CHAPTER 7
OVER A MONTH LATER: YALE
Rory opens the door to find Sark standing there, "Julian what are you doing here?" She pulls him into the suite. "Honey you look terrible"
"Tired."
Rory ignores Paris walking out of her room
"Rory what is he doing here?" Paris yawns
"Just go back to bed Paris." Rory pulls Sark into her bedroom frowning at his shaking. "What happened?"
"Job in Toronto. Went bad."
"Where are Sydney and Nadia? I thought someone goes with you." Rory helps him pull off his coat.
"I went alone." He manages to get out. "They took my trackers out"
Rory winces when she pulls his shirt up to reveal large gashes in his body. "Where were your trackers?"
"They were surgically implanted when I started working for them. Jack wanted to be able to keep track of me." Sark helps her pull his shirt off.
Rory helps him strip down to his boxers and forces him to sit on the bed. She goes into the bathroom grabbing the First Aid kit, returning to the bed she sits and inspects his wounds and cleans them patching them up. She winces at the bruises covering his body.
"I'm fine." Sark assures at her expression "Just tired."
"How long have you been up?" Rory asks as she puts the final bandage on.
"Three days."
Rory sighs, "Get some sleep."
"I should call and let Jack know where I am." Sark yawns
"You can do it later. You need some sleep first."
"He won't be happy."
"Oh well." Rory shrugs "He can blame me if he wants." She pushes Sark onto the bed going to the door she turns off the light before returning to the bed joining Sark. She snuggles up against him wincing at his cold skin.
Sark yawns. "Missed you."
"Same." Rory yawns
SAME TIME: CIA
"He's been offline for two days." Vaughn says angrily.
"According to the biofeedback I received his heart rate went up before the feedback was stopped." Marshall says nervously.
"Torture?" Dixon asks calmly.
"Possible, but why would Sark react to torture now?" Marshall wonders. "He didn't in the past."
"Maybe it wasn't just the torture." Sydney muses
"New Haven isn't far from Toronto." Weiss muses. "Think he could be there?"
Jack enters the conference room, "I received a call from the Agents we have watching Ms Gilmore. Sark arrived at her dorm few minutes ago. Apparently he doesn't look well."
"Should the Agents retrieve him?" Dixon asks
"No. I think it would be less trouble if Sydney and Nadia retrieve him. My guess if he is injured and someone unknown tries to retrieve him he will react to their presence... with deadly force."
"You don't think he would around her do you?" Sydney asks concerned.
Jack tilts his head, "Do we want to risk it?"
"Good point." Sydney agrees "We've seen his reaction with Dorne... he could react like that now... and it would be bloody."
Jack nods
"You leave in an hour. Jack, have those Agents keeping an eye on Sark... for incoming and for his own leaving." Dixon suggests
Jack nods
HOUR LATER: PLANE
"How is Michael taking this?" Nadia inquires
"Still thinks Sark is going to run at every opportunity." Sydney shrugs
"Are you starting to trust Sark?"
"To the point of Rory and the fact he won't run out on her by disappearing."
"And nothing else?" Nadia asks "Sydney he has been behaving. There is no evidence he has contacted anyone from his past."
"I know but that doesn't mean he hasn't tried." Sydney points out.
"Agreed." Nadia nods
7AM: DORM
Paris pulls the door open "WHAT?" She says angrily. "You woke me up."
"We're looking for Rory Gilmore?" Sydney says
"Just a minute." Paris stomps to Rory's closed bedroom door opening it she enters, "Rory you have visitors."
Rory lifts her head, "Paris shh" she sits up looking at Sark, "I'll be right there." She touches Sark's forehead, 'He's a little warm.' She carefully stands walking out of the bedroom to the living area closing the door behind her. "Thanks Paris. You can go back to bed"
"Whatever" Paris scowls storming into her bedroom.
"I'm Sydney Bristow, this is Nadia Santos we're"
"I know who you are." Rory nods "Come on in."
"Have you see Sark?" Nadia questions as they enter the dorm suite.
"He's asleep. He showed up a few hours ago." When Sydney starts moving towards the bedroom Rory shakes her head, "He's out to the world. He has been up for three days. I think he might be getting a fever. Just let him sleep for a few more hours." At Sydney's look she sighs, "He's not going anywhere... trust me. Go walk the campus. Hell, you can hang out here if you want but just let him sleep for a few hours."
Sydney opens her mouth only for Nadia to speak first, "Agreed."
"Good." Rory nods
HOUR LATER
Rory looks towards the bed and smiles seeing Sark rubbing his eyes sleepily. "Hey how are you feeling?" She moves over to the bed sitting she touches his forehead, "Feeling warm."
