Author's Notes: Thank you everyone for reviewing! Don't worry, it's not over yet. I've just gotten a great idea for an ending and there are a couple more surprises involved. So keep R/R!

Chapter 17

Jack Bristow and Michael Vaughn visited Sydney everyday, and everyday, her physical condition improved. A day after the respirator was removed she was able to walk easily down the hospital's hallways. But no matter how excited Vaughn was by Sydney's physical recovery, there was still the sad emotional side of her that became more evident, and Vaughn worried.

Sydney didn't laugh or smile nearly as much as she used to. She didn't even talk much to either him or her father. It killed him to see her in such a state, where she took life with a shrug. He had wanted Sydney to come back to him, but not in the state that she was in.

Even the night before when he had walked into the room she seemed to be lacking her tough confident attitude. She had been sitting on her bed, looking out the window of her now private room. She hadn't even looked up as he walked in.

"Sydney?" he had asked hesitantly. He went to her side, and sat next to her on the bed.

She waited a full minute before answering him. "It was me at the cemetery that night."

Vaughn looked at her confused. "What?"

"You were at my grave, and I just watched. I had escaped from Sloane's custody temporarily. I wanted to approach you, and tell you I was okay. But the transmitter…The meeting inspired me to write the note."

Vaughn put his arm around her. "Hey, it's okay, you're here now. We both are."

Sydney just nodded distantly and was silent. Vaughn's look had remained confused, even now, as he tried to figure out why she had decided to tell him that, and why it had upset her.

Dr. Conner had okayed her release for the next day at noon. That was until Sydney had been overcome with dizziness and had fainted upon her third day of walking around. It was then that Dr. Conner requested both Jack's and Vaughn's presence in his office.

Dr. Conner closed the door and sat down. "I've asked you both here because of this last episode. You both seem to be the most important people in Sydney's life right now, and the most able to help her."

"Why, what's wrong?" Vaughn asked worried about how this was going.

"Relax, Mr. Vaughn. Sydney is doing fine physically. But to me, she seems depressed, and I think that whatever is bothering her is what caused her to faint today. Do either of you have any idea of what could be bothering her?"

Jack replied with a firm no, while Vaughn thought a moment. He explained to Dr. Conner what Sydney had told him.

Dr. Conner nodded. "I think you should explore that. I'm releasing her tomorrow on the promise from the two of you that Sydney will see a psychologist."

"Fine," Jack said curtly.

"Good, then we're done. Take care of her," Dr. Conner said. "There will only be a few forms for Sydney to sign when she leaves tomorrow. Otherwise it is all taken care of."

The two of them shook their hands with Dr. Conner, and left the room. They headed to Sydney's room, Jack saying good-bye as he planned to head back to the office. After he had left, Sydney scooted over, and Vaughn laid on top of the sheets next to her. Vaughn could tell she didn't want to talk, so he turned on the TV and left it on the news.

Sydney watched the screen with blank eyes. Vaughn sighed getting comfortable, when his cell-phone suddenly rang. Vaughn reluctantly pulled out his cell-phone, giving Sydney an apologetic look that went unnoticed.

"Vaughn," he said, once he was in the hallway.

"Vaughn, it's Weiss."

"What's up?" Vaughn asked.

"I wanted to tell you this before you heard it on the news, but Sydney's house was bombed." Vaughn's heart fell.

"What? When?" Vaughn asked.

"At one o'clock." An hour ago, Vaughn realized.

"Was anyone there?" Vaughn asked, hoping no one was.

"No, we had extracted Will and Francie a few days ago," Weiss said. So why would they bother to bomb the house when no one was there? Vaughn wondered.

"Weiss," Vaughn said swallowing with difficulty. "Is there anything left?"

He heard his friend sigh in sadness. "No, Vaughn. Nothing."

"Thanks, Weiss," Vaughn said hanging up. He put the phone back into his coat, and stepped into the room, debating on how to break it to Sydney. But as he looked at Sydney he could tell that she already knew.

She was staring at the TV with a view of horror. "Vaughn!" She cried to him, tears appearing in her eyes. "Francie and Will?"

"They're fine, Syd. They weren't in the house. The CIA has placed them in the WPP." Sydney relaxed somewhat but tears still poured down her cheeks as she watched the screen and the remains of her house being burnt to the ground.

"Sydney-" Vaughn began, trying to comfort him.

"Why, Vaughn?" Sydney asked him quietly. "Why are they doing this? They've taken away everything I've ever loved and spat it back into my face. My chances for a normal life, Danny, the honesty with my friends, Will's career, everything. What's left of my life outside of work is now being devoured in flames."

Vaughn tried to speak, but Sydney wasn't done. "And what am left to do, now? Quit the CIA? I'd be doing as much good as I would if I stayed. They'd track me down so they can take another part of me. They take the worst form of torture that they know to destroy my life, and I'm only to watch. That is my life."

Vaughn watched her and her angry tears. She was coming apart before his eyes, and it felt like a part of him was dying.

"Sydney," Vaughn said firmly but gently. "I can't say you can get it all back, but you can fight for it."

"Fight?" Sydney spat with disdain. "That's all I do. I've had to fight for everything in my life, Vaughn," she said, locking her eyes with his. "Even for you, I fought."

"I know, Syd. But what can I say, you're right. You quit the CIA and they'll still track you down. However, you can't make this life go away by running, but you can fight to get rid of it. You can help bring them down."

"No I can't, Vaughn," Sydney said turning away from him as she began to assume her quiet distant mood once again. "They know I'm CIA. Leave or stay they know. I have nothing left to lose."

Vaughn looked at her in sadness. "You have me to lose, Syd. You have your father, your mother, Will, and Francie. All who care about you."

Sydney turned back to him, her tears dry. "Thank you." She reached her lips up to his, and she kissed him passionately. "You're right," she whispered breaking away. "There's still one thing left to do."

* * *

The next morning, Vaughn arrived at the hospital around eleven thirty. The plan was for him to pick Sydney up and take her to his house, where she'd stay for at least for awhile. Vaughn approached the desk just as he passed Dr. Conner in the hallway.

"Mr. Vaughn!" Dr. Conner said, stopping in surprise. "What are you doing here? Is everything all right?"

"Everything's fine. I'm just here to pick up Sydney," Vaughn replied.

Dr. Conner raised an eyebrow at this. "Pick up, Sydney? Ms. Bristow checked out an hour ago."