Vaughn sat with Weiss in his office as Vaughn waited for Sydney to get in contact with him after her return to LA. Vaughn still didn't know what he should say to Sydney, but he wanted to hear that she was safe, back from yet another mission first. He decided that only then could he reach some sort of resolution about their future.
So Vaughn and Weiss sat in silence as they stared at the phone, waiting to ring. The quiet was suddenly disrupted when Jack stormed into Vaughn's office and glared at Weiss.
"I'll…er…I should go and see Devlin now I think." Weiss nervously said as he stood up.
"Agent Weiss." Jack said stony faced. He continued to stare at Weiss, making him hurry out of Vaughn's office even faster. Jack then sat down in the chair that Weiss had occupied. "Close the door." Jack ordered. Vaughn quickly complied and stood up to take the few steps to his door and made sure it was shut before he sat back down in his chair.
"Jack?" Vaughn could see the stormy expression on Jack's face and he knew that he wouldn't be in his office unless something serious had occurred.
"Excuse me if I dispense with the pleasantries." Jack answered. Vaughn wondered for a moment if Jack was even capable of making small talk with anyone. But the stern look on Jack's face forced him to focus on the matter in front of him.
"Has something happened to Syd? Is this about her?" Vaughn asked growing increasingly worried. Vaughn managed to distract Jack for a second when he used 'Syd' in such a natural and affectionate way. Jack realised how difficult this would be for his daughter. He was taking away a chance for happiness even if he did think it was temporary. And he knew that she wouldn't appreciate his attempt at being an interfering father either. However the thought of SD-6 security section finding out about her relationship with Vaughn was more than enough reason for him to put an end to it.
"I saw you Agent Vaughn." Jack eventually said.
"Sorry, what?" Vaughn was genuinely puzzled. He had no idea what Jack was talking about.
"I saw you and my daughter at the warehouse two nights ago." Jack answered. He then saw a mixture of realisation and horror gradually dawn across Vaughn's face. "I'm sure you don't need to be reminded of what the consequences could be if you continue to pursue this."
"I…er…we haven't been…we're not…." Vaughn managed to stumble out.
"Regardless, if you do not deal with this …"
"Then what will you do?" Vaughn interrupted Jack, instantly regretting the challenge.
"If you do not deal with this appropriately." Jack repeated even more firmly this time. "I will go to Devlin and make this official. Sydney likes working with you and I'm sure you want to continue working with her." Jack saw that he had had the desired effect when Vaughn just nodded his head in apparent defeat.
"Yes, I understand." Vaughn said sadly. Jack couldn't help but feel sorry for Vaughn, but he also had to make him understand why he was doing this.
"I know you care for Sydney." Jack said softly.
"Yes, I do." Vaughn confessed.
"But I am not willing to risk my daughter's safety and therefore her life. Mistakes are inevitable and some mistakes cannot be rectified." Jack stood up signalling the end of the conversation. "We will not talk about this again." He added as he looked down at Vaughn.
"I know what to do." Vaughn said already dreading the conversation he would have to have with Sydney.
~~~
Vaughn eventually received the call to meet Sydney at the warehouse. He took the time while he waited for her to map out his side of the conversation that he'd have with her. The thought of ending any possibility of a future together was painful enough, but actually having to execute it was torture for him. Vaughn was so engrossed in his own thoughts that he didn't hear Sydney approach.
"Vaughn?" Sydney said quietly. He looked up to see Sydney standing directly in front of him.
"Hi, Syd." Vaughn managed to reply.
"I've got the copy. The mission went smoothly." Sydney handed over a disk to Vaughn. He quickly put it in his jacket pocket. "About…" Sydney began, but was interrupted by him.
"Please, Syd. I need to say this." Sydney could see the sadness in his eyes. He then falteringly continued. "The last time we were here, I …I did…something wrong. I'm sorry and I promise it will never happen again."
"So that's it?" Sydney said in disbelief.
"Yes." Vaughn replied firmly, but he was unable to look her in the eyes as he spoke.
~~~
"Do I get a say in any of this?" She asked, her voice rising.
"I don't have a say. Neither of us has a choice in this."
"Is this all just about rules and protocol, Vaughn?"
"No!" Vaughn exclaimed. He then jumped off the table he was sitting on and stood up to look her in the eyes. "I don't care about rules and protocol." He added earnestly.
"You care more than you think!" Sydney retorted.
"If those rules mean that I won't be the one responsible for something…happening to you…" His voice trailed off to a whisper. "…Your job is dangerous enough and I'm not going to add to it." Vaughn finally continued.
"My job." Sydney sighed, aching with disappointment.
"Mistakes are inevitable and some mistakes cannot be rectified." Vaughn found himself repeating Jack's words and they echoed bitterly in his ears.
"You have always told me the truth…" Sydney took a step closer to him and Vaughn nodded in head in agreement. "…so that is why I now know you're lying to me!" She shouted.
"What?!" Vaughn replied, surprised at her sudden outburst.
"I know your hiding something. Just tell me the truth. Surely I deserve that much?"
"Your father turning up at that exact time wasn't a close call. He saw us." Vaughn admitted.
"How do you know?" She asked her mind reeling from the revelation.
"He spoke to me this morning." Vaughn's encounter with Jack was still painfully fresh in his mind.
"What did he say?" She coaxed.
"That I'd be reassigned, if I didn't stop…this.
"And you just accepted his threat?"
"It wasn't a threat. I understand why he had to take action. I agree with him." Vaughn said desperately trying to stick to the plan he came to the warehouse with.
"Fine!" With that Sydney turned around and walked away from Vaughn, back to her car.
"Sydney!" Vaughn called out in vain.
Vaughn dejectedly sat back down on the table, feeling much worse than before. He eventually got up and headed out of the warehouse. He tried to console himself that he had done the right thing, even if it meant that his relationship with Sydney was now in tatters.