Five hours after the fight, Sydney emerged from the shower. Without skipping a beat, tossed aside her jeans and pullover and donned a slinky black knee-length pencil skirt and silk top and heels and finished packing for their return home. Though her Dom aggravation had dissipated with the ass whipping she’d served on Margret, she found the days events weighed heavy on her mind but none so much that she couldn’t quick set it aside. She had to get back to the city and take control of the situation with rebellious Doms, there was no time for emotions of any kind.


She stood in brushing her thick hair back into her trademarked tight bun and smoothed her hands over her cheeks. Last but not least…she slapped on her leather “Mistress” cuff. The bitch was back.


Mark, Sr. and Helen transported Margret to the hospital while Jane stayed behind with the children and Sydney. There wasn’t anytime to loose, Jane had to talk Sydney into staying for Mark’s sake. He and Sr. were barely on speaking terms and to leave now there may not be a next time to cement their reunion.


“Hi,” Jane entered Sydney’s bedroom and sat on the bed.


“Hi,” Sydney turned briefly then returned to her dressing herself.


“You look nice,” Jane offered hoping to lure Sydney into a conversation. It was not to be had.


“Thank you,”


Jane leaned on one elbow. “So tell me what happened. I understand why the Doms are against your relationship with Mark but why they so angry?”


“They’re not angry. They’re afraid that we’ll turn on them and they’ll loose everything they have worked for.” Sydney checked her watch. “Most of the real work has been taken care of by my assistants. Mark and I have the cleanup work to handle.”


“What does that mean?”


“It means gathering the names of the flame-fanners and talking to them,” Sydney smiled. “Then we have to reassure the Doms that our relationship isn’t a threat.”


And what if you can’t change their minds”


Sydney stopped. The thought of the Doms not accepting their relationship had never crossed her mind. “They don’t have a choice and they should know better then trying to force our hands.”


Jane needed to change the subject before Sydney shut down emotionally. “Like you said; they’re afraid.” She stretched out on the bed, hands clasp over her stomach, looking up at the ceiling. “It’s been a hellish couple of weeks, wouldn’t you say? What with dealing with Mark and all his baggage and all---I suppose stomping Margret to a pulp was the perfect bookend,”


Sydney met Jane’s cynical smirk. “That’s a silly thing to say. Besides kick Margret’s ass, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself and now we have to go,”

“Have you spoken to Mark about leaving?”


“No, but he will understand.”


Jane sat up against the headboard. “He will understand, what?”


Sydney threw the last articles of clothing into her bag. She didn’t want to have this discussion because she knew Jane would attempt to persuade her to stay. “Mark knows this is business.”


Jane snorted. “Have you asked him yet? Has he agreed to leave?”


“No, it doesn’t matter. He’s coming back with me,” she became more agitated.


“Surely whatever is going on at home can wait another day. You’re leaving tomorrow as is. Staying one more night wouldn’t do any harm.”


Sydney turned, her face hardened. “I need him!”


Jane planted her feet on the floor and stood firmly in front on Sydney. “Was this trip about you or him, Sydney?”


“It was about him,” Sydney remarked, stunned by determination in Jane’s tone.


“No, it wasn’t. You made it about yourself. You played the saint. You presented yourself as the healer of his wounds but, in truth, you arranged all of this because you felt unworthy of him. Mark is genuine and pure. He feels things deeply. So when he told you that he loved you, you knew that he was serious and you felt unworthy of that love. You could reciprocate he’s feelings because you didn’t know how. You couldn’t do anything for him…but the one thing you could do was reunite him with his family and you’ve done it. Bravo! You should feel worthy,”


Jane’s words stirred in Sydney guts. She was right. Sydney shook her head and walked back to the mirror. “This isn’t about me.”


“Then why are you making it about you? You’re being selfish. Now that you’re the golden child…now that we all love you, you wanna pack up and go without finishing what you’ve started. For once in your life, you need to finish something before moving on. Mark needs absolute closure. He needs to say goodbye to his family and friends. And if you’d stop being pigheaded, you’d admit you needed it as well,”


Sydney stepped towards her.


“Hit me! Go ahead. I have nothing to loose,” Jane’s eyes filled with resolve. “You said you wanted to change. You wanted to be more giving.”


“I do.” Sydney insisted.


“Then don’t leave like this. Stay and say your goodbyes.” Jane standing rooted in her plain clothing and bonnet, prepared for her first blow.


Sydney’s jaw twitched as she walked towards then around Jane…closing the door.


Jane breathed a sigh of relief.


Sydney hugged Jane from behind, resting her cheek on her back. “I would never hit you Janey.” She spoke softly.


“Good because I would have cried like a bitch,” Jane covered Sydney’s arms with hers and they laughed. A few seconds past, Jane felt Sydney’s arms trembling. “Are you alright?”


“You’re right, Jane. I’m too controlling. I don’t deserve him, I never have. I want to deserve him but I don’t know how.”


“You’re afraid of needing someone whom you can’t control. His love makes you feel weak, doesn’t it?”


Sydney nodded; tears streaked her cheeks soaking Jane’s dress. “He is the best person I know and I can not bear the thought of being without him.”


Jane whisk around holding Sydney by her shoulders under heavy brow. “Oh my God, you really love my brother.


Sydney nodded wiping her eyes.


Jane scanned her face. “Do you realize you’ve just expressed more feeling for Mark than you ever have when talking about your work? You have made him a priority.


“I guess I have,” Sydney covered her mouth in shock and laughed. “Now what?”


“That’s for you two to decide,” Jane smiled and dropped her register. “Would you be willing to give up your career to be with him?”

Sydney thought for a moment and then her bright smile lit her face in a peaceful glow. “Yes…yes I would.”


Jane cocked her head to one side, grinning. “You say that confidently because you know he would never allow that to happen.”


“Yep, I know he’ll protect me.”


“So...staying one more day wouldn’t be so bad, would it?”


Sydney didn’t have to answer. It was written on her face. “I love you, Janey. You’re mean to me but I love you.”


Jane’s deep dimples pierced her cheeks. “I wasn’t trying to upset you. I was desperate.”


“You must have been. Besides Mark, no one has ever spoken to me like that. You called me selfish.” Sydney frowned playfully. “It’s almost as if you don’t love me.”


“Sweetie,” Jane caught herself when she realized that Sydney was fishing for compliments. “Sneaky…”


“What?”


“Very sneaky,” she walked to the door. “Call your dogs off. I’ll drive you guys to the airport tomorrow evening,” she turned. “Oh and Sydney, I’m proud of you.”