Better Late Than Never: Chapter 14
By the time Sydney returned to Ranger headquarters, she had pulled herself together enough to maintain the illusion that her world wasn't slowly unraveling. She had thought about taking the rest of the day off so she could just crawl into bed, curl up into a ball and wallow in her disappointment, but that would only lead to questions she didn't want to have to answer, not just from Walker and Gage, but from herself.
Sitting at her desk, she looked like the picture of efficiency and dedication, toiling away at the paperwork that the Golden Moon incident had generated. For the umpteenth time, she wrote last Saturday's date at the top of one page followed by today's date and realized that what felt like a lifetime was only four squares on the calendar.
Was it really only four days ago that she had felt like a giddy teenager, overjoyed to learn that Gage's flirtations were rooted in a deep, passionate love for her? Could it really have been less than a week since she had stopped hiding her own feelings and finally told him that he was all she'd ever wanted, all she could ever hope for? And how long, really, had all that emotion been allowed to flourish – a few hours? One dance, a few soul-stirring kisses and it was back to living the lie of 'we're just friends and I'm really OK with that'? It was almost as though the universe had played some kind of cruel joke on them.
Self-pity was quickly morphing into anger and she knew she had to nip that in the bud or she might end up directing that anger at Gage, effectively destroying the friendship that had been the basis for everything that came after. She silently promised herself she would do whatever it took to not let him disappear completely from her life. So, she slowly gathered up all the feelings she would no longer have any use for – anger, disappointment, love, happiness -- and tried to pack them all away in the same corner of her heart where they had been stored for so long, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't quite make them fit. The love had grown too big.
-----
Gage felt like a kid in a candy store, a rich kid. Armed with a credit card that he actually remembered applying for last month for this very purpose, he had come to Cassell's Fine Jewelry looking for just the right engagement ring.
Mr. Rhyme had not only highly recommended the neighboring store, but had also introduced Gage to the owner, Gerald Cassell, a wiry gentleman with dark eyes, dark curly hair flecked with silver, and skin the color of cocoa.
"Gerry will take very good care of you, Ranger Gage. He's the best in the business," Rhyme promised, nodding toward his friend. The two men had opened their businesses across the street from one another the very same month more than twenty years ago and had been friends ever since, often referring one another to couples in search of their particular services.
"Thank you for everything, Mr. Rhyme," Gage said, shaking the photographer's hand one more time.
"My pleasure, Ranger Gage, and don't forget to let me know as soon as you and Sydney set a date, so I can get you on my calendar," Rhyme called over his shoulder on his way out of the shop.
"Sure thing. Good bye," Gage answered.
"Well, Ranger Gage," the jeweler began, "what were you looking for today, an engagement ring, a wedding set, or both?"
"I'm sure she'd like to help pick out the wedding set, so just the engagement ring for today," he replied.
"Right this way," Cassell directed as he lead Gage around two large cases filled with diamond rings of every size, shape and description. "Do you have any idea what style or shape you are looking for?"
"I know she would want something elegant, but simple and kind of unique at the same time. Does that narrow it down at all?"
"I think I have just the thing," Cassell offered, reaching into the case in front of him and choosing a half-carat round solitaire set in yellow gold and laying it on a black velvet cloth on the counter.
"Wow, that is really beautiful," Gage agreed, picking the ring up to examine it more closely.
"I sense a 'but' coming."
"Well, like I said, it's a gorgeous ring, but it looks like almost every other engagement ring I've ever seen. I like the round stone and the size is right, but do you maybe have something with smaller stones on the side?"
"Ah, I understand," Cassell said, replacing the solitaire in the case and choosing another to display on the velvet cloth. "Now this one has the round stone, but it's flanked by two baguettes, which adds to the diamond presence. However, what is truly unique about this ring is the color of the band. It's rose gold."
As Gage picked up the ring, he saw that the band looked more like pale copper than gold. The unique color cast the faintest suggestion of a warm pink glow on the baguettes snuggled next to the dazzling white half-carat solitaire. The effect was, in a word, stunning.
"Mr. Cassell, I think we have a winner," he said, handing over his credit card.
-----
With regard to the tuxedo, Mr. Rhyme had been Gage's champion once again, having called in a favor with another long-time business associate and arranging a fitting for "as soon as you can get there." On the way to the formal wear shop, it occurred to Gage that he should probably let Dr. Ainsley know what had happened.
To say the least, Dr. Ainsley was surprised when Gage called him to tell him the broken playback switch in his head was fixed.
"All of it? Sights, smells, details -- for the whole six months?" the doctor had quizzed him after Gage told him the story of the portrait and the vanilla spray. Mr. Rhyme had spilled the proverbial beans once Gage's head stopped spinning enough for him to think to ask how he'd known what scent to use.
"Yeah, Doc, it's all in there -- the Rangers we lost to Emil Lavocat and his gang, Walker's daughter, Angela, being delivered by emergency C-section, even me and Ranger Cooke doing stunt work on a vampire movie that was a cover for a drug smuggling operation."
