There are about 3 flashbacks in this chapter.
If Tomorrow Never Comes- Part 21
[Flashback]
Michael mumbled another play as he twitched. Liz, who was peeking through the door stifled a giggle as she heard it. Michael twitched again, this time with a little cheer as he scored another goal in his dream. Liz resisted the urge to tickle his toes, which stuck out the end of the bed.
"Beth!" her father whispered as he saw his four year old daughter out of her bed. She turned around to look up at her towering father who was approaching. She turned on her innocent eyes.
"Oui, papa?" she said in French, it was the best way to get on her father's best side.
"What are you doing out of bed?" he questioned sleepily. Liz grinned.
"Michael is talking in his sleep again," she said, "He's silly," she laughed, only to disturb her slumbering brother. She clapped her hands over her mouth to prevent more giggles from leaking out. Her father gave a crooked smile and lifted her up on his shoulders.
"Let your brother sleep," Her father ushered her away from the room and he hoisted her on his broad shoulders. Liz held on, happy for the attention she was getting from her father,
"Papa?" she questioned as they made their way to her room.
"Yes?" her father replied, opening her bedroom door.
"Can we go to Disneyland?" She asked as her father lowered her into her bed. He grinned.
"Sure. When do you want to do?" He asked. She smiled innocently as she pretended to think.
"Tomorrow!" she squealed before her father motioned for her to quieten down.
"I'm sorry, I have a trip to go on tomorrow," but seeing Liz's face fall, he hastily added, "But when I come back, we'll all go together," he tucked her in.
"Promise?" she said. She knew better than to make deals without a promise. Michael had taught her that.
"Promise, my petit etoile," he kissed her forehead calling her by her pet name. She smiled as she watched her father shut the light and the door before she fell asleep.
That was the last time she ever saw her father.
[end flashback]
"But after our dad died, everything changed. Michael changed. Mom changed. Everyone changed. From then on, Michael didn't want to be a hockey player. He wanted to be CIA. Just like Dad," Liz wiped a tear from her eye, "I may have only been four, but I still knew it was the CIA that killed my dad. So I hated the idea of Michael also being in the CIA. I didn't want him to die too,"
"How did you get the Australian accent?" Sydney questioned. "Or are you just putting it on?"
"No, it's real. I hated living with Michael. All he did was go on about the CIA and how he was going to be a hero like dad. I couldn't stand it. I told my Aunt, who decided it would be best if I went with her to Australia. I loved the idea, but my mom wasn't too sure. She eventually came around so when I was 7, I left for Australia. I always kept in touch with my mom and Michael but eventually, when Michael left for university, we lost touch,"
"It was at my 21st birthday party, Michael flew with my mom to Australia to celebrate. I hadn't seen or spoken to Michael for years so I wasn't sure what was happening in his life. I knew he was back into hockey, because mom told me he played quite often. But from that day onwards we never spoke or saw each other again,"
"Why?" Sydney asked.
[flashback]
The place was perfect. There were gold and blue balloons and streamers carefully positioned above them to hang from the ceiling where they created upside-down arcs, and white roses arranged in perfect bouquets on tables and other appropriate places around the room. Liz was dressed in the ridiculously expensive dress that she saved up for. She walked around with a glass of champagne in her hand, greeting all the guests. She was literally on cloud nine.
"Beth!" A voice called as Liz spun around to great her mother. Placing the glass down, Liz broke into a wider grin as she hugged her mother.
"Mom!" she sighed happily as tears formed in her green eyes. "I'm so happy to see you," she continued. The last time her mother had visited was a little over a year ago. Liz decided to get to the point, "Is he here?" she asked hopefully. She wanted bygones to be bygones and enjoy her party. Her mother nodded happily.
"Yes, Michael is just parking the car. He's looking forward to seeing you again," her mother gushed. "He's got great news," her mother added. At that moment, Vaughn appeared, he spotted his mother and his sister and grinned.
"Beth!" he said enveloping her into a hug, "You've grown so much," Liz closed her eyes, savouring the moment. She hadn't seen her brother for years.
"You too," she was careful not to let any tears ruin her makeup, although it was proving difficult. Their mother cried her own tears at seeing her two children reunited.
"I'll go get us all drinks," she said leaving them. Liz and Vaughn parted as Vaughn handed her a present.
"I know you've got the present from mom and me already," Vaughn said as Liz nodded, "This is from dad. He had told mom that he wanted you to have it on your 21st," Vaughn handed the blue box to his sister, who unwrapped it carefully. "It was grandma's necklace," He told her as she nodded. She wiped more tears away.
