7.
Later that afternoon Sydney had been given the all clear by her doctor. Will and Francie had left around lunchtime, promising to be back to pick her up at five pm.
At around three pm Sydney was sitting on her bed absentmindedly flicking channels on the TV when Vaughn called through her door.
"Come in." She called back, turning the TV off.
As he stepped inside the room her heart skipped a beat in her chest as it did everytime she saw him. He was dressed casually in a light jumper and jeans but something about the way he walked told her that he was here on business.
"How are you Sydney?" He asked walking over to her bed, his face full of concern.
"I'm good. The doctor said I can leave later today."
"That's great!" He replied. "Look…"
There was so much going through her mind, she had to interrupt him. "Have you tracked down Owens yet?" She asked.
"We have reports of a man fitting his description leaving LAX early this morning, that's all we have, nothing has been confirmed. We have agents looking at the CCTV as we speak. But, I have to be honest; we don't think it was him. He doesn't have the box so he has no reason to leave town yet..." He paused.
"So, you think he will be after me." Sydney finished for him. Of course it was obvious that Owens would be after her. He didn't know who she worked for so he would be looking for her, as she was probably the only person Owens knew of who knew the whereabouts of Rambaldi's box. Sydney was the key to him getting the box back.
What did he know about Sydney? He knew she had worked undercover as a chambermaid in the hotel but she had broken her cover after she took the box. Therefore he knew exactly what she looked like. He would be on the look out for a young woman in her mid-twenties, about 5ft 9ins with light brown hair.
Vaughn paused again and took in a breath. "Yes, he will be after you," he exhaled. "Don't worry though, you will have agent watching you at all times."
'Great,' Sydney thought. Although it would be the good guys watching over her, the thought of the constant surveillance made her feel uncomfortable. She had always preferred to do things her own way, no-matter how much danger she was in.
"But, we do have some good news." Vaughn added.
"Oh and what would that be?" Sydney replied, not bothering to hide how upset she was. This accident had affected her more than she realised. She was normally so good at masking her emotions.
"We know who Patrick Owens works for." Vaughn informed her. "He's K-Directorate."
"How is that good news?" Sydney asked.
"Well, this isn't going to sound very comforting but now we know how big his operation to find you will be."
If Sydney were feeling her usual self she would have realised this as the benefit it was. Knowing that Owens was K-Directorate meant the CIA could contact any moles they had undercover in K-Directorate, gathering any intel they had on him and generally making it easier to track him down.
Vaughn relaxed. Sydney took that as a sign that the business side of things was over, for now.
"Sydney?" She loved the way he said her name, though she would never tell him that.
Their eyes met and they held eye contact for a moment longer than was typically necessary.
"Yes?" She whispered. She couldn't have spoken normally even if she wanted to.
"I'm glad you're Ok."
