Mike the Plumber Fic!
Woot! It's done...
And now it's here...
Crossposted to my journal and alias_fiction.
This is the sequel to "Do You Do Windows Too?" the long awaited Mike the Plumber fic, which I might add could only be written thanks to the many gentle nudges and "subtle" hints of stalkage from all of you out there
Okay enough yappage from me...
Title: My Name is Mike, I’m a Plumber…
Pairing: Sydney/Vaughn
Rating: NC-17
Spoilers: Takes place in a time extended AU S2 after “A Free Agent” and well before “The Telling”
Disclaimer: Not mine, No profit intended.
A/N: This is the sequel to “Do You Do Windows Too?” I’ve messed with the timelines a bit here to give these two a chance at a quasi-normal relationship without the usual hurly-burly of their lives. Let’s just assume that there was a month or two when they just went into work at the CIA everyday and came home at the end of a long day with nothing more on their minds then some snuggling and quality sack time and no one was doubled or stabbed or betrayed or captured or escaped or in mortal peril annnnnd you get my drift. This story is for Incomparable Ali, provider of bulletproof kink ideas and my best friend. Thanks for everything.
And before I forget ::tosses heaps of roses:: to lunasky and bellamomma for the amazing and speedy beta work here. Thank you, I owe you both...
It must've come in the mail yesterday. The envelope sits, creamy and fat, propped up against her favorite mug. She puts it to one side and goes through the much-needed waking-up ritual of making coffee. The morning is gray and overcast, every so often the clouds muster up some drizzly rain, but mostly the world outside is wrapped in mist and wetness. Sydney snuggles into her bathrobe and sips her coffee. I'm glad it's Friday, I feel like my brain's on strike today. She slides the envelope over and looks at it. It is addressed to her and features the discreet crest of an upscale hotel in one corner; she notices the letter has been forwarded from her old address. The postmark is over four months old. There is a yellow Post-it note with Francie's handwriting stuck on the front.
Morning Syd,
Didn't want to wake you too early. Hope this is nothing important, it was mixed in with my mail, damned Post Office! -Have fun this weekend-try not to miss me too much ha-ha! I'll call you when I get there. Love F.
Francie left early this morning on a buying trip to San Francisco for her restaurant. Sydney is looking forward to spending some free time this weekend loafing around the house not doing much in particular. Well maybe doing someone in particular… She smiles as she thinks of Vaughn and slides her nails under the seal and tears the envelope open.
A glossy brochure and a folded note are inside. She idly glances at the brochure; on the front is a gorgeous shot of the hotel and surrounding gardens. She reads the note:
Dear Ms. Bristow,
May the staff and myself here at Chateau St. Denis extend our sincere congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. However I am sending this letter of inquiry because our records indicate that neither you nor your fiancé Mr. Daniel Hecht have contacted our staff in regards to the reservations Mr. Hecht made with us last year. I have enclosed a copy of our latest brochure in order to give you an idea of the many wedding packages we can arrange for you. If in the event you have decided to hold your wedding elsewhere, please contact me with directions regarding the refund of the deposit Mr. Hecht had left with us. I am at your service should you have any further questions or require any assistance in planning your special day. I look forward to meeting with you and your fiancé.
I remain yours most sincerely,
Evelyn Sanger
Special Events Coordinator
Chateau St. Denis
The tears surprise her; bitter and hot they well up and drop onto the note, leaving watermarks. Before she quite realizes it she's crying. She presses a hand to her mouth to stifle the sobs; when she has stopped she shakily wipes the tears from her eyes. Danny never said he had made any reservations anywhere; he must have wanted to surprise me. He was always doing things like that…Her throat threatens to close again-hard and tight with sorrow-she swallows past the lump and hooks the phone over to her. She punches in the number of the hotel.
Evelyn Sanger's voice is so heartfelt and sympathetic that Sydney nearly falls apart again on the phone. She stares resolutely out the kitchen window at the rain and works at distance.
"Please, Ms. Sanger just donate the money to whatever charity you wish-Danny would have wanted it that way."
The familiar and hated motions of grief are coming back to her, the murmured voices, the drowning kindnesses, the empty platitudes-Sydney's hands tighten on the phone-knuckles sharp ridges against her flesh. All the anger she thought she had left behind comes barreling back, her head is pounding viciously. Finally she is able to end the call and put her head down on the cool surface of the kitchen table, a gust of wind throws a patter of rain against the patio doors. She is late for work so she makes one more call and phones in sick; the CIA can function-or not-she doesn't much care, without her for one day. She's going back to bed.
*****
Vaughn strolls through the operations center holding a steaming no fat, half foam, caramel macchiato, or as he likes to call it "girly-goo-goo" coffee. He always feels slightly dumb ordering it-with cinnamon sprinkles no less-but it was Sydney's favorite kind. What kind of boyfriend-and that term still gives him a nifty little thrill deep in his belly-would balk at bringing his girl a coffee on a damp morning like today. He was busy planning just how to reap the "you're such a great guy" benefits that when he reaches her desk and she isn't there, he's still deep in his fantasy of convincing Sydney to sneak into the supply closet with him. Her desk is neat and tidy and her computer is off. He looks around for her purse, it's nowhere in sight.
"Anyone seen Agent Bristow?"
"Took a sick day I think…" Vaughn barely acknowledges the agent who spoke, but goes to find Jack Bristow. He's in his office. Vaughn knocks then enters,
"Did you talk to Sydney last night?"
"No-what's the problem?" The habitual frown Jack wears deepens into the beginnings of a worried scowl.
"Someone said she's sick today and I just wondered…" He lets it hang there. Have you heard from her? Is she all right? The thousand nameless fears crowd his brain.
"Have you tried calling her?"
Vaughn closes his eyes, Yeah-that would've been the smart thing to do dummy…" Uh no I haven't…"
Wordlessly Jack pushes the phone across the desk to him, embarrassed Vaughn doesn't look at the older man, only hands him the coffee. Jack is slightly bewildered by the offering. Vaughn mouths the words "For Sydney." as her phone rings and rings. His heart has started to pound uncomfortably when she picks up, voice thick and blurry.
"Hello?"
"Hey Sydney it's me. Missed you at work today, how are you doing?"
"Fine-well crappy actually. I thought I'd take a day off."
"Anything serious?" She sounds like she's been crying… Vaughn turns his back slightly to shield himself from Jack's watchful glare. He lowers his voice, "Is everything okay, Syd?" There's a pause, he can feel her silence through the phone as she decides whether or not to share with him whatever's bothering her. She sighs and he knows she's going to keep it close for a while longer.
"Sure. Everything's okay. I just needed to take a mental health day." She changes the subject to distract him, "I'll see you tonight right?"
"Of course-what time should I come over?"
"Anytime, I'll be here…"
"Call me if you need anything okay?"
"I will…Vaughn…."
"Yeah?"
"…Thanks." She disconnects. Vaughn pretends she didn't hang up without saying goodbye and says goodbye to the buzzing dial tone. He straightens to find Jack's gaze heavy on him.
"Is Sydney alright?"
"Yeah, she wasn't feeling so great so she's taking today off work."
"I see." He doesn't have to say anymore-Vaughn squirms a bit under the weight of his disapproval. Way to look like a jerk in front of her Dad dumbass! "So thanks for the use of the phone… " He goes to leave.
"Agent Vaughn?" He turns and sees Jack holding out the cup of coffee. "You meant to give this to my daughter." Vaughn takes it but Jack hasn't finished. "Sydney keeps her own counsel a great deal of the time-sometimes she finds it hard to…open up."
"I take it that runs in the family…" Vaughn shuts his eyes after he blurts this out, Oh Christ mouth! Would you just shut up… Jack looks hard at him for a moment; Vaughn thinks the temperature in the office drops a degree or two.
"Indeed… but that doesn't mean she doesn't need to share-especially if she's upset." Jack's face gives nothing away. No approval or permission granted, but Vaughn thinks his glower might have softened just a little-maybe. Vaughn takes his coffee and leaves the office. I think he's coming around-he'll kill me quick instead of slow now, he likes me that much…
*****
Eric Weiss is swearing at the photocopier when Vaughn finds him.
"Oh you whore! Not another fucking paper jam-there's no fucking paper there-I checked. Didn't you see me check you god-dammed cheap piece of shit? Now work!" Weiss slams his fist into the side of the machine-it rocks but doesn't comply, a junior officer, ears no doubt blistering by now brushes past Vaughn and flees for safer territories.
"Problem?'
"No I still have my gun. I'm going to shoot this son of a bitch-bust a cap in its cold machine ass and we'll see who's giving me attitude then…" Weiss' tone is almost cheerful at the prospect of violence as he kicks the copier-hard. "What's up with you?"
"I need your help with something…"
Weiss looks up aware of the change in Vaughn's voice. "Something?"
"Let's go discuss this elsewhere."
"Sure thing." Weiss draws his gun and shows it to the copier "See this you bitch? If you don't fucking smarten-up and copy my damn reports by the time I come back I'm using this to blow a hole in you the size of Utah-you got that?"
Vaughn can't help but grin, Weiss sounds like a wannabe Soprano. "Does that work-the threatening?"
"Worked on the soda machine…"
*****
"Let me get this straight-you need me to co-authorize an operation. But you won't tell me on who or for what-"
"Look it's just a standard surveillance op-"
Calmly Weiss overrides Vaughn's objection as he flips through at the mission specs, "And you need me to sign off on the use of an undercover vehicle-namely one cube van outfitted for a plumber and the use of all necessary accompanying equipment and disguise for that alias?" Weiss looks at Vaughn with narrowed eyes
"You swear this has nothing to do with any of the current high priority cases?" Vaughn nods. Weiss has spent too many years playing poker with this man to not be aware of his tells; something fishy about this op…He decides God hates a coward and goes for broke with his bluff. "This is totally a sex thing isn't it?"
Vaughn blanches then heat floods his cheeks and stains his ears crimson. "What!"
"Oh I knew it! You're doing this for Sydney aren't you-you kinky bastard. Dude you kick ass!" Weiss smirks like a cheerful demon.
"Look! Shut-up it's not a-" Vaughn lowers his voice and wishes desperately for a yawning hole to open up underneath him. "It's not a sex thing. Sydney had some concerns about one of her neighbors I'm just checking them out as a favor…"
"Uh-huh. Which one? The fat broad with all the poodles or maybe it's that eighty year old guy who uses a walker-I thought he looked shifty-" Weiss cracks up at the helpless trapped look on Vaughn's face. Poor horny schmuck…
"Are you going to help me or not?"
"Of course!" Weiss signs the forms with a flourish. "I get the whole story Mikey-you owe me that, every last detail-over beer, your treat."
"I'm not telling you anything-"
"Ah hah! So it is a sex thing, you horndog." Grinning Weiss hands over the forms; Vaughn snatches them and stalks out of the office. Weiss calls after him.
"I'm serious about that beer Mike!"
He checks the clip on his gun, "Allrighty…Time to make some copies…"
*****
Vaughn works at getting into 'mission mode' as he zips up the denim coveralls and adjusts the ball cap with the logo "Speed-D-Plumbers" on it. CIA needs to hire some agents from Madison Avenue, all their undercover names sound so lame and phony. Thank god this isn't a real op, 'cause right now, I feel like an extra from a bad porno… He double-checks the van and the equipment. Even though he has no intentions of doing any surveillance-well not on Sydney's neighbors anyway-he could stare at Sydney, especially naked Sydney for hours, some habits are hard to break. The agent working op tech on this mission earnestly hands over assorted bugs and listening devices, explaining how to use each one, Vaughn pretends to pay attention while thinking about Sydney in all her glorious nakedness.
