Here's a story with a different twist. Irina and Vaughn are in trouble and Jack and Sydney have to come to their rescue. Of course the tense relationship if you want to call it that between Sydney's mother and her lover has never been addressed on the show. So here goes our version of what might happen.
The characters belong to JJ Abrams and his writers.
Enjoy.

A DEATH IN KASHMIR
BY LENAFAN & KYLO4

CHAPTER ONE
KIDNAPPED

Irina sat looking out the window as the plane flew toward Paris in the late spring. She was going to Sydney’s wedding. It would be a family affair with she and Jack, Vaughn’s mother, Irina’s father and a few close friends from the CIA: Dixon, Weiss, Marshall Flinkman and his wife, Carrie, and, of course, Will Tippin. Vaughn’s mother! She had been so taken aback when Sydney told her she would be there. She had assumed Bill’s wife was dead. Now she would have to face and talk to the wife of the man she had killed so many years ago. That was going to be difficult.

Someone was standing close by. She looked up to see the stewardess. “Yes?”

“The gentleman over there,” she pointed in the direction of a dark-haired, dark skinned man sitting two rows in front of her and on the other side of the aisle, “would like to buy you a drink. I said I would ask.”

“Tell him thanks, but I don’t know him and,” she paused, “he does not know who I am. Do you?”

The stewardess nodded, “Yes, Colonel, I do.”

Irina looked at her. “Then…you will take care of it for me?”

“Of course.”

Irina smiled to herself. She still was attractive enough to have someone want to buy her a drink. She wondered what Jack would say. She touched the diamond ring he had given to her on the occasion of their last anniversary. He had been absolutely floored when she produced the wedding band she had kept for so many years, asking him to put it back on her finger. That night had been a wonderful reprise of the time in Hawaii.

Her heart missed a beat as she thought about tonight when they would together again. She planned to stay in Paris for three or four days, not only to attend the wedding, but also, to be with Jack. It had been two months since she had seen him. She looked out the window again. She wondered if he would be picking her up.

Sydney looked at Vaughn adoringly. He was so handsome. He was putting on his jacket. She had asked him to go to the airport to pick up Mom. His mother was already in Paris and Jack promised to show her a little of the city. Then, Irina had called to say she was taking an earlier flight and would be landing about ten in the morning. General Probukov, Sydney’s grandfather was coming later. Sydney had some last minute things to do before the wedding, so she’d asked him to go. She knew Irina was not his favorite person to be alone with, but he did agree. He still had issues about the death of his father and the two of them had never really talked about it. He was forever dodging the discussion even though Irina seemed to be willing now.

Sydney sighed. One of these days… “It’s almost nine thirty. You’d better get going.”

“Well she’s got to go through customs.”

“No, she doesn’t. She’s got a diplomatic passport.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot.” He grabbed the keys to the rental car, kissed her and left.

Irina stood at the baggage center watching for her bag. She had packed lightly, so once she found her it, she could exit out to the loading area. She trusted Sydney to make sure someone would pick her up.

“Excuse me, Colonel Derevko.” The voice was soft and with an Arabic accent.

She turned to see the man from the plane – the one who had offered to buy her a drink. “Yes?”

“I wish to apologize for intruding upon you in the plane. You are a very attractive woman. I would have liked to talk to you.”

She smiled. “Thank you, but I’m married. I do not know you. I hope you will understand.” She studied him for a moment and decided she did not like him, although she was sure they had never met.

“Then I shall leave. Again, my apologies.” He turned and left.

Her bag tumbled out of the baggage tunnel onto the carousel. She picked it up and with her passport in hand was waved through. She exited out the double doors into the loading area. She looked around. She didn’t see Jack or Sydney. She certainly stood out among other waiting passengers. She was in a rust colored woolen pants suit, wearing high heeled boots which put her at about six two. Her hair was the color of brown chestnuts with hints of red gold throughout. Around her shoulders she had tossed a lightweight coat. She put on dark glasses as it was bright outside, a beautiful spring day in Paris.

She heard a horn, turned and saw a car pulling up in front of her. The driver got out and she saw it was Vaughn. She gave him a brief smile. He took her bag and put it into the trunk, then held the door for her to get.

“You are looking good, Michael.” Irina smiled again at him.

“Thanks!” He pulled out into traffic. Neither said anything for a time.

“How have you been,” she asked.

“Fine, and you?”

“Fine…” her voice trailed off a little, then she swallowed, “I understand your Mother is going to be here also.”

He nodded, not wishing to look at her. “Yeah, she’s out with Jack right now, doing some sight-seeing.”

“Good, it is a beautiful city,” she said. She looked down at her hands, the ones that held the gun to his father’s head and finger that pulled the trigger.

Vaughn said nothing more. He was busy driving and always had felt uncomfortable around Irina. Ahead there seemed to be congestion. A couple of police cars were blocking the way. Two men jumped out and motioned him to turn right in a detour. He swung the wheel and turned down a narrow street. Suddenly a black SUV pulled out in front of them and stopped. Vaughn jammed on the brakes. Then the car was hit from the rear, jamming him up against the SUV. The front doors were pulled open. Gas was shot into both their faces. Irina and Vaughn immediately lost consciousness. They were pulled out and carried into the back of the front SUV. One man drove them off, the other climbed in behind the wheel of Vaughn’s car and followed. The car that had been behind turned at the first opportunity and melted into traffic. There was no evidence that Irina and Vaughn had ever been there.

They had disappeared.

A Death In Kashmir
Chapter 2
Missing
Jack was taking Mrs. Vaughn around Paris. This
woman, would be his daughter’s mother-in-law, if the marriage happened. Just yesterday,

Jack had, had a quick chat with Sydney about how he disagreed with some things that Vaughn
did, and how he might not always be there for her when she needed him. His worries made Sydney’s head want to explode. But now that he was actually with
Vaughn’s mother, she felt he might get to know Vaughn better, through her.

Jack walked across the parking lot, heading towards a taxi, when his pager went off. With a
quick glance at it, and a slight smile now turning into an angry face, Jack said his regrets to
Vaughn’s mother, put her in a taxi and then left in a separate one.

Meanwhile, at the hotel, Will and Marshall were talking. It had something to do about a brand of
coke that has some sort of drug in it. Of course, Marshall was doing most of the talking while Will, tried not to be bothered by Marshall’s stuttering. Carrie, on the other hand, was talking to Dixon about a new jazz band she liked.

Sydney was out. She told everybody that she was going out to the shopping, and hadn’t been back for three hours. She told them she was buying some last minutes things for the wedding and the party after.They didn’t mind,

Jack got out of the taxi and looked up at the hotel to make sure that it was the right one. He entered and walked into the elevator, pressed the floor number that Sydney was on. Moments later he entered her room, seeing Will,Carrie, Dixon and Marshall all talking to each other.

Jack asked where Weiss and Sydney were. “Well, Wiess is at the bar downstairs, trying to pick up a French girl and is probably telling her those bad jokes that he told me on the airplane.” Will paused. "Sydney's been gone about three hours. She said she was going shopping, but she also may have been looking for you. She seemed a little upset."

"Do you know why?"

Will wasn't sure he should say more, then said, "No. I'm sorry I can't help you more."

Jack left and took the elevator back down to the lobby. He was on his way out when he just so happened to bump into Sydney. She at her father nervously, and then said, “Dad, I think that Vaughn and Mom are missing.”
At the mention of Irina, Jack's heart beat faster. He gave a little nervous look of his own before slowly replying. “Why do you think that?”

Sydney answered. "Vaughn was supposed to pick up Mom at ten thirty, and they still haven’t arrived here yet.”

“Well, how do you know that the plane isn’t late or something?”

Sydney looked right in her father’s eyes, and replied in a whisper, “Because I checked the flight stats and data and there have been no delayed flights today.”

Jack looked away from Sydney, to let this information sink into his brain. He’d gone through worse, much worse, but the fact that this time it was Sydney’s future husband and his own wife.

He replied hesitantly, “Have you called the police?"

Sydney shook her hed. "No, but we can do it now. I just wanted you to know first." She started to cry.

Jack put his arm around her. "It's going to okay. Let's also call the hospitals just in case there an accident. We'll get Marshall and Dixon to help. If need be, will get the Paris CIA agent to lend hand if we can't locate them."

He shivered. Something told him that Irina and Vaughn were missing.

As promised, the 3rd chapter


Chapter 2
Missing

Jack was taking Mrs. Vaughn around Paris. This woman, would be his daughter’s mother-in-law, if the marriage happened. Just yesterday, Jack had, had a quick chat with Sydney about how he disagreed with some things that Vaughn did, and how he might not always be there for her when she needed him. His worries made Sydney’s head want to explode. But now that he was actually with Vaughn’s mother, she felt he might get to know Vaughn better, through her.

Jack walked across the parking lot, heading towards a taxi, when his pager went off. With a
quick glance at it, and a slight smile now turning into an angry face, Jack said his regrets to
Vaughn’s mother, put her in a taxi and then left in a separate one.

Meanwhile, at the hotel, Will and Marshall were talking. It had something to do about a brand of
coke that has some sort of drug in it. Of course, Marshall was doing most of the talking while
Will, tried to not get bothered by Marshall’s stuttering. Carrie, on the other hand, was talking to Dixon about a new jazz band she liked.

Sydney was out. She told everybody that she was going out to the shopping, and hadn’t been back for three hours. She told them she was buying some last minutes things for the wedding and the party after. They didn’t mind,

Jack got out of the taxi and looked up at the hotel to make sure that it was
the right one. He entered and walked into the elevator, pressed the floor number that Sydney was on. Moments later he entered her room, seeing Will, Carrie, Dixon and Marshall all talking to each other.
Jack asked where Weiss and Sydney were. “Well, Weiss is at the bar downstairs, trying to pick up a French girl and is probably telling her those bad jokes that he told me on the airplane.” Will paused. "Sydney's been gone about three hours. She said she was going shopping, but she also may have been looking for you. She seemed a little upset."

"Do you know why?"

Will wasn't sure he should say more, then said, "No. I'm sorry I can't help you more."

