It Was For The Best Chapter 21, an alias fanfic

SofiaBlackBristow: Thank you so much for saying that - you're much too kind. :-) I'm also glad to know that after several months of not updating someone is still reading - thank you.

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Chapter 21

At McKenas' place everything had finally come into place. They'd calculated all the Rambaldi pieces together, and found out that Rambaldi's greatest work was eternal life. Through the pieces they discovered that Rambaldi's tomb was in a cave in Mongolia, and it was there they needed to go to complete everything. They now stood looking at a map of Mongolia.

"According to the coordinates the cave should be right here." Irina pointed on the map. McKenas ran his fingers lightly on the place Irina pointed at. Then he closed his eyes, and breathed in the sweet success.

"We will all live forever." He clasped his hands together in excitement. "Just picture all the money we can make. We can destroy everything we want. Cities, national landmarks, countries. Everything. And then we'll be there to help rebuilt it. We'll cash in big time, and people will be grateful to us. They'll treat us like royalty. Hell, we'll be able to own countries, and have its people beg at our feet. Sweet success, sweet success indeed." He walked over and planted a huge kiss on Peyton's lips, who was just as eagerly excited about Rambaldi's greatest work and what they could do with it.

Irina put on her best game face, and gave a big throaty laugh. She too caressed the place on the map where Rambaldi's tomb was.

"It's perfect. Absolutely brilliant. Rambaldi was a true genius. This is truly more than we could've ever hoped for. Destruction, wealth, everlasting life." She closed her eyes and savored the feeling. Or so she let them to believe.

"Yes, I must say it's brilliant, it's perfect." Sloane had moved up close to Irina, and they were touching each other by their arms. It made Irina sick to her stomach. She decided to turn around and take a seat in one of the chairs, and instead focus her attention on Peyton.

"Isn't it beautiful, Peyton? Isn't it just perfect?" Peyton still didn't trust Irina. Even though she'd been the one most responsible for putting the pieces together and located the tomb, Peyton still had her doubts. She decided to just play along with Irina. If it turned out she was right about her, then she would enjoy killing her even more.

"Absolutely Irina. Just perfect."

"So when do we leave for this wonder?" It was obvious that Sloane was eager to get to Mongolia.

"Two weeks from now. I'll send a team to find the cave, and then they'll make sure to clear the way, so that we have free access. Go home or take a vacation. Just spend your time relaxing. Because when we go to Mongolia, all hell will break loose, and you won't have time to rest for a long time."

"Two weeks sound good."

"My, my Irina. Are you so eager to get out of here? Do you have some where you need to be?" Peyton eyed her again.

"As a matter of fact I do. I've endured you for far too long. I need to be as far away from your face as I can get, Kitten." Peyton got pissed and it didn't help that McKenas snickered at Irina's comment.

"Okay kiddies. I'll go make the arrangements and send a team. Let yourselves out and do it quick. Peyton and I will be doing our own private celebration shortly, and unless you'd like to watch I suggest you leave right now. Two weeks, kiddies, and we'll own the world." He left the room, dragging Peyton along. At this moment Irina and Sloane had one thing in common. They were both disgusted by McKenas.

"So, Irina? Where are you going to spend the next two weeks?"

"Far away from here. And that's all I'm telling." When she didn't ask him where he was going, Sloane decided to tell her himself.

"Well, I guess I'll go somewhere……tropical. Nothing like a little sun to charge the batteries. It's not like I can go home. Sure the CIA isn't on to me, but it's probably for the best that I stay away."

"Yes, probably. I'm leaving now. I have no intention of staying for the show." She left without saying anything more. Sloane took one last look at the map, and breathed in the sweet success before he too left.

Irina had gone home to Russia for several reasons. She needed to spend time at home with the ones she loved. It had been too long since she'd last been home. And since she needed to leave again soon, she needed to be there as much as possible. She also needed to send Jack an email, telling him what Rambaldi's greatest work involved. She wrote to him that she'd be at the safe house in a week, and that they should all get together, so that they could talk about how they would take them all down.

Jack had written back to her that he had told everyone what she'd written to him, and that Marshall was already working on some gadget.

