Author's note: Thanks for the reviews, and sorry for the delay, I was up to my neck in exams and preparations for Christmas. Anyway, new chapter now up, and nice reviews help the next one come quicker. Seasons Greetings everyone.

Chapter 10.

Volk kept his eyes averted, as Jack pulled on some clothes. Vixen had told him to take her back to her own room, and he had been glad to do so.

Despite the many things he had seen over the years, her expression had scared him. As did the screams coming from the room down the hall.

It was ironic really that it should have returned to its original use.

He walked down the corridor, only partially aware of Jack following him.

He had heard stories about Vixen's father. They had used him as a bogey man to scare new recruits back in the KGB. When he had been older, he'd read the files. The reality was worse than they ever imagined.

Over the years he'd seen some stuff that reminded him of who her father was. He'd never seen it more clearly than today.

"Tell me where he is?"

"I don't know."

Vixen's hand was like a lightening rod, he didn't even see it move, only heard the scream that issued from the man tied to the chair.

"You always were weak Ash." Vixen snarled. "If I'd been smart, I'd have handed you over when I had the chance." Her eyes flashed

"You know what we do to traitors?"

The man swallowed.

"English Law forbids the death penalty."

"We're not in England." Vixen's voice was a hiss. "And even if we were, accidents will happen."

The knife in her hand moved swish, swish.

Ash swallowed again.

"You've no proof."

In answer, Vixen withdrew from within her shirt a simcard on a chain, which she swung softly from side to side like a hypnotist in front of him.

"Shouldn't have let me get close that night in the cafe." She said quietly. "These things keep a record of numbers called. It's on there. Now," she said, moving in to whisper in his ear. "How long do you think it'll take Smithers and his tech boys to match the number here to the code that killed John Rider?"

She watched as Ash sunk forward, but it gave her no pleasure.

"For the record, in your shoes, I would have probably done the same thing. 'Cept I would have gone to the Iraqis or the Iranians, not an insane league of ex assassins, but you know, you were in a lot of pain at the time, so I'll forgive you but I can't forgive you for Helen, or for their son."

The eyes raised to her were indistinguishable from the ones she had seen when John carried the half dead man back to their extraction point.

"We didn't take him."
"But you know where he is." The disgust was back in her voice. "You never change Ash, always screwing some bird over before setting off in a mission."

Jack's hurt gasp alerted both agents that she still was there. She turned and ran.

Vixen didn't even break her gaze.

There were no windows in the room, but Alex had got used to guess time in windowless rooms over the last two years.

Yassen left for a couple of hours, and came back with aluminium craters, filled with food. He ladled it out into bowls and they ate in silence.

Yassen seemed nervous. He kept glancing at his watch, and more than once he wandered over and pressed his ear to the door.

Eventually, he seemed satisfied that they weren't followed.

"We leave in an hour." He said.

Alex nodded. He had learnt the hard way not to ask questions.

"I have your word?" Ash demanded, gazing into Vixen's eyes. She nodded.

"One bullet. And it never leaves here."

Volk sat supporting Jack. She had stop crying, merely making small hurt animals noises occasionally. He nodded, confirming this. He wasn't even sure that either of the women noticed.

Ash pulled the offered piece of paper towards him.

"here." He said, scribbling. "It's a bolthole. Only place in the city that he has."

Vixen took it. She withdrew a gun from within her jacket and placed a single bullet in it.

"You know the sad thing Ash?" she said, gently. "You could have been the best."

Volk helped Jack to her feet and out into the corridor. Vixen stood there, leaning against the wall, her eyes closed.

"I thought he loved me." Jack muttered, wiping her eyes.

A single shot rang out. Vixen opened her eyes.

"Let's go." She said.

TBC