Again thanks for reviews. For all purposes Grandpère is Bill Vaughn, Grandfather is Jack, Grandmère is the nameless Mrs. Bill Vaughn (Do they ever tell you her name on the show?) and Grandmother is Irina.
Chapter Twelve: There's So Much to Care About
Erica heard commotion outside of her door. It sounded like fighting. Her eyes quickly flashed around her room for something to defend herself with as the noises grew closer. Smiling she saw that the pipe hadn't been removed from above the door. The General had threatened to remove the iron pipe that ran the length of the wall after Erica had managed to get up to it. She had crouched on the bar easily, for it protruded a good foot from the wall, and was about a foot in diameter. She had positioned herself on the pipe right above the door and had thrown herself down at the first person who entered the room. She had knocked that guard unconscious and was halfway across the meadow surrounding the castle before they had caught her.
Erica pulled her mattress of the cot and backed up. She started running towards the mattress, using it as a springboard to propel herself up to the pipe. Just like gymnastics she thought to her self, as she carefully inched her way over the door.
The sounds grew louder and then stopped. She thought she had talking outside of her door, but the walls were too thick to make out anything distinctive. When the door swung open, Erica crouched, ready to spring from above and knock out her assailant. After a few seconds, a man entered the room and Erica jumped, effectively connecting her leg with the man's head before he collapsed in a heap on the floor. She landed on the floor, gracefully, and immediately she turned to run from her cell when another figured appeared in the doorway.
"Erica?"
"Mom?"
Erica flew into her mother's arms.
"I can't believe you're here. Oh mommy I was so scared. I can't believe you and daddy do this every day of your life. Wait, where's daddy is he ok? Did he get hurt?"
"Erica, don't worry everything's fine."
"As for your father, yes he did get hurt but that was entirely your fault, missy." Vaughn replied from the floor.
"Oh daddy. I'm sorry. I thought you were a guard. Did I hurt you badly?"
"It's ok Erica, your mother and I probably would have done the same thing. I'm glad you're doing your parents proud."
Vaughn crossed the room and drew his daughter and his wife into his arms.
"Now we're all together again."
"Very touching Mr. Vaughn but I suggest that you and your family get their asses out of there." Sark's voice floated over the comms.
"Right, come on Erica, we have to go."
"Daddy, did you or mom get my message?"
"Yes sweetie, Marshall gave us a call. He said it was very impressive hacking. By the way, I hope you don't put your skills to use at school to change grades." Vaughn said shooting his daughter a disapproving glance.
"That would be cheating, but the trap Dad; the General is luring you into a trap."
"We took care of the Erica. We're working with someone who helped us avoid that." Sydney replied.
"Who Mom?"
"Did you meet a man named Julian Sark, your uncle?"
Erica nodded.
"We are working with him. And his wife, Lauren."
"The same Lauren who…"
"Yes Erica, the same Lauren."
"You actually trust them Mom? I can't believe this! She stole Dad away form you! And I thought she was dead! I can't believe your trusting her!"
"Erica we don't trust them, but they were the only help we can get. She was doubled and it was the double that I killed, not her. We don't trust them one bit, that's why Irina offered to go with them."
"And you trust her? After she killed Grandpère and betrayed Grandfather so many times?"
"Believe it or not Erica, I forgave your Grandmother a long time ago."
"And honey, she would never do anything to harm you. She loves you dearly."
Erica stared at her parents in disbelief. Of all people she assumed that spies would be never trust traitors, but her parents did. Unbelievable. But then another question raced through her mind. Her father seemed to know exactly were they were going.
"Dad how do you know where we are going."
"Honey, this is the castle where you were born, were they prepared to sacrifice your father sixteen years ago. It is also where…"
"Grandfather and Uncle Eric died isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Where is Grandfather buried?"
"In the courtyard."
"What about—"
"We don't know honey, they took his body away."
"Was Grandfather killed in the courtyard?"
"Yes."
"And Uncle Eric"
Erica watched as her mother's face paled considerably.
"It was in the room where they were keeping me wasn't it?"
"Yes."
"I always wondered why you and Dad would never take me to Grandfather's real grave."
"There is just too much pain associated with this castle."
Sydney felt tears threatening her but she managed to push them away. She squeezed her daughter's hand and continued to follow Vaughn through the narrow corridors. He stopped at a door that looked vaguely familiar. Glancing around the hall, she noticed that the door diagonal from it was opened and when she looked into the room, memories flooded back. She lightly nudged Vaughn who followed her stare and smiled.
"Erica, that's the room you were born in."
Erica looked at the room a little disinterested. Her father continued.
"The happiest day of my life, tied with our wedding day of course, but here's the surveillance room, let's go."
They entered the door and into a room full of computers, videos, and people.
Sark was no where in sight. Lauren and Irina were being held at gunpoint by two burly guards. A familiar figure stepped out of the mix of guards and red robed sect members.
"Nice of you to join us, Mr. Vaughn and company. It's a shame that we discovered that your brother was a mole wasn't it? Coward that one is. He ran off leaving the pretty little blonde behind. Don't worry he will be apprehended. But you mustn't digress; you've arrived in time for the ceremony! Your lovely daughter Erica is to be the star."
Vaughn pushed Sydney and Erica behind him, blocking the loves of his life with his body.
"Go to Hell, General." Vaughn snapped at the cadaverous old man.
Oi. That General is one real psychopath.