CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR – AT LAST
Sydney couldn't have been more shocked. Michael Vaughn was sobbing onto her legs, hands locked in a vice-grip around her waist, breathing her name over and over as if in a chant.
She had tears running down her face in droves before she fully comprehended what had happened. She lightly ran her hands over his hair, barely touching him, deathly afraid that this wasn't real. One look up at Eric's shocked face told her that he was taking in the same scene, if not the same emotions.
Eventually, Vaughn pulled his head up, and Sydney immediately placed both hands on his face, losing herself in the eyes she had longed for every day of two years. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry or just kiss him. He made the decision for her. His hands on her waist pulled her off the chair, her book dropping with a soft thud on the carpet, until they were both kneeling, face to face, just breathing each other in.
He slid both his hands from her waist up to where her slender neck met her shoulders, pulling her towards him so slowly that Sydney wasn't entirely sure she was moving. When his lips finally touched hers, her world came back to life, the intensity of his need causing her to inhale sharply through her nose. She needed to feel him… to make sure that it was really her Vaughn, in living flesh and blood, here in front of her. Her hands slid up from his stomach, over his tensed chest and shoulders and to the back of his head, her arms tightening around his neck, closing any remaining distance between them. Their mouths were pulling at each other over and over, tongues lightly tasting with each kiss.
When she felt his hands move back down to her waist, Sydney released Vaughn's head, but their heated lips kept contact as her soft touch traveled over his shoulders and down his arms. She squeezed his biceps lightly, remembering exactly how she had always felt protected in those arms, then slid her hands down to his forearms, and squeezed again. This time, however, the pressure she applied caused him to gasp, breaking their kiss.
When Sydney looked into his face, concerned and confused, Vaughn ignored his own outburst, but took the opportunity to confirm softly,
"You waited?" His eyes were full of hope as she smiled, nodded, and kissed him lightly again.
"I told you I would," she reminded him, before pulling back and looking down at his arms, "You're hurt."
Before Vaughn could answer, a rustling from the hallway grabbed both their attentions. They had been too caught up in each other to notice that Weiss had shut the front door, left the room, and gone to wake Jack. Now the two men were standing uncomfortably in the corner of the living room, Jack staring at Vaughn in bewilderment and Eric focused on a spot on the ceiling.
Sydney began to stand, helping Vaughn when she realized that his arms weren't the only part of him that caused him pain. Jack noticed, too.
"Are you alright, Michael?" Jack asked him as he walked over to help Sydney place him on the sofa.
Sydney was slightly shocked at her father's use of Vaughn's first name. They really must have gotten closer while I was gone. She was even more surprised when Vaughn answered in kind.
"I'll be fine, Jack," he turned his gaze to Sydney and emphasized, "I'm fine. These wounds are almost a month old. They just get a little sore when pressure is applied." He sighed softly as Sydney sat down next to him on the sofa, lightly running one hand over his forearm where she had squeezed him a few moments earlier. Weiss moved to the chair Sydney had vacated and Jack stood next to where Weiss sat… all three of them were staring at him.
He knew that they were waiting for him to explain what had happened, but he didn't want to mar this moment with thoughts of his recent ordeal. He was finally here with his best friend, the man who he hoped would someday be his father-in-law, and the woman he loved, but he knew that none of them would rest until they understood.
So, he relieved them of their curiosity. Vaughn told them the story of his confrontation with En Kai and subsequent torture. He kept a firm grip on Sydney's hand as he explained who had rescued him and how he escaped. He tried to keep his anger in check when he explained how his standard debrief in D.C. suddenly became an investigation when the FBI discovered how he had blown his own cover with Jie.
Jack began pacing, clearly furious, when Vaughn described how the FBI had not even waited until his injuries from En Kai had healed before beginning their own interrogations. Vaughn had been completely honest with his government, hoping that they would do all they could to assist their own agent. Instead, it took them two weeks of "debriefing" before they believed him, and then all they would say about the deal he had struck with Jie was that he had no authority to bind the CIA in a promise not to pursue En Kai.
When he was finished, they all sat in silence. Sydney was clinging to Vaughn, still overwhelmed by the horrible situations he had endured. Jack's face was hard and he clenched his hands violently at his sides as he paced the small living room.
Finally, it was Weiss who brought everyone out of their thoughts. He stood, walking to stand in front of the coffee table and held out his hand. "Welcome back, buddy. We've all missed you."
Vaughn's face finally relaxed into a smile as he accepted his friend's hand and used it to stand, first giving Weiss a firm handshake, then pulling him into a tight, back-slapping hug. "I missed you, too, man," he choked out before breaking the hug and reaching back for Sydney.
There was a little more conversation and plans were made to meet and discuss everything further in the morning. Jack went back to bed and Weiss went home, leaving Vaughn and Sydney alone together in the living room.
Suddenly, there was an awkwardness between them they hadn't felt amidst the euphoria of first seeing each other. They sat on the sofa quietly, each feeling thankful that the other was there, but not knowing what to do about it. Sydney flirted with the idea of telling Vaughn about what she had discovered about her own torture experience, but decided against it. That is a conversation… a big one… for another time.
Slowly, she resumed running her fingers lightly over Vaughn's injured forearm. He studied her face while she continued touching him in a trancelike state. When he moved his other hand to still hers, Sydney returned his gaze with tear-filled eyes. He lifted his hand and softly pulled the end of her nose. His familiar touch had the desired effect. She smiled a real, full, Sydney Bristow smile, which he couldn't help but return.
He softly took a handful of her silky brown hair that was hanging loose next to her face, and used it to pull her towards him again. Their meeting this time was tender and slow, taking time to envelope themselves in each other's scent, taste, and touch. When they reluctantly parted, Sydney closed her eyes, leaned her forehead on Vaughn's, and whispered, "Where are you staying?"
He grinned at her and answered, "I have a bag in my rental car in the driveway." Vaughn stood, pulling Sydney with him, "Is it alright if I stay with you?" She nodded, and he started walking towards the front door. As he opened the door and took a step outside, Sydney's voice stopped him.
"Vaughn?"
He turned to see her still standing in front of the couch, a hesitant look on her face. "What is it, Syd?"
"Are… are you married?" She finally blurted out, eyes firmly planted on the floor.
Vaughn crossed back to where she stood and took her fidgeting hands in his. "No, I'm not," he answered firmly. She raised her gaze to meet his as he continued, "The CIA made sure that Jie's petition for annulment went through Chinese channels in record time, although I'm not entirely sure that the marriage was legal in the U.S. to begin with."
He studied her for a moment, hoping his answer was sufficient. "Are we okay?"
Sydney nodded, fighting back a grin. She kissed him quickly on the cheek, placed a hand on his chest, and pushed him back towards the door, "Go get your bag."
"And where are you going?" Vaughn asked with a smile as she slid past him and starting walking down the hallway.
She didn't even pause as she made her way to her bedroom door, "I'm going to clear out a drawer."
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A/N: Love you! Love you all! Thanks for reading!!!
