Cruelly Committed

Rated: T...PG-13...Yeah.

Summary: Her mind is committed to one man, but her heart aches for another.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything, except the story. I don't think I even have enough money to buy JJ's shoes. Yeah, I'm serious! But everything belongs to Bad Robot, Touchstone, ABC, and all those other companies that own Alias.

Author's Note: Another Alias fic! Oh, they're all lovely, and after reading Aryn's (soccerfreak324) stories, I was motivated! And, oh yes, read her story, Close Encounters, it kicks ass. And much thanks to her too, she yelled at me to get this story up. :D Enjoy!

"You ready, Syd?"

"Uh, yeah," Sydney mumbled as she stopped staring at a certain picture of her boyfriend. He was the man she'd always dreamed of, sweet and caring—at least half of the time. Ever since she met him during her sophomore year, she learned quickly that he was always on trips with his family, sometimes during the school year and always the whole entire summer. Her sister, Nadia, and her closest friends, Will and Francie, believed by now that she should have moved on. But whenever he came home, Sydney always caved, falling for his charm. And who was the guy that had Sydney's heart? None other than Noah Hicks.

"Well then you better hurry it up already, Eric is waiting downstairs!" Nadia groaned as she could just hear Eric Weiss yelling from the living room downstairs. Sydney sighed, taking one last glance at the picture then getting off the bed to grab her purse and follow Nadia as the sisters went downstairs to join Weiss.

"Finally!" He shouted to no one in particular as he gathered his keys and got off the couch. "I'm the one driving tonight, and I was going to leave both of you behind."

"Shutup Weiss," Sydney growled before she playfully smacked him upside the head.

"Ow!" He whined as his lips turned into a frown, all while rubbing the back of his head. "Nadia!"

"I would have done the exact same thing, now lets get going before this becomes a cat fight," Nadia said with a chuckle as Eric shot her a look, before all three headed out to his car. They got in, and started off towards their destination, a hockey arena.

"So yeah, I wanted to leave early not because to impress you ladies, well, maybe," He started off. "But also there's a new player on the team, starting immediately at center. He was at the practices, but since I happened to be sick," He looked towards Nadia who could only show a grin. "I have no clue how good he is, but the coach must love him to start him so soon."

"What about Will? He's on the team, too, and he wasn't 'sick,'" Nadia asked while her grin turned towards a smirk at her words.

"Well, Will's been to the practices, but he just said that this guy kicks ass. And you both should know that I believe him more than anyone."

Nadia shot him a look that Sydney nearly busted out laughing at. "Weiss, word of advice, never say that again." She advised him.

"Why?" He asked while taking a look in his rear view mirror at Sydney, then at Nadia. He caught her look and smiled innocently. "Got it."

"Alright, we're here," He announced proudly while looking for a parking space in the crammed lot of the very large ice hockey building. "Good lord! How many games are there tonight?"

"Looks like a lot," Sydney obviously said, as she scanned around to find a parking spot. Weiss saw one, taking the spot before any other cars decided to own it for the evening. They all exited his car, the two girls waiting as he grabbed his hockey gear out of the trunk.

Going to the hockey games was a tradition for the three. Sydney and Nadia always went with Will and Francie, and when Weiss moved to Los Angeles, he was immediately brought into their group. There were games Tuesday and Saturday for Weiss and Will's team during the summer, and the girls vowed to attend each and every one.

Once they were inside, Sydney felt relived at the clothes she had on. Being looked at like she was insane out in the street in pants, a long sleeve shirt, and jack in ninety degree weather wasn't considered right in Los Angeles, but every time she went into the arena, she fit in with everyone else.

"We're playing on Rink 2A tonight, see you two later," Weiss informed them as he headed off to the locker rooms. Sydney and Nadia went to the rink which he told them, and saw Francie at a table, drinks and food already in front of her.

"Thank you!" Sydney and Nadia said almost instantly as they ran over to meet their friend. Francie turned to the two sisters and smiled, hugging them both.

"I thought I would take over the drinks and food tonight, but I'm actually surprised, you guys are here fifteen minutes before the game starts! It's a record!" Francie said while laughing, as the other two began to laugh. "Did you have to light a fire under his ass to get him going?"

"Nope," Sydney grinned as she took a seat, taking a Pepsi. "Weiss said he wanted to come early, guess it was something with the new player he talked about on the way here."

"Oh!" Francie piped up. "Will told me about this guy, said he has skills of a pro, and comes from France."

"So the French have better hockey players then us?" Nadia asked, her eyebrow rising.

"You never know, but that's all Will would say."

"Let's hope he's good," Nadia said as the game just before theirs came to an end, and new players began skating out onto the ice. "What number is he?" She asked while looking to Sydney.

Francie thought for a minute. "Gosh, Will told me!" She said, completely frustrated. "Oh, wait, I think he's number 27."

"There," Sydney pointed '#27' out.

