INT. SYDNEY'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUED

Vaughn sighs and stands up.

VAUGHN
If that's the way you really feel, if you honestly don't think that you can work with me, then I'll hand in my resignation in the morning.

He starts to move toward the door but she stands up and puts her hand on his arm to stop him.

SYDNEY
What? Vaughn, wait, that's not what I meant.

Vaughn turns to face her.

VAUGHN
Look, Syd, the only reason I came back was to help you but I'm obviously doing just the opposite so...

SYDNEY
What are you talking about? Weiss said you were thinking about coming back before I showed up.

VAUGHN
I was. But I liked teaching and while I considered doing some consulting I was never going to come back as an agent. Weiss has been trying to get me to come back ever since I left and I just couldn't tell him no, so I told him I'd think about it.

SYDNEY
Then why did you come back?

VAUGHN
You. Why else?

SYDNEY
Me? But at the school...

VAUGHN
I was hurt by what you'd said before and angry, mostly with myself, so I took it out on you. I'm sorry but losing you hurt so goddamn much and to be told that I didn't love you enough...

He pauses to calm down.

VAUGHN
Still the worst part was that I knew you were right. I gave up. And I wasn't there for you when you needed me. I was too busy getting drunk off my ass and wallowing in grief when I should have been trying to find out what happened to you. So when you came back I decided that I would never let you down again, that I would do everything I could to help. I never wanted to make your life harder and if I am then I'll leave.

Sydney doesn't know what to do or say. The look he's giving her is so intense that she has to turn away. He nods, thinking it's over, and starts to leave. Quietly, her voice rough, she says:

SYDNEY
Don't.

He stops.

SYDNEY
I want you to stay.

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

VAUGHN
Syd, if...

SYDNEY
Vaughn.

She says his name in that way she has, the one that conveys everything she feels about him into a single word. He turns and looks at her. Both of their eyes are wet with tears.

SYDNEY
I love you. I can't change that. I don't even want to try. And yes, it will be difficult working with you but... I need you. I need your strength. I need your support. (beat) I need your friendship. I want more than that but I'd rather learn how to work with you than have to live without you.

VAUGHN
Are you sure?

SYDNEY
No. But if I've learned anything it's that there are no certainties in this life and all we can do is hold on to what we have.

Vaughn walks back toward her. He has that look again.

VAUGHN
I'll hold on if you will.

He's getting closer and tears are falling down Sydney's cheeks. She's afraid.

SYDNEY
Vaughn, I swear, if you don't...

He stops right in front in front of her, putting his hands on her shoulders.

VAUGHN
Look at me. I promise you, I won't let go.

She lets herself fall into his arms as he steps forward to hold her for the first time since the alley in Hong Kong. He closes his eyes and rests his head upon hers.

VAUGHN
Thank you.

Reluctantly she pulls away but not too far. She looks uncertain.

SYDNEY
Do you really think we can do this? Things have been so awkward between us...

VAUGHN
I know. But I'm not willing to walk away from you, from us. At least not without trying to make this work.

SYDNEY
I know you said that this was just between us but you can't ignore Lauren.

VAUGHN
You're right. But I'm not cheating on her by being friends with you.

SYDNEY
Is that how she's going to see it?

VAUGHN
If she doesn't trust me with you then that's something for her and I to deal with, not for you to worry about.

She's still a little wary.

SYDNEY
Vaughn, I...

VAUGHN
Syd, I know you have doubts. So do I. And I wish I had all the answers but I don't. All I know is how I feel.

He says this with his usual intensity but the moment is undercut by the sound of his stomach rumbling. Syd raises an eyebrow.

SYDNEY
Hungry?

They both laugh. The tension that was between them lessens.

VAUGHN
Apparently.

She smiles

SYDNEY
Me too. (beat) Why don't I order us a pizza and we can watch the Kings game.

VAUGHN
You sure?

SYDNEY
I'll be okay.

She smiles.

SYDNEY
I've gotten used to watching them lose by now.

He smiles.

VAUGHN
I don't know, I think this may be their year.

SYDNEY
You always say that.

VAUGHN
And one of these days I'll be right.

She shakes her head and holds up the menu for the local pizza place she orders from.

SYDNEY
The works okay?

Vaughn's stomach rumbles again. Syd laughs.

SYDNEY
I'll take that as a yes.

He sits back down on the couch and turns on the TV as she starts to phone in their order. Then his phone rings. He answers it.

VAUGHN
Vaughn.

We hear Weiss on the other end.

WEISS
You're parked in front of Sydney's.

VAUGHN
Yes. I am.

WEISS
Does that mean...

VAUGHN
Yes.

WEISS
And?

Vaughn looks back at Syd who's busy ordering.

VAUGHN
She's ordering a pizza and we're gonna watch the game.

WEISS
Thank God! (beat) Sorry, but you have no idea how hard it's been watching the two or you, all the awkwardness and the tension, I'm not kidding, it's been physically painful.

VAUGHN
Well, I apologize for the inconvenience.

WEISS
That's okay. Apology accepted.

VAUGHN
Hey, why don't you come over and we'll make it up to you with some pizza.

WEISS
You don't really want me to come over. But thanks anyway. Just make sure that what happened between you and Sydney doesn't happen again.

VAUGHN
I'm trying.

He hangs up as Syd comes down to sit next to him with a beer.

THE END