Hey guys thanks for the feedback and sorry for the slight delay. I know I usually update sooner than this but things have been hectic this past week.

TimeIsOnYourSide & ControlledChaos: I am terrified of ET too (that's why I put it in the fic.) My friends think that it's hilarious- one day they chased me around a toy store with this giant talking ET doll!

"Things are fine Syd, but I have to tell you something."

"Ok. That sounds ominous. Is it bad news?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe?" How can you say maybe? It's either gotta be bad or good."

"Well, Francie and I think it's for the best."

"So, then tell me. Quit stalling- I want to play some basketball."

"Syd, Francie and I have decided to split up."

Sydney blinked. "What?"

"We've split up, Sydney."

"But why? And when?" Sydney asked, dropping the basketball that was in her hands.

"We had a long talk on Sunday and we decided that this was the right thing for us." Will replied. "We're better off as friends, Syd."

"But you two were so good together!"

"I know, but something just wasn't there." Will smiled at her. "I guess you could say that we both want what you and Michael have, and we both know that we are not going to get it with each other."

"I can't believe this." Sydney was truly shocked. She had thought that Will and Francie were rock solid.

"God, Syd. I think you're taking this news harder than Fran and I did."

"I just thought that you guys were happy."

"We are happy. And all we need to stay happy is each other's friendship.

"So this is it? This is a definite thing?"

"Yup, there is no going back. Will and Francie are no longer." Will confirmed, picking up the basketball. "Come on, you look like you're in the need for a nice long game."

Vaughn could hear loud music as he walked up to his front door. Recognizing it as the sound of Joni Mitchell, he knew straightaway that Sydney was upset about something. Taking a second to wonder when Sydney had added a Joni Mitchell CD to his collection, and when he had developed the ability to identify her music, Vaughn walked up the front step.

After opening the door, his thoughts were confirmed. Sydney was sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, with a massive bag of potato chips that she appeared to be sharing with Donovan.

"Sydney," he said, his voice barely audible over the stereo. But Sydney still heard him and jumped up, leaving the bag of chips on the floor. Donovan, seeing the opportunity, immediately stuck his head in the bag.

"Vaughn, you are not going to believe what has happened!" she exclaimed as she turned the volume down. "I am in shock."

"What happened?"

"Will and Francie have split up."

"Really?" Vaughn said as he sat down on the couch.

"Yeah. Apparently while we were celebrating five months together, my two best friends were breaking up." Sydney replied as she sat down next to Vaughn. "Will told me at the basketball court today."

"But why?"

"They think that they're better off as friends. That their relationship was missing something."

"They seemed happy to me."

"That's what I thought!" Sydney looked into Vaughn's eyes, a small smile on her lips. "Will did say something really sweet, though."

"What?" Vaughn asked.

"He said that they both wanted what we have together. Will said that was the main reason they split- they knew they didn't have whatever we have." Sydney paused. "We do have something special, don't we?"

Vaughn pulled her into a tight hug before whispering in her ear. "Yes, we do."

The following week was slightly odd for Sydney. Even though Will and Francie had just split up, it was like nothing had changed. They were still the best friends that they had always been.

Will, as usual, always seemed to be at their apartment, and Sydney watched incredulously as he and Francie joked and teased with each other. Their playful banter, with was natural and unforced, gave no indication that they had just ended a four and a half month relationship.

On the Monday following the big split Sydney was in her apartment, alone, typing up an assignment on her laptop. She felt as if she had been working forever and so when she heard a knock on the door was relieved for an excuse to take a break.

After hitting save she jumped up from the couch and opened the door, to see her father on the doorstep.

"Dad! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?"

"Lunch break." Jack explained. "May I come in?"

"Sure, sorry." Sydney stepped aside and the two of them headed to the lounge to sit down.

"I need to ask you something, Sydney."

"Um, ok. What?"

"It's about Arvin," Jack started. "He is not doing all that well. He puts on a great act, but I know that he is finding it hard to move on."

"So what do you want me to do?"

"I don't want you to do anything. What I need is something from you- Emily's seed box."

"You want me to give Arvin the box back?" Sydney asked, terrified at the thought.

"No, no. Arvin wanted you to have it." Jack said. "But I was wondering if I could borrow it."

"What for?" Sydney was feeling a little confused.

"Arvin said that the box is still filled with Emily's seeds. I thought that if maybe Arvin could plant some of them and bring Emily's garden back, then maybe that could help him deal with her death."

Sydney was completely and utterly stunned that her father had actually thought of this and decided to act upon it. She had never seen the caring friend side of him. He and Arvin's friendship had always seemed to be based around business, not actual human connection.

However once again Jack Bristow was showing just how duplicitous he could be.

"That sounds like a great idea, dad." Sydney smiled as she stood up. "I'll just go get the box."

"I got you something." Ainsley said to Weiss as she let the two of them into her apartment late Tuesday night.

"What?" he asked eagerly.

"Just wait a second." Ainsley smiled and then headed off towards her bedroom. Weiss, who wasn't exactly known for his patience, was right on her heels. When they got there, Ainsley headed straight to the wardrobe. "You know when I went back to visit mum and dad the other day?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I found this in my room. I couldn't believe it." Ainsley turned around, a gift bag in her hand. "I could've sworn mum had thrown it away."

"What is it?" Weiss tried peering into the bag as Ainsley grabbed his hand and dragged him to the bed to sit down.

"You promise you will take great care of this?"

"I promise." Weiss said very quickly.

Ainsley grinned and handed over the bag, which Weiss opened excitedly. For a split second, when he saw what was inside, he looked a little dumbfounded. But then his face broke into a wide grin as he pulled out a Little Mermaid Barbie doll.

Ainsley couldn't help but giggle at the sight of Eric Weiss holding a Barbie and looking happy about it. It seemed totally bizarre.

"I cannot believe you gave me a Barbie." Weiss said, turning to Ainsley.

"Yeah, well I figured you didn't have one." Ainsley shrugged.

"You know, Vaughn would never let me hear the end of this if he found out."

Ainsley leaned in closer to him. "Then don't tell him," she whispered, pulling him in for a long kiss. When the need for oxygen became too intense, they broke apart, staring into one and other's eyes.

"I love you," Weiss said, his voice quiet.

"What?" Ainsley's eyes widened slightly. Even though their relationship had only been getting stronger, and both of them knew they were in love, those words had, up until this moment, remained unspoken.

"I said I love you." Weiss smiled.

"Say it again."

"I. Love. You."

"Again." Ainsley said with a cheeky smile. "I couldn't quite hear what you said."

In typical Weiss fashion, he grabbed her in his arms and then bellowed directly in her ear. "I love you!"

Ainsley burst out laughing as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you, too," she declared, pulling him in for another kiss.