Stolen Memories- Chapter 3

 

They had been in the desert for hours, perhaps forever; Vaughn had lost all sense of time or reality.  Staring out the window, he saw nothing but sand and rocks.  The occasional sagebrush would race them down the highway. Why can't I remember?  What did they do to me?  Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the change in scenery.   Sand and brush turned slowly into trees and hills as they entered northern California .

"We'll eat in Auburn ."  Sydney 's voice snapped Vaughn out of his troubled thoughts.  He didn't know where they were or how far they had to go.  They were both glad to see the small town.  Sydney pulled into a truck stop before the city limits.  It was full.

“I guess this is the place to be!” Sydney said tiredly as she pulled into the nearest open space.

Vaughn sat quietly after she had turned off the engine.  He seemed reluctant to get out of the car.  He spoke softly with tacit reluctance.  “Maybe we could eat in the car.”  He didn’t look her in the eye, ashamed of his anxiety and fear.  He had started to finally feel comfortable with her.  However, he wasn’t too excited about being around other people.  They kept him in solitary confinement for the three months he’d been missing, except when they…they…they did something to him.   But what?

“Sure. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”  Sydney thought about leaving the car running so he would have the air conditioning but didn’t know if he would run if he had the chance. “I’ll be fast.”  She pulled the key out of the ignition and jogged into the diner.  He watched her leave soaking up every detail hoping it might spark a memory.  

He looked around at the cars and trucks in the parking lot.  People came in and out.  Most were laughing.  They know who they are.    He laid his head back and closed his eyes.  Searching his mind for the smallest memory of Sydney .   She seems so wonderful.  She’s so beautiful.  You’d think I wouldn’t be able to forget someone like her.  His thoughts returned to their conversation earlier that day.  Why would Sloane want to hurt her?  He seemed…different…but not unkind.  Suddenly he stiffened as he remembered…

COLD.  It’s so cold.  He looked around the room.  He was lying on a metal table in only his boxers with his hands and feet secured.  Did Sydney run?  God, I hope she ran…don’t let them get her.   In came Sark with a metal bin.  He couldn’t see what was inside.  Sark pulled out a needle and walked down to the end of the table.

“Where is Sydney ?” Vaughn’s voice was low but threatening.

  Sark only smiled. 

“You son of a bitch, don’t lay one f*****g hand on her, DON’T HURT HER!” He screamed.  Then white hot searing pain as Sark placed the needles, one by one into his feet.

“Vaughn!” Sydney ’s voice jolted him back to reality.  “You’re shaking!”  Fear and concern were etched on her face as she cradled his face in her hands.  “Are you okay?”   He realized that he was gripping the handle of the door and his knuckles were white.

“Um…yeah, I’m ok.”  His shaky voiced surprised him.  He decided to be honest with her.  “I remembered something.”

She tried not to show her excitement hoping they would have a break through.   Maybe he’ll be ok by the time we get to L.A.  Her voice full of hope, she breathed, “Tell me, please.”

He hastily recalled the events of his flashback.  “I remembered asking about you,” he started, “but that’s all I remember.  I still don’t remember…us.”

“That’s ok,” she tried to mask the disappointment in her voice.  “I’m sure it will come back eventually.”  She tried to hold down the tears that lingered in the back of her throat.  She didn’t want to imagine the torment and persecution he’d endured.  She knew what Sloane was capable of and to think he’d unleashed his evil on the man she loved ripped at her heart.   This happened because of me.  All because of me.   She gently stroked his face with her thumbs and let her hands fall into her lap.  He instantly missed her touch.

“I got the food,” she said, handing him a hot take out container.  “Burger, with onions.”  She smiled weakly as he took it from her.

“Thank you.” He then turned his gaze toward his window again and smiled.

*******************************

They drove for a couple more hours and Sydney pulled into a Comfort Inn.  “I’m too tired to drive anymore.  We’ll rest here for a few hours.”

