4 (Four)

There are moments set aside in my mind; that are known as defining moments. Places in time that marked the way my life would go; what I would be doing; the kind of man that I would become.

There have only been a couple of moments that left me with that sense of change. The first was the death of my father. He was a man of few words; but he was a good man. He was smart, and he was a man that worked with his hands. He believed in hard work; something his father had taught him. He was a contractor; self-employed; and self-motivated. Most likely, I would have followed in his footsteps. I idolized the man. But his death, made me even closer to my mother. And even though, I would use every wish known to man, to bring him back; I got the best of both worlds. I got my mother's love for cooking; and my father's idea of self-motivation.

The second event that completely changed the path of my life was Alice. I loved her, there is no question. I still love her. She was my best friend; my best friend since high school. And we were comfortable with one another; and we were happy. The night that I got the call; the night that the police officer told me that she wasn't coming home; I will never forget it. It was a freak accident. The roads were wet. The car just slipped off the road and hit the telephone pole. And she felt no pain. But I felt it. The life I had planned out was taken from me in an instant. I had to start over again. I don't think that six months is necessarily enough time to move on; but I know that I have to at least face the future.

And tonight, there is something about what Sydney says; and the way she looks at me when she says it; that makes me believe that she will be another defining moment. I don't know yet; what that will entail; but she just stays on my mind. And right now, she makes me believe that everything will be okay.

So, when she flashes that smile and I flash my megawatt grin at her; she blushes just a little. She turns back to the game; but I can't take my eyes off of her.

"Hey, how are we losing the game?"

She brings me out of my fugue with her revelation.

"What?"

How did that happen? I am sitting here thinking that the hockey game has just become another name for a chat with Sydney.

"I thought that we were up 3-0; its 4-3."

The Bruins just took it to us in that last few minutes of the game; and I missed it. And normally, this would put me in a foul mood; but I have to say that I have enjoyed every minute of this game. But I am definitely going to check out the box scores tomorrow.

"This is unbelievable. I cannot believe that we lost control of the game that quickly."

And she is upset; and it makes me laugh; because she is suddenly so serious.

"We?"

"Yes, we."

"I am apart of this organization now, I have season tickets."

She is giving me this look; it is along the lines of an incredulous look, I would say.

"Spoken like a true fan. You know if you keep this up, you won't be a grasshopper for long. You will graduate."

And time is counting down; and the fans are moving past us to leave; and once more; she and I are just engrossed in another stupid little conversation piece. She turns to me; excited about the prospect of insect graduation.

"Oh, really, what's next, the caterpillar, perhaps a moth; or a beetle?"

"Well, you won't have to worry about that; because part of the graduation process is respect. And making fun of the hierarchy of insect education is going be a blight on your otherwise perfect record."

And she full out laughs at me.

"What? See, that is what I am talking about. You don't take this serious." And I am trying desperately not to laugh, but I am losing the battle. When she is finally able to breathe again, she wipes away the tears in her eyes.

"That is the hardest I have laughed in a long time." She continues to wipe away the tears. "I can't believe you pulled that off with a straight face."

"Thanks, I thought it was rather good."

"See, now you are just bragging."

The buzzer sounds and both of us turn towards the ice and realize that we missed the last couple minutes of the game.

"That game went by fast."

Too fast if you ask me, but I don't dare say that out loud.

"Yes, it did."

And the conversation lulls at this point, because I don't think either one of us wants to go home. Well, I don't at least. So, we try to avoid the subject that much longer.

She gets up and stretches; almost like a cat; and she yawns.

"Tired?"

"A little."

"Let's head to the cars, then?"

"Okay."

And for two people who are just friends, who are just seat buddies; we just naturally flow into whatever this is.

She begins to scuffle up the steps and there are a couple of guys that get in between us; and I hear a remark or two that I would rather forget. When we get to the top of the stairs, she is waiting for me. And as I reach her side, the two guys look back; but she is oblivious. I am not though; and I shoot them a look. It's territorial and it scares me. Am I supposed to be this protective of her already?

When I turn back to her; she has witnessed none of the manly stare down and primal dance that the Neanderthals called men; just performed. Instead, she is looking at the t-shirts that lay on the table.

"You think I should get a T-shirt; you know so I can be all official?"

"I have something even better for you. You promise me that you are coming back on Tuesday night, and I will bring you a surprise."

"Resorting to bribes, huh? Do you think that will really work on me?"

"I was hoping."

"Well, you are lucky; surprises are a weakness of mine, so I guess I am just going to have to come Tuesday. That is barring any emergencies of the toddler kind."

"Of course."

Speaking of weaknesses, I am surprised at myself. This woman and her company have become the premiere weakness for me. I am bolder and more confident around her than I have ever been in my entire life. So, maybe strength comes when you recognize you have a weakness.

"You know, I was thinking?"

"That could be dangerous, as I doctor I would not recommend that."

I feign hurt, but I am actually very tickled. This woman knows how to push my buttons and make me like it. With my hand over my heart, I start our silly little banter again.

"That hurt, Syd; that hurt deep down."

She giggles as she walks with both hands stuck down in her pockets; matching stride for stride with me.

"I am sorry, you were saying."

"I was just going to say that I haven't really properly introduced myself. I mean, we are seat buddies; and you don't know even know my last name."

