Author's Note: This chapter is dedicated to a dear friend of the family that won her fight against cancer and life in general and is celebrating up in Heaven with God Himself. We'll miss your laughter and your Diet Cokes!

Chapter Nineteen - Euphoria

"So I've been thinking."

"About?"

"Well, our jobs are to reinterpret laws for the good of national security, right?"

"That's an interesting way of putting it, Syd. But yeah, sort of."

"So does that include policy?"

"What do you mean?"

"Who said that the married couple has to wear so much clothing to the wedding? Because whoever it is, I'm going to shoot them and then change that policy."

"Well, I think maybe a t-shirt and boxers would be okay, at least. I'm not about to stand in front of your father, and not to mention everyone else in the world, in my birthday suit."

"Is Little Vaughn scared?"

"Little?"

Sydney snorts in amusement, giddy beyond words. Sitting in Vaughn's lap, all she can think about is that she has finally done it. She has finally claimed the one man who loves her unconditionally, and that she loves more than life itself.

"You know what?" he mutters, tugging at his tie. "I agree with you. But then again, I'm wearing a three-piece ensemble."

"But you look good in the tux, Mr. Vaughn," she purrs.

"You look good in the dress, Mrs. Vaughn. Is it an antique? You know my interest in those."

"It was my mother's dress," she automatically explains.

Silence.

"Vaughn?"

He forces a smile. "I thought you were going to call me Michael."

"I believe I said once a week and nice try, husband mine. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Nothing could possibly be wrong today."

"Mmmm. And I believe you said no lies?"

He sighs. "Syd, I don't wanna spoil the mo-"

She silences him effectively by jerking him over to her by his tie and kissing him passionately, all the while thanking God the reception hall was half an hour away.

"That actually hurt a little," he mumbles against her lips. "But it's a good hurt."

She laughs. "You are so pathetic when you try to be deceptive, you know that? I mean, your forehead gave you away this morning and it's doing the same thing right now!"

"Wait," he says blankly, pulling away from her. "I'm kissing you and you're so into it that you're looking at my forehead?"

She widens her eyes innocently. "You know, I would've thought that for a field agent, you'd be much more talented at hiding your thoughts."

"I'm not a field agent. Well, I am but I'm not. Why do you think I married you?" He replies, his tone matching her innocence. "You'll be an excellent teacher."

She blushes at the look in his eyes. "Lesson number one, Agent Vaughn: the person you're questioning will have all sorts of methods to get you off the subject."

"Hey, you kissed me. And the tie? Not exactly the neck mark I had in mind."

"Exactly. Very good methods, see?"

He sighs. "Syd, I meant what I was starting to say. Whatever issues I have with Irina Dere- with your mother, she's still your mother. I know you two have made some progress and the last thing I want to do is jeopardize it, but-"

"But she killed your father. Look, Vaughn, I'm starting to build something with my mom, true. But I love you. Okay? You can talk to me about this. Just like you insisted I could talk to you."

He runs his hand through his hair, shaking his head tiredly. "I know, Syd. I just…" he smiles faintly. "Why are we talking about serious stuff? All I want to do is rip off these incredibly annoying clothes and kiss you."

"Likewise," she agrees, gently taking the hint. Besides, she can't help but agree with him. It's the dimples.

"You look good in that tux, Mr. Vaughn," she purrs again. "But you'd look better out of it."

"Likewise, Mrs. Vaughn."

- pg-13 rating! -

Review Responses

WishingStar: I'm not offended! I'm sorry it looked that way! lol

Nana: Wow, thanks! It ain't over yet! ;)

Jaryn: Thanks. :)

Jessica, kat27: JJ said "Fear not!" so I'm not gonna! Keep the faith!

Erin, Britt: alas, no sequel. :( But the epilogue will hopefully tie everything up!

Lady Jedi, Mandi, noa jeo, kay10197: Here ya go! lol

AgentAngel: I used up a box myself writing the vows. I admit, I'm a sap.

Abby: :gushes: I feel so honored! Like I said, be sure to post your site URL! I wanna go and shriek over it! lol

Nattie700: I love little puppies. Makes me melt.

MvsGirl: It takes a lot of talent to be moderately evil! ;)

Linda: I'm a very sarcastic (I prefer witty!) person, so the little fun they had in their vows is entirely my fault. And, riiiiight. I believe that. Tissue? :snickers: I've redeemed myself! Woohoo!

Black kitti: That's all I can ask for! Thanks for lettin' me know!

2 or 10? ;)