Chapter Twenty
His throat constricted, he couldn't speak. Of course this was the effect she hoped for and when he turned his head to glare at her she was tempted to do more, but stopped herself, demanding that she let Sydney and Vaughn have their moment, whatever was about to happen. She, instead, raised a finger to her lips, motioning Jack to be quiet, his eyes narrowed but he nodded she took the arm back, Jack forcefully stepping away from her and returning his focus to the couple, standing far to close for his liking, Vaughn's arms wrapped around his daughter tighter than he wished and their lips so close he wanted to say something. But he chose not to, knowing Irina would see the move and force him to be quiet.
Vaughn continued, oblivious to Jack and Irina who, for all he cared, could have been jumping up and down like maniacs for all he cared, "I need to say something." Sydney gulped, it was visible and he let a slight smile crawl onto his face, leaving his arms around her, he loosened them but she didn't move away. He took this for a positive sign and opened his mouth to continue. He was still oblivious to the parents, but, on the other hand, he was acutely aware of the heat surrounding him, the sweat he could feel on his brow, the hairs standing up on the back of his neck and this caused him to hesitate another second. Sydney didn't interrupt as her throat too dry.
"Sydney," he started again, "I..." again he hesitated, this was ridiculous, look at where they were, with whom they were with, and why had he chose now? Then he looked at her properly and saw her hopeful eyes and threw all caution, both for the mission and for the fact Jack could kill him, to the wind. "Syd," so matter of fact, so casual and then the courage was gone and it came out quickly and hushed, "I think I'm in love with you."
Jack had to refrain from saying something as he continued to feel Irina standing close by. He bit his lip, the sudden announcement by Vaughn sending his thoughts into chaos as the idea arose that perhaps Vaughn was not the worst Sydney could end up with. He shoved the though away and continued to watch, waiting for Sydney to say it back, knowing she must.
Irina just watched with masked glee, finally, something right. She let her eyes slide to Jack's whose were surprisingly unmasked. She was shocked but not surprised to find him looking slightly happy at the forward movement in his daughter's life. She watched him for a few moments longer before realizing no one had spoken a word since. She turned her gaze to Sydney who was standing, still wrapped in his arms, looking about to faint.
Several seconds passed, Vaughn's confidence dripping away with each moment as Sydney just stared at him, her face not giving away any emotion but shock. She looked at him; her eyes tempted to move to her parents but denied their wish as his emerald green eyes captivated her perfectly. She couldn't believe he'd said that, it was like a dream and she had to be sure, she shook her head, as though trying to get water out from between her ears, "Vaughn..." she let it hang, hoping he would repeat it.
Off to her side she heard her mother sigh in exasperation, he had said it; he must have and now he was gone, his arms were gone and he had taken a step back. Sydney was ready to react, to say sorry, to kiss him, parents there or not, but he spoke first, "I'm sorry, that was out of line, I just thought that, well, I mean, your parents said that you were in love with me and..."
She cut him off, eyes flicking to her parents before going back to him. Taking in the shocked look of Jack and look of smugness settled on her mother's face. "My parents?"
Vaughn nodded dumbly, feeling like an idiot, feeling as though his life had just gone from bad to worse in a split second, "I'm sorry, just ignore it." He shook his head and Sydney was in front of him a moment later.
"I will do no such thing," she said, her voice playful and gentle, "Vaughn," he looked up, still looking like a quashed flower, "Hey." He wasn't ready for this, she was scared now, she had no idea how he had managed to get it out, but he had and now she had to. How could she put it, "Vaughn," a disapproving look from her mother forced her, somehow to reconsider her words, she grinned, "Michael," that got his attention, "They were right." Her voice was soft, tender, perfect, he knew that and it took him a moment to get past her voice and into the words.
He shook his head, "What?"
Such a typical male, Irina and Sydney both thought simultaneously, though Sydney was the one to voice it, "Michael," God she loved that name, "I know I'm in love with you."
He looked at her, eyes narrowed to see if this was real, to see if this was some weird trick of fate or if his hearing was buggered, "Me too," he eventually said. And then there was no room for words, her mouth crushed into his, passion and love together as their lips met for the first time. Her hand was on his shirt, caressing his chest where she had grabbed at him to pull him close, her other arm under his shoulder and up into his hair, her fingers torturing him. Their tongues slow as they got to know the territory, the few places their skin brushed against skin like a fire dowsed with water. It was like one of those incredible meals that you never want to leave, a really good movie, an even better book, a million things all rolled into one and then times by a billion.
He grinned as she broke away for breath, letting his hands come to rest on her hips from where they had been touring her stomach and back. She grinned again and was ready for more, ready to stay there forever when a cough made her look up from the lips and eyes she'd been focusing on. She looked over her shoulder to find her dad, dragging Irina along by the hand, standing behind them. The look on his face was laughable had she not been so flustered. "Sydney, get some control."
It was the lamest thing he'd ever said to her, well, it probably wasn't but a deep throaty chuckle from Irina made it seem that way and moments later Vaughn and Sydney were both smiling both at each other and Irina. Jack glared at them, showing his disapproval, "Hey, dad, you didn't want this to happen, you shouldn't have told Vaughn I loved him." Jack glared harder, "I mean, it is now inevitable that you're going to have to put up with us." God 'us' was a great word. Jack scowled even harder, Irina the only one seeing he was silently happy underneath to see them so happy.
Jack nodded as another family strolled into view. "We'll continue this later, " he pulled Irina off by the hand towards the stairs, Sydney's mother throwing a look of joy along with rolled eyes over her shoulder before returning her attention to not tripping over Jack's feet. Sydney just raised her eyebrows and smiled, "Let's go," was all she said. And Vaughn grabbed her hand, the butterflies in his stomach returning with a warmth as they followed her parents out of the lion exhibit.
It was an hour later, without lunch and without any idea of what they were walking into, that the four of them, Irina walking close to Jack, eyeing him with the sole aim, it seemed, to aggravate him and Sydney and Vaughn behind, hands clasped, Vaughn every few seconds taking the courage to nuzzle her neck or plant a soft kiss on her shoulder. Each time, Jack would turn and glare, coming back around to find Irina still watching him as though he was a test subject.
They were walking down Collins Street, the Paris end, admiring the three story buildings; all built many years before and now many with seals that prohibited them from being torn down. The concierge had left them with a list of the shops they could visit and between what hours, they were in order so all they had to do was search for the first shop, 'Madame dans le Rouge', or as all four knew as they all spoke fluent French, 'The Lady in Red'. The aim of the day was not to have fun, Jack kept telling himself, but to appear as a tourist. Typically, that growing in volume voice in his head, only pointed out that tourists had fun once they were running across the road, the small, cream exterior of their first destination in plain sight.
The road was only two lanes as it was from long ago and had never been forced to a four lane road; the traffic was horrendous with cars everywhere and trams among them. The sidewalks were busy too, men in business suits rushing about along with a few magistrates and police men heading for the city courts. They crossed the road quickly, dodging the traffic and ignoring all shouts of protest that drivers were shouting at each other.
The Paris End was elaborately designed and extremely lavish, the entire area was 'by appointment only' and apparently only used by the richest. There was a small intercom near the glass door through which few dresses could be seen. Irina took charge, much to Jack's disgust and pushed the button, 'Hello,' the French accent was killing him, but he wouldn't tell her that, "This is Natasha Pearson, we have an appointment."
The door buzzed open and a reply was quick, "Mrs Pearson, come right through."
She did, her head high again in the same manner as she had used with the waiter, Jack walked in after her and Sydney and Vaughn found their way in quickly too. Once inside they found themselves inside a whitewashed room with mirrors, framed with antique black gold, everywhere. The owner, a Mr Dullard, stood, tiny moustache and bright purple suit almost setting the foursome off into hysterics. "Welcome," he began, looking the four over, "To Madame dans le Rouge, I will be helping you today with all of your shopping."
Irina grinned, "Thank you," she looked around, loving the feeling of power this was giving her, "Your shop is lovely." He grinned and clapped his hands and a scurrying shop assistant, probably a relative, walked out, pushing in front of him a rack of clothes, each dress hung eloquently on it's hanger and ten minutes later Sydney and Irina were in their own, twelve meter square, fitting rooms.
Irina had three dresses, Sydney four and already Jack and Vaughn were casting woeful looks to the door. Sure, both of them wanted to see what the women looked like, Vaughn in particular Sydney and Jack, though he wouldn't admit it, Irina, but they knew there were fourteen shops to go and there was no way out. Sydney emerged first, a floor length red clingy dress with straps that may as well have been invisible along with the back setting off raised eyebrows all around.
Dullard spoke first, "Wonderful my dear," he circled her, "Absolutely stunning," he looked to the two remaining men for a reaction.
Vaughn could only nod, eyes openly hungry, and causing a silly giggle; both Sydney and Jack had been unaware existed in her to escape he lips. Jack was about to comment, his words carefully picked when the remaining door clicked open and his eyes swung around.
Please read and review, I mean, please oh please oh please this is why I get up. And go and read Escape, I swear it is the best fic I ever wrote.
His throat constricted, he couldn't speak. Of course this was the effect she hoped for and when he turned his head to glare at her she was tempted to do more, but stopped herself, demanding that she let Sydney and Vaughn have their moment, whatever was about to happen. She, instead, raised a finger to her lips, motioning Jack to be quiet, his eyes narrowed but he nodded she took the arm back, Jack forcefully stepping away from her and returning his focus to the couple, standing far to close for his liking, Vaughn's arms wrapped around his daughter tighter than he wished and their lips so close he wanted to say something. But he chose not to, knowing Irina would see the move and force him to be quiet.
Vaughn continued, oblivious to Jack and Irina who, for all he cared, could have been jumping up and down like maniacs for all he cared, "I need to say something." Sydney gulped, it was visible and he let a slight smile crawl onto his face, leaving his arms around her, he loosened them but she didn't move away. He took this for a positive sign and opened his mouth to continue. He was still oblivious to the parents, but, on the other hand, he was acutely aware of the heat surrounding him, the sweat he could feel on his brow, the hairs standing up on the back of his neck and this caused him to hesitate another second. Sydney didn't interrupt as her throat too dry.
"Sydney," he started again, "I..." again he hesitated, this was ridiculous, look at where they were, with whom they were with, and why had he chose now? Then he looked at her properly and saw her hopeful eyes and threw all caution, both for the mission and for the fact Jack could kill him, to the wind. "Syd," so matter of fact, so casual and then the courage was gone and it came out quickly and hushed, "I think I'm in love with you."
Jack had to refrain from saying something as he continued to feel Irina standing close by. He bit his lip, the sudden announcement by Vaughn sending his thoughts into chaos as the idea arose that perhaps Vaughn was not the worst Sydney could end up with. He shoved the though away and continued to watch, waiting for Sydney to say it back, knowing she must.
Irina just watched with masked glee, finally, something right. She let her eyes slide to Jack's whose were surprisingly unmasked. She was shocked but not surprised to find him looking slightly happy at the forward movement in his daughter's life. She watched him for a few moments longer before realizing no one had spoken a word since. She turned her gaze to Sydney who was standing, still wrapped in his arms, looking about to faint.
Several seconds passed, Vaughn's confidence dripping away with each moment as Sydney just stared at him, her face not giving away any emotion but shock. She looked at him; her eyes tempted to move to her parents but denied their wish as his emerald green eyes captivated her perfectly. She couldn't believe he'd said that, it was like a dream and she had to be sure, she shook her head, as though trying to get water out from between her ears, "Vaughn..." she let it hang, hoping he would repeat it.
Off to her side she heard her mother sigh in exasperation, he had said it; he must have and now he was gone, his arms were gone and he had taken a step back. Sydney was ready to react, to say sorry, to kiss him, parents there or not, but he spoke first, "I'm sorry, that was out of line, I just thought that, well, I mean, your parents said that you were in love with me and..."
She cut him off, eyes flicking to her parents before going back to him. Taking in the shocked look of Jack and look of smugness settled on her mother's face. "My parents?"
Vaughn nodded dumbly, feeling like an idiot, feeling as though his life had just gone from bad to worse in a split second, "I'm sorry, just ignore it." He shook his head and Sydney was in front of him a moment later.
"I will do no such thing," she said, her voice playful and gentle, "Vaughn," he looked up, still looking like a quashed flower, "Hey." He wasn't ready for this, she was scared now, she had no idea how he had managed to get it out, but he had and now she had to. How could she put it, "Vaughn," a disapproving look from her mother forced her, somehow to reconsider her words, she grinned, "Michael," that got his attention, "They were right." Her voice was soft, tender, perfect, he knew that and it took him a moment to get past her voice and into the words.
He shook his head, "What?"
Such a typical male, Irina and Sydney both thought simultaneously, though Sydney was the one to voice it, "Michael," God she loved that name, "I know I'm in love with you."
He looked at her, eyes narrowed to see if this was real, to see if this was some weird trick of fate or if his hearing was buggered, "Me too," he eventually said. And then there was no room for words, her mouth crushed into his, passion and love together as their lips met for the first time. Her hand was on his shirt, caressing his chest where she had grabbed at him to pull him close, her other arm under his shoulder and up into his hair, her fingers torturing him. Their tongues slow as they got to know the territory, the few places their skin brushed against skin like a fire dowsed with water. It was like one of those incredible meals that you never want to leave, a really good movie, an even better book, a million things all rolled into one and then times by a billion.
