Chapter 2

Sydney's POV

As I reached to pick up the book, I saw another hand reach for the book as well. I pull my hand away and turn my head sideways. There my eyes stared into the most captivating pair of green eyes I have ever seen. The eyes belonged to a tall handsome man. He looked like the kind of guy you would only find in the movies. It was a crime for a man to look so good. I can't believe I'm even thinking about this. I'm just getting over Danny!

"Um, sorry." the stranger mumbled. At first I stood there just staring at him before I realized I should probably respond.

"It's okay. Do you want the book? I was just going to skim it. So if you were interested in buying it, go ahead and look at it. I don't need it." I can't believe I'm rambling. He must think I'm some idiot.

"No, it's okay. I'm was just going to do the same thing." He smiled and I thought I would faint. How embarrassing would that be if a double agent for the CIA were to faint because of a guy's smile. This is just weird. Here I am in a bookstore, talking to a guy I have never met and thinking about how hot he is. Is this normal for a woman who just got over her fiance's death? We stood there for a while looking at the other books near by.

"So why did you pick up the book in the first place? Want to know what it's like to be a spy?" He teased.

"No, not really. I just wanted to see if how far fetched the book would be. What about you?" Hopefully that sounded convincing. It was a half-truth. I couldn't necessarily tell him I wanted to laugh at how false it was because I was living the spy life myself and was sure the book did not live up to it's name.

"Oh, I just was curious. I've always been interested in espionage." If that was true, he should just see what my life was really like. Then let's see if he's still into espionage.

"Oh by the way, I'm Michael. Michael Vaughn." He offered his hand and I shook it. As soon as our skin touch, I felt a bolt of electricity course through me. Whoa, what was that? That kind of thing hasn't happened to me ever. Not even with Danny. How could I feel that kind of spark with a complete stranger?

"Sydney Bristow. Nice to meet you. So what brings you here?"

"Oh, I'm getting a present for my mom. She really wanted a certain book so I decided to buy it for her. What about you?" Hmm, he's thoughtful about his mom. That must mean he was a good guy right? Unless he was just using that as a line. I didn't think so though, even though we had just met, he seemed sincere.

"Well, my fiance used to go here a lot. He died two months a go. I guess I was feeling nostalgic." I looked down at my fingernails. I didn't know why I just told him that. I guess I just wanted to not have to lie to another person.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It must be hard on you. Cling to the memories you have. It'll help." I was surprised at his words. Most people just stop at I'm sorry or they say he was a good man. They don't understand how I feel about it or offer any advice.

"Thanks. I'm sorry. I must be depressing to you. So what do you do for a living?" The words popped out of my mouth before I could stop it. Why did I ask that? If I ask what he does for a living, he'll ask what I do for a living. I don't feel like lying to him.

"I'm an accountant. What about you?"

"I, um, work at a bank. Guess we're both in the money business, huh?" I tried a lame attempt at humor. Somehow he got it and smiled.

"Yeah, guess so. Most people think accountants are boring, did you think that?"

"I'm sure you're far from boring, Mr. Vaughn." I can't believe I just flirted with him. What am I thinking? He must think I'm some weirdo, flirting with a guy I just met especially since my fiance just died two months a go!

"Well, thank you. I'm sure you're far from boring too, Miss Bristow." He smiled and laughed. That cause me to laugh as well.

We stood there talking and laughing for a long time. He made me forget about Danny for the time being and let me by myself. I learned little tidbits about him and he learned some facts about me. It was turning out to be a very pleasant conversation.

Unfortunately, Sloane had to ruin that for me as well. My pager beeped 911. I quickly apologized to Michael and debated with myself about whether to give him my number. My illogical side won out and I ended up writing my number for him on the back of the bookstore's business card. We said goodbye and I hurried to SD-6 headquarters.

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I set my purse down on the table and drop down on the sofa next to Francie. There was a rerun of I love Lucy on TV.

"Hey"

"Hi"

"Did anyone call while I was gone?" I was secretly hoping that Michael had called and that Lambert hadn't.

"Actually, yeah. (Pause) Sydney? Who's Michael?" Francie asked with an amused smile on her face as she turned her attention away from the TV.

I grabbed a pillow and hugged it. I pretended to focus my attention on the television screen. "Um, Michael? Oh he's just this guy I met." I hoped against hope that Francie hadn't heard me through the pillow. Unfortunately, she did.

"A guy?? Really? Oh, I'm so happy for you, Syd. It's about time you moved on. I don't think Danny would have wanted you to sit around and mope."

"Not so fast, Francie. We had a good talk in the bookstore, that's all. I gave him my number so we could be friends. I'm not ready to date yet."

"Oh, don't give me that bull, Sydney. You obviously like him and if he called back, that must mean he likes you too. Take a chance and go out with the guy. You never know what could happen." Francie was right. What could it hurt to go on one date with Michael? Who knows? Maybe I'll even have fun.

"Here, there's the number. Give him a call." Francie handed me a piece of paper with a number written on it. I quickly snatched it from her and ran into my room with the phone. As I entered my room, I could hear Francie laughing in the living room.

I quickly dialed the number on the piece of paper and waited for him to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Um, Hi. Is this Michael?" I so afraid I had maybe dialed the wrong number or that Francie had written down the wrong number.

"Yeah, who is this?"

"It's Sydney Bristow. You called me?"

"Oh, right. Well, I had a really great time at the bookstore so I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner with me Saturday night." I smiled into the phone. I couldn't wait.

"Sure, I would love to. Pick me up at eight?"

"Sure. See you then."

"Bye." This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Just as long as I keep what I really do a secret. I couldn't help but sigh.

*I've decide I would do the chapters like this. The first chapter was both POVs. The second chapter was Sydney's POV and the third will be Vaughn's POV and so on.