No Matter What

Author: Janet (SkyGirl5)

Genre: S/V, AU

Summary: Sydney Bristow, President of the United States of America, has never really been concerned with finding a husband; she was much too consumed with her political career. Michael Vaughn, former pro hockey player and current owner of a sporting goods store, has always had trouble finding a love that lasts. A chance meeting between the two might just spark the love neither of them knew they needed.

Disclaimer: Sydney, Vaughn, etc are properties of JJ Abrams and ABC.

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Chapters 1-10 // Chapters 11 - 20 // Chapters 21-30 // Chapters 31 - 32 + Epilogue

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Chapter 1

The rhythmic pounding of her feet against the hard pavement lulled Sydney Bristow into a trance as she jogged along the cement path by the park. In, out, in, out, in, out, she breathed heavily as she ran to the beat of the music pounding in her ears emanating from the iPod strapped to her arm. It was early September and the remnants of a blistering hot summer were still lingering in the atmosphere. It was warm, so unseasonably warm that she was uncomfortably hot in her jogging top and shorts.

With one hard smack against the pavement, pain shot from her heel straight up to her knee, where it stayed and ached. She winced slightly but kept on going. At thirty-eight she certainly wasn’t young anymore, but stubbornly she refused to relent to aging even a year or two, so her morning running pattern stayed firm, or as firm as it could be with her busy schedule of uncertainty.

“Eagle is turning into the park,” the man behind her said into his wrist comm.

She shook her head slightly; disappointed she could still hear them through her headphones. Though being alone wasn’t always favorable, during her runs she preferred it. Unfortunately, being the President of the United States didn’t grant any alone time. She was eight months into her presidency, but still stretching her legs and getting used to the unfamiliar waters. After all, she was America’s very first female president.

Her career certainly didn’t end as she had planned it out. Always interested in politics, she considered being a Congressmen or perhaps a Senator, and maybe a mayor or governor. President had never been on the list. She graduated at the top of her class at Harvard Law, just like presidents before her. She worked hard in the business, not letting her conservative views hold her back in a liberal world.

In the United Sates, a person must be at least 30 years old to sit in the senate. Typically, the candidates are years older, but not her. At 31 she was utterly shocked when her home state of West Virginia elected her to be one of their representatives in the senate. Running for that position had never been something serious for her, more of a ‘why don’t I try it just to see if I can’ type thing. But once she won, she got the bug.

Quickly, she rose to the position of minority leader. Though the Republicans weren’t in control of the Senate, she still managed to get legislation on abortion, her main platform, published, even though the strictly pro-life plan was controversial. She concentrated on her career and nothing more. Truthfully, she hadn’t been all that interested in settling down and having a family. She was definitely more of a career woman. It wasn’t that she didn’t want a husband, she did. But, in all honesty, most men were intimidated by her. Her outspoken views and her overzealous attitude toward anything she was passionate about seemed to scare them off. No man seemed to fit perfectly into her preorgainzed live. A control freak perhaps, but most definitely organized. As for change, that was a thought she laughed at. She was too old and set in her ways (of course the word ‘old’ was never used). Then again, maybe it was as her mother pointed out: she'd never met someone who made her want to change.

Just like her original run for Senator, her run for the presidency had been a shock. She was positively floored when the Republican Party accepted her as their presidential candidate for not only was she a woman, but an unmarried woman. To that day, there had only been one unmarried president and he was often seen as the worst president in the country’s history.

Even with her party’s support, Sydney was still skeptical. After all, was the nation ready for a female president? Was the world? Apparently they were, because she won with fifty-one percent of the popular vote. Truthfully, she was still in shock, but she absolutely loved her job and wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world, even if it was making her hair turn grey.

~*~

“Abby!! Abs! Come ‘ere girl!” Michael Vaughn called for his golden lab across the park. She had chased after a squirrel and run off again. “ABBY!”

A moment later he saw her barreling over a hill, tongue wagging from her mouth, tail wagging frantically as she approached. “There you are silly girl,” Michael said as he roughly rubbed her back. “Would you just get your business over with already? We have to get back and open the store.” He sighed. They were going to be late again. He knew it, but it wasn’t like there would be some 8 a.m. emergency for a hockey stick, right?

Abby barked and nudged his pocket. “No, we don’t have time for the ball now,” Michael groaned. She barked again and jumped up on her hind legs, pawing at his pocket. “Fine,” Michael sighed as he pulled out a yellow tennis ball that was partially chewed. Abby wagged her tail and barked repeatedly until Michael threw it hard and fast up over the hill. Abby took off at full tilt after it.

Michael went to jog after her, but stopped quickly at the sharp pain in his spine. He dug his fist into his back as he walked, feeling like an eighty year old man instead of his thirty-nine year old self. Stupid hockey injury, he cursed himself. Hockey, his ultimate passion, had turned out to be his downfall. In high school, he was captain of his team. He received a college scholarship for hockey and was recruited into the AHL with a real shot at the NHL. Real shot until his injury. Now, he was stuck running a small sporting goods store.

He wasn’t unhappy with his life, just slightly displeased. His fortieth birthday was three short months away and he wasn’t married; not even close. Sure, he had had a few serious girlfriends, even stupidly got engaged (for three weeks before breaking it off) once, but he'd never had that someone. Choosy was what his best friend Eric called him, but he called himself cautious. Every serious girlfriend had left him with a broken heart and he certainly wasn’t eager to continue that pattern.

~*~

“Oh!” Sydney gasped as a yellow tennis ball collided with her foot. She stopped running and looked towards the direction the tennis ball had come and saw a yellow lab barreling towards her. She laughed as the dog skidded on the sidewalk, frantically trying to snap at the ball with her mouth. Finally, she got it and looked up at Sydney, wagging her tail. “Hello, are you having fun?” Sydney smiled as she pulled her headphones out of her ears. She had always loved dogs and wanted one desperately, but thought it was unfair since she was almost never home. The lab barked happily at her and dropped the tennis ball at her feet.

“You want me to throw it for you?” Sydney asked. The dog wagged her tail, so Sydney picked up at the ball and tossed it. Unfortunately, she was a horrible shot because the ball bounced off a tree and came right back to them. The dog just looked at her.

“Abby! Where’d you go?!” a man’s voice echoed through the trees. Sydney looked down as the dog’s ears pricked, but she didn’t move.

“Abby? Is that you?” Sydney asked her. The dog wagged her tail even more frantically and Sydney laughed.

“Abby? ABBY! Oh, there you are. I’m sorry if she’s bothering you miss.... whoa!...”



Chapter 2

“Whoa...,” Michael gasped as he saw Abby standing next to a tall brown haired woman with a security detail eyeing him suspiciously.

“She’s not bothering me.” Sydney smiled at the green eyed man, who was now looking rather shell shocked. “Are... are you ok? Are you breathing?” she asked sounding somewhat concerned.

“What?!” he asked when snapped from his trance of half gaping at her beauty and half stunned by who she was. “I um... I’m sorry... Mrs. – Ms. – Madame President....,” he said before cringing at the fact that he sounded like an utter fool.

She giggled softly, a giggle that made the hair on his neck stand up and his stomach flutter with butterflies. “It’s Sydney. It’s nice to meet you Mr....”

“Vaughn, Michael Vaughn,” he told her.

“Not to be confused with Bond, James Bond,” she winked.

He laughed softly. “Right... well I don’t want to interrupt your run Miss- Sydney. Abby come here,” Michael commanded. Abby just looked at him without moving. “Abby, come!” he demanded more sharply. Again, she looked at him. Michael laughed nervously, beginning to sweat from sheer embarrassment. “ABBY!” She stood and wagged her tail at him as she panted, but didn’t walk any closer to him.

He muttered under his breath as he cautiously approached her, trying not to scare the men behind her (who had their hands on their weapons) in any way. He hooked the leash on Abby’s collar and began to physically drag her away, which was quite difficult with her fighting to go in the other direction.

