Disclaimer: I don't own Alias. Never have, never will. *sniffle*
Mr. APO (The boys are back)
It had been a year since the last time it had happened. The silver crown still sat in the case in his office, an annoying reminder of his daughters' idea of fun. Jack Bristow sat in his office at APO working on finalizing a mission report. He heard the door of his office open and looked up to see Nadia with a somber expression on her face.
"Sweetheart what's wrong?" He said looking up from his work.
"Dad. Can I talk to you for a moment?" Nadia said.
"Sure."
"I'm worried about Sydney. She hasn't been the same since Will died."
"He was her best friend. I would be more worried if she wasn't grieving."
"It's been nearly a year dad."
"The heart takes a long time to heal sweetheart. If you love someone deeply it's hard to let them go."
"I understand. I just hate seeing her like this."
"What did you have in mind?"
"I was hoping we could have another Mr. APO pageant."
A shadow crossed Jack's face.
"Wait dad. Before you say anything think about it. Sydney wasn't the only one affected by Will's death. Everyone was, he was really important to everyone here. By having another Mr. APO pageant everyone's spirits will be lifted and Will's legacy will continue." Nadia said her voice cracking.
Jack looked up to see Sydney sitting at her desk, her eyes distant and uncaring.
"Ok. Is there anything else you need?"
"I need you to sign up first since you are director. Same as last year."
Jack reluctantly signed his name and handed it back to Nadia.
"Thanks dad." Nadia said kissing his cheek.
As Nadia walked out, Irina entered.
"Hi mom." Nadia smiled.
"Hi sweetheart." Irina said confused.
"Jack, what has her so giddy?"
"The Mr. APO pageant has just become an annual event."
"Really. I'm looking forward to it already." Irina said.
Jack stood and pulled her towards him.
"Which part do you like best?"
"The swimsuit competition." Irina said against his lips.
"Is that so."
"Mm hm, and there's one special guy I'm anxious to see this year."
"And who could that be."
Irina kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Weiss. Nadia said he has been working out."
Later that day
An excited Marshall ran up to Jack in the hallway.
"Mr. Bristow is it true." He said out of breath.
"What are you talking about Marshall?" Jack said annoyed.
"That there is going to be another pageant."
"Yes. Marshall."
"Good, good."
"Was there something else you wanted Marshall?"
"No, just wanted to make sure the rumors were true. I think I'm going to throw my hat in the ring this time. So watch out. Not really like watch out like I'm going to throw something or. . ."
Jack walked away leaving Marshall blubbering.
Later that night at Jack's home
Irina had planned the barbeque for weeks now. The announcement of a new Mr. APO pageant only added the excitement buzzing. Jack was at the grill when he heard her slip up behind him. He turned and smiled at his wife.
"You looked thirsty." She said handing him the Heineken she was holding.
"Thanks." He said kissing her lightly.
He looked across the lawn at his party guests.
"Everyone seems to be having a good time." He observed.
"Everyone but Sydney." Irina said pointing out their daughter who was stretched out in the hammock staring off into space.
"Nadia was right. I'm beginning to get worried." Jack said.
"I'm going to try to talk to her."
"Good luck."
Irina took the plate from Jack and crossed the yard. She took a deep breath and sat down on the edge of the hammock. Sydney slowly turned to face her mother her eyes shining from tears.
"Are you hungry?" Irina asked extending the plate.
"No." Sydney said simply.
"Sydney. . ."
"Mom can't talk about it."
"Sydney please. I just want to see you happy again, and talking helps."
"Mom please." Sydney said her voice cracking.
Irina took her hands in hers and kissed her forehead.
"Sydney, I love you, your father, your sister, your friends, all of us love you dearly and we are getting worried."
"You have nothing to worry about."
"Ok sweetheart." Irina looked toward the party. It was at that moment that she noticed Sark entering the backyard.
"Since you don't want to talk to me, I'll send over someone else. I know. I'll send over Julian." Irina said walking over to him.
Sydney sighed. She had been avoiding Julian ever since he had joined APO two weeks ago. She was aware of his presence when she smelled his unique cologne.
"Agent Bristow." He said his voice stern.
"Sark."
He stretched out in the hammock next to her.
"Your mother tells me you want to talk."
"I'm not talking to you either."
"A great Swedish playwright once wrote we speak of the imperative and disregard the irrelevant. So obviously Mr. Tippin is an irrelevant matter."
Sydney launched from the hammock, it flipped over and Sark fell to the ground in an unceremonious heap.
"DON'T YOU DARE CALL HIM IRRELEVANT. HE WAS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE AND FOR HIS NAME TO ESCAPE YOUR LIPS IS A TRAVESTY." Sydney yelled before storming across the lawn and into the house.
In the house
Sydney stretched out across the sofa and clutched a pillow to her chest. Her body shook with the force of her tears, as her mind flashed back to that night nearly a year ago.
Flashback (Winter the previous year)
"What do you mean the movie was unrealistic? Did you see the kicks and flips those guys did. I see you guys do that stuff all the time." Will said teasing Sydney as they walked down the sidewalk of downtown .
"No we don't. The placement of their kicks were completely off. There is no way he could have crippled that guy with a blow to his clavicle." Sydney retorted.
She stopped walking and turned when she noticed Will wasn't by her side. He was staring at her his sky blue eyes full of laughter.
"What?" She asked.
"I'm sorry. I just fell in love with you all over again and I had to pick myself up off the ground."
"That was the worst line ever."
"I know. That's the last time I steal one of Marshall's pickup lines."
Will walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. The combination of his warmth fighting off the cold and seeing his blue eyes full of love, she shivered. He pulled her closer to him, she looked into his eyes as they closed the distance between them. They stood that way locked in the sweetest expression of love. A each few hours later he dropped her off at home. That morning as they lay in each other's arms she felt that for the first time that her life couldn't get any better.
