Chapter Six
Irina
It had been a long night, and she now sat in her office, brooding. Leaning back in her big leather chair, she swiveled around so she could look out the large window at the ocean. Morning rays were spilling over the horizon. Irina found that no matter what else was going on, the most relaxing time to work and to think was at dawn.
She had just come from talking with Sark. He'd awakened only an hour or so ago, and had immediately asked for her. It was good that he had, because his news was important. The agent that had taken him down had been Alice Vaughn.
Irina had known for some time that Alice was an agent for Sloane; she had run into Sark on missions for awhile now. He'd recognized her easily from his occasional surveillance of Vaughn. But they'd never had contact on any of his Rambaldi related missions. Until now.
If Sloane had made Alice aware of Rambaldi and his endgame, he must have a purpose for placing her back with Vaughn. And that meant Alice could be a complication in the plans. Irina knew she had to find out more about the woman.
The ringing of the telephone interrupted her thoughts.
"Yes," Irina lifted the cell phone off her lap and answered it.
"The files are sent," a voice said.
"Thank you," Irina said, hanging up and leaning to her computer.
Irina had given one of her double agents for Sloane instructions to send her Alice's profile. As usual, he had complied quickly. The file she now scrolled through contained all of Alice's stats, aliases, and her psyche evaluation. There were also her mission briefs and debriefs. What Irina was reading did not make her like the woman anymore than she already did.
Evidently, Alice had excelled quickly after she'd been recruited. Irina gave the credit for that to the fact that she had participated in the Project Christmas summer camp. Once she had become a fully active agent, Sloane had told her his version of the truth. He had revealed the information about Project Christmas, the truth of Sydney's double agent status and Vaughn's role in Sydney's life. He told her all about Rambaldi, he told her all about Rambaldi's search for immortality, and all the history that had established Rambaldi as a genius, inventor, and prophet.
Sloane had even shown her the page he received from the Monk, with his own personal prophesies on it. And everything pointed to the fact that Alice had believed him completely. Which was fine, Irina guessed, she believed herself. It was just that Sloane was absolutely convinced his interpretation was the right one and he didn't even consider the possibility he might be wrong.
No, the danger wasn't that Alice believed Sloane, it lay in the fact that not only was Alice in a position to limit and estrange Sydney's contact with Vaughn; she was also in a position to gain valuable knowledge about the CIA.
Irina had no doubt that once Sloane gave her the orders, Alice would pump Vaughn's subconscious for all the information she could get. She would plant bugs and hack his computer. She could severely compromise the CIA.
And the stupid CIA would let her. Irina knew the CIA was having major setbacks trying to infiltrate Sloane's networks. They had realized too late their mistake in devoting so many resources to find a missing agent, even if she was one of their elite.
Things had seemed to reach a dead end when they realized what actually had walked into Agent Vaughn's life. Irina could only give the credit for that to Agent Vaughn himself. The man was no idiot and Alice had made one little slip up. She had made a joke referencing something that Vaughn knew he'd never told her. She had actually covered well, saying that he had muttered something in his sleep, but it was enough for him to report it to Kendall.
Kendall had done a little digging. He found out Alice had participated in Project Christmas under a false name, and there was the surveillance video from the library, proof of contact with a suspected agent for Sloane. Searching her phone logs revealed numbers and it was confirmed. Alice was working for Sloane.
Her relationship with Vaughn had been the best opportunity available to the CIA at the time. Kendall had ordered Vaughn to keep her close. He wanted her in a spot where they could easily keep her under surveillance. Soon, Kendall had drawn up a full blown undercover operation and ordered Vaughn to propose.
Vaughn had readily agreed to the assignment. Irina knew that he'd take the chance to get back at Sloane and avenge Sydney.
She supposed the connection between the past leaks, Will, and that doubled agent weren't as apparent to the CIA as they were to her. But she really had hoped for better sense from them. Alice would eventually find out the CIA was on to her and things would get ugly.
Irina turned back around to her ocean view. Irina now saw that Alice was more of a threat than she'd previously thought. It wouldn't take much to adjust her plans to fit this development, but she still didn't like having to alter from a course long set.
She thought briefly about flying to LA and bringing Vaughn in, but then quickly discarded that thought. He was not yet ready to face her without the glass window, a safe barrier, and when Sydney was told, she could hold her own.
With that thought, Irina stood up and stretched while walking out the door to go get some breakfast. Her last real thoughts on the matter were ones of excitement, looking forwards to the upcoming date when Sydney would be released from CIA custody and the memories would start coming back.
Three months later...
Sydney
I look down as I smooth some small wrinkles from my new standard issue black suit. It is a very welcome change from the uniform I've been wearing for what feels like forever. Even more welcome is that fact that today, I am being released from custody.
The journey to this day has been filled with so many ups and downs. I still remember nothing and see the big black void, and I don't think Kendall believes me anymore now than day he did on day one.
Why else have me kept in here repeating test after test after test for months on end? I've been through countless brain-wave lie-detector tests. I've submitted to various medical testing, undergone psychoanalysis sessions from Barnett on a weekly basis, and gone through many unsuccessful regression therapy sessions. I was extremely weary after only a few days.
But besides determining that I am sane, healthy, and not the least bit happy about being treated this way, nothing has been learned about where I have been, what I have been doing. No memories have returned.
