Sydney was still the only one in the house that night as she iced her arm. She was glad there was nobody there to fuss over the bruises. She had made sure to keep them hidden from Nathan during their tryst, knowing that he would have been worse off seeing them while she tried to ease his mind. She ran her hand over her rear, wondering just how the strange line between pleasure and agony worked; her arm screamed, yet her backside felt just fine…there was no way she was writing on the chalkboard tomorrow.

She spent most of the night awake in bed, worried sick over Nathan going to the school board. She wasn't quite sure what could be worse for him than his drinking and the thought terrified her. If his lost his job over something she was a part of she wouldn't be able to live with herself. She gave up trying to sleep around four am and showered.

Sydney was sitting in Joe Hawkins' office by seven…by seven fifteen she was pacing frantically. When Joe arrived at seven thirty, he was startled to find her there.

"Sydney?" he asked, his eyes questioning.

"Please don't let Nathan go to the board!" she blurted, her eyes exhausted.

Joe took a step back. "I think I'm missing something."

Sydney took a shaky breath and began to unbutton the cream sweater she was wearing. Joe was terribly confused for a moment, then oddly relieved to see a pale blue t-shirt appear…until her arm came into his view. The bruises had worsened overnight. They were purple and the edges were yellowing and, without a doubt, were finger shaped.

"What the hell?" He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, I…Sydney, what's going on?"

Tears came to Sydney's eyes, but she didn't let them fall. She told him about the previous morning and what Rick had done to her; how Nathan had come to her aide, and how the superintendent handled the situation. By the time she was done, Joe was leaning against his desk with his mouth hanging open.

"First, Sydney, please let me apologize. This never should have happened. I don't know if you're aware, but Rick has had some…"

Sydney cast her eyes to the floor. "Nathan told me," she interrupted. "Joe…"

Joe's eyes softened. "You never call me by my first name," he said, his voice changing. "You're worried about him."

"He has a daughter, I only have myself. Nathan needs this job, especially after everything he's already gone through." She wrung her hands together, wincing at the pain in her muscles; she hated how much worse bruises hurt the next day. "I don't want to be the reason for him having to go through, well, I'm not sure what, exactly. He won't tell me, but it sounds like some unpleasant things might be brought up and…"

Joe placed a gentle hand on Sydney's shoulder. "It's okay, I'm not going to let that happen to him." He walked around his desk and was going to pick up the phone, but paused. "You care about him."

"He's been an excellent mentor," she said quickly. "All he did was help me out of a bad situation and…I want him to be okay."

Joe nodded, not pressing the issue any further. "I promise you, he's going to be just fine."

"Thank you."

Joe took a few photos of the bruises and phone calls began. By lunchtime, Rick had been escorted off the school grounds and Nathan was applauded for his actions. Sydney was getting more attention than she wanted, but it was worth it to clear Nathan of Rick's lies.

Nathan stood in the hallway before seventh period as he always did. As the students filtered into his classroom and Sydney's, one student stopped. "Mister Bivens?" Nathan said, with a cocked eyebrow.

"You beat up coach?" Murphy asked.

Nathan sighed, knowing the rumor mill was inevitable. "I had a hand in getting him to stop accosting a fellow teacher."

Murphy smiled. "Bad ass." He walked into Sydney's room and Nathan couldn't help but bite back a smile.

After seventh period ended, Nathan walked to Sydney's room. He hadn't been able to speak to her at all that day, as they were both questioned separately during their lunch and planning periods. He found her sitting on the counter along the windows. He could tell she was lost in thought and didn't hear him enter. The look on her face made him feel a deep aching in his chest.

"Sydney?" he called, his voice gentle.

"It shouldn't have happened," she said, tired. "I was stupid, let him corner me and…"

"Hey…" He walked over to her, taking his own place on the counter. "You couldn't have known, Syd."

"The kids all know."

"Yeah."

"It's embarrassing. How stupid does that sound?"

"It's not stupid at all. I heard some of them today – they were just glad you were all right." Nathan looked at her, smiling. "You saved my ass today."

Sydney smiled back at him, though the act was weak. "I don't know what, exactly, would have been brought up to the board, but I couldn't let it happen." She took his hand. "You protected me, Nathan, of course I was going to do the same for you."

"I love you," he whispered. Sydney's smile widened. "Honey, you look exhausted."

"I couldn't sleep last night, I was worried sick."

Nathan's eyes fell a little. "I sort of slept like a baby, given the situation."

"That was the plan."

"Honey…you…what we…" He rubbed at his forehead. "I thought what we…"

"Not now," Sydney said shaking her head. "You needed me, can't we leave it at that?" She swallowed, her past beginning to concern her.

Nathan saw the worry in her eyes and dropped his own. "Let me see." Sydney slipped her sweater off and Nathan took her arm gingerly. He stared at the bruise, hating that someone put his hands on her.

"They'll fade and…it sounds like the drug test this morning didn't go so well for Rick."

"He was fired after lunch, officially." Nathan let go of her arm. "What do you want right now?"

Sydney thought for a moment, then closed her eyes. "My sweats, a six cheese pizza, and a 2 liter of Cherry Coke."

Nathan chuckled. "Then let's make that happen, hm?"

She opened her eyes. "Arlen's coming home tonight. Jess, David, and the baby in tow."

Nathan tried to hide his disappointment. "I hardly think you're up for all of that."

"Probably not, but…maybe distractions are good right now." She got up and kissed his cheek. "I should go. I'll see you in the morning." She gathered her things and left Nathan in the room alone. He was slightly stung and more than a little worried. He heard heels on the tile floor and looked up. Sydney ran to him, pulling him into a hug. "I love you too."