"Irina Derevko," Kendall said as if he solved the case.

"Who is she?" Michael asked.

"Former KGB," Jack answered. "We now believe she is working closely with Arvin Sloane and the Alliance."

"The Alliance of Twelve?" Dixon asked. "How is SD-6 apart of that?"

"They're apart of it because they are it," Kendall explained. "SD-1 through 12 is what makes up the Alliance."

"Do we believe it was Irina Derevko who took the shot at Sydney Bristow?" Nadia asked.

Kendall shook his head. "That, we don't know. We don't know why Ms. Bristow was a target or why Irina Derevko shot her, or even if it was in fact Sloane who gave her the order or if she acted alone."

"Where's the Conveant's involvement with this?" Eric asked

"As far as we know...they knew nothing about this hit, or ambush," Kendall replied.

"Do we have any way to identify Irina Derevko?" Nadia asked

"No, all we know is the name," Jack said. "As recent events has inspired...look at everyone as a suspect and be careful"

"Well, with Bristow out of the picture, it should be easier for us to take down SD-6," Dixon said

"We don't know if Sydney is in fact dead or alive," Michael said.

"Why'd you call her by her first name?" Nadia asked Michael

"That is her name, isn't it?"

"What do you suggest Agent Vaughn?" Kendall asked

Michael folded his hands and sighed. "I suggest we learn the condition of Agent Bristow, and see if we can't tap her phone or get any information from her."

For a moment, Kendall said nothing. All the other agents looked up at him. "Very well," he said at last. "Dixon, you go with him. And Agent Vaughn, keep it simple. This is not personal."

--------------------------

For Julian, it was personal. He had gone over the surveillance for the lot a dozen times. So far, he'd come up with nothing. He knew it wasn't CIA. He had seen enough to know it was a freelancer. Besides that, Michael Vaughn was just as surprised as he. Julian ran his hand through his hair and glanced at the clock on the wall in the waiting room. It had been three hours since they rushed Sydney to surgery and he was getting overly worried now. Lauren had since gone back to SD-6 and reported what had happened. They had retrieved the Rabamldi artifact but one of their top agents was just barely holding on. Three hours...and Arvin Sloane had not called to see how Sydney was. He hadn't even stopped by. Julian remembered when he was injured in Paris on and OP with Sydney, Sloane flew all the way there to see him and called almost every hour. Sydney was by far like a daughter to him...so why hadn't he called or stopped by? Julian's thoughts disappeared as the surgical ER doctor walked up to him, taking his scrubs off. Julian stood up and walked over to him.

"How is she?"

The doctor inhaled deeply and smiled at him. "She's going to be fine." Julian let out a sigh of relief and smiled, shaking his head for ever doubting Sydney's strength. "Now, the bullet just missed her heart. I mean, she is very very lucky. Within a few weeks, she'll be herself again in no time. For now, she needs to rest and take it easy. No stress."

"Can I see her?"

For a moment the doctor considered. "Of course."

The doctor lead Julian to Sydney's room and Julian quietly walked in and walked over next to Sydney. She slowly opened her eyes and smiled at him. He held her hand and knelt down. "Hey," she said weakly.

Julian smiled at her. "Hey."

"Did you call my mother?"

Julian nodded. "Yes. Laura's on her way."

Sydney smiled at him. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Being here. Getting me out."

"Well...you're welcome."

"Did they find the shooter?"

Julian shook his head. "Lauren's working on it. She'll find the person, you know that."

Sydney nodded. "Yeah, I know." Sydney inhaled and looked up at the ceiling. "What about, Francie? And..."

"Will?" Julian sighed and looked down. "They haven't find Will and uh..." Julian stopped. He didn't want to tell her the news, what it was Lauren and the other SD-6 agents found, he couldn't break Sydney's heart like that. But when he looked back up at her, her face showed that his hesitation gave it away. "It was Francie. They said she had been dead for about two hours or so. I sorry Sydney."

Sydney's eyes began to well up and she turned back to the ceiling. Julian leaned over and hugged Sydney. After a moment he broke the hug and stood up. "Why don't I get you something else than ice chips?"

Sydney softly smiled. "That'll be nice."

Julian returned her smile. "Ok, I'll be right back."

"Okay."

----------------------

Michael walked through the hospital halls with Dixon in tow. Michael slowed to a stop when he saw Julian walk out of a room and head down the hall. Michael looked at Dixon and approached the room Julian walked out of. Dixon picked up the file from the door and opened it. He pointed to the patients name, 'Sydney Bristow'. Michael placed his hand on the door-nob and exhaled, deeply nervous. He took one last look over at Dixon and turned the knob...

Well...I guess Francie is really dead since Julian and SD-6 confirmed it in this chapter...Sorry guys