The Return to the Island

Chapter 1: CIA Kids

A/n: Ah, another new story. Don't you just love the first chapters of new fics? Anyway, this is the sequel to Mission Rescue and it takes place about 15 years later. If you haven't read Mission Rescue, it is greatly recommended to understand this fic, and late reviews will be graciously accepted and appreciated. And there will not be a trilogy, at least I highly doubt there will be. I know the beginning of Mission Rescue is juvenilely written, but please bear with it. **And an extra note- I found this one fic with the same name I used for Sydney's daughter, but I promise you I came up with the name while I was writing Mission Rescue and I did not take it from anyone.** Theme song: Kol Nidrei by Max Bruch (aka the most beautiful song in the whole world)

Disclaimer: Everyone you don't recognize belongs to me. As for the others, they belong to JJ: the world's most evil genius.

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The rich smell of coffee startled Sydney out of her early morning daze on June 5, 2020. As she poured herself a cup, her free arm stretched into the air, caught in a yawn. She sighed; her last early morning for three months. It was the last day of school, the last day of giving exams, the last day of saying You're dismissed to the juniors and seniors she hoped she had matured. But finally, it was the last day before summer; the glorious summer. A three month block dedicated to her freedom and bonding with her husband, son, and daughter.

Sydney sipped at her coffee every once in a while as she began making breakfast, pancakes especially for today. Not only was today the last day of school, but her daughter's birthday. She was... twelve now. Twelve? That couldn't be right. It was only yesterday that she was born, wasn't it? Oh, but how that last years had flown by. It seemed ever since Jason was adopted time couldn't move slow enough for the Vaughn family. And when Amanda was born, time only moved faster.

In appearance, Sydney had barely changed. Though nearing the age of fifty, Sydney's only signs of being middle aged were the gray streaks in her hair and the smiling creases on her face. Sometimes she would look in the mirror and feel like her mother stared back at her; the resemblance was undeniable. Sydney's job also had a factor in her aging, however. She often blamed the gray hairs on her trouble making students. Once resigning from the CIA and becoming a substitute for a teacher on maternity leave, she was hired to the same high school's English department. She loved her teaching job – despite the trouble makers – and wanted to continue teaching AP Literature until she could teach no longer. Retiring was so overrated.

Sydney was soon joined in the kitchen by her husband, receiving a sweet but lingering kiss as he gave her a tight squeeze. Vaughn hadn't changed much either, she noticed. He was just as much as a romantic now than he was when they were first together. And she could only notice how age altered his looks when they looked at old pictures. His hair had slowly grayed over years, but crept up on him subtly. The creases in his forehead were now a permanent feature of his face, as well as light wrinkles around his still brilliantly green eyes. As for his work at the CIA, he remained the handler of Anita Russell – a double agent for the rogue Ascendancy – until a few years ago when they were brought down. After that, he was promoted to director, and planned to retire sometime in the next ten years (hopefully before his younger child graduated from college. While his job as Director Vaughn came with great perks, it forced him to spend more time at work than with his family.

And speaking of family, the most likely biggest change of any of the Vaughns had come from the teenager of the house. Jason was now fifteen years old, Sydney regularly reminded herself, and just as sarcastic and moody as any teen his age. It shocked Sydney that he was about to finish his first year of high school (!). If Sydney had any worries that her adopted son wouldn't fit in with her family, they had vanished completely. Jason loved hockey with a passion as Vaughn did and even was a starter on his school team. He played for his school's baseball team as well, and played basketball with his sister in the driveway. Vaughn and Sydney were quite proud of his four-point grade, through Sydney did receive news from his teachers that he was slightly mischievous. At times he resembled a rebel, with his dark rooted, blonde tipped, spiked hair and solid bridged nose, but everyone knew he was truly kind at heart. Jason had a way of persuading Sydney with his green eyes, as Vaughn's did, which he often used to his advantage. However, he was what one would call a momma's boy.

