CHAPTER 4
NEXT MORNING
"Daddy" a little voice sniffles
Sydney opens her eyes to find Nikolai rubbing his eyes, "Morning Niko." She greets softly.
"Daddy?"
Sydney sits up "We'll see Daddy in a few days." She looks at the clock, "Hungry?"
Niko nods shyly.
"Let's go see what Grandpa has around here to eat." Sydney throws off the covers then stands picking the boy up. "Did you sleep well?"
"Want Daddy"
"I know." Sydney carries him into the kitchen where she finds a note on the refrigerator from her Dad.
'Sydney,
I will be by this afternoon with some clothes for Nikolai. Call if you need me to pick anything else up.
Love, Dad.'
Sydney sets Nikolai at the kitchen table, "Let's see what there is to eat." She opens the refrigerator "Do you like eggs?" When Niko doesn't reply she looks at him and sighs seeing his lower lip tremble, "Niko I know you miss Daddy but you'll see him again... I promise."
"Daddy make breakfast for me." He sniffles
"Oh Niko" Sydney crouches before the boy "come here."
Niko throws his arms around her neck, "Want Daddy"
"I know baby. I know." Sydney hugs him
SAME TIME: CIA
Sark looks up as Jack walks into the containment area, "How's Niko?"
"They were both asleep when I left." Jack presses in the code for the door, "They're waiting for your debriefing."
Sark stands walking out of his cell with Jack.
MIDAFTERNOON: JACK'S HOUSE
Jack walks into the house carrying bags to find Sydney and Nikolai sitting on the couch, Sydney watching the boy with a look of wonder as Nikolai watches an animal program enraptured. "Sydney"
Sydney looks up and smiles "Hi Dad." She stands "What is all this?"
"Things I thought the boy would like until his things arrive as well as clothes for him." Jack sets the bags down, "Sark gave me a list of toys he'd like as well as his sizes."
"Thanks Dad."
"How is he?"
"Quiet. He keeps switching between English and Russian."
"He speaks Russian?" Jack says surprised
Sydney nods "Sark said he uses Russian when unsure. He's cried a couple times for Sark."
"It's only been a day since his life changed Sydney. Give him some time."
"I know." Sydney looks at Nikolai who is quietly watching a program on monkeys. "It's going to take everyone, even me, a while to get used to this." She takes a deep breath "How is Sark?"
"Still his normal sarcastic self."
Sydney nods "Doesn't surprise me... he's back in the environment where he needs it."
"I'll go get the rest of the bags."
"Dad you don't need to spoil him."
Jack grins slightly then walks out of the house.
"Nikolai, do you want to see what Grandpa got you?" Sydney takes the bags into the living room. She sits beside him on the couch. "Let's see" she opens the bag "Clothes."
Jack enters the living room "I think this is what Nikolai will really like."
Sydney grins seeing the Toys R Us bags "Oooh even I'm interested in those bags."
Jack sets the bags down before Nikolai and watches as the boy looks in the bags and grins pulling out a stuffed elephant.
Nikolai grins hugging the elephant.
"What are you going to call him?" Sydney asks
Nikolai shrugs keeping the elephant close he returns to the bag of toys.
Sydney watches as Nikolai grins, his blue eyes sparkling at the sight of each toy, 'That look is familiar. The same look Sark would get when he felt Niko move.' Sydney smiles at her Dad, "Spoiling him Dad?"
Jack shrugs
"Guess I'm not the only one who feels like they have time to make up for." Sydney says sadly.
"Book" Niko says happily as he pulls out a book from the bag. "Animals" he says happily
"I heard you like animals." Jack remarks
Niko nods opening the book.
Jack sighs as his phone rings "Bristow" he says in greeting as Sydney pulls Niko onto her lap. "Yes I'll be right there." He hangs up "I have to get back. What do you want for dinner?"
"I'll make dinner."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Alright."
"Thanks Dad"
Jack nods "Have fun." He walks out of the house.
"Mama, bear."
Sydney smiles "Yeah that's a bear." She listens intently as Niko tells her all the animals in the book.
LATE THAT NIGHT: JACK'S HOUSE
Jack enters the house to find Sydney picking up the toys "I take it he's in bed."
Sydney looks up "Yeah. He went through the toys five times. He really likes the books."
"Sark told me he enjoys books... especially books on animals."
