Again thank-you so much for your feedback. I love it that you guys are enjoying this fic so much, cos I'm having a great time writing it.
As Sydney sat at a table inside Michelli's she wondered if inviting her father out to dinner had been her worst decision to date. Making conversation wasn't exactly a strong point between the two of them- would they just end up spending the entire evening sitting in silence, staring at their plates?
Glancing down at her watch, Sydney's heart sank when she saw it was already 8.30. Was he not going to show? Surely even Jack Bristow would be courteous enough to call if he wasn't coming. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and attempting to stop her leg from jiggling up and down, Sydney watched the door like a hawk.
Finally at- Sydney glanced at her watch again- 8.45 Jack Bristow strode in.
"Sorry I'm late." he offered no explanation as he sat down.
"That's fine." Sydney said, but inside she was seething. Forty-five minutes late and he couldn't even offer her a reason or excuse. The evening was not off to a good start.
"So." Jack started. "How are you?" The conversation that followed was trivial and quite possibly the dullest Sydney had ever taken part in. But, they were speaking, and if her father wanted to discuss the weather, Sydney wasn't going to complain.
"Have you seen Emily lately?" Sydney asked after the waiter had cleared away their plates.
"Not since the lunch."
"Well...that was an interesting day."
"If you say so. Are you still seeing Mitchell?" Sydney bristled. Her father knew damn well what Vaughn's name was- his attention to detail was profound. The little name error was just a reminder to her that he didn't approve.
"Yes, Michael and I are still together."
"Hmmm." Jack took a mouthful of wine.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Sydney demanded.
"There is no need for that tone. I was just wondering if he was the right person for you."
"You don't even know him!" Sydney exclaimed.
"Yes, but from what I gauged the other day, it seems that he is not deserving of you."
"What!" Sydney's eyes flashed as she clutched her napkin so tight her knuckes turned white.
"I don't believe he is good enough for my daughter."
"And how are you supposed to know who is good enough for me? You don't even know me!"
"Sydney, I am your father. I believe I have the right to say I know you."
"A biological father, yes, but nothing more."
"That is not fair."
"Yes it is. You have never been there for me. You have never shown any affection or love. You never put a Band-aid on my sores, never baked me a birthday cake, never came to any school plays and never even attempted to know me."
"Sydney-"
"No, let me finish!" Sydney exclaimed, throwing her napkin down on the table. "I have been wanting, wait no, needing to say this for so long. I want my dad. I need my dad. Why can't you stand to be around me?"
Jack sat stony faced.
"Why dad?" Sydney demanded.
"Because it hurt too much to be around you."
"What?"
"Sydney, everytime I look at you, I see your mother. And even after fifteen years it still breaks my heart."
Sydney sat stunned as Jack threw some money on the table and walked out of the restaurant. She didn't know whether to feel sympathy or anger towards him.
However, as she drove home resentment began to grow inside of her. How dare her father use her mother's death as an excuse for their lack of relationship. Most families would turn to each other for love and support in a situation such as theirs. But, no, Jack Bristow never was like anyone else.
'In fact,' Sydney thought pulling into her driveway. 'He was never around that much when mum was alive. He was probably relieved to be given an excuse not to bond with me.'
She stormed inside, slamming the door with such force that the walls actually shook. She walked straight to her room, ignoring both Will and Francie, who were cuddled up on the couch, staring at her in shock.
After Sydney had slammed her bedroom door, Francie made to go after her.
"Don't." Will stopped her, grabbing Francie's hand.
"But she is upset."
"I know, but I don't think she is in the mood to talk. She would have said something if she was."
"Yeah, but I'm scared she might start breaking stuff."
"So what. She owns everything in that room and it can be good therapy."
"I've never seen her this mad before, Will. Not even when she found out about Noah."
"Yeah...I wonder what Jack has done now?"
In her room Sydney wasn't quite at the point of destroying her belongings. Instead she had pulled out a photo album filled with pictures of her mother. Just looking at the face of her mum had an immense calming effect on Sydney. While she was still raging inside, the urge to cause damage had subsided.
She had just reached the photos of her fifth birthday party when the phone rang. Ignoring it she snapped the album shut and put it back on her bookshelf.
"Syd." Francie's voice called through the door. "It's Michael."
"I got it." Sydney called back as she picked up her extension. "Hey, how was the game?"
"Great. Nothing beats seeing a hockey match live- except you of course."
"What about me?" Weiss's voice in the background brought a smile to Sydney's face.
"Go back to your pizza Weiss." Vaughn ordered.
"Poor Weiss, you must make him feel so unloved." Sydney said.
"He'll be fine. So how was the dinner?"
"Terrible."
"Oh Syd, really? What happened?"
"Jack Bristow happened."
"Oh Syd, I'm sorry. I know you had high hopes for tonight."
"Most of it wasn't that bad. We were talking fine and then it all just went to hell."
"How?" Sydney launched into a long spiel, re-telling Vaughn exactly what had gone down between she and her father.
"So," Vaughn started. "He actually tried to explain why he distances himself."
"He wasn't explaining himself! He was using my mother's death as an excuse!"
"I know that this is really upsetting, but al least now you have a little understanding of your father."
"Vaughn!" Sydney couldn't believe it. Vaughn actually sounded as if he didn't believe Jack's actions were all that bad.
"What?"
"I don't understand him at all. Your mum said you look like your dad- did she distance herself from you?"
"No."
"Exactly."
"Hey, I'm not saying that your father's actions were justifiable- I'm not exactly a huge fan of the guy afterall. However, it sounds like he really opened up to you tonight. You should be grateful for that."
Sydney sat silent, digesting what Vaughn was saying. Regardless of how much she despised her father right now, Vaughn did have a point. Tonight was the first time her father had revealed himself to her.
"I suppose you are right." she conceded. "But that still doesn't change 15 years of disappointment."
"Hey, I know that. You and your dad have a lot to work through."
"Yeah, just a bit. Sorry to burden you with my problems."
"Hey it certainly keeps me entertained- even more so than Weiss!"
"Bit me Mike." Weiss's voice yelled.
"You mean that literally? Cos you know I will." Vaughn retorted. "Sydney."
"Yeah."
"Your family problems are not a burden to me. Nothing about you could be a burden. You should know that you can talk to me about anything."
"I know that Vaughn."
"Yeah, well I was just making sure."
"The same goes for you. Whenever you are having Weiss problems, you can talk to me."
"Good to know...speaking of which he's finished his pizza. So if you're feeling ok, I think I have to go."
"I'm feelingbetter now. I love you Vaughn."
"Love you too, or should I say ditto?" Sydney smiled at his reference to Ghost.
"I'm sorry Vaughn, but nobody but Patrick Swayze can get away with that."
"So I should just stick with I love you?"
"Yup stick with it and don't ever stop saying it."
"I think I can handle that."
Both Sydney and Vaughn were smiling when they hung up the phone.