I know, we took soo long, comparatively. I was slow as a writer. This
story doesn't do short, I've mentioned that before I'll mention it again.
Carrie and I are madly in love with this story, it's fun and exciting and
enjoyable, and it takes up half of our conversations. Thank you for the
replies, they keep us writing. We literally squeal over them. So leave
replies, comments, questions. We enjoy it.
Laura&Carrie
Chapter 3
Vaughn's House-7:30am
Vaughn and Sydney were groggily making their way around the kitchen trying to get breakfast started and more importantly coffee made. "You can have the shower first this morning Michael."
"Thanks." He answered still sleepily.
They continued their motions in silence until a sudden fierce pounding startled them both. "What the hell." Sydney muttered.
"I'll handle it." Vaughn said. He went to answer the door; he was still in his pajamas; boxers and an LA Kings t-shirt. "Hello." He said when he opened the door.
"Just who in the hell do you think you are? What the hell were you thinking? Where is my daughter?" Jack yelled walking threateningly towards Vaughn.
Vaughn walked backwards into his own house. "Syd, can you come here for a minute." He called out worry creeping into his voice.
"I thought you said you could handle whoever it was at the door." Syd said teasingly as she walked into the living room. "Dad." She said trying to hide her shock.
Jack took in her appearance; she was wearing shorts, a white tank top and a robe. "Sydney, what in the world has gotten into you, what possessed you to do something this stupid."
Stupid, her Dad thought marrying Michael was stupid, and that stung Sydney even though this was for a mission, that comment still hurt. She suddenly felt very protective of Vaughn and their 'marriage.' "Stupid? I married Michael, I don't think that's stupid." She said quietly, linking her arm through Vaughn's. "SD-6 is gone, what's the big deal? And how on earth did you find out."
"The big deal is he is your handler, and Will told me, we both agree this is a mistake."
"Was my handler. And neither you or Will have any say in this. I am a grown woman, capable of making my own decisions." She said fighting back tears, she could not and would not cry. "Why is everyone so against Vaughn, the most wonderful guy I have ever met." She wondered silently.
"The two of you getting married so soon after the destruction of the Alliance indicates that you both violated protocol. Agent Vaughn you really should have known better. Heaven help you when the CIA finds out, heaven help both of you." He said moving threateningly towards Vaughn again.
She slipped her body in front of Vaughn's. "The CIA knows, this was their idea. Its for a damn mission. If you would have asked, instead of threatening Vaughn, we could have told you. We're going to Hawaii to close down a smuggling ring, with Agents O'Brien and Agents Morgan, both sets of agents happen to be married partners who handle emotional attachment just fine." She spat out at him angrily. "You got what you came here for I think you should leave now."
She turned away from him, and went to look at the pictures on Vaughn's mantle. "I'll show myself out, be careful Sydney."
When she heard the door close, she turned to face Vaughn her eyes bright with anger. "Who the hell do we think we are, the better question is who the hell do they think they are?" She started pacing, balling her hands into fists. "The one thing I asked Will not to do, he turns around and does."
"Syd." Vaughn said gently.
She went on with her rant. "Will and I think marrying Vaughn is a mistake. Will and I think. Who gives a damn what the two of them think? I don't, I don't give a damn what either of them think."
"Syd, its ok, they just care and worry about you, that's all."
"They don't have a say. If I want to marry you and you want to marry me, we're going to get married. If I want to fall crazy, head over heels, old fashioned in love with you, I'm going to. I'm not going to ask Will's or my Dad's permission. Why does everyone think you're so bad for me? I don't understand it."
"Syd." He tried once more to get her attention.
"I don't understand. I mean." The full force of Vaughn's lips on hers cut her off.
"Syd." He said his face inches of hers and his voice raspy. "It's ok."
CIA Offices-9:00am
Steph and Johnny were getting last minute CIA business finished before their trip. "You're staring, Johnny."
"You're beautiful."
A small smile played on her lips. "You're biased."
He walked over and gave her a kiss. "I love you, and I've always thought you were beautiful."
"I love you too." She said kissing him again. She sighed when she heard a knock on the door. She pulled away and went to get the door. "Where's Sydney?" She asked when she noticed that Michael came in with Jason and Robin.
"She had something to take care of."
"You look worried." Johnny said.
"We might have to bail her out of jail or something."
"What?" Stephanie asked incredulously. "What is she doing?"
"She went to have a chat with Will."
"Will, lovable best friend Will? Will who holds a torch for the one girl he can never have, but will always wonder what might have been, even when he's old and gray with grandchildren. That Will?" Steph asked.
"Yeah, that Will." Vaughn said with a smile.
"So why is Syd going to kick his ass?" Robin questioned.
"He told Jack that Syd and I got married while he was away, after Syd asked, no told him not too. He also said that her marrying me was a mistake." Vaughn said unmistakable anger creeping into his voice.
Steph bit back a smile. "And this upset Sydney?" Steph asked digging for information.
Johnny noticed what his wife was doing. "Steph, let it go, its not any of our business."
She shot him a look. "Fine, fine. It's dropped, until Sydney gets back, then I'll ask her myself."
Francie's Restaurant-10:00am
She walked in and found that Will had his back to her. She sneaked up behind him and pinned him against the wall, holding his arm tightly behind his back. "Jesus Sydney, what the hell is wrong with you?"
"The better question is what the hell is wrong with you?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"My ass you don't."
"Syd, come on."
She responded by tightening her grip on his arm. "I told you not to tell my Dad about my marrying Michael. I told you Michael and I had to tell him ourselves."
"It slipped."
"I don't believe you. I believe you deliberately let it slip to my Dad that I got married," Sydney said, pressing him further against the wall.
"Why wouldn't you believe me?"
"Because maybe," She said spinning him around so he could see her. "You're jealous."
"I am not jealous of Vaughn," Will stated firmly, his eyes heating up.
"Really, then why would you do something that I asked you to let me handle?" She asked her eyes flashing with anger.
Will threw his hands up in the air and paced the room. "Because I am looking out for you, because I care about you, you're my best friend."
"I don't need or want you to look out for me, if it means you betray my trust."
"You're making a mistake Sydney," Will charged "Marrying Vaughn was a mistake."
"I love Michael Vaughn, he is everything to me. I can't live without him, I don't want too. Marrying him was the best decision of my life." She said tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She turned away from Will and saw Vaughn standing in the doorway. She walked over to where he was standing, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him on the mouth. "Lets go, meet our friends."
