Welcome back to Leo's l'il sista's "The other side of the story," and we are moving into what I consider season 2!!!! And I think we need a fic where Sydney and Vaughn are happy right, though it came pretty close on the latest episode! Kudos to J.J! Keep doing your stuff.

Please Review And Hope you enjoy! Twists Twists and More Twists are headed your way!!!

Previously on "The Other side of the story"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "You know you want to hold me and kiss me and be like we were two years ago," Michael insisted, grabbing hold of the arms she was using as a concealer for her real feelings. "Admit it, Syd. I'm giving you a chance!"

"Vaughn, I don't want your freaking charity!"

"Don't change the damn subject, Sydney! Stop lying to me, stop lying to yourself," he scolded her.

"I'm not."

Sydney expected Michael to falter back out of shock, realizing he'd been reading her all wrong.but he didn't. Instead he grabbed her chin and forced her to stare into his eyes. Oh, how she wanted to get out of his grip, but that would include her popping her neck and hurting her jaw.

Then tell me Syd, look straight at my face and say that you don't love me," he commanded her. "I know why you're going to transfer, it's because I'm married and you think you have to give up on me!"

"N~no, that's not~~~"

"Be a woman, Syd. Say it to my face! You want me here, just as much as I want you!"

"V~vaughn, please~~~"

"Say it, because I'm not leaving until I get an answer out of you. I'm not going to let you evade my questions or let you avoid my wanting to talk to you for another minute!"

"Vaughn, you're hurting me~~~"

"ANSWER ME!"

Sydney stared at Michael, trembling like she'd never done before, to include life-threatening moments on her missions and having her mother shoot at her. She saw Michael's frown stay a hard line but his green eyes seemed to soften.

"I~I don't~~~" she murmured but then she sobbed and took hold of Michael's hand. "I do love you~~~I do love you, Vaughn! And I never stopped."

And Then I think you remember Vaughn and Sydney married themselves in Sydney's hopsital suite.

And then I left you with those terrible cliffhangers of Leighton Cowell speaking to his boss and Vaughn (Horrors of horrors) going home to give Jessica real chance.

So did I just lose my mind? You decide!!!!

Season 2 Part I The Other Side of the Story Leo's l'il sista

Flight London to Los Angeles boarding at gate 138

Sydney wished she had earmuffs or something. That was the flight she would take home in a few weeks to a pair of open arms, anxious and ready to become her husband

"Honey, we're going to be late!" Leighton Cowell crooned as he jogged up to Sydney, disguised as Lory Stanton, a multi-millionaire doctor and Sydney currently played his exceptional doctor wife, Haley Stanton.

"Uh right," Sydney retorted, pulling a dark curl behind her ear. She'd rode through the whole flight being Cowell's wife, but underneath the wig of elegant dark curls and cocky British accent was still plain old Sydney. Somehow she couldn't enjoy the part, which was funny because she always found it easy to become Vaughn's date, wife, girl of the week, you name it.

Cowell went over to the baggage with a silver cart, waiting anxiously for their luggage to arrive. He caught her glancing at him and smiled.

Sydney found herself gazing at him. Cowell wasn't very bad to look at She actually might go as far as to say he came second to Vaughn with his neatly combed dark blond hair, piercing brown eyes. Take away the arrogance and standoffishness and Leighton Cowell was almost cute.

She watched in amusement as a bunch of twenty year old girls saddled up to him, obviously wanting to pick him up. She saw Cowell flash his ring at the girls who groaned in dismay.

Well well, Cowell seemed to be enjoying himself.

She on the other hand wanted nothing more than to do the procedure, put the patient out of his misery so she could take the next trip home.

"Sydney."

Sydney turned to him, brushing the curls out of her face. "Hi."

"Did you see me?"

"Yeah, you seemed to be thoroughly enjoying yourself Lory, darling," she replied, her voice dripping with disdain.

"I was actually. It's been a long time since I've had the chance to play a part," Cowell answered, grinning as he fished through their passport and handed one of them to her. "Didn't know I was a drama major, did you?"

Sydney shook her head.

"There's probably a lot of me you don't know but if you do, I presume you wouldn't hate me as much," Leighton proposed as he checked the tags of his luggage.

"I never said I hated you, Cowell," Sydney put in quickly and then regretted the move when she saw Leighton's surprised face, his eyes filled with wonder

'Really?"

