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"Will you stop fidgeting." Sydney hissed to Vaughn as they stood at Jack's front door Saturday night.
"I can't help it if I'm a little anxious."
"Vaughn, you are making a mountain out of a molehill. Dad is not going- Dad! Hi, Happy Birthday." Sydney smiled at Jack who had just opened the front door. She and Vaughn walked inside and followed him into the dining room.
"Hello Sydney. Michael." Judith said, walking out of the kitchen, an apron tied around her waist. "How are you?"
"I'm good." Sydney replied. "You?"
"Can't complain." Judith smiled and then turned to Jack. "Everything's done. If you want to get seated, I can serve it up."
"Ok." Jack said.
Sydney, with an evil glint in her eye, looked towards Vaughn. "I'll come and help you Judith."
"Thank-you Sydney." As she exited the dining room, Sydney could feel Vaughn's desperate glare on her back and tried not to laugh.
Vaughn stared after Sydney, vowing to make her pay somehow. As different methods of torture ran through his mind, he turned nervously to Jack who had a bemused look on his face.
"Michael, do you feel ok? You're looking a little flushed."
"I'm fine." Vaughn replied.
"So," Jack paused and stared at Vaughn. "How is your new place working out?"
"Uh, it's fine."
"And how is uni?"
"Um, that's fine."
"And you're mother? Wait," Jack held up a hand. "Let me guess- she's doing fine?"
Vaughn managed a small grin. "Actually I was going to say she's good."
"I never knew that you were a man of so many words." Jack said, dryly.
"There are lots of things you don't know about me, Jack." Vaughn replied as he finally allowed himself to relax a little. He figured he was safe for tonight. Jack Bristow didn't seem like the type who would risk blood stains on his carpet anyway.
"Ok," Judith announced when everybody had finished his or her dinner. "Time for birthday cake."
Jack choked on the mouthful of wine he's just taken and Sydney and Vaughn hid their smiles as he exclaimed "What?"
"A birthday cake," Judith verified. "Why do you look so shocked- it is your birthday."
"Do you have candles?" Sydney asked, gleefully.
"Of course." Sydney grin grew larger as she wished desperately that she had brought her camera. She would have given anything to capture the look on her father's face when they sang him 'Happy Birthday'.
She turned to Vaughn when Judith had left to get the cake. "I wish I'd known about this. We could have brought your candles."
"Somehow I don't think that would have gone down to well." Vaughn replied as Judith re-entered the dining room, with a cake that appeared to be on fire. She had obviously out on the exact amount of candles as Jack's age.
Jack sat, his face passively stony as they sang 'Happy Birthday'.
"I should've brought my camera." Vaughn whispered to Sydney as Judith cut the cake. "This could've been a moment for the Walls of Fame."
"Eric, can I ask you something?" Ainsley asked Weiss Tuesday night. The two of them were stretched out on her bed watching a movie.
"Sure."
"It might sound a little strange."
"What?"
"I've been meaning to ask you for ages, but it just kept slipping my mind. Also I wasn't sure if you could help me."
"Ainsley, are you going to ask me the question, or just drag on for some more?" Weiss asked. "Because, if you are, I'll just watch the TV. Warm me when you're getting to the question part."
"Eric!" Ainsley poked him. "I'm at the question part."
"Ok, then. Shoot."
"Why would Sydney buy Michael a picture story book of Alice in Wonderland?"
Instead of answering the question Weiss burst out into laughter. A great loud, bellowing laugh, which soon resulted in tears forming in his eyes.
"Syd got him what?" he finally managed to gasp. "I can't believe Vaughn didn't tell me. I definitely have to have a word with him."
"So are you going to explain it to me or not?" Ainsley asked, wanting more than ever to know what was going on.
"Vaughn had this…well, 'thing' for Alice in Wonderland." Weiss explained, wiping his eyes and still chuckling slightly.
"A thing?" Ainsley was slightly confused. "For a book character?"
"No- for the cartoon version of the book character." Weiss corrected her. "He thinks she is hot."
"He thinks a cartoon is hot?" Ainsley inquired.
"Yeah."
"How can a cartoon character be hot?"
"Easy! That Walt Disney sure knows how to create a babe or two."
"So are you into Alice as well?" Ainsley asked, teasingly.
"Nah, Alice isn't really my type of girl." Weiss replied. "Now, the Little Mer…" Weiss suddenly stopped short, realizing what he was saying.
"Eric." Ainsley shifted slightly so she could look at him, a wide smile on her face. "What was that?"
"Uh, nothing," he mumbled.
"Did you just say you thought the Little Mermaid was hot?"
"I might have." Weiss was refusing to look at her.
"So that explains your reaction when I said I used to pretend I was Ariel!" Ainsley exclaimed, as she let out a peal of laughter. She then placed a hand on Weiss's cheek, moving his slightly so she could look in his eyes. "You and you're best mate are very strange boys,' she smiled.
Weiss grinned back. "Boys? What are you talking about? We're men."
Ainsley raised her eyebrows. "Men who fantasize over Disney characters?"
"No," Weiss shook his head. "Men who fantasize over their girlfriends dressing up as Disney characters."
Ainsley took one look at Weiss and broke in laughter again. "Oh boy, I think I've bitten off more than I can chew with you."
Weiss pouted. "Are you saying you've had enough of me?"
Ainsley shook her head as she cupped his face with her hands. "How could I ever have enough of you, Eric Weiss?"
"Does that mean you'll make my fantasy come true?"
Ainsley just smiled as she leaned in and pressed her lips into his.
"This one." Sydney pointed out to Vaughn who was behind the wheel of his car. When he stopped they climbed out and headed up to Campbell's front door.
Ainsley answered it. "Hey guys. Come in." She led them through the house and out to the backyard, where Weiss, Will and Campbell were gathered around the barbeque. There were also a few unfamiliar faces, who Sydney guessed to be friends of Campbell's.
"Oh, I should warm you." Ainsley said quietly. "Campbell's acting a little weird today."
"Why?"
"He's left his assistant manager in charge of Phase One. Cam won't get down there until we get there later tonight." Ainsley explained. "He's acting like a new parent who's just left the newborn with a sitter for the first time."
As Ainsley rolled her eyes, Sydney couldn't help but giggle as they got to the barbeque.
"What's so funny?" Campbell asked.
"Nothing," Sydney replied and then turned to Will. "Hey, where's Francie?"
"She got called into work."
"Oh. Will she be coming by later on?"
"I'm not sure." Sydney couldn't help but notice that Will appeared slightly uncomfortable. However, Campbell snapped her away from these thoughts.
"Sydney, Michael, this is Natalie, Lucas, Sam and Bianca," he said, pointing the four strangers.
"Ok, since everyone is here, I think it's time we fired up the grill." Ainsley announced.
"This isn't everyone." Campbell interjected.
Ainsley's brow furrowed in confusion. "Who else is coming?"
"Didn't I tell you?" Ainsley shook her head. "I ran into an old friend at the supermarket and invited her."
"Oh god, Cam. I hope by old friend, you don't mean ex-girlfriend- because we all know how much fun that can be." Ainsley screwed up her face.
"No, Little Miss Sarcastic. Not an old friend of mine, an old friend of yours." Campbell replied.
"Who?"
"Lauren Reed."