CHAPTER 6
LATE NEXT MORNING
"Mom we're leaving." Rory calls
Lorelai walks into the living room, "Do you have to leave?"
"Mom I have class in the morning and Julian needs to be back in California for work tomorrow."
Lorelai groans "But its fun having you two around."
"You just want someone to cook." Sark says amused
"Well duh" Lorelai huffs
Rory laughs, "I'll make sure he visits."
"Count on it." Sark grins at Rory.
"Alright have a good drive." Lorelai hugs the two "Call me when you get there"
"Mom you usually call me while I'm still on the road."
"What can I say... I miss you."
Rory rolls her eyes "You hear from me every day and see me every weekend."
"Humor me Rory."
"Yes Mom." Rory sighs. "I'll call when I get back."
"Thank you. That is all ask." Lorelai watches as Sark opens the car door for Rory, 'He's good for her. Better than Dean... but if he hurts her... he'll no longer be a man.'
"So you charmed my mother... again." Rory muses as Sark pulls out of the driveway, "And Lane and my Grandparents."
"What can I say" Sark smirks "I'm good."
Rory rolls her eyes "And cocky."
"Hey don't go channeling Sydney" Sark warns
"When am I going to meet them?"
"Who knows" Sark shrugs "knowing them they could show up at any time, they tend to think my life is their business."
"You hate it" Rory states
"I had no choice... I accepted that."
HOUR LATER
Rory smiles at Sark. "Thanks" She takes the cup of coffee taking a sip as he joins her.
"Are you ready to go back to class tomorrow?"
"No. Are you ready for work?"
"No. I have to deal with him yelling at me... accusing me of going back on the deals. Him telling me I'm still in contact with his wife... or soon to be ex wife."
"Are you?" Rory asks curiously.
"I left it all behind." Sark assures "I have no contact with anyone involved with my past criminal activities."
"Where is his wife?"
"No one knows. She disappeared. Some believe I killed her... others believe Jack or Irina had her killed for what she did to Sydney."
"What do you believe?"
"I believe she's off licking her wounds waiting to take revenge on all of us for her own mistakes."
"Do you think she'll go after you?" Rory asks
"Its possible but I think Vaughn and Sydney would be first on the list." Sark takes a sip of his own coffee looking around noticing the Agents sent by Jack. He sighs heavily, "Damn babysitters."
"Ignore them"
"I have all weekend. I can't even take a vacation without needing babysitters"
"Well your admittance proves you haven't been the most reliable person."
"True" Sark admits "but when I say I'll do something I'm usually a man of my word."
Rory shakes her head "Come on lets take a walk."
"Sure." They stand and start walking down the sidewalk. "Are you upset with my revelations?"
"Yes... no... I'm not sure." Rory admits. "Knowing what you are makes me understand things a little more but yes I do admit there are things about it that bother me."
"Like what?"
"Why did you get involved in it?" Rory asks curiously.
"It wasn't my choice. Andrian shoved me into it by sending me to the boarding school."
"Why didn't you leave when you were old enough?"
"By then it was all I knew." Sark shrugs "My childhood was destroyed when she died and he sent me away."
"Your Mom?" Rory asks
Sark nods
"What happened to her?"
"She was killed in a car accident when I was five. I don't remember a lot about her." He admits
"What do you remember?"
"Rain" Sark answers after a moment of thought.
"What about it?"
"Whenever it would rain we would stay inside all day and she would tell me stories."
"About what?" Rory asks
Sark shrugs, "Whatever she could think of. Sometimes she would tell stories about her childhood, sometimes she would read stories, others we would make up stories together." Sark smiles faintly at the memory, "One of the few things I can remember about her. Not even a week after she died I was shipped off to school."
"What was it like?"
"It was... challenging. I learned to be manipulative from some of the best in the world. When I was young they realized I had the a what they called 'the ability to charm and manipulate'"
"I can imagine... you must have been a cutie. Being so adorable you can get your way whenever you want. I once charmed Taylor out of a free ice cream bar."
Sark chuckles "I can imagine that."
Rory laughs, "So what else did you learn at school? Other than how to use your cuteness to get your way?"
