A/N: :blushes: You guys are sweethearts. :D I got a lot of feedback for that last chapter and if I were to sum it up, it would be "What's in the box??" I'm glad you guys liked the last chap and cared what happened next. Bah! This chapter should have been called "Regret." Oh well.. I want to say for the record that this chapter sounded much better in my head and that I dearly hope that what's in the box isn't too disappointing. I'm sorry guys, but you have to know your shipper moments pretty good to understand everything, but you do right??
Archive: FF.net, Allies and COVERme. I would love to have it archived elsewhere and all you have to do is politely ask me. ;)
Dedication: All you wonderful readers and reviewers who give me a bunch of praise I honestly don't deserve. You guys rock the heazy forsheazy. LoL. If I could, I would thank you guys all individually and hey! I can do that, and I will do that in the last chapter.
Disclaimer: I encountered a few problems so I want to say I own all the ideas in my stories unless stated otherwise. If you recognize it, I don't have the rights; JJ and Co. do, along with planning the future of SpyLove. :gulp:
+Chapter Five: Understanding+
I look into the box, my hands trembling because I hadn't seen the things in it for so long. "I put together this box up a little after you die- disappeared." I stammer taking another breath.
"It hurt too much seeing all the things that reminded me of you all around me. I put them all in here; this is our box.." I say smiling. I reach into the box, carefully taking the first thing out. My hand touches a cool object and I place it on the bedside. My dad's watch.
I sigh before beginning. "When I first got this watch, I didn't understand and the thought of meeting a girl was repulsive to me at the time. Then, girls still had cooties. " I say chuckling softly. "My dad told me I'd understand even though I wasn't that sure if this is what he was talking about."
"After stopped, I tried stupidly to get new batteries for it. They never lasted more than a few days. It isn't a conspiracy; this is how I knew." A small smile creeps up on my face. I take the watch and put it back on wrist and even though hadn't worn another watch for two years, it felt natural. I look over to Sydney again, eager to share this news when I realize I can't anticipate a response.
"When I lost you, I betrayed my father and most importantly, you. I settled for less when I knew that no one could ever replace you, Syd." I say caressing her face.
I take the largest thing out of the box next and put it in front of me. I look to Sydney again, looking for some signs of disapproval. "This isn't mine exactly. This is yours." I let my hand smooth over the cool decals. "I gave this to you our first Christmas." I say reminiscing. "You brought it into the office after we got together, even though I was a bit reluctant to take this picture."
In the antique frame is one of the few pictures that Sydney and I had ever taken. Sydney had come to one of my practices and fallen slipped on the ice when I chased her. Even though I regretted her falling, the sight was hilarious. She pulled me down with her when I offered her my hand before erupting in giggles. Weiss and about half of the team was there and coincidently, he had a camera and was determined to capture the moment because we were "so darn cute." At the time, it seemed more like cherishing the moment of me sprawled on the ice though.
I know she'd be happy to have this back so I arrange it on the night stand beside the bed, this time not caring who saw it.
Another thing comes out of the box and this time, it's a key. I smile sheepishly when I remember what it opened. "Remember this?"
"After that failed date in France, I found this in my jacket pocket and somehow, I wonder what would have happened if we weren't stopped." I pause, thinking. "In a way, I'm happy how things turned out after that though." I grin again, half expecting her to show me that brilliant smile of hers, but she doesn't. I look back into the box and the next thing saddens me a little. It's a napkin and on it is my scrawly writing.
It was back in Mexico just before Sydney and I came back. At me request, we had gone out to eat and for some reason, she obliged. I had never seen her so distant and I it was the middle of dinner when I realized what could possibly cheer her up. So during dinner, I stopped to make the reservations for the weekend away that could surely do her some good.
I excused myself and it wasn't that slyly either. In the lobby, I called the hotel when I realized that I had nothing to write down the information on. Running back to the table with my cell phone glued to my ear, I stole one of her napkins and hurried back into the lobby. The bewilderment on her face was so adorable that I couldn't help but kiss her quickly before leaving.
I let my emotions explain the item as I pull another out of the box. This one is as bad as the last. It's a ring box. I finger it lightly before turning towards Sydney, still in her blissful sleep. It's enough to make me forget everything.
