Chapter 3: Dreaming of You

A/N: Ok, I had nothing to do over the past few days, so I had a mad brainstorming session. I'm so proud at my productiveness! Lot's of Syd-Vaughn fluff in this one.

Disclaimer: Not mine. JJ Abrams'. Indeed.
*
Sydney's eyes slowly opened and focused on the object that was directly in front of her. She suddenly came to realize that it wasn't an object, it was Vaughn.

Oh, sorry, did I wake you? his voice flowed out so soothingly.

she said. She was confused. Why was Vaughn sitting on her bed? Vaughn –

I told you to call me Michael, he smiled, after he cut her off.

Syd smiled back. she paused. Why are you here? On my bed?

He leaned in. His face was getting closer, and closer. Syd closed her eyes. His lips were almost to hers, when...

Sydney's eyes shot open. She wasn't kissing Michael, and he wasn't on her bed. A dream, she laughed to herself, it was a dream.

She looked over to where he was sleeping on the couch. He looked so peaceful, so beautiful. She wished her dream had been real.

She tried closing her eyes again, but kept seeing Michael next to her on her bed, looking so charming that she wanted to... No. Last night she told herself that she would see if he was in the same place as her. She couldn't jump on him and tell him how much she wanted him.

Why is life so unfair to me? she asked herself. I can't tell my friends the truth, I have to do everything in secret, and I can't love the person I want. Sydney almost shocked herself with this. Love. She really loved Michael Vaughn. She knew she had, in the back of her mind, but wouldn't admit it to herself. She put her feelings on hold because she never thought he could love her back. And when could she tell him without someone hearing, whether it be CIA or SD-6?

Never. That's when.

Vaughn stirred on the couch, and Syd froze. Vaughn looked up at her. Good morning, he smiled at her.

Good morning, she smiled back. And so Sydney stared at him, her previous thoughts still fresh on her mind. She couldn't take the silence. What time is it?

He checked his watch. A little after nine. His voice is soothing in real life, too.

Ok, well, I'm going to take a shower, she said as she pulled the blankets off of her and headed towards the bathroom.

Vaughn simply said, but in his mind he was smiling like he was in high-school. Somehow, the thought of Sydney in the shower made him feel jittery inside.

Jittery? Was that the right word? No.... Completely in love was more like it. He had said it in his head again and again, but never apprehended it to the full extent.

Sydney Bristow is taking a shower. And I am sitting on a couch outside of where she is taking her shower. Maybe I could accidentally need to get something from the bathroom...
No. I won't invade her privacy like that. He cared for her too much, loved her too much, to just screw up anything he may have with her. He certainly didn't want her to be angry at him.

He heard the shower turn off. An image of Sydney wrapped in a towel, water dripping down her body suddenly came to his mind. He mentally shook his head. Come on, be professional now.

*******

At about noon, Sydney and Michael decided they would both go for a walk on the ship's deck. It was a beautiful day and the sun was shining. They were told that the ship should arrive at the island earlier than expected that night, maybe around nine.

Did my dad tell you where we were staying? Sydney beamed.

Vaughn assumed he would have some run down old building for his room, if the arrangements were made by Jack.

We have this cottage on the beach, Sydney began, and we can watch the sunset from there. He said that it would be absolutely beautiful.

Vaughn looked at her in shock. Did she say we' have a cottage? Wow, that should be incredible, he replied, thinking more about being with Sydney - alone - on a remote island, than the sunset.

You know my dad almost had a stroke when he found out you were coming with me, Sydney laughed.

Vaughn chuckled. Haha, I can only imagine.

His eyes opened up wide, and his mouth hung open a little. When he told me he had already rented the cottage, he clearly stated that there were two bedrooms.

Vaughn smiled back at her, making Sydney a little weak in the knees. That smile...

His smile quickly turned into a devilish grin. Come on, he said, grabbing Sydney's wrist. He pulled her to the front of the boat all the way to the railing. She giggled as the mist from the waves sprinkled upon them. Vaughn put his arm around her, and she didn't object.

Michael, this is so beautiful, she finally said after a few moments. She turned around and looked him sincerely in the eye. she said. Thank-you so much for coming with me. I know.... I know my mother doesn't mean anything to you, but you still came. And it really means a lot to me.

You are very welcome. I wanted to help you. He wanted to help her so much more than she would ever know. He noticed he still had his arm around her. Gently, he rubbed his hand along her back to help comfort her.

At this, Sydney couldn't contain herself and she hugged him, completely surprising herself and Michael.

Michael closed his eyes and held her tightly to him. He didn't want to let go, he didn't want to lose her. And at that moment, he finally told himself that it was okay to love her.

He felt her arms loosen around his neck, and he reluctantly let go. Let's go get something to eat. I'm starving!

Where do you think we can find food? he grinned. Do you think there is a kitchen?

I hope so, Sydney replied, rubbing her stomach. Come on, let's go look.

