Title: This Tear
Author: SydGillyKC
Author's Note: Before I start, I want to thank everyone who's been wishing me luck in tennis. Our team is currently undefeated. Aaaand to everyone who begged for a happy chapter, um, we'll see how that works out. I don't do happy well lol. But I'll say more about the chapter at the end because I don't want to spoil anything. So for now, I hope you enjoy it!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"I know," she said softly into his ear. Suddenly, they both heard the front door open and close. Vaughn felt Sydney's body tense. He held her tighter for a moment before backing away and looking at her. They communicated with their eyes, telling each other what they couldn't say in words. Soon, he got up off the bed and offered her a hand.
"Let's go."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 20: Decisions
"Well, the results show that there don't appear to be any further metastases, which is good news. For now, the cancer appears to be contained. So, in that respect, the treatment was effective," the doctor explained to the three agents.
"It grew, didn't it?" Sydney asked knowingly. "The tumor's bigger." The room grew silent for a moment.
"I won't lie to you, Agent Bristow. It's bigger. But it's still treatable. For all the time you went without treatment and all the complications you've faced, things could be a lot worse than this," the doctor reasoned.
"So what are my options now?" Sydney asked, surprising everyone with her calmness.
"Well that's what I needed to discuss with you. There are several options. Obviously, with the tumor bigger, we can't yet attempt to operate. We're going to need to shrink it. So, you could go back to the conventional chemo with radiation. There are some cases where the second cycle is more effective than the first. There are also a number of highly experimental treatments to explore. Another option is a clinical trial somewhat similar to the one you just underwent. Except this one would be a little more complicated. Since the pneumonia has probably left your immune system slightly weakened and this treatment will put you even more at risk than the first for catching something, you'll have to be admitted to the hospital. We'll have to place you in isolation for an unknown amount of time, probably at least a few weeks. And I'll be honest with you, it won't be pleasant. The treatment will make you pretty sick, and you won't be able to leave isolation until you're done with the cycle."
"And those are my options?" Sydney asked.
"Some options," Vaughn said sarcastically, obviously quite angry. Sydney reached out and laid a hand over his, trying to calm him before looking back at the doctor and nodding for him to continue.
"Yes, those are your options," Dr. Anderson confirmed.
"What would you suggest?" She asked.
"I'm afraid I don't have a suggestion for this one, Agent Bristow. Sacrifices will have to be made in either case. Both have their own benefits and down-sides. It just depends on how you want to fight this."
"How often does the conventional chemo prove to be more effective a second time around?" Sydney asked.
"Well, I don't have any exact statistics, but I'd say often enough not to be called rare, but certainly not enough to be called frequent," Dr. Anderson replied. Sydney nodded in understanding. She looked over to Vaughn and Weiss. Weiss met her eyes, his look sympathetic, but Vaughn's focus was trained on the floor. She squeezed his hand, causing him to reluctantly look up at her. His eyes held a mixed look of disappointment and fear. She looked back at the doctor.
"Can I have some time to think about it?" She asked, knowing this was something she needed to talk to Vaughn about before she made a final decision.
"Of course, but I wouldn't take long. The sooner we get started on any treatment, the better," Dr. Anderson reminded her.
"I know. I just need until tomorrow. I'll have a decision for you then," Sydney assured him. He nodded and rose from his chair.
"I'll leave you to think and discuss then. Call me if you have any further questions. Otherwise, I'll call tomorrow," Dr. Anderson told them. Sydney nodded at him and Weiss got up to show him out. Sydney looked back over and Vaughn to find he was still looking at her.
"Let's talk," she suggested. Vaughn nodded. Still holding his hand, she stood up and led him into her room. He shut the door behind them and Sydney led him over to the window seat. She sat, Indian-style, on one end, her back against the wall. He sat across from her, his knees barely touching hers. An awkward silence hung in the air, neither quite knowing where to start.
"Vaughn," Sydney began, but then fell silent. She looked at him helplessly. He reached out and took both of her hands into his.
"Do you know what you want to do?" He asked. She shook her head.
"I want to know what you think," she told him.
"I think," he paused. "I think that this is a decision you should make on your own. Because in the end, whatever you decide is really going to effect at least the next few weeks of your life, probably more. I want you to decide only for you, not for anyone else," he replied finally. She sighed, squeezing his hands.
