Notes: I'm glad you three ( scifichick774, annie, and leonsalanna) like my writing. I hadn't planned on posting the next chapter here this fast but figured why not. Thanks to those who betaed this chapter, RED, Susan and Mel and for all the help Mel gave me with getting this chapter together.
~
"Sydney's dead."
Silently, he stumbled out of the office and down to the hall to the bathroom, where he could be alone. Even washing his face with the cool water, he could feel the hot tears searing his cheeks. He had always feared this moment. Now there was no need to go on.
~
The Paris hotel lobby was bustling with activity in spite of its reputation for privacy in the most opulent conditions and it being off season. Sark and Syd blended well with the diverse crowd, composed of tourist and businessmen, by playing the role of business associates themselves. Each was currently scanning opposite sides of the spacious hall in hopes of sighting either Sloane's contact, Mr. Laufer, or the SD-6 agents.
"I don't recognize anyone here," Syd whispered inconspicuously into her necklace which doubled as a com. Searching the mob, she saw nothing that was familiar unless Sark's blond locks, which were making their way through the crowd from some distance away, could be counted.
"Keep looking. It will make our deal with Mr. Laufer go easier if they're out of the way."
"You know, even though you may not believe this, most other agents are just as good as us." When he didn't respond, she went on "I doubt they'll be jumping up and down, wearing signs saying who they are." She paused again for Sark's answer but was met only with silence. "Sark?"
Looking over, she still saw the top of Sark's head above the crowd but this time, it was stationary. She was about to check if something had gone wrong when he answered at last.
"Sydney…" Sark had started making his way over to her. "I need you to stay calm, professional."
Her urge to snap back with a nasty reply was quieted by the hint of concern she detected in his otherwise composed voice. "Why?"
He reached her at that moment, visibly pale yet collected, and gazing at something over her shoulder. "I see them. Behind you, to your right."
Her heart stopped when she peered over and they came into view.
"Oh god, we can't do this." She tugged on Sark's arm, wanting for them both to leave this instant.
"Don't! You're making a spectacle," he roughly hissed, all previous concern absent. "There's a reason you ran to your mother and not them. We can't mess this up. Get yourself together and those extreme measures you so dread, won't have to be taken."
So much easier for him to say, than for her to do. She took a deep shaky breath and then another to focus.
They are no longer people. I do not love them, she recited to herself as they tracked the individuals through the hotel. They are targets. My only objective is to hinder their mission and fulfill my own. Nothing else matters.
Sydney winced at her own thoughts. No matter how many times she repeated them, it would never be true, but she had to find a way to do this. As the men entered a more private area of the hotel, Syd knew her time to prepare was up.
"Let me take care of him." So I know he isn't too hurt, she reasoned.
"You sure?" Sark's tired blue eyes were filled with apprehension once again.
She nodded.
When the time was right, Sark jumped out, pushing Dixon back with a fist to his jaw, followed by a sweeping kick that knocked him off his feet. The room was filled was Dixon's moans till they were ceased by the substance Sark strayed in the man's face, making him pass out.
Syd had hesitated in taking on her opponent, allowing him to swirl around, and wide-eyed, take the sight of her in. It had only been a few seconds, just as Sark's fight with Dixon had been, but they were enough to let her identity be known.
"Sydney!"
She sprayed her father's shocked face causing him to instantly pass out to the floor, like Dixon just had moments earlier, and flinched as she heard his head smack against a wooden table that was nearby. Something told her Dixon got the better end of the deal.
Wanting to cry, Sydney's body numbed instead as she stared down at her father's seemingly lifeless figure. She glanced up at Sark, who was gazing at her with sympathetic eyes as he dragged her former partner's body across the room, where it could be tied up and better concealed. Mumbling for her to "keep watch," he repeated the same with Jack. She knew it was really him allowing her to recover what has just taken place.
It had been too soon. Seeing Dixon she could have handled, but not her father. Not the person she had come to love after 20 years of a strained relationship, only to discover his betrayal by teaming up with the man that had destroyed her life. Even the knowledge of this taking place in a parallel universe, was painful.
