Leaving Las Vegas



Later that night, Sydney and Sark got dressed. Sydney decided on a cerulean blue backless dress and Sark picked a tuxedo.

Hey, do you think we should take the suitcases with us in case— Sydney sighed. Just in case?

Sark nodded and smoothed his hair in the mirror while Sydney applied a touch of make-up. She had dug around in her suitcase and found that other items besides clothes had been thrown in.

Sark watched in awe, then wrapped his arms around her and nibbled on the back of her neck as well as her ear. She giggled and stuffed the items back into the small bag.

They stood there for a few minutes. Sydney had leaned her head back into the crook of Sark's neck and Sark had his hands on Sydney's stomach, lightly brushing his fingertips over it.

You know what? Sark whispered into Sydney's ear.

Sydney whispered back, trying to suppress a smile.

I think I love you. Sark kept his eyes focused on the mirror and watched Sydney's reaction.

Sydney's breath caught in her throat and her eyes suddenly filled with tears. She swallowed and spun around so that she was facing Sark. She looked into his eyes and suddenly blinked, causing the tears to stream down her cheeks. He reached a hand to her face to wipe the tears away and she grasped it. She reached a hand to his cheek and he covered it with his own. Sydney smiled through her tears and gently leaned Sark's head down to kiss him. During the kiss, she felt Sark wrap his arms around her and she did the same. Once it had ended, she lay her head on his chest and hugged him tightly. She felt him tighten his hold on her protectively.

You know what? she asked in a teary voice.

Sark had to smile as he kissed the top of her head.

I think I love you too.



Hey, thanks for waiting for me to put my make-up back on, Sydney told Sark, linking her arm with his as they walked into the casino.

Of course, Sark said with a smile as he bent his head down for a quick kiss.

Do you think we'll get out of this alive? Sydney asked suddenly.

Sark stopped her and stood in front of her for a moment. He put a hand out, pretending to greet her. Nice to meet you, Miss Morbid.

Sydney slapped his hand away. I'm serious. I mean, maybe it wasn't even a good idea to come here tonight. What if there are people working for SD-6 here just waiting for us to look the wrong way?

Sark frowned at her. I don't think we have anything to worry about, Sydney. They'd be foolish to try and kill us here, in a crowded casino.

Well, what about when we leave?

Sark gave her a lopsided grin and leaned close to whisper in her ear. Then I guess we'll just have to run fast.

Sydney rolled her eyes and giggled a bit as she punched his arm playfully. Sark kissed her, then resumed his position on the side of her, resting a hand in the small of her back as they strolled through the casino.

What do you think we should play first? Sark asked as they made their way to a coin changer.

Wait. Stop a minute, Sydney said.

Sark kept his hand on Sydney's back and ran his thumb over her silky smooth skin gently. He noticed Sydney looking around and followed her gaze. Their eyes fell on a man standing by a marble statue about fifty paces from them.

Oh fuck, Sark muttered.

Sydney was already on her way out and Sark hurried to catch up. He looked back and saw the man make a gesture, most likely to his henchmen.

Sark got to the car after Sydney did and fumbled with the key in the car door.

Sydney pleaded, her eyes darting around, looking to see if the man had caught up with them.

The coast was clear for the moment.

Sydney turned back to the car to find that Sark had gotten in and had unlocked the door for her. She got in quickly and put her seatbelt on as Sark started the engine and backed out of the space. Sydney looked out her window and saw the man rushing towards them with his men.

Oh God, she said quietly.

Sark peeled out and they were on their way before the man's people could even take aim at them.

This is so scary, Sydney said softly, hugging herself.

Sark looked over at her. It's going to be okay, Sydney. We'll get through this.

Sydney nodded slowly. I hope so, she whispered. She shook her head slightly. Why did I ever decide to do this? she wondered aloud.

Sark narrowed his eyes. What do you mean?

This, this. The whole spy bullshit. Sydney wiped an angry tear out of her eye.

Sydney, I don't know much about you, but I'm sure the reason you got involved was because you wanted to make a difference. That's the basis for anything like this, Sark said soothingly.

Yeah, well look where that ideal has gotten me.

Sark was suddenly angry. He pounded his fist on the steering wheel, prompting Sydney to look over at him. He caught her gaze.

Sydney, I know you've gotten in deep with the whole SD-6 and CIA double life. But I am not going to sit here and let you blame yourself for becoming the target of the wrath of some psychopath former boss of yours. It is not, and I repeat, not your fault.

Sydney grasped Sark's hand. Sark squeezed her hand and raised it to his lips. Sydney sighed heavily and kept a tight hold on Sark's hand.

How long do you think it'll be before Sloane and his guys catch up to us? she asked, gazing out the window at the desert as Sark continued to drive.

I don't know, he answered.

Sydney felt a tear slip from her eyelid and crash onto her cheek. She shook her head slightly and spoke quietly.

When I saw him in there, he just had this—look—on his face, like I was the spawn of the devil or something. He had murder clearly etched into his eyes.

Sark sighed and ran a thumb over Sydney's hand comfortingly.

He'll stop at nothing to kill me, Sydney stated. He wants nothing more than to see me dead.

Sark started to say something, but Sydney spoke again.

I mean, I don't even think he cares how I go, he just wants nothing more than to stand next to my corpse and laugh at me. Laugh at me for being stupid enough to join SD-6, laugh at me for being stupid enough to try to escape, and laugh at me for being stupid enough to think that I actually could.

Sark began.

No, Sark, you know it's all true. I don't want your pity or your— she made air quotes, comforting explanations.' She looked at him and stared into his eyes when he turned his head towards her. You know all of this is true.

Sark frowned at her and nodded reluctantly. Sydney nodded as well and linked her fingers through his as their journey continued.