Jack watched as Sydney pulled into the drive. He glanced at his watch. At least she didn't take as long as Vaughn had, he thought as he watched her get out of the car and hurry up the sidewalk.
She fumbled with her keys as she approached him. "Sorry."
Jack stepped back to let her unlock the door. "I wasn't expecting to be waiting this long."
Sydney sighed as she opened the door. "I had to go to Dixon's. As soon as you called, I left."
"Sydney..." Jack started.
"No, listen. I don't think it's a good thing for us to discuss this right now," she said as she walked into the bedroom.
"Please tell me that you are at least ready to go."
Sydney reappeared with suitcase in tow. "I think so," she replied sarcastically.
Sydney was about to open the door when Jack stopped her. "I know you're upset with me. But when you walk out that door, you will have a smile on your face and you will look like you are happy to be leaving with me. Do we understand each other?
Sydney glared at her father. "Yes, I understand. Shall we?" she asked, holding the door open.
When she turned to lock the door, Jack grabbed her bag and headed to the car. Following her father, she arrived at the car, a smile plastered on her face.
Jack opened the door for Sydney, waiting for her to get in. He was shocked when she kissed his cheek before she ducked into the car. It took him a moment to recover. Leaning against the door, he looked down at his daughter. "What was that for?"
Sydney smiled up at him, but the smile never reached eyes. "For taking me on this trip," she replied sweetly.
Closing the door, he shook his head. You're welcome, he thought as he got in and pulled onto the road.
********
Neither spoke during the forty minute trip to the airport, each lost in their own thoughts. Occasionally, Jack would glance over at Sydney, watching her for a moment before returning his focus to the road.
Sydney could feel her father's gaze, but continued to stare out the window as the airport drew closer. She wanted so much to apologize for what she had said at the warehouse, but she didn't know how to begin. That always seems to be the problem, she thought. After so many years, she had no idea where to begin.
As Jack pulled up to take a ticket for long-term parking, he looked back at Sydney only to find her looking at him as well.
"Sydney..."
"Dad..."
They both stopped. Jack glanced over at Sydney. "What is it?"
"No, you first."
"It wasn't important," Jack stated solemnly. "What did you want to say?"
Sydney shook her head and gazed back out the window. "Nothing."
Jack nodded and pulled into a parking space, turning off the engine. Sitting there for a moment, he looked back at Sydney. "Sydney."
Sydney looked back at her father. "Yes?"
"I just want you to know that I'm sorry. Had I known what would happen, I would never have involved Mr. Tippin."
"You know, Dad," she began. "His name is not Mr. Tippin. His name is Will and he's one of my best friends and..."
"And what?" Jack asked.
Sydney looked away. "And nothing." She glanced at her watch. It was almost one o'clock. "We should go inside," she added as she opened the door.
Jack sat for a moment longer before getting out of the car. It had already been a long day, but he had a feeling it was about to get even longer.
********
Jack walked up to the counter, his ID in hand. The line hadn't been long, but since two of the ticket agents appeared to be out to lunch, they'd had to wait for almost fifteen minutes.
"Can I help you, Sir?" the young man behind the counter asked.
"Yes, the name is Jack Bristow. I have reservations for myself and my daughter on the two p.m. flight to Newark."
"Can I see your tickets please?"
"They are electronic tickets," Jack answered.
"Of course. May I see your IDs please."
Jack handed his over as Sydney stepped over and placed hers on the counter. Moments later, the questions about luggage had been asked and answered and the boarding passes issued.
"Thank you and enjoy your flight," the clerk stated cheerfully. "Next please."
********
Sydney placed her purse on the conveyor belt and passed through the metal detector, joining her father on the other side. She waited patiently, not noticing the change in Jack's stance or expression.
The security guard examining the bags going through the x-ray machine motioned to his supervisor. When the woman stepped to the monitor, she looked up at Sydney. "Excuse me miss. Is this your purse?"
Sydney looked at the bag the woman was now holding up. "Yes."
"Would you follow me please?"
"Sure." She looked at Jack, who was now glaring back at her. "Dad, I don't know what's wrong here. I mean, this has never happened before."
"Really?" Jack asked as he followed Sydney to a table where the woman was now emptying the contents of Sydney's purse. "Is there something you'd like to tell me, Sydney?"
Sydney looked at her father, her confusion still evident. "Dad, I told you, I have know idea what this could be about."
"That is not what I'm talking about. Would you mind explaining just exactly what you are planning on doing on this trip?"
