I sit here, not having written a single word of my report.
I can only try to understand what is going on with Sydney. Back in Palermo, just ten days ago, she had kissed me with such passion… She had then taken me to a hospital in Rome and had stayed by my side for two days, comforting me. We didn't talk about the future though, as I slept most of the time, trying to regain enough strength to fly back to LA. On the morning of the third day, she told me she had some business to take care of and that she would be back later that night. I was too sleepy to ask further questions and she left.
But even since she came back… it's like the coldness that had been in her eyes when we met five years ago had reappeared. She only visited me once in the hospital… Weiss told me she had taken a few days off from work and that her car rarely moved from the alley where it was parked. He didn't know more, as she answered neither her phone nor her door.
Something is going on with her and all I'd like to do is to take her in my arms and comfort her. I want her to feel like she can confide in me again. But I know this is not going to happen anytime soon. Too much has happened over the last year for her to accept being vulnerable with me. I don't blame her, but I need to talk about it with her.
And right now, I know I have got to be there to intercept her as soon as she walks out of Dixon's office, because I'm pretty sure she is going to try to avoid me.
I sigh for like the thousandth time since she closed the door behind her, three and a half minutes ago. Three and a half centuries ago.
Finally, the door of Dixon's office opens and she emerges. I immediately get up and walk up to her.
"Syd!" I say, touching her arm to make her stop walking.
She turns to look at me.
"Yes?"
"We have to talk. Please."
It takes her a second before answering.
"I know. But not here."
I nod.
"You're right. In fact… Did Dixon give you any time off?"
"Two weeks."
I can't help the grin that spreads across my face, but I quickly become serious again.
"Good. Syd… Maybe we could get away for a few days? Spend Christmas together? We could talk. Nothing has to happen between us… We should just try to see where we stand…"
I bite my lip nervously; afraid of having been too bold, afraid she is just going to turn me down.
"Vaughn, I-" she starts, but she is interrupted by Weiss suddenly showing up beside us.
"Hey guys! Guess what?"
Can't he see we're talking? Doesn't he remember Sydney and I haven't talked in days?
Pissed, I answer sharply:
"What? You found your brain in the dumpster?"
"Hey, easy man! I just-" he begins before realising why I'm not too happy to see him. "Oh, sorry… It's just that I got a few days off for Christmas and… What are you two doing for the Holidays? Is your mom in France?" he asks me.
"Yeah. She will only fly here for New Year's Eve."
"And you, Syd… I heard your dad was away on mission. Do you have any plans?"
"Well… no… not really…" she says, avoiding my gaze.
"Okay, so you, my little orphans, are coming to spend Christmas at Weiss' Castle!"
"What? Where?" I ask, confused.
"In Colorado. With my family. Parents, sisters, nephews… the whole Weiss clan."
I look at Sydney, trying to read her. This could be the perfect solution. We would be together, but not alone. Yeah, I definitely like the idea. I just hope Sydney feels the same way... For what must only be three or four seconds, but feels like an eternity, she stays mute as I silently pray she will say yes. She has to give me another chance to love her, because if she doesn't… She finally raises her eyes to meet mine, stopping my train of thoughts. We just stand there a few more seconds, looking at each other, Weiss while stares at us perplexedly. Ultimately, our eyes still locked, she says, in a low voice:
"Eric, I accept. That's very nice of you."
And a world is lifted up my shoulders. I can breathe again. She just agreed to try and figure out if there is still hope for us.
Feeling a bit euphoric, and without breaking eye contact, I say simply:
"Me too."