"So what are we going to do today, Julian?" Sydney asked. Sark and Sydney were both sprawled on the couch, her head in his lap.

"Getting bored, love?"

"Not bored. Just restless."

"Well, I've got something I'd like you to help me with, and it requires me to buy you the most beautiful dress we can possibly find. You up to it?"

"Absolutely."

Half an hour later, the couple returned to their room with a gorgeous Armani dress in tow. It was a black halter gown, slinky and sparkly and she looked amazing in it.

"I had no idea you had such exquisite taste, Julian. This gown is simply wonderful." She couldn't get the grin off her face.

"Well, darling, I prefer to think it's the person in the dress that is so wonderfully exquisite. But I was serious when I said I needed your help with something. It's a mission of a sort."

"Julian.." Sydney said reproachfully.

"I know, I know. Its nothing that will endanger anyone but our objective, who doesn't even deserve to live."

"Who?"

"McKennas Cole. He's become active with the Covenant lately. He has just been given credit for the bombing of US Embassy in Moscow three days ago. It will cripple the Covenant to take him out."

"All right, I'm in. If you think it needs to be done, you'll do it with or without me, I'd prefer it to be with."

"Thank you love. Here's the intel on the mission," he said, handing her a thin folder. "We'll simply be going to a party in Florence, a ball of some sort, where you'll wear that gorgeous gown. We'll be posing as Mr. and Mrs. Adrian and Alena Maxife of Venice. We leave tonight if that's all right."

"Its fine. What time's the ball?"

"Five hours from now. Two and a half for the flight. Two and a half for you to get ready. I assume that's enough time for you."

"TWO AND A HALF HOURS??? Are you nuts? I'll look like crap!"

"Love, I doubt you could if you tried."

Ten minutes later Sydney and Sark had boarded a private jet to Florence.

"So, what's the plan, I charm him, then shoot him?" Sydney asked.

"No, you charm him, I shoot him. I'll be on the roof. All you have to do is get him out to the gardens, and I'll take care of the rest."

"Sounds simple enough."

"Julian, I need some help with this." Sydney was getting dressed and Sark was on the couch of their hotel room working on his laptop.

"All right, come here." Sark stood up and Sydney walked over to him. She turned her back to him and he gently zipped up her dress, kissing her neck gently. Sydney groaned in pleasure and turned around to face him. His lips softly captured hers and his arms carefully pulled her close. He always treated her as if she was made of glass.

"Julian?"

"Yes love?"

"You know, as much as I want you to make love to me right now, I've got to get ready. I can't seduce Cole if I look like this."

"Love, you could seduce him if you wore rags and your hair had never been near a curling iron."

"Ahh, always a flatterer."

"Sydney, if I asked you to stay here tonight instead of going with me what would you say."

"I'd say there's no way in hell I'm letting you do this alone."

"Please, love? The more I think about it the more I don't want you anywhere near him tonight. I've got a bad feeling about this."

"Julian, I'm going with you. End of discussion."

"How's it going?" asked the voice in her headset.

"Impeccably, Julian. I'm moving towards Cole now." Sydney headed across the room towards a formally dressed McKennas Cole. "How'd you like to go for a little walk, tiger?" she asked in a southern drawl. She kissed him roughly and whispered haughtily in his ear, "Let's head out to the gardens for some fun."

"I'm up for it, babe," answered Cole.

"Could you make it a little LESS convincing, I AM listening and this is making me terribly jealous," Sark said. Sydney and Cole headed for the gardens. They were by the fountain, where she was supposed to lead him, when he spoke.

"There's only one thing you forgot, Pigtails," Cole said as he pulled out a gun. "I never forget a pretty face." He grabbed her and held the gun to her head then called out into the dark, "Mr. Sark! If you value this incredibly sexy woman, I'd get your conniving ass down here and turn yourself in."

"Don't move Sydney I'm coming all right. Tell him I'm coming."

"No, stay where you are don't worry about me."

"I'm coming. End of discussion. Tell him now."

"He says he's coming, Cole." Cole pulled a walkie-talkie from his pocket.

"Thomas, I've got a little something I need you to take care of for me. Come to the gardens please." Just then, Sark came into the clearing. "Ahh, Julian, great to see you, man. Put the gun on the ground. The knife to." Sark followed his instructions. "Just stay exactly where you are." A few seconds later a man Sydney could only assume to be Thomas walked up and calmly hit Sark over the head with the butt of his gun. Cole then did the same thing to Sydney. "Nightie night, Pigtails."