bChapter Seven - It's Christmas Day/b
Sydney walked out of the bathroom, slightly embarassed at what took place only moments before, but it seemed as though Michael and Jules had both moved on.
IThank God. I was just suprised, that's all...suprised.../I
Syd looked over to the kitchen where Jules was apparently cooking some late breakfast, and Michael was on the couch relaxing. She made her way there and plopped down beside him.
"What a way to break the ice, huh?" He asked, turning to her with a huge grin on his face.
"Hey! You can just wipe that smug look off your face," Syd responded, laughing.
"What? I have no clue what you're talking about," Michael said turning back to the movies and other things scattered on the coffee table.
"I know that look all too well," Syd started, leaning back on the couch, "that look guys get when their ego has been given some sort of boost. Well, let me just tell you right now, don't flatter yourself. I was just suprised. I wasn't expecting anyone to be in there, let alone Iyou/I half-naked..."
Michael looked back, raising an eyebrow at her. Syd hit his arm playfully, as she rolled her eyes.
"I don't think I'll ever understand why guys are the way they are...But you know what? I think I'd rather not."
"Yeah, you're probably right," Michael joked, putting his arms on the back of the couch. Sydney looked up at him, still not believing that she was where she was.
II've known this man for over a year. Over a year, and I'm still afraid of touching him. Of looking at him...Of feeling the way I do about him.../I Sydney thought, and suddenly made up her mind. She wasn't going to let fear overtake her today. Today they were just Sydney and Michael. No CIA, no SD-6, no lies, no fear...It was just them (and Jules of course) and if they only got to spend this one day together, she didn't want to have any regrets. IClearly we feel the same way about each other, let's just skip all of these "First Date Anxieties" and move on. We've been through more than anyone could possibly imagine, and there really is no need for us to feel uncomfortable around each other at all./I
Sydney leaned her head on Michael's shoulder, nervously. Someone had to make the first step, and if she did, he would surely follow. Atleast that's what she hoped. Michael tensed up at first, unsure.
IShe's opening herself up to you. She's letting you in. She's opened the door, now it's your turn to walk through it./I He told himself.
Michael quickly eased up, and wrapped his arm around Sydney's shoulder. He could have sworn he heard her breathe a sigh of relief, and she moved in a little bit closer to him. They may have known each other for what has seemed like forever, and been through so much together, but they still had to take little steps. He knew he wasn't ready to make any huge jumps in their relationship, and he was pretty sure she wasn't either. As much as they both wanted it, it did take time to adjust.
II am sitting on my couch, with Sydney Bristow at my side, with my arm around her, and her not in tears. How did this happen again?/I
Syd took a deep breath, then tilted her head up to face Michael.
"Merry Christmas," she said, smiling.
"Merry Christmas." He responded also grinning.
"Never in a million years would I expect to be doing this right now. Never."
"Yeah, I know," Michael said softly.
"With your sister for that matter," Syd added. Michael rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, I know," he quipped sarcastically.
Syd turned her head, burying her face into Michael's shoulder. He could tell she was smiling because he could feel her features through his t-shirt.
IClearly, she has exactly what I have in mind.../I
"This is all so strange though..." Syd thought aloud as she sat up, folding her legs beneath her and faced Michael.
"How so?" Michael asked. "I mean excluding the whole act to get you here, our little episode in the bathroom, and the most odd of all, that I'm actually sitting here on my couch with you."
Sydney laughed, and looked up at him. "Well, yeah, all of that...But what's really wierd for me is to actually be able to talk to you, like really talk to you. About stuff that you'd normally Inever/I talk to me about..."
"Oh, so who says we're going to be talking about stuff I never usually talk about?"
"I do, alright?" Syd said laughing. "Like your childhood in France, High School...College. From what I hear, you were quite a wild one in college, huh?" Syd asked winking her eye, causing Michael to blush.
"Perhaps..."
"Yeah, sure. Something tells me that tatoo you're sporting is a permament scar left from your college days." Syd said, glaring at Michael's shoulder.
"Oh, don't even get me started on that." Michael said shaking his head. "First of all, it was painful as all Hell. Second of all, I got such a verbal thrashing, from my mother...and sister for that matter. About how 'if God wanted us to have ugly, colorful markings mar our bodies, we would be born with them.' And how they would never understand how 'stupid 20 year olds decide to go get a needle jammed into them so they can have a pretty picture on their arm.' And not to mention how 'any girlfriend who makes you get a tatoo is clearly a whore.' That one was compliments of Jules."
