Part 4

Chapter 9

It was almost dawn Syd had only allowed herself a couple of hours of rest. Her eyes opened it had become light enough that she was able to see. Sitting up she lifted Gage's shirt seeing the blood was slowly oozing through the bandage.

"How bad does it look?" he asked training his eyes on her beautiful face trying to read it.

"Bad enough," she retorted. "I think I'd better clean it and bandage it again."    

He nodded his head in agreement laying back and closing his eyes. Pulling back the old dressing Syd cleaned the area again with a sterile swab from the first aid kit White Hawk had given them. She could see Gage's body tighten in pain from the antiseptic even though she was being as careful as she could.

"I'm sorry Gage I don't mean to hurt you," Syd apologized trying to work as quickly as possible.

"You're not," he said through clenched teeth.

"Yeah right I can tell," she said putting the last piece of tape in place sliding his shirt back down over it.

"Will I live Dr. Cooke?"

"If we get you to a doctor before much longer it should have had stitches," she told him putting her arm around him as he tried to sit up.

"We should be almost to the road White Hawk said it was only a half day's ride," he replied ignoring what she was saying about his injury hoping if he ignored it, it would stop hurting.

"Maybe," she answered kneeling beside and putting her arms around his neck kissed his lips. "Umm this is nice but we have to get going," she smiled at him.

Bringing his arm around her waist Gage kissed her again before letting her go.

Taking the blanket Syd put it back over the horse and led it over to where a fallen tree lay tethering it there. She gathered up what few things they had and helped Gage to his feet. Taking the reins she climbed up on the log and then to the horse's back. Steadying the horse as best she could she waited as her partner pulled himself up to stand on the log then swung his leg over the horse behind her.

She could feel him tense his side giving him trouble, "Lean on me Gage," she urged feeling him against her his arms once more around her. Digging her heels into the horse's side they began on their journey again. The wind was beginning to pick up.

~~~~~

It was dark when Blackfire and Lily Redbird mounted horses and headed out.

"Feels like a storm is brewing," Blackfire commented hoping that Lily had changed her mind since last night. If anything her determination had only become stronger. They headed out down the trail they had last seen the Rangers going down.

"He's injured and they have only one horse," she replied ignoring Blackfire's comment about the storm. "It should be easy to catch up to them and have our revenge."

Blackfire stayed quiet thinking to himself, "Your revenge Lily."

They had travelled about an hour it was getting light the clouds were moving in it would be a cool dreary day.

~~~~~

"Washo we may have a small problem." It was White Hawk that spoke to Walker. "Blackfire and Lily Redbird are missing as are two horses." Walker listened as White Hawk spoke. "They may have gone after your Rangers," he continued telling Lily's story. "Walker take two horses stop them this has to end."

Walker nodded his head in agreement accepting the horses he and Trivette were soon following Blackfire and Lily's trail hoping it led to Sydney and Gage as well. The clouds were gathering in the sky and the wind blowing wildly around them.

"Walker," Trivette called after his partner, "We are going to have to look for cover," he shouted above the roar of the wind.

Walker slid from his horse and studied the tracks on the ground knowing Trivette was right but not wanting to loose the trail. Pulling up long side his partner Trivette got off his horse too.

"It looks as if Sydney and Gage are following the trail to the highway and Lily and Blackfire are following behind them," Walker called to Trivette. "There are some caves up ahead we should be able to take cover there. Maybe find the rest there too."