"Ah, here's the problem," the woman announced. "Miss, you do realize that nail files are not allowed in carry on luggage any longer."
Sydney turned back to the woman and looked at the forbidden item she was holding. "Oh God! I thought I took that out of there. God, I can't believe I didn't check."
Sydney turned back to her father, who's face was a rather interesting shade of red. "Dad?" Are you ok?"
Jack wasn't paying any attention to what Sydney was asking. He didn't even hear her. He was focusing on what had been removed from his daughter's purse. More specifically, he was focusing on several items lying innocently on the table that had been removed from his daughter's purse.
Turning to his daughter, he glared at her. "Is there something you would like to tell me, Sydney?"
"Dad? What are you talking about? What's wrong with you?"
Jack continued glaring at her as he pointed to the table. Sydney turned towards the table, but her view was obstructed by a security guard who was rummaging through her purse's contents.
"What the hell are those?" Jack asked angrily.
"What the hell is what?" Sydney asked, frustrated. What? Does the sight of a tampon scare him?
"THAT!" he said, pointing.
Sydney turned around again and finally saw what had caused the appearance of Hurricane Jack. Lying harmlessly on the table before her were 8 condoms. "Oh, no," she groaned softly. "What the hell are those?"
Jack pulled Sydney to his side. "Really, Sydney, I think you know what they are and what they are used for. I'd hope that you'd..." Jack couldn't continue.
"I know what they are. I just don't know..." Sydney replied indignantly before being cut off by her father.
"This is not a pleasure trip, Sydney," he stated gruffly. "I would have thought you, of all people, would understand that. It is, after all, your friend we are trying to rescue," he whispered angrily.
"But, Dad! I didn't... Those... They aren't mine," she stammered.
"That's your purse, isn't it?"
Sydney dropped her head. "Yes," she replied quietly.
"The rest of the items you claim to be yours, correct?"
"Yes, but Dad..."
"But you have no idea who those belong to nor do you have any idea how they found their way into your purse. Do you really expect me to believe that?"
"Dad. I don't know where they came from. I didn't put them in my purse. For God's sake, do you think if I'd put them in there, I would have let them dump my purse so that you'd be able to see them?"
Jack stopped his inquisition for a moment, realizing that she was right. If she had known they were there, she would never have allowed her purse to be dumped out. But the question remained, who put them in there?
At that moment, the woman who'd inspected Sydney's purse, returned. "Ok, everything seems in order now. I'm afraid I can't give you back the nail file, but you may now put your belongings back in your bag."
Sydney gratefully grabbed her purse from the guard and began throwing the items that littered the table back inside. She suddenly realized who was responsible for this little incident. And Francie would pay. Oh she would pay dearly...
Jack watched as Sydney threw her stuff back in her purse, noting that she tossed the condoms in as well. Obviously, something would have to be done about this situation. Looking ahead to where Weiss and Vaughn were standing, he figured he had an entire flight to think of something. And he would think of something...
As Sydney hurried along, trying to reign in her embarrassment, the guard who'd been responsible for this little drama pulled Jack aside. "You know, it is very responsible of her, planning ahead like that. But next time, she might want to pack those in her suitcase instead of having them in her carry on.
Jack glowered at the woman. "Yes," he answered through gritted teeth. "That might be a better place for them. I'll be sure to point that out during our flight," he finished as he stalked off after Sydney.
Sydney was fishing through the contents of her purse, looking for her phone. She knew it was in there, for Christ's sake. She finally found it just as Jack caught up with her.
"Sydney, may I have a word?"
"I think you've had more than enough words for the moment. Right now, I'm about to have words with the person responsible for this," she paused briefly, "mess."
Jack continued to walk along side his daughter, trying not to notice that they were almost to where Weiss and Vaughn were standing. As Sydney pulled her phone out, she didn't notice that something else came out along with it. Nor did she notice Weiss leaning over to pick up the item she'd dropped.
"Excuse me, miss?" Weiss called after her, but she was already too far away.
"What do you think you're doing?" Vaughn asked angrily as he pulled Weiss back.
Weiss looked at his friend. "She dropped something. I mean, I suppose I could give it back to her when we get to Newark, but I just thought I'd do it now."
"What did she drop?"
For the first time, Weiss actually felt what he was holding. Thinking he had to be mistaken, he looked at the contents of his hand. Closing his hand quickly, he shoved it in his pocket.
"So what is it?"
"Nothing," Weiss mumbled as their flight was called.