* * * * *
Sydney sat nervously looking at her friend across the office from her. "You drove all the way from the book shop to my office. Are you going to talk or just sit there?" Kelsey asked, as she filed a little.
"I plan on talking." Sydney said.
"Well, then talk."
"I need you to be my maid of honor." Sydney said.
"Oh my God! Sydney! I'd love to be!" Kelsey excitedly squealed.
"Good."
"But why me? I mean, I thought for sure that you would pick Francie."
"It was a hard choice. But since Michael and I are getting married here, I thought that it would make sense to have a maid of honor that lived here. Plus, Eric is the best man. And you're an amazing friend."
"Sydney! I am so happy. But the whole decision shouldn't have been made on Eric being the best man."
"That was actually Michael's idea."
"What is up with you two playing matchmaker?"
"We're not playing matchmaker." Sydney lied.
"Yes you are. You are a horrible liar."
"That is not true. I just chose when to suck at lying." Sydney and Kelsey talked a little longer before Kelsey had to leave for a meeting, and Sydney had to return to the bookshop and Vaughn again. They had already told Lilly about their engagement, and instead of getting all into it, both were surprised at Lilly's withdrawal to her books. But they knew she enjoyed the idea, because every once in a while she would look up over the top of her book, and smile at the two lovers.
Sunday afternoon, Sydney came home from lunch a wreck. "How'd lunch go with Gretchen?" Vaughn asked.
"She didn't understand." Sydney sighed. She sat down next to Vaughn on the couch and he immediately started to massage her shoulders. "She's happy that we're getting married, but doesn't understand."
"You can't expect everyone to understand the way Kelsey did."
"No, that's true. But Francie did well with the news too."
"She could have been too shocked to find you alive to really care about the whole spy part."
"That's not Francie. She would have focused more on the CIA, then the me being dead bit. So why doesn't Gretchen understand?"
"What exactly did she say?"
"Well, nothing."
"Then how do you know if she understands or not?"
"Honey, I was a spy for so long, I can read people like I read books. I have been a teacher for six years. I can also tell when someone is lost and doesn't understand. Gretchen doesn't understand." Vaughn continued to massage Sydney's back. "I should remain Mary Waters." She said.
Vaughn was so shocked his hands stopped moving. "What? Sydney, this is what you wanted! You wanted to be yourself again."
"No, I wanted to be Sydney to be with you again. But I already have you whether I'm Sydney or Mary. I have always dreamed about a normal life. And here, in Greenwich, I have that. I'm teaching. I have you. There is no creepy spy stuff. And Mary Waters gave that to me. I'm afraid that staying Sydney Bristow, will destroy all of that."
"Problem solved!" Vaughn said, resuming his massage. "We will just get married faster, so you aren't Sydney Bristow for long."
Sydney sat on it for a second. "I do like that idea. I have an even better one."
"What?"
"When we leave for LA on Tuesday, let's take an extra day off and drive to Vegas, and get married there."
"How about not?"
"You won't get your dream wedding that you've kept in that box for so long if we marry in Vegas. And stop it."
"Stop what?"
"Being so fatalistic."
"I am not fatalistic."
"Oh so negative Ms. Bristow. We are going to be getting married, and we're not going to elope in Vegas. But we are going to tell the whole world. You are going to become Sydney Vaughn, and I will be able to wake up everyday and say 'Hello Mrs. Vaughn' and you'll reply, 'Hello Mr. Vaughn.' And Sydney, everyone will understand why you chose to change back to your old self."
Sydney pushed Vaughn's hands away, only to lean over and kiss him. "That was almost like all those times where I wanted to give up fighting, and you were there to tell me that we had to finish what we started."
"Almost." Vaughn paused momentarily. "Syd? Do you ever miss the action?"
Sydney thought on it for a minute. "Sometimes I do. Then I open my eyes, and everything I used to dream about was true. I wanted to teach, I teach. I wanted you, I have you. I miss the adrenaline rush and I was in really good shape when I had to kick guy's asses that were twice the size of me. What about you?"
