The Life We Always Wanted
Set during Syd's missing years. This fic follows the show's timeline up until Syd goes to see Kendall after escaping from the Covenant. She goes to see Vaughn, and things go differently… (so, no waking up in Hong Kong finding Vaughn married, just to clarify)
Disclaimer: I don't own Alias or any of the characters.
Chapter 3 – We Have a Problem
8 months later
"Syd, we have a problem" Usually I love hearing Vaughn's voice, but I don't particularly like problems.
"What is it?"
"Are you alone?"
"No."
"Are you with Simon"
"Yeah"
"Is anyone else there?"
"No"
"Well, this is too important to wait. The CIA ID'd Simon"
"What?!?"
"After you two blew up the factory in Madrid they got his face on the security camera of the hotel next door. Thankfully, your face was hidden; they only know he was with a blonde woman. But they got his name, and through one of your dad's contacts they know he associated with a woman named Julia Thorne."
"This is bad. Really bad. How are we going to proceed?"
"Obviously the CIA wants to bring Walker in. But Kendall absolutely does not want him in custody. He could blow our whole operation if he talks."
"So he has to disappear."
"Can you take care of that?"
"Of course"
"You'll also need a new hairstyle."
"I figured."
"Syd – they'll be looking for Julia. I know I don't have to say this, but be extra careful. The people running this op – your dad, Dixon, Marshall, Weiss – know you, so if they see your face it's over.
"I know, I'll be careful. I'll contact you when it's done."
"I love you"
"Me too" I hung up the phone and turned to the man I was sharing the hotel room with. "Simon, we have a problem."
"What's wrong Jules?"
"You know the factory we blew up last week?"
"Madrid?"
"Yeah. You were ID'd by the CIA"
"Shit. How did you find out?"
"I have a contact at the CIA. He just called. We need to make you disappear."
"Martin can forge some documents for me."
"Here," I reached into my suitcase, "dye your hair blonde." I tossed the box of dye at him.
"Blonde?"
"Yeah. Just do it."
"So when do we leave?"
"You. You leave in an hour. Get a flight somewhere remote. Stay there. It's your only chance at freedom."
"When will I see you again?"
"Simon, we can't see each other anymore. Ever." I tried to be gentle, but this was harsh information for him.
"Can't you come with me?"
"No. It's too dangerous. I haven't been visually ID'd but they know my name. I can't be seen with you." And now I don't have to pretend to want to have sex with you anymore.
"You could disappear with me" He really wasn't getting the point.
"No, I can't. There's too much I have to do right now." I walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Goodbye Simon. You'll be gone when I get back. Good luck"
"Goodbye Julia" Am I seeing things? Is that actually a tear in his eye?
I turned and walked out of the motel room, leaving him for the last time. Mostly, I was relieved I didn't have to pretend anymore, but a small part of me would miss the companionship. I definitely didn't love him, or even like him all that much, but it was nice having someone around. Now I was on my own.
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Vaughn's POV
I had entered the briefing room just like every other day. When Jack started talking about the factory in Madrid I got a little nervous; I knew Syd was involved in that. Then Jack put the picture on the monitor. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach – this was not good.
"This is Simon Walker" Jack told us. "He's freelance, but is known to have ties to the Covenant. We believe he did this job for them."
"Who's the woman with him?" Dixon asked
"Unfortunately, this is the best picture we have of her". All the picture showed was a woman with shoulder length blonde hair – her face was hidden. "But my contacts tell me Walker's been associated with a Covenant operative named Julia Thorne. We can only assume that she is the woman in the photo."
This was definitely NOT good. At least they didn't have Syd's face – that could ruin our whole operation, maybe even put Syd's life in danger if the Covenant found out. The rest of the meeting was a blur. Jack was talking about ways to find Walker; there would be another briefing later in the day.
"Agent Vaughn, do you have a minute" Kendall's voice brought me out of my daze.
