A/N: Yes...I know this chapter is short, but with two updates in one day...come on, you can't get it better than that...unless I actually finish the story that is...

BTW: There is a pretty big chance that there will be a sequel to this story. At least, that's where I am heading. I've been getting good comments on this but I would like to know if you all would in fact like another part to this story. I guess it's only fair to ask after I finish this one though...

Sorry, I'm babbling...enjoy and don't forget... REVIEW! :)

It was a stormy night. For Sydney, it matched her mood perfectly. Nothing about this night made it all better and her pain wouldn't stop. Her best friend was dead in her bedroom, another was missing, she was deceived by her father and lied to by her boyfriend...a man whom she loved. Sydney felt like she couldn't trust anyone...she didn't even know what side she was on anymore, or what part she played in the act. Sydney stood in front of the door of the man with whom she had once shared everything with. It was only him that she believed to be trusted. She rang the doorbell and thought about turning and walking away. But he opened the door and it was too late for her. Despite what she had said to herself before, about not getting too emotional, she couldn't stop the wave of tears that stung her eyes. Julian stepped up to her and hugged her while Sydney fell apart, mentally and emotional.

"What is it, Syd?" he whispered.

Sydney couldn't find any words right away. She broke the hug and sniffled. "They're dead," she managed.

Julian looked at her in confusion and in worry. "What? Who? Who is dead?"

Sydney shook her head as more tears come and she felt her throat tighten. "Francie is dead and Will...W-Will is missing."

Sydney fell back into Julian's arms and Julian sighed, his heart breaking for Sydney so much so that he wished he could make things right for her again. She didn't deserve this kind of pain. To have someone she was falling in love with, no matter how much it pained him to say, to actually be someone that she worked against. To have someone who cheered her at her high school graduation, taught her how to ride her first bike, how to read, be another sworn enemy to Sydney. And now on top of all that painful truth, her best friend was dead and another missing.

"Sydney," he whispered in her ear. "Let's get you inside before you catch a cold."

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"...And I walked into the bedroom , and there she was," Sydney was saying. Holding a hot cup of tea, barely touched, Sydney shivered. "All the training in the world, Julian, all the death and pain I have seen on this job, and I could barely hold myself together."

"She was your best friend, Sydney," Julian said. "You shouldn't blame yourself for this."

Sydney looked up at Julian at the mention of 'was' her friend. But she ignored it. "Because she was my best friend, she is dead and Will is M.I.A. This is my fault."

"No, it isn't," Julian said sternly.

Sydney shook her head, but said nothing. The front door opened and closed and Lauren entered Julian's house, and walked into the living room where Julian and Sydney were on the floor. Lauren dropped her purse and looked at Sydney painfully. "Sydney..."

Sydney looked at Lauren and set her cup down got up and hugged her. Lauren hugged her tightly as Sydney broke down again. "Oh, Sydney," Lauren said. "I am so sorry, sweetie."

"I'm so glad you're here." Sydney said. Julian stood up and walked over to them as Sydney began to wipe away the tears.

"You can stay here as long as you like," Julian said.

Sydney sighed. "No, I'll, uh...I'll call Sloane and tell him what happened. He'll probably have a team come in and search the house, do a report," Sydney said. "Besides, we have a mission to do tomorrow."

Lauren shook her head. "Sydney..."

"Are you sure you want to go back tomorrow?" Julian asked.

Sydney looked at both of them. "No, it's just a simple exchange...I'll be fine."

Julian nodded and glanced at Lauren. "I'm sure that once Sloane is aware of the situation, he'll send out a search party to find Will," Lauren said

Sydney nodded. "Yeah."

Julian nodded towards the bedroom. "Why don't you go on and rest?"

Sydney looked over into his room and saw the bed, then looked back at him through her puffy eyes. "I guess it won't hurt to try." Sydney said her thanks and headed into Julian's room. She looked back and saw Julian leading Lauren back to her car assuring Lauren that he would take care of her. Sydney looked back at the bed and the memories of her and Julian together came flooding back to her. She couldn't imagine herself sleeping and relaxing at a time like this, but when her head hit the pillow, she felt herself doze off. A few minutes later, maybe another hour or so, she wasn't sure, she heard someone going through something. Sydney poked her head up and saw Julian smiling guilty at her. "Sorry," he said. "I was getting some blankets for the couch to sleep."

Sydney looked at Julian and patted the mattress. "Can you lay with me?" she asked. Julian looked at her, slightly puzzled and unsure. "Just until I sleep," she confirmed. Julian nodded and shut off the closet light and slowly laid down next to her. Sydney moved herself to get more comfortable and laid her head on Julian's chest. Julian wrapped his arm around Sydney as Sydney listened to Julian's slow and mellow heartbeat, and slowly drifted off to sleep.