Chapter 4

Alex stood up and walked towards the men, leaving Syd in Erica's care. She was slowly making her way through half a granola bar and her friends were pleased that she was eating something.

"Walker – I'm going to spend the night with Sydney, okay?"

"Of course Alex, if that's what she needs." He pulled his wife close for a hug. "I'll miss you though."

"I guess I get to bunk with you then!" Gage tried to speak brightly and keep the hurt he felt inside. He had assumed that he would share the tent with Syd again, hold her in his arms, and maybe even rock her to sleep. But apparently Syd did not want him there and he felt some of the hope inside him die that they could ever be more than partners. If she couldn't lean on him now after all that she had been through...well, that spoke volumes about her opinion of him. He must have just been fooling himself to ever think that they would have a future. Syd was just far too independent a person to ever give of herself that which is needed to start, never mind maintain, a relationship.

Walker looked at Gage seriously. "Why would you think that? It's not raining out tonight."

"Oh." Gage looked stunned and then Walker grinned at him.

"Of course you can bunk with me Gage."

"Thanks, sleeping out under the stars wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I'll go get my stuff."

Syd watched Gage go over to her tent and start to remove his stuff. She could see by his body language that he was reluctant to do it; maybe even hurt that she had asked Alex to stay with her. She knew that given a choice Gage would have stayed there to protect her. She didn't want protecting right now though; her moments of weakness were over. She needed to prove to everyone, including herself, that she could face this challenge alone. Having a friend stay at your side was one thing; to have the man who makes you feel so safe that you never want to leave his arms was quite another. She was one of only two female Rangers on the force, and she could not afford to wrap herself in that kind of safety net. If she did she might instantly lose all the ground that she had ever gained for the equality of women in law enforcement. And maybe, just maybe, she was terrified to admit that strong, independent, tough Sydney Cooke was in love with her partner.

Gage looked over at Syd as he walked by, carrying his stuff to Walker's tent. He purposely looked away when she turned her head to meet his gaze. Syd clenched her fists in frustration. He was hurt and probably angry again too. He didn't deserve to be treated like this and she knew it. Gage was caring and gentle and had done nothing but be concerned about her, even after she had been so awful to him this morning. What was done was done though and Syd didn't know how to make it better, how to tell him how sorry she was without baring her whole scared soul. How could she tell him that what she felt for him sometimes woke her up at night, overwhelming her with the depth of her emotions – threatening to envelope her entire being?

Gage helped Alex to move some of her stuff and then he set about extinguishing the fire, morosely thinking to himself that the light and heat from this fire were going out as quickly as the spark that had been lit between he and Syd earlier this weekend. He poked at the embers with a vengeance creating clouds of black smoke which had his friends coughing. Trivette gave Gage a questioning look as Erica struggled to help Syd up and the young Ranger completely ignored them, then he leapt forward to help his fiancée take their injured friend over to her tent. They wished Syd and Alex good night and then headed arm in arm to their own tent.

Walker stopped by the door of Syd's tent, kissing his wife goodnight and assuring Syd that at first light he'd be down the trail to contact the Park Rangers.

When he was the only one left in the site who had yet to head to bed, Gage swallowed hard and in his best 'I couldn't possibly be hurt because I'm only your partner' voice he called out "Goodnight!" and headed over to his new quarters.

"Goodnight!" He heard Trivette and Erica chime together as the light went off in their tent.

"Goodnight honey." Alex called to him from Syd's tent just as she was zipping up the door. He could see that Syd was looking away from him and she made no effort to respond. 'Fine! Fine! Whatever, I don't care.' he thought to himself as he stepped into Walker's tent.

About five minutes later, when the lights were all off and the site was quiet, a small voice quite unlike that of the Sydney Cooke that they all knew, called out into the darkness.

"Goodnight Gage."

It was so faint that Gage wasn't even sure that he had heard it and thought that maybe he was even dreaming it. Still, after that he was able to drift into a silent, albeit restless, sleep.

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True to his word Walker was up at first light, getting ready so quietly and effortlessly that he didn't even disturb Gage despite the confines of their small tent. Trivette got up just as Walker was getting ready to leave.

