A/N: Please review if you like it… it makes me work harder and faster when you guys review!
Warning: Adult Situation in this chapter!
Chapter Four
Part 1
JTF was dark except for the main briefing room, where Marshall sat sleepily with a very agitated Kendall, who glanced at his watch every few minutes.
"You know I have never been here so late at night, I mean I've been here, but sleeping… I mean it is spooky, like anyone could jump out say 'BOO'.. Boy that would be scary."
"Marshall…"
"I'll just be quiet now."
"Thank you."
Another five minutes of uncomfortable silence passed before Vaughn strode in, bag in hand. Marshall gave a smile and quick wave, and then stood up.
"Well I don't know where you are going… which is pretty unusual, I mean I always know…. But I guess I don't get to know now… unless you tell me, but you aren't going to tell me now…"
"Marshall, get on with it. Vaughn's plane is in an hour." Kendall sounded annoyed and tired.
"Right!" He lifted a pair of glasses off the table and passed them to Vaughn. "These look like your run of the mill glasses, but in fact they have a little camera in them. When ever you are ready to take a picture just press this little button here," he pointed to the side of the frame.
Vaughn nodded, and waited for Marshall to continue. Marshall stood there for a moment before remembering to continue.
"Next up we have this ring," Marshall brought out a ring from his pocket, "this baby is brand new, a one of a kind."
He took a moment to admire the ring, which appeared to be gold with sapphires. Then catching the evil look Kendall was sending his way he kept going.
"This ring is one of the most untraceable communication devices in the world. You see it runs on a totally different frequency, than anything we have ever seen. Transmits in coded bursts every five seconds, in other words it is a perfect way to covertly communicate. Oh, and it gives off your exact location. Director Kendall will be able to hear you the entire time, and when he needs to get in contact with you the ring gives a low voltage shock. This brings to the last and finale device," he brought out a cell phone.
"Completely untraceable. You dial speed-dial one and you get Director Kendall. Speed dial two and you get a Washington Mutual Teller, because to get one to work you need to do two… and speed dial three is Pizza Hut, because I got hungry last night…" Marshall smiled and did a little bow.
"Thanks Marshall. You can go now, Agent Vaughn and I need to discuss last minute details."
Though he seemed a bit hurt, Marshall left the room and a minute later there was an audible squeak as he lay down on the inflatable chair, and covered himself with a Scooby-Doo blanket.
Kendall waited a moment before starting, "You are going in as Marc de Chant, a French mobster. You need to have the head of organization killed, and Simon and Julia come highly recommended. You will be meeting Simon Walker, Julia's partner. They are currently on a job in Paris and you are meeting with him prior to the job. Ask to view them on the job, and Simon should let you. Julia never meets the clients so you don't have to worry about that."
"What… I want to see her!' Vaughn was confused.
"I have talked to experts and they say that people who have been brainwashed do not handle the past well. Seeing your face will confuse her, make her enraged. We can't risk it. You will see her; she is very hard to miss. But you can't meet her face to face." Kendall stood brought out paper and a needle.
"What is that for?" Vaughn asked gesturing at the needle.
"That is for you. The Security Council agreed with me when I said that it was too dangerous to let you retain the ability to spread this knowledge. So this shot acts as a bookmark in your mind, when you get back we will be able to monitor what you do with the knowledge. Also this gives you the choice of erasing your memories, but that would have to be your own decision. The formula has been altered to encompass the last two days as well. This is the only way we will let you go."
"How can I be sure this won't remove the memories?"
"You will be free to do as you like, keep the memories or give them up. These documents state as much, read them over and sign it, and I will give you the shot."
Vaughn starred at the papers, skimming. His heart was hammering; he just hoped Kendall wouldn't betray him.
"Fine, I agree to these terms." He took the pen and signed his name.
Kendall stood and walked over to his end of the table; pulling up Vaughn's sleeve he pricked his skin and injected the serum into his blood stream. Vaughn breathed in deeply and rolled his sleeve down.
"The details are on the plane. Have a safe trip Agent Vaughn." Kendall stood, shook his hand and left the room.
I am so close to you Syd. Just a few more hours and we will be together.
Part 2
Vaughn loved private flights, they provided just enough amount of time to review the mission, and you didn't have to experience the presence of other people. People could be truly horrid, it seemed that no one in the world was courteous anymore. Everyone was a grade A sociopath, thinking of sociopathic people his thoughts turned to the delicate issue of trust Kendall.
It was obvious that he had his own agenda, but how far would he go to remain in control? But before he could continue on the train of thought, a voice came over the intercom and the pilot informed him that they would be taking off momentarily.
Vaughn sighed, trying to quiet his thoughts but it didn't seem to be working, his mind was screaming, pure chaos. Take-off wasn't his favorite part of the flight, as a matter of fact he hated take-off. It was the idea of the runway running out and that nothing-ness as the plane lifted into the Stratosphere.
His hands turned clammy and he gripped the seat arms, until he felt a little safer. So much for being an international free-less spy, he had a hard time flying.
