Chapter Four

Their plane touched down a few hours later. Sydney had fallen asleep during that time and Julian tried to wake her, but nothing worked. He carried her out of the plane and placed her gently in the passenger seat of his car. They drove to the hotel and Sydney woke when they stopped in the parking lot. "You ready my love?"

"Love? What?" she asked drowsily.

He kissed her neck and she blushed, he whispered in her ear, "The mission."

Sydney coughed and nodded her head, "Thanks for waking me… wait… How did I get in the car?" she asked.

"You fell asleep on the plane so I carried you into the car."

"Thank you," he went to open his door but Sydney's hand on his wrist stopped him, "Julian… I'm sorry for… for freaking out earlier. I was out of line."

He shook his head, "You weren't out of line Sydney. You lost your fiancée. It's understandable."

Sydney nodded her head and took a deep breath, "Ready?" she asked.

"Ready," he opened the door and then went to her side and opened hers, "Let's go love."

They walked into the hotel lobby and went straight to the front desk, with Sydney smiling on his arm, they checked in. "Hi, I'm Mr Brennan, this is my wife Mrs Brennan," he kissed the bridge of her nose and she giggled, "I'm still not used to saying that, love."

"Newlyweds?" the concierge asked.

"That obvious?" Sydney asked smiling.

"A little," he said blankly. The concierge looked down at her computer, "I have you in the Presidential Suite, here are your keys," she handed them the keys with a plastered on smile, "Enjoy your stay."

They insisted on taking their own bags to their room. When they got up there, they took their laptops and other equipment out of their bags, "Syd, there's something you need to know."

"Is now really the right time, Julian? We're just setting up."

"Now is the only time I can tell you this."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"There's something you don't know about the mission…"

"God, you're annoying. Just tell me!"

"You have to be a stripper!" he said quickly.

Sydney just stared at him in disbelief with her mouth wide open, "What!" she shrieked.

"You have to be an exotic dancer. You have to get on a stage and strip for men to see. I will be there, Sloane will be there, thankfully your father will not be there."

"Sloane will be there! Sloane will be watching me STRIP MY CLOTHES OFF ON STAGE!" she was now pacing the room, "This can't be happening. I can't be doing this," she pinched herself, "This is a dream. A really horrible dream. You can't really be here, Danny's not dead, I'm just in a very, very bad dream."

Julian sat on the bed and watched her pace, Does she really want me to leave that badly? He wondered.

He was so immersed in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed the tears streaming down her face, "Syd," she continued pacing, "Sydney come here," he tugged her arm, pulling her to sit next to him.

"I can't do this. I can't live without him anymore. I have to kill Sloane. This will all be over then."

"We can do that Syd, we just have to wait. Be patient. It's for the mission. When this mission is finished, we're one step closer to bringing down Arvin Sloane."

She nodded against his shoulder, "Why do you want to take him down?" she asked.

"That's a tale for another time."

She nodded again and wiped her tears away, "I have to go shopping now," she stated bravely.

"Shopping?" he asked.

"I have to wear something that I can strip away."

He laughed at her seductive tone, "Syd, I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

She left the hotel with Julian and once they got a couple of blocks away they separated. He went off to a cafe and Sydney was instructed to call him when she was finished so they could re-enter the hotel together, making it seem as though they had been together all along.

He sat at a table watching the crowds pass by, fiddling with the platinum band on his ring finger. He was stricken with a feeling of contentment. Sydney was his "wife" for this week. It made him think back to the old days where he was actually thinking of asking her to be his wife. He would have been so much happier. Instead, he had to go and screw everything up. He had to break her heart. None of this would have happened if he hadn't broken up with her back on that horrible Christmas morning.

He regretted that morning more than anything in his entire life. The second most thing was his life right now. Seeing Sydney again, after so long, keeping this secret from her… he had almost told her today. He just didn't know how to break her heart again.

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Sydney was in the "adult clothing" store looking at all the different garments, and all she could think about was covering herself up with more and more layers. She felt dirty being in here. But then she figured out how she could get through it; she would imagine that she was stripping for Danny in their bedroom. She then picked out many items and tried them on.

