Rescue Me

Wow! Thanks for all the support! I'm amazed!! :D

I've nearly finished Chapter 6, but with it being Christmas tomorrow, I'm guessing I won't get it up until Thurs. probably. We'll see...maybe I'll be able to pull off a Christmas miracle! 🎅 ;)

Thanks to everyone who's reading and replying - your comments really motivate me to keep improving!!

~Laura :cat:
 
I have a little Christmas gift for you all - Chapter 6! YAY! Like I already mentioned, I hit a mental block while writing this chappy (UGH!), but I obviously made it through - hopefully it doesn't suck too much! So anyway, here it is:


Chapter 6

Sydney POV
BEEP BEEP BEEP
I am jolted awake by an alarm. My vision is blurred, and I am disoriented and bewildered. After discovering I am wearing clothes from yesterday, I realize I can’t remember last night. Suddenly, I become nauseated, and I run to the bathroom. Puking my guts out, I recognize that I am at home. Small memories of last night flash through my mind as I wipe my mouth and lean against the wall, sitting on the floor.

‘I must’ve gotten drunk,’ I conclude. ‘I’m never sick like this otherwise.’ I close my eyes tightly and think hard.

‘Okay, I left Vaughn after that weird ‘moment’ and went driving around…then what?’

*FLASHBACK*

I drive without really caring where I go. I just need some time to think. On the one hand, I’m ecstatic that we found Marshall, and he’s alive and will hopefully be fine. On the other hand, I can’t help but feel partially responsible for this whole problem in the first place. I know that it’s absurd and that I couldn’t have helped it at all, but that’s just the way I am – I take things personally.

Thoughts of my slight emotional breakdown mere minutes ago lead me to Vaughn. What just happened between us? There was definitely something there, and it can’t be denied that he felt it, too. Does he love me? After that moment, I’m pretty sure that I love him. But he has Alice. Just what really is going on between them?

I stop my thoughts for a moment and find myself at the restaurant. Exhaling deeply, I wrench myself out of the car and trudge to the doors. Upon entering, I am blasted with loud music. I scan the crowd for Francie and Will and find them at the bar, sipping Cokes. Sidling up to them, I tap Will on the shoulder and take a seat.

“Hey, Syd, how was your day?” Will gives me a friendly grin and turns toward me.

“Well, frenzied, to say the least. But, I got some work done, so I’m happy about that.”

“Your boss is seriously messed up. Who the heck works on Saturdays, especially you?! You travel every other day for the guy, and what are the thanks you get – working on Saturday?!” Francie snorts with scorn.

“Yeah, it’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it.” I reply with a smirk, downplaying the importance of my job, yet again. I hate disguising my feelings – and my life. “I need a drink…or twenty.”

“I’ll get one – be back in a minute.” Francie goes behind the bar and returns with a beer.

“So how was your day? Busy?” I ask her.

“Yeah, it was kind of slow this morning, but as you can see, things have picked up.”

Will breaks up our conversation. “Ugh, you guys, can we get our minds off work? Come on, let’s dance.”

I groan. As much as I don’t want to think of work, I still don’t feel like dancing. “I think I’ll sit this one out, guys.”

“Suit yourself. Come on Francie, let’s boogie.” As they leave, Will glances back at me with worry. I give him a small wave and turn around, taking a swig of my beer.

A couple hours and four bottles later, I’m feeling very buzzed. I stagger over to Will.

“Oh, man, we gotta get you home, Syd. You’re not looking too good.” He supports me and we totter out the door to my car. On the way back, I tell him all about Vaughn and Alice and how I suspect they have been dating for months.

“But I don’t care, I mean, it’s his life, right? He can do whatever he wants.” I start to blubber. “Why does it have to be this way? My life is so sh*tty.”

Will is the perfect friend and sits listening to all my babbling. We pull up to the house, and he comes around to my side of the car. He opens the door and I fall into him, grabbing his shirt and directing my glazed eyes up to his.

“Thanks, Will. I love you.”