"You know you are right."

And I take a few steps to move in front of her; so that she has to come to a dead stop.

I stick my hand out; and she brings her beautiful right hand out of hiding to take mine.

"My name is Michael Vaughn. It is a pleasure."

"Sydney Bristow; and I assure you that the pleasure is all mine."

And I hold her hand for a bit longer than I should; but she doesn't pull away either. When I loosen the grasp, her fingers skittle across mine. They are like feathers across my skin; but I think I would wait until the end of time; if I were promised that I could feel that sensation again.

It strikes something deep inside of me; and that magic is back in her eyes.

"So, if I promise to bring you a surprise, can I bribe you into walking me to my car again?"

"Depends upon the bribe."

"I see."

"What am I saying, I am sucker for surprises and beautiful ladies."

"Good to know."

It is crowded at the bottom of the stairs and we are bottlenecked trying to get out of the arena. I inch in front of her; so that I can create a little space for us; and that is when I feel it; a little tug on the back of my shirt. And I don't turn around; because I know what it is. She is holding onto my shirt, her way of keeping me close. It is the smallest of things, but it is a gesture that goes straight to my heart.

As soon as we are outside; she lets go; and I feel a loss. It's absolutely absurd to feel that way; but I can't help it.

We head off for Egypt once again; but instead of parking as close as possible; I decided tonight that I would take a chance. I parked in G-8; so I am hoping we are somewhere close to each other.

"I am down towards G again. Sorry."

"Don't be, I am down there myself tonight."

"Really?"

"Yep, I thought it would save me a little bit of time since I was going that way anyway."

And it is the easiest way to be with her. I don't care that I am being overt; or that I am allowing her to draw her own conclusions. She has the power and I hope she knows it. And although, I am not sure where I want this go; or if she even wants it to go anywhere at all; I am perfectly fine with playing it by ear.

She stops when she hears my last statement. I am a couple of feet in front of her; and I stop to look back at her.

"What, what's wrong?"

For just a moment, I am worried that I have scared her.

"You parked down there on purpose?" She says it as a question.

"I told you that I like the company." And she hasn't moved from that spot.

And this smile comes over her; and it lights up her whole face. God, she is beautiful.

"Come on, Grasshopper. It's a little chilly out here." I wait for her to catch up with me; and I feel like I am in high school again. I remember waiting for Lindsey Russell at her locker; and carrying her books for her. Now, it's Sydney Bristow and I am walking her to her car. Even if I have to truck it halfway across Los Angeles, it is well worth it.

"So you never told me how you got into medicine."

"I am going to make a long story short. My mother. When I was eight, I didn't know what cancer was; and then it hit my family. It took my mother away from me so fast. I didn't really know or understand everything that was going on. But as I got older, I realized that I wanted do everything in my power to prevent another family from going through what I went through. Of course, that was a lofty goal for a girl at thirteen. The years brought a more mature outlook on everything; but I still wanted to help, to make a difference."

"What made you choose pediatrics?"

"What better way to make a difference than with kids. I mean, they are the very best the world has to offer. My mother always said, help those who can't help themselves, protect them Sydney. That is what she said to me. Kind of stuck with me."

"It sounds like your mother was an amazing woman. She would be proud of her daughter."

And I am looking at her with a sincerity born out of respect and admiration for this woman; and amazingly, it continues to grow with every new revelation of her life.

There is a tear that peaks out from behind those gorgeous eyelashes of hers.

"Thank you, for saying that."

"You're welcome. I meant it."

And before that tear can fall, she turns her head. She wipes it away, but I see it. I see the way that her mother affected her; and I know how she feels. I know the pain of losing a parent; wondering if you would have made them proud. There is no doubt in my mind, that anyone that knows Sydney would be proud of her. Proud to know her, to be her friend, to be near her. I know I am.

"You know, that walk was not nearly as long; as it was when I went in tonight."

That gets a smile from her.

"I know what you mean."

"So, I will see you Tuesday?"

My hands are still in my pocket, not because they are cold; but because I am so nervous. I am afraid that she might see them shaking.

"Yeah."

"Barring any toddler emergency of course?"

"Exactly." There is the smile again.

"Well, it has been fun."

"Yes, it has, Michael."

And its an awkward moment, because I don't know how to leave her; so I back away; and give her a little wave.

"Michael. Thank you."

"For what?"

"Everything."

"Get in your car, Grasshopper."

She opens that beat up door, it squeaks the whole time; and starts up the engine. And it is a stark contrast, because the engine is so smooth, I can barely hear it purring.

I stand there as she reverses; making sure that she gets on her way safely. She pulls up beside me, rolling down her window.

"Do you have any plans right now?"

And it takes me by surprise, and I have to agree with Sydney, surprises are very fun indeed.

"None."

"There is a coffee shop just down the street, right on the corner. It is open, all night. Do you maybe want to get some coffee?"

"Yeah, I would like that actually."

"Good. So, I will meet you there then."

"I am right behind you."

"Be careful."

"You too."

And she pulls off; rolling her window up as she goes. If I knew she couldn't see me, I would run to my truck. Because I don't think I have been this excited since...well, tonight when I was waiting for her at the game.

I can see my truck from where I am right now, but it seems like it is a million miles away.

Yep, Sydney is going to be a defining moment.