"Though the doctor didn't exactly say so, I got the impression that the experimental treatment would probably be more effective than the conventional chemo, but a lot more difficult and would require more sacrifices," Sydney said. Vaughn nodded.
"That was about the impression I got too," he agreed.
"Well then I think my decision is fairly simple. I can't not fight this with everything in me, and it's not like the chemo wouldn't make me sick anyway. So I guess it's the experimental treatment then," she decided.
He nodded. "Okay," he said softly before leaning forward and taking her into his arms. She held him back and cried out in surprise when he laid back and pulled her with him. A second later, she was half on top of him, her head resting against his shoulder. She felt his face rubbing against her hair and looked up at him. He leaned down and his lips met hers in a soft kiss. When he pulled back, he reached out to tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. His hand stayed against her face.
"You're going to beat this," he whispered, as if telling her a precious secret. She didn't respond with words, just smiled at him and nuzzled into his neck, hoping he was right.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Dr. Anderson, as promised, called the next morning. Sydney spoke to him and told him of her decision. He seemed pleased with her determination to fight the disease as aggressively as possible. He scheduled her check-in to the hospital for the next day to give her a little time to get everything together, since her stay there could be quite extensive.
Vaughn and Sydney spent most of that day packing things for Sydney to take with her while Weiss contacted Jack to update him on the situation. They kept the conversation light over dinner and all tried not to think too far ahead. When it was time to sleep, Vaughn led Sydney to her room. His arms securely wrapped around her, Vaughn dozed off quickly. Sydney found herself unable to sleep, though. Her mind was too active, and she couldn't help but wonder what the next few weeks would be like for her. After a half-hour of hopeless attempts at falling asleep, she finally gave up. She carefully slipped out of Vaughn's arms and crawled out of bed. She walked down the hall and into the main room, deciding a glass of water and some television might do her good. She was surprised to see Weiss sitting at the table with his computer, though he didn't really seem to be focusing on whatever was on the screen. He looked as distracted and dazed as she felt.
"What are you doing up?" She asked. He looked up at her, surprised, obviously just noticing that she was standing by the table.
"I couldn't sleep, you?" He asked.
"Same," she replied, sitting in a seat across from him at the table.
"You nervous?"
"I wouldn't call it nervous, just completely dreading it. I feel like I *just* recovered from pneumonia and now I'm just going to end up being sick again," she explained.
"Yeah, it's a raw deal. And unfortunately, it also sounds like your best move," Weiss said. She nodded. "How does Mike feel about the whole thing?"
"Well, he left the decision up to me, but I think he agrees. He doesn't like it, but he understands," Sydney replied.
"He didn't look so hot when the doctor was describing the treatment," Weiss recalled. Sydney couldn't help but smile.
"You know Vaughn. He wishes he could do all the suffering for me," Sydney joked, though only half-kidding. Weiss smiled, but quickly grew serious.
"I know he wouldn't want me saying this, but your pneumonia was hard on him. He hated feeling so helpless. He really cares about you, Syd," Weiss said sincerely. Sydney sighed.
"I know he does. And that's why I'm glad, in a way, that he won't be able to be with me for this. I know it's going to be pretty bad, and I don't want him to have to see that," Sydney admitted. Weiss smiled a little.
"You two," he said, shaking his head.
"What?" Sydney asked, confused.
"Always trying to protect each other," Weiss explained. Sydney laughed. "You're perfect for each other."
Sydney couldn't help herself. "Really?" She asked.
"Syd, I can't even begin to express to you how wrong for him some of the girls he dated were. He really couldn't pick 'em."
"Hey," Sydney said defensively.
"I used the past-tense! That statement didn't include you," he quickly added. Sydney chuckled.
"What about Alice?" Sydney asked, curious.
"Alice was nice, but she always felt more for him than he did for her. His relationship with her was built on lies. She would never understand the life he really leads," Weiss told her. Sydney nodded and smiled.
"Tell me about some of the others," she requested. And he did. For the next hour, Weiss told her stories about the women Vaughn had dated and threw in some priceless stories along the way that had Sydney doubled over with laughter. It was nearly two in the morning when Sydney finally decided it was time for her to go to bed.
