"Daddy?" She asked, shock and utter disappointment causing her to fall back on her childhood name for him.
He had the grace to look ashamed. "I'm sorry Syd." He offered. "Things aren't what they seem."
"So tell me. Clear up the confusion." Her voice was pitched low, but it was forceful enough to carry.
"I can't." The regret in his voice seemed genuine enough, but so had many things.
"Tell me!" She shouted. "I want to understand why you would betray us… me." The implications of what she was saying suddenly hit her and it took all of her willpower not to let her knees buckle. "You were behind it. You were behind my capture… my torture." Disgust coloured her features, melted into her words. "Oh, god. You bastard…." She couldn't find the words to describe her feelings towards her father. She felt sick, nausea making her stomach churn.
Vaughn and White stood on, keeping out of the line of fire. Vaughn hurt for Sydney. It felt like his heart had been torn from his chest. He couldn't even begin to comprehend how she felt. Everything about her body language screamed how hurt she was. For one parent to betray you was awful… two was unthinkable.
"I'm sorry." Jack said, a little edge of emotion creeping into his tone. It wasn't enough. It could never be enough. He had crossed that line one too many times. Nothing he said now would make any difference.
Syd didn't even answer him. She turned and walked away into the park, head down, shoulders hunched.
"God, what a mess." White said. "I'll take these two back." He said, looking at Jack and Artis. Turning to face Vaughn, he added. "You, go after her. Make sure she's okay."
"I will." Vaughn said. "Don't worry about that." He left the others getting into a car, jogging after Sydney.
He found her in the centre of the park, surrounded by an aura of sadness. She was sitting on one of the benches, tucked away in-between two leafy trees. Her legs were tucked under her, arms wrapped around her body. He sat next to her, close but not touching.
"I'm sorry." He offered softly, "God, Syd. I wish I could make things better for you."
She didn't say a word but didn't resist as he pulled her into his arms. It felt like eternity before she stopped shaking and let the tears come.