CHAPTER 9

NEXT MORNING

Sydney groans hearing her alarm go off. She lifts her head and smiles seeing Sark fast asleep beside her. She moves up and lightly kisses him and smiles as he opens his eyes, "You slept late."

Sark looks at the clock and groans "Damn. I wanted to be out before the sun came up."

"You needed the sleep. Besides once I leave the house they'll follow me. You can sneak out then or wait until this evening... oh wait you can't. Eric's coming over tonight"

"Why?" Sark asks a brief hint of jealousy coating his voice.

Hearing the slight jealousy Sydney mentally smiles but remains calm as she answers, "He's making me dinner." She kisses Sark's chin then carefully sits up grabbing her robe off the back of the chair. She slips it on walking out of the bedroom to the bathroom across the hall.

Sark lies there his arm under his head watching as Sydney walks out of the room, 'Christ she's beautiful.'

A few minutes later Sydney returns to the bedroom joining Sark in bed she snuggles against him. "Morning"

"Morning kitten."

"Are you sticking around for a while or leaving?"

"I have some things to take care of. I'll be back in a few weeks to check in on you."

"OK"

"Don't you have work?"

"Yeah." Sydney sighs "Don't want to go"

"Then call in sick"

"I can't. Dixon would go on panic mode and drag me to the doctor." Sydney rolls her eyes, "He and Dad are being really overprotective."

"Does he know the truth?"

"No." Sydney sits up facing Sark, "Dad is adamant that no one knows, not even Dixon. I hate lying to Dixon. I lied to him for too long and he was so angry when he found out I had lied. I don't know if he'd forgive me if he found out I lied to him again."

"It's not really lying, Sydney. It's just not telling"

"To Dixon it's the same thing."

"If he knew I'm sure he'd understand that you were protecting him and everyone."

"I hope so."

"Come here" Sark pulls Sydney astride his lap and unties her robe looking her over.

Sydney nervously tucks her hair behind her ears as Sark looks her over. "What?"

Sark smirks when he sees her pinking cheeks, "You look incredible." He trails his fingers down her breasts.

Sydney shivers biting her lip, "Sark" She moans feeling his mouth on her nipple, "Oh Sark" she tangles her fingers in his hair.

"Say my name." Sark murmurs his eyes locking with Sydney's. "I like hearing my name." He turns his attention back to her breast.

"Julian" Sydney gasps

WHILE LATER

"You OK, kitten?" Sark asks softly as he hugs her while she slumps against him

Sydney nods wordlessly and turns her head accepting a brief, lazy kiss moaning at the familiar feeling of his mouth on hers. "I'm fine." Sydney says after a moment of calm breathing.

Sark glances at the clock, "You better get going... you'll be late."

"I know." Sydney sighs 'I just want to stay here and curl up with Sark.'

"Come on kitten. You don't want to worry your friends."

30 MINS LATER

Finally dressed, Sark lies on the bed watching as Sydney dresses, "Will you be fine on your own while Jack's gone?"

"I'm a big girl Sark." Sydney smiles faintly at him. "I'll be fine... besides the guard dogs are right across the street. Eric and Dixon are just a call away. And if I'm desperate Vaughn's not too far away."

"Just be careful huh?"

Sydney nods slipping into her shoes, "How long are you staying?"

"I'll leave soon."

"Where's your car?"

"A few blocks down the street."

"Just be careful, Sark. You know they'd love to bring you in, especially Vaughn."

"I'll be fine kitten." Sark stands joining Sydney in the middle of the room. "I have a lot I need to do before I let anyone especially that wuss of an ex of yours catch me."

"Don't call him a wuss." Sydney says annoyed.

"He is; any guy who walks away from you is a wuss."

"Well Noah would debate you on that one... actually he'd probably shoot you over that one." Sydney smiles sadly.

Sark kisses her forehead, "You better go."

Sydney nods walking out of her bedroom, "Make sure you lock up."

"I will." Sark walks with her to the door staying away from the front window.

LATE EVENING: HOUSE

Sydney opens the front door to find Weiss on the porch, "Hey Eric."

"Like spaghetti?"

"Yeah."

"Well I had some sauce in the freezer so I thought might as well use it."

Sydney shakes her head, "Need help?"

