For notes and disclaimer, please see part one.
Previously, on The West Wing/Alias: The CIA contingent spends the night putting together a political rally. The next day, they're planting bugs in the hotel rooms of Jordan and his men to lure them to their trap. Sam and Josh both try to vie for admittance to the CIA's campaign rally only to be denied when a sleep-depraved Crystal puts her foot down. Weiss and Vaughn have last minute doubts about Crystal's capabilities, which sits badly with Sydney. Josh and Sam find their own way to attend, watching live feed from Marshall's office. Just before the rally, Sydney pumps Crystal for information on Sloane, only to come up empty.
Sam and Josh were leaning against a desk in Marshall's office, glued to the television set, particularly when Crystal got up in front of the microphone for her brief words. Sam glanced down when Weiss took over, checking his watch. "It's ten after seven..."
"They're starting late?" Josh asked.
"Since when has any political rally started on time?" asked Sam.
"Well, yeah, but this is a special rally... it's not a rally."
"Jordan must be coming in," Marshall said, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"This isn't going to be good..." Sam said, a sudden sinking feeling taking to his stomach.
Josh glanced at him. "Y'know, maybe it's better we're here."
"I didn't even get to tell her goodbye..."
"Sam..."
"That I loved her..."
"Stop it, Sam, she's gonna be fine. Tell him, Marshall..."
"The odds are very much in her favor," Marshall said with a nod.
That wasn't exactly the help Josh was hoping for. "She's a highly trained, highly motivated, do-or-die kinda girl, it seems."
"And if she doesn't get this done..."
"Sam, c'mon, man. Let's not go there."
"I don't know if I can watch..."
~~~
Crystal was crouched down behind the stage, with a finger in each ear, straining to listen to her radio over the din of the crowd. Perhaps Weiss was doing too good of a job... Keeping her eyes peeled, she watched for Jordan and his men to come sneaking up on her, on the group.
Jack's voice could finally be heard in her ear: "Two men on the perimeter, one in the trees, sector one-zero-Charlie. Another, one-zero- bravo. Two more on the ground heading towards the stage; keep your head down. One has remained in the rental van while Jordan is making his way to the crowd. Crystal, he's about to give your cue. Are you sure you want to put yourself up there?"
"We got sharps on the guys in the corners?" she asked
"Repeat that, Crystal; I didn't hear you."
"Do we have sharpshooters on the guys on the perimeter?" she asked again, louder.
"You're breaking up..."
She sighed heavily, watching as two men rushed past the stage on either side, neither one looking back to see her crouched at the back base of the stage. "We. Go. On!" she said directly into her microphone before hearing Weiss begin his introduction of her.
~~~
"It's with great pleasure that I introduce our next speaker. This person has had quite a career and quite a connection to our candidate. This person may know Sam better than he knows himself..."
Sam frowned, watching Weiss on screen. "Who are they introducing?"
Josh sighed. "I think the living ghost."
"They're putting Crystal on stage?" Sam asked, turning to look at Josh.
"That was in the plan that I saw last week--"
"It was *planned* that she's going to go and put herself up as a target! She's got no cover!"
"Maybe they know more about espionage than we do... This came highly endorsed by Director Conrad and the President had his mind made up before he let us kick it around. Toby was the only voice of opposition..."
"I would've been one, too!" Sam yelled.
"It's too late; it's not like we can tell them to stop from here. We're in L.A. for crying out loud; they're in Orange County."
"I doubt highly that there's no way we could get them a message from here," Sam said bitterly.
"It's only to draw his fire," Marshall said.
"What?" Sam asked, turning to look at the engineer.
"It's only to draw his fire. She takes one step on stage, Victor Jordan goes aah! Ghost! It's a distraction. He'll be in constant communication with his men, they'll all be stunned momentarily and we'll be able to take them all down without too much turmoil."
"They can't just jump 'em?" asked Josh.
"Proof for court..." Marshall said.
"Like they're going to take this man to court? They're going to kill him!" said Sam.
~~~
"It's with pleasure that I introduce Sam Seaborn's own cousin, Crystal!" Weiss said, moving off stage quickly.
Crystal climbed up on stage and moved towards the microphone, waving at the crowd. She waited for the gunshots to sound. She waited for the action. She made it to the microphone and the crowd died down without any sort of scuffle.
