Hey there you crazy readers! Alias is BACK! Granted, it's back with two bob wigs (gag) in one show, but I suppose I can get over it since they had spy!sex. And that, my friends, I am all for. I wish Vaughn was a little more into it… but I can understand that he has his reasons. As long as he gets over it, we'll be cool. Anyway… thanks for reading and hang in there – we're almost done (sorta kinda)!

-Bluffing-

"So you were drugged and then drug?"

"Yes."

"By your wife and then the woman you love."

"Yes."

"Maybe you should rethink your choice in women."

From his perch on the corner of Weiss' desk, Vaughn eyed his friend with annoyance.

Weiss offered a halfhearted shrug. "It was just a suggestion." He decided to change the subject, "So, you're feeling better now?"

"Yes," Vaughn affirmed, "once Sydney carried me out of there and the drugs wore off I was fine."

As the object of their conversation walked across the Rotunda and took a seat at her desk Vaughn tracked her movement discretely. "She saved me."

Weiss considered that for a moment and then nodded. "She always does."

The two men watched from a distance as Natalie hesitantly approached Sydney. They shook hands briefly before launching into lively conversation.

Weiss propped a hip on the desk next to Vaughn, folding his arms across his chest as he continued to watch the scene unfold. "Looks like Syd might have found a friend," he observed.

Vaughn cracked a smile. "You should see her with my sister."

"Ella? They're really hitting it off, huh?"

"Oh yeah," Vaughn responded, still unable to tear his eyes away from the scene. "They went out once and now they're attached at the hip."

The pieces of a plan began to take shape in Weiss' mind. "Hey, buddy," he shooed Vaughn off his desk, "I've got some work to do. Why don't you go be productive."

Too involved in staring at Sydney to notice his friend's uncharacteristic brush-off, Vaughn followed orders and headed off to his workstation. As soon as he was out of earshot, Weiss picked up the phone and dialed.

""

Sydney sat at her desk writing both her report and formal letter of apology for pursuing an unauthorized mission. On one hand she hated the bureaucratic portion of her job, but on the other hand she did enjoy the hint of normalcy that it added to her life. She was pondering the benefits of being ordinary when her cell phone rang.

"Hey," she answered brightly after looking at the display. "What's up, El?"

"The stock market, I hope. What're you doing?"

Sydney wedged the phone to her shoulder. Looking down at the papers in front of her, she sighed. "Apologizing for my blatant disregard of protocol and disrespect for the chain of command."

"Typical spy stuff, huh?" Ella teased.

"You got it," Sydney chuckled, running a finger across her slightly bruised knuckles.

"You want to come over tonight? Andrew and I were thinking a little poker night was in order."

Sydney eagerly accepted, "I'm in."

Ella smiled. So far, so good. Time for phase two. "So, do you think you could bring someone? Even out the numbers?"

Sydney thought for a moment. "Actually, yes. I just met a girl today, Natalie, she seems like she would be a great addition."

"Wonderful," Ella said, shaking her head. Damn, Eric is good. "I'll see you at seven."

Ella hung up with Sydney and immediately placed a second call.

"What do you want?" asked the gruff voice on the other end of the line.

"A winning lottery ticket."

"Then you're barking up the wrong tree."

"Shoot. I suppose I'll settle for the winnings I will get off of you tonight, then."

Vaughn raised his eyebrows, "Poker night? We haven't had one of those forever."

She struggled not to sound overly anxious for him to accept. "So, you're in?"

"Definitely." Piece of cake.

"Why don't you be a dear and bring Eric, too? Oh, and the beer."

"Now I see why you invited me."

"I never tried to hide it. See you at seven."

"We'll be there."

""

"Why do you have your mischievous face on?" Andrew asked warily as he opened another bag of potato chips and poured them into a bowl. He had never really understood the practice of removing the chips from the bag, but his wife insisted so he chose to not ruffle any feathers.

"No reason," she unconvincingly evaded the question and reached for a handful of nuts.

