The Best Ones

Author: Janet (SkyGirl5)

Genre: S/V, AU

Summary: That's how the best ones always start, isn't it?

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

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Chapters 1-12 // Chapters 13 - 24 // Chapters 25-34

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Chapter 1

Sydney Bristow nervously leafed through her closet, trying to find the perfect outfit for that day. It needed to be perfect – sophisticated yet cool, comfortable and corporate. That day was to be her first as a full field agent of the CIA, having completed her training only a week earlier. The most important impression she had to make was that she was her own person no matter what her last name was.

That was perhaps the only downside to working in the office where her father was the director. Every where she went people would say “oh you’re Jack Bristow’s daughter” or “I know your father, he’s a good man”. It wasn’t that she hated comments like that, she didn’t mind them exactly. She was proud of her family. But, she wanted to be known as ‘Sydney Bristow’ and not ‘Jack Bristow’s Daughter’.

Finally, she picked out a navy blue pants suit with a white tank underneath. After grabbing her black boots from under her bed, she grabbed her purse and headed out the door. The whole drive to the JTF center, Sydney drummed her hands on the steering wheel to the beat of the radio, trying to drown out her nerves with music on LA’s KISS FM.

She pulled her car into the parking lot after showing her ID and caught a glimpse of a friend of hers from agent training making her way towards the front door. “Alicia!” Sydney called after her.

“Hey Sydney.” Alicia smiled. “You ready?”

“Oh yeah.” Sydney grinned. “You?”

“Definitely.” Alicia smiled back. The two women walked into the JTF together and made their way back to the meeting room they were directed to. “Ugh.” Alicia whispered the moment she caught a glimpse of who was already in the room. “Those two assholes.”

“Oh god.” Sydney groaned as she saw them as well. “They were the worst during training!”

“I know I was about one more sexist comment away from shooting their nuts off.” Alicia said.

Sydney tried to quiet her laugher but ended up snorting rather loudly. “Yes.”

“Good morning ladies, what’s so funny?” The one man asked. He was a few inches shorted than the other as well as more than a few inches wider.

“Nothing.” They said in unison. The two men exchanged glances.

“Alright let’s get started. As you all know I’m Director Bristow and this is Deputy Director Kendall. You four are the best agents out of training in years so let’s keep it that way. Agent Vaughn you will be partnering with Agent Weiss and Agent Bennet will be partnering with Agent Bristow. Now, you’re desks are right outside this office and they are already piled with papers so I suggest you get to work. Dismissed,” Jack said.

“Thank god we don’t have to partner with them.” Alicia whispered to Sydney who nodded in agreement. As they were leaving Vaughn walked past them and pushed a chair in front of Sydney’s path, almost causing her to fall.

“Excuse you,” Sydney said harshly. Vaughn just looked at her and kept walking. Sydney’s eyes narrowed at him but she continued on her way until he almost shut the conference room door in her face. “HEY!” She protested.

“Jeez it’s just a door; don’t get your panties in a twist.” He smirked.

Sydney grunted angrily at him and muttered a less than flattering phrase as she made her way to her desk. “I hate that guy Vaughn.”

“I know.” Alicia sighed. “Wasn’t he the one who ‘accidentally’ knocked you out during training?”

“Yes.” She grunted. “I think I have a permanent dent in the back of my skull thanks to him.”

“Yeah but that’s not as bad as the burn mark on his ass from you.” Alicia laughed.

Sydney laughed as well. “Well it was his thigh but yeah, that was one of my prouder moments.”

“Well, I guess we should get to work.” Alicia sighed as she looked at the papers on her desk.

“Yeah...”

~*~

After spending three hours reading boring intelligence reports Sydney was practically asleep and in desperate need of a cup of coffee. She made her way to the break room, yawning frequently on the way there, when she unfortunately ran into Vaughn who was caring an open can of Coke which spilled all down the front of her. “Just great.” She muttered.

“Oh god I’m so sorry!” Vaughn cringed. “Here let me help yo-”

“Agent Vaughn.” Sydney cut him off as he began to reach towards her chest with a napkin. “If you even think about touching me there, you’ll be dead before you even realize what happened.”

“Sorry.” He mumbled again as he slipped past her and returned to his desk.

Sydney grumbled as she made her way to the ladies room, her coffee forgotten since she was sufficiently awakened by the cold, sticky soda clinging to her shirt. Once she had gotten herself reasonably cleaned up save the giant brown stain now marring her white tank top, Sydney made her way back to her desk. As she passed the desks of Agents Vaughn and Weiss, she heard them snickering and she shot them a death glare.

“What happened to you?!” Alicia exclaimed.

“I had a run in with Agent Asshole.” Sydney told her.

“Oh no.” Alicia sighed sympathetically.

~*~

“Sydney I was wondering if- what happened?!” Jack asked as he looked down at his daughter’s stained shirt.

“Some idiot spilled Coke on me.” She said as she folded her arms over her chest.

“Oh.... sorry.” He said.

“It’s ok. What were you saying?”

“Oh, I just wanted to check and see if you were still coming over for dinner tonight.” Jack asked.

“Yeah I’ll be there as soon as I go home and uh, change my shirt.”

“Right, of course. I’ll let your mother know then.”

“Thanks Dad.” Sydney smiled as he walked off.

“Soooo he’s really your dad, huh?” A familiar voice asked from behind her.

“Go away Vaughn. Haven’t you annoyed me enough today?” She asked exasperatedly, gesturing towards her shirt.

“I said I was sorry. But as I was saying, I don’t think I could take it if my father was the director. It would just be too... weird.” He shuddered. “But, hey, if you think you can handle it...” He said as he walked away.

“Handle it?!” Sydney scoffed. “I can handle anything.” She said proudly.

“Whatever you say princess.” Vaughn said with a patronizing smile.

~*~

“UGH! That man is without a doubt the biggest asshole on the planet. I’m.going.to.kill.him.” Sydney grunted as she slammed the front door to her parent’s home.

Irina looked at her fuming, disheveled daughter from her position in the kitchen. “Did you have a nice first day, dear?”

“Clearly.” Nadia laughed as she came to see what the yelling was about.

“Ugh!” Sydney grunted as she violently took off her suit jacket and tossed it on the couch with her purse.

“What the hell happened to you?” Nadia laughed as she pointed at her sister’s stained shirt.

“Nadia don’t say hell.” Irina chastised.

“Sydney said asshole.” Nadia retorted.

“What are you twelve?!” Sydney glared.

“I’m fifteen,” Nadia said proudly.

“Whatever.” Sydney rolled her eyes.

“Sydney, what happened to your shirt?” Her mother asked.

“This guy,” Sydney began with a tone of disgust. “He’s such a jerk to me... and everyone. He ran into me with a can of Coke...”

“Ah.” Irina nodded.

“Is he cute?” Nadia asked.

“Nadia, he’s twenty four,” Sydney said. “It would be illegal for you to date him.”

“I’m not asking for me. I’m asking for you.” Nadia told her.

“Hello?! What part of ‘I want to kill him’ did you fail to understand?!” Sydney asked.

Nadia shrugged. “Just because he’s a jerk doesn’t mean he can’t be cute.”

“Well... he’s all right looking.” Sydney admitted quietly.

“What’s his name?” Nadia asked.

“Vaughn.” Sydney said through gritted teeth.

“Bill Vaughn’s son?” Irina asked.

“I think,” Sydney said.

“Isn’t he the one who knocked you out?” Nadia asked.

“That’s him.”

“Nice.” Nadia laughed.

“Well trust me he’d have more than just a concussion if I got my hands on him.” Sydney said menacingly.

“Sydney...” Her mother warned.

“I’m serious!” Sydney said. “Plus, he totally deserves whatever is coming to him.”



Chapter 2

Sydney was practically in disbelief when Christmas rolled around. She had been working at the agency for almost three months but she had yet to go out on a mission. Most of her time was spent pouring through intel papers and reports. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Vaughn and Weiss had gone out on their first mission; the previous week, in fact, and their mission had been a great success which sadly, made them even more arrogant then usual. Even Jack was at the end of his rope with them.

