Chapter 5

A/N: I must apologize for posting the chapter so late, but I've been busy writing my other fic. But do not worry – this story is far from neglected.

Thanks for watching out for the updates – and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Thanks to my fab-u-lous beta – who did an great job!

dark angel


~.~


Sydney woke up to the sound of the light tapping of the rain on the windows. The dark room was suddenly filled with light, and then returned to darkness. A quiet rumble filled the air, growing louder and louder, shaking the entire house. Sark's arms tightened around her, pulling her back closer to his chest.


Moments later, a loud blaring noise filled the air. Sark groaned loudly, reaching over Sydney to slam the snooze button.

"It can't be 6:30 am already," he muttered, settling back underneath the comforters. Sydney turned in his arms to face him, gently caressing his face. She smiled at the prickly feeling under her fingers, running her hands across his morning stubble.

"You never let it grow," she murmured, kissing his chin. Sydney laughed out loud, at the thought of Sark with facial hair.

"I would never let myself grow a beard, or a goatee. It doesn't suit me, darling," Sark replied, rubbing his hand over his chin. "Plus, I know you like it when I'm clean shaven."

"Hmmmm," agreed Sydney, leaning over and kissing him again. "I would never let you grow it that long, but a little stubble once in a while is okay. It tickles when I kiss you!" She rubbed her nose under his, enjoying the textured sensation.

"It tickles, now doesn't it?" Sark replied, opening his eyes to stare at Sydney. "Like this?" he began to tickle her.

"Hey, hey! No fair!" Sydney gasped, writhing under his touch. She couldn't help but laugh and giggle at the stern look on Sark's face as he continued his tickling rampage. She found herself suddenly underneath Sark's body, his eyes wide open, his icy blue eyes sparkling. He stopped as he lowered himself on to her.


"I haven't greeted you properly, Ms Bristow," Sark said in mock sternness. "Good morning, milady," he whispered, before giving her a passionate kiss.

"Good morning," Sydney replied, pulling him down for another passionate kiss.

~.~

Sydney sat at the table, sipping on a tall glass of orange juice. Sark stood across from her, at the stove, preparing breakfast.

"That was one hell of a good morning," Sydney said above the sound of the sizzling bacon. She sat back and smiled, admiring her adoring boyfriend in a large white apron.

"I'm not going to argue with that," Sark replied, chuckling softly. We're amazing together – on missions, in meetings, and definitely in bed. He set down a plate of bacon in front of her, smiling. "Here's some breakfast, you can start on that."

Sydney deeply inhaled the aroma of the fresh bacon, and quickly pushed the plate away, holding her hand over her mouth.

"Sydney?" Sark asked, with a worried expression written all over his face. "Sweetie? You don't want bacon today?"

Sydney nodded, getting up from her seat, and grabbing a box of salted crackers from the cupboards. I guess bacon is out of the question, she thought, munching on a cracker. Sark pulled her into a hug, cradling her delicately.

"Is everything alright?" Sark questioned, rubbing her back softly. "You haven't been feeling well for the last couple of days." Sydney looked up at him, smiling at his overwhelming concern over her well-being.

"Sydney," Irina called out. "You ready for the day at the spa?"

How clever. Sydney thought. A day trip to the spa, a cover for the mission she was going on – the mission to see Anna. Her mother was actually going to a spa, and Sydney was going to do her dirty work. Sydney sighed.

"Coming mom, coming," Sydney replied, her spirits down. "I'll see you tonight, darling," she said to Sark, reaching up to give him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Tonight then, my love." Sark grinned, as he watched the love of his life leave with her mother, oblivious to the events unfolding right before his eyes.

~.~

Sydney was dressed in a simple pair of black jeans and a black sweater. She grabbed her a bag from her office, packed with the necessary equipment required for the mission, and left with her mother, under the false pretense of going to the spa.

So much for telling Sark the good news.

~.~

Sark looked at the mirror, running his hand over his chin.

Maybe I shouldn't shave this morning. Sark paused for a moment, and decided against it. He grabbed the small can of shaving cream, and pressed the button. Small bits of foam flew out in a loud whooshing sound. Empty! He tossed it into the bin beside him, but it missed, clattering onto the floor.

Sark picked up the empty can and tossed it beside a pink box in the garbage bin. Curious, he picked up the box. A pregnancy test. Sark's heart began beating faster and faster as he picked up the bin and spilled the contents over the floor. At the bottom of the bin, a white plastic test stick tumbled out.

Sark picked up the stick, and looked at the results. He read the results from the box, and looked at the stick again. He slumped down to the floor, feeling like his heart had dropped to his stomach.

