Epilogue

Thanksgiving morning was bright and sunny. Syd woke up in Gage's arms, a smile as warm as the morning creeping across her face.

They had been practically inseparable for the past two days. They had driven to Gage's place the night of the takedown and had finally, wonderfully, given in to the passion that had for so long been building between them.

And to Syd's infinite relief, things were still fine between them the next day.

What she had feared so long – that she would be vulnerable, that he would be overprotective – they just weren't true. If anything she felt stronger, more satisfied, fulfilled with Gage at her side as her friend, her partner, her lover. Who knew that life could feel so complete?

Gage had gone in to work on Friday to meet with Walker, Trivette and Captain Brisco and fill them in on all that he had learned while undercover and all that had happened the previous evening, leaving out of course what had transpired between him and his partner.

Despite Walker's blessing of the relationship while on their trip, Gage wasn't ready to tell the world yet. What he and Syd had shared last night was so beautiful, so awe-inspiring that he was afraid if he talked about it the dream bubble might pop.

Besides, Syd would probably slug him if she found out he was blabbing their private news to everyone.

That night he had gone to Syd's home and they had made love again, over and over until they were completely satiated, sleeping peacefully in each other's arms.

They had spent Saturday together doing simple things like restocking Gage's fridge which had been unused the whole time he was undercover, going for a walk in the park, Syd showing Gage the physiotherapy exercises she needed to do each day to strengthen her ankle. And then that night they fallen in bed together again, still high from the exhilaration that the words "I love you" gave them every time one of them said it.

Sunday morning, today, was going to be significant. They had been invited to church to witness the christening of little Angela Walker, followed by Thanksgiving dinner out at the Walker ranch. After talking about it Syd and Gage decided it would be best to be open and honest with their friends and appear at these events together, ready to tell the world how they felt about one another.

When they arrived in Gage's car at the small, white country church that Walker and Alex attended Syd though became visibly nervous. Gage reached over in the car and took Syd's trembling hands in his own.

"It's going to be alright Syd. They are our friends, our family. They'll be happy for us."

"I know but I can't do it Gage, I'm not ready."

"Okay." A look of disappointment flickered across Gage's eyes but then it was gone. "I respect that, this is a big adjustment. We'll just walk in there together as we always did when we were just partners."

Syd nodded, visibly relieved. "Thank you."

Gage got out of the car and walked around to Syd's side, opening the passenger door and helping her out, grabbing her cane from the back seat.

They walked into the church together, more or less side by side with Syd always one step ahead. They were greeted affectionately by Walker and Alex who were standing near the door holding Angela in a beautiful white gown. Trivette and Erica, who were to be named Angela's godparents, were right behind them with equally enthusiastic greetings. For the senior Rangers and their significant others it was so wonderful to see Syd walking again and Gage back from his undercover stint.

Sydney and Gage took a seat in one of the pews near the front of the church, sharing greetings with some of the other Rangers that they knew or friends of the Walkers they had met on other occasions.

The service was simple and beautiful, matching the understated elegance of the small church. When the congregation was asked to stand during the actual christening, Gage felt Syd's hand slowly make its way into his own and he smiled, squeezing her fingers affectionately to let her know how much he loved her.

She didn't let go of his hand for the rest of the ceremony and proudly walked exactly side by side with her partner as they exited the church. Their clasped hands did not go unnoticed by Erica who immediately pointed it out to her fiancé.

"Looks like you were right." Jimmy smiled.

"Mmm hmm." Erica was pleased with herself and thrilled at the sight of the two young Rangers so clearly in love. They were each practically glowing.

At the Walker ranch later that day the new relationship between Syd and Gage was very obvious and their friends, who had known for a long time that this was meant to be, took it all in stride. No-one said anything about it, acting casually as if Syd and Gage holding hands and cuddling together on the couch was normal. Even Trivette managed to refrain from teasing them.

As they sat around the Thanksgiving table, ready to eat the delicious turkey that Alex had prepared, Walker leaned over to kiss his wife.

"Thank you everyone for being here with us, and for sharing your friendship with us. I think that today I am the happiest man alive with my wife and our beautiful daughter here at my side, in our lovely home surrounded by some of the best people we have ever known."

"I don't know Walker – I'm a pretty happy man myself." Trivette called out, leaning over to kiss Erica rather passionately. The small group at the table cheered.

"I don't know why you men think that you can lay claim to all the happiness." Syd challenged as the laughter died down. "On behalf of all the women here I'd like to show you what real happiness is."

Syd reached up and kissed Gage full on the lips, finally ready to admit in front of all their friends what she had taken her so long to admit to herself.

"Gage." She whispered as they broke apart. "I love you."

"I love you too Syd." Gage smiled down at her and then, unabashed joy shining in his eyes, looked out at the faces of his grinning comrades and said. "Let's just say that everyone here has something to be thankful for."

"Amen!" someone called.

"Now let's eat!" Walker, Trivette and Gage all called out at the same time, each of them earning a swift elbow to the ribs from the women sitting beside them.

THE END