As he set the bowl in the middle of the table, the realization hit him like an elbow in the side. "Tell me you didn't."

She tried to bluff. "Didn't what?"

"Didn't neglect to tell Mike that you were inviting Sydney and to tell Sydney that you were inviting Mike."

Ella regarded her husband with a touch of awe. "How do you do that? How do you know me so well?"

Andrew shook his head as he wrapped his arms around her waist, "My dear, you are many, many things. Unpredictable is not one of them."

"Would it make you think better of me if I told you it wasn't my idea?"

"No." He thought for a moment. "Eric's?"

She nodded. "Yep. Apparently there is a new girl at work he wanted to get to know. I invited her too."

"What's next? Are we going to serve oysters and play spin-the-bottle?"

Feigning annoyance she rolled her eyes. "No," Ella grinned smugly, "but I did dust off Twister – just in case."

She leaned in for a kiss just as the doorbell chimed. Quickly spinning on her heel she moved toward the door as Andrew called after her, "Maybe spin-the-bottle's not such a bad idea after all."

Ella opened the door to greet Sydney and another strikingly beautiful brunette.

"Hey Syd, come on in," she smiled broadly, stepping aside to allow them entrance. "And you must be Natalie."

"Call me Nat."

"Alright. Nat, this is my husband Andrew," Ella ushered the women into the living room.

"Nice to meet you," she said shaking his hand.

"El," Sydney drawled accusingly as she scanned the table, "why is it set for six? Who else is coming?"

As if on cue, there was a perfunctory knock on the door before Vaughn and Weiss entered the room without waiting for an invitation, continuing their rather heated conversation. Vaughn looked up to greet his sister and froze.

"Syd?"

"Vaughn?"

"Natalie!"

"Eric?"

"Andrew!" Ella scolded her husband, "Stop sneaking poker chips! Don't think I don't see you!"

Sydney and Vaughn exchanged slightly uncomfortable glances before Sydney schooled her expression to one of casual indifference. She had the distinct feeling that she was the focus of some not-so-subtle matchmaking efforts.

Natalie was perplexed. "Are you guys all friends?"

"Sort of," Eric answered for the group, covertly sidling closer. "Ella here is Mike's sister."

"But try not to hold it against me," Ella rejoined as she pulled out her chair. "Now, are we going to play poker or what?"

"Poker? This isn't Big Bud's Nekkid Ladies Lounge? Shit. Vaughn, I told you we should have taken a left at Albuquerque."

"Ha. Ha. Ha," Ella deadpanned, grabbing the deck of cards and beginning to shuffle. She jabbed a finger toward the table, "Now get your butts in the seats. I'm lookin' to make me some easy money."

"If you're really looking for easy money, you might want to consider Big Bud's," Andrew offered settling into the seat beside his wife. "I've actually seen you do a really spectacular… oof!" He rubbed the spot where Ella had just elbowed him. "So…" he cleared his throat, "on to poker."

A few rounds later Sydney looked around the room and couldn't help but smile. She was truly among friends. Sure, she was down about forty bucks, but it didn't matter. Not really. Okay, maybe a little, but she'd win it back.

"Earth to Syd," Weiss' voice broke through her thoughts, "You going to bet or what?"

She briefly looked at her cards before placing them face down on the table. "I fold."

"Chicken," Ella taunted as she threw a blue chip on the pile. "I raise."

"I fold."

"Fold."

"I'm out."

"Fold."

"What? I thought you spies were fearless! Why are you all folding?"

"Ella," Andrew interjected calmly, "you don't have the best poker face. We all know that you have a good hand."

"Yeah, you goof," Vaughn goaded, "Maybe if you didn't drool when you looked at your cards we'd think we stood a chance."

"Well maybe," Ella bristled defensively, "if you didn't drool every time you looked at Sydney we'd think you weren't a hormonal teenager!"