"Agent Vaughn your undercover alias was left up to your discretion. What name would you like?" She indicates a case full of assorted nametags and embroidered badges. He looks to see if the one he wants is there.
"This one." He pulls out an oval patch with the name Mike written in red script. The operations technician fixes it on the front of his coveralls.
"Good choice! Mike sounds very blue collar…" The technician flushes when she realizes she has inadvertently insulted a senior agent. "Uh…so you're all fixed up now you should be ready to go."
"Thanks…" His voice is cool despite his amusement; Mike sounds blue collar? I wonder if that's why Syd always calls me Vaughn? He climbs into the van. Checking himself in the rearview he decides to go with it, and twists the ball cap around until it's on backwards. Hello Mike the Plumber…
"Oh Agent Vaughn!" The woman calls out. "I almost forgot Agent Weiss asked me to give you this…" She hands a sealed memo through the window. Vaughn waits until she has gathered her supplies and left the garage before he reads it.
Guess what? I was going through some previous mission requisitions and I happened to come across a request from one Agent Sydney Bristow for an undercover operation dated about three weeks ago. Imagine my surprise when I saw said operation also involved a disguise-more specifically a maids' outfit…
I'm just wondering what I should say if I ever had to explain any of this to Kendall or the budget appropriations committee, would this count towards ongoing training or personal recreation or both?
Have fun-you lucky bastard! And remember you owe me…big time!
Weiss.
Vaughn groans and thumps his head against the headrest; Weiss was never going to let him live this down now. I'll just have to get him really drunk and take some pictures of him a compromising position with a goat, that's all there is to it. He smiles. Knowing Weiss he'd probably think that was hilarious and send them out as Christmas cards…He starts the van and heads for Sydney's house. In that case I better make sure I give him something worthwhile to talk about then…
*****
Sydney surfaces from a thin and fretful sleep-some noise had dragged her out from under. She sits up, the remains of bad dreams cling to her muzzy head as she listens.
Doorbell-someone's ringing the doorbell…
She clutches her robe to her and shambles down the hall to the door. The day has darkened even more; the steady drizzle has deepened into rain. Through the glass she can make out a figure huddled on her porch, shoulders hunched against the rain. The figure presses on the bell once more, startling her. On autopilot, she opens the door hoping to silence the persistent noise.
Michael Vaughn stands on her doorstep. She almost doesn't recognize him he seems so out of context in his dark blue coveralls and backwards baseball hat. A wide leather belt filled with assorted tools sits low on his hips, one scuffed and dirty work boot is cocked lazily against her door frame as he leans in and looks at her just a tad insolently as he tips her a wink, a sly smile on his face. She screws her eyes shut and shakes her head-sure she is still dreaming.
"What?" Is all she can manage.
"Yeah, you need a plumber lady-on account of you got a leaky sink or something?" Even his voice is different-rough and salted with a workingman's cadences. He barely gives her a chance to recover, just keeps pressing the attack. "Look d'ya mind lettin' me in here, it's raining a bitch and I 'aint got all day?" Stunned she steps back and he brushes past her carrying a toolbox and the sharp clean scent of the rain in with him.
She drags a hand through her hair and tries to think-the true purpose of his visit roots her to the floor when she realizes. Plumber! My god he's pretending to be that plumber we joked about when I dressed up as a maid for him-but Vaughn-role-playing. For me? This incredible fact is so out of character with the Vaughn she has come to know and love and so unexpected that the gesture overwhelms her-she feels the hot prick of tears once again. Christ I can't do this in front of Vaughn-he won't understand why. Pull yourself together Sydney Anne Bristow and get in the game… She looks at him; her smile is a little watery and lopsided but it's there. "Uh right…Actually I do need a plumber-I'm sorry you woke me up, I'm a little out of it, why don't you set your things in the kitchen and I'll be right with you. I'm just going to change."
"Don't bother me none if you want to stay in the robe ma'am…" The tone is knowing and she flushes when she sees his eyes linger on her exposed neck and legs. Vaughn never says things like that! So far he has the advantage; she retreats to the bedroom to gather her wits and plan her comeback.
*****
Sydney brushes out her tangled hair and slips into a tank top and yoga pants; she considers taking the time to throw on something more elaborate-something involving complicated underwear, but she still feels a little raw and hollow inside so she opts for comfort and simplicity. In the bathroom she holds a cold cloth to her eyes until the fact she had been crying wasn't as screamingly obvious as it must've been earlier. She takes a moment to just stare at herself in the mirror, deep inside past the weariness and sorrow is a small hot thread of excitement. She focuses on that. The thrill of the game, the challenge of teasing Vaughn to distraction is exactly the diversion she needs right now. She concentrates on that feeling, shutting down all others, until the Sydney that looks back at her in the mirror is the one she knows will be able to play this game. Her smile is just a touch predatory. Vaughn thinks he's a plumber huh? Well let's see…She opens the cabinet under the sink and gets to work.
*****
Vaughn's arms had actually twitched involuntarily when she had opened the door to him and he saw she had been crying. He had braced them on the doorframe to prevent himself from gathering her into his arms. She had looked so vulnerable with her tangled hair and drowsy red rimmed eyes; he knew she would still smell of warm sleep if he had held her close. This isn't the way he had envisioned this scenario going at all. He remains in role more out of respect for Sydney's reluctance to open up to him earlier, she'll tell me if she wants to-or not. Meanwhile you're here to show her you can give as good as you get at this game…Still giving her the space she craved sometimes was hard. When she pokes her head out of the door of the bathroom and calls to him, he is relieved to see she's seems happy and willing to play. He only begins to worry when he draws closer and sees merry hell in dancing her eyes.
"The leak's in here…um I'm sorry I didn't catch your name?"
"It's Mike." He points to the name stitched over his heart.
"Hi Mike." She extends her hand to shake "I'm Sydney Bristow. Thanks for coming on such short notice, my boyfriend's at work and couldn't come by. Besides-he's not really good at this kind of thing…" She leans a hip flirtatiously on the counter and watches as he sets down his toolbox. "He works for the government-well we both do-and he's alright at filing reports and all that but real handyman stuff…" She waves a hand dismissively. "Useless…" She twines a lock of hair round her finger and smiles impishly at him. He ignores her baiting and crouches over the opened toolbox with its complex array of tools-what in the hell is all this stuff?-Vaughn looks up at her and stalls for time.
"You both work for the government huh? Interesting-what do you guys do?"
"If I told you I'd have to kill you…" She gives him that sweet goofy smile and Vaughn knows eventually everything will be all right because his girl can still find the humor even in a corny exchange like that. He takes the ball and runs with it.
"Oh, gotta be FBI or CIA then? Am I right? All of you spooks are the same-thinking you're so freaking secretive. The whole pack of you don't do no honest work-and girl spies are the worst. Everyone knows girls can't keep secrets…" Okay gloves are off now; let's see where this goes…
*****
Sydney had already opened her mouth ready to snap at him for his sexist remarks, when she saw how easily she had been set up. Vaughn suckered me--me! A surge of pride in his talent wars with irritation at being tricked. He got me only because I just woke up, that's all…Professional ego soothed, she counters.
"Oh we can't can we…" Her smile is wide and insincere. She leans over and looks straight at him, knowing full well her tank top was low cut enough to afford an excellent view of her cleavage. "Too bad because I can think of a secret or two I wouldn't mind keeping from my boyfriend right about now…" Her gaze starts at his mouth and follows his throat down to the sliver of white tee shirt peeking out of the neck of his coveralls, then drops meaningfully to his crotch. She crosses her arms and watches as he shifts uncomfortably pinned by the naked invitation she has in her eyes. Hah-ha! Take that Mr. Macho…He makes a small strangled noise that she ignores as she calmly flips open the cabinet under the sink. "Leak's in there…" She points and he looks in at the steady stream of dripping water she had managed to force from the pipe with some effort and a few good whacks. "Guess I'll leave you alone so you can get to work then…" She struts cheerfully out of the bathroom, shutting the door on Vaughn's morose regard of the leaky pipe. Day's getting better already...
*****
Vaughn never realized how effective Chinese water torture actually is; he growls in irritation and wipes at the water slowly but steadily dripping down onto his face and examines the pipe. All in all this wasn't exactly the position he had in mind when he first thought of this plan; Yeah sure, the lying on my back part, but not wedged under Syd's sink with…girl crap-he bats aside some arcane feminine product-falling all over me. His jaw aches uncomfortably from the penlight clutched in his teeth; and to top it all off I can't find the source of the godammed leak. It's okay…I can do this. I'm an intelligent man. I've defused bombs for Christ's sake…just find the leak and…
"How's it going?" Sydney's voice makes him jump, causing him to rap his head smartly on the cabinet.
"Ow!" The penlight plummets forward and bonks his nose, bringing tears to his eyes. "Shit! Motherfuck!" He squirms out of the cabinet, rubbing his sore nose. It doesn't help him feel any better to see that Sydney's smothering giggles.
"Did you hurt yourself?"
"Nah! I'm swearing like this 'cause the customers enjoy it so damn much-Jesus you can't go sneaking up on a guy like that. Wear a fricken bell or something…"
"Well we spies are supposed to be sneaky. It's kind of in the job description…"
He tilts his head and pretends that this tidbit is news to him. "So you're really a spy huh?" He sees her nod regally accepting her due as one of the select crafty few.
"Well I'll hand it to you lady, you got the sneaky part down. Too bad you're such a blabbermouth. Seems I was right though, that a spygirly like you couldn't keep a secret if her life depended on it-took you what-" He checks his watch, "less than fifteen minutes to tell me you was a spook."
Vaughn wonders if his sore nose and bruised ego were worth that last shot. Sydney's mouth tightens and her chin juts out with the taunt. Might have overplayed my hand there just a bit, oh well at least 'Angry and about to kick my ass Syd' is better than 'Sad and breaking my heart Syd'…
*****
Oh no…Oh no he didn't! Sydney's beginning to feel more than a touch of annoyance at Vaughn's pointed teasing. "Blabbermouth? Listen Mr. Hotshot Plumberman, I could have many valid reasons for breaking my cover and revealing myself to you…"
"Such as…?"
"Well…" She flounders momentarily; taunting Vaughn took some getting used to. "You could be an agent yourself-sent here to plant listening devices in my house!"
"If was to plant anything in the bathroom-sure wouldn't be a listening device. Maybe a camera in the shower…" He grins as he sits up and eyes her. "But I ain't no spy-trust me lady, I wanta make more money than the crap wages you all make. Besides I'm just ragging ya-you're probably just some file clerk or something. You ain't no spy, sweet looking little girl like you couldn't harm a fly…Bet you're just waiting for the boyfriend to knock ya up so you can stay home with the kids, right baby?"
Sydney blinks. Vaughn-its only Vaughn remember that-and why in the hell isn't he field rated for this because, damn he's good…and I'm about ready to kick his ass now. "Little girl…" She splutters. "Look jackass" Vaughn's face wears a saucy well now! expression at her angry words. "I could take you out anytime I chose. I'd bet my reputation as a field agent on it." Sydney's sure Vaughn will back down now; he's seen her in action after all.
