Thank-you all so much for your reviews. I love reading them so much!
Mizzle fo' Rizzle: I'm glad you love Weiss and Ainsley so much- I have a pretty soft spot for them too.
Francie jumped when she heard the shattering of glass from the kitchen. She dashed from her bedroom, and saw Sydney crouched down in the kitchen, picking up the remains of a glass.
"Syd, what is up with you today?" Francie asked, bending down to help.
"Nothing's wrong. Why do you think something is wrong?"
"Oh please, you've been in a funk since getting home yesterday." Francie grabbed a page from the newspaper on the kitchen bench to wrap the glass in. "Did you and your hip attachment have a fight?"
"You sound like Weiss." Sydney said, standing up. "And no, we didn't have a fight. What made you think that?"
"Uh, I don't know." Francie replied, sarcastically. "Maybe because you're in a bad mood. Maybe because you didn't stay at Vaughn's and he didn't stay here."
"So?"
"So, did you miss my hip attachment reference before?" Francie got a little shock when she saw Sydney blanch. "Syd, what is up? Please, tell me."
Sydney sighed as Francie led her to the couch. "I'm just stressing."
"About what?"
"You know how I've been helping Vaughn look for an apartment?"
"Yeah."
"Well it suddenly occurred to me yesterday that it was as if we were looking for a place of our own. And it's not just that. The apartment keys at Christmas were a big step, and you just said that we were always together. It's gotten to the point where I find it hard to sleep if I'm not in the same bed as Vaughn!" Sydney stopped to take a breath. "We've only been together nearly three months. Tell me honestly, Fran, do you think that things are moving too fast?"
Francie sat quietly, thinking about what Sydney was saying. "Well, when you put it that way," she started carefully, "it does sound as if things are going fast."
"Oh god, I knew it!" Sydney threw up her hands. "We've rushed into things and everybody knows that is a mistake."
"Hey, hey, Syd. I wasn't finished yet." Francie consoled her. She had never seen her friend so frazzled before. It was kind of reassuring to see that even steady Sydney was capable of a freak-out every now and then. "Yes, things may be going fast, but I didn't say too fast. If it feels right, then move as fast as you want." She paused and looked Sydney in the eyes. "Does it feel right?"
Sydney didn't answer straight away. Instead she was thinking about herself and Vaughn. She had never had such strong feelings towards somebody before. Perhaps that was where her anxiety was stemming from. It wasn't that she was worried that things were moving to fast- it was that she so desperately did not want to lose Vaughn.
"Syd." Francie's voice broke in. "Does it feel right?"
"Yes," Sydney replied in a small voice.
"Hey," Francie rubbed Sydney's back. "Stop worrying. Where's the Little Miss Confidant I know and love?"
"She's just freaking out that things with Vaughn are looking to be headed in a permanent direction." Sydney replied. "And so terrified that she could lose what she has."
"You're not going to lose Vaughn, Syd. I'm already looking at colour samples for my maid of honour dress."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, I'm thinking I would look great in pink. Which means that best man Eric would have to wear a matching pink vest."
"Pink, hey? I was actually thinking of a lovely gold lame." Sydney said, a smile on her face.
"Ah, she smiles!" Francie exclaimed. "I take it you're feeling better."
"Yeah. I can't believe I freaked out so much. I feel so stupid."
"Syd."
"Hmm."
"Now that you're sorted things out, I think you owe someone an explanation."
"My hip attachment?"
"Got it in one."
"Maman, I told you. I'm fine." Vaughn sighed as he slumped down on his desk chair. He'd been on the phone with Juliette for only five minutes, four of which she had questioning his mood.
"Nonsense, you are not fine. You're making me feel glum just by your voice. Now, you tell me what's wrong or I'm coming over right now!"
"I'm just tired, maman. I've been trying to find a new apartment, so it's been pretty non-stop for the past couple of days."
"Ok, that's a start. Now, tell me what is really wrong."
"How do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Know."
