CHAPTER 7
NEXT MORNING: COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Sydney enters the classroom and smiles faintly when she sees her former lover Michael Vaughn standing before the desk finishing off his French lecture.
Seeing Sydney Vaughn swallows heavily, "All right I'll see you guys tomorrow."
As the classroom empties Sydney makes her way down, "So you're a teacher now... kind of ironic you're doing what I wanted to do."
"So you're really alive." His eyes go to her middle, "And pregnant."
Sydney looks at her middle and smiles faintly, "Yeah"
"Eric wanted to let me know in case we saw each other."
"Yeah I guess it is a shocker. You should have seen Dad's expression when he realized it." 'And Sark's.' She says dryly.
"How are you?" Vaughn asks
"Pretty good. Trying to figure things out."
"Going back to work?"
"Not yet. Dixon and Dad have to finish up the paperwork on me and explain my return." Sydney shrugs "Today I'm just running errands." She notices the ring on his finger, "Congratulations on the marriage."
Vaughn looks at his ring smiling faintly, "Thanks." He looks at Sydney, "Sydney I..."
"It's fine. People move on. You moved on by getting married... me I ended up pregnant."
"So um where have you been?"
"Not really sure. Dad is looking into everything. He's angry"
"Jack angry... not good." Vaughn says dryly
Sydney smiles slightly, "No its not."
"So you don't know where you were?"
Sydney shakes her head, "They kept me inside at all times... unless they moved me."
"If you don't mind..." Vaughn nods at her middle "who's the father?"
Sydney bites her lip, 'What do I tell him? Vaughn knows me as well as Dad. He knows when I'm lying.' "It's complicated." She hedges
Vaughn nods
"I should go... I have some errands to run before I meet Dad for lunch." Sydney turns walking up the steps she stops, "Vaughn"
"Yeah"
"Why'd you believe it?" Sydney looks at him, "Why did you automatically believe I was dead?"
"I didn't. It took me months and a lot of convincing and looking over the evidence. I didn't want to believe it but the evidence was there."
"Dad didn't believe it. Why would you believe evidence over my father?" Sydney demands
"If you saw the evidence you would have believed it as well Sydney."
"No I would have given you the benefit of the doubt... or at least would have waited longer than nine months to start dating!" Sydney hisses
"Sydney"
"But I am over it... I have no choice. You're married... I'm about to be a Mom. I can't waste my time wishing that things were the way I remember. I have to concentrate on my son now so I'm going to deal with it."
"Why are you here than Sydney? To remind me that I gave up?"
"No... to say goodbye." Sydney says sadly. "Though I never thought I'd have to do that. Goodbye Michael... and good luck."
"Sydney" Vaughn calls as Sydney walks out of his classroom.
Sydney blinks back tears as she walks away. 'I'll be fine.' She tells herself. 'I've had my heart broken my whole life.'
EARLY EVENING: HOUSE
Feeling a light and gentle touch Sydney opens her eyes and grins sleepily, "Hey. What are you doing here?"
Sark smiles "Just wanted to see how your doing." He brushes his knuckle down her cheek. "You've been crying." He states "What happened?"
"I went and saw Vaughn."
"And he made you cry?"
"No it's just... when I saw him I realized that things really have changed. I mean he's doing what I wanted to do since I was little and now... I may never be able to do it."
"You'll figure out a way to be a teacher." Sark assures
"I guess."
"How did the debriefing go?" Sark inquires
"Fine. They avoided asking me the question I know everyone wants answered."
"Who his father is." Sark finishes
Sydney nods "I guess everyone is assuming I was raped."
"In a way you were."
"I know." Sydney sighs "You know if Dad finds out you're here... he is going to go ballistic."
"He won't know." Sark assures "Already checked the house for surveillance." He brushes her hair back, "You do realize that you are being watched."
"I know. Dixon assigned a couple agents to keep an eye on me. They've kept their distance all day." She shrugs "How'd you get in here?"
"Through the backyard."
"And how are you going to get out of here?"
"Same way I got in." Sark shrugs
"You should be lucky that Dad won't be home until 8 or so."
"I see you went shopping."
"I need something to wear to work." Sydney shrugs "I don't fit in my old clothes and can't wear what I have to work."
"How's Jr. Bristow?"
"He's fine."
