For all disclaimers, please see parts 1-3.

Thanks to Jude and Jen for their betaing and thanks to everyone for reading.

Becky.

.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I watch as Sydney exhales and I know the waiting is starting to get to her. Hell, I think it's getting to all of us, but as much as I like Eric and respect the other men and women I work with, right now my only concern is Sydney.

Who am I kidding here? From the moment she walked into the CIA, worrying about how to keep her safe, how to bring her home in one piece has been my sole focus. But somewhere along the way, it stopped being my job. It became my life. She became my life. And right now, I want more than anything to wrap my arms around her and tell her that everything will be okay. But I can't.

I glance back at the computer and silently curse Dixon. What the hell is taking him so long? As I look at the screen, I long for the mail icon to change before I shift my gaze back to Sydney, watching as she shifts nervously in her chair, fidgeting as she waits. As we all wait.

When I can't watch her any longer, I glance back at the computer and wonder if Dixon decided not to help. From what Sydney said of his reaction, it's possible he won't. And then I wonder if something, or more likely, someone, is preventing him from doing what Sydney has asked.

Again, my gaze is drawn back to Sydney by her frustrated sigh. As she leans forward and starts playing with her hair again, I can't help wondering what she'll do if Dixon doesn't, for whatever reason, send that email. And even if he does send it, what happens if the codes don't match?

I don't have time to think about it because suddenly the computer beeps, indicating a new message. I take a deep breath and scoot closer to the desk as Sydney opens the email.

As she announces that the codes are a match, I wonder how I'll ever be able to convince her to stay behind where she'll be safe. And then I realize that nothing I could say will make a difference because as much as I want to, I won't ask her to stay behind. I can't.

********

Standing here, I can feel Vaughn's eyes on me, but right now, I am trying to concentrate on what Kendall is saying. The problem is that I know that one small step to my left and I would bump into Vaughn. And maybe just that small contact would steady me, help me to do what I need to do.

But then again, it might just be my undoing. I shift slightly and force myself to focus on Kendall. When he announces the time the raids are to take place, my blood runs cold. I want, more than anything, to interrupt him, telling him we can't wait that long. That we are just wasting time. Time my father doesn't have.

Before I can form the words, he ends the briefing and the other agents hurry from the room, but I remain. And I'm not alone. Vaughn and Weiss have stayed as well. "And my father?" I ask as Kendall reaches the door.

"May I remind you, Agent Bristow, that our priority is the destruction of the Alliance?"

The fact he avoids answering my question is less than reassuring. "What about my father?"

"If Jack is still alive," he stops briefly as I inhale sharply, "I'm sorry, but it's possible they've already killed him. If they haven't, when the raid begins they probably will. I'm sorry, but Jack knew the risks."

"He knew the risks?" Kendall is halfway out the door, but I grab his arm, forcing him to turn back and face me. "Is that all you have to say?"

"Yes it is." He looks at me like I'm nothing more than a petulant child that needs to be humored. "I know you want me to tell you that you and maybe agents Vaughn and Weiss can go in early, but I will not risk the success of this mission for the life of one man. Is that understood?"

I release his arm and take a couple of steps back. I try to speak, but I'm so enraged by his callous disregard for my father that I'm left speechless and shaking.

"If you think you'll have a problem with that, I can remove you from the team. Is that something I should be considering?"

"No," I finally reply, my voice a harsh whisper.

"I didn't think so," he smirks. "Now if you'll excuse me…"

He turns to leave again and this time I let him walk out. I'm so frustrated right now I don't know whether to scream or cry. But I realize that none of that will help my dad. Taking a deep breath, I turn to the only person who might be able, the only one who might be willing to help.

I think Weiss knows what I'm about to ask Vaughn and I don't think it's something he wants to be a part of. Before I say anything, he excuses himself and leaves the room.

"Syd," Vaughn begins, "I…"

"I can't do this, Vaughn. I can't just wait around while Geiger does God-knows-what to my dad," I interrupt. "That's assuming he hasn't…" I can't finish the sentence.

