Chap.4- The "Touch"
After the meeting and mounds of paperwork, Sydney was definitely getting ready to go home, drop onto the couch and not move until she had to go to bed. She started gathering up paperwork and was getting ready to go home when she was called into Jack's office.
"Leaving?" Jack asked as Sydney popped her head around the doorframe.
"Yes. Did you need something?"
"I almost forgot to give this to you." Jack said handing her something small and black. A beeper. Sydney sighed.
"I wish you had."
Three days later, Sydney, Agent Lee, Agent Chaplin, and Agent Jamison were sitting in the plane on the way to Austria. The three young agents were having a good time getting to know Sydney and by the look on their faces, Sydney could tell that even though they were amateur agents, she could depend on them if she had to. By the time the flight was over, Sydney had gotten to know the three agents and their dispositions well enough to know how they would react on the mission.
Agent Ana Lee was cool-headed and had remained calm in all the situations that were presented to her. Her attitude and nature was so reminiscent and alike to Sydney's that at first, she had wondered if they had met somewhere before. Sydney had to admit that when she first met Ana, she had doubted her capabilities in the field due to her first impression as a flighty, irresponsible person, but when she got to know her more and more, she was impressed by her knowledge and quick thinking.
Agent James Chaplin's personality was different depending on each situation and who was involved. He always surprised her in some way, never caring to show off his knowledge and sometimes didn't participate in their conversations, but chose to sit back and listen. His eyes held tenderness and compassion, but hardened when he was insulted or was frustrated. James had tact, always knowing the right thing to say.
Agent Mark Jamison had an amazing sense of humor, never failing to make her laugh. He was witty and his responses were quick. He was always talking and was always smiling at the center of attention. He had a hard childhood, but conquered that while achieving a laid-back personality
Soon, the plane taxied into its terminal and they headed towards customs with Sydney walking far in front and the rest in the back.
"Is this your first time in Austria, Mrs. Dawson?" The woman asked.
"Yes." Sydney answered in German.
"I see that you're here to adopt a child."
"That is correct."
"And are these three with you?" The woman asked questioningly at the three agents. Sydney looked at them with a puzzled expression.
"No."
"Well...your papers seem to be in order, welcome to Austria."
"Thank you."
Twenty minutes later, Agents Lee, Chaplin, and Jamison had gotten through customs posing as college friends out for the summer. They hailed separate cabs and arrived at the hotel ten minutes apart. Once they all arrived, Sydney quickly reviewed the mission again and they relaxed, waiting for nightfall.
Three hours later, the sun was setting and they had changed. Walking quickly through alleys and avoiding the main roads, Sydney, Ana, James, and Mark arrived at the manufacturing plant half and hour later. Sydney signaled them all to turn on their comm. links.
"Boy Scout, this is Mountaineer, do you copy?"
"Roger that, Mountaineer, this is Boy Scout. Are you in?"
"Yes."
The four of them had jumped the short fence and ran around the main building towards one of the looming silver towers at the end of the plant.
"Enter cautiously, Mountaineer. There are six guards. Four in the lab and two near the entrance. I repeat, enter cautiously."
"Copy that."
Mark and James headed in first, eliminating two of the six guards while Sydney and Ana walked carefully to the side of the hall, pulling open the air vent and climbing into it.
"Boy Scout, we're heading towards the lab."
Mark and James climbed in after them. All four of them crawled carefully, trying to avoid loud noises or echoing from their voices. Sydney stopped suddenly and turned to look at them, signaling that she was going down. She pulled open the vent and dropped quietly onto the floor. She looked around her, scanning for any signs of the guards or cameras. There were none.
"Boy Scout, I am in the lab. I repeat. I am in the lab."
"Copy that Mountaineer, watch for cameras."
"Copy that. I am going radio silent."
"Roger."
Sydney turned off her comm. link and motioned that it was safe. The three of them dropped onto the linoleum tile and scanned around.
"Footsteps." Ana said, pointing to an open door. She headed towards the door and a loud scream was heard, attracting the rest of the guards. Mark ran towards the circuit box, and could do nothing but stall the cameras for four minutes while Sydney and James made short work of the inexperienced guards.
"Mark. Find a computer, install the bug. James, cover him. Ana, you're with me."
