Title: Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps

Author: Amanda, nihongogirl.whichever

Rating: I'm gonna go with PG-13 for this one, just in case

Characters: Jack and Irina, Sydney and Vaughn

Disclaimers: I don't own them, obviously

A/N: This is the final part in The Music Series. I'm posting it separately because it's getting long. You don't really need to read Criminal and Shadowboxer first, but I would recommend reading Cry Me A River first.it goes more with the plot of this one than the other two. And, in my opinion, it's better. Please, read and review.

Irina sat in her window seat, thinking about something to say to Jack. She wanted to finish the conversation they had started days before, but knew that an airplane was not the best place to do that. So instead, she decided on something more trivial. "What is your problem with Sydney and Michael?" she asked, hoping he would respond.

"I don't like that they are breaking so many rules. He is her handler; they shouldn't be in a relationship."

"I didn't know they were. Do you know something I don't, Jack?" She was amused; that was the exact response she had expected. "Or do you not like what their 'relationship' reminds you of? A KGB agent falling for her target, perhaps?" She had lowered her voice so the people around them couldn't hear and Jack almost couldn't hear either. He had his head lowered next to hers and the proximity was throwing him off.

"I don't like where this is leading, Irina. Just drop it. I don't like that my daughter is falling for the man who is charged with keeping her alive. Leave it at that, Abigail." He moved as far to the other side of his seat as he could without falling into the aisle, making sure she knew the conversation was done.

Irina sighed heavily and turned her body to the window, looking out at the clouds. The relative quiet of the plane was somehow soothing to her and soon she was asleep. Jack, hearing her breathing even out, turned to look at her. She again had a peaceful look. He smiled to himself and watched her sleep like he had done earlier that day.

Sydney and Michael watched the body movements of the couple a few rows in front of them. They couldn't hear what was being said but it was clear from the way Jack moved to the opposite side of his seat that it was nothing good. But then he turned back to the center and Sydney assumed that the conversation had taken a turn for the better. Her attention moved to Vaughn as he gently placed a hand over hers. "What do you think they're talking about up there?"

"I don't know. Dad's probably complaining about us breaking the rules. Did you see the look on his face when he saw us holding hands? He looked about ready to kill," she said, looking at him.

"Yeah, and that probably wouldn't have been good for the mission. Your mother didn't seem to mind so much. She looked amused actually, but I don't know whether it was because of us or your father's reaction."

"Probably a little of both. So what do you know about this artifact we're supposed to get?"

"Not much. I know it was hidden by your mother before she turned herself into custody. She had it with her right up until then. We don't know what it is, what it does, what it looks like, nothing. Your mother wouldn't tell us a thing. Why would she do that? She's been so helpful until now."

"I don't know. I can't begin to understand her. She has done some things that I probably will never understand."

"Like when she shot you in Taipei?" he asked.

"No, she explained that to me when we got back from India. Cuvee was in the next room watching us. If she hadn't done something, we both would have been dead. It was a test to see who she would be loyal to."

"Oh." Changing the subject, he asked, "So what do you want to do while we're in Tokyo?"

"Anything, as long as it doesn't involve Sark and Sloane clothed-only-in-a- towel." He threw her a look and they both started to laugh, uncontrollably.

"I don't know how you stood that, Syd-Julianne." He had caught himself before finishing her real name. They couldn't risk breaking cover, even if they were only on the airplane. They were finally able to get their laughter under control, only after receiving various looks from the passengers around them. They turned their attention back to the couple in front of them.