Sark nods
"So why are you here? Really."
"I'm on my way to see Irina."
"Oh."
"Just wanted to let you know so you don't think I've rejoined with her."
Sydney nods "So are you going to kiss me or what?"
"You always have been direct." Sark smirks leaning down he kisses her lightly.
Sydney smiles against his lips, "Hi"
"Hi" he murmurs
"We're not having sex in my Dad's house."
"All right" Sark settles beside her on the bed leaning against the head board. "How'd the visit with Vaughn go?"
Sydney rests her head on his chest, "Fine. Got things said."
"Are you ready to move on?" Sark runs his fingers through Sydney's hair.
"I have no choice. Vaughn's married and I'm going to have a baby. It's time for us to move on." She shrugs
"How about the rest of them?"
"Remember Marshall?"
Sark frowns "The short little guy who asked me if I was going to kill him over something?"
"Yeah."
"Vaguely."
"Well he's married. His wife Carrie is due around the same time I am."
"Jr. Bristow will have a playmate then."
"Yeah."
"Glad to be home?"
Sydney nods "Yeah. I missed Dad and Dixon and everyone."
"I know"
"What are you going to see Irina about?"
"Help her find out what happened while you were with them."
Sydney nods
"When are you going back to work?"
"Few days."
"Be careful huh?"
"I'm on desk." Sydney scowls
"Figured that but still be careful."
"Weird."
"What is?"
"This whole thing, whatever it is that's going on between us."
"I know."
"I mean you actually sound like you care about me." Sydney remarks
"Well don't let it get out that I give a damn about my adversary."
Sydney laughs "I don't think anyone would believe it."
"No they wouldn't." Sark agrees with a chuckle.
"Can I ask you something?"
"You'll ask me regardless."
"Do you ever think you might have made the wrong choice in putting your daughter up for adoption?"
"I have a few times but most of the time I know she's better off." Sark shrugs "Besides I had no legal rights to her. I never signed the birth certificate and no one but Rebecca and Irina ever knew I was Faith's father. Rebecca's sister signed the adoption papers."
"Oh" Sydney yawns
"Tired still?"
"I slept two hours." Sydney shrugs
Sark nods "How is Jack taking all of this?"
"Fine. He's fine with me staying here."
"How long?"
"Not sure. I think I might stay until he's born." Sydney muses "Make it easier than to move while pregnant."
"So he's dealing with his impending Grandpahood."
"Yeah. He's not jumping for joy but I get that. He'll be fine with it."
"Decided on a name yet?"
"No. Any ideas?"
"You could always name him after me." Sark smirks
"God you have the biggest ego I've ever seen." Sydney laughs
"Hey" Sark protests "I don't have an ego"
"Yes you do. You are such an egomaniac." Sydney lightly hits him on the stomach.
"I am not"
"Yes you are." Sydney returns
"Even if I am you adore me." Sark smirks
"Do not"
"Do too"
"Do not"
"Don't be a child Sydney. You bloody adore me."
"Oh shut up." Sydney moves up kissing him lightly.
"See told you"
"Just because I kiss you, doesn't mean I adore you." Sydney groans "Oh hell" she kisses him again.
LATER
"And you said you didn't want to have sex in Jack's house." Sark chuckles
Sydney groans "If he ever found out he'd kill us both."
"Like, I'm going to tell him." Sark mutters
"Damn hormones." Sydney grumbles
Sark looks at the clock, "I should get going." He kisses her shoulder then gets out of bed searching for his clothes.
Sydney watches as he dresses, "So you know where Mom is?"
"Not entirely. I'm meeting her somewhere."
"Dad wants me to trust her."
"Do you?"
"I'm trying but it's a process. He's having a hard time believing you won't hand me over to the Covenant."
"I said I won't and I won't."
"I know"
"I'm a little surprised that you are trusting me." Sark remarks sitting on the edge of the bed. "It used to be you'd threaten to castrate me or gut me."
"If you betray me I will." Sydney says solemnly.
"I said I won't betray you and I won't."
"I'm trying to believe that Sark... I want to believe it. I am trusting you Sark, you the guy who's tried to kill me more times than I can count, to protect my son."
"I know one thing about the Bristow family... they'd do anything and kill anyone to protect their offspring. I won't betray you Sydney... or him."
