The Test of Time

Author: Janet (SkyGirl5)

Genre: S/V, AU

Summary: After a ridiculous assignment sends him back to 1860, Michael must not only find a way back to 2005, but deal with a beautful young southern belle named Sydney Bristow, who he ran into (litterally). Once Sydney follows Michael back to the future, how will she react to the dramatic changes of the modern world? And how will they be able to send her back once she's seen and loved the world she is completly unfamilair with?

A/N: This story was partly inspired by the movie 'Kate & Leopold', but I have, of course, modified it to my own liking.

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

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Chapters 1-10 // Chapters 11 - 20 // Chapters 21-25 + Epilogue

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Chapter 21

Sydney looked up at him and smiled softly. “I did.”

“Syd...” He began but he was cut off by her passionate kisses as she backed her way to the bedroom, trying to pull his shirt off as they went. Michael began untying her dress as quickly as he could until it was finally loose enough for her to pull off her shoulders, let it fall to the floor and step out of it. Just as this was happening Michael dropped his arms to the side and let his shirt flutter to the floor. His hands began working on the next later of her clothing as she began to fumble with the belt on his pants.

“Wait, wait,” Michael said through their kisses.

“What?” She asked curiously.

“We’re doing this wrong,” he said.

“We ... are?!” she asked, completely confused.

“No, I mean... you’re going to fast. Just.... slow down.” He sighed as he pulled her into a slower, but equally passionate kiss. This time she sunk into his arms as he reached up and unpinned her hair, letting it fall down onto her shoulders. Michael slowly undid the laces on her second layer of clothing but didn’t pull it off. Instead she broke the kiss, smiled softly at him and pulled it off herself.

Michael couldn’t help but laugh softly. “You weren’t supposed to take these.” He said quietly as he ran his thumb across the top of her hot pink underwear.

“I know.” She smiled. “I forgot.”

“Mmmhmm.” He sighed as he kissed her again. She laughed quietly as she then moved her hands to his neck and pulled him down onto the bed with her.

~*~

After making love, Michael and Sydney lay facing each other, their head sharing one pillow, looking into each other’s eyes with their arms wrapped around each other. Every once in a while one of them would lean over and steal a soft gentle kiss, never breaking eye contact.

Almost half an hour later, Sydney was the first to speak. “You know those women on that show were right...,” she said quietly. “Sex is amazing.”

Michael couldn’t help but laugh at her comment. “Well I’m glad you said that because I was afraid that had scarred you for life,” he sighed. She smiled and shook her head. “I really did corrupt you far too much to return you to that world didn’t I?”

“You didn’t corrupt me.” She smiled. He gave her a suspicious glance. “Ok, well I was corrupted willingly.”

“Alright,” he sighed as he brought a hand up and stroked her face and then ran his fingers through her hair that was fanned out on their pillow. “Marry me?” He requested.

She closed her eyes and brought his face close to hers with her hand that was behind his head. She kissed him a few times before pulling back as a tiny tear escaped from the corner of her eye. “Yes,” she said very quietly as she opened her eyes. Smiles broke out across both their faces as they dove into a passionate kiss once more.

~*~

“Oh my god it’s five am and we haven’t slept.” Michael laughed.

“I’m sorry,” Sydney said as she looked down towards her feet.

“I’m not saying that’s a bad thing,” he said as he nudged his face up against hers. She turned her face to meet his with a smile and kissed him softly.

“When do you have to get up for work?” She asked quietly.

“Six thirty,” he said.

“We can sleep until then,” she said.

“Oh good,” he laughed as he snuggled closer to her.

~*~

Michael grunted loudly when he awoke to the shrill sound of his alarm. His face was buried in Sydney’s neck and he didn’t want to move an inch, fearing it was all a dream.

“Michael,” Sydney said quietly.

“I know.” He grunted. “I’m getting up.” He said as he hugged her tighter.

“Are you?” She laughed.

“Yes.” He sighed as he rolled away from her and smacked the alarm off. “Ohh God Devlin is going to shoot me.” He sighed as he rubbed his eyes.

“He won’t really will he?” She asked in a concerned tone.

“Well he’s not going to be happy.” Michael sighed. That’s the worlds largest understatement, he thought. “Alright get dressed... we have to leave in like forty five minutes.”

“Me?” She asked.

“No, the other woman in my bed,” he smiled. She laughed. “Yes, we have to figure out how to get you identification, birth certificates..... oh, this just got complex, not like it already wasn’t.” He sighed.

“Will you be able to?” she asked. Michael looked down at her; she almost looked sad.

He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. “Of course.”

After showering and changing Michael and Sydney drove over to Eric’s to pick him up before work. “This is going to be fun.” Eric grinned.

