CHAPTER 9
NEXT MORNING: HOTEL
"Having second thoughts?" Sark asks kissing Sydney's shoulder as he hears her sigh heavily.
"Third... fourth... fifth." Sydney admits
"Regrets?" He asks softly.
Sydney shrugs "There are issues that will come up with us sleeping together again." She moves to her back looking at him.
"So is this a one time thing or what?" Sark asks brushing her hair back.
"I don't know." She admits. "This complicates things between us Sark."
"How so?"
Sydney sighs, "Besides the fact we have to deal with them."
Sark shrugs, "So what? Why must you bring this into the conversation?"
"Because they are an every day part of our lives." Sydney sighs then looks at the clock. "We need to get ready." She throws off the covers and sits up grabbing his discarded dress shirt she pulls it on.
"You know you never answered me"
"About what?" Sydney asks
"How long has it been for you?"
Sydney sighs "Once since you. Weiss dragged me to a party with some old friends of his, I got a little too drunk and slept with his cousin. If you ever tell anyone that. . ." She warns
"No worries from me." Sark smirks
"Just get ready." Sydney shakes her head walking out of his bedroom.
11AM: CASSADINE'S HOME
Sydney looks at Sark who is staring at the house with a look of disgust, anger, and curiosity, "Sark?"
"I'm fine." Sark assures "I promise I won't kill him... yet."
"And if she's here? Can you keep calm?"
"I won't try anything stupid Sydney."
"Good. Let's go see why he wanted us for brunch."
"Yes lets" Sark says glumly as he follows Sydney up to the house.
Cassadine looks up as his guests join him on the back patio, "Ahh you made it."
"You wanted to talk so we came." Sydney says coolly.
"Please sit" Cassadine invites gesturing to the chairs.
"What did you want to discuss?" Sark asks coldly as they sit.
"I found at least a third of what you want and can have it to you by Wednesday. The rest should be here by Friday. Now I wanted to discuss how to get the items here"
HOUR LATER
"Ahh Sasha" Cassadine smiles seeing someone walk up the steps.
Sark turns slightly to see the blond teen from the picture walk up the steps wearing a long sleeved shirt over a tank top with a pair of slacks. As the teen walks closer to the table it hits him hard, 'My god she is Alexa.' He controls his expression.
"Sasha these are some people here doing business." Cassadine introduces "Sasha is my granddaughter." He informs them watching Sark for any sign of recognition.
'And my daughter.' Sark thinks keeping his expression impassive. He nods at the girl in greeting trying to keep from grabbing the girl.
"Nice to meet you." Sasha nods at the man and woman, "Enjoy business." She walks into the house.
"I thought Evangeline was your only child." Sark says calmly.
"I found out after their deaths that I had a son from a previous relationship. Sasha is the same age Alexa would have been."
'I bet.' Sark thinks with a sneer.
"Let's get back to business gentlemen." Sydney suggests knowing Sark is on the verge of wanting to kill Cassadine.
Sasha closes her bedroom door and takes a deep breath, "Bastard." She mutters "One of these days you'll get yours."
WHILE LATER
Sydney looks at Sark as he drives in silence, "You OK?"
Sark pulls off the road and turns off the car getting out.
Sydney sighs following him to where he's standing on the bluff overlooking the beach. "Sark?"
"Sasha is Alexa."
"Are you sure?"
Sark nods running his fingers through his hair, "He didn't erase all evidence of her being Lexa."
"What do you mean?"
"Lexa had a birthmark here" he lifts his hand pointing to just below his collarbone. "Sasha had the same mark." He looks at Sydney, "She's alive Sydney... my daughter's alive." He says pained.
Sydney steps up to Sark and hugs him, "We'll find a way to get her out." Sydney promises
"I want my daughter back." He whispers
"And you will." Sydney pulls back "Come on let's get back to the hotel. Do you want me to drive?"
"No I'm fine." Sark assures
"Good." Sydney nods
2PM: HOTEL
Sydney leans back from the laptop, "Done."
"Place has been checked. No one broke in. No cameras or bugs." Sark sits on the couch.
"Do you realize that this will be the longest mission we've been on together?"
"This is the longest we've both been away from Niko at the same time."
"Yeah... I miss the little guy. It seems too quiet around here." Sydney joins Sark on the couch.
Smirking Sark replies, "Well there is a way we can make up for the silence."
Sydney rolls her eyes "Not now. We need to talk."
"About?" Sark questions
"If this is Alexa she might not want to come with us." Sydney says gently.
