A/N: This is a little something I had to write after watching Alias a few Sunday's ago. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

Sydney Bristow looked up as Lauren slammed a portfolio of papers down on her desk. Sydney didn't pick it up but gave Lauren a questioning glance. "What's this?"

"The request I forewarned you about," Lauren articulated through her accent. "It has been approved."

Sydney stopped dead and stared hard into Lauren's eyes. "You're having me transferred?"

"You will be leaving your current status here and you will be reporting to a smaller co-op of the CIA in Swift Field County, southern California," Lauren said.

The words "smaller co-op" immediately made her think of SD-6 and their cover as a subunit of the CIA, but they were gone now. The Alliance had been destroyed by the agents it created.

Sydney rose calmly from her chair and inched her face closer to Lauren's. "I don't care about your status here, Lauren Reed. I don't care if you have all the agencies in the world supporting your decision. And I don't care if you're married to Vaughn," Sydney said, her voice rising slightly. "But I do care about my friends in this agency, and I am not about to leave them. You can't ask me to do that."

Lauren Reed looked unaffected by Sydney's words. "I am not seeking revenge, Agent Bristow. I am not trying to make your life more difficult, but the fact of the matter is I do not feel that I can do my job to the best of my ability when I am working in the same office as you. I made this decision to better the agency."

Sydney's eyes narrowed. "You listen to me. I will not, under any circumstances leave this office. If you think that the two of us aren't compatible, I suggest you transfer to another office. I will not leave here without a fight."

"There will be no fight, Agent Bristow, not this time," Lauren Reed stated. "In that folder is the document authenticated by the NSC and the signature of Director Dixon. The decision has been made. You have until the end of the week to say your good-byes." With that Lauren Reed walked away leaving Sydney Bristow reeling with the latest news.

"Morning Syd," Eric Weiss said holding his cup of coffee in his right hand as he approached her desk. "What went on with, Lauren?"

Sydney listened to Weiss's question without hearing him and set an angry pace towards Dixon's office. Ignoring the calls of Dixon's secretary, she strode right into his office where he had just placed the phone back onto the receiver.

"How could you do this, Dixon? How could you okay the transfer?" Sydney cried.

"Syd," Dixon said rising from his chair and heading towards her. "I had no choice."

"No choice? What do you mean no choice?" Sydney yelled. "You could have said that I wasn't impending CIA investigations. Stuck up for me."

"Syd, listen to me," Dixon said grabbing her arms and holding them to her sides so he would be assured that she understood the situation. "If I vetoed the bill, the NSC would accuse you of extortion and you would be sent to jail," Dixon explained. "If I signed it, I could be assured that you would be able to remain in California and work as a CIA field agent. They left me with little choice."

Sydney's voice was low, as she comprehended the situation. "So what you're trying to tell me is that the NSC was blackmailing you?"

"Don't try to turn the situation back onto them. We both know that you did blackmail them when you had your father released. They're threatening to prosecute you for it if you don't comply with the transfer. That action alone is incriminating. I hate this situation as much as you do, Syd," Dixon assured. "And I hate seeing you leave so quickly after having been found, but we can't fight this. If you can prove to operatives in Swift Field County that you're not everything Lauren says you are, than you will be able to come back. I'll see to it myself."

Sydney gave Dixon a sad smile. "I appreciate your efforts, Dixon, but I don't want to go."

"I'm sorry, Syd," Dixon said taking her in a hug.

When they pulled apart Sydney wiped her eyes. "I can't count down the days till I leave. I'll have my stuff out by this afternoon."

"Syd—"

"Goodbyes are harder when you know they're going to happen," Sydney said in reference to her disappearance.

"I understand, keep in touch," Dixon said as Sydney headed for the door.

"I will." Sydney walked out and closed the door. Dixon felt his anger rise for having to watch Sydney leave the life she had always known. A life that was supporting her in her time of need; in the recovery of her memories. Dixon made a promise that he would see to it that Sydney returned to this office.

* * *

            Sydney kept her promise. She had packed all her stuff while her friends were at lunch and it was time for her to go. She didn't want to explain the situation to her friends; Dixon could do that for her. Oddly enough, as she approached the door, she didn't feel like she was leaving. It felt like a normal afternoon. She would leave the office, come home, have dinner, and she would be fumbling to find the button for the alarm clock the next morning.

            Except this time, she wouldn't be coming to this office in the morning to hang around the coffee pot to hear about Weiss's latest date. She wouldn't be seeing Carey and talking about what foods she now couldn't stand the sight of. She wouldn't get an explanation of her mission gadgets from an overly nervous Marshall. And most of all, she wouldn't get to see Vaughn.

            Vaughn was due to be released from the hospital in a few days, and Sydney had only visited him once. She felt bad that her leaving would be like her disappearance all over again, except this time, he'd know where she was. He'd know she was okay, and he would be able to get on with his life just as he had before.

            "Sydney?" A voice asked just as Sydney was about to head out to the parking lot. "What's going on?" Jack Bristow asked, analyzing the contents of the box.

            Sydney sighed. "I'm being transferred."

            Jack's normally unexpressive face looked surprised. "Who ordered it?"

            "Lauren Reed."

            "Sydney," Jack said grabbing the box and putting it on the ground. "Under no circumstances can you leave. If you go to another office, it will be exceedingly difficult for us to recover your memories."

            "I'm aware of that," Sydney said, feeling her frustration arise again. "But either I'm transferred or I spend time in jail. I definitely will be unable to recover my memories sitting in a cell being constantly monitored."

            "On what grounds is she basing this transfer?" Jack asked.

            "She believes that she can't work to the best of her ability while I am here," Sydney said wearily.

            "Sydney, whatever happens, you cannot leave," Jack warned.

            "And what are you going to do about it? There is no miracle solution this time. No situation that puts us on the higher podium, and no timely explanation that can make everything alright."

            "Sydney—"

            "No dad, this time we just have to wait it out. I'll keep in touch," Sydney picked up her box and once again continued onto her path towards her car.