SYROS, GREECE
Jack flexed his left hand before stretching out completely in the large bed he shared with Irina. She had rolled away from him sometime in the early morning after returning to bed and although she would not complain, he knew she must have been hot pressed against him.
Turning over, Jack found the occupant of his thoughts sprawled atop the sheets, her breasts bare of the tank top she had been wearing the night before and flushed cheeks speaking volumes of her warmth.
"What?" Her voice was smooth, possessing none of her previous sleep in its tones.
"I didn't speak." His eyes traced her figure, resting longest on her large stomach and chest.
"You're staring." She fought against the morning light to keep her eyes closed.
"If you'd rather I didn't stare, don't come to bed topless."
"I'm generating too much body heat to keep my cloths on." She sighed, succumbing to the start of a new day.
"A comment fantasies are built on."
"Like role playing?" Irina looked at him blankly. "I'll be the international terrorist and you can be the CIA agent sent to apprehend me." She smirked.
"You're originality stuns me."
"I haven't even left the bed and you've already managed to annoy me." Reaching to the table beside her, Irina picked up the coral coloured tank top.
"You're in fine form this morning." Jack grinned despite the glare his wife shot at him.
The doorbell beat Irina to a retort, carrying its soft song to the master bedroom. Both looked skeptically across the bed, willing the other to be the one to get up.
"You have to answer that; it's likely Kyle and Jordan." Irina used her arms to pull herself into a sitting position on the bed, covering her breast with a quick tug of the tank over her head.
"And you can't walk downstairs and open the door?" Jack rolled onto his back, raising his eyebrows.
"It was your casual invitation that brought them here. I believe you wanted to 'talk' to them."
"I'll concede to your point this time." Jack stood.
"Hurry up and get dressed before Sydney answers the door." She told him from her semi-comfortable place on the bed.
"Why?" Jack furrowed his brow, although Irina couldn't tell whether it was at her or the open closet.
"No one should have to deal with those two boys' attempts to impress so early in the day." Irina paused then decided to add. "Not even Sydney."
Hearing the heavy wooden front door shut left little doubt at who finally let the boys in. Jack continued to peruse his closet, paying no attention to the impatiens of the room's female occupant.
"She'll kill them if you don't get down there soon."
"You seem quite sure of yourself." Jack pulled a pair of pants off their hanger.
"I contemplated it on one or two occasions while they were checking up on me. They're sweet until they become infuriating." She spoke with the same air of seriousness that one would over what to prepare for dinner. Jack decided he should dress quickly.
"Kyle and Jordan right." Sydney closed the door behind them.
"Yep! So how are you enjoying Syros? Have you been to the beach yet? Gone to the casino? Played beach-"
Sydney cut off, whom she assumed to be Jordan's, tangent. "My parents and I went out for dinner last night. But that's been about it." She slipped into her role with ease.
"Do you work with your parents?" Kyle asked, eager to keep talking to Sydney.
"Sometimes it's hard to tell." She muttered under her breath.
"Pardon?" Jordan leaned in a bit.
"I said sometimes but not as much recently." Wandering to the built in wall unit, Sydney traced the pattern on a dented bronze plate making a point to ask her mother why the item was mangled.
"You have the coolest parents. They're nice and friendly and smart and sure know how to enjoy a roof." Kyle earned himself a jab in his ribs for the comment to which Sydney merely appeared puzzled.
"But I'm sure you hear that all the time." Jordan added, softening the scowl previously directed at Kyle.
Sydney hoped she had successfully reigned in her incredulity. "Absolutely. My parents: making friends everywhere they go." Noticing the inquisitive looks on the boys' faces, Sydney forged ahead with another topic. "How long are you two staying in Greece for?"
"We got here in June but we'll be going home for Thanksgiving in October." They watched as Sydney's brow furrowed, and her mouth hung the slightest bit. "We're from Canada." Kyle added to which she nodded in understanding.
