Title: Raw Precision
Author: UConnFan (Michele)
E-Mail: LoveUConnBasketball@yahoo.com
Story Summary: Post "The Telling"; be warned, it picks up immediately where ep leaves off.
DISCLAIMER: Don't own. Never will. Case closed. Sue at your own risk.
Dedication: To Becky & Orianna. You both offer me such massive support with your reviews & friendship, whether you realize it or not. Thank you!
A/N: There's still the epilogue. That's all I've got to say. Read on.
"Home -- that blessed word, which opens to the human heart the most perfect glimpse of Heaven, and helps to carry it thither, as on an angel's wings." - Lydia M. Child
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For the first day in December, it was unseasonably warm, even for Los Angeles. The sun had fallen in the city by the time they arrived back, and with the adjusted time, Sydney was exhausted. Dixon, Weiss and Vaughn had been on the same plane as she was for the flight back to the city while Kendall and Jack accompanied Sark, Irina and Sloane's body back to the states on a separate airliner. Once the plane had taken off, Sydney settled into a seat next to Vaughn, falling into a deep sleep with her upper body comfortably rested against his.
Back in Los Angeles they went directly to Joint Task headquarters, despite the late time of their arrival. Piling into the van, the group of four was quiet as they passed through the streets of Los Angeles, congested with night work traffic. Somehow, despite the nearly half hour difference in the time of their plane arrivals, Jack and Kendall were already at headquarters when they arrived. Showing no sign of the exhaustion they must have felt, both men moved quickly to meet them as they entered.
"Your mother wants you to see her," Kendall explained, forgoing any greeting as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Obviously, you're under no obligation to speak to her."
"I don't know Jack," Kendall rebuffed. "I think it might be a good idea."
"What purpose could it possibly serve? Seeing Derevko serves no purpose to Sydney or the CIA."
"We don't know that for certain Jack."
"Yes, we do. Arvin Sloane is dead and we have both Derevko and Sark in custody, what else could that woman possibly offer us?"
"That's my point exactly - for some reason, Derevko led us directly to Sloane and Sark. I'd like to know why. I'm sure your daughter would as well," he glanced pointedly at Sydney.
"If Sydney doesn't want to see -" Vaughn began.
"Mr. Vaughn, I don't think this concerns you," Kendall snapped.
"Anything that concerns Sydney's well being, concerns me," he quickly retorted.
"Mr. Vaughn -" Kendall's voice rose.
"Agent Vaughn is right," Jack stopped. Although Jack had come to respect him over the past few years, he was the last person Vaughn would have expected a vote of confidence from. When it came to Sydney, however, they would each bend over backwards to agree if it was in her best interest. "If Sydney doesn't want to see Derevko, no one should force her to."
"Dad," Sydney stopped her father before he could carry on any further into his tirade. "I think I should see her," she spoke softly, feeling Vaughn's eyes burn into her as she did.
"Sydney -" Jack started.
"I think I need to see her - for my sake," she corrected.
Kendall nodded. "She's located where she always was."
Meeting the eyes of her father, she then sent a nod in Kendall's direction and started towards the cellblocks. The same familiar guard was even on duty, murmuring a good evening and lifting the gates for her. Even two years of technology couldn't take away the loud creak and churning that arose as the gates lifted. Stepping to the cage, she was only slightly relieved to see that her mother's expression was one of exhaustion, tinged with relief.
"Sydney."
"You led us directly to Sark, to Sloane... I don't know why, but the CIA thanks you."
"I didn't do it for the CIA," Irina softly corrected.
Momentarily, Sydney looked away before she nodded, daring to meet her mother's chestnut eyes.
"I don't know if you'll ever believe me Sydney, if any amount of words or actions can ever prove this to you, but I did it for *you*. Everything has always been for you... My actions may not speak that, but never once in thirty years have you been far from my mind. You're a smart woman Sydney, I'm sure you've deduced that your father and I were not planning on having children when we conceived you, but from the moment I found out you were on the way... You were the first thing on my mind when I woke and the last thing on my mind when I went to sleep. The only person I can blame for all the years I've missed is myself, but all those years... I'd close my eyes and imagine what you looked like, the type of person you were... You far surpass anything I ever imagined," she smiled softly.
