Title: This Tear
Chapter: SydGillyKC
Author's Notes: You guys are so awesome and so funny. I love how you all beg for Sydney not to die. I guess you'll just have to wait and see hehehe. Yes I do know if she dies or not, and yes I may completely mislead you or I may not, but I'm not giving away *anything* lol because you guys review more when I leave you hanging lol. And yes, I'm afraid I have to torture Sydney some more, but there's still hope for a happy ending. Just please keep reading and reviewing! Thanks!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Syd? Are you okay?" He leaned over her and asked softly. He didn't get a response, though. Instead, he saw that her forehead was beaded with sweat. His heart accelerated as he pulled back and reached over to the nightstand, his hand groping for the thermometer while his eyes never left her face. He quickly took her temperature and pulled the thermometer close to his face so he could see the numbers in the darkness.
104.
"Damn it!"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 17: In Her Eyes
"I did manage to rule out the flu and some other common infections today," Dr. Anderson told Vaughn as he removed Sydney's mask to slip an oxygen mask on her instead. "Seeing this, my guess would be pneumonia."
"And that's bad," Vaughn recalled.
"Well it really depends on the type of pneumonia, how early we caught it, and how she responds to antibiotics. I'm going to need to take her to the hospital tonight to run some tests," Dr. Anderson explained.
"For how long?" Vaughn asked.
"Well hopefully I can run some tests and get her back here with some equipment and antibiotics within a day or two, but it all depends on how she does," Dr. Anderson replied. "I know it's much safer for her here, though. I'll do everything I can to get her back here."
"It's just that it's so soon after Dixon was here. If by some chance he was followed." Vaughn trailed off.
"I understand. I'll make sure someone always has an eye on her," Dr. Anderson assured him.
"I'll send Weiss when I can," Vaughn added.
"I'm just going to put her on a portable IV to get some fluids into her body and then we should get her out to the car," Dr. Anderson suggested, already getting ready to insert the IV needle into her hand. He found a vein and inserted it, taping it down as soon as it was in. "I'll give you a minute with her. I'll be out in the car," he said as he got up and left the room. Vaughn moved to the edge of the bed and sat down next to Sydney's sleeping form. He reached up and ran his hand down her face, the burning skin a contrast to his cool fingers. He felt tears sting in his eyes as he leaned down and kissed her forehead. He then reached down and took her hand, bringing up to his lips. He held it there for a moment, closing his eyes and sending a silent prayer that she would be okay. He soon realized he needed to get her out to Dr. Anderson. He reached over and put the bag of IV fluid on her stomach. He then got up from the chair and slipped his arms under her, lifting both her body and the IV bag on top of her. She groaned softly, but didn't wake up. Holding her close to his body, he carried her outside.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Weiss arrived at the house an hour later to find it dark and quiet. He removed his coat and shoes before heading towards the hallway. He checked Vaughn's room, but it was dark and vacated. Sighing, he realized Vaughn must be in Sydney's room. He walked down the hall a bit and found the door slightly ajar. He pushed it open and found the room dark as well. Once his eyes adjusted, though, he saw Vaughn sitting in the chair by the bed, his head in his hands. When he looked at the bed, though, Weiss noticed that there was no one in it.
"Where's Syd?" Weiss asked, causing Vaughn to turn around quickly, realizing for the first time that he wasn't alone in the room. Weiss saw the tortured expression on Vaughn's face and instantly walked closer to him. "What happened?"
"Right after you left, I went to check on her. Her breathing sounded labored and shallow and her temperature had risen to 104. I called Dr. Anderson. he took her to the hospital. Says it's probably pneumonia," Vaughn explained, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Shit!" He paused. "Sorry, I just."
"I know. That's pretty much how I reacted too. It just never seems to end."
"How'd she take it?" Weiss asked.
"She didn't. She was completely out of it. She probably still has no idea," Vaughn replied.
"You want me to go down there?" Weiss asked. "I can keep an eye on her, explain everything to her if she wakes up."
"Would you?" Vaughn asked, his voice hopeful.
"Of course. I'll call you as soon as I know anything," Weiss assured him, heading toward the door.
"Eric," Vaughn called, causing Weiss to turn around and look at him. "Thanks."
