Title: A Case Of You

Author: S@nd

Feedback: sydneyvaughnmailbox@yahoo.fr

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.J, Bad Robot, ABC… blablabla (you know). OK, OK, I don't own anything.

Summary: In the previous chapters, Sark kidnapped Dixon. Fran & Will played detectives as Sydney was meeting Vaughn...He was made and then Fran wanted to meet him! Vaughn & Sydney accepted to have dinner altogether at Sydney's... Jack arrived to give news about Sark and Dixon, and he didn't like Vaughn's presence there. Meanwhile, Will, still jealous, threatened Vaughn, and Sydney arrived just in time to save him from Will and Fran's questions. They had a conversation in the back yard, and kissed eventually…Vaughn's pager beeped as Weiss was trying to get in touch with him because a furious Jack wanted to visit Vaughn...And he did. They had a conversation, and Vaughn didn't know what to do with Sydney... Sydney daydreamed about what could have been, and now expects Sark to contact her…

A/N: Hi, this is the twelfth chapter. Sorry it took me so long to write it, but I was really busy, and I wasted time creating a website to make my music section available that still doesn't work!!! Anyway, now, here it is, so just read. And don't forget to REVIEW! Thanks. S@nd.

* - * - *

* CHAPTER 12 – WRONG IMPRESSION *

* - *  CreDit DauPhiNe  * - *

Sydney stopped the car in the parking garage and got out slowly, to head to the elevator. She took a deep breath before going inside. 'I'm fed up with waiting, Sark, I want Dixon back, so now, just tell me what you what from me!' she thought, crossing her fingers, wishing he would contact her soon.

The elevator dinged and the door opened. She went out, and was flashed by the usual red light. When the room went white again she walked through the door and headed straight to Sloane's office. She spotted him pacing in the conference room, and went in.

"Sydney, you're here, take a seat, we've got news…"

She nodded and sat along the table, tears in her eyes, as she remembered Dixon was not there. The seat next to her was still empty, and she didn't like it. It had to end, soon.

"We just received that video Sark sent us this morning" Sloane continued, clicking a button to play a video. "Sark wants to meet you in a warehouse near San Diego this afternoon, so you better get ready. All he said was just that Dixon is okay…"

As he was talking about Dixon, they could watch pictures of him, tied up to a chair, looking tired but…still alive though. That was the most important for Sydney.

She felt a bit relieved, but at the same time worried. She still didn't know what Sark wanted from her, and she didn't like it…But she couldn't do else but obey and stick to his plan.

Sloane paused and looked at her straight in the eyes.

"I'll be ready!" she nodded. "I'll do my best to bring Dixon back alive, I promise…" she added, coldly.

"That's what I want you to do, Sydney" Sloane said coldly. "I have to go now, I'm afraid. Just go and ask Marshall for further details…"

And so saying he turned on his heels and left the room. Sydney stood still for a few seconds, before standing up.

'Hurry up, Sydney, you have plenty of things o do before leaving' she murmured to herself. And the most important was to meet Vaughn.

* - *   The WareHouSe  * - *

Vaughn was pacing in the warehouse, wondering whether he should be glad to meet her because they kissed, or feel awkward because they kissed… He still didn't know how to react.

And he didn't know if he should be pleased to meet her, as she was probably about to leave for a risky mission…Sark's mission!

'Sark!…He's such a calculating and sly spy. And so…unpredictable!' Vaughn thought. But he couldn't do anything to prevent him from threatening Sydney, and endangering her life once again.

He sighed, wishing he could do something. He suddenly heard footsteps on the floor. Her footsteps! His heart started beating faster. Should he listen to Jack's advice and pretend to ignore what happened the night before? Should he put himself before the job, should he talk about the kiss first, to make things clear, as he was dying to know how she was feeling about that? Or should he wait for her to speak first? Everything was popping up in his mind.

Sydney gazed around her before rushing into the warehouse, almost running. She had so many things to do before her meeting Sark she didn't know what to start with. She was not used to be afraid before a mission, but for the first time she really was under pressure, because she was aware of the fact that Dixon's life was probably in her hands. And that her life would soon be in Sark's!

For a second she stopped, hesitating. She was sure Vaughn was there, waiting for her, as always. And it was their first meeting after…their kiss. She knew they had to talk about the mission but she didn't know if she should make an allusion to what happened between them. If she did, she already knew it would be difficult to hide her secret any longer.

She caught sight of him, and walked more slowly. She stopped in front of him and coughed.

"We have news…" she finally started, swallowing hard.

Vaughn nodded, a bit confused, waiting for her to explain.

"He sent us a video this morning, and I'm supposed to meet him this afternoon. I still don't know what he wants from me, and where he wants me to go, but…I'm sure I better get ready for my riskiest mission so far, I'm afraid" she acknowledged.

"Sydney, I know I always say that, but this time I really mean it… Be Careful! This man is dangerous, and he knows he could make you do whatever he wants, because you'd accept to save Dixon, am I right?" he paused, waiting for her to reply.

