Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Thanks to Janis for all your help and to everyone who reviewed.
Chapter 4: Sunday
Jimmy & Erika's
In his dreams, it was the previous Sunday, the day of the barbecue. He and Erika were discussing their past relationship when he said, "You know, I loved you so much, I would have married you back then?" Soon followed by Erika's reply, "Fine, marry me then." Next Jimmy was in a pitch-black room. From a distance, his name was called over and over.
Soon reality overcame dreams and Jimmy opened his eyes, realizing his fiancée was calling to him. "Jimmy, you have to get up. If you don't, we won't meet daddy on time."
"What time is it? I thought we were going to Fred's house." Jimmy replied, only half awake.
"It's 7:30 and we are. Daddy wanted to treat us to lunch to celebrate our engagement, but with dinner planned, I asked if we could make it brunch instead. We agreed on 10 o'clock, so…by the time we get ready; drive to daddy's then to the restaurant; it will be around 10:00."
"Then back to Fred's for a longer visit. You have my day all planned, and we are not even married yet."
Erika laughed merrily, "You better get used to it, too. When it comes to family and friends or work, there is no competition. People always come first."
Jimmy joined her laughter, thinking of Walker and Alex since their marriage, as he arose to prepare for a day with his future father-in-law. When they arrived at Fred's around 9:15, he got in the car with them. Fred then directed Erika to one of Dallas's more exclusive hotels, which offered a fabulous Sunday champagne brunch.
When they were seated, Erika scolded, "Daddy, you didn't have to bring us here. This is too expensive."
"Nonsense, nothing's too expensive for my daughter and her fiancé. Besides you should have at least one glass of champagne when celebrating your engagement."
"You're the first person we've had a chance to celebrate with. Right after we became engaged, Walker received the call about the Huntsville prison breakout. After that things were pretty hectic." Erika claimed.
"Alex probably has something in mind for tonight." Jimmy added. "She's a good one for marking happy events, and she wanted all of us to meet for dinner."
Fred smiled at the younger man, "She may be planning a celebration with your friends. Right now, though, we are celebrating, and you are not worrying about my treating." The last was directed at Erika as she opened her mouth to protest, causing her to close it before she started.
Sydney's apartment
Floating halfway between being asleep or awake, Syd became aware of a gentle touch running over her hair and down her arm or back. As memories of the night before brought her fully awake, Syd realized she was held against her partner's firm body as he repeatedly caressed her. Opening her eyes slowly, Syd met Gage's boyish grin, "Looks like you were right, Syd."
"About what, Gage?" She asked cautiously.
"Don't you remember what you told me?" Gage teased.
Syd wracked her brain trying to remember exactly what she had said or done, at the same time thinking, "I only had two glasses of wine, not enough to get drunk!" Looking askance at her partner, she noticed his mischievous grin. "Why are you looking so smug, Gage?"
Ready to tease a little more, Gage caught Syd's frustrated look and decided to drop the game. Putting his hand tenderly alongside her cheek, Gage replied. "You said, at least you could sleep if I was close. I'm sorry for teasing, but I didn't realize you were half asleep at the time."
"That's alright, Gage." Syd replied in relief. "I remember wanting you to stay with me, your remark just scared me a little. What time is it, anyway?"
"About 9 o'clock. So Shorty…is there anything special you would like to do today?"
"I thought you were the planning committee? You did a good job yesterday. What were you thinking?"
Gage thought for a moment, "How about we go to the gym for an hour or so, then grab a light lunch."
"Sounds good, except, why don't we have sandwiches here, after our workout. Then we'll have all afternoon to get ready and rest up for the evening."
As both rose from the bed, Gage asked, "Are you afraid that working out with me will be too strenuous, so you'll need to rest later?"
"In your dreams, Gage." Syd replied with a wink, "You better watch yourself at the gym, if you know what's good for you."
