Title: Trials of Sydney Chapt. 4
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.

At the Walker's ranch that evening, Alex cleaned up after dinner as Walker played with Angela on the floor. They hadn't heard from Sydney since she left that morning.

"Walker," Alex began as she sat down on the couch after cleaning the kitchen. Walker looked up from Angela to look at his wife. "Something is nagging at me. The way Sydney could hold herself fine, except she couldn't hold down food."

"What are you talking about?" Walker asked, watching Angela pull herself up on the coffee table and walked towards her mother, using the table for support.

"The symptoms are very familiar," Alexis informed her husband smiling at Angela. "And it's not exactly flu season. I think she might be pregnant."

It took Walker a minute to absorb what his wife was saying. "Sydney, pregnant? I don't know about that one, Alex."

"Walker, I recognize the early symptoms. I went through the same. She couldn't hold down her breakfast, she felt fine after that, a little pale in the face. She even looked tired." Alex picked up Angela as she reached for her mother.

Walker considered the way Sydney felt this morning. "I still don't know. Sydney would tell us if she is pregnant."

"Maybe I should call her and see how she is doing," Alex remarked as she reached for the phone.

Walker stopped her and smiled. "She'll call us when she is ready. Maybe she couldn't get an appointment until tomorrow. I'm sure she is fine. Now, let's get Angela b-a-t-h-e-d and put to b-e-d."

Alex recognized the expression on her husband's face and smiled. "Alright, Mr. Walker. I think you are right."

Walker and Alex bathed their daughter and put her to bed. Angela was tired, giving her parents no problems as they laid her in her crib. She curled up, her forefinger going into her mouth. Unlike most babies, Angela preferred her forefinger over her thumb.

Alex and Walker headed to their bedroom, ready for some alone time with each other.

Sydney managed to eat dry toast for dinner and was able to keep it down. After her appointment, she picked up her prenatal vitamins and headed directly home. The doctor had also given her a few pamphlets on pregnancy and recommended some books to read. She may just borrow from Alex when she got around to telling everyone, especially Gage.

Thinking of Gage, she recalled what he had said the Monday after the arson to her apartment while she held Angela. She lightly touched her abdominal. She was going to be a mother now. Her thoughts drifted to her job as a Texas Ranger. No way would she be able to fight criminals with a bulging belly, meaning she would be stuck with a desk job. She could always resign, leave Dallas, and start a new life. That wouldn't be fair to Gage, though. He had the right to know. Looking at the phone, she was ready to call him, when the doorbell rang. She stood up and answered the door, almost surprised to see Gage there.

"You looked through my file," Sydney accused teasingly.

"No, actually, I asked Walker for the address," Gage responded. "He was surprised you hadn't told me yet."

"We've been too busy for me to tell you," Sydney told him, stepping aside, silently letting him enter. "Would you like something to drink?"

Gage stepped in and shook his head. "No, I'm okay. I don't want to stay long. I heard you weren't feeling good this morning and was sent home. How're you felling now?"

"I'm better," Sydney responded. "I will be back at the office tomorrow."

"That's good to hear." They stood near the door still and Gage bent down and kissed her forehead. "Get some rest and I'll see you tomorrow." He opened the door and exited.

Sydney remained rooted to the spot for a little bit. Gage had surprised her by kissing her. He had been so casual since that night and respected her for her choices. She unglued herself and went to the window, watching Gage drive away. She decided at that moment that she would tell him the truth. She would not resign from something she loves so dearly and run away. But Gage had to understand... she was not about to turn her life completely around for him.

The next morning, Sydney had a box of crackers and a water bottle with her as she entered Company B headquarters. Walker was at his desk, coming in early to get some reports finished. Alex was sitting on a chair across from his desk as Angela played on the floor. Everyone would be arriving soon, and Alex would be leaving for her job, so now was a good of time to tell Walker and Alex. She would tell Gage in private, because she already knew that it would be a long talk.

