A/N: YAY! A new chappy before the ep airs tonight! WHOO! Oh yeah, enjoy and stuff;)



Six

False Promises




Once Sydney had returned to Los Angeles, Weiss had offered to drive her to her apartment so she could drop off her things, and then take her to the hospital to see Vaughn. She had accepted his offer, and, after the quick trip to Sydney's place, they were now on the way to the hospital.


Weiss took his eyes off the road for a brief moment to look at Sydney. "Are you all right?"


Sydney gave him a weak smile and told him she was fine. Weiss was skeptical, and asked her again.


"Jesus. Why wouldn't I be all right?" Sydney demanded angrily.


Weiss sighed. "I care about you. I'm just asking."


"Yeah, I know that, but I'm fine, so just drop it," Sydney huffed.


"Fine."


Sydney closed her eyes and tried to imagine she were anywhere else.




"They told me I might find you here," said Sark as he walked towards the woman standing on the bridge, looking down into the inky depths of the ocean. He was in Mexico City again.


"Andrew," she murmured, and swiftly went to him, throwing her arms around his neck.


"Allison," Sark whispered, holding her close to him, burying his face in her hair.


Allison drew back, let her fingers play on the back of Sark's neck and pulled him to her as she kissed his lips. It was soft, gentle, perhaps even a bit tentative. They separated, looked into each other's eyes. Allison touched the side of Sark's face. "Hi."


Sark gave her a genuine smile. "Hi."


"What did they tell you?" she asked.


"They said that you had been saved and that you were now working with them—the Covenant," Sark replied.


"How long ago did they tell you?"


"Just a short while ago."


Allison frowned and shook her head in silent indignation. "I can't believe they didn't tell you sooner. They told me that you had been extracted but that I couldn't see you yet. I didn't question why, but I'm thinking I should have."


"It doesn't matter, Alli," Sark told her. "All that matters is that we know now."


"I know," Allison said quietly, and Sark leaned in, capturing her lips hungrily, his hands in her hair. Allison pulled back first, raised an eyebrow at Sark.


"What?" he asked.


"What happened to your hair?"


Sark chuckled, kissed her again. "It was shaved when I was still in CIA custody."


"Aw," Allison said, pouting. She ran her fingers across the bit of hair on Sark's head. "I miss the curls."


"And I missed you," Sark said pointedly, and Allison grinned as she stepped forward and melded her lips to his. She broke it reluctantly, needing to tell Sark something, and pressed her forehead against his.


"I love you, you know."


"I know," Sark said, "and I love you, too."


They were silent for a while. Sark took Allison's hands in his, lifted them up and kissed the inside of her wrists.


"You know what?" he asked her, a smile appearing on his lips.


Allison returned the smile, and asked, "What?"


"The Covenant has two new assets," Sark told her.


"Really," mused Allison. "Who?"


"Simon Walker—"


"I've heard of him," Allison interrupted.


"—and Sydney Bristow," Sark finished, looking directly into Allison's eyes. He saw the rage in them.


"That bitch is going to be working with us?" Allison questioned.


Sark nodded, then smirked. "Only she doesn't know it yet."


Allison laughed in disbelief. "How could she not know?"


"I haven't told her yet that I volunteered her for the job," Sark explained, his smile growing broader. "She was on a CIA mission to gain information from Simon Walker, who was apparently a key player in the two years that Sydney was missing. I had a talk with her, and a talk with Simon, and now I just have to let Sydney know about this little plan."


"Wow," Allison murmured, then grinned. "She is going to hate you so much"


Sark chuckled. "I'm pretty sure she already does."


"Have you talked to her at all?"


"Yes, before I let Simon know that she would be joining him in working for the Covenant. I told her I could give her information that I would obtain from Simon, so she wouldn't be completely lost about her two years."


Allison's face fell, and Sark tilted his head to the side. "You offered to help her?"


"


"Why?"


"I wanted to," Sark said. "I don't understand what the problem is."


Allison narrowed her eyes. "Why do you want to help her?"


Sark set his jaw. "Partially because I think she has a right to know who did a mindfuck on her that isn't letting her recall her memories, and partially because I'm curious to see what she did and where she went, what she accomplished, or didn't accomplish, and how that affects us."


"You still haven't told me *why* you wanted to help her," Allison pointed out.


"I most certainly have," Sark insisted, "I told you that I want to—"


"No," Allison said, shaking her head. "What I want to know is what you intend to gain from this. Sure, we'll know what happened to Bristow and she'll know also, but what do you want out of this?"


Sark scratched his head. "Look, I just want to know what happened to her during those two years."