He held Sydney closer to his body. "Are you ok?" He asked concerned all the while sending a cold glare towards Will.
"I'm fine, now that you're here," Syd said, pressing herself close to him and inhaling his scent. She told herself that it was all an act for Will, but she knew that there was a part of this that was from her. "Can we please go?"
"Sure," Vaughn said, leaving one arm wrapped protectively around Sydney's waist. He threw one last glare at Will for making Syd cry, before leading her out of the restaurant and towards his car.
Steph and Johnny's House-10:45
Steph and Sydney were sitting on the couch in the living room, while the guys were outside shooting hoops. "What time are Jason and Robin coming over?" Sydney asked Stephanie.
She looked at her watch, "Around eleven I think."
Syd sighed and got up to look out the window. She watched Michael for a moment, enjoying his form. "I wonder about Michael and Jason. Will anyone believe their siblings?" she asked, turing back to Stephanie and sitting in one of the chairs.
"They're both good agents, when it comes crunch time they'll make it work," Stephanie said, confidently. "How are things with you and Michael?"
"Confusing as ever," Sydney said, closing her eyes and leaning her head back on the
"Johnny and I fought what was between us for awhile." Steph said with a sigh, thinking back five years. It was so long ago, but it seemed like . "I loved him so much, he was really the only person who knew me, in all my glory. The good, the bad, everything. He saw it all. I would be no where without him, I can't picture life without him by my side."
"What about protocol?"
"Protocol is like any other rule, meant to be broken. Besides for regular agents, there is no protocol. I mean relationships are not recommended, but they aren't forbidden either." Steph said with a smile.
"After we took down SD6, Michael and I shared our first real kiss. But that was it, we never brought it up again."
"Why did you go after Will today?"
"He told my Dad that Michael and I were married," Syd said with disgust. "He and my dad think marrying Vaughn is a mistake."
Steph wrinkled her brow. "Vaughn is one of the most decent guys I have ever met. Why did their comments make you so mad, I mean you and Vaughn aren't married. Unless you do love him, and want to marry him someday," she said getting excited. Admitting you were in love was the first step to eternal happiness.
Sydney instantly squirmed in her seat. There was no point in admitting this yet, what would it get her besides trouble. "It's very complicated," she said trying to avoid the subject.
Steph opened her mouth to dig in from another angle when the sound of a motorcycle ripping down the street got their attention.
"Is that a motorcycle?" Steph asked getting up and going to the window.
Sydney got up and followed her. "That's a motorcycle, is that Jason and Robin on a motorcycle?"
Outside the guys were just as shocked to see the motorcycle pull up to the curb. Jason was obviously at the helm, very much without a helmet, and the woman on the back with a helmet, must be Robin.
"A motorcycle?" Vaughn asked raising an eyebrow as Robin took her helmet off.
"Isn't it gorgeous?" Robin asked as she hopped off and put the helmet on the back of the bike. She took a moment just to revel in it's beauty.
"You actually like that thing?" He asked her curiously.
Robin turned and flashed Vaughn for "Love it. We have three more in Paris. We're going to ship this one their when we head for Hawaii."
"Do you buy these things wherever you go for transportation?" Johnny asked curiously.
Jason shook his head as he hopped off the bike. "Took this one out of storage. This is the first one I bought."
"You don't wear a helmet," Vaughn pointed out.
Jason simply glared at Michael. Robin quickly caught the look that passed between them. "Jason doesn't exactly believe in helmets."
"You appear to."
"Yeah, well I'm a doctor and know what it looks like when people have bike incidents. Jason also insists that I wear it. His own safety is another matter," she said, sending a glare her husband's way. "He figures if he lived through one head trauma just fine, he'll make it through another. And no amount or pleading on my part will change it."
"You have lots of these?" Steph asked with interest.
"This is our first of four. We started out together on this one. It's like going home," Robin said wistfully as Jason wrapped an arm around her.
"It looks like fun," Syd said her eyes lighting up.
"Syd," Vaughn said warningly taking her arm. There was one thing he knew he didn't want to see and it was Sydney on the back of that motorcycle.
"What?" Sydney asked curiously, looking up at Vaughn with curious eyes.
"One of us could take you," Robin offered.
"Really?"
"Come on. We have a got a lot to do, lets get started," Vaughn said, hauling Sydney towards the house.
"What is wrong with you?" Syd hissed at him.
"I don't want you on the back of one of those things," he hissed back
"They've both been driving them for a long time," Sydney said loud enough for everyone to hear.
"You get to drive?" Steph asked Robin from where the two couples were behind Sydney and Vaughn.
Robin smiled. "On occasion. I love it."
"She is talented," Jason said with a nod. He still remembered the first time he saw Robin on a bike, he recognized her talent, but it didn't keep it from scaring him half to death.
"Can we get one?" Steph asked Johnny excitedly.
"We'll think about it," Johnny laughed as he pushed his wife through the door.
Everyone walked in to Johnny and Steph's living room. Jason and Robin took the couch. Johnny sat in his favorite chair, and pulled his wife into his lap. Syd and Michael stared at the last remaining chair. Syd gestured at the chair and once Michael sat down, Syd settled in comfortably at his feet, leaning against his legs.
"Alright."
Robin released a breath and took Jason's hand with hers. She knew her life story was one of the longest. "I'm Robin Sotilini Devane Scorpio Morgan. I've only been married the one time, but the other three are my last names. My parents were agents for the WSB. My mother a highly prized double agent till she and my father got divorced before I was born. When my father found out my mother was a double agent, he left her and never wanted to see her again. My mother chose to give me to a family friend, who I thought was my grandmother. I lived with her until the age of seven, thinking I was an orphan. My mother was family friend Luv, who visited me on occasion.. I would have done anything to have her as my mom.
"At the age of seven I was kidnapped and conveniently left on the doorstep of Robert Scorpio, my father. Neither of us were any the wiser, but I loved him, and being around him. When my mom showed up looking for me, my dad figured it out, and they proceeded to have a huge fight. I was on the stairs, and found out. Now while it was a dream come true, it hurt that I was lied to, and that my mother had never had any intention of telling me. So I started doing what I have always done since when I need to get away, and climbed down my trellis and ran. I can't believe its still there.
