Chapter 2

"She's alive?" Weiss asked, looking at his best friend to see how he was handling all of this.

"Apparently. She contacted Kendall from Hong Kong and Kendall told her to go to Spain and he'd make sure that I met her in the safe house in Madrid."

"You're not CIA, Mike. Neither am I. Remember? We gave it up when Sydney died."

"I know. But I have to meet her."

"Why?"

"She doesn't remember that she's been gone for nearly 2 years. She can't remember anything. All she remembers is that I am her boyfriend and she trusts me."

Weiss gasped, looking at Michael in horror. "She doesn't remember anything?"

"No. But she still loves me. And fortunately, I still love her just as much. I would still do anything to make sure that she's okay. But she doesn't know that I have been dying a little more every day since she left. But that's okay, everything will be better when I see her again, when I hold her in my arms again and when I can finally tell her that I love her."

Weiss reached out, patting his friend's shoulder, being there silently for his friend. I slept for the rest of the flight with my head in Michael's lap. When the plane landed, Michael reached down and shook my shoulder. "Ceci, wake up."

"Mike?" I asked in a quiet voice, rubbing my eyes tiredly. "What's going on?"

"We're here. We're in Spain. We need to get off the plane and get your son."

I nodded, getting up and folding the blanket I'd been using in a typical housewifely manner. Michael smiled. "We have to make a detour when we get back from Nathan's mom's place."

I hummed absently, which Michael took this as an agreement. "Come on, Ceci. We'll be back. Alms and Dixon are waiting for us in the terminal."

I hummed again, following Weiss. Michael's hand was tightly clasped around my wrist, making sure that he didn't leave me behind with his long, confident strides. I had to almost run to keep up. I felt safe while I was in the air and I knew that nothing could hurt me while I was in the sky. But on the ground, you never knew what was going to happen to a person. So I liked to keep close to the three people I knew would protect me with their lives. Michael and Weiss were two of those people. The third was currently waiting for me and our son in a safe house, making plans for us so that we would be safe in the long run. I ducked my head, hiding my face behind the bill of my Oregon Duck baseball cap. All four of the men on my detail were dressed casually, as though they were on their way to a soccer game instead of making sure nothing happened to me. With any luck, no one would know that we were even here. We'd retrieve my son, make Michael's detour and then be back on the plane before anyone even knew what had happened.

We arrived at my son's hideout and I ran inside, heedless of the danger, desperate to see my baby. Michael checked the area as he raced after me. Weiss and Dixon were a little more reserved, Alms staying behind the wheel of the car so that we could make a quick getaway if need be. Michael waved Weiss into the house. "Go get Matthew. I'm gonna stay here. Something doesn't feel right about this. Try to talk Mrs. Connolly into coming with us if you can. Something is going down and I don't want to even think about what that could be."

Weiss nodded, following me into the house. I ran through the house, calling my son's name. "Mattie! Where are you, my darling?"

There was silence and then a sound. A sob. "Mama?" came the teary voice. I followed the voice at a run.

Coming into the boy's nursery, I screamed, my hands flying to my mouth. Mercedes Connolly, my husband's beloved mother, was lying in a heap on the floor, a pool of her blood continuing to grow around her. Weiss came in and immediately snatched up the packed duffel bag on the floor. "Come on, Cecily. Mike knew there was something wrong with this. They got here first. We have to leave her. We'll inform the authorities as soon as we're in the air and you and the boy are safe. Nathan'll understand that there wasn't anything to be done."

I nodded, scooping up my crying Matthew. "All right, Mattie, let's go see Daddy all right? Would you like that?"

Matthew nodded, sucking on his thumb, his face buried in my throat. I followed Weiss from the room, both of us hurrying to get away as we contemplated what could happen next. Michael saw us coming and waved at us. "Come on, you guys, let's go. There's something not right. Where's Mrs. Connolly?"

"She's dead." Weiss answered, just as a hail of bullets came down around our heads.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion after that. I cried out as I watched my best friend get hit in the side with a bullet, falling heavily to the ground. Grabbing Weiss, I pulled him down and out of the way of any stray bullets. "Grab and run."

