Okay here's the next chapter (finally!). Sorry for the wait.
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Sydney had to admit that it felt much better being out of the leather and otherwise see-through outfit. She now wore a pair of blue jeans and an oversized oxford dress shirt loosely buttoned over a smaller T-shirt. Aside from that however, her mother was not treating her any differently really.
After changing Sydney had been led back to the bedroom where she had awoken. After a brief smile and an uttering of the words, "I'll be back later," Irina had shut the door. That sound had been followed by the click of a lock and the footsteps of a few guards apparently being stationed outside the door.
Upon being alone for a few minutes, Sydney took her first opportunity to explore the room a bit more and perhaps find a way of escape. She paced around the small room studying every small detail. After finding no surprises, she turned to the obvious possibility. Going to the window, she stared out at the landscape below.
Outside there was not only the single palm tree she had seen earlier, but a row of them continuing seemingly infinitely down a white sand beach.
Her gaze slipped to the window's lock. Though she knew the outcome, Sydney gave the handle a tug and sure enough it had been secured not to open. Curiously, she rapped a fist on the glass. She might be able to break it. If she did it was at least a twelve foot drop to the ground below though and she wasn't guaranteed a soft landing. That she was willing to risk, however.
Of course, there was really nothing in the room that she could use to break it. Perhaps she could hit it hard enough on her own. She attempted to kick it out with her foot. The glass shattered easily and Sydney pushed aside the remaining fragments of glass hanging in the window frame. As she was doing this she felt a stinging sensation across the palm of her hand and looked to see that a shard of glass had cut across the palm of her right hand. The blood was now smeared across the cuff of her white shirt.
Trying to ignore it she started to look out when the sound of footsteps outside her door made her freeze. After a few tense moments the sounds faded. For a moment she thought she was safe, then the door burst open.
"Step away from the window!" The voice of the guard thundered across the small room. His handgun was trained on Sydney. "Now!"
Sydney stepped back as she was told. She glared rebelliously at the guard, but did not make any escape attempt. The last thing she need was another gunshot wound.
"Ms. Bristow, do you know how typical this is of you?" Another man entered behind the guard.
"I never thought this was any less typical of you, Sark." Sydney said defiantly.
Sark grinned mischievously and waved the guard away. "When I heard of your capture I was rather surprised and came to see for myself. Now, I see it is true." He stepped towards her. "So you are not so invincible."
Sydney drew back from the window. "What do you want?"
Sark stayed where he was and smiled. "Nothing from you. I have business with your mother."
"Sark," Irina spoke from the doorway. "Would you excuse us?"
Sark nodded, spared a smile for Sydney and left.
Irina came in and stared at the broken window, then at Sydney. Irina smiled. "I expected nothing less." Her gaze shifted to Sydney's cut hand. "Let me see that," She said with a concerned tone.
Sydney drew back until she felt the wall behind her back. "Leave me alone."
Irina sighed irritably and left the room a moment later returning with what appeared to be a first-aid lit. She looked at Sydney. "I'm not going to hurt you." She beckoned Sydney towards her.
Unable to see any alternative Sydney stepped forward and sat on the edge of the bed.
Irina took Sydney's right hand. "You would not have gotten far," She said as she began to clean the blood from Sydney's palm. "I know I've said I won't hurt you anymore, but I can't guarantee the guards won't shoot you. They have orders to stop you however necessary. So I would suggest you stop these attempts before you start anymore." She looked to Sydney for some reply as she took some gauze from the first-aid kit and started wrapping it securely around her daughter's hand.
Sydney only watched silently.
After another moment, Irina finished, spared a glance at her daughter, and departed from the room.
Sydney watched her leave in hope that she would be left alone again, but that was not the case. As soon as Irina stepped through the door a tall guard entered and took a post by the door watching Sydney with a close eye.
* * * *
Jack Bristow was feeling a bit depressed as he stared out the window of the plane. Things in Los Angeles had not gone as planned. After handing Tippin over to CIA custody, he had reported to SD-6. As time had worn on there had been no contact from Sydney or Vaughn. Jack had grown to suspect the worst. She was dead. He was returning to Tai Pei on the slim hope that she was still alive. Captured probably, but still alive. He would find her, he swore to himself.
His cellphone ringing roused him from his thoughts. He answered it, "Hello."
"Jack Bristow," A female voice said sternly. "It's been many years, hasn't it?"
Jack's grip on the phone tightened. He knew that voice all too well. Ten years of being married to its source would do that. "Irina."
"Yes, Jack it's me."
"How did you get this number?" Jack demanded. "What do you want?"
"Oh, I have my sources, Jack," Irina replied. "Need I say more. I know you're heading for Tai Pei. Would there be a reason for that?"
"My current duty involves someone you left behind twenty year ago," Jack said. "It does not concern you."
"You're wrong there, Jack. It very much does concern me," There was a momentary pause as Irina seemed to consider her next words. "That person is sitting not twenty feet from me."
Jack listened intently. The hatred he had for that voice was momentarily replaced by surprise as he heard her words. Sydney was there. "Put her on the phone."
"No, Jack," Irina replied easily. "I only called to tell you that Tai Pei will not lead you anywhere." At that the line went dead.