Meanwhile, Sydney was fighting to not collapse from trying to hold in her laughter. “Wait, she forgot her ball,” Sydney said as she bent over and picked it up. Abby, in the zeal to get her ball, launched forward suddenly causing Michael to trip over a fallen branch and land flat on his face. The moment he heard her snort from laughter he was convinced he would die from mortification.

“Are you alright?” she laughed.

“Oh yeah, I’m swell,” he groaned as he climbed to his feet, glaring at his ex-favorite pet. “You’re in trouble,” he told her harshly. Abby whimpered and put her tail between her legs.

“Aw, it’s not her fault. It’s mine. I was showing her the ball,” Sydney said as she tossed the ball to Abby. Abby lunged at it and successfully trapped it in her mouth, tail wagging once more.

“Yes, well, I’d better go before you remember my name and put it on the national freak list,” he muttered as he turned to walk to away.

“I do remember your name Michael Vaughn,” she called out. He stopped and turned, looking at her curiously, his heart fluttering again from the way she said his name. “And there is no freak list, but even if there was I assure you, you wouldn’t be on it,” she smiled.

“Well,” Michael began, but his voice came out as a squeak while he stared at her beautiful smile. Immediately, he blushed and hung his head to his chest. “Since I’m just wracking up the embarrassment...”

“Nah, that’s nothing. You haven’t tripped up the stairs to the podium in front of all of congress,” she said.

“You didn’t?” he laughed.

She nodded. “Worse, I did it twice.”

“Oh no,” he laughed softly. Then they had a moment of somewhat awkward silence. “Well, I um, I should be getting to work. It was nice talking with you Sydney.”

“Wait um,” she began. She wasn’t sure why but she didn’t want him to leave just yet. “Where do you work?”

“I own a sporting goods store called Vaughn’s Sports... creative I know,” he laughed at himself. She laughed too. “Anyway, I really need to be going. Bye.”

“Bye,” she sighed as he walked off. As she jogged back to the white house, she tried to clear her mind and prepare herself for the many hectic events of her day, but for some reason, she just couldn’t shake the image of Michael Vaughn’s perfect smile from her mind.

~*~

“Finally!” Eric groaned when Michael pulled his car up in front of his store. “I’ve been waiting for ten minutes!”

“Oh no, not ten minutes!” Michael faked horror.

“Ha. Ha. Come onnn,” Eric whined like a child.

“What do you need, Eric?” Michael asked.

“A new stick. Mine’s busted and we’re playing at lunch today,” Eric told him.

“Oh I see how it is. You’re leaving me for your more important FBI buddies.”

“Mike, you can’t even play hockey anymore. You do, but you shouldn’t.”

“I can play!” Michael defended.

“Oh yeah, you take about a bottle of Vicoden, skate for two hours and then can’t move for the next week,” Eric said.

“Shut up,” Michael sighed as he let his friend into the store. Abby rushed in past him and over to her doggy bed behind the counter, where she curled up.

“Why were you late anyway?” Eric asked as he was looking through the hockey sticks trying to find one he liked.

“Ran into someone at the park,” he said casually.

“A female someone?” Eric asked hopefully.

“Maybe,” Michael said.

“Did you get her number?”

“No.”

“Miiiiike,” Eric groaned. “Come on! What are you waiting for? You’re old.”

“Thanks Eric, but if I recall correctly, I’m younger than you,” Michael told him in a somewhat annoyed tone.

“Yes, but there is a difference. I don’t want to get married or have kids. You do,” Eric told him.

“I did,” Michael corrected. “I’ve given up.”

“HA!” Eric laughed as he slapped a twenty and a five down on the counter for Michael. “You could never give up.”

“I have,” Michael said before handing Eric his change.

“I’ll believe it when I see it. See you later man,” Eric waved as he walked out.

“See you.”



Chapter 3

A few days later, Michael was in the back of his shop doing inventory and reliving the humiliating conversation he had with the President of the United States. He was still in slight disbelief that he had actually had a conversation with her and it was actually a somewhat normal conversation, except for the part where he made a total ass out of himself, something he would be mentally chastising himself for the rest of eternity. In his mind, he saw her going back to the White House and telling the Queen of England about the idiot she met in the park and his face turned red again while he cursed himself.

“I’ll be out in a second!” Michael called when he heard the bell above the store’s entrance jingle, meaning someone had entered the store. Just as he was leaving the store room, he knocked over a box of baseballs, causing them to scatter on the floor. He swore under his breath as he bent over to pick them up. He heard Abby bark.

“Well hello Abby, are you running the cash register today?” a sweet female voice asked.

Michael froze. He knew that voice. But... no, it couldn’t be, could it? He quickly dropped the balls in his hands and went out to investigate. Sure enough he saw Abby with her front paws up on the counter and Sydney scratching her head from the other side.

“Hi,” Sydney smiled at him.

“Hello,” he said cautiously, still convinced he was dreaming. “Um, don’t take this the wrong way or anything, but, uh, what are you doing here?”

“Why? Because I’m a woman I can’t come into a sports store? Or because I’m president?” she asked in an almost snippy tone.

Michael, taken completely aback by her response, stammered for a moment. “I... um, no, I...”

Sydney cringed immediately as she saw a rosy color creep into his cheeks. “Oh god sorry!” she groaned as she brought a hand up to her face and covered her eyes. “Sorry, I really didn’t mean it like that. I sounded hostile and I meant to sound playful.... I mean, sometimes it’s just hard to throw a switch on the...”

“Hard ass attitude?” Michael offered with a soft laugh, relieved that she wasn’t actually going to kill him.

She laughed softly. “Yeah, that’s it. Let me start over. Hello, Michael, how are you?”

“I’m good, and you?” he smiled.

“Good. I see Abby is doing well too,” Sydney laughed as she continued to stroke one of the dog’s ears.

“Yes but she shouldn’t be on the counter. Abby down!” he commanded. Abby reluctantly got off the counter. Then, she walked around to the other side and sat at Sydney’s feet so she could continue to be scratched. “Spoiled,” Michael muttered as he reached under the counter for the box of doggie treats he kept. “Wanna give her one?”

“Sure,” Sydney smiled as she reached in the box and pulled out a cookie. “Here you go girl,” Sydney laughed as Abby took it from her hand and ate it quickly.

“So, uh, they really follow you everywhere, hmm?” he asked as he gestured towards the secret service man standing ten feet away. He was desperate to make some type of conversation with her while trying to figure out what she was doing there.

“Yeah,” she sighed. Then she took a deep breath. She had spoken to congress numerous times, been interviewed on national television news programs and dined with foreign dignitaries, but for some reason, this made her nervous. “So... in a few days there is this dinner thing... it’s not like a real big deal or anything, but I was wondering if uh, you’d like to come... with me...”

Michael was stunned. Had she just asked him out? “Well, um, you know fancy dinners really aren’t my thing...,” he said cautiously. It was the truth. He hated dressing up and he’d rather kill himself than sit through a painfully boring dinner with whomever she’d be eating with, most likely egotistical politicians. Yuck.

Sydney turned to leave, slightly dejected and a bit surprised she had been turned down. “Oh, right, sure. No big deal.”

Michael started to panic when he realized that he had turned her down and made it sound like he didn’t want to go out with her at all. He did, or at least he thought he did, maybe. “Movies are more my thing,” he said to her.

She turned and smiled. “I haven’t been to a theater in ages....”

“And I’m guessing you can’t go now?” Michael almost laughed at his stupid suggestion.

“No, but the White House has a theater. I can get any movie you want, even ones that are still in theaters,” she told him.

“Really?” he asked, somewhat impressed. She nodded. “Wow... even that new Orlando Bloom one?”

Sydney laughed loudly. “Hmm, somehow I didn’t peg you as an Orlando Bloom fan.”

“I’m not,” he assured her firmly. “But it’s action and I can’t think of any of the other actors in it at the moment.... or the title.”

“I know which one you mean. “When?” she asked.

He shrugged. “When is good for you?”

“Saturday night,” she told him.

