At home that night, Sydney and Will had time to talk, as Francie hadn't yet returned from the restaurant.
"So you're going on another mission?"
"Yeah, finally."
"You sound… happy." Sydney shrugged.
"Well… yeah, I am, actually."
"What? Syd, you're crazy." She shrugged.
"Maybe. But this is my life, at least for now. And I have to live it the only way I truly know how." Will sighed.
"And what exotic locale are they shipping you off to this time?"
"Unfortunately, not Spain…" she lamented. He smiled sympathetically, following her to her room as she began to pack.
"So where is it? Some other foreign country I've never even heard of before?"
"Will, if you've never heard of Ireland, I think we might have to kick you out." He laughed.
"Ok, I'm familiar with that one." Sydney grinned and turned back to her bag, which she had almost finished packing.
"So what do you have to do in Ireland?" Will questioned idly.
"You know Will, I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you," Sydney commented as she zipped up her bag. Noting the silence, she turned to find him looking at the floor, a concerned expression on his face. She took a step towards him and grabbed his chin, raising his eyes to meet her own.
"Don't be so gullible." He shook his head.
"Syd, just because you can probably kick my ass, you don't have to-" he was cut off by a short laugh from Sydney.
"Will, there's no 'probably' involved here. I would totally kick your ass if I wanted to." He sighed deeply and dramatically.
"Thanks Syd. I was attempting to keep just one small shred of dignity, but that's ok, I don't need it…"
"Oh, don't worry Will, not like anyone else will ever know that I can kick your ass." He gave her a look, and she burst into laughter.
"I need to get some sleep Will, I leave bright and early tomorrow."
"Well that's new," Will mumbled as she ushered him out. The next morning, she barely had time to greet her friends and give Francie the standard bank trip line before she was out the door and on her way. She met Weiss and Jack at the JTF, where they were each given a headset.
"We don't anticipate any trouble, but keep in contact just in case," Jack told Sydney as she and Weiss boarded the plane.
"Will do," she promised. Weiss had gotten settled into his seat and was now pulling out a folder to review the mission once again. Sydney soon followed suit, and they passed the first hour in silence. When she was satisfied that she knew all the ins and outs of the mission, Sydney filed everything back into the folder and set it on the table in front of her. Glancing up at her, Weiss leaned back and rubbed his eyes.
"You ready?" she asked.
"I'm always ready," he replied seriously. Sydney grinned.
"Of course you are." He looked indignant.
"Syd, I am totally ready. I mean, did you know that the Irish legal system is based on English common law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts?" Sydney rolled her eyes.
"I recall seeing that in the notes somewhere, though I still don't know how that's relevant to this mission." Weiss shrugged.
"I don't know either, but it's good random trivia." At that moment, another agent appeared from the cabin, looking a bit worried.
"What's going on?" Weiss asked, all business.
"It's nothing major, but we've received reports indicating rain in Castlebar," the agent said, noting the city they were destined for.
"Well that's just our luck." Weiss sighed.
star: There will be some lovely S/V-ness at the six month mark, it's all been playing out in my head. I just need to get there first!
Ryanne: So you vote yes on Sark? (I sound like a political campaign or something). I still haven't decided on him yet…
nattie: I'm updating pretty fast right now because I need to have this done to a certain point by the 14th. I've actually got it typed thru ch. 7, I'm just uploading one chapter per day.
chat: Wow… you're crazy too! LOL. Thanks for the luck, I think I'll need it. Now, go catch up with the rest of the updates at SD-1!
Some crazy chick: Gee, whoever could this be? Hehe, yeah, you're definitely the #1 stalker. Thanks!
