Tangled Lies
by Tayce Skye
* * *
Rating: PG-13. Sex, drugs, and language. So basically, your standard stuff.
Spoilers: All of Season 1 and maybe the first episode of Season 2 (based on unverified info from spoiler sites).
Summary: Post ATY. Will be AU after Season 2 starts. My version of what might happen in (and after) Taipei. Last time on "Tangled Lies"... Irina Derevko and Alexander Khasinau argue. Katrina Hunt and David Sark argue. Dixon takes an oath of secrecy. There's a nice little reunion for Sydney, who just revealed the true identity of "The Man".
Pairings: David/Katrina and a speck of 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.
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"What?" The unexpected outcry caused both Sydney and Vaughn to turn around. A shaken Jack Bristow was standing behind them.
"Dad! I'm so sorry, I was--"
Her father had already tuned out. Laura--no, Irina--was "The Man". His ex-wife. The mother of his child. It couldn't be. But it was.
Jack withdrew to the lavatory. He splashed some water on his face. This was no time to have a nervous breakdown. His daughter needed him. Will needed him. The CIA needed him. He could not let his emotions get in the way.
* * *
Michael:
When I found out who my father's murderer was, I imagined all the ways I could get revenge. A million different scenarios to make Irina Derevko's life an absolute hell.
Hatred is an ugly thing and Irina is probably the only person I really despise to this point.
No, scratch that. I hate Haladki too. Bastard.
I feel bad for Syd. Knowing that your parent is a traitor, it's something I could never imagine. And I almost feel worse for Jack. He doesn't even have anybody to confide in. It must be a lonely way to live.
* * *
When the older Bristow came back, he discovered Sydney asleep. Her head rested snugly on Michael Vaughn's shoulder.
"Mr. Vaughn, please do not reveal this information about Irina Derevko to anybody," he said in his coldly apathetic voice. "Tell Syd to do the same. I must consult with the Agency about this topic."
"No problem. And Jack?"
"What?" He sounded irritated.
"Take care of yourself. Sydney--she needs you."
"I know."
* * *
By the time Sydney, Will, Vaughn, Dixon, and Jack had all calmed down, told their tales, and gotten their stories straight, the plane was arriving in LA. They went their separate ways except for Jack and Will. The reporter was still clueless as to what Jack planned to do about the article.
"Mr. Tippin, I know you have been injected with more than your fair share of substances, but this may be the only way to minimize the damage you've caused."
"More needles?"
The CIA officer took a deep breath. "Will, we're going to put traces of heroin into your bloodstream."
"What?"
* * *
David:
A light blouse is draped over the security camera, blocking its view of the dim room. The nightstand is cluttered with your average odds and ends: "War and Peace", a scented candle, two loaded guns.
Our legs lay in a tangle under the worn sheets. Katrina's hand rests on my chest, her heat radiating onto my bare skin. Needless to say, I've been forgiven.
It seems that all of our disputes revolve around Ms. Derevko. She and Trin are not on the best of terms, obviously.
Mr. Khasinau hired me about a year ago. Katrina had already been with them for ten months. She's extremely close to Alexander, probably because they're both plagued with morals. Birds of a feather and all that.
I tend to gravitate towards Irina. She's influenced me greatly since I came under her command. That's why she was so surprised when I engaged in relations with Miss Hunt, as she so kindly refers to her.
It started so many months ago at La Petite Rose, the dinner club Mr. Khasinau owns in Paris. Katrina had just finished her stage show, (the theme was Arabian Nights, I believe) which was meant to seduce a wealthy industrialist we were extremely interested in. The unlucky man keeled over prematurely due to his excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
That evening, I met with Katrina in her dressing room. One thing led to another and we ended up copulating on the coffee table. Our employer was less than happy and thus started an exhausting war. Alexander and I try to stay out of it but that just seems to provoke them.
Irina insists I've become soft. She thinks I've formed inappropriate emotional attachments, but Katrina and I aren't in love. Our relationship is based on physical attraction, not romance. It's not so hard to believe, right?
The hateful alarm clock has gone off. Trin's getting up, she has to catch a flight to Spain.
* * *
Jack met with Arvin Sloane immediately after explaining himself to Devlin.
Speaking of the CIA Director, their meeting this morning had gone fairly well, considering. Jack had been expecting to either lose his job or get demoted. He, Sydney, and Vaughn were put on probation instead.
Devlin couldn't exactly fire them for their actions. Yes, they shared information with the enemy. But the Agency wouldn't have gotten the details if Sydney hadn't broken into SD-6's offshore lab.
Yes, they went against orders. And because of their disregard for protocol, the CIA now knew that "The Man" was Irina Derevko, not Alexander Khasinau. The Alliance was still in the dark about that particular piece of intel.
Yes, they almost spilled the beans to Dixon. He was suspicious anyway and Jack convinced him to keep quiet.
Yes, Mr. Vaughn was emotionally attached to Ms. Bristow and vice versa. Devlin decided (with a little "help" from Sydney and Jack) that their ordeal in Taipei was punishment enough. Vaughn could continue his job as Sydney's handler.
Yes, Jack shouldn't have made the decision to execute the mole without discussing it with his superiors. However, he did save the Agency from having to terminate Haladki themselves.
Another crisis averted. Now they had to take care of Will's predicament. Devlin already approved of his solution. Sloane would be harder to please.
* * *
"Come in."
"Hello Arvin." Jack was thankful he didn't have to explain his absence. As far as Sloane knew, he and Sydney had been vacationing in D.C.
"While you were away, a hazardous situation has arisen. I assume you've seen the newspapers? This article could destroy SD-6. The Alliance wants Tippin dead. I thought it would be better to hear from you first."
"I have an idea. It would eliminate the credibility of this story. Killing the reporter would only cause more trouble. The media would be all over it and Sydney--"
"You're right. There's been enough murder," Sloane muttered.
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing. I'll let you take care of this problem, for Sydney's sake. And don't botch it this time." Jack was dismissed, leaving the head of SD-6 alone with his thoughts.
* * *
Francie and Sydney were having breakfast in front of the TV.
"So we should see the six o'clock showing. We haven't been to a movie in ages!"
"Yeah! That would be perfect! Is this the one with--"
"What the hell? Is that Will?" The two women stared in shock at the television screen. Their friend was being escorted out of a police station in handcuffs, surrounded by reporters.
"My name is Will Tippin and I wrote the article about SD-6 in the 'Register'. I've also been using heroin for three years."
The press went crazy.
* * * * *
Author's Note: Heroin certainly explains Will's hair, but what will Syd think? Find out next time!
Questions, comments, suggestions, speculation, constructive criticism... I'll take what I can get. Thanks for all the positive reviews! Your feedback is very important to me. About Katrina's age, I was nervous about making her so young but there is a reason for it. Anyway, I came up with a solution. She'll be turning eighteen in the next chapter.