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Disclaimer: The title of this chapter comes from the song 'Angel' by Sarah McLachlan

Waiting For That Second Chance, For A Break That Would Make It Ok

Irina stared at Sloane, an unfathomable look in her eyes.

"How is this beneficial to our cause, Arvin? For over twenty years I have managed to keep up the pretence of my death and with one little photograph you have managed to shatter that façade. The CIA will be all over this."

"I am quite aware of that fact, Irina." Sloane replied calmly. "What I was not aware of was how little faith you have in me."

"We've discussed the plan over and over. Not once did we mention voluntarily revealing our affiliation to the CIA. Not once did we mention revealing that I have been alive and active all these years. Not once." Irina paused. "Now, I would appreciate some explanations. We are in this together, Arvin, and both of us need to be aware of and condone every step we take."

"Irina," Sloane held up his hand. "This is in our favour. The CIA is going to be so focused on finding us that we will be free to go about want we want to achieve. Irina Derevko is alive; they are not going to care about a few artefacts created by a man from the 15th century."

Irina's eyes narrowed. She knew that Sloane was correct, but inside she was fuming. "That is all very well, but you still should have informed me. Don't think that you can keep me in the dark and get away with it. This is a partnership, Arvin, so why don't you start treating it like one."

"Well then, perhaps you should settle down and let me finish."

Irina's head cocked to one side. "There's more?"

"Of course there is more." Sloane said calmly. "Now sit. And I'll tell you exactly why I released that photo."

"Hey Syd," Vaughn quickened his steps so that he could catch up with her.

Sydney stopped and turned. "Yeah?"

"I just wanted to see how you went today," he replied. "First day and all that."

Sydney smiled. "It was pretty quiet…though it kind of feels like I never left this life. It's quite unnerving actually, how easily I fit back in."

"I suppose it helps having Marshall and Dixon here," Vaughn commented as they made their way out of the building.

"Yeah," Sydney paused. "The only thing is…"

"What?"

"There were, well, a lot of stares. Sideway glances." Sydney gave a shrewd look. "I could just imagine what they were saying."

"Well, being Jack Bristow's daughter would make you notorious enough, but combine that with—"

"Yeah," Sydney cut him off. She really didn't want to get into a discussion about her mother, especially with Vaughn.

Vaughn got the hint and was quite thankful for it. "So, you heading home?"

Sydney nodded. "Yeah. Francie decided to cook me a special dinner to celebrate my 'new' job." She smiled. Francie would find a reason to celebrate anything, if she could. "You?"

Vaughn shrugged. "Home…though I'll be eating whatever I pick up on the way."

Sydney paused before answering. "Well, we can't have that. Why don't you come over?"

Vaughn couldn't keep the small look of surprise off his face. "What?"

"Come over. There'll be plenty of food- Fran always cooks enough for a small army."

"Are you sure?"

"Vaughn, I wouldn't ask if I wasn't." She let out a small laugh. "And once you taste Francie's cooking, you are going to be begging for another invitation to dinner."

"Oh, Syd was not as innocent as she liked everybody to believe," Francie said. "She had the ability to come up with whatever scheme was needed at the drop of a hat and then execute it without anybody knowing it was her."

Vaughn grinned as he looked at Sydney. "I would have never guessed that you were so sneaky."

Sydney just smiled back as she raised her glass of wine to her lips. This dinner was the most fun she'd had in months. The company of Francie and Vaughn, combined with good food and good wine, made it almost possible to forget everything that was going on in her life.

Francie couldn't help but watch Sydney closely during the meal. She hadn't seen her friend this relaxed in months and she had the inkling that it all came down to Michael. Sydney was still insisting that they were only friends and perhaps they were at this point. But Francie could see something more and she hoped that one day Sydney would see it too. See that it was ok to take a second chance and move on.

As they started to clear away the empty plates, Sydney's mobile started to ring.

"Excuse me," she said apologetically and then dashed off to her bedroom. Francie and Vaughn continued to gather the dishes and headed to the kitchen.

"Thanks for dinner," Vaughn said as Francie filled the sink. "It was incredible."

