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But For the Grace of God
Part 3/3
by Kara B.
© 2002
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An Alias Story
Rating: PG-13
Archival: FanFiction Universe Archive, All others ask before using!
Disclaimer: SUE ME NOT. ME IN COLLEGE. HAVE NO MONEY.
MY ALIAS PAGE:
http://dreamwater.net/karafic/fic/alias.html
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"What?" Vaughn asked, not believing this. Sydney had been assigned to find and kill him? It was the irony of ironies.
Sydney touched his shoulder gently, to get his attention, "They won't accept failure on this mission but they don't know who you are . . ."
"But someone has to die." Vaughn was horrified by the prospect. "We'll figure something out." he finished more confidently than he felt.
"But what?"
"I don't know yet." Vaughn's cell phone rang, startling both. "Yes? Eric, thank God! Yeah, Sydney just told me . . . . . . . . Are you alright? Okay . . . Alright. Yeah, you take care and thanks for what you did. You're a good friend. Bye."
Vaughn looked up at Sydney, "Weiss is on his way somewhere safe. They're going to put him in the Witness Protection Program."
"You won't see him again." Sydney added.
"He'll be safe." Vaughn replied, "But, no, most likely I won't."
Sydney could detect the sadness in his voice.
"He's been the only real friend I have at work . . . Everyone else either hates me or doesn't seem to care."
"You have me." Sydney said seriously.
"I know. Thank you. Now let's get this done . . ."
"Look, you really should go home and get some sleep. This will wait until morning." Sydney smiled, "Besides, I need to talk with my father first, see what he knows."
"I can get that from Devlin . . ."
"No. You're going home to sleep or I'll have Devlin order you to . . ."
Vaughn threw up his hands, "Fine. I'll see you tomorrow on campus I guess . . ."
"Oh yeah, the wonderful blood-mobile . . ." Sydney laughed. "Wouldn't miss it."
Vaughn nodded.
"And hey, if you need to talk . . . I'm here for you."
Vaughn nodded a second time, before turning to leave.
How in the world was he supposed to sleep?
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Vaughn lay in his bed, wide awake, staring at the ceiling.
It was 3 AM in the morning and he'd been laying there since 11 the night before. He'd spent the entire time thinking of the latest mission, Sydney, Weiss, the CIA, SD-6, Khasinau . . . Sydney had told him that the two men that attacked him and Weiss had not been SD-6 or K-Directorate. Maybe they were affiliated with Khasinau's organization? Or maybe they were rogues?
Vaughn rolled onto his side. His brain was going 100 mph and wouldn't stop. And he couldn't sleep. All he could think about were the possibilities, the what ifs, and the could be's. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and got up. If he couldn't sleep and couldn't work, maybe he could watch TV or something.
As he walked into his living room, he heard an odd noise. Before he could turn to see what it was, something impacted his head - hard and his vision turned black.
When he awoke, he found himself, blindfolded, gagged, and tied.
"Agent Vaughn." someone softly kicked his side.
Vaughn moaned . . . which the gag muffled considerably. He had some headache . . . felt more like a hangover.
"Oh, don't worry, we're already where we need to be . . . You won't have to worry about the next trip for awhile."
Vaughn knew that voice . . . Hands untied the gag from his mouth, "Haladki, what the heck is going on?"
"You haven't figured it out?" Haladki's voice was mocking. "What a shock!"
"Untie me, Haladki." Vaughn said in a commanding tone.
Haladki laughed. "Sure Mikey. I just kidnapped you as a prank."
"What do you want?"
"Some of us at the CIA feel that some sacrifices have to be made, in order to maintain our operation."
"You're planning to turn me over to those men? That's stupid."
"They won't get any information from you, if that's what you're referring to. You'll be dead by then." Haladki laughed.
"There's no way Devlin would authorize this. Where's Weiss?"
"He's dead. And just who do you think could give this order other than Devlin?"
Vaughn winced at the thought. "You're lying."
"Really now?" Haladki laughed, "Well sorry to say, but it's time for you to die . . ."
Vaughn took a deep breath to relax himself and then the shot echoed through the house. Something fell heavily across Vaughn's chest.
Moments later, someone lifted the burden from him and untied the blindfold. Jack Bristow then began to untie Vaughn's hands and feet.
"What . . .?" Vaughn started, seeing Haladki's body draped across the floor.
"He's dead." Jack confirmed, "We suspected he might try something of this nature. Devlin sent me. He did not order this."
"Weiss?"
"Is safe. Come on. We have a plan." Jack helped Vaughn from the floor and began to explain the situation in greater depth.
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Several days later, Vaughn sat silently in his apartment. Jack and Sydney had taken care of Haladki's body . . . turning it in to SD-6 as 'Vaughn's'. He was back on duty . . . as Sydney's handler. He'd been assigned a new partner. The man wasn't Weiss, but he seemed decent enough. Jack had assured him that Weiss was safe, but Vaughn missed his friend. But now, maybe everything was going to be okay.
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The End