Hey guys! I am so sorry it has been so long! My internet connection is playing up and I have issues trying to get onto the site. But no excuses!

Thanks to sydofthesea, tine, Jackie, ArodLoverus2001, alias-sydney93001, Grouchy, freitazal, total vaughn lover, sapphyre2484, s, vaughnbear, Five Stories Fallen, genevra (Honey, thank you so much for your review! I love so much of your work, it was so nice to see you reviewing my story! Your reviews were so supportive!), Natalie, Caz, Sara andVaughn-Syd-4ever!

ATM, there are 29 chapters to this story, although that might change if I become inspired one night!

Disclaimer etc. see previous chapters


Chapter 25 - Goodbyes

Vaughn glanced up at the calendar which Lily had posted on the wall. It had been two months since their trip to London. Two long months. Work was non-stop, as if they could taste that the end was near. All the pieces of the puzzle were coming together and it was only a matter of time until they would be able to go home.

"Mike, what are you going to miss the most about the base?"

"George, haven't you got work to do?"

"You sound like my 8th grade math teacher! And it isn't like you are working your butt off. So spill"

"The flies" Vaughn replied sarcastically with a grin. "I'll be back in LA thinking 'God, this would be so perfect if only there were about a hundred more flies'"

Lily smothered a giggle from her desk.

"Doherty! I knew you were fake-ignoring us!" George called across the room. "What about you?"

"I'm gonna miss all the dust. I'll be walking through a big green park, take in a deep breath and wish for all this bloody dust" Lily replied cheekily.

"I'll second that" George replied with a wink.

They all laughed before they were interrupted by Logan crashing into the room.

"Come on, meeting now!" Logan cried, trying to catch his breath. With a quick glance at each other, they quickly finished up their work and followed Logan.

"Logan, what's going on?" Vaughn called out as they power walked towards the board room.

"Phil will explain when we all get there" was the only reply they could get out of Logan, and the exchanged worried looks, concerned over what the news could be.

They were the last ones to enter the noisy and buzzing room. They were obviously not the only ones who had been left out in the dark. Chatter continued for a few minutes until Phil walked into the room.

"Everyone sit down and shut up! I have confirmation from Langley that tonight, a group of agents will penetrate Jazabeliah headquarters. Upon their success, our mission is complete and you will all return home" Phil barked at the group, his usual friendly and laid back demeanor disappearing with the seriousness of the matter. Suddenly the room was buzzing again.

"Didn't I tell you people to shut up?" Phil yelled over the commotion, bringing instant silence. "Logan and Mike, you are the only two people on the base who are not only completely familiar with the mission, but have also valuable field experience. You will be joining the team. Be ready to fly out in two hours. Everyone else, I suggest you start packing"

The last statement brought a number of cheers from the large group. While everyone started chatting about how much they looked forward to returning home, Vaughn and Logan simply sat back in their seats and took a deep breath. It wasn't all over for them.

21212121

"I can't believe they are letting you and Logan go and have the last laugh" Phil complained as he lay back on Vaughn's bed as he packed.

"Somehow I can't see it being a laugh" Lily replied dryly from the seat in the corner.

"I would gladly swap with you" Vaughn replied, trying to zip up his suitcase.

"Nah, I wanna go home" George replied with a grin

Vaughn smiled in return. "I don't blame you one bit"

"I feel sorry for Logan. He was looking forward to getting back to his kids" Lily stated lightly.

"Yeah I know. Where is he?"

"Gone for a walk, I think. When do you fly out?"

Vaughn glanced at his watch. "Fifteen minutes. I better get down there. If you guys come across any of my stuff…"

"Yeah we know" George teased.

They stood facing each other, not knowing what else to say. Vaughn would be flying home straight from the final op, so this would be the last time they would see each other. Lily was the first to move, throwing her arms around Vaughn's neck in a tight embrace.

"It was an honor working with you" she muttered in his ear before releasing him from her grip.

"You will have to come and visit. Both of you"

"Of course" George said with a grin, as he extended a hand. "Look after yourself"

"Always" Vaughn replied before reaching for his bag and walking out of his room on the base for the last time.


As if I'm gonna let Vaughn just run back home! Ha! I'm not quite ready to get back to LA and everything he will have to deal with there (my romantic blinkers are in repair and will be ready for use in a couple of days hopefully!).

Please read and review! Cate