AN: Sorry for the late update. Been putting if off because of all the tests and things going on. Anyways, thanks for your reviews and sorry for the cliffhanger. I know, it was evil of me. lol. So enjoy and please review!

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Chapter 4

Sydney's POV

My heart started beating faster and faster as the bullet came closer and closer. I turned and looked at Abby. She had this fearful look on her face and tears were streaming down her face. I quickly ran over to her and pushed her down just as the bullet hit and my world went black.

*******

Vaughn's POV

My palms felt sweaty as Jack and I walked up to the entrance of the school. It was a little bit like chaos. Students were everywhere with question looks and confusion in their eyes. Police cars surrounded the school and no one was allowed inside except authorized personnel.

After some convincing on Jack's part, the police chief let us in to see what was going on.

"So what exactly happened here?" I looked at Jack and was amazed at how calm he was being or at least trying to be.

"We received a call about half an hour ago from a teacher inside the school reporting hearing gunshot sounds. Apparently, there was one shot and then several others afterwards."

"What were the casualties?"

"A teacher was shot once after trying to protect one of her students. The student managed to get a hold of the gun and fired it several times at the man who had tried to shoot her, but he managed to escape."

I felt my heart sink as barely audible words escaped my lips. "What were the names?"

"We're not sure who the teacher is yet, but she has brown hair, about 5' 9", Caucasian. The student was Abby Miller. So far, there are no leads about the shooter either."

I turned to Jack with scared eyes. "Abby Miller is one of Sydney's students. Sydney talks about her all the time."

Jack just nodded, looking far less calm then he did seconds before.

"Where is the teacher?" I was afraid to know, but I knew we had to find out the truth.

"She's in the hospital in critical condition." Just then, I felt like the world was spinning, and I was still standing still. I prayed it wasn't Sydney, but I had the sinking feeling it was.

Jack, seeming to regain his senses somewhat, told me to call Sydney's cell to see if maybe she was just somewhere else. After calling three times with no one picking up, I turned off my cell phone and ran a hand tiredly through my hair.

"Let's go, we need to get to the hospital." Quickly following Jack, we headed to the hospital.

*******

Getting into the emergency room, we found a doctor who could help us.

"We need to see the teacher that was just brought in. We think we may know who she is."

"Come with me." We followed him to a room near the end of the corridor which eerily read Room 47. I tried to not think about it as I stepped into the room. Walking slowly towards the bed, I saw, with a sinking feeling, that it was indeed Sydney. Staring at her pale face, I was silent for a long time until the doctor spoke.

"So do you know her?"

"She's my wife. What's happening to her?"

"She was shot as you may know. She had some internal bleeding before, but we were able to stop it. Unfortunately, she is now in a coma."

"What? When will she wake up?"

"It's uncertain at this point. I'm sorry." Tears slowly fell down my face. I didn't bother trying to wipe them away. What was the point?

"Will she hear me if I talk to her?"

"She might. It's worth a try," he paused. "I need one of you to fill out some forms by the way."

I looked at Jack. "Don't worry. I'll fill them out."

He headed out with the doctor leaving me alone with Sydney. I grabbed a chair and sat next to her bed. Taking her hand, I gave it a gentle squeeze.

"How ironic that we've switched positions. I remember when I was the sick one, and you were the one by my side. I would give anything to be in that position just as long as you were safe." My voice was cracking as I gently stroked her soft brown hair. She had said it wouldn't come true. That she was perfectly safe and my dream was nothing more than a dream. I wished with all my heart that she had been right. I pinched myself hoping that maybe this was a dream and I wasn't sitting in this hospital hoping Sydney would wake up from her coma. I almost laughed at the irony of the situation. Sydney had quit the CIA to be away from the danger that came with the job, and now she was in more danger than ever.

I knew there were people I needed to call, people that needed to know what was happening and whether or not Sydney was okay. I couldn't find the strength to get up though and make those calls. All I wanted to do was be here next to Sydney, just in case she woke up.

Whoever did this to her would pay dearly. I never took well to people I loved getting hurt. Whoever this man was, he's going to wish he never fired that gun.