Needless to say, Sydney and Vaughn’s relationship had not become anymore amiable than their first day of work on October first of that year. They constantly bickered and butted heads over various things both work related and non-work related. Their most recent and biggest fight to date had taken place the day of Vaughn and Weiss’s return from their mission and resulted in Vaughn being hit in the head with a flying stapler which Sydney assured her father was a complete accident.

But, it was Christmas Eve and Sydney was heading to her parent’s house for dinner, thankful that she could evade Vaughn for one peaceful, quiet evening with her family.

“Mom, I-” Sydney began as she came through the back door of her parent’s house.

“Shh!” Irina cut her off. “Your father’s giving Nadia a sex talk.”

“You’re kidding?!” Sydney gasped quietly.

“No.” Irina laughed. “Your father found her making out on the couch with a boy and...”

“And you’re not saving her?!” Sydney asked.

“Well I figured it was only fair since you had to suffer thought it because I wasn’t here.” Irina smiled.

“Oh god, that was horrible.” Sydney shuddered.

“So is this; come listen.” Irina said. Then she and her daughter crept quietly to the edge of the family room. Sydney saw her sister recoiling on the couch with her face covered by her hands.

“Dad! Stop!” Nadia begged.

“Nadia this is important.” Jack insisted. “You’re only fifteen! You’re young and inexperienced and guys could try and take advantage of you!”

“Dad, I was just kissing him!” Nadia said.

“But kissing leads to touching and touching leads to-”

“DAD!”

“Nadia stop interrupting me!” Jack said. “Now I’m not naïve enough to think that you will wait until you get married but fifteen is far too young! If I so much as catch you with a boy in the near future I will remove his childbearing ability myself, is that clear?”

“Yes Dad...,” Nadia said quietly.

“Good. Now if you... when- there are certain precautions you could use...”

“Oh god I’m going to be sick.” Naiad groaned weakly. Sydney and Irina stifled their laughter.

Jack cleared his throat uncomfortably. “There are various ways...”

“Dad, please. If I need condoms I’ll take them from Sydney. She’s got plenty,” Nadia said with a slight smirk. Sydney’s jaw dropped at the injustice but she said nothing, hoping her sister would be scarred a bit more before she revealed that she and her mother were eavesdropping.

Jack shifted nervously. “We’ll come back to that... but seriously Nadia you need to-”

“Dad, please, it’s ok really. If I need something like that Mom will... you know, help,” Nadia said quickly. “Are we done yet?!”

“Almost.” Jack sighed. Truthfully, he wasn’t having any more fun than she was. “That being said I must say this. I don’t want you to ever have sex. Ever.”

Nadia snorted with laughter. “Tell that to Sydney. Do you know she-”

“Okay that’s enough sharing for one day!” Sydney said as she rushed into the room ready to tackle her smirking sister.

“I knew you were out there. That’s what you get for not saving me.” Nadia told her sister quietly.

“Sydney I think we need to...” Jack began.

“No! No, we don’t. We’ve been here... done this... we’re done.” Sydney said quietly.

“But-”

“Jaaack, its Christmas Eve. Can we please save the lectures for another time?” Irina sighed.

“Or never.” Sydney muttered. Nadia nodded in agreement.

“Fine, do you need help with dinner sweetheart?” Jack smiled patronizingly.

“Don’t be fresh Jack.” Irina smiled playfully. “But as a matter of fact you could help me set the table.”

Once they had left, Nadia sighed heavily. “I think I’m scarred for life.”

“Oh yours was a walk in the park compared to mine.” Sydney sighed.

“Really?”

“Oh yeah. I was thirteen and Dad started using all these complex analogies trying to skirt the issue entirely. But I got confused and so did he so then he started being really blunt and Mom wasn’t even here to save me so I just had to sit there and try to block out my hearing. I still can’t hear some words included in the male anatomy without having the very strong urge to commit suicide.” Sydney shuddered.

Nadia laughed. “Awesome.”

“No, not awesome. ‘If I need condoms I’ll get them from Sydney,’” Sydney said, mocking her sister’s tone. “What was THAT?!”

“Sorry sis, I was desperate,” Nadia said. “Besides you do have them.”

“Nadia I’m not a slut... I mean you know that...”

“I know.” Nadia smiled. “Forgive me, I was in a state of mental distress at the time.”

Sydney laughed. “Yeah that’s true.”

“Girls, are you coming to eat or are you too traumatized.” Irina smiled.

“Irina, it wasn’t that bad!” Jack protested.

“No, you’re right. It was better than you explaining to an eight year old Sydney how she could not possibly be pregnant which resulted in her crying and screaming for over an hour saying that she would never go near another boy as long as she lived.” Irina told her husband with a smile.

“Thank god I’ve blocked that out,” Sydney said.

“Yeah because clearly you’ve been near boys.” Nadia laughed. Sydney elbowed her sister violently in the ribs. “OW! Ok I’ll stop I swear.”



Chapter 3

“Hey Syd, did you have a nice Christmas?” Alicia asked upon their return to work early in the New Year.

“Yeah I did, it’s always fun to spend time with the family.” Sydney smiled.

“Wait, was that sarcasm?” Alicia asked.

“No...”

“Oh.” Alicia laughed. “Lucky you, I hate my family.”

“Why?” Sydney asked.

“Because...” Alicia shook her head. “They always get on my back about not having a boyfriend... whatever.”

“Oh, that sucks,” Sydney said sympathetically.

“Bristow, Bennet mission!” Kendall called for them across the room.

“Really?!” They asked excitedly.

“Yes! Now!” Kendall said.

~*~

“Hey Eric, how was your holiday?” Vaughn asked.

“Good, lots of food.” Eric grinned.

“Of course.” Vaughn laughed. “Hey have you heard anything about the Kenyan mission?”

“Yeah they’re briefing the Barbie twins now.” Eric said.

“Wait, they’re going?!” Vaughn asked in disbelief. Eric nodded. “That’s crap! They’re so unqualified....” Vaughn grunted as he headed towards the briefing room. He burst into the room without knocking and startling the room’s occupants.

“Agent Vaughn what are you doing?” Kendall asked in an irritated tone.

“Sir, I don’t think these agents are qualified for this mission,” Vaughn said bluntly. Sydney gave a little gasp of injustice.

“Well I don’t think that’s your call Agent Vaughn.”

“But sir they’re completely under qualified to be in the field....”

“Unlike you.” Kendall said in an impatient manor.

“Well, yes.” Vaughn said. Sydney rolled her eyes and huffed in disgust.

“Agent Vaughn...” Kendall began.

“No sir, hear me out. I think that Agent Weiss and myself are much more qualified for this type of mission.”

“Really? Are you? Interesting I didn’t realize you were more qualified at seducing a man than a woman would be.” Kendall said with a slight smirk. Sydney practically snorted with laugher at the expression on Vaughn’s face but she managed to hold it in.

“What?!” Vaughn croaked.

“Agent Vaughn my assignment is the lure the ambassador up to his hotel room where I can steal his key card and access the safe in his room,” Sydney said as she proudly sauntered up to him. “Now if you feel you would be more effective by dressing up in some red lace yourself then by all means, be my guest. I mean who am I to judge? You might actually look quite attractive in a pair of fishnets and heels.”

With this Alicia snorted with laughter and Vaughn just glared at Sydney who was grinning evilly at him. He muttered something under his breath as he stormed out of the room. Sydney laughed “Now that was fun.”

“What happened?” Weiss asked when he saw his slightly pink faced friend return.

“Nothing, never mind, just... keep working,” Vaughn said.

~*~

Upon returning from lunch that day, Vaughn sat down at his desk and reached into his bottom desk drawer in search of a misplaced document when he was met with something slightly more surprising. A pair of handcuffs with a few feathers attached with tape was resting in the drawer with a note. In case the ambassador likes it that way. Vaughn angrily tossed the handcuffs onto his desk and glared over at the women who were trying to hide their giggles behind folders they were supposedly reading.

