D: Not mine, don't I wish, but that's like winning the lottery too. Never
gonna happen. Alias belongs to J.J and co. so don't bother suing, I'm flat
broke.
An: Here's the next chapter, thanks to all who reviewed. You know I love them! Hope you enjoy this, and don't forget it's an AU set after The Gettaway, but will eventually add in Phase One and beyond there. Don't forget that special purple button!! It's your best friend! AAn: Oh, and they still use their first names on the mission, just their last names are different. Jack and Eric's is Demetrius, very Greek-ish!
{#}
[previously:]
They sat gazing at each other, getting closer and closer..
Then suddenly the pilot came over the loud speaker to announce they were about to land. Sydney, startled, jumped apart from Vaughn. She blushed deeply as she climbed off of him and sat in her own seat, buckling her seatbelt. Weiss peeked over at Vaughn, catching his eye. He grinned goofly and winked at Vaughn like 'Yeah bu-ddy!' Vaughn just smiled blushing himself.
They landed and got off the plane. They had about 30 minutes till their connecting flight, so they went to one of the airport café's and had a quick bite and some hot chocolate. No coffee yet, it was too early.
"As soon as my a$$ is back in that seat, it's snooze land again. How can you do this all the time Syd? Everybody here is all awake and 'perky'. I'm gonna hit that lady in the face if she keeps talking in that cheery voice any longer." Weiss grumbled as he rested his head in his hand. Sydney just shrugged sleepily and laid her head back on Vaughn's shoulder. This whole time Jack was quietly reading the paper.
"Look. They found that missing girl in Salt Lake City. After nine months." Jack commented to Sydney, who had spoken to her father about the story the summer before.
"Elizabeth Smart? Really? She okay?" Sydney said, speaking up.
"Yeah,..she apparently has been just 15 miles away from her home practically the whole time. Says she could hear them searching for her in the canyon behind her house. She could hear her uncle. Thank goodness for that. Some GOOD news for once." Jack commented. Sydney nodded at that. They finished their snacks then went to board their plane. As soon as they were in the air, this time Vaughn and Sydney sitting behind Jack and Eric, Weiss fell back to sleep.
"Get some more sleep you two. We still have a long night of traveling." Jack suggested. Vaughn nodded and soon he and Sydney were sound asleep, heads resting on each other. A couple of hours later, all the guys were awake, quietly talking. Sydney still snoozed on Vaughn's shoulder/neck.
"So..'dad'..you 'excited' about the new...uh...'member of the family', so to speak." Eric commented, trying to code the message. Vaughn perked up at this conversation, wanting to know what Jack said. Jack looked a little uncomfortable at this approach, but considered that this was as good a time as any. At least he won't be speaking DIRECTLY to Vaughn, which could be even more uncomfortable. Jack cleared his throat.
"Yes..'son'. All I want is for..EVERYone to be happy. I see how good...RIGHT, the relationship is so, who am I to interfere with it." Jack said truthfully. Vaughn felt his heart leap.
'He said it's okay! Now..if only we didn't have SD-6 to get in the way! I hope we get this piece of the puzzle..We'll be soo close!' Vaughn thought. He glanced up to Jack's seat.
"That's very thoughtful of you..I'm sure your 'son' appreciates it very much, he should be VERY happy...right Eric?" Vaughn said pointedly.
"You bet." Eric answered, playing along.
Just then Sydney began to stir, then woke up completely, smiling broadly at Vaughn.
"Sleep good.Honey?" Vaughn asked, not completely playing a 'role'.
"Yep. What time is it?" Sydney asked.
"Don't matter. It'll be at least 12 more hours till we're landing." Eric grumbled. Sydney only shook her hand at him, excusing herself to the ladies room. They watched a couple of movies, played travel games (Syd winning MORE than a FEW times!) and read. When their plane landed in France it was 7:00pm their internal time, but closer to 12:00pm midnight France time. For an hour or so they ate and just walked around, not wanting to be sitting at all. Before they knew it they were back on a smaller commercial plane for another couple of hours till they landed in Greece. Once in Greece, it only took 45 minutes till they were boarded on the charter flight, much to Eric's dismay.
"Are you SURE this can carry ALL of us..AND our luggage? Leave the luggage, does ANY one remember Aaliyah?" Eric said incredulously.
