__

Chapter Fifteen:

Revelations

__

Vaughn stared at her wordlessly, his eyes wide with shock and a thin veil of fear. Sydney hated that this news could not be a happy moment for them, she had imagined it happening so many times but never like this. She swallowed her tears and pulled away from him, standing to splash her face with water. He came up behind her while she washing her mouth out, wrapping his arms around her. She could not bear to meet his eyes in the mirror, knowing if she did so she would break down into his arms yet again.

His palms smoothed over her skin to rest on the swell of her stomach, sliding her shirt up to touch the bare flesh hidden beneath. He pulled her close to him from behind, pressing against her and resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Syd," the sound of her name from his lips forced her eyes to his. There was a gentle smile on his face as he gazed at her and it grew slowly. "This is amazing."

Sydney crumbled, the tears spilling out as she shook her head. "No, Vaughn. Don't you understand?" The horror was rising inside of her, gripping her with paralyzing fear. She could barely force the words past the lump in her throat but knew that she had to, she knew that they had to face the truth.

"This child may not be yours," it was a strangled gasp that escaped her lips. She watched the joy in his eyes morph quickly back into the same fear she felt. Images of her rape experiences came back to her, he could see them reflected in his eyes. A burning anger rose in his heart that he struggled to suppress, he had to be strong for her.

"It is," he rocked her gently in his arms and planted a row of kisses along her neck. They bloomed on her flesh like roses, coloring the pale skin gently. She sighed softly and shook her head.

"How can you know?" She asked, her words were filled with a deep pain and he stroked the swell of her stomach gently.

"I can feel it," he whispered. He knew no better way to explain it, but he felt deep in his heart that she bore no man's child but his. "It is our destiny, after all." He smiled again at her, joy filling his heart when he saw her smile softly in response. He turned her to face him and stared deep into her eyes, struggling to replace her fear with joy.

Wordlessly, she fell against him and that was all he needed to gather her up in his arms gently. She was as light as gossamer in his arms, but the way she nestled her head into his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck was the realest thing he had ever felt. He carried her back into the bedroom and settled her back down in the bed.

"You need to rest, you have been through way too much in the past few days. You deserve to sleep," he smoothed a tender hand across her brow and she nodded sleepily. Her eyes were already closing, the most recent emotional exhaustion already draining her strength. He leaned over to kiss her gently on the forehead and wrapped himself around her. One hand settled protectively over her stomach and he smiled at the thought of their child. They had been through far too much to be denied this.

He was dozing lightly beside her when he felt the light touch on his shoulder. He moved without thinking, snapping to attention instantly. He gripped the wrist of the person intruding their space and found himself staring into the eyes of Irina Derevko. He relaxed and let go with a slight sigh. Irina's eyes flickered to the sleeping Sydney and she gestured to the hallway outside. Vaughn eased himself out of the bed gently, placing a kiss on Sydney's forehead as he did so. He pulled the covers up around her and tucked her in gently, she did not stir.

He turned the light off as he left the room, casting one last glance back in to make sure she was still asleep. Closing the door softly behind him, he leaned against it to gaze at Irina. They expression on her face was fierce but there was tenderness in her eyes.

"What is it?" He asked, folding his arms across his chest and looking down at her. Irina bit her lip, tucking a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear in a mannerism that was so typical of Sydney, Vaughn almost smiled.

"I've spoken with your father."

Vaughn straightened, his arms falling away from his chest. "What did he say?" He asked urgently, he had almost forgotten in the excitement.

"He has agreed to meet with you," Irina's eyes darkened. "But only you."

Vaughn frowned, "Why?"

Irina shook her head, "He didn't say but I am not surprised that he doesn't trust me. He probably suspects I'm keeping you prisoner."

Vaughn bit his lip and glanced at the door to the room where Sydney rested, obliviously unaware. "When?"

"In an hour, he will be in Dublin."

Vaughn nodded, "I suppose that means I'll have to leave now."

"Yes, it is probably best that Sydney is sleeping. She would not want you to go alone."

Vaughn felt a sense of uneasiness creep into his heart at the thought of leaving Sydney. They had not been seperated since the moment they found each other again and he did not want to change that. However he could not pass up this chance to see his father.

"I'll be ready in five minutes, have a car ready."