"Can you come to the hospital right away? I'd like to run some tests..."
"I know this is important and it's not that I don't want to understand what happened myself, but I have some unbreakable plans for this evening, so could we please do this first thing tomorrow?"
"All right, but I want you in my office at the hospital at 8 a.m. sharp. Agreed?"
"Sure thing, Doc," Gage confirmed. "I'll be there first thing tomorrow to have my head examined." Catching the joke in what he just said, Gage told Dr. Ainsley, "Not that I don't need that pretty much a daily basis, amnesia or no amnesia."
"Just be here tomorrow," Dr. Ainsley signed off, chuckling.
-----
A few minutes before 4 p.m., Alex walked into Ranger headquarters and Sydney's stiff upper lip act got put to the test immediately.
"Have you seen Gage today?" Alex asked eagerly without so much as a 'hello'.
"Not since this morning when we brought Marty here. Why?" Sydney answered, concerned about the urgency in Alex's voice. Could something have happened to Gage since she had last spoken with him?
"He took off before court this morning and his only explanation was that someone else needed him more than I did. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?" Alex whispered, trying not to attract the attention of Walker or Trivette who had just walked into the room.
"No, I wouldn't," Sydney replied just as quietly. She genuinely had no idea how to interpret Gage's comment, but Alex obviously thought he was referring to her. "Take a walk to the ladies' room with me."
Once inside the rest room, Sydney told Alex about the failed plan at Rhyme's studio.
"I don't know what feels worse, the fact that it didn't work or the fact that I was desperate enough to do something so juvenile and idiotic," Sydney confessed dry-eyed. She had cried enough. Now it was time to move on.
"Sydney, I don't know what happened to send Gage off in such a hurry, but the fact is he was running to you. I'm sure of it. He's the one who sounded desperate, like finding you was the most important thing in the world. It was certainly more important that being in that courtroom when Marty, Tex and Johnny were arraigned."
"How did all that turn out, by the way?" Sydney inquired, deliberately changing the subject.
"Marty was charged with accessory to armed robbery and released into his parents' custody, but the judge denied bail for both Tex and Johnny, since their charges were more severe, ranging from armed robbery to rape. And then, of course, Tex was also charged with the assault on Gage," Alex recounted.
"Do you think Marty will get any jail time?"
"I doubt it. His cooperation will go a long way toward convincing the judge that he never had any real criminal intent, so the worst he's likely to get is a long probation, maybe up to five years."
"Gage will be relieved to hear that. Have you told him yet?"
"No, I haven't talked to him since he pulled his white knight act this morning, remember? Anyway, I thought maybe you'd like to call him and give him the good news."
"I can do that. I was going to call him shortly anyway to let him know I was on my way home. He's coming over for dinner tonight." Sydney's voice was flat, almost emotionless.
"You sound like you'd rather have your teeth drilled," Alex said, wrapping an arm around her friend's shoulders as she continued. "Sydney, I know you think today was a setback, but you have to remember that regardless of the amnesia, he's still Gage. He hasn't had a lobotomy, just lost a few months' worth of memories. And unless I am seriously mistaken he's been in love with you since before he lost his hearing, which he does remember. Give him time to adjust to the gap in his memory and, believe me, he won't be able to deny those feelings much longer."
"Do you really think so?" Sydney asked, wanting desperately to believe Alex, to grasp onto the thin lifeline of hope her words offered. But at the same time she was afraid to think that far ahead. She would have to scrape her heart off her sleeve sooner or later, so she might as well start now, right?
"Yes, I really think so. Oh, honey, you just keep being yourself -- the exciting spitfire that he fell in love with; not the moping sad sack you've been since he got hurt -- and he won't be able to resist you," Alex advised.
"OK, no more moping. Got it," she agreed, offering a small salute to her friend, which made both women chuckle as they left the ladies' room.
-----
All the pieces were nearly in place; Gage only had one more stop to make before going to Sydney's house. She had called him a little while ago to let him know how the arraignment had turned out and to say that she was on her way home from work. After thanking her for the update on Marty, he had surprised her with an unusual request.
"You want me to wear my dress from Saturday night? Why?" she had asked, wondering if she had heard him right.
He couldn't tell if he heard excitement in her voice – or panic.
"Well, I thought maybe if we tried to recreate that night as much as possible that I might remember something. That little flash that happened in the car last night I think had something to do with that party at the governor's mansion. I know this sounds weird, Syd, but you did say you'd give anything for me to remember." He hesitated, debating how hard to push and then added, "But if it will make you uncomfortable…"
"No, no, it's OK. Sure. I'll wear the dress. How far should I go? Hair? Shoes? How much time do I have?"
"Hair, yes, shoes, no. And it'll take me about an hour to get there. Will that be all right?"
