Chapter 2: Just Maybe


A/N: chatnoir: Thanks so much for the scientific info. Science is definitely NOT my best subject. I think I'm just going to leave it as a disease, deal with genetic stuff or proper precautions, and change the antidote to calling it the cure (that way I can be lethargic and not have to change the first chapter).

Disclaimer: Belongs to JJ Abrams, definitely not myself.

Michael Vaughn sat in his boring office, on this boring day, with only boring work to do. Paperwork. The worst of all boring things on the planet. So, instead of the piles of work that he had to do, he decided to take a break.

He leaned back in his chair, and balanced a quarter on his forehead. He had been like this for several minutes, when suddenly he heard the doorknob shift. Quickly, he sat normally in his chair, and looked up to see who it was; Sydney.

Vaughn, I need your help... she said sincerely.

Vaughn then realized that he must looked quite silly with a quarter still stuck to his head. He pealed it off and got up from his desk. Sure, anything. He looked into her eyes. What is it?

Sydney closed the door. My mother is sick, she began, and proceeded to tell him about a mission to the island. When she finished, she added, Please help me Vaughn.

Vaughn saw the worry in her face. He had been listening to her the whole time, but his thoughts were on other matters. Wasn't this the very same woman who murdered my father? he asked himself. He looked down at the floor, and back at Sydney, and sighed. I'll do it. He had to, for her.

****************

Jack had helped Sydney out a lot by getting that time off for her. Sloane was very grateful, too: as much time as she wanted. he knew she was one of their best agents, so he knew he had to give her lots of bonuses like that.

Later, Sydney had called back Francie and told her that she would have to stay at the bank and wouldn't be able to make it for lunch. The rest of the say had to be spent making arrangements for their travel. Sydney and Vaughn were learning where they would have to go, and were given maps of the island. Jack was getting their transportation plans set. He found out that the island had no common name, and that no airplanes flew directly to it. Therefore, they would each fly separately to the nearest airport, and still separately, take a boat there.

Then, by four o'clock PM it was all set, and they were leaving in two days .

********* I'm boring: 2 days later*********

Sydney walked toward the dock with her luggage, ready to board the boat. She had just been on a plane for eight long hours, many of which she had slept through. She was eager to finally get to the island, and meet up with Vaughn. The boat trip would be a day or two, depending on the weather.

Syd rounded the bend, and saw a few people waiting around the dock for the boat to arrive. She took a seat on a small bench over looking the water. It was about seven thirty PM, island time, and the sun was beginning to set. It was a beautiful sight, the way the colors reflected the water; the oranges, reds, and pinks all blended elegantly with the waves.

She thought about what her dad was doing now, and how her mother was managing without the cure. And then her mind wandered to what Vaughn was doing. He was probably already at the island by now. I hope he's watching this sunset, it's incredible. She felt someone's presence next to her, and she turned to look at the person.

she whispered sharply. Why aren't you at the island?

Vaughn chuckled lightly. Funny story about that one, he grinned. Sydney looked at him like he was crazy. She looks so cute like that, he thought. There hasn't been a boat yet. That, or I missed it.

You probably missed it. Sydney sighed and turned away.

Are you angry at me? Vaughn quickly asked.

Syd turned back and looked at him. I guess not. I suppose it's my dad's fault if he didn't get the boat schedule right. Vaughn smiled at her. Oh, I wish he wouldn't smile all the time... Sydney turned back to look at the water to hide her blushing.

God, that sunset's gorgeous! Vaughn broke the short silence.

Syd agreed. Vaughn stood up and leaned against the railing a few feet in front of the bench. And he looks gorgeous in that sunset, she thought. What am I saying? I can't think this way about my handler. Look, the boat's here.

The boat wasn't very large. It couldn't have been more than 100 feet long, but it was suitable for the number of people it needed to hold. Sydney got up and headed over in the direction of the boat, and Vaughn followed.

Ticket, please. the man at the entrance said. (A/N: not sure what language yet...) Sydney pulled out her ticket and gave to him, and Vaughn did the same. The man didn't bother to check the date or time on it, so he got through easily. He handed Sydney the key, assuming they were a couple. Sydney led Vaughn into an empty hallway.

You'll have to stay in my room, since you aren't technically supposed to be here. Vaughn nodded, and Syd turned back around to find her room, and Vaughn grinned ear to ear. If Sydney had looked to see him, she would have found him blushing. I am about to share a room with Sydney Bristow, Vaughn repeated through his mind. Wow.

