Three Months:
The past three months had been quite busy. Vaughn had returned to the CIA and had completed his reorientation training. Meelon had been hired as a Med Tech on the base. Her interviewers had given her exemplar marks in all categories tested. Nothing unusual was found during the background check. She had proceeded to her orientation, completed it and was now working in the medical facility, at a low security position.
Will had been reassigned to work with Dr. Barnett on the Rambaldi documents. He went through some training with both Jack and Dr. Barnett on the document itself and specific psychological terms for which Dr. Barnett was specifically searching. His investigation was to be completed on the translations and the reports pertinent to the document, the original pages were now kept under guard.
Sydney had continued her training and evaluation schedule until Kendall had no recourse other than to allow her clearance. She moved out of the medical facility and in with Will. They agreed that their feelings toward each other must remain friendly and their co-habitation was as room mates only, not BED room mates.
Sydney's reentry to the division was cumbersome and slow. There was no doubt that Kendall did not trust her, or Vaughn as her partner. Therefore, missions were kept at a minimum and close to home excursions where they could be easily watched. When asked, Kendall explained, "Your experience is with Sloan and company. When he shows his face again, you will be kept quite busy."
So, days of intel review, reports, training and psyche evaluations turned into weeks and now months.
Sydney and Vaughn walked out of the morning briefing together. Both seemed to be light hearted this morning as they discussed the day's activities. "Well Sydney, seems we have more paperwork to contend with this morning. We best get started."
"HA! Not me!"
"What? Sydney, we are partners and if I have to do paperwork..."
"Don't worry Vaughn." Sydney smiled at him sweetly. "I'll be back to do paperwork, but I have orders to go to medical first... They think they want more of my blood. They don't realize that I need time to replenish before they can take more."
Vaughn smiled back at her, touched her shoulder and their eyes met. Sydney's smile melted as their eyes stayed connected. Vaughn read a longing in her eyes and abruptly removed his hand, then took a quick step backward.
"...uh... Say hello to Meelon for me... if you see her..."
Sydney's eyes turned cold immediately. "Sure Vaughn... I'll say hi."
She turned on her heels and began to walk away. "Sydney..." Vaughn called after her. He watched as she raised her hand in a wave, but continued walking away without turning around. Vaughn moved slowly to his desk. 'She still loves me... after all that I have done to her. The problem is... I still love her too.'
Sydney made her way to the medical building. 'Sydney, get a hold of yourself. You can't be mooning over Vaughn. He came back because you asked him and you told him that you would not moon, as least not in front of him. Live up to it girl.' She took a deep breath before entering the medical building.
"Hey Diane, I'm here as ordered."
"Sydney. What are we doing today?
"Well, the note says you want to take more of my blood, but I can't say that there much is left."
"I'm sure that the good doctors of the CIA will be able to find at least a drop in you."
"Well good luck."
"Come on back Sydney. I will put you into a room."
"So Diane, who's the vampire today?"
"I believe Meelon is here today. You've met her?"
Sydney looked away and rolled her eyes. "Yes, a few times. How is she doing?"
"She has been great. We all love her here. She's great to work with and really professional..." Diane looked at Sydney who had put on her best fake smile. "I'm sorry Sydney. You don't like her, do you?"
"Well... I don't really know her, but Vaughn seems to really love her..." Sydney looked down to her hands.
"It's OK Sydney. I understand. Unfortunately she is the only tech here today, or I would assign someone else."
Sydney replaced her false grin. "I'll be fine Diane. I'm just here to have blood drawn. I'm not giving up my whole day to her."
"Sure. I'll tell her you are here."
When Diane left, Sydney lifted herself to sit on the exam table. 'I'll be OK. I'll tell her that Vaughn says hi, like he asked. I'll hold out my arm and won't make a sound when she pinches me or stabs me... or... then, it will be over. I won't look into her eyes..."
"Hello Sydney."
Sydney looked up to the smiling Med Tech and again plastered on her best smile. "Hello Meelon."
"This won't take a moment. We just need two vials for some testing."
Meelon prepared the kit while Sydney held out her arm and looked at her feet swinging under the exam table. "...uh... Vaughn says hi."
Meelon smiles at that, but continues her work. "How are you and Will doing?"
"Will and I? I guess OK. I work a lot, he works a lot. I hardly ever see him. He is working on some project in psych."
"You don't seem too enthused to be in love."
"Will and I? In love? No... We are good friends, have been for a long time. We aren't a couple."
"Wow, I thought... you know... at the cemetery... you were together and now you're living with him... well... Anyway, I thought you two looked good together. Here give me your arm."
Sydney held out her arm and Meelon positioned herself in front of Sydney. Meelon took Sydney by the upper arm and roughly jerked it forward. This caused Sydney to raise her eyes to Meelon's and they connected and locked. Again the feeling of being drained descended onto Sydney and throughout her body.
"Sydney, I want you to relax, but keep your eyes on mine. Are you relaxed?"
