Chapter 11 -

The familiar smell of metal, the last scent she ever thought she'd correlate with this woman, took over her senses momentarily. In the months she had been doing this same routine, she became accustomed to it. Now it only took less than a minute to adapt to the staleness of seclusion. She listened to the only sound ringing out, the click of her heels, as she walked across the marble like floor.

Sydney remembered walking this heavily guarded hallway for the first time, just like it was yesterday. The range of emotions she felt that day; anticipation, fear, sadness, love, hatred, and most of all, confusion. Sometimes she was surprised on how much that had changed, in such a short amount of time.

When the bars moved out of her way, allowing enough time for her to pass, she realized the feeling of content she held in regard to the situation. She could allow it, but that could partially be due to the fact that her mother was now behind bars, and pretty much powerless when it came to harming her.

As she approached the glass between them, Sydney allowed herself to smile. A quick action that could lead Irina to think she missed her. Sydney didn't take the time to consider that maybe her feelings had been upgraded from merely content, raised to something more.

"Sloane claims he's found another way for SD-6 to gain access to The Echelon. A backup Cuvee has hidden," Sydney began.

Irina placed her hand on the glass, watching Sydney in the meticulous way she was famous for. "Has he?" she questioned, obviously surprised.

"I need to know the likely hood of it being a fact, and any information you have on Cuvee's lair in Prague."

Sydney watched her mother, the look on her face hinted that she didn't hear one word of her last sentence.

"You had Vaughn removed as your handler." Her comment verified she wasn't listening.

Sydney stared at Irina, slightly shaking her head in disbelief. Vaughn's name had been haunting her lately, and it was driving her completely batty.

"Cuvee, Prague?" Sydney showed her annoyance.

Irina walked to the chair the CIA graciously left in her cell, taking her time to sit. "It's more than possible," she replied.

"Okay, how about information on the building Cuvee owns in Prague?" Still irked by her tendency to take their conversations off topic, Sydney did little to hide it. Another quid pro quo could push her over the edge.

Irina's silence was deafening, or it could be the fact that Sydney felt completely on display. Either way she almost jumped when her mother spoke. "Will Sark be joining you?"

Caught entirely off guard, Sydney felt her stomach flinch uncontrollably at the sound of his name. Even though the question seemed innocent, it was odd that it was even asked. Then again, maybe she took it as odd, due to Sark being too fresh in her mind.

She wasn't obvious about her momentary freak out, but her silence must have sparked something as she watched as her mother's face grew curious. Knowing that, Sydney attempted to recover. "There will be four of us there, including Mr. Sark."

"I'm surprised Slone didn't send Sark with you the first time around," Irina noted. "If there is anyone besides myself that can gain you access in Prague, it's him." She brought her knee up to her chest, hugging it with one arm. "You made a wise decision."

Confused by her last statement, Sydney inquired, "On what?"

"Having Agent Vaughn removed as your handler," Irina explained. "Matters of the heart should be kept out of business."

Offended by her analysis, Sydney spat back, "Unless your entire motive for business, is to gain access to matters of the heart. Isn't that what you mean?" Noting her almost undue harshness, Sydney made her exit. "Thanks for the information." She turned to walk to the secured door.

The fourteen-hour flight was normally not that bad, usually just a little tiring. That was if she had been traveling alone. The choice on partners was Sloane's she's sure, from their recent conversation about the pier incident, he wouldn't allow Sark to be alone with her. Dixon was the better choice to accompany him. His authoritative attitude toward Sark would fit the situation just right. Which left Hinkey…

Ray Hinkey, one of the most recent inductions to SD-6, joining only two months ago. Relatively young at twenty-three, one look at him would never lead on what sort of business he was in. But don't let the short amount of time on the job, or his age and appearance, deter from the recognition he deserved. An accomplished driver, with a brief stint on the circuit, he was capable of eluding a tail like no other. Proving successful even driving an industrial sized truck. When it came to quick getaways, he was the one to call.

When it came to swiftness, tact or couth? Don't even bother.

Brother and sister as their aliases, they fit the dysfunctional sort to the tee. There was no need to alter his appearance either. His mussed up, gel-saturated black hair, which had a slight blue tint in the right light, proved the perfect combination to her now long, straight black hair. Granted her look was more mod looking, compared to his ultra Goth cover. It wasn't his look that was disturbing though.

When they first met up at the airport, she was greeted by a major ogling session. Sure her leather tank did ride a bit low, enhancing her cleavage, but there was no need for the comment he made loud enough to bring unwanted attention to them.

"Damn you look hot. Too bad you're my fucking sister."

Nor was there any need to be blaring the heavy metal tunes, through his headphones. It was an annoyance to anyone within five feet. His behavior was disreputable, but from what Sark believed, he was needed. With one last glance at her watch, Sydney tried to rush the next three hours along by getting some sleep.

Just in time for the landing, she woke. She immediately noticed her "brother" had also fallen asleep, with his music still blaring. She fumbled for a second with his MP3 player, but finally ended up powering it off. Not surprised, Sydney watched as he jumped out of his seat, right as the music disappeared. He looked at her, for a moment confused.

Sydney dryly spoke, "We're here."