He grinned as she broke away for breath, letting his hands come to rest on her hips from where they had been touring her stomach and back. She grinned again and was ready for more, ready to stay there forever when a cough made her look up from the lips and eyes she'd been focusing on. She looked over her shoulder to find her dad, dragging Irina along by the hand, standing behind them. The look on his face was laughable had she not been so flustered. "Sydney, get some control."
It was the lamest thing he'd ever said to her, well, it probably wasn't but a deep throaty chuckle from Irina made it seem that way and moments later Vaughn and Sydney were both smiling both at each other and Irina. Jack glared at them, showing his disapproval, "Hey, dad, you didn't want this to happen, you shouldn't have told Vaughn I loved him." Jack glared harder, "I mean, it is now inevitable that you're going to have to put up with us." God 'us' was a great word. Jack scowled even harder, Irina the only one seeing he was silently happy underneath to see them so happy.
Jack nodded as another family strolled into view. "We'll continue this later, " he pulled Irina off by the hand towards the stairs, Sydney's mother throwing a look of joy along with rolled eyes over her shoulder before returning her attention to not tripping over Jack's feet. Sydney just raised her eyebrows and smiled, "Let's go," was all she said. And Vaughn grabbed her hand, the butterflies in his stomach returning with a warmth as they followed her parents out of the lion exhibit.
It was an hour later, without lunch and without any idea of what they were walking into, that the four of them, Irina walking close to Jack, eyeing him with the sole aim, it seemed, to aggravate him and Sydney and Vaughn behind, hands clasped, Vaughn every few seconds taking the courage to nuzzle her neck or plant a soft kiss on her shoulder. Each time, Jack would turn and glare, coming back around to find Irina still watching him as though he was a test subject.
They were walking down Collins Street, the Paris end, admiring the three story buildings; all built many years before and now many with seals that prohibited them from being torn down. The concierge had left them with a list of the shops they could visit and between what hours, they were in order so all they had to do was search for the first shop, 'Madame dans le Rouge', or as all four knew as they all spoke fluent French, 'The Lady in Red'. The aim of the day was not to have fun, Jack kept telling himself, but to appear as a tourist. Typically, that growing in volume voice in his head, only pointed out that tourists had fun once they were running across the road, the small, cream exterior of their first destination in plain sight.
The road was only two lanes as it was from long ago and had never been forced to a four lane road; the traffic was horrendous with cars everywhere and trams among them. The sidewalks were busy too, men in business suits rushing about along with a few magistrates and police men heading for the city courts. They crossed the road quickly, dodging the traffic and ignoring all shouts of protest that drivers were shouting at each other.
The Paris End was elaborately designed and extremely lavish, the entire area was 'by appointment only' and apparently only used by the richest. There was a small intercom near the glass door through which few dresses could be seen. Irina took charge, much to Jack's disgust and pushed the button, 'Hello,' the French accent was killing him, but he wouldn't tell her that, "This is Natasha Pearson, we have an appointment."
The door buzzed open and a reply was quick, "Mrs Pearson, come right through."
She did, her head high again in the same manner as she had used with the waiter, Jack walked in after her and Sydney and Vaughn found their way in quickly too. Once inside they found themselves inside a whitewashed room with mirrors, framed with antique black gold, everywhere. The owner, a Mr Dullard, stood, tiny moustache and bright purple suit almost setting the foursome off into hysterics. "Welcome," he began, looking the four over, "To Madame dans le Rouge, I will be helping you today with all of your shopping."
Irina grinned, "Thank you," she looked around, loving the feeling of power this was giving her, "Your shop is lovely." He grinned and clapped his hands and a scurrying shop assistant, probably a relative, walked out, pushing in front of him a rack of clothes, each dress hung eloquently on it's hanger and ten minutes later Sydney and Irina were in their own, twelve meter square, fitting rooms.
Irina had three dresses, Sydney four and already Jack and Vaughn were casting woeful looks to the door. Sure, both of them wanted to see what the women looked like, Vaughn in particular Sydney and Jack, though he wouldn't admit it, Irina, but they knew there were fourteen shops to go and there was no way out. Sydney emerged first, a floor length red clingy dress with straps that may as well have been invisible along with the back setting off raised eyebrows all around.
Dullard spoke first, "Wonderful my dear," he circled her, "Absolutely stunning," he looked to the two remaining men for a reaction.
Vaughn could only nod, eyes openly hungry, and causing a silly giggle; both Sydney and Jack had been unaware existed in her to escape he lips. Jack was about to comment, his words carefully picked when the remaining door clicked open and his eyes swung around.
Please read and review, I mean, please oh please oh please this is why I get up. And go and read Escape, I swear it is the best fic I ever wrote.