"Wow! And he's very hot!" Francie noted as the guy didn't have his helmet on yet.

"Francie!" Sydney laughed while playfully shoving her friend in the arm. "You have Will, remember that now."

"Doesn't mean I can't keep a look out," Francie grinned. Something clicked in her mind and she immediately beamed, turning towards Sydney. "How about you talk to him first? Since, of course, Noah is always gone."

"What are you implying Fran?" Sydney growled. "My wedding already?"

"Of course," Francie joked. "But since Nadia is with Weiss, and you are technically single, maybe,"

Sydney cut her off, not wanting to hear anymore. "I'm not single, Francie! Noah is just...gone. Okay? He's a really sweet guy."

"Right, when he's around," The other two replied sarcastically. Sydney looked at Nadia, surprised, before they all jumped at the same time, due to Will and him banging on the glass.

"Will!" Francie shrieked, and he grinned at her. "You are so getting your ass kicked tonight!" She yelled to where he could hear it over the glass barrier.

"I just wanted to say hi!" He showed a fake frown.

"Hi honey!" She mocked, grinning at his impression. "Good luck."

"Oh, we're good; we've already kicked this team's ass before, twice!" He said, holding up two fingers to prove his point.

"Don't get too cocky now, Will," Sydney warned.

"No need to worry Syd!" Will assured her with a smile before taking off down the ice.

"Show off," Francie mumbled loud enough to where the other two could hear it, and they all laughed.

"Game's starting!" Nadia mentioned as all three began to watch the hockey game.

Sydney couldn't help but to not take her eyes off of the mysterious number 27 as he proved his skills on the ice. She thought that God just put him in this world to play hockey, since the man was a pro at it. He seemed to have superior offensive and defensive skills.

"That offer will still happen," Francie said, snapping Sydney out of her trance.

Sydney groaned. "Fran," She mumbled before turning her attention back to the game, just in time to see where number 27 had the puck, quickly advancing down the ice, with no help from his teammates, they were taken out seconds ago. He pulled a move on the defender, skating closer to the goalie as he shot, the puck flying past the goalie into the net. The rest of the team joined the guy, congratulating him on his goal.

"Goal scored ten minutes and thirty seconds into the game by number 27, Michael Vaughn!"

"Michael Vaughn," Nadia said, taking a look at Francie who was grinning from ear to ear.

"Michael Vaughn," Francie repeated. "The name of your mystery man," She teased while looking at Sydney.

"My mystery man?" Sydney asked, momentarily stunned by what her friend said.

"Uh huh," Francie nodded, and then went back to watching the game.

By the time the game was over, Will had been right, they dominated the other team, winning the game 7-1. Weiss felt a tang of disappointment; he tried to go for his second shutout of his life, but didn't meet it.

"Alright guys," The coach began. "Great game tonight. Weiss, outstanding job, Vaughn, very good start, glad to have you apart of the team. Everyone be at practice tomorrow morning, normal time," He finished, leaving the locker room.

"Hey, Mike!" Will called out to the other side of the locker room, catching Michael Vaughn's attention.

"What's up?" He replied while taking his shoulder gear off, and took off his sweaty shirt to put a clean one on.

"Want to join in with me, Weiss, and a couple of our friends at a sports place tonight?" Will asked, Weiss looking up briefly when his name was called out, and then he went to getting off all of his goalie equipment in the process.

"Sure," Michael said while he finally got off all his gear, and began placing the equipment into his bag.

"Alright," Will grinned and finished getting all of his stuff packed up.

Five minutes later, the three guys left the locker room, all carrying their bags, towards the girls that anxiously waited.

"Great job guys!" All three said at once.

The guys nodded and smiled, as Will went up to Francie to give her a huge, sweaty hug.

"Will!" Francie yelled, punching his arm as she struggled in his arms. He let her down and grinned.

"Eh em, as you three probably know now, this is Michael Vaughn," Will said, pointing to Michael who smiled nervously at the three. "This is Francie, Nadia, and Sydney," He said, pointing to the three once he said their names. Michael nodded, shaking their hands.

"Okay now that introductions are over—thank God, let's eat!" Weiss announced with a smirk on his face. "I'm fricking starving."

Everyone agreed with him, and headed outside.

"Mike, you know where LA Sports Town Restaurant is?" Weiss asked.

"Not really, haven't been around LA much since I came here," Michael answered.

"Alright, you can tail me," Weiss said as Michael nodded, parting off to go to his vehicle. Weiss, Sydney, and Nadia headed to Weiss's car, as Will and Francie left in Will's car.

"So, Syd, what'd you think of Mike?" Weiss asked as he got out of his spot, waiting for Michael to drive up behind him. Once Michael did, Weiss started off to the restaurant.

"Are you all just against me today?" Sydney asked, growling softly as she sank down further in her seat when her cheeks began to turn a shade of red.

"How much did you and Francie do to her?" He asked in Nadia's direction, and all she could do was giggle in response.

