ILOVEALIAS4EVER & Valoriahn: Thank you for your feedback.

Disclaimer: The title of this chapter comes from the song 'Weapon' by Matthew Good Band

Here By My Side An Angel, Here By My Side The Devil

"Yes. We got lucky this time and we are going to have to be extra vigilant from now on. we have managed to stay invisible for nineteen years, but that is no longer so," Laurens aid. "The CIA caught one of us, exposed our organization. We cannot allow any other personnel to be identified. I got used to going about my daily work without the watchful eye of the government. I don't want to have to give that up."

"Which is only going to increase our need for Summer," Thea said. "Can we truly trust her, when she is still vocally distrustful of us?"

"I told that I would take care of Summer. All I need to do is turn on some maternal charm."

Thea hesitated for a second. "Maternal charm? Are you sure that, uh, that you are capable—"

"I got Michael Vaughn to marry me while he was still grieving for the love of his life," Lauren interjected. "Compared to that, turning my daughter will be a walk in the park.

"In regards to the outcome of your last mission," Jack was saying to Sydney and Nadia, "we are not concerned."

Sydney blinked. "Not even curious?"

"Maybe a little, but this is not a huge deal," Jack replied. "Times and places for meets change all the time and we were not privy to all the information in the first place. We came across the initial intel by pure luck." He paused. "And we have already looked into the possibility of a leak. There was no evidence discovered."

"So now it's back to waiting?" Nadia asked.

"It looks that way," Jack affirmed.

As she and Nadia stood to leave the office, Sydney paused, hanging behind. "Dad."

"Yes?"

"I know that you aren't worried but—"

"Sydney, do not get yourself worked up about this," Jack said. "Because if I'm not concerned then nobody should be."

Sydney considered this point. Jack was right. After all he was the one who always saw the absolute worst in any scenario. But...

"I know that, but I can't help but think about who we are dealing with," Sydney replied.

"And this office is doing all we can to protect ourselves and bring them down," Jack said. "So, instead of stressing over nothing, I suggest that you go home to your family."

Summer sat down, almost apprehensively, wondering what the next order would be. While copying Sydney's hard drive had been easy, it had terrified her and she couldn't help but wonder if she would be up to the next task, and the one after that and the one after that…

"I just wanted to say thank you," Lauren said, snapping Summer out of her thoughts.

Summer paused for a second. "What?"

"I wanted to say thank you. The intel you provided proved highly useful."

"But…you called me out just to say thank you? I don't know about you but that seems like a pretty unnecessary risk to me."

Lauren blinked slowly, as if considering a reply. "Perhaps."

"Perhaps? Perhaps?" Summer threw up her hands. "This is ridiculous. In case you haven't cottoned on, I am scared out of my brains about what you have me doing. I am new to this whole sneaking around on your allegedly criminal parents, so please do not make this any more complicated. There is enough risk involved already."

"Forgive me," Lauren said quietly, her face expressionless, "for wanting an excuse to see you."

Summer, who had been about to continue with her tirade, froze. "What?"

"You are nineteen years old, Summer. I am your mother and I laid eyes on you for the first time only days ago…nineteen years."

"But…I…we…but…" Summer gave up trying to construct a sentence, instead slumping down in her seat.

"Yes, the situation is complicated. Yes, the situation is risky. But I am not going to let that stop me from getting to know my daughter…nineteen years is a long time to wait to meet a person."

Summer stared at Lauren. "I have to be honest," she started slowly. "I didn't know you, I had no memories and so, in a way, I didn't really miss you…but I did think of you. There were times that I found myself wishing that you were standing right there next to me."

"It was always hardest for me on your birthday," Lauren mused out loud. "I always found myself wondering about the presents you were receiving and the parties…how you would have been surrounded by those who loved you. Except me," she looked Summer directly in the eyes.

"I—" Summer went to reply but was cut off when the door opened and Thea walked into the room.

"You need to see this…" she trailed off. "Hello Summer."

"Uh, hi," Summer muttered, standing up. "I should probably go."

Lauren nodded, all traces of softness from her eyes gone. "We should be contacting you with your next task shortly."

"Ok," Summer whispered and with one last look in Lauren's direction, she exited the office.

"I just can't—"

"Sydney, no." Nadia held up a hand as her other one dunked a tea bag. The two of them were seated at the table in Nadia and Weiss's kitchen, having a supposed wind down after work. "We are home and we are relaxing. No bringing home the office, please."

