Author: Freelancer Starbuck
Website: www.geocities.com/freelancer_starbuck
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Feedback: YEAH BABY!
Archiving: Up for grabs as long as you tell me where it's going! Free to archive at Alias Institute, Cover Me, and Kara B's site!
Rating: G
Summary: After five years away from LA and the life she always knew, Sydney comes back.
Author's Note: Ok, so this takes place five years after the takedown of the Alliance. Sydney and Vaughn agree to only stay friends because of their history, so Syd moves to New York and Vaughn stays in LA. There's nothing else to really know, so yeah.
***
I stare at my reflection in a mirror, recognizing perfectly the same vengeful girl from almost seven years ago staring back. Flaming reddish-pink hair, hurt brown eyes, the only things that are different is the smile and the wrinkles by my eyes. I don't know why I've decided to come back, but I have, and there's no turning back because my appointment has already been made. I think he'll know when his secratery comes in and announces Kate Jones, but there wasn't anything else I could think of.
I've been in New York for way too long, and I felt it was time to come home. Time to give my friends another chance, to give Vaughn another chance.
So I get in my car and drive downtown to the CIA building.
Mostly everything is exactly the way I remember, although the receptionist either got a major face life or a new job. I stride across the crest on the floor, nostalgia ripping through me as my red hair swishes in my face. It's October 1, 2007, and I've never been so scared.
I ride the elevator, weave my way through the cubicals, and dodge surprised looks on my way to Vaughn's office. I worry that someone might tell Vaughn that I'm coming but then again the agents usually mind their own business if it's not a national emergency.
I stop in front of his door and pop my gum, introducing myself to his secratery. He got a new one. This one has jet black hair and blue eyes. Her computer desktop says her name is Maggie. She's so young and pretty. Probably without a clue of who I am.
So the door swings open and I walk in to see the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. He's staring at me like his heart just stopped all over again. He rises slowly, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging slightly open.
"Syd?!"
"Surprise," I offer lamely, shrugging slightly and taking a step forward.
"What the hell did you do to your hair?!" He sounds so cute I can't help but laugh.
"Just a wig, don't worry. I thought it might be a little..." I search for the word.
"Crazy?"
I scoff. "Hardly. Today's October 1, so I figured that if I showed up like this, it might be funny." I know I sound really stupid and nervous like I don't know what I'm doing, but my heart is shaking just as hard as my hands and I can't help it.
"Uh, ok... wanna sit down?" He's awkward and scared, I can see it in his eyes.
"No," I reply firmly. "I need to tell you something. For the last five years, I haven't dated anyone. I haven't even thought of it. I know we agreed that we have too much history, but why should that stand in the way? I want to be happy, and I know the only way I can be happy is if I'm here, with you." I was so direct, I probably made the poor guy terrified.
"Whoa... I thought you were the one that didn't feel anything. I never stopped loving you, Sydney. I-" he paused, looking down slightly. "I got scared. I didn't know how to act anymore and I didn't want to lose control. I've never felt this way about anyone, and it was so intense that I-"
"I understand. Maybe... maybe we should just start out really slow. Like... we could make a date for the movies," I decided, making the first step. "Say, next Saturday?"
He grinned at me. "Sure."
So as I spun around and walked back out, my heart finally found what it had been looking for. A home.