Chapter 71: Will's Wild World of Wherefore?

"I keep the subject of my inquiry constantly before me, and wait till the first dawning opens gradually, by little and little, into a full and clear light." – Isaac Newton

"Weary the path that does not challenge. Doubt is an incentive to truth and patient inquiry leadeth the way." – Hosea Ballou

"Basic research is what I am doing when I don't know what I am doing." – Wernher von Braun

"Research is the process of going up alleys to see if they are blind." – Marston Bates


Sydney left her father's office and went straight to Will's desk. Or she would have, had she not run in to Marshall on the way over.

"Syd!" Marshall said happily.

Sydney smiled, "Hey Marshall, how's it going?"

"It's going well…well…as well as can be expected…we all miss you."

"That's nice of you to say Marshall."

"And Vaughn! We miss Vaughn too! Don't want you to think we don't miss him too…"

"I'll tell him Marshall."

"So what are you doing here?"

"Oh, I had a few hours to kill, so I thought I'd check in and see what was going on."

"Oh…that's funny you should say that, I was wondering what you'd be doing…I mean…I could guess of course…but…well…anyway…I should go…"

"No, it's ok…speaking of which, how are things going with you and Carrie?"

Marshall blushed instantly, looking down at the floor, "Uh…well…it's fine…I mean…it's…uh…I have a project…"

Sydney smiled, "Ok Marshall, it was nice to see you…good luck…"

"Thanks, you too Syd…nice of you to drop by…I've got to go," he said abruptly leaving the conversation.

She smiled as she watched him go, thinking of how sweet he and Carrie were.

She continued on her way until she reached Will's desk. He had his back to her, and he was bent over the screen, studying something intently.

"Hey," she said.

He jumped, "Oh God! HEY!" he said getting up and giving her a hug, "What are you doing here?" His face turned to concern, "Is Vaughn ok?"

"Yeah," she said smiling at his worried glances, "His mom is with him…"

"Cool…so you can come out and play, huh?"

"Yeah – something like that…actually I just stopped by to see what's been going on, but my dad gave me these files, he said you were the go-to guy."

Will blushed, smirking, "Yeah…I guess you could say that…"

Sydney smiled back, "I'm proud of you…"

"Thanks," he said, his smirk turning into a full blown smile.

"So…what do I need to do with these?"

Will grabbed the files and motioned for her to sit down in a chair next to his desk. He opened the top file folder, "Basically, you'll be gathering information on all the people in these files. This is all the intel that records has about them. You're job is to compile the data and then try to find any links. I've got it worked out so you can log on to the computer system at home. Once you're ready to start, one of the IT guys will come over and set it up."

"Vaughn's got a lab top too…"

"Great, then he can help too…"

"Yeah, I think it'll be good for him."

"I would think so…"

Sydney smiled, "That it?"

"Yeah, pretty much, once these are complied, they'll be a new stack."

"What is this all for? Why are we compiling this?"

Will smiled, "Well…it's kinda under the table. Kendall thinks were just updating records, but I've selected these people because their known associates of Sloane and the Alliance. So…you're really doing work to figure out where he is and what he's been up to."

Sydney smiled, "You're great Will!" She reached out and hugged him.

He eagerly hugged her back, "Well, I wanted to help and I didn't really know how to do it…plus, I'm still trying to make up for the whole Dr. Tom incident."

"Stop worrying about it…it's already forgiven Will."

"I know…I just wanted to do something…"

"Well…thanks…for both of us…"

"You bet."

"Well, I'm gonna go…I'll see you later at home?"

"Yup…"

"Ok," with that, Sydney got up and started to walk down the corridor that would lead to her car.

She passed her father, saying goodbye and said goodbye to Kendall as well, who smiled his understanding as she passed.

She rounded the corner that would lead to the elevator, pressed the button to go down and waited. She opened the top file, perusing some of the information when the bell dinged for the elevator doors to open.

They parted and Sydney stepped inside, oblivious to her surroundings.

The doors closed and Sydney reached out to push the button for the parking garage.

She reached out to press the button when she heard, "Hello Sydney…"

She jumped turning around instantly.

"Jesus! You scared the crap out of me!"

"Sorry…"