Illusion of Sin
Part 10
"Why do you have a picture of my parents"
The question hung in the air, neither Zack nor Rory making a move. Both stared at the photographs side by side, as if by doing so they would suddenly start to make sense, and a logical explanation would be reached.
What was a logical explanation? Zack couldn't figure that one out and Rory was in shock and couldn't seem to understand at the moment that Sydney Bristow and Kathryn Johnson, as well as Will Tippin and Jonah Summers appeared to be the same people.
Zack was the first to find his voice. "Everything's going to be okay Rory, we'll figure it out. There has to be a logical explanation." He laid a hand on her shoulder but she pulled away.
"I think I should go." She stood, the album forgotten on the sofa beside her.
"Rory no, let me call my dad" Zack pleaded with her. "Just let me talk to him first. He took the picture, maybe he can tell us something."
Rory nodded and sat back down. The truth was that she wasn't sure what to do. She wanted to call her dad, to ask him, but if she did and there was some kind of mistake, she would never be able to forgive herself for it. All she could do was think of the countless times she'd been told how familiar she seemed, Agent Vaughn, Carrie, Marshall, and even Agent Bristow. Rory swallowed hard. Agent Bristow, did he know? He had to know, how couldn't he. But if he did know, why hadn't he said anything? How could he have kept such a large secret from her? She had so many questions and desperately wanted the answers, but a part of her was scared to know the truth. The truth was usually such a simple thing, but she knew already that the truth she sought, was not one that wanted to be found and could hurt the people who mattered most.
Zack kept his eye on Rory as he called his father. His conversation was short and vague; having decided it best to explain everything in detail once he arrived. Zack wasn't entirely looking forward to the event. It would be the first time he'd seen his father in over six months and their reunion would be spent discussing a woman who'd been dead for twenty years.
"Rory" he spoke quietly as he knelt in front of her. "My dad will be here in a few minutes. Maybe he can sort this all out for us."
"It just doesn't make sense Zack" Rory whispered, her voice wavering as she rested her chin on her knees, pulling them up to her chest. "You're saying that Sydney Bristow is my mother, but she can't be. My father would never lie to me like that; I know him."
"I don't have any easy answers for you Rory" Zack said, wishing with everything in his being that he did. Unsure of what to do to offer her comfort, Zack settled for taking the small afghan, his grandmother had knit for him when he was in college, and draping it over her exposed legs. He touched her forehead, drawing her hair away from her face and tucking it behind her ear.
"Zack" she whispered.
"Yeah" his voice was equally quiet, trying to keep everything as calm as possible for her.
"Something's burning."
Zack sniffed the air briefly before taking off in a hurry in the direction of the kitchen. The alfredo sauce had bubbled over creating a burning mess over the stove, and a ruined pot on the burner. After setting the pot in the sink and turning off the stove, he walked to the entranceway, drying his hands on a dishtowel. "Well it's official, your birthday dinner just went up in flames; literally."
"Zack, I'm sorry" she apologized, fresh tears snaking down her cheeks.
"Rory, it's alright. It's just dinner, I was joking." He moved towards her but was stopped by the doorbell. "That's my dad" he said before opening the door.
"Zack attack" Eric Weiss greeted his son affectionately wrapping him in a tight hug. "How are ya buddy, I missed you."
"Great, I missed you too" he said enthusiastically.
"So what's this about Mike telling me you have a new girlfriend? An up and coming young hot shot, are the words I've heard to describe her." Weiss skipped right to the point as he stepped inside Zack's apartment.
"Dad, stop. She's here."
"She's here" Weiss asked surprised and lowered his voice. "What's up with the cryptic phone call to come"
"Something's happened… I need your help."
"She's not pregnant is she"
"Dad, no" Zack sighed. "She's not."
"Can you blame me" Weiss asked. "Last time you sounded this desperate was because of Monica."
"Well she's not." Zack remembered the event well. His best friend from High School, Monica, had gotten pregnant in her senior year and Zack enlisted his father in helping Monica break the news to her parents and boyfriend. "But this is about her."