Mark and James left to find a computer while Ana and Sydney split up to find the baby. They turned on their comm. links to each other and a short time later,
"Mountaineer, I found the package. Do you copy?"
"Copy that, Care bear. I'm heading your way."
Sydney ran back and found Ana trying to make the baby quiet down.
"Give him the pacifier!" Sydney said quickly, digging in her pockets.
"No, you take him. It doesn't seem ethical. I don't care what Marshall says about not hurting the baby. Sometimes, I just wonder about him."
Ana handed Sydney the baby and he immediately quieted down. He couldn't be more than three months old with blue eyes and blonde tufts of hair.
"He stopped." Sydney said, amazed.
"Hey, you've got the touch." Ana grinned, "We have to hurry; we don't have a lot of time."
They ran towards the door and Mark and James joined them, running easily in stride.
"Did it work?" Sydney asked, the baby jiggling up and down in her arms.
"Like a charm." James answered.
"The chomping noises were really great!" Mark said laughing.
"Marshall will be pleased." Ana said dryly, hopping the fence with Mark and James after her.
"Hand me the baby!" James shouted to Sydney.
"Are you crazy? It's too high!" Ana said to James, staring at him incredulously, "Meet me at the gate! Mark, come with me!"
Mark shrugged and ran after Ana. James sighed and ran after them.
"What am I supposed to do? Rip it open with my bare hands?" Mark asked.
"No, stupid. Pick the lock. Here's a bobby pin."
"What?! Ripping it open was a better idea. I haven't picked a lock since I was little."
"It's like riding a bike, you never forget. Now pick!"
The lights to the tower turned on, and they heard shouts and people running to the gate.
"Hurry!" Ana shouted.
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Mark said, furiously working at the lock.
"Come on, come on." Sydney murmured, looking back from time to time.
Gunshots were heard the baby started to cry, waking up from his nap.
"Shh...Shh...It's ok...." Sydney soothed. But even she couldn't make the baby be quiet. It was the darkest hour of the night, giving them a shield, but the crying of the baby enabled them to pinpoint their position.
"Please, be quiet." Ana begged with pleading eyes, "Shh..."
Sydney fumbled in her pockets, discovering that she didn't have the pacifier.
"Ana, please. Give me the pacifier."
The men were getting closer and one fired a shot, grazing Sydney's hip, making her almost drop the baby. She grimaced in pain and looked at Ana. Giving up, Ana looked in her pockets and looked at Sydney.
"I don't have it..."
Sydney was tempted to throw the baby over to James, when Mark exclaimed,
"Got it!"
He pushed open the gate and Sydney ran past. Ana, James, and Mark ran after her, running all the way back to the hotel.
When they reached the bushes next to the hotel, the three of them stripped off their outer clothing, throwing them into the bushes, and wiped the sheen of sweat off their foreheads. Sydney and Ana fixed their hair as Mark and James sighed. They walked into the lobby cooing at the baby as they asked Sydney questions about the baby and she asked them about college. Once they got into their hotel room, they all fell onto the beds and didn't wake up until the baby's loud screams interrupted their slumber.
Ana tried feeding it, rocking it, giving it to Sydney, but nothing worked. Finally, at three in the morning, she felt around in her bag, extracted the pacifier and stuck it in his mouth. Silence encased the room as they all sighed.
"Screw ethics." Ana said as she collapsed into bed and fell sound asleep.
One week later, the four agents and the baby whom they had dubbed Sam, arrived back in L.A. "Sam's" parents were there waiting for him and the doctors checked him over and when they were certain that they hadn't done any research on him yet, he was allowed to go home.
Sydney ignored the piles of work on her desk and Kendall's request to see her. She grabbed her bag and winced as it hit against her hip. It had almost healed, but still hurt whenever anything touched it.
"Syd? Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Vaughn asked, seeing her wince.
"I'm fine." Sydney said, pushing him away.
"Where are you going?"
"Home."
She walked out quickly and even when the bag hit against her hip, she didn't notice because the pain in her heart overrode her physical hurt.
"Sydney? Is that you?" Scott asked, walking out of the house and into the garage.
"Yes, it's me." She looked worn out and tiredly climbed out of her car. Scott took her bag and she followed him into the house. She walked unsteadily from her tiredness and her hip banged against the doorframe.
