DISCLAIMER- I keep forgetting to write these things but the same thing
applies to every chapter. I do not own Alias, Jennifer Garner and
unfortunately not Michael Vartan in any way, and as much as I would love to
meet them I have nothing to do with them. But for the record I think Mike
and Jen are the cutest couple ever! Hehehe. Anyway I also don't own the
Novatel, although when I stayed there for a bit I absolutely loved it,
especially the pool, but that's not the point and this is a really long
disclaimer, anyway on with the story.
Chapter 18
Sydney, Vaughn, Kaylee and Brain walked into the breakfast area the next morning, each couple walking hand in hand with radiant smiles on their faces. They reached their table, grabbed a plate each and walked up to the breakfast bar where delicious pancakes, waffles, cereals, muffins and more were waiting to be eaten. Once they were satisfied with the food that lay on their plates they headed back to their table.
"So where's Weiss and the rest of the gang?" Brian asked Vaughn, but before Vaughn had time to answer Kaylee interrupted, saying that she had to go the bathroom and looking over at Sydney, clearly hinting that she wanted her to come with her. Sydney took the hint, figuring that Kaylee must have something to tell her. Vaughn and Brian looked at the two with a confused look on their face, until Kaylee rushed off dragging Sydney behind her, and Brian realised that Kaylee was going to tell her that they were a couple now. He grinned at the thought, which Vaughn caught.
"You two are together now, aren't you? And don't try lying, I know that look, hell I wear that look!"
Brian laughed, "Yeah, after what happened last night, I dunno, I guess I realised just how much she means to me- not that I didn't already know that. I just realised that I don't have all the time in the world to tell her. Why wait any longer? I'm taking your advice, screw protocol!"
This time Vaughn laughed with Brian joining him immediately. "What's so funny?" asked Kaylee, who had just returned with Sydney. "Nothing, I just took Mike's slogan," Brian answered with a grin.
"Screw protocol? Yeh I heard about that," said a grinning Sydney. Everyone at the table laughed lightly before getting into their breakfast.
"So, you didn't answer my question," Brian stated in between mouthfuls of cereal, "Where's the rest of the crew?" he finished, directing the question at Vaughn once again.
"Oh, right. Well Weiss and the guys stayed up late partying so they said they'd meet us here a bit later, and Eliza isn't hungry," Vaughn answered. He stopped when he saw Weiss, Jed and Troy approaching them from the entrance. "Speak of the devils."
All four heads at the table turned to look, sending the guys a smile and a wave, which they returned, and took their places at the table.
"How you guys holding up?" Vaughn asked, slightly smirking. Weiss had a tendency to get extremely drunk on occasion, and suffer some major hangovers the next day.
"Actually I didn't drink that much," Weiss replied, looking proud of himself.
"Probably because he lost most of his money buying drinks for the ladies," Jed replied with a smirk. Weiss just shrugged, it was the truth.
"Well, I don't know if I've mentioned this, but I would just like you all to know that I enjoyed working with you about a million times more then Haladki and I would be eternally grateful if I never have to see that ugly face or hear his smug voice again," said Brian, holding up his glass of orange juice. Everyone nodded and raised their own glasses, clinking them together.
"Hey I just remembered something," said Sydney, turning to face Vaughn, "I meant to ask you before but I forgot. The other day when you and Brian were talking about Haladki at the airport, Weiss said that you almost punched him. Why did I never hear about this?"
Before Vaughn could answer Weiss intervened. "Well, that's a good story, one I'd be happy to share if you'd like to hear it." Vaughn groaned, but the rest of the group grinned and Sydney nodded her head so Weiss started to tell the story, saying things like, 'and then Vaughn said,' and 'Haladki replied,' the whole way through the story. Even Vaughn had to smile with the rest of the group as he remembered exactly what had happened that day.
Haladki walks down the hallway of the CIA office, Vaughn turns the corner and approaches him, "'What the hell's your problem Haladki, reporting me to Barnett?"
Haladki turns around to face him, "I don't have a problem. I told you, you have the problem."
"You know what? This might shock you, my business is not your business," replied Vaughn, getting angrier by the second.
"I'm looking out for the good of the agency."