"There has to be more to it," Allison pressed. "There has to be something that you want from her. There has to be a catch."


"That's what Sydney said when I told her I'd help," Sark admitted.


"Exactly," Allison said, crossing her arms over her chest. "So what *do* you want?"


"Nothing," Sark said with a shake of his head. "I don't want anything. I just want the satisfaction of knowing."


Allison stared at him for a moment before claiming, "We'll see." She ignored Sark's annoyed expression and grabbed his hand. "Come with me."




Sydney and Weiss arrived at the hospital, and Sydney found herself afraid to go see Vaughn. She was scared that he might rip her apart for stabbing him even though it was the only thing she could do and she figured he would understand. She was also worried that the same thing might happen with Lauren. She was on thin ice with Lauren already, and the last thing she wanted was for there to be more tension between them than there already was.


Weiss looked at her, saw her hesitant expression, and knew immediately what was on her mind. "Okay, let me guess," he began, "you're afraid that both Vaughn and Lauren will blame you for what happened even though you had no other choice but to stab Vaughn so that Simon Walker couldn't kill him."


Sydney just nodded and tucked her hair behind her ear as she stared absently out the passenger side window.


"Syd, I don't think you have anything to worry about. When I found him, after you had stabbed him, his first concern was whether or not your cover had been blown. He didn't care what happened to himself, he was worried about you."


Sydney managed a weak smile. "That sounds like Vaughn."


"Yeah," Weiss agreed, "and I'm sure he's told Lauren and I'm sure she understands, too."


"I'm not so sure," Sydney said quietly. "She might think I did it as revenge or something. Like, if I can't have Vaughn then no one else can, either."


Weiss scoffed. "Syd, come on. Listen to yourself, listen to how ridiculous you sound. Lauren knows that you wouldn't hurt Vaughn. End of story."


Sydney shook her head. "I don't think it's that simple."




Allison led Sark into the apartment she was currently occupying near the headquarters of the Covenant. Allison managed to kick the door shut before Sark pulled her over to the couch and collapsed on top of her, showering her body with kisses as he stripped away her clothes.


Allison licked at Sark's neck as she worked to remove the clothing Sark was wearing. Once the barriers were gone, the two lovers looked into the eyes of one another, panting. Sark leaned down, brushed his lips over Allison's as she dug her nails into his hips and lifted herself up to him.


Sark bent down, sucked on one of Allison's nipples, listened to her moans. He stopped abruptly when he felt a hand grab him down below, and he looked up at Allison, saw the command in her eyes, and graciously complied.




Sydney was still in Weiss' car, but she was ready to get going. "I'll see you later, okay?"


Weiss nodded and lay a hand on her arm when she started to leave. "Do you want me to come with you? Or do you think you'll—"


"—be okay?" Sydney finished. Weiss nodded. "I'll be fine." She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, though."


"Yeah," Weiss said, as Sydney climbed out. The sound of the door closing filled Weiss' ears. He touched his cheek where Sydney had kissed him. To no one in particular, he murmured, "What are friends for?"




Sark and Allison moved together, each knowing exactly what the other liked. Sark alternated between thrusting hard and fast, then going slow, and making Allison beg for it, while she clenched her muscles around him, making him groan with her teasing.


Allison reached a hand up and wrapped her fingers around Sark's neck, felt the shivers that ran through his body. He slowed down again and she took the opportunity to plant soft kisses along his jaw and claim his mouth in a tender kiss.


Sark sped up again and their bodies moved together as one, both wanting and needing absolution. They finally reached it, Allison climaxing with a jolt as Sark burst inside of her.


Their heavy breathing filled the silence and Sark lay on top of Allison as she stroked the side of his face and kissed his temple. He sighed, exhausted, and rested his head on her chest.




Sydney walked through the hospital doors and went to the front desk. She asked for Michael Vaughn and the receptionist pointed down the hall. Sydney nodded her thanks and followed where the receptionist had directed her, walking slowly because her legs felt like lead.


She finally reached Vaughn's room after what seemed like several eternities. Lauren was there, sitting next to Vaughn, holding his hand in hers, their fingers linked. Sydney felt a sharp pain in her stomach as if she had been punched there, and knocked on the open door of the room.


"Hey," she choked out, and cleared her throat.


"Hey," Vaughn and Lauren said in unison.


Sydney was nervous. Her hands shook a bit. "Can I—"


"Of course," Lauren said, cutting her off.


"Thanks." Sydney walked over to Vaughn, stood on the other side of his bed. He smiled at her and Sydney smiled back, feeling tears prick her eyelids. "I'm so glad you're okay," she blurted. "I'm so sorry that—"


"Syd, it's okay," Vaughn assured her. "It's not your fault."


