Friends : New & Old
Chapter 6 - The Third Degree And The Performance
9:11p.m. Thursday May 16
Sydney's House
As soon as the three women arrived at Sydney's, Sara declared she was going to take a shower. That left Sydney and Catherine to talk. They started talking about trivial things, then Sydney started talking about a more important matter. "Catherine, I have a question for you."
"What is it?" Catherine asked curious.
"Nicholas. You see him all the time. You see him around Sara and other women. Right?"
"Yeah, of course. I am afraid though I still have no clue what you are asking me."
"Does Nicholas flirt with every woman he sees?"
Catherine let out a small laugh then replied, "No, not really. We just credit it to his 'Texas charm'."
"I heard about that. Anyway, what I really want to know is do you know if Sara likes Nicholas? I mean as more than a friend."
"Oh, yeah!" Catherine said laughing. "Sara and I are not the best of friends, so she does not tell me much. I know, however, that there is something going on with them that neither one of them are willing to admit."
"Thanks, I was just wondering. He admitted Monday that he really liked and cared for Sara."
"I think she feels the same why. I'm not really surprised about the admission though."
"What admission?" Sara asked emerging from the bathroom.
"Nothing," Catherine said a little too quickly then called for and practically ran to the bathroom.
"Was it something I said?" Sara asked teasingly as she sat down in the seat Catherine had just recently vacated.
"Yes and no," Sydney responded.
Sara was confused but decided to let it pass. "Anyway . . ."
"Anyway, do you like Nicholas?" Sydney calmly asked.
Sara replied, "Of course I like him, he is one of my best friends."
"I mean other than that way, as more than 'just' friends?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"I'm just curious."
"What gave you that idea?"
"Oh, just the way you look at him and act around him. I saw the two of you early tonight working together. I have only seen two people working like that together twice before in my life," Sydney stated, not mentioning that one of those couples was Gage and herself.
"Whatever. You can change the subject now. How about we talk about your love life."
"Sara, female cops don't often have a love life, especially female Texas Rangers."
"What about Gage?"
"We're just partners, and best friends," Sydney admitted.
"Sounds like Nick and myself," Sara replied smirking. "Best friends who work together."
"Yes, but like you just said, there is nothing going on," Sydney said knowing full well that she did not fool either of them. They change the topic to less important things, and had a very interesting, but brief, conversation before turning in for the night.
9:17p.m. Thursday May 16
Gage's House
Meanwhile, when the guys got to Gage's Grissom and Greg and Warrick took the three bathrooms. 'Great, just great! Now I am stuck here alone with Nick.' Gage thought.
After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence Nick asked, "Mind if I watch a little TV?"
"Actually I do," Gage replied firmly.
"OK then."
"Look what is your problem?" Gage said harshly.
"I don't have a problem, you do," Nick replied in the same manner.
"You ARE the problem."
"What did I ever do to you?"
Under his breath Gage replied, "You showed up."
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing!"
"Yes something. You have had a vendetta against me since that day at the airport."
"Then maybe you should just go home," Gage replied getting more mad by the minute.
"I plan on it. As soon as we solve this case. Gage, I don't know what I did but please tell me. I don't want to fight for Sydney's sake at least."
Seething Gage said, "I knew it."
"Knew what?" Nick asked.
"You have a thing for Syd."
"What?!"
"You - have - a - thing - for - Syd - ney," Gage repeated slowly as if he were talking to a child.
"Now I know you've gone crazy."
'Huh?' Gage thought but replied with, "Excuse me?"
"Has Sydney ever told you about her brother?"
"She doesn't have a brother," Gage scoffed.
"I've know Sydney since I was little and Jeremey was my best friend."
"Syd never said anything about him," Gage replied quietly but not quite a whisper wondering what Nick was talking about.
"You are not to tell Sydney I told you this. Got it?"
Gage feeling full of himself and upset because he thought he knew all about Sydney's past, replied. "I'm a Texas Ranger. You can't tell me what to do."
"Gage you acting like a child. Got it?" Nick asked again more firmly.
"Got it."
"Now, Jeremey died in a crash when we were 14, and Sydney was driving. Her dad moved their family after his death down to Houston. Sydney has always been my sixth sister. I love her, but only like a sister. I can't stand to see her hurt. So if you have a problem with me, fine. However, don't let Sydney know. You seem to be a very special person in her life and if you do hurt her, I may not be able to hurt you, but I certainly can kill you. Remember that I do crime scenes for a living and I can make it look like an accident," Nick concluded and took a deep breath to calm down.
'Syd had a brother? He's Dead? Why didn't she ever tell me? Am I really special to her? Nick really just cares for her? Well, this certainly explains a lot.' Gage's thoughts were scattered and he was speechless to say the least. "Well," was all he could manage out loud.
"Yes."
"Nick I think I have to apologize to you."
"Forgiven." They sat in silence for a moment more then Nick spoke up again, "Why do you care if I had a thing for Sydney anyway?"
