CHAPTER 16
2 WEEKS LATER: REED HOUSE
"You said you'd behave." Lauren reminds Sark as she unbuckles Sophia from the car seat.
"And I will."
"Good because if you don't" Lauren trails off warningly.
"I promise... as long as he behaves I will." Sark looks towards Vaughn who has stepped outside and picked up Sophia.
"He'll behave." Lauren assures "Just be nice to him and Anna."
"What I do for the woman I adore." Sark grumbles
Lauren smiles "Be good." She walks towards the house "Hello Michael." She says calmly.
"Lauren." Michael nods scowling at Sark. "Sark"
"Vaughn"
"Be nice." Lauren warns looking between the two glaring men.
LATER THAT EVENING
"Be good." Lauren hugs Sophia. "Don't terrorize Daddy and Nana."
"I'll be good Mama." Sophia promises. "Love you Mama"
"I love you too Soph." Lauren kisses Sophia's cheek before handing her to Vaughn. "Have fun"
"Bye Mama. Bye Julian. Bye Grandma. Bye Grandpa." Sophia waves
"She'll be fine Lauren." Anna Vaughn assures
"I know."
"We'll call in the morning." Anna promises
"Thanks."
"It was nice to meet you Julian." Anna smiles
"Same Mrs. Vaughn." Sark says charmingly only to see Michael scowl at him.
Lauren watches as the car drives away.
"Ready to go home darling?" Sark asks
Lauren nods
WHILE LATER: HOUSE
"It's too quiet without her." Lauren says thoughtfully as they walk into the house.
"She's going to be back before you know it."
"I know." Lauren picks up the bag of presents. "I'll take these upstairs can you...?"
"Sure."
HALF HOUR LATER
Lauren drops on the couch beside Sark with a sigh.
"You OK?" Sark asks sliding his hand under her shirt.
Lauren nods "Just tired."
"And?" He prompts
"I have a really bad feeling this trip wasn't a good idea."
"She'll be fine. As much as I hate Vaughn he won't harm Sophia."
"And what if he takes off with her?"
"He won't."
"You don't know that."
"No but I do know if he did take off he'd have to deal with me." Sark says coldly.
Lauren sighs, "I'm really not looking forward to telling him."
"We agreed Lauren."
"I know and I will tell him. Its just I don't want to see what his reaction will be."
"He will deal with it." Sark assures kissing her temple.
"I know." Lauren whispers
"Now don't worry about any of this. We have an empty house... no Sophia interrupting us."
Lauren grins, "So that means no having to be very quiet."
Sark kisses her
HOUR LATER: PLANE
"Well Julian seems like a nice man." Anna remarks as she glances at her sleeping granddaughter.
Michael snorts, "Trust me he's not."
"I know why she divorced you Michael. You weren't trying to make things work."
"I love Sydney"
"And she's with someone else." Anna points out. "You had your chance with her and you moved on and married Lauren."
"And she divorced me for him."
"No she divorced you for Sophia. Neither of you were happy and it would have been worse on Sophia."
"He's not good for her." Michael says
"Well Lauren loves him... and Sophia likes him. Don't you think its enough that your daughter approves of the man?"
"She's a child mother."
"And she's bright. Children always know who's trustworthy."
"He's not trustworthy. He's done a lot of things Mother."
"Jealousy is long past Michael."
"Being with him could destroy her career."
"I'm sure Lauren is aware of the consequences."
"And what about Sophia?" Michael asks. "She can't ignore the consequences that will affect Sophia."
"I'm sure she's not. You know Lauren would do anything for Sophia."
"I know."
"Look Lauren has made her choice Michael. There's nothing you can do about it." Her eyes narrow at Michael's thoughtful expression. "And don't even think of taking Sophia from Lauren." She warns
SAME TIME: HOUSE
Lauren takes the offered container of ice cream and the spoon. "If you keep treating me like this I'm so going to keep you around."
"Well then I'm going to have to keep treating you like this." Sark kisses her as he joins her in bed. "How are you feeling?"