"I know."
"And if she doesn't?"
"I'll figure that out when I need too." Sark rests his head against the couch cushion. "I just have to make things right Sydney."
"Sark, have you thought of the possibility that she also believes your dead?"
"I have." He admits. "I need to do this. I can't leave her with him Sydney."
"I know."
"I remember the day Eva told me she was pregnant."
/16 YEARS EARLIER
Sark presses his lips to Eva's hair as she cuddles into his chest as they sit hidden in a cavern on the beach. "What's wrong Eva?" He asks softly. When he feels her shudder he frowns then gently urging her to look at him, "What's wrong?" He asks again.
Eva stares at him ignoring the tears that are falling. "I uh..."
"What? You've never been at a loss for words with me."
"I'm" Eva takes a shaky breath, "I'm pregnant Sark."
Sark stares at her then swallows heavily, "Are you sure?"
Eva nods "I checked the calendar this morning and I realized I missed my period twice... I was so busy last month I didn't realize I'd missed it."
Sark pulls her close "Been to the doctor yet?"
"I can't... you know what will happen if he finds out." She buries her face in his chest. "He'll kill me" she whispers pained. "What am I going to do Sark?"
"We'll figure something out."
Eva looks at him, "You're not going to leave me?" She asks shakily.
"No... never. I love you Eva... I won't leave you."
"Even if I decide to keep it?"
Steeling his fear Sark asks, "Are you?"
Eva shrugs "I'm not sure. I think I want too but... I'm scared." She finishes in a whisper as she returns her head to his chest. "He'll kill me"
"I won't let him hurt you." Sark strokes her hair. "I will figure something out."
"I'm sixteen and pregnant by a guy whose first name I don't even know." Eva sniffles
"My name is Alexander." Sark says after a moment.
Eva lifts her head and slowly smiles, "Alexander... I like it." She kisses him lightly.
Sark deepens the kiss
WHILE LATER
Eva looks at Sark who is watching her thoughtfully, "What are you thinking about?"
Sark shakes his head
"Alexander... what are we going to do when your job is done? Sooner or later the threats could end."
"I'll figure something out." He assures "Nothing will keep us apart... I promise." He kisses her nose.
Eva smiles slightly, "I love you."
"I love you." He echoes
"So will you be OK with me keeping the baby?" Eva asks nervously.
Sark nods "If that's what you want then I'll support you."
"I think I want to keep it but I know what he'll do once he finds out. He'll force me to have an abortion." She shivers as she sees his eyes grow colder
"That won't happen unless you make that choice. If he tries..." He trails off a faint smirk appearing.
Eva winces feeling the unsaid threat. "We should get back. Father is having guests over and he won't be happy if I'm not ready on time." She reaches for her clothing.
THAT NIGHT
Sark watches Evangeline move about the group of people and stops to politely talk to each person as her father stands nearby. When he sees a man look her over with a faint smirk Sark inwardly scowls 'She's mine you little' he stops the silent mid anger threat when she looks towards the security camera as though she knows he's watching her. He instantly calms, 'She's mine... she carries my child. Now I just have to find a way to secure their safety from him.' He looks at Cassadine who is watching Eva close. 'Soon... who knows what he'll do once he finds out she's pregnant.'/
Sark smiles faintly "A few weeks later I came up with a possible way to protect them." He looks at Sydney, "I asked her to marry me. She was hesitant until she realized that it was the best option to keep them both alive."
/16 YEARS EARLIER
"I think there is one way to insure your safety." Sark says softly.
"What?"
"We could get married."
Eva starts "We can't... he'd never let us." She says quickly. "He'd kill us both before he'd allow that."
"If I can find a way around him will you marry me?"
"Yes!" Eva says quickly.
"Then I'll find a way." Sark assures
"I think he's starting to suspect something." Eva says softly. "He's acting weirder than normal."
"I'll figure this out soon... I promise." He kisses her sweetly.
"You better... I'm three months pregnant... it won't be long until I'm showing."
"I promise it will be soon."
Eva nods sprawling across his body her head under his chin, "If he finds out Alexander..." She shudders "He'll hurt the baby."
"I won't let him hurt either you." Sark strokes her back.
"OK"/
"I knew the best way to do this was to go to Irina and ask for her help. She was of course reluctant but she agreed."
/2 WEEKS LATER
Sark stops before Irina
"Why did you call me for a meeting?" Irina demands
"I've done something stupid." Sark says nervously not sure how to tell Irina.
