Friends : New & Old
Chapter 2 - Reunions
11:34a.m. Saturday May 11
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
"Gage is everything OK?" Walker asked walking up to where Gage and Sydney stood. "I heard a scream."
"That was him," Sydney said pointing to the guy she had just arrested.
"Oh, OK."
"Everything outside is ready, we can takes these guys out now," Walker told them.
"You got it, Walker," Gage replied. "Ready, Shorty?" He asked turning towards Sydney.
"All set," She told him pulling the guy she had just arrested off of the floor. Together she and Gage took the three men outside. Once there they headed toward to police cars waiting.
All of a sudden she heard someone scream, "SYDNEY?!?!"
Gage didn't know what had happened other than a man had just yelled out his partner's name. 'Who is that?'
Sydney looked around to where the man stood next to a brunette. 'It couldn't be. Could it?' She thought. Genuinely surprised she practically shouted back, "NICHOLAS?!?!"
"Yeah," He responded.
Sydney turned toward Gage and said, "Take him for me will you, I'll be right back." Indicating the guys she was escorting.
"OK," Gage said hesitantly.
No sooner than the words were out of his mouth than Sydney practically ran over to where the man now known as Nicholas stood. She threw her arms around Nick and he spun her around in a circle a couple of times before setting her back down to the ground and pulling slightly away from her. He then held her at arm's length.
'Who the heck is that and how does he know Syd?' Gage wondered, the jealousy over what he just witnessed boiling up inside of him. Quickly he rushed to take the three men over to where Walker stood. "Walker, I'll be right back." Walker nodded his head and Gage left to go find Sydney.
Meanwhile, Nicholas was saying, "Sydney," In a thick Texan accent. "I haven't seen you in forever. It's been what six, seven years?"
"Yeah, about seven," Sydney replied.
"What are you doing here? Last I heard you were still in Houston."
"I moved, and I should be asking you the same thing. Why are you in Dallas? When I came back to Dallas, I tried looking you up but your old boss said you had moved away."
"Yeah I am in Las Vegas now."
"Really?"
"Yeah, you know I changed to being a CSI. Now I work for the second best lab in the country. I am here to speak at a function this week."
"Oh yeah, I heard about that. A bunch of lab geeks getting together," Sydney said with a slight grin.
"I am NOT a lab geek," Nicholas retorted. Then he stopped and asked, "Sydney, what's that?" Pointing to her Ranger badge pinned on her shirt.
"My badge," She replied simply.
"What? That means you're a . . ."
"Yep, a Texas Ranger."
"I knew this was going to happen sooner or later."
"Yeah I always could kick your butt."
"You were older, and besides when I finally did start to catch up to you, you moved."
"Yeah well," She said looking down not wanting to go back to those memories right now.
"So how long have you been a ranger?"
"A little over six years."
"Wow. I really should keep in touch better."
"Yes you should. But you are here now. We should get together sometime before you leave."
"Yeah that would be great," Nicholas said. Then Sydney heard the brunette behind Nicholas clear her throat. He turned toward the girl and said "Oh, sorry." He dropped his hands off of her upper arms and walking her towards the brunette said, "Sydney, this is Sara Sidle. We work together and she has to speak this weekend also. Sara, Sydney Cooke." Then Sydney saw him whisper something to the woman now know as Sara.
"Oh, it's nice to meet you," Sara said, a smile came to her lips and she extended her right hand.
"You too," Sydney replied taking Sara's hand and shaking it. Suddenly Gage ran up to where the three of them were standing.
"Syd, the perps are being taken in for questioning. Walker said they would be ready for us in about an hour. Is anything wrong?" Gage asked looking at Nicholas and Sara.
"Thanks, and nothing is wrong. Gage, I would you to meet a very old friend of mine, Nicholas Stokes."
"Hi Nicholas," The Gage said a bit hesitantly.
"It's Nick and nice to meet you," Nick replied shaking Gage's hand.
"Nicholas and I grew up together," Sydney explained to Gage.
"Oh, right," Gage responded. 'I guess that makes it better, maybe.'
"Nick, Gage is my partner," Sydney said turning to Nick.
"Oh, OK. So Sydney what do you say to tonight we get together? We can catch up on the last seven years," Nick said.
"Oh, I'm sorry Nicholas. It's Saturday, and every Saturday, Gage and I eat, talk about the week, and watch a movie," Sydney replied.
"That's OK no problem. If you give me your number I will call you later and figure out a time where I don't have to lecture and we can talk then," Nick told her.
'I better do something before I get blamed for her not spending time with him,' Gage thought the informed Sydney, "Syd, it's OK. Go out with him we can do that next Saturday night."
"Thanks Gage. Wait, I have an idea. Nicholas why don't you join Gage and I," Sydney asked.
"Thanks but I don't want to feel like the third wheel. Seriously we can get together another night. I'll be here till the fifteenth," Nick responded.
