"Say it, mother. He deserves to know," she said, glancing back at Julian.
"He doesn't know?" Irina asked. Sydney shook her head.
A throat cleared.
"Excuse me, ladies? What am I not privy to here? Someone want to clue me in?"
*****
Irina and Sydney shared another glance, and Sydney turned to Julian slowly.
"Sit down Julian," she said, motioning to the bed.
"I'm fine," he said, looking at her intently.
"Trust me, you want to sit down," Sydney said. He sighed loudly, and sat down roughly on the bed. She sat down next to him, rubbing her hand over her face. Irina remained in her position beside the door.
"What is it Sydney?" he asked. Sydney glanced at her mother, who nodded.
"Julian..." she said, trailing off, "I think you've been noticing my behavior lately. This is really the first night since you've been back that I have treated you like crap. I've been emotional, sick...distant..." she said. He smirked.
"Yeah, I've noticed. So what's wrong?" he asked. Sydney hesitated.
"Julian, I'm pregnant," she blurted, and his eyes widened. He looked away from her to where Irina stood, and Irina nodded. He looked back to Sydney, suddenly nodding.
"That is how that doctor knew you," he said, and Sydney nodded.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just didn't know how to say it," she said. His face softened. He couldn't be angry at this woman.
"I understand. But..." he trailed off.
"What?" Sydney asked.
"I don't want to pry, but whose is it?" he stumbled. Sydney frowned.
"I'm not sure. I'm three months pregnant," she said, looking down at the floor. He gasped.
"Which means..." he trailed off. She looked up at him, her eyes filling with tears.
"Which means I can't remember," she finished for him. Instantly he took her into his arms, holding her tightly.
"Oh Sydney. I'm so sorry. I should've protected you. Oh God," he said.
"This isn't your fault Julian..." Sydney said.
"I beg to differ," Irina intruded suddenly, and both the agents before looked at her in shock.
"Mother," Sydney hissed, and Julian gaped at Irina.
"I'm sorry Julian, but Sydney, I've just received news," Irina said.
"What kind of news?" Sydney asked.
"I had tests taken, without your permission," Irina said.
"What?" Sydney demanded, and Julian placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I know who the father is," Irina blurted. Sydney and Julian's eyes widened.
"How?" Julian asked.
"A blood test," Irina answered, staring intently at Julian.
"Whose blood?" Sydney asked. Irina's eyes remained on Julian.
"When you went to the hospital, Julian, I had a doctor test your blood," Irina said, and Sydney's eyes widened. Irina turned to Sydney.
"Julian is the father of your child," Irina said, and Sydney gasped in horror.
"Oh God," she said, looking at Julian. Julian moved his hand to her stomach, and rubbed it lovingly.
"You mean...I'm a father?" he asked, looking over to Irina.
"Yes," she answered. Julian's eyes returned to Sydney's and she was openly crying.
"Sydney..." he trailed off.
"I'm okay. I'm just overwhelmed. I'm glad you're the father...now that question is answered. But..." she trailed off, the color draining from her face.
"The prophecy," he finished for her, and he frowned.
"Yes, the prophecy," Irina chimed in.
"You know about the prophecy?" Sydney asked.
"Yes, I do," Irina answered. Julian looked at Irina, and she, reading his thoughts, nodded.
"We have to protect you Sydney, and this baby. If the Covenant finds out about this child, they will stop at nothing to bring the prophecy into being. If we raise this child, and protect him or her, we...and the world, will be safe," Julian said, staring intently into Sydney's eyes. Sydney looked to her mother, who again nodded in agreement.
"He's right Sydney," Irina said, and Sydney nodded.
"I can't believe this is happening. We've done everything to stop this prophecy from happening. It's almost as if..." Sydney trailed off.
"As if it's meant to happen," Julian said.
"No," Irina said, and they looked at her questioningly.
"This will not happen. Your child will hurt no one. And no one will hurt your child," Irina said, moving to stand in front of the two parents.
"I promise you, no one will hurt your baby. But, we're going to need help," Irina said. Sydney and Julian glanced at one another, then turned back to Irina.
"We need to call the CIA. We need to call your father Sydney," she said.
*****
"Bristow," Jack said, answering his phone.
"Jack," a female voice answered. Jack visibly stiffened.
"Irina," he said, sighing.
"Jack, your daughter needs you," Irina answered. Jack's eyes widened.
"Where is she?" he demanded. Pause.
"She's with me, and with Julian," Irina said.
"Julian?" Jack asked.
"Sark," Irina answered.
"What?"
"You heard me Jack. Sydney needs you. Trace this call. Bring Agents Dixon, Vaughn and Weiss. Her reporter friend as well. Sydney has requested their presence," Irina answered.
"Why? What's going on Irina?" Jack asked.
"Jack, I know you have no reason to trust me," Irina said, and Jack snorted loudly, "But Sydney needs you. She needs her friends," Irina said. Jack paused, and heard Sydney's voice in the background. He heard a shuffle and then, his daughter's voice.
"Dad," she said. Jack smiled, overjoyed to hear her.
"Sydney, thank God. What's wrong sweetheart?" he asked.
"Dad, please, do as mom has asked..."
"But..."
"Please, dad. I need you. I need them. Don't ask questions," she said. He hesitated, but nodded.
"Alright. Anything for you Sydney," he said. He could hear her sniffling, and wished that he was by her side, comforting her.
"Thank you dad. Hurry. I love you," she said, ending the transmission.
Jack sighed, and immediately dialed Marshall, to enact a trace.