"Anyway, I was kidnapped again, and then my mother found me. I lived with my mother for a while and my father moved back to Australia. My mother ended up marrying Duke Lavery head of the Organization in Port Charles. And while I loved Duke, things were beginning to get dangerous. So I called my father and asked him to come home. I only had them around until I was 13. I thought they died in a boat explosion.
"After my parents so called deaths, I lived in the same house with my uncle Mac. Mac was my, well third father technically. But he was always around, the one person who I could always count on. He was there through Stone.
"Stone was my first love. And I did love him. He was fun and funny, wonderful, beautiful and young. He died younger than anyone should. After we had been together awhile, he found out he was HIV positive and that it had progressed into full blown AIDS. Less then a year from his diagnosis, he died. The one thing he regretted was passing the disease on to me. I thought I was as good as dead but I have been living with HIV for eight years now," she choked on the words slightly and felt the tears prick her eyes. Jason squeese her hand and then placed his arm around her, and held her closer.
Robin looked up at her husband and smiled. "After Jason awoke from his accident, we quickly became friends. And soon after that, we were together. Jason and I learned to live again with each other, that there was something worth it out there. We both had difficulty making it work, and we had two rounds in Port Charles before I went to Paris to create a and stayed. A year later Jason came back to me, and I was uncertain about letting him back in. So we found our friendship again, but we were never good at being just friends, and we never really fell out of love. We were married two years after his arrival on my doorstep. We've been working as agents since my uncle contacted me for help three years ago."
"So you were agents before you got married?" Stephanie asked with interest.
"Yes."
"Did you complete your medical degree?" Sydney asked.
"Yes. Uncle Frisco says its one of my bigger assets as an agent."
Vaughn studied the couple. "And just because I'm curious, does your entire family work as agents?"
Robin laughed. "My parents, my uncle Frisco, and my uncle Sean are WSB. Uncle Mac is the Commissioner of Police in Port Chalres, which actually all of my WSB family members have done. Aunt Felicia is a PI. Before he died, Duke became an informant for the FBI. Uncle Luke runs a club with two sets of books. Um. Stone worked for Sonny, as Jason did."
"Wow."
Robin shrugged. "My family and friends use the rules to their advantage."
"Alright, now on to Jason."
Jason scowled. "Do I have to do this?" he asked Robin.
"We all have to," Vaughn answered testily. "Some of us have to go again. You only have to do this once."
Jason once again responded to Vaughn with a cold glare.
"Alright. Do you want me to start with Jason Q or my Jason?" Robin asked, knowing that Jason wouldn't answer any questions.
"Does it matter?"
"Jason woke up from a coma seven years ago and was completely different from the Jason he used to be. Well they have similar traits, but the way they use them is very different. Their loyalties and tolerances. But Family is still the most important thing, along with living and loving. It's just what it entails that makes them different. Jason Quartermaine wanted to be a doctor and was faithful to the Quartermaines through everything. Jason on the other hand busted out of there after a few weeks. Jason only considers his family to entail those not Quartermaines who were not born Q's, our nephew Michael and me. and Sonny," Robin added hesitantly.
"Besides me, Sonny was the first person to accept Jason and gave him a well paying job. He worked for Sonny for five years before he came to find me in Paris. And the rest is generally the same."
"Interesting."
"Alright. We need to get started on everyone else."
Stephanie's and Johnny's -
"Alright, we need a break," Sydney said as soon as she finished her
"And food," Steph added, scrabling out of Johnny's arms. "Food would be wonderful."
"Where are you calling?" Johnny asked. Our kitchen is just for show really. Although both of us can use the microwave, and the George Foreman Grill pretty effectively."
Stephanie leaned over and patted her husband on the
head. "I can preheat the oven, and make a mean frozen pizza. You call. I think we need some fresh air." She said motioning towards the girls.
"And us?" Vaughn asked when Sydney nodded and bounded towards the door.
Syd turned back to Michael and smiled. "Think of it as bonding time."
With that the three girls escaped out onto the lawn.
"How long do you give them?" Robin asked the other two as they walked towards the bike.
Steph glanced back at the house and hoped that nothing would happen to anything in there. "Not long."
"That thing is gorgeous," Syd said, staring at the bike. She could only imagine what it would feel like to be on that bike.
"I've never actually driven that one," Robin said eyeing the bike.
"Really?" Steph asked curiously.
Robin shook her head. "I didn't start riding them on my own until I got to Paris. I loved riding them, but I promised that I wouldn't ride on the back of a bike with anyone but Jason. So I had to learn to ride them myself."
"I want to try it," Sydney said, turing to Robin.
"Driving it?" Steph asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, just a ride."
Robin smiled. "Alright. My helmet," she said, picking up the helmet and handing it to Syd, and then she dived her hand into her pocket and pulled out keys. "and my keys. Well Jason's keys."
Steph shot another wary look to the house. "Does he know?"
Robin shot Steph a grin. "He will soon enough."
"Are you sure you don't want your helmet?" Syd asked, considering putting the helmet on.
Robin nodded and got on the bike. "It's around the block once. Or twice if Steph wants a ride."
"If the guys don't freak."
"Alright come on." Robin said.
Sydney hopped on the bike and wrapped her arms around Robin as Robin turned the engine over and fed it with gas.
Inside the guys were sitting around the living room looking mildly uncomfortable, while Johnny tried to keep conversation going.
"What was that?" Vaughn asked hearing the roar come from out side.
"The bike," Jason said, getting up and looking out the window just in time to see his wife tear off around the corner.
"How did they get it to start?" Johnny asked, joining Jason at the window.
"Robin took the keys."
"There's only one helmet," Vaughn pointed out upon realizing that it was Syd on the back of the bike.
As much as Jason didn't like Michael, he could hear the fear. "Robin's good. Really good," he assured Michael.
"Let's go check huh?"
"Ohmigod, I need one of those," Sydney said, pulling off the helmet and hopping off the bike.
"Your turn?" Robin asked Steph, completely ignoring the glares she was receiving from Jason and Micheal.
"What's the rule with you and helmets?" Jason asked her angrily coming to her side.
"Get another one for yourself and we'll talk," Robin shot back.
"Robin!"
"Jason."
"We ordered a pizza," Johnny said to his wife.
"Did you remember the Jalapeno peppers, cause if you forgot the peppers you're sleeping on the couch for a week, and I mean it."