"D~don't' read too much into it," she chided him as she pulled out a tube of red lips stick and applied it to her lips. "I do have this thing about Vaughn being the only handerl compatible to me."

"I~I understand," Leighton chuckled to Sydney's surprise. "How heartless you must have thought of me to take away from you the only thing that felt normal to you after being gone for two years."

"Y~yeah."

"I do apologize for that and while you're here with me, I will try and make England appealing to you, even if we are on business."

Sydney was about to stammer a thank you but two things held her back. One being fear that Leighton seemed to be becoming too human for her taste and second being the final announcement to passengers boarding the plan back to L.A.

"Did you leave something on the plane, Bristow?"

"N~no,I~ I travel light," Sydney replied, holding up her carry along. "And one of those is mine," she informed her companion, pointing to the dark blue suit case.

"Right, it's just you keep looking toward the boarding gate," Cowell reasoned as he began pushed the cart toward immigration.

"Well, that's the gate for passengers boarding to return to L.A," Sydney clarified, looking very sheepish.

"You're in bloody England and you already want to go back?" he gasped and then felt for Sydney's pulse. "Are you feeling all right?"

"Fine," Sydney assured him. "It's just I just won Michael when I disappeared and so I'm a bit cautious about leaving my husband so soon after I finally married him."

Leighton watched Sydney gaze at her diamond ring then suggested, "you should take that off, because you're undercover, honey."

"Oh right," she agreed and beckoned her head to an area of sofas. Cowell followed her with his cart of luggage. He took a seat down next to Sydney who was taking off her ring and took hold of her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Sydney, I can tell you're really in love with this guy and I know it's going to be hard being away from him so I will make it my duty to make sure you make it back to L.A when our mission is complete," Cowell vowed. "Until then I'll try and show you this beautiful country and shops so you can send plenty of souvenirs to your husband."

"C~Cowell," Sydney murmured then grabbed him into an embrace without thinking twice. "Thank you, Thank you so much."

"Y~your welcome," Leighton murmured and slowly held her back then kissed her on the cheek, wishing for a moment he didn't know what had happened to the beautiful woman in his arms or the destiny that lied in her near future. He then pulled back and gently wiped away Sydney's tears. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'm going to put a call into my former field office. Why don't you go and get us a beverage," Cowell suggested as he pulled out his cell.

"Okay, coffee?"

'If you plan to stay up for the three-hour entry debrief," he quipped, raising an eyebrow at her.

Sydney gave him a mock salute, placed her ring carefully amongst her clothes then snatched up her carry along and waltzed up to the nearest coffee house.

Three hour entry debrief? Wow, she wondered if her own entry debrief had been that long.

"Good morning miss, what will it be for ya?" the blond woman behind the counter asked.

"Oh uh~~~Irish Roast double cream and~~~what's your special today?" she inquired, throwing on a warm smile.

"Our French Roast m'lady, fresh ground this morning."

French Roast? Hmm, wasn't it early for Vaughn withdrawl.

"M'aam"

"Yeah, why don't you put in one of those for me," Sydney beamed, "and those are to go."

In a matter of moment she paid the cashier, and then carried the two cartons of coffee over to their seat.

"Thanks Syd," Leighton thanked then got straight to business. "I was able to get into contact with my former director. It took a phonecall or two for confirmation but the London field office is expecting our arrival at 10:00," Cowell informed her then glanced at his watch. "That gives us three hours."

"Good, we can get some sleep, settle into our rooms and check in with Base camp," Sydney listed and could barely keep from grinning. A phonecall to Vaughn was exactly what she needed on. She was so happy, she could only wonder how much happier, she would be when their union was real.

"Right, but why don't you get some sleep, take a shower that sort of thing. I'll take care of the call to base camp," Cowell told her then added "I doubt Vaughn will answer but if he does, I'll tell him you'll couldn't be happier."

Sydney nodded, still in disbelief at the change that had taken over Cowell She chugged her coffee, get rid of both their cups and then joined her "handler," and slipped her arm through his, now comfortable playing the wife to his Lory Stanton

"Good morning, Agent Cowell. Fancy seeing you here. After leaving our office two years ago, I was sure you were done with the CIA," a hard- looking but currently very welcoming director cried, shaking Leighton's hand hard.

"You left two years ago?" Sydney inquired, feeling rude to break into the conversation but whenever she heard the term "two years," her mind went straight into the mind-set of assuming he or she was part of her disappearance.

"He sure did and best bloody agent we had. It was unbelieveable when I received intel you were initiated into the main CIA office in L.A!"