When the plane was at a comfortable cruising altitude he closed his eyes thinking of Sydney, and how nice it would be to see her again, even if she was a bit different. Her name alone made him feel that familiar lump in his throat. He missed her voice, missed it to the point that he had gone into the CIA database and downloaded mission recordings and the numerous debriefs.
When Jack had found out he had erased them all. It was that day that Vaughn had turned to the bottle for support. From there it had only gotten worse, the alcohol and the anti-depressants had almost killed him, and some days he wished they had.
Subsequent to that he didn't need drugs to see and talk to Sydney; then he had left for months at that point. He traveled the world searching, finding contacts that owed him favors, but there was no trace. He had come home detached from reality and Lauren had saved him. She had shown him it was ok to live, but now all that didn't matter. Sydney was alive, and he was going to save her.
The plane glided through the night sky but the sun was hidden somewhere in the horizon. Tired and thirsty for whiskey, Vaughn adjusted his seat and accepted sleep that tugged at him, thankfully this time it was a dreamless sleep.
Part 3
MysteryMan73: I haven't found anything new… how about you?
SphinxMom47: No, nothing on this end. What do we do we do now?
MysteryMan73: I still want to check out Singapore, there was some activity there last week, could be Freelancer.
SphinxMom47: No problem I have a friend in the city… How are you holding up?
MysteryMan73: I'm alright, I just wish there was more I could do, I am stuck here with The Firm… not helping all that much.
SphinxMom47: Don't be foolish; at least we know she is alive… I think someone saw us together in Toronto… can't be sure though… be careful!
MysteryMan73: It is probably nothing… but I will keep a lookout.
SphinxMom47: I miss you…
MysteryMan73: I miss you too… is there any chance you are going to Bull country in the next three days, I am there on Tuesday…
SphinxMom47: No, I am snowed in, stuck in the Mother Land…. I have been wondering… how is my Russian Boy?
MysteryMan73: Still here, I'm trying to keep him from being transferred to Camp H. He is waiting for you, I believe.
SphinxMom47: I think I can come get him, not yet though, too much risk. Kat is working on an extraction strategy. He really is a good man; he might be able to help us.
MysteryMan73: Do you want me to question him?
SphinxMom47: Yes, but do it carefully. Some things are going on here with Kat; I think I can get to him very soon.
MysteryMan73: Then what?
SphinxMom47: Then he uses his talents to help us find Freelancer.
MysteryMan73: Is he really that good?
SphinxMom47: Yes.
MysteryMan73: Can we trust him?
SphinxMom47: No matter what he says about his 'flexible loyalties' he is loyal to me. If I ask he will help, of that you can be sure of.
MysteryMan73: Good, I will wait to hear from you, same contact procedure?
SphinxMom47: Yes. Take care. … I love you.
MysteryMan73: I love you too. Be careful. Bye.
SphinxMom47: Signed off at 12:47:12 AM
MysteryMan73: Signed off at 12:47:20 AM
Part 4
Jack leaned back in his car seat and pondered Irina's words. How soon would she be able to get Sark out, and would it make a difference. Whatever the case was, he hoped Irina was right.
Breathing in a deep yawn, he turned on the car ignition and pulled out from under an overpass, and turned onto the freeway to make his way home. Only feeling slightly better, talking to Irina always made things a bit better. She was right; at least they knew that Sydney was alive. It had been hard finding the information, but with torture and money the right people had informed him that Sydney had not died in the fire.
What Jack couldn't understand was why Sydney hadn't contacted him in the almost eleven months since her disappearance. This could mean one of two things, one was that she was in deep cover, or two that she was dead and his sources had lied. Personally he preferred the former to the latter.
Part 5
Somewhere over the Atlantic Vaughn awoke and began his mission review.
His name was Marc de Chant, a wealthy French mobster with past connections to the Alliance and K-Directorate. Scanning the page he stopped at the mission protocol.
After landing at CDG he would be escorted to a meeting facility, where he would meet with Simon Walker. During the meeting he was to offer Walker 1.3 million dollars to infiltrate a lab in Prague and steal numerous bio-chemical weapons. Familiarizing him self with the data, Vaughn scanned over Walkers history.
Until a year ago he had been a low caliber thief, working for private organizations. Then something had changed, Walker had disappeared for a few months, and when he came back he was working big jobs. At the bottom of the page a hand-written note from Kendall explained that in the last month Simon had been Julia's primary partner.
Vaughn was still confused, and scanned the documents again. Whom did Sydney work for? Nothing in the information had described the organization, except to say that they were becoming big players.
Laying the file aside he unbuckled his seat belt and stretched. Glancing around the cabin he stood and walked to the small galley. Grabbing water and a cold sandwich, he wandered to the suitcase Kendall had given him.
Inside he found two suits, both dark and expensive, they looked like something Sark would where. Reluctantly he changed into them, and tried to appear rich and evil. Reaching into his bag he pulled out that glasses Marshall had given him and put them on. With his alias complete he settled in to his seat and glancing at his watch, only another hour to go.
