* * *The Charade: Chapter 4~The End~* * *
Camancha smiled wickedly at Vaughn, "Did you really think it would be that easy?"
"Let her go," Vaughn said in a calm voice. "We'll give you the strain, just let her go."
Camancha shook his head and laughed. "Oh, it's not about the strain anymore. It's about respect. NO ONE is allowed to come into my home and treat me like this."
Vaughn's eyes narrowed. This was much worse than he had imagined. A man who wanted something could be reasoned with. A man on an ego-trip was a whole other animal.
"So what do you want then? An apology?"
Camancha laughed and then ran the tip of the knife down Sydney's cheek, his gaze studying the contours of her face. His eyes remained focused on her, as he continued, "No, no, no. An apology won't be necessary. There is only one way that your *colleague* can show me the respect I deserve."
Vaughn's jaw tightened and his fists clenched. He looked into Sydney's eyes and saw fear. Raw, uncensored fear. A look in her eye he had never seen before.
He knew she feared less for her life than for the possibility of being violated in such a way. Sydney was strong and, if given the chance, she could easily overpower Camancha. But Vaughn knew that Camancha wouldn't allow for that chance. He would make sure that she was unable to move, helpless to protect herself. Various horrible scenarios flashed through his mind, all too unbearable to give any further thought to.
But there was one thought that he could not get out of his mind...The thought of losing her...He couldn't stand the thought of losing her.
Vaughn's glare pierced Camancha's and his tone was eerily calm. "If you lay even one hand on her, I promise I will hunt you down and kill you. I don't care if it takes me the rest of my life, I will find you and make you pay."
Camancha laughed, his saliva spraying Sydney's cheek and causing her to flinch. "Those are pretty strong words for a man who is in your current position. You have nothing to bargain with...Nothing at your disposal but idle threats."
"I assure you they are anything but idle threats. You have no idea who I work for or how far-reaching my connections are."
"Save it!" he snapped. "I don't care what you have to say. It is obvious you care very deeply for this woman and she for you. Nothing would make you suffer more than knowing that she was fulfilling your dreams with me."
Vaughn dug his nails into the palms of his hands.
"Vaughn," Sydney said softly. He met her eyes. "It's okay."
"Sydney-..."
"No, it's okay." She turned her eyes to Camancha, "If I do as you ask, will you let him leave unharmed with the strain?"
Camancha shrugged, "I've never cared about the strain. I don't need the money. It's all a game to me. It's about having something that everyone else wants. It's about being able to demand whatever you want from them. It's about power. But you've broken the rules and the game is no longer fun. You are free to have the strain and your colleague can leave here unharmed."
Vaughn eyed him suspiciously. He didn't believe him for a second. No one would go through so much trouble if he weren't invested in this.
"He's lying, Sydney. He wouldn't give up the strain that easily. He's put too much time, effort and money into it. His men will kill me before I reach the front door and they will take the strain."
Sydney focused on Vaughn. She couldn't be sure he was right. Camancha seemed like he could be the type of man who would do something purely for the thrill of it.
She addressed Camancha, "I will not do anything for you until I am assured that he is safe and on his way home with the strain."
"That can be arranged," Camancha replied with a small smile.
"Sydney, don't do this," Vaughn said in a barely audible whisper.
Sydney captured his eyes. "Don't worry, it'll be okay."
Vaughn studied her carefully. There was a look in her eye that Vaughn recognized. She had a plan.
"Okay," he slowly replied, his eyes focused on her. "Fine."
"Good, now that that's settled," Camancha said.
"The strain is in my purse," Sydney said.
"Give it to me," Camancha ordered. "I will make sure that it is returned to your friend after he leaves this room."
"No," Sydney replied sharply. "I don't trust that you will keep your word. He gets the strain now or the deal is off."
Camancha seemed to be considering this for a moment. He sighed and then reluctantly responded, "Fine. You may give him the strain. Open your purse and then he will step forward to remove it." He moved the knife even closer to her throat as he spoke, a silent warning not to try anything.
Vaughn watched as Sydney fumbled with the purse. She placed it in her right hand and then opened its clasp with her left. Odd, he thought, since she is right-handed.
