Title: Consequences

Summary: Lauren finds the silver lining to her dark cloud.

Disclaimer: Sadly I own neither Alias nor any of the characters.

Spoilers: Set after 3.17 'The Frame', but AU after that.

Rating: PG-13

A/N: This story contains non-graphic F/F and M/F.

Chapter Seven

Lauren watched as Sydney lay peacefully in bed, her arms bound above her head to stop her escaping. She'd seen Sydney sleep before, through cameras implanted in her apartment and from the one time she let her guard down at work and had drifted asleep at her desk.

She knew that the months of despising Sydney Bristow had not been through jealousy or hatred, it had been love. She'd wanted the other woman for so long, but was only ready to admit it.

She had to think of a plan of action. The CIA would be well aware of her status by now, Sark was as trustworthy as black widow and the Covenant would only demand Sydney back to try and reprogram her again.

That was something she loved about Sydney more than anything else. Her determination, her strength and courage. She had refused to be reprogrammed, even played along for two years away from her family and friends and yet she never broke. She still remained strong and ready to do the right thing; the world had not been able to corrupt Sydney's innocence no matter what it threw at her.

When Lauren leaned over Sydney, intending to kiss her lightly on the forehead before leaving for her room, Sydney stirred and manoeuvred her position so that Lauren's lips connected with her own. She fluttered her eyes open as the kiss deepened and then stopped as she felt Lauren pull away.

"Hi."

"Hey." Sydney smiled as though having Lauren beside her was a pleasant way to wake up. "What time is it?"

"Three." Lauren replied with her eyes glued to Sydney's lips. "I was about to go to bed myself." She stood up, the feelings she got around the other woman no longer bearable.

"Wait…" Sydney cried out. "I'm really cold." Lauren stared blankly at her for a few moments before registering what she'd said.

"I don't have any more blankets." She mumbled as she watched Sydney pout in frustration.

"Couldn't you…um…maybe…keep me warm?" A blush hit her face as Sydney said it. Lauren looked dumbfounded by her suggestion. "Please I'm really cold and tired and I would sleep with Sark if it meant I could get warm."

"Actually he hogs the covers." Lauren smiled as Sydney giggled; she simply put it down to her head wound. She slid under the covers and stayed clear of Sydney's warm body.

"You're not going to warm me up from there." Lauren reluctantly edged closer to her, but the second she saw Sydney smile at the contact and close her eyes her apprehension vanished. She was actually sleeping next to Sydney, sharing a bed and body heat with her. Her bliss clouded her mind and she didn't ask why Sydney was acting the way she was, until she woke up in the morning.

She woke before Sydney and watched as the young woman stirred. She tried to sit up and then realized that she was tied to down. She jumped when she saw Lauren and moaned as the cuffs chaffed against her wrist.

"What the hell is this?" She growled and tried to pull again. Lauren had to sit up and push her arms down to stop her trying to pull the cuffs off. "I have no idea what's going on but you won't get away with this…"

"I guess you've recovered from your head trauma." Lauren mumbled disappointedly, that was why Syd had been so submissive and willing to be near Lauren, she'd been concuss.

Lauren stood up to grab her suit jacket and watched as Sydney's eyes followed her.

"Then again, with a captor like you I'm thinking of keeping the cuffs." She smiled seductively and Lauren's stomach did somersaults. "Who are you?" Sydney asked. "And who am I?"

Lauren looked disbelievingly at her. "What kind of trick is this? Besides a desperate one."

"Who am I?" Sydney repeated. "I have no idea who you are, or why I'm tied to your bed, but I'd like to be free now." Lauren cautiously undid the cuffs and waited for a reaction from Sydney. She didn't get the one she expected.

Sydney leaned up to her and kissed her eagerly. Lauren pulled away for air and somehow managed to ask. "What are you doing?" Sydney stopped and Lauren could have kicked herself for looking a gift horse in the mouth.

"Well I woke up in, or rather tied to, a bed with a beautiful woman beside me so I presumed that..."

"What day is it? Who is your father and who am I?" Lauren asked and watched as Sydney bit her lip in concentration and shrugged. Lauren beamed as Sydney captured her lips again.

"I have a few questions too. Why can't I remember anything? Who are you and why am I still wearing clothes?"

"You had a head injury recently…that's why I tied you up, you became violent and confused, and that is also why you're wearing clothes and my name is Lauren."

"Well Lauren do you usually let me where clothes?"

"Not if I can help it. You're Julia, Julia Thorne." She lied. Sydney stopped and thought.

"Sounds familiar. I want to know everything about myself." She beamed as she cuddled into Lauren. "And everything about you."

"You will, but right now I need to make a phone call. You stay here and I'll be straight back." Sydney nodded, accepting what Lauren was saying to be true.

Lauren grabbed her cell phone and rang a friend of hers who worked at a hospital nearby. He owed her a favour.

"Hello, Malcolm? I need you to see a friend of mine, she has amnesia and I need to know how to keep it that way."