CHAPTER 3 - CRUSH
The words hit her like a punch in the face - "Do you love Vaughn?" Sydney just stared at her mother, somewhat in shock, her mind quickly trying to formulate a suitable answer. She was sure that her face had gone a deep shade of pink and the mischievous grin on Irina's face was slightly unnerving her.
To be honest, Syd wasn't certain what the answer to her mother's question was. Of course, she'd asked herself the very same one, countless times but she still wasn't convinced on her feelings. Finally, she answered, "I care a lot for Agent Vaughn, we are good friends and I can trust and confide in him." Pleased with her diplomatic answer, Syd let a smug smile creep its way onto her lips. Irina however was not letting her off so easily. She didn't need any answer from Sydney because she knew for a fact that they both loved each other. However, now that she had found a new closeness with her daughter and knew that to a certain extent that Syd would open up to her, Irina quite fancied a bit of girl talk. It was a game to her, although it was clear that Sydney was becoming quite flustered about the topic. Irina's rarely shown playful side took over and she decided to probe further, knowing that Sydney would eventually open up and they could have another pleasant heart-to-heart mother/daughter chat. "I know you care for him Syd but that's not what I asked. What I want to know is, are you in love with him?" "Why do you want to know? It's not really your business. Besides, protocol won't allow for anything. Our relationship is professional. That's all." Sydney stated, trying to mask her obvious frustration and sound calm. She hated being asked about her feelings for Vaughn - it upset her because she knew deep down that nothing could ever happen. "I want to know, Sydney, because you are my daughter and I want to be part of your life again. I want to know who holds the key to your heart, who your friends are, what your hobbies are. I want to know you." Irina emphasised that last word and looked at Sydney lovingly. It was unusual for her to talk and act like this and she was still getting used to the 'new her'.
However, she wasn't suddenly just super-nice, sweet loving mom, who wants to know everything about Syd - no, she had an ulterior motive (a nice one, but still something which she wished to hide from Sydney for as long as possible), a plan of her own. Sitting in the dingy, cold cell for months was getting to her and she needed some fun. Granted, Irina's knowledge of the outside world at the moment was extremely limited but the one thing she did know was that Sydney and Vaughn were meant for each other. She wanted to make up for her sins, at least if she made her daughter happy, that would count for something. Sure, she knew all about CIA protocol, but to be honest, she couldn't care less. Besides, she didn't want a miracle, only an admission of feelings. Actually she wanted anything to get rid of the thick layer of unresolved sexual tension that filled the room whenever Syd and Agent Vaughn were in it.
"Sydney please, stop avoiding the question with your answers. You can tell me the truth, I'm not going to report you or anything, I just want to know," she said, urging Sydney to give her an answer. Sydney thought for a while, arguing with the voices in her head. She thought about Vaughn, his gorgeous green eyes, his tussled hair, his cute dimpled chin, the smile that made her go weak at the knees...yep, she was definitely in love and in her mind she knew that had always been the case, but the thought of saying it out loud scared her.
Irina must have read Sydney's mind or something because she answered for her, "You do, don't you? You love Vaughn" she taunted, in a sing-songy voice. Sydney rolled her eyes, instantly lightening up at the sight of her mother being so childish. She smiled and said, "Yes mother, I suppose I do". Her admission felt good, someone else finally knew and she need not bottle up her feelings anymore. Sydney grinned - now she had someone who she could go to anytime and talk about her Guardian Angel. Feeling the urge to, she said (rather loudly), "I love Vaughn". Irina was happy to see Sydney happy but had to remind her daughter, "Sydney, don't shout too much, someone could be watching us and you'll only get in trouble."
Sydney quietened down but the smile remained on her face. Suddenly aware of the time and the fact that her "run" shouldn't have lasted 2 hours, she whispered a quick "thank-you" to her mother and then left, hoping that no- one would notice her goofy grin, which she couldn't get rid of. It was like, now that she had said it out loud, her love for Vaughn seemed so much more real.
Irina sat in silence, gazing in the direction where moments ago, Sydney had been loudly proclaiming her love for Vaughn. Her plan was going perfectly. Now she only needed and excuse to talk to agent Vaughn, contact a few people (though she didn't know how she was going to manage that) and things would be set into motion. However, she had a feeling that Vaughn would be harder to persuade into an admission. After all, he didn't trust her and probably wouldn't open up to her - she had asked him before but he didn't answer. Oh well, she had to at least try. And with that, Irina went to sit back down and resume her meditation. After all that had been said tonight, she needed to empty her mind.
