After a time, Sydney and Sark broke apart. They stood looking at each other, each knowing that everything had changed. They were in tune with each other now, having more in common than before. Sydney looked at the man who had before been only a killer to her. Now she saw that he was a victim, the same as she had been. He had really had no more choice in the matter than her. Her mother's story had only confirmed that.
Sark's eyes spoke volumes. They held sadness at what he had lost and anger at the person that had taken it from him. He looked at Sydney and saw his pain mirrored in her eyes.
"I'll be leaving tonight," he said, his voice tight with anger. "I'm going after Sloane." He would make sure that the bastard got what he deserved. That man had been playing God for far too long and he was not about to let Sloane take away anyone else that meant something to him. Now that he knew the truth about what Sloane had done to his family, he hated him more than ever. He was going to make sure that Sloane never hurt anyone again.
Sydney looked at him, her eyes widening with shock. "Aidan, there is no way you are going after him right now! We all need to talk some more in order to figure out what to do. You can't just leave here half-cocked, expecting to stumble across him." She had to talk him out of this. If he went off like this, there was a good chance that he would never come back, and she didn't think that she could deal with that. Sloane was not someone to be trifled with.
"Sydney, I don't think you understand. I am leaving." Sark turned to walk away from her, determination blazing in his eyes. His mind was dwelling on one thing. Revenge. He was not about to let the man that murdered his family live. His fists clenched as he thought about the ways that he wanted to kill the man. It would be a pleasure.
Sydney ran after him, planting herself firmly in his path, a stubborn look on her face. "You can't go. You don't even know where he is! He could be anywhere and you know as well as I do how dangerous he is!" She stood there looking at him, hands on her hips, her stance firm.
Sark stopped for a moment to look at her. He understood that she was concerned for him, but he didn't intend to let that stop him. When he spoke, he kept his voice cold. "I have contacts. I will find him. He is going to pay for what he has done." His mind skimmed over the names of the people that he had trusted before his incarceration. He would start making calls immediately. Surely one of them would have some information.
"Aidan, be reasonable," Sydney pleaded, placing both of her hands on his arms, looking into his eyes. She had to make him see to reason. "All of your contacts are over two years old and they all knew that you were in custody. Do you really think they'll be willing to help you when they think there is a chance that you could be setting them up in exchange for your freedom? Besides, they all know how dangerous Sloane is too. I'm sure they won't be willing to give information freely. Not to mention the fact that Sloane may have gotten to them first. If you contact anyone, you may be walking into a trap. I'm sure he's not happy with you for working with my mother in the first place. And, when he finds out who you really are…" she trailed off here, not wanting to voice all of the things that Sloane was capable of when he found out. It would not be pretty. As much as Sloane needed her to complete the prophecy, he also needed Aidan out of the way.
Sark thought over all of the things Sydney had said. He had to admit to himself that she did have a point. He was allowing his feelings to cloud his judgement. That was the worst thing he could do. Emotions did not need to come into play here. He knew better than most that you had to keep your head or else you could lose it. He looked at Sydney, seeing the same emotions in her eyes as his. He knew that she hated Sloane with the same passion, but she was keeping a clear head. "Fine, Sydney. I will wait until we talk some more. We need a plan of action. I'm sure your mother will have contacts that can help us out."
Sydney had one other thing that she wanted to be clear on. She spoke, her voice filled with determination. "When you go, I'm going with you. I have as big a stake in this as you, and I want the man dead." Her eyes narrowed as she went on. "Don't forget that he was responsible for the death of my fiancée," her voice cracking with the painful memory of finding Danny dead in the bathtub. "Among other things."
It was Sark's turn to talk some reason into her, although he feared that it was pointless. "I realize that, Sydney. But, as of now, Sloane is not aware of who I really am, but he knows very well that he needs you to complete the prophecy. You know that he will stop at nothing to find you. I highly doubt that we'll be safe here much longer." He thought of what Sloane would do to Sydney if he found her. It was not pleasing to him. "I think you should stay behind, maybe with your mother or father."
