INT. SYDNEY'S ROOM - THE NEXT MORNING
Vaughn is sitting in a wheelchair next to Sydney's bed with his head and left arm lying at her hip. He's asleep but we pan up to show that Sydney's awake and watching him as she runs her hand through his hair.
VAUGHN
Mmmm...
She smiles. He's starting to wake up and she runs the tips of her fingers behind his ear and down his jaw toward his chin. He sleepily nuzzles her hand as she stops at his chin and rubs his cleft with her thumb. He smiles and slowly opens his eyes to look up at her smiling face.
SYDNEY
Good morning, sunshine.
His eyes widen in surprise but he doesn't sit up.
VAUGHN
You woke up.
SYDNEY
So did you.
VAUGHN
And if I didn't I hope I never do.
He looks at her for a moment.
VAUGHN
You're okay?
SYDNEY
Yes, I'm okay.
He closes his eyes and leans back into her hand giving it a light kiss.
VAUGHN
Thank you.
Sydney uses her hand to lift up his chin so that he looks at her.
SYDNEY
For what?
Vaughn grabs her hand and sits up.
VAUGHN
Coming back to me.
She smiles.
SYDNEY
Just consider it a belated birthday present.
His brow wrinkles in confusion as he realizes what day it is.
VAUGHN
My birthday? Oh, wow, I totally forgot.
He looks at her intently again.
VAUGHN
I guess I had more important things on my mind.
She looks away shyly not knowing how to respond. He smiles.
VAUGHN
Well, I must say that this is the best birthday present ever.
She looks back with a smile.
SYDNEY
Really? Cause I almost got you season tickets to the Kings.
He smiles back.
VAUGHN
But who would I have taken with me? A hockey game requires someone to share it with.
SYDNEY
So is that where you're taking me on our first date?
VAUGHN
I thought you would have wanted to go someplace fancy and romantic not a stadium full of drunk shouting fans.
SYDNEY
At this point I'd be happy if I got to spend the evening with you without getting shot at.
Vaughn considers it and shakes his head.
VAUGHN
Naw, I want to make this special. You deserve it.
She squeezes his hand.
SYDNEY
We both do.
Vaughn looks down at their hands again and sighs.
VAUGHN
Can you believe I considered calling it all off?
SYDNEY
Calling what all off?
VAUGHN
Us. Getting back together. (beat) I thought I could handle it, the fear of losing you again. But when I was faced with it, when I thought you might die, it was almost harder than it was before. Now that I know what it's like to live without you... It frightens me. How much I've come to rely on you. How much I need you. (beat) How much I love you.
She looks at him with understanding.
SYDNEY
Vaughn, it's scary for me too. But I also know what it's like to lose you, to have to consider my life without you in it. And, no, you weren't dead but I think it would have been easier if you had been. Seeing you with her, having to pretend that I didn't still love you... It's one the hardest things I've ever had to do.
VAUGHN
I'm so sorry, Sydney. You know I would never deliberately do anything to hurt you.
SYDNEY
I know.
VAUGHN
It's still scary though isn't it?
SYDNEY
I'm not good with trust. I've been either abandoned or betrayed by almost everyone I've ever loved. Sometimes both.
VAUGHN
Including me.
SYDNEY
Vaughn, that's not what I meant. Yes, I was hurt when I woke up and found that you'd moved on but I don't view what you did as a betrayal, especially now that I know the circumstances behind what happened. If you would have let me finish I was going to say that there were so many times when you were the only one that was there for me. When my world was falling apart, when everything I knew came into question, I'd turn to you and I'd see the one thing in my life that I could trust without hesitation, the one person that I knew would always be there.
VAUGHN
Except I wasn't. When you needed me most, after you woke up in Hong Kong, I wasn't there for you.
SYDNEY
Maybe not at first but you're here now and that's all I care about.
VAUGHN
Still I should have...
SYDNEY
What? Dumped your wife the second you found out I was alive? Then you wouldn't be the Michael Vaughn I know and love. That Vaughn is kind and considerate and always trying to do what's right.
VAUGHN
And because of that I failed you.
SYDNEY
Will you stop it already? There have been so many times when I've felt lost, alone, desperate, willing to do anything and I mean anything no matter what the consequences. But then I'd think of you, of what you said to me on the pier about how we can't let the darkness consume us. In my darkest moments, even when you weren't around, you were there for me. You saved me. You still do.
VAUGHN
Your dad told you?
SYDNEY
You impressed him, at least as much as anyone can.
VAUGHN
I'm not sure if I should feel proud or worried.
SYDNEY
Don't worry about Dad. You were amazing.
VAUGHN
I was afraid that I'd lose you again. Nothing else mattered. Not even the mission.