"That goes both ways 'tough girl', you may get more than you bargained for, trying any fast moves on me, today." Gage managed to get the last word in, heading to the other room to change. Sydney watched him exit the room, not moving to change clothes until he closed the guest room door.
At the gym
Syd and Gage had the gym, virtually, to themselves, except for a couple of rangers getting ready to start their shifts. The partners stretched and did some kicks and punches, side by side, to loosen their muscles. By the time their workout preparations were over, the other rangers called their goodbyes.
The partners sparred for some time, physically and verbally. Both breached the other's defenses several times, sending them to the mat. After about half an hour, Gage stated, "Is that all you've got in you today, Syd?" Knowing his words would rile his partner, he prepared for an attack.
Sydney didn't disappoint him. She sent a roundhouse kick straight at Gage's face, which he easily blocked. Syd spun the other way, coming back with another kick when Gage grabbed her foot. Sending her spinning back around, Gage waited until her back was to him, then grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close, growling. "Now, I've got you, Cooke."
"You think so, Gage?" Gripping his neck, Syd brought him easily over her shoulder. The moment he landed on the mat, she leapt, pinning him easily. Feeling triumphant, Syd didn't notice his legs, until they wrapped around her chest pulling her sideways.
Gage pinned her and immediately tickled her ribs. Squirming helplessly, Syd managed to gasp out, "Gage, I give. Please, stop. Francis, stop this instant!"
"You're lucky, no one heard that, Shorty." Gage ceased tormenting his lovely partner asking, "Are you ready to head home, Syd?"
"Yeah, let's go."
As they left, Gage rested his arm over Syd's shoulders, giving her a deep sense of comfort. After pulling the car from the curb, they decided to pick up lunch at Subway.
"Gage, just promise you won't overdo your sandwich."
"What are you talking about, Syd. I never put too much on a sandwich." Gage replied with an innocent look.
Shooting him an exasperated look, Syd replied, "I'm talking about your triple-decker burger at the barbecue, last week!"
"Syd, that was with friends, not in public." Gage replied, with a wide-eyed pouting look.
Trying not to laugh at his expression, Syd turned to the window, biting her lips together, hard. Soon, she was shaking, uncontrollably, with silent laughter.
Stopping outside the shop, Gage glanced at Syd, noticing her posture. Believing she was upset Gage was immediately contrite. "Hey Syd, I'm sorry. What did I say to upset you this time?"
Giving up her mirth, Syd began laughing aloud. "Francis Gage, you are incorrigible. You look about 2-years old when you give me that look. To make it up, you can get the food while I stay here."
Gage visibly relaxed, "What do you want, Syd?"
"A turkey and American cheese, 6 ½" with onion, lettuce, tomato, pickle and horseradish mustard, Barbecue chips and a Dr. Pepper."
"You got it, Shorty. Be back in a few."
Entering the store, Gage stood in line. Ordering his partner's sub, he opted for the same. After paying the cashier, he retrieved the order and made his way to the car.
Seeing Gage heading for the car, Syd leaned across the seat to open his door. Pushing the door open, she removed the drinks from his hands before he lost them. Sliding into the car, Gage headed for Syd's apartment.
The Walker's Ranch
Walker and Alex woke to the urgent cries of their daughter, about 7:00 a.m. While Alex hurried to care for the baby, Walker dressed and left to do the morning chores. When Walker returned to the house, Alex heard him enter the enclosed porch. Alex's attention was focused on preparing breakfast, so she was unaware of Walker's stealthy movement across the kitchen. In the next instant, Alex emitted a startled yelp as her husband's strong arms wrapped around her waist while he planted a kiss to the side of her neck.
"Walker, one of these days your breakfast will wind up on either you or the floor." Alex warned sternly.
Her husband adopted an innocent look, "Now Alex, I believe you're expecting me when I enter the room. If I resisted the temptation, you would be checking for a fever."
Giving him an exasperated smile, Alex retorted, "Oh, go sit down. Breakfast is ready."
