Hey everyone! It sounds like everyone likes Spy Daddy as much me! Thanks to vaughnbear, alias-4ever, mrs. michael vartan, sydofthesea, Five Stories Fallen, supergirl14, danie11e87, Caz, Tine, alllieee and Vaughn-Syd-4ever for all your amazing support. One of you actually guessed what happens in the chapter after this, so I was very impressed! All your reviews bring a smile to my face; some even make me laugh (Sorry Caz, but I like all the different Vaughns and like to show them all off. LOL!).
Well atm, reviews stand at 191 and I would love to crack the 200 mark with this chapter! Please help make my dreams come true!
Disclaimer etc. see previous chapters
Chapter 18 – A little chat
Vaughn wasn't surprised that he didn't get a chance to talk to Jack the next day. It was a usual busy day on the base and there were several field agents who were returning from a recon mission who had to be debriefed. Before he knew it, the sun was setting and the day was ending.
George and Lily finally dragged him to the mess hall to grab something to eat. Vaughn quickly scanned the room, noting both Phil and Jack's absence. They each took their usual seats and wolfed down their pasta.
Within ten minutes, Vaughn was finished and excused himself, despite protests from his companions, to return to some work he still hadn't finished. He quickly exited the hall and headed back to his workstation.
The room was empty as Vaughn entered and the silence was bizarre in a room which was usually filled with clatter. He switched on his computer and quickly set about finishing his work.
He knew what he was doing. He always did it – threw his whole self into work when things got to confusing. There was something about this sort of work which steadied his mind. Words never change in spelling and grammar is the same now as it was when he first learnt it back in school. Most of the time he was simply typing the debrief or data which lay in front of him. It was mentally draining. It was straight forward, simple. Unlike most areas of his life.
Vaughn was disturbed by his train of thought by the sudden clearing of a throat. He automatically reached for the weapon which was bound to his chest as he turned to find the culprit who disturbed his vigil.
"Nice reactions you have there, Agent Vaughn" Jack stated wryly
"They come in handy in this profession" Vaughn replied simply, lowering his hand from the gun he already had a firm grip on
"Are you sure you want don't want to shoot me?"
"I think I'll wait and find out what you have to say first" Vaughn replied.
Jack grinned at the younger man, in a manner which Vaughn was sure he reserved only for him. It was thin, with a definite smirk. Yet Vaughn knew it meant he had done something which had actually impressed Jack.
"To think some people told me you were afraid of me" Jack stated, taking a seat across from Vaughn.
"Not afraid. In awe of, but not afraid" Vaughn replied, surprised in his own boldness. He knew he was bordering on cockiness and while Jack might enjoy the light banter, there was only so much he would take before pulling rank on the younger agent.
"How are you finding Algeria?"
"It is okay. Not exactly LA, but interesting. It's like nothing I've ever experienced before" Vaughn replied
"There are only a few bases like this set up around this world which are run by the CIA. Most are military run. Which is why I wanted to come here in the first place"
"It feels like the days when SD-6 was still around. There is a goal which we are working towards and day by day you can see your progress"
Jack nodded. "Have you made much progress?"
"The rate changes all the time. Sometimes we make so much progress; I think I'll be going home in a month. Other times, I feel like I'm going to be here for years"
The two men sat back in the chairs, silent for a few minutes as they carefully eyed the other. It was Jack who finally broke the silence.
"I don't think you have ever spoken to me for so long in all the time I've known you"
Vaughn laughed. "Does yelling at me count?"
Jack smirked again. "I reprimand, not yell, Agent Vaughn"
"Did you know I would be here when you were sent to visit the base?" Vaughn blurted out. The question had been swirling in his head so fast and he needed to know the answer.
"I didn't know for sure" Jack replied simply.
'But you had a fair idea?"
"There isn't much I don't know about. I have contacts in some very high areas. And they weren't able to tell me where you were being sent. I didn't think it was much of a coincidence when I was told I was to visit a top secret CIA base only months after you were sent off"
"Does Sydney know?" Vaughn asked, not sure how Jack would react but needing to know the answer
"I think she worked it out too"
They fell into silence again, reflecting on how the conversation had quickly turned to the woman who they both cared about so much.
Jack abruptly stood up. "I better get back to my barracks"
Vaughn stood and extended a hand to Jack, which he briefly shook. "It was good talking to you Jack" he stated, looking Jack in the eye.
Jack eyed the young man standing in front of him. The man who thought he was worthy of his only daughter. Vaughn gulped.
"I'll see you before I leave" was his reply before he exited as quickly as he arrived.
Vaughn leaned back in his seat. Interesting, he thought as he returned to his work.
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