"How so?" Irina asks curiously.
"Eva's pregnant."
Irina sighs, "Yours?"
Sark nods
Irina stands "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 are 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." He says desperately
After a moment Irina nods, "I'll help you."
"I think he knows Eva's pregnant. He hasn't said anything to me but..."
"You still think he suspects."
"The way he looks at her Irina... disturbs even me and you know things don't disturb me." He shakes his head.
"I will go back to the house with you." Irina stands "How far along is she?"
"About four months."
"Has she been to a doctor?"
"No, she's terrified of her father finding out and trying to hurt her."
"We will head back to England and I will make the arrangements for her to see a doctor when we get there."
Sark nods
"Does she know what you do Alexander?"
"Not all of it... I haven't had the courage to tell her."
"If you marry her you need to decide whether or not to tell her."
"I will."
"Let's go then." Irina stands/
"If Irina hadn't helped me I really would have taken Eva and run and Cassadine would most likely have had me killed. I think Irina knew the only way to keep me alive was to help me... even though she didn't really approve."
/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 Eva who is staring up at her father terrified.
"You bitch!" Cassadine raises his hand to strike Evangeline only to find himself suddenly pulled away from his daughter 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 his eyes on Cassadine
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 looking at Irina who is standing in the doorway of the room watching them.
"Alexander, help her pack some things. We'll be downstairs." Irina pulls the door closed.
Once the door is closed Eva speaks, "Alexander what is going on?" She asks worried
Sark sets his gun down on the nightstand, "I'm taking you away from here." He brushes her hair back, "Irina agreed to help us."
Eva grins, "We can get married?"
"Yes." Sark kisses her, "We'll be a family Eva. I'll protect you and our baby." He slips his hand under her shirt, "I promise."
"I know. I love you."
Sark smiles "I love you." He returns. "Let's get you packed up." He pauses "Eva there's something you need to know about me."
"What?"
"I'm not a normal person... I do things that aren't entirely... good." He looks down
"What do you mean?"
"Sometimes I steal things... hurt people... kill people."
"Why?" She asks curiously
Sark shrugs "I was trained to be this... ever since I was a child. This is all I know how to do. I love you Eva and I'd do anything to be with you."
Eva stares at him stunned by his news, "You kill people."
Sark nods staring at the floor, "I have."
"Why?"
"I follow orders."
"Her orders?"
"Yes."
Eva hugs herself as she sits on the edge of the bed.
"Eva I'd do anything for you"
Eva looks at him, "I don't care if you still work for her but will you stop killing? I don't want a baby raised around killing."
"I'll try... I can't promise it won't happen because people can and will come after me and if I have to kill them I will."
"I just want my baby happy."
"That's what I want as well... and I will make sure it happens."
Eva nods
"So do you still want to marry me?" He asks nervously.
Eva stares at him thoughtfully then grins "Yes!" She stands throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes I'll marry you." She kisses him passionately./
"So she knew what you do for a living and didn't care?"
"She knew before but not all. I told her a lot after we left Greece. She made me promise never to keep things from her. We made it to London."
/2 DAYS LATER: LONDON
Evangeline opens her eyes and smiles when she sees Sark sitting on the edge of the bed, "Hi.
"Hi." Sark smiles back "How are you feeling?"
"Comfy." Eva yawns stretching
"Good." Sark rubs his hand against her middle. "Irina arranged a doctor's appointment for you this afternoon."
"OK." Eva looks him over frowning at his suit, "Why are you dressed?"
"I had a meeting earlier. Irina prefers it when I wear a suit." Sark shrugs
"Well if you're done come back to bed."
"Eva"
"Please?"
"Damn that look." Sark grumbles when she pouts
Eva grins as he strips down to his boxers and joins her in bed. "Good."
AFTERNOON
Sark runs his fingers through Eva's hair as they curl up on the large chair in his room. He smiles seeing the picture in her hands
"Our baby" Eva smiles looking at the picture, "I wonder what he or she will be like." She muses
"Happy and loved." Sark answers
"Yeah." Eva looks at him and smiles, "And tomorrow we'll be married."
Sark kisses her forehead
"Alexander?"
"Hmm?"
"What about my father?"
"Irina took care of him. He won't want to cross her. You won't have to go back to him."
"Good... I want to be with you."
