"Just a minute!" Sydney called out in response to the knock on her door the following afternoon. After dropping her off at her flat the previous night, Sark had made arrangements to pick her up for their flight the next day, though she hadn't anticipated him arriving so early. He would be prompt, wouldn't he? Sydney mused to herself as she headed to the front door. "I'm just about ready…" She paused when she realized that it was not Sark at the door. "Paul!"

"Were you expecting someone?" The law student stood outside her door, with a bouquet of roses in his hand.

"Umm, yes actually…" Sydney eyed the flowers curiously. "My business partner should be here in any moment. Did you want something?"

He held out the flowers to her. "Well tomorrow I graduate from law school and I was hoping that you might consider coming to the ceremony as my date…" His face was blushing red. "I know I'm nothing special, and I'm probably not the sort that you are used to dating, but I think if you gave me a chance you might be surprised…"

Sydney smiled. "Paul, you are very sweet. And I am flattered by your interest in me, but honestly, I'm no good for you!" She sighed. "You deserve a nice, young, girl without baggage. My life is too complicated for a relationship with someone like you…"

"I can handle complications, Julia! Just give me a chance!" He begged. "You're the most amazing girl I know…"

"Paul, you don't know anything about me." She shook her head. "Really, I would make an awful girlfriend for you." She leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Find someone who would appreciate you for the amazing guy you are!"

He nodded. "I suppose I can take a hint. Would you at least consider attending my ceremony?"

She smiled. "I would, but I am actually leaving for Paris in an hour."

"Fine, I had to try…"

"And if the circumstances were different, you very possibly would succeed. It's really nothing personal, Paul." She pulled him in for an embrace. "I hope we can still be friends…"

"What the hell is going on?" A loud voice approaching in the hall snapped Sydney into defense mode.

"Simon, this isn't what it looks like…" She protested instantly, breaking the hug, but pushing Paul behind her a bit.

"Is that right? 'Cause I think it looks like you've been screwing around behind my back!" Simon marched up to them and pushed her out of the way. "God Jules, I thought our relationship meant something to you!"

"Simon, I thought I made it clear last night that we were over." Sydney reminded him.

"So you waited all of a couple of hours before picking up a new mate?" He glowered at Paul.

"Paul is just a friend. He's my neighbor."

"You lying whore!" Simon slapped her without a thought.

"Don't touch her!" Paul jumped to attention like a boy scout.

"Paul, stay out of this." Sydney warned, but he didn't listen. Instead he moved in front of her protectively and tried to stare down Simon.

"You've been putting the moves on my girlfriend!" Simon accused.

"First of all, I didn't even know Julia had a boyfriend, but even so we've never even gone on a date!" Paul insisted. Simon didn't care to hear any more, but punched Paul hard, knocking him to the ground and possibly breaking his nose.

"Simon!" Sydney screamed, jumping in the way and shoving Simon backwards. "You bastard!" He grabbed her wrists but she kneed him hard in the stomach and he released her. "I meant what I said! I never want to see you again!"

"Don't say things you don't mean sweetheart…" Simon wrapped his arms around her quickly, pinning her arms to her sides and held her firmly. "I know you'll never get enough of me." He pressed her back against the wall and moved to kiss her.

"Mr. Walker, I am not entirely sure that she is interested in you at the moment." Sark's cool voice spoke up from behind Simon.

He has the worst timing! Sydney hated how Sark kept finding her in such degrading situations.

"I don't much care for your opinion Mr. Sark." Simon growled, pressing his knee between Sydney's legs and pinning her body to the wall with his chest. "You get her for the weekend, I'm just saying my goodbyes…"

He was cut off by the sound of a gun being cocked. The cold barrel was pressed against Simon's skull as Sark stepped up beside him, holding it perfectly steady. "I will offer you one warning Mr. Walker, if you do not step away from Miss Thorne in three seconds I will not hesitate to put a bullet through your brain."

"Oh god…" Paul mumbled in the corner where he was still cowering, holding his nose in pain.

"Sark…" Sydney gasped as Simon dug his fingers into her sides.

"Three. Two." Sark began counting with a perfectly controlled voice.

"Alright!" Simon released Sydney and backed away with his hands up. "You win." He scowled at Sydney. "We had some good times together Jules."

"Until you turned into a psychotic bastard, yes, I would agree." Sydney rubbed her arms where he had been holding her tightly.

"Goodbye Mr. Walker." Sark kept the gun aimed at him as he started backing away down the hallway.

"She's an incredible shag, Mr. Sark. Enjoy her." Simon grinned. Sark released the trigger and a bullet whizzed past Simon's head, lodging itself in the elevator door.

"The next one goes between your eyes." Sark threatened.

Simon saluted Sark cockily and slipped into the elevator. "Goodbye sweetheart!" He blew Sydney a kiss as the doors snapped shut.

"Did he hurt you?" Sark turned to Sydney. He actually looked concerned.

She shook her head and turned to the terrified law student. "Paul, are you alright?"

He nodded and stood shakily. "You weren't joking about complications."

Sydney smiled at him. "Simon was…a mistake." She shrugged. "Everyone's entitled to a few bad ex's, right?"

Paul grinned. "I should probably get some ice on my nose so it doesn't swell too much for the ceremony tomorrow."

Sydney nodded. "You may want to go to the doctor, but I don't think it is broken."

Sark joined them. "I am quite experienced with broken noses, and yours definitely is not. Though it will bruise a decent amount…"

Paul eyed the well-dressed stranger with a curious frown.

"Oh, Paul, this is my new business partner, Mr. Julian Sark." Sydney introduced quickly. Sark's eyes darted her way but he remained composed. The men nodded at each other in greeting.

"Julia, we had better go. Our plane will be departing soon." Sark reminded her.

"Of course, let me just get my bags." She kissed Paul's cheek sweetly. "Will you be alright?"

He nodded. "I'll be fine. Have fun in Paris."

Sydney stepped into her apartment briefly and returned with two black luggage bags, which Sark took from her to carry. He led the way outside where a car was waiting to take them to the plane. He opened the door for her and let her into the back seat first before following her in. He glanced through the partition dividing the back seat from the driver and mumbled directions before closing the partition and turning to focus on Sydney.