CHAPTER 1
OVER TWO YEARS LATER: BRITISH COLUMBIA
Sark enters the empty room to see a figure standing at the window, "Did people not get the memo that I've retired?"
"Unfortunately I'm out of the memo loop."
Sark starts in surprise at the familiar voice, "Bristow"
Sydney Bristow turns looking at her former enemy "I need help."
"Why me?"
"Because I can't drag my father into this."
"You've been dead for almost three years." Sark walks closer then stops a few feet from her, "Where have you been?"
"What do you know about the Covenant?"
"Very little. Like I said, I'm out of the intelligence business. After your 'death' I saw no reason to stay."
"I need help Sark and you are the only one who can help me."
"How can I help you?"
"First you can't tell anyone I'm back."
"As long as you answer my questions." 'Something about her looks different.' "Who would I tell your back? I haven't spoken to your mother in over a year. I've only heard rumors about your father." Sark shrugs
Sydney leans against the wall.
Seeing her expression Sark moves closer "You OK?"
"Dizzy."
Sark frowns when he notices her jacket open, "You're pregnant." He says surprised.
"That's what you can't tell anyone." Sydney snaps pulling her jacket closed. "Are you going to help me or not?"
Sark sighs "I have nothing better to do. Besides I owe Irina. I'll help you."
"She can't know Sark."
"Like I said, I haven't spoken to her in over a year." He gestures to the door, "Let's go"
Sydney joins him and they walk out of the building.
HOUR LATER: HOUSE
Sark finally breaks the hour of silence once they're in the kitchen of his home. "Who's the father?" He asks curiously as he sets the sandwich before Sydney.
Sydney shrugs "Not sure. They did it when I was unconscious. I didn't even know they had done it until I was already two months pregnant." She takes a bite of the sandwich.
"And is that why you escaped from the Covenant?"
Sydney looks at her middle, "Despite how I ended up pregnant it is my baby. I won't let them hurt my baby."
"Why not go to the CIA?"
"I don't trust them." Sydney admits. "I haven't for a long time."
Sark lifts his brow a faint smirk appearing, "So you trust me?"
"No but you've always admitted your agendas to me, never hid them. CIA always hid them. Sloane hid them. Even my Dad did. Right now you're the only person I can even remotely trust to not have an agenda."
"Good to know."
Sydney continues eating occasionally answering Sark's questions yet not going into detail about her captivity.
Once Sydney is finished with the sandwich he speaks "I'll show you were you can sleep. Housekeeper will be here in the morning so if you need anything she'll get it."
"I'll need clothes."
Sark nods "Give her a list and she'll get them."
Sydney follows him up the stairs to a bedroom, "Have something I can sleep in?" She asks as she looks around the room.
"Sure." Sark walks across the hall.
Sydney sits on the chair and removes her shoes then sits there resting her hands on her middle. 'God, I hope this works. Trusting Sark is the only option we have little one.' She closes her eyes.
"Here these should fit you." Sark says entering the bedroom he sets the pajamas on the bed.
Sydney opens her eyes "Thanks."
Sark nods "We'll talk tomorrow. I'm across the hall if you need anything."
Sydney slowly stands, "Thank you Sark."
Sark nods walking out of the room he pulls the door closed behind him. 'She's alive.' He shakes his head, 'Should've known she'd survive.'
NEXT MORNING
Sydney walks out to the patio where she finds Sark reading the newspaper.
"How'd you sleep?" Sark asks without looking up.
"Fine." Sydney lies
"You were pacing all night." Sark says folding the newspaper. "The floor by the door creaks." He explains
"Oh." Sydney lowers herself into the chair. "Sorry if I woke you."
"Don't sleep much anyway."
"I haven't slept much since I first woke up in the cell." Sydney shrugs "Less since I found out I was pregnant."
"Are you going to tell your father you're alive at least?"
Sydney looks at her middle, "Part of me wants to but another part..."
"Scared? Jack maybe a hard ass but I'm betting he would like to know he's going to be a grandfather."
"He'd ask too many questions. I really don't want anyone looking for me." Sydney shrugs "What do you know about Vaughn?"
"I may have left but I have kept an eye on all of them... better to know were the hunters are." He takes a sip of his coffee.
"And?"
"He was a wreck after your... death. According to my sources, he started drinking heavily and then he disappeared for a few months. He's currently working at a community college as a French professor."
