Barely Breathing
Imitating Life
© 2002
Rating: PG
Spoilers: basic stuff
Pairing: some V/S
Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me.
-Sydney's POV-
I pull up into the driveway of the apartment complex I share with Francie. Home, as she likes to call it. I don't know what it is to me, though. Home just doesn't seem like the right word. And I know why. But I don't like to think about my parents too much. Especially not now, not after the other day…
I climb out of the car and lug my suitcase out of the trunk. The mission went smoothly. Sometimes it's scary to think of how effortlessly I do my so-called job, and then of how much it has permeated my everyday life. Just the other night, I caught myself checking for a tail while Francie and I drove to a nearby restaurant. I mean, I know I should be careful and everything, but this is edging on paranoia. And then, at the restaurant, I automatically sized up everyone we came into contact with, like I would a potential opponent. Am I losing it? I've tried so hard to keep my two lives separate, but recently it's been slowly falling apart.
"Syd!" A female voice from within interrupts my thoughts.
"Hey, Francie," I say, a genuine smile curving on my lips.
"How was your trip? Did you have fun in Madrid?" she asks innocently, because that's what she is, innocent.
"Yeah," I lie, "the city was beautiful." Well, maybe not a complete lie. Madrid has always been one of my favorite cities to visit, but this time the mission afforded me no time for casual tourism. In fact, the very word "fun" seems like a slap in the face. Fun is the one thing I am definitely not having.
"Hey," she says softly, "you look tired. You want some food? We've got some leftover Chinese."
I look at her gratefully. Sometimes I think she understands me completely. For that, I am thankful. It's times like these when I just need a comforting friend and not a nosy somebody. "Sure," I reply, "Chinese sound good right about now."
---
-Vaughn's POV-
My alarm clock goes off and I reach groggily across the bed to turn it off. I don't get up. Seven minutes later it goes off again. I hate tricky alarm clocks. In my early morning state of mind I always push the "repeat alarm" button instead of the "off" button. The "off" button is a tiny button located conveniently at the back of the clock, while the "repeat" button is five times the size and placed inconspicuously in the front.
The alarm goes off again, and this time I do get up, if only to shut the stupid thing off. Which only reminds me why I bought it in the first place: because it's so tricky.
I stumble into the bathroom and stare at myself in the mirror. Another day. Another day as an agent for the CIA. Another day as Sydney Bristow's handler. Another Monday. Another day of pure torture.
Sydney's back today. Well, yesterday, but I am meeting her today to discuss the details of her next mission, which she is no doubt getting briefed on right now. Talk about stress. SD-6 didn't even give her a break this time.
I jump into the shower before I have to get dressed and go to work.
--
A glance at my watch tells me it's one o'clock. Time to give Sydney a ring. I pick up the phone and get a secure line.
"Hello?" A voice answers, and I know immediately it's her. Her voice is sweet and clear and completely neutral. I used to wonder why her roommate never picked up. Now I know better than to look a gift horse in the mouth. Just hearing her voice can brighten my entire day.
"Joey's Pizza?"
"Sorry, wrong number," she recites, hanging up the phone. Odd, her voice sounded funny. Slightly excited, almost…out of breath.
I grab my things and head out to the warehouse.
--
-Sydney's POV-
I let out a breath as I hang up the phone. He called. Vaughn called. And now I am going to jump in my car and go meet him in a deserted warehouse. Where we'll be alone, hopelessly alone. I sigh. Get a grip.
Just then the front door opens and Francie walks in with Will. They're both laughing, apparently from something Will said.
"Hey, Syd," Francie calls out, noticing me by the phone, "you back from class already?"
"Actually I was just leaving," I respond as I grab my keys. "I'll see you guys later."
"Where to? You don't have a class until three." Will's question stops me in my tracks. There are times when I wish he wasn't so nosy. This is one of them. Since when did he know my class schedule?
"I have some errands to run, if that's okay with you," I retort sarcastically. Instantly, I feel guilty as he blushes. I didn't mean for the last part to come out, because I know he just really cares about me. "Sorry," I add, with a sincere apologetic smile, "I'll be back soon."
And I leave, because I have nothing more to say. Because Vaughn is waiting.