"Where abouts?" Glancing upstairs showed no sign of her parents yet.
"Nova Scotia. But we attend school in Ontario." Jordan imparted. "We're taking the semester off.
"I had a friend who went to school in Ontario; I think it was called Queens'. Tuition was like a fraction of what it is in the States." The boys nodded along as Sydney spoke.
Three sets of eyes darted to the staircase as Jack walked down, followed closely by Irina's stomach then her.
"Good morning boys." Irina shot them a half smile.
"Hi." They both said. "Jack, we just wanted you to know that we're not going to tell anyone about you guys. It's cool that you're trying to get away and we promise we don't want to be responsible for anything bad happening. And if you need another place to stay, farther away, you're welcome in Nova Scotia any time.
"Thank you." Jack shook both their hands, impressed with their firm grips. "You've both gone above and beyond for Irina and me."
The two boys looked down, hands in pockets and scuffed their feet on the floor, in serious danger of saying awe shucks. When Irina came around the couch to give them each a hug, Jack was sure he'd have to sweep their melted forms onto the porch.
"I don't know if I'll ever be able to repay you two for helping me. But if nothing else I want you to know that I have never met anyone more selfless and honorable than you two." She spoke softly, although her voice carried in the quiet of the house.
After pulling out of the embrace with Irina, Jordan took a breath and spoke. "We just wanted to let you know that we're heading to a few of the islands and back to the mainland for the next month, before going back home. So um…bye."
Jack and Irina both smiled warmly, not noticing Sydney analyzing the scene. "Yeah so bye." Kyle gave a little wave. "It was really nice to meet you both. And you too Sydney." The young man made one last attempt to win over the Bristow's daughter.
"It was a pleasure meeting the both of you. Stay safe and have fun on the remainder of your trip." Irina moved back into the Jack's space.
"Good luck with the baby and everything. And you guys stay safe too. No more collapsing on the beach cause we won't be here to help you." Kyle shook his head and sighed before cracking a smile.
Jordan and Kyle headed to the door exchanging one final smile with the older couple. As the door closed behind them both their shoulders slumped.
"Do you think they're really going to be okay?" Kyle asked his friend.
"I have a feeling they're the type of people who always land on their feet." Jordan answered.
For a moment it seemed all the air was sucked from the room with the boys until Irina took in a deep breath, marching to the kitchen for breakfast, Jack's eyes following her.
"What's wrong?" Sydney tracked his gaze.
"Nothing. You're mother didn't sleep well last night. Her doctor recommended as little stress as possible and plenty of rest; I'm worried you're mother isn't adhering to the doctor's advice."
"She's a grown woman. I'm sure she can take care of herself." She said dismissively, more interested in eavesdropping on the call her mother had just answered.
"Jack, Peter would like to know if you want to go boating with him today?" Irina held the phone in her hand after hitting the mute button.
"Is he on the phone?" Jack walked toward her.
"No, Helen. She called to cancel our tea; Jimmy just got around to telling her soccer registration is today."
"The purpose of coming here was to spend time with you. Tell Peter not this time." Jack nodded in agreement with his own answer.
"Jack it's only for a few hours, you know you'll have a good time and anyway, I've got Sydney here as company. Go boating; you don't get many opportunities like this in L.A." She urged.
Knowing the debate could continue for hours, Jack agreed to go with Peter. "Helen," Irina spoke into the phone. "tell Peter Jack will be there." She paused while Helen spoke on the other end. "I will, talk to you soon." She hung up. "Peter said he'll meet you in front of the fish market in an hour."
"Sydney, are you alright spending the day here?" Jack eyed both women skeptically.
"I'm fine Dad. If Mom and I were going to kill each other, we would have done it by now."
"Somehow that is less than reassuring."
The stillness of the house launched a torrent of shivers up Sydney's spine, igniting a trepidation transcending all logic. She had an irrational fear of being on the business end of her mother's favoured fire arm. Walking through the living room and kitchen, Sydney tentatively looked for her mother, not sure she truly wanted to find her.