Left the store two hours later carrying a bag full of erotic clothing that was easy to take off and looked unbelievably sexy. She actually wanted to see Sloane's reaction to her without her normal business suit on. After all, the other day he did say that he felt like a father to her sometimes. She also wanted to see Julian's reaction. She wasn't ready to actually have a relationship with anyone, but it would be fun to tease.

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They get to the club and they separate. Sydney goes backstage to get ready and Julian goes in and meets Sloane and whatever man he is supposed to steal something from. He can't tell the difference any more. They are all the same now, there have been too many.

Thirty minutes have gone by and an announcer comes over the loudspeaker to announce Sydney's arrival, "Next on the bill for tonight is a once in a lifetime performance. I'd like you all to welcome 'Raven'". Many men suddenly cheered out when Sydney came into view. Julian's view was obstructed by some large bloke who was watching Sydney with a particular fascination. He moved to the right and finally saw what he was looking at.

The first thing that caught his eye was her long black wig. The hair was flowing around the small of her back. Then he noticed what she was wearing; a sheer black merrywidow, black thong and black stockings. She lifted up her leg and wrapped it around the pole in the middle of the stage, spinning her body around the pole and when she was on the floor of the stage, she crawled over towards Julian.

She climbed off the stage and rubbed herself lightly against Julian's crotch, which was growing harder with every moment that passed. She moved on to Sloane and moved her ass in his face. He looked away disgusted, and Sydney smiled. She moved on to Sloane's associate and took the key-card from his pocket as she gave him a short lap dance, went back to Julian and handed the card off to him. She got back on the stage and finished her last five minutes of dancing, then went off stage. A while after, she waited out back for Julian to meet her. She was surprised when she saw Sloane's associate come towards her.

"You are very beautiful… Raven," he said.

He continued walking towards her. When he got close enough he pushed her against the wall, "Hey! Get off!" she screamed.

He held her wrists above her head and kissed her neck, "Let me go! Get off!" she screamed again. Tears were building up in her eyes, blurring the world around her. The man's hands let go of her right arm but still held her left above her head. She was struggling, trying to break free, but no matter what she tried, he wouldn't let her go.

The tears were now streaming down her cheeks. The man had moved his hand down to the waistband of her pants. Sydney was shaking. She couldn't move. The man began to undo the button of her pants and moved his finger to her clit. Sydney finally gained some composure and screamed, "Please, Somebody!"

"Shut up you little girl," he said with a Russian accent. He reached down and undid his pants, sliding them down around his knees. He was rock-hard. Sydney then realized what was happening. He was going to rape her.

She was struggling and she screamed again, "Help! Please!" and then she heard a gun shot ring out. The man dropped to the ground on top of Sydney. She was shaking and crying and trying to get out from under the man, then saw Julian running towards her with tears in his eyes.

"Syd! Oh my god… I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," he kept repeating, "I shouldn't have let this happen."

"Please, Julian… Home," she whispered before passing out in his arms.

"I'd take you no where else my love," he carried her to the car and placed her in the front seat, he got into the driver's seat and drove to his home.

When he got into the driveway, he picked up Sydney who was still unconscious, and went to her room, placing her in the bed. He undressed her carefully and put on some comfortable sweatpants and a sweatshirt. He felt uncomfortable doing that, but he thought that she would feel better waking up in comfortable clothes, rather than the leather outfit that she had been wearing.

He sat by her side for many hours before leaving. He wanted to die. He wanted to take a gun to his head and pull the trigger. He couldn't live with himself for letting this happen to her. It was the most terrifying moment of his life, when he had heard her screaming and whimpering in the back alley. He would never forget that moment.

When he left her room, he went straight to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of tequila. He ended up drinking half the bottle in a very small amount of time. He didn't know how long he had been drinking, but before long, he was leaning against the wall on the floor. His arms were by his side and his legs were sprawled out in front of him. He was half asleep when he remembered her screaming again.

