Note: This fic is in script format however it's extremely basic and doesn't contain many of the technical details. It's essentially a dialogue piece with some description. Also the title comes from Dido's "White Flag" and Coldplay's "Sparks."

INT. - OPS CENTER - NIGHT

Sydney is sitting at her desk staring blankly at her computer when off-screen we hear:

VAUGHN
Syd? (beat) Sydney?

Syd shakes her head and turns to see Vaughn standing next to her. Behind him the Ops Center is deserted.

SYDNEY
Oh... Um, I'm sorry, what were you saying?

Vaughn looks at her with his brow wrinkled in concern.

VAUGHN
I wasn't saying anything. I just came over to see how you were doing.

SYDNEY
Oh. Well, I'm fine. Thanks.

He raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms.

VAUGHN
Sydney, you're in the office by yourself staring at your screensaver.

SYDNEY
I'm not by myself.

Vaughn sighs. She has him there.

VAUGHN
Yeah, well, Lauren's in Washington so it was either catch up on some work or spend the evening at home alone watching the game.

SYDNEY
The Kings?

VAUGHN
The season's starting up again.

They regard each other for a moment since neither of them can think of anything to say. Syd turns back to her computer. She looks like she hasn't slept in days. Vaughn picks up on this and pulls up a chair.

VAUGHN
Syd, seriously, what's wrong?

SYDNEY
I told you, I'm fine.

VAUGHN
How much sleep have you been getting? An hour a night? Maybe two?

She turns toward him.

SYDNEY
Vaughn, really, I appreciate your concern but you don't have to worry about me.

VAUGHN
I've never worried about you because I had to. (beat) Syd, ever since I got back I've been watching you push yourself, working long hours, going on virtually every mission that's been run out of this office. It's obviously taking its toll.

SYDNEY
I'm fine, really. I just haven't felt like sleeping lately.

He looks at her intently, instinctively knowing that there's more to it than that. He's right. His silent look compels her to continue.

SYDNEY
It's not easy to go to sleep when you're not sure where or when you'll wake up if you do. (beat) Besides, this feels more like home than my place.

Vaughn hates to see her like this and we can see that he desperately wants to do something to help. He gets an idea.

VAUGHN
Then how about this: We go see what we can scrounge up in the cafeteria and then we bring it back and watch the Kings' game. There's like a hundred TVs in here I'm sure one of them gets cable. And if not maybe Marshall's still...

It gets to be too much for Syd. She says his name urgently to get his attention.

SYDNEY
Vaughn...

He stops and remembers who they are. His excitement quickly fades and he looks down.

VAUGHN
Yeah. You're probably right.

SYDNEY
Vaughn, I...

He looks up at her hesitation. She takes a deep breath and continues.

SYDNEY
Vaughn, I'm not sure I know how to go back to being just friends with you.

He nods. How can he possibly respond to that?

SYDNEY
Sorry.

VAUGHN
No. I shouldn't have suggested it. And you need to be getting home soon anyway.

SYDNEY
I will. I just have a few more things I want to go over.

She starts to turn back to her computer but he reaches out and stops her by placing his hand on hers. She looks at him.

VAUGHN
I mean it, Syd. You can't keep going like this. (beat) You're scaring me.

She sighs and pulls away from him.

SYDNEY
I can't stop. I've already lost two years of my life and I'm not about to waste anymore of it.

VAUGHN
I know you want to find out what happened to you and we will. But you're no good to the Agency or yourself if you're so damn tired you can't even see straight.

He stands.

VAUGHN
So come on. I'm taking you home.

SYDNEY
I have my own car.

VAUGHN
And you're in no condition to drive it. So let's go.

SYDNEY
Vaughn...

VAUGHN
Sydney, I can't stand seeing you like this, not without doing something about it. So please, let me take you home.

Syd allows her shoulders to drop and she somehow manages to look even more exhausted. With a deep breath she stands.

SYDNEY
Alright. Just let me get my stuff together.

CUT TO:

INT. - VAUGHN'S CAR - NIGHT

He pulls up to the front of her house. She's fast asleep in the passenger seat.

VAUGHN
Syd...

Slowly he reaches over to gently shake her awake but the instant he touches her she sits up with a start and backs away. He holds up his hands in front of him.

VAUGHN
Syd, it's okay. It's just me. You're home.

Syd looks at him and then out the window. You can see the fatigue etched in her features.

SYDNEY
Yeah. Home.

She looks back at him and tries to put on a brave face.

SYDNEY
Thank you. You really didn't have to do this.

He sees right through it.

VAUGHN
Yes I did.

He turns in his seat so he can face her directly.

VAUGHN
Look, Sydney, I don't know how to do this either. So much has changed... But you need to know, no matter what happens, I'll be here for you. It's like I've always told you: "You have my number."

Syd is now barely holding back the tears and it's all she can do to nod in response to his declaration. Finally she composes herself and tries to smile through it.

SYDNEY
I know. Thank you.

VAUGHN
You don't have to thank me. I'm just happy you made it home safely.

She doesn't say anything. She can't. Vaughn tries to fill the silence.

VAUGHN
Um, you know, if you want, I can pick you up tomorrow...

SYDNEY
No, that's okay. I think I might take tomorrow off.

VAUGHN
Yeah, that's a good idea. I'll let Dixon know. And I'll have a couple of agents bring you your car.

SYDNEY
I'd appreciate that.

They both sit in silence for a moment.

SYDNEY
Well, I should probably take your advice and go get some sleep.

VAUGHN
You'll feel much better if you do.

They both know that isn't true. She reluctantly reaches for the door handle but she doesn't move to get out of the car. Neither of them is sure how to do this anymore.

VAUGHN
I guess this is good night then.

She looks at him one last time.

SYDNEY
Good night.

And then she's out of the car and walking toward her front door. We stay in the car with Vaughn as he watches her unlock her front door. Once she does she looks back at him and gives him another one of her forced smiles. He returns it with one of his own. Then she closes the door and he drives away.

CUT TO: