Jack and Sydney parted when they arrived at the exhibition hall, he to do a bit of reconnaissance work regarding the Rambaldi brooch and she to survey the crowd. Sydney knew Vaughn and Anna weren't due to arrive for at least another half hour, but she wanted to appear properly intoxicated by the time they showed up just in case Anna had some "helpers" interspersed throughout the art-loving crowd.
Sydney procured a glass of "champagne" from a Pink Carnationed-waiter and proceeded to knock it back rather quickly as she took a stroll around the room. She didn't bother looking at any of the display cases, but was content to study her surroundings.
The large room with its cream-colored stucco walls, wooden beams and high ceilings had a light and airy feel to it. One wall consisted of mullioned floor-to-ceiling windows, a pair of double French doors opening out onto a large balcony, which wrapped around one side of the building and led down to a courtyard area surrounded by shade trees and lush vegetation. A dais was set up in the courtyard along with several buffet tables and a small dancing area, where a 5-piece band was playing music to set the mood.
Sydney was on her third glass of sparkling cider when Vaughn and Anna appeared at the entrance to the exhibition hall. She heard the sharp intake of her breath when she caught sight of Vaughn for the first time in days.
Damn, he looked better in his tuxedo than any man had a God-given right to be. The crisp white shirt contrasted nicely against the well-cut black jacket, the fabric rippling freely with every movement of his lean body. To her embarrassment, Sydney felt the room becoming a bit too warm for comfort and moved outside for a moment, hoping the cool night air would be a balm to her flushed cheeks.
Vaughn was aware of Sydney's presence in the room even though he had yet to lay eyes on her. He tried not to look so eager as he perused the room, but it had been several days since they had last seen each other and he was missing her more than he thought possible.
He finally spotted her outside, standing next to the edge of the balcony. A string of Japanese lanterns gave her skin a soft golden glow, the sequins on her amazing red dress twinkling with every graceful movement as the light hit each sparkly, spangly disk.
Sydney looked stunning and he could say that, knowing he was totally biased. Every man in the room who had a pulse was giving her the onceover, shooting appreciative glances at the way her dress hugged every luscious curve of her body. Her skin looked like the softest velvet and Vaughn felt a dull ache in his chest as he wondered what it would be like to hold her in his arms, breathe in her scent, feel the satiny-smooth skin of her cheek next to his.
Vaughn knew now without a doubt how he felt about her and this undercover op-imposed separation only served to clarify his feelings. Even if he had wanted to deny it, it would have been an exercise in futility.
He had had a glimpse of what his life would be like if she wasn't a part of it and it was an existence he didn't even want to contemplate. Sydney was under his skin and in his blood and sometimes it made him feel as if he were a junkie, needing to come in contact with her every so often in order to get his fix. She was like his drug of choice and he was becoming increasingly aware how dependent he was about feeding his craving. Maybe it wasn't exactly "professional" behavior, but as long as he didn't endanger her, he didn't see it as harmful. Except maybe to his fragile psyche.
Because he was a handler in love with his agent, creating a situation that grew ever cloudier by the minute. He knew it was dangerous and foolish and all those other things Weiss was always warning him about, but could he help it if his heart didn't want to listen to his head? He had tried to deny it, tried to keep it from happening, but whenever she looked at him with those soft brown eyes (not to mention the heart-tugging dimples!), he lost all sense of reasoning.
So now he had to deal with it. He obviously couldn't act on his feelings…hell, he didn't even know if they were returned in even an infinitesimally small amount, but if Sydney were to give him even the slightest sign of how she felt…
Did she even feel one speck of jealousy at the thought of him spending time with Anna? Or were all those harsh words just borne out of her ultra-protective nature to look out for the people in her life? Okay, so admittedly, he was a fringe-dweller and not an insider (like Will!), but that said something, didn't it? If she didn't care, then she wouldn't have lit in to him for his supposed dalliance with a dangerous super-spy like Anna.
Sydney turned to lean against the balcony railing. She could see them through the French doors. Her gaze fixated on Anna, her heart twisting as she watched Vaughn guiding her through the room with a gentle grip on her elbow. They made a striking-looking couple, Anna's darkly exotic beauty in direct contrast to Vaughn's fair-haired boy good looks. Anna was wearing an ivory silk halter dress with a plunging back, the creamy color looking magnificent against her dusky skin. Her long hair was gathered into a sleek topknot, but instead of a tight bun, the length of it flowed freely like a cascading waterfall down her back.