She held the purse up and motioned with her head to Vaughn to step forward. He took a few steps and then reached into the purse to remove the strain.
He had barely taken a step backward, when he heard a hissing sound and noticed that it was coming from Sydney's bag. It all happened so fast he could barely process it.
Sydney's finger had pressed the nozzle of a small bottle of hairspray that was at the bottom of her bag. She had somehow managed to remove its cap and had pressed the nozzle through the fabric. After Vaughn took the strain, she had tilted the bag towards Camancha's face and pressed. The spray hit him directly in both eyes.
Sydney knew it was a risk. If he reacted one way, she'd be dead right now.
But he had reacted exactly as she had hoped. His instinct was to jerk his arm away from her in order to bring both of his hands up to his burning eyes. He had even dropped the knife in his panic.
Camancha fell to his knees, his fingers rubbing incessantly at his eyes and low wails following out of his mouth.
Sydney smiled at Vaughn, who simply regarded her with a thoroughly impressed expression.
She reached into her purse and pulled out the small bottle of hairspray. She held it up to him and grinned, "A girl never goes anywhere without her hairspray."
He couldn't help but chuckle, his eyes dancing in delight. "So that's what you deemed a necessary item?"
She shrugged and nodded her head at Camancha, "Do you even have to ask?"
Vaughn smiled and shook his head, "I guess not."
He was just about to suggest that they leave, when his eyes widened at something behind Sydney.
He yelled, "Sydney!" and then lunged at her, knocking her to the ground, just as the knife Camancha had once held sailed past her left ear.
Vaughn quickly checked Sydney to make sure she was okay, before scrambling to his feet and rushing towards Camancha. He was still on the ground, rubbing at his eyes. He must have thrown the knife blindly and hoped to hit something.
He'd come far too close.
Vaughn swung downward and landed a punch to the side of his head, which knocked him over.
"That," he said in a low voice, "is for calling Sydney sweetie." He paused and then spoke as he kicked him in the stomach. "And this is for decorating your bedroom in this horrendous gold. Really, what were you thinking?"
Camancha, however, could not respond because he was now unconscious.
Vaughn met Sydney's gaze, as she slowly stood up. There was gratitude in her eyes and no words needed to pass between them.
Vaughn breathed a sigh of relief, as he allowed himself a long look at her. He was so glad he wouldn't have to find out what life without Sydney would be like. He'd lived that life before and he had no intention of ever going back. Now that he knew how much she brightened his world, how could he?
Sydney lowered her eyes, his stare making her uncomfortable. She gestured at the room in an attempt to break the tension. "You're right, this place is terrible."
Vaughn nodded, a slight smile on his lips, "I know. It's like someone let King Midas run rampant."
Sydney looked at him thoughtfully for a moment before saying, "Agent Vaughn, decorating connoisseur. Who knew?"
Vaughn shrugged and offered her a grin, "Hey, the CIA isn't my whole life, you know. I enjoy a good Home & Garden channel decorating program every once and while, just like everyone else." He paused and then looked Sydney in the eye, "And if you ever tell Weiss about any of this, I swear I'll hurt you."
Sydney laughed and then brought her fingers up to her mouth in a 'my lips are sealed' motion.
This action, however, caused Sydney to drop her purse. They both bent down, simultaneously, to pick up the purse and found themselves temptingly close to each other.
Vaughn swallowed hard and searched his mind for something to say in order to alleviate the tension of the uncomfortable moment, "So...I guess we're even now. You saved me, I saved you. We're even."
Sydney raised her brow at the strange comment that had appeared out of nowhere and then smiled as she leaned in closer. "Even? I don't know about even. I mean, there was the first plan, which you ruined. Then the second plan, the third plan...I saved you, you saved me. I don't know, it's a little confusing. Hard to keep track of. I'm not really sure we can say we're even."
Vaughn's brow creased in confusion, but he decided to play along, "So what do you think we should do ab-..."
Vaughn's sentence was cut off by Sydney grabbing the collar of his shirt with both hands and pulling her to him. Her lips crashed into his and a raw, passionate kiss ensued...One that released much of the sexual tension they had been tiptoeing around for far too long.