"How could I possibly be of help" Weiss asked turning to face his son as he closed the door.
"I need to know about my parents" came a quiet voice from the living room.
Weiss turned to the muffled voice and took a few steps into the living room. "I have no idea how I can help" he shrugged watching as Zack approached the couch and squatted before her. As he stepped closer to his son he could see the girl more clearly and it was obvious by the tearstains on her face that she was more than just a little upset. "I'm sorry Ms Su"
"Aurora" she whispered softly. "My name is Aurora."
Weiss looked to his son for help. "I don't know what you want"
Zack reached for the open photo album and passed it to his father. "Rory was looking at these old pictures."
"Your third birthday" he smiled fondly. "Now that was a great party. It was a cowboy theme if I remember correctly."
Zack turned the pages and stopped on the one of Will Tippin and Sydney Bristow. "It's this picture, she recognized it."
"What are you saying Zack" Weiss asked, obvious confusion spreading across his face.
Rory's hands trembled as she unfolded the identical photograph and placed it beside the other, both she and Zack watching Weiss' reaction closely. "These are my parents" she whispered, her voice soft, and betraying every emotion she felt. "Kathryn and Jonah Summers."
Weiss' face paled slightly and he blinked several times unsure if he was really seeing what he thought he was.
"I'm not sure what to believe anymore Mr. Weiss."
As Weiss glanced up at Rory, he was struck at the resemblance to Sydney he'd initially overlooked. They shared similar features, the nose and the chin. And he was sure that hidden underneath the tears and the anguish he would find two well placed dimples. She wasn't solely Sydney's daughter however. Her resemblance to Will Tippin was held in her striking blue eyes.
Zack watched his father flip over the photograph and read the words on the back. The ink was slightly blurred and well faded, but it didn't prevent him from recognizing his own father's handwriting.
'Thought you might like this one. –W'
Zack glanced up at his father's face and his mouth dropped open. "You knew" he accused and sat down beside Rory, putting an arm around her shoulders.
"I"
"You didn't seem surprised. You- who else knows huh? Uncle Mike? Dixon? Marshall? You all knew and kept it from us, from her."
"Zack" Weiss started to speak, but his efforts were useless against his son's anger.
"How could you do it" Zack was unrelenting and it only furthered Rory's distress as she started to cry. "How could they do it"
"They didn't know"
"But you did"
"Yes, I knew"
Zack stood and faced his father, anger permeating from every bone in his body. "Why didn't you tell me"
"Because I didn't know it was her" Weiss exploded and sank down in the armchair covering his face his hands and rubbing his eyes wearily. He looked up at their faces, shocked from his own confession. "I only knew that there was a baby, a girl. I didn't even know her real name."
A thick layer of silence descending upon the three as Zack sat down beside Rory again. She was the first to speak.
"Is Sydney Bristow my mother"
Weiss nodded. "Yes, no-I don't know" he shrugged sighing. "Short of comparing your DNA, all I know is that you have the picture. I honestly don't have any easy answers for you Aurora. All I know is that Sydney was pregnant when she disappeared. A year later, she died."
"And my father"
"She wouldn't tell me" Weiss explained. "I'd be lying if I didn't admit that Will Tippin was my first guess. His disappearance from Witness Protection- he didn't have the resources to do it himself. I tried to convince Sydney to stay. I told her that I would help, that if she wanted-if she was afraid of something, she could name me as the father." Weiss cringed at Rory's sudden gasp as Zack removed his arm from around her shoulders. "Which, I'm not" he mentally kicked himself for scaring them. "Sydney and I were good friends, but there is absolutely no possibility that I am her baby's father." He could practically see the relief wash over both as Zack took Rory's hand and squeezed it gently. "There is one way to know, almost guaranteed."
"What is it"
"About three months before Sydney's death, she came to me. She needed to access information from the CIA's computers and we hacked in. She also needed a place to sleep, her and the baby." Weiss picked up the photograph and glanced briefly at the image. "She called her Dawn, but I kind of got the impression that, that wasn't her real name."
