Starting Over Again Backwards

Chapter 7: Moving on

"I was going to---" Sydney started again before Vaughn cut her off for the second time.

"And when were you going to tell me?"

"On our trip to Santa Barbara…." Sydney said softly trailing off

"Oh," he replied his voice softening as well.

"I didn't tell you because it wasn't safe. I sent Drew away for her safety, after SD-6 murdered Danny, I couldn't risk my daughter's life. So I sent her to live in London with Danny's parents."

"So you had a child with Danny?"

Sydney nodded, "After I came back, I decided that I couldn't stand not having Drew around. I missed her like crazy so I decided to bring her home." She paused. "You moved on Vaughn, you made that perfectly clear in Hong Kong. I'm just trying to do the same."

Vaughn nodded, "I should go. I'll see you at work."

"Yeah," Sydney said softly walking him out. "See you." And then he was gone.

Sydney's apartment

The following evening

"Vaughn knows," Sydney said as she cleared the table and took the dishes and glasses to the sink.

"What happened?" Jack asked bringing the rest of the dinner things to the sink.

"He was shocked to say the least. But he bought it."

"Good. If he believed you then you should have no problem convincing everyone else."

Sydney nodded, "I still hate lying to him."

"It is necessary though."

"I realize that. But dad we lie to people everyday in the course of our work and it still manages to bleed into our personal lives. I'm lying to Michael about Jade, just like you lied to me about mom."

"What is this really about Sydney? Is this about your relationship with Vaughn or my relationship with your mother?"

Sydney stopped washing the dishes and turned to him, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Jack put down the dishes and turned to her. "We've been over this Sydney."

"No we haven't. Not really. I know you said that I wouldn't believe you when Jade was born. But why didn't you tell me after Mom came or even after she left?"

"Sydney I---"

"I feel like you went with Mom and the two of you started over again with a new family that didn't include me. I know I shouldn't think or feel that way. But I do," she said softly.

"You're right," he said quietly, "at least partially."

"Do you know how it feels to be me? To know that you look like the woman who created this illusion of a family because it was her duty? And even worse, know that your own father can't even look at you because you represent the very thing that he almost had, but lost? Do you?"

"Sydney I regret what I did to you every single day of my life. In some misguided attempt to protect you, I thought you would be better off without me." He paused for a moment before continuing very softly, "I didn't want you to see what I had become. I was a broken man, who had lost everything. I was bitter and resentful. I didn't want you to have to witness someone who you used to think hung the moon and the stars fall down so low."

"I know."

"I'm going to go check on Jade," He said before stacking the glasses and dishes neatly before going down the hall to Jade's room.

Sydney finished putting everything away and went into her bedroom. She had to give her father some files before he left. Just as she reached for her bag in the middle of the bed, something caught her eye. It was a picture of her and Danny. But it was a lie. They were both smiling and she was holding a baby. They were happy. They were a perfect family. But in the end, it was all a lie. Sydney had been so close to all of that. A husband, a family, happiness. And then it was gone.

The sound of a little girl's giggling floated into the room from down the hall. And Sydney felt a smile creep across her face in spite of herself.

She had been given a new beginning and she intended not to waste it. She turned and the left room, walking down the hall to Drew's bedroom. She paused in the doorway, taking in the beautiful sight before her. Drew was under the covers and Jack was perched on the side of the bed reading her a story. His face was animated and alight with happiness unlike anything Sydney had ever seen before.

After the story was finished, kisses between the two were exchanged and Sydney came in to finish the night's ritual. Together Jack and Sydney tucked Drew in, wishing her only the sweetest of dreams. But just as the two were about to leave the room, Jade began to cry.

"My blankie is gone!" the little girl sobbed.

Sydney shot Jack a look, but as if this was completely natural, Sydney picked it up without missing a beat.

"Do you remember when you saw it last?" Sydney asked soothingly as she went to comfort little Drew.

"At home," Drew said between sobs.

"In France?"

"Yes," Drew said sobbing harder. "I want my blankie!"

An undisclosed location

"Why should I believe you sister dear?" Irina asked, her voice laced with sarcasm. "You have lied so much in your life, I doubt that you even know what the truth is anymore."

"Careful Rina," Yelena said dangerously. "I have everything that you care about in the palm of my hand. With one phone call, your daughters will die instantly. They're being tracked by snipers."

"You wouldn't!"

"Oh I would Rina, don't doubt that. Now will you help me or not?"

"Help you with what?"

"I need to decipher Rambaldi's endgame."

"Why must it always come back to this?"

"He is a prophet Rina. You should want to know as well since your children are all mentioned in his work at some point or another."

"Nothing will come of it."

"Don't be so sure."

"Nadia is dead, so the prophecy can't come true."

"No she isn't."