One Week Later
"Hello there, you two," Eric Weiss happily announced over a camera that was broadcasted over to Vaughn and I in the St. Louis office. I couldn't help but to notice the smirk he had on his face when Vaughn rolled his eyes.
"Eric," Vaughn and I responded at the same time, equal business tones.
The smirk on his face grew as his face lit up. Oh great...
"Looks like you two woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning."
Both Vaughn and I nearly choked at the words, and our reactions sent Weiss laughing.
My face stoned immediately, and within seconds, Eric sobered up. He'd already had enough encounters with my father to know to never mess with a Bristow.
He wiggled around in his chair, and the corners of my mouth lifted up into an amused smirk. "Anyway, why I contacted... We have confirmed Intel that Sark will have another meeting, this time with one of Gregorev's associates. He will be meeting in Zurich, but before you get your hopes up and get ready...The CIA already has a team in place and is ready to do simple recon. Kendall just wanted to be nice and tell you that piece of information."
At this, I nearly fumed. Knowing that Kendall was just going to tell us this bit of information and that I am starting to become field deprived—already—is just killing me. Screw that toupee he was going to get, now I might have Marshall lace it with explosives, or a transmitter, or a brain.
Vaughn seemed to have the same thoughts I did on the situation, because he decided to speak up. "So what, is Kendall just trying to drive two of the top field agents' insane just sitting in this house doing nothing?"
I coughed, glaring at Vaughn. "At least you are entertained by baseball."
"Well I would like to go out on some type of a mission," I went to speak but he continued. "And that does not include grocery shopping."
"You know what then? You enjoy your activities and I'll enjoy mine," I said, grabbing the keys off of the counter and a local attractions map. "See you around dinner."
I left the house to a surprised Vaughn and Weiss.
xxxxxxx
Who knew how much fun a girl could have with an unlimited credit card? On one of my many 'people to thank' lists, I'll add the analyst who put a credit card in my palm and told me that I could use this in any situation.
Thanks Will!
So yes, anyway, I never knew that St. Louis had a huge mall. Not Mall of America huge, but pretty damn close to where you could swoon when you just step inside. To the right, a fricking hockey rink, and to the left, a bowling alley! I think I'm in love with the St. Louis Mills.
And if the backseat shows the evidence, I can't even see it. Okay, so I don't think I'll be hitting up Saks Fifth Avenue when I return home, but it was damn nice to see that I bought enough clothes to last me a year at the Pimp House.
If Vaughn doesn't rip them off, though.
I keep on driving down the highway when that all too familiar sound occurs. Clatter, clatter, clatter, boom, boom, boom...Well, not that, but...Never mind. Before I know it the car died and I am seriously happy I'm a spy right now, since I'm cutting through at least two lanes to make it to the shoulder.
Shit!
I get out of the car and attempt to pop open the hood, but now that isn't even working! The little piece of crap decides now not to pop open and I'm well...pissed, to put it likely. I slam my fist so hard I see a dent in the hood.
Go me.
I knew I had to call help and the CIA wouldn't exactly be my first option or the wisest when you're undercover. So, now it's up to my guardian angel to get his fine ass here. In seconds I dial Vaughn's cell phone and hear his voice.
"Syd?"
"Vaughn!"
"What's up?"
"Vaughn! My car broke down!"
Despite being about 15 miles apart, I think I heard his jaw drop. "I'll be right there."
I didn't even attempt to hang up the phone because the genius never asked where I was in the first place. "Vaughn?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm on 370."
I happened to chuckle as I hung up the phone, knowing that I one-upped Vaughn again. I sat down on the hood of the car, because sitting inside and waiting is a no-no in sweltering heat. I saw Vaughn's Mustang fly by on the other way on the highway, then get off the exit ramp to make its way to my side of the highway. In seconds his car is in front of mine on the shoulder.
"Are you alright?" Vaughn asked after he got over to the car and came over to me, enveloping me in a hug, one that I freely accepted.
"I'm alright. I just want to make sure that no one takes anything in there," I said, after pulling away from the hug and pointing inside the car to the backseat.
"You...Didn't," He managed to say and ran a hand through his hair, his face scrunching up as his forehead wrinkles showed. No, I'm not staring, just observing, a lot.
"It's not my fault!" I defended my over-the-top shopping. The CIA gives me an unlimited credit card, what am I supposed to do, go on eBay? "Thank the office."
He looked at me with a stunned look, like he had never seen a woman shopping before.
I walked back to the car, this time on the passenger side. "Can you help me transfer all these bags, Michael?" I asked nicely, and I was starting to get sick of being on the side of the highway, arguing with Vaughn.
He mumbled some incoherent words before stepping over to help me with the bags, and in minutes his backseat was covered. "I'll call up the office," He said before walking off to the passenger side of his car and leaning against the door, and proceeded to call the CIA office here in St. Louis. I observed from my lazy position on top of the dent in my hood, until he walked back over. "We can leave, they've got position and they're going to pick it up." He began to walk to his car and I followed, getting in.
"Thanks, by the way," I said once we were back on the highway.
Vaughn turned to me to give me one quick knee-weakening smile, and I was happy to be sitting down or else I'd be jelly. He looked back out at the road and I stared out the window, brushing some hairs back behind my ear.
xxxxxxx
Being a spy sucks...sometimes. One of the things that does suck is when you get the three in the morning calls. Vaughn and I were sleeping peacefully, until the ringing of one our Nokia's began.
"Syd," Vaughn mumbled, I could hear his face was stuffed in a pillow. "It's yours."
I growled, flipping over and reaching for the cell phone in the dark. Instead of my hand landing on some wood object, it smacked flesh, and quite hard. Next came a yell and Vaughn sat straight. "Sorry," I mumbled, reaching to the other side and finding the nightstand, and cell phone on top of it.
"Bristow," I said through the receiver.
"Sydney, this is Weiss. We might have something."
"Couldn't it wait four more hours?" I sighed, looking at the clock and wanting to slam my head into the pillow and go into a deep sleep.
"Afraid not. We have confirmation of another meeting."
"And?"
"It's in one hour."
"Where?"
"Your neighbor's house."
"What!" Now, one of my neighbors is a terrorist? Absolutely fantastic.
"Her name is Allison Doren. Reports say that she just moved in and that Sark and Sloane are keeping her under watch. She might become a partner in their organization."
I wanted to give Vaughn the information when I saw him staring at me. "Here, Weiss talk to Vaughn," I said, handing the cell phone over and digging my head back into my pillow.
"Son of a bitch," Vaughn mumbled as he turned off the cell phone, reaching over me to place it back on the nightstand. I looked up to see his chest in my face and nearly died, but at the same time inhaling his unique scent, nearly passing out at the sensations. "He just wanted to tell us that, even though a team is set up ready to do recon."
My eyes popped open. "So he called right now instead of waiting?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer. Damnit, Eric Weiss, I will kick your ass!
"Oh, he did say something else, though."
"What's that?"
"Someone from Los Angeles is coming out here because they say he's been researching on Allison Doren."
"Am I going to have to start guessing names?" I ask sarcastically.
"It's Will."
Oh boy.