"Thank you," she smiled, hugging him again. There was an awkward pause between them, "So, mom tells me you have some news," She began. Vaughn nodded.
"Yeah," Vaughn nodded.
"So…tell," Liz grinned picking up her glass of champagne. Vaughn didn't look at her when he told her.
"I've been recruited into the CIA," he said.
The glass Liz held in her hands fell and hit the floor, shattering into a million pieces
[end flashback]
"Since then, Michael and I haven't spoken to each other. Well, until now. He was in the house when I came in. Left that for you," Liz pointed at the envelope
Sydney had found. She sighed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose; just like her brother - Sydney noted. "I just…I want to see the person who killed my father burn. That's what tore our family apart," Liz added bitterly. Sydney flinched at Liz's words. Since Liz was coming clean, it was only fair Sydney did too.
"Actually. Vaug- Michael knows who killed your father," Sydney began. Liz was all ears. "My mother killed him," Sydney awaited Liz's reaction. Liz just looked up at Sydney with wide green eyes glistening with tears.
Liz couldn't quite comprehend the news. She'd lived with Sydney for the last two years. She could only barely accept Sydney's past with the CIA but this new revelation had her mind spiralling in all directions.
"My mother had been told to kill 25 CIA agents. She worked for the KGB. I only found out when Vaughn did. I'm so sorry," Sydney apologised.
"What did Michael say?" Liz asked, wondering how he could ever forgive the daughter of the woman who killed his father.
"I don't remember. I think I was more in shock than anyone. I grew up thinking my mother was a teacher not a KGB agent………where are you going?" Sydney questioned as Liz got up and made her way to her room. Sydney promptly followed and pulled at Liz's arm. "Please listen to what I have to say,"
Liz paused and stopped, giving in. She thought that she might as well hear Sydney out and then retreat into her room. She crossed her arms.
"In less than four hours, my flight to LA leaves. I have to make a decision whether to go and help the CIA or not," Sydney sighed, "I don't want to make a decision without you involved. You're my best friend and I think you deserve to know what I'm doing," Sydney didn't want to leave things with Liz like she did with Francie.
Liz finally relented sat back down, waiting for Sydney to explain her options. Liz couldn't let her father's death come before the welfare of a whole country. Sydney followed, grateful that Liz had given her a chance.
"SD-6 is at the brink of destruction. According to Vaughn, they just need the right agent to bring them down. I've fought for this ever since my fiancé died. I want to see Arvin Sloane put behind bars or worse,"
"So, what is the problem?" Liz countered, "You seem to have made up your mind,"
"I don't want to be roped into that life again. When I left Mongolia, I promised to leave that life. Put it all behind me and never go back, no matter how badly I wanted to," Sydney looked at Liz. "I don't know whether to keep my promise, or do what I set out to do,"
Liz looked down at the floor. "Megan…Sydney," She corrected, "You are a strong person. When I first met you, I knew there was something that you were keeping from me. You seemed to have gone through so much for a thirty year old and the need for adventure seemed to be in your blood. I remember asking my mother why dad died," Liz said, smiling slightly at the memory, then frowning.
[flashback]
Liz walked down the hall slowly, listening at the strange sniffles coming from her mother's bedroom. She peeked through the door as her mother knelt beside her bed, crying into the duvet. Liz watched the heartbreaking scene as she realised that her mother was by her father's side of the bed. At 5 years old, Liz knew the reason why her father wasn't coming home. Her mother had made it no secret. Liz approached her mother cautiously as she quietly knelt beside her mother. Her mother looked up from the duvet to see who had arrived.
"Elizabeth?" she said, "What are you doing here?" her mother wiped the tears from her eyes. She didn't want her daughter to see how distressed she was, although she knew it was in vain.
"I wanted to see what you were doing. Were you crying?" she asked. Her mother gave off a weak smile and shook her head.
"No, I wasn't crying," she lied. Liz frowned.
"Then why do you look so sad? Is it because of dad?" she questioned. Her mother sighed heavily and took her daughter into her arms.
"I'm not sad," her mother said, "I was just remembering all the happy memories. I was crying because they were beautiful memories that I'm happy to have,"
"Why was dad taken away?" Liz asked. Her mother smiled slightly.
"He had done what he came here to do. God was pleased with him and wanted your father with him,"
"Doesn't dad have to look after us anymore?"
"He is looking after us, Elizabeth. He's always looking after us. He's just with God now," her mother sniffed again, "His destiny is complete," she added softly.
