I am soooo sorry that it took me so long to get this chapter done. The words were there. The ideas were there. The time was not. There just isn't enough time in a 26 hour day to get it all done. There's only 24 hours you say? Well, that is part of my problem. Maybe I will move to a different planet where days are longer…ANYWHO!! I did find enough time to squeeze this into my day. So, without further ado, the new chapter.
Ok, so maybe there are a few ado's before I show you the chapter. First, a shout out to my betas. HEY! and a big thank you to them! Secondly to everyone that reads this. I'm sure that sometimes, your life is as busy as mine is, and can barely find time to read a fic. So thanks for making me part of your day. And those of you that reviewed, you get double brownie points, for taking even more time!
Now! Chapter time!
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The weeks flew by for the lovers. It was a state of constant bliss. One Saturday Mary drove down to New York to visit Travis at his shop to surprise him. She found him shelving books in the back. She went up and covered his eyes. "Guess who." She said.
"Um… Let me guess." He joked. He turned around. "Well, well, if it isn't Ms. Mary. I thought you had to be an official at the track meet? I wasn't expecting to see you until at least Thursday." He bent around, and passionately kissed her.
"The track meet got canceled because of rain. Thought I would stop by to see you."
"I'm flattered."
"That was my intent." She kissed him.
"Want to help me shelve books?"
"You have no one working the front."
"You noticed. Robert couldn't work today because he's sick. And Angelina can't work Saturdays and then there's me."
"Is that a cry for help?"
"Yes."
Mary laughed. "Ok. What do you want me to do?"
Travis threw a stack of books into her arms. "Shelve these things for me, would you?"
"Sure."
"Thank you so much. I have some analyzing due for tomorrow, and I haven't even started."
"I am so sorry Vaughn. I know that feeling. I can do that. I was always faster at it than you were."
"No. It's my job." Travis began to walk away. "I'll be up front. And I will take care of dinner for us."
"Ok. Hey Travis?" Mary held up a book after looking at the different titles. She smiled at one, and pulled it out of the stack. "Where does this go? It doesn't look like it belongs here."
Travis smiled. "Sydney's wall."
Mary blushed, and began to put away the different books. She had difficulty at first reading some of the faded book titles, but her eyes quickly adjusted to the fading light. She gently put each old book onto the shelf. As she got down to the remaining five books, she knew where she was going with those. She walked to the front of the store, and shelved the remaining five books on "Sydney's Wall."
"I'm done. Are you?" Mary taunted.
"Ha ha ha. Hey, I think I may need a Russian translation. Come here for a second." Travis said, indicating that he needed Sydney, not Mary.
Sydney walked over to where Vaughn had a crossword. "This isn't Russian."
"I said I may need a Russian translation."
"I can't help you. I don't know Russian." Mary said, as the jingling of bells told both that Travis had a costumer. She had one arm around Travis's waist, and rested her chin on his shoulder. Mary watched intently as an elderly woman walked in, putting much of her weight on her cane. She smiled at the two younger occupants, and then shook her head, as Mary quickly scampered away from Travis, trying to allow him to retain his professionalism.
"Oh, posh. You two keep doing what ever you were doing. Travis, I am going to be in the back. I left my book underneath the seat there."
"All right Lilly." Travis said.
"So that is Lilly." Mary said.
"Yes. She's over reading her novels now."
"Everyday?"
"Everyday."
"So, where have you decided to take me to dinner, for shelving all those books for you?"
"Depends. What does this say?" Vaughn held up a page of symbols, and Sydney took one look at it.
"It's not Russian. It's in what ever Rambaldi wrote in."
"Like his own language."
"Yes. Lucky for you, I was in the process of mastering his language when I was discovered."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"It was through SD-6."
"So? I was supposed to know all of that information."
"It was just another language. Didn't seem important."
"So can you translate this for me?"
"Does Kendall know that we're seeing each other?"
"I don't know, why?"
"Because why would he send you stuff to translate if you can't even speak Rambaldi?"
"I don't know. But it was a code, and I ciphered this out of it."
"So he didn't know that it was in Rambaldi?"
"No."