"Forever." Sark promises
"Forever." Eva blinks back tears/
Sark smiles faintly, "She was so excited after her first check up. We lucked out that she didn't have any problems considering she didn't see a doctor for the first few months. She amazed me" Sark looks at Sydney briefly then continues "despite what had happened and the danger that being around me could bring she still wanted to be with me. The next day we married with Irina and the Judge's wife as witnesses."
"No Alison?"
"God, no. Ali and I weren't speaking at the time. She probably would have tried to kill Eva. Irina said she'd keep Ali away from us and she did. I was happy the day we married... happier than I'd been since my mother died."
/NEXT DAY
Sark smiles resting his forehead against Eva's "We're married." He says softly.
Eva smiles "I love you."
"I love you too." Sark kisses her then hugs her looking at Irina. "Thank you." He says silently.
Irina nods/
"Then five months later Alexa was born. She was a little smaller than Nikolai."
"And let me guess she was a Daddy's Girl from birth." Sydney smiles
"Pretty much. Eva once said that if she didn't know better I loved Alexa more than her."
/5 MONTHS LATER
Sark looks at the newborn baby girl in Eva's arms, "She's incredible."
"Yeah" Eva agrees grinning at him, "I know exactly what to name her"
"What's that?"
"Alexa."
"Are you sure about that?"
Eva nods "If it wasn't for you coming into my life I'd still be there... or dead."
"Well then Alexa she is."
"What should her middle name be?"
"Alexa... Grace?"
"Alexa Grace" Eva looks at the baby, "What do you think about that? Want to be Alexa Grace?"
Sark watches the two, 'My family, I have a family.'
"What are you thinking?" Eva asks
"I have a family."
"Weird, huh?"
"You have no idea." Sark says dryly. 'No one is going to hurt my family. I'll kill anyone who hurts them.'/
Sark looks at Sydney "I was completely... 100 happy and content. As weird as it sounds... I actually liked being married and being a Dad."
"That's what Mom told me. She said that it was the first time you ever relaxed."
"I guess it was." Sark muses
"I'm still out on the idea of you being married but you are a good Dad."
"Am I Syd? I didn't even think of the possibility of either of them surviving the accident."
"You never told me what happened." Sydney says gently
"They found Eva's car at the bottom of an embankment... it had blown up from the impact of the accident. They couldn't find any remains since the explosion was so hot."
"It was understandable that you believed they were dead then." Sydney says gently
"I didn't even keep an eye on him Sydney. I knew he was unscrupulous yet I didn't keep an eye on him. If I had then I would have found out that she was alive." He rubs his forehead, "I just... I couldn't. Everything about Greece and Cassadine reminded me of Eva... and Alexa. Because of him I have missed everything in her life."
"Sark you are a good Dad. Look at Niko... you did a good job with him. He adores you. And hopefully he'll turn out to be a normal kid."
"Hopefully?"
"You do realize that what we do that means he could turn out to be one strange kid?"
"Good point." Sark chuckles
"But he's doing good so far. I mean he's smart, creative, independent, adorable, and affectionate. He's an incredible little guy."
"Yes he is." Sark agrees "I just want to make things right for Alexa." He shrugs slightly, "She's still my baby girl."
"Not long after I got back Dad once told me that no matter how old I get I'm always his little girl." She smiles faintly, "I guess for Dads their little girl is always a little girl no matter what happens."
Sark reaches out trailing his fingers across her jaw, "Are you OK with Alexa living with us?"
"Yes. It's going to take time for all of us to get used to it but she's your daughter and Niko's sister." She leans in kissing him lightly. She pulls back resting her head on the couch cushion so their facing each other.
"We never finished the conversation from this morning." Sark remarks
"About?"
"Was last night a one time thing or what?"
Sydney sighs, "I don't know Sark. You know none of them would deal with it."
"Leave them out of it Sydney. This isn't about them... its about us." He runs his fingers through her hair, "Do you remember the night I asked you to stay?"
Sydney nods "I wanted to stay" She admits
"I know"
"I couldn't though. I knew that if I did they'd come looking for me... they would have found out." She searches his eyes "I didn't want them to lock you up for life. I knew that would have happened if they found out about us. You would have been in jail and I would have been tried for treason."
"For what? Sleeping with me? Having my son?"
"Yes, for not telling anyone I was with you, for not turning you in, for numerous reasons. I knew if I did stay that would have happened because Dad wouldn't have stopped looking for me until he found me. He probably wouldn't have turned us in but he wouldn't have understood. I couldn't have put Dad in the middle of this... I'd already caused him enough trouble."
"And now?"
"We've both worked to get them to trust us working together... to trust you. But if we do get involved what will happen?"