Wandering to the threshold of her mother's office, she hesitated, not wanting to face the temptation of information within the room. The large picture window drew her attention out over the sea below, casting a beautiful yellow/blue hue over the functional space.
Pulling herself from her musings, she strode purposefully to the backyard. Eyes narrowed at yet another place her mother was not. She worked out how her mother could have left without her noticing as she climbed the outdoor stairs to the roof for a better look at the grounds.
"I was wondering when you would venture up here." It took all the willpower Sydney had to keep both feet on the ground at the unexpected voice.
At one end of the roof, an outdoor furniture set with umbrella was occupied by the white and blue clad form of her mother, a glass of watermelon juice and various papers on the table in front of her.
"I didn't know this was here." Sydney took a moment to observe the view and her surroundings.
"Were you looking for me, or simple investigating?" Irina piled the papers on the table together into a file, gently closing the manila sides together.
Sydney pursed her lips in thought, warring with the truth or an answer that would hurt her mother. "A little of both." She finally answered, deciding to set the tone for the conversation and tell the truth.
Irina nodded with a ghost of a smile, recognizing what it meant to have Sydney admit to seeking out her mother.
"Honesty." She drew the word out. "So it's going to be one of those conversations"
"Are you even familiar with honest conversations?" Sydney bit out before she could get a handle on her mouth.
Instead of reacting as she had the night before, Irina allowed a spark of laughter to pass her lips. "I may have heard of the notion in passing." Retaining her mirth, she ventured to set the pace of the discussion. "Or perhaps it was written in one of the morally demonstrative stories I read to you as a child."
"I don't recall. What memories I did have of that time have since become tainted." Not able to help herself, Sydney relentlessly tried to break down her mother's good mood.
"That's unfortunate." Irina completely disregarded Sydney's childish provocations. She looked from her daughter to one of the empty chairs around the table pointedly, waiting for Sydney to take a seat.
"What are you doing out here?" Sydney asked, gingerly sitting down.
"Research." Irina's quick look to the water over the edge of the property told Sydney the subject was closed for the duration of their talk.
"I guess my first question for you is how?" Sydney raised her eyebrows at her mother's midsection.
"Any retort on sexual practices would decidedly be out of place, so I'll not respond to the literal nature of the question." Irina threw the mouthful of meaningless words at Sydney to buy time to organize her thoughts. "My pregnancy was in no way planned and considering it happened only once and my age it was likely more of a shock to me than even your father."
"Fifty-two is startlingly old to be having a child." Sydney's fingers tangled together in a mad fidget.
"I'm only fifty and while to me it seemed unlikely, my doctor informed me it has become a more common occurrence." Sydney's furrowed brow lead Irina to explain further. "Your father was forced to suffer the long version but the short is quite simple. My birth documents were falsified to make it possible to recruit me into the KGB two years earlier than was permitted."
Satisfied with her explanation, Sydney asked her next question. "When are you due?"
"The beginning of November." Irina's hand drifted to her stomach.
"Is the baby healthy?" Sydney said after a tense silence.
"Yes. As far as the doctors can tell."
"Are you planning on abandoning the baby with Dad after you have it?" Irina watched Sydney's face harden against the rush of emotion the question provoked.
Tilting her head in appraisal, Irina wondered at the obvious Freudian undercurrent to the query. Her dark eyes searched the mirrored depths of her daughter's, hoping the truth thundered as ferociously between them as it did in her own head.
"If there are words enough to qualify my absence in your life, they escape me Sydney. Because, of all the mistakes I've made through the course of my life, I've regretted none expect the one that took me from you and your father."
Sydney couldn't be sure whether it was her emotional upheaval, the clear blue sky of the island, hiding nothing from the visitors of the day, or her mother's thoughtful brown eyes but on that day in spite of everyday that had come before, Sydney knew her mother had spoken the truth. And yet, it wasn't enough.
