here's the next chapter---sorry it took so long. Again, thanx for all your reviews and encouragement---it's good to know people read and like my story. ^^ because i'm extremely busy with my history eclass and my general courses, i may take a while. ^^ anyways, enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Eleven
Vaughn burst into Norman Valenti's office with a scowl on his face. He carried a stack of papers in his hand. The haggard figures of Valenti, Weiss and Nadia were already inside, obviously talking low and serious. They were all tired from their work and were sipping cups of coffee in their hands. Nadia was talking while she was typing on her laptop when he entered.
"This has better be good," Vaughn prowled restlessly. "I'm busy at Ops going through a hundred strategies about whoever the hell is after Sydney Bristow." He scowled deeply as he sat down beside a weary Weiss and sighed, plopping the papers on his lap.
"Vaughn, you got some bad stuff headed your way," Weiss finally said.
"I think I'm already in that, Weiss…"
"No, I mean, someone's on your tail."
Vaughn frowned at Weiss, glaring at his co-worker. "What do you mean?" he demanded.
Weiss sighed, brushing his hair back. "Some journalist named William Tippin is on your case, buddy," he told him slowly. "Paul down wherever his division is got the heads up from someone in the government dealing with social security stuff…he was trying to look you up."
Vaughn sighed. "Of course."
Valenti gave Vaughn a stern gaze. "And let me guess…Mr. Tippin caught you with the lovely Miss Bristow somewhere sometime," he supposed, sipping some of his coffee with a matter-of-fact look on his fatigued face.
Vaughn loosened his tie involuntarily. "Well…"
Nadia looked up at the three men, oblivious to their discussion. She lifted her glasses and looked at them. "I just got in contact with a colleague of mine," she told them in a grim voice. "I think I may have found our twelve in one, one in twelve riddle."
Valenti sighed. "We'll deal with this later, Mr. Vaughn," he told him. "Go ahead, Nadia."
"It's the Alliance of Twelve as far as the structure is concerned," she explained. "The higher order of SD-6. Their deal is relatively anonymous…no one knows much…they keep their trade a secret. But they're pretty much like an executive council…kind of like the senate or something. They make the rules, they give the top orders to their fractions. They lay low at what they do…my colleague didn't know much."
"We do know that Sydney's boss at SD-6 has some sort of connection with the Alliance of Twelve, whether he's a member or not," Vaughn provided thoughtfully. 'I'm guessing that he has some enemies in the group itself." He turned to Nadia. "Do you have any idea who makes up the bulk of the Alliance? British? American? Russian?"
Nadia shook her head. "As I said, they lay low in their business," she replied seriously, brushing her long hair back. "But I do know that they're made up of different nationalities. It doesn't just bulk with Russians or Americans or whatever. I'm guessing a rep from the twelve most powerful and influential countries in the world…something like that. I'd have to check it out, but before I can get a lead, the evidence disappears."
"Do your best," Valenti assured, "while I inform Devlin about this. Weiss?"
Weiss shrugged. "The fluxes are remaining stable in intervals right now," he told them. "But I think that the Bristows may be doing a better job than I am." He cleared his throat. "Which leads me back to what I found out about our journalist. He's on his way to San Francisco from what I've heard from our follower. I was thinking we should keep him there…just in case."
"In case of what, Mr. Weiss?" Valenti asked.
"I'm guessing SD-6 might be keeping an eye out for him," Weiss explained. "And if he starts slipping Vaughn buddy's name here, we might be in for some serious trouble…especially our double agents." He shrugged. "If problem lurks, I'm sure our man can deal with it."
"There's just a problem with that," Nadia said, tapping away on her laptop. "Someone is also following Mr. Tippin." She looked up at them again. "I ran a backdrop analysis on the person based on what the surveillance feed can pick up…he's definitely not a business man as he had signed up in as occupation. He's SD-6."
"Great, he did slip," Weiss muttered.
Vaughn went white. That Will certainly was nosy! "Now what?" he asked.
"Vaughn, get back to Ops," Valenti said, clearly unhappy at the latest developments. "This time, I want you to contact some undercovers in San Francisco and brief them about this. It's important that he doesn't do anything stupid that could slip Vaughn or the agency up." He sighed. "If he does, then we are all screwed…" He groaned and glared at Vaughn. "Which comes back to you!"