Sydney slowly pulled away and looked into Vaughn's deep green eyes. She spoke in a breathy voice, "Now we're even."
With that, she stood up, picked up the strain and sauntered out of the room.
Vaughn's gaze simply followed her, a dumbfounded expression plastered across his face.
* * * *
Weiss stuck his head into Vaughn's office. He shook his head when he saw him staring blankly at the wall, while twirling the gold coin between his fingers.
"What now?" he asked, as he sat down in front of him.
"She kissed me," Vaughn blurted out and then turned his eyes to his friend.
"Sydney kissed you!" Weiss said a tad too loudly.
Vaughn's eyes widened and he replied in a harsh whisper, "Keep your voice down, man! Are you trying to get me fired?!"
Weiss shook his head, "No, but it looks like Sydney is."
Vaughn sighed, "I have no idea what came over her. It's not like I gave her any indication that I wanted something to happen between us."
Weiss scoffed and Vaughn's brow furrowed, "What?"
"It's not like you gave her any indication that you wanted something to happen between you two? Are you kidding?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Vaughn, anytime she calls you and wants to talk, you run right over. The girl stubs her toe and you're there in a flash. You're like Superman, without the unflattering cape and tights."
Vaughn rolled his eyes, "Give me a break. I'm her friend. I'm the only person she can confide in. I'm also her handler and I want her to be safe."
"You risked your job to fly to another continent in order to make sure she was safe."
Vaughn lowered his eyes, "You know why I had to do that."
"I know that you want to keep her safe. What I don't know is if it's because you're her handler and friend or if it's because you're in love with her."
Vaughn's eyes widened, "In love with her?"
"Yeah, you moron, in love with her. Don't tell me you haven't considered it."
He had considered it, as evidenced by his comment at the party while pretending that he was somebody else. He had wondered if his comment about a part of him falling in love with her the moment he saw her had come from some place inside of him where it was true.
Vaughn closed his eyes and rubbed at his forehead. "I can't be in love with her. You know I can't be."
"No, I know you shouldn't be. I don't out rule the possibility that you are in the least."
"I'll lose my job, Weiss. It would endanger both of our lives."
"Yes, that's what smart, levelheaded Agent Vaughn would say. But what would head-over-heels, emotionally attached Michael Vaughn say?"
Vaughn groaned. "Okay, I think I'm finally ready to ask you to shut up."
"Not until you admit it."
"Admit what?"
"That you're in love with Sydney."
Vaughn shook his head and Weiss leaned in closer to him. "Fine, don't admit it. But answer me this: When Camancha had that knife to her throat, was your only thought that you couldn't stand it if you lost her?"
Vaughn averted his eyes and bent his head, but didn't say a word.
Weiss smiled and then stood up, "I guess I have my answer...and so do you."
Vaughn didn't even notice Weiss leave. He was too busy running his words over and over again in his mind.
But it didn't take him long to reach the same conclusion Weiss had.
He was in love with Sydney Bristow.
He groaned, as he dropped his head into his hands.
* * * *
Vaughn nervously awaited Sydney's arrival at their warehouse. He had been pacing back and forth for what seemed like hours.
He had planned it all out. He knew exactly what he was going to say. He'd even been practicing.
"Sydney, what happened the other day was a big mistake. You know that as well as I do. We got caught up in the moment, swept up in the excitement of the situation. We both know that this can never happen again, so let's just leave it at that and try to resume a professional relationship."
"Are you talking to yourself?" a voice from behind him asked.
His eyes widened and he slowly turned around. He offered Sydney a small smile, "Me? No, I was just...thinking out loud."
"And that's not talking to yourself?"
He shook his head, "Nope, two completely different things."
She offered him a confused expression, before simply nodding.
Vaughn was the first to speak, "Sydney, what-..."
She cut him off and said bluntly, "It wasn't a mistake. I don't regret it."
Vaughn's mouth dropped open slightly and his brow wrinkled. "Uh, what...um, what are...You don't think it was a mistake? The, uh, kiss?"
She shook her head sharply, "No, I don't."
Vaughn sighed and shook his head, "Okay, now I don't know what to say to you. I has this whole thing planned out, I knew exactly what I was going to say and how everything was supposed to go-..."
