Author's Comments: Special thanks to leigh who apparently is a slave to my story, lol. I know what's it's like to read a story that you can't put down for the end of the world. Trust me, many late nights. Anywayz, thanks for all who have kept reading and reviewing. I promised you all excitement in the 8th chapter, and I keep my promises so as Mario would say from N64's Mario Kart "Here we goooo!"

Chapter 8

Arvin Sloane stood up in front of the Alliance of twelve and began explaining the situation. "As we've just been informed, we had no success in obtaining Rambaldi's crystal in Rome," Sloane began. "However, we have determined that the crystal could possibly be contained in an artifact previously acquired by one of my agents. Unfortunately we found that this agent was a double agent for the CIA. In that manner, we received a fake replica, while the CIA is currently in possession of the real artifact."

"Your plan of action is?" Asked the leader of the SD-4 cell.

"I believe that it would be in the best interest of the Alliance to send in one of our ground agents," Sloane said, referring to those loyal to the Alliance.

The leader of the SD-1 cell spoke up. "Did you have a particular agent in mind for this mission? After all, you are thinking of infiltrating the CIA of all places."

"I think we should send in Agent 3471," Sloane suggested.

"No way!" proclaimed the SD-2 cell leader. "Agent 3471 is not only new but unpredictable."

"Be that at as it may, she is however a good agent and she knows the territory."

The SD-1 leader looked at the two of them. "We shall vote. All those in favor of allowing Agent 3471 to perform this mission, say 'aye.'" Seven leaders said aye. "All leaders who oppose say 'nay.'" Five leaders protested. "Very well, we shall allow Agent 3471 to accomplish this mission. Arvin, you are in charge to make sure this plan goes over smoothly." Arvin nodded, smiling at his victory.

As soon as the meeting was over, Sloane headed down to the basement to talk to Agent 3471. He had the guard open the door, and he stepped inside. Agent 3471 was working at the jogging machine when he stepped in. She slowly reached over and turned off the machine. She stepped down and resumed the attention position.

"I've got a mission for you. I'll have your tools you'll need for the mission sent down after this meeting, but I thought it best to come down here and tell you what you're up against," Sloane said smiling. "Your mission is to obtain the Rambaldi crystal from the CIA," Sloane watched her flinch.

"Permission to speak, Sir," Agent 3471 requested.

"Permission denied." He continued on as if he hadn't been interrupted. "We believe that the crystal is contained in a watch you obtained last year. At that time we weren't aware of its use. You know of which one I'm referring?" Sloane asked.

"Yes, Sir."

"Good. Your tools will be delivered within the hour," Sloane said stepping to the door. "Oh, and please keep in mind that all of your conversations are to be monitored along with your exact locations," Sloane emphasized before closing the door.

* * *

Vaughn leaned back in his desk chair pondering on really anything that came to his mind. Diane had returned from Rome without the crystal saying that the crystal had been stolen. She had done some research and found that its thief of an owner had been Henry DeLime, a jeweler who had a shop in the outskirts of Rome. The shop had closed down mysteriously after a break-in, and DeLime and the crystal had mysteriously disappeared.

The name had actually sounded familiar, but Vaughn couldn't determine why. He reached for his watch and looked at the time. It was midnight. Vaughn knew he should get home, but he didn't feel like going home to the dark empty house. He had already called his neighbor and asked them to feed and take Donovan out for a walk, so he didn't have to rush home. He rubbed his eyes and reached for his radio. The station that happened to come on was country, featuring Diamond Rio. He listened peacefully to the lyrics.

Every now and then,
Soft as breath upon my skin,
I feel you come back again,
And it's like you haven't been,
Gone a moment from my side.
Like the tears were never cried;
Like the hands of time are holding you and me.

And with all my heart I'm sure,
We're closer than we ever were.
I don't have to hear or see,
I've got all the proof I need.
There are more than angels watching over me:
I believe; Oh, I believe.

That when you die your life goes on:
It doesn't end here when you're gone.
Every soul is filled with light,
It never ends and if I'm right,
Our love can even reach across eternity:
I believe; Oh, I believe.

Forever, you're a part of me.
Forever, in the heart of me.
I will hold you even longer if I can.
Oh, the people who don't see the most,
See that I believe in ghosts.
If that makes me crazy, then I am,
'Cause I believe.

The song stopped abruptly as the power went out within the whole building. Vaughn sat up abruptly. He waited a second for the back up generator to come into effect, but it didn't. Vaughn reached for his phone, when there was no dial tone; he reached for his gun.

He headed down the CIA hallway somewhat blindly, not exactly knowing who or what he was looking for. He rounded each corner armed and ready. He made his way towards Irina Derevko's cell, thinking that it might possibly be an attempt to bust The Man out of jail. He passed the lab room and stopped dead. Someone was in there. He could hear it. He headed towards the keypad and entered the code. The door opened soundlessly.

He saw someone dressed in all black with flowing blond hair. He pointed the gun at her as he released the safety. The girl heard it and turned around. He could see the gleam of a watch in her hand as she placed it in her pocket, but that wasn't what he was paying attention to. He looked carefully at her face. The hair was wrong, the eye color was wrong, but she looked exactly like her.

"Sydney?" he cried. The girl froze. Vaughn lowered his weapon, she walked over to him. He could see her eyes looked pained. "You're alive."

"Sydney Bristow is dead," she claimed just as she delivered a quick kick to disarm him, and a second that threw him against the wall. His head hit the wall with a thud and the world was black to his eyes.