A/N I am so sorry it took me soooo long to get this up, but real life came knocking on my door... But now I'm having one entire weekend to write, and I'm making the most of it, which means, updating this story! My other story, Coming home, is temporarily on hold, and I'll start working on it once I finish this one. And I can tell you, the end is near... I am a little sad about it, cause personally I love this story. It wasn't even supposed to be this long, but I just loved writing it. So I just kept thinking of new things to throw at our favourite couple. However, I can promise you one or two final chapters and that will be it.

Well, I will stop ranting now and let you get on to the story. Enjoy!

Walker and Alex silently walked through the eerily silent halls of the hospital. The sounds of their footsteps were the only sounds that could be heard this early and it made the usually buzzing halls seem empty.

Both were looking straight forward, not revealing any emotion at all. But the hands that were tightly formed around each other, told another story.

As if there was an unspoken agreement, both of them stopped instantly when they came by a sign saying 'ICU-paediatrics'. With still tightly intertwined hands they stood before the large window, and watched the two people who were inside.

After a long silence, Alex was the first to speak with a choked voice.

"Haven't they been through enough?"

Walker looked at his wife, seeing how this whole situation affected her. Seeing what Gage must see when he looks at Sydney. He thought about his daughter, how she had come to this world, and how happy he was when he found out she was healthy. He watched two of his best rangers stand before a little cubicle, where a dot of pink and black could be seen from where he was standing.

And he silently tightened his grip on Alex' hand. Not saying a word, but meanwhile saying everything.

Inside the ICU

Silent tears streamed down Sydney's face, leaving watery marks on her cheeks. Red and puffy eyes looked up towards the man standing next to her, giving him a small smile. She couldn't believe the tiny child in front of her was actually alive. But most of all, she couldn't believe she was theirs. Slowly lifting her arm from the armrest, provided by the wheelchair she was sitting in, she put one hand on the warm glass which was separating her from her baby.

"She's so small…"

Gage looked down, putting his hand on top of hers letting both of them rest onto the glass.

"I know. But she'll grow, and believe me Syd, one day she's gonna be taller than you," he added softly, with a hint of his old self.

A small smile tugged at Sydney's lips when she responded, "Yeah, is that when you'll start chasing away her boyfriends with a broomstick?"

A soft snort was his only reaction, cause the doctor chose that moment to come and talk to the both of them. Sydney didn't waste a second before asking what was on her mind.

"Will she make it?"

Eyeing the young couple, the doctor was relieved he would be the one to bring them the latest update on their child. And even if there was a chance of her not making it, good news always boosted the spirits of new parents.

"Well," he started, "She made it through the night, something we hadn't expected."

Sydney gasped a little, this made the entire situation so much more real.

The doctor continued, "This means she's strong. She hasn't fought of the ventilator, so if we keep this up for the next weeks, there is a fairly good chance she'll make it and have a chance on a normal life. But until she has reached a body weight of about 5 pounds, she will have to stay here."

This new information seemed to lift the spirits of the couple a bit, and there stances seemed lighter right away. The doctor saw this, and decided to warn them.

"There still is a chance of infection, we have to be really careful, and there is also a slight chance that she will stop breathing. Her lungs are developing themselves as we speak. So the next week will be touch or go."

And with that his pager went of and the doctor hurriedly left the room, leaving Sydney and Gage to ponder on his words. Gage was the one to break the silence, after casting a long look at their little girl who was still breathing, still fighting.

"Briana."

Sydney looked up at him, a questioning look in her deep brown eyes, urging Gage to continue.

"Briana Gage," he added, earning a loving look from Sydney.

"I love it, but why Briana?"

Gage looked at her, a lump in his throat making it hard for him to speak. Looking at their little one, fighting for her life, with more strength than he had ever seen, the name had came to him. And ever so softly Sydney heard him say,

"It means strong…"

Turning her look back at their hands, still positioned on the glass, covering each other, she pulled hers back and took his.

And without words she squeezed it softly while they both turned towards their daughter, watching Briana fight.

After a long time, they simultaneously turned to fill in their waiting friends.

Outside the ICU

Two figures still stood, silently watching what was going on inside. Meanwhile, two others had come in, just as silent they had taken a seat behind the other couple.

Ranger Jimmy Trivette hated waiting. He hated it even more when he had to wait in a hospital, while a person he knew, or wanted to know, was fighting for their life. But here he was, together with his wife, waiting for news on the newest addition of the Texas Rangers.

Four heads shot up when the door to the large room opened, revealing two ragged looking Rangers. Gage rolled Sydney out slowly, and both of them eyed the tight group of friends who had gathered there, for them, for their child, with solemn looks.

After a full minute of silence, of silent encouragement, of soulful understanding, one voice spoke up. It was soft and it was female. It was Sydney.

"Guys, we want you to meet Briana Gage…"