The rest of the car ride to the restaurant they talked about the game, and Weiss having to brag on about how he is the best damn goalie in Los Angeles. They arrived at the restaurant, soon after leaving the hockey arena, and both girls seemed to say the same thanks to God as they didn't have to hear Weiss talk on and on.

"Damn man! Nice truck you got there!" Weiss complimented Michael as he got out, noticing Michael's Ford truck. Michael laughed, following the three inside to the busy restaurant to see Will and Francie already getting a booth.

"Is this the rest of the party?" The waitress asked as she grabbed the menus off the stand.

Will nodded, and they all followed the waitress as she led them to a booth in the heart of the restaurant. They all took their seats, and it ending up with Sydney in the middle of Francie and Michael. He was nervous, not only that he had just made new friends, but also because of the beautiful brunette sitting to his left. She had been relatively quiet compared to the other two girls, and very tense. He could only notice because they were packed in the booth and they were in contact. He was momentarily thrown out of his thoughts when Will began to talk to him.

"So, Mike, how'd you end up in LA?" Will asked, right after the waiter got their drinks and appetizers.

"Well, I moved here from France about a month ago. My mom and I would make visits to family around here, and then she decided that we were going to move about six months ago. I really wasn't surprised with her decision, every time she came here; she liked the city more and more. Pus, I think we both really needed a culture change, and we did get one."

Everyone laughed, and conversations continued. The guys ended up watching a baseball game that was on one of the many big screens while the girls talked about random things. All their attention was diverted when the food and drinks came.

Once they were done with their dinner, Will and Francie said their goodbyes and left the group.

"Oh God," Nadia mumbled to Sydney as they walked out of the restaurant, realizing something she forgot about most of the evening. Eric and Michael followed along behind them.

"What?" Sydney turned to her sister as they stopped walking once they stepped outside.

"Me and Weiss were going to go to the movies," She sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"Don't worry," Sydney reassured her with a smile. "I can walk home from here."

"What?" Nadia shot her a questioning look. "Walk? Night? LA? Sydney? No!"

Weiss cut in between the two. "So, what's happening with my two lovely ladies?"

"Weiss, just tell Nadia that I'll be fine getting myself home. I'll just take a cab," Sydney said while looking at the two.

This time it was Michael who cut in after hearing her. "I don't mind taking you home. Besides, cabs are way overpriced these days."

"No, no, no, I shouldn't bother you," Sydney said, seeing Nadia grin proudly from the corner of her eye.

"It's no problem, really,"

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Okay," Weiss interrupted, looking to Michael, then Sydney, then back to Michael. "We're going to go then."

"Okay, see you both later," Sydney said as Nadia and Weiss walked off to his car.

"My truck is right by his car," Michael said as they walked over to his truck. She was just about to open the door when he stuck his hand in and opened it for her. He smiled and she thanked him, and climbed into the truck. He hurried over to the other side, getting in and starting up the truck.

"So," She said, looking around at the interior of the truck. "I guess you're pretty bummed about the hockey season."

He nodded, glancing at Sydney for a moment and smiling. "Just about, I love the Kings, when my dad was alive, he would always take me to the Kings games when I visited here. He died when I was eight, working for the CIA."

She looked down, then at him. "I'm sorry to hear about your father."

"Me too," He mumbled out. There was an awkward silence that followed, until he turned on one of his techno CDs, as "Ready, Steady, Go" played over the speakers. "Am I going the right way?"

"Yeah," She smiled, and gave him directions for the rest of the way to her house, until they came upon a nice large house. She was going to open the door when he stopped her.

"Let me," He said, getting out of the truck and going over to her side, opening the door to help her down.

"Thank you," She smiled, as a hint of red showed on her cheeks.

"No problem, I just like...old fashioned values."

"Well then, Michael Vaughn, I guess you have an advantage over every other seventeen year old in this city."

"Really? Awesome!" He laughed, and she joined in. "But it was a pleasure meeting you."

"You too, but I hope Eric and Will weren't much of a hassle."

"No," He laughed again. "From what I've seen already, they're pretty good guys."

She nearly snorted in surprise. "Oh, wait until you really get to know those two," She chuckled, thinking of all the torture the two, along with their girlfriends, already put Sydney through.

He smiled, not being able to take his eyes off of her, admiring her beauty. He couldn't to think how nice it would be to have Sydney as more than just a friend. "May I ask, where do you go to school?"

"Carrington High."

He looked at her, nearly thrown off by her answer. "Seriously? I'm going to go there, too!"

She smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Then you'll be glad to know that everyone you met tonight goes there."

"Wow," He mumbled, still shocked. "But, uh, um, I guess I'll see you later?"

"Okay, see you." She said, heading up to the doorway as he got into his truck. She turned back, waving bye to him as he took off down the street. She unlocked the door to the house, going inside and closing the door.

Then it hit her, she was falling for Michael Vaughn.