Vaughn started to ask her if she wanted him to drive but realized he had no idea where they were going other than L.A.   Besides, several hours in the car was having an effect on his backside.

“I’ll be right back.”  She emerged a few minutes later with a key and towels.  He looked at her questioningly as she dropped into the driver’s seat.  “They never give you enough towels.  I need one for my hair, one for my body…”  She stopped and cleared her throat.  She smiled at him, hoping he’d return the favor.  He forced a grin, slightly blushing.  It was weird; having it be awkward, when it once came so natural.  “We’re on the back side of the motel.”  She started the car and pulled around stopping in front of the door to their room.

Vaughn opened the door and stretched, his legs felt wobbly from sitting so long.  “I need to walk a bit.”

“Ok,” she answered.  “Let me put these things in our room and we’ll walk.  She quickly deposited her bags and the bag of things they found at the house for Vaughn into the room and shut the door. 

It was already dark and the cool breeze felt good after being in the car for most of the day.   “You ready?” she asked and started walking down the wide sidewalk to the main street.  She let him set the pace of their walk and her long legs easily kept up with his stride.  She instinctively reached to take his hand but pulled back realizing that he wasn’t hers…yet.  She prayed silently, let him remember me.  I’m nothing without him.  They walked in silence for several minutes when Vaughn finally spoke.

“Tell me how we met.  Tell me our story.”  His voice was quiet but determined.  “Maybe you’ll say something that will remind me; that will break down this wall of…nothingness in my head.”  His last words were spoken out of frustration.  She knew this had to be hard for him.

Sydney laughed softly, “Our story is hardly a simple one.  It’s…complicated.”

He smiled.  A smile that melted her heart, “Well, I’ve got time.”

They walked for another hour while she told him about Danny, SD6, her double agent status at the CIA, and how he was her handler.  She spoke of their mutual attraction and the complexities that ensued because of her involvement with SD6.  She continued with the take down of SD6 and how they were finally able to be seen in public together.  She left out certain details that she knew he wouldn’t be ready for.  Namely the “my mother killed your father” details.  Instead she talked about their relationship.  She shared funny anecdotes and stories of their lives.  He soaked in every word and interrupted often to ask her questions.  Her voice was therapy.  He was intrigued by her and found himself being drawn to her.

They made it back to their room and she was still talking.  He stretched out on one of the beds and Sydney had the irresistible urge to stretch out next to him.  To feel his hands on her again.  To hold him, to taste his lips against hers and to feel his body on top of hers.  She’d missed him so much.

“Keep going,” his words interrupted her visions of their lovemaking and she snapped back to the present.

“Well, that’s about it.”  She didn’t want to get into anymore details tonight.  She did not want to relive the day he was taken before she went to bed.  She’d had so many nightmares.  She sat on the bed next to his and he turned on his side and propped up his head up in his hand.  He watched her as she fidgeted with her bags and pulled out some toiletries.  “I’m going to take a shower.  Here’s the remote if you want to watch some T.V.”  She tossed the remote to him and stepped into the small bathroom.  Soon hot water was pouring over her.  She ran her fingers through her hair as the events of the day replayed in her mind.  She had found him…alive.  He was broken but alive.  I’ll make him remember.

The tears that had been threatening all day suddenly broke through.  She slid down the wall of the shower and let her sobs rack her body as the water pounded her from above.  She didn’t hear the bathroom door open nor did she notice when the water suddenly stopped.   She felt a towel being draped around her and his arms picking her up.  Her head rested on his chest and she breathed in his scent.  Without opening her eyes, she laid her hand over his heart and snuggled close.

 He sat on the bed and stroked her wet hair until her tears had dried and her breath became even and calm.  She felt good in his arms.  He hadn’t had any physical contact in so long and to feel this woman in his arms was almost too much.  She’s amazing.  She’s so strong yet so vulnerable.  He eased her down onto the bed and slowly pulled away then covered her with blankets.   He moved back to his bed and lay down to watch her sleep.   He was surprised at a new feeling that suddenly overcame him…protect her.