Weiss nodded. "Try not to worry too much. I'll call you soon."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Dr. Anderson!" Weiss called when he saw the doctor in the hallway of the hospital. The doctor turned around and rushed over to him.
"Agent Weiss, I was wondering when you'd arrive."
"Mike explained what happened when I got back and I headed right over. How's Syd?" He asked.
"You came at a good time, actually. We just finished a round of tests. I put her up in the ICU while we check over the results," Dr. Anderson replied.
"Do you know anything yet?"
"The x-rays of her lungs confirmed pneumonia. So far, that's all we know," Dr. Anderson told Weiss.
"Okay. I'm going to go sit with Syd. You'll come and tell me as soon as you know anything?" Weiss asked.
"I will," Dr. Anderson confirmed.
"Good. Which way's the ICU?"
"Third floor. You can't miss it," Dr. Anderson replied. Weiss thanked the doctor and turned to find the elevators. Once he did, he entered one, pressing the button for the third floor. When the doors opened, he found himself in the ICU waiting room. He saw the nurses' station and walked up to it. A young nurse looked up from the chart she was reading.
"Can I help you?" She asked.
"Yes, I'm looking for Sydney Bristow," Weiss requested.
"Are you Mr. Weiss?" The nurse asked.
"Yes," Weiss replied.
"Dr. Anderson told us to expect you. We're normally not supposed to let non- family members see the patients, but he's given us orders to let you through. Just keep it quiet," the nurse said with a smile.
"No problem," Weiss assured her.
"She's down that hall, third cubicle. A nurse in there will give you special scrubs if you want to go in and see her. We can't risk any germs getting in," the nurse told Weiss, pointing down the hall.
"Thanks," he said, already walking down the hall. He found himself in the ICU, standing in front of half cubicles, each with one glass wall for observation. He saw a nurse standing in front of Sydney's cubicle, noting something on her chart. He walked over to her.
"Excuse me. The nurse out there said someone could get me some kind of scrubs so that I could go in and sit with her," Weiss said to the nurse.
"Of course. Follow me," the nurse replied. Weiss complied.
Five minutes later, he re-entered the ICU feeling like a surgeon. He wore a full set of scrubs, including a cap and the same kind of mask Sydney had been wearing for her new chemo. The nurse led him over to Sydney's cubicle and allowed him to enter. He slowly walked up to the bed. Sydney laid on her back, the hospital issue blanket pulled up to her stomach and folded over. Her arms lay at her sides. An oxygen mask covered her face, which looked extremely pale. There was an IV attached to one of her hands and a heart-monitor beeped steadily beside her. Weiss sat down in a chair next to her bed, never taking his eyes off her. Looking at her now, he understood why Vaughn had been so frightened back at the house.
He suddenly heard Sydney's breath hitch as a series of coughs wracked her body. Her forehead wrinkled in pain and he saw that her eyes were squeezed shut. Her face still held an expression of pain when she stopped coughing and he heard her struggling to take deep breaths with the aid of the oxygen mask.
"Syd?" He asked softly, leaning over her a bit. Her head lolled to the side as her eyes fluttered open, though only a crack. "Hey Syd, it's Weiss," he whispered. Without moving her head, he saw her eyes take in her surroundings as her expression grew confused. "You're in the hospital," he explained. "Dr. Anderson's running some tests. Either the doctor or I will be here until we can get you back home, okay?" Sydney struggled to nod before letting her eyes slip shut again.
Weiss sat back in his chair and prepared himself for a long night.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Vaughn jumped out of his chair when he heard the car pull up into the driveway. He was across the room and opening the door in seconds, heading outside. He walked out just in time to see Dr. Anderson and Weiss getting out of the car. He immediately walked up to them. Dr. Anderson saw him first.
"Agent Vaughn," he greeted. "Why don't you bring Agent Bristow inside while Agent Weiss and I take care of the equipment," he suggested. Vaughn nodded and opened the door to the back seat of the van. Sydney lay across it in a fetal position, wearing the same gray sweatpants and white t-shirt she'd left in. Vaughn climbed into the van as Weiss opened the door to the other side. Vaughn looked up at him.
