Notes: Sorry it took so long to update. I went a week without writing and Phase One sort of
sent me for a spin (not in the good way either). Not sure how long it will be before the next
part goes up. Thanks for those who have left reviews. I look forward to them.

~

Syd became both excited and nervous from the way that look in his eyes made her feel. Sydney
blushed and glanced a way as the waiter walked up and handed the wine to Sark. She hated that
he was having this effect on her tonight. She was use to keeping her own with him. She
listened to Sark thank the waiter and gazed back up as he began to speak.

"You seem flustered Sydney," he gently stated with a tilt of his head. "Would you care for
some wine?"

"Yes, yes please," she responded appreciatively.

Syd watched as the wine smoothly filled the glass and as Sark held it out for her to take.
Sydney peered at the wineglass as if she was afraid to touch it before she realized how
ridiculous she was being and reached for the glass. It was only Sark. She had sent plenty
of time with him and had gone through considerably tougher circumstances. She could manage
this. As the glass went from his fingers to her own, he looked away to pour his own wine.

"Not unpleasant," he said after a sip. "More than satisfactory even and a nice change from
what I am accustomed to. Actually fine quality, don't you agree?"

Syd knew that the wine was of significantly superior quality than most people ever had and
that Sark was just being pretentious.

"I agree." Syd put a pretend smile on. His expression showed he observed this.

She watched as he licked his lips and as turned his glass between his fingers. "You look quite
lovely this evening."

Sydney's heart skipped a beat as her fake plastered on smile slowly slipped away. The tone in
his voice sent a warmth through her body. He has sounded completely sincere and charming when
he said those words.

"Thank You."

Why did he have to say that? Not knowing how further to act the air became tense. She than
heard Sark sigh as if in defeat.

"As interesting as it is to watch you fidget over my every word I wish you would relax. I
won't jump you."

"I know that." Even though Syd knew that she obviously was acting abnormally, she got angry
that he detected it. "And I am not fidgeting."

Her tone did not put off Sark. "I am not going to pretend I don't notice the way you are
behaving. Is there something you need to get off your mind?"

"Since you are so perceptive, I shouldn't have to tell you." To Syd this felt remarkably like
their old routine again. "You seem to be enjoying making this worse."

"Of course I am." Sark sounded too self-satisfied. "It is not like I don't know why you are
acting this way."

"What is that big ego of yours telling you now!?"

"That it's nice to see the old Sydney back again." He paused as though to let what he said
sink in and went on, "Now that things are back to normal maybe we can enjoy this dinner."

Syd's temper cooled off as fast as it had inflamed once she saw what he had done. She was a
bit unsettled that he knew he could provoke her to act this way but glad he had ended it. "I
apologize."

"Quite alright. As fun as it was that needed to be stopped. I could not stand those mood
swings anymore."

Syd gave him a dirty look but than smiled feeling comfortable again. The waiter arrived and
they began to eat. Sark seemed to be in no rush during dinner so it ended up being long,
leisurely and full of talk. The whole time Syd felt an underlining vibe between them but it
was more like they were just friends. When they finished they headed out the door and began
walking down the road.

"So are we headed anywhere Sydney?"

She shrugged and contently sighed, "Lets just see where we end up."

"Of course," he teased affectionately.

Syd stopped for moment and wondered what she said that had been so amusing. Sark, who had
continued walking, hands in pockets, looked back and asked, "You coming?"

Syd caught up and they went on till they reached a fence for one of the beaches, which divided
where the road and the sand met. Sark leaned against the railing and started to stare out into
the sea so Syd decided to take the view in as well.

It was then her good mood washed away. The beach was pretty empty. There was only a couple
and a small group of people off towards the other side on the beach. It was so normal,
something she could not help but think she was not.

"It is a beautiful area," she heard Sark casually say.

Syd lowered her head and did not say a word. The whole situation was too much for her to
handle and this time she could not blame Sark for feeling this way. The scene before her was
a reminder of the life she was missing and deeply wanted. She tightly closed her eyes as though
in pain and she bit her lip till she tasted blood. She felt as though she was all by herself
and like no one understood what she was going through. Despite the fact that she was trying to
stop it, a few tears ran down her face and she cursed herself for behaving this way. Why did
she always have to do this to herself? With Sark here, this was the last thing she wanted to
do. Even with her eyes closed she could feel his presence.

Suddenly, Syd's eyes flashed open and her pulse quickened with realization Sark was going
through the same type of suffering as herself. That is why she had wanted to connect with him
so badly on the plane and there really was no point in fighting the obvious. It was more than
just being lonely. She wanted Sark. That is why she had behaved the way she had. It had nothing
to do with SD-6 or the CIA; it was just the way things were. She has always been attracted to
him but Vaughn had been so much so more available and so much easier to deal with. She had
thought Vaughn would always be there for her. Funny that she was here standing next to the
person she believed would be the most fleeting. There was the issue of Sark's alliances of
course but at the moment she felt they did not matter as they once did.

Syd looked up as she felt Sark's hand on her arm. "Are you okay?" he questioned, his voice
full of worry.

She gave a relieved smile at his question. He had to understand her to be acting this way.
"Never been better," she replied.

Syd saw Sark was still examining her to make sure she was indeed all right. She knew he was
beginning to comprehend what had just happened when a look of astonishment came over is face.

Before Syd could say a thing, she found Sark's lips hard against hers. As his kiss deepened
she finally gave in to her need and returned his passion. Syd's hands instinctively clutched
his suit as she first intensified and than pulled away from the kiss. She playfully nipped
his lower lip and stared into his eyes with a lustful smile.

Sark's eyes widened with excitement and he grunted as he pushed her back up against the
wooden rail as he drew in for a second kiss. Syd felt him press himself roughly against her
as he worked his tongue into her month. As he did, he lifted her leg up and began to slowly
working his hand up her skirt. Syd loved the warmth of his hand as it stroked her thigh
through her stockings. She sighed when their lips once again parted and Sark began kissing
her neck. Syd trembled at the sound of his erratic breathing and ran her hand through his
blonde hair.

Part of her could not believe this was actually happening. Not only was Sark kissing her but
his hands were all over her body and she was loving every minute of it. There was a want in
his kisses that was both unexpected and incredible. Syd moaned with pleasure at the intensity
of it all. She grabbed his hair attempting to get closer to him and was frustrated when she
could not.

Suddenly, to her shock, Sark withdrew and appeared to be running his eyes over her face as
his breath slowed. He softly kissed her once more briefly and gave Syd an almost sad look.

"We should head back." His voice sounded full of regret, making Syd insecure.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Sark glimpsed about and continued, "Though it is now well known who I work for
Sydney, we should not risk being seen publicly affectionate. The dinner was friendly enough."
He gave an overwhelmed grin and added, "And I can live without Sloane knowing everything about
me."

Sark bringing up SD-6, brought Syd back to reality for a moment but she suppressed the
thoughts stubbornly. "Well yes then we will have to continue this somewhere more private, won't
we?"

~
The change would do me right
Cause I've been just waiting
And hesitating
With this heart of mine

You're still a mystery
But there's something so easy
In how you're sweet to me
I feel completed
Like it's something I needed
For this heart of mine
--- Heart of Mine by Peter Salett

End of chapter 7

Thanks again for reading. Comments are welcome.