“This coming Saturday?” he asked. She nodded. “Okay,” he smiled. “OH! Wait, how do I.... I mean, I can’t like, ring a doorbell....”

She laughed. “The gate will have your name. They’ll let you through without killing you, I promise.”

“Comforting,” he said sarcastically.

“I’ll see you Saturday then.”

“Saturday,” he nodded as he watched her walk off. Before she walked out the door, she turned back once more and smiled at him. “Holy shit... I have a date with the President...,” he sighed to Abby. “This is... insane...,” he shook his head as he walked back into the store room. But he wasn’t sure yet if it was the good kind of insane, or the bad kind.



Chapter 4

Saturday night, after obsessing over his attire for an hour with Abby watching him the entire time, Michael drove to the White House with his hands trembling. Not only was he nervous about his date with the woman who could have him killed and make it look like an accident, he was terrified about what sort of strip search the secret service were going to perform on him.

“Good evening sir, may I have your name?” the man at the gate asked when he pulled up.

“Michael Vaughn,” he said.

The man scanned the list he had in his hands and then looked up. “Alright Mr. Vaughn, go ahead and pull straight up the driveway. About a hundred feet down on your right you’ll see a small parking area. If you could just leave your car there...”

“Thank you,” Michael nodded as he pressed his foot down on the gas pedal once more, very relieved that that was over.

~*~

Sydney wrung her hands nervously as she paced the entrance way where Michael would momentarily be arriving. Her assistant had informed her of his arrival and immediately she felt ill. It had been, well, a very long time since she had been on a date with a man that wasn’t to a business function of some sort. Very long. She was thankful for the fact that they would be watching a movie and she wouldn’t have to carry on a conversation with a normal person who, most likely, had zero to minimal interest in politics as most normal people did.

Quickly, she checked her reflection in the mirror. She had decided upon khaki pants and a green sweater, figuring that her usual movie watching attire of sweats and an old t-shirt wasn’t exactly appropriate. After approving her appearance, she walked back over to the door, anxiously looking to see if he was coming up the path. He was and her heart jumped. “Hi...,” she said nervously as she opened the door for him.

“Hi, you look beautiful.” He smiled.

“Thanks, you look nice too. Did you find it ok?” she asked.

“Um, this is the most famous landmark in the country...”

“Right,” she laughed nervously. “Sorry... let’s just go,” she said as she crammed her hands in her pockets and led the way down to the basement screening room.

“You know... I’ve never been in here even though I’ve lived in DC my whole life,” he told her as they walked through the historical halls.

“Really?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he said. “I always thought it was too touristy for me.”

“Ah... what about the Smithsonian?”

“Only for school trips. I’m not a very museumy type of guy.”

“Ah right, but what if it was a hockey museum?” she smiled.

He looked at her in surprise. “How’d you know I like hockey?”

She giggled. “In your store, behind the counter there is a picture of you with a team.”

“Oh, yeah, the Hershey Bears... I was with them for almost two seasons before I got hurt,” he sighed.

“Ohh, that’s too bad,” she sighed as she opened a hidden door and led him down a rather dank staircase.

“Whoa... this is cool,” he said in an amused childlike voice.

She laughed. “There’s lots of cool stuff in here. But you know, they never gave me a map, so I’ve gotten lost a few times.”

“That’s not good,” he laughed as well. “I still can’t believe you have a movie theater.”

“And a bowling alley,” she told him.

“Awesome.” He laughed. “Were you really able to get that movie?”

“Yep. The studio airmailed it to me.” She smiled.

“Nice, it must be fun having such power.”

“It has its perks.” She winked. “So this is it...,” she said as they walked into a room that was exactly like a real theater, only smaller, of course.

“Awesome,” he laughed.

“Popcorn?” she offered him. He took some and thanked her before walking to the center aisle of seats. Sydney popped in the DVD before going and sitting next to him. When she did, he reached over and took her hand in his. Though it was just a simple gesture, it caused her to smile broadly for the entire evening.

As Michael sat there, watching the movie with his fingers laced perfectly through Sydney’s, he began to think about what the hell he was doing. He was sitting in the White House on a date with the President of the United States. A week earlier, he couldn’t have even comprehended going on a date with any woman, let alone her. Perhaps it was his age, perhaps it was the fact that he was in ‘that stage’ of his life, or perhaps it was just him, but he began to think about the future. After all, he couldn’t just waste his time casually dating anymore if he had any hope of having a family. He realized that having such thoughts on the very first date after a combined twenty minutes of conversation with her were definitely premature, but they weren’t unfounded.

She had an extremely different lifestyle than him. She was in the public’s eye. Hell, she was in the world’s eye as arguably the most powerful person in the world. That was definitely intimidating to him. He wasn’t used to that lifestyle and wasn’t sure if he could handle it. Not to mention the fact that politics weren’t exactly his thing, but clearly they were hers. Barring a handful of topics, he was always indifferent about them, though slightly embarrassed to admit it. Fortunately, though, he had voted for her in the previous election, but not for the best reason (she was better than the other guy).

All careers and political views aside, there was Sydney the person and truthfully he didn’t know much about her. Sure, there was the hearsay on the TV and radio, most of it he was hesitant to believe, but as for the real person, he wasn’t sure. He knew that she had to be outspoken and a strong individual, not that that scared him, well, on some people it did, but he couldn’t tell with her yet. All he knew was that she had a smile that made him go weak at the knees, a giggle that made his heart flutter and brown eyes he just wanted to stare into.

He had become so lost in his thoughts, he failed to realize that the movie had been over for a few minutes, and Sydney was looking at him. She turned away. “I’m just a girl, you know?” she said in a quiet voice.

Immediately, Michael’s face went hot, fearing she had been reading his thoughts. “What?”

“I’ve seen that look before.... I just, I didn’t want my job to... I don’t know. It’s a job and I’m... I’m just a girl,” she told him, still looking away.

“I know that,” he said, feeling slightly guilty at his previous thoughts. Still, she looked wary. He reached over with his free hand and gently guided her face to his as he placed a soft kiss on her lips. He lingered for a moment, then pulled back and smiled at her. “You’re a girl I’m dying to get to know better.”

She smiled, giggled nervously and kissed him quickly. Kissing him caused chills to travel down her spine all the way to her feet and back again. It had been a long time since she had been on a date, even longer since she had been kissed and that feeling hadn’t come in so long, she had truly forgotten what it felt like. “Well, I am an open book. Ask anything you’d like,” she smiled.

“Really? Hmm,” he pondered with a grin. “What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?”

She laughed loudly. “That’s the first question you ask me?” He just shrugged. “Seriously, you’re sitting around with your friends... talking randomly and someone says ‘hey Michael, if you could ask the President anything, what would you ask?’ and that’s what you pick?” she laughed with amusement.

“No,” he laughed. “If I was asking the President something I’d be... ARE YOU INSANE!?!” he asked frantically as he shook her slightly. She laughed. “No seriously, I was asking you, the girl.”

“Well, it’s definitely coffee, but I am partial to chocolate as well.”

“Good to know.” He grinned.

“What about you?”

“Oh, I like every kind of ice cream. It’s like... my drug.” He grinned.

She laughed. “An ice cream junkie, hmm?”

“Yup, the only thing in my freezer is ice cream,” he told her.

“Really? No frozen dinners?”

“Nah, I hate those things,” he said. “I cook.”

“Impressive,” she smiled. “I was always a disaster in the kitchen, even when I had the time. The most I could do was make toast. Then, when they came out with those microwaves with those potato buttons, look out boy! I was makin’ potatoes left and right,” she smiled.

He laughed. “Toast and potatoes, hmm? I guess you’re not on a low carb diet then?”

“No, definitely not. I’d die without my carbs. Besides, I don’t need a diet. The stress of this job is more than enough,” she said.

“Ah, yeah... I can see that. My job is stressful too,” he said convincingly. She looked at him curiously. “Kidding, it’s not at all,” he laughed. She rolled her eyes and smacked him playfully.

After a few more minutes of talking, Michael sadly got up and told Sydney he needed to get home to walk Abby before bed. “Oh, that’s fine... it’s past my bedtime anyway.”