She had arranged for a four men team to follow Sloane and watch his movements, and had done the same with McKenas and Peyton. She didn't want to risk any of them following her. She'd get a phone call if there was any sign of trouble.

The week had gone by too fast. She had hated to leave her home, but she was equally exited about seeing Sydney and Nadia again. Isabelle too, and everyone else for that matter. She also knew that she'd be back in Russia spending the last few days there before going back to McKenas' place.

She stood outside the safe house ringing the doorbell, and was nearly knocked over when both Sydney and Nadia opened the door, and flew into her arms, hugging her tightly. She didn't mind though. It felt wonderful to have her children in her arms again.

"I take it you missed me?" They let go of each other and smiled widely.

"Yes, mom." They both said it simultaneously and all three laughed. They walked into the living room together, Irina with one arm around Sydney and the other one around Nadia. Everyone else was waiting for them, and Irina let go of her daughters, and greeted everyone.

"Hi Marshall." He was standing there with a huge smile on his face, and started to wave his hand at her.

"Hi Ms. Derevko." He was obviously excited to see her, and without thinking he gave her a huge hug. Carrie rolled her eyes and shook her head, while Irina couldn't help but laugh a little at Marshall.

"It's good to see you too, Marshall, and I told you last time to call me Irina." She gave him a sincere smile.

"Oh right. Sorry….Irina." She gave him another smiled and moved on. Carrie had stood behind Marshall, and she apologized for Marshall's behavior with her eyes. Irina mouthed out 'don't be'.

"It's good to see you again, Carrie."

"You too, Irina." They took a hold of each others hands and shook them.

"If Marshall gets a hug, then I get one too." Irina looked over at Eric, and gave him a big smile. She walked over to him and they hugged. "Good to see you again."

"You too, Eric." Rachel was next and she got the same treatment as Carrie, and it was the same with Dixon. Then she spotted Vaughn holding Isabelle. "Hello Michael. It's good to see you again, and to see you with Isabelle. Welcome home." She smiled at him and reached out his hand to him. He took it, shook it, and smiled back at her.

"Thank you Irina. It's good to see you." Although everyone knew by now that Irina had gone to Bhutan to deliver the news about Isabelle, and that Vaughn thought better of Irina, everyone was still surprised to see them actually smile sincerely at each other. Isabelle waved her hand at her grandma and cooed. Vaughn turned his attention to his daughter. "Would you like to say hello to your grandma, sweetie? Yeah, I think you'd like that." He gave her a kiss and handed her to Irina.

"Hi sweetheart." She kissed Isabelle on her head and cheek. "I've missed you." Isabelle cooed.

"Clearly she missed you too." Irina looked at Vaughn, who smiled a little more. It meant the world to her, to hear him say that.

Isabelle waved her hands at her grandma, and then turned her head away a little, waved in the direction she was looking and cooed some more. Irina looked in Isabelle's direction and saw Jack standing there smiling a little.

"I see you spotted grandpa. Hello Jack." He smiled a little more, and for the first time in a long time, with more than the two of them present, he spoke with warmth in his voice to her.

"Hi Irina. Good to see you made it here safely." She smiled back at him.

"Thank you. I set at team to watch Sloane, and another team to watch McKenas and Peyton, so I shouldn't be bothered by them."

"Good. The last thing we need now that we're this close to ending this, is for any of them to disturb us." By now Jack was standing next to Irina, and when Isabelle cooed again, he gently stroked her on the head. Both Jack and Irina stood paying attention to Isabelle for a little while, and Sydney and Nadia looked at each other smiling.

After having spent the day talking, catching up, playing with Isabelle, eating dinner, Sydney and Vaughn had just put Isabelle to bed, and it was time to talk more about the mission.

"I can't believe that Rambaldi's greatest work is eternal life. How's that even possible?" Sydney shook her head in disbelief.

"You have to admit, it's quite amazing." Everyone turned to stare at Marshall, and he immediately became really nervous. "Uuummm, of course it's not amazing. It's horrible, downright disgusting. Uummm, but still it's kind of incredible that it's possible. Right?" He had a point, and they all sort of gave a nod.

"Marshall, why don't you tell everyone about the mission?"