"I'm glad we talked," Sydney told him, recovering from her last fit of laughter.
"Me too. I just hope Vaughn doesn't kill me for telling you all that," Weiss joked.
"Oh, don't worry. I can take care of him," Sydney assured him. Weiss laughed.
"I don't doubt it."
She rose from her seat. "You should try to get some sleep," she told him.
"Yeah, I will in a bit," he assured her.
"Okay, well, goodnight," she said.
"Goodnight," he repeated as she turned and walked back down the hall and to her room. Vaughn was still sleeping, so she carefully slipped under the covers and snuggled close to him, resting her head on his shoulder. He stirred at the sudden weight and slowly awoke. He looked down at her and she smiled at him. He groaned tiredly.
"Where'd you go?" he asked in a whisper. She paused, deciding she'd rehash his past some other time.
"Just to get some water," she told him. He nodded and closed his eyes again. He wrapped his arm around her once, holding her to him. She draped her arm over his stomach and closed her eyes, finally feeling tired enough to drift slowly into sleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
By noon the next afternoon, Sydney was mostly packed. She and Vaughn sat in her room, going over everything she would need as she gathered a few last- minute things.
"What time is Dr. Anderson coming?" Sydney said as she through a few things into her small duffel bag.
"Um," Vaughn said, thinking. "I can't remember. Hold on, I'll go ask Weiss." Sydney nodded and he left the room and walked down the hall. He found Weiss in the kitchen, heating something in the microwave. He turned when he heard Vaughn coming.
"Hey," he said. "She packed yet?"
"Almost," Vaughn replied. "When is Dr. Anderson coming?"
Weiss looked down at his watch. "An hour." Vaughn nodded and was about to say something else when the phone suddenly rang. Vaughn walked over to the counter and picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Agent Vaughn," came Jack's reply immediately. "I got your e-mail."
"She's leaving in about an hour to check into the hospital," Vaughn told him.
"And there's no guess as to how long she'll be there?" Jack asked.
"Not yet. Dr. Anderson said it depends on how the treatment goes and how bad the side-affects are."
Jack hesitated. "How's she taking it?" He asked, his voice considerably softer.
"She seems okay. She just wants to fight as hard as she can," Vaughn replied.
"That's Sydney," Jack mumbled, mostly to himself. "Can I speak to her for a minute?"
"Of course. Let me go get her," Vaughn said, putting the phone down on the counter. He went back into Sydney's room where he found her crouching next to her bag.
"Syd," he said, getting her attention. She looked up at him. "Your father's on the phone. He wants to talk to you." He watched the surprise spread over her face before she forced herself off the floor so she could follow him into the kitchen. She picked the phone up off the counter.
"Dad?" She asked into the receiver.
"Sydney. How are you?"
"I'm okay. Just getting packed," she replied. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, Sydney. I just wanted to speak to you before your hospital stay. I wanted to wish you luck."
"Thanks, Dad. It's good to hear from you." She paused. "How's Dixon doing?"
"Good. He's determined and his missions have gone well. He reminds me of you," Jack told her. She smiled as a silence settled over them.
"I miss you, Dad," she blurted out without thinking. He didn't reply immediately and Sydney started to regret what she'd said.
"I miss you too, Sydney," he finally replied in a way that was both awkward and sincere.
"I'll have Weiss keep you updated while I'm in the hospital. I'll talk to you when I'm back," she said, bringing the conversation to a close before she got too emotional.
"Okay. I'll talk to you then. Goodbye Sydney," he said reluctantly.
"Bye Dad," she said softly, keeping the receiver pressed to her ear for a full minute after she was sure he'd hung up. She finally placed it back on the receiver and walked back to her room. She finished packing in the next five minutes and then sat on her bed, worn out. Vaughn walked in a moment later.
"Done packing?" He asked as he closed the door behind him. She nodded. He walked over to the bed and sat next to her.
"How are you feeling?" He asked. She shook her head slowly.
"I honestly don't know," she replied. He wrapped his arm around her.
"You're going to be okay," he assured her, though both knew he couldn't really say so with certainty. She laid her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry I can't be there," he said softly. She wasn't, but she didn't want to argue with him. She was going to be doing this alone either way, so there was no need for him to know that was how she preferred it.