Before they could blink they were in Crete. And onto the 3 hour bus trip to Iraklion. It was mid-morning when they got to their hotel in Iraklion. They had the rest of the day to themselves till later that night where they would be going to a dinner that was expected to have their target in attendance. Their target was a former 'higher up' of the Alliance head that had left because they killed his beloved wife in front of him to prove they weren't allowed to tell whom you were working for. Sydney grimaced in the similar story line remembering Danny. He was now in hiding and trying to disappear to live a comfortable life. They were there to persuade him to come to the CIA and tell everything he knows in exchange for this sought out life, maybe cutting a deal with the CIA for giving all the information he had on the Alliance. So he was a very important person to acquire.
An important person with a certain...hobby. He...was a dancer. Tango, to be more precise. Once he got some alcohol in him, he was never in his seat or away from the dance floor.
"We have to WHAT?!" Sydney exclaimed to her father, glaring daggers at Weiss's smirking face and attempt to at holding his snickering.
"Dance. Be the BEST on the floor, actually. To draw attention to you, away from Mr. Castello. Have him 'showed up' so to speak." Jack explained. Vaughn couldn't help but smile at Sydney's shocked face.
"I know how to tango." Vaughn commented quietly. Eric, Jack, and Sydney all glanced at him, blinking.
"My...sister. She forced me to be her partner growing up." he shrugged turning slightly pink. Sydney smiled quickly at the thought, then froze as Eric said his next sentence.
"Well, you two will be great! I was worried Mike would have to be shown what dancing with a girl was like, let alone the TANGO!" Eric joked, smiling. Sydney kind of cringed and slowly raised her hand like a guilty school kid.
"Um...er...I...I've never...don-know-how-tango." Sydney mumbled all together. Vaughn's head snapped up and Eric's jaw dropped.
"What?! Sydney?...THE Sydney Bristow-spy chick fantasma?!! Who could kill you with her thumb in 2 seconds flat with OUT smudging her make-up?!?! YOU can't tango?" Eric shot out before he could stop himself. Jack grumbled at him as Sydney suddenly became infatuated with her shirt button.
"Well...I'll teach her." Vaughn said, cutting through the silence. Sydney looked up and gave Vaughn her brightest dimple smile.
"Well...lets get started, the sooner, the better. We'll have to find a radio..and some music." Jack said evenly, not TOO happy about this new turn of events.
"Dad? Why didn't someone mention this earlier?" Sydney asked as Eric and Vaughn went in search of the music.
"Well, quite frankly, I thought you knew how. I mean..you do have many other...'talents' that have come to good use in the past. Just never thought to ask." Jack said quietly, smiling slightly at his daughter.
"Oh..well, NOW I'll know. Do you know how?" Sydney asked, just being curious. Jack smiled.
"Do you remember the Callowell's Christmas party?" Jack asked, watching as Sydney dug in her memory. Then it hit her and a smile spread across her face.
"You and mom stole the show. Then I TRIED to." Sydney said softly. She then pulled off her shoes, stepped up to her dad hesitantly and took his hand with one hand and place the second on his shoulder and stepped up on his shoes like she'd done all those years ago at the Christmas party. Jack smiled genuinely; taking her hand and wrapping his arm around her waist and began to dance slowly with her on the top of his feet. Another big step to closing the gap between father and daughter. He danced with her a minute, a slow version of a little bit of tango. Vaughn and Eric came back in with the stuff, Vaughn glimpsing the Bristows first before they parted.
"Thank you daddy." Sydney whispered as she walked past him to a bigger area to get ready to practice. She changed into exercise Adidas pants and through her hair up in a scrunchie bob.
"Okay, first I'll go over the steps without music, then we'll put it all together. Sir, feel free to give pointers. I'll probably need help here." Vaughn said. Sydney narrowed her eyes at that comment. When he stepped up close to her, putting an arm around her waist, he whispered.
"My..train of thought tends to...be non-existent around you." He said smiling. She dimpled at that and then focused on paying attention to probably the worlds cutest dance instructor. Well, in her world anyways. ((And ours too!))
A couple of hours later, after much toe-stepping, tangled-mass-of- limbs-on-floor (most of the time INtentional!) and LOTS of giggles, intense looks, and dimples, Sydney had the 'art of tango' down and was even MORE attracted to Vaughn. Things definitely got intense between them. As they (the guys) left to their room to get ready through the adjoining door, Eric muttered.
"How ya' going to survive tonight when she's all dolled up?" to Vaughn and Vaughn just gulped looking wide-eyed.
An hour and a half later, the three men sat around their room waiting patiently for Sydney. Finally, after another 10 minutes, Jack grumbled out loudly.
"Sydney A. Bristow, we're gonna be late!" Jack said. You could hear a gasp from inside the room and both Eric and Vaughn looked wide-eyed at the doorway, both shocked he used her whole known name. Vaughn didn't even know she had a middle initial to her name. Sydney tentatively walked into the room, causing all the guys jaws to drop. It was definitely worth it for them to be late.
