Chapter 8
AN: Hello everyone! I've been working in our school talent show (I sang and it was awesome!! I loved it!) But now I am back again! Here is my promised chapter and, like I said before, Lauren is going to be quite despicable! To the point where things will get good. You'll see what I mean sooner or later, in this chapter or one to come. I promise, it will get great. So, this beginning is in Vaughn's POV, right after he was pushed out of the car. Have fun and please review!
Before I could stop her, Sydney reached around me and opened my door. A push to the shoulder and I flew out and onto the pavement. I rolled a couple of times on the street and then up onto the sidewalk. The door slammed shut. I stood up, maybe thinking I could catch the car or maybe just get her to come back. She looked at me once and nodded. I almost felt like crying. Last night, we had confessed our feelings; we had been together. We had admitted to loving each other. I had pretty much ended my marriage. And now that was over.
All I could do now was find a way to save Sydney. I had no cell phone, but about two blocks back there had been a payphone. I started off in a jog, retracing my steps to the one thing that could save Sydney. When I found it, I grabbed the phone and punched in the number that had been hammered into my head since I had joined the CIA. 242-473-6932-7421. Once that was in, I heard two rings, and then a voice.
"You've reached Joey's Pizza..." The message began to blare. This message had been the inspiration for the codename Sydney and I used to contact each other when she was a double agent. I began to click the ID number that would get me the LA office. 4774831. "Hello?"
"This is Agent Michael Vaughn. ID Class Alpha Charlie 283094. Conformation peacekeeper. I need to talk to Director Dixon right now!"
"I'm connecting you now."
"This is Dixon."
"It's Vaughn! I'm in Jakarta. Sydney and I were captured last night and held by Sark. We were heading off for something this morning and Sydney got a door open on the car and pushed me out. Sark still has her. This is the first chance I could check in."
"Good to hear from you. We've been waiting to get any info we could. Right now, I want you to go to the Sim Ke Airport and get back home. We will have a plane waiting."
"What about Sydney?"
"We're setting up a team right now."
"I want to be on that team."
"I'm sorry, Vaughn, but with Sydney's new transfer..."
"She wants to revoke the transfer, I talked to her last night."
"We have to hear that from here. I'm sorry, Vaughn, but I want you to come back here right now. I'll have Lauren informed that you are safe." He hung up before I could say anymore.
"Damn." I said to myself. There was nothing I could do. If I knew Dixon, he would keep me off the search team. I would just have to go home and wait. I now had the task of getting to the airport. This was a pretty abandoned area, so finding a taxi would be impossible. There was a phone book in the bottom of the phone booth, so I opened it and began to look. When I found an add with a taxi on it, I figured I had struck something. I called the company and was able to find someone who spoke English. Once I explained where I was, he assured me that a taxi would be there in about 5 minutes.
I sat down on the curb and just waited. Okay, I didn't just wait, I thought. Where was Sydney? What was Sark doing with her? Why did he even want us anyway? He was working with the Covenant, who had taken Sydney for two years. From what I had found out, though most of it I wasn't supposed to know, they had wanted Sydney to fulfill the Prophecy, which was not about her at all. It was about a child she was supposed to have, made with DNA from Rambaldi himself. Sydney destroyed it all when she torched it, but maybe they still wanted to try something. They were about that messed up, so you couldn't doubt what they could and would do to get their way. She was in so much danger right now, and all she had cared about was getting me out of it.
As I sighed, I saw the taxi pull around the corner. I stood up and waved to get his attention. The car pulled up and I got in.
"Sim Ke Airport." I said simply. I didn't know if he knew English or not, so I didn't want to push it. I just had to wait until we got there. When I started to hear the roar of engines, I knew we were close. Sure enough, a mile ahead was the Sim Ke Airport. And there on the private airstrip was a jet, which I knew was for me to take. When we drove up to the plane, a man stepped out and opened my door.
"Agent Vaughn, I'm Agent Christiansen. I'll pay for your cab. Go ahead and board. Once everything is set, we'll take off."
"Have you talked to Director Dixon?"
"A couple minutes ago. Why?"
"Did he say anything about the retrieval of Agent Bristow?"
"They are orchestrating something as we speak. Apparently right after you called, the CIA received a call from Sark. He's offering Sydney in return for a Rambaldi artifact."
"What's the catch?"
"The meeting will be at his place, here. But, if he tests the artifact and it's fake, Sydney dies."
"Oh gosh!"
