Chapter 10: Unrequited Love, Part II

A/n: Hey hey! Thanks for your reviews, I really appreciate them. So I'm thinking there will be one or two more chapters (I know- I've said that like three times now, but this time I mean it. I think). Note for Nattie700- I used to have this GIANT toy lion that sat on top of my shelf and it chased my bad dreams away. At least that's what my parents told me... Theme song: Easy Street from the musical Annie

I must dedicate this to Kimmers for always reviewing! Thanks hun!

Disclaimer: Props to JJ for making EVILauren. Mwahaha, gladly Alias is his.

Quick Recap:

Well, I wasn't expecting to find you here, the man outside the door said.

I didn't expect you either, Corey.

* * * * * * *

He pushed Vaughn aside with his shoulder as he charged through the door. So what are you doing here?

I should ask you the same question, because, unlike you, I live here.

Corey glared at Vaughn, then looked curiously around the apartment. Where's Alyssa? he asked casually.

What are you doing here? he gritted through his teeth. Why had he asked about Alyssa? A sense of insecurity washed over him and he hurried into the kitchen, taking Alyssa from her highchair. Her face was a mess of syrup, so he took a brief moment to wash it off. He just had to keep her away from Corey.

He leaned on the other side of the bar and chuckled at Vaughn. Don't worry, he assured, I'm not here to harm the kid. I just want to talk to Sydney.

If Vaughn could have taken Sydney and held her away form Corey too, he would have. Well, she's not here.

When will she be back?

It's hard to say. But I wouldn't hang around waiting for her.

He glared some more, then ran his hand through his greasy blonde hair. Listen, pal, I don't know who you think you are, moving in here with my girlfriend –

Your girlfriend?

That's right, you heard me. And while I suppose you have rights to your daughter, you don't have any right to keep Sydney away from me. Now, I'm going to sit down right over there until she gets back. Comprende, buster?

Yeah, yeah I comprende' all right. He raised his eyebrow as Corey took a heavy plop into the couch in the living room. What on earth was this guy thinking? He couldn't just walk in and expect to talk with Sydney! Vaughn swallowed the many cruel words he wished to say to Corey and hugged Alyssa tighter to his body. So why are you here?

I told you, I need to speak with Sydney.

Why? What about? he snapped back.

Corey let out a stifled laugh. None of your business.

It's no secret that you want Sydney back, he told him, moving to set Alyssa in her play pen but standing in front as to protect her. Because I know the feeling, and I can see it in your eyes.

You bet I want Sydney back, Corey snarled, standing up. But what would you know about losing Sydney, Mister I abandoned her for two tears as a single mother?'

I did not abandon her. I was taken from her, from Alyssa, from this whole God damn world, and if you think for one minute that I left Syd –

Yeah, I do.

Vaughn tried to calm his heavily rising breath rate. Get out. Get out of my house now.

Not until I talk with Sydney.



Corey slowly approached Vaughn, trying to stand as tall as he could. I'll get Sydney back, by any means necessary.

What's that supposed to mean – he asked, just as Corey took a quick blow to Vaughn's stomach. I'm not going to fight you.

Too late. Corey swung again, only this time, Vaughn was ready. He ducked, causing Corey to take a dry miss in the air, leaving him off balance. Vaughn took this opportunity to to grab his arms and hold them painfully behind his back.

I asked you to leave, he hissed into his ear.

And I said I wouldn't until I had Sydney, he replied, the faint smell of liquor on his breath. Now, do you know why she'll come back? Because she loves me now, not you. Corey, who apparently was much stronger than he appeared, released his body from Vaughn's death grip and began punching him as much as he could. A confused Vaughn could only defend himself, yet seemed to be beating Corey at his own game.

The front door creaked open, but didn't stop Corey and Vaughn from their violent skirmish. Vaughn? I saw Corey's car and – Oh my gosh!

Vaughn took a final swing and collided squarely with Corey's nose, surprised to hear Sydney's voice behind him. With Vaughn's head turned, Corey caught him strongly at his temple and both men fell to their knees.

The next thing Vaughn knew, he was looking up at a worried-faced Sydney, who dabbed at his left eye. he whispered, fidgeting slightly.

Sydney cooed. Stay still.

He obeyed and stopped moving, however asked, What happened?

She squinted for a moment just below his eye before applying a small bandage. He winced, feeling the pressure of her fingers on his bruise. I got back and you and Corey were fighting.

Where is he?

Sh, try not to talk to much, just let me explain. She gave him a weak smile before gently setting a pack of ice on his bruise. Do you need any painkillers? I'm sure your head hurts pretty bad. He shook his head, though it did hurt. But it didn't matter; he had felt worse before. she whispered, tucking her hair behind her ears. Vaughn stared up hopefully at her with his one good eye, realizing for the first time that his head lay on her lap. When I got inside you two had already beaten each other up pretty badly. You both had collapsed when I was coming in to break you apart. Luckily my dad got here in time to take Corey to the hospital; you probably broke his nose.

Jack came?