"Oh....sh....!" Sydney cried, holding her hip. Scott dropped her bag and ran to her.
"What's wrong with your hip? Are you hurt?"
Sydney bit her lip and nodded. She showed Scott her wound and he looked up at her with flashing eyes,
"Did you get shot?"
"It's only a graze, don't worry about it." Sydney said, trying to comfort him.
"Tell me you saw a doctor." Sydney looked at him. "Sydney!" Scott cried and looked at her imploringly, "This could get infected! You have to take care of yourself. Come on, we're going to the hospital." He said, tugging at her hand.
"Scott! You're just being silly. I'll just go upstairs and put a band aid on it. It's not that bad, really." Sydney assured him. He sighed and looked at her carefully.
"Well...you look like you need a break. Maybe we should go socialize like normal people."
"With who?" Sydney asked him. Scott thought.
"Our new neighbors! We could invite them over for a party or something."
Sydney nodded and smiled.
"That's a great idea. I'll go over there right now."
Scott nodded and rubbed his hands together, smiling gleefully like a little boy.
"What are you so happy about?" Sydney asked.
"I get to use my new grill!" He answered joyfully.
"Men..." Sydney sighed and walked out the door.
Yay! Chapter 4! How was it? My muse left me for a short while, plus I was depressed that school is starting....TOMORROW! Yes yes! I know!
Well...the exciting part is about to happen! Are you excited? I'm excited! It's going to take me a bit longer to get up because well...school...duh...and tennis....and the worst part, oh no, here it comes, homework! ::shriek::
ANYWAYS, I promise that I will do my best to get it up quickly.
Please review, it gives me so much happiness to open my Inbox and find reviews. And please please, criticism is welcome! I don't want you to have to sit through a lame chapter! If you think it needs a bit of fixin' or you think it's the stupidest thing you've ever read, tell me!
Oh yes, as an afterthought....I tried to do the spacing thing...and I hope that's what you meant because I got confused and...Well...I get confused a lot.
Oh! And another afterthought...how was the Marshall scene in the last chapter. I think that no one can write Marshall's part well....except for Marshall, of course....duh.
After the meeting and mounds of paperwork, Sydney was definitely getting ready to go home, drop onto the couch and not move until she had to go to bed. She started gathering up paperwork and was getting ready to go home when she was called into Jack's office.
"Leaving?" Jack asked as Sydney popped her head around the doorframe.
"Yes. Did you need something?"
"I almost forgot to give this to you." Jack said handing her something small and black. A beeper. Sydney sighed.
"I wish you had."
Three days later, Sydney, Agent Lee, Agent Chaplin, and Agent Jamison were sitting in the plane on the way to Austria. The three young agents were having a good time getting to know Sydney and by the look on their faces, Sydney could tell that even though they were amateur agents, she could depend on them if she had to. By the time the flight was over, Sydney had gotten to know the three agents and their dispositions well enough to know how they would react on the mission.
Agent Ana Lee was cool-headed and had remained calm in all the situations that were presented to her. Her attitude and nature was so reminiscent and alike to Sydney's that at first, she had wondered if they had met somewhere before. Sydney had to admit that when she first met Ana, she had doubted her capabilities in the field due to her first impression as a flighty, irresponsible person, but when she got to know her more and more, she was impressed by her knowledge and quick thinking.
Agent James Chaplin's personality was different depending on each situation and who was involved. He always surprised her in some way, never caring to show off his knowledge and sometimes didn't participate in their conversations, but chose to sit back and listen. His eyes held tenderness and compassion, but hardened when he was insulted or was frustrated. James had tact, always knowing the right thing to say.
Agent Mark Jamison had an amazing sense of humor, never failing to make her laugh. He was witty and his responses were quick. He was always talking and was always smiling at the center of attention. He had a hard childhood, but conquered that while achieving a laid-back personality
Soon, the plane taxied into its terminal and they headed towards customs with Sydney walking far in front and the rest in the back.
"Is this your first time in Austria, Mrs. Dawson?" The woman asked.
"Yes." Sydney answered in German.
"I see that you're here to adopt a child."
"That is correct."
"And are these three with you?" The woman asked questioningly at the three agents. Sydney looked at them with a puzzled expression.