Irina nodded and turned away, Vaughn watched her walk away in silence, he struggled to quiet the chaos of his thought into coherent order. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door behind him and slipped back into the darkened room.

He approached the bed quietly and stood over Sydney's sleeping form for a long moment, watching her with a silent reverence. She appeared so peaceful now, the nightmares gone and her fears forgotten. She had rolled over to his side of the bed, one arm flung across the empty space where he should be. Her hand was clutching his pillow lightly, the way she gripped his shoulder unconciously at night. Constantly holding on for support.

He shed his clothes quietly, depositing them into a small pile at the foot of the bed. Dressing quickly, he found a piece of paper and pen to scrawl her a quick note of what was happening. Folding it and writing her name across the top, he left it on the pillow she was holding onto. Kissing her head softly one last time, he whispered into her hair.

"I love you," turning on his heel, he left her sleeping peacefully in an empty bed.

__

The world outside was surprisingly bright and clear for an Irish morning. Vaughn took this as a good omen as he pulled up into the empty parking lot and stepped out of the car. The prophecy was concealed in a small bag slung across his shoulder, Jack and Irina had both been hesitant to let it out of their sight but they had no choice. William had clearly expressed his terms for the meeting and there was no question in Vaughn's mind of complying. He could understand why his father would not trust Irina, but he wished that Sydney could be with him. Though he was thrilled at the thought of seeing his father again, he knew how calming and empowering her presence was for him. She kept him strong however, even when she was not with him.

The designated meeting place was an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Dublin. Vaughn glanced around the parking lot for any signs of life but found none, unconsciously he checked his gun in its holster. It was a force of habit that he had not been able to shake even six months after leaving the CIA. He stopped short before the heavy metal doors, the only barrier now between his father and himself. Closing his eyes, he drew in a deep breath and quieted his mind. Briefly he wished once more for Sydney's calming presence but just the thought of her soothed his frayed nerves. Her face smiled at him behind closed lids and he grinned back. Pushing one hand against the door, he found it opening easily beneath his touch. Quietly, he entered the building.

The warehouse was dark inside, dim and dusty. He could see the dust dancing in the air where the thin light shone through windows high in the wall. He moved deeper into the large room and halted abruptly in the middle, as one of the shadows move away from the wall to meet him.

Time seemed to slow, his heightened senses aware of every noise and movement around him. The scurrying of mice into the corners, the swoop of a bird's wings as it fluttered out of the rafters, the way the light danced across his father's face as he stepped into the room to face Vaughn.

They stood in silence for a long moment that seemed to stretch out into nothingness, staring at one another in awe. Vaughn could see himself reflected in the man before him, he could see the stranger in his memories brought to life before his eyes. He was older, of course, they both were. He had lines furrowed deep into his forehead that crinkled as he studied Vaughn, deep green eyes that were so like his own, the same sharp profile. Vaughn struggled to breathe, to speak, but could barely do so and maintain standing. Thirty years worth of sorrow over his father's death rushed over him like a wave crashing onto shore.

"Michael," it was William who broke the silence first with that simple word, the name he had given to him so long ago. Vaughn stared at him in disbelief, unable to move.

William Vaughn smiled at his son and moved to embrace him. Vaughn was still in his arms for a moment before allowing his composure to crumble. He wrapped his arms tightly around his father and gasped for air, swallowing the broken sob that rose from his throat.

"Dad," the whisper was like dust in the sunlight, barely tangible but real enough to whisper across his flesh. William Vaughn pulled back and looked at his son, studying his face with a quiet concentration that Vaughn knew he had inherited.

"Michael, after all these years," he shook his head and Vaughn could see pride gleaming in his eyes. "I knew this day would come," his eyes drifted to the bag Vaughn was clutching loosely and his face hardened. He turned back to his son and gripped his shoulders, "You have brought the prophecy?"

There was an urgency in his voice, something hidden beneath the surface that caused Vaughn to shift away from him uncomfortably. "Yes."

William stepped away and rubbed his face with the calloused palms of his hands. His gaze drifted around the warehouse momentariliy before returning to his son. Vaughn could see something in his eyes that appeared to be regret and the sense of unease that had lingered with him all throughout the day grew and flared into a spark of fear.

"What do you know about this prophecy?" All of the questions that Vaughn had kept bottled up inside of him the past few days threatened to spill from him suddenly. He struggled to sort them out and speak coherently.