"You never mean it. And yes I remembered the peppers. How long have we been married? I think I know what you like on your pizza."
"Just checking. Great. It's not here yet is it?"
"Let's have a chat," Vaughn said, taking Syd by the arm and pulling her away from everyone else.
"Why don't I take you?" Jason offered to Stephanie.
"Let me do it," Robin pleaded, still on the bike. "I think I'm in love with this one."
"Off," Jason insisted.
"I'm driving home."
"Alright," Jason consented, helping her off and getting on himself. "Hop on."
"A few minutes later Jason returned with Steph. "Johnny, we really need one of these." She said as she hopped off. "Thanks Jason."
"We'll see. Let's go inside, Ms. Martin is outside, and she is incredibly too nosey."
"She's only nosey cause she think's you're hot." Steph grumbled as they walked inside.
"Are you jealous?" He asked teasingly.
"No. I just think she needs to get her own husband. And really you don't help matters by going over there and fixing everything that's broken. You do more work over there, then you do here."
Ten minutes later they were sitting down eating pizza in silence. "Anyone wanna try the pizza with peppers? Jalapeno peppers are seriously the best pizza topping ever."
She was answered with a chorus of dubious looks and no thanks. "I'll a try slice." Jason said.
"He'll eat anything." Robin spoke up.
"This is pretty good." Jason told Steph.
"Steph puts jalapeno's on practically everything. She eats them like some people eat ketchup."
"Our plane leaves at 4:30 and its 2:00 now. We should probably pick up the pace a little. I was thinking it would be best if Johnny and I drove us all to the airport, we have an SUV, or if you guys wanted we could drive separate. Well Sydney you and Michael can drive separate, and Johnny and I will pick up Jason and Robin, that might work better, what do you guys think?"
"Syd and I will drive separate, and you can take Robin and Jason."
LAX Airport-4:00pm PST
"Where's Steph?" Sydney asked as she and Michael approached the rest of the gang.
"Buying gum." Robin answered.
Michael noticed the way Robin was sagging against Jason, and the tired look in her eyes. "Are you ok, Robin?" He asked concerned.
She smiled at his concern. "Its my protocol, they changed the combination a little bit, and I'm still adjusting."
Jason looked down at Robin with concern. He had picked up on Robin's exhaustion, but when other people could it meant that Robin was really tired. He pulled her further away from everyone else. "You sure you're alright? Because we can wait here and meet up with them in Port Charles in a little while."
Robin closed her eyes for a moment before looking at Jason and putting a hand on his arm. "I'm going to be fine Jason."
The doctor had changed Robin's meds weeks before they had gotten "You've usually adjusted by now."
"I know, they added in something more powerful then they have in awhile. We already discussed this when they changed them," Robin said with an aggravated sigh.
"I just want to know you're alright. When were back in Port Charles you're seeing Alan," he insisted when he looked "I may not like him other wise, but he takes care of you."
"I'm fine."
"If you're not feeling better by Port Charles then you're seeing Alan," Jason conceded. Within moments his eyes were filled with apology and a hint of the fear. "Robin, I just--"
"I know. I'm sorry you're worried," Robin said, burring herself back into his chest.
"I love you," Jason said, leaning down and kissing her firmly on the mouth. "I don't like to think of the bad stuff, but sometimes--"
"Yeah," Robin said, cutting him off. "Me too."
Steph came up behind Johnny and wrapped her arms around her husband. "What have I missed?"
"Nothing." Robin answered her with a smile, trying to leave the thought of Jason's worry behind her. "Michael and Sydney just got here, and Michael and Jason are behaving. Things are good so far. So Steph what's Bloomington like?"
"The abridged version Steph, the abridged version." Johnny said lowering his head into his hands.
Stephanie's smile couldn't be dampened by her husband's reaction. "Bloomington is awesome. Johnny and I are moving back there, when our CIA careers are over."
"We are?" He asked her.
"We'll talk about it later. Anyway, Bloomington is this great college town. Everything revolves around IU and the basketball team. My poor poor Hoosiers, are currently mirred in the worst losing streak in eighteen years. Things are not going good for them this year."
"You're already getting off track. They wanna know about the town, not how much you think the University sucks since they fired Bob Knight, and that was coming next we both know it."
"Well its true. But the town itself is great. Good restaurants, nice people. I love the Midwest, I miss the Midwest. I can't wait to get home. You guys will have to come in May for the Little 500."
"Sounds like a great town." Sydney said.
Airport ~ Indianapolis, Indiana -9:30pm Central Standard Time
"We're here," Stephanie said excitedly as they exited the plane. "It even smells like home. I'm home," she said, turning to her husband.
Robin heard a ring and picked up her cell phone. "Hello. Hey mom. Yes we got in fine. I'm fine. No not yet. Anyone can cook better then you Mom, we all know that. You'll be in Port Charles? Try to get Frisco there too. Daddy. I'm married. Happily. Guess. I know I know. I grew up with the rules, I know them by heart. You want to speak to Jason? Hold on."
Jason sat on the phone and listened for a few long minutes. "Has she died? No more then when she's been around anyone else. Hi Anna," Jason said smiling. "Of course. Yes.
"There are my parents. Come on." She said leading them through the crowd to where her parents stood. "Mom, Dad, it's so great to be home, I've missed you guys so much." She said embracing each of her parents.
After releasing her daughter, and hugging her son-in-law Beverly Anderson went and hugged everyone else. Starting with a surprised Jason. "Mark and I are so glad you all are staying with us. Sydney when is the last time you and Michael have been in Bloomington? And Michael its so wonderful of you to bring your brother and his wife. There are so many things that we can do while you are here."
"Bev let them catch their breath. We can plan the agenda tomorrow. Right now we need to get them home and settled in."
"Are you guys hungry? We can stop out or when we get home I can make a snack."
"We're fine Mom."
"I wasn't asking just you Stephanie, I was asking everybody."
"We're fine Mrs. Anderson." Sydney said.
"Please call me Bev and he's Mark."
An hour later they pulled into the Anderson driveway. "I don't think we passed a house that didn't have a basketball hoop." Michael commented.
"We probably didn't." Steph said climbing out of the van. "This town, no this state revolves around the game of basketball. I love it."
They all headed into the house. Jason and Robin and Sydney and Michael looked around the house and took it in. It was very relaxed and homey. "This place is great." Sydney breathed.
