Author's Note: This was written FIVE years ago. Never edited.

ALIAS

A Word of the Day ficlet

By Kysra

WARNING: This has spoilers for the first movie.

Nothing makes sense and it takes days, nearly weeks before she realizes Takizawa-kun is missing, that he's left her with a most puzzling clue on top of all of the other uncovered pieces; and though she knows she isn't stupid, she's overcome with doubt in her ability to match his finely tuned sure-fire manner and wit-under-pressure.

But she swallows any second thoughts and makes her way - for the fifth time - through Narita Airport and listens - again - to his message, and hoping that THIS trip will not be in vain. New York will be new territory and she will only have three days to track him down.

She sighs as she waits to board. This is not her area of expertise - none of it is. She's not even sure what she's doing anymore; but she knows she owes it to herself to find him again. Because he's already given so much of himself - multiple times - and has never been able to own it, sometimes through his own efforts and - recently - due to others.

And . . . and - she swallows down tears and fear and so many other emotions that she's not accustomed to, fingering the Selecao phone in her pocket as she steps into the plane - she loves him. Even though she doesn't really know who he was, is, will be when she finds him . . . she loves him with her entire soul. It's simply futile to resist the pull he exerts without trying. She was pretty much a goner when he yelled at her across the street, nude and smiling in front of the White House lawn.

After all he's done for her, for her friends, for Japan . . . whether she loves him or not . . . the least she can do is follow the path he's left for her and finally, finally thank him for giving them hope, for proving to them their ability, and saving them from themselves, just like a Prince . . . or a Messiah.

Word: Phony