"Tired."
Rory nods "Your sisters are here... in the living room reading."
"Doesn't surprise me Jack probably sent them to retrieve me." He regards Rory, "Sorry for showing up out of the blue."
"Its fine. Besides it means I get to see you." Rory smiles
Sark pulls her down beside him his arms holding her tight.
"What's wrong Julian?"
"Nothing."
"You wouldn't have shown up without reason and you wouldn't have avoided calling in without a big reason."
Sark sighs, "I found a file."
Rory looks at him, "And?"
"It reveals who separated us... who took Nadia to Portugal and me to Lazarey."
"Bad?"
"Very." Sark looks at the ceiling, "No one will believe this."
Rory shrugs, "Won't know until you try."
Sark sighs, "I know. I should get dressed and go deal with them."
"Its probably a good idea. Want me to tell them you're awake?"
"Want to have a quickie?" Sark smirks
"Nice try" Rory rolls her eyes. "Now get up and get dressed." She pulls out of his arms sitting up. "Your clean suit is in the closet... I picked it up the other day."
"Next time I'm here we really need to look for an apartment. Paris must be sick of having me in and out." Sark gets out of bed heading to the bathroom.
"I don't think she really cares. Its not like you're here for long and you stay out of her way and are quieter than Logan and everyone else who comes through here." Rory returns to the desk as Sark closes the bathroom door.
10 MINS LATER
Rory leans against the doorframe watching as Sark shaves, "How are you feeling?"
"Fine. My head hurts a little but I'll be fine. Sydney and Nadia?"
"I told them you're awake. Did you take some aspirin?"
"Yes." Sark nods
Rory walks out of the doorway returning to her desk she goes back to work as Sark steps out of the bathroom.
Sark opens the top drawer of Rory's dresser, "How is Lorelai?"
"Asking when you're visiting again. Begging me to date you. Telling me you're the perfect guy"
"Well I am." Sark says arrogantly. "I'm rich, powerful and good in bed."
"And arrogant." Rory adds
"Hey I'm truthful doesn't mean I'm arrogant." Sark shrugs as he pulls his slacks on.
Rory rolls her eyes
"You love me anyway." Sark drops a kiss to her head.
"Help me but I do." Rory grins at him.
"How are your classes going?"
"Good. I can't wait for summer. I think I'm getting tired of books." Rory frowns, "And that has only happened when I was at Chilton."
"What are your plans for the summer?"
"I haven't decided."
"You know... you could spend the summer in LA with me." Sark suggests as he pulls his shirt on.
"That would go over well with Mom... being that close to Jess."
"You are 20 Rory. You can make your own choices."
"I know its just... Jess lives in LA."
"It is a big city you might not run into him." Sark points out
"I know but Mom doesn't take any mention of Jess very well. She'd probably worry that I would run into him."
"Just think about it Rory."
"I will." Rory promises. "We'll talk about it next time you're here."
Sark nods pulling on his suit jacket.
Rory stands looking at him noting his cream suit and white shirt. She sighs straightening his lapels, "I wish you didn't have to leave."
"So do I but I have too. I need to give them the information I found. I should be back in a few weeks."
Rory nods
Sark kisses her lightly, "Why don't you start looking for an apartment" he suggests "then when you find one you like let me know."
"Price range?"
"Doesn't matter. I have to give the information to Dixon and he will have the accountants write the checks if they agree to it. I hate having to go through other people to spend my money."
"They just want to be sure you don't spend it doing something stupid." Rory shrugs
"I know but it is still a bloody pain."
Rory kisses him "You better go"
Sark sighs "Mmm" he kisses her forehead. "I love you."
"I love you too." Rory walks with him out to the living room.
Sydney closes the book, "Ready?"
Sark nods, "I need to make a stop at the bus station."
"What for?" Nadia asks
"Do you really think I would bring my gun here?"
"Wait you are actually weaponless?" Sydney says surprised.
Sark shrugs "Do I really need to be stopped by the campus security with my gun?"
"Good point." Sydney agrees "Still you without a gun... that's rare."
"Its been known to happen." Sark looks at Rory squeezing her hand, "Finish that conversation later?"
Rory nods
"Rory it was good to finally meet you." Sydney says
"Same. Sorry we couldn't talk longer."
"Ahh finishing a paper... been there." Sydney waves off. "At least you don't have to deal with chasing someone" She glares at Sark, "around the world when trying to finish a paper on Emily Dickinson."
"No instead I have to deal with my Mom calling because Luke has cut off her coffee supply or Michel has been rude to a guest. Or the ever popular conversation; 'Grandma is the devil' conversation."
