A/N: I am sorry about the somewhat lengthy update time. Things have been kind of crazy for me lately, and I had a lot of different ideas as to where to go with this story. I hope you will enjoy my ultimate decision. Thanks for reading!

Also, many thanks to my reviewers: Sydney, Natalie E, nikki, Arodloversus2001, irionelissa, Meadow, Five Stories Fallen, and Ellie.


Chapter 3 - Decisions

Sydney looked tentatively at Danny and Vaughn; both seated across from her at the conference table, trying to think of something, anything, to say that would ease the tension in the room.

Vaughn was looking straight down at the table, understandably unhappy. Sydney had just finished explaining the circumstances through which Danny had returned.

Danny just looked confused. Finally, he broke the silence by saying, "Sorry, Syd, I know that you're still trying to get your thoughts together, but who the bloody hell is this guy?"

"His name is Michael Vaughn. He is... Well, he was my handler when I worked as a double agent at SD-6. We… grew close."

"How close?"

"Um…"

"Look, Sydney," Vaughn interjected. "Our relationship shouldn't be something that you should feel guilty about. I care a lot about you, but if this isn't working out for you already, then let's just call it a failed experiment and move on, okay?"

"Vaughn, what are you talking about?"

"Mr. Hecht here seems to be under the impression that the two of you will be picking up right where you left off. If that is what you want, and it will truly make you happy, then I won't get in the way of that."

Danny gave him a dismissive grin. "That is very understanding of you, Mr…"

"Agent," Vaughn corrected.

"Oh, well, then… Agent Vaughn. Thank you kindly."

Again there was an uncomfortable silence. Sydney searched desperately for the right words to say, but could come up with nothing.

Vaughn took a deep breath. "Well, this is awkward."

"Thanks for pointing that out." Sydney smiled tightly and looked at him. He stared back at her. "What do you want me to say?"

"Nothing, nothing. I am very understanding, as your fiancé pointed out."

"Vaughn…"

"What?"

"I…"

"You can't just keep sitting here waiting for someone to wake you up and say that this is all over. It's real."

"You can't expect me to just know what to do in this situation."

"I don't. But I do have a job that I should be doing right now. So if you'd excuse me?"

"So you're just leaving? That's it?"

"Isn't that what you want, now? Wouldn't that make it easier?"

"I…"

"You don't know. I know. But that's not enough. You told me this morning that you didn't want all this 'spy stuff' to be a part of your life anymore. I get that. Go, be a teacher. Marry a doctor. Have a real life. If that sounds at all appealing to you, then walk out that door now and don't come back."

"Vaughn…"

"Do you even have something to say to go with that?"

She could do nothing but look at him.

"Then goodbye, Sydney. It's been a pleasure working with you." With that, he rose and walked out the door.

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Vaughn took a deep breath and knocked on the door to Sydney's apartment. He had been angry and upset, before, and was aware that he had spoken rashly. He wanted to apologize and have a real talk with Sydney. He was beginning to regret the actions that he had taken afterward, but reasoned that things could still be changed.

He saw the doorknob turn and prepared a smile that fell instantly from his face when the door opened to reveal Danny. "Ah, hello, Mr… I mean, Agent Vaughn. That's right, no?"

Vaughn just nodded. He could not believe this.

"Can I help you?"

"Actually, I'm here to speak to Sydney."

"I figured. Come in, come in."

Vaughn followed Danny into the living room. He could not believe that it had been just that morning that he had been here with Sydney, happy and laughing and completely in love. Now, he didn't know what to expect.

Sydney rose from the couch and turned to face him, surprise etched on her face. "Hi," she said, softly.

"Hi. If Danny doesn't mind, can I talk to you alone for a minute?"

"Of course," Sydney replied, not even glancing at Danny. "Come on."

Vaughn followed her as she led him into her bedroom and closed the door. Both of them felt the extreme awkwardness of the situation, but tried their hardest not to show it.

"I'm sorry," Sydney said. "This is the only room that really affords some privacy…"

"It's fine, Sydney. I just want to talk. Look, I'm sorry I stormed out like that this morning."

"It's completely understandable. I should have made our relationship more clear to Danny."

"So there still is a relationship?"

"Of course. We'll always have… something between us."

"'Something' meaning?"

Annoyance crept into Sydney's voice. "Vaughn, my fiancé just came back from the dead! I would think that you could be more understanding that this is a difficult situation for me to be in."

"I do understand that. I just think we both could use some time apart to adjust to our new… situation."

"What are you talking about? I need some time to make a decision, okay? You're making something that's complicated too simple."

"No. You're making something that's simple too complicated. You can't keep two men dangling until you decide which one to cut down. If it's real love, you should know!"

Both froze at this. Vaughn hadn't intended to bring up "the L word" after just one date (one and a half, if you counted that botched time in Paris).

Sydney inhaled and exhaled a few times before deliberately saying, "I just need time. Please."

"We don't have time, Syd. I'm leaving."

"What do you mean?"

"This afternoon, I received a deep-cover assignment in Paris. I'm going."

"What the hell! Why? What are you thinking? How could you just leave after…?"

"I care about you, Sydney." His voice grew quieter now, until it was almost a whisper. Vaughn was all too conscious of Danny's presence in the next room. Sydney leaned closer in order to hear him. "A lot. When the Alliance fell, when that restriction was removed and it seemed like we could finally be together, I felt like the luckiest guy on Earth. I never wanted to cause you any pain. I never wanted you to feel torn over me. When I first realized that Danny was back, I wasn't sure what to think. I guess I held out hope that you would just know. And when you couldn't make a choice, you made the choice for me.

I don't want to lose you. I want to be a part of your life. But right now, I need to leave. Otherwise, it will be hard for both of us to move on."

Sydney's voice trembled. "But I don't know if I want to move on from what we had… have."

"It's the fact that you don't know that should be the clue."

They were both quiet then, just staring into each other's eyes. Without thinking, they found themselves drawing closer and closer together, until their lips brushed ever-so-slightly…

Vaughn pulled back and stood up abruptly. He was aware that he was holding on to his resolve by a thread, and he could not afford to lose it. Trying to keep his voice from wavering, he said simply, "Goodbye, Sydney."

"Vaughn…"

It took all his strength, but Vaughn forced himself to turn away from those beautiful, tear-filled eyes and walk towards the front door. Danny rose to show him out. "See you soon, Agent Vaughn?"

"No, I don't think so, Danny. I'm going away for awhile. I know she's strong, and she would resent my saying this, but please, take care of her."

"Of course. Goodnight, Agent Vaughn."

Danny watched as the handsome man walked away into Sydney's passed. He felt badly about it, but he couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped him. He walked inside to find Sydney standing in the doorway to the living room, trying desperately to hide the tears that were escaping. He walked over and put his arms around her, whispering over and over, "It's going to be alright, Sydney. Everything will be just fine."


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