AN: So here's part 3. And it's actually the right version. Thanks to Jen and Steph for once again listening to me whine about this being crap, and then telling me it isn't. I'm still not sure, so I'm going into hiding once again after I post this. Course, this time I might have to dig my rock out from under the snow to resurface, but that will just give me a few extra days in hiding. I'm also not sure about whether to thank Jude and Jen for what they know might happen or not. You two are evil!

Please see the disclaimers in parts 1 and 2.

Still things we didn't see in Phase One.

Please enjoy! (And Please let me know so that I know whether to punish or reward the evil Angst Muse)

Becky

PS-see additional AN at the end...

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I sit quietly watching Sydney as she sleeps. It's not been, by any means, peaceful. There have even been a couple of times when I've been ready to wake her, but just as I reach out she seems to settle down so I leave her be.

The sound of laughter reaches my ears and I tear my gaze from the woman next to me and look toward the front of the plane where Weiss, Hodges, and the others sit playing poker. Most times, I'd be up there with them, losing badly. But right now, the thought of leaving Sydney's side for even a second is unimaginable.

Actually, the whole scenario of why we are here and what we might have just accomplished seems like something out of a dream. But as unreal as it seems in some ways, it's all too real in others.

Like watching Sydney with Nacor. My hand clenches into a fist as I remember the way he leered at her like she was there just to please him. And I know that's exactly what it was supposed to look like, but still, that's not the point. No one should ever have to suffer that kind of degrading scrutiny.

Remembering what happened next sends a chill through my body that I don't think will ever go away. When Sydney shot out that window, I was certain that it was all over. But then she managed to claw her way to the parachutes and get into one. But nothing, nothing, could ever have prepared me to see her fly out of the plane.

Another hand of cards is played and I can hear Weiss gloating as I remember how hard it was to wait for her to arrive with Hodges' team in London. But then she was there and nothing mattered because I could finally breathe again.

********

"They should have been here by now," I state as I pace the office where we are waiting.

"Mike, you've got to relax. You keep this up, you'll have a heart attack before they even get here."

"It's just..." Weiss comes up and grips my shoulder, trying to reassure me. I just wish it would help some.

"I know. I know," he answered quietly.

The sound of a vehicle pulling up has me looking out the window. When I see Hodges step out of the van, I open the door, going out to meet them.

"Hey Mike. Eric. Sorry we were late, but..."

"Where is she?"

"Nice to see you too."

"Kev, cut him some slack, okay?" I hear Weiss say.

I push past them all and get to the van just as Sydney slowly starts to emerge. Once she has both feet on the ground, she looks up, and seeing me, she starts forward only to have her knees buckle. I quickly move to catch her, holding on until I'm certain she can do this by herself. And then I don't let go.

We walk slowly past the others on our way inside. When we reach the door, I notice that no one is following us. I know I have Weiss to thank for that and I will thank him, but not now.

Leading Sydney to a chair beside the desk, I help her sit before I take a seat on the desk. There is so much I want to say, but we remain silent, just looking at each other. When I see tears pooling in her eyes, I finally speak. "Sssh. It's okay."

She nods and then a sob escapes and the floodgates open. I kneel before her, pulling her into my arms and I just let her cry. A few minutes later, she pulls back, wiping her eyes on her sleeve.

I don't want to rush her, but I'm sure they'll have the plane ready any time now and when it is, we'll have to leave. "Syd, I need to know where you're hurt. We don't have much time, but I want to make sure that you are able to fly home, that you don't need more medical attention than I can provide, okay?"

"Okay."

I can see the tears in the jacket and her pants, but I want her to tell me where I need to start. "Where?"

She unzips the jacket, she carefully removing it. "Here," she states, pointing to an angry looking scrape above her left elbow.

I go and retrieve the first aid kit, hoping that it has everything I'll need. I grab some gauze and soak it in alcohol. "Syd, I'm sorry, but this is all we've got. It's going to hurt."

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, gripping the arm of the chair with her right hand. She hisses when I apply the alcohol to the cut and I want more than anything to stop, but I know I can't. Fortunately, the scrape isn't deep and a bit of gauze and some tape and it's taken care of. "Where else?"

Ten minutes later, her left shoulder blade, the small of her back, and her right calf have all been attended to; the minor cuts and scrapes cleaned as well. "Hodges told Weiss that you were unconscious when they found you."

"I was. The wind blew me into a tree and the chute got tangled in some branches. I hit my head on one of them. When I came to, they were cutting me down."