"He left the CIA." She says surprised
Sark nods "His wife works for the NSC."
"Wife?" Sydney flinches "How long?"
"About a year. She seems like a decent woman suits him better than he suited you."
Sydney bites her lip, "At least he's happy."
"Where's the old temper Sydney?" Sark lifts his brow "Last time I saw you two you made me nauseous."
"Been two years." Sydney shrugs "Can't fault the guy for moving on. Besides this is something I wouldn't be able to explain to him... any of them." She looks at her middle sadly. "He couldn't handle it. As much as I loved him... this would be too much for him."
"If he loved you or cared for you he'd handle it."
"I think he could handle it... but I wouldn't put him through that."
Regarding Sydney thoughtfully, Sark takes a sip of his coffee as the housekeeper walks out to the patio setting a plate before Sydney. 'She's changed... a lot.'
"What would you like to drink ma'am?" The woman asks
"Milk please." Sydney smiles at the woman, "Thank you."
As the housekeeper walks away Sark speaks, "When was the last time you've been to a doctor?"
"A few weeks. They were intent on me having a healthy baby."
"I'll call a doctor in town and see if he can see you." At Sydney's expression Sark adds, "If something happens to you and your parents found out you were here and something happened to you or their grandchild they'd kill me. So humor my need for self protection."
Sydney regards him then nods "As long as he doesn't ask questions about the father or keep records."
Sark nods
Sydney turns her attention to the plate before her as the housekeeper sets the glass of milk before her. "Thank you." She takes a sip of the milk.
"Are you at least going to call your father?"
"Not yet."
Sark nods "Your decision." He takes a sip of his coffee. 'She looks thin but decently healthy. She seems to care for the baby despite the way it was conceived... guess it shouldn't surprise me. She's loyal.' "How far along are you?"
"Five, almost six months I guess. Don't exactly have calendars where I was." Sydney shrugs
"I'm surprised you managed to get out alive."
"It was hard... but I was determined."
"You've always been a determined person." Sark smiles warily. "Your determination always intrigued me. It kept me pushing you... kept things interesting. I liked seeing how much it would take to piss you off."
"You always were good at that." Sydney smiles faintly. "Why'd you retire?"
Sark shrugs, "Without you to annoy and go head to head with what's the point."
"Oh."
"Your death changed everything... for both sides."
Sydney frowns at his tone, 'He missed me.' She realizes. "What about my Dad?" She asks after a few moments of silence. "What's he doing?"
"He, like Vaughn, was a mess. Didn't start drinking but he also threw himself into his work. He was intent on destroying the Alliance. Irina disappeared." He shrugs "He still lives in the same place."
"And what about Will?"
"They say he died in the explosion."
"Oh" Sydney bites her lower lip
"Sydney, I know you don't want to believe this but I had no idea what Alison was up too."
"You knew her before?"
Sark nods "I hadn't seen her in a long time though."
"How long had you known she'd killed Francie?"
"I didn't... not until the night it happened."
"Who planned it?"
"I'm not entirely sure."
"Where's Sloane?"
"You won't like this."
"What?"
"He was pardoned and given control of a world health aid organization in Switzerland."
"Whose bright idea was it to pardon that jack ass?"
"Unfortunately it was your former lover's wife who arranged it. Apparently they destroyed a lot of terrorist cells with his information."
"Cells he helped organize." Sydney says coldly.
Sark nods "Many were angry about his deal."
"You?"
Sark shrugs "He did what he thought he needed to do to survive. I can't fault a man for that."
"After all he's done they let him go with no punishment?"
"Apparently he had an epiphany and decided to go good."
"He's probably behind this" Sydney gestures to her middle.
"If he is behind anything... he's hid it well. I've been keeping an eye on him and so far nothing about his business shows anything suspicious."
"That doesn't mean he hasn't done anything."
Sark nods "I know. He just hasn't done anything he can be caught for."
"How long have you been living here?"
"Six months. It's the longest I've stayed anywhere since I disappeared."
"Oh."
"I made your appointment for this evening at 7. Renee is going into town at 11 and should be back by one with some clothes for you. Just put the list on the kitchen counter."
Sydney nods "Thanks Sark."
Sark turns back to his newspaper. "Eat your breakfast."
