CHAPTER 16
5 MONTHS LATER: HOUSE
"Stop it." Sydney slaps Sark's reaching hand. "Dinner is almost ready. Go make sure your son has his hands washed."
Sark kisses her cheek "Nikolai" he calls
The three year old looks up from looking through his book. "Yes Daddy?"
"Come on let's get you cleaned up for dinner." Sark walks into the living room picking up the boy. "How was your day?"
"Good Daddy." Niko grins
"Good. How about we go tell Lexa dinner is almost ready and then we'll get you washed up. Now what did you do today?"
Sydney shakes her head just as the phone rings, "I got it." She wipes her hands off grabbing the phone. "Hello? Oh hey Eric. What's going on? Uh huh... yeah. Thanks. Tell them congrats. Yeah I'll talk to you later." She hangs up and turns back to dinner.
A few minutes later Sark returns to the kitchen, "I delegated hand washing to Alexa." He smirks.
"Smart." Sydney smiles
"What did Weiss want?"
"Uh to tell me Lauren had the baby." Sydney says softly avoiding his gaze as she grabs a couple plates from the cupboard. "They named her Chloe Elizabeth."
"Are you OK?"
"I'm fine. Does everyone have to ask me if I'm fine when it comes to the fact Vaughn now has a kid? I'm fine. I am over him. We're done and I know it."
"The only reason I ask is because I know how hard this has been for you."
"And I'm dealing." Sydney shrugs "Now no more about this." She says as she sees the kids enter the kitchen. "Let's eat dinner."
LATE NIGHT
"So, Vaughn's a Dad." Sark muses as he joins Sydney on the bed with a glass of wine.
"That's what everyone said when they saw the picture of you and Niko... except there was a little more awe and puzzlement in their voices." Sydney laughs
"Why does everyone seem so surprised when they find out about Niko and Alexa?"
"Uh maybe its because you spent years being a sadistic bastard." Sydney smiles "To normal people they'd see you as a threat to children."
Sark lifts his brow. "And what do you see me as?"
"Well" Sydney takes the wine glass from his hand and sets it on the side table moving onto his lap. "I've seen how you are away from everyone. I see the side you have spent years burying behind the hard ass facade. And I learned something"
Sark brushes her hair back, "What's that?"
"You are one big softie when it comes to your kids." She kisses him lightly. "If I hadn't seen it I wouldn't have believed it."
"I knew I'd get to you one day." Sark smirks as he presses light kisses to her neck.
"Funny." She mutters pulling his head up she kisses him passionately.
NEXT MORNING
Sydney groans as Sark nuzzles her neck, "She slept through the night."
"Mmm. She's gone from nightmares every night to a few a week." Sark takes the offered cup of coffee. "She's doing a lot better than she was."
Sydney nods
"So how long is Vaughn going to be gone?"
"A couple of weeks. Lauren's Mom flew in last week."
"Is she going to return to work or not?"
Sydney shrugs "Weiss said she's still deciding."
"She'll be back... she's ambitious."
"Can you go get Niko? He's in his room playing." Sydney grabs a plate, "Breakfast is almost ready."
"Sure." Sark sets his mug down and walks out of the kitchen. Once upstairs he knocks on Alexa's door.
"Its open." Alexa calls
Sark opens the door sticking his head into the room to find Alexa wearing a pair of sweatpants and a tank top as she tosses her uniform on the bed, "Morning sweetheart."
"Morning."
"Breakfast is almost ready."
"I'll be right down."
"All right." Sark closes the door and heads to the open bedroom door where he finds Niko sitting on his bed dressed and looking through a book. "Nikolai"
Niko looks up "Daddy"
"Breakfast is almost ready, time to come downstairs."
"OK" Niko sets his book aside then holds his arms up.
Sark smiles at the boy as he picks him up. "Nice dreams?"
Nikolai nods resting his head on his Daddy's shoulder. "Lexie up?"
"She's getting dressed." Sark replies carrying his son downstairs.
A few minutes later Alexa walks into the kitchen going to pick up a glass of orange juice when her attention is diverted to the television. She stares at the TV stunned her hand tightening around the glass.
Sark looks up about to remind Alexa to sit down and eat when he sees her hand tightening. He follows her gaze to the TV and the man on screen, "Alexa" he says just as the glass breaks in her hand and she doesn't react. He jumps up going to her side avoiding the broken glass at his feet, "Alexa"
Alexa startles out of her thought when she hears her Dad say her name worried. She looks down at her clenched fingers around a large piece of glass.
