"Are you aware of how circular your argument is?" Jack snapped. "By implying that Vaughn is a traitor that works directly for Sloane and then implying that Sydney is also a willing partner in that arrangement, you are in essence saying her loyalty always lay with Sloane. If that were true, she never would have met Vaughn in the first place."
"Yes, but-"
"But nothing!" he finally exploded. "Now, we can stand here and play 'what if' and accomplish nothing, or we can locate them and have our questions answered."
Kendall sighed. "I feel for you Jack, I do," he said carefully. "But for now, my search suspension order stands, for reasons I've already detailed. Whatever my personal feelings are, I am responsible for the safety of every agent in this facility. At the smallest chance, I have to assume the worst. Not doing so could mean the deaths of everyone in this branch! Would you want that on your shoulders? I don't. And I'm sure Agent Vaughn and Sydney, if they are innocent, would feel the same."
Jack said nothing, simply speared Kendall with a patented glare that caused Weiss to shudder.
"I can't believe this," Weiss said heavily, shaking his head. "I can't believe you expect us to just abandon them! Come on, sir! Mike lost his father to this business. That's partly why he joined! Have you forgotten that?"
"No," Kendall shot back. "But have you forgotten who killed William Vaughn? Let's say Sydney is innocent in this mess. It's not illogical to believe that Mr. Vaughn wanted vengeance and partnered with Sloane because we gave Irina Derevko an immunity agreement. He could plan on using Sydney as a hostage to exchange for her mother. The resources Sloane has at his disposal would be very useful in such a quest."
"I'm gonna say it again, sir. There is no way-"
"I'm going to go brief Devlin," Kendall said shortly, ignoring him. "But before I leave, I want to make something very clear. If any of you go against my orders, if you try to find them on your own, I can assure you I will find out and will have no choice but to assume that you are also associated with Agent Vaughn's apparent treason. Am I clear?"
None of the enraged agents in question bothered to dignify that with an answer.
"They will undoubtedly be taken to the same location where Caplan is being held," Jack said brusquely to Dixon once Kendall had left. "We need to find out where that is."
"Hey, I can-" Weiss offered.
"We should start with Elsa Caplan," Dixon said, both men ignoring the younger agent.
"Yes," Jack agreed. "We can propose that she come in for extensive questioning. Possibly even regression therapy."
"Wait, listen-" Weiss tried again.
""I'll go myself," Dixon said quietly.
"Hey!" Weiss finally yelled.
They turned, surprised.
"Agent Weiss," Jack said shortly. "I can appreciate that you are concerned about your partner, though I would not suggest shouting again inside this building. We will do our best to keep you informed when we have more information."
"You're too kind," Weiss said dryly.
Dixon turned to look at him, his gaze intense. "In return," he said, "we expect you not to tell Kendall that we are going against orders."
"Oh, I won't," Weiss said shortly. "Because I am too."
They looked at him harder. "We can't let you do that," Dixon said quietly. "You'd be sacrificing your career."
"You don't 'let' me do anything," Weiss informed them. "And you guys are sacrificing yours, too."
Dixon shook his head. "We're two old men, Agent Weiss. You're just getting started."
"It's out of the question-" Jack started.
"These people took my best friend and his girlfriend," Weiss snapped. "I am not going to do nothing. You can either throw in with me and have one more ally, or you can refuse and I'll do whatever I can to bring them home anyway. It's up to you."
Jack studied him for a long time. Weiss held his chin high, meeting Sydney's father's scrutiny without hesitation, wondering all the while how Mike did this on a regular basis without throwing up on Jack's shoes.
"Then welcome aboard, Agent Weiss," Jack said at last. The faintest hint of a smile spread across his face.
Dixon clapped him on the back. "Let's go destroy our careers," he said simply, his tone determined.
Whoever can tell me Kendall's first name first (hehe) will be given a preview of an advance chapter of Presages. If you know, please share!
Review Responses
LilsurferSango: Yes ma'am!
K4e: Silly! Cliffhangers are suspenseful and stressful and such! Vaughn just fell asleep! Very peaceful chapter ending, if I do say so myself. ;)
Kittyfantastico: Hmmm. That sounded grudging. As a result, you are hereby allowed to borrow Vaughn on days that end in 'z'. ;)
Anonymousthinker: They reunite soon! (Via the phone, does that count?) 0:-)
Jen: Here ya go!
Andi: Well actually, I was thinking of ending it right here. :whistles: Glad you're having fun!
Em: Actually I copy-and-paste anyway to avoid spelling errors, so it's all good. And I thought "Streetcar" was a fic! LOL, I think I can safely say that I've never read it.
Mayleen: Thank you very much!
UKHoneyB: Will do!