Weiss looked at me in confusion, before understanding flashed across his face. "All right, get to the car as fast as you can. Do not stop."

I nodded, kissing my son's face. "Mattie, you have to listen to Mama, all right?"

He nodded tearfully, scrubbing at his tearing eyes. "You have to hold onto Mama's neck very tightly. Keep your face buried in my neck and don't let go for anything all right?"

Matthew nodded and I looked at Weiss. "Get Mike to the car and I can take care of him from there."

Weiss nodded and then both of us dashed from our hiding places. Dixon was crouched beside the car, the back door open to allow us easy entry. Alms was shooting from inside the bullet proofed car. I dove into the car, rolling out of the doorway, my son holding tightly to my neck. "Dixon, cover me!" I heard Weiss shout.

I heard a cry, which I assumed was Michael as Weiss hauled him to his feet, forcing him to run for the car. I set Matthew on the floor by the driver's box. "Stay down and be silent, understood?"

Matthew nodded, sucking his thumb balefully. I kissed him again and then covered him with a blanket so that he would be harder to see. I turned back to the door, just as Weiss hauled Michael into the car. Dixon slammed it and dived into the passenger seat. Alms slammed the car into gear and we were gone, leaving the carnage behind. Weiss laid Michael down on the floor, putting pressure on the bullet wound. I reached out, pulling Weiss' hands away. "Look after my son. I've got Mike."

Weiss nodded, moving to pull the crying little boy onto the seat with him, distracting him with funny stories that only Weiss had the strength of mind to remember. Mike groaned as I cut his shirt from his body. "We have to go to the safe house in Madrid." He said, looking past me at Weiss.

I looked up at Weiss, who I noticed was looking seriously at Michael. "All right, man. We will. Cecily'll have to go in. I can't go in; they got a good look at me. They couldn't see Cecily. She was covered with a sweatshirt and a baseball cap with sunglasses."

I looked down as Michael, sighing in relief as I ascertained that the bullet had passed right through and hadn't done any serious damage. "You're gonna be okay. We have to get it bandaged and I'll stitch it when we're in the air and safe. Why do we have to go to the safe house in Madrid?"

"Sydney's alive." Michael whispered before slipping under the power of unconsciousness.

I looked up at Weiss. "Sydney? His Sydney?"

"Yeah, she contacted Kendall from Hong Kong. He told her to go to the safe house in Madrid and he'd send Mike to meet up with her. They have chemistry and Mike is still hopelessly in love with her."

"Will she come with me, do you think?"

"If you mention that you're Nathan's wife, she'll come with you. She met Nathan a couple times and she knows about you."

I nodded, starting to clean out and bandage the bullet wound. Thankfully, Michael stayed blissfully unaware. When we stopped, I looked up at Weiss. "If something goes wrong, you will get Mike and my child out of here. And tell Nathan that I'm sorry and I love him."

Weiss shook his head. "You'll be telling him soon, Cecily, I promise."

I nodded and climbed out of the car, looking up at the huge building in front of me. I went in and looked at the clerk behind the desk. "Sydney Bristow?"

She smiled and led me down the hallway. She stopped in front of the door, unlocking a room. I smiled at the woman, "Muchos gracias." I told her before slipping into the room.

A sobbing woman sat on the bed, crying into her hands. "Agent Bristow?" I asked, hoping that I wouldn't spook her.

Her head snapped up and I smiled sadly as I watched her mouth form one word. "Vaughn."

I came to kneel in front of her. "Ms. Bristow. My name is Cecily Connolly. I'm Nathan Connolly's wife. You need to listen to me carefully and do exactly as I say."

She nodded, looking at the door in hopes that Michael would come through the door. "I have Agent Vaughn with me, as well as Agent Weiss. They're my bodyguards, hired by Nathan after your disappearance to look after me. They're no longer CIA. They're waiting outside, but Vaughn is hurt and we have to get him to the airport so that I can take care of him. Come with me, and you can be with the man you love and the man who loves you again. Can you trust me enough to come with me?"

