Meanwhile…

"I hate it when they do that," complained Vaughn.

"Do what?" asked Sydney. She was thumbing through the latest issue of Sky Travel Fashions. "Shoot, I knew I should have been wearing go go boots and a leather jacket with fringe for this trip."

"You know, when they check your lap belts. I hate that. It's like I'm five... Go go boots? Who wears those?"

"It's the latest in Sky Fashion. I think they check the belts to make sure that… umm… okay, I have no idea why they do that. Oooooh look!" Syd giggled excitedly. "You can get purses to match."

"Okay Syd, we need to focus here. We need a plan."

"A plan? You mean something like this?" While closely examining a layout of rainwear she rushes forward with The Plan…

"We're landing in Anchorage and then hopping a charter to the Bering Straight. Once we get there, we're dressing like Eskimos and sitting in an igloo. Our contact will contact us with some fish. Once we get the fish, then we cut a hole through the ice, put on our wetsuits and swim under the ice until we reach a frigate. We board the ship, which is really a lab in disguise. Handing over the fish, they'll trade us for a computer chip. Once we get the chip, we get on a chopper and take a helicopter off the boat, back onto land where we take one of those huge campers, posing as tourists, and leave the state. We have to bypass LA because the chip needs to be delivered to Albuquerque. And there's this great spa we can stop at. I really need to get to the spa. Then we go home. Easy as pie. Now, do you think these leggings would make me look fat?"

"Wow. There is just nothing I can say about all of this to show the depth of my… umm… awe. Is this even possible? Where are we going to get the equipment?"

"Oh, no problem," Syd reaches up and presses the call button. A flight attendant comes her way, the fringe on her leather jacket swinging a bit as she bends toward Sydney.

"Yes dear, is there something I can get for you? A drink maybe? Another lap belt check?" she glances toward Vaughn.

"No thanks, what my friend here really wants is a tour of the cockpit—you know, he wants those cute plastic wings."

"Sure, no problem. Come with me honey." Vaughn, looking petrified at being called "honey" by a woman with go go boots and fringe, follows anyway. In ten minutes, he comes staggering back to their seats with 2 suitcases full of supplies. "Now I know why the rest of us never plan missions."

Just then, Syd's cell phone rang. Vaughn looked surprised.

"Wow, I didn't know that would work up here."

"Of course it does silly. I don't recognize the caller ID…" she said, unsure of whether or not to answer it.

"Let me see," Vaughn said, taking a look. "Mr. Clean? I don't get it." Syd shrugged and decided to answer.

"Hello?"

"Agent Bristow?"

"Uh… yeah…"

"Where the hell are you? And Vaughn? And why did your father just climb into a washing machine, and just how in the hell did it fly away?" Sydney blinked.

"Kendall?" Vaughn looked surprised.

"Yes, this is me. Answer the questions, Agent Bristow!"

"Ok… Vaughn and I are on our way to Alaska to find my mother because it just makes sense. And… well, I have no idea what my dad is doing with the washing machine. Did you ask him?"

"No, I did not ask him! He was too busy flying away! What the hell is he, some kind of washer machine fairy?" That suddenly brought an image of Jack Bristow in a dress, with long hair and wings, into Sydney's head, and she shuddered.

"Don't ignore me, Bristow! If you do, you'll suffer the consequences!"

"Uh… what kind of consequences?"

"What? Why would you ask a thing like that?"

"Just so I can decide if I want to ignore you. If the consequences are bad, I'll answer. But if I can handle it, I'll ignore you. Got it?"

"What? Agent Bristow, if you don't answer the question… whatever it was… I'll revoke your access to your mother! And, I won't allow you to use the coffee maker… or a pencil sharpener!" Sydney made a face, and Vaughn raised his eyebrows.

"Ok, let's review. My mother is gone. I can bring my own coffee. And do I ever- EVER?- use a pencil? Or anything that's not completely lethal?" Kendall was silent for a long moment.

"Damn it Agent Bristow! I'll think of something while you and Vaughn are frolicking in the snow… when you get back, you will be punished for something!" With that, he hung up. Sydney shook her head.