"Yeah, whenever I tried to change the channel from Animal Planet or even turn off the TV he said no." Sydney settles on the couch with her Dad, "How is everyone at work?"
"Trying to figure out what the hell is going on." Jack replies "Sydney we're going to have to figure out what to do with Nikolai once you're back at work."
"I know." Sydney sighs "What about his former Nanny? Sark wouldn't have hired her if he didn't trust her."
"She's being questioned about Sark's dealings."
"Niko trusts her and Sark must have trusted her." Sydney muses. "Once they finish with their questions I want to speak with her."
"Sydney"
"Dad, he's had too many changes in a short time... he's going to need someone he's familiar with."
"I will speak with Dixon."
Sydney nods standing, "Dinner is in the refrigerator if you're hungry. I think I'm going to go to bed."
"Night sweetheart." Jack watches as Sydney walks down the hall before standing and heading to his office.
Sydney enters the bedroom sitting on the edge of the bed and looks at Niko who is peacefully asleep. 'He's so incredible.'
/THREE YEARS EARLIER: SOMEWHERE
"I'd forgotten what that feels like." Sark says softly as he feels his son move against his hand.
Sydney looks at him surprised by his remark, "You haven't told me anything about your wife or daughter."
"There's not much to say." Sark shrugs looking away. "One day we were a happy family, Eva was trying to talk me into having another baby. The next day... I lost everything." He rests his head on the couch cushion his hand still on her belly. "After that day I went back to being Sark... haven't really looked back."
"What was your daughter like?"
Sark smiles faintly, "Hard to put into words. Once when she was three, we were at the park and there was this man, who must have been sixty or so, sitting under a tree. Anyway, Lexa just walked over to him and started talking."
Sydney smiles "She wasn't scared of strangers, huh?"
"No, she had a healthy fear of strangers but she also had this... ability to know who to trust." Sark smiles faintly. "She was an incredible little girl. She could get anyone to smile at her antics."
"You were what 18 when she was born?"
Sark nods "Twelve... almost thirteen years ago." He says sadly.
"Your wife wanted to have another baby?"
"Yes, I wasn't ready though." Sark admits. "I mean, I loved Alexa and being a Dad but I wasn't ready for a second child, I had enough to deal with at the time with my father-in-law was constantly trying to get Eva to move back home with Lexa. I was trying to stay good for Eva and Alexa, I still worked for Irina but mostly doing minor jobs. Eva said she'd take Alexa and leave, if I ever killed or harmed another person, so I told Irina that all I would do is retrieval and surveillance. I decided that I needed to try to do... normal things so after Alexa was born I asked Irina to arrange for school papers saying I graduated from a normal school and I enrolled at University."
"You're kidding me" Sydney says surprised
"No." Sark shrugs "I was going to major in philosophy and psychology. I knew I would be good at it, after all look who I dealt with my whole life, and I was." He smiles faintly then shakes his head, "I had a decent life... then I lost them."
"And you went back to this life"
Sark nods "Had nothing else."
"Are you sure about giving this up? What about Mom?"
"I won't tell her everything but I will need to tell her why I'm leaving. Hopefully she'll leave it alone and let me leave that side of my life alone." He lifts his hand to her cheek, "I promise I'll take care of him... I won't let anyone or anything hurt him."
Sydney nods kissing him lightly.
Sark searches her gaze then deepens the kiss/
"Now it's my turn to make sure nothing happens to you." Sydney says softly as she lies down next to her son. "I love you little guy."
HOUR LATER
Jack sits at his laptop and types, We have a situation here
What is it? Is she OK?
No. What do you know about Sark's son?
Nothing, I have only seen him a few times and never up close. Sark always sent him out of the room. Why?
They had a relationship.
WHAT!
The boy is our grandson Jack types
You're kidding
No. One night stand while he was helping her look into her missing time and Lazarey's death.
She never told you anything happened?
No. She was upset to have to tell me.
Is she OK?
To a point.
I was informed that Sark is gone from his home in London. In custody?
Yes. Nikolai is with Sydney.
Her job?
Secure. Sark took care of it. Jack types then pauses Was Sark married? Sydney told me he had another child.
Yes. Wife and child died almost 13 years ago in car accident.
Are you sure its not a lie?
I sent him on the job where he met her. He loved them... gave up this life for them.
