Hey everyone whose been reading this story. I'm really sorry I haven't updated, but I had the worst case of writer's block and had gotten the sudden idea that this story is stupid and not worth continuing. However here I am contnuing. Once again, sorry guys!

Also, I own the character of Ben and its not exactly like the covenant in the show as I'm a bit fuzzy for details. Also, this jumps around in time a bit. I hope you don't get too confused. Thank you.

Chapter Eight

A YEAR AND A SEVEN MONTHS AGO

She found herself completely encircled by water. It surrounded her completely, her nose, throat, hugging her lungs which burnt with pain. She madly felt around with her hands trying to find the surface but couldn't find it. She didn't even know which way was up. It was so dark, and cold as her fingers went numb and she felt needles hitting her body all over. She tried to cry out, but that only let in more water. Instead she madly swam around, trying to reach the surface. Her fingers hit something and she felt fear snake her spin. It was something cold and hard and felt like glass. Her fingers had just touched ice. Red spots filled her vision as she didn't have the energy to even attempt to break the ice. She felt her head grow fuzzy and her lungs burn for oxygen she could not reach…

Sydney bolted upright, breathing hard. She shivered and looked over to find her window open. Sydney felt her breath begin to slow as she gripped the top of her blanket for comfort. It was only a dream.

There was a knock at her door and a voice called out, "Julia."

Sydney walked over to the door and opened it to find an officer for the covenant standing at her door. He had been one of the guards while she was being 'conditioned' and since then had been the only person to contact her other than the doctor. She didn't know this man's real name, but had been told to call him Ben.

"Yes?" She asked briskly.

"Come on, they want you at the office." Ben said grimly, which wasn't surprising as he was always serious and grim.

"Give me five minutes." Sydney replied. "I want to shower." With that she shut the door and went to shower, her heart beating like crazy. She was going to be tested as a field agent today she knew it. She didn't know what they would make her do, but she knew it would be terrible. To prove she was Julia Thorn she had to murder a man. Would this be worse?

Sydney got out of the shower and got dressed, having a quick silent prayer while doing so.

"Okay, lets go." She said, getting into Ben's car.

He gave her a gruff look. "Took your time, didn't ya?"

"Considering I had no warning about this meeting, it would do you well not to speak about the time it takes me to shower."

The rest of the trip was in silence mostly because Sydney found it easier to pretend to be a murder when she wasn't speaking. The other thing that worried her was that she feared soon, she'd no longer be pretending.

The finally drove into the parking lot. Ben parked, and Sydney got out of the car and walked up to the office. She opened the door and walked over to the elevator and waited for it to open. While she was waiting Ben caught up with her.

"You're eager." He said.

"You know me." Sydney replied as the elevator door opened. "I love my work."

They stood in the elevator until it came to the fifth floor and then they both got off and walked into the office.

"Ah, Ben." A man greeted him, and Sydney thought he was the leader of this group, although she couldn't be sure as they'd only briefly met when she was given her test. "And Julia, I am pleased to have you here."

"I hate to be rude." Sydney said. "But exactly why am I here?"

"Ah yes, yes." He said smiling as though she had told a joke. "I would like you to meet my companions." The man gestured to a group of men standing behind him, and a man who'd before now had his back to her turned around. Their eyes met for a second, and Sydney felt panic in the pit of her stomach. She recognised those eyes.

"Julia Thorne, I'd like you to meet Julius Sark."

The drive over to the office went in silence. Part of the silence was uncomfortable as Sydney wasn't sure how she'd cope being there, but the other part was actually comfortable as she knew she had Sark with her.

Sydney was feeling comfortable because she would have Sark with her! She sighed and shook her head. She must be insane. Finally they drove into an office car park. Sydney figured the office was the covenant car park and found it was suddenly hard to breath.

"Hey." Sark said, taking her hand and squeezing it gently. "You'll be okay."

Sydney squeezed his hand back, feeling some comfort in his warmth.

"Okay." She said. "I'm ready."

He gave her a smile. "Let's go."

They got out of the car and went into an office that was similar to the CIA actually. Sydney felt herself tense up and tried to relax as they walked towards an elevator. Sark pressed the up button and they stood there for a few minutes until the elevator opened. Sydney stepped in and looked at the buttons, before turning to look at Sark. He pressed the button for the fifth floor. Sydney made a note to remember that. Fifth floor.

