'k.. Thank you very much to Snowangel4 for being my first reviewer. Another major thanks to tootiefruitiegurl for pointing out about the review thingie.

Sorry to everyone who couldn't leave a review, but no worries, it's been fixed. Now, there's no excuse for not leaving a comment or two. : )

I'm glad you all are enjoying my story.
A Strong PG rating for a few cuss words..

Chapter 4


For the past nine months since Irina Derevko had been back into CIA's custody, she had been nothing but productive in helping them to find missing Rambaldi pieces, all the while putting major kinks in Sloane's plans and even turning in some of her old illegal contacts.

For those two weeks of searching, they bared the fruits of their labor when they were able to confiscate crucial pieces of artifacts before the madman could get his hands on them.

To be more agile in their search, she and Jack would often split up for three days. But this time, as unbelievable as it was, in those three days, their world was tilted askew when the CIA called them during the mission. Only once before, throughout the eight months had the CIA interrupt their flow and that was when a sighting of Sloane was nearby of their destination. With dire hope of maybe finding their daughter, they quickly abandoned the mission and went straight to capture the bastard, but unfortunately, by the time they got there, his trail was long gone and their desperate search for Sydney was useless.

Since that day of being so close to finding any type of clue that would lead them to her, little by little, she lost her domineering personality of being stoic and became more of an emotionally desperate mother in trying to find her daughter.

Another eight days went by, while she went though a series of debriefs and testings before the CIA were satisfied. She had been itching to see Sydney up close because she had only been granted glimpses though the monitors.

Irina tried to note all the behavioral as well as physical changes that might have taken place with her. She wasn't too surprised at her ability to deal with a lot of the trauma, in fact, she in awe of how in stride Sydney dealt with most of it but it was the little changes that were more significant.

To show good will towards all of her help, the CIA granted her request to meet with Sydney but with one condition. They agreed not to record the audio but there would be not negotiating on the visual.

That would definitely stay.

The most logical open but secure place seemed to be the roof. She had gone up an hour earlier for meditation. Being out in the open, without having fears of being hunted, she began to find her inner strength all the while reminiscing back to when they had gotten that cataclysmic clue along with Jack telling her what she missed. This was how it lead to finding Sydney...

This was the second time they received the call and she could not believe what she was being emailed. As soon as they sent her the files with a recording of her supposed voice, for some reason, her maternal instincts kicked in and somehow she knew that this was the real thing.

Before she made the call to her husband, she wanted to be sure that it was really her. Loading the wave file and using her old access codes for Echelon, she verified in at least six different ways the pitch and tone of her daughter's voice. And every single time, a 98 percent accuracy rate was in favor that this was the voice of her long lost Sydney.

Although Jack didn't show it, publicly, he also fell apart when Sydney disappeared. For a father losing his precious daughter, it was the most hardest thing he had to endure, even more harder than she faking her death all those years ago. And having been in the spy business, he was able to control his emotions much more than Michael Vaughn.

Michael Vaughn, an enigma but his heart on his sleeve for Sydney. Ironic, of all things that he fell in love with the daughter of the woman who cut short his father's life. She thought that it was only a crush of being caught in an adrenalin filled lust. Both of them were very attractive people, her daughter's enchanting mystery was a contradiction to his good boy noble traits but when she was gone, his world annihilated on that day.

She made the call to her husband, though still inadvertently married to him under a different name, neither did anything to change their status, to break the news gently. He was livid, at first but when she told him about her instincts as well as what she did on Echelon, he grew somber and listened to her explanation about a female caller from Hong Kong that had contacted the CIA just a few hours before at the Joint Task Facility with the pretense of being Sydney Bristow. With the new enhanced CIA phones, Marshall had installed so many various updates, from video transceivers as well as hand held computers and other little perks, she sent him the files and out of fear, he did something that she never thought he would easily do.

He quietly asked her to stay on the line with him.

She was surprised at his uncommon request and obliged him willingly. A few intense minutes passed until his voice broke, "I have the strangest feeling about this." He was so obviously rattled that he admitted openly about his feelings, something that he only did in the presence of their privacy. His next question surprised her yet again because it had been years since she heard this tone from him, "Does Michael know?"

