Caught Up In Reality
Gone

Vaughn helped Sydney out of her seat, getting a glare from Jack as he did so. Sydney rolled her eyes at her fathers retreating back, then snagged a quick kiss from Vaughn. When Vaughn turned her swift peck into a deeper, more passionate kiss, she momentarily forgot where she was, only startled back to earth by the annoyed murmurs of the other passengers who were unable to get by the oblivious couple. Color rising to her cheeks, Sydney got her carry-on and followed Vaughn off the plane.

Jack stood in the baggage claim, wondering where Sydney and Vaughn had gotten off to. When they finally appeared, he looked from one innocent face to another, eyes narrowed. When Sydney met his eyes with a questioning look, he ceased his inquisition into the matter. He was confused, however, by the knowing look Irina shot Sydney, causing a slight blush.

An hour and a half later, Sydney had changed into clothes more appropriate for the office. Vaughn had met her outside the doors to the CIA, in anguish at not being able to touch her, to hold hands, to hold her, to kiss her. All this will be over soon. Once the Alliance is gone... There would only be protocol to stop them. And Vaughn wasn't going to let a rule take Sydney from him. He wasn't going to let anything take Sydney from him.

Once in the interior of the building, Vaughn and Sydney were stopped by Weiss, who motioned for them to follow him into the briefing room. Kendall and Jack were already there. Sydney took a seat at the end of the table. Vaughn debated sitting next to her, but decided instead to sit across from her. The last thing he needed was to be pulled of her case for misconduct right before the takedown of SD-6.

"The information you recovered from the Bahamas was a huge step in our mission to take down the Alliance." Kendall stated. "The first disk contained information, such as computer pass codes, security information, contacts, and mission details. The second disk stored floor plans, maps, important information, and a compilation of all Alliance operative's files." The data began to appear on the screens in front of them. "Langley has given the go-ahead for a raid on the Alliance cells."

Sydney could hardly keep herself from jumping up and down.

"When?" She asked.

"Tomorrow at 0300 hours."
The rest of the day was spent prepping for the raid; gathering agents and a tactical team, coordinating with other agencies. The twelve agencies of the Alliance, SD-1 through SD-12 would stand no chance against the combined efforts of the United Nations' agencies. Sydney spent most of her time adding anything she thought was relevant based on her knowledge of SD- 6. She called Francie and left a message explaining her absence. As far as Francie would know, she was being detained by a client in Wyoming.

Before she left, she wanted to see her mother. After gaining access to the cell, Sydney walked through the series of three metal doors that lead to her mother.

"Sydney."

"Mom." Irina smiled at this, proud to have earned the name from her daughter.

"I didn't think you'd be visiting so soon. Shouldn't you be preparing to raid the Alliance?"

"I have some time. I thought I'd come see you before I left. I know that everyone really appreciates the help you gave us in the Bahamas." Irina smiled.

"How is Agent Vaughn?"

"Things are going well." Sydney smiled at her mother. "I wanted to thank you for that, too. He told me you might have... helped things along." Irina nodded, still grinning. Her own objective for the cruise had been completed. Her daughter was happy.

Sydney checked her watch. It was a quarter to one in the morning. She needed to get going. She also needed a coffee. Giving her mother a last look, she went back to work.
Finally the time came to get going. Sydney, Weiss, Vaughn, and Jack would all be raiding SD-6 together, along with twelve other choice agents. At the same time, agencies around the world would be conducting their own raids on the other SD cells. If all went well, the Alliance would be destroyed.
Sydney stepped into the back of the van, then sat down between her father and Vaughn. Her mind was racing with thoughts of the mission she faced. The last time she had been this happy to go into SD-6, she hadn't known the truth about who she was working for. She had spent the last two years dreading going to Credit Dauphine, and now she could hardly wait to pull up into the parking lot.

"Are you okay with all this? I mean, everything's happening kind of fast..." Vaughn sounded concerned, she could tell without having to look at him that his brow was creasing. It always did.

"I'll be fine. I'm just so glad that all this will finally be over." She said. Vaughn nodded. He could understand why she wanted to be out of the stranglehold SD-6 had on her. He had seen what it did to her, knowing that she had worked for them, hurt innocent people, been lied to and deceived. He would make sure that she never felt that way again, ever.

Vaughn pulled her hand into his lap and gave it a squeeze, ignoring Jack who was squinting in the darkness to see what was going on between them. Sydney perked up when she began to recognize the turns the van was making, bringing them into the parking lot of Credit Dauphine. Once they had parked, it was another few minutes before the driver pulled open the door to the back of the van. It was dark out, the sun had not yet begun its ascent into the sky. But the sky was clear, the moon but a sliver in the night sky. No stars were visible for the bright lights of the nearby city of Los Angeles.

Sydney checked her watch. It was a little before three in the morning. They were right on time. Signaling to the other members of the group, she led the way into the parking garage, where they found the fuses, just as the disk had said. After depriving the building of electricity, the group made their way into the building, forcing through doors and past the powerless security cameras. Crouching by the entrance into the offices, Sydney mentally prepared herself for what she was about to do. She compartmentalized any feelings she had about the task ahead, then awaited Kendall's signal to go ahead.

"Charlie team; let's go." The director's voice crackled through the headsets of the group. Jack kicked open the door, allowing them to file through, guns on the ready.

Sixteen CIA agents stood in a deserted, barren office center. Everything was gone. Computers, papers, even some desks had been taken. All that remained was the papers that littered the floor and what was attached to the building.

Sydney gasped, her face going from one of determination and anticipation to horror and anger. The other agents began to methodically search for any hiding dangers, but Sydney, Jack, Vaughn, and Weiss knew that it was futile. Sloane had flown the coop. Jack stepped aside to begin relaying information to Kendall. Others began collecting papers from the floor to send to analysis.

Jack walked up to Sydney.

"Apparently all the other cells were deserted too. Someone must have tipped Sloane off about the raid, either someone inside the offices or..." He shrugged.

All that Sydney could do was stand there, in the middle of the offices, trying to control her emotions. Vaughn stood at her side, knowing there was nothing he could do or say to make it better.

Sorry about the shortness, guys. But a lot happened in this chapter and I couldn't think of anything else I wanted to do just yet. I promise next chapter will be longer.


Anyways... Chapter nine... Um, how's Wednesday/Thursday for ya? Finals this week, then I should be able to get more done faster. :)

Please, PLEASE review! Thanks!

Katy