Michael looked wary. “I don’t think this will be fun.”

“Sure it will. I mean just think of all the stuff she needs... birth certificate, social security number, medical history, vaccinations....”

“Ohh,” Michael cringed. “I never thought of that.”

“What?” Sydney asked.

“You could get really sick,” Michael said, suddenly feeling sick himself.

“What do you mean? I’ve been vaccinated against smallpox,” she said.

“Which is basically no longer existent,” Eric said.

“Yeah but there is a bunch of other stuff.... do they even make some of those vaccines anymore?” Michael asked.

“Dunno...,” Eric said. “But living here it would probably be difficult for her to actually catch it right?”

“Maybe.”

“You guys are scaring me,” Sydney said nervously.

Michael reached over and squeezed her hand gently. “It’s going to be ok. I promise.”

Once he was walking towards Devlin’s office, holding Sydney’s around the waist tightly, Michael began to feel even more nervous. There were many consequences to their situation that they hadn’t thought of; dangerous consequences. The last thing he wanted was to loose Sydney before he even had her.

“Agent Vaughn you’d had better have a DAMN good explanation for this.” Devlin boomed.

Here we go... “I do sir,” Michael said trying to sound as brave as he could.

“She was supposed to go back at 2 am this morning. What the hell happened?” Devlin boomed.

Michael tightened his grip on Sydney’s waist. “She left sir, but then she came back.”

“CAME BACK??!”

“Yes, sir,” Vaughn said timidly.

“Well you are damn lucky that vortex is still open. You will take her there now and throw her in if you have to but do it and do it now! That is a direct order.”

“No,” Vaughn said firmly.

“Agent Weiss,” Devlin said.

“No, sir,” Eric shook his head.

“The one rule, the only rule: don’t mess with the past. This is messing with the past!”

“No, its not,” Sydney said bravely. Everyone looked at her. “It was meant to happen.”

“What are you talking about?” Devlin snapped.

“Eric researched... he found...,” Sydney’s voice drifted off along with her bravery but Eric picked up where she left off.

“Let me get it.” Eric said as he rushed to his desk and returned a moment later.

“It’s a newspaper article from October 3, 1860. It talks about Bristow’s daughter going missing. In subsequent articles it says she disappeared without a trace and was never found,” Eric said.

“Are you three seriously trying to convince me to let her stay here?!” Devlin asked in disbelief.

“Yes sir,” Michael and Eric said together.

“How? How can she stay when she’s missed almost a hundred and fifty years?” Devlin said. Everyone just exchanged glances, not knowing how to answer that.

“Please sir,” Michael said finally. Devlin looked cautious, but he was giving in slightly.

“Excuse me, sir,” a short man said as he came up behind Devlin.

“What is it Marshall?” Devlin asked exasperatedly as he rubbed his forehead.

“Well, I couldn’t help but over hear... it’s very nice to meet you ma’am,” Marshall said as he nodded towards Sydney. “But, if she stayed, it could really be an interesting test case-”

“No!” Michael interrupted. “She’s not your lab rat. You cannot use her as a test case!”

“No, not that, I just mean as a social example. How she would blend into modern society,” Marshall said.

“And how would that help us Marshall?” Devlin asked.

“Well... it’d be really cool.” He grinned.

“Alright, fine. I’m sick of arguing about this. I have more valuable things to be working on. You may keep her Agent Vaughn, but she is your responsibility, I don’t want to hear anything more about this,” Devlin said.

Slightly stunned that he was talking about Sydney like she was a pet rather than a person, Michael took a moment before responding. “Thank you sir, but there is just one more thing.”

“You’re treading on thin ice here Agent Vaughn.” Devlin hissed.

“I know but... she needs identification, citizenship....”

“That’s right.” Marshall interjected. “And she’s completed unadapted to the modern world... she’ll need medicine and-”

“Good lord, why didn’t we think of this before!” Devlin said. “She could have brought back diseases!”

“I don’t have diseases!” Sydney defended.

“Were there any illnesses where you lived? Smallpox? Anything?” Devlin asked.

“No...,” She shook her head. “It was just my family and I until recently. No reported diseases.”

“Take her to medical services until we find out how to deal with this. I want her quarantined,” Devlin said.

Sydney looked terrorized and Michael tried to calm her. “It’s ok, I’ll come with you.”

“You will not,” Devlin said.

“Yes I will. I’ve been around her for a week and I went back to 1860. Plus, we’ve....,” He let his voice drift off on that though judging by the disapproving look in Devin’s face. “If she had anything, I have it too,” Michael said.

“Good point,” Devlin said. “Go.”

“Michael,” Sydney said wearily as they made their way to medical services.

“It’s going to be ok, I promise,” he said as he rubbed her back gently.

