"You accepted it?"
"He accepted it."
"Of course he'll accept that Sydney! He loves to take advantage of you!"
Sydney crossed her arms and asked with a calm voice.
"Oh does he, Vaughn?"
With a frustrated sigh, Vaughn looked at her and spoke.
"I'm sorry, but he's a traitor. He's betrayed us before and I'm afraid that he'll do it again. Only this time he'll be bringing down you along with the country."
When Sydney didn't answer, he looked deep into her eyes and continued in a tender tone.
"You are my first priority."
After a moment, the young woman spoke.
"No Vaughn. Your fiancee, your child, and your country must be your top priorities Vaughn. I'm the fourth. You chose it."
After she walked away, door of the men's room opened and Sark exited. He looked at Vaughn and said with a fake sympathetic tone.
"Aw, don't worry. I'll be there to dry her tears tonight. It's sad really. She continually cries herself to sleep."
Vaughn glared at him, Sark smirked.
"Thanks to you."
---------
"Same deal goes for you two too. You'll live together. The CIA will think Jack controls Irina and the Covenant will think Irina controls Jack."
"Which home?"
Kendall turned to Irina and answered.
"A new one on neutral ground that is conveniently located between the CIA and Covenant."
Irina nodded, Kendall continued.
"Sydney and Sark's home will be across town. This way, your paths shouldn't cross..."
Jack, looking at him, asked.
"Any surveillance devices at the houses?"
Kendall nodded and answered him.
"There will be a few. I need to show my superiors some new devices, but Marshall will give you and Sydney first crack at anything he has available. You two will be able to turn them off if you need or want. There will be limitations of course."
Jack nodded, but Irina spoke.
"How unexpectedly sweet of you Kendall."
Kendall smirked a little, then responded.
"Perhaps hell froze over, Derevko."
Irina smirked and with Kendall's approval, Jack and Irina both stood up to leave.
---------
Center area of base ops...
While organizing her new folders, Sydney saw Sark enter the main area. The young man sensed someone looking at him. When he saw that it was Sydney, he walked over to her.
"Ready?"
Sydney looked at him from where she was seated behind her desk and spoke softly.
"You heard, didn't you?"
Sark nodded and spoke.
"That's not my business. However, if it ever becomes an issue, let me know and I'll be more than happy to lend a hand."
"How can it be your business Sark? We are not even friends..."
While Sydney stood up, Sark looked at the young woman in front of him. Then quietly murmured words caused Sydney to freeze.
"We are beyond friends Miss Bristow."
When she looked at him surprised, Sark took the box which was on the desk, containing her new files and spoke.
"You know it."
He turned and walked away and Sydney followed him to the car.
---------
Leaving the office, Jack murmured.
"I don't like this. He was too easy on us. Kendall must be up to something."
Irina, nodding while walking, spoke.
"I'm sure he is. Kendall always is up to something and there's nothing you can do about it. So, we'll know it when it happens..."
They entered the center area, Jack spoke.
"Isn't it weird that you'll have a desk here?"
Irina, smiling, turned to him and spoke.
"I won't have a desk."
Jack, who came to his desk, turned to her and questioned.
"What? Where will you work?"
The beautiful woman smiled slightly, causing Jack to sigh.
"I can't believe it. He really thinks that I'll be your handler?"
Irina smiled a little broader and took the folder on the top of the box to the left of Jack. She spoke playfully.
"I don't need a desk, Jack. You know it... Plus, it will be fun to sit on top of this table and play with papers, pens and pencils and watch you squirm."
Leaving him wordless, Irina walked away knowing that he'll follow.