"I miss our secret warehouse meetings. I miss messing with Eric's mind every other hour. And yeah, the rush is always nice. But like you said, this is the life I always dreamed about, and this is the life I always would have traded anything for. And I still would trade anything for. Even if they bribed me with a million and one dollars, I wouldn't go back. The only kind of missions I would do is to save you, or any of our future kids. But I pray to God that I will never have to do that again."
"I think one more, for old times sakes would be fun."
"Ok. Sydney, we have got to straighten you out. Fun?"
"Looking back at them, they were a great thing to do back then. But I would never go again. I just can't kick as high as I used to, or run as fast."
"That never stopped your dad."
"I wanted out a long time ago. Do you remember that?"
"Yeah." Vaughn said.
"My dad never wanted out. He still doesn't want out." Vaughn didn't say anything. He just let Sydney slip into the silence of the massage. "I don't even know what to tell my boss."
"Tell him the truth."
"I don't want the whole school to know that I am ex-CIA."
"Tell him anyway."
"You're lucky that you're your own boss."
"I could always use your help year round."
"I belong in front of a classroom."
"For the record, the CIA is in charge of settling things with bosses and stuff."
"You could have told me that from the beginning."
"But you'll have to tell him about legally changing your name."
"That's a phone call I have been dying to make for a long, long time." Sydney quickly changed subjects. I should call her."
"Call who?"
"Gretchen. Just to see if she understands, or at least will talk to me again."
"Sydney, it may be too soon."
"I feel so bad. I should have just waited until we were married, and then spring it on her."
"That would be lying."
Sydney paused for a moment, she knew Vaughn had a very good point, and couldn't argue against it. "I'm not going to let our kids lie, ever. Too much of my life has been a giant lie. I won't let our kids do that. I am going to call." Sydney jumped up off her spot, went to the office and called Gretchen.
Meanwhile, Vaughn had picked up the remote, turned on the TV, and was mindlessly changing channels looking for some sports.
"I'm going to meet Gretchen at the mall for some shopping." Sydney announced.
"She's meeting you there?"
Sydney thought on it for a minute. "No, not really. I heard Trevor say that they were running late for shopping... something about a schedule to keep. Gretchen only shops at the mall."
"You are going to try to corner her, aren't you?"
"I need something."
"I still say that waiting it out is the best choice."
"Vaughn, we leave for LA on Tuesday." Sydney moved to the couch and proceeded to turn off the TV, to ensure her fiancé's undivided attention. "I can't leave things up in the air like this. Gretchen is one of my close friends. Yes, she is annoying and pushy at times, but that doesn't change a thing. I need to know where she stands. I betrayed all of her trust in me."
Vaughn only leaned over and kissed Sydney. "I'll see you later."
Sydney came home from the mall in a huff. She stormed into the kitchen, threw her purse and keys on the table, and then started to prepare dinner. "I take it things didn't go well with Gretchen." Vaughn wisely observed.
"She's moving in with Travis next Saturday. The address is in my purse." Sydney replied. Vaughn knew that the few words that could possibly calm Sydney couldn't come from his mouth. So instead, he just took the knife from her hands, and started to chop the onion that Sydney had started to mutilate. Sydney just took a step back and looked at him, her thanks shining in her eyes. But her knees soon gave way, and she collapsed on the floor in a pool of tears. Vaughn immediately dropped his knife, went to his knees, and put his arms around Sydney.
"She may never trust me again." She sobbed.
Tenderly, Vaughn kissed the top of Sydney's head. He didn't know where to find the words she needed to hear. Nothing seemed to fit the moment. "I love you." Were his only words of comfort.
The tension in the house over the next couple of days could be cut with a knife. Sydney was still having problems adjusting to the thought that one of her friends may have walked out on her life forever. But come Monday night, Sydney's adjustment problems had turned to a nervous excitement.
Sydney could remember the last time she walked through an airport. Only then, it was a depressing sight to see. That was the day that her father had set her on a plane bound to Greenwich as Mary Waters. It was the first day of Mary Waters and Sydney hated it. But this time, Sydney was filled with nervous anticipation. She was doing the impossible. She was returning to LA with Michael Vaughn at her side. "Excited much?" Vaughn said, as he noticed Sydney's permanent smile.
