Author's Note: So sorry for the lack of updates lately…yes, my workload has escalated - and it's only week 2!! Don't worry, I will endeavour to complete this story :) Read and review! I really appreciate it.
*****
Yet another mission debrief. Basically? You've got the directions, now go get the artefact! Sloane sends me and Sark to go fetch - not that I'm complaining. I'm too busy trying not to turn into a puddle of happy goop under his warm gaze. (Sark's that is! Not Sloane's! Ew!)
Finally we're done. I head for my desk and feel someone grasp my arm. Turning around, I give a little yelp and he has the good grace not to burst out laughing at me.
'Sydney,' he says softly. Aah. I like how he says my name. 'Could I speak to you for a moment?'
'Sure. Go ahead.'
'In private.'
'Oh!' Ohohoh. 'Yeah. We can head over there.' I suppose beside the potted plant in the corner of the office isn't exactly private-private, but it'll do. He follows me and did I mention that I'm bordering on excited-hysterical?
'Sydney,' he says in that gorgeous voice of his, 'I have to tell you something.'
'Yes?' Yesyesyes??
'You're an incredibly intelligent, beautiful and talented young woman,' he says, his blue eyes positively smouldering (did he really say that I can't believe he said that!!) 'And I apologise for leading you on this far.'
Oh he called me beautiful oh oh I - what. WHAT?
'Leading me on…?' That warm, fuzzy feeling has suddenly metamorphosed into something cold, slimy and gross.
He looks at me strangely, tilting his head to the side, the corner of his mouth lifting up into a smile. 'You do know that there can't possibly be a future for us. Of course, anything purely physical is fine by me.' His smile transforms into something disturbingly seductive.
This time, I feel only revulsion.
*
Get the Rembaldi artefact blah blah blah. Sure thing, Sloane. I'll just go on another mission with Mr Suave and humiliate myself again. NO problem. I just enjoy getting emotionally pulpitated don't I? Danny, Noah, Vaughn, my parents - and then finding out that the only thing Sark's interested in is getting into my pants.
Not my heart.
*
'Just get the artefact and place this tracking device on it. We'll get it before it reaches SD-6 storage facilities.' I place the tiny chip-thing in my purse.
'Syd, are you okay?'
I nod mutely. Not in the mood to lie verbally.
*
'Sydney.'
'Don't talk to me.' Hey I sound kinda tired. Like something in between depressed and angry. And hurt. Very hurt. So hurt I think I've run out of tears.
'If we're meant to get the artefact out without blowing ourselves up, the least you can do is focus.' His voice is an angry whisper, the most emotion I've seen.
'Like you care what happens to me.' Oops. I didn't mean for my voice to choke up like that. His eyes soften.
I hurry out of the van before I start hoping again.
*
