*******A/N – Thanks pie for the beta on the last two chapters. I had a little problem uploading all the italics, hopefully it's not too confusing.

Chapter 5 –

The prospect of finding out some bits of information about Sark had her unusually excited that next day at work. Well, that and the fact it was a Friday, raised her spirits. She knew by him telling her something, even just the smallest piece of information about his past, meant they were getting closer.

Their success in Greenland ensured that they would all have the weekend off, something that she needed. Until then, she would patiently wait until she was allowed to leave. The workday was uneventful, mostly spent typing up a recap of Greenland, and looking over some information about Irina's men that Sloane had dropped on her desk.

Dixon had yet to confront her about what he had witnessed. Any interaction he had with her was short. He was probably uncomfortable with bringing it up. It was understandable, what he saw was nothing more than a caress, which could have been nothing. Still, she wanted to get it out in the open, so she made the first move.

Right before the day was over, she stopped by his desk to inconspicuously hand him a note. As she dropped off a few files, she slid the piece of paper onto his lap.

We need to talk. If possible, after work at the café two blocks down the street, where we sometimes eat lunch.

She could only hope that he would come.

The café was mildly crowded, about ten others occupying the small joint. She anxiously waited for her partner to meet her, and after only five minutes, she watched as he walked through the door. 

He smiled briefly as he walked over to her, his eyes showing the nervousness that she had expected to see. Sydney smiled back, hoping that he saw the confidence in her eyes and would hear it in her voice. Dixon sat across from her, as the waitress brought over the espresso that Sydney had ordered for him.

"Thank you," he told the woman. He looked at Sydney again, informing her that she needed to start.

"Dixon," Sydney began, her voice quiet, but assuring. "I know how much we both detest keeping secrets from our loved ones, due to the rules we have to abide by at work. Neither of us have many people that we can talk to about what we do, and usually end up relying on each other for any comfort in that area." Sydney began to feel nervous as she approached the matter at hand. "I don't know what I would do without having that outlet, it's part of what has kept me grounded since Danny died." She took a sip of her water before continuing. "That being said, I know I need to give you an explanation about what you saw in Greenland, and I hope with our history, you would trust in me enough to keep it between us."

The look in his eyes encouraged her to finish. "For the past few months, I've been romantically involved with Mr. Sark." Some of the tension she was feeling subsided after her admission. "Working so closely with him over the past year, forced me to find some common ground. With what we do, a certain amount of trust and respect is required, but the more I began to respect, the more I began to admire. I know his motives in the past have been questionable at best, and to most he's not worthy of any trust, but I feel that I can. I do."

She searched his face for any inclination of what he was thinking. The light smile on his face wasn't telling her much. Thankfully, he decided to speak, "Sydney, when I interrupted the scene in the van, I concluded there was more to your relationship with Sark than the verbal jabs that you both take at each other daily. The look in your eyes told me that more than anything." Dixon placed one of his hands on hers. "Working with Mr. Sark over the past year, has given me more insight of his character, and I too admire some of what he has displayed." His smile deepened as he spoke to her. "I'm not going to say that I believe his intentions with everything, including you, are something I can trust, but I trust you and have faith in the decisions that you make in your life."

Sydney smiled back at him, her relief revealed in her eyes. "Thank you, Dixon."

"As far as my keeping quiet, I have no issue in keeping that wish, but if he ever gives any inkling of a double cross, I will do what I have to do to keep us safe."

Sydney nodded her head in agreement. His response was more than she could have asked for. "I can't tell you what this means to me." Dixon removed his hand from hers and began to finish his coffee.

"Your honesty means a great deal to me too, Syd." Sydney's smile faded slightly with his comment, but hopefully he took no notice. Although it felt good to tell him or anyone for that matter, it still hurt that she couldn't be completely honest about everything.

Someday it would all be simpler. She wouldn't have to keep her occupation from everyone besides her co-workers. She could lead a normal life and maybe even go into teaching like she had planned. Although her mother had been the driving force behind that decision, it still seemed like something she wanted to do.

As she pulled into her driveway, ten minutes after leaving the café, she realized that she had been smiling the entire ride. When Vaughn had confronted her last year, her initial reaction was to freak out, but once he had left, she was relaxed. It was a relief that someone else knew about her situation. Now with the combination of Dixon, she felt a little more at peace.

Her house was unusually dark when she entered. Normally about this time, Will was home, working on his latest assignment from the CIA. When she entered the house, she noted it was only lit by candlelight. Thinking she might have interrupted a special moment between her roommates, Sydney tiptoed to her bedroom.

"Sydney?"

She heard Will's voice from the dining room table. She could immediately tell something was wrong by the tone. She changed her route and walked over to him. Will was sitting in one of the dining room chairs, a pile of paperwork in front of him. His eyes were mildly swollen and she noticed a half empty bottle of scotch.

