Tangled Lies

by Tayce Skye

* * *

Rating: PG

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"... Sark didn't kill Tyler, Irina framed him. Katrina is confused about her feelings for Sark, not knowing he is innocent (well, in this case). She is willing to protect Vaughn at any cost. Vaughn knows Jason Kendall, but isn't aware of his past. He calls in a favor and finds out something, while Sydney is in the dark.

Pairings: Jason/Francie, but not much.

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.

* * * * *

"God, Mike. I can't believe he's gone," Eric said. He sat on the couch, head buried in his hands. "My nephew, Joe's kid. The roommate found him. It was--How could somebody do a thing like that? The sick son-of-a-bitch. I mean, Tyler was only in college. Had his whole damn life ahead of him and then..."

Michael looked at him grimly and then glanced down at the pile of gruesome crime scene photos. There was nothing he could do for the obvious pain Eric was in. Except, maybe, justice.

"I think I know who it was."

"What?"

"Jason Kendall."

"What?"

"It--the wounds were consistent with the ones on the bodies of Timothy Price, Cliff Stiller, and Oliver Zane. Jason Kendall was the main suspect in all of those cases. I'm sorry, Eric."

His best friend's face turned to stone, causing Michael to shiver involuntarily.

"I'll kill that bastard."

* * *

The funeral. Closed casket. Katrina didn't want to go. It was her fault. And Tyler was Eric's nephew. But Michael wouldn't understand if she refused to attend.

She had to meet them. The parents, the friends, the family. Mournful sobs. Eulogies interrupted by grief. She had to look at the faces.

Joseph Blumberg, the older brother of Eric. Refused to bear the name of their deadbeat dad, so he borrowed his mother's. Met and married a beautiful, compassionate redhead in Ireland. Had always treated his son like he wished his father had treated him.

Fair and freckled Fiona with haunting emerald eyes. Held her husband's hand and watched as the only child they had was lowered into the ground. A modest black dress, spotted with tears. Dusty rose lips gasped for air.

Tyler's grandma, Grace. Strong and silent. She had endured poverty, abusive stepfathers, infidelity, and single parenthood. Now the boy that was always pampered and adored is gone. And her soul went with him.

Eric. Standing with a hand on his mom's shoulder. Reassuringly squeezing as Grace finally broke down, starting to shake. But he was void of emotion.

Morose and off to the side was Michael. He had met Tyler only a couple times, but they got along. His presence comforted both Eric and Katrina, though not much.

She would not let her true nature show. A sympathetic expression masked the anguish that invaded her very being. Nobody could see her uneasiness, hurt, guilt, distress...

And no one saw the lonely tear... slowly rolling down her cheek.

* * *

Katrina:

I've got no right to be here. This tragedy was because of my selfishness. Had Tyler not known me, he would still be alive.

His kin would not be accepting condolences and comfort food.

Eric would not be plotting revenge.

Joe and Fiona would not feel as though a part of them has been removed.

Grace would not have fallen apart.

I would not be crying.

Did this happen to all of my victims? The little girl? Were the people in her life destroyed by my actions, like Tyler's were?

No, I mustn't think of this. Irina will want me to kill more people, innocent or otherwise. I have to sacrifice them, for Michael.

But I'm sorry.

* * *

"Irina." She regarded the screen scornfully.

An impassive face battled static. "Miss Hunt. How is that young man... Tyler was it?"

Katrina felt rage surging through her bloodstream. It screamed for justice. "Let's get one thing straight, Derevko. I won't be your snoop anymore. Missions, I'll do. It was the original deal and I'm not backing out. However, I'd advise you to keep away from me and mine in the future. Leave Michael Vaughn alone and I won't--"

A mocking laugh filled the room, bouncing off the deteriorating wallpaper.

"What's so funny, boss?"

"You cannot do a thing, Miss Hunt. Not. A. Thing." The audio crackled. "I will humor you, agree to this ludicrous request. You cannot say I am unfair. Now get going. It is time for your flight. Bring a sweater to Helsinki, Katrina. I will not have my employee dying of pneumonia, though that would be very interesting to observe."

And she was gone.

* * *

"Promise me, Eric." Michael tried to block the black-clad man's exit.

"Sure, whatever. Get out of the way."

"Stop it! Tell me you won't go after him by yourself. Don't--"

Eric's look was hostile. "Mike. I'm warning you, get out of the way."

"And what? You're still weak. That bullet in Barcelona... At least wait until after I return from Helsinki. Devlin's investigating, gathering more evidence. They still don't have a motive--"

"It was because of me! Tyler is dead because of me!"