"Sure." Marshall stood up, went to his bag, to get a small box. Then he turned his attention back to everyone. "Now we all know the exact coordinates for the tomb, so all of us will be nearby when Irina and the bad guys arrive at the cave. But in order to know exactly when that'll be, you'll wear this." He opened the box, and revealed a sporty watch. "You might say "Marshall, why do I have to wear a watch, I already have one."" He talked in a female voice, and most of them shook their heads and some tried to stifle a laugh. "Yes, Irina you do wear a watch, and may I say, what a lovely watch it is. What is it? Cartier? Rolex?" He waited for Irina to answer, and everyone was again shaking their heads. Except for Irina, who was happy by the light mood.

"No, none of those brands, and it wasn't really expensive."

"Oh well, it's still a beautiful watch."

"Thank you." She gave him a sincere smile, and he stood by smiling and mesmerized for a moment, before realizing that he was in the middle of something.

"Right. So, anyway. This watch is special, because of these buttons." He pointed to the buttons on the watch. "One of them, is the one you usually set the time with. Well in this case you push it when you arrive at the cave. That way we can leave from our hideaway. Then this button, which you usually set the date with, you push when you enter the cave. Once you've reached the tomb, you press it again, so that we'll know how far down you are. It's pretty simple to figure out, but then again you're a smart woman, so I could easily have figured out something more difficult." He gave her a big smile, which she returned while everyone else shook their heads again. "Oh, and in case anyone should ask you about the new watch, just tell them it's more practically. I mean, who goes to a dirty cave, wearing a watch like the one you're wearing now, right?"

"Exactly Marshall." Irina couldn't help but smile at Marshall's logic. He gave her the watch, and she nodded her thanks. Jack took over in explaining the rest of the mission.

"Like Marshall said, we'll be nearby. We'll leave our hideout after you push the button that let's us know that you've arrived at the cave. When you reach the tomb you'll be putting all the Rambaldi artifacts in place first anyway, which allows us time to get there. Once you push the second button for the second time, we'll know that we can take out McKenas' men outside the cave once we've arrived. When we've taken out the men, we'll move into the tomb. After we've taken care of McKenas, Peyton, Sloane, and what other men might be there, either killing them or just overpowering them, we'll rig the cave with explosives, blow up the cave, burying the tomb and all the artifacts. Then that'll be the end of Rambaldi, and he won't be able to hurt any of us again." They all nodded, and Irina looked at Jack.

"That sounds like a good plan. It'll take a long time to get the pieces in place, and I'll make sure that I hold the Sphere of Life, so that it won't be placed on top of Rambaldi's tomb. No need to come close to actually creating eternal life. I certainly don't want any of them to live eternally."

"Mom, do you think you'll be allowed to be the one to place the Sphere?"

"Yes, I don't think that'll be a problem, Sydney. I'll insist on it since I pretty much found out everything on my own. Peyton might not like that idea, since she still doesn't trust me. But Sloane and McKenas do, so I think they'll want me to do the honors."

"So mom, are you leaving directly from here to Mongolia?"

"No Nadia, I need to get back to my house first. I have some things I need to take care of first." They all looked at her curiously. None of them wanted to ask her directly what those things were. Sensing their curiosity, she decided to tell them part of the truth. "I need to go back to get a small gun I can hide and use when necessary."

"So how long will you be staying here?" Sydney and Nadia were both eagerly awaiting her answer, wanting to spend as much time with their mother as possible. Irina saw the look in their eyes. She couldn't stay long and hated to let them down.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow in the late afternoon. It takes a while to get back safely, and unnoticeable, and once there it'll take a while to get to McKenas' place. There's less than a week until I have to meet up with the others, so unfortunately I can't stay longer." Both Sydney and Nadia nodded their understanding. No doubt they were disappointed, but they also knew that Irina couldn't stay long. She turned her attention to Jack. "I'll send you an email when I leave my house. That way you can leave for Mongolia."

"Good." Jack took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. "In case anything goes wrong, you can use this number and call me. It's a secure line." She took it from him, and gave him a short sincere smile.

"Thank you. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that nothing happens." Everyone nodded in agreement to that statement.