"Maybe that's the problem," she said, interrupting him again.
"Excuse me?"
She met his eyes, "Maybe that's the problem, Vaughn. You and I are always working according to a plan. Sloane's plan, the CIA's plan. Everything we do together is practically scripted."
"So?"
"So maybe I want more," she said softly.
He swallowed against the lump in his throat, "Sydney, you know-..."
"No, Vaughn, don't tell me how I am supposed to feel. What's right and what's wrong. What's appropriate and what's inappropriate. I only know how I feel and that I can't help it." She paused and then continued, "I am tired...I am so tired of pretending. I spend my whole life pretending. I pretend with Sloane, with Dixon, with my father, with my friends, with every person I come in contact with while on a mission. I am sick of it. I thought the only person I never had to pretend with was you. And then I realized it. Just like that, it came to me. I've been pretending with you too, just like everyone else. But I can't stand this anymore...This charade."
Sydney moved closer to him and Vaughn could literally feel the beads of perspiration forming on his forehead. "Sydney-..." he barely choked out.
"I want more and I know you do too," she replied in a whisper, before softly pressing her lips to his.
Their second kiss was very different from their first. It was soft and gentle, slow and lingering. It was the type of kiss you never wanted to end.
Vaughn, however, reluctantly pulled away and looked into her eyes, "You know we can't do this." He paused and averted his gaze, "I want to...You have no idea how much I want to. But we just can't."
"No, I don't accept that," she said firmly.
His eyebrows peaked, "You don't accept that?"
"Yes."
His brow creased and he shook his head, "That...It doesn't matter if you accept it or not, Sydney. That's just the way it has to be."
"Well, I refuse to accept it."
"Sydney-..." Vaughn began, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"No, Vaughn, I'm tired of people telling me what I can and cannot do with my life. SD-6 and the CIA run my life enough as it is. SD-6 is the reason my fiancé is dead. I have made too many sacrifices and lost enough to last me three lifetimes. I'll be damned if I lose you too."
Vaughn simply stared at her for a long moment. He knew it was of no use. When she made up her mind about something, she stuck to it. And, truth be told, he couldn't have been happier. He wasn't sure how much longer he would have been able to deny his feelings for her.
He shook his head in defeat and smiled, "You are one incredibly stubborn woman."
She smiled and took a step closer, "And you love that about me, don't you?"
His lips gave way to a crooked smile, "Yeah, I do."
"You know," she said softly, "I kind of liked you saving me for a change the other day. It's not often that someone else gets to be the hero."
He grinned, "I didn't take you for a woman who enjoys the prince saving the damsel in distress routine."
Her lips curled into a smile that reached her eyes, "Well, when the prince is as cute as you, I make an exception."
It was now Vaughn's turn to close the distance between them. Their third kiss was everything a kiss should be. It was gentle, yet passionate. Raw, but tender.
And it held promises for the future where impossible dreams had once been.
But, most of all, it was a declaration of love without any words having to pass between them.
They slowly separated and Vaughn spoke, "What are we going to do about our situation?"
Sydney shrugged, "Well, I guess I have one more secret to keep."
"And that won't bother you?"
She smiled, "No, this is the good kind."
His expression turned serious, "This will endanger both our lives, Sydney. You know that, right?"
She nodded, her eyes focused on his. "It's worth the risk, Vaughn. We're worth the risk."
Her expression changed suddenly and a wide smile overtook her face. She spoke with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes and in a low, breathy voice, "Plus, won't secret rendezvous be a lot of fun?"
Vaughn tried to pretend that her voice didn't send shivers down his spine. "Oh yeah."
She grinned, "We might as well put our spy skills to good use."
Vaughn laughed, before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close to him. "You know, I'd never dye my hair blonde for any other girl but you."
Sydney smiled, "I sure hope not." She paused and then added, "And I'm guessing you wouldn't tell any other girl about your secret infatuation with Martha Stewart."
"Home & Garden channel decorating programs, Sydney. Not Mart-..." his halfhearted protest was interrupted by her grabbing hold of his tie and pulling his lips down to hers.
******************************THE END******************************
Okay, that's all folks! Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading and for all of your comments, I've really appreciated them! Let me know what you thought one last time ( ~Steph
Camancha smiled wickedly at Vaughn, "Did you really think it would be that easy?"
