...There's a Way




Sydney dressed quickly—in a suit this time—and said good-bye to Will and Francie, then darted out to her car. She got in and drove to SD-6, where she figured Sark would be.

On her way there, she called Sloane on her cell and told him she had forgotten something and had to come back to retrieve it.

She drove into the underground parking garage and parked in her regular space. She got out and took a quick look around. She smiled when she saw Sark's car. She hurried in, closed her eyes briefly to avoid the blinding red light and strolled through the throng of people as she made her way to her desk.

She sat down quickly and glanced at Sark's desk. He wasn't there. Her heart sank, but she figured Sloane was having a chat with him. She quickly rummaged through the drawers of her desk.

Where the hell is all the paper?

She siphoned through the paper once she found a stack, looking for a specific color.

White, yellow—no goldenrod—nope, wait, it's canary, isn't it? Oh who gives a fuck...blue...

A lump formed in her throat when she reached the bottom of the stack. She thought for a moment then pulled open another drawer. She couldn't help but grin as she gaped at an unopened ream of green paper. She tore open the package and pulled out one sheet. She balled it up in her fist then stood and wandered over to Sark's desk. She tossed the paper in the wastebasket next to his desk, then sauntered back out to the parking garage.

She drove back to her house, as she still had a couple of hours before Sark would be leaving work. Will was surprised to see her back so soon and immediately asked her what had gone wrong.

Sydney took a quick glance around and Will assured her that Francie was at work. Nothing went wrong, I just have a couple hours to kill before I meet with him.

Will said. Just then, his beeper went off. Sydney grinned at him. he said with a smile.

See you, Sydney said, giving him a quick hug.

Will nodded and left. Sydney plopped down on the couch and lay on her back with a throw pillow behind her head. She couldn't help but grin as she stared up at the ceiling, her hands resting on her stomach. In just a couple hours she was going to tell Andrew David Sark that she had feelings for him. She could hardly contain herself and hoped that he would be able to look past the Paris incident and admit his feelings as well.


Sydney had nodded off and she awoke to Will sitting by her with her legs in his lap, running his fingertips over her shins.

It's a few minutes after five, I figured you'd need to be awake about now, he said, smiling at her.

Sydney smiled back and reached her arms behind her to stretch, nearly knocking over a lamp. She grasped it quickly and swatted at Will when he began to laugh. She sat up and looked down at her lap. Will reached and lifted up her chin. He gave her a lop-sided grin.

Cold feet?

Sydney giggled and nodded. I was psyched earlier, but now I'm a little nervous that it's not going to work. Her usually warm chocolate doe eyes seemed to darken a bit and she sucked in a breath and looked off at a far wall.

Will patted her shin. It's going to be fine. If he has any sense at all, he'll believe what you tell him. I mean, look at you: you're smart, you're funny, you have the most beautiful brown eyes I've ever seen, a great smile; you're perfect, Syd.

Sydney felt a tear prick at her eye as she blushed from Will's words. She smiled brightly at him.

See? That smile is completely contagious, he said, grinning back at her.

The blush in Sydney's cheeks deepened and she stood up. She ran a hand through Will's hair and leaned down to kiss his cheek. Thank you so much for everything.

Will stood up and gave her a hug. No problem.

I'll see you soon, Sydney said, stepping back from him and going for her coat.

But not if it goes well, right? Will said with a wink.

Sydney grinned and jokingly waved her finger at him, then went to her car.


Sydney reached the park a few minutes later. She parked and got out then headed to the bench by the willow. It was close to six so it was already somewhat dark. She sighed heavily and sat down on the empty bench. She wiped her sweaty palms on her slacks and tried to relax.

She suddenly felt goose bumps break out on her arms and she sincerely hoped Sark hadn't come already and left when he didn't see her here. She rubbed her arms vigorously, warming them and sighed heavily as her eyes darted around the park, looking for any kind of motion.

She stared down at her lap lost in thought. What if he doesn't believe me? What if he thinks I slept with the guy because I wanted to get some and not because I was convinced he doesn't feel the same way I do about him?

Evening Ms. Bristow, Sark said casually, taking a seat beside her.

Sydney's head snapped up and her mouth immediately went dry. She managed a quick nod. Mr. Sark.

To what do I owe this little meeting?

Sydney swallowed hard and cleared her throat. I-I wanted to tell you a couple things, she said quietly.

Go on, Sark drawled.

First, I-I wanted to tell you that the Paris incident was a mistake. I had too much to drink. But I wasn't lying when I said it was because I was hurting. She whispered the last word, her voice becoming gruff with the sobs rising in the back of her throat.

Sark said dryly.

