Allison surveyed the woman strapped to the table. Interesting. So, Sydney considered herself to be competition, did she? Well, she would have to see about that. "I'm not going to show you these video feeds, Syd", she continued in a patronizing voice, ignoring Sydney's comment. "It's pointless, since we both know they are fake. The important thing is for Sloane to believe that you saw them and are now doubting what happened. Besides, now we have more time to chat." Allison laughed at the look on Sydney's face.

"As if I'd ever want to chat with you." Sydney said in a cold voice. "To me, you are nothing. It might be best if you get used to that." She looked at the other woman and decided that she would not let herself be bothered. "So, if you're looking for a best friend, I suggest you look elsewhere." She noted Allison's narrowed eyes and was glad that she was able to irritate the other woman.

Allison was aggravated that Sydney seemed unruffled by her taunting. She changed her tactic and moved closer, whispering into Sydney's ear. "You know, Sark is a very interesting man, don't you think? I know that first hand." She smiled as she saw Sydney squirming. "Too bad you won't have the chance to get to know him better. He'll never change, and you had better accept that. Besides, with our history, I think I know where he will be when this is all over." Allison only wished that she felt as confident of that as she sounded. She honestly didn't know.

Both women looked toward the door as they heard a noise. Sark had decided that he'd better see what Allison was up to. Sydney was pretty much defenseless and he didn't want her to be provoked unnecessarily. He saw that he was a little late for that. When he entered, Allison was bent over, her voice barely audible. Sydney looked ready to kill her. Allison didn't realize how lucky she was that Sydney couldn't move. He was quite sure that Allison would have Sydney's hands wrapped around her neck if she wasn't strapped down. "Allison, may I ask what you are doing?" He eyed the woman suspiciously as he spoke.

"Just chatting with Sydney, dear," Allison purred as she walked up to him. "Sark, I think we should leave her alone for a while. I'm sure Sloane will be wanting to talk to her soon." She ran her hand down his arm. "We will have time to catch up." She glanced back at Sydney and walked out the door.

Sark was almost amused. Allison was definitely trying to irritate Sydney. Well, let her try. That's all that it was going to be. If she thought he would go back to her, she was sorely mistaken. He walked over to Sydney, releasing her bonds. "Sloane will be in to see you shortly. If he asks why you are free, tell him it was my doing." He looked at Sydney as she sat up and rubbed her wrists. He helped her stand so that she could get the circulation back into her limbs.

"What do I need to do, Aidan?" Sydney asked, surveying him. He looked tired and his hair was rumpled. He was still wearing the same black leather pants, black t-shirt, and black leather duster that he had on when they were surveiling the building. She had to admit, even with his disheveled hair and growth of stubble, he was sexy as hell. She shook the thought away as he started to speak.

Sydney looked so vulnerable standing there, looking up at him. He wished he could just take her away from all of this now, but he couldn't do that. They had to play this out. "You must convince Sloane that you are now doubting that he had anything to do with your disappearance. He needs to believe that you truly think that it might have been a set up by the CIA. Don't go overboard. If you do a complete about face right now, he will definitely be suspicious." Sark looked at her as she became noticeably pensive. "Will you be able to do this?" He knew how much she hated Sloane. Would she be able to hold that in check long enough to convince him?

"I can do it because I have to. It's the only way to end all of this once and for all. As much as I hate Sloane, we have to wait in order to destroy Il Dire and ensure my parent's safety." She thought again of her father and mother. She hoped they were still doing ok. She didn't want to think about the alternative. "Aidan?" She looked questioningly at him. She didn't know how to ask him if he would be there to help her. So, she just stood there lamely, looking at him.

Sark knew what she was thinking. He spoke before she could say anymore. "I will be here. Trust in that. Contrary to what you may or may not believe about me, I am loyal to a fault when I have a personal stake in it." He noticed that she was looking angry and realized he had said the wrong thing. Would she ever just trust in him? "No, it's not because of my own life, Sydney. It's because of you." He didn't say anymore, but he didn't feel that he needed to. She would learn soon enough.

Sydney was about to make a retort about his selfishness when he said that his personal stake was because of her. When did he start caring so much about her? She softened immediately and realized she needed to stop jumping to conclusions about him. As a way of apology she decided to get something she had been thinking of out into the open. "I feel the same way, Aidan." She looked into his sapphire eyes and realized they had softened as they were speaking. She placed her hands into his and stood looking up at him.

Sark wished they were anywhere but here. How was it that this woman got under his skin so much? He stopped trying to analyze his feelings and spoke again. "Sydney, whatever you do, please be careful," his voice carried worry, which he usually didn't let slip in. "Sloane is dangerous." He knew that it was an irrelevant thing to say. They both knew what Sloane was.

"I know that better than anyone. And, I will be careful. Promise me that you will do the same." She just found the real Aidan, she couldn't bear to lose him now. "If he finds out…" She couldn't even finish.

"I promise. I'm going to leave you now, for Sloane will be here soon. I will go check on your mother and father." He looked reassuringly at her. "Good luck." With that, he leaned over, placed a soft kiss on her forehead and looked down at her. "I'll see you soon." He walked out and locked the door behind him.

Sydney was tired of being left alone. At least now she was free. Well, as free as one could get while being locked in a room with only one way out. She tried to prepare herself for her confrontation with Sloane. Allison had left the tapes in the room, along with the small television that she had brought in. Sydney decided to watch the tapes, for nothing else than to see what really happened to her. She put one in the VCR and turned it on.

Immediately, she saw herself on the screen. She was strapped to a table, multiple machines hooked up to her body. Her eyes were closed and she was twitching, almost as if experiencing seizures. Sydney felt like she was going to vomit. She knew that Sloane had done this to her, yet she had to pretend that she wasn't sure what to believe now. To only further disturb her, a familiar figure appeared on the screen. Vaughn. Right behind him was her father. They appeared to be talking to each other while observing her. She knew this was manipulated, but it hurt just the same.

She intently watched the screen as her eyes opened and she screamed. Sydney flinched as she realized she must have been in great pain. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she mourned for the person that she used to be and for the life she used to have. Sloane would pay for this. She sat down, cross-legged on the floor and stared at the television, watching and waiting. Her concentration was broken as the door opened. She jumped up and turned around, reflexes kicking in. Sloane. Well, she thought, it was now or never. Let the games begin.