"I'll get the oxygen tank," Weiss offered as he gestured toward the tank sitting on the ground next to Sydney. Vaughn nodded and gently removed the mask from Sydney's face. Weiss hoisted the machine out of the van and carried it inside. Vaughn slid his arms underneath Sydney's sleeping form and carefully lifted her into his arms. Her head rested against his neck and he realized her breathing sounded labored without the mask on. He hurried to get her to her room, where he gently laid her on the bed and covered her with a quilt. Weiss stood next to the oxygen tank, which was already set up beside the bed. He held out the mask, which Vaughn took gratefully. He lifted Sydney's head a bit and slipped it over her face. Her breathing sounded better instantly. Vaughn looked up and caught Weiss's gaze. They both looked at each other seriously.
"It's bad, isn't it?" Vaughn asked, his voice soft. Weiss sighed and looked down at the ground. Vaughn closed his eyes, feeling as if he'd been physically punched.
"Hey," Weiss said, causing Vaughn to open his eyes and look at him. "Let's go help Dr. Anderson get the rest of the stuff inside." Vaughn nodded.
"Okay."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
An hour later, all the equipment had been unloaded from the car and brought inside. Some of it had shocked Vaughn when he'd first seen it. He stopped dead when he saw Dr. Anderson unload a crash cart. Dr. Anderson had seen the look on Vaughn's face and assured him it was purely precautionary. Sydney's room now closely resembled a hospital room, and her bed was surrounded by a jungle of medical equipment.
The three men were now seated at the table, a tense silence surrounding them. Dr. Anderson had explained that the pneumonia wasn't of the most serious types, but it was still cause for concern. He said that her immune system was nearly non-existent and that her body would require constant rest in order to fight off the pneumonia. She also needed to be on constant antibiotics and get as many fluids as possible to bring down her fever, which still held at 104.
"Tell me honestly. Is there a chance she may not," Vaughn paused, struggling to finish his question, "survive this?"
"Honestly? Well, there's always a chance. but I believe she will. It'll just take time," Dr. Anderson replied.
"And what then? I mean, you're not going to restart her on the same chemo, are you? What if the same thing happened again?" Vaughn questioned.
"Well, if we were to restart the treatment, we'd take very strict precautions this time. We'll have to re-examine what her body can handle, though, and we may start a new treatment. We'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it," Dr. Anderson explained.
"Will she be in any pain when she wakes up?" Vaughn asked.
"Well, it's hard to stay. I'll be staying here, though, until she starts to improve. The symptoms are so varied, I really can't tell you what to expect. But I've brought enough equipment to be prepared for just about anything."
"What about the tumor? I mean, the longer she goes without treatment, the worse it gets right?"
"Not necessarily, but it's possible. Without extensive tests, it's hard to say. Let's just concentrate on getting her well enough to receive treatment again now. When she's better, we'll worry about the treatment," Dr. Anderson suggested.
"How much does she know?" Vaughn asked.
"It's hard to say. She wasn't aware of much the whole time she was at the hospital. She may have picked up a few things, but I doubt she knows the whole situation," the doctor replied.
"Is it all right if I tell her? I know you were concerned about her keeping a positive attitude before," Vaughn recalled.
"Yes, that's still a concern."
"I'm sorry, doctor, but I don't think it would be wise to keep this from her. Sydney's not the kind of person to hear something like this and give up. If she knows her condition, she'll put all of her energy into fighting it and getting better. She needs to know," Vaughn insisted.
"I agree. And I think you should be the one to tell her," Dr. Anderson told him.
"Me? Why?" Vaughn asked.
"Because I think she'll take it best if it comes from you."
Vaughn nodded, got up, and headed toward Sydney's room
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Vaughn sat down in the chair beside her bed, allowing his eyes to wander over her sleeping form. Her face was pale now, a contrast to how flushed it had been a few days ago. Her temperature remained high, though, and he could see small beads of sweat on her forehead. A piece of hair stuck to the middle of her forehead and he reached over to brush it off her face. He flinched when his hands came in contact with her hot skin. He immediately got up from his seat, walking into the bathroom.
Returning a moment later with a cold washcloth, he sat back down in the chair. He folded the washcloth twice and reached over to dab at her face. She stirred almost immediately and groaned softly. After touching it to her forehead and cheeks a few more times, he saw her eyes flutter open. Once she realized where the cool relief was coming from, she slowly turned her head, her glassy eyes meeting his. He gave her the biggest smile he could manage.
