Title: This Tear
Author: SydGillyKC
Author's Note: First of all, let me say DO NOT READ THIS AUTHOR'S NOTE IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE FINALE!!! The chapter's safe, but this author's note contains spoilers. That said, oh my God!!!! That finale was *unbelievable*! I've been too shocked over it to write another chapter for the first half of this week. Please please please tell me he did not get married! Vaughn would never ever ever give up searching for Syd and get married all in under two years! No way! It's just not possible! And poor Syd, to have gone missing for two years and have to come back to that! I don't know how I'm going to stand waiting until September to find out! I'm still in shock! And I'm sorry this chapter took, as usual, too long to get written. Shock combined with three tennis matches (all won, both personally and my team), my induction into National Honors Society, and studying for my AP Bio test have kept me busy. And tomorrow I'm going to NYC to get my dress for senior prom, so here's the chapter now. I hope you guys like it despite the shock I'm sure you all feel too! Though this story may not be terribly cheery, at least Vaughn and Syd are together still and Vaughn's not mysteriously wearing a wedding ring (Why JJ? Why?).
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"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.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 21: Isolation
Sydney prepared herself for the burning sensation she knew would inevitably hit her arm any second. She winced when it came, careful to control her breathing. The burning was one thing that got easier each time. It was one of the few things. The first time she felt the chemicals run into her arm through the IV, it was overwhelming. It was only when her arm went numb that she was able to relax. They told her if they ever needed to increase the dosage, they would put a shunt in her chest so as not to shut down her veins. She almost wished that time would come.
It had been exactly a week since her admittance to the isolation unit of the hospital. The only contact she'd had with the outside world since then had been with the doctors and nurses that came in daily, fully suited in special protective coverings for her benefit. They came every day to monitor her treatment and run tests. She wasn't sure she had any blood left after the several tubes they took almost daily. She missed Vaughn and even Weiss terribly. She missed having them to talk to, to joke with. She missed having Vaughn by her side when she was sick. But, ultimately, she was glad they weren't there. She'd never want either of them to see her like this.
The side-affects were nearly immediate. The nausea and exhaustion she'd expected. The burning, soars in her mouth, numbness, and slight fevers had surprised her. She hadn't eaten solid food in days, instead getting her sustenance intravenously. And she still couldn't seem to keep it down. She could only imagine how awful she looked. Once, five days earlier, Weiss had come to the hospital to she how she was. He wasn't allowed in the room of course, but they let him look through the glass in the middle of her treatment. She barely registered him standing there before the treatment knocked her out, but she requested to speak to Dr. Anderson as soon as she woke up. She asked that no one b e allowed to see her anymore.
"If that's what you want," he'd said.
"That's what I want," she'd confirmed. She hadn't seen Weiss since.
Again, she felt the treatment start to make her woozy. She closed her eyes and settled back against the pillows, allowing the drugs to carry her into sleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Has Dr. Anderson called at all?" Vaughn asked as soon as he entered the main room.
"Nope," Weiss replied from the table. Vaughn sighed and sat down.
"It's been three days since his last call. How are we supposed to know how she's ding if he's not giving us any updates?" Vaughn asked, obviously frustrated.
"Maybe there's nothing new to tell us," Weiss offered.
"Well then he should call and tell us that! Anything."
"I'd offer to go and check on her, but they won't met me in," Weiss reminded him. Vaughn shook his head.
"She's so damn stubborn," he mumbled angrily.
"She probably doesn't want us to see her going through that," Weiss reasoned. Vaughn dropped his face into his hands.
"I know- It's just- It's driving me crazy. I mean, I don't even know how she is. She could be sitting there by herself in pain and I'd have no idea."
"When I went, there were always doctors or nurses watching closely. I doubt they'd let her suffer and not do anything to help."
"Well you're the one that said she looked like death," Vaughn reminded him.
"I did *not* say she looked like death," Weiss argued. "I just said she looked sick, and trust me, I'm regretting saying even that. It's all you've talked about for days. I know you're worried about her, Mike, but you're not doing anyone any good by being like this. You know she wouldn't want you to worry this much."
Vaughn sighed in defeat. "I know- but I can't help it. They way the doctor discussed her options, it sounded like this was her last good chance at fighting back. It has to work," Vaughn said firmly, a hint of desperation in his voice.