"I am so excited to see everyone."
"Couldn't tell."
"You don't seem nearly as excited."
"I've got Eric in LA still, but he was really it. I only held on to the city for so long because I hoped that you would return."
"It's just good to know that we'll be heading home after a week."
"Yeah. Always a good feeling."
Francie and Will met the happy couple at the baggage claim upon their arrival. Sydney dropped Vaughn's hand and her bag, to run and greet her old friends, who enthusiastically hugged her. "It's been too long Sydney. Too long." Francie informed her.
"I know. It's so great to see you guys again."
Vaughn came up and put his arm around Sydney. "I'm going to get the bags."
"Ok." Sydney said, as Vaughn walked to the carousel.
"Is that him?" Francie excitedly whispered. "Is that your fiancé?"
"Yeah." Sydney blushed. "That's Michael."
"He is hot!"
"Fran! You're married!" Will exclaimed.
"Derrick isn't here. He doesn't have to know. Besides, you're always commenting on how hot someone is when your wife isn't around."
"Totally different."
Sydney and Francie both glared at Will, and then spoke as one. "Yeah? How?"
"I am a guy." Sydney and Francie both turned away, and laughed. Will, was still cluelessly looking at them.
"Syd, you have to tell me everything. You have been gone for six years! We thought you were dead."
"I am so sorry Francie. I hope you understand why I did it."
"Sydney, I do."
"Good, because my friend Gretchen doesn't. She's barely said two words to me since I told her. She just said that she was moving in with her boyfriend and then gave me their address."
"Well, she just doesn't know who she's ignoring."
"Thanks Francie." Vaughn returned carrying two small bags.
"Had to fight that old woman over there to get my bag back. Reminded me of Lilly." Vaughn chuckled, passing Sydney's bag to her.
"Michael, this is Francie, and Will. Guys, this is Michael."
"Sydney hasn't stopped talking about you." Francie said taking his hand.
"Likewise."
"Nice to see you again Vaughn." Will said, smiling at the old friend.
"Still a Ranger's fan?" Vaughn had to check.
"Always will be."
"I had season tickets for them last year, hoping to catch a Kings/Rangers game."
"You had season tickets to Ranger games? Never thought that you would be one to have those kind of tickets."
"I only saw one game. Sold the rest to an old woman that visits my store every day."
"Oh yeah, you own the Cryptology Bookshop." Francie said, recalling a conversation she had with Sydney.
"Yeah."
"Lilly is so great. She's like my grandmother. She even nags that much." Sydney lavished. Francie and Will just gave polite smiles. Sydney then changed topics to one that they all could relate to. They drove to Francie's restaurant where they ate a leisurely lunch. Will had to leave afterward to return to work, as he had only taken the morning off.
"What have you done for wedding plans?" Francie insists as soon as Will had left and Vaughn had stood up to use the restroom.
"Not much. We've only been engaged for like a week officially."
"You have had seven years to think about it. What have you done?"
"Not much. Mostly picked out my dress."
"See, that's a start."
"So you and I after work tomorrow are going to go look at it. Can you make it?"
"Sure! I run this place. I can take time off anytime I want."
"What about your kids?"
"You don't mind if Margo comes along?"
"Of course not! Why would I mind?"
"She is a handful."
"Francie, I don't mind. Besides, I really need you to be there to help me pick out my bridesmaid's dresses. Since you are going to be wearing one."
"Are you serious Sydney? A bridesmaid?"
"Of course. I chose Kelsey as my maid of honor, but only because we're getting married in Greenwich, and it's just more convenient for her to be there as I make all my plans. I hope you don't mind. I know you've always thought that you were going to be my maid of honor since Danny proposed."
"Syd, I don't mind. I used someone from across the country as my maid of honor, and it was hard. I'm just glad you still want to use me as a bridesmaid."
"What made you think other wise? Even in Greenwich, where we never talked, I considered you one of my best friends."
"Stop it Syd! You're going to make me cry."
Sydney scooted over two seats and took her friend into a large hug. "I missed you so much Francie. I almost called you a bunch of times. But you know, I didn't want to kill you by calling you."
