The Aftermath

"I don't know how it happened." Sydney said. "I just... lost myself in the moment." Sydney turned to her companion, Michael Vaughn, who forced himself to remain silent. "I know I made a mistake, a big one, but it seemed so right at the time." She paused. "Noah;" She sighed and looked down. "He took all the pain and trouble in my life away. He made me feel normal- like how I was before the CIA, before SD6... He was a quick fix..." Sydney paused again and looked at Vaughn. "Look, I know it was wrong, I know I screwed up..." Vaughn scoffed. "Just say something; please." Sydney's eyes searched Vaughn's imploringly. Vaughn sighed and raised his eyes to meet hers.

"What do you want me to say?" He asked coldly. "You made a mistake- an enormous one- and you knew what you were doing the entire time."

"But it, it made me feel..."

"Normal?" Vaughn interrupted, his tone edgy. Sydney nodded sadly. "But Sydney you know you're not normal, you never will be... You need to face the facts. Get real." Sydney's eyes began to tear up.

"Vaughn, I know what I did was wrong, but I; I just need a friend... I need you Vaughn."

"I'm not your friend, Sydney." He said harshly. "I'm your handler, that's all. That's the extent of our relationship." Sydney's bottom lip began to quiver and her gaze fell to the ground. "If you want a friend I suggest you talk to your father, or better yet, call your new 'boyfriend' Noah."

"He's not my boyfriend." Sydney said. "It was one night. One stupid, reckless night."

"Well one night can change your life." Vaughn spat out. "I'm going to set up a meeting with Devlin to get you a new handler."

"NO!" Sydney latched onto Vaughn just as he had turned his back to leave. "Vaughn, don't!" She sniffed, trying to hold back her tears. "Please don't leave me; please." She held his arm firmly in her grasp. "I wouldn't be able to take it if you left me." Vaughn felt his resolve waver.

"But you can if Noah leaves you?" Vaughn asked spitefully. Sydney forced Vaughn to turned around and look her in the eye.

"Noah," Sydney said determinedly. "was a one time thing. He was a mistake, one that I wish I'd never made." Vaughn could tell she was telling the truth, but he was still hurt. He turned his head, but Sydney snapped it back to face her. "Vaughn, look at me." She demanded. "You are much more important to me than he could ever be." Sydney bit her lip. "Vaughn, I;" She paused to collect herself. "I know I'm not supposed to, but I do, and... and I didn't know what to do so I... I acted on my feelings with Noah, but they weren't for him... They were for you." Sydney looked deep in Vaughn's eyes. "Vaughn, I lo..." Vaughn stopped her by placing his finger on her lips.

"I know." He said, his voice soft.

"I got lost." Sydney said and began crying. "So lost." Vaughn opened his arms and engulfed Sydney in them.

"It's OK." He whispered soothingly as he stroked her hair. "It'll be OK."

"I'm so sorry, Vaughn." Sydney apologized after a minute. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Sydney, it's fine." Vaughn assured her. "I know you're sorry; I am too. I was spiteful and envious... I shouldn't have been so rude."

"It's OK." Sydney smiled sadly. Vaughn smiled lightly and kissed her forehead. She leaned back into him. "So we're all right?" Sydney asked quietly. Vaughn nodded.

"Yeah." He let his head fall to rest atop her shoulder. "We're good."