Of all the things to ask, she was secretly reveled in the fact that he still had that compassionate and caring nature that she remembered from two decades ago. "I don't know, Nezhnyj-" she unknowingly whispered softly and held her breath, afraid of his reaction to her slip. It was one of her favorite Russian terms of endearment she used to call him which meant tender hearted.

The more believable outcome was he chose to ignore it or maybe, just maybe, he did not notice as he told her to switch on the COMM, although nothing really ever slipped pasted this man. He went back to the Jack Bristow, emotionless and ruthless agent within a matter of seconds. "Who's on the COMM?"

Static was held momentarily when a green agent with fear in his voice answered, "Sir.. Sir.. This... is... is Agent Taylor."

A condescending sigh was heard and Jack replied in his infamous tone, "Get me Agent Tippin now."

Almost instantly, the switch occurred, "Will here."

Pleasantries weren't exchanged as he went straight to the point, steel in his words, "Is this a joke or game Sark's elaborated?"

"I don't think so, Jack. I just came back from interrogating him and from the looks of it, he was just as astonished as the rest of us when I told him about Sydney."

"Hmm.." was followed by a silence, "What do you think?"

If Will was surprised by Jack's unsure tone, his poker face didn't give it away. He knew the type of man Jack was and what it cost him to lose his daughter. He was broken out of musings when the next question was asked hesitantly.

"Have you informed Michael?"

"Apparently I didn't have to-" Will sighed before answering, "-because he already knew, though I have no clue how. When I got through on his cel, he was boarding a plane. Destination, Hong Kong. He said he was only three hours away and from the time I spoke to him, I can safely guess that he's half way there already."

"What?" Irina gasped. "Jack-" all of her pretenses of being an unfeeling woman dropped instantly, "-you have to get there before him. I don't think he'll be able to handle it if his hopes are shot down again."

Begrudgingly, Will fully agreed with her assessment.

Kendall had just walked in and when he noticed that Agent Taylor wasn't on the COMM, immediately he knew who was on the other end. Not wanting to be left out, he turned on the main conference line so he could participate in the conversation that was now heard by everyone in that room.

"I understand that, Irina and from my position, it is about a 45 minute drive."

"Kendall, what are you doing?" Will asked angrily.

He chose to ignore the younger Agent but caught the last part of Jack's message. The screech of tires were heard also, "I'm already on the road."

Mad was an understatement as Kendall turned about 5 different shades of red, "What the hell do you think you're doing?!?"

"Going to Hong Kong to check out this lead," he replied. "I've got a tail."

"I've already alerted covert teams to check. You don't have the authority to abort the mission-"

"Do you need to be reminded that neither Irina or I are under your jurisdiction?" Jack harshly said.

Taking a few deep breaths to calm down from being baited but didn't stop himself from retorting, "And need I remind you that this is a supposed lead that not you but I received?" He finished, stressing out his first person possessions in a condescending tone.

Irina was fuming, "You arrogant son of a bitch. Who do you think you are to be playing with Sydney's life?"

"Tread light, Derevko. Do watch your tone," he said haughtily, "While the two of you are going after this supposed lead, the Rambaldi pieces are in danger of falling into Sloane's hands."

For all the people who were listening to this exchange, they were appalled by Kendall's insensitivity and wasn't too shocked at Jack Bristow's anger for they agreed with his feelings.

Jack snapped, "This is my daughter we are talking about. I'll follow any and all leads pertaining to her, you fucking bastard."

Stunned silence followed after the outburst and Kendall looked around the room to notice the looks of pity and shame towards him.

"I'm the only one going to Hong Kong." Jack cut through the tension by relaying his position and then explaining the new circumstances, "Irina is staying behind to track the pieces."

"What?!?" It seemed that the man was hyperventilating, "Are you crazy man?!? You left her behind to track the pieces? Use your head, or did she gain you trust so easily? In fact, do you remember the last time you let your guard down? " He rubbed it in, "Or maybe, its your other head that's clouded your judgement."

A quiet female gasp was heard on the COMM, as if it was on a loud speaker due to the hush that fell upon the Ops center again because of Kendall's crudeness.