“But quarantining us...,” she said.

He was confused for a second at the fear in her voice but then Michael realized that ‘quarantining’ was probably wasn’t a pleasant experience in 1860. “Hey, it’s ok. Quarantining isn’t what you think it is. We’re just going to go into a hospital room all by ourselves ok?”

“Okay.” She sighed unsurely.

They arrived at medical services and were met by a man in a hazmat suit who directed them to a small room with two single beds. He handed them hospital scrubs and told them to change and put all their clothing into plastic bags. They did as they were told and then were locked into the room with the beds. “Hey, at least we can sleep now.” Michael smiled, trying to lighten the mood. She gave a half smile back and just curled up on one of the beds next to him.



Chapter 22

They were stuck in quarantine for three days without being able to speak to anyone. Their only human contact was food brought to them three times a day. Finally on the third day, a man who was wearing a protective suit came into their room.

“We found no traces of disease on your clothing but we still need to do a blood test on Miss Bristow,” The man said.

“Blood test?” Sydney asked Michael.

“Yeah they’re just going to take some of your blood and test it for what they’re looking for,” he said.

“Hold out your left arm please,” the man said to Sydney. She did as he asked but winced when the needle punctured her arm. Michael rubbed her back soothingly as the man took two vials of blood and then left.

“That hurt,” she said tearfully.

“I know.” Michael sighed as he hugged her tighter.

Another two days passed until finally a man who wasn’t wearing a protective suit came into their room.

“Well, you’ve both been cleared to go once I start Miss Bristow’s vaccinations.”

“Start? How many are there?” Michael asked.

“Well, a lot,” the man said. “We have to start her on a regimen similar to those of infants but slightly modified. The whole process will take almost a year since there is a four month waiting period in between doses to make sure the antibodies are built up properly.”

“But how many does she get today?” Michael asked.

“Three,” He said.

After Sydney received her shots, she and Michael left medical services and made their way back to the rotunda where they were met by Eric.

“Aw you two looks so cute in your matching scrubs.” Eric teased.

“Thanks.” Michael groaned as he rolled his eyes.

“Ok, I’m sure you two wanna get out of here so, I’ll make this quick,” Eric said. “Here you go: birth certificate, social security card, photo ID. Everything that makes you a full blown American citizen of the twenty first century,” Eric smiled as he handed Sydney her new papers.

“Sydney Anne Bristow born April 17th, 1980.” She smiled as she read the papers Eric had given her.

“Yep,” He grinned.

“Thank you, thank you so much,” she said as she hugged Eric.

“You’re welcome.” Eric laughed. “Oh and Devlin expects you in tomorrow at seven thirty sharp.”

“Yeah...,” Michael sighed.

“Oh! I almost forgot. Your mom called like twenty times and-”

“Oh shit!” Michael interrupted. “I totally forgot... she’s coming to visit... what day is it?”

“The fourteenth,” Eric said.

“Tonight... damn it.” Michael groaned. “Ok we gotta go, I have to clean....and come up with a really good explanation.”

“Does your mother live in France still?” Sydney asked him as they were walking to the car.

“No, she lives in Sacramento, that’s another city in California.” He told her.

As soon as they arrived home Michael saw his mother’s car parked on the street in front of his house. “Uh oh...” he said under his breath. He parked the car and quickly went inside. “Mom?”

“Michael look at this place! It’s filthy! Where have you been? Your friend Eric said you were in quarantine or something. What happened? Are you alright? Why haven’t you called me? And why is there a women’s costume on your bedroom floor?” She fired questions at him the moment she saw him.

“I swear there is a very good explanation for all of that,” Michael said. “Mom, this is Sydney,” he said as he pulled a shy looking Sydney towards him and put an arm around her shoulders.

“Well it’s very nice to meet you Sydney. I’m Amelia, Michael’s mother. Are you from Los Angels?”

“Uh, you could say that.” Michael answered for her.

Amelia looked at her son suspiciously. “Are you hiding something from me Michael?”

“Look, Mom I’m going to tell you everything but I just got home. Give me a moment to breathe ok?” He sighed.

“Very well. Can I get you something to drink Sydney?” Amelia offered.

“No, thank you, ma’am,” Sydney said politely.

“Goodness that accent, are you from the south?”

“Savannah, Georgia.” Sydney told her.

“Oh that’s lovely. It’s very beautiful there. What do you do?” Amelia asked.

“Do?” Sydney looked confused.

“You know, your job? Your profession?” Amelia smiled.

“Oh, I don’t have one,” Sydney said.

“You don’t?” Amelia asked.

“Yeah, Mom I think you’re going to want to sit down for this.” Michael sighed.

“Wait, I don’t understand. Where do you live?” Amelia asked Sydney.