"I'm partially to blame for you joining this life, and if I could change it... Of the many mistakes I've made, that's the one I carry the most. I wanted you to have the life you wanted, a normal life. This was the only way I could give it to you."
"You could have done it without sacrificing yourself," Sydney reminded her, blinking away the moisture in her eyes.
"I could have," Irina agreed. "You are my daughter. I never wanted to hurt you. I know I've inflicted years of pain on you, years of lies... You were always my first priority. You've always been my little girl." She smiled again, the tears building up in the corner of her eyes. "I wish I could tell you what happened to you in the past two years, but I *honestly* don't know. If I did, I would have found you, I would have been with you. I will always regret the day I affiliated myself with Arvin Sloane, but he's gone now. It's the only gift I can offer you Sydney. Take it."
Sydney nodded and pressed on, "I'm going to ask Kendall to give you special considerations when they prosecute you."
"I don't deserve -"
"Yes," she stopped her. "You do. We don't know if we would have ever found Sloane if it wasn't for you."
"It could have been your entire lifetime," Irina agreed. "Sloane felt he'd found the way to eternal life when he solved Rambaldi."
"In truth, he was just as fallible as the rest of us," her daughter added.
"More so. Sloane had a blind faith in Rambaldi; he truly thought he was going to gain immortality. That made him especially vulnerable."
"Thank you."
"Get out now Sydney. Make yourself a real life. In the end... I spent *years* working to solve the mystery of Rambaldi, dedicating myself to making contacts and enemies... In truth, it doesn't matter. I look back on my life and I have two things I'm proud of, and one of them is you."
"You said two," Sydney cautiously reminded.
"My actions don't validate it, but I've love someone with everything I have. With all I am. There's no way to prove it to anyone, especially the two of you, but I always have. Despite my own reasoning."
"Dad," she spoke softly.
Slowly Irina nodded. "Yes."
"Then why did you leave us? Why didn't you just tell him the truth?"
"I was thirty years old, I'd been involved in KGB for twelve years, and with your father for most of that time. My superiors threatened to hurt the two of you. Leaving you was the most difficult thing I've ever done. Telling him wasn't an option. I was convinced that if I told him the truth, I'd be put in jail and lose you anyway. At least on the outside, I could do my best to keep track of you and still have my freedom."
"You should have trusted Dad," she whispered.
"Your father's a loyal man. Perhaps he would have turned on me, but I should have trusted him," Irina agreed. "Sometimes, the hardest thing in the world isn't bearing your soul to a stranger, but telling the people you love the truth."
Having some unfortunate experience with her mother's words of wisdom, she silently nodded.
Hesitantly, Irina pressed on. "Sydney, are you in love with Agent Vaughn?" she inquired. The silence that followed was the only answer a mother needed.
Ignoring her mother's question, Sydney spoke. "Thank you. For everything."
Silently, the other woman nodded. "Your welcome Sydney. Now you can live your life. Don't make my mistakes. Be happy."
"I will," she promised, turning around and leaving.
Once away from her mother, Sydney was instructed to meet with the rest of the team in the conference room. Stepping in, she smiled at Will, looking tired and wrinkled in his suede jacket, jeans and T-shirt. Even after two years of working in the CIA, he refused to buy a suit. Silently, she was grateful - Will was not the suit-wearing type. They always forced him to look formal and professional, two words that never came to mind. The effect was always one of discomfort for both him and those around him, as he'd fidget with every aspect of the suit whenever he wore one.
"Miss Bristow, I'm glad you chose to join us."
"I came as soon as I could," she explained to Kendall, sliding into her chair.
"The operation in Paris was a massive success, thanks to Agent Bristow, Agent Vaughn, Agent Dixon and Agent Weiss," Kendall explained.
"What's going to happen to them?" Sydney inquired. "My mother and Sark, what's going to happen to them?"
"The state is currently collecting evidence to bring them to trial." Kendall shrugged.
"The case shouldn't be that difficult to make," Weiss quipped.
"I'd like the judge to give my mother special consideration," Sydney spoke up.
