Freeze Frame

He woke up when he heard a rustling. He looked at his watch first and saw the glowing letters spell out "2:20". And that's when he realized his arms were empty. Sydney! He eyes quickly swept around the room and finally saw her vainly trying to open the door. He almost laughed. "Sydney, it's locked. That means you have to unlock the door before you can open it."

Sydney looked up, sheepish and caught in her foolishness. "I knew that. . .  I promise. It's just so dark that I couldn't see where the lock was. That basically means its your fault you know. For having such a dark house, I mean." She cringed on the inside. Why do I always sound like such an idiot when I talk to him? I mean seriously, why do I always sound so incredibly stupid? God. . .  can it get any worse? Well. . .  if he were to ask me why I was leaving his house during the early hours of the morning like some bad person who was caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Oh wait, my hand is in the cookie jar. I mean, I'm not even supposed to be here. And even then, I was only supposed to stay for like five minutes. And then I. . .  I fell asleep in his arms. She smiled softly to herself.

"Oh. I see. Well, I suppose nothing is ever your fault. You lead a charmed life. Damn me and my dark house." If it wasn't for the smile in his voice, she would have thought he was serious. "But why are you leaving right now? It's so early."

Damn. The one thing I had hoped he wouldn't ask. I feel like I've been caught leaving after a one-night stand. "Well, I have a flight to catch remember?"

Right. Wait a minute. Wasn't that flight for 5? "Wait a minute. Wasn't that flight for 5 in the morning? I mean, I know airplane things are hectic but I don't think you have to get there 3 hours early for a 5 o'clock flight."

"Yeah well. . .  it wasn't only that. You asked me why I was leaving so early. But I think I'm leaving too late. I was supposed to leave like 2 hours ago. Remember?"

Vaughn ran his fingers through his hair. Of course. Why hadn't he realized that? Maybe it was because he could still smell her scent on his sweater. Though he could probably remember what she smelled like wherever she was. He couldn't believe that 15 minutes ago, Sydney Bristow had been asleep in his arms.

"Well. . ." He paused, unsure of what exactly to say. "Do you want some breakfast before you go?" He wanted to smack himself on the head. Who wants breakfast at 2 in the morning? Well, I mean besides pregnant ladies.

Sydney chuckled. Vaughn felt relieved. He hadn't known that he had been so concerned about Sydney's feelings about the picture until he finally heard her laugh. Then it felt like his heart had finally started again after staying still. He let out a breath. "Vaughn, who wants breakfast at 2 in the morning? I mean besides pregnant women."

His sudden laugh caught her off guard. She knew her statement was slightly amusing but she didn't know she was that funny. Maybe after SD-6, she'd be a comedian. "What's so funny?"

"Well, it's just that I was thinking the exact same thing. I mean EXACT. Right after I asked you if you wanted breakfast, I thought to myself 'Who wants breakfast at 2 in the morning? I mean, besides pregnant ladies?' Isn't that weird?"

 They laughed together. It was a little thing but then again, it was the little things that mattered in life anyway.

"Very," Sydney replied. They fell into a comfortable silence. Her gaze fell once more onto the photograph.

Vaughn followed the line of her vision. He took a breath, "Sydney, do you want that picture?" He thought she saw her eyes fill with tears before she composed herself.

"That's all right. I mean, who am I to take a picture depicting your happy childhood just because my own family occupies the corner of it? You probably treasure it a lot more than I do."

She wanted it. He was sure she wanted it. She just wasn't sure if she wanted more that he did and that's why she was unwilling. "Look, Sydney. I probably have an extra copy in a box somewhere. And if you don't take it, I think I'll take it off the mantel place anyway. I have other pictures of my childhood with my parents and . . ." He wasn't sure whether or not to finish his sentence. After a slight hesitation, he did. "Frankly, I don't think I would like to have a picture of Derevko in my house."

He hoped the words didn't hurt her too much. He knew that her mind would understand, he just wasn't sure if her heart was willing to let go of Laura Bristow. Which was why he had referred to her as Derevko in the first place.

Well. . . if he didn't want it. It made sense that he wouldn't want it anymore. She nodded and smiled at him.

Vaughn handed her the photo and then rubbed his hands on his pants, unsure of what to do or say next. Sydney made the next move. She hugged him quickly. "All right, I'll see you when I get in about 3 days."

Vaughn nodded glumly. Haha, if Weiss could see me now. I mean, after the preaching about having Sydney over. If it were anyone else, he would never leave me alone. 'You had a girl stay the night and all you did was give her coffee? You have no life, man.'

She finally got the door open and stepped out into the blowing wind. Vaughn leaned against the doorway. "Did you call a taxi?"

She grinned. "You always take care of me Vaughn. Yeah, I called one five minutes ago."

You always take care of me Vaughn. Yeah, I guess I do. Not to boast or anything. And its not boasting, it's my job. God don't go. Shut up Michael, she has to go. You know she has to go. What kind of selfish fool are you to put yourself before your country? Just. . .  just shut up. "Okay then." He didn't move from the doorway. She walked halfway down the narrow walkway before coming back towards him. His eyebrows lifted in surprise.

The wind blew a strand of hair in front of her face and it took all the strength in him to resist tucking it back for her. Though he had to admit she didn't look bad all tousled like that. She tucked the stray hair behind her ear, eliminating any fantasies he might have had about some wild-haired, crazy-eyed, CIA agent/pornstar. Not that he would have any anyway. It was just something to mention that flashed through his mind and procured a smile.

He came back to reality as he heard her voice. "Vaughn, I just wanted to say. . .  about that thing that you said in the car." Oh. . . no. . .  I thought we had mutually agreed to bury that. I thought it never happened. I was so close to forgetting what I had said. "When I didn't say anything, it wasn't because I was mad or annoyed or anything. It was because I was at a loss for words. Vaughn, I hate to sound like a drama queen or something but. . .  just in case I die or something-" She threw him a look as he was about to interject. "I know I'm not going to die Vaughn. I'm just saying that I want you to know that. . . Well, I feel the same way. About you. I know what you smell like too." She blushed.

Vaughn could feel his jaw slacken. If she hadn't been so sincere, her words might have been funny.

But before he could get up his courage to say something back, her back was facing him and she was walking.

TBC…