Disclaimer- please see previous chapters for disclaimer information and add
on the fact that don't own Casablanca or any of the characters in that
amazing movie. If you haven't seen it I highly recommend it.
Authors notes- I want to send a huge thanks to those that reviewed my last chapter- Your support means a great deal to me. I am always up for constructive critism so if there is something that you don't think works please let me, of course I would love any type of feedback. I am sorry for the delay in the update. Hopefully this chapter will be worth it.
I would also like to thank my sister for her awesome Betaing skills, she has really helped me get and keep this story in line and moving forward and is quick to point out when I stop making sense
Also a quick apology for taking so long to update- well Real Life got in the way and then I have been laughing hysterically since the season finale, I just finally got out of the hospital for my uncontrollable laughing hAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA oh god its back HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH 2YEARS HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA MARRIED HAHAHAHAHAHA MARRIED HAHAHAHA OH Gosh I think I am okay now- anyone else thing JJ needs to stop reading fanfic? I will say that was the most hilariously outrageous frustrating awesome season finales in a long time. Glad to know Vaughn got on with his life- I HOPE ITS ALICE- God that would be funny- uh oh here is comes again HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA........
Chapter 9: A Time of Love
August 2010 Solomans Island
The air was warm, and the sun's rays stretched out across the horizon in lazy golds, reds and oranges. Malone looked out again across the beach, watching life play out before him. In the distance, the figures of woman and a child slowly moving toward him caught his attention and captivated him. They were laughing and playing on the beach, with them was a small bulldog, barely an adult. As simple and wonderful as the scene was, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing from the picturesque scene. Malone thought back to his own wonderful childhood and realized that the scene in front of him needed a father. His fathers was always out with the family and he remembered ho safe he always felt
As woman and boy drew closer, Malone saw that it was not some anonymous woman and child, it was Sydney Bristow and a boy he could only assume was her son. Malone watched as the two of them frolicked in the sand, throwing a ball for the dog and just goofing around, he found himself replaying a conversation he had a few weeks earlier with his boss and mentor, Eric Weiss.
"I haven't seen Agent Vaughn in a while."
"Nope, he's been in France visiting with his mom again. Bastard has so much vacation time racked up I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see him till Christmas."
"What about Sydney?" He had asked.
"What about Sydney?" Weiss responded in a cautionary tone. Malone knew he was about to put his foot in his mouth but he couldn't seem to stop himself.
"I mean, what's going on with the two of them? Are they back together?"
"Let me tell you something Malone, and pay close attention to me, cause this is full of wisdom. Don't butt into others business."
Weiss paused and then continued on as if he was still trying to explain something, "I have known the two for them for years. I went through training with Mike and then was Syd's handler for the years following his disappearance. Two more obstinate, hardheaded people you will never know."
Weiss took a breath and settled back in his chair. For a moment, Weiss seemed to study him and then continued on, "When Syd first started, I warned Mike not to get to close, to keep a distance or he would end up getting fired, but he wouldn't listen. And you know what, he was right. They were the best team the Agency has ever had; their commitment to each other kept them strong, kept them working. They could finish each other's sentences and Vaughn always seemed to know when something was not right with Syd. It made them powerful and weak all at the same time. For a while they were happy."
Weiss smiled big as he seemed to remember the time, "and trust you me, they will be again. A love like they had can't die, it just simmers in the background and sometimes it takes a new spark to re-ignite it. They have that spark now, they can do it."
"Why do you think that, I mean they haven't spent any time together since he returned?"
Weiss head already begun to shift his attention back to his own stacks of paperwork, and absently shrugged his shoulders as he replied, " I know they will work it out; neither of them is complete without the other. That's what made them so good, they needed each other, they fed off each other, and they will again. It's only a matter of time."
He smiled as he remembered how personally hopeful he felt when he left Weiss' office that day; He was surprised at his newfound outlook on life. He had started the year so sure of himself and his choices and now he found himself ending the year a different man. He looked at the woman on the beach and realized that it was her that had made him question everything. This woman, who gave herself over and over again for her country, was able to find herself through another person. Maybe, Michael Vaughn, accepted Syd for who she was and just loved her, giving her the chance and security to grow into the an amazing person - crappy and sappy. but .. Malone never believed that love was important, but he saw in them, the most important thing of all, faith. Throughout their time as handler and agent they never lost their faith in each other. When that life ended, that faith was tested in the cruelest of ways, ultimately destroyed the relationship as it was, causing the individuals to lose sight of everything that was so important to them.
It was one man's love for his daughter and his faith in her choices that changed everything, again. Jack Bristow chose to ignore the Agency's mandate that the matter was closed. He left the CIA and spent years hunting down the truth, searching for the one man he knew could make his daughter happy. In the end, led a disbelieving team of CIA agents to the rescue of Vaughn and several other agents. . In Malone's eyes it was the ultimate sacrifice.