Not terribly exciting, I know. The next chapter will be better, I promise. -V
Imitating Life
© 2002
Rating: PG
Spoilers: basic stuff
Pairing: some V/S
Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me.
-Sydney's POV-
I pull up into the driveway of the apartment complex I share with Francie. Home, as she likes to call it. I don't know what it is to me, though. Home just doesn't seem like the right word. And I know why. But I don't like to think about my parents too much. Especially not now, not after the other day…
I climb out of the car and lug my suitcase out of the trunk. The mission went smoothly. Sometimes it's scary to think of how effortlessly I do my so-called job, and then of how much it has permeated my everyday life. Just the other night, I caught myself checking for a tail while Francie and I drove to a nearby restaurant. I mean, I know I should be careful and everything, but this is edging on paranoia. And then, at the restaurant, I automatically sized up everyone we came into contact with, like I would a potential opponent. Am I losing it? I've tried so hard to keep my two lives separate, but recently it's been slowly falling apart.
"Syd!" A female voice from within interrupts my thoughts.
"Hey, Francie," I say, a genuine smile curving on my lips.
"How was your trip? Did you have fun in Madrid?" she asks innocently, because that's what she is, innocent.
"Yeah," I lie, "the city was beautiful." Well, maybe not a complete lie. Madrid has always been one of my favorite cities to visit, but this time the mission afforded me no time for casual tourism. In fact, the very word "fun" seems like a slap in the face. Fun is the one thing I am definitely not having.
"Hey," she says softly, "you look tired. You want some food? We've got some leftover Chinese."
I look at her gratefully. Sometimes I think she understands me completely. For that, I am thankful. It's times like these when I just need a comforting friend and not a nosy somebody. "Sure," I reply, "Chinese sound good right about now."
---
-Vaughn's POV-
My alarm clock goes off and I reach groggily across the bed to turn it off. I don't get up. Seven minutes later it goes off again. I hate tricky alarm clocks. In my early morning state of mind I always push the "repeat alarm" button instead of the "off" button. The "off" button is a tiny button located conveniently at the back of the clock, while the "repeat" button is five times the size and placed inconspicuously in the front.
The alarm goes off again, and this time I do get up, if only to shut the stupid thing off. Which only reminds me why I bought it in the first place: because it's so tricky.
I stumble into the bathroom and stare at myself in the mirror. Another day. Another day as an agent for the CIA. Another day as Sydney Bristow's handler. Another Monday. Another day of pure torture.
Sydney's back today. Well, yesterday, but I am meeting her today to discuss the details of her next mission, which she is no doubt getting briefed on right now. Talk about stress. SD-6 didn't even give her a break this time.
I jump into the shower before I have to get dressed and go to work.
--
A glance at my watch tells me it's one o'clock. Time to give Sydney a ring. I pick up the phone and get a secure line.
"Hello?" A voice answers, and I know immediately it's her. Her voice is sweet and clear and completely neutral. I used to wonder why her roommate never picked up. Now I know better than to look a gift horse in the mouth. Just hearing her voice can brighten my entire day.
"Joey's Pizza?"
"Sorry, wrong number," she recites, hanging up the phone. Odd, her voice sounded funny. Slightly excited, almost…out of breath.
I grab my things and head out to the warehouse.
--
-Sydney's POV-
I let out a breath as I hang up the phone. He called. Vaughn called. And now I am going to jump in my car and go meet him in a deserted warehouse. Where we'll be alone, hopelessly alone. I sigh. Get a grip.
Just then the front door opens and Francie walks in with Will. They're both laughing, apparently from something Will said.
"Hey, Syd," Francie calls out, noticing me by the phone, "you back from class already?"
"Actually I was just leaving," I respond as I grab my keys. "I'll see you guys later."
"Where to? You don't have a class until three." Will's question stops me in my tracks. There are times when I wish he wasn't so nosy. This is one of them. Since when did he know my class schedule?
"I have some errands to run, if that's okay with you," I retort sarcastically. Instantly, I feel guilty as he blushes. I didn't mean for the last part to come out, because I know he just really cares about me. "Sorry," I add, with a sincere apologetic smile, "I'll be back soon."
And I leave, because I have nothing more to say. Because Vaughn is waiting.
Not terribly exciting, I know. The next chapter will be better, I promise. -V
