Hello!
This is the final post of Maroon. I'm going with a laughing and a crying eye (we say that in German, don't know if you say that too). First of all, I have loved this story so much. It was my first and there were so many great reviews for it, that I feel really honoured. Thank you very much. It's a bit sad that the story wasn't such a runner at AllAlias as it was at SD1 - but nooone will die because of it The people who have read this story - and I mean exactly you - have always written sweet feedback. And I really appreciate it. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Love, Danuta
PS: I won't post my new stories at AllAlias, because both of my finished fics haven't got many replies. If you want to read new stories from me, go over to SD1. Thanks for your understanding.
And now...let the show end....
Chapter 39 – The long awaited answer
“It could be a bit painful. But I doubt that. The doctor told me that you will feel a bit dizzy afterwards, but it wouldn’t be too dangerous.“
“Good to know.“
“Don’t be so pert, Michael. I don’t like your attitude towards me.“
“Let’s begin“ Sydney interrupted her mother and Vaughn. Looking at the bottles in Aleksei’s hands, she gulped hard, trying not to show her angst. But there could be anything in these bottles. They could drug, brainwash, and even kill them. Suppressing these scenarios, Sydney concentrated on the task that laid in front of her.
“Okay. Let’s begin.“
The dark blue liquid tasted bittersweet. Gulping it down, Sydney and Vaughn felt the effect set in. Their eyes got heavier. Their minds began to work even faster. Everything was dizzy and steady and dark and light and loud and silent. Their heads rolling back, their eyes closing, Sydney and Vaughn had an experience that was unique.
It began with darkness. Then a flash of light. One after another. Each quicker than the one before. They felt as if they were reliving each moment in their forgotten life...
---
“Look there she is Michael. Her name is Sydney.” The baby yawned in her tight slumber.
His little hands on the glass separating his mother and him from the newborns, Vaughn asked: “Like the city?”
“Yeah, like the city. Isn’t she sweet?” Pointing at the baby girl who had opened her eyes now and studied them, Amélie sighed happily.
Cocking his eyebrow, Vaughn replied with a thoughtful: “A bit small for my liking.”
---
Christening. Families. Uncle Jack. Holding her.
“So t-they say t-t-that you’re cu-cute. I-I don’t kn-know. I-I can’t really see you bet-between all t-the white lace.” As if Sydney sensed that he was talking to her, she opened her eyes and seemed to study the new face above her.
---
Laura watched the boy intently, hoping that he would understand her words someday: “I want you to promise me that when something should happen to me, you will be there to catch my little girl every time she falls. Promise me that Michael. Deep in my heart I know that you’re the one who is meant for her. I know that you can’t understand my words fully now, but it’s just an instinct I’ve about you. Tell me that you will be there for her.”
And he swore to protect the little girl forever.
---
Death. Orphan. Rose. Too adult.
“Let it go, Syd.”
Brown met green, and Sydney knew what he meant. Letting go was hard. And she didn’t want to. But as she felt his gaze, she felt his deep understanding too. Fate was cruel to them.
---
Allies. Connected. Promises. Childish hopes.
“I like that.”
“What?”
“To hear your heartbeat.”
----
“Sleep Syd, sleep. I’ll be here for you as long as my heart beats. I promise.”
And he knew that he would break this promise.
---
Misunderstanding. Hate. No forgivness. Estrangement.
”You broke your promise. And I’ll never forgive you.” Sydney spat out. Hate was evident in the teenager’s voice.
“Syd.”
“Don’t call me that.”
---
“You left me like everyone else. You have no idea how my father is. He is cruel to me.”
“Please let me explain...”
“NO! Don’t you understand? I can’t trust you anymore. I don’t want to see you anymore. I hate you.”
---
Rebel. She is a woman now. Revenge.
“She is 17 Michael, almost 18. And she has a few problems with boys and alcohol. Jack told me that she has certain reputation.”
---
“I’m not her babysitter.”
---
“Michél, what do you think about Sydney? I mean her behavior is really unusual. She was always this happy, smiling, bouncing girl and now she’s.....”
“...a mean vixen?”
---
Half naked Sydney Bristow. Black bra and pantyhose. Hair a wild mess.
“Like what you see, Michael Vaughn, or are you always drooling?”
