bChapter Three - [Green] Eyed Boy Meets A Brown Eyed Girl/b

ITitle taken from U2's "The Sweetest Thing"/I

"I couldn't have chosen a better restaurant myself," Jules said beaming.

"That's because you Idid/I choose it," Vaughn said as they walked into Balluchi's.

"No I didn't, you just Ihappened/I to choose my favorite," Jules replied happily. Vaughn just grinned as the waitress approached them.

"Right this way," She said, grabbing two menus.

"Do you think we could actually have that booth over there?" Jules asked, politely pointing a booth in the back.

The waitress looked at her like she was completely crazy.

"I'm not sure if I can give a party of two a booth that's meant to seat six...we're pretty busy tonight..."

"Mike..." Jules sighed exhaustedly under her breath.

As if by cue, Vaughn stepped forward and lowered his tone.

"I know this is a lot to ask on such a busy night, ,but me and my sister would really appreciate it if we co0uld have a booth..." Vaughn said flirtatiously as he discreetly slipped a twenty into the woman's hand. She sighed and shook her head in defeat.

"It is almost Christmas, and I don't want to be known as a Scrooge...Right this way."

Jules covered her mouth with her hand to suppress her laughter.

IApparently, Mike's still got it.../I

"I'll give you two a few minutes to look over the menus, and then ill be back to take your orders," the waitress said, suddenly very sweet. As the woman left, Jules rested her head, face down, on the table as her body shook with a fit of laughter.

"What?" Vaughn asked confused, "you always make me do that. Because spoiled little Jules always gets what she wants..."

"Hey! First of all, I'm so not spoiled," Jules shot back, still laughing, "and second of all, it's just that it's hilarious to see you do that -- don't ask me why."

"Sounds good to me," Vaughn replied as he perused the menu.

"There's no need to look -- you know you're just gonna get the same thing you always get."

"Oh, will I?" Vaughn asked threateningly.

Jules shook her head sadly. "Whatever you say, brother."

After staring at her menu for a few moments, Jules placed it on the table. "So...Mike..."

"Yeah?" Vaughn asked, looking up from his menu.

Jules looked at him like he should know what to say.

"What?"

"Mike, I'm here, You're here, but the words aren't here."

"Words? What words?"

"The words that are supposed to be coming out of your mouth about a certain something...or Isomeone/I rather..."

"Ah, yes, Ithat/I..."

Suddenly, the cheery waitress (who was clearly faking her enthusiasm) approached the table once more. "So, are you two ready to order?"

"Yes, please," Vaughn said eager to change the subject. Jules glared at him with a glint of evil in her eye. "I'll have the lobster ravioli with a side salad, and if you could bring the salad out as an appetizer, I'd really appreciate it."

"See, always the same thing..." Jules said under her breath.

"And what dressing would you like with your salad?"

"IFrench/I, please," Vaughn replied, shooting a devious look Jules's way. Jules raised her eyebrows sarcastically as she let out a muffled laugh.

"Funny, last time I checked, you were allergic to French..."

"IOn the side/I, please," Vaughn added quickly, glaring at Jules.

"And you?" The woman asked, motioning to Jules.

"Um...I'd like the veggie lasagna," she started, "and we'd both like the Bruschetta as an appetizer. And also, a bottle of your best wine. Thanks."

"Best wine?" Vaughn questioned as the woman left. "Do you plan on paying for this meal?"

"N--" Jules started but was quickly cut off by her big brother.

"I didn't think so. Then what, dear sister, gives you the right to go off ordering the 'best wine'?" Jules sighed exaustedly.

"I'll pay for the freakin' wine. Geez."

"You better."

"Mike, enough with the games."

"What games?"

"Michael, I'm serious."

Vaughn quickly sobered up and put all the joking aside. His face took on a slightly pained expression as he forced the words to come out.

"You know it's just protocol..."

"Screw protocol. You always have and always will, expecially when it comes to her. Clearly, it's something other than that."

Vaughn covered his face with both his hands and rubbed his eyes wearily.

"Jules..."

"What? Enough with the dramatics and tell me, dammit!"

"I think I'm in love with her." Vaughn breathed simply.

Jules sighed loudly and slammed her napkin down on the table. "Okay, Mike, I'm sure that was huge for you to admit and all -- your big revelation after almost a year of denial. But quite frankly, I've known it for quite awhile. So lets move on to what's Ireally/I bothering you."

Vaughn stared at his sister, mouth agape.

"But--"

"No buts."

They sat in silence for a moment as Vaughn sat slightly dazed and confused, but recovering quickly.

"Um...She met Alice?...And thought we were dating...?" Vaughn asked questioningly.

"What?! When?! How?!" Jules asked shocked.

Vaughn went on to explain the whole Alice drama and the pain that was inflicted upon him to a shocked Jules.

"And she didn't even apologize?" Jules asked apparently blown away by the news she was hearing for the first time.

"No...not really..."

"Well, then she doesn't deserve you," Jules snapped, "it's as easy as that." Vaughn laughed at his sisters response.

