Morning Star
Chapter 7
The next morning Syd was met at the hospital by her small, but close-knit, gang of well wishers. Walker, Alex carrying Angela, Trivette, Erica, and Gage practically burst into her room as soon as visiting hours began.
"Alright Ranger Cooke, we are springing you out of here!" Jimmy announced. "The doctors are processing your paperwork as we speak." He leaned over and gave her a big hug, followed by Erica.
Walker reached down and patted Syd on the shoulder as Alex, leaning down and giving Syd a kiss on the cheek, passed Angela into her arms. Angela cooed and gurgled in delight at Syd and immediately settled into her arms. Now free of all the wires and tubing Syd looked far less like a patient who had received serious injuries only two days earlier.
Unfortunately Angela's comfort in Syd's arms only last a minute and she began to cry for her parents. Syd tried to lift her up but found it was too much strain on her injured shoulder. Walker, seeing her problem, scooped his daughter from Syd's arms and cuddled her until she stopped fussing.
Gage stood back from the situation, relieved and pleased to see Syd looking so much better. He felt odd though, he was there for Syd but he wasn't with her. Well, he was with her, they were partners but he wasn't with her – not the way Walker was with Alex or Trivette was with Erica. Did Syd feel as funny as him?
Their relationship was unusual Gage admitted, they did so many things together outside of work from Syd attending his high school reunion to spending evenings at each other's place watching movies and ordering take- out to buying joint wedding gifts. It was as if they were a couple yet, in so many ways, they were not. She had kissed him that once, after Walker and Alex's plane had landed safely. Gage tried not to think about how much he had enjoyed that kiss, he had been kissed by many girls over the years and he knew that one kiss did not a romantic relationship make. Yet with Syd, somehow, it seemed so much more, though that had been a long time ago and nothing of that intimate a nature had happened since. He wondered silently if Syd was as confused as he was about them.
Syd watched as Gage stood off in the corner, smiling yet uncharacteristically quiet and looking, well...almost introspective. Syd knew that Gage could be as serious as anyone, when the situation warranted it, and she wondered what it was that had him so consumed now. It certainly couldn't be her. The doctors had given her a clean bill of health and agreed that she could go home, provided she stayed off her injured leg as much as possible for the next three weeks, and that she return for weekly check-ups in the post-operative care wing. They had even said she could return to work, desk duty of course, as early as next week. So there was nothing in her prognosis that could possibly have him so engaged.
"Are you not going to come over here and wish me well partner?" Syd asking jokingly, breaking Gage's stare into space.
"Of course Syd, how are you today?" Gage walked over and, leaning down, gave her a hug. As she felt his strong arms circle her, the thought occurred to her that it might be nice to stay in these arms forever. Embarrassed by such a thought and feeling guilty for wishing for something she had no right to wish for, she let go of him quickly and looked away, her face flushing delicately.
Puzzled, but now almost getting used to Syd's strange behaviour over the past few days, Gage tried to ignore her reaction to his hug. He could have sworn that Syd was blushing, her face turning a shade darker than normal and distinct stains of colour marring her otherwise unblemished features. Had she not asked him to give her a greeting? She had welcomed him with open arms and then just as quickly stiffened in his embrace and wiggled free. I really don't understand her, he thought but realizing as he did so that he really wanted to understand.
The actions and reactions of the younger Rangers did not go unnoticed by either Trivette or Alex. They shared a knowing look across the room as Gage moved away the bed and retreated back into the corner, while Syd tried to look at everyone else but her partner. Neither Alex or Trivette were sure what was going on but it was evident that something was creating tension between the two. Trivette suspected that Gage's planned date with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader had a great deal to do with it and he made a note to mention it to Alex the next time they were alone.
When the nurse opened the door a moment later the strange tension in the room dissipated as everyone scrambled to ask questions and get Syd on her way home.
The first nurse was followed a second nurse, this one pushing a wheelchair. The two nurses helped lift Syd from the bed and into the wheelchair, then handed her the discharge forms and instructed her to take them to the main nurse's station on the ground level when she was ready to leave.
Alex recovered Angela from Walker's arms and they exited the room, his arm around her shoulder. Trivette pulled Erica close to him and smiling at the Sydney and Gage followed the others out of the room. Somehow wordlessly assigned the task of pushing Syd's chair, Gage left the corner and stood behind her.
"Got everything you need Shor...Syd?"