"Hey, are you sure you can do this?" Sark asked grabbing her hand, which shocked Sydney.

Sydney was so surprised that she didn't pull her hand out of his. After a minute she found she didn't even want to, as his hand was warm and comforting. The elevator opened and Sark let go of her hand and walked out confidently. Sydney tried to follow his actions.

Sydney watched Sark curiously. After what happened in the elevator she was starting to think that she'd been more than just friends with Sark. Or maybe it was just that he had feelings for her and was using her memory problem to act on them. She snorted. Jerk.

"Mr Sark." A female voice rang out. "Ms Thorn."

Sydney looked up to see a brunette walking over to them. She touched Sark's shoulder and smiled. "It's nice to see you made it back alive."

"Of course." Sydney said as she realized this girl was flirting with Sark. "We are the best."

Sark grinned. "That we are."

"Of course." The girl said her tone harsh and she glared at Sydney. "I'll see you two in the meeting."

Sydney watched her walk away, glaring. After all she had been flirting with Sark right in front of Sydney. Wait, was she jealous of another girl flirting with…Sark? Sydney shivered. She must be going insane.

"That's Vivian." Sark told Sydney quietly. "She's a temporary member of the covenant."

"Why is she temporary?" Sydney asked her voice as hushed as his.

"Because they are only using her. she'll…vanish soon." Sark said, his tone letting Sydney know exactly what he meant. "It's kind of sad. The entire office knows, but her."

Sydney nodded and they continued to walk. "Where are we going?"

"To the meeting room." Sark replied. "We have to sign in, sort of. Report back on our mission."

Sydney nodded and they went into a room with a conference table. There was only a few people in the room so far, and Sark went and took a seat near the end of the table. Sydney took a seat between Sark and a blonde haired girl.

"Julia Thorn." The girl said her voice clipped with a British, and Sydney turned to look at her. "Hi."

"Hi, I'm Lauren Reed."

"Julius Sark, this is Julia Thorn. Your new partner." Sydney felt her heart racing as Sark looked at her in strange recognition, as though he was seeing a ghost.

Probably can't believe I'm in the covenant. Sydney told herself.

"Uh…it's a pleasure to meet you, Julia." Sark said after a minute, acting as though he had never met her before. He held out his hand and Sydney begrudgingly shook it, secretly glaring at him.

"Now," the boss said. "I have a mission for the two of you…consider it a test if you will. To see how you two work together."

Sydney snorted. It wasn't a test to see how well we work together. She thought. It's a test to see how well I am as a field agent. God, they must have some idea, knowing my CIA background.

The boss handed Sark a file and he looked at it before nodding. "Very well."

"Good." The boss nodded. "Your plane leaves in fifteen minutes, so you two need to leave now."

Sark nodded again. "Come on…Julia. I'll drive us."

Sydney followed him fearfully. Sark walked normally and didn't even speak to her. They reached the elevator and got in. once the door was closed he turned to her.

"Okay, what the hell is going on, Sydney?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Sydney replied, deciding it was best to pretend to be Julia. "My name is Julia Thorn."

Sark laughed. "You don't expect me to believe that crap do you? They might, but I know you better than that. I know because your eyes had a look of recognition in them, when you saw me."

"You reminded me of someone I knew." Sydney retorted.

Sark pushed her up against the wall, his arm across her neck. "Don't lie to me."

"Get off me." Sydney said, kicking him, which made him falter giving her time to bring up her arm, twisting his around. Sydney then backed Sark up against the wall.

"If you tell anyone, I'll kill you." Sydney then let him go as the elevator door opened.

"Oh, so we've never met?" Sydney asked Lauren, feeling relief flood her.

'No, we haven't." Lauren said. "But I am quite honoured to meet you, as I've heard so much."

"Oh. Thank you." Sydney replied smiling, pretending to be Julia. "It is quite an pleasure, knowing my work is appreciated. What is it you do for the covenant?"

"Oh, I am an undercover agent in the CIA." Lauren replied seriously.

"Really?" Sydney said, paling. "How?"

"I am an NSC officer. I am also married to an agent within the CIA."

"Which agent?"

"Michael Vaughn."

Okay everyone, please review and give me ways to improve my story. Ideas are appreciated. Thank you! Also thank you to everyone who has reviewed previous chapters it really means a lot to me. I love you guys!