Kendall's eyes grew as the rest of the room silently looked at her. "Irina Derevko? Do I need to remind you that she betrayed not only you and your father, but the entire government, killing twelve government employees and nearly you -"
"I'm well aware of what she's done," she cut him off. "I spent the first part of my life thinking she's dead and she's nearly killed me. She betrayed my father and killed Agent Vaughn's father - I know all about what she's done. Still, without her, we wouldn't have Sark, we would have spent *years* looking for Sloane - " her voice began to steadily rise.
"You don't know that!" the director snapped.
"We *do*."
"We could have caught Arvin Sloane -"
"So what? So he could break out in another month? Now he's *dead*. He's dead and he can't hurt anyone ever again. If it had been one of your agents, you'd be commending them for this -"
"Are you suggesting I commend Irina Derevko?" He grew incredulous.
"No! I'm suggesting you give some consideration for what she's done for us. She killed Sloane, and then could have easily killed the rest of us, but she didn't. There was no reason for her to tell us where Sark was, but she *did* -"
"This could be part of some elaborate stunt - " Jack started to remind her.
"We don't know that!" Sydney snapped. "I'm not asking you to let her go; I'm not asking you to forgive the decades of crime and pain she's caused. All I'm asking is you give her consideration. Spare her life. You were willing to spare Sloane's life when Emily was going to turn him in. Sloane's gone, Sark's here and she turned herself in -"
"Again, Agent Bristow. This is the third time your mother's pulled this turn coat stunt. I'm not inclined to believe anything she says!" Kendall snapped.
"Then believe what she did," Sydney whispered harshly. "She *did* kill Sloane. Spare her the death penalty."
"Jack?" Kendall sighed and looked at the other man.
"We have to be cautious, again, this could be another set up orchestrated by both Sark and Derevko - we know they've worked together before. However," Jack sighed. "Sydney is correct. Arvin Sloane is dead. I'm the last person to give Irina Derevko leniency, but if Sydney believes we should spare her life, I believe it's something we should consider. If she continues to cooperate, there *is* a possibility she could lead us to her contacts."
"That's a slim possibility, at best," he pointed out.
"It's still a possibility," Sydney reminded him.
"I'll have to talk to the state," Kendall sighed. "I don't make any promises -"
"I'll talk in front of the judge if necessary," she insisted.
"That might just be necessary," he retorted. "Jack?"
"Again, if Sydney believes her life should be spared, it's something we should consider," he agreed.
"Agent Vaughn? You're not exactly neutral in this situation, what's your take?"
Since he'd been all but staring at her since her entrance, it was no great feat for Vaughn to meet Sydney's eyes across the table. Finally, he looked back at the director, cleared his throat and answered. "In this situation, I'm not sure I'm qualified to make any judgement."
"I'd like to listen to whatever insight you'd like to offer."
"Irina Derevko killed government agents, including my father, and nearly killed Sydney on more than one occasion. However, she *did* lead us to Arvin Sloane. She obviously came into contact with him after she left here, but we have no evidence to prove that she did so for any reason other than to lead us to him. If Sydney believes we should spare her life... Then I think it's something the court should seriously consider."
Once again meeting his eyes, Sydney smiled her relief in gratitude before Kendall spoke again.
"I'll consider your request Agent Bristow, but only if you'd be willing to speaking front of the court at a later time."
"I will," she vowed.
"Then I guess there's nothing else to say," the director sighed. "It's late people, go home. I expect you back here tomorrow morning," he dismissed.
Kendall was the first to leave the room as Sydney slowly stood. Weiss caught Vaughn in conversation as Will and Jack approached her. Turning towards her father, she spoke, "Dad -"
"No Sydney," he stopped her. "She is your mother," he relented. "If you feel her life should be spared, then it's something the court should know."
"Thank you," she whispered. Jack nodded and wheeled himself out of the room. Facing Will, she smiled as he pulled her into an embrace.
"I'm so glad you're okay."
"Me too," she replied and pulled back. "Sloane's dead."
"They told me," he agreed. "Do you think she'll cooperate again?"
"I hope so," she softly agreed. "Was Elise okay? When you left the other day?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "I'm going to tell her the truth this weekend."
"I'm sure it'll be okay Will," Sydney assured him. "She seems great."