Sydney's pregnant. I'm going to be a father.

~.~

Anna stepped out of the shower quickly toweling off her wet body. Grabbing her white bathrobe, she quickly tied the belt around her waist. She examined her outfit that she had laid on the bed prior to taking a shower, silently debating whether or not it was an appropriate outfit for the day.


Anna froze for a second, spinning around to see a figure seated in the sitting chair by the bay window. She immediately recognized the stranger.

"Sydney Bristow. How are you?" she greeted coolly.

"Lovely, and yourself? You've got a lovely apartment here," Sydney replied, setting down the newspaper she was reading.

"Let's cut to the chase, shall we?" snarled Anna. "I know why you're here, and you're clearly wasting your time."

"If you know why I'm here, then please tell me what I want to know then," taunted Sydney. "Why did you leave, Anna?"

"Derevko's been holding me back, and being a double agent, it made me see how valuable I could be to your enemies."

"Is that all?" Sydney questioned, knowing something else had provoked her to leave. She watched Anna slip into a pair of slacks and a sweater, tying her wet hair up in a tight pony tail.

"What do you think?"

~.~

Sark waited impatiently as he was on hold on the phone, trying to get a hold of Sydney. He absent-mindedly flipped through some pieces of paper on Sydney's desk.

"Hello, sir?" the receptionist asked.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry, I don't have a Sydney Bristow registered at our spa today. Or any of the other names you've given us sir. I hope you find who you're looking for." She hung up, leaving Sark staring at the receiver.

Grumbling, he slammed the phone down, and sat down in the leather chair. He noticed a white manila folder lying on the desk in front, and opened it.

After scanning the contents briefly, he jumped out of his seat running out of the office.

~.~

"It's about Sark, isn't it?" Sydney asked, knowing she'd hit a nerve with Anna.

"What do you think, bitch?" Anna yelled, angrily throwing her towel on the bed. "He f****** left me for you."

"It's not like I seduced him," Sydney replied, her eyes are narrowing.

"Yeah, but you f*** him don't you?"

"Anna," Sydney began, evening her tone. "I'm here to ask you to come back, work for us. You know K-Directorate will just use you, and throw you in the gutter when they're finished."

"It's not like working for Derevko is any better." Anna stared angrily across the room, a fiery look in her eyes. "Why would I want to work for her anyways? Or you for that matter."

"What the f*** do you mean by that?" Sydney asked, her shoulders tensing. Anna started to pace around the room, closer and closer towards Sydney.

"We all know what it means, Sydney," Anna spat out, her words sending chills down Sydney's bones. "You're her precious little girl , and one day, when the old bag dies, you're going to be the one taking over her little empire. She's training you. Don't you see that? Don't tell me you're that naive."

Sydney stood across from Anna, stunned by the words her mind reeling from the truth. Anna suddenly lunged at Sydney, throwing a punch at Sydney's jaw. Catching the blow by surprise, Sydney landed on the ground but quickly jumped onto her feet, taking a ready stance.

"You know Sark's right. You've got a nasty hook when you're caught off guard." Sydney rubbed her jaw, shifting back and forth on the balls of her feet.

"It's your own damn fault Sydney," Anna retorted, bringing her hands up in front of her face. "Ready?"

Anna lunged again, with a series of kicks and punches, which Sydney skillfully avoided. Pausing for a moment, Sydney began to launch her own assault on Anna, managing to knock her against a wall.

Anna let out a blood curling scream as she sprung at Sydney from the ground, throwing Sydney onto the small wooden coffee table. The table splintered upon impact, Sydney groaning in pain.

Anna stopped momentarily her assault as someone pounded the door of the apartment. After a few moments of silence, Sydney and Anna began to fight again, rage seen in both their eyes. The door suddenly flung open.


"Sydney? Anna?"

Both women froze, staring at the intruder.

"Sark!" Sydney cried out, letting her guard down. Anna took the opportunity, and kicked Sydney squarely in the abdomen, sending her flying across the room. Sydney hit the wall, falling on her side on to the ground. Sark stood frozen in the doorway, his heart feeling like it dropped to his feet.

Anna stood across the room with a semi-automatic in her hand, poised at Sydney. Sydney rubbed her eyes, opening them gently to see Anna pointing a gun at her. She flinched at the sound of the gun shot, bracing for pain.


She opened her eyes to see Anna lying on the ground, a bullet to the head, Sark standing at the doorway, a pistol in his hand. Sydney opened her mouth to call out his name, but before she could do so, the room faded to black.

**

so, please review.. it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

d.a.