“Dude, what’s with the crappy version of fur handcuffs?” Eric asked.

“Them.” Vaughn muttered as he gestured towards the women.

“Kinky,” Eric said.

“No, they’re mocking me,” Vaughn said. “God I hate her.”

“Who?”

“Bristow.” Vaughn growled. “She thinks she’s soooo perfect and soooo special. Stupid spy Barbie thinks she’s god’s gift to this office just because her daddy is the director.”

Eric just laughed.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Eric said, raising his hands in the air.

“What?!” Vaughn demanded.

“I think sooooomebody has a crush,” He said in a sing-song voice.

“HA!” Vaughn barked. “As if.”

“Come on admit it. You’d love to see her in whatever outfit she’s going to seduce that ambassador with,” Eric said.

“Well yeah but that doesn’t mean I have a crush – that means I’m a guy and she’s....”

“An attractive woman.” Eric finished for him.

“I never said she was ugly,” Vaughn said. “I just said she was...bitchy.”

“Mmhmm whatever man, whatever,” Eric said.

~*~

“Base this is Freelancer do you copy?”

“Copy Freelancer. You and Blackbird are clear to proceed,” Vaughn said. He and Weiss had been stuck relaying instructions to Sydney and Alicia on their mission the following day.

“Don’t be so bitter man, at least we’re involved.” Weiss whispered.

“Yeah but it’s such a waste of a Friday night.” Vaughn muttered as he watched the tiny, grainy video screen which was fed from the earrings Alicia and Sydney were wearing. Alicia was to be a server at the party and Sydney was one of the guests. She was making her way towards the ambassador, ready to attack (so to speak).

Vaughn and Weiss watched as she coolly talked to the ambassador in his native tongue, touching him softly and smiling sweetly. Fifteen minutes later she had giggled her way into an invite upstairs and she was on her way to the ambassador’s room. They were unable to see much from her camera earrings since her hair was in the way, but the sounds of Sydney kissing the ambassador was enough to make Vaughn feel sick to his stomach.

“Wait, wait was that a zipper? Is someone taking of clothing?!” Vaughn asked frantically.

“Chill,” Weiss said.

A moment later they caught a glimpse of Sydney in the hotel room’s mirror from her camera earrings. Vaughn’s jaw crashed open, practically making a clanging noise like a cash register drawer, when he saw Sydney clad in a red bra and matching underwear with thigh high stockings and a matching garter. A moment later, there was a tissue dangling in front of his face held by Weiss. “What’s this?” Vaughn asked.

“For the drool.” Weiss smirked. Vaughn swatted his arm away and returned his focus to the screen where Sydney had knocked the ambassador out cold and was redressing herself.

“This is Freelancer. I’ve got the package.”

“Copy Freelancer. Get to your extraction point and we’ll see you at home.” Weiss said before switching off their surveillance. “Hey Mike, I have two words for you: cold shower.” He smirked.

“Oh you’re so funny.” Vaughn glared.

“No, you are funny my friend. You like her,” Eric said.

“Whatever, I’m going home,” Vaughn said as he got up and headed towards the exit with the image of Sydney’s toned, mostly naked body burned into his brain.



Chapter 4

“So...” Sydney smiled as she sauntered over to Vaughn’s desk and perched herself on the corner of it. He looked up at her and narrowed his eyes. “I guess you don’t think I’m incompetent now do you?” She and Alicia had just returned from their third successful mission in a two week period and she saw no harm in rubbing it in his face a little. After all, he had done the same to her.

“Yeah, I suppose.” He said nonchalantly.

“What does that mean?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Nothing,” he sighed innocently. “Could you please move? Your ass is in my way,” He said as he prodded her thigh with his pen.

She stood up and moved out of his way so that he could retrieve something from his desk drawer. He then slid past her and began to walk away before she stopped him. “Wait, what did that mean?! I want to know.”

“Well... I’m just not sure if I can trust your judgment... considering,” He said.

“Considering what?” She asked in a dangerous tone.

“Well... your mother worked for the KGB. I mean... what kind of DNA do you have that-” Vaughn was cut off by Sydney violently slapping him in the face which made such a noise that the entire office fell silent and stared at them. Vaughn staggered back but Sydney took a step towards him.

“Don’t you ever talk about my mother that way.” She said harshly. “Do you understand?”

Vaughn nodded slowly and silently. Then, they both looked around nervously, realizing that they had become the central focus of attention in the office. Sydney turned on her heel and returned to her desk as the rest of the office began to return to their previous activities. She sat down and covered her face in her hands, trying to take deep breaths.

“Syd, are you ok?” Alicia asked cautiously.

“No, I don’t think so. I’m going to go for a walk ok?” Sydney said.

“Okay, you want me to come?”

“No, I’d rather be alone thanks.” She sighed as she pushed her chair back into her desk and walked off with her arms over her chest.

~*~

Vaughn rubbed his tender cheek softly as he made his way back to his own desk.

“She really nailed you man.” Weiss smirked.

“So I noticed.” Vaughn said dully.

“Although, you really deserved that one. I mean her mom was a low blow man.”

“I know.” Vaughn sighed. “I didn’t mean to exactly... I should apologize.”

“Yeah, you should. But not right now. She might kill you,” Weiss said.

“Right...” Vaughn sighed.

~*~

“Sydney.” Her father called as he approached her. She was crouched down against the wall in a secluded hallway of the CIA building.

“Hi Dad.” She said weakly.

“Sydney what happened? I saw you assault Agent Vaughn,” He said as he knelt down beside her.

Sydney laughed slightly. “I didn’t assault him. I smacked him and he deserved it.”

“What did he do? Did he touch you?!” Jack asked.

“No... he got what he deserved for a long time now but... he said something about Mom and the KGB....”

“Oh...” Jack sighed heavily.

“I just...” She sniffed. “I’m always afraid that people know about her and they judge her and think she’s a horrible person, because she’s not!”

“I know.” Jack said as he rubbed her arm gently. “But you have to know people are going to think that no matter what and you can’t go around slapping all of them.”

“Darn.” Sydney smiled slightly.

“I’m proud of you, you know that?” Jack said.

“Because I slapped Vaughn and you really wanted to do it too so you’re glad someone finally did?” She asked hopefully.

Jack laughed. “Not exactly. For sticking up for our family. I know how hard it can be.”

“It’s not hard,” Sydney said.

Jack smiled as he leaned over to kiss her forehead. “Are you going to be ok?”

“Yeah, I just have to go to the bathroom and clean myself up,” She said.

~*~

When Vaughn saw Sydney return to her seat with red, puffy eyes he felt immediately even guiltier than before. He cautiously got up and approached her.

“DON’T.” She said immediately. “I’ll hit you again I swear.”

“I just wanted to say I was sorry. I was out of line and I shouldn’t have said that,” He said as he maintained a safe distance from her.

“Oh... thanks.” She mumbled. Then he nodded and walked back to his desk; Sydney couldn’t help but smile slightly but she hid it from everyone as she looked down at her desk once more.



Chapter 5

“Happy sweet sixteen sis.” Sydney smiled and hugged her sister.

“Thanks.” Nadia grinned. “Did you buy me a car?”

Sydney laughed. “Nope, not even close.”

“That’s what Dad said.” She sighed, defeated.

“Nadia Marie you do not need a car the second you turn sixteen.” Her mother said.

“I know.” Nadia sighed. “But there’s no harm in trying.”

“Right. So are you ready to go shopping?” Sydney asked.

“Yep let’s go.”

Twenty minutes later they were browsing through the racks at Abercrombie when Sydney suddenly took cover behind a shelf of jeans. “What are you doing?” Her sister asked, half laughing.

“That guy who just came in. It’s Vaughn!” She hissed quietly.

“What? What guy?” Nadia asked as she craned her neck to see better.

“The one in the green shirt.” Sydney whispered.

“Woah Syd he’s hot!” Nadia laughed.

“Nadia shhh!” Sydney hissed. “We have to get out of here before he sees me.”