"You okay going by yourself?"

"Under different circumstances I wouldn't but I think that you and Gage need to stay here. Sydney's in no condition to defend herself and neither Alex nor Erica are experienced enough on the trails if something should happen."

"Okay, but if you're not back in three hours I'm starting a search party. And you take the flare gun. Deal?"

"Deal. See you later Trivette."

"Okay Walker." Trivette started the fire and got a pot of coffee underway. Soon his fiancée emerged from their tent, followed by Alex and then Gage. Syd was still sleeping, though she was fine Alex assured everyone, just tired and in pain. With her head injury she'd been unable to take any pain medication so the throbbing of her ankle and head had kept her awake much of the night.

Breakfast was almost ready when Syd appeared at the door of her tent and Gage had to restrain himself from running towards her and sweeping her up in his arms. To channel his energy in a direction that would at least be rewarded he mumbled something about needing to find more firewood and he marched off into the woods, leaving Alex to help Syd up and over to the fire.

"What's the matter with Gage?" Trivette asked Erica, starting to get annoyed with the junior Ranger. Just last night Gage had practically admitted to him and Walker that his relationship with Syd went beyond that of good friends and yet here the fool was ignoring his injured partner completely.

"My guess? Gage is hurt by the fact that Sydney didn't want him to stay with her last night."

"Oh."

"I think Gage is a pretty sensitive guy under all those muscles and charming good looks."

"And Sydney is not a very sensitive person at all – she'd slug him before she'd let him get all emotional on her."

"I think you're wrong Jimmy, not about the slugging – I can see that. But just because Sydney is a very private person doesn't mean that she's not sensitive. If anything I think much of her bravado comes from hiding that sensitivity, particularly when she's around men and especially around Gage."

"Wow, you've really given this a lot of thought."

"They're your friends Jimmy and they are fast becoming mine. And besides, I'm a romantic at heart. Knowing how happy we are, seeing Walker and Alex so fulfilled – I want the same things for Sydney and Gage, don't you?"

"Of course but you sure you're not just projecting your romantic ideas on those two?"

"Pretty sure, but I do think they have a long way to go still."

"It took Walker and Alex seven years to finally recognize and make a commitment to one another."

"And look at you and I? What do they say – the course of true love never did run smooth? I'd actually be more concerned for your friends if they had fallen hard and fast for one another, it probably would have led to a nasty break-up and tension in the department – probably the end of their partnership."

Trivette watched Gage come back to site and drop off his load of firewood, then sit down on the opposite side of the ring from Syd and focus on his cup of coffee.

"And this is much better?"

"You'll see. If it's meant to be they'll find a way to make it work." Erica smiled up at him. "Just like we did."

Trivette leaned down to kiss Erica just as Alex called out that breakfast was ready. The happy couple joined their friends and enjoyed a delicious meal. The group was reasonably happy today and they conversed about all sorts of things from the weather to when Trivette and Erica were planning on having kids. Everyone joined into the conversation and only the keenest of observers would have noticed that Sydney and Gage, while talking to everyone around them, managed to avoid each other completely.

It wasn't long after breakfast and just as they were finishing tidying up that Walker returned up the mountain, two Park Rangers in tow. Trivette's shoulders visibly relaxed as his partner came into view.

"Walker!" Alex ran to him, catching him in a welcoming embrace.

"Good morning beautiful. Sleep well?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Okay everyone; I'd like you to meet Park Rangers Templeton and Frederick. They're going to go with me to apprehend Sydney's attackers. Rangers this is my wife Alex, my partner Trivette, his fiancée Erica, Ranger Gage and Ranger Sydney Cooke."

"Nice to meet you folks, I'm sorry it had to be under such unfortunate circumstances." Ranger Templeton spoke, tipping his hat to the group.

"Ma'am." Ranger Frederick addressed Syd. "I'm sorry to hear what those boys put you through. They've been camped here for a while and we haven't had any problems like this before, but I can assure you that we have radioed the local police who will take them into custody as soon as we retrieve them."

"We've also radioed for a medi-chopper to airlift you out of here. Barring any emergency calls it should be here within the hour."