"You said there was a way to know for sure" Rory interrupted.
Weiss nodded. "Dawn had a birthmark. I saw it when I changed her diaper, I'm just trying to remember where it is…"
"A tear shape, on my chest" her voice trembled as she touched her shirt identifying where the birthmark would be.
Weiss nodded remembering the shape and location.
"So Sydney Bristow is my mother…" Rory said softly.
"It appears that way, God." Weiss sighed and sat back in his chair studying Rory. "And now you're in the CIA. Your father"
"He doesn't know" Rory admitted. "He thinks I work for a publishing company. You never told anyone about her baby…about me"
Weiss shook his head. "She asked me not to. She never even told her father."
"He knows" Rory realized standing up. "Sydney- my mother, she might never have told him, but he knows now. A few days after he was shot, I went to see him in the hospital, and I showed him the picture. He didn't say anything, but the truth is that he didn't look shocked either."
"It would make sense" Zack added. "All the sudden, he's at the office every day and he has taken an interest in you."
"But why wouldn't he say anything" Rory asked Weiss. "Why wouldn't he tell me the truth"
"No one really knows why Jack does what he does." Weiss was almost apologetic as he spoke. "He has his own reasons and motives for whatever he does. Maybe he just couldn't understand why Sydney left in the first place."
"Why did she"
"I don't know Rory." Weiss stood and approached the two; he squatted down to their level. "I asked her, but she wouldn't tell me. I know part of the reason was because she was pregnant, but there was more to it than just that. She changed, something inside of her changed"
"She went rogue" Rory clarified.
"Yes" Weiss nodded. "A few months after she disappeared, after you were born. There were rumors, sightings and suspicions. I can't tell you very much, it is classified. You were about six months old when she came to me. I only saw you for a few hours, but Aurora, you need to believe me when I tell you that Sydney loved you more than anything in this world. Despite what she did and her reasons for doing so, you were the most important thing in the world to her."
Rory smiled briefly and stood. "I should go" she said, her voice trembling and her effort to hold back her tears did not go unnoticed by either man.
"No, stay" Zack protested following her to the door. "I'll make something else for dinner, or we can order something."
"Zack, no" she shook her head sadly and retrieved her coat and shoes from the closet. "I need to go. I need to be by myself, to think. Please…"
"I could go with you" he suggested. "In case you need anything."
Rory drew her hand up and cupped his cheek. "I'll be fine" she whispered and kissed his cheek.
Rory took the photograph Weiss handed her and thanked him. She placed the well-creased picture in her pocket and offered a smile. "Thank you for your help Agent Weiss. I know everyone is very pleased to have you back and I'm looking forward to working with you."
Weiss nodded and managed a smile. "Sydney would have been very proud of what you'd become. I understand that you're angry at the secrecy, but Aurora, please remember that she loved you."
Rory nodded. "Thank you." She turned to Zack and surprised him by placing a chaste kiss on his lips. "I'll call you tomorrow" she said. "I'm just going to go home."
"Promise"
"Promise."
Zack watched as she opened the door and then closed it quietly behind her. "Dad"
"Yeah"
"Do you think she'll be okay? She seemed really calm, too calm."
"She's in shock Zack. She doesn't know what to think, or how to feel. She's numb… but I think she will be okay. It'll be difficult, what she found out today is confusing, but I really think she will be okay. She just needs some time."
Zack nodded and opened the front door to watch her drive off.
Rory's hands trembled as she searched her purse for her keys and managed to drop them twice as she tried to open her car door. As she drove down the street, Rory saw Zack watching her in the rearview mirror and the tears that she'd been holding back began to fall. She blinked rapidly trying to keep her vision clear and managed to make it to a nearly empty mall parking lot before falling apart.