"Hey," he said softly. "Haven't seen you in a few days." She looked confused.
"Days?" He barely heard her ask, her voice hoarse and muffled by the mask.
"You were in the hospital, remember?" He asked. She closed her eyes, recalling waking up briefly in the ICU. She nodded before opening her eyes and looking at him again. Her eyes questioned him, her voice not needed. "You have pneumonia, Syd." Though he knew she was trying to suppress it, he saw the look of pain pass through her face and settle in her eyes.
"How bad?" She asked.
"I don't really know. Dr. Anderson says it could've been worse. He's got you on antibiotics. He says it'll just take some time," Vaughn told her.
"How long?" Vaughn sighed at her question.
"I don't know," he admitted. She squeezed her eyes shut suddenly and Vaughn saw a tear slip out the corner of her eye. "Syd? You okay? Are you in pain?" He asked, confused. She shook her head. "What is it?"
She opened her eyes and looked at him, her expression pained and sad. "I'm so tired, Vaughn," she whispered. Vaughn felt as if his heart would literally break in that moment. He reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand.
"I know you are, Syd," he told her, fully aware that she wasn't referring to needing sleep. "But you're going to get through this. You're going to be okay."
He looked into her eyes, searching for assurance. She saw what he was looking for and nodded at him. In her eyes, he saw something that frightened him, though. He saw something he'd rarely seen in her eyes. Something he'd never in his life associated with Sydney Bristow.
He saw fear.
To be continued.
A/N: I tried not to leave you guys with a cliffhanger because I'm going to LA for a week and I don't know if I'll be able to work on the next chapter there or not. But if you guys are really really nice and review for me, I'll try to get some writing done on the plane lol. This chapter took a little longer than I intended for it to take, I'm sorry. I've been so sick the last 3 days, it's not been fun (and such great timing, I get sick the day before my vacation from school starts lol). But I hope you liked the chapter and I'll try to work on the next chapter over vacation and get it up ASAP. Please review! Thanks guys!
Chapter: SydGillyKC
Author's Notes: You guys are so awesome and so funny. I love how you all beg for Sydney not to die. I guess you'll just have to wait and see hehehe. Yes I do know if she dies or not, and yes I may completely mislead you or I may not, but I'm not giving away *anything* lol because you guys review more when I leave you hanging lol. And yes, I'm afraid I have to torture Sydney some more, but there's still hope for a happy ending. Just please keep reading and reviewing! Thanks!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Syd? Are you okay?" He leaned over her and asked softly. He didn't get a response, though. Instead, he saw that her forehead was beaded with sweat. His heart accelerated as he pulled back and reached over to the nightstand, his hand groping for the thermometer while his eyes never left her face. He quickly took her temperature and pulled the thermometer close to his face so he could see the numbers in the darkness.
104.
"Damn it!"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 17: In Her Eyes
"I did manage to rule out the flu and some other common infections today," Dr. Anderson told Vaughn as he removed Sydney's mask to slip an oxygen mask on her instead. "Seeing this, my guess would be pneumonia."
"And that's bad," Vaughn recalled.
"Well it really depends on the type of pneumonia, how early we caught it, and how she responds to antibiotics. I'm going to need to take her to the hospital tonight to run some tests," Dr. Anderson explained.
"For how long?" Vaughn asked.
"Well hopefully I can run some tests and get her back here with some equipment and antibiotics within a day or two, but it all depends on how she does," Dr. Anderson replied. "I know it's much safer for her here, though. I'll do everything I can to get her back here."
"It's just that it's so soon after Dixon was here. If by some chance he was followed." Vaughn trailed off.
"I understand. I'll make sure someone always has an eye on her," Dr. Anderson assured him.
"I'll send Weiss when I can," Vaughn added.