EARLY AFTERNOON
Sydney stands on the patio looking out at the gardens, 'I can't believe that Sark lives in such a beautiful home... or can I? I mean he's always surprising me... even now. I can't believe I'm going to trust him with our lives. He's tried to kill me so many times yet I'm trusting him with my life...' she looks at her middle, 'and yours. Something tells me I should trust him. I don't think he's going to hurt us.'
Sark stops when he sees Sydney standing on the patio staring out at the gardens. After a moment he steps out onto the patio, "You OK?"
Sydney starts
"Sorry" He apologizes as he joins her "deep thoughts huh?"
"Just hard to believe I'm out after two years." Sydney shrugs
"Clothes fit?"
Sydney nods "Feels good to be out of those clothes. Be in fresh air."
"Here" Sark reaches into his pocket removing a phone, "So you can call Jack when you're ready. Goes through enough relays it would take them a while to trace it."
"Thank you." Sydney takes the phone putting it in the pocket of her jeans. "This place is beautiful."
"Mmm. It reminded me of home."
"Don't seem like the sentimental type Sark."
Sark smirks "Don't know everything about me Bristow."
"No I don't... but I know enough."
"Maybe you'll learn more." Sark walks back into the house.
Sydney stares after him, 'I bet I will.'
LATE EVENING: DRS OFFICE
"Well you both are healthy. You are a little underweight. Here's a prescription for prenatal." The doctor hands Sydney a piece of paper.
"Thanks." Sydney takes the paper
"I'll let you dress. I'll be outside with your friend." The doctor walks out of the room. He joins Sark "She's dressing."
"How is she?"
"Other than a few scratches and bruises she's fine. She needs to gain at least twenty pounds before she has the baby but otherwise she's fine."
Sark nods
COUPLE HOURS LATER: HOUSE
"Here you go." Sark hands Sydney a cup of tea as she sits on the couch.
"Thanks." Sydney takes the tea from him and takes a sip.
Sark sits at the other end of the couch. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine. A little tired." She takes a sip of her tea. She winces slightly her hand going to her side.
Sark watches her smile slightly as she touches her side, 'She seems so motherly... something I've never seen on a Bristow woman.' "So did they tell you what you're having?"
Sydney nods "A boy." 'Considering it's a clone what's the surprise.'
"Want to tell me why they want your son?"
"You haven't earned that yet."
"Oh I haven't?" Sark lifts his brow "You've asked me to not tell anyone your here... not even your own parents. I haven't. You asked me for help and you're staying here."
"As much as you might have changed over the years you're still the old Sark to me. Despite what you've done for me you still haven't proven you're trustworthy. Call it old habits die hard."
"You'll have to trust me one day Bristow."
"Part of me does but the part that remembers the old you doesn't." She shrugs apologetically. "This proves you might be but still doesn't prove you won't turn me over to the Covenant just for the hell of it." She slowly stands and walks out of the room.
'I'll get it out of her.' He takes a sip of his tea.
AFTER MIDNIGHT
Sark awakens with a start when he hears a shriek. Throwing off the covers he heads across the hall to Sydney's dimly lit room where he finds her sitting up running her fingers through her hair, "Sydney you OK?" He asks concerned. When he notices she's shaking he sits facing her, "Nightmare?"
Slowly Sydney looks at him, "I can't go back there." She says desperately.
"You won't. No one knows where you are. You're safe here." Sark assures
"They're going to look for me... they'll take him." Sydney whispers "They can't take him."
"Both of you are safe here." Sark reaches out and gently brushes Sydney's hair back, "I will keep my promise to keep you safe."
"Why?" Sydney demands, "We've tried to kill each other. Why would you help me?" She stares at him searching his gaze.
"I owe your mother." Sark shrugs
"I hate this." Sydney says bitterly. "I just want to go back to my life... but I can't its gone. I have people who want to kill me and take my baby." She hugs herself "And I miss my Dad." She wipes at the tears. "I want my Dad." She says her lower lip trembling.
"Call him."
"I can't. I don't want him to come looking for me."
"Why? I doubt Jack would care about the fact your pregnant. He'd just be happy to see you."
"I can't."
"That's your choice." Sark shrugs "Why don't you go back to sleep."
