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Chapter 2 – Old and New Collide

"Danny?"

"Sydney!" His face lit up with utter joy. "I was beginning to think this day would never come."

He rushed forward and caught her in a strong embrace. Sydney was frozen at first, then slowly began to return the hug. "You're alive." She hoped that saying it out loud would make his presence seem more real. She was fully expecting to wake up any moment now.

Danny pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes. "My God, you're beautiful," he breathed. "How I've missed you, Syd."

He kissed her, then, seeming surprised when she didn't respond. "Syd?"

"I'm sorry, Danny. I'm still in shock. I thought you were dead. I saw your body. What…?"

"The CIA knew, thanks to your father, that SD-6 wanted me dead. I had no choice but to allow them to fake my death and take me into protective custody until it was safe again."

"How did they know that it would ever be safe? They had been trying to bring down SD-6 for years. And why couldn't they tell me the truth when I went over to the CIA?"

"I think they had a lot of faith in you, Syd. They knew that you could bring about big change. But they needed you to be angry to do that. They wanted you to want revenge. I guess they figured it would make you work harder and faster."

Sydney's eyes blazed. "They manipulated me. I thought I was getting away from that by working to bring down SD-6, but now I fin out that even that was part of a manipulation? Dad?"

She whirled on him. Jack just looked at her, expressionless.

"But that's all in the past now," said Danny. "Please, Syd. It's all over now. We can finally be happy together. We can get married, have a family… Where's your ring?"

"Danny, I thought you were dead for nearly two years, remember? It's in my dresser drawer."

"Oh, okay. You should have heard them, Sydney. The guys I was in hiding with, they all told me that leaving my girl for so long would prove disastrous for our relationship, They told me not to expect you to want anything to do with me when I returned. But I told them that they didn't know my fiancée. I told them how amazing you were, how much we were in love. I said, 'Don't you say anything more. Sydney is my one true love, and I'm hers. She has faith, and we have such a connection, maybe she can still feel my presence. She would wait for me forever.' God, I'm glad to see you again."

Danny kissed her again, more fiercely this time. He interpreted her rapidly falling tears as ones of joy.

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"Danny, it's time for your debriefing. Please follow Agent Brady. You will be back shortly, do not worry."

Jack watched as Danny kissed Sydney one more time, then smiled at her before walking out of the room. She mustered a smile for him until the door closed behind him. Then she began to sob.

"Dad, why didn't you tell me? I can't believe you! What am I supposed to do now? What the hell am I supposed to do?"

"Sydney, calm down. You can do whatever you want to…"

"Dad, he was… He is my fiancé and…"

"It has been a few years, Sydney. I am certain that he would comprehend if you no longer felt the same way."

"Were you listening to him, Dad? He is still completely in love with me. And, kissing him, I definitely still feel for him…"

"But?"

"Don't act as if you have no idea what I'm talking about. I woke up with Vaughn this morning."

"Ah."

"That's all you can say?"

"How else is a father supposed to respond to a comment like that from his daughter?"

"I am just telling you so that you can understand my situation."

"Well, it's simple. Do you love him?"

"Which one?"

"Do you love Danny?"

"I… I… I can't tell, yet. It's been awhile…"

"And Vaughn?"

"I… It's not that simple!"

"Yes, it is."

"No, it's… You know what? I need to go clear my head. Excuse me."

Sydney left the room and began to walk down the hallway. She tried to just concentrate on breathing for the time being. She hoped that she would be more capable of thought once she went for a run and went home.

"Sydney!"

She jumped and turned around to see Vaughn walking towards her. She felt her stomach flop uncomfortably.

"There you are. I've been looking for you all morning."

"Vaughn…"

He smiled happily at her. "This is so surreal. We can finally talk to each other in public, work together openly, be a real couple... And hey, there's no one else around at the moment."

He leaned down and kissed her. She kissed him back for a moment, trying to forget the events of the past hour for just a little. Soon, though, she knew that she had to tell him the truth, and Danny. She pulled back slowly. "Vaughn, I need to tell you…"

"Step away, you bastard!"

"Oh, no," Sydney murmured, recognizing the voice instantaneously.

Vaughn turned to face Danny. "What did you just say to me?" he said tersely.

"Look, you just get the hell away from her. Okay?"

"What is your problem?" Vaughn asked, not recognizing the man.

"My problem? You're the one with a problem!"

"Okay. I don't know who you are, but maybe you're mistaking me for someone else. So let's just walk away, and stay calm. Okay? Let's go, Syd." He moved to take her hand.

"I told you to get the hell away from her!" Danny stepped forward and shoved him roughly against the wall. Vaughn responded instinctively, grabbing Danny's arms and twisted him around, then turning and shoving Danny, face first, into the wall.

"No, stop! Don't hurt him. He's… I can explain. To both of you."

Vaughn loosened his hold on Danny. "What do you mean to both of us? You know this guy?"

"Vaughn, this is Danny Hecht."

Vaughn recognized the name immediately. Shocked, he let Danny go and took a step back. Danny turned around slowly, wiping the bit of blood that had begun trickling from his nose.

Sydney looked at both of them. She felt like either throwing up or fainting. Instead, she tried to keep her voice calm as she suggested that they all go sit down and have a talk in the conference room.


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