"What about the parents you took from their children? You don't regret that?" Sydney pursed her lips, staring down the truth ahead.
"One of my mistakes was gathering intel on CIA agents for the KGB, agents who were marked as threats to Russia but it was my job. You pass on information to the CIA that can have deadly repercussions to your country's enemies and often times, civilians but you can't regret it because at the end of the day, you were doing your job as they were."
"The difference is, I don't seek them out to kill them." Sydney argued.
"And neither did I." Irina halted her protests. "I was not part of the CIA agents' murders I stand accused of; I have proof of my innocence. Check with your father for confirmation as he has likely investigated the validity of my claim."
"Vaughn's father?" Sydney needed to hear her mother say it despite her caution believing the story.
"A casualty of my country but not my hand." Irina debated whether to sever eye contact to sip her juice, deciding the contact she and Sydney were sharing was of strategically value to both parties and to leave her drink be. "That's not to say I haven't killed; it's the nature of our profession."
"So at those times it wasn't a mistake?" Her inquiry was genuine.
"Of course it was. A mistake that kept me alive." Irina held nothing back.
"Where have you been for the last twenty years?" Sydney blurted out, with decidedly less edge than her pervious questions.
"Prison, embroiled in Rambaldi's works, building a crime cartel. I moved around a lot after the first year I left, more out of survival than anything else." Irina shrugged.
Sydney said nothing for a while, lost in thought. "When I found out what you'd done; marrying Dad for information, having me to seal your relationship, I felt this great sense of betrayal. You may not have meant to hurt me so deeply, maybe you didn't even think I would feel strongly as Dad about what you did but I do." Irina remained quiet, wanting Sydney to finish what she had started.
"A mother is a sacred thing; she can nurture and protect and love beyond the measure of anyone else. I think sometimes even more than a father. But it also means that her lies, indiscretions and betrayal is felt more acutely than another. You made a mockery of everything I thought I knew in my life, of everything that was real to me. I loved you and trusted you to be my mother and you hurt me. You took that all away. I felt like I was floundering alone with no one there to save me because that one person that I always thought would be there, whether in reality or my thoughts was gone." Sydney's breath hitched through her falling tears, forming a lump in the back of her throat and making it ache to swallow.
"Sydney," Irina started softly. "I never meant to hurt you as I have. When I left it was only to protect you and if I could have I would have taken you with me." She shuddered at the thought of Sydney in Kashmir with her. "I regret not telling your father the truth; I should have had more faith in his abilities to protect us from the KGB and I have spent every day since, wondering what would have been different if I had."
"You have grown into the most beautiful, intelligent, kind, capable young woman I have ever met. I don't think any mother could be as proud of her daughter than I am of you; I wish I had even had the courage at your age that you possess. When I held you for the first time, I realized that everything in my life had lead me to that moment. Holding the most important and precious little girl in the world and I promised myself that I would keep you safe and not let anyone hurt you." Irina stood from her chair and leaned over Sydney's to caress her cheek. "What I didn't realize was that while I was keeping other's from hurting you, I was doing more damage than they ever could."
The tears Sydney had gotten control of slid down her face anew, commiserating with the counterparts on her mother's cheeks. Sydney didn't remember ever seeing her mother cry as a child. To her, her parents were invincible, there to dry the tears that only she would cry.
"Oh my sweet sweet little girl." Irina's voice cracked, leaving her to speak only in a whisper. "I never meant to cause you so much pain. You didn't deserve this; I'm sorry baby girl. I'm so sorry."
Unable to stop the emotions from erupting, Sydney launched herself at her mother. Mother and daughter stood together on the roof, Sydney's face pressed against her mother's shoulder hoping to suppress the sobs coursing through her, while Irina spilled silent tears and consoled her only daughter by rubbing her back.
