Chapter 3

Vaughn knocked softly on Sydney's hospital room door. Vaughn listened carefully and heard a soft "come in." He opened the door slowly and looked around the room. It was a private room, just as they had requested. Only a few lights remained on. He could see her figure laying in bed looking out the window on the left side.

"Hey Syd. How are you doing?" he asked. Sydney turned towards Vaughn but didn't answer.

"Vaughn," she said, her voice low. "Why didn't you tell me that we didn't get Sloane?"

"I--" Vaughn started.

"Of all the people to escape from our capture, why wasn't informed?" Sydney paused now to wait for his answer.

"I was told not to inform you," Vaughn explained.

"By who?" Sydney asked.

"Kendall."

"Why the hell does Kendall not want me to know?" Sydney asked, angry now.

"He didn't want you pursuing him because of everything you've been through. He fears it will impair your judgement," Vaughn relented reluctantly.

"Impair my judgement?" Sydney said outrageously. "The man is evil. It's unbelievable how many innocent people have died thinking themselves allied to the CIA."

"This is exactly why, Syd. He doesn't want it to get personal," Vaughn explained. "You can't go searching the whole world for a man who wants you dead."

Sydney crossed her arms across her chest and narrowed her eyes. She knew she was being unreasonable, but she was so angry about being left in the dark about Sloane that she didn't care. She decided to leave the conversation as it was and change gears. "What's happening with Anderson?" Sydney asked, but there was still a hostile air in her question.

"He claims that Sark put him up to it. We won't know anything till he is cleared by security section," Vaughn answered.

"I see," Sydney said without offering any new direction in the conversation. Vaughn sighed.

"Feel better, Syd," Vaughn said as he closed the door to the hospital room.

* * *

An uncomfortable tension remained between Vaughn and Sydney. Sydney understood that it wasn't Vaughn's fault that he had been ordered not to tell her about Sloane, but she was made that as a friend he hadn't thought to tell her. He knew everything that SOB had put her threw, and that's why she was angry with him.

Sydney was released from the hospital the next day. The knife wound wasn't serious, but it did make her cringe when she moved. Sydney and Vaughn returned to LA the same day as she was released. Weiss and Anderson had returned to LA the day of the mission so Anderson could be checked out. Neither Sydney nor Vaughn said much on the plane ride back.

The two of them separated at the airport, Sydney angry with Vaughn, and Vaughn angry for not trying to resolve their argument. Both of them could be so stubborn at time, it was amazing.

Sydney arrived at the house being careful not to let the pain in her abdomen show in front of her friends. She didn't know exactly how to explain to them the large opening across her stomach.

"Syd, you're back!" Francie exclaimed taking her in a hug. A hug that was a little too tight, and caused her to wince before she had a chance to stop herself. Francie luckily didn't see the expression of pain, but Will did. Luckily, since he knew of her situation he didn't say anything, but he pried Francie gently off her and took her in a gentler hug.

"You okay?" Will whispered in her ear.

"Yeah," she whispered back. "Just a little scratch."

Sydney pulled away and smiled at her friends. "So what have you guys been up to?"

"Nothing," Francie said, "but we've got dinner all ready. You're just in time!"

"Great," Sydney said. "Let me put my suitcase away, and I'll be right there." Just as Sydney was getting ready to come back into the living room, the doorbell rang.

"I got it!" Will yelled rushing to the door. Sydney walked into the living room, curious.

"Syd," Will said with confusion and suspicion at the newcomer. Will stepped aside, and a man with blond hair and blue eyes that resembled pure ice stepped into the room.

"Jason?" Sydney exclaimed.