AN: Hey, sorry for the late, late update! I was busy getting the Alias Promo Squad put together. By the way, anyone want to join? Email me or put it in your review! As always, ENJOY AND REVIEW!!!

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Chapter 7

Sydney's POV

I walk through the flower doorway and end up at the entrance of a church. There's a wedding going on. People I know are all dressed up and there is bridesmaids, a best man, and a groom. Wait a minute. The groom is Mike! I feel a hand tug on my elbow.

"Are you ready, Sydney?" Jack asks me. I was very confused. I look down and realize that I'm wearing a wedding dress!

"Ready for what? What's happening, Dad?" He gives me a confused look.

"What are you talking about Sydney? You're getting married." I was what? This wasn't right! I was about to speak to my dad when gunfire noises started filling the air. People were running everywhere and I was trying to find Mike. It was chaos. I keep yelling Mike's name, hoping he would show up. When I finally find him, he's soaked in blood.

"Nooooo!!!"

I woke up with a start. Oh my god. I didn't get any time to really analyze the dream though because my phone rang. I reach over and pick it up.

"Hello?"

"Joey's Pizza." It's Mike. I sigh. I hate this.

"Sorry, wrong number." I hang up the phone and start to get ready. I start thinking back to my dream. Could this dream be a prediction of Mike's and my future? I couldn't stand it if something happened to him.

That's it. I'm breaking up with him. He doesn't deserve to be with me. He deserves someone who can give him a normal life. I would never be able to do that. I realize I've started crying and wipe at my tears. It's for his own good, I convince myself. There's no future for us. At least not right now. I grab my keys and head over to the warehouse.

When I get there, I suddenly feel cold. The warehouse is dark and lonely looking. If it were for any other reason, I probably wouldn't go inside but I wanted, needed, to see Michael. As I walk, the concrete echoes my steps. Mike's already there. His back is to me and he's going over a file. He must have heard my footsteps because he turns around and gives me a smile. I feel so bad for having to break up with him, but it's for his own good.

"Hey." I stare up at him.

"Hi."

"How about we get the business over with?" I nod and he starts telling me about my countermission. I was to steal the scroll and switch it with the fake one CIA will give me. It looks almost alike to the one I'm stealing so Sloane won't know the difference for a while. I store the information in my head.

"I need to tell you something." Mike looks intently at me.

"What is it?"

"I think we should break up. It's for the best. It's not like we can have a normal relationship, Mike." I wonder if I'm trying to convince him or myself. Either way, my excuses seem lame.

He doesn't say anything at first and when he speaks, his voice sounded tortured and grim. "Is that what you really want, Sydney?" I didn't look up at him. I knew if I did, he would know the truth. He would know that I was lying.

"Yes," I say in a small voice. I feel him put a finger under my chin and lift my head up. He gives me an incredulous look.

"You're lying." I took a step back and looked away.

"No, I'm not. I want a normal relationship, Michael. I don't want to have this secret love life." I tried to make my voice sound cold, but I wasn't sure if he was convinced. He wasn't.

"Don't give me that shit, Syd! Don't you think I want that too? No matter what you do, you have to face the fact that none of your relationships will be normal until SD-6 is taken down. What is this really about and I want the truth this time, Sydney."

I sighed. I didn't have the strength to lie to him any longer.

"I had this dream before you called. We were getting married. All of our friends were there and it was beautiful. As I was walking down the aisle, there were streams of gunshots. People were running. It was chaos. I tried to find you. When I finally saw you, you were laying on the ground, covered in blood," I paused as tears started coming to my eyes, "I'm scared, Mike. I don't want that to happen to us. You deserve better than me. You deserve to live a normal life. You don't need my burdens." I turned away from him and wiped the tears from my eyes. I felt him grip my shoulders and turn me around.

"Listen to me, Sydney. It was just a nightmare. You don't know that it's going to come true. Besides, you don't have a right to make decisions for me. I chose to be with you. I chose to be there for you and to help you defeat SD-6. It's my decision. Not yours. I wouldn't trade you for a lifetime of normal." We hugged. I felt so safe in his arms. I knew that it was where I belonged. I could smell the faint scent of his cologne. It smelled great and I wanted to stay there forever. This was heaven. Eventually we broke apart.

"We better go. Devlin wants to meet with us." We stared at each other for a while, no one moving. I wanted to stay here with him, but instead told him he should go first. As he turned to leave, I felt my heart breaking because I was sure whatever Devlin had to say it wasn't good news. I knew that even though Mike

I love him and I know he loves me. Someday we'll be able to be together with no restraints. Until then, I'll settle for secret rendezvous.

I hate surprises. Finding out Vaughn is my handler has been the most difficult of all.

Vaughn's POV

When I get off the elevator, I see Kendall and he directs me to Devlin's office. I enter and see that Sydney is already there. She seems to have composed herself and looked ready to get down to business. I realized I must have been not paying attention because Devlin speaks impatiently to me.

"Aren't you going to sit, Agent Vaughn?"

"Uh, yes, sir. Sorry, sir." Now I feel like an idiot. I'm stammering. I sit down and turn my complete attention to Devlin.

"Here's the deal. I've been informed that you both were dating before you became handler and agent. I'm sorry to inform you that that is no longer an option. Since you two have a handler/agent relationship now, protocol doesn't not permit emotional attachment. Even if Agent Bristow were to be reassigned a new handler, your lives will still be in danger. SD-6 follows their agents very carefully. I'm going to give you two choices. Either you remain just agent and handler or one of you can be put in the witness protection program. It's your choice." Ha. Like that was any kind of choice. He knew just as well as us that we were never going to settle for being in the witness protection program. We would get to date, but it would be a lie. I looked at Sydney and knew she was thinking the same thing.

"We don't want to go into Witness Protection."

"I didn't think so. You do realize that you can not date or have any emotional attachment to each other. If it is found out that you have, Agent Vaughn will be taken of your case, Agent Bristow. Am I clear?" We nod. It was a joke though. How can I not have any emotional attachment to Sydney? It was like asking me not to breathe. The very idea was ridiculous, but I knew I had to try for both our sakes. I guess we were breaking up after all.

"You are dismissed." We stand up to leave and I'm careful not to put my hand on Sydney's back as she is going out the door. We walk towards the elevator together and stand at the elevator entrance.

"I better go. My flight's soon." I nod. We stare at each other, no one moving. I wanted to hug her, but instead I tell her to be careful. She gives me a small smile and I'm heartbroken as she steps into the elevator.

I love her and I know she loves me. Someday, when this was all over, we could be together again. Until then, I'll settle for casual touches, secret glances, and hidden messages.

I hate surprises. Finding out about Sydney's real life was the most difficult of all.

*I know, I know. Not the greatest ending. Sorry. I might be persuaded to write an epilogue though if I get enough reviews. hint. hint.