"Steph, your Dad and I were thinking Michael and Sydney can sleep in your old room. Jason and Robin can sleep in the guestroom, and you and Johnny can sleep here in the living room on the sofa bed."
"That sounds fine Mom."
Laura&Carrie
Chapter 3
Vaughn's House-7:30am
Vaughn and Sydney were groggily making their way around the kitchen trying to get breakfast started and more importantly coffee made. "You can have the shower first this morning Michael."
"Thanks." He answered still sleepily.
They continued their motions in silence until a sudden fierce pounding startled them both. "What the hell." Sydney muttered.
"I'll handle it." Vaughn said. He went to answer the door; he was still in his pajamas; boxers and an LA Kings t-shirt. "Hello." He said when he opened the door.
"Just who in the hell do you think you are? What the hell were you thinking? Where is my daughter?" Jack yelled walking threateningly towards Vaughn.
Vaughn walked backwards into his own house. "Syd, can you come here for a minute." He called out worry creeping into his voice.
"I thought you said you could handle whoever it was at the door." Syd said teasingly as she walked into the living room. "Dad." She said trying to hide her shock.
Jack took in her appearance; she was wearing shorts, a white tank top and a robe. "Sydney, what in the world has gotten into you, what possessed you to do something this stupid."
Stupid, her Dad thought marrying Michael was stupid, and that stung Sydney even though this was for a mission, that comment still hurt. She suddenly felt very protective of Vaughn and their 'marriage.' "Stupid? I married Michael, I don't think that's stupid." She said quietly, linking her arm through Vaughn's. "SD-6 is gone, what's the big deal? And how on earth did you find out."
"The big deal is he is your handler, and Will told me, we both agree this is a mistake."
"Was my handler. And neither you or Will have any say in this. I am a grown woman, capable of making my own decisions." She said fighting back tears, she could not and would not cry. "Why is everyone so against Vaughn, the most wonderful guy I have ever met." She wondered silently.
"The two of you getting married so soon after the destruction of the Alliance indicates that you both violated protocol. Agent Vaughn you really should have known better. Heaven help you when the CIA finds out, heaven help both of you." He said moving threateningly towards Vaughn again.
She slipped her body in front of Vaughn's. "The CIA knows, this was their idea. Its for a damn mission. If you would have asked, instead of threatening Vaughn, we could have told you. We're going to Hawaii to close down a smuggling ring, with Agents O'Brien and Agents Morgan, both sets of agents happen to be married partners who handle emotional attachment just fine." She spat out at him angrily. "You got what you came here for I think you should leave now."
She turned away from him, and went to look at the pictures on Vaughn's mantle. "I'll show myself out, be careful Sydney."
When she heard the door close, she turned to face Vaughn her eyes bright with anger. "Who the hell do we think we are, the better question is who the hell do they think they are?" She started pacing, balling her hands into fists. "The one thing I asked Will not to do, he turns around and does."
"Syd." Vaughn said gently.
She went on with her rant. "Will and I think marrying Vaughn is a mistake. Will and I think. Who gives a damn what the two of them think? I don't, I don't give a damn what either of them think."
"Syd, its ok, they just care and worry about you, that's all."
"They don't have a say. If I want to marry you and you want to marry me, we're going to get married. If I want to fall crazy, head over heels, old fashioned in love with you, I'm going to. I'm not going to ask Will's or my Dad's permission. Why does everyone think you're so bad for me? I don't understand it."
"Syd." He tried once more to get her attention.
"I don't understand. I mean." The full force of Vaughn's lips on hers cut her off.
"Syd." He said his face inches of hers and his voice raspy. "It's ok."
CIA Offices-9:00am
Steph and Johnny were getting last minute CIA business finished before their trip. "You're staring, Johnny."
"You're beautiful."
A small smile played on her lips. "You're biased."
He walked over and gave her a kiss. "I love you, and I've always thought you were beautiful."
"I love you too." She said kissing him again. She sighed when she heard a knock on the door. She pulled away and went to get the door. "Where's Sydney?" She asked when she noticed that Michael came in with Jason and Robin.
"She had something to take care of."
"You look worried." Johnny said.
"We might have to bail her out of jail or something."
"What?" Stephanie asked incredulously. "What is she doing?"
"She went to have a chat with Will."
"Will, lovable best friend Will? Will who holds a torch for the one girl he can never have, but will always wonder what might have been, even when he's old and gray with grandchildren. That Will?" Steph asked.
"Yeah, that Will." Vaughn said with a smile.
"So why is Syd going to kick his ass?" Robin questioned.
"He told Jack that Syd and I got married while he was away, after Syd asked, no told him not too. He also said that her marrying me was a mistake." Vaughn said unmistakable anger creeping into his voice.
Steph bit back a smile. "And this upset Sydney?" Steph asked digging for information.
Johnny noticed what his wife was doing. "Steph, let it go, its not any of our business."
She shot him a look. "Fine, fine. It's dropped, until Sydney gets back, then I'll ask her myself."
Francie's Restaurant-10:00am
She walked in and found that Will had his back to her. She sneaked up behind him and pinned him against the wall, holding his arm tightly behind his back. "Jesus Sydney, what the hell is wrong with you?"
"The better question is what the hell is wrong with you?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"My ass you don't."
"Syd, come on."
She responded by tightening her grip on his arm. "I told you not to tell my Dad about my marrying Michael. I told you Michael and I had to tell him ourselves."
"It slipped."
"I don't believe you. I believe you deliberately let it slip to my Dad that I got married," Sydney said, pressing him further against the wall.
"Why wouldn't you believe me?"
"Because maybe," She said spinning him around so he could see her. "You're jealous."
"I am not jealous of Vaughn," Will stated firmly, his eyes heating up.
"Really, then why would you do something that I asked you to let me handle?" She asked her eyes flashing with anger.
Will threw his hands up in the air and paced the room. "Because I am looking out for you, because I care about you, you're my best friend."
"I don't need or want you to look out for me, if it means you betray my trust."
"You're making a mistake Sydney," Will charged "Marrying Vaughn was a mistake."
"I love Michael Vaughn, he is everything to me. I can't live without him, I don't want too. Marrying him was the best decision of my life." She said tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She turned away from Will and saw Vaughn standing in the doorway. She walked over to where he was standing, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him on the mouth. "Lets go, meet our friends."
He held Sydney closer to his body. "Are you ok?" He asked concerned all the while sending a cold glare towards Will.