"Nah you relax. I promised Dixon I'd make sure you eat a decent dinner and relax. So go sit down watch some TV or something."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure. I have everything I need."

"All right. Call if you need anything." Sydney walks over to the couch and slowly sits.

"How's mini Bristow?" Weiss calls

"Getting big." Sydney says dryly. "It's starting to get hard to sit and stand."

"My sisters complained about that all the time." Weiss laughs as he takes the items out of the bags, "That and their eating habits."

"Mine aren't too bad. Dad did say they are similar to Mom's when she was pregnant, especially the peanut butter issue." Sydney looks over at her friend who is moving about the kitchen. "I go through a container of peanut butter every week or two. A few times I've made Dad go get me more in the middle of the night."

"Ouch for Jack."

"He's pretty good about it." Sydney shrugs

"So is he getting excited about being Grandpa?"

"Somewhat. He's getting there. I think what he's looking forward to the most is the not having to worry about us as much factor."

"He just worries with them out there."

"I know."

COUPLE HOURS LATER

"You're a pretty good cook." Sydney grins as she and Weiss clean up the dishes.

"Mom's influence, she didn't want me to turn out like my Dad and not be able to take care of myself. Dad's one of those guys who married just to so someone would clean up after him." Weiss says dryly.

"At least you can cook."

"I also clean, do laundry, and from time to time I actually iron."

"Oooh, hold back the women." Sydney grins

"Yeah they're stampeding to my door." Weiss says dryly.

"Oh they will." Sydney assures as she wipes the counter down.

"Sydney, can I ask you something?"

"Ask away"

"Why did you refuse to tell the bosses who the father is?" Weiss asks curiously.

"It's none of their business." Sydney answers with a shrug. "This is my private life despite the fact it happened because of business."

Weiss nods

"I'm sick of them butting into my private life... and I'm drawing the line at them butting into my son's life."

"Good for you."

"I just want him to be able to live a somewhat non intrusive life. I know he'll never be fully safe but still I want him to be safe from the people we work for."

"Come on Syd they wouldn't hurt him."

'If they knew the truth they'd test him.' "I won't risk it." Sydney says firmly.

Weiss nods

AFTER MIDNIGHT

Feeling a sharp prick Sydney awakens startled and struggles as she feels people hold her down. "Let me go!"

"Time to go home Bristow."

"Dorne" Sydney mutters as her eyes slowly shut "No" she mumbles 'Daddy'

"Take her to the car. They'll realize something is wrong when the guards don't answer." Alison Dorne removes her phone pressing a button, "It's done. Thanks." She hangs up "Be careful" she snaps "if she's injured we're dead."

SAME TIME: SOMEWHERE

Jack frowns the hairs on the back of his neck rise, "Sydney" he says softly as he grabs the phone dialing a number.

"Dixon" Dixon greets sleepily.

"I need you to send someone to check on Sydney... NOW" He listens as his friend sits up.

"Did she call you?" Dixon asks worried

"No... bad feeling Marcus. Check with them and call me back. I'm coming back."

"Jack I'm sure she's fine."

"Some thing isn't right."

"All right. I'll call them and call you back. If they don't answer I'll send some agents to the house."

"Good." Jack hangs up. A few minutes later his phone rings and he flips it open, "Well?"

"I called the agents and they didn't answer so I sent agents to the house. They should be there in ten minutes. I'll call you when I know something."

"Who saw her last?"

"Weiss. They had dinner together at your place. I told him not to stay late. I'll call him next."

"Call me as soon as you know anything." Jack hangs up and hurries out of the room.

WHILE LATER: CIA

"Damn" the agent mutters "Sir we found the agents"

"And?" Dixon demands over the com link.

"The agents are dead."

"Check the house." Dixon orders "See if Sydney's there." Dixon notices Weiss enter with Vaughn. "Eric what time did you leave Sydney?"

"Nine. She was going straight to bed." Weiss answers as he avoids looking directly at his best friend.

"What's going on Dixon?" Vaughn demands

"The agents assigned to watch the house are dead."

"Where's Sydney?" Weiss asks

"The agents I sent are checking the house now."

"Have you called Jack?" Vaughn questions

"He called me and asked me to check with the agents." Dixon answers

"Sir... the house is empty." The agent informs them. "No one is here. It looks like someone broke in through the front door after cutting the alarm."

