FYI— Because this fiction stems from an already established show, I thought it only appropriate to give you an idea who this new character is. Elena Derevko is Irina's youngest sister. I picture her as being played by Connie Nielson (Gladiator, One Hour Photo). Hope you guys like her, I think she should be a good addition. Keep reading and reviewing...thanks!!! Kat
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"I only want to help, Jack." Sloane's voice leaked incestuously throughout the small room.
"I know what you want Arvin. I've always known. I will not be a party to your designs. My daughter is missing, her life is ruined as a result of you. Do not pretend to be ignorant to that fact. You've known it all along." Jack sat in the desk chair of the small motel room where they'd agreed to meet.
"After all I have informed you of at present, I don't think I deserve you condemnation. I have always had Sydney's best interests at heart. You may not agree, but there are many things we will never agree on. Your love for Sydney is unquestionable, and I hope to attain that status someday."
Jack smiled knowingly. "Arvin, you will never experience the type of relationship Sydney and I have. It has taken nearly thirty years to attain. I would not presume to understand what you are going through at the moment, but allow me to make certain one thing. Whatever relationship you hope to establish with this long lost daughter of yours, whatever delusions you have about love, and respect; know this, you have more to atone for in this life, than you could in a thousand lives."
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"Sydney." Irina sighed upon hearing Sydney's voice.
"Mom, where are you?" Sydney said excitedly.
"I've left Zurich. I'm safe." She replied a smile crossing her mouth.
"Good, so have we. Any news?" Sydney asked, hopeful but hesitant.
"I must see you in person to relay the information to you, but yes I have new Intel. Have you spoken with your father?" Irina's question was worried.
"No I haven't. Is everything okay?" Sydney expression faded into worry as well.
"Everything is fine Sydney, don't worry so much. How are you?"
"I'm alright." She paused, not sure how to put how she was feeling into words. "It's hard to go back to being yourself after having to be someone else for so long."
"Sydney," Irina sighed, before taking a breath. "It will take time for you to adjust, don't try to rush back into anything."
"How did you do this?" Sydney asked, knowing how loaded the question was.
"Sydney I do not think this is something we should compare. I didn't have a life to return to, I left the only happiness I've ever known." Irina said almost inaudibly.
"I have no life to return to." Sydney protested.
"You have Michael." Irina said immediately. "You must focus on that. You have been given another chance. You will so be free, and able to find a new life, to build a life with him. Don't let your past prevent you from being happy. You're alive, that's all that matters." Irina felt herself tell her daughter, everything she wish had been said to her. Not when she returned to her life within the KGB. Irina thought back to when she'd first known that she could love Jack, when she first feared that her life was becoming more truth than lie. If only someone had told her that life, and love were more important than loyalty or ambition. If someone had only told her to find happiness, hold on to it and never let go. There were so many 'if only's".
"I still feel like I'm another person Mom. Like the lie I was living was really real." Sydney cried, allowing a tear to escape her eye.
"What you have lived through was not a lie Sydney. You did what you had to do. You survived. You cannot pretend that for the last year you have been someone else. No one else could have endured what you have. You have been made exponentially stronger by the trails you have suffered. You have been changed, but it is up to you now to use it. Exploit your suffering, the way it did you."
"I don't know if I can believe that. I don't know if I want to believe that I did everything over this last year, that it was really me."
"Sydney, we all have the capacity for evil within us. We are all forced to find that and use it at some time. This does not make you a bad human being, only a stronger one. You are not consumed by hate, or rage, or exploitation. Your guilt is your salvation, without it you would be truly lost."
"Thank you." Sydney breathed.
"I wish I could have prevented this."
"I need to see you."
"I will find you in Marseilles. I love you Sydney."
"I love you too Mom."
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"Hi." Vaughn breathed, stepping out into the frigid air of the balcony.
Sydney turned her head to watch him, tear marks visible on her face. Vaughn closed the door behind him and stepped toward her.
"My mother has new Intel." Sydney said turning back to look out at the mountains.
"That's good news." Vaughn said stepping up next to her along the railing.
"She's going to meet me in Marseilles." Sydney said, hints of her crying still audible in her voice.
Vaughn put his hand on her shoulder, wanting desperately to wrap her in his arms, but terrified that was so fragile she might break if he didn't handle her with the utmost care.
Sydney closed her eyes, as Vaughn's hand reassuringly remained firm. "Vaughn I can't describe what I'm going through. I can't tell you haw hard it is to think about the shambles that my life has become." She paused for a moment, turning to look him in the eye. "But I am so glad that you're here. You make this so much easier." She smiled letting a tear fall from her cheek.
Vaughn smiled and reached to wipe the tear away. "Sydney, you are my entire life." He blurted out happily. In the last 24 hours ago my life was in complete shambles. But here you are, my whole world is right again." He smiled reaching for her waist and pulling her into a tight embrace.
"I feel like I've been spinning around, and around, and then all of a sudden I've stopped and everything is still spinning." Sydney said into the warmth of his shoulder.
"Lucky you've got me to hold on to." Vaughn said kissing her hair.
"My guardian angel." Sydney sighed.
"You're the angel." Vaughn breathed.