Chapter 8: Canada, eh?
A/n: Hey! Thanks for your reviews everyone.
Disclaimer: Alias belongs to JJ Abrams, so don't sue me.
* * * * * * *
Many great months had passed for Sydney and Vaughn. They had each gone on many missions in hope of finding SD-13, yet all were unsuccessful. Though, they spent as much time together as they could.
After a couple months of Joey's Pizza' meetings in the empty warehouse, Sydney began to spend a little bit of time at Vaughn's apartment. At first they were very scared of getting caught, but they soon adjusted.
*Flashback*
Once again Sydney had shown up at the warehouse to find Vaughn already waiting for her with open arms. This time, she noticed, he had a worried look on his face.
Michael, is something wrong? she asked him immediately. She had taken a liking to calling him Michael.
He looked up from the spot on the ground he had been staring at and into her eyes. They became glued to hers as she became closer. I've just been thinking about something. A lot, lately. She gave him a confused look as she wrapped her arms around him.
I don't know if I should say it, I mean, it is very risky to do it, and –
she asked with pleading eyes.
I want you to come to my place.
Slowly a smile crept across her face. That's funny, Vaughn, she mumbled. Vaughn knew that she had mixed feelings; she called him Vaughn again. She now only did that when she was scared, angry, or confused.
I'm serious, Syd. I hate having to only meet here. This really is no place for a date.
But if we get caught –
We'll make it so we don't get caught.
She glanced back and forth between her feet and Vaughn. Are you sure it's safe?
Sydney, would I lie to you?
She smiled genuinely back at him. No, you wouldn't. So, I'm going to see your apartment.
he said, smiling back at her. Is now a good time?
*Later*
Sydney had put on Vaughn's Kings hat, which had rightfully been made her own now. She had followed his car to his apartment, watched him go inside, then driven around the block a few times in case anyone had followed her. Finally she drove back, parked her car, and walked inside.
He left it unlocked and told her before hand to just walk in and make it seem more natural. Vaughn was waiting for her just inside the door.
she whispered softly, closing the door behind her. She looked around. I love it.
He grinned, taking his hands into hers. He brought them up to his lips and he gently kissed her fingertips. His kisses moved up her arm, to her neck, and finally to her lips. He pulled her down onto the couch...
*End Flashback*
It wasn't too apparent to the other CIA workers that they were in love, except to Weiss, who Vaughn told. Weiss often cracked jokes about them which annoyed Vaughn greatly. This usually resulted in Vaughn smacking Weiss on the head.
A small barricade in their relationship, however, was Sydney's dad. He paid close attention to his daughters whereabouts over the months and confronted them several times. After much convincing, Sydney finally got him to agree to let her see him. Jack still did not trust Vaughn completely.
One night when Sydney was heading over to Vaughn's place, she was greeted at the door and pulled inside.
Hey, Vaughn, what's the rush? she asked, shutting the door.
He grinned from ear to ear. They found SD-13.
Sydney's face lit up with excitement. They hadn't heard anything new about SD-13 in months. The last thing they heard was that Sloane and Sark had been working on something big there. Though still unsure of what it was, they were hoping to find out when they brought it down.
Where is it? she asked eagerly.
I don't know. Weiss just told me to get my ass down there. We better go. He kissed her softly on the lips and let her go to her car first. They made it a rule that they shouldn't travel together for the sake of not getting caught.
* * * * * * *
Sydney, is Agent Vaughn coming too? Jack greeted her when she found him by his desk.
Yeah, he should be here soon. Anyway, where is SD-13? she asked.
Sydney shouted. She lowered her voice. How the hell could we not know it was in Canada?
Jack sighed. As Americans, we don't usually expect much in Canada. Ah, there's Agent Vaughn now.
So where is it? he asked, joining Syd and Jack.
Sydney rubbed her eyes.
Vaughn stared at her in disbelief. Where exactly in Canada? Sydney looked to her father.
Victoria, British Columbia, to be exact, Jack said. We're sending in a team tonight. You may both be part of it if you wish. Both Sydney and Vaughn nodded. Very well. There's a meeting with Kendall in a few minutes. He gave Sydney a half smile and walked away to talk with other agents.
said Vaughn. Isn't that only a few hours from here, eh?