“I... I live here?” Sydney said as more of a question than a response.

Amelia looked practically livid and started yelling at Michael in French. He tried to stop her but it was Sydney who shouted. “S'il vous plait!”

“Well, at least she’s educated.” Amelia grunted.

“Mom, listen to me, I know you’re not going to want to believe this but Sydney was born in 1835. The CIA made me travel back to 1860 and Sydney came back with me and then she sort of... stayed.”

“Michael that is the most awful joke I’ve ever heard. This isn’t funny!”

“This isn’t a joke Mother.” Michael sighed.

“How can she be from 1860!? It is impossible to travel to the past! Of all the ridiculous...,” Amelia muttered as she walked to the couch.

“I thought it was impossible too until I did it. But she’s really from 1860 and she has no idea what’s happened in the past hundred and fifty years,” Michael said. His mother looked skeptical. “Ask her something, she won’t know it.”

Amelia’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Sydney, who shifted uncomfortably. “When was the stock market crash?” Amelia asked.

Sydney hesitated. “What’s a stock... market?”

“She could have made that up,” Amelia said to Michael. He sighed and rolled his eyes. Then he spotted the remote to his stereo sitting on the counter. He and Sydney hadn’t covered music in the week the spent together so it was a good way to prove he was telling the truth.

He reached for the remote and said to Sydney, “I apologize in advance for this.” She looked curious but he just looked to his mother. “Watch,” he said. Then he pressed the power button on the remote and his house was filled with loud banging drums and screeching guitars. Sydney jumped five feet off the couch and began looking around frantically until Michael shut it off.

“What was that?!” She hissed.

“I’ll explain later,” he said.

Then Sydney smacked him on the arm. “That was mean; don’t do it again.”

Amelia watched this whole scene unfold and determined that Sydney was either the best actress she had ever seen or she really had never heard music before. “She’s really from 1860?” Amelia asked cautiously.

“Yes,” Michael said.

“So, that costume...”

“Not a costume. It’s her dress,” Michael said.

“So you don’t know anything?” Amelia asked Sydney.

“I know some things... I’ve been here a week,” Sydney said. “We flew to Savannah... and went to Disneyland... and watched movies.”

There was a moment of silence between them. “So what happens now? Does she go back?”

“No, she’s staying. That’s the other thing I need to tell you.” Michael took a deep breath. “We’re getting married.”

“But you’ve only known her a week!” Amelia exclaimed.

“I know, but we’re in love.... besides, it’s not like we’re getting married tomorrow,” Michael said. Amelia gave a disapproving sigh and looked away from her son. “Look, just let us shower and change and then we can discuss all of this over dinner,” Michael said. Then he nodded to Sydney, telling her to go ahead and shower first so she got up and disappeared into the bathroom.

“How old is she?” Amelia asked quietly once Sydney had gone.

“Twenty five,” Michael said dully.

“She wasn’t married?”

“No.”

Amelia sighed heavily. “It’s just... how can she live in this world Michael? She doesn’t understand.”

“I’ll help her understand.” Michael said. Just then Sydney called Michael’s name from the bathroom and he went to see what was wrong. He returned a moment later looking slightly frazzled. “Uh Mom, can you help Sydney with something?”

“With what?” Amelia asked.

“Well... I’m guess that they didn’t exactly have the same, um, girl products in 1860...” He said nervously.

It took Amelia a moment before she understood what her son was hinting at. “I’ll run to the store and be back in five minutes,” she said.

“Thanks.” Michael sighed.



Chapter 23

Later when Sydney was dressed in her jeans and green tube top she slowly came out into the sitting area where she would be alone with Amelia since Michael was in the shower. “I um... thank you for your help,” Sydney said timidly.

“Of course dear. I’m guessing they didn’t have those things in your time.” Amelia smiled softly.

“No ma’am... we would normally be confined to our beds.”

“Well a lot has certainly changed then.” Amelia laughed.

“Yes.” Sydney sighed as she sat on the couch.

“So tell me about yourself.” Amelia smiled. Sydney spent the next fifteen minutes telling Amelia where she came from, who her family was and what she did on a daily bases before Michael returned.

“So what were you ladies talking about?” Michael asked as he went to the kitchen and began digging for something to make for dinner.

“Well Sydney was just telling me about herself.” Amelia smiled.

“You weren’t asking her too many questions I hope.” Michael sighed, knowing that his mother had trouble knowing when to quit grilling his girlfriends.

“No.” Sydney answered for her.

“Good,” Michael said.

“You know, if Sydney is going to stay here, the first thing you should do is teach her to drive a car,” Amelia said.

“Mom, LA is not exactly the most conducive place for people learning to drive cars.” Michael sighed.

“No, it’s not. But she has to learn,” Amelia said.