Nadia knew that her uncle was now in the boiling water. "There's also that situation up at the Yukon," she told them abruptly. "From what my contact says, those agent are definitely up to something up there. She's watching them constantly…their motives are secretive but they've been going out into the wildlands a bunch of times." She shook her head. "Does SD-6 have anything important up there that could set up a frame?"
Weiss gave it a thought. "I remember one of our agents stumbling across it a few years ago," he replied. "Read it in a report while researching up everything we knew about SD-6. Apparently he crashed while doing a test flight from Alaska and landed somewhere in a clearing. On his second night out, he came across some people walking towards some secluded area in some forest area. He couldn't get any closer because there were laser detectors all over the place."
"Sounds like a good place to stash something," Nadia said. She turned to Valenti. "Maybe we should tell Sydney…I mean, maybe she might be able to figure out what the hell these MSS people are. Oh…I did another background on this group…they are definitely not part of the CIA, or the FBI or of the Secret Services."
"Part of SD-6?" Valenti suggested.
"Or the Alliance," Vaughn supposed.
"Or a rogue," Nadia concurred, tapping again on her computer before pulling off her glasses completely. "This may be part of the big plan…I think we should give Sydney the heads up." She looked back at the men who were watching her at work. "This is serious stuff…whatever is in those bushes that that agent saw must be pretty damn important. And time's running out."
"Mr. Vaughn," Valenti said, "when's your next rendevouz with Sydney?"
"Um…tonight at the warehouse."
"Nadia," Valenti said, turning to face her, "you're there."
"'What?" Vaughn cried out in protest.
"You're at Ops…remember?" Valenti said with a certain slyness in his composure.
Vaughn sulked in his seat. "Yes, sir."
"Okay, so Nadia, you're in charge of informing Miss Bristow and continue to check up on all this…stuff," Valenti said. "Vaughn, you're at Ops dealing with our big-mouthed journalist…Weiss, you'll keep at it with the server and keep a heads up with Doctor Tamakawa about our guest downstairs. I'll be in Devlin's office if anyone wants to know. Dismissed."
Vaughn got up and walked out the door. Nadia packed quickly and ran out the room with him. "You probably hate my guts for taking up your job this time," she said lowly once they were out of Valenti's office.
"Of course not, Nadia."
"Seriously…I feel bad," she said, trying to hide the guilt from her expression.
Vaughn stopped and looked at Nadia carefully. "It's all right," he told her. "You know about what's going on more than me right now, especially in that sort of stuff. I've been preoccupied with strategics to deal with this stuff." He shrugged despite his cool composure. "I guess I'm left to clean up after the mess I've made."
"If you say so…but I think there's a reason that Valenti did this."
"Oh?"
"I think he suspects something between you and Sydney," Nadia said in a low voice to avoid attention. "No offence, Vaughn, but after what happened with you and Doctor Barnett, I think you should keep your…working relationship…under wraps. Especially once we wrap up about that journalist…I don't trust him for a second. Besides, you know how the Agency feels about office romance." She scowled at the thought.
"I know," Vaughn replied, "I've been thinking about it too."
She shrugged. "I'm sure all will come out well…somehow…" Her voice trailed off when she saw the familiar figure of Jason Lee standing near a table that was sitting outside in the corridor. "I'll catch up with you back at the apartment, Uncle, there's something I got to take care off."
"Okay…"
Nadia slowly walked up towards Jason. "What are you doing up here?" she asked.
He looked at her, clearly amused at her quesstion. "I'm a junior agent, you know," he replied with a hint of pride in his voice, "I'm allowed up here, too. You think that I was stationed down there forever from the minute I step into this building?" He gave her a grin to accompany her sarcasm.
"Yes, I actually did think you were confined there," she replied with equal sarcasm.
"Well, I rarely come up here, anyways," he admitted with a shrug.
She smiled a bit. "So what brings you up here?"
"Actually…you."
"Me?"
"Thought you'd might an update with our guest downstairs," he replied, leaning on the table. "He's a rather interesting guy…well, interesting to observe from behind a soundproof glass window." He shrugged and lowered his voice. "He's ranting now. He's demanding his rights, that he's under the protection of the constitution, all that bull. He thinks he's in some court drama or something…but anyways, he did mention something about his bosses pulling up their "greatest caper" yet." He shook his head again. "I don't know if that's useful, but there it is."
She nodded slowly. "Um…thanks, Lee…"
"Jason, please."
