Chapter Twelve

One Week Later

"Sark, let go. Please let go of my arm. If you don't, then I won't be ready for tonight" Sydney playfully spoke. Sark was awake, but he didn't want to let her get out of bed that fast. He pulled her to him again and moaned. "Sark, come on! Let go of me."

"Syd" he whined "don't leave, please?" he looked at her and pouted like a sad puppy. She giggled at his face and couldn't help but fall for the trick. "Thank you" he said, when she was back in his arms once again."

"But not for long, I'll have to get out of bed soon."

"Why, love? Why do you have to? What is so important about tonight that you have to get ready seven hours ahead of time?"

"Well, I have to do my physiotherapy, have a shower, do my hair, make-up, get into that fabulous surprise gown and kiss you" she ended with a punctuated kiss on his lips.

"I liked the last part. And I can't wait to see you tonight."

She let him hold onto her a little longer before speaking again, "Sark?"

"Yes love?"

"This place, that you live… is it really secret? Because I was wondering…"

"What were you wondering?" he asked, perfectly awake now.

"I miss Weiss."

"Agent Weiss? The friend of Michael Vaughn?"

"Yes, that one. He's my only friend back in LA. I miss talking to him."

He pouted. "You don't enjoy talking to me, love?"

"I enjoy talking to you very much. It's just that, well… I miss him. I don't know why I miss him so much when I have you to talk to."

"I understand Sydney. If you really want to see him, I'm sure that I could have it arranged."

She threw her arms around him and kissed him hard, "Oh thank you Julian!"

He let go of her, "you should start getting ready then. I'll make the arrangements. But you should call him and find out when he can come. I'll be in my study." He kissed her on the cheek and squeezed her hand and left the room.

This is the perfect day. Thought Sydney as she began her exercises.

This is the perfect day. Thought Sark as he sat in his study. He called his pilot and requested him to have the plane ready to pick up Eric Weiss in a few days.

An hour later, Sydney was finished with her exercises and getting out of the shower. She put on her bra and panties and headed into the bedroom. Her hair was around her shoulders and damp, it was wavy and flowing. She walked over to the mirror on the dresser and began to brush it out.

Suddenly, the door opened and Sark entered the room. When he saw her, they both froze. Sydney realized what she was wearing and her face turned beet-red. "Oh, I'm so sorry Sydney" Sark said quickly, covering his eyes with his hand and turning around. "I thought you were still in the shower and I was going to leave this note for you" he held the note out over his shoulder.

Sydney had gotten her robe off of the chair next to her and put it on hastily. She took the note from him and said a quick thank you. "I'm sorry" he said again and left the room. She read the note once he left.

Sydney,

I've arranged my pilot to pick up Eric Weiss for you,

All you need to do is find out when he can come.

He's welcome to stay here, as long as he doesn't

tell anyone where I live. I like this house and

don't want to leave it behind. I have good memories

here. Most of them with you.

- Julian.

She smiled when she finished reading the note, and reached for the phone.

"Hello?" she heard from the other end and smiled. It was great to hear his voice again.

"Hey Weiss. It's Sydney."

"Syd! I haven't heard from you in ages! How's New York? You miss me don't you? Because we all miss you here."

"I miss you so much! That's why I'm calling."

"I knew you couldn't live without the Weiss-man. But Syd, I've got a girlfriend and I'm afraid it'll never work out between us."

She laughed out loud. "Well, I've got a somewhat-boyfriend now too, so I'll have to let you down as well."

"You've got a boyfriend? Tell me about him!" she groaned "Come on, Syd. Don't back down. It's girl-talk time. Are you breaking more hearts out on the East Coast?"

"Actually, I'm in France right now. Just outside Paris. But you can't tell anyone. Look Weiss, I miss you. I was wondering if you'd like to visit me here. Because I can get you a flight over here, and I'd really like to see you. You can bring your girlfriend if she promises not to tell, too. I just really want to see you."

"Syd, what are you doing in France?"

"Taking a well-deserved holiday."

He laughed "when was the last time you took one?"

"Well do the two months after Danny's death count?"

"No"

"Then never."

"Well, I'll come. When do you want me?"

"Any time is good, really. I have nothing else to do here other than shop and talk."

"So Syd, what's his name?"

"You'll see. But Eric, you can't tell anyone alright? Only my father and sort-of Vaughn know about him."

"Vaughn? What happened that made you tell Vaughn but not your best friend?"

"Weiss I can hear your pout all the way over here. I'll explain about that later, just please come. I'm begging you. I can't take another three months without my bestest friend in the whole world."

"I'll be there in two days."

"THANK YOU!" she yelled.

"I miss you Syd."

"I miss you too."

"Bye"

Sydney hung up the phone and ran into Sark's study, still wearing the robe over her bra and panties. He was sitting in his chair looking at his computer screen and he looked up at her when she entered the room. She walked to him, turned him in his chair to her and kissed him hard on his shocked lips. "Thank you so much" she said breathlessly.

"If I get that reaction every time I fly one of your friends in, remind me to do that more often" he said when he had recovered.

She smiled, kissed him again and fled from the room to get ready.

Four hours later

Sydney was putting on the final touches of her make up. When she heard Sark call from the ground floor. "Sydney, how long does it take to get ready?"

"Oh come on Julian. We have another hour before we have to leave."

"I know, I just want to see this dress. I've been waiting two weeks to see it."

"Patience is something to look for Sark."

"Alright love, I'll be in the study"

"I won't be that long Julian"

Half an hour later, Sydney was heading to the front door. Sark was still in his study, but she wanted him to make the entrance. She was waiting by the front door when she called up to him "Sark! I'm waiting for you. Honestly, how long does it take you to get ready? It's shocking!"

"Yes, that's right Sydney," she heard him coming to the stairs, "I'm the one that takes six hours to get ready to go out…" he drifted off when he saw her. She was wearing a vibrant blue satin gown, and when she spun around, he saw that there was almost no back.

"Julian, I think I'll take your speechlessness as a compliment"

He ran down the rest of the stairs and took her into his arms, giving her the kiss of a lifetime. It took her by surprise, and left her breathless.

"You know all the other times that I've told you that you look beautiful?" he whispered. Sydney could barely nod "they all pale in comparison to tonight."

She kissed him again and led him to the door. "Did you know that you have the most beautiful back I've ever seen?"

She laughed, "No I didn't, but thank you" she blushed, "Julian, you look fantastic in a tux."