"Better. I know I shouldn't worry about this trip but I do. I know Michael wouldn't disappear with Sophia especially with Anna around. She'd kill him if he tried something like that."
"But you are still worried."
"I keep worrying that when she's with him she'll get hurt and he'll find out."
"Vaughn, as much as I hate the man, would never put Sophia in a dangerous situation."
"I know." Lauren sighs "I'd just hate for him to find out that way." She takes a bite of the ice cream.
"I wish you'd just tell him."
"I can't all right"
"You can but you won't."
"I don't want to argue Julian." Lauren whispers
NEXT MORNING
Lauren smiles at the sight of Sark asleep beside her his arm slung over her middle protectively, 'There's your Daddy little one. He's not going to be the typical Daddy but he's going to love you so much.' She kisses him lightly watching as he opens his eyes. "You slept in today."
"I was up earlier." Sark shrugs sleepily. "Just ended up coming back to bed."
"Did you steal the neighbors newspaper again?"
Sark smirks "Perhaps."
"We've had the discussion of stealing my neighbors newspaper."
"Not like I do it every morning."
"Only because you don't live here."
"Small details." Sark shrugs leaning down he kisses her middle. "Feeling better?"
"Always better after a night with you."
"Flattery gets you everything darling."
"You know she's right"
"Who?"
"Sydney... you are an arrogant bastard."
"Never denied it." Sark shrugs "Though I did find out something interesting. Something I don't think Vaughn knows."
"What?"
"Bristow might be getting married soon."
"What makes you say that?"
"Heard that what's his name recently bought her a very nice ring."
"Oh really and how long have you been spying on Sydney?"
"Happier she is the better chance she won't come and beat on me for something stupid."
"I swear sometimes I think you two could be siblings. You sure fight and argue like siblings... well minus the trying to kill each other bit." Lauren says thoughtfully. "And how do you know he bought the ring for Sydney?"
"Because he hasn't been screwing anyone else."
"Julian!"
"What? Its true."
"You know its totally twisted that the men in my life have obsessions with another woman."
"Yes well my obsession is purely amusement and intelligence."
"Oh please you'd screw her if she'd let you near her."
Sark shrugs "If I wasn't in love with you probably. Besides if I even tried you'd kill me, Jack and Irina would resurrect me and kill me."
"Damn straight I'd kill you." Lauren shifts "If you ever even think of cheating on me I will hurt you bad." She warns
"I have no reason to want to cheat on you."
"Good."
"So what should we do today?" Sark asks with a smirk
"Well we have the whole day to ourselves."
MIDMORNING: FRANCE
"Where's Sophia?" Michael asks his Mother and Grandmother as he joins them in the kitchen.
"Outside playing with the others." Anna answers
Michael takes the offered cup of coffee from his grandmother and takes a sip looking out the window where he sees his daughter running around laughing with her cousins.
"How is Lauren?" Lise Roussard asks her grandson
Michael stiffens "Fine Grandmother. If you want to know anything ask her."
"They aren't on the best of terms right now Mama." Anna informs her mother.
"Sophia is looking very happy." Lise remarks
"She's always been a happy child." Michael shrugs
"She was telling me about a man named Julian."
Michael winces
"Michael doesn't approve of Julian. He seems like a very nice man though."
"We have had our problems Mother. Trust me when I say he isn't as nice as he'd like you to think." Michael walks out of the kitchen.
LONDON
"Julian" Lauren looks at their laced fingers as she leans against Sark.
"Hmm"
"What do you know about a man named William Lancing?"
"Owns several corporations some computer industries, insurance companies that offer insurance to the elite, others are co-ventures with governments. Worth billions. He is looking to open a new office of his insurance company here. Why?"
"Um... he offered me a job." She looks at Sark, "Are you behind it?"
"Never met the man. Just heard rumors about him. What's the job?"
"He offered me the job of head analysis of his government contracts."
"When did this happen?"