"Damn" Dixon removes his phone dialing Jack's number, "Jack we have a problem... Sydney's gone. The agents watching the house are dead." Dixon listens "WHAT!" He sighs "Why didn't you inform me of this before? Yes OK." He hangs up. "Jack is on his way back. He suggested we look for Alison Dorne. According to his source Dorne is back in business... healed from her last confrontation with Mr. Sark."

"Why would Sark beat up his lover?" Weiss asks "As far as our records show he's never harmed any of his lovers."

"Apparently Sark has orders from Derevko to find out who took Sydney. Dorne was the first person he found. He left her alive for Derevko to deal with."

"Where is Sark?" Vaughn asks

"Right now Sark isn't the priority. Find Sydney." Dixon walks back to his office.

MEANWHILE: SOMEWHERE

Jack stops at a payphone and dials a number and once the other person picks up he speaks, "We have a problem. Someone... most likely Dorne broke into the house."

"Is Sydney all right?" Irina demands

"No... she's gone and two agents are dead."

Irina sighs "I will contact Sark and send him back to Los Angeles to help you."

Jack hangs up and walks to the waiting jet.

SAME TIME: RUSSIA

Irina picks up the phone dialing a number, "Sark we have a situation. You need to head back to Los Angeles and help Jack."

"Why?"

"Sydney's missing."

"I saw her last night."

Irina lifts her brow, "And why was that?"

"You asked me to keep an eye on her." Sark reminds

"Contact Jack and find out where to meet him. I want you to help them retrieve my daughter... at all costs. Do you know where they had originally planned to deliver the boy?"

"I believe somewhere in Switzerland. I'm not sure if that's still going to happen."

"Do they know you know?"

"No."

"Then that is where they'll most likely take her. Get her back Sark."

"Yes Irina." Sark hangs up

"Interesting." Irina says softly.

WHILE LATER: SOMEWHERE

Jack flips his phone open "Yes?"

"Irina told me to call you. I've been ordered to help you retrieve Sydney."

"Dixon knows you've been supplying me with the information on the Covenant"

"How?"

"They are most likely going to dust the house for fingerprints. I know they'd have questions as to why yours are in my living room."

"Jack they aren't only in the living room." Sark says almost hesitantly dreading Jack's reaction to the news.

"You were in my daughter's bedroom in my home" Jack says his voice calm yet hard.

"She couldn't sleep so I was reading to her. She fell asleep and I did as well." Sark lies, 'Let's hope he doesn't find out more.'

"Fine. I don't know how I'll explain that if they find your fingerprints there." Jack rubs his forehead. "You don't say a word about helping Sydney when she got away. We'll just tell them that once Irina knew she was back she ordered you to help me find out what happened."

"Not entirely a lie."

"Where are you?"

"Chicago." Sark answers "I'm on the jet to LA right now."

"Head to LA and call Dixon when you arrive. I will call Dixon and have him get you with one other person... not Vaughn, he'd be more likely to shoot you on sight."

"So will Dixon."

"Not if it gets Sydney back. Just don't piss them off Sark." Jack hangs up 'Wherever you are Sydney we are going to get you back.'

5 HOURS LATER: LA

Sark straightens up as he sees the car driving towards him. "This will be interesting." He mutters as the car stops in front of him. He removes his guns and knives setting them on the hood of the car wanting to save time. When he sees Dixon he steps away from the car, "I heard you're the new boss. Like it?"

"Shut up Sark. I'd rather shoot you than trust you." Dixon holds up a pair of handcuffs.

Sark sighs snapping the cuffs on himself as the second agent picks up the weapons. "Sorry about your agents."

Dixon scowls "You killed a lot of them."

"Not in a long time. I've retired."

"Your kind doesn't retire Sark."

"I did until Irina ordered me to find out what happened to Sydney." Sark shrugs as he walks with Dixon to the car and gets in the back seat.

Dixon goes around to the other side and gets in. "I don't trust you Sark."

"I know"

"Jack should be at the office soon."

"Good."

WHILE LATER: CIA

Sark looks up as Vaughn and Weiss enter the conference room, "Oh look who it is. So Vaughn how's the wife?"