Malone's thoughts were interrupted as he caught sight of another figure appearing on the horizon. He watched closely, senses fully alert, as Sydney stopped what she was doing and watched the intruder approaching. It didn't take long for Malone to notice, that while Sydney appeared apprehensive, she didn't look like she felt threatened. It was then that he recognized the newcomer.
Malone kept watching as Michael Vaughn approached Sydney and their son. Vaughn stopped and watched his son toss the ball to his dog. He slowly approached the duo and ended up standing next to Sydney as they watched Patrick together. Malone could see the tension between the two evaporate as Vaughn placed his arm around Sydney. She seemed to relax into his embrace as she put one of her arms around his waist. Malone could not hear what was being said but he saw Sydney wave her son over to the pair. The boy made his way over to his mother and stood in front of her as if listening to something of great import.
Malone watched the scene unfold and began to realize the import of what he was witnessing. With all his beliefs that love would be his downfall he realized that love could actually be his salvation. 'What was the phrase, 'no man is an island'? Never before had a simple idiom meant so much to him. He knew now that he could not go it all alone. That something worth fighting for was the only way to make through of the end of the day. Sydney, Vaughn, Jack and Weiss had taught him that. Sydney, who owned up to all of her mistakes and realized whom she could not live without. Vaughn for loving someone so much that he gave away a part of himself. Jack for caring more about his daughter's happiness than his own, and Weiss, who although played for a fool, gave completely of himself to his friends and found a way to forgive without question.
He looked back at the two agents and watched as the young boy gave his father a hug. He had tears in his eyes as Vaughn put his son down and the boy ran off again with his dog. His eyes were drawn again to Sydney who had turned toward Vaughn and was obviously smiling. Malone had never seen such a look of pure joy on another person's face. He found himself overjoyed at another's happiness, which was a new feeling for him. Malone never thought that he would be where he was at that moment and from the look of things neither had Sydney and Vaughn.
"Hey, you ready to go?" A voice behind him asked.
Malone turned a bit to see his girlfriend of 2 months staring at him.
"Yeah give me sec." He turned back to the beach and smiled big as he saw the scene unfold before him.
"Whoa, is that Agents Vaughn and Bristow?" she asked.
"Yeah, it is. Come on, lets get out of here."
"I didn't know they were dating." She asked, still staring at the couple on the beach.
"They're not."
"But then why are they kissing?" she asked truly perplexed.
"Because their finally ready."
Malone and the woman watched for a few seconds longer and then left the beach all together. He had no idea where his road would take him, but he was ready for whatever lay ahead, he had learned from the best what the most important things in life were.
Authors notes- I want to send a huge thanks to those that reviewed my last chapter- Your support means a great deal to me. I am always up for constructive critism so if there is something that you don't think works please let me, of course I would love any type of feedback. I am sorry for the delay in the update. Hopefully this chapter will be worth it.
I would also like to thank my sister for her awesome Betaing skills, she has really helped me get and keep this story in line and moving forward and is quick to point out when I stop making sense
Also a quick apology for taking so long to update- well Real Life got in the way and then I have been laughing hysterically since the season finale, I just finally got out of the hospital for my uncontrollable laughing hAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA oh god its back HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH 2YEARS HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA MARRIED HAHAHAHAHAHA MARRIED HAHAHAHA OH Gosh I think I am okay now- anyone else thing JJ needs to stop reading fanfic? I will say that was the most hilariously outrageous frustrating awesome season finales in a long time. Glad to know Vaughn got on with his life- I HOPE ITS ALICE- God that would be funny- uh oh here is comes again HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA........
Chapter 9: A Time of Love
August 2010 Solomans Island
The air was warm, and the sun's rays stretched out across the horizon in lazy golds, reds and oranges. Malone looked out again across the beach, watching life play out before him. In the distance, the figures of woman and a child slowly moving toward him caught his attention and captivated him. They were laughing and playing on the beach, with them was a small bulldog, barely an adult. As simple and wonderful as the scene was, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing from the picturesque scene. Malone thought back to his own wonderful childhood and realized that the scene in front of him needed a father. His fathers was always out with the family and he remembered ho safe he always felt
As woman and boy drew closer, Malone saw that it was not some anonymous woman and child, it was Sydney Bristow and a boy he could only assume was her son. Malone watched as the two of them frolicked in the sand, throwing a ball for the dog and just goofing around, he found himself replaying a conversation he had a few weeks earlier with his boss and mentor, Eric Weiss.
"I haven't seen Agent Vaughn in a while."
"Nope, he's been in France visiting with his mom again. Bastard has so much vacation time racked up I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see him till Christmas."
"What about Sydney?" He had asked.
"What about Sydney?" Weiss responded in a cautionary tone. Malone knew he was about to put his foot in his mouth but he couldn't seem to stop himself.
"I mean, what's going on with the two of them? Are they back together?"
"Let me tell you something Malone, and pay close attention to me, cause this is full of wisdom. Don't butt into others business."
