Sorry, I realize that fanfics aren't the best place for filler, but I love it. I tried to keep it to a minimum and I hope you enjoy.

Rio de Janeiro...

Sark's plan was bouncing around in Sydney's head again. Whenever she wasn't focused on the mission she was thinking about what he'd said.

"It's very simple, Agents Bristow, Weiss, and Dixon. I have information I'm willing to share, as well as information to keep from others if you will help me. My request is small, quite easy for such accomplished agents as you."

"Flattery's not your strong suit. On with it."

"You have a choice. Bring me Yegor Gurov's daughter, Bridgette, or my mother. Either way, you'll come out ahead. For that, I'll stay quiet."

Focus Sydney. Okay, so the plan wasn't too out there but they were making deals with Sark of all people. Of course his plan was deeper than that but Sydney had taken to boiling down everything he said into as few words as possible. Thinking of him was like reflecting favorably on a never-ending toothache. The world had been up-ended. But she couldn't think about that now. She was in mission mode.

She straightened her grey jacket and flattened her hair with her right hand. Eric was the picture of confidence in his jet black suit and ruby silk shirt. They had to look, feel, be the part of powerful black market dealers and they did. Missions were always easier when their covers were nothing like the spies' actual personality. Their cover: Sydney and Eric equaled a powerful, deeply in love, married couple, in search for a company to do business with. Their power came from the strength they gave each other. Unfortunately, it hit a little too close to home for Sydney. Additionally, the operative in trouble was working undercover for a man she absolutely hated in an office that was hidden deep underground as part of a stock brokerage firm. And, as always, the building was completely in sight yet completely hidden.

The company was a money laundering sight for most of the VO8's finances- nothing to do with espionage yet still just as dangerous. The operative in trouble, known now as Charlotte Soulier, had one mission: to track all actions of the organization. But the information that was supposed to be hush-hush was somehow getting to government officials and the mole was being hunted down.

"Sydney, are you ready for this?" Jack was stationed in the driver's seat and somehow always seemed to figure out when her mind wasn't in the game.

"Yeah."

"Hey, of course she is. No worries mate," Eric's cover was a classy yet flashy socialite from England who always spoke his mind and infuriated almost everyone he met. He said he'd have no troubles with the cover since he'd met the real version of the character now locked up in a cell. "Syd's our girl. She'll get it done."

Even with his alias's cocky accent, Eric didn't sound at all convinced of his declaration. But she couldn't worry about his doubts as well as her own. Worries get people in trouble. Fears get people killed. She needed to study something steady. Something focused. She watched her dad in the rearview mirror and felt her nerves calm a bit. Jack was a rock in her spy world and was helping her through each day more and more. He believed in her and that made her believe she could do anything.

Jack slowed the car at the guard stand, got clearance, and delivered them to the doors. The mission was definitely on.

Eric helped Sydney out of the car and wrapped his arm around her waist like it was the most natural thing to do. That fact didn't calm the eagles dive-bombing Sydney's insides.

"Hey, love, are you all right?"

Taking a deep breath, she glanced around for security watching them before speaking. "When we get home, I think we need to talk."

She thought that she felt his arm muscles tighten against her back but he nonchalantly said okay and opened the reflective glass door for her. The entrance was simply decorated and almost seemed inviting to anyone who wandered in through the front doors. Two receptionists were busy behind the counter as were three security guards patrolling the long hallways and open area that Sydney and Eric were now a part of.

Sydney addressed the older receptionist, hoping to find a sweet spirit. "'Cuse me dear, we have a meeting with Monsieur de Meirelles and we wish not to make him wait any longer."

The hag wasn't as accommodating as Syd had hoped for she immediately waved over a security guard who occupied their time as the lady called someone. Maybe it was common to them. It was certainly common to her but it always made her nervous to think that someone would find one of Marshall's gadgets.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, so sorry for all the fuss but I assure you that safety is our number one goal. It's not everyday that we get a request such as yours." The man with the thick Brazilian accent was extremely well dressed and groomed. He definitely had his fingers on the money running through the building.

Clearing his throat, Eric responded in a disgusted tone as he straightened his coat, "that's not what Olga tells me."

Nervously, de Meirelles cleared his throat and shifted his weight. "Of course. How is Sra. Preto?"

"She'd wonder what's taking so blessed long, I'm sure." Sydney always loved when her alias had a little kick to them and Afton Hughes definitely had spunk. "Do let us speed this along. Everett and I wish to spend some time on your enchanting Copacabana Beach."

"Understandable, Sra. Hughes. Follow me, please."

As the three headed down the far right hallway, Sydney adjusted her glasses as she studied all aspects of the interior.

Marshall excitedly scooted around the desk and showed Eric and Syd the glasses in his hands. "Everyday, ordinary, run-of-the-mill yet oh so fashionable glasses, right? Wrong. See the bridge? There's a tiny dart hidden right in the, uh, center. See? Well, no, because you shouldn't be able to see it 'cause it'd give you away. Now, the building you're going to runs the security, fire, lights, you name it, off of the same system. It's nice and easy for them, seemingly secure, but it's not. It's easy for us to break into. All you have to do, Syd, is fire the dart toward something like a fire detector and boom; we loaded straight in their mainframe. Pretty cool, hunh?"

Ushering them into a plush office, a stark contrast to the lobby, de Meirelles excused himself and closed the door behind him; a tactic to give him control of the situation.

"Really, Everett, we should consider changing our occupation. Money laundering really seems to bring in a pound or two."

"Yeah, it's just the conversion rate you must look out for. Thank you Affy, but I think I'll stick with our operation." It was all just chatter. They knew the office had bugs everywhere and that de Meirelles was watching them for any mistakes while he scanned them and checked their backgrounds.

"Freelancer, I've located the operative. She's two floors down in the south wing." Jack was, as always, all business.

"Brilliant," Sydney breathed as the door swung open again.

"A thousand apologies for the wait, but I had to tend to something." Swiftly, de Meirelles took his seat behind the desk and steepled his fingers.

Sydney smiled, "speaking of tending to something, where's the loo?" Moments later, she was on her way to saving Charlotte.

"Okay, freelancer, the coast is clear and the surveillance tapes are looped." Stealthfully, she entered the stairwell and descended the steps to sub-level two. "Clear." After pulling the door open and surveying the hallway, she hugged the wall and hurried to the room where the operative was being detained.

"Now Syd, after you do your little get away move, which, by the way, you do so well, you'll need this. It looks like a plain, boring security pass, right? Well, don't touch the front and back of the card at the same time. Because, if you do, you'll be out, like passed out, for awhile, or, at least, I think a while. I didn't exactly look at my watch when I woke up. But, you didn't need to know that, did you? That's fine, but the guard will be out. Out cold."

The guard at the door was slacking off. Sydney was already next to him before he realized she was there.

"Desculpe-me, senhor. Tento de achar o lugar de cópia?"

"Onde é seua folga?" Handing him Marshall's card by the edges, she stepped back a few feet as he slumped to the ground. Pulling off his key ring, she quickly had the door open and was releasing the captive agent. "I'm Sydney. I'm getting you out of here."

"Bridgette."

The next few chapters should come quickly and be great. Sorry if my Portuguese is a tad off. Please, let me know what you think!