"No."
"Well...your papers seem to be in order, welcome to Austria."
"Thank you."
Twenty minutes later, Agents Lee, Chaplin, and Jamison had gotten through customs posing as college friends out for the summer. They hailed separate cabs and arrived at the hotel ten minutes apart. Once they all arrived, Sydney quickly reviewed the mission again and they relaxed, waiting for nightfall.
Three hours later, the sun was setting and they had changed. Walking quickly through alleys and avoiding the main roads, Sydney, Ana, James, and Mark arrived at the manufacturing plant half and hour later. Sydney signaled them all to turn on their comm. links.
"Boy Scout, this is Mountaineer, do you copy?"
"Roger that, Mountaineer, this is Boy Scout. Are you in?"
"Yes."
The four of them had jumped the short fence and ran around the main building towards one of the looming silver towers at the end of the plant.
"Enter cautiously, Mountaineer. There are six guards. Four in the lab and two near the entrance. I repeat, enter cautiously."
"Copy that."
Mark and James headed in first, eliminating two of the six guards while Sydney and Ana walked carefully to the side of the hall, pulling open the air vent and climbing into it.
"Boy Scout, we're heading towards the lab."
Mark and James climbed in after them. All four of them crawled carefully, trying to avoid loud noises or echoing from their voices. Sydney stopped suddenly and turned to look at them, signaling that she was going down. She pulled open the vent and dropped quietly onto the floor. She looked around her, scanning for any signs of the guards or cameras. There were none.
"Boy Scout, I am in the lab. I repeat. I am in the lab."
"Copy that Mountaineer, watch for cameras."
"Copy that. I am going radio silent."
"Roger."
Sydney turned off her comm. link and motioned that it was safe. The three of them dropped onto the linoleum tile and scanned around.
"Footsteps." Ana said, pointing to an open door. She headed towards the door and a loud scream was heard, attracting the rest of the guards. Mark ran towards the circuit box, and could do nothing but stall the cameras for four minutes while Sydney and James made short work of the inexperienced guards.
"Mark. Find a computer, install the bug. James, cover him. Ana, you're with me."
Mark and James left to find a computer while Ana and Sydney split up to find the baby. They turned on their comm. links to each other and a short time later,
"Mountaineer, I found the package. Do you copy?"
"Copy that, Care bear. I'm heading your way."
Sydney ran back and found Ana trying to make the baby quiet down.
"Give him the pacifier!" Sydney said quickly, digging in her pockets.
"No, you take him. It doesn't seem ethical. I don't care what Marshall says about not hurting the baby. Sometimes, I just wonder about him."
Ana handed Sydney the baby and he immediately quieted down. He couldn't be more than three months old with blue eyes and blonde tufts of hair.
"He stopped." Sydney said, amazed.
"Hey, you've got the touch." Ana grinned, "We have to hurry; we don't have a lot of time."
They ran towards the door and Mark and James joined them, running easily in stride.
"Did it work?" Sydney asked, the baby jiggling up and down in her arms.
"Like a charm." James answered.
"The chomping noises were really great!" Mark said laughing.
"Marshall will be pleased." Ana said dryly, hopping the fence with Mark and James after her.
"Hand me the baby!" James shouted to Sydney.
"Are you crazy? It's too high!" Ana said to James, staring at him incredulously, "Meet me at the gate! Mark, come with me!"
Mark shrugged and ran after Ana. James sighed and ran after them.
"What am I supposed to do? Rip it open with my bare hands?" Mark asked.
"No, stupid. Pick the lock. Here's a bobby pin."
"What?! Ripping it open was a better idea. I haven't picked a lock since I was little."
"It's like riding a bike, you never forget. Now pick!"
The lights to the tower turned on, and they heard shouts and people running to the gate.
"Hurry!" Ana shouted.
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Mark said, furiously working at the lock.
"Come on, come on." Sydney murmured, looking back from time to time.
Gunshots were heard the baby started to cry, waking up from his nap.
"Shh...Shh...It's ok...." Sydney soothed. But even she couldn't make the baby be quiet. It was the darkest hour of the night, giving them a shield, but the crying of the baby enabled them to pinpoint their position.
"Please, be quiet." Ana begged with pleading eyes, "Shh..."
