Chapter 17 -

Two tank tops with matching mini briefs, khaki Capri pants with a thin, off-white cap sleeved peasant like top and a few other essentials. She had spent nearly twenty minutes deciding on which items to pack. All had been selected based on the fact that they would take up little space.

Her rolling carryon was spacious compared to the medium sized leather backpack she had to use this time. Anything larger than that was really unnecessary, when she thought about it. It was only the weekend, after all and weekends always went by so fast anyway.

After taking one last glance at her vehicle clock, Sydney retrieved said backpack from the backseat. According to the time, she still had fifteen minutes, but it was in her nature to be prepared.

Out of habit or maybe due to nerves, she slid her fingers over her necklace. Loving the closeness of the gift and the sentiment it represented, she wore it often. It was almost as good as having him next to her, but nothing beat the real thing.

Thinking about how all this began, Sydney allowed a small smile to form on her face. She had been so upset when she had first found out about the Buenos Aires op. She knew now that most of her reaction stemmed from her underlying attraction to Sark, but back then she fingered it as pure detest. How blind she was.

A light sigh escaped as she shook her head slightly from side to side. Where would she be if the past month had never happened? No doubt she would have never witnessed the side to Sark that she had. Their daily fits of banter would exist of course, and he would still get under her skin, plus it would be likely that he would have the upper hand most of the time. But, this happiness that consumed her with one thought of him wouldn't live. She was well aware that to keep up appearances, some of that interaction would still need to come into play, but that was okay. It was part of her initial attraction.

Another glance at the clock told her it was almost time to go. Her smile was still shining and stayed as she took out the small piece of white paper. She assumed it was dropped in her computer case before she left the plane. A few words had alleviated any doubt she might have felt about his feelings toward her.

This weekend, I'm sure you remember the time and location.

And Sydney…you can use the front entrance this time.

She folded the paper back up and placed it back in the front pocket of her backpack. This was how it was going to be, perfectly timed arrivals and departures. As she said to herself earlier that night – it was worth it.

She threw her bag over her shoulder, grabbed her cane and began her walk to his apartment building. The car that was sitting in front of his building had left a few minutes before, but the next car was due any minute. Slightly rushed, she opened the front door of the building and this time properly made her entrance.

She knew the cameras were off for a moment, but she still kept her head down as she ascended the stairs. It was a good habit to have, and she doubted that she would ever sway from it.

With each step that she took, her level of nervousness rose. She knew most of it was anticipation, but there was a tinge of fear mixed in also. Fear that something horrible was to come of all of this. Just like the dream she had in Buenos Aires.

You've captured my soul… and I can't let you keep it.

Those words, although self produced, haunted her still. The imagined feel of his gun pressed against her ribcage was fresh, and even though it was only a dream, in the back of her mind she did fear that it might come true. 

Within seconds of her knock, she heard the click of the lock and saw the door slowly open. This was it. After this, there was really no turning back. As she came face to face with the source of her varying feelings, her relief was evident. One look at those eyes, the slightly crooked bottom lip, that became more so with a grin, and she was lost.

Sark took a moment to admire her. She wore nothing special, just a pair of bootcut jeans and a thin ice blue sweater, but she could tell he was pleased with it. As he stepped back to let her in, she hesitated. The pause only lasted a moment, and then she made the leap into his apartment. She crossed the line.

He came up behind her and slid his hands over her hips, while he brought his lips to her ear. Her eyes fluttered as the warmth from his hands penetrated through her jeans. She felt a tingle as his breath entered her ear.

"Glad you could make it." His smooth voice not only set her ear afire, but raced through her body with an odd sensation that ended deep in her gut.

Sydney smiled, and turned to face him. Their distance was better measured in inches. "It was an attractive offer, given the week that I've had." Her hands made their way up his chest as she spoke, driven by the need to touch him.

They stood in silence, letting their actions speak for themselves. Sark brought his hand to her face, and then moved it, to lightly stroke her hair. His caress caused her eyes to close, until he spoke just loud enough for her to hear.

"Your beauty can be crushing at times."

Once her eyes had reopened, Sydney looked to his lips and watched as they inched closer. His movement was soft, but she felt the electricity immediately as it shot through her. Lightly, his lips brushed hers, until she wrapped her fingers in his hair, and pulled him closer. Her action was initially made so he would begin his exploration of her, and she hoped that it would cause the sensation, which had been upgraded to an ache, to disperse.

She gave into him, completely. When his tongue lightly caressed the inside of her mouth, she became lost a second time. She could stand to feel this way forever and she purposely pushed back any thoughts of doubt that had been with her previously.

Still intertwined, Sark pushed her backward and slowly started the walk to his bedroom. She didn't take notice of the dinner he had prepared, or the bottle of Merlot that had been opened moments before she arrived. The priority was silently agreed upon, and when they reached the bedroom, it took over the evening.

Later that night as Sydney was in Sark's arms, she thought about the dangerous territory they were treading in. Although this felt so right, so much could go wrong. She remembered the look on her mother's face when Sark's name was mentioned. The man used to work for her, so the speck of loathing Sydney caught in her eyes was a complete surprise. It was obvious that something had transpired between the two, maybe so horrible that it drove him to help SD-6.

She had already speculated about others feelings – her father, Will, and Sloane to name a few. None would be pleased with this relationship. But with time, if Sark were in this for the long haul, maybe attitudes would change.

Sydney lifted her head from its position on his chest and looked at his face. His eyes were closed, and the tranquil look on his face was captivating. Although she was equally satisfied with the two rounds of lovemaking they had, her questions kept her from finding the same rest. She wanted so badly to know what he was hiding. What his plan was for all of this and if she was right, what he was running from.

When she felt the tips of his fingers unconsciously rub her bare back, she placed her head back down, and continued to listen to the rhythm of his breathing. She knew she would enjoy the weekend for what it was, but she recognized that this was not going to be easy.

End of Part two – Part three called Inebriety.