"Well being away from home has certainly made me learn to appreciate how special home is" Leighton boomed, cracking a smile. "I look forward to good cup of afternoon tea."

"Of course, of course!" the director grinned then turned toward Sydney who was no in a suit jacket and pants, the attire she sport regularly in her regular office. "And you must be the miracle case, Sydney Bristow."

"Uh~~~yes~~~"

"I am Director Landor," the man introduced and then grabbed her hand. 'I am terribly sorry for the time you lose but I'm sure your family is happy to have you back?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Know the CIA is as well. We never promptly met but that Agent Vaughn sought our help as well which was probably the first thing we did, being a new office and all."

"Agent Vaughn, you've met him?"

"Yes, and a bright lad he was, completely determined and focused like you were his life. I presume he is glad he~~~overjoyed that you have returned."

"Y~yes, yes he is," Sydney stammered, taking a lot of her not to become giddy

"Well, we as CIA will assure you we will take all precautionary measures during your stay not to have something as terrible happen again and we offer our help in finding out about your lost years."

"T~thank you," Sydney replied, taking hold of his hand. He hadn't expected to be bombarded like this and at the same time feel such a warm welcome.

"So let's go ahead and head to the briefing room, shall we?" he suggested and then led the way. Cowell following right behind them.

"When they got there, Sydney wondered if this was normal? She'd expected the new British field office to be something astounding, maybe a bit "matrixy," but as she sat in her seat at a familiar looking table, she felt as though she were in the L.A.

She sat there, drumming his fingers on the table, anxiously watching as agents poured into the room and took their designated seats. She felt very out of place but kept a smile on her face, just wanting to get through the morning.

She settled down and tried to look like she knew what she was doing as the Director began speaking.

"Everyone, I thank you for departing your duties this morning so we can welcome a temporarily new member to the team. Team, this is Agent Sydney Bristow from the United States."

A wave of shock traveled through the room and gasps and coughs erupted once from every agent present.

"Agent Bristow, can you go ahead and take a stand?"

Sydney looked nervously around the room but rose to her full height.

She was the ladies gawk at her and the men check her out, and not professionally either.

"As you can see for yourself, the intel we received from the US is true, Agent Bristow is indeed alive."

The agents continued to stare at her and Sydney felt sure she was on show and tell.

"M~~~Ms, Bristow," spoke up a particularly handsome agent who she immediately classified as a "Vaughn." " I just wanted to congratulate you on your safe return from the other side, and we are all here to help you figure out what happened to you."

"T~thank you Mr.~~~"

"Agent Camden," he answered, flashing her a smile. 'I do hope we can get to know each other better."

"Yes~~thank you Mr. Cam~Camden."

Agent Camden grinned and then sat back down.

The almost was followed by the other agents standing up and introducing themselves. There was a Carrie type named, "Agent Loren," who seemed to have bad blood between the "inventor," on their team, "Agent Sorbeck." Then there was the happy and friendly "Agent Hill," who reminded her greatly of "Weiss."

"Now agent, I know you believe that Agent Bristow has come here to work on her past but unfortunately we have no new intel or the American CIA office have chosen not to disclose it to Sydney or us at this time. She is actually on a mission here and so we are going to be working very closely together for the next few weeks."

The agents nodded their heads and in turn gave nervous but smiling Sydney a reassuring glance.

"I would also like to announce the temporary return of our former agent, Leighton Cowell."

The former agents gazed at their co-worker, one in shock, one glad to see him and one not so glad to see him.

"He is Bristow's handler and so I expect you to keep this professional so we can all meet our mutual goal or accomplishing our mission.

Sydney noticed the "Carrie," smiling at Cowell and their "Marshall," near tears and she assumed they were probably very close.

But the handsome Camden seemed suspicious of her handler and that bothered Sydney a lot.

The Director then jumped into his briefing which was mainly the history of their office and what their major task was which happened to be to bring down a terrorist group known as "The Mourned."

Sydney listened but wondered if she should be too attentive. After all, the only reason she was here was to get the sample and then return it to L.A so she could continue to help her team bring down Sloane who she was sure was responsible for her memory loss.

The meeting concluded and the agents began piling out of the room, Sydney included.

The director had uttered an apology and gone elsewhere to attend his formal duties so it was Cowell who led her to what she recognized as the Joint Task Force in L.A."