As Sydney slid her eyes slowly from Anna's lithe form, she suddenly found herself locking eyes with Vaughn. An electric jolt coursed through her body as she saw the expression on Vaughn's face turn from one of bored indifference to undisguised longing. For a moment, she thought she had imagined such an uncharacteristically blatant response from someone so normally reserved. Sydney blinked and the look was gone, leaving her to wonder if it had even happened.
Vaughn was hopeful he had covered up his lustful gaze before Sydney could witness it. He shouldn't have let his guard down so completely, but that was what she did to him.
Anna stopped at one of the display cases, turning to Vaughn as she did so. Sydney watched as Anna leaned in close to whisper something in his ear. An irrational burst of jealousy flared inside of her. Vaughn nodded and then wandered off. Anna turned her attention to the display case in front of her.
Sydney squared her shoulders and walked back into the exhibition hall. She rearranged her features into a giddy little grin and stumbled over to Anna. Sydney banged into the display case, causing Anna to look up, a frown on her face. When she saw Sydney, a knowing smirk twisted her lips.
"I should have expected to see you tonight." Anna muttered in her slightly accented English.
"Don't worry, I'm not on duty tonight." Sydney waved her hand carelessly, sloshing a bit of her drink in the process.
Anna raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Like I would believe you?"
"I really don't care what you believe." Sydney proceeded to down the rest of her drink and then looked around the room as if searching for someone. "Now where is that waiter? He promised me he would keep these coming!" She waggled the empty flute in Anna's face.
"Are you drunk, Bristow?" Anna asked softly, her voice incredulous.
Sydney gave her a goofy smile. "Not yet, but I'm getting there."
Just then, Vaughn appeared, two glasses of champagne in his hands. He gave her a polite smile--the kind you might give to a passing stranger on the street--and then handed a glass to Anna with a much warmer smile that made it all the way up to his eyes. Sydney frowned at the intimate look he gave her. Was it an act or was it for real?
What was Sydney doing making contact with them? Vaughn wondered to himself. Surely, this wasn't part of the plan!
"Hello," He looked at her and then looked at Anna, waiting for an introduction.
"Well, hello to you," Sydney cooed provocatively, giving Vaughn an openly admiring glance. He looked slightly taken aback at her brazenness and she stifled a smile. "I hope that's for me." She took the glass of champagne from the stunned-looking Vaughn and proceeded to down ¾ of it in one single gulp. Oops, that was the real stuff, she realized as the bubbles tickled her nose. Oh, well, one glass can't hurt. "Aren't you going to introdusssh us?" She looked at Anna as she slurred her words, causing Vaughn to frown.
"Not if I can help it." Anna muttered, obviously annoyed. Sydney wondered if her attitude stemmed from Sydney trying to interfere with her mission or with her love life.
"Now don't be rude!" Sydney chastised her in a cloyingly perky sorority-girl way. "My name is Sydney Bristow." She offered her hand prettily.
Vaughn paused slightly. "Russell Phillips." He took her hand and shook it. His eyes shot her a questioning glance before he realized Anna was watching his reaction to his flirtatious, drunken accoster.
"How do you do? Have you been down to the courtyard yet? I've heard the musicians they've hired are quite sh-uitable for danshing." She gave him a flirtatious eyelash flutter.
"Thank you for letting me know." Vaughn gave her another cordial smile. "Mariana and I will be sure to take full advantage of it." And with Anna's smug smile flashing over his shoulder, a confused Vaughn whisked Anna away from her.
Sydney felt her face flaming. Okay, so she knew he was playing the part of the attentive suitor, but she would have appreciated even a little acknowledgement on his part that she'd struck some sort of chord with him. A response that wasn't part of the master plan.
Sydney swallowed the rest of her champagne and then followed Vaughn and Anna down to the courtyard. She caught sight of them on the dance floor and it made her heart twist into a knot. Anna had her body pressed up against Vaughn and she was laughing as he whispered something in her ear.
Damn it, did he have to be so convincing in his lothario persona? Sydney fumed silently, again pushing down the little spurt of jealousy that had erupted within her.