Make up heavy on her young and beautiful face. Eyes cold and angry.
“What? Do you think just because of a bit of paint and a push-up every boy would long for you?”, he snapped.
---
Realization. Desire. Letters. Dear Sydney.
“Sometimes it’s easier to hate someone than to give him a chance, right?“ Amélie appeared again, standing in the doorway with a big package of letters in her hand.
---
“You know, Michael was always addicted to chocolate. It’s a wonder that he is such an athletic man and not as fat as a mountain now. When you were little he fell in love with you instantly. And do you know why?”
Shaking her head in a negative manner, Sydney sipped a bit from the hot liquid and enjoyed the sweet taste it left in her mouth.
“Because, and this is a quotation: ‘She has skin like white chocolat parfait, hair like dark coffee chocolate with caramel crispies, and eyes like mousse au chocolat.’ If that isn’t a homage out of my sons mouth.” Chuckling slightly, Amélie noticed the broad smile on Sydney’s face.
---
Anne. Jacques. I want him to be mine. Prey or love?
“Is it important to you that I like her?” Oh, she had him.
---
“Why am I Vaughn now?”
Grabbing his outstretched hand, she let herself be pulled up by him .“Because,...I don’t know. It sounds cool I think.” She shrugged and sat down on the edge of the big tub because the room began to spin again.
---
“I don’t know what I could tell you that you’d believe”, she finally told him. And the simplicity of his answer surprised her.
“The truth.”
“The truth is against us, Vaughn.”
---
Turning to the window so that he won’t see her face and read her, she added, whispering with a strong voice: “The worst was that I pictured you doing those things to me. For me, it was you touching me, holding me, kissing me. The worst part was that I enjoyed his whole act.”
---
“I just wanted to tell you, that.....that I’m happy we are able to act normal around each other.
“Don’t get me wrong, Michael, but....”
“But what?” Fear creeping in his voice.
“I phoned my father yesterday. I will fly back on Sunday evening.”
---
Mother. Prophecy. Rambaldi. Meant to be.
“Rat teebya veedet.(Nice to see you again.)“
“Mum?”
---
“This Man and this Woman here depicted shall be the Chosen Ones. Their destinies as Lovers haveth been sealed before their birth. Let their paths cross and their bodies becometh one, for then, their Souls shall be mates for eternity. As the Chosen Ones are one, their choices will be the rise of the forces of Hope. Thanks to them, the world will be a place of light, freedom and peace.”
---
First time. Love. Revelation. Dark hope.
Leaning in, his lips only a few millimeters from her ear, he whispered softly.
“But I need you to know one thing. Sydney Bristow, I think I’m falling in love with you.”
“I’m falling in love with you too.” Seeing him smiling at her, she added, blushing: “Hard.”
---
“Vous êtes la femme la plus belle sur terre.(You’re the most beautiful woman on earth)” With these simple words, their mouths crashed onto each other again and Sydney was afraid to close her eyes.
---
After their dance quickened, their bodies melted, their thoughts drifted away, her world suddenly
exploded.
---
“I missed this.”
“Me threatening you?”
“No, your smile” he said while tracing her dimples with his fingertips. “You’re so beautiful.”
---
“Just feel.” Hand on breast. Thud. Thud. Thud. Steady beating of her heart. Of their hearts. They beat in union.
“You think that this is no coincidence? That Rambaldi was right?”
---
“You are my destiny. I don’t need a prophecy to tell me this.”
---
Jack. They have done it. Prevent this. Suppressed memories.
“You know that you did something wrong. She is only a child and you are a grown man. You raped her. You have hurt her.”
---
“Why is it important to let a doctor check us?” Sydney asked with a sigh, looking up to see the stern expression on her father’s face.
“Sydney, you’ll do it because I’m telling you to. You don’t need an explanation.”
---
“I could never forget you, Sydney Bristow. I love you.”
---
“Why is everything so..... I feel so tired. Is that the pill? I thought he said it was just a mild sedative” she said, holding her head in her hands. There was the pounding headache again. So steady it mixed itself with her heartbeat. This was so lulling.
---
Sydney Bristow is just a white spot for you. Nothing more. She is nothing. Nothing. Repeat it Michael: Sydney Bristow is nothing.”