"Okay," she said uncertainly, "Jason…"
He nodded, standing up straight. He was a head taller that Nadia and he looked down at her calmly. "Well, I better be getting back to my station," he finally told her. "I don't want to be demoted down to sanitation duty." This brought a shy grin on Nadia's lips. "Um, say Nadia…will I ever…see you again? I mean…around here….you know…'
She nodded in understanding. "Sometimes," she replied as she accompanied walking with him. "I mean, my job is basically out there than in here. Just now that I'm involved in this big case, I'm in here. This is like, my third trip in here so far in here. I only know this floor in all my time here." She shrugged. "Not, of course, that it bothers me."
He grinned. "Maybe I should give you a grand tour sometime."
"Maybe," she replied, stopping in front of the staircase. They both looked around, slightly awkward of the situation. "I still have to get down to the computer sector," she told him. "You know, deal with the entire big case. Look, if you have any problems or if our guest is starting to get roudy, Weiss will be there to assist you on anything…" She then scrawled something quickly into a piece of paper and handed it to him. "Or, of course, you can page me."
He looked at it carefully. "Cool. I'll remember that."
She flashed him a quick grin. "Okay…later." She then scurried down the hall.
"Of course, of course, I understand, Sydney Bristow," Yalila said thinly, bobbing her grim head up and down. Her hair bobbed slightly with her movement and stray pieces of her bangs bounced off her tan forehead. Her dull green eyes looked right into Sydney's lively ones. "It has been a little bugger, hasn't it? Thank goodness my computer wasn't affected."
Sydney smiled falsely. "Of course…I just wish Marshall would hurry up."
Yalila raised her delicate brows at her. "Oh?"
Sydney flipped her hair back, as if on cue. "Yeah," she replied, "I mean, geez, a girl's got work here to, you know. This virus couldn't have come at a worse timing. I mean, hell, this thing has been a bitch as far as it goes." She sighed heavily.
"Well, if you need it badly, you can always use mine."
"Aw, thanks, Yalila," Sydney replied, looking around. Where was her father? She couldn't stand another moment of her conversation with Yalila; it wasn't because she was nasty or anything, it was just that her conversation was just too boring. She felt like she was going to drop dead from absolute boredom and the fact that she was trying to think from the top of her head. "Say....congrats on your promotion."
She hinted a slight blush come from the agent's pale face. "Why, thank you, Sydney. But then again, I could never match to your expertise," she added with a slight blush.
Now it was Sydney's turn to raise her brows. "What makes you think that?"
"Oh, there's been talk around here," Yalila replied, looking around suspiciously. "They say you're the best of the best. I mean, you've got the looks and the muscles...and you've got the favour of the boss. It's no secret...he sends you to all these kick-ass missions...you get all the good stuff. We just stand here and settle with the crumbs."
"Not true!" Sydney replied in protest.
"Don't lie, Sydney," she replied coldly, her eyes now darting back to the cold demeanor that she always carried. "Everyone could see how you are treated diffrently from the rest..."
Suddenly, she saw Jack appear from Marshall's office. He scanned the room until his eyes met hers and he did a slight gesture to come to him. She gave the slightest of nods before turning back to Yalila, who was glaring coldly at her desk. "As much as I want to continue this facinating conversation, I have other things to do. Good day."
She grunted something in reply and turned away from Sydney.
Sydney scoffed and headed towards her father, who was walking towards the conference room. She kept an eye out for anything conspicious or out of the ordinary as she slipped into the conference room. Jack was already waiting, sitting down in one of the chairs. When she closed the door, he raised his trusty pen and pressed a button, jamming the signal.
"What did you find out?" she asked almost immediately.
"I found out who it was."
"Well...who is it?" she demanded.
Jack gulped. "It's Yalila."
"What?!"
"I know, I know..."
"I was just talking to her!" she cried incredulously. "I guess that explains her cold personality..." She scowled as she took a seat before she exploded in surprise. "I don't get it...why her? Is that why she moved up the ranks quicker than others?"
Jack nodded slowly. "It could be possible."
"And no wonder she really detested me."
Jack gave his daughter an odd look. "Don't take it personally, Sydney," he told her stiffly. "We have bigger issues to deal with. Like how to smoke out her out without Sloane's knowledge or approval." His face became grimmer. "Look, I know that she has a black minivan out in the parking lot. How about we nab her there after hours?"
