Disclaimer: I don't own the characters and never will, so don't sue me.

Sydney opened the door to her home. Gage was right behind her. He had insisted on walking her to her door just in case. She had assured him that she was fine, but the guy just wouldn't take no for an answer. He had been acting very strange all day.

Maybe he took a blow to the head or something´ She thought to herself.

"You want me to fix you something to eat?" he asked. Sydney spun around and faced him. He looked concerned. She couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. The doctor had said she was fine, he knew that. And she had been telling him that even before they arrived at the hospital.

"Thanks Gage, but I think I'd better take care of that myself" she said with a smile. Gage frowned.

"And just what is that suppose to mean? I can cook you know."

"Oh, yeah I remember. That is if you can survive on French toast." She smiled again and entered the kitchen. He joined her and sat down at the table.

"Cinnamon-toast."

"What?" Sydney asked and opened the refrigerator. She was looking for something easy to fix since cooking wasn't something she felt very eager to get to right now.

"Cinnamon-toast." He repeated patiently. "I can make Cinnamon-toast too."

"Oh, right I forgot. But maybe I should give you the night off from cooking and fix us both something to eat."

Gage shrugged. "Sure, what ever you want"

Ok, now I know something is wrong with him.´

After dinner they both helped clean up the kitchen. Their fingers touched as they reached for the same glass. Gage took it and handed it to Sydney. "Thank you." "It's just a glass, Syd." "I don't mean just the glass." She lowered her eyes as if embarrassed to face him. Or maybe it was just that she wasn't use to spending time with him like this. It was different than at work. "I know. But it was nothing really, Walker and Trivette helped too." "You came a long way to find me." They both stopped with what they were doing and looked deeply into each others eyes.

"You would have done the same for me." He said and put a hand on her shoulder. A shiver ran through her body and she jumped a bit. What is going on with me? This is Gage, and I'm acting like a nervous teenager in love for the first time.´

Gage, get a grip.´ the ranger told himself. Sydney isn't interested in you, except as a friend and that is just something you're going to have to accept´ He sighed a little louder than intended. I just didn't realize how I felt about her until I almost lost her. I know some people would tell me to seize the moment and tell her, but that would only complicate things.´ He removed his hand and scratched his left ear.

"Look, Syd. I should probably go home and let you get some sleep. In fact I could use some myself." She looked at him surprised at the sudden decision to leave.

"Okay, I'll see you in the morning then." "Right, see you then." Gage was halfway out the door when he suddenly turned." Now wait a minute. You're not working tomorrow are you? "he didn't give her a chance to answer. "You should take tomorrow off and rest. You have been through a horrible experience." "Horrible experience? Gage, this is my job, my life, what I choose to do. Besides, I'll go out of my mind staying here with nothing to do. I need to work." She finished with determination in her voice.

"Fine, then I'll stay here with you to keep you company." He spoke the words before thinking what they really meant. Did I just say that? What am I crazy? She doesn't want that ´ Sydney's face lit up. He really wants to do that?´ "Okay, but only if you bring take-out food so I don't have to cook...or eat French toast" Gage's eyes widened. Wow, that was easy. I thought it would be harder to convince her to stay home. ´ "It's a deal."

That Smile of hers really lights up a room. ´ Gage thought as he exited the building and headed for his car a few minutes later.