"I'll be back in two weeks. It's simple coverage of an ambassadors meeting." He said stroking her hair lightly.
"Hmm. I'm sure I will find some way to entertain myself." She said kissing him again.
It was two weeks later on the day of his return that she saw the broadcast.
"In breaking news. Four reporters were killed today at the American Embassy. Five officials are said to be in critical condition. The shooter was said to be against the ambassadors vision of a united world."
Two seconds later her phone rang.
"Bristow." She answered.
"Sydney, I'm so sorry. I just received word, Will was one of the reporters killed in the shooting at the embassy." Her father's voice said on the other line.
"Thanks dad." She said hanging up.
She sat there sipping her coffee the realization of what her father's statement meant not registering.
It wasn't until two days later when she was speaking at his funeral that it truly hit her. Mid sentence she stopped and looked down at the casket that held the body of the man she loved. She looked out at her family. Her father in his military best holding her mother in his arms as silent tears trickled down her face. Nadia watching her eyes shimmering trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to come. Her knees went out and she collapsed to the ground, tears wracking her body. Her father crouched down next to her and lifted her to her feet. That was the end of the funeral. She remained in her father's arms as they lowered him into the ground. She thought back to the first funeral she had went to. It had been her mother's. But unlike the burial of Laura Anderson Bristow, this was real.
"Sweetheart, it's ok. It's ok." Irina said pulling Sydney to her as she tried to calm her down.
"Mom, I loved him so much. I miss him. I miss him so much." Sydney kept sobbing.
Irina held her tighter, the tears brimming in her eyes.
"I know sweetheart. I know. We all miss him too."
A few minutes later
Sydney walked back out into the backyard to find her mother pairing couples up.
"Dad, what's going on?" Sydney asked
"Your mother, is making teams for her annual couples volleyball tournament." Jack said inching towards the house.
"Jonathan Donahue Bristow, where do you think you're going?" Irina said without turning around.
Sydney smiled slightly at her father's defeated expression.
"Sydney," Irina said turning towards her daughter "glad you decided to join us again. You need a partner."
"Mom, I'm ok. I'd rather watch."
"Sydney how do you expect to get any pleasure out of life if all you do is watch."
By this time Vaughn had walked over to offer to be Sydney's partner. Irina stopped him, a firm hand on his chest.
"Not this time Michael," Irina said sweetly "Julian, will you be Sydney's partner."
"Mom, you can't be serious. I really don't need a partner."
"Your mother is right Sydney. While I am sure there are numerous things you can handle on your own, it is my belief that a partner can make them much more pleasurable." Sark said walking over to her.
The first matchup was Jack and Irina versus Vaughn and Liza.
Jack reluctantly slipped into the pool. A second later Irina executed a beautiful swan dive and surfaced next to him.
"What's wrong?" Irina asked concerned, slipping her arms around his neck.
"I hate volleyball."
"Why?" she said kissing him.
"Bad experience. That was how I broke my nose the first time."
"I promised I'll make this experience better." She teased kissing him on the nose.
He laughed and the game began. Jack served the ball and Vaughn swam to hit it, only to collide head first into his partner. The rest of the game continued in the same manner. When the final ball was served by Liza, Jack jumped up and spiked it sending it crashing into Vaughn's face.
"Shit, my eye." He cursed.
Almost immediately his eye began to swell and darken.
"Come with me Michael. Let's get something cold to reduce the swelling." Irina said helping him out the pool.
"Ok, Sydney, Sark, you two are going against Hayden and Dixon." Jack announced.
Sydney rolled her eyes at him and jumped into the pool. Sark stripped down to his swimtrunks and dove in after her. Reluctantly Sydney served the ball and the game began. She had to admit Sark was really athletic. He dove and saved the ball sending it over the net with ease.
"Come on Syd show me what you're made of." Dixon teased.
The game continued with the teams going back and forth. It was Sark's turn to serve and next point won. He served a perfect ball that sailed just out of Dixon's reach.
"Yay!" Sydney screamed throwing her arms around Sark.
When she realized what she had done she drew back quickly.
"Um. Never mind." She said getting out of the pool.
The final game was between Irina and Jack against Sydney and Sark. Sark served the ball first and the game began. Irina's speed and Jack's strength met for a dangerous combination. But Sydney and Sark's youth allowed them to squeak out the victory. An exhausted Jack lifted himself out of the pool and collapsed his chest heaving.
"I told you to run with me in the mornings." Irina said trying to maintain a normal breathing pattern.
She had to admit defeat and sat down next to her husband gasping for breath.
"Let's hear it for our 2010 pool volleyball winners." Irina managed to say.
Everyone clapped.
"You lucky kids have won an all expense paid dinner for two at Chateau Viragio courtesy of Jack and I."
"Wine included."
Irina nodded in exhaustion. Sark turned to Sydney and bowed.
"It was a pleasure playing with you." Sark said smiling devilishly.
She rolled her eyes. He turned back to everyone else waved goodbye. He extended a hand to Jack.
"I just want to thank you Mr. Bristow. I feel like I'm a part of the agency family now."
"Yeah. . . .you are . . . .see you . . . .Monday." Jack panted.
"Irina." Sark bowed.
Irina smiled up at him her face still flushed.
Before leaving he took Sydney's hand in his and kissed it.
"Tomorrow night at seven mademoiselle." He said.
She reluctantly agreed. She watched as he walked away, the arrogant jerk. But he did have a cute butt, she thought with a smile.
Nadia and Irina noticed the smile on Sydney's face and shared a knowing look. Phase one was complete.
