Title: A stranger's opinion

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters on "Walker Texas Ranger", I'm just borrowing the characters for the story.

Sydney's apartment:

It was seven o'clock in the morning and Sydney and Gage were sitting in the kitchen having breakfast. They had stayed up until two in the morning, just talking. Sydney had told him everything that had happened in the cabin when she was kidnapped. Johnny had threatened to do terrible things if she did not tell him everything he wanted to know, but she had kept her hopes up that they would find a way to save her, and they did.

When she was finished telling him about her days locked up, he told her how he found her.

"You mean you kidnapped Veronica? Johnny's wife? Do you know how much she means to him in a sick kind of way. He thinks he owns her." Sydney said a little too loud. She had wondered how he found out where she was, but not expected this.

"Yeah, I did. But only to find you, I mean the circumstances were a little special I guess." He paused and refused to meet her stare. "I would never have hurt her in any way. We were running out of time and had no idea how to find you. I had to act quickly somehow and I did."

"What did Walker say?"

"He hasn't said anything yet. It doesn't matter any way. What matters is that I have you back and that you and Becky are safe."

Sydney sipped her coffee and just sat there enjoying his company. He had done it to help her and her daughter out of the nightmare they had recently been in. "Thank you." She said and gently kissed him on the cheek. But it wasn't just gratitude. "I love you." She whispered. "Just wanted to say that."

He smiled at her. "I love you too."

Last night they had cleared out everything between them. They both admitted that they had loved each other for a long time now. Sydney had also told him that she wanted a future with her daughter, but there was plenty of room for him in her life as well.

"Syd, I was thinking, are you going to keep going as a Texas Ranger? I mean since you're also going to raise Becky. It's a dangerous job and you do spend a lot of time at work, we both do."

"I know and I've given thought to quitting as a Ranger. But then I thought about who I really am. I can't work in a bank or at a desk all day, it's not me." She rose and started cleaning the table, putting everything back in place, except a cup and plate for the girl.

"Maybe we could divide the time in some way. When you work I'm with her and the other way around."

Gage nodded. "I agree with you. And about work, I don't think either one of us could give it up and still be happy."

It's amazing how well we understand each other these days.ยด She thought. "I thought I would take her to see Sylvia later this afternoon. That might get my mind off you guys taking down Leonard Anderson. Are you coming with us or..."

"If you don't mind I think I'll join Walker and Trivette in stead, I want to be there to finish this. And that will give you some time alone with Becky, if I were you I'd use it to tell her the truth about..." he lowered his voice. " You know what."

"Yeah, maybe I'll do that."

"Do what?" asked a tiny voice from behind them. They turned and saw the girl standing in the doorway, looking very sleepy. She had just woken up. Gage had spent the night on the couch and Sydney in the double bed with Becky.

"You and I are going to go visit my sister later today, if you want to." She explained.

"Sure, what's her name?"

"Sylvia. You want some breakfast? Bacon and eggs and some hot chocolate?"

"Yes, please." She turned to Gage at the table. "Are you coming with us, Gage?"

"No, honey. I have to work. But you're going to have a great time with Sydney."

Becky nodded and sat down at the table. Sydney served her some breakfast, the girl waited patiently for her to say it was ok to start eating. Sydney studied her. Her daughter was obviously very polite. But she got a feeling she wasn't waiting because she wanted to be polite, but because she felt she had to or something bad would happen to her. It was all in her eyes, Becky knew she didn't have anything to be afraid of here but perhaps breakfast time made her remember some painful moments she had been through.

Sydney patted her on the head and gently touched her cheek. Becky looked up into her kind eyes and a smile spread across her face. Then she picked up her fork and started eating.

"That's my girl." She whispered loud enough for Becky to hear it and it made her feel better.

"Gage, come here a moment, please." He got up and they entered the living-room. "I'm going to call Sylvia, I haven't spoken to her since the hospital. Now that Johnny has been arrested she's moved back to her own place, we'll go over to her later."

"Ok, I'm just going to take a quick shower and then go meet Walker and Trivette at headquarters."

Ranger headquarters:

13:32

Gage entered the office and saw Walker and Trivette sitting at their desks. "Hi guys!"

"Gage, we thought you were spending the day with Sydney." Said Trivette.

"No, she needs some time alone with her daughter and I wanted to be there when we catch this Leonard Anderson. There is one person I've been thinking about. One person we haven't been focusing on much. That doctor who took the baby and then disappeared."

Walker looked up from the papers he was reading. "Actually, I've been searching for something about him, but found nothing I'm afraid. I doubt he is a doctor. I guess we could ask Johnny Lawrence but he's not likely to tell us anything unless we cut him a deal, but I don't think the doctor is worth as much as him."

The others agreed. "So, when do we leave?"

"Well, we certainly can't be late so let's leave right away, in case they're early." Walker said and rose.

A cafe in town:

Sylvia was seated at a table for three, waiting for her older sister and niece. She was really looking forward to seeing Rebecca for the first time ever. She felt like a heavy burden had been lifted from her heart. The child was safe now, with her mother who had been rescued by the Texas Rangers. She was so glad she went to them. Her sister had been right when she said they were to be trusted.

She had spoken to Sydney and they had decided to meet here at the cafe. They were five minutes late, but she didn't mind. A little while later Sydney and Becky entered, hand in hand. Sylvia waved at them and they crossed the room.

Sydney gave her sister a big hug which she returned. "Hi." Sydney said and gently pushed the girl in front of her. "This is Becky. Becky this is my sister Sylvia."

"Hello Becky!" she shook hands with the small girl.

"Hi!" the child said a little shy. This woman really looked a lot like Sydney, she thought. She seemed nice too. Not all grownups bothered to say hello to kids her age.

"So, do you want to stay here and have some coffee and cookies or go shopping right away?" Sylvia asked. "It's been a long time since you and I went shopping together, Syd."

Sydney felt a little guilty about that, she knew it was mostly her fault. She had been so busy with work that she had neglected her family. "A year at least. Maybe we can make up for some of that lost time now." She turned to Becky who was standing quiet beside her. "What do you think, sweetie? Wanna go shopping first or...?

"Yeah, that'll be fine." She answered with a smile and they left.

It was a rainy day, so Sylvia took out her umbrella for the three of them to walk under. Their first stop was at a toy store. Sydney had planned to stop there but hadn't told her daughter that.

"We're going in here?" Becky asked surprised.

Sydney nodded. "Sure, go on inside and pick something you want. I'll be right in, just have to talk to Sylvia for a while, ok?"

The child gave her a huge hug. "Thank you, Sydney!" she said happily and then ran inside. The door shut behind her and Sydney turned to her sister.

"She's so beautiful, Syd. She really is." They stood in silence for a while. "So, tell me everything now. How are you?"

"Oh, we get along fine." She answered.

Sylvia sighed. "That's not what I mean, and you know it." She scolded. "I mean how are YOU doing... emotionally."

Sydney delayed her answer. She hadn't had time to think about that. "I am fine. Johnny has been arrested and in about an hour the drug operation will be shut down and Leonard Anderson will be apprehended. It's all working out."

Her little sister was very pleased to hear that. But there was something bothering Sydney and she was pretty sure she knew what it was. "You're worried about how she'll react when you tell her?" Sydney nodded.

"I have to tell her, and I will. Later today I will tell her."

To be continued