Three days had passed and there had been no sign of Lazarey. Darkness had fallen on the third day, and Irina was walking the halls, checking on everyone. She sauntered past her living room, noting that Mr. Vaughn and Adrianna were watching a television show, laughing and relaxing. She had noted earlier that Jack was in his room; she wasn't about to disturb his privacy. She smiled at the thought of having her husband under her roof. Perhaps someday, they would have a second chances.
She halted as she heard the door to Sydney's designated room creak. Out popped the head of her beautiful daughter. Irina pushed herself up against the wall, hiding from Sydney's view. After glancing both ways cautiously, Sydney slid out from behind her door slowly, closely the door quietly behind her. She then proceeded to walk away from where Irina was standing. Irina smiled knowingly as she watched her daughter creep in the direction of Alexander's room. She shook her head and chuckled quietly, as she headed back in the direction of Jack's room.
*****
Alexander Lazarey stretched out on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, his mind racing. He felt so comfortable in this place, and not just this house. This room had been his for most of his adolescent years. He had grown up here. Seeing Irina again had reminded him not just of the crimes he had committed, but of the positive memories of his past. Irina had practically raised him. She had been a surrogate mother to him, and he knew that he had helped to heal Irina's devastation over having to leave her daughter.
Sydney.
Just thinking her name conjured so many feelings. Sydney was so many things. She was complex; just when he thought he understood her, she did something that threw him completely off guard. She guarded her heart so closely, feeling the need to protect herself and her heart from harm.
She was beautiful, to the point of taking his breath away. Her beautiful dark hair framed her face perfectly. He could stare into her beautiful eyes all day. Her smile lit up any room...any heart. Her true beauty was beneath her skin. Despite the life she led, she was caring, compassionate, honest, intelligent, witty, charming...she was everything.
She inspired him.
She made him want to be different.
He had never felt this way about anyone.
Ever.
Not Allison. Certainly not Allison. Allison was callous, selfish and dangerous. When Sloane had announced that he wanted to double Sydney's friend Francie, Alexander had been completely against it. He had never wanted to hurt Sydney. However, being 'Sark', he had to do it, to convince Sloane that he was the man he said he was. He couldn't let Allison know how much he cared for Sydney either.
He took a moment to remember what he had said to Sydney only a few days earlier. He had grown up watching Sydney's life through photos that were taken of her. He had dreamed of being with her, making her smile, making her happy. When he had shown Sydney that photo of her, the realization had hit him suddenly.
He had been in love with her since he was sixteen years old.
He was twenty-eight now.
He had been in love with her for twelve years.
He sighed. How was he going to live without her if he was put back into prison? He rubbed a hand over his hair, which was starting to grow out again. He heard a noise, suddenly remembering that his father...Lazarey...was coming to kill Irina.
It seemed natural to reach over to the dresser beside his bed, grabbing his gun and sliding off the bed in a swift motion. He removed the safety and stood up, his arms steady as he watched his doorknob turn slowly. He breathed a sigh of relief when Sydney walked through the door. Her eyes grew wide when she saw the gun in his hand.
"Sydney! You gave me a fright!" he said, placing the gun back on the night stand. She giggled softly at his expression, tucking a strand of hair behind her right ear. Alexander smiled as he took in her appearance. She was wearing a pair of dark blue sweat pants and a black strappy tank top. She was beautiful.
"Hey," she said.
"What brings you here?" he asked, sitting on the bed. She walked over to him timidly, sitting on the opposite side of the bed.
"I was bored out of my mind," she admitted, rolling her eyes. Alexander smirked.
"You could have spent quality time with Mr. Vaughn," he said, batting his eyes at her innocently. She reached over to playfully swat him in the arm, grinning.
"I'd much rather spend time with you," she said honestly, her voice becoming serious.
"Well, if you want to spend time with me, I get to pick the activity," he said. She raised her eyebrows at this. He smirked.
"Get your mind out of the gutter Miss Bristow," he said, grabbing her hand.
"Okay," she said.
"Now, lay back on your respective side of the bed, and I will do the same on mine," he said, as they both laid back, staring up at the ceiling.
"Now what?" she asked, growing impatient. He laughed.
"Can I ask you something Sydney?" he asked.
"Anything," she answered, glancing over at him. He rolled over to look at her, propping his head up on his left arm. He couldn't help thinking that she looked lovely, her head laying on his other pillow, her hair framing her face in beautiful waves.
"What's happening between us?" he asked, tracing circles on his comforter. Sydney sighed, rolling over to face him.
"I'm not sure," she said smiling, "I just know that I actually like being with you now. Before, I hated you," she finished, grinning devilishly. He frowned.
"I know, I did some horrible things to you...your friends..." he said, trailing off.
"That's in the past Alexander," she whispered. He smiled again.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing. Well, I just love that you know my name," he said.
"I do too," she said, "Even when I didn't like you, it killed me, not knowing your name...who you really were...what drove you to do the things you did," she finished.
"And now you understand?" he asked.
"Yeah, I do. You and I...we're not very different," she said, her eyes searing his own. He grinned.
"I know that. I've always known that," he said. She grinned, to which he looked at her questioningly. She chuckled.
"Do you remember when I was getting that antidote, and you locked me in that chamber? You were so cocky, saying that we were destined to work together..." she said, trailing off. He smiled as well.
"Then you shot at the glass. I had to fight the urge to laugh. You were so damn stubborn," he said.
"You were right though, about us. We were destined to be together," she said, her face growing serious. His eyes grew wide. Had she really just said that? She moved closer to him, her face inches from his own.
"Alex, you were right. I knew you were right, even then. As we've been working together for the last few months, I've went from loathing you, to respecting your work; respecting your work to respecting you; respecting you to admiring you; admiring you to..." she trailed off. He waited.
"Admiring you to loving you," she said, smiling, "I love you Alexander. I think I have for a while," she finished. She kissed his lips lightly, to which he responded eagerly. They broke apart, and he wrapped his arms around her tightly, as they both laid back. He kissed her hairline, stroking her hair lightly.
"I love you too Sydney. I've loved you forever," he said. They laid together for a while before either of them spoke.
"I don't want you to go back into prison," she spoke into his chest.
"And I don't want to go back," he said, "but that's the reality of our situation." She shook her head.
"It's just not fair. We've finally found this, and now it could be taken from us," she sniffed, tears forming in her eyes. He leaned back to look at her, and taking one of her hands in his, he brought it to his mouth and kissed it tenderly.
"Sydney, no one can take this away from us, no one," he said, and kissed her mouth again. They broke apart again and he kissed her hair, laying his chin over her head. She merely melted into his embrace again as they laid in silence, but she couldn't help thinking, I hope you're right.
*****
Irina walked apprehensively to Jack's room.
What would she say once she got there? Should she make up an excuse to be there? Ask if he needed more towels, or something else completely irrelevant? Why did this have to be so difficult?
When she reached his door, she knocked lightly, and entered once she heard a response. She turned back to the door to close it quietly, and remained facing it for a moment.
"Jack, I am sorry to disturb you. I just wanted to talk to you, and I could not wait any longer. Seeing what is happening between Alexander and Sydney just caused me to start thinking about us. I know you have every reason to doubt me, but I've always loved you," she said, looking down at her feet.
"That's a lovely admission Irina," came the answer.
Irina froze.
That was definitely not Jack's voice.