Vaughn woke with a start. Every day for the past few weeks Eric had programmed his alarm clock to play some of the most irritating tunes known to man. He was sure his friend had enlisted Marshall as an accomplice as he hid the now blaring device in a different place everyday, yet it still managed to change itself. Today's treat: The Village People
"ERIC!" Vaughn roared. "Eric! Get in here! Now" He frantically bashed at the small grey object the inane tune was screaming out of, blistering his ears
"You called, muffin?"
"Turn-this-off"
"I'm sorry now what dear?" Eric asked, his head jutting forwards. He mockingly put his hand to his ear in an attempt to hear what Michael was saying. His composure faulted slightly however when a pillow smashed into the side of his head. Vaughn started laughing as undeterred, his best friend starting doing unfamiliar arm movements in time to the music. Much to Vaughn's distress he began to sing "It's fun to sayhay that Vaughn loves Sydney, oh yeah its fun to say that you love Sydney-he... you'll have lots of babies and a granddaddy Jack, 'n uncle Eric will- HEY!" Vaughn had slammed the door in his face unable to stifle his laughter anymore.
"Well that's just rude!" his friend shouted over the racket. Weiss smiled triumphantly. Mike didn't realise it, but that was his way of trying to cheer his buddy up. After Syd died he had felt so useless; there was nothing he could say or do to mend his dear broken friend- Vaughn was inconsolable, becoming unrecognisable, no longer the man he was. Since Lauren's death, all he saw in Mike's eyes was fear of hurting Syd; something he knew would consume him if he kept dwelling on how he's done her wrong, how he'd made the wrong choice. The familiar shadows of anguish were returning and he had realised Vaughn's guilt had been slowly devouring him over the past year.
The sardonic form of musical torture was finally over as the last aching notes screeched from Michael's alarm clock.
"Vaughn we need to be ready to leave at eight." He waited for a reply. Silence "Mike?" he tentatively asked
"Ya?" Vaughn's head poked round the door. There was a small, hesitant pause.
"It's good to have you back man"
After weeks and weeks of debriefing on the whole Lauren situation, Sydney was actually glad to have a stack of paper work to get through. The three of them had been assigned to desk duty for the next month of so, being told the likelihood of them being required in the field was limited. They had all smiled at that. She now sat idly, her left shoulder blade digging into the back of her chair as she tapped her pencil on the surface of her desk.
The cherished sound of her two best friends bantering about nonsense diffused through the rotunda, and she looked forward to teasing Eric about the fact he was always heard before he was seen. Her face glowed as she spotted Vaughn wander happily into their marble-floored circular office. His crisp grey suit stood out amongst the morose tone of the men and women around him, their work attire making them seem forever in mourning. He clapped his friend on the shoulder signalling the end of their conversation and his momentary departure from the rotunda. His back was facing her; he didn't see her as he left the busy floor.
She went back to doodling on her pad of paper, lazy thoughts tumbling from her head. The swirling silver patterns formed no particular shape or image, but she found their creation oddly satisfying. She was startled to hear a friendly voice behind her.
"Muffin?"
"Eric! Jesus!" she clutched her chest as if manually trying to slow the uncontrollable palpitations.
"You know for a spy you're not very stealthy," he said kneeling down so he was her level
"Thanks" she smiled placing the muffin on her desk, "I was miles away"
"Anything I can help with? You know I'm a good listener, plus I always have time for my favourite girl"
"Aw thanks Weiss. But for the first time in a long while, I can truthfully say I'm fine" she smiled an honest smile at him. He nodded once in affirmation and walked around her desk to his own.
"Hey Eric?"
"Hmm"
"What kinda muffin is this?
"Blueberry" she scrunched her nose
"Why do you boys do this to me"
"Because Eric always has a plan. Right bud?" Vaughn's smooth voice coolly interjected. He stood behind the pair his arms crossed
"Sure is," he said leaning over to grab the muffin. Sydney snatched it before he could reach it, placing it on the far side of her desk.