William looked for a long time at his son, studying the emotion on his face. "I know everything," he whispered. He seemed sorrowful as he spoke, "I've dedicated the last thirty years to learning the truth, Michael. There is no way that I can simply tell you all that I have learned."

"You can try," Vaughn swallowed hard and felt his walls harden against this stranger before him, his father. He had the same features, the same mannerisms, but the father he had known would never keep something like this from him.

William shook his head, "I know that you are questioning everything, Michael. I know that you are afraid." He stepped closer to his son and gripped his shoulder tightly, Vaughn stared into his eyes, unafraid, challenging him wordlessly.

"You're damn right I'm questioning everything," Vaughn heard anger seep into his voice and could not control its course. "First I find this prophecy that I never knew about, then I learn that my father never died from the woman I hated because I thought she killed you. I don't know what to think anymore."

William watched him closely as he spoke and heard the words he did not say, he almost smiled at it. He knew that Vaughn was protecting her, could feel it in the words he did not speak. "You didn't mention discovering that the woman you love is alive as well."

Fire flared in Vaughn's eyes, startling William with its intensity. He stepped closer to his father, his stance no longer relaxed but alert and poised on the edge. "What do you know about Sydney?" He hissed the words and William knew then how much his son loved this woman. It almost broke his heart to realize it.

"I know many things about Sydney Bristow, I knew about her before you ever did."

Vaughn was filled with anger now, a thin current of fear coursing beneath a sea of rage. He gripped his father by the lapels and yelled into his face, "Who are you? What do you want from us? What happened to the man that was once my father?" He was trembling with rage and William stepped out of his grasp smoothly. He studied Vaughn cautiously, gaining new respect for his son. Michael Vaughn was not a coward.

"I am still your father, Michael, though I have missed so much. All these years, I have been acting on your behalf."

Vaughn glared at him through narrowed eyes, "What have you done to me?"

"I simply set you on a course that would lead you to your destiny. If I had not done what I did, you would have never met Sydney Bristow and you know it as well as I."

"You took away my choices in life!" Vaughn shook his head and threw the bag containing the prophecy to the ground. William merely shook his head calmly.

"I expected you to be wiser than this, Michael. Your choices are what led you here, I merely influenced their direction."

"Tell me what you know!"

"Thirty years ago I was assigned to investigate the Milo Rambaldi artifacts. I learned much about them, how to read the text, what devices we knew of at the time. I was sent on a mission to find the painting that you have since seen. It was then that I discovered that it was no mere coincidence that brought me to the Rambaldi mystery. It was fate." William bent down gracefully to retrieve the bag with the prophecy. He held it lightly as if it were a living creature, thriving beneath his touch. Vaughn simply stared at him, at a loss for words. The emotions that conflicted within his breast at the moment were far too consuming to be sorted out quickly.

"I knew that you were the man in the prophecy, not I. I also knew that I could never trust the CIA with this information because God knows what they would have done to you. So I did the only thing I could do under the circumstances, I struck a deal with Irina Derevko and escaped. I have dedicated the last thirty years to finding Rambaldi artifacts in connection with the prophecy. I have done things that you might hate me for but all of my actions have been for your protection. Everything I have done has been to fulfill the prophecy and end it once and for all."

Vaughn shook his head, "How am I supposed to believe you?"

"You think it is coincidence that all of this has happened? That your precious Sydney was sent to my home after all this time to retrieve a prophecy long thought destroyed? Who do you think fed that intel to the Covenant?"

Vaughn stared at him, the fear in his heart growing faster. "You work for the Covenant," he breathed. He did not want to believe it, could not bear to believe that his own father was the one responsible for what had been done to Sydney.

William smirked and shook his head, almost sadly. "No, Michael. I am the Covenant."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Vaughn was truly alarmed now, this meeting had spiralled rapidly out of control. For the first time, he was glad that Sydney had not come with him. He would have been delivering her straight into the hands of her enemy, his father.

"When the Alliance was destroyed, a man named Arvin Sloane came to me." Vaughn spit on the floor at William's feet at the mention of Sloane's name, a look of true disgust in his eyes.

"You work with Sloane?" The shock was clear in his voice. William shook his head, unsure of how he could explain himself adequately.

