***

CHAPTER 2

"Agent Vaughn."

"Agent Bristow."

The two agents greeted each other in their now common, business-like manner. 

It had taken them nearly one year to pass through the complete awkwardness phase of Vaughn being married to Alice, and Sydney not knowing what happened to her and being upset and jealous.  After a year though, things became easier. Not easy, but easier.  They tried to be good friends for a while, but it was a bit uncomfortable for both, knowing what they once had.  After Sydney met Ethan, almost 2 years after she returned, things once again became easier.  Ethan was Sydney's first relationship after Vaughn, and she fell for him almost instantly.  Her being with someone took a lot of pressure off of Vaughn, and made Sydney less uncomfortable around him.  The 2 agents then had an unspoken agreement that their personal lives were personal, and all conversations would be kept strictly professional.

"For this next mission, its jut your basic grab the documents and get out," Vaughn explained.

"Sounds easy enough.  When do we leave?"

"Our flight leaves in 4 hours."

"Great," Sydney made her move to walk away when Vaughn noticed something shiny on her hand.

"Agent Bristow," she turned around, "If that's what I think it is," Vaughn started, nodding toward her engagement ring, "then congratulations."

"Thank you Agent Vaughn," she replied.  They nodded to each other then turned and walked in opposite directions.

***

Sydney kissed Ethan before heading out the door.

"I'll miss you!"  He called after her.

"I'll miss you too hun," she said, smiling at him.

"Buy me lots of gifts when you're in Paris?" he asked.

"Ethan, you know I'll have no time for shopping."

"Yeah, I know.  Damn national security."  The CIA had permitted Sydney to tell Ethan of her job after one year with him. 

"But I'll try my best.  Maybe I can sneak you home something.  We'll see."  She smiled and kissed him again.

"I'll see you in 2 days," he called, as she made her way to the car.

"Yeah, 2 days.  I love you," Sydney called back.

"Love you too."

***

"Another mission?"  Alice asked Vaughn as he packed.

"Yeah, but at least it's a short one; only 2 days."

Alice kissed him.  "I got me my own James Bond."

"Yeah, I guess," Vaughn laughed.  "Bond.  Vaughn.  They kinda rhyme…"

Alice laughed and kissed him again.  "Have fun sweetie."

"Thanks."  He kissed her back, and then kissed her stomach.  "Take care of mommy when I'm gone, okay?" he said to Alice's stomach.

He kissed his wife again.  "I love you."

"I love you too.  Now go before you miss your plane." Alice laughed as she pushed him out the door.

***

On the plane, Vaughn was filling Sydney in on their mission.

"The documents are hidden in the safe.  You just have to break away from the rest of the guests and get into the basement while I monitor the party.  The safe is in the 3rd room on the left of the hallway."

"Sounds simple enough.  What are our covers?"

Vaughn wiped sweat from his brow, and looked up at her, and anxious expression on his face.  "That's where we run into a little something interesting.  We're posing as husband and wife."