"Last week."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Lauren sighs "I think I want to take the job"
"But?"
"If I take the job it could either change things for us... or ruin things."
"Ruin things how?"
"As clean as you've been doing business there are still some... like Michael who would try and destroy everything you've done. At least staying where I am I can somewhat keep Michael from planting things."
"And you think he'd do it?"
"He's already raised questions about your business dealings and so far we've lucked out that no one believes him. What if the person they send to work with you does believe him? What if that person tries to prove Michael right to the point it could destroy everything."
"Lauren" Sark gently urges her to look at him, "I can handle your former husband. I have been doing it for over six years. There is nothing to find on me. The CIA and NSC and even British Intelligence knows everything about my business deals. They know I have kept up my end of the deal... and I think they've realized I won't risk losing my freedom by screwing up." He searches her eyes, "If you want to take the job then take it. Don't let me stop you."
"It would mean no more having to go see Sloane or having to head to LA or DC at the spur of the moment. Plus it means more time with the baby and Sophia."
"But then there's the little issue of who I am being discovered by any employer you might have in the business world... especially those with government contracts."
"I know"
"Lauren... you don't have to work."
Lauren sighs, "We're not having that conversation again."
"Why not? Give me one good reason that doesn't involve your former husband on why we shouldn't move in together."
"Reason one being that it puts us under a microscope by all agencies involved. I don't want that. The way we are now they do watch us but not as much because they know eventually you do go home. If we lived together who knows what would happen."
"Just think about it. We'll figure things out if you change your mind."
Lauren nods kissing his nose. "Love you"
"Love you too"
LATE THAT NIGHT: FRANCE
"Daddy" Sophia screams struggling to get out of the man's arms.
"Sophia" Vaughn yells watching as the men disappear
SAME TIME: LONDON
Sark startles awake a feeling of dread and confusion hitting him. He looks at Lauren who is peacefully asleep beside him. Gently kissing her temple he gets out of bed just as his phone rings. Seeing Lauren stir he quickly grabs his phone walking out of the room, "Yes?"
"We have a problem sir."
Sark listens his anger rising as the man informs him of the recent events in France. "Find out who and where."
"Yes sir"
Sark stands there the phone in his hand his mind running over what he just learned. 'How am I going to tell Lauren?' After a moment another phone rings startling him out of his thoughts.
Lauren grabs the phone, "Hello? Michael what is it?"
Sark enters the bedroom to see Lauren pale and drop the phone on the bed. He sits on the edge of the bed picking up the phone, "What happened Vaughn?" He demands not wanting to admit to the man he had someone watching them. He watches Lauren sit there hugging herself looking lost and pained. "We'll be there as soon as possible." He hangs up over Vaughn's protesting voice knowing what he's protesting about. "Lauren"
"My baby" she whispers, "someone took our baby." She swallows a sob.
"It's going to be all right" Sark assures brushing her hair back he rests his forehead against Lauren's. "I'll get her back." He says firmly. "I swear I will find our little girl... and I will make whoever took her pay." He finishes coldly.
"Just get her back." Lauren says tears falling. "Just get our baby back."
"I will. But you need to remain calm." He says gently.
"I'm trying" Lauren whispers "But she's just a baby." Lauren closes her eyes. "She must be scared."
"If there is one hair out of place on her head... I will torture whoever touched her."
Lauren looks at him tears falling, "Do whatever you have to do just get her back."
"I will." Sark pulls her into his arms. "I'll get her back... I swear." He whispers. "Just stay calm all right." He pulls back slightly wiping at her tears. "I will deal with this situation... I don't want you to worry OK?"
"She's just a baby."
"And you have to think about this one" Sark rests his hand on her middle.
Lauren looks down nodding slightly, "Just bring her back to me."
"I will" Sark gently kisses her forehead. "I will get our girl back." He promises. "Now lets get dressed. I will go call the airport and have the jet readied."
Lauren nods wiping at her tears
HOUR LATER: JET
Sark presses his lips to Lauren's head, "Its going to be OK darling." He murmurs
Lauren burrows closer, "Who would take her?"