"You'll keep Dr. Anderson updated on Dixon and SD-6 so that he can tell me, right?" She questioned.
"As long as you make sure Dr. Anderson keeps me updated on you," Vaughn bargained.
"Deal," she agreed. They sat there, leaning against each other, until the doctor came. Vaughn carried Sydney's bag out to the car. Sydney said goodbye to Weiss inside the house and then joined Vaughn outside. Dr. Anderson remained in the driver's seat of the car, allowing them time to say goodbye. Their eyes met for a second, and before she knew it, she was in his arms. He held her fiercely, closing his eyes and breathing her in. He tried not to think about the weeks ahead when he wouldn't be able to hold her like this.
"I'll miss you," he whispered into her ear.
"Me too," she whispered back. He started to back away, but immediately closed the distance between them again when his lips met hers. She kissed him back, no longer caring if Dr. Anderson saw them. When he broke away, his arms stayed around her. He studied her carefully before bringing his hands up to frame her face. He gave her another quick kiss.
"I'll see you soon," he said softly. She nodded, unable to answer. He nodded back, allowing his hands to fall away from her face. She turned around and walked over to the car. She looked back once and gave him a reassuring smile. He smiled back, though barely. She got in the car and told Dr. Anderson she was ready. She only dared to look back once the house was only a small dot in the distance.
To be continued.
A/N: Hope you guys liked it! I'm sorry if it was too dark! And I'm sorry I didn't get it up until so late. I swear, it wasn't my fault. I was going to get it finished this afternoon, but I was woken up this morning by a phone call telling me that my friend was in the hospital after being involved in a serious accident. She ended up being okay, just scraped up and shaken up, but my friends and I spent a few hours in the ER with her. And since the girl's parents were out of town, she came back to my house as soon as she was discharged and stayed until around seven when her parents came home. So I swear, it was out of my control. But here it is! I'm sorry if it's not too great, but like I said, I've had a long day. Please let me know what you thought, even if you didn't like it. Reviews are my fuel to keep writing!
Author: SydGillyKC
Author's Note: Before I start, I want to thank everyone who's been wishing me luck in tennis. Our team is currently undefeated. Aaaand to everyone who begged for a happy chapter, um, we'll see how that works out. I don't do happy well lol. But I'll say more about the chapter at the end because I don't want to spoil anything. So for now, I hope you enjoy it!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"I know," she said softly into his ear. Suddenly, they both heard the front door open and close. Vaughn felt Sydney's body tense. He held her tighter for a moment before backing away and looking at her. They communicated with their eyes, telling each other what they couldn't say in words. Soon, he got up off the bed and offered her a hand.
"Let's go."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 20: Decisions
"Well, the results show that there don't appear to be any further metastases, which is good news. For now, the cancer appears to be contained. So, in that respect, the treatment was effective," the doctor explained to the three agents.
"It grew, didn't it?" Sydney asked knowingly. "The tumor's bigger." The room grew silent for a moment.
"I won't lie to you, Agent Bristow. It's bigger. But it's still treatable. For all the time you went without treatment and all the complications you've faced, things could be a lot worse than this," the doctor reasoned.
"So what are my options now?" Sydney asked, surprising everyone with her calmness.
"Well that's what I needed to discuss with you. There are several options. Obviously, with the tumor bigger, we can't yet attempt to operate. We're going to need to shrink it. So, you could go back to the conventional chemo with radiation. There are some cases where the second cycle is more effective than the first. There are also a number of highly experimental treatments to explore. Another option is a clinical trial somewhat similar to the one you just underwent. Except this one would be a little more complicated. Since the pneumonia has probably left your immune system slightly weakened and this treatment will put you even more at risk than the first for catching something, you'll have to be admitted to the hospital. We'll have to place you in isolation for an unknown amount of time, probably at least a few weeks. And I'll be honest with you, it won't be pleasant. The treatment will make you pretty sick, and you won't be able to leave isolation until you're done with the cycle."
"And those are my options?" Sydney asked.
"Some options," Vaughn said sarcastically, obviously quite angry. Sydney reached out and laid a hand over his, trying to calm him before looking back at the doctor and nodding for him to continue.
