This chapter is longer, yea! Thanks so much for your reviews. Keep them
coming. There isn't any S/V interaction in this chapter, sorry. It was
necessary. But.I promise the next chapters will have a lot more :evil
laugh:. Enjoy!
Chapter 4
Madrid, Spain
"Ready Syd?" Dixon asked, as they exited the SD-6 standard black van parked across the street from Hanein's home. Sydney tugged at her dress, making sure it wasn't wrinkled from the ride. The dress had a red, strapless corset bodice, and a black skirt that was skin tight to her knees where it began flamenco-dancer style ruffles. Reaching down to her feet, she adjusted her black, strappy heels, painted red toenails peeking out. Handing her gold clutch to Dixon, she smoothed her black wig, which was tied tight in a bun and secured with black chopsticks. Finally, she took a tube of bright red lipstick and applied it to her lips. She looked the part of the perfect Spanish señorita.
"Ready," she replied, taking her clutch from a Dixon as her laughed.
"I'll check in with you in ten minutes," he said, leaving to find the kitchen entrance. Sydney turned to walk to the house, and for the first time really took in the building. It was a huge, three-story, mission style mansion.
'Finding this safe is going to be like finding a needle in a haystack,' Sydney thought to herself. 'Good thing I like a challenge.' Once she got to the large red door, she was stopped by a big, burly man with a clipboard.
"Nombre?" He asked, barely looking at her.
"Carman Alicia Lopez Medina," she replied, just as dully. Stepping inside, she was led by a butler through a massive entrance hall into an even bigger ballroom. This room had a three-story cathedral ceiling and was painted gold from top to bottom. Hundreds of richly dressed guests made small talk while a full orchestra played softly in the background. At least twenty waiters were making their way around the room with silver platters of escargo, caviar and flutes of champagne. 'Thank goodness SD-6 gave me this ruby necklace,' Sydney thought, fingering the jewels, 'I might not have fit in.' She quickly scanned the room, and, not seeing Hanein or Dixon, decided to look for the staircase. "Perdón," she asked the nearest waiter, "Dónde está el cuarto de baño?"
"Down the hall, second door on your left," he said smiling at her.
"Gracias," she replied, returning his smile. 'Cute,' she thought, 'He looks like Vaughn.' She blushed at that last thought. 'Don't think about Vaughn now, concentrate on the mission.'
Sydney went off in the direction the waiter pointed. The hallway was long, with four doors on each side. The end of the hallway opened up into a big atrium with stars sparkling through the glass ceiling. Stepping into it, she saw the staircase to her right-and a guard looking right at her. Sydney turned to go back but the guard walked toward her,
"Stop, who are you?"
"I'm sorry, I was just looking for the bathroom," Sydney said, giving her best pout. The guard softened momentarily,
"Right there," he said, pointing to a door.
"Thank you," Sydney said, entering and locking the door behind her. The bathroom was a sort of powder room that was the size of Sydney's kitchen at home. It was painted bright red with gold leaf stenciled on the walls and had a gold plated sink and mirror in an antique frame. The rug was plush red chenille and the toilet was marble.
"Sydney, do you copy?" Dixon's voice crackled through her earpiece.
"I'm here. I found the staircase, there's one guard watching it. I'm in a bathroom about thirty feet from it right now."
"Are you ready for me to use the watch?"
"Yes, I'm going radio silent."
"Okay, good luck."
"You too," Sydney said, before shutting off her earpiece and inserting earplugs. She then bent down on the floor to watch underneath the door for feet. She needed to make sure the guard left.
**************************
Dixon, who was standing in the middle of the ballroom, pressed the watch button. Hundreds of champagne glasses shattered, as did the five crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Dixon dropped his platter and grabbed his ears, contorting his face in agony. He was wearing earplugs but he didn't want to stick out.
**************************
Sydney saw the feet of the guard running past the door and counted to ten before ripping out her earplugs. She could hear two more sets of steps pounding down the stairs and waited for them to pass before she opened the door a crack to look around. To her right was the chaos of the ballroom. Women screaming, guards rushing around, glass crunching under feet. To her left was silence, no sign of anyone. She stepped stealthily out the door, moving against the wall into the atrium. Looking up, she saw no one near the stairs on the second floor. Running up the stairs she quickly put her ear to the nearest door and, hearing no activity, opened it and slipped in. Inside was a magnificent library with one entire wall of windows. Rows and rows of bookshelves lined the other three walls and clusters of leather chairs and sofas filled the middle. Sydney knew Hanein's office had to be somewhere near here. It was only logical. On the wall to the right of her, she noticed a large oak door, flanked on both sides by bookcases. Sydney again put her ear to the door, and when she was sure it was safe, turned the knob.
