Tangled Lies
by Tayce Skye
* * *
Rating: PG-ish. There's a bad word.
Spoilers: All of Season 1 and maybe the first episode of Season 2 (based on 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"... Vaughn, Sydney, and Jack are put on probation after ignoring orders. In order to minimize the impact of his article, Will admits to using heroin. David and Katrina kiss and make-up, among other things.
Pairing: Some Vaughn/Sydney.
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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Sydney didn't have much time to react to Will's revelation. The phone rang, snapping her and Francie out of their incredulous thoughts.
"Hello?"
"Joey's Pizza?"
* * *
Michael Vaughn watched as Sydney paced anxiously in the warehouse.
"So when my dad said he had a solution for this whole article thing, he was planning to make Will into a drug addict?"
"Well, no. I'm really not sure. He didn't tell me anything either. I didn't even know about the heroin until you told me," Michael explained. He was actually slightly amused by the situation but tried to banish the thought. Syd needed him to be comforting.
She looked puzzled. "So why did you call me in?"
"We've received news that someone who works for Khasinau is breaking into Spanish millionaire Phillip Santino's apartment in Barcelona. He supposedly owns a Rambaldi artifact." Michael hesitated, unsure of what her response would be.
"We think your mother will be there."
* * *
Eric Weiss poked his head into Michael's office.
"Hey."
"I'm busy, Eric."
"Mike, listen. I am so sorry about ratting you out. I didn't know that Haladki was the mole or else--"
"You don't have to apologize. Now could you please leave? I have paperwork."
"Uh, there's something else."
"Yeah?"
"Devlin told me to keep an eye on you and Bristow. To report any inappropriate behavior to him."
"Huh."
"Just thought you should know," Eric said dejectedly.
* * *
It was twilight in Barcelona. Sydney was in Phillip Santino's empty living room, waiting patiently.
This mission was relatively simple. The other agents would be hidden in various locations. If anyone spotted the trespasser, Syd's job would be to keep him (or her) busy until backup arrived. Then Vaughn would take him (or her) into custody. The Rambaldi artifact had already been taken in for analysis.
Sydney adjusted her earpiece.
"Anything yet?" she asked.
"Nope." There was a pause. "So, there are lots of great restaurants in Spain." The comment resulted in a quiet giggle from the other end. Suddenly, static filled Michael's ear.
"Syd? Sydney?" He fumbled for his radio. "Move in!" Michael Vaughn started towards the apartment. Weiss was ahead of him. A gunshot cut through the crisp night air and his partner dropped to the ground.
"We have an agent down! I repeat, we have an agent down! There is an unidentified sniper in the area," Michael yelled. He knelt down next to Eric. Blood was hemorrhaging from the wound on his neck.
Taking off his shirt, Michael tried to slow the bleeding. "It's gonna be okay, buddy. Hang on." Eric's eyelids began to droop. "Stay with me. You gotta stay--"
The medics pushed the handler out of the way. He watched helplessly for another second before other agents called him away to aid Sydney.
* * *
Jack sat by his daughter's hospital bed. She was regaining consciousness.
"Daddy?"
"How do you feel?" Sydney saw the concern on his face. She tried to smile.
"Not that bad. How long was I out?"
"Too long." The door opened and Vaughn walked in carrying two cups of coffee. He handed one to Jack.
"Syd! What happened? Are you okay?" Her handler's forehead furrowed worriedly.
"I'm fine. Well, a little bruised," she admitted after receiving skeptical looks from both men. "I just didn't hear her sneak up on me. She completely kicked my ass."
"Was it Irina?" Sydney noticed that Vaughn's knuckles were white. She shook her head.
"No, my mom--I mean, Irina is much taller. Whoever it was knew my name. It was kinda creepy."
"Well, I'm glad you're--" Vaughn was interrupted by his beeper. "I gotta go, it's Weiss! I'll see you soon, Sydney." Without thinking, he kissed her on the cheek and ran out of the room, leaving both Bristows stunned.
* * *
"Mike?" He was still a little groggy.
"Eric! You look horrible."
"Thank you, Mister Sensitive."
"Sorry, it's just--What I'm try to say is that I shouldn't have acted like such a jackass when you were apologizing earlier."
"Aww, you're just saying that because I lost about eight gallons of blood," Eric said sarcastically.
"Seriously, man. I'm really sorry." Michael looked so miserable.
"No, it was my fault to begin with. All that 'trust is a tricky thing' crap. I should have just kept my mouth shut."
"It was your job to report me. And I don't blame you."
"Thanks, but I don't blame you either. Why don't we just stop arguing and just go back to being friends?"
"Deal." They exchanged grins. Despite the injury, Eric still had that prankish glint in his eyes.
"And Michael, about Taipei. Balls of steel, man! Balls of steel!"
* * *
"Hello, Miss Hunt. How are you doing today?" Irina had been acting uncharacteristically kind lately even though the Rambaldi artifact had not been recovered.
"Fine," Katrina said suspiciously.
"I would like to present a proposition to you."
"And what's that?"
"As you know, our mole inside the Central Intelligence Agency has been compromised and--"
"You want me to replace him. I know I have a connection to Michael Vaughn, but isn't that assignment a bit... trivial for me?"
"You will carry out your regular duties in addition to infiltrating the CIA. In return, I will let you out of our contract together early." Irina's eyes sparkled dangerously.
"I'm guessing I don't actually have a choice here."
"Precisely."
* * * * *
Author's Note: Who knocked Sydney out in Barcelona? What does Jack have to say about the little peck on the cheek Vaughn gave to his daughter? Find out in the next chapter!
Okay, I lied. Katrina won't be turning eighteen any time soon. I've gotten mixed reactions about her age, but the story will be simpler if she stays seventeen. Sorry if this offends anybody. Keep in mind that David Anders (the actor who plays Sark) is only 21 in real life, so Sark isn't that much older than Katrina.
Questions, comments, suggestions, speculation, constructive criticism... I'll take what I can get. Thanks to anyone who responded. I appreciate your feedback.