"Do I have a destiny?" her daughter asked.
"Of course. You and Michael both have destinies. You are both going to achieve so much in your lives. And your father and I will *always* be proud of you," Her mother kissed her head and the two sat in silence.
[end flashback]
"What I'm trying to say is, you were…chosen to do this. You have to do this because you may be the only one who can." Liz finished. Sydney nodded in understanding. "And if you want," Liz began again, "I'll come with you. I'll help you," Sydney's eyes seemed to light up.
"Liz, are you sure?" she asked. Liz nodded and held her friend's hand.
"I won't let you do this alone,"
"Thank you,"
~*~*Next day
CIA HQ - Vaughn's Office*~*~
"Well?" Weiss impatiently inquired as he stood in front of Vaughn's desk. Vaughn glanced up from the coin he was playing with in his hands and looked at his friend blankly.
"Well what?" he said. Weiss groaned. His friend could be so clueless sometimes.
"Bristow! Is she back or what?" he asked, a little louder than anticipated. Vaughn stared at the coin as if he could burn a hold through it. He scrunched up his forehead, displaying most of his frown lines.
"No," he said. Weiss stared at Vaughn in disbelief.
"What?" Weiss said, hoping that he was hearing things. Vaughn sighed and got up, placing the coin on the desk.
"She's not coming back, Eric, she refused," Vaughn elaborated firmly.
"Why not? Did you tell her we need-" Weiss was interrupted by Vaughn's groan.
"I told her everything! She doesn't want to come back, okay? She has a great life over there - she's safe. She teaches, she has a nice house, which she shares with my sister incidentally and she doesn't care about the CIA!" Vaughn almost yelled. Weiss paused to let his friend get his breath back.
"Did you tell her you loved her?" Weiss offered. Vaughn glared.
"What?" Vaughn asked coldly.
"There's no use in denying it. You've thought about her every goddamn day for the past two years and even before that. Maybe if you-"
"No, Eric! Just leave it!" Vaughn exploded. "Sydney's made up her mind. 3 little words won't change her mind because she's stubborn and pig-headed and-" Vaughn trailed off as he followed Weiss' gaze to the figure standing in the doorway.
"You were saying…" Sydney said, smiling as she leant against the doorway.
If Tomorrow Never Comes- Part 21
[Flashback]
Michael mumbled another play as he twitched. Liz, who was peeking through the door stifled a giggle as she heard it. Michael twitched again, this time with a little cheer as he scored another goal in his dream. Liz resisted the urge to tickle his toes, which stuck out the end of the bed.
"Beth!" her father whispered as he saw his four year old daughter out of her bed. She turned around to look up at her towering father who was approaching. She turned on her innocent eyes.
"Oui, papa?" she said in French, it was the best way to get on her father's best side.
"What are you doing out of bed?" he questioned sleepily. Liz grinned.
"Michael is talking in his sleep again," she said, "He's silly," she laughed, only to disturb her slumbering brother. She clapped her hands over her mouth to prevent more giggles from leaking out. Her father gave a crooked smile and lifted her up on his shoulders.
"Let your brother sleep," Her father ushered her away from the room and he hoisted her on his broad shoulders. Liz held on, happy for the attention she was getting from her father,
"Papa?" she questioned as they made their way to her room.
"Yes?" her father replied, opening her bedroom door.
"Can we go to Disneyland?" She asked as her father lowered her into her bed. He grinned.
"Sure. When do you want to do?" He asked. She smiled innocently as she pretended to think.
"Tomorrow!" she squealed before her father motioned for her to quieten down.
"I'm sorry, I have a trip to go on tomorrow," but seeing Liz's face fall, he hastily added, "But when I come back, we'll all go together," he tucked her in.
"Promise?" she said. She knew better than to make deals without a promise. Michael had taught her that.
"Promise, my petit etoile," he kissed her forehead calling her by her pet name. She smiled as she watched her father shut the light and the door before she fell asleep.
That was the last time she ever saw her father.
[end flashback]
"But after our dad died, everything changed. Michael changed. Mom changed. Everyone changed. From then on, Michael didn't want to be a hockey player. He wanted to be CIA. Just like Dad," Liz wiped a tear from her eye, "I may have only been four, but I still knew it was the CIA that killed my dad. So I hated the idea of Michael also being in the CIA. I didn't want him to die too,"
"How did you get the Australian accent?" Sydney questioned. "Or are you just putting it on?"