Jack left and took the elevator back down to the lobby. He was on his way out when he happened to bump into Sydney. She at her father nervously, and then said, “Dad, I think that Vaughn and Mom are missing.”

At the mention of Irina, Jack's heart beat faster. He gave a little nervous look of his own before slowly replying. “Why do you think that?”

Sydney answered. "Vaughn was supposed to pick up Mom at ten thirty, and they still haven’t arrived here yet.”

“Well, how do you know that the plane isn’t late or something?”

Sydney looked right in her father’s eyes, and replied in a sort of soft whisper, “Because I checked the flight stats and data and there have been no delayed flights today.”

Jack looked away from Sydney, to let this information sink into his brain. He’d gone through
worse, much worse, but the fact that this time it was Sydney’s future husband and his own wife.

He replied hesitantly, “Have you called the police?"

Sydney shook her head. "No, but we can do it now. I just wanted you to know first.:" She started to cry.

Jack put his arm around her. "It's going to okay. Let's also call the hospitals just in case there was an accident. We'll get Marshall and Dixon to help. If need be, will get the Paris CIA agent to lend hand if we can't locate them."

He shivered. Something told him that Irina and Vaughn were missing.



CHAPTER 3
ESCAPE

Vaughn was shaken awake by the truck hitting a bump. He had a terrible taste in his mouth and his head ached fiercely. He groaned and opened his eyes. Looking up he saw the ceiling of a truck, which told him nothing. He tried turning over, but his right wrist would not go but a foot or so before it resisted. He looked to the right and saw her. Irina! Then he saw why he couldn’t move his wrist. Whoever had knocked them out had chained them together. They had only two feet of chain separating them.

Irina stirred. “Jack?” she murmured.

Vaughn grimaced. “No, it’s Michael.”

She opened her eyes, looking at him. “Where are we?”

“Dunno. Looks like we’re in the back of a truck of some kind.” As he spoke, the truck turned and slowed down.

“How long have we been out?”

He looked at his watch, “It’s been at least twelve hours. Must be nighttime.”

She now felt the chain and struggled to sit up. “Looks like they don’t want us to leave.”

Suddenly, he heard voices. “Quiet,” he whispered. The truck had stopped.

“Il pieno, per favore y che distanza c’e a Firenze?”

“Cento chilemetri!”

“Grazi!”

Irina sat up listening, then said to Vaughn, “We’re in Italy.” She frowned, thinking. The driven had spoken with an accent. It had been one she had heard recently.

He nodded. “Sounds like we’re close to Florence. According to the station attendant we’re about a hundred kilometers.”

Suddenly the truck gave a lurch, throwing them both backward to the floor. The driver was in a hurry. Neither could hear what was being said since the two men were speaking quietly and the radio was on. Irina studied the chain on her wrist. Then she looked at Vaughn.

“You have any idea why we were kidnapped?”

“Not a clue.” He looked into her dark eyes. God, he thought, they were even darker than Sydney’s. He grimaced. He was feeling bad. They would have been married by this time.

Irina saw the look on his face. She put her hand on his. “Vaughn—Michael, it will be all right. They’ll find us. Or maybe we can find a way out.”

He straightened up and gave her a brief grin. “Yeah. Well, looks like we have to work together if we’re going anywhere.”

She shot him a funny look, then gave a short laugh. “Guess we will.”

Moments later, they were standing at the back of the truck, near its rear door. They both looked for a handle or something that would tell them whether or not they were locked inside. Vaughn saw the inside lift handle. He motioned for Irina to stand close to him as he tried to raise the door. The door started to rise. He stopped, looking at her in amazement.

“They didn’t lock it.” He whispered in her ear.

She nodded, also surprised. “Wait. The truck’s going too fast. Chained together we could hurt ourselves jumping at this speed.”

“Yes, I know.”

“We should wait until the truck has to stop.”

A half-hour passed. They heard more street noise. It was getting close to eleven thirty according to his watch. Vaughn wanted to open the door, but kept holding back as Irina listened, holding up a hand to stop any quick move on his part. She seemed to be listening for something in particular.

“Now!” she hissed. They both raised the handle. They had discussed whether to go right and cross the street, or left, where the passenger side occupant might see them. Right had been the decision.

They jumped down, in front of two very surprised Italians in a small car. Vaughn had Irina’s hand in his. He was hoping it would minimize the chance of anyone noticing the chain. There was no traffic coming the opposite way. They ran swiftly to the other side of the street. Irina saw a small alley. She darted to it, with Vaughn at her side. They did not look back. They had to get some distance between them and their captors. Irina seemed to know where they were because she unerringly led the way to another street, another alley until they had gone at least a mile in Vaughn’s estimate.

She slowed down slightly. “You okay?”

He was a little miffed by the suggestion he was out of shape. “Yes, I’m fine. Do you know where we are?”

She nodded. “We have to cross the Arno and get into the heart of Florence. My apartment is near there.” She glanced at her watch.

“Think they know you have one?”

“Don’t talk. Just follow me.”

They seemed to be going downhill. There were more cars and people now. Vaughn had never been in Florence, although he had heard Sydney talk about it. He was now seeing it at a disadvantage. It was night and they were being chased by the kidnappers. They would not be happy they had escaped. He followed Irina blindly as he considered why they had been taken at the airport. It had to be Irina they wanted. Of course, there were many reasons for someone to take her prisoner. He could have done it himself a couple of years ago, but now…he glanced at her. Sydney’s mother remained a mystery to him and others. Only Jack and Sydney had cracked the code. What was he missing in this woman that they saw and knew but were not telling?

Irina stopped, gripping his right arm. “The river.”

He looked up and saw the Ponte Vecchio, the covered bridge that led from one side of the river to the other. Mostly jewelry and leather shops were inside the ancient bridge.

“See anything,” he murmured, looking in both directions.

“No, let’s go.” They crossed the street over to the sidewalk next to the river. Irina’s head was turning constantly. Looking for anything that might indicate they were being hunted.

At the entrance of the Ponte Vecchio, she held him up a moment, then said, “Follow me.”
They had escaped their kidnappers. Now they had to get the chain off their wrists.

WHOA!!!! This is good too! I love it!!! :) :D

Here's our next chapter, Kylo4

CHAPTER FOUR
ISSUES

Jack shivered. Something told him that Irina and Vaughn were missing.

Jack asked Sydney if she could call some hospitals, to ask if there had been an accident and to leave Vaughn’s and Irina’s name’s at the hospitals. Sydney decided to enlist Carrie to help. So they both picked up their cell phones, and started calling.

As if things couldn’t get worse, Vaughn’s mother entered the room through the door with Weiss who looked excited. Vaughn’s mother was happy until she saw that her son still wasn’t there.

"Where's Michael?" She asked.

Jack paused for a moment, and then thought up the most obvious answer that would satisfy her. He also said it smoothly so that Mrs. Vaughn wouldn’t get suspicious and figure out something was wrong.

"Mrs. Bristow's flight is just delayed for a couple of hours. Vaughn said he might was well stay at the Orly and wait for her.”

Ginny smiled, then said, "I'm going to my room and rest. It was quite a busy morning and I'm a little tired. But, please call me, if he comes."

Jack said he would. As she went out the door, Sydney and Carrie came in, telling Jack they hadn't had any luck calling the hospitals in the area.

"Keep trying. Dixon, you and I are going to the Metropolitan Police to see if they can help. I will have to tell them the pair are missing." He looked at Sydney. "I want Marshall to call the local police stations about any accidents that might have occurred along their route back from Orly." The two men left.

Will came in a minute later and Sydney asked him to catch Marshall downstairs. Jack had new orders. He hurried out. Five minutes later, somewhat out of breath, Will caught up with them.

"Marshall, Sydney and Jack want you to hack into the police records to find out if there have been any accidents." Marshall nodded in agreement and took the elevator back to Sydney's suite.

Sydney and Carrie were having no luck finding her mother and Vaughn. Now she was really getting worried. "Damn it," she swore tossing her cell phone down on the sofa. It hadn't been there more than a minute or two when it rang.

"Hello, Vaughn?

"No, no, it's your grandfather!" said General Mikhail Probukov in his thick Russian accent. "I am here at Orly. Can you come pick me up immediately? No questions, just come now." He hung before Sydney could respond.

"I've got to go to Orly and pick up my grandfather. When the others get back tell them." She ran out of the hotel and took a taxi.

A half-hour later, Sydney was inside Orly, heading for the waiting area where the Aeroflot plane had landed. She stood looking around, trying to spot a man who was six feet four and maybe wearing a uniform. Suddenly a hand fell on her shoulder and she turned around to see her grandfather, who grabbed Sydney by the shoulders and planted a kiss on each cheek.

"It's good to see you, little one. I need to tell you something." His demeanor turned from friendly to stern. "This may cause issues." He started explaining everything when they started walking back.

Great chapter!! :)

Sorry this is a little late, but the site was down for improvements

CHAPTER FIVE
SHOT

Irina and Vaughn moved swiftly through a thinning crowd of late night shoppers into the bridge and then out just south of the Uffizi Gallery. It was closed, of course, but there were police hanging around. The famous museum had millions of dollars of art within its walls. There had been robberies at other galleries. The City Fathers did not want that to happen in their great city. Vaughn pulled the chain up into this hand, taking hers in his as though they were lovers taking a walk. Irina adjusted to the sensation. She and Sydney’s fiance had never touched very often, let alone hold hands. They entered the Plaza Signorile and paused as Irina got her bearings.

“This way,” she murmured. She glanced at her watch. They had been on the loose for almost two and a half-hours.

Fifteen minutes later, she and Vaughn stood across the street from her apartment building. They stood in the shadows watching the street.

“See anything,” she asked.

“Nothing suspicious,” he answered.

Irina felt the hair on the back of her neck rise. She shivered. It did seem that everything looked fine, just … She held Vaughn still…waiting, for what she didn’t know, but something told her not to move yet.

“What’s wrong?” He whispered.

“I don’t know, but…” she squeezed his hand, pointing to a dark shadow at the side of the apartment building. “Look!”

He saw then what she saw. The end of a lighted cigarette glowing as it was inhaled. “Them?”

