Chapter 4: The Mission

A/n: Thanks everyone who reviewed! I was having trouble describing the cottage in the last chapter, so I drew it out on a pad of paper. I liked it so much that I put it on The Sims.

Disclaimer: This belongs to a certain JJ Abrams, not me.

* * *

Sydney was staring at him, watching him, waiting for him to wake up. She almost didn't want him to. It would almost ruin the moment. He was so peaceful, so beautiful, lying with the faint trail of light illuminating his body. If he woke up, she would have to close her eyes and pretend she was still asleep. She yearned to watch him longer.

At the same time, she did want him to wake up; to have him watch her, to feel the same way she did. She loved him. She wanted to be with him. She craved to hold him and kiss him whenever she wanted to. She thirsted for his love in return...

Vaughn made a slight grunt in his throat and turned on his side so he was facing Sydney, who quickly shut her eyes. She barely had them open enough to see that he looked still very much asleep, so she opened her eyes once again.

She was wrong, though. Michael Vaughn was indeed awake, and found himself looking at Sydney. Her eyes were definitely looking back into his.

And so they gazed at each other, either of them too scared to say or do anything. They were like deer caught in the headlights, but without a car or death. The wanted each other so much, but would not yet bring themselves to do so.

Vaughn, wistful about bringing his hand to her face, was the first to break the silence. You know, you still talk in your sleep, he said without breaking any eye connection.

She smiled weakly and blushed. Do I? What did I say?

You were asking Francie to get something for you. She smiled, and giggled slenderly.

He was still looking at her, still gazing at her in his own universe. Was he still lying in the same bed as her? He couldn't tell.

The sound of crashing waves broke his train of thought abruptly, and he noticed how the sun wasn't shining in his face. Reality hit him that his love life with Sydney would be gloomy, much like the morning.

We better get ready for the mission today.

Sydney had almost forgotten. Her feelings for Vaughn were beginning to overtake her career, which she would vow not to happen. was all she could say, for now.



They were ready to go by nine-thirty, and they had everything they needed. Sydney had the map and compass, and would glance at it occasionally. It had barely been fifteen minutes when rain began to gently fall on the ground.

We only have one umbrella, Vaughn said, hoping she would have the same philosophy that she did last night about sharing. He opened the umbrella as a sign of welcoming, and Sydney huddled in close to him.

Sydney could smell him, and damn, did he smell good. He smelled perfect, just like he was supposed to smell. It was... Vaughn-ish. That was undoubtedly the only way to describe it. She could see his shoulder getting wet, and figured that he was holding the umbrella over her.

He didn't mind getting a little wet. She, on the other hand, was too beautiful to let one single drop of rain ruin her consummate body.

They walked in silence for the majority of the time, apart for the occasional left here' or we need to go a little faster.' Though their mouths were wordless, their minds certainly weren't. Each ached to reveal their true feelings to the other. They were in the middle of a jungle, alone in the middle of a jungle. If they could only admit what they wanted, they could be free to be together. They could hold each other, kiss each other. And they wouldn't get caught.

Vaughn whispered sympathetically, You're shivering. He had to brake the silence when he felt Sydney quiver beside him. He placed his arm around her and held her closer to his body.

I'm really cold, she replied back to him. She loved the fact that he was keeping her warm. He wrapped his other arm around her, causing her to turn so she faced him.

Sydney raised her head and looked up into his eyes. They were calling for her. They were tempting, and desirable, and gorgeous.

He leaned his head in, and it was like Syd was dreaming again. His lips were nearer and nearer, when they touched finally. But this was not a dream; this was real. He was kissing her. She dropped the map and brought her hands behind his neck and rubbed them gently through his hair. She was taken over by her love for him, and she was passionately kissing him back.

They each pulled away, though reluctantly, and gasped for air. Neither one of them knew what was supposed to happen next. Both were shocked at how neither of them had been able to control themselves, but they liked it. They had felt something they had never felt before, and it only brought them closer.

Vaughn began, searching his mind for anything to say, ...think we should... he couldn't remember where they were or what they were doing there.

Keep going? Sydney tried to help him. Vaughn nodded. Syd bent back down to pick up the map she had dropped, and Vaughn kept his arm around her the whole time.

When they finally saw an opening in the trees that lead to a two story building, they stopped shortly.

Get out the map of the building, Vaughn whispered in Sydney's ear. I'm not sure where the best spot is yet.

They looked on the map, found a place where they could enter the vent, and snuck over there.

After you, Sydney said. He pulled the covering off, and climbed inside.

Oh, this is just gross. Inside the vent there were tons of spider webs, and a few dead mice along the way. With only enough room to crawl, they would have to go straight through them. Sydney climbed in behind him and closed the covering as much as she could.

They crawled along for a few minutes, and Sydney watched her hands, making sure she didn't come into contact with something not living.

They came to a crossroad, where part of the vent curved off, and another section stayed straight.