SYDNEY
Hey, we're going to get grilled for this. And, yes, there were things that could have been done differently. Plus we should talk about how to handle situations like this in the future. But it's not any one person's fault. (beat) Just like what happened between us.
VAUGHN
I know. But it's like I told Weiss, I just don't feel it yet.
SYDNEY
Come here.
He moves his wheelchair closer to her so that she can lean over, frame his face with her hands, and kiss him on the forehead. She pulls away slightly and looks him in the eyes.
SYDNEY
You are a good man with a kind heart and a brave soul. I trust you and I love you. Never doubt that. I know I never have and I can promise you that I never will.
Vaughn closes his eyes and leans his forehead against hers.
VAUGHN
I love you, too.
SYDNEY
I know.
She pulls back and looks at him again.
SYDNEY
It's gonna be okay. We're gonna be okay.
VAUGHN
I know. But I'm still afraid of losing you.
SYDNEY
And I you. I'd like to think that's normal. (beat) I've jumped out of planes and off cliffs. I've faced down guys twice my size without a second thought. If I can do that... I am not going to let fear stop me when it comes to you. Whatever time we have we'll spend together. That's all anyone can hope for.
Vaughn smiles slightly.
VAUGHN
You'll hold on if I will?
SYDNEY
Always.
Now Vaughn is really smiling.
SYDNEY
What?
VAUGHN
I was just thinking about how lucky I am. That someone as amazing as you would choose me.
Syd smiles mischievously.
SYDNEY
What can I say? You're hot.
He laughs and raises an eyebrow.
VAUGHN
You're not too bad yourself, Bristow.
Now she laughs.
SYDNEY
Not too bad?
She shakes her head.
SYDNEY
Seriously though, I consider myself just as lucky that someone like you would choose me.
He puts his hand her cheek.
VAUGHN
I will always choose you.
She leans into his hand and closes her eyes. She suddenly looks tired.
VAUGHN
Hey. Don't fight it. You're still recovering and if you're tired you should sleep.
SYDNEY
I just woke up.
VAUGHN
It's okay. There'll be plenty of time to talk about how hot I am later.
She laughs and leans back into her pillow. As she does so she takes his hand from her cheek and holds it over her heart.
VAUGHN
Just close your eyes. I'll be here if you need me.
She allows her eyes to drift shut as she smiles.
SYDNEY
I know. You always are.
He smiles and watches as she falls asleep.
THE END
Vaughn is sitting in a wheelchair next to Sydney's bed with his head and left arm lying at her hip. He's asleep but we pan up to show that Sydney's awake and watching him as she runs her hand through his hair.
VAUGHN
Mmmm...
She smiles. He's starting to wake up and she runs the tips of her fingers behind his ear and down his jaw toward his chin. He sleepily nuzzles her hand as she stops at his chin and rubs his cleft with her thumb. He smiles and slowly opens his eyes to look up at her smiling face.
SYDNEY
Good morning, sunshine.
His eyes widen in surprise but he doesn't sit up.
VAUGHN
You woke up.
SYDNEY
So did you.
VAUGHN
And if I didn't I hope I never do.
He looks at her for a moment.
VAUGHN
You're okay?
SYDNEY
Yes, I'm okay.
He closes his eyes and leans back into her hand giving it a light kiss.
VAUGHN
Thank you.
Sydney uses her hand to lift up his chin so that he looks at her.
SYDNEY
For what?
Vaughn grabs her hand and sits up.
VAUGHN
Coming back to me.
She smiles.
SYDNEY
Just consider it a belated birthday present.
His brow wrinkles in confusion as he realizes what day it is.
VAUGHN
My birthday? Oh, wow, I totally forgot.
He looks at her intently again.
VAUGHN
I guess I had more important things on my mind.
She looks away shyly not knowing how to respond. He smiles.
VAUGHN
Well, I must say that this is the best birthday present ever.
She looks back with a smile.
SYDNEY
Really? Cause I almost got you season tickets to the Kings.
He smiles back.
VAUGHN
But who would I have taken with me? A hockey game requires someone to share it with.
SYDNEY
So is that where you're taking me on our first date?
VAUGHN
I thought you would have wanted to go someplace fancy and romantic not a stadium full of drunk shouting fans.
SYDNEY
At this point I'd be happy if I got to spend the evening with you without getting shot at.
Vaughn considers it and shakes his head.
VAUGHN
Naw, I want to make this special. You deserve it.
She squeezes his hand.
SYDNEY
We both do.
Vaughn looks down at their hands again and sighs.
VAUGHN
Can you believe I considered calling it all off?
SYDNEY
Calling what all off?
