Chapter 13 – The Epilogue
Notes: See Chapter 1. (And thanks for the continued feedback. :D)
[LOS ANGELES – evening, 3 weeks later]
"I could get used to this not working thing for a while," Sydney said, sitting in front of the TV, watching Run Lola Run. "Catch up on all the latest goings on in the soap opera world."
Will, sitting on Sydney's right, rolls his eyes and laughs. "Yeah, and maybe then you can get the *names* of the soap operas right too, while you're at it…"
Francie, sitting to the right of her, shakes her head. "What you need is some serious R & R. I mean, the government should totally be sending you on an all expenses trip to Hawaii for a couple weeks—no…months, after all the years of undercover work you did for them. Maybe you ought to consider a career in the CIA." Sydney laughs, but not for the reasons Francie is thinking.
When the Credit Dauphine bank had been shut down 3 weeks earlier, it was done publicly as an IRS/FBI raid. Although the raid had been legitimate, since they had proof that Credit Dauphine had also been a front to launder money for several 'unidentified, illegal organizations', as they had put it---there had also been a second raid done at the same time by the CIA, focusing on the SD-6 offices in the sub-basement of the bank building.
Sydney had told Francie the closest version of the truth that she was allowed to tell---she and Jack had been informants for the IRS and FBI for several years, helping them gather evidence to expose the wrongdoing being done behind the scenes at the bank. Francie had accepted her story without hesitation and was more than overjoyed to know that Sydney wouldn't have to spend another day at the bank anymore.
Will was also happy to see Sydney no longer associated with her job, for other reasons. He could go back to work and not worry about his SD-6 story ever being published. A 10-minute visit from Jack last week to 'persuade' his editor June Litvak to bury the story seemed to have done the trick…as soon as Jack left the office, a pale-faced Litvak called Will in and asked him to destroy all copies of his investigation immediately.
As well, the CIA security detail that had been keeping an eye on him since he returned from Taipei had also been pulled that same day, leaving him with the impression that things were back to normal, except for one thing.
Sydney. After Taipei, he had wondered if there was ever going to be a place in her life for him to be more than just a friend. But he knew, realistically now, that it was probably never going to happen. He had seen firsthand what she had sacrificed for her job and knew it had taken a considerable toll on her. And when she had needed someone to talk to, she didn't confide in him, but in someone else, probably someone who knew what she really did---that was apparent.
And strangely enough, he was okay with that. He knows now that his once idealized version of 'Will and Sydney' will never be realized. He has been irrevocably changed from his recent experiences and only now was he starting to understand the real Sydney Bristow for the first time. He knows she is happy and thankful that he still wants to be friends with her, and that, for now, is consolation enough for him.
The doorbell rings. Sydney gets up before anyone else does. "I'll get it." She walks hesitatingly towards the door, (still unsure as to who would show up on how doorstep, even now), and opens it.
Vaughn is standing on the doormat, with a colorfully garbed, older woman to his right.
"Hi," Vaughn says, looking a little sheepish.
"Hey," she replies, surprised, and delighted to see him here, of all places.
"Sydney, this is my Aunt Trish, visiting from France." He gives her a 'you-know-THAT-Aunt-Trish' look. Sydney nods at him slightly and gives them both a smile. "Aunt Trish, this is Sydney Bristow, a…colleague of mine."
Trish extends her hand. "Delighted to finally meet you in person." Sydney shakes her hand and gives Vaughn a quizzical look, but remembers the various eccentricities Vaughn had mentioned in times past about her, and plays along.
Sydney steps back into the house. "Yes, likewise. Please, won't you two come in?"
"We just dropped by briefly because Aunt Trish said she knew a friend close by—" Vaughn begins but Aunt Trish cuts him off.
"We're here, chère, and yes, we would be more than happy to come in," Trish beams, stepping inside. Following the two into the living room, Sydney sees Will and Francie get up off the couch to see who has dropped by.
"Guys, this is my…supervisor, Michael Vaughn, and this is his Aunt Trish, visiting from France. They were just in the neighborhood and they stopped by to say hello." She gestures at Francie and Will. "This is my roommate, Francie and this is our friend, Will."
Bobbing her head and saying hello to Aunt Trish, Francie repeats the same to Vaughn.
Will raises his hand briefly at Vaughn. "Hey." (They had first met on the flight back from Taipei). He looks at Aunt Trish. "And hello," he says politely to her. She tilts her head slightly, looks at him for a moment, and then smiles back at him.
"A pleasure to meet you all," she pronounces.