"It will. And if it doesn't, there are still the other things the doctor mentioned to try," Weiss reminded him.
"They sounded more like last-ditch efforts to me," Vaughn said.
"Well, it's something. And as long as there's something to try, Syd won't give up. And you can't either," Weiss told him. Vaughn nodded.
"I know."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
In the middle of the next afternoon, Vaughn wandered out of his room to find Weiss's laptop. Weiss had gone to get some groceries. He'd told Vaughn his e-mail password a while ago so that he'd be able to check for any updates if Weiss wasn't there. Vaughn decided to take advantage of knowing that password today. He found the computer in Weiss's room and unfolded it, sitting at Weiss's desk. He accessed the e-mail account and typed in the password. Browsing through the e-mail subjects, he was surprised to find one from Jack entitled "Update." He opened it immediately.
Just then, the door opened behind him and Weiss entered the room.
"Don't you have your own computer?" He asked.
"You told me I could check your e-mail for updates if I ever wanted to," Vaughn reminded him.
"Anything interesting?"
"Yeah, actually. I was just about to read an e-mail from Jack," Vaughn replied. Weiss walked over and started to read over his shoulder.
Agent Weiss,
Sloane recently assigned Dixon a long-term op. He'll be flying to Italy later this week. We're not sure of all the details, but Sloane informed Dixon that other representatives from other SD cells will be there as well. I believe they will be combining their resources to search for a significant Rambaldi device. He'd discussed with me before some intel he'd received that there was one located in Italy, but he could never quite figure out where. I think that some of the SD cells have gotten additional intel that will help him locate the device. Many of the representatives from other SD cells will be the directors, possibly a few members of the Alliance. Sloane cannot go himself because neither he nor the Alliance trusts anyone else to run SD-6 so soon after two doubles were discovered there. I think this may be a huge opportunity. I'm sending some CIA agents to Italy also, since we don't know how long Dixon will be there. I'll keep you updated. Please make sure Sydney knows, and keep me updated on her condition.
Jack
"We need to tell Syd," Vaughn said immediately after he was finished reading.
"We will," Weiss assured him. "We just have to wait for Dr. Anderson to call."
"I can't believe this opportunity comes up so soon after Syd had to leave. She would've been so happy had she been the agent assigned to this," Vaughn said sadly.
"Thank God it didn't come any sooner, though. If this had arisen before we recruited Dixon, we would've missed out entirely," Weiss reminded him.
"Maybe something will finally go right."
"Maybe we'll get to go home sooner than we think," Weiss added.
"I hope so- for Syd's sake," Vaughn said softly. As if on cue, the sound of the ringing phone suddenly came from the kitchen. Vaughn looked at Weiss in surprise as both men quickly made their way out of Weiss's room and through the main room. Weiss grabbed the phone off of the counter mid-ring.
"Hello?" Weiss asked into the receiver.
"Agent Weiss, it's Dr. Anderson."
"Hi. We were just wondering when we'd hear from you."
"Yes, I know it's been a few days. I'm afraid there's simply not much to report on this end, but Agent Bristow asked that I call you to check in and see if there was any news there," Dr. Anderson explained.
"Actually there is. We just got an e-mail from Jack," Weiss informed the doctor. He put his hand over the end of the phone quickly and turned to Vaughn. "Can you print that e-mail for me real quick?" He asked him.
"How's Syd?" Vaughn asked, ignoring Weiss's request.
"I'll get the details, just print the e-mail." Vaughn nodded and left the room. Weiss removed his hand from the receiver.
"Mike's printing the e-mail now. In the meantime, how's Syd doing?" Weiss asked.
"As well as can be expected. No unexpected side-affects or developments. It's not a fun ordeal, but she's handling it well," Dr. Anderson replied.
"Good. Listen, is there any way you can talk to her again about letting me come in to see her just once? Mike's going insane here, worrying about her. He just needs some assurance, anything really."
Dr. Anderson sighed. "I'll talk to her, but she was pretty adamant before. I'm not sure talking to her will do much."
"Either way, I'd appreciate it," Weiss said.
"I'll talk to her today."
"Thanks." Just then, Vaughn re-entered the room with the printed e-mail. He handed it to Weiss and waited as Weiss read the e-mail to the doctor.
"Well, she'll certainly be glad to hear that," Dr. Anderson said as Weiss finished reading.
