DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters (except for the original ones) nor do I profit economically when I write these fictions. Thank you.
CHAPTER TWELVE
[Several weeks later]
Dixon was sitting in the conference room, waiting for the people he asked to come for the meeting to arrive. After a few minutes, entered the room.
"This is Aram Tour." Dixon started as he turned on the monitor, showing a photo of an attractive man in his mid fifties. He looked like a businessman.
"Aram Tour is a very rich man. All of his businesses are legal and successful. He is also a Rambaldi follower. Echelon recorded a conversation between our informant in the Covenant and Arvin Sloane. His name cropped up. Sloane said that he's quite informative about Rambaldi's other prophecies. They are going to kidnap him."
"What do you want us to do?" Weiss asked. He was seated in between Sydney and Marshall.
"Stop this kidnapping and convince him not to align himself with Sloane and the Covenant at all cost. And if he asks for it, protection for his family." Dixon answered.
"Where and when will this kidnapping occur?' Vaughn, who was seated between Paris and Jack, asked.
"In Italy. Mr. Tour will be holding a charity ball, a formal party, for one of his aid organizations. He will be kidnapped at the latter part of the night." Dixon answered. "Aram Tour is a bit distrustful when it comes to the CIA. So it will be quite hard to convince him. But…"
"But what?" Paris asked a few minutes later after Dixon paused.
"It was found out that Aram Tour's very good friends with Irina Derevko." Dixon answered.
"He is?" They all asked simultaneously.
"How?" Marshall asked.
"Irina Derevko saved his life. He was going to be executed by the KGB when Ms. Derevko intervened. She also helped him get started with his car business, the first business he put up."
"Okay. So what?" Weiss asked.
"Aram Tour will listen to Irina Derevko. It was learned that the last person she talked to before she turned herself in was him."
"Are you saying that she accompany us in the mission?" Jack asked.
Dixon nodded. "All of you will go. Yes, including you, Marshall."
"What? What will I do?" Marshall asked.
"You will be with Weiss. The two of you will be monitoring them from the outside. Vaughn, Sydney and Paris will be back-up to Jack, who will be with Irina." Dixon replied. "I've already cleared this with Langley and FBI. Ms. Derevko will be injected with both a passive and active transmitter, plus a necklace layered with C-4 that can be activated with a remote detonator."
The whole room was quiet.
"Does mom know?" Paris asked.
"Yes. And we've already assigned you your covers." Dixon said and distributed folders around the table.
"Sydney will be the only daughter of an oil tycoon who was educated in a boarding school in Switzerland. Paris, you'll be a pianist for the British Philharmonic and you will play for the party. Jack, you and Irina will be a billionaire couple, happily married and very affectionate to each other. Vaughn you are the heir to a multi-million real-estate company." Dixon continued.
"There will be other CIA agents, but they are going to be part of the security detail and not be part in the convincing of Mr. Tour's cooperation. Are there any questions?"
He looked around. There seemed to be no questions. "Marshall will brief you in your Optec. Your plane leaves tonight. Good luck."
Sydney was reading the folder that was given to her by Dixon. She is sitting on the seat near her father and her mother who were busy reviewing the mission. They are seated facing each otherShe looked behind her. Marshall, who is doing something in the computer, is seated across Paris. She has a portable electric piano with her and she was busy studying the pieces that were given to her. She's wearing earphones so that she's the only one who can hear the music she's playing.
Adjacent to them were Vaughn and Weiss. Vaughn is seated across Weiss and they too, were busy reviewing the mission.
Sydney heard Paris sigh. She looked like she's going to tear out her hair and frustration. She was looking at one of the music sheets. Sydney stood up and went to her.
Sydney sat down beside her sister and looked at what she was doing.
Paris noticed her and took off the earphones. "I don't understand it." She said.
"What don't you understand?"
"Why did they give me pieces from almost all of the musical period? It's a bit… it's hard to memorize ten pieces, one of them, thirteen minutes long, in just sixteen hours." Paris replied and showed her the sheets.