*END FLASHBACK*

I must have passed out then, because all I remember after that is broken images with Vaughn and me doing things we shouldn’t.
---
Vaughn POV
The ringing of my phone jerks me out of sleep to consciousness. I fumble around, trying to find it. It’s under my mattress – how did it get there? I mumble a greeting: “Vaughn here.”

<“Hey. It’s Danby. We just got word that Marshall has woken up; Jack Bristow is heading over there as we speak to get his story and the intel he picked up in London. I just thought you might want to know.”>

“Thanks. I hope Marshall has recovered a bit. And we need that information – with any luck, he still remembers it.”

<“Yup. Well, I gotta go. Just wanted to give you a heads-up.”>

“Yeah, thanks. Bye.”

I hang up the phone and roll over. It’s about 8:45. I really should call Syd. I punch in the number and wait…and wait…and wait. I’m just about to hang up when a breathless Sydney picks up and puffs out a breathy, “Hello?”

“Joey’s Pizza?”

“Nope, sorry. Wrong number.”

I hang up and lift myself out of bed. Since it’s a weekend, I decide to ditch the suit. My meeting with Syd will be brief, and I don’t have to go into the office today, so I decide to go running this afternoon. I opt for navy blue sweatpants over my running shorts, and a white tank top and tennis shoes to round out the outfit. I brush my teeth, run a hand through my hair, and I’m ready to go.
---
I park a couple blocks away and jog to the warehouse. Syd isn’t there yet, so I go inside and sit down on one of the crates. I twiddle my thumbs and think of her – our last meeting ended uncomfortably. The ‘moment’ we shared sent shivers up my spine, but my inability to act on it ruined it, making me feel embarrassed and awkward. And my previous signals haven’t exactly been clear, either. I tried to clarify with the watch, but her seeing me at the bar with Alice really screwed things up. It occurs to me that Sydney still doesn’t know the truth about Alice. Well, I plan to change that soon. Hearing her enter, I stand up. She sees me and her face spreads into a smile, which I return. I notice she looks kind of worn out. I wonder if it’s the emotional toll Marshall’s abduction has taken on her – or maybe she just went out last night and partied? After all, we did rescue him, and he’s safe now. She looks at me expectantly.

“Hey,” I say, for lack of a better greeting.

“Hey, yourself.” She looks me over. “Nice outfit – much better than the suit. Not that that doesn’t look good on you, too,” she says with a devilish smile. “So what’s up?”

“I just got a call from the CIA. Marshall woke up and your dad is on his way over to talk to him.”

Syd’s mood becomes serious. “How is he doing?”

“He had three teeth pulled and was administered a truth serum, but they’ve fixed him up. They think he should be fine.”

She exhales loudly. “Thank God…will I be able to visit?”

“Yeah, once your father has finished telling him about SD-6.”

Sydney bites her lip. God, she’s cute when she’s worried. “He’s going to be in tough shape. I think I’ll head over there now. Where is he being treated?”

“He’s still at the hospital where we dropped him off - the same place I was…when I had the virus…” My voice trails off as I (stupidly) bring up my encounter with death.

As she remembers my predicament – and probably Alice, too – Syd’s expression becomes pained. Why am I such an idiot?

“Well, you made it out of there in good health. Maybe Marshall will, too.” She looks up at me. “I better get going.”

“Syd, hold on.” I decide that right here, right now, I am going to tell her about Alice. But then she looks at me. I just can’t do it. ‘The timing isn’t right,’ I tell myself. But I know that’s not it. I’m afraid – afraid of what might happen between us if I do admit that there’s nothing going on with Alice and me. Afraid that we might actually acknowledge our feelings toward each other. And though I want that to happen so very much, protocol is still an incredibly real deterrent for me. I sigh in defeat and smile softly. “Good luck.”

She returns my smile and heads toward the exit. Looking back, she replies with a simple “Thanks,” and leaves.