Sydney lies down "Stay... for a while." She pleads
"Sure." Sark moves to the chair next to the bed watching as Sydney drifts off to sleep, 'What isn't she telling me? What is it that makes her protect that baby so fiercely?'
CHAPTER 2
NEXT MORNING LATER
Sydney walks out to the patio where she finds Sark once again drinking coffee and reading the newspaper, "Morning."
"Morning." Sark looks at her as she sits. "How'd you sleep?"
"Fine. Thanks for..."
Sark nods "Not a problem." He watches as the housekeeper sets a glass of milk and a plate before Sydney.
"Thank you." Sydney smiles at the woman then turns back to her breakfast.
MIDAFTERNOON
Sark sighs closing his phone. He walks into the kitchen where he finds Renee, "Where's Sydney?"
"She is sleeping, sir."
"We need to leave. Is the extra bag of clothes for her in the car?"
Renee nods, "Just like you wanted."
"Good. I want you to remove all of the clothes in her room once we're gone then close up the house and go visit your sister."
"What is going on?"
"Someone is looking for me and their getting too close. The money will be put in your account. Thank you Renee." He says solemnly to the woman then walks out of the kitchen hurrying up the stairs. He enters the bedroom to find Sydney sleeping. 'I hate to do this.' "Sydney"
Sydney opens her eyes, "What?"
"We need to leave."
"Why?"
"I'll explain why later. You won't need any clothes. Renee already packed a bag for you in the car. Grab your pills and we'll go." Sark walks out of the room and hurries down to his study.
Sydney stares after him, 'What is going on?' She slowly sits up throwing off the covers she gets out of bed.
Downstairs Sark is packing up his laptop and all the important things when Sydney enters the study wearing her jacket. "Ready?" He asks as he closes his briefcase.
"What's going on?" Sydney asks
"Someone is getting close to finding me."
"So where too?"
"I'll tell you later." Sark pulls on his overcoat and grabs his briefcase and laptop case. "Do you have your pills and anything else you want?"
Sydney nods "Just the pills."
"Good." Sark walks out of the study with Sydney right behind. "I know you have questions and I will answer them... later."
"All right."
"I'll bring the car around." Sark heads out the front door.
Sydney steps out onto the porch as Renee joins her.
"He is a good man." Renee states
"I wish I could fully believe that but I've known him for too long." Sydney says sadly.
"Then why are you trusting him?" Renee inquires
Sydney looks at her middle sadly, "I need someone to help me protect him... someone who can be as ruthless as I can. He's the only one I could think of."
"He will help you protect your baby... just trust him." Renee suggests as the car stops before the porch and Sark gets out of the car. "Good luck."
Sydney walks down the steps to the car as Sark opens the passenger door, "Thanks." She gets in as he closes the door she buckles the seatbelt. 'It's going to be OK baby.' She rubs her side as the baby kicks. She looks at Sark as he gets into the car, "Well?"
"Like I said someone is getting close to finding me."
"Who?" Sydney demands
"I am not exactly sure. It is just better for us to leave before anyone shows up."
"Where are we going?"
"Another home I have that no one knows I have."
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere safe. Once we're there, we'll figure out if we should stay there or go somewhere else... I do have other homes its just getting there would be interesting."
"How long will it take us to get there?"
"We'll have to switch cars several times."
"Oh."
"We should be there by tomorrow afternoon."
Sydney rests her head on the passenger window.
LATE EVENING: RESTAURANT
"So are you going to tell me where we're going?" Sydney asks as she eats.
"A place in Oregon. And before you freak out I did get you a passport. We'll cross the border at night so they'll be less likely to question us... especially you."
"They probably have all your aliases tagged. How long has it been since you've been back?"
"Haven't... not since the day they tossed your... or whoever's ashes they found into the ocean." Sark answers "I have a lot more aliases than they know about."
"Oh." Sydney continues to eat.
Sark looks around the restaurant checking his surroundings trying to figure out his plan.
HOUR LATER: GARAGE
"Why a second car?" Sydney asks once they are in the second car.
"No weapons in this car." Sark explains "No gunpowder residue or anything. Easiest way to keep the dogs, when they do use them, from picking anything up. When we're over the border we'll change to another car."
"Let me guess with weapons."
"Always knew you were smart." Sark smirks
Sydney rolls her eyes "Shut up Sark."
"Ahh missed that."
"What?"
"You always tell me to shut up."