"Hey"
"This muffin was a present for me, and I was always taught it's impolite to take back a gift. So, this moist, sugary, yummy goodness will stay here on my desk with me for the rest of the day"
"Mean!" Eric whined
"What are you five?" Vaughn joked taking a sip of coffee now seated across from them. Neither of them had noticed him move
"Hey excuse me? Where is my one of those?" Weiss chimed, his finger dancing accusingly at Vaughn's coffee. He nodded towards Eric's desk where his very own decaf sat
"Ah see now that's stealthy" Eric stated only to have a ball of paper thrown at him by Syd
Vaughn hadn't spoken to her all morning, well, except for his lame muffin statement he mused. Every time he looked at her it was more exhilarating- at every glimpse she seemed more beautiful and at each glance he was closer to being caught. He was nervous about their date becoming even more anxious when he noticed her cool exterior. Was she as excited as he was? Was she even excited? Was it ok that he was calling it a date? Could he kiss her? Did she want to be kissed? Was it a mistake to ask her? Should he tell her Eric had stolen her muffin? An idea crept into his mind
Sydney's fingers were beginning to ache from all the typing she had done. She abandoned the files she was working on, discarding them on the floor. One single beige folder sat to the left of her keyboard slothfully, staring up at her with blank eyes. She dropped it the other side of her chair swivelling around to pick up another from her neat stack of 'to do' folders. She peered coyly at Vaughn all his words seeping back into her subconscious. Did he mean what he said? What was their date going to be like? Was it ok that she called it a date? Was he going to kiss her? Did he want to kiss her? Where was her muffin?
She searched the pair for any sign of guilt. Vaughn's fingers were busily typing as his eyes casually flitted from paper to screen. He looked so natural and oblivious to her look that she almost felt guilty for suspecting him. Her eyes skipped around the rotunda until
"Eric!"
"What?!" came a muffled response, his mouth full of muffin
"You ate my muffin"
"We both know you were only going to use it as some sort of warped pen holder" she gasped at his audacity and laughed. Vaughn didn't look up but was smiling at the interaction between the two. He's missed this.
A small box on Sydney's screen began flashing
'You have received a message from M. Vaughn. Accept?'
Sydney did not permit herself to look at him. She played it cool keeping her eye line steady and dragging out her response. Finally she clicked 'yes' with her mouse, quickly returning to flick through a few sheets of paper.
M Vaughn: If it makes you feel any better, I'll buy you another muffin later.
She raised her eyebrow trying not to show any reaction. She stole a glance of him, his nonchalant attitude making her stomach flutter; he ran a hand through his hair and sighed. He was good at this. She casually typed her response.
S. Bristow: What about my pretzel?
M Vaughn: All well can't be greedy now can we? I'm on a tight budget of four bucks
S Bristow: Cheapskate
M Vaughn: Blueberry hater
S Bristow: Just for that I hope the Kings lose
M Vaughn: I hope the Zamboni breaks down
She didn't need to type her response- he heard it. Her giggle made his soul soar and his heart skip as he tried to wrestle a smile from his lips.
M Vaughn: You doing anything tomorrow evening?
S Bristow: Yes actually
M Vaughn: Oh really?
She could practically taste his scepticism
S Bristow: Yeah well there's Adam at seven and then I'm seeing Ryan at eight. Oh and then of course there's Tom and Andrew- I'm seeing them together at nine...so I could slot you in at eleven if you like
M Vaughn: That's cute
S Bristow: Well, I try
M Vaughn: So I've heard
S Bristow: You should know
Touché. The pair stopped for a second as they were handed files from Dixon's assistant.
M Vaughn: You want to go to dinner with me?
S Bristow: Yes
M Vaughn: I'll pick you up tomorrow at eight?
S Bristow: Isn't it custom to actually have the first date before arranging the second?
M Vaughn: Well what can I say? I'm a rebel
S Bristow: Yeah and I'm Swedish
M Vaughn: Ouch
S Bristow: Bite me
M Vaughn: Pleasure
Their eyes met. Her tongue moved to the side of her cheek enjoying their playful banter
S Bristow: I have to go- I get off at twelve
M Vaughn: That is not fair
S Bristow: What you gonna do bout it
M Vaughn: Right, no pretzel
S Bristow: If I could stick my tongue out at you I would... in fact-
He looked over at her and laughed as he saw he tongue flick out of her mouth in an act of retaliation. Being barely two metres away they could have easily have spoken to each other, but something about this was thrilling; it was secretive and flirtatious, allowing them so say things they wouldn't usually. There was also something mischievous and defiant about it.
M Vaughn: See you at seven?
S Bristow: Of course
M Vaughn: Perfect. Bye Syd x
S Bristow: Bye Vaughn x
They didn't make eye contact after that. He flicked through pieces of paper, moistening his lips slightly with the tip of his tongue. She quickly turned off her computer and began to walk away, her body humming. It took all the strength she possessed not to skip out like some frenzied child. His eyes followed her out dark with anticipation and adoration. He couldn't believe after everything he'd done to her, all the malicious things he'd said, she still was the same compassionate adorable Sydney he'd fallen in love with nearly five years ago. It was she only who possessed his heart, his whole heart, a heart he never did, never could, and never would give away. He looked down at his watch anxiously, which Eric had managed to switch to countdown mode. There were only five hours, fifty-five minutes and forty-seven seconds until his and Sydney Bristow's first proper date would begin.
thanks for reading please review! -Dani xxx