"I have Baroque, Classical, the Romantic, the Impressionistic and twentieth century compositions. There's Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven. I have Jazz, and two from musicals. The content is just so… overwhelming."
"I'm sorry." Marshall said. "Those were in the list of what Aram Tour wanted to be played in his party." He explained.
"No need to say sorry, Mr. Flinkman." Paris said to him and smiled.
Sydney took one of the sheets. It was a Chopin piece. "Do you know this?" She asked. It was Waltz in D Flat.
"Yes. That was my recital piece." Paris said. She took a deep breath as she took another Chopin's masterpiece Scherzo No.2 in B Flat Minor. "This is so exasperating."
"What is so exasperating?" Irina asked as she approached them.
"Her piano pieces." Sydney said. Irina sat down beside Marshall. Marshall sat up a straight. He looked like a schoolboy in the presence of his very strict headmistress.
Irina smiled a bit then took the musical sheets in Paris' hands. "What don't you understand?" She asked after a few minutes of studying the piece.
Paris leaned forward and pointed the part where she got inundated. Irina took the electric piano and started to play it.
When she finished, everyone was looking at her with surprise in their faces.
"Ms. Derevko… that was fantastic." Marshall said, awe-struck.
Irina smiled at him. "Paris is much, much better."" She replied then looked at Paris. "I think you're having a hard time because you're not wearing your eyeglasses." She said.
"No, I'm not." Paris answered, denying what her mother said.
"Wow, mom. You've played it so… well." Sydney said to Irina.
"I studied piano when I was a child. And I studied again when Paris started to play so that she won't be discouraged."
"Hmm…" Sydney replied as her glance flicked to her father. He seemed to be very absorbed with reviewing the mission.
"Uh… may I take a picture of you three together?" Marshall asked.
Sydney smiled. "Why?"
"Well… uh… I want to show my mom my beautiful co-workers that I've been telling her about... and I want to have a remembrance of this mission."
"But Mr. Flinkman, I'm not your co-worker." Irina interjected.
"Its okay, Ms. Derevko. You're the mother of my beautiful co-workers… I guess that count."
Paris and Sydney laughed. Irina smiled at him and joined her daughters in their seat.
"You know, Mr. Flinkman? You are absolutely charming." Paris said as Marshall readied his digital camera.
"Ready? One, two, three."
Mother and daughters smiled for the camera. For the men observing the scene, the three women looked so beautiful.
"I haven't said this before, but those women are absolutely gorgeous. You are so lucky. I now know why Jack fell for Irina." Weiss whispered to Vaughn. "And her genes are strong." He added in the same tone.
"Man, what will you do if you get to marry a woman that beautiful?" Weiss whispered to Vaughn after Irina stood up and went back to her seat.
Vaughn looked at him.
"Oh, was that a stupid question?" Weiss asked a bit jokingly. "You're going to marry her daughter, won't you?" he whispered.
"I'm not going to answer that question." Vaughn replied then returned his attention back to the documents in the folder. A little while later, he looked discreetly at the direction of Sydney. She was smiling at something Marshall said.
A smile appeared on his lips. 'Yeah. Weiss is right. I am going to marry her.'
Jack and Irina walked in the grand hall of the Aram Tour's building. They are Mr. and Mrs. Giambelli, he, being a powerful shipping magnate and she, being an heiress to a multi-billion dollar corporation.
The orchestra was playing Vivaldi. They can see Paris playing the piano together with some violinist. She was wearing a midnight blue gown and she's wearing a blonde wig.
They were escorted to their table. It seems that all eyes were on them. Frankly, who wouldn't, when Jack and Irina practically glowed with charm and allure? Upon reaching the empty table, it looks like the others will be having a late entrance.
Jack glanced at Irina. She was listening to the music.