"Let her go," Vaughn said in a calm voice. "We'll give you the strain, just let her go."
Camancha shook his head and laughed. "Oh, it's not about the strain anymore. It's about respect. NO ONE is allowed to come into my home and treat me like this."
Vaughn's eyes narrowed. This was much worse than he had imagined. A man who wanted something could be reasoned with. A man on an ego-trip was a whole other animal.
"So what do you want then? An apology?"
Camancha laughed and then ran the tip of the knife down Sydney's cheek, his gaze studying the contours of her face. His eyes remained focused on her, as he continued, "No, no, no. An apology won't be necessary. There is only one way that your *colleague* can show me the respect I deserve."
Vaughn's jaw tightened and his fists clenched. He looked into Sydney's eyes and saw fear. Raw, uncensored fear. A look in her eye he had never seen before.
He knew she feared less for her life than for the possibility of being violated in such a way. Sydney was strong and, if given the chance, she could easily overpower Camancha. But Vaughn knew that Camancha wouldn't allow for that chance. He would make sure that she was unable to move, helpless to protect herself. Various horrible scenarios flashed through his mind, all too unbearable to give any further thought to.
But there was one thought that he could not get out of his mind...The thought of losing her...He couldn't stand the thought of losing her.
Vaughn's glare pierced Camancha's and his tone was eerily calm. "If you lay even one hand on her, I promise I will hunt you down and kill you. I don't care if it takes me the rest of my life, I will find you and make you pay."
Camancha laughed, his saliva spraying Sydney's cheek and causing her to flinch. "Those are pretty strong words for a man who is in your current position. You have nothing to bargain with...Nothing at your disposal but idle threats."
"I assure you they are anything but idle threats. You have no idea who I work for or how far-reaching my connections are."
"Save it!" he snapped. "I don't care what you have to say. It is obvious you care very deeply for this woman and she for you. Nothing would make you suffer more than knowing that she was fulfilling your dreams with me."
Vaughn dug his nails into the palms of his hands.
"Vaughn," Sydney said softly. He met her eyes. "It's okay."
"Sydney-..."
"No, it's okay." She turned her eyes to Camancha, "If I do as you ask, will you let him leave unharmed with the strain?"
Camancha shrugged, "I've never cared about the strain. I don't need the money. It's all a game to me. It's about having something that everyone else wants. It's about being able to demand whatever you want from them. It's about power. But you've broken the rules and the game is no longer fun. You are free to have the strain and your colleague can leave here unharmed."
Vaughn eyed him suspiciously. He didn't believe him for a second. No one would go through so much trouble if he weren't invested in this.
"He's lying, Sydney. He wouldn't give up the strain that easily. He's put too much time, effort and money into it. His men will kill me before I reach the front door and they will take the strain."
Sydney focused on Vaughn. She couldn't be sure he was right. Camancha seemed like he could be the type of man who would do something purely for the thrill of it.
She addressed Camancha, "I will not do anything for you until I am assured that he is safe and on his way home with the strain."
"That can be arranged," Camancha replied with a small smile.
"Sydney, don't do this," Vaughn said in a barely audible whisper.
Sydney captured his eyes. "Don't worry, it'll be okay."
Vaughn studied her carefully. There was a look in her eye that Vaughn recognized. She had a plan.
"Okay," he slowly replied, his eyes focused on her. "Fine."
"Good, now that that's settled," Camancha said.
"The strain is in my purse," Sydney said.
"Give it to me," Camancha ordered. "I will make sure that it is returned to your friend after he leaves this room."
"No," Sydney replied sharply. "I don't trust that you will keep your word. He gets the strain now or the deal is off."
Camancha seemed to be considering this for a moment. He sighed and then reluctantly responded, "Fine. You may give him the strain. Open your purse and then he will step forward to remove it." He moved the knife even closer to her throat as he spoke, a silent warning not to try anything.
Vaughn watched as Sydney fumbled with the purse. She placed it in her right hand and then opened its clasp with her left. Odd, he thought, since she is right-handed.