“Maybe.” She thought a moment, looking around. “Come, we’ll circle back and around to that alley.” She nodded across the street to dark shadows covering the entrance to the narrower street.

Ten minutes later, they entered the alley. They had planned what they were going to do. Because they were chained together, it might be difficult to reach the ladder and pull it down, but they both agreed they had to try. Irina knew both rear and front doors would be watched. They found a box big enough for them to stand on, Vaughn helping Irina to reach up with her right hand to grasp the ladder. It came down silently. They went up the four flights as quietly as they could. There was door at that floor level leading into the hall. Irina reached under a window ledge beside the door for the key she always kept hidden. She opened the door and stepped inside with Vaughn beside her. At her front door, she punched in the code. The door opened. She had just stepped inside when a shot rang out and Vaughn grunted. He’d been hit.

Irina pulled him inside. She slammed the door shut, locking it. She heard yelling. Someone was running toward the door. Encumbered by the wounded Vaughn, she half-carried, half-led him down a short hallway to the bathroom.

“Where are you hit?” She flipped on the light.

“Upper arm.” He stood a little more steadily now. He looked. There was blood on his jacket. “Yeah, the arm.”

Irina tore open a drawer, taking out some alcohol and bandages. She turned and hurried out the door pulling him along with her. They were heading for her bedroom. There, she opened a cupboard, pushed an unseen button, and drawer slid out revealing two guns and a box of ammo. She loaded one.

“Put your wrist on the bed.” She did the same stretching the chain between them. Then she fired. The chain snapped, freeing them. They didn’t have much time. She could hear a lot of noise coming from the other side of the livingroom door. The kidnappers were using something hard to break it down.

“Take off the jacket, hurry.” When he had done so, she unscrewed the cap of the alcohol bottle and poured some of the liquid over the wound. Fortunately, it was only a flesh wound. The bone seemed intact. She wrapped it with the gauze and tied it off.

Throwing open her closet door, she found what she was looking for and handed it to Vaughn. “Change quickly.”

She, herself, pulled off her boots and the pants suit, changing into heavy-duty denims, black cotton shirt and soft black leather jacket and other heavier boots. She paid no attention to him as she opened another drawer. From it she took what looked to be a syringe. Irina injected herself in the chest, tossing the syringe into drawer and shutting it. She ran out of the room as he was putting on the jacket. Must be Jack’s he’d thought.

Irina entered the livingroom, scarcely reacting to the noise outside the door. She glanced around, looking for something. Then she saw her cell phone. She picked it up, punching in a number just as the door opened. With her right hand, she pulled the gun from her waistband and got off two shots. She heard a man yell as the door opened, three men entered, but one fell to the floor mortally wounded. The other two held their weapons on her as one commanded, “Drop the gun.”

Irina did as she was told. No use dying now.

“On your knees and put your hands behind your head!” She did.

He continued in a thick accent. “Where’s the other?” She didn’t answer. He glanced around, then called out. “Mister, you better give up. We have the woman. We shoot her if you don’t.” He cocked the revolver.

In the bedroom, where he’d been standing next to the doorway, his back to the wall, Vaughn wondered whether he should act or surrender. Then he thought of Sydney and, of course, Irina. There was a better chance at survival if there were two of them.

“All right,” he put his hands up, going through the door and down the short hallway.

Irina was on her knees, hands behind her head. A man, one of their captors, held a gun to it. Another man was facing him. On the floor just inside the doorway, lay a third man, who was not moving. Irina had shot him before being overwhelmed. Vaughn put his hands behind his head and, saying nothing, waited. No one saw the cell phone on the floor where Irina had tossed it. It was still on.

Back at the truck, their hands were tied behind their backs and their ankles wrapped several times with duct tape. It was obvious the men were not going to take any chances of them escaping again. They would not be able to get up onto their feet. A few minutes later the door opened and the man Irina had killed was tossed inside. The door slammed. They were in darkness.

“Well that was a futile exercise,” mumbled Vaughn. “I got shot. Another man was killed. And you’re getting high.”

Irina’s laugh came from out the darkness. “You’d better hope someone will hear and see the beeps.”

They had been missing for 14 hours.

I know you've been patiently waiting so here's Chapter 6 and 7.

CHAPTER 6
PHONE CALL

Sydney looked at the General as they left the terminal. “What issues are you talking about?”

The father of Irina Derevko had a serious look on his face. “Let’s get in the car first and I discuss it then.”

Five minutes later, Sydney was maneuvering the car through traffic toward Paris. Once on the freeway, she said, “Okay, Grandfather, what’s wrong?”

“It’s your mother and Mrs. Vaughn. Irina was extremely distraught over the circumstances of having to deal with Mrs. Vaughn at the wedding. She knows she needs to talk to her, but she didn’t feel it was the right time. You’re marrying Vaughn here just for her sake. She didn’t want to detract from the celebration.”

Sydney nodded. “Yes, I know she was perturbed. I told her that she could or could not talk to Ginny—Mrs.Vaughn. But I had to invite her. Michael didn’t have family here. It didn’t seem fair that he had no one.”

The General nodded. “I see.” He frowned. “The other issue involves you, the CIA and SVR.”

She grinned. “Hummm! You think the two intelligence agencies are worried? I have resigned from CIA. Michael and I are going to make our home in Virginia. He’s been transferred. I’m only interested in being a housewife and – mother.”

“Aha, grandchildren for Irina and Jack. And if I live long enough, great grandchildren.” He chuckled. “I never thought that would happen.”

“Count on it. BUT we have a big problem,” Sydney said. “Four hours ago, mother and Michael disappeared. We’ve been looking all over Paris. The police won’t do anything for 24 hours.”

“What? You mean you let me prattle on about my issues when this happened?”

“We have no clue about their whereabouts. Dad is going crazy and I’m trying my best not to lose control.” She turned the car into the hotel parking lot. They got out. The General picked up his bag from the rear seat. “It’s a little scary.”

Once upstairs, Jack introduced his father-in-law to those in the room The CIA agents were impressed, not only by his height but his bearing. He was a formidable figure and a little fierce looking. Jack detailed everything they had done to locate the missing pair.

“It is three o’clock,” said the General. “I am going to alert my chief agent here to be on call.”

“Thanks.” Jack said.

There was a knock at the door. Carrie Flinkman was the closest, so she opened it. It was Ginny Vaughn. She looked at everyone, but didn’t see the one person she wanted to see, her son, Michael.

“Where is Michael?” She looked at Jack. Then she noticed the formidable presence of General Probukov. “My!”

“Sorry, Ginny,” said Jack. “This is General Mikhail Probukov, my wife’s father.”

“You are certainly a tall one.” She smiled tentatively.

“I’m pleased to meet you,” he responded with a warm smile.

She looked at Jack, “Well, where is he?”

“Ginny, I think you’d better sit down.” When she had done so, Jack took one of her hands in his. “I’ve some bad news. Both Michael and Irina are missing. We’ve checked everywhere from here to the airport. We’re checking all of the hospitals in Paris as well. Still there has been no indication there was any accident. His rental car is also missing. The police won’t look for them until 24 hours have passed.”

She was shocked. “That woman – she didn’t --?” Then she realized that both Sydney and the General were standing close by. “Oh dear…” She turned red, knowing she had possibly made a faux pas.

Sydney knelt in front of her and took her hand. “Mrs. Vaughn, I’m very worried too. After all Michael and I,” she looked at her watch, “were supposed to be married an hour from now.”

Ginny burst into tears. “Oh dear,” she stood and pulled Sydney into her arms. “I am so sorry. Of course you are frantic.”

“General,” said Jack, “I think you’d better alert your agent.”

“Phone?”

“Use the one in the bedroom.”

By midnight every contingency had been covered: police, hospitals, urgent care centers – all within a hundred miles of the center. Still nothing. Jack was exhausted as was Sydney who was bearing up as well as anyone could under the circumstances. They had sent Mrs. Vaughn to bed, arranged for a room for the General close by, and told everyone to get some rest. There was no guarantee that they would get much if something broke. Jack had already arranged for two teams: a strike if needed would be himself, Sydney and Dixon. The home team would be Marshall, Carrie and Will as the analyst. He had notified CIA in Langley for permission to use satellite coverage if needed. The General had notified SVR headquarters as well as his agent in Paris. They were to cooperate fully with the CIA and vice versa.

Jack bid Mikhail good night and closed the door, just as his cell phone rang. He flipped it open, was about to say something, when his face went white. Sydney was at his side instantly. Both of them heard two shots…then a man’s voice saying

“Drop the gun. On your knees and put your hands behind your head!”

There was a pause. Jack and Sydney could hear a thump as though someone had done just that. Then the voice spoke again, louder this time…

“Where’s the other?” No answer. Then, “Mister you better give up. We have the woman. We shoot her if you don’t.”

Then from a distance, they heard Vaughn, “All right.”

Moments later there was activity and the accented voice spoke a foreign language. Jack looked at Sydney who was concentrating. Then there was silence.”

“What?” said Jack.

“I’m not that sure, but I think Pakistani—or close by.”

“What did he say?”

“To secure them hands and feet so they won’t be able to escape again.”

Jack touched his phone. “Damn, I can’t access. The other phone is still open. Get Marshall.”

Five minutes later, Marshall wearing a bathroom stood in front of Jack who was giving him instructions. The shorter man nodded, turned and ran out of the room He was back almost at once carrying his high-powered laptop which was never out of his sight for long. He hacked into the phone company, back tracked the call, and looked at Jack. “Florence, Italy.”

Sydney gasped. “Mom has an apartment in Florence.”

“Then, that’s where we’re going—now!” Jack said.

CHAPTER SEVEN
FLIGHT

It was hot inside the truck. Both Irina and Vaughn had had nothing to eat or drink since their capture. They hadn’t said much either to one another. Each was conserving their energy and strength since there wasn’t much they could do. The truck had stopped once for fuel, but they had been offered nothing.

Irina knew they had traveled south towards Rome, then the truck turned east. She wondered where they were being taken. It kept getting warmer inside. She knew the sun was up by now. God, she was hungry and thirsty! She looked at Vaughn.