---
“Now close the box. Close it and shove it out of your sight. Have you done it?”
“Yes.”
“Sydney, do you know a Michael Vaughn?”
“No.” A tear escaped her eyes.
---
With that Sydney woke up. Gasping for air like she had been under water for hours. Pictures, flashes, people, smells, thoughts, hopes, dreams....everything was a mess. Trying to arrange all of her feelings and memories, she tried to breathe in deeply and out.
She had had a life. Everything had its own place. Now there were more little pieces that didn’t match with her old memories.
Amélie. Jacques. Anne. How had she been able to forget all of this? Glancing around, Sydney caught Vaughn watching her intently.
They had known each other for so long. Since she was born, Vaughn had been there to protect her. He was meant for her. They had wanted to start a future together.
“In a few months, I will have finished my studies. I thought of moving to LA and working there. I have a friend, Eric Weiss, he lives in LA; I think I could live with him for a while. Then we wouldn’t have to be apart from each other. And probably after you’re 18, I could be your personal nanny”, he ended with a small smirk.
All of this had been her father’s fault. How could she have been so stupid? She should have realized how bad of a person he was. Jack had stolen everything she had in life. And how could Amélie have helped him with this?
Only now, Sydney realized that her godmother was dead. She never had the chance to say goodbye, she was never at her grave; she would never be able to talk to her again. A tear wandering down her cheek, Sydney looked up, surprised when someone brushed the drop away gently. Green piercing eyes melting into hers, Sydney thought about their screwed-up relationship. They were friends, allies, enemies, lovers, strangers, co-workers, allies and lovers again. Fate wanted them to be together. And how often do you have the chance to fall in love with a man twice? He was her destiny; there was no need to question this. Standing up, Sydney fell into his arms and hugged him. His heart beat against her breast. And only now she noticed that their hearts beat in the same rhythm. Some things never change.
Backing away slowly, Vaughn traced her face with his fingers, not believing that they had found each other again. This perverted game was ending. They had each other again, and the demons that had haunted him for forever would hopefully remain silent. Thinking about all the nights he had dreamed about the brown eyed woman, seducing, loving and killing him at the same time, he slapped himself mentally. The solution to his awful headaches, his overactive mind, his sleepless nights and his desperate heart had been lying only a few feet away from him.
They had changed. Their love for each other had changed. It was kind of morbid to know that they had fallen in love twice. But the woman he fell in love with first wasn’t the same Sydney Bristow he loved now. Her personality had changed too, and it was somehow calming to know that no change could make him love her less.
“I can’t believe it.“ He voiced their inner thoughts, his hand touching her face lovingly. Over all these years he had been in love with Sydney. No other woman had a chance because he knew that his heart belonged someone else. And even though they were all against them – Jack, his mother, Devlin, Barnett and so many others – he had still found her.
It was more than Sydney could handle. Every little memory felt so fresh, so real, so intoxicating. She could see his face in front of her eyes. But in the same moment she saw the boyish grin in the eight-year-old face of Michael Vaughn when they had played hide and seek. They would need time. So much time to disentangle, arrange, adjust and sort.
“I love y...“ Before Vaughn could end his confession, a shot sliced through the air. His eyes shocked. Breathing ragged. Face pale. His grip on her hands tighter than before, Vaughn fell down on the floor. The bullet had hit the spot beneath his right shoulder blade.
And the darkness engulfed her again.
***
Chapter 40 – Fallen
The shadows were surrounding her again. Hugging her close, stealing the light she needed to live. The demons of her past were waiting in these dark shadows, laughing her, beastily, in the face as she sat there. Motionless. A few sobs slicing through the air. A silent scream escaping her lips. Her lover laid in the dirt, his face contorted in pain. The blood flew fast.
Too fast. Too red. Too much. He was loosing too much blood. Jumping into action, Sydney knelt down next to Vaughn. Her hand pressed on the wound, she felt his blood slipping through her fingers. Soon she was dampened by his blood. Her tears falling freely now, mixing themselves with the maroon liquid.
Anam Cara. They were soulmates. And she felt how hers was dying with him. Biting her lip so he wouldn’t hear her sobs, Sydney cradled his face, pleading him to stay with her. But he simply shushed her.
