Thank you for your feedback.

vaughnfan: I went to the dictionary and scanned through 'q', 'x' and 'z'. Quixotic just seemed appropiate :)

Five Stories Fallen: The story line with Misha was always in the back of my mind. Before I even started writing the fic, I knew that Ana's boyfriend would be a member of the Covenant. My inspiration? I'm not totally sure. I'd say that definitely a part of it would be Alias (with Irina and Lauren and all that), but other than that, it was just there in my mind. I can't really explain how I get my ideas.

Chapter Nine:
Alliance with Evil

Freya waited in the shadows, glancing at her watch every minute or so. It had been the longest that she'd ever been separated from her son and she was desperate to see him. To see if he was ok, to see if he had changed…and, of course, to find out exactly how the plan was moving along.

She stepped forward when she saw him approaching. Her face broke into a smile as she took in his handsome features, right down to the blue eyes that reminded her of his father. With his looks and his brilliant mind, her son was going places. He was meant for big things and she would do all she could to help him achieve them.

"Hey mum," his face broke into a big grin.

"Well, don't just stand there," Freya replied as she opened her arms. "Come here and give your mother a hug, Misha."

Vaughn was waiting for Sydney when she got home from work. She took one look at his face and groaned, dropping her briefcase.

"What's Lexi done now?"

Vaughn had to laugh. "Nothing."

"Oh. So why the 'Lexi's dome something wrong' face?"

"The what?"

Sydney waved a hand. "Never mind. What's happened?"

"I think Ana and Billy might have had another fight."

Sydney closed her eyes briefly. "What over?"

Vaughn shrugged. "No idea. When I got home Ana was storming out the front, muttering about something and all Billy would say was that she was insane."

"What is with them?" Sydney asked as she walked towards the kitchen, Vaughn by her side. "They're so testy at the moment."

"I don't know," Vaughn said. "Maybe they're picking up some weird vibes from us. We are keeping something pretty huge hidden. Perhaps this a side effect of that."

"It could be," Sydney murmured, as she opened the fridge. "So maybe we need to start thinking about telling them the truth?"

"So," Freya said. "How have you been?"

She and Misha had relocated to a nearby abandoned warehouse so that they could speak freely, away from any prying eyes.

"I've been good. It's hard, though, not having anybody I know around."

Freya reached across and clasped his hand. "It's hard not having you around, as well," she said. "But, then I think of what we are doing and it makes it a little easier to deal with."

"Yeah," Misha said soberly. "I guess."

"So, how exactly is everything going? You didn't say a lot over the phone."

"Um," Misha ran a hand through his dark hair. "I think that I'm starting to have an affect on Ana. I fed the adoption story and she seemed really distracted afterwards. It obviously hit a nerve."

"Elena said that it would," Freya said, unable to keep the pleased expression off her face. "And given that Ana is probably vulnerable at the moment, we should think about speeding things up. Strike while things are in our favour."

Misha didn't respond, his face almost contorted. Freya's intuition immediately went onto high alert.

"Misha?" He said nothing and so she squeezed his hand, hard. "Misha," she said again, her voice stronger. "Misha, talk to me."

He looked at her. "I don't know if I can keep this up, mum," he said, quietly.

"What?" Freya asked sharply.

"When you and Elena first came to me with this, I couldn't believe that you would entrust with something of this magnitude. Yet, I knew that I could do it- because the two of you had faith in me…"

Freya's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'd never seen someone so eager to take a job," she said. "So why the sudden change of heart?"

Misha hesitated. "She's amazing mum."

"Oh Misha. No." Freya breathed.

"At first I was fine with it. I mean, it was a little daunting being in the direct presence of the Second Coming, but I had a job to do and I was doing it. But then I got to know her. She is so beautiful, so intelligent, so perceptive…everything that you would imagine Rambaldi's daughter to be."

"Misha, you cannot allow yourself to get distracted."

"Mum, she is so incredible. I don't know if I can hurt her."

"If we stick to the plan, Ana is not the one who is going to get hurt," Freya said, steely. "So don't you, even for a second, think about backing out. You are in the middle of this, Misha. You have to finish what you started- for the greater good of everybody."

"But mum—"

"No!" Freya hissed. "Listen to yourself, Misha. I can understand that you would be attracted to her. But you need to acknowledge it as a superficial attraction and drop it."

"But what if it's more than a superficial attraction?"

"Stop it, Misha." Freya's voice was firm. "You cannot ruin this. Think about what Elena has done for us. She took us in when there was nobody else out there. Are you going to turn your back on that?"

Misha looked downright miserable. "No."

"Finally, some sense." Freya's expression softened. "Look, I know better than anyone what it is like to get swept up by somebody, to think that you are in love. But I also know how badly that usually ends. What you need to do is focus on our end result. Focus on that and nothing else will matter."

Misha nodded slowly. "I should probably go. We can't risk being seen together."

Freya's face fell slightly. The meeting had been way too short, but Misha was right. "Ok then," she pulled him into a tight hug. "I'll be waiting for your next update."

A few nights later Sydney was jolted from her sleep by a loud bang.

"Vaughn?" she said as she sat up.

"Yeah, I heard it," he threw off the covers. "Come on."