“Bedtime?” he asked with amusement.

“Yup, ten o’clock every night. I always have trouble sleeping... and I get up early, plus there is always that possibility of being rudely awakened in the middle of the night with some horrifying news.” She sighed.

“Oh, yeah,” he cringed. “Has that happened?”

“Yeah, three months ago... those bombings in London...”

“Oh, right,” he sighed sadly recalling that tragic incident. “So, um, I had fun tonight.”

“Me too,” she smiled. “You, um, wanna do it again?”

“Absolutely,” he grinned.

“Great, um... here is my number. It’s my private cell and I never answer it, but if you leave a message I’ll get back pretty quickly,” she told him as she handed him a piece of paper with her number on it.

“Thanks, I’ll call you,” he smiled. “And thanks for the movie.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiled. Then she stepped forward and gave him a quick hug. When she went to pull back, he brushed his lips against hers once more.

“Bye,” he smiled.

“Bye...,” she sighed dreamily.



Chapter 5

“Look at you all smilin’ like an idiot,” Eric teased his friend on Sunday during their ‘male bonding’ time. “Could it be that someone who, as I recall, swore off women for life actually found one?”

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far, but I did have a date last night. A good date.” Michael grinned.

“Oh yeah? With who?”

“Sydney Bristow.”

Eric laughed. “That’s funny. Does she get mistaken for the President a lot?”

“She is the President,” Michael told him. Eric continued to laugh. “SHE IS!” he insisted.

“Are you on crack? How can you be dating the President?” Eric asked in disbelief.

“Ok, first, I’m not dating her. We went on one date. Second, I met her in the park and she asked me out,” Michael told him.

Eric doubled over and rested his hands on his knees as he laughed. “You’re... killing me...”

“Shut up, asshole.” Michael groaned as he walked away.

“Dude, I work for the FBI and I can’t get within fifty feet of her and suddenly you’re like, bedding her?”

“HEY! I take offense to that!” Michael snapped. “I most certainly did not bed her. I barely even kissed her,” he mumbled quietly.

“Yah, ok, I’ll believe it when I see it,” Eric smirked. Michael glared at him before walking away.

~*~

By Sunday evening, Michael couldn’t stand it any longer. He had been physically restraining himself from calling Sydney for the whole day and he couldn’t take it any longer. So, he picked up the phone and dialed. As expected, he got her voicemail. He left her his number and an offer to make her dinner sometime in the next week, whenever she was free, since his social calendar was empty.

When his phone rang three minutes later, he was shocked that it was her. “Hey, I got your message,” she said, her voice happy, almost relieved that he had called.

“And you’re returning it quite promptly, might I add,” he laughed.

“Yeah,” she laughed. “So, dinner sounds fantastic. Is Wednesday okay?”

“Wednesday is perfect. Sixish?”

“Sure. Want me to bring anything?” she offered.

“Just you and your beautiful smile,” he told her.

She giggled. “Okay, I’ll see you then.”

“Bye,” he sighed before hanging up. The moment he put the phone down on the counter, he began dancing around the kitchen like an idiot as Abby looked at him strangely, almost as if she was laughing at him. “Shut up, I’m happy,” he said to her. She got up and wagged her tail as she barked. “Go get your ball Abs,” he told her. Abby scampered off quickly and returned with a red squeaking ball, which Michael tossed around the house as he planned his Wednesday night dinner menu in his head.

~*~

On Wednesday evening, armed with a bottle of Merlot and her security detail, Sydney went to Michael’s house following the directions he had given her, which she had passed on to her driver. She was forced to wait in the car as the secret service searched Michael’s house until they finally gave her the OK to get out. “Sorry about that...,” she cringed when she saw the look of confusion on Michael’s face.

“No, it’s fine... I just... well, I never started a date like that before,” he laughed.

“Right,” she rolled her eyes. “Here, I brought you some wine.”

“Oh great, thanks,” he smiled.

“Sure,” she said as she followed him into the house. “Hi Abby,” she grinned as she knelt down next to the dog wagging her tail. Abby licked Sydney’s cheek and Sydney giggled.

“So you’re a dog person?” Michael laughed.

“Oh yeah, I love dogs. Growing up we had three: a German Shepard, a lab mix and a toy poodle,” she told him.

“Big, medium and small, hmm?” Michael laughed.

“Yeah, actually the German Shepard was afraid of the poodle.”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah, terrified. The poodle was a mean, yippy little thing, but my mom loved her. Needless to say, my dad and I weren’t overly fond,” Sydney told him.

“I can see that,” he laughed.

“Did you have any pets growing up?” Sydney asked.

“Nah, my dad’s allergic to both cats and dogs, so we were kinda stuck,” he sighed. “So, as soon as I moved out on my own I got a dog, but he passed away about five years ago and then I got Abs,” he smiled as he pet Abby’s head. “She’s a spoiled brat.”

“Aw, well they’re not fun unless they’re spoiled, right girl?” Sydney smiled at her. Abby yipped quietly in agreement. “See? She agrees with me.”

“Smart girl,” Michael smiled. “Have a seat. I’ll get dinner,” he said as he pulled out a chair at the dining room table for her. This small gesture impressed her greatly as she sat down. Abby immediately sat at her side, panting at her.

“Excuse me, go to your bed,” Michael said to her. Abby hesitated before walking away sadly, looking over her shoulder to see if Michael was serious.

“Awww,” Sydney sighed.

“Don’t let her innocent face fool you. She’s a food thief,” Michael said.

“Uh oh,” Sydney laughed. “That reminds me of the Thanksgiving our Lab mix, Tony, jumped up on the table and stole the turkey.”

“Oh no!” Michael laughed.

“Oh my mom was furious,” Sydney laughed, too. “It was horrible.”

“I bet,” he said. “Alright, let me see if I can get the food without being attacked by Abby.”

~*~

“Wow, this has to have been the best meal I’ve ever had,” Sydney announced once she had cleaned her plate.

“See, now you’re just saying that.” He laughed as he picked up her plate and carried it to the sink.

“No, really, it was,” she assured him.

He smiled. “Well, thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Go have a seat on the couch, I’ll be right there,” he told her.

After he put the rest of the dishes away, he gave some food to Abby, who was practically tripping him while begging for some ‘people food’. Then, he went and joined Sydney on the couch. “Enjoying your reading?” he laughed when he saw her leafing through a hockey magazine.

“Fascinating,” she said in an almost convincing tone. “I didn’t even know there was a hockey magazine.”

“Oh yeah, tons of them. They’re probably the best selling magazines ever,” he told her with a grin.

She laughed as she slid the magazine back onto the table where she found it. “Guess I’m missing out then.”

“I guess you are,” he smiled. “I’d take you to a Capitols game but...”

“Right...,” she sighed. Then after a few moments of silence she added, “I think that’s the thing I miss the most.”

“What?” he asked.

“Being able to just do something. Run to the mall, go to a hockey game, stop in a flower shop if their window display looks pretty... I can’t do any of that.” She sighed.

“On the bright side, you get to have people go to the mall for you,” he told her.

“Yeah, but there is something creepy about other people picking out your underwear.” She grimaced.

“True.” He laughed.

“Besides, there’s no spur of the moment shopping. Like you’re there for like... shoes or something and you find all these other great clothes. Being a guy you probably don’t get that but...,” she laughed.

“No, I know what you mean,” he told her. “Doesn’t really matter though, you look beautiful in whatever you wear.”

She blushed nervously and almost started to giggle but was saved when Abby came over and put her head in Sydney’s lap. “Looks like somebody has a new best friend,” Michael commented as Sydney began to scratch Abby’s head.

Sydney laughed. “Yeah, or she just wants scratched.”

“That too,” Michael laughed. A few minutes later, when Abby walked away, Michael slid closer to Sydney and tentatively leaned his face in closer to hers. She smiled and responded by closing the distance between them and kissing him. Soft kisses turned into passionate ones before Sydney pulled back and turned her face downward, giggling softly at the school girl-like feelings he had brought to light in her.

