CHAPTER 6
MONTH LATER: SOMEWHERE IN LA
"Why call me here Sydney?" Jack asks as he finds his daughter waiting in an empty building. "Is something wrong?" He asks concerned.
"Niko isn't doing well with everything. He's still missing Sark... cries at least once a day... especially after seeing Sark."
"So stop the visits."
"I can't." Sydney runs her hands through her hair, "Despite my differences and everyone's differences with Sark, he is a good Dad. I want to find a way to secure his release."
"Sydney there is no way they'd agree to that"
"Why?"
"Let's see he killed people."
"So did Sloane and he was pardoned." Sydney points out "Why can't Sark? At least Sark stopped killing people and that can be proven, but Sloane has killed people since his pardon. Hell, he was the one who ordered the hit on Lindsey."
"To protect you." Jack points out
"To protect himself." Sydney retorts. "Dad, I know you have issues with Sark and I do as well, but he is Niko's father."
"They'd never agree to a full pardon."
"What about a conditional pardon?" Sydney questions, "What if Sark agrees to continue to supply information and work for the CIA, would they agree to that?"
"I guess it depends on what you bring them to barter with." Jack shrugs "What makes you think Sark won't run if you do manage to get him a pardon conditional or not?"
"Because I don't think he'd go on the run with Niko. Dad, they lived in three places Niko's whole life. All Sark did to stay off the radar was not do what he'd normally do. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't run."
"You'd have to bring something big to barter with." Jack muses
"Like what?"
"Let me see what I can find."
"I know you don't approve Dad but thanks."
"Are you sure about this Sydney?"
Sydney nods "I'm sure."
"I'll see what I can do."
Sydney glances at her watch "I have to go pick up Nikolai from daycare. Are you coming over for dinner tonight?"
"I'll be there."
Sydney nods walking out of the building.
EVENING: SYDNEY'S HOUSE
Sydney smiles seeing her Dad read to Nikolai on the couch and turns back to the dishes, 'I really hope this works out.' She works in silence then is startled out of her thoughts when she feels arms around her leg. She looks down to see Nikolai hugging her leg, "Hey sweetie."
"Grandpa says bed time."
Sydney looks at the clock "Grandpa's right it is bed time."
"I'll put him to bed." Jack offers
Sydney nods and crouches before Niko "Give me a hug." She smiles as Nikolai throws his arms around her neck hugging her tight. "Night little guy."
"Night Mama" Niko kisses his Mama's cheek then holds his arms up to his Grandpa.
Sydney watches as Jack picks up the boy and smiles as the two walk out of the kitchen then turns back to the dishes.
WHILE LATER
Sydney looks up as her Dad walks into the kitchen "Did he go down without a fight?"
"Not really."
"Complained huh"
Jack nods "Just like you used to do."
Sydney laughs
"You've done a good job with him Syd." Jack says approvingly.
"Thanks." Sydney wipes her hands dry, "It helps that he's a calm kid. He only cries when he wants Sark."
"Sydney you could just stop the visits."
"I can't." Sydney sighs, "He loves his visits. Besides if Niko stopped visiting I'm betting Sark would stop giving information."
Jack sighs "Probably. How is Nikolai doing in daycare?"
"He likes it I guess. He's still switching between Russian and English though he's getting better at sticking with English when he's at daycare."
Jack nods
"He's talking a lot more... in both languages so he must be getting comfortable being around me." Sydney leans against the counter, "We're doing good."
"I'm glad. I know how much you must have missed the boy."
"I did. I don't really regret leaving him with Sark because I knew he'd take care of Niko but I do regret having to leave him." She blinks back tears
"I know you do." Jack hugs her "Everything will be fine Sydney."
"I know." Sydney hugs him back. "I just want things to be OK for Niko."
"They will." Jack assures kissing the top of her head.
Sydney nods reveling in her Dad's show of affection... something that doesn't happen often.
FEW DAYS LATER: PARK
Jack joins Sydney at the swing set empty but for them and Niko. "I found out what they are seriously looking for."
"What?"
"About six months ago a man working for a government lab went missing along with a list of names."
"Why does the CIA care about a list of names?"
"The said list of names supposedly names people involved in a top, and I mean top, secret military genetics project. No one really knows who took the list or where the man went. I spoke with your mother and she told me she knows where the list is."