* * * * * * *
The plane landed with the large crew of agents all dressed in black. Each had a gun in hand in case of anything. The team was broken into four groups so they could cover all of the exits.
One of the computer-tech men wired the camera system so it turned off completely. The groups walked in unnoticed, for the most part.
* * * * * * *
Sydney shouted from amongst the shooting. She saw his head peer out from under a desk. Quickly she crawled over to meet him.
You know, Weiss was the one who called me down here, and I've yet to see him. He looked around his surroundings. Come on, I can't take this shooting, let's go find Sloane, if he's here. Sydney didn't like the perilous glint in his eye, but she nodded and followed him away through an open door. He quickly shut it, and they found themselves in an empty corridor. He put his finger to his lips. If Sark or Sloane is here, they are probably in this hallway. His voice was barely above a whisper.
There were three doors on each side of the hallway. Sydney walked up to the first door on the left and kicked it open: a supply closet.
Vaughn walked up to the door across from it: it was a larger room, but the lights were off. Vaughn found the light switch, but it didn't turn on the lights. he whispered. She followed behind him. Both had their guns aimed out in front of them as they scavenged the room.
They heard noises coming from the next room. Sydney ran out the door only to kick open the one next to it. Again, the lights were out and not turning on. She searched the dark room with Vaughn just coming through the door, holding the gun out in front of her.
She felt a sudden blow to her stomach and the gun was knocked from her hands. She gasped for breath as an arm was pulled tightly around her neck. she managed to merely whisper before she felt the sting of metal to her temple. The lights turned on, and she found a gun being held to her head by Sark.
Agent Bristow, how convenient of you to join us, he mocked in an unpleasant British accent. And you've brought company.
Vaughn's gun was pointing straight at Sark. Let her go now, he ordered through gritted teeth.
If you don't leave now I might just shoot you too.
Sydney struggled to breathe. If she moved at all, Sark would shoot the gun for sure. she cried desperately.
I'm not leaving without you, Sydney, he yelled.
The lights turned off again. Sydney heard a different door than the one she entered through slam. She was vigorously thrown to the ground. She heard two people fighting behind her, followed by a gunshot. She rolled away and tried to make her way to the door when the lights came on again.
She turned back around, expecting to see Vaughn and Sark engaged in a fight. Instead she saw her dad leaning against the wall and Vaughn on the ground.
Where did Sark go? Jack asked.
He was no where to be seen. Then Sydney noticed blood on Vaughn's hand. she exclaimed.
He flexed his fingers. It's OK, I just got a good piece of Sark's face before he ran off.
She let out a deep breath. Thank God, I thought it was a gunshot. Who fired the gun?
That was me, said Jack. I may have hit him, Sark, I mean. I heard him wince after I shot.
How did he get away? Vaughn asked, mostly to himself.
Sydney shook her head in disbelief. Dad, how did you get in here?
On my way in I caught a glimpse of Sark. Kendall told me to follow him. By the time I realized he was controlling the electricity he had vanished through one the doors in this corridor. He opened the other door for Sydney and Vaughn to see another hallway. I rearranged some of the wires in the fuse box further down the hallway when I heard a commotion in here.
You two are all right then? he asked.
Sydney and Vaughn nodded. Just a very close call.
Things seem to be in control out there. I believe we have successfully infiltrated SD-13. We'll move in on the other SD cells in the morning.
* * * * * * *
Vaughn led Sydney into his office after they returned from British Columbia. They had some time before they went to SD-6. The CIA still needed to filter through what information they found at SD-13.
He shut the door and sighed heavily against it. I thought I was going to lose you back there, he said, closing his eyes. I was so scared. I saw Sark, and that gun... I just want to kill that bastard.
Michael, calm down. I'm fine. She walked up to him and held him tightly. I'm here, it's OK. He kissed her forehead.
Yes, you're here. And you're safe. He stroked her back, and she led him to his chair. He sat down and he pulled her onto his lap. I talked with your dad on the flight home.
A look of worry spread across her face. What about?
Vaughn stared at her for a moment. He quickly averted his eyes to the floor. Your father and I... don't think that it's, it's best that you come into SD-6 with the team.
Sydney stood up. You mean to tell me that after all the hard work I've done, all the years that I've put up with Arvin Sloane, that I'm not allowed' to bring down SD-6? Absolutely not. I am going to be part of this team, and that's final.