"Give it here sweetie." Vaughn handed Sydney the 'crossword.' She picked up the pencil, and began to diligently work. Vaughn smiled, and left Sydney alone to work, as he went to tend, as Travis, to his bookshop. An hour later, she came up to him. "Ok, now it is in Russian." She smiled.
"Did you translate out of English or something?"
"No. He translated from Russian."
"What an odd man."
"May his mysteries never be discovered."
"Especially by Sloane."
"Yes."
"Hey, Mary, could you get this to English for me?"
"Sure thing Travis."
Mary took only a few minutes to write the rest out in English. She handed it back to him. "Thank you so much. How is it that you were able to do that so quickly?"
"You never were able to say more than two words in Russian. I was expecting your request."
"You never fail to amaze me." Travis said, pulling Mary into a kiss.
"I know."
"I too have a few tricks up my sleeve."
"Like what?"
"Like dinner."
"So, have you decided where to take me yet?"
"Yes."
"Are you going to tell me?" Mary scooted close to Travis, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Um… I don't think so."
"Ok, you're going to keep it a surprise. Ok." She kissed him passionately.
"You broke me."
"My interrogation ways are know world wide." She kissed him again.
"We're going to have a few drinks over at the Blue Note."
"Oooo."
"And then the night begins."
"With what?"
"A surprise." Travis said, before kissing Mary.
"I like surprises."
"Good." Travis kissed Mary.
"Do you need anymore help with anything?" Mary offered.
"I think you've done it all for me."
"You are welcome."
"Do you have anything nice to wear for tonight?"
"Do I need something nicer to wear?"
"Well, it is recommended."
"Depends. What do I have stashed at your place?"
"I don't know?"
"Well, since I need something nice for this spectacular evening you have planned, I will go in search of something. Starting with your place."
"Sounds great."
"I will meet you back here at what time?"
"How does 5:30 sound?"
"Good. I'll see you later." Mary kissed Travis, and left. She quickly sped over to Travis' apartment. The mail lady eyed her carefully, as she used her copy of the key to let herself into the apartment. She petted Roxy, Travis's dog, named after a certain city that neither Mary nor Travis had ever visited, but always wished to. But Vaughn and Sydney held Roxy very dear to their heart. "Hey there Roxy." She said. "You hungry buddy?" She poured him a bowl of food, and then began to raid Travis's closet for something she could have left there. As she got to the back of the closet a single picture fell off the top shelf, and gently glide to the floor. She picked it up. The creases in the photo were weak, as if it had been unfolded, and then folded many times over. There Sydney was, smiling happily in Vaughn's arms, as they sat on his couch one evening. She could remember that day. It was the first and only time Sydney had been to Vaughn's apartment. It was his birthday. Weiss had taken the picture. She turned it over. There, in their friend's handwriting was:
–Dude, you're crazy! But hey. Here is the picture I took of you two. Just don't get caught. Ok?-
Then carefully written underneath was Vaughn's neat handwriting.
The only picture of us.
Mary smiled, and put the picture back on the shelf. She knew she had to bring it back up with Travis. There was a problem that had to be fixed. Only one picture of them? She knew exactly how to solve that problem It wouldn't be the only picture of them for long.
Finding nothing, Mary quickly sped to find an outfit. Walking along Madison Avenue, she headed for the nearest store. With Sydney's experience, she could turn any outfit into a spectacular. That is when she saw it. The perfect dress. The pale spring green dress, fell straight down. Matching a certain spy's captivating green eyes. There was a single strap that came across the shoulder. In the same store, she found a matching pair of shoes. Mary paid for her dress, and looked down at her watch. There wasn't much time left. She made a quick stop at the drug store for a few more things, and then ran back to the bookshop. "Mary! What are you doing?" Travis said, noticing that Mary still hadn't changed into nicer clothing than her jeans, and baby tee. "You were supposed to be all nice for me. I went home and got some stuff while you were out."
"Relax. That is what is in these bags. I'm just going to use your bathroom to change."
"Ok, but change quickly, we need to leave soon."
"I will." Mary dashed to the bathroom.
Lilly still sat in her chair reading away. She watched as Mary ran into the bathroom. Shaking her head, she got up to leave. "I will finish reading this book at home." She said, handing the book to Travis to buy.