"Yes, those are your options," Dr. Anderson confirmed.
"What would you suggest?" She asked.
"I'm afraid I don't have a suggestion for this one, Agent Bristow. Sacrifices will have to be made in either case. Both have their own benefits and down-sides. It just depends on how you want to fight this."
"How often does the conventional chemo prove to be more effective a second time around?" Sydney asked.
"Well, I don't have any exact statistics, but I'd say often enough not to be called rare, but certainly not enough to be called frequent," Dr. Anderson replied. Sydney nodded in understanding. She looked over to Vaughn and Weiss. Weiss met her eyes, his look sympathetic, but Vaughn's focus was trained on the floor. She squeezed his hand, causing him to reluctantly look up at her. His eyes held a mixed look of disappointment and fear. She looked back at the doctor.
"Can I have some time to think about it?" She asked, knowing this was something she needed to talk to Vaughn about before she made a final decision.
"Of course, but I wouldn't take long. The sooner we get started on any treatment, the better," Dr. Anderson reminded her.
"I know. I just need until tomorrow. I'll have a decision for you then," Sydney assured him. He nodded and rose from his chair.
"I'll leave you to think and discuss then. Call me if you have any further questions. Otherwise, I'll call tomorrow," Dr. Anderson told them. Sydney nodded at him and Weiss got up to show him out. Sydney looked back over and Vaughn to find he was still looking at her.
"Let's talk," she suggested. Vaughn nodded. Still holding his hand, she stood up and led him into her room. He shut the door behind them and Sydney led him over to the window seat. She sat, Indian-style, on one end, her back against the wall. He sat across from her, his knees barely touching hers. An awkward silence hung in the air, neither quite knowing where to start.
"Vaughn," Sydney began, but then fell silent. She looked at him helplessly. He reached out and took both of her hands into his.
"Do you know what you want to do?" He asked. She shook her head.
"I want to know what you think," she told him.
"I think," he paused. "I think that this is a decision you should make on your own. Because in the end, whatever you decide is really going to effect at least the next few weeks of your life, probably more. I want you to decide only for you, not for anyone else," he replied finally. She sighed, squeezing his hands.
"Though the doctor didn't exactly say so, I got the impression that the experimental treatment would probably be more effective than the conventional chemo, but a lot more difficult and would require more sacrifices," Sydney said. Vaughn nodded.
"That was about the impression I got too," he agreed.
"Well then I think my decision is fairly simple. I can't not fight this with everything in me, and it's not like the chemo wouldn't make me sick anyway. So I guess it's the experimental treatment then," she decided.
He nodded. "Okay," he said softly before leaning forward and taking her into his arms. She held him back and cried out in surprise when he laid back and pulled her with him. A second later, she was half on top of him, her head resting against his shoulder. She felt his face rubbing against her hair and looked up at him. He leaned down and his lips met hers in a soft kiss. When he pulled back, he reached out to tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. His hand stayed against her face.
"You're going to beat this," he whispered, as if telling her a precious secret. She didn't respond with words, just smiled at him and nuzzled into his neck, hoping he was right.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Dr. Anderson, as promised, called the next morning. Sydney spoke to him and told him of her decision. He seemed pleased with her determination to fight the disease as aggressively as possible. He scheduled her check-in to the hospital for the next day to give her a little time to get everything together, since her stay there could be quite extensive.
Vaughn and Sydney spent most of that day packing things for Sydney to take with her while Weiss contacted Jack to update him on the situation. They kept the conversation light over dinner and all tried not to think too far ahead. When it was time to sleep, Vaughn led Sydney to her room. His arms securely wrapped around her, Vaughn dozed off quickly. Sydney found herself unable to sleep, though. Her mind was too active, and she couldn't help but wonder what the next few weeks would be like for her. After a half-hour of hopeless attempts at falling asleep, she finally gave up. She carefully slipped out of Vaughn's arms and crawled out of bed. She walked down the hall and into the main room, deciding a glass of water and some television might do her good. She was surprised to see Weiss sitting at the table with his computer, though he didn't really seem to be focusing on whatever was on the screen. He looked as distracted and dazed as she felt.
