"Which apartment?" as they neared the door of the light blue building.

"Actually, I rent both floors though I only utilize the first. I really can't stand neighbors. I

like my privacy," he answered with a wink.

She really wasn't in the mood.

They entered the building and stood in front of a door marked with the number one.

"Open it."

Sark fished a key from his pocket and unlocked the door.

Sydney stepped inside without a word. It really was his apartment. Unbelievable. The shock

finally wore off as she stood there.. It was all just too much to bear. Tears formed in her

eyes and her chin quivered. Why did Vaughn do this to her?

"Would you like something to drink?" asked Sark as he closed the door.

He turned just as a silver droplet rolled down her cheek.

For a moment there was silence. Rain drops began falling outside. The wind refused to let

them splatter the windows in a constant motion.

"Don't, Sydney. Don't cry, especially over the likes of him."

Remembering her dream, she could muster only enough willpower to gape.

Continuing, Sark said, "You are the best operative to ever grace the halls of the CIA.

You've been lied to, betrayed, and deceived; in return, you lied, betrayed, and deceived.

You have been trained to compartmentalize and to withstand torture. Avowing all this, you

should know better than anyone else that emotions denote weakness and can only

interfere."

She glared back at him. Where did he get off telling her how to live life?

"No, Sark. I think you're describing your own existence in that paragraph. Friendless,

loveless, lifeless–devoid of all emotion. That's where it all will end up." Her mind

stumbled upon a sudden revelation. "That's what happened to you, isn't it? You tried so

hard to get to the top, but in the meantime, life became lackluster and it numbed your soul.

Without a soul, you have no emotions; and without emotions you have no soul."

As she talked, his expression became grimmer. His cold, blue eyes seemed to pierce into

her own.

"It's a vicious cycle, and you have been trapped. You. Never. Feel. Anything."

Without warning, her body was slammed against the wall as his hands pinned her arms in

place.

Sark's lips brutishly raked her own. "I feel this, Sydney." His body leaned farther into hers.

"I feel you."