After breakfast, Walker went to finish the repairs he started the day before. Alex changed the beds and worked on the laundry, when not caring for little Angela's needs.
At noon, Alex made a light lunch of sandwiches and soup. While eating, she asked, "What should I make for dessert tonight to celebrate Jimmy and Erika's engagement?"
"Honey, they've been engaged a week now. Don't you think it's a little late to be celebrating?"
"Cordell Walker, it's not to late for a celebration! You, Sydney, Gage and Jimmy went to work within an hour of their engagement. The whole week has been hectic and we need to have a little party for them."
Walker was laughing at Alex's tirade, "I knew you had something up your sleeve, when you started talking about dinner yesterday. Now I'm glad we decided to have dinner out and dessert here, you would have cooked all day."
"You won't even help me decide on a dessert for tonight, will you?"
"Nope, you will come up with something. I'm going to check on Angela and take a shower. It is getting too hot to work outside."
"I'll call Sydney. At least, she will help me think of some ideas for tonight."
"That's good, then you will have yourselves to blame if everything's not just right. I'll stay out of trouble." That said Walker left the room, quickly mounting the stairs.
Sydney's apartment
When Syd and Gage had finished eating, Syd threw the paper scraps away. Sensing Gage behind her, she turned but not quick enough as he trapped her against the counter, between his outstretched arms. "Gage, what are you doing?"
"What do you think, Syd?"
Looking into his eyes, Syd caught a mischievous twinkle before his lips caught hers in a deep kiss. Syd relaxed, looping her arms around her partner's neck, when the phone rang. Breaking from the embrace, Syd grabbed the phone.
"Sydney, I hoped you would be home." Alex's relieved voice came across the line.
"Hi Alex, what's up?" Sydney replied, as Gage caught her close again, kissing her cheek, while his fingers gently tickled her ribs.
"I thought we could celebrate Jimmy and Erika's engagement tonight and I wondered…" Alex trailed off hearing breathless giggles over the phone. "Is everything okay there? I didn't call at a bad time, I hope?"
Syd smacked Gage's hands, "No Alex, Gage was tickling me. Hold on a minute, okay?" Slapping her hand over the receiver, Syd gave Gage a glare, the effect of which was ruined by her continued giggles. "Gage, go take a shower and let me talk to Alex, please? If you keep this up, she will start asking questions that I don't have answers for yet. Can you do that for me?"
Gage relented, seeing Syd's predicament. "Okay, I'll shower, then find something to watch on TV."
"Thank you." Syd stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. As he left the kitchen, she had returned to the phone. "Alright Alex, you have my undivided attention now. What did you wonder?"
Alex was confused a moment brought back from thinking about Sydney's words; then remembered why she had called. "Oh, an engagement celebration. Walker wouldn't help me decide on a special dessert, so I wanted your opinion."
"Well…" Syd's brow creased, thoughtfully, then cleared. "You could make an apple pie or a strudel. Jimmy loves apple pie and you could decorate it fancy maybe, with whipped cream."
"That's a great idea, Sydney. I knew you would have a good idea. Walker didn't want me to blame him, if you or Erika thought his suggestion wasn't appropriate. You know how men are."
"Yeah, I don't have that problem with Gage much, though. When he's around while I'm cooking, I just have to let him sample everything. At the barbecue a week ago, he told Walker to 'trust him' that the potato salad was good. He knew exactly how it tasted, because he had eaten half a cup already."
Both women laughed at Gage's infamous appetite, then after chatting a few more minutes, said their goodbyes. Hearing the television come on, Syd left the kitchen, "I'm going to shower and change. Find us something good to watch?"
After Gage's assurance that he would, Sydney went down the hall to her bedroom, then the bathroom. Upon returning to the living room after getting ready, Syd noticed one of her favorite movies was beginning on the TV.
