Missmeliss4251: I actually got the 'State Department Bureau of Arms Control from the episode Counteragent (2.7). It's the cover that Sydney is given just before she meets Alice (when Vaughn is in hospital).

Disclaimer: The title of this chapter comes from the song 'It's My Life' by No Doubt

It's My Life, It Never Ends

Sydney grinned as she waved Francie off and then turned to Vaughn. "What is it?"

"The CIA received some new intel on their search for Sloane last night."

"Wait," Sydney held up her hand. "Should you even be telling me this?"

"Not officially, but your father wanted me to."

My dad? Why?" Sydney asked, warily.

"It's to do with your mother, Sydney," Vaughn replied. "She's alive."

"She's what?" Sydney demanded, her voice a few octaves louder.

"She's alive," Vaughn repeated. "Apparently the CIA has always been suspicious of the circumstances surrounding her death. They just chose to keep it contained."

"So they've known all along?" Sydney asked, fighting the urge to pace.

Vaughn nodded. "Pretty much. You should see your dad, Syd. He is absolutely livid that they kept this from him."

Sydney could only imagine Jack's reaction, and for the first time in months she felt the need to see her father. She knew that his anger would be a somewhat comfort. A confirmation that it was ok to be furious about this.

"So why is this all coming out now?" Sydney asked. "If the CIA has kept this buried for twenty-odd years, why do we know about this?"

"She was spotted and photographed, by an unknown source." Vaughn explained. "The photos were sent through an unsecured network. The CIA couldn't stop this becoming public news."

"Where was she?" Sydney asked.

"Zurich." Vaughn replied. "But Syd, there's another thing."

"What?"

"These photographs. Your mother, she was in the company of Arvin Sloane."

Sydney visibly blanched at the sound of her old superior's name.

"We believe that they are in business together." Vaughn was saying. "There is even the theory that the two of them orchestrated the downfall of the Alliance in order to benefit their own agenda."

Sydney's mind was racing. She'd been ignoring her true feelings for too long. If she was to lead a somewhat normal life, then she had to do something about it. No more sitting back.

"Vaughn?"

"Yeah?"

"That job offer." She looked him directly in the eyes. "Is it still on the table?"

"Sydney?" Jack looked slightly surprised to see his daughter within the walls of the CIA offices. "What are you doing here?"

"Handing in my job application," Sydney replied wryly. "I've decided to accept the offer made to me."

"Why now?"

Sydney just raised her eyebrows at him. "Come on, dad. Do you really need to ask that question?"

"Sydney, I understand your need to be involved, but you have to realize that this will only end badly. Let us do it. You will be informed of our progress, I promise you."

"Dad, don't. There is no way that I am going to sit back while she is out there- with Sloane."

"And just what do you hope to get out of this?"

"Closure." Sydney replied bluntly. "I want to be able to look her in the face and ask her 'why?' That is what I want."

"And do you think that is really going to happen? Do you really think that she would give you an answer?"

Sydney let out a frustrated sigh. "You know what, dad. You don't get a say in this. This is my decision and I will be working on the Derevko/Sloane case and there is nothing you can do to stop me."

"Ok, so now are you going to explain?" Will asked as he, Sydney and Francie sat down at the small table, drinks in hand.

"Yeah Syd," Francie chimed in. "What are we celebrating?"

Sydney smiled. "My new job," she announced.

Francie's jaw dropped slightly. "You quit the coffee place? When?"

"Today," Sydney replied.

"So what's this new job?" Will asked. "A teaching position?"

Sydney shook her head. "No, I won't be teaching just yet." She paused to take a mouthful of wine. "Vaughn actually got me a job at his Bureau at State."

It killed Sydney to be lying to her friends again. She wanted to tell them the details of her history so much, but was hesitant to do so. A small part of her feared that they would react in the same way Danny did and she could not bear to lose their companionship, especially with what was going on. While they were not aware of what Sydney went through, the support they provided was phenomenal. Will and Francie were vital to her existence, so for the time being, Sydney had made the excruciating decision to keep them in the dark.

Will was staring at Sydney, dumbfounded. "Are you serious? That arms control thingy?"

Sydney nodded. "The State Department Bureau of Arms Control," she recited off.

"Um, Syd," Francie cleared her throat. "That sounds more boring than the bank."

Sydney laughed. "Vaughn promises that it isn't, but if it turns out to be, than I'll just quit."

"Just like that?" Will asked.

"Just like that." Sydney affirmed. "I've made the decision that I want to spend the next two or three years assessing my options, doing job after job. If I find something that I love, then I'll stay in it. But if not, then I'll start to teach. I just want to make sure that I am going to spend my life doing what I was meant to do."

Francie smiled. "Sounds as if you've got it all figured out."

Sydney smiled back. "Not quite, but getting there. Now," she stood up, "if you'll excuse me, I have to go to bathroom."

As she walked off, Will turned to Francie, a slight frown on his face.

"Now what is the matter with you?" Francie asked him.

"You're not a little suspicious of this guy? Michael, or Vaughn or whatever his name is."

"Why would I be suspicious?"

"Well, who is he? He and Syd supposedly worked at the bank together, yet we've never heard her mention him before. And now it's like they're suddenly best friends, getting each other jobs."

Francie laughed. "Sounds liked you are making a mountain out of a molehill, Will. I am sure that he is a good guy. Sydney wouldn't associate with him if he weren't."

"I guess." Will sounded disgruntled. "But still, something doesn't add up. Sydney working at the Department of State Arms—"

"State Department Bureau of Arms Control." Francie corrected, almost absentmindedly as she rose her glass to her lips. This wasn't the first time that Will had gone off on a tangent like this. She blamed the newspaper.

"Whatever. Don't you think that it sounds like a strange job for her?"

"A little, but you heard her. She wants to try new things." Francie said. "So stop being a reporter for like one second and let's enjoy tonight, ok?"

Will paused for a few seconds before nodding shortly. He just couldn't shake the feeling that Sydney was hiding something from them.

Sydney drew in a deep breath. It was her first official day at the CIA and a small part of her was actually feeling reluctant. She thought she had farewelled the spy life six months ago.

But as she walked in, the reluctance started to ebb. Though she had been lied to, betrayed, while she was at SD-6 she loved her work. The exhilaration she felt when on a mission, she couldn't explain exactly how it felt. She only knew that it was the job she was meant to do.

And now she would be working for the good guys.

The Operations centre was bustling and Sydney, slightly unsure of where she was needed, looked around for a familiar face. And she spotted one.

Marcus Dixon had not changed a bit, as she approached him; Sydney felt as if her face would crack, she was smiling so hard. Dixon's expression mirrored hers as he opened up his arms and wrapped her into a tight embrace.

"It is so good to see you," he said when they stepped back.

"Same here," Sydney replied. "I've missed you so much."

"Marshall's around here somewhere. I know he wants to say hi."

Sydney nodded, exhaling in a long breath. "I can't believe that I am back. It seems like only yesterday…" she trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.

"How have you been?" Dixon asked.

"Up, down, back up and then down again." Sydney said wryly. "I'm pretty sure that you know the drill."

"Unfortunately," Dixon responded. "So this sudden return, I take it that is has something to do with Derevko?"

Sydney nodded. "When I found out…well, there was no way I was going to spend another day making coffee."

Dixon smiled. "Somehow I don't think Sydney Bristow was ever meant to spend her days making coffee."

"I think you might be right."

"Come on," Dixon gestured with his hand. "Let's get you to work."