There was also Amanda, who took the role of daddy's little girl. While most people called her Mandy, she was born Amanda Laura Vaughn on June 5, 2008. She was the spitting image of Sydney and Irina, but whose personality was a concoction of every Bristow and Vaughn that ever walked the face of the earth. She was smart and athletic like her parents, and was also very popular (her charismatic and outgoing qualities caused boys to drool over her, much to Vaughn's dismay). Mandy simply laughed when her brother addressed her as the 6th grade slut' or a bad girl' because, naturally, she was neither. As for her favorite sports, she worshipped the LA Kings like everyone in the Vaughn family, but the game of basketball held a more special place in her heart. She especially loved college level, in all sports besides basketball. Yes, the rest of the family thought this was strange as well, but basketball was her favorite hobby in the entire world and she worked hard at it. Among the middle school students she was known as the best power forward in the area on the court, and witty and charming as well.

But of course, Sydney couldn't reflect on the past without thinking of her friends. Francie Calfo, now Francie Weiss, lived happily with her husband and one daughter. Over all, her looks hadn't changed in the slightly, excepting a bit lighter hair color. Shortly after Jason's adoption, Francie had discovered that she was pregnant...

~Flashback~

Vaughn said, after hearing Francie's big news, I guess those foreign condoms didn't work out too well for you, buddy.

Weiss gave him a dirty glare.

~End flashback~

Francie and Weiss married on the next Valentine's Day, then gave birth to Chloe Rebecca Weiss on June 1, 2006. She maintained her ownership of her restaurant, and built up in status until she could expand into a chain of restaurants in the LA area between 2010 and 2015. Currently, she was in the process of expanding statewide.

Eric Weiss... Where to begin? He was forever cracking corny jokes and adding sexual innuendo whenever he could. His hair was completely gray, and he was now thinner and healthy as ever. True, he had married Francie because of impregnating her, but it was true that they would have gotten married soon whether she was pregnant or not. Weiss was still working for the CIA, now residing as a high ranking Analyst who couldn't wait to retire.

Chloe Weiss, it seemed, was always at the Vaughn house. It didn't seem to matter that she lived mere blocks away, because she could have moved in and no one would have known the difference. She stood at five feet and four inches, just a little shorter than the ever growing Mandy, though she made up for her height in brains. Though she had just turned fourteen a few days ago, her easy ability to learn and consume knowledge landed her a grade ahead of the other teenagers her age. Chloe had worried that she wouldn't fit in with the older kids at first, but quickly adjusted with the help of her best friend (who happened to be the popular Jason). And while she had many friends in her grade, she still felt that Mandy was a better friend than them all.

Though Sydney, Francie, and Mandy knew that Chloe spent most of her time with the Vaughns because she was madly in love with Jason. It was quite obvious to the same bunch that Jason had a crush on her too. But of course, most of her guy friends thought that she was pretty with her thick, straight, shoulder length dark hair and light chocolate skin, however, they also thought she was too quiet and shy. Jason and Mandy were the only ones to see the real Chloe, the one who would always speak her mind and wasn't afraid to give Jason a shove when he deserved it.

Sydney couldn't help but also think of Will Tippin. He had stayed in LA for another year and after Jason's adoption before moving to New York City to further pursue his journalism career. Will ended up staying there for four years, and while there he met Gretchen Marksberg, a fellow journalist. They married in 2010 (she didn't change her last name... Doesn't Gretchen Tippin sound funny??), and later moved back to LA when Will was offered a new job. For years following the move, they suffered fertility problems until October in 2016 when Gretchen gave birth to triplet girls, Olivia, Rachel, and Hannah. And if there were a reason for Will to look aged, it was definitely from the girls. His hair was a perfect blend of blonde and gray, but his blue eyes had not faded a bit. And there were also those wrinkles in his forehead and around his eyes.

And not to mention Marcus Dixon, probably Sydney's most loyal friend. Now a high ranking officer at the CIA, he planned to retire at the end of the year. With his slowly graying hair and extremely physically fit body, he looked much younger than he really was. He resided comfortably with his wife, while his oldest daughter had recently gotten married and his son was just finishing college.

Sydney reflected on Dixon, which led to Marshall Flinkman. Marshall remained as nervous and quirky as ever. With his gray tipped hair, he still fiddled away as tech op in the CIA. About three years after Jason's adoption, the LA branch received a transfer and gained Christine Orions to their tech op team. Instantly, an attraction developed between the two, and they married in 2011. Christine was a big, if not, bigger computer geek than Marshall, though considered to be the prettier of the pair. She had long, red, golden hair and sparkly gray eyes. It was hard to keep Marshall away from her, and they quickly became partners in crime, er... tech op... About a year after their marriage, Christine gave birth to Luke Quincy in November, and now was due in late August with a girl.