Sydney considered it for a moment, her brown hair falling across her forehead as she leaned over to think. "But what about the others in the building?" she finally asked, her eyes raising to meet her father's. "They're going to see what's going on and report it to Sloane..."
Jack nodded. "I have a plan."
"Okay..." she trailed off.
The pen beeped softly. The time was up. He pocketted the pen into his inside jacket pocket and got to his feet once again. He strode towards the door but he hung back and then turned back to face his daughter. "Trust me on this one," he told her, then walked out of the conference room, leaving Sydney baffled where she sat.
"Isn't San Francisco lovely?" Jenny asked, wrapping her arm around Will's. They were walking along the tourist area that faced the Golden Gate Bridge. Many people surrounded them; families, couples, international tourists. It was incredibly busy that time of hour and Will found himself in a mess. The stiff wind was making him cold to the bone, but he didn't want to make a scene of it. After all, the guys were supposed to be macho and all.
"Mm...hmmm...."
Jenny looked up at Will's frozen face. "What's wrong, Will?" she asked.
He looked around, wide-awake. "Oh, me? Nothing, nothing."
She pouted full-fledged at Will, making him feel all guilty inside. "You look as though you're somewhere else," she said glumly, kicking a pebble forward a distance.
He smiled tightly at Jenny, trying hard not to make her worried. That was the last thing he wanted her to be. "I'm just...savouring in the scenery!" he replied with a guffaw. Gosh, my lying sucks! he thought inwardly.
She looked at him as though he were mad. The wind blew again, blowing her hair around like a rag toy. "Will," she told him seriously, "you told me you've been here dozens of times! Why are you savouring in the scenery for?"
The wind blew again stiffly.
He shrugged, looking around to avoid Jenny's curious gaze. "I don't know...I never really took it in before," he replied, praying silently that Jenny could not read minds. He looked around to see a peculiar man walking around, watching the waters. The man had a black shirt on and nice, rich-looking pants and ruffly black hair.
Didn't I see him somewhere before? Will asked himself.
The man turned and their gazes met. They were an intensely ice blue shock and the man turned away abruptly, walking off.
Jenny grinned and tightened her grip on his arm. "Cool," she replied happily. "Tonight, my relatives are inviting all of my cousins and nephews and nieces! Aw, this is going to be a blast!" She then tippy-toed on her feet and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Yeah," Will replied, his eyes still on the man. "It will be."
Chapter Eleven
Vaughn burst into Norman Valenti's office with a scowl on his face. He carried a stack of papers in his hand. The haggard figures of Valenti, Weiss and Nadia were already inside, obviously talking low and serious. They were all tired from their work and were sipping cups of coffee in their hands. Nadia was talking while she was typing on her laptop when he entered.
"This has better be good," Vaughn prowled restlessly. "I'm busy at Ops going through a hundred strategies about whoever the hell is after Sydney Bristow." He scowled deeply as he sat down beside a weary Weiss and sighed, plopping the papers on his lap.
"Vaughn, you got some bad stuff headed your way," Weiss finally said.
"I think I'm already in that, Weiss…"
"No, I mean, someone's on your tail."
Vaughn frowned at Weiss, glaring at his co-worker. "What do you mean?" he demanded.
Weiss sighed, brushing his hair back. "Some journalist named William Tippin is on your case, buddy," he told him slowly. "Paul down wherever his division is got the heads up from someone in the government dealing with social security stuff…he was trying to look you up."
Vaughn sighed. "Of course."
Valenti gave Vaughn a stern gaze. "And let me guess…Mr. Tippin caught you with the lovely Miss Bristow somewhere sometime," he supposed, sipping some of his coffee with a matter-of-fact look on his fatigued face.
Vaughn loosened his tie involuntarily. "Well…"
Nadia looked up at the three men, oblivious to their discussion. She lifted her glasses and looked at them. "I just got in contact with a colleague of mine," she told them in a grim voice. "I think I may have found our twelve in one, one in twelve riddle."
Valenti sighed. "We'll deal with this later, Mr. Vaughn," he told him. "Go ahead, Nadia."
"It's the Alliance of Twelve as far as the structure is concerned," she explained. "The higher order of SD-6. Their deal is relatively anonymous…no one knows much…they keep their trade a secret. But they're pretty much like an executive council…kind of like the senate or something. They make the rules, they give the top orders to their fractions. They lay low at what they do…my colleague didn't know much."
