Author: Bookworm
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Celebrate Vaughn & Syd, a relationship that always leaves us wanting more...
"Love is a meeting of two souls,
Fully accepting the dark & the light within each other
Bound by the courage to grow through struggle into bliss"
.
Five & Ten ~ Part 2
June 21, 2014
"Let's text our answers." I suggest and he complies.
We both glance at the message on our phone and smile at each other knowingly.
"Me too…" I say quietly. The emotions are still as powerful today as I remember them.
How naïve was I to think the Alliance and SD-6 were our biggest problems. Only if I knew there would be much more sinister forces waiting. "All things being relative, you think we've lost the innocence from our early days?" Probably not a usual conversation topic on wedding anniversaries – but we're never an ordinary couple, no matter how hard we work at being one nowadays.
"For a while we did, I think. How can we not, Syd? Our pain was real and it changed us." He replies looking at me intently.
"We were so young then… like from another life." I marvel at how the years have gone by and we now live the life we once thought we could never have. And I am thankful every day that it's even more gratifying than I'd imagined.
"Don't make us sound so old." He scoffs. "I'd contend we're getting back some of that innocence – in ways different than before… but better." He smiles and grabs my hand again. "Look at where we are."
2002
"So, I was thinking we're in Rome, which is the same city as Trattoria de Nardi." He tells me as we descend the staircase to the subterranean level of the Vatican.
"What's that?"
"Well, it's my favorite restaurant in the world." He states casually, as if it is a known fact.
"Yeah?" I need to file that away in my ever-growing 'What I know about Michael Vaughn' folder.
"Yeah."
…
"So, why is Trattoria de Nardi so good?" I can't believe I'm bantering in the underground passage way.
"Well, it's only good if you like food." He retorts.
"Hey, did you know Kobe Bryant was named for a steak?"
"Yeah, actually I did…"
…
"So, I was thinking later tonight, when we get the code key, maybe… we can check it out."
"What, the restaurant?" Is he asking me out?
"It's almost too good not to." He teases.
"Unless SD-6 spots us there and has us killed." I wouldn't dream of it.
He lets out a sigh, "Well, the food's so good it's almost worth the risk…" Why do I have a feeling he's not just talking about food here.
He's flirting with me – or am I just imagining it?
…
"So why don't you go home and relax? This insanity's almost over." He seems relieved, trusting the correct decryption with the code key will clear me. "Next time we're in Rome… Trattoria de Nardi." He says with pleading eyes.
So he is serious.
"I'd like that." I smile back at him gratefully – for risking it all to break into the Vatican with me, for always protecting me, for wanting to share his life with me. I think I'd like much more than going to a restaurant, if only I could tell him.
2007
"Vaughn, did you make the wrong turn?"
"You saying I'm a bad driver?" He feigns hurt.
"Okay, I see that we're heading to LAX… Um, are we going on a mission? Why wasn't I briefed?" I can totally see that bastard Sloane not wanting to give us a weekend off.
"Would I let Sloane do that to you? Your father, on the other hand, will be a different story." He laughs.
"So Dad is sending us on a mission?"
"I didn't say that." Is his cryptic response as he turns into the airport parking garage.
He suddenly gets serious once he stopped the car. "Syd, I'm making up for lost time." He leans in and kisses me with full-on passion.
Fine – I'm taken, by that kiss. I'll go wherever, as long as he's with me.
"Roman holiday." He smiles and pulls the door open to let me out of the car. I look at him incredulous as he unloads two carry-on bags from the trunk.
"We're heading to Rome?" I'm trying to piece all the clues together while walking through the terminal.
"For the next few days, yes." He flashes a shy grin, like he's not sure if I'd approve.
"And not on a mission?" I'm just double-checking.
"No."
"I'm not sure how you pull this off but I'm impressed already." I loop my arm around his and am excited about the possibilities.
We have time for Starbucks before our flight. Sitting at the far end corner, I smile like an idiot. "I can't believe we're doing this."