Nodding, Syd felt Gage grasp the handles of the chair and he pushed her silently out of the room and down the hallway where they met the rest of the group holding an elevator.
"Must feel good to be going home Sydney." Erica commented.
"Yes, except I think I'll be trapped once I get there. Stairs are out for the next three weeks, and my building doesn't have elevator."
"Maybe a handsome guy will come along and he'll carry you. That wouldn't make it so bad." Winking at Gage, Erica was oblivious to the mine field she had just stepped into as Syd responded.
"Yeah right, in my dreams."
Beginning to blush himself and knowing full well that everyone knew he would do anything for his partner, Gage was a bit defeated by her lacklustre response. He had to get to the bottom of this thing with her and soon, before it drove him crazy.
At the nurses station Syd was given a pair of crutches to use around her home, and they were escorted to the parking lot by an attendant who wheeled the chair away once Syd was safely buckled into Gage's car. Alex, Trivette and Erica all promised to call Syd soon and check on her regularly. Walker told her to take it easy and that he hoped she'd be able to return to work as scheduled. Getting into their respective vehicles Sydney and Gage's friends and colleagues drove away.
The tension between them palpable, Gage drove Syd to her apartment building and walked around quickly to open the car door for her. He helped her out, passed her the crutches and watched as she steadied herself then made her way to the front door.
At the door Gage pulled Syd's keys from her bag and handed them to her. He knew how important it was to her to do everything without help. Sometimes it drove him crazy she was so adamant about being independent. Other times he admired her for it, like when she had managed to shoot Les Myser despite having been shot herself.
When they stepped inside the front hallway, Syd took one look at the stairs and taking a deep breathe, turned to Gage.
"Gage, I need your help."
Slinging her bag over his shoulder, he picked Syd up in his arms while she held the crutches, and he carried her up to the top of the stairs.
"Thank you."
"That wasn't too hard now was it?"
"Can you believe what Erica said about having a handsome guy come and carry me up the stairs? As if I have any of those in my life right now."
"You don't think I'm handsome?" Gage grinned at her. "Syd, you know I'd carry you up and down those stairs as many times as you want, if you'd just talk up to me. What has gotten you so down these days? I've never known you to be like this."
Syd turned and looked up at Gage, not quite sure where or how to begin. Did she even want to begin? What could she tell him, she was still so confused herself about her feelings. Afraid, she looked away and turned the key in her lock.
As soon as the door swung open Gage instinctively pulled his gun out. The place had been completely ransacked – furniture was overturned, picture frames smashed, plants tossed to the floor spilling dirt everywhere.
"Stay here Syd."
For once Syd acquiesced to her partner, too stunned by the appearance of the place she used to call home. Gage did a quick sweep of the area and determining that the criminals who had done this were long gone, went back to the door and gave Syd the all clear. As they entered the apartment together they shut the door. On the back, written in red paint, were the chilling words.
"Ranger you will die."
Gage immediately pulled out his cell phone and called Walker, who agreed to send out a team immediately. He then guided Syd over to one of the few chairs that remained standing and prodded her to sit down.
"Myser?" Syd finally asked.
"Well, his cronies. That would be my guess. Does it look like they took anything or do you think this was just done for show?"
"I can't really tell from here but all the expensive stuff like the stereo equipment, the computer, TV/VCR and DVD are here, albeit smashed."
"Syd, you can't stay here."
"I know. I'll call someone, I'll find somewhere. I'm sure Walker knows someone."
"No way Syd. I don't want you to argue with me – you are coming to my place and that is final."
"Gage..." Syd's voice was soft.
"No Syd, someone is out to get you – this was not a random crime. There is no way that I am going to let anything happen to you and the only way I can do that is to keep a close eye on you, 24-7. That means my place. End of discussion"
"But you live in a bachelor pad."
"My sofa is real comfy, I'll be fine there. You take the bed. Fill my bathroom with perfumes and lady razors, I don't care. I am going to keep you safe."
Nodding Syd took in Gage's fierce protectiveness with an anger (Doesn't he know I can take care of myself?), that was soon outweighed by the thrill of the knowledge that he clearly cared so much about her.
Just then the doorbell rang and they both jumped. It was the team that Walker had sent over to check out the place and search for evidence. When they had done a quick sweep, Syd asked if she could collect some clothes from her bedroom, and the team processed that room first.