"Sam is... one of the greatest guys I've had the pleasure to know. Smart, caring... thoughtful. Loyal. All are the qualities you want in your next congressman." She hadn't really prepared a speech. She hadn't thought she'd need it. Jordan, however, wasn't making his move and neither were his men on the perimeter. So much for having the upper hand and controlling the outcome... Crystal found Sydney in the crowd, who looked as confused as she felt. "While we... wait for Sam to join us... I'd like to say a few words about current events. Turns out the CIA's been in the news recently. I'm sure that's not something they enjoy. The Director dropped by in a helicopter for a visit to the White House last week before hosting the President at the headquarters at Langley... An agent died, at the hands of the Red Crescent Order." At her side, her hand tapped her leg twice, and the pictures on the screens changed from her to a photograph of the letter she'd been sent. "Somebody got sloppy. Somebody got sloppy and somebody didn't have control over the situation. Sorta like now." Tapping her leg again, the picture changed to Jordan, in the crowd, looking up at her. "Welcome to the party, Vic."
"You underestimate me, Crystal. I learned not to underestimate you, but honestly, you think I'd be captivated with this? I'd be drawn in and taken down? No one takes me down. Not the likes of you. Not CIA trash."
Crystal's eyes narrowed slightly but caught movement falling from the sky. Tear gas soon blanketed the park, canisters falling from the four corners of the perimeter. Even with Jordan, in the center. Of course, he came prepared. Crystal screamed: "Take his mask!"
Vaughn, a few feet away from Jordan, rushed him, tackling him to the ground and working to force the gasmask away from his face, wanting to expose him to the noxious fumes while doing his best to hold his breath and keep his eyes from becoming too irritated.
Sydney rushed to help while Weiss made a break for the CIA control van, where Jack was holed up and trying to give directions to the agents and officers on the ground in the middle of what soon became a shower of bullets.
Shots tore through the projection screens and in and amongst the crowd, surprising Crystal that Jordan's men would take a chance on ending their boss's life. Covering her mouth with her shirt, she removed her service weapon from its holster and aimed at the guard closest to her and started firing. "Somebody..." She had to stop to cough. "Somebody get the sixth man!" she ordered into her microphone, hoping somebody heard. "Sixth man in the car..."
~~~
"Holy shit..." Josh muttered. "What the hell just happened?"
Marshall turned up the volume on the television set, trying to listen to the commotion.
Sam paled, watching the scene in disbelief.
"I don't know what's going on," Marshall said, muting the sound and sliding across the office to his computer and tapping into the communications system. It was a horrible mix of sounds; only bits and pieces of dialogue could be heard.
"I've been hit!"
"Somebody better get to higher ground!"
"I can't see!"
"Get the sixth man in the car! Somebody get the sixth man!!"
Josh looked at Sam. That last voice was one they recognized.
"Oh, God," mumbled Sam.
"Eagles five and six, why isn't your target down?" asked Jack. "Raven two, do you copy? Raven two?"
The camera taking the footage zoomed in on Crystal, whose back was turned, as she fired twice, staggering slightly with a half step back before firing once more.
~~~
Weiss pulled the large fans that usually kept the ops van cool down towards the crowd, steering the tear gas away and giving everyone their first clear look at the aftermath. There were no more snipers' nests. No more projection screens. Agents and officers were seeing to each other, looking to the wounded.
Sydney and Vaughn stood over Jordan; both had their guns trained on him.
"Sixth man?" Crystal asked. "The wheel man?"
"He's gone," replied an agent.
She sighed heavily.
"We have Jordan. He's the one we wanted," Jack said.
"Yeah," she muttered, turning to face the camera and the crowd for the first time since the ambush. She sat down on the stage, her legs dangling off the front edge. "I'm gonna need medical treatment, Jack. Looks like... at least twelve injuries, six casualties. Mostly gunshot wounds." She placed her gun on the stage beside her, and wrapped her right hand around the fresh hole in her shoulder. "We've got, what, two medic teams on stand by?" she asked.
"Yeah," Jack answered.
"Triage 'em out. I can wait."
~~~
Sam's heart fell and he started to sway slightly when he saw Crystal drop down to sit on the stage. Josh reached out and steadied him. "She's... She's okay..."
Sam looked at Marshall pleadingly. "I want to talk to her."
"I'll get it set up, Mr. Seaborn, give me a minute..."
"She... she's been shot."
"Yeah."
"That's... that's blood..."
"Uh-huh."
"She's... Oh, God, Crystal..."
Marshall handed him the telephone. "We've got you patched through the radio system at Griffin. You may hear other voices; you're not on the call alone."
Sam quickly lifted the receiver to his ear. "Crys?"
"Hey, Sam."
"Cryssy, are you all right?"
"God, haven't heard that name in a while."