Trivette nodded in agreement as they both got on their horses and proceeded on.

~~~~~

The rain had begun pelting down soaking them to the skin as Syd guided the horse along the trail. The wind was blowing wildly, "Syd we have to find a place to hold up and let this blow over," Gage was shouting to her.

"I know Gage," she called back hardly able to see five feet in front of them. A jagged streak of lightening bolted from the sky striking a tree in front of them sending it crashing into their path.

The horse reared up as Gage grabbed for the reins to help Syd to hold it finally bringing the animal under control.

Another vein of lightening edged downward illuminating everything around them followed by a loud crack of thunder. Suddenly Sydney spied what looked like an opening in the rock face surrounding them and headed for it.

At the entrance Syd slipped from the horse and helped Gage do the same with her arm around him and leading the horse they entered the dark cavern. Once out of the rain and wind she helped Gage to drop silently to the floor of the cave dropping down beside him. Pulling him into her arms she held him trying to draw a little warmth from each other's shivering bodies.

Gage was holding his side once more as Syd cradled him against her. After several long minutes another flash of lightening lit up the sky, which seemed to be getting lighter. The rain at any rate was starting to let up.

Sydney looked down at Gage he had become deathly pale and had closed his eyes once more. She gently lifted his shirt to find that his wound had reopened and was bleeding through the bandage again.

"Gage can you lean back against the rock wall so I can redress this wound for you?" Syd asked easing her way from behind him.

"Yeah sure Syd," he told her hardly moving his eyes slowly opening to focus on her. "You're so pretty Honey," he continued his lips curving into a half smile. He reached out to brush her cheek with his fingers but didn't have the energy missing the target his hand dropping to his side.

"Pretty yeah right Gage, I'm soaking wet, covered in dirt and in desperate need of a bath, now I know you're delirious. Will you stay still," Syd ordered, "You need to conserve your strength for when I get you home."

Again he smiled at her but did as he was told all the same.

"Gage it's almost stopped raining I need to look for some tiger moss. When I got shot that time hiking with Alex and Fawn to see the White buffalo Fawn put some on my shoulder to stop the bleeding and it worked like a charm." Syd knew she was rambling but was too worried about her partner to stop. "You think you'll be all right?"

"I'll be fine, just don't be too long," Gage told her as she held his hand a moment more.

"Won't even miss me," she smiled leaning forward to kiss him before heading out to the riverbank.

The supply of moss was plentiful and it didn't take long for Sydney to gather up quite a large bunch of it and head back up to where she had left Gage. There where berries growing in a small thicket and she decided she would come back for some once she had made Gage comfortable knowing he needed time to rest before they started out again.

"This should do the trick," she called out as she entered the cave to see Lily Redbird standing over Gage. "Get away from him," she instinctively called out only to be grabbed from behind by Blackfire.

Stomping down hard on his foot with her heel Blackfire let go of the gripe he had on her enough that she was able to take hold of his arm and swing her foot up into his stomach.

"Stop now or I'll put a bullet in his head," Lily yelled. She stood poised above Gage gun drawn and aiming directly at his head.

Gasping in air Blackfire wiped the beads of perspiration from his upper lip before pulling his gun and holding it on Syd.

"What do you two want?" Sydney demanded, "The rest said we were free to go."

"We are not the rest, Blackfeather was our leader and you have killed him now we must find our own way and that way is to avenge his death," Lily simply stated pulling the hammer back on the gun she was holding.

"You would kill us because Gage defended us? We were kidnapped and dragged to your camp, we never asked to go there we never asked for any of it," Syd said trying to buy them time.

Lily looked away from Gage focusing her attention on Sydney the real reason for her revenge. Walking over she stood directly in front of Syd staring at her before pulling back her hand and slapping her across the face.

Syd stood her ground not showing so much as a flinch as Lily continued on. "This is all your fault and you are going to pay dearly now."

"Lily come on lets do what we came here to do," Blackfire began relaxing his grasp on Syd and lowering the gun from her head.

"We are Blackfire we are going to do the job but we are going to do it right," she smiled turning her back on Syd and walking back towards Gage.

Blackfire said nothing he had slipped quietly to the floor of the cave being rendered unconscious by Walker who had silently slipped in behind them.

Lily Redbird had lifted her gun and was aiming at Gage but she never had a chance to fire. Syd had come flying into her knocking the gun from her hand. Spinning she attacked Sydney coming at her fists flailing. Syd easily brought her foot up catching Lily in the stomach taking her to the ground. Trivette stepped in at that point putting the cuffs on her.

