SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!

Bet you thought we forgot about this fic, didn't you?

Now, there are a few disclaimers and a warning or two that need to be issued before we go any further.  But first off, a reminder.  This story is still set at the end of season 1 and is AU after Rendezvous, so nothing that has happened in season 2 is relevant here.

That said, we have our first disclaimer.  There is a part of this that you will be reading that was written back at the end of October, beginning of November.  Needless to say, the events in Double Agent were a bit of a surprise when we opened this back up. So even though this is going to seem like more than a coincidence, that's all it is.

Second disclaimer. If you are new to this story, you really need to read Mercy first.  (The link is on the front page of this story.)

Third disclaimer. We don't own the song that is referenced in this part.  Even if we did, I doubt either of us would admit it willingly.

OK so now for the warnings—

Warning #1—This is not the nice Danny who proposed to Sydney by singing in the commons.  Our Danny is evil.  And somehow, we don't think we've reached the depths of his evil yet.

Warning #2—If you don't remember a couple of the characters you see in this chapter, go back to Part 1.  And they are here now, in the present, not the future.

WARNING #3—TAKE THIS ONE SERIOUSLY FOLKS!  DO NOT BE EATING OR DRINKING ANYTHING WHILE READING THIS PART.  WE WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE TO MONITORS, KEYBOARDS, OR YOUR DESK IF YOU FAIL TO HEED THIS WARNING!

As always, thanks to our wonderful betas, especially for the quick turnaround.

Part 6

"You wanted to see me, sir?" the agent asked as he rapped on the open door.

Devlin stood and waved him in.  "Close the door behind you," he instructed.  He waited until they were both seated before continuing.

"I want to commend you for your outstanding investigative work this week.  Without you, Mr. Davenport would still be double-crossing us.  Thanks to your persistence and hard work, we realize he is the enemy and are taking steps to locate him."

"Thank you very much sir.  I—"

"You will be rewarded, of course, for your discovery," Devlin interrupted.  "And not just in your title here at the Agency."  He slid a large manila file folder across the desk.

The agent carefully picked it up and opened it, surveying its contents.  "A new op?"

"This one is in progress.  Davenport and I were in charge of it, and with the discovery of his betrayal, I think it would be wise if someone else stepped in and led this one."

"Are you sure it should be me?" he asked, hoping to appear humble.

"I wouldn't have brought you in here if I didn't think you were competent," Devlin pointed out.  "This is a highly sensitive case, one that only a select few know about."  He gestured to the open folder.  "There's no turning back now that you've seen the intel."

He nodded and cleared his throat.  "So, let's see, this involves . . . Agents Weiss, Vaughn, and Bristow.  Which Bristow?"

"Both of them."

"Really?  I didn't think they worked together."

"They don't," Devlin said dryly.  "Which is why two of them are missing."

"Only two?  Let me guess--Vaughn and Ms. Bristow, right?"

Devlin nodded, impressed.  "I fear that Davenport is meeting them somewhere and they will willingly follow him wherever he wants to go, not knowing who he really is.  It is your job to track them down and debrief Weiss and Jack when they arrive back in L.A."

"I'll meet with them in my office as soon as they both arrive," he promised as he glanced at his watch. 

"No."

"Sir?"

"Not here.  A meeting has already been arranged .  You and I will both meet with them at the warehouse once Weiss and Jack have landed.

He nodded his agreement, realizing that it would have been foolish to meet in his office, especially if the case was as sensitive as he was being led to believe.  "Is that all for now?"

"Yes.  I'll have my secretary deliver the rest of the intel on this op to you immediately."  Devlin stood and escorted the younger agent to the door.

"Thank you for this opportunity," he said with a grin on his face.

"You earned it.  Good work, Agent Haladki."

******

Sydney stood there, stunned.  When Danny started to move away, she grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop.  "What did you say?"