"I'm sure things will work themselves out. You can talk to Dixon when you get back. Right now, we need to get you home." I nodded reluctantly and headed for the plane. Once I was in the cabin, I got comfortable in a seat and laid my head down. 'I miss you, Sydney. I wish you hadn't pushed me out. Now your life is being put on the line. I love you, Sydney.' I couldn't contain my thoughts as I fell into the comfort of sleep.
***Syd's POV***
Once back at the house, Sark led me inside and had me sit in the living room type area Vaughn and I had been in earlier. He left and I decided to sit. It was probably better for my all-around well-being.
I waited about 10 minutes and then Sark came back in.
"Things are just going splendidly. I just had a lovely conversation with Dixon and he is willing to negotiate your release. So here's what we do: You will have free reign of my house, with exceptions to some rooms. Those doors will be locked and have security measures, so don't even try. You cannot use a phone or computer, because we can't have you contacting the dear CIA, now can we. I may be gone on business or other matters, but you won't really know. I may be watching you from my security room, so keep that in mind. You'll know when the CIA is coming because I will come get you. Until then, consider this house your own." He nodded and began to turn away.
"Should I find my way back to my cell?"
"Come now, you aren't a prisoner. Your room is on the top floor, last door on the right. It has a great view of the ocean." He walked out and I felt like I couldn't stand. This was such the cliché Beauty and the Beast scenario. I had free reign, with the exception of his hidden rooms. All I needed was talking appliances and I was in. But, I wouldn't be falling for the Beast. No sir.
If I was to be held here, I should probably explore and learn where everything was. The journey has just begun. (AN: OK, that was just a short little snip so that we didn't forget dear Sydney. We're going back to Vaughn now, and the despicable Lauren.)
***Vaughn's POV***
My eyes groggily opened as I felt the plane jolt below me. I was home, in one sense of the word. The old cliché came to my mind. 'Home is where the heart is.' Well then, my home was in Jakarta. There was a black car waiting on the runway with its lights off. Once the plane was down, the side opened into a stairway. I stepped off and went right to the car. The driver said nothing; he just drove off once I was inside.
As we drove, I began to worry. What would I say to Lauren? How would I explain what has happened the last day and a half? There was nothing I could say that wouldn't be self-incriminating. Betraying Lauren was terrible, but lately she had seemed so distant. Maybe...
"Mr. Vaughn, we're here."
"Thank you." I stepped back out of the car and found I was right in front of the CIA center. 'Here goes nothing.' I walked inside and saw that everyone was waiting inside Dixon's office. Everyone, that was, except Lauren. She was sitting at my desk waiting. When she saw me, she jumped up and ran to me. Her arms came around my neck and I hugged her back. 'Idiot.'
"Michael! I was so scared. I got back from Washington and they said that Sark had taken you and Sydney! Where is she?"
"Sark was taking us somewhere and we were in a car. When we stopped at a light, she unlocked my door and pushed me out. I don't know where Sark took her."
"Oh honey, I'm sure she'll be okay. Dixon is setting up a team right now."
"I know, but..."
"Come on, let's go in there and see what's happening." Well, I liked that idea. She took my hand and we headed to Dixon's office. Jack and Dixon were standing and Weiss, Marshall, and a redhead I didn't know were sitting on different chairs.
"Vaughn. Welcome back. We were just discussing Sydney's retrieval." Dixon said.
"I was told on the way back that he wants an artifact and that if it's fake, he'll kill her. So what more is there to discuss." I said. I was furious that they were not willing to give up a little artifact for her life.
"The Covenant has been successful lately in getting multiple artifacts. Giving them yet another would just further their advantage." The redhead said.
"Vaughn, before I forget, this is Amy Christensen, Sydney's new partner." The words felt like a knife to my heart. This was the person taking my place. She looked nice, but inside, I hated her. I nodded my head in recognition and turned back to Dixon.
"The Covenant still has its access points, though. We still have Lisenker who has information. I don't see how you can value an item over someone's life!"
"Jack, Amy, you go to Project Black Hole and talk with Director Smith. See if this certainly is an artifact we can do without. Marshall, I need you to go over the specs of the mansion again. That is where the trade will be taking place, so we need to make sure Sark won't try to pull something over on us. Vaughn, stay after for a minute." Lauren had a slight smirk on her face as she walked out, which could only mean something was going on. "Vaughn, you are not going to be part of the team getting Sydney back."
"What?! Why not?"
"First, because you're not her partner anymore. Second because Lauren has put in a request."
"That I not go on the mission?"