I wait a couple minutes and leave as well, beginning my morning run, and growing angry at myself as I sort out my thoughts.
---
Ariana Kane POV
“D*** it, Arvin, I know there’s something there. There’s something he’s not telling us,” I assert fervently, slamming my fist on the desk.

“Ms. Kane, I did not request your presence here at SD-6 to make groundless accusations against my most trusted colleague – and friend.”

“My accusations are hardly ‘groundless.’ I have worked in this field for decades – I know when someone is hiding something,” I state with frustration.

He continues without acknowledging my remark. “I called you here to lay the situation with Emily to rest. I assure you that scrutinizing Jack Bristow will not advance your investigation. Just drop it, and focus your efforts on more productive and important endeavors.”

“I can’t just ‘drop it.’ You cannot be sure he isn’t in on this. I must-”

“Listen to me.” Sloane pauses, choosing his words carefully. “Once you uncover who is behind my wife’s disappearance, I may allow you to analyze Jack’s allegiance. I would only agree to this because I know nothing will come of it. But I must know who has kidnapped Emily; that is my main concern, as well as the Alliance’s. Jack Bristow is not involved. End of conversation.” He turns around in his chair and I rise, leaving the office.

I know Jack Bristow is concealing something, and a petty obstacle such as Arvin Sloane’s disapproval will not stop me from proving it.




Well, I gotta go now - hope you liked it! (And replies rock!) haha

~Laura :cat:
 
Really, Really good :D but i don't think Ariana will ever needs sloane's permission to go after Jack.
--Mandy :angelic:
 
I just read it, this was the first Romance fan-fic I've ever read and I chose to read this one. And I must say, WOW!! :D I love it! Please more, more! MORE :lol: It was awesome! ^_^
 
As always, thanks for all the replies!!! I have not been very motivated to write lately, but I have a vague idea of what I want to do in this chapter. Hopefully I can write like mad today and actually get something done!! I'll keep you informed with my progress!!!

~Laura :cat:
 
Alias 56 said:
I just read it, this was the first Romance fan-fic I've ever read and I chose to read this one. And I must say, WOW!! :D I love it! Please more, more! MORE :lol: It was awesome! ^_^
hmmm... *raises eyebrows*

And what are the rest of us, chopped liver?

~Me :angel2:
 
Alias Elle said:
Alias 56 said:
I just read it, this was the first Romance fan-fic I've ever read and I chose to read this one. And I must say, WOW!! :D I love it! Please more, more! MORE :lol: It was awesome! ^_^
hmmm... *raises eyebrows*

And what are the rest of us, chopped liver?

~Me :angel2:
Umm, what? If you mean that I have made no reply to any other Fan-fic and showing favrotism, no, It's my first Romance fan-fic I've ever read. ^_^

Anyway, I hope you get inspired freelancer638, infact I came here for insporstion for mine, so good luck :cool:
 
Well, I finally finished ch. 7!!! YAY!!!! *does Marshall happy dance* I don't really like the flashback - I don't think I did a very good job on that, but whatever.... Anyway, here it is!

Chapter 7

Marshall POV
I have my eyes closed, taking long, deep breaths. ‘Okay, Jack is going to come and question me…I’ll be fine, no problem.’ I try to calm my nervousness, but it doesn’t seem to be working very well. I hear the door begin to open, and I look up to see Jack entering.

“Um…hello, Mr. Bristow. How are you?” I ask timidly.

“Good morning, Marshall. And I should be asking you that question.”

I laugh uneasily. “Yes, I suppose that would make more sense. I’m doing…well.” I try to hide my fear and act tough.

“Good. I understand you know why I am here?”

“Yes.” I look down at my hands and inhale deeply. “Let’s get this over with…I guess I might as well start from when we left the airport.”

*FLASHBACK*

As we depart from the airport, I call my mother to tell her how my trip went. I feel so proud, and I know she’s anxious to know that I’m all right. But in the middle of our conversation, the driver slams on the brakes. Our car fishtails and the tires squeal to a halt in the middle of the intersection. I am roughly jerked from the vehicle, handcuffed, blindfolded, and shoved in the back of a van by three men. We screech away and drive for what seems like hours.