"No, it's real. I hated living with Michael. All he did was go on about the CIA and how he was going to be a hero like dad. I couldn't stand it. I told my Aunt, who decided it would be best if I went with her to Australia. I loved the idea, but my mom wasn't too sure. She eventually came around so when I was 7, I left for Australia. I always kept in touch with my mom and Michael but eventually, when Michael left for university, we lost touch,"
"It was at my 21st birthday party, Michael flew with my mom to Australia to celebrate. I hadn't seen or spoken to Michael for years so I wasn't sure what was happening in his life. I knew he was back into hockey, because mom told me he played quite often. But from that day onwards we never spoke or saw each other again,"
"Why?" Sydney asked.
[flashback]
The place was perfect. There were gold and blue balloons and streamers carefully positioned above them to hang from the ceiling where they created upside-down arcs, and white roses arranged in perfect bouquets on tables and other appropriate places around the room. Liz was dressed in the ridiculously expensive dress that she saved up for. She walked around with a glass of champagne in her hand, greeting all the guests. She was literally on cloud nine.
"Beth!" A voice called as Liz spun around to great her mother. Placing the glass down, Liz broke into a wider grin as she hugged her mother.
"Mom!" she sighed happily as tears formed in her green eyes. "I'm so happy to see you," she continued. The last time her mother had visited was a little over a year ago. Liz decided to get to the point, "Is he here?" she asked hopefully. She wanted bygones to be bygones and enjoy her party. Her mother nodded happily.
"Yes, Michael is just parking the car. He's looking forward to seeing you again," her mother gushed. "He's got great news," her mother added. At that moment, Vaughn appeared, he spotted his mother and his sister and grinned.
"Beth!" he said enveloping her into a hug, "You've grown so much," Liz closed her eyes, savouring the moment. She hadn't seen her brother for years.
"You too," she was careful not to let any tears ruin her makeup, although it was proving difficult. Their mother cried her own tears at seeing her two children reunited.
"I'll go get us all drinks," she said leaving them. Liz and Vaughn parted as Vaughn handed her a present.
"I know you've got the present from mom and me already," Vaughn said as Liz nodded, "This is from dad. He had told mom that he wanted you to have it on your 21st," Vaughn handed the blue box to his sister, who unwrapped it carefully. "It was grandma's necklace," He told her as she nodded. She wiped more tears away.
"Thank you," she smiled, hugging him again. There was an awkward pause between them, "So, mom tells me you have some news," She began. Vaughn nodded.
"Yeah," Vaughn nodded.
"So…tell," Liz grinned picking up her glass of champagne. Vaughn didn't look at her when he told her.
"I've been recruited into the CIA," he said.
The glass Liz held in her hands fell and hit the floor, shattering into a million pieces
[end flashback]
"Since then, Michael and I haven't spoken to each other. Well, until now. He was in the house when I came in. Left that for you," Liz pointed at the envelope
Sydney had found. She sighed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose; just like her brother - Sydney noted. "I just…I want to see the person who killed my father burn. That's what tore our family apart," Liz added bitterly. Sydney flinched at Liz's words. Since Liz was coming clean, it was only fair Sydney did too.
"Actually. Vaug- Michael knows who killed your father," Sydney began. Liz was all ears. "My mother killed him," Sydney awaited Liz's reaction. Liz just looked up at Sydney with wide green eyes glistening with tears.
Liz couldn't quite comprehend the news. She'd lived with Sydney for the last two years. She could only barely accept Sydney's past with the CIA but this new revelation had her mind spiralling in all directions.
"My mother had been told to kill 25 CIA agents. She worked for the KGB. I only found out when Vaughn did. I'm so sorry," Sydney apologised.
"What did Michael say?" Liz asked, wondering how he could ever forgive the daughter of the woman who killed his father.
"I don't remember. I think I was more in shock than anyone. I grew up thinking my mother was a teacher not a KGB agent………where are you going?" Sydney questioned as Liz got up and made her way to her room. Sydney promptly followed and pulled at Liz's arm. "Please listen to what I have to say,"
Liz paused and stopped, giving in. She thought that she might as well hear Sydney out and then retreat into her room. She crossed her arms.
"In less than four hours, my flight to LA leaves. I have to make a decision whether to go and help the CIA or not," Sydney sighed, "I don't want to make a decision without you involved. You're my best friend and I think you deserve to know what I'm doing," Sydney didn't want to leave things with Liz like she did with Francie.
Liz finally relented sat back down, waiting for Sydney to explain her options. Liz couldn't let her father's death come before the welfare of a whole country. Sydney followed, grateful that Liz had given her a chance.