“How’s your arm?”

“OK, burns a little, but not too painful.” He sighed. “Where do you think we are?”

“Heading east toward the Adriatic Sea.” Can you roll over on your right side? I want to look at your watch. I think we need to know the time.”

“Sure.” He rolled over, so his left wrist was toward her. She scooted over toward him, leaning as much as she could to see. “And--?”

There was barely enough light inside the truck. It was nearly six-thirty. “Thanks.” She told him the time. “I’m hungry and thirsty.” She glanced over at the body, which lay near the door where his friends had tossed him. “I hope we stop soon.”

“Why?”

“The man I shot is in rigor mortis now.”

Vaughn understood. “Say, why did you rush off to the livingroom when you knew they burst through the door any minute?”

“My cell phone was there. I punched in Jack’s number.”

“Did he answer?”

She shook her head. “I dropped it as they came inside. I barely had time to get off two shots. I just hope he heard everything and could trace the call.”

Vaughn pushed himself back into a sitting position as the truck started slowing down. In a half a minute, it had stopped. He looked at her. She shrugged. Then the rear door rolled up and a bright day appeared, almost blinding them. Irina blinked several times. One man jumped up and with a knife, slashed through the tape around their ankles.

Pulling Irina up, he said, “Get out.” He bent down and pulled Vaughn up. “You too.”

Both stood swaying at the doorway, trying to feel something in their feet. The man pushed Vaughn, who stumbled, then fell out of the truck. Irina quickly sat down, then jumped, landing on both feet with a slight stagger. Glancing about her, she saw an airplane only a few feet away. The man in charge helped Vaughn up.

“This way.” He shoved Irina toward the plane.

When they entered, a man stood in the aisle waiting. He was tall, dark and definitely the man she had met on the plane trip. She had been right in her suspicion that they would meet again. And now, she recognized the accent. It was middle-eastern. The engine on the plane started up.

“Ahh, Colonel Derevko, so nice to meet you again.”

“You have me at a disadvantage. You know my name, but I don’t know yours.”

“Pardon my manners. I am Mohammad Kabir. I am the brother of Akbad Kabir who was killed by CIA agents a couple of months ago.” He looked at Vaughn. “I believe you were one of the two men who killed him.”

Vaughn looked at him and thought, “So it wasn’t Irina they wanted.” He said nothing.

“Revenge? Is this the reason you kidnapped us?” said Irina.

“No. My brother gave away our money to Arvin Sloane and I want it back—all forty million.”

Irina smothered a gasp. “Forty million? You expect to get that kind of money for us?”

Suddenly he lashed out with hand, catching her across the face. She lost her balance and fell over the armrest of seat. By sheer will, she kept herself from falling onto the floor.

“Do you take me for a fool? I know who you are. I know how wealthy you are. I think your son and daughter will pay for you, their mother, and for him, her fiancé. And you will help me get it. But first, we take you to a place where they won’t find you.” He looked at the two men. “Secure them in seats across the aisle from one another.”

“Could we have some water?” Asked Vaughn.

“Give them one cup only.” He stalked into the cockpit, out of sight.

The plane took off. One of the men came with a cup of water for Irina. Her arms were tied to the armrests, as were Vaughn’s. He held the cup while she drank. Her body cried out for more, but he took the empty cup away, filling it and then giving it to Vaughn. When he was finished drinking, the man still not saying a word turned and left them. Vaughn was across the aisle from Irina.

“Can you see anything out the window?”

“Yes, we’re over water now, heading east.” She said.

“Where do you think we’re headed?”

“I think Kashmir.” Irina murmured. She was not happy about that supposition. The province was located at the top of India with Pakistan on one border and Nepal on the other side. Kashmir was almost an independent country, even though it was part of India. The infamous Khyber Pass was in the province. She had been there before, twice. She wondered if Mohammad knew. She also knew there was no airfield of any significance in the area. Kashmir was very mountainous.

“Why?”

“Didn’t Akbar hold Sydney prisoner there? I would think Mohammad inherited when his brother was killed.”

“I was afraid you were going to say that.” Vaughn sighed, remembering the night he and Dixon had entered the castle stronghold. Faulty Intel had led to Sydney’s being captured. She told him later that Sloane had been there also.

Time droned on as they flew further and further East. The plane landed once for fuel, then left immediately. No one but the pilot left the plane. Food was distributed among their captors, but the prisoners were given nothing. Both had a ferocious hunger by now.

They had been missing twenty-eight hours.

I am sooo glad that u finally posted!!! i was going crazy!! Great as always! :D

hey! there's more up over here! sorry, dont have time to really read it now, but just wanted to say....

hi! im here! its christy!!

luv this story!

As promised, here's Capters 8 and 9...

CHAPTER 8
SCRAMBLE

Everyone responded to Jack’s call as soon as they could respectably put on robes or their regular clothes. Jack waited for them all. He included Ginny because she should know what had happened to Vaughn.

“Dixon, Sydney and I are going to Florence as soon as we can get a flight out.”
Jack’s face was still pale.

“Dad, we can do better in a private plane.” Sydney said. “I’ll check things with the airport on the other line.” She went into her bedroom.

“While she does that…I want everyone to understand we’re not sure where they are taking Michael and Irina, but Sydney and I believe it will be somewhere in the middle east, possibly as far as Pakistan or India.”

“Why do you think that, Jack?” asked the General.

“The language Sydney identified as Pakistani or a dialect from that region.”

Ginny looked even whiter than Jack. “Mr. Bristow, what’s going to happen to Michael and…her.” She couldn’t bring herself to say Irina’s name yet.

“We don’t know yet. That’s why we want you, Will, Weiss, Carrie and Marshall along with the General to stay here.” Jack turned to Probukov. “Have you any ideas about why they were kidnapped?”

Mikhail Probukov shook his head. “I can’t help you.”

“Wait.” Will stood up. He’d been thinking. “Twenty plus years ago, wasn’t Irina Derevko put in prison somewhere in Kashmir?” He looked at Jack. “Didn’t you, Sydney and Irina go back to that prison – to get those nukes?” Will had become a top analyst for the CIA. Once a couple of years ago, he had been an up and coming journalist. Then he got entangled with Arvin Sloane and SD-6 and his life had been turned around. Using his reporter’s instincts, he had carved a new career for himself with the CIA.

Jack nodded. “Yes, but why do you think they’re being taken to the prison?”

“Okay, if not the prison, the stronghold of…” he frowned as he searched his memory, “…of Akbar Kabir. Sydney was being tortured when Vaughn and Dixon rescued her. Maybe they were after Vaughn.”

“But why Irina? She wasn’t part of that then. She was under CIA jurisdiction at the Center.”

“Maybe it was chance. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Sydney came back into the room. “All right, we have a plane. We can leave in an hour. What about the police? Shouldn’t we tell them what we know now?”

“Will” Jack looked at the younger man. “You take care of this for us. Dixon, you, Sydney and I need to pack as well as stop and pick up equipment on the way to the airport. I’ll get in touch with the CIA officer here in Paris. General, please alert SVR. There is always the possibility Irina may be able to get a message someway to someone there”.

“Mr. Bristow, what do you think will happen to Michael?” Ginny Vaughn was distraught. There were tears brimming in her eyes.

Jack looked a little discomfited by her question. The trouble was he couldn’t come up with a definitive answer that would make her feel better. There was no indication why the two had been kidnapped. There was only supposition on his part and that wasn’t good.

“Mrs. Vaughn, the sooner we can catch up with the kidnappers, the better. We can’t dwell on what might happen to them, only what we’re going to do to find them and bring them back safely. You can help here by seeing to it our agents are fed and that they get rest.” He looked at Weiss, who nodded, knowing Jack wanted her to be kept busy. “Trust me Ginny, we will do our best to get Michael back…and Irina.” That was for him. His heart had been racing ever since he’d heard the phone call. He had tried to remain cool, but his interior self was raging. Most kidnappings these days did not end with the victims being returned unharmed.

General Probukov put his arm gently around the worried mother. “It will be all right. Jack is good man, tough and strong. Sydney is smart. Don’t worry. They’ll find them.”

The phone rang. Sydney answered it. “Dad, it’s the police. They’ve found Vaughn’s rental car.”

“What are they going to do with it?”

She relayed the question and then listened. “They’re towing it to their criminal investigation department for finger printing. Preliminary examination showed no blood anywhere.”

“We’ll keep in touch.” Jack looked at Weiss. “You handle that too.”

“Yes sir, no problem.”

“Sydney, I’ve got to get another satellite cell phone. Mine’s tied up.” He snapped it shut. “But I’ll take it as a back up. In the meantime, Marshall, I want you to call the Italian police in Florence.” He looked at Sydney. “Where is your mother’s apartment?” She told him.

Turning back to Marshall, Jack continued, “Tell the police that we’re on our way. They should get to the apartment to keep anyone from encroaching or disturbing the crime scene. We’re going to want to see it as is. And call Langley to inform them what has happened so far.”

“Will do, J-Jack.”

“I think that‘s about all. One of us will keep you posted all the time once we arrive in Florence, so one of you be available at all times to receive phone calls.”

CHAPTER NINE
THE PRISON

The plane stopped for gas in Jordan. No one left the plane except the pilot. Within forty-five minutes, they were back into the air, again heading east. Now there was no water, only desert sand, wadis and a few thousand green acres, surrounded by forbidding land. It was monotonous and without change. They didn’t seem to be traveling over any cities of any size and although not at 30,000 feet, they were high enough so there were no recognizable landmarks. Still they were heading east and Irina was uneasy. This was not her favorite part of the world. There were bad memories connected with middle-Asia.

At last, she noticed the flat land was giving away to hills. They had been in the plane for at least eight hours. It was getting dark. The plane seemed to be slowly descending. She tried to picture the area where they would be landing. There were mountains and a lot of them. She hoped the pilot knew his way around up here in the dark. Glancing at Vaughn, she thought she saw him dozing. She sighed. She ought to be trying to get some sleep. There was no telling what lay ahead of them once they landed. She closed her eyes. The plane was still descending. She wondered if they were going to land in Islamabad, a large city near the Kashmir territory, but in Pakistan.