VAUGHN
Us. Getting back together. (beat) I thought I could handle it, the fear of losing you again. But when I was faced with it, when I thought you might die, it was almost harder than it was before. Now that I know what it's like to live without you... It frightens me. How much I've come to rely on you. How much I need you. (beat) How much I love you.
She looks at him with understanding.
SYDNEY
Vaughn, it's scary for me too. But I also know what it's like to lose you, to have to consider my life without you in it. And, no, you weren't dead but I think it would have been easier if you had been. Seeing you with her, having to pretend that I didn't still love you... It's one the hardest things I've ever had to do.
VAUGHN
I'm so sorry, Sydney. You know I would never deliberately do anything to hurt you.
SYDNEY
I know.
VAUGHN
It's still scary though isn't it?
SYDNEY
I'm not good with trust. I've been either abandoned or betrayed by almost everyone I've ever loved. Sometimes both.
VAUGHN
Including me.
SYDNEY
Vaughn, that's not what I meant. Yes, I was hurt when I woke up and found that you'd moved on but I don't view what you did as a betrayal, especially now that I know the circumstances behind what happened. If you would have let me finish I was going to say that there were so many times when you were the only one that was there for me. When my world was falling apart, when everything I knew came into question, I'd turn to you and I'd see the one thing in my life that I could trust without hesitation, the one person that I knew would always be there.
VAUGHN
Except I wasn't. When you needed me most, after you woke up in Hong Kong, I wasn't there for you.
SYDNEY
Maybe not at first but you're here now and that's all I care about.
VAUGHN
Still I should have...
SYDNEY
What? Dumped your wife the second you found out I was alive? Then you wouldn't be the Michael Vaughn I know and love. That Vaughn is kind and considerate and always trying to do what's right.
VAUGHN
And because of that I failed you.
SYDNEY
Will you stop it already? There have been so many times when I've felt lost, alone, desperate, willing to do anything and I mean anything no matter what the consequences. But then I'd think of you, of what you said to me on the pier about how we can't let the darkness consume us. In my darkest moments, even when you weren't around, you were there for me. You saved me. You still do.
VAUGHN
Your dad told you?
SYDNEY
You impressed him, at least as much as anyone can.
VAUGHN
I'm not sure if I should feel proud or worried.
SYDNEY
Don't worry about Dad. You were amazing.
VAUGHN
I was afraid that I'd lose you again. Nothing else mattered. Not even the mission.
SYDNEY
Hey, we're going to get grilled for this. And, yes, there were things that could have been done differently. Plus we should talk about how to handle situations like this in the future. But it's not any one person's fault. (beat) Just like what happened between us.
VAUGHN
I know. But it's like I told Weiss, I just don't feel it yet.
SYDNEY
Come here.
He moves his wheelchair closer to her so that she can lean over, frame his face with her hands, and kiss him on the forehead. She pulls away slightly and looks him in the eyes.
SYDNEY
You are a good man with a kind heart and a brave soul. I trust you and I love you. Never doubt that. I know I never have and I can promise you that I never will.
Vaughn closes his eyes and leans his forehead against hers.
VAUGHN
I love you, too.
SYDNEY
I know.
She pulls back and looks at him again.
SYDNEY
It's gonna be okay. We're gonna be okay.
VAUGHN
I know. But I'm still afraid of losing you.
SYDNEY
And I you. I'd like to think that's normal. (beat) I've jumped out of planes and off cliffs. I've faced down guys twice my size without a second thought. If I can do that... I am not going to let fear stop me when it comes to you. Whatever time we have we'll spend together. That's all anyone can hope for.
Vaughn smiles slightly.
VAUGHN
You'll hold on if I will?
SYDNEY
Always.
Now Vaughn is really smiling.
SYDNEY
What?
VAUGHN
I was just thinking about how lucky I am. That someone as amazing as you would choose me.
Syd smiles mischievously.
SYDNEY
What can I say? You're hot.
He laughs and raises an eyebrow.
VAUGHN
You're not too bad yourself, Bristow.
Now she laughs.
SYDNEY
Not too bad?
She shakes her head.
SYDNEY
Seriously though, I consider myself just as lucky that someone like you would choose me.
He puts his hand her cheek.
VAUGHN
I will always choose you.
She leans into his hand and closes her eyes. She suddenly looks tired.
VAUGHN
Hey. Don't fight it. You're still recovering and if you're tired you should sleep.
SYDNEY
I just woke up.
VAUGHN
It's okay. There'll be plenty of time to talk about how hot I am later.
She laughs and leans back into her pillow. As she does so she takes his hand from her cheek and holds it over her heart.
VAUGHN
Just close your eyes. I'll be here if you need me.
She allows her eyes to drift shut as she smiles.
SYDNEY
I know. You always are.
He smiles and watches as she falls asleep.
THE END