“I can do it.” Sydney smiled. “And I can get a job too.”

“Woah slow down. I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves,” Michael said.

“Why? Other women in this time work, so can I,” she said.

“Yes, but you don’t know anything, which isn’t your fault, it’s just circumstance,” he said.

“I know but... won’t I need to work? In my time the man was able to support his wife and family but I take it that isn’t the case here,” she said sadly.

“Syd, this isn’t about money is it?” he asked as he walked over and stroked her face.

“Well, I feel horrible because I don’t have anything and you’d have to spend your money and buy me anything I needed and...”

“Syd, it’s fine, really, I promise.” He smiled. “Let’s just take everything one day at a time ok?”

“Okay.” Sydney smiled.

Throughout dinner and that evening they talked more about Sydney’s life in 1860 and Amelia told some childhood stories about Michael that Sydney enjoyed but Michael hated. Finally, Sydney fell asleep on the couch and Michael carried her to bed. After he had tucked her in, he came back out to make sure his mother would be alright sleeping on the couch.

“So, you’ll be sleeping in the bedroom then.” Amelia eyed him curiously.

“Mom,” He warned.

“What? She’s from 1860 Michael, that’s not exactly normal behavior back then.”

“Yes I know. We’ve... crossed that bridge,” he said.

“Have you?” She raised an eyebrow. He just shook his head, refusing to answer. “She’s lovely Michael.”

“I know.” he smiled.

“You really love her don’t you?”

Michael laughed slightly and nodded his head. “I didn’t think it was possible to feel this way about someone... I just....”

Amelia smiled broadly. “That’s wonderful, I’m glad you finally found that in someone.”

“Me too.” He smiled. “Goodnight Mom,” he said as he walked into the bedroom. He changed his clothes and then slipped into bed next to Sydney who he was surprised to find was awake. “Were you watching me?” He whispered.

“Maybe,” she whispered back. Then Sydney slid over and snuggled close to Michael and sighed softly.

“Syd?”

“Hmm?” She sighed quietly.

“Are you happy?”

“What?” She asked as she lifted her head and looked at him.

“Are you happy?” He repeated. “I mean like here and not back there?”

She smiled and kissed him softly. “I’m so much happier than I ever was. I love you.”

“I love you too.” He smiled.

~*~

“Morning Mom,” Michael yawned as he came out of his bedroom fully dressed and ready for work.

“Morning. Where’s Sydney?”

“Oh,” Michael laughed. “The princess is used to sleeping until eleven.”

“Oh,” his mother laughed as well. “I thought that maybe I’d take Sydney shopping today, is that alright?”

“Sure, but you don’t have to,” Michael said.

“I want to.” Amelia smiled. “Besides, it will be fun to have a little girl talk with her.”

“Girl talk? Mom, what are you going to tell her?” Michael asked suspiciously.

“Nothing,” Amelia smiled.

“Uh huh, please no embarrassing childhood stories. That’s all I ask,” Michael said.

“Very well. Have a nice day at work Michael.”

It was another few hours before Sydney drug herself out of bed. After showering and changing, she found Amelia straightening up the kitchen. “Good morning.” Amelia smiled at her.

“Good morning,” Sydney said in return. “I guess I should learn to get up earlier.” She laughed slightly.

“You’re used to sleeping all morning?” Amelia asked.

“Well, sort of. In the summer it was so hot we slept long so we could spend minimal time up in the heat with all our clothes on...,” Sydney sighed.

“Yes I always wondered how the woman stood all those layers.” Amelia laughed slightly.

“It was almost unbearable, trust me.” Sydney sighed. “I like these much better,” she said as she pulled at her tank top.

“I can imagine so. You must need more clothing right? I mean, if you’re going to be living here... forever. Would you like to come shopping with me today?” Amelia asked.

“You wouldn’t mind?”

“Of course not. Besides there are many things I have to show you that I’m sure Michael could never explain.” She laughed. Sydney laughed slightly and agreed to go.

Half an hour later they arrived at the department store and Amelia began going through all the departments with Sydney. They bought purses, belts, dresses, shoes, sweaters, pants, sweats, any item of clothing that could possibly imagined. In between their shopping they chatted and stopped off for lunch.

“What’s wrong dear? Are you tired?” Amelia asked when she heard Sydney sigh sadly as they were looking through dresses.

“No,” Sydney exhaled. “I was just thinking about my sister. She’s getting married next month...”

“Oh really?” Amelia asked.

“Yeah... it’s this guy that my father found her. He’s really nice and everything but, I just could never see myself marrying someone I wasn’t in love with. Nadia, that’s my sister, said to me the day I left that she would learn to love her husband because that’s how it was supposed to work. I just... I never agreed with that,” Sydney said. Amelia just smiled and nodded slightly.