She held the purse up and motioned with her head to Vaughn to step forward. He took a few steps and then reached into the purse to remove the strain.
He had barely taken a step backward, when he heard a hissing sound and noticed that it was coming from Sydney's bag. It all happened so fast he could barely process it.
Sydney's finger had pressed the nozzle of a small bottle of hairspray that was at the bottom of her bag. She had somehow managed to remove its cap and had pressed the nozzle through the fabric. After Vaughn took the strain, she had tilted the bag towards Camancha's face and pressed. The spray hit him directly in both eyes.
Sydney knew it was a risk. If he reacted one way, she'd be dead right now.
But he had reacted exactly as she had hoped. His instinct was to jerk his arm away from her in order to bring both of his hands up to his burning eyes. He had even dropped the knife in his panic.
Camancha fell to his knees, his fingers rubbing incessantly at his eyes and low wails following out of his mouth.
Sydney smiled at Vaughn, who simply regarded her with a thoroughly impressed expression.
She reached into her purse and pulled out the small bottle of hairspray. She held it up to him and grinned, "A girl never goes anywhere without her hairspray."
He couldn't help but chuckle, his eyes dancing in delight. "So that's what you deemed a necessary item?"
She shrugged and nodded her head at Camancha, "Do you even have to ask?"
Vaughn smiled and shook his head, "I guess not."
He was just about to suggest that they leave, when his eyes widened at something behind Sydney.
He yelled, "Sydney!" and then lunged at her, knocking her to the ground, just as the knife Camancha had once held sailed past her left ear.
Vaughn quickly checked Sydney to make sure she was okay, before scrambling to his feet and rushing towards Camancha. He was still on the ground, rubbing at his eyes. He must have thrown the knife blindly and hoped to hit something.
He'd come far too close.
Vaughn swung downward and landed a punch to the side of his head, which knocked him over.
"That," he said in a low voice, "is for calling Sydney sweetie." He paused and then spoke as he kicked him in the stomach. "And this is for decorating your bedroom in this horrendous gold. Really, what were you thinking?"
Camancha, however, could not respond because he was now unconscious.
Vaughn met Sydney's gaze, as she slowly stood up. There was gratitude in her eyes and no words needed to pass between them.
Vaughn breathed a sigh of relief, as he allowed himself a long look at her. He was so glad he wouldn't have to find out what life without Sydney would be like. He'd lived that life before and he had no intention of ever going back. Now that he knew how much she brightened his world, how could he?
Sydney lowered her eyes, his stare making her uncomfortable. She gestured at the room in an attempt to break the tension. "You're right, this place is terrible."
Vaughn nodded, a slight smile on his lips, "I know. It's like someone let King Midas run rampant."
Sydney looked at him thoughtfully for a moment before saying, "Agent Vaughn, decorating connoisseur. Who knew?"
Vaughn shrugged and offered her a grin, "Hey, the CIA isn't my whole life, you know. I enjoy a good Home & Garden channel decorating program every once and while, just like everyone else." He paused and then looked Sydney in the eye, "And if you ever tell Weiss about any of this, I swear I'll hurt you."
Sydney laughed and then brought her fingers up to her mouth in a 'my lips are sealed' motion.
This action, however, caused Sydney to drop her purse. They both bent down, simultaneously, to pick up the purse and found themselves temptingly close to each other.
Vaughn swallowed hard and searched his mind for something to say in order to alleviate the tension of the uncomfortable moment, "So...I guess we're even now. You saved me, I saved you. We're even."
Sydney raised her brow at the strange comment that had appeared out of nowhere and then smiled as she leaned in closer. "Even? I don't know about even. I mean, there was the first plan, which you ruined. Then the second plan, the third plan...I saved you, you saved me. I don't know, it's a little confusing. Hard to keep track of. I'm not really sure we can say we're even."
Vaughn's brow creased in confusion, but he decided to play along, "So what do you think we should do ab-..."
Vaughn's sentence was cut off by Sydney grabbing the collar of his shirt with both hands and pulling her to him. Her lips crashed into his and a raw, passionate kiss ensued...One that released much of the sexual tension they had been tiptoeing around for far too long.
Sydney slowly pulled away and looked into Vaughn's deep green eyes. She spoke in a breathy voice, "Now we're even."
