~**~**~**~**~**~
She decided to get some coffee before going into work. It was a beautiful day outside, but 'doom 'n gloom' Sydney couldn't see that. Will anticipated that she might go for some coffee, and found her at the coffee shop. "Sydney!" He called from the back of the line. Sydney turned around, a smile used to be plastered to her face when a friend called out to her. But what used to be there, was now replaced by a blank stare. "Sydney," Will said, as Sydney, and her coffee made their way to Will. "We're late to work anyway. Why don't we go outside, and drink our coffee outside. I need to talk to you about something."
"I don't really feel like talking." Her voice was cool.
"Then don't talk. Just listen."
"Fine." Sydney pushed her way through the small crowd, and sat down at a table waiting for Will to return. She got lost in her thoughts, that she didn't notice the elderly man sit down across from her. She didn't look up, as the metal chair screeched as it was dragged against the pavement. Sydney thought it was will. She sat their silently, waiting for 'Will' to begin talking.
"Hello Sydney." The familiar voice said. Sydney jerked to attention.
"Sloane." She hissed. Somehow, everyone knew that those two years were linked to him. But yet, no one could link it. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I have come with a proposition."
"I won't take it."
"Will you let me finish? In return I will give you two years back."
"What two years? Two years I worked for you, or…" Her voice trailed off.
"How about the past two years?"
"You can't turn back time."
"That is where you are wrong Sydney. Rembaldi, he figured it out. That is what the 47 pieces built."
"Why are you still here? Wouldn't you use it to return to Emily?" Sydney spat those words at him.
"It took time to perfect it. But it needs to be tested."
"What do you want me for?" Sydney watched as Will ordered his coffee. It would only be a matter of minutes before he would be back. Panic would normally set it, but at this point, she didn't care.
"I need someone to test it on."
"Why me?"
"You have nothing to lose from dying, and everything to gain from getting two years back."
"What would you get?"
"What makes you think that I would get anything?"
"Because you are a selfish son of a bitch. That's why."
"One mission for me, for every month you wish to come back."
"That's at least 27 missions."
"From the time that they are all ready to go." Sloane saw a fast approaching Will, and pulled a card from his pocket. "Think about it Sydney. Give me a call." Sydney took the business card from the table. She only looked at it a second. But when she looked up, Sloane was no where to be seen, and Will was pulling a chair out for him to sit on. "I got to go Will. Tell Kendall I won't be in again."
"Sydney, I really need to talk to you."
"It can wait Will."
"Sydney, you haven't been at work all week."
"You guys didn't even look for me. I deserve this." With those harsh words Sydney left a stunned Will sitting at the table alone. She drove back to her apartment, and began to immediately look at her things. It was as if she never lost those two years. Pictures of her and Francie, or her and Will, or the three of them were scattered around the place. The only sign of passing time was the few pictures of her and Vaughn, still where they used to be, but put face down. All hope was lost for them. But Sloane gave her a ray of hope. Strings didn't seem to be attached. That was her chance. She turned one photo over, before she dialed the number on the back of the card.
"Well Sydney?"
"I'm in."
