TWELVE





Sydney drove to Will's after meeting with Vaughn (again). She parked in the driveway, got out, and walked to the front door. She knocked somewhat urgently, and after a moment, Will opened the door.

he said, his blue eyes twinkling as he stepped forward to wrap Sydney up in a hug.

Sydney said, smiling, hugging him back. Her smile faded when the hug ended. We need to talk.

Will said with a nod, stepping back to let Sydney inside. Is everything all right? he asked nervously as Sydney walked over near the couch.

Oh, yeah, yeah, everything's fine, just— She sighed. she began, sitting down.

Yeah, okay, Will said, nodding, as he took a seat beside her. He wrapped his arm around Sydney's shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

Sydney smiled at Will's gentle touch, then turned all-business. I went to see Vaughn again, she said slowly. I had to get some more details on my mission.

All right, Will said smiling, kissing her again.

Sydney swallowed. It didn't just end there.

Will removed his arm from Sydney's shoulders and folded his hands in his lap. Sydney suddenly felt cold at the loss of Will's warmth and shivered involuntarily.

I actually sort of lied. I had to go see him twice. Sydney wrung her hands and shivered again. It's a little chilly in here, she said with a nervous laugh.

Will began. Sydney gulped. Just tell me what happened. I'm not going to get mad, okay? But, whatever it is, I think I need to know. To Sydney's delight, Will returned his arm to her shoulders.

Sydney began, collecting herself, Vaughn came on to me both times.

Once again, Will removed his arm from Sydney's shoulders. What did you do? Both times. He sighed and shook his head in something that was most likely disgust.

I pushed him away the first time, Sydney told him, but the second time—I don't know—I just stared at him and then drove off.

Will stood up and paced. Sydney felt tears form in the corners of each of her eyes. She winced as they rolled down her cheek. She wiped them away and sniffed.

Will stopped pacing for a moment. So what does this mean for us? he asked, his voice slightly shaky.

Sydney stood up and put her hands gently on his chest. Will looked away and Sydney put a hand to his cheek to turn his head back.

She blinked back a few tears. Will, I don't want to be with him. I want to be with you.

Will stared far into her eyes. Are you sure? I don't want to be a jerk and stand in the way of something. I mean— He shook his head again. Goddamn it, I love you Sydney, I don't want to lose you to some— He was quieted by Sydney's sudden kiss. He started to protest, thinking there was more he needed to hear to completely convince him of her love, but Sydney's lips against his—he decided—more than sufficed. When it had ended, he whispered breathlessly, I love you so much.

Sydney blinked back more tears. I love you too, she whispered.

The phone rang. Sydney looked at Will for a moment, then grabbed it on the second ring.

Francie said with a sigh of relief on the other end.

'Okay' what? Sydney asked.

I was checking to make sure you were over there, Francie said simply.

Sydney said with a slight laugh. It was a little unexpected, I wasn't really planning this. She glanced at Will who had resumed his position on the couch.

Hey listen— Francie began, —some dude came by a few minutes ago. He asked if you were here, and I said you weren't, then I asked him who he was and he said—

Oh, that's Vaughn, my handler, Sydney explained quickly. She heard Will sigh heavily. He must have had to tell me something else that he forgot to mention in the last meeting.

I can guess, Will muttered.

Sydney gently kicked Will's foot. Did you go ahead and tell him to come over here?

Yeah, and I gave him directions, Francie told her.

Okay, thanks. I'm sorry I didn't call—I should have, Sydney admitted with a small sigh.

It's okay, I figured you were over there. It's understandable, anyway, she said with a laugh.

Sydney laughed as well. The doorbell rang. Oh—he's here, Sydney said quickly. I got to go, I'll see you later.

Francie said and hung up.

Sydney laid the phone down and made her way to the front door. Will grabbed her arm.

Nothing's going to happen, Sydney said with a smile.

Will nodded and let go. He casually walked to the kitchen and pretended to busy himself. Sydney opened the door.

I just got some news, Vaughn blurted.

What news? Sydney asked, suddenly worried.

Well, not really news per se, but a change in how we want you to handle the mission, Vaughn explained.

Sydney said, crossing her arms over her chest.

We want you to question him first. Vaughn held up a hand when Sydney started to protest. We just need to you to find out if he has reassembled SD-6 somewhere.

All right, Sydney said, sighing heavily. But how exactly am I going to do that? I walk in there, and he's going to know that he's never going to see the light of another day, no matter what I say to convince him.

Well, we're one step ahead. We'll give you a tranquilizer gun. Threaten to knock him out, tie him up and torture him or something, and see what he says. And if nothing works, just kill him. We'll figure something out later.

Just then, Will walked over to the door from the kitchen. He acknowledged Vaughn with a half-nod then slipped his arm around Sydney's waist. Sydney laced her fingers through his and Will kissed her cheek.

So is that everything? Sydney asked, fighting back the urge to smirk.

Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow night. Vaughn let his eyes linger for a moment on Sydney and Will's hands, then turned around and walked to his car.

Sydney shut the door and turned to look at Will. she said with a smile. I think that was what he needed.

Will grinned at her. he said, tenderly kissing the top of her head.