Sydney nods "Good." She winces "Well his nap time is over." She rubs her side.
"I will contact Jack in a few days and send him anything we do find."
"All right."
"I'll see you later." Sark kisses her quickly. "Be careful."
"You too." Sydney watches as he walks out of the bedroom. 'Good luck.'
8PM
Sydney looks up from the TV as she hears the front door open, "Hey Dad"
Jack walks into the living room, "Hi sweetheart. How was your day?"
"Fine."
Jack notices the piles of clothes, "Doing laundry?"
"Yeah." Sydney looks up "There's Chinese in the refrigerator."
"All right." Jack tosses an envelope on the couch, "Here's all you need. You'll need to sign the reinstatement papers and get your ID pictures tomorrow."
"OK thanks Dad."
"Oh the payments have been deposited in your savings."
"You didn't close it?"
"No. My name was on the account as well so I just kept it open. All that was in your checking account was transferred into your savings and the checking account was closed."
"I'll reopen a checking account later this week."
"Your explanation for where you've been in case you run into anyone from before is that you were traveling Europe to get away from Will and Francie's deaths."
Sydney winces "Dad is Will"
"He's fine. He was put in Witness Relocation. I don't know where but I get reports that he's fine and doing well. They found him unconscious in the bathtub after the explosion."
"Who knows he's alive?"
"Only Dixon, Kendall, and I. We all agreed that we can't know where he is. But I knew you'd want me to be sure he's OK."
"I'm glad he's OK." Sydney whispers "I never should have let him get stuck in the middle of this."
"Well he's not anymore. He's living the life you would have wanted for him. He's happy. Last I heard he had a girlfriend... she's been checked out as has everyone he comes in contact with."
Sydney bites her lip, "I wish I could see him and say I was sorry for getting him involved."
"It's better for him if he doesn't know you're alive."
"I guess."
"What did you do other than shop?" Jack asks as he grabs one of the cartons from the refrigerator.
"Took a nap." Sydney mutes the TV. "Sark showed up."
Jack pauses mid step, "What did he want?"
"To tell me he's on his way to see Mom. He didn't want us to think he'd gone over to the side of evil again." Sydney rolls her eyes
"I don't like the idea of him being near you."
"Dad can we not argue about this" Sydney slowly stands walking into the kitchen she opens a cabinet removing a bag of chips. "He hasn't hurt me and I don't think he will. Think about it... you guys haven't heard from him in over two years."
"That doesn't mean he wasn't plotting."
"Its Sark... he's incapable of not plotting. He plots everything." Sydney leans against the counter, "And as hard as it is to believe I don't think he'll try anything."
"You're putting a lot into a man you once despised."
"Dad he didn't tell them where I was when I went to him. He had a lot of time to try something and he didn't."
"Fine. I will try to trust your judgment on him."
"I'm trusting yours on telling Mom the truth." Sydney reminds
"Sydney there's something I need to warn you about."
"What?"
"Marcus informed me that Vaughn has also asked for reinstatement and his wife has been assigned to us to investigate your return."
"Why is he coming back? I thought he was happy where he was."
"He never really left. He took a long vacation with the option to return at any time. His job at the college was temporary while the professor was on maternity leave."
"Oh."
"Are you going to be OK with this Sydney?"
"His choice. I'll be fine." Sydney assures "Have you met his wife?"
"Once before they married and she's made visits on business since they married."
"Sark told me some about her but not a lot. What's she like?"
"She's not you."
"That's a Dad response." Sydney laughs "Truthfully Dad what's she like?"
"Decent. She's friendly."
"But?"
"Something about her bothers me. Something I can't put my finger on."
"So I guess I'll meet her."
"It will be a few days."
Sydney nods
"Will you be OK with this?"
"I'll deal."
"I know you will." Jack smiles
"I'll be fine Dad." Sydney assures
"Good." Jack nods
NEXT MORNING: CIA
"Hey Marshall" Sydney enters the techies office.
Marshall smiles, "Sydney. How's everything? How's baby Bristow?"
"Oh he's good, taking a break from beating me up." Sydney rubs her side affectionately.
"Oh before I forget." Marshall leans down and picks up a bag, "Here"
"Marshall you didn't have too"
"Wanted too. I saw it and thought 'this has baby Bristow written all over it.'"