"I'm fine, now that you're here," Syd said, pressing herself close to him and inhaling his scent. She told herself that it was all an act for Will, but she knew that there was a part of this that was from her. "Can we please go?"
"Sure," Vaughn said, leaving one arm wrapped protectively around Sydney's waist. He threw one last glare at Will for making Syd cry, before leading her out of the restaurant and towards his car.
Steph and Johnny's House-10:45
Steph and Sydney were sitting on the couch in the living room, while the guys were outside shooting hoops. "What time are Jason and Robin coming over?" Sydney asked Stephanie.
She looked at her watch, "Around eleven I think."
Syd sighed and got up to look out the window. She watched Michael for a moment, enjoying his form. "I wonder about Michael and Jason. Will anyone believe their siblings?" she asked, turing back to Stephanie and sitting in one of the chairs.
"They're both good agents, when it comes crunch time they'll make it work," Stephanie said, confidently. "How are things with you and Michael?"
"Confusing as ever," Sydney said, closing her eyes and leaning her head back on the
"Johnny and I fought what was between us for awhile." Steph said with a sigh, thinking back five years. It was so long ago, but it seemed like . "I loved him so much, he was really the only person who knew me, in all my glory. The good, the bad, everything. He saw it all. I would be no where without him, I can't picture life without him by my side."
"What about protocol?"
"Protocol is like any other rule, meant to be broken. Besides for regular agents, there is no protocol. I mean relationships are not recommended, but they aren't forbidden either." Steph said with a smile.
"After we took down SD6, Michael and I shared our first real kiss. But that was it, we never brought it up again."
"Why did you go after Will today?"
"He told my Dad that Michael and I were married," Syd said with disgust. "He and my dad think marrying Vaughn is a mistake."
Steph wrinkled her brow. "Vaughn is one of the most decent guys I have ever met. Why did their comments make you so mad, I mean you and Vaughn aren't married. Unless you do love him, and want to marry him someday," she said getting excited. Admitting you were in love was the first step to eternal happiness.
Sydney instantly squirmed in her seat. There was no point in admitting this yet, what would it get her besides trouble. "It's very complicated," she said trying to avoid the subject.
Steph opened her mouth to dig in from another angle when the sound of a motorcycle ripping down the street got their attention.
"Is that a motorcycle?" Steph asked getting up and going to the window.
Sydney got up and followed her. "That's a motorcycle, is that Jason and Robin on a motorcycle?"
Outside the guys were just as shocked to see the motorcycle pull up to the curb. Jason was obviously at the helm, very much without a helmet, and the woman on the back with a helmet, must be Robin.
"A motorcycle?" Vaughn asked raising an eyebrow as Robin took her helmet off.
"Isn't it gorgeous?" Robin asked as she hopped off and put the helmet on the back of the bike. She took a moment just to revel in it's beauty.
"You actually like that thing?" He asked her curiously.
Robin turned and flashed Vaughn for "Love it. We have three more in Paris. We're going to ship this one their when we head for Hawaii."
"Do you buy these things wherever you go for transportation?" Johnny asked curiously.
Jason shook his head as he hopped off the bike. "Took this one out of storage. This is the first one I bought."
"You don't wear a helmet," Vaughn pointed out.
Jason simply glared at Michael. Robin quickly caught the look that passed between them. "Jason doesn't exactly believe in helmets."
"You appear to."
"Yeah, well I'm a doctor and know what it looks like when people have bike incidents. Jason also insists that I wear it. His own safety is another matter," she said, sending a glare her husband's way. "He figures if he lived through one head trauma just fine, he'll make it through another. And no amount or pleading on my part will change it."
"You have lots of these?" Steph asked with interest.
"This is our first of four. We started out together on this one. It's like going home," Robin said wistfully as Jason wrapped an arm around her.
"It looks like fun," Syd said her eyes lighting up.
"Syd," Vaughn said warningly taking her arm. There was one thing he knew he didn't want to see and it was Sydney on the back of that motorcycle.
"What?" Sydney asked curiously, looking up at Vaughn with curious eyes.
"One of us could take you," Robin offered.
"Really?"
"Come on. We have a got a lot to do, lets get started," Vaughn said, hauling Sydney towards the house.
"What is wrong with you?" Syd hissed at him.
"I don't want you on the back of one of those things," he hissed back
"They've both been driving them for a long time," Sydney said loud enough for everyone to hear.
"You get to drive?" Steph asked Robin from where the two couples were behind Sydney and Vaughn.
Robin smiled. "On occasion. I love it."
"She is talented," Jason said with a nod. He still remembered the first time he saw Robin on a bike, he recognized her talent, but it didn't keep it from scaring him half to death.
"Can we get one?" Steph asked Johnny excitedly.
"We'll think about it," Johnny laughed as he pushed his wife through the door.
Everyone walked in to Johnny and Steph's living room. Jason and Robin took the couch. Johnny sat in his favorite chair, and pulled his wife into his lap. Syd and Michael stared at the last remaining chair. Syd gestured at the chair and once Michael sat down, Syd settled in comfortably at his feet, leaning against his legs.
"Alright."
Robin released a breath and took Jason's hand with hers. She knew her life story was one of the longest. "I'm Robin Sotilini Devane Scorpio Morgan. I've only been married the one time, but the other three are my last names. My parents were agents for the WSB. My mother a highly prized double agent till she and my father got divorced before I was born. When my father found out my mother was a double agent, he left her and never wanted to see her again. My mother chose to give me to a family friend, who I thought was my grandmother. I lived with her until the age of seven, thinking I was an orphan. My mother was family friend Luv, who visited me on occasion.. I would have done anything to have her as my mom.
"At the age of seven I was kidnapped and conveniently left on the doorstep of Robert Scorpio, my father. Neither of us were any the wiser, but I loved him, and being around him. When my mom showed up looking for me, my dad figured it out, and they proceeded to have a huge fight. I was on the stairs, and found out. Now while it was a dream come true, it hurt that I was lied to, and that my mother had never had any intention of telling me. So I started doing what I have always done since when I need to get away, and climbed down my trellis and ran. I can't believe its still there.
"Anyway, I was kidnapped again, and then my mother found me. I lived with my mother for a while and my father moved back to Australia. My mother ended up marrying Duke Lavery head of the Organization in Port Charles. And while I loved Duke, things were beginning to get dangerous. So I called my father and asked him to come home. I only had them around until I was 13. I thought they died in a boat explosion.