"What are you doing up?" She asked. He looked up at her, surprised, obviously just noticing that she was standing by the table.
"I couldn't sleep, you?" He asked.
"Same," she replied, sitting in a seat across from him at the table.
"You nervous?"
"I wouldn't call it nervous, just completely dreading it. I feel like I *just* recovered from pneumonia and now I'm just going to end up being sick again," she explained.
"Yeah, it's a raw deal. And unfortunately, it also sounds like your best move," Weiss said. She nodded. "How does Mike feel about the whole thing?"
"Well, he left the decision up to me, but I think he agrees. He doesn't like it, but he understands," Sydney replied.
"He didn't look so hot when the doctor was describing the treatment," Weiss recalled. Sydney couldn't help but smile.
"You know Vaughn. He wishes he could do all the suffering for me," Sydney joked, though only half-kidding. Weiss smiled, but quickly grew serious.
"I know he wouldn't want me saying this, but your pneumonia was hard on him. He hated feeling so helpless. He really cares about you, Syd," Weiss said sincerely. Sydney sighed.
"I know he does. And that's why I'm glad, in a way, that he won't be able to be with me for this. I know it's going to be pretty bad, and I don't want him to have to see that," Sydney admitted. Weiss smiled a little.
"You two," he said, shaking his head.
"What?" Sydney asked, confused.
"Always trying to protect each other," Weiss explained. Sydney laughed. "You're perfect for each other."
Sydney couldn't help herself. "Really?" She asked.
"Syd, I can't even begin to express to you how wrong for him some of the girls he dated were. He really couldn't pick 'em."
"Hey," Sydney said defensively.
"I used the past-tense! That statement didn't include you," he quickly added. Sydney chuckled.
"What about Alice?" Sydney asked, curious.
"Alice was nice, but she always felt more for him than he did for her. His relationship with her was built on lies. She would never understand the life he really leads," Weiss told her. Sydney nodded and smiled.
"Tell me about some of the others," she requested. And he did. For the next hour, Weiss told her stories about the women Vaughn had dated and threw in some priceless stories along the way that had Sydney doubled over with laughter. It was nearly two in the morning when Sydney finally decided it was time for her to go to bed.
"I'm glad we talked," Sydney told him, recovering from her last fit of laughter.
"Me too. I just hope Vaughn doesn't kill me for telling you all that," Weiss joked.
"Oh, don't worry. I can take care of him," Sydney assured him. Weiss laughed.
"I don't doubt it."
She rose from her seat. "You should try to get some sleep," she told him.
"Yeah, I will in a bit," he assured her.
"Okay, well, goodnight," she said.
"Goodnight," he repeated as she turned and walked back down the hall and to her room. Vaughn was still sleeping, so she carefully slipped under the covers and snuggled close to him, resting her head on his shoulder. He stirred at the sudden weight and slowly awoke. He looked down at her and she smiled at him. He groaned tiredly.
"Where'd you go?" he asked in a whisper. She paused, deciding she'd rehash his past some other time.
"Just to get some water," she told him. He nodded and closed his eyes again. He wrapped his arm around her once, holding her to him. She draped her arm over his stomach and closed her eyes, finally feeling tired enough to drift slowly into sleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
By noon the next afternoon, Sydney was mostly packed. She and Vaughn sat in her room, going over everything she would need as she gathered a few last- minute things.
"What time is Dr. Anderson coming?" Sydney said as she through a few things into her small duffel bag.
"Um," Vaughn said, thinking. "I can't remember. Hold on, I'll go ask Weiss." Sydney nodded and he left the room and walked down the hall. He found Weiss in the kitchen, heating something in the microwave. He turned when he heard Vaughn coming.
"Hey," he said. "She packed yet?"
"Almost," Vaughn replied. "When is Dr. Anderson coming?"
Weiss looked down at his watch. "An hour." Vaughn nodded and was about to say something else when the phone suddenly rang. Vaughn walked over to the counter and picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Agent Vaughn," came Jack's reply immediately. "I got your e-mail."
"She's leaving in about an hour to check into the hospital," Vaughn told him.
"And there's no guess as to how long she'll be there?" Jack asked.
"Not yet. Dr. Anderson said it depends on how the treatment goes and how bad the side-affects are."
