Chapter 2
I still don't own any of these characters, except the few I make up. I don't own the general story line either.
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I slowly open my eyes. It takes a while for my vision to clear. It is blurry like a mourning fog. My head is throbbing. I reach up to robe my head. I try to move my arms but they are bound to the chair I'm sitting in. Then I remember following the man into the alley. I think to myself how stupid I am. No spy would ever do anything like that. I mean following someone you don't even know. How stupid are you, Syd, I lectured myself.
My trance is broken by the sound of people approaching. "…I thought I told not to hurt to explain why I needed to see her." It was a man's voice. It sounded a little bit like Noah. But it's impossible for him to be alive…Isn't it? He continued, "Tell me at least you didn't tie her up."
"You think she would have come with me if I told her the truth. Seriously you did?" The second voice is also a man's. It sounds a little squeakier than the first man's voice. The first man must be in charge I think to myself.
"Go untie her and tell her I'll be with her shortly." I heard a one of the men walk away. I then started to concentrate on where I was. It looked like I was in a house. There was a bed in the corner. There was a rocking chair in the corner opposite the bed. A little bedside table was next to it with a couple books on it. I was tied to a wooden chair. My arms were tied with thick rope. They were tied tightly in a strong knot. The room was light by a lamp on the bedside table and an overhead light. There was a window with the drapes were drone next to the bed. No light was coming through so I figured it was still night. The walls were painted white with a couple of paintings on the wall.
The door opened with a creak and a man walked in. My heart was beating remarkably fast. He looked exactly like Noah. As he got closer he looked much younger. "Sorry to have had to tie you up. I made a mistake. However, I could not think of any other way to get you here." As he spoke he started to untie me.
"Why am I here and who do you work for?" I ask
"My brother will be with your shortly. I will let him explain everything you want to know." There was a brief pause and then he added, "Make yourself at home. Once again sorry." With that he walked out of the room. I sat in the chair for a moment flabbergasted. Then I got up and walked over to the window. I looked out the window it was pitch black out. I then saw a clock next to the books. It said it was twelve ten.
"Sydney" I heard the first man's voice say. I whipped around and saw a man I didn't recognize. "Sorry about all this cloak in dagger stuff." He was the same height as Noah. His voice sounded the same. However, he had a goatee and he had strait teeth. He also had blue green eyes opposed to the cold gray eyes the Noah I knew had
"Noah?" I questioned. He shook his head yes. "How… I… I thought you were dead."
"So did I" he responded. "My brother who you met before, James, was with me and after you left he brought me to the hospital and said I had been mugged. I was really lucky the doctor said a minute more and I would have died." I just stare at him. I don't know what to say.
Finally I ask, "How long have you been in LA?"
"Before I answer anymore of your questions you should call Francie and will and tell them a work thing came up or something like that." I never even thought to call them. It's a good thing he remembered, or else they would have been worried sick. He hands me a phone and I quickly call them.
"Hello" I hear Will voice. I'm glad because it will be easier to tell him something he won't ask many questions.
"Hey Will it's me Syd. I have to go on a quick business trip tonight."
"Where to?"
I think quickly to myself, "Just like an hour away to La Canada" I finally say.
"What is in La Canada? Actually never mind. Have a good trip."
"Tell Francie I love her and I'm sorry. I should be back tomorrow evening."
"Will do" he responds. I hear him hang up and I do to. I hang up.
"Thanks" I say as I hand him the phone. There is a moment of silence before I say, "I'm sorry about stabbing you."
Surprisingly he smiles. "You know it was almost good you did other than the almost dying thing." I feel a smile spread over my face. "I'm the one that should be sorry. I attacked you and you just defended yourself. Did you find your Mom?" He says before I can say anything.
"Yeah I found her."
"Well at least I didn't mess that up. Do you want to go get a cup of coffee or something and talk."
"Yeah that be great… Wait can't you not be seen in public because of SD-6 especially with me."
"Actually I can. See I'm no longer Noah Hicks, I'm now Andrew Jones. See" he says as he takes out his wallet. I have been growing my hair out some. Do you think that is enough of a disguise."
"Yeah I barely even new it was you. Could you drop me of at the alley so we don't go in together? We could meet there for the first time."