"I don't know darling but we'll figure it out." He strokes her arm.
"The man you had watching them"
"He's looking into it." Sark assures "I will pull all old contacts to find her."
"No" Lauren pulls back looking at him wide eyed.
"Lauren"
"You can't. It's against your deal. If you contact them... they'll take you back." Lauren says panicked.
"If it's what I have to do to Sophia back... then I'll do it." He smoothes her hair back. "I would do anything to protect you, Sophia and the baby."
"Sark"
"If I have to do it I will." Sark says firmly. "Don't worry about it."
Lauren rests her head on his shoulder, "I'm scared."
"It's going to be all right." He whispers
"Just get her back." Lauren pleads
"I will." He promises stroking her hair. "I promise my love. I will get our baby back." He holds Lauren tight as she cries his heart breaking at every sob.
COUPLE HOURS LATER: FRANCE
"What is he doing here?" Vaughn demands
Lauren glares at her ex "He's here because I want him here."
"He's probably the one behind it" Vaughn says angrily.
Knowing Sark wants to hurt Vaughn, Lauren touches his arm before speaking to her ex husband, "Sark wouldn't hurt Sophia. Besides there are a lot of people who are either enemies of yours or Sydney's."
"And what does Sydney have to do with this?" Vaughn demands
"I don't have enemies since I never did field assignments." Lauren returns
"Or it could be business associates of his" Vaughn glares at Sark, "who want something."
"If it is; which I highly doubt... I will deal with them." Sark returns his voice cold.
"He doesn't need to be here." Vaughn says coldly as he speaks to Lauren.
"He's here because he is my boyfriend and Sophia's friend."
"If this is because of you Sark... I swear I will lock you in a cell so deep you'll never see light again." Vaughn warns
"He had nothing to do with it!" Lauren says angrily choking back tears.
"You don't know him like the rest of us do Lauren. He's tried killing all of us... wouldn't surprise me if he had something to do with it." Vaughn sneers. "He's a killer Lauren... and you let him around our daughter. I swear if it turns out he's behind this I will file for custody."
"Don't you dare go high and mighty on me." Lauren hisses "The whole time we were married you were in love with Sydney!"
"And you're whoring it up with a terrorist." Vaughn says coldly only to have Sark shove him against the wall his hand around his neck.
"You can refer to me what you want" Sark says coldly "but if you EVER refer to her as a whore again... you won't like my reaction."
"Sark, stop it" Lauren says panicked as she grabs his arm.
Hearing Lauren's voice Sark releases Vaughn stepping back he walks out of the house.
Staring at his ex coldly Vaughn rubs his neck, "How can you sleep with him?"
"He loves me. He doesn't treat me like second best. He adores Sophia and actually wants to spend time with her. He stops whatever he is doing whenever she wants to play or talk. He treats Sophia like he's going to treat his own child." 'Because she is his.'
Vaughn stares at Lauren, "You want children with that... killer!"
"We're having one." Lauren drops her hand to her middle. 'Another one'
Vaughn looks her over then turns walking away.
Lauren walks out of the house where she finds Sark standing on the porch staring up at the sky.
"I'm sorry for losing my temper." Sark says gruffly.
"I know you were just giving into your overprotective boyfriend instincts." Lauren wraps her arms around his waist. "I told him"
"About the baby?"
"Yes."
Sark kisses her head, "How are you feeling?"
"I want Sophia back." She whispers
"I will get her back." He murmurs. "Just keep calm."
"I'm scared"
"I know but you have to stay calm." He slides his hand down to the small bulge of her stomach.
"I'm trying... I just... I want her back."
Sark leans down brushing his lips across her ear, "She'll be back with us soon." He says softly.
Lauren nods burying her face in his shoulder. "I just want her back."
"I know"
HOUR LATER
Sark steps out onto the back porch where Vaughn is standing, "I believe a truce is in order." He says calmly.
