Starting Over Again Backwards

Chapter 8: A Visitor Called Tante

Sydney sat on the side of the bed and cradled Jade to her chest as long sobs racked her small frame. She hated to see Jade cry, "Drew" she corrected, silently catching her slip up. Sydney felt Drew's cries tug at her heart. There was something about the cries of a child to Sydney, they were sad too sad. At that moment Sydney would do anything to make them stop, not because they annoyed her, but because they pained her. Sydney wanted to do something, but what? She couldn't go back to France and retrieve the blanket. What was she supposed to say to Dixon? "I'm sorry, but I need to take even more time off to go get my daughter's blanket because she can't be without it?" He would understand, Sydney knew this, but she could never bring herself to actually let the words leave her mouth. She caught her father's eye as she rocked Drew and rubbed her back.

Jacked looked at her and said simply, "I'll take care of it," before walking out of the room. He closed the door behind him as he left, but despite this Jade's cries still reached his ears.

The CIA Rotunda

The next morning

The Agents Bristow both looked particularly tired when the walked into work that morning. Drew could not be consoled no matter how long Sydney held her or rocked her. It took 2 hours before Drew fell asleep in Sydney's bed. The one thing Jack had neglected to mention about Jade was the fact that she kicked in her sleep. Finally, at 3am, Sydney pinned Jade's legs with her own and the little girl settled down. Jack left not too long after Jade fell asleep, but stayed up into the wee hours of the morning contacting Irina to make sure that the blanket arrived. However, despite all of this, both sat down to work.

"Rough night?" a voice asked from behind Sydney.

She turned to see Weiss standing there, "You can say that again."

"What happened?"

"Drew lost her blankie."

"She lost her blankie?"

"Yes, she claims she left it with her grandparents."

"And she just told you now? She's been here for almost a month now."

"I know. It was strange. She never mentioned it before."

"My nephew had an imaginary friend when he was Drew's age."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it appeared right after my niece was born. It turned out his imaginary friend was a coping mechanism for him because his parents were paying a lot of attention to the baby."

"You think that Drew is using her blankie as a coping mechanism?"

"Maybe. You just came back this week Syd."

"I know, but I had to go back sometime and she had to go to preschool."

"Maybe you should talk to her, tell her that you won't leave again."

"Yeah, I should." Sydney smiled. "Thanks. How do you know so much about kids?"

"With 7 nieces and nephews, you tend to learn something about kids."

"Hey Eric?"

"Yeah?

"Do you want to have dinner with Drew and I?"

"Sure. When?"

"How about tomorrow? 6pm?"

"Sounds good to me."

"Great."

"I should get going on those reports. I'll see you later."

"Ok, thanks for the advice."

"Anytime."

Sydney got up and walked away. But strangely enough, she found herself going towards her father's office. She hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door, but she knew it couldn't wait, so she knocked.

"Come in," came Jack's voice from inside.

Sydney opened the door and stepped in closing it behind her, "Hi Dad."

"Sydney, come in. How did you fair last night after I left?"

"Drew fell asleep after a couple of hours."

"In your bed?"

"How did you know?"

Jack shrugged, "When Drew gets upset like that, she tends to be a little clingy."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Before last year, how often did you see Jade?"

"Two-three times per month."

"And what about Mom? Was she always there?"

"Yes, with the exception of her time here. Why these questions all of a sudden?"

"I think Jade might be having some issues with abandonment."

"Sydney, that's absurd! There's nothing wrong with Jade."

"Then how do you explain last night? She all of a sudden wanted her blankie, after almost a month of being here and she has a meltdown?"

"She was just tired."

"I don't believe that."

"Then don't. But I know Jade Sydney. She's just adjusting."

"I don't agree, but believe what you want."

"I will," he paused. "I spent most of the night trying to get a hold of your mother. She's sending someone with the blanket."

"Good, I'm glad."

"Sydney, Jade will be fine."

"I hope you're right for her sake."

Two nights later

Sydney's Apartment

Jack sat in the kitchen drinking coffee while Jade was in her room playing. Sydney had to make a run to the store and asked Jack to stay for awhile longer with Jade.

"So you're the one my sister fell in love with," said a voice from behind him.

Jack turned and saw a woman coming out of the shadows.

"Who are you?"

"You're wife sent me," she said holding up a bag.

Just then Jade came out of her room and looked at her father and then the woman. Her face lit up and she smiled broadly before running to the woman at top speed."

"Tante Katya!"