Why not on record?
After deaths, I destroyed all evidence. Wanted no weakness to be found on him.
Don't know how to help her. She never wanted the truth out like this. Her friends are not liking the news. Reed and her damn nosiness.
Screw her friends. This was Sydney's decision to keep the boy a secret.
I wish she hadn't kept it from me. I wouldn't have cared.
Yes you would. You hate Sark
But the child is obviously important to her and I would have dealt.
What is he like?
Looks a lot like Sydney did at that age... minus his blue eyes. Jack continues his conversation with Irina for a while longer then ends the conversation. He heads down to the hall to his room then stops outside Sydney's room and sticks his head in the room to find Sydney curled up with Nikolai. He smiles slightly seeing his daughter relaxed 'All will be OK Sydney. You'll see.'
CHAPTER 5
3 DAYS LATER: JACK'S HOUSE
"Daddy now?" Nikolai asks hopefully as his Mama zips up his jacket.
"Yes your going to see Daddy now." Sydney smiles as Niko grins "Ready?"
Nikolai nods enthusiastically. "Daddy. Daddy" He jumps up and down hugging his new elephant stuffed animal.
"All right calm down." Sydney laughs
"See Daddy now" Nikolai demands
"We will." Sydney assures
"Are you two ready?" Jack asks walking into the foyer where he finds his grandson jumping up and down.
"He's excited to go see Sark." Sydney smiles faintly Niko. "Come on." She picks up Nikolai.
"Sydney, are you sure about going home now?" Jack asks
"You said all of his things are here. I might as well get him situated." Sydney shrugs "Besides won't it be good to have your house back? No more stepping on toys."
"Sydney you know I don't mind it. I just want you to be sure your ready to take care of him on your own." Jack says as they reach the car.
"I'm going to have to start sooner or later Dad." Sydney answers as she buckles Nikolai into the car seat. "We'll be fine."
"If you're sure"
"I am." Sydney assures
"Weiss supervised the moving in of his things." Jack informs her as he starts the car. "He had to move the things out of the extra room."
"That's fine. I'll figure out where to put everything." Sydney shrugs
"If you need help" Jack offers
"Thanks Dad." Sydney looks into the back seat where Niko is looking out the window his thumb in his mouth.
45 MINS LATER: CIA
"Syd"
Sydney turns and smiles seeing Weiss hurry over to them. "Hey Eric." She shifts Nikolai in her arms.
"Good to see you." Weiss smiles "So this is Nikolai"
"Yeah this is Nikolai."
"See Daddy" Niko says impatiently.
"Eric, can we talk later?" Sydney asks hopefully.
"We can talk whenever you have the time." Weiss says
"Thanks." Sydney gives him a small smile then looks at Nikolai, "All right we'll go see Daddy."
Sark looks up as he hears the outer door open and Sydney walks up to the Plexiglas with Nikolai is on her hip as she presses in the security code for the door.
"Daddy" Nikolai says happily
Sydney enters "He's been waiting to see you."
Sark takes the grinning boy from her who gives him a big hug, "That's a big hug."
"Daddy, go home now?" Nikolai asks in Russian
Sydney winces at Nikolai's hopeful tone
"No Nikolai." Sark replies looking at Sydney briefly. "I have to stay here... Mama's going to take care of you from now on."
"I'll leave you two alone." Sydney walks out of the cell then looks at Sark sadness filling her at the sight of Father and Son. 'They should be together.' After a moment she walks away leaving the two alone.
Sark sits on the cot with Nikolai on his lap, "I've missed you."
"Miss you Daddy." Nikolai cuddles close
"Miss you too my boy." Sark strokes Niko's hair, "Mama will take care of you though."
Sydney walks into her Dad's office and drops onto the couch.
"I take it Nikolai is with Sark." Jack says pressing the security button.
Sydney nods
"What's wrong?"
Sydney shrugs "Just seeing Sark with Niko made me realize how much he loves Nikolai."
"I think his devotion to Nikolai has surprised us all." Jack admits
"I guess after all the time I've spent with him it doesn't surprise me. He's a confusing guy but he does have his moments."
"I spoke with Dixon. The Nanny's debriefing is done. She's decided to go back to London."
Sydney nods "I guess that doesn't surprise me. I guess I could put him in daycare."