'Locked!' she thought, pulling out the chopsticks from her bun. Holding the end of one in her teeth, she pulled out a lock pick from inside, and then did the same with the other. Using the top quality SD-6 lock picks, she had the door open in no time. Closing the door softly behind her, Sydney saw she was in an office, and across the room from her was a safe. Running over to it, she attached her clutch to it and pressed her earring. She could hear the laser as it went around, cutting. Holding the clutch so it didn't fall, Sydney slowly pulled out the metal chunk. Inside she could see a tiara, a small black box, and-a set of blueprints. Grabbing the blueprints, she unrolled them and took two books off a desk to hold them down. She quickly ripped the ring off and held it up, pointing it at the blueprints. She took several pictures before sliding the ring back on. Next, she hiked up her skirt and wrapped the blueprints around her leg, sliding them up under the tight part of her dress and securing them with a black garter. Sydney picked up the clutch and was about to place the metal chunk back in the safe when suddenly there was an arm around her and a knife to her neck.
"Make one move and I slit your throat."
*****************************
Weiss, concentrating intently on the yo-yo he was "walking," stepped into Vaughn's office. "Want to go cruising for chicks tonight, Mike?"
"No, I'm not in the mood," Vaughn replied quietly, not looking up.
"Not in the mood!" Weiss stammered, finally looking up at Vaughn. "Oh, you have that coin again," he continued, referring to the coin Vaughn anxiously fiddled with every time he was worried about Sydney. "Come on Mike. It's a simple mission, you said so yourself. I'm sure she's fine."
"I know, it's just.something doesn't feel right."
"Mike. She can take care of herself. She's a big girl, even if you won't admit it."
"I know. I'm just afraid something will happen before."
"Before what?"
"Nothing. Just forget it."
"Mike," Weiss said, shutting the door, "Before what?"
"Before I can tell her how I feel about her," Vaughn sighed, surrendering.
"I think she already knows."
"It's not the same as if I tell her."
"Just be careful Mike. Don't get yourself in trouble."
"Getting myself in trouble is the least of my worries. I love my job, but mostly because I get to see her. She's the reason I wake up every morning. And if I get fired and have to live in hiding, I wouldn't care if she were with me. I've never felt this way about anyone before."
"Ooooooooooookay! Have you got it bad or what?!"
"Thanks for the support, Eric," Vaughn said, glaring at him
"Sorry. Listen, I'm sure she's fine. She's probably already got the blueprints and is on her way back."
"I hope so."
**************************
'Okay,' Sydney thought, 'stay calm. I have to think of something quick.'
"Who are you!" the man who had her asked.
"I.I," Sydney pretended to choke, "I can't breathe," she gasped. The man moved the knife a few inches further from her neck. That was all Sydney needed. In a quick, simultaneous movement, she put her arm out over her captor's foot and pulled her head back into his shoulder, moving farther from the knife and pressing her earring into him. The guard yelped in pain as the clutch released the huge chunk of steel on his foot. Sydney took this opportunity to grab his arm and twist it. Turning herself around, she kicked him in the stomach and jumped in the air, knocking him out with a huge spin-kick. She quickly grabbed the clutch and ran out the door. She knew other guards would soon come to see what the commotion was and she prayed Dixon would find some way to slow them down. Running through the library and down the stairs, Sydney made it into the bathroom just in time. Seconds later she heard footsteps and a knock at the door.
"Hello? Señorita?" Straightening her wig quickly in the mirror, Sydney steeped out,
"Yes?"
"You were in there for a long time. What's going on?"
"Women's troubles," she replied with a smile before walking away.
"Oh! Sorry," the guard replied, embarrassed.
****************************
"Morning, Francie," Sydney said smiling, as she walked into the kitchen the next morning. "What's for breakfast?"
"May I have a drum roll please?" Francie asked, not continuing until Sydney started drumming the kitchen table. "Today we are having.pause for dramatic effect.Lucky Charms!" Sydney and Francie laughed.
"You get the bowls, I'll get the spoons," Sydney said as she reached for the ringing phone. "Hello?"
"Joey's Pizza."
"Wrong number," Sydney said, then, turning to Francie, "Fran, hun, I'm going to have to pass on the Lucky Charms. I totally forgot I have a meeting this morning. I'm sorry."
"Can't you be a little late?"