"We have to go find Laufer. He's expecting two people. It's best he sees two, at least until he hears our offer."
Syd adjusted her wire frame glasses and smoothed back her sleek, golden brown hair, to amplify the business like persona she was suppose to be presenting and to let Sark know she was ready for action.
Sark didn't have to bother. Even after the scuffle, his appearance was impeccable as always but he paused a few seconds, running his hand through his hair, before asking her, "Ready?"
~
Fifteen minutes later Laufer, clad in a white suit, strolled into the lobby. Syd noted he had come from the upstairs, and was headed to the hotel's restaurant, where the lunch crowd was slowly dwindling. Two bulky bodyguards in black were positioned on each side of the man. It was a sight that Syd had seen endless times to the point of being ridiculous but at least these men were smart enough to know they were targets or perhaps it was to show off their wealth and importance. Men willing to sell to anyone flashing the cash, tended not to be the smartest.
Sark and Syd made their way over to Laufer's table and Sark promptly introduced himself before the men could react. "Mr. Laufer. I'm Mr. Sark and this-"
"Whatcha want?" The man barked in a brash New Jersey accent that extremely contrasted with Sark's British one. "I've got a meeting planned in a few minutes and no time for you."
"I work for an individual you may have heard of, The Man."
Laufer, who seemed in such a rush seconds earlier, seemingly ignored Sark's comment to give his attention elsewhere. His eyes began wandering and pausing over each part of Syd's body, lingering longer in certain places, the ones which all males tend to do and giving Syd caddish smile which made her stomach turn. Sark even scowled at his behavior but Syd was sure it was because of his being ignored or his impatience. Each minute that ticked by was one where Dixon and Jack could be found and cause trouble.
"Yeah, I've heard of him," Laufer spoke at last, though his occupation had yet to change. "What does he want from me?"
The man had a cocky confidence that he was so needed, he could get away with behaving any which way he wanted.
"We're here to make you an offer, one which I think you will find more than agreeable, for the information you were previously planning to sell to others today."
Laufer's eyes were now filled with another form of greed as he finally gave up inspecting Syd's body and looked over to the one offering the goods.
"Such information… Well I can get a lot for it and don't wish to waste my time on little boys, such as yourself, who can't possibility pay up or can you?."
"I assure you he can," Syd jumped hoping to settle this before things got ugly. "Our-,"
"Having your girlfriend picking your fights… you'll never make it past errand boy."
Girlfriend? Of course a man like this wouldn't see her capable of holding a position in the spy world herself. She had to be some clingy girlfriend following her lower level lackey boyfriend on his job. Syd was now sure Laufer's look over had to do with intimidating and testing 'the boyfriend' as much as it did with him being an ass.
Lips pursed and his eyes on fire with rage, Sark seemed less than pleased with the comment as well. Syd was not far behind that level of anger herself. If Sark decided to pounce the sexist jerk now, Syd would gladly join him, yet he didn't. His furry settled down though, far faster than hers could, and in a reasonably calm yet slightly insulted voice, Sark replied "As she said. You'll get the money. Just as soon as you allow me to preview the documents to show if their worth as what you claim, I'll make the call for the money to be placed in your account.
"They're in my room."
"If you want the money, I'd advise you to send one of you bodyguards to fetch them."
"I only know the combination and it's going to stay that way, so if you want them, you come up with me and fetch them," Laufer snapped.
Syd grabbed Sark's arm and smiled at him. Their eyes expressed all that needed to be said. Give the man his way but keep an eye out for shifty behavior. This could be a trap but they had to take the risk. Once Jack and Dixon resurfaced, it was a whole new game.
~
After Sark handed over both of the guns he had on him, and was subjected to a pat down as well, they settled into the suite and Laufer began pouring himself and Sark a drink. While doing so he called over to her, While doing so he called over to her, "Why don't you relax some, sweetheart, while we settle our business."
Relax? Yeah right, Syd thought. The man was basically asking her to 'strip' down some for a better view of what he had to offer. His sleazy face hadn't even turned away since he had made that statement. It was like he'd miss the big event, one Syd saw in her advantage to give him to get this meeting over and done with.