"Consider yourself lucky that you're halfway around the world away from me." Jack didn't bother to hold back the warning in his vicious tone.

Shocked that he would say something like that so openly and pleased that he now had evidence to finally put Jack in his place with the 'Higher Ups', he let out a conniving smirk, hopeful to bait him some more. "Are you threatening me, you-"

"That's quite enough, Assistant Director."

Kendall turned quickly to see his superior officer, Director Ben Devlin in the room along with one of Vaughn's friend, Craig, next to him with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. What he didn't know was Devlin was walking by being updated on the progress of Vaughn's mission as well as the Bristows' by Craig when he noticed was everyone looking tense in the COMM's room and became curious to see why. He diverted his way from going to his office and walked over to see what was happening there only to end up listening to Kendall's tirade for the past five minutes.

"You're relieved."

Kendall's mouth dropped open, "But sir-"

"Did I not make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir.. but are you aware that Jack's left Derevko behind to track the artifacts?" He quickly got out.

"Fully aware." Anger flashed across Devlin's face, "How do you think they have brought in the others before so quickly?"

"Hold it, you knew about this?!? About how he would leave her freely to pursue-" Kendall asked heatedly, feeling left out of the loop.

"Excuse me?" Devlin's eyes narrowed, "But since when do I have to explain the CIA's decisions or myself to you?"

He knew he was in trouble, "Sorry sir, I didn't mean it like that."

"Of course not," Sarcastically Devlin let out. "Stop disrupting the mission by causing more problems and stress for the Bristows'. In my office now." He said, brooking no arguments. "Agent Tippin, you have full operational authorization of this Ops and Agent Craig will be assisting you. Understood?"

"Of course sir."

Right before leaving, he knew the COMM's were still open, "Good luck you two.. on both endeavors."

"Thank you, Devlin." Irina's soft voice spoke for the both of them.

Kendall looked around the room, noting the looks of disgust at his way. When he finally landed on Will and Craig, both of the younger Agents had smug grins across their faces. He knew he was disgraced and reluctantly followed out the Director.

"Never thought I'd live to see the day Assistant Director Baldy go up in flames." The previous Agent on the COMM said and a round of snickers along with a few laughs were heard.

"I agree with you." Irina snorted and then went back to the business at hand. "Jack, how close are you?" she asked timidly, wondering how much closer he was to the safe-house.

With her tone, everyone jerked back into action; Will and Craig with Jack while everyone was surprised at Irina's request to have Agent Taylor's assistance.

Even he was astonished, "Are.. are yo.. you sure Ma'am?"

"Yes."

For the next half hour, the Ops center was in flurry with orders being relayed back and forth, setting up with all contingencies for immediate evacuation for the woman, whoever it turned out to be in Hong Kong.

Jack informed them that he had reached the safe-house. For the next two minutes, the footsteps of about an elite team of nine agents, including him, were heard running up the stairs and securing the area. The next moment, all noises ceased and the nervous excitement vibrated through out the Ops Center.

Noticing the sudden hush, "What is it Jack?" Irina asked.

Everyone was too caught up in the happenings to notice the nervousness in both of the Bristows' voices.

"What if-" he cleared his throat, "What if it isn't her?"

"Well... we'll never know unless you walk through the door," she said wryly.

Easier said that done, he thought grimly. For him to go back into Agent-mode, it was easier because then compartmentalizing his emotions for any kinds of upsets and disappointments were dealt with without remorse.

They wanted the element of surprise on their side, just in case if this was a set up of any kind, they would have the upper hand of taking out this imposter who claimed to be his infamous daughter.

When they reached the fifth floor, stealthy the agents surrounded the door while one of them used a Thermal Reader to scope out how many people were in the room. Scanning it twice against the wall and checking once again, he locked onto them. "Sir, there appears to be only two individuals in that room, sitting across from one another."

"Are you sure, Agent Diggs?"

"Yes sir. It doesn't seem that the people are planning or doing anything rash... no elevations in body temperatures. In my opinion, now would be the time to strike."

Relaying on the COMM's that they were in position and ready, Jack signaled the first wave of agents to kick down the down. As they did and moved out the way, he along with three others followed him in, fanning out with their semi-automatics and attached lasers, pointed at the only two people occupying the room.