"Dad...I haven't heard ANYONE call me that...since...gosh, I was like..5!" Sydney said, her eyes slightly narrow.
"Got your attention, didn't it?" Jack simply said, standing up grabbing his coat.
"Let's GO gentlemen!!" Jack said, snapping them out of their trance. Sydney blushed at their stares.
"Y-you.look...wow." Eric stuttered.
"Thank you Weiss. You clean up nicely yourself." Sydney replied politely.
"You're gorgeous." Vaughn whispered as he helped Sydney into her coat.
"You are too. VERY handsome." Sydney breathed back. They made their way to the dinner and easily blended in. By mid-way through the party, Mr. Castello was on the dance floor, as predicted.
"Ready to put on a show?" Eric said after coming from the snack table where Jack was surveying the mission. Vaughn looked teasingly over to Sydney, giving her his famous smile.
"M'lady, would you care to dance with me?" he said sweetly, taking her hand and kissing it. He's been waiting all night for this.
"Why certainly, kind sir." Sydney dimpled, playing along. He helped her form her seat and they walked onto the dance floor and literally stole the show. Eric stood beside Jack along with the rest of the crowd watching the couple dance.
"Is it me..or are they REALLY good at 'pretending' to me soon-to-be- newlyweds?" Eric commented quietly to Jack. He only grumbled, but a slight smile was playing at the corners of his mouth as he watched his daughter having the time of her life. He couldn't help it, she looked so happy.
Finally, they walked off the floor, being sure that Mr. Castello trailed them and they snuck off to the extraction point where Jack and Eric were waiting. Vaughn and Sydney intended to lead Mr. Castello into the deserted side-room, but things didn't go as planned.
Just outside the room, Mr. Castello caught up to them, grabbing Sydney's arm roughly in all his drunkenness.
"Es-cuse me miss..whre you off ta'? Dat was mervalis...why ya' dancin' wit dis guy? Dance wit meh." He said, slurring trying to drag her back down the stairs to the party. Now, Mr. Castello isn't a small man, and by his sheer weight plus gravity he pulled Sydney off balance on the set of stairs and she stumbled in the direction of Mr. Castello had yanked her. Down the short flight of stairs. Vaughn watched in horror, a few steps higher then Sydney had been unable to grab her in time.
"SYDNEY!" Vaughn yelled as he saw her tumble the 5 or 6 steps to the bottom of the stairs with Mr. Castello. Vaughn raced down the stairs, hollering into his com link.
"Jack! We've got a problem!" Vaughn rushed out as he made his way to Sydney.
"Oww!" she grimaced, looking daggers at Mr. Castello.
"Wha-happened? H-how'd we ged here?" Mr. Castello slurred out. Sydney was about to snap at him, but Vaughn stopped her.
"You tripped sir. Here, have my friend here help you to a room, get you sitting down a moment." Vaughn played out as Eric, who had come as soon as Vaughn mentioned trouble, reached down and helped him up, half carrying him to the side room.
Just then, a man came from the party.
"Is everything alright?" he asked. Eric recognized him as on of the waiters.
"Yeah. Mr. Castello had one too many, we're just gonna lay him down in here a moment." Eric played out, eyeballing Vaughn and Sydney, who was now standing, sort of anyways.
"You okay miss? Do you need a doctor?" he asked, noticing her not standing on her right foot. She shook her head now, forcing a smile.
"I'm fine. My fiancé can take care of me, thanks." She said, trying to put weight on her foot to show the man she was fine. As soon as he went back into the party, she nearly fell again and grabbed tight to Vaughn's arms.
"Vaughn! It hurts! I wrenched it BAD!" she said, biting her lip, tears in her eyes. Eric just got Mr. Castello inside and it didn't take much to apprehend him and get him to their awaiting van.
"Jack...Syd's hurt." Vaughn said into his com link.
"Can you still make an appropriate exit?" Jack said.
"Not without carrying her. She can't put any weight on her right ankle." Vaughn said, worry lines on his forehead.
"Then do it. You have to make an exit or it'll raise too much suspicion. We'll meet you at the van at the van at the exit point in 15 minutes." Jack reported. Vaughn looked at Sydney's slightly crumpled face.
"Okay Syd..." he said scooping her up into his arms.
"let's go...DARLING. Say goodbye to the party goers." He grinned, trying to ease her mood.
"We'll get you to a hospital ASAP." He promised softly as he carried her around to their table, grabbing their coats, and making a some-what graceful exit.