“Why have you done this?” Sydney screamed at her mother, but her unwavering gaze never left Vaughn’s. She didn’t sound like herself. Desperate. Broken. Hysterical. Not the woman she had wanted to be, but the woman she had become.
“Sydney” Irina rebuked her daughter mercilessly.
Love makes you strong. But love can make you so much weaker, too. Her daughter was living proof. Only months ago, the old Sydney Bristow would have stood up and killed her mother with her bare hands.
And now? Here she sat, with her dying lover in her arms. Too weak to let him go. Too weak to think of herself. Too weak to fight. Irina couldn’t help but grin. She had won. There was no chance that Sydney would say no.
Giving Mischa a sign, the guards grabbed Sydney, chained her up, and handcuffed her. She was left to watch, horrified, how the guards went to Vaughn and brought him over to a chair. Eyeing his wound closely, Mischa began to bandage it carefully, before he injected Vaughn with some kind of medicament.
“What are you giving him?” Sydney asked, her voice laced with worry.
“Morphine.”
Nodding slowly, Sydney didn’t have the vigor to fight. There was nothing left inside of her. Too often betrayed. Too often broken. Too often beaten. Moistening her dry lips, she found the strength to ask: “Why have you done this?” Whoever had said that the power of love is greater than anything was wrong. If she had been alone, she could have survived this. But seeing Vaughn’s face contorted in pain left her breathless.
“You love him Sydney. I know this. I have done everything to bring you two together again. Sloane helped me and even that little lurk, Noah, gave you the information that brought you to me. Michael and you were close to each other, but now, after you have all of your memories back, you are whole again.“
And the worst was that her mother said the truth. Whole again. But much more vulnerable. Connected in the purest way ever known, but more alone that she had ever been.
“And what? You are killing him because of sick revenge?” Sydney asked while looking up to her mother. And there she stood, in all her glory: she couldn’t be sure, but wasn’t there a trace of regret in her cold eyes?
“No, he won’t die. At least, I don’t want that to happen...” Stopping dramatically, Irina approached Vaughn slowly – like an animal stalking its prey. “...but you have to pay a price for his life.” Her hand brushing through his hair, this motherly gesture disturbed Sydney more than any threat could have done.
“What?”
“I’m sure you remember Rambaldi‘s prophecy.”
“Like I’d heard it yesterday.”
...destinies as Lovers....bodies becometh one...world will be a place of light, freedom and peace...
Why in God’s name hadn’t her father wanted this to happen? Not that Sydney believed this felgercarb, but in some weird way she began to understand the fascination her mother felt.
“It had been a lie” Vaughn’s hoarse voice interrupted their conversation. Their surprised gazes locked on to the wounded man; both women were surprised that he was awake.
Struggling to stay awake, Vaughn fought against the high dose of Morphine. Adrenaline coursed through his body, making him forget all the pain and his wounds. “Jack had shown me the prophecy.” Suppressing the need to whimper, Vaughn bit his tongue until he tasted his own blood. “I don’t understand how you can believe in this felgercarb.”
“So you aren’t?”
A simple nod was her only answer. And even when Michael played the tough man, Irina knew that he wouldn’t be strong enough to survive. If...and this was the word she tried to make Sydney to understand...if she wouldn’t help Michael.
Watching the heated exchange between her mother and Vaughn, Sydney felt more confused than ever. Her anger building up, she screamed, peeved: “Would someone please tell me what is standing in this damn prophecy?”
Taking a piece of paper out of her pocket, Irina unfolded it carefully and read aloud: “This Man and this Woman here depicted shall be the Chosen Ones. Their destinies as Warriors, haveth being sealed before their Birth, are established by their respectful Fathers’ deception. Bind them with fury. As Outsiders, they will bring forth freedom to the Earth. Alas, never let their paths cross and their bodies becometh one, for then, their Souls shall be mates for eternity. As the Chosen Ones are one, their choices will be the downfall of the forces of Hope. Black will turn their Souls, whom clingeth together in desperate love.”
A horrified intake of breath.
Her glance lost when she found Vaughn’s.
This couldn’t be. Her life was a living nightmare and there was no chance she would ever wake up.
“I can’t believe it.”
