FOURTEEN





Oh Jesus, Sydney mumbled, jerking her head toward the nearest window, following the sound of the bullets. They found him, she whispered, still crying.

Found whom? Sloane asked, tracing circles on Sydney's stomach through her shirt.

Sloane's touch alone made Sydney want to vomit. She stepped back and was reunited with the gun on her neck. Sloane moved his hands to Sydney's jeans and unbuttoned the top button and started to unzip the zipper.

Sydney spat out. Who the fuck is this person behind me? Sydney's question was met with a strong tap of the gun to the back of her head. she yelled, bowing her head from the pain. The person behind her yanked her by the hair and lifted her head back up.

You honestly haven't figured it out yet? Sloane asked her, dropping the jeans from Sydney's hips to the floor.

Sydney thought for a moment, trying to think of all the people she thought it could be, but was totally drawing a blank.

When you and whoever it was you were working for— Sloane began.

Sydney muttered.

Sloane narrowed his eyes. Ah yes, when you and your CIA buddies destroyed SD-6, you not only betrayed me, but you also betrayed your SD-6 co-workers.

Sydney scoffed. So some dickhead I never even knew very well is standing here with a gun to my head with some sort of vendetta against me? Sydney was once again reacquainted with a strong tap of the gun to her head. She muttered a curse then completely froze. Oh my God, she said quietly.

Dixon said with a dry laugh.

But, but, we— Sydney sputtered, tearing up again. We made sure you were out of that building because we planned everything perfectly so it would look like a coincidence to you and whoever else was not in the building that day.

Dixon began calmly, laying a hand on her shoulder.

Sydney shrugged it off angrily. How could you do this to me? she whispered. I saved you from this—this— She paused, remembering Sloane was still standing in front of her and could hear everything she was saying.

Sloane said. Say what you were going to say. His trademark creepy smile appeared on his lips. He moved his hands to Sydney's waist then slid them upward, lifting her shirt slightly in the process.

Sydney swallowed and shook her head as she looked down at Sloane's hands inching their way to her chest. she managed to choke out, tears spilling out of her eyes. She was silent for a moment, then decided it might be in her best interest to beg for her life. Could you let me go? We can forget any of this ever happened. She swallowed hard.

Sloane and Dixon shared a laugh. I don't think I can do that, Sydney, Sloane said, moving his hands upwards once more. Sydney's shirt was already above her stomach. Sloane moved his hands so that they were just beneath Sydney's breasts.

Please stop, Sydney whispered. She winced as more tears spilled out of her eyes.

Sloane removed his hands from Sydney's shivering body. Sydney's shirt fell back into place and she sighed heavily with some kind of relief.

Sloane began, looking deep into Sydney's wide-with-fear soft brown eyes. If I agree to pretend to forget that none of this happened, you will have to promise me that I will never see you again.

Sydney nodded her head vigorously. I promise, I promise, she said quickly.

Dixon began, shoving the gun harder against Sydney's neck.

Dixon, please. We have all been through a great deal. I think we all deserve some sort of normal life, here. Sloane bent down and picked up Sydney's Magnum and examined it closely.

Sydney's breath caught in her throat when Sloane raised it up to point it in her direction. I thought— she choked out, her voice hoarse.

Sir, we can't just let her go. Think about what she did to us! Dixon yelled angrily.

Sydney blinked back tears as Dixon pressed the gun even harder against her neck.

Sloane began, shaking his head and still holding up the gun.

Sir! We can't let her leave here! We have to kill her! Dixon yelled loudly.

Sloane cried angrily.

Arvin! You listen to me—

A shot rang out and Sydney screamed. She heard the gun and Dixon fall to the floor and turned around to look. She looked back at Sloane, startled and genuinely freaked out. She took several deep breaths, her chest heaving and her heart racing.

Sloane stepped closer to Sydney's shaking body and reached behind her back to untie the rope binding her wrists. Once that was done, Sydney quickly pulled up her jeans and roughly grabbed her bra from Sloane. She walked quickly to the bathroom in the bedroom and put it back on. She ran a hand through her hair and wiped her eyes.

She exited the bathroom and walked calmly over to Sloane. She held out her hand to him for the gun. I know it's crazy to think you might actually give it to me, but— she stopped when Sloane gently laid it in her hand, then bent down to pick up the tranquilizer gun and gave that to her as well.

We both ran, Sydney, Sloane said quietly. We wanted to forget our pasts and start over. I thought I wanted to get even with you for destroying my whole life. But I really don't. Sloane stared far into Sydney's eyes.

Sydney swallowed hard and nodded. I thought I wanted to exact revenge on you for making me believe I was working for the government, for killing Danny, for destroying my life. But I don't think I don't want revenge either.

You just want a normal life, Sloane stated and Sydney nodded. We both do. I can't blame you.

Me neither, Sydney said, shaking her head. She stretched out an uneasy hand. It was nice knowing you.

Sloane shook her hand. Nice knowing you too, Sydney.

Sydney left the room and started down the stairs. Meanwhile, Sloane had called off his guards down at the van, so Sydney was free to go. She opened the front door and stepped outside. She swallowed hard when she remembered the shots fired earlier. It suddenly dawned on her that Vaughn was probably dead and she choked up. She walked slowly to the van and opened the back doors. She gasped at the sight of Vaughn's bloody and lifeless body and fell to her knees sobbing.