"A bet huh? What are the stakes, cutie?"
Guess he's not backing down. Her eyes narrow, her voice is chilly. "Name it. Anything you want."
Slowly Vaughn gets to his feet, stretching casually, cheekily grinning at her display of temper as he unclips the tool belt and sets it down on the countertop with a muted clanking. "Anything I want? Well now, I don't know if you'd be willing to offer what I'd be wanting, babe." He steps close and hooks a finger into the front of her top, pulling it out and glances at her breasts. She slaps his hand away. "Would you now…" he finishes.
"I said anything and I meant anything." Defiantly, she crosses her arms over her breasts and cocks her head at him. Daring him to make the bet. He smiles and holds out his hand to shake on it.
"Aren't you going to ask what I get if I win?" she prompts.
"If you win?" He shrugs "How about same stakes-anything you want-sound fair to you?"
"More than fair…" Her hand grips his and they shake.
Vaughn clasps her hand in his own and jerks her towards him. He tightens his arms around her waist, ignoring her outraged squawk and traps her against the sink.
He bends over her and kisses her neck, murmuring,
"Guess I'll be collecting on that bet now Miss Bristow…"
****
Vaughn is enjoying himself immensely. Sydney's really onto something here. There's something to be said for role-play, losing yourself in someone else's identity. Saying all the words you'd never say in real life. Doing all the things you'd never dare to do. His fingers trace over the soft cotton of her top finding her nipple and teasing it into hardness. He fills his palm with the pleasant weight of Sydney's breast and squeezes, he hears her suck in a breath.
"Like that baby? Is that how the boyfriend does it or am I better?"
His other hand cups her ass and pulls her closer against the hard bulge the coverall does a poor job of concealing. He nudges himself into that small hot gap between her thighs. He is incredibly turned on. That's why when Sydney's foot hooks behind his knee and sweeps his leg out from underneath him, he goes down like a K O'd prizefighter. All his breath is knocked out of him; he lies there looking at the bathroom ceiling for a moment and tries to remember how his lungs are supposed to work. Sydney's face looms upside down over him.
"Had enough Hotshot?" She smirks at him.
Somewhere he can hear Weiss urging him to Stay down! Screw that-I wasn't ready-I can still win this…Quicker than she's anticipating he reaches up and grabs her arms and twists her off balance, sending her staggering into the wall, he can hear her grunt as she hits. He rolls to his feet and pins her, hands wrapping around her wrists, trapping her spread eagled between him and the wall.
"I don't know spygirly. Have I had enough?" He prods her legs apart with his knee and slides a thigh between hers. He can feel the heat of her on his leg as she presses herself against him. She moans encouragingly. He leans in close, her ponytail has started to come undone and his breath stirs the loosened locks of hair near her face. "Have you had enough…or do you want more?" He can see the curve of her cheek as she smiles; she turns her head, looking at him coyly from under lowered lashes. Her tongue licks wantonly across her upper lip-entranced Vaughn watches its sleek progress. Her eyes are half-closed as she groans and rubs against him; the effect is devastating. Vaughn lets go of one of her hands in order to brush her hair back, smooth it away from that fascinating mouth. He woofs with pain when she slams an elbow into his ribs and doubles over. Wha? Oh shit-she played me!
Before he can quite understand what's happening he's flat on his back again, he grunts when Sydney sits down hard on his chest and thumps his hands to the floor. She's breathing hard and flushed with the teasing and the sparring but ready to keep going for all that.
"Say uncle Hotshot!" He's hurting and horny beyond words. When he bucks to try to dislodge her she rides him expertly-distracting him all over again with the lithe wriggling.
"Say. Uncle." She's not going to give up; she can sense he's on the ropes. Mike…Give it up. You lost man! Vaughn silences the Weiss in his head, not wanting him to be party to his defeat. My only hope now is if Syd's a gracious winner-otherwise it's more struggling with that dammed leak. Oh crap, you know she won't let you up until you say it so just say it…
"Uncle."
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that…" She tilts her head and pretends she can't hear him.
"Uncle. Dammit! Uncle!"
She crows in victory and lets him up, bouncing excitedly on his lap. "Told you I could take you out! Ha! Take that Mike!"
"Could be I let you win on account of you're a girl and all…" He grumps in mock annoyance. Two bright spots of color bloom on her cheeks, she looks disgustingly chipper and most pleased with her present position. No trace of the sad woman who opened the door to him earlier remains. Good. Whatever bruises it's cost me it's worth it. But learn from your girlfriend and take advantage of the situation. Vaughn repositions her hips, bringing her into intimate contact with the result of all her manipulations thus far. Holding her close he rocks against her lazily. She ceases her gloating and sways her hips in time with his, eyes gone glassy with desire. "So Miss Bristow, you've won fair and square and I ain't one to welsh on a bet-so what'll it be? What's your pleasure?" His voice is husky and thick with need. Pleasegodpleasegodplease let her be thinking the same thing I am…
She stops and considers for a minute, fingertips dancing on his arms making him shiver.
"Oh don't worry …I have something very special that I want you to do for me. It's a…task…that will require you to get up close and personal and take your time…" He falls into her eyes-gone dark with desire-her voice fairly hums with promise. "Do you think you might be up for that, Mike?"
He swallows, voice a dry croak. "Yes ma'am, I aim to please…"
"Good."
And the smile that crosses her face almost makes him come right then.
****
The feelings were incredible; hot blood throbs through her making her feel weak and dizzy. If she didn't do something soon she was going to come in one fervid heated rush, and she wants this to last; to stretch like warm taffy out into an infinity of sweet lovely moments.
Sydney stands, legs weak and trembling like a newly born colt's. Jesus. Jesus God. I've never been so wet and ready for a man. Ever. The intensity of her desire is amazing and a little overwhelming, like mainlining uncut heroin, she feels like she might pass out. Vaughn stays on the floor but keeps his eyes trained on hers; one hand strokes her ankle gently. The slight touch of his fingers on her skin coupled with the eager look on his face-his mouth, oh the way his mouth feels when he kisses me-has her struggling for control, to keep on trying to spin out the gorgeous torture, She's not ready to submit yet. She needs time to back off from the precipice.
"You had a job for me ma'am?" His voice is a low whisper that almost drops her to her knees.
"Yeah-yeah I do…" Her eyes are captivated by the slow tracing of his fingers on her foot. She almost rejects her course of action in order to allow those fingers to continue their explorations elsewhere but she holds firm, barely.
"I chipped my toenail polish in the fight-I think you should redo it for me…"
His hand stills, his eyes widen.
"What?"
"My nails, I want you to paint my nails for me, think you can do that?" The delicious throb between her legs is still there but she can manage it now, the game can go on-she hopes. She looks down at Vaughn, it all depends on him.
****
Vaughn closes his eyes and thinks of hockey. Statistics, teams, trades, goals scored, conference standings, anything he can to wrench his mind back from the wilderness of need. Your girl's not done playing yet and you have to keep your mind on the game, for her. He's proud that the frustration he feels only comes out in the quietest of groans-well mostly quiet.
"Uh-yeah. Sure thing Miss Bristow…I can paint your-uh nails for you. But are you sure there isn't anything else I can do. Seriously anything at all?" Can't blame a guy for trying…
"Nope. That's what I want you to do…for now."
The 'for now' is the only thing that saves his sanity. She smiles at him; anyone who didn't know her would assume she was all innocence.
"Nail polish is under the sink-oh and while you're under there-the shut off valve for the water is that little wee tap beside the U shaped thingy. Could you turn it off for me? I'd really hate for my bathroom to be flooded…"
There's a water shut off? "…Sure…I'll just shut off that water then…"
"Great! I'll be in the living room when you're done." She bounces out-albeit a tad unsteadily. It's small consolation to see that at least she's as affected as he is.
A tap to shut off the water-there's a tap for that now? Why didn't I think of that?
****
Sydney lounges on the floor by the fire she's made to chase away the chilly damp, back propped up on pillows, glass of wine by her elbow, magazine in her hand, foot nestled in Vaughn' lap, who is bending over her toenails with an expression of deep concentration on his face. She bites back as giggle as he dips the brush into the bottle-Rainy Day Red-and focuses intently as he applies a stripe to her nail, his hand is wavering just the tiniest bit. He frowns at his work, delicately wipes a smudge away and dips the brush again. He hasn't said a word for over ten minutes he is that absorbed in his task. She looks at him, so earnest as he labors at a job he's only doing because she asked him to and love swells her heart and thickens her throat with tears. You're just a real crybaby today aren't you…She sips her wine to smooth things down.
"Vaughn…?"
"Hmmm?" He doesn't notice she's dropped the pretense for a moment.
"I love you."
He looks up, mild surprise on his face. "I love you too Syd." His pleased and happy grin charms a smile from her.
"Just letting you know, you can go back to what you're doing…Mike."
He caps the bottle and kisses the top of her foot.
"All done actually-the instructions say you have to let them dry for ten minutes to prevent smudges."
"You read the instructions?"
"Well-yeah." Vague doubt creeps into his voice. "Don't you?"
"Girls don't read instructions for stuff like that."
"That explains why the polish I took off was all smudgy then."
"It was not!" She lobs a pillow at him, which he fends off laughing.
"Hey lady-I calls em like I sees em." He stretches out beside her and snags a sip of her wine. "Painting is thirsty work."
"Painting!" She snorts. "You make it sound like major renovations were involved." He shrugs and looks meaningfully at her feet.
She observes his look, "Don't make me put you on your back again Mike…"
"Oh I don't know, that might not be so bad considering…" He strokes her thigh. Heat sparks in her belly, her tone is low and throaty. "Looking for another job?"
"Might be…depends on what the job is. If it's more girly refurbishments I better get my big tool kit out of the van-the one with the spackle and sandpaper in it."
She swats him with the magazine. "My boyfriend would have your head for that."
"Would he?" He lifts up her shirt and kisses her stomach, voice rumbling against her skin. "I guess it's good that the pencil-pusher isn't here then eh Miss Bristow?"
"I'm ignoring you." And she's trying to-despite the licks of heat that are shimmering everywhere inside. She props up her Cosmopolitan and pretends to read. He pulls the magazine down and looks at the article, Top Ten Sexy Turn-ons Your Boyfriend Wants You To Know About,
"Hmm tried any of those with him?"
"No…well one or two…"
"Oh yeah? Which ones?" He spreads his hand flat on her belly and strokes her skin in slow circles.
"Well I have dressed up for him…as a maid."
"No way! How'd he take it-was he all-uptight? Bet he was…"
She shakes her head. Who would have ever thought Vaughn would be capable of this-he's so into it…and don't deny what a turn on this is for you. It's almost like being with another man… "No. Not at all…he was totally into it. It was fun."
"What about this one?" He points to number seven on the list. "Have you done that one with him?" She can feel the blush tinting her cheeks when she reads it.
"No…I haven't. I-I didn't think he be…into that."
"Don't sell the poor bastard short…speaking as a guy I can tell you most guys would jump at the chance to have their girl do that for them. Especially a gorgeous one like you." His fingers sweep across the arch of her hipbone and find the smooth indent of her bellybutton; his tongue follows the path of his hand. He gazes up at her; the intent in his eyes is unmistakable.
