Again, a million and a half thanks for all the awesome reviews! I'm thinking this won't be done before next Friday, so you'll all be getting a nice, long chapter after that.

I think I knew it would happen. Not long after Jericho's body was found, I went to see Irina again. "I can't deal with this. The CIA is not trying hard enough." She wouldn't look at me as she said these words. "I agree." Her eyes met mine, and I nodded. "Do what you have to do." Her face remained impassive. "Thank you, Agent Vaughn." I really wanted to ask what, exactly, she had in mind, but I didn't dare do so, not with all the cameras monitoring her cell.

I was beginning to think I had misinterpreted her. I had been 2 weeks since that little talk, and nothing had changed. She didn't act different when I went to see her; Kendall didn't seem at all suspicious. So I let the idea slip out of my head.

Then one night, Kendall called. "Derevko wants to speak to you, immediately." It had to be important if she would actually talk to Kendall just to get me in there. "I'll be right in." The woman didn't have the best timing. It was after 10; I had just gotten home, and now I had to turn around and go back. I didn't bother trying to relocate the tie or jacket I had tossed a few moments before. 10 minutes later, Kendall was giving me a reproachful look as I walked past him on my way to the familiar cell. Irina must have realized I was none too pleased at having to come back; she immediately began her explanation.

"Agent Vaughn, I apologize. This could not wait for the morning. I didn't realize today's date until one of the guards made a comment a few moments ago." I frowned. December 23; what was so special? Two days before Christmas, sure, but I somehow doubted that mattered to Irina. "You need to meet a contact in Auckland, New Zealand, tomorrow morning. It is essential that you- and you alone- are there." I could see it in here eyes; she was dead serious. "Why? And who?" She shook her head slightly. "You should know I cannot tell you that. Just be there. You'll find a payphone by the theater on Kevintod St. It will ring at 9:15. Answer it." Her eyes held mine for a long moment before I finally nodded. "How long should I expect to be gone?" She smiled slightly. "A week, assuming all goes well. If things don't work out as planned, you can expect to be home in time to spend Christmas Eve with your family." I really didn't need to ask what this was about. But I was tired of her being in control of everything. "So you want me to leave my family- the people that I love- 2 days before christmas, but you wont tell me who I'm meeting, or what this is about?" She gave me a scathing look.

"You know full well what this is about."

I didn't answer. Looking annoyed, Irina stepped closer to the dividing glass- as close as she could get without pressing her face against it. "Agent Vaughn, your hesitation in this matter centers around the people that you love: your family. I, however, am talking about the one person we both love. You know that." Again, I didn't reply. This time, it was more due to the fact that I couldn't. Never before had I heard Irina Derevko say she loved Sydney. She had, on more than one occasion, implied that she did. She had expressed pride, anger, and even a little confusion. But this was a first.

Finally, I managed to reply. "I'll be there." She nodded. "Thank you." I just nodded as I turned to leave. I was even more tired that I had been 20 minutes ago; seeing her was always an emotionally draining experience. All I wanted to do was go home and sleep- until I realized I had to get on a plane. I glanced back at Irina, slightly annoyed. So I had to find a hotel in Auckland, and somehow get a ticket for a plane, all in a few hours. With a sign, I headed home to pack the few things I needed. I had already been given 5 days off for Christmas from Devlin. If this took as long as Irina predicted, I'd be a couple days overdue, but I could face the consequences. I decided that it would all be worth it if I found Syd.

My attention is drawn by something the woman next to me is saying. "So then this friend went out there to try to find her, but he came up empty. He kept looking, though. He still goes out there sometimes. And then, there's that whole thing with her dad… it's all so weird. I mean, seriously? All of this in one year? It's not normal." I stare at her, going over everything she said- that I can remember- in my mind. What about her friend's father? Before I can say anything, her cell phone rings. "Oh… excuse me." I nod absently. She speaks quietly- so quietly that I cant hear. Not that I'm trying to eavesdrop, it's just that… well, I guess I am, actually. A few minutes later, she hangs up and turns back to me, smiling. "What did you say your name was?" I ask. She starts to reply, but my cell phone cuts her off. I roll my eyes and reach for the offending, noisy object. I don't recognize the number, so I slip it back into my pocket. "You're not going to answer?" I shrug. "I don't know the number. If it's important, they'll leave a message." My ring tone starts up again. "Or call back," I add as I reach for it again. This time, I answer. "Are you busy?" A quiet voice asks. "Right now?" I glance over at the woman seated next to me. "Actually, no. Tomorrow." I think about it briefly. "Aside from the usual stuff at work, no." Once again, I glance towards the woman, but she's no longer there. I sigh to myself and listen as Jack tells me to get out of work somehow, someway, at 2:30 tomorrow. I agree and he hangs up. That's how our calls always go. They're usually more than a little surprising, I think to myself as I remember the New Zealand mission.

I had hoped to make 2 more updates this week, but then all my teachers decided that they wanted to actually make me do work in class… what kind of school am I attending? Honestly… hopefully, more of them will be like my German teacher was today (lets put on a video that you don't have to take notes or pay attention to!) so that I can maybe upload another chapter tomorrow afternoon… As always, I'll love ya forever if you review!