Mindful that they have guests, Francie pipes up. "Would you two like something to drink? I just made some lemonade in the kitchen."
"Yes, that would be wonderful, thank you," Aunt Trish replies. Watching Francie and Will go into the kitchen, she turns to Sydney and Vaughn with an expectant look on her face.
Trying to think up a topic of conversation, Sydney glances at Vaughn, and sees his red hanky peeking out from the upper left pocket of his jacket. "I see you're still wearing the red hanky that she's given you," she begins.
"Ah, yes. And as much as I hate to say it, Aunt Trish, I think the hanky has been a good luck charm for me. I'm glad you sent it and that Sydney talked me into carrying it with me on the job."
Trish winks at Sydney, and without hesitation Sydney grins back at her.
"Speaking of on the job," Vaughn hastens to add, "There have been some developments this evening. I was going to call you tomorrow and set up a meeting, but since I'm here…" She nods, instantly getting what he means.
Looking at the two of them, Trish speaks. "Why don't you two go for a walk then? I can stay here and chat with Francie and Will. Maybe pull out my deck of Tarot cards and do a few readings to kill some time."
Torn between wanting to hear Vaughn's news, and being polite, she hesitates. "I don't want to intrude on your time here---with Vaughn…"
Aunt Trish waves her hand dismissively. "It is no problem whatsoever, chère. Please, go ahead."
"All right. Thank you."
"You're very much welcome."
[A block away, 5 minutes later]
They had elected not to say anything to each other until they were well away from her house. Vaughn clears his throat. "Sloane died about an hour ago of complications from the gunshot wounds suffered during the CIA raid. I called your father as soon as I found out and he gave me the okay to break the news to you." Jack was currently in Paris, trying to ascertain Irina's whereabouts.
She stops walking. "He's finally gone." She says this more as a statement than question.
He walks past her, and then turns around to face her. "Yes."
"Danny's murder's been avenged, the Alliance is gone and Sloane died knowing that I gave the Master File to the CIA." She turns to face him. "This all happened because I made a choice to tell Danny about SD-6. How different would our lives have been if I never told Danny about SD-6, or if Sloane never had him killed. It's amazing sometimes how one decision made by one person can set off a chain of events that affects not only that person, but everyone around him in ways we can't even begin to anticipate or understand. Like that movie we were just watching when you and your aunt came by."
"Yes." He thinks briefly what his life would have been like if he had never met Sydney Bristow and all he can draw is a blank.
"I've accomplished what I set out to do when I became a double agent for the CIA. And yet, I feel as if my work is still not done." He knows what she is trying to say.
"Sydney, your work is done. You can do anything you want now. You could take that senior officer position that Devlin offered, which would technically make you my boss—" she smiles at that--- "or go back to finish school and teach, or travel or help Francie open her restaurant. The point is, you don't have to be a spy anymore."
"She's still out there."
"Yes, but your father and I are doing what we can to find her. You helped us get to this point. We can take it from here."
She shakes her head stubbornly. "She will come after me if you get too close to her." She takes a half step closer to him, and reaches out to trace the edge of the red hanky with her fingers, trailing across the brightly colored silk. "And despite all the good luck charms you may have, it's not going to be enough to keep you and Dad safe from her."
He is at a loss for words…he knows she is right and he can't think up of anything to say otherwise.
"I can't leave the business yet. I thought I could, these past few weeks---."
"You still can," he argues, slightly distracted from the gentle heat her fingers have left in their wake, across his jacket and the red hanky. "Your father and I are going to make sure you---"
Her fingers reach up and brush his lips, silencing him. She glides her fingers across his cheek, and turns it so that her palm is touching the side of his face.
"Just because SD-6 and the Alliance are gone doesn't mean I don't have any more things worth fighting for. Worth protecting from harm."
He blinks, taking in what she has just said. Was she hinting that they might have a future ahead of them, when all of this was over? A peculiar warmth spreads through him at that thought. He reaches up and covers her hand with his, wanting to be extra sure about what she just said. "You don't have to do this."
"Vaughn, I'm doing this not because I have to, but because I *want* to. The choice is mine to make now, and I'm making it freely." She takes a step back, grabs his hand, and tugs a little. "Let's go."
He follows her lead, but he quickly realizes they aren't going back to her house.
"Sydney, where are we going? This isn't the way back."
"No, but I have a hankering for a Slush-O. Come on, let's go before the convenience store closes. My treat."
She flashes him a smile, and suddenly all he can think of is the here and now, with her. And with a small laugh, he follows her, down the block.
(the end)
Notes: See Chapter 1. (And thanks for the continued feedback. :D)
[LOS ANGELES – evening, 3 weeks later]
"I could get used to this not working thing for a while," Sydney said, sitting in front of the TV, watching Run Lola Run. "Catch up on all the latest goings on in the soap opera world."
Will, sitting on Sydney's right, rolls his eyes and laughs. "Yeah, and maybe then you can get the *names* of the soap operas right too, while you're at it…"
Francie, sitting to the right of her, shakes her head. "What you need is some serious R & R. I mean, the government should totally be sending you on an all expenses trip to Hawaii for a couple weeks—no…months, after all the years of undercover work you did for them. Maybe you ought to consider a career in the CIA." Sydney laughs, but not for the reasons Francie is thinking.
When the Credit Dauphine bank had been shut down 3 weeks earlier, it was done publicly as an IRS/FBI raid. Although the raid had been legitimate, since they had proof that Credit Dauphine had also been a front to launder money for several 'unidentified, illegal organizations', as they had put it---there had also been a second raid done at the same time by the CIA, focusing on the SD-6 offices in the sub-basement of the bank building.
Sydney had told Francie the closest version of the truth that she was allowed to tell---she and Jack had been informants for the IRS and FBI for several years, helping them gather evidence to expose the wrongdoing being done behind the scenes at the bank. Francie had accepted her story without hesitation and was more than overjoyed to know that Sydney wouldn't have to spend another day at the bank anymore.
Will was also happy to see Sydney no longer associated with her job, for other reasons. He could go back to work and not worry about his SD-6 story ever being published. A 10-minute visit from Jack last week to 'persuade' his editor June Litvak to bury the story seemed to have done the trick…as soon as Jack left the office, a pale-faced Litvak called Will in and asked him to destroy all copies of his investigation immediately.
As well, the CIA security detail that had been keeping an eye on him since he returned from Taipei had also been pulled that same day, leaving him with the impression that things were back to normal, except for one thing.
Sydney. After Taipei, he had wondered if there was ever going to be a place in her life for him to be more than just a friend. But he knew, realistically now, that it was probably never going to happen. He had seen firsthand what she had sacrificed for her job and knew it had taken a considerable toll on her. And when she had needed someone to talk to, she didn't confide in him, but in someone else, probably someone who knew what she really did---that was apparent.
And strangely enough, he was okay with that. He knows now that his once idealized version of 'Will and Sydney' will never be realized. He has been irrevocably changed from his recent experiences and only now was he starting to understand the real Sydney Bristow for the first time. He knows she is happy and thankful that he still wants to be friends with her, and that, for now, is consolation enough for him.
The doorbell rings. Sydney gets up before anyone else does. "I'll get it." She walks hesitatingly towards the door, (still unsure as to who would show up on how doorstep, even now), and opens it.
Vaughn is standing on the doormat, with a colorfully garbed, older woman to his right.
"Hi," Vaughn says, looking a little sheepish.
"Hey," she replies, surprised, and delighted to see him here, of all places.
"Sydney, this is my Aunt Trish, visiting from France." He gives her a 'you-know-THAT-Aunt-Trish' look. Sydney nods at him slightly and gives them both a smile. "Aunt Trish, this is Sydney Bristow, a…colleague of mine."
Trish extends her hand. "Delighted to finally meet you in person." Sydney shakes her hand and gives Vaughn a quizzical look, but remembers the various eccentricities Vaughn had mentioned in times past about her, and plays along.
Sydney steps back into the house. "Yes, likewise. Please, won't you two come in?"
"We just dropped by briefly because Aunt Trish said she knew a friend close by—" Vaughn begins but Aunt Trish cuts him off.
"We're here, chère, and yes, we would be more than happy to come in," Trish beams, stepping inside. Following the two into the living room, Sydney sees Will and Francie get up off the couch to see who has dropped by.
"Guys, this is my…supervisor, Michael Vaughn, and this is his Aunt Trish, visiting from France. They were just in the neighborhood and they stopped by to say hello." She gestures at Francie and Will. "This is my roommate, Francie and this is our friend, Will."
Bobbing her head and saying hello to Aunt Trish, Francie repeats the same to Vaughn.
Will raises his hand briefly at Vaughn. "Hey." (They had first met on the flight back from Taipei). He looks at Aunt Trish. "And hello," he says politely to her. She tilts her head slightly, looks at him for a moment, and then smiles back at him.
"A pleasure to meet you all," she pronounces.
