"Looks like Adrianna is on her own," Alexander said, sighing loudly.
"I'll meet you outside the door Alex. We need to follow them, to make sure she's alright," Sydney spoke over the comlink.
"Right," he said, and within moments he was staring into the brown eyes of Sydney Bristow. His eyes took in her appearance as she began walking in front of him. She was clad in a tight, white long-sleeved top and black leather miniskirt, along with knee-high black leather boots. Her hair was now long and a deep crimson, swaying slightly as she walked.
God, she was beautiful. He found himself saying that a lot lately.
"Take a picture Alexander. We have work to do," she said, although her back was facing him as they walked. He picked up the pace to stride beside her.
"How do you know that I was taking in your appearance Miss Bristow?"
"Because you were quiet...for once. We have more important things to worry about," she said.
"Right," he sighed, but his smirk remained on his face. They could see Adrianna climbing into the passenger seat of a vehicle as Sydney and Alexander climbed into the car they were driving.
"Why do you get to drive?" Sark whined.
"Do you really want to have this conversation now?" Sydney asked.
"Not particularly," he answered.
"Then shut up," she said, feigning seriousness. He folded his arms over his chest.
As they tailed Mikhail's vehicle, silence permeated their vehicle until Sydney spoke.
"I love those pants by the way."
Alexander had no vocal response. He only snorted.
*****
Ten minutes later, Adrianna and Mikhail arrived at an apartment complex outside of Moscow. Adrianna realized that this wasn't Mikhail's usual residence, but probably a place where he met with contacts. She followed him to the second floor, where he proceeded to a small apartment. Once inside, they both sat down. Mikhail offered her a cigarette, which she accepted, and after she lit it, he spoke to her.
"So you want to know about Lazarey?" he asked. She exhaled before speaking.
"Yes. Everything you know, I want to know," she said.
"Why the sudden interest in a dead man?" he asked.
"You and I both know damn well that he is not dead," Adrianna spoke, gazing at him pointedly. He did not falter.
"He died six months ago," he answered, exhaling smoke.
"You're lying. I saw him two months ago," she said.
"What? How?" he demanded.
"I was on a mission. I ran into him. He tried to conceal himself, but it was too late. I recognized his face," she answered, crossing her legs provocatively. Mikhail smiled at her.
"You caught me Adrianna. He's not dead," Mikhail answered, slithering to sit beside her on the couch. He leaned closer to her. Adrianna fought valiantly to resist striking him in the face.
"Why would you lie to me Mikhail?" she whined, "I thought you trusted me."
"Oh, darling, I do. I do. But why do you want to know about Lazarey?" he asked, stroking her cheek.
"He owes me," Adrianna answered.
"Owes you what my dear?" Mikhail asked, his curiosity piqued. Adrianna smiled, lifting her hand to stroke his cheek.
"A woman never betrays her client's trust Mikhail," she spoke, leaning closer to him. She traced his mouth with her finger, and kissed his mouth, pulling away quickly.
"Adrianna," he began, surprised. She silenced him, placing her finger over his mouth.
"Mikhail, tell me why Lazarey fabricated his death," she purred. Mikhail was visibly crumbling.
"Lazarey..." he fumbled, "He used some woman the Covenant was manipulating...she pretended to kill him. He left Russia," he said.
"And where is he now?" she asked.
"I...I don't know," he answered, trying to kiss her again. She resisted.
"Where is he now?" she repeated.
"He's in Ireland. He's going after Irina Derevko," Mikhail answered.
*****
"Did you hear that?" Sydney asked, as they sat outside of Mikhail's apartment complex.
"I'm right here Bristow. Of course I heard it," Alexander answered.
"Why would he be going after my mother?" she hissed.
"Be quiet, and maybe we'll hear his reply," he answered. When Alexander had finished speaking, they realized that no sound was coming through their comlinks. They glanced at one another and within moments they were sprinting toward the stairs.
*****
It took about five seconds for Alexander Lazarey to penetrate Mikhail's apartment with a swift kick. He wasn't prepared for what he and Sydney saw next.
Mikhail Khruschev was laying in a pool of blood on the floor. His sister, her hair disheveled, stood over him, knife drawn. She stared at his body for a few moments before recognizing the presence of her brother and his partner. She looked at them pointedly before speaking.
"He tried to kiss me again," she answered. Sydney and Alexander nodded. They simply wiped off everything that Adrianna believed she had touched, and left his body where it was. As they walked back to their vehicle, Adrianna broke their silence.
"He's trying to kill your mother Sydney. He discovered that she knows that he was responsible for your disappearance," Adrianna spoke.
"Why did he take me in the first place?" Sydney asked, putting their car into drive.
"You were one of many who were taken. You all were taken in order to discover who could become the most effective and elusive assassin for the Covenant. You were the most effective Sydney," Adrianna whispered from the backseat.
"So I killed innocent people," Sydney whispered. Alexander reached over from the passenger seat and squeezed her shoulder.
"Well, I know this does not ease your mind, but they probably weren't all innocent," Adrianna said.
"You were a different person then, Sydney," Alexander spoke.
"Yes, Sydney, you were under their control," Adrianna said.
"But..."Sydney began.
"But nothing Bristow. Yes, you were under their control, under my father's control. Now you're in control. Take it. Use it," Alexander said, looking at her pointedly. Sydney watched through the rearview mirror as Adrianna nodded in agreement.
"Yes Sydney," Adrianna said, leaning forward to rest her arm on the front seat, "Destroy my father, you destroy the Covenant." Sydney hesitated. Was she ready to face Lazarey, her past and the sins she had committed? One look at Alexander and she knew the answer.
"When do we begin?" she asked.