"You Didn't Say Please"
Part 4

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Sydney killed the engine of Sark's Mercedes and took a breath, one that was supposed to calm her nerves…only it didn't. Nothing could calm her, not with Sark a foot away, and not with unknown assailants still out there. She almost laughed at the insanity of it all, trying her best to will her fluttering heart to still to a normal pace. She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. What to do next…what to do next? She looked around, taking in the surroundings. A pathetic sign near the road read: "Penny's B&B. Rooms for Pennies or less!" There were two other cars in the parking lot, old and beat-up, Sydney assumed they were either the owners or belonged to other guests, but she gave them a thorough once over just in case. She turned her head to the right, a cascade of hair sweeping in her face, and saw that the light of the office was still on, a good sign. Unbuckling her seatbelt she turned to look at Sark. He'd been quiet since she gave him the wine. She had no idea what possessed her to do that…but the look of surprise and…warmth in his usually cool and calm face were enough for her to consider it a good thing.

"Sark?" She whispered, breaking the thick silence.

She turned in her seat and allowed herself to look him over…He was still leaning against the door, his injured leg propped up on the seats, only this time he seemed relaxed, tired even- or drunk, Sydney thought. His right hand he was still clutching the wine bottle against his chest. Like a baby and his bottle, she thought smiling. His head rested on the tinted window…his eyes closed. Those eyes always shocked her senses, and for a moment she was glad they weren't pinned on her. Is he asleep? She looked closer, thinking he looked way to peaceful and angelic for an assassin…

"Julian?" She tried again a little louder.

"Humm…" Came a mumble.

"We're at the hotel- well it's a B&B actually; the sign says there's vacancies…" She trailed off. "Are you even listening to me?"

"No…not really." He replied, a trace smile on his face.

Jerk. She lightly whacked his shoulder. He opened his eyes and glared at her. "What was that for?"

"Everything." She replied cryptically, turning around before he could see any trace of emotion in her eyes. After clearing her throat she went on, "As I was saying, we're at the B&B…I'm going in there alone…just stay here…"

He remained silent; slowly she opened the door and got out, only to hesitate. "Don't pull anything stupid." She said to him and closed the door. The last thing she saw was his cocky smirk. A smirk that spelled trouble…or something close to trouble. Sydney had a smirk on her face too, one that she didn't let Sark see, she'd be ready for anything he tried to pull alright.

The air was cool, more so than earlier. Though she wasn't dressed in one of her scanty disguises she felt a slight chill run up her spine, though she couldn't help but wonder if it was caused more by the man in the car than the weather. She crossed her arms and walked the short distance to the office, fighting the urge to look back.

Sydney read the sign on the glass paneled door, written in thick black marker was: 'vacancy'. Collecting herself she turned the doorknob. Warm air and potpourri attacked her senses. Roses, violets, lavender…she almost coughed, it was strong, a little too strong. Closing the door she composed herself and turned around. She saw an older woman watching a 10 inch TV on small back counter. Her gray hair falling into her face and square shaped glasses from her sloppy bun. She looked up and smiled.

"Oh, aren't you a pretty one!" She exclaimed.

Sydney smiled sweetly. "Why thank you." She said in a smooth British accent, vaguely wondering how she looked, and vaguely wondering if Sark thought she was a 'pretty one' too. Not now, Syd. There are more important matters to think about., she told herself.

The woman turned the TV off and moved to the main desk. "My name is Clara, by the way. My husband and I own this place, usually he does all the books, but he's taken ill…"

"I'm sorry." Sydney replied, not knowing what else to say.

"No, it's nothing like that" She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture, "he's probably healthier than me…it's those dang prawns we- well he- ate last night…" Clara paused and pulled out a pen. "Sorry to bother you with that" She signed. "Anyway…how can I-"

Just then the office door opened, Sydney's heart froze for a second. It can't be, he wouldn't. I told him not to pull anything stupid. Only he did. Standing in the door way was none other than Sark. She turned her back towards Clara and glared at him, hoping he would get the message. He didn't. Somehow he managed to walk gracefully to her side, despite the wine and wound. Then it's time for the games to begin.