He discreetly observed her. Irina's hair was up in a French twist and there were some loose locks framing her face. His gaze looked down and his eyes rested on the diamond necklace that which has C-4 in it. It has real diamonds.
"Too bad if you try to escape, that beautiful necklace will go to waste." Jack whispered to her ear.
"But I'm not." Irina murmured. A tingling sensation went through her as she felt Jack's nibble her ear. 'Did he just nibble my ear?' she thought as she took a deep breath then looked at him. Their faces were dangerously close to each other.
"What are you doing?" Irina whispered.
"Acting very affectionate." Jack replied softly. Then, he switched to the 'loving husband mode' again.
"You are so beautiful. Did you know that?" Jack said, in a stage whisper.
"You've told me that countless of times." She answered. Even if she knows that what Jack is saying is just an act, Irina's heart began to beat faster. She then looked at his lips.
'God, I want to kiss those luscious lips again.' She thought and reverted back her attention to the music. Paris was doing wonderfully well, despite the fact that she had a hard time understanding some of the movements.
Meanwhile, Sydney was being escorted to her table. To her surprise, she was tabled with Vaughn. Her mother and father's table were closer to the piano. She sat down next to him. Vaughn temporarily dyed his hair blonde and has a fake tan.
He looked devilishly handsome.
"Good Evening." He greeted as Sydney turned to him. Sydney was wearing a moss green gown, with a low cut at the back. She was also wearing a red wig.
"Good Evening." She answered.
"What is a beautiful woman like you, doing without an escort?" Vaughn asked. Sydney looked at him then gave a small smile.
"Everybody was just, so busy." Sydney answered. Vaughn smiled at her.
"I'm James Tyler." He said and offered hand. The setting was totally reverse, since it was widely known that the girl should offer her hand first in a handshake.
"Katrina Guerrero." Sydney said and shook his hand.
"Guerrero, as in, Guerrero the oil tycoon?" The man next to them said.
Sydney looked at the speaker. It was another CIA agent, a Mr. David Petersen.
"Yes. My father couldn't come and he asked me if I could stand-in for him." Sydney said. "And you are?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm William Harper." Mr. Petersen answered. Sydney gave him a smile.
She then glanced at her father and mother's position. Her mother was laughing at something her dad said. She knows it all an act but it looked so… natural.
Vaughn glanced at her and found her looking at her parents.
"Fascinated with the Giambelli's?" Vaughn asked. Sydney looked at him.
"A bit… they're affectionate." Sydney answered. "The pianist is good, isn't she?" Sydney asked him, referring to Paris.
"Very good." Vaughn replied. Sydney smiled at him.
The night went on smoothly. The food and wine was overflowing and the agents tried hard not to enjoy it too much. There is a mission.
"I envy you guys. Bring back some food." Paris heard Weiss say in her com link. He and Marshall were in the van a seven hundred fifty meters away from the building.
"Who are you saying lucky? I've been playing the piano for almost three hours, nonstop." She whispered, still pressing the piano keys. Her fingers are getting tired.
"Well, you're playing it beautifully." Weiss answered. He looked at Marshall, who was also listening, while at the same time checking the videos.
"Tell her she's playing it like a pro." Marshall said as he watched the people in the room. They looked so… rich. And the Bristow's fit right in.
"Marshall says you play it like a pro."
"Thank you for the compliment." Paris whispered as she neared the end of the Blue Danube Waltz
"Okay, don't forget the food."
At twelve midnight, Aram Tour finally appeared, with a beautiful woman by his side.
"There's Aram." Irina whispered to Jack. They, together with the other couples, were dancing to the slow music.
"I see him." Jack whispered. Irina was 'behaved' the whole night. Well, there were a couple of teasing but it was fine, overall.
"Who's with him?" Jack asked.
"It's his girlfriend. Aram changes girlfriend as often as he changes clothes. But he makes a background check first, in case she might not be a fit mother for his two children." Irina answered. "Shall we go to him?" Irina asked.
"After this dance." Jack murmured as they glided gracefully across the dance floor.