Sydney looks at her Dad surprised "And will she help me get it?"
"She's agreed. All you need to do is retrieve the list and make a deal to the proper people. I will call them in once you retrieve the list. You'll have to do this on your own Sydney... we can't bring anyone else in."
Sydney nods
"I've made all of the arrangements. Your mother will arrange for someone to meet you there and help you out on that end."
"Where am I going?"
"Spain. You leave tonight. Nikolai can stay with me while you're gone. I'll take him to daycare in the morning and pick him up."
"He's supposed to see Sark tomorrow afternoon."
Jack nods "I'll take him." He assures "I already made the cover story for you being gone... meeting a source in Spain who won't meet with anyone else."
Sydney nods, "Thanks Dad. I know you don't approve of this but it's for Niko."
"I know." Jack looks at the little boy sitting on the swing.
"Mama, push" Niko demands
"All right." Sydney laughs pushing the boy on the swing enjoying the sound of the boy's laughter. "Do you think this will work Dad?"
"I don't know. They could turn down the offer and take you in for blackmail. After all you've done this more than once."
Sydney shrugs "I do what I have to do."
"Yes I know."
LATE EVENING: AIRPORT
"Be good for Grandpa. I'll see you in a couple days." Sydney hugs and kisses Niko.
"Don't go Mama"
"I'll be back before you know it." Sydney promises "I'll call."
Niko sniffles, "OK Mama."
Sydney hands him to her Dad, "Thanks Dad."
Jack nods "Everything you need will be on the other side."
Sydney nods running her hand over Niko's hair not wanting to leave her son but knowing she has to in order to find a way to get his father back for him. She takes a deep breath and walks to the chartered plane glancing back to see her Dad still standing there with Nikolai. 'You'll be back, Syd. You are doing this to give Sark a chance to see his son... your son.' She continues onto the plane.
Once the plane door is closed, Jack walks back to the car and sets Niko in his car seat buckling him in. When he sees Niko sniffle he sighs, "It's going to be fine Nikolai. She'll be back."
"Mama" Nikolai sticks his thumb in his mouth as he stares past his Grandpa to see the plane take off.
Jack looks back at the plane, 'Good luck Sydney.'
Sydney closes her eyes taking a deep breath, 'I'm doing this for Nikolai.'
NEXT MORNING: JACK'S HOUSE
"Nikolai, we need to get going." Jack calls
Nikolai runs out of the bedroom with Phant the elephant, "Where we going Granpa?"
"You're going to daycare for a few hours and then you're going to see Daddy for a while."
Niko grins "Yeah." He jumps up and down excitedly, "See Daddy."
"Not until this afternoon." Jack grabs Niko's jacket off the coat rack and crouches before the boy helping him into his jacket.
"Mama back soon?"
"Soon." Jack assures as he zips up Niko's jacket. "Do you have everything?"
Niko nods "Have Phant." He holds up the elephant.
"Then I guess you have everything." Jack ushers the boy out of the house and locks the door behind him.
45 MINS LATER: DAYCARE
"Hi Nikolai." The woman smiles warmly at the little boy, "Ready to play?"
Niko nods excitedly. "I see my Daddy today."
"Someone will be picking him up around 2." Jack informs the woman, "If its not me I will call and let you know who will be picking him up."
"Sydney already gave us a list of who's allowed to pick him up." The woman assures
Jack nods "Nikolai have fun."
"See Daddy soon?"
"Soon." Jack promises walking away.
"Come on Nikolai let's get you settled in."
COUPLE HOURS LATER: SPAIN
Sydney steps off the jet and smiles when she sees who is waiting for her. "Mom"
"Sydney" Irina Derevko smiles when she sees her daughter and the two hug.
"Dad didn't tell me you'd be here."
"We wanted it to be a surprise." Irina says. "How are you?" She looks her daughter over.
"Good."
"How's Nikolai?"
"He's good. Misses Sark a lot which is why I'm doing this."
"Jack told me. Come on we have a drive ahead of us." Irina leads her daughter to the waiting car. "I will check in later." She nods at the man waiting beside the car then they get in the car. "How is Sark doing? He must be bored with being locked up."
"He's still his sarcastic self but yeah he's getting antsy."
"That is only a protective shell for him Sydney."
"I know."