"Christ Lexa." He gently unclenches her fist to see blood. "Lets get this washed up then we'll see if you need stitches." He gently urges her over to the sink. "You look like you saw a ghost. Who was that man?"
Alexa shrugs staring at the blood that goes down the drain, "He came to the house a few times." She says softly. "I never knew his name."
"What happened when he was there?" When he sees Alexa's expression he continues, "He wouldn't have elicited a response if he was there briefly."
"I can't" she says softly tears blurring her vision.
Sark frowns 'She's not telling me something.' "All right." He inspects the wound, "Not bad. It doesn't look too deep. Let's get this bandaged."
Alexa remains still allowing her Dad to bandage her hand, 'I should tell him.'
"There." Sark says after a moment. "Eat your breakfast. We need to leave soon."
"I'm not hungry anymore." Alexa says quietly. "I'm going to go get my books." She slowly walks out of the room.
Once she's upstairs Sark sighs, "She's not telling me something Sydney."
"There's a lot she hasn't told you." Sydney reminds
"I know but that look she had." Sark shakes his head, "Who was that man and how did she know him?"
"Ask Marshall to find out." Sydney suggests
"Perhaps I will."
"Just allow her to tell you why she reacted that way."
Sark nods
Alexa takes a deep breath, "Its the past. I'm here with Dad now."
9AM: CIA
"Marshall." Sark says walking into the techies office
"Sark... uh hi. What are you doing here?" Marshall asks nervously looking at the former assassin warily.
"I need to find something out."
"What?"
"This morning on channel five they had a segment at 7:50. A man... I didn't get a name. I need you to find out who he is and how he has a connection to my daughter."
Marshall frowns "Um why me?"
"Because Sydney suggested you."
"All right. I'll uh see what I can find." Marshall says shakily. "What do you want to know about this guy?"
"Everything. Rumours... truth... anything."
Marshall nods "I'll call my Mom. She watches channel five every morning. Has every morning since I was in high school. She'll be able to tell me who the guy is."
"Good." Sark walks out of the office.
Marshall releases his held breath then picks up the phone dialing his Mom's number. "Hi Mom. Oh yes their fine. Yes, Mom I'm at work. Uh huh. No. Look Mom I'm calling because I need to find something out. Yes from you. No, it isn't about me. Yes its related to work... OK somewhat. Who was on channel five at 7:50? A guy. No, I have no idea what he looks like. Can you just give me the names?" Marshall grabs a pad of paper and writes the names down. "OK, OK. Yeah. Thanks Mom. I'll call you later. Yes I promise. Bye." Marshall hangs up then turns his attention to his computer. "Let's see who these guys are."
2PM: CIA
Sark looks up from his report as Marshall nervously approaches his desk, "Well?"
"I uh found out what you were looking for." Marshall says hesitantly.
"And?"
"Only one man has a connection to your daughter... or more precisely Cassadine."
"How so?"
"I found mention of a business deal gone wrong. And some rumors."
"About?"
"A trade supposedly." Marshall hands Sark a file. "His name is Richard Evanston. He's a rich businessman from Quebec. He was supposed to buy into a business deal of Cassadines but it fell apart. He demanded a trade."
"What kind?"
"Um this is all rumors that I've found."
"Well?" Sark says annoyed.
"Its been rumored for years... way below, that Evanston had been making trips to the Philippines and other places for some... unusual vacations. Those vacations put him into the light of some children's organizations that he later paid off."
'Children... unusual vacations.' Sark takes a deep breath "And?"
"No one has been able to confirm his... unusual taste."
"Has he been to Greece?"
"Yes. Numerous times. His last trip was about... three months before you found your daughter. I went a little further." Marshall hands Sark a piece of paper, "Cassadine kept records on her doctor's visits."
Sark reads over the paper his eyes narrowing. "Can you find anything that Evanston can be nailed with... other than this?"
Marshall shakes his head, "As of now only rumors of things."
Sark nods "Is this everything you compiled?"
"The only copies."
"Forget what you found. If you mention it to anyone..." Sark trails of in a warning.
"I forgot already." Marshall assures hastily. He starts to walk away then stops "What are you going to do to your former father-in-law?"
"I would love to tear him into pieces but I can't."