The only good thing about these past months has been seeing my friends again. At first, it was very strange because to me, I'd seen them a few days ago. But they have all changed and their reactions at my return have all served to cement the realization of my lost years.
I'll never forget seeing Will. Dr. Barnett had arranged for him to be at my first session with her and she gave us our privacy. He stood tall and healthy and I started crying before he'd even said anything. It was so good and so unrealistic to see him alive and well after witnessing him lying in the bathtub and Will was just overwhelmed at finally having me home. We both cried and hugged for what felt like hours.
When he able to speak, Will told me that after my disappearance he applied for agent status and was accepted in the program. He never wanted to be as helpless as he was that night ever again. And he wasn't willing to walk out of my life, even if I wasn't there anymore. He did well in his classes, and he passed with solid marks.
But the CIA did not want to lose his analyst abilities in favor of regular agent status, so they made him a field analyst. Will also told me they never found Francie's body. That was hard to hear, I know it must have been harder for Will, but he assures me he's doing better since knowing I'm ok.
I was happy to learn that he bought my old place and restored it. He says he did so because it reminded him every day of why he was doing what he was, to avenge me and Francie. I could not be more proud of my friend. He's not even grumbling about being put on desk work indefinitely because Kendall was annoyed when he found out that we'd been allowed contact against his orders.
My dad also got in trouble for that unauthorized visit to my cell the first night. But of course he doesn't care. He got me that blanket and pillow and has visited regularly. He'd the one who warned me in advance what Kendall was ordering and he's recently informed that I will be having a full briefing tomorrow afternoon.
The only people that escaped Kendall's notice were Marshall and Carrie. Marshall called up some old footage to loop into my surveillance feed and they came down to tell me all about their wedding. How shocking but wonderful that news was! They proudly displayed their rings. Marshall told me that when I need to have my supply of handy everyday gadgets restored to come by the Op-Tech lab and he'll have them all ready. Carrie offered to go shopping with me after my release.
Dixon also came by and just walked into my cell. By the time Kendall realized he was in there, we'd been through many tears and hugs. Dixon told me he and my dad had taken all my money and investments and kept tabs on them. They had transferred all of it to overseas savings accounts under different names so no one would touch it. It had seemed a pointless thing to do at the time, but he didn't know what else to do with it, and he didn't want the CIA to just repossess it. Kendall arrived to kick Dixon out at that last part and glared at both of us a lot.
Weiss also came by and showed me the new yo-yo tricks he's learned. He seems to be unchanged. He was the first to make me laugh and I enjoyed the feeling of laughing again. Although it was a bittersweet reunion as well. We both avoided any mention of Vaughn.
Even though I have lost so much, I am so glad I have not lost the trust and faith of my friends. Their actions have given me back meaningful pieces of my life I had not thought to recover. I don't think I'll ever be able to show them how grateful I am.
At the same time, the actions of Will, Dixon, Dad, Weiss, Marshall, and Carrie just make it all the more hard for me to deal with Vaughn. Michael has been my saving grace in the past; here in the future he's been anything but. He has not come down to my cell, although I suspects he watches the monitors, and anytime he does see me, he looks right into my eyes, seeming so haunted I can't bear to look back for long. He stays strong though and treats me very proper and formal on the few occasions we have passed in the halls as I was led to my various sessions.
I wonder if he now resents his wife. The dismal, vengeful part of me would be glad if he did. Let him suffer as I suffer. Then I feel bad because I know I still love him deeply. At first, I thought I could get over him, but the look on his face cracks my heart every time I get a glimpse. I still don't know the name of his wife, but it's obvious she would not appreciate learning that his heart might lay elsewhere.
I am roused from these musings by the rattle of the bars opening. A guard detail comes down the hall along with Kendall and my father.
"Ready?" Kendall barks.
I nod and move to the door. The guard unlocks it and I swear I can feel the fetters falling off my soul. As I step through, yet again, I feel the prick of tears at the back of my eyes. My first act of freedom is to give m dad a hug. My heart smiles, he still smells like I've always remembered. Of aftershave and a clean suit.
He lets me go and turns to walk by my side out of the walkway. I get a good look at his face. He is trying to mask a smile. Who would've thought? Kendall glares at us for not maintaining a professional attitude and I feel like sticking my tongue out at him but he'd probably send me right back in the cell so I do it mentally instead.
The guards fall in place behind us and then leave for who knows where as we enter the main hall. Will is waiting by the main doors.
"Don't forget to report back here in the morning, Agent Bristow." Kendall just has to have the last word. He holds out his hand and he actually smiles. "Welcome back to active duty. It will be good to have you working with us again."
Suddenly, I get a feeling of sympathy for the man. After all, he is just trying to do his job right. I mean, I know I could have been in Sloane's custody. It's not my fault Kendall hasn't shown much empathy. Just to unsettle him a bit, instead of shaking his hand I give in to a rare impulse. I give him a hug and a real Sydney smile.
"It's good to be home, sir." I retort.
He clears his throat and just looks at me, unsure how to respond. I walk away down to Will, leaving Dad to deal with Kendall.
"Hey," I greet him, smile still intact.
"Hey, Syd." Will pulls me into a hug then stands back, gripping my shoulders.
"Ready to go home?" He asks while grinning.
I think my cheeks are going to be sore tomorrow from all this smiling. I nod to him and walk out into the sunshine. As bright as things look now, I know there will be a darker time to come. But I shove that thought out of my head and prepare to concentrate on getting my life back.