Sydney stood, fighting her urge to fold her arms as she stood within a group of workers that knew exactly what they were doing.

"All right, Sydney?" Cowell inquired, staring over at his former co- workers form his position next to Sydney.

"Uh~~~sure. That was interesting, I didn't expect my disappearance to be front page news," Sydney confided, trying not to stare at Agent Camden who was gazing at her from his desk.

"It's amazing, the CIA is. Every field office has its' own regal duty and a specific goal as our teams is Sloane, theirs is to bring down, "The Mourned," but when something so catastrophe as an agent disappearing happens all the field offices come together to retrieve those who are lost," Cowell agreed and explained. "Though you can thank Vaughn for making sure the world knew he was grieving.

Hearing Vaughn's name was all it took to focus her thoughts and bring a light-heartened expression to her face. And she became so confident that she made a bold move.

"Leighton, are those your former team mates?"

"They sure are," Leighton breathed, smiling at a new agent who had joined the mix.

"And that blond one, could she be your girlfriend?" she teased, noticing the way she flushed then their gazes met.

"Maybe, I'm not going to tell you all my dark secrets," Leighton retorted with a laugh.

"Well whichever way if you business," Sydney shrugged. 'They're all so eager to reconcile. Why don't you go over there?"

Leighton actually looked reluctant and that bothered Sydney, that was until he replied, "but I'm your handler Syd, we're in two different realms."

'Hardly. We're standing in the same room," Sydney chided him. "Go ahead, go over there and let by gones by by gones."

"What about you?"

"I~~~" she saw the agent that had previously been staring at her finally get up and walk towards her. "I'll be fine. I think I'm making a few friends of my own.

Cowell followed her gaze and grimaced. Approaching her was his equivalent of enemy Vaughn, Agent Ethan Camden.

"Right, but don't get sucked in by his good looks Sydney. There's more to him than that," Leighton warned her, eyeing him carefully. "A lot more."

"Hey, I'm not dating the guy I'm married, remember?" Sydney giggled and Cowell finally sighed and walked over to his co-workers who greeted him with hugs and a kiss or two from the blond agent.

Sydney grinned. Things seemed to be going well for Leighton. Now it was her turn to break the ice with one of her new co-workers.

"Agent Bristow."

Sydney nodded and smiled. "Hello Agent Camden."

"H~hi," he stammered, running hand back through his dark brown hair. "I hope you don't mind. I though we should take this opportunity to get to know each other since we were interrupted during the briefing."

"N~not at all, I was actually going to thank you for making the first move. That made me feel really~~~warm."

"I'm flattered," he grinned, his hazel eyes shining. "I wanted to make sure we started off on the right foot."

"I'm sure you do," she grinned unable to be unflirtatious with Agent Camden who was so obviously flirting with her.

"No, I'm serious, I wanted to make sure you had no anxiety toward me and after I tell you about my job regarding your mission, you'll know why," he informed her, looking a bit apologetic.

"Well, don't' keep me waiting We are finding out about each other, aren't we?"

"Why don't you tell me something about yourself before I tell you all about me?" he suggested, folding his arms.

"Where to start?" Sydney thought, smiling as she did. "Where was her one minute commercial when she needed it?"

"Well~~~what do you want to know?"

"I~I don't know, anything," he told her then became more specific. "Tell me anything that will guarantee to make you happy."

"Vaughn!" she blurted out without thinking.

"Vaughn?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow. "What is a "Vaughn?"

"I'm sorry, he's my~~~my lover, my soulmate~~~my pending husband."

"Oh, you're engaged?" he clarified, looking very pleased. "Well, that's great. You must be talking about Agent Vaughn, then?"

"Y~yeah, do you know him?"

"Yeah, I do. Very well."

Sydney found herself wanting to embed herself within his faraway stare, wanting to know why this man knew her "Michael."

"Well, my turn I guess," he chirruped and then leaned against the well behind him. "I am one of the doctors who will help with the tumor surgery you're performing on David Lansing."

"Oh?"

"Yeah," Ethan confirmed then added. "I'm also going to be your personal physician while you are here. I've already been briefed on the steps they've taken to screen you and how often I am to probe your scar."

"O~oh~~~" Sydney grimaced. So that was why he wanted to know about her and make sure she wasn't freaked out by him. She was soon going to have to take off her clothes in front of him. "So uh, am I supposed to call you Dr. Camden?"

Okay! Please review!!!! Thanks!!! I don't' write witout feedback! You all Rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!