Sydney led Vaughn around the deck until they found a door that didn't lead to a bedchamber. They finally found a staircase after a few minutes, and decided they would go downstairs and look.

At the bottom, they found themselves in a series of several hallways leading this way and that. The boat was actually larger than it looked.

An hour later, after getting lost in the many hallways, they finally found their way back to their room. Both of them were famished.

Can you believe they don't have a kitchen anywhere on this boat? Sydney asked Vaughn, feeling somewhat tired after their sixty minute scavenge. Vaughn just laughed.


Sydney opened her door, and found there was a tray with two plates of food waiting for them. Oh my gosh, Michael, look, Sydney said, hitting her hand to her forehead.

We really should be smarter than this, working for the CIA and all.

She hit him playfully in the shoulder, and grabbed her plate, headed for the couch. she said after shoving a spoonful of food in her mouth. I'm not sure what it is, but it's really good.

Vaughn joined her on the couch, and tried some of his. This is good, he replied.

They spent the rest of the after noon talking about normal everyday things and getting to know each other a little better than before.

*****************
Over the course of the afternoon the weather had become gloomy and cloudy, causing them to miss the sunset. Though it was dark, Vaughn could see a tree line as they slowly approached the island. They knew they would arrive soon, so they packed up all their belongings and decided to quickly review their plan. They would arrive tonight and stay in the cottage. In the morning they would walk through the jungle until they reached the building where the cure could be found in a safe. They would first have to retrieve the codes for the safe, already located thanks to Jack, and then find the safe. Of course, they would have to go unnoticed, as usual, and get back to the cottage safely.

Sydney and Vaughn were standing in front of the couch putting away the maps of the island that they were looking at. Suddenly, the boat jolted and both of them fell onto the couch, Vaughn on top of Sydney.

Um... Sorry, Vaughn said quickly after realizing how suggestive their positioning must have looked. He rolled off of her and stood up and looked out the window, pretending to be watching something although it was too dark to see anything.

We probably just hit the dock, or something.



They grabbed their bags and made their way out to the same place where they had entered the boat, and followed to dock out to a large, serpentine dirt road they would follow to their cottage.

Do you know which cottage it is? Vaughn asked Sydney, breaking the silence. They were passing quite a few, a thought they may have accidentally passed it already.

It's the one just up there, she said pointing to the small white cottage they were approaching on their right.

It was blocked by a few trees, but as it came into view Vaughn could see the beach and ocean just behind it. They headed up the walkway and opened up the front door. There was a hallway down all the way to the end of the cottage, where it turned right into a living room with a large window overlooking the beach and the ocean. Before the living room were the two bedrooms that Jack reminded Sydney of. On the left was the kitchen, and after that was the bathroom.

Ok, I'll take this first bedroom, and you can have the second one, Sydney assigned. Vaughn walked into the second bedroom, and turned on the light. He had a double bed, a dresser, and a small closet. He was setting his bags in the closet, when he heard

Vaughn, could you come look at this? coming from Sydney's room.

He walked over to Sydney's room, and looked around. There was the closet, there was the dresser. You don't have a bed, he said with a smug smile on his face.

Don't laugh, this isn't funny! she exclaimed. I'll have to sleep on the couch.

No, you can have my bed. I'll sleep on the couch.

You really don't have to, she said sympathetically.

No, I don't mind, really, he smiled at Sydney to tell her that he was okay with it. I'll just go grab my stuff, he walked out to go look at the couch, and... Oh... The couch was nothing more than a wooden bench with a thinly padded seat. Shit, he told himself.

He heard Sydney's feet from behind him. You know, it is a double bed and all. She let the words hang in the air. And I wouldn't be opposed to sharing, she finished slowly.

Vaughn had to refrain from letting his jaw drop to the floor. Did she say what I think she just said? Oh my God, oh my God. Say something... SAY SOMETHING! Um, I, uh... Actual words this time, There you go.

Sydney smiled. Ok, well, it's late and I'm tired, so I'll just change, and...

Vaughn didn't hear the rest of what Sydney said. He was going to be sleeping in the same bed with the woman he loved. And she won't feel the same way, he told himself. Although, she did invite me into her room. No, she just didn't want me to sleep on that bench. Still, maybe.

Sydney came out of the bathroom in a tank top, and pajama pants. He didn't know if he could take it. she said, entering the bedroom, leaving the door open.

What the heck, he decided. I can sleep in my boxers. I can be professional.

He changed, and walked into the bedroom, closing the door behind him. He saw the moonlight shining down on Sydney through the window. She was asleep, and she looked like an angel. He lay down next to her in the bed, and fell asleep dreaming about the woman he loved.


A/N: Hope you liked it. I had something weird going on when I first started writing it, but realized that they would never ever be like that, so I pitched it. This was so much better.
REVIEW PLEASE!
~Whitelighter Enchantress