"Not anymore. At the time, we had things to offer one another, it was the lesser of two evils. He wanted to use my Rambaldi artifacts and promised me that what he found would be something beneficial to all of Rambaldi's followers. We formed a small group called the Covenant, but about six months ago we split apart. Sloane had unearthed a new Rambaldi prophecy that he refused to share with me, he began to do horrible things and I withdrew my partnership."

Vaughn snapped into action suddenly, slamming his father against the hard cement of the wall and hissing with rage. "Did you know about what they did to Sydney?" When William did not answer, Vaughn slammed him against the wall once more. "Tell me!"

"Yes, I knew, but I was not behind it and by the time I learned of her abduction, it was too late. Michael, you must understand that all of this has been part of a greater plan. All of the suffering that you two have endured has been to prepare you for what is to come next!" William gasped for breath beneath Vaughn's tight grip, but his son did not budge. "We have come to the breaking point, Michael. The beginning of the end. You must understand, Michael! Everything I have done, has been for you."

Vaughn's fingers dug into his flesh and his verdant eyes darkened to chips of steel, gazing steadily into his father's face. "You're a liar."

William sighed, "I'm sorry that it has to be this way, Michael." Looping his arms around his son, as if to hug him close, William thought he felt Vaughn softening his grip slightly. Seeing his opportunity, he brought his fist up hard into Vaughn's head. He watched his son's eyes roll back in his head, an expression of shock crossing his face as he crumpled to the floor.

"I am sorry, Michael," William breathed as he stepped over his son's still form. "There is still one more trial that you must endure, the hardest yet." He rested his hand on Vaughn's forehead, smoothing away the wrinkles there. "You cannot escape your destiny, son."

Carefully, almost tenderly, he gathered his son into his arms. Vaughn was limp in his grasp, unmoving, unseeing, unknowing of what was to come. He carried him out of the building to the car he had concealed at the rear of the building. It was time to run the last stretch of the race, William was simply doing his part to ensure who the victor would be.

When he had settled Vaughn into the backseat of the car, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed quickly. The sound of the numbers reverberated in his head and he chased away the doubts that lingered in the back of his mind, he knew that this was the only course.

"Is everything in order, Julian?"

Sark's smooth voice filtered through the wires to meet William's ears. "Yes, sir. We are on our way now."

"Good, it has been sent into motion. I have him with me."

"Sir, are you sure about this?" Sark frowned and kept his voice low, he could sense Lauren looking at him from the other seat of the car in curiosity. He avoided her glare.

William frowned as he slid into the driver's seat of the car and closed the door behind him, "Julian, what have I told you about questioning me?"

"Yes, Sir. My apologies, I will carry out your orders without question, Sir."

"Good, I'm counting on you Julian."

"I will not fail you, Sir." Lauren was staring pointedly at him now, he could feel it but Sark ignored her. They were coming up on the safehouse now.

"I'm counting on that, Julian." Williams last words were puncuated by the phone clicking off in Sark's ear. He sighed and flipped the phone closed.

"Who was that?" Lauren asked, her voice was filled with suspicion and Sark glared at her.

"No one you should be concerned with, Ms. Reed. You should focus your mind on the matters at hand, we're here now."

Lauren looked up at the building as they approached, a cruel smile twisting her face. She would get her revenge soon enough.

__

Sydney awoke with a start for the second time in darknes, but this time something was different. There was a panic rising deep inside of her and she glanced around the dim room wildly, searching for Vaughn. Her eyes fell on the empty space beside her and the note with her name on it, inscribed by his hand. Her heart sank deep into her chest and she picked it up with trembling hands, afraid of the words she might find within.

"Syd,

My father has agreed to meet with me, but only me. I am leaving for a warehouse in Dublin, your mother can tell you the details. Rest easy and I'll be back before you know it. I love you now and forever.

Yours forever, Vaughn."

Sydney felt a wave of nausea sweep over her, an unconscious reminder of her fragile state. She clutched her stomach with her hand and swallowed hard, something had gone wrong. She could feel it deep in her bones, something had happened to Vaughn.

Bolting from the bed, she threw on the closest clothes she could find, Vaughn's t-shirt and her pants. She could smell him on the clothes, a deep clean scent that had always felt like home to her. Now it heightened her fear, the sixth sense she had for Vaughn was flaring up. She knew in her heart with a certainty that terrified her that something had happened to him.

