Vaughn had noticed a big difference in a lot of things lately, but specifically Sydney. She seemed to have a new life to her and it infected everyone around her. The girl had had a rough life, that much was true, but thankfully her good deeds had granted her just as much good karma. Her parents fluctuated between one being good the other… not so good and they kept each other in balance. Then she found out about her crazy relation to Sark, her brother no less, but not too long after discovered she had a good sister, Nadia. But perhaps the greatest balance was in finding Eric. She hadn't had the best of luck with guys. They had all ended up dieing, or married, but then she found Eric. Eric was her match and Vaughn knew that. It was fine and it wasn't just something he was telling himself.

He caught himself watching her from across the room often. Not because he still loved her in that way, but because he envied how she had found the balance that he so desperately wanted. Maybe, one day, he'd discover her secret.

But now, he was content watching Sydney and Nadia giggle about someting discretely at her desk. Nadia had brought a new spirit that the office had never had and Vaughn liked it. He couldn't quite figure out why he liked it so much however he was willing to find out.

As if sensing his thoughts, Nadia looked up and smiled at him. He grinned back and she promptly walked over to him.

"Michael, you busy?"

Gesturing to the mounds of work on his desk, he shrugged, "not really. What's up?"

Holding out a mug, she jostled it in front of him. "Pick a name."

"For?"

"Gift exchange for, er, Friday night."

"He said nothing formal."

"I know. But this is my first big to-do with Syd and you guys so I want to make it special."

"I'm game," he said as he fished for a slip of paper. He rubbed his thumb across the name and sighed. It was appropriate to pull his name out of all of them. Why not the one with whom he had the most history? Eric.

"Ewh, who'd you get? Is that going to be alright?"

"Of course it is. Now, go spread the wealth, Santos."

She grinned from ear to ear and shuffled over to Eric who was on the phone. "Bien, bien. Okay. Ciao. Nadia."

"Hola Enrique. Como estas?"

"Bueno. El trabajo me mata. Y tu?"

"Groovy. But I need you to do something for me. Pick a slip for secret Santa?"

"Alright and I see that Dixon's little get-together has snowballed," he grinned, dipping his finger into the mug and sliding a piece of paper out. Sydney. "Oh, I think I can definitely find a gift for this person."

"Wonderful. And as for the snowball comment, ah bien. Oh, there goes Marshal. Marshal, Marshal!" Eric laughed as he watched her go, bringing his line of sight to rest on Vaughn. Vaughn offered a half grin and held up his slip of paper in a mocktoast before going back to work.

Later that day and much into the night, Vaughn finally finished the mounds of work on his desk. He didn't know what was more taxing- missions or reports- but he knew he didn't have to worry about it for a blessed eight hours so it didn't matter.

It wasn't until he turned off his desk lamp that he realized that someone else was in the office. It was Nadia.

"Hey Santos. Working late?"

"Yeah. My little escapades this afternoon put me behind. Isn't a big deal though."

"Do you want me to stay and help?"

"No. Thanks though, Michael. You're awfully nice."

"I try. See ya tomorrow Santos. Buenas Noches."

"G'Night." Nadia watched his receding back until it vanished around the corner. She had given up a lot to come work in California but being with the people in the office made up for any inconveniences.

Especially certain people.