"Well if I was a violently motivated person I would as well." Marshall walks away.
Sark stares at the papers in his hands. 'Alexa.' He takes a deep breath. 'My little girl… my sweet baby.'
LATE EVENING: HOUSE
"You've been quiet." Sydney remarks as she joins Sark at the bedroom window. "What's wrong? Did Marshall find something out?"
Sark nods "I just don't know if I should tell Alexa I know... or that I suspect I know."
"Know what?"
"The man's name is Richard Evanston. Evanston and Cassadine had a deal that went dead. Evanston demanded a trade."
"What kind?"
Sark looks at Sydney "Evanston has a like for children. He's been making trips all over the world for what he wants." He looks out the window, "Cassadine apparently allowed Evanston access to my daughter."
Sydney stares at him, "Are you sure?"
"The only way I'd know for sure is to ask Alexa. I don't know if I can ask her Sydney. I don't know if I want to ask her." He rubs the back of his neck.
"How sure is it?"
"I read the file. He's been making very discreet trips to countries that haven't entirely outlawed child prostitution." Sark sits on the bed "Marshall checked Evanston's trips to Greece against Alexa's doctor's visits... they correspond." He rubs his forehead, "I should kill them both." He looks at Sydney "He hurt my daughter... Cassadine allowed it."
Sydney joins him on the bed, "What are you going to do?"
"I want to kill them."
"You can't."
"Why? I'm sure everyone would understand."
"Even if they understand we lose you."
"What am I supposed to do Sydney? Ignore the fact I know Cassadine allowed someone to abuse my child?"
"No but you can't go after Evanston or Cassadine. You can't keep the fact you know from Alexa. She needs you Sark. The fact you know hurts yes but imagine what it must be like for her. She hasn't told you and I'm betting she hasn't because she's scared."
"I just... I don't know what to do Sydney. For the first time in so long I don't have a way to fix things. It used to be to make myself feel better I'd hunt someone down and kill them." He runs his hands through his hair, "When Eva left with me I swore I wouldn't let Cassadine hurt either one of them."
"You didn't know any of this would happen."
"I don't know what to do Sydney."
"Talk to her Sark. That's all you can do." Sydney rubs his neck. "Look Niko is in bed for the night. I'm going to go to the grocery store. Why don't you talk to her now."
"Sydney"
"You can't put it off Sark. It will eat at both of you." Sydney kisses his cheek, "She's scared Sark. All she needs is her Dad."
Sark nods "Thanks Syd."
Sydney nods standing, "Just try not to wake Niko."
Sark sits on the bed trying to think about how to bring the topic up, 'My little girl. He hurt my little girl.' He takes a deep breath, 'Sydney's right, this can't be ignored. She needs to know I know.' He stands walking out of the bedroom to Alexa's down the hall. He knocks on the door.
"Its open."
Sark enters the bedroom to find Alexa sitting on her bed reading, "Done with your homework?"
Alexa closes her book, "Yeah."
"How's your hand?"
Alexa looks at her bandaged hand, "Fine. It doesn't hurt."
"Good." Sark nods "We need to talk."
"About what?"
Sark sits across from her on the bed, "Evanston." He watches Alexa pale.
"I don't know him." Alexa lies
"I did some checking on him. You aren't the only one he's hurt Alexa." Sark says gently.
"Don't." Alexa whispers as she pulls her knees to her chest.
"Alexa we need to talk about this."
Alexa shakes her head rocking back and forth. "No" she grips her arms digging her nails into her forearms.
Sark reaches out gently prying her fingers off her arms, "I know this is hard. I know that you don't want to talk about it." He carefully brushes her hair back. "I know he hurt you and that is something that won't happen again." He kisses her forehead, "We're back together, and I won't let anyone hurt you again." He says softly.
"I don't remember a lot." Alexa admits. "He drugged me." She whispers
Seeing her haunted expression Sark gently pulls Alexa into his arms surprised and relieved when she doesn't struggle. "No one will hurt you again." He strokes her hair gently, "I'm sorry he hurt you baby. I'm sorry they both hurt you." He presses his lips to her hair.
Alexa burrows close tears slowly fall, "Daddy."
"It's going to be OK baby." Sark murmurs pressing his lips to her hair, "No one is going to separate us again... I promise."
9PM
Sydney walks into the kitchen where she notices Sark standing on the back porch. She sets the grocery bags on the counter then steps out onto the porch, "Hey what are you doing?"
