. It's doubtful he'll head there straightaway, I'm sure he knows we are familiar with it but it's the best starting place."
"Okay, you guys be careful." Trivette armed himself with his gun too, threw on his hat, and headed out the door seconds before Gage and Sydney. "Stay in touch."
"Always, Jimmy. You too."
Within minutes their two cars were both heading down the highway, each in a different direction. Trivette headed north to meet with Walker, Sydney and Gage sped off in Syd's car to the southwest towards Rebecca Jenkin's place and hopefully the first place that Les Myser would turn up.
Chapter 2
Pounding out frustrations that she couldn't even, didn't even, want to begin to understand, Syd worked out until she ached all over. What was the matter with her? So what that she hadn't had a date herself for months. So what that her life was basically work, she loved her job and had to invest just that little bit more than the guys to keep herself in their game. So what that she had come to count on Gage being unattached too and always being there to share a movie and pizza on a Friday night.
Gage. With a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader. Growling Syd punched the bag with renewed energy. She was jealous. Plain and simple. But, jealous because he had a date and she didn't? Jealous because Gage wouldn't be coming over tonight as they had planned weeks ago?
Jealous because Gage would never take her out to Lyman's?
With that last thought, Syd's head began to hurt. She gave the bag one last punch and then, catching the bag in both arms, rested her head against it for a moment. Then, with a resigned sigh and shaking her head as if to clear all the unwanted, unbidden, thoughts from her mind, she grabbed her gear bag and headed to the showers.
From the shadows Cordell Walker looked on in silence. He had walked in several minutes ago and had been about to greet Sydney when he noticed the almost frantic way in which she was working out. He recognized in her actions a frustration which he had felt many times before in his life. He didn't know what was bothering her but he did know to leave well enough alone. Syd was a very private individual, like himself, and she didn't open her heart and soul to just anyone. She was a good Texas Ranger but it was clear, at least to him, that she still had some demons to battle with. He hoped that today's workout helped her come one step closer to the peace that he himself had only recently found with Alex and Angela.
*********************************************
Showered and feeling somewhat refreshed Syd returned to the office where Trivette and Gage were still sorting through files. She could hear Gage whining loudly about doing paperwork and Trivette reminding the younger Ranger that the job was not all about takedowns and car chases. Syd smiled to herself, as did Jimmy. It seemed like only yesterday that it was Trivette that was complaining while Walker led his junior partner through the ropes.
"I'm back boys." Syd announced as she entered the room. She noticed that her coffee cup had been emptied and returned to the tray beside the coffee pot. Wondering if it was Gage or Jimmy who had noticed that she hadn't touched her first cup; she headed straight over and poured herself a cup, savouring the aroma. Not the freshest coffee she had ever had but not bad. Her head still hurt a little and she hoped that the caffeine was just the thing she needed to take the edge off.
"Hey Syd." Gage looked up as she came in. "Have a good workout? I would have loved to have come but Trivette has kept me here pouring over old records that I am sure he should have looked at three weeks ago when this paperwork was due."
Jimmy grinned sheepishly at Sydney. "Well, you know how much I love filing things."
"Uh, huh." Sydney smiled at them both affectionately. They both knew that Sydney was never late filling in her paperwork and had never been reprimanded by either Walker or Briscoe. To emphasize that point, she sat down and pulled the top file on her desk towards her and began silently making notes in it.
The next hour or so passed in companionable silence, each of the Rangers working at their own desks. For once Gage seemed to sense that Syd was not in the most talkative mood and left her alone; refraining from the usual taunts and teasing that often accompanied a day spent in the office. When the phone rang though, Gage grabbed for it, there was only so much sitting and being quiet that he could handle.
"Mmmm, hmm. Got it. We'll be right there Alex." Gage hung up and his friends waited expectantly. "Guys, we've got trouble. There's been a prison break and Les Myser, the guy Syd and I just put away last week on drug charges, has escaped."
"Where does Alex want us?" asked Syd, immediately standing up and arming herself with her gun.
"Walker is on his way to the jail, Trivette – he wants you to meet him there. Syd and I are going to the hideaway where Myser's girlfriend Rebecca has been holed up since he was arrested. It's doubtful he'll head there straightaway, I'm sure he knows we are familiar with it but it's the best starting place."
"Okay, you guys be careful." Trivette armed himself with his gun too, threw on his hat, and headed out the door seconds before Gage and Sydney. "Stay in touch."
"Always, Jimmy. You too."
Within minutes their two cars were both heading down the highway, each in a different direction. Trivette headed north to meet with Walker, Sydney and Gage sped off in Syd's car to the southwest towards Rebecca Jenkin's place and hopefully the first place that Les Myser would turn up.