The quiet tears quickly turned into gasping sobs as she lay her head on the steering wheel trying to get herself under control. What she wanted to do, was to tear up the photograph of her parents and yell and scream at the injustice, the lies, and deception. She wasn't Aurora Summers, Aurora Summers was a fictional person created by her parents' imagination. But why? The question of why was the largest on her mind. It was the one occupying all her thoughts as she struggled to understand the events that had taken place.
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and inspected her damaged makeup in the mirror. Grabbing a handful of tissues from her purse, she tried to repair it as best she could and at least looked somewhat presentable. Rory unfolded the photograph and traced her finger over her mother's face. Sydney Bristow. It was strange to think of her mother by that name. She had always been Kathryn or Kate Johnson-Summers, a college professor, not Sydney Bristow, not an American spy.
As she examined the photograph, it was the first time she'd considered the possibility that maybe her father, wasn't really her father. She didn't want to think about it. She didn't want to even admit to herself that there was a possibility that Jonah Summers, or rather Will Tippin, was not her father, but the thoughts were overwhelming.
According to Zack, Sydney and Agent Vaughn were together after his wife Lauren was killed. According to his father, Sydney had been pregnant when she'd left LA and Will Tippin was still in Witness Protection. That information forced Rory to question why and how Sydney could have become pregnant with her friend's baby.
Rory clenched the steering wheel in her hands as she fought to gain control over the emotions that were threatening to drown her. Rory put her car in drive and pulled out of the parking lot. She needed answers and there was only one person who had them.
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Jack stepped out of the elevator and into the parking garage where his car was located, The floor was deserted with the exception of a few cars from the night employees. His footsteps echoed on the pavement as he crossed the lot to his car. It had been a long night and a failed mission resulting in the death of an undercover operative in Wales and Jack was looking forward to a hot shower and a few hours sleep before returning in the morning to begin debrief reports.
As he neared his car he though he heard something but a quick survey of the area revealed nothing out of the ordinary. He unlocked his door and froze hearing the sound again; light footsteps from behind him.
"Mr. Bristow"
Jack turned, surprised to find Rory there. "Agent Summers, what are you doing here"
Rory took a few steps toward him. Her coat was pulled tight and her arms crossed over her chest, shielding herself against the cool night air. "Working late… research." She watched as Jack reached across and deposited his briefcase on the passenger seat. She studied him, as she had done so many times before, but still not finding any similarities between the two. "I need to ask you some questions…" her voice trailed off quietly. "About my mother."
"Pardon" Jack asked stepping forwards, not having heard her.
Rory opened her mouth to speak, trying to get up the courage to say the words again, but she couldn't. "A case I'm researching."
Jack checked his watch. "Summers, it's after one am. Is it a matter of immediate national security"
Rory shook her head. "Not exactly. Please"
"Well then it can wait. Make an appointment with my secretary tomorrow morning."
Rory swallowed hard trying to clear the lump in her throat. "Yes Sir."
Jack got into his car and was about to close his door but stopped. "Agent Summers"
"Yes"
"Go home, get some sleep. You look tired."
"Yes Sir."
Rory stepped back and watched as his car disappeared down the ramp. All she wanted to say to him was "I know" but she couldn't force herself to do it. She couldn't tell him just like that, despite the fact that she was sure he already knew exactly who she was. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed while walking towards the elevator.
"Rory"
"Hi Zack" her lips formed a smile at the sound of his voice. "I'm sorry it's so late."
"Are you alright? I was worried, I left at least a dozen messages."
"I know, I'm sorry" she apologized knowing the number had been close to two dozen. "I turned my phone off. I went to the beach, I just needed some time to think, to try and wrap my head around all this."
"You sure you're alright? Want me to come over"
"No, Zack, really I'm fine" she said softly. "I'm tired, I'm just going to try and get some sleep."
"What are you going to do about… you know"
"I have a meeting with him tomorrow. I guess we'll just take it from there, see what he has to say."
"I can be there if you want me to."
"Thank you" she said sincerely and waited outside the elevator. "But I think I need to do this myself."