Yes, he was going to help us move Will. Anyway, Corey's face was pouring blood, and Dad took him away, and you were still out cold – (*I blacked out again? Crap.*) – and you were cut under your eye. But I think we'll just escape needing stitches. She lifted the ice pack from his eye to check the bandage. It's not bleeding as badly as before, but it still soaked through this already.

Absent-mindedly, he reached his hand to his face to feel the damage, immediately discovering more pain than he initially thought there would be. Wincing, he brought his hand back down and allowed Sydney to take care of him again. He didn't hurt you did he?

Corey? No, of course not. He never has.

He paused as she placed the ice pack back on his eye. He was drunk, he murmured.

She sighed quietly. I know.

Syd – Ouch! Oh, my face really hurts now, he cringed as his brow furrowed.

Sydney quickly picked off the ice pack to inspect his cut. She leaned in closer, her lips mere inches from his, though neither of them noticed. Maybe we do need those stitches... she bit her lip. I can do it right here... SD-6 gave me some weird training. Let me just get the supplies. Carefully she slipped her body from underneath his head, and returned shortly with everything she needed. A bright light suddenly evaded his view as she adjusted everything. she mumbled about the light.

She began to work on his cut, but he couldn't refrain from speaking. Where's Alyssa? Is she all right? he exploded, mentally beating himself for not thinking of her sooner.

Stay still! She's fine, she's sitting in her playpen watching Sesame Street as we speak, she replied, casting a quick glance to her daughter. Corey wouldn't do anything to her.

Even if he was drinking? he asked quietly.

He knew she wouldn't reply. Vaughn, I have to admit, I haven't been completely honest with you about Corey. Oh no, he thought, this is where she tells me she's still madly in love with him and how she and Alyssa are running off to live with him on a remote island. And how they're leaving me behind in Los Angeles alone. Great. You had really died to us, I mean, we never expected to see you again. Everyone told me I had to move on. And I would hear people tell me to, but I wasn't truly listening to them. Not until I realized how absolutely miserable I was. Corey was the only way I figured I could move on. I don't remember any of my reasoning behind it except that I blamed you for everything. It had that much of an impact on me, so I forced myself into believing Corey was the right decision...

I know for sure now that is wasn't, she finished. I'm not in love with Corey.

It took great strength to hide the smirk from Vaughn's face. He wished he could see Corey just for this moment to laugh harshly in his face. HAHAHA! While in his head, he continued to laugh evilly, he couldn't respond to such a statement. He began to stare imploringly into Sydney's eyes as she worked on stitching his cut; the only thing to take his mind off the slight advancement in pain. For the next few minutes, they worked in silence (apart form the occasional Sesame Street lines in the background). Vaughn wished he could tell her how he felt, but couldn't bring himself to. He wanted her to know that he still loved her with all his heart, and he wasn't angry that she tried to push him away when he reappeared.

The front door opened and the voice of Jack Bristow quickly followed. he called.

We're in here, Dad, she replied. I'm just finishing up... There. She moved away the bright light and allowed his eyes to adjust before handing him the ice pack once again. Flashing him a smile and a gentle pat on the head, she stood up to greet her father. Vaughn wanted to follow suit, however found himself lost in a woozy daze as soon as he lifted his head. Slowly settling back into the couch, he sighed, and attempted to hear Jack and Sydney's conversation.

I took care of it, Jack was saying. Corey won't be bothering you anymore.

I hope you weren't too harsh... she mumbled, and Vaughn could just imagine the emotionless gaze he returned to his daughter.

an exasperated cry came from the play pen.

Hold on, Sydney said, heading towards Alyssa, I think the little one's getting bored with Big Bird. She picked up the toddler whose tiny arms stretched up to her mother, and Vaughn carefully lifted his head onto the arm of the couch, ignoring the brief moment of his head spinning. Once the room was stable, he was shocked to see the sight in front of him. Jack was smiling. Smiling! Look who's here, Lyssie.

The young girl squealed with delight and reached for her grandpa, who gladly accepted her. He laughed fully as she clambered about his shoulders and tugged on his ears. she exclaimed, her previous cries of boredom quickly forgotten.

She never could say the grand' part, Jack added, still smiling broadly. Vaughn couldn't believe it; he had expected to find a stone-faced Jack nodding at the tiny creature of a human in his own spawn's arms. Yet no, Jack seemed his complete opposite when with Alyssa, it was like with her he could let his guard down, not worry about matters of the CIA and such, be free from his usual world of secrecy and lies and just be grandpa... Papa.

Why don't you stay for lunch, Dad?

* * * * * * *

Vaughn lay in his new bed that night, reflecting back on the day. Lunch had been slow, he remembered, considering how Jack's stares of sympathy seemed forgotten. Sydney had made them sandwiches, and Vaughn barely managed to sit up on the couch. He noticed Alyssa playing with her stuffed animals close to his feet, and Jack smiling at the child as he watched. When Sydney returned, Vaughn ate slowly and stayed out of the conversation, allowing his head time to readjust. Jack would stare at Vaughn every so often, and at first Vaughn thought it was because his head must be awkwardly swollen. Later, he realized Jack was back to his usual looks of resentment.