"He does it to protect himself... even more so since Evangeline and Alexa died." Irina says as she drives.
"Mom... what was his wife like?" Sydney asks curiously, "He never really talked about her... or Alexa."
Irina sighs heavily, "He loved Evangeline and Alexa. Since his mother's death Sark hadn't let anyone close... not even Alison but Eva he adored her. Eva was the daughter of a very wealthy man, whose life was being threatened. He was a friend of a former associate of mine. I was called after a threat to Eva was made and they made a request of protection preferably someone close to Eva's age so they could fit in with her every day life. Sark was the first choice... though I never thought he'd fall in love with her. Eva was a lot different from the people he was used to being around; she was a very sheltered girl... innocent... sweet." Irina looks at her daughter, "One day a few months after I sent him there he called for a meeting. I met him and he told me that Evangeline was pregnant and that he wanted to marry her but he needed my help. I objected at first until he told me that he found out Eva's father beat her and he didn't know how Cassadine would react when he found out she was pregnant."
"And Sark didn't just kill the guy?"
"No. Sark knew better and as much as he wanted to kill Cassadine he didn't. I never thought I'd see Sark show an attachment to a person but when I saw him with Eva I realized how much he loved her." Irina thinks back to the conversation she had with Sark that day.
/ALMOST 16 YEARS EARLIER
"I've done something stupid." Sark says in an uncharacteristic show of nervousness.
"How so?" Irina asks curiously as she regards her protégé with interest.
"Eva's pregnant."
Irina sighs "Yours?"
Sark nods
"Damn it Alexander."
"I know." Sark runs his fingers through his hair in frustration.
Irina frowns at his expression, "Do you love her?"
Sark nods
"Why are you here? You know the protocol for this type of situation."
"She refuses... I won't force her."
"Her father?"
"He doesn't know."
"Why call me?"
Sark takes a deep breath, "I want to marry her."
Irina starts "What?"
Sark takes a deep breath, "I want to marry her, but I need your help."
"And what makes you think I would approve this insane idea of yours?" Irina demands. "She's 16 and you're 18! Are you really sure you are ready to be married and have a child?"
"Cassadine beats her." Sark blurts out "I don't know what will happen when he finds out she's pregnant."
"Are you serious about marrying her?" Irina softens slightly when she sees his worried expression.
"Yes." He says firmly, "If you don't help me I'll just run off with her and you know Cassadine will order my death... do you really want to spend more years molding a new protégé?"
Irina regards him "You really are serious." She states
"Irina, I have never asked you for anything and I am grateful for all you have done for me but I love Eva more than I ever thought possible." He runs his fingers through his hair, "Please help me Irina."
After a moment Irina nods, "I will help you."/
"What were they like together?" Sydney asks curiously
"I had never seen him so... relaxed around her." Irina says thoughtfully.
/CASSADINES HOME
Sark, Irina, and two bodyguards enter the house just as they hear a shriek from upstairs. Sark runs up the stairs "Eva" he punches the security guard as he comes at him then reaches Evangeline's bedroom to find Cassadine towering over her.
"You bitch!" Cassadine raises his hand to strike Evangeline only to find himself suddenly pulled away from Eva and on the floor a gun in his face and Sark glaring at him. "Sark" he snarls "You bastard"
"Eva did he hurt you?" Sark demands
Evangeline shivers feeling the fury radiating off her lover, "Alexander don't hurt him." She begs. "He's my father." She goes over to his side her hand on his arm, "Please"
Sark looks at her his anger slowly fading at the pain in her eyes and lowers his gun pulling her into a hug. "I'm sorry." He whispers
Irina stands in the doorway watching Sark hug the girl. She nods at the two men gesturing at Cassadine who is glaring at the couple. She watches as they grab the man pulling him out of the room, "Alexander, help her pack some things. We'll be downstairs."
Sark nods as Irina closes the door/
"I convinced Cassadine to sign a paper allowing Eva to get married. I found a justice of the peace who would marry them in secret and less than a week later they were married."
"I still can't believe Sark was married."
"It was an amazing sight between us he wasn't that bad at being a husband and he was a great Dad, he adored Alexa. When they died he went back to work but it changed him all he did was work... he barely slept or ate. Almost a year after the accident he was almost killed on a mission so I pulled him out of the field and he was put on operations for a while. After a while I put him back in the field and that is the Sark you know now."
