Caught Up In Reality
Normal
Vaughn was sitting at his desk in the office, writing up a report, when his instant messaging started beeping and a small window popped up on the screen of his laptop.
"Freelncr: Vaughn. Its me." Vaughn glanced around the busy offices before beginning to type furiously on his keyboard.
"Bysct: Syd. Hey." He glanced over to where she sat, looking perfectly innocent at her i-Book.
"Freelncr: How's dinner looking for you?"
"Bysct: Well, I do have a dinner date with Donovan, but..." He heard Sydney stifle her laugh from the other side of the room.
"Freelncr: You're going to have to reschedule. We're going out."
"Bysct: Pick you up at seven?"
"Freelncr: Sure."
They talked for a while more, then Sydney logged off and left the office, running her hand gently across Vaughn's shoulders as she passed his desk.
Vaughn returned to his apartment at five, opening the door to the sound of the phone ringing. He dropped the keys to his government-issue sedan onto the counter and dug the phone out from between the cushions of the sofa.
"Vaughn."
"Hey. Its me."
"Hey Weiss. Do I need to come in?" He crossed his fingers. He'd never forgive the CIA if he had to cancel with Sydney.
"Nah. Just calling to see if you wanted to go to the Kings game tonight, courtesy of the CIA." Vaughn groaned.
"Sorry, I've got a date." He said.
"WHAT? What woman on earth could possibly be worth giving up free tickets to a Kings game? Are you feeling all right?"
"Yeah. I'm fine. I'll see you at work tomorrow."
"Okay, man." Vaughn could practically hear Weiss shaking his head in dismay.
Sydney stared at her reflection in the mirror. She had finally decided on a red dress, a slit up the left leg that went up to her hip. Her hair she had painstakingly curled and done up at the back of her head with a clip. She straightened her dress and checked her watch. Five to seven. Vaughn would be arriving any minute now, and she was nervously anticipating their first date as a couple. She sat down on the couch.
A few minutes later a knock came at the door. Getting up, Sydney opened the door to reveal a smiling Vaughn.
"Hey."
"Hey. Come on in." Sydney stepped back from the doorway to let Vaughn enter her apartment. He stepped inside, admiring his surroundings. Everything reflected the person Sydney was, and he enjoyed getting to know this side of her. Sydney retrieved her small purse and coat from the back of a chair and came to stand by Vaughn, slipping her hand around his back.
"I love it." He said, referring to the apartment. "I love you." He added, pressing a kiss to her forehead, then her lips. A few moments later they broke the kiss.
"Ready?" Vaughn asked. She smiled at him and took his arm as he led her out the door.
Sydney directed Vaughn to Francie's restaurant. Tonight it was relatively quiet, not many people were going out to eat. So when they entered, they were immediately greeted by Francie.
"Hey Syd." She grinned, her attention sliding over to Vaughn. "And you must be Michael."
Vaughn smiled and extended his hand to Francie, who shook it warmly.
"Yeah, Sydney and I work together at the bank. You must be Francie; I've heard so much about you from Sydney."
"Nice to meet you. Where did you guys want to sit? We've got booth, window..."
Sydney looked to Vaughn before replying.
"Booth would be great, thanks Francie." It would be best not to sit near the window. If they were seen by anyone from work, Vaughn would be pulled off her case at the least. But they wouldn't have to worry about the Alliance or Sloane being after them, a welcome change. Francie led them to a small booth table near the back of the restaurant, offering a good view of the restaurant. She handed them the menus before heading back towards the kitchen to oversee the new chef she had hired.
Vaughn picked up the menu and began to look at the appetizers. Looking over his menu to Sydney, he noticed that she hadn't even looked at hers. Noticing his glance, she laughed.
"I helped Francie figure out the menu, I know it by heart. And after being an official taste-tester, along with Will, I know exactly what I want."
"Any recommendations?" He asked hopefully.
"The manicotti is excellent. It's the cheese."
Fifteen minutes later, Vaughn knew what he wanted and they ordered. Sydney got the cedar-roasted salmon with raspberry sauce, Vaughn took Sydney's advice on the manicotti and also ordered onion rings as an appetizer to share.
"This is really nice, Vaughn." Sydney said after the waitress left, sending him a genuine smile. "I love spending time with you, and I know I wouldn't trade it for the world."
He reached across the table and took her hand in his.
"I know. I feel the same way. Ever since that day on the island, It's like I've gotten back this part of me that I've been missing. I only wish we could share what we have with everyone."
"Francie knows." She said. "And we can tell Weiss too. And Will." She added. She thought about what Wills reaction would be to her dating again. He'd be happy for her, she knew, but at the same time she knew he would take it hard.
"I know, but I just wish that we didn't have to do it this way. Sitting away from the window, having to hide it from your father. I wish it could be normal, even though I know that nothing in our lives is ever truly normal, given what we do." He kissed her knuckles.
"I'd pick you over a normal relationship any day, if it makes you feel better." She earned a smile for this. The waitress arrived with the onion rings, and they both dug in.
"These," Vaughn said between mouthfuls of the salty sweet rings, "have to be the best onion rings on the face of the planet. Francie's recipe?"
"Yep. It's great having a cook at the apartment, let me tell you that." Vaughn nodded. He could see the advantages of having Francie in the kitchen.
"Francie seems really nice." He said.
"She is. I couldn't have wished for a better friend. Which is why it's so hard lying to her about what I do. I guess the best way to think of it is an expression of love."
Their food arrived minutes later, and the empty plate that used to hold the onion rings was taken away. Vaughn tried a bite of the manicotti, and was glad he had listened to Sydney's advice. She watched his expression and smiled. before starting on her salmon.
Two hours passed, filled with shared forkfuls of food, anecdotes that left them breathless from laughter, and deep talks about literature and life. Sydney was amazed at his extensive knowledge of the English masterpieces, and even a few foreign novels. She told him of her studies in the subject at the grad school, and he related his father's passion for reading. Finally, the darkening sky and empty dessert plates prompted them to ask for the check. Vaughn paid at Sydney's protest, claiming that it was all part of the experience. Besides, he would have gladly paid ten times the price for the time he spent with Sydney.
Walking Sydney into her apartment, Vaughn was sad to see the date end, even though he knew there would be more like it. Sydney turned the key in the lock, opening the door to apartment 3C. She turned back to him, smiling.
"Thanks for tonight. I can't remember the last time I had such a good time."
He smiled, then leaned in for a kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist to pull her closer to him.
Jack tucked the pile of folders Sydney had left at the office under his arm and walked into the apartment building. Getting in the elevator, he pressed the button for the third floor and watched the elevator doors come to a close. When the elevator jerked to a stop, he stepped out into the rectangular hallway that circled the floor, the apartments on either side to form a large "O". Turning the corner towards Sydney's apartment, he stopped short at the sight of Sydney and Vaughn kissing in the hall.
There you are. Chapter ten. Please review you guys!?!
Okay, choice time. Would you rather Jack be totally mad at their breach in protocol, or take it well. I'm kind of leaning toward totally mad, but I want your opinion, so don't hesitate to tell me!
Thanks for the reviews, guys.
Review! PLEASE!