Friends : New & Old

Chapter 4 - Monday

8:09a.m. Monday May 13

Alex Cahill-Walker's Office

"Hey, Alex," Sydney said as she walked into Alex's office.

"What's up, Sydney?" Alex asked.

"Are you busy?"

"Nothing that can't be put off until later. Come in, what's wrong?"

Sydney walked in the office and sat down. After Gage had dropped her off at her house Saturday, Sydney had called Alex but only spoke with her long enough to let her know that dinner had gone great. She did not, however, inform her that she was going to the Stokes' ranch this afternoon. Now was the time to tell her. "Thanks. I just wanted to let you know that this afternoon, Nicholas and Sara are taking me to his family's ranch."

"Are you OK?"

"You know, I actually think I am. I always loved to go over there and I loved his mother. I just don't want any painful memories to be bought up."

"Nick has seen you cry, right?"

"Yeah, but he won't mention it. His life is on the line if he does," Sydney joked.

"Well, than don't be afraid of crying and who knows, the subject might not even be brought up. Don't go in there expecting the worse."

"You're right. I know that. I just am so nervous."

"Don't be, I'm sure everything will be all right," Alex told Sydney as she got up from her desk and went over to Sydney and gave her a big hug.

"I feel like I'm in high school again."

"I understand."

"Thanks, Alex. I better go."

"No problem. I'm here for whenever you need to talk."

"I appreciate that Alex. I'll talk to you later?"

"Absolutely," Alex said as Sydney walked out of the room after saying goodbye once again. Sydney headed toward the elevator feeling ten times better that she did when she walked in the building this morning.

9:01a.m. Monday May 13

Company B Texas Ranger Headquarters

Sydney walked into headquarters and headed over toward the coffee pot. Gage spotted her and called out, "Who's late this time?"

"Shut up. If you must know, I was in Alex's office."

Gage smirked and returned to his paperwork. The Rangers worked on paper work, did research, and tried to wrap up a few loose ends on their active cases. Fortunately for Sydney it was a slow day and they were not called out of the office. It was after four-thirty and she was anxiously awaiting for Nick to arrive, although he wasn't due there until three o'clock. Gage heard a slight noise and looked up. Behind Sydney, quietly walking in the room, was Nick followed by Sara. Nick motioned for Nick not to make a noise. Gage just bowed his head back to his paperwork.

Nick walked right up behind Sydney and right into her ear loudly said, "HEY!"

Sydney jumped slightly and replied, "Nicholas!"

"Yes?" He asked innocently.

"Never mind. Why are you here?"

"We're picking you up, remember?"

"Yes I remember but it's not three yet."

"I know, I wanted to talk to Walker before we left. So if you will point me in the direction of where he is . . ." Gage and Sydney pointed to a closed door on the other side of his room. "Sara, are you coming?"

"Yeah," She said as she followed Nick towards the closed door and went in Walker's office.

"Well, I'm leaving. Thanks Gage for covering for me. I'll call from the ranch to make sure everything is OK later."

"No problem. Have fun," Gage said sarcastically.

Sydney was so wrapped up in her own thoughts, the same reason Nick was able to sneak up on her, she did not notice Gage's tone. By the time Sydney had gathered her things, Nick and Sara had walked out of Walker's office and they left for the ranch.

3:07p.m. Monday May 13

Stokes Ranch

"Ladies?" Nick asked as he opened up the back door of the SUV for them to get out. "Sydney, bring back memories?"

"Oh yeah," She replied. 'Too many,' She thought.

Nick closed the door and walked between them on the way to the house. "So Sara, what do you think?"

"It's huge," Sara said.

"What you can see now with your eyes is nothing," Nick replied. "What do you say Sydney? Should we take her to the river?"

"Can you still ride?" Sydney asked teasingly.

"Of course, can you?" Nick asked in the same manner.

"Alex and I ride together at least once a week," She told him matter of factly. "Sara, can you ride?"

"Ride? What do mean?" Sara asked Sydney.

"Nicholas, she doesn't know how to ride a horse? What were you thinking?" Sydney asked.

"Never mind. Sara, don't worry about it. Sydney, she will know how before we go. You have to remember, this is her first time in Texas." Both girls just nodded their heads up and down very subtlety. The three of them were by now at the front door and Nick knocked. "Mom?"

"I'm coming. Nick? Is that you?" A voice from inside yelled.

"Yes, Mom. I have a surprise for you." Nick replied.