“The more I think about it, the more I realize I wasn’t meant to stay there. I was unhappy... people were starting to talk about me...”

“Talk?” Amelia asked.

Sydney nodded. “I was twenty five and unmarried with no children. The women in the town gossiped about how strange that was. They wondered what was wrong with me. Why wasn’t I normal?....”

“That’s awful.” Amelia sighed.

“Yeah... well, it’s over now. Besides, I’m sure I gave them plenty to gossip about by disappearing,” Sydney said almost in amusement.

Amelia paused for a moment before asking cautiously, “Won’t your family be upset?”

“Yeah, I guess, maybe they’ll be glad to finally be rid of me.” She laughed bitterly. Amelia gave her a cautious glance. “We really haven’t been getting along for the past two years... well ever since the move to California I guess... They just kept pushing me to get married, that was our major fight. They’d always say how they wouldn’t live forever and I needed a husband to support me but I’d always ignore them. My mama was especially pushy about it. She was the proper lady and everything had to be proper for her. She was raised in London, her parents were very wealthy. All the most eligible bachelors were after her from the beginning because of her large dowry and her beauty.

“I guess it’s a concept that today would be found appalling, I mean, I found it disturbing and I lived back then. From the moment she became an eligible woman families were after her. She had the best upbringing and manors. She was a proper lady, but her parents refused to give her away before she was sixteen. From what I’ve heard, most of the men were much older, as they often are. But then my father was the one that finally won her. He’s only four years older which is practically unheard of but he was just as proper as she and since his parents had died when he was only fifteen, he had taken over his father’s business and managed to increase profits.

“They married and a year later I was born. Shortly after that, my father came to America, wanting to get into the cotton business. He bough a small farm in Savannah that doubled in size each year for the next three. Finally, he convinced my mama and I to join him. Now she was not very happy with that as you can imagine. She never wanted to leave London, least of all for a quote ‘savage country’ as she called it, but her duty as a wife is what drove her to leave.

“I don’t remember the crossing... I was only four at the time and I’m sure I stayed below deck the whole time. I do remember getting off the boat in New York though. We landed at Ellis Island and had to go through long lines there and then I saw my father and I was so happy because I hadn’t seen him for so long. My mama insisted that we stay in New York, at least for a little while. I know it’s because she feared leaving the city life not to mention we were exhausted from travel. We had originally intended to stay only a few months but Mama got pregnant with my sister and we had to wait until she was born so it would be safe for her to travel.

“I remember the trip down to Savannah. It was long but fun because we passed through all sorts of different cities with different people, plus I had a new baby sister to play with. When I first saw our house in Savanna... oh it was amazing, just like a dream. I loved living there. That’s where I grew up.... that’s where I got my accent.” Sydney laughed slightly. Amelia smiled. “Mama hates our Southern accents since she never lost her British one. She says they sound awful, but I like it.” Sydney grinned.



Chapter 24

“Mike, what’s with you? You’re like staring off into space,” Eric said as he waved his hand in front of his friend’s face.

“What? Ohhh I’m just wondering what my mother and Sydney are doing.”

“What are they doing?” Eric asked.

“Well, my mom was taking her shopping... I just hope she’s not embarrassing me with stories of my childhood.” Michael sighed.

“Nice.” Eric laughed.

“Yeah I know-” Michael began but was interrupted by his phone ringing. He reached for it and pressed the speaker button. “Vaughn.”

“Michael?”

“Syd?!” He asked, looking up to Eric who was looking confused.

“Yeah, your mom showed me how to use a phone.”

“Great.” Michael laughed. “How’s shopping?”

“Really good. I was just wondering when you’d be home tonight.”

“Umm sixish, why?”

“No reason.” She giggled. “I’ve just got something special planned.”

“Do you?” Michael grinned.

“Yep. See you at six then. Byyyyyye,” she said and then there was a loud click.

“What’s she up to?” Eric asked.

“Dunno.” Michael shrugged. “But I can’t wait to find out.” He grinned.

“Easy tiger.” Eric laughed.

For the rest of the afternoon Michael couldn’t help but think about what exactly Sydney had planned for him so he raced home as soon as possible and burst through the front door of his house. The second he caught a glimpse of her standing in the doorway of their bedroom he dropped his briefcase in shock. “Whoa....,” He sighed.

“You like?” She smiled. She had high black heels, a short black cocktail dress that hugged her body perfectly, sparkling earrings and the slightest touch of make up that brought out her features perfectly.

“Wow.” He sighed again. “You look amazing.”

“Thanks.” She ginned. “Your mom helped me with the makeup.”

“You look perfect,” he said as he walked over and kissed her cheek, smelling her sweet perfume in the process.

