7. Wonderful Hours

They paid the bill and walked out of the small restaurant, almost wanting to hold hands or act like a couple but too afraid of what the other would think. After a few moments of silence, Sydney lifted her face towards his, "So, where are we going?"

Vaughn grinned at her expectant face. "Well, I hadn't actually planned this part yet. I mean I didn't even know I was going to see you today and asking a person I barely know on a date isn't a usual thing for me. But I'll think about it. We'll walk a few more minutes and then I'll know. I promise." The look in his eyes nearly made Sydney swoon. Of course she would trust him. How could she not?

She nodded and they walked in comfortable silence another block or two.

She felt the breeze pick up and shivered slightly. Michael noticed the tiny movement right away. "Are you cold? Here, take my jacket."

It was something so movie-esque that Sydney wanted to turn around and catch the cameras rolling. Beaming, she placed his coat around her shoulders, feeling the warmth of his body now on her. She finally felt like she belonged to someone and that was a feeling she hadn't had for a long time. "It finally feels like winter doesn't it? I always wish it would snow around this time. That was always what I pictured to be a perfect Christmas."

Vaughn smiled. "I know what you mean. Before I moved to LA, my parents and I lived in New York for a couple years. Couple actually meaning two. But both of those winters were so. . . they were just so beautiful. The snow really just took my breath away."

"I wish I had a chance to do something like that. With my family, I mean. My mom died when I was six and I guess my family life just kind of disappeared from there."

"Well, I can sympathize. My father died when I was eight. He was. . . -" Vaughn paused. Should he begin with the whole honest truth or ease into it as the relationship progressed? He had chosen the latter with Alice and that hadn't exactly worked out. He wanted this one to work. He really did. "He was a CIA agent and he was killed."

Sydney felt her breath stop in her throat. It was amazing how much this man and she had in common. How many prospective dates did you meet who had the same line of occupation somewhere in their family? It was rarer still when the occupation was espionage or government related.

Michael saw Sydney falter in her step when the words came out and wasn't sure of her reaction. Alice had had one of disbelief; she had truly thought that Michael was joking. How she could ever believe that he would jest about his father's death was beyond him but she had. He turned to look at her. "I'm sorry if that was too much information for you to handle on our first date. . . Or ever."

She looked into his eyes and smiled. "No, I'm glad you did. It's nice to know about your family. I only stopped because-" Michael had been honest with her. Did she deserve to give him her own honesty? "Well, it's kind of ironic actually. My father is a CIA agent too."

"Is he really?" This prospect surprised Vaughn to say the least. The idea that he could've passed this woman's father in the corridors of the CIA building was slightly strange. Agent Bristow. The name sounded familiar. "Wow, small world."

"It sure is. Wow, that is really strange how much we have in common. Don't you think that its weird that we both have CIA agents in our family and-" Sydney paused, unsure of whether she could say it or not.

"-And that we have both suffered parental losses? Yes, that is very ironic." But not even close to how strange things would be if you knew the entire truth. That I work for the CIA too. I mean, how much weirder can things get? I certainly can't imagine anything.

They were facing each other and he lightly brushed a hand against Sydney's cheek. The cold air had made them rosy and her eyes bright with happiness. "You could be the poster child of the Holidays."

She giggled. "You know, despite the fact that we aren't doing anything, I'm having a really good time."

Michael paused and then realized that he was too. He smiled at her. She was so beautiful. "I am too. Do you know how beautiful you are?"

Sydney blushed. He was so charming. . . "I didn't but you have mentioned that fact to me several times and because you are currently the only man I care about noticing how I look, I have to say that I am a very happy woman." She grinned and linked her arms through his.

It felt as if electricity ran through them both as soon as they touched. Sydney looked up into his eyes and smiled. "I think that we have some chemistry going on."

He grinned, happy to be in a relationship- is that what they were having?- with someone who was assertive in this way. "I'm glad you noticed it because I was afraid I was the only one feeling this way."

Sydney peeked a glance at him. Then she walked quickly and around so that she stood right in front of him. "Are you serious? Do you really have no idea what kind of effect you have on women?" Seeing his slightly puzzled expression, she shook her head in amusement and continued. "I have just realized that in the compliment department, I haven't given you much. And I suppose that that was because I thought you knew all of your qualities already. I didn't think I would have to tell you that you were charming and funny and sweet and. . . well, frankly you're damn sexy."

Vaughn felt the heat rush up to his cheeks at her praise. This was great.

Her eyes sparkled suddenly. "Don't think I'm a hussy or anything but I just can't resist." She stepped up onto her tip toes and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"I would definitely not call you a hussy for that." He answered, grinning at her.

Still on her toes, she kissed him again. And again. She loved this, this multiple innocent kiss that she was doing. It made her feel cute. And the person she was kissing wasn't half bad either. The fifth time, his arms came around her back and held her to him and didn't let the kiss end as quickly as the other ones had. Sydney placed her hands on his shoulders and put herself into the kiss. It was amazing. Soft, gentle, it was unfamiliar territory and it was exciting and wonderful and so many more descriptions that she couldn't come up with at the moment. She felt his tongue graze her lips and smiled as she parted them slightly. She couldn't believe what they were doing. She had never made out in the middle of the street before.

When they broke apart, she was flushed. Checking her watch, she discovered that nearly an hour had passed already. She wished she could stop time; damn her handler. She was already with the man she wanted to be with. There was no way her handler could top this. Which was a good thing. She wouldn't want to have feeling for someone she couldn't touch.

Smiling into his eyes, she intertwined her fingers with his and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for the most beautiful winter kiss I have ever had."

Vaughn smiled.

"I have only one question for you. Are you the kind of girl who wants a first date to involve a lot of talking and getting to know one another or one who just wants to have a lot of fun?"

"I think I'm a bit of both. Actually. . . both would be good, especially with you. But seeing our time limits. . . I think I'd have to go with the fun." Yes, she was scared to get to know him too much. She knew how it affected people to see that she soaked up all the information she could about everyone else and yet offer nothing of her own life.

"Fun it is." He pointed over her shoulder. He turned. "Fun and Games: Welcome to HappyLand?" She asked, a question in her eyes. She grinned. "I don't think I've ever gone there before."

Dragging her over to the entrance, Vaughn grinned. "First time for everything." REVIEW!!!