Tangled Lies

by Tayce Skye

* * *

Rating: PG-13. Because I want it to be.

Spoilers: All of Season 1 and maybe the first episode or two 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"... There is a CIA mission in Barcelona. Sydney gets knocked out, Weiss gets shot in the neck. He survives and his friendship with Vaughn gets patched up. Katrina gets a new assignment that somehow involves Vaughn.

Pairings: Sark/Katrina. 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.

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Michael:

Jack is gonna slaughter me.

I kissed Sydney in front of him. I am a dead man.

But, to tell the truth, it was completely worth it. And it wasn't even on the lips.

How am I going to look her in the eye without turning red? What if she mentions it? What if she doesn't? Should I bring it up? What do I do?

I'm totally screwed. And it was completely worth it.

* * *

Katrina:

I dragged him into an empty room. He protests, saying something about that thousand-dollar suit he's wearing. David acts so spoiled sometimes.

I tell him that I have a new task. This surprises him, I guess. Our unspoken rule is that we don't discuss our assignments until they're completed. But this one's long-term.

He doesn't say anything (it drives me crazy), just raises his eyebrows. We both know what it means. Months without seeing each other.

David's doing it again. Gazing deep into--no, through--my eyes. Like he can see into my soul or something equally cliched. It makes me melt and he knows it. I could drown in those clear, blue pools.

Fortunately, I don't have to. My cell phone vibrates. Duty calls, literally. It's Alexander.

After I hang up, David steps nearer. His lips are close... and so enticing. I lean in.

Apparently, that wasn't what he had in mind. He breathes softly in my ear.

"Room 32 in 60 minutes. I'll be waiting."

* * *

"Ms. Bristow, how was your visit to the Capital?" She had just been released from the hospital and was in yet another meeting, preparing for yet another "business" trip.

Sydney gave her boss a saccharine smile. "Oh, it was wonderful! I had the best time," she gushed. Dixon gave her a sideways glance while holding back a smirk.

"Yesterday morning, a Rambaldi artifact was taken from Phillip Santino's apartment in Barcelona. SD-6 believes a woman called 'The Cat' stole it. Apparently, she is closely associated with Alexander Khasinau and may be romantically involved with Mr. Sark.

"We don't have any information regarding her name or physical appearance so it will be up to you to find out. She is expected to show up at a New York City gallery opening in four days, where a Rambaldi sketch is on display."

Sydney raised an eyebrow at Jack, who appears to be more stony than usual. Marshall stands up and starts to stutter about matadors, eventually explaining how to operate the purse/video camera. As the agents were dismissed, Sloane motioned for Sydney to join him in his office.

"Is something the matter?" she asked. He looked like a ghost.

"Sydney, I don't know how to say this. Last week, Emily--There was a complication."

"Oh no! But she's okay?"

His face twisted in anguish. "I'm afraid not. I tried to reach you but--Sydney, Emily's gone."

"No. No! She can't--How?" Her tears spilled onto Sloane's suit as he embraced her. She didn't resist.

* * *

In the warehouse, Vaughn pulled Sydney into a similar hug as she wept quietly.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered.

"Vaughn, it's horrible. Emily's funeral--I missed it. I wasn't there for her."

"It's not your fault, Syd. There was nothing you could do. You don't know what happened."

She suddenly withdrew from his arms. "Oh! I didn't even think to ask. Do you think Sloane did something?"

"I... couldn't be sure. He might have had a hand in this. You said she knew--"

"That monster. How could he kill his wife?" Anger mixed with the stormy sorrow in her eyes.

"I don't know," Vaughn said sadly. "It's just another reason why we have to bring him down. And don't worry, Sydney, we will. I promise."

* * *

Will:

Guess what? Not only do I get the pleasure of being the laughingstock of the news world, I'm spending my "free" time making America beautiful.

That's right. Will Tippin, dressed as a walking pylon, is coming to a freeway near you. It's for the hundred hours of community service I have to do. I was convicted of felony possession so I'm on probation and I have to go to Narcotics Anonymous. I'm not even an addict!

Francie visited me today. She got all blubbery. Asking me why I didn't go to her for help before my "substance abuse problem" got out of hand. It was so heart wrenching, especially because I had to lie to her. Then she cussed me out for being an idiot.

Sydney hasn't come by yet. Another business meeting, says Jack. That's when I realized that the girl I've been infatuated with since... forever, is someone I hardly know. But it's all going to change. Even if she is madly in love with some secret agent dude, I'm gonna be the best damn friend she has.

Maybe, someday, she'll love me back. Maybe--Damn it! I did it again. I have to stop thinking about her like that.

This whole thing started because I wanted answers. It's almost ironic because right now, I'm more confused than ever.

* * *

When Michael got back to his office, Jack Bristow was waiting.

"Hello, Agent Vaughn. I'm here to talk about my daughter."

Michael gulped. "Yeah, about Sydney. Um, I'm really sorry about that... uh, incident at the hospital. It was--"

"I don't have time for this," he interrupted. "What I wanted to verify was whether or not she knows about Sloane's wife."

"She knows that Emily passed away."

"Did he tell her how?"

"No, but we--I mean, Sydney suspects that Sloane had something to do with it. Why?"

"He didn't give me any details about her death. The Agency isn't sure what happened. It's possible she was murdered."

"So that's even more ammunition against Sloane when we take SD-6 down."

"Exactly." Jack turned to leave.

"Oh and by the way, Mr. Vaughn. If you ever so much as touch Sydney in a manner that could be interpreted as something other than just being friendly, I will hurt you. Are we clear?"

"Uh, yes sir."

"Good. Have a nice day."

* * *

Five manicured nails tap on a glass table. Irina is holding a cellular phone to her ear.

"Alright, I suppose this will have to do. Tell Miss Hunt that if something like this occurs in the future, the consequences will be much more severe." She snapped the phone shut.

Irina looks around the office until her intense brown eyes settle on a picture frame. She touches the glass lovingly.

"Forgive me, Sydney. I only want what is best for you. I promise."

* * * * *

Author's Note: Next up, Will and Francie get story lines. Katrina's relationship with Vaughn is revealed. Also, Sydney comes face to face with 'The Cat'. It's not who you're expecting, unless you expected...

Questions, comments, suggestions, speculation, constructive criticism... I'll take what I can get. I really appreciate all the feedback! It gives me those nice, warm fuzzies...

I am forever indebted to my fabulous beta reader, Shelly, who came up with the name of this chapter. About that dental plan...