Sydney pleaded, I don't need to have you saying things like that when I'm trying to get a point across.

Sark sighed. Continue then.

Sydney nodded and swallowed hard. That ties into our conversation earlier that day, before the receptionist called to say we were being given a second room. I wanted to tell you something, but just when I was about to, the phone rang. Then, after the call was finished, and you gave me the news, I couldn't bring myself to tell you. Her lip trembled and she looked down at her lap as sobs continued to rise in her throat. She choked them back.

What did you want to say? Sark asked calmly, lifting her chin so she'd look at him. He hoped it was what he thought, because otherwise, he had no idea what on earth she could have possibly wanted to say.

I like you, she whispered.

Sark raised an eyebrow and leaned close to her. I couldn't hear you.

I like you, Sydney said, a little louder, but still somewhat hushed because of the trapped tears she needed to free.

Sark felt a tear sting his eye and he smiled at her as he leaned closer to whisper, I like you, too.

The tears erupted from Sydney. she choked out.

Sark nodded and reached a hand to her cheek and thumbed away a few tears. Sydney brought her hands to Sark's face and pulled him towards her as she connected her lips with his.

Fireworks exploded, cymbals crashed, and a standing ovation all occurred somewhere at that moment.

Love, passion, desire, and longing were all fueled into that kiss. Tears spilled out of Sydney's eyes and even a few were shed by Sark.

After a bit, they both pulled back just slightly, and leaned with their foreheads touching, eyes glittering with tears, mouths pulled back into goofy grins. Sark pulled her into an embrace and Sydney rested her head on his chest, a sigh of relief escaping from her throat.

Sark rested his chin atop Sydney's head and kept his arms wrapped around her, as if he was afraid to let go. I was afraid to tell you how I felt, he whispered.

Sydney lifted her head to look at him.

Our jobs, he said with an edge of sadness to his voice.

Sydney grinned. Our jobs suck.

Sark returned the grin. Indeed. I mean, not only could we be killed on duty, but protocol stands in our way as well.

Sydney said with a sigh, laying her head on Sark's shoulder. It's worth the risk, though, isn't it?

Sark said simply.

Sydney bolted up from the bench. What? Are you saying that I just spilled my guts for no reason because you don't want to pursue this?

Sark stood up as well. No, I just want to offer a solution.

What do you mean? Sydney asked, tears surging into her eyes again.

No, no, no, Sark coaxed, taking her into his arms, I just think that maybe we should wait until SD-6 is destroyed before we really decide to get in deep. Yes, protocol stands in our way, but I'm not terribly worried about it. What I'm worried about, is if something goes wrong on a mission and we lose each other or we both lose our lives. He stroked her hair. I'm afraid that we won't be able to really experience all that our relationship could be.

Sydney pulled back. I see what you're saying, but it's just— she shook her head, —what if we don't get this chance again for another few years or something? We'll regret it we don't go for it now.

I think it's necessary that we wait, Sark said quietly. Besides, with all the damage that has been caused to SD-6 already, I don't think the take-down is that far off. It could just be a few months. He smiled at her. Can't we wait a few months?

Sydney smiled. I think so. But we have to promise that neither of us will go look for something else.

Of course, Sark told her, and you shouldn't be worried about me, I should—

Sydney said, laughing, the Paris incident is not something I want to repeat.

Good to know, Sark said and pulled her close to him again. Sydney lay her head on his chest and soaked up the wonder that was Sark.

Are you sure we're doing the right thing? she asked.

Sark told her, it'll mean so much more when we can really enjoy it.

I hope you're right, Sydney said quietly.

Sark kissed the top of her head. I know I'm right, love. He smiled into her hair. You're worth it.

Sydney felt tears threatening to fall and she let them. You too.

Sark held her for a couple minutes more then pulled back slightly. We should probably get going. He searched her eyes and smiled. I look forward to work tomorrow.

Me too, Sydney said, moving back into his embrace. She thought for a moment. Do you think we could maybe just have a little bit of a relationship? Just a kiss now and then to remind us of what we have to look forward to?

I think that would be all right, Sark decided.

Sydney whispered. She pulled back after a couple more minutes, much as she hated to do so. I should get going.

Sark nodded and leaned his head down to brush his lips over hers. See you tomorrow, love.

See you.


Author's Note: I know exactly where I'm going with this because a dream of some of the scenes that will come next woke me up around six this morning:P A note about this chapter, I had tears in my eyes just a bit as I wrote this. I was so happy to have them *finally* admit their feelings for each other. Anyways, there will probably be at least two more chapters, maybe three, but that should do it. Once again, thank you to everyone who's reading, reviewing, and enjoying;)