Even as he allowed himself to be pulled to the ground, Vaughn forcibly shook off his daze and thrashed wildly, one hand catching the gun in the man's hand and holding it up towards the ceiling while the other searched blindly for the shackles.
"Parada!" Ricardo ordered. ("Stop!") He slammed the agent against the wall, hard. But as he hit, Vaughn finally found the heavy restraints. Without hesitating, he threw them directly at the guard's face.
Out of reflex, Ricardo ducked. Vaughn seized the moment of distraction to tackle him, catching the gun as it flew out of his grip.
"Usted es un buen hombre. Seré rápido," Vaughn said swiftly, waiting for the other man to stop, eyes widening as realization set in, as he realized that his former hostage would show him the same mercy. ("You are a good man. I will be quick.")
And then Vaughn fired.
The cell was empty.
The cell was empty.
The cell was empty.
Sydney stared, disbelieving. All the work, all the threats… and the cell was empty!
"This is Refugee," she said sharply to the two men listening, automatically rolling her eyes at the saturnine codename. "The package is out of the wrapping. And if this is a game you're playing, I swear to God…"
Sark looked sharply at Sloane, who returned his glare evenly.
"Stop!" a voice barked through the receiver. "Drop your gun and put your hands up! Now!"
Sloane smiled broadly.
Sydney whirled, hands flying to her sides. The leather jacket creaked with her movements, providing a sharp reminder that Vaughn had indeed arranged for her rescue, and quite possibly his own death in the process . "Wait!" she said swiftly. "Wait! I'm an agent of this facility, acting under duress! Sydney Bristow! Code name Mountineer! Officer number 2300844!"
Silence. The agents holding guns on her refused to yield, much to her confusion. Why aren't they glad to see me? What's going on?
And then a voice spoke from the back. Kendall.
"We know who you are, Agent Bristow. You triggered silent alarms the instant you gained entry with an outdated security code. We tracked you on cameras as you made for this area. Though you brought yourself to the cell willingly, we cannot classify you as a walk-in. Do you understand?"
Sydney stared. If they knew that, why didn't they intervene? They knew I was captured! What's going on?
"Agent Parker, would you do the honors?" Kendall asked.
A man pushed through the throng of armed agents. Sydney watched him, dread creeping up on her, though she didn't know why.
"Agent Bristow, you are under arrest for charges of mishandling classified information, aiding in treasonous activity, breaking and entering, and aiding and abetting a fugitive," the man began. "You have the right to remain silent…"
"Sure," Will stammered, somewhat thrown by Elsa's intensity. "Of course. But how could you know where-"
She took a deep breath, leaning closer to him.
"Seven years ago I was ordered to seduce and marry Neil," she told him bluntly. "My objective was to keep tabs on his work. I was given a tracking device to implant in his arm. With the right equipment, I can activate it."
"You're a spy," Will said incredulously. Why is it always spies?
She nodded calmly, though Will could clearly see she was trembling. "I was recruited by the Russian SVR."
Will's eyes widened. Why is it always Russian spies? "Look-"
She ignored him, her eyes hardening as she sensed his thoughts. "I just committed treason against my government because I want to get him back!"
"Why? Because I know all about you guys… Sydney's my best friend and her mother…"
She met his gaze, trying to make her sincerity clear. "I'm telling you because I love him."
Vaughn whirled away from the dead guard as shouts echoed down the hall. Beyond relieved that he now had a gun, he tore down the opposite direction… only to run right into another man.
He didn't hesitate. Ignoring his automatic desire to flee, he fired wildly. The man collapsed and he continued down the hallway without looking back.
"Okay," Jack conceded grudgingly. "Perhaps the safe is little more complicated."
The three of them peered into the faux night table, Weiss fighting amusement and Irina nodding to herself. As clever as his father.
The key had fit smoothly into the safe but when Jack went to open it, he had instead found an even smaller safe inside. And unlike the antique, this one was state-of-the-art and demanded a six digit code to unlock it.
"Any suggestions, Agent Weiss?"
He jumped, startled. "Uh, why would you think I would have any?"
"He's your friend." Jack was growing noticeably impatient.
"Well," Weiss said, snapping back at Jack Bristow without thinking. "He's your… uh, he's dating your daughter."
"041774," Irina interjected, perhaps saving him from a very painful death.
"Huh?"
Jack was already punching it in. "Sydney's birthday, Agent Weiss."
Eric nodded. I knew that, he thought silently, not daring to speak it aloud. He'd been spared once already, saved by Irina Derevko, of all people. But he also knew something else: His best friend was not that obvious. That's not right.
Sure enough, Jack swore as the safe rejected that combination.
"Try 100101," Weiss said.
Shrugging, Jack did so. The safe beeped acceptance.
"What day is that?" Irina asked curiously.
Weiss spared her a glance, eagerly anticipating opening the safe. "Day they met."
Up next: Irina's world goes topsy-turvy.
Can I just say how I'm loving these reviews? You guys rock!
Review Responses
Ilovemypenguin: Vaughn is mine! :P
Valley_girl2: I really enjoy your reviews! Don't fall off! And I WAS helpful! Don't listen to them! lol
Maxwell: Can't… breathe… :wheeze:
Teaser: Her daughter sat inside, on the side she should be in, watching their approach with wide eyes.
Wonder monkey: Your wish is my command!
Kay10197: Vaughn's safe contents will be realized by the most logical and yet (hopefully) unexpected person.
Mayleen: I updated! Come back! LOL
Winking Tiger: Hope this was fast enough! Meant to upload even earlier, but dang client had an emergency. lol
Raina Elizibeth: LOL, I dunno! You tell me. ;)
Arwen Vaughn: I already know what's gonna happen! My sleep is very sound. ;)
Anonymousthinker: Well, I don't think you'll be shedding any tears over Ricardo, at least. ;) Go Action!Vaughn Go!
Kittyfantastico: Awww. Glad my teasers are of aid! ;) I adore Sark. As long as he's Mr. Mysterious and not associated with Sarkney. Two reviews! You spoiled me. ;)
Nattie700: :smiles and nods: LOL. I love teasers! There will always be one hidden in review responses. ;)
UKHoneyB: Nope. ;)