Chapter Three:
Revelations at Hand
"Yes, I am a believer," Irina shot back. "But the difference between my sister and I is that I let Rambaldi's plans enact themselves. I do not take them literally and am aware of the numerous interpretations that they can entail. Elena, however, sees her interpretation as the only possible outcome and does not have the patience to see them evolve on their own. She sees it her purpose in life to make sure that all of Rambaldi's prophecies come true." She paused. "You experienced that personally with Ana's conception."
Sydney ran a hand through her hair. "She fulfils the prophecies?"
Irina nodded. "Exactly. When Elena decides that it's time, she will stop at nothing. I've always known of her obsession for Rambaldi and given the connection that your family has to him I thought it best to keep an eye on my older sister."
"You've been monitoring her?" Sydney queried.
"Yes, for the past sixteen years, since the day Billy was born. I've planted numerous moles in her organization, tapped phone lines…you know the drill. And everything was fine. You two and your children were safe."
"But?" Vaughn asked, almost warily. Did he and Sydney even want to know what Irina was about to say next?
"One of Rambaldi's writings- the one that hints towards a battle between Ana and Billy- the Second Coming and her brother."
"No," Sydney whispered. "No. I don't want to hear it."
"Elena had decided that it's time," Irina continued quietly. "She wants to see one of children die at the hand of the other and will stop at nothing until that is achieved."
Irina gave Sydney and Vaughn a few seconds to digest what she had said before continuing. "I understand completely if you are hesitant about trusting me, but I am telling the truth. You need to realise and accept that fact so that you can do all possible to keep Ana and Billy safe."
Sydney held up a hand. "I believe you…but are you sure about this? Is there anyway that you could have received the wrong information?"
"Sydney, I have never been more sure about anything in my life," Irina replied, firmly.
"How can we be sure that you are not in cahoots with Elena?" Vaughn asked suspiciously. "And that this isn't some ploy to lure us to her."
"I can offer you no proof aside from the fact that the safety of your children has been my number one priority for the past twenty-two years. You should remember that it was I who removed Ana from the Covenant's clutches after her birth." She paused. "But, if you fail to see my compassionate side, then look at what Ana and Billy stand for, who they are in regards to Rambaldi. Do you truly believe that I want to see one of them dead?"
Vaughn didn't respond. As much as he despised the woman standing before him, he had to grudgingly admit that she did appear to be on Ana and Billy's side. That being said, there was no way that he was going to take anything she said at face value.
Irina glanced at her watch. "I need to go."
"Wait," Sydney's tone was urgent. "You can't just tell us that and go. What else is there?"
"I know nothing else." Irina seemed frustrated by this point. "But, I promise, as soon as any new information comes to light, I will inform you as soon as possible."
"How?" Sydney demanded. "We can't exchange information like that over the phone and you are not going to want to risk any more meetings. How will you inform us?"
A mysterious smile crossed Irina's face. "I have a way," she replied. "And don't worry too much, you'll know that it's me." With that she turned on a heel and walked away.
Vaughn exhaled loudly as he turned to Sydney. "Well, I'd say that's enough midnight rendezvous' for tonight. Let's go home. We can talk there."
Sydney shook her head adamantly. "No. We're not going home."
"Where then?"
"We are going to speak to my dad."
Freya Gregersen tapped lightly on the door, before poking her head into her superior's office. "Are you free?"
Elena Derevko looked up. "For you Freya? Of course." She motioned to one of the plush chairs opposite her desk. "Any news?"
Freya shook her head as she sat down. "We spoke last night, but his status appears to be the same."
"Ok," Elena nodded slightly. "Well, at least there haven't been any back steps." She paused, taking in the other woman's worried face. "Speak to me, Freya."
Freya blinked. "I just feel…this is going to sound stupid, but this is the longest that we've ever been separated. I'm feeling a little lost."
Elena let out a soft laugh. "A feeling most mother's experience when their children fly the coop."
Freya gave a small smile. "Do you think he'll be ok?"
"Freya, I have watched the boy grow up. There is not a doubt in my mind that he will succeed."
"I hope he does," Freya replied. "We owe you so much."
"You owe me absolutely nothing. Your mother was priceless to our organization…and to me. With her gone, I wasn't about to leave you high and dry after Julian…" she trailed off. "I spoke to him last week. He was asking about you."
"What about his son?" Freya asked, somewhat bitterly. "Did he ask about his son?"
"Yes, he heard that we were moving things forward, that we had put the wheels in motion."
"And?"
"And he wanted to offer his assistance. He is willing to do anything we ask in order to see Rambaldi's words made into a reality."
"Sydney," Vaughn grabbed her hand as she stormed out of the elevator and down the hallway. "Do you think that this is such a good idea?"
"Vaughn, I don't give a damn if this is a good idea or not. Dad has been in contact with mum, I know it. If he can shed anymore light on to the situation than I want to hear it."