"I'll make sure to tell her right away."
"Okay. Thanks, doctor," Weiss said.
"I'll call again in a few days unless something comes up," Dr. Anderson told Weiss.
"Sounds good. Bye," Weiss replied, hanging up the phone. He turned around and found Vaughn looking at him expectantly.
"What'd he say?" Vaughn asked anxiously.
"He just said that there wasn't much to report on his end and that Syd was handling the treatment well," Weiss replied.
"Good," Vaughn said, relieved.
"He said he'll tell Syd about the e-mail and call again in a few days barring any significant developments," Weiss told him. Vaughn nodded.
"What do they say? No news is good news?" Vaughn recalled.
"Yeah. That's right."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Sydney reached around the side of the bed, her fingers easily finding the switch. She elevated the bed into a half-sitting position, hoping the position would alleviate some of the pain she was feeling in her back. Whether it was a new side-affect or a cramp from having lain in the same position for so long she didn't know. At that point, she didn't much care either. All that mattered was getting rid of it so she could sleep. It was the end of a long day. Her treatment had been rough, her stomach angrily rebelling for a good portion of the afternoon. All she wanted was to rest. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard the opening of the automatic doors. Reluctantly, she forced her eyes open. It was Dr. Anderson. She'd gotten gradually better at recognizing people under the surgical scrubs, caps, and masks. She found she didn't have much else to do with her time.
"Hello Agent Bristow. How are you feeling?" He asked, walking over to stand next to her bed.
"I'm alright," she replied.
"I hear you had a long day."
She sighed. "Not one of my better ones," she admitted.
"Well, we'll hope tomorrow goes more smoothly. Anyway, I won't beat around the bush. I'm sure you'd like to get some rest. The reason I'm here is that I spoke to Agent Weiss today as you asked. He wanted me to tell you that he received an e-mail from your father. I copied it down for you," he said, handing her a folded piece of paper. She unfolded it quickly and read the contents.
"Oh my God," she said softly as she finished reading. "That's wonderful."
"I thought you'd be pleased...... Agent Weiss also requested that I speak to you about something," Dr. Anderson added.
"What's that?" Sydney asked.
"He says Agent Vaughn's been pretty worried about you. Agent Weiss requested that he be allowed to visit again, just to see you and be able to assure Agent Vaughn that you're doing okay," Dr. Anderson explained to her.
"I don't want him to see me like this," Sydney said firmly, shaking her head.
"I assumed as much, but Agent Weiss requested that I ask anyway," Dr. Anderson said. "Well, I'll let you get some rest." He turned to leave.
"Wait," Sydney called him back. "I think I have an idea."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Vaughn glanced at the clock next to his bed, surprised to see that it was already ten. He sighed, folding a page over in the book he was reading. He set it down on the bed and rubbed his eyes. He jumped slightly when he heard the knock at his door.
"Yeah?" he called out. The door opened and Weiss poked his head in.
"Hey, come out here for a second," he said, motioning towards the hall. Vaughn sighed, too tired to argue, and got off the bed. He followed Weiss through the hallway and into the main room.
"Okay, what's going on?" Vaughn asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice. Weiss didn't answer, though. He walked over to the counter and picked up the phone, which Vaughn noticed was off the hook. He held it out for Vaughn. Vaughn looked at him questioningly, but Weiss just gestured for him to take it. He sighed and took the phone.
"Hello?" He asked.
"Hi," came a familiar voice. He whipped around and looked at Weiss, surprised. Weiss smiled at him before turning and leaving the room.
"Syd," he breathed into the phone.
"I heard you were worried," she said softly, her voice sounding scratchy.
"Maybe a little," he joked. "How are you?"
"I'm okay," she assured him.
"Really?" He asked, skeptical.
"Really."
"I hear the treatments are rough," Vaughn pressed.
"I'm surviving," she replied. Vaughn sighed, slightly frustrated by her reluctance to avoid talking about her treatment.
"I miss you," she said suddenly. Instantly, he felt his frustration melt away.
"I miss you too," Vaughn told her.
"That was great news about Dixon."
"I knew you'd like that," Vaughn said, smiling for the first time in days.
"I don't want to get my hopes up, but it does sound like a huge opportunity."
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I have a good feeling about it, though," Vaughn admitted.
"Do you?" She asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"I do," he confirmed.