“Sorry, I, um, it’s just been a long time since I’ve dated,” she told him quietly.

“How long?”

“Well... eight years since I was on a date... eight and a half since I kissed anyone like that,” she admitted. “Wow, that sounds so pathetic,” she laughed at herself.

“No, it doesn’t,” he told her. She gave him a look. “Okay maybe a little tiny bit, but you’ve been busy. Obviously,” he laughed.

“Right...,” she sighed, still looking away.

“Hey, it’s ok,” he told her. “No rush. We can take things slow. I mean, if you want to...”

She smiled, leaned in and kissed him again. “Yeah, I want to.”

“Good,” he smiled, kissing her once more.

“Mm, I should go. Don’t want to, but have to,” she sighed.

“Bedtime?” he offered with a grin.

“No, call from Australia,” she told him.

“That works too,” he laughed.

“Listen, um, tomorrow I’m leaving for this UN meeting in Europe. I’ll be gone a few days, but I’ll call you when I’m back, ok?” she asked.

“Definitely,” he grinned. Then, they both got off the couch and Michael walked her to the door.

“Thanks again for dinner,” Sydney said with a smile.

“Anytime,” he said. They kissed once more and then he watched her get out, get into her chauffeured SUV and drive away. He walked from the door, shaking his head at himself, wondering what in the world he had gotten himself into.



Chapter 6

On Friday night, Michael was just cleaning up his dinner and getting ready to watch some baseball on TV when his phone rang. “Hello?”

“Michael... it’s Sydney,” she said cautiously.

“Oh hey, how are you?” he asked with a smile. “Wait... isn’t it like midnight there?”

“Almost,” she sighed. “I can’t sleep because of jet lag and I just.... I wanted to call you and talk for a bit. Is that ok?”

“Of course. It’s more than ok. What did you want to talk about?”

“I dunno,” she sighed.

“Okay, um... wanna tell me about your family?” Michael asked.

“Well, I’m an only child. My mom, Irina, was born in Russia and she came here to study literature, met my father and the rest is history. Now she teaches fifth grade, or she did, she retired last year. So did my dad. He was a chemist. But it's funny, I think my mom will probably end up going back to work because she says Dad is driving her insane.” Sydney laughed.

“Nice,” Michael laughed as well.

“Anyway, aside from the insane pets that you already know about, we were just your typical average West Virginia family.... except we didn’t marry our cousins,” she assured him.

“Always good to know,” he laughed.

“Yeah... how about you?”

“Well, I’m also an only child. My mom, dad and I lived in the DC area until I was out of high school. They both worked a bunch of different jobs. My mom was an accountant and my dad had a business degree. Then, once I was in college, they moved up into Maryland and they now own an antique shop.”

“Interesting,” Sydney said.

“For them,” he laughed. “It bores me to tears, especially when they drag me around to their stupid antique shows so I can help them carry crap home.”

“Aww,” she laughed. “Ok hmm, what’s the craziest thing you ever did?”

“I don’t think it’s safe to be telling you that,” he said.

“I’ll keep your secret away from the FBI, I promise,” she told him.

“Okay, okay,” he laughed. “Umm, getting engaged probably.”

“Really? How can that be crazy?” she asked.

“Well, it was the end of college and I was dating this girl who was completely wrong for me. It was one of those opposites attract things only well, hmm, it was more like dynamite marrying a match stick, bound to explode.”

“Uh oh,” she commented.

“Yeah. We were totally wrong for each other, but we had fun. So one night we got a little trashed on tequila, something I haven’t done since I assure you, and we were like ‘let’s get married!’. Well, thank god you have to wait at least three days for a marriage license to process and we weren’t in Vegas because well, it would have been bad. Anyway we decided just to get engaged and three weeks later I realized there was no way we’d even make it close to walking down the aisle so we broke up,” he told her.

“Oh, that’s kinda sad,” she sighed.

“Nah, she drove me nuts,” he laughed.

Sydney laughed, too. “I was engaged once, too.”

“Really? What crazy man let you get away?” he asked.

“His name was Danny. We started dating my senior year at Harvard and we were both going into the law school there. We were really, really good for each other. I mean, we were both concentrated on our school work and we just.... I don’t know. He was my first real love, I guess. Definitely my first long term relationship. Danny was the first guy I ever.....,” she stopped herself from saying that next thought, feeling it was too much to reveal but thinking that Michael might have gotten her drift anyway. “Well, anyway, our last year of law school he proposed. But it was weird, you know? It was more of a ‘well we’ve been dating for almost four years, so I guess we should get engaged’ kinda thing.”

“Not exactly sweep you off your feet romantic,” Michael said.

“No, definitely not. But Danny wasn’t that type of guy either. So we were engaged for about a year when I started thinking seriously about a career in politics. Well, Danny would have none of that. He said there was no way he could ever live in Washington. He wouldn’t even consider the idea. So, we broke up and... I haven’t really dated anyone seriously since.” She sighed.

“I think your story is sadder than mine... and for the record, Danny’s an idiot,” Michael told her.

“Thanks,” she laughed. Then, he heard her yawn through the phone.

“You tired yet?” he asked.

“Mmm, one more question. If you were President for a day, what would you do?” she asked.

“Whoa, talk about loaded question,” he laughed.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to put you on the spot.”

“No, it’s alright, just give me a minute to think,” he said. “I think... I think any idealistic thing I could come up with to do, would be ridiculous compared to the actualities of the job. Sort of like that ‘if you had one wish, what would it be?’ question. An answer like world peace is completely unrealistic. So, I don’t think that’s something you could answer until you get there and see it from that point of view.”

She was silent for a moment, absorbing his response. “Wow. That’s a really good answer.”

“Yeah?” he laughed, slightly relieved.

“Yep, really good. So what would be an idealistic answer?”

“Umm, stealing Air Force One and flying to France? Or no... pocketing some gold bars from Fort Knox? Or um maybe firing some people that I hate in Congress or something. I dunno.”

She laughed. “Well, at least only one of your options was illegal.”

“See, that’s progress,” he smiled.

“Alright, alright, I’m going to sleep. Night Michael.” She sighed.

“Night Syd.”



Chapter 7

The following weekend, Michael had yet to see Sydney again. He had heard from her via phone and she had told him that she would be delayed another few days before returning to the States, so he was spending his time with Eric.

“So are you still claiming to date that ‘President’ chick?” Eric asked using air quotes while they were playing foosball.

“She is the President and yes, I’m still dating her. But if you actually paid attention to the news, you’d know that she’s been in Europe for a week,” Michael said.

“I’ll have you know that I do pay attention to the news, especially presidential news. It’s my job remember. I also know that President Bristow’s plane landed not too long ago. It was on the radio on the way over here.” Eric smiled proudly.

“Oh, well then maybe she’ll call me,” he smiled.

“Whatever... SCORE! Yes! In your face!” Eric cheered when the tiny ball crashed into Michael’s goal.

“Wow,” Michael shook his head.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

A few minutes later, Michael's cell phone rang and he grinned when he saw whose number was on his caller ID. “Hey beautiful,” he answered.

“Is that her?!” Eric hissed quietly but Michael ignored him.

“Hey,” she sighed. “Whatcha doin?”

“Just hanging out. You?”

“Just got back and I’m thinking of swinging by your house. Is that ok?” she asked.

“Sure, as long as you don’t mind meeting my idiot friend Eric.”

“HEY!” Eric groaned.

Sydney laughed. “Not a problem at all. I’ll send my guards ahead to strip search him.”

“Wait, not before I can get my video camera.” Michael laughed.

“Alright, I’ll be there in ten.”

“See ya then,” he said before hanging up. “She’s coming over.”

“Wait, you realize that if she comes here you can’t continue that whole 'she’s the President' façade right?” Eric asked in confusion.

“Uh, yeah, because it’s not a façade,” Michael said.

“Holy shit! You’re really dating the President?!” Eric gasped.

