Irina Bristow glanced at the clock that hung on the west wall of her kitchen. Sydney had called several minutes ago to warn her that Anna was on her way to the house. Another argument, Irina thought, sighing loudly. She sat with her left hand under her chin, her right hand tapping the table in expectation.

A door opened, but from the way it opened she realized it was her husband. She breathed a sigh of relief, overjoyed that Jack would be there for the arrival of their granddaughter.

"Hi honey," she yelled, and smiled when he came into view.

"Hey sweetheart," he spoke, leaning down to kiss her lightly on her lips. He pulled away, noting the exhausted expression on her face. "What's wrong?" he asked, taking a seat beside her.

"Sydney called a bit ago...Anna's on her way over here." Jack's eyes widened.

"Another fight I presume?"

"Yes. As always," Irina said, rolling her eyes. She sighed before continuing, "Sydney's worried about her Jack. I am too. She reminds me so much of..."

"Sydney?"

"Well yes...her too. But mostly myself Jack. I look at Anna and I see myself at that age."

"She is the spitting image of both of you," Jack answered, rubbing his wife's hand with his thumb.

"Yes, and she's reckless, just like Sydney...just like me. Jack, perhaps this is more punishment for my crimes," she said, looking into his eyes.

"Irina, you're not being punished. You are forgiven. Anna is just like Sydney...and though I hate to say it, like Sark. It's in her blood. Do not blame yourself," he said, cupping her chin in his right hand. At this instant the door opened once again, and Anna entered.

"Hey grandma, grandpa..."

"Hi sweetie," they answered in unison.

"I assume my mother called you."

"Yes, she did," Irina answered.

"Then you know she is completely wrong about me!" Anna yelled, falling into a chair across from her grandmother. "Grandma, if anybody can understand me, it's you!" Irina sighed. Even Anna had noted their similarities. Jack took this moment to intervene.

"We understand you Anna, and we love you...however, we agree with your mother on this one," Jack stated, to which Anna's eyes widened.

"You can't be serious?! Grandma?" she yelled, looking to her grandmother for support. Irina nodded, silently agreeing with her husband. Anna's eyes were ablaze.

"All of you are so hypocritical! You guys lived this life for years, and you loved it!"

"Correction, Anna. I paid for my crimes, not necessarily by justice but by the weight of my own guilt. I hated that life, but it was the only way I knew. I left a husband and daughter behind, lost another child and had to kill many people to reunite my family - all because I was too weak to walk away from all of that..." Irina stated, tears filling her eyes. Anna's expression softened.

"Grandma, I wish I could explain this to all of you...why I'm doing this - why I stay. However, I know that if I tell you, you will be more troubled than you are now. I ask that you trust me. Please." Jack and Irina shared a glance before nodding together.

"Of course we trust you," Jack said, standing to hug his granddaughter.

"But please..." Irina interrupted, "Promise us you will be careful."

Anna nodded, "I will Grandma. Soon, this will all be over," she stood up and straightened her jacket, grimacing at the pain that still pulsed through her wounded shoulder.

"I have to go..." Anna spoke, and before exiting the house, cried, "I love you."

Silence passed between Irina and Jack for a short time. No words were necessary - both were worried - what could their granddaughter be up to?


*****


24 hours later, Alexander Sark arrived at his home in Ireland, tossing his coat onto a couch in his living room area. He rolled his neck about, struggling to massage the tension in his neck. He sighed as he traipsed down the hall to where his office was located. Instead of taking his usual seat behind his desk, he sat on an armchair, resting his feet on a matching ottoman.

He glanced around the office, noting all the book on scattered shelves. The truth was he hadn't read most of them. He was extremely intelligent, but had not acquired the time to read a good book. Most of the books had been purchased for Sydney when she had been here during her 'missing' years. He smiled at a memory of her.


~flashback~


A very pregnant Sydney sat in the office on the couch, consuming a late night snack. In between munching, she read a book out loud for the benefit of the baby. She did this every night, sometimes for hours. Sark smiled at the sight.

"Hey," he said, interrupting her storytelling.

"Hey," she smiled, leaning into his kiss. He sat next to her, placing his hand on her stomach.

"Do you think she hears you?" he asked.