Sydney reaches into the bag and removes a stuffed bear wearing sunglasses and a little suit. "Marshall this is adorable." Sydney grins, "Thanks."
"You're welcome." Marshall grins "So you must be here to talk about my new gadgets."
"Yep."
"Ahh chair." Marshall says suddenly jumping up he pushes a chair to the table.
"Thanks." Sydney sits down "All right tell me all I need to know."
"I'm glad your back Sydney."
Sydney smiles, "So am I Marshall."
NOON
Jack joins Sydney at her desk "What's this?" He asks picking up the small bear.
"Gift from Marshall. To paraphrase it's baby Bristow type." Sydney smiles at the bear.
"Well all three Bristows need lunch. So come on"
"Dad you don't need to baby me." Sydney protests
"I'm not. I'm hungry and I bet my Grandson is as well so let's go." Jack prompts
"All right." Sydney sighs
COUPLE HOURS LATER: CIA
Jack notices the sadness flash across Sydney's face when she notices Vaughn talking with his wife, Lauren Reed. "Are you going to be OK with this Sydney?"
Sydney looks at her Dad, "I'll be fine." She gives him a small smile, "Really." She assures. "He has his marriage to concentrate on... I have him." She gestures to her middle. "It'll be weird for a while but" she shrugs "we've moved on."
"You've learned to be more rational over these last few years." Jack muses
Sydney shrugs "Rational was needed more than emotional."
"If you need me" Jack offers broadly.
"I know where to find you." Sydney smiles and walks to her desk seemingly ignoring Vaughn. She returns to her desk to go over mission profiles connected to her past. 'I'll be fine.' She tells herself smiling faintly when she feels a thud, 'Sorry baby, we'll be fine.' She corrects
"Hey Syd"
Sydney stiffens briefly then looks up to see Vaughn, "Hey Vaughn. I heard you decided to come back."
"It won't be official for a few days. Just came in to take care of the paperwork." Vaughn explains "Lauren's transferring here."
"So I heard." Sydney says calmly. "Why'd you decide to come back?"
"I need answers just like you do. It wasn't only your life they screwed with Sydney... it was everyone's."
"Fine. Welcome back but stay away from me. We were done before you married your wife. We were done the day you decided to stop believing in me." Sydney says sadly. "Only way to move on is for you to walk away and stay away. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get back to work." She turns back to her work.
Vaughn sighs walking away.
Sydney takes a deep breath, 'Hopefully he'll stay away.'
CHAPTER 8
MONTH LATER: HOUSE
Sydney sits on the couch with a sigh
"Tired?" Jack asks
Sydney nods "He's finally taking a break. He's been active all day."
"I bet." Jack tosses his coat on the back of the recliner, "You were as well especially the last month."
Sydney yawns
"How was your check up?" Jack asks as he heads into the kitchen.
"Fine. Doc said we're healthy."
"Good." Jack opens the refrigerator "Hungry?"
"Any pizza left?"
"Yes."
"I'll take two pieces."
"Heated?"
"Cold."
"What do you want to drink?"
"Milk." Sydney requests turning on the TV.
"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Jack inquires
"I'm going baby shopping with Carrie." Sydney answers
"Then I'm sending agents to keep an eye on you." Jack calls
"Dad" Sydney whines "I don't need a babysitter."
"Either you allow them to go along or you aren't going." Jack says firmly.
"I'm not five Dad." Sydney grumbles
"And the Covenant would take any chance they can to grab you."
"They haven't since." Sydney points out. "They've pretty much left me alone."
"For now. The closer you get to your due date the more likely they'll take you." Jack hands her the plate and glass of milk. "I will make sure the agents stay in the background unless need be."
"Oh fine." Sydney grumbles biting into a piece of pizza.
"You know why I'm doing this Sydney."
"I know your being the overprotective Dad and Grandpa." Sydney says impishly.
"It's my job." Jack chuckles "Oh before I forget... I checked storage yesterday."
"What for?"
"I was hoping to find your baby album."
"I thought I had it." Sydney says surprised
"Your mother made two; one for you to take when you were older and one for us."
"Well mines gone." Sydney grumbles
"Well I found the other one as well as your old crib and changing table."
"You still have it?" Sydney says surprised looking at her Dad who is in the kitchen.