With that, she stood up, picked up the strain and sauntered out of the room.
Vaughn's gaze simply followed her, a dumbfounded expression plastered across his face.
* * * *
Weiss stuck his head into Vaughn's office. He shook his head when he saw him staring blankly at the wall, while twirling the gold coin between his fingers.
"What now?" he asked, as he sat down in front of him.
"She kissed me," Vaughn blurted out and then turned his eyes to his friend.
"Sydney kissed you!" Weiss said a tad too loudly.
Vaughn's eyes widened and he replied in a harsh whisper, "Keep your voice down, man! Are you trying to get me fired?!"
Weiss shook his head, "No, but it looks like Sydney is."
Vaughn sighed, "I have no idea what came over her. It's not like I gave her any indication that I wanted something to happen between us."
Weiss scoffed and Vaughn's brow furrowed, "What?"
"It's not like you gave her any indication that you wanted something to happen between you two? Are you kidding?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Vaughn, anytime she calls you and wants to talk, you run right over. The girl stubs her toe and you're there in a flash. You're like Superman, without the unflattering cape and tights."
Vaughn rolled his eyes, "Give me a break. I'm her friend. I'm the only person she can confide in. I'm also her handler and I want her to be safe."
"You risked your job to fly to another continent in order to make sure she was safe."
Vaughn lowered his eyes, "You know why I had to do that."
"I know that you want to keep her safe. What I don't know is if it's because you're her handler and friend or if it's because you're in love with her."
Vaughn's eyes widened, "In love with her?"
"Yeah, you moron, in love with her. Don't tell me you haven't considered it."
He had considered it, as evidenced by his comment at the party while pretending that he was somebody else. He had wondered if his comment about a part of him falling in love with her the moment he saw her had come from some place inside of him where it was true.
Vaughn closed his eyes and rubbed at his forehead. "I can't be in love with her. You know I can't be."
"No, I know you shouldn't be. I don't out rule the possibility that you are in the least."
"I'll lose my job, Weiss. It would endanger both of our lives."
"Yes, that's what smart, levelheaded Agent Vaughn would say. But what would head-over-heels, emotionally attached Michael Vaughn say?"
Vaughn groaned. "Okay, I think I'm finally ready to ask you to shut up."
"Not until you admit it."
"Admit what?"
"That you're in love with Sydney."
Vaughn shook his head and Weiss leaned in closer to him. "Fine, don't admit it. But answer me this: When Camancha had that knife to her throat, was your only thought that you couldn't stand it if you lost her?"
Vaughn averted his eyes and bent his head, but didn't say a word.
Weiss smiled and then stood up, "I guess I have my answer...and so do you."
Vaughn didn't even notice Weiss leave. He was too busy running his words over and over again in his mind.
But it didn't take him long to reach the same conclusion Weiss had.
He was in love with Sydney Bristow.
He groaned, as he dropped his head into his hands.
* * * *
Vaughn nervously awaited Sydney's arrival at their warehouse. He had been pacing back and forth for what seemed like hours.
He had planned it all out. He knew exactly what he was going to say. He'd even been practicing.
"Sydney, what happened the other day was a big mistake. You know that as well as I do. We got caught up in the moment, swept up in the excitement of the situation. We both know that this can never happen again, so let's just leave it at that and try to resume a professional relationship."
"Are you talking to yourself?" a voice from behind him asked.
His eyes widened and he slowly turned around. He offered Sydney a small smile, "Me? No, I was just...thinking out loud."
"And that's not talking to yourself?"
He shook his head, "Nope, two completely different things."
She offered him a confused expression, before simply nodding.
Vaughn was the first to speak, "Sydney, what-..."
She cut him off and said bluntly, "It wasn't a mistake. I don't regret it."
Vaughn's mouth dropped open slightly and his brow wrinkled. "Uh, what...um, what are...You don't think it was a mistake? The, uh, kiss?"
She shook her head sharply, "No, I don't."
Vaughn sighed and shook his head, "Okay, now I don't know what to say to you. I has this whole thing planned out, I knew exactly what I was going to say and how everything was supposed to go-..."
"Maybe that's the problem," she said, interrupting him again.
