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Sydney got up from the warmth of the couch. "Where are you going?" Vaughn asked, noticing the absence of his girlfriend.
"I'm going to use your shower. When I'm done, the game should be over, and we can head over to my place so we can get ready to go."
"Ok."
Sydney sat in silence as they drove back to her apartment. She had begun to get nervous again, and Vaughn, the good boyfriend that he was, left Sydney alone to her thoughts. She barely spoke as they scurried around getting dressed and ready to go. Francie and Will were doing the same thing, only they chatted happily as they got ready.
"Vaughn?" Sydney softly spoke, as she waited for Vaughn to finish changing.
"What is it honey?"
"You want to hear the real reason I don't want to go to my reunion?"
"Only if you want to tell me."
"I do."
"Tell me Syd."
"I told you I was the school treasurer my senior year. Me and a bunch of administrators were the only ones with a key to the school safe. One night, after the most successful prom fundraiser, or any fundraiser for that matter, my school had ever had. I put all the $3,567.38 away in the safe. I remember the number exactly because the next morning when someone went to take it all out and deposit into the bank, the money from the fundraiser and an extra $100 was stolen. It wasn't my fault. The money was never found, so everyone automatically blamed me. We couldn't have a prom that year because we were set so far back. Everyone blamed me for that too. At graduation as I went up to receive a certificate for being treasurer, everyone booed at me. I left high school the most hated girl. I'm afraid to go back, see everyone. I think they are all still really mad at me."
"Syd, don't worry about it. So what if you are still hated? You have different friends now, and they don't hate you because some money stolen. Hell, you're an international super spy, you have saved the world so many times, that they owe their lives to you."
"You did it again." She quietly whispered.
"What did I do again?"
"Made me feel better."
"Well, I do try."
Vaughn's phone rang, interrupting their tender moment. He picked it up and looked at the caller ID. He then turned it off, and put it in his pocket. "Who was that?"
"Work."
They walked into the hotel where the reunion was held. Will and Francie were several minutes behind them. Francie had to make a quick stop at her restaurant before they arrived. Sydney grabbed Vaughn's hand tightly, as they made their way to the check in table. There was a young hotel employee sitting at the table. "Names please." She said.
"Sydney Bristow, and guest Michael Vaughn." Sydney said. The girl handed them their name tag, and they put them on. They walked into the ballroom where music and happy talking flooded their ears. The school colors and banners covered every inch of the walls.
"How long do you think it took them to put all of this stuff up?" Vaughn whispered.
"Too long." The two slowly meandered thought the party until they found an empty table near a corner. The party was only beginning, so there were only a few people already there.
"You're not late." Vaughn said. "I think we're a little early in fact."
"I know." They sat there and talked for a while. A few of Sydney's old friends stopped by to say hello, but the meetings were brief. Finally an hour after Sydney and Vaughn arrived, Will and Francie showed up.
"What took you guys so long?" Sydney demanded.
"Will saw a plate of cheese. So. He ate cheese. And then traffic was horrible."
"I'm going to get some drinks." Will said, standing up.
"Oh no, allow me." Vaughn said. He took everyone's order and left.
"Who have you talked to so far?" Will inquired.
"No one really. A couple people have stopped by to say hello."
"Everyone doesn't hate you still Syd. They just haven't come yet."
"Ok." Sydney said, not quite accepting the fact. She looked over at Vaughn at the bar. He caught her eye, and motioned for her to join him.
Elegantly, she stood up, and walked over to the bar, she sat down next to Vaughn.
"Thank you. You are not to leave me alone for the rest of the night." He said.
"May I ask why?"
"And you were worried. I have been hit on by three desperate women, who saw no ring and figured that I went to your school, and that I am available."
"And what did you tell them?"
"I said I was sorry, but I am here with Sydney Bristow. They looked disappointed."
"Heartbreaker." Sydney joked.
"Come on. I am fresh meat to some of these women here. Help me carry these drinks.
Sydney took two of the drinks. "Yeah, but you're my fresh meat."
"Very funny."
"Sydney!" A voice called.
Sydney turned to where she heard the voice coming from. Vaughn followed suit. "Shelby, hey!' Sydney replied taking two steps closer to her old friend. "How are you?"
"I'm doing great. And you?"
"Just fine."
"I see you guys have a table already." Shelby said, noting the four drinks.
"Yeah. Will and Francie are over there. You are more than welcome to join us.
"Alright." Sydney smiled and led Shelby and her guest to their table.
"Will is that you?" Shelby said.
"Oh my God! Shelby Mayer!"
"Shelby Mosely now." She said. Shelby reached and grabbed her husband's arm, and pulled him in from the shadows of the crowd. "Guys, this is my husband, Andrew Mosely."
"Hey Andrew. Will Truman." He then turned to Shelby to proudly show off Francie. "And this is my lovely girlfriend, Francie."
"Hey."
"Sydney Bristow. This is my boyfriend Michael Vaughn." Sydney said, grabbing Vaughn's hand.
The three old friends began talking excitedly, leaving their guests to chat amongst themselves.
"So, Michael, what do you do?" Andrew asked.
"I work in the state department. How about yourself?"
"Lawyer." The conversation died there.
"Come here Sydney." Vaughn said, standing up and taking Sydney's hand.
"Where are we going now?"
"To dance." Sydney gave an apologetic smile to her friend, and then excitedly followed Vaughn to the dance floor, where a slow song was underway.
"Having fun?"
"More than I thought."
"Is it as bad as you thought?"
"Remember how I said that everyone completed their life goals already, and you said that no one ever has?"
"Yeah."
"I'd like to show you Shelby."
"Everything?"
"She wanted twins as her first-borns, but other than that, yeah."
"Did I say no one?"
"You said no..." Sydney was cut off by the sounds of two gun shots, and panicked screams. They didn't bother to wear masks, and both Sydney and Vaughn recognized the leader right off the bat. "…One." She finished. "That's Sark!" She harshly whispered.
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