Keeping The Faith

Disclaimer: I do not own Alias, nor am I in any way associated with any member of the crew or cast of the show, or rep of ABC.

Spoilers: If you have not seen "The Indicator," you may or may not be spoiled.

Jack rushed in the "underground" CIA headquarters, tossing glances in every direction. He spotted Vaughn standing by a table and quickly walked toward him. He grabbed the agent by the collar and slammed him against the wall.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Jack whispered angrily.

"Is there a problem here?" a voice asked.

Jack let go of Vaughn and turned around, finding himself looking at another agent.

"Everything's fine, Jensen," Vaughn said, straightening his suit.

"You sure, Vaughn?" Agent Jensen asked doubtfully.

"Yeah, I'm sure. It was just a...misunderstanding."

Jensen eyed Jack for a moment before nodding and walking away. When Vaughn was sure Jensen was out of earshot, he turned back to Jack. He let out a short sigh.

"Let's get right to the point," he said grimly. "You're the one who had the explosives set in Madagascar. Not Derevko."

Jack gave the young man before him a once over. "Your point being?"

Vaughn blinked. "You lied to Sydney! To the CIA!"

"Agent Vaughn, you know just as well as I do that Irina Derevko is a ruthless human being. She would have found a way to hurt Sydney eventually."

Vaughn shook his head. "This isn't some sort of sick fantasy, Jack. This is real. You almost killed your own daughter! Do you understand--"

"Do you understand, Agent Vaughn, that I would never hurt my daughter?"

"It's too late for that, Jack!" Vaughn exclaimed. "You've already hurt her! When she finds out the truth--"

"She will not find out the truth."

"You know she will. Somehow. She always does."

Jack took in a breath and stepped closer to Vaughn. "Do not bring yourself into my family's business, Agent Vaughn. You don't belong in it."

Vaughn cowered for a moment, but quickly recovered. "Sydney is my business. Whether you like it or not."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "You're playing a dangerous game, Agent Vaughn. If I were you, I'd watch my step."

"I like to take risks," Vaughn replied, gritting his teeth.

Jack slightly squinted his eyes, attempting to stare the agent down. When Vaughn didn't react, Jack stepped back. He began to walk away.

"You generated her, Jack."

Jack stopped in his tracks. He slowly turned.

"You generated her into a spy, and then you left."

Jack inched menacingly closer. "Don't act as if you know me, Agent Vaughn, because you don't. You wouldn't be able to comprehend the reasons to why I had to send Sydney there."

"It doesn't matter. You took her life from her. What kind of father are you?"

"The father who is still alive," Jack replied, coldly.

Vaughn stiffened.

"Stay out of my way, Agent Vaughn. Or you will suffer the consequences."