"It wouldn't be too bad. He would make some friends."
"Yeah that's true."
COUPLE HOURS LATER
Sydney steps into the cell where she finds Sark sitting on the bed with Nikolai asleep next to him. "Fell asleep huh"
Sark nods his eyes on Nikolai "He wore himself out talking."
"He misses you. He asks when he's going to see you again more than once a day."
"I miss him too." Sark looks at Sydney "How is he adjusting?"
"We stayed with Dad until his things from your place arrived. We thought he'd adjust better to all the changes if he still had his things from home. We go to my house today." She looks at Nikolai "I know a lot of things have changed for him in less than a week... at least he has things he's familiar with now."
"Good." He looks at Sydney "How are you?"
"I'll be fine. Everyone is on... stunned."
"I bet. After a while they'll get over it."
"I know."
"How is he adjusting?"
"He cries sometimes. He spends a lot of time watching animal programs."
"Its one of the few things I ever let him watch on TV. He has a tendency to over watch. You just have to say no and then distract him with something else; books usually work. He loves being read too."
"I've learned that. Dad brought out my childhood books and we've gone through them more than once."
Sark smiles "Is he sleeping?" He asks concerned.
"Yeah. He asks about you before he goes to sleep and when he wakes up." She tells him looking at Nikolai. "He really misses you."
"I miss him as well." Sark sighs "I got myself into this years ago... it was bound to catch up to me one day. I just wish it hadn't happened like this."
"Same."
"I guess its time for you two to go."
Sydney nods "I wish we could stay longer but"
Sark sighs, "I still have another debriefing today." He picks up the jacket he had removed from Niko when he arrived.
Sydney watches as Sark carefully maneuvers Nikolai into his jacket, 'He's so gentle with Niko. I really hate the fact that I have to separate them like this.'
Sark carefully picks up Nikolai and walks over to Sydney "It's all going to be fine Sydney. You'll see."
Sydney looks at her sleeping son, "I hope so."
"It will. You'll see."
"I'll bring him again as soon as possible."
Sark nods handing Sydney the stuffed elephant, "Thank you for bringing him."
Sydney gives him a small smile. "Not a problem." She walks out of the cell then looks back at Sark as the door closes behind her. When she sees the pain flash in his eyes, she swallows heavily 'This must be ripping him apart.' She tears her eyes away from him and walks out of the containment area. 'I'm sorry Sark.'
Sark rests his palms against the Plexiglas, 'I'm sorry little guy. Mama will take care of you. I lost Alexa... now you.' He closes his eyes taking a deep breath.
HOUR LATER: SYDNEY'S HOUSE
Sydney enters the house with a sleepy Nikolai holding her hand. "How about we go see what they did with your things... after we get you out of your jacket." She crouches before Niko unzipping his jacket she helps him out of it.
"Where are we?" Niko asks rubbing his eyes looking around curiously.
"My house... our house." Sydney corrects straightening up she removes her own jacket, "I'll show you your room." She picks Niko up taking him back to his room.
"My toys!" Nikolai grins looking around his eyes wide.
"Yeah. All of your things are here." Sydney sets the boy down and watches as he looks around going to the toy chest. She notices a picture on the dresser and picks it up smiling at the picture of Sark holding Nikolai just after his birth. She sits on the rocking chair staring at the picture blinking back tears remembering that day.
/THREE YEAR EARLIER: SOMEWHERE
As she lies on the bed Sydney watches as Sark stands at the window with Nikolai in his arms, "Have you picked a middle name yet?"
Sark looks at Sydney "You pick." When he sees her flinch, he sits on the edge of the hospital bed.
"You're raising him you should pick." Sydney looks away.
"I want you to pick Sydney. That way when he's older I'll be able to tell him why his middle name is important."
Sydney looks at the baby and smiles slightly, "You won't like my suggestion."
"As long as it's not after your ex I will be fine with it."
"Jonathon."
Sark smiles looking at the baby in his arms, "Nikolai Jonathon... sounds good. What do you think little guy?" He looks at Sydney, "Good choice."
"Yeah." Sydney smiles at Sark before looking at the baby.
Sark watches her thoughtfully, "You don't have to leave Sydney. We could disappear."
Sydney sighs, "Its better this way."
"Why?"
"If we both disappeared not only would the CIA be after us but my parents. And you know Dad... when he wants something he's like a dog with a bone."