"Where's Lauren?"
"Your Mother convinced her to get some rest." Sark replies
Vaughn nods
"Look I know you don't want to believe me but I had nothing to do with this. I'm out of that world for anything other than information. Now I want to find Sophia as much as you"
"Why so you can continue fucking Lauren?"
Sark regards the other man with annoyance, "Sophia is a little girl who doesn't need this mess."
"Oh please you kidnapped Dixon's kids."
"I may have but that was the past."
"Before you fell in love with Lauren" Vaughn says sarcastically
Sark shrugs "You might not believe it but I am in love with her."
"Right" Vaughn snorts
"You're choice to believe me or not." Sark shrugs "But I do want to help find Sophia. I would think you'd take my offer of help considering you know I'm ruthless when I want something and I have sources you can't even get near."
"I wouldn't ask for your help if it was my own life on the line. I will find Sophia my way... you just stay out of it." Vaughn walks back into the house.
Sark stares after the other man thoughtfully. 'I won't let you put my child at risk because you hate me. She's an innocent little girl... and I won't let anything happen to my daughter because of your anger.' He removes his phone dialing a number, "It's me. I need a favor."
COUPLE HOURS LATER
Lauren opens her eyes to find Sark sitting on the edge of the bed watching her. "Hi"
"Sleep well?"
Lauren shrugs "Have you"
"I made some calls... nothing."
"And Vaughn?"
"He's dealing with everything through his own sources. He doesn't want me involved."
Lauren winces seeing the pain flash briefly in his eyes, "Julian"
"Its fine... he doesn't trust my motives."
"I do"
"I know" he kisses her temple. "I know" he brushes her hair behind her ear, "but I will do whatever I have to do to find her."
Lauren nods "I know" she grabs his hand squeezing it before pressing her lips to his knuckles ignoring the tears as they fall. "Just want her back."
Sark brushes the tears away, "She'll be back soon." He sits there watching Lauren drift back to sleep. 'I'll do what I have to do to bring our baby back.' He kisses her temple then stands walking out of the bedroom. 'I'll find you baby girl.' He promises 'You'll be home with us soon.'
BEFORE DAWN
Sark hangs up his phone and looks at Lauren who is awake watching him, "You should be sleeping."
"Who was that?" Lauren asks alert, "Someone who knows where Sophia is?"
Sark sits on the edge of the bed gently brushing her hair back behind her ear.
"Julian?" Lauren stares at him seeing his expression. She shakes her head, "No"
"It's the logical trade." He shrugs "It's not about me... but they agree to the trade."
"Julian don't." She pleads. "I can't..." she's stopped when he brushes his lips across hers, "Don't"
"Only option." He whispers as he runs his fingers through her hair.
"Come back" she says hopefully
"I can't promise but I will do my best."
"And Sophia?"
"Vaughn is going with me. He wants to be sure I don't back out." He explains. "Hopefully you'll have her back by tomorrow afternoon."
"Julian"
"Remember the topic we discussed about this possibly occurring?"
Lauren stares at him then slowly nods remembering the conversation vividly.
/MONTHS EARLIER
Lauren leans back against Sark as they sit on the porch of the cottage. She smiles, "I don't think that anyone would believe you can sit still."
"Mmm" Sark kisses her temple
"What's wrong?" Lauren asks curiously as she turns her head looking at Sark.
"Just thinking"
"About?"
"Lauren you know that one day someone could show up looking for me... for revenge."
Lauren winces, "Don't"
"If something like that happens... there are some papers in a safe. It gives you control of everything." Sark continues "You and the children will have enough money... if you have too I want you to disappear."
"Julian"
"There are locations for IDs as well."
Lauren stares at him, "It won't come to that."
"I have to be prepared for the possibility... so do you."
Lauren rests her forehead against his cheek, "I can't. I've already been without you... and I was miserable."
"I know but we have to be prepared. I've made enemies darling... and one day they could try again."
