I'm really, really sorry for the delay but with internet problems, exams and writers block yeah well. Next part

Jack and Dixon came into the room a few hours later in the early morning. Dixon smiled slightly at the sight before them. Sydney's head was resting on Vaughn's chest and her legs had curled up half covering his. His head was on hers and his arms round her. Zara was still curled up taking up a small amount of space but she looked calm. Dixon had never seen the girl's face calm before, really calm. You could always see those eyes calculating something or assessing.

It was Zara who woke first, eyes opening fully alert as Dixon moved forward slightly. She looked up at them and then stood up slowly and stretched.

Sydney woke next looking right at her father. Her movement woke Vaughn who tried to keep her close as she moved away from him. His eyes opened and saw Jack then he let go but still stayed close to Sydney which Jack was secretly glad about. Jack brought a brown package out of his coat and threw it to Zara.

"Boom said that these were things you'd need" he said. Zara nodded in gratitude "Everything is planned" he said "It's going down in four days. I'll explain more nearer the time but for now I think we all need some sleep or more sleep"

"You'll be briefed tomorrow at JFT" Dixon said "You two are to stay here tonight and watch over Zara. It's safer anyway"

"Ok" the three of them said together

The two older men left and Zara looked at the two adults.

"I'm going to go to bed and sleep in a bed for once" she said rising "See you in the morning"

"We'll follow you up in a minute" said Sydney "We'll have to set the alarm system and clean up a bit"

"Ok" she said "Night"

She walked upstairs leaving the two adults in an almost awkward silence. Sydney moved to set the alarm system and Vaughn simply watched her go and then come back. She sat down next to him again and he automatically lifted his arm to put round her as she slid closer to him. They sat still until Sydney spoke

"Thank you" He looked at her and she understood the question "Just for being here and keeping the nightmares away"

"Always" he whispered into her hair as he pressed a light kiss to it.

She yawned and he looked at her smiling slightly. She frowned at him putting her head on his shoulder. He drew her closer pulling her so that she was sitting in his lap. A few minutes later he moved standing up picking Sydney up with him. She was surprised but didn't protest too much.

"Which room do you want?" he asked as they walked upstairs

"Any" she said tired

"Well you can go in here then seeing as I put your bag in here earlier"

"Ok"

She smiled at him as he gently put her down outside the door.

"You need anything I'm next door ok?"

"I'll be ok Vaughn."

"Anything"

"Alright, alright" she said "I'll see you in the morning"

She walked into the room and searched the wardrobe for something to wear. She found a long t-shirt and some long shorts. She pulled them on and the fell onto the bed lying onto top of the covers with her eyes open. She had had one nightmare today already and she knew that it was more likely to happen again if she slept again. She was so tired though. She lay there thinking letting her body rest while her thoughts remained active. This was how she got through days now doing this form of relaxation could mostly replace the sleep she lost.

She didn't know how long it was before she heard a noise coming from the other side of the corridor. She dragged herself out of her relaxed state to listen closer. It was rhythmic and it didn't seem to want to stop. The only person on the other side of the corridor was Zara so she got up and walked to the door of the girl's room.

She opened the door to see Zara doing exercises. She stopped as she noticed the figure at the door. She looked straight into her eyes and Sydney could understand why the girl wasn't asleep.

"You too?" she stated rather than asked and Zara didn't answer "Mind if I stay here for a bit?"

"No" she said getting up and moving to sit on the window sill as she had earlier "You know you should go and see Michael"

"Why?"

"Because you didn't have one when you were sleeping earlier"

"I don't want to be a nuisance"

"After I had one or any of us" she whispered "We would have to tell it exactly every detail and it just made things better. We knew each others' fears and how we could protect them. It takes guts to tell people I know but it feels better afterwards"

Sydney didn't answer simply sat on the floor next to the door. She looked out the window then at Zara.

"I know" she said "He used to do that for me"

"Who?"

"Vaughn"

"I knew it" said Zara chuckling slightly "You two used to go out didn't you and you're in love"

"I'm not"

"Dear gods you know you are and he loves you too even if he is married"

"Complicated"

"Everything else is complicated in our life don't make that complicated as well for your own sanity"

Zara startled Sydney by getting up somehow pulling her up in the process and pushing her into the corridor towards Vaughn's door.

"Go" Zara hissed "Please"

Sydney looked at the girl and realised that she wasn't making anything up this girl knew what it was like for her. However impossible it was to believe she knew it was very much the truth. She still struggled slightly laughing at Zara's determination to get her there.

Vaughn's door opened and he appeared bleary eyed in boxers and a t-shirt. He looked at Sydney who was looking around for Zara, she had conveniently disappeared.

"You alright Syd?"

"Uh" she said not looking at him

He stared at her and she couldn't help but meet his gaze. He walked towards her and pulled into a hug

"You can't sleep can you?"

She just shook her head into his shoulder. Before she knew it she was in his room sitting on his bed with him.

TBC

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