"Alright, you'll call me if you need anything"
"Sure… and Zack"
"Yeah"
Rory wiped the tears from her eyes and struggled to regulate her breathing as she spoke. "Aside from the monumental life altering secrets that were revealed tonight… I had a wonderful time with you and I'll take a raincheck on that birthday dinner, if you're still offering"
"Absolutely."
Rory could practically hear the smile in his voice. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Night Rory."
"Night."
Rory ended the call and turned her phone off. She pressed the button and then stepped in when it reached the ground floor. Her arms crossed over her chest as she waited for the doors to close and take her to the rotunda. She wanted answers and she was not about to wait for Jack Bristow to schedule a meeting at his convenience.
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Weiss turned in his bed finding it difficult to sleep. He couldn't believe that Sydney's little girl was all grown up and dating his own son of all people. The circumstances were almost too unbelievable to bear. Despite everything Sydney had done to protect her daughter, she'd unknowingly found herself a part of the CIA anyway.
Weiss smiled slightly and folded his arms under his head, as he remembered the first time he'd seen Rory.
Weiss quietly closed Zack's bedroom door and proceeded down the stairs. He was passing by the front door when there was a quiet knock. He approached it slowly and looked through the peephole curious as to who would be knocking on his door at midnight on a Sunday.
"Sydney" he opened the door quickly and found her dripping wet on the front porch.
"Hi Eric" she said softly and squinted at the brightness as he turned on the porch light.
"God Syd, are you all right" he asked taking note of the black eye and cut across her cheek as she stepped into the light.
"I need your help…" her voice trailed off slightly and she spoke again, now more softly. "We need your help."
"We"
Sydney nodded and opened her coat revealing the young sixth-month-old baby nestled in a snuggly. The child was asleep, its cheek resting against her mother's chest and its tiny fist balled up near the base of her throat. "This is my daughter. Please Weiss."
"Of course." He held open the door and she smiled gratefully as she passed him by.
"Syd" Weiss held out a cup of coffee to her several minutes later after taking her to the living room.
"Zack's getting so big" she said almost proudly and set the recent photo of his sixth birthday party back on the mantle. "I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've seen him." She accepted the cup of coffee and wrapped her hands around the mug. "Thank you."
"It's been a while." He sat down on the sofa watching as Sydney adjusted a blanket over the baby who slept in Zack's old playpen.
"You look good" she smiled while sitting down and gave him a quick once over, noticing that he had lost more weight in the year she'd been gone.
"I wish I could say the same" Weiss said honestly and gently touched the bruise on her cheek. "You look tired Syd, do you even sleep anymore"
"Not much, but enough" she confessed, her gaze travelling over to the baby who let out a deep sigh as she slept. "She only just started to sleep through the night, and before that it was colic and an ear infection, but she's alright now."
"What's her name" Weiss took a sip of coffee and noted the concern spread over Sydney's face at his question.
Sydney stared at the baby as she thought over his question. It was such a simple, innocent question that would usually require very little thought to answer, but not tonight. She jumped to her feet at her daughter's first cry and plucked her out of the playpen, before she could cry loud enough to wake Zack. Placing a kiss on the girl's temple, Sydney held her daughter close and comforted her as she sat back down on the sofa. "I don't want to involve you, any more than I have to Weiss."
"How could telling me her name hurt"
"I-I just don't want you to know any more than you already do."
"Do I need to be worried about Zack's safety Sydney"
"No" she said firmly. "I would never put him at risk, you know that. No one knows about her Eric, not even my father. Just you, I need to keep it that way"
"I understand Sydney. You have my word."
They both smiled and laughed as the girl stretched and butted Sydney in the chin with the top of her head as she tried to snuggle into her mother's neck.
"Auntie Syd"
Both Sydney and Weiss turned in the direction the sleepy voice had come from. Six year old Zack in red fire truck pajamas stood in the doorway holding a teddy bear by its foot.
"Hi sweetheart."
