I didn't put this on the earlier chapters. Alias is not mine. It never has been, and it never will be. I just take the characters and write my own stories with them.

Also, if you like Nadia, this chapter is being given a tissue warning.

Chapter 4

Weiss's POV

I stand before the woman of my dreams and I'm sickened. I'm sickened by the thought of just how evil some people on this planet can be. Sickened by what this woman's own aunt has done to her.

When I first saw her in that hospital bed, restrained and sedated, I pitied her. That pity lasted until she started to wake from the sedatives. The woman I saw then wasn't Nadia, far from it. She looked at me with those horrible red eyes, and shedidn't even recognize me.

Though the doctors have told me that there's no hope, I still hold a glimmer of optimism. I believe that someway, somehow, we'll find a cure. I believe in vain, and I realize this. APO has brought in some of the world's greatest doctors and geneticists, but to no avail.

Those doctors have all agreed on one thing: Nadia is no longer Nadia. She's been replaced by a psychopathic, homicidal maniac that is a danger to both herself and to those around her.

I know I have to accept this. I know that I will lose her. I can't accept it, though. I can't accept that the greatest woman ever was turned into a monster by just a little tap water.

When Jack returned, he told everyone at APO about what had happened in Savogda, and all I could think about was how Jack should have injected Elena with the water. Elena was lucky. Her death was quick and painless. She should have suffered. She should have been taken apart, piece-by-piece. A simple bullet through the skull isn't justice, not even close.

I look over at Sydney. She's biting her lip. I know she has something to tell me, and I can tell it's not good news.

"What is it?"

She brushes some hair behind her ear. "I received a letter the other day."

"What type of letter?"

"It was a letter from the hospital." Instantly I know what the letter said.

"Due to Sloane being in custody, and ruled not of sane mind, and Irina's whereabouts being unknown, I'm the next of kin for Nadia."

Even though society says that men shouldn't cry, it's a sign of weakness, I can't help it because I know what's coming next.

"The letter included all the opinions of the highly certified doctors that have evaluated Nadia's condition. The result, without any opposition, is that there's nothing they can do to save Nadia. They're asking me to authorize physician-assisted suicide."

"You didn't say yes, did you?"

"No, I haven't. I don't intend to make any decision until at least two days from now."

"Why two days?"

"Because I'm hoping that the ambassador from that planet might be able to help."

"What if he can't?"

"If she can't help…" Sydney trailed off shaking her head. "Let's just not think like that."

I love Sydney, I respect her greatly, but what she has just said scares me. "If she can't help, will you authorize it?"

"Do you believe in destiny?"

"What?"

"Destiny? Do you believe that our actions have been predetermined and that no matter what we do, we can't change what is going to happen?"

"I'd prefer not to."

"Same here. I have, however, been considering this greatly as of late. I've come to one conclusion."

"What is it?"

"We've seen the impossible happen before. It can happen again. I'm not going to give authorization unless it's absolutely necessary."

"Thank you."

"Can you take me home?"

"Sure."

"Thanks."

We pull up in front of her house a couple of minutes later. Sydney gets out of the car, but then turns around to talk to me again.

"She's going to be okay."

The dam breaks, and the tears fall freely. "Thank you," I choke out.

…TBC…