We need to take the curved route, Vaughn said, picking up Sydney's head. She was looking right at his butt, which, to Sydney (*and anyone else*), was not a bad sight.

He startled her. she said, looking back down at her hands quickly. She couldn't help but blush.

They continued to crawl along the through the vent, until Vaughn signaled back to Sydney to stop. The were just above the room that contained the safe codes. Vaughn peered down into the room to make sure it was clear, which it was.

He busted open the vent cover, and jumped out. He helped Sydney down.

Start searching through that desk, I'll look over through this file cabinet, he ordered.

Sydney started to rummage through the drawers, when she heard someone outside. Quick, hide, she whispered to Vaughn. She shoved herself under the desk and pushed herself as far back as she could. She only glimpsed at Vaughn who squeezed himself between the file cabinet and the wall.


Someone entered the room, but left the door open. Syd assumed that it was a man. He walked over in behind the desk. She tried not to breathe too hard. Suddenly, the man knocked a pen off the desk onto the floor. Sydney could just barely see his fingertips in front of her reaching for it when –

Sir, it's ready for you, came from the doorway.

Sydney let out a silent breath. All right, I'll be there in a minute, the man replied. Sydney recognized the voice.

OK, Mr. Sloane.

Sloane!

Sloane grabbed some papers off the desk, and left the room shutting the door behind him. Sydney jumped out from under the desk and ran to Vaughn. Oh my God, it was Sloane, and he almost saw me, she was near tears.

Vaughn rubbed her back. Sh, sh, it's ok. He didn't see you. He lifted her head. Let's find those codes.

She went back to the desk and looked through and was working on the last drawer when Vaughn said, Got it!

Sydney took out her second map, which was of the building. They needed to find the safe now.

Back in the vent.

* * *

Sydney crawled out of the vent after Vaughn, into a dark basement. The had to find the right door in which the safe was behind. They went up to the first door, and Sydney kicked it open. Nothing was inside.

The next door; nothing, and same with the next. They went to the last door and kicked it open. There was the safe.

Sydney, the combination is 5, 25, 43, 11. I'll make sure no one's coming.

Syd worked quickly, and pulled open the door. Inside were mostly papers, which she gingerly glanced through, taking some that looked important. She finally found a bottle, and placed it in a secret pocket in her vest.

Sydney, hurry up, we got company, she heard Vaughn yell from the hall. She shut the door and ran out to join him.

There were two of Sloane's goons already out there. What are you two doing down here? one of them asked. This area is for authorized personal only. Sydney looked at Vaughn, and nodded. She shot forward and kicked one in the stomach, causing him to fall back into the wall. She punched him in the face, and he was out cold. She looked how Vaughn handled his guy. He had him knocked out on the floor.

Ready to go?



* * *

They ran through the jungle for ten minutes straight until finally collapsing by a tree for some air.

Michael, it was Sloane.

I know, and God, if one of us had gotten caught...

I can't even imagine. Sydney sat up and leaned her head on his shoulder. Do you think my dad knew that Sloane would be there?

I don't think so. He wouldn't have let me come if he did know. He stroked Sydney's hair. Ready to go back? he whispered softly into her ear.

She sighed. I guess.

Syd, are you ok?

I'm just a little shaken from Sloane, that's all.

Vaughn looked into her eyes for a moment, before smiling and standing up.




They walked for a great while until they reached the cottage just before night fall. The sky had cleared of the clouds, and the sun was ready to set.

I don't know about you, but I am just ravenous! Sydney exclaimed after shutting the front door of the cottage. Want anything?

What do we have?

Sydney opened the small refrigerator. I see... nothing. Unless you want water for dinner.

I'll check the cupboards, Vaughn laughed. We have, he opened the first cupboard, macaroni and cheese.

Comfort food! Sounds good to me. I'll find a pot. She quickly found one and filled it with water. Let's watch the sunset while we let it boil. She led Vaughn over to the couch that faced the large window overlooking the ocean.

I can't believe that this is more beautiful than that first sunset, Sydney turned to look at Vaughn. Michael, look.

He kept looking at Sydney. Suddenly, he brought one hand to her face, and leaned in. Sydney felt that rush in her heart beat like earlier that day. She brought her hands to the back of his neck and deepened the kiss. Many feelings swirled about inside her, and too many thoughts weighed in her mind. But she loved him. It was so simple, but yet so much more complicated. Was she really kissing him again?

The kiss became more passionate as they tasted each other's mouths and Sydney's hand was slowly reaching under Vaughn's shirt.

Vaughn' s love for her was building moment by moment until he couldn't contain it any longer. He broke the kiss, and looked deeply into her eyes.

I love you.



A/N: What an ending. I discovered I'm not terribly skilled in the writing of the actual mission part. Sorry I haven't updated in a while. We've been taking those stupid state mandated tests and yet still have gotten tons of homework.

Can you believe that episode after the Superbowl!?! It was awesome. But I'm kinda scared of the evil Francie...
~Whitelighter Enchantress