"SD-6 is at the brink of destruction. According to Vaughn, they just need the right agent to bring them down. I've fought for this ever since my fiancé died. I want to see Arvin Sloane put behind bars or worse,"
"So, what is the problem?" Liz countered, "You seem to have made up your mind,"
"I don't want to be roped into that life again. When I left Mongolia, I promised to leave that life. Put it all behind me and never go back, no matter how badly I wanted to," Sydney looked at Liz. "I don't know whether to keep my promise, or do what I set out to do,"
Liz looked down at the floor. "Megan…Sydney," She corrected, "You are a strong person. When I first met you, I knew there was something that you were keeping from me. You seemed to have gone through so much for a thirty year old and the need for adventure seemed to be in your blood. I remember asking my mother why dad died," Liz said, smiling slightly at the memory, then frowning.
[flashback]
Liz walked down the hall slowly, listening at the strange sniffles coming from her mother's bedroom. She peeked through the door as her mother knelt beside her bed, crying into the duvet. Liz watched the heartbreaking scene as she realised that her mother was by her father's side of the bed. At 5 years old, Liz knew the reason why her father wasn't coming home. Her mother had made it no secret. Liz approached her mother cautiously as she quietly knelt beside her mother. Her mother looked up from the duvet to see who had arrived.
"Elizabeth?" she said, "What are you doing here?" her mother wiped the tears from her eyes. She didn't want her daughter to see how distressed she was, although she knew it was in vain.
"I wanted to see what you were doing. Were you crying?" she asked. Her mother gave off a weak smile and shook her head.
"No, I wasn't crying," she lied. Liz frowned.
"Then why do you look so sad? Is it because of dad?" she questioned. Her mother sighed heavily and took her daughter into her arms.
"I'm not sad," her mother said, "I was just remembering all the happy memories. I was crying because they were beautiful memories that I'm happy to have,"
"Why was dad taken away?" Liz asked. Her mother smiled slightly.
"He had done what he came here to do. God was pleased with him and wanted your father with him,"
"Doesn't dad have to look after us anymore?"
"He is looking after us, Elizabeth. He's always looking after us. He's just with God now," her mother sniffed again, "His destiny is complete," she added softly.
"Do I have a destiny?" her daughter asked.
"Of course. You and Michael both have destinies. You are both going to achieve so much in your lives. And your father and I will *always* be proud of you," Her mother kissed her head and the two sat in silence.
[end flashback]
"What I'm trying to say is, you were…chosen to do this. You have to do this because you may be the only one who can." Liz finished. Sydney nodded in understanding. "And if you want," Liz began again, "I'll come with you. I'll help you," Sydney's eyes seemed to light up.
"Liz, are you sure?" she asked. Liz nodded and held her friend's hand.
"I won't let you do this alone,"
"Thank you,"
~*~*Next day
CIA HQ - Vaughn's Office*~*~
"Well?" Weiss impatiently inquired as he stood in front of Vaughn's desk. Vaughn glanced up from the coin he was playing with in his hands and looked at his friend blankly.
"Well what?" he said. Weiss groaned. His friend could be so clueless sometimes.
"Bristow! Is she back or what?" he asked, a little louder than anticipated. Vaughn stared at the coin as if he could burn a hold through it. He scrunched up his forehead, displaying most of his frown lines.
"No," he said. Weiss stared at Vaughn in disbelief.
"What?" Weiss said, hoping that he was hearing things. Vaughn sighed and got up, placing the coin on the desk.
"She's not coming back, Eric, she refused," Vaughn elaborated firmly.
"Why not? Did you tell her we need-" Weiss was interrupted by Vaughn's groan.
"I told her everything! She doesn't want to come back, okay? She has a great life over there - she's safe. She teaches, she has a nice house, which she shares with my sister incidentally and she doesn't care about the CIA!" Vaughn almost yelled. Weiss paused to let his friend get his breath back.
"Did you tell her you loved her?" Weiss offered. Vaughn glared.
"What?" Vaughn asked coldly.
"There's no use in denying it. You've thought about her every goddamn day for the past two years and even before that. Maybe if you-"
"No, Eric! Just leave it!" Vaughn exploded. "Sydney's made up her mind. 3 little words won't change her mind because she's stubborn and pig-headed and-" Vaughn trailed off as he followed Weiss' gaze to the figure standing in the doorway.
"You were saying…" Sydney said, smiling as she leant against the doorway.