As he tried to help the forensic team with their investigation Gage watched Syd. She stood tall, her back straight, in the disastrous remains of her home. He could see the anger flashing in her eyes, in the tilt of her head, the way her hands gripped the crutches. But she was calm, rationale and patient - everything a good Texas Ranger needed to be, even in the face of personal crisis.
When her room was okayed, Syd hobbled down the hallway and found the bag she normally took for undercover operations. She moved from drawer to drawer gathering an assortment of items, grabbed a couple of things from her closet, and moved to her bathroom. As she collected some of her toiletries she half-smiled to herself remembering Gage saying she could fill his bathroom with perfume and lady razors. What an incredible guy he was, she was so lucky to have him as her partner. How could she ever tell him that she sometimes wished he was more?
When she was finished Syd headed back down the hall and found Gage assisting in the kitchen.
"Ready to go?" he asked turning and taking her bag from her hands before she could protest. When she nodded he informed the team leader that they would be leaving and gave his cell number as a point of contact.
Syd walked out her door, never looking back, and with a determined look on her face headed straight to the stairs and began to head down.
"Oh no you don't." Gage started after her and willing to risk her wrath, simply scooped her up and carried her down the stairs and right out to his car. With a grim look on his face Gage got Syd settled then headed around to his side of the car and they sped off.
Once at Gage's they had to complete the same process, but in reverse. Gage also lived in a building without an elevator, and he lived three stories above Syd's two. As they reached the final landing in his building, Gage was breathing heavily from his exertions. Syd had seemed light on the first flight but by the fifth he was feeling the strain. Just as he was about to put her down, Syd suddenly began to giggle.
"What?" Gage couldn't help but smile. Why on earth was she giggling for after all she had been through?
"Erica was right." she whispered. "You are handsome." And stretching up Syd kissed Gage lightly on the cheek.
Blushing slightly Gage put Syd down and looked at her quizzically. "Sydney Cooke – you confuse me." Then he turned and opened his apartment door, sweeping it open majestically for her to enter.
Once inside Syd sank down onto the sofa, exhaustion and pain finally beginning to catch up with her. As Gage bustled around trying to make his place look presentable Syd settled herself back into the pillows and before she knew it, was sound asleep.
Chapter 7
The next morning Syd was met at the hospital by her small, but close-knit, gang of well wishers. Walker, Alex carrying Angela, Trivette, Erica, and Gage practically burst into her room as soon as visiting hours began.
"Alright Ranger Cooke, we are springing you out of here!" Jimmy announced. "The doctors are processing your paperwork as we speak." He leaned over and gave her a big hug, followed by Erica.
Walker reached down and patted Syd on the shoulder as Alex, leaning down and giving Syd a kiss on the cheek, passed Angela into her arms. Angela cooed and gurgled in delight at Syd and immediately settled into her arms. Now free of all the wires and tubing Syd looked far less like a patient who had received serious injuries only two days earlier.
Unfortunately Angela's comfort in Syd's arms only last a minute and she began to cry for her parents. Syd tried to lift her up but found it was too much strain on her injured shoulder. Walker, seeing her problem, scooped his daughter from Syd's arms and cuddled her until she stopped fussing.
Gage stood back from the situation, relieved and pleased to see Syd looking so much better. He felt odd though, he was there for Syd but he wasn't with her. Well, he was with her, they were partners but he wasn't with her – not the way Walker was with Alex or Trivette was with Erica. Did Syd feel as funny as him?
Their relationship was unusual Gage admitted, they did so many things together outside of work from Syd attending his high school reunion to spending evenings at each other's place watching movies and ordering take- out to buying joint wedding gifts. It was as if they were a couple yet, in so many ways, they were not. She had kissed him that once, after Walker and Alex's plane had landed safely. Gage tried not to think about how much he had enjoyed that kiss, he had been kissed by many girls over the years and he knew that one kiss did not a romantic relationship make. Yet with Syd, somehow, it seemed so much more, though that had been a long time ago and nothing of that intimate a nature had happened since. He wondered silently if Syd was as confused as he was about them.
Syd watched as Gage stood off in the corner, smiling yet uncharacteristically quiet and looking, well...almost introspective. Syd knew that Gage could be as serious as anyone, when the situation warranted it, and she wondered what it was that had him so consumed now. It certainly couldn't be her. The doctors had given her a clean bill of health and agreed that she could go home, provided she stayed off her injured leg as much as possible for the next three weeks, and that she return for weekly check-ups in the post-operative care wing. They had even said she could return to work, desk duty of course, as early as next week. So there was nothing in her prognosis that could possibly have him so engaged.
