A/N: Hi, I'm Julina and I used to write this fic. Well I still do but yeah.. Anyways this update's been a long time coming and I take full responsibility for that. I so happy that you guys that have reviewed in the past have liked the fic but I have higher standards for myself and I took a while and read this fic back and iono.. just realized I can do so much more better. So yeah, I put this fic off and actually wrote three other fics which I am proud of. (Hope to see you there of course) Now don't get me wrong, this fic was my baby for a while and I just strayed too far. As long as you guys like it, I'll continue cause that's what matters.

Dedications: Well, you. (Yes you there!) Seriously though if you're reading this despite the fact it took me so long, you deserve this fic dedicated to you. And a pony. And Michael Vartan. (I can only do so much guys..)

Disclaimer: I do not own Alias here. I do not own Alias anywhere. (Lol) Also movie that the kids are watching isn't mine.


Chapter 11 - Misconception

When I was younger, I once watched action movies all the time. Now mind you, my parents never really approved of their son watching such violence even though it was tame considering what the cut between a "PG-13" and a "R" rating is today. Never the less, I watched those movies with zest and could you blame me? These men were everything I aspired to be when I was younger and they taught me things Langley could never. So of course, I watched them when my parents were out and my babysitters never cared since they thought I was so cute. I thought I had it all planned out and I was actually proud of my accomplishment and never realized how stupid my plans were.

Well that was proven when I practiced said movie violence on my cousin, Eddie during a family gathering. Need less to say, it wasn't very bright and I was punished right away. This memory only comes to me as I wait at a light at the corner of a park, watching my eight-year old self with comical reverence.

There was that mission in Taipei, leaving Sydney that night, and marrying Lauren- all pretty dumb of me to do, but I couldn't help but think that what happened minutes ago seemed to take the cake.

I made a move on Syd. While she had a wounded chest. And Eric caught me before I did anything.

Life threatening diseases? Life-altering decisions? Generally duplicitous wives? Naw. This is one takes the first three spots on the list.

I hit another light and it's all it takes to frustrate me. My head falls forward onto the steering wheel as I try to remember what lame excuse I had for leaving in the first place. Leaving Sydney with Eric to go who knows where probably wasn't the brightest decision but at the moment, I didn't care too much about Eric's welfare.

A few moments pass by when my phone starts sounding from where I threw it on the passenger seat. It could be anyone but I really had no energy to talk to whoever it was. I reach over to pick up the phone as the light changes to take a quick glance at the caller ID. It doesn't surprise me that it's a Eric.

A sigh. "Hello?"

"Mike?" His voice is hushed on the other end.

I screw up on my face in confusion. So he's hiding from her now? What kind of person was he?

It's not even a question and it comes out a little harsher than I had expected it to. "What."

"Get. Over. Here. Now." He answers hurriedly.

"What did you do now?"

He's quiet for a second and I hear him shuffle around. "Syd's acting crazy. She's cooking."

I pass the same sign for the third time when I finally decide to pull over to talk to him. "You don't say?"

"Like lots of food." A pause. "And she's trying to get me to come out to eat."

"Well like I am, I'm sure you're familiar with eating and that thing that she's doing? I know she's using the big fiery table, but I promise: she'll be okay."

"Hey! I cook!" He interjects.

It's then that I pull my hand to my head. "Eric, what is it?"

"Where the hell are you? She's creeping me out!" he hissed. "She's all Stefford and acting as if nothing happened!"

I sigh, now more exasperated than ever. "Well Weiss, nothing did happen."

He's silent for a moment before he takes an inward breath. "That's what this is about.."

"Give the man a prize!"

He grunts in protest and but quickly forgets it. He's quiet for a moment but I can almost see the evil grin on his face. "So what were you guys doing when I came in?"

It was inevitable that I had to come back here, but I didn't know it was so soon.

Standing outside her door, I feel seventeen and anticipating a first date. It get me angry since this is so out of character but that's just the kind of things hat Sydney can do to me.

Inside, it seems like Eric either got caught hiding or just got hungry- Syd did always cook pretty well. She's chattering away animatedly, and like Eric said, pretending as if nothing happened. For a moment, I consider going in there, kissing her in front of Eric and all just to prove my point. It drives me crazy that she's not worrying about this as much as I am. The other part of me is worried that this stupid stunt might just have driven us further apart.

Being gone half and hour was what I decided to be not too long but not too soon either. It gave me time to think though: had Eric not walked in, what would we be doing? I could get reprimanded by Syd's doctors for what I'm thinking but deep down, there's no doubt in my mind that she wouldn't have pulled away. All this time, it was me refuses her after everything that I've done, she has enough maturity to forgive and forget.

So why can't I let that happen?

A few minutes later when I finally open the door, I find it unlocked. I had hoped to enter unnoticed, but I was just naive to think that it would be so easy. As soon as the door creaks open, Eric's face lights up and he jumps up from his place at the couch. Syd on the other hand turns grave.

"MIKE! You're back after such.. a long, long time!"

I look down at my shoes refusing to meet Eric's eyes for fear of catching hers. "I just went for a drive."