"Excuse me?"
She met his eyes, "Maybe that's the problem, Vaughn. You and I are always working according to a plan. Sloane's plan, the CIA's plan. Everything we do together is practically scripted."
"So?"
"So maybe I want more," she said softly.
He swallowed against the lump in his throat, "Sydney, you know-..."
"No, Vaughn, don't tell me how I am supposed to feel. What's right and what's wrong. What's appropriate and what's inappropriate. I only know how I feel and that I can't help it." She paused and then continued, "I am tired...I am so tired of pretending. I spend my whole life pretending. I pretend with Sloane, with Dixon, with my father, with my friends, with every person I come in contact with while on a mission. I am sick of it. I thought the only person I never had to pretend with was you. And then I realized it. Just like that, it came to me. I've been pretending with you too, just like everyone else. But I can't stand this anymore...This charade."
Sydney moved closer to him and Vaughn could literally feel the beads of perspiration forming on his forehead. "Sydney-..." he barely choked out.
"I want more and I know you do too," she replied in a whisper, before softly pressing her lips to his.
Their second kiss was very different from their first. It was soft and gentle, slow and lingering. It was the type of kiss you never wanted to end.
Vaughn, however, reluctantly pulled away and looked into her eyes, "You know we can't do this." He paused and averted his gaze, "I want to...You have no idea how much I want to. But we just can't."
"No, I don't accept that," she said firmly.
His eyebrows peaked, "You don't accept that?"
"Yes."
His brow creased and he shook his head, "That...It doesn't matter if you accept it or not, Sydney. That's just the way it has to be."
"Well, I refuse to accept it."
"Sydney-..." Vaughn began, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"No, Vaughn, I'm tired of people telling me what I can and cannot do with my life. SD-6 and the CIA run my life enough as it is. SD-6 is the reason my fiancé is dead. I have made too many sacrifices and lost enough to last me three lifetimes. I'll be damned if I lose you too."
Vaughn simply stared at her for a long moment. He knew it was of no use. When she made up her mind about something, she stuck to it. And, truth be told, he couldn't have been happier. He wasn't sure how much longer he would have been able to deny his feelings for her.
He shook his head in defeat and smiled, "You are one incredibly stubborn woman."
She smiled and took a step closer, "And you love that about me, don't you?"
His lips gave way to a crooked smile, "Yeah, I do."
"You know," she said softly, "I kind of liked you saving me for a change the other day. It's not often that someone else gets to be the hero."
He grinned, "I didn't take you for a woman who enjoys the prince saving the damsel in distress routine."
Her lips curled into a smile that reached her eyes, "Well, when the prince is as cute as you, I make an exception."
It was now Vaughn's turn to close the distance between them. Their third kiss was everything a kiss should be. It was gentle, yet passionate. Raw, but tender.
And it held promises for the future where impossible dreams had once been.
But, most of all, it was a declaration of love without any words having to pass between them.
They slowly separated and Vaughn spoke, "What are we going to do about our situation?"
Sydney shrugged, "Well, I guess I have one more secret to keep."
"And that won't bother you?"
She smiled, "No, this is the good kind."
His expression turned serious, "This will endanger both our lives, Sydney. You know that, right?"
She nodded, her eyes focused on his. "It's worth the risk, Vaughn. We're worth the risk."
Her expression changed suddenly and a wide smile overtook her face. She spoke with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes and in a low, breathy voice, "Plus, won't secret rendezvous be a lot of fun?"
Vaughn tried to pretend that her voice didn't send shivers down his spine. "Oh yeah."
She grinned, "We might as well put our spy skills to good use."
Vaughn laughed, before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close to him. "You know, I'd never dye my hair blonde for any other girl but you."
Sydney smiled, "I sure hope not." She paused and then added, "And I'm guessing you wouldn't tell any other girl about your secret infatuation with Martha Stewart."
"Home & Garden channel decorating programs, Sydney. Not Mart-..." his halfhearted protest was interrupted by her grabbing hold of his tie and pulling his lips down to hers.
******************************THE END******************************
Okay, that's all folks! Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading and for all of your comments, I've really appreciated them! Let me know what you thought one last time ( ~Steph
