AN: Sorry for the late update! Was moving my site to tripod today and updating other stuff. Thanks to Michelle for betaing again for me! Alright, onto the fic. Enjoy and please REVIEW!!!!!

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Chapter 4

Sydney's POV

Sydney felt a shiver go down her spine as she heard herself repeat her father's last word.

"Goodbye."

******* Flashback *******

As Sydney walked into the house, she could hear the music pounding in her ears. It was Graduation night and her friend, Chelsea, was hosting the biggest party of the year. Chelsea's family was rich so her house looked like a mansion.

Sydney went in search of her boyfriend, Kyle, and found him talking to his friends by the pool table. Knowing it would be a long discussion about which football team was the best, Sydney decided she would hang out with him later. After saying hi to some of her friends, she started to notice how humid the place was. Needing some fresh air, Sydney head out to the courtyard.

As she stepped outside, Sydney was glad she had gone with jeans and a peasant blouse instead of a dress. Even though Summer was just a couple of days away, it was still unusually cool. She looked up at the sky and was amazed by the brightness of the stars. Usually with the city lights, you couldn't see them. Chelsea lived far enough from the city though that the stars were visible.

For the first time in a week, she relaxed and just enjoyed watching the night sky. Sydney was so involved in her star gazing that she didn't even realize anyone else was out here until she heard his voice.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Sydney jumped, startled by his voice. She turned around and saw him sitting on the stone bench that was the near the door to the courtyard.

"Mike, you scared the heck out of me. What are you doing out here?"

"Just thinking." Michael stared briefly at his hands before looking back up at Sydney again. She wasn't paying attention to the stars anymore. There was something in his voice. A sadness almost. Something was going on and she would get to the bottom of it or her name wasn't Sydney Bristow.

"About what?" She came over and sat down on the bench next to him.

"Just stuff." Sydney rolled her eyes. Boys. You always have to pry everything out of them.

She nudged his shoulder lightly. "Come on, Mike. You can tell me."

"I was just thinking about how everyone was going to be going away soon. It just seems like time moved too fast."

Sydney nodded her head sadly. "I know what you mean.(pause) But hey, we still have summer."

Michael didn't say anything. She didn't make anything of it though. He was probably just wallowing.

"I mean we'll be at each other's house every day, and you and Kate can double date with Kyle and me. It'll be so much fun. We can even go to Mexico. Remember when we were Sophomores and you said we have to go to Mexico after Graduation?"

Michael sighed and looked at his hands. Sydney was getting worried. Something was really troubling him.

"Michael? What's wrong?"

"There's something I have to tell you, Sydney.(pause) I'm moving."

She didn't get. What was he talking about? Everybody was moving. They were going to college.

"Of course you're moving, Mike. Everyone is. We can't stay in high school forever."

He shook his head. "No, Syd. I'm moving to Washington D.C."

"What? I thought you were going to UCSD."

"No, you assumed I was since that was the first place that accepted me. I've decided to follow in my father's footsteps."

She looked at him in alarm. "You want to join the CIA?"

Michael nodded.

"Are you crazy, Michael? Your father died because of his job and you want to join the CIA. Does your mom know about this?"

"Yes. I told her last month. She wasn't happy about it, but she thinks I'm capable of making my own decisions."

Sydney shook her head in disbelief. This wasn't happening. Michael hadn't lost his mind and just told her he wanted to join the CIA. She pinched herself, but was in dread when she found out this was no dream. After taking a few deep breaths, she spoke.

"At least we still have the summer and you're coming home for the holidays, right?"

"Actually, Syd. I'm leaving tomorrow morning, and I will only be able to come home on Christmas. There's not enough money to send me back and forth all the time."

Sydney could feel tears starting to fill her eyes and willed them to go away.

"Tomorrow? Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She was yelling by this time.

"It was your last month of high school. There was Prom, and you were Valedictorian. I didn't want you to be sad."

Sydney was sobbing now. "When are you going to learn, Michael? You can't protect me forever. If you had told me sooner, I would have been more prepared. This is just happening too fast."

He wrapped his arms around her, but she pulled away. "Don't try to comfort me! If I hadn't been out here, if I hadn't brought up the subject, would you have even told me? Would you have?"

"Of course I would have!" Sydney just shook her head. There was silence for a couple of moments as they both tried to calm down.

"This friendship is unhealthy, Sydney. Maybe it's better that I'm leaving."

She looked up at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

He didn't say anything. He just leaned in and kissed her instead. It was like something exploded in her. If she actually believed in the whole fireworks thing, that would be what it was like. The kiss was soft at first, but soon deepened. There was sweetness and passion in every caress of his lips. This was wrong though. They weren't supposed to be doing this. Finally gathering enough strength, she pulled away.

"Mike, we can't do this. I have a boyfriend."

Michael chuckled. "Don't you think I know that, Syd? Do you see what I mean now? We both don't want to admit our feelings to each other, but we want to try and stay friends. Do you know how hard it's been for me? How hard it's been to hear you talk about your boyfriend all the time? It's even worse because he's my friend too."

"It doesn't matter anyways. You're leaving. It would never work out."

"Do you really believe that or are you just scared to find out the truth, Sydney?"

Sydney didn't say anything. What was there to say to him? She refused to get hurt. Michael was her best friend in the world, and it would just kill her if he hurt her in some way.

He shook his head. "Whatever, Sydney. Enjoy your summer. Goodbye."

By the time Sydney looked up, he was gone.

******* End Flashback *******

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Sydney tried to stop thinking about him. This was just depressing her. Scared to open anymore boxes and memories, she headed downstairs. Remembering to stop by her father's office for the directions to the warehouse, she quickly headed out to her car.

Sydney decided to head to Francie's place. She just didn't want to be in her apartment by herself today and she needed someone to cheer her up. Francie was good at doing that.

She got into her car and started the engine. Unfortunately, her car wouldn't start. Sydney sighed. Fate just wasn't on her side.

*okay, so I lied. They meet in the next chapter! So sorry. It worked out in my head, but didn't work as well on the paper. Don't kill me!