“So do you want to take me out to dinner?” She smiled innocently. He laughed slightly. “What?”

“You.” He smiled. “You’re adorable.”

“Well you don’t have to take me out...,” she said quickly.

“No, I want to. We can celebrate our engagement.” He grinned as he kissed her softly. “Just give me a minute to change my shirt.”

“Sure.” She smiled. “So you really like the dress?”

“It’s perfect.” He smiled as he loosened his tie and began unbuttoning his shirt. “Hey, where’s my mom by the way?”

“Spending the night in Santa Monica with a friend.” Sydney said.

“Excellent.” He grinned.

~*~

Sydney and Michael slept in late Saturday morning but when they awoke they began chatting quietly together.

“So I think we need to come up with a game plan,” Michael said as he ran his fingers up and down her stomach, causing her to giggle.

“Stop that tickles.” She laughed.

“I can’t help it. I love your stomach, it’s so sexy.” He grinned as he leaned over and placed a few feather light kisses around her belly button causing her to laugh even harder.

“Stop and tell me what a game plan is.” She laughed.

“Ok, ok. A game plan is like... a plan, in this case it’s the modernization of Sydney Bristow plan.”

“Okay.” She smiled.

“Well first I figure we have to teach you like the rules of society so to speak... which I guess will be sort of hard because most of it you don’t think about you just do... but there’s some stuff we can tell you,” he said.

“For example...”

“Always lock your doors. Don’t talk to strangers. Don’t go out anywhere by yourself.” He said. “This time is much more dangerous than yours.”

“Oh.” She sighed.

“But everyone wants to help ok? My mom, Eric, and you remember Marshall from work? He said he really wants to teach you to use computers.” Michael smiled. Sydney laughed slightly.

“Sounds great.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah! I’m really excited.” She grinned.

“Excellent.” Michael smiled back. “So what do you want to do first?”

“Ummm driving?” She grinned.

He sighed. “I was afraid you’d say that.”

“Why?” Her face fell.

“Oh just because I’ll probably be a horrible teacher.” Michael laughed.

“No you won’t.” She smiled.

“Yeah well... you have to get your permit first. Monday I’ll stop by the DMV and pick you up a study pamphlet ok?”

“Okay.” She smiled. Then she leaned over and kissed him a few times. “Thank you for doing all this.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Michael said in return.



Chapter 25

In the next month, Sydney became a sponge, absorbing anything and everything thrown her way. She had computer lessons with Marshall, music lessons with Eric (which basically consisted of him telling her which bands ‘sucked’ and which ones ‘rocked’), and every other evening Michael would go through the driving book with her, teaching her driving laws and little things about cars. Some days she felt overwhelmed but she was fascinated by it all.

Sydney squealed with joy when she heard the front door slam shut, signaling that Michael was home from work. She spent most of her time inside with the exception of taking Donovan on a walk around the back yard twice a day and never went out without Michael, Eric or Michael’s mother chaperoning her.

“Ok so I was researching on the internet all day and I found this stuff on-”

“Wait,” Michael interrupted her. “You were researching on the internet?” He asked. She nodded curiously. “Ok, who are you and what have you done with my 18th century fiancée?”

“Ok first, I’m from the 19th century,” she said.

“Whatever.” He laughed.

“And second, what’s wrong with it?”

“Nothing,” Michael sighed. “It’s just... you adapt to this stuff so well... I think you were born in the wrong century.”

“Mmmhmm,” she said as she kissed him. “I’m glad you fixed it.”

“Me too.” He sighed as he rubbed her back. “So what did you find out?”

“TONS of stuff. Do you know what a GED is?” She asked.

“Yeah, do you?” He laughed.

“Sure. It’s that thing that’s the same as a high school diploma. So I can get one of those and then go to college, right?”

“I love how ambitious you are, it’s so adorable.” He smiled.

“Thanks.” She grinned.

“You realize that the GED exam will be really hard right?”

“Well, I figure I already know the math part, right? Has that changed?”

“General adding and subtracting, no. But Calculus.... Geometry... Trig... yeah.”

“Oh,” Her face fell. “But I can learn it!”

“Well how about you focus on your driving permit first. Are you still going to take the test next week?” he asked.

“Yes, I mean, I think I’m ready, don’t you?”

“Definitely ready.” He smiled.

“Good. And guess what else I found out?”

“What?” He asked.

“Well did you know you can look up your ancestors online?”

“Yeah...”

“Well, I found my sister.” She smiled.

“Yeah?” He asked, intrigued.

“Yep. She had a son born in 1862, a daughter born in 1864 and another son born in 1868.”

“That’s great.” Michael smiled.

“Yeah I know. It was just... you know, nice to know she was ok.” Sydney smiled.

