[Enter Hallway at CIA Headquarters. Jack sees Sydney walking out of the elevator]

Jack: Sydney, I wanted to have a word with you about your last operation.

Sydney: What about it?

Jack: {noticing Sydney's eyes and nose look a little swollen and red} I was just wondering when your report on the accuracy of Marshall's latest infra- red device was going to be completed.

Sydney: *clearing her throat* I'll get started on it as soon as possible. Is that all?

Jack: *thinks of saying more but decides against it* Yes, I believe so.

{Sydney gives a slight smile and nod to her father before continuing down the hallway. Jack looks back, concern etched on his face}

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

[Enter Vaughn and Lauren's house]

{Vaughn walks into the living room after getting home from work, he notices Lauren on the couch with a book}

Vaughn: What're you reading, honey?

Lauren: I was just glancing through a baby name book. I thought it would be a good idea for us to pick out some possible names. Vaughn: *nodding* That sounds like a wonderful idea. Have anything in mind?

Lauren: Nothing I'm too terribly set on. Though I do love Gillian for a girl.

Vaughn: *leaning over to kiss Lauren on the top of her head* Gillian sounds lovely, maybe we could use your mom's name as well, isn't it Olivia?

Lauren: Aw, you're so sweet to me, love. Do you have anything in mind for a boy?

Vaughn: Well, I've always wanted to use my father's name: William.

Lauren: That sounds lovely, darling. I was named after my grandfather Lawrence; perhaps we could use that as a middle name.

Vaughn: So, for a girl: Gillian Olivia Vaughn. And for a boy: William Lawrence Vaughn. I think they sound perfect.

Lauren: *eyes narrowing* Who says we're using YOUR last name?

Vaughn: There's another option?

Lauren: Of COURSE 'there's another option' you bastard. I'm not going through this torture for nine months and not have my last name included!

Vaughn: You mean you want their last name to be Reed?

Lauren: *tearing up* Of course I don't want that! I wouldn't leave you out! I thought we could hyphenate it.

Vaughn: Of course, of course we can hyphenate, baby. I didn't mean to upset you. *hugs Lauren*

Lauren: I'm sorry, I'm not upset, it's these damn hormones, and I'm all out of sorts.

Vaughn: It's okay, I understand, honey, you can't control it.

{Vaughn glances at clock and notices it's already near midnight}

Vaughn: I'm going to take a quick shower. It's getting pretty late, why don't you go get ready for bed and I'll meet you in there.

Lauren: *yawns* That sounds perfect.

{Lauren tilts her head up while Vaughn leans down to give her a peck on the lip}

************************************************************************ [Enter CIA Headquarters. Marshall's Office]

Vaughn: *leaning against Marshall's table* So, when Carrie was pregnant...did she have fluctuating moods?

Marshall: *laughing* Yeah, like this one time she, you know how we have a small kitchen, she was putting away the groceries and she just started screaming and throwing things, and you know I thought something was really wrong, so I asked her what was wrong and she started screaming about needing more cabinets. Which, you know, I thought was really strange because we've always had enough cabinet space before, I mean yeah, it's cramped but there was enough room-

Vaughn: Yeah, but did she cry a lot? Or be completely pissed and then be completely sweet the next minute?

Marshall: Well, Carrie's never been the sweet type, like for instance we had been dating awhile and I took her to this nice restaurant and tried to order for her---

Vaughn: Thanks, Marshall.

Marshall: Oh yeah, of course, any time you need advice. Oh, did I show you this latest picture of Mitchell? We took him to Sears to get his picture taken, and they tried to get him to laugh with this, this uh, stuffed moose, or deer or something, anyway so they were trying to get him to laugh- --

[Sydney walks in the office. Her face falls when she sees Vaughn]

Marshall: Hey Syd, I was just showing Vaughn this latest picture of Mitchell *starts gesturing towards picture* see how he's making that face, well I was telling Vaughn about this stuffed antlered toy they were trying to get him to laugh with—

Sydney: *easing into a smile* He's beautiful, really, very adorable.

{awkward pause}

Marshall: Okay, so for you next mission you're going undercover as socialites to plant a bug in Von Gaughinheim's office. Vaughn, you're sneaking into the office while Syd distracts Gaughinheim, this is a microphone that will also cause the video to relay back to our headquarters, just make sure you have it attached to the cord of the security camera. Syd, your barrette will cause the security camera to loop the last ten seconds over, but it will only last for about a minute and a half, so Vaughn you've got to be quick. Any questions?

{Vaughn and Sydney both shake their heads and take the electronic devices from Marshall}

[Syd and Vaughn start out of the office]

Marshall: Oh, and guys, good luck.

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

[Syd's sitting at her desk, writing her report; Jack walks up]

Jack: Sydney, I was just informed about your upcoming mission with Agent Vaughn.

