"They're sending me to Australia." Will's voice was hoarse and stunned.

"What..?" Elizabeth trembled, not quite comprehending him. Did he just say AUSTRALIA?

"They've offered me a contract in Sydney."

Elizabeth blinked and gripped the phone tighter. "But you just got drafted to Philadelphia? I don't understand?"

Will sighed. "They've signed me, yes. They own my rights. It's like if they were to trade me to a different team."

"So why did they sign you, if they don't want you? Why on earth are they making you go to Australia?" Elizabeth's voice was high with tension, her heart beating fast.

"They can't make me go, Ellie. I have to sign off on it..."

"What happens if you refuse?"

"I get labelled as a difficult player, and teams start to turn their backs on me. Technically I get the final choice, but in reality there's no real decision at all."

"I still don't understand why you're suddenly going THERE." Said Elizabeth crossly.

"Philly want me to get a few professional seasons under my belt and to develop further before having a shot on the court here. Lots if not all round 2 draft picks end up being 'loaned' to teams in European leagues, or other overseas places. The Philadelphia coach knows the coach at Sydney, and the two struck up a deal."

"Do they even play basketball out in the wilderness there? Dodging snakes and spiders and God knows what."

"C'mon, Ellie. Don't be like that." Will said softly. "It's an opportunity for me to play professionally, get good enough to hold my own back here. That's the end goal- this is just the way I have to go about it."

"But Will! Australia!" Elizabeth cried. "You couldn't get any further away from me if you tried!"

"I know." He said sadly. "I know."

There was silence on the phone, and Elizabeth realised what she was doing, and felt terrible.

"I'm sorry Will- this is your dream and you're one step closer to it. I'm happy for you, and I'm sorry for thinking only of myself and my breaking heart. I've been selfish- you deserve to enjoy your success." A tear slid down her cheek.

"Don't pretend that you're the only one feeling heartbroken here, Elizabeth." Will's voice was short and snappy. "You think I like the idea of having to get on a plane and flying away to the other side of the world?! I'm just as cut up as you! Maybe more so- because I'm suddenly realising my lifelong dream isn't as wonderful as I thought."

The comment sliced through Elizabeth like a knife. He DID resent being with her! "Well I'm sorry that I've ruined that for you!" Elizabeth shot back furiously. "Maybe your mother was right. Maybe you should have stayed single. Then you could fly off into the sunset and enjoy your new life in Australia, guilt free."

And with that, Elizabeth hung up the phone in a torrent of tears.

*o*o*o

Will stared at the phone. 'Well, that went about as well as planned.' He sighed.

His heart had sunk when his agent told him what was planned, and Will's first thought was for Ellie. He was upset of course, but had the excitement of living in a new country and earning his first paycheck to keep his spirits up. His heart broke for Ellie, left behind, meant to continue with life as normal knowing he was on the other side of the world.

His fingers hovered over the redial button next to her name in his phone, then put the phone down. He needed time. He'd give her that.

Not five minutes later his phone rang. Will dived for it, and slumped at reading Charlie's name on the screen.

"Will!" He cried! "Congratulations man! I've been trying to call you since I saw it! Guess you've been fielding phone calls, huh?!"

"Thanks, Charlie. Yeah, still kinda in shock by it. Mainly cos Philly's already palming me off!"

"Already? Whoa. You talked to your agent then?"

"Yeah. I'm not allowed to say specifics until all the paperwork is signed and the deal is made public, but for at least a year, I'll be playing overseas."

"Oh man, how'd Ellie take that?"

"About as well as you'd imagine."

"I'll bet. So what's your timeline?"

"They want me down there by late July for preseason training."

"Not much of an offseason for you. So- 'down there?' You playing in South America somewhere? I didn't think the leagues were NBA worthy down there?"

Will kicked himself for the slip. "No, not South America, Charlie."

There was silence on the other end. "Holy crap, Will. I'm pretty sure I know where you're going. My agent mentioned the possibility to me, but I told him I would rather try my luck in Europe. Australia, Will? No wonder Ellie's pissed!"

"yeah" Will sighed. "Still, there's not really anything I can do about it right now, and you can't mention it to anyone yet either."

"I know the drill, Will. So Australia huh? Good deal?"

"Great deal. Seriously, aside from being so far apart from Ellie, it's an amazing offer."