"Where?"

"Vaughn, it isn't bad. There's a little scratch and a bit of a bump, but that's all."

I lean down and repeat my question. She finally gives in and pulls her hair back, revealing an abrasion just behind her ear. She's right, it isn't bad, but I had to see for myself. I stand back up and grab her jacket from the desk, handing it back to her, but she just shakes her head.

"Do you have my bag?"

I look at her for a second, trying to remember if I brought it in with me when I first arrived. "It's still on the plane."

"Can someone get it?"

"I'm sure they could. Why?" I ask as I hold her hand in mine, my thumb caressing the soft skin.

"I can't be in these anymore."

I nod, reluctantly letting go of her hand and I walk to the door. Calling Weiss over, I tell him what I need and he returns quickly, bag in hand.

"They are almost refueled. We should be ready to leave in about ten minutes."

"She just wants to change. We'll be out in a few minutes."

"How is she?" he asks quietly as he peers around my shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of her.

"The wounds are minor. The rest? I don't know," I reply, knowing that Weiss is asking about more than her physical well-being.

"I'm going to go get things situated on the plane. I'll see what I can do about finding a place where Syd will be comfortable. Do you need anything else before I go?"

I shake my head and he starts off across the tarmac. "Hey Weiss!" I call out to him.

"What?" he asks as he turns back to face me.

My 'thank you' is lost in the din as the plane's engines start up, but Weiss nods and I know he understood what I tried to say. I shift the bag in my hand as I close the door behind me. Walking over to where Sydney is still sitting, I hold the bag out to her.

She wipes her eyes again as she takes it from me. "Thanks."

I don't answer her right away. Instead I watch as she pulls her clothes from the bag. When her hand starts to undo the button on her pants, I turn around quickly. "I'll be outside."

"Vaughn..."

Her voice stops me before I've even taken a step. "What?"

"Don't go. Please."

I reach behind me, feeling for the edge of the desk, keeping my back to her the entire time. I can hear the zipper part, followed by the sound of the cloth rustling as she removed the slacks.

She changes quickly, muffled moans escaping as she moves in ways that will probably be painful for the next few days. As I hear her soft cries, I feel as if I've been beaten and left fighting for my next breath. And then her hand is on my shoulder and breathing becomes easier again.

"Vaughn?" she questions, moving to stand in front of me. After a moment, she tentatively reaches out to dry my cheek.

I take her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. "We should be going."

She nods once again. Still holding my hand, she carefully picks up her clothes, stuffing them roughly in the bag. Handing it to me, she starts to lead me to the door.

"What do you want me to do with these?"

"Burn them."

We reach the door and I stop her before she steps outside. I pull her backwards until her back is pressed against me. Wrapping my arms carefully around her waist, I whisper, "I don't ever want to be scared like that again."

She takes a deep breath and places her hands over mine. Exhaling slowly, she answers, "Neither do I."

********
"Vaughn..."

I'm jolted from my thoughts by the sound of Sydney's voice. I turn to look at her only to find her still sleeping. I gently place my hand on her head, softly stroking her silky hair.

I hear her sigh as she shifts closer. As she moves, I notice the change in her expression and I know she's in pain. I once again debate whether or not I should wake her, but in the end I decide to just let her sleep. She took something when we landed in DC to refuel and the drugs just probably haven't taken complete effect yet.

I smile as I remember the way she panicked when she realized she was not going to be back in time for dinner with Francie and Will. It was as if the past few hours had never happened and that dinner was the most important thing in the world to her.

The phone call to her roommate made me realize just how much she has to sacrifice on a daily basis. I've always known what she's had to give up in this crazy life she leads, but knowing and actually seeing it are different matters entirely. I still don't know how she manages to find the strength to continue, but somehow, she always does. It's just one of the many things that make her so extraordinary.

I lean back slightly as I continue to stroke her hair, the simple pleasure of this act is something I could get used to very quickly. I close my eyes, thinking about what we said to each other this morning. To hear her say she felt the same way I did still seems unreal.

I'd always hoped that she did, but I hadn't allowed myself to dwell on the possibilities. And then I think about what Weiss said earlier and I realize that none of the times where I've almost lost Sydney was she ever truly mine to lose.

But that all changed this morning. Now I do have something, someone to lose. And as I drift off to sleep, I understand that I'll do whatever is necessary to make sure that doesn't happen.

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AN- TBC?