"I know. Syd, believe me I know. But as much as I hate admitting this, Kendall is right. Our focus has to be on the takedown of the Alliance."

I'm certain I can't have heard him correctly. "Excuse me?"

He tries to lead me to a chair, but I shake myself free, preferring to stand against the wall. He takes a deep breath and I know, I know, I'm not going to like what I'm about to hear.

He paces the length of the table twice before he finally stops in front of me. "Sydney, I know this isn't what you want to hear right now, but…"

"But what?"

"Jack knew what he was doing when he went back to get the code."

"You can't honestly think he had any idea that Geiger knew he was a double when he went back there."

"He's a smart man. I'm sure that he figured it was a possibility."

"What he knew or didn't know isn't the issue. The issue is the fact that we are standing here doing nothing. He's waiting for us to help him, Vaughn," I plead, as I fight to hold back the tears that threaten to fall.

"Until we know what Kendall's plan is, we have to wait."

"But…"

"Syd, we don't have any choice. We have to wait."

"And when we know?" I ask, biting my lip as I wait for his response.

"We'll see what we can do."

********

"Wine was such a bad idea. Why did you let me drink so much?" I whine as Will tries to steady me as we walk back to our room.

"You were the one who wanted to celebrate."

With a little assistance, I'm able to manage the stairs without tripping. Well that's until we get to the landing at our floor. Somehow I think it's just safer, for both of us, if I don't try to stand up.

Getting to my knees, I start to crawl the rest of the way to the room, making sure I stick very close to the wall for support. Suddenly, the sound of Will's laughter echoes throughout the hall. I turn my head back and glare at him. "Would you be quiet," I whisper harshly. Or at least that's what I meant to say. Whatever it was that actually came out only makes him laugh harder.

I've just about made it to the room when he comes up beside me. "Come on, let me help you up."

I brush his hand away. "I can do this myself," I state, quite certain I'm not as drunk as he seems to think I am. When I try to stand and everything starts tilting, I'm still sure that I can make it into the room before I fall flat on my ass. I don't even make it to the door.

When he comes over to where I sit, I'm sure he's going to make some smart-ass comment. He doesn't. Instead, he gently helps me to my feet, his embrace steadying me as we finally make it to the door. Holding me close while he digs out the key card, he gets the door open and helps me inside the room.

He helps me over to the bed before going back and locking the door. God, I feel like such an idiot. Tears have started to slide down my face and I try to wipe them away before he can notice, but this just isn't my night.

"Fran?" he asks as he hurries back over. "Are you hurt?"

I shake my head.

He sits down next to me and wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

Grabbing a tissue from the box next to the bed, he dries the tears that still linger on my cheeks. "Fran, what's wrong?"

"I'm so sorry I've ruined this."

"Ruined? Don't be silly. You haven't ruined anything."

I wiggle out of his embrace. I'd stand if I thought I could, but I know that's not going to happen, so I settle for creating a bit of space between us. Turning to face him, I'm about to tell him how I've managed to ruin this evening, but one look and I realize he meant what he said. And it confuses me. "How can you say that? We're in this beautiful hotel and I'm drunk. I don't even think I'll make it to the bathroom without help."

"And how does my being able to help you ruin things?"

I'm about to tell him exactly how it ruins things but I don't get the chance because he pulls me back to his side and kisses me very gently. Placing his hands on my shoulders, he turns me slightly so that I'm looking directly at him. "Fran, I meant what I said early. We have time. If something would have happened tonight, I'm sure it would have been great. But I'm kind of looking forward to tomorrow. And the day after that and the one after that."

I think it's a good thing I'm drunk after all because that is the only thing keeping me from jumping him right now. I scoot closer, resting my head on his shoulder. "Thank you."

I half expect him to ask what I'm thanking him for. But once again, he surprises me. "You're welcome."

We sit for a few minutes, just holding each other. I might not be looking forward to the hangover I'm going to have tomorrow, but I am certainly looking forward to whatever else tomorrow might bring.