She just nodded.

"So, I want you to be really careful…." He sighed. He suddenly took a box out from his pocket. "Look, Sydney, I have something for you…"

He opened the box and handed her a ring.

Sydney rolled her eyes, and stared at him, stunned. "Vaughn…". She couldn't believe he was handing her a ring. What was that supposed to mean? Did he want her to be…'his', despite SD-6, the Alliance, CIA protocol, her father… ? She stood still, her mouth opened, unable to say a word.

Vaughn looked tense, but plucked up courage to give her explanations.

"As we don't know where Sark would like you to go, I thought we'd need this, there's a transmitter hidden in it. This way, we can find where you are and hopefully it won't draw Sark's attention on it. He'll probably use a metal detector or some other device, so let's hope he doesn't have suspicion on a simple ring…We'll try to follow you, and to get in touch with you as soon as you arrive where he wants you to go… I think that's the best we can do…"

"Thank you, Vaughn…" she said, a bit disappointed, putting the ring on her finger. She looked down, wondering whether to leave or not. She felt awkward, as she realized she had expected him to tell her he loved her, and that nothing else mattered. But it was selfish. He couldn't risk his life like that. It was just a dream, because this would never happen.

She was lost in her thoughts when suddenly Vaughn broke the silence. He coughed.

"About last night…" he started.

"Please, Vaughn…"

Didn't want to leave you With the wrong impression

"No, please Sydney, let me tell you…" He paused. "I wanted to tell you that…I'm sorry, I didn't want to press you, or…"

"You didn't, Vaughn, you didn't. That's my fault, I shouldn't have…" She sighed. 'I mean…I don't know, I think I just needed someone to care for me last night. You know…since Danny died, I've never told anyone about my 'real' life…I can't trust anyone, I can't tell anyone the truth, even to my closest friends. So I can't have 'normal' relationships' with…a man. You're the only one who knows everything, that's why I felt so 'close' to you last night…"

Didn't want to leave you With my last confession Of love

She stopped. She couldn't look at him straight in the eye. She had the feeling if she did, he would know, he would know everything!

Vaughn was speechless. He didn't know what to think about her 'confession'. Did she mean he could be 'the' man for her, or if she was trying to tell him he was just there, as he always was, when she needed someone and that he was nothing else to her? He tried to read the answer in her eyes, in vain.

Haven't you wondered Why you're finding it hard Just looking at me

"I have to go…" she added, reluctantly, looking up again. She knew she had to, but she didn't want to leave now.

I want you But I want you to understand I leave you I love you

She then remembered she was about to put her head in the lion's mouth, and she didn't know if she would come back safely. She didn't want to be pessimistic, but she realized it could be their last meeting, and she just wanted to remember that minute, his face, his smile, his sparkling eyes…and his soft lips on hers when they kissed the night before.

She shook her head. 'No, I can't cross the line again. How would you feel if something happened to me after that? I don't want to hurt you, Vaughn!' she murmured to herself. 'I can't do it again, no! Definitely NO!'

He stared at her, and took a deep breath. "I just…want you to come back, Sydney. Be careful…and…good luck." He whispered.

He was dying to rush to her and hug her, but he remembered Jack's words. He shouldn't have a close relationship with Sydney. But he couldn't help it. The only thing that had changed now was that Jack knew, and if Jack knew, one day Devlin would know too. And if that was to happen, he wouldn't be Sydney's handler anymore, he wouldn't be there for her when she needed him, he wouldn't be able to protect her. 'Stick to the rules, Vaughn! Stick to the rules! That's the best you can do to help her, to back her. Just work with her, and this'll end soon…'

He stared at her, swallowing hard.

Sydney sighed, and turned to leave.

Vaughn walked a step, about to hold her back by the arm, but he stopped and watched her going away. 'Be careful, Sydney, be careful…I told you, I want you to come back…I want you alive! Perhaps one day I could tell you, but before, you have to come back. We'll take them down, Sydney, and then…'

Haven't you wondered

What we could've been

If you'd only let me in

He sighed. 'Why didn't I tell her that? We could wait, but I should have told her, she had to know!' he realized. 'Why can't I find the strength to tell her what I want her to know when she's there with me?'

Haven't you wondered

Why I'm always alone

When you're in my dreams

'One day we'll be able to cross the line, Sydney. If you want us to…' he decided.

* - * -

Sydney rushed out of her house, heading to her car. 'Thank God Fran's not home' she murmured to herself, putting her bag in the trunk. She was glad she wasn't there, as she didn't want to tell her little stories again, but she felt a bit sad as she realized she could be killed and then would never meet her anymore, that she could die without saying goodbye to her best friend. She sighed, tears in the eyes.

'I have no other choice but to meet you, Sark' she concluded, slamming the trunk. 'So, it's now or never'.

And so saying, she stepped in the car and started it.