"I learned all I needed too not only weapons, fighting, and explosives but manipulation, how to beat psychological tests either direction I wanted, how to lie, literature, languages, history, art... anything they believed I needed to know to get by in the world."
"Did you like it? Or hate it?"
"Both. I hated the forced structure and abuse but I enjoyed what I learned... even the weapons and such."
"So you can beat psychological tests?"
Sark smirks, "Done it numerous times to the CIA. In one case they get a result saying I'm sane and another can say I'm a pathological liar... another saying I'm a sociopath. Mostly I do it to annoy them."
Rory shakes her head, "I hated that part of Chilton's admissions process"
"Well you are probably the sanest student they had."
"Still I don't like people messing with my head. I get that enough with Mom."
"Know that feeling."
"So why do you mess with the tests?"
Sark shrugs "It amuses me. I don't like being told I'm one way when I don't always feel it. I guess over the years I've come to compartmentalize my personalities... Sark is the one most people see and deal with. Julian... rarely is out anymore."
"Why not?" Rory asks taking a drink of her coffee.
"I'm not sure." Sark admits. "Jack has had the psychologists figure that out numerous times."
"What personality do you show me?"
"Both." Sark admits after a moment of thought and they walk in silence.
"Do you have a best friend?" Rory asks curiously.
"Not anymore. Like I said I had to abandon my past activities... that included the few friends I had."
"Who is your best friend?"
"I had three growing up. Alison and Simon are older than me. Alison was killed a few years ago. Simon... I have no idea where he is." Sark admits
"And the third?"
"Gia. She's a few months younger than me. We used to do everything together."
"Where is she?"
"She's retired. I haven't seen her since I escaped custody the last time. Last I heard from Si, she's married and has a baby... who is ironically named Julian."
"You're kidding"
"Unfortunately I'm not." Sark says dryly. "When we were in our teens there was this incident and I pulled her out of some trouble and she said that her first born would be named after me. The kid better turn out tough... Julian is not the easiest name to grow up with."
Rory smiles faintly, "Well I like it... it suits you."
"Glad you approve."
"Hey do you have any idea how people look at me when I tell them I was named after my Mom and Great Grandma?" Rory sighs heavily. "They think my mother was nuts."
"Why did she name you Lorelai?"
Rory laughs, "Her story is that she had a thought one day about how men name their sons after them... so she decided to name me after her. But to make it easier to yell at me I have a different middle name."
"Ahh. So does that mean when you have a daughter you will want to name her Lorelai?"
Rory shrugs "Mom wants me too but I don't know. I have time to think about that." She takes a drink of her coffee, "Would that bother you?"
"No... but no son of mine will end up with the name Julian." Sark mutters
Rory giggles
"I'm serious. Why do you think I go by Sark? Think the name Julian would scare people?" Sark growls
"Probably not." Rory admits thoughtfully. "But still it suits you."
"Glad you think so" Sark sighs
HOUR LATER: DORM ROOM
Rory sighs relieved to see Logan gone and her bed made. "At least he knows how to make a bed." She drops her backpack on the floor dropping on her bed with a sigh as Sark sits beside her.
"So when am I going to meet Logan and your other friends?"
"Well if you were here tonight I'd say tonight... but I guess it will have to wait until the next time you visit."
"Alright." Sark trails his fingers across her face.
"He drives me nuts sometimes but he's a good guy."
"Good."
"I think you'd like him."
"We'll see. But if he continues trying to get my wife in bed, I might have to hurt him." Sark warns
"Julian he's just goofing off. Logan knows nothing will happen so relax." Rory sits up kissing her husband.
"Better realize that" Sark mutters deepening the kiss.
EVENING
"Do you have to go?" Rory sighs watching Sark dress.
"Unfortunately I do." Sark says apologetically. "Like I said Jack would send someone to drag me back if I didn't return."
"Oh fine." Rory huffs
"Hey" Sark sits on the edge of the bed "I have no choice. If I had my way I'd move out here to be closer to you."
"I know. I just... I don't want you to go."
"I don't either but I will be back"
"When?"
"As long as I'm a good little boy Daddy dearest might let me out of my cage more often." Sark says sarcastically.
Rory sighs, "Just check in more often OK?"