His memories were interrupted by gentle whimpers from down the hall. Slowly, he stood from his bed, careful not to fall over (his head made him slightly woozy still). Instinctively he headed for Alyssa's room, but found his little angel sleeping soundly. He turned, and discovered that the sounds were coming from Sydney's room.

He creaked the door open slightly, just enough to see through the crack. Sydney whimpered in her bed, rolling from side to side. As her thrashes became more violent, he opened the door more and more, stepping just inside the doorway with curiosity and confusion. Suddenly, she gave a yelp and awoke with a start. she panted heavily, immediately spying him in the doorway. Oh, Vaughn, it's you. She continued to pant heavily with a wavering breath. Her state showed no signs of improvement, and he made his way closer to her. The sight of her panting and shaking slightly scared him, so he flicked on the light on the bedside table and wrapped his arms around her body to calm her. Don't... leave, Vaughn, she whispered, closing her eyes.

What was happening? Was she all right? He squeezed her shoulders tighter as he slid into the bed next to her. Slowly, her panting eased though she remained shivering. Though very confused, he would obey her and he stayed with her, holding her tight to his chest.

Not that he objected, mind you. He was simply worried.

Shortly after he closed his eyes and leaned against the wooden headboard, she began to mumble softly. Following me... she uttered. ... Scared...



... Keep looking...

He rubbed his thumb back and forth across her arm and she didn't say another word; she snuggled deeper into his chest. Her breathing seemed slow and steady, her sleepy mumbles had ceased, and her shivering had stopped, so Vaughn eventually dozed off.

It wasn't until the morning when he woke again. With Vaughn holding her, she didn't seem to have any further trouble sleeping. He glanced over at the alarm clock to his left, 7:34, then to the table on his right where two pictures resided; one of Will, Francie, and Danny, and the other of Sydney and himself. In his picture frame.

He smiled gleefully then allowed his eyes to rest on the sleeping form of Sydney in front of him. He felt her easy breaths rise and fall against his side and the weight of her head against his chest; her hair flowed softly over the side of her head, its tips resting on his stomach. After stroking it for a moment, he planted a kiss on the top of her head and slid out from underneath her, making sure he hadn't woken her before exiting. He hated leaving her; sleeping so soundly and peacefully, she looked like an angel.

But would she remember what had happened to her last night? Would she recall asking Vaughn to stay? He didn't want to risk it. He didn't want her to wake up and find herself clinging to someone who just moved in... Or did he?

It was too late to go back, anyhow, as he found himself in the kitchen. He started up the coffee and headed for the couch, grabbing a fleece blanket to wrap himself in. Before turning on the television, he inspected his reflection in its screen; the swelling had gone done tremendously over night, and his stitches were just a mild affliction to his face. A large, purple bruise began to settle around his eye, resting against his nose and further down, along the top of his cheek bone. He fingered it's outskirts as he turned the television on, careful to turn down the volume as to not wake Sydney or Alyssa.

Nothing terribly exciting was on – a few cartoons, reruns of older shows, newly released rap videos – but the TV could hardly occupy Vaughn from his thoughts. He couldn't help but think about how Sydney had taken care of him yesterday.

Luckily my dad got here in time to take Corey to the hospital, she had told him. Did that mean it was lucky that Corey would be all right or thank God she could get rid of him? He hoped it was the latter. But then Vaughn remembered Jack's whisper words to Sydney: Corey won't be bothering you anymore. Vaughn decided to take this as a good sign...

Oh, you're already up, a soft voice said from behind him.

he replied, I hope the TV didn't wake you.

She shook her head, then stretched her arms up in a yawn. Anything good on?

Let's just say Sunday morning television hasn't changed in the past two years. She smiled as she headed into the kitchen, pouring each of them a cup of coffee. She returned with two steaming mugs and handed one to Vaughn, settling opposite him on the couch. He wondered if she remembered what happened last night... I heard you talking in your sleep last night, he started, hoping to eventually lead into further discussion.

she blushed, I didn't tell Francie to frost any pies, did I?

He laughed. No, no. But you said something about following me' and scared' and keep looking.' Must have been having a crazy dream.

She shrugged, almost turning against the light atmosphere of the conversation. I don't remember.

Vaughn sighed. He had hoped she would remember he spent the night with her; he had hoped she would want him to keep holding her, even through the day; he had hoped they had been rekindled somewhat...

It was true, however, that their relationship had improved over the five weeks he had been back, and her friendship meant a great deal to him at this time. And if friendship was all he could get right now, then he hoped he could build from that. It was, after all, a decent place to start.



A/n: Okay, there it is: my Part II. I really hope you liked it! And I realized something just a moment ago – you know how I said one or two more chapters? – I really really believe that I will have one more chapter then an epilogue. Well anyway we'll deal with that when we get there.

Hey! I updated really fast! Well it's fast for me! So be proud! And REVIEW! Because reviews make the world go round (No they don't! Shut-up, Corey!).
~Whitelighter Enchantress