The door opened and there stood Nick's Mom. "Oh, Nick. It's good to see you," She said as she gave him a big hug. Nick seemed to struggle a little and she finally let go. Sydney watched the sight, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might jump out of her chest.

"Mom, look who's here," Nick said moving to the side so she could see Sydney.

"Sydney," She gasped as she moved forward and gave Sydney a hug.

Nick took Sara's arm and pulled her inside the house. They went in and sat in the living room waiting for Mrs. Stokes and Sydney to join them. Soon they came in the house and joined Sara and Nick in the living room. "Mom, this is Sara Sidle. Sara, this is my mom," Nick introduced them and they shook hands.

"Nick dear, you are so skinny. When was the last time you had a nice steak?" Mrs. Stokes asked.

"Since you cooked me one, Mom," Nick replied in a monotone voice. Sydney had to laugh at this.

"Well supper will be ready in about two hours if you want to go out to the barn Nick. Your horse sure does miss you." Mrs. Stokes told Nick.

"Yeah I miss him too. Sara come on, I am going to teach you how to ride," Nick said. "Sydney, you wanna see this?"

"Oh, I would love to see this, but I think that I will stay in here and talk to your mom." Sydney answered calmly. Then she thought about it and realized she really was calm.

"OK," Nick said. "Sara, are you coming?" She nodded her head yes and followed Nick out to the barn.

Mrs. Stokes got up and motioned for Sydney to join her. Sydney got up and followed Mrs. Stokes into the kitchen. Once there Mrs. Stokes opened the oven to check on whatever was in there. "It smells delicious," Sydney commented.

"Thank you, sweetie. How have you been?" Mrs. Stokes asked.

"OK. I live in Dallas now, I'm a Texas Ranger."

"I know, and I'm so proud of you. How are you're parents and your sister?"

"Dad's died about three years ago. Mom's good, though. Lindsey graduated from college, is married, and has a baby girl. All four still live in Houston."

"I'm sorry to hear about you're Dad."

"It's OK. It was a heart attack, so it was unexpected but he was living such an unhealthy life that even Mom thought it was his time." They went on talking about small things for quite awhile before Sydney remembered something her Mrs. Stokes had said several minutes ago. "Mrs. Stokes, you said that you knew that I had moved to Dallas and became a Ranger. If so, then why didn't you . . .," Sydney trailed off.

"Why didn't I look you up?" Mrs. Stokes asked. Sydney nodded her head. "First of all, we work in the same building, so even though the building is big, it's kind of hard not to know when you make the news at least once a month," She said with a smaile. "Second, I didn't know if you wanted me to look you up. Third, I don't know how you feel about the whole . . . 'incident', so I didn't want to evoked bad memories."

Sydney nodded her head in understanding. She should have know that Mrs. Stokes would be kind and caring and considerate. Sydney walked over to Mrs. Stokes and gave her a big hug, whispering in her ear, "Thank you."

This was the site Nick walked in on. "Hey, is everything OK in here?" Nick asked seriously. Both of the women nodded their heads and, although Nick did not believe them, he did not say anymore. "I was just wondering how much longer till dinner was ready?"

Mrs. Stokes looked at him, then at the oven and replied, "About forty-five minutes, and I expect you both to be clean before you walk in this house."

"Yes, ma'am," Nick replied then he walked back outside.

Sydney remembered something and spoke up, "Did you know that Sara is a vegetation?"

"Really?" Mrs. Stokes asked.

"Yeah."

Both Mrs. Stokes and Sydney thought Sara must be pretty special if Nick brought her to the ranch. Neither thought there was anything wrong with being a vegetarian. It was just that Sara had the opposite style, personality, and hair color than the other women Nick dated, and he rarly brought anyone home. Sydney and Mrs. Stokes made light conversation until dinner was almost ready. Sydney said she would go out and get Nicholas and Sara. Before Sydney was even at the front door, she saw Nick leaning on the fence watching Sara ride in the pasture. She went out and walked up next to him. "She's beautiful isn't she?"

Nick seemed to be in a trance and replied, "Huh?" Turning to find Sydney standing there watching Sara.

"I said, Sara, she is beautiful. Right?"

"All women are beautiful, Sydney," Nick replied watching Sara again.

"Cut to the chase Nicholas. You like her, don't you?"

"Of course I like her, she's one of my best friends."

"Nicholas, stop playing games with me right now! You like her as more than a friend. I see it you know. I see the way you look at her and I saw how you acted towards her last night."