"Because you can't shut up."
"Ahh the Bristow retorts. How I have missed those." Sark says wistfully
Sydney looks at Sark startled but remains silent.
AFTER MIDNIGHT
Sark looks at Sydney as she dozes in the passenger seat her arms resting across her middle. As he pulls up to the window he hands the man the passports and answers the questions.
"Have a good visit sir." The man says
Sark nods taking the passports he continues through to the US. Once he's out of sight of the border he allows the brief tension to ease. He looks at Sydney who slowly stirs.
"We across the border?" Sydney asks with a yawn
Sark nods "We'll switch the cars in town then do you want to find a place to sleep tonight or just continue on?"
"I'm exhausted and sick of sitting in the car."
Sark nods "Figured."
"And it's killing my back."
"It'll be about half an hour. Then we'll drive another hour to the next town and find a place."
Sydney nods "Wake me." She closes her eyes drifting back to sleep.
"Must be trusting me if your sleeping."
"No... I'm pregnant." Sydney mumbles
"I'll wake you when we get to the car."
COUPLE HOURS LATER: MOTEL
"Only vacant room." Sark shrugs as they walk into the dingy room. "I'll take the couch."
Sydney looks at the small holey couch and the king sized bed, "We can share the bed." She tosses the duffle bag on the couch and removes her jacket.
"As long as you stay on your side we'll be fine." She opens the duffle bag and grabs the pair of pajamas on the top then walks into the bathroom.
"I knew you liked me." Sark calls
"In your dreams, Sark." Sydney retorts slamming the bathroom door.
Sark tosses his jacket on the couch and sets his gun on the nightstand. 'I really shouldn't share a bed with her but... if she's fine with it.' He lies on his back resting his head on his arm looking up at the ceiling.
As she walks out of the bathroom Sydney finds Sark lying on the bed. She moves around the bed and gets under the covers. Quickly she falls asleep.
Sark looks at Sydney and smiles slightly, 'She's starting to trust me. She just doesn't want to admit it.'
7AM
Slowly Sydney opens her eyes startled by the position she's in; lying on her side with her head on Sark's chest her arm thrown across his stomach. Quickly she pulls away waking Sark in the process. "What the..."
"Morning" Sark greets pleasantly amused by Sydney's reaction. 'I'm sure as hell not telling her she curled up to me hours ago... she'd likely shoot me with my own gun.'
Sydney glares at him then gets out of bed heading to the bathroom.
"Do you want me to go get breakfast and bring it back?" Sark calls "Or go out?"
Sydney groans slamming into the bathroom barely reaching the toilet before throwing up.
8AM
"Feeling better?" Sark asks once Sydney joins him in the doorway.
Sydney glares at him, "I'm pregnant you idiot."
"Reverting to name calling are we?"
Sydney huffs as she walks to the car.
Sark smirks staring after her 'This is going to be fun.' He follows her to the car opening the door for her.
Buckling her seatbelt Sydney glances at Sark as he gets in the car then back out the window.
"Where do you want to eat?"
Sydney groans, "Ugh don't mention food right now."
"Let me know when you're ready to eat."
COUPLE HOURS LATER: RESTAURANT
"Hungry, huh?" Sark asks with a smirk as he sees Sydney polish off a stack of pancakes.
Sydney shrugs "I'm pregnant." She finishes off her milk.
"You two want anything else?" The waitress asks
Sark shakes his head "You?"
Sydney shakes her head "No thank you."
"Here you go then." The woman sets the slip on the table then walks away.
"Ready to go?" Sark asks tossing some bills on the table without looking at the bill.
Sydney nods stands walking with Sark towards the door. "How long until we get there?"
"We should be there by tomorrow. It's just over the state line."
Sydney nods
As they reach the car Sark's phone rings and he fishes it out of his pocket. "Yes? What! You can't be bloody serious! I have too much to deal with."
He hands Sydney the keys.
Taking the hint Sydney heads to the car and gets in watching Sark talk on the phone, 'What's with him? Never seen him angry.'
Sark closes the phone and heads to the car getting in.
"Something wrong?" Sydney asks curiously.
"No." Sark snaps starting the car.
"OK" Sydney drawls looking out the window as he drives her hands resting on her middle.
Sark glances at Sydney then back at the road. "We both have secrets Bristow. We may have a truce but we still have secrets... always will."