Checkmate…Damn he did that well. And admit it, part of you-hell most of you-wants to do that for him as much as he obviously wants you too. "Really, is that so?" Sydney finds herself warming to the prospect, raw sexiness in her voice; she'll need it if she really wants to go all the way with this. "Maybe there's a few other things on this list my boyfriend might like to try, do you think?"
"Oh I'm almost positive there is-but start with number seven…"
****
"Number seven? You're sure…" Sydney feels the blood heating up her cheeks, silly that she should be embarrassed to do something she does anyway-but to do it for him, in front of him…well that was a different matter altogether.
"You don't have to…if you're too shy or something." His voice is a shade disappointed.
"No-No. I just don't know how to begin…"
"Begin how you usually begin. Pretend I'm not here, if it helps." He sits up and crosses his legs. "I'll be quiet as a mouse. I promise."
Sydney finishes the wine, letting the rich red warmth of it add to the heat inside her. She lays back and gets comfortable, closing her eyes.
"Just one request?"
She opens her eyes and looks at Vaughn.
"Can you talk to me-during, let me know what you're feeling?"
"I think it'd be pretty obvious what I'm going to be feeling."
"No, I meant inside-your fantasies and emotions and stuff…" A rosy flush creeps up his neck. "If that's alright?"
I do believe Mr. Mike is a little embarrassed himself…Vaughn's stepped out of character. The momentary display of shyness, gives her the shot of confidence she needs. "It's okay with me-I usually make some noise anyway…"
"You do?" He sounds so comically astonished that she can't help giggling.
"Yes. Now I thought you were going to be quiet."
"Yes ma'am. Shutting up now."
She closes her eyes again.
She lies quietly for a few minutes letting the languid sensual feelings wash over her. It is hard to pretend that Vaughn's not there even though he is being quiet, as promised. The only sounds are the shifting of the logs in the fire and the muted drumming of the rain. Go with it. You have an audience so perform for him…Without opening her eyes she begins to speak,
"I usually do this at night when I can't be with him-my boyfriend-but sometimes mornings are a good time, it's a nice way to wake up…especially if I've been dreaming of him. I'm half asleep, lying in bed, wet already…missing him." She hears Vaughn draw in a breath. She opens her eyes and looks straight at him, her hands drift over her breasts. "I sleep naked when I'm with him, but not when I'm alone. That's okay, I like the feel of myself under the material…" Idly her fingers circle her nipples, the taut buds clearly seen through the thin fabric of her top; she pinches them gently. She keeps speaking. He is watching her intently. "That way when I finally take my clothes off the feel of my hands on my bare skin is kind of a release…" She sits up and pulls the tank top off in one smooth movement. She no longer feels any shyness, just an easy heated pleasure. She pulls loose the band holding back her hair and shakes it down her back, closing her eyes in the animal bliss of soft silky hair brushing skin. Sydney's hands cup her breasts, thumbs stroking across her nipples. She lies back with a soft moan. Her hair fans out on the pillow and her excited eyes find Vaughn's again.
"Vaughn-my boyfriend-has amazing hands. His gun hand has these kind of calluses, like from the trigger and the grip?" Vaughn nods, watching as she trails her fingers up and down along her ribcage, slowly and tantalizingly. "I do too, I guess. In order to stay field rated you have to fire your weapon regularly. I imagine you must have some pretty good ones too, working with your hands so much…anyway the feel of them on my skin." She shivers delightfully. "When I touch myself I pretend it's him-touching me, stroking me…"
"Go on…" His voice is a little raspy. She smiles at him, so much for being quiet…She stretches luxuriously and allows one hand to trace the outline of her cunt as her legs sprawl open wider, the thin material covering her is hot and already damp. She revels in the rapt attention of his gaze fixed on the slow movements of her hand.
"Often I tease myself for a long time-just stroking gently until I'm so wet and ready I can hardly stand it…other times I make myself come as hard and as fast as I can…"
Vaughn can't help himself, he moves closer to her, lying beside her. Not touching her-yet. Just content to watch her. She never takes her eyes off of his.
"What do you want me to do today?"
"Wh-what do you mean?" He swallows, words caught in his throat.
"Do you want me to tease myself, or come as hard as I can?"
"Tease yourself…I want to watch you tease yourself…" He whispers in her ear; his warm breath sends heat coiling into her belly. He smoothes a hand down her arm-the one not slowly caressing between her legs. Her fingers press harder, rubbing the seam of her pants against her clit and the delicious sensations make her arch lazily. She can feel the impatient push of his cock on her thigh; she sighs and dreamily slips a hand under the waistband of her pants. She gasps and closes her eyes when she touches herself.
"Oh…oh. I'm so wet…" She rocks against her hand urgently, forgetting her promise.
"Tell me…tell me everything." Vaughn's lips find the silky curve of her shoulder; his knuckles graze against the swell of her breast. She shimmies out of the pants and kicks them aside. She can feel the heat radiating from him where he lies beside her; goose bumps ripple her skin. She is reckless and free.
"I feel soft…and slippery wet…" Her fingers brush her clit, barely stroking it. "It feels so good. I want to lie here forever and just torture myself forever" She watches him; the gentle motions of her hand have mesmerized him.
"Here…" She takes his hand and places it on top of her own.
"Like that?"
"Just like that…" She groans and lifts her hips. "Oh just like that…"
Everything is intensified-she can hear him, his breathing has speeded up in response to her own small gasps and cries. Their hands never stop, just slow steady circles driving her half-mad. The coarse material of the coverall aggravates her oversensitive skin.
"Take off your clothes."
"Yes ma'am. Right away."
She pauses and rests-easing back from the point of no return-watching as he hurriedly strips. She smiles when she sees him struggle to pull off the boots as quickly as he can. He tosses everything into a messy pile and turns to her eagerly. He has forgotten the ball cap in his haste.
"That too, Hotshot." She removes the cap and ruffles his hair. He captures her hand and licks the palm, tasting her juices. The sudden shock of pleasure makes her jump. He grins, pleased with the affect and sucks on one of her slender fingers, drawing it slowly into his mouth. Her face flushes as the sensation barrels through her, making the heavy ache between her legs, throb and pound. She pulls him to her, kissing him hard.
"Now. Now. I can't wait…I need you inside me now." She commands him, voice hoarse with need.
He breaks the kiss with difficulty and gently presses her back down.
"What about the torture yourself forever part?" She can see he is trying not to smile too much.
Sydney stifles a frustrated sigh; he's been such a good sport about everything…but Christ I want to fuck him. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather…" She trails off and spreads her legs wider, suggestively.
"Hell yeah. Count on it, but I want to watch you for a bit longer."
"I'll come. I won't be able to help myself."
"Well good. Then I'll make you come again…and again." There is irresistible cocky self-confidence in his voice as he leans close and brushes his mouth over hers.
Sydney groans and shuts her eyes-cheat-if you can't win cheat…
She reaches for him. He is very hard and her hand circles him slowly, sensually, urging him down towards her.
"No cheating." Reluctantly he takes her hand from his cock.
I swear he can read my mind sometimes…
Vaughn pulls her down beside him again, hand casually stroking her hip. Her thighs part and her fingers drift down between her legs again…
Is it cheating if I make him so crazy he can't help but want to fuck me? She writhes and groans wantonly. I don't think that counts as cheating…
Then she loses herself in the feel of her fingers on delicate heated flesh.
****
Vaughn lies beside Sydney and watches as she slips another finger-the finger he had in his mouth he recalls with a rush of pleasure-into herself. He is conscious of a fine trembling buzzing through his body, only an iron grip on his will-that and the knowledge they have all night-is keeping him from rolling on top of Sydney and fucking her senseless.
"Oh Vaughn!" Sydney has either given up the pretense of calling him Mike or has forgotten to in the intensity of everything. Her lids are heavy, thick lashes veiling her eyes partly when she throws her head back as she bucks against her hands. She has no idea of how unbearably sexy she is to me right now…. "I'm close. I'm so close…" He hadn't expected her to last as long as she has, she wasn't kidding about the teasing part…she must be desperate to come now. He holds her to him, he can't help rubbing against the sleek length of her as she thrashes. Why did you agree to this Mikey? This must be torture for you…The Weiss-voice doesn't sound very sympathetic, mostly just-awed. Sydney lost in the throes of her own pleasure is something to see. Because when I do get to fuck her, I'm going to enjoy it very, very much. It's all about the fine art of anticipation my friend…Sydney's desperate voice pushes all thoughts of later from his head.
"I need…I can't! I need…"
"What do you need? Tell me?"
In answer, Sydney takes his hand again and guides it between her legs.
"This?" He strokes her. She tosses her head, strands of hair stuck to her sweaty cheeks. He slides two fingers deep inside her,
"This?" She doesn't reply but the iron grip of her hand on his wrist lets him know he's found the spot. The feel of her is slightly shocking-fiercely hot and so wet, his fingers are already sticky with her juice. His mouth waters imagining what she'd taste like now. He rocks in time with her for a few beats, then curls his fingers upwards, finding the whorl of her most sensitive secret flesh and does exactly what she needs to go insane.
"Tell me." Vaughn leans close to her ear and murmurs to her. Don't know if she can even hear me now…"Tell me how it feels…"
"So good…so…good… Je-sus! Je-sus!" He can feel her winding up-muscles getting tight and ready to fly apart, she is glowing in the firelight and with the blush staining her chest and flowing up her neck. She bites her lips and strains against him trembling wildly. Everything clenches hard for one agonizing moment. Her eyes find Vaughn's, she blinks back tears and he can see the moment when the orgasm overtakes her in a great wave that sweeps her away. Her cunt beats like a heart, squeezing his fingers as she bucks her hips violently, half-sobbing as she comes. It's powerful, splendid and extremely erotic to watch. And I have to admit; I'm more than a little envious mine aren't like that…
She hasn't even caught her breath-tremors and shocks grip her body still. But Vaughn can't wait any longer. He rolls her onto her belly, takes her by the hips, fingers slippery with her come, pulls her into his favorite position-on all fours-and thrusts deeply into her. She's soaking wet, velvet walls beating slowly as the orgasm finishes with her. She cries out, she's still tender and the feel of him inside is overwhelming. He gives her a moment then he shoves forward and fucks her hard. She braces her hands against the floor, hips slamming into his.
"You are so beautiful…I love you Sydney…I love you so much…" His loving words are harsh whispers; she can only answer with passionate needy sounds urging him on. He knows he can't last, not after lying beside Sydney for so long, watching her as she touched herself. Don't think about that…you'll come…concentrate…He tries to hold himself in check, but Sydney looks over at her shoulder at him just then; her hair falls in a tangled mess about her face, her lips are parted as she moans for him, at the things he is making her feel. Her eyes have gone soft and dark with all the pleasure thrumming through her. She looks at him and he is undone. The orgasm wrenches him with its intensity and strength-it's almost painful and incredibly pleasurable-the love he has for this woman his last coherent thought. That and, I was wrong-so wrong to feel any jealousy for hers…this is too fucking incredible…
They collapse in a heap on the floor-all sweaty limbs and gasps for breath and lie there not moving for a while. Vaughn's arms tremble as he palms sweat off his forehead; I think I may have actually suffered brain damage just then…He grins, enormously pleased with himself, Hell of a way to go though… When she can do so without panting, Sydney kisses him, lips shy and sweet on his.
