Tangled Lies

by Tayce Skye

* * *

Rating: PG-ish. For one or two slightly offensive words.

Spoilers: All of Season 1 and maybe the first episode of Season 2 (based on info from spoiler sites).

Summary: Post ATY. Will go AU after Season 2 starts. My version of what might happen in (and after) Taipei.

Pairings: Katrina/David and some Sydney/Vaughn.

Distribution: Sure, but don't forget to email me first at teague1350@hotmail.com. I'd also appreciate a link.

Disclaimer: I own this story along with Katrina Hunt. Alias is not mine. It belongs to JJ Abrams, Bad Robot, ABC, etc. No copyright infringement was intended.

* * * * *

"Mom?" Sydney Bristow's jaw dropped and her eyes widened. The woman she had been seeking for over twenty years was standing about six feet in front of her.

"Hello, my darling," Irina Derevko said in a thick, Russian accent. "I've been waiting almost thirty years for this moment. Now we can truly be together, mother and child."

"Together?" she asked weakly. Suddenly, Sydney slumped over.

"Yes, daughter. Soon enough." With that, Irina left the room.

* * *

Sydney:

You're not the only one who's been waiting for this moment, Mom. Ever since you left us, I've been waiting.

I used to think you were an angel. Watching over me. Now I know the truth.

Thing is, when you walked into the room I was filled with horror and rage and disgust. The things you've done, the people you've killed. The lives you've destroyed. My life and Dad's.

But I was also filled with hope. That you maybe were still Laura Bristow, a devoted mother and wife who loved literature. That maybe, just maybe, you weren't the deceitful woman who'd betrayed our great country. Maybe you still loved us, loved me.

And now I know the truth.

* * *

Irina:

Oh, my dear Sydney. You are your father's daughter. And I care about you. I want us to be together. Like a family.

But Jack has poisoned your mind. I used to admire that man, I used to respect him. Now all I see is a weakling. Hiding his feelings when in reality, they control him. Don't turn out like your father, Sydney.

Darling, how I love your passion! I just wish you could learn to wield it, to use it for things of importance.

I could teach you. Join me, Sydney. Let us be a family. Let us fulfill Milo Rambaldi's prophecy together, Mount Subasio be damned.

* * *

Michael Vaughn gasped for breath. He had been swimming urgently for the last twenty or thirty minutes and had finally managed to pull himself out of the water.

I have to find Syd, I have to find--

A dark figure towered over the CIA agent. His world went black.

* * *

"What's the status of our Ms. Bristow?" Mr. Sark asked. The question was directed at a petite, dark-haired young woman. She was curled up in a chair reading "War and Peace". Security monitors surrounded her.

"Knocked out, thanks to the elephant-sized tranq we gave her," the girl replied in an American accent, not looking up from her novel.

"Katrina, do pay attention. How is Mr. Vaughn?"

"Same. Alexander's gonna scare him a bit, after he wakes up." She put the book down. "David, did you tell him to take it easy on Michael?"

"Why don't you? Old Alex likes you better anyhow," he said with a miniscule hint of bitterness in his voice.

"Jealous are we?" Katrina smiled mischievously.

"How astute. I don't submit to useless emotions. Besides, you're the insecure seventeen-year-old, remember?" David teased, leaning down to wrap his arms around her.

"Mmmm. That's not you said last night." She turned around, looking into his soft, blue eyes. They started to lean into each other, ready to kiss, when Irina barged in.

"The Man" looked disgusted. "Such insolence! I don't know why I put up with you two," she sneered.

Katrina clenched her jaw. "Maybe because we're only the best in the business?" Her retort caused David to smirk slightly, but he quickly became somber when Irina glared at him. She raised her hand and the teen prepared herself for the blow.

It was swift and unexpected, as usual. Her employer's slap left a crimson mark on Katrina's cheek that stung unmercifully. The girl kept her face impassive although she was flaming inside.

"I expected professional behavior, Miss Hunt. And Mr. Sark, you disappoint me. I really don't know what possessed you. Remember, everybody is expendable." Irina's mahogany eyes flashed with anger.

"My apologies, Ms. Derevko. I promise you, this will never happen again," David offered calmly. His partner-in-crime didn't look at all sorry. Luckily, she remained silent.

"Now, my youthful operatives, let us continue our mission. Katrina, what did Alexander do with the damp young man we found in room 47?"

"Michael Vaughn? Well, Mr. Khasinau is probably interviewing him as we speak." She pointed to the monitor that was supposed to show a slightly less drippy Vaughn tied to a chair. Except, he was gone.

* * *

What took place...

"Syd! Wake up!"

"Vaughn?" Sydney wondered drowsily. She opened her eyes to see...

Dixon?

"Are you okay?" It was her SD-6 partner.

"Dixon! What are you doing here? How did you find me?"

"I followed you to Taipei. We have to hurry, Khasinau will be coming back soon."

"I'm so happy you didn't trust me!" she exclaimed, a bit deliriously, after being freed from the chair. And then it hit her.

"Vaughn. Oh no, Vaughn!" Tears began to stream down Sydney's face as she remembered the man behind the glass.

"Who's he? Is that the guy that's being held at the end of the hall? The really wet one?"

"He's alive? Dixon, we have to save him! Vaughn's... a really good friend of mine." He nodded sympathetically. Together, they raced to help him.

* * *

Michael dreamed.

He dreamed about the water.

About the door that closed a second too early.

About the angel with blue hair. The sweet angel who tried desperately to save him. The weeping angel that kept shouting, "Vaughn! Vaughn! Vaughn!"

"Vaughn!"

The dreamer woke up and found that the angel's arms were wrapped around him.

She pulled away slowly. He saw beauty, even though her nose was running and her makeup was smeared. It was Sydney. His angel with blue hair.

"Am I dead?"

* * * * *

Author's Note: What's going on with Jack and Will? Whose side is Dixon on? What are Irina and Company going to do next? Find out in the next chapter!

I'm new at this Fan Fiction thing. Long time reader, first time writer. I'd appreciate all the help I can get. (For example, can someone tell me what a beta reader is?) Please review and don't hold back. Comments, suggestions, speculation, constructive criticism... I'll take what I can get.