"I know" Lauren whispers listening as he tells her where to find his stashes./
"I better go." Sark says reluctantly as he starts to pull away only to have Lauren grab his hand. He looks at her wincing at the tears falling.
"Try?"
Sark nods "More than I've tried anything." He kisses her forehead before standing and walking out of the bedroom.
"He'll be back." Lauren whispers. "He has to come back." She wipes at her tears before burying her face in the pillow.
"Jets waiting for us." Sark says gruffly as he walks past Vaughn.
COUPLE HOURS LATER: WAREHOUSE
Sark nods his head towards the hall as Vaughn heads in another direction, 'For the first time I'm actually scared I might not survive.' He makes his way down the hall. 'I'm going to do what I have to do to make sure Sophia gets home to her Mum and little brother or sister.' He winces, 'Don't go there. Think about this right now.'
Vaughn enters an empty room to find pictures of Sark playing with Sophia while Lauren looks on smiling. 'Bastard. Once this is done he won't have contact with either of them ever again.' He frowns noticing an envelope with his name. He opens the envelope his eyes narrowing when he reads the paper. He looks at the monitor to see Sark is getting closer to Sophia. Turning on his heel he walks out of the room.
Sark enters a room to find a bed in the corner with a lamp on. He smiles faintly when he sees Sophia asleep, 'At least they left her a light on.' He starts to walk towards the bed when he's stopped by a gun to the back of his head.
"Give me your gun."
"Agent Vaughn now is"
"Now Sark" Vaughn orders
Sark sighs handing his gun to the other man and walk out to the hall. "What is this about Agent Vaughn?"
Vaughn stares at Sark, "Did you and Lauren plan to play me?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about." When Vaughn shoves a piece of paper at him Sark reads it, 'Damn.'
"You slept with my wife!" Vaughn says angrily.
"Currently am." Sark reminds only to get punched for his remark. He winces spitting out blood on the floor.
"You slept with my wife and pawned your child off on me!" Vaughn says angrily.
"First of all Lauren didn't know who the father was until I told her." Sark snaps "It was a one night stand when we both were angry... and had a few drinks."
"Did you know it was possible Sophia was yours?"
"Lauren believed Sophia was yours." Sark says coldly. "I wasn't going to tell her the truth but after a while I realized she needed to know. For Sophia's sake."
"How long has Lauren known the truth?" Vaughn demands
"That's not important Agent Vaughn... Sophia is what's important... not your... manhood." Sark says with disgust. "You can hate me for what happened but you are the only father she has ever known. I gave up any chance of being her father by agreeing with Lauren that telling you would only harm Sophia."
"You two used me"
"For the sake of the safety of that child in there!" Sark says angrily. "And do you bloody think I liked the idea of her referring to you as Daddy? I've handled it because I know that despite my intense hatred of you, you would be by far the better parent." He sighs, "Yell at me later... Sophia is the reason we're here."
"Only because I thought she was my daughter." Vaughn snaps
"Well she legally is." Sark says angrily "Think I like that? Do you really think I'm that heartless not to want my first born? If I had my way you would have known the moment I knew the truth. But I knew Sophia and Lauren were better off believing you were her father."
"So when did Lauren find out?" Vaughn demands
"Not until after Sophia's first birthday." Sark lies "I only told her to protect Sophia."
"Protect her how?"
"In case Sophia became ill." Sark answers "To Sophia you are her father. You can accept that I'm biological father or not but you are who she sees as her father."
"Yet I'm not."
"Deal with it. If I can handle it you should be able to as well." Sark says coldly. "And the only reason Lauren and I slept together back then was because you were too busy mooning over Sydney. So in a way you had a hand in her conception." He winces as Vaughn punches him in the face. Sark smirks wiping away blood from his split lip, "Funny huh? You were too busy moping over Bristow that your wife ended up in bed with your worst enemy."
"Shut up"
"And then Bristow breaks off the whole relationship with you. No more Sydney calling you like a puppy." Sark taunts as the two begin to fight heavily only to end up fighting in the room where Sophia is sleeping waking the little girl.
