He looked a little bit like his daddy, Aaron Caplan decided, mainly because of the strange black thing he wasn't allowed to touch nestled against his side that his daddy sometimes wore but kept a shhh!secret from his mommy. He even recognized the man from the scary pipe room! He was the one that had picked him up and called him buddy while he had clung to his neck. He was a nice man.
His mommy had seemed to like him, anyway, and that was enough reassurance for a little boy that missed his daddy.
Hesitantly, Aaron climbed up on the bed and cuddled himself against his rescuer's chest, careful to avoid his owies and the strange black thing. He waited impatiently for the still sleeping man to automatically curl an arm around him and hug him closer and after a few minutes, he did so.
Then and only then did Aaron Caplan take a nap too, for the first time since his mommy had said Daddy would be late from work.
"Diane, I promise I'll be brief. You asked your husband to leave because you learned he was lying to you about his profession."
She nodded curtly, still annoyed at his intrusion.
"Then I want you to listen closely. You feel like you don't know your husband, but I have worked with him in the same alternate career that he described to you for almost twelve years."
Diane's jaw dropped, eyes shooting sparks. "Get out of my-"
Jack ignored her. "Your husband is the very definition of a good man, Diane. I will freely state that if it were not for him and his talents, I would not be alive to talk to you right now. Many times over."
That got her attention.
"The life we lead is not safe. But your husband's willingness to risk his own life to better those of people who will never know he existed, should be commended. Speaking from my own experience, I am grateful he chose to live the life he does."
She couldn't speak. Tears had formed in her eyes. His job accomplished, Jack rose.
"I'll see myself out," he told her. And then he did.
Weiss scowled to himself when Mike's doorbell rang. He had been promised two hours, but they were still ten minutes early. Even though everyone knew Vaughn's activities would be cleared up in debrief, counter-intelligence's favorite thing to do was hassle suspected traitors.
"Should I get that?" Will asked uncertainly. Weiss nodded.
"I'll get out of the way," Elsa said quietly. "Aaron doesn't need to see someone arrested." She paused. "Where is he?"
The doorbell rang again, followed by a harsh knock. Weiss sighed.
"Where'd he go off to?" Elsa's panic level was increasing.
"It's a small apartment," Will soothed, opening the door. "He's here somewhere."
Weiss raised an eyebrow as six counter-intelligence operatives filed in, all armed to the teeth. "Where's Agent Vaughn?" the leader demanded.
"Resting," Weiss snapped pointedly. "You're early."
They ignored him, striding down the hallway. Vaughn's door was the only one closed, and the team barged in immediately, followed by a protesting Weiss, Will and Elsa.
All froze in place at the sight of the agent and the little boy cuddled against his chest, both fast asleep. Vaughn jerked awake immediately, bleary eyes noting the intrusion even as his hand shot instinctively for his side, reflexes on high alert considering his recent ventures.
The leader saw his movements and started to go automatically for his gun, before all of them remembered the innocent child still curled on top of Vaughn and forcibly relaxed themselves.
"Um, Aaron?" Elsa called. "Wake up, honey."
"Don't wanna," the boy murmured sleepily, gripping Vaughn tighter. The agent couldn't help but smile down at the little boy that had attached himself to him, even though Aaron was squeezing a bruise.
"Aaron," Vaughn said gently. "I have to get up now, buddy."
The child raised his head, his grin enough to light up the room. All the adults flinched at the contrast. "You called me that before!" he exclaimed, delighted in his memory.
"I did," Vaughn agreed. "You can stay here if you like, but I need to go, okay?"
The boy scowled. The leader stirred restlessly.
"Okay," he gave in, albeit grudgingly. "My daddy used to cuddle with me. You were taking a nap, so I thought you'd wanna, too."
Vaughn flinched. "I saw your daddy," he whispered conspiratively. Elsa's eyes widened with sudden hope. "He misses you and your mom very much."
"Is he coming home from work soon?" Aaron's voice was full of joy at the news.
"I hope so, buddy," Vaughn sighed. He raised his head to meet the operative's gaze. "Don't do this in front of him."
The man nodded. "We'll be waiting in the living room, Mr. Vaughn," he answered. The team left.