"No. She's been hassled lately with you getting taken twice. She's requested that you two take a vacation for a while."
"Sir, I must object to that."
"Vaughn, you haven't taken a sick day within the time you've worked for the CIA. I'm approving the request."
"But what about Sydney?"
"She's no longer your concern." I nodded solemnly and began to walk out. It was then, though, that I remembered something. "If you bring a fake artifact, Sark will use the genetically targeted poison."
"How do you know that?"
"It's targeted towards her. All he has to do is drop the vial and she dies. Just thought you'd like to know." I couldn't even stand to be near Dixon for another moment. I stormed out of the office. Lauren was waiting outside.
"I guess Dixon told you." She said, giving me an almost puppy dog- like look.
"Yes, and as much as I agree with the idea, I can't."
"Michael..."
"Lauren, she risked her life to save me and now you just want me to go off on vacation and act like nothing is wrong? He could kill her in an instant!"
"I know, love, I know. But Dixon has everyone on it and I know that they will give Sark the artifact. Just give it a little time. But, Michael, please, I've almost lost you twice in one week. Please, just come away with me for a little while. We'll go to Fiji, just like we said we would. And get one of those bungalows on the beach. Please, Michael." I sighed. I guess if I couldn't save Sydney, then I should do something with my time. And, if the vacation went badly, I would tell Lauren that I wanted to separate. We'd just have to see.
"All right, let's go." She looked like she could cry.
"Thank you, honey. Why don't you head home and rest up? I'll get my stuff together and make the calls."
"Okay, I'll see you at home." I kissed her and then turned and walked away. In my heart, I felt like I was betraying Sydney somehow. Please, forgive me.
***Lauren's POV***
I didn't want to do this! I had to go away with this man I had been forced to marry. While begging him to go, I had to keep from crying. After he left, I went to my little alcove in the CIA that I always called from.
"It's me. He bought it."
"Good. We're back at the house." I lost it and began to cry.
"I don't want to go. Please, tell me you can abduct him or something. Julian, please."
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Trust me, I would in a second. But we must wait until we get the artifact. Once Sydney is gone, maybe I'll sneak down to, Fiji is it, and visit you."
"But Michael..."
"We'll find a way to see each other. I'll see you soon." My voice trembled as I gave our usual response.
"Not if I see you first, love."
AN: Hello everyone! I've been working in our school talent show (I sang and it was awesome!! I loved it!) But now I am back again! Here is my promised chapter and, like I said before, Lauren is going to be quite despicable! To the point where things will get good. You'll see what I mean sooner or later, in this chapter or one to come. I promise, it will get great. So, this beginning is in Vaughn's POV, right after he was pushed out of the car. Have fun and please review!
Before I could stop her, Sydney reached around me and opened my door. A push to the shoulder and I flew out and onto the pavement. I rolled a couple of times on the street and then up onto the sidewalk. The door slammed shut. I stood up, maybe thinking I could catch the car or maybe just get her to come back. She looked at me once and nodded. I almost felt like crying. Last night, we had confessed our feelings; we had been together. We had admitted to loving each other. I had pretty much ended my marriage. And now that was over.
All I could do now was find a way to save Sydney. I had no cell phone, but about two blocks back there had been a payphone. I started off in a jog, retracing my steps to the one thing that could save Sydney. When I found it, I grabbed the phone and punched in the number that had been hammered into my head since I had joined the CIA. 242-473-6932-7421. Once that was in, I heard two rings, and then a voice.
"You've reached Joey's Pizza..." The message began to blare. This message had been the inspiration for the codename Sydney and I used to contact each other when she was a double agent. I began to click the ID number that would get me the LA office. 4774831. "Hello?"
"This is Agent Michael Vaughn. ID Class Alpha Charlie 283094. Conformation peacekeeper. I need to talk to Director Dixon right now!"
"I'm connecting you now."
"This is Dixon."
"It's Vaughn! I'm in Jakarta. Sydney and I were captured last night and held by Sark. We were heading off for something this morning and Sydney got a door open on the car and pushed me out. Sark still has her. This is the first chance I could check in."
"Good to hear from you. We've been waiting to get any info we could. Right now, I want you to go to the Sim Ke Airport and get back home. We will have a plane waiting."
"What about Sydney?"
"We're setting up a team right now."
"I want to be on that team."
"I'm sorry, Vaughn, but with Sydney's new transfer..."
"She wants to revoke the transfer, I talked to her last night."
"We have to hear that from here. I'm sorry, Vaughn, but I want you to come back here right now. I'll have Lauren informed that you are safe." He hung up before I could say anymore.