"After my parents so called deaths, I lived in the same house with my uncle Mac. Mac was my, well third father technically. But he was always around, the one person who I could always count on. He was there through Stone.
"Stone was my first love. And I did love him. He was fun and funny, wonderful, beautiful and young. He died younger than anyone should. After we had been together awhile, he found out he was HIV positive and that it had progressed into full blown AIDS. Less then a year from his diagnosis, he died. The one thing he regretted was passing the disease on to me. I thought I was as good as dead but I have been living with HIV for eight years now," she choked on the words slightly and felt the tears prick her eyes. Jason squeese her hand and then placed his arm around her, and held her closer.
Robin looked up at her husband and smiled. "After Jason awoke from his accident, we quickly became friends. And soon after that, we were together. Jason and I learned to live again with each other, that there was something worth it out there. We both had difficulty making it work, and we had two rounds in Port Charles before I went to Paris to create a and stayed. A year later Jason came back to me, and I was uncertain about letting him back in. So we found our friendship again, but we were never good at being just friends, and we never really fell out of love. We were married two years after his arrival on my doorstep. We've been working as agents since my uncle contacted me for help three years ago."
"So you were agents before you got married?" Stephanie asked with interest.
"Yes."
"Did you complete your medical degree?" Sydney asked.
"Yes. Uncle Frisco says its one of my bigger assets as an agent."
Vaughn studied the couple. "And just because I'm curious, does your entire family work as agents?"
Robin laughed. "My parents, my uncle Frisco, and my uncle Sean are WSB. Uncle Mac is the Commissioner of Police in Port Chalres, which actually all of my WSB family members have done. Aunt Felicia is a PI. Before he died, Duke became an informant for the FBI. Uncle Luke runs a club with two sets of books. Um. Stone worked for Sonny, as Jason did."
"Wow."
Robin shrugged. "My family and friends use the rules to their advantage."
"Alright, now on to Jason."
Jason scowled. "Do I have to do this?" he asked Robin.
"We all have to," Vaughn answered testily. "Some of us have to go again. You only have to do this once."
Jason once again responded to Vaughn with a cold glare.
"Alright. Do you want me to start with Jason Q or my Jason?" Robin asked, knowing that Jason wouldn't answer any questions.
"Does it matter?"
"Jason woke up from a coma seven years ago and was completely different from the Jason he used to be. Well they have similar traits, but the way they use them is very different. Their loyalties and tolerances. But Family is still the most important thing, along with living and loving. It's just what it entails that makes them different. Jason Quartermaine wanted to be a doctor and was faithful to the Quartermaines through everything. Jason on the other hand busted out of there after a few weeks. Jason only considers his family to entail those not Quartermaines who were not born Q's, our nephew Michael and me. and Sonny," Robin added hesitantly.
"Besides me, Sonny was the first person to accept Jason and gave him a well paying job. He worked for Sonny for five years before he came to find me in Paris. And the rest is generally the same."
"Interesting."
"Alright. We need to get started on everyone else."
Stephanie's and Johnny's -
"Alright, we need a break," Sydney said as soon as she finished her
"And food," Steph added, scrabling out of Johnny's arms. "Food would be wonderful."
"Where are you calling?" Johnny asked. Our kitchen is just for show really. Although both of us can use the microwave, and the George Foreman Grill pretty effectively."
Stephanie leaned over and patted her husband on the
head. "I can preheat the oven, and make a mean frozen pizza. You call. I think we need some fresh air." She said motioning towards the girls.
"And us?" Vaughn asked when Sydney nodded and bounded towards the door.
Syd turned back to Michael and smiled. "Think of it as bonding time."
With that the three girls escaped out onto the lawn.
"How long do you give them?" Robin asked the other two as they walked towards the bike.
Steph glanced back at the house and hoped that nothing would happen to anything in there. "Not long."
"That thing is gorgeous," Syd said, staring at the bike. She could only imagine what it would feel like to be on that bike.
"I've never actually driven that one," Robin said eyeing the bike.
"Really?" Steph asked curiously.
Robin shook her head. "I didn't start riding them on my own until I got to Paris. I loved riding them, but I promised that I wouldn't ride on the back of a bike with anyone but Jason. So I had to learn to ride them myself."
"I want to try it," Sydney said, turing to Robin.
"Driving it?" Steph asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, just a ride."
Robin smiled. "Alright. My helmet," she said, picking up the helmet and handing it to Syd, and then she dived her hand into her pocket and pulled out keys. "and my keys. Well Jason's keys."
Steph shot another wary look to the house. "Does he know?"
Robin shot Steph a grin. "He will soon enough."
"Are you sure you don't want your helmet?" Syd asked, considering putting the helmet on.
Robin nodded and got on the bike. "It's around the block once. Or twice if Steph wants a ride."
"If the guys don't freak."
"Alright come on." Robin said.
Sydney hopped on the bike and wrapped her arms around Robin as Robin turned the engine over and fed it with gas.
Inside the guys were sitting around the living room looking mildly uncomfortable, while Johnny tried to keep conversation going.
"What was that?" Vaughn asked hearing the roar come from out side.
"The bike," Jason said, getting up and looking out the window just in time to see his wife tear off around the corner.
"How did they get it to start?" Johnny asked, joining Jason at the window.
"Robin took the keys."
"There's only one helmet," Vaughn pointed out upon realizing that it was Syd on the back of the bike.
As much as Jason didn't like Michael, he could hear the fear. "Robin's good. Really good," he assured Michael.
"Let's go check huh?"
"Ohmigod, I need one of those," Sydney said, pulling off the helmet and hopping off the bike.
"Your turn?" Robin asked Steph, completely ignoring the glares she was receiving from Jason and Micheal.
"What's the rule with you and helmets?" Jason asked her angrily coming to her side.
"Get another one for yourself and we'll talk," Robin shot back.
"Robin!"
"Jason."
"We ordered a pizza," Johnny said to his wife.
"Did you remember the Jalapeno peppers, cause if you forgot the peppers you're sleeping on the couch for a week, and I mean it."
"You never mean it. And yes I remembered the peppers. How long have we been married? I think I know what you like on your pizza."
"Just checking. Great. It's not here yet is it?"
"Let's have a chat," Vaughn said, taking Syd by the arm and pulling her away from everyone else.