Looking over at the sofa, she stopped in her tracks, an amused chuckle quietly escaping, at the sight of her partner. Gage had propped both legs on the coffee table, then had, promptly, fallen asleep while waiting for the movie to start. Carefully sitting beside him, Syd snuggled close to his side, kissing his cheek while whispering, "Thanks, Gage." As his arm automatically wrapped around her, Syd settled to watch the movie before they were to meet their friends for dinner.
CD's
Walker, Alex, Jimmy & Erika sat at a table chatting about what excuse Gage would have for he and Syd being late this time. Angela's carrier was on a seat between her parents when the younger Rangers entered arguing. As they approached the table, the rest overheard their discussion.
"Syd, I'm sorry we're late, but you fell asleep, too." Gage was protesting.
"Gage," Syd fired back. "I'm not blaming you. I merely said that we would be on time if you had stayed awake. If you hadn't fallen asleep, I wouldn't have relaxed enough to sleep. Your regulated breaths were soothing like listening to waves on the beach."
They broke off upon reaching the table. As Gage pulled Sydney's chair out for her, then sat down himself, he started apologizing. "Hi guys, sorry we're late."
Everyone smiled while noting Gage's actions toward Syd, as Walker replied, "That's alright, we figured to give you a few more minutes to arrive, before calling out the troops."
A round of laughter occurred at his teasing comment, Syd and Gage joining in. At that time, the waitress arrived to take their orders. Sydney took a quick look at her menu, quickly deciding, as the others started to order. Alex, Erika and Sydney ordered Chicken Alfredo with salads; Jimmy and Walker decided on Beef and Chicken Fajitas, while Gage asked for a large steak and a loaded baked potato.
After the waitress left to bring iced tea for the girls and beers for the guys, Jimmy looked at Sydney and asked, "Didn't you feed this guy today?" bringing another round of laughter, while Gage's cheeks flushed slightly.
"Yes Jimmy, I fed him, did you think I would starve him? We had sandwiches right before Alex called." Sydney replied, before continuing with a teasing look at her partner. "Gage was fine, until he woke up from his nap."
Alex broke in, "Children are usually hungry after naps at the HOPE Center. Besides Walker is always ready to eat after falling asleep in the afternoon, too." This was accompanied by a stern look at both Walker and Jimmy, effectively putting an end to any further teasing.
The conversation settled into general topics of how the couples had spent their weekend. While they were eating Marta came out to admire baby Angela, and catch up with her friends, extending best wishes to Jimmy and Erika upon learning of their engagement. After paying the bill and saying their goodbyes to Marta, the gang headed to their cars for the trip to the ranch.
Walker's Ranch
Upon arriving home, Alex sent everyone into the living room, except Sydney. Alex and Syd entered the kitchen where the apple pie was waiting on the countertop. "Alex, you've outdone yourself. I wasn't thinking of you decorating the pie, when I suggested the dessert. I just thought about dots or checkerboard style." Sydney exclaimed.
"Think it's too over the top?" Alex asked, anxious for her friend's opinion.
"No, it's cute with the lettering and roses." Sydney assured her, "The only thing is Erika might be the only one to benefit from the gesture. It may be a bit over the guys' heads." At her statement, Syd and Alex both shared a laugh. Gathering plates, cups, the coffee pot and pie, the two women left to serve the dessert.
The pie had been admired, then cut, and was ready to serve when Angela decided it was time to be fed. Sydney and Erika assured Alex they would take care of things, so she headed upstairs to care for the baby. When she returned, she grew concerned, noticing no one eating. Seeing the look on his wife's face, Walker explained that they decided to wait for their hostess so that she could enjoy dessert with them.
After dessert, the girls left the men to visit in the living room, while they took the dishes to the kitchen to clean up and visit. While cleaning the dishes, Alex asked Sydney how she and Gage spent the afternoon. Knowing Alex was referring to the time she called, Syd replied, "What we were discussing coming into CD's tonight, Gage found a movie for us to watch, then fell asleep before it started. It was one of my favorites, so I sat down to watch it and fell asleep listening to Gage breathing. We worked out this morning and, I guess, that combined with not enough sleep since Friday caught up with us."