Vaughn raised an eyebrow. He outranked the man, after all, and it was quite rare for a junior officer to address a senior as 'Mr.' instead of 'Agent'. Not a good sign.
Reluctantly, Aaron climbed down, dashing over to his mother's waiting arms. But Elsa had eyes only for Vaughn. "You saw him?" she whispered. He nodded.
"He's a good man," Vaughn told her.
"Is he…" Elsa trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.
"I don't know," he answered honestly. "The people holding us had ordered my guard to…" he stopped, remembering Aaron's presence. "I… managed to get away from that. Your husband is a gifted man, Mrs. Caplan. If there was any chance at all, he'd exploit it."
She nodded. "Thank you," she whispered.
"You're welcome," he replied, wishing he could do more. He heaved himself up slowly, ignoring Weiss' supporting hand. "Can you keep him in here for me? Until we leave? I don't want him to…"
She nodded again, appreciative of his sensitivity. "I will, Agent Vaughn. Thank you for everything."
He graced her with a dimpled smile.
"Shall we?" Weiss asked him dryly.
Still walking far more sluggishly than normal, Vaughn joined his partner in leaving his room, taking a deep breath. Will closed the door, trailing the two of them.
The operatives stood up from they'd been leaning against furniture, one of them reaching forward to disarm him.
"Michael Vaughn, you are under arrest for charges of mishandling classified information and participating in treasonous activity," the man said, his voice curt.
Another man started to pull an unresisting Vaughn's arms behind his back, handcuffs at the ready. Swiftly, Weiss stepped between them. "Those aren't necessary. Agent Vaughn is still healing from restraints like that."
Will, standing out of the way, nodded in agreement. He could clearly see the bandages around Vaughn's wrists from where previous bindings had cut into his skin.
"What are you, his lawyer?" the man sneered.
"Weiss..." Vaughn warned. You're not helping me!
"You know what?" Weiss snapped, irritated at how they were treating his friend. "By Director Kendall's order, Agent Vaughn is still in my custody. I'll bring him to Operations myself. You can form an escort."
"I don't think-" the leader started.
"I outrank you," Weiss interrupted, annoyed. "What you think is irrelevant. We're leaving now. You can either form an escort or explain to Kendall why you arrived after we did. It's up to you, kids."
And with that, he steered his startled friend towards the door. After a moment, the very unhappy counter-intelligence team followed.
"You're Irina Derevko," Allison breathed, in awe. The woman before her was a legend.
"Yes," she answered impatiently. "Where is Sloane?"
"He told me to give you this," she stammered, grabbing a tiny piece of paper from the pocket of her jeans. "This will tell you all you need to know."
She nodded, flashing a smile. "Thank you, Allison. Nice work."
Allison flushed, thrills racing up and down her spine at the compliment. It was a moment that would prove deadly.
Irina waited patiently for the younger woman to allow herself to become distracted. When it was clear she was, Irina raised Vaughn's gun.
And fired.
You wanted it, you got it. Have an early chapter, and thanks for reviewing, those that did! (And to those that didn't, all 141 of you last chapter, boooo. lol)
Up next: Oh, only THE REUNION. lol
Review Responses
Mary: Yes ma'am.
Kate: Heeey! :takes cover:
Jane: Here ya go! Feel free to review and tell me how not-mad you are. ;)
C-n-C: He didn't let her go. He escorted her there, because he's Jack and therefore anal about work. But apparently, they never actually went in, since Will didn't see anyone until Weiss and Vaughn arrived. ;)
Yo Teaser Yo: He was here, and he was alive, and beyond a doubt the most beautiful man she had ever seen. Tell him. Come on, Sydney.
Winking Tiger: When? Right now! ;)
Ilovemypenguin: Tomorrow came early, thanks in part to your review! ;) I love Aaron, too.
Raina: I heartily concur.
Kay10197: Poor FakeFrancie! ;)
Kittyfantastico: Sark has a big moment next chapter. Or two. I can't remember. UK? Ohhhh. :blushes: Didn't know that! LOL. Vaughn and Sloane do indeed meet again. ;)
UKHoneyB: They reunite next!