"We do know that Sydney's boss at SD-6 has some sort of connection with the Alliance of Twelve, whether he's a member or not," Vaughn provided thoughtfully. 'I'm guessing that he has some enemies in the group itself." He turned to Nadia. "Do you have any idea who makes up the bulk of the Alliance? British? American? Russian?"
Nadia shook her head. "As I said, they lay low in their business," she replied seriously, brushing her long hair back. "But I do know that they're made up of different nationalities. It doesn't just bulk with Russians or Americans or whatever. I'm guessing a rep from the twelve most powerful and influential countries in the world…something like that. I'd have to check it out, but before I can get a lead, the evidence disappears."
"Do your best," Valenti assured, "while I inform Devlin about this. Weiss?"
Weiss shrugged. "The fluxes are remaining stable in intervals right now," he told them. "But I think that the Bristows may be doing a better job than I am." He cleared his throat. "Which leads me back to what I found out about our journalist. He's on his way to San Francisco from what I've heard from our follower. I was thinking we should keep him there…just in case."
"In case of what, Mr. Weiss?" Valenti asked.
"I'm guessing SD-6 might be keeping an eye out for him," Weiss explained. "And if he starts slipping Vaughn buddy's name here, we might be in for some serious trouble…especially our double agents." He shrugged. "If problem lurks, I'm sure our man can deal with it."
"There's just a problem with that," Nadia said, tapping away on her laptop. "Someone is also following Mr. Tippin." She looked up at them again. "I ran a backdrop analysis on the person based on what the surveillance feed can pick up…he's definitely not a business man as he had signed up in as occupation. He's SD-6."
"Great, he did slip," Weiss muttered.
Vaughn went white. That Will certainly was nosy! "Now what?" he asked.
"Vaughn, get back to Ops," Valenti said, clearly unhappy at the latest developments. "This time, I want you to contact some undercovers in San Francisco and brief them about this. It's important that he doesn't do anything stupid that could slip Vaughn or the agency up." He sighed. "If he does, then we are all screwed…" He groaned and glared at Vaughn. "Which comes back to you!"
Nadia knew that her uncle was now in the boiling water. "There's also that situation up at the Yukon," she told them abruptly. "From what my contact says, those agent are definitely up to something up there. She's watching them constantly…their motives are secretive but they've been going out into the wildlands a bunch of times." She shook her head. "Does SD-6 have anything important up there that could set up a frame?"
Weiss gave it a thought. "I remember one of our agents stumbling across it a few years ago," he replied. "Read it in a report while researching up everything we knew about SD-6. Apparently he crashed while doing a test flight from Alaska and landed somewhere in a clearing. On his second night out, he came across some people walking towards some secluded area in some forest area. He couldn't get any closer because there were laser detectors all over the place."
"Sounds like a good place to stash something," Nadia said. She turned to Valenti. "Maybe we should tell Sydney…I mean, maybe she might be able to figure out what the hell these MSS people are. Oh…I did another background on this group…they are definitely not part of the CIA, or the FBI or of the Secret Services."
"Part of SD-6?" Valenti suggested.
"Or the Alliance," Vaughn supposed.
"Or a rogue," Nadia concurred, tapping again on her computer before pulling off her glasses completely. "This may be part of the big plan…I think we should give Sydney the heads up." She looked back at the men who were watching her at work. "This is serious stuff…whatever is in those bushes that that agent saw must be pretty damn important. And time's running out."
"Mr. Vaughn," Valenti said, "when's your next rendevouz with Sydney?"
"Um…tonight at the warehouse."
"Nadia," Valenti said, turning to face her, "you're there."
"'What?" Vaughn cried out in protest.
"You're at Ops…remember?" Valenti said with a certain slyness in his composure.
Vaughn sulked in his seat. "Yes, sir."
"Okay, so Nadia, you're in charge of informing Miss Bristow and continue to check up on all this…stuff," Valenti said. "Vaughn, you're at Ops dealing with our big-mouthed journalist…Weiss, you'll keep at it with the server and keep a heads up with Doctor Tamakawa about our guest downstairs. I'll be in Devlin's office if anyone wants to know. Dismissed."
Vaughn got up and walked out the door. Nadia packed quickly and ran out the room with him. "You probably hate my guts for taking up your job this time," she said lowly once they were out of Valenti's office.
"Of course not, Nadia."
"Seriously…I feel bad," she said, trying to hide the guilt from her expression.