"Thanks for this-for today…"
"No problem ma'am, trust me the pleasure was all mine." Delight written all over his face as he pushes damp strands of hair off her face for her.
"Oh I don't know about that…but I can tell you one thing…"
"Oh what's that?"
"You are definitely getting a tip."
****
Vaughn had gone to the bedroom to get a blanket. Sydney watched as he padded naked through her house.
Damn that man has an ass on him…
"Do you need anything-drink or something?" He is beautiful to her as he stands naked in the kitchen, twilight has come and his pale body gleams in the half-light.
How lucky I am to have him in my life… Thoughts of Danny surface then and guilt and sadness fill her.
"Well I don't know about you, but I'm starving." He continues as he rummages in her drawers. "The life of a blue-collar plumber really gives me an appetite…Pizza okay by you?" He holds up a take-out menu.
"Sure." Her voice is quiet. He looks at her,
"You okay?"
"I'm good-tired. And hungry-pizza sounds great." This morning's events-getting the letter-are stuck inside her, she needs to tell him but she doesn't know how. She hugs herself against the chill and watches the embers of the fire, lost in thought. She only stirs when Vaughn drapes a blanket around them and snuggles her close to him, his bare skin warm against hers.
"I ordered. Food'll be here soon."
"Good."
Vaughn surprises her when he holds up her hairbrush and starts brushing her hair for her.
"You're kinda tangled…" He says by way of explanation. She is silent, enjoying the sensation as he strokes the brush gently through her hair, teasing out all of the snarls and tangles until it lays in a heavy shining mass around her shoulders.
"I-I got a letter today…it was waiting for me this morning."
"Mmm…" He doesn't stop, just keeps brushing. Sydney is soothed by the motions and finds her voice-haltingly at first.
"It was from some hotel. It was months old-I guess it got lost for a while. They sent it because…Because Danny had booked the hotel for us-for our marriage."
The brush slows then continues; Vaughn says nothing. Her chest unlocks and the words pour out of her in a rush.
"And all of a sudden I found myself crying. Just weeping, Vaughn, all the old sadness came back. I still miss him sometimes, so much. It just snuck up on me. I couldn't bear going into work, so I called in sick…but then you came by today-with everything you did-for me... I love you Vaughn. So much it scares me a little. I don't deserve to feel this happy…" She doesn't know if he's understood anything she's said. She turns to him and looks at him pleadingly. He's quiet for a few minutes before he speaks.
"Well of course you're still going to miss Danny-grief doesn't follow a set schedule. Loving another person doesn't change that either." He kisses her temple and hugs her tightly. "And if anyone deserves to feel happy, it's you. You are so brave and dedicated and wonderful. Danny must've seen that. I guess it's one of the reasons why he loved you so much-I know it's one of the reasons why I do…" Vaughn stops when he sees her eyes fill with tears, "I'm sorry I'm not good at stuff like this…"
"No-No you're fantastic at stuff like this…" She kisses him, trying as hard as she can to keep from bursting into noisy grateful tears, because he gets it… Jeeze Bristow, cry some more why don't you? Sheesh some chicks…The voice in her head is starting to sound suspiciously like a certain plumber she knows.
"Good. Otherwise I was afraid I was going to have to have Mike challenge you to another fight and allow you to kick his ass again to cheer you up…"
"…Allow me!" She sputters incredulously.
He winks solemnly at her. "Fortunately for you, Mike is such a stand-up guy he wouldn't mind that one bit…" He voice warms and Sydney feels desire stretch and wake within her once more,
"Pizza will be here soon-think you can take me before then?" Sydney takes the baseball cap and puts it on Vaughn-backwards of course.
"Hell I can offer better odds than that spygirly…best two out of three?"
"You're on Hotshot!"
****
They tipped the pizza guy fifty bucks-partly for his embarrassment and partly to keep him quiet about what he'd seen. Vaughn was just thankful that it was only a pizza delivery boy and not Weiss; he knew damn sure he'd never be able to explain the frilly apron-not in a million years.
FIN
Feedback is most welcome
And now it's here...
Crossposted to my journal and alias_fiction.
This is the sequel to "Do You Do Windows Too?" the long awaited Mike the Plumber fic, which I might add could only be written thanks to the many gentle nudges and "subtle" hints of stalkage from all of you out there
Okay enough yappage from me...
Title: My Name is Mike, I’m a Plumber…
Pairing: Sydney/Vaughn
Rating: NC-17
Spoilers: Takes place in a time extended AU S2 after “A Free Agent” and well before “The Telling”
Disclaimer: Not mine, No profit intended.
A/N: This is the sequel to “Do You Do Windows Too?” I’ve messed with the timelines a bit here to give these two a chance at a quasi-normal relationship without the usual hurly-burly of their lives. Let’s just assume that there was a month or two when they just went into work at the CIA everyday and came home at the end of a long day with nothing more on their minds then some snuggling and quality sack time and no one was doubled or stabbed or betrayed or captured or escaped or in mortal peril annnnnd you get my drift. This story is for Incomparable Ali, provider of bulletproof kink ideas and my best friend. Thanks for everything.
And before I forget ::tosses heaps of roses:: to lunasky and bellamomma for the amazing and speedy beta work here. Thank you, I owe you both...
It must've come in the mail yesterday. The envelope sits, creamy and fat, propped up against her favorite mug. She puts it to one side and goes through the much-needed waking-up ritual of making coffee. The morning is gray and overcast, every so often the clouds muster up some drizzly rain, but mostly the world outside is wrapped in mist and wetness. Sydney snuggles into her bathrobe and sips her coffee. I'm glad it's Friday, I feel like my brain's on strike today. She slides the envelope over and looks at it. It is addressed to her and features the discreet crest of an upscale hotel in one corner; she notices the letter has been forwarded from her old address. The postmark is over four months old. There is a yellow Post-it note with Francie's handwriting stuck on the front.
Morning Syd,
Didn't want to wake you too early. Hope this is nothing important, it was mixed in with my mail, damned Post Office! -Have fun this weekend-try not to miss me too much ha-ha! I'll call you when I get there. Love F.
Francie left early this morning on a buying trip to San Francisco for her restaurant. Sydney is looking forward to spending some free time this weekend loafing around the house not doing much in particular. Well maybe doing someone in particular… She smiles as she thinks of Vaughn and slides her nails under the seal and tears the envelope open.
A glossy brochure and a folded note are inside. She idly glances at the brochure; on the front is a gorgeous shot of the hotel and surrounding gardens. She reads the note:
Dear Ms. Bristow,
May the staff and myself here at Chateau St. Denis extend our sincere congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. However I am sending this letter of inquiry because our records indicate that neither you nor your fiancé Mr. Daniel Hecht have contacted our staff in regards to the reservations Mr. Hecht made with us last year. I have enclosed a copy of our latest brochure in order to give you an idea of the many wedding packages we can arrange for you. If in the event you have decided to hold your wedding elsewhere, please contact me with directions regarding the refund of the deposit Mr. Hecht had left with us. I am at your service should you have any further questions or require any assistance in planning your special day. I look forward to meeting with you and your fiancé.
I remain yours most sincerely,
Evelyn Sanger
Special Events Coordinator
Chateau St. Denis
The tears surprise her; bitter and hot they well up and drop onto the note, leaving watermarks. Before she quite realizes it she's crying. She presses a hand to her mouth to stifle the sobs; when she has stopped she shakily wipes the tears from her eyes. Danny never said he had made any reservations anywhere; he must have wanted to surprise me. He was always doing things like that…Her throat threatens to close again-hard and tight with sorrow-she swallows past the lump and hooks the phone over to her. She punches in the number of the hotel.
Evelyn Sanger's voice is so heartfelt and sympathetic that Sydney nearly falls apart again on the phone. She stares resolutely out the kitchen window at the rain and works at distance.
"Please, Ms. Sanger just donate the money to whatever charity you wish-Danny would have wanted it that way."
The familiar and hated motions of grief are coming back to her, the murmured voices, the drowning kindnesses, the empty platitudes-Sydney's hands tighten on the phone-knuckles sharp ridges against her flesh. All the anger she thought she had left behind comes barreling back, her head is pounding viciously. Finally she is able to end the call and put her head down on the cool surface of the kitchen table, a gust of wind throws a patter of rain against the patio doors. She is late for work so she makes one more call and phones in sick; the CIA can function-or not-she doesn't much care, without her for one day. She's going back to bed.
*****
Vaughn strolls through the operations center holding a steaming no fat, half foam, caramel macchiato, or as he likes to call it "girly-goo-goo" coffee. He always feels slightly dumb ordering it-with cinnamon sprinkles no less-but it was Sydney's favorite kind. What kind of boyfriend-and that term still gives him a nifty little thrill deep in his belly-would balk at bringing his girl a coffee on a damp morning like today. He was busy planning just how to reap the "you're such a great guy" benefits that when he reaches her desk and she isn't there, he's still deep in his fantasy of convincing Sydney to sneak into the supply closet with him. Her desk is neat and tidy and her computer is off. He looks around for her purse, it's nowhere in sight.
"Anyone seen Agent Bristow?"
"Took a sick day I think…" Vaughn barely acknowledges the agent who spoke, but goes to find Jack Bristow. He's in his office. Vaughn knocks then enters,
"Did you talk to Sydney last night?"
"No-what's the problem?" The habitual frown Jack wears deepens into the beginnings of a worried scowl.
"Someone said she's sick today and I just wondered…" He lets it hang there. Have you heard from her? Is she all right? The thousand nameless fears crowd his brain.
"Have you tried calling her?"
Vaughn closes his eyes, Yeah-that would've been the smart thing to do dummy…" Uh no I haven't…"
Wordlessly Jack pushes the phone across the desk to him, embarrassed Vaughn doesn't look at the older man, only hands him the coffee. Jack is slightly bewildered by the offering. Vaughn mouths the words "For Sydney." as her phone rings and rings. His heart has started to pound uncomfortably when she picks up, voice thick and blurry.
"Hello?"
"Hey Sydney it's me. Missed you at work today, how are you doing?"
"Fine-well crappy actually. I thought I'd take a day off."
"Anything serious?" She sounds like she's been crying… Vaughn turns his back slightly to shield himself from Jack's watchful glare. He lowers his voice, "Is everything okay, Syd?" There's a pause, he can feel her silence through the phone as she decides whether or not to share with him whatever's bothering her. She sighs and he knows she's going to keep it close for a while longer.
"Sure. Everything's okay. I just needed to take a mental health day." She changes the subject to distract him, "I'll see you tonight right?"
"Of course-what time should I come over?"
"Anytime, I'll be here…"
"Call me if you need anything okay?"
"I will…Vaughn…."
"Yeah?"
"…Thanks." She disconnects. Vaughn pretends she didn't hang up without saying goodbye and says goodbye to the buzzing dial tone. He straightens to find Jack's gaze heavy on him.
"Is Sydney alright?"
"Yeah, she wasn't feeling so great so she's taking today off work."
"I see." He doesn't have to say anymore-Vaughn squirms a bit under the weight of his disapproval. Way to look like a jerk in front of her Dad dumbass! "So thanks for the use of the phone… " He goes to leave.