Sydney looks at him, "Never asked you to divulge your secrets Sark."
Sark nods
NEXT DAY
"So what's this place like?" Sydney asks curiously after they've sat for an hour in silence.
Sark glances at Sydney then answers, "It's in the woods a few miles outside of the town. It's basically two bedroom cabin on five acres that overlooks a lake. It's a private place. No one knows about it. I haven't been there since before you disappeared."
"Oh."
"I called ahead and electricity has been activated. We'll stop off at the store in town and get what we need."
Sydney nods
"Books, food, probably should get you some warmer clothes." Sark muses
"How long will we stay?"
"We should be able to stay, as long as we avoid the normal high tech areas where we can be caught on video."
"And in this area?"
"Everyone minds their own business. It's a pretty rural area."
"Oh."
"There is a doctor in town... and a hospital in the next town... which is twenty miles away." Sark glances at Sydney. "We should be able to stay anonymous."
Sydney nods
As he drives Sark glances at Sydney as she stares out the car window as she strokes her middle absently. 'Christ she's beautiful.' He mentally shakes his head, 'Don't go there, Sark.'
LATE EVENING: GROCERY STORE
"Well we managed to get to town when it's still light out." Sark pulls into the parking spot. He looks at Sydney, "You OK?"
Sydney nods, "Starting to get tired."
"If you want we can just get enough for dinner and breakfast then we can come back tomorrow and get everything else."
"We might as well do it now." Sydney unbuckles the seatbelt then gets out of the car following Sark.
"Grab what you want. I'll get the necessities... milk, bread, and eggs things like that."
Sydney enters the small grocery store ahead of Sark. She makes her way through the store grabbing what she wants. After a while she joins Sark at the counter
"Everything you want?" Sark asks
Sydney nods
"I'll finish up here. Can you open the trunk when I come out?"
Sydney nods walking out of the store.
"She's a beautiful woman Mr. Langley." The grocer Mr. Tyler states approvingly. "It has been a long time since you've been here." He remarks as he rings everything up.
"Been busy." Sark shrugs "If anyone asks..."
"Haven't seen you."
Sark nods waiting for the items to be rung up.
"156.39"
Sark hands the man the bills, "Keep the change."
"I'll help you take the bags out." Mr. Tyler puts the money in the cash register then moves around the counter taking the bags he follows the younger man out to the car. As they step outside the cars trunk pop open.
"There's going to be some packages delivered to the store. Let me know when they arrive?" Sark asks as he closes the trunk.
"I will. Enjoy your vacation." Mr. Tyler walks back into the store.
Sark gets into the car looking at Sydney "It's another half hour."
Sydney nods
HALF HOUR LATER: CABIN
Sark pulls up to the cabin
"Wow." Sydney says as she sees the view, "This is an incredible view."
"Everything has grown since I was last here." Sark remarks as he steps out of the car.
Sydney opens the car door and gets out stretching as she looks around, "Never thought you'd be the outdoors type."
"I adjust." Sark shrugs walking up the front door he removes a brick to reveal a key. He unlocks the door. He opens the door turning on the lights for the porch, "Take whatever room you want. There are sheets and blankets in the closets. The water should be hot by now so if you want to take a shower. I'll bring in everything and start dinner. What do you want?"
"Anything. Want help with dinner?"
"No I got it."
"All right." Sydney heads into the cabin looking around. She smiles at the black leather furniture all about the room with a large fireplace and bookcases filled with books, 'Suits him. Dark yet comfortable.' She frowns 'Did I equate Sark with comfortable? That doesn't seem to go hand in hand... at least maybe not the old Sark... perhaps he has changed. I guess we'll have to see.' She looks at her middle then continues to walk around. 'Nice sized kitchen.' She heads further back into the cabin opening doors to reveal a pantry/laundry room, a large bathroom with a shower, a large bathtub... 'Sark a bathtub person? Nah. Sweet bathroom though.' She closes the door opening the door on the left side to find a bedroom. She enters the bedroom and looks around awed by the mahogany furniture. 'Wow.' She goes to the window opening the drape slightly she smiles at the view, 'He was right... it's an incredible place.' She starts slightly as she feels a sharp kick to her middle and smiles, 'You like this place... so do I.'
