📎A/N.  It's only 2 sleeps to Christmas! (for some of you it's 3).  Panic reigns supreme in my house at the moment as last minute shopping, baking and getting ready for the holidays descends on me. 

Merry Christmas and thanks for all your support this year!

❤ ℳ

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Sydney leaned back in her chair, lifted her arms over her head and stretched. It had been a long day. Truth be told, it had been a long week. She cricked her neck and sat forward again. "Nearly," she said with a smile, "how about we try it again?"

Walter frowned, pursed his lips in a lopsided fashion, and shook his head. He found the exercise difficult and didn't want to continue.

"Come on Walter, just one more time and we'll call it a day," she cajoled. "How about it? I'll bring some more of my homemade cookies that you like so much if you do."

At hearing this, Walter's eyes narrowed and he regarded Sydney suspiciously. "P-p-prom-promise?"

Sydney looked earnestly at him and made an x mark on her chest. "Cross my heart."

She smiled when Walter nodded his head up and down to confirm he would try. "How about this time I do it with you?" she suggested.

Sydney puffed her cheeks up with air. Walter mimicked her actions. After five seconds, she tapped her right cheek with her index finger while continuing to hold her breath. However, the moment Walter touched his finger to his face he was unable to hold the air in and his cheeks deflated.

"That was much better than last time," she said, seeing his demeanour had deflated with his cheeks. "You're able to control your mouth a lot better that time."

Walter made a hrump sound. A noise she recognised he used when he wasn't happy.

August had given way to September and the last of the summer warmth was holding fast, an indication fall might be late this year. Despite the fact Walter had been aware Sydney's working with him and Tamsin was only temporary, he hadn't taken too well to the news she was reducing it to Tuesday mornings and Friday afternoons.

After Bernie had informed his charge that it was that or nothing, Walter came around faster than a speeding bullet, and they had fallen into an easy pattern with their new routine. With each session, his therapists always had something prepared for her to concentrate on. His speech therapist currently had her working with him on facial muscle control.

Sydney glanced at her watch. "It's getting late. How about I give you a game of Little Big Planet before I go?"

Walter readily agreed and, after checking in with Therese, Walter's speech therapist, she wheeled him back to his room.

She was powering up the game as Walter wheeled himself to the set of draws beside his bed. Sydney hid a smile as she noticed what he was up to. The entire top draw was now designated as his Butterfingers stash.

"Uh-oh!"

Sydney stopped what she was doing and swung her head towards Walter. "What's wrong?"

"N-n-no no no!" chanted Walter with a look of horror.

Dropping the remote, Sydney rushed to Walter's side. Her heart thumped in her chest as the possible reasons for his sudden distress. "Is everything okay, do you need me to call someone?"

Walter's panic-stricken eyes met hers as she reached his chair. He held out his hand and she glanced at the plastic card he was holding.

Sydney took the identification card from his hand and turned it over to see Ethan's face staring back up at her. "Good grief Walter," she growled, "you nearly gave me a heart-attack. I thought it was something serious. It's only Ethan's ID and entry card for work."

Walter fidgeted in his chair, clearly not of the same mind. "W-w-we have t-t-to g-get it b-b-back-k t-to him!"

"It's just his ID," she argued, handing him back the card. "He'll have another one."

"No! You h-h-have t-t-t-to g-g-get it b-b-back to h-him." Walter's voice began to rise in pitch and tone. It wasn't long before one of the staff was rushing into his room to find out what the commotion was about.

Sydney, seeing he was almost hyperventilating, tried to alleviate his concern and settle his agitation. "Okay Walter, we'll get it back to him. Just calm down and we can discuss this." She reached down and rested a hand on his back. "Just take a few deep breaths."

It took Sydney and the orderly three attempts, but they finally managed to calm him down enough so that he was no longer struggling for air.

"D-do you p-p-promise to g-get it t-t-to M-Mac?" Walter asked as he handed her Ethan's corporate identification badge.

Sydney sighed, "Yes Walter I promise. I'll phone him on my way home and drop it off."