Meanwhile, Sydney's thoughts were similar. Michael Vaughn in my room. And to think, he might have been my dad at one time... She almost missed her room, but only because she wasn't really looking for it. Right here, she said quietly. She put the key in the lock, and opened the door. The room was cute and quaint. It looked like a hotel room almost, except there was a large window that revealed the ocean on the left. She stepped in to get a better look. To the right, a tiny bathroom. A little further down, her bed, a couch, and a coffee table.

She set her bags down at the foot of the bed, and looked back at Vaughn. He had set his bags by the couch, and was sitting down, with his feet up on the coffee table. Sydney giggled at this picture, and joined him on the couch. They were both looking at the sunset, their necks turned uncomfortably.

Why don't we turn the couch to face the window? Vaughn suggested.

Sydney liked seeing both Vaughn and the sunset in the same view, but it was all the same. They sat up and pushed the coffee table out of the way before turning the couch.

They sat back down, a bit closer than they had before. Syd felt a small jolt and realized the boat was moving. So, when was your boat supposed leave? she asked.

Yesterday, in the morning.

Sydney turned to look at him. What did you do all day then?

I tried asking around to see when the next boat was coming, but I had trouble getting the people to understand me. Sydney smiled, Vaughn blushed slightly. I hung out around the dock for a few hours waiting to see if a boat was coming. Nothing came, so I found a hotel and stayed the night. I don't have much money left, with the food I got and the room. The CIA had provided them with the money of the land, in case of anything.

And then you saw other people at the dock, and figured that a boat was coming? Sydney asked.

Their eyes met. Sydney felt a strange feeling, but still good. She couldn't pull away; his eyes were so... breathtaking. She could feel her face turning red, but she didn't care. Vaughn stared intently back. Her eyes, though beautiful, seemed guarded. He leaned in just barely, and Sydney's eyes fluttered away back to the ocean.

Vaughn sighed to himself, and also returned his eyes to the ocean. Together, they watched the sunset bring itself to an end. Sydney would definitely be looking forward to more of them. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Sydney got up to answer it, and it was the ticket-taking man.

Would you care for anything to eat? (again, different language.) Sydney looked at Vaughn, who nodded violently.

Sydney replied something back to him that Vaughn didn't understand. The man left, and returned in a few moments, carrying to plates. Syd took the plates, and closed the door.

I have no idea what we are eating, Sydney admitted.

Vaughn smiled, and took his plate from Sydney; his hand gently brushing against her hand.

A shiver went up Sydney's spine, but she didn't let it show. They rejoined him at the couch. Vaughn took a bite of his food. Hmmm, tastes like fish and some rice.

They spent the rest of the evening finishing their dinner, with only small talk. They weren't used to be able to talk freely about anything they wanted to. Anything, Sydney said to to herself. This was huge to her. She didn't want to embarrass herself, but she wanted to tell him things. She wanted him to tell her things. She wanted a normal She had to recollect that was no where near normal. She had known him over a year, and they were having dinner for the first time. On a boat. In Syd's room. She could hardly consider this normal, and she almost laughed out loud about it.

Vaughn suddenly broke Sydney's thoughts with a yawn.

Sydney asked.

Vaughn nodded. They got up and moved the couch back up against the wall. Then Sydney went to change into something to sleep in, and Vaughn got comfortable on the couch. He didn't mind sleeping in his clothes. He usually slept in his boxers, but wasn't sure how Sydney would react, so he thought twice.

Sydney came out wearing plaid pajama pants, and a large T-shirt. Vaughn was hoping that she might just sleep in something with a little less fabric.... but he was glad to be in the same room as her.

Syd crawled into bed, Goodnight, Vaughn.

You can call me Michael, you know.

Syd smiled. Goodnight, Michael. Michael. It was so much more intimate.

Goodnight, Sydney.

Sydney lay awake in bed for a while. Maybe I can feel that way about my handler, she thought. There certainly wasn't anyone from SD-6 here watching them. She decided then and there that she would just try Michael Vaughn and see if he was in the same place. Just maybe...



Do you like it? Tell me please! Review review review! Got suggestions? Tell me those too. I love writing this.... until next time!
~Whitelighter Enchantress
P.S. Mary- thanks soo much for catching that typo. I use spell check, but am too lazy to actually go proofread. Yeah, it was a funny typo though. ;)