Disclaimer: When I say I own jack, I mean jack shit not jack Bristow. (Although he is hiding in my laundry hamper)

Author's note: Thanks to MartinaCruz and phil4858 for the reviews, they are much appreciated.

Valencia, Spain.

She felt an emptiness creep over her as they sat in silence in the car.

Usually she would have attempted some sort of conversation with Aiden just to stop her thoughts wandering to Sark, but something in her had changed. Bitter acceptance of what she had done had settled over her, she couldn't change it, so why tear herself apart with endless analysis.

"You okay?" He asked casually, but there was an air of unease in his voice.

She glanced over at him, He was attractive and he was well aware of it. He carried himself with an air of self-confidence that bordered on arrogance.

"I'm fine" Was her abrupt response; She didn't want or need his concern.

He wasn't her type but then she didn't want him to be.

She didn't want to love him; She just needed to want him.

Unfortunately even that was getting tired. She found herself losing interest in the occasional sneaked afternoon in a motel, his sudden concern for her throwing her off balance. This wasn't a relationship it was as impersonal as sex could get, that was how she wanted it and he was ruining it.

She should have just gone to a club and picked up some random guy this was going to get messy.

"You should go somewhere after this…Maybe we could spend a weekend at the beach" He suggested with a small smile. It was obliviously common knowledge that Sloane had ordered her to take time off.

She glared at him, Eyes daring him to continue at his own risk. The beach, Vaughn and her had been on the way to the beach.

"I have plans" was all she said removing herself from the conversation with a simple movement that had her staring blankly out into the passing Spanish street.

Her thoughts now stuck on Vaughn thanks to Brookes attempt to make this more than it would ever be.

She mentally cursed him as she felt her resolve slipping, it would be a year and fifteen days since she'd lost Vaughn. This time it had been forever. Tears prickled at the corner of her eyes, hot and unwanted.

She wouldn't cry, not in public. 'Hold it in before you lose it 'she mentally chastised herself.

The tears didn't come, She was in control again.

He didn't attempt to speak to her again except to confirm comms were operational. Dixon and another agent would be holed up in a nearby apartment tracking their progress. His presence giving her strength even though they had grown more distant recently.

They strolled into the museum, Two elegant yet unassuming business people amongst a sea of other corporate faces looking to network or improve their company's profile.

Sorry for the slow burn , Trying to get it right in my head is proving to be harder than I'd anticipated.(there's a whole lot of clutter in here that needs putting into storage). Hopefully this chapter will keep you sweet while I sort my head out.

Raven ; )