Home Alone

Jack's business of giving clothes and food to the homeless of New Tech was doing very well. He had gotten a lot of community support and the company was still going strong after this long.

He and Aly had even bought a small old warehouse which they had turned into apartments for people who weren't fit to live on the streets.

It was not a large place by any means but it was comfortable.

When you walked into the metal entry way, it still had the look of a metal warehouse but with a homey touch.

The common room was the first thing you noticed, with a few mismatched couches, an old television set, and a sound system.

When you looked up instead of a ceiling you would find metal catwalks crossing to either side of the building.

There were also catwalks surrounding the warehouse walls. Sydney could only assume that the doors that were also surrounding the warehouse were apartments.

It was an unconventional home but a home all the same. Jack fit in well here.

"What do you need Syd, are you okay?"

Jack had concern etched across his face.

"Jack, I'm fine, I just need a place to crash for a few days until I get my own apartment."

Jack sighed and ushered her inside. This was going to be an interesting conversation.

Suddenly, Aly's voice could be heard from the second floor balcony.

"Jack is everything alright… Sydney," her voice changed from concern to confusion. "Sydney, should I set a room up for you?"

"Oh no Aly. I just need a place to crash for a few nights, I can just sleep on a couch or something, I don't want to take up a room that someone needs more than me."

Jack knew someone was up now.

The Sydney he knew would never take an old couch over a bed.

This was big.

"Nonsense. We still have a lot of rooms with it being summer and all and you are welcome to stay as long as you want. I'll get a room ready for you."

And with that, Aly turned and went into another room.

Jack chuckled. "Just take the room. There's no stopping Aly when she gets started."

Syd gave a small laugh and started to look around, all the while ringing her hands together, nervous about the next question she was sure he was going to ask.

"Syd, what's wrong?"

"I quit SPD."

Jack stared at her for a moment.

Looks were deceiving when it came to Sydney Drew. While it didn't seem like it at first glance, Sydney was just about as devoted to SPD as Sky was. So for her to quit so suddenly and spontaneously was a shock to say the least.

"Any particular reason for it?"

"I'm pregnant."

Once again in a matter of under thirty seconds she had managed to floor him.

Sydney refused to look at him through her entire confession. Jack thought this was a good thing seeing as his jaw was now on the floor.

"Um, well, uh, congratulations?"

"This is a disaster Jack, congratulations are not in order."

She looked up at him with a sad face and went to sit down on the couch to then put her head in her hands.

Jack didn't know what to say so he merely let her continue.

"My parents disowned me, I had to quit SPD, Z's not here to talk to, I'm in this alone!"

"What about Sky?"

Sydney looked over at the opposite wall, still avoiding his face.

"He's not the father."

Her voice was barely a whisper but he was still sure those were her words.

He sat down on the couch and wrapped his arms around her as she started to cry.

After she had calmed down a bit he asked his next question.

"Who's the father?"

"He's, uh, an old friend."

Jack could hear her tears starting up again so he quickly changed the subject away from the father.

"So, why did you need to quit SPD? I'm sure Cruger would have kept you on as an instructor or something."

"I just couldn't stay there!" she shouted before her voice dropped to a whisper again. "I couldn't face him."

"Sky?"

Syd merely nodded.

"You're staying here."

Syd looked up at his very blatant command.

"Jack, I only need to stay until I can find another apartment."

"No, you're living here, a baby's gonna cost a lot of money and you need every penny."

"Jack, I'll survive. I have a lot of money saved up in my savings account and a few trusts that I can get money from. People need this place more than me; I'm not just going to save money when there are people with no money, homeless!"

Jack stood up in front of her and crossed his arms over his chest.

"You can pay for your food but that's all I'm taking."

From his tone of voice Sydney could tell she was not moving out of here unless she snuck out and even then he would probably drag her back kicking and screaming.

Sydney sighed.

"Fine, but I'm helping you with the company. I'll volunteer, go get stuff, ask for donations, anything, but that's my final offer."

Jack smiled. "Fine. You look tired, Aly probably has your room set up by now, why don't you sleep and we'll talk about the rest tomorrow."

Sydney smiled the closest thing to a real smile since the start of this whole ordeal.

"Thanks Jack, you're amazing you know that?"

Jack flashed her his cocky smile. "Yes, I've been told a few times."

Sydney laughed and shook her head. As she reached for the door knob that would enter her room she turned to Jack.

"Um, Jack, I still have some stuff at the academy and I really don't want to have to go in there again…"

"Consider it done by tomorrow morning."

"Thanks Jack."

As Syd turned back to the door she was startled as it opened to an equally startled Aly.

Aly was the first to gain her composer.

"Your rooms all set up, if you need anything just call."

"Thanks Aly, you really didn't need to do this."

"Oh it's no trouble at all, stay as long as you like."

And with a smile and a wave Jack and Aly went into their room and shut the door.

Sydney then entered her room. It was small, but cozy. With a double bed and a chair in the far corner and a small bathroom with only a square standing shower, a toilet and a sink in another corner and a small kitchenette in the closest right corner. It wasn't much but she could work with it. It was a home now, home to raise her child… alone.

The next chapter is short but will be Bridge and Sky's conversation. I just got my wisdom teeth out so I can't eat anything and will spend my time writing to keep my mind off the ever consuming thought of food. ; ) I love reviews! Oh yea, I don't really know exactly the kind of buisness Jack is running so I kinda made it up, and I also don't really know a lot about Aly so I tried to keep her pretty generic, forgive me if you don't like it.