Syd's comment about sleep, brought another question, "What happened to keep you from getting enough sleep?" Alex queried with a mischievous grin.
"Not what you're thinking," Syd protested. "It's just that I've had nightmares since last Tuesday, and…"
Sydney trailed off, as Alex interrupted with, "What kind of nightmares?"
Sydney retold her dream to her two friends, who listened intently. Then Alex told them her nightmare, followed hesitantly by Erika who told how her nightmares had ended differently. Silence ensued at the end of Erika's tale, as all three were mentally comparing the similarities of their dreams. Alex broke the silence saying, "Well, I believe that I'm feeling better with sharing that," Erika agreeing quietly.
Syd replied, without thinking, "I've felt better since telling Gage yesterday. Maybe now I can really sleep easier."
Alex changed the subject at Syd's comment. "By the way Sydney, did you know your partner was worried about you this week?"
"What? How did you know?" Sydney exclaimed.
"He told Jimmy and Walker about it at Connie's house, at least, that's what Jimmy told me." Erika inserted.
"Walker told me the same thing." Alex stated, adding, "By the way, Walker tried calling Gage several times last night, but didn't get an answer. Do you know where he was?"
"With me," slipped out before Sydney even thought about her answer, quickly giving her friends a startled, wide-eyed look.
"Really? What's going on between you two?" Alex pounced on this new development.
"Wait a minute, Alex, we just had dinner at my place. He weaseled an invitation out of me a week ago, and I paid up last night." Sydney explained.
"Well, Walker tried calling him Friday night, to see if you decided to come Saturday and couldn't get hold of him, either. Was he with you then, too?" Alex asked curiously, since after watching her friends earlier during dinner, her lawyer's mind was teeming with questions.
Sydney was getting slightly frustrated at her friend's questions and trying to dodge answering them directly. Seeing the curious looks from the two women, Syd knew she was outnumbered and relented, "Promise you won't say anything to the guys?"
Receiving nods of agreement, she continued with the explanation, "Gage has been staying at my apartment, since Friday, in the guest room. I think he was relieved when I invited him; I just didn't want to face an empty apartment. Gage drew the nightmare out of me on Saturday afternoon, because I started crying. After revealing the nightmare to Gage, I had this insane urge to make sure he really was okay and with me…" Syd's voice trailed off as she relived the next few moments.
"And? Come on Sydney, you can't leave us in suspense like this!" Alex's voice interrupted her contemplation of the events. Looking at them, Sydney continued in a slightly subdued voice, "We kissed, then talked and both of us revealed our feelings for each other."
"Well, it's about time. What took you so long?" Alex continued questioning.
"We're partners and best friends. Both of us were afraid of messing up that relationship, but after the events of the past week we became more afraid of losing each other. We don't want to lose our partnership, but we need to see what can or will develop between us. We agreed not to lie to Walker and Jimmy, but just not telling isn't lying." After telling Alex and Erika, Syd waited for their responses.
"You and Gage are meant for each other," Erika began. "And I'm sure everything will work out fine."
Alex continued Erika's thoughts, "You complete each other, even Walker and Jimmy can see that. Walker has always commented about the way you move with each other when working, and you can finish each other's thoughts half the time."
"Thanks Alex, Erika. This really means a lot to me." Sydney remarked with relief. "Gage and I just want some time for things to settle down. If things really start getting serious, we'll go straight to Walker and hope he isn't too upset with us for keeping quiet."
The women smiled at each other, then began discussing Alex and Walker's not-so-peaceful nights with Angela. As she was talking, Alex thought that Walker might surprise Sydney and Gage, but didn't reveal her thoughts.