Picking up the file again he flipped to the last pages. There were at least a dozen different pictures of Sydney with the tall man. Scanning them Vaughn felt jealously swell inside him. Most of the pictures showed them embracing, or kissing. Studying them quietly he read the bottom caption, once again in Kendall's handwriting, 'Simon Walker and Julia Thorne'.
He tossed the file aside, not wanting to look at the disturbing images. Whatever was ahead of him, he had to be ready.
Part 6
"Ms. Thorne?"
"Yes."
"We need to meet, in the morning. La Rochelle."
"What is this in regards to?"
"Your employment within our organization."
"Fine… But not La Rochelle. St. Malo, North of Rennes, at 9am tomorrow morning."
"Alright."
"Goodbye."
Julia snapped her cell phone shut and sat up, letting the warm covers slip off her shoulders, exposing them to the air-conditioned room. If she wanted to be in St. Malo by 9, she would have to leave now, it was a five-hour drive from Castelló to the coastal town in France.
She moved to slip out of the king sized bed, but the possessive arm clasped tightly around her waist stopped her.
"Where are you going?" Simon pulled her back, his grip strong and firm.
"San'ko wants to see me in St. Malo, I thought I'd drive up there and then drive to Paris to meet you." She tried once more to remove herself from his arms, but he didn't relent.
"I'll fly you. Don't go, it is 2 bloody o'clock in the morning, too early to drive." He was pulling her closer to himself, placing tentative kisses on her exposed shoulders.
"I need to clear my head, I'm going to drive." She leaned her head close to his and nipped at his bottom lip. "I'll see you in Paris."
Simon, sensing there was no way to win, released her and turned over, adjusting the pillow under his head. "Behind Garde du Nord, 10pm; don't be late."
She grinned, "Am I ever late…?"
He chuckled and grabbed her hips as she stood, growling and pulling her back, "Speaking of being late, I don't think San'ko would mind if you were half an hour late."
Julia laughed and straddled his lithe body. Running her slender fingers over his muscular chest and down to the waistband of his boxers, "Only half an hour…" leaning down she let out a throaty whisper right next to his ear, "you disappoint me."
Swiftly he turned her over, using his weight as an advantage to pin her to the bed, covering her smirking mouth with his own, his hands skimming over silk and lace. Moving to all the spots that drove her crazy, his mouth shifting to that sensitive spot behind her ear.
Their bodies moved deftly, both lost in passion, fingers interlaced, tongues dueling for dominance. The heavy scent of lust filled the lavish bedroom, dark moans and hard breathing the only audible sound in the Spanish night.
Until that one moment of unimaginable glory and ecstasy, her guttural cry rang out, stifled in the curve of his shoulder. For a few moments there was silence and then movement from the bed as she rose. Slipping on a silk robe she turned back to the bed to kiss Simon farewell.
"See you in Paris." His voice was soft and sleepy.
She nodded moving to the bathroom to run a shower.
With the spray pounding her back, jolting her awake, out of the trance she was in.
She was intrigued, why would San'ko want to see her?
Maybe he finally trusted her enough to tell her the Covenants endgame, or maybe this was just another message from the illustrious 'Leader' of the Covenant.
Whatever it was, hopefully it would be useful to the CIA. At the thought of Kendall she felt Julia momentarily leave and a disgusted Sydney emerge. But this was nothing new; Sydney was being remembered more and more these days.
She grabbed the tiled wall, looking for support that wasn't there, trying to keep the bile from rising in her throat. It was moments like this that really terrified Sydney; moments when she realized she had almost no control over Julia.
Breathing deeply she closed her eyes, attempting to shut her mind to Julia, which hurt more than letting her out. But it was necessary if she wanted to get a firmer control on her body.
By shutting Julia out, Sydney was forcibly overriding the brainwashing that had been hardwired into her. Little by little she would lose the cold-hearted assassin, and invoke the old Sydney Bristow. Of course it would take a few session of electrotherapy to fully wipe out that confident laugh, and deadly smirk.
The frightening thing was that Sydney didn't know what fragments of her past self remained to fill the hole Julia would leave; nor did she know if she really wanted Julia to leave.
When Julia was in control Sydney felt powerful, confident, and deadly. As much as she hated to admit it, in some twisted part of her being she admired Julia Throne for her skill.
Her body shook for a moment, Sydney sensed that she wouldn't win the battle tonight, and relinquished control to Julia.
It was hard to say on what level Sydney was a different person from Julia, both women were aware of each other, and they fought each other constantly. Whatever had been the Covenants initial intent, Julia was becoming a state of mind, the darkness of Sydney exploited to expansive levels.
Turning off the water she stepped out and dried off, blow drying the blonde hair, and applying light makeup to cover several fresh bruises, from Simons ministrations, along her jaw.
Pulling on a pair of dark blue jeans with a tight fitting tee shirt and a jean jacket, she grabbed an already packed duffle bag and headed out of her Villa to her favorite car, the sporty black Aston Marin.
A/N: PLEASE R/R!