Sark sat by his darkened window, looking out without really seeing. He leaned his head back on the softness of the leather sofa. Sleep was pointless, for there were too many things to think about. Everything Irina had told him had brought back painful memories. He thought about how his mother used to laugh and make jokes of everything. Even when he was hurt, she tried to take his mind off of it by making him laugh. Funny, how well he remembered that laugh, when he seldom laughed himself. His sister was very like her in that way. His father was sometimes stern, but not overly so. He was a strong, kind man. Sark had always wanted to be like him. He realized now that maybe he would have that chance. If he could make things right, maybe it would make up for all that he had done. He seldom had regrets, but lately, he'd been evaluating his life, and he was not pleased with the turn that he had taken. He was startled out of his reverie by the sound of the bedroom door handle turning. He looked over and was surprised when his blue eyes locked with Sydney's brown ones. "Come in, Sydney," he offered when he saw her hesitation.
Sydney stepped inside the room, dressed in her nightshirt with her hair falling down around her shoulders. She looked a little sheepish, much like a child would when caught trying to sneak into her parent's bed. "I needed drink of water," she said, making a feeble attempt to explain. "I saw your light on and came to see if everything was ok."
Sark smiled in spite of himself, which let her know that he saw right through her. "Couldn't sleep either?" he asked.
"Not really," she admitted, then shrugged, "You know what they say. 'Misery loves company...'"
Sark sighed and smiled a bit wistfully, "True. Come,
have a seat." He gestured to the empty spot beside him on the sofa. They might as well spend their
time together. At least the wait
wouldn't seem as long that way. And, he
could think of worse people to keep company with.
Sydney accepted the offer gratefully as she took a seat. She curled her legs under her, resting her chin on her hand. "There is a good chance that my parents won't walk away tomorrow." She had been thinking about this since dinner. After all that she had been through with them, she didn't think she could bear to lose them now.
"Yes, but we all know the risks, Sydney. Your parents are doing what they feel is necessary. I agree with them." He looked over at her as he smoothed his rumpled hair. Her presence was distracting him and she smelled like vanilla, which unnerved him yet again. He covered his unease and continued. "This has to end sometime Sydney. We might not like the results, but it has to be done."
"I realize that, but it doesn't make it any easier. I just want this over with." Sydney couldn't count the times that she had said and thought that very thing. She let her head fall back on the sofa. She looked thoughtfully at Aidan and realized that this must be affecting him a great deal, but he was hiding it well. That is what they did in their line of work, although she had to admit to herself that she wasn't always good at it. She wished he would talk, but she realized that he was accustomed to being alone. So, she sat silently, thinking of the day to come. After a time, she felt sleepy and started to nod off.
Sark stared at her, bemused as her head jerked when she realized she was dozing. He couldn't help but think that would be uncomfortable. He gently put an arm around her and she rested her head on his shoulder and curled up against him. He did not sleep, but sat there thinking of the woman beside him and what the future had in store for them both.
Slowly the dawn broke. Sark gently shook Sydney awake and told her that it was time to prepare to leave. Sydney seemed reluctant to wake, having found his shoulder a comfortable resting spot. When she did, she smiled up at him sleepily. He couldn't help but wish that today held something else for them.
They met at the bottom of the stairs and packed their things in the car. Once at the airport, Sark picked up the tickets, and they boarded the plane, both playing the part of business associates on their way to a meeting. They didn't speak of the mission at all. Both managed to doze a little on the way, but were wide-awake when the plane touched ground. They gathered their carry-ons and exited the plane in silence.
Sydney looked around for some sign of her mother or father. One of them was to meet them there. She saw her father sitting in the waiting area. They made their way to him, but sat on the row of seats behind him. She waited for him to speak.
Jack was relieved when he saw them exit the plane. He had been afraid that maybe Sloane would get to them first. He would never underestimate that man. He spoke quietly. "I'm glad that you made it safely. Your mother is waiting for me outside. We will leave shortly for our meeting with Sloane. I have transportation waiting for you. The key is in locker number 68, and the license number is on it. You have a map to the building across from where we will be. Your mother's contacts have everything set up for you. Cover us, and in the case that something happens, be ready to act." With that, he got up and walked out.
Sark looked at Sydney. "We're up." They rose and walked over to the lockers. Sark opened it and retrieved the key. They made their way to the parking lot and found the car. They would change once they arrived at the building. The business attire they were wearing would not be suitable if they needed to make a quick getaway or intervene. They were relatively quite on the ride there. The only sound was Sydney's occasional directions.
They found the building quite easily. Sark circled around and parked the car some way off. He didn't want anyone suspicious. The grabbed their things and made their way into the back entrance of the building, easily slipping inside. Irina's contacts had outdone themselves. The room was filled with top of the line surveillance equipment. Sark quickly unpacked their weapons, so that they would be ready. He glanced over at Sydney as she changed into more appropriate clothes. He couldn't help but thinking that he hoped to see more of her like that in the future. She was quite beautiful. He shook off his thoughts and changed quickly.
"It looks like they haven't arrived yet," Sydney said, watching the monitor in front of her, but glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. As she spoke, her mother and father pulled up in front of the building and after being searched by the guards, entered. "Switch to the camera that the contact planted inside." Sydney said, looking to Aidan. He silently switched. In front of them was a clear picture of her mother and father. Facing them was Sloane. Sydney felt her heart rate quicken as hate pulsed through her. Sloane wasn't alone, however. With him was a woman that Sydney had not seen before. That made her wary as she wondered who it was. They were not expecting anyone else. She looked to Aidan to see if he knew who it could be and stopped short as she saw the look on his face.
Sark's eyes registered total shock as he did a double take at the woman on the screen. "Allie?" he murmured. What the hell was going on? He had thought that Allison was dead, that Sydney had killed her. Not only was she there, on the monitor, quite alive, she looked like her old self.