About an hour later Dixon, Marshall, Carrie, and Rachel said their goodbyes. They all wished Irina the best of luck and reassured each other that soon Rambaldi would be nothing but a faint memory. Jack, Vaughn, and Eric stayed for another two hours, but then decided to leave, so that Irina could have some time alone with her daughters. Vaughn came back after having checked in on Isabelle.

"She's sleeping. I'll catch a ride home with Weiss, so that you can have the car tomorrow. Bye Syd." He kissed her, and gave her a hug goodbye.

"Bye Vaughn. See you tomorrow." He gave Nadia a hug, and shook Irina's hand, giving her a sincere smile.

"Bye Irina. Good luck."

"Thank you Michael. Bye."

Eric gave Nadia a huge hug, and a big kiss.

"I'll be here tomorrow evening, and I'll miss you every minute until then." He gave her another big kiss, and she couldn't help but laugh.

"I'll miss you too. Bye." She gave him another quick kiss, and the Eric hugged Sydney goodbye, before he went over to Irina.

"Now I know you're Irina Derevko, and that you can handle yourself, and you're probably not afraid of anything, but be careful. Keep your eye on all of them, and good luck."

"I will Eric, and thank you." He gave her a hug, which she happily returned, and he and Vaughn drove home. Jack was standing by the door putting on his jacket.

"Dad, are you sure you have to leave too?" Both Sydney and Nadia looked at him, almost begging him to stay with their eyes.

"I thought I'd give the two of you some time alone with your mother. You don't get to see each other that much, so you should spend all the time you can together." He could see that they were a bit sad about that, so he went on. "I also have some things to take care of regarding the mission to Mongolia. We're getting nearer and everything needs to be finalized." They just nodded yes, but smiled at him too. Sydney stepped forward to hug him first.

"Bye dad." He hugged her back and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Bye sweetheart. I'll talk to you tomorrow." Nadia was next and hugged him tight too.

"Bye dad." He gave her the same treatment that he'd given Sydney.

"Bye sweetheart. I might not have time to come tomorrow. Would it be alright if I didn't?"

"Yes, of course dad. Eric will be here. I'll be fine." She smiled at him and he smiled back, before turning his attention to Irina. Sydney thought she and Nadia should let their parents be alone, so she decided to use Isabelle as an excuse.

"I think I'll just go and check on Isabelle. Nadia, you want to come?"

"Absolutely. Bye dad." They walked off quickly, just waving their hands at Jack.

Before they knew of it, Jack and Irina were standing by the door alone. They turned to look at each other, and smiled a little. After just standing there looking at each other for a little while, Jack finally spoke.

"I should get going. It'll be over soon. Just keep holding onto that. If there's anything then give me a call."

"Thank you, Jack." They continued to smile at each other, not really knowing how to say goodbye. "I'll send you that email before I leave for Mongolia." He nodded.

"Take care and stay safe, Irina."

"You too, Jack." They kept their eyes locked for a little while longer, smiling at each other before Jack walked out the door. Sydney and Nadia had been watching their parents without being noticed by them. They'd hoped for a different goodbye, but were happy that they had at least smiled at each other.

Irina, Sydney, and Nadia had spent most of the night talking, but had eventually gone to bed. They'd all slept in the same bed, snuggled together with Irina in the middle. Nadia had asked her mother if it would be alright with her that she used Derevko as her middle name. Irina had been thrilled, and was also happy to hear that she was taking Jack's name too. Both Sydney and Nadia were happy that their mother was happy about that. When Irina left, both Sydney and Nadia were feeling better than the last time Irina had left.

The day after Irina had left, Jack was sitting in his office when his phone rang.

"Bristow."

"Hello Jack. It's me. I just wanted to let you know, it's a go."

"You're absolutely sure about that?"

"Yes, Jack."

"Thank you for letting me know."

"I'll be in touch." With that the phone conversation was over. Jack sat for a moment, before going to Marshall's office.

"Marshall I need your help."

Later that evening Jack had been to the safe house for dinner with Nadia, Sydney, Isabelle, Vaughn, and Eric. They had all just had their coffee, and were sitting around talking.

"So, how did the rest of the time you spent with you mother go?" Sydney and Nadia both looked at each other for a split second, not really believing what their father had just asked them.

"It went fine. It was great to spend time with mom."