Seeing the look on Vaughn's face Dixon speaks, "Vaughn as much as I hate Sark we currently need him in one piece."

"For what?" Vaughn demands "He's probably the one who took Sydney."

'He still loves her.' Sark realizes "For the record I have retired. I am only back as a favor to Irina to find out what happened to Sydney two years ago and where she was and who had her and why. That's it. Once that's done I'm done and gone."

"No you'll be in prison where you belong." Vaughn retorts

'In your dreams Boy Scout.' Sark thinks snidely

"Why don't we just throw him in there now?" Vaughn demands

"We can't. Sark has enough information to find Sydney." Dixon replies "So hold your anger for later."

Sark rolls his shoulders, "Any chance you can take these off?"

"No." Dixon sits behind a desk

"Come on what am I going to do with dozens of agents nearby?"

"The handcuffs stay on." Dixon says without looking up.

"I can't believe you're going to trust him." Vaughn says angrily "He's tried to kill me and Sydney... and you"

"We need him Michael." Dixon says firmly "Either deal with it or you're out of the mission to retrieve Sydney."

Sark inwardly applauds at the thought of Vaughn not being able to help Sydney. 'She doesn't need him anymore.' "Let him walk away seems like he's good at it."

Vaughn's eyes narrow "You know nothing Sark!"

"I know a lot more than you think I do." Sark smirks "I may have retired but I did know what went on while she was gone."

"You spied on us!" Vaughn exclaims

"I had to keep an eye on you so I could stay ahead." Sark shrugs just as Jack walks into the conference room he winces inside at the rage in the older man's eyes.

"Do you know where Dorne is?" Jack asks Sark immediately.

"I have an idea. I have the estimated place where they were going to deliver him." Sark answers "I beat it out of one of the guards... before I put a bullet in his head."

"Jack, why are you trusting him?" Vaughn demands "He's tried to kill us all"

"If I wanted to kill you Agent Vaughn... you'd be dead." Sark says coldly. 'You would be if she wasn't still in love with you. I won't break her heart like you did.' He looks at Jack "All I know is that they were planning to deliver him in Switzerland. I have no idea where or even when."

"I called Sydney's doctor on the flight." Jack sits down "He informed me that if they did happen to deliver him now he'd survive."

"They probably couldn't wait. They knew the closer Sydney gets to delivery the more protective you'd become meaning it would be harder to get to her." Sark muses

"What I don't get is how did they know I'd be gone?" Jack asks "The only ones who knew I was gone and that there would be agents watching her is only us."

"If they watched her long enough they would have figured it out." Dixon muses

"So is she in Switzerland?" Vaughn asks

"They could have changed their plans after they found out the guard was dead." Sark shrugs "Track Dorne and you find Sydney."

"Weiss work with Marshall on finding unchartered flights to Europe." Dixon orders "Vaughn check with our contacts in Switzerland and see if Dorne's been sighted. Check with Sloane see if he knows anything."

Vaughn walks out of the room.

"How long have you been providing the information?" Dixon questions Sark.

"Since Irina first found out Sydney was back. Irina contacted me and asked me to help Sydney."

"Why?" Dixon asks "You and Derevko didn't exactly part on good terms."

"It was a favor." Sark lies

Dixon nods "Your information led to a lot of arrests and investigations."

"Irina wanted everything done legal so there wasn't any future trouble for Sydney." Sark explains "When you do go get Sydney I'm going as well."

"No." Dixon says quickly "You are going on lock down."

"I go or I won't give you the newest information I have." Sark challenges "Besides I have unfinished business with Alison." He says coldly. "You may not trust me but the Covenant screwed with all of our lives." 'I want Sydney back as well.'

"Out of all of the names do you know if any of them would be with Sydney now?" Jack asks

"The doctors. See if they've disappeared."

"Do you really think they'd induce her?" Dixon asks

"If Alison has her way she'll just cut him out and she'd leave Sydney to die." Sark says thoughtfully "But I doubt she'd do that... Alison wouldn't risk the anger of the Covenant. They've invested too much money and time into this."

"We need to find Sydney before they do this." Jack says pained at the idea of his daughter being hurt. 'If she does lose the boy or he's taken from her she would be destroyed. He's all that keeps her from obsessing on losing Vaughn.'