"Fine, but can't we do this in the morning? Instead of banging on your dad's door in the middle of the night."
"I am not waiting until the morning."
"Sydney, stop. Just think for a second."
"Vaughn, I am thinking."
"But not exactly rationally."
"Vaughn, I—" Sydney clamped her mouth shut as the door to Jack's apartment opened and he stepped out.
"Hello Sydney, Vaughn," he said. "Perhaps you should come in before you wake up my neighbours."
Sydney stared at Jack. He was still dressed in his typical suit, as if hehadn't even been to bed.
"Sydney, come in," Jack said. "Or do you want to have this conversation in the hall way?"
With a quick glance at each other, Sydney and Vaughn followed Jack into the apartment.
"You've been expecting us," Sydney said, almost accusingly.
A small smile crossed Jack's face. "Yes, I have been."
"You knew that Irina would be calling?" Vaughn asked and Jack nodded. "Well, thanks. A warning would have been nice."
"And would a warning from me have made it any less of a surprise?" Jack asked lightly. "Besides, Irina asked me not to say anything."
"How long have you been in contact with her?" Sydney demanded. Jack did not reply, but she got all the answer she needed in his expression. "You've never stopped communications with her, have you?"
"No," Jack replied. "I haven't."
"And you never said anything?" Sydney asked incredulously.
"Sydney, I did not think it wise to publicise my association with your mother, given my position at the CIA. Robert Lindsey may be long dead, but that doesn't mean that I won't be thrown away if I am found to be in contact with Irina."
"Then why risk it?" Vaughn asked. "Is she worth that risk?"
"Yes," Jack replied bluntly. "Because, like Irina, I want to see my grandchildren safe."
"You've been updating mum on Ana, Billy and Lexi?" Sydney asked.
"Yes," Jack nodded. "I knew that she was keeping an eye on Elena. It would only benefit her cause by letting her know what was going on in your children's lives."
"And you did not feel the need to let me and Vaughn know about this?" Sydney said, her voice taking on a slight edge.
"Sydney, you are happy. You are living a life as close to normal as possible. The last thing I wanted to do was complicate things by bringing your mother back into the mix."
"I don't care about complications," Sydney replied. "I would have just appreciated being informed."
Jack nodded shortly. "I understand that, but I am standing by my decision Sydney."
Vaughn decided to step in at that point. He could only see things escalating between Sydney and Jack and wanted to cease that from happening.
"So, do you know why Irina contacted us?" he asked.
"Yes."
"And what else can you tell us?" Sydney pressed.
"Nothing. I know what your mother knows."
Sydney let out a frustrated sigh. "I am not going to just sit back on this information." She looked directly at Jack. "You know what we have to do?"
Jack glanced between her and Vaughn. "You want to take this to the CIA?"
Sydney nodded firmly as Vaughn stepped closer to her, clasping her hand tightly. "I understand that by doing that I am implicating mum, but this is Ana and Billy. I am going to do all that I can to keep them safe. The CIA can help us do that."
"Irina figured that would be your next step," Jack replied. "Don't worry about her. She is more than capable of looking after herself. You need to focus on your children."
"What do you know about Elena?" Vaughn broke in.
"Very little," Jack admitted. "I looked into Irina's sisters after her supposed death. But I did not find out a lot. I've told you everything I know, Sydney. It would seem that all the Derevko's are elusive as each other."
"And the more elusive, the harder she will be to defend ourselves against," Sydney murmured.
"Yes," Jack admitted. "But don't forget, we have Irina on our side. She does, after all, think like a Derevko. And in this case, that will only serve to our advantage."
Vaughn pulled the car to a stop in the driveway and made to get out but was stopped by Sydney.
"Wait," her voice was barely a whisper.
"Syd, what is it?" he asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Are we going to tell them?"
Vaughn did not reply immediately, moving his hand so that he could rub soothing circles on the back of her neck. "I don't know. What do you think?"
Sydney gave a small shrug. "We've never hidden anything from them before, but this is different. What do we say? 'Hey Ana, Billy, your great aunt Elena has decided that one of you needs to kill the other.' We can't tell them that!"
"Well then," Vaughn said, "maybe we should keep quiet about this. At least until we know more about what is going on."
Sydney looked at him, her brow creased. "I don't want for us to have to lie to our kids, Vaughn."
"I don't want to either, Syd," Vaughn said, leaning across and placing a kiss on her forehead. "But for the time being, I think that it's our best option."
Sydney gave him a wry smile. "I guess that both choices kinda suck, hey?"
"Yeah, just a bit," Vaughn replied softly. "But Ana and Billy have already dealt with so much. Let's give them a break before dropping this bombshell."
Sydney nodded as the two of them climbed out of the car. She could only hope that the bombshell would never need to be dropped.