Giving him her best sweet disarming smile, she softly happily replied, "Oh thank goodness. My boyfriend insists I wear their stupid business outfits when he takes me on this things. I personally can't stand them. They're so uncomfortable."
One man laughed and sipped his drink while the other shot daggers at her for the words.
Glasses off, she held them by the tip in her teeth while she worked on taking her hair down as flirtatiously as she could with this slime in front of her. Jacket next, and she'd go no further for this man's entertainment. Making sure the gun she had carefully hidden was out of view, she slipped it off her shoulders, insinuating the 'assets' he'd like best and sat down, crossing her legs, allowing her rising shirt to give more of the preview the man was looking for.
"Can we get on with this?" Sark griped.
Laufer went over to a wall with a mini yet superior quality safe and turned the dial to begin opening it. "Yeah, why don't we."
As the lock clicked open, Sydney felt that tightening she felt in her stomach each time she anticipated the moment of seeing what was in a safe. Just papers… but as Laufer took them out, he treated them like they were made out of gold instead of the worthless material they were.
Handing the first to Sark, Laufer looked over the next page himself, slipping in behind the rest in the small pile behind glancing at the next and saying, "Satisfied?"
"Yes. I'll call to make the deal. How much are you asking for this?"
"Ten million."
"Quite a price since it was only intel on how to perhaps find the manuscript, and not the manuscript itself."
Sark took out his cell and went off in a corner to talk. In the mean time, Laufer came over to see more of Sydney.
"Are we boring you, Hon?" The man cooed.
"No, I like watching you guys do this important stuff. It's all so exciting!"
"Like power, huh?"
"Maybe," Syd giggled, making herself sick.
Placing the pages down on the table next to her, he leaned in and whispered, "Well, if you do, I think a man like myself has more to offer than a guy like him."
"I'm sure your wife would love that," Sark said from behind him, pocketing the cell phone.
Laufer just winked at her of all things. She bet he wouldn't like that if he knew she wanted to kick him in the balls of all things.
"It's done," Sark continued, seeing he was being pushed to the side once more.
"Yeah. I'll have one of my men make sure the eleven million was added."
"You said ten."
"Did I? Well I change my mind." Laufer turned to face a pissed off Sark.
Syd itched to react, but wouldn't unless needed.
"I'd hope you'd honor the original deal. It's an insult to my employer for you not to."
"Well, your employer is not here, is he?" Laufer signaled for the bodyguards to come over. "And he is as powerful, as people allege, he'd have the extra million."
The group went still as a sudden knock on the door was heard. Syd's mind panicked on what to do. This situation had gone from bad to worse.
"See who that is," Laufer shouted on one of his men. "Maybe it's Sloane's people who can offer me what this page is worth."
Before the bodyguards could take a second step, Syd felt herself pull the trigger on her gun she had retrieved, and red blood spattered across the room. She felt Laufer jump on top of her, pushing her to her back, to stop her from acting further. She felt suffocated by his mass, as he tried to twist her arm until she let go of the gun, and she did her best to make sure he didn't succeed in fulfilling his goal. The sounds of a scuffle nearby indicated what happened to Sark. The crash of men trying to break down the door let her know how little time there was. Hearing a second gunshot ring out she wondered Sark's fate. Was she alone to die a horrid, death in this world, which was not her own? Would she never see the ones she loved again? Neither was something she'd settle for.
She kicked Laufer off her with all her might, feeling pain shoot through her as something in her leg snapped, sending him flying backwards to the floor and allowing her to get better aim with her gun. The bloom of blood on his white suit told her she had hit him below the shoulder. Before she could get off another shot, Sark grabbed her. Her fingers snatched onto the pages Laufer had foolishly left next to her, as she attempted to stand on her leg for the first time since the kick. [i]Broken.[/i] She wasn't getting out of her without Sark's help.
"We have to get out of her now!" Looking over the room for a way out, Sark went on, "Window's not an option."
The only other option, the door, finally gave in and two men tumbled in, her father and Dixon. Running as fast as he could while dragging a limping Sydney, Sark stepped over the men before they could get up, and went down the hall to the elevator. Before the doors closed, the reverberation of a fourth and final shot blast was heard and Syd did her best not to cry and beg to go back.