LATE MORNING

(AN: I don't know anything about the process of cloning except from part of a movie I saw on SCIFI channel. So I decided to make up it towards my imagination.)

"Sark was right. There was a flight for Switzerland. It lands this evening." Weiss informs them.

"Everyone is on alert for anything suspicious." Vaughn adds

"I've checked the names of the people you gave." Marshall looks at Sark nervously. "Um five are missing. Two are dead. Six are still at home."

"Are any of the ones missing doctors?" Jack inquires

"Yes. Three of them are doctors."

"How long have they been missing?" Dixon asks

"Not really sure. They haven't been seen for years." Marshall answers

"They've been planning this for a while... but why?" Vaughn asks

"They have plans involving Rambaldi." Jack answers "We're still not sure of the full plan."

"You've done a lot of damage to the Covenant. They probably had no choice to do this." Dixon muses. He looks at Vaughn and Weiss "Get everything ready. Marshall, see if you can find out where their best option to take Sydney would be." Once the other three are out of the room Dixon looks at Jack and Sark "What aren't you telling us?"

"Just that if we don't find Sydney soon, we'll have trouble in about 20 years." Jack answers "That's all I can tell you. Sydney doesn't want him to become a science experiment."

"Do you have any idea who the father is?" Dixon asks "Could he be with Sydney?"

"I doubt it. Sydney has no idea who the father is. She was part of an experiment which we still don't know the plan for the end result." Jack looks at Sark "Did you figure that out?"

"There are possible fathers that I could find."

"Who?" Jack demands

"One is an unidentified man... no record and no picture that I could find. The other is a thief Simon Walker who worked for the Covenant during the time Sydney was missing."

"And the third?" Jack asks

"It's a very small possibility" Sark begins "but I did find my name in one of the records."

Jack glares at Sark, "How long have you known?"

"A few weeks." Sark answers "It's a very small possibility Jack."

"Does Sydney know?" Jack demands

"No." Sark admits "I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to tell her. As it is we have a very... tentative truce."

"She's not going to take this well." Jack sighs

"Then don't tell her." Sark suggests. "How is knowing I could possibly be the father going to help her situation here? Besides it's a very slim chance."

Jack rubs his forehead

"You know I'm right Jack. She wouldn't want him treated differently because of who his father is. And you know most of them" Sark nods at the window "would treat him different if they knew that there's even a slight chance I'm the father."

"Do you think you're the father?" Dixon asks

"I know it's possible but I don't think I am." He looks at Jack "If I am you know how he'll be treated."

"No one... not even Sydney is to know." Jack looks at the two men.

"She won't take that well Jack." Dixon warns

Jack sighs, "It's for her own good. I'll tell her when she needs to know"

COUPLE HOURS LATER: SOMEWHERE

Sydney awakens with a start to find herself handcuffed. She looks around to find herself in a cabin of a jet. Her eyes land on Alison who is sitting a few feet away reading. "Where are you taking me?"

Alison looks up giving Sydney a cold smile, "Home where he belongs. You've been gone far too long Bristow. They are waiting for their investment to be born."

"You aren't getting him." Sydney says angrily. 'They'll figure out where we are. Dad won't let them hurt us.'

"So how is the little brat?"

Sydney remains silent not wanting to fight with the woman. 'It's going to be OK baby. We'll be fine. I won't let them take you.'

"They are excited to meet the second coming. Me, I could care less. What I want is to make him suffer." Alison smiles faintly. "He always wanted you... from the moment he found out you existed he wanted you. You were his goal in life."

"Who?"

"Sark." Alison snaps

"Sark doesn't want me... he can barely stand me. I can barely stand him."

"Sure" Alison drawls "I see how he looks at you."

"Complete disdain." Sydney says

"You really are oblivious." Alison mutters

"I've had other things on my mind." Sydney shrugs 'Its going to be OK baby.'

Seeing the look on the other woman's face Alison smirks, "They won't come for you... and if they do they die."

'Daddy, please find us.'

LATE EVENING: SWITZERLAND

(AN: Like I said I hate figuring out time differences and I suck at it so screw it.)

As they step off the jet Sydney glares at the people who are waiting quelling her urge to run and hide. 'It's going to be OK baby. Grandpa and Uncle Dixon will figure out how to get us back... so will Sark.'

