I have officially decided I have the great reviewers ever! Life has been hectic recently, but I've been trying to read my reviewers work. I quickly realized heaps of you already have work on my fav stories list! Thanks to sydofthesea, Agent Flamingo, vaughnbear, grouchy, SpyKid18, Bubbles, Ren201, luv24Alias, angryapplepie and nattie700 for all your fantastic reviews!

This is a continuation of the previous chapter (I've already explained why there are two chapters) and follows on from the same spot where we last left our favorite spy couple!


Chapter 10 – First Impressions

Sydney had never met Vaughn's mother and she knew from the way he spoke of her that this meeting was very important to him. He was a true mother's boy and Sydney knew she would have to impress Amelie Vaughn tonight. With worry on her mind, she continued to set the table.

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Vaughn bustled around his small kitchen, trying to hide the burnt vegetables. Tonight had to be perfect, everything had to be perfect. Vaughn had no idea how everything being perfect would help the situation, but he thought it would at least sooth his nerves.

His mother had been asking for months who the new woman in Vaughn's life was, the woman who was taking up so much of his time. Vaughn knew his mother had been disappointed when he had ended things with Alice – not because his mother was fond of Alice, but because all she wanted was for her handsome son to settle down and start producing grandchildren like his sister. Vaughn shook his head, a smile on his face. A family with Sydney...

Finally happy that he had done his best to salvage the meal, he looked up at the clock. His mother was notoriously punctual and according to his clock, he had only minutes to clean up the mess in the kitchen.

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"Hey"

Vaughn turned from the soapy sink to see Sydney standing in the door frame. She had changed from her shorts and tee-shirt into a long sleeved v-neck pale pink top and jeans. Her shiny long brown hair hung over her shoulders and the only jewelry she wore was a simple pair of diamond earrings and matching drop necklace. Vaughn could barely believe that this beautiful woman was the same one who had been on his doorstep crying only a few nights earlier.

"Hey" Vaughn relied, a grin firmly on his face.

Sydney noticed his grin and, reaching for a towel, began drying the wet dishes which sat on the draining board. Sharing a smile, they set about doing their task in a comfortable silence.

"When is your mother arriving?"

Vaughn glanced up at the clock. "Two minutes and twenty-two seconds"

Sydney smiled. "Very funny"

"I'm not joking! My maman is the most punctual women I know! She used to go crazy at me when I would show up a couple of minutes for lunch. I still can't believe she was married to a CIA agent and still expects that everyone should be punctual"

Sydney laughed. "Did they fight about it?"

Vaughn paused to reflect. "You know what, I don't ever remember him being late for anything. National security or not, he was never late for my mother" he replied, a soft smile on his features.

Sydney loved watching Vaughn when he talked about his childhood. He had so many warm memories, fragments of which Sydney was able to pick up over the time they had known each other. And whenever Vaughn talked about his father, there was always a look of admiration in his eyes and a sense of respect in his voice.

The moment was interrupted by the front door bell. Vaughn glanced up at the clock.

"Okay, so she was ten seconds early..." he called over his shoulder.

Sydney laughed in response but quickly sobered up. She took a deep breath and prepared to meet Vaughn's mother. Michael's mother, she reminded herself.

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"Maman!" Vaughn exclaimed as he opened his front door.

Amelie Vaughn was one of those women who were always a great mystery. She had aged gracefully, as many French women do, with her brown hair colored and cut short. She was dressed elegantly, in soft grey dress trousers and a fitted black shirt. Her posture was perfect and she held herself with a degree of class. This would alone would have created the impression of a strong and wealthy woman, but this image was betrayed by soft eyes and the smile which seemed to constantly seem to pull at the sides of her mouth.

"Michael! I haven't heard from you in such a long time! You are looking well" she exclaimed in French, embracing her son and placing a large kiss on his cheek. She knew her son like only a mother could and saw things which other people may not. While he looked tired to say the least, there was a certain glitter to his eyes which only happiness could produce. And Amelie could only assume this happiness came from this Sydney who Michael couldn't stop talking about.

Vaughn ushered his mother towards the dining table where Sydney was waiting. Vaughn could see the nervousness in her eyes as they approached.

"Maman, this is Sydney Bristow. Sydney, this is my mother Amelie" Vaughn introduced, excited yet nervous to be introducing these two women who were so important to him.

Sydney smiled and extended a hand to Amelie, which Amelie ignored as she pulled Sydney into and embrace. As she placed the French standard kisses on Sydney's cheek, she opened her heart to this younger woman. Amelie saw the way her eyes lit up as he son walked into the room and the complete pleasure (as well as nervousness) in Sydney's face as she was introduced to her. Amelie took pride in her ability to read people and to her, first impressions counted. Sydney had defiantly made a good impression.

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The stir fry was actually a great success. Vaughn had managed to disguise any burnt taste and the extra honey he added gave it a pleasant sweetness. Amelie had already been told of her son's upcoming mission and with any mention of it, she quickly changed the subject.

Vaughn marveled at the way Sydney and his mother were getting along. They were so comfortable with one another and spoke like old friends. As Vaughn sat back in his seat and took a sip of his wine, he watched the two women interact. He had never noticed the similarities between them before. The brave face they put to the world, which had seen crumble in each women in front of him. The same sense of humor, this strange way of looking at things which often left Vaughn confused while they laughed. The passion for books, which Vaughn could never comprehend. And then their unrelenting desire for Vaughn to be happy. And he thought that was probably had united them this way.

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The night ended too early for all concerned. Soon it was late and, well aware that her son would be up early in the morning, Amelie excused herself.

"I have had a simply wonderful night" Amelie stated as they all made their way to the front door to see her off.

"Me too Maman" Vaughn replied, his voice soft.

As they reached the door, Amelie pulled her son into a tight embrace. "I am going to say goodbye here so I don't get too upset, okay?" she whispered in his ear in French.

Vaughn simply nodded, gripping to his mother tightly. He supposed what they said was true, men never stop being their mother's little boy.

"You be careful, okay? None of that action hero stuff. Just play it safe and you'll be fine"

"I know Maman" Vaughn replied.

Amelie swiftly pulled back from her son and placed kisses on his cheeks with a tight smile on her face. She then turned to Sydney.

"It was lovely to meet you Sydney. Maybe we could go out for lunch soon?"

Sydney smiled. "That would be lovely"

Amelie hugged Sydney and with one last kiss for her son, she was gone. Sydney moved to stand next to Vaughn and rubbed her hand over his back.

"You'll miss her" she stated simply

"I always was a mommy's boy" Vaughn replied with a slight smile.

"Help me clean up?"

Vaughn looked down at the beautiful woman next to him.

"I'll do it in the morning. Let's just go to bed"