~
Thanks for reading.
~
"Sydney's dead."
Silently, he stumbled out of the office and down to the hall to the bathroom, where he could be alone. Even washing his face with the cool water, he could feel the hot tears searing his cheeks. He had always feared this moment. Now there was no need to go on.
~
The Paris hotel lobby was bustling with activity in spite of its reputation for privacy in the most opulent conditions and it being off season. Sark and Syd blended well with the diverse crowd, composed of tourist and businessmen, by playing the role of business associates themselves. Each was currently scanning opposite sides of the spacious hall in hopes of sighting either Sloane's contact, Mr. Laufer, or the SD-6 agents.
"I don't recognize anyone here," Syd whispered inconspicuously into her necklace which doubled as a com. Searching the mob, she saw nothing that was familiar unless Sark's blond locks, which were making their way through the crowd from some distance away, could be counted.
"Keep looking. It will make our deal with Mr. Laufer go easier if they're out of the way."
"You know, even though you may not believe this, most other agents are just as good as us." When he didn't respond, she went on "I doubt they'll be jumping up and down, wearing signs saying who they are." She paused again for Sark's answer but was met only with silence. "Sark?"
Looking over, she still saw the top of Sark's head above the crowd but this time, it was stationary. She was about to check if something had gone wrong when he answered at last.
"Sydney…" Sark had started making his way over to her. "I need you to stay calm, professional."
Her urge to snap back with a nasty reply was quieted by the hint of concern she detected in his otherwise composed voice. "Why?"
He reached her at that moment, visibly pale yet collected, and gazing at something over her shoulder. "I see them. Behind you, to your right."
Her heart stopped when she peered over and they came into view.
"Oh god, we can't do this." She tugged on Sark's arm, wanting for them both to leave this instant.
"Don't! You're making a spectacle," he roughly hissed, all previous concern absent. "There's a reason you ran to your mother and not them. We can't mess this up. Get yourself together and those extreme measures you so dread, won't have to be taken."
So much easier for him to say, than for her to do. She took a deep shaky breath and then another to focus.
They are no longer people. I do not love them, she recited to herself as they tracked the individuals through the hotel. They are targets. My only objective is to hinder their mission and fulfill my own. Nothing else matters.
Sydney winced at her own thoughts. No matter how many times she repeated them, it would never be true, but she had to find a way to do this. As the men entered a more private area of the hotel, Syd knew her time to prepare was up.
"Let me take care of him." So I know he isn't too hurt, she reasoned.
"You sure?" Sark's tired blue eyes were filled with apprehension once again.
She nodded.
When the time was right, Sark jumped out, pushing Dixon back with a fist to his jaw, followed by a sweeping kick that knocked him off his feet. The room was filled was Dixon's moans till they were ceased by the substance Sark strayed in the man's face, making him pass out.
Syd had hesitated in taking on her opponent, allowing him to swirl around, and wide-eyed, take the sight of her in. It had only been a few seconds, just as Sark's fight with Dixon had been, but they were enough to let her identity be known.
"Sydney!"
She sprayed her father's shocked face causing him to instantly pass out to the floor, like Dixon just had moments earlier, and flinched as she heard his head smack against a wooden table that was nearby. Something told her Dixon got the better end of the deal.
Wanting to cry, Sydney's body numbed instead as she stared down at her father's seemingly lifeless figure. She glanced up at Sark, who was gazing at her with sympathetic eyes as he dragged her former partner's body across the room, where it could be tied up and better concealed. Mumbling for her to "keep watch," he repeated the same with Jack. She knew it was really him allowing her to recover what has just taken place.
It had been too soon. Seeing Dixon she could have handled, but not her father. Not the person she had come to love after 20 years of a strained relationship, only to discover his betrayal by teaming up with the man that had destroyed her life. Even the knowledge of this taking place in a parallel universe, was painful.
"We have to go find Laufer. He's expecting two people. It's best he sees two, at least until he hears our offer."