“Syd, why are you afraid of him?”

“I’m not afraid. I simply don’t want to have to beat him up in the middle of A&F, ok?” Sydney said as she stood up and began to pull her sister towards the exit. Unfortunately, they were caught.

“Sydney, hi,” he smiled.

“Hi.” Sydney said quietly.

They stood in awkwardness for a moment before Vaughn spoke. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your lovely friend?”

“This is my sister Nadia. She’s sixteen. This is Vaughn,” Sydney said quickly.

“Nice to meet you.” Nadia smiled politely.

“You’re sixteen?! Wow, I never would have guessed that,” Vaughn said.

“Yeah well she is.” Sydney informed him.

“Yeah today’s my birthday and my generous big sister is taking me shopping.” Nadia grinned as she forced Sydney into a hug.

“Well I’ll let you ladies get back to your shopping then. Happy Birthday Nadia and I’ll see you at work tomorrow Syd,” Vaughn said as he walked off.

“UGH!” Sydney grunted the moment he was out of hearing range.

“Syd, he was so nice.” Nadia said.

“Yeah well he must be able to throw a switch on his asshole complex or something.” Sydney muttered.

“I think you like him.” Nadia smiled proudly.

“HA!” Sydney barked. “I would love nothing more than to rip him limb from limb starting with the shortest and I imagine it is quiet short.”

Nadia snorted with laughter. “Oh Syd, I love you.”

“Thanks Nadia....”

~*~

“WHERE THE HELL IS AGENT VAUGHN?!” Sydney demanded. Steam was practically pouring from her ears she was so furious. Agent Vaughn had undermined her for the last time and he was going to pay.

“I think I saw him heading towards the gym.” Someone told her. Sydney muttered bitterly to herself as she made her way towards the locker rooms at the CIA facility. Quickly she changed into her workout clothes and barged into the gym intent on finding Vaughn.

“You.” She barked when she found him and his partner Weiss beating punching bags. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“Um, why?” He asked, not even looking at her.

“You cannot just go around telling everyone I’m a shitty agent just because you can’t get your head out of your ass far enough to be able to see properly!” She screamed.

“Chill out Barbie, I didn’t tell anyone you were shitty.” He said.

“You may as well have said that. You kept pointing out the one little tiny mistake I made so frequently that now it looks like a huge screw up. And I know you told Kendall you think I should go through basic training again you ... you... jerk!” She said, so furious she could barely form words.

“Jerk?” He laughed. “Thanks. I’ll keep that insult in mind next time I’m fighting with a twelve year old.” He smirked. She glared at him. “Besides I do think you need to go through training again. You know, polish up your rusty points and uh...” he said as he looked behind her, noticeably and purposely checking out her ass. “firm up other.” He laughed. Sydney’s hand collided with the side of his head just above his ear and it made a loud smacking noise.

“Jesus that hurt!” He hissed.

“It was supposed to.” She snapped.

“Relax princess, please and go take your Midol,” he said. Sydney punched him hard in the shoulder. “Okay what is your deal?” Vaughn said as he ripped off his boxing gloves.

“Don’t call me princess.” She threatened.

“That’s what you are.” He smirked. She went to punch him again but this time he deflected her arm. “You don’t want to do this.”

“Oh yes. I. Do,” she said swinging at him again.

“I’m not fighting you.”

“Well then I guess it will be a lot easier for me to win,” she said proudly.

“Oh you cannot beat me,” he said.

“What’s the matter? Afraid you’ll get beaten by a girl in front of all your big friends?” She mocked in a baby-fied tone.

“That’s it. You’re going down princess,” he said.

Sydney power kicked Vaughn in the stomach, knocking him to the ground. He coughed as he tried to climb to his feet once more. “I told you not to call me princess.”

By this point they had collected quiet an audience around them including people making bets on the outcome of their fight.

“You’re going down Bristow,” Vaughn said as he took a swing at her which she deflected. Their fight continued for a few more minutes without any major blows until Vaughn’s fist connected with Sydney’s jaw sending her to the ground. Vaughn gave a proud little laugh at her groan upon hitting the ground.

“You’re holding back,” Sydney said as she clambered to her feet. “Don’t,” she said while she punched him in the nose.

“Bitch!” He hissed as he clutched his nose that was now bleeding. She grinned proudly. Vaughn lunged forward and tackled her down to the mat where he landed on top of her and pinned her down. He pinned her hands above her head as he straddled her waist with his knees. She struggled to get free but she was trapped. “You’re enjoying this, admit it.” He whispered to her.

Sydney head butted Vaughn, catching him off guard enough to flip him over and pin him in the same position he just had her in. “You’re right, I am enjoying this,” she said, panting slightly. Vaughn struggled to get free but she held him tight as she sat down on his stomach. “Listen up Agent Asshole, this is how it’s gonna work.”

“Agent Asshole?” He grunted. “Real creative Syd.” He said as he pushed himself off the ground once more, pinning her beneath him, his hands resting on her ass.

“Move them.” She threatened.

“Why?” He smirked. “I though you said you were enjoying this.”

“I am.” She whispered as she brought her knees up and kicked him in the chest, sending him flying backwards. Their fight continued, both of them punching each other numerous times in the face, until Sydney’s foot connected harshly with Michael’s groin causing him to crumple in pain. There was a loud groan of sympathetic pain that went through their onlookers.

“That,” she said breathlessly as she wiped blood from her lip. “Will teach... you... not to call me... princess.” She finished as she stumbled her way to the lockers leaving a whimpering Michael behind.



Chapter 6

“Sydney! My god! What happened to you?!” Irina gasped in horror when she saw her battered daughter.

“I kicked someone’s ass.” She grinned proudly.

“I didn’t know you went on a mission, your father usually tells me,” Irina said.

“Oh it wasn’t a mission.” Jack assured her. “It was in the CIA agent’s gym.”

“You’re kidding!” Irina gasped.

“Ha! You look good Syd.” Nadia laughed when she saw her sister’s black eye, bruised jaw and cut lip.

“Yeah you should see the guy. I broke his nose and bruised his balls I think.” She grinned.

“Excellent.” Nadia laughed.

“No, not excellent.” Jack reprimanded. “Sydney your childish spat with Agent Vaughn has gotten way too out of hand. It needs to stop.”

“But Dad-” Sydney protested.

“No buts. It has to stop. Verbal arguments are one thing but you are compromising the agency with your behavior.”

“It’s not just me!”

“I know that.” Jack said. “And I will be speaking with Vaughn tomorrow. Sydney I know that Vaughn provokes you and I know that you detest him but you have to try and subdue those feelings. At least the ones that cause you to beat the hell out of him.”

“Alright.” Sydney sighed. “As long as he doesn’t take any more shots at Mom I’ll maintain my cool, I promise.”

“At me?!” Irina asked.

“Well...uh yeah... he might have made a comment about your KGB status a while ago...” Sydney said quietly. “And I might have hit him....”

“Oh.” Irina sighed. “Well come here Sydney let me fix up your lip.”

“I’m fine Mom.” Sydney sighed.

“I think we should take a picture.” Nadia laughed.

“Why?” Sydney asked suspiciously.

“Why not? You look hysterical.” She smiled. Sydney rolled her eyes.

~*~

“Damn Mike... you look good.” Eric snorted when he saw his friend with his nose completely taped with the surrounding area black with bruises.

“Shut up.” Vaughn snapped.

“Man she really took you down.” Eric laughed. “It was great.”

“Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Vaughn muttered as he gingerly rubbed his nose and then flinched.

“Oh come on you enjoyed it too.” Eric said. Vaughn glared at him. “You did, admit it.”

“Oh yeah I don’t know what I liked more when she broke my nose or when she kicked me in the balls.” He said sarcastically.

“Well, yeah, but when you had her pinned down or when you were feeling up her ass.” Eric laughed.

Michael smiled slightly. “Oh yeah.”

“So what did Director Bristow want to meet with you for anyway?” Weiss asked.

