[Broken]
Title: Broken
Author/Artist: KaraB [aricadavidson or kara_muse]
Theme: Broken
Pairing/Characters: Eric Weiss/Arica Davidson
Rating: PG
Disclaimer/claimer: Eric Weiss belongs to the Alias crew; Arica is mine.
Warning: Character Death
Author’s Note: AU to my fanonverse
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It shouldn’t have surprised him that she knew. When they’d divorced, she’d been on her way up and had no intention of stopping either. He’d made her what she was, he supposed, but he now rarely looked back at the past. Situations like this have a way of playing with a person’s mind, make them think over the past. His wife and kids were inside the building and his ex-wife was helping him save them. He glanced over at Shannon, wondering if it were weird for her as well.
The CIA could be a cruel business for the families of the agents. They were pawns, tools to be used against the agents; a method of attaining information. Eric knew that from experience, but still the video of his wife being tortured… that had nearly broken him. And the kids… God please, let the kids be alright. Don’t let them go through any of that. And protect Arica from any more. She believes in you so why can’t you help her?. Maybe it wasn’t the most fair of prayers thrown at God, but Eric didn’t care.
Eric had arrived home to an empty house that day, empty save for a note. He’d brought it to the office to see if they could find anything on it. They hadn’t, but shortly after that Shannon had shown up, already briefed on the situation.
He’d already pulled on his Kevlar vest and glanced over at her, finding her waiting on him. “Ready?” she asked.
He nodded and they pulled their weapons and moved toward the building. Wordlessly, he took point, unable to stand back and wait. Puzzlement and fear gripped him as they found no one in the building. Were they too late? What would he find if they kept going?
Shannon felt his hesitation and suddenly moved past him, looking back for a moment. “Do what I tell you,” she ordered, taking control. She felt his nod more than saw it and continued. Hearing a small noise, they moved over to a closet. Eric nearly threw up when he saw the blood from under the door. He threw it open and dropped his gun at the sight before him. His wife was cradling their daughter but she was weak, pale as a ghost. Neither of the twins were in sight.
“Ari!” he cried, moving to hold her and she promptly passed out in his arms. Ashley started wailing loudly and Eric quickly handed her to Shannon as he felt for a pulse. “No Arica you are not leaving me!” he yelled when he failed to find one and he started CPR, hearing Shannon call for medical in the background. But when they arrived it was already too late.
“NO!” Eric cried when they started to announce time of death. “Help her!” He practically choked one of the paramedics. “Help her!”
Shannon grabbed him, making him let the man go. “Eric, she’s gone.”
“No!”
Shannon had never seen Eric like this. Of course he had been obstinate and stubborn at times but at the moment he was in complete agony that permeated his soul and she could feel his pain. Then suddenly façade collapsed and he was suddenly very still, face like a zombie. “We’ll get the men who did this and we’ll find the twins,” she soothed, knowing the words did little if anything to ease the pain.
“Where’s Ashley?” he asked, panic in his voice.
“She’s right here,” Shannon said, motioning over the medic who’d checked the infant out. The medic gave Shannon a look, clearly unsure if handing the child to Eric was a good idea, but she nodded.
Eric changed when he accepted the child, as if he found some strength somewhere inside. “I have to get her home. But Arica…”
“I’ll stay and make sure they take care of her Eric,” Vaughn said. Neither Shannon nor Eric had noticed his presence. He looked tired but he’d needed to be here and he knew that Eric wouldn’t leave unless someone was here to make sure they took care with Arica’s body. “I’ll make sure they treat her right.”
“Then I guess I’m taking them home,” Shannon said.
Instead of driving Eric to his house, she took them to hers, knowing that the memories would be painful.