TWENTY-ONE
Sydney, are you all right? Jack asked, stepping over Sloane to get to the bathtub.
I'm fine, Sydney replied with a smile. But I need to get dressed.
Jack nodded and dragged Sloane out into the living room. He closed the door. Sydney pulled the stopper from the tub then grabbed a towel to dry herself off. She grabbed the clothes she had worn before her bath and dressed quickly. She noticed the gun on the floor but left it there and exited the bathroom.
What made you come here? Sydney asked.
We had another CIA team storm Sloane's house and he wasn't there, so I figured this would be one of the first places he'd go, Jack explained.
she said with a nod. Where's Will?
He's still in the car, Jack told her. Sydney squinted. He told me Sloane was inside.
Sydney nodded. Sloane's gun is still in the bathroom.
We'll put it in a plastic bag after we kill him with it. A tiny smile appeared on Jack's lips.
Sydney smiled back and took her father's arm as they ventured outside to retrieve Will. Jack unlocked the car door with the keys he had taken from Sloane and untied the ropes that bound Will. No sooner than the last rope had been untied, Will leapt out of the car and took Sydney in his arms. After a few seconds, Will stepped back and examined her.
Did he hurt you? he asked, still checking her over.
No, I'm fine, Sydney told him with a smile of reassurance. She stepped forward and they embraced again.
Will looked over at Jack. Thanks for— Jack nodded and Will turned back to Sydney. He kissed the top of her head. I thought I'd lost you, he whispered.
Me too, Sydney whispered back. Love you.
Love you too.
Jack watched them with admiration then glanced back at the door. Sloane was standing in the doorway with the gun that had been left in the bathroom.
Behind the car! Jack barked as he pulled his own gun from his belt and fired at Sloane.
Sydney and Will dived behind the car and stayed still. They could hear Sloane's cries of agony as Jack continued to shoot. Finally, Sloane fell backward and his body was sprawled out in a pool of blood. Sydney stood up and went over to her father.
she began, still dumbfounded.
Yeah, I thought he would be out longer too, Jack said, reading his daughter's mind.
Will ventured over to the two of them and stood next to Sydney. What happens now?
We take his body to the CIA, Jack began, and explain what happened and what we did. He smirked. Then you replace the carpet.
Sydney and Will laughed. After all the giggles were out of her system, Sydney turned serious.
It's finally over.
Jack nodded and wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close in a half-hug. Will slipped an arm around her waist. The three remained that way for a few minutes, but it wasn't long before Sydney began to cry. Will glanced at Jack who squeezed Sydney's shoulder then turned her over to him. Sydney buried her head in Will's chest.
She sniffed. It's over.
FIN