Chapter Two ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

Vaughn knew he was in deep trouble even before he returned to consciousness. He could feel the cold steel handcuffs binding his wrists behind him and the metal chains that secured his ankles to the straight back metal chair he had been sitting in for at least a day now. He tried to look around to get a sense of his surroundings but failed as the throbbing in the back of his neck took over, Sark hit him harder than he thought.

He had lost all sense of time in the windowless room in what appeared to be a warehouse. He could tell by the guards that he was somewhere in Germany and so far he had not seen Sark, Irina, or Sloane. Not that he had actually thought much about them; all he could think about was Sydney. Did Sark get to her too? Will she look for me? Will she go with the search team? Will there even be a search team?? He remembered Kendall's reluctance to help Syd when she was held captive in Khandahar just a few weeks ago and he had no idea how the CIA would be able to find him or even if they would try to find him at all.

The sound of the door opening pulled Vaughn away from his thoughts as he watched a silhouette of a man walk into the room. He blinked to try to clear his eyes and looked up to see Sark.

"Ah Agent Vaughn, so good to see you awake. A stronger man would not have blacked out for as long as you did, but then again."

Vaughn focused on a spot on the floor, for he knew if he looked up he would not be able to stop himself from spitting in Sark's face which would not be good for himself. "I'm surprised that a strong man such as yourself is quite often given a good ass-kicking by a woman," Vaughn retorted.

Sark pretended not to hear this last comment, "As I said before, my employer and I would like to ask you a few questions. I would caution you from answering untruthfully as I do have information as to the locations of your family and your girlfriend, Miss Bristow and I would love to pay them a visit."

"I'm sure they would love to kick you around a bit, Sark. And who, may I ask, is your employer?" I will not let him get to me. I have to stay strong for Sydney.

"Oh you'll find out in good time, don't worry. But for now, we are going to take a trip to what I like to call, 'the spa room.'"

Two armed guards entered the room and one unchained Vaughn from the chair as the other held him at gunpoint. Vaughn stood up, grateful to stretch his legs at least a little bit, and followed Sark out of the room. He felt a gun pressed into the small of his back, pushing him down the corridor. He was led through a series of dark, damp, corridors of what appeared to be an underground complex. Sark eventually came to a halt in front of a not- so-friendly looking room.

"Time for a trip to the spa. I couldn't perhaps interest you in facial?" Sark opened the heavy metal door and one of the guards pushed Vaughn inside. The other uncuffed his hands and feet. A third guard appeared pushing a long metal tub filled with water that was on wheels.

The guards all approached Vaughn from all sides and quickly overtook him and forced him into the tub.

"Time for a bath, Agent Vaughn."

The water was freezing. Vaughn gasped as he felt the icy cold liquid cover his body, leaving him struggling for breath. A bucket full of ice was then emptied into the tub and Vaughn moaned in pain. He was losing the feeling in his hands and feet, which were already severely bruised. The water stung his face and neck and he could not remember a time when he had been in more pain.

Sark took a seat beside the tub and began placing electrodes on Vaughn's chest. He then hooked the wires up to a machine place next to him.

"Now, Agent Vaughn, I have received information which reveals that you have been investigating Irina Derevko for the past four months. During your investigation, you located a contact of hers, Mau o Pessoa. I need to know his current location and what he told you about Irina Derevko. If you tell me now, I may consider letting you go."

"What do you need this intel for?" Vaughn was not about to just tell Sark what he wanted to hear.

"It is not necessary for you to know my motives, Agent Vaughn."

"Then it is not necessary for me to tell you anything, Mr. Sark."

And with that, Sark flipped the switch on the machine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- I guess I'll leave you with a cliffhanger - can't write anymore. **feedback makes me feel all good inside**