She stopped the car about thirty minutes later. She turned off the engine, and stepped out. She gazed around her, a bit worried and impatient.

A minute went by. Still no one, nothing moving, except a few leaves blown by the wind.

Suddenly a van came and stopped right in front of her. A few guards went out, followed by Sark. He stopped in front of her and smiled at her.

"Did you find the location easily, agent Bristow?" he asked, a bit wisecracking.

"Where's Dixon? Bring him to me!" she ordered, ignoring his question.

"Please, don't answer my question with another question!" He paused. "He's alright. You'll be able to see him as soon as we arrive..." He replied.

"As soon as we arrive…? Where?!"

"Everything in its own time, agent Bristow… Do you have any luggage?"

Sydney looked daggers at him. 'How could he ask such mundane questions, when Dixon's life was at stake!' she wanted to say.

"I'm not leaving for a honeymoon with you, Sark." She continued. "I'm serious, let's stick to the point, what the hell do you want from me?!" she almost shouted, losing all patience.

Sark burst into laugh, and Sydney became even more mad at him. She wanted to kill him.

"If you keep kidding me like that, that conversation is over I'm afraid!" she replied, turning on her heels.

"If I were you, I'd stay in here, agent Bristow!" he threatened, seriously.

Didn't want to leave you

With the wrong impression

Sydney turned again to face him, defiantly.

"Then tell me why I should stay and waste time listening to your stupid comments, Mr Sark…" she teased.

Sark looked cut to the quick. He walked to Sydney, stopped a few inches from her, looking at her straight in the eyes.

Wasn't trying to pull you

In the wrong direction

All I wanna do is try and

Make a connection

He then bended on one knee, and took a box out of his jacket pocket.

"Agent Bristow, would you marry me…?" he asked.

Falling out, falling out

Haven't you wondered

If this was ever more

Than a crazy idea…

  * END OF CHAPTER 12 *

TO BE CONTINUED…

* - *  Natalie Imbruglia - WRONG IMPRESSION  * - * 

Calling out, calling out

Haven't you wondered

Why I'm always alone

When you're in my dreams

Calling out, calling out

Haven't you wondered

Why you're finding it hard

Just looking at me

I want you

But I want you to understand

I leave you

I love you

Didn't want to leave you

With the wrong impression

Didn't want to leave you

With my last confession

Of love

Wasn't trying to pull you

In the wrong direction

All I wanna do is try and

Make a connection

Of love

Falling out, falling out

Haven't you wondered

If this was ever more

Than a crazy idea

Falling out, falling out

Haven't you wondered

What we could've been

If you'd only let me in

I want you

But I want you to understand

I miss you

I love you

Didn't want to leave you

With the wrong impression

Didn't want to leave you

With my last confession

Of love

Wasn't trying to pull you

In the wrong direction

All I wanna do is try and

Make a connection

Of love

I need you

I love you

A/N: Ok, I know you're gonna say I'm evil as I stopped the chapter here, but I couldn't help it. I told you you'd be shocked, or surprised... Anyway I hope you like it, so please let me know what you think and REVIEW!

Thanks a lot for reading and suggesting, Kat. What would I do without you?

And thanks again for your nice reviews regarding chapter 11…

Laura: Glad you like my music section. I created that website last week to make the songs available, but it doesn't work yet. I'll let you know as soon as it works, I promise! About "Daydream", it was sung by Art Garfunkel (from Simon & Garfunkel) but there was another version performed by Lovin' Spoonful (but I must say I've never heard that one…in France). Maybe you can surf the web to find a MP3 version…And glad you wrote your longest review, just for me! Wow!

Serendipity112233: Glad you liked the previous chapter. Sark is back for good now, are you happy? Um…and about some more syd/vaughn lovin, well, we'll see…

Adelaide Bristow: Wow, what a review! "Another fabulous chapter!" Wow, you made my day! Thanks for waiting impatiently for an update of this story, I'm so honored! As you can notice, action is back! And I'm sure you're excited about the next one!! But please wait, because it's not written yet! Do you really think I'm gonna make SYD AND VAUGHN END UP TOGETHER after what you've just read…hehe! I won't tell you now!

About my PERFECT English (wow, thank you), I had wonderful teachers: Madonna, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Cure, U2, Queen… but I can't explain any further… Thanks for your support! If you want to talk to me, you've got my email, just send me something! Please!

Pinkfluffychikon: Nice to meet you, glad you like my story. There was more action in this chapter, do you like it? You can't watch season 3! I understand oh-so much, as I can't watch it either. Grr!

Liz: I hope you liked this one. And about my questions about LV, if you have information, it'll help. Thanks! I told you you'd be surprised, so how do you feel…?

Star16: Hey, Ryan, resting period is over, I told you, so now, what do you think?

Ryanne: About your question, yep, she was dreaming, but it could have been real…or not…No, I'm kidding. In fact, at the beginning, everything that happened was supposed to be a dream, but in the end, I changed my plan, so the dinner and the kiss were real…