AN: Hey everyone! I'm so so sorry for the late update, but hey, I have the last 3 chapters for you guys. Thanks again for your reviews. Don't worry about Irina. All will be revealed. lol. Cryptic huh? Alright onto the first chapter! Enjoy and please review!!!

**************************************************************************

Chapter 15

Sydney's POV

She's dead. Her mother was gone. It seemed unreal to Sydney. How could someone like her just die so easily? Sydney tried to think about how she was feeling, but all she felt was emptiness. She couldn't be sad since she had never known Irina Derevko. All she ever knew was Laura Bristow and that woman died a long time ago. Was she angry? Maybe, but what was the point in that? She was gone now, and the world will be a farther better place for it. Sydney sat there staring off into nothingness for awhile. Startled, she turned as she felt a hand lightly touch her shoulder.

"Are you okay, Sydney?" Sydney looked up at Vaughn who had a concerned look on his face. His forehead slightly wrinkled and his green eyes displaying his emotions.

"I'm fine." She gave him a weak smile.

"Don't lie to me, Syd. It's okay for you to be sad about her death. Just because Derevko killed my father doesn't mean you aren't allowed to feel something towards her. No matter what, she was your mother."

She shook her head in frustration. "That's the thing, Michael. I don't feel anything towards her. I'm not angry, sad, happy, or relieved. It's almost like I can't grasp the reality of her death. It just doesn't seem real."

"She's gone, Sydney. You have to try to accept that and move on."

"I know. Just give me some time." Vaughn nodded at her. She stood up from her seat and fell into his arms. By then, everyone else had left the conference room. Sydney breathed a sigh of relief as she knew she could stay like this with him for at least awhile longer. He always made her feel safe and comforted. She realized just then that she was in love with him and he was her rock. He was her guardian angel. Leaning back a little, she looked into his eyes. Moving her head closer to his, their lips met. It was a sweet and light kiss. One that was full of love. Reluctantly it seemed, Vaughn moved away from her.

Vaughn's POV

It took almost all his strength to move away from her, to move away from her soft lips, shining brown hair, and beautiful brown eyes. This wasn't the best time to tell her, but he didn't do it now, he would never be able to end it. His flight was in two hours.

"Sydney, I've been offered a promotion for my help in rescuing you."

"Really? That's great, Mike. Congratulations." Her genuine smile made him feel even worse.

"It's in New York." He looked at her trying to judge her emotions.

"What?"

"The job is in New York." Sydney seemed to be preparing for worse as she asked her next question.

"Are you going to take it?"

"I think so." His heart almost broke as he saw her struggling to hide her emotions.

"Oh, I see. That's great."

"Sydney, let me explain." She shook her head and pulled her hand away when he tried to hold it.

"No, there's no need to explain, Agent Vaughn. You don't owe me an explanation." She never called him that. He didn't blame her for being mad at him though. This is why he needed to explain to her why he was leaving. Why it was necessary for him to go.

"Yes, I do. You have to understand, Sydney. It would be too hard to stay here and know that we couldn't be together. Don't think I haven't thought about it because I have. Secret rendezvous, stolen kisses, and glances here and there would be all we would have until SD-6 was gone. You deserve more than that, Sydney. You deserve to be happy and this relationship we have won't make you happy."

"I don't want more than you. I'll be perfectly happy with you next to me." He sighed. Why couldn't she understand that it wasn't that easy?

"Don't make this harder, Sydney. Please. Just say goodbye." Vaughn looked down at the ground waiting for her response. All he got was a small laugh.

"Goodbye means nothing, Michael. People always say goodbye when they think they'll never see a person again. The thing is they'll see the person again someday. Maybe not tomorrow, or the next day, but eventually, if it was meant to be, they'll meet again."

"I'm sorry, Syd. I'm not willing to risk your life for this." He walked away from her. Every step seemed to be harder to take. Forcing himself not to stare back at her, he walked out of the conference room and out to his car.

It had started raining. At first it was light, but by the time, he reached his car, it was pouring. Not having the common sense to bring an umbrella, he was soaked. Not that it mattered. Getting into his car, he turned on the engine and drove out of the parking lot. Looking in his rearview mirror, he promised himself he wouldn't turn back no matter how much he wanted to. It was better this way. He could move on. She could move on. They wouldn't have these promises of a future that may never happen. It was the right thing to do, right?

okay, okay, don't kill me! There's a happy ending! Two more chapters to go!