Sydney refused to take her eyes off Vaughn even for a minute, as they were both dragged out onto the truck floor and shoved against each side of the Focus. Just as a precaution, both were roughly frisked again and their jackets and vests removed before guards pulled their arms behind them. Vaughn briefly rested his head on top of the Ford, fighting the disorientation that had returned with the abrupt, forced movements.
"We are on our way to Mr. Sloane's jet," Sark said from somewhere behind them, as guards bound their wrists behind them with deceptively weak-looking cords that immediately cut into their skin, and then wound more cord around their upper arms and waists, effectively immobilizing them from the waist up. "I regret that you will both be required to rest for the duration of our flight."
Still locking gazes with her slightly woozy boyfriend, Sydney flinched. "Mr. Vaughn has a concussion," she said, her voice brittle. Vaughn glared, annoyed at her overprotectiveness. I can take care of myself, Sydney. "Forcing him to sleep would be a bad idea. But I'm sure you know that already."
"Indeed, we are aware of Mr. Vaughn's condition," Sark replied. The jarring flashlights lessened in effect as he stepped into their line of sight. "It is a necessary risk."
He gestured. Neither had time to react before syringes were injected. Sleep was instantaneous.
Sark waited impatiently while the guards caught the drugged prisoners when they sagged and deposited them on the truck floor. "Finish binding them," he ordered. "Blindfolds and gags as well. Do not underestimate them even for a second, or you will be the one to pay the consequences."
He touched his earpiece. "We're ready back here."
"Excellent," Sloane complimented. "We're arriving at the jet now. We'll be joining Caplan in Saria. I've been reading Agent Vaughn's file and the wealth of knowledge he possesses will be very useful to our operations."
Eric Weiss did not scare easily. Nor did he anger easily. As far as he was concerned, life was too short to take things seriously.
He was CIA after all, and thus, had seen more nightmares come to life than all of the Hollywood acting crews combined. Even the ones that aren't high. The key to living such a life, he had learned, was to just sit back and go with the flow. And it was a successful way to live.
But today, hopelessly tailing two good friends and knowing in the back of his mind that he wouldn't be in time to save them, was causing a dangerous man to come forth. No one, no one, was allowed to lay a hand on his best friend and live. No one.
Mike called him on his overprotectiveness, of course. He wasn't that much younger than Weiss himself. But while Weiss reveled in his immaturity in ways that weren't likely to get him killed unless it was out of annoyance, Mike went a very different route. It was almost as though the younger agent was not satisfied in his work results until his life was threatened; something that never failed to boggle Weiss' mind.
And when Agent Vaughn's favorite spy was around, Mike's recklessness increased to the point that Weiss had considered handcuffing him to his chair to chill him out. Twice. No, three times.
And now Sloane and Sark had him. Both of them. Exhausted from his flight home, Weiss buried his head in his hands from where he sat at Mike's desk, trying unsuccessfully to find something – anything – that would help in the search. It had already been almost 10 hours, and though the CIA was trying every avenue, they had yet to find even a hint of where Mike and Sydney had been taken.
With a bittersweet smile, he opened the top desk drawer and pulled out Mike's silver coin, flipping it absently. Stay safe, buddy. We'll get you guys home.
"Any news? I… Marshall called me. Sydney has saved my life more than times than I can count, regardless of…" Dixon paused awkwardly. "I couldn't stay away, Jack."
Sensing the other man's inner torment, Jack allowed him dignity and kept to business. "I've asked Marshall to do nothing but watch the communications in case Agent Vaughn or Sydney manage to contact us. He's also watching the wires in case Sloane or Sark contact us with demands. So far, nothing."
Dixon sighed. "We'll get them back, Jack. And then I'll happily disable the cameras as you repay Sloane and Sark tenfold for everything they've dared to do to Syd."
"Sir!"
Jack whirled. Marshall ran toward him, gesturing frantically. From the other side of the office, Agent Weiss rose from Vaughn's desk and strolled swiftly over to join them.
"Is it Mike?" the younger agent demanded. "What'd he say?"
"What? Oh, sorry." Marshall blinked before clarifying. "Uh, still no word from Mr. Sloane, uh, just Sloane or Sark or Syd or Mich - er, Agent Vaughn." He paused to take a breath. Weiss deflated wearily, his hope dying. Dixon flinched at the sight.
"Then what is it, Marshall?" Jack snapped. His daughter was so extraordinary… For a moment, he had hoped…
"Uh, I was checking outbox logs because I was bored - not that what you asked me to do is boring, but I work better when my hands are busy. Helps me focus." His head bobbed enthusiastically. "In fact, one time…"
"Marshall!"
"Sorry. Um, anyway, I discovered something. You know how the CIA tracks everything that leaves the building, right? On the Internet, I mean. Well, security discovered a leak a while back."
"What do you mean by a leak? We're on a secure system, how could someone hack in?"
"They didn't. It came from inside the building."
Jack, Dixon and Weiss froze. "What?" Weiss said, astonished. "How?"
"We, uh, don't know yet. But there's more. Uh… no one's looking for them anymore… Mr. Kendall canceled the search effort after I told him about the leak."
"What? Why?"
"Because of the... the CIA, uh… there's a…"
"I canceled the search because it had the potential to compromise our security."
They turned. Kendall stood there, his expression unreadable.
Review Responses
K4e: Where's Irina? Why, she's in the header of Chapter 1. And in a cell in Operations! Why do you ask? ;) I didn't skip your review, I didn't see it 'til after I posted 3! I swear! lol
Ilovemypenguin: My classes starts this coming Monday. Believe me, I'm ecstatic.
Jennycraig10: Here ya go!
Nattie700: ROTFL! My Heavens, you two are definitely soulmates!
Kaylan: Love makes you do the wacky. ;)
Linda: Two more product placements, just for you, nut. ;)
Kira: Thanks much!
Britt4: And he was still wearing his leather jacket in those chapters… I'm sorry, I'm not helping. :x
Glitter fish: Will do!
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