And for the first time in twenty years, Sydney remembered what it was like to have a mother. The woman who would protect you, who wouldn't judge you, who was the one safe place you could always go.
Feeling Sydney shift restlessly against her, Irina loosened her grip and pulled away. She wiped the tears still glistening on her daughter's face before attending to her own. "Don't you ever forget that I love you." She order to which Sydney only nodded.
"Have you ever been scared?" Sydney asked tentatively.
"I have not gone a day without fear since I was sixteen. I fear for myself, for you, for your father, for the baby. I don't know any other way to live, except in a constant state of fear. It was the one thing I never wanted you to have to experience." She shook her head in disappointment.
Sydney looked uncomfortable suddenly. "Is it okay that I'm scared that you're going to disappear again?" She asked, feeling like a child once again.
"I suppose with my history you would be remiss in your training not to be. But I promise you, I'm not going anywhere." She paused to glance at her stomach between them. "At least not quickly." Irina sighed mentally in relief when Sydney laughed.
"There is one more thing." Sydney tilted her head and furrowed her brow. "How is it that the Secretary General of the United Nations and his wife know you?"
"Sydney, despite everything, I'm going to ask you to give me your faith. You're father knows but I can't tell you yet. It won't be long before you know though." Irina wasn't sure if the fragile relationship could stand one more secret but she didn't have a choice.
"Dad's okay with it?" Sydney remained suspect but conceded at her mother's nod. "Let's go inside. I want to watch that DVD marked ultrasound." Sydney smiled brightly at her mother.
SYROS, GREECE (in case you forgot)
"Oh yeah, gotta be a spy." Jordan said under his breath; however loud enough to turn four startled sets of eyes his way.
"Shut the fck up dude." Kyle whispered with a harsh glare.
Jack and Irina shared a quick looked over Sydney's head, while their daughter stared wide-eyed in shock at the two boys.
"Who told you we-"
"Boys, if you wouldn't mind, could I have a word with you outside." Jack's hardened demeanor left little choice of a response.
"Sure." Jordan hoped his fear was not written in bold across his face as Kyle's was.
"Great job ass. Now were both going to be swimming with the fishes." Kyle paled at the thought, keeping his voice low and not detected by their escort outside.
"That's the mob moron, not the CIA. And we're not American, what are they going to do to us?" Jordan retorted.
"It's called sphere of influence Jerkoff. I knew I should have gotten your lazy ass out of bed for Political Science class this year." Kyle scowled slightly.
"Who are you, my mother? Anyway, that class was way too early in the morning to make and I still passed didn't I." Jordan nudged his friend and gave him a quirky smile.
Jack stopped walking outside by the pool, waiting for the two boys to follow suit. His decision to take them outside and ensure their silence didn't seem like such a good idea when he glanced inside at Sydney and Irina, alone.
"We didn't tell anyone, we swear." Kyle said abruptly, drawing Jack back to the matter at hand.
"Sit." He pointed to the chairs by the water, sitting across from them once they were settled. "Now, explain to me why the two of you are so quick to help total strangers?"
Neither boy knew how to answer Jack's question.
"I'm not sure what you mean." Jordan stated nervously. "When she fell down on the beach, we thought, I mean she didn't-" He looked at his friend for help.
"Someone would have helped her, we were just the first ones there." Kyle supplied. "At least I hope someone would have helped her. You don't just leave someone laying hurt, or you don't where we come from." His shrug eased some of the tension from Jack's shoulders.
"But you didn't stop there. You've been by everyday since then to check on her, that's over and above the call of duty." Jack didn't believe the two boys were any threat to his family but he wasn't going to make the mistake of assuming.
"You weren't here and we figured that you would want someone looking out for her. She's umm…she's kinda stubborn." Jordan lowered his voice, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Irina hadn't heard him.
Jack almost gave into a smile at Jordan's terrified words. He would have to tell Irina about it later but for now it seemed Kyle was about to crack under the weight of his stare.