"Of course. I play music, read and speak to her every day...she's going to be an intelligent child Alexander," she spoke lovingly, caressing her mid-section. Sark smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Just like her mother," he spoke, before leaning down to kiss her again.


~end flashback~


Sark sighed. When he had taken Sydney into captivity, his objective was only to conduct tests on her. He never appreciated the 'soft spot' he had for her - frankly it made him weak. The physical tests had taken two months, and then, when she was conscious, he relayed to her the entire truth; they had to discover if she was the woman in the prophecy of Rambaldi.

Thus, Sydney was sent on missions. She did not like staying hidden from Vaughn, her father...her friends. She killed several people while on assignment, though mostly in self-defense. One evening she came home and cried for hours - the first time he had seen her lower her defenses in his presence.


~flashback~


It was raining and Sark was in his living room, awaiting her return. The door slammed, and he heard her stifled cries before she entered the room. Believing she was alone, she threw herself on the couch, burying her head in her folded arms, shoulders shaking violently with sobs.

"Sydney," he spoke, shocked at the display.

"What?" she shouted, "You've been there this entire time?"

"Syd..."

"Don't call me that! Don't! Why do you keep me here Sark, why?"

"Sydney, please...calm down!" He was now seated next to her, massaging her shoulders. Surprisingly she had not pulled away.

"Sydney, this is all for your protection. A key date in one of the Rambaldi documents is approaching. We...I...must make sure that you are safe." Sydney looked up at him, examining his eyes. He seemed to be telling her the truth.

"Sark, I'm so scared...I just want to know the truth," she whispered, falling into his arms.

"I know Syd, I know..." he was glad she let him use the name. They sat like this for a long time, until her breaths became short and he placed a blanket over her sleeping form, watching as she slept through the storm.


~end flashback~


He hadn't lied to her that night. He had been protecting her. The truth was that he would have done anything for her - still would. He had realized that stormy evening that he had allowed himself to fall in love with her. He suspected that she would be the only woman he would ever love.

Even masterminds could be wrong...he had been. The date he had mentioned to Sydney - the date in the Rambaldi document - was the night Anna was conceived. That frightened him...but that fright was overshadowed by the arrival of his daughter, nine months later.

His suspicions had been wrong. One look at the child in his arms, and he was in love. She was a product of a love that would never fade - at least for him. He realized that Sydney would most likely never remember, but she had loved him too. If only he could change that night - the night she was taken from him forever...

He shook his head. He chose not to think about that evening. He never wanted to remember. Instead, he turned his thoughts to Anna, his sweet, sweet Anna. She was beautiful like her mother, with determination to match. He had last seen her six months ago, when she graduated from college.

He loved her, but rarely saw her. He did not want to complicate her life. He had ruined his chances with her mother - he could only hope that his redemption would be found in his sweet girl. Perhaps that was why he had turned, changed....was it for Anna, Syd or himself? He was not quite sure.

He stood at this thought, walking to his desk. Without looking down, he began to turn the chair around, since it was facing the window. Immediately he felt the extra weight on it, and his eyes widened at the sight before him.

"Anna?!" he asked, staring that his gorgeous daughter.

"I was wondering when you were going to come to the desk," she smirked, "I was beginning to fall asleep." He shook his head, smiling at her. You look so like your mother, he thought.

"Hi sweetheart," he said, touching her shoulder, "A little far from home, wouldn't you say?"

"I suppose," she answered, " I had a fight with mom," she answered, glancing at her feet. Sark grimaced - he was aware that Syd was not pleased that Anna had joined the CIA.

"Are you alright?" he asked, bending down in order to look up at her.

"Yes," she answered, "I'm fine. She just thinks I'm reckless."

"Well, you are."

"How do you..."

"I have my ways sweetheart," he smirked, but his demeanor quickly changed to a look of sincerity. "I'm pleased that you're here...I've missed you terribly."

"I've missed you too...though that's not why I'm here," she said, sinking to the floor directly in front of him. He was slightly puzzled. Her eyes glowed, reminding him of how much of himself was truly present in the woman before him.

"Alex...Daddy, I need your help," she spoke, her eyes pleading with him. He looked at her, a tear coming from his eye. Daddy, he thought. It was truly a beautiful word. She did not have to ask. He would do anything for his little girl. He sighed, smiling lopsidedly.

"Anything," he spoke simply, and at this tiny word they shared an embrace.