"Are you sure? I mean it wouldn't be a big deal if you did join us. A couple of years ago they opened a new restaurant in town. I'm serious, it has the best Mexican food I have ever had. Being in Vegas you can't tell me that you get good Mexican food there," Sydney questioned.
"You're right. But . . ." Nick replied.
"Nicholas do you want me to kick your butt? Ask Gage, or even those guys we just arrested. I could still beat you up if I had to," Sydney informed him.
'Wow, she being a little pushy today. I wonder what's up,' Gage thought.
"No demonstration is necessary, I assure you and I believe you," Nick said. Then as if a second thought, "OK, I'll go; but Sara is coming also. OK?" He turned toward Sara.
"That's fine," Sydney said.
"It's OK Nick, go on, I'll be fine," Sara told him.
"No, I don't want you in a hotel room all night. Besides you'll get bored and since your books are at home, I don't want to have to buy you more. Those things don't come cheep. Sheesh!" Nick said throwing his hands in the air and giving her a big smile.
'What is he talking about?' Sydney thought.
"OK," Sara agreed.
"All right Sydney, when and where?" Nick asked turning back towards Sydney.
"'Pasados'. How does seven o'clock sound?" Sydney asked speaking to Gage and Nick.
"Fine," Gage replied.
"Great," Nick said. "Wait, do they have anything that does not have any form of meat in it?"
"What do you mean?" Sydney asked a perplexed look coming to her face.
"You know, vegetarian," Nick replied.
Sydney tried rally hard not to laugh out loud. "Don't tell me that a man from Texas doesn't eat meat. I remember every meal your mother ever made had at least one form of meat in it."
"No, no. I still enjoy a nice steak. It's Sara. Ever since a certain case, she hasn't been able to eat meat."
"Oh, I see. Sure, there's is a few things she could eat. Nicholas, here is the office number," Sydney said to Nick writing down the number on a piece of paper that she had got from here pocket. "Call me for the details." Handing him the paper she continued, "I'll see you at seven."
"OK, see you then," Nick told Sydney.
Turning back towards Gage she said, "Come on, we have got several interrogations to do." She turned back toward Nick and gave him another hug. "Bye. See you later."
"Bye," Nick said. Then Sydney and Gage turned and left.
"I haven't seen him forever. I can't believe he is actually here," Sydney said to no one in particular.
"So who was that?" Gage asked getting in his car.
Sydney got in and replied, "I told you, an old friend."
"Syd, I don't even hug just old friends like that."
"He's just a very important person to me."
'So I noticed,' Gage thought.
The rest of the ride was quiet, but Sydney's mind was going full force. She thought back to that fateful day the changed her life forever. She was eighteen, Nicholas and Jeremey, her brother, were best friends and fourteen years old. She had picked them up from school that day and on the way to pick up her sister, Lindsey. A drunk driver in a big van came from nowhere, ran a red light, and creamed the passenger side where Jeremey was sitting. Nicholas was behind Sydney and he only suffered a fractured leg that ended up in a cast. Sydney only had two broken wrists and a broken ankle. Jeremey had died before they could even get him to the hospital. Evidently there wasn't enough evidence to convict the other driver, although he had practically pleaded guilty. By the time Sydney was finished thinking about all of this, they had arrived back at headquarters and Sydney was about to tear up. She quickly hopped out of the car before Gage had even put it in park. She ran inside and upstairs, and strait towards Alex's office.
"Syd!" Gage called after her. "Hey, Shorty, wait up!" But his call was to no avail. "Dang, what did I do this time?"
12:11p.m. Saturday May 11
Alex Cahill-Walker's Office
Sydney practically ran past Alex's secretary and pounded on Alex's door. "Come . . .," Was all Alex could get out before Sydney came bursting in. She went strait over toward Alex's couch and the dam broke. Tears started streaming down her eyes. Alex was perplexed over the distraught woman. She had never seen Sydney this emotional before, ever. Sure she had seen her cry over a couple of things before, but it wasn't like this. Alex got up from her deck and went over toward Sydney. She hugged Sydney and whispered words of comfort trying to calm the sobs that were wracking Sydney's small frame. "Sydney, stop crying now and tell me what's wrong."
Sydney was able to calm down enough to tell Alex, "I ran into Nicholas at the airport."
Alex knew Sydney, Walker, and Gage had a bust down at the airport today, but who was Nicholas? "Who's Nicholas, Sydney?"
Sydney had stopped crying and wiped the tears from her face and replied, "Jeremey's best friend."
Alex knew the story well; Sydney had been so upset last year of the anniversary of when her brother had died. Sydney had come out to the ranch, told Alex everything, and then cried all night long. "Sydney, everything will be OK. Nicholas is your friend, too. Are you going to see him again?"
"Tonight."
