A/N: I originally planned to make this story a one parter, but so many
people wanted a back story, and from there the story just grew. Anyway,
here's the prequel. Enjoy, and any feedback (agent_pigtails@yahoo.com) is
appreciated!
Part 2
*** 18 Months Earlier ***
Vaughn's POV
I know her so well. Know something was up when I woke up at 5 this morning, and Sydney was already awake and smiling softly at me. Which really isn't a bad thing, except Sydney only gets up early when she has to, and since she is on personal leave right now, getting up early is the last thing I would expect. And even when she gets up early, Sydney NOT a morning person, so her smiling is even more out of the ordinary. I smile questioningly at her and quirk my eyebrows. She laughs at my expression. "I know what you want, Mike, and the answer is no. But if you manage to get home at a decent hour tonight, I may fix you your favorite French meal, and afterward I may have a surprise for you. I hope." Now is the time that I would normally tease her about the ambiguousness of her answer, but the serious look in her eyes stops me. "Sydney..." She just shakes her head and changes the subject. What is going on?
Sydney's POV
It's torture not telling him. But I just want to make show everything's okay, that there are no complications before I tell him. Lost in my thoughts, I don't even notice the doctor has entered until he has started talking. "Mrs. Vaughn, your test results are in, and everything appears to be going very smoothly. You're 7 weeks along and in perfect health." Growing up, I never had anything remotely close to the family life that I wished for. When Michael and I got married, I knew it was my second chance at happiness. And now, knowing Michael and I are bringing a healthy child into a life with two parents who will always be there, is incredible. Unbelievable. Perfect.
*******Several Hours later***********
Vaughn's POV
She's glowing. Literally, she seems to have a fire within her. I still remember the glow Sydney had on our wedding day - and that was nothing compared to now. I can't tear my eyes away from her. "Sydney-" But that's the farthest I get, because she's smiling and walking gracefully toward me, and my breath catches in my throat, and I lean against the wall as my knees feel weak. Syd wraps her arms around me, and that old comfortable feeling returns, where she fits into my arms like we were made for each other. "Michael, you know how they say that when things are at their best they can only get worse? They were wrong." She has her hands behind my neck, and is pulling me down for a kiss, and for the first and probably only time in my life, I pull away. "Syd, what is it? I've never seen you like this." She's smiling, happy tears in her eyes. "Michael, I'm pregnant."
How could one man be so lucky?
******3 Days Later******
Sydney's POV
Thank goodness for my personal leave. I'd never realized how much preparation having a child takes, and I've had a touch of morning sickness lately. And moodiness. But Michael just laughed when I woke him up last night requesting he go outside and barbecue me a steak, and then he actually did make my steak. And then this morning he told me that this was his last field mission. Michael had applied for an oversight position, so that he would be involved in no more dangerous field ops. He'd done that for me. For us. For our child.
*********3 Days later********
Vaughn's POV
On the way home from my final field mission, I have my wallet out, admiring my growing collection of pictures of Sydey. Weiss is kicked back in the chair next to me, relaxing and well into his third beer. "I can't believe you're going to be my boss," he groans. "We both worked our butts off for the last couple years, and I end it with a simple thank you. You, on the other hand, just received a very nice promotion, despite that massive breech of protocol when you married the agent you were handling." He grins. "But hey, 9 months from now I'll be heading home to a nice quiet house, while you'll be heading home to a squalling baby." I just laugh. "Weiss, you kn-" Stunned, I break off and stare at the man that walks past our aisle. "Do you know him?" Weiss asks, alarmed. "Eric, that's the former SD-6 director. We never knew exactly what happened to him. Jack assumed that Sloane murdered him to get the job, but no one ever found any evidence, certainly not a body." "But what's he doing on this plane?" Weiss asked. I paused to glance around the plane. "Weiss, how many CIA officers are there on this plane?" "About 60, give or take a couple. It's our biggest field op since the SD-6 takedown. Why?" "This plane holds at least two hundred passengers. And one of them, at least as of a few years ago, was an SD-6/Alliance member. If Sloane didn't take him out, then he's working with some other agency. So is this some colossal coincidence, or is there something on this plane he wants?" Weiss frowned for a moment, considering. "Mike, we don't even have the artifact on this plane. What could he possibly want?" I pause for a moment. I know there is a ring of truth to my words, but the horrible consequence of them is something I don't want to admit. "Weiss, there are 60 CIA agents on this plane. Most of them are senior agents, and I think I saw Devlin's assistant. If a rival agency were to take over this plane, they would have a huge prize. I mean, think about what they could do. Extort money, information, political prisoners from our government. Sell us to other agencies, extract information from us." His eyes are darting around in a nervous matter. "My satellite phone is in my briefcase. We'll call Devlin, see what he wants us to do." I nod, but as Weiss stands to get his briefcase, a voice floats in over the PA system. "Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking. Please stay in your seats and remain calm. If you cooperate, you will not be harmed." My wallet falls forgotten in my lap as the plane immediately touches down. At least 20 black suited agents pace down the aisles, guns in their hands. The other CIA agents remained calm, attempting to register some sort of backup plan, while glancing around fearfully. As more guns appear, we realize that none of the 'civilians' on the plane are civilians. With nearly 250 rival agents, they outnumber us 4 to 1. One of the agents pauses to glance down at my wallet, his breath intaking sharply as he sees a photograph of Sydney, Weiss, and I at the party celebrating the takedown of SD-6. I stare at his face, trying to discern the features behind the disguise. It's Sark. He gives Eric and I a sharp look, then begins unloading the passengers from the plane. "Get the rest of the agents into the first holding cell. Keep these two separate. I need to question them, and they may have information that could prove valuable." Please, no, not now. I can see Sydney's smiling face in my mind. All I want to do is see her again. As Weiss and I are dragged, shackled, from the plane, charges of C4 are placed throughout the plane. As we draw away, the plane explodes, the wreckage mangled beyond recognition. No one will ever know what really happened. Sydney will grieve, never knowing her husband didn't die in a plane crash. The wreckage fades into the distance, disappearing just as my former life has. The scenery blurs as tears stream down my face. And one of my last conversations with Sydney comes to mind. ** "Michael, you know how they say that when things are at their best they can only get worse? They were wrong." ** Or maybe they weren't.