"Maybe you'll realize you actually want to be with me." He says dryly
"Or it could ruin how things are now. We could lose their trust and end up hating each other again. Can we risk ruining things between us when we have Niko to take care of?"
"We might ruin things between us without us being involved." Sark returns "Its not like I'm saying, 'Oh lets lock ourselves in Jack's office and screw on his desk.'" He says sarcastically.
"Sark"
Sark grins, "Though that is an interesting idea. I wonder if Ol' Jack would have a heart attack?" He muses with a thoughtful yet amused tone.
"Sark no trying to induce my Dad to have a heart attack or stroke." Sydney laughs
"This is our private business Sydney. Why must you always figure them into things?"
"Weiss and Dixon are my best friends. Then you have Lauren who would probably have your pardon revoked if we got involved."
"And Vaughn wouldn't approve" Sark says coldly.
"Don't bring him into this" Sydney warns
Sark shakes his head and stands "Figure out what you want Sydney because I can't seem to get you to listen to what you want... you always want what they want for you." He walks out of the living room to the kitchenette.
Sydney sits there 'He is right. I've gotten into the habit of wanting what Dad and everyone else wants for me. When did that start to happen? When did I stop wanting things for myself? I need to live for myself... not everyone else. Why should I be the unhappy one? Why should I be without someone when everyone else has someone?' Sydney closes her eyes trying to calm the battling thoughts.
EVENING
Sydney walks out of her bedroom to find Sark sitting on the couch drink in hand. She sits on the couch "You were right." She announces
Sark looks at her "About?"
"The past few years I've been just letting everyone tell me how to live. I guess in a way I'm trying to make up for all the trouble I've caused."
"And?" He prompts, "What is it you want?" He asks setting his glass on the coffee table.
Sydney sits astride his lap, "I want to give us a chance."
"For what reason?" Sark asks resting his hands on her hips.
Sydney sighs, "When we were gone I actually felt normal, I never had that with Danny, Noah, or Vaughn. I don't know why or how but I did feel normal with you. Maybe that was just because we were away from everything... or maybe its because you tried to make things normal for me."
"Like you said we don't lead normal lives." He reminds gently.
"No but why can't we try to have something normal?"
"What about Jack, Irina and your friends?"
"Mom actually approves of you. I guess its because she's known you longer than anyone. I will deal with Dad and the others."
"How do you think Jack will take it?"
"He wants me happy." Sydney shrugs "I think if its even you I'm happy with I'd like to think he'd understand."
"And the others?"
"Screw 'em. I'm sick and tired of having to deal with their problems with me. I'm sick of dealing with Lauren who thinks I still want Vaughn. I'm sick of Vaughn being disappointed in me. I'm sick of the bull they put me through by thinking I need them to invade in my personal life. Weiss and Dixon are the only ones who even try to understand. Marshall's always too scared." She kisses him
Sark deepens the kiss
LATER
"So when do you want to tell them?" Sark asks stroking Sydney's hair.
Sydney looks at him, "I'll talk to Dad when we get back. The others... I don't owe them an explanation. I want personal and professional separate."
"Agreed, it causes too much trouble when people bring personal and professional together."
"And if long term us doesn't work?"
"Then things will go back to the way they were." He promises
Sydney nods returning her head to his chest.
"What is running through your mind Syd?" He asks softly.
Sydney lifts her shoulders then sighs her fingers absently tracing patterns on his stomach, "Do you ever think about that weekend?"
"Yes. You?"
Sydney nods, "I lied to Dad and everyone. I said we only slept together that first night."
"I figured."
"Mom knows though."
"You told her?"
"It's not like she'd tell Dad or anyone else." She shifts on top of him and tucks her head under his chin.
"This brings back memories." He chuckles wrapping his arms around her threading his fingers in her hair.
"Why didn't you make any remarks about the fact we slept together?"
Sark lifts his shoulder, "Because it wasn't necessary."
Sydney lifts her head "Why?"
"I knew it bothered you enough." Sark strokes her cheek with his thumb, "We had a small truce and I didn't want to break it when we were in the middle of a mission. It would have been disastrous to us both."
Brushing her lips down his jaw Sydney speaks, "Do you know what I remember most?"
"What?" He swallows a groan as he feels her lips move ever so gently across his lips.
"You made me scream." Sydney's lips move inches from his ear "Make me scream again Sark." Sydney suddenly finds herself on her back looking up at Sark then pulling his head down she kisses him passionately.
TBC…