Lights were visible on the ground only momentarily, and then they were gone. It had been a large city. She wondered if it was Srinagar. There were no lights on in the plane and she didn’t expect any. She was hungry. No use thinking about that now. Although the plane was flying at a lower altitude, it was still cold. She shivered and looked out the window again. Mountains! She felt the plane start to make a turn. She hated being tied down. This plane was going to land in the dark in mountainous territory.

Glancing out the window again, she saw what she thought was a string of tiny lights. They must be lining a landing field. She almost held her breath as the wheels of the plane hit the field. She looked at the lights. They were little lamps. They had landed in the middle of nothing! When the plane came to a stop, the cockpit door opened and Mohammad came back with his men.

“Did you enjoy the trip?” he said mockingly.

“The flight was fine. The service, however, was poor.” Irina said.

Mohammad laughed. “Yes, I suppose it was. Are you hungry?”

Irina glared at him, saying, “Yes and thirsty.”

Mohammad gave an order for each to have another cup of water. “Get them into the car,” he said to his men.

Irina was surprised. She thought this was the end of the trip. She and Vaughn were taken off the plane. Their hands were bound in front of them and their ankles duct-taped again once they were in the car. Neither could see any lights other than those lining the landing area.

“Do you know where we are?” whispered Vaughn

“I have an idea, but it’s too early to tell for sure.”

One man entered the back seat area, pushing Vaughn to one side so he could sit. Mohammad sat in the front seat. The other man got behind the wheel and started the vehicle. They drove for what seemed like hours. No one spoke. It was cold and Irina was glad to have Vaughn next to her. His body heat made her feel more comfortable. She doubted that would continue once they arrived at their destination.

Suddenly the car stopped. Irina glanced out the window on her side and almost gasped. They had to be near Musaffarabad. They were at the prison, the old secret KGB prison where she had spent six months after running from Jack, Sydney, and the FBI in 1982. She looked at Vaughn. He didn’t seem to know the place. Then she looked back out the window. It was here that she had killed his father almost twenty-two years ago. It was also, where the Peoples Liberation Front had kept six suitcase nukes. Where she, Sydney and Jack had come to find those nukes and take them back. Vaughn had seen the place from the helicopter, but not from the ground. That explained his lack of recognition.

“Out,” said Kabir. Each was helped out by one of his men. The duct tape around their ankles was slashed so they could walk.

It was dark. It smelled musty, dank and some animal smells were mixed in as well. Irina didn’t care. She remembered what it smelled like when she was a prisoner. She remained impassive. She was not going to give Kabir any ammunition to help him obtain his goal, the forty million dollars. If he knew, she grimaced as she stumbled over a rock, it might be worse for her and for Vaughn. She didn’t look at her future son-in-law, because she didn’t want him to know yet where they were.

Kabir, leading the way, gave his halogen lamp to the man with Irina. He pulled out a flashlight that threw a wide beam ahead of them. He muttered something in Pakistani and led the group down some stairs. Irina’s stomach turned and she felt beads of sweat forming under her arms and on her forehead. Their footsteps echoed in the empty building.

“We are going to leave you here tonight.” He walked down a hallway. There were cells on either side. Irina showed no emotion, but her heart was pounding. “You, in there” Kabir said as he motioned to the man with Vaughn. He shoved him inside the cell and slammed the door.

“My dear Colonel, you will occupy this one.” He shoved her inside. She stumbled, falling against the bunk. He had evidently prepared these cells for them, since the bunks had a blanket and the floor had been swept. “I will be back in the morning to see about the ransom video. You might want to use the time to get some rest.”

“How about something to eat…more water?” Vaughn croaked.

“Ali,” he said to one of the men, “Give them each one cup of water and some bread.”

A half-hour later, the three men had gone, leaving Vaughn and Irina in total darkness. Both had retreated to their bunks. Irina wrapped the blanket around her. It was very cold. Neither spoke for several minutes, as each was lost in their own thoughts. Irina was thinking about Jack and Sydney.

Vaughn was thinking of Sydney, wondering what she was doing. By now, they should have been married and on their way to their honeymoon in the south of France. Instead, he was a prisoner with Sydney’s mother! Cripes, what a wedding day…and night!

His mother! Suddenly, he felt terrible. What was she feeling about his being kidnapped AND with Irina Derevko, probably the one person in the world she hated. She had always been strong, holding up well when the CIA informed her Bill, her husband, had been brutally murdered by Derevko. Then to find out the woman was alive and Sydney’s mother? And that she would be at the wedding! He’d had some bad dreams after Sydney told him she wanted him to ask his mother to come to Paris.

He couldn’t imagine what Jack or Sydney told her when he turned up missing. Maybe they didn’t tell her about Irina being with him. The damn woman was trouble from the first time he’d set eyes on her at the L.A. operations center. He glanced in the direction of the other cell. There was no sound, no movement. What was she doing over there?

As if in answer to his thoughts, Irina asked softly, “Are you okay? Your arm?”

“Yeah, I’m okay.” He felt the arm, which was slightly painful. “You got any idea where we are and what this place was. It seems like, he paused, remembering what he could see when Kabir led the way with the flashlight, “it might have been a prison.”

Irina looked toward him. She couldn’t see him and wondered just what he was going to say if she told him. Maybe it would be better if she could see his face. She wanted to be able to help him understand what she was saying.

“I’m not sure. I think we’d better try to sleep. I have no idea what Kabir is going to do to us tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I guess we don’t.” He bit his lip to keep from yelling at her. This was all her fault.

She heard him move on the bunk. She pulled the blanket around her and turned to the wall. Her heart was still pounding, but she closed her eyes and slowly willed herself to sleep.

Hundreds of miles away, north of Kashmir, at SVR headquarters in Moscow, a computer tech in the operations center, noticed a beeping on his computer. He began searching his database for information. Ten minutes later, he had the information on paper and was on his way to see his supervisor. They had an agent in trouble, but who?

Irina and Vaughn had been missing for thirty-six hours.

They are Musaffarabad! I love this story so far. I wonder what Vaughn's reaction will be when he learns where he is being held. Thanks for the IM.

B) Thanks AgentGill...
Yes they are close to you-know-where.
Vaughn will know soon enough.
My co-writer is off for the summer and has turned the story over to me. More will be posted by next week, at least one chapter more. I writing a couple of more stories, so my attention is going different ways. B)

This is great

keep it all coming
you should be writing for the show

Brenda

As promised, Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10
TRACKER

The clerk hurried to the sixth floor at SVR headquarters in Moscow. He went thru a door marked Technical Supervisor. The woman behind the desk looked up as he approached. He looked excited.

“Yes, Ivan?”

“We have received some incoming tracking beeps.”

“From one of our agents?”

“No, I don’t think so. The tracker is coming from an area where we do not have any agents in place. However, it is one of ours, the newer type.”

She frowned, “Well, where is it coming from then?”

“Kashmir, India.”

Now she was surprised. Then she reAgented the memo. It had come this morning just as she had finished her tea. Her secretary had handed it to her. “It’s from the Director, First Directorate.”

The supervisor had read the message. She immediately picked up the phone, dismissing the clerk. “I need an international outside line. Connect me with the…” she looked at the memo, “…Hotel Sans Souci.” She then gave the number.


The General took the phone from Weiss who had answered it. They were alone in the suite. Marshall and Carrie had gone to their rooms. Mrs. Vaughn had gone an hour earlier. Both the two men were tired, but still steady.

“Da!” said the General. “What? You sure? Yes, yes. I am going to have my – technical specialist check this out. He will be entering the computer system on my password. I tell you this now. I don’t want interference. You understand? Da.” He turned to Will. “I need that Marshall! Now. SVR think they have a tracker somewhere in Kashmir.”

“Irina?”

“Could be. Is not one of our agents in that part of the world.”

Weiss picked up the phone and dialed Marshall’s room.


It was evening, Jack and Sydney stood with Dixon outside the apartment house Irina owned in Florence, Italy. A policeman stood guard at the door. He had insisted they wait while the Inspector was told of their arrival. The police were taking no chances. They had been told to keep the area “clean” so the Americans could inspect the crime scene themselves.

The door opened behind the guard. Jack looked up to see the Inspector coming down the steps.

“Buona sera, Inspectore.” Jack shook hands with the police inspector. “Para inglese?”

“Of course.” He smiled at Jack and Sydney. “My name is Paolo Carragio. Please follow me.”

They went up to the fourth floor. The Inspector stopped. Yellow police tape had been strung across the hall. “I have left the apartment for you to see.”

Jack heaved a sigh of relief. “Inspector, you would do me the honor of helping us.”

Paolo Carragio had a big smile on his face. The American was a good man. He held up the tape so the three could duck under it and then followed. “We found the door how you say, crashed.” He stopped, and then pointed to the inside of the doorframe. “I did not go further after seeing this.”

Jack looked. A bullet hole was visible. Paolo pointed to the floor directly in front of them. “There is a dark spot. I think it is blood.”

Sydney kneeled. Dixon was right behind her. “Yes, Dad, that’s what it is.”

The four carefully entered the room. As always it was tastefully decorated. Jack thought his wife had learned a lot over the years. Still he could reAgent their apartment in Virginia and the home they had in Los Angeles. Irina had decorated them both in a pleasant manner.

Jack looked at Sydney. “You take the bedroom. Dixon you take the kitchen. I’ll go through this room carefully.”

A minute later he spotted the cell phone on the floor. It was on. He explained to Carragio what had happened, then picked it up and turned it off. The furniture was in place so there was no fight. It had gone as he thought he’d heard. Dixon reported nothing in the kitchen. He went down the hall toward the bedroom.

“Dad!” Sydney called. “In the bedroom.”

Jack and Carragio went on the hallway. In the bedroom, Sydney was standing at the closet. “Mom changed clothes.”

“How do you know?”

“These were tossed on the floor. She never tossed clothes on the floor. We know she was here. And over here, she pointed, is Vaughn’s jacket. There’s a bullet hole in the left arm of it.” She looked worried.

Jack didn’t show any emotion, but he was concerned. Just then Dixon stood up, holding some bloody bandages. “I found these. Someone’s been shot.”