Weiss quickly scooted his chair back from the table and threw his hands in the air. "And the gloves are off, ladies and gentlemen!" he called, using his best sports announcer voice.

Sydney smiled weakly, "It's really impressive that they've managed to coexist for so long without killing each other."

Natalie cocked a knowing eyebrow. "I bet family gatherings are a real hoot."

"You have no idea," Andrew rejoined gravely.

"And on that note, I think I'm going to grab another round. Who wants a drink?"

A chorus of 'me's filled the room at Weiss' offer. Natalie stood to join him. "I'll help you."

As Natalie followed Weiss into the kitchen, the four remaining seated at the table watched with unabashed interest.

"Well," Sydney grinned, "I think Weiss has found himself a girl."

"Our little Eric is growing up," Vaughn choked dramatically.

"She certainly is appealing," Andrew offered, immediately receiving a quick poke in the ribs from his wife. "At least vary where you hit me," he complained good-naturedly, "I think I'm getting a bruise."

After looking over her shoulder Sydney stage whispered conspiratorially, "Do you think she's a Covenant spy?"

"Don't ask me," Vaughn hung his head and leaned forward on his elbows. "I'm obviously a bad judge of that."

"Aw," Ella commiserated, "poor baby."

"They certainly are taking a long time to grab a few drinks," Andrew observed.

"You know, you're right," Sydney mused thoughtfully. She looked meaningfully at Ella, "I wonder what's going on in there."

"Gee," Ella pensively furrowed her brow, "if only we knew how to spy on people."

"Leave it to my little sister to suggest subterfuge."

She grinned and retorted gleefully, "Like you don't want to know what they're doing."

"Frankly, I think the sight of it would be more than a little disturbing."

Ella looked to Sydney who was grinning wickedly. "I'm in."

"What?" Vaughn asked in disbelief. "You're going to go with El to spy on Eric when he very well could be making out with someone?"

"That's the best time to spy," Sydney stated practically, standing to put on her sweater. "No violence, no treachery, just good old-fashioned nookie. Ella," she ordered, "grab a flashlight."

Ella's smile was so big she looked like the Cheshire Cat. "Yes, Boss." She snapped off a jaunty salute, "One flashlight coming up!"

""

"Okay," Sydney whispered, "keep the flashlight low, follow me closely, and try not to make any sounds."

"Check."

Ella and Sydney stealthily rounded the exterior of the house and crept cautiously up to the kitchen window. Placing their fingers gently on the sill for balance, both women stretched onto their toes to peer through the opening.

"Oh my god!" Ella mouthed silently as she watched Weiss tentatively lean in for a kiss. She turned to Sydney and couldn't keep from whispering, "This is so perfect!"

After the kiss broke, Weiss began to speak. "I've wanted to do that since the day I met you."

"Me too," Natalie confessed softly.

He reached out and brushed his thumb gently across her lips. "I really, really like you."

"I'm glad, Eric, because I like you too."

Ella nudged Sydney excitedly with her elbow, nearly loosing her balance and toppling them both.

"Darling," Weiss continued, "Can I call you Darling?"

"Only if I can call you Sugarbear," Natalie murmured.

Sydney's eyes narrowed suspiciously but she made no comment.

"Darling, I was wondering if you would consider spending the night with me tonight."

"Sugarbear, I thought you'd never ask!" Natalie cried out as she threw herself into his arms.

"Then we can procreate like wild monkeys," he said, nuzzling her ear.

"Mmm…I prefer turtle sex. Monkeys take less than a minute to do the deed," she hummed into his neck, punctuating each word with a kiss, "turtles take an average of…mmm...18 hours."

"In my dreams, my perfect woman has always watched the discovery channel. Whatever you want Darling, as long as we can give birth to offspring that can play with the two twelve year old girls that are hiding outside in the bushes," Weiss finished with a pointed glare, meeting Ella's eyes through the open window.

Flustered, Ella backed away from the house as if burned, and then began to speak loudly, "Oh, look, Syd. I found my earring. Thanks for helping me look for it."

