Thank you all so much for your reviews.
Chicketepee: I will say right now that it definitely is Will's. God, there is no way I would have it any other way- I shudder to think what you guys would do to me!
Sydney stared at Francie's angry face and was completely shocked when she suddenly burst into tears.
"Oh, god. Francie." Quick as a flash Sydney was by Francie's side. "Please, please, talk to me."
Francie wiped her eyes and drew in a ragged breath before speaking.
"I'm pregnant, Syd."
Sydney looked at Francie in shock. Never in a million years would she have expected that announcement.
"What? I mean when? How?" she stammered, trying desperately to wrap her head around the news.
"You really want me to go into the details of how?" Francie asked, sniffling.
"I'm sorry Fran. It was just a bit of a shock."
"You're telling me."
"Oh sweetie, I can't believe you've been trying to deal with this by yourself." Sydney said, putting her arm around Francie's shoulders. "How long have you known?"
"I'd been feeling like something was up for a few weeks, but I was too scared to do anything about it. I finally took a test the day of Michael's housewarming."
"What made you decide to do it then?"
"I guess I was hoping that it would turn out negative and then I'd be free to enjoy myself that night." Francie let out a short laugh. "The plan kinda backfired, though."
"Yeah, you could say that." Sydney replied, handing her a tissue. "I take it Will doesn't know."
Francie shook her head. "No."
"Fran," Sydney started gently. "Can I ask why you kept this to yourself?"
"I just couldn't tell anyone. I'm so confused Syd. I've only just turned 22, I'm still at university, my relationship with Will is still so new, and while I like him so, so much, I'm not yet sure if he is 'the one'. How the hell is a child supposed to factor into all of this?" Francie looked at Sydney, desperation written all over her face. "I don't know if I'm ready for this. How can I know if I'm ready? What should I do Syd? I don't know what to do."
Francie broke down completely at that point and Sydney did the only thing she could- simply held Francie in her arms and let her cry.
When her tears had dies down a few minutes later, Sydney sat back and brushed some strands of hair away form Francie's face.
"Fran."
"Yeah." Francie mumbled, her voice small.
"All that stuff you just said, it's not me who you should be saying it to."
"I know." Francie blew her nose. "But I don't know if I can."
"You have to Fran. Will is going crazy at the moment, not knowing what is wrong and he really does have a right to know."
"Can you call him please? Ask him to come over."
Sydney nodded and reached across to the phone on Francie's bedside table.
"Hello."
"Will, it's Sydney."
"Is Francie ok? Did she talk to you?"
"She 's ok, Will and she wants to speak with you. Can you come over?"
"Syd, they're going to work this out. Stop worrying." Sydney looked up at Vaughn as she felt his fingers lace through hers. It was early Friday evening and the two of them were taking Donovan for a walk.
"I know. It's just a little numbing that they're actually in this situation. I can't even begin to imagine how they're feeling right now."
When Will had arrived on Wednesday, Sydney had left straightaway to give him and Francie some privacy. She had headed to Vaughn's and told him what had happened. She was aware that Francie didn't want the news getting out, but Sydney needed to talk and Vaughn had been sworn to secrecy.
"Have you heard from them since Wednesday?" Vaughn asked.
"No. I was going to check in today, but I didn't want to intrude. This is between Will and Francie."
"Well, how about we do something tonight to brighten your spirits?" Vaughn suggested, wrapping his arms around her waist. "It's been an eventful week and I think you need to unwind."
"What do you have in mind?"
"I think a night of childhood regression is in order."
"Sounds promising." Sydney smiled. "Just as long as this regression includes a coffee ice-cream somewhere."
"Of course, ice-cream is a necessity."
"OK, so where else will we be going?"
"How about…out for burgers, then a round of mini-golf, topped off with that much anticipated ice-cream?"
"I think that sounds perfect." Sydney leant her head against Vaughn's shoulder as they continued to walk, and excited Donovan jumping around in front of them. The puppy's antics and the warmth of Vaughn's embrace almost let her mind slip from what her two best friends were going through.
"Fore!" Vaughn yelled and Sydney cracked up. There was only one word to describe the way he was behaving that night and that was 'goofball'. Sydney knew he was acting that way in an attempt to get her mind off things and for the most part it was working.
Right now they were on the tenth hole of mini-golf and like most competitions between them, they were neck and neck. Quite surprising on Vaughn's behalf, as he was basically joking around with every shot he took.
"Bristow stands, about to tee off and the crowd goes silent." Vaughn whispered, using his golf club as a microphone. "It all comes down to this one shot. The fate of the entire human race depends on her making this hole."
Sydney looked up. "The entire human race?"
"Just work with me, Bristow. My major is French, not comedy."
Sydney poked out her tongue at him and then tapped her golf ball. It fell straight into the hole. "Looks like the human race is safe."
Vaughn smiled, kissing her forehead and then took her hand as they walked to the next hole.
"Having fun?" he asked.
"I am. Thank you for the distraction."
"You're welcome." They stopped at the eleventh hole. "Now, step aside while the master does his work."
"Oh god." Sydney rolled her eyes.
"Let me give you a few pointers, Sydney. It might help improve your game."