Syd adjusted her wire frame glasses and smoothed back her sleek, golden brown hair, to amplify the business like persona she was suppose to be presenting and to let Sark know she was ready for action.
Sark didn't have to bother. Even after the scuffle, his appearance was impeccable as always but he paused a few seconds, running his hand through his hair, before asking her, "Ready?"
~
Fifteen minutes later Laufer, clad in a white suit, strolled into the lobby. Syd noted he had come from the upstairs, and was headed to the hotel's restaurant, where the lunch crowd was slowly dwindling. Two bulky bodyguards in black were positioned on each side of the man. It was a sight that Syd had seen endless times to the point of being ridiculous but at least these men were smart enough to know they were targets or perhaps it was to show off their wealth and importance. Men willing to sell to anyone flashing the cash, tended not to be the smartest.
Sark and Syd made their way over to Laufer's table and Sark promptly introduced himself before the men could react. "Mr. Laufer. I'm Mr. Sark and this-"
"Whatcha want?" The man barked in a brash New Jersey accent that extremely contrasted with Sark's British one. "I've got a meeting planned in a few minutes and no time for you."
"I work for an individual you may have heard of, The Man."
Laufer, who seemed in such a rush seconds earlier, seemingly ignored Sark's comment to give his attention elsewhere. His eyes began wandering and pausing over each part of Syd's body, lingering longer in certain places, the ones which all males tend to do and giving Syd caddish smile which made her stomach turn. Sark even scowled at his behavior but Syd was sure it was because of his being ignored or his impatience. Each minute that ticked by was one where Dixon and Jack could be found and cause trouble.
"Yeah, I've heard of him," Laufer spoke at last, though his occupation had yet to change. "What does he want from me?"
The man had a cocky confidence that he was so needed, he could get away with behaving any which way he wanted.
"We're here to make you an offer, one which I think you will find more than agreeable, for the information you were previously planning to sell to others today."
Laufer's eyes were now filled with another form of greed as he finally gave up inspecting Syd's body and looked over to the one offering the goods.
"Such information… Well I can get a lot for it and don't wish to waste my time on little boys, such as yourself, who can't possibility pay up or can you?."
"I assure you he can," Syd jumped hoping to settle this before things got ugly. "Our-,"
"Having your girlfriend picking your fights… you'll never make it past errand boy."
Girlfriend? Of course a man like this wouldn't see her capable of holding a position in the spy world herself. She had to be some clingy girlfriend following her lower level lackey boyfriend on his job. Syd was now sure Laufer's look over had to do with intimidating and testing 'the boyfriend' as much as it did with him being an ass.
Lips pursed and his eyes on fire with rage, Sark seemed less than pleased with the comment as well. Syd was not far behind that level of anger herself. If Sark decided to pounce the sexist jerk now, Syd would gladly join him, yet he didn't. His furry settled down though, far faster than hers could, and in a reasonably calm yet slightly insulted voice, Sark replied "As she said. You'll get the money. Just as soon as you allow me to preview the documents to show if their worth as what you claim, I'll make the call for the money to be placed in your account.
"They're in my room."
"If you want the money, I'd advise you to send one of you bodyguards to fetch them."
"I only know the combination and it's going to stay that way, so if you want them, you come up with me and fetch them," Laufer snapped.
Syd grabbed Sark's arm and smiled at him. Their eyes expressed all that needed to be said. Give the man his way but keep an eye out for shifty behavior. This could be a trap but they had to take the risk. Once Jack and Dixon resurfaced, it was a whole new game.
~
After Sark handed over both of the guns he had on him, and was subjected to a pat down as well, they settled into the suite and Laufer began pouring himself and Sark a drink. While doing so he called over to her, While doing so he called over to her, "Why don't you relax some, sweetheart, while we settle our business."
Relax? Yeah right, Syd thought. The man was basically asking her to 'strip' down some for a better view of what he had to offer. His sleazy face hadn't even turned away since he had made that statement. It was like he'd miss the big event, one Syd saw in her advantage to give him to get this meeting over and done with.
Giving him her best sweet disarming smile, she softly happily replied, "Oh thank goodness. My boyfriend insists I wear their stupid business outfits when he takes me on this things. I personally can't stand them. They're so uncomfortable."