"Did he really give up his work?"
Irina nods "He killed one person in those five years and that was only because he'd broken into their house to try and kill him. Evangeline forgave him for that one since he was protecting them."
"And you let him go?"
Irina shrugs "I gave him the opportunity to return if he ever wanted to."
Sydney looks out the car window, "How long 'til we get there?"
"We should be there in a few hours." Irina answers
"What do you know about the list?"
"I've heard a few different rumors. One is that it's the list of the donors for a secret military super soldier project. Another rumor I heard is that it's a list of the super soldiers. I've also heard it's a list of the doctors involved in the program. No one really knows for sure."
"Who has it?"
"Not really sure. Some mystery person."
"Oh."
"So tell me about Nikolai."
Sydney smiles slightly, "He's great. Sark said you've seen him."
"I went to check on Sark a few times especially around Evangeline and Alexa's birthdays, their wedding anniversary, and the anniversary of their deaths. I can't believe I didn't pick up on the boy's resemblance to you... and Sark never said a word."
Sydney nods "So are you also disappointed that I slept with him?" She asks hesitantly.
Irina looks at her daughter surprised by her tone, "No. Unlike your father and friends, I know Sark's other side. Despite his cold exterior, he can be a good man. He was just molded to appear a certain way."
"Why did you want him to be like that?"
Irina shrugs, "To protect himself. You know our business requires a certain attitude."
LATER: SPAIN
Sydney sighs
"What's wrong?" Irina asks concerned looking at her daughter concerned by her tone. "You miss your son"
"Yes but" Sydney bites her lip
"But?"
"I lied to Dad and everyone."
"About?" Irina asks gently.
"What happened between Sark and I. . ." She fidgets "I told Dad and everyone that Sark and I only slept together once."
Irina smiles slightly "I kind of figured that."
Sydney looks at her Mom surprised "How?"
"When Sark wants something he is relentless, I knew he wouldn't force anything but I also knew he wouldn't just let things go. I haven't seen Sark react to anyone like he reacts to you since Evangeline. In his own weird way Sark cares about you Sydney." Irina regards her daughter, "And I think you care about him."
"He is Niko's father." Sydney says hesitantly. "That's as far as things go between Sark and I."
"Then why did you tell me more happened between you two?"
Sydney shrugs "I needed to tell someone."
"Don't worry I won't tell anyone... especially not your father. Knowing him he'd go hit Sark or something."
"Probably." Sydney sighs, "I hope Dad and Niko are doing OK."
"I'm sure their fine." Irina assures
"Yeah, you're right. Besides right about now Niko is in daycare."
"How is Jack with the boy?"
"Like he was when I was little."
"What are you going to do if you manage to get Sark out of custody?"
"I'll deal with that when I need to deal with it." Sydney shrugs
AFTER 2PM: CIA
"Daddy, Daddy." Niko says happily as he jumps up and down waiting for his Grandpa to open the door.
As the door opens, Sark picks up Nikolai and looks at Jack curiously. "Where's Sydney?"
"She's out of town. She had to go meet a source. I'll be back in a couple hours." Jack walks away.
"Daddy" Niko throws his arms around his Daddy's neck hugging him tight.
Sark returns the hug, 'My boy.' He takes a deep breath then sits on the cot with Niko on his lap, "Now tell me about what have you been up to?" Sark listens intently as his son describes everything that he's done since his last visit.
EARLY EVENING
Sark watches as his son leaves the containment room and sits on the cot, 'I lost one and I'm losing time with another.' He runs his hands over his face then looks up at the camera in the corner and sighs. 'I'm stuck here for the rest of my life.' He resigns
SAME TIME: SPAIN
"Are you ready Sydney?" Irina asks over the earpiece.
"Yeah clear yet?"
"Yes. You have 10 minutes before the new guard arrives." Irina reminds watching from her spot as Sydney runs through the shadows. 'Good luck.'
MIDNIGHT: LA JACK'S HOUSE
Jack reaches over grabbing the ringing phone, "Yes?"
"Dad"
"Sydney" Jack sits up
"Sorry did I wake you?" Sydney asks worried.
"I fell asleep reading." Jack says sheepishly. "Well?"
"I'm on my way back."