Sark carries in the last of the groceries and sets them on the counter. He notices Sydney looking around the living room with a look of surprise and awe, 'I keep surprising her.' He smiles faintly then heads back out to the car. 'I like surprising her.'
WHILE LATER
Sydney stops in her tracks when she sees Sark in the kitchen moving about making dinner, 'Sark in the kitchen... never thought I'd see that.'
"Dinner's almost ready." Sark announces without turning around.
"I made the beds." Sydney informs him sitting at the kitchen table with a sigh.
"Which room did you take?"
"Left." Sydney answers "Smells good. I didn't think you would be the type of guy who cooked."
Sark shrugs "There's a lot you don't know about me."
"I'm getting that." Sydney says dryly. "How long have you had this place?"
"Four or five years." Sark says thoughtfully. "I used to come here a few times a year. When I bought it I had it remodeled to this. The people who remodeled this place never saw me."
"And of course no one around here knows you as Sark."
"No. Langley."
Sydney nods watching as he puts food on a plate and sets it before her. "Thanks."
"What do you want to drink?"
"Milk, please." She begins to eat as he sets a glass next to her.
AFTER MIDNIGHT
As he heads to his room Sark frowns when he hears a whimper coming from Sydney's room. He stands there debating whether or not to go in. 'Should I? She's probably just going to yell at me or hit me. But if she's having a nightmare she's going to be bitchy in the morning.' He sighs opening the door he walks into the room and goes to the bed and gently shakes Sydney. "Sydney"
Sydney awakens with gasp shoving Sark's hand away, "Don't touch me."
"Nightmare?"
Sydney nods "Thanks." She says reluctantly.
Sark nods "Didn't want you to bitch me out tomorrow because you didn't sleep." He smirks then stands, "Sleep well."
Sydney watches as he walks out of the room then once he closes the door she sighs, 'Stupid nightmares.' She wraps her arms around her middle then drifts back to sleep.
COUPLE MORNINGS LATER
Sark enters the living room where he finds Sydney curled up on the couch a blanket wrapped around her as she reads, "I'm going into town. Want to go with me?"
"I'm too tired."
"All right. Do you want anything?"
"Um chips."
"What kind?"
"Any."
"Anything else?"
"Peanut butter, um chocolate chip mint ice cream," Sydney frowns thoughtfully, "Marshmallows"
"All right, anything else?"
"Pickles, chocolate syrup, and whip cream... oh and some fruit."
"That all?" Sark asks amused
Sydney nods "That's it."
"I'll be back in a couple hours. Are you sure you don't want anything else?"
"I'm sure."
"Magazines?"
"Have enough... for now."
"All right." Sark pulls on his jacket grabbing his keys off the table. "Be back in a few hours." He walks out of the cabin.
COUPLE HOURS LATER
Sark walks into the cabin to find Sydney asleep on the couch as the fire dies down. Setting the bags on the counter he quickly puts the freezer and refrigerator foods away. He grabs a blanket off the back of the leather chair and carefully covers Sydney with it. He gently brushes a stray strand of hair off her forehead.
Feeling the gentle touch Sydney slowly opens her eyes and stares at Sark searching his eyes, 'Beautiful eyes... so intense.'
Slowly Sark brushes his knuckle down Sydney's cheek, 'God she's beautiful.' He brushes his thumb across her lips, 'So beautiful.' He pulls himself out of his thoughts and speaks, "Have you had lunch?" He asks straightening up.
"No." Sydney says unsteadily.
"What do you want to eat?" Sark asks heading into the kitchen.
Sydney slowly sits up staring at Sark, "Not sure. What is there?"
"I picked up some fresh minestrone."
"Sounds good... with a grilled cheese sandwich?"
"Sure."
EARLY AFTERNOON
"Wow." Sydney says awed as she sees the lake. "This is incredible." She sits on a rock and winces her hand going to her side.
"You OK?" Sark asks
Sydney nods tucking her hair behind her ear, "He's getting stronger. Sometimes I briefly forget I'm pregnant then... he reminds me. He likes to remind me... a lot."
Sark sits next to her, "Are you going to tell me what the big secret is?"
Sydney shrugs "I'm not sure. Part of me feels like I can trust you with it... then I remember everything that happened." She sighs "It's hard to totally forget about the times you tried to kill me."
"Hey you tried to kill me as well."
