"Gage, I… it's not even worth mentioning, really. It was just something that almost happened and it's not even important." pleaded Sydney, not wanting to reveal an almost life changing event.

"Syd, listen to me. I can tell that something is bothering you and it's obvious that it IS worth mentioning. Please tell me. I promise I wont freak out or anything, I want you to feel like you can tell me things that are on your mind and that you can trust—"

"I DO trust you, probably more than you even know so believe me, it's not that. It's just that…fine. OK. I'll tell you." Sydney said to reassure him of his standards in her life.

"Please, just let me be here for you." said Gage.

"OK. Back in college, it was nearing the end of the year and there was a huge party on my campus. Everything was going fine until I went to the restroom. I had set my drink down and when I came back there was a guy around my age, Josh, hanging around. I had seen him looking at me a few times that night but didn't really think much of it. Anyways, I went back over to where I was standing before and he said he was guarding my drink, you know, 'just incase'…" Sydney paused as she watched Gage come to terms with what she was about to tell him. She had a feeling that he knew where this story was going.

"I thanked him for watching my drink and didn't really think anything of it. I went off to meet up with some of my girlfriends who were across the room. We were just dancing and having a good time when I started to feel dizzy. This so called nice guy just happened to notice and he…took me to a bedroom, somehow convincing me that the quite would make me less dizzy. I wasn't really aware of what was happening and…well…."

"Syd? Did he….did he hurt you?" Gage asked with both worry and anger in his voice.

"No. He didn't' get that far. Tony had decided to visit me that same night and he ended up walking in on Josh and I when he couldn't find me out on the dance floor and well, he did what any big brother would do. When he went to check on me to make sure I was ok, Josh had managed to take off…but not before he shouted out that this wasn't over yet and that…"

"Go on." Gage said as his eyes softened as he looked at her.

"He said that he would have me one day and that Tony wouldn't stop him." Sydney concluded as she shivered at the thought of this man being near her again.

"Oh Syd, I swear, if I ever get my hands on this guy I'm going to rip his—"

"Gage. It's ok. I don't even know why I'm letting this get to me. It was years ago. He was probably just drunk anyways." said Sydney as she tried to lighten the mood, hating to see Gage angry over this.

"I don't care if he was drunk or sober. The fact is that he tried to hurt you, and as long as I'm around, nobody will ever hurt you and get away with it. And I know why this is getting to you. You're brother is in the hospital fighting for his life, and you were just remembering all the times you have shared with him. But don't worry Shorty, he'll be fine and you'll make a ton of new memories. You are entitled to millions of great memories."

"Thanks Gage. You always know what to say to make me feel better. Thanks for being here with me. I don't know what I'd do without you." Sydney said as she threw her arms around Gage's neck and hugged him.

"Anytime, Syd. I'll always be here for you. I promise." Gage said as he returned the embrace by wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her close to comfort her.

It wasn't long before the two of them had fallen asleep again. Sydney had her head resting on Gage's chest while her arm wrapped around his torso. Gage had Sydney safely wrapped in his arms and they slept that way for the rest of the night, Sydney feeling safe in Gage's arms, and Gage glad to provide the safety for her. Both of them loved the closeness of each other, and maybe one day, would come to realize how much the other meant to them.