Vaughn
What a difference a year makes. That beautiful face with the full dimpled smile that stops my heart every time belongs to me again.
Though I feel even more undeserving this time than the last.
No matter how bad things are on the job these days, I won't complain. For I once again have my raison d'etre.
I don't think anybody I know can comprehend what it's like to have the person you love more than life itself come back from the dead.
And I don't know what possessed me to not run right back to her the moment I held her in my arms in Hong Kong.
They told me it had to be the psychological conditioning. I think it was my shame for not having known, for not refusing to believe she had actually died.
No amount of regret is going to help us. But not taking any moment together for granted will.
Despite how messed up our lives were during those three years we were apart, we had never stopped loving each other. We are not going to pick up where we left off – because I don't think either of us has left. We just have to nurse us back to good shape and I take it upon myself to do the lion's share.
And I promise Sydney I will never again let go of what we have, not even in death. There is no moving on.
I tuck a few strands of her stray hair behind her ear and caress her cheek with my left thumb, in awe of how I'm lucky enough to have a second chance.
"When I put you on a plane to Rome last year, it killed me that I could not go on it with you. So, if you don't mind, I plan to hold your hand this entire flight."
Sydney
He picks up my right hand with his left and squeezes it lightly, and I'm moved by all the flickering emotions I see in his eyes.
No, I don't mind.
I felt like I died inside when I had to let go of him at that airfield last year.
Since we got back together several months ago, I have had a hard time letting him out of my sight, despite my initial request to 'take things slow'.
As soon as I realized what a load I'd had myself believe in, we were able to open up about the fears and the baggage we harnessed over the three years we were kept away from each other. Admitting we are each incomplete without the other, we decided he should move into my place. And I can see he's taking full advantage of our shared quarters to make this happen.
I pull on his hand that is holding mine, "Let's get on this plane. Oh, and if you don't mind, I plan to not let go of your hand the whole ride. We just need to figure out bathroom arrangements." We chuckle as we make our way into the cabin.
The fact that we are holding hands and neither of us plans to release the other anytime soon tells me this trip to Rome will definitely be million times better than the one I took a year ago.
…
Vaughn
I'm in Rome with her again.
This time we took the same flight. Landed together at the same airport.
And our fingers were intertwined practically the whole time.
It may have taken longer than I'd hoped. But we made it.
Sydney
I'm happy I can genuinely feel happy.
For three dark years, I thought I had lost the ability to do so.
Our fingers are still intertwined, even after twelve hours on the plane in the same form.
The littlest things make me happy these days – holding hands is one.
We don't seem to get enough of it.
Like this moment – he is driving through the historic city of Rome, and I keep looking down at my left hand covering his right on top of the stick shift.
I want to be sure this isn't a dream.
Those dreams I had last time I was here were awful. And I was so lost.
I don't think we're lost at all right now. I think we're exactly where we should be.
…
"This is amazing, Vaughn."
Hotel Anahi. A charming old building nestled in city centre, not far from the Vatican – where Vaughn and I went last time we were here together.
I think I know why he is bringing us back.
The friendly hotel staff shows us to the suite Vaughn has specifically requested.
"I reserved the penthouse for you, Syd." He jokes.
Vaughn has impeccable taste, and he certainly knows what I like.
We walked up to a cozy room, located on the top floor of this tasteful boutique hotel. It opens up to a large terrace from which you can glimpse Piazza del Popolo's dome while sipping cappuccino at the bistro set. The suite is elegantly decorated in Art Nouveau style with modern amenities, contrasted by French vintage parquet.
"I love it!" I can't hide my delight as I drag him around our new surroundings. I must sound like a kid in a candy store.
"Glad you approve." He pulls me in and kisses me passionately. The privacy our setting offers would serve us just fine. "Want to freshen up while I unpack our bags?" He asks when we finally break apart minutes later.
"I'd rather you join me in the shower." I'm shameless.
"I like the sound of that… We can linger and relax here but we do have dinner reservation in about three hours."