"Tell me..."
"I'm fine," she said. "Just a flesh wound..."
"It doesn't look good..."
"They never do, but it's no big deal. Happens all the time."
"I just..."
"How much did you see?"
"All of it."
"You and Josh. Damned fools for wanting to be here. Do you know how much it would've killed me if he'd done this to you?"
"Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to sit here and think that... that this happened to you?"
"Do you have any idea how much I don't want to fight you right now?" she asked quietly.
"Oh, Crys..."
"I mean it, Sam, I..."
"I don't want to fight you either, I just... I love you."
She smiled. "Love you, too."
He smiled back, loving that he could *see* her smile. "I'm glad."
She actually laughed. "It's over now. All over."
"Listen, Josh and I are going to come see you..."
"Oh, yes, bring the Sandman, I want to sleep this off."
"Sandman?" Sam asked curiously.
"I get around him and I just collapse. I can't remember sleeping that good without him."
"But you're not doing anything... right?"
"And the protective older cousin comes back in full force," Crystal commented.
"I just..."
"Yeah. I just sleep," she said. "Out like a light..."
"We'll see you shortly."
"Great," she said quietly.
~~~
Sydney and Vaughn sat in the waiting room quietly. They were both exhausted, too, especially after the commotion of the past few hours. She laid her head over on his shoulder, closing her eyes briefly.
"I wasn't doubting female agents' abilities earlier," he said.
"I know."
"You could kick my butt with one hand tied behind your back. Crystal, probably both..."
Sydney smiled a little. "She strikes me as the person who would take you up on that. Especially since one of her arms will be in a sling for a while."
He gently stroked her hair. "You know there's no one I trust more than you... right?"
She nodded slowly. "I know," she murmured.
"Sometimes I wonder what us guys are doing in this business. You ladies could take over, no problem."
"I happen to like that you're here. And Dad. And Weiss. And Will." She smiled. "Life wouldn't be the same with Marshall working there either."
Vaughn smiled. "Yeah."
"Agent Vaughn? Agent Bristow?" Sam entered the waiting room, looking quite the worse for wear.
Sydney lifted her head from Vaughn's shoulder and stood, to tell him what she knew when a nurse entered: "Relatives of Crystal Seaborn?"
Sam spoke up quickly. "That's me."
The nurse was an older woman, with a friendly smile. "She's just fine. She's in some pain, but she's fine. She's ready for visitors, too."
Sam smiled broadly, a weight lifted from him. "Thank you so much..."
They were led back to Crystal's room, where she was sitting up in bed. "Wow, visitors. This is rare for work-related injuries."
"You have them often?" Sam asked, panic-stricken.
She shook her head. "No. Just occasionally."
"How are you feeling?" asked Sydney, smiling.
"Like the luckiest woman alive. How often do you cheat certain death?"
"Hopefully just twice and you're never in that situation again," Sam said quietly.
She gently reached out with her right hand, taking one of Sam's. "I'm fine, Sam. See? All parts in relative working condition. Ten fingers, ten toes..."
"You have a hole in your shoulder..."
"All sewn shut." She smiled.
"How can you smile about this?" he whispered.
"I can smile knowing you're safe. And that Jordan is behind bars?" she asked, turning to Vaughn and Sydney.
"And will be for a long time," Vaughn assured her.
"See, coming to California was always good for me," Crystal said, looking at Sam with a smile.
"Just because you got free-range during the summers to do whatever you wanted when we were kids..."
"I was the innocent one, the one who could do no wrong." Crystal flashed a smirk, which caused Sam to actually smile.
"Yeah, uh-huh. I remember hunting you down on an occasion or two. You'd wandered off entirely too far."
She chuckled slightly. "Enough about memory lane."
"We should probably go, let you get your rest," Vaughn said. "Us, too, for that matter," he said, glancing at Sydney.
"It was an honor to work with you both," Crystal said solemnly.
"You, too," Vaughn said with a nod.
"We'll see you before you head back."
"Get some rest, you two," said Crystal, shooing them out of her room.
Sam reached down, brushing Crystal's hair out of her eyes. "I'm glad you're okay."
"Was there ever any doubt?"
"Tons. And tons of it."
She scoffed. "Shoulda known better."
"You never did take no for an answer."
"Don't plan on it now."
He smiled. "Good."
"You failed to bring the Sandman with you."
"I thought he was Clark Kent?"
"Either one."
"He's... on his way."
"On his way?" Off his nod, she asked, "Should I be worried?"
"Nah."
