Title: A License to Flirt

By: Ryan        aka: star

Disclaimer: It's not mine

Summary: Sydney and Vaughn aren't 'together' yet but they will be when this is over. Sydney decides to play games with Vaughn. She crosses the line to show him how she feels; will he grow a backbone and show he returns the same feelings? Read and find out. It's lots of Syd/Vaughn fluff!

Chapter 7: A Night Spent

I felt Vaughn's eyes turn down to me for the answer but I quickly closed my eyes and pretended to be sleeping; he was on his own for this one. My heart practically stopped in anticipation of his answer. Would he take me back to his house? If so what did he think was going to happen? Or even what if he had an awful day and just wants to bring me home?

Suddenly, I was brought back from my thoughts when Vaughn answered the cab driver, "Um.55 Park Ave." YEAY! My mind and heart exclaimed. That wasn't my address; I was going back to Vaughn's house! Even in my sleeping form a huge grin spread across my face from ear to ear.

Vaughn must have noticed my change because he leaned over and placed a gentle, soothing kiss on my forehead. I could feel his lips turn up into a smile against my skin. Even though he knew I was awake I refused to open my eyes to meet his. I was afraid I'd totally loose myself in those mesmerizing eyes of his.

If tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way to show her every day
That she's my only one


Eventually, I did fall asleep for real. All I can remember is that it was sometime before we arrived at Vaughn's house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The cab approached Vaughn's apartment shortly after. Vaughn read the meter and paid the driver accordingly. He looked down to find a sleeping figure cuddled up on his lap. After debating what to do for a minute he decided there really was only one thing to do, carry her up to his apartment.

Vaughn carefully slid from under her, gently placing her head onto the seat. Once he was out of the car he cautiously reached back into the car and pulled Sydney towards him. He carefully lifted her into his arms, cradling her close and safely.

Vaughn started his way up the walkway and stairs to his apartment. With each step Sydney seemed to snuggle closer and hold on tighter. Her head rested up against Vaughn's chest.

When he reached the door Vaughn tried to shift Sydney's wait so he could grab his key and open the gate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I felt Vaughn move and I slowly held up my head and was brought from my sleep. My eyes flickered open a few times until they adjusted. He noticed my movement and smiled down at me, "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." Vaughn whispered apologetically.

I smiled and shook my head, "Don't be." I didn't want him to put me down; I enjoyed being in his arms. I still was sleepy so I once again rested my head against him and closed my eyes. He gently shook me though, "Hey, before you go back to sleep can you do me a favor."

My eyelids felt to heavy to open so I kept them closed but I nodded in response. "Can you grab my keys for me? There in my back pocket." My eyes opened at that and I smiled sheepishly when he noticed my immediate response.

I hesitantly reached my arm around his back. I slipped two fingers into his back right pocket and grabbed his key. I let my hand linger there probably more than needed but I couldn't help the feeling I got when I did it. Finally, I pulled my hand out with the key and returned my hand in front of him. I smiled and handed him the key. Vaughn returned the smile and gently took the key from my hand, letting his fingers softly run across my knuckles.

He stuck the key in the door lock and kicked the door open. Before Vaughn stepped in though he brought his hand up to caress my cheek then ran his fingers over my eyes to close them shut. "Thanks, you can rest now." He whispered protectively. I didn't argue and let my eyelids fall to return to my peaceful slumber.

And if my time on earth were through
And she must face the world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vaughn walked inside and kicked the door shut behind him. He felt along the wall beside the door until his fingers came across the light switch. When the lights came on he walked further into the apartment, throwing his keys on the kitchen counter as he passed.

That's when Vaughn was faced with a decision. Okay so it was already decided Sydney would stay the night, but where should he put her? There was no guest bedroom so there was either his bed or the sofa. Now as much as he wanted to have her in bed with him, putting her there would be rather presumptuous. His bed being eliminated left only the couch, so there he laid her.

He fixed a small pillow below her head and a blanket covering her. She was damp from her swim but he definitely didn't feel comfortable undressing her to change her so a blanket would have to do.

She seemed to fit perfectly there, in his house, on his couch, with him. Her hair spread across the pillow like a fan and her hands rested peacefully one by her side and the other resting on her abdomen. Vaughn couldn't tare his eyes off of her.


Sometimes late at night
I lie awake and watch her sleeping
She's lost in peaceful dreams
So I turn out the lights and lay there in the dark


He took a seat against the front of the couch, by Sydney's head. He didn't want to leave her side. He reached behind him and took her hand in his. He brought it to his lips and kissed it preciously before resting it on his shoulder. He then laid his head back against the couch cushion and closed his eyes to see the beauty of his dreams.

