Title: The Softest Moment

Author: Marie Vaughn

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters associated with Alias. No copyright infringement intended.

Comments: This came to me during work. I've been an avid X-Files fan fiction author, but haven't attempted Alias 'till now. I don't know if I have the characters down yet… please please please review!!

*** The Softest Moment ***

They were focused, practically silent finding their way back to the airport, and the cargo plane that would take them home. Home. Sydney would have laughed if she weren't so damn miserable. After what she had just been through, she doubted that anywhere would ever again feel like home. Looking over at Vaughn, his expression slightly haunted, she forced herself to forgo wallowing in her own misery. She could only imagine what he had just gone through. She didn't know yet exactly how he had escaped, her questioning glances going unanswered. But as she silently indexed through the various situations where he had been a willing ear to her problems, the one strong presence when her world seemed to be spinning out of control, she hoped that she could do the same for him. She owed him that much. The pair arrived at the airport, meeting Jack in front of the plane.

            "What happened?" He asked, his voice flat and businesslike.

            "Long story." Sydney answered glancing at Vaughn. He forced a small smile. "How's Will?"

            "Already inside, probably sleeping by now." Jack answered. Sydney was surprised and pleased by the slight softening in his eyes as he spoke. "We should really be going."

            "The sooner the better." Sydney smiled at Vaughn's voice, but when she looked into his eyes she did not see the humored sparkle that she expected. Instead, his emerald eyes were flat, almost lifeless. Smiling slightly she mimicked his own actions from only hours before, grasping his hand in her own, and leading him up the stairs, into the plane. Walking into the cargo hold, Sydney surveyed the scene, taking in Will's sleeping form in one corner. Hearing Jack settle himself in the cockpit, she urged Vaughn to sit beside her, pulling gently on his hand as she sat back against the wall. He followed her willingly, rubbing his forehead wearily as he sat, holding tight to Sydney's hand next to him.

            "Vaughn, you okay?" Sydney asked quietly, knowing he obviously wasn't, but not knowing where else to start. He looked over at her, meeting her eyes with an expression filled with relief, and terror. "You know you can talk to me." He smiled at her then, a sweet, sad smile, and reached over to wrap his arms around her. She immediately returned the hug, holding him tightly against her as she ran one hand gently through his hair. "Then again I've always thought talking was highly overrated." She whispered. He chuckled against her as he rested his forehead on her shoulder, squeezing her tightly in silent thanks. He pulled away from her then, knowing Jack, and CIA protocol, were close by. As their hands instinctively found each other again, he looked into her eyes, smiling at the friendship he saw reflected there.

            "As long as I know that you'll be here, for me to talk to once I process all of this, I'll be fine."

            "You've got my number." She whispered, squeezing his hand. He shifted his gaze to the floor, trying to keep his all too raw emotions in check at hearing his own words repeated back to him. "C'mon." she said softly, lightly gripping his shoulders, urging him to lie down, "You look exhausted."

            "Syd, your father – " he started, his eyes questioning.

            "Can mind his own business." She responded, pulling his head gently to her lap. "Just relax, it's a long flight home." He sighed, closing his eyes wearily as he felt her hand, slowly stroking through his hair. Begrudgingly, he let his body relax into her arms, and finally let darkness overtake him.