Sydney had just pulled open a drawer. She reached in and found the hypodermic needle. She pulled out the plunger and smelled. Sydney gasped. “No smell.” She turned to Jack. “I think I know what it is, though. SVR has been experimenting with liquid trackers. Mom must’ve had one here.”

“I’ll be damned,” Jack grinned. “Let’s call…” As if in answer, his cell phone rang. “Yes?”…He looked at the other three, surprise on his face. “Good work, Marshall. Now let me talk to Will.” He waited a moment. “ Will, tell the General to be sure they keep recording the tracker. We need to know if it moves from its present position. We’re in the apartment now and Sydney confirms Irina had a hypodermic here. I also want you to call Langley. Tell them we need satellite coverage over the area of the prison that Sydney, her mother and I went to a year ago.” He listened. “Yes, we’re going to get on our way very soon. I’ll keep in touch.”

“Dad, we’re going to need a plane.” Sydney glanced at her watch. “It’s ten o’clock now. That prison is not close to an landing field.”

“Okay.” He smiled at Carragio. “I appreciate your cooperation, Inspector.” He then told him everything. “Would you see to it that the door is replaced?”

Sydney took out a notebook from the inside pocket of her jacket and quickly wrote a name and phone number down. She handed the paper to the Inspector. “This is my mother’s agent here in Florence. He will pay for what it costs. Tell him Anna Derevko is authorizing the repair.”

Carragio nodded and smiled.

“Dad, there’s something we’ve got to do first. We’ve got to get in touch with Aleksey.”

Jack nodded. He took out his cell phone. “What’s the number of his cell?”

“No, let’s use my videophone, he has one too.” She punched in the number. She held up the phone before the pair of them, waiting.

In Moscow, Aleksey Bristow was reading in bed when the phone rang. He picked it up and flipped open the top. He immediately noted the video light was on, so he pushed the button. In seconds he saw his father and sister staring back at him. “Good grief,” he said very best British accent, “do you know what time it is?”

“Yes,” said Sydney, “but listen. Mother is in trouble. She and Vaughn were kidnapped day before yesterday. We’re in Florence on their trail. If this is for money you need to know about it now. We didn’t call you before until we were sure it was a kidnapping.

“Christ,” he swore, sitting straight up in bed. “Has there been a demand for ransom?”

“Not yet, but it seems Mom injected herself with liquid tracker. SVR picked up the beeps earlier today. We think they took her and Vaughn to the prison in Kashmir.”

“Son of a b----h,” he swore again. “Are you and father going after them?”

“Yes, but you’ve got to be prepared to pay the ransom. It could be a lot. I don’t know for sure. We’re certain to get some sort of demand very soon.”

“Right!” he answered. “I’ll go to the office and start figuring.”

“We’ll let you know more as soon as we hear…OR it could be you who get the ransom note. Call us if you do.” She gave him number just to be sure.

“Certainly. Keep me informed.” He disappeared from the tiny screen.

“We’d better get going,” said Jack. “They’ve been gone 36 hours and every minute counts.”

:ph43r: Ok, I'm ready for Chapter 11, 12, 13...etc! :D
See how spoiled your faithful readers have become?
I love your writing. Thanks for the entertainment.
EspionageFan

Thanks for the PM. I can't wait for Chapter 11.

So far, so good.
I'm on Chapter 17 with ideas perking. Different twists and turns. However you don't get any spoilers.
B)

WOW!!! Great as always lenafan!!! I haven't been home much and when i log on i see updates from your stories!!!! Those are always great!!! I'm off to read your new story now!! :D

A chaper a week, as promised.
B)
CHAPTER ELEVEN
DEMANDS

Vaughn heard a noise. He turned over, opening his eyes. Irina was standing at the bars that separated their cells. He yawned, then got up. He wondered what she wanted. He glanced at his watch. It was six in the morning.

“You and I have to talk.” Irina motioned him closer. “It’s about Bill, your father.” She held his gaze. “We’re in a lot of trouble.”

“Yes, I gathered that,” he remarked dryly.

“This prison,” she paused, “is where I killed your father.” Vaughn suddenly felt sick to his stomach. Irina saw his reaction. “You didn’t believe me when I told you how and why it happened?” He didn’t speak. Her dark eyes never left his. “What’s more, you are in the cell he was in twenty-two years ago. And I,” she continued, “am in my cell.”

“Why, why are you telling me this?”

“I want you to really understand what happened here.” She braced herself with her hands on the bars, gripping them until the knuckles turned white. Irina looked through the bars at the floor of Vaughn’s cell. She remembered Bill “Gringo” Vaughn vividly. His strength and will had given her courage. He had taught her what courage was. She would never forget him, ever. She remained silent staring at the floor. Then from a distance she heard voices and footsteps. She looked at Vaughn. He looked as though he could kill her.

“Except for Jack, your father was the bravest man I knew. I want you to remember that, no matter what happens to us and, because I don’t know how much Mohammad Kabir knows about me—or you for that matter.”

Moments later, Kabir entered followed by Ali and another man, both of whom were carrying guns. “Did you have a good night’s rest?” He grinned and unlocked their cell doors.

“It would have been better if we had not been handcuffed.” Irina said flatly, moving to the bars at the door.

“Yeah,” croaked Vaughn, coming alive, “and more food and water would have been nice also.”

Kabir laughed. “I’m glad you are enjoying my hospitality. Come,” the two henchmen unlocked each cell, “we will spend a pleasant morning discussing the ransom.”

They were taken to a larger room. Irina remembered it well. But now, there was a digital video camera on a nearby table. It was the one wall she looked at…the one that had steel rings stapled into it. The rings were still there. She hoped this was not going to be painful.

“Put the woman in the chair.” He indicated one at the table. “Hang him up on the first ring.”

The handcuffs were unlocked from her left wrist. She was put in the chair he indicated and then both wrists were handcuffed again behind the chair back. Vaughn was put up on the steel ring. Fortunately he was tall enough to stand.

“So, Colonel, do I get my money?” Kabir picked up the video camera.

“Forty million dollars?” She snapped. “Don’t be a fool.”

Kabir smiled. He nodded to Ali as he turned the camera on and pointed it at Vaughn. Ali took a whip from a hook near the door. He snapped it open, then whipped it across Vaughn’s back. Fortunately they had not stripped him and his clothing kept the whip from cutting him.

“So he is to be your son-in-law?” He nodded at Ali, who lashed Vaughn again.
“Since you killed his father, I find his forgiveness interesting. If I were him, you and your daughter would be dead.”

“Who said I forgave her?” Vaughn said while pressing his head against the wall, trying not to think about the pain.

Irina said nothing. Kabir did know. She did not want to bait him. She glanced at Vaughn who was now standing still. He had taken two bad blows from the whip. Mohammad motioned to Ali with two fingers. Vaughn received two more lashes. This time he did make a sound. Still they had not cut through his clothing.

“Stop!” Irina said quietly.

“You will make the ransom video?”

She nodded. She didn’t want Vaughn to get hurt anymore. After this was over, he and Sydney were to be married. She realized there would be problems if she let them continue to beat him. After all, she had yet to meet Ginny Vaughn, his mother. It was going to be a tough enough dialogue without adding Vaughn’s beating to it. She didn’t think Sydney would like it either.

“What do you want me to say?”

“Nothing!” He smiled. He motioned to another man. “Abdullah, put her up next to the man.

She looked at him oddly. She had agreed to make the video. She looked over to Vaughn. He seemed to be breathing heavily, as though trying to shake off the experience of being whipped. “I don’t understand?” she said as the other man pulled her out of the chair. He put the handcuffs through the ring and handcuffed her again.

“I said I would pay!”

Kabir nodded to Ali, who took the whip back, then snaked it forward. It hit her with a terrible force. She grunted. The whip struck her again. She gasped. She hadn’t felt as much pain as she thought, but then she was wearing her jacket.

“Take them both down.” Kabir ordered.

Ali put Vaughn in a chair and Abdullah put her in another. Kabir smiled. “Now your family knows what will happen to you if I don’t get my money.” He looked at Irina. “You will tell your daughter to arrange to have that forty million dollars electronically deposited to this account at this bank.” He gave her a slip of paper. “Read this.”

“Sydney, our kidnappers want forty million dollars electronically deposited to account number 5590-993234 at the Bank of the New Switzerland in Lucerne. Have it there by noon tomorrow or Vaughn and I will be tortured again.” She tried to make her voice calm. She figured that gave Sydney about 15 hours to get things coordinated with Aleksey. If she didn’t—Irina’s eyes turned toward Vaughn who was watching her, his eyes angry. He knew what might lie ahead if Sydney couldn’t manage it.

Irina looked at Kabir. “I don’t keep that kind of cash around. It might take longer to gather, put in my bank and then transfer.”

“Noon tomorrow.” He grinned. “I’ll wager your children won’t let you down.”
He nodded to Ali and Abdullah. “Take them back to their cells. Leave the handcuffs off. Feed them.”

Moments later, Irina and Vaughn were put into their cells for the long wait. Ali came back with two cups of water, some dried meat of some kind and bread. He put the food outside the cell doors. They would have to get it. Evidently Mohammad had warned his men not to get too close to the pair while they were not handcuffed.

Irina took her food and ate slowly. Vaughn was doing the same. “We have to talk, Michael.” She finished the food, stood up and walked to the bars separating them. “You and I need to come to an understanding about your father.”

“You killed him.” He said flatly, and with coldness, she’d never heard in his voice before.

She didn’t flinch, but gazed at him calmly for a minute before speaking. “Your father was being tortured for information about his Russian contacts. The interrogators broke every bone in his legs, ankles and feet. Then they broke every bone in his arms, wrists and hands. They were unbelievably swollen. He was in agony, but still he did not talk. So,” she paused, remembering that awful day, “they brought me to his interrogation room. They offered to send me home the very next day so I could have my child born in a hospital if I would kill him.”

There were tears running down his face. He wanted to stop her, even kill her.
“I don’t believe you.”