"Agent Vaughn?" He turns and sees Jack holding out the cup of coffee. "You meant to give this to my daughter." Vaughn takes it but Jack hasn't finished. "Sydney keeps her own counsel a great deal of the time-sometimes she finds it hard to…open up."
"I take it that runs in the family…" Vaughn shuts his eyes after he blurts this out, Oh Christ mouth! Would you just shut up… Jack looks hard at him for a moment; Vaughn thinks the temperature in the office drops a degree or two.
"Indeed… but that doesn't mean she doesn't need to share-especially if she's upset." Jack's face gives nothing away. No approval or permission granted, but Vaughn thinks his glower might have softened just a little-maybe. Vaughn takes his coffee and leaves the office. I think he's coming around-he'll kill me quick instead of slow now, he likes me that much…
*****
Eric Weiss is swearing at the photocopier when Vaughn finds him.
"Oh you whore! Not another fucking paper jam-there's no fucking paper there-I checked. Didn't you see me check you god-dammed cheap piece of shit? Now work!" Weiss slams his fist into the side of the machine-it rocks but doesn't comply, a junior officer, ears no doubt blistering by now brushes past Vaughn and flees for safer territories.
"Problem?'
"No I still have my gun. I'm going to shoot this son of a bitch-bust a cap in its cold machine ass and we'll see who's giving me attitude then…" Weiss' tone is almost cheerful at the prospect of violence as he kicks the copier-hard. "What's up with you?"
"I need your help with something…"
Weiss looks up aware of the change in Vaughn's voice. "Something?"
"Let's go discuss this elsewhere."
"Sure thing." Weiss draws his gun and shows it to the copier "See this you bitch? If you don't fucking smarten-up and copy my damn reports by the time I come back I'm using this to blow a hole in you the size of Utah-you got that?"
Vaughn can't help but grin, Weiss sounds like a wannabe Soprano. "Does that work-the threatening?"
"Worked on the soda machine…"
*****
"Let me get this straight-you need me to co-authorize an operation. But you won't tell me on who or for what-"
"Look it's just a standard surveillance op-"
Calmly Weiss overrides Vaughn's objection as he flips through at the mission specs, "And you need me to sign off on the use of an undercover vehicle-namely one cube van outfitted for a plumber and the use of all necessary accompanying equipment and disguise for that alias?" Weiss looks at Vaughn with narrowed eyes
"You swear this has nothing to do with any of the current high priority cases?" Vaughn nods. Weiss has spent too many years playing poker with this man to not be aware of his tells; something fishy about this op…He decides God hates a coward and goes for broke with his bluff. "This is totally a sex thing isn't it?"
Vaughn blanches then heat floods his cheeks and stains his ears crimson. "What!"
"Oh I knew it! You're doing this for Sydney aren't you-you kinky bastard. Dude you kick ass!" Weiss smirks like a cheerful demon.
"Look! Shut-up it's not a-" Vaughn lowers his voice and wishes desperately for a yawning hole to open up underneath him. "It's not a sex thing. Sydney had some concerns about one of her neighbors I'm just checking them out as a favor…"
"Uh-huh. Which one? The fat broad with all the poodles or maybe it's that eighty year old guy who uses a walker-I thought he looked shifty-" Weiss cracks up at the helpless trapped look on Vaughn's face. Poor horny schmuck…
"Are you going to help me or not?"
"Of course!" Weiss signs the forms with a flourish. "I get the whole story Mikey-you owe me that, every last detail-over beer, your treat."
"I'm not telling you anything-"
"Ah hah! So it is a sex thing, you horndog." Grinning Weiss hands over the forms; Vaughn snatches them and stalks out of the office. Weiss calls after him.
"I'm serious about that beer Mike!"
He checks the clip on his gun, "Allrighty…Time to make some copies…"
*****
Vaughn works at getting into 'mission mode' as he zips up the denim coveralls and adjusts the ball cap with the logo "Speed-D-Plumbers" on it. CIA needs to hire some agents from Madison Avenue, all their undercover names sound so lame and phony. Thank god this isn't a real op, 'cause right now, I feel like an extra from a bad porno… He double-checks the van and the equipment. Even though he has no intentions of doing any surveillance-well not on Sydney's neighbors anyway-he could stare at Sydney, especially naked Sydney for hours, some habits are hard to break. The agent working op tech on this mission earnestly hands over assorted bugs and listening devices, explaining how to use each one, Vaughn pretends to pay attention while thinking about Sydney in all her glorious nakedness.
"Agent Vaughn your undercover alias was left up to your discretion. What name would you like?" She indicates a case full of assorted nametags and embroidered badges. He looks to see if the one he wants is there.
"This one." He pulls out an oval patch with the name Mike written in red script. The operations technician fixes it on the front of his coveralls.
"Good choice! Mike sounds very blue collar…" The technician flushes when she realizes she has inadvertently insulted a senior agent. "Uh…so you're all fixed up now you should be ready to go."
"Thanks…" His voice is cool despite his amusement; Mike sounds blue collar? I wonder if that's why Syd always calls me Vaughn? He climbs into the van. Checking himself in the rearview he decides to go with it, and twists the ball cap around until it's on backwards. Hello Mike the Plumber…
"Oh Agent Vaughn!" The woman calls out. "I almost forgot Agent Weiss asked me to give you this…" She hands a sealed memo through the window. Vaughn waits until she has gathered her supplies and left the garage before he reads it.
Guess what? I was going through some previous mission requisitions and I happened to come across a request from one Agent Sydney Bristow for an undercover operation dated about three weeks ago. Imagine my surprise when I saw said operation also involved a disguise-more specifically a maids' outfit…
I'm just wondering what I should say if I ever had to explain any of this to Kendall or the budget appropriations committee, would this count towards ongoing training or personal recreation or both?
Have fun-you lucky bastard! And remember you owe me…big time!
Weiss.
Vaughn groans and thumps his head against the headrest; Weiss was never going to let him live this down now. I'll just have to get him really drunk and take some pictures of him a compromising position with a goat, that's all there is to it. He smiles. Knowing Weiss he'd probably think that was hilarious and send them out as Christmas cards…He starts the van and heads for Sydney's house. In that case I better make sure I give him something worthwhile to talk about then…
*****
Sydney surfaces from a thin and fretful sleep-some noise had dragged her out from under. She sits up, the remains of bad dreams cling to her muzzy head as she listens.
Doorbell-someone's ringing the doorbell…
She clutches her robe to her and shambles down the hall to the door. The day has darkened even more; the steady drizzle has deepened into rain. Through the glass she can make out a figure huddled on her porch, shoulders hunched against the rain. The figure presses on the bell once more, startling her. On autopilot, she opens the door hoping to silence the persistent noise.
Michael Vaughn stands on her doorstep. She almost doesn't recognize him he seems so out of context in his dark blue coveralls and backwards baseball hat. A wide leather belt filled with assorted tools sits low on his hips, one scuffed and dirty work boot is cocked lazily against her door frame as he leans in and looks at her just a tad insolently as he tips her a wink, a sly smile on his face. She screws her eyes shut and shakes her head-sure she is still dreaming.
"What?" Is all she can manage.
"Yeah, you need a plumber lady-on account of you got a leaky sink or something?" Even his voice is different-rough and salted with a workingman's cadences. He barely gives her a chance to recover, just keeps pressing the attack. "Look d'ya mind lettin' me in here, it's raining a bitch and I 'aint got all day?" Stunned she steps back and he brushes past her carrying a toolbox and the sharp clean scent of the rain in with him.
She drags a hand through her hair and tries to think-the true purpose of his visit roots her to the floor when she realizes. Plumber! My god he's pretending to be that plumber we joked about when I dressed up as a maid for him-but Vaughn-role-playing. For me? This incredible fact is so out of character with the Vaughn she has come to know and love and so unexpected that the gesture overwhelms her-she feels the hot prick of tears once again. Christ I can't do this in front of Vaughn-he won't understand why. Pull yourself together Sydney Anne Bristow and get in the game… She looks at him; her smile is a little watery and lopsided but it's there. "Uh right…Actually I do need a plumber-I'm sorry you woke me up, I'm a little out of it, why don't you set your things in the kitchen and I'll be right with you. I'm just going to change."
"Don't bother me none if you want to stay in the robe ma'am…" The tone is knowing and she flushes when she sees his eyes linger on her exposed neck and legs. Vaughn never says things like that! So far he has the advantage; she retreats to the bedroom to gather her wits and plan her comeback.
*****
Sydney brushes out her tangled hair and slips into a tank top and yoga pants; she considers taking the time to throw on something more elaborate-something involving complicated underwear, but she still feels a little raw and hollow inside so she opts for comfort and simplicity. In the bathroom she holds a cold cloth to her eyes until the fact she had been crying wasn't as screamingly obvious as it must've been earlier. She takes a moment to just stare at herself in the mirror, deep inside past the weariness and sorrow is a small hot thread of excitement. She focuses on that. The thrill of the game, the challenge of teasing Vaughn to distraction is exactly the diversion she needs right now. She concentrates on that feeling, shutting down all others, until the Sydney that looks back at her in the mirror is the one she knows will be able to play this game. Her smile is just a touch predatory. Vaughn thinks he's a plumber huh? Well let's see…She opens the cabinet under the sink and gets to work.
*****
Vaughn's arms had actually twitched involuntarily when she had opened the door to him and he saw she had been crying. He had braced them on the doorframe to prevent himself from gathering her into his arms. She had looked so vulnerable with her tangled hair and drowsy red rimmed eyes; he knew she would still smell of warm sleep if he had held her close. This isn't the way he had envisioned this scenario going at all. He remains in role more out of respect for Sydney's reluctance to open up to him earlier, she'll tell me if she wants to-or not. Meanwhile you're here to show her you can give as good as you get at this game…Still giving her the space she craved sometimes was hard. When she pokes her head out of the door of the bathroom and calls to him, he is relieved to see she's seems happy and willing to play. He only begins to worry when he draws closer and sees merry hell in dancing her eyes.
"The leak's in here…um I'm sorry I didn't catch your name?"
"It's Mike." He points to the name stitched over his heart.
"Hi Mike." She extends her hand to shake "I'm Sydney Bristow. Thanks for coming on such short notice, my boyfriend's at work and couldn't come by. Besides-he's not really good at this kind of thing…" She leans a hip flirtatiously on the counter and watches as he sets down his toolbox. "He works for the government-well we both do-and he's alright at filing reports and all that but real handyman stuff…" She waves a hand dismissively. "Useless…" She twines a lock of hair round her finger and smiles impishly at him. He ignores her baiting and crouches over the opened toolbox with its complex array of tools-what in the hell is all this stuff?-Vaughn looks up at her and stalls for time.
"You both work for the government huh? Interesting-what do you guys do?"
"If I told you I'd have to kill you…" She gives him that sweet goofy smile and Vaughn knows eventually everything will be all right because his girl can still find the humor even in a corny exchange like that. He takes the ball and runs with it.
"Oh, gotta be FBI or CIA then? Am I right? All of you spooks are the same-thinking you're so freaking secretive. The whole pack of you don't do no honest work-and girl spies are the worst. Everyone knows girls can't keep secrets…" Okay gloves are off now; let's see where this goes…
*****
Sydney had already opened her mouth ready to snap at him for his sexist remarks, when she saw how easily she had been set up. Vaughn suckered me--me! A surge of pride in his talent wars with irritation at being tricked. He got me only because I just woke up, that's all…Professional ego soothed, she counters.