Sydney fumbled in her pockets, discovering that she didn't have the pacifier.
"Ana, please. Give me the pacifier."
The men were getting closer and one fired a shot, grazing Sydney's hip, making her almost drop the baby. She grimaced in pain and looked at Ana. Giving up, Ana looked in her pockets and looked at Sydney.
"I don't have it..."
Sydney was tempted to throw the baby over to James, when Mark exclaimed,
"Got it!"
He pushed open the gate and Sydney ran past. Ana, James, and Mark ran after her, running all the way back to the hotel.
When they reached the bushes next to the hotel, the three of them stripped off their outer clothing, throwing them into the bushes, and wiped the sheen of sweat off their foreheads. Sydney and Ana fixed their hair as Mark and James sighed. They walked into the lobby cooing at the baby as they asked Sydney questions about the baby and she asked them about college. Once they got into their hotel room, they all fell onto the beds and didn't wake up until the baby's loud screams interrupted their slumber.
Ana tried feeding it, rocking it, giving it to Sydney, but nothing worked. Finally, at three in the morning, she felt around in her bag, extracted the pacifier and stuck it in his mouth. Silence encased the room as they all sighed.
"Screw ethics." Ana said as she collapsed into bed and fell sound asleep.
One week later, the four agents and the baby whom they had dubbed Sam, arrived back in L.A. "Sam's" parents were there waiting for him and the doctors checked him over and when they were certain that they hadn't done any research on him yet, he was allowed to go home.
Sydney ignored the piles of work on her desk and Kendall's request to see her. She grabbed her bag and winced as it hit against her hip. It had almost healed, but still hurt whenever anything touched it.
"Syd? Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Vaughn asked, seeing her wince.
"I'm fine." Sydney said, pushing him away.
"Where are you going?"
"Home."
She walked out quickly and even when the bag hit against her hip, she didn't notice because the pain in her heart overrode her physical hurt.
"Sydney? Is that you?" Scott asked, walking out of the house and into the garage.
"Yes, it's me." She looked worn out and tiredly climbed out of her car. Scott took her bag and she followed him into the house. She walked unsteadily from her tiredness and her hip banged against the doorframe.
"Oh....sh....!" Sydney cried, holding her hip. Scott dropped her bag and ran to her.
"What's wrong with your hip? Are you hurt?"
Sydney bit her lip and nodded. She showed Scott her wound and he looked up at her with flashing eyes,
"Did you get shot?"
"It's only a graze, don't worry about it." Sydney said, trying to comfort him.
"Tell me you saw a doctor." Sydney looked at him. "Sydney!" Scott cried and looked at her imploringly, "This could get infected! You have to take care of yourself. Come on, we're going to the hospital." He said, tugging at her hand.
"Scott! You're just being silly. I'll just go upstairs and put a band aid on it. It's not that bad, really." Sydney assured him. He sighed and looked at her carefully.
"Well...you look like you need a break. Maybe we should go socialize like normal people."
"With who?" Sydney asked him. Scott thought.
"Our new neighbors! We could invite them over for a party or something."
Sydney nodded and smiled.
"That's a great idea. I'll go over there right now."
Scott nodded and rubbed his hands together, smiling gleefully like a little boy.
"What are you so happy about?" Sydney asked.
"I get to use my new grill!" He answered joyfully.
"Men..." Sydney sighed and walked out the door.
Yay! Chapter 4! How was it? My muse left me for a short while, plus I was depressed that school is starting....TOMORROW! Yes yes! I know!
Well...the exciting part is about to happen! Are you excited? I'm excited! It's going to take me a bit longer to get up because well...school...duh...and tennis....and the worst part, oh no, here it comes, homework! ::shriek::
ANYWAYS, I promise that I will do my best to get it up quickly.
Please review, it gives me so much happiness to open my Inbox and find reviews. And please please, criticism is welcome! I don't want you to have to sit through a lame chapter! If you think it needs a bit of fixin' or you think it's the stupidest thing you've ever read, tell me!
Oh yes, as an afterthought....I tried to do the spacing thing...and I hope that's what you meant because I got confused and...Well...I get confused a lot.
Oh! And another afterthought...how was the Marshall scene in the last chapter. I think that no one can write Marshall's part well....except for Marshall, of course....duh.