AN: I know the last chapter was sort of rushed, but I'm a very impatient person. lol. Anyways, Enjoy and PLEASE REVIEW!!!

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Chapter 6

Vaughn's POV

I just finished reading the file on Sydney Bristow. I sat at my desk and got lost in my thoughts.

The horrors she has gone through amazes me. How can she be so strong and calm all the time? I tried to be strong for Sydney. I told her that we could work this out. That everything was going to be okay. The truth was I wasn't sure everything would be okay. I wasn't sure anything was going to be okay anymore. My sweet, wonderful girlfriend was a double agent for the CIA. She kicks guys' asses for a living and lies to people at every turn. I know it must kill her at times to lie to even her best friend. It kills me to know that she has been hurting for so long and I can't do a thing to change that. I want to kill Arvin Sloane for doing this to her. I pound my hand hard on the desk. As I examine my hand for any marks, Weiss strolls into my office.

"Hey man. I heard a noise. What are you doing in here?"

"Nothing." I continue examining my hands, hoping he will just leave.

"What's up? I heard a rumor going around the office about you. Is it true?"

I look up and answer, "If it's the one about my girlfriend being a double agent and assigned to me for my new handler position, then yes."

"Hey, sorry man. That bites. So what's going to happen?" I run a hand through my hair and stare at the wall.

"We can't see each other until she has a new handler. Even then though, we might still be in danger. I'm just supposed to give her her countermissions and pretend we're just handler and agent. How am I supposed to do that? She's my girlfriend!" Weiss took one look at my face and knew it was time to leave. He quietly backed out of my office. I laid my head in my hands. When did my life turn from good to bad so quickly? I raised my head up and try to concentrate on the papers in front of me. It all looks like a jigsaw puzzle.

I decided that I wasn't going to get any work done today so I grab my coat and head out the door. When I got into my car, I started driving around. I wasn't exactly sure where I was going; I just knew that I had to go. After fifteen minutes of driving, I end up at the pier. I got out of my car and started walking down the pier. The wind blew in my face as I continued walking. There wasn't many people here today. Just a small family of three, an old man, and Sydney. Wait. Sydney's here? I look around once more and see Sydney standing at the end of the pier. I walk slowly towards her. As I get closer, I realize that she's been crying. I feel a pang in my chest because I'm the reason she's crying. She doesn't notice my presence until I'm right next to her. Well, a couple of feet away, since we're not supposed to be together in public. I pretend to be interesting the water as she takes a quick glance over at me.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm not sure. I was driving around and ended up here." Sydney gave me a small smile.

"You okay?" I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. She's staring at the water, but gives a slight shake of the head.

"No. I just keep thinking about what's going to happen to us. Are we ever going to be able to see each other in public anymore? What would happen if Sloane found out about you? There's too many questions and no answers!" I can tell she's on the verge of crying and it takes all my might to not hug her.

"We'll just have to make the best of the situation for now, Syd. That's all we can do." She nodded and sighed. I can see her wiping tears off her face from the corner of my eye. We stood there staring at the water for a few minutes before she spoke again.

"I got called into SD-6. I'm going to France. They want me to retrieve a scroll hidden in the home of Pierre Yves. Sloane says it contains the location of a Rambaldi artifact."

"We'll need the details of the mission. You know what to do about that. When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow evening."

"Okay, expect a call from me tomorrow morning." Sydney nodded.

"You know, I don't think I'm ever going to enjoy having to send you on these missions. I hate thinking that something bad might happen to you." I felt a hand close over mine and glance over at Sydney. She stares at me for a second before looking away.

"I have to go. I promised Francie we would have a girl's night out and go see a movie or something. She'll be pissed if I cancel on her again." I nod and give her a small smile. She pulls her hand reluctantly away and walks off the pier.

I stand there for a while staring out at the ocean.

I know her favorite restaurant, but she doesn't know mine. It's Tarattori De Nardi in Italy. I wonder if I'll ever be able to take her there. I love her and she hasn't even met my mom yet. I know Maman would kill me if she knew I had a serious girlfriend and didn't tell her about it. I wonder if Sydney will meet my mom someday. I wonder how I'm going to be able sleep when Syd's on a mission. I wonder how fate can be so twisted. I wonder how a woman who is so kind and wonderful could have such bad fortune. I wonder if I'll ever be able to tell the world that I'm in love with Sydney Bristow. I guess I'll just have to keep wondering.

*Hey, did I get the restaurant name right? I know it's close. Well, anyways, sorry for the shortness. I'm having semi-writer's block.