Title: Just Feel

Author: Mango

Disclaimer: I own nothing …

A/N: Okay kids, we're starting to wrap it up, a couple more chapters to go. Thank you so much for the reviews, they mean everything to me. Please, keep it up.

~

"Self-serving, inconsiderate ass, that's what he is, and as soon as we're back to normal I will tell him." She muttered to herself while packing. But a blush rose across her cheeks with thinking about the night before. How right it felt when he tugged her into his arms and he enveloped her in his embrace. She woke up for the first time with his breath on her neck and shuttered just remembering the sensation. Every time she woke up after that she cuddled a little more toward him before dozing off to sleep.

She slipped in the final item and zippered her bag up before smoothing out the cover on the semi-used bed. Grabbing her purse, her carry on and her luggage she headed downstairs and dumped them at the front door. She breezed into the kitchen without even stopping to see if she was interrupting anything. They were sitting at the table Vaughn drinking his coffee and Annabelle sipping on orange juice.

"I could have helped you bring down your luggage." He tried, she shrugged it off and placed another slice of toast in the toaster.

"I'm capable, thank you." She responded shortly, regretting it almost as soon as it passed her lips.

"Jesus, Syd, I'm sorry, okay?" Vaughn said with increasing frustration.

"Don't worry about it. Really, It's fine." She said softly, looking directly into his eyes. It really was fine, she didn't know what was wrong with her.

"Can you make that toast to go?" He asked, trying to tip-toe around making her angry again.

"Sure." She said with a smile.

~

In the car as it pulled away from the house Sydney sighed. She couldn't believe how at home she felt when there, how at ease. Like it was meant for her or something. She shook her head, angry at herself for such a thought.

"Syd?" He asked, looking at her. She looked at him and realized he was waiting for her to answer him.

"I was just thinking about what a lovely home you have." She said smiling at him. She wondered if he understood.

"Yes, Mrs. Vaughn kept it wonderfully. I think the gardener is doing her justice, don't you Michel?" Annabelle chimed in.

"Yes, he did a great job yesterday." He responded politely, keeping his eyes intensely placed on hers.

Sydney smiled as she was once again reminded of the past she didn't share with Vaughn. And the past him and Annabelle did.

Arriving at the church she noticed its romantic stature and intricate architecture. Stepping out the car she waited for Vaughn to join her at her side. When he did she commented on the Church. "Vaughn, it's the most beautiful thing I think I have ever seen."

He smiled because she used his nickname, like she forgot Annabelle was even there. "Yes, my mother loved it as well. She went to the service every Sunday, it seems right that she is laid to rest here." She reached out, not really thinking about took his hand and they walked in the Church together with Annabelle trailing behind.

Throughout the ceremony, his hand was clasped in hers and she tried to channel her strength through hers. When they rose and walked out to the burial site the sun was blinding. Someone sang an old French folk tune of death and God that she didn't recognize except to say was beautiful.

When the crowd dissipated and Vaughn stood in the same place he had been for ten minutes, she released his hand and walked a few steps behind him. He took a couple of steps forward and spoke a soft goodbye that she could not hear.

When he turned to her, she stepped forward. He had a tear glistening in his eye and she reached up to brush it away. When her hand stayed on his face he leaned his head forward until they were resting foreheads.

It made a beautiful picture, really, a beautiful young couple. With the striking woman's hair blowing in the cool breeze and lending her strength to the handsome mourning man. It wasn't until the bells on the church chimed the hour that he startled and looked at his watch.

"The will reading is in that building over there." He said pointing to a boxy white building across the street. She nodded.

"I'll wait here." She said. When he only looked at her she smiled sadly, "I have some things I need to say." She said looking at the two gravestones side by side. Father and Mother, Husband and Wife. He smiled a weak smile of encourage and reached a hand out and tucked a piece of her blowing hair behind her hair before walking away.

She waited until he was in the building and sat cross-legged between Vaughn's mother and father. "This is kind of presumptuous, I guess." She started. "First assuming you can hear and second assuming that you will hear me out. I know that … I know that I'm the last person you probably want at your funeral." She said, looking toward Vaughn's mother. "But here I am, and I have some things to say to both of you." She said before taking a deep breath and continuing. "When I first started with SD-6 I have no idea. When I finally found out that it wasn't CIA, your son was my saving grace. He helped me through the death of my fiancée as well as so much more. In the mean time we found out about my mother, and it was a lot for us to get through. He ended up breaking up with Alice, which was probably my fault and I asked him to risk his life for me countless times. And even when he broke my heart into a million pieces, somehow it was him that put it back together." She paused, glancing up.

"So, you see, even though it might seem that I'm using your son, I never take him for granted. Or almost never. And finally, I urge you to understand, that I am so sorry. I am so sorry that my mother killed you. And so sorry that my mother killed your husband. And I'm even more sorry that she killed your son's father. I am so sorry I came into Vaughn's life and turned it upside down and I am so sorry for destroying any chance he had of having a normal relationship. But most of all, I am so sorry that I have fallen in love with your son. God help me, I can't help it." She smiled sadly, and noticed the tears that were falling down her face. "It must be the good genes."

She looked up just as Vaughn was exiting the building with Annabelle. He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheeks twice before she caught a ride how with an older man. Her father, perhaps? Sydney dashed the tears away and stood, gaining her composure with each step she took toward him.

"Everything okay?" She asked when she reached him.

"Yeah. You?" he responded, probably noticing the red swelling around her eyes.

Nodding she just smiled as he took her hand and led her to the car.