"And she's mad hot." He finally sputtered out.
"Mad hot?" Jack said with obvious interest.
"Kyle you stupid fck. Don't say that about the guy's wife." Jordan hit him in the arm.
"Well she is." He retorted.
"Mad hot." Jack tried again, a little quieter than before. "It's quite alright Jordan. I'm aware of my wife's beauty and how appreciated it is by others. I'm more concerned with the information you both possess regarding my status within the CIA."
"Like I said, we didn't say a word to anyone." Kyle reiterated. "Are you guys hiding out because of the baby? Is someone after you?"
"Why can't you just go back to the States. The CIA would protect you wouldn't they?" Jordan wondered aloud.
"They may protect me but not Irina." Jack was careful about what he said, eyeing both young men suspiciously.
"Is it like some weird policy that they don't protect spouses of their agents; I thought she worked for the CIA too." Jordan shook his head in confusion.
"Irina is former Russian intelligence." Jack decided that the boys had earn as much of the truth as he was willing to give as they had made sure Irina and his son were safe.
"But your daughter has to be almost thirty." Kyle seemed flabbergasted while Jordan furrowed his brow.
"What does that have to do with anything?" He asked his friend.
"Jord, thirty years ago the Cold War was at its height, Jack and Irina would have been on opposite sides of the fight." When understanding refused to spark in Jordan's eyes, Kyle rolled his. "I forgot you missed modern history as well."
"It was a night class. Did the university actually think I would be able to focus until ten? I caught up on a lot of sleep while you were in that class." Jack smirked at the antics of the boys, feeling younger in their presence.
"Yes well, suffice it to say, Irina and I seemed to defy the odds if not our governments."
"But the Cold War is over, Russia and the US are…well friends isn't really a term I would use concerning politics but allies at least." Jordan spoke animatedly, receiving stunned looks from Jack and Kyle. "Hey, just cause I didn't go to class doesn't mean I didn't read the text book." He frowned with indignation.
"It's complicated." Jack said simply. "All I need from you is assurances that you won't mention our names or even a vague description of what went on here to anyone. Irina and I can take care of ourselves but the baby…." He paused. "I would rather not have to make the two of you disappear."
Jordan and Kyle both gulped audibly. "Of course Sir." "Won't hear a word from us."
"Good." Was all they got in return. "I'm sure your friends are expecting you back. Come by in a few days, I'd love to talk to you both." Neither was capable of uttering a word, nodding their heads instead. "Thank you again for all you've done." Jack's sudden smile almost made them flinch.
Glancing sharply at the living room doors, Jack checked on Irina and Sydney. A large part of him worried that if he left his daughter and wife unsupervised for long, one of them would do or say something they'd regret later. And he didn't want to waste time dealing with Sydney's rash actions when he could be spending time with Irina.
"Why don't we cut the bullsht, Dad's gone." Sydney snarled from across the room. "What is this really about? Information, money, another one of Rambaldi's twisted little inventions?"
"Your father and I told you, Rambaldi is no longer an issue; I've destroyed all of his known works. My organization has access to information even the CIA does not and as for money….you're a smart girl." Irina raised her eyebrows, keeping her hands at her sides in an attempt at looking non-threatening.
"Obviously not smart enough to have recognized your lies for what they were when you turned yourself into the CIA, but I like to think I've been further educated since that time." Sydney walked around the living room, taking in the perfect design. Everything in the room looked as though someone had taken the time to choose each piece with thoughtful insight. "Is it that your lack the mothering instinct altogether or do you just hate your children?"
Irina was about to respond when Sydney cut her off.
"Then again, I'm assuming this child was planned; that in some way you are going to use this against Dad and I but maybe I'm jumping to conclusions; perhaps this was a tragic little accident." She pointed to her mother's stomach from three feet away. "You could be trying to make the best of an unfortunate situation; suck Dad back in, make him fall in love with his child and possibly even you then kill the child and tear him apart once more."