“Oh well the princess must have gone crying to her daddy because he basically told me to keep my anger in check.” Vaughn said bitterly.

“Ouch man,” Weiss said. “So what are you going to do?”

“Make Princess Tattletale’s life a living hell.” He smiled.

“Why?” Weiss asked.

“Why not?”

“Uh, because you’re not in the first grade?”

“Whatever.” Vaughn shrugged.

~*~

When Sydney walked to her desk the morning after her fight with Vaughn she was fully committed to her new resolve of keeping the peace. Unfortunately that only lasted a matter of seconds because when she sat down on her desk chair it collapsed and completely broke apart causing her ass to slam painfully into the floor.

“My god, are you okay?!” Eric asked as he rushed over to help her to her feet.

“Yeah.” She grunted as she rubbed her back. “He did this didn’t he?”

“Umm....” Eric said.

“UGH!” Sydney grunted. “He’s going down.”

And so their practical joke war began. The chair was just the beginning. Trick drawers, exploding pens, gum that turns your teeth black, everything was used.

Upon getting her hand covered in... well, she didn’t want to know what when she reached into her pencil holder, Sydney had had enough. She stormed over to Vaughn while wiping off her finger tips on a napkin. “We need a truce.”

“Why?”

“Because I can barely get any work done while worrying about what trick you’re going to play on me next!” She said.

“That’s your problem.” He laughed.

“Don’t laugh at me. I see you checking your seat before you sit down.” She glared. Vaughn looked away. “Truce.” She extended her hand.

“Yeah truce.” He shook it.



Chapter 7

“Agent Bristow I need you to be in the operations center when Agent Vaughn calls in from his mission.” Her father told her in his stern, business like manor.

“Okay.” She sighed. “Then can you tell Nadia I won’t be able to make it to movie night?”

“Sure.” He smiled as he walked away.

“Great.” Sydney muttered to herself. “Just what I want to be doing instead of watching hot guys in movies with my sister...”

“Hey at least Agent Vaughn is hot.” Alicia whispered to her.

Sydney laughed. “Right.”

“Well he is. The other day I saw him coming out of the gym without his shirt on and damn.” Alicia sighed.

“Really?!” Sydney asked in disbelief.

“Oh yeah. His back is like DAMN.”

“Are you going to be ok?” Sydney smirked.

“Yeah I’ll be good. I just need a ... cold shower and a boyfriend.” Alicia sighed.

Sydney laughed. “Aw poor you.”

“Yeah... but hey you don’t have a boyfriend either, why are you so chipper?”

“Ah that’s cuz I’m not lookin,” Sydney said.

“That’s what they all say, honey.” Alicia winked. “Have a nice night with Agent Vaughn...”

“Oh, I won’t.”

~*~

Two hours later Sydney was sitting in the command center waiting for Vaughn’s comm to go online.

“Boyscout to Base do you copy?”

“Copy boyscout,” Sydney said dully.

“Ah, it’s you,” he said in an approving voice.

“Yeah me.” She sighed. “You’re clear to enter the facility Boyscout.”

“Copy that I’m unscrewing the air vent now,” he said. Sydney watched his progress on the tiny monitor that was in front of her. Then suddenly there was gunfire and the comm went dead. “Boyscout?! Boyscout do you copy?!” Sydney asked.

There was no answer. She looked frantically on the monitors but she saw nothing that resembled Vaughn. “Shit.” She swore as she began to panic. She tried calling him on his comm a few more times but nothing happened. “Boyscout?!” She asked, almost in tears.

“What’s the matter base, were you concerned?” His cocky voice filled her ear.

Sydney glared down at the monitor even though she couldn’t see him. Asshole. “I was only concerned that I would have to fly to Mexico myself to dig up your dead, cold body.”

“Ouch,” he said. “And here I thought you were concerned that I might have gotten shot.”

“No... but were you?” She asked cautiously.

“Yeah but it hit my vest.” He said. “It doesn’t hurt a bit.”

“Too bad.” She sighed.

“Alright base I’m clear of the building.”

“Fine, see you at home Boyscout.”

~*~

The following day Sydney, Alicia and Weiss were called to the briefing room to discuss the findings of Vaughn’s mission.

“As you all know,” Kendall began. “Last night Agent Vaughn retrieved the Pinkerton box from Mexico and it gave us very valuable intel including a lead on Magnus Abington. So, I’m sending Agent Bristow and-”

“Wait,” Vaughn interrupted. “Why is she going? I’m the one that retrieved the box!”

“Yes but Agent Bristow knows more about Abington than you.” Kendall said. “She’s better for this job-”

“No!” Vaughn protested. “This was my op!”

“Agent Vaughn...”

“No! I went in, I got the damn box! I got shot for Christ sakes!”

“Into your vest.” Sydney muttered.

“Shut it.” He snapped at her. Sydney rose from her seat to challenge him and Vaughn rose as well.

“That’s enough,” Kendall said. “Agent Bristow is going on this op end of story. Agent Vaughn perhaps you need to go for a walk to cool yourself down. Everyone is dismissed.”

Vaughn violently slammed his chair in and stormed out of the meeting room. Sydney knew better than to follow him, but she did anyway. She was in the mood for a good verbal argument after the hell he put her through the previous night, which he actually had the nerve to find amusing.

“Hey!” She called after him.

“Leave me alone,” he said as he slammed the door to the coffee room in her face. She swung it open and barged in. “Do you have a death wish!?”

“No but I have a wish to find out why you’ve gained a new level to your asshole complex.” Sydney retorted.

“You.” He hissed. “You’re so... you make... you’re just so...”

“What?” She challenged. “Spit it out Vaughn!”

He glared at her for a moment before he crossed the room in one step, coming only inches from her. She looked confused for a moment, but Vaughn quickly grabbed both her arms, holding her still and smashed his lips up against hers. Sydney was utterly stunned but even more stunned when she realized she was kissing him back.

Then, just as suddenly as it had happened, it was over and Vaughn pushed past her quickly and slipped out the door. Sydney was left behind gasping for breath and leaning against the counter for support as she tried to fix the smeared lipstick on her face.



Chapter 8

“Weiss, I think I have a tiny little problem...,” Vaughn said to his friend later that night when they were playing pool.

“You bet you do, I’m about to kick your ass in pool which never happens.” Weiss grinned.

“No I’m serious.”

“Ok what’s your little problem?”

“Well it’s not so much little as in big, huge major ass problem,” Vaughn said.

“Which is...”

“I might have kissed Sydney Bristow....” He said quietly.

“WHAT?!” Eric gasped. “Wait, might have or did.”

“Did.”

“Wow... and you still have all your body parts.” Eric laughed sounding impressed.

“See, that’s not my problem.”

“What is it then?”

“She kissed me back,” Vaughn said.

“What? Really?”

“Yes...”

“Ok, tell me what happened exactly,” Eric said.

“Okay, well, we had that fight in the briefing room...”

“Yeah you went psycho I was there.” Eric nodded.

Vaughn ignored his comment and continued. “And then I stormed off and Syd followed me and she just like barged into the coffee room and she was there fuming at me and suddenly my brain just wouldn’t function I couldn’t think of any words I was just looking at her and she looked so beautiful and I just wanted to kiss her so... I did. And then suddenly she was kissing me back and I guess I kinda freaked and I just ran off...”

“Ok so when you say she kissed you back what are we talking here like full on making out or....?”

“No, no.” Vaughn said. “Just like I thought she wouldn’t move at all but she was like pressing back and I think her hands were resting near my waist but I’m not sure... God, why did I kiss her?”

“Dude I think you have a problem.”

“I KNOW THAT!” Vaughn shouted.

“No, I mean, I don’t think this is just a crush. I think you really, genuinely like her.”

“I know.” Vaughn sighed. “I think I do too... which is my problem...”

“Because Sydney loathes you with a passion?” Eric offered.

“Yeah kinda... God, I’m like that eight year old boy on the playground who goes up to the girls he likes and pulls their pig tails, aren’t I?”

“Yep. Except more of an asshole,” Eric said.