"Gage, Gage," Syd cried once again at his side.

"Syd," he answered his voice barely above a whisper.

Walker was right behind her he had picked up the moss Syd had brought from the riverbank. Trivette had gone outside to call for help while Sydney and Walker worked together to pack Gage's wound and stop the bleeding. His eyes had closed but not before letting Sydney take him in her arms and hold him close once again.

It turned out that they were only about a mile from the road and the emergency people were there getting Gage ready for transport within the hour. They had lowered a basket stretcher from a medical helicopter and were securing Gage inside to be lifted to the chopper.

"Go with him Syd," Walker said his hand resting on her shoulder as he spoke. Trivette was all ready talking to the helicopter and the safety harness was being lowered for her.

"Thanks Walker," she called as her feet began to leave the ground.

"See you in Dallas," he called back.

Chapter 10

Syd's Apartment a Few Days Later

Music played softly and scented candles flickered silently as Gage entered the bathroom carrying two glasses of wine. His gaze fell upon Syd, she had pinned her hair on the top of her head and slid into a relaxing bubble bath. Sitting on the edge of the tub he handed her a glass of the wine and bent to kiss the top of her head.

"Who was on the phone?"

"Walker he wanted to let us know that Blackfeather's closest followers have been indicted for the murders of Cassie Stewart's parents and our abductions, among other crimes," Gage answered. "And Lily Redbird and Blackfire will be going away for attempted murder."

"What about White Hawk?"

"He along with the rest of the band will be brought up in front of the tribal council charges pending."

Sydney closed her eyes in thought dismissing the case letting the warm water and bubbles wash the whole thing from her mind. Instead she concentrated on her partner who sat there without his shirt on.

"Are you going to stay there all night you are beginning to wrinkle like a prune?" Gage asked letting his fingers play down her face.

"Gage I thought we agreed that you owed me this," she answered him taking a sip of the wine.

"You're right I owe you this," he agreed setting his wine on the counter and reaching in the water. He let his hand run down the length of her body until he found her foot and began to massage it.

"Umm that feels so good," she softly purred as he reached in for the other foot. "Why don't you join me in here?"

"Syd believe me there is nothing I'd rather do it's just the matter of this little hole in my side that I'm not suppose to get wet," he informed her as he slid to the floor moving his hand up her leg.

"I think my bath is coming to an end," she smiled sitting up to run her hand through his hair. "Want to hand me my towel?"

"Thought you'd never ask," he replied standing to reach for the towel and holding it up to wrap her in it. He rubbed his hands over her drying her body as she allowed herself to fall against him her arms encircling his neck. Lifting her in his arms she let her legs wrap around him as their lips met in a rapturous kiss.

Slowly Gage turned walking towards the bedroom Syd in his arms still wrapped around him as she nibbled tenderly on his neck. Coming to the bed Gage laid them down Syd still holding tight to him his hand still playing up and down her body that was wrapped in the towel.

He pulled away slightly just enough to move the towel away from her to let his eyes feast on her before once again allowing himself to touch her and caress her. Lowering his head to her breast he teased her nipple with his tongue before lovingly nipping on it her body arching up for more.

"Gage," she whispered softly feeling his hand move across her hip in a slow trail making his way to the small cache of damp curls between her legs. Syd held her breath his hand rubbing over her center, her eyes squeezing tight in anticipation as his fingers explored her folds.

"Gage," she called to him again twisting against his touch, his fingers moving inside of her, his head lowering to her allowing his tongue to work its magic on her. She cried out again the words not comprehendible as he teased her relentlessly his own desires building inside of him.

Finally he released her to pull his own slacks and underwear off she mewed softly watching him. Reaching up she took him in her arms once more and he lowered himself on her.

"Francis," she moaned out feeling him slid inside of her while her legs went around him pulling him closer still. The slow quiet rhythm quickly moved to a wild frenzied action both releasing hard against each other.

Gage fell to Syd and held her for several moments before rising on his elbow above her. He let his lips brush her forehead and she pulled him back down against her.

"I'd face down a thousand Blackfeathers for you Syd," Gage solemnly told her looking into her dark brown eyes.

Syd blushed slightly saying, "Thanks Gage but lets hope there aren't any more, that whole adventure was more then enough for me."

Smiling Gage kissed her again.

The End