Sophia watches sleepily as her Dad and Julian hit each other "Daddy" she calls sleepily.
Hearing the familiar voice the two men stop fighting looking towards the bed to see Sophia watching them.
"Daddy" Sophia says happily.
Vaughn stiffens turning he walks out of the room.
Sark winces sitting up he wiping at his face with his coat sleeve then stands walking over to the bed, "Hey Princess you had us worried."
"Julian" Sophia throws her arms around his neck, "I was scared."
"I know" Sark hugs the little girl, "We were scared as well." He pulls back looking at Sophia, "Are you OK?"
Sophia shakes her head holding her arm out revealing a band-aid, "They took blood." She pouts
"How about we go to Mama and have her kiss it?"
Sophia nods "Is Mama mad?"
"No sweetie Mama's not mad. She's very worried."
"Is Daddy mad?"
"At me not you."
"Ouch" Sophia touches a cut on his forehead, "Gonna have Mama kiss it?"
Sark chuckles "Probably." He stands walking over the chair he grabs her shoes and coat, "Put these on I'll be right back." He sets them on the bed walking out of the room he finds Vaughn in the hall. "Are you going to say anything to her?" He demands
"Shut up Sark"
"You really are a bloody prick. Finding out the truth shouldn't change the fact that she sees you as her father. I stepped aside and allowed it. I didn't want too but I knew it would be better for all of us if you were her father. Are you going to start treating her like she's nothing to you now?"
"I wouldn't do that to her." Vaughn snaps "Not like this"
"Good." Sark nods walking back into the room to find Sophia pulling her coat on. "Ready?"
Sophia nods jumping off the bed she takes Sark's hand, "Where's Mama?"
"She's at your Grandma's." Sark answers as they walk out of the room.
"Daddy" Sophia releases Sark's hand running to her Dad.
Sark winces as he sees the little girl hug Vaughn and looks away clenching his jaw.
Vaughn gives the little girl a weak smile "Hi baby." He brushes her hair back looking at Sark who has turned away from them, 'It really bothers him.' He realizes before looking at Sophia. "How are you?"
"I have an owie... but you and Julian have big owies" She says awed.
"We'll be fine." Vaughn says quickly.
"I wanna see Mama"
Vaughn nods "Then we'll go see her."
HOUR LATER: JET
"Were you behind this Sark?" Vaughn demands as the little girl sleeps on the couch.
Sark glares at Vaughn, "You know me better than that... if I wanted you to know I would have told you straight out not go the route of kidnapping Sophia... especially knowing Lauren would bloody kill me."
"So who did it?"
"No idea." Sark shrugs "But I'm going to find out." He closes his eyes.
LATE AFTERNOON: HOUSE
"Mama" Sophia runs to her Mom.
Lauren picks the little girl up, "Sophia" she says happily as she hugs the girl. "Are you OK?"
"I got an owie" Sophia pulls her sleeve up showing her Mom the bandaid.
"Sophia why don't you go see Grandma" Vaughn suggests, "Mama and I need to talk."
Seeing the two battered men Lauren frowns "What happened?"
Vaughn removes the paper from his pocket handing it to Lauren. He watches as Lauren pales then takes Sophia from her setting the girl on ground, "Go have Grandma clean you up. We'll be in in a minute."
"OK" Sophia runs to her Grandma.
"Were you ever going to tell me?" Vaughn demands as Sark joins them.
"Michael, I"
"Don't give me some bullshit apology Lauren." He says angrily.
"It was a one time thing besides like I told you she didn't know for over a year." Sark answers for Lauren.
"Stay out of this Sark. I want Lauren's explanation."
"I'm sorry Michael. When I found out... I wanted to tell you but I couldn't. I didn't want to mess up her life." Lauren bites at her lip.
"So you lied to me the last two years."
"What was I supposed to do Michael? To Sophia you are her father. What would you have done? Walked away? Or would you have turned me into Kendall to save face with Sydney?"