"Welcome back Miss Bristow." The man says calmly. "How is our investment doing?"

"Go to hell." Sydney snaps

"Let's go." The man orders

Sydney yanks her arm out of Alison's grasp "DON'T touch me." She hisses at the other woman. 'Sark is so going to kick her ass.'

SAME TIME: JET

Jack looks at Sark who is staring out the window at the night sky. "Why didn't you kill Alison when you had the chance?"

"If I had they would have had someone else watch Sydney. We wouldn't have known who that person was. I knew that despite the danger keeping Alison alive would in the end benefit us."

"And now?"

"She dies." Sark says coldly.

"And you end up in custody." Jack reminds

Sark shrugs "Knew it would happen sooner or later. At least I kept my promise to her." He looks at Jack, "I told her I'd help her and I will."

"Good."

9 HOURS LATER: SWITZERLAND

"Hello Jack"

Jack stiffens hearing the familiar voice, "Sloane" he says coldly.

"Like I was asked I did some checking." Sloane hands Jack a folder, "I had some of my own check local airstrips. They found them here."

"Any idea where they are now?" Vaughn asks

"No. They lost the man I had keeping an eye on that airstrip." Sloane looks at Sark who is standing beside Jack, "Ahh, Sark how did you get roped into this?"

Sark holds up his handcuffed wrists "Didn't have much of a choice."

"And they don't trust you." Sloane remarks

Sark shrugs "Or you."

"True." Sloane agrees looking at his former friend "How is Sydney doing?"

"Don't EVER mention my daughter." Jack grinds out. "And if I ever find out you had anything... even a minor part or even clue as to the fact Sydney was alive and what they planned for her I will kill you." He warns walking away.

"Ahh yes the Bristow protective streak." Sloane says amused

"I'm on that list of killing you as well Sloane." Sark says calmly. "And I think everyone close to Sydney is as well."

"Since when are you close to Sydney?" Sloane asks curiously. "Last time I saw you two you were trying to kill each other."

"Life goes on." Sark shrugs

"Good luck." Sloane walks over to his waiting car.

'Where are you Syd?' Sark asks himself. 'Where can I find you?'

CHAPTER 10

LATE NEXT MORNING: SWITZERLAND

Sydney looks up as the door opens and Alison enters "If you've come to taunt me walk out of here. I'm not in the mood."

"How's the little investment?"

"He's not an investment!" Sydney says angrily. "He's not a science project or an experiment! He's a baby!"

"He's a freak" Alison sneers

Feeling her anger rise Sydney glares at the woman, "Get out!"

"The doctors will be ready tonight." Alison walks out of the room.

'No.' Sydney hugs herself, 'He's not ready.' She closes her eyes 'Daddy hurry.'

SAME TIME

"She'll be fine." Sark leans against the wall as Jack stands outside.

"If something happens to him she'll never forgive anyone... not even me." Jack looks at Sark, "Despite everything she adores him."

"Does that really surprise you?"

"Not really." Jack admits

"It's why he chose her. He knew she'd get over it and love him." Sark reasons "She doesn't just have the genetic capabilities he wanted but the emotional as well. I think this time... he wanted a chance to just live."

"What do you know about the original?"

"Probably as much as you. I do know once it was discovered how intelligent he was they took him from his parents. He saw them from time to time until one day he didn't see them again. I think he doesn't want to be condemned or pushed for his intelligence or abilities. I don't think Sydney would do something like that and I think he knew that."

"She won't. It's why she's kept it so secret."

"Which you know it will come out if Alison or anyone else who knows the truth survives."

"I know." Jack looks at Sark thoughtfully, "Why are you doing this for her? And don't say threats from Irina or myself."

"I have my reasons." Sark walks back inside.

'I'll find you sweetheart. I promise.'

LATE EVENING

Sydney turns her head towards the monitor where the doctors are inspecting the baby. "I still have a month and a half."

"He's healthy. His heart and lungs are well formed." One of the doctors states thoughtfully. "He should survive."

"Well?" a man asks as he enters the room.

"He's healthy enough." The second doctor announces "Might need to be on a respirator for a few days just to be sure."