"Fine, Sydney. Yes, yes I like her as more than a friend. Yes I wish we were more than friends, but it doesn't matter. She thinks of me the same way you do, like a brother."

"How do you know that? Did she ever tell you that?" Sydney questioned.

"Well . . . no, but I know."

"Nicholas, talk to her, tell her." Sydney only wished that she could bring herself to follow her own advice. 'Never,' She told herself harshly.

"Whatever, Sydney. Now can we change the subject? For instance do 'you' have a boyfriend?"

'Oh, no!' She thought. "I told you the other night I don't."

"What about Gage?"

'I only wish,' She thought but replied with, "What about him?"

"Do you like him?"

"Of course I like him, he's my partner." Sydney replied a little too quickly.

"Now you are using the same line I did. We are getting nowhere real fast. Besides, you go on a date with him every week. "

"It's not a date. Even if I did like him like that, it would never work out. We work together."

"So do Sara and I."

"Yeah but do you put your life in her hands everyday, and visa-versa?"

"No, but . . ."

"There are no buts. I can't date someone that I work with. It could put my life or his in an unnecessary risk. What if it doesn't work out? Then that really would put a strain on things."

"What if you never took that risk? Would you ever forgive yourself?" Nick asked.

Sydney thought about what Nick said but knew she could never tell Gage her real feelings. 'He would freak out and leave the city if I told him I loved him,' She rationalized silently. "Oh, Nicholas. I came out here to tell you supper will be ready . . ." She looked at her watch, ". . . in two minutes."

"OK. Thanks," Nick said as he got Sara's attention and she came over to where Nick and Sydney were standing.

Sydney walked back in the house. Shortly thereafter, Nick and Sara walked in and the four sat down at the table and began to eat. Mrs. Stokes had fixed many things, even enough vegetables, so the vegetarian Sara could get full without eating the meats. They all ate till they were full and then continued to eat. While they ate, they talked. They talked about everything, well everything that held good memories for them anyway. When they got done, Sara, Sydney, and Nick helped Mrs. Stokes clean the kitchen. When they finished Nick gave Sara the grand tour of the house while Sydney made a phone call. When Nick and Sara finished, they went to the living room to wait for Sydney. They were going to take Sara riding by the river.

"Gage," The voice on the other end of the phone said.

"Hey, Gage. How are things over there?" Sydney asked.

"Syd, you need to come back now!" Gage replied.

"What's wrong?" Sydney asked alarmed by tone of his voice.

"I've been calling your cell phone since five o'clock."

"I'm sorry I left it there. Now, tell me what's going on!"

"Governor Allen's ten year old daughter, Samantha, was in Dallas for the week with some friends and her mother. Anyway, Samantha was kidnapped."

"Oh, no. Listen, I'll get Nick to get me back there as soon as possible."

"I'm about to leave. I was just waiting for your call. Walker is already at the scene. I meet you a the hotel where the Allens are staying at."

"Fine, give me the address," Sydney told him. Gage gave her the address then she went in the living room to tell Nick and Sara the new plans. "Hey guys. Listen I just spoke with Gage to make sure everything went fine after I left the office. I left my cell phone at the office. It seems that not two hours after I left something did happen. Governor Allen's ten year old daughter, Samantha, was in Dallas for the week with some friends and Mrs. Allen. Samantha was kidnapped. I'm so sorry Nick. I really wanted to take that ride, but I need to get back to town."

"I understand," Nick started. "We can do it another time. I'll be here until Wednesday."

"Thanks for understanding. I'll wait in the vehicle if you want to say 'bye' to your mom," Sydney said going outside the front door.

"I will too," Sara told Nick following Sydney out the door. Nick followed shortly after coming out of the house with a stunned look on his face. He then took Sydney to meet Gage.

7:12p.m. Monday May 13

Allen's Hotel

"Gage," Sydney said as she walked up to him.

"Good you're here. We need to talk to the parents. Samantha's friends have already be interviewed and so has the sister. Mrs. Allen will not talk until Governor Allen gets here. He is due any minute."

Within moments Governor Allen arrived and he and Mrs. Allen were questioned. No real progress was made until the kidnappers made a ransom call. A drop off was made for the following morning at eleven o'clock. There was not much anyone else could do until then. The cops, ranger, negotiators, and the Govenor and his family were all in agreement to pay and do whatever it took to bring Samantha back home and into her parents arms once again.

To be continued . . .