Unraveling Truths

Chapter 4

A/N: Here is Chapter 4 I thought since you waited so long for chapter 3. I thought I would give to you 4 faster Kelli.

Vaughn pushed the door open to the house and kicked off his shoes. He immediately went to Sydney's room to check on her. He pushed the door open slowly to make sure that she was not asleep. Sydney was awake on the bed talking quietly with Jack. Her eyes were glassy, and her face was pale, and it seemed like the first time that he had ever seen Sydney look scared. Vaughn walked over to the bed a knelt down to Sydney's level and bushed a strand of hair out of her eyes.

"Sydney sweetie, are you all right?"

Sydney mumbled that she was fine but Vaughn knew otherwise but he didn't push her.

"Sydney what's going on? You really scared me, that's why I called your father. Because I couldn't help you."

Again Sydney mumbled she was fine. Vaughn finally realized that she didn't want him at the moment. She just wanted her father. It hurt that she wouldn't tell him what was going on, but he understood at this moment that all she really needed was Jack.

"Jack I'm gonna order dinner let me know if you need anything."

" No problem, Michael."

With that Vaughn left the room and went to place an order of Thai from Sydney's favorite restaurant.

Meanwhile, in the bedroom Jack was trying to get Sydney to clam down the rest of the way. He could still feel her shaking and crying. He put his hand on her back and started rubbing in slow circles like he'd do when she was a young child and upset.

"Sweetheart you're home. You are safe, she won't come after you again, I promise".

Sydney didn't respond but Jack finally felt her relax and her breathing was returning to its normal pace.

"Sweetheart, are you ready to go to the living room? Michael ordered dinner, it should be here any minute."

Sydney just nodded meekly not really wanting to deal with Vaughn at the moment. She still felt like curling up in a ball and crying until she couldn't cry anymore.

Jack slowly guided her into a sitting position and took her hand in his, holding it firmly. Sydney's eyes were downcast. She didn't want to see the sadness her father felt for her.

" Sydney Sweetheart, can you look at me honey?"

Sydney finally gained enough courage to lift her head and look at her father. She was surprised at what she saw in his face. She did not see sadness. She saw a loving, caring father that wanted to make right all the wrongs in his little girl's life.

"I promise that we will keep you safe. I will personally capture your mother. I will make sure she pays."

"I know daddy, I'm just so scared."

"I know you are sweetheart, but you have Michael and I to help you now. We will do anything for you."

"I know but every time I go back to those moments I feel like I'm stuck in place, and that I can't get back to present time."

"Sydney, I understand that, and Michael does too. Shutting him out just to protect him won't do either of you any good. He loves you, and he wants to help you deal with this sweetheart, as do I. You have to let him in. You need to rely on him like you have in the past. Promise me you won't shut him out anymore."

"I promise."

"Thank you. I love you."

"I love you too, dad."

Just then Vaughn came back into the bedroom he saw that Sydney looked happier.

"Jack, Sydney, dinner's here."

"We're coming Michael. Ready Sydney?"

"Yes."

They all sat down to dinner, but it was strained to say the least. Sydney kept looking at Jack and Vaughn. She looked as if, if she said a word, she might break down again. Which broke Vaughn's heart. He wanted to gather Sydney in his embrace and tell her everything was going to be ok. As dinner was wrapping up Jack turned to Sydney.

"Sydney, would you like to have dinner Wednesday night? I think it would be great for us just to have some time together."

"I'd like that, Dad."

"Ok, I'll pick you up at 6 o'clock "

"Sounds perfect."

"Well I'm going to go."

"Goodnight, Dad."

"Night, Jack."

As Jack left Vaughn turned to Sydney and Vaughn opened his arms. She entered his loving embrace and finally let the tears flow.

" Shhh Syd, it's all right. I'm right here sweetheart. Please tell me what's going on."

"I had another flashback about the torture. This time it was three rounds of electro-shock therapy."

"Oh sweetheart, I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault."

"If I had just found you none of this would have happened to you."

"Vaughn, there is no way that any of the blame belongs to you at all. This is all my mother's fault. She just wanted to fulfill her own end game."

"Sydney, I know that. I just wish it had never happened at all. I wish I could have protected you."

"Vaughn, I'm so worn out. Can we just go to bed and deal this more in the morning?"

"Sure, sweetheart."

With that Vaughn led Sydney to bed and held her until she fell into deep, peaceful sleep.

End of Chapter 4