"Okay." Both Seaborns seemed surprised when the phone in her room rang. Reaching over, Crystal grabbed it. "Yes?" She glanced at Sam. "Hold on..." She covered the mouthpiece. "Somebody named Scott and he sounds pissed."
"Campaign manager," Sam grumbled.
"Want me to tell him you're in traction?" Crystal grinned.
Sam shook his head and took the phone. After a strained conversation about his disappearance at the fundraiser, Sam promised he'd be over to discuss the "damage" caused by his actions. Hanging up, he looked at her. "I have to go."
"So go."
"When are you going back to D.C.?"
Crystal shrugged. "I flew in on Air Force One, so... If I don't go back with them, transportation'll probably be out of my own pocket."
Sam nodded. "I'm going to come see you tomorrow. I have some time cleared since it is Sunday..."
"You don't have to, y'know."
"You're my cousin..."
"And you're busy. And I'm busy. And you know I love you and I know you love me, even if we go months without talking to each other or saying it."
He nodded slightly. "I worry about you."
She smiled. "I know."
He kissed her forehead. "We're even now," he whispered. "I saved you years ago... now you've saved me."
"But I'm still keeping my job," she said just as softly.
He nodded.
She smiled. "See you later, Congressman."
"Don't tempt fate."
"Do it all the time."
He shook his head slightly, offering her one more smile, before slipping out, leaving her all alone in the empty hospital room.
The smile she'd sent Sam away on had faded. Her happy, smiling eyes were watering. It had hurt... She didn't show pain or fear in front of others, not if she could help it. The part of her job that left her all by her lonesome in hospitals was particularly hard to take. She'd been alone in Borneo... Covering her face with her hand, she let the anxiety and frustration and fear and exhaustion pour out from her in silent sobs and flowing tears.
She was so tired and so sore and so drained from the week's events she didn't hear the door open. She didn't hear someone quietly cross to the bed. She did, however, feel the weight when he sat down beside her. "J... Josh..."
"Yeah," he said softly, gently prying her hand down from her eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I just... This whole week. This whole week's been so hard..."
Maneuvering her carefully, he gently pulled her into his arms, letting her cry on his shoulder while he stroked her back. "It's over. You're through with that..."
"I'm so tired..."
"You can sleep now. It's done."
~~~
"I tried to call you and warn that it had happened," Toby said indignantly.
"Let's just get this election over with, hm?" asked Sam. "You and Charlie get arrested. Kundu. Economic package. Kids screaming on the freeway... my cousin gets shot, but that's not common knowledge... I can't get through a civil conversation with my campaign manager anymore."
"Well, see, the last one I can fix. Actually, the President did."
"I appreciate that. But, that doesn't change what's happened. That doesn't buy us back more time to do this thing right."
"We'll make the best of what's left."
"Just... the campaign's not what's important to me anymore. It... I guess, in ways, it never was. Seeing Crystal, though. Seeing what she goes through... She's my family. She's the one relative I get along with relatively well... She's the one that, if something in my life goes right, I want to share it with."
"Everybody needs that."
"Not everybody needs to be in Congress," Sam said.
"Good thinking... because you're probably going to lose."
"So long as it's done fast and painless, I don't care."
"We'll do our best."
~~~
Crystal sat in her office, her arm still in a sling. "You're off to where?"
"Zurich," Sydney said.
"Chasing down Sloane?"
"Hopefully."
"I'll keep good thoughts for you."
"How's the arm?"
"Don't think I'll be pitching any Company softball games anytime soon."
"That's too bad."
Crystal smiled. "My heart just aches over that fact."
"Listen... I know you said you don't remember him, but if, by chance, something does happen to cross your mind, no matter how insignificant it is..."
"I'll let you know," Crystal said seriously.
"Thanks," Sydney said before turning to something a little lighter. "How's uh... Sandman?"
"Oh, he still is quite adept at putting me to sleep. How's your boy scout?"
"How did you...?"
"Please, Syd, I'm a keen observer of the human condition. It's obvious."
"It is?"
"No, but you pretty much confirmed it there."
Sydney smiled; Crystal could hear it over the phone. "He's fine."
"Good. Glad to hear it." Crystal changed the subject back, one more time. "If you want help with Sloane... If you need somebody else..."
"You'll be the first one I call. When you recover full range of motion in your shoulder."
"Physical therapy starts soon."
"I expect to hear reports on your progress," said Sydney, fighting giggles.
"Today, hurts like hell, can lift two inches."
"I want to hear an improvement by the time I get back."
"Yeah, yeah," Crystal said smiling.
"Take care, Crys."
"Godspeed, Syd."