"No, it's not. See Jules, things aren't that simple when it comes to her. I know she regreted what she said -- believe me, I know. But she's not the kind of person who will just come out and apologize straightforwardly. She's incredibly stubborn. But in this case, she used her stubbornness to hide the fact that she's afraid of the consequences. Shes terrified of what would happen if we both admitted that we cared about each other." Vaughn paused for a moment as he played with his napkin. "...And I am too. So I went along with it. I forgave her. Even though she didn't come out and say 'Vaughn, I'm so incredibly sorry for snapping at you after you pretty much declared your love to me in that wierd-ass indirect way you've pretty much mastered.' Because she doesn't have to. It's understood, and now things are finally back to normal."

"If everything is back to your twisted idea of 'normal', what's the problem?"

Vaughn covered his face once more, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. "Like I said, I think I'm in love with her." He said behind his hands.

Jules started rubbing her temples with frustration. "Mikey..." She started in an angry tone, but was cut short by Vaughn.

"No, Jules, you don't understand. You don't understand what could happen to us if we--"

"No, Mike, I don't need to understand. You just don't get it, do you? You never gave a sh-t about protocol, especially when it came to this woman -- if you really do love her, like you said, protocol is the last thing you're thinking about. If you love someone -- if you really care about them that deeply -- you find a way to be with them, regardless of the consequences. Whatever they might be. And that's the bottom line."

Vaughn sighed sadly. "See, Jules, in your world, that's true. But in our world -- its a Hell of a lot easier, and safer, said than done."

Jules just stared sympathetically at her emotionally exausted brother. IEnough of this/I, she thought to herself.

"Hey, let's lighten the mood a little -- lets talk about something fun, like...poop."

Vaughn shook his head a grin started to grow on his face. "Jules, you're hopeless."

"No, my friend, Iyou/I are the hopeless one. Plus, it works on my patients, why wouldn't it work on you?"

"Your patients are between the ages of 2 and 12."

"But it worked on you -- are you or are you not smiling?"

Vaughn laughed at his sister's blatant attempt at cheering him up. IShe was always great at doing that../I. Vaughn thought to himself as their food arrived.

~~~

ICut to Sydney, Will, and Francie/I

"Don't you guys think we should have stayed at home and finished getting the place ready for tomorrow?" Syd asked as they got out of their car and walked toward Balluchi's.

"Syd, we haven't dont this in ages..." Francie replied excitedly, "it'll be a fun way to celebrate your two week vacation from work. Thank God those slave drivers got some sense knocked into them."

Sydney chuckled at Francie's frustration.

IIf only she really knew.../I

"Yeah, you're definately right," Syd said, getting increasingly excited, "we really haven't done this in ages...So we should really live it up."

"That's my girl," Will joked, patting Sydney's back affectionately as they entered the restaurant.

Suddenly, Sydney saw a familiar face sitting at the booth in the far corner. Quickly realizing who it was, she discreetly pulled Will's sleeve, motioning to the table in the back. Will looked up casually, but their actions didn't go unnoticed by Francie.

"What's up, you guys?"

"Um..." Will stammered, unable to come up with a good excuse. Sydney still had her eyes fixed on a certain green eyed handler seated in the back. Francie followed Syd's stare, and quickly put two and two together.

"That's him, isn't it?" Francie said with a smile.

"Who?" Sydney asked, realizing that playing dumb was the only way to go.

"Syd...you're a horrible liar you realize that, right?" Francie said, proud that she'd solved the mystery. Syd laughed to herself.

IThat's what you think.../I

"Is that really him? The Michael? Work Michael that you've been pining over?" Francie asked glancing back at the table once more, before being pulled aside by Syd.

"Don't stare."

"You never told me how cute he is..." Francie said and her smile grew, "is that his girlfriend?"

"No, I don't think so...He said he broke up...plus that's not her, I met Alice." Syd said trying to act preoccupied and unnoticable.

"Do you want to go to another restaurant, Syd? We can always go somewhere else." Will offerred, desperate to get his best friend out of this awkward and extremely dangerout situation.

"No. We aren't going to another restaurant. We are staying here, and we're going to join Michael and that other woman."

"What if he's on a date, Fran? How awkward would that be for the both of them? You really have to think realistically here."

The realization hit Syd suddenly.

IWhat of he is on a date? Oh God...He looks so happy, and relaxed, and...so incredibly good. I don't want to ruin it by barging in on him.../I

"Yeah, Francie, Will is right. I really don't think that would be a good idea." Syd added in.

"Well, Syd, it doesn't matter what you think, because I think you were just invited over there." Francie replied, motioning over to the table. Syd's locked on Vaughn's. Suddenly, her fear turned to giddy anxeity as he smiled sweetly. The woman with Vaughn waved to them to come join them.

IOh man, here goes nothing.../I

~~~

"I felt like I was ten all over again...it was horrible!" Jules said inbetween giggles.

"Jules, I hate to break it to you, but--"

Vaughn almost choked on his food as he spotted Syd, Will, and who he presumed to be Francie walk through the door to the restaurant.

"Mike! Are you alright?" Jules asked concerned.

"Um...yeah..." He said in between coughs.

