Author's Comments: I'm glad to hear so many enthusiastic reviews about the code. Having all of you figure it out before Vaughn really makes him seem kinda of slow, don't it? Don't worry, though, he'll figure it out, but not in this chapter. Speaking of this chapter, I'm sorry to bring back the monotonous story line of the Prophecy, but it seems to fit in here nicely. Anywayz, read on and don't hate me for what's going to happen. Keep reading and reviewing!

Chapter 11

"Is that it?" Diane asked, watching him with those brown eyes in their second meeting ever.

"Yep," Vaughn answered. "You have any questions?"

"About the mission?" Diane added slyly.

Vaughn couldn't help but grin at Diane's coy manner. "About the mission," Vaughn confirmed.

"Nope," Diane said, "but I do have a question for you."

Vaughn knew he was cornered. What was he going to do? Try and run out on someone who could kick his ass five times before he hit the ground? Unlikely. "Shoot."

"What happened to Sydney Bristow?" Vaughn looked at her stunned. "You're not the only one who can do research," Diane said to his reaction. But she watched as his expression became pained, and instantly regretted asking the question.

"I'm sorry," Diane said. "You don't have to answer it if you don't want to."

"No, it's okay," Vaughn insisted taking a deep breath. "It's just complicated. And to answer you honestly, I don't know what happened to her."

Diane looked at him confused. "Want to talk?" She asked.

Vaughn shook his head and pointed to his watch. "You don't have the time. You're leaving in five hours."

"Alright," Diane said surrendering. "But my offer stands open."

"Thanks, Diane, really," Vaughn insisted.

"Alright," Diane said picking up her things. "Till next time, Agent Vaughn."

"Hey, Diane," Vaughn said before she turned to leave. "Good luck."

She gave him a warm smile. "Thanks."

HENDERSON, TENNESSEE

Diane's SD-3 partner was Agent Thomas Barker. He remained outside as a getaway vehicle for Diane as soon as she picked up the video. Diane was currently located in the parking garage of a computer research center. The building was subtle in its location, and speaking that it was seven o'clock at night, most of the employees had gone home.

"Barker, I'm going radio silent until I need you," Diane said to her partner.

"Copy that, Diane, over and out." Diane looked around the garage, before continuing with her CIA codename.

"Base this is Diver, how's it lookin'?" Diane asked.

"Great Diver," Vaughn said in response. "Any sign of the guy?"

"Nope," Diane said looking around again. Meanwhile she straightened out her business suite. She had decided against the dress in case things got ugly.

"You got the time?" A man in his mid-thirties asked approaching her from the parking garage exit of the building. "My watch stopped working."

"Four minutes past," Diane answered following SD-3 protocol.

He nodded and pulled a tape out of his coat. "Tape as requested," he said under his breath. "Have a good day, miss," he said aloud. She took the tape and placed it in her coat. The two separated heading in opposite directions.

"Mission complete," Diane whispered to Vaughn.

"Good work," Vaughn said threw the earpiece.

Diane continued towards the exit, but was suddenly stopped by the appearance of a woman in black. Her face was covered by a ski mask, and she was armed.

"Give me the tape!" The woman demanded. In response Diane kicked the weapon out of the woman's hands and delivered a quick kick to her stomach. The masked woman dodged it easily, having concentrated on the agent in front of her and not the location of the weapon.

The two were immediately drawn into combat, as Vaughn watched on in horror. It can't be her. It can't be, Vaughn prayed silently as he looked into the attacker's blue eyes.

"Diane! Get out of there!" Vaughn said. What was she doing?

Diane had just delivered a kick around the masked person's ankles, and she fell, landing in range of the weapon. She grabbed for it and stood up before Diane even had a chance. The masked woman aimed and fired. Diane fell in an instant.

The camera lay still facing the ceiling. The murderer walked up to the body and removed her mask. Vaughn's jaw dropped.

"Sydney," he whispered. "How could you?" A second later, her face had disappeared from the view of the camera, tape in hand.

Agent 3471 continued to the exit and turned on her intercom. "I've got the tape. You can pick me up." The sleek black van pulled around the corner and opened its sliding door. Agent Thomas Barker helped her in.

He looked at the building in disgust as if the building had betrayed him, and not the agent that lay dead in the parking lot. Agent 3471 turned away. She didn't know who the woman was that she just killed, all she knew was that she was an agent of SD-3 and that it had felt good to take her down.

* * *

Vaughn sat still in his seat, as agents around him left, some to get Kendall, some to cry. He was still in disbelief. He had just witnessed Sydney Bristow kill another CIA agent, something he knew she would never do. Maybe she didn't know she was a CIA agent, Vaughn hoped. Then what was she doing there? A little voice contradicted.

Vaughn leaned forward removing his headphones and placing his head in his hands. What's going on, Sydney? He mind was asking. Why are you betraying us? Vaughn paused, realizing what he was thinking. "No," he said aloud shaking his head. "The Prophecy was wrong!" Vaughn said. But in the lonely room there was no one to contradict him. "Sydney," he said, staring at the now black screen. "Tell me the Prophecy was wrong." There was only silence.