“I know... I know. And I swear I try not to but I’m just around her and then... I snap.”

“It’s the sexual frustration.” Eric said bluntly.

“Thanks Eric...” Vaughn mumbled.

“Seriously, when was the last time you had a girlfriend?” Eric said. Vaughn didn’t say anything. “My point exactly.”

“Okay, okay you’re right. I need to try to be nice to her. Like really try,” Vaughn said adamantly.

“Good luck with that man because I mean... she really hates you.”

“Thanks for that vote of confidence Eric.”

“Anytime,” Eric smiled. “Now let’s play some pool.”

~*~

Vaughn kissed her. Vaughn kissed her. Vaughn kissed her. That kiss was all she could think about through her entire mission. A million things were going through her mind and she understood none of them. Why had he kissed her? Why had she kissed him back? Why did she want to kiss him again? Why did it feel so... She shuddered as she shook the last thought off.

She need to talk to someone about it which was why she was driving to her parent’s house immediately after finishing her mission debrief. Luckily, her sister answered the door.

“We need to have a talk,” Sydney said as she pulled her sister back through the house to her room, completely ignoring her parent’s ‘hello’s’.

“What’s up?” Nadia asked once Sydney had locked the door to Nadia’s room and had taken a seat on her bed.

“I kissed someone ... or rather someone kissed me,” Sydney said.

“Oh, I’ll alert the media,” Nadia said sarcastically.

Sydney sighed and rolled her eyes. “I’m serious!”

“Whoa Syd, what’s up. I’ve never seen anyone this freaked out over a kiss,” Nadia said as she sat next to her sister.

“It was Vaughn that kissed me.” Sydney cringed.

“Ohhh Agent McSexy.” Nadia grinned.

“Nadia.” Sydney laughed.

“Ok, ok sorry. Tell me what happened. Did he sweep everything of his desk and take you onto it and ravish you?!” She asked excitedly.

“NADIA! Stop!” Sydney laughed. “No it was in the break room... we had just been fighting and he just kissed me out of nowhere.”

“Does he still have all his body parts?” Nadia asked.

“Yes.” Sydney sighed. “I kissed him back.”

“Oooo the plot thickens.” Nadia smiled. “So you like him, no big deal.”

“That’s the thing Nadia! I HATE HIM!” Sydney shouted. Nadia just smiled broader. “What? WHAT?!”

“Nothing.” Nadia laughed. “It’s just... that’s always how the best ones start isn’t it?”

“The best what?! We are not a ‘one’ Nadia. There is no one,” Sydney said.

“Just keep sayin that sis.”

“Ugh!” Sydney grunted as she whacked her sister in the head with a pillow.

“Hey!” Nadia laughed. “You’re the one that kissed him back.”

“I know but it was subconscious!”

“So you don’t want to do it again....” She said leadingly.

Sydney looked away. “No.”

“Liar,” Nadia smirked.

“Maybe...,” Sydney said quietly. “But he’s still an asshole.”

“Yeah so are most guys. Maybe he likes you too.” Nadia nudged her sister’s arm.

Sydney scoffed. “As if. He’s too in love with himself to love anyone else.”

“Love? Who said anything about love? I just figured you’d do him.”

“NADIA!” Sydney gasped.

“What?” Nadia smiled.

“You’re too much.” Sydney shook her head.

“Yeah but it’s why you love me.” She smiled.



Chapter 9

They following day was dreaded by both parties involved. Neither Sydney nor Vaughn were looking forward to seeing one another because of the unavoidable awkwardness that would occur. Sydney was already sitting at her desk when Vaughn walked in, so she pretended to be reading something intently so she could avoid noticing him at all. She carefully timed her breaks during the day so that she could avoid him entirely and thankfully she was successful.

The next week progressed similarly with she and Vaughn avoiding each other desperately. They were entirely successful in not speaking to one another at all until one day where they both walked into the coffee room at the same time. There was an incredibly awkward moment of silence before Sydney finally bit the bullet and spoke. “We need to talk.”

“About what?” Vaughn asked, sounding as if he truly had no idea.

“You know what.”

“No, I don’t,” he said.

“Yes, you do.”

“No, I don’t.” He insisted.

“You kissed me,” she said.

“I did?!” He asked.

“VAUGHN!” She snapped.

“Look I don’t think we need to discuss this, it was just a kiss. Unless... ohhhh.” He sighed with a smile.

“What? What ‘oohh’?!” She demanded.

“You want me.” He smirked.

Sydney laughed. “You wish.”

“No, you do, you totally want me.”

“Vaughn, get over yourself! I will never, ever, ever want you, ever. Even if you were the last man on earth I would never want you. I would rather spend the rest of my life alone than ever be with a complete asshole like you,” she said.

Vaughn’s eyes narrowed. “You know what, I did kiss you. But clearly I must have accidentally ingested some crack earlier that morning because there is no way I could ever kiss you unless I was high off my ass!”

“Go to hell Vaughn!” She snapped.

“Right back at ya bitch.” He retorted.

Sydney grunted in frustration as she slammed the door hard behind her and stomped back to her desk. “If you happen to accidentally kill Michael Vaughn anytime soon you have my forever indebted gratitude.” Sydney said to Alicia.

“Oh no, what happened?”

“Stupid asshole.” Sydney muttered. “Just... whatever... I hate him that’s it. End of story.”

~*~

“Bristow, Vaughn, my office NOW!” Kendall ordered. It had been three days since their fight and they hadn’t so much as looked at each other since. Now they were sneering at each other from across Kendall’s office. “I want you two to go interrogate two prisoners we’re holding. They may have valuable intel for us.”

“Why us? We’re not working together,” Sydney said.

“Yes, well... it is Agent Vaughn’s project.” Kendall said.

“So, why is she here?” Vaughn asked.

“She may be valuable in this situation.” Kendall said. “Look its no secret that you two have your petty issues with one another, but suck it up and deal with them for this assignment. That’s an order.”

“Fine, who are we interrogating?” Sydney asked.

“Katya and Yelena Derevko.” Kendall said.

Sydney’s head snapped up at the surname. “My mother’s sisters?”

“Yes.”

“But they’ve been in prison for sixteen years how are they going to help us?”

“I’m just about to tell you Agent Bristow,” Kendall said.

After their briefing, Sydney and Vaughn silently made their way across town to the detention facility where the Derevko sisters were being held. “Just so you know... I don’t want them to know who I am, alright? So just... don’t say my name in there, please.” Sydney said.

“Fine, what should I call you if I have to call you something?” Vaughn asked.

“Call me Anne,” she said. “It’s my middle name.”

“Alright.” Vaughn agreed.

Ten minutes later they entered a room where the Derevko sisters were chained to two separate desks about ten feet from each other.

“Who are you?” The elder sister asked.

“I’m Agent Vaughn. I have a few questions for you,” Vaughn said.

“Who is she?” The elder sister asked.

“Don’t you see it Yelena?” The younger sister said.

“See what Katya?” Yelena asked impatiently.

“Look at her.” Katya said. “Look closely.”

Yelena studied Sydney for a moment while Sydney shifted uncomfortably, trying to evade their eyes. “Ah, yes I see it now. You’re Irina’s aren’t you?”

Sydney didn’t respond except to look at them sternly.

Katya laughed. “Yes, she’s Irina’s all right.”

“Could we!” Vaughn interrupted.

~*~

When they were driving back to the JFT center after a half hour interrogation with the Derevko sisters, Vaughn noticed that Sydney was being awfully quiet even for their less than amiable state. “Syd, are you ok?”

She looked at him from the corner of her eye. “What do you care?”

“I’m serious,” he said. “If they were my relatives...”

“They’re not my relatives.” She snapped. “They’re bad people.”

“I know.” He sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“Thanks.” She sighed as she turned away and continued to look out the window.



Chapter 10

For the next two months Sydney and Vaughn hardly spoke at all. It seemed that neither of them was very eager to strike up a conversation ever since their blow up in the break room. They only spoke when absolutely imperative to a work related issue and even then it was in short, straight to the point sentences.

