He couldn't let Sydney be broken again. He wouldn't.
*****
Michael Vaughn had watched Sydney closely for three months. That was how long it had been since she was separated from Alexander Lazarey.
He watched the monitor that displayed the visits between Sydney and Alexander. He had watched as Alexander placed his hand on the glass, Sydney placing her own over his. Vaughn could tell that the glass between them felt like miles...that it was killing both parties, not to be able to touch one another. He watched as Sydney came back from these visits; she would stride through the office, head held high, but would crumble the second she walked out those double doors.
He watched as she continued to go on missions for the CIA. Her work was still flawless, but her heart was not in the job anymore. Other agents had filed reports that she was often distracted, that only part of her was 'in the game'. Vaughn agreed, and he was worried.
His relationship with Sydney became more strained when Lauren had announced that she was pregnant. It had been the final nail in the coffin of their ailing friendship. After his wife's announcement, Sydney had completely shut down when it came to him. Vaughn had noticed though, that she had become close to Weiss...
That's why he was here. In Weiss' house. This wasn't going to be easy.
This was going to be the hardest day of his life.
*****
Two hours of watching hockey and drinking beer passed by before either of them spoke.
"So what's up man?" Weiss asked timidly.
"Nothing really," Vaughn lied.
"Getting the jitters about being a dad?" Weiss asked. Vaughn sighed, laying his head back against the couch.
"Sort of. Not really. I'm actually really excited about that. But..." Vaughn began.
"But you're worried about Sydney?" Weiss interrupted, lifting his beer to take a drink.
"Yeah," Vaughn sighed.
"Old habits die hard my friend," Weiss spoke, chuckling softly.
"I just feel bad man. I don't regret being with Lauren. Lauren and this baby are my family you know? I just, I worry about her. Just because we aren't together anymore doesn't mean I don't want her to be happy," Vaughn trailed off. Weiss sighed, and leaned forward.
"Well, Alexander Lazarey makes her happy, and he's in prison. So, that pretty much leaves her screwed," Weiss said. Vaughn leaned forward.
"I know, I know. As much as I hate to admit it, they love each other man. How the hell did that happen?" Vaughn said.
"I don't know. But she's not going to be happy until he's released. And considering his list of crimes against the CIA, the United States government, and just about all of mankind, he's not getting out anytime soon," Weiss said. Vaughn shook his head, chuckling, rubbing his hands through his disheveled hair.
"He's being transferred tomorrow," Vaughn suddenly blurted, which drew a surprised glance from Weiss.
"Seriously?" Weiss asked.
"Yeah, seriously. Dixon ordered me to conduct the transfer, along with four agents of my choice," Vaughn stated, looking at Weiss.
"I don't like the sound of this man..." Weiss began.
"Weiss," Vaughn interrupted, "I think I have a plan to make Sydney happy again."
*****
Twenty hours later, Vaughn, Sydney, Jack (who had returned to the CIA two months earlier), Weiss and Adrianna (whom everyone now affectionately called, 'the Rookie') were loading Alexander Lazarey into an unmarked van. There was no resistance on Alexander's behalf, while there was a large amount from both Sydney and Adrianna. Both women feared losing time with Alexander, and neither understood the incessant need for a transfer...he had behaved very well these past months. Nonetheless, both women struggled to remain stone-faced as they began the process of transferring a man they both loved deeply.
Weiss drove the van and Jack sat in the passenger seat, while Vaughn, Adrianna and Sydney sat in the back with Alexander. Sydney made no move to touch Alexander, at least not in a personal way, for she knew that they would be torn apart shortly. Instead, she merely watched the road stretched before them.
Her eyes became weary as she realized that they were heading in the wrong direction, and was just about to voice her concern when she heard her father's own familiar tone.
"Agent Weiss, you missed our turn," he stated, looking to the agent in the driver seat, his face displaying slight irritation. Weiss merely stared straight ahead, ignoring Jack's statement.
"Agent Weiss..." Jack began again.