"Thank you." Syd replied, relief evident on her face.

"Okay, so let's go." Walker said to the Park Rangers, and then kissing Alex. "See you later sweetheart."

As the men left the site, Syd bowed her head into her hands and Alex was immediately at her side. "You okay Sydney?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. My head just hurts so much. It's like every movement I make causes a deep spike to be driven further into my brain."

"Its okay hon - you heard the Park Rangers – the helicopter will be here soon and they'll take you to the hospital and get you all checked out. They probably be able to give you pain meds too, once they can monitor your brain activity."

"Thank you Alex, you have been a really good friend and caregiver."

"I think there is someone else here who would like nothing more than to be your caregiver." Alex spoke softly, knowing that she was treading on treacherous ground with this one and unsure how her friend would react.

Syd looked wistfully at Gage who was slinging the food bag back up in the tree. "I know. But I just can't Alex...I'm not sure..."

"Okay Sydney, but words of advice from one friend to another. Don't wait too long and don't keep everything inside. I know you're scared but if you two don't talk this out soon you may lose your chance."

Syd nodded, afraid to speak. All that Alex said was true. How could her friend know her better than she knew herself? In the back of her mind Syd had this vague notion that she had finally told Gage that she loved him and that he had responded by telling her he loved her too. She shook her head, that couldn't have happened – when could that have happened? It was just hopeful dreaming on her account – part of what she had imagined to help her get through the misery that those men had put her through. Sure Gage cared for her as a close friend and she knew that there was even some element of lust there too but love? No - how could Francis Gage, with all the beautiful women in the world who had thrown themselves at him, love her?

What if she told him that she loved him and he laughed at her? She'd teased him he might think it was just another of her jokes. What if she gave in to his carnal desires for her, and admittedly hers for him, and the next morning he lost all interest in her? She couldn't stand that! Wasn't it better to keep things as they were? They had a strong partnership; she could trust him with her life, and a good friendship. If baring her emotions could jeopardize that, why risk it? That's why she had never said anything before – never even tried to think through these thoughts. Syd put her head back down in her hands, this was just so confusing and she felt out of control. She absolutely hated to feel out of control.

Syd's bewildered state of mind was soon interrupted by the sound of an approaching helicopter. Gage and Trivette went and stood near the edge of the site, waving the chopper down madly. It was a tight fit but there was a large enough patch of flat ground for it to land. As soon as the blades slowed down two paramedics hopped down and jogged to where the group was gathered.

"Ranger Cooke?" The female paramedic inquired of Syd, seeing the pale woman sitting by the fire with her right ankle raised.

"That's me." Syd smiled up her.

"Ready to get out of here?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Can you walk or would you like a stretcher?"

Trivette, Erica, Gage and Alex all looked at one another; they knew the answer before Syd spoke. "I'll walk." Syd replied, pride lacing the simple words.

"Bye sweetie, we'll see you soon okay?" Alex leaned over and gave Syd a hug as she stood up.

"Real soon." Erica added.

"Don't worry about anything Sydney; we've got it under control." Trivette added, also leaning in to give Syd a quick hug.

"The last time I heard that you guys blew up Walker's wedding tuxes." Syd smiled at him.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Jimmy cried mock outrage plastered on his face. "That was Gage! Remember it was my car that blew up along with the tuxes!"

The last one left Gage approached his partner awkwardly, speaking to her for the first time that morning.

"I'll drive your car back to the city Syd." He was looking at his partner but not really meeting her eyes. "That is, if you don't mind. I do promise not to blow it up."

"Thank you Gage - I'd appreciate that." Syd's voice was soft, her gaze equally as distant.

"Hey." He mustered up a wry smile for her. "What're partners for?"

Then, unable to help himself and willing to face the repercussions, he leaned forward and kissed Syd lightly on the forehead. Then without looking to see what her reaction was he turned and walked away, busying himself immediately with the striking of her tent.

If he had turned to look though he would have seen that Syd's eyes never left him as she was led to the chopper, her fingers reaching up to touch the spot that he had kissed as the helicopter door slid shut and the paramedics strapped their passenger into her seat.