“Uh yeah. By the way, I love that you believe me.” Michael rolled his eyes. “Oh shit, this place is a mess... gotta clean!” he said before grabbing all the dirty dishes and frantically throwing them in the sink. While he rushed around cleaning, Eric stood still in shock, but when the doorbell rang he jumped a mile.

“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,” he hyperventilated.

“Chill Eric, or she’ll have you shot,” Michael told him as he walked to the door. “Hello,” he grinned when he opened the door.

She kissed him quickly. “Hi,” she sighed while walking inside.

“I don’t have to surrender to a full search this time?” he asked, half laughing.

“Nah, you’re good. They’ve had you under surveillance,” Sydney smiled. As Michael was taking her coat, he was debating on whether she was joking or serious and then decided he definitely didn’t want to know.

“Anyway, Syd this is Eric,” Michael said as he gestured towards Eric, who was frozen stiff with shock.

“Uh... nice to meet you Madame President,” Eric mumbled as he did a small curtsy.

Sydney looked at Michael curiously. Michael shook his head. “He’s just shocked. He’s normal, I swear, well relatively.”

“Oh,” she laughed. “It’s nice to meet you Eric.”

Eric said nothing, but continued looking like a deer in headlights. “Eric is an FBI Agent,” Michael said for him.

“Oh, fantastic,” Sydney smiled. Eric smiled as well. “Have you ever considered working with the Secret Service?” she asked. Eric nodded.

“Yeah, but he’s not good enough,” Michael said. Eric looked utterly crushed. “She knows I’m kidding.” Michael rolled his eyes at him. Eric looked unamused while Sydney laughed. “Eric’s a fantastic Agent.”

“Well then, I can put in a good word for you if you’re interested.” Sydney smiled.

“Really?” Eric managed, though his voice was hoarse.

“Sure,” Sydney said.

“That would be awesome, thank you.” Eric smiled. Sydney nodded.

“So how was Europe?” Michael asked her.

“Good. Long, but good.” She smiled.

Eric, who appeared to be coming out of his shell a bit, approached them cautiously with a sly grin. “So... tell me, seriously, what are you doing with this loser?”

“Hey!” Michael groaned. Eric gave him a ‘paybacks a bitch isn’t it?’ grin.

Sydney giggled. “Well, I’m not sure actually. He is a loser.” Michael looked slightly offended. “Kidding,” she giggled.

“No, she’s not,” Eric smiled. Michael glared at him.

“Hey, where’s Abby?” Sydney asked.

“She’s out back on her leash. I’ll get her,” Eric said before walking towards the back of the house.

“So I’m a loser, huh?” Michael asked Sydney in a somewhat pouty tone.

“No, of course not.” She smiled as she slipped her arms around his waist. “I mean, it’s not like you fell flat on your face when we met,” she grinned.

“I knew that was going to come back and bite me in the ass,” he groaned.

“Mmmhmm,” she laughed as she kissed him. Michael locked his arms around her back and kissed her back passionately.

“Whoa, other people in the room!” Eric announced as he came back in.

“Sorry,” Sydney laughed. “ABBY! Hey girl!” She grinned as she knelt down on the floor. Abby went right over to her, wagging her tail and waiting to be petted.

“Ohh, now I get it. She’s only with your for the dog,” Eric smiled.

“Exactly,” Sydney laughed. “Well, I should be going. Gotta unpack and do some work. I’ll call you later, okay?”

“'Kay,” he smiled as he followed her to the door. After a quick kiss, she left and Michael shut the door behind her. “So?” he asked Eric.

“DUDE! You’re gonna be the first First Man!” Eric laughed.

“Eric, we’ve been dating for like three weeks, don’t start buying the rings yet,” Michael told him.

“Yeah, but you’re so obviously smitten with her. And I must say she’s much sweeter than I thought she’d be. I thought she was going to be a real bitch,” Eric said honestly.

“Lovely,” Michael said sarcastically.

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way, you know? I just meant... she’d be all business, no giggling.”

“I know what you mean.” Michael sighed. “I thought that too, sort of, at first. But she’s not at all.”

“Nope, she’s good man. Very good.”



Chapter 8

Once she arrived back home after seeing Michael, Sydney called her parents since she hadn’t talked to them in quite some time. “Hi Mama,” she said into the phone, her thicker accent returning immediately.

“Oh Sydney, it’s wonderful to hear from you. How was your trip?” her mother asked.

“Really good,” Sydney told her.

“Is there something different about you? You sound different,” Irina asked suspiciously.

“Well... I met someone,” she said with a slight giggle. Her mother had always been like a best friend to her. In fact, she was her best friend since Sydney had no other girlfriends and not very many real friends at all.

“A guy someone?”

“Yeah...,” she giggled again.

“My goodness! I haven’t heard you giggle like that in years. Who is he?” her mother asked.

“His name is Michael. He owns a sporting goods store here in DC. We met three weeks ago and.... I don’t know.... he makes me feel seventeen again.” She laughed.

“Is that good?”

“Well, it’s definitely not bad,” she said. “Gosh, I don’t know what’s wrong with me! I’m just... I never giggle, you know that and now I’m giggling nonstop!” she said with another giggle.

“Maybe you’re falling in love with him,” Irina suggested hopefully.

“Mama, it’s been three weeks.” Sydney sighed.

“Yes, but sometimes love works quickly,” Irina said.

“LOVE?! She’s in love?!” Sydney heard her father’s voice slightly muffled from the other end of the phone.

“Quit eavesdropping Jack!” Irina scolded her husband.

Sydney laughed at her parent’s typical behavior. “Tell Daddy I’m not in love with him. However, I do love his dog.”

“Dog?” Irina asked.

“Yeah, this adorable Lab named Abby. She’s so sweet.”

“Mmhmm, well keep us up to date on your new fella,” Irina told her.

“Thanks Mama,” Sydney laughed. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Bye sweetheart,” Irina said before hanging up.

~*~

For the next two months, Sydney and Michael went on an average of two dates per week and when they weren’t physically together in the same city, they would talk on the phone for hours. During their conversations, they discussed themselves as well as recent events. Sydney didn’t usually like to talk about many current events, especially political ones, since she lived and breathed them, but because of his new love life, Michael was suddenly more interested in politics than ever before (which he found to be a good thing).

Unfortunately, towards the middle of November, Sydney became extremely busy to the point where she was working almost non-stop. Her presidency was going quite well up to that point. Her approval ratings where high and she was getting important things done. But outside the United States, the problems started. Allies of the US, such as Canada, England and Japan, didn’t have a problem with a female leader. It was the less than friendly countries, such as those in the Middle East, that had the problems. They made their complete disapproval of her as a leader no secret and, sadly, their disagreement wasn’t very peaceful either.

Michael felt bad for her, especially since as far as he could tell (though his opinion was slightly biased) she was doing a fantastic job. She wasn’t able to share everything with him, due to the secrecy natures of her job, but from what he understood, she felt incredibly guilty for basically being a woman. He tried to convince her that she was a thousand times better than most male leaders, but it was no use.

Finally, the week before Thanksgiving, Michael was able to convince Sydney that she needed to take a break, even if it was just a 2 hour 'watch a stupid TV movie' break. She agreed, but refused to leave the White House in case of an emergency, so Michael went over there. Going to the White House was always a surreal experience for him, even though he had done it at least half a dozen times since the beginning of their relationship. Each time he went, he experienced a child-like fascination at everything he saw, especially the first time he saw the residence area where she lived, since almost no one is privileged enough to see that part of the White House.

Because of the fact that they hadn’t seen each other in over a week, when Michael arrived, Sydney latched onto him and they ended up making out for most of their time together which furthered their almost high-school-like attitudes towards each other (meaning they couldn’t keep their hands off each other and they were constantly giggling). During their couch makeout session, Michael’s hands crept up the back of Sydney’s sweater, not exactly intentionally, but when they did, she was startled. “Sorry,” he apologized quickly, noting her reaction.

“No,” she sighed. “I’m the one that’s sorry. I’ve been avoiding discussing this issue for too long.”

