"I will have a report for you after we have them in our custody. What about Derevko and Mr. Bristow?"
The boss cocked his head to the side, considering his answer for a moment. No one could say he was a rash decision maker. He smiled viciously, stifling a laugh.
"Kill them."
*****
Julian had left about a half an hour ago, and Sydney was seated on his balcony, watching the sun go down over the Carpathian mountains. She was sprawled out on rickety old piece of lawn furniture, and she couldn't help but stare in awe at the beauty of the Ukraine.
She took her eyes off the sky to look down at her stomach, which was just beginning to bulge. She sighed at the realization that, because she was pregnant with twins, she would probably be huge. Years ago, when she had been engaged to Danny, she had dismissed the thought of having children, not because she didn't want to, but because she felt that she would never be able to provide a safe haven for her children while she was still involved in the spy life. Now, it was out of her hands.
Perhaps this was destiny's way of telling her that she was meant to be a mother. She was certain that she was going to protect her children, no matter what it cost her. She knew that if it came down to it, Julian could make them all disappear, so they would never be heard from, or bothered again.
Did she really want to live like that though? Hiding from the enemy, but also hiding from the rest of the people she loved? Her children might never get to know their grandparents, or Will...or Weiss...or even Vaughn. Hell, even Lauren.
She wasn't sure how to feel about Vaughn's wife. At first, she had felt nothing but contempt for the blonde-haired woman. Now, their relationship had changed. Though Sydney was sure that Lauren had only offered her help in order to stay close to her husband, Sydney had to respect her. She had risked a lot by getting involved with their close-knit group of friends. Sydney had decided a long time ago that they were all crazy, herself included.
That fact could be reinforced by the diamond ring that adorned her left ring finger. It was unbelievable that her and Julian were on speaking terms, after all the history they shared together. Instead, they were getting married, preparing to have twins. It astounded and confused her...frightened and excited her all at once.
He was an enigma...Julian...the man she had known for so long as simply Sark. She wondered if he had ever really been as bad as she had thought. She could not remember a time when he had ever really tried to harm her, even in the years that they had been adversaries. He had said it himself, he had been in love with her for years.
And now, she loved him too. He was very much like her, only a bit more jaded. He had faced many of the problems she had...betrayl, lost love, strained parental relationships...she couldn't help but relate with the man. Not to mention, his cerulean eyes, his smile, (or smirk, as it were) his body...she was hooked, really. Besides all of his physical attributes, he really did have a caring heart, as evidenced by his devotion to her and their unborn children.
She looked back to the sky, noticing that it was a deep black, and it was peppered with stars. Her thoughts turned back to Julian, and she sighed just thinking about him, laying back to rest her head on the chair. When she did, a hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her screams. She did not recognize the face of the man who carried her back into Julian's room, as the chloroform had its desired effect, sending her into unconsciousness.
*****
Julian had seen the men raid the house. He had pulled off the road quickly, glancing around frantically, to make sure none of them were aware of his presence. His thoughts went immediately to Sydney and to their children. He would kill anyone who hurt them.
His next thoughts went to how many men he thought were on the property when he left the house earlier that evening. He could recall seeing two guards at the gate, and two at every door. Though there were several doors into the home, he assessed that were only ten to fifteen men on the property, besides Jack, Irina and Sydney. He could make out about twenty to twenty five men, as they surrounded the house.
He realized that all he would have to do was reach into his pocket and pull out his cell phone, and place a call to his men that were in the nearby village of Slavsko. He cringed at the idea though, remembering his promise to Sydney, that he would leave the life. He fought the guilt that was creeping into his conscience though, as he realized that Sydney would forgive him, if it meant saving her life and the lives of their children. He reached into his pocket, opening the cell phone and dialing quickly.
"Glasco," a voice answered on the other line.
"Mikhail," he said, speaking quietly.
"Sark," the man said, "What can I do for you?"
"Derevko's house is under attack. I need back-up," Julian said, looking out the window at the house, gasping as shots were fired.
"How many men they have?" Mikhail asked.
"I'd say twenty, maybe more," Julian answered.
"How much we talking about?" Mikhail asked, referring to payment.
"My fiancé is inside. We're talking large amounts of money if you can get here and help me take her, and her parents, out of there alive," Julian said, anger rising. The man on the other end seemed to contemplate his answer, and then sighed.
"We're on our way," Mikhail answered quickly, ending the call.
Julian sighed, rubbing his hand against his forehead. He could only pray that the men would not be too late.
*****
Sydney woke up to the unpleasant voice of a middle-aged Russian man. She was tied tightly to a chair in Julian's room, and her back ached when she tried to move. She looked down at her stomach, silently trying to communicate with her children that it was alright, and that she was taking care of them.
She kept her eyes relatively closed, so her captor would not know she was awake. She listened as he reached into his pocket, retrieving a cell phone and flipping it open to place a call to, undoubtedly, his boss.
"Yes sir. I have her. She's right in front of me," he said, and then was silenced.
"No, he's not here. We haven't found him yet, at least none of the men have reported seeing him," he said, obviously answering a question about Julian. Sydney's mind raced at the thought of him. Was he safe? Had he returned and tried to fight any of the Covenant's men?
"Yes. Right away. Don't worry sir. We will find him. Derevko and Bristow are in the library. I have asked for the pleasure of killing them myself," the man answered sinisterly. Sydney stifled a cry, knowing she could not blow her cover.
"Yes. See you soon, Mr. Sloane," the man said, hanging up the phone. Sydney could not cover the sound that escaped her lips at the mention of that name.
Arvin Sloane.
He was the leader of the Covenant.
He did this to her.
The man in front of her noticed the sound, along with the sudden shaking of her shoulders, and slapped her across the face. Her eyes bolted open ay the sting of the cheap shot. Real tough guy...bet he wouldn't be so tough if she was free from these bounds, kicking his ugly Russian ass.
"Miss Bristow, I see that you've rejoined the living. So pleasant to see you, once again," the man said, his lips curling in a smile.
"Wish I could say the same," she whispered, and when he leaned down to touch her cheek, she spat in his face. When he leaned back to wipe the liquid off his cheek, she couldn't help but smirk at him.
"Touch me again, and I will kill you," she said. The man lunged at her, but was cut short when an object came into contact with his head. Sydney could not see whoever had thrown the object at first, but she smiled when the Russian man fell to the ground before her, giving her view of her savior.
"Julian!" she yelled, as he rushed over to her, untying the ropes that bound her to the chair. She stood up, though she felt like the world was spinning when she did. Before she could fall, Julian was in front of her, steadying her.
"Careful darling," he said, kissing her forehead. She leaned forward, kissing his lips roughly in thanks. When she pulled away, his shortness of breath made her smile.
"Thank you," she said, smiling. He returned the smile, and took her hand in his own, leading her toward the doorway. Sydney gasped when the man lying on the floor grabbed her leg, pulling her down to the floor. She scowled, kicking the man in the face as he moved to stand up. He held his head in pain, and she spun around, kicking him again in the stomach. She turned to Julian, grabbing the gun in the holster beneath his jacket, and shot the man in the chest. As he fell to the floor, blood escaping his body, he looked up at her with a panicked look in his eyes.
She looked back to Julian, and then to the dying man on the floor. She walked over to him, pressing her foot against his chest.
"I told you what would happen if you touched me again," she said, and when she turned back to Julian, she laughed at the smirk on his face.
"Remind me never to piss you off," he said, laughing. He offered his hand to her, and she took it, smiling.
"We're not so different you and I," she said, smirking. His laughter was heard as they raced down the steps to the bottom floor, eager to check on Jack and Irina.