Meanwhile, in the living room
Within minutes of being abandoned by the girls, Walker began joking about Fred having 'the talk' with Jimmy, knowing Gage wouldn't be able to resist the opportunity to tease. His plan worked as Gage started asking Jimmy if he'd bought Erika's engagement ring to stop her dad from pushing for a wedding date. As Jimmy defended himself against Gage's questions, Walker watched the junior Ranger closely; finally, deciding that Gage's heart wasn't really into bugging Trivette, who was always an easy target.
Breaking into Jimmy's explanation, Walker asked Gage if everything was okay. With a heavy sigh, Gage answered, "Not really, I found out why Syd was acting strange last week."
"What happened?" Walker asked, knowing the younger man would feel better talking it over with friends.
With a glance towards the kitchen, Gage replied, "Syd's been having a recurring nightmare, since Tuesday. She got upset thinking about it on Saturday, and I got the story out of her. Seems that Cliff, Wade and Betsy's deaths hit close to home, and she's dreamed that all of us, Alex and Erika included, were killed while she couldn't do anything but watch."
"Erika had a similar dream, twice she survived but the third dream she was shot too." Jimmy inserted astonished.
Walker spoke up, "Those three must have some connection we didn't know about. Alex had pretty much the same dream, with you and Sydney," looking at Gage, "getting shot at the courthouse; then the rest of us, herself included, being shot while sitting outside here relaxing."
The three Rangers were silent for a moment. Finally, Gage asked the senior Rangers if they'd had any dreams the past week.
"I laid awake thinking about Cliff, Wade and Betsy after Alex's nightmare Friday night." Walker replied, "Cliff and Wade were good Rangers and friends. Wade and Betsy were so close, I believe, that Betsy probably wouldn't have wanted to live without him. It's just maddening, that Lavocat and his men didn't care who they killed."
"You're right, and they didn't win in the end. We lost two good Rangers, but there were only two of his men left alive." Jimmy answered quietly. "Thanks to you two and Syd. I couldn't get to sleep easily after Erika told me her nightmare. This morning, I dreamed about last Sunday; then I was in a dark room. I started getting frustrated and nervous when I kept hearing my name called, but woke up realizing Erika was trying to get me out of bed." The three shared a laugh at Jimmy's not-so-scary 'nightmare'.
"I had a nightmare similar to Syd's. She dreamed that I was shot instead of Cliff. Mine went the same way with her being shot and I couldn't do anything to save her." Gage said quietly. "I had that Friday night, so you can imagine my relief seeing her safe and sound Saturday morning." Gage assured himself that he wasn't lying to his bosses because in all actuality he had seen Syd after midnight.
Walker had been watching Gage closely again, while the younger man related his dream. Unbeknownst to Gage, his thoughts weren't completely hidden to his boss's watchful eyes. Walker was becoming more convinced, as time passed, that something had happened between the partners over the weekend. Finally, he decided to let them tell him in their own time; as long as, they didn't do anything to jeopardize their lives or anyone else's.
Before another topic could be introduced, the kitchen door swung open revealing the ladies' return. Erika spoke up first, "Jimmy, if you're planning to work tomorrow, we had better head home. If you don't get enough rest, I may tie you to the bed and call you in sick for work." There was laughter at the dumbfounded look on Jimmy's face at his fiancée's mock threat, before standing to wish the others goodnight.
"Gage, we'd better be going too." Syd stated, "It's getting late and Angela's still going to wake her parents several times, tonight." Gage didn't need any other invitation, agreeing with his partner as he rose from the couch. Extending their goodnight wishes, they followed the other couple out to Syd's waiting car.
Walker and Alex waved to their departing guests then reentered the house. Sharing a kiss, they started upstairs to bed after shutting off the lights. As they reached the second step, the phone rang. With a sigh and an apologetic look at his wife, Walker went back to answer the phone. After talking a few minutes and making arrangements to meet the caller in his office the following morning, Walker returned to Alex's side. Continuing upstairs, Alex asked, "Who was on the phone?"
