STARA ZAGORA
"I have no way of knowing whether you're really willing to work with me." Her gaze penetrates. "Or if this is a setup."
Jack holds her stare. "No. You don't."
* * *
JAKARTA
Sark quickly makes his way around the club. He is well aware that he does not blend well here.
He spots the door.
It looks ajar when he reaches it. He looks down. Caught between the frame and the door is a small, jeweled bracelet. Sydney's.
He notes wryly that Sydney's aim has improved considerably since she joined with them.
The hallways appear deserted. Not a good sign.
He catches the tiniest flicker of movement, and leans back against the wall.
Target. He takes a single shot, and he doesn't miss.
He takes a chance and begins to walk out again, only to fire two more shots at coming guards. Sark waits several more seconds.
No one.
Corners . . . walls . . . corridors . . .
Sark turns another corner and sees two men down . . . and two more. And carrying an unconscious Sydney.
He squeezes the trigger. Twice.
He hurries to Sydney and puts his hand under her head, pushing it up. Sydney's eyes flutter.
"Come on, Sydney." She makes a valiant effort to sit up straight, but falls back.
Seeing she isn't able to move, Sark lifts her up, puts her over his shoulder, and begins walking as quickly as he can to the front of the club. He spots the door in a few seconds later.
Suddenly Sydney grabs his gun, extends her arm over his shoulder, and shoots. Three times.
She collapses back onto him, and he hears the gun clatter to the floor.
Sark chances a look back while retrieving his gun, and sees one more man lying on the ground, a few yards away.
He pushes open the door and is instantly confronted with the loud, dull, sounds of the music. Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, considering he is carrying a grown woman, Sark moves towards the exit.
A couple of people stare curiously, but Sark knows they all must think Sydney's passed out.
With an inward sigh of relief, he sees that the car is still parked outside.
He lets Sydney down on the seat gently, and climbs in, slamming the door.
The car takes off.
* * *
"Sydney's safe. That much I can tell you. But there's something I need for you to do before you can see her."
* * *
Sydney is awake, staring down at her hands in her lap, slumped against the seat.
Sark silently watches her.
What a life she's had . . . double agent . . . lies . . . betrayal . . . learning the truth about her mother . . . and her father . . .
And yet she still tries. Tries to deal with it all, to live as normally as possible, always striving to make things right.
Her eyes travel up, slowly, finally meeting his own. She slightly raises her head.
His lips touch hers first, hers hesitating for less than an instant before pulling herself toward him, with all-consuming force.
He loves her for it.
* * *
"I need you to see to the escape of Allison Doren."
It is silent for a long, long moment.
"Consider it done."
A/N: :)
