Disclaimer: Still don't own Alias or the characters and any similarities between plots and real life events are purely coincidental.

Author's note: I'm suffering from a big case of writer's block. So, sorry if this is a tad rough at first. BUT, I think I have a great ending in store so stay tuned!!

Sydney watched the rambunctious, little boy chase the girl with sun-kissed chestnut hair, rosy cheeks, and a mile-wide smile. He was a spunky little sprite of a child, a handful for sure, but something about him reminded him of Eric and that made her love him to bits.

"I'm gonna catch you Charlie! And when I do, I'm gonna make you pay!" He yelled between fits of giggles and heavy breathes. Sydney had been watching them for quite a few minutes, the boy chanting the same lines over and over, and he had yet to catch her.

"You can try Alexander, but you won't catch me!" She giggled back.

"Oh, you wait little girl," Sydney whispered, "one day, you'll realize how sweet and wonderful he really is. Just like my grown up version."

"Hey sweet thang," he cooed, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "Been waiting long?"

"Not at all. I was just watching the kids play." She pointed to the little ones as he came around and sat beside her. Dropping her head on his shoulder she whined, "I want one."

"Really? Which one? Not like that boy, right?"

"One of each. And especially like the boy. He reminds me of you."

"So, you and me parents, hunh?" He inquired, dropping his arm around her shoulders. "That sounds like a great plan to me."

&&&

He had grown accustomed to walking up to their private moments over the months and gradually they became easier and easier to watch. He had spent that time, since he had divorced his wife, alone and it had made it all the harder to watch those around him happy. But he had overcome it. That's what you do.

With his usual, lazy walk, he wandered over to them and stopped a few feet in front of them. "How's it going?"

Eric cleared his throat and removed his arm from around Sydney just as if he had gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. But why? Sydney was his now. But Vaughn had always been there for him and Eric valued their friendship to the end. "Hey, Vaughn. What's going on? Do you know why we're supposed to meet here?"

"Not a clue. Just what the email from Dixon said. 'Running park, 2:30,' so I'm here. Maybe he's tipping us off to an official inquiry. We'll all be hanging from nooses this time tomorrow, that sort of thing."

"I doubt if that's the, uh, case, uh, Agent Vaughn," Marshall began as he walked towards them, "because why would I be here? I mean, without me, let's face it, the office would be outta luck. That is, of course, if you were being serious which, now that I think about it, you were probably just joking so, in that case, I'll just stop talking."

"I don't think that's a possibility from you, Marshall," Weiss commented, "and we wouldn't have you any other way."

Jack cleared his throat, letting his presence be known to the group. Sydney promptly stood and turned to face him. Even after the years, after all they had been through, she still felt a chill run through her bones sometimes when he came near. Antoinette was with him which was pretty much how Sydney found him nowadays. Antoinette wasn't Antoinette anymore, though. She now went by Marie Valente: an analyst for the government and never married. Antoinette Montague died in a plane crash on her way to the states.

"Hey, dad. Can you guys come over for dinner tonight?"

"Of course, Sydney," Antoinette responded in her accented English, "we'd love to. Will 'Airic be joining us?"

Eric spoke up, hoping to squelch Vaughn's overhearing. "Yeah. Wouldn't miss it."

But Vaughn was too occupied with something, or rather someone, else to care what plans Sydney and Eric were making.

"Well, well, it's good to see her smile," Vaughn muttered as Nadia walked towards them. She offered a genuine smile at each of them and rested her eyes on Vaughn. Vaughn easily stared back and nodded at her. "Hey Santos."

"Michael. What's going on?"

"I believe I can answer that question," Dixon said as he joined the assembly. The group tightened around their leader and waited for an explanation. "Here we are. The original crew. Plus, of course, some well placed additions over the years. We've been through a lot. More than anyone else in the office could ever dream of."

After a moment's pause, Sydney asked, "did you bring us all the way out here to tell us this? We could've done this in a conference room."

Dixon chuckled, "I know. But there's more. I wanted to invite you all to my house for a little holiday get together. Not formal; just a few friends hanging out. No one else in the office needs to know. Can't have it looking like I'm playing favorites."

"Right. Like they probably haven't already figured it out. It is an intelligence office, after all," Eric joked, and realizing Dixon was not amused he said. "Sounds good. When?"

"Friday after next. Around seven."