"Trattoria de Nardi." I finish his sentence and smile meaningfully. "I can't wait."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I just hope I have something decent to change into. I'm not gonna find all mismatched outfits in my bag, am I?"
"I believe you have me mistaken for Weiss." He counters.
"Why would Weiss be going through my closet?"
He smirks, "Well, in case my packing isn't up to your standard, you should be happy to know this hotel is just steps away from some of the best shopping and fashion streets."
"Mhmmm, let's start with that shower…"
…
Vaughn
I'm not sure life can get any better.
My two most favorite things converge at this moment in time.
Sydney is magnificent in the elegant shift dress I picked out from her closet.
The food is out of this world just as I remember.
And I am speechless, dumbfounded by what I have right in front of me.
I can never love anyone else the same way.
Sydney
This is what I should have had… years ago.
But the delay has not spoiled anything.
What I have in front of me is still perfect.
The food. The man.
He brings me here to tell me tragedies and evil did not change what he loves most.
This is still his most favorite restaurant.
And I am still the one and only love of his life.
I can feel tears in my eyes.
"Vaughn…" I swallow hard to keep from crying, "thank you."
"Hey," he puts his hand gently on my face, "I'm sorry it's taken us much longer to get here… This is how I've always pictured it; except tonight means so much more – because I know beyond any doubt I will not have it any other way. You have always been and will always be the only person in my life."
"I know… so are you." I blink back my tears and squeeze his hand in concurrence.
…
Trattoria de Nardi did not disappoint. Our dinner left us both tantalized and satisfied. And there is no better way to cap off the evening than strolling through this glorious city hand-in-hand. The night scene of Rome is breath-taking.
We stop at Piazza del Popolo before returning to our hotel. I pick one of the steps between the two fountains and sit us down. There is something I need to say.
"Vaughn, can I tell you something?"
"What?" He wraps his arm around my waist and turns slightly to face me.
"A few months ago, I said I couldn't jump right back in where we were, before everything; to pretend like the last three years didn't happen." I pause, "I still couldn't."
I can see him grimace, which is why it will be important for him to hear what I'm about to say.
"But sitting here tonight, five years after you first told me about the restaurant, I realize I don't need to." I let out a soft sigh, "Yes, those years happened and they were horrible. But the truth is, we were never out of each other's life, even though we were not together physically. You meant just as much to me during those three years, if not more."
"While I can't pretend those years didn't happen, I also won't count them out. It's not like I was in love with you before those years; and then stopped loving you, only to start loving you again when we got back together." It hurts to even think about that possibility and I wipe a tear that escapes.
"Syd, I understand..." He tightens his hold and is pained to see me upset.
"Please let me finish, Vaughn. I wanted to tell you I was wrong about not jumping right back in. I was never out. I've been in love with you the whole time." I'm surprisingly nervous as I try to find the right words.
"Sydney…" He is clearly touched.
"Those years didn't make going to Trattoria de Nardi with you for the first time tonight any less incredible. I'm not sure if this all makes sense but I can finally see that those three years didn't change what we've always had."
I say resolved, "I know we've already talked about our struggles with those years and we've agreed to move past them. Just promise me you won't feel like you need to tiptoe around that time of our lives. It can't hurt us unless we let it."
"Syd, I couldn't have said it better than you. And we won't let those three years haunt us any longer than they already did." He smiles confidently, "But it doesn't mean I won't indulge you the next couple days… because I would have done the same regardless. You've had me done in since the beginning Miss Bristow."
.
AN: Hope you aren't confused by the back and forth in time. About the retrofitted scene, I believe they would eventually make it to Trattoria de Nardi together... and it must have been beautiful when that happened. Timeline wise, I didn't think they had the chance before Syd's missing years. So they went sometime during S4 in my fanficdom, it contributes to their self-realization as a couple and the rebuilding of their relationship.
I hope you enjoy day 2 of this writing adventure. I'm procrastinating on real work for the sake of this fic (sigh) - we'll see if I can deliver on day 3...