As always, thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate all of the comments and suggestions and such. Sorry for the long wait (as if you're all sitting at your computer waiting for the next installment) but I've been busy. I won't bore you with details, so it's on to the story now…

We're going back to the bar with this one, as promised, starting with her POV before switching to his.

I feel his eyes on me as I stare into my drink. After a few seconds, he turns away and falls back into his own thoughts, whatever those may be. I'd really like to keep talking to him, but I've become too preoccupied with what he said.

His girlfriend disappeared in Michigan. So did my best friend. Is it possible… no, not it's not. I'm just being exceedingly silly. I shake my head and almost laugh out loud at myself. I sneak another glance at Michael. He looks really deep in thought. At one point, a smile briefly haunts his face. I can't help but wonder what brings that on. Maybe I'll have time to ask him later.

I sigh a little. I'm being way too nosy tonight. The guy doesn't need some chick he doesn't even know digging into his personal issues, even if they do go back 6 years. The smile has now disappeared, transformed into a very serious look.

Maybe I should leave him alone. He doesn't look like he wants to have someone prying into his life right now. I almost get up and leave, but then I decide that I want to at least say goodbye. So I guess I'll be hanging out for a while longer. I don't want to interrupt him right now. He looks so intense.

With that thought in mind, I order another drink and get myself comfortable. This might take a while.

******* *******

It seems like she wants to leave. She started to get up a moment ago, but then fell back into her seat and asked for another drink. I wonder why. If she wants to go, why would she stay? Maybe she's drunk. I have no idea how many she's had tonight. I'm only on my second, and that's not even half-gone. I've been here over an hour now; usually by this time, I'd be getting ready for my fifth. I guess I'm just too caught up in my thoughts tonight. This has only ever happened once before, and I remember that time perfectly, too.

I had been there for just 30 minutes when someone sat next to me. I began to take a sip of my second drink when a hand grabbed the glass and yanked it away. I stood up, ready for a fight, when I caught a pair of familiar, if angry, eyes glaring at me. We stared at each other for a moment, and the bartender took a cautious step closer.

Finally, Will motioned for me to sit back down as he slammed the glass onto the bar. I was amazed that it didn't break, until I noticed that the liquid was all over the bar now. Reluctantly, I took my seat as he sat in the vacant spot next to me. He hadn't changed much in the two years since I had last seen him. He continued to stare at me, and I began to think that he was waiting for me to say something. But he had been the one to initiate this meeting- however unpleasantly- so he could be the one to talk.

He eventually seemed to realize my line of thought, as he looked around somewhat nervously before turning to me again.

"What the hell happened Vaughn?" I gave him a look; he should know I couldn't tell him.

"How'd you manage to find me?" He rolled his eyes, and I almost laughed. It looked very childish, at least to me. I kept my amusement to myself and waited for his answer.

"Do you know where I just was last night?" I shrugged, feeling less than amused with the game of 20 questions we had going on.

"Want to give me back my drink?"

"I've been in Michigan for the past month. I don't think I need to tell you why I was there."

"No Will, you don't need to tell me why you were wasting your time. She's not there."

"Yeah, I figured that one out. So what the hell is going on? Is anyone looking for her? Have you found anything?" I glared at him.

"Is anyone looking? What kind of question is that?"

"A valid one, from where I'm sitting."

"Then you'd better find yourself a better seat. Jack is out there, all over the world, looking 24/7. And I spend as much time as possible looking for her with CIA resources. And now, Irina is looking too. If we can't find her, what hope do you possibly have?" He looked wounded, and I was half tempted to apologize. But recalling his implication that I had given up my search for Sydney, I merely snatched my drink from him and took another sip.

"Is there anything I can do? Anything at all?" I thought for a few moments, but came up empty.

"There's nothing I can think of right now that I would be able to get you involved in. I can't have you working with Irina and Sark, and Jack would be too dangerous. The CIA is still trying to catch him. If I come up with anything, I'll call you…" I trailed off as I realized I had probably said too much. Will was giving me the strangest look in the world, almost as if someone were strangling him.

"Sark?" He almost shouted. I looked around quickly.

"Keep your voice down. Yelling the names of international fugitives in crowded L.A. bars is not generally a good idea. And yes, he's working with us."

"And what about Jack on the run?"

"I can't tell you. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned in. But trust me, Will- all four of us are doing everything we can." He nodded.

"I know. I'm sorry. You'll let me know if you find anything?"

"You'll be one of the first ones I call," I promised. He nodded again.

"Thanks man. So, uh… how are you doing?" I shrugged.

"I'm surviving. How about you?"

"I'm doing ok. Better than Francie, at any rate. This has been really hard on her. I at least had some idea of what happened. Francie has no clue. So she's been keeping herself really busy with her restaurant." He seemed to realize he was starting to ramble, as he stopped and looked at the bar.

"I had almost forgotten about her restaurant. Maybe I'll go there some night instead of coming here." Will nodded briefly and then looked up at me.

"Hey, uh, do you need a ride home or anything?" I shook my head.

"Nah, I'm ok." He gave me a look.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Don't worry, I don't intend to drive myself home drunk. Dying isn't part of my plan to find Syd. Besides, Jack and Irina would be pissed." Will almost looked amused at the idea of me worrying about their wrath if I died. Finally, he nodded.

"Ok. I guess I'll see you around man. I'll keep an eye out for you at Francie's." He tossed a few dollars on the bar in front of me, presumably to cover the drink that he had spilled half of- and then got up and left. I just sat there for the next hour, not touching my drink again, before I finally got up and left. Tomorrow would be a long day- Irina and Jack were both supposed to call- and I needed to get some sleep.

Again, thanks for reviews. Let me know if this is getting hard to follow or anything. So who's seen Daredevil? I saw it the day it came out, and then again on Sunday. Jennifer Garner is absolutely awesome and, damn, Colin Farrell is hot. I love his accent… anyway, please review, this is coming to the end. I know exactly what I'm going to do, all your questions should be answered, and I hope to have the next chapter up later this week. Not sure how many are left, but we're getting there…