Jack Bristow was another name she couldn't leave out. He had miraculously beaten the odds by recovering extremely well from his leukemia, and luckily remained in remission. He had no returning signs of it since his surgery, though he still had to make regular visits to the doctor to be sure. And a new medical discovery from a few years back had helped his body to keep the leukemia from returning, as well as many other sufferers. Shortly after his release for the hospital, he retired from the CIA and filled in his role as loving grandfather. His acting duty as grandfather surprised Sydney beyond belief, but she knew that his changed personality was due to his experience with the cancer. It caused him to be a happier person, to enjoy what life he had, to laugh, to love, and to build better relationships with the people he knew. Jack had never regained the weight he lost from his leukemia, nor did he ever build back his muscular strength. His thin, gray hair rested gently around his head, leaving a bald spot on the top that resembled a yarmulka.

As for Irina Derevko, Sydney did not know much about how her mother had changed. She could only assume certain things, though she sometimes could find herself imagining what she was now like. She saw Irina with long, silvery hair, still sitting cross-legged in the middle of her cell with a book in her arms, ready to turn around to greet an agent with that mysterious twinkle in her eyes. She probably had a few more freedoms due to her continuing cooperation, such as more time on the roof or a bigger, better cell. Though Sydney never asked Vaughn to talk about her mother, nor did Vaughn ever bring her up. In fact, Vaughn had only gone to see his mother-in-law a handful of times in the last years, and only three times mentioning anything about his personal life: that her grandson's name was Jason Michael, two years later that Sydney was pregnant, and nine months after that to tell her that her granddaughter's name was Amanda. Vaughn refused to let Irina relish that Amanda's middle name was Laura, but Sydney had told him that Laura was Sydney's true mother, a loving, kind one, and not the person who murdered his father.

Someone who Sydney hadn't thought of at all over the years – and who just happened to slip into her mind now – was Arvin Sloane. She knew he was still in prison, and still though he had been transferred to Camp Harris soon after the Ascendancy surfaced. And if Sloane was now in Camp Harris, then Tracy Macklem was certainly there also for aiding a known terrorist.

And that terrorist was Mr. Sark; his location still unknown. Being concerned about this, Sydney often confronted Vaughn about it. However, Vaughn could tell her nothing, and not even those in the Ascendancy knew of his whereabouts.

A slight shudder slid down Sydney's body as she flipped the last few pancakes. She looked over at her husband, who sat comfortably at the kitchen table, reading the newspaper and nibbling at his toast. Quickly, she ripped her eyes away and turned her attention back to her pancakes, which she nearly burnt.

Soon Mandy made her way into the kitchen and poured herself some orange juice, taking her seat at the table. There's the birthday girl! Sydney exclaimed, setting a plate of syrupy pancakes in front of her daughter. Placing one hand on her shoulder, she gave it a slight squeeze. So how does it feel to be twelve? Not to mention an almost seventh grader?

Mandy swallowed her large bite of pancake. Just like it felt when I was an eleven year old sixth grader. But I bet some presents would change my mind... she added with a sly grin, giving her mother a hopeful look.

Nope, not until tonight. Mandy frowned, turning back to her breakfast. We're having your party at the Russells tonight, don't forget. She nodded, and Sydney went back to the toaster.

Are you really twelve already? Vaughn asked as he put the newspaper down. Didn't you just turn seven last year?

Mandy rolled her eyes. Dad, you've said that every year since I was, like, eight.

Ah, you're still my little girl, he smiled. He checked his watch. Better get my stuff together from the office, he said, standing up and giving his daughter a kiss on the head as he passed.

Sydney pulled out the crisp toast from the toaster and set in onto a plate to be buttered. Where is your brother? He's going to be late again. Mandy simply shrugged her shoulders and mumbled something about teenage boys when Sydney hurried out of the kitchen to the stairs. Jason Michael! she hollered up the stairs. Don't make me call you down here one more time! A scurrying of feet could be heard above her, and soon her son stood at the top of the stairway looking down. Francie and Chloe will be here to pick you up soon, she told him as he came down. He nodded and kissed her cheek before hurrying around the corner and into the kitchen.

