Tuesday Morning at the hospital

Sydney held her head in her hands, she had barely gotten any sleep the night before. She stood and stretched. When she opened her eyes she saw Sark standing in front of her holding two cups of coffee.

"Good morning." He said handing her one of the cups.

"Thanks." she said taking it from him.

She sat down again, Sark taking the seat next to her. They sat for a moment in silence watching the other people in the waiting room. Sydney's attention was drawn to the mother and daughter on the other side of the room. They had been there all night too. The little girl was sitting in her mother's lap, her eyes bright as her mother read her Alice in Wonderland. She pained smile crossed her face.

"Are you ok?" Sark asked.

"I'm fine." Sydney answered.

"You know you can tell me anything."

Sydney sighed deeply and looked back at the mother and daughter.

"My mom used to do that. When I was little. I remember when I had a bad dream I would run to my parents room and curl up in their bed. She would hold me in her arms and we would snuggle really close and we would read . . . ."

"Alice in Wonderland." Sark finished for her.

"How did you know?"

"She told me once. I caught her reading it one night and asked her. She said it was you two's special story."

"It was. . . .is."

"Sydney one thing your mother taught me is that you don't always have to be the strong one. It's ok to rely on others."

"I doubt my mother told you that. She is the strongest woman I know. She always has been."

"Exactly. She is strong, strong enough to pull through this. But right now she needs you to be strong for her."

"But what if I can't." Sydney sobbed her composure finally breaking.

"Well that's what I'm here for." Sark said placing a hand on her shoulder.

She moved into his embrace, he held her tight allowing her to cry into his shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I . . ." Sydney started.

"Don't worry about it. You look tired."

"Well thanks." Sydney said sarcastically.

They shared a smile.

"Tell you what. Why don't you lay down and I'll read Alice in Wonderland to you."

Sydney laughed and laid down her head resting in Sark's lap. As Sark's dulcet voice spun the tale of a girl named Alice, Sydney allowed sleep to overtake her. Once he saw she was asleep he closed the book and moved a stray strand of hair from her face. He smiled before leaning back and going to sleep as well.

A few hours later

Vaughn entered the hospital to check on the Bristows. He looked across the waiting room and was taken aback at the sight that met his eyes. Without realizing it a shadow crossed his face seeing Sydney in the arms of Sark. He let them be and found Weiss comforting Nadia outside of Irina's room.

"How is she?" Vaughn asked.

"No change." Weiss answered.

He nodded and watched Jack as he lightly stroked Irina's hand.

"So. . . .how's Sydney."

"Fine. She was in the lobby, didn't you see her." Nadia said.

"Yeah, but she was asleep."

"Has Sark gotten here yet?" Weiss asked.

"Why would he be here?"

"He's been Sydney's rock since this whole ordeal began."

"So are they dating?"

"I don't think so. Why?" Nadia asked.

"No reason." Vaughn said quickly.

Nadia and Weiss shared a questioning look. At that moment Sydney joined them outside the room.

"Hey Nad. Any change?" Sydney asked.

"None. Did you have a nice nap?"

"Yeah, wait how did you know I had taken a nap."

"Vaughn saw you asleep."

Sydney turned and looked at Vaughn, she noticed the shadow that crossed his face and smiled slightly. Sark joined them in the hallway smiling briefly at Sydney.

"I love the just got of bed hair Julian." Weiss teased.

"Weiss stop it. Did you just arrive?" Nadia asked.

"No, I've been here a few hours. I was taking a nap in the lobby."

"Really!" Weiss said excited looking over at Vaughn.

Vaughn reddened and excused himself.

"So Vaughn you came through the lobby right!" he yelled after him.

Weiss let go of Nadia and ran after Vaughn a smile on his face.