Authors: me, Liza, and my friend Prelude
Rating: uh, I would say certainly no higher than PG-13, and we'll just go with that one to be safe
Disclaimer: we don't own it…no, seriously, we don't…I know, but what can you do?
Spoilers: I'm thinking none, it being pre-season One and all that stuff
Dedications: to Libby, Lucy, and Flick (Prelude's friends)
A/N: Ok, so basically this fic (co-written by me and Prelude) is kinda AU, set before Truth Be Told. Syd's working for SD-6, going out with Danny, friends with Will and Francie etc, and on her missions she bumps into this mysterious stranger, and that's all you're getting for now!
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
Prologue: The Enemy Walks In.
The cocktail lounge was simple, but elegant, and only the most foolish and blind eyes could see it as shabby. It sparkled with a brilliance of life that reflected the shining stars contrasted in the black night outside. The mellow music and refined furniture screamed of wealth beyond the average citizen's imagination. The drinks were pleasant, the food exquisite, and the entertainment was fascinating.
Curtains of the finest silk were draped before tall windows of coloured glass. Though the ceilings were high, priceless paintings were displayed above the guests to be awed and revered. The lighting was a perfect, pale color, suiting the genial mood of the party. With the faint twitter of laughter, the honored guests were enjoying themselves, clearly indulging themselves in the sophistication and pleasantries of their high social rank.
And yet, five floors below this party, accomplishing a task, the possibility of which would not even have crossed the minds of the guests, Agent Sydney Bristow was in the process of fleeing with an invaluable device from the rich, but ignorant, host of the party.
"Dixon, I've got the device. I'll see you in five," she whispered into her comm while placing a small, rectangular object safely into her pocket.
Stepping quietly out of the vault, she examined the hall to be sure that no guard was heading her way. Of course, Dixon had taken care of the surveillance and alarms, but, nonetheless, she had to be very careful. Dressed simply in a black turtleneck, pants, and boots, Sydney ran down the hallways with the confidence and stealth that was the envy of every agent working in SD-6. Despite any circumstance or obstacle, she always managed to complete her every mission with the highest consideration for perfection and diligence. Always.
This is too easy, she thought to herself as she eased herself down a flight of stairs. But the mission was not yet over--this she well knew. As usual, the most difficult task was not to obtain or destroy but to escape without a trace.
As she neared another turn, her apprehension was rewarded with the sight of a gun held by a slightly outstretched arm. Immediately, without even the thought of hesitating, Sydney kicked the gun out of the stranger's hand and delivered another kick to his chest, which sent him flying into the wall behind him. She charged at him and swung her fist, hoping to end this fight quickly and quietly.
But the stranger, although taken by surprise at first, was now fully alert and prepared to face her. Dodging her clenched fist, he ducked and hit her ribs with a fair amount of strength. Angered by the man's actions, she kneed his jaw forcefully and kicked him down when he had kneeled. Staring at the figure on the floor, Sydney thought she saw determination flare in his colored eyes before she felt the ground slip from under her when he tripped her.
Without wasting the opportunity, the man rose from the floor and ran after the abandoned gun lying nearby with Sydney sprinting behind him. Since he could not match her speed, she easily reached him before he could seize the weapon. Grabbing his black shirt, she spun him around forcefully to face her. As he turned, the man swung his left hand, aiming for her jaw and missing. With reflexes as sharp as the knife she carried strapped to her leg, she struck his covered face twice before kicking him further back into the hallway and away from the gun.
Briskly advancing towards him, she let her right fist fly but failed to hit her target. Instead, the stranger ducked and punched her chest with brute strength. Sydney, the wind nearly knocked out of her, doubled over in pain. But nothing could compete with the adrenaline within her, so she did not stay stooped over for long. When the enemy moved forward, she turned and kicked his chest, effectively driving him against the wall. With victory on her mind, she struck his face with a left backhand and swung her right fist to end the battle.
But her assailant must have read her mind, for, with her same lightening speed, he snatched her arm in time before she could make contact. Not one to be discouraged by a challenge, she saw her opening and kicked the back of his knee, causing him to partly kneel before her. However, before she could make her next move, he reached around her waist and tackled her down. Before she could escape, he pinned down each arm with one hand and lightly rested on her stomach, his legs on either side of her waist. Now that she was momentarily trapped, the man proceeded to take this time to recuperate and study the fierce woman below him. With the two of them breathing heavily, Sydney, waiting for the mistake that would become her opportunity, could only do the same.
The stranger was quite obviously a strong man, but he was not exceptionally bulky; she was able to discern this from his somewhat light frame and bearable weight on her abdomen. He had a broad chest and shoulders with muscles that were outlined by the tight, black shirt he wore. From what she had seen, his condition was excellent, and his figure was well worthy of praise. The hands that pressed down on her arms were sturdy, but not callous, suggesting that he was a strong man who could easily provide both protection and loving care...
What was she thinking! This man was her enemy! She had to focus again.
That was when Sydney Bristow made the fatal mistake of staring into his eyes. Though she had looked at them once, it was not until now that she noticed the incredible shade of green that shone from his eyes. They were the color of a forest, a deep jungle that held countless mysteries in the form of emeralds. Yet, even with the jade enigmas, there was something within this sea of green that radiated honesty and righteousness. As his irises altered into a darker shade, there was something in him that told her conscience he could be trusted. In those eyes, she read emotions that she knew reflected her own: anger, frustration, confusion, acquiescence, amiability, and...desire?
It was only at that moment that Sydney realized the entire time she had been staring at him, the man on top of her had been holding her gaze, inching closer and closer to her face. With a small amount of space between them, a space filled with a whisper, a promise of something to come, they both held their breath, wondering who would make the next move. Slowly, cautiously, he lifted his left hand off of her arm and placed it on the edge of the black mask that concealed his face.
Until this moment, Sydney Bristow had never been distracted or swayed while on the job, and certainly not swept off her feet (literally) by a complete stranger, a gorgeous stranger that was her enemy. She was the best at what she did because she had worked hard to become so. Without any exception, she completed every mission with alacrity and prudence. Despite the high degree of difficulty, she was forever praised for her ability to remain calm and focused.
And she was not about to let that reputation go to waste on a stranger she had just spent the past few minutes fighting.
And so, with practiced concentration, Sydney reevaluated the present situation in order to make her escape. With her keen perception, she quickly realized the advantage she had with his leaning posture and his now removed hand. A taunting smile of triumph on her lips, she pushed her arms down by her sides while lifting up her hips, consequently causing the man the fall forward. Without delay, she sprang up and sprinted towards the nearby weapon on the floor. Gun in hand, she faced him with a steady confidence not to be taken lightly as he began to rise from the ground.
Pointing the gun at him, she ordered with a dominant voice, "Stay where you are. Kneel down, and put your hands behind your head."
Without a word, the stranger did as she ordered and waited patiently for her next course of action. Keeping the weapon trained on him, she tentatively walked forward, staring into the beautiful eyes that displayed disappointment, understanding, and, finally, pride. With a tinge of regret, she took the end of the gun and struck his head, knocking him unconscious. Throwing the gun beside his body, she took one last look at the man before running to meet Dixon at the pickup location. And, even while she did so, she knew that those green eyes would haunt her.
So that's it for the prologue. Updates aren't gonna be too frequent, 'cause we're both at school and have to work and stuff, but we'll post as often as possible. Hope you enjoyed it! Please review so I'll know to keep posting!