“Who are you, where are you taking me?”

I get no reply whatsoever. We finally stop. The men grab me out of the van and push me down a flight of stairs. I try to resist, but one man punches me in the gut – hard. I gasp for air and they easily strap me into a reclined chair. I feel the sharp, heavy pain of a blunt object knocked on my head, and I pass out.

I wake up; it’s dark and I’m still tied to a chair, my eyes still covered with a blindfold. I begin to breathe quickly, shallowly, and consider screaming for help. However, my thoughts are interrupted by the low, mechanical buzzing of a wheelchair. My blindfold is suddenly ripped off, and I am staring face-to-face with an Asian man with glasses. I realize tears are running down my face, and I try to ask, “Where am I?” but all that comes out if a weak gurgling. He looks me over and roughly props my jaws open with a metal tool. Looking to his right, he scrutinizes a tray full of torture devices and settles on a pair of plier-like clamps. Giving me an evil, toothy grin, he moves the clamps to my mouth. In complete terror, I do the only thing I can: scream.

The man inches closer and closer, and I can only continue screaming. I know I don’t want those clamps anywhere near me, but unable to move, I can do nothing. Well, nothing except spit in his face. He calmly puts the pliers down, takes out a handkerchief, and wipes it away. I am silently crying more than ever.

“Well, well, Marshall, is it? Is that your only defense?” He again begins to close the space between his face and mine, smiling a repulsive, crooked grin. “I believe you have some information my employer would like to know.”

I try to stall, asking, “Wh-…who is your employer?” meekly.

He laughs softly. “That is unimportant. What is important is that I obtain the information you have acquired.”

He then proceeds to rip out three of my teeth, causing me the most pain I have ever, and hopefully will ever, experience.

*END FLASHBACK*

I try to gauge Jack face for a reaction, but he sits stoically, lips pursed, as usual.

Finally, he replies with, “I’m sorry that happened to you, but I really need to know if you picked up any information on the man’s employer, and if you can remember the algorithms for Echelon.”

I am slightly taken aback at his reaction, though I guess I should’ve expected as much. Tears begin to pool in my eyes, and I look away uncomfortably, mumbling, “Yeah, I remember. But I need a computer so I can replicate the program.”

I can’t tell if Jack noticed my misery. He responds abruptly, “I brought a new laptop. I’ll leave it here. How long do you think it will take to program Echelon?”

“I’m not sure. A couple hours maybe. I memorized it in under ten minutes, but recreating it will take much longer.”

“I also need to know if you disclosed anything to your persecutor, the Asian man.”

I pause, reliving my torment for the umpteenth time. “I can’t be sure, but I really don’t think so. Just pulling my teeth wasn’t working, so he gave me a truth serum. Luckily, I must’ve lost a lot of blood because I kept drifting in and out of consciousness. I don’t remember revealing any vital information.”

Jack is visibly relieved, but his countenance quickly turns serious again. “I have something very important to tell you. I need your full attention.”

My eyes find his, and I feel goose bumps all over. “Wha-what is it?” I am suddenly afraid, almost more so than when I was being tortured.

“SD-6 is not a part of the CIA. It is not a ‘black-ops division.’ SD-6 is a rogue organization, one of the twelve in the Alliance, hell-bent on undermining established governments by obtaining information and technology, like Echelon, for its own illegal purposes. Marshall, SD-6 is the very enemy you thought you were fighting against.”

“What?! I don’t know what you’re talking about! Who are you working for? What are you talking about?! This can’t be true!” This information hurts more than the physical pain I endured a day and a half ago.

Jack is silent, letting the information sink in.

My voice becomes weaker, more defeated. “What do I do? SD-6 was my life…” I feel…used.

“You become a double agent. Work for the real CIA in bringing down SD-6. We need your help, Marshall.” Jack is forceful, but his voice is strangely comforting as well.

