(Present Day)

Confrontation

Sydney went for a late lunch and some coffee. She occasionally ate lunch with Dixon, but he was gone and she had not yet been assigned a replacement. She sat alone on a park bench; she didn't mind, it was good to have some time to think finally.

It was almost two weeks since Sydney had encountered Sark in Indonesia, and slept with Vaughn. She and Vaughn had spoken little of what happened since there hadn't been time. Of course she told Vaughn about the botched mission last month, minus a few of Sark's more suggestive comments and actions, though she wasn't sure why she kept them to herself.

She and her father kept Sloane entirely in the dark, however, which is what Sloane thought he was doing to them. Jack had created a cover story for their whereabouts. Since Sark knew about Sydney's status as a double agent, her father thought it best to lie about their capture, the forced mission, and her kidnapping to Sloane.

Sydney reflected on what her father related. Sloane had been unconcerned about the loss of Dixon. When Jack reported his "desertion" during their mission, Sloane showed little care. So Jack let Sloane believe that he and Sydney thought Dixon went rogue and Sloane hid whatever he knew about Dixon's whereabouts. The only thing Jack was sure of was that Sloane believed the mission was real. Sloane was unaware that Dixon set up it up in the first place, in order to trap them for Sark. It was as if Sloane were incapable of thinking anything clever possible of Dixon. They were all deceiving each other, as usual. Only Sark knew the whole truth.

After Sydney finished a sandwich and a large coffee, she returned to SD-6.

Back at work, Sydney headed into Sloane's office. She caught a glimpse of a blonde man with Sloane, who suddenly turned... no, it couldn't be!

Sark was there, standing right there, next to Sloane!

Sydney could barely contain her shock. Her heartbeat quickened. Sloane's arm draped over Sark's shoulder like they were old chums. Seeing him, Sydney was flooded with the memory of his touch on her bare skin, the way he whispered into her ear... Sark's eyes bore into hers, a faint smile on his lips. Sydney felt hot and tucked her hair behind her ear, just for something to do.

"Mr. Sark, I believe you know Agent Bristow," Sloane said, then turning to Sydney, "Mr. Sark is now cooperating with us."

"Cooperating?" Sydney asked in disbelief.

"Yes, with the loss of Agent Dixon, you'll be needing a new partner. Sark has agreed to cooperate with us in combing our efforts to solve the Rambaldi mystery. I'll be officially introducing him at tomorrow's meeting."

What was he doing there? Was he there to betray her? Blackmail her? Sydney could glean nothing from his face now. Sloane dismissed Sydney, leaving her to seethe quietly until the day was over.

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The next morning, Sydney waited in the alley before work. She knew Sark was approaching by the sound of his walk. A leisurely, confident pace. She was so angry she thought that even his gait sounded arrogant.

Springing out of the alley, Sydney pushed Sark up against the wall and grabbed the side of his collar.

"I know you like to play rough Ms. Bristow, but this really isn't the appropriate place." There it was. He smirked.

Not letting Sark get to her, Sydney began, "You get me abducted to Serbia, you steal the Rambaldi papers in Jakarta, and now you've got the nerve to show up here, feigning an alliance between you and Sloane?"

It was obvious to Sark that she feared he'd tell Sloane the truth about her.

"Trust me Agent Bristow. I have all of our best interests at heart," he said.

"Really?" Sydney spat. She titled her head to the side, "How is that possible when our interests conflict?"

"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to discuss such business with you. Now, if you'll relax your grip on my collar, I believe we're late for work," Sark finished, still wearing his trademark smirk.

"I know you offered Sloane the Rambaldi papers. What I don't know is why. But believe me, I will find out."

Sydney let go, but didn't back away. "Don't think I won't take you down as soon as I get the chance."

"I look forward to it." Sark replied. Sydney slowly turned away walked toward the office.

"Sydney-" he called after her, his voice somewhat soft, "I do hope you'll accept my sincerest apologies for your abduction."

"Which one?" Sydney shot back.

But inside, she was surprised by his remark. She had never seen Sark apologetic before. There were so many questions floating through her mind. What was the purpose of his flirtation? His supposed remorse over his actions? What was he doing at SD-6? How did Dixon tie into all this? Confused and angered she walked toward the office.