At the beginning of September, Sydney and Alicia went on a mission and they were compromised. Sydney escaped unscathed but Alicia was shot in the thigh. She was alright but she had to be removed from field duty for six weeks which left Sydney partnerless.

“Alright we have a simple retrieval mission in Buenos Aries. Bristow, Vaughn – wheels up in an hour,” Kendall said.

“What?!” They both protested. “Us?!”

“With Bennet out of commission you two are the best we’ve got so suck it up and deal with it and don’t screw up.” Kendall told them.

Sydney and Vaughn glared at each other across the table and then walked out of the office to organize their belongings for their trip.

On the flight they began to review their mission. “Alright so I’ll infiltrate the facility while you kill the security system,” Vaughn said.

“Why do I have to kill the security system?” She asked.

“Because I said so Bristow.”

“Who died and made you operational leader?” She retorted.

“No one,” he said. “I just think…”

“Oh my god, you can think?!” She gasped in mock-surprise.

Vaughn glared at her. “Funny. Now while I’m retrieving the device….”

“No, we still haven’t covered why I’m doing security,” she said.

“Because you’re more familiar with this type of system than I am! Okay?!” He said loudly.

“Fine,” she sighed reluctantly.

“So while I’m retrieving the device you’ll rig the explosives and set the detonator for three minutes which will give me enough time to clear the building, ok?”

“Okay,” she sighed.

“What?!” He demanded, knowing something was wrong.

“Nothing.” She sighed in a damsel-in-distress way.

“Whatever.” He grunted. “I’m going to sleep. Don’t wake me.”

“Ever?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Shut up smartass.”

~*~

“The system is down boyscout.”

“Copy that freelancer I’m entering the vault now.” he said.

“Good I’m rigging the explosives; see you at the extraction point,” Sydney said. Quickly she set up the detonator and pressed a button so the clock began counting down from three minutes. She glanced at her watch quickly and then made her way up the hill to their meet point. Once she arrived she took out her binoculars and began to scan the area where Vaughn was supposed to be exiting the building. A minute went by and she didn’t see him. Another thirty seconds passed and still nothing.

“Boyscout do you have the package?” She asked through her comm.

Then she heard him; he was frantic. “Abort detonations. I repeat abort detonation!”

“Shit!” She swore under her breath as she bolted down the hill. She reached the charge and tried to disarm it but with twenty seconds left she had no luck. “Boyscout get out of there its going to blow!” She said as she began running away from the impending explosion. “Boysout!”

Five. Four. “Do you copy?” Three. Two. “BOYSCOUT!” One. And everything went dark.

~*~

Sydney awoke with a pounding headache. “Uhh,” she groaned as she tried to open her eyes. Slowly, things came into focus and she found herself in an extremely dim, cold room where she was strapped to a metal chair. Sticky blood that had been dripping down her face from the gash on her forehead was tried and stiff now. Her shoulders ached and her wrists throbbed in pain since they were awkwardly tied behind her back.

“Oh no Vaughn!” She gasped aloud. The building had exploded and he had been inside.

“Ughh…” Came a grunt from behind her. It was then that she noticed that her hands were up against something warm and soft… someone else’s hands. She leaned her head backwards and it bumped into someone else’s head.

“Vaughn?” She asked quietly.

“Yeah…” He croaked hoarsely. “Where are we?”

“I don’t know. I just woke up.” She told him.

“Me too.” He groaned. “Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine,” she said half truthfully. “You?”

“Fine.” He lied. “We have to get out of here.”

“And how do you plan on doing that when we’re strapped to these chairs?” She asked.

“Look could we just forget about the fact that we abhor each other for like five minutes? Because otherwise we’re both dead.” He snapped.

“Fine.” She sighed. “Any ideas?”

“Getting out of these chairs is one.” He sighed. “Can you stand?”

“I think so wait… we’re tied to each other aren’t we?” She asked.

“I think so… stand on three ok?” He said. “One, two…”

“Three,” she said as she stood up. She heard him hiss in pain. “Vaughn are you ok?”

“Yes,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Vaughn you cannot lie to me, so stop being macho and tell me what’s wrong,” she said firmly.

“I was cut in the foot. It’s hard to walk.” He admitted.

“Okay.” She sighed as the stepped too their left and were free of the chairs. Vaughn leaned his back up against hers for support. “Now what?”

“Untie ourselves.”

“Yes, I know that. How?”

“Dunno.” He said.

Sydney quickly scanned the room. “There to the left. There is a sharp brick hanging out of the wall. We might be able to cut the ropes on it.”

“Okay,” Vaughn said as he began to walk but she didn’t move and they fell down on the ground together. “Ouch.”

“Jeez why did you start walking!” Sydney hissed.

“Well what was I supposed to do?!”

“God, haven’t you ever been in a three legged race before?”

“What kid of ridiculous ass question is that!?” He demanded.

“We’re tied together, its sort of the same concept. You have to move together,” she said.

“Okay Obi-won, tell me how.” He sighed.

“Well first we have to stand. When I say go we’ll lean back against each other so that we can stand ok? Go,” she said. A second later they were standing. “Okay now you take a small side step with your right foot and I’ll do the same with my left… ok good almost there now.” She coached him through it.

Finally, they reached the wall and began to try and cut their ropes. “Ouch! That was my hand!” She hissed in pain.

“Sorry.” He grunted. Five minutes later they were free and rubbing their wrists gingerly. “That worked, good plan.”

“Thanks.” She smiled. “But we still have to get out of here… and figure out where here is.”

“Right.” He nodded.



Chapter 11



Twenty minutes and a few bruises later they were free of the building and back out onto the streets.

“Where the hell are we?” Sydney asked.

“No idea.” Vaughn sighed. “But that kinda looks like Korean doesn’t it?” He asked as he pointed to a sign.

“Yeah, how the hell did we get to Korea? God, how long have we been gone?!” Sydney asked.

“I don’t know. Let’s find a safe pace to call the CIA,” he said. Sydney nodded in agreement and then began to walk down the sidewalk. They found a pay phone and Vaughn dialed a secure line. “This is Agent Vaughn I need to talk to Director Kendall or Bristow,” he said after giving his ID number. A few seconds later the phone clicked.

“This is Director Bristow,” a gruff voice said.

“This is Agent Vaughn,” Vaughn said.

“Vaughn?! Is Sydney with you?” Jack asked in a worried tone.

“Yeah she’s right here, hold on,” Vaughn said and then he handed her the phone.

“Yeah Dad, I’m fine…. Yes I’m fine I swear…. We’re in Korea, we think…. Ok thanks… bye,” Sydney said.

“So?” Vaughn asked.

“We have to get to some airfield, there is a plane waiting for us,” Sydney said.

“Some airfield?!” Vaughn repeated.

Sydney shrugged. “If I say the name I’ll just pronounce it wrong. Korean isn’t one of my language specialties.”

“Ah.” He nodded. “But do you know where we’re going.”

“Sort of. Follow me Boyscout.” She smiled.

~*~

“So how’s your foot?” Sydney asked once they were seated on the plane.

“Hurts like hell.” He laughed.

Sydney reached in the overhead compartment for the first aid kit. “Let me see,” she said.

“No.” He shook his head.

“Vaughn.” She sighed. He grunted as he took off his shoe. She gasped when she saw his bloody sock. “Vaughn you shouldn’t have been walking like that.”

“What was I going to do? Have you carry me?” He asked.

“No.” Sydney sighed. She picked up his foot, took off his sock and began examining the gash near his heel. “How did this happen anyway?”

Vaughn hissed in pain as she began to clean it. “My shoe came off.” He said through gritted teeth.

“It did?” She laughed.

“Yeah, shut up,” he said.

“Jeez Vaughn you’re feet stink.” She grimaced. He glared and she laughed. “Kidding.”

“Oh yeah hilarious,” he said as he jerked his foot up and his toes collided with her chin.

“EW! Vaughn don’t.” She whined.