"So what have you been doing without me?" She asked, changing the subject.
"Not much," he said with a chuckle. "I stole some of your books."
"Yeah? Anything interesting?"
"Some of them aren't so bad."
"Glad to know you approve of my taste," she commented. He could almost see her smile through the phone.
"When you come home, we'll read one together," he told her.
"Sounds like a plan," she agreed. A brief silence fell over them.
"I guess I should let you go. You should probably get some sleep," Vaughn suggested.
"You'll keep me updated on Dixon's mission?" She asked.
"Of course I will," he replied.
"Thanks." They lapsed into another silence, both reluctant to hang up the phone.
"Ok, well," he paused, searching for the right words. "Take care of yourself, Syd."
"You too," she said softly. "Bye."
"Bye," he repeated, hearing the dial tone seconds later. He hung up reluctantly and headed back into his room.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Sydney hung up the phone and sighed, leaning back against her pillows. She looked around the darkened room, able to see only by the illumination from the surrounding machines. Vaughn had sounded so worried. She'd wanted to comfort him, to tell him that everything was fine, but couldn't stand lying to him. In reality, he couldn't understand what she was going through now. He wasn't there with her. He was miles away from her world.
She suddenly realized that for the first time in the course of her illness, she was not only alone in experiencing it, but she was also truly alone. There was now no one by her side, holding her hand and offering comfort. She was going through this by herself now, fighting the disease entirely on her own. Though she'd spent more days than she could count countries, even continents away from Vaughn, she never felt further away from him than she did in that moment.
And she suddenly felt the isolation begin to set in.
To be continued.
A/N: Wow, I'm surprised that turned out as long as it did. I thought this would be one of the shortest chapters, but I guess not. Well, better longer than I thought than shorter than I thought, right? I hope you guys liked it! I'm sorry the ending is kind of depressing, but what she's feeling there is crucial to the next few parts. You'll see what I mean when you read them. I've had these parts planned out for weeks now, so hopefully they won't be as difficult to write. Ok, well I'd better go to bed now since I have to get up early to get my prom dress (oh jeez am I in for a long day lol). Please please please review and dull the pain I'm feeling from the finale lol. Thanks guys!
Author: SydGillyKC
Author's Note: First of all, let me say DO NOT READ THIS AUTHOR'S NOTE IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE FINALE!!! The chapter's safe, but this author's note contains spoilers. That said, oh my God!!!! That finale was *unbelievable*! I've been too shocked over it to write another chapter for the first half of this week. Please please please tell me he did not get married! Vaughn would never ever ever give up searching for Syd and get married all in under two years! No way! It's just not possible! And poor Syd, to have gone missing for two years and have to come back to that! I don't know how I'm going to stand waiting until September to find out! I'm still in shock! And I'm sorry this chapter took, as usual, too long to get written. Shock combined with three tennis matches (all won, both personally and my team), my induction into National Honors Society, and studying for my AP Bio test have kept me busy. And tomorrow I'm going to NYC to get my dress for senior prom, so here's the chapter now. I hope you guys like it despite the shock I'm sure you all feel too! Though this story may not be terribly cheery, at least Vaughn and Syd are together still and Vaughn's not mysteriously wearing a wedding ring (Why JJ? Why?).
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"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.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 21: Isolation
Sydney prepared herself for the burning sensation she knew would inevitably hit her arm any second. She winced when it came, careful to control her breathing. The burning was one thing that got easier each time. It was one of the few things. The first time she felt the chemicals run into her arm through the IV, it was overwhelming. It was only when her arm went numb that she was able to relax. They told her if they ever needed to increase the dosage, they would put a shunt in her chest so as not to shut down her veins. She almost wished that time would come.
It had been exactly a week since her admittance to the isolation unit of the hospital. The only contact she'd had with the outside world since then had been with the doctors and nurses that came in daily, fully suited in special protective coverings for her benefit. They came every day to monitor her treatment and run tests. She wasn't sure she had any blood left after the several tubes they took almost daily. She missed Vaughn and even Weiss terribly. She missed having them to talk to, to joke with. She missed having Vaughn by her side when she was sick. But, ultimately, she was glad they weren't there. She'd never want either of them to see her like this.