He relived the entire experience over and over again until he was broken. The bottle fell out of his hand and he began to shake violently with sobs. He didn't notice Sydney's screaming for a long time because he was so stricken with emotion. When he finally heard it, he jumped up, his body not even realizing he was drunk, and ran into Sydney's room to see her shaking and screaming in bed.

"Sydney," he said softly, trying to wake her gently.

"Please stop," she whispered. Tears were running down her cheeks.

He shook her gently, "Syd, it's only a dream. I'm here, I'm here, please wake up."

She gasped and her eyes opened. She saw Julian's face and immediately clung to him, soaking his shirt with tears. "It's alright Sydney, I won't let anything happen to you again."

When she settled down she looked at her clothing and laughed, "Did you change my clothes?" she asked.

"Yeah, I did. I'm sorry about that I just thought you would be more comfortable…" he stopped when he saw that she was fine with it.

"It's alright, really. Thank you. I wouldn't have wanted to wake up in leather. It's way too uncomfortable."

They paused as Julian rubbed her back soothingly. "Do you want to talk about what happened?"

She shook her head, "No, I just want you to hold me…" she said hesitantly.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you," he whispered to her.

"You did. You stopped it."

"Maybe we should talk right now. I think that if you hold me and we talk, we can get through this."

"Syd, you need to rest. I'll stay with you now, and we can talk in a few hours."

"'Kay," she mumbled. He was surprised as to how fast she fell asleep. He laid her down on the bed, but her arms were wrapped around his neck. When he tried to move her, she held on tighter. He finally gave up and climbed into bed next to her, falling asleep as quickly as she had.

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She woke up with the sun beaming on her face from the window. It was warm. Her whole body was unusually warm. Moving slightly, she felt a tight pressure around her waist. Looking down, she saw Julian's arms wrapped tightly around her. She smelled the stale alcohol on his breath.

He stirred and opened his eyes suddenly. Watching him wake, she smiled. "Hey," he whispered.

"Hey."

"How are you feeling?"

"Better," she smirked and looked down, "Thanks for last night."

"It was no problem," he reached up and massaged his temples.

"I see you had a bit of a drinking binge last night."

"Yeah, sorry about that."

"Seriously, what you do to yourself is your business. I'm just happy that you were here for me. Thank you for that," she said sincerely.

"I'm glad I was here," he looked to the window and then back to her, "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked hesitantly.

She nodded softly, "I think I should."

"You don't have to."

"I want to," she said delicately. They sat for many minutes, just breathing. At least ten minutes passed before either of them spoke.

"What happened?" Julian asked.

"I was out back, waiting for you, and then that man came up to me…" "You are very beautiful… Raven," he said. He continued walking towards her. When he got close enough he pushed her against the wall, "Hey! Get off!" she screamed. The moment passed through her mind again. "He told me I was beautiful, then pushed me against the wall. He wouldn't get off me. He was going to rape me, Julian. I have no idea what would have happened to me if you hadn't come."

He held her tightly to his chest and felt her body shake lightly with sobs, brought up from the bad memories.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't there earlier. If I could have prevented any of this…" he was cut off by her finger on his lips.

"I know. Okay? I know that you feel responsible, but it wasn't your fault. I just need time to get through this and forget."

"I'll help you."

She smiled, "Everyone will help."

"Oh? And who is everyone?"

"Will, Francie, you… Vaughn."

"And how is Agent Vaughn?" she missed the biting tone.

"He's doing just fine. He broke up with Alice."

"Alice?"

"Now ex-girlfriend."

"Ah, I see… and why did they end it?"

"I don't know. He never told me."

"I'm sorry for the other day, Syd. If you felt like I was forcing myself on you… I'm sorry. I know you're not ready to move on."

"I am ready to move on, I just can't do that now."

Sydney's cell phone interrupted the pair, "Hello?" she answered.

"Syd?"

"Vaughn?"

"Oh my god, are you okay? You didn't check in after the mission."

"Yeah, I ran into some trouble, but everything's fine now. I'm heading out today."