Instead of having their planned game, Walter pushed Sydney out the door. He was adamant Ethan's property be returned to him. Immediately. With reluctance, she bid him farewell and checked in with the staff. His panicked reaction had taken her by surprise and she was concerned that he might have another episode.

After being reassured they would monitor him, and agreeing she would contact them later to check on his condition, Sydney grabbed her bag and headed back to her car. She sat a full five minutes just staring at Ethan's likeness before starting up the engine.

In the weeks since he had discovered her at St Pat's they had spoken regularly to discuss Walter's progress. They had even managed to share a coffee in the hospital cafeteria one Friday evening as their paths crossed. And, since Walter's discovery that she and Ethan knew each other, Walter was forever giving her updates on his visits with his brother. He seemed to know everything that was occurring in his brother's life, and now she did too. Something Ethan wouldn't be too thrilled about if he knew.

After navigating her way through the traffic and onto the freeway, Sydney could no longer put off the inevitable. "Better get this over with," she mumbled as she pressed his number.

Ethan answered her call within two rings, his deep baritone filling the car as it carried through the speakers. "Is everything okay with Walter?"

"He's fine," she reassured him. "Just a little panicked."

"About?"

"It turns out you left your ID card when you were there last, and he's gotten himself into a bit of a state with wanting to get it back to you."

"I was wondering where I'd left it," he mumbled, more to himself than Sydney, "I'll let him know I'll get it on Sunday."

"That's going to be a problem. He was most insistent it be returned to you, and he made me promise to get it back to you. Today."

Ethan chuckled, the earthy sound washed over her like hot chocolate on a cold day. "I suppose he went into a full anxiety attack?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

"When my brother gets something in his head, nothing can budge him. If it's not carried out immediately, his brain starts to implode on itself and he panics."

"It would have been nice to know before I nearly had a heart attack at his sudden change," she grumbled without malice. "So where's the best place I can return your ID?"

"By the time you get to the city my secretary would have already left," Ethan began, thinking aloud. There was a brief pause before he continued. "I'm just heading into a meeting and should be finished by seven-thirty. Can you meet me in at the Carlton after that? I'll have about half an hour before I have to get to another engagement."

She readily agreed to the handoff. It wasn't out of her way and she would have made good on a promise.

Sydney made it home in record time with forty-five minutes to spare before she needed to meet Ethan. As the Carlton was within walking distance to her Gramercy apartment, she decided to have a quick shower and change. Jeans and a t-shirt would stick out amongst the Friday night patrons finishing work, and blending in was something she was very adept at.

As expected, the hotel's lobby bar was busy when Sydney arrived. She scanned the patrons and, not seeing Ethan, went up to the bar and placed her order. Sydney was halfway through her wine and checking her emails when he arrived.

"Hi, sorry I'm late my meeting ran over. Have you been waiting long?" he asked.

Sydney placed her phone back in her bag. "It's not a problem. I've only just gotten here."

Ethan caught the bartender's attention and gave his order. He turned back to Sydney with an eyebrow raised. "What can I get you?" he asked.

Sydney pointed to her wine glass. "Nothing thanks, I'm sorted."

"I'm sorry about Walter, and having to go out of your way," Ethan said once he had gotten his drink and they had moved to a less busy part of the bar.

She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "It's alright; he was just concerned about you." Sydney reached into her bag, pulled out the plastic card and handed it to Ethan. "I'm not sure why he thought you'd not survive without it, but I wasn't about to argue the point."

Ethan studied the card before pocketing it. "You know you could have couriered it to me. Walter wouldn't have known the difference."

"That I'm not so sure about," Sydney remarked dryly, "he tends to know more than he lets on."

Ethan, who had begun to take a sip of his drink, stopped to laugh at her remark. "I'm pleased to see I'm not the only one who thinks so," he said before taking another drink.

A passer-by nodded at Ethan and he responded in kind. Once the man was gone Ethan turned back to her. "I understand you've had plumber problems recently. Did you manage to sort it out in the end?"

