Killing Time



I can't believe you're so competitive with this, Sark said as he lay down another pair next to the fifteen or so that he already had.

Sydney let out a frustrated groan. I just can't believe I'm losing to you at Go Fish. She glanced down at the four pairs she had accumulated.

Sark laughed as he studied the cards in his hand. Okay, how about a six?

Sydney flung the six at him.

Sark was still chuckling as he set the new pair of sixes on the old pair of sixes and turned all four cards facedown.

This blows, she muttered.

Yeah, for you, Sark said, shooting her an impish grin.

Sydney frowned at him and mussed his hair.

Hey, hey, you know how long it takes me to get this perfect? Sark asked, gently patting his dirty blond mop.

I hope you don't honestly think I give a shit, Sydney said with a smirk.

You should though, Sark told her. What if I were to do the same to your hair?

You wouldn't dare because you know I'd kick your ass.

Oh really? Sark challenged. Well then... He suddenly lurched forward, reaching for a lock of Sydney's hair.

Sydney leaned back, out of reach of Sark's hand. She grinned at him as he slumped back, defeated.

Dude, let's finish this, she said, studying the cards in her hand. I'm going to lose anyway, so let's not prolong the misery.

Sark frowned. Okay, um, an ace?

Oh my God, this is ridiculous, she muttered, tossing the card at him.

Sark put the pair of aces on the other pair he had and turned the cards over. He glanced to where the pond' had once resided. We're out of cards in that, which means you have the rest of the cards I need to form pairs, so... he trailed off.

Sydney let out another frustrated groan and flung the rest of her cards at him.

Thank you, Sark said, forming the pairs and laying them down with the rest.

He glanced up and noticed Sydney was looking away. He had the perfect opportunity to repay the hair mussing' favor. He dived at her, catching her off-guard. Sydney grabbed him by the shoulders and ended up pulling him down on top of her.

Sark looked almost scared. He had intended to reach and run a hand through her hair, mussing it slightly. He had to admit though, the thought of his body on top of Sydney's was a recurring one, and one that he would love to be able to have happen.

Sydney was still beneath him. She looked into Sark's eyes, daring him to move first. As she waited, she allowed her mind to drift to images of her and Sark and—

She shook her head, dismissing the thoughts and tried to ignore the sudden stiffening of her nipples. She and Sark moved at the same time. He resumed his place on the carpet and she did the same.

Sydney cleared her throat and crossed her arms over her chest. So uh, you want to see what kind of food we've been provided?

Sounds good, Sark said, getting up.

Sydney nodded and got up as well. She hadn't realized how close they'd been sitting until she realized that she and Sark were now standing just inches apart. The space between them grew thick. Something inside of Sydney made her want to kiss Sark. But for some reason, she felt like it would be a betrayal—to whom or what, she wasn't sure.

Sark focused his ice blue eyes on Sydney's dark amber ones. He had to use every muscle in his body to restrain himself from lunging forward and melding his lips with hers. He swallowed and suddenly clasped his hands together, startling Sydney.

To the kitchen? he asked with a slight smile.

Um, yeah, Sydney mumbled.

She turned on her heel and rounded the corner to the kitchen. She marched over to the refrigerator and threw open the door.

she observed. She scoffed and closed the refrigerator door, then opened the freezer. She and Sark gazed at the box of frozen pizza.

Sark pursed his lips. Okay, well, obviously we were definitely only meant to have one meal here.

Sydney chuckled. I guess so.

She pulled out the box and read the directions. She preheated the oven and tossed the pizza on a cookie sheet, as the box indicated. She put the pizza in the oven, then set the timer and leaned against the counter. She glanced over at Sark who was playing Solitaire at the table. She walked over to him and sat down in one of the chairs.

Sark looked up. You want to play something? Because I can always play this later.

Sydney smiled. Nah, I'll just watch.

Sark nodded and continued his game. Sydney found herself absolutely engrossed in watching Sark play. When she heard him grunt in frustration, she would point out the move he missed, and he would chuckle and murmur aloud how he wondered why he'd missed it.

About fifteen minutes later, the timer went off. Sydney got up and went to check and see if the pizza was done. She opened the oven door and peered inside. Indeed, it was done. She looked around for oven mitts or something of that nature so she could take the pizza out.

Oh for Christ's sake, she muttered, looking in drawers and cabinets.

Sark lay down his cards and went to see what was happening. What's wrong?

I need something to take the pizza out, Sydney told him as she continued to rummage through drawers and cabinets. How can they give us something to cook in the oven but no pot holders?

No idea, Sark replied, joining Sydney in her search. He sighed after they had searched every drawer and cabinet. He frowned then suddenly lifted his shirt above his head.

Sydney stared in awe for a moment before saying, You're going to get burned.

Sark told her as he bunched it up and reached into the oven. He grasped the cookie sheet and quickly lifted it up to the stove and set it down. he murmured, closing the oven door.

Are you okay? Sydney asked, taking the shirt from him and examining his hand.

Yeah, it was just a little warm through the shirt, but I'm fine, he said reassuringly.

Sydney nodded and let go of his hand as she turned to look for something to cut the pizza. Okay, now, since there were no pot holders, I'm assuming there's no pizza cutter, so I think we'll just settle for the good old-fashioned knife. She pulled a knife from the knife block on the counter and began cutting the pizza. she muttered, and grabbed Sark's shirt to hold the cookie sheet in place.

After she finished slicing the pizza, she opened a cabinet to grab a couple of plates. She handed one to Sark and picked up a slice. She opened the refrigerator and grabbed a soda for herself and one for Sark.

Sark said, taking it from her, then ripping off a paper towel from the holder attached underneath a cabinet.

Sydney replied, taking it from him, then making her way to the table to sit down.

Sark ripped a piece of paper towel off for himself, then joined Sydney at the table. He ate somewhat quickly, which he attributed to his lack of breakfast and lunch that day.

Hey, you know what we should play? Sydney asked suddenly, after swallowing a bite of her pizza.

Sark mumbled, his mouth full.



Sark almost choked, and reached for his soda. He gulped down almost all the liquid in the can and swallowed hard. You're kidding, right?

Sydney grinned.

I haven't played that since I was a kid, Sark told her.

Same here.

Sark frowned slightly then nodded and smiled as he picked up the cards and began to shuffle them. He dealt out the cards and pushed his plate to one side.

The game commenced.