"Boy, am I glad THAT'S over with." Eric commented, keeping his eye on their now dozing target. Jack sat next to Sydney, watching as Vaughn assessed the damage to her ankle. They had a little bit of an emergency kit, so he wrapped two ice packs on either side of her rapidly swelling ankle and wrapped them up with and tight ace bandage and a make shift splint of cardboard the kit provided.
"Lets go straight to the airport. We have our luggage. You can change there and as soon as we're back in Greece, you'll go to a hospital. But we have to get off this island." Jack instructed softly. Sydney gritted her teeth.
"Okay." She mumbled, she leaned back, resting her head on Vaughn's shoulder. The bouncy drive to the airport seemed to take twice as long than 3 hours, Sydney digging her nails in deeper and deeper into Vaughn's poor arm with each jarring bump.
Once at the airport, Syd gingerly changed into more comfy cloths, as well as the men, and Vaughn came once again to carry her to the little plane. They gave Mr. Castello a sleeping drug, so he was put for awhile. Other CIA agents had met them at the Greece airport to help. They had 1 ½ hour's layover there, so as soon as they landed, Vaughn took Sydney to a hospital by himself. It was a CIA owned hospital, part of the American Embassy, so they had no worries while there. They x-rayed her ankle, and iced it down as they waited for the results.
"Well, Agent Bristow. It's not broken, but it is severely sprained. Probably the worst I've seen that wasn't surgery material. You came close though. You'll be immobile for awhile now, these things take a long time to get over. We'll put you in an airsplint now. You'll eventually walk on the splint, but not for at least 3 weeks. Maybe 4." The doctor informed. He wrote her up some pain meds, then fitted her for a black splint/brace. (Think '28 Days' movie) They gave her some crutches and let her go. Sydney easily maneuvered herself on the crutches back through the airport along side Vaughn to the café Jack and Eric were at. Mr. Castello was with the new agents in a van, still out cold.
"Are you okay Sydney?" Jack asked when she hobbled up.
"Not broken, they don't think. But severely sprained. It'll take awhile, but I should be fine." Sydney explained, excepting the seat Eric pulled out for her, letting Jack take her crutches and smiling as Vaughn gently pulled her splinted ankle up into his lap. She could DEFINITELY get used to this!
"Need anything Agent Bristow?" Angelo, one of the Greece agents who was with them asked kindly, getting up to go to the counter.
"Sure! Um...a cinnamon pretzel and an apple juice..Vaughn?" Sydney asked.
"Lemonade and another pretzel please, thanks Angelo." Vaughn answered, handing him some money. Sydney reached to her purse but Vaughn waved her off. She just grinned mouthing thanks, holding his gaze with him. Angelo looked between the two of them and snorted.
"You're right Weiss, TIGHT around her little finger." He commented, walking to order the food. Vaughn and Sydney snapped their attention to Eric, glaring slightly at him.
"What?! I don't know WHAT he's talking about." Eric kidded innocently. Jack just rolled his eyes slightly smirking.
"What're we gonna do at the next lay over? It's like a 2 hours wait isn't it?" Eric commented when Angelo got back, passing the yummy's out.
"I'm getting my toes done. There's a nail place in the airport to help take up time for travelers with long layovers." Sydney said as she grimaced at her toes poking out of her splint. She glanced up when she realized it had gotten real quiet and found 4 pair of eyes looking at her with perplexed looks on their faces. She huffed and rolled her eyes mumbling something about 'men!' and the need for 'more female agents'.
"You guys go lounge at the bar or what ever. I can't WALK around with you everywhere...might as well be sitting for good reason. Besides EVERY body will be looking at my foot...so might as well make it presentable. Ya' know, men manicures is IN this year." Sydney commented and suddenly 4 men grumbled, huffed and turned their attention away form her. She smiled munching on her pretzel.
They boarded the next flight to France. Once there, Sydney prepared to go off on her own to the salon.
"Wait, Sydney, I don't want you off by yourself in your condition..so, ERIC'S gonna go with you." Jack said, nudging a downcast faced agent towards her.
"Really? Okay." Sydney said, a little surprised. As they made their way across the airport, Eric looked solemnly.
"You don't HAVE to come Weiss." Sydney finally spoke up.
"Yes I do...I got the short straw." He mumbled and Sydney smiled and nodded.
"Ahhh..don't pout! You might ENJOY yourself!" she said as she hobbled in. Eric followed close behind, a petrified look on his face.
{#}
An: There's the second chapter!! With another cliffhanger too!! Hehe, I'll have the next one up soon!! Please review and tell me what y'all think, I'd REALLY really appreciate it, it makes me sooo happy and fuzzy when people do!! Thanx!!