He brushed her hand away much as he would brush away a fly.  "I tolerated you Sydney.  Why is that so hard for you to believe?  I mean isn't that what your father has done all these years?"

Vaughn stood up, starting for Danny, but one look from Sydney made him freeze where he stood.

"You leave my father out of this."  She shook her head, trying to reign in her anger.  It didn't work.  "You tolerated me?" she stated, her voice wavering, rising.

"Yes," Danny answered, taking another step away from her.

Vaughn watched as, for the first time since Danny had entered the room, Sydney defended herself against one of his attacks.

"You son-of-a-bitch!  You TOLERATED me?  How dare you?" she screamed at him.

"How dare I?  Really, Sydney.  Can't you come up with something better than that?" he taunted, walking back to his chair.

Suddenly, he felt himself being spun around, her fist making contact with his jaw.  He staggered back a step before recovering as she lunged for him again.  This time he blocked the punch, managing to grab both her arms, pinning them to her sides.  "You stupid little bitch!  You have to know this is only going to make things worse for all of you."

Vaughn had had enough.  Walking towards them, he didn't notice Sark still standing in the corner.  He also didn't notice the gun in his hand.  Breaking Danny's hold on Sydney's arms, he stepped between them, pushing Danny away from her.  "Leave her alone."

Danny took one step back and started laughing.  "Really, Mr. Vaughn, I think Sydney is more than capable of defending herself."  He took one step forward, looking over Vaughn's shoulder to where Sydney stood.  "Isn't that sweet, Syd.  Your lover is trying to protect you.  Guess there is a first time for everything."

Vaughn lunged forward, pushing Danny towards the wall.  As he was about to hit the wall, Danny ducked to the side and ended up forcing Vaughn into the wall instead.  "Not much of a guardian angel now are you," he stated maliciously.

Sydney grabbed Danny's shoulder.  She pulled him back, forcing him to let go of Vaughn.  "And who are you to judge?  Apparently, you never gave a damn.  At least Vaughn does."

"Does he really?" Danny asked.  "You could have fooled me."

"He already told me about the choice you forced him to make earlier," Sydney answered back.

Danny pulled her to him roughly.  Holding her head still, he whispered something to her and then pushed her back, waiting for her reaction.  It didn't take long.

She flew at him, her fist connecting with his abdomen.  This is going to hurt like hell later, she thought as she pulled her arm back for another punch.  As her fist connected with Danny's ribs, she gasped, feeling something pierce her neck. 

"Sydney!" Vaughn shouted, pushing Danny out of his way.

Stunned, Sydney lifted her hand to her neck, removing a small object.  She stared at the dart as she sank to the ground, Sark's laughter echoing in her ears as everything went black.

Vaughn slowly leaned down, picking the dart up from where it lay next to Sydney's hand on the carpet.  He closed his eyes as he clutched it in his fist.  A moment later, he angrily threw it to the opposite side of the room before leaning back down and gently picking Sydney up.

Danny stood back and laughed.  "Now, now, Mr. Vaughn.  No need to get upset.  I promise, Sydney will be fine.  Isn't that right, David?"

"Yes.  Now if you'll excuse me, I have a few things to attend to."

Danny nodded, watching as Sark left the room.  "I can assure you, she will be fine."

"You keep saying that, but somehow, your promises don't mean much to me," he replied as he carefully laid Sydney back down. 

Danny chuckled to himself as he walked over to the chair that sat just opposite of where Vaughn stood guard.  "You should believe me though."

"Why?" he asked, sitting down on the arm of the couch.  Looking down at Sydney, he ran his fingers gently through her hair before placing his hand protectively on her shoulder. 

"Because if something unfortunate were to happen to Sleeping Beauty there, she wouldn't be of much use to us, now would she?"

Vaughn just stared at the man seated across from him.  How anyone could speak of Sydney with that amount of contempt was beyond his comprehension.  Unconsciously, he tightened his grip, wanting to protect her from whatever was to come.