"You have no idea what you're talking about." Irina was no longer able to reign in her anger. "You would do well to remember that no matter what you think of me, I am still your mother. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt in this case because of your recent ordeal with Sloane but don't make the mistake of speaking to me like that again and expect to get away unscathed."
"Be careful Mother, your spots are showing." The words held a bitterness she had never been party to from her daughter.
"What will it take?" Their eyes looked, brown on brown, both searching for answers. "Ask me anything you want and I'll answer it to the best of my ability." Irina offered.
Sydney turned the invitation over in her mind before asking anything. "Why did you kill William Vaughn?"
"Over twenty years of questions and you ask one that has little relevance to your own life. Do you love Michael Vaughn that much or do you merely fear the truths I could give you.
"Answer the question." Sydney's gritted teeth forced Irina to pause before speaking.
"We're in the business of killing Sydney. When we're given an order to kill someone, we don't ask questions like 'why'. As soon as we do, we go from the killers to the killed." Her words were drawn out slowly, not sure whether her explanation would be excepted. "I don't know why William Vaughn was killed, in part because it wasn't me who killed him."
"What?" The single word came out as a surprised reflex.
"Alexander Khasinau was my handler while I was with your father and felt my mission would be jeopardize if my focus and duties were split. He told Moscow he would take responsibility for the executions."
"But the books…"
"Were all part of a meticulously orchestrated frame by the KGB to give the CIA someone to blame for the murders and ensure that I would not be able to return to the US or my family."
"I can't…why didn't you tell us this when you turned yourself in?" Sydney stopped wandering around the room, choosing to look for impurities in her mother's explanation instead.
"I wasn't there to straighten out misunderstandings, I was there to get rid of Sloane and give you back your life. You're acting as though your father is a brainless idiot, once more pulled into my web of deceit; you obviously don't credit his intelligence. I had to have given your father some reason to trust me." Irina regarded her daughter's stern expression, suddenly feeling very tired. "I'm seven months pregnant, I haven't seen your father in over a month and I spent all of last week worrying that I may end up loosing both my children. Right now I couldn't care less whether you believe what I'm telling you or not; we're safe and that's all that matters."
"So you wouldn't stop me if I walked out the door right now?" Sydney taunted.
"Provided you kept my location a secret."
"If that's suppose to endear me to you, it was an oversight on your part. You don't care what happens to me." She accused.
"I never said I didn't care, but I also wouldn't try to stop you. You're an adult Sydney, you make your own choices. You have to own those choices and the repercussion that result." She sounded very much like a mother scolding her teenage daughter.
"Age old wisdom from Mom?" Sydney said sarcastically.
"No, a lesson I had to learn the hard way."
"And if I turned you in to the CIA?"
"You would be hurting your father." Irina quickly supplied.
"Then what do you propose I do?" Sydney worked to maintain her hardened demeanor in front of her mother.
"You're welcome to stay with your father and I for the few days he's here. It promises to be enlightening."
"Make no mistake, I'm staying to keep an eye on Dad." Sydney replied.
"Of course."
"See you later Irina. It was nice meeting you Sydney." Jordan said as he and Kyle were led through the living room by Jack.
"Don't worry, your secret is safe with us." Kyle smiled, showing two rows of perfectly straight white teeth.
"Dad, you told them what we do?" Sydney blurted out in shock.
"You're a spy too?" Kyle appeared as though he was going to fall over.
"Which side do you work for?" Jordan suddenly seemed more interested in the politics behind being a spy.
"Goodbye Jordan, Kyle. We'll see you in a few days." Jack opened the front door as their cue to leave.
"See ya Jack." They both chimed as the door closed behind them.
"Did you check out their daughter. She was hot." Kyle told his friend excitedly.
"I'd like to pump that."
"Me too dude."