She looked at me, obviously seeing the honesty and sincerity in my eyes. "I'll go with you."

I nodded, smiling at her, standing again. "Come on. We have to leave now, before they find us again."

She followed me from the room and out to the car. Weiss smiled at Sydney, who returned the smile with a fully dimpled grin. "God, Sydney, it's good to see you."

"Hey Eric, where's Vaughn?"

Weiss' usually happy face turned sorrowful as he gestured toward the open door. "He's inside."

Sydney looked at him and then climbed into the back of the limousine. Weiss helped me in after her and then climbed in at last. I moved forward, past the shell-shocked Sydney to check the bandage that prevented Michael from bleeding to death in front of my eyes. "Mike, wake up. Honey, wake up." I whispered, tucking the blanket tighter around his shivering body. Michael cracked his eyes, looking at me with a kind of detached confusion. I smiled at him sadly, before touching his face. "I brought you someone."

I moved out of the way, giving Michael his first unrestricted view of the woman he thought was dead. He smiled as he saw her. "Syd." He whispered, holding out a hand for her.

Sydney looked at him, moving forward with teary eyes. "Vaughn." She whispered.

Vaughn laughed softly, trying not to jar his side. "Why don't you ever call me Michael?" he teased, and I could sense the familiarity of the situation.

She smiled, reaching out to touch his cheek gently. She whispered her response and I could barely make out the phrase, "I do sometimes."

He looked at her silently, his eyes haunted with pain and regret. Sydney leaned down and when they kissed, it seemed as if all of the puzzle pieces were once again in place. When they broke apart and I saw Michael's eyes once again, I could have sworn I was looking at a completely different Michael Vaughn than I had ever known.

This man was happy. His eyes were sparkling with love for the woman in front of him. I smiled, moving to sit down beside my son. Matthew climbed onto my lap, watching the scene with his thumb firmly in his mouth. "Mama?" he asked in Spanish, his forehead furrowed just like his father's was when he was thinking.

"Yes, Mattie?" I asked, using the same language he had.

"Why is the pretty lady crying?"

I smiled. "Remember when Mama and Papa don't see each other for a long time and then Mama starts to cry when they get to see each other again?"

"Yeah."

"That's why the pretty lady is crying. She and Uncle Michael haven't seen each other in a long time."

"You haven't seen Grandmamma in a long time, but you don't cry when you see her." He said, trying to understand how this kind of crying was different.

"Michael loves the pretty lady very much. Just like Papa loves Mama."

Matthew nodded, watching the couple reunited. Sydney laid a gentle hand on his side, looking at Michael in concern when his head fell back and he winced deeply. "What happened, Vaughn?"

Michael took a deep breathe and looked at me for a moment. "I got shot while extracting Nathan's son from his safe house. It's just a scratch though, I'll be okay. I promise."

Sydney nodded, bending over and pressing a gentle kiss to the place. "You promised me once that you wouldn't get shot again."

"Lot of good that promise did." He teased, laughing softly, despite the pain from the wound.

Weiss looked on, keeping on eye on Michael and the other on me and my sons. Dixon turned to look back at all of us. "Vaughn?"

Michael attempted to twist, but grimaced, falling back the way he was. "Yeah, Dixon?"

"Bristow is on the phone. He's going to meet us on the airplane at the airport."

Vaughn nodded, wearily, closing his eyes as exhaustion began to sweep over his inert form. "All right, tell him we copy and we'll see him aboard the plane."

"And the package?"

"The blackbird is free of her cage and is flying high." Michael answered, looking lovingly at Sydney.

I smiled ducking my head over Matthew's sleeping form. I recognized, even if no one else did, the code that Jonathon AKA "Jack" Bristow had set up with his potential son-in-law. Sydney seemed to realize that Michael was talking about her and leaned in to touch her forehead to his chest. Michael's hand came up unconsciously to play with her brunette hair. Dixon nodded, turning back around and continuing to talk on the cell phone he held to his ear.