"'Grandma is the devil'?" Nadia says quizzically.
Rory shrugs "Mom and Grandma are opposite personalities."
"We better get going."
Sark nods "I'll call you later." He looks at Sydney "I want to drive."
"Hell no. I've seen how you drive."
"Oh come on. Nadia" Sark looks at his twin
"I'm staying out of this one." Nadia replies
Rory shakes her head hearing the siblings argue as they start down the hall. 'God he's something.' She closes the door.
LATE AFTERNOON: CIA
Sark enters Jack's office handing his father a file he drops on the couch, "You need to read it before the others do."
"How bad?"
"Bad."
Jack opens the file reading, "We already knew William Vaughn took Nadia to the Portugal orphanage." He says
"It's not just a file on Nadia... but myself. Turn to the next page."
Jack turns the page reading, "So why would he hand you to Lazarey and leave Nadia in an orphanage?"
"I have no idea unless he was playing all sides."
"Agent Vaughn is going to consider this file a fake. He's going to accuse you of framing his father."
"Fine with me." Sark shrugs "He blames me for everything else that goes wrong in his life. Why should he blame me for his father's actions? He blames me for his wife's."
"Well you did sleep with her."
Sark shrugs "I never denied it. Besides I wasn't the only man she slept with. She slept with Bomani and Cole as well."
"Yes but you are the one who now works here."
"Not by choice." Sark points out.
Jack regards his son, "And Ms Gilmore?"
"She might be spending part of her summer here."
"Have you informed Dixon?"
"Not yet. Rory and I barely discussed it. I will inform him of the possibility when I discuss the financial situation."
"And why is that relevant?"
"Rory's roommate is getting annoyed with the fact I show up at odd hours. I believe it might be better if I get a place there."
Jack nods "Dixon wants a meeting in an hour."
"Fine, I'm going to go crash on the couch in my office until the meeting." Sark stands
"Have you been to med unit for a check up?"
Sark nods "Slight headache. I had a slight fever earlier but I'm fine now."
"Good. Get some sleep but I want you back in the med unit before you go home."
"I'm fine."
"Humor me." At Sark's annoyed expression Jack sighs. "Fine I really don't want to deal with your Mother if something happens to you because you are ill."
Sark rolls his eyes "Fine." He walks out of the office heading to his own he drops on his couch with a sigh, 'Sleep.' He closes his eyes.
THAT EVENING
Sark sighs as Jack enters his office, "I'm busy."
"Did you go get checked out?"
"I'm fine. Fevers gone as is the headache."
Jack nods "Good."
"Did you tell him?"
"I don't believe it is relevant. All his knowing will do is cause more problems for everyone around here, particularly you."
"I can take care of myself."
"Just don't Sark."
"Fine." Sark nods "I will refrain from telling him."
"Good" Jack walks out of the office.
COUPLE DAYS LATER: SARK'S PLACE
"How are your classes?" Sark asks Rory as he looks through some paperwork.
"Good. Long but good."
"Have you looked for apartments?" Sark asks
"I looked at a few online. Nothing that really interests me."
"What do you want?"
"I don't know. I'll know when I see it."
"You really think things through" Sark says amused
"I don't do things impulsive very often. Growing up it drove Mom nuts... my planning and lists. I even wrote a list of things to do after the first break up with Dean... and I even added no moping."
"What happened with that?"
"Mom and I ended up going through an alley to avoid running into Dean."
"Why?"
"Because I didn't know where he'd be. He could have been playing basketball at the school. He could have been at Taylor's... so to avoid him we went through the alley behind Luke's."
Sark chuckles
Rory sighs heavily
"What's wrong?"
"I'm bored. You are all the way in California. Mom has a date with Luke. Lane is at practice. Paris has a date with Marty. Logan, Colin, and Finn are playing poker... which I'm not allowed to play anymore."
"Why not?"
Rory smiles, "A round of normal poker and strip poker gone bad."
"How bad?"
"The guys lost their beer money and clothes to me."
"You play poker?"
"Hello you've met my Mom."
"Good point. So what did you lose during strip poker?"
"Not a whole lot. I got a good poker face... plus they were pretty drunk by the time I joined the game. And that helped."
Sark chuckles
"And Stephanie has a date. I'm bored." Rory sighs. "Amuse me"
"Amuse you how?"
"I don't know... figure something out." Rory huffs "Stop working!"
"Alright" Sark leans back, "sorry."
"It is the weekend Julian."
"What do you want to talk about?"
"I don't know... anything."
"Have you thought about this summer?"
"Not really."
"Why not?"
"Still have other things to deal with."
