Author's Note: Sorry this has taken so long guys, but I have been absolutely swamped by homework. I haven't been able to do any writing for a while. And thanks for all your reviews...I'm glad your liking the story. You guys are the best!

Cheeky.

Part Eleven

The drive to Germany took us until just after lunch and through part of the spectacular Swiss Alps. Sark and I didn't really talk, aside from directions or the odd comment, until we were back on board Sark's plane.

After quickly changing my clothes (mainly to put on some underwear) I walked back to Julian. He still sat where I had left him, slumped in one of the comfortable leather seats, his eyes shut. I sat down opposite and studied him for a moment. His normally cold features had softened as he dozed, and I was struck again how handsome he was. I had never really noticed; back when I had considered him an enemy. These days, though, I seemed to notice it at odd times.

Sark smiled and I felt my heart tighten in my chest. "Hello Sydney." He said without opening his eyes.

"Hello Julian." I replied.

I watched him for a few more minutes, and saw how tired he still was. Just like me. I stood up, leaning down and kissing his forehead on impulse. "Sleep, love." I whispered.

Before I could turn and walk away, Sark's hand snaked up and caught my wrist. I turned to see him looking at me. "Stay?"

There was a slight vulnerability in his expression that I had never seen before and it turned my heart to mush. Julian Sark was not the type of man to show weakness. So how could I refuse?

"Of course." I said, sinking down onto the seat beside him.

He pulled me close to him and I snuggled against his chest, my mind fuzzy with exhaustion. Suddenly my previous words drifted back to me. Sleep, love. Love. I had called Sark 'love'. I tried to keep muscles from tensing, but couldn't quite manage it. I felt Sark stir and his grip tightened around me. But I wasn't going anywhere. My heart was beating loudly in my chest as the realisation sank in. When I thought about it, it had been obvious. I was in love with Sark.

How could I not be when my heart turned to mush just by looking at him? When I treated every moment with him like it was a precious treasure? When I would do anything for him?

I relaxed back against his chest. I couldn't help but smile at the warm, treasured feeling I had in Sark's arms. That, combined with my exhaustion, sent me into a deep sleep.

"Sydney." A voice whispered in my ear, dragging me back to consciousness.

I groaned, and snuggled closer to the warmth surrounding me. I heard a low chuckle. "Wake up."

I blinked open my eyes and found myself staring into Sark's blue ones. I blinked in surprise and Sark grinned. "Good morning." He said.

"How long was I asleep?" I asked, my voice rough.

"About 10 hours." He said.

"Ten hours!" I sat up with a jerk.

Sark chuckled again, and sat up next to me. "Calm down. We still have about an hour."

I sighed. "I don't want to go back." I confessed.

"I know." Sark said, cupping my face with his hand. "But you have to."

"I know." I sighed.

We both looked at each other, uncertain of what to say. We both knew what the problem was: what were we going to do about us? Everyone still believed Sark was the enemy. That was the main reason I didn't want to go back – I didn't want to loose Julian. The other reason was I didn't want to have to be Sark's handler again – acting professional around him just wasn't going to happen.

I closed my eyes. "Julian..." I began.

He pressed a finger to my lips. "I know." He said softly, before leaning forward and kissing me.

I clung to him tightly, not wanting to let go. Why did fate or the powers that be up there decide to take happiness away from me just as I found it? This time, though, things would be different. I'd make sure of it.

Sark's hands fisted in my hair, drawing me even closer to him, as if he didn't want to let me go either. We broke apart, breathless. I stared into Sark's eyes and caught the fleeting look of sadness in them. "What is it?" I asked.

Sark opened his mouth, as if to say something, before shutting it again. "Tell me." I said.

"I don't know what you see in me, Syd." He said. "I don't want you to leave, because I know when you do, you'll wake up and see the truth. I don't want that. I don't want to face the hatred in your eyes..."

"But I already see the truth, Julian. I have for years. And I envied you for it, in part." I said. "You're a man who lives by his own rules. You know what you want and you don't back down until you've got it."

"And I've killed people to do it." Sark said flatly.

"So have I." I told him. "But can you tell me if any of the people you've killed were truly innocent?"

"No." Sark said finally. "They weren't."

"My mother, while she may kill and manipulate people, she never plays with anyone who is not already in the game – any she taught you that."

Sark smiled. "She did. Surprisingly, perhaps, your mother has morals in a world devoid of them."

"As do you, Julian. No matter how hard you try to hide them."

Sark looked at me with a strange expression on his face. It was almost a combination of wonder, reluctance and disbelief. He shook his head and gave me a soft smile. "How is it that you can see so many good qualities in me, Syd?" he asked.