"Are you not going to come over here and wish me well partner?" Syd asking jokingly, breaking Gage's stare into space.
"Of course Syd, how are you today?" Gage walked over and, leaning down, gave her a hug. As she felt his strong arms circle her, the thought occurred to her that it might be nice to stay in these arms forever. Embarrassed by such a thought and feeling guilty for wishing for something she had no right to wish for, she let go of him quickly and looked away, her face flushing delicately.
Puzzled, but now almost getting used to Syd's strange behaviour over the past few days, Gage tried to ignore her reaction to his hug. He could have sworn that Syd was blushing, her face turning a shade darker than normal and distinct stains of colour marring her otherwise unblemished features. Had she not asked him to give her a greeting? She had welcomed him with open arms and then just as quickly stiffened in his embrace and wiggled free. I really don't understand her, he thought but realizing as he did so that he really wanted to understand.
The actions and reactions of the younger Rangers did not go unnoticed by either Trivette or Alex. They shared a knowing look across the room as Gage moved away the bed and retreated back into the corner, while Syd tried to look at everyone else but her partner. Neither Alex or Trivette were sure what was going on but it was evident that something was creating tension between the two. Trivette suspected that Gage's planned date with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader had a great deal to do with it and he made a note to mention it to Alex the next time they were alone.
When the nurse opened the door a moment later the strange tension in the room dissipated as everyone scrambled to ask questions and get Syd on her way home.
The first nurse was followed a second nurse, this one pushing a wheelchair. The two nurses helped lift Syd from the bed and into the wheelchair, then handed her the discharge forms and instructed her to take them to the main nurse's station on the ground level when she was ready to leave.
Alex recovered Angela from Walker's arms and they exited the room, his arm around her shoulder. Trivette pulled Erica close to him and smiling at the Sydney and Gage followed the others out of the room. Somehow wordlessly assigned the task of pushing Syd's chair, Gage left the corner and stood behind her.
"Got everything you need Shor...Syd?"
Nodding, Syd felt Gage grasp the handles of the chair and he pushed her silently out of the room and down the hallway where they met the rest of the group holding an elevator.
"Must feel good to be going home Sydney." Erica commented.
"Yes, except I think I'll be trapped once I get there. Stairs are out for the next three weeks, and my building doesn't have elevator."
"Maybe a handsome guy will come along and he'll carry you. That wouldn't make it so bad." Winking at Gage, Erica was oblivious to the mine field she had just stepped into as Syd responded.
"Yeah right, in my dreams."
Beginning to blush himself and knowing full well that everyone knew he would do anything for his partner, Gage was a bit defeated by her lacklustre response. He had to get to the bottom of this thing with her and soon, before it drove him crazy.
At the nurses station Syd was given a pair of crutches to use around her home, and they were escorted to the parking lot by an attendant who wheeled the chair away once Syd was safely buckled into Gage's car. Alex, Trivette and Erica all promised to call Syd soon and check on her regularly. Walker told her to take it easy and that he hoped she'd be able to return to work as scheduled. Getting into their respective vehicles Sydney and Gage's friends and colleagues drove away.
The tension between them palpable, Gage drove Syd to her apartment building and walked around quickly to open the car door for her. He helped her out, passed her the crutches and watched as she steadied herself then made her way to the front door.
At the door Gage pulled Syd's keys from her bag and handed them to her. He knew how important it was to her to do everything without help. Sometimes it drove him crazy she was so adamant about being independent. Other times he admired her for it, like when she had managed to shoot Les Myser despite having been shot herself.
When they stepped inside the front hallway, Syd took one look at the stairs and taking a deep breathe, turned to Gage.
"Gage, I need your help."
Slinging her bag over his shoulder, he picked Syd up in his arms while she held the crutches, and he carried her up to the top of the stairs.
"Thank you."
"That wasn't too hard now was it?"
"Can you believe what Erica said about having a handsome guy come and carry me up the stairs? As if I have any of those in my life right now."
"You don't think I'm handsome?" Gage grinned at her. "Syd, you know I'd carry you up and down those stairs as many times as you want, if you'd just talk up to me. What has gotten you so down these days? I've never known you to be like this."
