Story: Beyond
Author: Steph (stephanie406@juno.com)
Disclaimer: Don't own Alias, or any characters thus portrayed. It all belongs to JJ Abrams, Bad Robot Productions, ABC, etc.
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Spoilers: post "After Thirty Years"
Note: since I haven't figured out how to get HTML to work in here, the [brackets] take the place of italics.
Vaughn was slowly crawling his way through the air ducts. It had taken him an insane amount of time to loosen the bolts holding the vent. All things considered, keys weren't exactly the best substitute for a screwdriver. But you made do with what you had, didn't you? Vaughn supposed so.
And now here he was at yet another intersection of ducts. He'd been valiantly trying to remember the twists and turns the hallway he'd run down had made. But, at the time, worry for Syd had preceded his absorption of his environment. But then again, worrying about her took precedence over practically all else in his life.
Well, if he was really honest with himself, he'd admit that nothing in his life had higher priority to him than everything that was Sydney.
"Pathetic. Just pathetic" he mumbled to himself. He decided to take the left fork in this metallic tunnel intersection. What could it hurt? Before he did that though, he pulled out his pen, and set to scratching arrows into the metal. He'd been very glad to discover it worked. 'Hansel and Gretel all over again' he thought, trying to find what amusement he could.
Because if he didn't get out of here soon, he'd go insane. Literally. Every so often there was another vent and he could peek down at the hallway below. Every time he heard voices, he'd had to stop and wait for the person or persons to pass by. As it was, he was creeping along at a very slow pace, trying not to make any noise at all whatsoever.
It was nerve wracking. Completely and totally nerve wracking.
Another glance at his watch and Vaughn grimaced. In case of troubles, they'd set up a secondary meeting place with a later meeting time. And time had just passed. Assuming that Jack had stuck by the plan (and Jack was never one to much deviate from plan), the plane was now airborne for LA. Hopefully, with Sydney safe on it. And Will as well.
Vaughn could no longer hold a grudge against Will. He understood why Will's concern for Sydney's safety had taken him to such extreme lengths. Really, he understood more than he cared to admit. And suddenly, jealousy was becoming empathy. Sympathy as well, just imagining the shock, torture and pain the unsuspecting man had unknowingly stumbled upon.
He was approaching another intersection. He was getting sick of making choices.
Vaughn stiffened into silence as muffled noise reached his ears.
So far his method had been quieting until the people had passed below, and then turning either to follow them or go where they'd come from. People in halls meant maybe populated main halls, and eventually an exit.
This time was no different. He inched closer to the nearest vent to watch where these people went, deciding to go this time where they'd come from.
That thought vanished as soon as the voices drifting towards him went from droning voices into distinguishable conversation.
"Was she alone, do we know?" a female asked.
They stopped, right below Vaughn.
"She would not say. But the guard who brought her in said she was attempting to break the glass in the door to rescue someone. Her accomplice apparently. And I'm sure he now enjoys a rather watery grave" replied a male.
'If only you knew' Vaughn thought.
"Unfortunately, her little escapade has set us yet further behind schedule. She seems to have inherited my talent for destruction, at least."
Vaughn was jolted at the sudden realization that it was Sydney's mother that he was listening to. And Sydney was still here. 'Damn'. And if he wasn't hearing things, was it actually a tinge of pride he had heard in her voice in that last statement? He thought he was going to be sick. This woman was more sick and twisted than anyone had thought.
He tuned back into the conversation in time to hear her refer to her partner as 'Alexander'. 'Khasinau' he thought instantly. Oddly enough, she seemed to be giving him the orders though. Puzzling. And then Vaughn's mouth dropped open in shock and realization.
'The Man' wasn't Khasinau. In fact, 'the Man' wasn't a man at all!
Vaughn lay numbly in shock for a moment after they parted ways. And then he began to quickly scramble in the direction Khasinau had gone, on the order of taking Sydney something to eat and making "damn sure she ate it this time.'"
This was information overload unlike he'd ever experienced before in his life.
And it wasn't over yet. Not by a long shot.
*AN ~ Well? What'd ya think? Feedback PLEASE!!!! Will's POV chapter is next! (Feedback would help in it getting posted faster… hehe)*