"If it goes well, I was hoping you could meet her next weekend. Dinner at the restaurant maybe."
"I'd like that," she agreed. Out of the corner of his eye, Will saw Vaughn slowly approaching.
"I think I'm going to head home now." He smiled and tilted his head towards the door. "If you need me, call."
"I will," she promised. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Coffee?" he suggested.
"Not tomorrow," she dismissed. "Tomorrow I want to sleep in for as long as I can."
"Before the dictator drags us out of bed," Will finished as she laughed. "I'll see you tomorrow Syd."
"Tomorrow Will," Sydney promised, smiling at him as he walked out. That left only the two of them in the conference room. Before she even went to face him, Sydney felt him approaching her. Meeting his eyes, she spoke. "Vaughn -"
Vehemently, he shook his head. "No Syd," he stopped. "I don't want to talk about it. It doesn't matter." In an attempt to hide his discomfort, he looked down at his feet, his hands in his pockets as he added, "It's never changed anything between us before. It never will."
"Okay," she slowly nodded, as he finally looked back at her.
Sighing, he took in her appearance. What had nearly two days ago been a neatly tailored and pressed business suit, was by then wrinkled on her tense form. Studying the way her shoulders tensed, the strict set of her jaw, and the poorly hidden exhaustion in her eyes, Vaughn wanted nothing more than to take her home. To gently take her out of her soiled clothes, to draw her a hot bubble bath and to sit with her, in nothing but silence and dim bathroom light. Then to lead her to the bed, to wrap her in the soft flannel sheets, the softest he would ever find, and to hold her in his arms while she slept.
Finally, she turned her brown eyes on him, the fatigue that he met propelling him to break the silence. Without hesitation, he stepped towards her and gently took her hand. Long, warm, gentle fingers gently massaged her hand, eventually relaxing her whole body. Mindful that they were in a conference room, certain that it was one of the few rooms without security cameras, Vaughn cradled her hand in both of his and brought it up to his lips. With their eyes still locked, he gently kissed her fingers before he brought their hands back down.
"C'mon Syd," he spoke softly, squeezing her fingers slightly. "Let's go home."
Author: UConnFan (Michele)
E-Mail: LoveUConnBasketball@yahoo.com
Story Summary: Post "The Telling"; be warned, it picks up immediately where ep leaves off.
DISCLAIMER: Don't own. Never will. Case closed. Sue at your own risk.
Dedication: To Becky & Orianna. You both offer me such massive support with your reviews & friendship, whether you realize it or not. Thank you!
A/N: There's still the epilogue. That's all I've got to say. Read on.
"Home -- that blessed word, which opens to the human heart the most perfect glimpse of Heaven, and helps to carry it thither, as on an angel's wings." - Lydia M. Child
*
*
*
*
*
For the first day in December, it was unseasonably warm, even for Los Angeles. The sun had fallen in the city by the time they arrived back, and with the adjusted time, Sydney was exhausted. Dixon, Weiss and Vaughn had been on the same plane as she was for the flight back to the city while Kendall and Jack accompanied Sark, Irina and Sloane's body back to the states on a separate airliner. Once the plane had taken off, Sydney settled into a seat next to Vaughn, falling into a deep sleep with her upper body comfortably rested against his.
Back in Los Angeles they went directly to Joint Task headquarters, despite the late time of their arrival. Piling into the van, the group of four was quiet as they passed through the streets of Los Angeles, congested with night work traffic. Somehow, despite the nearly half hour difference in the time of their plane arrivals, Jack and Kendall were already at headquarters when they arrived. Showing no sign of the exhaustion they must have felt, both men moved quickly to meet them as they entered.
"Your mother wants you to see her," Kendall explained, forgoing any greeting as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Obviously, you're under no obligation to speak to her."
"I don't know Jack," Kendall rebuffed. "I think it might be a good idea."
"What purpose could it possibly serve? Seeing Derevko serves no purpose to Sydney or the CIA."
"We don't know that for certain Jack."
"Yes, we do. Arvin Sloane is dead and we have both Derevko and Sark in custody, what else could that woman possibly offer us?"
"That's my point exactly - for some reason, Derevko led us directly to Sloane and Sark. I'd like to know why. I'm sure your daughter would as well," he glanced pointedly at Sydney.