"I'm just going to put her on a portable IV to get some fluids into her body and then we should get her out to the car," Dr. Anderson suggested, already getting ready to insert the IV needle into her hand. He found a vein and inserted it, taping it down as soon as it was in. "I'll give you a minute with her. I'll be out in the car," he said as he got up and left the room. Vaughn moved to the edge of the bed and sat down next to Sydney's sleeping form. He reached up and ran his hand down her face, the burning skin a contrast to his cool fingers. He felt tears sting in his eyes as he leaned down and kissed her forehead. He then reached down and took her hand, bringing up to his lips. He held it there for a moment, closing his eyes and sending a silent prayer that she would be okay. He soon realized he needed to get her out to Dr. Anderson. He reached over and put the bag of IV fluid on her stomach. He then got up from the chair and slipped his arms under her, lifting both her body and the IV bag on top of her. She groaned softly, but didn't wake up. Holding her close to his body, he carried her outside.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Weiss arrived at the house an hour later to find it dark and quiet. He removed his coat and shoes before heading towards the hallway. He checked Vaughn's room, but it was dark and vacated. Sighing, he realized Vaughn must be in Sydney's room. He walked down the hall a bit and found the door slightly ajar. He pushed it open and found the room dark as well. Once his eyes adjusted, though, he saw Vaughn sitting in the chair by the bed, his head in his hands. When he looked at the bed, though, Weiss noticed that there was no one in it.
"Where's Syd?" Weiss asked, causing Vaughn to turn around quickly, realizing for the first time that he wasn't alone in the room. Weiss saw the tortured expression on Vaughn's face and instantly walked closer to him. "What happened?"
"Right after you left, I went to check on her. Her breathing sounded labored and shallow and her temperature had risen to 104. I called Dr. Anderson. he took her to the hospital. Says it's probably pneumonia," Vaughn explained, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Shit!" He paused. "Sorry, I just."
"I know. That's pretty much how I reacted too. It just never seems to end."
"How'd she take it?" Weiss asked.
"She didn't. She was completely out of it. She probably still has no idea," Vaughn replied.
"You want me to go down there?" Weiss asked. "I can keep an eye on her, explain everything to her if she wakes up."
"Would you?" Vaughn asked, his voice hopeful.
"Of course. I'll call you as soon as I know anything," Weiss assured him, heading toward the door.
"Eric," Vaughn called, causing Weiss to turn around and look at him. "Thanks."
Weiss nodded. "Try not to worry too much. I'll call you soon."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Dr. Anderson!" Weiss called when he saw the doctor in the hallway of the hospital. The doctor turned around and rushed over to him.
"Agent Weiss, I was wondering when you'd arrive."
"Mike explained what happened when I got back and I headed right over. How's Syd?" He asked.
"You came at a good time, actually. We just finished a round of tests. I put her up in the ICU while we check over the results," Dr. Anderson replied.
"Do you know anything yet?"
"The x-rays of her lungs confirmed pneumonia. So far, that's all we know," Dr. Anderson told Weiss.
"Okay. I'm going to go sit with Syd. You'll come and tell me as soon as you know anything?" Weiss asked.
"I will," Dr. Anderson confirmed.
"Good. Which way's the ICU?"
"Third floor. You can't miss it," Dr. Anderson replied. Weiss thanked the doctor and turned to find the elevators. Once he did, he entered one, pressing the button for the third floor. When the doors opened, he found himself in the ICU waiting room. He saw the nurses' station and walked up to it. A young nurse looked up from the chart she was reading.
"Can I help you?" She asked.
"Yes, I'm looking for Sydney Bristow," Weiss requested.
"Are you Mr. Weiss?" The nurse asked.
"Yes," Weiss replied.
"Dr. Anderson told us to expect you. We're normally not supposed to let non- family members see the patients, but he's given us orders to let you through. Just keep it quiet," the nurse said with a smile.
"No problem," Weiss assured her.
"She's down that hall, third cubicle. A nurse in there will give you special scrubs if you want to go in and see her. We can't risk any germs getting in," the nurse told Weiss, pointing down the hall.
"Thanks," he said, already walking down the hall. He found himself in the ICU, standing in front of half cubicles, each with one glass wall for observation. He saw a nurse standing in front of Sydney's cubicle, noting something on her chart. He walked over to her.
"Excuse me. The nurse out there said someone could get me some kind of scrubs so that I could go in and sit with her," Weiss said to the nurse.
"Of course. Follow me," the nurse replied. Weiss complied.