Syd: Yes, in Amsterdam.

Jack: Are you prepared for the mission?

Syd: Of course I'm prepared. Dad, I can handle this. I'm fine, everything's fine.

Jack: *looking closely at Syd* You could always see if Agent Weiss is available.

Syd: Dad, I said everything was fine. I'll be okay, really, don't worry about me.

Jack: *wants to say more but decides against; instead leans over to pat Syd's hand* Just consider asking Dixon about Agent Weiss.

[Jack turns and walks off leaving Sydney deep in thought]

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

[Enter Dixon's Office]

{Sydney walks into the office}

Syd: Dixon, could I have a word with you about my upcoming mission with Vaughn?

Dixon: Sure, Sydney, have a seat.

Syd: Thanks.

Dixon: So, what was it you wanted to ask me?

Syd: Well I was thinking it might be best for Agent Weiss to go along instead of Vaughn.

Dixon: We need Vaughn's field experience and expertise on this one, Sydney. This is far more complicated than the previous mission you did with Agent Weiss.

Syd: But, Dixon, what with Vaughn's wife so close to her due date shouldn't we do our best to keep him in Los Angeles.

Dixon: I'm sorry, Sydney, but on this particular mission we need him. There's nothing I can do to help that.

Sydney: I understand, Dixon. Thank you for your time.

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

[Lauren is pilfering through baby clothes in Baby Boutique; she doesn't notice Sark coming up behind her]

Sark: Hello, love.

Lauren: What the hell are you doing here?

Sark: Just thought I'd stop by and see how my co-worker and child are doing.

Lauren: You bastard. How did you know I was here?

Sark: I have my ways, darling.

Lauren: What if someone sees us? Then what? Our whole cover will be blown. Our status as head of the American branch of the Covenant will be removed, and if we're lucky they won't bother with the torture but instead go in straight for the kill.

Sark: You've grossly underestimated me. I like that romper you have there, I think it would look absolutely darling on the baby. {Sark's hand reaches around from behind to rest on her very pregnant belly}

Lauren: *jerking away from Sark* Who the bloody hell do you think you are?

Sark: *smirking* I think we both know who I am...and what I am in relation to the child.

Lauren: You mean we both know what you wish you were to this baby, you pathetic piece of shit.

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

[Sydney is walking down a Los Angeles street, headed towards her favourite restaurant; she sees a Baby Boutique]

{Sydney enters the boutique, thinking about the possibility that she can't have children}

{Sydney starts thumbing through the racks and racks of baby clothes. Little dresses, little pantsuits, little teeny tiny preemie rompers.}

Syd: *mumbling to herself* Maybe I should just get Lauren a baby shower gift. Doesn't mean I have to go to the shower. I can't be mad at Vaughn forever, especially not if we're going to continue working together.

[Sydney hears a familiar British accent. Lurking around a shelf of strollers she goes to confirm her suspicions]

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

{A saleslady has noticed Sark and Lauren's confrontation; she goes to see what the problem is}

Saleslady: Excuse me, I hope I'm not intruding, but is there a problem here?

Sark: No...*looks at name tag while slipping arms around Lauren's waist* Paula, my wife and I were just discussing baby—

Lauren: Actually, miss, could you please escort this man out of here? I have no clue who he is and he's been hassling me ever since I stepped in here.

Paula: Of course, Miss. Please sir, *Paula grabs Sark's arm* come with me.

{Sark looks at Lauren, a smug grin on his face}

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

[Sydney sees the saleslady take Sark by the arm]

Sydney: *starts to panic* Shit, shit, shit. *whispering*

{Sydney glances around for an out, finally she sees a series of dressing rooms at the end of the aisle, she begins hurrying towards it}

[Sydney gets there in the nick of time, quickly shutting and locking the dressing room door behind her. She's stunned at what she just saw]

****************************************************************** [Inside the dressing room]

{Syd is looking around for a way to get out when she hears footsteps coming closer, she hears the saleslady try and turn the knob; then knock on the door}

Paula: Hello? Is anyone in there?

Syd: *in fake Southern accent* Yes ma'am?

Paula: Sorry to bother you, Miss.

{Sydney breathes a sigh of relief as she hears the saleslady check the next door; then speak to the customer she is with}

Paula: If you need a different size just lean out and let me know.

{Sydney hears the door shut; then the rustle of clothing being discarded; a few grunts of frustration, a long sigh and finally the door open again}

Lauren: Miss? I need his one size larger, please?

Paula: Of course, Miss, let me just go get it.

{Sydney hears the door shut again; realises that if she waits for Paula to return with the bigger size she will probably have enough time to sneak out the door while Lauren struggles into the clothing. Sydney hears Paula approaching and the knock on Lauren's dressing room door; then finally the door shutting. Rushing out of the dressing room and then out of the boutique she hurries down the sidewalk to her parked car}

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