"Thinking." Sark downs the rest of his wine setting the glass on the table.
"About?"
"Cassadine almost raped Eva. He turned around and basically sold my daughter to a man like Evanston."
"She told you?" Sydney asks
"She didn't say the words but yes." He leans against the railing. "He drugged Alexa and allowed Evanston to do what he wanted to her."
"Does she remember?"
"I don't think she wants to remember that... or maybe she doesn't want to talk about it." He lifts his shoulders, "Whatever reason she has behind not remembering or not wanting too I'm not going to force it."
"You can't let her stay in denial Sark."
"I know." Sark runs his fingers through his hair. "I just can't push it Sydney. She's hurting enough and pushing this could destroy her."
"What now?"
"Not really sure. I can't do what I want to either of them." He grabs his wine glass walking into the house. "What I should do"
"I know you want to but you can't." Sydney follows him into the kitchen closing the door behind her. "If you do, you will spend the rest of your life in jail. Do you think either of them could handle that? Especially Alexa?"
Sark starts to remove the food from the grocery bags then pauses "She's my daughter Sydney. They hurt her." He puts the milk and eggs in the refrigerator.
"And if you do what you want she'll lose you." 'I'll lose you.' "Do you really think she could handle loosing you again? You are all she has."
"I can't ignore this Sydney. What if Evanston somehow manages to find out where she is?" He questions switching to Russian. "I am not going to let him hurt her again!"
"Then find some other way to deal with him. If you do what you want to do, you are back in jail and they won't let you out this time. Keep that in mind Sark." Sydney takes over unloading the bags.
"He's going to find someone else Sydney." Sark says softly as he watches her put the groceries away.
"Then find a way to stop him without harming him. Talk to Dad and Dixon and tell them what you found out. Evanston has connections to Cassadine... that might be a way to nail his sorry ass to the wall." She puts the final groceries away then looks at Sark, "Don't do anything stupid." She walks out of the kitchen.
MIDNIGHT
Alexa walks into the living room where she finds her Dad sitting on the couch looking through a photo album. "Daddy"
Sark looks up hearing Alexa's sleepily voice, "Alexa did you have a bad dream?"
Alexa lifts her shoulder then joins her Dad on the couch.
"I'm sorry for upsetting you earlier." Sark gently puts his arm around Alexa's shoulders pulling her against him. "You know I didn't want to upset you." He murmurs
Alexa nods "I know." She whispers. "I know I should have told you but... I don't like thinking about living with him."
"I know he did a lot of bad things to you but you can tell me anything. You know that, don't you?"
"Yeah."
"Look there's a lot we've kept from each other. My reasons are that you are too young to know everything I have done. I know your reasons for not telling me are because you're scared and you just want to forget."
"I can forget to a point but I know it happened and I know I can't change the past."
"No we can't change the past but we can make things better. I made a promise a long time ago that you would grow up happy and safe... I failed that for these last years. I'm going to make things the way they should have been... how your Mom would want things." Sark looks at the picture of Eva who is holding baby Alexa. "I wish she was here."
"Why did he let him hurt me Daddy" She curls against him.
Hearing her pained tone Sark winces, "Alexa," he strokes her hair. "It's going to be OK."
7:30AM
Sark opens his eyes when he feels a soft kiss to his forehead. He opens his eyes and smiles sleepily at Sydney then looks at Alexa who is still asleep against his chest. "What time is it?" He asks softly.
"7:30. Are you going to work or are you two going to stay home and talk?"
Sark sighs rubbing his forehead, "She didn't fall asleep until a few hours ago."
"What do you want me to tell Dixon?"
Sark shrugs "Tell him whatever you want. I'm going to take her up to bed."
"I'll call the school and tell them she won't be in."
"Thanks Syd."
"Can you get Niko up and dressed before you crawl back into bed?" Sydney requests
"Sure." Sark stands picking Alexa up he carries the sleeping teen upstairs.
9AM: CIA
"Sydney where is Sark?" Dixon inquires as Sydney walks into his office where he and Jack are talking.
"At home." Sydney answers. "Something happened last night with Alexa."
"Is she OK?" Jack asks concerned about the girl who like Niko managed to worm her way into his heart.
"No. Sark found out Cassadine did more than what he thought." Sydney sighs rubbing her forehead. "Cassadine basically traded Alexa for a business deal gone bad... to a guy who has been going around the world having sex with children."
