Disclaimer: Please don't sue me. I own nothing.
A very groggy, very confused Vaughn regained consciousness as he was being taken from the vehicle. "How long had it been this time?" He wondered, as he tried to concentrate on the images whizzing past him. He must have been on a stretcher or something, because he could only see the sky. It was dark out, and he wondered briefly about the time. It was useless, though, seeing as how he didn't have a watch. He also didn't trust his voice, or his escorts, enough to ask. As he rolled on, he became more and more aware of the jarring bumps that the rough ground provided him. He passed underneath a tree that was brimming with some sort of fruit. An owl called from somewhere in the near distance, and he closed his eyes to the sound. This little ride would almost be relaxing, if he weren't so anxious about where it was leading. Finally, after minutes of bumpy gravel, he felt himself now being pushed on a smoother surface. He opened his eyes and almost gasped at the grandeur of the house in front of him. It was a true masterpiece of architecture; a seamless blend of neo-classical and gothic. There must have been at least four stories to it, and he could've sworn he saw an actual gargoyle sitting atop one of the balconies. He was rolled through the two gigantic front doors and was again amazed at the intricate, if not extravagant foyer before him. Even the molding at the top of the forty-foot ceiling appeared to be some kind of rich carved wood. His mouth agape, he slowly turned his head to the side, in order to stare into a spacious parlor on the other side of the antechamber. He was so caught up in his examination of the tremendous crystal chandelier above him, he didn't even hear the voice speaking to him.
"Pardon me, young man, but I fear it is necessary to draw your rapt attention to me for a moment," the same woman from before said. Vaughn jerked his head in her direction and got his first clear view of the person he suspected to be Sydney's mother. She was standing with her back rigid and her hands apparently clasped behind her back. He noticed that she was wearing a navy pinstripe pantsuit, and was built exactly like Sydney. "Ah, I have gotten your attention. Wonderful. Now we may proceed."
"Proceed to what?" Vaughn managed to croak out.
"Answering your many inquiries, of course," she replied. Vaughn nodded slightly, signaling for her to continue. "You are currently in my home. I fear I will not be able to divulge your location on a larger scale. You will be safe here. I have given specific orders to not have you harmed, unless you try to escape, of course," she told him.
"Of course," he rasped in a mocking tone. She gave him a warning look and he averted his eyes.
"As I was saying, if you believe that you can resist fleeing, I will have you unbound at the first convenient interval. If not, you are welcome to stay the way you are now, for your entire duration here," she paused, letting this soak in. "If you are freed, you will follow a strict set of guidelines that are as much for your protection as they are for ours. Any questions?"
Vaughn shook his head no.
"Good. Now, on to our next order of business. Who are you, and why were you in my underground laboratory?"
Vaughn made no motion, not even a blink. After a few seconds, Irina sighed.
"Very well, young man, have it your way for now. But know that I will learn those answers, one way or another," she locked eyes with him to convey her calm assurance of the previous statement. "Is there anything else you would like to know before you are escorted to your room?" she asked.
He remained silent for a second, thinking about whether or not he should ask his question. It could very well mess something up if she didn't know the answer. But if she did.... he would just have to take the chance. He had to know. "Is Sydney alright?"
The woman smiled faintly. She was impressed by this man's apparent dedication to her daughter. It was too bad she couldn't tell him. "I am very sorry, but I am afraid that I simply can not answer your question until you answer mine. It just would not be fair to me. We all must have our secrets, no?" She smiled menacingly and turned her back to him. She said something to one of his guards and started to walk away.
Vaughn just couldn't let her go like that, and he yelled out to her. She stopped and turned, "Yes?"
"Who are you?" he asked.
She gave him a quizzical look, "I thought you already knew that."
"I have an idea," he stated.
She smiled at him, and for a second, she was the spitting image of Sydney. "My name is Irina, but perhaps you know me better as Laura," she said, and walked out of the room.
Vaughn was in shock. He had suspected it, but nothing could've prepared him for the torrent of emotions that hit him when it was confirmed. She had been so close to him, within arms reach, and he could do nothing about it. A thought entered his mind, but he expelled it quickly. Of course she didn't recognize him, his father's death had been so long ago, and he didn't even look that much like him. He sighed as the thoughts continued to invade his helpless brain. "Just my luck," he thought. "The one woman I hate with all of my soul has virtually the same face as the woman I love with all of my heart." As he was being rolled into an elevator, he allowed himself one final thought on the subject, "This sucks."