Weiss paused and then continued on as if he was still trying to explain something, "I have known the two for them for years. I went through training with Mike and then was Syd's handler for the years following his disappearance. Two more obstinate, hardheaded people you will never know."
Weiss took a breath and settled back in his chair. For a moment, Weiss seemed to study him and then continued on, "When Syd first started, I warned Mike not to get to close, to keep a distance or he would end up getting fired, but he wouldn't listen. And you know what, he was right. They were the best team the Agency has ever had; their commitment to each other kept them strong, kept them working. They could finish each other's sentences and Vaughn always seemed to know when something was not right with Syd. It made them powerful and weak all at the same time. For a while they were happy."
Weiss smiled big as he seemed to remember the time, "and trust you me, they will be again. A love like they had can't die, it just simmers in the background and sometimes it takes a new spark to re-ignite it. They have that spark now, they can do it."
"Why do you think that, I mean they haven't spent any time together since he returned?"
Weiss head already begun to shift his attention back to his own stacks of paperwork, and absently shrugged his shoulders as he replied, " I know they will work it out; neither of them is complete without the other. That's what made them so good, they needed each other, they fed off each other, and they will again. It's only a matter of time."
He smiled as he remembered how personally hopeful he felt when he left Weiss' office that day; He was surprised at his newfound outlook on life. He had started the year so sure of himself and his choices and now he found himself ending the year a different man. He looked at the woman on the beach and realized that it was her that had made him question everything. This woman, who gave herself over and over again for her country, was able to find herself through another person. Maybe, Michael Vaughn, accepted Syd for who she was and just loved her, giving her the chance and security to grow into the an amazing person - crappy and sappy. but .. Malone never believed that love was important, but he saw in them, the most important thing of all, faith. Throughout their time as handler and agent they never lost their faith in each other. When that life ended, that faith was tested in the cruelest of ways, ultimately destroyed the relationship as it was, causing the individuals to lose sight of everything that was so important to them.
It was one man's love for his daughter and his faith in her choices that changed everything, again. Jack Bristow chose to ignore the Agency's mandate that the matter was closed. He left the CIA and spent years hunting down the truth, searching for the one man he knew could make his daughter happy. In the end, led a disbelieving team of CIA agents to the rescue of Vaughn and several other agents. . In Malone's eyes it was the ultimate sacrifice.
Malone's thoughts were interrupted as he caught sight of another figure appearing on the horizon. He watched closely, senses fully alert, as Sydney stopped what she was doing and watched the intruder approaching. It didn't take long for Malone to notice, that while Sydney appeared apprehensive, she didn't look like she felt threatened. It was then that he recognized the newcomer.
Malone kept watching as Michael Vaughn approached Sydney and their son. Vaughn stopped and watched his son toss the ball to his dog. He slowly approached the duo and ended up standing next to Sydney as they watched Patrick together. Malone could see the tension between the two evaporate as Vaughn placed his arm around Sydney. She seemed to relax into his embrace as she put one of her arms around his waist. Malone could not hear what was being said but he saw Sydney wave her son over to the pair. The boy made his way over to his mother and stood in front of her as if listening to something of great import.
Malone watched the scene unfold and began to realize the import of what he was witnessing. With all his beliefs that love would be his downfall he realized that love could actually be his salvation. 'What was the phrase, 'no man is an island'? Never before had a simple idiom meant so much to him. He knew now that he could not go it all alone. That something worth fighting for was the only way to make through of the end of the day. Sydney, Vaughn, Jack and Weiss had taught him that. Sydney, who owned up to all of her mistakes and realized whom she could not live without. Vaughn for loving someone so much that he gave away a part of himself. Jack for caring more about his daughter's happiness than his own, and Weiss, who although played for a fool, gave completely of himself to his friends and found a way to forgive without question.
He looked back at the two agents and watched as the young boy gave his father a hug. He had tears in his eyes as Vaughn put his son down and the boy ran off again with his dog. His eyes were drawn again to Sydney who had turned toward Vaughn and was obviously smiling. Malone had never seen such a look of pure joy on another person's face. He found himself overjoyed at another's happiness, which was a new feeling for him. Malone never thought that he would be where he was at that moment and from the look of things neither had Sydney and Vaughn.
"Hey, you ready to go?" A voice behind him asked.
Malone turned a bit to see his girlfriend of 2 months staring at him.
"Yeah give me sec." He turned back to the beach and smiled big as he saw the scene unfold before him.
"Whoa, is that Agents Vaughn and Bristow?" she asked.
"Yeah, it is. Come on, lets get out of here."
"I didn't know they were dating." She asked, still staring at the couple on the beach.
"They're not."
"But then why are they kissing?" she asked truly perplexed.
"Because their finally ready."
Malone and the woman watched for a few seconds longer and then left the beach all together. He had no idea where his road would take him, but he was ready for whatever lay ahead, he had learned from the best what the most important things in life were.