End.
Previously, on The West Wing/Alias: The CIA contingent spends the night putting together a political rally. The next day, they're planting bugs in the hotel rooms of Jordan and his men to lure them to their trap. Sam and Josh both try to vie for admittance to the CIA's campaign rally only to be denied when a sleep-depraved Crystal puts her foot down. Weiss and Vaughn have last minute doubts about Crystal's capabilities, which sits badly with Sydney. Josh and Sam find their own way to attend, watching live feed from Marshall's office. Just before the rally, Sydney pumps Crystal for information on Sloane, only to come up empty.
Sam and Josh were leaning against a desk in Marshall's office, glued to the television set, particularly when Crystal got up in front of the microphone for her brief words. Sam glanced down when Weiss took over, checking his watch. "It's ten after seven..."
"They're starting late?" Josh asked.
"Since when has any political rally started on time?" asked Sam.
"Well, yeah, but this is a special rally... it's not a rally."
"Jordan must be coming in," Marshall said, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"This isn't going to be good..." Sam said, a sudden sinking feeling taking to his stomach.
Josh glanced at him. "Y'know, maybe it's better we're here."
"I didn't even get to tell her goodbye..."
"Sam..."
"That I loved her..."
"Stop it, Sam, she's gonna be fine. Tell him, Marshall..."
"The odds are very much in her favor," Marshall said with a nod.
That wasn't exactly the help Josh was hoping for. "She's a highly trained, highly motivated, do-or-die kinda girl, it seems."
"And if she doesn't get this done..."
"Sam, c'mon, man. Let's not go there."
"I don't know if I can watch..."
~~~
Crystal was crouched down behind the stage, with a finger in each ear, straining to listen to her radio over the din of the crowd. Perhaps Weiss was doing too good of a job... Keeping her eyes peeled, she watched for Jordan and his men to come sneaking up on her, on the group.
Jack's voice could finally be heard in her ear: "Two men on the perimeter, one in the trees, sector one-zero-Charlie. Another, one-zero- bravo. Two more on the ground heading towards the stage; keep your head down. One has remained in the rental van while Jordan is making his way to the crowd. Crystal, he's about to give your cue. Are you sure you want to put yourself up there?"
"We got sharps on the guys in the corners?" she asked
"Repeat that, Crystal; I didn't hear you."
"Do we have sharpshooters on the guys on the perimeter?" she asked again, louder.
"You're breaking up..."
She sighed heavily, watching as two men rushed past the stage on either side, neither one looking back to see her crouched at the back base of the stage. "We. Go. On!" she said directly into her microphone before hearing Weiss begin his introduction of her.
~~~
"It's with great pleasure that I introduce our next speaker. This person has had quite a career and quite a connection to our candidate. This person may know Sam better than he knows himself..."
Sam frowned, watching Weiss on screen. "Who are they introducing?"
Josh sighed. "I think the living ghost."
"They're putting Crystal on stage?" Sam asked, turning to look at Josh.
"That was in the plan that I saw last week--"
"It was *planned* that she's going to go and put herself up as a target! She's got no cover!"
"Maybe they know more about espionage than we do... This came highly endorsed by Director Conrad and the President had his mind made up before he let us kick it around. Toby was the only voice of opposition..."
"I would've been one, too!" Sam yelled.
"It's too late; it's not like we can tell them to stop from here. We're in L.A. for crying out loud; they're in Orange County."
"I doubt highly that there's no way we could get them a message from here," Sam said bitterly.
"It's only to draw his fire," Marshall said.
"What?" Sam asked, turning to look at the engineer.
"It's only to draw his fire. She takes one step on stage, Victor Jordan goes aah! Ghost! It's a distraction. He'll be in constant communication with his men, they'll all be stunned momentarily and we'll be able to take them all down without too much turmoil."
"They can't just jump 'em?" asked Josh.
"Proof for court..." Marshall said.
"Like they're going to take this man to court? They're going to kill him!" said Sam.
~~~
"It's with pleasure that I introduce Sam Seaborn's own cousin, Crystal!" Weiss said, moving off stage quickly.
Crystal climbed up on stage and moved towards the microphone, waving at the crowd. She waited for the gunshots to sound. She waited for the action. She made it to the microphone and the crowd died down without any sort of scuffle.