"Uh, in case you haven't noticed. I'm ahead by a stroke."
Vaughn simply winked at her and then continued with his spiel. "Now your swing is reliant on your grip."
"Vaughn."
"What?"
"Just shut up and take your shot."
Vaughn eventually ended up winning, which resulted in him doing some crazy form of a victory lap around the 18th hole. The group of 13-year-old girls who had been a hole behind them all night looked at Vaughn as if he was insane.
"Is that your boyfriend?" one of them asked Sydney.
"Unfortunately, yes." Sydney said wryly, watching the whooping Vaughn run around in circles.
"Is he ok?" another asked.
"Once again, unfortunately yes. He is of sound mind." Sydney replied, laughing as Vaughn ran up and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm just going to the bathroom." Sydney said as she and Vaughn walked into the ice cream parlour about twenty minutes later.
As she walked off Vaughn took a seat in one of the booths. He was glad that he'd been able to cheer her up. After a week of stressing about Francie, Sydney seemed to have actually relaxed. Hopefully that meant he could tone down the clowning around. It was exhausting- he had no idea how Weiss did it 24/7.
"Hello Michael." A slightly smarmy voice broke into his thoughts. Though he already knew whom it belonged to, Vaughn looked up anyway, hoping to prove himself wrong. Unfortunately, he couldn't.
"Lauren."
"Are you here by yourself? Oh, that's a shame." She smiled at him and then turned to the blonde guy standing beside her. "This is Julian? Have you guys met?"
"Uh, no. Well not officially." Vaughn replied. He had seen him before- with Lauren. In their bed. "What do you want Lauren?"
"Am I not allowed to say hello? You looked lonely, like you needed company."
"I have all the company I need, thanks." Vaughn said. As he looked at her, he no longer felt the hate that had consumed him after the end of their 'relationship'.All he felt was pity towards her. Pitied the fact that she felt the need to try and belittle him in order to make herself feel better. It really was pathetic.
When Sydney exited the bathroom she stopped short, seeing Lauren and an unfamiliar blonde guy standing at Vaughn's booth.
Seeing the look on Vaughn's face she almost laughed. Did Lauren comprehend the mix of disgust and pity in his eyes? She'd be bloody stupid not to.
Putting on a large smile, Sydney strode across to the booth. "Hey Vaughn. Do you know what you want yet?" she asked, completely ignoring Lauren.
Vaughn stifled his laughter at Sydney's actions. He'd never seen Lauren look so indignant. In fact she even had the audacity to clear her throat in an attempt to gain Sydney's attention.
Sydney played along. "Oh hey. Lara, right?"
"Lauren."
"Right, sorry Laura." She smiled at her, refusing to look at Vaughn. Both of them knew that if they made eye contact they would both crack up.
"It's Lauren."
"Ohhh, Lauren. Well, I'd invite you to join us, but I'm sure that you don't want us interrupting your date, right?"
"Right." Lauren's expression was beginning to resemble that of the girls at the mini-golf course.
Vaughn was grinning. "Bye Lauren."
"Oh, before you go, Laurel." Sydney said. "I was thinking about bleaching my hair. Tell me, what process do you use on yours?"
Lauren's eyes flashed. "I don't think blonde is your colour," she snapped before walking off.
"Well, that was slightly rude." Sydney commented, looking into Vaughn's smiling eyes.
"I may be the master at mini-golf, but you, Sydney, are the pro at quick wit."
"Oh, Vaughn." Sydney said, batting her eyelashes exaggeratedly. "You flatter me."
"Just part of my job."
"So, are you ready to order?"
"Actually I have a better idea."
"What?" Sydney asked.
"I distinctly remember buying a carton of coffee ice cream when I shopped last week." Vaughn answered. "Now the choice is yours- a cone, or the whole carton?"
Sydney was already standing up. "Let's go."
Back at Vaughn's Sydney was seated cross-legged on the couch, nursing the carton of ice cream. Vaughn was up, putting a CD into his stereo. When the music started, he surprised Sydney by approaching her with his hand outstretched.
"Miss Bristow, may I have this dance?"
Sydney froze, a spoonful of ice cream half way to her mouth. "Are you serious?" she asked, dropping the spoon into the carton.
"Damn right I'm serious." Vaughn grabbed Sydney's hand and pulled her off the couch and into his arms.
"Vaughn what is this?" Sydney asked as he spun her around.
"I just felt like dancing with my one and only." Vaughn replied, pulling Sydney in close. A huge smile broke out on her face when she realized that the song that was playing was 'Emotional Rescue' by the Rolling Stones.
I'll be your saviour, steadfast and trueI'll come to your emotional rescue
I'll come to your emotional rescue
As the sound of the music surrounded them, Sydney leaned against Vaughn, feeling completely ridiculous and completely content at the same time.
"I love you Vaughn," she sighed, resting her cheek against his chest.
"And I love you Sydney."
Yeah, you should be mine, mine, whew
Yes, you could be mine
Tonight and every night
I will be your knight in shining armour
Coming to your emotional rescue
A/N: Hey, just a note to let you know that I won't be able to update for about two weeks, because I am going on holidays (to Thailand! I am so excited). Anyway, apologies for the wait and I will try to update asap when I get back.