She made eye contact with her father, who was standing by the buffet. Sydney made a little head motion towards Vaughn and Anna and he understood that she was going to cut in on them.
Normally, Sydney was not the type to cut in on another couple while they were dancing, but being a spy required a certain amount of bravado. And even if this wasn't for the sake of the mission, she was still interested in finding out how Vaughn would respond to her drunken advances.
Sydney glided over to Vaughn and Anna, who were situated along the edge of the dance floor. Vaughn noticed her a split second before she tapped Anna rather purposefully on the shoulder and his eyes shot her a bewildered look.
Anna whirled around and the delighted look on her face changed dramatically when she saw who had interrupted her dance. "What do you want?" She asked rudely.
"Do you mind if I cut in?" Sydney asked sweetly.
Anna's eyes narrowed. "As a matter of fact, I--"
"Ms. Ortega!" They all turned to see a blustery little man with a white handlebar mustache and a bald pate coming towards them.
"Excuse me, have we met?" Anna's demeanor changed yet again into one of well-mannered civility as she looked at the man.
"My name is Bertram Farquhar and I am a trustee for the museum." The little man boomed. "I have heard about your splendid museum in Brazil and would like very much for you to tell me all about it." Bertram took hold of her elbow and tried to maneuver Anna off the dance floor.
Anna looked flustered. "You've heard about what?" She sputtered as Sydney grabbed Vaughn's arm.
"You go on and talk nice with the man." Sydney gave her a little wave. "I'll make sure Mr. Phillips has a good time." She couldn't resist a giggle as she wrapped her arms around Vaughn's neck. Over his shoulder, she caught her father's slightly amused gaze and realized Bertram Farquhar's timely appearance had been his doing. Sydney gave him a little salute before Vaughn spun her around.
Mmmm, this is nice, she thought dreamily as she laid her head on his shoulder. Sydney realized this was the first moment between them that could be construed as romantic. Yes, he had hugged her before, but that had been one of comfort, not passion. For a few brief moments, she forgot what she was doing, what she was there for, and just let herself enjoy the sensation of his warm hand on her bare back. His breath as it caressed her shoulders. The solidness of his body as she leaned up against him. The feel of his heart beating against hers.
"Sydney, what is going on?" Vaughn murmured in her ear, marveling at how he was thisclose to being able to nibble on the smooth white skin of her neck. All those times he had thought about how it would feel to hold her in his arms didn't even compare to the actuality of it. He could feel himself literally drowning at the very nearness of her. Her perfume filled his senses, the skin beneath his fingertips was warm and soft to the touch. He loved how the curve of her body fit so perfectly against his. Not for the first time, he wished that this moment they were sharing was real. That it wasn't because of the job or to save the world. That it was just the two of them, Michael and Sydney, dancing.
"What's the matter, 'Russell'?" Sydney gave him a slow smile. "Can't a girl let a guy know she finds him attractive?"
Vaughn's reaction was like a deer caught in headlights. "Syd, I don't know what kind of game you're playing--"
"Oh, but it's not a game." She murmured. "Maybe I'm thinking that this is exactly the right moment to tell you how I really feel about you."
Vaughn's heart nearly stopped. "Sydney, what are you saying?" He whispered.
She gave him a sweet smile and then she dropped her bomb. "I don't appreciate being left out of the loop because you and your sexist colleagues at the agency think I might get too emotionally involved!" She hissed, dimly aware that she was probably proving their point, but too incensed to care. "Do you know how I felt thinking that you and Anna were getting all hot and bothered with one another?"
Vaughn was taken aback. "Sydney--" He wanted to say something that would placate her, but she would have none of it.
"No, don't say anything." She shook her head. "I don't want to hear all the gory details."
"Sydney, it wasn't like that!" He protested.
Sydney gave him a knowing smirk. "Yeah, right. Are you going to stand there and deny that Anna wanted to sleep with you?"
As much as he would have liked to, he couldn't. Anna had invited him to her room the night before, but he had 'regretfully' declined, citing an early breakfast meeting with a client. Vaughn had been flattered, but not the least bit tempted.
But what was most interesting was Sydney's reaction to the whole matter. She was acting as if he had wronged her and that could only mean one thing. She was jealous. That kind of knowledge could be useful in the right person's hands.