"It was nothing," Francie said, sounding completely blasé. "I should be thanking you for coming."

"Why?" he asked, slightly puzzled.

"I haven't seen Syd that happy or relaxed for a long time," she paused. "She's been having a rough trot of late."

"Yeah, just a bit," Vaughn commented. Francie had no idea just how rough.

"Your friendship has been one of the few bright spots. When I think of what she's been through…I mean, going through a marriage break up would be hard enough. But to have somebody walk out on you for no apparent reason?" she handed Vaughn a plate to dry. "Well, there might be a reason, but Syd has been pretty vague on all of the details." She shook her head a little. "I'm sorry, I'm getting a bit off track."

"Hey, it's ok," Vaughn said good-naturedly.

Francie eyed him. "I think I know why Syd's gotten to be such good friends with you now."

"You do? Why?"

"Because you are so damn easy to talk to!"

Vaughn chuckled. "Really? I didn't know that."

"Well," Francie's reply was matter-of-fact. "Now, you do."

After Sydney farewelled Vaughn she headed back inside to where Francie was sitting on her couch.

"So…" she smiled.

Sydney eyed her. "What?"

Francie shrugged. "Michael seems like a really great guy."

"He is," Sydney replied, sitting down.

"He's cute, too." Francie added. "Hot cute. Don't you think?"

"Francie," Sydney said warningly. "Don't."

"Don't what?" Francie asked innocently.

"You know what. I know exactly where you are going with this conversation and I want you to stop."

"Oh Syd," Francie sighed. "I don't think I should stop. It's time for you to start living again."

"And by living you mean starting to date again?"

Francie nodded. "Do you know how happy you looked tonight?"

"Francie," Sydney shifted in her seat. "It just doesn't feel right. I'm still technically married. What would people say?"

"Syd," Francie's voice was gentle. "Danny left you. Don't let his decision rule the way you live your life. Trust me, when I say that people are not going to say anything, because all they are going to see is a young, vibrant woman taking a second chance at life and love." She paused, an impish glint in her eyes. "And who better to take that chance with than Michael?"

"Francie!" Sydney grabbed a cushion and whacked her friend with it. "Enough!"

Francie just grinned. "You'll see. One day you will have to eat your words and tell me I was right."

The Operations centre was abuzz when Sydney arrived at work the next day. Spotting Vaughn at his desk, she approached.

"We've got a lead," he said before Sydney could even ask anything. "Debrief in five minutes."

Sydney nodded as he walked off, her heart thumping against her rib cage. She knew that it was naïve to believe they would get anything solid so early on, but it was still slightly elevating to think that things were finally moving forward.

"Sydney."

She turned, hearing her father's voice. "What?"

"I take it you have heard?" he asked and Sydney nodded. "Right…" Jack hesitated. "Look, Sydney I think you should consider whether you want to be involved—"

"I am taking part in this. It's the reason I came back."

"I'm concerned, Sydney. As your father—"

"Stop right there." Sydney said, her tone forceful. "You are not a father. Biologically, yes, but that is all. You were never there for me, ever, you never even had the decency to show up at my own wedding. So don't talk to me about your concerns. You have no right."

With that, she turned on her heel and stalked off, leaving Jack staring after her.

xxxxx

He arrived just in time to see her walk down the aisle. Silently, he slipped into a seat in the back and watched as his little girl took one of the biggest steps of her life.

She looked so beautiful, just like her mother, he thought as a sharp ache attacked his heart. He wanted so much to be up there with her, giving her away, but what sort of a farce would that be? He'd never been by her side before.

It was so hard to keep up the distance between him and his daughter, but he figured it was better for her this way. Jack knew that Sydney could not understand why he was this way, and he hoped that she never would.

While she could not appreciate it, life was easier for her this way. Better she be disappointed in her father than know the truth of how she came about.

After Jack watched Sydney kiss her husband for the first, he rose and quietly made his exit.

xxxxx

For a second Jack felt the urge to call after Sydney, but he fought it off. He couldn't tell her, not just yet.

But he would, one day.