"What?" Michael's eyes were two wide circles of jade. His partner sank into a nearby chair, trembling.

"There--there was an op, couple years back, in Prague. I was handling a--a rookie. She refused to follow orders and got caught in the crossfire. Kendall... had been secretly involved with the girl. He attended the memorial service. Wouldn't meet my eye, even though I tried... tried so frickin' hard to save her."

Eric took in a pained breath, obviously still believing the incident was his fault. "The Agency sent him to Russia on long-term assignment the next week. Guess he's back."

"Oh." That was all Michael could manage as he absorbed the information.

"Mike, I hope you don't mind that I'm gonna have to gun down one of our former poker buddies."

"My god, are you still gonna try to do this?" He looked at Eric in disbelief.

The voice that answered was cold and unforgiving. "Prague was because of me, but this is because of him. I can't let Kendall get away with this."

"Are you even listening to yourself? Don't you think I know how you feel? The bitch that killed my dad is just a mile away! Walk in, shoot her, walk out. Easy as that, I'd get my vengeance. But I'm not going to do it. 'Cause it's wrong. And it'll eat at you forever. If you kill him, the rest of your life will be spent in prison and it still won't bring Tyler back. Think about what he would have wanted. What--"

"I'm pretty damn sure that he didn't want to be dead!"

"For Christ's sake... stop! What about your mother? And Joe? And Fiona? They already lost Tyler and if you do this, they'll lose you too. Please... just--just wait 'til I get back and we'll take him down. Together."

Finally, Eric agreed. After sitting in silence for a few seconds, he spoke up again. "What are you going to tell Sydney?"

Michael grimaced. "Nothing right now. Devlin thinks it'll 'affect her performance' if she finds out that her best friend's boyfriend is a psycho. I'm going to tell her everything as soon as we complete our Helsinki mission."

* * *

"Francie, who's that cute guy in the driveway?" Sydney asked. She didn't like her roommate dating a government man (or anybody who was ever suspected of murder, for that matter) but Vaughn had reassured her that Jason Kendall was okay. And she trusted Vaughn with her life.

"What? Where? Hey! You tricked me!"

"Sorry! Will saw you with a guy and--Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's... stupid, really. I just--" she shifted uncomfortably. "After Charlie, I felt like... a fool. Then Jason came along. I was trying not to get too attached, in case it didn't last. You and Will are like my family and I guess... I thought that if I didn't introduce him to you, it wouldn't hurt as bad if--when he left."

"Sweetie!"

"Sydney, I'm really sorry. I should have told you."

"Oh, don't apologize. Just remember that you can come to me for anything. So," she smiled conspiratorially. "Is he any good?" Francie broke out into a huge grin and started to babble excitedly.

"--and then Jason was like, 'May I have this dance, Milady?' I could have died! He is absolutely irresistible. Brings me roses on every date, gives money to the homeless, thinks my cooking is astounding, and... is an incredible kisser!"

"I'm so happy for you!" The two shared a hug. "I've got to go. My flight leaves in an hour. Say 'Hi' to Jason for me! And I'm gonna meet him when I get back, right?"

"No problem-o! Hey, where's the bank sending you this time?"

"Chicago."

* * *

Sydney blew on her hands, trying to keep warm. Finland was colder than usual this year.

"Vaughn, I'm at the warehouse."

Her handler was in a van, examining a printout. "Okay Syd, you want to go through the gray door by the two silver cars. The access codes are 3-6-5-8-2-6-4-9."

Working quickly, she punched in the numbers and the door opened with a hissing noise. "I'm in."

"Follow the orange lights until you get to the bathroom. The last mirror on the left has a medicine cabinet. There is a blue bottle filled with sleeping pills on the middle shelf." Sydney poked around, finally locating a glass container with white labels.

"Break the bottle and you should find a couple of keys. Take the small, gold one," Vaughn instructed. She put the container on the bathroom's white tiles and brought her heavy boot down on it. Shattering, pink pills flew everywhere and two metallic clanks were heard. Leaning down, Sydney picked up a golden key.

"Got it. What's next?"

"There should be a janitor's closet to the right of the bathroom. Break down the door." There was a loud bang. "Now, find a red toolbox with black handles. Use the key to open it and inside there should be an orange button. That button will open the entrance of Irina's offices."

Silence.

"Hello? Sydney? Hello?"

* * * * *

Author's Note: Next... secrets are revealed and lives are intertwined. Well, even more so than they already are.

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

I am forever indebted to my fabulous beta reader, Shelly.

And many thanks to Jannah. I'm extremely grateful for your opinions.