Disclaimer: Nope - don't own a thing, except for the ideas for these little
fanfics that are so deliciously fun to play around with.
Summary: Vaughn and Syd decide to take a chance on each other and end up far away - both from the lives they once knew and the paths they once believed their lives would take. Romance/Angst - and a whole lotta surprises.
** Please R & R ** I gain momentum and inspiration from any and all opinions.
************
Chapter One: Conversation in a Hallway
"Never in my life have I wanted to be somewhere else more than I do right now," Sydney Bristow said, her voice low in the near empty corridor. Michael Vaughn, sitting on the wooden bench beside her, turned slightly to look into her eyes.
"We could leave," He said, his tone light, as if the decision was as simple as just getting up and walking away. "We could call in old favors. We have friends who would help us."
"To do what? Spend the rest of our lives in the former-spy underground? What kind of a life is that?" The flash of anger fueling Sydney's words and the spark in her dark eyes were not directed at Vaughn. Feelings of helplessness were storming her body and anger was her first, and most instinctive, response.
Vaughn reached over to Sydney's lap where she clutched her purse strap tightly in both hands. Gently, he rested his palm on her left hand, curling his fingers around hers. She swallowed hard around the growing lump in her throat before looking up at him with wet eyes.
Vaughn spoke, his voice tender. "It's the kind of life we can live together."
Sydney's tense features softened into a smile as a tear slipped down her cheek. "That would be nice," She murmured, her voice just above a whisper. Her eyes started to drift from Vaughn's, and he knew he was starting to lose her. The more she thought about what she had to leave behind, the more likely she was to say no.
"I'm serious, Sydney," Vaughn pressed his hand against hers, forcing her to meet his eyes again. "We can go right now. Just get up and walk -"
"It's never that simple, Vaughn," Sydney interrupted him, pulling her hand from his and agitatedly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "They would come after us. We're being called in there today for a disciplinary hearing. They won't just let it go."
"They'd have to if they couldn't find us," Vaughn reasoned, struggling to keep his tone even. He wanted to plead with her, but Sydney didn't respond well to begging. It only made her more steadfast.
"And what about SD-6?" Sydney questioned, her eyebrows knit with worry. "If I just disappeared, they'd come after me. The Alliance would assume the worst and send assassins to finish me, and then you. They certainly won't let this go."
"Again, I have to point out that they would have to if they couldn't find us," Vaughn finally let his irritation show, his deep green eyes flashing. "We're not new at this, Syd. We're not beginners. We've been trained by the CIA and we have friends. We can disappear."
Sydney saw for the first time that Vaughn was dead serious. Up to that point, a part of her had believed that he was just doing what they always did: dreaming that things were different. He was actually suggesting that they make things different, and that they do it now.
Sydney lowered her head until her chin was almost resting on her chest. She didn't know if she felt the need to bow because the weight of the situation or because she was trying to listen to her heart, waiting for some answer to come to her that would solve everything, or nothing.
"Syd?" Vaughn leaned into her, concerned. She opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and raised her head to look at him.
"Maybe the hearing won't be that bad," She said, betraying herself even as she spoke the words. She knew what her heart had said. She knew what Vaughn's heart was telling him. But she ignored them both and erred lamely on the side of caution.
Vaughn immediately withdrew from her, leaning back into the bench and staring straight ahead. "Things are complicated, I know," He said. He didn't want her to think he was angry with her. He wasn't. His only concern was with the depth of her feelings for him. "It's easier for me to walk away from this life than for you. I realize you have a life here that means something to you."
"It's not my life," Sydney interjected, wiping away another tear. "It's the people in it. Especially the people who I've only recently come to know." She inhaled a deep, shaky breath that sounded like a small sob. Vaughn wanted badly to embrace her, but even holding her hand had posed a risk for them. He simply scooted closer to her until his shoulder was nestled comfortably against hers.
Vaughn spoke quietly, not wishing to upset her more. "Your mother," He said.
Sydney only nodded, her eyes locked on the bland linoleum floor. She could not, dared not, meet his eyes; she knew she would break down. She knew she would not be able to control the torrent of emotions her brave, stoic front was trying so hard to hold back.
As Vaughn shifted silently beside her, Sydney tried not to feel his presence so acutely. It was difficult, if not impossible, not to notice the warmth of his arm next to hers, not to hear his steady breathing, not to inhale the scent of him, a mix of woodsy cologne and fresh laundry detergent. Sydney's heart beat louder with each detail she noted and memorized; she was sure that Vaughn could hear it thundering inside her ribcage in the narrow, deserted hallway.
She wondered if he could also hear the words it was repeating to her, over and over, with each steady beat: Go now. Go now. Go now.
Sydney closed her eyes for another moment to steady her emotions before turning to face Vaughn. He faced her with a questioning look, his eyes full of concern.