"It went well?"
"Yes."
"Good. I'll call everyone who needs to be there."
"Dad... thanks. I know you were reluctant to help me but it was for a good reason."
"I know. When do you land?"
"I'm in the air now so closest guess is 3."
"I will right the pardon agreement first thing. Anything specific you want in it?"
Sydney's silent for a moment then answers "The agreement is that Sark will work for the CIA. All of his most recent assets go straight to Niko; and can't be touched by the CIA or Sark."
"He'll have to be in your custody Sydney... they might be more willing if they know that."
Sydney sighs, "Fine."
"Anything else?"
"I'm sure you'll come up with things that the agreement will need." Sydney hangs up
Jack shakes his head and hangs up.
CHAPTER 7
NEXT AFTERNOON: AIRPORT
Sydney gets into her Dad's car
"Here" Jack hands her a black leather folder, "it's the pardon agreement for both sides. The top is Sark's side the next is the agreement for the NSC, CIA, and FBI to sign."
Sydney opens the folder and reads the top paper
"I also drafted one for the State Department to sign to protect Sark from foreign agencies."
"Do you think they'll sign?"
"They'll still have access to Sark and his information so it will still benefit them."
Sydney nods scanning the paper, "I'm sure he'll agree."
"I also added that the agencies can't prosecute either you or Sark for any past or future situations. It protects you and Nikolai more than it protects Sark."
"I figured you go that way." Sydney looks at her Dad, "Did you tell Sark about this?"
"No. He knows you're gone but no idea where." Jack answers. "Nikolai is at daycare."
Sydney nods
HOUR LATER: CIA
Sydney enters the conference room glancing briefly at Sark then looks at the panel of waiting men and women.
"Agent Bristow, why did you call this meeting?" Mr. Timmons representing the NSC demands "And why is Mr. Sark here?"
"I recently came into possession of something you all want and I'll trade you a conditional release for Sark for what I have."
"You must be kidding." Mr. Lancaster, who is representing the CIA, protests, "Mr. Sark is wanted not only by us but numerous countries. You have to be kidding about allowing him out of custody."
"You let Sloane out and he was the one who gave Sark his orders." Sydney points out. "The item all of you want is a list of names pertaining to a super secret genetics project that if came to light would cause trouble for all of you. I am not asking for Sark to be totally let off the hook. He will continue to give information when it is deemed necessary and he will work for the CIA."
"And who will keep an eye on him?" Timmons demands
"I will." Sydney assures "You have thirty seconds to decide or I send the information to any anti-government people I can find."
"You're blackmailing us." Lancaster says angrily.
"No I am making a deal for something you want versus something my son wants... his father. 20 seconds." Sydney looks at Sark to see him smirk and she shrugs in response as the men talk.
"Fine it's agreed." Lancaster agrees after a moment.
"Here are the terms for Sark's release I am sure everyone will agree that they are fair." Jack sets the papers before the agents and hands one to Sark.
"How do we know Sark won't run?" Timmons inquires
"I have no reason to run." Sark answers "Nikolai is settled here now and I wouldn't take my son from his mother... again." He looks at Sydney and smirks, "Hand me a pen."
Sydney looks at her Dad and smiles as they all sign the paperwork, 'I did it. Sark will be with Niko soon.'
Dixon sighs, "Well Sark I guess you'll be working here from now on."
Sark smirks "Wondering how you ended up stuck with me again aren't you."
"Sark don't piss him off... you have a lot of time to do that." Sydney takes the key from her Dad and unlocks the cuffs.
Dixon shakes his head joining Jack "Why am I thinking we'll dread those two working together?"
"We most likely will." Jack says watching as Sydney and Sark walk out of the conference room.
HOUR LATER: DAYCARE
Sark watches as Sydney steps out of the building holding Niko's hand.
"Look who's here" Sydney nods towards the car where Sark is waiting.
Nikolai slowly grins, "Daddy" he releases his Mama's hand and runs towards his Daddy.
Sark crouches catching the boy in a hug, "Nikolai" He says relieved to feel his son in his arms. He stands looking at Sydney and smiles
"Come on you two its time to go home." Sydney smiles
Sark opens the back passenger door and straps Nikolai in his car seat, 'My boy.' He drops a kiss to Nikolai's forehead then pulls away closing the back door he gets into the front passenger seat.