Sydney's eyes flashed. Nothing angered her more than to have someone tell her what to do. "I will not stay here! We are in this together now, and you're not getting rid of me. Besides, if I'm understanding the prophecy correctly, without you, there is no chance that I can beat this." She judged her next words carefully. "I need you."
Sark was surprised by her admission. Sydney Bristow was never one to admit that she needed the help of anyone, much less him. He realized then that he had to help her. He knew that her determination was as strong as his own was. It would be safer for her to be with him that heading out on her own. And she was right. From now on, they were in this together. "Fine, but we work together. Understood?"
"Understood," said Sydney, looking up at him, silent thankfulness in her eyes. She was confused by the look of concern that she saw in his eyes. Was it for her? Instead of speaking of it, she spoke again. "Let's go back up to the house. I'm sure my parents are starting to wonder where we are." She held out her hand to him, surprised when he took it in his own. Together they walked back to the house.
Irina met them in the doorway, and led them inside. Her eyes were filled with anxiety, which was something that neither Sark nor Sydney was used to seeing. "Sloane is in Tehran. He has made several attempts to contact my people, and has requested a meeting." She looked from Sydney to Sark to see what their reaction would be.
Jack walked up behind her and started speaking. "I've suggested that she meet with Sloane. I think it would be best if he feels that she is cooperating. It will give us an edge on finding out what he is up to. I intend to accompany her." He looked at his ex-wife with a flash of concern in his eyes. He wanted her to be safe. After all of this time, he wasn't going to let anything happen to her. "Sydney, you and Sark will be going also, but not with us. We need you to cover us, in case Sloane has other plans, which I'm sure he does. We leave tomorrow morning. He is expecting us." Jack knew better than everyone how Sloane's mind worked. He was not expecting anything good to come out of this meeting, but they had to try. He was set on keeping his daughter safe.
Sydney looked at her father and mother. They were standing together on this, and she had to admit that she was glad. With a man like Sloane, a unified approach was the safest. She looked to Aidan, to see if he agreed. He nodded to her almost imperceptibly. "We'll be ready."
Jack was proud of his daughter, even if he didn't show it outwardly. She had courage; there was no doubt about that. He was also grateful that she had someone like Sark to work with. He knew the young man enough to know that he could take care of himself and watch out for his daughter. "Good. Your airline passes will be at the call window at the airport. Your flight is at 7:00 am. You will be traveling as business associates Anna Cranetz and Max Welsh. Irina and I will fly out on a private jet. We are traveling separately from you for added safety. For now, I suggest that you two rest up. We need to all be at our best." He turned and walked to the front door, looking to Irina to accompany him.
"Here is the information on where to meet and what to expect," Irina said, handing a packet to Sydney. "We will see you tomorrow." She nodded to Sydney and Sark and followed Jack out of the house.
Sark was pleased with this turn of events. He sincerely hoped that he would have the opportunity to put a bullet between Sloane's eyes. "I suggest that we get our things together, have some dinner, and get some rest. It's going to be a rough trip." He didn't mention the fact that they would all be in danger, for that was irrelevant. They all knew what the stakes were. "We can talk more later." He knew that they had a lot to discuss, but now wasn't the time. Maybe after it was all over…. He left Sydney standing at the foot of the stairs as he went to prepare what was necessary for this journey.
Sydney walked over to the window, sightlessly gazing outside. Tomorrow her parents would meet with Sloane. Perhaps they would find out what had happened to her those two years she was missing. Her thoughts strayed to the man that had just left her. Another strike for Rambaldi, she thought to herself. How many more lives were going to be ruined because of him? She hoped for all of their sakes that they could take down Sloane. But, not until he gave her the answers that she wanted. She steeled herself for the coming day for it was not going to be easy. She just hoped they all made it out alive. She sighed audibly and walked up the stairs to pack her things.