A/N: Here is chapter one of my story. I know this one's quite fluffy, but the next two chapters will have the beginning of the storyline, I guess. lol! I would *reallyreallyreally* appreciate some feedback, it definately keeps me motivated :)

Until We Die - Chapter One
Sydney set her glass of wine on the fireplace mantel, unable to wipe the small grin off of her face. Taking one more sip before she replaced the glass, and left it alone, she turned around to see a huge green tree walking in the front door. Sydney took a double take, before realizing that unless the tree was wearing Vaughn's black army boots, it hadn't grown legs.

"Oh, that one's beautiful. Do you need some help?" Sydney asked, rushing to the door and holding it open as he wrestled the tree upright. After steadying it, and then heaving it into the room, he turned to look at Syd. "So they just let you take it?"

"Well no, the villa guy said that he'd just add fifteen dollars to our bill." Vaughn explained, shutting the villa door. It was December 23rd, and Vaughn had an idea to go upto a skiing lodge and villa in France he had always wanted to visit, for Christmas. After taking two weeks from work each, they packed up and got a over booked flight to France.

"Well, fifteen dollars isn't bad for such a monstorous tree." she paused, a smile creeping across her face. "Are you sure there aren't any racoons or birdhouses still in it?"

Vaughn chuckled, setting it up in a makeshift stand. It was a bucket that he filled with rocks and water. Hopefully it would hold the tree up.

"Let's hope not. That would be pretty bad." he paused, surveying his work. "It's tilted and lopsided, isn't it?"

"I wasn't gonna say anything, but yeah." she giggled, picking a branch up and letting it fall loosely back into place. "It's nice, though. I found some white lights in the decorations boxes in the janitors closet."

"Don't tell me you used your CIA wit to break into a janitor's closet and steal Christmas lights."

Sydney grinned, picking up her wineglass again.

"Fine, I won't."

Vaughn laughed, accepting the ball of white lights she handed him. After getting frusterated on trying to unravel them and sort them out, he let Sydney take over. She rolled her eyes, taking the lights back, and sitting down in a nearby armchair to untangle them.

"You would think a janitor would have enough common sense to keep the lights sorted for next year." he huffed, starting for the kitchen. Sydney smirked, as she realized she had just found out Vaughn had a short patience, and temper, for minute things like these. He yanked the refridgerator door open, pulling out some coldcuts for sandwiches.

The villa was like three rooms in one. It was taupe and white for the most part, a dash of rich brown or red thrown here or there. The kitchenette was in one corner, beside that was the most beautiful balcony Sydney had ever seen. It looked over the French mountainside. You could just see the little dots of skiiers and snowboarders from the balcony.

There was a huge fireplace and bookcases along the far wall, mostly dominating the room. A loungish-living room was set out infront of the fireplace, the furnature white and tan. And against the farthest wall, was the huge four poled bed, and dressers. The front door was set beside the kitchen, and the bathroom was just off the bedroom area.

Sydney sighed, genuinely happy as she untangled the knots of tiny lights. Three years ago, she was sitting at home, crying, and holding the picture frame Vaughn had given her. She had wanted to be with someone so bad, and now she was. Not only did she feel she was in love, but she had no idea how she ever lived without him and what he gave her. And what was funnier, was that she didn't know she was ever missing or needing something.

"Your having fun, aren't you?" Vaughn smiled, setting a mug of hot chocolate and piece of cake on the small end table beside her. Sydney looked up at him, watching as he fell into the couch opposite her. She broke into a laugh, watching as he haphazardly lay down on the couch, his head against one arm and his now socked feet against the other. Resting his plate of cake on his chest, and balancing it with one hand, he reached around and set his hot chocolate on the side table beside the couch. Sydney watched him twist, trying to make sure the mug didn't fall and end up in the carpet.

After watching him for a few moments, she groaned and got to her feet to set the cup down for him. Just as she did so, he yanked her down onto his chest, moving the plate just as she fell ontop of him. The lights scattered to the carpeted floor, a small thump as they hit the ground.

"I was hoping you'd do that." he grinned, setting the plate on the floor beside the couch quickly. Sydney laughed, trying to get off of his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back down. They disollved into a fit of laughter together, before Sydney took a few fingers' worth of icing from his cake, and mashed it into his nose, lips, and mouth. He was stunned for a minute, getting her enough time to hop off of him and scatter about the room. "Your gonna get it now, Syd." he laughed, jumping to his feet. Sydney darted behind the couch, Vaughn on the opposite side.

They ran around the room like children, eventually Sydney was standing on the bed, armed pillow ready in her hands as she slightly bounced to keep her balance. Vaughn pounced at her, knocking her against the mattress, and knocking a majority of the pillows from the bed.

"I told you." he laughed, trying to wipe his face against hers, trying to get the icing off. She shrieked, filled with laugher, as she moved her head, trying to dodge his. He had her by the wrists, holding them above her head as he did so. After getting her face well covered with the white icing, he was just about to lessen his grip, and climb off, when she grabbed his wrists and flipped him over so she was straddling his stomach.

"Do you do this to all of your male friends?" Vaughn laughed softly, feeling her lips come crushing down onto his. She broke out into a smile mid-kiss, loosening her grip on his wrists. He let his hands run through her hair softly stopping at the back of her head. One of her hands was still holding his wrist slightly. Soon most of the icing dissapeared, the hot chocolate turning cold, and the ball of lights long forgotten on the carpet.