response #1 to challenge "U2 Singles Titles"
Set pre-series, and based on the intriguing theories of nomadicwriter:
"Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of"
The moment Arvin Sloane can't leave is this one, right here, right now - after his first story ended, before the next, greater one is to begin.
His house is filled with milling guests holding cocktails, all of them connected with SD-6, or, so far as their hostess knows, Credit Dauphine. Among them is a very young junior agent, Sydney Bristow. Her shining hair is gathered into a ponytail, and she is wearing a cautiously tasteful little black dress for Dinner With The Boss. Sydney only holds a glass of ginger ale; she is not yet old enough to drink.
Sloane longs to go to her, to establish the rapport he knows is their birthright. But he has to keep himself distant for now. Appearances demand it. Besides, Sydney's not ready to learn any part of the truth.
What she is ready for is a mother figure, and that, at least, he can provide.
**
The moment Emily can't leave is the afternoon two weeks ago when Arvin told her that Sydney Bristow had taken a job at Credit Dauphine.
"But - why?" Emily stumbled over the words, unable to voice her real concerns. She's aware that Credit Dauphine is a front, probably for CIA black ops. But Arvin must believe that he has sheltered his wife from that knowledge. Little Sydney in the CIA? Impossible.
Yet Arvin nods. "She doesn't remember me; I doubt she'll recall you either."
So sad, the things little children forget. Emily remembers cutting out paper-doll dresses with Sydney on a picnic in the park, helping teach her to swim. They're among her most treasured memories; to Sydney, they are perhaps mere flickers in the mind. "You haven't told her?"
"Emily. You know we can't talk about our connection without discussing Jack. That comes too close to revealing his imprisonment."
"Sydney mustn't learn about that." Emily's agreement seals her into the lie.
And that's what surrounds her, even at her dinner party, as she introduces herself to Sydney as though they never met before. Emily takes some comfort from the fact that the bond between them resurrects instantly; Sydney smiles at her in perfect trust right away. It's something, at least.
**
Sydney doesn't know what moment it is she can't leave, but something from her past is tugging at her now.
Emily Sloane is - amazing. Sydney's always had a weakness for maternal figures, but it's never hit her as hard with anyone as it does with Emily. Her voice, her warm empathy, her willingness to confide and be confided in: All of it rings so true to her.
As she discusses this with Francie in their dorm room after the party, Francie says, "She reminds you of your mom, huh?"
"I don't think so. But she reminds me of someone. Somebody I think I loved a whole lot."
"Your kindergarten teacher, maybe."
"Maybe." Sydney smiles. It doesn't matter what moment from the past she's caught in, as long as it's helped her make a new friend.
"Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of"
The moment Arvin Sloane can't leave is this one, right here, right now - after his first story ended, before the next, greater one is to begin.
His house is filled with milling guests holding cocktails, all of them connected with SD-6, or, so far as their hostess knows, Credit Dauphine. Among them is a very young junior agent, Sydney Bristow. Her shining hair is gathered into a ponytail, and she is wearing a cautiously tasteful little black dress for Dinner With The Boss. Sydney only holds a glass of ginger ale; she is not yet old enough to drink.
Sloane longs to go to her, to establish the rapport he knows is their birthright. But he has to keep himself distant for now. Appearances demand it. Besides, Sydney's not ready to learn any part of the truth.
What she is ready for is a mother figure, and that, at least, he can provide.
**
The moment Emily can't leave is the afternoon two weeks ago when Arvin told her that Sydney Bristow had taken a job at Credit Dauphine.
"But - why?" Emily stumbled over the words, unable to voice her real concerns. She's aware that Credit Dauphine is a front, probably for CIA black ops. But Arvin must believe that he has sheltered his wife from that knowledge. Little Sydney in the CIA? Impossible.
Yet Arvin nods. "She doesn't remember me; I doubt she'll recall you either."
So sad, the things little children forget. Emily remembers cutting out paper-doll dresses with Sydney on a picnic in the park, helping teach her to swim. They're among her most treasured memories; to Sydney, they are perhaps mere flickers in the mind. "You haven't told her?"
"Emily. You know we can't talk about our connection without discussing Jack. That comes too close to revealing his imprisonment."
"Sydney mustn't learn about that." Emily's agreement seals her into the lie.
And that's what surrounds her, even at her dinner party, as she introduces herself to Sydney as though they never met before. Emily takes some comfort from the fact that the bond between them resurrects instantly; Sydney smiles at her in perfect trust right away. It's something, at least.
**
Sydney doesn't know what moment it is she can't leave, but something from her past is tugging at her now.
Emily Sloane is - amazing. Sydney's always had a weakness for maternal figures, but it's never hit her as hard with anyone as it does with Emily. Her voice, her warm empathy, her willingness to confide and be confided in: All of it rings so true to her.
As she discusses this with Francie in their dorm room after the party, Francie says, "She reminds you of your mom, huh?"
"I don't think so. But she reminds me of someone. Somebody I think I loved a whole lot."
"Your kindergarten teacher, maybe."
"Maybe." Sydney smiles. It doesn't matter what moment from the past she's caught in, as long as it's helped her make a new friend.