"Yes but you were paid to kill me by my own boss who was practically an Uncle for years... and by my Mother."
"Actually Irina ordered me not to kill you."
"Then why did you always try?"
"I never tried... if I wanted to kill you Sydney I would have. Irina knew about Sloane suspicions and what he ordered me to do. She in turn told me to make it look like I was trying to kill you when we went head to head for artifacts... but she told me if I did kill you she would kill me."
"Self preservation kept me alive, huh?"
"Partially"
"Why partially?"
"You amused me. No one challenged me like you. I liked it... kept me busy."
"Did you kill Danny?"
"No. After Irina found out what Sloane had ordered she ordered me to find out who killed him."
"Did you?"
Sark nods "I handed them over to Irina personally... and let's just say it was painful."
"Good."
"Have you given any thought you calling your father?"
"I know I should... to at least warn him about the Covenant."
"But?"
Sydney stands walking to the waters edge, "Letting him know I'm alive means he'll start looking for me. If he starts looking then the Covenant will up their search. I can't go back... I can't let them get their hands on my baby." She looks at the ground biting her lip wiping at the tears that fall.
Sark joins her reaching out he gently urges Sydney to lift her head and look at him, "Your parents would do anything to protect you... and your baby. It may scare you to trust Irina but I think trusting your parents right now, is what you need to do."
"I want too but I'm scared."
"You're a Bristow... being scared is something you and your parents have always pushed pass and done what you had to do." He brushes at the tears with his thumbs. He searches her eyes then silently groans, 'What the hell... she's bound to hit me one of these days.' He gently brushes his lips across hers then pulls back meeting Sydney's stunned gaze, "Going to hit me?" He asks with a smirk.
"Why'd you kiss me?" Sydney asks softly stunned by the brief yet sweet kiss.
"Felt like it." Sark shrugs "Going to hit me or not?" He asks as he brushes the back of his fingers down her cheek.
"No." Sydney says shakily her mind going in two directions, run and stay. 'Sark kissed me. I should hit him... but I don't want too. What is going on with me? Its Sark... enemy... assassin... God it's been so long since anyone has kissed me.' She shivers as he brushes his thumb across her lower lip.
Sark searches Sydney's gaze, 'Christ I want to kiss her again... but I shouldn't. But then again she's going to hit me for something sooner or later... might as well fulfill a long time fantasy.' He presses his lips against hers slowly urging her into sweet yet intense kiss.
Sydney breaks the kiss and steps back staring at Sark, "Don't do that." She whispers
"Sorry had too."
"Well don't." Sydney starts towards the path leaving Sark staring after her.
Sark smirks 'I'm getting to her.' He follows Sydney up the path back to the house.
THAT NIGHT
Sydney lies in bed thinking about the kiss and the feelings she felt, 'He kissed me. Why would I let Sark kiss me?' She asks herself, 'Because you've always wanted to know what it would be like to kiss him.' A small voice answers. 'He is a great kisser. But that doesn't surprise me... he's Sark. Why did that kiss make me feel... anything for him? Why would that simple kiss from Sark make my heart pound?' She touches her lips, 'Because he's Sark... the forbidden.' She closes her eyes taking a deep breath, 'I'm so confused.'
NEXT DAY
Sark looks at Sydney who is obviously ignoring him, "Sydney about yesterday" he begins
Sydney bites her lip, "Don't"
"Sydney you can't ignore it."
Sydney stands glaring at him, "I can and will." Sydney starts to walk away when Sark grabs her arm "Sark let me go"
"Not until we discuss this"
"What's to discuss? You kissed me... and it's not going to happen again." 'Even if we want it too.'
"Come on Sydney you enjoyed that second kiss... don't deny it." Sark reaches out brushing her hair behind her ear. "You wouldn't have kissed me back if you didn't want too."
Sydney swallows heavily, "Yes I kissed you back. But it shouldn't have happened. It can't happen again." She pulls her arm out of his grasp and walks away.
'It will happen again... and next time you will be the one who starts it.' Sark thinks a plan beginning to form.
Sydney enters the bedroom and takes a deep breath, "It won't happen again. Sark is still somewhat my enemy." She winces at the protesting kick, "He may be helping me protect you but once he knew... he'd probably hand you over to them." She hugs herself. 'I won't let him kiss me again... and I won't kiss him.'