An: Here's the next chapter, thanks to all who reviewed. You know I love them! Hope you enjoy this, and don't forget it's an AU set after The Gettaway, but will eventually add in Phase One and beyond there. Don't forget that special purple button!! It's your best friend! AAn: Oh, and they still use their first names on the mission, just their last names are different. Jack and Eric's is Demetrius, very Greek-ish!
{#}
[previously:]
They sat gazing at each other, getting closer and closer..
Then suddenly the pilot came over the loud speaker to announce they were about to land. Sydney, startled, jumped apart from Vaughn. She blushed deeply as she climbed off of him and sat in her own seat, buckling her seatbelt. Weiss peeked over at Vaughn, catching his eye. He grinned goofly and winked at Vaughn like 'Yeah bu-ddy!' Vaughn just smiled blushing himself.
They landed and got off the plane. They had about 30 minutes till their connecting flight, so they went to one of the airport café's and had a quick bite and some hot chocolate. No coffee yet, it was too early.
"As soon as my a$$ is back in that seat, it's snooze land again. How can you do this all the time Syd? Everybody here is all awake and 'perky'. I'm gonna hit that lady in the face if she keeps talking in that cheery voice any longer." Weiss grumbled as he rested his head in his hand. Sydney just shrugged sleepily and laid her head back on Vaughn's shoulder. This whole time Jack was quietly reading the paper.
"Look. They found that missing girl in Salt Lake City. After nine months." Jack commented to Sydney, who had spoken to her father about the story the summer before.
"Elizabeth Smart? Really? She okay?" Sydney said, speaking up.
"Yeah,..she apparently has been just 15 miles away from her home practically the whole time. Says she could hear them searching for her in the canyon behind her house. She could hear her uncle. Thank goodness for that. Some GOOD news for once." Jack commented. Sydney nodded at that. They finished their snacks then went to board their plane. As soon as they were in the air, this time Vaughn and Sydney sitting behind Jack and Eric, Weiss fell back to sleep.
"Get some more sleep you two. We still have a long night of traveling." Jack suggested. Vaughn nodded and soon he and Sydney were sound asleep, heads resting on each other. A couple of hours later, all the guys were awake, quietly talking. Sydney still snoozed on Vaughn's shoulder/neck.
"So..'dad'..you 'excited' about the new...uh...'member of the family', so to speak." Eric commented, trying to code the message. Vaughn perked up at this conversation, wanting to know what Jack said. Jack looked a little uncomfortable at this approach, but considered that this was as good a time as any. At least he won't be speaking DIRECTLY to Vaughn, which could be even more uncomfortable. Jack cleared his throat.
"Yes..'son'. All I want is for..EVERYone to be happy. I see how good...RIGHT, the relationship is so, who am I to interfere with it." Jack said truthfully. Vaughn felt his heart leap.
'He said it's okay! Now..if only we didn't have SD-6 to get in the way! I hope we get this piece of the puzzle..We'll be soo close!' Vaughn thought. He glanced up to Jack's seat.
"That's very thoughtful of you..I'm sure your 'son' appreciates it very much, he should be VERY happy...right Eric?" Vaughn said pointedly.
"You bet." Eric answered, playing along.
Just then Sydney began to stir, then woke up completely, smiling broadly at Vaughn.
"Sleep good.Honey?" Vaughn asked, not completely playing a 'role'.
"Yep. What time is it?" Sydney asked.
"Don't matter. It'll be at least 12 more hours till we're landing." Eric grumbled. Sydney only shook her hand at him, excusing herself to the ladies room. They watched a couple of movies, played travel games (Syd winning MORE than a FEW times!) and read. When their plane landed in France it was 7:00pm their internal time, but closer to 12:00pm midnight France time. For an hour or so they ate and just walked around, not wanting to be sitting at all. Before they knew it they were back on a smaller commercial plane for another couple of hours till they landed in Greece. Once in Greece, it only took 45 minutes till they were boarded on the charter flight, much to Eric's dismay.
"Are you SURE this can carry ALL of us..AND our luggage? Leave the luggage, does ANY one remember Aaliyah?" Eric said incredulously.
Before they could blink they were in Crete. And onto the 3 hour bus trip to Iraklion. It was mid-morning when they got to their hotel in Iraklion. They had the rest of the day to themselves till later that night where they would be going to a dinner that was expected to have their target in attendance. Their target was a former 'higher up' of the Alliance head that had left because they killed his beloved wife in front of him to prove they weren't allowed to tell whom you were working for. Sydney grimaced in the similar story line remembering Danny. He was now in hiding and trying to disappear to live a comfortable life. They were there to persuade him to come to the CIA and tell everything he knows in exchange for this sought out life, maybe cutting a deal with the CIA for giving all the information he had on the Alliance. So he was a very important person to acquire.