"Yeh, then you should quit."
"Stay out my way," said Haladki, starting to walk away.
Vaughn grabbed his arm and turned him back around, not finished saying what he wanted to, "Did it make you feel better about yourself telling Barnett that I got Sydney a Christmas gift?"
"Your too emotionally attached to that woman!"
"Oh like you would know anything about being emotionally attached to a woman!"
" I think your judgement's impaired!"
"I think I'm gonna kick your ass!"
"Your outta line!"
"No, you know what, your outta line! You stay the hell out of my operations you understand me?" Vaughn said as he grabbed Haladki roughly by his collar and pushed him up against the wall before Weiss came and pulled him off, pointing a finger at Haladki, warning him to stay away.
Sydney turned and faced Vaughn, "Michael," she said with a broad grin, running her finger down his bare forearm. Vaughn gave a lopsided smile before saying, "He was an asshole, and he had it coming."
To which Brian said, "No arguments there." Everyone just laughed and nodded their heads in agreement, and then went back to eating.
When they were done they each went back to their rooms and relaxed for a bit, letting their food digest. Vaughn walked in and flopped down on the couch, his feet hanging over the edge, while Sydney went and changed from her three-quarter top into a light strapless one, which was pale yellow and went well with her light blue denim skirt. It was cool when she had got up, but the weather had warmed up considerably since then. Sydney smiled when she walked into the main room where Vaughn was taking up all the room on the couch, flipping through the channels on tv. She walked over and pushed his right leg onto the floor, leaving his left leg where it was and sitting in between both of his legs, leaning back against his chest. Vaughn smiled and put his right leg back up obediently when Sydney started tugged at his jeans. He kissed her temple and rested his arms on her stomach, her arms covering his.
"So what do you want to do today?" Sydney asked Vaughn, cutting the comfortable silence short.
"Well, I thought we could go out tonight, and just go for a swim in the pool or something today, we haven't been in it yet, and then tomorrow on our last day I will even go shopping with you," Vaughn promised, grinning when Sydney turned around and started placing small, quick kisses all over his face.
"I thought I was going to have to go all alone," Sydney told him, putting on her puppy dog face for a minute.
Vaughn smirked, leaned up and kissed her quickly on the lips before tightening his arms around her waist. "Kaylee would have gone with you even if I hadn't."
"Yeh, but it wouldn't have been the same. It's now our holiday, and I want to spend every minute of it with you," Sydney told him as she leaned in for a sweet lingering kiss.
"Okay, get up," Vaughn said once they broke the kiss, hitting her gently on her backside with a mischievous grin.
"Where are we going?" Sydney asked, looking at Vaughn in confusion as he headed towards their bedroom.
"For a swim, get your bathers on," he called back to her.
"Aghhr, I just got changed," Sydney whined.
"Awwww, come on baby, I love you in your bikini," Vaughn said, walking into the bedroom and searching through his suitcase for his board shorts.
"Shit, I think I only brought my one piece!" Sydney joked, stopping in the door of the bedroom and raising her hand to cover her mouth when she gasped, smiling when Vaughn glared at her playfully. She smiled slightly and walked over to her own suitcase, pulling out her denim bikini, "Well, look at that."
Vaughn chuckled and pointed a finger at her, "Just put it on."
A short while later they were both walking down the path that led to the pool, Vaughn's arm wrapped securely around Sydney's waist, both of her hands holding on to that arm. They reached the pool area and Vaughn went to buy them both an ice cream from the kiosk, while Sydney sat down on a deck chair, and placed their towels and her book on the one next to it, reserving it for Vaughn. She decided to read while she waited for Vaughn to get back, there was no point in going in the pool for a few minutes to have to come out for ice-cream, and then go back in again.
She began reading her book, looking up a few times inconspicuously because she felt someone watching her. The second time she looked she saw a guy approaching her, and she rolled her eyes. He was blonde and tanned, and was probably at least five years younger then her. He was basically strutting down towards her, giving her a cheesy grin on his way. Sydney somehow managed not to gag.
He stood right in front of her and looked down, "Hey."
"I'm taken," replied Sydney, without looking up.
"Are you married?" he asked her, that cheesy smile coming back into view. Sydney rolled her eyes again.
