Chapter Thirteen
Sydney was sound asleep when her father and a CIA team arrived. He sat on the bed and let her sleep while everything was cleaned, then he gently roused her.
She sat up and looked around to see that everything was pretty much like it had been when she and Sark had arrived.
Sark.
Vaughn.
Oh God.
Dad, who else did he kill? she asked suddenly.
Jack sighed. He didn't get to Will or Francie if that's what you mean.
Sydney let out a sigh of relief. She was absolutely torn up about Sark and Vaughn becoming victims to Sloane but she would have probably taken a few extra sleeping pills one night if her best friends had been killed too.
Let's go home, he said softly.
Sydney nodded and they both stood up. She felt her eyes fill with tears as she looked around the room. Almost at once, she started sobbing. Without hesitation, Jack took his daughter into his arms and held her as she cried.
What happens now? With SD-6? Sloane said he told everyone I was a double agent, Sydney whispered.
He told them no such thing, Jack assured her. He wanted you to think he did. So that probably, if and when you killed him, you would have to be on the run for the rest of your life.
But what do we do?
SD-6 has already been destroyed.
Sydney lifted her head.
We didn't have any other choice, Jack explained. With you and Sark out of the country and Sloane gone, then with you calling and explaining what had happened, we knew what we had to do.
So it's completely gone? Sydney was suddenly overcome by happiness.
When they had finally returned home, Jack walked Sydney inside. She was relieved to see that Francie was still at work. She hugged her father.
Thank you, she began, for everything.
Jack said nothing, only hugged her tighter and kissed the top of her head. I'll see you later.
He left.
Will came into the living room.
Sydney's eyes welled up with tears. She ran into his arms and buried her face in his chest. I was so afraid that Sloane might have gotten to you, she whispered.
Me too, Will said as he held her. Jack came by when he found out that Vaughn had been killed. Then he got your call and left immediately. I wanted to go too, but he said I should stay so Francie wouldn't be suspicious if she came home early.
I'm so glad it's over, Sydney said quietly.
I am too.
They were silent for a while.
Were you able to complete your mission with Sark? Will asked suddenly.
No. Sloane had already gotten what we were sent to retrieve. The whole thing was a set-up.
Sydney had started to sob again and Will stroked her hair.
I'm sorry about everything that happened earlier—with us, she said softly.
It wasn't your fault, Will told her as he held her tighter against him.
I didn't mean to snap at you. I never imagined that the event of us telling one another we liked each other would end up in an argument, Sydney said.
I didn't either, but I'm at least glad we got our feelings out in the open.
Me too. Sydney sighed and Will kissed the top of her head. I have to do something though.
Will said with a nod.
Sydney stepped back slightly. She ran a hand through Will's hair then pulled his head down towards her to kiss him.
That's for the bedroom.
She kissed him again.
That's for the couch.
She kissed him a third time.
That's for the kitchen.
She rested her other hand on the back of his neck and pulled him towards her again. Their lips melded and this kiss lasted longer than the others.
What was that one for? Will asked, smiling.
Sydney smiled back at him as her eyes filled with tears of sheer joy.
FIN