Chapter Four
Sydney arrived at the warehouse a few minutes later. She sighed in boredom. She wasn't really looking forward to her meeting with Vaughn. At least not in the mission-briefing way. She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel as her train of thought went full-steam.
She had a host of other things on her mind that weren't about her job. Those other things' were Sark-related—and not in the enemy' way. Some of the things were Will-related too. Perhaps with some Vaughn-related things thrown in for good measure. She groaned.
I need a guy.
She sighed again and walked inside.
Vaughn greeted her.
Sydney said with a smile.
This meeting will be a bit shorter than usual because your countermission is to simply give SD-6 this— he said as he reached into his pocket, —vial of placebo.
Sydney took it and looked it over before stuffing it into her jacket pocket. Are you sure they won't know the difference?
Vaughn began, think about it: SD-6 has no idea what they're getting themselves into here. They have no clue as to what the vial might contain and for all they know, the people at the facility may have moved the real stuff somewhere else to fool everyone.
Sydney nodded. She crossed her arms over her chest and gazed at him thoughtfully. He had some incredible jade-colored eyes. Both Sark and Will had the most beautiful deep blue eyes.
she wondered aloud.
She had always been a sucker for men with gorgeous eyes. For whatever reason, staring at guys with alluring eyes made her knees weak.
So I guess that's it, Vaughn said with a shrug, causing Sydney to snap back to reality.
Yeah, guess so, Sydney agreed, finding that her response could have also been directly related to her previous thoughts: great eyes and she was sold. You want to get some pizza or something? she burst out suddenly.
Vaughn asked in confusion, chuckling nervously.
Pizza—erm—I was wondering if you wanted to get some pizza. What am I doing? We could get caught. Unless...
Vaughn began, shaking his head.
No wait, Sydney interrupted. Hear me out.
Vaughn nodded and Sydney continued.
I was thinking that one of us could call the place, then go pick it up and bring it back here.
Syd, I don't think— Vaughn started, shaking his head slightly. Sydney's heart sank. —that there's any reason why that would be a problem. He grinned.
Sydney smiled. She thought for a moment. I just think it blows that we can't—hang out—in public. It's stupid, you know? We're— she paused, wondering how she should word it, —we're friends and we can't even do anything without having to worry about someone seeing us and maybe putting a bullet through our heads.
You're right, Vaughn agreed.
Well of course, Sydney teased, when am I ever wrong? She gave him a wink. Vaughn started to respond, but Sydney quieted him by speaking again. I'll call the pizza place. We'll eat, and then I have to go pack.
Sounds great, Vaughn said, smiling. Sydney was finally taking an interest in him as more than a handler, and frankly, it felt good.
About an hour later, Sydney and Vaughn were sitting at a table in the warehouse eating pizza and not talking much. The whole experience of being together and not discussing work was new and they quickly found they didn't have much to talk about.
Sydney started laughing. This is pathetic.
Vaughn laughed too. I know.
How can we have nothing to talk about besides work? Work doesn't dominate our lives that much, does it? Sydney asked, almost rhetorically.
Maybe it does, Vaughn answered with a sigh.
Sydney grunted in frustration and threw a crust into the lid of the box where several other pieces of crust were residing.
Maybe this was a bad idea, she said, much too quickly.
Vaughn looked at her. I don't think it was. Sydney sighed. And I truly hope that you just said that out of annoyance and not because you think it's true. He tossed a crust into the lid of the box. It landed next to the one Sydney had just tossed.
Sydney looked away to avoid Vaughn's (stunning, jade) eyes. She sighed and pounded her fist on the table. Vaughn reacted quickly and grabbed both cups that had jumped up from the force of the hit.
I know you're frustrated, but don't take it out on the poor table, Vaughn said with a small smile, patting the table lightly. Or the cups, he added, patting those too.
Sydney glanced at him and turned away when she began to laugh. You're right, she told him, her expression suddenly serious. Our situation still sucks, though.
Vaughn chuckled. I know.
I have to go pack, Sydney told him after a moment.
All right, Vaughn said, squeezing her shoulder gently.
She stood up. Want me to get rid of this stuff?
No, it's all right, I'll dump it on my way out.
Silence.
So I'll uh—see you—when I get back, Sydney said, slinging her jacket over her arm.
Vaughn smiled. Then he added, Thanks for dinner.
No problem, Sydney replied, smiling. She reached a hand to his face and covered his chin dimple with her thumb.
What the hell are you doing? Vaughn said, chuckling.
Sydney burst out laughing. I have no clue. She let her hand drop back to her side after a moment.
Sydney smiled and left the warehouse.