Mindful that they have guests, Francie pipes up. "Would you two like something to drink? I just made some lemonade in the kitchen."
"Yes, that would be wonderful, thank you," Aunt Trish replies. Watching Francie and Will go into the kitchen, she turns to Sydney and Vaughn with an expectant look on her face.
Trying to think up a topic of conversation, Sydney glances at Vaughn, and sees his red hanky peeking out from the upper left pocket of his jacket. "I see you're still wearing the red hanky that she's given you," she begins.
"Ah, yes. And as much as I hate to say it, Aunt Trish, I think the hanky has been a good luck charm for me. I'm glad you sent it and that Sydney talked me into carrying it with me on the job."
Trish winks at Sydney, and without hesitation Sydney grins back at her.
"Speaking of on the job," Vaughn hastens to add, "There have been some developments this evening. I was going to call you tomorrow and set up a meeting, but since I'm here…" She nods, instantly getting what he means.
Looking at the two of them, Trish speaks. "Why don't you two go for a walk then? I can stay here and chat with Francie and Will. Maybe pull out my deck of Tarot cards and do a few readings to kill some time."
Torn between wanting to hear Vaughn's news, and being polite, she hesitates. "I don't want to intrude on your time here---with Vaughn…"
Aunt Trish waves her hand dismissively. "It is no problem whatsoever, chère. Please, go ahead."
"All right. Thank you."
"You're very much welcome."
[A block away, 5 minutes later]
They had elected not to say anything to each other until they were well away from her house. Vaughn clears his throat. "Sloane died about an hour ago of complications from the gunshot wounds suffered during the CIA raid. I called your father as soon as I found out and he gave me the okay to break the news to you." Jack was currently in Paris, trying to ascertain Irina's whereabouts.
She stops walking. "He's finally gone." She says this more as a statement than question.
He walks past her, and then turns around to face her. "Yes."
"Danny's murder's been avenged, the Alliance is gone and Sloane died knowing that I gave the Master File to the CIA." She turns to face him. "This all happened because I made a choice to tell Danny about SD-6. How different would our lives have been if I never told Danny about SD-6, or if Sloane never had him killed. It's amazing sometimes how one decision made by one person can set off a chain of events that affects not only that person, but everyone around him in ways we can't even begin to anticipate or understand. Like that movie we were just watching when you and your aunt came by."
"Yes." He thinks briefly what his life would have been like if he had never met Sydney Bristow and all he can draw is a blank.
"I've accomplished what I set out to do when I became a double agent for the CIA. And yet, I feel as if my work is still not done." He knows what she is trying to say.
"Sydney, your work is done. You can do anything you want now. You could take that senior officer position that Devlin offered, which would technically make you my boss—" she smiles at that--- "or go back to finish school and teach, or travel or help Francie open her restaurant. The point is, you don't have to be a spy anymore."
"She's still out there."
"Yes, but your father and I are doing what we can to find her. You helped us get to this point. We can take it from here."
She shakes her head stubbornly. "She will come after me if you get too close to her." She takes a half step closer to him, and reaches out to trace the edge of the red hanky with her fingers, trailing across the brightly colored silk. "And despite all the good luck charms you may have, it's not going to be enough to keep you and Dad safe from her."
He is at a loss for words…he knows she is right and he can't think up of anything to say otherwise.
"I can't leave the business yet. I thought I could, these past few weeks---."
"You still can," he argues, slightly distracted from the gentle heat her fingers have left in their wake, across his jacket and the red hanky. "Your father and I are going to make sure you---"
Her fingers reach up and brush his lips, silencing him. She glides her fingers across his cheek, and turns it so that her palm is touching the side of his face.
"Just because SD-6 and the Alliance are gone doesn't mean I don't have any more things worth fighting for. Worth protecting from harm."
He blinks, taking in what she has just said. Was she hinting that they might have a future ahead of them, when all of this was over? A peculiar warmth spreads through him at that thought. He reaches up and covers her hand with his, wanting to be extra sure about what she just said. "You don't have to do this."
"Vaughn, I'm doing this not because I have to, but because I *want* to. The choice is mine to make now, and I'm making it freely." She takes a step back, grabs his hand, and tugs a little. "Let's go."
He follows her lead, but he quickly realizes they aren't going back to her house.
"Sydney, where are we going? This isn't the way back."
"No, but I have a hankering for a Slush-O. Come on, let's go before the convenience store closes. My treat."
She flashes him a smile, and suddenly all he can think of is the here and now, with her. And with a small laugh, he follows her, down the block.
(the end)