"Sam is... one of the greatest guys I've had the pleasure to know. Smart, caring... thoughtful. Loyal. All are the qualities you want in your next congressman." She hadn't really prepared a speech. She hadn't thought she'd need it. Jordan, however, wasn't making his move and neither were his men on the perimeter. So much for having the upper hand and controlling the outcome... Crystal found Sydney in the crowd, who looked as confused as she felt. "While we... wait for Sam to join us... I'd like to say a few words about current events. Turns out the CIA's been in the news recently. I'm sure that's not something they enjoy. The Director dropped by in a helicopter for a visit to the White House last week before hosting the President at the headquarters at Langley... An agent died, at the hands of the Red Crescent Order." At her side, her hand tapped her leg twice, and the pictures on the screens changed from her to a photograph of the letter she'd been sent. "Somebody got sloppy. Somebody got sloppy and somebody didn't have control over the situation. Sorta like now." Tapping her leg again, the picture changed to Jordan, in the crowd, looking up at her. "Welcome to the party, Vic."
"You underestimate me, Crystal. I learned not to underestimate you, but honestly, you think I'd be captivated with this? I'd be drawn in and taken down? No one takes me down. Not the likes of you. Not CIA trash."
Crystal's eyes narrowed slightly but caught movement falling from the sky. Tear gas soon blanketed the park, canisters falling from the four corners of the perimeter. Even with Jordan, in the center. Of course, he came prepared. Crystal screamed: "Take his mask!"
Vaughn, a few feet away from Jordan, rushed him, tackling him to the ground and working to force the gasmask away from his face, wanting to expose him to the noxious fumes while doing his best to hold his breath and keep his eyes from becoming too irritated.
Sydney rushed to help while Weiss made a break for the CIA control van, where Jack was holed up and trying to give directions to the agents and officers on the ground in the middle of what soon became a shower of bullets.
Shots tore through the projection screens and in and amongst the crowd, surprising Crystal that Jordan's men would take a chance on ending their boss's life. Covering her mouth with her shirt, she removed her service weapon from its holster and aimed at the guard closest to her and started firing. "Somebody..." She had to stop to cough. "Somebody get the sixth man!" she ordered into her microphone, hoping somebody heard. "Sixth man in the car..."
~~~
"Holy shit..." Josh muttered. "What the hell just happened?"
Marshall turned up the volume on the television set, trying to listen to the commotion.
Sam paled, watching the scene in disbelief.
"I don't know what's going on," Marshall said, muting the sound and sliding across the office to his computer and tapping into the communications system. It was a horrible mix of sounds; only bits and pieces of dialogue could be heard.
"I've been hit!"
"Somebody better get to higher ground!"
"I can't see!"
"Get the sixth man in the car! Somebody get the sixth man!!"
Josh looked at Sam. That last voice was one they recognized.
"Oh, God," mumbled Sam.
"Eagles five and six, why isn't your target down?" asked Jack. "Raven two, do you copy? Raven two?"
The camera taking the footage zoomed in on Crystal, whose back was turned, as she fired twice, staggering slightly with a half step back before firing once more.
~~~
Weiss pulled the large fans that usually kept the ops van cool down towards the crowd, steering the tear gas away and giving everyone their first clear look at the aftermath. There were no more snipers' nests. No more projection screens. Agents and officers were seeing to each other, looking to the wounded.
Sydney and Vaughn stood over Jordan; both had their guns trained on him.
"Sixth man?" Crystal asked. "The wheel man?"
"He's gone," replied an agent.
She sighed heavily.
"We have Jordan. He's the one we wanted," Jack said.
"Yeah," she muttered, turning to face the camera and the crowd for the first time since the ambush. She sat down on the stage, her legs dangling off the front edge. "I'm gonna need medical treatment, Jack. Looks like... at least twelve injuries, six casualties. Mostly gunshot wounds." She placed her gun on the stage beside her, and wrapped her right hand around the fresh hole in her shoulder. "We've got, what, two medic teams on stand by?" she asked.
"Yeah," Jack answered.
"Triage 'em out. I can wait."
~~~
Sam's heart fell and he started to sway slightly when he saw Crystal drop down to sit on the stage. Josh reached out and steadied him. "She's... She's okay..."
Sam looked at Marshall pleadingly. "I want to talk to her."
"I'll get it set up, Mr. Seaborn, give me a minute..."
"She... she's been shot."
"Yeah."
"That's... that's blood..."
"Uh-huh."
"She's... Oh, God, Crystal..."
Marshall handed him the telephone. "We've got you patched through the radio system at Griffin. You may hear other voices; you're not on the call alone."
Sam quickly lifted the receiver to his ear. "Crys?"
"Hey, Sam."
"Cryssy, are you all right?"
"God, haven't heard that name in a while."
"Tell me..."