"This isn't what you think." I say smiling. "I know it's a little high school, but this is a promise ring. I was going to give it to you in Santa Barbara, but.."
But you died. I finish silently.
"You deserve better Syd; so much better so when we get out of this mess, this is for you."
I pull another article out; this time from my coat pocket. I open Sydney's hand and place it on her palm, closing her hand gently. It's another ring box, this one showing much less signs of age than the first.
I let my hand graze her face and I lean towards her, placing a soft kiss on her lips. I pull back reluctantly. I'm still for a moment rubbing the smooth velvet of the box and her hand in turn. "I've wanted to give you this since the day we've met and I just hope that when you wake, you'll forgive me for not giving it to you earlier."
-=-=-=-
I never wanted to leave but I wasn't going to stay with Jack either. A little while before he came, Eric had come by to check up on me. That wasn't what he said, but that's what it felt like.
As I space off he takes the opportunity to pour another drink for me. Things are awkwardly silent between us and this was never the case before. I could feel him staring in my direction and I almost lose it. "Would you stop that?" I snap.
"Hey, I just saved your ass; I'd show a little more gratitude." He says coldly.
"The only thing you did was make me leave the hospital."
Eric scoffs loudly. "Which coincidently housed Jack Bristow? Did you think he'd never visit her?" He gets up and goes into the kitchen calling back behind him. "If that isn't death, I don't know what is."
He comes back into the room with a bag of pretzels, taking his seat next to me on the couch. After fishing around under the couch, he throws me the remote. I catch it but put it down, not opting to turn on the TV.
"I have to face him some time, you know."
He shifts in his seat, a serious look on his face now. "There's nothing to face. It wasn't your fault."
Leave it to Eric. Not a care in his life except his dog and fish. I wish sometimes that my life were as easy as his. I run hand through my hair. "That's not how Jack is going to see it."
"If he wants to blame anyone, he can blame that cocky Brit and.." He trails of mumbling something even though I'm certain it's along the lines of "Lauren."
He must have seen the frustration on my face because he looks over at me again. "Don't go there again, Mike."
"Go where?"
"Lauren." He says simply.
We spent a lot of time on that subject after I told him about her. Back then it was feelings of regret, feelings of "What would Sydney say?" This time the regret is for a whole different reason. Regret that if only I had waited, if only I wasn't so broken, maybe...
"I'm going back." I say standing up.
He stands up again, ready to stop me. "I don't think that's such-" I give him The Look and he stops. As I walk to the door, he grabs his own jacket. When he notices that I'm confused, he looks at me aggravated. "If you're going to see Jack, I can at least be there to make sure you can still have an open casket on your funeral."
-=-=-=-
When I enter the hallway, instead of being quiet and deserted, I'm greeted by Jack and for once, he has an emotion on his face that could be mistaken for a smile. He's talking to a doctor outside Sydney's room and like I expected, the doctor is the one who's mostly doing the listening as Jack rants. Before Weiss can stop me, I hurry up to them.
"What's going on?"
As soon as Jack sees me, his believed smile fades slightly. The doctor on the other hand extends hand to me when he sees me though. "You must be Michael." He says beaming. "Ms. Bristow has been asking for you."
I almost stumble trying to comprehend his words. "Sydney's...? She's awake?"
"Of course, son. She's sleeping now but she woke up awhile ago."
Instead of the happiness I'm suppose to feel, I'm more angry than I've ever been. "Why didn't you call me?" I say harshly looking at Jack.
"The matter doesn't concern you!" He says in a harsh whisper.
"'The matter-' What do you mean it doesn't concern me?"
"Please excuse me, Mr. Vaughn, I forgot that you were the one who-"
"How dare you, Jack?!"
"After all, you-"
Suddenly a new voice enters the argument and stops the both of us as Jack and I look around.
"ENOUGH!"
TBC
A/N: Oh, I'm just so evil. LoL.. Who could it be?? I hope this much longer than usual chapter was enough for you guys to give your carefully planned and blush-worthy feedback. As usual, you don't have to have an account to review, kiddies. Okay seriously though, tell me what you thought and maybe the next chapter will come quicker.. Who knows? Until next time, guys, enjoy tomorrow's episode. -Julina :D