"Good morning," Sydney greeted them as she walked in, placing the crackers and bottle on her desk.

"'Morning," Walker and Alex greeted in unison as Angela crawled towards her. "I see you are feeling better," Alex added.

"Not really," Sydney responded as she approached them, Angela pulling herself up on Sydney's leg. "Not now, Angela. I can't hold you." She looked back up to see Walker and Alex staring at her, waiting for her to continue.

"I went to the doctor's yesterday. I don't have to flu, but I will be having a baby in 6 to 7 months," Sydney informed.

"I told you," Alex said to Walker before turning to smile at Sydney. "Congratulations!" Alex stood up and hugged her friend. Sydney hugged back. Walker stood up and went to her side. "Yeah, congrats."

Alex released Sydney and picked up Angela. "We will have to get together and you can borrow my books," Alex told Sydney. "I better get going though." She planted a kiss on her husband's lips. Walker then kissed Angela on her head. Alex departed, leaving Walker and Sydney alone until the others arrived.

Sydney could tell Walker had a lot of questions forming in his mind, and quickly Sydney began to tell him. "I know I will be assigned to a desk job and I won't be able to do field work. I accepted it last night. But I still want my job and would like to return to field work after I have the baby."

Walker nodded. "I'm sure we can work something out, Sydney. Have you told Gage yet?"

"No, and don't mention anything yet. I want to tell him myself," Sydney responded, hoping she didn't sound too obvious.

"We may have to set him up with a temp-ranger until you return."

"I know. You can talk to him next week about it. I will have told him by then."

Walker nodded. "Alright." Walker returned to his desk, and continued to work as Sydney sat at her desk.

By 9 o'clock, Gage and Trivette were at work as well. They were both happy to see Sydney back. They both showed their concerns about coming to work if she was still 'ill', but she just told them that she would be okay. If they got a call to go on field work, Sydney would just stay behind at headquarters.

Alex arrived at 5:30 that evening to pick up Walker. Bidding them and Trivette a goodnight and hushing Alex before she spilt the beans, Gage and Sydney were the only ones left.

"I know this is short notice, but since we have tomorrow off," Gage began as he slipped on his coat. "Do you want to go to a movie?"

Sydney was caught off guard by the question as she, too, put her coat on.

"Just as friends, Syd," Gage assured her. "I know you aren't feeling that great. We could always just rent some and watch it at one of our places if you don't want to go to the theatre."

Sydney nodded and grabbed her purse. "I'd like that. That is, going to the theatre for a movie. Anything good playing?"

"I guess we will see when we get there," Gage told her, holding the door open for her as the exited headquarters. "I'll pick you up in an hour?" It was phrased as a question.

Sydney looked unsure but shook the feeling. "Yeah."

An hour later, Gage picked Sydney up from her apartment. Gage wore black jeans and a button up maroon shirt. Sydney wore a pair of her black jeans, a beige tank top and a button up beige shirt, left unbuttoned. They were both in nice, but comfortable clothing.

"I would offer dinner," Gage began as he dove towards the cinema. "But I don't think you would be able to keep it down."

"Good thinking," Sydney responded. In her purse were crackers and water, just in case.

They arrived at the movie cinema and agreed on a movie. A couple hours later, Gage drove Sydney back to her apartment complex.

"Thanks for the movie," Sydney told him as he parked. Looking unsure for a brief second, Sydney continued. "Would you like to come up?" She had to tell him.

Gage nodded and turned off the engine. They walked in silence up to her apartment and once inside, Sydney delayed a little longer. "Would you like something to drink?" she offered.

"Coke if you have it. If not, water is fine," Gage responded, looking around the living room of her new place. Sydney disappeared to the kitchen with her water and his coke. "Nice place. Insurance paid for new furniture?"

"Yeah. The insurance went through and gave me how much they thought I should have. They were reluctant, considering it was arson, but with some help, they coughed up the money. I don't think they like me anymore."