And the thought crosses my mind
If I never wake up in the morning
Would she ever doubt the way I feel
About her in my heart


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I slowly start to wake up. I don't know how long I've been sleeping but I do know that it wasn't enough because I'm still tired. I feel a sort of heat radiating from my hand. I smile when I see it's because Vaughn is holding it. That's when I start to put the whole puzzle together. I remember that I'm spending the night at Vaughn's apartment after our beach encounter.

I look around for a clock but there isn't one in sight so I settle for looking out the window. It was still dark out and the moon still high but on the fall. I figured it was around 3:00am. I pulled my hand, with his in it, up to my face and kissed his hand.

I kept my eyes open and waited for him to wake up. When he didn't even stir I decided to take things a little further. I sat up enough to lean over his shoulder and gently kiss his lips. This time I was pleased when I got a reaction. He slowly reacted and kissed back. I pulled back and he slowly opened his eyes to meet mine.

If only I could wake up to Vaughn every morning.I forced myself to drop that dream right there, because that's all it was a dream. Unfortunately my heart didn't agree and it wouldn't drop what my head was telling me too. I suddenly found myself sitting on his lap and my lips on his.

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
And I don't borrow from the sunshine
'Cause the skies might turn to gray.


My arms were wrapped tightly around his neck and his arms around my lower back. The kiss was passionate but gentle and loving all at once. As much as we didn't want to separate we eventually had to catch our breath. I removed my arms and instead shifted down more on him and rested up against his chest, with his arm supporting my back. He held me like he was cradling a baby. I felt for once, protected. As much as I knew I didn't need the protection or caring for, can you hate me for saying, I wanted to be taken care of.

"Good morning to you too." Vaughn said, punctuated with a peck on my lips. "You do know it's still early though?" I smiled and nodded. He yawned and I guess it was contagious because I did too. I closed my eyes and started to fall back asleep but was stopped when Vaughn gently shook me. "Hey, why don't I bring you into the bedroom before you fall asleep again. I'll take the couch."

I nodded and slowly rolled off of him, to the side. How I wish we could stay cuddled all night together, but I know this was better...well actually, better for who? He stood up and then kindly helped me up. I walked heavily, half asleep, along the cold floorboards as Vaughn held my hand, directing me.

There are things about tomorrow
That I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.


Towards the end of the hall there was a door left creaked open. Vaughn pushed it open some more and lurched inside. The room lights were off but the lights from the hall shined in enough for trifling view. I followed, guided only by his hand.

We found our way to the bed. Vaughn patted the side of the bed, indicating for me to sit. I did so and then he slipped his hand from mine and left my side. He walked over to his dresser and opened a top drawer. After a few moment of digging he pulled out a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

He walked back over to me and handed the clothes to me. "Here, change into something warm before you catch hypothermia." I nodded and then got up and headed towards the bathroom to change my damp clothes.

When I returned back to the room I saw Vaughn was turning down the sheets for me and fluffing the pillows. "Climb in. You'll be warmer and more comfortable." Vaughn whispered in my ear as a stood by his side.

I smiled at his sweet gesture of giving me his bed for the night. After kissing him on the cheek I climbed in his bed, turning on my side to face him. Vaughn knelt down by the bedside and started to tuck the sheets up on me. "Better?" He questioned.

I knew in my head I wouldn't be completely warm and comfortable till Vaughn joined me in bed but of course I didn't share this, instead I nodded.

"Good." Vaughn said satisfied. He started to stand up, "Sleep well. I'll see you in the morning." He leaned down and kissed me on the forehead, but before he could pull far away I grabbed his collar and pulled him back down into a more passionate kiss.

And each step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb.
And every burden is getting lighter
And all the clouds, their silver line.


He responded quickly and kissed passionately back. He lay down on the bed beside me and we both took a few minutes just exploring each other's mouth. Finally, we broke apart for air. He smiled brightly at me and I hid my face sheepishly and bit my bottom lip.

He leaned back over towards me one more time and kissed me gently on the forehead. "Good night." I looked back up to him and met his eyes, those beautiful green eyes. "Wait. Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?" I pleaded with my puppy-dog face and pleading eyes.

Vaughn thought for a moment, "Syd, if I stay I don't know if I'll have the strength to leave once you're asleep." He said honestly.

I smiled at how cute he was. I decided he was being so honest and I owed him to be just that also, "I don't mind." I chocked out nervously, not sure of his reaction. I watched attentively for it. He raised his eyebrow and put on a devilish look. I was satisfied with that reaction and nestled back into the bed turning to face the opposite wall as him. I was confident he would join me so I got comfortable while waiting.


**If Tomorrow Never Comes-Garth Brooks

**I Know Who Holds Tomorrow-Leanne Rimes
***Yeay chapter 7 is done, what'd you think. Don't worry there's so much more great stuff coming. I'll update soon, but I'm sure the reviews would help speed me up so be kind and click that little button down there, I know you see it so go on, click it! Hehe!