It’s all about them. It has always been about them.
“This is a lie” Vaughn hissed when he saw Sydney’s disturbed reaction. “What do you want from us?”
“To fulfill the prophecy. Work for me.” Irina said it like they were talking about the weather. Her sense of honor and love long forgotten.
She had been so stupid. To believe that her mother helped them without any hidden agenda. She never loved Sydney, never cared for her or wanted the best for her. Vaughn and she were just two lone figures in her little game. And Sydney wasn’t even sure if her father had fought for her or just against her mother. Too many people had suffered because of Irina’s plan. She was no good. But at the same time, Sydney knew that she was a part of her. There would never be a chance to detach herself from this cruel relationship.
Like a puppet on strings. It was time to cut the last string.
“Never. I will never work for a woman who is killing innocent people.”
“Collateral damage” she replied calmly.
“How can you say this?”
“You will understand me when you are working for me.”
The fact that her mother told the truth troubled Sydney more than she showed. “Why would we do this?” She didn’t dare to look into Vaughn’s eyes when she asked this question. It was a sign of weakness, and the unbelieving intake of breath she could hear ratified this.
Observing her daughter while she struggled with herself, Irina smiled inwardly.
“You have two options darling. You can say yes, work for me and live your happily every after with Vaughn.”
A golden ring on her finger. The 2.5 children. White fence. It was all a cruel lie.
“I am the only one who wants you to be together. When you say no, then he will die. And you will watch. This one shot was only a warning. Decline my offer and you will wish that you had never been born. I know you well enough Sydney to know that you won’t survive Vaughn’s death. And I can ensure you that it will be slow and painful. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices. And when Vaughn won’t work for me and fulfill the prophecy, then there will be no need to let him live. But I will let you live.”
This wasn’t a sign of mercy. And her mother knew this well enough. To watch Vaughn being killed would be a greater punishment then dying herself.
One more demon that would haunt me.
“Syd, don’t” Vaughn pleaded with her, trying to show her into which abyss they would fall if she said yes.
A wink from Irina later and Mischa roughly tied a gag around Vaughn’s mouth. He continued to mumble, but gave up when it cost him more power than he had.
“He will die” Irina stated, pointing at the bloody bandage around Vaughn’s naked torso and ignored his hatred filled glance. As if to smite Sydney, Mischa grabbed the knife in his shoulder holster and gave the gasping woman a satisfied grin.
“No, no, no” was the only thing she could whimper before the blade sliced Vaughn’s skin. Fighting against the restraints, Vaughn didn’t notice when his wrists started to bleed. Pain was his blood brother now.
“Enough” Irina stopped her friend and partner.
Turning away, Mischa allowed Sydney to get a look at her lover’s fresh wound. Gasping, horrified, she could clearly read what he had
‘written’. An “S” was sliced into Vaughn’s arm.
S for Sydney. She would kill him. She could kill him with the wrong answer.
“Don’t do this.” She wasn’t too proud to beg for Vaughn. Pride is only for people who have a chance.
They were trapped in time.
Time was their enemy.
Once again.
And she couldn’t find a way out.
“It is your decision Sydney.” The knife in Mischa’s hands reflected the pale light, blinding her for a short second.
Tick. Agonizing.
Tock. Violating.
Tick. Hopeless.
Tock.
Closing her eyes, Sydney saw all the pictures flashing behind her closed eyelids.
* The lopsided grin that made her heart melt.*
Him, dead on the floor with a blank expression on his face.
* The piercing green eyes watching every step she took.*
A hollow gaze haunting her forever.
* The arms holding her lovingly.*
The “S” sliced into his arm.
* The hearts beating in union.*
His heart stopping in her arms.
What would she be without him?
“Yes or no Sydney?”
Nothing.
And when brown met green, it was innocent and guilty. It was pure. It was unique. It was them.
They were a beautiful disaster. What more was there to say? There was no other decision. There was no way out. No way to live their happily ever after. But, at least, she wanted them to live.
One word. One breath. One pain. One mistake.
“Yes.”
Black will turn their souls.
~ Fin
This was it. I hope you enjoyed the final chapter of Maroon. And I hope that some of you are understanding Jack a bit better. He isn’t that bad.
Au revoir and all my love,
Danuta