"It was Thomas O'Malley, he's president of 'RED Manufacturing'; they make auto parts. He thinks there's something going on in the factory, but he can't find anything wrong. We are going to meet in the morning and discuss what seems wrong. If there is enough to warrant an investigation, I may send Syd and Gage in undercover. Do you think we will be bothered by anything other than Angela tonight?" He asked teasingly.
Giving him a mock glare and a playful punch in the arm, Alex remarked. "Keep that up Cordell Walker, and you may find yourself sleeping in the guest room or on the couch."
Grasping her slender wrist, Walker pulled his wife into his arms for a loving kiss. After breaking away, they climbed into bed to snuggle close. Sleep claimed them quickly, as their minds were at ease knowing they and their friends were safe.
Jimmy's car
Jimmy and Erika drove home in silence, as both were tired from the long day. When they entered the apartment with the door closed, Jimmy put his right arm around Erika pulling her into a long kiss.
"You'd better not be trying to start something you can't finish, Mr. Trivette." Erika remarked saucily.
"I'm not trying to start anything, Mrs. Trivette-to-be." Jimmy retorted with a grin. "I was just trying to convince you to help me to bed; I'm exhausted." This was accompanied by a huge yawn.
Erika smacked him lightly on the shoulder, "Jimmy behave. You aren't any more tired than I am. Wasn't today great, getting to celebrate with my dad and then our friends?" Erika sighed reflectively.
"Yeah, it was fun. It was nice getting to talk with Walker and Gage after things had settled over the weekend. Gage said Syd was having nightmares last week, and that attributed to her change of attitude. Gage even had a dream similar to Syd's." Jimmy revealed to Erika as they were changing for bed.
"He did!" Erika exclaimed. "Syd didn't tell us that, tonight. We shared our nightmares, which were pretty much the same. I think talking them over with each other helped. Hopefully, none of us will be plagued by those dreams anytime soon."
"I hope you're right," Jimmy responded fervently, thinking of his own dream. "Also, from what Gage said tonight, I gathered that he hadn't told Syd about his dream, because she was so upset over her own nightmare."
As they cuddled close under the covers, Erika murmured. "I think Alex, Syd and I have three terrific men by our sides."
Mulling over his fiancée's words, Jimmy started to ask about her including Syd, even though she and Gage weren't involved personally. Upon noticing Erika had fallen asleep, he laid back without waking her. Not feeling very tired but curious about Erika's comment; he mentally reviewed his weekend conversations with Gage and Walker and how Syd and Gage had acted around each other until, finally, drifting into a dreamless slumber.
Sydney's car
Since leaving Walker's ranch, the partners had shared a comfortable silence. As they neared the city limits, Syd asked, "Gage, why don't you go ahead and stay tonight? We could go by your apartment on the way to work in the morning for you to change."
"Sounds like a plan to me, Syd." Gage replied, looking over at her with a grin. "Think we will wake up in time, to go by my place and still get to work on time?"
"Oh, I'll make sure you're up early enough Gage, don't worry about that."
"Well, I don't know about that, I can sleep pretty soundly. That's usually why I'm late, and you know everyone expects me to be running late anyway."
"Believe me, Francis Gage, I can get you up and to work on time, no matter how sound a sleeper you are." Sydney replied with a smirk.
"I'm looking forward to it, Shorty." Gage retorted as Syd pulled into a parking spot in front of her building.
Syd gave him a playful grin, as she queried, "Are you looking forward to a cold shower, if you don't wake up in the morning?" At Gage's look of horror, she immediately started to laugh; Gage joined in after a moment, sincerely hoping his partner was joking.
Getting out they both headed up to the apartment. Entering they walked down the hall together. At the guest room door, Gage stopped and Sydney paused with a curious look. Gage cupped Syd's cheek with his hand as he said; "I'll sleep in here, tonight. If you need me just call, okay?"
Standing on tiptoe, Syd agreed wrapping her arms around his neck to kiss him goodnight. Lifting his head as he released her, Gage watched Syd enter her bedroom before closing the door.
TBC