"Hello, Love." He said smoothly, the trace of either tiredness or drunkenness almost undetectable. He smiled at Clara who if Sydney wasn't imagining things, almost blushed. Unbelievable…obviously no one is immune…

Caught between annoyance, amusement and the feeling of Sark next to her- causing her nerves to haywire - Sydney didn't know what to do. So she smiled and said sweetly, "Julian. I told you I could handle this."

"Why yes, I suppose you could have…I just missed you." He put his arm around her waist and drew her closer. A small gasp escaped her mouth and she told herself to get a grip. But should couldn't help it, his closeness was like wine, causing her mind to go fuzzy. She had a feeling he knew it.

"Well ain't that sweet." Clara said. "Are you two married?"

"No. No we're not." Sydney replied far quicker than she could even fathom the idea. She leaned closer to Clara. "He's just a little insecure…after his boyfriend called it off, well he's been a little lost if you know what I mean…" Syd said in a whisper just loud enough for Sark to hear. She felt him stiffen ever so slightly. She moved to his side once again and looked in his eyes. Amusement mixed with annoyance and something else flashed for a moment only to return to their usual crystal blue.

"You mean he's- Well he does seem to have impeccable taste in clothes…" She paused. "What a shame, you two would have made a lovely couple." Another pause and a sympathetic look toward Sark. "I am sorry dear, breakups are always hard to deal with, I'm sure your…boyfriend is the one at loss…you look like a fine young man…"

A fine man, indeed. Sydney watched Sark's face, his lip twitched upward for a half a second, his eyes squinted ever so slightly…his hand around her waist tightened a fraction. This is too easy.

Sark cleared his throat. "Thank you." Was all he said, voice crisp and snappy.

Sydney reached up and patted his cheek with her fingertips, relishing the smoothness and warmth. And they say he's cold as ice… "Do you need a Kleenex, JuJu? You look a little misty eyed." She asked with a grin.

"No." He said curtly pinning cold eyes on her. "I do not need a Kleenex."

This is way too fun…

Clara sighed in thought and reached for a large black notebook. "You're looking for some rooms then?" She didn't wait for a response. "Well…it seems we only have one room open- one other is occupied and another is getting repaired…Is that a problem?" She looked up and waited for a response.

"No. Not at all." Sydney replied.

Clara turned a page and took some sort of notation, Sark silently watched Sydney, their eyes locked in a battle of thoughts. What he was truly thinking, Sydney could only guess, the man was a walking enigma. Whatever played across her face he seemed toughly amused with. What was it , she wondered, annoyance…amusement…no something far more damaging...something like attraction…great, just great…hopefully Clara can't see it…

"And your names?" Clara asked breaking their stare.

"Put it under 'Cynthia Briston and Julian Smith'", Sydney said.

Clara wrote. "How many days will you be staying?"

"One." Sydney said, fake British accent quick.

More scribbling form Clara. "Okay, you two the total comes to $30 even. How will you be paying?"

"Cash." Sark was already reaching into his suit pocket, no doubt with enough money to pay for every room in this place for a week. He pulled out a 50 and handed it to Clara. She took a small key off of a string around her neck and opened her "safe", putting the 50 in and taking 20 out.

"Here you go, dear." She handed him the money, Sark didn't reach for it so Sydney took it. What a baby, she thought.

"Here's your key, your room is to the left of the office, down the hallway, it's the last one."

Sark took the key and smiled- well barely. "Thank you."

Clara smiled. "Enjoy."

"Oh we will." He said, giving devilish smirk. "We will indeed."

Sydney swallowed at the glint in his eye. He took her hand and half pulled her out of the office. Oh, God…what did I get myself into?



A/N: Ok, so there's part 4, again so sorry for the long wait! I wrote this chapter like 3 times trying to find one that was ok, and I got this one...I thought it kept with the same tone of the rest of the parts...I hope it was liked- I don't want to disappoint .. if not- just let me know- I can take criticism And part 5 should be real soon...Thanx again for all the great reviews!