"And in a league like that, you'll dominate!"

"I wouldn't be so sure, Charlie. It's not exactly the backwaters or anything. And a couple of other NBA dudes are playing there too."

"Really? Should be an interesting year then. Maybe I should speak to my agent again."

"Speaking of which, how are things at your end Charlie?"

"Still too early for offers in Europe. Some leagues are only just finishing up finals now. I'm not expecting to hear anything til August at least."

"So you're in off season mode til then?" Will smirked enviously as his friend laughed into the phone.

"You know it, bro!"

"You let me know when you find something out, man!"

"Sure will. Better let you field more phone calls- now that you're in the NBA and all!" Charlie joked. "Seriously though man, awesome job. Congrats. Don't worry about Elizabeth, she'll come around in time."

"Thanks Charlie. Bye."

No sooner had Will hung up the phone than it rang again.

"Hey." Said Will gently.

"Hi." Said Elizabeth softly. "I'm sorry about before. I just-"

"It's ok." Will soothed. "You're upset and hurting. I am too. It's easy to lash out when you're feeling that way. I'm sorry too."

"Oh Will..." Elizabeth breathed sadly into the phone. "How am I going to not see you for nine months? I can't exactly pop over to Australia for a quick visit!"

"I know..." Will hung his head. "But we have the phone, and the computer. We can email all the time, and video call. I know it's not the same thing, but at least it's something?" Will knew it was a tough sale, but it was all he had to offer.

"When do you have to go?"

Will felt his throat closing over as he pictured Elizabeth's anguished face right at this moment. "Three weeks time." He whispered. "I need you, Ellie. I need you to be here with me. I can't stand you being there and me here, and knowing it's an extra three weeks we'll be apart. Please Ellie. My mother is flying with Bill to Europe tomorrow, so she won't surprise us. Please- Ellie. Come and stay with me until I have to go."

Elizabeth's heart was breaking, and she thought of a million tiny reasons why she couldn't go. Her work, her lack of money, having to tell her parents she'd be living with Will for three weeks... But all she could say was "of course, Will. I need you too."

*o*o*o

Elizabeth had saved up enough money to fly to New York and back. With a heart filled with mixed emotions, she boarded the plane to New York and stared out the window. She was going to have three whole uninterrupted weeks with Will, which thrilled and excited her to no end. But looming in the back of her mind was the thought of what was beyond those three weeks. A tear rolled down her cheek as she realised that the next time she saw this landscape she would have said goodbye to Will.

As Elizabeth and Will expected, their three weeks went far too quickly. They relished being an ordinary couple for once, grocery shopping together, and cooking elaborate meals together. They spent Independence Day together. They ran Central Park together late afternoons, visited cafe's and restaurants and saw all the sights of New York together. At nights, as the city continued to pulse with nightlife, Will and Ellie lost themselves in each other, whispering fevered words about ever lasting love and eternal passion with their arms and legs entwined. They did everything in their power to make those three weeks compensate for nearly a year of being apart.

Elizabeth lay against Will's chest, her head nestled cozily against the soft hollow of his shoulder. The faint sound of sirens could be heard ringing out into the night sky. Her bare legs were tangled up with his, as she ran a hand over his bare chest and rippled stomach. His hand lazily stroked her from the nape of her neck to the small of her back. Both were deliriously tired, and had slow, sluggish thoughts and burning eyes, but neither wanted to sleep. Sleep meant waking up, which meant the day of farewell had finally arrived.

"Next time I rest my head on a pillow I'll be far away from here." Will stated the obvious sadly.

"Don't say it Will." Tears pricked Elizabeth's eyes, and her throat hurt from trying so hard to keep her emotions at bay. "Promise me that you'll always be honest with me."

His hands drifted to her hair, combing it gently. "Honest, or faithful?" He murmured.

"I can't ask you to promise to be faithful. That's a decision you have to make yourself everyday. But I can ask you to always tell me the truth. If things aren't working, if you're tempted by someone else, just tell me."

"I will." He kissed her head softly. "But just so you know, I won't even be looking at other girls. There isn't another girl out there who could even come close to you, Elizabeth." he paused, and began stroking her hair once more. He wiped a tear from his eyes as he finally felt them close. "I'm going to marry you one day." He whispered, nestling his head against hers.

Elizabeth was already asleep.