A/N: Hey guys, thanks for reading and reviewing. This is a short chapter and Syd isn't going to be in it, but next few chapters will have some Syd/Simon scenes. I think it would be nice to see Vaughn have some competition. What do you guys think?
Chapter 12: Bristow here
Vaughn watched as Eric answered the officer's questions while an EMT took a look at his wound. The EMT bandaged his left arm and gave him some painkillers. Eric began to walk towards Vaughn a few minutes later.
"Mike, what happened? How did you know about the bomb?" Eric asked.
"Eric, I don't want you to get involved." Vaughn answered.
"Mike I am involved. Someone blew up my house, I think that counts as my invitation to the party." Eric said trying not to raise his voice.
"You're right, I'll tell you what you need to know, but nothing more. I won't answer questions that can jeopardize your life or this mission." Vaughn said.
"Mission, what are you talking about, you left the CIA." Eric said.
"Come on I'll drive you to my apartment and we can talk on the way." Vaughn answered as they walked to his car. Eric got in and noticed that a silver disk the size of a quarter was hanging from the rear-view mirror. Engraved were the letters SAB.
"Man, Lauren is gonna freak if she sees this." He said as he pointed to the silver disk.
"It's a bug killer. I got it a few weeks ago, and believe me when I tell you I could care less what Lauren thinks." Vaughn said with a hint of anger in her voice.
"Problems in paradise?" Eric began. "It might have to do with the fact that you haven't let go of Syd. Look Mike, it hurt us all. We all loved her but you can't continue to live your life expecting to see her again. As much as it hurts me, Syd is gone, she's not coming back. Lauren is a good woman, and you're going to end up pushing her away if you continue to remind her that you still love Syd. Give her a chance Mike."
"Are you done?" Vaughn said.
"Yes I'm done." Eric said.
"Good, because you have no idea how wrong you are." Vaughn began. "Lauren is working for the people who took Syd from us."
"What! Are you sure, how do you know?" Eric asked in shock.
"I found out a few weeks ago. Someone contacted me and told me that Lauren was working for the Covenant."
"Who? How do you know they aren't lying to you? Does the CIA know about this?" Eric asked, while a million questions filled his head.
"Believe me when I tell you that my contact is very reliable. She contacted the CIA as well, they weren't planning on letting me know about Lauren's real agenda. She told me as a favor. The CIA has no idea I'm involved but they know about her."
"So you've been sleeping with the enemy, that's a new one for you. I would have never suspected her." Eric said. Vaughn was clearly bothered by Eric's comment but decided to let it go.
"I've set up surveillance, and I have a few freelance agents following her as well as her contacts. We've made a lot of progress, the covenant has no idea we're on to them. Well they didn't up until a few hours ago. My contact called me earlier today, she thought that there was something going down because of Lauren's strange behavior this past week. I broke into her apartment earlier today and found a briefcase containing files on six CIA agents. As I looked though them I realized that they were more than just profiles, they were orders to kill. Your profile was among them. Damn!" Vaughn suddenly yelled out as he immediately stopped the car and turned around.
"I thought we were going to your place?" Eric asked.
"Marshall and Carrie! Lauren's planning to kill them tonight. I can't believe I forgot! Damn it!!" Vaughn yelled.
"Mike, calm down, we can do this, just keep your cool." Eric asked.
"You're right, what time is it?" Vaughn asked.
"It's seven thirty. What do you want me to do?" Eric asked.
"Call Marshall and if he doesn't answer then call Carrie." Vaughn said. "I'll call the CIA." Vaughn picked up his phone and dialed the number to the CIA.
"ID 2300708." Vaughn said. "I need to speak to the highest ranking officer there now!"
"Bristow here."
"Jack?" Vaughn asked in surprise.
"If you have something to say, I suggest you say it now, if not then don't waste my time." Jack coldly answered.
"Jack, Lauren's covenant, she tried to kill me today. I found out that she's planning assassinations on six CIA agents. I assume you heard about Eric's apartment, that was Lauren's doing. Her next two targets are Marshall and Carrie, she told me they had reservations at Logans tonight. She plans on putting a bomb in their car as soon as they arrive. She's also scheduled to meet Dixon's assassin tonight." Vaughn explained as fast as he could.
"Have you contacted Marshall and Carrie?" Jack asked.
"Did you get through to them?" Vaughn asked Eric.
"They're not answering." Eric said. "I just get their voicemail."
"No, they're not answering." Vaughn told Jack.
"Alright, keep trying. In the meantime I'll get a unit out to Logans. We can't let Lauren get away."
"Thanks Jack." Vaughn said.
Jack hung up and immediately picked up the phone.
"I need two teams in place at Logans right away. No mistakes. We're looking for Lauren Reed." Jack said to the other man. He sat back for a minute thinking about what had just happened.
He picked up the phone once again and dialed a familiar number.
"Kendell."
"Kendell it's Jack Bristow."
"Jack, how can I help you?"
"Vaughn knows."
"Are you sure? I spoke to Sydney, she told me I was the only one who knew."
"She lied. Vaughn just called to let the CIA know about Lauren's assassination plans. I had to call in a team to apprehend her."
"Jack, she's been asking about you, are you planning on meeting with her at all?"
"No, it could jeopardize our mission. What have you been telling her?"
"For now I've been telling her that you're in deep cover, but I can't tell her that forever."
"I spoke to Vaughn, she'll find out I'm in LA once she talks to him. You'll have to come up with something else."
"Don't worry, she won't contact you if she thinks she's putting you in danger. She cares too much about you. Sadly I don't think you deserve it."
"I don't really care what you think, but I am your superior so the next time we speak keep your opinions to yourself."
"You may be my superior Jack, but it doesn't change the fact that you've betrayed your daughter. If Sydney ever finds out that you knew she was being held by the covenant and did nothing she'll never forgive you."
"I don't have to answer to you Kendell. What I do, I do for the sake of my daughter. I know what she can handle, and she can handle the covenant. Now this conversation is over." Jack said hanging up the phone.
Although Jack put on a cold hearted face, Kendell's words had hurt him. They had hurt him because he knew that he was right. Sydney would never forgive him if she knew the truth, but even though he had betrayed her trust, he loved her more than she could ever know. He could only hope that Sydney would never find out the truth.
I know Jack doesn't come off as the best person in this chapter, but he's not going to be a bad guy. Let me know what you guys thought about this chapter, I really love it when you guys review.