Jack hesitated. "How's she taking it?" He asked, his voice considerably softer.
"She seems okay. She just wants to fight as hard as she can," Vaughn replied.
"That's Sydney," Jack mumbled, mostly to himself. "Can I speak to her for a minute?"
"Of course. Let me go get her," Vaughn said, putting the phone down on the counter. He went back into Sydney's room where he found her crouching next to her bag.
"Syd," he said, getting her attention. She looked up at him. "Your father's on the phone. He wants to talk to you." He watched the surprise spread over her face before she forced herself off the floor so she could follow him into the kitchen. She picked the phone up off the counter.
"Dad?" She asked into the receiver.
"Sydney. How are you?"
"I'm okay. Just getting packed," she replied. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, Sydney. I just wanted to speak to you before your hospital stay. I wanted to wish you luck."
"Thanks, Dad. It's good to hear from you." She paused. "How's Dixon doing?"
"Good. He's determined and his missions have gone well. He reminds me of you," Jack told her. She smiled as a silence settled over them.
"I miss you, Dad," she blurted out without thinking. He didn't reply immediately and Sydney started to regret what she'd said.
"I miss you too, Sydney," he finally replied in a way that was both awkward and sincere.
"I'll have Weiss keep you updated while I'm in the hospital. I'll talk to you when I'm back," she said, bringing the conversation to a close before she got too emotional.
"Okay. I'll talk to you then. Goodbye Sydney," he said reluctantly.
"Bye Dad," she said softly, keeping the receiver pressed to her ear for a full minute after she was sure he'd hung up. She finally placed it back on the receiver and walked back to her room. She finished packing in the next five minutes and then sat on her bed, worn out. Vaughn walked in a moment later.
"Done packing?" He asked as he closed the door behind him. She nodded. He walked over to the bed and sat next to her.
"How are you feeling?" He asked. She shook her head slowly.
"I honestly don't know," she replied. He wrapped his arm around her.
"You're going to be okay," he assured her, though both knew he couldn't really say so with certainty. She laid her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry I can't be there," he said softly. She wasn't, but she didn't want to argue with him. She was going to be doing this alone either way, so there was no need for him to know that was how she preferred it.
"You'll keep Dr. Anderson updated on Dixon and SD-6 so that he can tell me, right?" She questioned.
"As long as you make sure Dr. Anderson keeps me updated on you," Vaughn bargained.
"Deal," she agreed. They sat there, leaning against each other, until the doctor came. Vaughn carried Sydney's bag out to the car. Sydney said goodbye to Weiss inside the house and then joined Vaughn outside. Dr. Anderson remained in the driver's seat of the car, allowing them time to say goodbye. Their eyes met for a second, and before she knew it, she was in his arms. He held her fiercely, closing his eyes and breathing her in. He tried not to think about the weeks ahead when he wouldn't be able to hold her like this.
"I'll miss you," he whispered into her ear.
"Me too," she whispered back. He started to back away, but immediately closed the distance between them again when his lips met hers. She kissed him back, no longer caring if Dr. Anderson saw them. When he broke away, his arms stayed around her. He studied her carefully before bringing his hands up to frame her face. He gave her another quick kiss.
"I'll see you soon," he said softly. She nodded, unable to answer. He nodded back, allowing his hands to fall away from her face. She turned around and walked over to the car. She looked back once and gave him a reassuring smile. He smiled back, though barely. She got in the car and told Dr. Anderson she was ready. She only dared to look back once the house was only a small dot in the distance.
To be continued.
A/N: Hope you guys liked it! I'm sorry if it was too dark! And I'm sorry I didn't get it up until so late. I swear, it wasn't my fault. I was going to get it finished this afternoon, but I was woken up this morning by a phone call telling me that my friend was in the hospital after being involved in a serious accident. She ended up being okay, just scraped up and shaken up, but my friends and I spent a few hours in the ER with her. And since the girl's parents were out of town, she came back to my house as soon as she was discharged and stayed until around seven when her parents came home. So I swear, it was out of my control. But here it is! I'm sorry if it's not too great, but like I said, I've had a long day. Please let me know what you thought, even if you didn't like it. Reviews are my fuel to keep writing!