Title: Trials of Sydney Chapt. 2
Rated: PG-13
Author: Babs
Disclaimer: I own nothing... at least what is in this story, except for the idea and any made-up characters.

Sydney looked at him, and attempted sarcasms, "Are you going to invite me in or would you prefer knock your butt to the ground?"

Gage knew better and slid the door open for her to come in. "What brings you here in the middle of the night? And don't tell me you were out taking a walk, because we don't live that close to each other."

"I was out for a drive, then," Sydney replied as she made herself comfortable on the couch.

Gage shut and locked the door and joined her. Looking at her tighter than work jeans she adorned and the smaller than life tank she sported and the way her hair was done up, in curls and flashy, Gage reasoned she was going out to have some fun, but why in the world would she stop by his place.

"So, are you headed someplace that happened to be near my place?" Gage asked, remembering that there was a warm female in his bed getting cold.

Sydney looked down at herself and remembered how boring going to that bar was. 'You can trust him,' Syd told herself. 'He'll let you stay.' Looking up, she smiled slightly at Gage.

"Listen, Gage," she began. "I need a place to stay, please."

"What about your place?" Gage asked.

And before Sydney could answer, the blonde from Gage's bed spoke up. "Francis, darlin', the bed is..." She stopped as she saw Sydney. "Who is this?"

They both looked up to see her wearing Gage's bathrobe and looking annoyed.

That lightened Sydney's mood and she began to laugh, more to herself. "Oh my God. I interrupted an intimate moment." She was slightly embarrassed about it, but mostly it amused her.

"Yeah," the lady said.

Gage found his voice, but for the life of him, he couldn't remember the female's name. "This is my partner at the Texas Rangers, Sydney Cooke."

"Hi," Sydney said between giggles. "I am sorry that I intruded, Gage. I just never thought you had a personal life." She teased him.

Sydney stood up, bid them a farewell and headed towards the door.

"Syd, you never answered my question," Gage stopped her within a few feet of the door.

Sydney turned around and shook her head. "Doesn't matter. You have company and I do not want to intrude. I'll just find a hotel." She turned back towards the door.

Gage placed a hand on Sydney's arm and she spun around. It was her natural instinct to go after anyone that surprised her. She was about a lay a round house kick to him before she stopped. "Sorry Gage. Old habits die hard." She sighed. Looking to the impatient blonde to Gage, she said. "My apartment complex caught fire."

Without missing a beat, Gage noticed a moment weakness for Sydney and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry, Shorty. Of course you can stay here."

"What about the blonde?" Sydney asked quietly, against his chest.

"I'll just send her on her way," Gage told her and released Sydney. He walked up to the female escorting her back to the bedroom.

Sydney could hear quiet voices, Gage explaining the situation, the female getting angry. Sydney knew she should have made her escape, but something told her to stay. A few minutes later, the blonde came storming out of Gage's bedroom, fully dressed and furious, and Sydney had to jump out of the way.

"Goodbye, Francis," she spat and slammed the door behind her.

"Honestly, Gage," Sydney finally spoke to Gage, who was still wearing just his slacks. "I could have found a hotel. It's not tourism season or anything."

"Hey, what are friends for," Gage replied. "You want something to drink?"

"No, I just want to get some sleep," Sydney replied as she sat back down on the couch.

Gage escaped to the bedroom, grabbed a pillow and a couple of blankets. "Can you tell me what happened?" he asked as he gave the stuff to Sydney.

"I suppose." Sydney was still awake on the caffeine she consumed at Denny's.

Gage took a seat next to her and Sydney began to tell him of what happened and what she saw.

"Were you home when it started?" Gage asked.

Sydney had to laugh. "No, I was out."

"Out?" Gage questioned. "And..."

"I went to a bar I heard about," Sydney told him. "Like you, I was looking for some fun after that last assignment. You found yours and sent yours away."

"Yeah, for you," Gage told her in all seriousness. "You are my good friend and I couldn't have let you stay in a motel. What are friends for?" He gave her one of his charming smiles.

"Thanks, Gage," she told him. Just then, Sydney's cell phone rang. She excused herself and answered. "Hello?"

After a few minutes on the phone, she hung up. "Oh, God..." she cried out. She looked at Gage as tears began to stream down her face. Gage was immediately at her side, comforting her, which made Sydney feel weak.

"Tell me who that was and what's happening," Gage almost pleaded and Sydney remained silent. "Please."

She looked at him and nodded, heading back to the couch. Gage continued to caress her, comfort her. "That was one of the investigators from my apartment fire. He informed me that the fire began in my apartment and looked like it..." she paused and looked directly at him.

"Looked like what?" Gage encouraged.

"Arson," Sydney told him. "Everything I owned was destroyed, along with three other apartments in the complex." She thought of the Campbell's and wanted to scream in anger.

"I'm sorry, Syd," Gage comforted, not knowing what else to do.

"Don't worry about me, Gage," Sydney informed. "There were 3 other families that are now homeless, including the Campbell's, who are newlyweds. They shouldn't have been put in danger because of my job! Not to mention those others who lived there. Their apartments have a lot of smoke damage and they won't be able to move back in until its' all cleaned and safe." Sydney felt like punching something, becoming angry that someone would endanger others lives.

"Syd, it's not your fault," Gage reassured her as he noticed the look in her eyes. "Hey, calm down. Sydney, everything will be okay."

Sydney glared daggers at Gage. She wanted to punch him out for being right. She took a few deeps breaths and let them out slowly. "I guess what bugs me the most is it was arson. Someone, and I have no idea who, wanted me dead."

Gage grabbed her lightly by the shoulders to face him. Bending down, meeting her in the eyes, Gage saw that Sydney was confused and hurting and angry. He hated seeing her like that and without permission, from her or him; he leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.

It was a shock to them both, but Gage in his aroused state and Sydney feeling vulnerable, the kiss was heaven. Sydney wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, bringing their bodies close together. They fell onto the couch together, both clinging to each other for life. What was meant to be a comforting kiss turned into hot and heavy kiss between the partners. The kissing turned into full blown passion as they began to remove their clothing and fulfilled the desire they shared between each other.

End of Chapter 2