Sark awoke almost immediately after Jack injected him with the antidote to the

tranquilizer. He found himself strapped into a chair in a small room. Sydney stood nearby.

The smirk returned instantly.

"I must say, I am quite surprised by your actions. I didn't know you cared so much."

"We were simply transferring you from one cell to another," countered a rather irked

Sydney.

Sark started as he saw his reflection in the observation window. "My God, Sydney, what

did you do to me?"

Sydney assumed her most menacing look and said coldly, "You will address me as Agent

Bristow."

"You obviously aren't an agent any more, Sydney, if that last escapade meant what I think it

does. By the way, what is that awful stench?"

Again the look. "Don't jump to conclusions, Sark, and don't call me Sydney."

Behind her, the door opened. Kendall and Sloane walked in.

Sark's eyebrows rose just a little. "My, isn't this day just full of surprises."

"Jack, Sydney. Good work out there," Sloane commented.

Sydney glared back.

"We'd like a few minutes with Mr. Sark," said Kendall, though it was definitely more of an

order than a statement.

"What? Why can't we stay?" Sydney's night was definitely not getting any better.

"Why don't you two go home and get some rest. We'll let you know if we find out

anything," assured Sloane.

Reluctantly, Jack and Sydney stood up to leave.

For some reason they weren't very convinced by Sloane's assurances.

Early the next morning, Sydney stepped out of the shower and put on her bathrobe. She had

to stifle a scream after looking into the mirror. There was STILL garbage in her hair after

three washings. Opening the door, the perturbed woman stomped into the living room.

"Nadia, could you help me? I can't get these pieces of trash out of my hair."

Her sister smiled and took the comb from her. As Nadia attempted to untangle the snarls

caused by the unknown objects, she asked, "Is Vaughn coming over tonight?"

"He should be."

"What does that mean?"

Sydney sighed.

"I don't know. I just don't know. Vaughn wouldn't talk to me last night. When I asked

what was bothering him, he mumbled something about Sark and walked away." She turned

and looked at Nadia.

"He hasn't forgotten about Lauren."

"Dad, have they found out anything?"

"I don't know, Sydney. I'm not privy to any intel pertaining to Sark."

"But it's been two days! Surely Sloane told you e truth?"

"I have already told her the truth that she needs to hear."

"It's not the same, and you know it."

"Perhaps not, but I would rather have her remember Irina in a positive light, wouldn't

you?"

He turned and walked away.

An hour later, Sydney walked into Sloane's office for a recently scheduled meeting. There

stood Sark, practically gleaming in a black suit that contrasted sharply with the white

backdrop of the office. Their eyes locked. Brown versus blue in a battle of wills.

"Agent Bristow, you may take a seat," Kendall interrupted their small war and gestured in

the direction of the other attendees. Everyone was there except for Marshall. Just at that

moment, Marshall burst into the room.

"Oh, Syd, I'm glad I caught up with you. I wanted to give you these files before the meeting

star–" Marshall's eyes located the person directly behind Sydney. His eyes widened

enormously as he stepped closer to her and attempted to whisper indiscreetly, "Syd, Sark is

here."

"We know."

Marshall opened his mouth as if to say something, stopped, closed his mouth, and gave

Sydney the folders he was holding.

"Hello...again," Marshall looked ready to turn tail and run.

Sark nodded ever so slightly,"The pleasure is all mine, Agent Flinkman."

At a loss for words, Marshall scurried over to the couch and sat down. Sydney followed at

a much slower pace.

Sloane cleared his throat.

"Kendall and I have finished our negotiations with Mr. Sark and we have come to an

agreement. In exchange for his freedom, Mr. Sark will help us in any way that he can.

Please welcome him to the team."