"Because I take the time to look." I said. "You see them too, if you ever bothered to try."

Sark chuckled. "I know."

I arched an eyebrow at him and caught his teasing look. I narrowed my eyes at him, knowing he was trying to tease me with his trademark smirk and cockiness – carefully hiding his true feelings. Or so he thought, anyway. I knew he didn't like sharing his feelings and it had taken a lot of trust for him to share what he had with me. Life had taught him harsh lessons, and one of them was not to trust easily. I smiled at Sark and gave him a brief kiss. I knew him better than he thought I did.

I got up from the seat. "I'm hungry." I said.

"So am I." Julian replied.

I turned back to look at him and noticed his eyes had darkened to a deeper blue. Somehow, I got the feeling he wasn't talking about food. I felt my lips curve into a seductive smile, before I turned and walked away. I really was hungry.

I walked over to the galley located at the back of the plane. I began searching in the cupboards for something to eat. I found a multitude of plates and glasses, some Chateau Pétrus '82, some weapons and a dusty box of cornflakes (behind which the weapons were hidden). "Do you have anything to eat around here?" I called to Sark.

"What would you like?" Sark said, his voice a lot closer than I expected.

I turned to find him standing behind me. "What have you got?" I asked.

Sark grinned at me. "I think you already know the answer to that, Syd." He replied.

I arched an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

"Definitely."

Sark stepped forward, almost predatorily, his eyes a deep blue. The galley was already a small space, but it seemed to shrink when Julian looked at me like that. Sark stopped a few inches from me, giving me space to pull away, if that's what I wanted. It wasn't.

I looked up into Sark's blue eyes, noticing the hungry expression and the slight wonderment in their depths. I smiled slightly, a ghost of a smile, before leaning forward and brushing my lips against his. It was a brief touch, a whisper of something more, but powerful all the same. The slight sensation sent shivers up and down my spine and made my heart beat faster.

I pulled away again and looked Sark in the eye. He raised an eyebrow at the unspoken challenge. He stepped forward again, forcing me back. I never looked away from his intent stare, even as the cool wall hit my back. Sark placed a hand either side of my head, boxing me in and causing his already open shirt to gape open further, distracting me for a moment. When I glanced back at Sark's face, I noticed the heated amusement in his eyes seconds before his mouth came crashing down on mine.

My knees began to feel weak as Sark's tongue explored my mouth, taunting me as he did so. How come Vaughn's kisses had never felt like this? Sark tasted so intoxicating, and I couldn't get enough. I kissed him back with the same bruising force and passion he was showing me. But somehow it still wasn't enough. Sark pressed me harder against the wall as I slipped my hands inside his shirt, feeling the warm, hard muscle beneath my palms.

We broke apart, breathing hard and all rational thought left my head at his devouring expression. I yanked his mouth back to mine, needing to feel his lips on mine. Sark moved his hands to my waist, pulling me harder against him. His lean, hard body felt like heaven against mine and I reached up and slid my hands up to his shoulders, gently avoiding his wound.

His mouth was hot on mine and his hands began to trail over my body, leaving trails of fire as they went. I gasped into his mouth at the feeling. Sark's mouth drifted from mine, nibbling my bottom lip as he went. The sensation of his five 'o'clock shadow against the tender skin of my neck was one of the most erotic I have ever felt.

Sark placed open mouthed kisses on my throat making me groan again. His hands trailed up from my waist to the neck of my shirt, before he brought his head up. "Syd," he said breathlessly. "We should stop."

"Why?" I blinked, trying to think.

"The CIA, your father..."

"Oh, screw them! I want to do something I want for once!"

Sark gave me a smile, before leaning down and giving me another passionate kiss. He pulled away again and stepped back. "We'll be landing soon."

I glared, feeling hot, bothered and frustrated. "Really?" I asked, annoyed.

"Yes." He replied. "Syd..."

"I get it." I said. "Just, next time, don't start something you can't finish."

"I didn't mean to." Sark said. "But you are the ultimate temptation, Bristow."

I raised an eyebrow at him. With his slightly tousled hair, rumpled clothes and twinkling eyes, he, too, looked very tempting. "You're not too bad yourself." I said.

Sark merely gave me his trademark smirk, before turning and leaving the galley. I took a deep breath once he had left and leaned back against the wall. Bloody hell! That had been intense. I took another breath and had to force myself not to go and find Sark, throw him against a wall and finish what we had started. I should've at least felt embarrassed about what had just happened, but I didn't. Vaughn, sure as hell, had never made me feel like that! But then, Vaughn couldn't really compare with a man like Julian Sark.

