"Why?"

"I believe it will help her in dealing with Danny's death."

"In what way?"

"Since Danny's death, it is fair to say that Sydney doesn't trust SD-6 like she used to."

"Yes. Go on."

"I think, knowing that I also work here, would help her to see that it is for the greater good." He paused. "She should continue on with her work for the 'CIA' for the good of the country."

A flicker of a grin crossed Sloane's face. It was a powerful argument. "Are you sure you are not trying to repair the relationship between you?"

"The thought never crossed my mind." It had. Though it wasn't the first time he lad lied to the man who was once his closest friend. "My assignment is nearly completed at Jennings. Consider how easier it would be to bring me back into the office if she knew."

He appeared to be mulling it over. His eyes became even darker, until they were to black pools staring out from under a furrowed brow. "Very well. She is due to arrive in 20 minutes for a briefing. I'll bring her to your office when we are done."

Jack turned and left Sloane's office. He crossed the few steps to his own office and firmly shut the door behind him. He sat at the desk and placed his head in his hands. He thought again of his daughter, of what she did for a living. The thought of it made him want to retch. This life had killed his wife, not that he cared, but was forced to pretend for his daughter. Now it had killed his daughter's fiancé and unless they were very careful would kill both of them as well.

He sighed and placed the briefcase he had been carrying on the desk. He opened it and removed the false bottom. He picked up a quarter that had fallen underneath some papers. He looked at it and the conversation came flooding back that he had with the techs at the CIA. They had called it "The Exterminator." He groaned inwardly when they told him and again now as he looked at it. Bringing it closer to his face he held it between thumb and forefinger. He rubbed his right thumb across the eagle on the reverse of the coin and set it on the desk. It was the best the CIA had for counter-surveillance. Although he still hated the name. He waited.

After about an hour the door was opened and Sloane appeared. Sydney came quickly through the door but stopped suddenly at the sight of her father.

"I'll leave you two alone." Sloane removed himself from the office and closed the door behind him.

Sydney looked surprised to see him. He couldn't really blame her. He only hoped that she would not ask him about her mother. He was not ready for that conversation. Not yet. Possibly not ever. An uncomfortable silence settled between them. He broke it after a moment's hesitation.

"It's alright. The room's clean. No one's listening. Hello Sydney."

"What is this?"

"I'm here to tell you what you already know. That I work for SD-6, or so they think. I asked Sloane to do this."

"Why?"

"Because it will facilitate what we're doing, if they know that you know. It wouldn't hurt if you acted surprised when you leave the office."

She stepped closer to him and he found he could not look into her face, into her eyes. She was so pretty. She reminded him of her mother, and he had to turn his gaze from her face so he wouldn't give anything away. He couldn't stand the thought that she looked like that woman who had ruined not only his life, but his daughters as well, not to mention destroying their relationship. He didn't want to be reminded of it. He loved his daughter but at times he hated to see her. She looked so much like her mother.

She seemed to be working up the courage to say something. He didn't have to wait long.

"Since I've known the truth about you, I've asked myself questions, thousands of questions. But this one I have to ask you now."

Here it comes, he thought, she wants to know about Laura. What should I say? What can I say? I can't say anything, not this close to Danny's death. She needs to deal with that first.

She began to cry. "When Danny was killed . Dad . Did you know? Did you know that's what they were going to do?"

That was all she wanted to know? Yes, he knew, but technically so did she. She knew that Sloane would have Danny killed if she told him. He braced himself for the verbal attack he knew would come with his reply. He swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. He whispered, "Yes."

He didn't even have time to react to the open palm that met his face. She had slapped him, hard. He tried to keep the look of surprise from his face. There was so much he wanted to say. 'I had arranged a flight for him to get away. I had arranged a flight for you as well; you could have been together and away from SD-6. Sydney, I'm sorry. Sydney, I know how this feels. Sydney, I care, and I worry just like any normal father. Sydney, I still love you.' His face stung, and he said none of the things he wanted to, none of the things he should have. Tears were streaming down her face and all he wanted to do was to fold her into his arms and protect her. He knew he could not. It wasn't appropriate, especially not now, not here.

Sydney couldn't look Jack in the face after slapping him, but with a determination that he had seen often in her face as a toddler she squared her shoulders at looked up at him. "Don't you ever speak to me again." She turned and stormed out of the office.

Jack stood alone in the office again. His face was stinging slightly and he resisted the urge to reach up and rub it. He deserved it. He should have been quicker. He should have been faster at getting the tickets. He should have been faster getting to Danny's apartment. He should have. He should have. He should have. He sat behind the desk and leaned back in his chair. He desperately wanted to mend the relationship between himself and Sydney. He wanted them to be a normal family. He knew that was not possible. He felt a tickle on his right cheek and realized that the stinging sensation was subsiding. He ignored the earlier resisted urge and reached up and brushed the cheek with the back of his hand. It felt all wrong. It felt like it was bleeding. He pulled his hand away and looked at it. It was wet.