"Well . . ."
"Oh my word."
"What?"
"You are in love with Sydney."
'Yes!' Gage's mind screamed. "Well . . . um . . . uh . . . actually . . . I . . . uh . . ."
"Unbelievable!" Nick exclaimed raising his hands and getting up as Warrick walked in to the room.
"What is unbelievable?" Warrick asked.
"Gage is in love with Sydney," Nick replied.
"Really?" Warrick questioned. Nick just nodded his head and left the room laughing. "So really?"
"Well . . . I . . . um . . . I . . . uh . . .," Gage stuttered.
"I guess I will take that as a yes. Although this is quite ironic."
"What is?"
"Did he give you a hard time?" Warrick asked
"Kind of," Gage replied.
"Well you may be in denial but so is he."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, with Sara."
"Interesting."
"You know I think we ought to do something about this"
"Whoa. What are you talking about?" Gage replied confused.
"I will explain it all when Nick gets out of the shower."
"Fine. I wonder where Grissom and Greg are."
"Oh I saw them already out like a light," Warrick told him. They continued to talk small talk until Nick came back into the room. "Feeling better?" He asked Nick.
"Yep," Nick replied.
"Good. Now the three of us need to have a talk," Warrick said mischievously.
"What about?" Nick asked cautiously.
"About Sydney and Sara."
"NO!" Nick and Gage exclaimed at the same time thinking near the same thoughts.
"Sit down, shut-up, and listen," Warrick commanded. When neither Nick nor Gage said anything, he continued, "Now here is what is going to happen," Warrick said as he began to unravel his plan. After much convincing they finally agreed to Warrick's plan.
Trivette and Erica had gotten back safely and Sydney and Gage only had a brief minute to say hello before they had, had to go to work this night. Trivette, however would be in the office all day Friday helping out. Friday the crews went back to work and worked very hard. After all they had a crazy killer to catch. After spending nearly twenty hours in the lab and at the crime scene that they had to be practically kicked out of the lab so that they could get some rest. Saturday began much the same way. Finally at about three in the afternoon they were going over things once more and they had a new breakthrough. They found their murder and the Rangers caught him without too much resistance. Alex also was able to assure the Governor that he would not get out of proper punishment just because he was crazy. Together the Rangers, the investigators, and Alex and Erica decided to go out to celebrate. They decided on one of Gage's favorite bars that happened to be having a 'karaoke open mic night' that night, for the comedy. Or so said Warrick, Nick, and Gage.
7:29p.m. Saturday May 18
The Bar
"Nice choice," Sydney said scoffed.
"No comments till the end of the night," Gage replied smirking behind her back. They made their way to a table and ordered. Everyone was having a good time, even Sydney.
After about a half an hour later Warrick stood up from the table. "Sydney, Sara, follow me please," Warrick said as he offered the two ladies each an arm.
"Warrick?" Sara asked warningly.
"Please."
"What's going on?" Sydney questioned.
"Ladies, please, just come with me," Warrick pleaded. Sydney and Sara reluctantly followed him. Warrick escorted the two women to two individual rooms in the back. There was only a couch and a TV in each room. Warrick told them each to turn on the TV and wait. When they turned on the TV they saw the stage in the main room of the bar with the host for the night talking.
Back outside in the main room, Nick and Gage were both nervously standing by the stage. Then the host introduced the next two people to sing. Nick and Gage walked up on the stage. Sara and Sydney were shocked and speechless. Grissom, Greg, Catherine, Walker, Trivette, Alex, and Erica were confused. Warrick just smiled stupidly.
"Ladies and gentleman I'm Nick and this is Gage," Nick began pointing toward Gage. "We're going to sing a song by Tim Rushlow that we mean with all our hearts. Sara this is for you."
"Sydney, this is for you," Gage added getting really nervous.
Then they began, :
"This might come as quite a shock,
But I've given it a lot of thought.
This thing that's come between us can't be ignored.
I've taken all I can;
This is where it's gotta end.
'Cause I can't be your friend anymore.
An' I can't be accused,
Of not bein' there for you.
How many nights have you shown up at my door?
I hope you understand,
That this wasn't in my plans,
But I can't be your friend anymore.
An' it's killin' me to know you,
Without havin' a chance to hold you.
An' all I wanna do is show you,
How I really feel inside.
You can run to me,
You can laugh at me,
Or you can walk right out that door.
So, baby, now it's up to you:
Do I win or do I lose?
Will my heart fly or lie broken on the floor.
Well, take me as I am,
'Cause I wanna be your man.
But I can't be your friend anymore.
An' it's killin' me to know you,
Without havin' a chance to hold you.
An' all I wanna do is show you,
How I really feel inside.
You can run to me,
You can laugh at me,
Or you can walk right out that door.
But I can't be just friends anymore.
We can't be just friends anymore."