“What issue?” he asked even though he already knew. She looked at him. “Right...”

“It’s just... I was always the shy, conservative girl. I’ve only been with one man. I grew up going to church and all that stuff... I just feel like I should be in love, which sounds really mean to you but-”

“No, it doesn’t sound mean at all,” he assured her. “I completely understand. It’s only been like two months.”

“Right,” she said with a smile. “So... it’s ok then?”

“Of course. I mean, it has to be ok otherwise you’d have me whacked.” He grinned. She rolled her eyes and shoved him lightly. “Kidding, of course it’s ok.”

“Thanks,” she sighed as she laid her head in his shoulder. He put his arms around her and pulled her into his lap while kissing her forehead.

“Hey Syd? What are you doing for Thanksgiving?” he asked.

“Going to my parents like usual.” She sighed. “Why?”

“Well, I was wondering if you wanted to come have Thanksgiving with me and my parents so you could... meet. Before you say anything they always have dinner the Saturday before Thanksgiving, because over Thanksgiving they go on a cruise, or at least they have for the past few years,” Michael told her.

“You want me to meet them?” Sydney asked as she raised her head off his shoulder. He nodded. “Okay,” she smiled.

“Yeah? You sure you can tear yourself away from your busy schedule?” he teased as he tickled her waist.

She giggled. “Yeah, I think I can manage.”

“Good.” He smiled.

“So, Saturday at five then... I suppose I wouldn’t be able to drive you?”

She shook her head. “I can take you though. It’s stupid to drive separate.”

“Okay,” he smiled.

“Oh, are you going to warn your parents in advance?”

“You mean that the President is coming for dinner? Nah, I’ll surprise ‘em.” He grinned.

“That’s so mean,” she laughed.

“Nah, it will be worth it for their reactions.”

“Mean,” she shook her head with a sigh.

“Think of it this way. If they don’t know you’re coming, then they can’t plan ahead to poison you – not that they would – so therefore their whole house doesn’t have to be searched by a security detail,” he told her, being all too familiar with that.

“That’s a good point. You are a smart man Michael Vaughn.” She smiled.

“Why thank you,” he grinned.



Chapter 9

On Saturday at three, Sydney picked Michael up so that they could go to his parents after he made sure that Eric was going to be able to take care of Abby, since they would be staying overnight. “He’s going to overfeed her, I know it,” Michael muttered as they drove off.

“Aw,” Sydney laughed as she stroked his arm. “So... you’re parents are going to like me, right?”

“Well, see, there’s this little tiny thing.... My parents are democrats,” he told her while cringing.

Sydney gasped in a mix of shock and horror. “And you’re choosing now to tell me this?!” Then she smacked him, hard. “JERK!”

“HEY! That hurt woman.” He groaned as he rubbed his tender arm. “And I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to freak out about it.”

“Too bad, I’m freaking out!! Ok, ok,” she tried to breathe. “How Democrat are they? Are we talking scary activist Kennedy-like Democrats or just on the more Democratic side of middle.”

“Um, the second one. They’re definitely not activists. They’re mostly politically apathetic like I am, or like I was,” he told her.

“Uh huh,” she said unsurely. “Does that mean you’re a Democrat too?”

“I almost fear answering that question...,” he said as he slid further away from her as she glared. “But no, I’m registered independent. Like I said, I’m politically apathetic. I swing both ways.”

“Do you?” she asked with a sly smile.

“Ha. Ha,” he said dryly.

“Sorry, that was easy and you pissed me off,” she told him.

“Well, the most important thing is that I voted for you,” he smiled.

She rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t matter because you’re parents are going to HATE me!”

“They’re definitely not going to hate you. It just may prove for some interesting dinner conversations.” He smiled.

“Great,” she sighed.

“It will be fine, I promise. Besides, they’ll probably be SO shocked you’re actually there, they’ll forget about it,” he told her.

“You mean they don’t have a picture of me on their dartboard?” she laughed bitterly.

“Of course not. My mom even voted for you after she got into an argument with my dad who was anti-women presidents and trust me, my mom made him eat his words when you won,” he told her.

Sydney laughed. “Well, that makes me feel slightly better.”

“Good,” he smiled.

“What did you tell them about the person you were bringing for dinner?” Sydney asked.

“The truth, minus some details.” He smiled. “I told them I was bringing my girlfriend named Sydney, and of course, as soon as my mother heard the word ‘girlfriend’ she was too ecstatic to think about anything else.”

“Oh yeah?” Sydney laughed.

“Totally. She’s always trying to set me up with someone who she likes. I try and tell her it doesn’t work that way but, of course, she doesn’t listen.”

“Of course,” Sydney said. “I know what you mean though; my mom tries to do that.”

“Yeah... I mean, I love them and all, but they need to just let me be. They can’t though, because they’re them. We’re so close though, my parents and I. Mostly because I don’t have any brothers or sisters, but also because we’re only like twenty years apart, well twenty-one years,” he told her.

“Really?” Sydney asked.

“Yep, my mom had me right after she graduated college.”

“Same with me, well sort of. My mom was twenty-three, so she’s like my best friend,” Sydney told him.

“That’s nice.” Michael smiled.

“Yep, really nice.” Sydney smiled back. “So, how long does it take to get there?”

“Only about forty-five minutes.”

“Ohh, that’s not so bad. Plus, we can probably get their faster. The police escort tends to make people move out of the way.”

“Probably.” He laughed.

“Anyway, are you sure your parents are ok with me staying? Or rather, us staying?” Sydney asked.

“My mom practically insisted on it,” Michael told her. “She always complains that they have a pretty guest room that nobody uses.”

“I know but... they’re ok with us sharing a room?” Sydney asked quietly.

“Syd, my fortieth birthday – something I hate, mind you – is in four days, I think my parents realize I’ve been with women,” he told her. “Besides, it’s not like I’d have sex in their house. That’s...”

“Creepy? Gross? Disgusting? Wrong on many levels?” Sydney offered.

“All of the above,” he told her. “Damn, I’m so old.” He groaned.

“No, you’re not. You’re barely a year older than me,” she told him.

“Yeah... but forty... I remember when my parents were forty... I thought they were ancient.”

She laughed. “Poor baby,” she sighed in a patronizing tone.

“I know,” he sighed woefully.

After only a half hour drive, their chauffeured car pulled up in front of Michael’s parent’s ranch home. “Just, uh, stay behind me a second while I make sure they’re not holding something that could drop and break,” Michel whispered to her as they walked up the front walk.

“You could have just warned them in advance,” she sighed.

“Where’s the fun in that?” he smiled. She rolled her eyes at him. “Mom, Dad?” he called as he walked in the front door.

“Oh Michael! I’m glad you’re here,” his mother called from the kitchen.

“Mom, can you come here a sec? Preferably empty handed,” Michael called to her.

“Why does she need t- Oh. My. God,” Michael’s father, Bill, gasped when he came into the foyer and caught a glimpse of his son’s guest. “Amelia, get out here.”

“Why? What’s going – GOOD LORD!” she gasped when she came around the corner and saw Sydney.

“Mom, Dad, this is Sydney.” Michael smiled as he pulled her forward, though she was reluctant to give up her position of hiding behind him.

Sydney, who had never been shy in her life, suddenly felt very timid. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you Mr. Vaughn, Mrs. Vaughn.”

For a moment, Michael’s parents just stared at her. Then, finally, his father spoke. “Son, could I have a word with you. Excuse us, please,” he said to Sydney as he yanked his son into the next room where Amelia promptly hit him.

“HEY! That hurt!” Michael groaned. Sydney, upon hearing this, laughed quietly.

“Just Sydney, my girlfriend,” Amelia mocked her son. “Did you forget she was the PRESIDENT?!” she hissed.

“Oh my god, IS SHE?!” Michael teased. Amelia glared; he shrank.

“If you weren’t so old I swear I’d spank you. YOU DIDN’T WARN US?! I could have used the good china!! What is the matter with you?!” Amelia scolded as she beat her son with a tea towel.

