Title: Secrets and Lies
Rating: PG-13 (note change in rating)
Summary: When Sydney is injured on a mission and Vaughn discovers she hasn't been entirely truthful with him. S/V.
Disclaimer: I don't own Alias; I'm just borrowing the characters.
Authors Note: 18.2.04 OK, I've issued myself a challenge. I'm planning on wrapping this up in the next 4 or 5 chapters. My challenge is as follows, the third season of Alias starts on Tuesday February 24th and I want to have this fic completed by then. The reason this WILL be a challenge is I have an English SAC on Wednesday February 25th and have heaps of prep to do. That having been said, I want to thank everyone who has read and/or reviewed my story. All your reviews mean heaps to me!!!!! I especially want to mention Total Vaughn Lover, you have almost every chapter of both of my stories. You are an awesome writer and I appreciate you taking the time to send me feedback. And once again to everyone else who has reviewed this story, although I can't remember all of your names it means heaps to me that you take the time to read my story and review it. Ok I'm done rambling for now. So without further ado here's chapter 16………
Chapter 16:
Sydney woke up early the next morning. She had got little sleep, the excitement about finally going home had kept her awake most of the night. She managed to pull herself out of bed and hobble slowly to the bathroom for a quick shower. She returned to her room feeling refreshed and packed the last of her belongings. After she had finished that she sat down on her messy bed and waited for her breakfast. She groaned as a tray of unidentifiable food was placed in front of her and she made a mental note to get some edible food later. She pushed the food around on her plate and sighing she picked up the carton of juice and eagerly drank it. Her father came into her room half an hour after she had finished her breakfast. Jack came in carrying some paperwork and her doctor followed close behind. She quickly signed her discharge papers and her father picked up her bag as she pushed herself up from the bed. Jack walked out the door and Sydney hobbled close behind. About ten minutes later they made it out to the car, they had to stop so Sydney could have a short rest. They climbed into the car and were driving in silence until Sydney announced that she wanted to go into SD-6 that day. Jack almost crashed. "Why?" he asked, shocked.
"I've been away long enough, I don't want Sloane to suspect anything. I want to prove that I'm loyal to them by returning as soon as I was able too" she tried to justify to him.
"Well alright" he said reluctantly "But you can't stay too long, I know Kendall would like to see you, Irina does as well."
"Yeah, I won't stay long, I'll just say I'm tired or something." They continued their journey to her apartment in silence. Jack pulled up out the front and climbed out quickly, so he could help Sydney. She pushed his hand away so he grabbed her bag and they slowly made their way to the door. After unlocking it they walked in and Syd mentioned for Jack to drop her bag on the floor, she'd somehow move it later. She grabbed each of them a drink before going up to her room to change. A couple of minutes later Jack heard a loud bang followed by loud swearing, Sydney had lost her balance and fallen over as she dressed. She emerged soon after, dressed for work. She ignored the questioning look that Jack gave her and headed towards the door again, indicating to him that she was ready to go. They got back into the car and drove off towards the Credit Dauphine Building.
Jack pulled into the parking lot and they both climbed out of the car and boarded the elevator. While in the elevator Sydney's legs began to shake and she had to walk in small circles to keep her balance. They arrived at sub level 6 and entered the scanning room. The door to the office opened and Sydney slowly hobbled after Jack. By the time she had arrived in the main area of the office, Jack had reached Sloane and told him that Sydney was coming in to see everyone. Jack saw Sydney making her way in and pointed towards the briefing room, indicating that, that is where everyone was. She walked through that door moments later and Dixon and Marshall's jaws almost hit the floor in surprise. Dixon got up to give her a hug but she pushed him away. He had a confused look on his face as Jack quickly pulled a chair out after seeing Sydney's legs begin to shake. She eagerly sat down and caught her breath. She looked up at Dixon "I'm sorry, its just I was gonna lose my balance, again."
"Its ok I understand." They both turned towards Sloane and Jack, who was now seated.
"Welcome back Sydney" Sloane said and Marshall stuttered out
a long welcome as well. "You are feeling better, yes?"
"Yeah, I can't stay too long; I just got out of hospital a couple of hours ago.
Dad wanted me to stay home and rest but I really missed you guys and I wanted
you to know that I was ok," she said plastering a fake smile on her face. After
she finished speaking Sloane briefed Dixon on his next mission and Marshall once
again rambled on as he reviewed the Op Tech. After the briefing was over
Sloane, Jack and Marshall left quickly and Dixon and Sydney remained seated. He
turned towards her again "You ok Syd?"
She had a puzzled look on her face "Yeah, why?"
"Its just, you can't really stand up, why are you out of hospital?"
"I was in hospital for weeks, they let me out cos I can walk now, I may not have all of my balance back yet, but I won't get any better sitting in a hospital bed" she replied defensively. She sighed, wishing she could tell Dixon what had really happened when she was shot. He looked at her again concerned "I'm sorry Syd, I didn't mean it like that, its great to have you back, we missed you."
"I missed you guys too." She leaned forward and hugged Dixon tightly. He broke the contact and got up "I had better go prepare for this mission."
"Yeah, I'm gonna get dad to take me home, coming here took more out of me than I thought it would." She managed to raise her body slowly from the seat and almost fell over when the chair slid out from her unexpectedly. Dixon laughed as she struggled to remain upright. She shook her head at her lack of balance and slowly hobbled out to find her father. She saw him in Sloane's office and stopped to rest briefly at her desk while they spoke.
"Have the police found the person who shot her yet?" Sloane asked.
"No, they aren't holding out much hope, it was just a random attack."
"Here's the part I don't understand Jack, Sydney is a trained agent and yet this person was able to injure her to such an extent, that she almost died."
"Sydney said they came up behind her, caught her by surprise, she didn't have time to react" Jack replied, hoping Sloane bought it.
"Yeah, well I guess that clears it up then. It was just a random attack."
"That's what Sydney and the Police think."
"Doesn't it bother her that they may not find this person who almost killed her?"
Both men were so involved in their conversation that they didn't notice Sydney enter the room "No, it doesn't bother me that they may not find the people who did this to me." Sloane and Jack turned their heads at the sound of Sydney's voice. "Sydney" Sloane replied cheerfully "I didn't hear you come in."
"Sorry to interrupt, I'm a bit tired and I was wondering if Dad could take me home?"
"Yes of course Sydney" Jack replied.
"Are you ok Sydney?" Sloane asked.
"Yeah, coming in just took a lot more out of me than I thought it would have. I'll be fine, I just want to get some rest."
"Of course, Jack, you can take the rest of the day off. It was nice to see you again Sydney."
"Thank you." Sydney and Jack both turned and made their way down to his car.
A/N: I'll leave it there. Next chapter should be up in the next day or two, I've got no classes this Friday so I'll write a couple of chapters then. Anyway tell me what you think. Was it good or bad??? Review and let me know. LOL Alyce.
