INT. SYDNEY'S ROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT

Jack is dosing in the chair by Sydney's bedside. She's sleeping soundly but then her eyes start to flutter and she shifts in her sleep.

SYDNEY
Mmmmm... Vaughn...

Jack is up in an instant. She opens her eyes and glances at him sleepily. Seeing him she smiles.

SYDNEY
Dad?

JACK
Hey, sweetheart.

He sits on the edge of his chair and grasps one of her hands in his while his other hand brushes some hair away from her face. She looks around and her brow knits in confusion.

SYDNEY
I thought I heard Vaughn.

JACK
He was here a while ago. He went to bed.

Now she really notices where she is and she sees the bandage on her father's head.

SYDNEY
Wait? Where are we? What happened? Why is your head all bandaged up?

She's starting to sit up and get agitated. Jack puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

JACK
Calm down, sweetie.

SYDNEY
Calm down? Dad, I am sick and tired of waking up and not knowing where I am.

Her voice is rising in panic.

JACK
Sydney.

He says her name in a voice that gets her full attention. She takes a deep breath and lets herself fall back into bed.

SYDNEY
At least tell me what day it is.

JACK
December 1, 2005.

She closes her eyes as she begins to remember.

SYDNEY
Paris. There was a shootout.

She opens her eyes and looks down at her leg.

SYDNEY
I got hit in the leg. But I don't remember anything after that. Who shot me?

JACK
It was Sark and Allison.

SYDNEY
They were there for the plans.

Jack nod gravely and she can see on his face what happened.

SYDNEY
And they got them didn't they? The real ones.

Jack hears the guilt creeping into her voice.

JACK
It wouldn't have mattered. We were wrong about the facility they intended to hit. But we got you out alive and that's what's important.

SYDNEY
I doubt that the French or the DCI share your priorities.

JACK
I don't give a damn about the French or the DCI. You are all that matters to me.

SYDNEY
Dad...

JACK
Don't even start. I already had to have this conversation with Vaughn and I do not intend to have it again with you.

SYDNEY
But Dad...

Jack groans in frustration.

JACK
No. It's not your fault. End of discussion.

Syd gives up and looks at his head in concern. She reaches her hand out to touch the bandage.

SYDNEY
What happened to your head?

JACK
I banged it into the wall repeatedly after my daughter and her partner wouldn't shut up about how guilty they felt.

Syd rolls her eyes.

SYDNEY
Dad, seriously...

JACK
I was just grazed during the shootout.

She laughs at the matter of fact way he says it. Like he cut himself shaving.

SYDNEY
Just grazed? It's a good thing we Bristow's have an industrial strength skull, huh?

JACK
Yes. If there's a hardheaded gene it's certainly dominant in our family.

SYDNEY
What about Weiss and Vaughn?

JACK
Weiss was only nicked a few times but Vaughn...

Sydney's eyes widen in alarm at the "but."

SYDNEY
He's okay isn't he?

JACK
Yes. He's fine. He twisted his knee and he was shot in the shoulder. But he's recovering nicely.

SYDNEY
Thank God. If anything had happened to him...

JACK
I know.

Jack sighs thinking about his previous conversation with Vaughn.

JACK
Believe me, he feels the same way.

SYDNEY
That's what you meant when you said that you already went through this with him. He blamed himself for what happened to me. (beat) I swear sometimes he's too hard on himself.

Jack gives her a look.

SYDNEY
I know, pot meet kettle. But that's why I'm sure he did everything he could.

JACK
You should probably know that he did much more than that.

SYDNEY
What are you talking about?

JACK
Weiss and I covered for him while he carried you outside and rushed you to the hospital.

SYDNEY
He carried me? But what about his shoulder? And his leg? Why did you even let him?

JACK
He insisted. And even he was unaware of his injuries until he collapsed in the ER.

SYDNEY
Really?

JACK
He was afraid he was going to lose you again. And as I'm sure you know fear of losing a loved one is a powerful motivator.

Sydney shakes her head and looks away. Quietly she says,

SYDNEY
Sometimes it's overwhelming, the way he feels about me.

JACK
As it should be.

She looks at her father and smiles.

SYDNEY
Why? Cause you'll only accept someone who love me as much as you do.

JACK
That is impossible. (beat) However I was impressed by what he did. I respect him for it.

SYDNEY
Aw, Dad, you can admit that you like him. I promise I won't tell so you can keep your gruff badass image intact.

JACK
Gruff badass image?

SYDNEY
What can I say? You've developed a reputation. One that you enjoy promoting, especially with Vaughn. But I know better. Inside you're just a big softie.

JACK
You make me sound like I'm some overgrown teddy bear.

She reaches up a hand and puts it on his cheek.

SYDNEY
Naw, just my daddy.

He closes his eyes and smiles.

SYDNEY
Dad, I'm going to be okay.

He looks at her.

JACK
I know that.

SYDNEY
Then stop looking so concerned. I'm not going anywhere.

He puts his hand on top on the one she has on his cheek.

JACK
I'm glad.

They let their hands fall to the bed together. Syd looks down at them and then back up to the love and relief that's etched on her father's face.

SYDNEY
Do I tell you often enough how much I love you?

JACK
You don't have to.

SYDNEY
Yes, I do. (beat) I love you, Dad.

JACK
I love you too, honey.

She yawns and he gets up.

JACK
Now come on. It's time for bed.

He starts to pull the blankets up to her chin. She looks at him with a smile and says in a childlike whine.

SYDNEY
But I'm not tired.

Then she yawns again and he looks at her with a raise eyebrow.

JACK
Oh really?

SYDNEY
Well...

But she falls silent as he takes his index finger and starting at the top of her forehead he lets it slide down between her eyes to the tip of her nose. Her eyes flutter close in tandem with his finger as he slowly repeats the movement.

SYDNEY
Mmmm... I forgot that you used to do that.

JACK
Shh. Just relax.

Her eyes are closed now. He smiles and keeps doing it until she's sound asleep. Then he leans over and kisses her on the forehead.

JACK
Good night, sweetie.

He sits back down and resumes his vigil.

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