Chapter 3
'Let's go.' he said quietly as the anger bubbled beneath the surface.
She didn't argue, she just followed. She was a shell, not the beautiful, vibrant, intelligent woman that Vaughn had fallen for. How much more did she have to take!
As they walked out of the warehouse into the harsh sunlight, he felt her grab his hand. He looked at her and smiled so that she'd know he wasn't upset with her. With that reassurance, she held onto his hand for dear life, as if that simple contact between them was making her stronger.
When they reached his car he handed her into the passenger seat as though she would break if he made the wrong move. His hand touched her arm as he withdrew from the car and he was startled to feel how thin it felt. He thought this over as he drove and dozens of horrible what-if's flew through his head.
After driving for a half an hour, he finally pulled into the parking lot of a CIA hospital on the outskirts of LA. He turned off the car then looked over at Syd, she had fallen asleep. He just sat there and stared at her with so many regrets, knowing full well what he almost lost, and all the things she would have never known.
'I love you.' he choked as he reached out to stroke her cheek.
As she began to stir, he collected himself and looked back at her when his emotions were in check. She was finally awake but looking at him with extreme worry in her eyes. He smiled at her and she visibly relaxed.
'We're here.' he said
'Where is here?' she asked.
'A CIA hospital. We need to make sure you're alright. I need to know that you're alright.' he explained.
She didn't look happy about this, the despair in her eyes gave her away, but she didn't fight him. Dammit, he wish she would fight him so that he'd have piece of mind knowing the woman he knew and loved was still in there somewhere. He took her hand as he rounded the car and she plastered herself to his side. They walked into the emergency room together and he tracked down one of the doctor's he knew.
'Brian!' he called down a hallway when he spotted who he was looking for.
A man wearing a white lab coat with dark hair and kind blue eyes turned and walked toward the with a smile.
'Mike, how ya doin'? I haven't seen you in weeks, wait a minute, no, months.' he exclaimed.
'Listen Brain, I really need your help. This is Sydney Bristow and she needs to be checked over.'
Vaughn then turned to her and explained. 'Syd, this is Dr. Brian McMaster, a friend of mine who also happens to work with us, you need to go with him and make sure you're OK.'
Brian looked confused but didn't ask any questions, not yet anyway.
'If you'll just come with me Agent Bristow.' he asked.
She began to follow Brian down the hall but turned suddenly to look at Vaughn.
'I'm not going anywhere, I promise.' he said without hesitation.
She continued to follow Brian and Vaughn turned away to go find the waiting room.
After two agonizing hours of worry, Brian came into the waiting room looking for Vaughn. When he spotted him Brian walked over and sat down beside him. He looked troubled and also as if he had questions that he'd want answered.
'So...' Vaughn asked impatiently.
Brian sighed, then rubbed his forehead. 'Is this the Sydney Bristow?'
When Vaughn nodded, Brain continued. 'Well..... She is covered in cuts and bruises especially on her back, she is severely malnutritioned and dehydrated, more ribs are broken than not, her joints are so swollen I can't even begin to imagine how she can walk, she had a dislocated shoulder that was reset very poorly and to top it off, she has a fractured wrist and a severe concussion. What the Hell happened to her Mike!?!'
'I'm not sure yet. She is one of our best agents Brian and she has been missing for over three months.' Vaughn stopped and rubbed his eyes, the continued, 'I think she was captured on her last mission and held. From what she has implied, I believe she was tortured for information while they held her.'
'Well that would be consistent with the injuries she has, some of which have already healed.' Brian muttered.
'You won't talk about this to anyone will you? I just need some time with her to she if we can fix the damage that's been done. The CIA doesn't even know she's back yet.' Vaughn sighed.
'Of course not! You can trust me.' Brian reassured him.
'Does she have to stay over night?' Vaughn asked suddenly.
'I'd like her to, but she has already let me know that it isn't an option. Is there anyway you could stay with her to make sure she drinks, eats, and sleeps? Brian asked hopefully.
Vaughn just gave him a look that said Try to stop me.