A few minutes later, they walked towards Aram Tour's table.
"Hello, Aram." Irina greeted. Jack was standing behind her.
"Hmmm… you're here." Aram greeted as he stood up. He looked pleased. "I have something to tell you."
"I have something to tell you too." Irina said, smiling at him.
"Okay. Let's go to my office, then." Aram said. He recognized the man behind his friend.
The three of them slipped away quietly and went to Aram Tour's office.
"I thought you told me you're going to turn yourself to the CIA?" Aram asked as he closed the door to his majestic workplace.
"I'm still in CIA custody. Paris is working for them." Irina said.
"Hmm… have a seat. And how is your little girl?" Aram asked.
"She's fine. Still the same." Irina answered as she and Jack sat down. Jack was alert for any traps in case Aram Tour has already associated himself with Sloane.
"So, what are you going to tell me?" Aram asked.
"No, you first." Irina said and smiled a bit.
"Well… I'm engaged." Aram said. Irina smiled even wider.
"Wow, congratulations." Irina said. Aram nodded his head. He too, is smiling.
"Now, what are you going to tell me?" Aram asked.
"Well, first of all. The CIA received Intel reports that you're going to be kidnapped." Jack said. Aram Tour didn't looked shock at this revelation.
"So that's why there were a couple of CIA agents around." Aram said.
"How did you know?" Jack asked. Irina looked at him.
"Aram can spot a CIA agent a mile away." Irina said.
"Is this your husband?" Aram asked, looking at Jack interestedly.
"Ex-husband." Jack corrected.
"Anyway, Aram, these men work for Sloane."
"You mean Sloane the asshole? Despicable Arvin Sloane?!" Aram asked, a bit angry.
"Yeah. He wants you to work with him. That's why we're here. To stop your kidnapping and to ask you not to align yourself with him." Jack said.
"I will never align myself with Arvin Sloane. Never! He's a despicable son of a bxxch."
Irina nodded her head, understanding Aram's hatred towards the man.
"Oh, I heard this little rumor that he's after a Rambaldi artifact. The one he thinks is mine but is actually yours. A trusted aide gave me this." Aram said as he looked for something in his pile of papers. "Here," he said as he handed a folder to Irina.
"Those people have been in my cruise ship. They're booked until the cruise reaches Tunisia. I'll be boarding that cruise ship for my routine inspection here, in Italy. My aide told me they work for Arvin Sloane." Aram said.
Irina passed the folder to Jack. He looked at it. It was pictures of Sark, Lauren and MacKenas Cole. In some of the pictures, bodyguards accompanied them.
"This is what Dixon said." Jack muttered.
"What?" Irina asked.
"Nothing. Do you have any requests from the CIA, Mr. Tour? You are going against Sloane and The Covenant."
"Like what?" Aram asked.
"Like protection for your family. Those kinds of things." Jack said.
"Thank you for asking, but I have my own private army." Aram said jokingly.
"Well, then we'd better go, Aram." Irina said.
Aram Tour stood up and walked towards his friend. He kissed her in the cheek.
"It's nice to see you again, Irishka. I hope you board that cruise ship. I really want to give you back that Rambaldi artifact." Aram said to her.
"I don't think so, Aram. It's not my call." Irina said as they walked out of the office.
"Well, I hope you attend my wedding. I'll send the CIA an invitation." Aram said in a low voice. Irina gave a laugh.
"Okay. Have a wonderful wedding." Irina said and they left.
Jack looked at her as they went back the hall. It seems that the Sloane didn't go through with his plan.
"Sir, the kidnappers were apprehended a few meters outside of Aram Tour's office." Jack heard in his com link. "Bluebird is waiting for you and Mountaineer and Boy Scout are in the extraction point."
"We'll be there, in a few minutes." Jack said to his com link. Turning to Irina, he said, "Let's go. They're waiting for us."
A/N- crappy ending, I know... leave a review, the next chapter's nice