AN: Okay, at first I wasn't going to write anything today, but I'm so so bored right now, it's not even funny. It's good for you guys though cause I'm writing another chapter. lol. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews!! I would list all the people but there are too many to name! I'm glad you guys are liking Michelle. Amazingly enough, she was probably the character I developed the least. I didn't really think very much about her character, I just wanted it to fit in the story. Well, enough chatter. Please review!!

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Chapter 7

"Mommy missed you, you know. I used to hear her cry in her sleep, calling your name."

Vaughn didn't know what to say. His daughter seemed too smart. He felt sad for her. It was like she knew too much and had grown up too fast. Where was the childlike innocence and playfulness that came with childhood? Vaughn still couldn't come up with anything to say so he hugged her instead. Picking her up, he wrapped his arms tightly around his little girl and lightly stroked her smooth blonde hair. It wasn't fair for Michelle to have suffered so much. He didn't care what it would take. Vaughn was going to make sure Sloane and Alice never see the light of day again.

"Promise me, Daddy." Vaughn pulled away from Michelle slightly and looked into her eyes.

"Promise what, sweetie?"

"Promise me you won't leave again. That you will always be here for me." There was hopefulness in her green sapphire eyes. Vaughn smiled at her.

"Of course, Michelle. I won't ever leave you again. I promise." He stood there holding his daughter for what seemed like eternity. God, Vaughn had missed so many moments in her life already. He'll be damned if he missed anymore.

Michelle smiled mischievously as she spotted her mom entering the kitchen. She quickly hid it though before her mother saw her.

Tears started appearing in Sydney's eyes. It had only been in dreams before that she would see such images, but now it was reality and she was determined to keep it that way. She didn't want to interrupt but it looked like the water on the stove was boiling over.

"Vaughn? You might want to turn off the stove," Sydney said gently. Vaughn quickly put Michelle down on the ground and ran to turn off the stove.

Sydney quickly wiped at the tears on her face as Vaughn turned back around.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" Michelle looked curiously up at her mother.

"It's nothing, sweetie. Why don't you go play okay and I'll call you when dinner's ready." Michelle didn't believe her, but knew she had to listen to Sydney so she nodded and walked back into the living room.

"Are you okay, Syd?" Sydney nodded as Vaughn looked at her with a concerned look.

"Yeah. It's just seeing you with Michelle...it was nice." Vaughn nodded, understanding. They stood there silent for a moment. Neither knowing what to say.

"I'm sorry, Michael." Vaughn looked up at her surprised.

"I'm sorry for everything. For running, for not saying goodbye, for not telling you about Michelle. I know sorry isn't enough but...(pause) please forgive me, Vaughn! please!" Sydney leaned against the kitchen counter and slid down until she was sitting on the cold tile. Sydney was sobbing now. She tried to stop, but the tears kept falling. Out of her blurred vision, she saw Vaughn in front of her kneeling down. He looked at her with pain in his eyes. Slowly, Vaughn took her in his arms.

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As the plane were flying over Washington, Alice received a call from Sark.

"Did you get the information?"

"What no hello?" Alice rolled her eyes even though she knew he couldn't see her. Why he insisted on this nonsense banter was beyond her. There was only so much patience she could have.

"Just give me the information, damn it!" Her voice sounded deadly which wasn't far from the truth.

"Alright, alright. Don't get your pantyhose in a bunch. William Vaughn bought a cottage in a small town called Benetville before he died. That's probably where they are heading." Alice smiled into the phone. As much as Alice hated to admit it, Sark was good.

"Thanks. I'll talk to you later after I finish the job."

"Good luck." Alice laughed into the phone.

"I won't need it." She hung up the phone and smiled to herself. *Here I come, Vaughn.*

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Sark laughed to himself as he hung up the phone. Alice was so confident. Sometimes too much. It will probably be the death of her, but that wasn't his problem. As long as she killed that handler of Sydney's, Sark was happy. He was going to get Sydney if it was the last thing he did. As Sark turned around in his chair, he was startled to see none other than Jack Bristow himself standing before him.

"Sark."

"Jack, what can I do for you?" Before he knew what was happening, Jack had Sark pinned to the wall and was squeezing the life out of him.

"You are going to help me get to her, you son of a bitch and when you do, you'll be lucky if I let the both of you see the light of day." Sark gulped nervously as Jack let him go. He knew who Jack was talking about. Alice. It was just a matter of time before Jack would figure it out. Summing up his courage, he questioned Jack.

"What's in it for me?" Jack gave him a deadly stare.

"Your life." Sark tensed up. Not very many people could scare him. Jack was one of the few. Him and Irina. Thank god, those two never teamed up against him. There was only so much he could handle.

"Fair enough. Let's go."

Jack gestured with his hand. "After you, Mr. Sark." As Sark exited his office, he felt something hard hit his forehead and then he saw black.