An important person with a certain...hobby. He...was a dancer. Tango, to be more precise. Once he got some alcohol in him, he was never in his seat or away from the dance floor.
"We have to WHAT?!" Sydney exclaimed to her father, glaring daggers at Weiss's smirking face and attempt to at holding his snickering.
"Dance. Be the BEST on the floor, actually. To draw attention to you, away from Mr. Castello. Have him 'showed up' so to speak." Jack explained. Vaughn couldn't help but smile at Sydney's shocked face.
"I know how to tango." Vaughn commented quietly. Eric, Jack, and Sydney all glanced at him, blinking.
"My...sister. She forced me to be her partner growing up." he shrugged turning slightly pink. Sydney smiled quickly at the thought, then froze as Eric said his next sentence.
"Well, you two will be great! I was worried Mike would have to be shown what dancing with a girl was like, let alone the TANGO!" Eric joked, smiling. Sydney kind of cringed and slowly raised her hand like a guilty school kid.
"Um...er...I...I've never...don-know-how-tango." Sydney mumbled all together. Vaughn's head snapped up and Eric's jaw dropped.
"What?! Sydney?...THE Sydney Bristow-spy chick fantasma?!! Who could kill you with her thumb in 2 seconds flat with OUT smudging her make-up?!?! YOU can't tango?" Eric shot out before he could stop himself. Jack grumbled at him as Sydney suddenly became infatuated with her shirt button.
"Well...I'll teach her." Vaughn said, cutting through the silence. Sydney looked up and gave Vaughn her brightest dimple smile.
"Well...lets get started, the sooner, the better. We'll have to find a radio..and some music." Jack said evenly, not TOO happy about this new turn of events.
"Dad? Why didn't someone mention this earlier?" Sydney asked as Eric and Vaughn went in search of the music.
"Well, quite frankly, I thought you knew how. I mean..you do have many other...'talents' that have come to good use in the past. Just never thought to ask." Jack said quietly, smiling slightly at his daughter.
"Oh..well, NOW I'll know. Do you know how?" Sydney asked, just being curious. Jack smiled.
"Do you remember the Callowell's Christmas party?" Jack asked, watching as Sydney dug in her memory. Then it hit her and a smile spread across her face.
"You and mom stole the show. Then I TRIED to." Sydney said softly. She then pulled off her shoes, stepped up to her dad hesitantly and took his hand with one hand and place the second on his shoulder and stepped up on his shoes like she'd done all those years ago at the Christmas party. Jack smiled genuinely; taking her hand and wrapping his arm around her waist and began to dance slowly with her on the top of his feet. Another big step to closing the gap between father and daughter. He danced with her a minute, a slow version of a little bit of tango. Vaughn and Eric came back in with the stuff, Vaughn glimpsing the Bristows first before they parted.
"Thank you daddy." Sydney whispered as she walked past him to a bigger area to get ready to practice. She changed into exercise Adidas pants and through her hair up in a scrunchie bob.
"Okay, first I'll go over the steps without music, then we'll put it all together. Sir, feel free to give pointers. I'll probably need help here." Vaughn said. Sydney narrowed her eyes at that comment. When he stepped up close to her, putting an arm around her waist, he whispered.
"My..train of thought tends to...be non-existent around you." He said smiling. She dimpled at that and then focused on paying attention to probably the worlds cutest dance instructor. Well, in her world anyways. ((And ours too!))
A couple of hours later, after much toe-stepping, tangled-mass-of- limbs-on-floor (most of the time INtentional!) and LOTS of giggles, intense looks, and dimples, Sydney had the 'art of tango' down and was even MORE attracted to Vaughn. Things definitely got intense between them. As they (the guys) left to their room to get ready through the adjoining door, Eric muttered.
"How ya' going to survive tonight when she's all dolled up?" to Vaughn and Vaughn just gulped looking wide-eyed.
An hour and a half later, the three men sat around their room waiting patiently for Sydney. Finally, after another 10 minutes, Jack grumbled out loudly.
"Sydney A. Bristow, we're gonna be late!" Jack said. You could hear a gasp from inside the room and both Eric and Vaughn looked wide-eyed at the doorway, both shocked he used her whole known name. Vaughn didn't even know she had a middle initial to her name. Sydney tentatively walked into the room, causing all the guys jaws to drop. It was definitely worth it for them to be late.