Sydney stayed where she was, trying to comprehend everything that was going on. Michael closed his eyes and I watched as her small hands slowly stroked his body until he was asleep. Sydney looked up at me, squinting for a second before recognition crossed her face. "You're Cecily. I recognize you now. You're Nathan's Querida."

"Aye. That I am. I've gotten older since you saw me last. You've been gone for 2 years, Agent Bristow."

Sydney gawked at me. "2 years? I thought that I was only gone for a couple days. I was so confused when I woke up in an alley in Hong Kong. I didn't know where I was or why I was there. I thought maybe I'd been on a mission, but I couldn't remember what that mission might have been. And I knew that Vaughn wouldn't have left me behind, so I called Kendall. He told me to meet up with Vaughn in Madrid at the safe house. I didn't question it, just got on a plane and did as I was told."

I smiled at her. "I understand the compulsion. I should tell you though that Michael is one of my bodyguards and I have no intention of giving him up to the CIA."

Sydney smiled at me, looking at my son. "He's in charge of making sure you stay safe, huh?"

"Yes, he is in charge of my detail and he oversees the people on my son's detail. Which reminds me, Weiss, what happened to them?"

"I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that. But that is a valid question."

"If they'd been at their posts, Mercedes would likely be still alive." I whispered, transferring my attention to the scenery passing by the car.

Weiss wisely stayed silent, with Sydney following our lead. When we arrived at the airport, Alms just drove the car to the portion of the airstrip where our plane sat. A man stood in the door of the plane. I recognized the man at once. He was Nathan's superior and I had met him only once, but that one time was enough to have imprinted him permanently on my brain. His name was Jonathon Donahue Bristow, otherwise known as Jack Bristow, the father of ace agent, Sydney Bristow. The woman in the car with me now.

I looked at her. She was still sitting on the seat next to Michael, paying close attention to his reactions. When the car slammed to a halt, Michael groaned as he was jolted against the seat. Sydney's face immediately showed her concern. "Sydney." I whispered, reaching out to touch her hand.

She looked at me, the tears making ugly track marks across her bruised face. "Your father." Was all I said, pointing out the window and to the man silhouetted by the light from inside the plane.

Weiss got out of the way, opening the door for her. Sydney climbed out of the car, standing silently just outside the door. Jack ran lightly down the stairs, following his daughter's example by standing at the bottom of the stairs. They stood there staring at each other and then she realized who she was looking at. "Daddy!" she cried, racing at top speed toward him.

"Oh my God, Sydney."

I watched from inside the limousine as the two Bristows crashed together, hugging the life out of one another. Weiss climbed back in, easing Michael into a sitting position. Michael's eyes cracked open to look at him. "Weiss?" he murmured, before closing his eyes once again. "Where's Syd? Ceci?"

"Syd's with her father. Ceci's right here. Everyone is safe."

Michael nodded, turning his head to look at me. "Let's get on the plane, okay? We need to get you to Nathan." He murmured again, forcing his eyes to stay open.

I nodded, depositing my son into Dixon's arms. "Get him onto the plane. I'll be right there."

Dixon nodded, lifting my son and carrying him past the reuniting family. I looked at Michael and touched his face in concern. His eyes cracked open and he smiled painfully. "I'm all right. Just help me out of here."

I nodded, slipping one arm under his shoulder, using my body to stabilize the wound on my side. He grimaced in gratitude before starting to climb from the limousine. I passed him out to Weiss, who steadied him until I could join them. Michael stood silently, wordlessly leaning against me when I slipped under his arm. "Come on, Mike. Just take it slowly."

He nodded walking slowly toward the airplane. Weiss slipped out from under Michael, leaving me with the majority of his weight. I stopped for a moment, watching as Weiss pulled out his guns, taking the presence of mind to protect us when Michael and I were vulnerable. I smiled and then continued to help Michael to the plane. I eased him up the stairs, guiding him to a long couch. He sank gratefully into the couch, leaning his head back against the headrest. I reached out, placing a gentle hand on his cheek. "We'll get this looked at after you get some sleep. You can barely keep your eyes open. It's stopped bleeding so heavily, and its only oozing. The bandage is tight and keeping pressure. You'll be fine for a couple hours while you sleep."

