Chapter Twenty Two - Final Tests

"You'd think that they would be more coordinated," Weiss says dryly as Vaughn grabs a napkin to wipe off the cake Sydney accidentally dropped down his shirt.

"And here I thought all spies were the epitomé of grace." The woman he sidled up to remarks, amused.

Weiss chuckles. "We are. They're the exception." He turns, offering his hand. "Eric Weiss. And you're the one that's gonna get married first out of all of us."

She laughs, taking his hand. "Hardly. I always catch these at weddings I plan. It's my curse."

"Are you the wedding planner Mike hired, or the one Jack hired when he found out Mike hired one?"

"I think the planner Mr. Bristow hired was fired by Mr. Vaughn. He hired me."

Weiss nods, amused. "Figures."


"Okay, I'm still keen on your less-clothes idea," Vaughn murmurs. "But this is fine, too."

Glowing contentedly, Sydney relaxes in her husband's arms as they twirl slowly. "Yes, this is definitely acceptable."

"Mind if I cut in?"

She lifts her head from Vaughn's shoulder just in time to see him incline his head to her father. "Of course not, Jack."


He can't believe it. The day he's been thinking about his entire life (and being French, he has invested a great deal of thought about it) is finally here, and he is so tired it almost doesn't register.

After dancing with his mother he sinks wearily into a chair, ignoring Weiss' puzzlement over his 'sudden' exhaustion. ("You weren't this tired before you got here, Mike!")

For a moment, all is well with the world. Sydney's smile as she dances with Jack lights up the room and he feels more than peaceful as he watches.

"It is customary in this country, one hears, for the groom to dance with the mother of the bride."

He refrains from groaning. Not now.

"And why should such an American custom concern me?"

Irina shrugs easily, her gaze unreadable. "Switching allegiances, Agent Vaughn? The fact that you married an American woman and work for the American government bring the cause for such concern, even if you have French blood in you as well."

"Thank you," he returns easily. "Not what I asked. Why should such a custom concern me?"

"Ah. Because you are the groom and I am the mother in the custom?"

"And yet you are not even partially American," he replies, outmaneuvering her in the process. "Such a custom is not affiliated with you."

He turns away then, unable to look at the sudden approval in her eyes. "Well done, Agent Vaughn. That was almost a classic Jack technique. I'm very impressed."

"And of course, your approval means the world to me," he snaps.

She chuckles. "I'm afraid it doesn't. But Sydney's, on the other hand…"

At the mention of her name he automatically scans the room, looking for his beloved. He nearly growls in frustration when he sees her looking worriedly back at him and her mother, clearly wanting to disengage the dance with her father and come over to defuse the situation. Stay, he mouths. She shakes her head.

"I have no desire to dance with you," he says resignedly, turning back to Derevko. "But Sydney has dreamt of this day for years, and no one, no one, will spoil it. Not me and certainly not you."

"Those are my sentiments, too," Irina says softly.

This time he doesn't hide a snort of derision. "Of course," he says acidly, standing and offering her his arm before Sydney did indeed join them or before he lost his nerve.

This is for my wife. Dad would understand.

And unnoticed by anyone, Irina allows herself a smile of pride. Not for her, but for him.

He'd passed her test.

- the wedding night is next -
(PG-13 rating!)

Review Responses

Nana: I admit, I immediately thought of S/V, too. Hopeless shippers unite!

Ilovemypenguin: As much as I'd love to be that creative, the only reason why I can update this so often is because it's already finished. I personally hate it when authors post fics and abandon them, so I try to finish everything before anyone else sees it. Keeps my conscience clear. ;) lol

WishingStar: It's an okay book. I mean, it's not perfect, but so much better than the Syd books. IMO.

Kat27: I can't believe it's almost over!

Mockingbird: Wow! You definitely deserve a gold star for reading all that! Voici que vous allez!

Mandi: Thanks, chica!

Moni: Thank you! I am? :gushes: How nifty! lol

noa jeo: Ya got him last chapter. ;) This is the party that never ends, partly because, well, I think they deserve to have a nice, long, fluffy reception. lol

Emily: Will do!

Girldevil: Aww! You too!

Sallene: That speech took almost as long as the vows to write, due to all the research for all the inside jokes. lol

Aliasgurl: Here ya go!

Raina: :blushes: thank you!

Nattie700: Hmmm. The Weiss hanky makes a handy blindfold. ;) My next story is quite angsty, I confess.

K4e: hehe, nitpick all you want! I never claimed to be an expert. ;) Any :winces: language butchering is non-intentional! I just hope that's the only mistake you've seen. ;) If not, I like my denial land. ;) LOL

2 or 10?