The side-affects were nearly immediate. The nausea and exhaustion she'd expected. The burning, soars in her mouth, numbness, and slight fevers had surprised her. She hadn't eaten solid food in days, instead getting her sustenance intravenously. And she still couldn't seem to keep it down. She could only imagine how awful she looked. Once, five days earlier, Weiss had come to the hospital to she how she was. He wasn't allowed in the room of course, but they let him look through the glass in the middle of her treatment. She barely registered him standing there before the treatment knocked her out, but she requested to speak to Dr. Anderson as soon as she woke up. She asked that no one b e allowed to see her anymore.
"If that's what you want," he'd said.
"That's what I want," she'd confirmed. She hadn't seen Weiss since.
Again, she felt the treatment start to make her woozy. She closed her eyes and settled back against the pillows, allowing the drugs to carry her into sleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Has Dr. Anderson called at all?" Vaughn asked as soon as he entered the main room.
"Nope," Weiss replied from the table. Vaughn sighed and sat down.
"It's been three days since his last call. How are we supposed to know how she's ding if he's not giving us any updates?" Vaughn asked, obviously frustrated.
"Maybe there's nothing new to tell us," Weiss offered.
"Well then he should call and tell us that! Anything."
"I'd offer to go and check on her, but they won't met me in," Weiss reminded him. Vaughn shook his head.
"She's so damn stubborn," he mumbled angrily.
"She probably doesn't want us to see her going through that," Weiss reasoned. Vaughn dropped his face into his hands.
"I know- It's just- It's driving me crazy. I mean, I don't even know how she is. She could be sitting there by herself in pain and I'd have no idea."
"When I went, there were always doctors or nurses watching closely. I doubt they'd let her suffer and not do anything to help."
"Well you're the one that said she looked like death," Vaughn reminded him.
"I did *not* say she looked like death," Weiss argued. "I just said she looked sick, and trust me, I'm regretting saying even that. It's all you've talked about for days. I know you're worried about her, Mike, but you're not doing anyone any good by being like this. You know she wouldn't want you to worry this much."
Vaughn sighed in defeat. "I know- but I can't help it. They way the doctor discussed her options, it sounded like this was her last good chance at fighting back. It has to work," Vaughn said firmly, a hint of desperation in his voice.
"It will. And if it doesn't, there are still the other things the doctor mentioned to try," Weiss reminded him.
"They sounded more like last-ditch efforts to me," Vaughn said.
"Well, it's something. And as long as there's something to try, Syd won't give up. And you can't either," Weiss told him. Vaughn nodded.
"I know."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
In the middle of the next afternoon, Vaughn wandered out of his room to find Weiss's laptop. Weiss had gone to get some groceries. He'd told Vaughn his e-mail password a while ago so that he'd be able to check for any updates if Weiss wasn't there. Vaughn decided to take advantage of knowing that password today. He found the computer in Weiss's room and unfolded it, sitting at Weiss's desk. He accessed the e-mail account and typed in the password. Browsing through the e-mail subjects, he was surprised to find one from Jack entitled "Update." He opened it immediately.
Just then, the door opened behind him and Weiss entered the room.
"Don't you have your own computer?" He asked.
"You told me I could check your e-mail for updates if I ever wanted to," Vaughn reminded him.
"Anything interesting?"
"Yeah, actually. I was just about to read an e-mail from Jack," Vaughn replied. Weiss walked over and started to read over his shoulder.
Agent Weiss,
Sloane recently assigned Dixon a long-term op. He'll be flying to Italy later this week. We're not sure of all the details, but Sloane informed Dixon that other representatives from other SD cells will be there as well. I believe they will be combining their resources to search for a significant Rambaldi device. He'd discussed with me before some intel he'd received that there was one located in Italy, but he could never quite figure out where. I think that some of the SD cells have gotten additional intel that will help him locate the device. Many of the representatives from other SD cells will be the directors, possibly a few members of the Alliance. Sloane cannot go himself because neither he nor the Alliance trusts anyone else to run SD-6 so soon after two doubles were discovered there. I think this may be a huge opportunity. I'm sending some CIA agents to Italy also, since we don't know how long Dixon will be there. I'll keep you updated. Please make sure Sydney knows, and keep me updated on her condition.
Jack
"We need to tell Syd," Vaughn said immediately after he was finished reading.
"We will," Weiss assured him. "We just have to wait for Dr. Anderson to call."