Danny watched Vaughn's reaction and smiled.  Settling back in the chair, he asked, "Tell me, Mr. Vaughn, does the CIA approve of your relationship with my fiancée?"

"I assume you're referring to Sydney."

"Well, she is the only fiancée I've ever had."

"She's my agent, my responsibility.  That's all," Vaughn lied.

"So, if for instance I'd given this drug to your friend, I believe his name is Eric, you're telling me that would have been holding him in your arms, pleading with him to wake up as well?"

Vaughn smiled insincerely at Danny.  "You never know.  He is my best friend."

"Good to know.  Because, for some strange reason, I thought the CIA and organizations like it, didn't allow fraternization between agents.  After what happened in London, I guess I was wrong."

Vaughn's expression froze.  Did he really know what had happened, or was he just guessing.  And if he did know, how?  They had swept the room for bugs without finding anything.  "What are you talking about?  What happened in London."

"Oh come now, Mr. Vaughn.  I'd think you would have learned after receiving the photos from Paris, that we have ways of finding out information."  Danny leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers laced together supporting his chin.  "I must admit, I was surprised that you two weren't a little more careful, especially given what Francie slipped in Syd's purse."

Vaughn opened his mouth to deny what Danny had just implied, but closed it without uttering a word.  How the hell did he know?

Danny answered the unspoken question.  "I was, quite frankly, disappointed that none of you thought to check the VCR after it arrived."

"What do you mean?"

"You know, I really didn't believe Sark's modification to the damned thing would work.  You can imagine my surprise when I saw you and Sydney undressing each other."  Focusing on Sydney, he quietly added, "You know, I'd forgotten how little it actually took to satisfy her.  Then again, it might have been the fact that she had gone without for so long."

Danny stopped for a moment, his gaze lifting just enough to see the color rising in Vaughn's face.  He smirked.  "Oh, wait a moment.  I forgot about that little dalliance with Noah a couple of months back."  At the sound of Vaughn's sharp intake of breath, Danny continued.  "I'll have to admit.  That surprised me.  I didn't think she had it in her to just fall back into bed with a former lover.  Especially after everything you'd done to help clear her in the eyes of the DSR.  Bet you didn't see that coming either, did you?"

"You son-of-a-bitch!" Vaughn hissed.

"I'll take that as a no, shall I?"  Danny sat back once more, his hands resting on the arms of the chair.  "You want to know something else that surprised me?"

Vaughn knew he was in a no win situation.  No matter what answer he gave, it wouldn't shut the bastard up.  If anything, his silence might just make his response worse.  "What?" he finally replied through gritted teeth.

"For all I saw, and keep in mind, the feed was a bit weak at times, I just don't understand why women seem to think frenchmen make better lovers.  I know I wasn't impressed.  But then again," he continued quickly, "I'm not Sydney.  Although...  No, never mind," he stated, dismissing the thought with a wave of his hand.

"Although what?"

"Your father was American, wasn't he?" Danny nodded thoughtfully.  "Yes, that must be it."

Vaughn closed his eyes, willing himself to remain calm.  What had happened between them in London was no one's business but his and Sydney's.  He wouldn't allow anything this bastard said cheapen it.  Taking a deep breath, he began to slowly go over a poem in his head that he'd had to memorize while he was in college, trying to take his mind off all that Danny was saying.

"You know, maybe I just missed something.  I mean I really wasn't paying attention.  Come to think of it, I don't think I ever paid that much attention when I was with Sydney.  Sex with her was always so boring."

Danny looked at Vaughn, noting the closed eyes, watching as his lips moved.  Nice try, Mr.Vaughn, but it won't work,  he thought as an evil grin overtook his face.