"Yes."
"Do you love Michael Vaughn?"
"Yes"
"Have you slept with Michael Vaughn since he brought you back from Hong Kong?"
"No."
"Good. Are you relaxed?"
"Yes."
"I am going to ask you to close your eyes now, but you will continue to listen to my voice. Close your eyes."
Sydney closed her eyes. "Now lay down on the examination table." Sydney did as she was instructed. 'Well this is it. This starts all the fun.' Meelon thought as she looked over Sydney.
"Liberatio... Pravus... Femina"
Meelon recited the ancient words as instructed then and stood away from the table to watch her subject. Slowly Sydney's eyes opened. She looked around and tried to sit up. Meelon rushed to assist her. "Don't try to sit up so fast... Sammy."
"Who are you?"
"I'm Meelon, your contact in LA. Are you still dizzy?"
"I'm better. I think I can sit up now. How long have I been gone?"
"More than six months now. Have you retained Sydney's memories?"
"Some of them. I remember meeting you now. I remember Will Tippen and Jack Bristow and..." a smile crossed Sammy's face... "... and Michael Vaughn. I am well ensconced into the CIA."
"Yes, that's why Sloan wanted you awaken. There is a mission coming up and he wants you there for it. Everything you need to know is included in this file. Please read it and memorize the instructions. I will place it into the incinerator after you are through." Meelon handed Sammy the mission folder.
"You will be my contact for all my missions?"
"Yes. Until they move me back to headquarters."
Sammy reads through the file. "Vaughn normally drives. He may not veer off course as this mission requires."
"Vaughn will do as he is instructed. I have firmly established my hold over him. I will make sure he is ready."
Sammy continues to read the mission outline. She takes an object from the envelope and hides it in her pocket. "This mission is a great beginning. Maybe by the end of this year, there will be enough distrust within the CIA that they will pull inward and Sloan will be able to complete the destruction."
"That remains to be seen. Are you finished?"
"Yes." Sammy hands back the folder.
"Good luck. Remember, everyone will call you Sydney. So don't mess that up."
"I have her memories. I'm not a rookie. You don't have to give me basic instructions."
"I was instructed to remind you. You better go."
"I will get with you for debrief after the mission." Sammy jumped off the table and left Meelon alone in the exam room.
That night, Will awoke, aware of movement. He shook the sleep from his eyes and surveyed his room. She stood there, with her back against the wall near his door. "Sydney... are you OK?" When she didn't answer Will sat up, now fully alert. He reached for his side arm, tucked between the mattresses. "Sydney?" He tried once more.
"I had to make sure you were OK... I... uh..." Her voice was shaky and weak.
"Sydney... is there someone in the house?"
"No..." Will thought he heard her breath hitch. "I had a dream... a nightmare... you were..."
Will released his grip on the sidearm, stood and walked over to Sydney. He pulled her away from the wall and took her into his arms. She was shaky and feverish. He pulled her toward his bed and they sat on the edge. She clung to him as if her life depended on his physicality. "It was just a dream Syd... you shouldn't be so scared from a dream. It's OK."
As he rocked her, he felt her sobs lessen and stop. Eventually she released her grip and sat up next to him, on his bed. "I'm sorry for waking you Will, I feel silly."
"Sydney, after everything you have been through I would expect a nightmare or two."
"You're too understanding." Sydney moved to look straight at Will. "You're a good friend."
Will looked into her eyes. His thumb brushed her cheek to wipe her remaining tears. He kissed her forehead. He meant it as a comforting big brother type kiss. But somehow, in the darkness of the bedroom, in the closeness of their bodies, Will felt the sensuality of the kiss. He slowly pulled away and looked into her eyes. "Sydney... I..."
She took control and moved her lips toward his. "Do you want to kiss me Will? Do you want to be this close?" Their eyes connected.
Will pulled away. He stood and walked across the room and turned on the light. "You're not in love with me Syd. You will always be Vaughn's."
"BUT I CAN'T HAVE HIM!"
She yelled and stomped her foot against the floor. Will looked surprised at her outburst. Quieter, she said, "If I can't have him, why
can't we be together?"
Will looked at her sitting on his bed. She looked so different. With everything she had been through, he had never known her to tantrum, sulk perhaps, but never tantrum. She usually pulled her hair back, but tonight it framed her face. Then her eyes, still brown, but darker. Not something normally seen... but definitely different.
"Sydney... I don't want to be second choice. Not with you."
She looked at him. Will could see the anger seethe within her. "Fine..." She rose from the bed and stomped past Will and out his door.
"Sorry for waking you." was all she said as she slammed the door shut.
~~TBC~~
A/N: Sorry for the long delay on this chapter. I was on vacation and my muse must have taken more time than I did. Hope you are enjoying this tome. But, you could probably tell that I am starting to wrap this up. Just a few more chapter's, I promise. Can there ever be a happy ending? Thanks to all who have reviewed.
Maxie.