Getting up, I spent the last twenty minutes of the flight packing up my things and changing. As we began to land, I came out and sat next to Sark, now dressed in a loose sundress, light sweater and sandals. Sark smiled at me. "I brought you a present." He told me, motioning to some shopping bags in the seat next to me.

I looked inside them curiously, and found a designer suit, a pair of strappy sandals and a few blouses. "In my experience," Sark continued, "women cannot seem to visit Italy without going shopping."

"Thank you." I said, touched that Sark would go through so much trouble to help with my cover story. "They're beautiful."

"So are you."

I blushed slightly at his words. Within minutes we had touched down and taxied to a stop. We disembarked silently, unsure of what to say. I turned back to face him. "I have to go." I said.

"I know." Sark cupped my face gently in his hands before kissing my lingeringly. "I love you, Syd." He whispered when he finally broke away.

"I love you too." I whispered back, knowing in my heart that it was the truth.

Sark gave me one last kiss before he had to leave. I watched him drive away in one of his expensive black cars – a BMW this time – before turning and walking back inside the terminal. I flipped on my sunglasses and couldn't help but feel an extra, more confidant swagger to my step. It was true I had changed over the last two years, even more so now that I had regained my memories, but I must confess that I don't believe it was such a bad thing after all.

The trip home was rather quite and uneventful, which was rather a relief after the past few days. I was actually happy to get back to my apartment, despite how empty it still felt. I fear I will miss Francie and Will for a long time, but at least the pain wasn't bad anymore. I sighed and sank down onto the couch. Glancing at the clock, I realised it was only 7pm, but it seemed the last few days had taken a lot out of me.

I got up and made myself a quick meal of spaghetti, not really wanting much more. I just wanted to get some sleep. I smiled at that. It seemed like a good sign that I was both willing to eat and sleep – I had spent far too long over the past few weeks not doing either. And I figured I would probably need all my strength for tomorrow.

I woke up the next morning feeling better than I had in a long time. For once, I actually felt refreshed and ready to face the day – whatever it might bring. Which was probably a good thing, since today would be the first time I faced everyone since I regained my memories.

I smiled slightly as I got out of bed. I felt a lot different now than when I had left for Switzerland... and I decided to do something about it. Watch out, world. I thought to myself, but there's a new Sydney Bristow in town. And she's not going to play nice anymore. And call me petty, but I wanted the CIA what they had forced me to become – and to show Vaughn what he didn't have anymore. My smile grew as I imagined Vaughn's face when he found out who did 'have' me.

After taking a quick shower, I padded out of the bathroom and stood in front of my wardrobe and tried to find something to wear. I wanted to look less like the old Sydney Bristow and more like the woman I had become – even though I was still discovering who she was.

I went through my wardrobe twice and couldn't find anything I liked. I sighed, just before my eyes fell on the pile of shopping bags by the door. Sark's gift. I smiled as I walked over to them. Perfect. Besides, it would be kind of fun to walk around the CIA in a suit Sark had bought me.

The black suit fit me perfectly, as I knew it would. It made me look tall and elegant with its stylish and tailored lines. No matter what else you said about him, Julian Sark definitely had taste. And he also knew what I liked. The suit clung to my curves and I loved how it looked. I added a black, lacy tank top underneath and tried to decide what shoes to wear.

I smiled as my eyes flicked back to the bags. I couldn't help it...I was having fun, and it was all because I was finally beginning to accept who I was, flaws and all. What the hell, I decided and put on the strappy high heels Sark had also bought me. Not exactly common office wear, but they looked damn good. I added a thin silver bracelet and put my hair in a simple twist, before turning to the mirror.

I smiled in pleasure at what I saw. Instead of the worn down and unsure woman I had been ever since waking up in Hong Kong and finding out how much my life had changed, I now looked more like the confidant and poised woman I knew I was. I was back to looking like the CIA agent I was. It was a good feeling.

I took a deep breath and took a final look at myself in the mirror, before grabbing my coat and purse and jacket and heading off to work. I'd pick up some breakfast on the way. Just as I was walking out the door, my cell phone rang. I smiled when I saw who was calling.

"Hello, Sydney."

"Julian." I replied.

"Feel like meeting me after work?" he asked.

"Depends what you have in mind." I answered, knowing I would meet him anyway.

Sark chuckled, the sound sending a shiver up my spine. "Business, I'm afraid. I have a proposition for you."

I smiled. "I'll be interested to hear this proposition." I said.

"Good." He said. "Meet me at the pier at 8."

"I'll be there." I said.

Sark chuckled again. "Oh, and Sydney?"

"Yes?"

"Give them hell."

I laughed as I hung up the phone. I slipped on my sunglasses and got in my car. Time to face the day...and show everyone just what Sydney Bristow was made of.