Dixon starts "What is he going to do about this?"
"He wants to kill them both but I think I've talked him out of doing anything." Sydney replies. "I think he'll be able to control himself as long as he remembers he'll lose everything if he gives into his urge to kill Evanston."
"We all know how Sark gets when he wants something Sydney. Are you sure you can control him?" Jack questions
"It's not about controlling him Dad. It's about making him realize he'll lose everything."
"What about the man Evanston?" Jack asks. "Who exactly is he?"
"Some sort of businessman. He was on TV yesterday morning. Alexa freaked out when she saw him. She wouldn't say who he was."
"How did Sark find out who he was?" Dixon asks
Sydney squirms "Um I kind of made that suggestion."
"Sydney" Jack warns
"I told him to ask Marshall. You know how Marshall's rambling habit about what his Mom does." When they both nod amused she continues, "I suggested he ask Marshall. He did. Marshall did all the checking on Evanston and he found the connection between Cassadine and Evanston."
"There was no mention about anyone named Evanston in the files." Dixon remarks
"He didn't tell me much but it was a deal that went wrong." Sydney shrugs "I have a report to finish so excuse me." She walks out of the office.
11AM: HOUSE
Alexa walks into the kitchen where she finds her Dad sitting at the table drinking coffee as he reads the newspaper. "Why aren't you at work?" She asks
"Because Samantha is out of town for a few days and I wasn't going to leave you home alone. Besides I thought we should talk."
"You know what happened... why talk about it." Alexa shrugs sitting at the table she pulls her knee to her chest. "I'm fine."
"That's what your Mom said." Sark sets the newspaper aside looking at the mug thoughtfully, 'Should I tell her? Does she need to know?' He takes a deep breath. "After your Mom and I left Greece she admitted something to me. It was something I kind of expected but never knew for sure. I saw how he looked at her but I never thought he'd done anything."
"What happened?"
"One night a few months before I showed up in Greece your Grandfather became drunk." He pauses "He attacked your Mom... almost raped her. His head of security stopped him before he could." Sark looks at Alexa, "I suspected that his thoughts were going that way... but I didn't know for sure until she told me. I almost killed him when she told me."
"Why didn't you?"
"Eva begged me not too. She hated him but didn't want me to kill him, as much as I wanted too I respected her wishes." He shrugs "I still will... as long as he stays in jail I'll let him live. Evanston... I have no choice over him. If I do go after him I'll spend the rest of my life locked up." When he sees Alexa's expression he adds, "I'm not going to do that to you or Niko."
"I guess I luck out"
"How so?"
Alexa shrugs "I can't remember it. I guess I should be glad he pumped so many drugs into me during those times."
"Is that what you dream about at night?"
"No, I dream about the times he locked me in my room. When he'd yell at me..." She pauses "When he'd hit me."
"You know you won't have to deal with that ever again."
Alexa nods
EARLY AFTERNOON: BEACH
Alexa stares out at the water as she and her Dad sit on the rocks. "I kind of miss Greece. I miss escaping the house and going to the beach. It was the only time I was left alone... as long as I didn't go far."
"He kept you on a short leash."
"I had no friends. My only access out of the house was the internet."
"And it's how you met the guy who helped you"
Alexa nods "I haven't emailed him since. I know they want to know who he is... I'd like to know."
"You don't know who he is?"
"Not his real name. I know enough about him to know I can trust him."
"You're like your Mom that way. Me... I trust so few people and still not fully." Sark smiles faintly "I once asked her why she trusted me"
"What did she say?"
"She said she just knew. She said I had yet to prove she couldn't trust me. She's the only person who really trusted me."
"What about Sydney?"
"We have a very... tentative trust. She trusts me not to hurt Nikolai and to not run from my promised duties to her and the others. She doesn't fully trust me... and that is my fault."
"Why?"
"I hurt her many times. She has the right to be wary of me after I killed a lot of people. Its my fault her best friend is dead and she can't see her other best friend."
"You love her, don't you?"
Sark looks at his daughter startled, "No." He says quickly. "Your mother is the only person I've ever loved... or ever could love. Sydney and I... we're just confusing." He looks out at the water.
'He loves her... he's just in denial.' "Why?"
"We just are Lex. Sydney and I have a long history of problems. I did things to her... she did things to me. I think as much as we both want to let go of the past we can't. I love your Mom and she loves someone else." Sark shrugs "Its how things are."