“Your father begged me to shoot him he was in such pain. The KGB would never let him go either. He was dying. I could help him only one way.” She did not go further. She looked at him. “I told you what he told me to tell his family. What became of that? You rushed out before I hardly had the words out of my mouth.” She pressed.

“Nothing!” He muttered. “I thought it was about a clock my father had given to mother, but it was destroyed when an earthquake happened in 1983 and mother didn’t keep it around. She threw it out.”

“Then you are being obstinate and stupid.” She turned back to her bunk.

“And you are a lying, murdering b---h!” He snarled. “You are a constant thorn in Sydney’s life. I wish you were dead.”

“Good night, Agent Vaughn.” Irina snapped.

She sat down and drew up her long legs and crossed them. She didn’t look at him instead she put both hands out on either side and closed her eyes. She needed to mentally go away for a while. She knew Sydney and Aleksey wouldn’t be able to get that much cash together by noon. It was going to be a difficult day.

Outside the door to the cellblock, Kabir had been listening. Interesting! He wondered if he could use this growing anger in the man to his benefit. He would have to think about it some more.

Irina and Vaughn had been missing 45 hours.

:o WHAT??? Don't stop now! We have to wait a week for chapter 12?
You really should be writing for the TV series, Lenafan. :redhair:
Thanks for the wonderful entertainment.
EspionageFan :ph43r:

Lenafan,
How am I going to get my laundry done if I keep on reading your stuff.
I have to tell you, you are wasting your time with golf, stick to writing.
wottamom

:rolleyes: If I spent all my time in front of the computer, my eyes would go bad and then I couldn't type anything. By the way, wottamom (I love your name) thanks for the nice words. :blush01:
Have you read my columns on Irina? Here's how you get there...

go to headquarters

http://invisionfree.com/forums/CIA_Headquarters/
then scroll down till you find "agent CIA files" click on it and it will take you to another screen, scroll odwn until you find Irina. Click on that name and there you have all 10 of the columns starting with #1 - The Enemy Walks In.

Lenafan
B)

Here's your next chapter. B)

CHAPTER TWELVE
RANSOM

The message came by way of the hotel clerk. A phone call had been received at three o’clock and the operator had not forwarded it immediately. Will called Marshall to get over to the room with his computer. He looked at his watch. It was ten o’clock.

Following the directions, Marshall brought up the message. “It’s also got a video attachment.” He punched in some numbers, waited.

Moments later he and Will watched the tape and heard Irina’s message to Sydney. Will picked up the cell phone and made the call. Jack answered instantly. “Yes!”

“Jack, we just got the ransom demand.”

“Well, what is it?”

Will grimaced. “Do you have your laptop with you? We can forward it. And,’ he added, “we’ll need to get in touch with Aleksey.”

“Yes.” Jack gave the instructions to forward to the laptop they had. “You can do it immediately. Sydney and I will call Aleksey. He’s expecting to hear from us.”

“Where are you?”

“Not far enough.” Jack answered. “Our main problem is landing at a close enough airfield.”

“Understood.” Will looked at Marshall, who nodded. “Sir, Marshall has forwarded the message. I’ll sign off. Call back if you need to give further instructions.”


Jack, Sydney and Dixon watched the video. “Forty million,” he whistled and looked at his daughter, who was biting her lip. “Has Irina got that amount?”

“Not on hand. Aleksey can give us a better picture of her current finances.”

Dixon glanced at his watch. “Noon tomorrow…not impossible for us to get there by then. We might need a large amount of luck.”

Sydney was at the computer, forwarding the message to Aleksey. Jack was on the phone to him at the same time to tell him to watch then call back. They waited anxiously.

Then Sydney’s videophone buzzed. She opened it so both she and Jack were visible to Aleksey. “What do you think?”

“We don’t have enough available assets to cash out to forty million. Why so large an amount?”

“Dad?” Sydney looked at him. “Do you know?”

He shook his head. “Honey, I don’t have a clue and there’s no way we can negotiate or find out why.” He looked anxious.

Dixon looked at the two, “We’d better try to get there by noon tomorrow.”

Jack had an idea. “What about your grandfather? Suppose he could help us with the ransom. I mean he is a ranking official of the Russian government?”

Sydney looked at the phone and at Aleksey. “We’re going to get in touch with grandfather. He’s at our hotel in Paris. The Sans Souci. Give me fifteen minutes, then call him.”

Back at the hotel, Will and the others had gathered in Sydney’s suite. He passed on the news about the ransom demand. Ginny Vaughn was crying and Weiss was holding her hand nervously, not knowing exactly how to help her. General Probukov was the last to arrive. He had been on the phone to his grandson, Aleksey, in Moscow. He filled them in on what had been discussed.

“The bottom line, Irina doesn’t have the cash available. The Russian government is not going to pay it either.” He was worried. “We have to hope Jack, Sydney and Dixon get there before it is too late.”

“Can SVR help? They are closer than CIA. They are going to need someplace close to that prison to land? They need transportation to the prison?”

General Probukov thought, “They could parachute close and hike into the area.”

Will and Marshall looked at each other. That might be the only solution. “Marshall contact Jack. He might as well start planning his next step.”


“Damn,” said Jack. “Are you two willing?”

“Dad, it’s Vaughn and Mom.”

Dixon smiled, “Count me in, sir.”

“Sydney, get a hold of Langley. We need their best maps, especially the most recent topographical ones. Check with pilot, Marcus, to be sure we have parachutes aboard. We’ve got the firepower. Can you think of anything else?”
“Do we have climbing rope? No telling how we’re going to get inside.” Sydney frowned. “I think I know the way thru the mine field. I committed it to memory as Mom led us through it.”

“It may come to that. When you talk to Langley we need infra pix on the guard situation. How many and where.”

“Marcus, be sure to ask when we have to refuel. We may need to get other supplies, especially rope.”

Jack got on his cell phone and called Will back at the hotel. “Will, we’re going to have to go in but I’m afraid we’re not going to be there by noon. Please tell the General and Mrs. Vaughn we’ll do our best. Irina and Vaughn may be in for a tough time. I have no idea what their kidnappers will do when the money is not there.” He didn’t explain what he was thinking.

“Yes sir, I understand.” Will put the phone down, looking at the others who were watching him. He didn’t smile, but said solemnly. “It looks like they won’t get there by noontime—the deadline.”

“Will, what will they do to them?” Ginny asked, tears in her eyes.

He shook his head. “I don’t know. Hopefully the kidnappers will set a new deadline and that will give Jack, Sydney and Dixon time.”

I have to wait another week :reallyexcited:

OMG this is killing me I need to know what happens LOL

Brenda

NO...I'm doing some editing and then I'll post another chapter. This story is taking a life of its own...I'll try posting the next chapter before the weekend.
B)

:blink: WHAT! We have to wait a few days...!!??? :D
See how demanding your readers have become? :blush01:
Chapter 12 sure went by fast!!! Looking forward and can't wait for Chapter 13!
Thanks, again, for such exciting stories.
EspionageFan :ph43r:

Chapter 12 whizzed by me at a fast pace. Good job lenafan. Thanks for the PM.

:
Lenafan,
Got it this time, great stuff.
wottamom

Oh,oh trouble for Irina and Vaughn...

CHAPTER 13
DUEL

Mohammad Kabir was furious. He had contacted the bank and found that no money had been transferred to the account he had set up. He got into his jeep and the driver drove him to the old prison, some two hours away. He had to have a serious talk with Irina Derevko and her son-in-law to be.

He arrived and motioned for the guards to come with him. They went down the stairs towards the cellblock. Drawing closer he heard voices, loud voices emanating from it. He took the key in his pocket and opened the door, hearing now Irina, seemingly in a rage, cursing Vaughn.

“You idiot,” she was shouting. “You never did believe what I told you.”

“Christ almighty, Derevko, you’re a pathological liar. We all know that. You never stopped lying from the moment you turned yourself into the CIA. You lied every time you talked to Sydney. You used her to get what you wanted. You made a deal with the devil.”

“You wouldn’t know –“ she stopped as Kabir walked up looking angry. She turned on him. “And you didn’t get your money, did you? I told you they needed time. I don’t have that kind of cash!”

“They need to hear a little more so they know I mean business.” He retorted.

She looked like a raging tigress. Her nostrils flared, her eyes pinned him where he stood “Of course they need to know you mean business.” Her voice snarled with dripping sarcasm. “You kidnap us and bring us half-way around the world to this God-forsaken place, just to have tea?” She exploded. “You are a worthless son of a pig! Both of you” She gestured at Vaughn, who looked as angry as she was. She saw too that Kabir’s face had turned purple in anger. Calling him a pig was a terrible insult to the Muslim.

“Stand back from the door,” Kabir yelled. “Get back to the bunk.” When she had done so, he ordered two men inside. “Hands on your head!” When she had done so, the two men put the manacles on her wrists.

Meanwhile the other two guards had opened Vaughn’s cell and put manacles on him also. He stood seething as Irina was yanked outside her cell. She fell forward. Vaughn laughed. She was up quickly, turning on him. She struck him in the chest hard, pushing him into Kabir and they both fell down. Irina lashed out with her boot, catching Vaughn on his left side. He grunted as Kabir shoved him to the floor, struggling to get up before he became victim to the woman’s rage.

“Put her up on the wall,” he roared, “and him also.”


The guards grabbed her arms, hustling her down the hallway to the interrogation room. She was kicking at them, but they were bigger and weighed another hundred pounds more than she did. She managed to kick first one than the other before they had her shackled to the wall facing the table and chair where Kabir was seating himself. One guard hit her on her left side causing her legs to momentarily buckle. Vaughn was less active with the guards having seen what they did to Irina. He too was placed on the wall facing Kabir.

A stream of Russian words came pouring from Irina’s mouth and anger was clearly visible on her face. It did not take much imagination to know she was cursing in her best Russian.

Vaughn laughed at her, “Silly bitch. That’s not going to do you any good.”

“You little creep– wait until I tell Sydney about your being afraid to fight back.” She pulled at the manacles to see if they were loose.

Vaughn colored. “I wish I could show you how I can fight. I’d take you down so fast, your Russian butt wouldn’t know what hit it!”

