Author's Note: Thanks go to everyone who's been sending feedback, it's been really great. Oh yeah, any mistakes (and there probably are some) are still entirely my fault.

I sat in the back seat of the limo, sipping on a coke. I know, pretty sad. There are all sorts of grog in the little fridge and I choose COKE?! I can explain- have you ever tried doing a mission while you're wasted? I rest my case. I glanced over at Vaughn, who was drinking a gin and tonic. It's totally unfair that guys can hold their drink better than girls. Who came up with that idea? Anyway, Vaughn looked like he was enjoying himself. It's not everyday you're actually entitled to boss your friends around. I smiled in amusement and turned back to looking out the window.

Before I knew it we were there. A young guy with a pole up his ass (okay, I'm made up that part) opened the door and helped me out without trying to cop a feel. I grinned at him gratefully. Vaughn walked over to me and extended his elbow.

"Shall we?" he asked. I took his arm and allowed myself to be led inside.

We stepped into the room and stopped to look around. Another guy with the same affliction as the first one asked if he could take my jacket. I debated whether or not I should. On one hand, I was freezing. On the other hand I would stand out. Britains winter is colder than Italy's, and I was meant to be British. It was a tough one, and blending in won out. I gave him my jacket. I knew I'd regret it.

A short blonde lady in a red cocktail dress came over to join us.

"Hi, I'm Marina Dallatocca," she introduced herself in heavily accented English. I tried to place the accent- German maybe? Hard to be sure. I smiled at her and extended my hand.

"Audrey Larrouse," I said in a stuffy upper class British accent. I love playing the aristocrat. Marina turned to Vaughn, and I nudged him hard in the ribs. He winced, glared at me and cleared his throat.

"Jean-Claude Larrouse," he said in a French accent. Okay, he can fake those waaaay better than me. I can live with that. I tried not to snicker when he said his name. It was practically the French version of John Smith. Marina's smile grew wider when she heard the name. Looks like we were actually wanted guests this time. Improvement.

"Welcome to my home," Marina declared. I smiled graciously. I deserve an Oscar. What do I deserve? "Perhaps you'd like to join me with the ladies…?" asked Marina. Well there was a hint if I ever heard one. Crap. Now I had to go exchange chitchat and anecdotes with a bunch of trophy wives. How fun for me. Marina grabbed my arm (she had quite a grip) and led me away. I smiled apologetically over my shoulder at Vaughn as I left. Oh well, maybe the ladies will be willing to spill some secrets.

*

Yup, they were willing. The only problem was that they never shut up! And one of them was a psychologist. I think I lost 5 years of my life when I found that out. How on earth was I supposed to pretend when there was a professional there? Thank god Weiss had taken some psych courses, he walked me through it.

The conversation moved and I took the opportunity to glance into the other room where I could just see Vaughn talking to a grumpy looking man in his late fifties. I turned back when one of the ladies (I forget her name…Arabella? Something like that anyway) asked me question about my husband. I nearly lost it there. You see, I'm not married but I was going to be. Unfortunately, he died. I nearly put my foot in it before I remembered Vaughn and I were 'married.' Right. Time to think quickly.

I stood there with my mouth opening and shutting when I heard Weiss' voice in my earpiece.

"You okay Syd? Your heart rate jumped a mile just there," he asked. Damn, forgot about that corsage thingy. I tried to calm my heartbeat down. The ladies were staring at me strangely. Oh shit.

"Okay, good," continued the little voice in my ear. "It's time to do some actual work. Give Vaughn an excuse to come over to you." Okay, great I thought. Just how do you propose I do that? These ladies just keep staring at me like I'm about to fall on my face…wait a minute…

"I…I…" I stammered, as I faked swaying. The faces changed from expectant to concerned almost immediately.

