Chapter Forty-six: The Decision

Jack Bristow walked up the stairs stealthily, gun in hand. He had managed to follow everyone to the hotel where he guessed that Irina was keeping everyone hostage. He didn't want to make any sudden moves, but enough was enough. God only knew what Irina would do, or convince them to do while she had them in custody. He'd told Keith to wait; he wasn't sure if he wanted that boy to be their only hope, but he didn't think he had much of a choice.

He reached the top of the stairs and opened the door slowly, quietly, slipping through--

To come face to face with the butt of a gun.

Sark's face was the last thing he saw before the world went black.

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"Jack, dear," Irina said, making her way back into Jack Vaughn's room. Several hours had passed since their previous meeting; she figured he'd had plenty of time to make a decision. Sark, Sydney, Michael, and Emily followed her; she knew that Jack didn't exactly trust his parents just then, but seeing that his precious little sister was on her side might help him make up his mind.

"Emily!" Jack cried, rushing to give his sister a hug. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"Oh, Jack, it's so good to see you," she said, her voice full of relief.

Irina let the reunion go on for a couple of minutes before speaking again. "All right, Jack. I think it's time to give me your decision. Will you work for me, or not? Your beautiful little sister has agreed."

"Emily, no," Jack said, looking absolutely crestfallen.

"Yes," Irina confirmed. "Now the question is, Jack, do you trust your parents to keep her safe? Because you won't be allowed anywhere near her if you don't agree to do as I say."

Jack stared at Emily for a long moment, as if making a decision, then turned to his grandmother. "No. I won't work for you."

Irina's eyes flared. "No?"

"No. Keep me as a hostage, if you want. I won't do what you say."

Irina stared at him for a long moment. "Take Emily away, Sark."

"What?" Emily cried. "Why?"

"Do as they say, Emily," Sydney said, and Irina saw Jack's eyes move sharply to his mother, as if she had betrayed him.

"What are you doing, Mom?" he cried. "What are you letting them do to us?"

Sydney didn't respond, only stared ahead coldly, and Irina smiled. She really was her mother's daughter, much as she had tried to fight it.

"So you won't work for me," Irina said slowly. "Well. I suppose I can't kill you. I don't think anything could convince your parents to work for me then, since they know I can't kill Emily. You really do make a fine little bargaining chip, Jack."

Jack only glared at her.

"Very well, then. I do believe we have one other thing that might change your mind."

She clapped her hands, and Sark appeared again, only this time, Emily wasn't with him. Sydney screamed as he shoved the body of Jack Bristow on the floor. The man was alive, but he was bruised and badly beaten, and as soon as he was on the ground, Sark aimed his gun at him.

"Jack, I assume you recognize your grandfather," Irina said coolly. "I'll tell you what. You work for us, he lives. You don't, he dies."

She offered him a malevolent smile before adding, "You decide."