"Are you ever going to get married again?"
Sark looks at his daughter startled, "I doubt it. I loved your Mom more than anything, and losing her and you, destroyed me. I can't go through that again." He closes his eyes remembering the pain he felt during those years.
Sensing her Dad's pain Alexa rests her head on her Dad's shoulder. "I love you Daddy." She says softly.
Sark opens his eyes looking at his daughter, "I love you Alexa." He hugs her.
5PM: HOUSE
"Daddy. Daddy" Nikolai runs into the kitchen where he finds his Daddy and his sister making dinner. He hugs his Daddy's leg tight. "Hi Daddy"
Sark sets the knife down and picks up his son, "Nikolai. How was your day?"
"Fun" Nikolai grins hugging his Dad.
Sark looks at Sydney as she enters the kitchen, "How was work?"
"Fine." Sydney sets her keys on the counter. "Dixon wants your report."
Sark nods "Its done. Can you email it to him?" He nods at the kitchen table where his laptop is sitting.
"Sure." Sydney walks over to the kitchen table and sits.
"Go play." Sark sets Niko on his feet.
"Lexa come play." Niko tugs on his sister's pant leg.
"Go ahead." Sark nods at his daughter. "Sydney can help me finish up."
"OK." Alexa allows her brother to pull her out of the kitchen.
"There." Sydney joins Sark at the counter. "How'd it go?"
"She's fine." Sark shrugs looking over at Alexa who is playing with Nikolai. "She's a strong girl." He shakes his head "What did you tell Dixon and Jack?"
"The truth." She glances at Sark who nods, "Dad's coming over for dinner." Sydney reminds. "He should be here within half an hour."
"Dinner should be ready at six." Sark informs her.
Sydney kisses his cheek, "I'm going to go change." She walks out of the kitchen heading upstairs.
45 MINS LATER
Jack steps out onto the porch joining Sark, "I thought you might be interested in this." He hands Sark a file.
Sark looks at Jack then takes the file "What is it?"
Jack leans against the railing, "Dixon and I called in some favors from old sources. This is just the beginning of what we found. They're still looking for more."
Sark opens the file to find a picture of Evanston walking out of a building where a bunch of children are standing around dressed in little clothing. "How'd you find these?"
"The children's organization that was investigating him still had them. The only reason they haven't done anything is because they risk being sued." Jack answers. "They handed them over under the condition they're protected from any repercussions. They later reported a burglary. I contacted Irina and she is checking with sources of her own. Apparently from Evanston's recent travels he was just recently in Thailand."
"Why'd you do this?" Sark demands. "You and Dixon both hate me."
"Yes that is true but Alexa has managed to charm everyone." Jack answers. "That and you going after Evanston could possibly lead to trouble. Sydney... despite all of our protests cares for you. I'd hate for her to have to raise two kids on her own... because I know that she wouldn't send Alexa to a foster home if something happened to you."
"Why give this to me? It just makes me want to go after him again."
"Perhaps but once we have enough evidence that he can't deny what he's done. This will ruin his career and send him to jail for a long time." Jack says
"I don't want this connected to Alexa. Its too dangerous for anyone to find out she's here."
"No one will know."
Sark nods staring at the file. "Thank you Jack." He looks back into the house where Alexa is setting the table with Niko's help. "I want to kill him for what he did to her."
"You do and you end up back in custody."
"I know. I will stay away from him."
"Good." Jack nods "Now you know how I felt the times you hurt Sydney."
Sark looks at Jack, "I never would have done to Sydney what Cassadine allowed Evanston to do. To me that even goes below my own sense of decency."
"Good because if you ever hurt Syd again I will kill you." Jack walks into the house leaving Sark standing there.
Sark looks back at the file then takes a deep breath then walks back into the house.
10PM
Sark knocks on Alexa's closed door
"Its open"
Sark enters the bedroom to find Alexa sitting on the middle of the bed flipping through a magazine. "How are you feeling?"
Alexa shrugs "OK I guess."
"I know talking about this is hard but it will make things better."
"Yeah maybe."
"It will." Sark assures looking at the clock, "Its time for you to get to bed. You have school tomorrow."
"OK." Alexa climbs under the covers tossing her magazine on the chair next to the bed.
Sark reaches to turn off the lamp, "Night Lex."