"Apparently." Jack replies "I also found a box of your old baby toys and stuffed animals. I guess I put it all in there when I moved in here."
"I thought you would have gotten rid of my crib and stuff."
"Well I didn't. The crib seems in decent condition... just needs a new mattress and to be cleaned up. Do you want to use it or buy a new one?"
"Might as well use it." Sydney shrugs
"I'll have them brought to the house this weekend and we can get them cleaned up." Jack notices a box on the table and sighs 'Might as well.' He picks up the box and carries it over to Sydney, "I received this today from Reed. She had a meeting the other day with Sloane. It's been checked out." He sets it beside Sydney.
"What is it?" Sydney asks warily as she looks at the box.
"Not sure."
Sydney picks up the box and carefully opens it half expecting it to blow up in her hands. She opens the box to find a letter with Sloane's writing. She opens the letter and reads aloud, "Sydney, Emily bought this for you when she discovered things between you and Daniel were serious. I had forgotten about it until I heard your news. I found it and knew she'd want you to have it. Congratulations and good luck Arvin." Sydney looks at her Dad then pushes back the tissue to reveal a silver plated baby rattle and smiles faintly. "Definitely something Emily would think of."
"Wonder who told him." Jack muses
Sydney sighs, "Probably Reed. She's the only one with access to him. And the only one who doesn't know the full story."
"No Vaughn assured me that Lauren would never divulge anything about your pregnancy."
"He found out somehow." Sydney shrugs
"He probably found out from his own sources. Everyone else knows better than to say anything about you. Dixon would never tell him."
"I know."
"You could always send it back to him." Jack remarks
"No... it's from Emily. It just happened to be in his possession."
"How do you know it's from Emily?"
"Its something she'd do."
"Yes it is." Jack agrees "She was a good woman despite Arvin."
Sydney nods "Yeah she was." She looks back at the rattle, "Dad"
"Hmm?"
"Think he'll turn out normal or how they want?"
"You'll raise him as well as you can... how he ends up as an adult is his choice."
"I guess." Sydney sighs
"He'll be fine Sydney." Jack assures
"I hope so."
LATE NEXT MORNING: MALL
"Getting excited?" Carrie Flinkman asks as they look through racks of baby clothes.
"Yeah I think so." Sydney answers after a moment of thought, "How about you? I know Marshall's on cloud nine."
Carrie laughs "Yeah he's looking forward to teaching him how to make all sorts of gadgets. He can't wait to buy him his first computer."
"Doesn't surprise me." Sydney laughs "Have you decided on a name?"
"We've agreed on David as a first name but we're disagreeing on the middle name. Marshall wants Robert after his Dad. I want Christopher after my uncle. What about you? Have you decided on a name?"
"No. I've been going through them but can't find one that I like. He needs something all his own." 'Not Daniel, not Michael and sure as hell not Milo.'
"Makes sense."
Sydney sighs as her phone rings. Fishing it out of her pocket she flips it open, "Hi Dad" she rolls her eyes at Carrie. "Yes everything is fine. Will you stop worrying. Your guards aren't far away." She sighs "Yes I promise." She hangs up looking at Carrie, "He's starting to get obsessive and majorly overprotective."
"Five has Marshall hacked into the mall security cameras." Carrie offers
Sydney laughs "Probably. Between Dad, Dixon, Marshall and Weiss and even Vaughn" 'And Sark' "I can't go anywhere without telling them where I'm going and how long I'm going to be gone." She rolls her eyes. "I know they just want to protect me but it's annoying."
"Look I was on the outside but I can tell you all of them especially your Dad, Dixon, Marshall and Vaughn took it hard. Marshall in a way took it worse than everyone else."
"Yeah Dad and Dixon have a good hold on their emotions." Sydney muses "I understand why they want to protect me but still"
"I'm sure once they finish everything they'll stop being so obsessive."
"Let's hope." Sydney sighs
LATE EVENING: HOUSE
Sydney shakes her head when she walks into the living room to find Sark on the couch, "What are you doing here? Does Dad know your here?"
"Hey Kitten. Did some shopping I see." Sark nods at the bags in the corner.
"Babies need things." Sydney shrugs tossing her jacket on the chair. "So you didn't answer my question does Dad know you're here?"
"Not entirely. He knows I'm on my way but thinks I won't be here until later."
