Caught Up In Reality
Senses
Sydney rolled out of bed the next morning to the smell of waffles and the clanging of pots and pans in the kitchen. She put on some slippers and a robe and walked out to the kitchen.
"Hey Syd. Sleep well?" Will asked from his stool near the counter. He was watching Francie as she made blueberry waffles for them all. She nodded and sat down beside him.
"You were fast asleep when I got back from the restaurant last night. How'd it go?" Francie asked, closing the lid of the waffle machine on the blue-speckled batter and leaning on the counter across from Will and Sydney.
"How'd what go?" Will looked from Francie to Sydney, confused.
"Syd had a date last night."
"Really? With who?"
"Some guy from work. Michael, right?"
"Yeah."
"So? What happened? I want details. Although you guys looked like you were having a pretty good time." Francie giggled.
"You were spying on us?" Sydney laughed.
"Maybe a little." Francie admitted.
"Well, we did have a great time at the restaurant, and then he drove me home." Sydney said simply.
"And?" Francie prompted.
"And he kissed me. We kissed." Sydney smiled at the memory of Vaughn's lips on hers. Francie did a little happy dance. Will just laughed. He was happy for his friend, but a part of him hoped that things wouldn't work out. So he'd have another chance.
"So? Why am I not making waffles for four?"
"My dad showed up."
"Ewww. Why was he here?'
"I don't know. But it was really awkward." Sydney hated lying to her friends about her father, but as far as they knew, he sold airplane parts for Jennings Aerospace.
"Yeah. He freaks me out." Francie admitted. She had only seen Sydney's father a few times, but it was enough to know she didn't like him. "So what did he do when he saw you guys there?"
"He freaked out. He's got something against dating people you work with."
Francie rolled her eyes.
"Okay, I am going to go get into some real clothes." Francie said, looking down at her yellow pajamas. "Then I've got a meeting with some people about the restaurant."
"Okay, well thanks for the waffles, Fran." Sydney said,
"No problem." Francie left to the bathroom, shortly followed by the sound of rushing water.
"Will? Are you okay?" Sydney asked, noticing the way he wouldn't meet her eyes. She had worried about his reaction to her starting to date again.
"Yeah. It's just weird, with you dating again. I'll get used to it."
"Okay. Sure you don't want to talk about it?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I have to get to work." She said, standing up and clearing her dishes.
"Sure." Will murmured.
Jack walked down the wide hallway, through the iron doors that guarded the cell. He waved the guards away so he could speak to Irina in private. She looked up at him from the floor to acknowledge his presence in the room. After studying him for a moment, she opened her mouth to speak.
"You know." She stated simply. Irina was never one to waste words or beat around the bush.
"I know what?" Jack asked, knowing perfectly well what she was talking about, but not wanting to admit she could read him like an open book. She gave him a look, eliciting a sigh from Jack.
"I know. Sydney and Vaughn." He grumbled, running his left hand through his hair absently.
"Please tell me you didn't do anything stupid..." She growled, hoping he hadn't undone all her hard work on one of his over-protective impulses.
"No."
"I'm surprised Sydney told you. I know she was worried about your reaction."
"She didn't."
"Well, considering that Agent Vaughn would never tell you he was involved with your daughter, I have to assume you found out some other way."
"I went to Sydney's apartment one night, and they were in the hall. Kissing." Irina flinched, imagining Jack's response to this sight.
"You're sure you didn't do anything stupid?"
"Yes, I'm sure. They explained, and I backed down. I knew it was bound to happen. And you are right. They are in love." He attempted a smile.
"I'm glad you came to your senses." She said, a half smile appearing on her face.
A few days later, Sydney opened the apartment door to reveal Vaughn, complete with a bouquet of daisies.
"Hey. Come on in." Vaughn handed her the flowers, then swept her into his arms and kissed her.
"Wow." Sydney breathed. She still hadn't gotten over the way he kissed. Every time, it was just like the romance novels Francie was always reading. The sparks exploded, her heart skipped a beat, and everything else just faded into the background, the kiss filling her senses. He smiled.
"So where are Francie and Will?" He asked, still holding her close.
"We're in here!" Francie's voice carried into the front hall. Sydney laughed at her friend's good-natured eavesdropping. "Hurry up! The black bean dip is going to get cold!"
"Well, we wouldn't want that!" Vaughn said with a chuckle. Sydney pressed another kiss to his lips, then led him into the dining area.
"Vaughn, you've met Francie,"
"Of course. How could I forget?" He laughed and turned towards Will. Behind Vaughn's back, Francie waggled her eyebrows at Sydney, who rolled her eyes and turned back to Vaughn.
"And this is Will. Will, this is Michael Vaughn. We work together at the bank."
Will looked Vaughn over, sizing him up. Deeming him worthy of Sydney, he extended his hand with a grin, which Vaughn returned, shaking his hand.
"I've heard so much about you from Sydney. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Vaughn said. He could feel Will testing him through the handshake, and kept a firm, steady grip on Will's hand, while maintaining a friendly eye contact.
"Sydney has talked about you too." Will replied, releasing Vaughn's hand.
"Hey, Vaughn. Want a beer?" Sydney asked from the kitchen, where she and Francie were getting the drinks.
"Sure, that'd be great." Vaughn called back. Sydney and Francie appeared with four beers, the bean dip, and tortilla chips. Setting it all down on the coffee table, Sydney motioned for Vaughn to come and sit on the couch with her. He slid onto the couch, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer. They settled in together, prepared for the hours of talk, laughter, and lasagna that would follow.
Okay guys, this is it. Next chapter is the end of this fic. So chapter 13 will be up on Saturday/Sunday, if not before!
My next story I'll be working on over the next week or so. It'll be up soon, I promise. Anything you guys want to see? I'm pretty sure it will be about Irina, and her life. Possibly her relationship to Vaughn's dad, and how she killed him. (If she did!) But I might decide to do two stories at a time, it would just be further between updates. Anyway, review, and I'll be working on the epilogue and the first chapters of the other fic(s)!
Review! THANKS!