Well, SOMEONE just wouldn't leave me alone about being evil and not updating… so here's an update. I think I like this chapter… even if I did have the idea at 3 am… but ya know, sleep is just so overrated…

I am broken from my reverie as the woman next to me almost falls into my lap. I frown in distaste at her drunken state, until she straightens up and smiles at me apologetically. I realize she's not drunk, just exceptionally tired. It is, after all, 2:47 in the morning. She yawns deeply and begins to stand. I can see that while she may not be drunk, she's had more than she should if she intends to drive anywhere.

I haven't even finished my second drink.

"Can I give you a ride somewhere? Please don't be offended, but you don't quite look capable of driving." She smiles at me gratefully.

"No offense taken at all. Actually, I would really appreciate that. Thank you so much. I'll have a friend bring me back to get my car tomorrow. I'll give you directions on the way." I nod, we each hand some money to the bartender, and I lead her to my car. I almost miss the first turn, because she is falling asleep against the window. She startles herself into awareness and quickly points out a right turn. I almost laugh at the look of shock on her face as I squeal around the corner. At least she's awake now.

She proceeds to tell me whenever I need to turn, and soon assures me we are just a few minutes away. I'm too preoccupied to respond. I've never been in this area before, but the names of all the streets are very familiar. They are emblazoned into my memory.

They are the same street names I studied repeatedly in my search for Sydney.

I frown and try to keep my emotions in check. It's just such a bizarre coincidence. And it only gets stranger when I realize the final street she is directing me down is the same street Syd used to live on. I hit the brakes as a stop sign appears out of nowhere.

"Uh… Michael? Are you ok?" I realize that I've been stopped far longer than necessary. Nodding mutely, I lightly step on the gas and move forward, waiting for her to tell me which house. Time inches by ever so slowly as I wait to find out just how close to Sydney this woman once lived. A moment later, the question is answered, as she tells me it's the next house on the right.

I pull into the driveway and squint to see the number on the house, trying to guess how far she would have been from Syd. When I can finally make out the number, I almost go into shock.

She didn't live near Sydney; she lived with Sydney.

I slowly turn to face her, and find her giving me the strangest look.

"I… I never got your name," I manage, not truly needing an answer, but in desperate need of verification.

"Francie. Francie Calfo…" she trails off as I shut my eyes. Before I even have a chance to react, to think, to breathe, I feel tears threatening. A moment later, they are flowing, and I can't stop them.

Francie's POV

I have no idea how to respond to this unexpected display of emotion. It's almost 3 AM, I'm tired, and I'm slightly drunk. Under those conditions, how does one react when a man starts crying at hearing your name? He takes a few deep breaths, and manages to calm himself down, at least enough to talk. Which is a good thing, because I'm starting to get a little worried and a lot scared.

"I'm sorry Francie. This is going to be very strange for you to hear, and you might not believe me, but it's all true." He stops, and doesn't look at me.

"Michael? Keep going. Please." He turns to stare out the window before finally leveling his gaze on me again. After sorting through his thoughts for a moment, he speaks again.

"I knew Sydney." It feels like a shot to the gut, hearing him say that. So short and simple, nothing to it. I almost want to dispute the possibility. Suddenly, it all falls into place.

"The girl you talked about… who disappeared six years ago... oh my god." He nods slowly. I think my jaw might be on the floor, but I'm too shocked to care.

"You're Michael, the guy from the bank… the one she mentioned a few times. But I don't get it… it's just, I'm so confused now." He runs a hand through his hair and looks away again.

"Francie, it's… look, there are some things about Syd that you don't know, that she couldn't tell you." I frown.

"What do you mean? Did you two get married or something?" He shakes his head, a small smile lighting his lips briefly.

"No, it's a lot deeper and more complicated than that. But now isn't a good time. Can we meet tomorrow?" I nod.

"Yeah, tomorrow's fine. I have a restaurant-" his nodding makes me pause, until I figure Syd must have mentioned it at some point.

"We can meet there. What time?" He asks.

"Um… I don't know…"

"Does 2 work for you?" I shrug.

"Yeah, sure that's fine, I guess. Um… you know where it is?" He nods again and I open the door to get out.

"Ok. I'll see you there at 2. I'll tell you everything I can then."

And of course, no one saw THAT coming… except for everyone who did… hee. Yeah, that was the plan all along (aside from one point where I wanted to go a different direction) and I know you all pretty much had it figured out from, like, chapter 3, but it was fun not telling you… so now I think I have one more chapter, maybe two, left to go.