Sydney smiled, raising her own mug to her lips. "Sorry," she said before taking a mouthful. "But I—"

Nadia let out a laugh. "You were just going to try and explain why you were having trouble leaving this Allégeance stuff behind, therefore erasing any chance of leaving it behind."

Sydney paused, and then gave a short nod. "Pretty much."

"Why don't we just change the subject all together?" Nadia suggested. "How is Summer doing?"

Sydney shrugged. "She's been in and out all these past couple of days, we haven't really had the chance to talk. But she should be fine after she gets all these assignments out of the way."

"Is she still asking about Lauren?"

"No, not since that discussion with Vaughn…" Sydney trailed off, taking another drink. "He feels so awful about lying to her."

"What other choice did he have? The truth would have destroyed her."

Sydney's brow furrowed. "That's what I said…but—"

"No buts. She is better off not knowing," Nadia said, bluntly.

Silence descended upon the sister's as they both pondered their own situations. Sydney couldn't help but wonder. Had she, herself, been better off not knowing the truth? Or was she better off having met Irina and having tried to again some understanding of the woman who was a part of her?

In all truth, she could not answer, but what she did know was that it had been easier before she knew the whole truth. And that was what Summer deserved. A chance for an easy, enjoyable life, not a tangled, complicated mess.

"Mitchell."

"Yeah mum?" He looked up at Carrie, who was standing in the living room doorway.

"You have a visitor." Carrie stepped aside to let Summer into the room.

"Hey," Mitch broke into a grin but it soon faded when he saw the expression on Summer's face. "What's going on?

"I've just had a really weird day…days…" Summer said, throwing herself down on the couch, next to him. "I just needed to see somebody who could make everything feel normal."

Mitch stared blankly at her for a few seconds. "And so you came here?"

Summer let out a loud laugh. "Good point."

"So," Mitch shifted in his seat. "What was it that made today so weird?"

Summer groaned. "No…you so do not want me re-hashing it all."

"Fine," Mitch said, standing up and heading towards the television cabinet. "I know what will cheer you up…so what will it be? Reservoir Dogs or Pulp Fiction?"

When Summer opened her eyes it took a few seconds for her to realize that she was lying down. It took another couple for her to realize that her head was resting on someone's lap.

"Whoa," she mumbled, sitting up and looking at Mitch. "How long was I out?"

"Long enough so that I no longer have any feeling in my lower limbs," Mitch joked. "You conked out about thirty minutes into Reservoir Dogs."

"I can't…" Summer stopped short as she glanced down at her watch. "Oh god. I need to get home. Dad and Syd will be—"

"Syd already called. They know that you're here," Mitch cut in reassuringly.

With a sigh, Summer sunk back into the couch. "I feel like I'm losing it."

"We all get a bit that way, Sum. Remember how I was when I was taking Romerosa's class?"

Summer was quiet for a few seconds. "If I ask you a question will you answer truthfully and then ask no questions about the question?"

Mitch stared at her for a few seconds. "Ok…I think I got that…and yes."

"Have I been acting different lately?"

"Different?" Mitch repeated. "What do you mean by different?"

"You said no questions."

"Hey, I am not questioning the question. I am just trying to clarify the question.

"Ok then," Summer relented. "Different as is not normal."

Mitch paused pensively. "Maybe that whole thing about your mother the other day was a little odd…but Sum, what is normal anyway?"

Summer sighed. "Well then, has my behaviour been out of character?"

"You know, if I hadn't promised no questions I would so be asking where all of this was coming from." Mitch stopped, silenced by a look from Summer. "Ok, ok…out of character…not massively. Suer, you have been distracted but you've just started a new job and uni is crazy. Distraction is expected."

Summer gave him a small smile. "I'm sorry…this is crazy."

"Yeah, but in all fairness you did warn me that you were losing it," Mitch pointed out.

"I suppose I did," Summer said, as she stood up from the couch. "I should be getting home."

Mitch nodded. "Are we still on for lunch tomorrow?"

"Uh huh…1.30, The Den," Summer replied, referring to their favourite on-campus café.

"See you tomorrow then," Mitch said as they headed towards the front door. "Oh, and Sum."

She turned. "Yeah?"

"I don't want to hear any more apologies about tonight…or for whenever you need to talk. You know that whenever you feel like you're 'losing it' my ears are always here."

"I know that, Mitch," Summer said quietly. "Thank you."