Jack turned his attention to the two women facing off in what had once been a tranquil living room. He wasn't sure but there appeared to be resolution in both their eyes.
"No blood. That's an improvement from your previous meetings."
Two sets of incredulous brown orbs turned on him, not impressed with his humor. Jack shrugged off the glares, moving to sit on the couch. After a few moments of hesitation Irina sunk down beside him, while Sydney dropped into the chair she had occupied before.
"Sydney has decided to stay with us for the next few days." Irina informed him, devoid of the happiness he thought the situation would carry with it. Catching her gaze, they held a silent conversation.
Sydney watched the exchange with growing intrigue. She had never seen her parents' expressions as open as they were when looking at one another.
"Jack, can you take Sydney up and show her which room she'll be staying in. I'm going to get something to eat."
Irina stood with the help of the couch's arm, moving toward the kitchen. Jack caught her hand, standing close beside her to whisper in her ear.
"Are you okay?"
Blinking slowly, a sad smile lit her lips. "No, but I will be." Irina broke away continuing on into the kitchen while Jack escorted his perpetually stunned daughter up the stairs.
"Dad, would you be so kind as to explain what the hell is going on!" Her harsh whisper was directed at the back of his head as they ascended the stairs.
"Exactly what it looks like Sydney. Your mother and I are waiting for the birth of our second child." His simple reply received a huff from her.
"She said she wasn't responsible for the death of Vaughn's father or the other CIA agents."
"I've ascertained that it is highly unlikely that she killed the agents. And I know for certain she did not kill William Vaughn." He ushered Sydney into the bright room down the hall from his and Irina's.
"Maybe I would have an easier time accepting this whole scenario if I knew what it was that Mom told you to earn back your trust." She walked into the room and sat on the large bed.
"You don't want to hear what your mother told me Sydney, I wish I hadn't. You're going to have to find a way to trust her without that information." Jack opened the doors to Sydney's balcony, letting more of the sunlight into the room.
"And if I can't?" She turned on the bed to watch him.
"Then you can't." Neither spoke as they pondered what the next few days would accomplish. "I'm going downstairs to help your mother. Look around and come down when you're ready."
"Dad, you were a new person when you came back from your trip weeks ago: relaxed, content, happy even." Whatever response she was expecting, it wasn't the one she got.
"You can thank your mother for that when you come down." He left the room in search of his wife.
Syros- Greece
The morning crept lazily over the horizon on Jack and Sydney's last day on Syros. The bright yellow orb was seeming able to contradict its very nature to give the family more time together. Jack and Irina were the first to rise due to Irina's ever shrinking bladder and set about making breakfast for Sydney.
It wasn't until just after ten when Sydney finally made her appearance downstairs. "Morning Mom, Dad." She said, covering a yawn with her hand.
"You slept for a while." Jack said, pulling fresh bread from the cupboard.
"It's something about this place. I just couldn't seem to will my body from the bed." She told them.
"It's called relaxation Sweetheart." Irina said sweetly. "You should try it more often."
Sydney snorted her amusement. "Like you're one to talk." She joked before popping a strawberry into her mouth.
"Wait until we get to the table." Irina admonished.
Once seated Sydney dove into her food. "When do we leave?" She asked her Dad between bites.
"Hydrofoil departs at two this afternoon; we'll be on it." Jack stated pointedly.
Irina looked down at her plate to hide the disappointment on her face. She knew they had to go back to Los Angeles but that didn't mean she had to like it.
"What are you going to do while we're gone Mom?" Sydney asked thoughtfully.
"At the rate your brother is growing, not a whole lot." Irina joked. Sydney smiled in appreciation of her mother's lighter side. "I'll shop. I've yet to decorate the nursery."
Jack sat back and watched as his wife and daughter tentatively embarked on a relationship sans bullets and handcuffs. There was a definite sense of peace surrounding the villa that morning, warming a part of Jack that he believed had long since died.
TBC