"Did you do it for a girl?" Syd asked, clearly amused by the story.
"Of course I did. I wasn't stupid enough to do that on my own free will."
Sydney just laughed. "Clearly, you were pretty stupid."
"Hey! Atleast I wasn't stupid enough to put her name on there," Michael added confidently.
"Let me see it!" Syd exclaimed excitedly.
"Oh man..."
"Come on!" Syd said, reaching for his sleeve. Michael just turned his head as he covered his face with his hands. Syd lifted up his sleeve to see the intricate design that was forever printed on his skin. She ran her fingers over the design, as a bolt of electricity seemed to go through her. She felt Michael jump slightly at her touch, and she smiled at him. "Sorry my hands are cold."
He shook his head. "No, they aren't."
Syd looked down, and pulled his sleeve back over his shoulder.
"Why didn't your mom make you get it removed?"
"Well, once I showed her what they do to remove them, she didn't want me to go through it. And I was pretty glad. I actually liked it...and still do for that matter."
"Well, it Iis/I a pretty design..."
"Oh great. That's the last thing you're supposed to say to a guy about their tatoo...It's 'pretty.' It's not 'manly', it's not 'sexy'...it's pretty." Vaughn joked.
"See, that's where you're wrong. Something can be pretty and sexy at the same time..." Syd said taking Michael's hand in hers, and tracing the lines on his with her fingers, then looked up at Michael.
"Yeah, I know," Michael said as he lifted his hand up to her face, placing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Sydney was sure he was about to lean in when suddenly Jules called out, bringing them both out of their reverie.
"Hey, you guys, time to eat!"
They both got up quickly and made their way to the Kitchen.
~~~
"Are you Ikidding/I?!" Syd asked, almost spitting out her drink.
"No!" Jules exclaimed. "He literally showed up at my Ifirst date/I, while I was in the bathroom, mind you. He sat down at our table...I'm pretty sure Pete must have crapped his pants. I mean, he was a freshman in high school, on his first date...he was nervous as it was. Then suddenly Mikey here shows up, a freshman in Icollege/I for godssake, and sits down and tells him that he will, and I quote, 'hunt him down and kill him if he did anything to his sister.'"
Syd could swear her face was turning red from laughing so hard. "Michael, the girl was on her first date! What did you really think this 15 year old would do?!"
"See, you don't understand...It was her first date! Her Ifirst date/I! I had to make sure that whoever was going to go out with my sister would know that they would have to deal with me too. That way, I wouldn't have to deal with seeing her come home in hysterics about how some boy broke her heart."
"Oh how noble of you," Jules said sarcastically then turned to Syd, "instead I came home in hysterics over how every boy in the freaking school was too scared to go out with me because 'my brother scared the sh-t out of them."
"Hey, I was just doing my big brother duties. If you were a big brother, you would understand."
Syd just smiled. This was exactly how she imagined Michael to be with his sister. Exactly.
"Do you still make Jules go through this torture now?" Syd asked, grinning as she took a sip of water.
"Of course I don't," Michael said immediately, making Jules let out a 'ha!'
"Of course he Idoes/I! He seems to have forgotten that I am no longer a teenager, and am now a 29 year old doctor who can actually determine who she wants to date by herself."
Vaughn let out a sarcastic laugh and said something under his breath.
"What was that?" Jules asked annoyed.
"Oh nothing," Michael said looking back toward the living room.
Jules just shook her head. She didn't want to hear what he had to say, because deep down inside, she knew he was right. She always seemed to pick the biggest jerks to latch on to.
IBut being able to pick the losers then learn from my mistakes is better than not being able to see any guy at all.../I Jules thought to herself, looking on the brightside.
"Oh yeah," Syd said, suddenly remembering her conversation with Will earlier in the day, "Jules, what do you think about my friend, Will? You met him a couple of nights ago at the restaurant."
Jules and Michael almost choked on their drinks simulataneously.
"IWhat?!/I" They both exclaimed in unison.
"Yeah! I have a feeling he really likes you, Jules. He hasn't been with anyone for a really long time, and he's such a sweetheart...I think you guys would have a lot of fun. Before you go back that is."
