Title: The Distance

Rating: Currently PG

Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own any of the characters, except for the made-up ones who are included here. Sad - eh?

Summary: Sydney's father is keeping something from her. It's nibbling away at him, and is causing him to stress out. Curious and scared for Jack, the CIA team set out, trying to find information on why he is so stressed. Until he speaks up, a shocking secret and surprise haunt Sydney...and is a great gain for the Covenant.

Chapter One

Sydney walked into the office of the CIA and found herself walking to a desk, piled up with papers of work to be filled out. Yesterday her mission in Russia was a success, and she was able to smoothly gain access in and out of the facility, to gain the Rambaldi box. The box would lead the CIA to greater power and Intel which would uncover the biggest secret of Rambaldi's latest masterpiece yet.

Grateful, Sydney was called into the de-briefing room for another mission or for the latest information on the Covenant. The Covenant were an organisation which were in competition to uncover all Rambaldi artifacts before the CIA. They were most likely to use the artifacts as a selfish way, and to gain power over most of the world.

Sydney walked into the de-briefing room and took her seat which was on the right hand side of the room. She was the last to enter, and they all waited for Dixon to tell them why they were there.

"Thanks to Agents Sydney Bristow and Michael Vaughn, we have uncovered the Rambaldi box. We have yet to discover the key which open it. The Covenant have just received the news that we beat them to the box, and will do anything to try and get it into their own hands. But, with this key, the Covenant can still try and gain access to this key. If they get it before we do, they will hold one thing we need, and use it to their advantage." Dixon paused. "Since Agents Bristow and Vaughn have returned safely from Russia after recovering the box, you two will be sent to Cairo, Egypt to try and uncover the keys. You will be leaving in two hours. Marshall will inform you about your tech." Dixon handed Sydney and Michael a folder each and smiled at them, and at Marshall.

Sydney quickly opened the folder, then looked up at Dixon. "Do we know what this key looks like?" She knew that once Dixon said when they would be leaving, everyone left. But Sydney needed to picture the description of the key in her head, so she wouldn't mistakenly bring back a rock, and something which has no connection to Rambaldi's box.

Dixon looked at her, then at the corner of his mouth, he smiled. He turned his head and said, "I am glad one of you asked that. The key, we do not know what it looks like. Marshall?" He turned to Marshall.

Marshall pushed his chair out and stood up, opposite Sydney, "Uh...we suppose...I mean I suppose the key looks like a golden object. Since Egypt has the sun set on it a lot, most things are gold and probably a Pharaoh had possession of it, probably a pretty powerful one. But, it should be somewhere separate from all the other jewels and should be more dangerous and...uh...life threatening." Marshall looked worried. "But never to worry, I have the tech that will help you guys out..." He smiled, "hopefully."

"That's surely comforting." Sydney said with sarcasm. Marshall was always a comforting person to be around, even if he did ramble off or make dangerous situations sound more...dangerous.

"Any more questions?" Dixon asked, before they were dismissed. No one spoke up. "Be ready, you leave in 2 hours, as mentioned before." Dixon smiled and walked out of the room with Jack Bristow, Marshall and Lauren Reed following him.

Eric Weiss, Vaughn and Sydney remained sitting there for a few minutes longer. Sydney sighed, gathered up the folder and walked out of the room.

Vaughn began making his way to the door until Weiss grabbed him by the arm and held him back. "Michael, are you sure you want to go to Cairo with Syd?" Weiss was worried about Vaughn, since he and Sydney had a past relationship, and also a "past" in Korea.

"Yeah, why do you ask?" Vaughn looked at Weiss. He was confused. Weiss never looked out for him like how he was now. It was a completely different Weiss, probably not Weiss at all! But, it was a nice thought that Weiss was looking out for him like a true friend.

Weiss shrugged, trying to act all innocent like it was his idea. "Well, since you and Syd-" He began.

"Eric, did Jack ask you to ask me this?" Vaughn eyed him suspiciously.

Weiss took a while. "Uh..."

"Eric..."

"Okay, okay, you shot me. Jack kind of...threatened me if I didn't bring it up." Weiss let go of Vaughn's arm.

"With what?" Vaughn's brow was raised. Jack never thought he was ever good enough for Sydney. But ever since he was married, he didn't need to worry about Jack as much has he had in the past.

Weiss hinted at his neck, but since Vaughn didn't take any notice, he said, "He threatened me that if I didn't raise this up with you, he would..." he paused, "shoot me in the neck...and may I add again!"

"Irina was the one who did that, not Jack. On the other hand, how low can he go? I'm going to have a word with him." Vaughn moved, but Weiss pulled him back.

"Don't...please. Let's just use this to our...uh...advantage." A cheeky smile formed on Weiss's face.

"Eric..."

"Vaughn. Come on! This guy is hassling and making life here a living disaster! It's about time the Veiss bros were back in action!"

