Sydney was still trying to figure out the connection between the two reunited people she was with. Alexander had explained their purpose for seeking Adrianna's help, to which Adrianna pulled Alexander aside. They had engaged in what appeared to be a heated debate that, much to Sydney's chagrin, she did not have the privilege of hearing.

When they had returned to her side, Alexander had announced that they were going to take in the sights of the city, in order to rest before their mission. Sydney had hesitantly complied, though inside she was screaming. As they toured the city, Adrianna and Alexander had chatted endlessly, catching up on old times, while Sydney only contributed comments when she felt that she had the right to interrupt.

Instead of enjoying the free time, Sydney's stomach felt as if it was being wrapped into thousands of tiny knots. When they returned to Adrianna's home, where Adrianna insisted that they stayed, the three of them sat down to watch television. However, Adrianna and Alexander's conversation never ceased. It was irritatingly ongoing. Sydney excused herself quietly, and retreated into the guest room that she was supposed to be sharing with Alexander. She threw herself on the bed, removing a book from her bag. She shifted to sit against the pillows and read for a while.

An unknown amount of time passed by before Alexander's voice interrupted her reading.

"Hey," he said, leaning against the open doorway. She didn't look up. He took the moment to observe her. Her hair was in loose waves, and tiny tendrils framed her face. She wore no makeup, but she looked spectacular. God she is so beautiful, he thought.

"Hey," she said, uninterested. He walked over to the foot of the bed, willing her to look at him.

"Do you want to tell me what's wrong with you Bristow?" he asked, folding his arms over his chest. She looked up at him, rolling her eyes.

"What makes you think there's something wrong Sark...oh sorry, Alexander?" she asked innocently, placing extra emphasis on his real name.

"You've been acting strange since we got here,"

"Strange?!" she asked, her voice rising.

"Shh," he said, "Adrianna's sleeping."

"Sorry, wouldn't want to wake her up," she spat, glancing down at her book. Alexander sighed loudly.

"What is wrong with you Sydney? Adrianna is doing us a huge favor by helping us find information for you," he said. She glared up at him.

"Yeah, I bet it's not the first favor she's done for you," she spoke venomously. He looked at her in disbelief.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You know very well what I'm talking about Alex," she said, emphasizing her chosen abbreviation of his name.

"I'm pretty sure I don't," he spat. She stood up, her face inches from his.

"Then let me spell it out for you. You love her don't you?"

"Yes!" he shouted. Sydney backed away from him. She hadn't expected him to answer so quickly, and in that way. Tears welled up in her eyes, as she ran from the guest room and down the stairs into the kitchen. She heard footsteps behind her.

"Sydney!" Alex whispered loudly, as she reached into the refrigerator, ignoring him.

"Sydney!" he said again, grabbing her elbow and turning her around. She lifted her hand to slap his face, which he blocked effectively.

"Don't touch me!" she spat, turning away from him to search the cabinets for a glass.

"You think I love her, love her?" he asked, and then he grimaced. Of all the ways to say it, he could not think of a better way to voice this. She turned to him, tears cascading down her beautiful face.

"Isn't that what you meant?" she demanded.

"No! God no!"

"Well then, what did you mean?" she asked, her eyes resting on his own.

"Sydney...she's..."

"What, she's what?!" she screamed, to which he signaled for her to lower her voice.

"Sydney, Adrianna is my sister," he said. Sydney's eyes grew wide. His sister? She had been jealous of his sister? Oh God, this was embarrassing. She tried to turned away from him, but he wrapped his arms around her mid-section, restraining her.

"Oh Sydney," he said, lifting a hand to caress her cheek, "You thought..."

"It doesn't matter what I thought Alexander," she said, tears still falling.

"Yes it does. Sydney, talk to me," he said, gazing at her.

"I don't want to..."she began, trying to escape his grasp, but he held her tightly.

"No, you're not escaping this Bristow, you're not going to avoid the truth..."

"Truth?!" she yelled, pushing away from him, but remaining in close proximity "How dare you talk to me about truth! You wouldn't even tell me your connection to Lazarey! I'm not stupid Alex!" she yelled.

"I couldn't..." he began.

"You couldn't what? Tell me that he's your father?!" she shouted, her eyes growing angrier.

"How the hell do you know that?" he yelled back, forgetting about his sleeping sister.

"My mother. She had a file on your father," she said, her voice lowering.

"You took a file about me from her office? Sydney how could you?" he yelled.

"It wasn't a file about you! I took it to learn more about him. A picture of your family was inside. I recognized you! I didn't mean to, it just happened!" she yelled. With her admission, his gaze softened.

"Sydney, why didn't you tell me this?" he asked, trying to get her to look at him.

"Sark," she said, then remembering his name, she corrected herself, "Alex, why didn't you tell me he was your dad? God, I killed him!" she sobbed, as she pushed herself against a cabinet before sinking to the floor. He gazed down at her, shocked. He had never seen her like this. He sank down in front of her, and rested his hands on her knees, which were pulled to her face in an attempt to shield herself.

"Sydney..." he began, but paused when her shoulders began to shake. That's it, he thought. He pushed down her legs and pulled her to him in a tight embrace. Her futile attempts to resist did not last long, because soon she melted into his embrace. They remained this way for the longest time, until he heard her clear her throat.

"Alex," she spoke into his chest, "I'm so sorry," she sobbed. He pulled away from her, but only enough to lift her chin up to face him.

"Sydney, never be sorry for killing that man," he whispered. She looked at him, her eyes clouding with confusion.

"Don't be upset because you think you've hurt me, or my sister," he said, stroking her cheek.

"But..."she began.

Sark interrupted her thought by placing his lips on her own. She tasted like vanilla and salty tears, and he reveled in her scent as their kiss deepened. Her arms wrapped around his neck and he held onto her face, as the same thought crossed both of their minds.

I can't get close enough.

But, just as quickly as it had begun, it ended. He pulled away from her, and they both gasped for air, gazing at one another in complete surprise.

"Alex..." she began.

"Sydney, I need to tell you the truth. I can't let Lazarey's death hurt you like this anymore," he said, interrupting her as he stroked her cheek, removing her tears.

"I need to tell you the truth about the man you killed," he spoke, and her eyes widened in anticipation.