Title: If Only Once More

Arthur: Secret Agent Girl (SAG)

Rating: Hard PG-13 (mainly because I don't feel it's R but a touch more than PG-13

'Ship: S/V

Spoilers: Everything is up to Countdown is fair game. This chapter is being entered into the SD-1 May fic challenge (baseball, flowers and a movie quote) so that's why there's the quote reference at the bottom. Last Sunday… JJ… you better have something good up your sleeve!! As always review because I'm not so sure I can make it to next September I may go insane first… GAH!

Ch. 5

He made his way into the room; his demeanor was calm as he approached her still form in the chair. A flash went through his eyes showing that he had the slightest amount of sympathy for her, before disappearing, his cold façade replacing all emotions. He watched her for a moment as she tossed in her sleep before turning to address the man sitting calmly in the chair behind him.

            "Did she talk?"

            "No." Sark simply replied as he fingered the lighter in his hands. "She put up quite a fight though, before falling asleep." He smirked, relishing in the memory of her screams.

            "So what did you do?" Sloane asked calmly.

            "I called him." Sark smiled devilishly. "I told him he better bring it to us or I'd destroy her."

            "And he believed you?"

            "Well, I used her phone. Plus, she called out to him." His grin only grew as he replayed the events after once more in his head, her screams and tears flashing though his brain.

            Her weak muffled cries sounded from behind them and Sloane turned to watch her toss in her sleep. "She's restless in sleep."

            "Mmm." Sark mused. "She's replaying events in her mind. Mostly events with him. He is the embodiment of safety to her."

            Sloane watched her with curiosity as her head moved slightly in sleep. Her lips parted, as she mumbled. "What is she saying?"

            "She calls out to him in sleep. Always him." Sark spat disgustedly.

            Sloane turned back to her and watched as she slowly moved in her sleep. He kept his breathing low as to hear her murmur softly, relinquishing in her desperate tone.

            She sat on the grassy hill, staring straight ahead of her as she watched the colors of the sunset blend together creating a mass of color in the sky. She fingered the dandelion by her side and smiled as she watched the scene before her. She was so at peace she barely registered him as he walked up and sat down next to her, breathing out a deep sigh as he loosened his tie.

            "I'm quitting."

            "No you're not." She smiled as she watched little number 12 hit a grounder to left field.

            "Yes I am. I hate my job."

            "You love your job." She reminded him softly. "What would you do without your job?"

            "I… don't know." He sighed in defeat.

            "See?" She smiled as she turned her head to look at him. "You'll never quit."

            "Well, eventually I'm sure I will." He smiled and met her gaze. "But until then I'll just complain to you and fantasize about smashing Kendall's over-polished head into the wall." He smiled and leaned over to give her a small kiss. "Hi."

            "Hi." Her smile grew as he reached over and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "What do you want to do tonight?"

            "Anything that involves you, me and nothing CIA related." She laughed as she turned back and leaned against him, watching the game play on.

            "Wanna talk about what happened?"

            "No. I just want to sit here with you pretending that I work a normal 9-5 job."

            She laughed against him as he lovingly kissed the top of her head. "Normal 9-5 job. Ah, the luxuries of normal life."

            He laughed softly as he brushed the hair of out her face. "One of these days." They sat in comfortable silence for a while as they watched the tiny numbers running around the field. "Sydney?" His voice that had been so clear seemed to be fading as he called out to her.

            "Vaughn?" The grip he held around her waist slowly disappeared as his voice sounded farther and farther away.

            "Sydney? Sydney?"

            His voice was suddenly replaced with that of a cold cruel one, devoid of all warmth. "Sydney!" She bolted her eyes open to come face to face with the devil himself. "Glad you could join us again." Sloane's face lit up in a crooked smiled that made her blood run cold.

            "It's amazing, you look like a normal person but actually you are the angel of death." Sydney sneered as she met his gaze head on, unwavering.

            "I'm sorry you feel that way." 

            "No you're not. If the CIA didn't have what you wanted I wouldn't be here right now. I only serve one purpose to you and that's to get your precious artifact. So cut the bull. Sark's already made the call. They'll be coming. So tell your little lackey that he can back off. You kill me and they won't give it to you."

            Her anger was back in full force. She was sick and tired of sitting in the cold metal chair in a room devoid of warmth, sick of being tortured and sick of looking into the cold blue eyes. She wanted to see green again. She wanted to go home.

            "Looks like someone got their spite back." Sloane smiled as he moved away from her. "You better pray they come Sydney. After that little comment you better pray they come."

            He moved towards the door and beckoned for Sark to join him and together they made their way out of the room.

            The moment the door closed, she breathed a sigh of relief thanking whoever could hear her for making them leave and giving her the strength to verbally abuse Sloane. Closing her eyes she gripped the sides of the chair and whispered out softly praying for anyone who was listening to answer her.

            "Please…let them come. Please…Vaughn. Where are you?"

Quote: It's amazing, you look like a normal person but actually you are the angel of death – When Harry Met Sally