Sydney ran all the way up the stairs and through the door. She ran down her hallway to Will's room. He was lying in bed reading a book.

"Sydney? Whats wrong?"

Sydney sat down on his bed, breathing heavily. Her cheeks were moist from her tears. Her mascara was running. "Will, do you care about me?"

"Of course. Sydney, whats going on?"

"Kiss me." Will looked at her, stunned.

"What?"

"Kiss me." She looked at him directly in the eyes. Will slowly leaned in, and closed his eyes. His lips brushed hers and the kiss was brief. He pulled back.

Sydney opened her eyes. "You can kiss me again."

Will shook his head. "Are you kissing me?"

Sydney looked at him incredously. "Of course I'm kissing you." She tried to feign that she had no idea what he was talking about, but he was not buying it.

"Syd, do you really not think I know you? This isn't about me," Will was starting to get angry, "and I can't believe that you would try to use me. God, I'm your friend. If you need a shoulder to cry on, or someone to talk to I am here. But. but this? This is not okay." Will clenched his jaw and got up from the bed. "I'm going to sleep," he said coldly.

Sydney watched silently as Will went over and opened the door. She got up from the bed and walked away from someone she cared about for the second time that night.



The next morning Sydney woke up angry and upset. Tears were dried to her cheeks. She stumbled down the hall and walked into a yawning Will. They made eye contact then averted.

"Listen Will. Give me just a second okay?" Sydney took in a deep breath and Will nodded. "You were right. About all of it. What I did was horrible. But last night I was upset and I wanted to get back at someone. It still doesn't make it okay to hurt you. I am sorry."

Will stared at the floor.

"But what you said last night was important to me. Because I could really use a friend." Sydney's eyes filled with tears. "I just. I feel so lost Will. Please, I have no right to ask this, but please forgive me."

Will's face softened. "Oh Syd." He hugged her tightly, and she felt as though his arms squeezed tears out of her eyes. "Syd, whats going on?"

"Can we not talk for awhile?"

"Of course." Will petted her hair down. "Of course."



Michael Vaughn woke up feeling nauseous. It was all over. Before, he had been tortured because he couldn't be with Sydney, but now he knew he wouldn't. He was finding that was much worse.

Vaughn stumbled around his apartment. God, he felt like crap. He picked up the phone and called into work sick. It was not a complete lie either, but the idea of possibly seeing Sydney was paining him.

He found some vodka in his pantry and poured a glass full. He took two large gulps, and could barely swallow. He then stumbled upstairs, found the bed and collapsed.



"Wow. Sydney I had no idea you felt that way about Vaughn. I mean, I knew you were close. But, you love him Sydney. That's a big deal."

Sydney appreciated Will being a good friend, but saw the hurt in his eyes. "I'm sorry Will. About everything. When I kissed you I did mean it. But. things changed. I changed."

Will nodded. "It's okay Syd. But, um, could we take a break for the day? I just, just don't know how much of this I can hear in one sitting."

"Yeah, of course Will. Thank you. Thank you for everything." Sydney meaningfully looked into Will's eyes. Then she got up and was in the doorway when she turned around.

"Will. I'm sorry that I hurt you."

Will looked up at her, thoughtfully. "Thank you."

She turned back around. "Hey Syd?" Will paused for a moment. "In a way, I kind of knew. I didn't want to know, but I did. At the bar, I saw the way you looked at him. Sydney that's something special. That's what I wanted. Don't let it go."

Sydney felt herself starting to become choked up. She nodded slowly, trying to hold in fresh tears. Then she gulped down. "I don't have a choice."

"No Sydney, there is always a choice."

Sydney went into her bedroom and had to wait few minutes before she was able to call her dad and tell him she was sick.

"What? You too?" Jack sounded annoyed.

"What do you mean?"

"Vaughn isn't here either. Must be a virus. By the way, everything with your London account worked out fine. Anyways, do you want me to bring you something?"

"No, I'll be fine. Just need some sleep."

"Okay then. Call me tonight if you can."

"Will do. Bye."

"Bye."

Sydney hung up the phone, and felt a little bit satisfied; although when she had been speaking she thought at any minute she would break down into tears. But, at least Vaughn wasn't feeling great. Although she never thought he would have been. But as sure as she was that last night was hard for him, it didn't make her any less hurt by him.