"I'm fine," she said. "Just a flesh wound..."
"It doesn't look good..."
"They never do, but it's no big deal. Happens all the time."
"I just..."
"How much did you see?"
"All of it."
"You and Josh. Damned fools for wanting to be here. Do you know how much it would've killed me if he'd done this to you?"
"Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to sit here and think that... that this happened to you?"
"Do you have any idea how much I don't want to fight you right now?" she asked quietly.
"Oh, Crys..."
"I mean it, Sam, I..."
"I don't want to fight you either, I just... I love you."
She smiled. "Love you, too."
He smiled back, loving that he could *see* her smile. "I'm glad."
She actually laughed. "It's over now. All over."
"Listen, Josh and I are going to come see you..."
"Oh, yes, bring the Sandman, I want to sleep this off."
"Sandman?" Sam asked curiously.
"I get around him and I just collapse. I can't remember sleeping that good without him."
"But you're not doing anything... right?"
"And the protective older cousin comes back in full force," Crystal commented.
"I just..."
"Yeah. I just sleep," she said. "Out like a light..."
"We'll see you shortly."
"Great," she said quietly.
~~~
Sydney and Vaughn sat in the waiting room quietly. They were both exhausted, too, especially after the commotion of the past few hours. She laid her head over on his shoulder, closing her eyes briefly.
"I wasn't doubting female agents' abilities earlier," he said.
"I know."
"You could kick my butt with one hand tied behind your back. Crystal, probably both..."
Sydney smiled a little. "She strikes me as the person who would take you up on that. Especially since one of her arms will be in a sling for a while."
He gently stroked her hair. "You know there's no one I trust more than you... right?"
She nodded slowly. "I know," she murmured.
"Sometimes I wonder what us guys are doing in this business. You ladies could take over, no problem."
"I happen to like that you're here. And Dad. And Weiss. And Will." She smiled. "Life wouldn't be the same with Marshall working there either."
Vaughn smiled. "Yeah."
"Agent Vaughn? Agent Bristow?" Sam entered the waiting room, looking quite the worse for wear.
Sydney lifted her head from Vaughn's shoulder and stood, to tell him what she knew when a nurse entered: "Relatives of Crystal Seaborn?"
Sam spoke up quickly. "That's me."
The nurse was an older woman, with a friendly smile. "She's just fine. She's in some pain, but she's fine. She's ready for visitors, too."
Sam smiled broadly, a weight lifted from him. "Thank you so much..."
They were led back to Crystal's room, where she was sitting up in bed. "Wow, visitors. This is rare for work-related injuries."
"You have them often?" Sam asked, panic-stricken.
She shook her head. "No. Just occasionally."
"How are you feeling?" asked Sydney, smiling.
"Like the luckiest woman alive. How often do you cheat certain death?"
"Hopefully just twice and you're never in that situation again," Sam said quietly.
She gently reached out with her right hand, taking one of Sam's. "I'm fine, Sam. See? All parts in relative working condition. Ten fingers, ten toes..."
"You have a hole in your shoulder..."
"All sewn shut." She smiled.
"How can you smile about this?" he whispered.
"I can smile knowing you're safe. And that Jordan is behind bars?" she asked, turning to Vaughn and Sydney.
"And will be for a long time," Vaughn assured her.
"See, coming to California was always good for me," Crystal said, looking at Sam with a smile.
"Just because you got free-range during the summers to do whatever you wanted when we were kids..."
"I was the innocent one, the one who could do no wrong." Crystal flashed a smirk, which caused Sam to actually smile.
"Yeah, uh-huh. I remember hunting you down on an occasion or two. You'd wandered off entirely too far."
She chuckled slightly. "Enough about memory lane."
"We should probably go, let you get your rest," Vaughn said. "Us, too, for that matter," he said, glancing at Sydney.
"It was an honor to work with you both," Crystal said solemnly.
"You, too," Vaughn said with a nod.
"We'll see you before you head back."
"Get some rest, you two," said Crystal, shooing them out of her room.
Sam reached down, brushing Crystal's hair out of her eyes. "I'm glad you're okay."
"Was there ever any doubt?"
"Tons. And tons of it."
She scoffed. "Shoulda known better."
"You never did take no for an answer."
"Don't plan on it now."
He smiled. "Good."
"You failed to bring the Sandman with you."
"I thought he was Clark Kent?"
"Either one."
"He's... on his way."
"On his way?" Off his nod, she asked, "Should I be worried?"
"Nah."
