“No. They're fine,” Sydney assured her, settling back into her seat.
In fact, they were wiggly, wild, and hyped up on the fancy French chocolate Sydney had passed around, but they still weren't bothering her. Wedged into the single leftover seat amidst this big, lively family, she felt the safest she had since she'd left L.A. It was unexpectedly relaxing, being with normal people again.
No one seeing me now would ever guess I live a secret life, she thought, amused. Everything about her current appearance screamed exhausted college student.
International spy? I don't think so.
Anyone who glanced her way might easily mistake her for the family's nanny. No one on the plane would ever know how much she'd just risked to protect them.
And I like it that way, she realized. She didn't want to be thanked, or even recognized; she just wanted to make a difference.
Tugging at her small square pillow, she tried to make herself more comfortable. The plane had only been in the air for an hour, and she could barely keep her eyes open. If she could just find a comfortable place for her head . . .
Am I really going to classes this afternoon? she wondered. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been so tired. Between the jet lag, the lack of sleep, and enough running around Paris to make missing track practice irrelevant, she didn't have anything left. Even if I don't go, I'll tell Noah I did.
Except that then I'll be lying again.
There were so many people her new career forced her to lie to already: Francie, her father, everyone at school. Noah was one of the very few with whom she could have a totally honest relationship.
And I want that, she realized. I want that a lot.
A person couldn't go through life with no one to confide in. Since they'd met last summer, she and Francie had become fast friends—best friends, really. But now there was always going to be SD-6 between them.
I can't wait to see her, though, Sydney thought drowsily. And Wilson. Wait till he hears what I've been up to. Wait till I get another crack at that immersion tank!
She pulled the thin blanket up under her chin, shifting her weight to one hip.
And Noah, she thought dreamily. I'll definitely be seeing Agent Hicks again. . . .
Sydney sighed and fell asleep, a satisfied smile on her lips.
ANOTHER MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. I'VE BEEN AGENT HICKS FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. NOTHING SURPRISES ME. NOTHING CATCHES ME OFF GUARD. STRESS, RISK, DANGER—IT'S ALL PART OF THE JOB.
FALLING IN LOVE ISN'T.
The freezing black water closed over Sydney Bristow's head, extinguishing her last hope. She couldn't see, couldn't think. Above her was a small army of gun-toting K-Directorate; below her, darkness and certain death. She was paralyzed by fear.
Suddenly, a hand reached up and grabbed her, pulling her down, down, down, ignoring her feeble attempts to kick. Her final gasp of air burned in her lungs. In less than a minute, she'd have to breathe. Reflex would force her mouth open, and she'd suck down water instead of air. To die like this, in a foreign country, unknown and unclaimed . . .
in the dark . . .
DON'T MISS ANY OF THE
OFFICIAL ALIAS BOOKS
FROM BANTAM BOOKS
ALIAS: DECLASSIFIED
THE OFFICIAL COMPANION
THE PREQUEL SERIES
RECRUITED
A SECRET LIFE
AND COMING SOON
DISAPPEARED
Alias: A Secret Life
A Bantam Book / January 2003
Text and cover art copyright © 2003 by Touchstone Television
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