Sydney just shook her head as Weiss approached the window. "Gig's up, Ladies." He jerked a thumb toward the door. "Get your butts back inside."

"Damn," Ella scowled, exasperated, "and I thought we were really on to something. I guess I'm not cut out for the life of a spy."

"I have a feeling," Sydney mused, "that we were ratted out, and that your spy skills had very little to do with it."

"Mike always was a little twerp," Ella grumbled as they made their way back into the house.

"I suppose it wouldn't surprise me."

Vaughn gave Ella a suffering look as she stood over him, arms crossed menacingly and glaring. "I am not a twerp, and you two had it coming. I wasn't about to let you spy on them like that."

Sydney smiled, "Oh you and your morals. No fun at all. But speaking of fun," she rubbed her hands together excitedly, "Who wants a sherb-arita?"

"Whatever it is, I want one!" Natalie said trailing after the women and into the kitchen.

Sydney grabbed the sherbet out of the freezer while Ella reached for the liquor cabinet, pulling down a bottle of tequila and three shot glasses.

Sydney noted the glasses out of the corner of her eye while prying open the container, "What are those for?"

"For the pre-funk, of course!" Ella laughed as she spread everything across the counter and reached for the saltshaker.

"I feel like I'm in a sorority." Natalie voiced warily as she stepped up to the table. "Are we going to the frat house to do keg-stands after this?"

"Please," Ella rolled her eyes, "there is no need to leave here to find the party. Grab a shot glass, girls."

They both did as they were told and watched as Ella generously filled the small glasses with the gold liquid. The three women then in unison licked their wrists, and doused them with salt, only to lick it off again before throwing back the tequila. Each dove for the spoon to chase with lime sherbet.

"Okay," Sydney smiled. "This is fun and all, but I've got a better idea -- drinking game time. Let's go out there with the guys and every time Weiss tells a bad joke we take a shot."

"And when Andrew acts like he's my father we take a shot!" Ella grinned.

Natalie broke into a broad smile, the ladies' amusement was contagious. "And when Vaughn looks dreamily at Sydney we take a shot!" Natalie joined in, already feeling comfortable enough with the women to tease.

Ella winked, "Okay, but that happens way too often. How about half shots?"

They looked at each other for a moment before sealing the pact, "Deal."

Sydney, Ella and Natalie walked into the living room, arms laden with liquor and sherbet, and resumed their seats at the poker table.

"So," Weiss couldn't help himself, "what have you girls been doing in there? And why did you bring out a tub of sherbet but neglect to bring a fourth spoon? I don't look like a lime kind of guy?"

"Okay," Vaughn began to deal, "let's get this game started. Seven Card Stud, one-eyed Jacks and King with the ax."

"Wilds are for weenies!" Weiss shouted, earning a glare.

"And this time, for a little twist," Andrew began.

"We're playing strip poker!" Eric finished for him.

Now five sets of eyes glared in Weiss' direction.

"What?" he asked. "We're not adult enough to play strip poker?"

"I'm married," Andrew said pointedly. "You don't play things like that when you're married."

"How about if I promise your wife I won't make a pass at you?" Weiss offered.

Without speaking, Sydney, Natalie and Ella each took a shot, followed by a spoonful of sherbet. The men only looked on, slightly confused.

"How about we just keep our clothes on for now," Vaughn said with finality before casting a quick glance over at Sydney. No, undressing probably would not be a good idea.

The ladies looked at each other briefly before Ella gave a half nod, Sydney rolled her eyes, and each took another shot and spoonful.

"Would anyone like to bet?" Vaughn studiously ignored the silent conversation that had just passed between the women.

"I would!" Ella said excitedly as she fingered her pile of poker chips. "I'll bet 30!"

"Ella," Andrew said as he placed his hands over hers, "Don't you think that's a little much for first round betting?"

Natalie started laughing and Sydney and Ella joined her in yet another shot.