"You know it still amazes me that she didn't notice how bored I was.  But then again, she told me after the first time we had sex that she hadn't been with many men before we started going out, which I'm sure had something to do with her father.  He probably scared most of them off before they even thought of kissing her."  Danny laughed, leaning forward.  Reaching out, he tapped Vaughn's knee, getting his attention.  "Do you know she actually apologized for not being good?"  He laughed again, watching as Vaughn's jaw tightened.

Danny sat back.  "You have no idea how easy it was to convince her that she was everything I'd ever wanted and that I thought it was sweet that she didn't have more experience.  I still have no idea how I managed to keep a straight face on that one, although that was one of the easier lies to tell."

After a brief pause, Danny continued to taunt Vaughn.  "Do you want to know what the first thing was I did once I'd been "killed"?"

Vaughn stared angrily at his tormentor.  It was time to turn the tables.  "No I wouldn't.  What I would like to know is how you managed to escape being killed."

"It is a long story."

Turning and lifting Sydney, he sat down on the couch.  Grabbing one of the throw pillows, he placed it on his leg before gently lowering her back down.  Looking at Danny, he smiled.  "I think we have time."

"Yes, you do, Mr. Vaughn.  Jesus, that sounds so bloody formal.  Do you mind if I call you Mike?  After all, you will be our guest for a few days at the very least and I'd hate to keep referring to you as Mr. So And So."

"Only my friends call me Mike. And since you aren't one of them, I'd rather you didn't.  But this isn't about what I want now, is it?"

Danny cocked his head to one side.  "No, it isn't."

"And besides, I don't really think you have any intention of letting us go.  So, since we have all this time, why don't you tell me how you managed to escape Shepard's bullet, you miserable shit."

A slow smile crept across Danny's face.  "And he said you had a tendency to be a little, what was the word he used?"  He thought for a second before the word came to him.  "Rash.  Yes, I believe that was the term.  Rash with a tendency to react emotionally."

"Who?"

"You'll see."  With a wave of his hand, Danny dismissed the question.  "Now then, I think you wanted to know why I'm still alive, right?"

"Something like that."

"It really was quite simple.  Irina had it planned..."

"Irina?  Irina Derevko?" Vaughn asked, stunned by the revelation.

"Yes."

"Sydney's mother?"

"Yes, yes.  Sydney's mother.  Jack's wife.  The woman who killed your father.  Irina."

"Sydney's mother did this to her?"

"I think I've already established that.  Jesus!" Danny shouted as his hand slapped the arm of the chair.  "Why do you have such a hard time believing that the woman who killed your father would think twice about setting up her own daughter?"

Ignoring Vaughn's angry stare, Danny continued.  "She knew about Sydney being recruited into SD-6.  For five years, she waited and watched.  Then she sent me to California.  After I arrived, it was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.  And I was.  Always."

"So you just kept running into Syd until..."

"...Until I finally asked her out.  At first, she turned me down, which seemed logical after Irina told me that Noah had just left town, abandoning Sydney without one word of explanation.  So I waited and then tried again because that was what was expected of me.  And in case you're wondering, I'm VERY good at following orders.  Finally, she gave in and we went on a date."

"And then you entered into a relationship with her."

"For her, it was a relationship.  For me, it was the longest damned assignment I'd ever been given."

"I'll be sure to pity you later," Vaughn replied sarcastically.

"You'd do better to worry about yourself.  Or if not yourself, you might want to worry about them," he answered back, pointing at first to Sydney and then to Will.

Vaughn ignored the implied threat.  Sighing tiredly, he glanced at Sydney before turning his attention back to Danny.  "You know, as interesting, and it is interesting, as this trip down memory lane is, why don't we just cut to the chase.  How come you weren't killed that night."

"Why do you seem to think this was such a difficult operation?"

"I never said I did, I'm just curious."

"You know what they say about curiosity and the cat, don't you?" Danny asked.

"Yes, but then cats also have nine lives," Vaughn countered.

"Good point, but since you met Sydney, how many of those nine do you suppose you've used up?  And for that matter, how many does she have left?"