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah, Vaughn everything's ok. I'll talk to you when I get back alright?"

"Wait, Syd! I called to tell you something important."

"What is it, Vaughn?"

"We have the intel that we need to take down SD-6. We're almost out, Syd."

"Oh my god. I'll see you later Vaughn."

"Have a good trip back Syd."

She hung up the phone and noticed that Julian was in the bathroom. She ran to the door and opened it. He was just getting into the shower when she barged into the room. He turned to her and she saw him in all his glory. He blushed and grabbed a towel from the wall, covering himself.

"Oh, I'm sorry… I'm gonna go now," she stuttered.

He laughed nervously then replied, "What did you want, Syd?"

"I can tell you later…" she mumbled.

"Sure, if you're sure…"

They stood there looking into each other's eyes for a minute before Sydney spoke, "Vaughn just called… they have it."

"They have what?" he asked.

"They have the intel that we need to destroy the Alliance."

"That's amazing! Syd, you're finally going to be free!" he said happily.

"Yeah. I can have a normal life."

He rushed up to her and hugged her tightly. His towel fell to the ground in the process, and once again, he was all out.

"Um… sorry…" Sydney said blushing.

She turned and left the room, "Syd," he called to her. She didn't turn around, but she stopped walking away, "You can finally have the life you have always wanted."

"Yeah," she whispered.

She closed the door behind her and walked to the bed, sitting down on the edge, "No, I can't," she whispered. Her eyes filled with tears and began to run down her cheeks. I want you, she thought as she cried herself to sleep.

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When Sydney left the bathroom, Julian got into the shower and leaned against the wall. You have to tell her, he told himself over and over again.

When he exited the bathroom fifteen minutes later he saw Sydney asleep on the bed. He pulled on some clothing and kissed her forehead before going into the other room to call his employer.

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They were woken in the morning by the shrill sound of a cell phone ringing. Sydney reached over to her side of the bed and pressed the "talk" button which was glowing brightly. "Hello," she answered groggily.

"Syd? It's Vaughn."

"What is it?" she whispered harshly.

"We had a walk-in this morning. She's requested to talk to you."

"Who is she?"

"Irina Derevko."

"I don't know an Irina Derevko," Sydney stated. Sark's eyes were suddenly wide open.

"I can't tell you who she is over the phone. But it's important that you get back soon."

"I will."

"We're taking down SD-6 today. I thought you'd want to know. I think you should be a part of it. We'll be waiting for you."

"Sure. I'll be there. I wouldn't miss it."

"Syd. I know that something's going on with you, and I need you to remember that I'll always be here for you."

"I know," she grinned a little and Julian's heart tightened. "I'll talk to you when I get back."

"I'll see you then. I hope Sark wasn't too hard to work with."

"Bye," she put the phone back down on the bedside table. She looked over at Sark who had now gotten out of the bed and was gathering his clothing and heading into the bathroom.

"Julian," she said before he closed the door, "Do you know about Irina Derevko?"

"I work for her."

"Oh," she said before he closed the door. When he came back out a few minutes later she asked him, "What's going on with you?"

"Nothing. There is nothing going on with me."

"I know you Julian, and there is something bothering you," he walked into another room, "Who is Irina Derevko? Is she your girlfriend or something?"

He turned around quickly with a look of horror, "God, no! She's as old as your father!"

"Then who is she?"

"I can't tell you Sydney. She told me not to."

"Since when do you listen to what your terrorist employer tells you?" Sydney scoffed.

"Since it affects you!" he screamed before slamming the door behind him. Sydney pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt before running out after him. She found him a few minutes later in the garden. It was like a dream English garden; one that you had heard about in fairy tales, but never thought could exist. Julian was sitting in front of a small pond on a bench, tossing small pebbles into the water creating small ripples where they fell. She walked over to him and softly took a seat on the opposite side of the bench.

"This garden is beautiful," she said slowly, I'm sorry for earlier, I shouldn't have pushed you to tell me something you didn't want to."

"Syd, I'm sorry. I don't want to see you hurt, and that's what this will do to you. When you go back to Los Angeles, you're going to get hurt. And I'm not going to be there to help you through it."