"Wait," Sydney said, heading for the small safe in the bottom of their wardrobe. While neither of them were no longer agents, they still felt the need for some protection…for incidents like this one. "Here," she handed Vaughn a handgun, keeping one for herself.

As they walked out of the bedroom, another bang was heard. Without a word, Vaughn gestured down the stairs and Sydney nodded. Silently, they made their way downstairs, with no idea of whom they were about to face.

When at the bottom of the stairs they paused. There was not a sound, and both Sydney and Vaughn were holding their breath, waiting…

Out of the corner of her eye, Sydney saw a shadow. "The living room," she whispered and then proceeded to walk towards the door, Vaughn a step behind her. Raising her gun, she peered into the lounge. There was a tall figure in there pacing and after a second, Sydney lowered her gun.

"Billy?"

Vaughn stepped up beside her. "Billy, what are you doing?"

Sydney's head cocked to one side. "I think that he's asleep."

"Asleep…but he's never sleepwalked before." Vaughn said. "Has he?"

Sydney shrugged. "Not that I know of." She sighed. "What should we do? We can't wake him, but we can't leave him. He could hurt himself."

"I'll stay with him," Vaughn said, handing Sydney his gun. "You go back to bed."

"You sure?" Sydney asked.

"Yeah, it's fine. I don't need to go in until late tomorrow. You go get some sleep."

"Ok," Sydney leaned up to give him a kiss. "See you in the morning."

"Hello Billy," Sydney said as he walked into the kitchen the following morning. They were the only one's there. Ana had already left for uni, Lexi was in the shower and Vaughn was still asleep, having spent hours ensuring that Billy had not hurt himself the night before."

"Hey mum," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Sleep well?"

"All right."

"Any dreams?"

Billy let out a loud cough. How did she know…she couldn't know, could she?"

"Uh," he coughed again. "Why do you ask?"

"Your dad and I found you sleepwalking in the middle of the night."

Billy's eyebrows rose. "I was what?"

"Sleepwalking," Sydney let out a soft laugh. "And making a lot of noise. You woke the both of us up."

"Oh," Billy yawned, scratching his head. "Sorry."

"It's not your fault," Sydney said.

"Hmm," he slumped down at the table. "Have I ever done that before?"

"I don't know," Sydney replied. "I've never seen it, but that's not to say I hasn't happened."

Billy fell silent for a few seconds. "Hey mum."

"Hmm?"

"Could you keep this between us and dad. I don't really need Ana an Lexi giving me a hard time."

Sydney smiled. "Your secrets is safe, Billy," she said. "I promise."

"Ok then," Misha nudged Ana. "If you are the big Yeats fan, what's he trying to say here?"

Ana, who was staring blankly at the book before her, did not respond.

"Hey Ana," Misha nudged her again. "Earth to Ana."

She looked at him. "Huh?"

Misha's expression turned to one of concern. "Is everything ok?" She paused before giving a short shake of her head. Gently, Misha clasped on of her hands. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Ana shrugged. "I don't know if I can even out into words…everything is just feeling weird. Mum and dad are…well, I wish I knew, and things between Billy and I are completely strained…and for some reason, I feel like I can't talk to any of them about this. I have never felt like that before."

"You can talk to me," Misha said quietly, pulling her into his arms. "No matter what, you can always come to me."

Ana gave a small smile, enjoying the security of his arms. She knew that she could. Misha was the one solid thing in her life at the moment.

Sydney walked through the Operations Centre, waving to Weiss, Dixon and Marshall, but did not stop her steps. Reaching Jack's office, she knocked lightly, before opening the door and peering in. Jack was on the phone, but he gestured for her to come in and sit down. Sydney did so, her gaze wandering around the surroundings. She bit back a smile when he eyes landed in the photographs of Ana, Billy, Lexi, and even one of Vaughn and herself scattered over his desk. Jack Bristow, doting family man. Who would have thought?

"Sorry about that," Jack said as he placed the phone back in the receiver.

"It's ok. Work's work," Sydney replied. "I got your message. What did you want to talk about?"

"Elena," Jack said. "What else?"

Sydney gave a wry smile. "I kind of figured. So, what's going on?"

"Not a whole lot. And that is why I'm about to suggest this next idea."

Sydney let out a soft chuckle. "Dad, you're sounding a little ominous.

A small smile crossed Jack's face. "Our search for Elena has not been going as planned, and I can't get in touch with your mother." He paused. "I think that we should speak to Sloane."

Sydney visibly blanched. "No way."

"Sydney, consider this. The CIA still uses him as a consultant. Push aside your personal feelings and realize that he is a valuable asset."

"Dad, this is Sloane."

"And our options are dramatically slimming."

Sydney slumped back in her seat. "You honestly think that this is a good idea?"

Jack nodded. "I've organised a flight to Zurich in a few days time. I think that both you and Vaughn should come as well."

"How are we supposed to explain to the kids that we are flying to Switzerland?"

"We'll come up with something," Jack said. "I take it this means you're agreeing to this?"

Sydney nodded. "Yes. I'll see Sloane." She hated hearing those words coming out of her mouth.

"You're making the right decision, Sydney."

Sydney rose from her chair, feeling sick to her stomach. "I hope so, dad. I really hope so."