"Eric, don't be an idiot. You missed your turn. Go back," Sydney interjected. Eric sighed, before pulling over the van. Sydney smiled; at least another confrontation had been avoided. She wasn't prepared for Eric's next couple of movements.
Out of nowhere, Eric Weiss pulled out a tranquilizer gun, shooting her father in the side of his neck. Moments later her father's head lay on the dashboard of the van. Next, Eric, along with the assistance of Vaughn and Adrianna, were releasing Alexander from his shackles. Sydney could only stare in disbelief.
"What the hell is going on?" she yelled. All of them ignored her.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Sydney, we're not transferring Sark....Lazarey. Not today, not any day," Vaughn said, lifting his head up to look at her.
"What are you talking about?" she demanded.
"We're letting him go," Weiss said and Vaughn nodded.
"Gentleman, I can't let you do this," Alexander stated suddenly. Sydney nodded her head in agreement.
"Shut up Lazarey. You're not letting us do anything," Vaughn said.
"I still don't understand," Sydney said, looking down toward the ground.
"All you need to know is, we're letting him go. And you're going with him, wherever you decide to go," Vaughn said, his hands now on Sydney's shoulders. Her eyes widened considerably.
"Vaughn, I can't. My place is here," she stated, glancing toward Alexander.
"Sydney, we all know that's not true. Your head hasn't been in one mission since Lazarey was taken back into custody. I'm not just doing this for him," Vaughn said. Tears began to fill Sydney's eyes as she nodded in realization.
"Sydney, you're ready to leave this life. Yeah, you'll be on the run. But you'll be with the person you love," Vaughn struggled to choke out the last two words, but he realized it was true. Sydney stared at him for a moment, then pulled him to her in a tight, but short embrace.
"Thank you," she said, "You still know me better than I know myself sometimes."
"I know. And, you're welcome," Vaughn said, pulling apart from her. He turned around to shake Alexander's hand. Alexander turned to embrace his sister, telling her he'd call her as soon as they reached their destination. They all stepped out of the van as several embraces took place. Sydney looked distracted, and Vaughn laughed.
"Your dad will be fine Syd," Vaughn said.
"How did you know..." she began.
"I know you Syd. I just know you," he answered, looking at the ground.
"Yeah, sorry that I had to shoot him. We just knew that he would never agree with this decision," Weiss said, laughing. They all smiled.
"You better go," Adrianna said.
"There's a car waiting for you in that alleyway," Vaughn said, pointing to the left, "I took the liberty of getting some of your clothes Syd...and I put some of my own in the car for you Lazarey." Sydney and Alexander both nodded, and before any more goodbyes could be said, they ran toward the direction of the alley.
Weiss, Adrianna and Vaughn climbed into the van wordlessly, Adrianna quickly sinking into her own world. Weiss chuckled, to which Vaughn responded with a questioning glance.
"So how does it feel to break the rules Boy Scout?" Weiss asked.
"Good. Damn good man," Vaughn laughed.
"I'm just glad you grew a backbone, because you're going to need it..."Weiss trailed off.
"For what?" Vaughn asked. Weiss laughed.
"When Jack wakes up, you're going to be the one explaining what we just did," and they both laughed. Vaughn sighed. It was hard letting Sydney go, but he knew that now, she would be truly happy again. That was all he had ever wanted.
*****
Before Alexander put the car into drive, he looked over at Sydney, whose hand was still in his own.
"Are you sure you want to come with me love?" he asked. Sydney sighed.
That was a loaded question. Was she sure she wanted to leave behind the only life she had ever known? All her friends? Her father? Probably her mother as well?
She was only sure of one thing right now, sitting in this passenger seat, looking into those crystalline eyes of his. She was in love with him. That was really all she needed to know.
"Yes, I'm sure," she said, squeezing his hand, "If we don't go now, we'll never go. And I need to be with you. Let's go!" He smiled at her, leaning over to kiss her squarely on the mouth.
"I love you Bristow," he said, putting the car into drive and speeding away.
"I love you too."