She shook her head, laughing at him, and turned around back into the kitchen. She found Mandy finishing off her pancakes while Jason chugged away at a large glass of orange juice. Suddenly she saw his face contort and he set the glass down, instantly rubbing his neck. Is it your neck again? she asked, coming up behind him.



He sat down, and allowed his mother to massage the tense muscles in his neck, her index finger gently rubbing over the miniscule scar. Ever since his adoption she had to massage his tense neck muscles. Even as a tiny baby, she could remember watching him struggle with the pain, and later discovered that the massaging helped greatly. Maybe it's something from your real mother... the neck pains.

No – birth mom. You're my real mom. He turned his neck to each side to stretch it out, finding his pain had dispersed. Sydney smiled at him. Always, he had called her his real mom, not adoptive mother. And every time he said it to her, her heart couldn't help but melt. She remembered when Jason was back in sixth grade and he was assigned to do a project on genes. Mandy was only eight at the time and did not yet understand genetics or hereditary qualities. Sydney had accidentally overheard Jason trying to explain it to her, and heard him talking about the difference between his birth mom and his real mom.

You know that picture of you and Mom in the hospital? he had asked her. Well Mom never had me in a hospital. But she raised me and she loves me, and that makes her my real mom.

Her thoughts were quickly interrupted by a car horn honking. That's my ride. See you, Mom. And happy birthday, Manders.

Thanks, Jay, Mandy replied, taking her plate to the sink.

Good luck on finals! Sydney called after him.

Mandy placed her dish and utensils in the dishwasher. So why aren't you at school yet? You usually leave before Jay, Mandy couldn't help but notice.

Juniors aren't taking their finals until this afternoon, so I'm taking you to school this morning and then heading over to the high school.

Mandy remembered. Then can we go a little early? I want to say good-bye to my friends and stuff.

Sydney smiled. Why don't you go get dressed now?

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All the kids were in the basement, finally, after all the cake was gone and all the presents had been opened. Mandy, Jason, and Chloe were all watching Mandy's new DVD set of The Frugles Strike Back's first season (an equivalent to their generation's FRIENDS) while the triplets. Luke was playing on the computer and talking with Nathan Russell, who pretended to be remotely interested. Most of the parents, of course, had leapt at the chance to break out the wine.

You're kidding me, Marshall, Christine said. We are not naming our daughter another Star Wars name. I let you get away with Luke last time.

Oh come on, Luke and Leia, isn't it cute? Or Padme. Amidala? he asked sheepishly, earning a stern look.

How about something with a K?

That reminds me of when we had to name Chloe, Francie said, taking a sip of her wine. We fought forever.

Yeah, but I finally won, Weiss added triumphantly.



Well, Chloe was my idea.

Jason was my idea, Sydney said. Actually, so was Amanda.

You all had it easy, Will complained.

Yeah, we had to come up with three girls names and three boys names, Gretchen added. I seem to remember a lot of name arguing, as well.

I seem to remember a lot of peanut butter and pickles.

Watch it, Tippin.

Suddenly, a loud crash came from the basement. Don't worry! Jason called from the bottom of the stairs. Everything's all right. And seconds later, Olivia, get away from that – Crash! Anita! Gretchen!

We're coming, Anita laughed, hurrying to her basement to see what damage the triplets had caused.

Once Olivia and the basement had been cleaned up, and Jason, Chloe, and Mandy were really supervising the triplets, the mood lightened up stairs as the adults closed the wine bottles. So what are everyone's summer plans? someone asked.

Vaughn began, we haven't told the kids yet, but we're surprising them with a trip to Santa Barbara. And the Weisses are coming with us.

Ooh, how many days until we leave? a younger voice asked. It was Mandy. She always had a way up sneaking around (obviously inherited from her parents).

Sydney frowned. You weren't supposed to know we were even going! But that wasn't answer enough for Mandy, so she crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows, waiting. We leave on Monday, Sydney sighed.

she replied, grabbing three cokes before heading back downstairs.

There was a moment of silence while everyone stared at Sydney and Vaughn. Sydney finally had to ask, eyeing them all oddly.