"Dad...I haven't heard ANYONE call me that...since...gosh, I was like..5!" Sydney said, her eyes slightly narrow.
"Got your attention, didn't it?" Jack simply said, standing up grabbing his coat.
"Let's GO gentlemen!!" Jack said, snapping them out of their trance. Sydney blushed at their stares.
"Y-you.look...wow." Eric stuttered.
"Thank you Weiss. You clean up nicely yourself." Sydney replied politely.
"You're gorgeous." Vaughn whispered as he helped Sydney into her coat.
"You are too. VERY handsome." Sydney breathed back. They made their way to the dinner and easily blended in. By mid-way through the party, Mr. Castello was on the dance floor, as predicted.
"Ready to put on a show?" Eric said after coming from the snack table where Jack was surveying the mission. Vaughn looked teasingly over to Sydney, giving her his famous smile.
"M'lady, would you care to dance with me?" he said sweetly, taking her hand and kissing it. He's been waiting all night for this.
"Why certainly, kind sir." Sydney dimpled, playing along. He helped her form her seat and they walked onto the dance floor and literally stole the show. Eric stood beside Jack along with the rest of the crowd watching the couple dance.
"Is it me..or are they REALLY good at 'pretending' to me soon-to-be- newlyweds?" Eric commented quietly to Jack. He only grumbled, but a slight smile was playing at the corners of his mouth as he watched his daughter having the time of her life. He couldn't help it, she looked so happy.
Finally, they walked off the floor, being sure that Mr. Castello trailed them and they snuck off to the extraction point where Jack and Eric were waiting. Vaughn and Sydney intended to lead Mr. Castello into the deserted side-room, but things didn't go as planned.
Just outside the room, Mr. Castello caught up to them, grabbing Sydney's arm roughly in all his drunkenness.
"Es-cuse me miss..whre you off ta'? Dat was mervalis...why ya' dancin' wit dis guy? Dance wit meh." He said, slurring trying to drag her back down the stairs to the party. Now, Mr. Castello isn't a small man, and by his sheer weight plus gravity he pulled Sydney off balance on the set of stairs and she stumbled in the direction of Mr. Castello had yanked her. Down the short flight of stairs. Vaughn watched in horror, a few steps higher then Sydney had been unable to grab her in time.
"SYDNEY!" Vaughn yelled as he saw her tumble the 5 or 6 steps to the bottom of the stairs with Mr. Castello. Vaughn raced down the stairs, hollering into his com link.
"Jack! We've got a problem!" Vaughn rushed out as he made his way to Sydney.
"Oww!" she grimaced, looking daggers at Mr. Castello.
"Wha-happened? H-how'd we ged here?" Mr. Castello slurred out. Sydney was about to snap at him, but Vaughn stopped her.
"You tripped sir. Here, have my friend here help you to a room, get you sitting down a moment." Vaughn played out as Eric, who had come as soon as Vaughn mentioned trouble, reached down and helped him up, half carrying him to the side room.
Just then, a man came from the party.
"Is everything alright?" he asked. Eric recognized him as on of the waiters.
"Yeah. Mr. Castello had one too many, we're just gonna lay him down in here a moment." Eric played out, eyeballing Vaughn and Sydney, who was now standing, sort of anyways.
"You okay miss? Do you need a doctor?" he asked, noticing her not standing on her right foot. She shook her head now, forcing a smile.
"I'm fine. My fiancé can take care of me, thanks." She said, trying to put weight on her foot to show the man she was fine. As soon as he went back into the party, she nearly fell again and grabbed tight to Vaughn's arms.
"Vaughn! It hurts! I wrenched it BAD!" she said, biting her lip, tears in her eyes. Eric just got Mr. Castello inside and it didn't take much to apprehend him and get him to their awaiting van.
"Jack...Syd's hurt." Vaughn said into his com link.
"Can you still make an appropriate exit?" Jack said.
"Not without carrying her. She can't put any weight on her right ankle." Vaughn said, worry lines on his forehead.
"Then do it. You have to make an exit or it'll raise too much suspicion. We'll meet you at the van at the van at the exit point in 15 minutes." Jack reported. Vaughn looked at Sydney's slightly crumpled face.
"Okay Syd..." he said scooping her up into his arms.
"let's go...DARLING. Say goodbye to the party goers." He grinned, trying to ease her mood.
"We'll get you to a hospital ASAP." He promised softly as he carried her around to their table, grabbing their coats, and making a some-what graceful exit.