"What's wrong, Mr. Hecht?  Why is it, every time I ask about that night, you see to change the subject?  What is it you don't want me to know?"

"Some things are just as they seem, Mr. Vaughn.  That night was nothing special.  And had I known how little it would take to get Syd to tell me about her double life, I can assure you I would have done it much sooner."

"You know, that is something else I've always wondered about.  What did you say to her that made her feel she had to tell you about what she did?"

"You really are full of questions today."

"And you seem to be avoiding the answers.  Again, I have to wonder why."

"You want answers.  Fine.  I'll answer the last one first.  Syd has always had a soft spot where children are concerned.  One afternoon, I casually mentioned how one day we'd have children.  And that's when she told me."

Vaughn's hand clenched into a fist.  He tried to remain calm, but after hearing how Danny had manipulated Sydney into telling him information he'd already known, he felt sick.  "So you used the promise of children to force her to tell you.  You really are a piece of work."

"Coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment.  Now then to answer your first question.  After I informed Khasinau that Sydney had told me about working for the "CIA", he arranged for my double to come to back to L.A.  You see, occasionally I had to go back to London to get briefed on what was going on.  Since Sydney thought I was just a med student, it wasn't likely that I would be able to go back home once every month or so.  That is when they came up with a double."

"You just let someone walk in and take your place, even at the hospital?"

"Why not?  Khasinau and Irina made sure the man they chose had medical training.  I didn't see a problem with that.  Besides, who was I to question them?"

"And what about Sydney?"

"What about her?"

"You really don't give a damn, do you?"

"Unlike you, Mr. Vaughn, I don't make my assignments personal." 

Vaughn sat there, trying to digest the information he'd been given.  How could anyone, including Irina Derevko, be that cruel to their own flesh and blood?  As he continued to sit there, one question was foremost in his mind.  "What if Sydney had become pregnant?"

Danny looked over, surprised by the question.  "What?"

Vaughn looked up at the man across from him.  "What would you have done if Sydney would have become pregnant?"

"I honestly don't know what would have happened, but I'm sure the situation, had it come about, would have been dealt with before it went too far."

He stared, certain his mouth was gaping, at the man opposite him.  "You would have let them..."

Before Vaughn could finish the sentence, a low, pained, moan sounded from across the room.  Danny twisted in the chair, turning until he had a better view of Will.

Danny watched as Will slowly tried to sit, still obviously under the effects of the drug Irina had given him.  And then he heard it.  Softly at first, growing louder by the second.

"No.  No, no, no, NO!  GOD DAMN IT SARK!  GET IN HERE!" Danny screamed.

Vaughn watched as Sark ran into the room, only to run out again when he realized what was going on.

"Damn it!  Get back here!" Danny shouted as he ran after his wayward partner.

Starting to laugh, Vaughn quickly shut up when he heard what was causing the strange reaction from their captors.  Oh dear God... 

He remembered Sydney telling him about the karaoke disaster one afternoon when they'd met at the warehouse.  He'd laughed at the time, certain that she'd exaggerated Will's lack of singing ability.  She hadn't.

"I love you.  You love me.  We're a happy family..."

Michael Vaughn tried leaning the side of his head against the back of the couch and smashing a pillow to the other side to drown out the horrible noise, but to no avail.  Will Tippin just kept getting louder and louder and more off key with each note.

"God, would you SHUT UP!" Vaughn yelled over the din as Will managed to stand, walking unevenly towards where Vaughn sat.

"With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you..."

Vaughn stared at Will, certain that he couldn't possibly have seen what he had just seen.  Even in his drugged state, there was no way Will, or any other grown man, would loudly kiss a pillow.  It just wasn't possible.  And then Vaughn knew it was because Will did it again.  And again.  And again.

He had started moving forward off the couch, carefully trying not to disturb Sydney any more than necessary.  He was just laying her back down when he felt himself being embraced.  Tightly.

