AN: Thanks to everyone for the wonderful, wonderful reviews. Now it seems that I need to clear up a mix-up. Maybe I should have put some Sark said, Jack said tags into the dialogue because some people were confused. So here's what happened. Jack visits Sark and threatens him. Sark agrees to help since he didn't really have much of a choice in the matter. As they go to leave, Sark goes out first and gets knocked in the head and becomes unconscious. Hopefully this was helpful to those who were somewhat confused. Alright, onto the story! Oh, review please!! BTW, if you can't get to the fic at first, it's probably because fanfiction.net is having problems. Try Allies or Alias Boards or Cover Me.

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Chapter 8

Sydney pulled slightly away from Vaughn and looked into his eyes. Those green eyes that could make a girl melt looked at her with gentleness and sympathy.

"Thank you," Sydney whispered. Vaughn nodded. Everything was said in that brief exchange. Vaughn had forgiven her and Sydney was grateful for that.

"We better go eat." They got up from the floor and started preparing dinner.

While they ate, they talked and Vaughn got to know his little girl better. Facts were being put together and questions were being answered. It was a pleasant dinner for all involved.

After they were done, everyone sat on the couch in front of the fireplace talking and laughing. Soon it was getting late and Michelle had fallen asleep.

"She must be really tired. I'm not surprised though. This trip has taken a lot out of her."

"You should probably get some rest too, Syd. You need it." Sydney nodded as Vaughn picked up Michelle and headed towards one of the bedrooms. Sydney followed close behind.

Once they got to the room, Vaughn laid Michelle down on the bed and started to leave when he felt Sydney's hand lightly touch his arm. He stopped and turned towards her.

"Stay with us awhile, Michael." Vaughn was surprised she had used his first name. He looked into her eyes and saw vulnerability. He didn't want to leave her, but wasn't sure if it was a good idea to stay either. Vaughn looked at Michelle and back at Sydney again. With a sigh, he gave in.

"Alright, for a little while." Sydney took his hand and led him to the bed. She climbed in beneath the covers and hugged their daughter. Vaughn climbed in next to Sydney and they soon fell asleep. To onlookers, it would have seemed like a married couple comforting their daughter after she had a nightmare. To people who knew better, it was something that no one would have ever thought would happen.

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"Oooh..." Sark mumbled as he started to wake up. He sat up in the airplane seat and looked around at his surroundings. When he saw Jack, Sark immediately remembered what had happened.

"Glad you could join me, Mr. Sark."

"You didn't have to knock me out, you know. I would have come willingly."

Jack shook his head. "I'm not so sure. I needed to be reassured and knocking you out was the best way."

"Did you have to hit me so hard? I could have been brain dead."

"Oh, don't be such a baby, Mr. Sark. I'm sure you've suffered worse than this before." Sark remained silent. He knew Jack was right, but Sark just liked to complain anyways. He likes to get to people and annoy them. It keeps them on their toes.

"It will probably be too late. Alice was already on her way when I called her."

Jack nodded. "Yes, but we are closer to Benetville and I had access to a jet. We will get there earlier than she will."

"I still don't understand why you need me to help you." Sark looked at his hands which were currently in handcuffs.

Jack looked at him with a smirk. "You're my hostage, Mr. Sark. In case things don't go so well, you'll be my bargaining tool."

Sark started laughing. "Jack, you fool, Alice doesn't care one bit for me. She would be relieved to see me die."

"Yes, I would be too if I were her but I'm sure Irina wouldn't be too happy about it. Even Alice wouldn't dare cross her." Sark remained silent. Jack got him there. Sark was Irina's right-hand man, and she would probably kill Alice if Alice got him killed.

"We're almost there. Just a few minutes and we will be landing. You had better hope, for your sake, that she isn't there yet." Sark gulped. He hated when Jack made him nervous. He was worse than Irina at times.

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Knocking sounds on the door woke Vaughn up. He gently nudged Sydney to wake her up.

"Hmm...five more minutes." Vaughn smiled as he nudged her again.

"Syd, wake up. There's someone at the door. It's probably your dad, but just in case..." Sydney's eyes opened wide and she sat up.

"I'm going to go see who it is. If you don't hear me give an okay, I want you to take Michelle and climb out of the window." Sydney looked at Vaughn with fear in her eyes.

"Vaughn, no! I'm not going to abandon you here. I need you. Michelle needs you." Vaughn gave her a gentle smile.

"It'll be okay, Sydney. No matter what, I'll always be with you." Sydney sighed, but finally nodded. Vaughn got off the bed and headed towards the door. He gave a sigh of relief when he saw that it was only Jack.

Opening the door, he was surprised to see who Jack's companion was.

"Jack?" Vaughn raised his eyebrow towards Sark and gave Jack a questioning look.

"He's working with Alice. I thought he could be some help to us." Vaughn nodded and stepped aside for them to come in. No longer had he done that that he heard a scream come from the bedroom where Sydney and Michelle were.

*I'm not sure yet whether I want to include Irina or just have mentions of her. What do you think? BTW, pretend Irina never turned herself into the CIA. Anyways, review and you can find out who screamed and why.