"Audrey, are you alright?" asked Marina. She turned and beckoned Vaughn to come in and help me. I allowed my knees to buckle and I fell to the ground. And landed on my bag. My key decided now was a good time to dig into my thigh and I winced. Fortunately, it just added to my act. Marina ran out and grabbed Vaughn, jabbering to him in barely understandable French. Keeping up the act, he frowned uncomprehendingly, and then spotted me. He left Marina and ran over to help me. He knelt down, murmuring in my ear "Weiss told me. Good job," before turning around. I leaned against his shoulder heavily, leaving him to think of a cover story.

"My wife is pregnant," he said. Marina frowned dubiously at my stomach, which Vaughn spotted. "Unfortunately she has been very ill lately, and the pregnancy has been a difficult one. If someone could just help me take her to a quiet room, she'll be alright after a little rest," he said in a French accent. Had to hand it to him, he didn't slip at all. Marina's face changed from dubiousness to concern and she helped lead me away from the party and into a quiet room, muttering encouragement to me under her breath. I played along, stumbling and leaning heavily on Vaughn. She led me into the room, waited until I was settled then left. Some people are just soo trusting. Idiots.

*

Vaughn waited until she was gone, then grinned at me.

"Academy award winning performance there," he said. I told you, I deserve some kind of award. I smiled back at him. Weiss decided now was a good time to enter the scene, and his little staticky voice came on over the microphone.

"Righto kiddies, the clock is on. You have about 20 minutes before that lady's gonna come to come and check on you. Okay, the first lot of papers are in the safe; it's in the study at end of the hall. There's a motion sensor halfway down the hall. I'll let you know when you get to it," he said. Vaughn and I listened carefully, Vaughn with his head cocked to one side. Some people do some silly stuff when they're concentrating really hard. Like people who poke their tongues out while their cutting something. I think it's pretty funny anyway.

Vaughn carefully opened the door and poked his head around the corner. It looked like the coast was clear, so he gestured for me to come out. We both crept down the tiled floor (I'd left my shoes in the room, complaining that my feet were 'swollen'). We were about 15 metres away from the room when Weiss interrupted us.

"Okay, look down near the skirting board. See the little LED?" he asked. We looked down. There it was, blinking away merrily. Vaughn told Weiss that we could see it.

"Okay, well there are four of those forming a laser curtain. Don't bother looking for them; the one you can see is the only one you'll find. You'll just have to take my word for it. Is the LED blinking?" he asked.

"Yep," said Vaughn.

"Right, well you have to jump through the curtain in between the flashes. Make sure your timings right. Oh, and try not to take too long," Weiss finished and was gone. I frowned down at the little light. Damn it, blinking away merrily, oblivious to how much I hated it. Stupid inanimate object. I studied it intently. On off on off on off on…you get the point. Here goes nothing…

I jumped through the curtain successfully, Vaughn a couple of blinks behind me. Well, there was that done. Pity we'd have to do it on the way back again. I tried not the think about it. The adrenaline was pumping and I was ready for anything…except being forced to watch a Barney marathon. Nothing can prepare you for that. Anyway…

Vaughn and I continued on our merry way until we reached the door to the study. Weiss was coming forward with any handy information, so I was guessing that we had to figure this one out ourselves. I reached out and tried to open the door. Locked. Damn. I was seriously considering just kicking it until it broke when I remembered the lock pick. Vaughn, being not quite as violently minded as…someone else…had already pulled out the lock pick. I frowned at it apprehensively. I had no idea how to use one of those. I was just about to tell Vaughn that when he expertly fitted into the lock and proceeded to bugger it up like a pro. I shut my mouth. Don't tell him and he'll never know he can do something I cant.

The door clicked and Vaughn pushed it gently open. He pulled the lock pick out and put it back in its kit. Then he stood up and grinned at me.

"Good job," I said coolly. Vaughn's grin widened.

"Yeah, your file never listed it as one your skills so I thought I should learn," he said calmly as he walked into the room. I stood dead still for a second. Damn it, should've known I couldn't hide stuff from him. Unfair. What is it?

We stepped into the room and I shut the door quietly behind us. Then I turned to face the room. There was something missing…something important…oh wonderful. There was no safe.

To be continued…