"No, it's okay. I can last till lunch. I have to go get ready, okay? Oh, hey. Can you hang this phone up for me?" Sydney said, pressing the off button and handing the phone to Francie. "I'll see you later."
tbc.
p.s. Spanish phrases: Nombre?-Name? Perdón-Excuse me Dónde está el cuarto de baño?-Where is the bathroom? Gracias-Thank you
Chapter 4
Madrid, Spain
"Ready Syd?" Dixon asked, as they exited the SD-6 standard black van parked across the street from Hanein's home. Sydney tugged at her dress, making sure it wasn't wrinkled from the ride. The dress had a red, strapless corset bodice, and a black skirt that was skin tight to her knees where it began flamenco-dancer style ruffles. Reaching down to her feet, she adjusted her black, strappy heels, painted red toenails peeking out. Handing her gold clutch to Dixon, she smoothed her black wig, which was tied tight in a bun and secured with black chopsticks. Finally, she took a tube of bright red lipstick and applied it to her lips. She looked the part of the perfect Spanish señorita.
"Ready," she replied, taking her clutch from a Dixon as her laughed.
"I'll check in with you in ten minutes," he said, leaving to find the kitchen entrance. Sydney turned to walk to the house, and for the first time really took in the building. It was a huge, three-story, mission style mansion.
'Finding this safe is going to be like finding a needle in a haystack,' Sydney thought to herself. 'Good thing I like a challenge.' Once she got to the large red door, she was stopped by a big, burly man with a clipboard.
"Nombre?" He asked, barely looking at her.
"Carman Alicia Lopez Medina," she replied, just as dully. Stepping inside, she was led by a butler through a massive entrance hall into an even bigger ballroom. This room had a three-story cathedral ceiling and was painted gold from top to bottom. Hundreds of richly dressed guests made small talk while a full orchestra played softly in the background. At least twenty waiters were making their way around the room with silver platters of escargo, caviar and flutes of champagne. 'Thank goodness SD-6 gave me this ruby necklace,' Sydney thought, fingering the jewels, 'I might not have fit in.' She quickly scanned the room, and, not seeing Hanein or Dixon, decided to look for the staircase. "Perdón," she asked the nearest waiter, "Dónde está el cuarto de baño?"
"Down the hall, second door on your left," he said smiling at her.
"Gracias," she replied, returning his smile. 'Cute,' she thought, 'He looks like Vaughn.' She blushed at that last thought. 'Don't think about Vaughn now, concentrate on the mission.'
Sydney went off in the direction the waiter pointed. The hallway was long, with four doors on each side. The end of the hallway opened up into a big atrium with stars sparkling through the glass ceiling. Stepping into it, she saw the staircase to her right-and a guard looking right at her. Sydney turned to go back but the guard walked toward her,
"Stop, who are you?"
"I'm sorry, I was just looking for the bathroom," Sydney said, giving her best pout. The guard softened momentarily,
"Right there," he said, pointing to a door.
"Thank you," Sydney said, entering and locking the door behind her. The bathroom was a sort of powder room that was the size of Sydney's kitchen at home. It was painted bright red with gold leaf stenciled on the walls and had a gold plated sink and mirror in an antique frame. The rug was plush red chenille and the toilet was marble.
"Sydney, do you copy?" Dixon's voice crackled through her earpiece.
"I'm here. I found the staircase, there's one guard watching it. I'm in a bathroom about thirty feet from it right now."
"Are you ready for me to use the watch?"
"Yes, I'm going radio silent."
"Okay, good luck."
"You too," Sydney said, before shutting off her earpiece and inserting earplugs. She then bent down on the floor to watch underneath the door for feet. She needed to make sure the guard left.
**************************
Dixon, who was standing in the middle of the ballroom, pressed the watch button. Hundreds of champagne glasses shattered, as did the five crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Dixon dropped his platter and grabbed his ears, contorting his face in agony. He was wearing earplugs but he didn't want to stick out.
**************************
Sydney saw the feet of the guard running past the door and counted to ten before ripping out her earplugs. She could hear two more sets of steps pounding down the stairs and waited for them to pass before she opened the door a crack to look around. To her right was the chaos of the ballroom. Women screaming, guards rushing around, glass crunching under feet. To her left was silence, no sign of anyone. She stepped stealthily out the door, moving against the wall into the atrium. Looking up, she saw no one near the stairs on the second floor. Running up the stairs she quickly put her ear to the nearest door and, hearing no activity, opened it and slipped in. Inside was a magnificent library with one entire wall of windows. Rows and rows of bookshelves lined the other three walls and clusters of leather chairs and sofas filled the middle. Sydney knew Hanein's office had to be somewhere near here. It was only logical. On the wall to the right of her, she noticed a large oak door, flanked on both sides by bookcases. Sydney again put her ear to the door, and when she was sure it was safe, turned the knob.