“Who’s ‘we?’” I am suddenly more alert. “You’re a double agent, but who else is?”

“My daughter, Sydney. She has been a double for about a year and a half now.” He waves his hand, as if this information is unimportant. “I need to know I can count on you. Are you going to cooperate? If not, we can put you in the witness protection program. The CIA cannot allow you to go back to SD-6 with the information you now know – both about the truth, and Echelon. So, you have two choices: become a double and work for the good of your country, or quit this life and run off somewhere.”

The way Jack presents this choice is obviously biased, but even through my pain and anger, I can understand his point. I reply with force and resolve, “I’m in. I want to become a member of the real CIA.”

“Good, I’m glad we have an understanding. I will inform Devlin, the CIA head, and we will get you a handler.” He stands to leave. “I think Sydney will be visiting sometime this afternoon.” Jack pauses at the door and says offhandedly, “I hope you recover quickly,” and departs hastily, leaving me with a huge task to complete – and enough confusion to last the rest of my life.
---
I am in the beginning stages of programming Echelon when I hear a soft knock on the door.

“Come in.” I glance up with interest, hoping it is Sydney.

It is. She looks at me, concern written all over her face. “Hey. How are you doing? I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

I close the laptop and, with a smile, say confidently, “I’m doing better. And no, you’re not interrupting anything. I needed a break, anyway.” At least that’s what it sounded like in my head. I think I was actually stuttering and mumbling. She’s a double agent. This is incredible, I’m talking to a double agent. Wait, I’m a double, too.

Syd smiles and sits on the chair next to my bed. “So, how is Echelon coming?”

I try to reply nonchalantly to impress her. “Oh, it’s easy. I remember everything, it’s just time-consuming.” I pause. “So you’re a double agent,” pops out of my mouth. ‘Did I just say that? Oh, jeez.’

“Yeah, I am. And I hear you are now, too. I’m so proud of you.” She gives me a hug, and I decide that this double agent stuff isn’t so bad. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t tell you…I care too much about you…I didn’t want to put you in danger.”

I’m light-headed. ‘Did she just say she cares about me?’ I swallow hard. “Um…yeah, I understand. That’s ok.” Could this conversation get any more awkward?

I change the subject and we make small talk for ten minutes. Finally, she rises. “Um…Marshall?” Now she’s acting uneasily. She smiles, “I really am proud of you. I know we’ll take down SD-6. You just gotta keep believing that. We can do it.”

I give her a goofy grin, “Yeah, I know. Thanks for your support. I better get back to Echelon now…I guess I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah, okay. Bye.” Syd leaves, and I, despite all the bad things that have happened in the past two days, feel…lucky.
---
Vaughn POV
I’m breathing heavily and sweating all over, pissed as hell. Instead of calming me down, my run has just augmented my anger by giving me time to think. I know I haven’t been straightforward with my feelings for Syd, but if I don’t come clean soon, I’m going to explode.

‘D*** it, screw protocol!’ I silently scream in my head for the millionth time. I need to find her, right now, she needs to know that Alice and I aren’t together. Syd needs to know how much I care for her, how I can’t sleep when she’s gone, how I look forward to every one of our warehouse meetings just so I can see her, hear her, know that she’s alive. I take off for Mikro Self-Storage with renewed vigor. I’m going to stop feeling sorry for myself RIGHT NOW! For once, I’m going to put the ball in her court.


Hope you liked it!!
I'm going to have our two favorite spies go on a mission using the intel from Echelon....it should be...interesting haha

~Laura :cat:
 
my god, it's very good. i hope i don't offend anybody, and i haven't read many fan fics, but this is really good, and it seems realistic, like it could actually happen. it's great, can't wait for more....
 
iLoVeAgEnTvAuGhN said:
my god, it's very good. i hope i don't offend anybody, and i haven't read many fan fics, but this is really good, and it seems realistic, like it could actually happen. it's great, can't wait for more....
What, did I scare you?

Good new addition, by the way.

~Me :inlove:
 
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