"Daddy we go home now?"
"We're going home but not home to England... home with Mama."
"Yeah" Nikolai bounces happily in his car seat hugging Phant, "Daddy home."
Sark regards Sydney thoughtfully, "How'd you manage it?"
Sydney shrugs "Just did."
"This means we have to live together again"
"I know. You have two choices either we put the bed back in Nikolai's room or you sleep on the couch."
"There is a third" Sark smirks
Sydney glares at him "That is not going to happen."
"Daddy play?"
"We'll play when we get home." Sark assures looking back at Nikolai. "How was your day Niko?"
"I played."
"I bet." Sark smiles
"What did you play sweetie?" Sydney asks as she drives.
"I played with the blocks. I colored and painted."
Sydney and Sark listen with interest as Nikolai describes his day.
7PM: SYDNEY'S HOUSE
Sydney looks in Nikolai's room to see Sark sitting in the rocking chair his eyes on Nikolai who is obviously asleep. She watches as he carries Niko over to the crib and set him in carefully tucking him in.
Sark looks over at the door to see Sydney watching him then looks back at Niko. "He's out."
"I'm not surprised." Sydney says softly as she joins him at the crib. "He excited himself to sleep." She chuckles looking at the boy who is sprawled on his back. "He's missed you."
"I've missed him as well." Sark reaches in brushing his hand over Niko's hair. "I had resigned myself to the fact I wouldn't be able to see him grow up either." Sark says sadly.
"As long as you stay out of trouble you will." Sydney says softly.
Sark stands there in silence then speaks his voice filled with sadness, "I remember when Alexa was a baby I would watch her sleep for hours. God" he chuckles softly "Eva would always get annoyed with me because she'd wake up to find me gone and she'd drag me back to bed."
"You really miss them."
"Every day."
"What exactly happened Sark? All you've said is that it was a car accident."
Watching his sleeping son Sark slowly begins to tell Sydney about that day, "Eva and I argued that day about having another baby"
/10 YEARS EARLIER
"Damn it Alexander I don't want Alexa to be an only child."
"She won't be Eva. I'm just not ready for another child." Sark snaps "Can't we wait another year or so?"
"Alexander I don't want a huge age difference between the kids. Lexa's almost six and about ready to start first grade. It's a good time to have another baby."
Sark sighs, "Can we finish talking about this when I get back?"
"Where are you going?" Eva demands
"I have a meeting." Sark answers. "I told you last week I was going to be gone for a few days."
"When will you be back?"
"Sunday night."
"Fine." Eva snaps
Sark sighs "Evangeline"
"Just go."
Sark pauses then looks at Alexa who is quietly coloring at the table nearby, "Lexa"
Alexa looks up and grins, "I'm coloring you a picture Daddy."
Sark smiles "When your done put it on my desk OK?"
Alexa nods
Sark walks over to the girl and drops a kiss to her head, "I'll see you in a few days."
Alexa looks at her Dad curiously, "Where you going Daddy?"
"To work."
"I love you Daddy."
"I love you too sweetheart." Sark stands looking at Evangeline who is watching them. "I'll see you in a few days." He walks towards Eva, "We'll talk about it when I get back... I promise."
Eva nods "I love you Alexander."
Sark smiles "I love you too."/
Sark shakes his head, "I left town to meet Irina and as I was halfway there I realized something... I may not have been entirely ready for another child but I wasn't ready for Alexa either and it didn't matter to me because I adjusted. So the next morning I called the house and they weren't there so I just left a message."
/Sark leans against the wall looking out the window as he listens to the phone ring then the answering machine picks up. "All right I give in. Why wait. I have to go... I'll call later."/
"I remember thinking it was a little odd that Eva didn't answer the phone but I thought she was in the shower or something." He shakes his head, "I was wrong, but I didn't know until I went home to find the house empty. At first, I thought Eva might have taken Alexa on an errand until I heard the doorbell ring. The moment I opened that door I knew my life was going to change." He shakes his head not wanting to relive the night he found out his wife and child had died.
"And you went back to this life."
Sark nods "I had no reason to avoid the life I was raised in."
"And now?"
Sark shrugs "I guess we'll have to see where things take us."
Sydney watches as Sark walks out of the room then looks at Niko, "Sleep well little guy."