Five minutes later, he re-entered the ICU feeling like a surgeon. He wore a full set of scrubs, including a cap and the same kind of mask Sydney had been wearing for her new chemo. The nurse led him over to Sydney's cubicle and allowed him to enter. He slowly walked up to the bed. Sydney laid on her back, the hospital issue blanket pulled up to her stomach and folded over. Her arms lay at her sides. An oxygen mask covered her face, which looked extremely pale. There was an IV attached to one of her hands and a heart-monitor beeped steadily beside her. Weiss sat down in a chair next to her bed, never taking his eyes off her. Looking at her now, he understood why Vaughn had been so frightened back at the house.
He suddenly heard Sydney's breath hitch as a series of coughs wracked her body. Her forehead wrinkled in pain and he saw that her eyes were squeezed shut. Her face still held an expression of pain when she stopped coughing and he heard her struggling to take deep breaths with the aid of the oxygen mask.
"Syd?" He asked softly, leaning over her a bit. Her head lolled to the side as her eyes fluttered open, though only a crack. "Hey Syd, it's Weiss," he whispered. Without moving her head, he saw her eyes take in her surroundings as her expression grew confused. "You're in the hospital," he explained. "Dr. Anderson's running some tests. Either the doctor or I will be here until we can get you back home, okay?" Sydney struggled to nod before letting her eyes slip shut again.
Weiss sat back in his chair and prepared himself for a long night.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Vaughn jumped out of his chair when he heard the car pull up into the driveway. He was across the room and opening the door in seconds, heading outside. He walked out just in time to see Dr. Anderson and Weiss getting out of the car. He immediately walked up to them. Dr. Anderson saw him first.
"Agent Vaughn," he greeted. "Why don't you bring Agent Bristow inside while Agent Weiss and I take care of the equipment," he suggested. Vaughn nodded and opened the door to the back seat of the van. Sydney lay across it in a fetal position, wearing the same gray sweatpants and white t-shirt she'd left in. Vaughn climbed into the van as Weiss opened the door to the other side. Vaughn looked up at him.
"I'll get the oxygen tank," Weiss offered as he gestured toward the tank sitting on the ground next to Sydney. Vaughn nodded and gently removed the mask from Sydney's face. Weiss hoisted the machine out of the van and carried it inside. Vaughn slid his arms underneath Sydney's sleeping form and carefully lifted her into his arms. Her head rested against his neck and he realized her breathing sounded labored without the mask on. He hurried to get her to her room, where he gently laid her on the bed and covered her with a quilt. Weiss stood next to the oxygen tank, which was already set up beside the bed. He held out the mask, which Vaughn took gratefully. He lifted Sydney's head a bit and slipped it over her face. Her breathing sounded better instantly. Vaughn looked up and caught Weiss's gaze. They both looked at each other seriously.
"It's bad, isn't it?" Vaughn asked, his voice soft. Weiss sighed and looked down at the ground. Vaughn closed his eyes, feeling as if he'd been physically punched.
"Hey," Weiss said, causing Vaughn to open his eyes and look at him. "Let's go help Dr. Anderson get the rest of the stuff inside." Vaughn nodded.
"Okay."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
An hour later, all the equipment had been unloaded from the car and brought inside. Some of it had shocked Vaughn when he'd first seen it. He stopped dead when he saw Dr. Anderson unload a crash cart. Dr. Anderson had seen the look on Vaughn's face and assured him it was purely precautionary. Sydney's room now closely resembled a hospital room, and her bed was surrounded by a jungle of medical equipment.
The three men were now seated at the table, a tense silence surrounding them. Dr. Anderson had explained that the pneumonia wasn't of the most serious types, but it was still cause for concern. He said that her immune system was nearly non-existent and that her body would require constant rest in order to fight off the pneumonia. She also needed to be on constant antibiotics and get as many fluids as possible to bring down her fever, which still held at 104.
"Tell me honestly. Is there a chance she may not," Vaughn paused, struggling to finish his question, "survive this?"
"Honestly? Well, there's always a chance. but I believe she will. It'll just take time," Dr. Anderson replied.
"And what then? I mean, you're not going to restart her on the same chemo, are you? What if the same thing happened again?" Vaughn questioned.
