Irina knocked on her guest room door slowly, speaking in a soft voice.

"Sydney?" she asked tentatively, "Can I come in?"

Pause.

"Sure..." her daughter's voice answered, "Come in mom."

Irina opened the door slowly, smiling at the sight of her daughter. She was truly a beautiful woman. She frowned, however, when she noticed the pallor of her daughter's normally bright face.

"Sweetheart," she said, moving to sit beside her daughter on the bed, lifting a hand to place it on Sydney's shoulder, "Are you alright?" Sydney smiled, shifting her position to look at her mother.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just haven't been feeling well," she said, rubbing her abdomen carefully.

"Stomach?" Irina asked, delighted that she was able to take care of her little girl. She had missed out on years of sore throats, cuts and scrapes. Sydney nodded.

"I've been throwing up all morning. It's been on and off for the last week. I just can't seem to shake it," she said, still rubbing her stomach. Irina only nodded, sinking into thought.

"What mom? What's wrong?" Sydney asked. Irina glanced back at her daughter, smiling softly.

"Nothing sweetheart. I'm just thrilled to be with you again. I've missed you terribly," Irina said.

"It has been nice," Sydney said, looking down at the floor.

"What is it Sydney?" Irina asked, squeezing her daughter's shoulder.

"I miss Julian," Sydney blurted, flushing at the admission.

"It's perfectly normal Sydney," Irina said, smiling knowingly. She had recognized the dramatic change in their relationship when Julian had been in her home.

"No, it's really not. He's my enemy mom," she said, looking at her mother.

"I'm technically your enemy too sweetheart," her mother said, and frowned when her daughter's eyes welled up with tears.

"Sydney, I've done a lot in my life that I deeply regret. So has Sark...Julian. We can't take back those things now. We can only pray that we can change, and that someday, we will be forgiven," Irina said, putting her hand on her daughter's cheek.

"I know," Sydney said, "I just wish I could remember why I feel so close to him...why, I feel the way I feel..." she trailed off.

"How do you feel Sydney?" Irina asked. Sydney sucked in breath, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"I know that I need him here. I know that I need him to be alright," she whispered, and Irina pulled her into a hug.

"He'll be alright, sweetheart. He's a smart man. He can take care of himself. He's cocky because he has reason to be," Irina said, and Sydney laughed softly.

"I used to worry about your father when he went on missions," Irina said suddenly, and Sydney sat up, searching her mother's eyes for any sign of truth.

It was there.

Irina smiled, staring out the window, remembering moments she had never quite forgotten.

"He could never tell me details, but I knew that he was risking his life. I don't think I've ever prayed so much in my life..." Irina said, her voice trailing off, as a tear ran down her cheek. Sydney took her mother's hand in her own, smiling softly.

"I was never supposed to fall in love with him Sydney," Irina whispered, her eyes meeting another pair so similar to her own. Sydney nodded, understanding what her mother was trying to say.

"Despite my blatant disregard for my orders from the KGB, I've never regretted a moment I spent with you and your father. I regret the lies. I regret the sudden exit from your lives. But, I'll never regret loving him," she said, smiling as Sydney pondered that thought.

"I'll leave you alone," Irina said, kissing her daughter's forehead, smiling as she exited the room. When she closed the door, she leaned her head against it, thankful for this second chance. She shook the thought quickly, as something Sydney had said resurfaced in her mind. She turned to walk to her office, for she had some calls to make.


*****

Julian was irritated. Oh wait, he forgot. Andrew James was irritated. This was the second time this week he was being called into his superior's office. All he wanted to do was work, so he could go home to Sydney.

Sydney.

He had not been able to contact her for two weeks now. He missed her laugh, her smile, her eyes...

God.

He was going soft.

Who was he kidding? He had always been soft. A large teddy bear behind the facade of a cold-blooded killer. He sighed at the thought of the beautiful Miss Bristow, and wondered what she was doing in that very moment...

"Mr. James?" a voice asked, and Julian looked up, remembering that he was operating under an alias.

"Yes?" he asked, clearing his throat.

"Mr. Reeve will see you now," the man said, motioning for Julian to follow him. Julian stood up slowly, straightening his suit, and followed the man down the corridor. As they approached Reeve's office, Julian took a deep breath.

The lies were becoming harder to tell.

He took a breath, gathering all inner strength he could muster, and knocked on the door.


*****


Sydney had given up running for the phone. Every time it rang, she had sprinted to it, expecting to hear Julian's voice, only to be disappointed. When it rang this time, and she made no move to answer it, Irina looked at her in confusion. Sydney only shrugged, and Irina stood up to pick up the phone.

"Hello?" she asked, and smiled in Sydney's direction when a male voice answered her. Irina waved the phone in Sydney's direction, and her daughter's eyes brightened. Irina nodded, and laughed when Sydney rushed over to the phone, clearing her throat before she answered.

"Julian?" she asked, unable to hide her excitement.

"The one and only," his smooth voice answered, "Hello love." She sighed loudly, sitting on the couch.

"I'm so relieved to hear your voice. Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yes and no," he answered, and she could hear that he was exhausted, "I'm so sorry it took me so long to get in contact with you. I just had to make sure the coast was clear. I'm under a lot of suspicion," he said. She bit her lip.

"What's going on?" she asked hesitantly.

"Well, they've sent me on a few missions. I just arrived back here this evening. Then, my superior wanted to meet with me..." he trailed off. Sydney sat up quickly.

"About what?"

"He proceeded to question me, my loyalty, and what happened when I ran into you at the hotel," he said, sighing.

"Oh God, does he suspect?" she asked frantically.

"I don't think so. I had to give him the cube. If I hadn't, he would have definitely suspected something was going on," he said, sighing again.

"You sound exhausted," she said quietly, looking down at the floor.

"I am," he said, "I want to be with you." Her eyes widened, and she felt tears forming in her eyes.

"You will be. Soon," she said, attempting to give him strength.

"I know," he said, "I just miss you, is all." Silence. He could almost hear her smiling.

"I miss you too," she said, and then laughed, "There's no one hear to spar with. It really is quite boring." He laughed softly.

"You and your mother getting along alright?" he asked.

"Actually, yes. Very well," she said, and then paused, coughing loudly.

"You alright?" he asked, concern in his voice.

"Yes, I've been a little sick for the past couple of weeks. No big deal," she said, brushing off his concern.

"You sure?" he asked again. She sighed.

"I'm sure," she answered, smiling at his concern.

"Sydney, I'm sorry to cut this short, but I have to go. I have to submit a report to my superiors," he said, hesitant to say goodbye.

"Oh...alright. Do you have any idea when you'll be back?" she asked. He sighed.

"I'm working on it, love. I'll be home soon."

"Okay..." she said.

"Goodbye Sydney," he said.

"Wait, Julian..." she said, trailing off.

"Yes?" he asked, relieved that she had not ended the call.

"Somehow, I know I love you. In some corner of my heart, and not just as Julia Thorne. I just wanted you to know," she said, breathing heavily after the admission. He remained silent, but she could almost see the look of surprise on his face.

"I'm sure I don't have to tell you that I feel the same Sydney," he answered quietly, "Goodbye love."

"Goodbye," she said, and when she heard the dial tone, she hung the phone up slowly.