Author's Note: I'd actually already written this chapter, but after many requests to put some romance into this story, and some thought I decided to re-write this one with an attempt at romance. I warn you though; I have no idea how to write romance, so I'm just figuring it out as I go. Here goes…

"Uh…where's the safe?" I asked Vaughn. He looked at me.

"Behind the painting above the desk," he said, frowning at me. Great, just what I always wanted, Vaughn to think I was some kind of idiot. Smooth move Sydney. I smiled at him lamely.

"Oops, didn't see it there," I said, further putting my foot in it. Just shut up. Good advice. I walked over to the painting and lifted it off the wall. There was the safe, just where he'd said it would be. He walked over to join me. I stepped back and cocked my head, studying the safe intently. Vaughn just walked over to it, pulled a little doohickie out of his pocket and slapped it onto the door near the dial. The little screen lit up and numbers began to scroll through the screen.

After a minute the doohickie gave a cheery little beep, and three numbers were flashing on the screen. Vaughn spun the dial and the safe sprung open.

"My hero," I proclaimed. He smiled shyly at me and my breath caught. Think other thoughts, think other thoughts. Don't get distracted here…

I reached around him and pulled the papers out of the safe, then slammed the door shut. I turned to grin at him.

"One down…" I said.

"One more to go," came Weiss' voice from the earpiece. I'd forgotten about him. I hoped fervently he hadn't heard (or seen) my little panic attack. Not very likely, but I could dream.

"Where to next?" Vaughn asked, drawing me back to the situation at hand. I tried to look attentive.

"Back down where you came from, third door on your right. They're in a case somewhere in the desk, I don't know any more than that."

"Got it," said Vaughn as he checked the hall from the door. I started to follow, then realised I was still holding the papers. I stuffed them into my bag and followed.

We broke into the next room (Vaughn was the master of the lock pick) and looked around for the desk. I spotted it and pointed it out to Vaughn. We both walked over to it and began rummaging through the drawers. I wasn't having much luck with the first drawer (the papers were interesting but unfortunately weren't what I was looking for) so I started looking through another one. After a minute Vaughn let out a triumphant cry.

"I found it!"

"Why don't you just put it back where you found it and no one will be hurt," came a voice from the door. Oh crap.

Vaughn and I turned around slowly. There was an image from my worst nightmares- a security guard had a gun pointed right at us. He gestured with it for Vaughn to put the case on the floor. He looked at me out of the corner of his eye before lowering his arm slowly. I counted to three under my breath, and both Vaughn and I pounced.

The next few minutes were just a blur with lots of grunting and getting hit by something. Followed by something impacting with the back of my head hard enough to send me sprawling. I saw stars, I saw birds, I saw all sorts of crap that I don't really think should have been floating in the air in front of my eyes. The world was spinning and I didn't like it. I fought the urge to spill my guts.

Somehow Vaughn managed to knock the security guard out, I remember him stuffing the body into the closet. Then he came over to me and helped me gently up to a sitting position. The world spun madly and I fought harder to retain my stomach contents.

"Syd?" he asked, concern evident in his face. Wow his eyes are green, I thought.

"Michael…" I mumbled. Vaughn stared at me, green eyes wide.

"You called me by my first name," he said, shocked. Oh damn, I said that one out loud. So much for trying to keep a professional distance. Now what?

"Um…better than calling you someone else's," I murmured. He laughed, his face close enough to mine that I could feel his breath on my cheeks. Not that that was a bad thing or anything. Just a little strange. I placed my hands firmly on the nearby chair and started to pull myself up. Bad idea. The world spun madly and I ended up on my ass. Leaning heavily on Vaughn's chest.

"Maybe you should rest a minute," suggested Vaughn, concern apparent in his voice. I heartily agreed, leaning back into his arms. Okay, I know I'm meant to be some kind of super woman, double agent extraordinaire. Unfortunately, I happen to have feelings too, and some inappropriate ones. I shouldn't feel the way I do about Vaughn, and I try to deny it. Maybe I deny it too well. I don't know. All I know was that despite the feeling that a nasty man with a jackhammer had taken up residence in my head, I was actually enjoying this. Cant last forever though.

"Okay, I think I'm okay now," I said, pushing myself up. Vaughn let me go and studied me anxiously.

"Are you sure? I don't want you trying anything you don't feel up to," he said. I smiled ironically.

"Don't really get much choice do I? Marina's going to check up on us soon," I said. I reached out for the chair again, but Vaughn just lifted me to my feet. The world spun lazily. Alright, not completely recovered but close enough, I thought right before I tossed my cookies on the plush carpet. Gross. I turned back to Vaughn and smiled sheepishly.

"At least I wont have a problem seeming sick," I cracked. He didn't seem to buy it, and took my arm under the elbow.

We walked, staggered, stumbled and dragged (not necessarily in that order) our way back to the room. Vaughn watched me carefully, making sure I wasn't going to pass out on him or something. After some effort… okay, lots of effort, we made it back to the room. I stumbled into the room and proceeded to empty my stomach contents in the toilet. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and staggered back out. Marina was waiting for me.

"I'm taking you home Audrey," said Vaughn, the accent back in place. The accent was fake, the concern wasn't. My heart was fluttered and I nodded shallowly.

"Sounds like a good idea," I mumbled vaguely. Marina tutted sympathetically and Vaughn came over to help me out. He mumbled a vague apology, which Marina dismissed with a wave of her hand. Together the three of us made our way outside. Marina and Vaughn sat me down on the stairs.

"I'm just going to get the car. Je t'aime," said Vaughn quickly before jogging off to the carpack, leaving me with Marina and my thoughts. Vaughn's parting words keep replaying in my head. Je t'aime. I love you. If only they were the truth. If only.

Marina packed me into the limo, making sure I was comfortable. After many reassurances on my part, and a promise that I would go straight home a lie down she finally let us go. Vaughn slumped down in the backseat of the car. He looked thousands of miles away, and obviously didn't want to talk about the mission and I doubted Weiss would. That just left me with nothing to do but sit, nurse my headache and think. I listened to the radio. Roxette. I love their stuff. I tried to pick the song. After a minute I had it. 'Fading like a flower (every time you leave.)'

I listened to the lyrics and was struck by how appropriate they were to my life. Every time I see you, well, I try to hide away. Every time I see Vaughn I hide away under a mask of professionalism. But when we meet it seems I cant let go. Once again, so much like our meetings it was scary. Every time you leave the room I feel I'm fading like a flower. Too true. How strange. I allowed myself to be lulled to sleep by the music.

Author's Note: This is not the end- I'd say there's about two or three more chapters left. But I'm at a bit of a loss- should Sydney tell Vaughn her true feelings? Should I keep writing romance? Should I keep writing full stop? Feedback!!!

BTW: the song 'Fading like a Flower (every time you leave)' happens to be one of my favourite songs, and I was listening to it when I thought how appropriate it was to my Syd. What do you think?