At his expression Sydney sighs "Not going to happen."
"Said that last time"
"I'm tired. All I want right now is to relax. I shopped all day."
"With Marshall's wife."
Sydney nods sitting beside Sark wincing at the sudden movements of her son, "Hey come on kid." She rubs her side.
"How are you doing?"
"Good. Doc said we're both fine."
Sark nods "Oh Irina wanted me to give you this." Sark reaches over grabbing a small wrapped present off the coffee table handing it to Sydney.
"What is it?"
"I'm not sure. She just gave it to me before I left. As well as this." Sark reaches into his suit pocket removing an envelope he hands it to Sydney.
Sydney opens the envelope removing a piece of paper she reads
'Dearest Sydney,
I may not be much of a mother but you despite everything will be ten times the mother I ever was or could be. You'll raise a good son who will do great things. A child who will be able to go beyond everything we've ever seen or heard. I will do my best to keep any Rambaldi fanatics from coming after him. I know you do not trust me but do trust I love you, my little girl.
Jack told me you lost this in the explosion and I thought you'd like a new one so you could read it to your baby like I read it to you.
Good luck Sydney.
All my love, Mom.'
Sydney bites her lip trying not to cry. She looks at the package on her lap 'Is this what I think it is?'
"Going to open it?"
Sydney sighs "I guess." She carefully opens the package to find a book and smiles when she sees the title.
"What is it?"
"A first edition of Alice in Wonderland. She used to read it to me every night before bed. It was one of the items I wanted most... other than my pictures." She bites her lip not wanting to cry. "Once when I was sick I convinced Will to read to me."
"Mr. Tippin was always a pushover when it came to you."
"Yeah he was." Sydney agrees "One time when Francie was busy with Charlie I convinced him to go shopping with me. Dragged the poor guy throughout the mall." Sydney giggles at the memory. "Another time Francie and I dragged him shopping for dresses because we wanted his opinion. He swore he'd never ever go clothes shopping with us again."
"Come here kitten." Sark pulls her close kissing her head. "I know you miss them."
"I do. I remember once we talked about the future and we promised we'd be godparents to each others kids. Not going to happen now." Sydney says sadly. 'Will can't even know about him.' She sighs, "Read to me?"
"Sure." Sark takes the book opening to the first page.
COUPLE HOURS LATER
Jack walks into his house and scowls to find Sark sitting on the recliner as Sydney sleeps on the couch. "What are you doing here?" He demands softly as he nods towards the kitchen.
Sark glances at Sydney then stands joining Jack in the kitchen, "Here" He hands Jack a CD. "This is a list of all of the minor players involved in Sydney's disappearance."
"How'd you get it?"
"What I had to do." Sark shrugs "Also... Alison Dorne's alive."
"Where?"
"She'll be laid up for a while."
"What happened?"
"She got in my way." Sark says coldly.
"And you didn't kill her?"
"Came close but" Sark shrugs "I left her alive for Irina to deal with at a later time." He smirks "And what Irina will do to Alison if she gets her hands on her would be ten times worse than what I could ever do."
"I bet." Jack says dryly. "What happened with her?"
"Irina sent her a present." At Jack's expression Sark explains, "First edition of Alice in Wonderland. She asked me to read to her and she fell asleep."
"She always loved that book." Jack muses
"How is she doing?"
"As well as can be. She still has nightmares from time to time. She's been getting ready for the baby. She starts her maternity leave next month... argued it but finally saw reason."
Sark nods "Once Alison is back on her feet she could come after Sydney." He warns
"We'll keep an eye out."
"Good." He glances at his watch, "I should get going."
"Anything on upper level Covenant members?"
"Getting there." Sark grabs his jacket off the back of the chair pulling it on, "Good luck." He walks out the back door.
Jack shakes his head looking at the couch, 'I'll wake her in a little while.'
COUPLE WEEKS LATER
"Thanks Eric." Sydney carefully sits on the bed watching as her friend puts the crib together. "Dad just got the crib back from being fixed and was supposed to put it together tomorrow but" She shrugs
"Not a problem. That's what I'm around for." Weiss grins "When is Jack going to be back?"
"Three nights. He was on panic mode." Sydney rolls her eyes "He made my promise that if anything weird happened I'd call Dixon right away."