By the end of the song, Warrick was cheering loudly with the rest of the customers at the bar. Grissom, Greg, Catherine, Walker, Trivette, Alex, and Erica were still in shock and the women's jaws were on the floor. Sara and Sydney were still sitting in their private rooms completely speechless. Nick and Gage had huge smiles on their faces and took a bow before leaving to go see Sara and Sydney respectively.
Sydney's Private Room
Sydney sat on the couch thinking about what Gage had just done. 'I love him. I do. I'm ready to admit that now. But why here? Why now? In front of all those people?' Sydney was upset. 'Why couldn't he just talk to me face to face?' Sydney wondered. Then she answered herself, 'He has been trying to talk to me for the last year. I blow him off every time.' Sydney rationalized. 'I'll just have to listen this time.'
"Knock, knock," Gage said as he opened the door. "Can I come in?" Sydney still could not speak and only nodded her head slowly. Gage came in closing the door behind him and turned off the TV that was still on. "Syd, are you OK?" He asked hesitantly.
"Gage," Sydney whispered.
"What is it, Syd?" Gage asked and sat on the couch next to her.
"Gage, how could you?" Sydney asked standing up looking down on him. She was getting mad.
"Syd, please, just sit down for a minute and listen," Gage said trying to calm his nerves. He took hold of her arm and tried to coax her into sitting.
She shook his hand off her arm. "How could you embarrass me like that?" Sydney hissed at him, sitting down on the couch as far away from Gage as possible, crossing her arms across her chest. Gage was quiet trying to straighten out his thoughts. "Well, I'm listening, so talk," Sydney spit out. Then she remembered that she wanted to listen to him this time. She uncrossed her arms and turned her body slightly and told him calmly, "I'm listening."
"First, I didn't mean to embarrass you, in any way. I apologize to you if I did. Sydney I just want to say that I really care a great deal about you and I couldn't in good conscious go another day without telling you that. I know we are best friends but I want something more. I'll talk to Walker. I don't think he'll split us up, no matter what. We work so well together, that they just can't split us up," Gage said slightly smiling. "You know we make a great team at work, and I think, wait I know, we would make a great team in life. I can keep personal feelings out of the work environment and I know you can. Please, think this over and just know that I love you Syd. I have loved you since the day I met you. I might not have realized it at the time, but I have."
Sydney sat there thinking about all that Gage had just said. 'Oh, Gage. I love you too! I just don't know what to do.' Sydney's thoughts were playing Ping-Pong in her mind.
"Syd, please say something." Gage practically begged. "For once just say what's in your heart and not in your mind. I've been trying to break down these walls you have place around you for years. Have I made any leeway?"
Sydney turned around and faced Gage completely. "Yeah, yeah you have. I don't know what to do right now."
"Say what's in your heart."
"I love you, too," Sydney whispered.
Gage had a huge smiled on his face. He thought he heard what he wanted to hear, but he wanted her to say it again. "What?"
"I said, 'I love you, too,'" Sydney replied. This time louder and grinning.
"See that wasn't so hard," Gage grinned smugly, taking her in his arms. "I should have done something like this a long time ago," Gage murmured, kissing the top of her head.
"I wasn't ready to hear it until today. But why did you have to embarrass me like that?" Sydney asked laughing and hit his chest, albeit softly, with her fist.
"Not my idea, blame Warrick."
"I'll thank him," Sydney replied looking up at him. Gage put a finger under her chin and lifted her lips to meet his. He kissed her, the most passionate kiss he had ever had to date. "I'm happy," Sydney replied smiling after they broke away for air. Gage gave her a look. "But not 'just' happy," She smiled at him. "I love you, Francis Gage."
"I love you, Sydney Cooke." Gage replied giving her another kiss.
"I was wrong, this was a nice choice."
"Glad you think so."
"Something just occurred to me."
"What was that?"
"You called me 'Sydney' several times tonight. Why? You haven't called me that in a while."
"You told Sara that you liked to be called 'Sydney'. I guess the way you described it, I wanted you to know I respect your wishes also."
"Yeah, but if you noticed, I haven't corrected you in some years. You make 'Syd' sound like it belongs to me."
"I love you," Gage said. Sydney kissed him showing him just how much she loved him. "We better get out here. I'm sure there are a few people out there dying to know if you finally admitted what we all knew."
"You sound pretty sure of yourself, Francis."
"Don't call me Francis," Gage said giving her a kiss and escorting her out of the room.
Sydney looked over at the table where all their friends were sitting. "Looks like Sara let down her walls, too," Sydney said noticing Nick's arm around Sara.
Gage noticed this too and nodded his head hugging Sydney closer to him. 'Congratulations, Nick.' Gage thought earnestly.
For the rest of the night everyone relaxed and had a great time. When everyone split up to go to their respective homes, Gage pulled Sydney aside and told her that he would be at her house by seven o'clock the next morning when he came with Nick to pick up Sara. He wanted to spend the day with her before the party that afternoon. It was Angela's first birthday. The Walker's had invited Nick, Sara, and the others to the small party before their flight back to Las Vegas left at six Sunday evening.
To be continued . . .