A shadowy figured appeared out of the night and crept to the side door. Seconds later

another shadow followed. The first shadow grabbed the small pouch hung on her belt.

"Merlin, are you sure about this?"

"Definitely, Phoenix, the security is on the inside. They don't care if you get in, but most

likely you won't be getting out." A beat of silence. "Unnnless you have me that is."

"Thank you for that assurance," said a very sarcastic British voice.

"Sorry,"squeaked Marshall, "Don't kill me."

Sydney quickly picked the lock, turned the handle, and the two hurried inside. Swiftly

moving down the hallway, they soon reached the desired room.

"I don't see the painting. I don't see any paintings."

"Anna must have gotten here first."

"Why would she take all of them? And how did she–" Sydney sniffed the air. "Do you

smell that?"

Sark lifted his nose and took a deep breath. "Paint. This room is being renovated."

Sydney took a deep breath for other reasons.

"Merlin, the Mona Lisa isn't here. The room is being renovated. Can you find the current

location?"

The sound of typing could be heard over their coms.

"It's been temporarily moved to room thirteen in the southwest wing and is awaiting the

morning transfer to restoration."

Room thirteen was so small that it held but one painting. The Mona Lisa. Sydney could

only stare. Though she had seen the painting dozens of times, just at that moment, the small

smile seemed so familiar. So small was the smile, in fact, that it could have been a...smirk.

Sydney turned her head and carefully regarded Sark. Sark's blue eyes considered her as

well. After a few moments, he cocked his head to the side and asked, "Is there a problem?"

Her thoughts interrupted, Sydney shook her head. "No, no there isn't." She spoke into her

com, "Merlin, is everything ready?"

"Blocking alarm frequency now," came the voice in her ear, "You have three minutes

before systems are back online."

Sark opened two very large knives and gave one to Sydney. As he cut inside the top and

right edges of the frame, she took the left and the bottom. As bad as she felt about

potentially defacing a famous work of art, there was no way they could have carried the

heavy frame around without getting caught. When the alarm sounded two minutes later, the

guards found the room completely empty.

Sydney and Sark climbed into the van in which Nadia and Weiss were waiting. Marshall

and Vaughn were in another van nearby. Dixon and Jack were currently on assignment in

Nepal with Sloane supervising.

"Let's boogey," Weiss said as he winked at Nadia. She smiled back. Sydney couldn't help

but smile herself. Sark remained impassive, though his blue eyes were clearly assessing the

pair.

"Your mother didn't tell me much about you, Nadia."

Nadia turned and leveled her gaze at him.

"Is that so?"

"Yes," continued Sark, "in fact, I quite by accident stumbled upon the knowledge of your

existence. I overheard Irina talking on the phone. She mentioned 'her daughter Nadia' and

'the passenger'. I was intrigued to say the least."

"And are you disappointed with what you found?" asked Nadia.

"On the contrary, I am even more intrigued."

Sydney was about to tell Sark to shut his mouth when, without warning, blue and red lights

could be seen flashing in the reflection of the side mirrors as the sound of a siren crept

closer.