"Listen kid. I'm probably about seven years older then you, and I love my boyfriend, and you have no chance. Sorry to disappoint you, and I'm flattered that a twenty-something year old guy would want to go out with me, but like I said, I'm taken."
Sydney stood from her chair, putting her book there instead. She needed to find Vaughn. Just as she started to walk away the guy grabbed her arm roughly and wrapped his arms around her back, firmly.
"Come on, you can't tell me you don't want some of this," the guy said, his voice dripping with way too much self-confidence.
"I don't want any of that!" Sydney spat out, pulling free and slapping him hard across the face, giving him a death glare before walking off.
On her way girls around the pool applauded, and shouted words of encouragement at her, they had obviously been hit on by the sleaze as well.
She saw Vaughn up ahead, looking at the guy with disgust and fury, walking towards him, looking as though he was ready to strangle the other guy. As much as his concern and protectiveness made Sydney feel completely blessed she didn't want anything to happen that could cause them to have to leave prematurely, which being involved in a punch-up very well could. She walked up to Vaughn and wrapped her arms tightly around his back, her face pressed up against his bare chest. His arms encircled her tightly and he kissed the top of her head, stopping dead in his tracks to hold her, his expression changing to one of pride, love and still anger towards the guy.
"You are one amazing woman, you know that?" Vaughn told her proudly.
"He was a jerk," She replied in a muffled voice.
"You don't have to tell me twice," he replied, pulling away slightly and pushing a loose strand of from her ponytail behind her ear. His eyes were full of concern for her and he realised he hadn't asked how she was. She didn't look too shaken, but that didn't mean she wasn't upset. He knew she would be. "You okay sweetie?"
Sydney smiled at him, tracing circles on his back with her hands. "I am now." Vaughn smiled back at her and asked her if she'd prefer to leave. She said she wanted to stay, and besides, it seemed as though an employee had seen the little show, and seemed to be ordering the other guy to leave the premises by the shouts of disagreement that were heard from the guy arguing his case, which wasn't much, if anything. Then Vaughn told her that the line was really long at the kiosk and he couldn't be bothered waiting, promising her an ice-cream when he took her shopping tomorrow. She just laughed and kissed him.
They sat together on a deck chair for a while, Sydney cuddling up to Vaughn's side. About half an hour later pretty much everyone had left, going off to explore the rest of the city, or just leaving because they had been out here since the early hours of the morning due to their children's commands. Sydney stood up and walked to the edge of the pool, peering into the clear water as she stretched. She saw Vaughn's reflection behind her to late and couldn't save herself from being pushed into the water, so she opted to grab onto him and take him down with her.
They both came up for air and started to laugh. Vaughn picked her up by the waist and she wrapped her legs around his midriff, Vaughn spinning her around easily due to the water making her feel lighter. She giggled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, kissing him on the cheek. He released his grip on her and Sydney decided she wanted to have a swimming race, so they lined up and on the count of three swam across to the other side. Neither of them cheated this time, but it ended up being Vaughn who got to the end just a few seconds earlier.
"Yes!" he said, pumping his fist into the air. Sydney smiled at his grinning face and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind. "I think I deserve a prize," he went on, a smirk making its way across his face.
Sydney laughed, "Do you now?" she said, turning her head to kiss him on the lips, "you'll get the rest of your prize later."
"That's okay," Vaughn replied, "I have my prize right here," he told her, smiling at her affectionately. She smiled back and ran her hands through his hair before leaning in to kiss him again.
They were interrupted by the splash caused by Kaylee and Brian jumping into the pool. Syd and Vaughn broke apart and smiled at the two, and Vaughn piggy-backed them to where the other couple were standing in the water.
"You guys been here long?" Brian asked, holding Kaylee in the same way a groom holds his bride when they walk through the threshold of their new house.
"About an hour or so," Vaughn replied, lifting Sydney higher on his back. "We'll probably be here for a bit longer, we don't have anything planned until it gets dark."
"What are we doing when it gets dark?" Sydney asked, wondering if she had forgotten something.
"That would be a surprise," Vaughn told her, grinning when she started to pout. "Sorry baby, that's not gonna work this time."