"Really?" Jules asked, somewhat excitedly. "He mentioned me?"
"Oh yeah, he can't stop talking about you...he really had a good time. I slipped him your cell number, so you might get a call from him soon."
Jules just smiled. She had to admit, she was attracted to Will that night. But then again, she did only get to hang out with him for less than an hour. But what could one date hurt?
"That's great! You can tell him that I think it would be a lot of fun and I'm waiting for his call."
"Really? I can't wait to tell him! He'll be so psyked." Syd said, suddenly noticing the unsure look on the face of Michael.
"Oh, don't worry about him. That's the look he gets whenever he hears anying about me being within 100 feet of a man. The sirens ring and the lights flash in his mind, it'll wear off in a couple of minutes."
~~~
"This place isn't as badly decorated as you made it seem, Jules," Syd said as they walked out of the kitchen after finishing the dishes.
"Yeah, I guess, but lights? Everyone has lights. This place is so dull and boring. We really need some Christmas decorations." Jules said excitedly.
"First of all, those lights took forever to put up! You should be thankful I had enough time to even do that! Second of all, that tone in your voice is not good. You definately have something up your sleeve..." Vaughn said suspiciously
"Michael, some Christmas decorations Iwouldn't/I hurt..." Syd said cautiously as she looked around.
"Not you, too!" He exclaimed.
"Yes U2!" Jules responded as she rushed to the stereo. "Mikey! We forgot all about our special Christmas CD we made!"
"Yeah! That CD is seriously amazing. You will be blown away." Michael said to Syd as they made their way towards the living room once again.
Suddenly U2's "Baby Please Come Home" flooded the room.
"I Ilove/I this song! Seriously!" Syd exclaimed happily. "You don't understand what a U2 fan I am. It's one of my only unhealthy fatuations. Them and Brad Pitt, understandably so."
Jules laughed. "Then you and Mikey here have a lot in common..." she said before she ran into another room.
"You love U2, also?" Syd asked in shock.
"Who doesn't?" Michael responded, amused at Syd's shock.
"True. Who's your favorite member? No, wait, let me guess....You look like an Edge kind of guy."
Michael just smiled, "how'd you know?"
"It's that spy sense, I'm tellin ya."
Jules then came out of the room, Mini-Christmas tree in hand, with three gifts, and pushing a box of ornaments with her foot.
"What's all of this?" Michael asked as he picked up the box of ornaments and placed it on the table.
"For the gift exchange!" Jules said as she placed the tree on a side table.
"You've got one great sister, Michael," Syd noted.
"Thank you, Sydney, atleast Isomeone/I cares..." Jules said glaring at a confused Michael.
"Is this Jimmy Eat World singing 'Last Christmas' by WHAM?" Syd asked in disbelief.
"Yeah!! Isn't it great?" Jules asked excitedly.
"Says the girl who was madly in love with George Michael. George MICHAEL for godssake!" Michael added.
"Hey, I distinctly remember a certain someone going to a Madonna concert to quote 'see the Beastie Boys' even though he was secretly madly in love with Madonna."
"Hey, thats not bad! Everyone was madly in love with Madonna and still is! And it was no secret! I was quite open with it."
Syd just laughed at the sibling banter that seemed to be a constant when it came to Michael and his sister.
"I don't know...When it came to George Michael, the "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" video really says it all. There's nothing like short-shorts and prancing to say 'I'm so not gay'." Syd joked, making Michael laugh hysterically.
"Good one, Syd!" Michael said, giving Syd a high-five.
"Hey! George Michael is still straight in my book." Jules said.
"Yeah, sure. And Michael Jackson is still black." Michael retorted.
"Good one!" Syd said, imitating Michael's earlier compliment, and hi-fiving him.
Jules just shook her head at their blatant display of loserness, and motioned for the two of them to join her to decorate the mini-tree.
~~~
"Okay, so get this," Jules started, eager to embarass her brother more in front of the girl that he was clearly head over heels in love with, "Mike's a sophmore in college and he brings his girlfriend IKrista/I home to spend time with the family. I know, you're probably wondering like I was, why this Krista wouldn't want to spend Christmas with her own family, and I have no clue. She must have really been in love with our Mike here for her to want to spend time with Iour family/I..."
"Krista was nice. You said you actually liked her!"
"No, I never said that, I definately said that I understood why Iyou/I liked her. Blonde hair and big boobs -- what every college guy loves."
