Chapter Nine
All in all, Sydney considered the bathroom venture a success—he was able to make her come twice.
She dressed quickly and left the bathroom to go sit in her seat. Sark did the same.
They sat in silence for a few minutes. Sark shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. Sydney turned towards him.
Do you think that may have ruined our professional relationship? he asked.
Sydney replied with a giggle. Sark chuckled a little. I've never heard you laugh before, Sydney said suddenly, studying his eyes.
Sark bent his head down as he lifted Sydney's chin up and kissed her. Once the kiss had ended, Sydney rested her head on Sark's shoulder. Sark took her hand in his as her wrapped his other arm around her shoulders. He kissed the top of her head.
Have you ever dated someone who worked for SD-6? Sark asked, running his thumb over Sydney's fingers.
Yeah, I have, Sydney said quietly.
Sark sighed and gently squeezed her shoulder as he brought her closer to him. He read her tone like a book. It didn't work out.
Sydney swallowed. No, it didn't.
Sark said nothing, only held her tighter and kissed the top of her head again. Sydney moved her head so that it was now resting on Sark's chest. She slipped a hand onto his chest as well and used it was something of a pillow.
Do you think this could go somewhere? Sydney asked.
Sark said softly.
Can we take it one step at a time? I'm just— Sydney began, but Sark gently interrupted her.
If it develops, it develops. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I think at this point, that's the safest way to go about this. He sighed. Is that okay?
Sydney mumbled an affirmative response as she felt herself drifting off into sleep. Sark rested his chin atop her head and fell asleep as well.
The plane landed and Sydney and Sark woke up before any flight attendants could come to rouse them.
Sydney stood up and stretched. A moment later and the flight attendant from before came to greet her and Sark. Sydney realized she was still upset that she had no idea where she was. She yawned loudly. I think that long flight really disoriented me. Where are we? She chuckled and hoped the flight attendant would buy the act she had put on.
the woman supplied automatically.
Sark stood up as Sydney smacked her forehead in continuance of her act. How could I forget that? Although, have you ever had that feeling where all of a sudden something just escapes you and then you go nuts trying to remember it? She forced a laugh.
The woman nodded and laughed too.
It's a little scary though, I mean especially something like this, where—
Sark pinched the back of her neck and she shushed. She tends to ramble, he said.
Sydney laughed nervously. I guess we'll be going now.
The attendant nodded and Sydney and Sark exited the plane. Sydney punched Sark in the arm as they walked through the airport.
Why the hell did you pinch me?
I think this whole thing was orchestrated by Sloane, Sark told her. Sydney stopped walking and narrowed her eyes. That woman and whoever piloted that plane probably work for Sloane. There's no mistake that the plane was empty except for us. Sloane might have even planned for them to kill us and they backed out.
What do we do? Sydney asked.
We proceed as planned. We get the vial and then we go home. Hopefully, I'm wrong about this. He pulled a photograph out of his pocket. We need to find some who knows where this facility is located.
Sydney nodded and took it from him. She stopped the first person she saw. Pardon Monsieur, savez-vous où ce bâtiment est localisé?
The man studied the photograph and frowned in thought. Ah, oui. He pulled a map from his pocket and pointed to a location on it. C'est exact ici. Et vous, vous êtes ici. He pointed to another location on the map to indicate where the airport was located. He handed Sydney the map.
Merci beaucoup, Monsieur, she replied.
The man smiled and nodded then left.
That was easy, Sydney said with a triumphant grin.
Too bad people in your country aren't as helpful, Sark muttered.
Sydney shrugged good-naturedly. It's the American way.
Sark chuckled at the comment and they continued on their journey.