Vaughn shook his head. Sydney, I don't want to risk losing you again. Not twice in the same day. Not for Sloane.
What do you think I did every time I went on a mission. Was I not risking my life then, too?
You were safer then, Sloane still thought you were on his side, Vaughn said, also standing up. There is a better chance of jeopardizing your life this time, Syd. And I'm not letting you go.
Sloane might still think I'm on his side, Sydney suggested.
No, no. Sark will have definitely contacted him by now.
He might not have –
But it isn't worth the risk! he shouted.
Sydney said harshly and stormed out the door. She found her father at his desk. Can I talk with you for a minute? Jack looked up concerned. If you think that you can Vaughn can convince me to stay behind and not watch SD-6 come crashing down, then you've got another thing coming. Do you think that Kendall will just agree with you on this? I know that I am one of the best damn agents this agency has ever seen and they will not just leave me out.
There was already a scare today. I will not tolerate another one with you involved. Therefore I can't let you go. Sark could already be back there, telling Sloane every piece of information he can –
But if you shot Sark then maybe he hasn't come back yet.
He frowned. There is a small possibility that I shot him and yet he still disappeared so elusively. Jack stood up defiantly. I already asked Kendall to remove you from the team. Sydney gave him an anguished look. I explained the circumstances and we came to this conclusion: either you come with the team but wait outside in the vans, or you cannot come at all.
She slid down into his chair and laid her head on the desk to think for a while. He saw that she wouldn't talk to him so he slipped away to go do other business.
How could they? was all Sydney could think before she drifted into an uneasy sleep.
The next thing she knew she was being gently tapped awake by Vaughn. Hey, we're going to go soon. Just thought I'd wake you up. Are you going to wait in the van, or stay here?
Gosh he looks so cute... No, Sydney, you're still mad at him, remember? I'd like to go, she said, keeping her eyes away from his. She knew if she made eye contact then she would melt and stop being mad at him. She had to keep her focus. He was the one keeping her from the only thing she had wanted to do for years.
He smiled weakly at her, though concern still filled his mind. I'll tell Kendall. He backed away slowly from her, and finally turned to leave. This wasn't how he expected this day to go at all. He was expecting happiness and celebration; all with Sydney.
It didn't seem to be turning out that way, however.
* * * * * * *
She refused to talk with her dad or Vaughn through the van ride to SD-6. Instead she tried to listen intently to the radio connecting them to the other vans and teams at the different SD cells. All she really heard was that all teams were ready at each cell. She tried to hear more but her mind kept going elsewhere. She wanted to apologize to Vaughn, but she was still angry with him. Why should she be the one to apologize anyway?
She barely noticed the teams enter the building. She was broken from her reverie when she began to hear gunshots on the radio. One of the men inside the building had a microphone on him so Sydney could hear everything that was going on.
We see Sloane, came someone's voice from the radio. We're going in. Shit, he has a gun! She heard several gunshots and crashes in the background. We have one man down.
Sydney sighed. I wish I were part of this action... And until Vaughn can realize that they might have needed me in there then as far as I'm concerned, we have no relationship. Professional or romantic.
The radio began to go crazy with shouts. Control of SD-2.
Control of SD-11.
Control of SD-8.
Control of SD-6.
Sydney heard SD-6' and she busted out of the van door. She saw Jack and Kendall with a handcuffed Sloane exit the building.
He looked up and saw Sydney. You watch out, Sydney, he said, struggling against Kendall and Jack. Because you don't know what's coming.
Sydney was confused by Sloane's meaning. What could be coming? she pondered.
Jack handed off Sloane to another agent to take away to prison. Sark was not found anywhere, Sydney. He's still out there somewhere. He surveyed the land around him.
He began to walk away but Sydney held him back. Who was shot?
I'm not sure. Wait for them to come out. Sydney nodded and let him go.
She watched as agents brought out handcuffed members of SD-6. It hurt her to watch them carry out a confused Marshall and Dixon. Finally there was a team of CIA agents carrying out someone. There was blood everywhere, so this had to be the shot victim.
She ran forward to see who it was, but she fell to the ground immediately when she saw his face.
She cried as they carried Vaughn out to the ambulance that just arrived.
A/n: A wee bit of a cliffhanger for you. Hope you enjoyed. Do review!
~Whitelighter Enchantress