Sark smirks "That he is. The man is relentless." He sobers quickly, "Do you really want to leave?"
"No" Sydney snaps "But it is for the best." She brushes her finger down the baby's cheek.
"You have three weeks to change your mind... the doctor said you'd have your stitches out by then."
"I'm not going to change my mind. I can't stay." She says sadly.
Sark carefully hands the baby over to her./
"Mama?"
Sydney tears her eyes away from the picture and looks at Nikolai, "Come here."
Nikolai climbs on to her lap grinning at the picture, "Niko and Daddy."
"Yes, I took that picture... it was the first picture of you and Daddy. He loves you so much. He was so proud the day you were born."
Niko looks at her hopefully, "Daddy, home soon?"
Sydney sighs, "Daddy has to stay where he is."
"Miss Daddy." He says sadly
"I know you do." Sydney hugs him as they look at the picture.
EVENING
Sydney looks up as she hears the doorbell ring. She wipes her hands off on the towel then looks at Nikolai who is quietly playing with his toys in front of the TV. She smiles walking to the door opening it to find Weiss standing there. "Hey you do have a key."
"Yeah well I didn't want to interrupt your bonding time."
"Oh it's fine. I'm making dinner and Niko is settled in front of the TV quietly playing. Hungry?" She moves away from the door so Weiss can enter.
"Sure." Weiss enters the house following her back to the kitchen. "How is he doing?"
"He misses Sark." Sydney glances at her son who is still playing. "He asks about him every so often. Thanks for helping to move things in."
"Not a problem. Your Dad thought you and Nikolai needed some time alone."
"Yeah. It was good to spend some time with him." Sydney continues to cut the fruit.
"I brought him a present." Weiss sets a bag on the counter.
"Eric you didn't have too."
Weiss shrugs "Felt like it."
"Thanks." Sydney smiles
"So are you and Mike still avoiding each other?"
Sydney stiffens "He started this whole thing. I was perfectly fine until she went over everyone's head."
"Syd, he is a wanted criminal."
"And he's stopped Weiss." Sydney looks at her friend, "It's the only reason I left Niko with him... under the condition he stopped and that he never started again. Sark knew if he went back to work, I wouldn't have hesitated to take Niko from him. He loves Niko, Eric."
"I don't doubt that... I saw him with Nikolai in the security room." Weiss turns to look at the little boy, "I think I saw Sark smile for the first time ever"
"I know normally he smirks." Sydney smiles remembering all the times Sark smirked while they were arguing or he was holding a gun on her. "The only time I've ever seen him smile smile was when he felt Nikolai kick, when he mentioned Alexa... or when he's around Nikolai."
"Alexa?"
Sydney winces "His daughter... she died when she was little in a car accident." She looks at Weiss "You can't tell anyone. Dad knows but no one else. He doesn't talk about it."
Weiss nods "Need help?"
"Sure. Dinner is almost ready. Can you set the table and pour drinks? I'm going to go get him cleaned up." Sydney wipes her hands off then walks out of the kitchen, "Niko, its time to get cleaned up." She picks up the boy who squirms
"No"
"Yes." Sydney picks up the remote and turns the TV off. "Dinner is almost ready." She carries Niko back to the bathroom.
Weiss proceeds to set the table
Sydney sets Nikolai on the chair she put in there so he can reach the sink, "Eric came by to visit and he's joining us for dinner." Sydney tells him as they wash their hands. "Good." She helps him dry his hands then carries him out of the bathroom to the kitchen where they find Weiss pouring drinks.
Weiss smiles at the little boy, "Hey Nikolai."
Niko looks at the man then buries his face in his Mama's shoulder shyly.
Sydney laughs slightly then kisses Niko's head, "Hey no need to be shy. Eric's a friend." She sets Nikolai on the seat strapped to the kitchen chair.
"So are you two having fun?" Weiss asks
"Mama and Niko play." Nikolai announces swings his legs
"Yes we play a lot." Sydney smiles
"That's great. What do you like to play most?" Weiss asks the boy.
Nikolai tilts his head the grins "Color."
"Coloring is fun." Sydney agrees setting a plate of cut up chicken, noodles, apples, and peas before the boy.
Weiss looks at the items and remarks, "Interesting combination, Syd."