"Why don't I take you?" Jason offered to Stephanie.
"Let me do it," Robin pleaded, still on the bike. "I think I'm in love with this one."
"Off," Jason insisted.
"I'm driving home."
"Alright," Jason consented, helping her off and getting on himself. "Hop on."
"A few minutes later Jason returned with Steph. "Johnny, we really need one of these." She said as she hopped off. "Thanks Jason."
"We'll see. Let's go inside, Ms. Martin is outside, and she is incredibly too nosey."
"She's only nosey cause she think's you're hot." Steph grumbled as they walked inside.
"Are you jealous?" He asked teasingly.
"No. I just think she needs to get her own husband. And really you don't help matters by going over there and fixing everything that's broken. You do more work over there, then you do here."
Ten minutes later they were sitting down eating pizza in silence. "Anyone wanna try the pizza with peppers? Jalapeno peppers are seriously the best pizza topping ever."
She was answered with a chorus of dubious looks and no thanks. "I'll a try slice." Jason said.
"He'll eat anything." Robin spoke up.
"This is pretty good." Jason told Steph.
"Steph puts jalapeno's on practically everything. She eats them like some people eat ketchup."
"Our plane leaves at 4:30 and its 2:00 now. We should probably pick up the pace a little. I was thinking it would be best if Johnny and I drove us all to the airport, we have an SUV, or if you guys wanted we could drive separate. Well Sydney you and Michael can drive separate, and Johnny and I will pick up Jason and Robin, that might work better, what do you guys think?"
"Syd and I will drive separate, and you can take Robin and Jason."
LAX Airport-4:00pm PST
"Where's Steph?" Sydney asked as she and Michael approached the rest of the gang.
"Buying gum." Robin answered.
Michael noticed the way Robin was sagging against Jason, and the tired look in her eyes. "Are you ok, Robin?" He asked concerned.
She smiled at his concern. "Its my protocol, they changed the combination a little bit, and I'm still adjusting."
Jason looked down at Robin with concern. He had picked up on Robin's exhaustion, but when other people could it meant that Robin was really tired. He pulled her further away from everyone else. "You sure you're alright? Because we can wait here and meet up with them in Port Charles in a little while."
Robin closed her eyes for a moment before looking at Jason and putting a hand on his arm. "I'm going to be fine Jason."
The doctor had changed Robin's meds weeks before they had gotten "You've usually adjusted by now."
"I know, they added in something more powerful then they have in awhile. We already discussed this when they changed them," Robin said with an aggravated sigh.
"I just want to know you're alright. When were back in Port Charles you're seeing Alan," he insisted when he looked "I may not like him other wise, but he takes care of you."
"I'm fine."
"If you're not feeling better by Port Charles then you're seeing Alan," Jason conceded. Within moments his eyes were filled with apology and a hint of the fear. "Robin, I just--"
"I know. I'm sorry you're worried," Robin said, burring herself back into his chest.
"I love you," Jason said, leaning down and kissing her firmly on the mouth. "I don't like to think of the bad stuff, but sometimes--"
"Yeah," Robin said, cutting him off. "Me too."
Steph came up behind Johnny and wrapped her arms around her husband. "What have I missed?"
"Nothing." Robin answered her with a smile, trying to leave the thought of Jason's worry behind her. "Michael and Sydney just got here, and Michael and Jason are behaving. Things are good so far. So Steph what's Bloomington like?"
"The abridged version Steph, the abridged version." Johnny said lowering his head into his hands.
Stephanie's smile couldn't be dampened by her husband's reaction. "Bloomington is awesome. Johnny and I are moving back there, when our CIA careers are over."
"We are?" He asked her.
"We'll talk about it later. Anyway, Bloomington is this great college town. Everything revolves around IU and the basketball team. My poor poor Hoosiers, are currently mirred in the worst losing streak in eighteen years. Things are not going good for them this year."
"You're already getting off track. They wanna know about the town, not how much you think the University sucks since they fired Bob Knight, and that was coming next we both know it."
"Well its true. But the town itself is great. Good restaurants, nice people. I love the Midwest, I miss the Midwest. I can't wait to get home. You guys will have to come in May for the Little 500."
"Sounds like a great town." Sydney said.
Airport ~ Indianapolis, Indiana -9:30pm Central Standard Time
"We're here," Stephanie said excitedly as they exited the plane. "It even smells like home. I'm home," she said, turning to her husband.
Robin heard a ring and picked up her cell phone. "Hello. Hey mom. Yes we got in fine. I'm fine. No not yet. Anyone can cook better then you Mom, we all know that. You'll be in Port Charles? Try to get Frisco there too. Daddy. I'm married. Happily. Guess. I know I know. I grew up with the rules, I know them by heart. You want to speak to Jason? Hold on."
Jason sat on the phone and listened for a few long minutes. "Has she died? No more then when she's been around anyone else. Hi Anna," Jason said smiling. "Of course. Yes.
"There are my parents. Come on." She said leading them through the crowd to where her parents stood. "Mom, Dad, it's so great to be home, I've missed you guys so much." She said embracing each of her parents.
After releasing her daughter, and hugging her son-in-law Beverly Anderson went and hugged everyone else. Starting with a surprised Jason. "Mark and I are so glad you all are staying with us. Sydney when is the last time you and Michael have been in Bloomington? And Michael its so wonderful of you to bring your brother and his wife. There are so many things that we can do while you are here."
"Bev let them catch their breath. We can plan the agenda tomorrow. Right now we need to get them home and settled in."
"Are you guys hungry? We can stop out or when we get home I can make a snack."
"We're fine Mom."
"I wasn't asking just you Stephanie, I was asking everybody."
"We're fine Mrs. Anderson." Sydney said.
"Please call me Bev and he's Mark."
An hour later they pulled into the Anderson driveway. "I don't think we passed a house that didn't have a basketball hoop." Michael commented.
"We probably didn't." Steph said climbing out of the van. "This town, no this state revolves around the game of basketball. I love it."
They all headed into the house. Jason and Robin and Sydney and Michael looked around the house and took it in. It was very relaxed and homey. "This place is great." Sydney breathed.
"Steph, your Dad and I were thinking Michael and Sydney can sleep in your old room. Jason and Robin can sleep in the guestroom, and you and Johnny can sleep here in the living room on the sofa bed."
"That sounds fine Mom."