Sydney cleared her throat before she spoke. "I think we should wait it out," She said, pausing to make sure her heart kept beating. She had betrayed it with her words and hoped it wouldn't betray her in turn.
Vaughn dropped his eyes, his fear realized. He knew, somehow, that this was the decision Sydney would make. "Okay," He said, nodding. He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts, then he reached out and took Sydney's hand.
"Vaughn," She protested, looking up at the heavy wooden double doors across the hall from where they were sitting.
"Listen to me," Vaughn implored her, waiting to speak again until her eyes were fixed on his face. "The offer still stands, Syd. If you ever change your mind, you don't even have to wonder. I'm ready to go whenever, IF ever you say the word."
Sydney wanted to kiss Vaughn so badly at that moment that her lips were tingling. Instead of giving in to impulse, she simply nodded and carefully withdrew her hand.
"Thank you, Vaughn. I'll remember that," She didn't mean it to sound as patronizing as it did. When Vaughn responded by falling back against the bench and looking off down the hallway, Sydney sighed. She was about to apologize and try to explain when the doors across from them opened forcefully, echoing sharply in the corridor.
Sydney and Vaughn both snapped to attention, sitting up as straight as they could, their faces turned expectantly to the sharply dressed, middle-aged CIA agent who stood in the open doorway. Neither Sydney nor Vaughn had met him before and didn't know what to expect from him. It turned out he was just the messenger.
"Agent Bristow, the committee is ready for you." The agent stepped to the side and motioned towards the meeting room, his tone deep and serious.
Sydney and Vaughn exchanged surprised glances. They had been under the impression they would be seen together. However, they knew better than to argue with the Intelligence Oversight Committee, especially since it was staffed by members of the U.S. Congress.
As Sydney rose from the bench in the hallway, she remembered words Will Tippin had spoken to her the night before when she had told him about the hearing.
"This is a big, fat, huge deal," He had said, his eyes as wide as Sydney had ever seen them. Sydney couldn't help but agree as she left Vaughn's side and walked towards the agent at the door. She took a deep breath and tried to appear as composed and confident as possible, but her insides were churning more violently with each step she took. The urge to look back at Vaughn for reassurance was nearly overwhelming, but somehow Sydney made it into that room and tried to not wince as the doors closed loudly behind her.
Sitting on the hard wooden bench alone, Vaughn lowered his eyes from the doors and stared hard at the non-descript linoleum floor. Physically, he was sitting there in the empty hallway. Mentally, he was inside the room, sitting next to her and meeting their fate together. Emotionally, he was already gone - with Sydney safe and secure by his side.
Summary: Vaughn and Syd decide to take a chance on each other and end up far away - both from the lives they once knew and the paths they once believed their lives would take. Romance/Angst - and a whole lotta surprises.
** Please R & R ** I gain momentum and inspiration from any and all opinions.
************
Chapter One: Conversation in a Hallway
"Never in my life have I wanted to be somewhere else more than I do right now," Sydney Bristow said, her voice low in the near empty corridor. Michael Vaughn, sitting on the wooden bench beside her, turned slightly to look into her eyes.
"We could leave," He said, his tone light, as if the decision was as simple as just getting up and walking away. "We could call in old favors. We have friends who would help us."
"To do what? Spend the rest of our lives in the former-spy underground? What kind of a life is that?" The flash of anger fueling Sydney's words and the spark in her dark eyes were not directed at Vaughn. Feelings of helplessness were storming her body and anger was her first, and most instinctive, response.
Vaughn reached over to Sydney's lap where she clutched her purse strap tightly in both hands. Gently, he rested his palm on her left hand, curling his fingers around hers. She swallowed hard around the growing lump in her throat before looking up at him with wet eyes.
Vaughn spoke, his voice tender. "It's the kind of life we can live together."
Sydney's tense features softened into a smile as a tear slipped down her cheek. "That would be nice," She murmured, her voice just above a whisper. Her eyes started to drift from Vaughn's, and he knew he was starting to lose her. The more she thought about what she had to leave behind, the more likely she was to say no.
"I'm serious, Sydney," Vaughn pressed his hand against hers, forcing her to meet his eyes again. "We can go right now. Just get up and walk -"
"It's never that simple, Vaughn," Sydney interrupted him, pulling her hand from his and agitatedly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "They would come after us. We're being called in there today for a disciplinary hearing. They won't just let it go."
"They'd have to if they couldn't find us," Vaughn reasoned, struggling to keep his tone even. He wanted to plead with her, but Sydney didn't respond well to begging. It only made her more steadfast.
"And what about SD-6?" Sydney questioned, her eyebrows knit with worry. "If I just disappeared, they'd come after me. The Alliance would assume the worst and send assassins to finish me, and then you. They certainly won't let this go."
"Again, I have to point out that they would have to if they couldn't find us," Vaughn finally let his irritation show, his deep green eyes flashing. "We're not new at this, Syd. We're not beginners. We've been trained by the CIA and we have friends. We can disappear."