"Then only bring up happy memories. I'm sure that he doesn't want to remember the bad things either."
"I know you're right, Alex. But how can I be so strong at everything I do and then this one topic can always bring me to tears?"
"I don't know. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with crying."
"I know, and now I don't mind in front of you, but Gage almost caught me this time."
"And what is wrong with him seeing you cry?" Alex asked knowing the real reason whether Sydney would admit to it or not.
"He's my partner. He has to know that I can do my job."
"Sydney, are you OK now?" Sydney nodded. "Good. Now Gage knows that you can do your job. He trusts his life to you and there is nothing wrong with him seeing you cry. Now, if you just got back from the airport, then Gage is probably waiting for you to get down there and do the interrogations. Right?"
Sydney agreed, thanked Alex, and headed down to Ranger headquarters. She made a quick detour at the ladies room making sure that all traces of what had happened in Alex's office had disappeared.
12:28p.m. Saturday May 11
Ranger Headquarters
"There you are, Syd," Gage greeted Sydney as she walked through the door. "What happened to you?" She asked concern showing on his face.
"No big deal. I just had to go see Alex for a minute," She explained.
"Are you sure everything's OK?"
"Fine, Gage. Are you ready to do the interrogations?"
"Yeah. Although, there's only one more left to do. Walker and I made quick work out of the others. I did save your pal with your heel print in his back, for us to talk to, though."
Sydney smiled. "Thanks. Where is he?"
"Interrogation room 'B'."
"Let's go," She said leading the way.
Johnny groaned and turned back around to face Sydney who was waiting. "I have a permanent dent in my back. I ought to file charges against you," He claimed.
"It won't do any good. Just ask the last guy," Sydney said. Gage smiled at her.
"I want to cut a deal," He said.
"What do you have to offer?" Sydney asked putting her feet on the floor and smiling.
3:29p.m. Saturday May 11
Ranger Headquarters
Sydney and Gage came in to the room laughing at how easy Johnny had given up every thing he knew. "I think you should put your boot in people's backs more often," Gage commented.
Sydney just smiled and headed over to Walker's office when he waved them over. "What's up, Walker?" Sydney asked as she walked into the office followed by Gage.
"How'd things go?" Walker asked.
"We have a lot to go on. I think we could get him tomorrow if everything pans out. Alex is working on the warrants and we have cops in plain clothing tailing and staking Rigaldi out," Sydney told him.
"Great, I got a little too. Anyway, Sydney, I have a message for you. Nick Stokes called a little while ago," Walker said handing her Nick's number. "I didn't know you knew him."
"Yeah," Sydney replied. "He's an old friend. I've know him since we were little kids. Wait, you know him?"
"About seven years ago he worked for the DPD and during that time I kind of became his mentor. I was the one that helped him decide to switch from being a cop to a CSI. About a year after that he left. Anyway, after you two finish your paper work, you are free to go. Have fun," Walker said turning back to his work.
"Thanks, Walker," Sydney said following Gage out and to their desks.
Gage went straight to his desk and began his paperwork. Sydney likewise went to her desk but first she had to make a phone call. She picked up her phone and dialed Nicholas' number that Walker had given her. After the second ring he picked up. "Hello?"
"Hi, Nicholas," Sydney replied.
"What's up, Sydney?"
"Not much. I just called about tonight."
"Right. I didn't think you would call back so soon."
"Gage and I were in interrogation when you called."
"I hope you got what you needed."
"I always do."
"Of course you do."
"Anyway about tonight," Sydney began and they made plans for that night.
The whole time Sydney was talking to Nick, Gage was listening. He couldn't help this little pang of jealously that was boiling up inside of him. It was more because he didn't know who this Nick was and to what extent did his and Syd's relationship lie. Gage knew without a shadow of a doubt how he felt about Syd. He loved her. There was no denying it. The only problem was she didn't feel the same way about him. Well, at least what she would say to his face when she knew he was listening. He had heard every word she said after the surgery with his hearing. They had kissed a total of five times. Each time she passed it off as being happy, New Year's, or trying to keep up the undercover act up.
"Bye, Nicholas. I can't wait to see you tonight," Sydney said, bringing Gage out of his thoughts.
Gage was starting to hate this guy. 'Why did I have to open my big mouth and suggest that he come with us tonight?' He thought. 'Because you would do anything to make her happy you idiot,' He answered himself.
"Gage, we have to be there at seven," Sydney told him. Gage just nodded his head and went back to his paperwork. "Gage are you OK?"
"I'm just fine," Gage snapped. Then realizing what he had done and looking up and seeing the hurt in his partner's eyes, he said, "I'm sorry Syd. I didn't mean to snap. Today just hasn't been a very good day."
"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?" Gage shook his head and continued his paperwork. Sydney picked up a pen and started on her paperwork, wondering what was really wrong with him.
To Be Continued . . .