Sydney pouted for a bit longer before giving up and shrugging her shoulders, smiling to herself and placing a soft kiss on the side of his neck. She couldn't wait to find out what this surprise was, if Vaughn was planning it, she was sure she would love it.
Chapter 18
Sydney, Vaughn, Kaylee and Brain walked into the breakfast area the next morning, each couple walking hand in hand with radiant smiles on their faces. They reached their table, grabbed a plate each and walked up to the breakfast bar where delicious pancakes, waffles, cereals, muffins and more were waiting to be eaten. Once they were satisfied with the food that lay on their plates they headed back to their table.
"So where's Weiss and the rest of the gang?" Brian asked Vaughn, but before Vaughn had time to answer Kaylee interrupted, saying that she had to go the bathroom and looking over at Sydney, clearly hinting that she wanted her to come with her. Sydney took the hint, figuring that Kaylee must have something to tell her. Vaughn and Brian looked at the two with a confused look on their face, until Kaylee rushed off dragging Sydney behind her, and Brian realised that Kaylee was going to tell her that they were a couple now. He grinned at the thought, which Vaughn caught.
"You two are together now, aren't you? And don't try lying, I know that look, hell I wear that look!"
Brian laughed, "Yeah, after what happened last night, I dunno, I guess I realised just how much she means to me- not that I didn't already know that. I just realised that I don't have all the time in the world to tell her. Why wait any longer? I'm taking your advice, screw protocol!"
This time Vaughn laughed with Brian joining him immediately. "What's so funny?" asked Kaylee, who had just returned with Sydney. "Nothing, I just took Mike's slogan," Brian answered with a grin.
"Screw protocol? Yeh I heard about that," said a grinning Sydney. Everyone at the table laughed lightly before getting into their breakfast.
"So, you didn't answer my question," Brian stated in between mouthfuls of cereal, "Where's the rest of the crew?" he finished, directing the question at Vaughn once again.
"Oh, right. Well Weiss and the guys stayed up late partying so they said they'd meet us here a bit later, and Eliza isn't hungry," Vaughn answered. He stopped when he saw Weiss, Jed and Troy approaching them from the entrance. "Speak of the devils."
All four heads at the table turned to look, sending the guys a smile and a wave, which they returned, and took their places at the table.
"How you guys holding up?" Vaughn asked, slightly smirking. Weiss had a tendency to get extremely drunk on occasion, and suffer some major hangovers the next day.
"Actually I didn't drink that much," Weiss replied, looking proud of himself.
"Probably because he lost most of his money buying drinks for the ladies," Jed replied with a smirk. Weiss just shrugged, it was the truth.
"Well, I don't know if I've mentioned this, but I would just like you all to know that I enjoyed working with you about a million times more then Haladki and I would be eternally grateful if I never have to see that ugly face or hear his smug voice again," said Brian, holding up his glass of orange juice. Everyone nodded and raised their own glasses, clinking them together.
"Hey I just remembered something," said Sydney, turning to face Vaughn, "I meant to ask you before but I forgot. The other day when you and Brian were talking about Haladki at the airport, Weiss said that you almost punched him. Why did I never hear about this?"
Before Vaughn could answer Weiss intervened. "Well, that's a good story, one I'd be happy to share if you'd like to hear it." Vaughn groaned, but the rest of the group grinned and Sydney nodded her head so Weiss started to tell the story, saying things like, 'and then Vaughn said,' and 'Haladki replied,' the whole way through the story. Even Vaughn had to smile with the rest of the group as he remembered exactly what had happened that day.
Haladki walks down the hallway of the CIA office, Vaughn turns the corner and approaches him, "'What the hell's your problem Haladki, reporting me to Barnett?"
Haladki turns around to face him, "I don't have a problem. I told you, you have the problem."
"You know what? This might shock you, my business is not your business," replied Vaughn, getting angrier by the second.
"I'm looking out for the good of the agency."
"Yeh, then you should quit."
"Stay out my way," said Haladki, starting to walk away.
Vaughn grabbed his arm and turned him back around, not finished saying what he wanted to, "Did it make you feel better about yourself telling Barnett that I got Sydney a Christmas gift?"