"How did you know?" blurted Sydney, surprised at his knowledge.

Ethan cocked his head. "How else?" he smiled.

"Walter!" she exclaimed.

The mirth in his eyes confirmed her guess.

"So, how's he been this week?" Ethan asked.

They both fell into an animated discussion as though this was a regular occurrence. She knew Ethan was receiving regular updates from Walters's therapists. However, she was aware that he felt they were sugar coating some of his brother's behaviour and recovery.

Sydney was caught off guard when Ethan asked in a sombre tone, "Do you think he's happy there?"

From his expression, she could see he was anxious about the answer. It had taken on an almost tortured look and she noticed dark circles under his eyes as if he hadn't been sleeping well.

It was at that moment she realised his real concern. The real reason for his pointed questions. She had seen the same expression on the families of some of the other patients. He was feeling guilty at having placed his brother in a facility so far away from the city and from him. Sydney knew that St Pats was one of the best facilities in the state, if not the eastern seaboard. Ethan, like the others who could afford it, only wanted the best for their loved ones. However, this came at a price. Based on her discussions with the therapists, it was normal for the families to worry that the person they left in the care of the centre would feel abandoned.

They may have their differences, but she knew Ethan only had his brother's best interest at heart.

She was stopped from replying when a white-haired man in a suit materialised next to Ethan and slapped him on the back. "MacMasters, I thought that was you. Why are you still out here?"

Sydney immediately recognised the man who, until a few years beforehand, had been head of the central banking system.

Ethan's expression morphed back into business mode and a wall was erected. He held out his hand to shake the offered one. "Harvey good to see you. I was just about to head in."

"So how's Treadstone treating you?" the new arrival asked with a grin. "Remember, if you ever want to jump ship, the board would be more than willing to meet any of your demands to have to come work for us."

Ethan brushed off the offer. "I'm happy where I am."

"Oh well, can't say I didn't try," Harvey shrugged.

From the good-natured banter, Sydney guessed this wasn't the first time the offer had been made.

"Where are my manners," said Harvey, noticing Ethan's companion, "I'm‑"

Sydney spoke before he could finish. "Harvey Stein, former chairman of the Federal Reserve. Pleased to meet you sir."

In the course of researching one of her books, Sydney had done extensive research on Harvey Stein and his role in some of the changes he had implemented while on one of the president's task forces. She had always admired the man and what he stood for.

"I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage Miss...?" he enquired as they shook hands.

"Regas, Sydney Regas."

"So Sydney, how do you know this reprobate? Are you one of the exec's at Treadstone that Mac is grooming to take over the Beijing branch?"

"Afraid not sir," she remarked dryly, "they are too busy spreading the wealth overseas rather than keeping it on home ground for my liking."

Harvey chuckled at this, still holding on to her hand. "Ah! A woman after my own heart." He looked over at Ethan. "So where have you been hiding this one?"

"Turns out in plain sight," Ethan said dryly.

Sydney threw him a glare to let him know she wasn't thrilled with his choice in phrase. She rolled her eyes at his resulting smirk.

Harvey nodded to a nervous looking man hovering nearby. "That's my PA, we'd better head in before they lock the door," he said, "you know how they get when these things don't start on time."

Sydney placed her glass down on the table nearest to them and turned back to Ethan and Harvey. "Well, I'd better let you both go in," she said, and then turned to Harvey. "It was a pleasure meeting you."

"What? You're not coming to listen to me speak?" Harvey chided.

"As much as I would love to, I am only here to return something Mr Macmaster's had lost."

"Nonsense, you must come. At least, there will be someone in the room that thinks we need to control our funding and propping up of overseas governments."

A feeling of anxiety welled up from the pit of her stomach. It didn't matter how much she would like to hear him speak. The thought of walking into a room full of people who may have known her father was daunting and she began to feel physically ill.

Harvey smiled warmly at her after she had refused yet again. "If you change your mind," he said with a wink, "I'll leave your name at the door."

They watched him charge out the entrance and across the lobby, followed by a very agitated assistant.