"Yes sir" I replied, as everyone else filed out of the room and Kendall closed the door.
"You know as well as I do that Walker can't be brought in. If he talks-"
"I'll take care of it"
"You can use this room for a few minutes if you need the privacy." As Kendall left the room, I dialed Syd's secure number.
"Syd, we have a problem."
A part of me was glad Walker would have to disapper – he wouldn't be sleeping with my girlfriend anymore – but I knew if would make Syd's life more difficult without someone around.
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3 days later
"Simon Walker has disappeared" Jack Bristow opened the briefing with what most people there thought was a somber note. I had to hold in a smile. "And there's been no sign of Ms. Thorne either."
I hoped Jack couldn't see the relief on my face.
"They couldn't both have dropped off the face of the earth." Weiss interjected
Kendall stood up "I want them found. They're the only lead we have on the Covenant right now. They were last seen in Madrid; start there. Dismissed"
I took a minute gathering my papers. I could tell Kendall wanted to talk to me.
"Agent Vaughn, we need a trail on her. Jack Bristow won't rest until he finds her. We need the red herring." He left unspoken the fact that we also don't want Jack to find out they were tipped off. The last thing we need right now is an internal mole hunt.
"I'm on it."
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1 month later
"Yesterday it was Bangkok. Today it's New Delhi. Where's she going to be tomorrow, Beijing? Tokyo? Hong Kong?" Weiss sounded frusterated.
"Ms. Thorne does seem to get around a lot." Dixon added
These briefings – and the whole search for Julia Thorne – were a complete waste of time. The "evidence" they were examining had all been planted, some by me, some by Syd, and some by Kendall. And here we were, reviewing it as if it actually meant something. Syd spent most of her time in a long black wig; she only let her dyed blonde hair show for the fake pictures and meetings with her Covenant contacts.
I shot Kendall a look, and I know he was thinking the same thing I was – how much longer can this go on before they realize something's going on.
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2 months later
"Syd?" I said, pulling the door closed behind me. She NEVER gets to the hotel before I do. NEVER. She's sitting on the edge of the bed, and judging by her face I'd say she's been crying.
"I can't do this anymore Vaughn." She sobs. I sit next to her, holding her in my arms, trying to offer some comfort.
When she called yesterday I was a little surprised.
"I need to see you" She said as soon as I answered the phone
"You know I'd love to see you too, but Syd, we just got together a couple of weeks ago."
"I need to see you" she repeated
"You know it's too dangerous to see each other so often." I tried reasoning with her "It could blow our cover."
"I need to see you Vaughn, I need to see you"
And as usual where Sydney Bristow is concerned, I caved. "Tomorrow, Cairo?"
"OK"
"I can't do this anymore" She said again, calmer this time.
"What can't you do?"
"This life – the double life."
"Syd, you've said that before, and you always made it."
"It's different this time. It's not me I'm worried about."
"I'll be fine too; you don't have to worry about me."
"It's not you either. It's…. it's….." she trailed off, having difficulty. I rubbed her back gently, waiting for her to continue. "Vaughn, I'm pregnant."
"Oh my gosh Syd" I said excitedly. Then I remember something "is it-"
"Yes, it's yours. Thank God. I don't know what I'd do if I had to have his baby."
"Syd, this is amazing. We're going to have a baby!" I pulled her into a close hug, but I notice she's still upset. "Aren't you even a little excited?"
"Vaughn, I love you. And I love this baby already. I want nothing more than to have your child. But if the Covenant finds out…"
"They'll take our baby."
"I can't let that happen."
"I know."
"I'll have to disappear. Then all this will have been for nothing."
"Then we'll have to make something happen. How long do we have?"
"2, maybe 3 months before I start to show."
"Then we need a plan."
She put her hand on my face and said "I love you". Then she kissed me passionately.
"I thought we were making a plan" I said moments later, trying to catch my breath.
"In a minute" she replied, pulling me down on the bed.
5/5