"Damn." I said to myself. There was nothing I could do. If I knew Dixon, he would keep me off the search team. I would just have to go home and wait. I now had the task of getting to the airport. This was a pretty abandoned area, so finding a taxi would be impossible. There was a phone book in the bottom of the phone booth, so I opened it and began to look. When I found an add with a taxi on it, I figured I had struck something. I called the company and was able to find someone who spoke English. Once I explained where I was, he assured me that a taxi would be there in about 5 minutes.
I sat down on the curb and just waited. Okay, I didn't just wait, I thought. Where was Sydney? What was Sark doing with her? Why did he even want us anyway? He was working with the Covenant, who had taken Sydney for two years. From what I had found out, though most of it I wasn't supposed to know, they had wanted Sydney to fulfill the Prophecy, which was not about her at all. It was about a child she was supposed to have, made with DNA from Rambaldi himself. Sydney destroyed it all when she torched it, but maybe they still wanted to try something. They were about that messed up, so you couldn't doubt what they could and would do to get their way. She was in so much danger right now, and all she had cared about was getting me out of it.
As I sighed, I saw the taxi pull around the corner. I stood up and waved to get his attention. The car pulled up and I got in.
"Sim Ke Airport." I said simply. I didn't know if he knew English or not, so I didn't want to push it. I just had to wait until we got there. When I started to hear the roar of engines, I knew we were close. Sure enough, a mile ahead was the Sim Ke Airport. And there on the private airstrip was a jet, which I knew was for me to take. When we drove up to the plane, a man stepped out and opened my door.
"Agent Vaughn, I'm Agent Christiansen. I'll pay for your cab. Go ahead and board. Once everything is set, we'll take off."
"Have you talked to Director Dixon?"
"A couple minutes ago. Why?"
"Did he say anything about the retrieval of Agent Bristow?"
"They are orchestrating something as we speak. Apparently right after you called, the CIA received a call from Sark. He's offering Sydney in return for a Rambaldi artifact."
"What's the catch?"
"The meeting will be at his place, here. But, if he tests the artifact and it's fake, Sydney dies."
"Oh gosh!"
"I'm sure things will work themselves out. You can talk to Dixon when you get back. Right now, we need to get you home." I nodded reluctantly and headed for the plane. Once I was in the cabin, I got comfortable in a seat and laid my head down. 'I miss you, Sydney. I wish you hadn't pushed me out. Now your life is being put on the line. I love you, Sydney.' I couldn't contain my thoughts as I fell into the comfort of sleep.
***Syd's POV***
Once back at the house, Sark led me inside and had me sit in the living room type area Vaughn and I had been in earlier. He left and I decided to sit. It was probably better for my all-around well-being.
I waited about 10 minutes and then Sark came back in.
"Things are just going splendidly. I just had a lovely conversation with Dixon and he is willing to negotiate your release. So here's what we do: You will have free reign of my house, with exceptions to some rooms. Those doors will be locked and have security measures, so don't even try. You cannot use a phone or computer, because we can't have you contacting the dear CIA, now can we. I may be gone on business or other matters, but you won't really know. I may be watching you from my security room, so keep that in mind. You'll know when the CIA is coming because I will come get you. Until then, consider this house your own." He nodded and began to turn away.
"Should I find my way back to my cell?"
"Come now, you aren't a prisoner. Your room is on the top floor, last door on the right. It has a great view of the ocean." He walked out and I felt like I couldn't stand. This was such the cliché Beauty and the Beast scenario. I had free reign, with the exception of his hidden rooms. All I needed was talking appliances and I was in. But, I wouldn't be falling for the Beast. No sir.
If I was to be held here, I should probably explore and learn where everything was. The journey has just begun. (AN: OK, that was just a short little snip so that we didn't forget dear Sydney. We're going back to Vaughn now, and the despicable Lauren.)
***Vaughn's POV***
My eyes groggily opened as I felt the plane jolt below me. I was home, in one sense of the word. The old cliché came to my mind. 'Home is where the heart is.' Well then, my home was in Jakarta. There was a black car waiting on the runway with its lights off. Once the plane was down, the side opened into a stairway. I stepped off and went right to the car. The driver said nothing; he just drove off once I was inside.
As we drove, I began to worry. What would I say to Lauren? How would I explain what has happened the last day and a half? There was nothing I could say that wouldn't be self-incriminating. Betraying Lauren was terrible, but lately she had seemed so distant. Maybe...