"I asked her if she would mind that I used Derevko as my middle name. She didn't mind, but was very happy. She was happy too that I've chosen to use Bristow for my last name." Nadia wasn't sure if she should've said the last part, but was relieved when her father smiled at her.

"I'm glad." He turned his attention to Sydney. "Did you give her any pictures of Isabelle?"

Sydney was surprised again by her father's question.

"No, I didn't. I didn't really have any on me, and didn't think to take anyone with me before coming here."

"Then you should probably take some with you when we go on the mission. They won't take up much space, and she can take them back with her. I think she'd like that."

Sydney and Nadia looked at each other again. Sydney hadn't thought about giving her mother pictures of Isabelle, but thought it was a good idea now that her father mentioned it. But she was really surprised that he was the one to bring it up.

"Sure dad, I'll do that. Yes, you're right, mom will like that." Jack smiled at her and she smiled back. She and Nadia hoped that this meant that things were going to go better between their parents.

The next day in the late afternoon Jack met with Marshall in a remote area.

"Marshall, do you have it?"

"Yes, right here." He handed Jack a very small bottle. "I've worked on it since you told me to." He was very proud.

"And you're sure this will work?"

"Yes, of course. I mean, have you forgotten, who you're talking to? I know my stuff, and this will definitely work." Jack wanted to give Marshall his stoic death glare, but realized that he was right. Marshall knew his stuff, and he never failed. He gave him a small smile instead.

"Good. Thank you. I need to get going. We'll talk tonight when we're going over the plans at the safe house." He gave Marshall a nod, which he returned and both of them got in their cars, and left separate ways.

It was the night before Irina had to be at McKenas' place. She sighed deeply, having just done a lot of explaining again. She was now sitting in the living room, and thinking that she might not make it back here alive, she started crying.

Moments later Sergei walked in. He was by her side immediately.

"Irina what's wrong? Hey now. Talk to me." He raised her head, wanting her to look at him. He tried to dry her tears, but they still came. "I know it's hard, but soon it'll be over. Just remember that."

"What if I don't make it back alive?"

"Don't say that, Irina. Don't you dare say that. You're Irina Derevko. You're strong and smart, and you'll get out of this without a scratch. And I don't want to hear you saying any differently."

"Come on, Sergei. We have to be realistically. I could die."

"Stop saying that." Now he too started to cry. "Please stop saying that." She wasn't able to let it go.

"If anything does happen, I want you to know how much I love you. I love you Sergei, so much. My life wouldn't have been the same without you, and I'm thankful for everyday that you've been in my life. I don't know what I would've done without you. You've been the rock in my life these past years, and I can't ever thank you enough. I'm so glad I found you." She hugged him tightly, and he hugged her back just as tight.

"I love you too, Irina. And I'm happy that we've found each other too. But you'll make it back, I know you will." They let go of each other, and shared a smile. He then kissed both her cheeks and her forehead, and she did the same to him. Then they hugged again.

In LA the day before Irina left for McKenas' place, Jack met with Vaughn in the parking lot at APO. They made sure they were alone. Jack took out the small bottle he'd gotten from Marshall and handed it to Vaughn.

"I trust you know what to do?"

"Yes, I do." Jack gave Vaughn a nod, which he returned. They looked around to see if they were still alone, and then they went their separate ways.

In the evening Sydney and Vaughn were watching a movie, when Isabelle started to cry.

"I'll get her. You just watch the rest of the movie."

"Are you sure, Syd?"

"Yeah, I've seen it before anyway. I'm going to get ready for bed after I'm done with Isabelle. The movie's over soon anyway."

"Okay. I'll be in right after it's over. Give her a kiss from me." He smiled at her and she gave him a kiss before going to attend to Isabelle.

When she was completely gone, Vaughn waited for a few seconds before getting up from the couch. He went to their bags they were bringing with them on the mission, and took out the pictures, Sydney was bringing with her to give to Irina. He brought them back with him to the coffee table, and placed them all with the front down. From his pocket he took the small bottle he'd gotten from Jack, and sprayed the clear liquid on each picture once. It took no time for the liquid to dry, and once it had the pictures looked no different than they had before. He put the pictures back in the bag, and the liquid back in his pocket. At that time the movie was finished and he turned off the TV, and went to bed.

TBC