Here in Heaven Part Two

"Michael Vaughn, I presume."

There he stood, pure confusion filling his green eyes, his light brown hair tousled. "Wh… what happened… where am I? Who are you… and what about Sydney…?"

He didn't seem to know where to start. I didn't really know where to start.

"I believe you know who I am, Michael," I stated simply.

Realization swept over his puzzled features. "Daniel Hecht."

I smiled slightly and nodded.

"But that means… oh, God. I didn't make it…"

"Oh, you may very well make it," I informed him. "The CIA has just brought both you and Sydney to a hospital outside Estonia. You're losing a lot of blood, but you may still pull through."

[ "Dr. Roberts, hand me the syringe… oh, no. She's flat lining…come on, come on… we can't lose her! 1…2…3… clear! …. Okay… okay, she's back. She's back for right now at least. And the man, he's fading fast. We put him in intensive care. We're not sure he'll make it either…"

That didn't satisfy him. I knew what else he wanted, but I wanted to hear him say it.

He did. "…And Sydney…?"

"…Is being brought into the room next to you. She's not doing much better than you are, but the doctors have hope," I answered honestly.

"Then what am I doing here?"

I sighed. "I said you may make it. But right now your physical form is in terrible condition. Right now, you're kind of in… think of it as a 'light at the end of the tunnel' occurrence."

"So… I'm having a near death experience?"

I shrugged. "I suppose. So, while we're waiting, I think we have lots to talk about."

"Like what?"

I eyed him carefully. "You are in love with her, just like I was and always will be."

I took him off guard. His expression changed to one of a dazed alarm. Every crease in his forehead, every detail of his face, every shade in his eyes, and the crevice in his chin- suddenly clearly visible with the disbelief my comment rendered.

This was a man who was suddenly brought face to face with the dead fiancé of the woman he obviously cared about more than anything and knew he could possibly take his last breath any minute, and I find it fit to bring up his love life.

"What?" he managed.

"I know how it feels, what it's like to love Sydney Bristow. So what I'm wondering is why you are holding back?"

 "We may be losing her again… bring her into ER. We can still save them both, I know it. Come on, Bristow. You're going to live…. How's Vaughn holding up? His heartbeat is returning to normal? Great."

"I'm… I… we have a protocol…"

"Oh, Michael. Michael, Michael, Michael. I've seen your resistance of protocol in action. Where's Sydney is concerned, you just don't care about it. So what's really keeping you?"

This was obviously where it became too much. "Look, 'Danny,' I'm not having this conversation. This is a dream. I'm going to wake up and find that I never went on that mission with Sydney, never was… "almost" killed, and never talked to you in Heaven… or whatever this place is. None of this is happening. So I'm not allowing myself to get too friendly with a figment of my imagination," he affirmed

I chortled. "Interesting point. Maybe this is a dream. But even if it is, you still need something to do until your REM cycle is complete, so tell me the truth."

He sighed, defeated. "I don't know if she loves me that way."

 "Mr. Vaughn, this is Jack Bristow. I need to talk to you about Sydney. I just visited her. They think she's going to make it.  She's strong; they say she'll hold up. But they're not sure about you. You lost a lot of blood, maybe too much.

"But what I came in here to say to you is that we haven't gotten along very well. I haven't gotten along well with most people, especially where my daughter's safety is concerned. I know you have feelings for her that go beyond what agent and handler should have. I frowned upon that. But, Mr. Vaughn, I know that Sydney needs you in her life. She can't lose you. You have to live for her. I can't stand to see my daughter lose anyone else."

 "Is that all?" I pressed.

His eyes darted downward and he nodded slowly.

"Michael, I would think you'd know that's not true. Have you seen the way she looks at you? Have you noticed the way she smiles or glows when you're around? She's practically a step away from sending you love letters at dead drops."

"I guess I… I've thought maybe…"

"You know it's true, Michael," I assured him. "If you live through this, do me a favor."

He looked up. "Hmm?"

"Tell her."

He began to nod, profound understanding shining in his eyes.

 "We've… we've got him back! Dr. Ryan, we have his heartbeat regular again. He's regaining consciousness."

Just then, I felt a jolt, a feeling, a warning of what was to happen.

"It was nice meeting you, Michael. Remember what I told you, and I wish you the best of luck."

Before he could ask what I meant, he faded away like a rainbow after a storm.

The doctors had succeeded. He would live.

But I still had another mission to take care of.

********

A/N: Hehe like it? It wasn't too hard to follow, was it? A huge thanks goes out to Michelle/ VaughnsAlias for helping me out with the lovely little Jack speech. Lol. Thanx a ton, hun! Lol that rhymed. Part three (the final part) will include Vaughn's return and possibly Sydney's meeting with Danny as well. And of course, if Vaughn follows Danny's advice or not. lol. Review!