"Boy, am I glad THAT'S over with." Eric commented, keeping his eye on their now dozing target. Jack sat next to Sydney, watching as Vaughn assessed the damage to her ankle. They had a little bit of an emergency kit, so he wrapped two ice packs on either side of her rapidly swelling ankle and wrapped them up with and tight ace bandage and a make shift splint of cardboard the kit provided.
"Lets go straight to the airport. We have our luggage. You can change there and as soon as we're back in Greece, you'll go to a hospital. But we have to get off this island." Jack instructed softly. Sydney gritted her teeth.
"Okay." She mumbled, she leaned back, resting her head on Vaughn's shoulder. The bouncy drive to the airport seemed to take twice as long than 3 hours, Sydney digging her nails in deeper and deeper into Vaughn's poor arm with each jarring bump.
Once at the airport, Syd gingerly changed into more comfy cloths, as well as the men, and Vaughn came once again to carry her to the little plane. They gave Mr. Castello a sleeping drug, so he was put for awhile. Other CIA agents had met them at the Greece airport to help. They had 1 ½ hour's layover there, so as soon as they landed, Vaughn took Sydney to a hospital by himself. It was a CIA owned hospital, part of the American Embassy, so they had no worries while there. They x-rayed her ankle, and iced it down as they waited for the results.
"Well, Agent Bristow. It's not broken, but it is severely sprained. Probably the worst I've seen that wasn't surgery material. You came close though. You'll be immobile for awhile now, these things take a long time to get over. We'll put you in an airsplint now. You'll eventually walk on the splint, but not for at least 3 weeks. Maybe 4." The doctor informed. He wrote her up some pain meds, then fitted her for a black splint/brace. (Think '28 Days' movie) They gave her some crutches and let her go. Sydney easily maneuvered herself on the crutches back through the airport along side Vaughn to the café Jack and Eric were at. Mr. Castello was with the new agents in a van, still out cold.
"Are you okay Sydney?" Jack asked when she hobbled up.
"Not broken, they don't think. But severely sprained. It'll take awhile, but I should be fine." Sydney explained, excepting the seat Eric pulled out for her, letting Jack take her crutches and smiling as Vaughn gently pulled her splinted ankle up into his lap. She could DEFINITELY get used to this!
"Need anything Agent Bristow?" Angelo, one of the Greece agents who was with them asked kindly, getting up to go to the counter.
"Sure! Um...a cinnamon pretzel and an apple juice..Vaughn?" Sydney asked.
"Lemonade and another pretzel please, thanks Angelo." Vaughn answered, handing him some money. Sydney reached to her purse but Vaughn waved her off. She just grinned mouthing thanks, holding his gaze with him. Angelo looked between the two of them and snorted.
"You're right Weiss, TIGHT around her little finger." He commented, walking to order the food. Vaughn and Sydney snapped their attention to Eric, glaring slightly at him.
"What?! I don't know WHAT he's talking about." Eric kidded innocently. Jack just rolled his eyes slightly smirking.
"What're we gonna do at the next lay over? It's like a 2 hours wait isn't it?" Eric commented when Angelo got back, passing the yummy's out.
"I'm getting my toes done. There's a nail place in the airport to help take up time for travelers with long layovers." Sydney said as she grimaced at her toes poking out of her splint. She glanced up when she realized it had gotten real quiet and found 4 pair of eyes looking at her with perplexed looks on their faces. She huffed and rolled her eyes mumbling something about 'men!' and the need for 'more female agents'.
"You guys go lounge at the bar or what ever. I can't WALK around with you everywhere...might as well be sitting for good reason. Besides EVERY body will be looking at my foot...so might as well make it presentable. Ya' know, men manicures is IN this year." Sydney commented and suddenly 4 men grumbled, huffed and turned their attention away form her. She smiled munching on her pretzel.
They boarded the next flight to France. Once there, Sydney prepared to go off on her own to the salon.
"Wait, Sydney, I don't want you off by yourself in your condition..so, ERIC'S gonna go with you." Jack said, nudging a downcast faced agent towards her.
"Really? Okay." Sydney said, a little surprised. As they made their way across the airport, Eric looked solemnly.
"You don't HAVE to come Weiss." Sydney finally spoke up.
"Yes I do...I got the short straw." He mumbled and Sydney smiled and nodded.
"Ahhh..don't pout! You might ENJOY yourself!" she said as she hobbled in. Eric followed close behind, a petrified look on his face.
{#}
An: There's the second chapter!! With another cliffhanger too!! Hehe, I'll have the next one up soon!! Please review and tell me what y'all think, I'd REALLY really appreciate it, it makes me sooo happy and fuzzy when people do!! Thanx!!
