A/N: Enjoy this short chapter.
A Life in Danger
"You're going to see Sloane?!" Vaughn exclaimed. "The last time that we talked, you made it clear that there was no way you would talk to him again."
"That was three years ago. Things change… People change," Sydney explained simply.
"That may be true. But I wouldn't count on Sloane appearing any differently. He didn't respond well to the CIA's efforts to forcefully extract more information from him, meaning we… well… I haven't gotten what I wanted – Lauren's location."
"I guess Sloane isn't the only one who hasn't changed," she muttered under her breath. "You're still fixating on your ex-wife's betrayal?"
He shook his head. "She's not my obsession any longer, but her capture is still important to me, as well as to the CIA. She needs to pay for what she's done – not only to me."
"She does need to pay. That's partly why I'm here. But she also may be a key to my missing two years," Sydney said remembering the last night she saw Lauren and the clue that Lauren had given to her. "Even though I got most of the answers as to what happened over that time, there are still missing pieces. I can't go on living without a complete answer."
"It took you three more years to come to that conclustion?" Vaughn asked, confused.
"I've kept busy," she answered enigmatically. She turned to go before he could question her further.
"Syd," he called, and she turned around expectantly. "Good luck," he said earnestly.
She smiled brightly in response.
Masking her uncertainty about this meeting, as any weakness shown would be detrimental to her goals, Sydney let her air of confidence be known in her stride as well as her posture. There was no way Sloane would be getting any free shots.
She entered a chamber set up much like her mother's old cell, facing a glass partition and the image of Sloane's back turned to her.
She cleared her throat. "You wanted to see me."
Sloane turned, a smug little smile on his face. Even having spent three years in the CIA's custody, he looked hardly more worn for the wear. The only real noticeable difference was his hair, which was speckled with more white. "Sydney… I always knew that you would come back."
"Let's not get into pleasantries. Now, what did you want from me?"
For a moment, Sloane's smile reached the wrinkles around his eyes. Then he turned serious. "Your help," he answered.
"Why on earth would you think –"
"It's about your sister," he interrupted. "She's in trouble."
Sydney narrowed her eyes in disbelief. "You waited three years on the off chance that I would actually return to this life to tell me that Nadia's in trouble? You are insane!"
Sloane approached the glass and raised his hands placatingly. "Sydney, you're the only person who can help her."
"Why me?" she asked, still dubious.
"Your sister has the Sphere of Life. Your mother wants it, and I'm sure she'll use any means to get it. You're the only person I trust to get the Sphere, save your sister, all without killing your mother. She is still a part of Rambaldi's plan, but she is trying to cut corners. She must be stopped.
I know Nadia's location. You must go there and protect her."
"It's been three years since you and Nadia were separated. How can you know that she is where you left her? How do you know that my mother hasn't already found her?"
"I just know," he answered with finality.
She studied him carefully. Nothing in his appearance made it look like he was uncertain or like he was trying to decieve her. Of course, that is how he looked when he presented her missions at SD-6. But some feeling she had told her to trust him this time.
"All right," she said. "I'll go. But first answer me this. Where is Lauren Reed? Is she still alive?"
"That is something that I'll answer after you return with your sister and the Sphere of Life."
"Why not now?" she pushed, frustrated.
"All of your attention should be focused on your current mission. No distractions equals no compromises to the plan. Mr. Vaughn will just have to wait," he added snidely.