Sydney laughs, "Finger foods Weiss. One thing I learned these last few days... he's still working on using a fork. Dad suggested making things that he can just pick up." She grabs a bib snapping it around Niko's neck.
"So how is Jack taking all of this?"
"He's taking this pretty good. He's worried about us being here on our own but we'll be fine." Sydney smiles as Nikolai as he starts to pick at his food.
"And you have me nearby."
Sydney grins, "That's what I told him."
"When are you coming back to work?"
"I have a few meetings with daycares tomorrow."
"What about when you go out of town?"
"Dad said Niko can stay with him. Claire can watch him after school sometimes... I cleared it with Dixon. If things are desperate, Dixon said he would see about clearing it so Niko can stay with Sark."
"Daddy?" Niko perks up
"Not now sweetie. Eat your dinner." Sydney watches as he picks up a piece of chicken.
"So, is Momhood working out for you?"
"It's getting there." Sydney shrugs "It's going to take a while for us to be totally comfortable but we will."
"I'm sure you will."
"Come on let's eat."
7PM
Sydney walks out of the bedroom to see Weiss walk out of the kitchen with two beers, "He's asleep." She takes the offered beer and sits on the couch.
"So can I ask you something?"
Sydney lifts her shoulder, "Sure"
"You and Sark? How'd that come about? As I recall you two hated each other with a passion."
Sydney sighs, "While I was on the run he was helping me look into my missing time and why I killed Lazarey. One thing led to another and..." Sydney shrugs "almost nine months later Niko was born."
"And when you took off on vacation?"
"I was with Sark. I knew none of you, not even Dad, would understand why I even agreed to go through with the pregnancy." She looks at the beer, "Protocol would have required me to not have him... plus it would have been considered treason by some."
"So you hid it."
Sydney nods "I wanted him Weiss. I know that sounds odd considering Sark and I were enemies that I would have his child but it had nothing to do with what we do. Having Nikolai was about me needing some sanity and normalcy." She takes a deep breath "Pregnancy is a normal thing for normal people. I guess Sark wanted some normalcy as well."
"So you two managed to survive living together."
Sydney nods
"Any dirt I can use on him?"
"No. He's a pretty normal guy." Sydney shrugs
Weiss nods "Hard to believe though."
"I guess it could be."
"How'd you survive? You two always bicker and insult each other."
"We just kept our distance. Only time we really spent together was checkups and trying to figure out what to do about everything." 'Unless we were having sex.' "We managed to get along somehow." She shrugs
"I just can't believe you put up with him."
Sydney rests her head against the couch cushion "We both made it through without serious damage."
"Have you ever regretted your decision to leave him with Sark?"
"There are times I have wished I could have brought him home with me but I knew that would bring about a lot of questions so I made my choice." Sydney admits "I knew he'd take care of Nikolai."
"He's a great kid... must be your genes." Weiss grins
Sydney laughs, "That's what Dad says."
"Hey I'm here if you need me."
"Thanks. I think you, Dad, and Dixon are a little more accepting than everyone else."
"Just give Mike time to get used to this."
"It doesn't concern him. We're over. He has no right to be upset with what I do."
"Look, Mike tried talking Lauren out of going after Sark but she's too damn stubborn to listen. You managed to deal with his marriage and Lauren... just give him time to get used to this."
"I'll try."
"Good, I'd hate for my two best friends to hate each other forever."
"I don't hate him Eric. I never have. I just hate that Lauren always causes a problem between us."
"Syd, she did help you when you got back."
"To a point." Sydney begrudgingly agrees
"I wish you and Lauren could get along... it has been five years Sydney."
"I've tried but something always puts us at odds."
"I think the biggest problem is that Michael always takes one of your sides. Maybe if he'd stop you two could find a way to get along and stop fighting."
"Vaughn never takes sides." Sydney protests
"Yes he does Sydney. He is always trying to keep the peace between you two. He is always defending you two to each other. When you screw up he defends you to Lauren. When Lauren screws up he defends her to you. The guy is stuck in the middle Sydney."
"He put himself there." Sydney says bitterly.
"Even so he stays there despite my urgings to stay out of things between you and Lauren. He wants to keep the peace between you two and you both make it hard on him."
Sydney sits there in silence going over the arguments over the last three years then nods, "I guess that's true. I guess I should try to work things out with Vaughn... and Lauren." Sydney says reluctantly.