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Love you"
"I love you too." Sark leans down kissing her forehead. "Sleep well my girl."
"Night Dad."
Sark turns off the lamp then walks to the door turning off the second light he closes the door behind him. 'She's going to be fine... with some time.'
WEEK LATER: CIA
Sark enters Jack's office "Wanted to see me?"
"All of the sources have been bled dry." Jack picks up a folder "This is the last of the information." He hands it to Sark.
Sark opens the folder and flips through everything. "Every visit he's had and every contact he's had with a child."
"We've gone back as far as we could. The only information left out is on Alexa. Irina uncovered some shady deals of Evanston's so that is also in the file. There's enough to destroy his career." Jack informs him "Now is your decision. Do you want this... all of this... leaked to the press? All the people our sources have talked to have agreed to talk if need be."
Sark looks at the file then nods "He has to be stopped. Granted I can't stop him the way I want but this way is even better. Everyone will know and he won't be able to this again."
"I'll make the calls. I know some people who would be interested in this."
"I want him gone Jack. I've done a lot of twisted things but what he did... is worse." Sark tosses the file on Jack's desk, "Go for it."
Jack nods "How is she doing?"
"Good. She's dealing with everything." Sark shrugs "She'll be fine." He walks out of the office.
Jack leans back in his chair then picks up the phone.
EVENING: HOUSE
"What did Dad want to talk to you about?" Sydney asks as she and Sark pick up Niko's toys.
"They finished with their research on Evanston. He just wanted to check with me again on what I wanted."
"And what is he going to do with the information?"
"The press is going to get all of it... soon."
"Then what?"
"We'll have to see where things go from there." Sark answers
"Have you told her?"
"No, I wanted to wait until things are for sure. I don't want to get her hopes up." Sark explains
"She's going to find out sooner or later."
"I know. I just want to be sure things happen."
Sydney nods "You're choice."
2 MORNINGS LATER
Sark smiles reading the front-page headline, 'Entrepreneur linked to child sex.'
"What's on the newspaper now?" Sydney asks joining Sark in the kitchen
Sark hands her the newspaper
Sydney grins, "That's great. Now are you going to tell her?"
"I might as well." Sark takes the newspaper from Sydney kissing her in return before walking out of the kitchen. Sark knocks on the door then enters to find his daughter still asleep, "Lex" he calls
Alexa lifts her head looking at the clock "Dad I still have ten minutes" she groans
"I know but there is something you need to see." Sark turns on the light then tosses the newspaper on the bed.
Alexa picks up the newspaper reading the headline she frowns then continues reading. Slowly she looks at her Dad "How?"
"Jack, Dixon and Irina called some of their sources... they tracked his movements. They found out everything... and then some."
"What now?"
"Hopefully he'll be investigated by numerous countries for his little trips."
"And what about me?"
"You're left out of it. Its too dangerous for people to find out where you are. We found other kids he hurt and they all agreed to talk. He's gone baby... he can't hurt you or anyone else ever again." He sits beside her on the bed.
Alexa looks at the paper then slowly takes a deep breath, "Promise?"
"I promise."
Alexa slowly smiles "Thanks Daddy." She hugs her Dad
Sark smiles slightly surprised then returns the hug, "Your welcome." He kisses her head. "Now get a move on you have school."
"I still have ten minutes"
"That you do." Sark chuckles standing he walks out of the room.
Alexa stares at the newspaper, 'I'm safe. He'll never find me.' "Time to move on." She says firmly. "That's really in the past now." She throws off the covers getting out of bed. 'No one will ever know about him and what he did to me... unless I want them to know.'
Sydney smiles as Sark returns to the kitchen, "How'd she take it?"
"She hugged me."
"She's doing that a lot more." Sydney remarks
"I've missed it Syd." Sark confides. "It used to be she wouldn't let me out of her sight without a hug first. If I left without giving her a hug when I returned she would be waiting impatiently. The first thing she would say would be, 'Daddy you didn't hug me. Hug now!' Then she'd make me give her two hugs to make up for the missing hug."
Sydney smiles "You love it."
"Of course. I just want her happy Syd."
"It looks like she's on her way to being happy." Sydney strokes his cheek, "You've done all you can Sark... its her decision as to where she's going to go in life."
"I know."
"It's always going to be there though." Sydney reminds. "She's not going to be able to totally shove it aside... as much as she wants too."
Sark nods "I know."
TBC…