Neither of the two showed any reaction with the surprise intrusion or even broke their eye contact as the green eyed man on the chair obviously repeating what he had said before to the brunette woman sitting on the bed, "Since that night... you were missing-" he couldn't control the pain in his voice as he quietly said, "-you've been missing for almost two years." It was obvious that they weren't aware of their surroundings or the danger that they were in but only each other. "The ring-"

Agent Phillips breathed out, "Oh my god-"

Jim Lennox, last of the two agents to go in was in shock, "I don't believe this," it was then that the two became aware of the others as they looked up in surprise. All the people caught the anguished looks on their faces. And when they locked gazes again, everyone felt very uncomfortable, as if interrupting one of their private moments.

"What is it?" Will asked, fear in his voice.

From looking back and forth between the two, Jack's expression was the most heartbreaking, "Syd... Sydney?!?"

Irina's broken voice was heard, "Is... is it... really.. her?" It was obvious she was crying as well.

With tears in her eyes, she broke her gaze from Vaughn and looked up to the man that was her father, "Dad?" She rose from the bed, and took a few steps towards the man, "Daddy?"

He dropped his gun, as well as his stony facade, quickly closing the small distance between them and pulled her into his arms, "Sydney-" his tears started rolling.

For everyone who was a witnessing this reunion, there wasn't a dry eye.

Unfortunately, it was cut short when Agent Parks' sensory alarm started to beep. "Shit..." She muttered and the others looked at her hesitantly. She started to explain, "Sir, I had set up sensor lasers as we were coming up the stairs. According to the readings, there's been a few breaches downstairs."

Jack had no choice but to let go, although he didn't want to lose the physical feel of her, "Damn.. I knew I was being tailed on the way here."

Will relayed that everything was set, from their getaway transportation to the awaiting CIA jet.

Even before Jack was about to give the orders, the Agents got into position. Adrenalin was flowing, giving them all an extra edge.

Sydney noticed her dad looking behind her. She turned in time to see him handing Vaughn an earpiece while locking eyes, a mutual understanding pass, that no matter what the circumstances they were about to face, each would willing forfeit their life in protect this woman.

She was astonished, watching Vaughn stand up slowly, cold resolve overtaking his emotions as he pulled out the gun from the hidden holster from his back. It seemed to her that he became the epitome of the ruthless Agent her father had once was.

When the Agents went into their tactical defensive modes, two by two went out the door to sweep the hall. Indicating that it was safe, they all went out only to run into a hail of bullets a few seconds later. Luckily, none of them were hit as they started running back the other way to the second staircase hidden behind one of the walls.

"The safe-house's been compromised." Jack said over the COMM's.

Shooting the key access pad, the wall opened immediately and they ran down two flights when she was out of breath. She couldn't believe how out of shape she was.

Before Will or anyone from the Ops center had the chance to respond, Irina beat them all, "That gunfire sounded too close for comfort. Are you all okay?"

"Yes." Sarcasm dripped from Vaughn's voice. "Never a dull moment in our lives."

Hearing her pant, the Agents ahead of her let up on their speed while Lennox, Phillips, her father and Vaughn were on the rear, shooting back at their pursuers.

Knowing they slowed down for her, she became angry. "Don't slow down on my account." She said frostily because pity was something she never wanted. As she started to breathe harder to accommodate her burning lungs, her anger brewed. Feeling a little dizzy, she slipped and almost fell until a pair of arms caught to steady her back while still scrambling down.

She tingled for a moment, remembering that it was almost similar in the way he pulled her while running out of that building in Stuttgart when chasing her mother. She was still slightly weak from being immobile for so long and he caught her masked look of exhaustion.

When he stopped suddenly and pulled her to do so as well, everyone followed his lead, puzzled .

"Vaughn-" Her father frowned.

"What are you doing?" she asked, searching his eyes but he was oblivious to everything around him but her. Everyone watched in awe he picked her up without a second thought, cradling her gently into his arms as he started rapidly going down the stairs, effortlessly holding the woman in this arms.

No one dare questioned or spoke, afraid of his wrath as they followed his lead.