One man laughed and sipped his drink while the other shot daggers at her for the words.
Glasses off, she held them by the tip in her teeth while she worked on taking her hair down as flirtatiously as she could with this slime in front of her. Jacket next, and she'd go no further for this man's entertainment. Making sure the gun she had carefully hidden was out of view, she slipped it off her shoulders, insinuating the 'assets' he'd like best and sat down, crossing her legs, allowing her rising shirt to give more of the preview the man was looking for.
"Can we get on with this?" Sark griped.
Laufer went over to a wall with a mini yet superior quality safe and turned the dial to begin opening it. "Yeah, why don't we."
As the lock clicked open, Sydney felt that tightening she felt in her stomach each time she anticipated the moment of seeing what was in a safe. Just papers… but as Laufer took them out, he treated them like they were made out of gold instead of the worthless material they were.
Handing the first to Sark, Laufer looked over the next page himself, slipping in behind the rest in the small pile behind glancing at the next and saying, "Satisfied?"
"Yes. I'll call to make the deal. How much are you asking for this?"
"Ten million."
"Quite a price since it was only intel on how to perhaps find the manuscript, and not the manuscript itself."
Sark took out his cell and went off in a corner to talk. In the mean time, Laufer came over to see more of Sydney.
"Are we boring you, Hon?" The man cooed.
"No, I like watching you guys do this important stuff. It's all so exciting!"
"Like power, huh?"
"Maybe," Syd giggled, making herself sick.
Placing the pages down on the table next to her, he leaned in and whispered, "Well, if you do, I think a man like myself has more to offer than a guy like him."
"I'm sure your wife would love that," Sark said from behind him, pocketing the cell phone.
Laufer just winked at her of all things. She bet he wouldn't like that if he knew she wanted to kick him in the balls of all things.
"It's done," Sark continued, seeing he was being pushed to the side once more.
"Yeah. I'll have one of my men make sure the eleven million was added."
"You said ten."
"Did I? Well I change my mind." Laufer turned to face a pissed off Sark.
Syd itched to react, but wouldn't unless needed.
"I'd hope you'd honor the original deal. It's an insult to my employer for you not to."
"Well, your employer is not here, is he?" Laufer signaled for the bodyguards to come over. "And he is as powerful, as people allege, he'd have the extra million."
The group went still as a sudden knock on the door was heard. Syd's mind panicked on what to do. This situation had gone from bad to worse.
"See who that is," Laufer shouted on one of his men. "Maybe it's Sloane's people who can offer me what this page is worth."
Before the bodyguards could take a second step, Syd felt herself pull the trigger on her gun she had retrieved, and red blood spattered across the room. She felt Laufer jump on top of her, pushing her to her back, to stop her from acting further. She felt suffocated by his mass, as he tried to twist her arm until she let go of the gun, and she did her best to make sure he didn't succeed in fulfilling his goal. The sounds of a scuffle nearby indicated what happened to Sark. The crash of men trying to break down the door let her know how little time there was. Hearing a second gunshot ring out she wondered Sark's fate. Was she alone to die a horrid, death in this world, which was not her own? Would she never see the ones she loved again? Neither was something she'd settle for.
She kicked Laufer off her with all her might, feeling pain shoot through her as something in her leg snapped, sending him flying backwards to the floor and allowing her to get better aim with her gun. The bloom of blood on his white suit told her she had hit him below the shoulder. Before she could get off another shot, Sark grabbed her. Her fingers snatched onto the pages Laufer had foolishly left next to her, as she attempted to stand on her leg for the first time since the kick. [i]Broken.[/i] She wasn't getting out of her without Sark's help.
"We have to get out of her now!" Looking over the room for a way out, Sark went on, "Window's not an option."
The only other option, the door, finally gave in and two men tumbled in, her father and Dixon. Running as fast as he could while dragging a limping Sydney, Sark stepped over the men before they could get up, and went down the hall to the elevator. Before the doors closed, the reverberation of a fourth and final shot blast was heard and Syd did her best not to cry and beg to go back.
~
Thanks for reading.