Kabir was suddenly laughing at the pair of them, observing, “You two really don’t like one another, do you?”

“You’d never touch me.” She lashed out with her left foot, missing him by about six inches. “You’re a coward and a loud-mouthed stupid bastard who has played my daughter for the fool. Good thing I find this out now.”

“Yeah, well if I weren’t hooked up to this wall, I’d show you who’s a coward!” His voice and anger were escalating.

“Shut up,” shouted Mohammad. “You two are both stupid. You’re my prisoners and I’m in charge.” He had their attention. “Now then, suppose I arrange for the two of you to have a fight?”

“What do you mean,” asked Vaughn, seemingly intrigued.

“Just that.” Mohammad looked at Ali, his senior guard. “Ali –“ he whispered something in his ear. Ali nodded and left. “Very well. Ali is going to my castle for weapons. In the meantime, Abdullah and Barak, you will take the woman back to her cell. Hit her again if she gives you any trouble. Simeon, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble with Mr. Vaughn. You take him.”

It was nearly five o’clock when Kabir returned with the guards. Neither Vaughn nor Irina had said anything to each other. Irina had been meditating. Vaughn had laid on his bunk thinking, wondering where Sydney was and what she was doing. He hadn’t looked at Irina since they were brought back. He knew she was probably into a deep sleep. She certainly had her ways. He wondered what Kabir meant by weapons. He wouldn’t give either of them a gun. What else? Knives?

As if to answer his unspoken question, he heard the door to the cellblock open and voices coming near. Moments later, Kabir and his men appeared bearing something wrapped in cloth.

“Get them out.” He ordered.

Irina opened her eyes, eyeing the cloth bundle. She stepped down from her bunk and went to the door. Vaughn also was waiting to be let out. He stared at her without saying anything. She glared back, but kept her mouth shut. The doors were opened and the four guards took them each out to the hall. Kabir turned and led the way, down the hallway and up some stairs. They had passed the interrogation room. At the top of the stairs, he turned left. Kabir entered another doorway, which opened out into a much larger room. Irina and Vaughn could see it had been some sort of meeting room. It was empty now. There was a door to their left. A window beside it revealed some sort of terrace beyond.

“Now then,” Kabir unwrapped the cloth, revealing two rapiers without anything covering the sharp tips. “These will do nicely for your fight. They have been in my family since the early 17th century.”

Irina grinned. “Perfect!”

Vaughn looked at the weapon. It was a long, straight two-edged sword with a large cup hilt. He’d only seen these used for dueling in movies. What the hell was he supposed to do with it and how? Kabir let him choose first since Irina had offered the challenge. He took one not knowing whether it was any better than the other.

“The rules are simple. The first one to draw blood anywhere from head to foot is the winner.” He laughed. “And if the bloodletting should end in the death of one of you, so be it. On my count of three then, One…Two…Three.”

Vaughn lunged, swinging the rapier at Irina, who jumped back.

They had been missing for 81 hours.

Absolutely wonderful, lenafan. Thanks for the AA PM.

That was cool! :)

:blink: Wow! Sidney's Mom and Fiance in a duel?!! They've got to have something up their sleeves! ;)
And Chapter 13 is just the half way point of this cliff hanging story...can't wait to read the next chapters!
Write on! :D
EspionageFan :ph43r:

EspionageFan Posted on Jul 28 2003, 05:54 PM

You ain't read nothin' yet! An eye-popping, jaw dropping :reallyexcited: chapter coming up soon. Who is going to need :help: ?

B)

As promised, last chapter

CHAPTER 29
DESTINY

“It’s time to fulfill your destiny as foretold in the Prophecy. Your wound has been long healed. You must to go back.”

“Won’t people wonder where I’ve been?”

“Of course, but they’ll not wonder for long. You’ll be fine. You just will not be able to remember.”

“Anything?”

“No, you will remember what you learned from The Master. You have been given a gift. Use it wisely. I love you, sweetheart, more than you know.”

“Dad? Where is he?”

“He’s where he’s supposed to be. Don’t worry, I’ll be around, but you won’t remember this time we’ve had together. When I find your father, we’ll come back for you. In the meantime, you will be safer with the CIA than anyplace else.”

The neon blinked on and off. The figure at first was still, and then moved a little as if to get away from the blinking, winking bright lights. Finally, using her hands, she pushed herself up onto her feet. She looked around, stunned by where she was. She could smell Chinese food, she could hear lots of traffic noise and, when she looked up, she saw towering buildings.

She stumbled a little, walking slowly along the alley toward even brighter lights. Stepping out to the street, she looked at the neon. Hong Kong! She felt momentarily panicked. Hong Kong? How did she get here? She saw a phone booth. Walking in, she dialed a special number that came from somewhere in her memory. She spoke for a few minutes, then left. She walked along the street for several blocks and then turned to the right.

A half hour later, Sydney Bristow was at the CIA safe house, waiting.

Sixteen hours later, the door opened, Sydney looked up and Will Tippin entered with a broad smile on his face. She rushed to him, holding on for dear life.

“Will, Will.”

He pushed her away, staring at her, then pulled her back into his arms, hugging her again. “Oh God, Sydney, I couldn’t believe it when you called the Agency. Where, where have you been?” He walked her back to the bed and sat her down, taking a seat in the chair opposite her.

“I—I can’t remember! I’ve been trying too, ever since I got here, but I just can’t remember.”

He took her hands in his. “Do you remember where you were before you blacked out?”

“Will, the last thing I remember was…” She stopped. “Where’s Vaughn? Why didn’t he come?”

“Syd, calm down.” He reached up with his right hand and touched her face.

“Will, what’s going on?” Sydney was beginning to get scared.

“Syd, you’ve been missing for almost two years!”


***

So, our adventure seems to end…or does it?
Death in Kashmir took off, gained momentum and changed direction (just a little) as new plots and storylines forced their way into my head. So now, JJ and I are running in parallel universe to each other. With a little luck, our stories won’t match, but hopefully you’ll be intrigued enough to want to know what happened to the spy family in my Alias universe. Stay tuned. I’ll keep you informed when the beginning is posted.
Watch for The Di Regno Effect

Here's the next Chapter #14 for you addicts. As promised to my friends at CIA Headquarters.... B)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
MINE FIELD

They landed in Kandahar with the permission of the Army. Ever since the U. S. had driven out the Taliban, the airfield was under a joint rule. The CIA had operatives there assisting the Army in its search for Bin Laden. Langley had notified them Jack and his party was going to be landing and they were to be refueled and given any supplies he might need. It was close to two o’clock and they still had a few hundred miles to go before reaching the prison in Kashmir. Jack was on the computer with Langley and then with Marshall. He was going over the topographical maps he had been forwarded of the area. They did not have any updated maps, as the area had not been important. The CIA had respected Pakistan and India’s request for no fly-over of their territories. The U. S. wanted to keep relations stable with the two countries.

“Sydney,” Jack called, “this is what we’ve got.” Marcus Dixon was trying to scrounge supplies they needed.

She looked over his shoulder. “That’s about what we got for the mission last year.”

“According to the one fly-over the satellite performed, there are multiple guards outside by the main entrance.” He pointed. “No one is on this terrace because there is a sheer drop of,” he looked at the screen, “about a thousand feet. There doesn’t seem to be anyone at the rear either. I guess the kidnapper knows about the mine field.”

She stared at the screen. “Looks like I’ll have to lead us through.”

“You’re sure you remember?” He looked at her.

“Absolutely. But we should probably try to get there while there’s still some light left.”

He stood up, putting both hands on her shoulders. “Are you going to be all right? It’s liable to be dangerous.”

“I know, but Vaughn…” she sighed. “…and Mom, too!”

“They’ll be all right, honey. We need you to keep your wits about you for this mission. Dixon and I are counting on you.”

She gave him a hug. “I’ll be okay, Dad.”

A half hour later, the plane took off, heading east toward Pakistan. The CIA and State Department as well as the Russian government had persuaded the Pakistan and India governments to allow the plane over their airspace. The plane was on a rescue mission to rescue a highly regarded Russian official and a CIA agent who had been kidnapped.

Jack wondered if a new demand had been forthcoming. Marshall emailed him that there was nothing from the kidnappers. Those left in Paris were worried and especially Vaughn’s mother. It had been over three days since the pair had been abducted.

“Tell Will he’s got to keep everyone, including Ginny and the General from getting too emotional. We’ll keep you all posted.”

“Dad,’ Sydney said, “Why don’t we use the satellite COM links to keep everyone posted. We can go silent once we’re inside. It will give them some sense of how we’re progressing.”

“Okay, but once we enter the building, the COM links will turned off.” He looked at her. “Get your Kevlar vest on.” He handed her the black Special Forces vest that could stop bullets. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

She smiled. Things had certainly changed in her life the past two years. Her Dad had opened up, become less forbidding. She had a new love in her life and was going to be married. She was going to get out of the CIA and the spy business. Best of all she had her mother back who loved her. Now two of the three people she loved the most were in serious trouble. She and her father were working together, to free them both. She hoped this was the last mission she would ever have to do.

Dixon came into the cabin. “We’re ready to go, Jack.”

“We’re going to parachute over to this field on the other side of the mined area. Sydney is going to lead us thru and into the rear of the prison. It will take us at least thirty minutes once we’re down. Did you get everything we need?”

“Yes, including extra ammo. We’ll each have a thirty pound pack and a lightweight machine gun as well as a holstered automatics.” He gestured to packs he had left near the doorway.

“Good. Tell the pilot to get going.”

Sydney pulled the Kevlar vest over her chest and back Jack helped her on with a polartec jacket and gloves. They all would be wearing these when they jumped. They sat down to wait. The plane left the ground, heading east. It would take over two and a half hours for them to get to the jump point.

Yay! Sydney, Dixon, and Jack are coming to the rescue. The question is . . . are they too late due to the duel or will something happen before their arrival? Great chapter lenafan. I can't wait for the next one. Thanks for the PM.

Thanks for the PM !

I'm happy that Sydney have made up with Irina and she accepts her love for her mother...

About the duel, i'm not worried... i guess that is a trap of Vaughn and Irina to escape