Vaughn stopped and looked at Nadia carefully. "It's all right," he told her. "You know about what's going on more than me right now, especially in that sort of stuff. I've been preoccupied with strategics to deal with this stuff." He shrugged despite his cool composure. "I guess I'm left to clean up after the mess I've made."
"If you say so…but I think there's a reason that Valenti did this."
"Oh?"
"I think he suspects something between you and Sydney," Nadia said in a low voice to avoid attention. "No offence, Vaughn, but after what happened with you and Doctor Barnett, I think you should keep your…working relationship…under wraps. Especially once we wrap up about that journalist…I don't trust him for a second. Besides, you know how the Agency feels about office romance." She scowled at the thought.
"I know," Vaughn replied, "I've been thinking about it too."
She shrugged. "I'm sure all will come out well…somehow…" Her voice trailed off when she saw the familiar figure of Jason Lee standing near a table that was sitting outside in the corridor. "I'll catch up with you back at the apartment, Uncle, there's something I got to take care off."
"Okay…"
Nadia slowly walked up towards Jason. "What are you doing up here?" she asked.
He looked at her, clearly amused at her quesstion. "I'm a junior agent, you know," he replied with a hint of pride in his voice, "I'm allowed up here, too. You think that I was stationed down there forever from the minute I step into this building?" He gave her a grin to accompany her sarcasm.
"Yes, I actually did think you were confined there," she replied with equal sarcasm.
"Well, I rarely come up here, anyways," he admitted with a shrug.
She smiled a bit. "So what brings you up here?"
"Actually…you."
"Me?"
"Thought you'd might an update with our guest downstairs," he replied, leaning on the table. "He's a rather interesting guy…well, interesting to observe from behind a soundproof glass window." He shrugged and lowered his voice. "He's ranting now. He's demanding his rights, that he's under the protection of the constitution, all that bull. He thinks he's in some court drama or something…but anyways, he did mention something about his bosses pulling up their "greatest caper" yet." He shook his head again. "I don't know if that's useful, but there it is."
She nodded slowly. "Um…thanks, Lee…"
"Jason, please."
"Okay," she said uncertainly, "Jason…"
He nodded, standing up straight. He was a head taller that Nadia and he looked down at her calmly. "Well, I better be getting back to my station," he finally told her. "I don't want to be demoted down to sanitation duty." This brought a shy grin on Nadia's lips. "Um, say Nadia…will I ever…see you again? I mean…around here….you know…'
She nodded in understanding. "Sometimes," she replied as she accompanied walking with him. "I mean, my job is basically out there than in here. Just now that I'm involved in this big case, I'm in here. This is like, my third trip in here so far in here. I only know this floor in all my time here." She shrugged. "Not, of course, that it bothers me."
He grinned. "Maybe I should give you a grand tour sometime."
"Maybe," she replied, stopping in front of the staircase. They both looked around, slightly awkward of the situation. "I still have to get down to the computer sector," she told him. "You know, deal with the entire big case. Look, if you have any problems or if our guest is starting to get roudy, Weiss will be there to assist you on anything…" She then scrawled something quickly into a piece of paper and handed it to him. "Or, of course, you can page me."
He looked at it carefully. "Cool. I'll remember that."
She flashed him a quick grin. "Okay…later." She then scurried down the hall.
"Of course, of course, I understand, Sydney Bristow," Yalila said thinly, bobbing her grim head up and down. Her hair bobbed slightly with her movement and stray pieces of her bangs bounced off her tan forehead. Her dull green eyes looked right into Sydney's lively ones. "It has been a little bugger, hasn't it? Thank goodness my computer wasn't affected."
Sydney smiled falsely. "Of course…I just wish Marshall would hurry up."
Yalila raised her delicate brows at her. "Oh?"
Sydney flipped her hair back, as if on cue. "Yeah," she replied, "I mean, geez, a girl's got work here to, you know. This virus couldn't have come at a worse timing. I mean, hell, this thing has been a bitch as far as it goes." She sighed heavily.
"Well, if you need it badly, you can always use mine."
"Aw, thanks, Yalila," Sydney replied, looking around. Where was her father? She couldn't stand another moment of her conversation with Yalila; it wasn't because she was nasty or anything, it was just that her conversation was just too boring. She felt like she was going to drop dead from absolute boredom and the fact that she was trying to think from the top of her head. "Say....congrats on your promotion."
