Author's Note:  So I changed Jack's personality a little, but only a little.  Or maybe this is what he truly is like?  Hmmmm?  Anyway, I had some fun with this chapter, so enjoy and review!  Thanks, Julie ;)

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Sydney sat outside her dad's room, waiting.  She had been there for nearly four hours, just waiting.  Actually, that's not exactly true.  Sydney had been in the room once to see her dad, but he had been sleeping.  The truth was Sydney wasn't sure what to say when she actually saw her dad.  The last time they had actually talked was a month ago when he had left for business in Africa.

Emily had suggested she come home with her, but Sydney had said she needed to talk to Jack, just once.  To make sure he was okay.  Arvin had gone in the room a few minutes earlier.  Sydney now looked up as the door opened and he walked out.

"He's awake now Sydney.  He would like to see you."  Arvin hugged Sydney as she walked forward, and she unconsciously shivered.  Arvin took it as worry for her father, but Sydney wasn't sure what it was.  Every time Arvin Sloane hugged her, she felt a little shiver, and not a good one.

"Thank you."  Sydney smiled bravely and headed into the room.  It smelled like antiseptic, and looked drab.  Jack Bristow lay a bundle of cuts and bruises on the bed, facing away from Sydney.  "Daddy."

Jack Bristow turned and smiled a tight, thin-lipped smile.  "Hello Sydney."

"How are you feeling?"  Sydney slowly moved and sat in the chair by his bed.

"I've been better."  Jack Bristow's eyes almost betrayed his stony face.  Inside he couldn't be happier to see his daughter, but outside, he couldn't bring him self to be warm.  "How are you?"

"Fine."  Sydney was silent at first, but then a mask of anger slid over her face.  Jack became startled, not expecting what came next.  "No, I am not fine."  She got up and began to pace around the room.  "You're never home Dad.  I know I act like that doesn't bother me, but it does.  I will wake up in the middle of the night and wonder where you are.  All I know about you is that you sell airplane parts.  Nothing else.  You are my father, not my neighbor who I see once a month.

"I'm sick of this Dad.  Ever since mom died…" At this Sydney faltered and looked up at her father with tears in her eyes, and a face of defiance.  "I can't do this any more.  I can't live a life with knowing where you are, who you are."

For a minute Jack Bristow didn't answer.  When he did, it seemed as though he was fighting not to tell Sydney something he shouldn't.  "I know Sydney.  But for right now, all we can do is look forward to a future without being apart."

"Why not now."  Jack stretched his hand out to Sydney, who tentatively took it.  "Why can't you come home?  I can take care of you.  Like mom used to, before…"

"I can't leave, not now.  But someday I will."  Jack squeezed his daughter's hand, and smiled as best he could.  "Someday."