Will paced impatiently in Vaughn's living room. His three supposed coworkers had all but sprinted out the door when Kendall had informed them of Sydney's return and subsequent arrest, and utterly ignored his questions. Is she okay? Why would the CIA arrest her? What's going on?
Instead, they had left him to handle unofficial guard duty to the (former) Russian spy and unofficial babysitter to a five-year-old bundle of energy.
"Mr. Tippin?"
He turned. Elsa stood there, a hesitant look on her face.
"Will," he corrected her. "What's up?"
"Are you hungry?" she asked, somewhat awkwardly. "Agent Vaughn seems to favor frozen dinners. I was going to make one for Aaron, and I'd be happy to make you one, too."
He forced a smile, knowing she was trying to help. "Please."
Restless, he widened his pacing path to include the hallway, pausing in midstep when his eyes fell on Vaughn's bed and the papers stacked on top that the three spies had abandoned.
"Will?"
He didn't turn around from where he knelt at Vaughn's bed, fascinated at what Sydney's (former) handler had been concealing. Elsa came and knelt beside him, a plate full of food and a glass of wine in her hand. She smiled at his questioning glance.
"You looked a little overwhelmed," she explained. "I was going to offer you a beer, but he doesn't have any."
Will raised an eyebrow at that; it seemed impossible to picture a home with no beer at all. "Thanks," he remembered to say.
She nodded. "What is all this?"
"Something Vaughn was working on, I guess," Will replied. He paused, wondering if Elsa should see this. It was apparently classified stuff, after all.
For her part, Elsa was busy opening folders and scanning the contents, one eyebrow raised in concentration. Irina was not the only Russian spy, after all, and Elsa immediately noticed something Will would miss.
The names looked familiar to her.
Irina stood awkwardly in front of the glass, facing her daughter, as she had done countless times before. The difference, of course, was the fact that she was on the wrong side of the window.
Jack had left to help Weiss plan his "carpet shopping" trip, and Sydney had managed to stall Kendall, thus leaving mother and daughter alone.
"Are you all right, Sydney?" she asked, somewhat nervously.
Her daughter smiled at her, tears shining in her eyes. "Weiss just left," she replied quietly. "I am now."
It was raining in Madrid.
Eric stumbled out the door of his rental car, all but sprinting for the hotel door. While still on the plane, he had contacted the concierge to give him some explanation for the beleaguered agent making his way there, and "Michael Delorme" had called earlier while he was landing and assured him he was doing fine.
Thankfully, the hotel staff was also expecting him, and after he had shown both his and Vaughn's identification, took him directly to spy's room.
His best friend opened the door himself, studying his soaked, flight-rumpled form with a critical eye.
"You look like hell," Vaughn greeted him.
Hiding his automatic and almost overwhelming feelings of relief, Weiss glared at him, noting in one glance his split lip, the bandage above his eye, the bruise just visible through the hole in his shirt, and the circular cuts around his wrists.
"And hello to you," he returned. "You look like shit, Michael."
Vaughn laughed, handing Weiss a mock-injured look as he leaned against the door.
"You going to let me in?" he asked dryly.
"Thinking about it," Vaughn replied, before stepping back.
"Here," Weiss said, tossing him a bag. "Clean clothes, gun, ammo, money, ID… Jack says hi. Well, not really, but he's the one that thought of it."
"Sounds like him," Vaughn replied appreciatively. "Always prepared."
Weiss nodded. "Indeed, Boy Scout. Get moving, I've got a car waiting. I'm assuming you're a dedicated Chevy person now?"
Vaughn rolled his eyes. Weiss waited while he finished toweling off his wet hair and undressed and redressed swiftly, but not quickly enough for Weiss to miss the other bruises and cuts from various restraints and scuffles. "You sure you're okay? You really don't look that great."
"You always know what to say," Vaughn said dryly, putting on his shoulder holster and reassured by the familiar weight. "I'm fine, really, though I never want to see another chair again. Is Syd…?"
"She's fine," he answered, not sinking deliberately into the armchair of Vaughn's suite. The mention of Sydney reminded him of something far less pleasant he had to tell him. "Mike, I'm glad you're all right but there's… there's something you should know."
"I'm assuming it has to do with your interest in carpet," Vaughn smirked, perching himself on the end of the bed and looking at him questionably.
"Very good, Mom," Weiss retorted. "Listen, uh… there's no easy way to say this. As soon as we get back, you're going to be arrested. I came here because I didn't want you to be blindsided."
Vaughn laughed, certain he was playing around, but stopped abruptly when Weiss didn't join him. "You're serious."
"Yup."
"Is there a reason you'd like to share?"
"I think you know the reason, buddy. Feel free to fill me in."
Vaughn stared at him, uncomprehending. "They need to fill a quota?"
"Damn it, Michael! This isn't a joke! They think you're disloyal!"
Vaughn gave Weiss his full attention, his astonishment evident.
"What? Why?"
"Why? Do you recall your little worldwide unauthorized jaunts and the program called Xenon?"
"Oh." "Oh? Michael, I want an explanation. Right now."
Vaughn frowned. It occurred to Eric that he probably could've sounded slightly less confrontational, but he didn't care. He had been terrified for his best friend, and that was partly Mike's fault.
"Eric, it's not what you think."
"I don't think anything. And not a word on what I just said," Weiss ranted, realizing Vaughn would use that as an opportunity to change the subject. "Kendall does, though. He thought enough of your activity the past few months to cancel the search order. Had you and Syd not gotten out however you got out, you would have been on your own."
He paused to take a breath.
"I wasn't exactly stealthy on the phone, so the only reason why Kendall agreed to let me come is if I made it clear you're in my custody until we land in the States. So if I were you, I'd start talking. Now."
Up next: Elsa trounces Jack. No, not like that.
Review Responses
Anonymousthinker: Glad I could provide relief! What a boring essay topic. I feel your pain!
Ilovemypenguin: I can relate, I've got three little brothers. (And a very annoying mother and a "whatever" father. lol)
Jessica: LOL, well, it wasn't him. ;) But if I'd just escaped from circumstances like that, I doubt I'd be at my best. The only one who can do that is Sydney. ;)
Kay10197: Thanks!
El Teasero: "The least I can do is clear his name so you'll look for him!"
Raina Elizabeth: You'll find out soon! ;)
C-n-C: :blushes: You're either genuine or trying to get another chapter. I know allll your methods. ;) I told you the one that figured out what was inside was obvious! (In hindsight.)
valley-girl2: LMAO, gotcha. I'm forbidden to have a life. ;)
Kira: He's coming! Either that, or he and Weiss are both captured. Hmmmm… :snerks:
Nattie700: Well gee, how could I say no to that? ;) Most of the bloopers have been seen on the ABC Bloopers show thing (grrr…), but there were two funny new MV ones. One where Greg Gunberg touches his cheek in that way and MV exclaims a very religious name, and another from the The Box, Part2 (aka Jin's fav ep), where he accidentally uses the word "seminary" instead of seminars. Jen totally goes with it. "Does anyone learn anything at Seminaries?" LOL.
MJ: Hmmm. MV is already mine, and you can't have one without the other! I claim both. ;) Reminds you of something? I know not of what you speak. ;)
Jessica: How sweet! Thank you!
UKHoneyB: LOL, I wouldn't believe that. "Right, buddy. What're you on?"
London: Wow! Thanks very much, and will do!!!