Vaughn and Sydney checked into a fairly nice hotel, right next to Piccadilly Circus. Vaughn felt awkward about the whole room situation, especially when he asked for two rooms. The man behind the desk looked behind Vaughn and raised an eyebrow slightly then went back to his computer screen, clacking at the keys.

"We have two singles right next to one another."

"Perfect." Vaughn slid an aliased credit card across to the man, and took the card and card keys back smiling shortly at the man. "Thank you."

Vaughn handed Sydney her key and they walked over to the elevator. They got on together, and got in smiling at one another. For Vaughn, it was a dream come true. They were in public together and it was all right.

The elevator came to an abrupt stop at their floor. They walked down a hallway, with a perfectly clean carpet and white walls.

"Oh, heres my room," said Vaughn. He opened the door, but turned to face Sydney. "Want to come in for a while?"

"Sure." She smiled and walked past him. She was so close she could smell how good he smelled. She sat on the edge of his bed.

"These are pretty nice rooms." Vaughn went over to the window and closed the curtains.

Sydney smiled at his attempt of small talk. "Yeah, they are."

Vaughn picked up the tv remote, but didn't turn anything on. "You okay? I mean, considering you had a gun pointed to your head."

"Wasn't the first time."

"Does that make it an easier?" He cocked his head to the side, not rushing her to respond.

"No. Its just. you came so close to getting shot today. And me, well what if he had just shot me and not bothered to hold me hostage? I wasn't expecting that. I do all this agent stuff and I guess after awhile, I forget that life can be taken in everyday events. It scared me. I thought I almost lost you, again. Wouldn't that be the third time since Taipei?" She smiled, but her tone was serious as were the words.

Vaughn smiled. "But I'm not shot. I'm not sick either. Thanks to you. You know, you once called me your guardian angel, but lately it seems to be the other way around. I better watch out, or else the CIA is going to make you my boss." He smiled, hoping to make her feel better.

"Yeah." She looked lost in thought, but shook her head as if to clear thoughts. "Well, I'm going to go and take a shower. I'll call you when I get out. Maybe we can order in or something?"

"Sounds good." He walked her to the door and watched her go one door down the hall. He listened for the click of her door closing before he dead bolted his.



Vaughn stepped out of a steamy shower, and wiped at his mirror so he could see. He wrapped a towel around his waist. He was about to zone out, then he realized that someone was knocking on his door. He cautiously looked through the keyhole and saw Sydney. Forgetting about the fact he wasn't dressed he opened the door. She stepped in and kissed him hard on the lips, catching him completely caught off guard.

At first Vaughn kissed her back. He felt like he could melt into her body. He had wanted this since their first (and last kiss). But then his handler mind took over and he pulled away.

Sydney groaned slightly. She placed a finger over his mouth and her eyes searched his as she spoke. "We could have died tonight, and the only thing I regretted was not doing this. I know. we can't be anything, not right now. I get that. But please, for tonight, lets forget about it all. Remember when you told me about that watch? Well my heart stopped again today. I thought you had been shot. Please, just kiss me, just for tonight." Sydney let out a long sigh after saying all that. "I. I love you."

Vaughn was stunned, but he made no move. He wanted to say the words, but they wouldn't come.

Sydney caught onto the meaning of his delayed reaction. "Oh.. Okay. I guess I'll-"

Vaughn kissed her deeply placing his hand over hers, which was on the doorknob. They held their hands their for a moment. Then he ran his fingers through her soft hair. Sydney braced herself against the door. She never wanted to stop kissing him, but she knew she would have to. So, for the moment she would enjoy it.



Sydney felt safe curled up next to Vaughn when she woke up. She was staring at the wall, but could feel his warm breath on her neck. His arm was wrapped across her and she began to kiss it. Vaughn responded by kissing her shoulder. Then he brought his lips right up to her ear and whispered, "I love you too."

Sydney turned over to face him, smiling, and then kiss him on the mouth.

Quite sometime later, Sydney woke up, but Vaughn was no longer next to her. She heard him whistling in the bathroom. She didn't want it to be, but she had a feeling the moment was over. She walked into the bathroom, and saw Vaughn was shaving.

"I. I am going to go take a shower. Then I'll be ready to, um, go."

Vaughn looked into her eyes through the reflection and nodded. "Listen, about last night."

"I meant what I said. I know we can't be anything."

"Yeah." Vaughn's eyes looked downward.

Sydney took a step forward to him. "I mean, I already live two secret lives. It would all just get so-"

"Complicated."

Vaughn turned and faced her. Those gorgeous eyes got her every time. Sydney laced her fingers in Vaughn's. He squeezed her hand.

Sydney wanted to pull him close and kiss him. Instead she started moving towards the door, not letting go of his hand yet. Vaughn walked her to the door, and then slowly their hands parted. Sydney looked down and made her way to her room staring at her toes blinking away tears. Vaughn stared at his empty hand, which felt a lot colder with out hers in it.