"Well want some food? Syd made a bunch.." He shakes his head in confusion when I don't answer immediately. He takes a moment to look at her, then back to me. "Alright, Mike, this is Syd. Syd, Vaughn."

I shoot him a dirty look and to my surprise, so does she. Eric openly squirms and if this was a few years ago, I'd probably be laughing and I'd give almost anything to break the tension right about now. I knew when I volunteered to stay with her that it wasn't going to be easy. Risking certain death, I look over to her and she's smiling that smile of two years ago and it doesn't cease to make me smile as well. She meets my eyes for a moment as I search for some indication that perhaps I haven't messed everything up.

"Are you hungry? Cause I made some stuff and.." She trails off.

I shake my head quickly and divert my glance from hers. The room turns silent again as Weiss starts looking between the two of us, obviously confused. He shrugs and gets up, slipping into his jacket. He heads to the door without another word but finds I'm in his way.

"Were you planning on leaving, Weiss?" I say almost too sweetly.

He nods. "Well I brought over another movie but you guys are about as fun as the Ebola virus." He gives me a grin a mumbles something along the lines of, "You'll be able to do more when I'm not here anyway," as he passes by me and out the door.

There's another one of those moments where I find myself wishing I was somewhere else again. "So.." I say swaying on my heels. Syd looks up at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Yup.."

I smile nervously as she indicates that she's gonna get back into the kitchen. I almost debate on whether or not to follow her or not when I realize what it is I'm thinking. Giving up, I flop back onto the couch as I hear her turn on the burner, obviously cooking again. If everything does end up okay, it'll be an awkward ride to that point. There's no doubt about it: this would be interesting.

She comes out about half an hour later and I'm almost convinced she's cooked all the food that we bought yesterday at the store. She places a few dishes in front of me on the coffee table and silently hands me a plate. All in all, if we weren't in a situation like this, I would have reveled in the domesticity of it and actually find it kind of cute. (Of course I don't tell her this) She picks up the movie that Weiss picked out and brightens when she reads the title. With a grin she turns to me.

"Up for a movie?"

For the next few hours, she almost seems to have forgotten what had happened earlier. She laughs at the funny parts and throws various objects at me when I make fun of her for cooing. The movie's isn't about done when she reaches over and grabs more popcorn from the bowl of popcorn in my lap. Despite the fact that I've barely touched it, she refuses to hold the bowl- a sure sign of her stubbornness. Though it's random, her action makes me laugh out loud.

"What?" she looks at me amused.

I shake my head hoping that it'll be enough to cover my slip. "It's nothing."

Of course this doesn't get past her and she gets openly suspicious. Never the less, she turns back to the movie and further immerses herself into the plot. Sure it's a chick flick and whenever I used to watch them with her, the same things happen. I forgive the fact that she makes me watch these sickenly sweet comedies because in the end, her enjoyment is enough.

"Vaughn?"

I look up. "Hmm?"

"Are you actually enjoying the movie?"

I laugh again and she throws her remaining pillow back at me. "What!?" I say shielding myself.

"You can't disrespect the movie like that!" she scowls when I roll my eyes. "I love this movie!"

"And every other movie we ever watched.." I mumble.

"That's not true, and you know it." she says now grinning.

"I don't remember any of the titles to mock you with so consider yourself told off." I say mock-seriously. She laughs but doesn't throw anything at me again. All silliness aside, she shifts slightly in her seat, finally realizing how close she's gotten through the course of the movie. She kind of blushes when she does and unconsciously tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear, a shy smile playing on her face.

"I was thinking earlier about the popcorn," She smiles again, this time brighter as I continue. "How you never took it and.."

I let my words trail off as both of us mentally complete the sentence: she never took the popcorn because we rarely finished a movie if we were together.

Her eyes move back to the screen, watching but obviously not paying attention. I let a hand rest on hers and it gets her attention quickly. She looks back at me reluctantly. I'm being sincere when I say it and I know in my heart that she agrees. "I miss that, Syd."

She looks away again her attention back on the movie as the climactic ending starts to play. She thinks twice and turns back to me, a soft smile on her face as she responds, "Me too."

The movie ends a few minutes later and we're able to finish it without too many events. She stretches lazily and but doesn't stand. Instead she lays back on the couch, pulling the afghan over her body. She's seems so content so I get up and move towards the bathroom determined to get ready for bed but not sure where I'll be sleeping as long as she's on the couch. When I stretch for myself, she stops me suddenly.

"Hey Vaughn?"

I'm almost afraid to look over but I do. "Yeah?"

She seems to hesitate before she talks, almost debating whether she wants to ask me what she's about to ask me. With the blanket pulled over her like that, she almost seems like a child and the tone of her voice almost prevents me from wanting to deny her anything.

"Will you stay with me tonight?"

I grin and nod, and I know she'll get a kick out of this. I choose my best Tom Cruise look, obviously choosing him over his co-star and answer her.

"You had me at hello."

TBC


A/N: (Whoever guesses the movie Syd and Vaughn are watching gets a cookie!) So? Too short? Too cheesy? Let me know cause I missed you guys! ::snoogles:: Leave some feedback cause hopefully you missed this fic too. =)