Chapter 7: Mission in Spain

A/N: Thank-you everyone who reviewed!!! Ok, I have to admit that I lied - there will be some S/V in this one... I changed it a lot so there would be some (because it was really boring without him).

Disclaimer: Alias and Co. belong to JJ Abrams.

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You should be coming to a sharp turn to the right, Dixon told her. She heard his voice from the tiny earpiece given to her by SD-6. She nodded, even though he couldn't see her. Do you see a guard by the door?

she replied quietly so the guard couldn't hear her. She approached the guard, pulling the altered card from the pocket of her guard outfit.

¿La carta? he asked her. She held up her card, and he nodded and stepped aside to let her pass.

Nicely done, Dixon whispered.

She followed Dixon's directions to the painting, walking down hallway after hallway. You see it? he finally asked.

she said. gazing into the distance. She saw the laser lights surrounding the painting. Slowly she crept forward through the dark hallway, passing other paintings and sculptures.

Finally, all in front of her were the laser beams and the painting. She pulled the special glove out of her pocket. She carefully slipped it over her fingers and stretched them out to make sure it fit perfectly.

She tapped her fingers on the small buttons of the security system. The digits traveled from her brain to her hands with ease. Suddenly, the lasers switched off. No alarm sounded.

Ok, you're good to go, Dixon said.

Sydney looked back around the hallway. It was empty. She felt, for some strange reason, that someone was there who wasn't supposed to be.

Well, other than me, obviously, she thought. Skeptically, she stepped closer to the painting. She lifted off the wall with great difficulty.

Ok, Dixon, this thing is a lot heavier than it looks, she told Dixon. She pulled it off the wall and set it down at her feet as quietly as she could. She turned it so it faced the wall.

Still, there was a feeling of skepticism in the air, and Sydney glanced around nervously while peeling off the back of the painting.

She looked under the back, and there, like Sloane had said, were the Rambaldi manuscripts.

All right, Dixon, I have them, Sydney told Dixon.

Good work. I'll meet you at the designated point. She felt the earpiece click off, and she removed it and placed it in her pocket.

She pulled out the manuscripts and put them into a special compartment of her coat. She then put the back of the painting into place, and the painting back on the wall.

Gingerly, she stepped backward to the security system and pushed the second digit code. This returned the laser beams around the painting. Once again, no alarm sounded, which was a relief to Sydney. She didn't feel like running just yet.

Now her concentration had to be changed to looking for the CIA drop-off man dressed as a security guard.

What was it he was going to say to me again? Oh, that's right, The hallways look cleaner tonight.' Couldn't they have thought of something more creative? she thought while retracing her steps through the dark hallways.

She had been walking around for a few minutes, and there was still no sign of any other security guards. When she was nearing the main entrance, she again got the feeling that someone else was in that museum who wasn't supposed to be.

She suddenly stopped in her tracks. There was a man dressed as a security guard who was leaning against the window, looking out into the streets of Madrid.

The hallways look cleaner tonight, he muttered softly, still gazing out the window.

Sydney would recognize this security guard anywhere. The tousled dark blonde hair, the way he leaned onto the window, even his mere whisper...

It was Vaughn.

He heard Sydney's faint footsteps, and he turned to look at her. Got the manuscripts?

She began to breathe heavily. What the hell are you doing here?

Vaughn was taken aback by her question. I'm your drop-off man... She pulled out the manuscripts and handed them to him. Thanks. I'll be right back with these.

Sydney stood impatiently in the dark hallway as she watched her love walk away.

He shouldn't be here, she thought. What if anything happens to him? What if Sloane turns out to be here like he was on the island? What if... Stop it, Sydney. Michael Vaughn is fully capable of protecting himself... and me, against Sloane or anyone else. Why am I so nervous though?

Vaughn returned running down the hall with two sets of papers in his hand. Quick, Sydney, take this and go find Dixon.

But why are you running? she asked as she took the doctored papers.

Someone saw me. They were chasing me, but I think I lost them. I kept running just to be safe. Sydney smiled at him.

She opened her mouth to tell him that she loved him, but they heard footsteps in the distance. Quick, hide, or get away.

She could see a sharp twinge of pain in his eyes before he gently kissed her cheek and ran out the door.