"If Sydney doesn't want to see -" Vaughn began.
"Mr. Vaughn, I don't think this concerns you," Kendall snapped.
"Anything that concerns Sydney's well being, concerns me," he quickly retorted.
"Mr. Vaughn -" Kendall's voice rose.
"Agent Vaughn is right," Jack stopped. Although Jack had come to respect him over the past few years, he was the last person Vaughn would have expected a vote of confidence from. When it came to Sydney, however, they would each bend over backwards to agree if it was in her best interest. "If Sydney doesn't want to see Derevko, no one should force her to."
"Dad," Sydney stopped her father before he could carry on any further into his tirade. "I think I should see her," she spoke softly, feeling Vaughn's eyes burn into her as she did.
"Sydney -" Jack started.
"I think I need to see her - for my sake," she corrected.
Kendall nodded. "She's located where she always was."
Meeting the eyes of her father, she then sent a nod in Kendall's direction and started towards the cellblocks. The same familiar guard was even on duty, murmuring a good evening and lifting the gates for her. Even two years of technology couldn't take away the loud creak and churning that arose as the gates lifted. Stepping to the cage, she was only slightly relieved to see that her mother's expression was one of exhaustion, tinged with relief.
"Sydney."
"You led us directly to Sark, to Sloane... I don't know why, but the CIA thanks you."
"I didn't do it for the CIA," Irina softly corrected.
Momentarily, Sydney looked away before she nodded, daring to meet her mother's chestnut eyes.
"I don't know if you'll ever believe me Sydney, if any amount of words or actions can ever prove this to you, but I did it for *you*. Everything has always been for you... My actions may not speak that, but never once in thirty years have you been far from my mind. You're a smart woman Sydney, I'm sure you've deduced that your father and I were not planning on having children when we conceived you, but from the moment I found out you were on the way... You were the first thing on my mind when I woke and the last thing on my mind when I went to sleep. The only person I can blame for all the years I've missed is myself, but all those years... I'd close my eyes and imagine what you looked like, the type of person you were... You far surpass anything I ever imagined," she smiled softly.
"I'm partially to blame for you joining this life, and if I could change it... Of the many mistakes I've made, that's the one I carry the most. I wanted you to have the life you wanted, a normal life. This was the only way I could give it to you."
"You could have done it without sacrificing yourself," Sydney reminded her, blinking away the moisture in her eyes.
"I could have," Irina agreed. "You are my daughter. I never wanted to hurt you. I know I've inflicted years of pain on you, years of lies... You were always my first priority. You've always been my little girl." She smiled again, the tears building up in the corner of her eyes. "I wish I could tell you what happened to you in the past two years, but I *honestly* don't know. If I did, I would have found you, I would have been with you. I will always regret the day I affiliated myself with Arvin Sloane, but he's gone now. It's the only gift I can offer you Sydney. Take it."
Sydney nodded and pressed on, "I'm going to ask Kendall to give you special considerations when they prosecute you."
"I don't deserve -"
"Yes," she stopped her. "You do. We don't know if we would have ever found Sloane if it wasn't for you."
"It could have been your entire lifetime," Irina agreed. "Sloane felt he'd found the way to eternal life when he solved Rambaldi."
"In truth, he was just as fallible as the rest of us," her daughter added.
"More so. Sloane had a blind faith in Rambaldi; he truly thought he was going to gain immortality. That made him especially vulnerable."
"Thank you."
"Get out now Sydney. Make yourself a real life. In the end... I spent *years* working to solve the mystery of Rambaldi, dedicating myself to making contacts and enemies... In truth, it doesn't matter. I look back on my life and I have two things I'm proud of, and one of them is you."
"You said two," Sydney cautiously reminded.
"My actions don't validate it, but I've love someone with everything I have. With all I am. There's no way to prove it to anyone, especially the two of you, but I always have. Despite my own reasoning."
"Dad," she spoke softly.
Slowly Irina nodded. "Yes."
"Then why did you leave us? Why didn't you just tell him the truth?"
