Chapter Twelve – End of a Rivalry

He was already mostly dressed, distractedly drying his hair on a towel and trying to avoid dripping on his white silk shirt when Will finally found him.

Well. One possibly uncomfortable element down. Two million more to go.

For a moment, he stands quietly in the doorway and just watches. Watches as the man that had won Sydney's heart readied himself for a wedding.

It's not that he doesn't like Vaughn. On the contrary, Sydney's handler had earned Will's respect. A decent man who never failed to help those who needed it, including Will himself, Vaughn had been nothing but helpful from day one, risking both his career and his life to save his, Will's, life, despite knowing that he could quite possibly lose Sydney to his rival as a result. After that, Vaughn had personally taken an interest in helping him get a job as an analyst with the CIA, despite doubtlessly having numerous other things he could've done with his time, including plotting missions for the good of national security.

But despite all of that, Vaughn would always be the man who won where he had lost, the man who had loved Sydney… and whom she loved in return. Vaughn, not Will.

Sydney Vaughn, not Sydney Tippin.

"Will? What's up?"

Startled, he jumps, cringing when he notices that Vaughn has turned around and is eyeing him, a puzzled look on his face.

Brilliant, Will. The guy's a spy, did you honestly think you could just stand there without him noticing?

"Nothing," he says quickly, cursing inwardly when Vaughn's puzzled stare hardens.

"Right," Vaughn replies dryly. "What're you doing here?"

"Oh, it's just… I…" he pauses awkwardly. "Weiss told me where to find you."

Vaughn smirks. "Did he make you pay him for that intel?"

"I can't believe he's still upset," Will groans, hiding his amusement.

"Oh, I don't know. It's not like you two decided to see who could win at pool at my bachelor party, and then, after allowing Eric to loudly boast for about 10 minutes, you dropped your I-have-no-talent-act and just beat his ass."

Will shrugs innocently.

"You didn't completely humiliate him or anything like that in front of everyone who knows him. I can't understand at all why he's a little annoyed with you."

"Hey man," Will protests. "He challenged me."

"Only because you spent half the night announcing you had never played," Vaughn replies wryly, absently wrapping his tie around his neck. "I have to admit, Will, you're a pretty good hustler. Remind me to never play pool against you."

"It's nice to be appreciated," he quips back.

"Something like that," Vaughn chuckles. "But seriously, what's up?"

"Do you love her?" Will blurts. "I mean, I know you do and I know you don't answer to me, but this'll drive me insane if I don't say something. Tell me you love her, tell me you'll always be someone she can count on. She needs that."

Vaughn raises a brow. If he'd been expecting Will to say something, that was farthest from it. But when it came to Sydney, Will had always been blunt with him.

Sydney cares about you. I want to make sure you respect that.

"I love her more than life itself," he answers calmly, looking Will in the eyes. "I hope that'll be good enough for you."

Will smiles. "That's all I can ask for." He extends a hand, Vaughn shakes it easily.

"But if you hurt her," Will informs him, only half-jesting, "CIA-Agent or no, I'll still kick your ass."

"If I were to hurt her," Vaughn replies, without hesitation, "You have my permission to kick my ass."

They share a laugh, one infused with a new, mutual understanding that men never acknowledge in words, but somehow know about all the same.

"Oh," Vaughn says into the somewhat awkward silence that follows their breakthrough. "How're Syd's nails? She sounded really worried about them."

– to be continued -

Review Responses

Sallene: I was watching General Hospital, I confess. ;)

Britt: Yes ma'am.

Webmistress Eh?: Weiss is jumpy because Vaughn is jumpy, which you will see in 2 chapters. I think. LOL

Twin*muse: That's what happened at that party! ;) Well, that and other things. It was a bachelor party, after all. ;)

Kay10197: Thanks very much for the compliment!

Kat27: I adore Weiss. He presents himself as such a goofball, but he really does look out for Vaughn in a way no one else does or can.

K4e: Oh, feel free to mention it again, haha. And yes 'm.

WishingStar: Did you wish upon a star for me to… okay, bad pun. Will shut up now.

Kira: Thank you very much! The Jack/Vaughn dynamic has always fascinated me. And hey everyone! Looking for good fics? Read Kira's Sun story! AMAZING. And then read Kat's stuff. ;)

Nattie700: Well, Will sorta had his moment. ;)

Aliasgurl: Thanks! :)

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