"I can't believe this opportunity comes up so soon after Syd had to leave. She would've been so happy had she been the agent assigned to this," Vaughn said sadly.
"Thank God it didn't come any sooner, though. If this had arisen before we recruited Dixon, we would've missed out entirely," Weiss reminded him.
"Maybe something will finally go right."
"Maybe we'll get to go home sooner than we think," Weiss added.
"I hope so- for Syd's sake," Vaughn said softly. As if on cue, the sound of the ringing phone suddenly came from the kitchen. Vaughn looked at Weiss in surprise as both men quickly made their way out of Weiss's room and through the main room. Weiss grabbed the phone off of the counter mid-ring.
"Hello?" Weiss asked into the receiver.
"Agent Weiss, it's Dr. Anderson."
"Hi. We were just wondering when we'd hear from you."
"Yes, I know it's been a few days. I'm afraid there's simply not much to report on this end, but Agent Bristow asked that I call you to check in and see if there was any news there," Dr. Anderson explained.
"Actually there is. We just got an e-mail from Jack," Weiss informed the doctor. He put his hand over the end of the phone quickly and turned to Vaughn. "Can you print that e-mail for me real quick?" He asked him.
"How's Syd?" Vaughn asked, ignoring Weiss's request.
"I'll get the details, just print the e-mail." Vaughn nodded and left the room. Weiss removed his hand from the receiver.
"Mike's printing the e-mail now. In the meantime, how's Syd doing?" Weiss asked.
"As well as can be expected. No unexpected side-affects or developments. It's not a fun ordeal, but she's handling it well," Dr. Anderson replied.
"Good. Listen, is there any way you can talk to her again about letting me come in to see her just once? Mike's going insane here, worrying about her. He just needs some assurance, anything really."
Dr. Anderson sighed. "I'll talk to her, but she was pretty adamant before. I'm not sure talking to her will do much."
"Either way, I'd appreciate it," Weiss said.
"I'll talk to her today."
"Thanks." Just then, Vaughn re-entered the room with the printed e-mail. He handed it to Weiss and waited as Weiss read the e-mail to the doctor.
"Well, she'll certainly be glad to hear that," Dr. Anderson said as Weiss finished reading.
"I'll make sure to tell her right away."
"Okay. Thanks, doctor," Weiss said.
"I'll call again in a few days unless something comes up," Dr. Anderson told Weiss.
"Sounds good. Bye," Weiss replied, hanging up the phone. He turned around and found Vaughn looking at him expectantly.
"What'd he say?" Vaughn asked anxiously.
"He just said that there wasn't much to report on his end and that Syd was handling the treatment well," Weiss replied.
"Good," Vaughn said, relieved.
"He said he'll tell Syd about the e-mail and call again in a few days barring any significant developments," Weiss told him. Vaughn nodded.
"What do they say? No news is good news?" Vaughn recalled.
"Yeah. That's right."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Sydney reached around the side of the bed, her fingers easily finding the switch. She elevated the bed into a half-sitting position, hoping the position would alleviate some of the pain she was feeling in her back. Whether it was a new side-affect or a cramp from having lain in the same position for so long she didn't know. At that point, she didn't much care either. All that mattered was getting rid of it so she could sleep. It was the end of a long day. Her treatment had been rough, her stomach angrily rebelling for a good portion of the afternoon. All she wanted was to rest. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard the opening of the automatic doors. Reluctantly, she forced her eyes open. It was Dr. Anderson. She'd gotten gradually better at recognizing people under the surgical scrubs, caps, and masks. She found she didn't have much else to do with her time.
"Hello Agent Bristow. How are you feeling?" He asked, walking over to stand next to her bed.
"I'm alright," she replied.
"I hear you had a long day."
She sighed. "Not one of my better ones," she admitted.
"Well, we'll hope tomorrow goes more smoothly. Anyway, I won't beat around the bush. I'm sure you'd like to get some rest. The reason I'm here is that I spoke to Agent Weiss today as you asked. He wanted me to tell you that he received an e-mail from your father. I copied it down for you," he said, handing her a folded piece of paper. She unfolded it quickly and read the contents.
"Oh my God," she said softly as she finished reading. "That's wonderful."
"I thought you'd be pleased...... Agent Weiss also requested that I speak to you about something," Dr. Anderson added.
"What's that?" Sydney asked.
