For disclaimer and other information, see chapter one.

Author's Note: Ack, I'm sorry! I fell asleep before I posted this! Oh, and someone asked me this on one of the places I posted at… Surmising is exactly 20 chapters long, plus an epilogue. There will not be a sequel.

Chapter Eight – Like Daughter, Like Mother (Irina)

Irina Derevko is not an emotional woman.

Yes, she occasionally has exceptional moments whereas her displayed emotion is genuine. But years in espionage have essentially burned those away, leaving her a woman that uses emotion as a useful weapon and nothing more. Even after her full immunity and release from United States custody in exchange for her cooperation, she has found herself to be a shell of sorts. But not today.

Today, her daughter is getting married.

Today, she can not stop proud tears from welling up.

Today, she is indeed Laura Bristow, heart and soul.

Because today, she can feel emotion. Wild, uncontrolled and unchecked.

And today, she loves every moment of it.

"Mom?"

Irina turns. Her little girl stands in front of her, long brown hair flowing around her shoulders and soulful chocolate eyes beaming with joy and anticipation. She is truly aglow in every sense of the word.

Today, the child that grew too quickly becomes a woman in the most simple of ways, and both her parents, who pride themselves on their skills of control, will have to simply stand back and watch.

Irina draws a deep breath, thinking of the long road it took to get to this day, of the many harrowing conflicts and close calls. Her thoughts then drift to the young man she will soon call her son-in-law, the very man whose father will not be in attendance. Because of her.

The man willing to try to make peace with his father's murderer, because of her daughter.

How do you say thank you to the woman who killed your father?

You don't.

"Mom?"

I know what you did for me… proving that Sydney's father betrayed her in Madagascar. I would have been executed for that. Thank you.

I didn't do it for you.

It all came back to Sydney. Even before this day seemed possible, even before she could reveal her plans, she and Michael Vaughn had forged a cold alliance, based solely on their almost desperate need to keep Sydney not only safe but happy, no matter the cost to themselves.

You asked me some questions. I told you that I would answer them if you helped me. You did help me. And I thank you for that.

I didn't do it for you.

"Mom?"

Irina turns, finally jarred out of her musings.

"It's down to two hours. Where are they?"

She grins. Sydney may have been in many ways the antithesis of her parents, but she did inherit one less than admirable characteristic, it seemed. Today had clearly illustrated what that was.

Her need for control. Mr. Vaughn's friend – Weiss? – was right to call her 'The Wedding Nazi'.

"You can always call them, Sydney."

She scowls. "Dad made me promise I wouldn't. Apparently they have things to discuss." She jerks her head up, eyes alarmed. "You don't think he's threatening him, do you?"

"One thing I've learned is to never dare to predict Jack Bristow's actions," Irina answers seriously. "Because if one does, he will either do the exact opposite or do exactly that which you thought he would, to be unpredictable the next time."

It's her turn to scowl. "Most annoying, that man."

Sydney's eyes are huge, she notes.

"That's it, I'm calling them. It would be just like Dad to be heavily influential and ruin my wedding pictures!"

– to be continued -

Reviewer Responses:

Katie: Me too! lol

Kat27: I hate cliffhangers when I'm reading. Writing is another story. ;) Thanks very much for your always kind words!

Jaryn: That would be the Last Two Minutes That Didn't Happen of The Episode That Shall Not Be Named. Uh, ask Kat.

Reverie: Well, I'm very touched you would go to all that effort! Hee. As for the shortness, I guess I just find writing that way easy, so thanks for your feedback on that! I must say though that they get longer as they go on. The wedding itself is 3 pages, which doesn't sound like much but is three times as long as normal. (I'll probably post it in parts).

Nattie700: lol, I am too! But thanks for finally reading. ;)

Agent Jones: wkd, ay? I'll take that as a compliment. As for Jack, my goal is to keep him in character, but at the same time, to show that even he has feelings. I hope I'm succeeding!

Webmistess Eh?: Yes, that was quite foolish of our favorite handler. Poor Vaughn. lol