"Geez, you look like you just saw a ghost...Drink some water." Jules said handing him his glass of water. Clearly, Vaughn's attention was elsewhere. Jules followed his gaze through the restaurant to a group of three standing by the entrance. Quickly, she honed in on the Sydney. "That's her, isn't it?" She asked turning back to talk to Vaughn. He stayed silent. "That's her." Jules reaffirmed to herself. She turned around to check her out once more. "Wow, she's pretty. And she looks like she's a nice girl."

Vaughn pulled Jules's arm, making her turn around and face him once again.

"Don't stare! She'll notice!" Vaughn demanded adamantly.

"Hey, I've heard so much about this Sydney girl, I should have the right to check her out."

"But not here...She'll see us..."

"I'm sorry, Mikey, but I think she already saw us," Jules said motioning to the three of them with her head. Vaughn looked up discreetly, noting Syd arguing with Francie, and occasionally looking up at their table.

"Oh God. What now?" He asked, frightened.

"We ask her over to join us!"

"WHAT?! We so can't do that. Did you happen to forget our situation?"

"And dear Michael, did you happen to forget that this place is clean? It's owned by that cute Italian agent that you're such good friends with's family...remember?"

"But still..."

"No buts. Heres what you're gonna do. You're gonna look at her, make eye contact, smile sweetly, and I'll motion for them to join us. Then we'll just wing it from there."

"Wing it?!"

"Just do it, Mike. Now."

"Okay, okay..."

Vaughn looked up to Sydney and her friends, who were apparently still in a heated debate. Francie seemed pretty set on something, but Syd looked desperate to change her mind...and Will? Will just looked angry. IHuh, interesting./I Vaughn thought to himself, slightly happy at the fact that Will might actually be jealous of him. ICome on Syd, come on...Look up...Look...up..../I

And right then, Francie nodded her head toward their table, and Syd looked up, locking eyes with Vaughn.

"Smile, idiot!" Jules whispered loudly, as she turned around smiling.

ISmile...Check. /I

As Vaughn smiled he could have sworn he saw a glint in Syd's eye. He couldn't put his finger on what it was exactly...But at that point, it really didn't matter. He had bigger issues to deal with. Sydney smiled back sweetly, and gave a small wave.

IOh God, oh God... /I

Vaughn desperately tried to raise his hand to wave back, but he couldn't wipe the dumb grin on his face.

"You are too much, Mikey." Jules said as she politely signaled for them to join her and her brother. "Just play it cool," She said simply as the three of them approached the table.

"Cool? Got it." Vaughn said shaking the '9th Grade Michael Vaughn' from his face and nerves.

IHere goes nothing.../I

"Hey, Sydney!" Vaughn said, getting up from his seat to greet the three of them. Jules quickly got up to follow suit.

"Hug. Her." Jules said barely audible, but loud enough for Vaughn to hear. "Now."

Vaughn stepped up nervously to hug Sydney. She felt tense and nervous, but quickly comfortable.

"Hey, Michael. These are my friends, Will Tippin and Francie Calfo." She said as she pulled away and motioned to Will and Francie respectively.

"It's nice to meet the both of you." Vaughn said shaking both of their hands.

"It's nice to meet you too," Francie said, cutting off Will's response, "we've heard so much about Michael from the bank."

"Oh really?" Michael asked raising his eyebrows. "I hope it wasn't too horrible..."

Francie laughed, shaking her head. "Nah, only good things."

Suddenly, Jules coughed loudly and poked Vaughn with her elbow.

"Oh! Sorry...This is my younger sister Juliana. Jules, this is Sydney Bristow...I work with her at the bank..."

"Nice to meet you, Sydney," Jules said politely shaking Sydney's hand, "I've heard a lot about you." She winked jokingly at Syd prompting Vaughn to jab her, and Syd to turn bright red. "And nice to meet you guys also, Francie and...Will was it?"

"Yeah," Will said smiling, welcoming Jules's flirtatious greeting.

"So why don't you guys join us?" Jules asked. "We've got plenty of room..."

"Oh, no, that's alright...we wouldn't want to interrupt your dinner," Syd said somewhat nervously. Francie nudged her, and gave her a "go for it!" look.

"No, really, it's fine. Jules has this wierd thing about booths...so we always sit at one, even though they're meant to seat six. The waitress won't be as pissed if you guys join us." Vaughn added jokingly.

"Are you sure?" Syd asked uncertainly.

"Yeah, definately." Vaughn said smiling, as his anxiety was quickly washed away by the high he was always on whenever he was around Sydney.

"Well, if you insist..." Syd said sitting down, still clearly uneasy about having dinner with Vaughn in public.

"Yeah, I've always loved this place since I was younger...It's actually owned by an old collegue of mine's family. For some reason I've always felt safe in it..." Vaughn said, trying to convey the message that she had nothing to worry about in regards to their jobs and being seen. Syd quickly looked up, and Vaughn could tell she got the message by the suddenly relaxed look in her eyes.

"I know exactly what you mean, Michael," Francie said, trying to get Vaughn's attention, but he was clearly taken by Sydney. Francie smiled and turned to Jules and Will, "I used to always go to this place down by the beach as a kid and..."

bEND CHAPTER 3/b