Chapter Two
At five minutes until eight, Sydney was walking swiftly through SD-6 as she made her way to the conference room.
Morning, Sydney, said Sloane. He motioned for Sydney to sit in the chair on which he was resting his hands.
Sydney swallowed and reluctantly took the seat across from her father and next to Sark. She glanced at Jack, then sighed and leaned back in the chair. Sloane placed his hands on Sydney's shoulders. She felt a strong pressure as Sloane pushed down, deliberately feeling for the straps of Sydney's bra with his thumbs.
Jack cleared his throat loudly when he saw Sydney grimace and shudder. Sloane removed his hands from Sydney's shoulders and walked to his normal seat at the end of the table.
Sydney gave her father a half-smile of thanks and Jack responded with a half-nod of acknowledgement.
Sloane began, you and Mr. Sark will infiltrate this facility. He pressed a button causing an image of said facility to appear on the large monitor behind him and the smaller monitors in front of Sydney, Jack, and Sark.
Sydney glanced at Sark then at her father and fought the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she sighed heavily. Sloane cocked his head to one side and looked at Sydney. You are going to retrieve a vial of liquid. Several organizations have tried and failed and the building's security has been substantially weakened. This is our opportunity to snatch it before any more agencies try to do the same.
What exactly is in this vial? Sydney questioned.
We aren't sure yet, Sloane admitted, but we know it has something to do with Rambaldi.
Sydney nodded and fidgeted with her skirt.
Any other questions? Sloane asked.
Sydney frowned as she glanced at Sark. She turned her attention back to Sloane.
Sloane's eyes burned into Sydney's as he awaited her question.
How exactly am I supposed to work this closely with someone I only trust about as far as I can throw him?
Sloane began, let's not make this more difficult than it needs to be.
Sydney opened her mouth to protest but Sloane spoke again.
I need to make a phone call, so why don't you two take this time to get to know one another a little better?
All four people stood up from their chairs. Jack gave Sydney a small nod and left. Sydney glanced at Sark then turned away and scoffed.
Sloane was busy putting papers into a briefcase. When he had finished, he walked past Sydney and touched his finger to the back of her neck. Sydney shivered, partially due to the fact that Sloane's finger was cold and partially because he was just so damn creepy.
Sloane looked over his shoulder as he was walking out of the room.
You leave tonight at seven.
The doors closed.
Sark nodded and turned to Sydney. He smirked at her and gazed intently into her eyes.
Why the hell were you so quiet during the meeting? Usually you never know when to shut up. Sydney crossed her arms over her chest.
Sark smirked again. He thrived on Sydney's sarcasm. Well, Miss Bristow—
Call me Sydney.' If we're going to work together we need to let some kind of guard down. She sighed.
Fair enough, Sark agreed.
They were silent for a couple of minutes.
You still didn't tell me why you were so quiet, Sydney told him.
You interrupted me, Sark pointed out.
Sydney sighed heavily and leaned against the table. Sark frowned a little.
You sigh too much, he informed her.
Do I? Sydney shot back, a hint of irritation in her voice.
You do.
Sydney fought the urge to sigh again and instead cleared her throat. She walked towards Sark and leaned in close. What do you suggest I do?
Sark smirked and leaned in as well, inches away from Sydney's face. He studied her eyes. The lights in the room made them change from the normal chocolate brown to a gorgeous dark amber with hints of light orange and light gray stemming from her pupils. The change in color also caused a change in the general appearance of her eyes. In their brown state, they were hard, closed-off. In the amber state, they seemed to be gentle, open, as if a protective veil had been lifted and she was exposed to anything and everything. The smirk left Sark's face and Sydney's eyes seemed to soften even more.
I don't know, he finally answered.
Sydney stepped back from Sark, who suddenly felt his knees grow weak. Sark turned his head slightly to focus on the wall.
Sydney found herself staring at what little of Sark's eyes she could see. He no longer seemed to be—to use Will's words—a cocky son of a bitch.' He seemed almost kind, as if his bad attitude was just hiding his true personality. For a brief instant, she considered asking him questions so she could get to know him for who he really was. She shivered slightly as she continued to look at Sark. She swallowed hard and cleared her throat. She started to step back and was surprised to find that her legs refused to obey.
I'll see you tonight, she said.
Sark nodded. See you tonight—Sydney.
Sydney smiled slightly and left.