"Did you have something for breakfast?" Vaughn smiled. "Veiss? What are you, 12?"

Weiss shook his head. "Yeah, in fact I had breakfast at Sydney's." He rubbed it in, he just had to.

Vaughn shook his head and smiled. You just had to rub it in didn't you? He left Weiss to be alone.

"What? What did I say?" He called back. "Vaughns..." He shook his head.

Vaughn made his way over to Lauren, and kissed her on the cheek. "Hey."

"Hey," Lauren replied, kissing the air near him.

"What are you up to these days?" Vaughn asked her, with a smile.

"Oh, besides being Michael Vaughn's wife, a CIA agent, and doing paperwork. You?" Lauren giggled.

Vaughn laughed. "Well, being Lauren Reed's husband and being sent on another mission without my wife, sounds pretty dull to me. What do you think?"

"Very..."

Sydney smiled. She was listening, but they spoke a bit loudly, and since her desk was near Lauren's, she had every right. She was looking for her father as well. She needed to talk to someone besides Weiss and everyone else. She needed family.

"Dad," Sydney smiled as her father approached. Secretly, Vaughn was paying more attention to Sydney's new conversation than his.

"Sydney, I need to talk to you..." He didn't show any emotion what-so-ever. "Alone."

Sydney and Jack walked over to an office and closed the door. "What is it?"

"Uh...there is something I thought your mother would tell you."

Hearing the word 'mother' just made Sydney remember the betrayal and the last moment she saw her was her last. A blast from the past, and hearing something her mother never told her wouldn't make her day.

"What is it Dad?" Sydney was worried.

"Sark is after the key."

"I know Dad, that is why I am going to Cairo with Vaughn."

"The key has a link to -"

"To what Dad? What is it that you are not telling me?"

Jack hesitated, Better out than in! "Sark is after the key and the key is a link to..." She only knows her as her cousin...I might as well keep it that way and have a talk to Dixon. "your cousin."

"My cousin!" Sydney was puzzled.

"Shannon."

"Why is Sark after her?"

"I can't explain. You better get ready for your mission...Sydney, good luck."

Sydney walked out of the room and left the office. As for Jack, he made his way quickly to Dixon's office to have a little "chat" with him. More like informing and ordering him to keep his mouth shut about the information he was going to tell him.

"Since we have recieved very valuable Intel that the CIA have successfully retrieved the box that Mr Sark was meant to bring back to us. Unfortunately, he failed." McKenas Cole informed to his staff. There was only Lauren, Sark and a couple of other guys.

No need to rub it in... Sark was pretty embarrassed, but he didn't show it. McKenas was a show off who never tried to do anything himself. "Uh, since I 'failed' to get the box, I have received Intel which may blow you away."

"Please, tell us Mr Sark." McKenas walked around the wooden table.

Sark looked at him as he spoke. "The key, I know something about it."

"And that is Mr Sark?" McKenas stopped and looked at him, straight in the eye as if it would kill Sark.

Sark swallowed, then began. "The key isn't some device, like an object." He looked at the table, then at McKenas again. "It is a being. Someone you may find interest in."

"And who may this person be, Sark?" McKenas was keen to get this information fast.

Sark looked at him. But instead, Lauren spoke. "It is a woman, but we have not received any Intel yet about her appearance or identification. But, we do believe, meaning the CIA may also believe, she must be relating to the Bristows." Lauren smiled a little, thenher smile faded. "Jack Bristow took Sydney into a private office. I was not able to plant a device in there.Butby the look on Miss Bristow's face, it must be a relative veryclose to her. Maybe a sister,cousin or aunt."

"Hmm...this is veryinteresting, Miss Reed.Wouldyou be able to find out who this person is?"McKenas asked.

Sark looked at McKenas. He knew something. McKenas felt it. "Spit it out Sark. You wouldn't dare to hide something from the Covenant."

Sark sighed. Give me a break Mr Universe! "I have an idea of who this mystery woman may be. I...bumped into her at a resturant. She's a cousin of Miss Bristow's. She may be the key."

"Since you believe that. We need her now! Get her in your little lab but the end of the week." McKenas ordered.

"What happens if she is very...stubborn?" Lauren questioned.

"A hotel, safehouse, wherever! Trick her! We need the key before the CIA." McKenas was excited, yet yelling. "Anything else?"

"No."

"Good. I want good information by the end of the week, do you hear?" McKenas left.

Sark and Lauren breathed out. "You heard him. Get to it!" Lauren commanded. The other men got up and left. They would search the databases, search the streets, everywhere. "Sark, I suggest since you've seen this Bristow, that you...look for her at a college." She smiled. "All Bristows attend colleges." She kissed him, then left.

How was Sark going to find this Bristow, when there were many colleges? Sark left the room and began his search through rolls of many colleges. Until...he found her name...

Heya guys. Hope you like it. I know, the ending sucks - but anywho. Please review!!