"Brilliant" he says mockingly. We both laugh. We walk out and he tells his brother he would be back later. When he drops me at the alley I thank him. I walk over to my car and get in.
No more pain (no more pain)
No more game (no more game messin with my mind)
No drama (no more drama in my life)
Nooone's gonna make me hurt again
No more tears (no more tears, I'm tired of cryin everynight)
No more fears (no more fears, I really don't wanna cry)
No drama (no more drama in my life)
I don't ever wanna hurt again
Wanna speak my mind, wanna speak my mind
(No More Drama- Mary J Blige)
I drive to the little coffee shop where I arranged to meet Noah. We both pull in from opposite directions at the same time. He holds the door open like a gentleman. There is only one table left which is perfect. We act like we don't know each other but decide to share a table. We introduce each other and then sit down. I take my lipstick out which is a secret bug-killer. We talk for awhile about what has happened since we last saw each other.
"Are you a double agent?" he asks. He catches me completely of with that question. All I can think of is to tell him the truth. He found out while he was in deep cover that SD-6 isn't a branch of the CIA. We talk for a couple of hours. "Want to see a movie?" He asks.
"That would be great. What is playing."
"I don't know. I figure will be able to find something good." We both get in our cars and drive to the Cinema. Surprisingly enough we end up seeing the new James Bond. Half way through the movie I fall asleep on his shoulder. I wake up just before the end. I feel really bad about falling asleep and apologize profusely. When the movie I check my watch and see that it is six thirty in the mourning. We pretend like we just met and exchange numbers. I pull into my driveway at seven forty five. Francie is in the kitchen baking and Will is annoying her.
"Hey Syd" they both chime in simultaneously. "How was your trip."
"Long" I add. "Sorry I called so late."
"At least you called." Francie said. "You look exhausted."
"I didn't get much sleep."
"Francie is making her famous pancakes and we are making a new cup of coffee as we speak" Will says rather cheerfully.
"Great. I'll be right back I'm just going to change quickly."
Fifteen minutes later I emerge showered and changed. I enjoy some of Francie's wonderful pancakes.
"Syd, will you please talk Francie out of having a holiday bash." Will asks
"I hate to side against you, but it sounds like fun."
"Thanks a lot" Will says sarcastically.
"I was thinking the twenty second would be perfect," Francie says
"I just got to check and make sure I can get the day off. Who do you want to invite?" Francie and I spent the next couple of hours planning the party. We were about to go shopping to get the invitations and stuff for the party when my phone rang.
"It better not be the bank' Francie says as I answer it.
"Hello."
"Hey Syd it's Andrew."
"What's up?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to do something tonight? Maybe grab some dinner or something."
"Hang on let me check." I turn to Francie, "Are we doing anything tonight"
"No. Why?"
"I'll tell you later." I put the phone back to my ear, "That would be great where do you want to go?"
"Can I surprise you?" he says with a laugh.
"Sounds great. I'll see you at like seven?"
"Perfect. I'll pick you up then."
"What should I wear?"
"Casual."
"I'll see you then. Bye."
"Bye" he says before hanging up. Will walked in right as I hung up.
Francie turned to Will, "Did you now Syd's got a boyfriend?"
"She does? What is his name?"
"His name is Andrew" I respond.
"When did you guys meet?"
"Just the other night. I was at a coffee shop and we walked in at the same time. There was only one table so we shared it." Francie and Will both had shocked looks on there faces.
"So when do we get to meet him?"
"He's picking me up tonight. You can meet him then. Francie we have to do that shopping." We spent the whole car rides talking about him. It was weird calling Andrew instead of Noah. I was surprised I didn't slip up.
At ten of seven I was ready to go. I helped with the planning until the doorbell rang. Will walked over and answered the door.
"Hi. You must be Andrew. I'm Will" Will said as they shook hands.
"It's nice to make your aquantince. Ah and this must be the lovely Francie." Noah said as he kissed her hand. Francie really liked that. Noah was being especially nice because he wanted Francie to like him. We talked for like ten minutes.
"Have a great time" Francie said as we left.
As we walked to his car he whispered, "I think she likes me better as Andrew then Noah." I just laugh. He opens the door for me and we head off on the mystery date.