Ella was grinning from ear to ear. "Okay," she confessed, "I set that one up."

"Alright, I give," Vaughn sighed, "what the heck are you ladies doing?"

"We're having a little fun, that's all," Sydney smiled.

Vaughn studied her thoughtfully. She truly was having a good time. There was a light there that he hadn't seen in a while – not since Francie. Maybe Sydney was finally starting to put her life back together. He smiled as he watched her take another shot with the girls.

"Well," Weiss broke in after a few more hands, "as exhilarating as this evening has been, I think I'm going to call it a night. Come on, Mike, let's go home. And don't worry, Syd. This time I'll strap him to the couch. He won't be disturbing you."

"You ready to go too?" Sydney asked Natalie.

"Sure," she acknowledged, moving to the closet to retrieve her coat.

"I don't think you're good to drive, Syd," Ella said sleepily from her place in Andrew's arms.

"No," Sydney agreed, "no I'm not. Do one of you boys think you could drive my car?"

"How about I take Natalie home and you drive Syd," Weiss suggested to Vaughn. "I'll meet you at my place," he said before turning to Natalie and gallantly offering her his arm. "Madame, may I have the privilege of escorting you home?" She smiled in response, slipping her arm into his willingly as they walked out the door.

Vaughn took Sydney's sweater from her hands, holding it up for her to slip into. He then took her keys and kissed Ella goodnight before leading Sydney to her car. They drove in silence to Sydney's house.

"Vaughn," Sydney began quietly as he walked her to her door, "I'm sorry about the other night. I just…"

"Syd," he cut her off softly, "you don't have to explain."

"No," she insisted, stopping abruptly and turning to face him, "I do." She was still a little hazy from the evening but for some reason right at that moment she was desperate to make him understand, "It's just that… Vaughn we had our chance. We went through so much crap to come together in the first place and maybe…" She faltered slightly on the explanation but soon squared her shoulders, "Vaughn, maybe we weren't supposed to. Look at all of the problems it has caused for both of us. This could be exactly what we are supposed to be, friends. No matter how much I want --" she stopped short of finishing her sentence, immediately regretting that she had started it.

He took a step forward, reaching for her before she could put any more distance between them, pouncing on her words. "What do you want?"

The truthful answer was not the right one.

His grip was firm but he wasn't hurting her. She didn't bother to struggle against it. She couldn't move a muscle anyway, his intensity alone held her firmly in place.

He shifted even closer, attempting by his mere presence to assure her that he would move heaven and earth to make whatever she desired come true. Even if it killed him in the process.

A shiver ran through her and she clenched her fists to keep from trembling. She cast her gaze out onto the empty blackness of the street, fortifying her rapidly crumbling resolve. She felt tears begin to prick behind her eyelids. Fear was creeping toward the surface, threatening to overwhelm her. But she had to make him understand, no matter how much she regretted hurting him. Her response was nothing more than a whisper.

"In my life, there is so much destruction and so much pain, and for a while I broke away from that – but Vaughn, that's not my fate. And I'm tired. I'm tired of fighting."

"Syd," he inched even closer, wondering what kept her thoughts clear while his became rapidly blurred by her proximity, "you can't expect me to just walk away from you."

She only stared at his chest and said nothing.

"Syd look at me."

His nearness forced her to look up to meet his eyes. The pain she saw there was nearly her undoing.

"If you truly want to stop fighting, stop fighting us." Beneath his hands he felt her pulse quicken, watching as her lips parted, searching for the words to send him away, words he didn't want to hear.

He gave up.

Without invitation, Vaughn dipped forward and gently pressed his lips against hers. She didn't protest, lacking the means and the will to do anything other than to succumb.

After only a moment, Vaughn slowly withdrew, senses reeling, willing his heart to decelerate. He took a cleansing step backward, releasing his hold.

"You're fighting the wrong battle, Sydney. Let me know when you're ready to stop ignoring this."

He was gone before she had a chance to respond.