Her plane had arrived in New York only five hours ago. It had taken about an hour to get to her daughter's school, and even less time to convince Taryn to join her on her final mission. This surprised Sydney; she had always assumed that Taryn would never want to encounter the woman who had killed her real father.

However, when Sydney had reached her daughter, Taryn accepted almost immediately. It was almost as if she was not surprised by the revelation that her real mother was alive, not to mention the fact that Melina was holding Anna and Sark captive. Sydney was not about to pose questions though; Taryn had always been an intensely private person, and she did not want to violate that privacy.

At the turn of the fourth hour, Taryn's clothes were packed, her dorm was locked, and they were on their way back to the airport, where Eric was meeting them to take a flight to their destination. Taryn was quiet the entire way to the airport, and most of trip on the plane. She only spoke once, very briefly.

"Dad?" she asked, tapping her sleeping father. She looked over to her mother, who was occupied with the in-flight movie. Good, she thought. Eric snapped into consciousness, the result of being a very astute father.

"Yeah, honey?"

"Do you think I'm doing the right thing here?" she asked timidly.

"Well...you have to answer that yourself. You've always had good instincts. You have to trust them. What are they telling you sweetheart?"

"Honestly?"

"Yes."

"Well, dad, to tell you the truth, I have thought about this all of my life. Not meeting Melina, my mother...but getting revenge. She caused my father's...Michael's death."

"Honey, listen, he's your dad. Don't sugarcoat things for me. I feel fortunate to have been a dad to you all these years."

"Dad, I know we've talked about this before, but mom always gets so sad...what was he like, really?" She sat up in anticipation.

"Well," he started, turning to face her, "he was a great guy. I met him in training. He went to law school...he was a smart guy, really intelligent. He was hilarious, always pulling pranks outside of the office. When he was on the job, he went by the book, but when he met your mom...oh man. The rule book was thrown out the window when he met Syd.. She had this ability to make him melt, lose all sense. He loved her so much that it nearly killed him when she disappeared. I've never seen him so depressed. Then he met Melina, and I saw a bit of what he had been before. He was so happy when he found out Melina was pregnant...when you were born, his life finally made sense again. You were his world. I know that you were the last thing he thought of before..." he paused, tearing up.

"Before he died. I wish I had known him," she said, tears falling down her cheeks.

"I know honey. But we have to remember this...God has a purpose for everything. There is a reason why Michael is gone...I don't know what it is yet, but I know I will one day, and you will too," he said, wiping away a tear on her left cheek.

"Thanks daddy," she said, before throwing her arms around his neck.

Behind Eric's back, Sydney Weiss smiled. As soon as she did, however, her face held a look of resolve. Melina Bristow would pay...she would make sure of it.

*****


"Dad, we are so screwed," Anna Weiss said, straining to see her father's face in the dark room they were locked in.

"Anna...let's not get hasty. I believe your mother will come for us."

"Sydney Weiss?" Sark cringed at the use of Eric's last name in connection with Sydney's. Anna snickered. "She hasn't gone on a mission in twenty years. What makes you think she's going to come help us?"

"Because you're her daughter Anna. She loves you."

"Yeah, okay," Anna said.

"Look, Anna, your mother has always had your best interest at heart. She went through a lot when she was an agent..."

"Like what?" Anna knew about Vaughn of course, but other than that her knowledge of her mother's past was very limited. It was a topic that wasn't discussed very often.

"Well...her fiancé was killed by SD-6 when she was in college...she lost two years of her life, lost the man she loved to her own sister and watched as he died. Sure, she loved the adrenaline Anna, but she hated that she had to lie to those she loved to conceal her true identity as a CIA agent. She hated it Anna...she wanted to spare you from this life."

Anna was silent for a moment. She had not known any of this information. She wanted more details behind this situation, but only one question sprang from her mouth at this moment.

"What happened during those two years daddy?" Sark heard the question, but hesitated for what seemed like a lifetime. He wasn't sure if he was ready to answer it; but what could it hurt now? He had nothing to hide.

"She was with me. I was to discover if she was the woman in the Rambaldi prophecy. We conducted several physical tests and missions to determine if she was or not...she was not. However, in the process, I fell in love with her. I'm not sure if she loved me as much as I loved her, but as you already know, we had you."

"Yes. Do you ever regret any of it? Having me?" Sark didn't hesitate to answer this question.

"Never, Anna. You are the reason my life has changed, why I've changed. You're my redemption, my hope. There's so much of your mother in you...more than you know, or would ever admit. Every time I see you, I am reminded of her. God, I loved her...still love her."

"I'm so sorry daddy. I'm so sorry she doesn't remember being with you...I'm sure she loved you." Sark laughed rather darkly.

"What makes you so sure love?"

"When I graduated from college, and she took a picture of you and me, I noticed something in her eyes when she glanced up from that lens."

"And what is that?" he asked, curiosity getting the best of him.

"I think she remembers, somewhere inside. She remembers falling for you, loving you, having me. You see dad, it's not just you she forgets. She forgets a little piece of me as well. I'm a lot like you...can't wait until the day that she recalls everything...remembers my little face...how I looked when I was born. Until that day, I can only pray."

Sark was taken back by Anna's admission. He had never really thought of that. Sydney couldn't remember the first year of Anna's life; that must've been very painful for his daughter.

"Yes. We can only pray," he whispered. They sat in silence for a few minutes, until Anna spoke.

"I love you daddy...I just want you to know. I know our family situation is screwed up, but I've always loved you," she whispered, tears falling down her face. Sark's throat suddenly became very dry. He felt his way over to where his daughter was located, and embraced her tightly.

"I love you too sweetheart," he spoke, stroking her hair. Tears fell down his own face, touched by her admission. "Your mom will be here soon," he spoke, and listened as her breathing slowed, and she fell asleep on his shoulder.


*****

Hours Later...

"They're at the location boss," he said.

"And?" Melina asked.

"And they have the girl with them," he answered.

"Excellent. I told you I know my own daughter. I knew she'd come with them. And oh, if Sydney knew what she was up to," she laughed maniacally, "Good thing I'm aware...I'll know how to combat her attack, and she'll be mine," with one last look at her henchman, she stood, loaded her gun, and left the room, heels clicking on the cold floor.