"Well, if we were to restart the treatment, we'd take very strict precautions this time. We'll have to re-examine what her body can handle, though, and we may start a new treatment. We'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it," Dr. Anderson explained.
"Will she be in any pain when she wakes up?" Vaughn asked.
"Well, it's hard to stay. I'll be staying here, though, until she starts to improve. The symptoms are so varied, I really can't tell you what to expect. But I've brought enough equipment to be prepared for just about anything."
"What about the tumor? I mean, the longer she goes without treatment, the worse it gets right?"
"Not necessarily, but it's possible. Without extensive tests, it's hard to say. Let's just concentrate on getting her well enough to receive treatment again now. When she's better, we'll worry about the treatment," Dr. Anderson suggested.
"How much does she know?" Vaughn asked.
"It's hard to say. She wasn't aware of much the whole time she was at the hospital. She may have picked up a few things, but I doubt she knows the whole situation," the doctor replied.
"Is it all right if I tell her? I know you were concerned about her keeping a positive attitude before," Vaughn recalled.
"Yes, that's still a concern."
"I'm sorry, doctor, but I don't think it would be wise to keep this from her. Sydney's not the kind of person to hear something like this and give up. If she knows her condition, she'll put all of her energy into fighting it and getting better. She needs to know," Vaughn insisted.
"I agree. And I think you should be the one to tell her," Dr. Anderson told him.
"Me? Why?" Vaughn asked.
"Because I think she'll take it best if it comes from you."
Vaughn nodded, got up, and headed toward Sydney's room
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Vaughn sat down in the chair beside her bed, allowing his eyes to wander over her sleeping form. Her face was pale now, a contrast to how flushed it had been a few days ago. Her temperature remained high, though, and he could see small beads of sweat on her forehead. A piece of hair stuck to the middle of her forehead and he reached over to brush it off her face. He flinched when his hands came in contact with her hot skin. He immediately got up from his seat, walking into the bathroom.
Returning a moment later with a cold washcloth, he sat back down in the chair. He folded the washcloth twice and reached over to dab at her face. She stirred almost immediately and groaned softly. After touching it to her forehead and cheeks a few more times, he saw her eyes flutter open. Once she realized where the cool relief was coming from, she slowly turned her head, her glassy eyes meeting his. He gave her the biggest smile he could manage.
"Hey," he said softly. "Haven't seen you in a few days." She looked confused.
"Days?" He barely heard her ask, her voice hoarse and muffled by the mask.
"You were in the hospital, remember?" He asked. She closed her eyes, recalling waking up briefly in the ICU. She nodded before opening her eyes and looking at him again. Her eyes questioned him, her voice not needed. "You have pneumonia, Syd." Though he knew she was trying to suppress it, he saw the look of pain pass through her face and settle in her eyes.
"How bad?" She asked.
"I don't really know. Dr. Anderson says it could've been worse. He's got you on antibiotics. He says it'll just take some time," Vaughn told her.
"How long?" Vaughn sighed at her question.
"I don't know," he admitted. She squeezed her eyes shut suddenly and Vaughn saw a tear slip out the corner of her eye. "Syd? You okay? Are you in pain?" He asked, confused. She shook her head. "What is it?"
She opened her eyes and looked at him, her expression pained and sad. "I'm so tired, Vaughn," she whispered. Vaughn felt as if his heart would literally break in that moment. He reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand.
"I know you are, Syd," he told her, fully aware that she wasn't referring to needing sleep. "But you're going to get through this. You're going to be okay."
He looked into her eyes, searching for assurance. She saw what he was looking for and nodded at him. In her eyes, he saw something that frightened him, though. He saw something he'd rarely seen in her eyes. Something he'd never in his life associated with Sydney Bristow.
He saw fear.
To be continued.
A/N: I tried not to leave you guys with a cliffhanger because I'm going to LA for a week and I don't know if I'll be able to work on the next chapter there or not. But if you guys are really really nice and review for me, I'll try to get some writing done on the plane lol. This chapter took a little longer than I intended for it to take, I'm sorry. I've been so sick the last 3 days, it's not been fun (and such great timing, I get sick the day before my vacation from school starts lol). But I hope you liked the chapter and I'll try to work on the next chapter over vacation and get it up ASAP. Please review! Thanks guys!