She turned her head and looked at him, "Why won't you be there?"

"Because I have to stay here. It's the only way that I can guarantee my safety. If I go back with you, when they raid SD-6, they'll take me in."

"You're right," she whispered. Julian laughed lightly.

"I never thought that you would admit to that," she looked at him confused, "Me being right and you being wrong. I never thought I'd see the day."

"What are we going to do?"

"I don't know."

He took his hand in hers and they watched the sunrise. There was an orange and pink glow over the green plants when Sark spoke up, "I've missed you Syd."

She turned her head in disbelief, "What?" she said quickly.

"I've missed you. More than I can say," he looked her in the eyes, "I let you go to keep you safe, but ever since that morning, I've regretted that decision. I haven't been able to move on. I keep thinking about what we could have had. Every single day I've been haunted. I never thought that I would see you again after that."

"I think about you too. Almost every single day, I wonder where we would be now."

"I don't know about you, but I am still so much in love with you. I love you more now than I did then. You've grown into the most beautiful person I've ever known."

Sydney had tears staining her cheeks, "None of this would have happened," she whispered.

Julian nodded, "I know," he whispered, "I'm sorry for everything."

"I know," she pulled his head to hers and kissed his lips softly. "I have to go back today."

"You should go," he said regretfully.

She stood up and walked back to the house, his eyes following her back.

He stayed outside until he heard the front door close again and heard a car engine start and move into the distance. Once he was sure that she had left, he went inside and put on a pot of water for tea. He walked up to the bedroom to just sit and stare at the room she had occupied earlier. Standing by the bed he noticed an envelope by the open window. He walked over to it and picked it up, reading the contents slowly. It was her handwriting.

Julian,

I will be back. I will be sure to tell you everything about the raid.

There's more to tell you.

Sydney

It was a short note, but sweet. He smiled when he put it away. He would worry about her while she was gone, but that's what he always did. Finally, after so many years, he found her again. Not only that, but he told her again that he loved her. He would always love her. His love never stopped.

Hearing the kettle screaming for attention, he went into the kitchen and attended to his daily life. Sydney would be back, so he could think about her later.

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The raid went without many problems. When everything was finished and Sydney was trying to leave the ruins of SD-6, Vaughn stopped her with a kiss. She kissed him back, fully, but when they pulled apart, she couldn't help but feel that Julian was just… better. His lips were softer, more inviting… just better than Vaughn's. There was more passion and love with Julian.

"We need to get back to the rotunda," Vaughn said breathlessly with a smile on his face. Sydney faked her smile and nodded, "Irina Derevko is still asking to see you."

"I don't know who she is Vaughn," Sydney said.

He nodded, "I know," he hesitated, "but she wants to tell you."

Sydney nodded and walked out of the building with Vaughn and Weiss following her. When they arrived outside of the building, they all tumbled out of the van and went through the front doors.

"Agent Bristow," Director Kendall greeted her, "We'd like you to come this way please," he motioned for her to follow him.

"I'm assuming this is where I am to meet Irina Derevko," she said.

"Yes," he nodded, "We're bringing her in right now," he replied as a woman with long brown hair was brought into the glass cell in front of her.

Sydney looked at her with confusion, "Mom?" she whispered.

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Sark opened his doors 48 hours later to see Sydney on his front porch with a look of anger on her face. The obvious signs of sadness were there. Tear stains were on her cheeks and her eyes were red and puffy from crying, she knows, he thought sadly.

"You knew!" she cried when she saw him. She quickly grabbed him and began to pummel his chest. "You've been working with her all this time! You knew her! You knew my mother was alive, and you never told me!" she screamed. She kept hitting his chest, over and over. He did nothing to stop her; he knew she would stop in time.

She collapsed onto his chest sobbing, her entire body was shaking. He held her tightly to him as she began to calm down. "Why didn't you tell me?" she whispered brokenly.

"Because I love you," he said before kissing her forehead, "I knew that you needed to find out for yourself."