"Yeah, perfect. I'll see you then," she concluded, but then she had an after thought. "Hey, Gage?"
He was about to hang up, but answered, "Yeah, Syd?"
"Does this mean you are going to wear a tux?"
"Well, if I didn't that would sort of defeat the purpose, wouldn't it? I'll see you in an hour. And, by the way, Syd, thanks for doing this. You're the best." He couldn't have suppressed the happiness in his voice even if he had tried, so he didn't bother.
"You're welcome and you're pretty great yourself. See you soon," Sydney replied, unable to keep the excitement from her own voice. Nobody filled out a tux quite like Francis Gage.
She decided that Alex was right. No more doom and gloom. His idea wasn't any crazier than the scheme she and Rhyme had hatched. In fact, even if it didn't trigger a return of his old memories, it still might be the first step toward making new ones.
-----
When Gage pulled into the parking lot at the Golden Moon, he was relieved to see several cars there. He had realized only moments before that, with Mr. Chen still recovering from his injury, the restaurant might be closed, which would have sent his plan for the evening into a tailspin.
Stepping inside, he saw a middle-aged Asian woman who looked like an older version of Mai Lee behind the counter. Beside her was a young Asian man with long black hair pulled back in a neat ponytail.
"May we help you?'" the young man offered, walking out from behind the counter, menu in hand.
"I'd actually like to order some food to go if I could," Gage replied, reaching into his jacket pocket for his wallet and also finding the small velvet box containing the rose gold ring. He smiled to himself as he started to silently rehearse his proposal speech one more time, but he was brought back to reality by Xiang Pei's request for his order.
"Oh, right, uh, I need one order of moo shoo pork, one order of spicy beef and broccoli and four egg rolls," he rattled off.
"Steamed or fried rice?" Xiang inquired.
"Steamed, always steamed," a female voice answered before Gage could speak.
He whirled around to see Mai Lee standing there, smiling in spite of the crack still evident in her lower lip and the purplish-green bruise still showing on her cheek.
"Mai Lee!" he managed to say before the lump closed his throat and all he could do was hug her to him. Swallowing hard, he continued softly. "I am so sorry that I didn't get here in time to keep this from happening to you."
"Please don't be sorry," Mai Lee said as she stepped out of his embrace and held both his hands. "You probably saved my life. If you hadn't called for help when you did, those men might have killed me instead of running from the sirens. I am sorry that you were hurt trying to help me and my uncle."
"No, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, but there is a favor I would like to ask. It's going to sound pretty strange…"
"Ranger Gage, there is nothing you could ask that I would not try to do for you. How can I help?"
Reaching into his pocket, Gage retrieved the ring box and pried it open. "Can you hide this in an egg roll without it looking like anything is different?"
"Of course, but might I suggest a fortune cookie instead? It's less messy," Mai Lee offered.
"I thought about that, but that's sort of a cliché, if you know what I mean; it's been done. Besides, Sydney and I have this little ritual that we do with our egg rolls. We clink them together and make a toast before we break them in half and eat them. It's hokey, I know, but we did it once a long time ago for some reason I don't even remember and we've done it every time ever since."
"Say no more, Ranger Gage, and follow me," Mai Lee said, chuckling to herself as she led him into the kitchen. Reaching into a small refrigerator under the counter, she pulled out a pan of uncooked egg rolls and placed it on the counter near two woks filled with sizzling peanut oil. Mai Lee removed four egg rolls for Gage's order, placed them on a dinner plate and then replaced the pan in the fridge. She then chose one from the plate and carefully unrolled one end, revealing the filling inside. Plucking the ring from the box as Gage held it, she stuffed it inside the shredded vegetables and then daintily rolled the wrapper shut again. When she was finished, there was no sign that the appetizer had been disturbed in any way.
"That's fantastic! So, now you just cook it like any other egg roll?" Gage wondered.
"Yes, like this," she replied and demonstrated by cooking it in the hot oil while he watched. "We will put this one in a separate bag, so you can make sure she gets the right one."
"Great. I can't thank you enough, Mai Lee."
"No thanks are necessary, Ranger Gage. You and the other Rangers have been so good to us. By the way, Ranger Walker called this afternoon to tell us that the men who robbed us and hurt you have been captured, but I am sure you already knew that," she told him as they walked back to the dining room.
As they reached the front counter, Gage replied, "Yes, I did, but I'm glad he let you know that they can't hurt you or anyone else anymore." Giving her one last little hug, Gage continued. "Now I just have to pay for my order and practice my proposal speech one more time on the way to Sydney's house."
"Your money is no good here, not today anyway," Mai Lee insisted. "Dinner is on us and we wish you good luck with your proposal, although I doubt that you will need it."
"I'll take all the good luck I can get and thanks again. Bye." Taking the food bags from the counter, Gage double checked to make sure the world's most expensive egg roll was tucked safely inside, and then headed for his car.
End Chapter 14.