"Or we could wait a few weeks." The third doctor suggests

"We don't have time. We're already behind on the project as it is. Deliver the boy by morning." The suit walks out of the room.

"Take her back to her room. We'll do this in a few hours." The first doctor nods at the guards.

Once she's locked in the room Sydney sits on the bed her head leaning against the wall. 'I'm sorry baby. Whatever happens I love you. Weird huh? I never asked for this but you wormed your way into my heart. I guess Sark was right about why your predecessor chose me... he knew I'd care for you.'

HOUR LATER

Sark looks at Jack as the other man holds a gun out to him, "Trusting me?"

"No trusting Sydney's instinct that you'd keep your promises."

Sark takes the gun and a couple clips. "I'm not like I was Jack... maybe one day you'll believe that."

"If they both survive maybe I will."

"Jack, he's still in custody." Vaughn protests when he sees the gun in Sark's hand.

"And he helped us get here" Jack reminds

"It could be a trap." Vaughn argues

"If I did something this bloody stupid Irina would kill me... slowly." Sark says coldly as he walks away.

"Jack you can't trust him" Vaughn protests

"Right about now I don't give a damn about how I feel about Sark. I want my daughter out of there. If you want to go in fine if not... she'd understand."

"This has nothing to do with wanting Sydney out of there and you know it."

"Enough you two." Dixon says over the com link. "Argue later."

Inside Sydney lies on the bed curled up her arms around her middle, 'It's going to be OK little guy.' She closes her eyes enjoying the feeling of the baby moving. 'I'll do whatever I can to find you... and if I'm not able Grandpa and Grandma will find you.'

Outside the building Jack and the others take out the guards then quietly enter the building through each side.

Sydney sits up hearing the sounds of gun shots, "Dad" She carefully sits up and stands going to the door just as it opens and in Alison walks.

"Let's go. Docs had to push up their plans." Alison gestures at the door as she holds her gun on Sydney. "They're going to cut him out."

Sydney pales hearing that

"No they won't" Sark says coldly as he pulls the trigger and watches as his former lover goes down.

Sydney looks at Alison's body then at Sark who is standing there. "Sark" she says relieved.

"Let's go." Sark holds his hand out to Sydney when a second shot interrupts their moment of staring at each other.

Sydney watches horrified as Sark leans against the doorframe and looks down at his hand. "Julian" she whispers stunned

Sark looks at Alison "Bitch" he says hoarsely as he pulls the trigger for a second time as he falls to the ground.

"Sark" Sydney goes over to Sark who is leaning against the doorframe blood seeping through his fingers, "Oh, God." She kneels beside him.

"SYDNEY" Jack calls

Sydney looks around the corner "Down here." She calls before turning her attention back to Sark.

"Go Sydney."

"No." Sydney says vehemently. "Not without you." She says stubbornly.

"Sydney you have to go." Sark says firmly. "You have him" he reaches out touching her middle briefly "to worry about." He pulls his hand back quickly as he sees Jack run down the hall.

"What about you?" Sydney asks worriedly.

Sark looks at Jack then at Sydney, "Rather die here or out there then locked in a cell."

Jack turns off the com link, "Irina knows where we are." Jack informs Sark. "She's waiting on the other side of the hill."

Sydney looks at her Dad surprised, "Dad?"

"He risked his life and freedom for you." Jack says in explanation as he helps Sark stand. "Think you can get out of here?"

Sark nods glancing at Alison's body "At least this time she's dead."

"Sydney we have to get out of here." Jack says softly

Sydney nods slowly following her Dad when she feels the baby kick in protest she stops then turns returning to where Sark is standing then kisses him lightly on the lips. "Thank you."

Sark nods "I did what I promised."

Jack shakes his head seeing Sydney kiss Sark, 'Just what I need.' "Sydney"

Sydney returns to her Dad's side and they hurry down the hall, "Why Dad? Why'd you let him go?"

"I have my reasons." Jack says as they hurry out of the building. He looks at Sydney "You OK?" He looks his daughter over.

"You got here at the right time." Sydney says hugging her Dad.

Jack returns the hug, "Everything is going to be OK sweetheart." He drops a kiss to her hair as the others come out of the building.

"They were going to take him." Sydney sniffles.

"They won't now." He looks at the others "How many alive?"