“Would you QUIT IT!” Michael groaned as he held his arms up defensively over his face. “This is exactly why I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want the obsession to take over. Besides, she’s not going to care what plates she eats off! She’s not the Queen of England.... although,” he pondered. “Hmm that comparison doesn’t exactly work here- ENOUGH WITH THE TOWEL!” he shouted as his mother smacked him once more. “Just relax. She’s just a person,” he sighed as he walked back to Sydney. “Sorry ‘bout that.”

“No problem,” she smiled. “Did you enjoy your dishtowel beating? Serves you right,” she muttered under her breath. He gave her a look and she smiled innocently at him.

“Come ‘ere you.” He groaned as he pulled her towards the room where his parents were standing.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry Sydney. I didn’t want to seem rude,” Amelia apologized as she gave her son a look.

“Oh, no it’s fine. I understand completely,” Sydney assured her. “Here, I brought you this as a thank you for having me to dinner,” Sydney said as she handed Amelia the wine she had brought.

“Oh thank you very much, you’re very sweet. Why don’t you go and have a seat in the living room. I’ll be there in just a moment,” Amelia told her.

~*~

Throughout the late afternoon and early evening, Sydney and Michael talked with the Vaughn’s. Mostly, they talked about Sydney and Michaels’ relationship with a few questions about being President thrown in. In addition, Amelia chose to share at least half a dozen stories to humiliate Michael as payback while Sydney practically rolled out of her seat laughing. Michael, however, was less than amused as his face grew steadily pinker throughout the evening.

After Sydney insisted on helping Amelia with the dishes, the four of them sat around and played Scrabble which, unbeknownst to Sydney until that time, was a family tradition. Sydney beat them all, though she wasn’t really trying to slaughter them as much as she did.

“Thank you so much for letting me stay here tonight, Amelia.” Sydney smiled to her on her way to the spare bedroom.

“Of course, you’re welcome any time dear. Have a good sleep,” Amelia said.

“Thanks, you too.” Sydney smiled as she followed Michael into the spare bedroom. “So, do I pass?”

“Pass? They like you better than me now!” He laughed.

“Ohhh, that’s not true. How could they not like their little boy with the adorable diaper rash butt cheeks,” she teased.

Michael’s face turned pink once more. “Not. Funny.”

“Oh but it is,” she giggled.

“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered as he disappeared into the bathroom.

After they had each taken their turn, they crawled into bed and tried to arrange themselves comfortably since it was their first time sleeping in the same bed together. Sydney nestled her head in the crook of Michael’s neck as he wrapped his arms around her. “Comfy?” he asked.

“Very,” she sighed. “Hey Michael?”

“Hmm?”

“Thanks for inviting me.”

“No problem, Syd. ‘Night.”

“Night,” she sighed.

Sydney fell asleep quickly, but Michael stayed awake, listening to the sounds of her breathing in and out and continuing to be amazed by her. Not only had she interacted perfectly with his parents (even when they were all mocking him, which he obviously disliked), but she fit perfectly in his arms. Even though it was their first time sharing a bed, there was no awkward rearranging or uncomfortable shifting as there often was. She fit perfectly, like a puzzle piece, against his body and in his arms and that had never happened to him before.



Chapter 10

Sydney awoke the next morning after an extremely restful night’s sleep. She snuggled closer to Michael, not knowing what time it was and not even caring; she never wanted to move. It had been over ten years since she had spent the night in the arms of a man, and even then, with Danny, it hadn’t been as perfect as it was right then. The comforting warmth of his arm around her and the gentle rise and fall of his chest below her quelled any doubts she had about their relationship in her mind. She had finally found exactly what she was searching for and, amazingly enough, she hadn’t even been looking for it at the time.

She felt Michael breathe in deeply and begin to stir. “Morning,” she smile as she lifted her head off his chest.

“Mornin’,” he yawned. “Sleep well?”

“Very. You?”

“Perfect,” he smiled.

“Ohh I want to stay forever,” she sighed as she lay her head back down.

“Okay,” he laughed softly. They had only been laying still for a few moments before a cell phone ring tone that sounded strangely like a funeral dirge rang.

“NOOOOOO,” Sydney whined.

“What?”

“My chief of staff. He has his own hellish ringtone. Make it go away,” she groaned as she clung tighter to him.

“Well as your boyfriend, I’m all for that. But as a citizen of this country, I’m slightly concerned,” he laughed.

“Uhh,” she groaned as she rolled over and grabbed her phone from the nightstand. “What do you want Andrews?” she asked curtly into her phone. “No, I’m not alone.... he’s not a security risk!... he’s not! Are you a security risk?” she asked Michael as she held the phone out.

“No,” he laughed.

“Are you friends with any terrorists?” she asked.

“No,” he repeated.

“See,” she said into the phone as she smiled at Michael. “I’m not being childish... whatever... fine... fine... I said fine!... Okay, goodbye,” she groaned before tossing the phone down to her feet and flopping back down onto her pillow.

“Good call?” Michael asked as he propped himself up on his elbow.

“No,” she sighed. “I swear that man is robotic. He never sleeps. It’s disturbing.”

“Freaky. So is the country in trouble? Should I start fleeing to Canada?” he asked with a smile.

She laughed. “You’d better not. And there’s no big trouble, just the general I need to get back there in case there is a major disaster,” she sighed.

“You sound thrilled,” Michael laughed softly.

“Well, normally I wouldn’t mind, except I really don’t want to leave this bed.” She sighed as she cuddled up to him once more.

“I don’t want you to either.” He sighed into her hair.

“Michael, what are you doing for Christmas?” she asked quietly.

“Dunno, what did you have in mind?” he asked.

“Camp David. My parents are coming,” she told him.

“Sounds perfect,” he told her honestly.

Ten minutes later, they reluctantly dragged themselves out of bed and changed out of their pajamas. Sydney politely turned down Amelia’s breakfast offer, stating that she really had to get back to Washington. “You go ahead,” Michael told her. “I’m gonna stick around.”

“Oh... alright... now I feel bad you don’t have a car.” Sydney sighed.

“Don’t be. I’ll get one of these two to take me. After all, they’re parents; it’s what they’re for... OUCH!” He flinched as his mother smacked him with a section of the Sunday paper. “We’re usually less violent, I swear,” he said as he rubbed the back of his skull.

“I’m sure,” Sydney smiled. “I’ll call you later, ok?”

“Okay,” he said as he walked her to the door and kissed her goodbye.

“Bye. Thanks for dinner again!” Sydney waved to Michael’s parents.

“Bye!” they said in unison.

“So...,” Michael said cautiously once she was gone. His mother rushed forward and pulled him into a smothering embrace, practically sobbing into his shoulder. “What is she doing?” Michael asked his father, fear in his voice.

“I’m so happy you’re not going to die alone!” Amelia exclaimed.

“Uh, thanks Mom...,” Michael said unsurely.

“I think she means to say that we really like Sydney,” Bill told his son.

“WE LOVE HER!” Amelia said excitedly. “When are you going to propose?”

“Mom, chill out, we’ve only been dating like two months,” Michael told her.

“But you’re so obviously in love!” She grinned.

“Oh really? Could you tell that when you were humiliating me to death?” Michael asked as he folded his arms over his chest.

“Well, sweetheart, it was only fair.” Amelia smiled as she brushed invisible lint off her son’s shoulder.

“Yeah, yeah,” he mumbled as he went to the kitchen in search of food.

“Seriously Michael, she’s wonderful,” Amelia told him.

“I know,” he smiled. “I was worried about you guys and the whole political thing.”

“Us?!” Amelia gasped.

“Well, Dad...”

“Never gonna live that down, am I?” Bill sighed.

“Nope,” Amelia said.

“Well, it’s fine, really. Politics aren’t everything. Your happiness is much more important. Besides, she’s a lovely person,” Bill told his son.

“I’m glad you think so.” Michael smiled. “But, if you ever tell stories about my diaper rash again I’ll disown you.”

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Chapters 11 - 20