"This has nothing to do with Sydney!" Vaughn argues. "Its the fact you lied to me."
"So what was I supposed to do? Should I have told you that I slept with him once back then? Should I have told you when I found out? Should I have had an abortion and risk either one of you finding out I was pregnant? I would have had to explain that to either of you if you found out." Lauren says looking at the two. "I made the choice to have Sophia... and for her best interest I didn't tell you the truth. You can hate me for not telling you but if you walk away from Sophia because you hate Julian then you have become even more selfish than I thought you could be." Lauren turns walking into the house leaving Sark and Vaughn alone.
"What was your reasoning Sark?" Vaughn demands
"Like I said I thought you would be the better parent at the time... now I'm not so sure." Sark says sadly. "She's still your daughter. Has been since the moment I decided claiming Sophia as mine would destroy not only Lauren's world but Sophia's safety." Sark walks away entering the house leaving Vaughn standing in the driveway.
LATE EVENING
Lauren steps out onto the porch where Vaughn is standing, "So are you ready for a calm discussion?"
"Where's Sophia?"
"In bed. Julian's with her. She didn't want to be alone and I figured we needed to talk."
"Were you going to tell me?"
"Probably. A big part of me knows you deserved to know the truth but then there was the part of me that said 'Michael's the only father she knows.'"
"Yet now you're dating Sark."
"I fell in love with him. I'm not going to apologize for that Michael. I'm not going to apologize for loving someone who actually loves me back. Who actually puts me ahead of everyone else, who doesn't dream of a life with someone else."
"I never"
"You did Michael." Lauren says firmly. "Everything was about Sydney. We shouldn't have married Michael. You were still in love with Sydney."
"She doesn't want me back."
"Can you blame her? You married me a year after she disappeared. To her it was only a few days and to find out about me... it wasn't good for any of us. I thought staying with you would be good for us but it wasn't. You don't like him and he doesn't like you but Sophia and I like him. He's there for her Michael. He's never tried taking your place... he's just tried finding his own with her. They have it... and its something amazing to see."
"Lauren"
"What are you going to do Michael? Walk away from the little girl who adores you despite how you treated her the last few months in LA?" Lauren sighs. "Despite how you feel about Julian he's going to be around."
Vaughn sighs "Fine. I don't like it but it's your choice."
"I love him Michael. He loves me."
"I think I'm starting to believe that." Michael takes a drink of his beer.
"What now? Are you going to stay in her life? Or are you going to walk away?"
"This is going to take awhile Lauren."
"I know but that doesn't mean you have to walk away from her."
"I'm not... I just"
"Need to think about this." Lauren nods turning to walk into the house.
LATE THAT NIGHT
Sark kisses Lauren's head as she lies against him looking at Sophia who is asleep beside her. "Are you OK?"
"Finding out really hurt him Julian."
"I know."
"Who did this? Why would they hurt everyone in her life?"
"I'll find out." Sark promises
"She doesn't realize that her life has just changed."
"Has it? We agreed that she wasn't to know until she's older."
"True." Lauren sighs "But still it has"
"Do you think he's going to stick around?"
Lauren shrugs "I have no idea. Right now all I want to think about is she's back."
"That she is."
"When do we leave?"
"Whenever you want."
Lauren nods "She's so peaceful." She carefully brushes Sophia's hair back. "I was scared."
"She's back so you don't have to be scared anymore."
"I know but still"
"All will be fine."
NEXT DAY: JET
"Really?" Sophia looks between the two adults her blue eyes wide.
"Really." Sark nods "What do you think?"
Sophia tilts her head biting her lip thoughtfully
'That is such a Sark look.' Lauren smiles faintly. "Well? What do you think about being a big sister?"
"Can I still be the baby?"
"Always" Lauren hugs Sophia. 'That's done.'
Sophia snuggles into her Mom her thumb going to her mouth.
Sark kisses Lauren's forehead "Better?"
Lauren nods
"Better."
TBC…
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