Dixon came running from the same hallway that Vaughn just came from. Were you just talking to someone?

She shook her head.

Well, did you see anyone run through here?

She shook her head again.

Strange. I saw this guy, and I don't think he was a security guard. I chased him for a while, but I thought he went down here. Must've gotten away. He seemed almost disappointed, Sydney noticed.

Oh, God, he was chasing Vaughn. Vaughn knows it was Dixon too... Why didn't he tell me?

Well, come on, let's go back to the hotel, he said, leading her out the door.

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Sydney met up with her CIA coworkers later that night. She looked around the room. She found Vaughn, but not her father. Vaughn walked over to her. Hey. How did you get away from Dixon?

We just went to our hotel rooms and I left. I'm sure he didn't notice. She looked him in the eye, contemplating whether to ask him about Dixon. Vaughn, was it Dixon who was chasing you?

He looked down to the floor. Sydney opened her mouth to speak again, but Vaughn started first. I didn't want you to freak out about if he had seen me or not.

I know lately you've been a little more cautious about whether I'm seen or not. I know you don't to get either one of us caught.

What she really wanted to do right now was collapse into his arms and have him never let go, but she couldn't. Not in front of all these people in here. I'm just worried, that's all. I guess there's nothing more we can do about it. He looked longingly into her eyes, and began to reach for her face. When he realized what he was doing he put his hand down. By the way, Syd said, Where's my dad?

Oh, I forgot, I was supposed to brief you on that. Follow me. He picked up a few folders and led her to another room. They both took a seat next to each other at the table. He opened the folder and took out three pictures of different men. These people are Pedro Sanchez, Juan Gonzales, and Jorge Garcia. Your father is with Garcia, and the other agents are with Sanchez and Gonzales. These people are who we have leads to on who is in control of SD-13. If one of these agents finds something strange, they will contact us immediately and we'll send a team in.

What if they don't find anything? she asked, concerned.

Vaughn sighed. Then SD-13 isn't here. He brought his hand on top of the table and gripped Sydney's fingers tightly. We can only hope that it's here.

There was a sudden burst of noise coming from the room next to them. They rushed over and found Jack Bristow and the other two agents looking rather flustered

What happened? Sydney asked, running to her dad.

There's no SD-13 in Madrid, Sydney, he told her.

Then why is everyone in such a rush?

There was a bit of confusion about whether these men are in league with the Alliance or not. We know that there isn't an SD-13 here, but we think that these men may know its location.

Then let's find it! Are we sending in a team?

It doesn't look like it. Jack shrugged his shoulders at her.

Why not? Vaughn asked.

Kendall doesn't believe that we have enough evidence to send in a team.

Kendall got up in front of everyone at this moment, and held his hand up for silence. We just received intel of other locations for us to monitor, so there is no reason for us to send in a team.

Jack turned to Sydney and Vaughn and whispered, There's your answer.

Kendall continued. Everyone get together your things, there's a plane waiting for us in a few minutes.

Everyone began to scurry around the room gathering their things, but Vaughn led Sydney back to the other room.

They both sat and simply stared at each other for a short while.

Finally a single tear trickled down Sydney's cheek. I wished so badly that it would be here. I know it's only been a short while, but I want us to be together and be safe.

Vaughn wiped the tear away with the pad of his thumb. I wish I could just magically make it appear so we could infiltrate it. I would do it all for you, Syd. It may take a little while, but I promise that I will work as hard as I can to find this SD-13. For us. I love you Sydney.

She took hold of his hand. I love you too.

they heard from around the corner. Quickly she let go of his hand and wiped her eyes. Jack appeared. You should be getting back to your hotel room. I'll see you back in L.A. in a few days. Sydney nodded and smiled at Vaughn and her dad before leaving.

Jack gave Vaughn a suspicious look. Stay away from my daughter.

Out of Vaughn's mouth came the sound of OK,' but in his head he said, I can't keep that promise...


REVIEW PLEASE! I hope you all liked that one. It took me forever to get just right (part of the reason it took so long). Just so you know, the next chapter will take place a couple months in the future.

As for thoughts on what's going on in the show: FRANCIE IS SO EVIL. I can't believe how evil she is. I just want to kick her or something.
~Whitelighter Enchantress