"Won't you say you love me too?" Will sang into Vaughn's ear.

Vaughn couldn't move, too shocked by the fact that Will was hugging him.  Suddenly, he felt Will start to sway back and forth.  Fearing that Will was about to fall flat on his ass, Vaughn tried turning around, only to find himself being squeezed tighter than before as Will continued with his serenade.

"I love you, you love me, we're best friends like friends should be.  With a great big hug," at which point Will squeezed Vaughn hard, "And a kiss from me to you..."

He had to be imagining all of this.  Will Tippin had not just hugged him, nor had he just planted a disgustingly wet kiss on his cheek.  It wasn't real.  It's not real.  It's just some way screwed up nightmare, Vaughn kept telling himself.

Danny returned to the room, a syringe in his hand, just as Will started a second round of the song.  Leaning against the door, he watched Vaughn trying to extricate himself without resorting to hurting the man who was hugging him.  Clearing his throat, he watched, amused, as Vaughn finally broke free.  "I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to interrupt."

"What the hell did you give him?" Vaughn asked as he led Will back over to the other couch, wishing desperately for a pair of earplugs to block the noise. 

"Actually, I'm not sure what he was given this last time.  After Irina killed Alex, she took off with Will.  She stuck him on a plane that she assumed was yours.  Unfortunately for her, it was the one David and I used.  When we found him, he said he'd taken something that "Sydney" had given him.

"We are not going through this again, Will," Danny muttered as he pushed the needle into Will's arm. 

"Hey Doc!" Will stated enthusiastically as his head swiveled up to look at the man giving him a shot.  "Oh hey, you're not the same doctor."  Will's brow furrowed as something important tried to work its way into his muddled mind.  "What ya doing?"

"I'm giving you something that will help you relax." 

"Okay."  Will looked across the room, spotting Vaughn for the first time.  "Hey is he here for questioning too?" he asked as he tried to stand.

Danny reached out and caught him as he stumbled forward.  "We can talk about that later but right now, why don't you just sit back down there and relax for a little bit."

Will looked up and that funny feeling came back.  The guy seemed familiar, but he just couldn't think why.  "Okay."

Danny watched as the drug began to take effect.  Within moments, Will was unconscious once again.  Danny smiled as he turned back to face Vaughn.  "I'm afraid I have to leave you for awhile.  Someone should be bringing some food in for you soon.  I'll be back later.  I have something to show you."

********

"Nic!  Nic!  NIC!!!"

"What?" Nicola called out from their new bedroom.

"I need you—now!"

Rolling her green eyes, she sat up on the bed and closed her journal, carefully placing it underneath the mattress.

"What'd you do this time?" she yelled as she walked down the dark hallway.  Nicola paused, surveying her surroundings.  "Mia, where are you?"

"Bathroom," came the muffled answer.

Nicola continued down the hallway, stopping in front of the only closed door with light peering underneath it.  She hesitated, then knocked.  "Are you in here?"

"Could you just get in here already?" her sister asked impatiently.

Sighing, Nicola pushed the door open and entered the bathroom.  "Mia?"

"Over here," Mia waved her in the steamy room.

"I was wondering where you wandered off to.  I've already written in my journal and found its new hiding place and—"  She stared at her sister and screamed.

"You like?"  Mia twirled around, her hair bouncing.

"It's—it's—you look like—" Nicola sputtered.

"Yes?"

"Bozo the Clown," she answered truthfully.

"Isn't it great?  Just like Bo—Bozo the Clown?  What?" Mia quickly turned around and used a towel to wipe off the mirror.  "Oh my God!  I do look like a clown!" she wailed.

"So that wasn't the look you were going for?" Nicola asked.

"Of course not!  The box said my hair would be auburn—see the picture?"  Mia grabbed the empty box and held it up.

Nicola glanced at the picture and then focused on her sister, thinking.  "The woman on the box is beautiful," she conceded.  "But you still look like Bozo," she finished, giggling.