Michael nodded, helping me tilt him onto his uninjured side. "Just let me look after you for once, all right?" I questioned, stroking a strand of hair out of his eyes.

Michael nodded again, closing his eyes in exhaustion. I leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Sleep well, brother." I whispered, slipping into Michael's native French.

He murmured an incomprehensible reply in French before slipping completely into sleep. I stood, reaching into the compartment over our heads and pulling out a thick flannel. I draped it over him and then turned to tend my son. I gasped as I nearly ran into Sydney and her father. "Mr. Bristow. Sydney." I greeted, quickly recovering my composure.

Jack smiled at me. "I trust you've heard about Nathan?"

"Yes, which is precisely why I'm on a plane headed to only Nathan knows where."

Jack turned to look at Michael. "How is he?"

"He's better than he has been in years."

"Has he talked to you?"

"Of course. But as I've told you before, I'm not at liberty to tell you what he tells me. He's starting to heal. Your daughter's reappearance should help him to heal even faster, although I imagine that there will be some issues which they have to deal with together."

Jack nodded, gesturing to Sydney. "I don't think that the two of you were ever properly introduced. Cecily Ann Connolly, this is my daughter, Sydney Bristow. Sydney, this is Nathan's beloved Querida, Cecily Ann."

I held out a hand to her. "How do you do?"

"I'm so confused. Like why you and Michael seem so close, but I don't remember either of you ever having met before."

I nodded. "Kendall knew this was going to be difficult for you. This is why he sent Michael after you. Mike will explain it all to you when he wakes up. But he needs to rest. He never sleeps; the sleep only gives him nightmares."

Sydney looked horrified by this revelation and I wrapped an arm around her shoulders to steady her, seating her in the chair directly across from Michael. "Just be patient and Michael will talk to you when he wakes up. He won't sleep long. He never does."

Sydney nodded, reaching forward to take his much larger hand in both of her own. "Thank you for looking after him when I obviously could not."

"Don't tell him that I looked after him. He would take that as a personal affront to his job description. See, Nathan asked him to look out for me, but he also asked me to look after him as well. We hated each other at first, couldn't even stand to be in the same room, but then, slowly he became my older brother and I became his best friend. I don't intend to relinquish that place in his heart for awhile. He still needs to heal and I don't know if he can talk about that kind of stuff with you yet. But when he's starting to heal, he'll come to you. But for now, just be patient."

Sydney nodded, bending over to rest her forehead on his hand. "All right. I'll be as patient as I can be."

I smiled at her and then moved toward my son. He was sitting wide eyed, watching the "pretty lady" cry over "Uncle" Michael's body. "Why is she crying, Mama?" Matthew asked in Spanish.

"Uncle Michael is hurting and she wants to be able to fix it. But she can't. She doesn't know how, Mattie." I returned in Spanish, looking down at him with all of the love that I had for him and my family.

Matthew nodded, leaning into me with his middle and index fingers in his mouth, sucking on them loudly. I snuggled him close, praying fervently to God for keeping them safe. I watched Michael sleep, watching to make sure that he wasn't experiencing any discomfiture or pain. Jack sat down on his chair, watching everything. Weiss sat next to me, staying close to me since Michael could not. I leaned against Weiss comfortably, a sleeping Matthew wrapped tightly in my arms. Weiss kissed my forehead. "Get some sleep, Cecily. We'll wake you when Michael wakes up so that you can stitch the wound."

I nodded, making myself comfortable. Soon I was asleep in the warm and protective embrace of Eric Weiss. Sydney sat silently, her attention fixed on Michael and only Michael. Jack fell asleep in his chair but Weiss stayed awake, his attention fixed firmly on Michael and Sydney.