THIRTEEN





The next night, Sydney and Vaughn were sitting in a van outside of Sloane's house going over last minute finishing touches of the mission.

Vaughn closed the laptop and handed Sydney a transmitter so she could talk to him inside if needed. he asked with a smile.

Sydney replied, returning the smile. She was glad that Vaughn was back to his normal, friendly self, but secretly wondered if it was an act to make her think he had changed. She shrugged off the thought and pushed the back doors of the van open and stepped out.

Good luck, he said routinely, lightly touching her shoulder.



With that, Sydney was off. She walked slowly so as not to make much noise with her shoes on the pavement. She hid in the shadows and carefully made her way to the gate. She looked around for any security cameras and, finding none, pulled out a lockpick and went to work.

Vaughn's voice came over the transmitter. How are you doing?

Sydney informed him. I unlocked the gate.

he said. Be careful.

Aren't I always? she said with a laugh.

Vaughn laughed as well.

Sydney made her way to the massive front doors and whispered, I'm going to try going through the front.

Vaughn said with a sigh. She was supposed to go through the back and they both knew it. Just be careful.

she mumbled, working her magic with the lockpick. She reached behind her back and felt both the tranquilizer gun and the Magnum tucked safely into her belt.

After unlocking the door, Sydney carefully stepped inside. She pulled out her tranquilizer gun and walked around. Considering the time of night (and the lack of lights on inside the house), Sydney presumed Sloane was asleep and automatically headed for the bedroom. She scaled some stairs and spotted what was most likely the master bedroom.

I'm almost there, Sydney whispered. I'm going radio silent.

Vaughn said. See you soon.

she replied softly.

Sydney switched off the transmitter. She walked slowly to the closed double doors and carefully turned the handle of one of them. It creaked slightly and Sydney silently walked inside the room. She spotted Sloane in bed alone and asleep. He was laying on his side, facing away from her.

Sighing, Sydney took a couple of steps toward the bed. She stopped when she thought she heard Sloane mumble Emily' in his sleep. Her breath caught in her throat and she switched on a light.

Sloane sat up quickly and looked around. Sydney pressed her lips together and kept the tranquilizer gun trained on him.

Sloane squinted. he asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. How did you get in here?

I have my ways, Sydney said dryly.

Long time no see, Sloane began, a creepy smile forming on his lips. He started to stand up.

Sydney looked away a moment, noticing that Sloane apparently slept naked. she commanded.

Sloane sat. I haven't seen you since the—incident, he said calmly. How have you been?

Sydney cleared her throat. Let me make something very clear to you. I did not come here to reminisce about times past. I came here to—

Do you think you're going to kill me with that little toy? Sloane asked coldly.

Sydney narrowed her eyes. No, as a matter of fact— She paused, trying to decide whether she should bring out her Magnum or threaten him. She chose the latter. As a matter of fact, she repeated, I wanted to ask you a few questions.

Then why the sneaky entrance? Why not just come, ring the doorbell, and talk to me? Sloane stared at Sydney, eagerly awaiting her response.

Sydney's hands felt shaky. She fought to steady them. No more games, she said quietly. If you refuse to answer the questions I'm about to ask you, I will drug you, tie you up, and torture you.

Sloane nodded and seated himself comfortably, apparently ready to answer Sydney's questions.

Have you assembled SD-6 elsewhere? Sydney asked, her voice quivering.

No, I have not, Sloane stated, looking intensely into Sydney's eyes.

Sydney swallowed and looked away for a moment, intimidated by Sloane's icy glare. Have you turned over the reins to anyone else and if so, has that person reassembled SD-6?

Sloane shook his head. No, Miss Bristow.

Are you still a member of the Alliance? Sydney asked, regaining her confidence.

No, I resigned when SD-6 was destroyed. He lingered on the destroyed' as if he was trying to make Sydney feel guilty.

That's everything I wanted to ask you, Sydney said carefully, reaching behind her back to grab her Magnum and finish him off.

Sydney wait, Sloane said, his voice quavering a little. You got to ask me some questions. I'd like to ask you some as well—that is—before you terminate my life.

Sydney froze, then sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, tranquilizer gun still in hand. She nodded in Sloane's direction, beckoning him to begin his inquiry.

First though, Sloane began, could you toss me those? He pointed to a chair with a heap of clothes on it. It would be nice to die with some sort of dignity.

Sydney stood in place as if rooted to the floor. Letting you die with dignity would be a privilege. I'm not about to have that happen.

Sloane nodded and tugged at the sheet on the bed. He folded it in half twice then wrapped it around his waist and stood up. Sydney's breath caught in her throat when she realized that suddenly she wasn't in control of the situation anymore. She reached behind her back for the Magnum she realized she should have had out in the first place.

Sloane said in his eerily calm voice. I wouldn't do that if I were you.

Well, you aren't me, are you? Sydney shot back, pulling the gun out of her belt. She tensed when she heard a gun cock behind her. Upon feeling the persuasive cold steel on the back of her neck, Sydney dropped both weapons.

I was going to wait, Sloane stated simply, but you left me no choice.

The person behind Sydney roughly grabbed her wrists and bound them with some rope.

Now Sydney, Sloane started, walking closer to her. You weren't going to let me die with any sort of dignity. So, don't you think it would be fair if I extended that same—courtesy—to you? He ran a thumb over Sydney's lips then gently massaged both of her shoulders.

Sydney's breath caught in her throat and she closed her eyes to try and block out what was happening. Sloane moved his hands across Sydney's shoulders and close to her neck. Chills coursed through Sydney's body and she willed herself not to surrender to them and therefore appear vulnerable in front of Sloane. He moved his hands across her shoulders away from her neck and lifted part of Sydney's shirt off of one shoulder. He slid two fingers under her bra strap and fingered it slowly.

Sydney bit down on her tongue to keep from whimpering when Sloane moved his hands behind her back and started to unhook her bra. Sydney tried to step backwards, away from Sloane, but again felt the gun digging into the back of her neck. Sydney tried to blink back the tears but felt herself slowly succumbing to them.

She thought of Will as the tears spilled out of her eyes. She wondered if she would ever see him again and cried more.

Hold her arms, Sloane ordered the mystery person as he undid the rope that bound Sydney's wrists. he said, moving behind Sydney. He held one of her arms while his accomplice held the other and slipped off Sydney's bra. Then he retied Sydney's wrists. Sydney felt the gun on her neck once again and whimpered.

Meanwhile, back in the van, Vaughn was wondering what was taking so long for Sydney to complete her task. He sighed and ran a hand nervously through his hair. He grabbed his gun and pushed open the doors of the van.

Six of Sloane's henchmen with assault rifles stepped out of the shadows and cornered Vaughn.

Drop it! one of them commanded.

Vaughn did as he was told and was subsequently met by a hailstorm of bullets.