Sydney saw for the first time that Vaughn was dead serious. Up to that point, a part of her had believed that he was just doing what they always did: dreaming that things were different. He was actually suggesting that they make things different, and that they do it now.
Sydney lowered her head until her chin was almost resting on her chest. She didn't know if she felt the need to bow because the weight of the situation or because she was trying to listen to her heart, waiting for some answer to come to her that would solve everything, or nothing.
"Syd?" Vaughn leaned into her, concerned. She opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and raised her head to look at him.
"Maybe the hearing won't be that bad," She said, betraying herself even as she spoke the words. She knew what her heart had said. She knew what Vaughn's heart was telling him. But she ignored them both and erred lamely on the side of caution.
Vaughn immediately withdrew from her, leaning back into the bench and staring straight ahead. "Things are complicated, I know," He said. He didn't want her to think he was angry with her. He wasn't. His only concern was with the depth of her feelings for him. "It's easier for me to walk away from this life than for you. I realize you have a life here that means something to you."
"It's not my life," Sydney interjected, wiping away another tear. "It's the people in it. Especially the people who I've only recently come to know." She inhaled a deep, shaky breath that sounded like a small sob. Vaughn wanted badly to embrace her, but even holding her hand had posed a risk for them. He simply scooted closer to her until his shoulder was nestled comfortably against hers.
Vaughn spoke quietly, not wishing to upset her more. "Your mother," He said.
Sydney only nodded, her eyes locked on the bland linoleum floor. She could not, dared not, meet his eyes; she knew she would break down. She knew she would not be able to control the torrent of emotions her brave, stoic front was trying so hard to hold back.
As Vaughn shifted silently beside her, Sydney tried not to feel his presence so acutely. It was difficult, if not impossible, not to notice the warmth of his arm next to hers, not to hear his steady breathing, not to inhale the scent of him, a mix of woodsy cologne and fresh laundry detergent. Sydney's heart beat louder with each detail she noted and memorized; she was sure that Vaughn could hear it thundering inside her ribcage in the narrow, deserted hallway.
She wondered if he could also hear the words it was repeating to her, over and over, with each steady beat: Go now. Go now. Go now.
Sydney closed her eyes for another moment to steady her emotions before turning to face Vaughn. He faced her with a questioning look, his eyes full of concern.
Sydney cleared her throat before she spoke. "I think we should wait it out," She said, pausing to make sure her heart kept beating. She had betrayed it with her words and hoped it wouldn't betray her in turn.
Vaughn dropped his eyes, his fear realized. He knew, somehow, that this was the decision Sydney would make. "Okay," He said, nodding. He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts, then he reached out and took Sydney's hand.
"Vaughn," She protested, looking up at the heavy wooden double doors across the hall from where they were sitting.
"Listen to me," Vaughn implored her, waiting to speak again until her eyes were fixed on his face. "The offer still stands, Syd. If you ever change your mind, you don't even have to wonder. I'm ready to go whenever, IF ever you say the word."
Sydney wanted to kiss Vaughn so badly at that moment that her lips were tingling. Instead of giving in to impulse, she simply nodded and carefully withdrew her hand.
"Thank you, Vaughn. I'll remember that," She didn't mean it to sound as patronizing as it did. When Vaughn responded by falling back against the bench and looking off down the hallway, Sydney sighed. She was about to apologize and try to explain when the doors across from them opened forcefully, echoing sharply in the corridor.
Sydney and Vaughn both snapped to attention, sitting up as straight as they could, their faces turned expectantly to the sharply dressed, middle-aged CIA agent who stood in the open doorway. Neither Sydney nor Vaughn had met him before and didn't know what to expect from him. It turned out he was just the messenger.
"Agent Bristow, the committee is ready for you." The agent stepped to the side and motioned towards the meeting room, his tone deep and serious.
Sydney and Vaughn exchanged surprised glances. They had been under the impression they would be seen together. However, they knew better than to argue with the Intelligence Oversight Committee, especially since it was staffed by members of the U.S. Congress.
As Sydney rose from the bench in the hallway, she remembered words Will Tippin had spoken to her the night before when she had told him about the hearing.
"This is a big, fat, huge deal," He had said, his eyes as wide as Sydney had ever seen them. Sydney couldn't help but agree as she left Vaughn's side and walked towards the agent at the door. She took a deep breath and tried to appear as composed and confident as possible, but her insides were churning more violently with each step she took. The urge to look back at Vaughn for reassurance was nearly overwhelming, but somehow Sydney made it into that room and tried to not wince as the doors closed loudly behind her.
Sitting on the hard wooden bench alone, Vaughn lowered his eyes from the doors and stared hard at the non-descript linoleum floor. Physically, he was sitting there in the empty hallway. Mentally, he was inside the room, sitting next to her and meeting their fate together. Emotionally, he was already gone - with Sydney safe and secure by his side.
