As she reached in to hug him, Mike hear something that probably wasn't meant for him to hear.  To hear that some slime ball had hit her was enough to make his blood boil.  But Mike knew that right now was not the time to talk about it.  No, it has to be on her terms, not his.  Even though he just wants to find out where this idiot lives and pay him a visit, he know he can.  Not now.  The last thing this sweet girl needs is more drama in her life.  So he just holds her tighter, hoping to make her feel more at ease, a bit more secure than she's used to.<br/><br/>As they start walking to the diner, Mike puts his arm around Sydney's shoulder, pulling her closer.  "Sydney, you said something about how your dad gets mad at you.  I can see his point honey.  I understand that you spent 2 1/2 years of your life with this guy.  I can speak from experience that at lot can happen in that much time.  But I can see his side too.  He's known and loved you your whole life Sydney.  I've only known your for about 3 hours, and I know how I feel about you in that short amount of time.  I can only imagine the love he must have for you.  That's probably why he gets mad at you, and I know it sounds corny, but it's because he loves you.  I can understand a little bit why you still may think good things about that jerk.  That's who you are.  I don't know that you'd think bad about any body."<br/><br/>I stop walking and turn to you so you can see my eyes. "But Sydney, sometimes you just have to let it go.  Again, I speak from experience.  You just have to get it out of your system, or it will eat at you and eat at you and destroy who you really are.  I know.  I've been there, and believe me, it's a horrible place to be.  I won't ask you all the details, but I want you to know Sydney, that you can talk to me at anytime.  Yeah that sounds like a line, I know.  But I mean it Sydney...anytime.  About anything, anything at all.  But only when you want to.  Just think about it Sydney.  Remember, I've been there, I've kept things inside that I thought I could handle.  But none of us can do it alone."<br/><br/>I look down, sort of ashamed of the lecture I just gave you. "Sydney,  I don't mean to sound like a father, but I too care about you, and I just think you have things that still bother you, and I want you to know that you can trust me, you can talk to me. OK?"<br/><br/>Mike lovingly pulls her towards him as they start walking again.  He hopes that he hasn't done more damage than good.  But those words about him hitting her still haunt him.  And to think that she may still actually have feelings for that idiot are actually hurting him.  But again, if he doesn't do all he can for her, he knows that he will regret it the rest of his life.  But still, he wonders why it seems that the nice guys always finish last.  There he is, pouring out his soul for her, and she hints that she still has feelings for that clown.  He resolves then that he will do all he can to prove to her that he is worth it.  He knows she's worth it, and he will fight for her, no matter what it takes.  He looks over to her, and smiles.  He can tell she is thinking, but he knows she has to make the move.  If she wants to talk, she will.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry about the lecture Sydney" he says with a laugh and smile.  "So tell me, whats running through that pretty head of yours?"