"I was thirty years old, I'd been involved in KGB for twelve years, and with your father for most of that time. My superiors threatened to hurt the two of you. Leaving you was the most difficult thing I've ever done. Telling him wasn't an option. I was convinced that if I told him the truth, I'd be put in jail and lose you anyway. At least on the outside, I could do my best to keep track of you and still have my freedom."
"You should have trusted Dad," she whispered.
"Your father's a loyal man. Perhaps he would have turned on me, but I should have trusted him," Irina agreed. "Sometimes, the hardest thing in the world isn't bearing your soul to a stranger, but telling the people you love the truth."
Having some unfortunate experience with her mother's words of wisdom, she silently nodded.
Hesitantly, Irina pressed on. "Sydney, are you in love with Agent Vaughn?" she inquired. The silence that followed was the only answer a mother needed.
Ignoring her mother's question, Sydney spoke. "Thank you. For everything."
Silently, the other woman nodded. "Your welcome Sydney. Now you can live your life. Don't make my mistakes. Be happy."
"I will," she promised, turning around and leaving.
Once away from her mother, Sydney was instructed to meet with the rest of the team in the conference room. Stepping in, she smiled at Will, looking tired and wrinkled in his suede jacket, jeans and T-shirt. Even after two years of working in the CIA, he refused to buy a suit. Silently, she was grateful - Will was not the suit-wearing type. They always forced him to look formal and professional, two words that never came to mind. The effect was always one of discomfort for both him and those around him, as he'd fidget with every aspect of the suit whenever he wore one.
"Miss Bristow, I'm glad you chose to join us."
"I came as soon as I could," she explained to Kendall, sliding into her chair.
"The operation in Paris was a massive success, thanks to Agent Bristow, Agent Vaughn, Agent Dixon and Agent Weiss," Kendall explained.
"What's going to happen to them?" Sydney inquired. "My mother and Sark, what's going to happen to them?"
"The state is currently collecting evidence to bring them to trial." Kendall shrugged.
"The case shouldn't be that difficult to make," Weiss quipped.
"I'd like the judge to give my mother special consideration," Sydney spoke up.
Kendall's eyes grew as the rest of the room silently looked at her. "Irina Derevko? Do I need to remind you that she betrayed not only you and your father, but the entire government, killing twelve government employees and nearly you -"
"I'm well aware of what she's done," she cut him off. "I spent the first part of my life thinking she's dead and she's nearly killed me. She betrayed my father and killed Agent Vaughn's father - I know all about what she's done. Still, without her, we wouldn't have Sark, we would have spent *years* looking for Sloane - " her voice began to steadily rise.
"You don't know that!" the director snapped.
"We *do*."
"We could have caught Arvin Sloane -"
"So what? So he could break out in another month? Now he's *dead*. He's dead and he can't hurt anyone ever again. If it had been one of your agents, you'd be commending them for this -"
"Are you suggesting I commend Irina Derevko?" He grew incredulous.
"No! I'm suggesting you give some consideration for what she's done for us. She killed Sloane, and then could have easily killed the rest of us, but she didn't. There was no reason for her to tell us where Sark was, but she *did* -"
"This could be part of some elaborate stunt - " Jack started to remind her.
"We don't know that!" Sydney snapped. "I'm not asking you to let her go; I'm not asking you to forgive the decades of crime and pain she's caused. All I'm asking is you give her consideration. Spare her life. You were willing to spare Sloane's life when Emily was going to turn him in. Sloane's gone, Sark's here and she turned herself in -"
"Again, Agent Bristow. This is the third time your mother's pulled this turn coat stunt. I'm not inclined to believe anything she says!" Kendall snapped.
"Then believe what she did," Sydney whispered harshly. "She *did* kill Sloane. Spare her the death penalty."
"Jack?" Kendall sighed and looked at the other man.
"We have to be cautious, again, this could be another set up orchestrated by both Sark and Derevko - we know they've worked together before. However," Jack sighed. "Sydney is correct. Arvin Sloane is dead. I'm the last person to give Irina Derevko leniency, but if Sydney believes we should spare her life, I believe it's something we should consider. If she continues to cooperate, there *is* a possibility she could lead us to her contacts."
"That's a slim possibility, at best," he pointed out.
"It's still a possibility," Sydney reminded him.