"Oh we can't can we…" Her smile is wide and insincere. She leans over and looks straight at him, knowing full well her tank top was low cut enough to afford an excellent view of her cleavage. "Too bad because I can think of a secret or two I wouldn't mind keeping from my boyfriend right about now…" Her gaze starts at his mouth and follows his throat down to the sliver of white tee shirt peeking out of the neck of his coveralls, then drops meaningfully to his crotch. She crosses her arms and watches as he shifts uncomfortably pinned by the naked invitation she has in her eyes. Hah-ha! Take that Mr. Macho…He makes a small strangled noise that she ignores as she calmly flips open the cabinet under the sink. "Leak's in there…" She points and he looks in at the steady stream of dripping water she had managed to force from the pipe with some effort and a few good whacks. "Guess I'll leave you alone so you can get to work then…" She struts cheerfully out of the bathroom, shutting the door on Vaughn's morose regard of the leaky pipe. Day's getting better already...
*****
Vaughn never realized how effective Chinese water torture actually is; he growls in irritation and wipes at the water slowly but steadily dripping down onto his face and examines the pipe. All in all this wasn't exactly the position he had in mind when he first thought of this plan; Yeah sure, the lying on my back part, but not wedged under Syd's sink with…girl crap-he bats aside some arcane feminine product-falling all over me. His jaw aches uncomfortably from the penlight clutched in his teeth; and to top it all off I can't find the source of the godammed leak. It's okay…I can do this. I'm an intelligent man. I've defused bombs for Christ's sake…just find the leak and…
"How's it going?" Sydney's voice makes him jump, causing him to rap his head smartly on the cabinet.
"Ow!" The penlight plummets forward and bonks his nose, bringing tears to his eyes. "Shit! Motherfuck!" He squirms out of the cabinet, rubbing his sore nose. It doesn't help him feel any better to see that Sydney's smothering giggles.
"Did you hurt yourself?"
"Nah! I'm swearing like this 'cause the customers enjoy it so damn much-Jesus you can't go sneaking up on a guy like that. Wear a fricken bell or something…"
"Well we spies are supposed to be sneaky. It's kind of in the job description…"
He tilts his head and pretends that this tidbit is news to him. "So you're really a spy huh?" He sees her nod regally accepting her due as one of the select crafty few.
"Well I'll hand it to you lady, you got the sneaky part down. Too bad you're such a blabbermouth. Seems I was right though, that a spygirly like you couldn't keep a secret if her life depended on it-took you what-" He checks his watch, "less than fifteen minutes to tell me you was a spook."
Vaughn wonders if his sore nose and bruised ego were worth that last shot. Sydney's mouth tightens and her chin juts out with the taunt. Might have overplayed my hand there just a bit, oh well at least 'Angry and about to kick my ass Syd' is better than 'Sad and breaking my heart Syd'…
*****
Oh no…Oh no he didn't! Sydney's beginning to feel more than a touch of annoyance at Vaughn's pointed teasing. "Blabbermouth? Listen Mr. Hotshot Plumberman, I could have many valid reasons for breaking my cover and revealing myself to you…"
"Such as…?"
"Well…" She flounders momentarily; taunting Vaughn took some getting used to. "You could be an agent yourself-sent here to plant listening devices in my house!"
"If was to plant anything in the bathroom-sure wouldn't be a listening device. Maybe a camera in the shower…" He grins as he sits up and eyes her. "But I ain't no spy-trust me lady, I wanta make more money than the crap wages you all make. Besides I'm just ragging ya-you're probably just some file clerk or something. You ain't no spy, sweet looking little girl like you couldn't harm a fly…Bet you're just waiting for the boyfriend to knock ya up so you can stay home with the kids, right baby?"
Sydney blinks. Vaughn-its only Vaughn remember that-and why in the hell isn't he field rated for this because, damn he's good…and I'm about ready to kick his ass now. "Little girl…" She splutters. "Look jackass" Vaughn's face wears a saucy well now! expression at her angry words. "I could take you out anytime I chose. I'd bet my reputation as a field agent on it." Sydney's sure Vaughn will back down now; he's seen her in action after all.
"A bet huh? What are the stakes, cutie?"
Guess he's not backing down. Her eyes narrow, her voice is chilly. "Name it. Anything you want."
Slowly Vaughn gets to his feet, stretching casually, cheekily grinning at her display of temper as he unclips the tool belt and sets it down on the countertop with a muted clanking. "Anything I want? Well now, I don't know if you'd be willing to offer what I'd be wanting, babe." He steps close and hooks a finger into the front of her top, pulling it out and glances at her breasts. She slaps his hand away. "Would you now…" he finishes.
"I said anything and I meant anything." Defiantly, she crosses her arms over her breasts and cocks her head at him. Daring him to make the bet. He smiles and holds out his hand to shake on it.
"Aren't you going to ask what I get if I win?" she prompts.
"If you win?" He shrugs "How about same stakes-anything you want-sound fair to you?"
"More than fair…" Her hand grips his and they shake.
Vaughn clasps her hand in his own and jerks her towards him. He tightens his arms around her waist, ignoring her outraged squawk and traps her against the sink.
He bends over her and kisses her neck, murmuring,
"Guess I'll be collecting on that bet now Miss Bristow…"
****
Vaughn is enjoying himself immensely. Sydney's really onto something here. There's something to be said for role-play, losing yourself in someone else's identity. Saying all the words you'd never say in real life. Doing all the things you'd never dare to do. His fingers trace over the soft cotton of her top finding her nipple and teasing it into hardness. He fills his palm with the pleasant weight of Sydney's breast and squeezes, he hears her suck in a breath.
"Like that baby? Is that how the boyfriend does it or am I better?"
His other hand cups her ass and pulls her closer against the hard bulge the coverall does a poor job of concealing. He nudges himself into that small hot gap between her thighs. He is incredibly turned on. That's why when Sydney's foot hooks behind his knee and sweeps his leg out from underneath him, he goes down like a K O'd prizefighter. All his breath is knocked out of him; he lies there looking at the bathroom ceiling for a moment and tries to remember how his lungs are supposed to work. Sydney's face looms upside down over him.
"Had enough Hotshot?" She smirks at him.
Somewhere he can hear Weiss urging him to Stay down! Screw that-I wasn't ready-I can still win this…Quicker than she's anticipating he reaches up and grabs her arms and twists her off balance, sending her staggering into the wall, he can hear her grunt as she hits. He rolls to his feet and pins her, hands wrapping around her wrists, trapping her spread eagled between him and the wall.
"I don't know spygirly. Have I had enough?" He prods her legs apart with his knee and slides a thigh between hers. He can feel the heat of her on his leg as she presses herself against him. She moans encouragingly. He leans in close, her ponytail has started to come undone and his breath stirs the loosened locks of hair near her face. "Have you had enough…or do you want more?" He can see the curve of her cheek as she smiles; she turns her head, looking at him coyly from under lowered lashes. Her tongue licks wantonly across her upper lip-entranced Vaughn watches its sleek progress. Her eyes are half-closed as she groans and rubs against him; the effect is devastating. Vaughn lets go of one of her hands in order to brush her hair back, smooth it away from that fascinating mouth. He woofs with pain when she slams an elbow into his ribs and doubles over. Wha? Oh shit-she played me!
Before he can quite understand what's happening he's flat on his back again, he grunts when Sydney sits down hard on his chest and thumps his hands to the floor. She's breathing hard and flushed with the teasing and the sparring but ready to keep going for all that.
"Say uncle Hotshot!" He's hurting and horny beyond words. When he bucks to try to dislodge her she rides him expertly-distracting him all over again with the lithe wriggling.
"Say. Uncle." She's not going to give up; she can sense he's on the ropes. Mike…Give it up. You lost man! Vaughn silences the Weiss in his head, not wanting him to be party to his defeat. My only hope now is if Syd's a gracious winner-otherwise it's more struggling with that dammed leak. Oh crap, you know she won't let you up until you say it so just say it…
"Uncle."
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that…" She tilts her head and pretends she can't hear him.
"Uncle. Dammit! Uncle!"
She crows in victory and lets him up, bouncing excitedly on his lap. "Told you I could take you out! Ha! Take that Mike!"
"Could be I let you win on account of you're a girl and all…" He grumps in mock annoyance. Two bright spots of color bloom on her cheeks, she looks disgustingly chipper and most pleased with her present position. No trace of the sad woman who opened the door to him earlier remains. Good. Whatever bruises it's cost me it's worth it. But learn from your girlfriend and take advantage of the situation. Vaughn repositions her hips, bringing her into intimate contact with the result of all her manipulations thus far. Holding her close he rocks against her lazily. She ceases her gloating and sways her hips in time with his, eyes gone glassy with desire. "So Miss Bristow, you've won fair and square and I ain't one to welsh on a bet-so what'll it be? What's your pleasure?" His voice is husky and thick with need. Pleasegodpleasegodplease let her be thinking the same thing I am…
She stops and considers for a minute, fingertips dancing on his arms making him shiver.
"Oh don't worry …I have something very special that I want you to do for me. It's a…task…that will require you to get up close and personal and take your time…" He falls into her eyes-gone dark with desire-her voice fairly hums with promise. "Do you think you might be up for that, Mike?"
He swallows, voice a dry croak. "Yes ma'am, I aim to please…"
"Good."
And the smile that crosses her face almost makes him come right then.
****
The feelings were incredible; hot blood throbs through her making her feel weak and dizzy. If she didn't do something soon she was going to come in one fervid heated rush, and she wants this to last; to stretch like warm taffy out into an infinity of sweet lovely moments.
Sydney stands, legs weak and trembling like a newly born colt's. Jesus. Jesus God. I've never been so wet and ready for a man. Ever. The intensity of her desire is amazing and a little overwhelming, like mainlining uncut heroin, she feels like she might pass out. Vaughn stays on the floor but keeps his eyes trained on hers; one hand strokes her ankle gently. The slight touch of his fingers on her skin coupled with the eager look on his face-his mouth, oh the way his mouth feels when he kisses me-has her struggling for control, to keep on trying to spin out the gorgeous torture, She's not ready to submit yet. She needs time to back off from the precipice.
"You had a job for me ma'am?" His voice is a low whisper that almost drops her to her knees.
"Yeah-yeah I do…" Her eyes are captivated by the slow tracing of his fingers on her foot. She almost rejects her course of action in order to allow those fingers to continue their explorations elsewhere but she holds firm, barely.
"I chipped my toenail polish in the fight-I think you should redo it for me…"
His hand stills, his eyes widen.
"What?"
"My nails, I want you to paint my nails for me, think you can do that?" The delicious throb between her legs is still there but she can manage it now, the game can go on-she hopes. She looks down at Vaughn, it all depends on him.
****
Vaughn closes his eyes and thinks of hockey. Statistics, teams, trades, goals scored, conference standings, anything he can to wrench his mind back from the wilderness of need. Your girl's not done playing yet and you have to keep your mind on the game, for her. He's proud that the frustration he feels only comes out in the quietest of groans-well mostly quiet.
