AN: Ugh, I'm feeling sick. I hate catching the cold. Anyways, thanks to everyone for your great reviews. I'll try to keep this chapter as upbeat as possible, but you never know with me really. So enjoy and please REVIEW!!

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Chapter 11

Sydney's POV

A Few Days Later

Sydney walked unhurriedly into the dark warehouse. The past few days had been hell. Too much debriefing, too many questions, and so many secrets. This would be the first time she would be seeing Vaughn since the trip home. Every time she had to go to CIA headquarters, she avoided him. It was so awkward and even though she had no right to, Sydney felt angry and betrayed by him.

As she walked to where he was standing, Sydney could hear the distinct sound of her heels stomping on the ground. It made her head ache. Sydney was sure she had bags under her eyes from the stress of these past days. She didn't care. Why should she? What would it matter?

Vaughn must of heard her footsteps because he turned around.

"Sydney."

"Agent Vaughn." She tried to keep her face calm and passive as she stared into his green eyes. There seemed to be an almost visible flicker of understanding in those pools of emerald. He instantly went back to a professional tone of speaking.

"What's happening at SD-6?"

"They're just debriefing me at the moment. Sloane's given me a couple of days off. He says I should try to recover from my trauma."

Sydney could see Vaughn trying to suppress a laugh at that. She couldn't blame him. Sloane was the person who was causing her most of the trauma. A couple days off wasn't going to cut it. The nerve of that man was simply appalling. "If you don't have a mission, then I guess we don't have anything else we need to discuss."

As soon as he said that, she started to walk away. She didn't want to be there any longer. Not only would she get more depressed, but it would just make it more dangerous. Just as she turned away from him, Sydney felt him grab her hand.

"Sydney, wait." She sighed and turned around, looking intently at their hands. He followed her eyes and abruptly removed his hand from hers.

"Sorry about that. Listen, maybe we should talk about what happened at the hotel."

"What do you mean? Nothing happened." As he sighed and ran a hand through his hair, she waited for his next comment.

"How can you say that?" It was her this time that sighed.

"Agent Vaughn, nothing happened. We talked, got a little closer than we should have, but other than that everything's fine. You have a girlfriend. End of story."

"Actually I don't." Her head shot up at that comment.

"What?"

"We broke up. It had gone on way too long. I should have broken up with her a long time a go." He looked intently at her as if awaiting her response.

"What does this mean?"

"I'm not sure. What do you want it to mean?"

"I think you know what I want it to mean." They stared at each other intently. He seemed to be searching for something in her eyes. Then he leaned in and kissed her. It wasn't like any of the kisses before. It was light and their lips had barely touched when he pulled away yet it seemed to have an even bigger effect than the passionate kisses in the past.

For one split second, it seemed as if they were the only two people in the world. That there was no one around, but them and that was all that mattered.

Then reality set in. She remembered where they were and who they were. If they pursued this, it would be in secret, and it would be very dangerous. Sydney didn't know if she was willing to take the risk. She didn't know if it was worth it to risk Vaughn's life that way. She took a step back from him. He seemed to understand and pulled away.

"Look I better go. I've been so tired lately and I..."

"I understand. Go home and get some rest, Sydney."

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Irina's POV

Irina walked down the corridor towards Sark's room. She couldn't believe him. He could be stupid at times, but this was a new low.

"You told Sydney about me?" She couldn't believe Sark. Irina had specifically asked him to not tell her.

"Sorry. It slipped." Slipped. She rolled her eyes. Sark was a great partner, but he could be so arrogant and selfish at times. Irina hadn't wanted Sydney to know that truth about her, but she guessed it was a little too late.

"You little imbecile. You work for me which means you will do as I say. No changes."

"Look, I just couldn't help it. It was just so tempting."

"What did you tell her?"

"That I worked with you. She didn't want to believe me. She kept on denying it and saying that I was a liar."

"So you don't think you convinced her?"

Sark shook his head. "Of course I have. She tried to deny it, but I could see by her eyes that she believed what I was saying." Irina sighed and leaned against a nearby table. She had wanted Sydney to keep the old image of Laura Bristow in her mind forever. If Sydney did, it would cause her less pain and suffering. Irina could never been the mother Sydney wanted, but she still loved her and wanted her to be happy.

Just as she was about to lecture Sark some more about Sydney, the door to the hotel room burst open. The room was sort of dark so she could recognize the person at first, but when he stepped out of the shadows, his appearance became clear. Irina knew he would come eventually. It had just been a matter of time.

"I told you to leave her alone."

"I had to see her at least one more time, Jack."