The Ultimate Sacrifice

Author: leggylover

Rating: PG-13 (maybe later R due to violence)

Category: Definitely action, maybe a little angst or romance later. Non-slash (though I don't know how this could be slash :)

Disclaimer: Can you hear the sobbing? It's me, cause I'm so sad that I'm poor and don't own any of this crap (well, it's definitely NOT crap).

Summary: Okay, this story involves a major plot twist so I can't really summarize anything, or else I'd give the whole thing away. All I can say is that it follows the Alias storyline and it begins with Sydney in the clutches of the Man. Contains spoilers for the season finale of Alias (god, I love that show!). Trust me, this is worth a read.

Okay, I've got a confession to make. I'm an absolute newbie at writing stories on fanfiction.net. I've spent the last few months moping around the site, picking random stories and admiring (with some amount of jealousy) the AMAZING TALENT of the other authors on this site. Of course, I realize that I could never compare with masters like a.j. matthews, di, and Marylou, but if you could find it in your infinitely generous heart to read and review me, I would be grateful for all eternity!! Pretty please? Okay, okay, I'll put in a bribe. All reviewers will be personally thanked at the end of each chapter. Thank you in advance, 'cause I JUST KNOW that you're gonna review * wink, wink, nudge, nudge * Oh yeah, this story might start out a little slow, but I promise, I've got a great plot planned.

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Chapter One: Unpleasant Surprises

The pounding pain in her head was almost unbearable. Through her hazy vision, Sydney could barely make out her surroundings: a damp, empty, warehouse-like room. God, she had never experienced pain like this before in her life, save that time she had been tortured by Taiwanese interrogators. Trying to block the excruciating memory from her mind, Sydney struggled to focus her thoughts. She remembered, vaguely, an image of Vaughn's face, pressed up against the window of the dark, water-filled room. His expression, surprisingly, hadn't been frantic, just calm and almost stoic, resigned to his fate. The last she ever saw of him. Now, after being knocked out by an armed security guard, she was here, alone, defenseless, and totally vulnerable. The one thing she hated being the most: helpless.

Hearing approaching footsteps, Sydney shook herself from her miserable wanderings, forcing herself to concentrate on reality. The heavy footsteps, obviously belonging to a man, quickened and neared. Before she even saw his face, Sydney knew from the lengthening shadow who her captor was. She had studied his frame countless times, under the guidance of both SD-6 and the CIA. Alexander Khasinau, the enemy of the United States of America. After spending her entire career trying to track down "The Man," Sydney was finally face to face with him.

His first words surprised her, "You should eat something."

"I'm not hungry," was the insolent reply, accompanied by a small sneer.

The forkful of hot food that Khasinau had been offering to Sydney was withdrawn, and he stood up to go.

"Wait. What are you going to do to me?" Sydney boldly asked, her impassive _expression not betraying her fear.

"My boss will come to see you."

"But I thought 'The Man' was the boss."

"She is, but I am not The Man."

Before Sydney even had the chance to process this mind boggling new revelation, a new person had entered. And this new person looked almost identical to…………..herself? Her heart skipping a beat, Sydney uttered the words that would change her life.

"Mom?"

Her mind was in shock, trying but failing to believe what see was seeing. No, it couldn't be, her heart argued. No, No, NO!! Her mother had worked for the KGB, and might not have been a good person. But she just COULDN'T be the enemy of the United States, the CIA's enemy. Her enemy.

Sydney's mother smiled cruelly at her daughter. "Surprised?" she asked. No, it wasn't a question. It was a taunt.

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*Sydney's POV*

I couldn't think. I could barely even breathe. This wasn't possible. My mom…MY MOTHER was…….the Man? No, my mind corrected itself. This bitch isn't your mother; she is Irina Derevko, a stranger, someone cruel and unfeeling that you don't even know. Seeing my shock, Derevko smirked again, then with one quick step reached forward and sharply slapped my face. "There, that should clear your senses." It was all I could do to keep myself from spitting on her, cursing her, but I knew that would be suicide. Insulting the Man could result in only one thing: death, or worse.

"Now, now. We mustn't get angry. You wouldn't want to frighten off your visitor." Her sweet façade disgusted me, reminding me of Sloane.

I remained silent.

"Come now, I should hope that my daughter is not this indifferent. Well, we shall just have to fix that." The malice behind the casual words was obvious.

Snapping her fingers brusquely, Irina summoned the attention of guards standing outside the door, who in response hastily wheeled in a metal table. To my horror, I realized that the table was colored with dark, reddish stains and was covered with a terrifying assortment of devices obviously intended for torture.

This is it my mind thought to itself. The life of Sydney Bristow ends here. Steeling myself for the pain that was to come, I almost missed her words when my mother said to the guards, "Bring him in." A tall, lean man was forcibly dragged in and thrown to the ground. When he lifted his face to meet my eyes, time came to a standstill. It was the man that meant to most to me in my life, the man I thought for sure was dead. For the second time in ten minutes, I experienced shock and amazement beyond belief. My heart literally stopped as I realized whom I was gazing at.

Vaughn.

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I'm only thirteen, and this is my first shot at writing a story, so please, please, please take pity on me and review. Constructive criticism is welcome, flames are welcome, praise is VERY welcome ANYTHING HERE,PEOPLE. Well, I hoped you liked it. I'm a true fan of Alias.