After four more flights of stairs, they finally reached the main floor. Just as they were about to go out, Jack and Lennox threw smoke bombs that detonated as explosives once the bombs were done with expelling the smoke.

A jeep and a van were waiting outside as Will promised. The driver in the jeep signaled them to the van and came over the COMM's to tell him that he was the decoy. They quickly veered towards the larger vehicle. Everyone jumped in while Vaughn still had her in his arms, and her father and Lennox the last two to get in as the they sped off, listening to the minimal gunfire behind them.

Most of the agents were slightly out of breathe, carrying an extra 60 to 70 pounds of ammunition, Marshall's mini gadgets and other tact gear but no one complained for Vaughn had carried 140 pounds down all those steps without breaking a sweat.

They watched as he maneuvered around the van and put her down gracefully next to her father while becoming mute and scrutinizing her features to see if anything was amiss. No one was surprised to see her fall asleep, her head on Jack's shoulder. His eyes became full of tears, but this time, he didn't let them drop.

At the current speed, the ride to the private airstrip took only half the time. When they got there and the car stopped a few feet away from the jet, being the light sleeper Sydney was, woke up, going into full alert.

Not wanting to spend anymore time crammed next to three of the most feared CIA Agents, they quickly got out with the pretense of sweeping the already secured area.

Jack, Sydney and Vaughn were the last to get out. The atmosphere became tense unwittingly so Vaughn got out, followed by Jack, who held out his hand for her. When she got out, she took a deep breath of air only to feel wheezy again. This time, her father noticed and reached for her only to have Vaughn come out of nowhere and scooped her into his arms again.

All the agents who witnessed this before weren't too caught off guard but all the others who were seeing this for the first time, dumbfounded and envious expressions were apparent on their faces as they watched him carry her 20 feet from the tarmac and up the stairs of the jet.

Majority of all the female agents, along with a very few males, literally swooned. Although they weren't acquainted with Agent Vaughn, he was quite well known through the Agency for his brains, chivalry and of course, his gorgeous looks... but that was before she disappeared.

They had rumors of him going rogue and his 360 degree personality transformation but no one had to courage to ask or call him on it. His name became feared throughout the spy world, the black market and even Sloane, who put a bounty on his head ever since he took Irina Derevko back to Los Angeles.

As the plane took off, Jack let out a semi-tense sigh, noting that his daughter and Vaughn sat on opposite ends of the plane. He got up to personally thanked the agents for all their help.

An hour and half into the flight, Jack finally gave up when Sydney kept looking back and forth between him and Michael. When he brought up the young man's name, she became moody and just shut down. Trying another method, he coaxed her to eat but she refused adamantly and went out like a light, without any sleeping pills.

He spent the next hour watching her sleep along conferring with Ops Center and then switching back to only Irina to reassure her that it was really their daughter.

When he caught the intensity of Michael's stare, he caressed her face delicately and pulled up a blanket to cover her. He quietly went over to sit next to him. It was nagging him as to how he knew about her, "I spoke to Will before heading to Hong Kong. I also asked him if he informed you but he said you already knew. How did you know?"

Closing his eyes and trying to work out the cramp in neck, he slumped back into the leather seat.

It was the first time, in almost four months, that he had seen the younger Agent let his guard down. He thought that the man also fell asleep, he was about to get up to leave when Vaughn started to explain.

"I assume Irina's listening as well."

"She doesn't have to if-"

"It's okay." He took a few breaths before starting, "I don't know how to explain it to either of you." He sighed, "A few months back, I had passed out from drinking more than my usual-"

Jack looked at him sympathetically and without judgement because he'd done the same as well.

"I was out for almost two days. Probably overdid it but really didn't care. I had this dream.. more like a hunch... no, maybe a feeling-" he was getting agitated for not finding the right word.

"Is he talking about an augury dream?" Irina asked curiously

Jack supplied the equivalent word, "Foreshadowing?"

"I think Irina said it correctly." The corner of his mouth turned up, "I still have my earpiece."

She cleared her throat, "My apologies. If you prefer me not listening, I will comply to your wishes."