"We lost Garrity but we have so far ten alive." Weiss answers

"Did you find a guy in a suit?" Sydney asks

"Yes." Weiss answers "You OK Syd?"

Sydney nods

"Where's Sark?" Vaughn demands not seeing the blond assassin.

"Dorne shot him." Jack answers

"Dead?" Vaughn demands

"He will be soon." Jack replies squeezing Sydney's shoulder as she stiffens, 'If he doesn't get to Irina soon.' Once he sees all but the dead agents are assembled he presses the button on his watch. "Hold on." He says softly. A moment later the building explodes.

"What the" Vaughn looks at the building.

Sydney looks at her Dad quizzically.

"They'd find out." Jack says softly.

"What now? There went all our evidence." Weiss says frustrated.

"We'll find it somewhere else." Jack looks at the others "Let's get out of here."

Irina meets Sark as he comes down the hill, "Christ what happened to you?"

"Alison shot me."

"Still in?"

Sark winces

"Lets get you to Doc." Irina helps him to the car, "I take it Sydney is fine?"

"She's still pregnant. Explosion yours?"

"Of course. Can't let the doctors survive." She gets in beside Sark giving the driver the address, "Alison dead?"

"Yes. I wasn't going to let her survive this time." Sark closes his eyes. "She'd continue to" he trails off starting to feel the blood loss.

"Get there fast." Irina orders

HOUR LATER: JET

Jack strokes Sydney's hair as her head rests on his chest. "You OK?"

Sydney nods "Dad, do you"

"We'll talk about it later. Get some rest." Jack pulls the blanket up. "I'll be right here."

"'k" Sydney closes her eyes enjoying the feeling of being in her Dad's embrace. 'We'll be OK. Grandpa will take care of us.'

16 HOURS LATER: NAVAL HOSPITAL

"The sedative should be out of your system." The doctor informs Sydney as she sits on the exam table, "His heart beat sounds good. He's kicking?"

Sydney nods "Like always."

"We'll check your blood just to be sure." The doctor assures "Any questions?" He asks looking at Sydney and Jack.

Sydney shakes her head, "I just want to go home and shower then crawl into bed."

"Good idea." Jack helps her off the table.

"Now call me if you feel any discomfort otherwise I'll see you next week."

"OK." Sydney nods

HOUR LATER: HOUSE

"Here you go." Jack hands Sydney her pills and a glass of water. "I put off debrief until tomorrow." He informs Sydney as she downs the pills. "Get some rest." He pulls the covers up brushing her hair back.

"Stay 'til I'm asleep?" Sydney asks sleepily.

"Sure."

"Daddy, do you think he's OK?" Sydney asks softly.

"I'm sure he got away."

Sydney yawns

"Everything is going to be OK Sydney."

"I know."

"After tomorrow I'll go get the mattress for the crib."

Sydney smiles faintly, "Thanks Dad."

"For what?"

"Everything."

"What I'm here for." Jack says softly. He sits there watching as Sydney drifts off to sleep. 'I hope things turn out Sydney but we have a long journey a head of us.'

LATE NEXT MORNING: CIA

"What caused the explosion?" Dixon asks

"According to what we've found it was triggered by an outside source. It was probably the Covenant itself so no one gives any information." Vaughn answers

"Did Sark survive?" Dixon questions

"He was shot in the stomach but knowing Sark he found his way out." Jack shrugs

"Why didn't you bring him?" Lauren asks "Sark has a lot of crimes to answer for."

"I had a bigger priority Agent Reed." Jack says coldly. "We didn't know when the next guards could have rounded the corner."

"We'll have to wait and see." Dixon muses

THAT EVENING: HOUSE

Jack wipes his hands off and picks up his ringing phone flipping it open. "Bristow" Jack says in greeting. He looks at Sydney who is sitting on the couch reading.

"Hello Jack."

"Well?"

"He's fine, unconscious still. He lost a lot of blood. He'd want Sydney to know."

"I'll tell her."

"Good." Irina hangs up.

Jack closes his phone

Sydney looks up to see her Dad looking thoughtful, "Who was that?"

"Your mother."

"Is he OK?"

"He lost a lot of blood and he's unconscious but he should be fine."

Sydney nods 'He'll be OK little guy. Maybe we'll see him again.' She looks back at her book.