She smiled at his son, but Weiss noticed how tired she was; not just physically, but so emotionally drained of caring for herself and for her child that enjoying even the simplest of things took effort.
Zack ran over to her and launched himself on her, wrapping his small arms around her waist, barely missing the baby who squirmed at the sudden intrusion. "Daddy said you went away." His lower lip protruded in such a way that made her smile and feel incredibly guilty at the same time. "Are you gonna stay"
Weiss caught her eye discretely telling her that he wanted an answer to that question as well.
"No." Sydney looked away, masking the emotion in her eyes as Zack's lower lip began to tremble.
"Are you mad at us" he asked with a quiver.
Weiss remained silent allowing Sydney to deal with the situation. He knew it was killing her, but he wasn't about to lie to his son.
"No Zack Attack" she hugged him briefly as best she could and kissed the top of his head. "I could never be mad at you or your Daddy. You're my family, I love you"
"And Uncle Mike too" he asked innocently.
"Uncle Mike too" she nodded. "I know it's hard for you to understand, but I love you and everyone else and that's why I have to stay away."
"That's not fair"
"I know." She did know and she whole-heartedly agreed with a six-year-old.
"Zack, time for you to go back to bed." Weiss stood and held out his hand to his son.
"But I want to stay with Aunt Sydney" he refused stubbornly.
"You need to go with your dad" Sydney said, gently giving him a little push off her lap.
"Whose that" Zack pointed to the baby in her arms he'd initially overlooked.
Sydney turned her daughter around and settled the baby on her knee so Zack could see her. "This" she said proudly as the little girl lifted her head and stared at Zack intently. "Is the most beautiful girl that you will ever meet in your entire life."
Zack caught the baby's attention and she smiled at him, reaching out a chubby hand to touch his. He caught her hand and stood entranced watching the baby wrap her fingers around his.
"Zack" Weiss called his name reminding him that he still had to go back to bed.
"Bye Aunt Syd." He leaned up on his tiptoes and hugged her. "I'll miss you."
Sydney nodded and kissed his cheek. "I want you to do something for me" she requested wiping a tear from her eye. "Can you do it for me" He nodded solemnly prompting her to continue and blink away the tears from her eyes. "I want you to be good. Be a good boy for your dad and tell him that you love him all the time, even when you're all grown up."
Zack's eyes grew wide as he listened; the dark depths seemed to understand that this was an important life lesson he was receiving.
"You may not understand some of this now, but you will some day so try hard to remember." She lowered her voice slightly and Weiss had to strain to hear. "Don't do what others expect of you. Do what you expect of yourself. When you make a promise, do your very best to keep it. Follow what's right here" she gently tapped the heart hidden in his chest. "Even if others say that it's wrong, if you think it's right, then it is. When you're all grown up, don't lead girls on, but be honest and kind and treat them with respect. You're going to get hurt along the way, but I promise, it'll all be worth it when you meet the one girl you want to spend the rest of your life with. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated." Her hands were restless as they stroked his hair and his cheek. "Stand up for what you think is right, for what you believe in, and don't be afraid to speak your mind. Don't do something just because it's what everyone else is doing. Do it, because you want to." Sydney's voice quivered as she spoke her last few lines. "Grow up to be whatever you want to be and most important of all… don't be afraid to love, love whenever you can and as often as you can. Always remember that I love you."
Zack nodded. "I'll remember, I promise." He hugged her again. "Bye Aunt Sydney."
"Bye Zack."
Zack turned and walked towards his father, but changed his mind and stopped. Turning around he ran back to Sydney and surprised her by leaning over and gently pressing his lips to the baby's cheek. "Bye Baby."
After putting Zack back to bed, Weiss returned to the living room to find Sydney breast feeding her baby. He left to give her some privacy and went to the kitchen to make a sandwich, not knowing when she last ate. The baby had finished feeding when he returned and he set Sydney's sandwich on the end table beside her before resuming his seat next to her on the couch.
"Do you think he'll say anything" Sydney asked referring to Zack.