"I will." Sark promises, "At least now I might be able to convince Jack and the others to not monitor my calls so close. I can't even call information without getting interrogated."
"Just be good and they'll loosen up." Rory suggests
"I'm being good. It doesn't help though that Vaughn thinks everything I do is a betrayal towards them."
"Tell him to go jump out the window." Rory grumbles
"I wish but I promised Nadia, Jack and Sydney I would behave around Vaughn." He kisses her forehead before standing. "Besides Sydney would probably kill me if I even threatened him."
Rory smiles faintly at his scowl. "You are so cute when you're grumbly." She kisses him quickly.
"Glad you think so." Sark sighs. "I better get out of here before I drag you back to bed."
Rory grins, "Sounds good to me."
"Nice try darling." Sark kisses her forehead grabbing his jacket walking out of the room with her.
Rory opens the door to find Logan, Finn, Colin, and Stephanie on the other side, "Hey guys"
"Hey Ace" Logan grins looking Rory over in her duck pajamas "Love the pajamas"
"How many times do I have to tell you no smart ass remarks about my pajamas" Rory sighs
"I think their cute." Stephanie grins
"Thank you" Rory grins back "Oh Julian this is Logan, Finn, Colin and Stephanie." She introduces
Sark nods "Rory has told me a lot about all of you."
"Wish we could say the same" Finn says "but Gilmore is very tight lipped about her life."
"I am not. Just not everything is your business Finn."
"You know everything about us" Finn argues
"Hey that's your choice." Rory rolls her eyes "Why are you guys here?"
"Bored." Logan shrugs
"No decent parties" Colin adds
"So you come to annoy me?"
"Of course Ace what else would I do with my free time?" Logan grins
"See what I put up with?" Rory huffs at Sark.
"You should see who I put up with." Sark smirks kissing her forehead, "I will see you in a few weeks"
Rory nods smiling at him, "Fine but behave"
"Always do." Sark walks out the door as the teens walk into the dorm suite.
Rory watches him walk down the hall, 'Wish he didn't have to leave.' Once he's out of sight Rory closes the door looking at her friends who have spread themselves around the living area.
"So who's the hottie?" Stephanie demands
"A friend." Rory shrugs
"A friend you never mentioned." Logan muses
"Because not everything in my life is your business." Rory shrugs "So why are you here?" She asks dropping on the couch beside Stephanie
"Bored. We wondered if you had any idea of what to do." Colin answers
"Yeah Ace help us poor rich kids out." Logan pleads. "We're not good at being bored."
"So I've seen." Rory says dryly.
SAME TIME: LA
"Are you and Vaughn still not speaking?" Nadia asks Sydney as the two sisters spend the night in together catching up.
"We've come to a truce." Sydney admits. "Sark's personal life isn't something I will discuss with him."
"What's he doing?"
"Probably at the airport making sure Sark returns." Sydney sighs
"Dad said he left the airport over an hour ago."
"I know but Michael thinks he won't return."
"So what is he waiting at the airport?"
"Probably." Sydney shrugs
"So what do you think about Sark being married?"
"I find it out of character for the guy I've known for six years."
"Do you think he loves her?" Nadia wonders
"He lost his temper with Michael... I think that's a pretty good indication he loves her. I have never seen him lose his temper with someone that fast." Sydney muses
"How do you think Mother has taken this situation?"
"I have no idea. She's probably not happy he kept a secret from her."
"True" Nadia muses
"How did Eric take the news?"
"Pretty well. He was surprised of course but" Nadia shrugs "he dealt."
"At least Eric dealt... Michael is taking this hard."
"Well considering Sark slept with his wife and no one knows where she is."
"True." Sydney sighs. "If we're lucky she's gone for good. But with my luck she's still alive... and waiting to cause trouble."
"Maybe she's dead"
"Maybe. I would hate for her to go after Rory. God knows Sark would go on a rampage if something happened to her." Sydney muses
"He probably has it taken care of."
"You think?"
"He's in love." Nadia shrugs
MIDNIGHT: SARK'S PLACE
Sark tosses his keys on the kitchen counter removing his phone he presses the speed dial.
"'lo" Rory greets sleepily.
"Sorry I forgot about the time change."
"So'k."
