Chapter 3: Dude, Where's My Son?

A/n: Thank you so much for the reviews! They rock. So, in case you haven't noticed the pattern I update this every Sunday night (usually after I watch Alias, which sadly isn't on tonight). You can always check then or on Mondays and this should be updated. Theme song: Roxie from Chicago

Disclaimer: I don't own Alias in any way whatsoever. JJ sure does. But I do own Jason, Mandy, Chloe, or any other character that you don't recognize.

Sydney raced around the cottage checking for anything she had missed packing. All the leftover food had been packed into the coolers, and all of her and Vaughn's clothes were put away into their suitcases. However, the adults had yet to see their kids.

Mandy was the first to head down the stairs that morning, and she greeted Sydney with a yawn. My stuff's all packed, she declared, running her fingers through her freshly washed hair. So is Chloe's and Jason's.

Why don't you bring your things down, we'll put them in the car.

Mandy nodded and slowly made her way back upstairs, returning shortly with her suitcase, pillow, and backpack. Why haven't Chloe and Jay brought their stuff down yet? she asked, setting everything down at her feet.

Sydney raised her eyebrows. Because they're still asleep...

Um, no.

They aren't!? Sydney exclaimed. Well they must be down on the beach or making a last minute trip in town. She checked her watch. They both know we're leaving at ten... Mandy looked expectantly at her mother. Just go bring your stuff outside for Dad to put in the car. We'll deal with Chloe and Jason later, okay?

This seemed a suitable enough answer for Mandy, so she heaved her things into her arms and waddled out to the car. She decided since Chloe and Jason's stuff was also packed, and because they weren't there, and she had nothing else to do until they had to leave, she would carry their things down for them.

With one last inspection of the upstairs, finding only a slightly damp towel by Jason's door. She picked it up by the tips of her fingers and tossed it into the upstairs bathroom. Checking her watch and realizing she still had a half hour, she settled into the couch's corner and curled her feet under her. Where were Chloe and Jason?

For some reason unexplainable to Mandy, she was suddenly reminded of her birthday party at the Russells when she, Jason, Chloe, and the triplets were in the basement...

Flashback

Rachel Tippin rolled on the floor in laughter as Mandy the Tickle Monster stood over her with threatening fingers. the little girl cried between shrieks of laughter. A mischievous smirk slid across Mandy's face, however, and she lunged forward, tickling her stomach.

Cut it out, Manders, Jason complained. You're being too loud, and I wanna hear the TV!

She stuck her tongue out at her brother. she sighed, swinging Rachel up off the floor, then joining her brother and friend on the couch. As Mandy approached, Chloe smiled up at her and hugged the three-year-old Hannah sitting on her lap, by far the calmest of the triplets. Hannah was perfectly content to sit quietly and watch everything around her, taking in each scene before her and memorizing the particular details. Normally, the the older kids wouldn't have had her around while they watched their favorite TV show (what with it being rather obscene and all), but they knew there was too much vocabulary she didn't understand and didn't bother to ask about. What do you think of this TV show, Hannah Banana?

It's boring, she sighed, but remained sitting on Chloe's lap.

How many episodes have we gone through now? Chloe asked.

At least four, Jason replied. And that's not counting the gag reel and deleted scenes and stuff.

Okay, time for Truth or Dare, Mandy grinned, rubbing her hands together. Chloe, I dare you to –

Kiss my brother, Jason and Chloe said in unison.



What? You say it every time.

Yeah, and you guys never do it either.

Well you're not in high school like us, Jason said. You're only a middle schooler.

Ooooh, I'm so scared of the big bad freshmen!

Sophomore now, loser –

Knock it off, you two. Chloe rolled her eyes. Let's just do truths; Mandy's dares are too extravagant. Hannah, why don't you go play with your sisters?

she happily obliged, hopping off Chloe's lap and running to the other side of the couch where her sisters played.

So, Chloe, Jason began, have you ever been kissed?

Wouldn't you like to know?

He first stared blankly at her, surprised at her reaction, then darted his gaze back and forth between Mandy and Chloe. Yeah, yeah I really would like to. Nah, you haven't been kissed.

Chloe opened her mouth to retort, but Mandy started first. Just because you won't shove your tongue down her throat doesn't mean some other guy might not.

Thank you, Mandy, Chloe blushed through gritted teeth.

Crash! Jason whipped his head around to find two triplets staring at the third, who had just knocked a lamp on it's side, but hadn't broken it. He ran over towards the stairs, staring back at the two innocent and one semi-guilty looking triplets. Don't worry! he shouted as Olivia, the semi-guilty one reached for the large, potted plant. Everything's all right. Olivia grew closer and closer to it until – Olivia, get away from that – Crash! Anita! Gretchen!

The two adults shouted something from upstairs, then giggled their way to the basement. Luckily, the pot hadn't smashed all over the triplets, but it had managed to get dirt all over Olivia. Quickly, Anita and Gretchen cleaned things up, told Jason, Chloe, and Mandy to keep a tighter eye on the kids, and headed back upstairs.

It was Brian Pentor, wasn't it? Jason asked, continuing their interrupted conversation before Chloe got to say anything further. I'll kick his ass, I swear.

she asked, almost in disgust.

I mean, you guys were together at winter dance a lot. I'm just concluding that –

Brian practically ditched me at the end of the dance. He barely even said good-bye, let alone any type of kiss. Is anyone else really thirsty besides me? She hoped they could change the subject.

I am, Mandy said. I'll go grab us all some Cokes. Feel free to make out while I'm gone.

