Ahh… the saga continues! Sorry for the slow update. I've had trouble finding time to add to this story the last couple weeks. Hope you all like this chapter… I think I've finally come up with a plot idea… but who knows.

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Chapter 13

I woke up the next morning to the bright light pouring in through a crack between the curtains of the bedroom. My eyes fluttered open and I scanned the room, slightly disoriented.

And then I remembered.

I was in a safehouse.

In Istanbul.

In bed.

With Vaughn.

I shivered involuntarily at that last thought, remembering the events of the night before. In bed with Vaughn. I didn't know what had gotten into me, asking him to stay. I just knew that I needed him. Needed to feel him close to me. Needed to feel safe.

It took a moment for my other senses to kick in, and as they did, I realized that Vaughn's hand was resting on my stomach, and that I could feel the length of his body pressed against my back.

It felt nice. And it felt safe. Safer than I had felt in a long time.

I sighed happily, realizing that I could really get used to waking up with him every morning. I shifted slightly, hoping to turn and face him without waking him up. Vaughn's forehead wrinkled in concern at the movement, but his eyes didn't open.

I watched him sleep, his breath coming slowly and deeply. I'd only had the opportunity to do this—to watch him sleep—a couple times since we'd known each other, but I was addicted. His hair was ruffled, his face relaxed.

No stress.

No worry.

Just Vaughn.

I smiled again, tracing the line of his jawbone lightly with my finger. He was beautiful.

Slowly, his eyes opened a fraction of a centimeter, adjusting to the light. Eventually, his eyes opened enough for me to see their dark green color. He blinked once slowly, as if the situation was taking a moment to sink in, and then he smiled groggily.

"Hey," he said. His voice was slow and scratchy, and I realized for the first time that he was probably just as exhausted as I was. He had admitted to me once that he didn't sleep well when I was away on missions. And I had been away a lot. I paused, angry at myself. I always complained about my own problems—about my sore muscles and my exhaustion and my screwed up family. But when did Vaughn get the chance to vent? Never. He was too busy being strong for me.

"Hi," I replied softly, watching him as he struggled to push himself up in bed. "Sleep well?"

"Mmm…" he mumbled, a smile tugging at the edge of his mouth as his eyes met mine. "Definitely."

I looked away, blushing. "Me too." I replied, suddenly feeling very shy. I looked up as Vaughn cleared his throat, shaking away all vestiges of sleepiness.

"What time is it?" He asked, scanning the room... I turned, glancing at the clock on the end table.

"6:34," I said.

Vaughn groaned. "Why is it," he said, "that no matter how exhausted I am, I can't sleep past seven?"

I shrugged. "Hazard of the job, I guess."

Vaughn laughed. "I guess so."

"So what's the plan for the day?" I asked, watching intently as he ran a hand through his hair and along the stubble of his cheek and chin.

"Well, we should probably check in with Kendall, to see how long he wants us to stay here.

I nodded, frowning at his logical answer. Leave it to Vaughn to get right down to business. I had almost been hoping that he would ask me to run away with him.

Leave the CIA.

Leave SD-6.

Disappear.

Vaughn reached over me to the end table, grabbing his cell phone. He dialed Kendall's secure number, and I watched him as he nodded at Kendall's rapid instructions.

"Yes sir. No problem." Vaughn hung up, and glanced over at me. "Kendall wants us to stay here a few more days. Apparently, Sloane got a bit suspicious when he heard about the theft. A couple of his agents are hanging around."

"So we're stuck here?" I asked, not at all surprised at the smile spreading across my face. Two days, alone with Vaughn. My life was looking up.

Vaughn glanced at me again, and I was pleased to see that he was smiling as well. "Looks that way," he replied.

"Hmm." I said, snuggling back into the covers and closing my eyes. "That's really too bad…"

Vaughn propped his head up on his hand, watching me with a grin. "Yeah. I can tell you're really upset about it."

"Mmmhmm." I mumbled, open my eyes to look at him. "Stuck here all day, with nothing to do but sleep and talk to you. What else could go wrong?"

He frowned at me, but his eyes were sparkling. "Are you implying that I'm boring, Agent Bristow?"

I laughed. "Of course not. We'll just have to think of something interesting to talk about."

"I think I can handle that," he chuckled. "But right now, I think you should get some more sleep. I know you're still tired."

I nodded, not even bothering to argue. "You too," I said, tracing the dark circles under his eyes with my index finger. He frowned. "C'mon, Vaughn," I said, rolling my eyes. "I can see it in your eyes. You're just as exhausted as I am."

"No—" Vaughn started, before I cut him off.

"What is it about guys and admitting their weaknesses?" I asked, more to myself than to him. "Stop trying to be macho and lay down." I commanded.

Vaughn glared at me for several moments, before sinking down on the bed beside me.

"Fine," he said. "But only because you made me."

I chuckled, letting my eyes drift shut. "Whatever you say, Vaughn."

I heard him sigh in resignation, and felt him shift slightly closer to me. And just as I began to drift off once again, I felt his hand grip mine, our fingers intertwining as my world went black.

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So? Whaddaya think? Any good? Not much in the way of plot, but maybe I'll work on that in some future chapters. Read and review as always!