Weiss shook his head. "I doubt it, he was pretty tired, he probably won't even remember in the morning."
"I suppose it's for the best, we'll be gone by then" she nodded and Weiss was struck for the first time at how quiet she'd become. If he didn't know any better, he'd have thought she was an entirely different person than the one he remembered.
"She's beautiful Sydney." Weiss smiled at the baby and gently touched the top of her downy head. The baby turned her head towards him and he was rewarded with a smile and a look at the bluest eyes he had ever seen in his life.
Sydney smiled broadly as her daughter reached out and grabbed Weiss' outstretched hand pulling herself towards him. She laughed as the child latched onto him and he had but no choice to take her. Moments later they sat in silence as Weiss rubbed the baby's back and she fell asleep on his shoulder. Sydney shifted closer to Weiss and leaned her head down on his other shoulder. He lifted his arm and put it around her shoulders, allowing her head to slip onto his chest. "I've missed you Sydney" he whispered in her ear listening to the quiet slow rhythm of her breathing and the slightly faster respiration's of her daughter. "We all have."
Sydney didn't respond, but her hand snaked over covering his on her daughter's back. "Dawn" she whispered ever so quietly, fighting the exhaustion that was ready to claim her. "I call her Dawn."
End of Flashback
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"Marshall"
Marshall dropped his coffee at the sound of Jack Bristow's angry voice. He looked up to see Jack striding through the rotunda towards him and wiped the liquid off his pants.
"We may have a security breach. I need you to lock down the rotunda, all workstations, doors and offices."
"What's going on" he asked sitting down at the nearest computer and logging in.
"Someone hacked into the mainframe using my ID and password" Jack explained.
"It'll take me a few minutes to isolate the IP and trace it, but we are in silent lock down."
"Marshall" another voice called.
"Agent Weiss" he greeted Zack. "And Agent Weiss" he looked up smiling broadly at Eric. "Good to have you back."
"Thanks Marshall" Weiss said quickly. "Listen have you see Agent Summers this morning"
"Rory, no" he shook his head. "But I only just got here and now there's the security problem"
"What security problem" Vaughn asked depositing his coat and briefcase on the desk beside Marshall.
"Someone hacked into the system using Mr. Bristow's account" Marshall explained. He typed a few last commands into the computer before looking up at Jack. "The program's running, it'll just take a few minutes to locate the source."
"Can you check if Agent Summers has signed in today" Zack asked impatiently and Vaughn instantly wondered what had him all worked up.
"Is something wrong Agent Weiss"
Zack glanced at Jack, but didn't respond to his question.
"Yes, there she is." Marshall pointed to the computer screen and identified Rory's sign in time. "Actually, security has her entering the building early this morning at 1:47 AM. I guess she's a bit of a night owl. Her next entry is the archives on the fourth floor at 2:34 AM."
"What would she be doing in the archives" Vaughn wondered aloud.
"Jack, I need to speak with you" Weiss interrupted garnering a surprised look from Vaughn.
"Not now." Jack squinted at the screen as it analyzed the progress made in tracking the security breach.
"It can't wait."
Jack looked up from the computer, surprised at the angry expression on Weiss' face. "Now is not the time"
"That's strange" Marshall interrupted and typed a few commands into the computer.
"What"
"The source of the breach" Marshall looked up at them, confusion written across his face. "It's coming from this building, from your office."
Jack hadn't been to his office yet, but he'd been made aware of the security breach the moment he tried to enter the building and had immediately instigated the lockdown procedures. He motioned to the security team to follow him to his office along with Vaughn, Weiss, Zack and even Marshall.
Weiss quickened his pace and caught up with Jack as they stopped outside of his office door and drew their guns. He grabbed Jack's arm before he opened the door. "She knows" he said quietly so only Jack was able to hear.
"Excuse me"
"Rory knows the truth" he said ignoring Jack's cold stoic face. "And the only reason I am giving you a heads up is because she has been through too much to add your betrayal to the list. If she is the one behind this door, and I think that she is, you'd better think up a damned good excuse for not telling her."