"Might as well hear it now because I won't be repeating it." He said in a monotonic voice and launched into his dream. For the next two hours, it was eerie listening to his story and how similarly it played out tonight from his weird pull to head towards the safe-house in Hong Kong to Jack's attempted rescue and of course, the bad guys shooting off a few rounds. He knew that he had both of the Bristows' rapt attention and through it all, he was never interrupted, only gasps were heard. When he finished, he was drained from not only the day but also racking his brain to retell his dream.

Irina broke the silence, "I've heard of similar cases, the tribulations of love and loss but I can't say I had heard one so deep, Mr. Vaughn. I know that you don't want to hear this, but I am truly honored for having the chance to see my daughter's soul mate in you."

Jack cleared his throat, wondering at the unpredictability of Vaughn's nature and his response to what she just said, "Michael-"

He held up a hand, stopping Jack before he said anything else, "Ironic as hell, isn't it?" A contriving laugh escaped him, "My other half is the daughter of the woman who cut my father's life short?"

They heard a sob escape her before she was able to control it.

"I don't believe in the ideology of sins of the parent unto the child." He said quietly and then took off his earpiece. Handing it to Jack, he turned his face towards the window meaning he was done for the night.

Since another six and half hours were left until reaching Los Angeles, Jack went back to sit next to Sydney all the while going back and forth between the Ops center for updates and his original mission.

When they finally did get to LA, Sydney was well rested enough to get around on her own and the CIA had a Retrieval Unit there to take them directly to the Joint Task Facility.

She tried to block out all the changes and distractions as she, alongside her father, Vaughn and the Extraction Team walked through the Ops Center. There were a lot more Agents than she remembered, fear in the eyes of all the new recruits and admiration from all the others who knew her before.

She was about to be immediately hustled off to Medical Services and before going, she thanked each agent for her rescue. They all left afterwards to give the last three privacy. She thanked her father, but didn't feel as comfortable to give him a hug.

He was obviously disappointed by her smile but didn't push under the circumstances.

Lastly, Vaughn was the only one left and as they stood toe to toe, they locked gazes once again.

Even Jack felt like an outsider and though he wasn't a voyeur, he was fascinated by their interaction with all the emotions they were emitting.

Silent communication reigned until Vaughn absent-mindedly ran his left hand across his face.

When she noticed the ring, she recoiled as if she were struck physically.

No words were exchanged as she watched the glow from his eyes diminished at her reaction to him. He then stepped back and left, without saying a word.

He watched a few emotions flicker across after Vaughn's departure but in no time, she became cold again. "I'll be back." He said and watched sadly as she stiffly nodded. Looking back at her one last time, with a heavy heart, he left as well.

Walking towards the rotunda, he heard Michael bark out his plans to Kendall, whom was caught off guard with the Agent's attitude.

Knowing that Jack didn't want to waste any time, Will informed him that he already had another jet fueled and ready to take him back to Irina and their original mission. He made Will swear to keep an eye on Sydney while he was away and the young agent accepted his responsibility solemnly.

As he was about to escorted back to the airport, Michael caught up with him just in time to disclose the minor details of why he was going to leave town again for a few days. He said he needed some time to deal with Sydney's reappearance and how they were going to deal with one another again.

On the way to the airport, he thought about how many lives had just been changed. He was emphatically happy that Sydney was now back and also how Irina's soothing voice had kept him sane. He was startled to notice that the past 36 hours, despite all the non stop craziness, she had been his constant...


She was jolted out of her meditative state when she heard the access door of the roof open. The hour went by fast and she opened her eyes, taking in her daughter's features, after seeing her for the first time alive, functionally and healthy in almost two and half years. She wasn't too surprised when the first look thrown her way was full of ice.

A malicious grinned flitted across her face, "Long time no see," Sydney said as she stood a few feet away from her mother. "Can't say that I missed you much."

Irina, still calmly sitting in her meditative position, hid the hurt of her words and called her, in a gentle but authoritative tone, the only one thing she had given her daughter without any deceit or lies... her name.

"Sydney..."

And finally, a flicker of emotion came across the young woman's face when she noticed the older woman drop her facade, "Mom.."

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I don't ask for much, people. Just read and review. Helps me to know if you all like it and if I should continue on with it.