Mia sighed.  "Go ahead and laugh," she said.  Her face brightened.  "Hey, this might actually be better."

"Huh?"

"Well, I thought I'd dye my hair to see if these stupid people would even notice that we no longer looked like the same person.  And if they can't notice that a brunette now has bright red hair . . . " she trailed off.  "We might actually get the chance to break out of this place."

"Break out?"  Nicola looked at her dubiously.  "Seriously?"

"Why not?  Between the two of us we should be able to take on anyone," Mia said confidently.  Before Nicola could contradict her, she added, "Come on, help me get rid of the evidence."

The two girls quickly trashed the remnants of Mia's dye job before returning to their new bedroom.

"Mia, you're not honestly going to try to run away, are you?"

"Nic, you've gotta stop worrying so much—I think you're getting wrinkles."  She stopped and peered at Nicola's forehead.  "See?  Right there.  Twelve years old and wrinkles already."  Mia shook her head sadly.

"I have those wrinkles because of you," Nicola shot back.

"I keep you on your toes."

"No, you keep me on the run.  Remember when we were six and you gave us that 'dangerous mission?'"

Mia grinned at the memory.  "Hey, crossing that busy intersection seemed like a good idea at the time."

"Late at night without Mom or Dad?"

"You didn't have to come with me, you know," Mia reminded her.

"Someone has to try to keep you out of trouble.  And besides, Mia, we're eleven, not twelve."

"Almost twelve, twelve, same difference."  Mia shrugged.  "You know, if you want . . ."  She walked over to her open suitcase and dug around.

"I thought you said you'd unpacked everything," Nicola accused.

"Could you just relax already?  I see a new wrinkle forming."  Nicola stuck out her tongue in response.  "Anyway, if you're interested, we could try this one out on you."

Nicola grabbed the box from her sister's outstretched hand.  "Mia, I already have brown hair."

"But you have dark brown hair—this one's golden brown.  See the picture on the front?  I think that color would look really pretty on you."

Nicola shrugged.  "Isn't that what you thought about the auburn hair dye?" she pointed out.

"Just think, Nic—we could be totally different people by our birthday," Mia enthused, changing the subject.

"I don't want to be a different person; I just want to stop moving around so much," Nicola said with a sigh.  "I want things back the way they used to be."  Tears filled her eyes.

"Me too," Mia admitted.  She sat down on the bed beside Nicola.  "I miss them so much."

"Almost three years," Nicola muttered, wrapping her arm around Mia's shoulder.

"Sometimes I dream about them.  They're alive and they're driving us to school or watching a movie with us."  Mia wiped a tear from her face.  "And then I wake up and I remember that they're dead."

"I think I'm forgetting what they sounded like," Nicola confessed.  "Their voices . . . they're starting to blur."

Mia nodded.  "Me too.  But there are certain things that they said over and over, things that I can remember a little better."

"Yeah.  Like 'Stop that, Mia!'" Nicola teased, smiling through her tears.

"Or 'put that book away and get some sleep, Nic,'" Mia retorted, giggling.

The two sat in silence, their arms wrapped around each other, as children could be heard entering the orphanage after their day at school.

"Do you remember what Dad used to say?"  Nicola asked abruptly.

"About what?"

"That if anything ever happened to them, we would be safe."

Mia snorted.  "All parents say stuff like that to their kids.  It's required."

"But Mom—there was something she used to say . . ." Nicola trailed off.  "Don't you remember?"

"Not really.  What did she say?"

"Just that we would always be taken care of and protected.  Oh—and to always stay together."

"Isn't that what Dad said too?" Mia pointed out.

"But it was different, I know it was.  It was the way she said it, like she knew someone who would take care of us."

"Like a fairy godmother?"

"No, silly.  Not a fairy godmother.  But there is someone out there who is going to look after us.  I'm sure of it."