Tangled Lies

by Tayce Skye

* * *

Rating: PG-ish. A bad word or two.

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"... Katrina has a nightmare that she knows is real. Sydney and Vaughn smooch but he thinks it was a dream. Jack witnesses the whole thing.

Pairings: Tiny bits of Sydney/Vaughn. A dash of Sark/Katrina. Some Francie/Other.

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.

* * * * *

Upon leaving the warehouse, Sydney didn't know whether to be relieved or nervous. She managed to face Vaughn with her dignity still intact but the meeting with Irina was in less than an hour. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, she thought.

After stopping by her school to hand in some late assignments, Sydney arrived at the CIA office. She stood for a moment outside of the interrogation room, preparing herself mentally. Jack appeared in her peripheral vision.

"We need to talk." He pulled her into an empty conference room and activated a signal jammer.

"I know about you and Vaughn," her father said hurriedly. She looked aghast.

"What? How? Does anybody else--"

"No. I stopped by the warehouse to see you and--"

"Dad, you were spying on us?" Her eyes flashed dangerously.

"Sydney, don't try to turn this around on me. I know that he thinks it wasn't real. You'd better not mention it to him," Jack warned. "It's safer if he doesn't know."

His daughter let out a frustrated sigh. "Don't you think I'm aware of that? God, it's so hard just to look him in the eye."

"You have to act like you usually do. He can't suspect a thing. How could you have done this? What if Sloane finds out? This one selfish act just put all of us in peril."

"I know! I don't want him to die, Daddy. It was a mistake and I promise that I'll never let my emotions take over ever again. Okay?" She tried to blink back the tears. Jack sighed and nodded.

* * *

Francie walked into the kitchen only to find it already occupied. "Will. What are you up to?"

"Nothing much. Met a cute girl at my twelve-step. Oh, and the community service is almost over." He looked around. "Where's Sydney? Isn't it Saturday?"

"That crazy banker's working weekends again. Is that why you're in my house?" she asked, hands on her hips.

"I wanted to catch up with my girls. So, how's life?"

"Same old, same old," she answered cheerfully. He gave her a questioning look. "What?"

"Who was that old guy you were talking to? I saw you guys at a gas station."

"Do you mean Mr. Masclet? He owns the place I want to buy. That bastard keeps raising the price," she complained. "It's not like anybody else is interested." Will smiled. "What? Did you think I was making a deal with the devil or something? You've been watching too much television."

"Yeah, you know I can't live without my soaps," he said sarcastically. She gave him a playful whack on the head.

"Well, I'm going. If Sydney doesn't come home for lunch, let yourself out. Don't forget to lock the door!" Francie grabbed her purse and left the apartment.

Will walked over to the large window in the living room. He watched, puzzled, as his friend hopped into the passenger side of a blue convertible. She gave the driver a peck on the cheek and the couple sped off.

* * *

The door opened and there was her mom, thin and pale in the white room. Irina's skin looked sickly under the florescent lights. She was smiling.

"Hello, Sydney."

"Mother." Her voice had a hint of hostility. "How do you find the time to be both 'The Man' and 'The Cat'? Must be awfully tough."

"Kat? I am not Kat. I was merely filling in. Of course, you already know that." Irina became concerned. "Are you happy, darling? How is your life? How is... your Mr. Vaughn?"

Sydney's eyes narrowed. "Leave him out of this. I'm not here to catch up. The CIA wants information. Where is your headquarters? And who is 'The Cat'?"

"My dear, I have missed you so much," the older woman said, ignoring her questions. "This life, it is not good enough for you. You deserve a kind husband and little children. Quit this job and come with me. I will give you everything you have ever desired."

"Mom, if you really cared about me, you wouldn't have left us in the first place," Sydney pointed out. "Now, tell me."

"Alright, we shall do it your way. Your answers will be in Finland, though I cannot say where. Do bring a sweater, darling. I will not have you catch a virus."

"Scandinavia, huh? Thanks." She turned to leave.