Michael turned bright red as Syd raised her eyebrows and looked at him.
"So yeah, that's beside the point...Krista came and spent the holidays with us. Our Mom said she had to stay in my room and Michael could stay in his room, and Michael wasn't too happy with that. But he knew better than to mess with our mom, so he planned to sneak Krista out of my room, in the middle of the night, and bring her to him. Now, I was having a sleep over with five or so of my girlfriends, and a certain someone ratted him out...I'll give you a hint: it was me."
Michael proceeded to give Jules the deadliest stare Syd had ever seen.
"It wasn't my fault. IYou're/I the one who really made me do it."
"I have absolutely no clue what you're talking about."
"How would you like it if the brother that you [i]adored[/i] and who was always interested in what you were up to no matter what, came home for Christmas and didn't even give you the time of day because he was too busy 'getting some' from his girlfriend. I was heartbroken! And you didn't bother to realize it, so I had to teach you a lesson." Jules finished.
"That still is no reason for you to do that to me. You don't understand how painful that night was for me." Michael said, seriously hurt. Now they had Sydney's complete interest.
"What happened?" She asked, tapping on Michael's knee.
"Well..." Michael started, but was cut off by Jules.
"So, Michael snuck his girlfriend into his room, I told on him, my mom proceeded to barge in on the two of them about to 'do the nasty', kick Mikey here out into the hallway in just his boxers while she lectured Krista. You can imagine what a night it must have been for my girlfriends, they were literally in shock. It was pretty funny and nasty at the same time, but yeah, Mom let Krista pack up and leave, then made Mike stand out in the cold in just his boxers for like an hour."
Sydney covered her mouth to hide the fact that she was laughing, because Michael looked pretty angry.
"It wasn't funny," he said matter of factly, "it was demeaning and painful, and i still have scars."
"No you don't! You should just be happy that she didn't make you stand out there naked. Mom was ready to make it so that you wouldn't be able to take part in the making of little baby Mikeys for a long time."
"That's seriously hilarious. The funniest thing I've heard in a really, really long time. Definately beats out all my college stories." Syd said, wiping the tears that were forming at her eyes.
"That's not even the worst of it...Mike's had his share of embarassing moments..." Jules said, ready to continue. Vaughn shot her another look so she decided to refrain. "But I suppose those are for other times and places."
"It's just so funny because that seems like the complete opposite of who he is now," Syd said, staring at Michael in shock.
Michael just smiled and shook his head. "I'm glad I got all that out of my system then, rather than having to deal with the aftermath now. I'm lucky I got good grades because I still don't know how I was able to manage it."
"Yeah, just imagine where you would be today if you weren't always jacking off in college..." Jules noted.
"See, that's where you and Mom were always wrong. You always thought I was partying and doing all this crap in college when I really was applying myself. I knew my limits, the only problem was that I didn't take advantage of that knowledge, I used it to judge how much I could party before I really had to get to work."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Jules said, turning to Sydney. "Syd, you never opened your gift!"
"Oh yeah..." She said, with a huge smile on her face. "I'm sorry I couldn't get you anything, it was just too short notice."
"Oh no, that's really fine! You'll understand when you open it..." Jules said, unable to hide her excitement.
Sydney unwrapped the gift carefully and was greeted by an old photo album.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Michael said immediately, "is that what I think that is?"
"Uh-huh," Jules said happily as Sydney opened up to the first page and saw a picture of who she presumed were Michael's mother and father holding a baby in their arms.
"Is that you?" She asked Michael softly, and she touched the page.
"Yeah, that's me," he said, looking at Sydney who was compelled by the photo album.
"Do you like it?" Jules asked. "Obviously, you can't keep it, but I figured we could look through it just for fun. I know what situation you guys are in, and seeing that you don't really know much about the real Mikey, I figured I could show you."
"Jules, this is the sweetest gift anyone has ever not given me," Sydney said with a laugh as she hugged Jules.
"No problem..."
They started flipping through the pages together as Michael got up to go to the bathroom and get a drink for himself, and also one for Syd, even though she didn't ask for it. By the time he got back they were already at age 8.
"Michael, you were the cutest baby on the face of this Earth. Seriously." Sydney said, smiling up at him. "And Jules was seriously Igorgeous/I..."