"It feels like it is," Sydney whispered. She locked eyes with him. "You know that I had no choice—"


"Hold on a minute," Lauren interrupted, standing from her chair. "What are you talking about?"


Sydney was stunned. Vaughn hadn't told Lauren. She looked at him, saw him holding his head in one hand, hiding his eyes from her. She bit her tongue to keep from lashing out at him, and managed to ask, rather civilly, "Vaughn? You didn't tell her?"


"When I got here," Vaughn began, "and I woke up and saw my wife, there didn't seem to be a great time to tell her the truth." He looked at Lauren as if to convince her that he was speaking the truth. He turned back to Sydney and furrowed his brow at her angry look. "All I cared about was—"


"—keeping me in the dark," Lauren interrupted, fuming. Vaughn's eyes snapped over to her. "I want to know what happened, and I want to know now."


"All right," Sydney said, nodding, "we'll tell you. But you need to keep an open mind or you're going to take everything the wrong way."


"Just tell me," Lauren demanded.


Sydney sighed. "I was with Simon. We had just stolen the weapon and he announced that we were switching cars. Vaughn was pulled out of the new car. He had been made, they found CIA equipment. Simon was going to kill him, but I convinced him to let me do it. He obliged and I took a knife and stabbed Vaughn. I put the tracking device on him, which wasn't even needed because Weiss found him so fast." She took a deep breath. "That's the truth."


Lauren just stared at Sydney, contemplating her words. She looked down for a moment, then looked over at her husband, seeking confirmation of the verity of Sydney's words. Vaughn nodded sincerely and Lauren looked back at Sydney.


"Okay, then. I believe you," she said. Sydney discreetly wiped the tears out of her eyes. "I know that you would never willingly hurt Michael," Lauren admitted, her voice quiet. "It's just that finding out you were the person who hurt my husband, whether or not it was the only thing you could do, there's only one way I could react. Unfortunately, it involved panic and fear and anger. I'm sorry."


Sydney shook her head vigorously. "Lauren, you don't have to apologize. I understand."


Lauren nodded and swallowed against the tears in her throat. She looked up at Sydney shyly. "You don't hate me, do you?"


"No!" Sydney exclaimed, and was unable to hold in the sudden burst of laughter and tears. She walked over to Lauren and hugged her, feeling it was the only thing she could do to rectify the situation. "I don't hate you," she whispered.


Lauren hugged Sydney back, then pulled away and smiled. "That's really a relief."


Sydney smiled as well and asked, "You don't hate me either, right?"


Lauren shook her head. "I could never hate you," she said softly, "for any reason."


For a second, Sydney was taken aback, but she got over it and smiled again.


Lauren looked at Vaughn. "Look, I actually have to take care of a few things, so I'll be back later." She turned her attention back to Sydney when Vaughn acknowledged her words with a nod. "'Bye." She walked out of the room.


Sydney watched Lauren go, then walked around to the other side of Vaughn's bed and sat down in the chair in which Lauren had been sitting. She held her head in one hand and sighed deeply. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and glared up at Vaughn.


"Why didn't you tell her?"


"I told you, there wasn't a good—"


"You could have made this a hell of a lot easier, Vaughn."


Vaughn wrinkled his forehead as he said, "Frankly, I think it meant a lot more to her because it came from you. Lauren knows that I would have made it not seem like a big deal and tried to dismiss it because I didn't think it mattered, but you gave it all to her bluntly. I think she appreciated that."


Sydney leaned back in the chair. "You might be right about me being blunt with her, but I think she would have preferred to hear it from you. After all, you're the one who was stabbed."


"I think we both have valid points," Vaughn said abruptly, "and I don't think either one of us is more right than the other. All I know is that it's over and there wasn't a fight, so I think that things are okay."


"I hope you're right," Sydney murmured. "I don't want Lauren to hate me."


"Right," Vaughn scoffed, "because it's all about you."


Sydney looked up, startled. "Excuse me?"


"You only care about yourself, Sydney," Vaughn husked. "You don't care about anyone else. You haven't even asked me how I am! All you care about is whether or not someone likes or hates you. Guess what, Sydney, there's more to life than ensuring that you're on everyone's good side."


Sydney stood up. "You think that because I want to make sure that the wife of someone close to me and whom I work with doesn't want to rip me apart makes me *selfish*?" Vaughn stared. "Is that it, Vaughn? I don't want to go around wondering if I'm going to be stabbed in the back because I did what I had to do to protect someone I love!"


