Disclaimer: I don't own Alias.
Previously on Why Can't I?
Sydney returned the phone back to its hook, and jumped into her bed. Tomorrow she was going to meet Michael Vaughn. Tomorrow she was going to find out about the books. Tomorrow she was going to find out about her mum without her dad knowing. And with that, Sydney snuggled into her bed and drifted off to sleep.
"Sydney! Time to get up!" Tracey (the housekeeper/nanny) knocked and opened the ajar door that led to Sydney's room. "Oh no, not again."
Tracey walked over to the neatly made bed and unpinned the handwritten note that was attached to the pillow.
"Trace – out for a run. Be back soon. I've got my mobile. –Syd," Tracey read aloud. "I suppose I should get breakie ready for her then. She'll need it."
Twenty minutes later, Tracey placed a plate of hot stacked pancakes and a fruit platter on the table.
"I'm home!"
The front door slammed and Sydney appeared in the kitchen.
"Smells good Tracey. You did this for me? Oh, you shouldn't have!" Sydney tore a pancake in half and shoved some in her mouth. "It's good."
"Sit down at the table when you eat Sydney. And I have a question for you – why is it that you always seem to turn up just when I place food on the table?" Tracey pulled a tea towel from the rack and gave the counter top one final wipe down.
Sydney swallowed her mouthful before answering. "It might have something to do with the text I got when I was running – 'Pancakes and fruit going cheap, head to Bristow Residence'. Yum! These really are good Trace, but do you know what they need?"
"Yes I do, and I don't know how a skinny little thing like you stays so skinny with what you eat. I'll get your speciality pancake toppings if you tell me your secret." Tracey walked to the pantry and the freezer.
"Deal." Sydney said smiling, shoving another piece of pancake into her mouth. "But you don't need to know the secret Trace; I love you just the way you are."
"Oh, you go straight for the heart strings don't you Syd. I think you've seen and read Bridget Jones one too many times. And if only my husband would say that to me, I wouldn't have to worry about my weight." Tracey threw a sarcastic look in Sydney's direction.
"But Tracey, you don't have a husband anymore. You got divorced years ago." Sydney said, suddenly very confused.
"I know dearie, and perhaps that is why I'm worried." Tracey chuckled. "About this secret Syd..."
"You ready for this Tracey? You might want to sit down."
Tracey placed the nutella and ice-cream on the table and sat in the chair next to her. "Alright chick-a-dee, spill!"
"Brace yourself," Sydney started spooning the chocolate spread and ice-cream onto her pancakes. "The secret is to exercise."
"No! I would never have thought!" Tracey pretended to look shock.
"Yes, and you can go for long runs, and have lots of fun." Sydney picked up a knife and fork, and began to eat her smothered pancake.
"That doesn't sound like fun to me, that sounds like torture. But would that be the reason why you've ran twice in, let's say, fifteen hours? Come on Sydney, what's on your mind." Tracey placed a hand on Sydney's shoulder.
"Um. I don't know." Sydney lowered her eating utensils. "I don't know whether I should say or not."
"Come on honey, tell me. It's Tracey; you've told me everything on your mind for the last seven years. Why not now? Spill."
"Please don't get angry, but it has to do with the book." Sydney bit her lip, and watched Tracey take a deep breath.
"And," prompted Tracey.
"Well, there was this name on the inside, so Francie and I looked up the phone book and we found out there was someone with that name in there. Only problem was, was that the phone book was outdated by years and the person has died. But I spoke to the son, who became interested, and now we are supposed to be meeting in about four hours." Sydney avoided Tracey's eyes, unsure of how she would react.
"That took a lot of initiative Sydney. But I'm not sure if I'm ok with you meeting someone who you've never met before and have absolutely no idea about. I don't like the idea of you going in blind. For all you know, he may be an axe-murderer."
Sydney began laughing. "Did you know that he said the very same thing to me? He said that for all he knows, I might be an axe-murderer!"
"Well, he's a very smart boy then." Tracey picked a grape from the fruit platter and ate it.
"I'm kinda nervous about it too Tracey. I mean, we're meeting in the park, in broad daylight, but what happens if, I don't know, something bad happens?" Sydney cracked her fingers.
"I think that you should take Rex along, and set him on anyone comes near you. And I also think that you should take your mobile and have me on speed dial so you can call me and tell me all that you find out. Ok?" Tracey stole a look at thechocolate and now melted ice-cream pancakes.
"Sounds like a plan. Would you like some? Sydney offered her plate to Tracey.
"No it's alright darl. Thanks though."
A few hours later, Sydney walked out the door with Rex on a leash by her side and the book firmly in her grasp.
"If anything goes wrong or if you want me to come get you Sydney, I'm only a phone call away. Remember that and be safe." Tracey watched Sydney turn and wave, and then retreated back into the house.
Upon reaching the corner of herroad, Sydney placed her ipod earphones in her ears and started listening to some tunes.
Not only was she now unaware of the noises around her, she was unaware of someone following behind her. Trying to look inconspicuous to people passing by, the person kept their distance from Sydney, but kept the book and the girl in their linesight...
A/N: Wow. I didn't realise that I hadn't updated in a long time. Whoopsy-daisies. Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter, and please tell me your thoughts on it. If you have any questions about the story, just ask me and I'm more than happy to answer. But until next time, cheerio!
Next time: Vaughn's side of the story