Gage laughed, accepting his drink and sitting down on the couch. "It's nice."

"I thought so too when I bought it," Sydney told him, sitting in a matching chair.

There was an extended period of silent as they drank their drinks. Finally, Gage spoke up, "is it home yet?"

"It's almost there," Sydney responded. "Like I said, I can't replace my personal collection of photos and all, but it is slowly becoming homey."

"Good."

Another silent session and Sydney took a deep breath. 'Here goes nothing,' she thought to herself. Turning her full attention to where Gage sat, she began. "Gage, I need to tell you something."

Gage put down his drink and looked at her. He knew there was something Sydney was keeping from him and the look on her face said that he was about to find out what that was. He nodded, giving her the sign to continue.

"Gage, first and foremost, I value my independence." Gage knew that. She had an independent streak as a big as Texas. "When I tell you this, I don't want you to start hovering over me and feel the need to protect me. I know you won't do it purposely, you are a caring guy."

Gage was ready to burst from all the anxiety that she was causing him. "What is it Sydney?"

Taking a few deep breaths, she turned away from him and then turned back. She couldn't chicken out now. "Gage, I'm pregnant."

The look on Gage's face would have been comical if the situation wasn't a serious situation. And since Gage still looked like he was trying to figure out what had hit him, Sydney threw another shocker.

"It's yours," she said, feeling better now that she had told him.

Gage was speechless. A millions things were rolling through his head but nothing was coming out of his mouth.

"Say something, please," Sydney finally spoke after Gage hadn't said anything for a few moments.

"Marry me?" Gage asked, not fully sure himself.

Sydney laughed. "No. I told you that I don't want anything from you. Don't try to woo me into a relationship." Since Gage remained silent, Sydney decided to tell him what was on her mind. "You are the father. You were the last man I was with and the timing works out. I am not denying you fatherhood. I want you to be in the child's life, but I am not ready for marriage. You can come to my check ups and even watch me grow big with the baby. But I do not want you hovering over me. I have talked to Walker, he is assigning you a temp partner and I will be assigned to desk detail. This is the way I want it."

Gage was still looking at her and finally shook his head clear. "You want to set some rules." He understood why, but he didn't like that. He wasn't raised a fool. He would take responsibility for his actions. "First, Sydney... I am sorry I didn't protect us that night. I don't regret that night, though. And now that night left you pregnant. Sydney, I want to take responsibility for my actions, but your set of rules won't allow me to."

"I don't want marriage right now," Sydney informed him again. "You can still be a father to your child without marrying me."

"I know. I'll be a good husband."

Sydney nodded. "I know you would, but, again, I do not want marriage right now. Gage, I like my freedom, my independence. You are my best friend and you are the father of our child. Let's keep it that way for now."

It took Gage a few minutes to sort everything out in his mind. Sydney was pregnant with his child. A little girl and boy would be growing inside her, looking like them. If it was a girl, she would have her mother's dark hair and lovely eyes. If it was a boy, he would be big like him. At least she would let him be around and she would not deny him his child. "Agreed, Sydney," he finally spoke. "Let's play it by ear and see what happens. I can't promise you that I will not be protective. You already know I will."

"You will always be apart of the child's life, I will never deny you that," Sydney reassured him.

"Thanks, Syd." Gage stood up and went to her. He bent down, hugging her lightly and kissing her lightly on the lips. He would not let it go any farther than that. He wanted to, but couldn't.

Sydney stared up at him and smiled. "You're welcome." Deep down, they knew what each other were really thanking and welcoming for. Gage had always wanted a child and happy that it was with Sydney and not the blonde. He was also thankful that since he did impregnate her, she would not abort the child. Sydney knew Gage wanted a family and noticed the desire for one ever since Alex told them of her pregnancy and once Angela was born, Gage's desire for a child increased when he saw Angela. Now, they were going to have a child. If Sydney was true to herself, she was actually quite thrilled herself.

End of Chapter 4