"He says Agent Vaughn's been pretty worried about you. Agent Weiss requested that he be allowed to visit again, just to see you and be able to assure Agent Vaughn that you're doing okay," Dr. Anderson explained to her.
"I don't want him to see me like this," Sydney said firmly, shaking her head.
"I assumed as much, but Agent Weiss requested that I ask anyway," Dr. Anderson said. "Well, I'll let you get some rest." He turned to leave.
"Wait," Sydney called him back. "I think I have an idea."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Vaughn glanced at the clock next to his bed, surprised to see that it was already ten. He sighed, folding a page over in the book he was reading. He set it down on the bed and rubbed his eyes. He jumped slightly when he heard the knock at his door.
"Yeah?" he called out. The door opened and Weiss poked his head in.
"Hey, come out here for a second," he said, motioning towards the hall. Vaughn sighed, too tired to argue, and got off the bed. He followed Weiss through the hallway and into the main room.
"Okay, what's going on?" Vaughn asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice. Weiss didn't answer, though. He walked over to the counter and picked up the phone, which Vaughn noticed was off the hook. He held it out for Vaughn. Vaughn looked at him questioningly, but Weiss just gestured for him to take it. He sighed and took the phone.
"Hello?" He asked.
"Hi," came a familiar voice. He whipped around and looked at Weiss, surprised. Weiss smiled at him before turning and leaving the room.
"Syd," he breathed into the phone.
"I heard you were worried," she said softly, her voice sounding scratchy.
"Maybe a little," he joked. "How are you?"
"I'm okay," she assured him.
"Really?" He asked, skeptical.
"Really."
"I hear the treatments are rough," Vaughn pressed.
"I'm surviving," she replied. Vaughn sighed, slightly frustrated by her reluctance to avoid talking about her treatment.
"I miss you," she said suddenly. Instantly, he felt his frustration melt away.
"I miss you too," Vaughn told her.
"That was great news about Dixon."
"I knew you'd like that," Vaughn said, smiling for the first time in days.
"I don't want to get my hopes up, but it does sound like a huge opportunity."
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I have a good feeling about it, though," Vaughn admitted.
"Do you?" She asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"I do," he confirmed.
"So what have you been doing without me?" She asked, changing the subject.
"Not much," he said with a chuckle. "I stole some of your books."
"Yeah? Anything interesting?"
"Some of them aren't so bad."
"Glad to know you approve of my taste," she commented. He could almost see her smile through the phone.
"When you come home, we'll read one together," he told her.
"Sounds like a plan," she agreed. A brief silence fell over them.
"I guess I should let you go. You should probably get some sleep," Vaughn suggested.
"You'll keep me updated on Dixon's mission?" She asked.
"Of course I will," he replied.
"Thanks." They lapsed into another silence, both reluctant to hang up the phone.
"Ok, well," he paused, searching for the right words. "Take care of yourself, Syd."
"You too," she said softly. "Bye."
"Bye," he repeated, hearing the dial tone seconds later. He hung up reluctantly and headed back into his room.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Sydney hung up the phone and sighed, leaning back against her pillows. She looked around the darkened room, able to see only by the illumination from the surrounding machines. Vaughn had sounded so worried. She'd wanted to comfort him, to tell him that everything was fine, but couldn't stand lying to him. In reality, he couldn't understand what she was going through now. He wasn't there with her. He was miles away from her world.
She suddenly realized that for the first time in the course of her illness, she was not only alone in experiencing it, but she was also truly alone. There was now no one by her side, holding her hand and offering comfort. She was going through this by herself now, fighting the disease entirely on her own. Though she'd spent more days than she could count countries, even continents away from Vaughn, she never felt further away from him than she did in that moment.
And she suddenly felt the isolation begin to set in.
To be continued.
A/N: Wow, I'm surprised that turned out as long as it did. I thought this would be one of the shortest chapters, but I guess not. Well, better longer than I thought than shorter than I thought, right? I hope you guys liked it! I'm sorry the ending is kind of depressing, but what she's feeling there is crucial to the next few parts. You'll see what I mean when you read them. I've had these parts planned out for weeks now, so hopefully they won't be as difficult to write. Ok, well I'd better go to bed now since I have to get up early to get my prom dress (oh jeez am I in for a long day lol). Please please please review and dull the pain I'm feeling from the finale lol. Thanks guys!