I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. I quickly turned my head to stare at Irina and Jack, and noticed Sark with the same shocked look.
"What the hell is going on here?" I hissed. I heard a slight creak, and noticed that Suit and Glasses, in a wheelchair courtesy of Will, was beginning to approach our table.
"Our contact has arrived," Irina stated simply.
"So I gathered," I retorted dryly.
"Why him?" Sark questioned quietly.
"You've worked with him before," Jack noted.
"That doesn't mean I trust him."
"He has connections," Irina said shortly. "That's all we need."
"And if he doesn't prove useful?" Sark asked. The look on Irina's face was all the answer anyone needed.
We all turned our attention to the Asian man as he came to a stop by the side of our table. He gave Jack, Sark, and myself a long, suspicious look before cautiously holding a packet out to Irina. She pulled it from his hand and ripped it open. After taking a few moments to scan the first document, she wordlessly handed it to Jack and briefly glared at Suit and Glasses. He didn't even flinch, which unnerved me more than anything else. No one could handle Irina Derevko like that.
"How reliable is this?" Jack finally asked.
"It is from the most reliable source I have," Suit and Glasses replied calmly.
"And how reliable is that?" Sark shot back, sounding less than trusting.
"Quite reliable." His eyes didn't even flicker towards Sark as he said this. This action, or lack thereof, obviously disturbed Sark, who fell silent. The quiet endured as Jack and Irina took turns reading over the pages in the file, before passing them on to Sark and myself. Finally, all of the documents had been read by everyone. There was a moment of silence, as we took the time to process the information.
"So… we're off to the Maldives?" Sark asked. Irina nodded, gathering the papers from each of us and carefully putting them back into the large envelope.
"Yes. We're off to the Maldives."
"Wait… who's this Suit and Glasses guy? Doesn't he have a name? I mean, a real name?" Francie looks confused again, and I can hardly blame her.
"Well… I don't really know who he is, to be honest. He worked for Irina for a time, and he's, uh… well versed in various torture techniques." Francie's eyebrows lift.
"Oh."
"Actually, he was the one who interrogated Will when…" I fall off, realizing that's probably not the most sensitive thing to say. Her eyebrows only draw tighter, and the confusion deepens. Sparks of something resembling anger seem to flash into her eyes.
"And you were working with these people?"
"I didn't have much of a choice," I remind her. She nods in acquiescence.
"Fine. So anyway… Maldives?"
"Right… Maldives."
"Where, exactly, are we going?" I asked.
"The Maldives. They're an island chain in the Arabian Sea. More specifically, we're going to the capital, Male," Irina replied.
"I suggest you familiarize yourself with the history contained within those papers before your trip," Suit and Glasses said cryptically.
"Thank you for the recommendation," Jack said harshly. The Asian man glared at us all before turning and wheeling out. I could feel myself finally calming down as his long shadow finally disappeared. I turned to face the rest of the group. On the surface, nothing had changed… all still wore their poker faces. Each persons eyes, however, told a different story.
Sark seemed troubled. I didn't know why, and I would never have been able to decipher him if I tried, but it was their, plain as day. It worried me. Sark wasn't one to react in such a manner. Come to think of it, he had been acting odd ever since we arrived in Naxos.
Jack looked determined. There was a slight trace of doubt in his eyes, but nothing compared to Sark. Above all, he looked resolved to do whatever it took.
Irina, per usual, was more difficult to decipher. Finally, I decided she was a mixture of Jack and Sark. She was determined, but anxious… certain, but doubtful. She was a contrast of emotions, complicated and yet so simple.
She was just like her daughter.
Rin: Hee… you crack me up. Yes, we all know how you feel about 'here' and yes, I know the Man thread belongs to you. Thanks again for letting me borrow it.
Jacyln: Yeah, Suit and Glasses is the Asian torturer dude who's been in a few eps…
SAG: Hehe yup, Creepy Asian Dentist himself… and this equals score? Heh. And plans have changed… this won't be done my the 18th of June after all.
hardshoe: Hey, long time no see! I understand that whole school thing… stupid school… glad to hear from you again!
Jade: Hmm… I still seem devoid of shipperness here… and, lol, I don't think we'll see any ScaredAsaBunnyWill… I do like him, you know. ;)
Ryanne: I've already heard too much about the premiere as it is… *sigh* (spoiler free here) ah well. Again, thanks for reviewing!