"Okay." Both Seaborns seemed surprised when the phone in her room rang. Reaching over, Crystal grabbed it. "Yes?" She glanced at Sam. "Hold on..." She covered the mouthpiece. "Somebody named Scott and he sounds pissed."
"Campaign manager," Sam grumbled.
"Want me to tell him you're in traction?" Crystal grinned.
Sam shook his head and took the phone. After a strained conversation about his disappearance at the fundraiser, Sam promised he'd be over to discuss the "damage" caused by his actions. Hanging up, he looked at her. "I have to go."
"So go."
"When are you going back to D.C.?"
Crystal shrugged. "I flew in on Air Force One, so... If I don't go back with them, transportation'll probably be out of my own pocket."
Sam nodded. "I'm going to come see you tomorrow. I have some time cleared since it is Sunday..."
"You don't have to, y'know."
"You're my cousin..."
"And you're busy. And I'm busy. And you know I love you and I know you love me, even if we go months without talking to each other or saying it."
He nodded slightly. "I worry about you."
She smiled. "I know."
He kissed her forehead. "We're even now," he whispered. "I saved you years ago... now you've saved me."
"But I'm still keeping my job," she said just as softly.
He nodded.
She smiled. "See you later, Congressman."
"Don't tempt fate."
"Do it all the time."
He shook his head slightly, offering her one more smile, before slipping out, leaving her all alone in the empty hospital room.
The smile she'd sent Sam away on had faded. Her happy, smiling eyes were watering. It had hurt... She didn't show pain or fear in front of others, not if she could help it. The part of her job that left her all by her lonesome in hospitals was particularly hard to take. She'd been alone in Borneo... Covering her face with her hand, she let the anxiety and frustration and fear and exhaustion pour out from her in silent sobs and flowing tears.
She was so tired and so sore and so drained from the week's events she didn't hear the door open. She didn't hear someone quietly cross to the bed. She did, however, feel the weight when he sat down beside her. "J... Josh..."
"Yeah," he said softly, gently prying her hand down from her eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I just... This whole week. This whole week's been so hard..."
Maneuvering her carefully, he gently pulled her into his arms, letting her cry on his shoulder while he stroked her back. "It's over. You're through with that..."
"I'm so tired..."
"You can sleep now. It's done."
~~~
"I tried to call you and warn that it had happened," Toby said indignantly.
"Let's just get this election over with, hm?" asked Sam. "You and Charlie get arrested. Kundu. Economic package. Kids screaming on the freeway... my cousin gets shot, but that's not common knowledge... I can't get through a civil conversation with my campaign manager anymore."
"Well, see, the last one I can fix. Actually, the President did."
"I appreciate that. But, that doesn't change what's happened. That doesn't buy us back more time to do this thing right."
"We'll make the best of what's left."
"Just... the campaign's not what's important to me anymore. It... I guess, in ways, it never was. Seeing Crystal, though. Seeing what she goes through... She's my family. She's the one relative I get along with relatively well... She's the one that, if something in my life goes right, I want to share it with."
"Everybody needs that."
"Not everybody needs to be in Congress," Sam said.
"Good thinking... because you're probably going to lose."
"So long as it's done fast and painless, I don't care."
"We'll do our best."
~~~
Crystal sat in her office, her arm still in a sling. "You're off to where?"
"Zurich," Sydney said.
"Chasing down Sloane?"
"Hopefully."
"I'll keep good thoughts for you."
"How's the arm?"
"Don't think I'll be pitching any Company softball games anytime soon."
"That's too bad."
Crystal smiled. "My heart just aches over that fact."
"Listen... I know you said you don't remember him, but if, by chance, something does happen to cross your mind, no matter how insignificant it is..."
"I'll let you know," Crystal said seriously.
"Thanks," Sydney said before turning to something a little lighter. "How's uh... Sandman?"
"Oh, he still is quite adept at putting me to sleep. How's your boy scout?"
"How did you...?"
"Please, Syd, I'm a keen observer of the human condition. It's obvious."
"It is?"
"No, but you pretty much confirmed it there."
Sydney smiled; Crystal could hear it over the phone. "He's fine."
"Good. Glad to hear it." Crystal changed the subject back, one more time. "If you want help with Sloane... If you need somebody else..."
"You'll be the first one I call. When you recover full range of motion in your shoulder."
"Physical therapy starts soon."
"I expect to hear reports on your progress," said Sydney, fighting giggles.
"Today, hurts like hell, can lift two inches."
"I want to hear an improvement by the time I get back."
"Yeah, yeah," Crystal said smiling.
"Take care, Crys."
"Godspeed, Syd."
End.