Disclaimer: These characters are not mine – they are the property of Bad Robot, Touchstone, ABC, JJ et al
Rating: PG-13 for some mild language
Feedback: Need it like I need water, my running shoes, Alias and fine wine… Please read/review ~ constructive criticism is always welcome!
Author's Note1: Post-Cipher. Assume Sydney has escaped from her icy predicament in Siberia (she is the star of the show after all!).
AN2: Chapters 4-7 all were beta-d by the most fantastic Agent Blakeney. (Thanks for your support!)
Chapter Four – Mission Prep
**Sydney POV **
I sit ensconced in the backseat of a taxi on my way into downtown Santiago, high on the adrenaline that is buzzing through my system. I cannot get Vaughn's words out of my head.
"You are amazing."
Vaughn has told me this before when I have been ready to throw it all away – ready to run far from this crazy, fucked-up, life I lead. But this was different. It was deeper, sweeter – more real than before.
Regardless, I had spent the last 10 minutes trying to push these thoughts out of my mind.
In my more sane moments, I repress my feelings for him knowing that the power of what I feel would easily overwhelm us both. I even have a mantra that I repeat, hoping to convince myself of its truth.
"Michael Vaughn is my CIA handler. CIA handlers and their agents do not fall for each other. It is expressly forbidden, and it is dangerous. It could get us both killed. Vaughn could end up like Danny."
"Vaughn could end up like Danny."
This was always part of my nightmares – one of the images burned into my mind. Walking into a bathroom, finding a body riddled with gunshot wounds. It is not Danny, though – it is Michael. This image is the one that keeps me awake at night.
I live my life on the precipice. One false move and it is all over. This is why I repress the feelings I have for Vaughn. I know he feels the same way – I am sure of it. But if we were to act on these feelings, I fear - no, I know - we would fall over the edge, and I cannot deal with that reality.
But then, he tells me I am amazing. And with those few words, my carefully constructed reality comes crashing down. I begin to think that stepping over the edge would not be a bad idea…
"Focus Sydney. Time to get into mission-mode. You can think about Vaughn later," I tell myself.
I look out the window and notice we are driving through the outskirts of Santiago. I open up the note that Vaughn passed me earlier to review the details of the mission one final time.
… taxi take you to the Hyatt in Las Condes. There will be a room reserved for you…car for you at noon …outfit and jewelry in closet…earrings commlink…brooch a safe-cracker…
I take one more deep breath, shake off all vestiges of sentimental thought and work to get to a place where I can lie, steal and kill without thinking twice.
***********
11:50
Our intel says that General Ferdinand likes his "girlfriends" to look sophisticated and polished – no two cent whores for our favorite Chilean arms dealer. I look in the mirror and a stranger looks back. She has dark hair done away from her face in a twist. Her features are highlighted with the barest bit of makeup with a dark red shade of lipstick drawing all the attention to her lips. She is dressed immaculately in a Chanel suit accessorized by a gold Cartier tank watch, diamond bracelet, earrings, and brooch. The three-inch stiletto heels are the only item that might give away her 'occupation.' The woman looking back at me is the quintessential thousand-dollar French whore.
11:52
Time to check in one final time with the comm team. I touch a small button on the back of one of my earrings and say, "Tower, this is Maverick. Can you hear me?"
"Maverick. This is Tower. Looks like we are good to go. We are wired into Ferdinand's security system and will be watching from the truck. See you at the extraction point. And good luck."
His voice stays with me as I pack up my things and get ready for business.
11:55
I take one last look around. Everything is packed back neatly in my suitcase – someone from the CIA will come by and pick it up for me. I take a deep breath, and go through my pre-mission ritual. Closing my eyes, I remember: Danny; Emily; Will's battered face; Vaughn's dead father; the numerous other victims of the terror SD-6 and its brethren agencies have wrought. For once, I welcome the images of death and destruction as they come to life in my mind's eye. They give me reason to do what I am going to do – they keep me focused on the goal.
I am there – ready to lie, steal and kill. I am standing at the edge of the precipice, playing my dangerous game and hoping not to fall over the edge.
11:59
I take one last look in the mirror; grab my purse and head out the door.
***********
12:30
I can feel the car slow down and turn into a gravel driveway. The windows in the car are tinted such that I cannot see anything outside. Luckily, I memorized a map of the area around Ferdinand's house while in the hotel room this morning, so I do not feel completely disoriented.
The car quickly comes to a stop and I can hear the driver's door open. The gravel crunches as the driver walks back to my door to open it, and then all of a sudden, I am blinded by the glare of the noontime sun.
"Muchas Gracias, Senor," I say as the driver helps me out of the backseat. His hand holds onto mine for a second longer than is appropriate and I can feel his eyes rove over my body. Oh well, the perils of playing this character.
As he guides me to the front door, I try to absorb everything. Windows – first floor and second, none barred. Jumping from the second floor would be nasty – only rosebushes to break the fall. I need to see the driveway, so I pretend to stumble in the gravel. It gives me enough time to confirm what the CIA had told me: the house is set back 100 yards from 10-foot high concrete walls. There are two driveway entrances, both with guards on duty.
And we are at the door. It is 12:32 – we are ahead of schedule. According to Vaughn, I have until 1pm to grab the box. After that time, he cannot guarantee they will be able to monitor the security feed without being detected.
"Bienvenido a Santiago, Senorita LeClair." General Ferdinand has been waiting.
"General. Mucho gusto conocerle," I say in my most flirtatious Spanish, and then I kiss him on each cheek, as any Parisian would.
He signals for me to follow him down the hall. As we walk, I start my mental inventory. Marble foyer with stairs to the second story. Bathroom. Reading room. Music room. Living room.
We stop at the living room. The General takes my hand and sits me down on one of the chairs.
"Would you like something to drink?" He asks.
"That would be wonderful," I reply. "But only if you will have a drink with me." I give him my most coquettish smile.
As he pours us two cocktails, I sit back, pretending to relax. I think back to Vaughn's note.
…go to the bathroom and contact me. I will confirm the location of the box and guards…
"General, excuse me. Do you mind if I use the bathroom for a moment? I just need to freshen up." I give him another one of those smiles and then stand up to go contact Vaughn.
As I turn, I notice another presence entering the room.
"Dear General Ferdinand. While you are pouring drinks for you and your friend, why don't you make me one also. I think we may be here awhile."
I would recognize that voice anywhere. Sark. Damn.
~End of Part Four~
AN: Translations… "Bienvenido" = Welcome; "Mucho Gusto Conocerle" = Nice to meet you.