“Yeah, I know,” Michael said as he pulled her into a hug and pressed a kiss on her cheek.

“Do... do you ever think about children Michael?” Sydney asked. “I mean... do you want them? With me?” She asked as she looked up at him.

Michael smiled and stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. “Of course.”

“Yeah?” She smiled.

“Yeah.” He laughed as he nuzzled his nose against her. “But I think we should wait until we’re married.”

“Of course! We can’t have children without being married! What would people think?!” She exclaimed.

Michael just chuckled. “I’m always going to love that about you.”

“What?” She smiled.

“That you’re a proper southern lady,” he said with a faux southern accent.

Sydney giggled. “Yes sir.”

“Ooo call me sir again,” he said as he nipped at her earlobe.

“Michael! It’s the middle of the afternoon.” Sydney giggled.

“What’s your point?” Michael mumbled into her neck as he traced kisses along it.

“Never mind.” She moaned as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her.

~*~

“Michael.” Sydney sighed as she pulled herself up and laid her head on the pillow next to his while intertwining her legs with his. “I’ve been thinking.”

“About?”

“I want to write a book.” She said. Michael shifted to his side so that he was looking her in the eyes. He looked intrigued so, she continued. “Well... you know how you can write best about what you know?” He nodded and she continued. “What about a book about life back then... traveling to California... living on a plantation... what do you think? Does that sound stupid?”

Michael grinned. “That sounds great! I can’t wait to read it.”

“Michael, don’t patronize me.” She sighed.

“I’m not!” He laughed. “I think it’s a really, really wonderful idea.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes!”

“Good.” She smiled. “Because I was thinking that after I got my GED I could take some college classes in English or writing or something just to get back into it you know? And then... why are you smiling like that?”

“Because you are the most amazing person I’ve ever known,” he said as he stroked her face. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.” She smiled.

“Wait, I have something for you.” He said as he rolled away from her and reached into the drawer next to his bed. “I was going to wait and take you out to a fancy restaurant but... I just can’t wait anymore.” He smiled as he handed her a black velvet box.

“What is it?” She asked. He just smiled. She opened the box and gasped at the solitary diamond ring. “Ohh Michael it’s gorgeous.”

“You like it?” He asked.

“I love it.” She smiled.

“Good, I thought it was about time we were properly engaged,” he said as he took the ring out of the box and slid it on her finger. “Perfect.” He smiled

“You’re perfect.” She smiled back.

“Yeah, so are you.”



Epilogue

By the time Sydney lived in the modern world for a year, anyone who didn’t know she wasn’t born in that time wouldn’t have been able to tell at all. She had adapted entirely. She learned mostly through observation and questioning Michael to death, which he didn’t exactly mind, but instead found adorable. Driving quickly became her hardest challenge. It wasn’t exactly the driving part she had trouble with, but it was the not getting lost on your way to and from the destination part she struggled with. She did manage to get her license, which she was indescribably proud of, but she hesitated to go anywhere other than the local grocery store or other things close by that she didn’t know how to get too easily.

In addition to her driver’s license, after much studying, Sydney received her GED. Michael was so proud of her that he bought her a car since it was around the same time she received her driver’s license. During that summer, Sydney and Michael planned their wedding since they decided upon getting married October first, one year after they met. Also, Sydney signed up for college courses that fall.

Sydney and Michael’s wedding was very traditional. Sydney wore a long white gown, they were married by a minister in a beautiful church in Santa Monica and though their guest list was small, the church was filled with everyone they loved the most.

Sydney decided it would be best to take classes for at least a year to learn more about publishing and professional writing before starting to write a novel of her own. When she did get around to writing it, the first publisher she took it to loved the concept immediately and practically ordered her to continue it as a series.

All in all, Sydney wrote eight books about a girl named Nadia’s adventures living on a cotton plantation, moving across the United States and starting over in a small mining town in California, but always missing her cherished home in Savannah.

The stories, which were oriented towards children in their early teens, quickly became favorites across the nation. Their biggest fan, however, was Ellie Vaughn, Sydney and Michael’s daughter, who not only enjoyed reading the books, but enjoyed her mother recounting the stories to her over and over again with such detail it really felt like she was back in 1860.

“Mommy, how did you get so smart?” Ellie always asked.

“I don’t know.” Sydney would laugh.

“You’re mom’s special.” Michael would add with a smile.

“You know what I wish?”

“What sweetie?”

“I wish I could meet Nadia, for real,” Ellie said.

“Why’s that?”

“Because she seems really cool. I would have been friends with her.” Ellie smiled. “Do you think she would have liked me?”

“Of course sweetie, she’d love you just like I do.”

“I love you too Mommy.”

“And I love you both.” Michael grinned.

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