"Ace come on the rest of us are sleeping"
"I let you guys sleep on my floor because you are too damn drunk to make it home so shut up."
"They spent the night?"
"That's what friends do... spend the night. Relax Logan, Finn, and Colin are either sleeping on the couch or the floor. Stephanie's hogging my bed."
"Go back to sleep. I will check on you in a few days."
"Night"
"Sleep well." Sark hangs up smiling faintly.
NEXT MORNING: CIA
"Sark" Sydney enters her brother's office
"Sydney" Sark says calmly as he glances up from his paperwork, "as you can tell Agent Vaughn I did return." He says coldly.
Sydney turns to walk out of the room, "How is she?"
"Fine."
"What did you tell her?"
"The truth... without going into great detail. No need to give her nightmares of my past."
"And her family?"
"I met her grandparents... her ex boyfriend and half the town. I even sat through a very... Sloane-like town meeting... only amusing part was Lorelai booing the town mayor and throwing peanuts at Luke and Rory."
Sydney smiles faintly, "What did you tell her parents about what you do?"
"What my job has required most... negotiations and acquisitions." Sark smirks when he sees Sydney shake her head. "Now do you mind... I have work to finish."
"Didn't you work this weekend?"
"Of course but work around here never ends."
MIDAFTERNOON: YALE LIBRARY
"Ms Gilmore"
Rory looks up to see a dark haired woman, "Yes"
"I am Irina"
Rory starts, "Julian's mother"
Irina nods "May I?"
Rory nods watching the older woman sit across from her, "Why are you here?"
"I thought I should meet my daughter-in-law and knowing Julian he would have kept putting it off."
"Well considering we spent the whole weekend being watched by his babysitters and my town not really a surprise he didn't want us to meet." Rory says pushing aside her notebook. "Is my relationship with Julian really your business?"
"All of my children are my business." Irina says "And despite the fact I did not know Sark was my son he was still my business as my right-hand. I may not have known he was my son but I did care a great deal about him."
"Then why did you allow him to become one of you?"
"Andrian and whoever took him made that decision." Irina shrugs "Your family has yet to know of your marriage correct?"
"My Mom would have gone off the deep end" Rory answers "and Grandma would have blamed Mom. But for now it's better that they don't know."
Irina nods, "And you want Julian to prove himself first."
"Not to me... I know how he is and I accept him. What I want from him is to prove to everyone else, and himself, that he's a good person... despite what he's done."
Irina looks down, "He has always compartmentalized his personalities... I believe it helped him survive this long." She looks at Rory, "Do you love him?"
"I wouldn't have married him if I didn't." Rory answers
"Despite your... affair before your trip to Europe?"
Rory glares at the woman, "My past has nothing to do with my marriage. I made a mistake with Dean and I regret it... Julian helped me deal with all of that. If it wasn't for him I would still be moping over a mistake. I love Julian."
"My son has never done anything this impulsive... especially behind my back."
"Perhaps he felt like he had no choice." Rory shrugs "Maybe he didn't want you to know because he wanted something... normal in his life. Maybe he was scared you wouldn't approve. Maybe he just didn't want you to know." Rory leans back in her chair looking at Irina, "He's a guy who has been trying to figure out his place in a world that goes topsy turvy at a drop of a hat."
"You seem to be wise for your age."
"Being raised by my Mom you learn things." Rory shrugs "I learned how to pay bills and balance a checkbook by eight. I learned how to order takeout at the same age."
"If you are after my son for his money"
Rory gathers her books annoyed by the woman's remark, "First off, Julian and I never discussed money. Secondly, my grandparents have money if I need some. Third... I wouldn't marry someone over money." She stands, "Now if you'll excuse my I have class in twenty minutes."
"I wasn't trying to insult you." Irina assures
"You didn't." Rory assures "Look I love your son. I'm not going to cheat on him. I'm not after his money." Rory picks up her backpack, "It was nice to meet you but I really can't be late. My Professor doesn't like tardiness."
"Just don't hurt him."
"I don't plan too. I married him because I love him and he loves me. It was nice to meet you."
"You as well." Irina watches as the young woman walks away, 'She is a good addition to this family.' She muses with a smile. 'My little boy chose well... lets see if my other children choose quite as well.'
TBC…