Chapter 6
I felt nervousness grip me as I walked into the CIA rotunda, but I refused to let it hinder my performance. Julian spent the entire previous night getting me up to speed on everything and I refused to let it be squandered by anything.
The CIA had been previously informed of Sydney's return, so I was to meet with Director Dixon the moment I set foot in the building. I went over the information about Dixon in my head, making sure I didn't miss a single detail. His wife, Diane, was killed by Sloane as payback for the death of his own wife, Emily, about 2 years ago. He had 2 children, Steven and Robin, who were 13 and 15. He was Sydney's partner at SD-6 and also with the CIA before her disappearance.
That's everything. So pick up your feet and sashay into that office like you've been gone on purpose.
I walked immediately into his office, not bothering if I'd interrupted him. He looked at me surprised and asked me to sit down. Though I really didn't want to, I knew Sydney would happily oblige his request. I sat in a chair about 2 feet from his desk and took a deep breath, preparing myself for the con of the century.
"Sydney, I must say that when I heard you were coming back to this office, I was very surprised." He said.
"Believe me, so was I." I replied.
"After 2 years away, everyone in the agency believed you were gone for good."
"Oh ye of little faith…"
"It's not that we didn't have faith, it's just that there was no suggestion that you were ever coming back."
"Part of me planned on not coming back, but then The Covenant killed my partner."
"So are you coming back to help the CIA or hurt The Covenant?"
"I suppose it's a bit of both."
"Sydney, you know there are people within the CIA that would love to have your head on a platter if they found out you were here to get back at The Covenant because they killed your partner."
"Look, I don't have to explain myself to anyone. I came back for my own reasons. If the CIA can't understand that, then I'll just go back to Rome and you forget this whole thing." I spat, getting up from the chair I was sitting in.
"Sydney, I'm not going to be shy about the CIA needing your help. The Covenant's been one of our biggest adversaries right now. Whatever intel you have about this group, I'm sure I'll be able to strike a deal with your non-fans to make sure nothing unexpected happens."
"Alright then. But I'm going to make one thing clear: all I'm disclosing is intel about The Covenant. There will be no other questioning about anything related to my personal life or the things I did when I wasn't on the job. In other words, my relationships are not up for scrutiny by ANYONE. Not you, not my father, not Vaughn, not even the NSC."
"Absolutely. I have the authority to restrict information and I'll make sure nothing personal is brought up."
"Thank you." I thanked the gods silently for my success.
"Sydney."
"Hmmm?"
"Welcome back." Dixon said, hugging me. I tried my hardest not to be creeped out because I knew Sydney would appreciate such a warm greeting after everything she'd been through.
"Thanks." I replied, "Is my desk still open?"
"We never managed to find an agent good enough to fill it." I smiled at that. Julian wasn't kidding; Sydney Bristow was a top agent.
I walked out of Dixon's office and made my way over to the empty desk that was collecting dust. I smiled again as I saw picture frames with photos of what I'm sure were happier times in Sydney's life. There were a few of Irina, one of her, Irina, and Jack, and one of her and Vaughn shoved way in the back behind the rest. I suppose she never wanted to forget about what they had together, but she wanted to make it look like she had.
"Sydney."
Speak of the now married devil…
"Vaughn, what is it? I have a lot of work to get done."
"I wanted to see how you were."
"Oh really? That's funny, because I would think that you have a pretty good idea of how I am." I said angrily, "I left on an undercover assignment and you married someone else!"
"I thought you were dead or gone for good. You never told anyone that you were leaving."
"Well, it's not like I had time to do that. But then again, I don't think this has anything to do with me not saying anything. This has to do with you losing faith in me, in us. You thought it would be easier to believe I was gone forever without anything than to search for me and find it out for sure. Am I right?"
"I waited for weeks to see if you would come back or at least contact me to let me know you were okay. I lay awake every night, wondering if I'd done something to make you leave or if you really were dead. I finally went to London, your favorite city, and decided to let you go. That's where I met Lauren."
"Did you say Lauren?"
"Yeah. Lauren Reed. Why?"
"Oh, no reason." I was laughing inside my head because I knew something he didn't.
If only you knew that The Covenant tasked her to marry you and I was there in the room when McKenas gave her the task…
"Look, I wanna be civil about this."
"I'm sure you do. That way, your conscience can rest easier because you don't have to see the pain you've caused." I spat, "Now I would appreciate if you stop wasting my time because I have work to do." He frowned and started to walk away.
"Wait, take this with you while you're at it. I don't need it anymore."
I thrust the picture of us into his hands and started on my work, not even giving him a second look. I heard him shuffle away and I smiled evilly to myself.
Men are so weak sometimes…
"Syd!" a voice bellowed across the rotunda. It was Eric Weiss, one of Sydney's best friends.
"Eric, hi." I said.
"Where have you been the last 2 years? We thought you were dead."
"That's been classified as need-to-know only. And according to Dixon, no one needs to know just yet." I replied.
"Well, whatever happened, it's sure made you act differently toward me. Can't a guy get a hug after not seeing you for so long?"
"Of course." I replied with a smile, giving him a warm hug. In the back of my mind, I was worrying because I felt myself slipping deeper into this persona. I had to keep my guard up somehow without blowing my cover.
I spent the day doing the usual work I'd done for The Covenant, but my mind began to panic when Eric reminded be that we were having a briefing.
"From the intel that agent Sydney Bristow has given us, we've figured out The Covenant's next move." Dixon began, "This is Julian Sark. He's been funding The Covenant since they popped up on the intelligence radar. He's planning to meet with a contact of his named Julia Thorne tomorrow night in Vienna. Sydney, as much as I'd like to give you some time to breathe, you're the only agent we have that's been inside The Covenant's activities. I want you and agents Vaughn and Weiss to go to Vienna and shadow Sark & Thorne. Come back with whatever intel you can. Wheels up in 3 hours."
I nodded, feeling a pang of fear knot in my chest. I was going to have to talk to McKenas and Julian to change the meeting. My mind began to race with possibilities of what could happen if things couldn't be changed. I would be made and I'd be under siege by The Covenant and locked up by the CIA.
I managed to make it through my last hour of reports before dashing home to call Julian.
"Hello Julia love." He answered after only 3 rings.
"We've got a problem." I said, breaking his casual demeanor.
"The CIA's found out about Vienna, haven't they?" he asked.
"We need a counter strategy." I replied.
"I've already thought of such a plan."
"Then you'd better let me in on it."
"Of course."