Syd turned and looked up at Gage, not quite sure where or how to begin. Did she even want to begin? What could she tell him, she was still so confused herself about her feelings. Afraid, she looked away and turned the key in her lock.
As soon as the door swung open Gage instinctively pulled his gun out. The place had been completely ransacked – furniture was overturned, picture frames smashed, plants tossed to the floor spilling dirt everywhere.
"Stay here Syd."
For once Syd acquiesced to her partner, too stunned by the appearance of the place she used to call home. Gage did a quick sweep of the area and determining that the criminals who had done this were long gone, went back to the door and gave Syd the all clear. As they entered the apartment together they shut the door. On the back, written in red paint, were the chilling words.
"Ranger you will die."
Gage immediately pulled out his cell phone and called Walker, who agreed to send out a team immediately. He then guided Syd over to one of the few chairs that remained standing and prodded her to sit down.
"Myser?" Syd finally asked.
"Well, his cronies. That would be my guess. Does it look like they took anything or do you think this was just done for show?"
"I can't really tell from here but all the expensive stuff like the stereo equipment, the computer, TV/VCR and DVD are here, albeit smashed."
"Syd, you can't stay here."
"I know. I'll call someone, I'll find somewhere. I'm sure Walker knows someone."
"No way Syd. I don't want you to argue with me – you are coming to my place and that is final."
"Gage..." Syd's voice was soft.
"No Syd, someone is out to get you – this was not a random crime. There is no way that I am going to let anything happen to you and the only way I can do that is to keep a close eye on you, 24-7. That means my place. End of discussion"
"But you live in a bachelor pad."
"My sofa is real comfy, I'll be fine there. You take the bed. Fill my bathroom with perfumes and lady razors, I don't care. I am going to keep you safe."
Nodding Syd took in Gage's fierce protectiveness with an anger (Doesn't he know I can take care of myself?), that was soon outweighed by the thrill of the knowledge that he clearly cared so much about her.
Just then the doorbell rang and they both jumped. It was the team that Walker had sent over to check out the place and search for evidence. When they had done a quick sweep, Syd asked if she could collect some clothes from her bedroom, and the team processed that room first.
As he tried to help the forensic team with their investigation Gage watched Syd. She stood tall, her back straight, in the disastrous remains of her home. He could see the anger flashing in her eyes, in the tilt of her head, the way her hands gripped the crutches. But she was calm, rationale and patient - everything a good Texas Ranger needed to be, even in the face of personal crisis.
When her room was okayed, Syd hobbled down the hallway and found the bag she normally took for undercover operations. She moved from drawer to drawer gathering an assortment of items, grabbed a couple of things from her closet, and moved to her bathroom. As she collected some of her toiletries she half-smiled to herself remembering Gage saying she could fill his bathroom with perfume and lady razors. What an incredible guy he was, she was so lucky to have him as her partner. How could she ever tell him that she sometimes wished he was more?
When she was finished Syd headed back down the hall and found Gage assisting in the kitchen.
"Ready to go?" he asked turning and taking her bag from her hands before she could protest. When she nodded he informed the team leader that they would be leaving and gave his cell number as a point of contact.
Syd walked out her door, never looking back, and with a determined look on her face headed straight to the stairs and began to head down.
"Oh no you don't." Gage started after her and willing to risk her wrath, simply scooped her up and carried her down the stairs and right out to his car. With a grim look on his face Gage got Syd settled then headed around to his side of the car and they sped off.
Once at Gage's they had to complete the same process, but in reverse. Gage also lived in a building without an elevator, and he lived three stories above Syd's two. As they reached the final landing in his building, Gage was breathing heavily from his exertions. Syd had seemed light on the first flight but by the fifth he was feeling the strain. Just as he was about to put her down, Syd suddenly began to giggle.
"What?" Gage couldn't help but smile. Why on earth was she giggling for after all she had been through?
"Erica was right." she whispered. "You are handsome." And stretching up Syd kissed Gage lightly on the cheek.
Blushing slightly Gage put Syd down and looked at her quizzically. "Sydney Cooke – you confuse me." Then he turned and opened his apartment door, sweeping it open majestically for her to enter.
Once inside Syd sank down onto the sofa, exhaustion and pain finally beginning to catch up with her. As Gage bustled around trying to make his place look presentable Syd settled herself back into the pillows and before she knew it, was sound asleep.