I walked into the JTF office, my head held high. I noticed the stares that followed me as I went, but I ignored them and kept going. I walked over to my desk and took of my jacket. I put my purse in a draw and turned, needing to talk to Dixon. I blinked in surprise when I came face to face with my father.

"Oh, hi Dad." I said.

"Hi, Sydney." He said. "How was your trip?"

"Interesting, to say the least." I said. "I need to talk to you later."

"Of course." He said. Then he smiled at me. "I'm glad you're back."

I smiled back. "Me, too." I said.

Nodding, Dad turned and left, walking back over towards his office. I sighed, wondering just how much of what had happened I should tell him. I mean, he was my father, and would keep my secret if I asked him to, that much I could be sure of – but he would also want to protect me. And what that might mean, I wasn't sure.

I continued towards Dixon's office, only to run into Vaughn. "Hey Syd." He said.

"Hi." I replied.

There was a moment of silence, and I had to resist the urge to sigh. I didn't want to have to deal with this right now. But it seems luck wasn't on my side this morning. "So, how was your trip?" he asked.

I pasted a smile on my face. "Fine." I said. "Italy is really beautiful this time of year."

Vaughn nodded. "Syd..." he began. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine." I said. "Really. There's no need to worry."

"Syd, I just..."

"I'm fine, Vaughn." I told him.

He nodded and gave me a small smile. "Okay."

There was another moment of silence, before I motioned towards Dixon's office. "I need to see Dixon." I said.

"Oh. Sure."

I nodded and walked off. Well, that was awkward. I had a feeling Vaughn wanted to say something else to me, but didn't quite know how. And I wasn't sure I wanted to hear it. I still cared for him, but it was caring as you would for a friend. We had been through a lot together. I'm just not sure Vaughn saw us as just friends, despite his speeches.

I knocked on Dixon's door, before pocking my head in. "Sydney." Dixon smiled. "Come in."

I smiled back, genuinely pleased to see my old friend, despite what I was about to say. "Thanks Dixon."

"So what was on your mind?" he asked when I was sitting before him.

I looked Dixon straight in the eye and came straight to the point. "Dixon, why didn't you tell me you knew where I was for the last two years?"

Dixon looked at me in surprise. "How do you..?"

"I remembered." I interrupted him.

Dixon sighed, almost as if he knew that what he was about to say would be a bad thing. "I couldn't, Syd." He said. "Please understand that. Kendall thought it would be better for you to remember on your own."

I nodded. "I thought that would be the reason."

Dixon looked up at me in surprise. "Syd?" he asked.

I smiled at him. "I might not like it, but I understand you couldn't do anything about it." I said.

"I really am sorry, Syd." Dixon said. "I know how many times people have kept the truth from you and I really didn't want to be another one."

"Thank you." I said. "I don't suppose there's anything else I should know?"

"No, Syd." Dixon said, smiling.

"Good." I said. "I just wanted you to know that I remembered."

I got up to leave, but Dixon's voice stopped me. "Thank you for understanding, Syd. I'd hate to loose our friendship. It means a lot to me."

I turned back and gave Dixon a warm smile. "It means a lot to me too. I really hope nothing changes that."

As I left Dixon's office, I tried to ignore the slight stab of guilt I felt. Dixon still didn't know about my relationship with Sark, and part of me really wanted to tell him. But I couldn't. Not yet. Despite everything, I wanted to tell my father first. It just would feel right, otherwise.

I walked back to my desk, aware of the hard stares a few of the agents were giving me. I frowned in confusion. What was the matter? I was sure they hadn't been doing that when I walked in this morning. I looked up when I got to my desk and found the answer. Lindsey stood there with two other NSC agents beside him.

"Sydney Anne Bristow?" Lindsey asked with a perverse smile on his face.

"Yes?"

"You are under arrest for the crimes of treason, consorting with a known enemy of the United States and the murder of Adrian Lazarey." Lindsey continued. "I may remind you that anything you say and do may be used against you. You can't get out of this one, Bristow."

I stared at Lindsey, my face a careful mask, not showing any of the shock or fear I really felt. This wasn't good. I looked around the room and met my father's eyes. He nodded slightly, and I knew he would fight this as much as he could. I turned my face back to Lindsey as my hands were handcuffed behind my back, noting his smug expression.

I smirked straight back at him, before leaning forward. "I know your secret." I whispered in his ear, before the other agents yanked my backwards.

I smiled at the look of fear in Lindsey's eyes as I was lead out of the JTF office. He was right to be scared. You see, I wasn't the one who was committing treason. Lindsey was. He was a Covenant mole. And I would make sure that he paid for that – just as soon as I got out of this mess.