Vaughn looked at Sydney almost questioningly, wondering if she had meant the last part of her sentence. He decided it didn't matter and shook his head to clear out the thought of probing further into her words.


"I understand what you're saying," he began, "but the truth is, you and Lauren will probably never be best friends, or even friends at all, and you need to get it through your thick skull that it doesn't matter whether or not she likes or doesn't like you. It doesn't *matter*. Obviously, no one wants to be hated by anyone, but our circumstances are different from the circumstances of others. You're just going to have to deal with it and get on with your life."


Sydney stared at him in disbelief. "I *am* getting on with my life, Vaughn. Do you see me crying over you? Do you see me breaking down because we're not together anymore? Of course not. And it's not because you're not worth crying over, it's because I am trying to deal with this in the best way that I can so that it doesn't hinder my ability to do my job!" She paused, took a breath, and continued, "If you can't see that or understand that, then I don't know what to tell you." She walked towards the door. "One more thing—the reason why I didn't ask how you were? There wasn't a *good* time." She walked to the door and left without looking over her shoulder.


Vaughn watched her leave, thought about how he could have avoided all this if he had just told Lauren about Sydney's role in his stabbing. He sighed, rubbed his temples with his fingers, and leaned back in the bed to try and sleep.




Sark and Allison were getting dressed when Allison asked, "So when are you going to tell Bristow about your volunteering her to work for the Covenant?"


"Tomorrow," Sark answered, buttoning his shirt. "I'll call her, ask her to meet me, and give her all the details then."


"I'd love to be there, to see the look on her face when you tell her," Allison said hopefully.


Sark smiled and kissed her. "You won't be able to unfortunately, but I can wear a mic if you want, and you can hear her reaction."


Allison smirked. "I'll just settle for you telling me."


Sark chuckled. "I'll make sure I don't leave out any details." He kissed her again and started for the door. "I'll see you soon."


"Okay," Allison agreed. "Just don't be gone too long." She pouted at him. "I'd miss you too much."


"I promise I won't," Sark assured her. He smiled and left. Once outside, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed as he walked. He had an apartment much like Allison's near the Covenant's headquarters. He dialed the last number and smiled when Simon picked up on the first ring.


"Yes?"


"Simon, this is Mr. Sark."


"Ah, yes, good to hear from you."


"Right. Look, I need to ask you a favor," Sark told him.


"Of course, mate, anything."


"If you see Julia or talk to her, I need to ask you not to mention anything about the job."


Simon was silent for a moment, then asked, "Why is that?"


"There are some things between her and I that need to be cleared up concerning the job. I have some more details for her, but I don't want you two to be discussing it quite yet because I haven't officially introduced her to the main players."


"All right," Simon agreed. "I have a question, though, and don't take this as me doubting your word, but, have you told Julia about the job?"


"Of course I have," Sark said, a bit testy. "I just don't want it being discussed quite yet, not when I'm not there to give you any details you might require."


"Fine, then," Simon said.


"I'll be in touch," Sark told him, and disconnected the call. He placed the phone in his pocket and continued to walk along. He thought about how difficult it would be when he told Sydney what was going to happen. He knew that she could rat him out to Simon, tell him that he was lying to her, that he had never mentioned a word about working for the Covenant.


But he had an advantage there as well. He could reveal Sydney's secret. Simon would know Sydney had betrayed him, and he would probably forget all about Sark's lie because it wouldn't matter. Sydney would be dead.


He would have chuckled at that, but for some reason the revelation sobered him. He knew that Sydney would be a valuable asset, and he also knew that she would still remain loyal to the CIA. The Covenant would be helped and hindered at the same time.


He scratched the back of his neck, wondered if he truly wanted to help the Covenant or if he wanted to help Sydney bring it down. He smiled to himself. Right now it didn't matter. He had plenty of time to decide.


He shoved his hands into his pockets as he strolled, kicking small rocks as he went. He kicked a big rock towards a sewage drain, watched it jump and roll along the concrete and finally drop into the drain.


Another big rock crossed his path and he kicked it as well, but this one landed about an inch from the sewage drain. Sark tilted his head and looked at it, wondering whether or not he should go with his first instinct and kick it in or just leave it there and let it be.


After a minute of contemplating, he decided to let it go, and walked away from it, looking over his shoulder with a bit of a smirk at the rock on the brink.


A/N: Mmm.. Sarkison.. So anyways, this should be interesting. Oh, Lauren rocks and Vaughn sucks. Sark is hot. So is Allison. Thus Sarkison is hot. Mmm.. Sarkison.. Oh wait, I did that already. Okay. Anyways, thanks to everyone who's reading/reviewing/enjoying! You all make my day;)


~E