Chapter 4: A Question Needs to be Asked

Disclaimer: I don't own Alias or any of its characters.


The restaurant was tiny, but it was every bit as good as a large, fancy place. The staff went to such lengths as to entertain their customers, starting conversations with those who wished to talk and leaving alone those who wished to be left alone, as well as serving them quickly. The atmosphere was completely Mexican, even having a Spanish menu and a staff that spoke both English and Spanish fluently. Sydney, having always enjoyed languages, loved it, and Vaughn was happy as long as she was enjoying herself, though English suited him just fine.

"This is the closest thing to a genuine Mexican restaurant I've ever seen it California," she laughed happily as they left.

"I thought you'd like it," Vaughn replied proudly.


Everything that weekend was perfect. They spent hours just walking along the beach, enjoying being together without the stress of work. As promised, they didn't say anything about work. They stuck to light, carefree subjects as much as possible. Sydney couldn't remember ever being so happy. Yet she had the distinct feeling that Vaughn was unusually distant. He always had a smile on his face, but he seemed to be keeping things light intentionally, as though his mind was somewhere else entirely. Surely he wasn't mad about her bringing up his father's death on the plane, was he?

These thoughts plagued Sydney as they walked down the beach on Sunday evening after an elegant dinner. With neither of them concentrating on the conversation, it soon died away completely, leaving an uneasy silence in its wake.

Sydney turned her head slightly to study him. Vaughn kept his eyes down, looking at the ground. To Sydney, it seemed like he wasn't even aware she was there.

In truth, he was very aware of her. Aware of how beautiful she was, and how much she meant to him, and how much he didn't want to lose her. It scared him that he couldn't interpret her sudden silence.

They continued to walk, holding hands in silence and very aware of each other, trying to read the other's mind. For what seemed to him like the millionth time that weekend, Vaughn tried to work up the courage to just ask her. He reached into his pocket with his free hand and fingered the small box there. Determinedly closing his hand over the box, he pulled it from his pocket.

"Syd..." he said suddenly, abruptly stopping and spinning her to face him. "I..." His voice shook and he stopped and took a deep breath as worry clouded Sydney's eyes. He held up the dark blue box where she could see it and she gasped. "Sydney Bristow," Vaughn said softly, still holding her hand as though to keep her from running away. "Will you marry me?"

Sydney felt all the concern and confusion that had been bothering her a moment ago just disappear.

"Yes!" she whispered happily as she embraced him, and felt his arms circle her to hold her close.

After a moment, Vaughn moved away. He took the small diamond ring from its box and gently slid it onto Sydney's hand.

All the way back to their hotel Vaughn grinned like an idiot and Sydney alternated between laughing giddily and beaming as she stared at her hand. Their friends and family wouldn't have to see the ring to know what was going on. They held hands as they stumbled across the dunes, both overcome by an almost nervous anticipation of what they had finally done, and what was to come.


It is a cliffhanger, if you think about it. What is to come? I know I had promised more chapters on this story, but it's just better to leave it here. Adding to it would take away the air of mystery and finality that makes me love it!