"Will you try... for me?" Weiss asks hopefully. "You and Mike are my best friends and I like Lauren. I just hate that the three of you can't get a long."
"I'll try to find a way to get a long with Lauren."
"Thank you." Weiss grins
"Don't count on Lauren and I becoming friends." Sydney warns
"I wouldn't expect that but I would like for you two to find a way to get along... for everyone's sake."
"I'll try."
Weiss nods "That's all I ask."
COUPLE DAYS LATER: PARK
"Thanks for meeting me here." Sydney looks at Niko who is playing in the sandbox as she and Lauren sit nearby.
"Why did you call Sydney?" Lauren asks curiously. "We aren't exactly friends."
"No but we both care for Weiss and Michael."
"What about them?"
"The other night Weiss and I were talking and I came to the realization," Sydney glances at the blond next to her, "despite our feelings for each other the guys are important to us." She looks back at Nikolai "And we need to have a truce... particularly for Vaughn's sake."
"We've tried this before Sydney... it never works. Michael always takes one of our sides."
"I have a proposition for you."
"What kind?"
"From now on when we have a problem with each other we make Michael and Weiss stay out of it and we figure out a way to work it out between us. We need to stop bringing them into our arguments. I know how much Michael loves you and though it took me a while I've accepted it."
"And if we need a third party?"
"Well there is one objective party in the CIA."
"Who?" Lauren asks curiously
"Sark and he's definitely not afraid to tell me when I'm wrong."
"Why Sark?" Lauren demands
"Who else would we go to?" Sydney asks. "We'd scare Marshall and he's the only one that's even close to being neutral."
"Only because he runs when there's any hint of an argument." Lauren grins
"Yeah." Sydney smiles faintly at the mention of the techie genius
"Sydney... I am sorry for going after Sark it's just"
"He was still wanted." Sydney finishes
"Yes. A lot of the reason I went over Dixon's head, is that I know Sark's record as well as everyone else. I guess I was worried for his safety." Lauren nods at Niko.
"As you might have realized Sark has been nothing but a doting father."
Lauren looks at the little boy quietly playing in the sandbox nearby. "Yes I have realized that. I saw them on the security cameras."
"So truce?" Sydney asks
"Truce... for the guys sake."
"Good." Sydney nods
After a few moments of uncomfortable silence Lauren speaks, "I guess I will see you at work."
Sydney nods standing she goes over to the sandbox and joins Nikolai "Hey Niko"
Lauren watches the mother and son for a moment then stands leaving the park.
EVENING: SYDNEY'S HOUSE
Sydney carries Nikolai to the front door and opens it to find Vaughn standing on the porch, "Here to tell me I screwed up my life?" Sydney asks warily.
"No."
Sydney steps away from the door and allows Vaughn to enter as she sets Niko on the floor, "Niko go play in your bedroom." She says in Russian.
"Yes Mama" Niko returns running out of the foyer.
"He understands Russian?" Vaughn says surprised.
Sydney nods leading Vaughn into the living room, "Why are you here?"
"I wanted to apologize." Vaughn says nervously. "You were right. I had no right to tell you that you messed up. I was just upset that you kept something this important from me."
"I kept it because I knew no one would understand. And I was right." She says sadly.
Vaughn asks softly, "How is he doing?"
"Good. He's adjusting fast but he misses Sark. It will take him a while longer to be really comfortable with me."
"He will be Sydney."
"I know."
"How are you doing otherwise?"
"Fine, I'm enjoying my time with him."
"Look Syd, I don't want issues between us... we're friends and we work together. The more tension between us the harder things will be."
"I agree."
"So let's let this go. I'm sorry for what I said to you and any bad feelings I caused to make you keep this from me."
"I'm sorry for not trusting any of you enough and getting mad about everything." Sydney apologizes.
"Friends?" Vaughn sticks out his hand
"Friends." Sydney shakes his hand.
"Good." Vaughn grins then sighs, "I better go."
Sydney nods walking with him to the door.
"See you at work soon?"
Sydney nods closing the door behind him and takes a deep breath feeling relieved to have dealt with Vaughn. She heads back to Niko's room to find the little boy quietly playing with his toys. She sits on the rocking chair her eyes on the boy 'I have my little boy with me now.'