Disclaimer: Alias is owned by ABC, Touchstone, is the creation of JJ Abrams and Bad Robot Productions.

This is my first Alias fic. I'd love to get feedback! Please review the story or e-mail me at jeff_langdon@hotmail.com!

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The Guardian Angel - Chapter 3

Vaughn was already waiting for Sydney when she arrived at the warehouse. This was their first meeting since her last mission. He was deep in thought when Sydney's footsteps alerted him to her arrival.

"Hey," he said softly as he smiled.

"Hey," Sydney answered before sitting down. "Been waiting long?"

"Nope," Vaughn answered as he looked down at his paperwork. Lately, he has found it difficult to think about Sydney without thinking about where their relationship was going. Increasingly, Vaughn was finding it difficult to separate his personal feelings for Sydney and the need to keep the relationship professional. On numerous occasions, Vaughn had seriously contemplated resigning as Sydney's handler; his relationship with Sydney was making his job much more stressful that it had ever been. But then, he always found a reason to back out of his decision.

Little did Vaughn know that Sydney experienced similar feelings about their relationship, although she never contemplated quitting her job as a double agent. She only wished that SD-6 could be destroyed soon because she wasn't sure how long she would remain sane if she had to continue hiding her true feelings for Vaughn.

"So how are you feeling?" Vaughn asked, a concerned look on his face. "I mean, after the last mission."

"It's getting better. Still have a big bruise on my shoulder but nothing I can't handle," Sydney replied with a smile that made Vaughn's heart skip a beat.

"So Sloane wants you to steal the SPG document in London, huh?"

Sydney nodded in response. "So what's my countermission?"

Vaughn handed a pen to Sydney. "There is a hidden camera inside this pen. When you get the document, scan it with this pen so that we can recreate the document when you get back."

"Sounds easy enough."

"Do be careful, though."

"I will," Sydney answered with a sweet smile. "Don't worry."

As Sydney got up to leave, Vaughn pulled out a folder from his briefcase. "Sydney, wait."

Sydney turned around with a confused look. "Another mission?"

"No," Vaughn chuckled. "I got this info for you. You might find it helpful."

Smiling, she took the folder and looked at the contents. "Sark?"

"I take it that you've met already?"

"Don't remind me, Vaughn."

"Well, I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Looks like he is Irina's right-hand man. And he's good.very good."

"Nothing I can't handle," Sydney replied matter-of-factly.

"I know, I know," Vaughn smiled. "But still, be careful. He's probably better than anyone you've faced thus far. Apparently he's one of the best in the business."

"I promise I'll keep my eyes open," Sydney assured. "Thanks for the info though, it was very sweet of you." Sydney leaned forward and gave Vaughn a quick kiss on the cheeks before running out the door, leaving a dazed Vaughn standing in the empty warehouse.

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"I had a feeling my daughter would cause problems," Irina lamented as she took a quick sip of her tea.

"On the contrary," Sark answered. "I think she'll be quite helpful to us."

"And how is that, Sark?"

"Let's just say that Miss Bristow will serve as our gateway to infiltrating both SD-6 and the CIA. She'll be a great source of information to us."

"You sound very confident about this, Sark."

"Oh, I am," Sark smiled. "How else would we be able to track the movements of two world-class intelligence organizations and gain vital information using minimal resources?"

"You do have a point," Irina conceded. After another sip of tea, she looked up at Sark and smiled. "You do realize that I have high hopes for you."

"Thank you," Sark replied politely. "I assure you that you won't be disappointed."

"Excellent," Irina answered. "I'm sick and tired of those incompetent fools. And what about Kirov?"

"His consistent incompetence and lack of respect to authority made him a liability that had to be eliminated," Sark answered, showing no emotion or remorse.

Irina nodded slowly. "I see. And who do you suggest as a replacement?"

"Well, I think Lakisu would be a competent replacement."

"Very well," Irina answered. "Do whatever you see necessary to achieve our ultimate goal. I've been told that you have very creative ways to accomplishing objectives. I'm quite interested in seeing you at your best, Sark."

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Sydney looked down the deserted hallway of the hotel and smiled. "Well, this isn't too bad," she thought to herself. She looked back at the two guards who were knocked out cold. Setting her watch, she proceeded towards the room where the document was held. Once inside the room, she quickly disabled the security system and opened the safe. She glanced at her watch. "Five minutes left. Pretty good!" she thought.

"I have to say I'm impressed with your efficiency, Miss Bristow."

Sydney whipped around and glared at the intruder. "You again, Sark?"

Sark smirked. "Oh, Miss Bristow, you're breaking my heart. You're not happy to see me again? Even after the great time we spent together last time?"

That was enough to set off the fires that were already simmering inside Sydney. She launched her fist towards Sark, but the younger man grabbed it before the fist had a chance to find its target. "Didn't your teachers teach you that it's not nice for a girl to get so violent?" Sark teased.

"No, but they did teach me that bastards like you need to be taught a lesson," she shot back before landing an elbow to Sark's body, causing him to momentarily lose balance. Seizing the chance, Sydney pinned Sark with his back against the wall. She pulled out her gun and aimed it right at Sark's throat. "So who's laughing now?" she snickered. Normally, she would never do such a thing, but with Sark, everything's different. After what he put her through last time, it was payback time.

Somewhat to her surprise, Sark didn't seem scared at all. No sign of fear or nervousness; he wasn't even sweating even though a gun was at his throat. "I have to give him credit for that much," she thought. She quickly glanced at her watch and realized she still had three minutes. She moved the gun from Sark's throat to his temple, wanting to relish this opportunity to make her foe pay. She was taken aback when she noticed that Sark was actually smiling - or smirking at her.

"You do have a sick sense of humour, don't you, Sark?"

"Maybe," he replied. "But you have to admit, this is rather humorous."

Sydney snickered at the comment. "Enlighten me, Sark."

"Well, Miss Bristow. Didn't your trainers at the CIA teach you that you should always make sure that your gun is loaded before you threaten someone with it?"

Caught off guard with the question, Sydney continued to pin Sark to the wall with one hand and used her free hand examine the gun. Sark was right. The gun was not loaded. "What the.?" she whispered.

At that moment, Sark took advantage of Sydney's distracted mind and freed himself from her hold. Reaching into his suit pocket, he grabbed several bullets and showed them to Sydney. "Looking for these?"

A look of shock was evident on Sydney's face. "How did you.?" The shock was soon replaced with anger. Again, she had been embarrassed by this young punk. She had to teach him a lesson. She again lunged at Sark, only to be taken into Sark's arms. His hand covered her mouth as she struggled.

"Get off of me.." she yelled, but her voice was muffled by Sark's hand.

"Quiet!" Sark hissed. "There's someone in the hall."

~ to be continued ~