For disclaimers, please see the previous parts.

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I'm trying to work up the nerve to walk in here and lie to someone I care about. When I finally learned the truth about Sydney, about what she does and who she really is, the one thing I thought I understood was how hard it must have been for her to lie to us. Now I know I never had a clue.

After I finished talking to Sydney, I know what I did next was really stupid. I went back to the apartment and packed a bag for Francie. For myself, I just grabbed the few things I'd left when I'd stayed with them after Taipei. If things are as bad as I think they are, going back was a risk, but I know Fran. I hadn't already done this, she would have insisted on stopping at home first. And that's a risk I wasn't willing to take.

So now, here I am, outside her restaurant. I've been pacing this little stretch of sidewalk for more than five minutes now and I still wonder if I'll be able to do this. I've never been good at lying. And I have a feeling that will have to change.

I glance at my watch and I know I've stalled long enough. Opening the door, I walk in, seeing Tony and Fran sitting at the bar, probably going over the menu for the next few days. I move forward, pulling out the chair next to Francie. "Hey."

She turns to face me, a huge grin spreading across her face. This is still so weird. Two days ago, she was just my best friend. And now? Hell, I don't know, but I think I like this better. No, I know I like this better.

"Will?" she asks, laughing as she tries to get my attention.

I realize that I've been staring and spacing and I can feel the blood rushing to my face. I start to laugh, shaking my head. "Sorry. It's just..."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. This is just so bizarre."

"But good, right?" I ask nervously.

She leans over and softly kisses my cheek before answering. "Yeah."

I release the breath I didn't realize I was holding. Listening to her say she thinks we aren't a bad idea is one of the greatest things I've ever heard. And it makes what I'm about to do that much more difficult.

I reach over and grab her hand as I look back at her. "This is probably going to sound crazy, but what do you think about going away with me for a couple of days?"

"Will, what are you talking about?" she replies, looking at me like I've lost my mind. "I can't just leave. You know that."

"Fran, it's just for a couple of days."

"But the restaurant," she protests as she motions to the room around us.

"The restaurant will be fine." I can see she's about to disagree, so I continue quickly. "Weren't you saying a couple of days ago that you wished you could just get away for the weekend?"

"Well, yes, but..."

"But nothing. You've already planned everything for the next week." Before she can deny it, I glance over at Tony. "She has, hasn't she?"

"And the week after that."

"Tony!"

Tony throws his hands up in surrender. "Hey, he asked," he states simply before he retreats to the safety of the kitchen.

I watch as she looks back at me, almost daring me to say something. Normally, I'd probably just go ahead and say what I'm thinking, but not today. "Francie, you've got things all planned out. I think Tony is more than capable of taking care of things for a couple of days. After all, isn't that why he's your assistant manager?"

"Will..."

I lean over, draping my right arm around her shoulder, my hand resting on the back of her neck. "Listen, I'm not taking no for an answer. I have to check out this place and write a review for the magazine. I could really use your help evaluating the restaurant at the hotel. Besides," I add, smiling at her, "it could be fun."

Francie just looks at me and I can tell she's beginning to cave. But then she shakes her head and I know I'm back at square one. "Will, I can't just leave."

I begin gently massaging her neck, watching as she closes her eyes at the sensation. I continue gently needing the muscles, feeling them loosen under my touch. "Yes, you can. And you will," I whisper.

"Will," she sighs as she leans closer, and I know I've won. So why doesn't it feel like it?

I stop the massage, allowing my hand to slowly slide down her arm until finally, my hand covers hers. "Come on," I say as I get up, waiting as she does the same and then I pull her close and we start walking to the door.

When we are almost there, I turn back to see Tony coming out of the kitchen. "Hey Tony, I'm kidnapping the boss for a few days. You can handle things, right?"

"I'll try," he says with a smile. "You two have a good time."

I start to answer, but Francie speaks first. "We will. Just make sure..."

I usher her out the door before she can finish her sentence. "See ya, Tony."

He laughs. "Bye, Will. Good luck getting her to relax."

"I'll see what I can do. If we're going to be any longer than two or three days, I'll call and let you know."

"Hey, no worries. Things here will be fine."

Francie pokes her head back through the open door. "Are you coming?"

"I think I've created a monster."

"You think?" Tony asks as Francie grabs my arm and pulls me out the door.

Once I'm outside, I see Fran looking for my Jeep. "Um, over here," I state as I walk to the rental I picked up before I came here.

"Will, where's your car?"

"I get an expense account. I figured for the drive up the coast, this might be a little more comfortable." At the mention of a drive up the coast, I can see her starting to get excited about this impromptu trip.

"Where are we going?"

I open the passenger door. "You'll see."


********

I still don't know what could be so important that Sydney had to see me before I go into the office. And why is she so adamant about meeting me way out here? When Diane gave me the message, she'd asked if everything was alright because Sydney hadn't sounded like herself. It just doesn't make sense.

But then again, a lot about Sydney doesn't make sense. After I confronted her about what she was doing when I found her outside of Santa Barbara last spring, I thought long and hard before I went to Sloane. Reporting her was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but for some reason, I have a feeling that's about to change.

As I slow down to turn off the highway, I pass a car and tow truck at the side of the road. Waiting for oncoming traffic to pass, I watch as the driver of the truck points something out to the two men beside him. From the looks on their faces, I'm guessing the news isn't good.

Finally, I'm able to turn and I forget about the broken down car, and I go back to wondering what I'm in for.


********


I've been walking around, pacing along side my car, waiting for Dixon to arrive. I try not to think about what could be going on at SD-6 right now, but it's not working. Because the harder I try not to think about it, the more I do, until finally, it's all I can think about.

I stop pacing, taking several deep breaths in an attempt to regain some shred of control over my emotions. At least there is one thing I don't have to worry about. Vaughn told me that Will had called about five minutes ago, leaving word that he and Francie were on the way to Napa. I don't know what he did to convince her to go away with him and I don't really care. All that matters is that they will be out of harm's way. They will be safe.

As that thought runs through my mind, I think about the first time I came here and I realize that the man who is on his way to meet me is just as much a victim in this whole damned mess as Danny was.

Danny... My breath hitches as I remember meeting him here. I remember the look on his face as I tried to explain, tried to make him understand why I had lied to him from the very beginning. His expression after I'd finished explaining myself is one I'll never forget. And I've tried. God, how I've tried.

I feel the tears welling, begging for release as I remember it. The look of betrayal, confusion, anger, hurt... I'd always told him that he had expressive eyes. That day they were on overload, a storm raging behind his beautiful blue eyes.

I stop pacing and lean heavily against my car, my fingers clutching, digging at the small gap next to the hood as I remember the way he asked about San Diego. I could tell, just from his tone, that he was hoping this trip wasn't just another lie, that maybe this time, I was telling him the truth. When I didn't answer, he just closed his eyes and nodded slightly as I told him I'd call when I got back.

As I think about how he pleaded with me to be careful, Vaughn's voice is quiet in my ear. I don't know how, but I manage to choke out a response, letting him know that I understand Dixon will be here soon. I move around to the front of my car as I try to push back everything I'm feeling, everything I'm remembering, trying to find the strength to do what I know needs to be done.

I inhale deeply as Dixon gets out of his car. With a final reassurance from Vaughn, I move to stand before my partner, my friend, a man I trust with my life. The man who is my only hope of saving my father, my friends, and I suppose, me. The man whose life I'm about to turn upside down. As I try to figure out where to start, my only thought is that someday in the future he will hopefully be able to forgive me for what I've done. And for what I'm about to do.