“Sorry.” He laughed. She looked up at him and smiled. “Oh hey your forehead.”

“I’m fine.” She said.

“Yeah but you fixed me up so I’ll fix you,” Vaughn said as he moved over to sit next to her. He picked up a cloth and began dabbing the blood from her forehead. She winced. “Sorry.” He mumbled, their faces nearing each other.

“It’s ok,” she said quietly as she looked into his green eyes.

He reached down for some gauze and taped it onto her cut, lingering for a moment as his nose almost brushed up against hers. But, she breathed in sharply and turned her head away. Vaughn sighed as he returned to his own seat and stared absentmindedly out the window.

~*~

“Sydney!” Her father called from across the JTF center.

“Hey Dad.” She smiled as she walked up to him.

“Are you alright?” He asked as he looked pointedly at the gauze on her forehead.

“I’m fine,” Sydney said.

“You were gone three days.” Jack told her quietly.

“Three days?!” She gasped as she looked up at Vaughn.

“Yes,” Jack said. “The two of you need to go to Kendall for your debrief but Sydney, please don’t forget to call your mother. She’s been worried sick.”

“You told her?” Sydney raised an eyebrow.

Jack shrugged. “She beat it out of me.”

Sydney smiled. “Okay.”

~*~

“Alright you two are free to go,” Kendall said after reviewing their reports. “But before you do would you two be alright with working together again? Because as far as I can tell you do good work.”

Sydney and Vaughn exchanged brief glances. “Uh... yeah I guess... maybe.” Sydney said quietly.

“Yeah,” Vaughn said.

“Very good,” Kendall said.



Chapter 12

For the next month Sydney and Vaughn continued to go on missions together. They still fought, of course, usually over stupid thing and then they wouldn’t speak for a few days until they both cooled down and went back to their businesslike manor.

Late in October, they received an assignment which neither of them were very thrilled with. Their task was to intercept a meet between two crime lords that would be taking place on a cruise ship sailing through the Caribbean. That wasn’t a problem. Their problem was their cover: a young couple celebrating their recent engagement. They had been instructed that they had to play their part convincingly no matter what their person disagreements with their assignments with the assignment were. This caused friction from both parties.

“Dad, no I cannot do this,” Sydney said. “I cannot kiss him.”

“Sydney you are not twelve years old. This is your job.” Jack shouted.

“But Dad!” She whined.

“Sydney, I realize you dislike Agent Vaughn, but for some odd reason the two of you make a fantastic team. The best this agency has ever seen as a matter of fact. So, this is your assignment and you will grow up and deal with it.” He said harshly.

Sydney glared at her father before storming out of her office and driving home to pack.

~*~

“Dude what are you going to do?” Eric asked his friend quietly.

“I’m going to do my job Eric. It’s an assignment,” Vaughn said.

“So you’re going to kiss her?”

“Probably.” He said.

“But you like her, isn’t that going to be hard?”

“Yeah, thanks for reminding me Eric.” Vaughn sighed.

“Sorry, but here’s an idea. Tell her how you feel.”

“And have her laugh at me because she hates me? No thanks,” Vaughn said.

“Fine, it was just a suggestion,” Eric said as he raised his hands in defeat.

~*~

“Hello pookie.” Vaughn grinned when Sydney met him at their plane. “Or would you prefer muffin?”

“I’d prefer shooting you in the face with the gun I’m carrying,” She said dully.

“Great...” He sighed.

~*~

After having one of their usual flights on the plane, they fought over who would carry their luggage when their car dropped them off at the dock. “I was only trying to help.” Vaughn said as he handed her the luggage she had brought.

“I don’t need your help.” She snapped.

“Ok look we’re here now we have to maintain cover.” He gritted his teeth.

“Fine.” She hissed as she began to walk towards the boat. He caught up with her and grabbed her hand to hold it. She tried to pull away but his grip was too firm. Suddenly, Vaughn felt like was in elementary school and being forced to hold the hand of the unwilling girl in line beside him who thought he had cooties. Just great, he thought.

After forcing smiles to guests and attendance, they were finally secluded in the privacy of their own room and began to place their bug killers around. “So...” Vaughn said as he looked down at the double bed that was in their cramped cabin.

“You can sleep on that chair.” Sydney said as she put her bag down on the bed and gestured towards the worn chair in the corner of the room.

“Like hell. You sleep on the chair,” Vaughn said.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because you should be a gentlemen and let me have it... oops, how silly of me. What would you know about being a gentlemen?” She smiled.

“I’m not sleeping on the chair.” Vaughn said adamantly.

“Neither am I,” Sydney said.

“Then we’ll both sleep on the bed,” he said.

“No way.”

“Why not? Afraid you won’t be able to control yourself from jumping me?” He smirked.

“HA!” She barked. “You wish.”

“Fine! We’ll do rock, paper, scissors for the chair,” he said.

“Fine.” She grunted. They both put one hand behind their back and counted to three. Upon revealing their hands Sydney had a fist representing a rock and Vaughn held his hand flat representing paper.

“I win. That means you get the chair.” He smiled.

“Fine. We’ll both share the bed. But if you touch me I’ll kill you.” She threatened.

“Alright. So this meet isn’t until tomorrow morning... do you think we should walk around and you know...”

“Blend in?” She finished for him.

“Yeah.” He smiled.

“Ok sounds good. Just let me change, ok?”

~*~

Twenty minutes later they were strolling hand in hand around the ship’s deck as it began to pull out of port. “Wow it’s hot.” Sydney sighed.

“Well it’s the Caribbean.” Michael laughed.

“Yeah.” She sighed.

“You could always take a dip in the pool.” Michael said as he nodded towards the oval shaped pool where children were splashing around.

“No.” She laughed.

“Well I didn’t say it had to be voluntary.” He winked.

“You wouldn’t dare.” She narrowed her eyes. He just smiled as he picked her up over his shoulder. “PUT ME DOWN!” She screeched as she pounded her fists into his back but a moment later he let go and she splashed down into the water. Michael laughed hysterically when she surfaced and began to brush the wet matted hair from her face.

“Oh you think that’s funny do you?” She asked as she tried to climb out of the water but slipped and fell back in.

“Yes.” He laughed, practically doubling over as he held onto his stomach. Sydney grunted as she pushed herself out of the pool, walked behind him, put both hands on his ass and shoved him head first into the water. Then, she jumped in after him and dunked him under the water. “HEY!” He coughed as he surfaced, gasping for breath. He looked at Sydney, expecting her to be angry, but instead saw that she had a huge dimpled grin and she was laughing.

“Oh you’re going down,” he said as he picked her up and tossed her into the water a few feet away.

“Stop it!” She squealed as she launched herself on him and threw her arms around his neck. They were both breathing heavy with water falling off their eyelashes and running down their cheeks. Suddenly, Sydney leaned forward and caught Michael’s lips in hers for a sweet kiss. He was stunned but he wasn’t going to waste the moment so he brought his hand up and ran it through her hair, resting it at the back of her head.

Sydney pulled back and brushed her cheek against his to whisper in her ear. “For the mission.” Then, she swam out of his grasp and tried to collect herself as she climbed out of the water. She wasn’t sure what made her kiss him but she knew it most definitely wasn’t just the mission.

Vaughn followed Sydney out of the pool and back to their room so they could change out of their soaking wet clothes. As Vaughn struggled to pull of his wet pants, he heard Sydney turn on the shower and desperately tried to rid his mind of that mental image. He was already in enough trouble as it was. After one brief kiss he was fairly convinced that he did actually like Sydney. Now after a second, even better kiss, he was convinced it. Yep, big trouble.

~*~

“So...” Sydney said later that night. They had just returned from dinner and had changed into their pajamas and they were standing beside the bed staring at each other.

“Yeah...” Vaughn sighed.

Sydney sighed and rolled her eyes slightly as she slid underneath the one side of the covers. Vaughn did the same, trying to stay as far away from her as possible. “Goodnight Vaughn.” She said quietly.

“Night Syd...”

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Chapters 13 - 24