Sydney placed a tip under her glass. "I won't keep you," she said getting ready to bolt out the door.

"Why don't you join us?" Ethan asked blocking her path. "Unless you have somewhere else to be?"

Sydney shook her head; she wasn't sure how to explain her reservations.

"If you're worried someone might recognise you, don't," Ethan said, as if reading her mind.

"You did," she pointed out.

Ethan pulled on his ear, his expression turned sheepish as he looked out onto the lobby. "Yes, but they didn't have a raft of PI's supplying them with a steady supply of information."

His eyes wandered back to Sydney and his gaze dipped. "How about it?" he asked. "If nothing, you'll at least get a fantastic meal out of it. I suspect by now you must be hungry."

She studied him with a piercing scrutiny. This was her worst nightmare. Did she trust him enough that he wouldn't reveal who she was? Did she trust herself to be able to walk into a room laden with people who might recognise her? Something in her wanted to believe that she could put her faith this man. He, after all, trusted her with something precious of his.

Before she could stop herself, she found herself saying, "Why not," as she met the penetrating grey of his eyes.

His warm, reassuring smile gave her the feeling he knew the effort it was going to take to see this through and the faith she was placing in him to not betray her.

Due to the profile of some of the guests and speakers, security was high. Once they had managed to get through the doors, Sydney began to have second thoughts.

Ethan reached out and gave her hand a gentle squeeze as he lowered his head. "Just breathe," he whispered, his warm breath fanning her ear. "I told you, they don't know you from a bar of soap."

Sydney closed her eyes and practiced her chakra exercises. When she opened them again, Ethan began to propel her towards the centre of the room where everyone was gathered before heading into the main event. She noticed a small group beckoning to Ethan.

Her feet felt heavier with each step closer they got. Sydney was sure she broke out in a cold sweat when Ethan began introducing her to his colleagues.

"Do you work for one of our subsidiaries?" Roy, one of the executives, asked after the introductions were finished. "I'm sure I'd remember you if it were at any of our main offices."

"No," she said glancing around for Ethan, only to discover he had been sidetracked and was speaking with someone. "I don't work for Treadstone. I‑"

Roy gave her a cocky wink and a confident smile. "No don't tell me," he cut her off, "You're with Deutsche Bank."

"What makes you say that?" she asked in surprise.

"Well Mac's just spent the better part of this afternoon in discussions with your bank, it would make sense you arrive together. Which is great," he said with glee rubbing his hands together, "because you haven't heard any of my wonderful jokes. You're in for a treat."

Sydney couldn't help but chuckle at his bizarre and open behaviour.

"You dolt, she's not from Deutsche," hissed a tall brunette Sydney had noticed listening in on the conversation, "they have standards over there."

The way the woman's gaze coldly raked over her, Sydney felt an icy chill run through her veins. She scanned her memory for the name. Jane, no Janet. Unlike Roy, Janet clearly wasn't thrilled at her arrival. Evidently deciding Sydney wasn't worth the effort, she joined Ethan's conversation. Standing a little too close to Ethan than would normally be acceptable for colleagues.

Sydney's temper rose and she quelled it back down again. It would not bode well if she got into an argument with the woman in such a public place. She clenched her fists to keep from marring Janet's perfectly made up face.

"Don't mind the jealous bitch," Roy said under his breath. "She's been after him for years. It's probably killing her that he's with someone."

"But we're not together," Sydney protested.

Roy began to laugh. "Whatever you do, don't tell her that. I'm going to have so much fun screwing with her mind tonight."

A short while later the main doors were opened and Ethan returned to her side. "Sorry," he said, "I didn't mean to abandon you like that."

Sydney shrugged. "It's okay Roy kept me entertained."

He groaned. "Then I really do need to apologise. He's got this dream of being a stand-up comedian and he doesn't miss an opportunity to practice."

"That's okay he was harmless enough," Sydney replied as they made a move to follow behind the others.

Before they reached the doors, Ethan pulled her to one side. "I know I pushed you into coming," he said, "but if you really don't want to do this, I can take you home."