"Will I see you again?" Her mother sounded almost vulnerable.

"I don't know. I really don't," Sydney answered quietly, without turning around.

* * *

"--and all I know is that it's in Finland."

"She cooperated?" Vaughn looked bewildered. Sydney's eyes darted around the warehouse nervously. The meeting seemed to be going well, both agents acted like it was business as usual, but her heart pounded wildly.

"Yeah, I was surprised too. Mom--I mean, Irina seemed lackluster. Defeated."

"Huh, that's strange. It doesn't fit her profile."

"What would the CIA know about m--Irina?"

"It's not exactly the Agency's profile. Your father met with me today." She paled. "Is there a problem?"

"What did he want?" Sydney asked, alarmed.

"Nothing. Jack just wanted to give me some information about her habits and behavior. Why do you sound like you just saw a ghost?"

"Oh, it's nobody--er, I have to go. Will and I... we were, uh, supposed to go out. Bye!" She left in a hurry, while Vaughn looked after her, perplexed.

* * *

She climbed the rusty metal stairs. They creaked despite her slight frame. Katrina pushed open a half-rotten door and revealed a high tech computer system. How she despised journeying into dilapidated buildings in order to communicate with her employer.

"Hello, Miss Hunt." A shadowy image appeared on the monitor.

"What's the deal, boss?" Her face and tone revealed nothing.

"You will continue with your mission, of course."

Katrina raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "Uh huh, and?"

"We may need you in Europe. Be prepared," said the distorted voice.

"Look, I get to talk to Sark or we have no deal."

"I don't believe you are in any position to negotiate. Good bye, Miss Hunt." The screen went blank and she cursed under her breath. That bitch, Irina, seemed to control her life, even from a CIA holding cell. How the hell did she do it anyway?

* * *

Will observed with amusement as she stabbed at her salad. "Are we killing the evil tomatoes?"

Sydney looked up. "Huh? Oh, no. I'm--Work stuff."

"Right... anyway, as I was saying, she just jumped in. Fran obviously knew the guy. Did she tell you she was dating?"

"No. That's weird, I thought she was still getting over Charlie. Wait, she did mention a man... something Jason. Kent, maybe? Oh, that's right, Kendall. Jason Kendall. I remember now. Francie was hiring him for the restaurant, I believe."

"I don't think they're just working together. She was all dressed up. You know those earrings she always wears on special occasions."

"Why are you so interested in this, Will?"

"Syd, I have a bad feeling about that guy." She gave him a look. "It's not jealousy, I swear. And I know I shouldn't be sticking my nose where it doesn't belong, especially after my last investigation, but I don't want her to get hurt."

"I know. After what happened with Charlie, I'm worried about Francie too. But we have to trust her judgment. Besides, if she wore those earrings, this guy must be someone special."

* * *

Jason Kendall sat at a table about thirty feet away from the two friends, sipping his coffee (black, no sugar) calmly. To anyone who passed by, it appeared that he was listening to a CD. Truth was, his Discman is actually a hearing device that enhanced voices.

The man smiled. We have to trust her judgment. So Sydney Bristow thought he was "someone special"? That should call Will Tippin off. Nothing would get in the way of this romance.

Nothing and nobody. He would make sure of that.

* * * * *

Author's Note: In the next chapter, the truth about Jason Kendall is revealed... sorta. Tyler and Katrina are met with not-so-pleasant surprises.

Questions, comments, suggestions, speculation, constructive criticism... I'll take what I can get. I really appreciate all the feedback! Keep the reviews coming please!

Shelly's back! Thank goodness, I was about to organize a search party. Gracias for reviewing "Life Is But A Dream" and returning my muse to me. She's a tricky little scamp!

To clarify, Vaughn was indeed snoozing through the most intense make-out session of his life. Unlikely, I know, but the poor boy was fatigued!

Also, thank you Jannah! I know you're really busy as well and I'm so glad you found the time to give me your opinions.