A/N: Again. Sorry this took so long. I always seem to get stuck on this story. Lol.

Chapter Nine

I called Devlin. Vaughn and I told him we'd be returning that night with one more than when we came. We said we'd explain when we got back.

After the reunion, Vaughn, Anya, and I headed to Anya's house.

I've been around the world and I have seen people, innocent people, brought out of it in a blink. I've experienced more awkward, silent afterthoughts than most people fidget through in a lifetime.

But none, no moments lacking conversation or empty stared could ever have been as awkward and unreal as the first moments that the three of us sat still on Anya's two maroon couches, silently sipping coffee and waiting for someone to utter a first word.

And somehow, the duty was laid upon me. "So. you designed this house, Anya?"

She nodded, placing her mug down, obviously grateful for the conversation starter. "I designed it while I was still in college and had it built five years ago when I finished grad school."

At least we had something in common. "You went to grad school?"

"Yes, law school. But I decided it wasn't really for me."

She looked down, realizing that there was nothing left to say, and the room fell eerily quiet again.

It was as if there were so many unsaid words, unclear moments, and jumbled thoughts and emotions rushing through the air between us that a wall had been put up, blocking them all from flowing out.

All we needed was something to break down the wall and let everything flood out.

I glanced at Vaughn, who still had said nothing, and he was holding his cup tightly in his left hand. With the other hand he absent mindedly traced circles around the rim with his finger.

I looked over at Anya and noticed that she was unknowingly doing exactly the same thing. Twilight Zone.

I couldn't take the discomfort anymore.

"Vaughn. Anya." I spoke out.

They looked at each other and realized what they were both doing. That was it. I'd broken the wall.

"Michael, we lived thirty years without knowing each other existed--"

"Anya, there's so much you still don't know--"

"--and I want to make up for all the lost years--"

"--but I'm not sure if I can tell you--"

"--but I don't even know your real last name or why you said your name was something different--"

"--so you have to promise me you'll keep all this secret."

"Where do we start?" they finished in perfect unison.

I stared. Wow.

"Ok, I'm going to tell you the truth about our father, from the beginning, Anya. But like I said, you have to promise you won't tell a soul."

"And Anya. he means that. Believe me when I tell you that if anyone finds out about what we're telling you, you won't like what our enemies might do to you. Or the person you tell," I added sincerely.

Anya just nodded.

Vaughn slowly passed over the file on his father that he'd brought.

Anya read it quickly, gasping with wonder. She flipped through all the pictures and mission assignments. ".CIA."

We nodded.

"So. where do you fit into. all of this?" she asked, gesturing towards me. She seemed completely shocked. I guess it's not often you find your long lost twin and discover that your real father was an agent for the CIA all in one day.

Vaughn and I exchanged unknowing glances and I answered. "We're not sure if we can tell you that. Just trust that I'm a good guy, not an enemy. When we get you back to LA, we'll see if we can explain more. For now, we need to play it safe."

"Okay."

"Now let's go. We've got a plane to catch," Vaughn pointed out. We all stood and as we walked out the door, he grabbed my hand.

I smiled.

Anya look back, noticed our intertwined fingers, and glanced suspiciously from him to me, then shook her head and walked out the door.

Vaughn and I laughed a little and followed her, hands still together by our sides. ******* A/N: hehe like it? In the next chaps back in L.A., Anya might just be getting a little romance too. hehe. Review and tell me what you think. (