SIXTEEN





Will cradled Sydney as she cried, deciding not to ask any questions and instead wait for Sydney to explain what had happened. He kissed the top of her head tenderly and ran a hand slowly and repeatedly over her frizzy wet hair.

Sydney stepped back after about ten minutes. She was weak and nearly lost her footing, but Will grabbed her and led her over to the couch. They sat down at the same time and Sydney promptly laid her head on Will's shoulder.

A while later, Will opened his eyes and realized that he had nodded off. His neck felt stiff and he reached up a hand to rub out the dull pain. A moment later, he looked over and saw Sydney was curled up next to him and sound asleep. He reached out a hand and stroked her hair. He felt a smile tugging at his mouth as he watched the woman he loved sleep. She looked so peaceful, but Will had knew that something was seriously wrong. Whatever it was, he hoped he would be able to help her through it.

He looked at a clock on the table by the couch and noticed it was after four in the morning. For a moment, he considered curling up on the couch with her but decided it would be better to carry her to his bed so they could sleep more comfortably.

He stood up and gently raised Sydney to a sitting position so he could pick her up. To his surprise, Sydney's eyes fluttered open. She stretched and yawned.

she said sleepily, yawning again.

Will replied, transfixed. He wondered how she could always look so beautiful without even trying. I was just going to carry you to my bed—so you'd be more comfortable, he said with a smile.

Sydney nodded and reached her arms out to him. Could you help me up? I'm still half-asleep.

Of course, Will replied, gingerly taking her hands and lifting her up from the couch.

They were standing so close to one another that their bodies were touching. Will felt intermittent shocks and wondered if Sydney was feeling them as well. He decided not to push it, given that he had a sinking feeling in his stomach that something was really wrong and that Sydney was trying to figure out a way to tell him. Instead, he kissed her forehead and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to lead her to his room.

he began, once they had gone inside, let me get you a pair of pajamas.

Sydney said, almost inaudibly.

Will noticed that she had changed from the moment before on the couch when she had just awakened. He had a feeling that whatever she needed to say was going to be said soon. Taking a deep breath, he continued to dig around in the top drawer of his dresser and finally found a pair of flannel pajamas. He handed them to her and said he'd wait outside the room while she changed.

Will stood leaning against the wall waiting for Sydney to welcome him back inside. He wondered if any of it had to do with Vaughn and suddenly felt sick at the thought of the bastard stealing Sydney away from him. Vaughn had tried twice already to start up a relationship with her—and had failed twice, Will reminded himself. He sighed and clenched his fists just as Sydney poked her head out the door. He unclenched his fists and smiled weakly at her as he went back inside the room.

Sydney climbed into bed and Will followed suit after stripping down to his boxers. Sydney slept on the right side and faced away from Will, who pushed his body as close to hers as he could manage and wrapped an arm around her. He thought he heard Sydney sigh with content and decided to kiss her neck and see how she responded. Sydney sat up quickly and leaned against the headboard.

Will muttered quickly, sitting up beside her.

Sydney shook her head. It's not you, she said quietly.

Can you tell me what's wrong, then? Will asked softly, touching her arm. You were crying when you got here, I'm assuming something happened.

Sydney folded her hands in her lap and was silent for several moments. She took a deep breath. Vaughn's dead.

Will asked, honestly shocked. What happened? He hesitated before putting an arm around Sydney's shaking shoulders.

It was tonight, the mission. I was— She paused, debating how much of the Sloane ordeal she should reveal to Will. —I was dealing with Sloane. His henchmen must have gotten to Vaughn because I heard gunshots while I was upstairs. She felt tears forming in the corners of her eyes but forced them back. She was so sick of crying and couldn't remember the last time she had cried this much in the space of just a few days.

Sydney, I'm so sorry, Will said softly, giving her a hug. I'm—wow, that's just— He shook his head and sighed. I'm sorry. I know he was a friend.

Sydney nodded, almost shocked at Will's display of genuine concern. She scolded herself suddenly, realizing she shouldn't be surprised because—after all—he was Will. The single sweetest man she had ever known. The one person she could completely confide in without any second thoughts. The one person who understood her completely. She sighed heavily, wondering why she had been blind to all of Will's virtues until recently.

She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice Will leaning over to kiss her cheek. After Will had done so, he said good-night to her and began to settle back into bed.

she said quietly. Will sat back up. Sydney reached a hand behind his head to pull him close to her so she could kiss him. She rested her slender fingers on the back of his neck.

Will put a hand on Sydney's stomach as they continued to kiss. Sydney froze for a moment, remembering Sloane. She pushed the memory out of her head and allowed Will to slowly unbutton the pajama top. Will broke the kiss and directed his attention to Sydney's stomach.

Sydney moaned softly and pulled the covers up as Will started to remove each article of her clothing slowly. Once that was done, Sydney tugged off Will's boxers. The pair looked into each other's eyes for a moment and smiled. Somehow they both knew that nothing could come between them and—for the time being at least—they both felt safe. They kissed again and Will climbed on top of her.