Chapter 21

Dinnertime was approaching and Sydney was standing in Vaughn's kitchen, putting the last touch on the chicken while Vaughn was looking desperately for the perfect wine he had assured her he had.

Music was playing softly in the background and she was humming along, perfectly content. A little smile appeared on her lips when suddenly Michael turned to her, looking embarrassed. She knew what was coming.

"Uh, Syd… I was sure I had some wine but… Uh… I don't."

Doing her best not to laugh, she teased:

"Hum… Must have been some evening, uh?"

Vaughn smiled too.

"Probably, because I can't remember it! Would you mind if I went to the store and got some while you finish the chicken?"

"No, go ahead. We'll need the wine if this turn out to be a disaster."

Although she had made this recipe about a thousand times, it had been so long since she had cooked that she was afraid of messing it up.

Vaughn stepped closer to her and gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek.

"I doubt it would be possible. I have tasted your cooking once and was blown away. You're a great cook, Sydney Bristow."

Blushing at the compliment and at the memory of that day in Korea, Sydney said nothing, pretending to be really busy with the chicken. Vaughn understood her trouble and just said:

"I'll be right back."

"Okay."

He left and she put the chicken in the oven. Then, as she set the table, she wondered if she should light up some candles. Would it be too much? Maybe Vaughn wasn't expecting a candlelight, romantic dinner. Maybe for him this time he spent with her was a time to have fun, a time to forget about Alice and his heartbreak. Did she really think their relationship could last beyond the next two weeks? Did she really think he would leave his life here behind for her?

Deciding against the candles, she went to the living room, sat down and started to think. What did Michael Vaughn represent exactly for her?

Since Danny's death, she had spent one night with Noah and one night with Will. Simon didn't count, as she was only playing a role to save her life. Sleeping with Noah had been like closing a chapter, and it had been the same with Will. It had brought her some comfort, but nothing more. That night she had spent with Vaughn in Korea… It had felt like she was finally closing Danny's chapter and opening a new one. She had felt that she could now let him rest in peace, because someone else would take care of her, would mend her broken heart.

She wanted to believe Vaughn had felt the same way about her. She wanted to believe that there was a future for them.

But she knew she shouldn't get her hopes up.

She should wait and see, or she would end up with a heart shattered in so many tiny pieces that it would be impossible to fix it.

Ever.

As Vaughn was standing in line to pay the wine, his thoughts came to rest on Sydney. He really liked the idea of her being in his apartment, cooking dinner. He liked the idea of coming home to her, to some kind of normal life with her. The afternoon had been great. Simple, but amazing. They had been to the supermarket, arguing over what to cook for dinner, then had some hot-dogs bought from a street vendor, laughing and just enjoying this beautiful first day of November.

Thinking back on that afternoon, he was smiling so widely then the nineteen years old cashier then told all friends that the sexiest guy ever had hit on her.

Truth was, he wanted to be with Sydney Bristow. He even had this crazy idea forming in his head: moving to LA. He wasn't sure what Sydney would say about that if he told her, but he knew one thing.

He didn't want to be separated from Sydney.

Ever.

When Vaughn came into the house, he was met by the sight of Sydney looking intensely at a picture of him and his mom. She didn't even hear him approaching until he spoke.

"Syd?"

She turned to face him, startled.

"Uh? Oh, you're back… I… I was just looking at this picture…"

She smiled shyly and he returned the smile, encouraging her to continue:

"You can just feel the love, the bond there is between you two. It's seems pretty amazing."

"Yeah, it is. She is a remarkable woman. Strong and brave and beautiful and sweet… But you know who is, too? You."

Sydney didn't expect him at all to say that and her eyes quickly filled with tears. Seeing that, Vaughn put down the wine and took her in his arms.

"Syd… I didn't mean to make you cry… Come on. I just…"

He suddenly had an idea.

"Sydney, I want a picture of you."

"What?"

"Yes, let's take a picture of us two. Please," he repeated, excited.

"Okay…" she agreed, surprised, but happy with the idea. How adorable was this man? It was going to be so hard to leave him behind.

Vaughn left the room for a moment and then came back holding a digital camera. He set it on the fireplace and they took the pose.

"Smile."

After the picture was taken, they both hurried to grab the camera, but Vaughn was quicker.

"Show me."

"Nah. It's a surprise."

"Don't make me kick your butt."

"Now, Miss Bristow, you should learn to control your feelings. I'll be right back," he said, winking at her.

She smiled and sank into the couch, waiting for his return. She didn't have to wait long.

"Here," he told her, handing her a picture frame. She gasped looking at it. The picture was great. Amazing. Incredible. They were both smiling so widely, they looked so happy, so… in love.

"Wow, Vaughn… I… I don't know what to say…" she tried, a lump forming in her throat.

"You don't have to say anything," he said softly, looking at her with such tenderness she thought she would just burst into tears.

"This is the best gift I have received in… maybe all my life. The frame is gorgeous… It looks like an antique."

"It is."

"Oh, Vaughn… I will put it next to my bed. I promise," she said, holding the picture against her chest.

"Well, you can always put a Brad Pitt picture in it if you prefer. Just don't tell me."

"I won't."

"Tell me or replace me?"

"Both," she said as she leaned in for a kiss that lingered until the oven's timer brought them back to reality.

"Dinner's ready," she said, trying to pull back. But he didn't let go.

"I don't care."

"Vaughn!" she laughed, slapping him on the chest.

"I prefer kissing you," he said, wrapping his arms tighter around her, an irresistible smile on his face.

She was about to surrender to him when her stomach growled loudly, making them both laugh.

"Gee, that IS romantic!"

"Sorry. I-"

Some more growling interrupted her.

"Alright, I surrender. Let's taste that chicken."

He grabbed her hand and they made their way to the kitchen, Sydney taking the picture with her.