Chapter 2 –

She watched as he walked toward her, a slight hesitance in his first steps. The look on his face, which she could barely be seen, due to his stare being aimed at the floor, caused her to realize after weeks of waiting, things were in motion. Knowing this immediately gave her a slight pain of nervousness in her stomach.

As he approached, Sydney placed a business smile on her face, something she was now going to have to master since it was likely they would have future interaction. Stopping within a few feet of her, and making their first eye contact, she noticed the tired, slightly swollen eyes – a change from most of their previous meetings.

He cleared his throat, she assumed from nervousness. "So I just finished talking to Devlin," Vaughn began, his voice was quiet and at a lower octave than normal, "and have been informed that this will my last meeting with you as your handler."

Just over three weeks ago, Sydney made the decision to go to Devlin, and had Michael Vaughn removed as her handler. It wasn't that his capabilities had diminished. Vaughn was extremely skilled, after all he was the person she once considered her guardian angel.

It was all about her.

In her first few meetings with Vaughn, Sydney knew that she was attracted to him. Who wouldn't be? Months went by and her attraction deepened, feelings came to fruition. Feelings that had been defined as more than just a crush when she watched him from behind closed door, submersed in all that liquid.

Then came the sickness, she risked her life in order to ensure his health. What knocked her back to reality was the look on Alice's face as she approached Sydney in the hospital. Alice truly loved Vaughn. It was obvious she was a devoted friend, and recently reunited as his lover.

It hurt, enough for her to make the request she had. Something she thought would never happen did. She found herself uncomfortable around him now, and that caused her crush feelings to wane. Still, this was a hard decision for her to make.

Sydney hoped she had nothing telling written on her face. Devlin told her he would be discreet when meeting with Vaughn. "I know. I met with him over an hour ago." She noticed Vaughn watching her every move, looking for some sign – good or bad.

"I've been told your new handler, Agent Benedict will arrive shortly after we meet to go over a few things," Vaughn explained. They stood in silence, engaged in extended eye contact. Vaughn's eyes shifted as he spoke again, "Sydney, I…"

Knowing where he was going with his statement – an unnecessary apology of some sort, she interrupted him, "I guess I'll just wait for Benedict then. I'm due at the office in less than an hour." Shifting her eyes to the door, and away from Vaughn she continued, "Thank you for everything you've done Vaughn, you made my transition into the CIA a smooth one."

With that, Vaughn sighed and turned away from her, walking out the warehouse. "Have a good New Year, Agent Bristow," he said before exiting.

"So any plans for the New Year Syd," Dixon asked as they came close to ending their business day.

Finishing up another memo, Sydney looked up from her desk. "Francie's throwing this thing at her restaurant to celebrate its success amongst other things. So nothing major. How about you?"

"I get most of my entertainment from the work we do, so a nice quiet night at home is in order," he explained.

For the first time since they'd returned from Buenos Aires, Sydney watched as Sark made his way through the SD-6 main floor offices. Wearing his dark blue suit with an ice blue shirt underneath, she couldn't help but follow him with her eyes. He didn't take notice of her or Dixon, just headed straight to Sloane's office.

At a whisper, Dixon started, "So why do you think he's really here?"

There were so many ways to speculate on that question, but she didn't even try. "I have no idea."

"Must have been hard for you to be alone and partially have to trust that man," Dixon said, "He's got something up his sleeve, there's no way he'd cooperate if the prize he was to be given wasn't extremely large."

She couldn't agree more, but it seemed to be safe for everyone if the speculation was kept to a minimum. "Although his history is horrendous when it comes to business, he's very competent in his work."

Dixon looked at her with wide eyes. "Did I just hear you actually give Mr. Sark a compliment Sydney?"

"I wouldn't go that far Dixon," she fibbed. "I'm was only saying when it came to business, he was good. Well, not as good as my old partner of course," Sydney joked.

Sark walked out of Sloane's office, heading back in their direction. "Having to place any trust in that man is a mistake," Dixon whispered.

As if he sensed their conversation revolved around him, Sark paused while passing the two. "Agent Dixon," he greeted, "Agent Bristow." The look in his eye was strictly professional, nothing giving any hint of the same fire she was feeling throughout her body. She could almost feel the three stones she had been hiding against her skin, burning it.

"Sark," Dixon replied, as Sydney sat in silence.

Sark looked at Sydney, who smiled at him. He ended his interruption. "Just wanted to wish you both a good New Year."

"Thank you," Sydney finally spoke, keeping with his same business tone. "You do the same."

They both watch as Sark walked toward the elevators, assumed to be leaving for the day.