They heard her footsteps disappear up the stairs and they turned back to their conversation. When did we corrupt that girl so badly? Chloe asked rhetorically. Wait... You didn't say anything to Brian, did you? At the dance?

I don't know, I talked to a lot of people.

Jason Michael –

I may have. What? What is that look for?

I don't see what the big deal is. It's not like you've ever done anything.

Jason smirked, with secrecy twinkling in his green eyes. And how do you know I haven't?

Chloe was speechless at first. she began, not sure how to finish. Then she rolled her eyes at him. He must be lying. He would tell her a stupid lie, and sometimes she was gullible enough to believe him. But something in his eyes told her that he wasn't in fact lying... When? Who? Details now, Jay.

New Year's Eve, he grinned.

What about New Year's Eve? a younger voice interrupted.

Jesus, Mandy! You're so damn quiet sometimes it's scary! Jason yelled, returning his gaze back to Chloe. She stared at him with... Anger? Confusion? Sadness? He couldn't tell.

Did I miss anything juicy? Mandy asked, tossing Coke cans to Jason and Chloe.

Nothing except your brother being a jerk, Chloe whispered harshly.

End Flashback

Sydney, Vaughn, and Francie all sat on the back bumper of the SUV, waiting for their children to return to the cottage. Weiss was just finishing packing up the van. Mandy, being bored sitting upstairs all alone, came down with the adults hoping to follow the conversation.

Where on earth could they be? Sydney asked, shaking her head. They know we're leaving soon... And they know better then to just run off like this.

Maybe they really did find some place to make out, Mandy mumbled, but loud enough for the adults to hear.

A flash of nervous washed over Francie's face. Of course they didn't, she defended. They wouldn't go and do something stupid at a time like this.

Vaughn let out a sigh and drummed his fingers along the bumper. I'm sure Francie's right, they wouldn't go and do something stupid like that.

I don't know, Mandy replied, teenagers can be pretty stupid.

The adults cast each other nervous glances, but shook the feeling when they heard footsteps coming from the side of the cottage. Soon Chloe emerged with her backpack. Oh, thank God you're back. Go tell Jason to hurry up, Sydney said, standing up.

Actually, Aunt Syd, Chloe said, digging her toe into the dirt, I don't know where he is.

So you weren't together? Francie asked.

Francie sighed with relief. Her daughter had not been making out. But that meant that...

Then where's Jason? And where were you? You know better than to just run off, Chloe.

I was just looking for him, she told everyone. I thought he might be on the beach one last time, so I walked down a ways, but he wasn't there at all.

Sydney's first instinct was to panic. But she couldn't do that, there couldn't be anything wrong. Jason probably just took a last trip downtown and lost track of time, or was taking a long run and hadn't gotten back yet. After all, there were still fifteen minutes until ten o'clock. He's fine, she told herself, nothing is wrong... When did he go missing? she had to know.

Well, his neck started bothering him, and then I think it went away. I can't really remember it well... I was really tired. He may have said something about getting water but I was asleep by then. She clearly remembered that he carried her to her bed, but she left that out; her little secret. Next thing I knew it was morning, and Mandy was still asleep. I was gonna shower, so I went to ask Jason if he needed to use the bathroom before I got in, but he wasn't there. So I looked around and he wasn't in the house, and then he wasn't on the beach either.

So for all we know he could be missing as of last night? Vaughn asked.

The van door slammed. So you were where? Weiss asked, just entering the conversation.

Over yonder, Chloe said, pointing towards the beach with her head. (She had made a point to use the word yonder as much as she could in her father's presence for the whole week.)

Yeah, well, yonder my ass. Francie frowned at his use of language. And so Jason's missing? Everyone nodded, except for Sydney. She was still, frozen, no less, and refusing to believe that her son was missing, possibly as of last night. She kept telling herself not to panic, but it didn't work. Why don't Fran and I drive into town and see if he's there?

Good idea, said Vaughn. And girls, you can go check the beach one more time. But stay together. Chloe and Mandy nodded, and turned around and began running towards the sandy beach. Weiss gave a consoling look to Sydney, then beckoned his wife to the car and quickly drove away.

I shouldn't worry, she told herself. There's probably nothing wrong, right? It's probably just a misunderstanding... He just lost track of time. That's all that happened, I'm sure. She closed her eyes for a short moment. Then why is this making me so nervous?

Vaughn sighed. Would it make you feel better if I went to the police for this? Even though it might not be anything serious?

The police wouldn't do anything unless he's been missing for twenty-four hours. She paused in thought. Go anyway.

Vaughn furrowed his brow, wrapping one arm around her shoulders. I'm sure everything's all right. Just... stay at the house in case he comes back, okay? I love you.

Love you too, she answered automatically. She turned and plastered a smile to her face. Please, just bring me back my son.

Vaughn nodded boldly and gently kissed his wife's temple. I'll be back soon, he whispered in her ear before stepping into their SUV and driving away. Sydney trudged back into the house, walking through the kitchen and into the living room, where she could lean her back against the stairs and stare out towards the ocean. The tides effortlessly rolled closer to her with each wave, sweeping up onto the shore and carrying away bits of sand each time. She sighed, thinking Jason was like the sand that had been carried away.

A/n: Depressing, I know. Hmmm, so where is Jason? Stay tuned to find out; same Alias time, same Alias channel. What did you think? Please REVIEW! I need your feedback like the Cookie Monster needs cookies! If you want to send me cookies, though, that would be nice too...
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