"Rory"
"I'll think about it. What would I do? I mean you work all the time."
"See if Paris or Lane wants to come out with you. Like you said I work all the time and you might be bored sometimes."
"Hmm"
"Just think about it. We'd be able to spend some time together... granted if Lane or Paris are around we wouldn't have a lot of privacy."
"I'll think about it."
"That's all I ask."
"So how's everything?"
"Work is work."
"Staying out of trouble?" Rory asks
"As much as I can."
"Something tells me that's not saying much." Rory teases
"Funny. How is your Mother?"
"Probably driving Luke crazy. I swear I can't believe after all these years Luke wants to date my Mom. But hey they understand each other way better than anyone else. I mean Luke's marriage didn't last long."
"Luke was married?"
"For like three months. He married his ex girlfriend from high school last summer on a cruise. Nicole only lived in Stars Hollow for a few weeks before leaving. She's a photographer."
"Short marriage."
"Luke doesn't talk about anything having to do it. Last time Mom even mentioned Nicole's name he cut her off from coffee for two days."
"Lorelai must have hated that."
"Of course."
"Didn't your Mom date one of the teachers at Chilton?"
"Max. They almost got married."
"How almost?"
"Few days before Mom said she couldn't do it."
"You never mentioned that."
"Sorry but my Mom's love life has a tendency to go a little nuts."
HOUR LATER
Rory yawns
Sark glances at his watch, "Its late there. You should get to bed."
"I know." Rory says sleepily. "I have an early day. Wonder if I call Logan at seven I can get him to get me some coffee." She muses
"If I was prone to jealousy I think I might be."
"Don't worry Julian... out of all the rich, spoiled, blonde guys in my life you are at the top of my list of favorites."
"And who else is on that list?"
"Brad Pitt is." Rory admits "Prince William... Tristan... Logan. And only two of them I'd dump you over."
"Hey"
"You know I'm teasing"
"Better be." Sark grumbles
Rory laughs. "Night."
"Sleep well." Sark hangs up after saying goodbye. He shakes his head amused and returns to his work.
CHAPTER 8
2 WEEKS LATER: TOWNHOME
Sark watches Rory look around thoughtfully at the old style townhouse. "Like it darling?"
Rory grins jumping up and down, "I like."
"Sorry" Sark apologizes to the realtor, "she's had a lot of coffee today."
The realtor smiles, "So I take it you want it?"
Sark watches Rory run up the stairs, "When can we start moving things in?"
"I'm sure we can get things done in an orderly time."
"Good." Sark walks away, "Have the papers drawn up. I will make the call to the people in charge of my finances."
"Alright." The woman watches as the blond man starts up the stairs.
"Rory" Sark calls
"This place is incredible."
Sark follows her voice entering the master bedroom to find Rory looking out the window, "So this is the place you want?"
Rory nods excitedly then jumps into his arms, "Do you have any idea how much I am loving you right now?"
"How much?" Sark asks with a smile as he looks at his wife.
"Lots."
"Lots huh?"
"Yep"
"Well I think this" Sark shifts pressing Rory against the wall he reaches into his pocket removing a card, "will make you love me even more." He hands it to Rory.
Rory looks at the credit card with her name, Rory Gilmore. She looks at Sark surprised
"This place is going to need furniture. Relax Dixon knows about it... it is in your name only... I'm not allowed to touch of course." He rolls his eyes "Like I can do much evil with a credit card."
"That doesn't mean you need the temptation." Rory kisses him, "Love you."
"Love you too." Sark smiles as he sets her on her feet. "So what do you plan to do with this place?"
"I have no idea. I've never been much for shopping." Rory admits
"Ask Paris and your friend Stephanie to help you."
"But"
"Asking them doesn't mean you have to tell them we're married. You can just tell them that I asked you to do it."
"I'm glad we found this place before anyone else did." Rory looks at him, "Are you sure about buying it?"
"If this place is what you like you get it."
"It's expensive."
"Nothing is too expensive for you."
"Charmer."
"I try." Sark smirks
COUPLE HOURS LATER
Sark hangs up the phone looking at Rory who is stirring, "Hey Princess. Sorry for waking you."
"Its fine." Rory yawns. "Who was that?"
"Dixon. He wanted to let me know that the money has been sent to the realtors' office. I have to go sign some papers before I leave on Sunday."
"Oh" Rory yawns
Sark kisses her head, "So what do you like most about the house?"
"The master bedroom is huge... so is the bathroom."
"Probably should get a very sturdy bed."
Rory laughs
"So what should we do with the second bedroom?"
"I have no idea. We really don't have much need for a second bedroom right now. I mean other than your family and employers knowing about our marriage... I seriously doubt we'd have visitors."