She rushed into the outer room where her parents were seated at the table. The note was clutched in her hand, knuckles turning as white as the paper with the force. She struggled to keep herself from shaking, she could not let her parents know about the pregnancy.

"Where is Vaughn?" She demanded to know when they turned to look at her. The words turned to ash in her mouth when she saw the expressions on their face. They were scared.

"I believe I can answer that question," a smooth voice from the shadows met her ears and Sydney froze. She knew that voice.

She turned slowly to meet Sark's eyes, he smiled cordially at her and stepped from the shadows. He was followed by Lauren Reed, Sydney seethed with barely contained rage. She leapt for the woman, her hands closing around her throat instantly.

"What have you done with him, bitch?" Sydney was shaking now, overwhelmed by the terror that was rising inside of her. Lauren simply smiled and shook her head. Sark gently pried Sydney's fingers away from her throat and shook his head.

"Now, Sydney. I am here to offer you something that you cannot refuse. Killing my associates will not help you get your boyfriend back."

Sydney's hands fell from Lauren's throat as she turned to Sark. "What do you know, Sark?"

He smiled, Sydney resisted the urge to slam his head into the wall and wipe that smirk from his face. "I know many things, Sydney. I told you once that we would work together, you and I, we are very much alike. You will come to see this."

"Stop speaking in riddles, Sark, and answer my question!"

Sark studied her closely, his eyes drifting around the room from Jack and Irina who sat motionless at the table. Both were vibrating with rage, Irina thought he had betrayed her, Jack simply hated him. He looked back to the two women before him, Lauren seemed quite pleased with what was happening though he knew she would not be happy until Sydney was dead. Sydney was a whirlwind of emotion, fluctuating between anger and fear, rage and sorrow. He had always admired her composure, her courage in the face of any danger but this was a new side to her. She was a woman deep down, beneath the tough spy exterior and she loved this man, Michael Vaughn, with an intensity that even Sark could see.

"I work for William Vaughn, the head of the Covenant."

Sydney gasped in shock, aware of the way everyone around her had the same reaction. None of them had known this either, not even Lauren who was a Covenant agent.

"Oh, God…" Sydney stumbled away from Sark to collapse heavily in a seat between her parents. Instantly, she felt Jack's hand on her back, soothing her gently. Irina did not move, staring at Sark with rage in her eyes.

"You have betrayed me, Sark," the hiss of anger in her voice was so like Sydney's. His eyes flickered to her and he shook his head slowly.

"No, Irina. I have done what you could not. I have seen the Rambaldi prophecies come to fruition, none of you can understand what has been sacrificed in order for this moment to be possible. But listen to me and listen carefully, Michael Vaughn will die if you do not come with me. The prophecy will never be fulfilled and all of our life's work will have gone to waste."

Lauren spoke up from the shadows, "If William Vaughn is the head of the Covenant, why was I ordered to kill his son?" Her hatred was forgotten in her confusion and she looked up at Sark with genuine curiosity.

Sark sighed heavily, "The Covenant was the child of Arvin Sloane and William Vaughn, created to study the Rambaldi artifacts and see to the fulfillment of the prophecies. It split into two factions when the Telling machine was activated and Sloane discovered what he felt to be his true purpose. Vaughn and Sloane disagreed and Sloane took control of the Covenant. Sloane is the man who abducted you, Sydney. He is the one that hired Oleg to torture you, Ms. Reed here to kill you. William Vaughn had no part of that, he is trying to correct the mistakes that Sloane has made."

"How are we supposed to believe you?" Jack asked, his hatred for this man coming to the surface in full force. Sydney merely sat in absolute stillness, her eyes cast down on the table before her. It was as if she had not heard a word Sark had spoken, she seemed lost in her own thoughts but every person in the room knew better. She had heard it all.

Sark shook his head, "The only way to know the truth for yourselves is to come with me. William can explain everything to you himself."

"Vaughn's father has abducted him," Sydney said slowly. She was slightly confused by all of this, but the basic facts were laid bare before her. She did not have to look up at Sark for his nod of assent, she knew it to be true already. Slowly, she looked up to meet Sark's eyes. They stared at each other for a long time, the clash of equals on opposing sides. Sydney didn't know who she was working for anymore, her only concern was for Vaughn.

"We will come." She whispered. Sark smiled in satisfaction, the pieces were falling into place.

__