'Locked!' she thought, pulling out the chopsticks from her bun. Holding the end of one in her teeth, she pulled out a lock pick from inside, and then did the same with the other. Using the top quality SD-6 lock picks, she had the door open in no time. Closing the door softly behind her, Sydney saw she was in an office, and across the room from her was a safe. Running over to it, she attached her clutch to it and pressed her earring. She could hear the laser as it went around, cutting. Holding the clutch so it didn't fall, Sydney slowly pulled out the metal chunk. Inside she could see a tiara, a small black box, and-a set of blueprints. Grabbing the blueprints, she unrolled them and took two books off a desk to hold them down. She quickly ripped the ring off and held it up, pointing it at the blueprints. She took several pictures before sliding the ring back on. Next, she hiked up her skirt and wrapped the blueprints around her leg, sliding them up under the tight part of her dress and securing them with a black garter. Sydney picked up the clutch and was about to place the metal chunk back in the safe when suddenly there was an arm around her and a knife to her neck.
"Make one move and I slit your throat."
*****************************
Weiss, concentrating intently on the yo-yo he was "walking," stepped into Vaughn's office. "Want to go cruising for chicks tonight, Mike?"
"No, I'm not in the mood," Vaughn replied quietly, not looking up.
"Not in the mood!" Weiss stammered, finally looking up at Vaughn. "Oh, you have that coin again," he continued, referring to the coin Vaughn anxiously fiddled with every time he was worried about Sydney. "Come on Mike. It's a simple mission, you said so yourself. I'm sure she's fine."
"I know, it's just.something doesn't feel right."
"Mike. She can take care of herself. She's a big girl, even if you won't admit it."
"I know. I'm just afraid something will happen before."
"Before what?"
"Nothing. Just forget it."
"Mike," Weiss said, shutting the door, "Before what?"
"Before I can tell her how I feel about her," Vaughn sighed, surrendering.
"I think she already knows."
"It's not the same as if I tell her."
"Just be careful Mike. Don't get yourself in trouble."
"Getting myself in trouble is the least of my worries. I love my job, but mostly because I get to see her. She's the reason I wake up every morning. And if I get fired and have to live in hiding, I wouldn't care if she were with me. I've never felt this way about anyone before."
"Ooooooooooookay! Have you got it bad or what?!"
"Thanks for the support, Eric," Vaughn said, glaring at him
"Sorry. Listen, I'm sure she's fine. She's probably already got the blueprints and is on her way back."
"I hope so."
**************************
'Okay,' Sydney thought, 'stay calm. I have to think of something quick.'
"Who are you!" the man who had her asked.
"I.I," Sydney pretended to choke, "I can't breathe," she gasped. The man moved the knife a few inches further from her neck. That was all Sydney needed. In a quick, simultaneous movement, she put her arm out over her captor's foot and pulled her head back into his shoulder, moving farther from the knife and pressing her earring into him. The guard yelped in pain as the clutch released the huge chunk of steel on his foot. Sydney took this opportunity to grab his arm and twist it. Turning herself around, she kicked him in the stomach and jumped in the air, knocking him out with a huge spin-kick. She quickly grabbed the clutch and ran out the door. She knew other guards would soon come to see what the commotion was and she prayed Dixon would find some way to slow them down. Running through the library and down the stairs, Sydney made it into the bathroom just in time. Seconds later she heard footsteps and a knock at the door.
"Hello? Señorita?" Straightening her wig quickly in the mirror, Sydney steeped out,
"Yes?"
"You were in there for a long time. What's going on?"
"Women's troubles," she replied with a smile before walking away.
"Oh! Sorry," the guard replied, embarrassed.
****************************
"Morning, Francie," Sydney said smiling, as she walked into the kitchen the next morning. "What's for breakfast?"
"May I have a drum roll please?" Francie asked, not continuing until Sydney started drumming the kitchen table. "Today we are having.pause for dramatic effect.Lucky Charms!" Sydney and Francie laughed.
"You get the bowls, I'll get the spoons," Sydney said as she reached for the ringing phone. "Hello?"
"Joey's Pizza."
"Wrong number," Sydney said, then, turning to Francie, "Fran, hun, I'm going to have to pass on the Lucky Charms. I totally forgot I have a meeting this morning. I'm sorry."
"Can't you be a little late?"
"No, it's okay. I can last till lunch. I have to go get ready, okay? Oh, hey. Can you hang this phone up for me?" Sydney said, pressing the off button and handing the phone to Francie. "I'll see you later."
tbc.
p.s. Spanish phrases: Nombre?-Name? Perdón-Excuse me Dónde está el cuarto de baño?-Where is the bathroom? Gracias-Thank you