The words hit her like a punch in the face - "Do you love Vaughn?" Sydney just stared at her mother, somewhat in shock, her mind quickly trying to formulate a suitable answer. She was sure that her face had gone a deep shade of pink and the mischievous grin on Irina's face was slightly unnerving her.
To be honest, Syd wasn't certain what the answer to her mother's question was. Of course, she'd asked herself the very same one, countless times but she still wasn't convinced on her feelings. Finally, she answered, "I care a lot for Agent Vaughn, we are good friends and I can trust and confide in him." Pleased with her diplomatic answer, Syd let a smug smile creep its way onto her lips. Irina however was not letting her off so easily. She didn't need any answer from Sydney because she knew for a fact that they both loved each other. However, now that she had found a new closeness with her daughter and knew that to a certain extent that Syd would open up to her, Irina quite fancied a bit of girl talk. It was a game to her, although it was clear that Sydney was becoming quite flustered about the topic. Irina's rarely shown playful side took over and she decided to probe further, knowing that Sydney would eventually open up and they could have another pleasant heart-to-heart mother/daughter chat. "I know you care for him Syd but that's not what I asked. What I want to know is, are you in love with him?" "Why do you want to know? It's not really your business. Besides, protocol won't allow for anything. Our relationship is professional. That's all." Sydney stated, trying to mask her obvious frustration and sound calm. She hated being asked about her feelings for Vaughn - it upset her because she knew deep down that nothing could ever happen. "I want to know, Sydney, because you are my daughter and I want to be part of your life again. I want to know who holds the key to your heart, who your friends are, what your hobbies are. I want to know you." Irina emphasised that last word and looked at Sydney lovingly. It was unusual for her to talk and act like this and she was still getting used to the 'new her'.
However, she wasn't suddenly just super-nice, sweet loving mom, who wants to know everything about Syd - no, she had an ulterior motive (a nice one, but still something which she wished to hide from Sydney for as long as possible), a plan of her own. Sitting in the dingy, cold cell for months was getting to her and she needed some fun. Granted, Irina's knowledge of the outside world at the moment was extremely limited but the one thing she did know was that Sydney and Vaughn were meant for each other. She wanted to make up for her sins, at least if she made her daughter happy, that would count for something. Sure, she knew all about CIA protocol, but to be honest, she couldn't care less. Besides, she didn't want a miracle, only an admission of feelings. Actually she wanted anything to get rid of the thick layer of unresolved sexual tension that filled the room whenever Syd and Agent Vaughn were in it.
"Sydney please, stop avoiding the question with your answers. You can tell me the truth, I'm not going to report you or anything, I just want to know," she said, urging Sydney to give her an answer. Sydney thought for a while, arguing with the voices in her head. She thought about Vaughn, his gorgeous green eyes, his tussled hair, his cute dimpled chin, the smile that made her go weak at the knees...yep, she was definitely in love and in her mind she knew that had always been the case, but the thought of saying it out loud scared her.
Irina must have read Sydney's mind or something because she answered for her, "You do, don't you? You love Vaughn" she taunted, in a sing-songy voice. Sydney rolled her eyes, instantly lightening up at the sight of her mother being so childish. She smiled and said, "Yes mother, I suppose I do". Her admission felt good, someone else finally knew and she need not bottle up her feelings anymore. Sydney grinned - now she had someone who she could go to anytime and talk about her Guardian Angel. Feeling the urge to, she said (rather loudly), "I love Vaughn". Irina was happy to see Sydney happy but had to remind her daughter, "Sydney, don't shout too much, someone could be watching us and you'll only get in trouble."
Sydney quietened down but the smile remained on her face. Suddenly aware of the time and the fact that her "run" shouldn't have lasted 2 hours, she whispered a quick "thank-you" to her mother and then left, hoping that no- one would notice her goofy grin, which she couldn't get rid of. It was like, now that she had said it out loud, her love for Vaughn seemed so much more real.
Irina sat in silence, gazing in the direction where moments ago, Sydney had been loudly proclaiming her love for Vaughn. Her plan was going perfectly. Now she only needed and excuse to talk to agent Vaughn, contact a few people (though she didn't know how she was going to manage that) and things would be set into motion. However, she had a feeling that Vaughn would be harder to persuade into an admission. After all, he didn't trust her and probably wouldn't open up to her - she had asked him before but he didn't answer. Oh well, she had to at least try. And with that, Irina went to sit back down and resume her meditation. After all that had been said tonight, she needed to empty her mind.