Thank you for all your feedback

"Francie, what on Earth…" Sydney stared at her best friend in bewilderment. She had barely opened the door before Francie barged in, a stack of magazines in her arms. Without a word, Francie headed straight to the living room and bean laying them out on the coffee table.

Shaking her head, Sydney walked over and saw that every single magazine was a bridal one.

"Look at this Syd," Francie held up one of them. "Isn't this dress gorgeous."

"Uh, yeah," Sydney sat down gingerly beside her. "What is this?"

"Well, duh- I thought it was time that you should start looking at wedding dresses."

"Francie," Sydney tried hard not to laugh, but failed. "Vaughn and I haven't even discussed setting a date yet. Don't you think that looking at dresses is getting a little ahead of ourselves?"

"Oh please," Francie scoffed, thumbing through a few pages. "You already know exactly what style of dress you want." She threw down the magazine and stared at Sydney pointedly. "Am I right?"

Sydney looked back at her, trying to keep a straight face. She was successful for a few seconds until Francie's stare got the better of her and a grin erupted on her face.

"Ok, ok, I might have a vague idea of what I want," Sydney said. "But I still think that I…you need to wait until a date is set before bringing out the obscene amount of bridal magazines."

"Oh Syd, you disappoint me!" Francie sighed. "I'd be doing cartwheels if I were you."

"Oh I am, Francie," Sydney said. "Believe me I am."

On Friday, Vaughn made a point to wear his father's watch. Sydney smiled to herself when she saw him putting it on. It was an unspoken tradition that he seemed to follow. It was the third October 1st that they'd spent together, not counting the ever fateful first one, and the day was just as important to them as the date of their actual anniversary.
"No Weiss, I haven't sustained any injuries…Why do you want to know…Ok, ok, we had chicken…" Vaughn glanced over at Sydney, rolling his eyes as he listened to Weiss prattling on the other end of the phone. "Carbo loading- what are you talking about?"

Sydney laughed softly as she scratched the top of Donovan's head. It was Monday evening and the following night would be the first game for the hockey team that Weiss had put together. Needless to say, he was a little excited.

"Weiss, I have to go…Because I have to…Why don't you call Will and Craig…Yeah, I think Will needs you to go over some fundamentals…Well, yesterday he asking me about the purpose of the shuttlecock…Ok, bye."

Vaughn, chuckling to himself, gratefully hung up the phone. Poor Will- Vaughn's white lie would result in a long lecture from Weiss.

"Vaughn."

He looked at Sydney. "What?"

"That was mean."

"Oh, come on. I had to get him off the phone- I have marking to do!"

"But sacrificing Will like that!"

Vaughn shrugged. "Sometimes you have to take one for the team."

"Easy for you to say." Sydney shot back. "Why is Weiss stressing so much anyway?"

"I have no idea."

"Hey, Vaughn."

"Yeah?"

"I dare you to show up to the game five minutes late."

Sydney stood outside the hocky rink, waiting for Ainsley, who had to go back out to the car for some reason. Glancing at her watch she saw that there was still a while until the game started. The new-stressed out Weiss had insisted on an early arrival and Vaughn wasn't game enough to got through with Sydney's dare.

"Are you going to stand out here all night, or are you here to watch a game?"

Sydney looked up at the sound of the unfamiliar voice and saw some guy walking up to her.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me," he grinned at her. All Sydney wanted to do was wipe the smug look off his face. Who the hell was this guy?

"I'm here for a game," she replied, looking over his shoulder. Come on Ainsley.

"Well then it must be fate, because I'm about to play." The guy winked. "I'll look for you from the rink."

Sydney stared incredulously after him as he walked into the stadium. What a jerk. She hoped that Vaughn and Weiss would flatten him.

Sydney and Ainsley had just settled into their seats when Vaughn skated over to the edge of the rink and motioned for Sydney to go over.

"Hey," he said. "I know why Weiss is freaking out so much."

"Why?"

"There's a guy on the opposition who we used to go to high school with. A real jerky type."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. He's number three."

Sydney looked over to the shirt with the number three on it. The name on the back of it read 'Haladki' and his face matched the guy who had approached her outside.

"He was one of those real kiss ass types. Made it his mission in life to piss Weiss and me off. For the most part he succeeded- we couldn't stand him. I think Weiss might be looking for a little revenge tonight."

"Well, I hope he succeeds. Thoroughly."

"What?" Vaughn was surprised by Sydney's reaction. His expression darkened as she explained what had happened outside. Suddenly, he too, felt the need to dish a little out.

And dish out they did. Vaughn and Weiss must have had a little word with the rest of the team. Haladki, and his teammates, didn't stand a chance. They were flattened both on the rink and the scoreboard. It was a sweet victory.

After the game Sydney was waiting outside the change rooms for Vaughn. To her dismay, the Haladki guy exited his team's change rooms first and headed straight towards her.

"Hi."

"Hi." Sydney smiled insincerely. "I didn't think you'd be able to walk after the thrashing you just got."

"Nothing I can't handle," he replied. "But I am a little sore. How about I take you out for a coffee and you can make me feel better?"

"Sorry." Sydney held up her left hand. "I'm engaged." She looked over and saw Vaughn exiting the change room. Hopefully his appearance would shut this guy up.

"Oh I'm sure your fiancé won't mind."

"Oh, I think he will." Sydney smiled warmly and waved at Vaughn. "Hello honey."

"Hello dear." Vaughn walked up and put his arm around her. Haladki stared blankly for a few seconds, until realization dawned on him. Vaughn tried not laugh. He never was the sharpest tool in the shed. "Steven. Shame about the game. I was hoping for some real competition."

"I went easy on you Michael. Next time you won't be so lucky."

Vaughn just smirked and kissed the top of Sydney's head. "Come on, let's go home."

They next day at school, Sydney was holed up in her office at lunchtime, making her way through some marking. She wanted to be free to spend the weekend with Vaughn before he left on school camp on Monday.

A light tap on her door made her look up. Carrie Bowman, one of the Drama teachers, was standing there.

"Hey Syd."

"Hey Carrie." Sydney smiled. "Come in- sit down."

"Oh no, that's ok. I just need to ask you something."

"OK, shoot."

"Well, I've been assigned director of the school production this year and I pretty much have all staff jobs delegated- except for stage manager and I was wondering if you would consider doing it." Seeing the sceptical look on Sydney's face, Carrie hurriedly went on. "I know you're not a drama teacher, but you don't need to be and we really need somebody who the students like and respect. The students love you, Syd."

Sydney still wasn't convinced. "Just exactly how much time will this entail?"

"Not a lot. Just a few rehearsals here and now. Of course the week leading up to the performances will be busy, but that's all. You just have to sit there and know when to raise and lower the curtain and stuff like that. Please." Carrie looked at her imploringly.

Sydney felt herself relenting. It didn't sound like that much work and it could actually be fun.

"Ok," she said and she could see Carrie sag with relief.

"Thank-you."

"Just one question."

"Sure."

"What is the play you're doing? I haven't heard yet."

"It's The Little Shop of Horrors." Carrie looked questioningly at Sydney as she let out a snort of laughter. "What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing." Sydney said. She couldn't wait to get home. Vaughn was going to absolutely love this!