"Your too emotionally attached to that woman!"
"Oh like you would know anything about being emotionally attached to a woman!"
" I think your judgement's impaired!"
"I think I'm gonna kick your ass!"
"Your outta line!"
"No, you know what, your outta line! You stay the hell out of my operations you understand me?" Vaughn said as he grabbed Haladki roughly by his collar and pushed him up against the wall before Weiss came and pulled him off, pointing a finger at Haladki, warning him to stay away.
Sydney turned and faced Vaughn, "Michael," she said with a broad grin, running her finger down his bare forearm. Vaughn gave a lopsided smile before saying, "He was an asshole, and he had it coming."
To which Brian said, "No arguments there." Everyone just laughed and nodded their heads in agreement, and then went back to eating.
When they were done they each went back to their rooms and relaxed for a bit, letting their food digest. Vaughn walked in and flopped down on the couch, his feet hanging over the edge, while Sydney went and changed from her three-quarter top into a light strapless one, which was pale yellow and went well with her light blue denim skirt. It was cool when she had got up, but the weather had warmed up considerably since then. Sydney smiled when she walked into the main room where Vaughn was taking up all the room on the couch, flipping through the channels on tv. She walked over and pushed his right leg onto the floor, leaving his left leg where it was and sitting in between both of his legs, leaning back against his chest. Vaughn smiled and put his right leg back up obediently when Sydney started tugged at his jeans. He kissed her temple and rested his arms on her stomach, her arms covering his.
"So what do you want to do today?" Sydney asked Vaughn, cutting the comfortable silence short.
"Well, I thought we could go out tonight, and just go for a swim in the pool or something today, we haven't been in it yet, and then tomorrow on our last day I will even go shopping with you," Vaughn promised, grinning when Sydney turned around and started placing small, quick kisses all over his face.
"I thought I was going to have to go all alone," Sydney told him, putting on her puppy dog face for a minute.
Vaughn smirked, leaned up and kissed her quickly on the lips before tightening his arms around her waist. "Kaylee would have gone with you even if I hadn't."
"Yeh, but it wouldn't have been the same. It's now our holiday, and I want to spend every minute of it with you," Sydney told him as she leaned in for a sweet lingering kiss.
"Okay, get up," Vaughn said once they broke the kiss, hitting her gently on her backside with a mischievous grin.
"Where are we going?" Sydney asked, looking at Vaughn in confusion as he headed towards their bedroom.
"For a swim, get your bathers on," he called back to her.
"Aghhr, I just got changed," Sydney whined.
"Awwww, come on baby, I love you in your bikini," Vaughn said, walking into the bedroom and searching through his suitcase for his board shorts.
"Shit, I think I only brought my one piece!" Sydney joked, stopping in the door of the bedroom and raising her hand to cover her mouth when she gasped, smiling when Vaughn glared at her playfully. She smiled slightly and walked over to her own suitcase, pulling out her denim bikini, "Well, look at that."
Vaughn chuckled and pointed a finger at her, "Just put it on."
A short while later they were both walking down the path that led to the pool, Vaughn's arm wrapped securely around Sydney's waist, both of her hands holding on to that arm. They reached the pool area and Vaughn went to buy them both an ice cream from the kiosk, while Sydney sat down on a deck chair, and placed their towels and her book on the one next to it, reserving it for Vaughn. She decided to read while she waited for Vaughn to get back, there was no point in going in the pool for a few minutes to have to come out for ice-cream, and then go back in again.
She began reading her book, looking up a few times inconspicuously because she felt someone watching her. The second time she looked she saw a guy approaching her, and she rolled her eyes. He was blonde and tanned, and was probably at least five years younger then her. He was basically strutting down towards her, giving her a cheesy grin on his way. Sydney somehow managed not to gag.
He stood right in front of her and looked down, "Hey."
"I'm taken," replied Sydney, without looking up.
"Are you married?" he asked her, that cheesy smile coming back into view. Sydney rolled her eyes again.
"Listen kid. I'm probably about seven years older then you, and I love my boyfriend, and you have no chance. Sorry to disappoint you, and I'm flattered that a twenty-something year old guy would want to go out with me, but like I said, I'm taken."