"Ok."
"That girl friend of yours. She is pretty."
"Yeah."
"And seems sweet."
"She is."
"I like her."
"I love her."
"Then marry her."
"Not now Lilly. We've only been dating a few months."
"You would make beautiful children."
"You're starting to sound like my mother."
"All old women sound like your mother."
"My mother isn't that average."
"You would be surprised young man. Now give me my God damn book." Travis slid the book into the bag, and handed it to Lilly. "Don't lose her." She left without a word more.
"Hey Travis, I'm having a little problem with my dress, could you come help me?" Mary called from the bathroom.
Travis walked down the isles to near the bathroom. Mary stood there, her short hair pinned back, looking more beautiful than she had ever before. "Wow." Was all Travis could say. "Wow, you look, wonderful."
"Thank you."
"What did you need help with?"
"Nothing, I just wanted you to come to me."
"I would go anywhere to get to you." Travis whispered, going over to kiss Mary. "Your eyes are a chocolate brown."
"Yes."
"They were hazel when you came in today."
"I took out my contacts."
"Mary."
"Sydney tonight."
"It's too dangerous."
"Do me a favor tonight." Mary requested.
"Tonight, can we go without our contacts?"
"It would be dangerous."
"I want to feel like Sydney. Besides. I saw this dress, and remembered your green eyes. I want to see them again."
"Ok. We'll do that. But just tonight. I don't want to lose you again, because we both had to disappear again."
"Thank you." Mary leaned over and kissed Travis.
"My turn to get ready."
"Ok. You can go get all pretty."
"Thank you."
Mary wandered to the front of the store. Five minutes later Travis came out in a nice suit. "I missed you."
"I was gone five minutes."
"I was talking about your eyes."
"You were talking to my eyes."
"No, about them. I have always a sucker for green eyes."
"Then I know the perfect guy for you."
"You do?"
"Yes. I have been told that he has got the most beautiful eyes."
"Would his name happen to be Michael?"
"How did you guess?"
"Because I love him."
"I love you too."
"So, are you going to tell me where you are going to take me yet?"
"No. Come on, you ready?"
"Yes." Travis and Mary walked out of the shop, pausing only to close the store. Dramatically, he flipped the open sign to closed, and then locked the door.
"I walked over here this morning. Mind if we take your car?" Travis asked.
"Of course not."
"But I insist on driving."
"That is ok. Since I don't even know where we are going." Travis held the door open for Mary as she stepped in. They drove away together. "Hey Vaughn?" Sydney timidly asked.
"What?"
"When I was at your place today," Sydney paused, long enough for Vaughn to add something.
"Did you feed Roxy while you were there?"
"Yea."
"Thanks. I forgot to this morning, and I was afraid that he would starve or something."
"No problem." Sydney went back to what she was doing. "Anyway, I found a picture of you and me. Apparently the only one."
"The one from my birthday?"
"Yes."
"I was going to show you that soon. I should have showed you sooner. I'm sorry angel."
"Don't be. I was wondering if you had the negative for that picture."
"I do. Eric sent the negative along with the photo."
"Could I make a copy of it?"
"Sure."
"I also want to fix that problem."
"What problem?"
"There is only one picture of us. I love you too much for there to only be one picture."
"Yes. We must fix that. But not tonight. I am still your handler, although we're not under the CIA anymore, and I have to watch out for you. Without your contacts, and without mine, we might run into problems."
"Ok." Mary agreed. Suddenly, she saw something out of the corner of her eye. "Pull over Travis!" She shouted. He did as he was told. "Come on!" She grabbed his hand, and pulled him down the street to what had caught her eye.
"Where are you taking me?" He asked.
"This." Mary stopped in front of a photo booth that was nestled between two buildings.
"Mary."
"No, complaining. Come on, we we're going to do this."
"We discussed this in the car."
"And I only agreed for now. Come on. They come out in black and white if we want them to be. No one will be able to tell the difference." Mary insisted, as she pulled him into the booth.
"I want my own set." Travis insisted, giving in.
"Only if we get to do twice as many pictures."
"You are insiane."