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"This is Mr. Vail, founder of North Star Technologies," Sloane said. A tall, large man with curly dark hair appeared on the screen.

"We have received information that he will be at the Blue Oasis Spa in the Arizona desert this Saturday. Instead of going public with his most inventive technology, he turns to the black market first." Sloane paused. He looked around the conference room containing Sydney, Jack, Marshall, and Sark.

"This is Victor Palladino." Another picture flashed, a close-up of an older man, with white hair and an age mark on his cheek. Sydney stole a look at Sark, who was intently gazing at the screen. She felt herself grow hot with the memory of his touch again and quickly looked back at the picture.

"He will be meeting Mr. Vail at the spa, in order to purchase Mr. Vail's newest creation. We don't know what it is yet, and we're not interested in obtaining it just yet, either." Sloane took a few steps forward. "We're more interested in finding out what Victor Palladino intends to do with it. Your mission, Sydney, is to insert a tracking device into the briefcase holding Mr. Vail's invention, before the sale. We believe the two men will meet to come to an agreement sometime next Friday or Saturday."

Sloane turned to Sydney. "Mr. Sark will be accompanying you on this mission," he informed her.

"Mr. Sark?" Sydney asked. "Why do I need Sark for this?" She looked over at Sark and he lowered his head, looking humble for the group. She knew he was supposed to be her new partner, but this didn't sound like a complicated mission. Certainly someone of less importance in Sloane's eyes could accompany her.

"This hotel is the location of choice for many of Mr. Vail's dealings. We also need it bugged, top to bottom, and reports of anyone else he happens to meet during his stay. You and Sark will pose as husband and wife- new money- enjoying a weeklong visit to the spa."

"I know you have concerns about Mr. Sark," Sloane continued, "but I can assure you that everything will run smoothly. This will be an easy mission. At one of the countries top spas, it will be more like a vacation." Sloane gave Sydney a smile and look of parental encouragement.

Oh sure, a vacation, Sydney thought.

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Sark arrived at SD-6 to pick up Sydney later that evening. It was Friday night, and they wanted to arrive at the spa before Mr. Vail, in order to get acquainted with their surroundings. They were meeting at SD-6 before boarding a plane bound for Phoenix.

Sydney had gone home and packed a few hours before. She still didn't understand why Mr. Sark had been assigned to accompany her. She thought there may be something to the mission Sloane wasn't telling her. Sydney made a vow to herself to play it cool from now on. Sark knew how much he got to her and she didn't want him to have that power. Even if he had it, she didn't want him to know it.

Sark pulled up in his black Mercedes. Sydney was holding a large suitcase, and a carry-on she could barely zip up. She had over-packed. For some reason, she found it difficult to decide what to bring, and that annoyed her. At the last second, she had stuffed all four of her swimsuits into the case.

With the top down, Sydney just threw her suitcases in the back and sat down up front.

"Not so much as a hello?" Sark asked, pretending to be hurt.

"Let's get this straight," she turned to look at him. "The only time we have to play husband and wife is when people are watching. In private, I don't want you to talk to me, I don't want you to look at me. We're not going to be friends. We have a job to do and that's it." She said.

"Mmmm.." Sark mused. "Well at least put on your wedding ring Mrs. Sark."

Hearing the words 'Mrs. Sark', Sydney flinched.

"What?" She asked.

"Your wedding ring. It wouldn't look very nice for a wife not to wear her ring." Sark explained, offering her a small band and a smile.

Sydney collected herself. She took the ring. It was platinum, she noticed, set with a huge diamond. Very new money, but very beautiful. It was then she noticed that Sark was already wearing his. She slipped it on, feeling strange to be wearing matching bands with Sark. It was certainly not something she ever pictured herself doing. Of course, most of her life was doing things she never imagined anymore.

"Don't call me Mrs. Sark." She hissed. "I don't think those are our aliases....?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Edward Drake," he replied, as if her name was inconsequential.

"And what is my name?" Sydney asked, impatient.

"Oh," Sark began lightly "Catherine. But I think everyone calls you Kitty, instead," he suggested.

"Do not call me Kitty," Sydney said through clenched teeth.

"I'll try my best," Sark smiled, and drove out of the garage.