Killer Instinct:

Chapter 3: This Photograph is Proof

He sat on his own within the cold room, each wall was painted white. A perfect white roomvoid of imperfections. He had been there for almost an hour, channeling his thoughts, composing himself, getting ready for what was about to happen... It wasn't hard. His surroundings aided him in becoming cold, dark, void of all passion. His jaw was set, teeth slightly clenched, his arms folded in front of him. The intense anger he held previously had dissolved for now. He was ready.

The sound of footsteps slightly broke his concentration, the thought of Sydney being lead to him made his heart beat faster than normal. He shut his eyes tightly, repeating to himself, "You can do this, you can do this..." The door opened quickly, ambient noises from the house filled the previously silent room, but he ignored it. He needed to keep his mind focused on the task at hand. He watched from the corner of his eye as Sydney was led to the chair across from him. In moments they were alone within the silent room. Part of him wanted to help her, to break her out of here. But the rest of him needed to find closure with this. He could feel her eyes upon him, burning into him, yearning to ask questions, but she remained quiet. And so did he.

Well, i'll wait till you listen
I wont say a word
to follow your instincts
just never worked for me

He focused on the bundle of documents before him, the incriminating evidence... He chained his line of thought, he didn't want to venture down that path again. It angered him to believe that the CIA had their mind set that Sydney was a terrorist. It angered him even more, knowing that he was believing the same thing. He tried to keep an open mind, but the evidence spoke to him, whispered to him, telling him that it was truth. So much for an open mind. He allowed himself to glance up at Sydney. She sat no more than a meter from him, her hands in her lap, concern etched across her features. She still had no idea.

you're silent but strong, (yeah, I'm playing that card)
and you're noticing nothing again

Sydney felt his eyes upon her, and returned the glance. This was frustrating. She was torn up, and she was more than certain that her emotions were clearly displayed on her face. But he sat there, cold, distant. Two years really does change things. The events of her dream replayed in her mind. She tried, desperately to search for more memories such as that one, but she had no luck. She gazed down upon the pile in front of Vaughn. Were they more photographs? What has she done? She almost broke the silence but was beaten by his movement. He shifted his weight before clearing his throat. He was ready to begin.

He shifted forward, opening the folder before him. He removed a small bundle of papers, and passed a copy of the documents across the table to Syd. She looked at him before retrieving the documents. He watched her intently as she began to read, watching for her reaction to the text. Her eyes widened as she read on, and he found that he could no longer watch her. He glanced at the white wall behind her, trying to regain that cold, hard mind of thought.

"You hold in your hand one of many reports which documents you're association with Simon Walker. You will find that each accusation, each claim concerning your actions is supported by the proper documentations..." He said as he flipped through his copy.

Sydney couldn't bring herself to speak. She held her gaze upon the documents, her eyes tearing up. According to this, she was a part of a team that infiltrated a Russian weaponry warehouse, and removed several weapons which were later used against the Russian government. She turned the page to find photograph after photograph of destruction. Photos filled with images of damaged buildings, rubble and debris scattered everywhere. How could she be a part of this? It was against everything she had ever known, what she had believed in. She reached the final photograph, a surveillance image from the warehouse clearing showing her in the company of Simon. She shook her head softly, not allowing herself to believe what was in front of her.

Vaughn couldn't help but look at her regardless of whether or not he wanted to. He wanted to comfort her, to put his arms around her... But he couldn't. She had committed these crimes after all, she was working with the enemy, working for the very people he was fighting against. He moved this set of documents aside as he reached for the next bundle. Again he slipped a copy across to Sydney. She slowly pushed the other documents aside and reached for the new set, her reaction delayed.

She hesitated as she reached to turn the page, afraid of what she might find. He noted her hesitation, she clearly didn't remember anything. He turned the page, following her actions.

"You can see here..." He began.

"I can read it on my own..." She said dismissively, her voice harsh and distant.

He stared at her wide eyed, almost in shock. He made a mental note, "I won't make that mistake again..." He scanned the page in front of him, refreshing his memory of the events it recounted. Several artifacts stolen from a German museum, traded with militants for an instruction manual of some kind. Guards from the museum were killed during the robbery, several civilians as well... and she was there beside Simon as these events played out. He shook his head. From the comment she had just made, he could picture here, hate and anger in her eyes, killing the innocent for personal gain. He could feel his own anger rise once again as his eyes focused in on one of the victims, a young blond haired girl, no older than ten. He shut the document, waiting for Sydney to do the same.

"Would you like me to continue? Or do you get the picture..." He said, almost matching the harshness of Sydney's voice.

She glared at him, tears still present within her eyes waiting to fall down her cheeks. She still didn't believe what was before her, she couldn't. Innocent lives...innocent people murdered, and for what? So she could possibly salvage some information on her missing years? She would never do that... Wouldn't, and couldn't.

"Give me everything you have," she said coldly.

She waited as copies of documents were passed to her. She quickly scanned the next few, looking at the photographs, the recounts of what she had done, what she had been a part of. Soon she couldn't take anymore. Was all this death and destruction worth it? She scoffed at herself, worth what exactly? She still had no memory of her last two years and had no idea what she had done in the last few weeks with Simon Walker. She moved the documents to the side of the table. She tried to process the information she had just received. The CIA believed that she was working with the enemy. She couldn't deny anything written in those reports, but she couldn't accept them either. She couldn't help but blame herself, it was her fault, all of this. IF she hadn't of trusted Simon, if she hadn't of worked with him again...She shook her head, she didn't like regret.

Now I'm lying on the table
with everything you said
it will all catch up eventually
well, it caught up and honestly
the weight of my decisions
were impossible to hold
but they were never yours
they were never yours

She turned her attention to Vaughn. She wondered what he was thinking... and what he thought of her. She knew he was hating her, she could tell by his facial expression, how he was sitting...she just knew. She drew in a deep breath, she still had questions, and she still needed answers.

"Why don't I remember anything? Why don't I remember doing this" She asked as she placed a hand upon the documents.

"When we extracted you, you were tranquilized, the effects should have worn off by now..." He said, trailing off. He didn't look at her, he kept his eyes focused on the table.

"We? You extracted me...Where from? What did you use to tranquilize me? Is Simon..."

"Yes, I was there. You were in an apartment in Italy." He replied before she could finish her questions.

"And Simon?" She inquired.

"So there is an interest." He scoffed.

She let his comment slip, "Why would you extract me, and not take him into custody for everything he has done?"

"He wasn't there..." He trailed off, trying to build up the courage to ask his next question, the question he had been ordered to ask. "Where is he?"

"You've got to be kidding me. Is that the whole point? You're just trying to find him? I don't know where he is. I don't even know where I was. I can't believe you.." She said before standing, "We're done."

"No, we're not." He said as he blocked her path towards the doorway. She glared at him, waiting for him to move. Soon he buckled, and had the guard escort her back to her room. He turned back into the room, frustrated. He really hadn't accomplished anything. But he knew how pointless this was. If she didn't remember anything, how could he possibly find out anything new? He couldn't understand Sydney, her motives, her actions...

I know you know, everything

Sorry I didn't update sooner! I lost my muse..but it's back again. I know it's pretty confusing but hopefully I'll make everything clearer in the next few parts. Thanks to everyone whose read this, please review and let me know what ya think! It really puts me in the mood to write more.

/ Britt