"Well, now that you mention it, I guess I can't really deny that." Vaughn acknowledged truthfully, suddenly feeling as if he had gained the upper hand.
He could see her jaw harden as she gritted her teeth and it tickled him. "Well, I guess I know now just how far you'll go to be in service for your country." Sydney said frostily.
Vaughn smiled like a Cheshire cat, which infuriated Sydney. "You have your way of serving your country and I have mine." He said smoothly, a touch of amusement in his voice.
She glared at his flippant attitude. "Well, let me just say that your way is not only degrading, it's disgusting."
"So you frown upon a person using his or her body as a means of persuading someone to give you what you want?" Vaughn raised an eyebrow and Sydney suddenly felt the temperature rise a few degrees. "I seem to recall reading in one of your debriefs that you didn't have any problem with this when you were doing your cabaret act in Paris."
Sydney bristled in his arms. "That was business. I certainly didn't enjoy hanging all over Khasinau like that." She looked at him pointedly. "Unlike yourself."
"Anna is a lot more attractive than Khasinau, isn't she?" Vaughn agreed, his eyes roaming for a glimpse of the K-Directorate spy. She was still cornered by Bertram Farquhar, but he could see by her expression that she was not happy about his dancing with Sydney.
"Are you admitting to me that you're mixing business with pleasure?" Sydney sounded outraged.
"If you can do it, why can't I?" He queried.
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, what else would you call your little drunken flirtation act?" Vaughn questioned her with a knowing look on his face and she blushed. "You deliberately made me think you were drunk and that you were coming on to me."
Sydney had the grace to look abashed. "That was just for fun. To get you back for keeping me in the dark about your activities."
"Oh," Vaughn nodded. "So you really weren't trying to elicit any response from me?"
Sydney gave him a surprised look. "If I were, what kind of response would I get?" Her question was uttered so softly, he had to lean close to hear them. Foolish move on his part as he was drawn once more into her enticing orbit.
Vaughn was momentarily at a loss for words. Was she asking him to tell her how he really felt about her?
"Sydney, I--" He started to say.
"Excuse me, but I need to have a word with my daughter." Jack suddenly appeared, interrupting what might have been a moment of great significance between them. Sydney cursed her father silently for his bad timing and was doubly upset when he whisked her away from Vaughn before she could say anything to him.
"Dad, what are you doing?" She questioned as he maneuvered them over near the band. It was a little closer than she would have liked seeing as how the loudness of the music affected her ability to think.
"Sydney, there's a problem." He said to her in a low voice, the music drowning out anyone's ability to overhear their conversation. "The Rambaldi piece is not being shown tonight."
"What?"
"I checked all of the display cases and my guess is that they're saving some of the pieces for later on to encourage return visits."
"So that means I'm going to have to break into the vault." Her words were a statement rather than a question.
Jack nodded. "Did you have a chance to look at the specs for the museum?"
"Weiss gave them to me." Sydney replied. "He also gave me a card key and a code descrambler in case this situation came up."
Jack gave a nod of approval. "When I discovered what was going on, I placed a call to Weiss, who was able to tap into the computer system of the museum to obtain the inventory number for the brooch." Jack looked around surreptitiously before reciting the number to her. "The number is AA109BC12."
"AA109BC12." Sydney repeated, committing the number to memory.
"You know, this Weiss fellow appears to have a lot on the ball." Her father commented neutrally, although they both knew his declaration was far from innocuous. "Maybe you should consider--"
Sydney's heavy sigh cut him off. "Dad, don't start." She cut her eyes over at Anna and Vaughn, who had been reunited. "Does Vaughn know?"
"No." Jack shook his head. "His assignment is to keep Anna occupied for as long as he is able. I'll keep an eye on her while you're gone." Sydney felt her father slip something into her hand. "An earpiece, in case we need to communicate."
"Okay," The band finished their song and Sydney and Jack ambled off the dance floor. Anna appeared not to even notice them, so enamored was she with Vaughn.
Enjoy him while you can, Anna, Sydney thought to herself a bit triumphantly as she strolled back into the museum. I'll soon be back to reclaim what's mine.
To be continued…
Author's Note: Just wanted to give a big thanks to all of you who keep reading and reviewing! You guys are awesome and I'm really glad to know you're enjoying my story!