She's definitely your child, Dixon said. The way she just sneaks into conversations unnoticed.

Come to think of it, she does do it a lot, Jack Bristow added. She'd do the CIA wonders one day.

Whoa, whoa, I don't know about that, Vaughn defended her, causing the adults to all laugh. Mandy was his little girl, and anytime someone mentioned her with the CIA he had to protect her from it. He didn't want his little girl venturing off in the dangers of that life, though neither did Sydney. If anyone's going to be in the CIA, it's Chloe. That kid's a genius.

Yeah she is... Weiss mused. Wait. She's not going into the CIA either! She's becoming a doctor. Or a lawyer. I see big money in her future, he said, rubbing his hands.

I think Luke can be in the CIA, Marshall finally said, causing everyone to laugh. he asked innocently. It was no secret that Luke was brainy like his parents, and would just become another brilliant Marshall among the agents.

Anita looked deep in thought. I don't think Nathan would be in the CIA, unless they let him play video games professionally.

What about Jason? Joe, Anita's husband, asked.

Sydney asked. I don't know... Though I would never recommend anyone to the CIA. He can be my big, burly hockey player. She said this with a smile, but began to give serious thought to a career for him. It was true, he would make a great CIA agent. He had the brains, and of course the physical strength...

Well, I take it the kids are ready to go home, Vaughn said to her, breaking her thoughts. She turned her head, and found Jason holding some of his sister's gifts over his head where she couldn't reach them. Chloe watched with amusement as she joined her parents.

Sydney said. He turned and look expectantly at his mother while Mandy continued to jump for her gifts. We're leaving soon.

Do we have to? Nathan was just going to show me his new video game. He said this with his normal sarcasm, pleading with his eyes to go home.

Yes, we're going home. Anita, Joe, thank you so much for dinner, it was wonderful.

Not a problem, Syd. Happy Birthday, Amanda.

she replied, finally jumping on her brother's back.

Vaughn grabbed Mandy's presents that remained on the floor. Come on, we can go home and you can decide what to pack for our vacation.

Vacation? Jason asked, dropping the gifts. Mandy sprang off his back. We're going on vacation? Where?

He raised his eyebrow. You mean Mandy didn't tell you? Jason shook his head.

What can I say, I like keeping secrets. And you said we weren't supposed to know yet.

Vaughn cast Sydney a worried glance, but she chuckled it off. Vaughn didn't like his daughter toying with the idea of keeping secrets, or anything else that would make her appealing to the CIA.

Jason took the rest of Mandy's presents from Vaughn's and raced his sister out to the car, leaving Vaughn and Sydney for goodbyes and thank-yous. Vaughn slipped his hand into his wife's once they were outside. He noticed Sydney's quietness, and asked, What's on your mind?

Nothing, really, Sydney mumbled; a lie. She had been deep in thought about her son becoming an agent, the thoughts wouldn't seem to leave her head. There was something about it that enraptured her mind and refused to let it leave... But why? She shouldn't even be thinking about it, really. Sydney, of all people, practically recruiting her son into the CIA? She almost laughed out loud; the thought was truly ridiculous. She couldn't let her son join into an organization with that much danger. No one deserved the life that Sydney and Vaughn had, especially Jason.

Hey, Mom, can I drive home? he asked her when they reached the car.

both Vaughn and Sydney answered unanimously.





Oh, come on, just a few blocks?



Can I at least –



Mandy laughed at her brother. she shouted.

Shut-up, midget, he replied with a scowl, climbing into the back of their SUV and crossing his arms.

Let's just get home, Sydney said after putting on her seat belt. I think we all could use a good night's sleep tonight. And we can enjoy our first day of sleeping in!

A sarcastic yay' sounded from the back seat as the car pulled out of the drive way, heading back to their home at 619 Brewster Street. And soon Sydney thoughts of Jason in the CIA slipped her mind, but she knew they would return again soon.



A/n: Don't ask about the Frugles Strike Back thing, I just asked my friend for a random name I could use for a future TV show and that's what she gave me. Anyway... What do you think so far? REVIEW! I know this chapter was mostly informationy crap but the real story is beginning, don't worry.
~Whitelighter Enchantress