Sydney's POV
Michael was late getting home from the airport, and I was just starting to worry when the phone rang. Michael, calling to let me know he's on his way home, I thought. "Mrs. Vaughn? This is Devlin- I, I need you to sit down, Mrs. Vaughn. There's something I need to tell you." Please, God, no. He's fine, Michael's fine. Devlin continues, his voice hoarse. "Sydney, there was a plane wreck. Michael was one of the agents on board. No bodies have been recovered, but the plane was totally destroyed. There's no chance anyone survived. I'm so sorry." No, I just saw Michael. It's his last field mission. He's about to be a father. He can't be dead. No, please. This isn't happening. Michael.
********Back to Present**********
Vaughn's POV
It's been a year and a half. Sometimes my old life feels like a dream. Every time I close my eyes, I see Sydney, laughing, crying, telling me I'm about to be a father. For months Weiss and I were held in custody, just waiting to see what would happen to us. Then the torture started. So much information they wanted. And when the pain came, I would fall away, into my mind, into my old life. Sometimes I wonder where Sydney is right now, if she moved on. I wonder if I have a son or daughter. And these thoughts keep me going. Someday this will all be over; I will be free. Someday.
To Be Continued.......
Part 2
*** 18 Months Earlier ***
Vaughn's POV
I know her so well. Know something was up when I woke up at 5 this morning, and Sydney was already awake and smiling softly at me. Which really isn't a bad thing, except Sydney only gets up early when she has to, and since she is on personal leave right now, getting up early is the last thing I would expect. And even when she gets up early, Sydney NOT a morning person, so her smiling is even more out of the ordinary. I smile questioningly at her and quirk my eyebrows. She laughs at my expression. "I know what you want, Mike, and the answer is no. But if you manage to get home at a decent hour tonight, I may fix you your favorite French meal, and afterward I may have a surprise for you. I hope." Now is the time that I would normally tease her about the ambiguousness of her answer, but the serious look in her eyes stops me. "Sydney..." She just shakes her head and changes the subject. What is going on?
Sydney's POV
It's torture not telling him. But I just want to make show everything's okay, that there are no complications before I tell him. Lost in my thoughts, I don't even notice the doctor has entered until he has started talking. "Mrs. Vaughn, your test results are in, and everything appears to be going very smoothly. You're 7 weeks along and in perfect health." Growing up, I never had anything remotely close to the family life that I wished for. When Michael and I got married, I knew it was my second chance at happiness. And now, knowing Michael and I are bringing a healthy child into a life with two parents who will always be there, is incredible. Unbelievable. Perfect.
*******Several Hours later***********
Vaughn's POV
She's glowing. Literally, she seems to have a fire within her. I still remember the glow Sydney had on our wedding day - and that was nothing compared to now. I can't tear my eyes away from her. "Sydney-" But that's the farthest I get, because she's smiling and walking gracefully toward me, and my breath catches in my throat, and I lean against the wall as my knees feel weak. Syd wraps her arms around me, and that old comfortable feeling returns, where she fits into my arms like we were made for each other. "Michael, you know how they say that when things are at their best they can only get worse? They were wrong." She has her hands behind my neck, and is pulling me down for a kiss, and for the first and probably only time in my life, I pull away. "Syd, what is it? I've never seen you like this." She's smiling, happy tears in her eyes. "Michael, I'm pregnant."
How could one man be so lucky?