Jack didn't respond to Weiss' statement, but he did glance at Vaughn who clearly wondered what was going on and to Zack whose expression showed nothing but anger. His hand hesitated on the doorknob before turning it and opening the door to his darkened office.
Their suspicions were immediately confirmed as the large built in TV screens displayed the file, which was currently running on Jack's computer.
"We have it under control" Jack dismissed the guards.
"What's going on" Vaughn asked in shock, unable to tear his eyes from the video, which appeared to be on a twenty second loop. "Why is that video on? Summers" he repeated. "Why is that video on"
The video was an old, grainy, black and white footage of Sydney Bristow's murder.
Rory sat in the middle of the floor, her knees pulled up to her chest and old files, notes and pictures surrounding her. For the first time since they had entered the room she looked up, her eyes red and raw from crying and full of unshed tears. She looked back down, not answering.
"Rory are you alright" Zack asked moving towards her but she held up a hand halting him in his step.
"Please leave me alone" she requested not even looking at him.
"Aurora" Jack began.
"I really don't want to talk to you right now" she interrupted, her voice trembling as she attempted to suppress her cries.
"What is going on" Vaughn repeated his question and glanced around the office, trying to understand why there files spread out over the floor, why Rory was crying, and why the video of Sydney's murder was flashing across every screen in the office.
"Vaughn, please go get Agent Summers a glass of water" Jack requested.
"But Jack"
"Go" he ordered and surprisingly Vaughn obeyed, but not before shooting a questioning look at Weiss who simply looked away.
"There are aspects of this situation that you don't understand." Jack took another step towards Rory.
"Aspects of this situation" she laughed bitterly and stood, tears beginning to fall once more. "No aspects of this situation can excuse what you did." She crossed her arms over her chest and took a step forward, challenging him. "You lied to me, about the most important thing in my life. Is Sydney my mother"
"Yes."
His answer was without hesitation, without regret and it angered her. "How long have you known" she asked. "Since I was born? Since I came to LA? Since I showed you the picture? When" she demanded.
"Since the set up."
"That long" she whispered. "How… why… who else knows" she wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand.
"Just Dixon and myself… And Carrie Flinkman" he added.
"Carrie" Marshall repeated stunned that his wife had not told him.
"And you all kept it from me."
Rory's face was twisted in pain and agony and very reminiscent of his daughter's when he'd told her the truth about Project Christmas. "Yes" Jack answered calmly as he watched his words destroy his granddaughter. "I had reasons, it was for your protection."
"I don't care" she shouted at him. Her eyes fell on his desk and in rage, in one sweeping motion she had knocked everything off of it including a glass paperweight that now lay broken on the floor.
"Rory stop" Zack tried to go to her but Jack told motioned for him to back of.
Rory visibly shook as she retrieved a framed photograph from the ground. She trembled, whether it be from exhaustion or rage didn't matter. She was out of control and everyone in that office knew it. She didn't flinch as the paperweight sliced into her palm and she picked of the photograph. It was the one of Jack and Sydney, she'd seen the day before. She didn't feel pain as the blood trickled from her hand and dripped off her wrist splattering on the floor beneath. She only wanted for him, for Jack, to feel as much pain as she was. "I don't care" she repeated raising her arm. "You should have told me." Her arm went higher, holding the photograph tightly in her grasp and her voice grew louder. Any person in the rotunda who had not been aware of the previous events would now know. "She was my mother" Rory let the photograph go and it smashed into the wall beside the door.
Vaughn dropped the glass he'd been holding and it mixed with the broken shards on the ground. He picked up the photograph from the floor, a look of shock, confusion, or possibly despair filtered across his face as he stood. His eyes met Rory's; "Sydney was your mother"
Rory opened her mouth to speak but didn't know what to say. She couldn't stop crying and she knew that no words could explain it to Vaughn. In a trembled whisper she spoke only two words to him.
"I'm sorry."