"Michael, I am your maman- it comes with the job." Juliette answered and Vaughn could easily picture the knowing expression that would be on her face right now.
"It's Sydney."
"Ah." Juliette sighed. "So what happened?"
"I'm not sure. She's been helping me look for an apartment and yesterday she just seemed to freak out." Vaughn replied. "She didn't say a word to me when I drove her home and I haven't heard from her since."
"Oh Michael, I wouldn't stress too much. Just give her some time and space and Sydney will soon explain."
"I hope so."
He and Juliette spoke for about ten more minutes. After hanging up Vaughn flopped onto his bed, exhausted. He hadn't slept the night before- a combination of not having Sydney beside him and trying to figure out what had set her off.
To try and get his mind off Sydney Vaughn picked up the remote to his stereo and pressed play. When the music started he had to laugh. It was The Clash album Sydney had put in there the other day- so much for trying to get his mind off her.
Deciding to let it play Vaughn lay back, his head on his pillows and closed his eyes. However they soon flew open when he heard his front door open. He sat up slightly and a few seconds later Sydney was standing in his doorway.
"Hi." Vaughn sat right up.
"Hi." Sydney replied, not moving. "Nice music."
Vaughn smiled slightly and looked her directly in the eyes. "So Bristow, are you going to tell me what yesterday was all about?"
Sydney nodded and then went and sat beside him. Vaughn adjusted his position slightly, so he could put his arm around her shoulders. He sat silent as Sydney spilled her guts. Relief coursed through him, now that he knew what the problem had been.
"Syd, why didn't you just say something?" Vaughn asked gently. "You went through stuff like this after Emily. Bottling this stuff up is just not going to help."
"Vaughn, I didn't even know what was bothering me, not until the landlord asked us if we were moving in together. That's why I freaked- it hit me like a pile of bricks."
"Syd, I love you." Vaughn said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "And if you want to slow things down, I will."
"No!" Vaughn's eyes widened and even Sydney was surprised at the forcefulness of her voice. "I don't want anything to change."
"You just don't want to live with me." Vaughn said, with a joking pout and Sydney laughed, placing a kiss on his cheek.
"Hey, it's probably going to happen one day. But…"
"Right now you're content with the way things are." Vaughn said, and Sydney nodded, her face breaking into a wide smile. "Just to set the record straight, I'm content too."
"Good." Sydney snuggled into Vaughn's chest. "So when are we going apartment looking again?"
"Well, not Thursday."
"Why not…Oh, Thursday." Sydney couldn't believe it had almost slipped her mind.
"Three months since we finally got our act together." Vaughn grinned and squeezed Sydney's nose between his thumb and index finger. "And put Weiss, Will and Francie out of their misery."
Sydney laughed. "Well what about tomorrow then?"
"You promise me you won't have another 'moment'. Because if you really don't want to go, I'm not going to force you."
"I'll be fine." Sydney replied. "Besides, if I don't go, you're probably going to end up taking Weiss to help and then god knows where you're going to end up living."
"Nah, he's too wrapped up in Ainsley at the moment."
"Oh yeah, the second date. How did it go?"
"Good, I think. Weiss called me this morning, but I was a little distracted." He smiled at her, his eyebrows raised. "He was babbling on about the beach and the Little Mermaid."
"Oh no."
"What?"
"The Little Mermaid! You don't think he mentioned his little fantasy, do you?"
"Nah. He's done some pretty stupid stuff in his time, but I don't think he'd do anything to jeopardize his chances with Ainsley." Vaughn paused. "But speaking of fantasies, when are you going to Alice in Wonderland?"
"The show is on the 31st, but…"
"What?"
"I was thinking of asking dad to go with me."
"That sound like a great idea."
"You don't mind missing out on Alice?"
"Nah," Vaughn kissed her cheek. "I've got my own Alice right here."
Sydney smiled, pulling Vaughn's arm tighter around her. The worries that had been plaguing her were all but forgotten.