"I know, I know," Jules joked, nudging Sydney's shoulder.
~~~
"And that's it." Jules said, closing the photo album. By the time the two of them finished the album, Michael appeared to be in extreme pain.
"What are you so mad about?" Syd asked.
"I don't know...I just don't find it fun to relive all my awkward and painful moments..." Michael said, taking the album and putting it away.
"Oh, don't be upset, Mike, Syd had a good time," Jules said, as she pulled out her cell phone to check one of her messages.
"Yeah, I thought you were adorable! There's nothing to be embarassed of." Syd said, getting up to stand beside Michael.
"The eighties were [i]not[/i] adorable..." Michael joked. Syd just rolled her eyes.
"I'm sorry guys, but I just got a message from Ann--" Jules started.
"Jonnie's Ann?" Michael asked concerned.
"Yeah, but don't worry, she was just reminding me that I told them I'd be over there for dinner, so I gotta jet." Jules said, pulling on her jacket, and picking up her keys. "Have fun. And don't you kids do anything too crazy." Jules joked before reaching for the door. "Mike, you can take care of dinner, right?"
"Yeah, have fun," Michael said as he locked the door. He turned around, his smile growing as he approached Syd. "So, it looks like it's just me and you tonight..."
"You didn't happen to plan that, did you?" Syd asked, herself also grinning as she nervously placed two hands on Michael's chest. He smiled and followed suit by taking a small step forward and placing his hands on her hips.
"Maybe I did," he responded, his voice barely above a whisper, as his face began to inch towards her. Suddenly, much to Michael's suprise, Sydney turned her head downward and removed her hands from him.
"Michael, I don't know if I can do this. This is so completely dangerous," Syd said, her tone turning frantic, "What will happen if someone finds ou--"
"Shh," Michael hushed Sydney, placing a finger on her lips. "Sydney, for once let's just forget about everything. Forget about the consequences, forget about what we really do and who we really are, and for once, lets give ourselves what we really want..." Michael's hand made it's way to the side of Syd's face, and his thumb was now softly caressing the line of her jaw. Sydney closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she slowly lifted her hands to Michael's shirt, and slid them up until they were securely around his neck.
"God, you are so incredibly beautiful," Michael said, in awe of Sydney's face within inches of his.
"Am I Ireally/I?" She asked, implying something else beyond simply physical beauty.
IKnowing who I am and what I do for a living...lying, cheating, stealing, killing... the list goes on and on. How could anyone ever find me to be beautiful?/I
Understanding exactly what she meant, Michael quickly responded adamantly.
"Yes, you are."
And with that, he leaned in and kissed Sydney softly on her lips. In the book of "First Kisses Ever In The History Of The World," this was must've ranked pretty high. It started softly, but slowly gained intensity, but not too quickly, because both knew they didn't want to go that far so soon, despite the time constraints they had. They felt like they had been kissing for only a moment, when they pulled apart, but by the rate of their breathing, they both knew otherwise. Syd leaned her forehead on Michael's, her eyes still closed. Michael slowly opened his eyes and lifted his hand to her face once more, causing her to open her eyes.
"This isn't happening." She said simply.
"I think it is," He responded, letting his thumb graze her face once more.
"Kiss me again." She demanded softly. Michael had never heard her sound so vulnerable the whole time he'd known her. He leaned in and kissed her softly, not letting this one get as intense as the last. He slowly pulled away and waited for Syd to open her eyes once more. The apartment was almost completely silent, except for the Christmas CD Jules put in before she left. Chris Martin from Coldplay's voice faintly hung in the air
IHave yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light,
From now on our troubles
Will be out of sight.../I
"You hungry?" He asked, smiling genuinely.
She looked toward the kitchen, then back at Michael.
"Nah. Let's watch a movie," She said, entwining her fingers in his before they made their way to the couch.
"How does 'It's A Wonderful Life' sound to you?" he asked, picking up the DVD player's remote before sitting down on the couch.
"Perfect," Syd said, letting her head rest in the crook of Michael's neck as she snuggled towards him, "just perfect."
"'It's A Wonderful Life' it is then..." Michael said, clicking on the play button on the remote. Michael kissed Sydney's hair before resting his head on top of hers.
IThis is what a normal life feels like.../I Sydney thought to herself, knowing full well that what happened was far from normal.
bEND CHAPTER SEVEN/b
