At 11 o'clock that morning, there was a meeting in the briefing room with all members of the joint task force: Director Dixon, CIA Agents Jack and Sydney Bristow, Michael Vaughn, Nadia Santos, Eric Weiss, Marshall and Carrie Flinkman and FBI Agent Dr. Siobhan Porter.

The meeting was superfluous; everyone in the room was up to speed on the specifics of the case and their own part in the investigation. The only reason they were all gathered was for Siobhan to introduce herself and explain what her role on the team would be.

"I want to stress that I'm not here to usurp anyone's position. I am only here to enhance the ability of this team catch Hamass.

"I will be analyzing his movements, what he has taken, where he has been seen, who he associates with. With that information I will try to determine where he will strike next. If we can figure out what he will do before he does it, our team intercept him and bring him to justice."

Siobhan sat down, glancing one by one at her compatriots. All seemed impressed, except Jack. He looked skeptical, and even more so, smug, as if he knew something she didn't. She tried to pay attention to what Director Dixon said before he dismissed them, but as soon as he did, she marched over to Jack.

"Care to tell me what you think about my contributions?"

"Do you want my honest opinion?"

"Of course!"

"Then, Ms. Porter," Jack deliberately chose not to use either of her titles, "let me make myself clear: I don't think that your contributions will amount to anything. It is a desperate attempt by the NSC and FBI to stem the flow of sensitive materials to the terrorists.

"The only thing that will stop Yusef Hamass is old-fashioned ground work and investigation."

"And where has that gotten you so far, Mr. Bristow?"

Jack turned on his heel without answering and went back to his station to continue his work.

Sydney came up behind Siobhan and said, "Let me show you to your cubicle."

"Is it me?" she asked Sydney as they walked.

"Is what you?"

"Your father. Have I done something to offend him?"

"Don't take it personally, Dr. Porter. My dad is not a big fan of the FBI and he despises psychologists."

"Please, call me Siobhan."

"Only if you call me Sydney."

"Absolutely. Is there any particular reason your father hates psychologists so much?"

"It's a long story. Do you want to have lunch with me? We can talk then." They had reached Siobhan's workstation.

"Sure. Come and get me when you're ready." Siobhan liked Sydney Bristow immensely. The young woman was open and friendly, despite the myriad of reason she had not to be. And although Siobhan wanted to find out more about Jack Bristow, she truly hoped to become friends with Sydney.

At lunch, the two women discussed mundane topics like movies, hair, make-up, and how to fight in high heels, until their food arrived.

"Siobhan, I want you to know that I meant what I said about taking things personally. I mean, my father . . ."

"Let me interrupt you for a moment. I want you to understand that I'm not here to pump you for information about your father. Share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. But don't feel obligated to give me his life story because he was rude to me," Siobhan was sincere.

"I don't want you to think ill of him. There are so many reasons why Dad is slow to trust."
Sydney went on to explain what had been done to Jack over the last 30 years. Between the hell that Irina had put him through and the CIA making him suffer for it, Jack was a damaged man, Siobhan assessed.

"You and he seem to have a good relationship," she pointed out when Sydney had finished.

"Yes, but that's only come about these last few years. He wasn't around much when I was growing up. It's taken us a long time to get here." There was pain lingering in her voice.

"I'm sorry, Sydney. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

"It's alright. I understand why Dad did what he did. That doesn't mean it still doesn't hurt. We lost a lot of time . . ."

"I want to thank you. You had no reason to trust me and yet here you are being totally honest with me. And I want to be honest with you."

Sydney raised an eyebrow but said nothing, allowing the older woman to continue.

"I read your father's file before I came to the task force. When I was assigned to this case, some of my colleagues were all too happy to tell me about Jack Bristow.

"As a psychologist, he's an interesting case. But that's not why I wanted to hear about him from you. He seemed like such a lonely man, I was hoping to become a friend. I'm just not sure if that will be possible."

"If it's up to me, Siobhan, you and my father will be. Right now, though, we need to get back. We've been gone almost two hours."