She hinted a slight blush come from the agent's pale face. "Why, thank you, Sydney. But then again, I could never match to your expertise," she added with a slight blush.
Now it was Sydney's turn to raise her brows. "What makes you think that?"
"Oh, there's been talk around here," Yalila replied, looking around suspiciously. "They say you're the best of the best. I mean, you've got the looks and the muscles...and you've got the favour of the boss. It's no secret...he sends you to all these kick-ass missions...you get all the good stuff. We just stand here and settle with the crumbs."
"Not true!" Sydney replied in protest.
"Don't lie, Sydney," she replied coldly, her eyes now darting back to the cold demeanor that she always carried. "Everyone could see how you are treated diffrently from the rest..."
Suddenly, she saw Jack appear from Marshall's office. He scanned the room until his eyes met hers and he did a slight gesture to come to him. She gave the slightest of nods before turning back to Yalila, who was glaring coldly at her desk. "As much as I want to continue this facinating conversation, I have other things to do. Good day."
She grunted something in reply and turned away from Sydney.
Sydney scoffed and headed towards her father, who was walking towards the conference room. She kept an eye out for anything conspicious or out of the ordinary as she slipped into the conference room. Jack was already waiting, sitting down in one of the chairs. When she closed the door, he raised his trusty pen and pressed a button, jamming the signal.
"What did you find out?" she asked almost immediately.
"I found out who it was."
"Well...who is it?" she demanded.
Jack gulped. "It's Yalila."
"What?!"
"I know, I know..."
"I was just talking to her!" she cried incredulously. "I guess that explains her cold personality..." She scowled as she took a seat before she exploded in surprise. "I don't get it...why her? Is that why she moved up the ranks quicker than others?"
Jack nodded slowly. "It could be possible."
"And no wonder she really detested me."
Jack gave his daughter an odd look. "Don't take it personally, Sydney," he told her stiffly. "We have bigger issues to deal with. Like how to smoke out her out without Sloane's knowledge or approval." His face became grimmer. "Look, I know that she has a black minivan out in the parking lot. How about we nab her there after hours?"
Sydney considered it for a moment, her brown hair falling across her forehead as she leaned over to think. "But what about the others in the building?" she finally asked, her eyes raising to meet her father's. "They're going to see what's going on and report it to Sloane..."
Jack nodded. "I have a plan."
"Okay..." she trailed off.
The pen beeped softly. The time was up. He pocketted the pen into his inside jacket pocket and got to his feet once again. He strode towards the door but he hung back and then turned back to face his daughter. "Trust me on this one," he told her, then walked out of the conference room, leaving Sydney baffled where she sat.
"Isn't San Francisco lovely?" Jenny asked, wrapping her arm around Will's. They were walking along the tourist area that faced the Golden Gate Bridge. Many people surrounded them; families, couples, international tourists. It was incredibly busy that time of hour and Will found himself in a mess. The stiff wind was making him cold to the bone, but he didn't want to make a scene of it. After all, the guys were supposed to be macho and all.
"Mm...hmmm...."
Jenny looked up at Will's frozen face. "What's wrong, Will?" she asked.
He looked around, wide-awake. "Oh, me? Nothing, nothing."
She pouted full-fledged at Will, making him feel all guilty inside. "You look as though you're somewhere else," she said glumly, kicking a pebble forward a distance.
He smiled tightly at Jenny, trying hard not to make her worried. That was the last thing he wanted her to be. "I'm just...savouring in the scenery!" he replied with a guffaw. Gosh, my lying sucks! he thought inwardly.
She looked at him as though he were mad. The wind blew again, blowing her hair around like a rag toy. "Will," she told him seriously, "you told me you've been here dozens of times! Why are you savouring in the scenery for?"
The wind blew again stiffly.
He shrugged, looking around to avoid Jenny's curious gaze. "I don't know...I never really took it in before," he replied, praying silently that Jenny could not read minds. He looked around to see a peculiar man walking around, watching the waters. The man had a black shirt on and nice, rich-looking pants and ruffly black hair.
Didn't I see him somewhere before? Will asked himself.
The man turned and their gazes met. They were an intensely ice blue shock and the man turned away abruptly, walking off.
Jenny grinned and tightened her grip on his arm. "Cool," she replied happily. "Tonight, my relatives are inviting all of my cousins and nephews and nieces! Aw, this is going to be a blast!" She then tippy-toed on her feet and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Yeah," Will replied, his eyes still on the man. "It will be."