"Mr. Vaughn, we're here."
"Thank you." I stepped back out of the car and found I was right in front of the CIA center. 'Here goes nothing.' I walked inside and saw that everyone was waiting inside Dixon's office. Everyone, that was, except Lauren. She was sitting at my desk waiting. When she saw me, she jumped up and ran to me. Her arms came around my neck and I hugged her back. 'Idiot.'
"Michael! I was so scared. I got back from Washington and they said that Sark had taken you and Sydney! Where is she?"
"Sark was taking us somewhere and we were in a car. When we stopped at a light, she unlocked my door and pushed me out. I don't know where Sark took her."
"Oh honey, I'm sure she'll be okay. Dixon is setting up a team right now."
"I know, but..."
"Come on, let's go in there and see what's happening." Well, I liked that idea. She took my hand and we headed to Dixon's office. Jack and Dixon were standing and Weiss, Marshall, and a redhead I didn't know were sitting on different chairs.
"Vaughn. Welcome back. We were just discussing Sydney's retrieval." Dixon said.
"I was told on the way back that he wants an artifact and that if it's fake, he'll kill her. So what more is there to discuss." I said. I was furious that they were not willing to give up a little artifact for her life.
"The Covenant has been successful lately in getting multiple artifacts. Giving them yet another would just further their advantage." The redhead said.
"Vaughn, before I forget, this is Amy Christensen, Sydney's new partner." The words felt like a knife to my heart. This was the person taking my place. She looked nice, but inside, I hated her. I nodded my head in recognition and turned back to Dixon.
"The Covenant still has its access points, though. We still have Lisenker who has information. I don't see how you can value an item over someone's life!"
"Jack, Amy, you go to Project Black Hole and talk with Director Smith. See if this certainly is an artifact we can do without. Marshall, I need you to go over the specs of the mansion again. That is where the trade will be taking place, so we need to make sure Sark won't try to pull something over on us. Vaughn, stay after for a minute." Lauren had a slight smirk on her face as she walked out, which could only mean something was going on. "Vaughn, you are not going to be part of the team getting Sydney back."
"What?! Why not?"
"First, because you're not her partner anymore. Second because Lauren has put in a request."
"That I not go on the mission?"
"No. She's been hassled lately with you getting taken twice. She's requested that you two take a vacation for a while."
"Sir, I must object to that."
"Vaughn, you haven't taken a sick day within the time you've worked for the CIA. I'm approving the request."
"But what about Sydney?"
"She's no longer your concern." I nodded solemnly and began to walk out. It was then, though, that I remembered something. "If you bring a fake artifact, Sark will use the genetically targeted poison."
"How do you know that?"
"It's targeted towards her. All he has to do is drop the vial and she dies. Just thought you'd like to know." I couldn't even stand to be near Dixon for another moment. I stormed out of the office. Lauren was waiting outside.
"I guess Dixon told you." She said, giving me an almost puppy dog- like look.
"Yes, and as much as I agree with the idea, I can't."
"Michael..."
"Lauren, she risked her life to save me and now you just want me to go off on vacation and act like nothing is wrong? He could kill her in an instant!"
"I know, love, I know. But Dixon has everyone on it and I know that they will give Sark the artifact. Just give it a little time. But, Michael, please, I've almost lost you twice in one week. Please, just come away with me for a little while. We'll go to Fiji, just like we said we would. And get one of those bungalows on the beach. Please, Michael." I sighed. I guess if I couldn't save Sydney, then I should do something with my time. And, if the vacation went badly, I would tell Lauren that I wanted to separate. We'd just have to see.
"All right, let's go." She looked like she could cry.
"Thank you, honey. Why don't you head home and rest up? I'll get my stuff together and make the calls."
"Okay, I'll see you at home." I kissed her and then turned and walked away. In my heart, I felt like I was betraying Sydney somehow. Please, forgive me.
***Lauren's POV***
I didn't want to do this! I had to go away with this man I had been forced to marry. While begging him to go, I had to keep from crying. After he left, I went to my little alcove in the CIA that I always called from.
"It's me. He bought it."
"Good. We're back at the house." I lost it and began to cry.
"I don't want to go. Please, tell me you can abduct him or something. Julian, please."
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Trust me, I would in a second. But we must wait until we get the artifact. Once Sydney is gone, maybe I'll sneak down to, Fiji is it, and visit you."
"But Michael..."
"We'll find a way to see each other. I'll see you soon." My voice trembled as I gave our usual response.
"Not if I see you first, love."