Sydney stood from her chair, putting her book there instead. She needed to find Vaughn. Just as she started to walk away the guy grabbed her arm roughly and wrapped his arms around her back, firmly.
"Come on, you can't tell me you don't want some of this," the guy said, his voice dripping with way too much self-confidence.
"I don't want any of that!" Sydney spat out, pulling free and slapping him hard across the face, giving him a death glare before walking off.
On her way girls around the pool applauded, and shouted words of encouragement at her, they had obviously been hit on by the sleaze as well.
She saw Vaughn up ahead, looking at the guy with disgust and fury, walking towards him, looking as though he was ready to strangle the other guy. As much as his concern and protectiveness made Sydney feel completely blessed she didn't want anything to happen that could cause them to have to leave prematurely, which being involved in a punch-up very well could. She walked up to Vaughn and wrapped her arms tightly around his back, her face pressed up against his bare chest. His arms encircled her tightly and he kissed the top of her head, stopping dead in his tracks to hold her, his expression changing to one of pride, love and still anger towards the guy.
"You are one amazing woman, you know that?" Vaughn told her proudly.
"He was a jerk," She replied in a muffled voice.
"You don't have to tell me twice," he replied, pulling away slightly and pushing a loose strand of from her ponytail behind her ear. His eyes were full of concern for her and he realised he hadn't asked how she was. She didn't look too shaken, but that didn't mean she wasn't upset. He knew she would be. "You okay sweetie?"
Sydney smiled at him, tracing circles on his back with her hands. "I am now." Vaughn smiled back at her and asked her if she'd prefer to leave. She said she wanted to stay, and besides, it seemed as though an employee had seen the little show, and seemed to be ordering the other guy to leave the premises by the shouts of disagreement that were heard from the guy arguing his case, which wasn't much, if anything. Then Vaughn told her that the line was really long at the kiosk and he couldn't be bothered waiting, promising her an ice-cream when he took her shopping tomorrow. She just laughed and kissed him.
They sat together on a deck chair for a while, Sydney cuddling up to Vaughn's side. About half an hour later pretty much everyone had left, going off to explore the rest of the city, or just leaving because they had been out here since the early hours of the morning due to their children's commands. Sydney stood up and walked to the edge of the pool, peering into the clear water as she stretched. She saw Vaughn's reflection behind her to late and couldn't save herself from being pushed into the water, so she opted to grab onto him and take him down with her.
They both came up for air and started to laugh. Vaughn picked her up by the waist and she wrapped her legs around his midriff, Vaughn spinning her around easily due to the water making her feel lighter. She giggled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, kissing him on the cheek. He released his grip on her and Sydney decided she wanted to have a swimming race, so they lined up and on the count of three swam across to the other side. Neither of them cheated this time, but it ended up being Vaughn who got to the end just a few seconds earlier.
"Yes!" he said, pumping his fist into the air. Sydney smiled at his grinning face and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind. "I think I deserve a prize," he went on, a smirk making its way across his face.
Sydney laughed, "Do you now?" she said, turning her head to kiss him on the lips, "you'll get the rest of your prize later."
"That's okay," Vaughn replied, "I have my prize right here," he told her, smiling at her affectionately. She smiled back and ran her hands through his hair before leaning in to kiss him again.
They were interrupted by the splash caused by Kaylee and Brian jumping into the pool. Syd and Vaughn broke apart and smiled at the two, and Vaughn piggy-backed them to where the other couple were standing in the water.
"You guys been here long?" Brian asked, holding Kaylee in the same way a groom holds his bride when they walk through the threshold of their new house.
"About an hour or so," Vaughn replied, lifting Sydney higher on his back. "We'll probably be here for a bit longer, we don't have anything planned until it gets dark."
"What are we doing when it gets dark?" Sydney asked, wondering if she had forgotten something.
"That would be a surprise," Vaughn told her, grinning when she started to pout. "Sorry baby, that's not gonna work this time."
Sydney pouted for a bit longer before giving up and shrugging her shoulders, smiling to herself and placing a soft kiss on the side of his neck. She couldn't wait to find out what this surprise was, if Vaughn was planning it, she was sure she would love it.