Sydney took a deep breath and let it out. "You know what? I'm good. I've come this far and the world hasn't imploded."

Ethan tilted his head and frowned before his lips then set into a grim line. "Are you sure?"

"Very," she laughed. His expression was the same one Walter often gave her.

A wary smile surfaced on his lips when she explained the likeness. "I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult."

The only answer he got was a wink as they resumed their original path. Once through the main doors, she glanced around. The room was dotted with round tables adorned with white tablecloths. A small but elegant flower arrangement was at the centre, and each place setting had silver cutlery and glasses. One for white wine and the other for red. A stage had been set up at the front, ready for the keynote speakers to take the podium.

The entire room was opulent but understated at the same time. She decided that like old money, the financial sector did not like brandishing their wealth around. Sydney shuddered to think of the price organisations paid per table to secure their presence at this evening's event. She had spied the remainder of the speakers on the monitor as they entered.

Ethan guided her over to the Treadstone table, which was at the far end of the room, a distance from the stage. Sydney could see the others had already reached it and had taken their seats. She was dismayed to realise that Janet had strategically made sure she would be next to Ethan. The last remaining open spots were beside her.

"Mac, there you are," Janet cooed as she patted the chair beside her. "I was wondering where you had gotten to."

Sydney was debating on whether to take the seat next to Janet, just to piss her off when she saw Harvey make a b-line towards them.

"So you decided to come after all," he said as he reached the table.

"Ethan was quite persuasive," she replied nodding in Ethan's direction.

From the corner of her eye, she could see Janet's dumbfounded expression as she looked at Sydney and the ex-Federal Reserve Chairman.

"He has a knack about him alright."

Harvey turned to Ethan, "MacMaster's, how about you and Sydney join us this evening," he said indicating towards the table nearest the podium. "A few of us wouldn't mind you explaining that deal you set up in China."

Ethan stiffened. "There's nothing to explain and I won't divulge confidential information."

Harvey held his hands up in mock surrender. "We aren't here to make you justify your decision; we just want to know how you got around the Beijing's red tape." He then leaned forward and said in a low voice, "It'll also give me a chance to make your bosses sweat thinking one of us is trying to entice to you us." He finished by waiving at the table of worried looking men in pinstripe suits at the next table.

Harvey then tucked his arm under Sydney's and pulled her with him. For a not so young man, he managed to pull her halfway across the floor before she knew what was happening. She turned back to Ethan, throwing him a 'what should I do?' look.

Ethan rolled his eyes and closed the distance in a few strides. "Harvey, one of these days you're not going to get your way."

"That maybe so my boy," Harvey winked as he released Sydney to Ethan, "But in the meantime, I'll just take advantage of my considerable charms."

Once they had reached the table introductions were made. Many of the faces she knew by reputation. Sydney wasn't surprised to discover Ethan knew them well enough to address them by their first names. As he held her seat out for her to sit, Sydney glanced across the floor at the table they had come from. A set of cold eyes were glaring at her. The venom oozing from Janet could be felt half a room away.

Ignoring the woman, Sydney turned her focus back to Ethan and the others. She was determined she wasn't going to let her fear or Janet get in the way of her having an enjoyable evening. She was in a room full of the people she had avoided for the better part of a decade and was still in one piece. To top it off, she was about to hear a man she greatly admired speak.

She felt a small thrill of victory over her fears as Ethan's hand sought hers under the table. "If things get too much just let me know," he murmured quietly to her before turning back and continuing his conversation with Harvey and the others.

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📎A/N ... seems things are trucking along and Sydney and Ethan are back on speaking terms. 

... not sure about this Janet person though :-(

Don't forget to vote if you liked this chapter, and feedback always appreciated.

It is summer holidays were I am and I am heading to the beach for two weeks of R&R starting the day after Christmas. I will try and get the next chapter done while I am away, but I can't promise anything... so CiNY may be on a two week hiatus.

Have a very safe and merry Christmas where ever you are.

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