"You love me anyway." Travis leaned over to kiss Mary. She put her hand out, and pushed the 'Take Photo' button. "Smile." She said, their lips meeting as the camera clicked. "This is going to be my set." She called, before they posed again.
They waited for the pictures to come. Laughing as they expected to see what would come out. They laughed harder when both sets were finally printed. "One problem fixed." Travis said.
"What is the other problems?"
"Um, let's see. That evil ex-boss of yours, and something I'm not going to say."
"More surprises."
"Yes. I want to seriously talk to you now." Travis said, as they made their way back to the car.
"Ok. What is it?"
"I'm sleeping with another woman."
Mary playfully slapped, Travis. "Very funny. Do I need to remind you that we are engaged?" Travis burst out laughing, at his own cruel joke.
"No. I could never forget the promise of marrying a perfect angel." He furrowed his brow to show how serous was now. "But you have to keep remembering that that is only us that knows."
"And Kelsey."
"And Kelsey."
"And so we are just-"
"-Dating. I know all this sweetie."
"But I still love you, and cannot wait until this is all over, and we can finally get married. Seriously, this has got to be the longest engagement ever."
"I know. Seven years."
"Soon, Syd. Soon."
"Good. Now, where are you taking me?"
"Blue Note. It's a jazz club. I thought we would get some drinks there first."
"And then?"
"I have connections."
"Meaning?"
"There is a show starting later, and it just so happens I have tickets."
"What kind of show?" Mary's excitement was growing.
"A little show. You may have heard of it, Lion King."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes?"
"I have a good feeling about tonight."
"Glad that makes two of us."
As Travis parked Mary's car, butterflies rose in Mary's stomach. "I don't know why I just got all nervous suddenly."
"Because you are in the presence of the most handsome man."
"I don't like cocky men."
"Well, you are."
"I know."
"Come on. It is even more impressive on the inside."
As the evening unfolded, Mary came to realize that she never wanted it to end. As Vaughn helped her up to his apartment, he heard her mumble. "Why wait until its all over?" She asked.
"What?"
"Why do we have to wait until SD-6 is gone? Let's get married now."
"You want your family to be there, right?"
"All I need is you."
"What about Will and Francie? Sydney, I know you want them there too."
"All I need is you. I liked tonight. I want every night to be like tonight."
"I have heard when you're married it is rarely like tonight."
"I want to come home every night, and know that you are by my side. I don't need the fancy dinner, or the fancy play for that. I want that, even if we are just coming home from the dump. You are there by my side, and that is all I need. Let's get married now. We can deal with the problems of the CIA afterwards."
"How about we compromise?"
"How so?"
"Honestly, I have been thinking about this for a while. Why don't we move in together?"
"Move in together?"
"Yes. You and me, and Roxy of course would get a house-"
"A house?"
"Sure. That way we can expand better."
"Expand, as in a family?"
"Yes. As in a family. What do you say Mary? Would you like to live together?"
"I would love to. After all, we are engaged."
"Yes, yes, yes. That we are."
Mary rolled over in her bed to look Travis right in the eye. "Sounds heavenly. I could even see about getting a job here, on Monday."
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I am coming to you. You have always been my saving grace. I think that I should come to you."
"Just like at the shop today."
"Yeah. Just like at the shop. Besides, Greenwich is a better place for a family."
"Family?" Mary quietly asked, as their pleasant conversation lulled her to sleep with happy thoughts.
"Yeah. A family. I thought I had said that earlier."
"You did. I just like the sound of it."
"Me too."
"Tell me about our family Michael." Mary slipped. Travis could only smile. She called him Michael. She never called him Michael. It was always Travis, as she was supposed to, or Vaughn, when they felt like bending the rules.
"We have two kids." He began. He kissed Mary's forehead gently. "And we live in a big house, with a big yard." As Travis continued to tell Mary about their future, she drifted off to sleep. "Goodnight Sydney. I love you." Travis said, before leaning over and turning off the light. There was a moan, that could barely be recognized as "Me too," from Mary. He held her in his arms as he too drifted to sleep, thinking about the woman in his arms becoming his wife, and the mother of his children. He couldn't think of anyone more perfect to finish the perfect family picture that had been missing since he was a child.