"Hey you also have me." Weiss grins "Call me anytime even if its to just complain."
"Thanks." Sydney grins "Ow" she winces "Kid stop with the kicking."
"So you start your maternity leave next week. Excited?"
"God no, I'm dreading it. I'm going to go insane."
"Well it's only a month and a half until he's here." Eric reminds
"Yeah." Sydney smiles as she strokes her middle affectionately.
"What are you going to do tonight?"
"Go to bed early. I am exhausted." Sydney sighs
"How about dinner tomorrow night?" Eric asks "I'll come over and cook for you."
"Yeah sure."
8PM
Sydney starts in surprise when she feels arms wrap around her waist then smiles feeling a light kiss to her neck. "Hey"
"Kitten."
Sydney smiles as the baby kicks, 'You missed him didn't you?' She closes her eyes, 'I missed him as well. Weird I missed Sark.'
Sark chuckles feeling the baby kick, "He's happy."
Sydney nods "Always seems to kick around you. I think he likes you." She says softly.
"Mmm you smell good." Sark nuzzles her neck.
"Why are you here?"
"I heard Jack is out of town. I thought I'd come and see you."
"If you thought you'd get lucky won't happen."
"Think so little of me kitten? Perhaps I just came to see you and possibly get some sleep."
Sydney turns looking at Sark and frowns "You look like hell."
"I haven't slept much."
Sydney kisses him lightly, "If you're hungry there's leftover Mexican in the refrigerator."
"I'm fine."
"OK"
"But I could use another kiss" Sark smirks
Sydney grins, "Works for me" she pulls his head down kissing him sweetly.
WHILE LATER
Sydney sighs happily as Sark rubs her back as she lies in her bed. "That feels good." She moans
"How's work?" Sark asks
"It's fine, boring but fine."
"Miss being out there huh"
Sydney nods "Miss having your ass to kick."
Sark chuckles "Sure kitten."
Feeling his hand wander down to her ass Sydney turns her head glaring at Sark, "Don't even think about it."
Sark groans "Fine" He returns to massaging her lower back. "When did the crib go up?"
"Today. Dad was supposed to do it but since he's gone I told him I'd have Eric do it. Dad's supposed to pick up the new mattress when he gets back." Sydney looks at the crib.
"You are getting excited aren't you?"
"Yeah I guess I am." Sydney admits "It's weird though"
"What?"
"I never really thought about having kids... not even when I was with Danny or even before him. Now" she sighs "here I am"
Sark leans down kissing her shoulder, "About to be the mother of the first clone."
Sydney sighs "Is that all I am now?"
"No. You're gorgeous, tough, smart, funny, incredibly hot and sexy..." he groans "so many things."
"Trying to get into my good graces?"
"Somewhat."
Sydney shifts so she's facing Sark, "Its somewhat working."
"I know that this is hard Sydney but he had reasons... good ones for choosing you for this. Reasons beyond DNA"
"Like what?"
"Like your capacity to love and forgive. I think Rambaldi knew you'd be the best parent he could have. I think he knew you'd be able to give him the better chance."
"How'd he decide? How'd he know what would happen?" Sydney demands
"I'm not sure but I know you'll do what you can to make sure he's happy."
"I just don't want him to become a screwed up kid."
"We all end up screwed up in one way or another."
"One of the biggest things I wonder is... should I tell him? Or will he just know the truth? Then there's the question of who the hell is his father?"
"I've found a couple possibilities for the father issue but the only way to really know is to ask the members behind this plan. The question is... do you really want to know?"
Sydney sighs "I don't know"
"Figure out what you want Sydney." Sark runs his fingers through her hair. He leans in kissing her.
Sydney shivers at the light kiss then lifts her hand to his cheek deepening the kiss. 'One kiss and I want him... bad.' "Julian" she whispers
Sark smiles "I like hearing you say my name." He kisses her back.
LATER
Sark runs his fingers through Sydney's hair as her head lies on his chest, 'This feels right.' He closes his eyes shoving the rising emotions, 'No it can't be anything but what it is... companionship and sex.'
"Sark"
"Hmm"
"Stay?"
"I need leave before the sun comes up."
"OK. Wake me before you leave?"
"Sure."
Sydney rubs her cheek against his chest and slowly drifts off to sleep.