"Sometimes I hate you because you think logically," she laughed sadly.

"So, you don't always hate me?" he asked tentatively.

"No… and I guess it's not really your fault. I mean, your country sent you in to work with her."

She pushed herself off of him and sat on the floor against the wall with her knees to her chest. Julian sat at the opposite wall, "So you don't hate me for keeping it from you?"

"No. I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at her."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because…" her voice was laced with sobs again, "Why didn't she want me?" she asked as tears fell down her face.

He got up and pulled Sydney close to him, "Syd, you can't blame yourself. It's not your fault. You don't even know her reasons…"

Her head shot up, "What? Do you know something?"

"She left you because her KGB handler found out about you. He was going to kill your father and you, so she left you. She already had all the information she needed."

"Why did she tell you this?" she asked.

"Because I gave her a photograph of you."

"You did?" she asked disbelievingly.

"Yes. I took it a few days before I left on one of my last visits. It was of you smiling at me in the park."

"So she really did love me?" Sydney cried.

"Almost as much as I do."

Sydney smiled and kissed him roughly, "I've missed you," she whispered when she pulled back.

"That was a big change of discussion," he said before kissing her back.

"Not only have I missed you, but I love you," she whispered before taking off her jacket.

"You love me?" he questioned.

"I never stopped," she tugged his shirt over his head and left it on the floor.

"We need to leave this foyer," he said as he picked her up in his arms. Sydney giggled and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

"Go to your room," she said hoarsely.

"Why?" he questioned as he pushed open the door.

"King size bed," she said as he placed her on the bed.

"Good thinking." Julian crawled on top of her and felt her hands come around his waist and begin to undo his belt. She tore it off when she forced him over and was on top of him. She placed kisses across his chest but stopped once she got to the waistband of his jeans.

"You look gorgeous in jeans Julian, you should wear them more often," she breathed before undoing the pants and pulling them to the floor. He pulled her down to cover his body again and flipped them back so he was on top. He pulled her shirt over her head and undid her bra. Once that was done, he took one of her breasts in his hand and began to caress her nipple slightly. Her breath hitched in her throat, her body was shaking with anticipation. Julian bent down and placed his mouth right over her other breast, taking it in his mouth, flicking the nipple with his tongue. Sydney gasped at the sensation and Julian began to moan.

He let go of her chest and began to leave a trail of kisses from her breasts down her chest. After undoing her pants, he pulled them down slowly, kissing the freshly revealed pale skin of her legs, "You're so beautiful," he whispered once her pants were on the floor. He lightly brushed her inner thighs on his way back up, causing Sydney to squirm around on the bed.

"You're taking too long," she groaned, "I need you."

He took off her panties and then she slowly and teasingly took off his boxers, which freed his large erection right where she wanted it. They looked at each other with desire and passion before Julian whispered to her, "No interruptions," to which Sydney giggled and repeated the phrase before pulling his head to hers in their most passionate kiss yet.

His body was on top of hers and they were frozen in time, "Just, don't be too rough… at first," Sydney said devilishly. Julian slowly and carefully thrust into her. Sydney gasped at the sensation, then began to moan as Julian began to move against her. They kept their pace slow at first, neither of them felt a need to go any faster. She began to hold him tighter and tighter as they went on, before he realized that he was moving harder and faster. He kissed her with as much passion as he felt at that moment. Her eyes opened and he looked straight into her soul, there was so much desire and love for him.

Their hips began to meet each other more violently before she threw her head back and arched her body under his. He drove into hers one more time before collapsing onto hers. He was not capable of thinking of anything other than his love for her at the moment. Nothing else seemed possible. They were the only two people in the world at this moment. Nothing in the world could tear them apart again.

He pulled himself off of Sydney and laid next to her. Her breathing had slowed down and she was now asleep. Once he was next to her, she rolled onto her side and unconsciously, she wrapped her body against his. He smiled and kissed the top of her head before grasping her hand and falling asleep.

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Please read and review :D That makes me happy! I'm glad to see people enjoying this story. The final part will be up late tonight.