"Perhaps one day we will... when we come clean with your Mom."
"True. Or Lane."
"Mmm. Most likely yours because my side... still not on the greatest terms."
Rory stares at him thoughtfully.
"What?"
"Love you"
Sark smiles, "I love you too. How about tomorrow we go do some shopping?"
"It works for me."
"Now where were we before you fell asleep?" Sark shifts rolling Rory under him.
"Shh Paris might be back. She gets very grumpy when she's disturbed."
"That explains a lot." Sark chuckles as he pulls the covers over their heads.
NEXT MORNING: FURNITURE STORE
"I like this one." Rory says bouncing on the black leather couch. "Go good in the living room."
"If it is what you want."
"You are spoiling me."
Sark shrugs "I might as well spend my money to make you happy." He smiles watching Rory move to a black leather chair. "We'll take the chairs and the couch." Sark tells the saleswoman.
"We also have them in brown." The woman informs them gesturing to the brown set.
"Might be good for the study... they'd go good with the bookcases." Rory muses
NOON: CAFE
Rory smiles at Sark as he hands her a cup of coffee. "Thank you."
"Tired?"
"I think I'm shopped out for a while."
"Well you were a whirlwind." Sark smiles fondly.
"I did have two cups of coffee this morning before we left."
"I know you finished off mine."
Rory pouts
"But I still adore you."
"You better." Rory warns
"Lets see the living room, the study, and the dining room are done. What's left?"
"We still have the bedrooms and the kitchen." Rory answers thoughtfully.
"Alright" Sark nods about to speak as his phone rings. He grimaces seeing the number before answering, "What?"
Rory looks around the cafe noting the students talking and reading.
Sark sighs, "Jack... fine. I'll be there." He hangs up, "I have to go." He says annoyed.
"Do you have too?"
"Sorry my love." Sark says apologetically. "I have to go."
"Oh fine." Rory grumbles standing.
"I'll make it up to you later." He promises kissing the top of her head as they start walking out of the cafe.
"Where too this time?" Rory asks slipping her hand in his as they walk.
"He didn't say." Sark answers
"I wish you could stay all weekend." Rory sighs
"So do I but work calls... and unfortunately I don't have the choice of saying no. As someone once said to me, 'you serve your masters regardless of the orders.'"
"And do you? Obey without questioning?" Rory asks curiously.
"I used too... but after the last lock-up I realized that I don't want a master any longer. I am forced to work for them and it is not what I want but to survive one must accept the situations surrounding them."
"My husband the philosopher." Rory says dryly.
Sark chuckles "So my love what next in the life of Rory?"
"Hmm... I'm not sure." Rory takes a sip of her coffee, "I think I might study some. Maybe take a nap. Call Mom. Then I'm thinking some major mopage."
"Major mopage?" He asks puzzled
"You know... ice cream, lame movie... pajamas. Cookies... and I'm heading towards some popcorn but I don't know if that goes with moping."
"And why are you planning to mope?"
"Because I feel like moping." Rory grumbles
"Don't mope too much." Sark kisses her head.
"If you stayed I wouldn't"
"If I stayed I would find myself in lock-up for a long while." Sark muses
"I know. It doesn't mean I can't miss you when you leave."
"I miss you as well."
"When will you be back?"
"I am unsure right now. It might be a while."
Rory sighs
"I promise to make it up to you."
"You better." Rory warns
"I will buy you as much coffee as you want."
"Please I think that was in our vows... or should have been now that I look back on it."
"You would put that in."
"Hey you marry me you get my loveable Mom, my obsessive grandparents, my crazy town... and my love of coffee."
"Don't you mean your obsession?"
Rory glares at him, "Don't mess with the coffee... that could be grounds for divorce in my family."
"I promise not the mess with the coffee."
After a few minutes of bantering back and forth they reach the parking lot across from the school. "This totally sucks." Rory states
"I know." Sark pulls her close kissing her forehead, "But when I get back we will do whatever you want"
"OK." Rory rests her head on his chest, "What about the papers?"
"I will take care of it." Sark promises. "I will have them deliver the keys to you."
Rory nods pulling back, "Be good."
"Always am." Sark smirks
"Right" Rory drawls, "that's like saying my Mom isn't obsessed with coffee and Brad Pitt."
"Fine then... I promise that I will do my best to behave... I'd say scouts honor but we both know that wouldn't work."
Rory laughs then kisses him lightly on the lips, "Get going." She watches as he gets into the car and pulls out of the parking lot. 'I swear that man is going to drive me nuts... but I love the lug.'
TBC…