"Will, what happened?" The look on his face overwhelmed her. She knew this wasn't good.

Will took the rest of his glass of liquor in one gulp, painfully swallowing. "Michael Vaughn is dead."

Sydney batted her eyes in disbelief and immediately felt the loss in her gut. She takes the nearest chair, as her knees became weak. "What? When?"

"Supposedly sometime last week. An operation gone wrong they say." Will replied quietly.

His death was shocking, and she didn't even know how to react to the sad news. She wasn't aware that he had become active again. Then again, why would she be? It had been over a year since any contact had been made between them.

Will was taking the news awfully hard. "I'm sorry, Will. I didn't know that you two were really close." Sydney shook her head in disbelief, knowing too well what it felt like to lose someone close.

"I wasn't aware that we were either, until I received something in the mail from him." Will looked at her, and she could see the pain in his eyes. She wasn't sure, but it looked as if he had already hit the anger stage of grieving.

"He sent you something before he died?" Her confusion was obvious.

Will put the information in front of him in a pile, his hands shaking as he did. "It appears that in his will he requested I be sent some information."

Information. Sydney choked at his last statement. She could feel the burning of tears behind her eyes, and the palpation of her heart increase. They stared at each other for nearly a minute before he spoke again. "How could you?"

"Will…" Sydney tried to explain.

"No!" Will screamed at her. "I don't want to hear some lame explanation that you feel justifies the fact that you're sleeping with that… man!" He spat, the disgust clear in both his voice and eyes. "I have willingly been there for you, covering for you more times than I'd like to admit over this past year. The extensive business trips, the few nights a week you didn't stay a home. All to ensure your secret was kept safe. I did it, no questions asked, because I love you." Tears start flowing down his cheek again. "To find out I was covering for that son of a bitch the whole time fills me with disgust. Your friendship had always been a top priority for me, and I foolishly thought you felt the same."

"I do…"Sydney interjected.

"You do?" He shrieked, as he slammed his hand on the table. "I hardly think shacking up with the man that was ordered to keep me "alive but not comfortable" constitutes top priority. It's more like a kick in the face if you ask me." Will stood and moved past her. "If that's the kind of loyalty you show your friends, I don't want to be on that list."

Sydney also stood, while reaching out her hand to grab his arm. "Will, please." He yanked his arm away, shoving her back in the process.

"Don't. Just don't." The tears kept falling down his face. "Did you know the extent of the nightmares I used to have about that day? How I thought he had killed me when he first entered the safe house? Or how in my dreams he entered my room at night and finally succeeded at it? He's demented Sydney, and anyone who willingly stays around him is not only foolish, but also bound to end up in some sort of peril."

Will left the room, and walked to his room, slamming the door. Sydney sat back down at the table and buried her head in her hands. Her sobbing became out of control after reading the information Will had left her on the table.

Mr. Tippin,

As stated in the last will and testament of Michael Vaughn, this packet of information was to be delivered to you. Mr. Vaughn sealed the contents himself, and per instruction the contents weren't to be reopened, but sent to you.

His loss has saddened us all, and we can only hope his gesture will keep his memory alive.

Sydney looked through the opened manila envelope, inside were copies of the pictures from Prague, bits of information documenting her relationship from the past year. Obviously Michael had continued to keep tabs on her. Amongst the items, she found another letter, in Michael's handwriting.

Will,

I know that we didn't know each other well, our work didn't really allow for the pleasantries of any sort of friendship, but I feel that I can trust you with this information. What you're about to read may shock you, as it did me when I first found out. The only reason you are receiving this is due to my untimely death and because of a promise I made to Sydney, that I wouldn't reveal this to her father. Needless to say, you were the only other option.

Over a year ago, I was instructed by Jack Bristow to keep tabs on his daughter, due to Mr. Sark's recent addition to SD-6. Mr. Bristow, at the time, felt that Mr. Sark had some intention of harming his daughter or using her for some sort of payback. Reluctantly, I agreed to do so.

I received confirmation of a relationship brewing between the two, as you will see in the pictures I've enclosed. Upon bringing the information to her attention, Sydney admitted it and reassured me that there was no need to worry. Although I have always trusted her judgment, I still continued to monitor their dealings, for my own peace of mind. What you will find by reading the information is that as of the day of my death, the two are still together, but to my surprise his intentions haven't proven to be anything but honorable.

I leave this information with you due to how much I care for Sydney and because I wouldn't be at peace if I weren't sure that someone else was watching her back. If anything, please ensure that she keeps safe.

Sincerely,

Michael Vaughn

The tears didn't seem to want to stop. The news that Michael Vaughn was actually dead had been devastating. And even though his choice to send this information to Will was poor, the intentions behind it weren't.

Sydney slowly stood and blindly found her way to her room. After changing into her pajamas, she curled up in her bed, and cried herself to sleep. Mourning the loss of an old love and likely a dear friend.