"Thanks, I appreciate it." Francie said with a small smile. "We buried you, you know."
"I know."
"Next to Danny."
"I know. My dad cut out my obituary and mailed it to me."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. There was no way you could have possibly known."
"I meant about choosing the spot next to Danny's grave. I figured that you still hadn't gotten over him when you hadn't gone on a date since he died."
"I kept Michael a tight secret. We both had to. There was no way you could have known."
"Was there anyone actually in the coffin? It was a closed casket, because they said that your body was just in such bad shape after your car burst into flames."
"Probably a dummy filled with sand."
"You know who is going to flip when she finds out you're alive?"
"Who?"
"Amy. See, I had some clue that faked deaths were possible, with Will being CIA and all. Didn't think that you were, but it made sense. Will hasn't told his sister that he is CIA, so she is going to flip."
"I haven't called her yet. I meant to at home, but things were kinda hectic. Michael and I both had to find a week's worth of replacement workers for the bookstore. Plus a whole mess of other things."
"Oh, don't worry about it. I invited her to a 'Welcome back from the dead Sydney' party." Francie casually said.
Sydney almost spit her water out. "What did you say?"
"What did you say?" Vaughn asked, returning to the table. Sydney and Francie looked at Vaughn with a how-did-you-know-what-we-were-even-talking-about-because-you-were-across-the-room look. "I saw Sydney's face from across the room. She had a funny look on her face from whatever you said to her. I want to know what you said."
"I mentioned that I'm throwing a 'Welcome back from the dead Sydney' party tonight."
"Wait! You never said tonight!" Sydney exclaimed.
"A welcome back from the dead party?" Vaughn asked astonished.
"How else will you guys see everyone in one week?"
"Francie, this could be a very bad mix."
"I think I agree with Sydney."
"The party starts at 6:30, but you guys should make your appearance a little later than that. Like leave your hotel at 6:30 or something."
"Francie, there are some people I want to make them believe that I am dead."
"Oh like who?"
"There was that one chick that Will went out with for a while but then dumped because she was clingy, and somehow she got that we were like great friends."
"Oh yeah, that Allison girl."
"Yeah."
"I didn't invite her."
"But you invited Amy."
"So?"
"So?"
"Yeah? So?"
"She and Allison were pretty close. If Amy accidentally lets it slip that I'm alive, who knows what the repercussions could be."
Francie got a horrified look on her face. "Oh God."
"Oh God what? I don't like Oh Gods"
"I told everyone to bring every friend they know. If Amy brings Allison..."
"So I'm screwed either way."
"I'm sorry Sydney."
"No it's cool. It's not like it will be easy for me to keep in touch with Allison from across the country."
"Good. So be here. At like 6:45 or something."
"It's going to be here, at your restaurant?"
"Yeah. And it's going to be a family friendly place, because I couldn't find a babysitter on such short notice."
Sydney and Vaughn chuckled a little. "I can't wait to meet your kids Francie."
"Vincent has heard all these stories about you, and has said a lot that he wished he could meet you. So he's looking forward to seeing you." There was a chorus of two beepers going off, and instinctively, both Sydney and Vaughn looked down on their pagers. "Don't tell me you two are wearing those again?"
"We're required to this week. As soon as we get home, into the river they go." Sydney joked. But Francie didn't get it. Vaughn flashed his signature smile, and took Sydney's hand and squeezed it.
"You have to go?"
"Yeah, I'm afraid so."
"Ok, just be back for the party, ok?"
"Alright."
"Um… Francie? Could we leave our luggage here for now, or in the back of your car or something? Syd and I haven't had a chance to stop by the hotel yet." Vaughn ventured
"Oh sure! We'll just stick it in the office or something."
"Thanks."
Sydney sat in the car, fidgeting with the strap of her purse on the way over to the Joint Task Force. Vaughn didn't say anything, but the music from the radio drifted in and filled the comfortable silence. They had to park on the street, as they hadn't received a card to park in the garage yet.
"You ready Syd?" Vaughn said, looking up at the building looming ahead of them.
"As I'll ever be." She replied. Taking Vaughn's hand, Sydney took two steps into the Joint Task Force, which was her first mistake.
* * * * *