5 months later

APO

Sydney is sitting at her desk, working and when Vaughn walks up to her, she ignores him. Vaughn clears his throat. "I heard that you are escorting Sark to a safe house." Without looking up, Sydney nodded, "Yep. He fulfilled his end of the deal."

Vaughn sighed, "How come you asked that you do it by yourself? I thought we agreed before you went to Berlin that we would do it together?"

Sydney stopped her work and looked at Vaughn. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, staring coldly at Vaughn. "I don't need a babysitter, Vaughn."

"I know that, but still-"

"Still nothing." She went back to her work. "I don't need a lecture from you Vaughn, I get that enough from my father."

Vaughn stared at Sydney in shock. What was her problem? But Vaughn didn't say anything, he turned to leave but noticed something. Something that broke his heart. "How come you're not wearing your ring?" For the past five months, he tried every time to get Sydney alone, and to make their engagement final...but every time, she avoided it. Not wearing their ring just made him painfully remember that.

Sydney looked at her hand. Oops. "Oh, I uh, dropped it off at the cleaners," she stammered. She looked at Vaughn and and saw him smile and nod. "Oh, okay," he replied. Sydney knew he didn't believe her, but she didn't care, not anymore.

As Vaughn left, Nadia approached Sydney. "Hey, Syd. Eric and I are going out tonight, do you and Vaughn want to join us?"

Can I get no work done? Sydney thought angrily. But she smiled sweetly at Nadia. "Rain-check? I have to get approved to get back in the field."

Nadia looked hurt. "Oh, okay, yeah sure. Other time then."

Sydney nodded and watched Nadia leave. She rolled her eyes. What is with her? She like stays attached to me and doesn't let me breathe. Although, Sydney knew it was only because she didn't have a family until recently. But still...

Downtown L.A.

Sloane pulls his car into a hidden alley, and drives until he reaches a car in front of him. Shutting off his car, he gets off and walks to the shadowed figure standing in front of the car. "Irina," Sloane said. "And to what do I owe this pleasure?"

Irina smiled at Sloane. "I have an offer for you, Arvin."

"Really?"

"I can give you information, and the Rabamldi machine."

Sloane studied Irina and raised his eyebrow, "Why would you do that?"

"Because, we both want the same thing. To finish his endgame, and you and I can achieve that."

Sloane took that into thought and finally agreed, "Very well."

"Good. I will ask only one thing from you." Irina's eyes shined in the moonlight.

"What's that?"

"Julian Sark."

Sloane shook his head. "I can't do that. The CIA is moving him to a safe location."

"The replace whoever is escorting him."

"I can't do that either. Sydney Bristow is moving him."

Irina glared at Sloane. "Sydney is dead."

"No." Sloane again shook his head again. "Sydney is alive, has been for months now."

"Then how come I heard nothing?"

"Because, she was kept at low-profile. She wasn't field rated until recently. That's why."

"I don't believe you."

"No? Then I will prove it to you," Sloane challenged.

Sydney's house

Sydney walks into her home and throws down her keys. She walks into the kitchen and sees her father sitting in the living room. "Dad. How did get in here?"

"You left me a key," Jack answered.

Sydney disregarded Jack, "No I didn't."

Jack stood up and walked over to Sydney. "No...you didn't."

"What are you doing here," she asked, annoyed at him.

"I just came, to talk."

"Talk?" Jack nodded. "That's why they invented cell phones. They are quite handy."

"I take it, you don't want me here?"

"Dad, I am busy okay? Busy, and tired. Just leave."

"You are escorting Sark tomorrow? Going back in the field?"

"Escorting Sark isn't field work."

"It is when Julian Sark is involved."

APO

Sydney walks into Sloane's office. "What is this? I would've been at the CIA getting Sark now, Sloane."

Sloane looked at Sydney, "I know. But plans have changed. You will be accompanied in escorting Sark."

Sydney began to get angry, "Did Vaughn come to you with this?"

"No Sydney. Vaughn will not go with you." Irina entered Sloane's office from behind Sydney and smiled at her. "You're mother will," he finished. Sydney stood there, unable to say anything. "My god Sydney," Irina breathed. "You're alive."

CIA

Sydney and Irina are waiting outside CIA headquarters when Sark emerges. The guards release him and Sark walks up to them. He smiles at Sydney. "I thought it was going to be just the two of us?"

"I hope you don't mind, Sark," Irina said mockingly.

"Not at all," he replied.

"Let's get this over with," Sydney interrupted.

"Yes," Sark once again smiled at Sydney, who did not return it, "Let's"