"I'll have to talk to the state," Kendall sighed. "I don't make any promises -"
"I'll talk in front of the judge if necessary," she insisted.
"That might just be necessary," he retorted. "Jack?"
"Again, if Sydney believes her life should be spared, it's something we should consider," he agreed.
"Agent Vaughn? You're not exactly neutral in this situation, what's your take?"
Since he'd been all but staring at her since her entrance, it was no great feat for Vaughn to meet Sydney's eyes across the table. Finally, he looked back at the director, cleared his throat and answered. "In this situation, I'm not sure I'm qualified to make any judgement."
"I'd like to listen to whatever insight you'd like to offer."
"Irina Derevko killed government agents, including my father, and nearly killed Sydney on more than one occasion. However, she *did* lead us to Arvin Sloane. She obviously came into contact with him after she left here, but we have no evidence to prove that she did so for any reason other than to lead us to him. If Sydney believes we should spare her life... Then I think it's something the court should seriously consider."
Once again meeting his eyes, Sydney smiled her relief in gratitude before Kendall spoke again.
"I'll consider your request Agent Bristow, but only if you'd be willing to speaking front of the court at a later time."
"I will," she vowed.
"Then I guess there's nothing else to say," the director sighed. "It's late people, go home. I expect you back here tomorrow morning," he dismissed.
Kendall was the first to leave the room as Sydney slowly stood. Weiss caught Vaughn in conversation as Will and Jack approached her. Turning towards her father, she spoke, "Dad -"
"No Sydney," he stopped her. "She is your mother," he relented. "If you feel her life should be spared, then it's something the court should know."
"Thank you," she whispered. Jack nodded and wheeled himself out of the room. Facing Will, she smiled as he pulled her into an embrace.
"I'm so glad you're okay."
"Me too," she replied and pulled back. "Sloane's dead."
"They told me," he agreed. "Do you think she'll cooperate again?"
"I hope so," she softly agreed. "Was Elise okay? When you left the other day?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "I'm going to tell her the truth this weekend."
"I'm sure it'll be okay Will," Sydney assured him. "She seems great."
"If it goes well, I was hoping you could meet her next weekend. Dinner at the restaurant maybe."
"I'd like that," she agreed. Out of the corner of his eye, Will saw Vaughn slowly approaching.
"I think I'm going to head home now." He smiled and tilted his head towards the door. "If you need me, call."
"I will," she promised. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Coffee?" he suggested.
"Not tomorrow," she dismissed. "Tomorrow I want to sleep in for as long as I can."
"Before the dictator drags us out of bed," Will finished as she laughed. "I'll see you tomorrow Syd."
"Tomorrow Will," Sydney promised, smiling at him as he walked out. That left only the two of them in the conference room. Before she even went to face him, Sydney felt him approaching her. Meeting his eyes, she spoke. "Vaughn -"
Vehemently, he shook his head. "No Syd," he stopped. "I don't want to talk about it. It doesn't matter." In an attempt to hide his discomfort, he looked down at his feet, his hands in his pockets as he added, "It's never changed anything between us before. It never will."
"Okay," she slowly nodded, as he finally looked back at her.
Sighing, he took in her appearance. What had nearly two days ago been a neatly tailored and pressed business suit, was by then wrinkled on her tense form. Studying the way her shoulders tensed, the strict set of her jaw, and the poorly hidden exhaustion in her eyes, Vaughn wanted nothing more than to take her home. To gently take her out of her soiled clothes, to draw her a hot bubble bath and to sit with her, in nothing but silence and dim bathroom light. Then to lead her to the bed, to wrap her in the soft flannel sheets, the softest he would ever find, and to hold her in his arms while she slept.
Finally, she turned her brown eyes on him, the fatigue that he met propelling him to break the silence. Without hesitation, he stepped towards her and gently took her hand. Long, warm, gentle fingers gently massaged her hand, eventually relaxing her whole body. Mindful that they were in a conference room, certain that it was one of the few rooms without security cameras, Vaughn cradled her hand in both of his and brought it up to his lips. With their eyes still locked, he gently kissed her fingers before he brought their hands back down.
"C'mon Syd," he spoke softly, squeezing her fingers slightly. "Let's go home."