******3 Days Later******
Sydney's POV
Thank goodness for my personal leave. I'd never realized how much preparation having a child takes, and I've had a touch of morning sickness lately. And moodiness. But Michael just laughed when I woke him up last night requesting he go outside and barbecue me a steak, and then he actually did make my steak. And then this morning he told me that this was his last field mission. Michael had applied for an oversight position, so that he would be involved in no more dangerous field ops. He'd done that for me. For us. For our child.
*********3 Days later********
Vaughn's POV
On the way home from my final field mission, I have my wallet out, admiring my growing collection of pictures of Sydey. Weiss is kicked back in the chair next to me, relaxing and well into his third beer. "I can't believe you're going to be my boss," he groans. "We both worked our butts off for the last couple years, and I end it with a simple thank you. You, on the other hand, just received a very nice promotion, despite that massive breech of protocol when you married the agent you were handling." He grins. "But hey, 9 months from now I'll be heading home to a nice quiet house, while you'll be heading home to a squalling baby." I just laugh. "Weiss, you kn-" Stunned, I break off and stare at the man that walks past our aisle. "Do you know him?" Weiss asks, alarmed. "Eric, that's the former SD-6 director. We never knew exactly what happened to him. Jack assumed that Sloane murdered him to get the job, but no one ever found any evidence, certainly not a body." "But what's he doing on this plane?" Weiss asked. I paused to glance around the plane. "Weiss, how many CIA officers are there on this plane?" "About 60, give or take a couple. It's our biggest field op since the SD-6 takedown. Why?" "This plane holds at least two hundred passengers. And one of them, at least as of a few years ago, was an SD-6/Alliance member. If Sloane didn't take him out, then he's working with some other agency. So is this some colossal coincidence, or is there something on this plane he wants?" Weiss frowned for a moment, considering. "Mike, we don't even have the artifact on this plane. What could he possibly want?" I pause for a moment. I know there is a ring of truth to my words, but the horrible consequence of them is something I don't want to admit. "Weiss, there are 60 CIA agents on this plane. Most of them are senior agents, and I think I saw Devlin's assistant. If a rival agency were to take over this plane, they would have a huge prize. I mean, think about what they could do. Extort money, information, political prisoners from our government. Sell us to other agencies, extract information from us." His eyes are darting around in a nervous matter. "My satellite phone is in my briefcase. We'll call Devlin, see what he wants us to do." I nod, but as Weiss stands to get his briefcase, a voice floats in over the PA system. "Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking. Please stay in your seats and remain calm. If you cooperate, you will not be harmed." My wallet falls forgotten in my lap as the plane immediately touches down. At least 20 black suited agents pace down the aisles, guns in their hands. The other CIA agents remained calm, attempting to register some sort of backup plan, while glancing around fearfully. As more guns appear, we realize that none of the 'civilians' on the plane are civilians. With nearly 250 rival agents, they outnumber us 4 to 1. One of the agents pauses to glance down at my wallet, his breath intaking sharply as he sees a photograph of Sydney, Weiss, and I at the party celebrating the takedown of SD-6. I stare at his face, trying to discern the features behind the disguise. It's Sark. He gives Eric and I a sharp look, then begins unloading the passengers from the plane. "Get the rest of the agents into the first holding cell. Keep these two separate. I need to question them, and they may have information that could prove valuable." Please, no, not now. I can see Sydney's smiling face in my mind. All I want to do is see her again. As Weiss and I are dragged, shackled, from the plane, charges of C4 are placed throughout the plane. As we draw away, the plane explodes, the wreckage mangled beyond recognition. No one will ever know what really happened. Sydney will grieve, never knowing her husband didn't die in a plane crash. The wreckage fades into the distance, disappearing just as my former life has. The scenery blurs as tears stream down my face. And one of my last conversations with Sydney comes to mind. ** "Michael, you know how they say that when things are at their best they can only get worse? They were wrong." ** Or maybe they weren't.
Sydney's POV
Michael was late getting home from the airport, and I was just starting to worry when the phone rang. Michael, calling to let me know he's on his way home, I thought. "Mrs. Vaughn? This is Devlin- I, I need you to sit down, Mrs. Vaughn. There's something I need to tell you." Please, God, no. He's fine, Michael's fine. Devlin continues, his voice hoarse. "Sydney, there was a plane wreck. Michael was one of the agents on board. No bodies have been recovered, but the plane was totally destroyed. There's no chance anyone survived. I'm so sorry." No, I just saw Michael. It's his last field mission. He's about to be a father. He can't be dead. No, please. This isn't happening. Michael.
********Back to Present**********
Vaughn's POV
It's been a year and a half. Sometimes my old life feels like a dream. Every time I close my eyes, I see Sydney, laughing, crying, telling me I'm about to be a father. For months Weiss and I were held in custody, just waiting to see what would happen to us. Then the torture started. So much information they wanted. And when the pain came, I would fall away, into my mind, into my old life. Sometimes I wonder where Sydney is right now, if she moved on. I wonder if I have a son or daughter. And these thoughts keep me going. Someday this will all be over; I will be free. Someday.
To Be Continued.......