"Uh-yeah. Sure thing Miss Bristow…I can paint your-uh nails for you. But are you sure there isn't anything else I can do. Seriously anything at all?" Can't blame a guy for trying…
"Nope. That's what I want you to do…for now."
The 'for now' is the only thing that saves his sanity. She smiles at him; anyone who didn't know her would assume she was all innocence.
"Nail polish is under the sink-oh and while you're under there-the shut off valve for the water is that little wee tap beside the U shaped thingy. Could you turn it off for me? I'd really hate for my bathroom to be flooded…"
There's a water shut off? "…Sure…I'll just shut off that water then…"
"Great! I'll be in the living room when you're done." She bounces out-albeit a tad unsteadily. It's small consolation to see that at least she's as affected as he is.
A tap to shut off the water-there's a tap for that now? Why didn't I think of that?
****
Sydney lounges on the floor by the fire she's made to chase away the chilly damp, back propped up on pillows, glass of wine by her elbow, magazine in her hand, foot nestled in Vaughn' lap, who is bending over her toenails with an expression of deep concentration on his face. She bites back as giggle as he dips the brush into the bottle-Rainy Day Red-and focuses intently as he applies a stripe to her nail, his hand is wavering just the tiniest bit. He frowns at his work, delicately wipes a smudge away and dips the brush again. He hasn't said a word for over ten minutes he is that absorbed in his task. She looks at him, so earnest as he labors at a job he's only doing because she asked him to and love swells her heart and thickens her throat with tears. You're just a real crybaby today aren't you…She sips her wine to smooth things down.
"Vaughn…?"
"Hmmm?" He doesn't notice she's dropped the pretense for a moment.
"I love you."
He looks up, mild surprise on his face. "I love you too Syd." His pleased and happy grin charms a smile from her.
"Just letting you know, you can go back to what you're doing…Mike."
He caps the bottle and kisses the top of her foot.
"All done actually-the instructions say you have to let them dry for ten minutes to prevent smudges."
"You read the instructions?"
"Well-yeah." Vague doubt creeps into his voice. "Don't you?"
"Girls don't read instructions for stuff like that."
"That explains why the polish I took off was all smudgy then."
"It was not!" She lobs a pillow at him, which he fends off laughing.
"Hey lady-I calls em like I sees em." He stretches out beside her and snags a sip of her wine. "Painting is thirsty work."
"Painting!" She snorts. "You make it sound like major renovations were involved." He shrugs and looks meaningfully at her feet.
She observes his look, "Don't make me put you on your back again Mike…"
"Oh I don't know, that might not be so bad considering…" He strokes her thigh. Heat sparks in her belly, her tone is low and throaty. "Looking for another job?"
"Might be…depends on what the job is. If it's more girly refurbishments I better get my big tool kit out of the van-the one with the spackle and sandpaper in it."
She swats him with the magazine. "My boyfriend would have your head for that."
"Would he?" He lifts up her shirt and kisses her stomach, voice rumbling against her skin. "I guess it's good that the pencil-pusher isn't here then eh Miss Bristow?"
"I'm ignoring you." And she's trying to-despite the licks of heat that are shimmering everywhere inside. She props up her Cosmopolitan and pretends to read. He pulls the magazine down and looks at the article, Top Ten Sexy Turn-ons Your Boyfriend Wants You To Know About,
"Hmm tried any of those with him?"
"No…well one or two…"
"Oh yeah? Which ones?" He spreads his hand flat on her belly and strokes her skin in slow circles.
"Well I have dressed up for him…as a maid."
"No way! How'd he take it-was he all-uptight? Bet he was…"
She shakes her head. Who would have ever thought Vaughn would be capable of this-he's so into it…and don't deny what a turn on this is for you. It's almost like being with another man… "No. Not at all…he was totally into it. It was fun."
"What about this one?" He points to number seven on the list. "Have you done that one with him?" She can feel the blush tinting her cheeks when she reads it.
"No…I haven't. I-I didn't think he be…into that."
"Don't sell the poor bastard short…speaking as a guy I can tell you most guys would jump at the chance to have their girl do that for them. Especially a gorgeous one like you." His fingers sweep across the arch of her hipbone and find the smooth indent of her bellybutton; his tongue follows the path of his hand. He gazes up at her; the intent in his eyes is unmistakable.
Checkmate…Damn he did that well. And admit it, part of you-hell most of you-wants to do that for him as much as he obviously wants you too. "Really, is that so?" Sydney finds herself warming to the prospect, raw sexiness in her voice; she'll need it if she really wants to go all the way with this. "Maybe there's a few other things on this list my boyfriend might like to try, do you think?"
"Oh I'm almost positive there is-but start with number seven…"
****
"Number seven? You're sure…" Sydney feels the blood heating up her cheeks, silly that she should be embarrassed to do something she does anyway-but to do it for him, in front of him…well that was a different matter altogether.
"You don't have to…if you're too shy or something." His voice is a shade disappointed.
"No-No. I just don't know how to begin…"
"Begin how you usually begin. Pretend I'm not here, if it helps." He sits up and crosses his legs. "I'll be quiet as a mouse. I promise."
Sydney finishes the wine, letting the rich red warmth of it add to the heat inside her. She lays back and gets comfortable, closing her eyes.
"Just one request?"
She opens her eyes and looks at Vaughn.
"Can you talk to me-during, let me know what you're feeling?"
"I think it'd be pretty obvious what I'm going to be feeling."
"No, I meant inside-your fantasies and emotions and stuff…" A rosy flush creeps up his neck. "If that's alright?"
I do believe Mr. Mike is a little embarrassed himself…Vaughn's stepped out of character. The momentary display of shyness, gives her the shot of confidence she needs. "It's okay with me-I usually make some noise anyway…"
"You do?" He sounds so comically astonished that she can't help giggling.
"Yes. Now I thought you were going to be quiet."
"Yes ma'am. Shutting up now."
She closes her eyes again.
She lies quietly for a few minutes letting the languid sensual feelings wash over her. It is hard to pretend that Vaughn's not there even though he is being quiet, as promised. The only sounds are the shifting of the logs in the fire and the muted drumming of the rain. Go with it. You have an audience so perform for him…Without opening her eyes she begins to speak,
"I usually do this at night when I can't be with him-my boyfriend-but sometimes mornings are a good time, it's a nice way to wake up…especially if I've been dreaming of him. I'm half asleep, lying in bed, wet already…missing him." She hears Vaughn draw in a breath. She opens her eyes and looks straight at him, her hands drift over her breasts. "I sleep naked when I'm with him, but not when I'm alone. That's okay, I like the feel of myself under the material…" Idly her fingers circle her nipples, the taut buds clearly seen through the thin fabric of her top; she pinches them gently. She keeps speaking. He is watching her intently. "That way when I finally take my clothes off the feel of my hands on my bare skin is kind of a release…" She sits up and pulls the tank top off in one smooth movement. She no longer feels any shyness, just an easy heated pleasure. She pulls loose the band holding back her hair and shakes it down her back, closing her eyes in the animal bliss of soft silky hair brushing skin. Sydney's hands cup her breasts, thumbs stroking across her nipples. She lies back with a soft moan. Her hair fans out on the pillow and her excited eyes find Vaughn's again.
"Vaughn-my boyfriend-has amazing hands. His gun hand has these kind of calluses, like from the trigger and the grip?" Vaughn nods, watching as she trails her fingers up and down along her ribcage, slowly and tantalizingly. "I do too, I guess. In order to stay field rated you have to fire your weapon regularly. I imagine you must have some pretty good ones too, working with your hands so much…anyway the feel of them on my skin." She shivers delightfully. "When I touch myself I pretend it's him-touching me, stroking me…"
"Go on…" His voice is a little raspy. She smiles at him, so much for being quiet…She stretches luxuriously and allows one hand to trace the outline of her cunt as her legs sprawl open wider, the thin material covering her is hot and already damp. She revels in the rapt attention of his gaze fixed on the slow movements of her hand.
"Often I tease myself for a long time-just stroking gently until I'm so wet and ready I can hardly stand it…other times I make myself come as hard and as fast as I can…"
Vaughn can't help himself, he moves closer to her, lying beside her. Not touching her-yet. Just content to watch her. She never takes her eyes off of his.
"What do you want me to do today?"
"Wh-what do you mean?" He swallows, words caught in his throat.
"Do you want me to tease myself, or come as hard as I can?"
"Tease yourself…I want to watch you tease yourself…" He whispers in her ear; his warm breath sends heat coiling into her belly. He smoothes a hand down her arm-the one not slowly caressing between her legs. Her fingers press harder, rubbing the seam of her pants against her clit and the delicious sensations make her arch lazily. She can feel the impatient push of his cock on her thigh; she sighs and dreamily slips a hand under the waistband of her pants. She gasps and closes her eyes when she touches herself.
"Oh…oh. I'm so wet…" She rocks against her hand urgently, forgetting her promise.
"Tell me…tell me everything." Vaughn's lips find the silky curve of her shoulder; his knuckles graze against the swell of her breast. She shimmies out of the pants and kicks them aside. She can feel the heat radiating from him where he lies beside her; goose bumps ripple her skin. She is reckless and free.
"I feel soft…and slippery wet…" Her fingers brush her clit, barely stroking it. "It feels so good. I want to lie here forever and just torture myself forever" She watches him; the gentle motions of her hand have mesmerized him.
"Here…" She takes his hand and places it on top of her own.
"Like that?"
"Just like that…" She groans and lifts her hips. "Oh just like that…"
Everything is intensified-she can hear him, his breathing has speeded up in response to her own small gasps and cries. Their hands never stop, just slow steady circles driving her half-mad. The coarse material of the coverall aggravates her oversensitive skin.
"Take off your clothes."
"Yes ma'am. Right away."
She pauses and rests-easing back from the point of no return-watching as he hurriedly strips. She smiles when she sees him struggle to pull off the boots as quickly as he can. He tosses everything into a messy pile and turns to her eagerly. He has forgotten the ball cap in his haste.
"That too, Hotshot." She removes the cap and ruffles his hair. He captures her hand and licks the palm, tasting her juices. The sudden shock of pleasure makes her jump. He grins, pleased with the affect and sucks on one of her slender fingers, drawing it slowly into his mouth. Her face flushes as the sensation barrels through her, making the heavy ache between her legs, throb and pound. She pulls him to her, kissing him hard.
"Now. Now. I can't wait…I need you inside me now." She commands him, voice hoarse with need.
He breaks the kiss with difficulty and gently presses her back down.
"What about the torture yourself forever part?" She can see he is trying not to smile too much.
Sydney stifles a frustrated sigh; he's been such a good sport about everything…but Christ I want to fuck him. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather…" She trails off and spreads her legs wider, suggestively.
"Hell yeah. Count on it, but I want to watch you for a bit longer."
"I'll come. I won't be able to help myself."
"Well good. Then I'll make you come again…and again." There is irresistible cocky self-confidence in his voice as he leans close and brushes his mouth over hers.
Sydney groans and shuts her eyes-cheat-if you can't win cheat…
She reaches for him. He is very hard and her hand circles him slowly, sensually, urging him down towards her.
"No cheating." Reluctantly he takes her hand from his cock.
I swear he can read my mind sometimes…
Vaughn pulls her down beside him again, hand casually stroking her hip. Her thighs part and her fingers drift down between her legs again…
Is it cheating if I make him so crazy he can't help but want to fuck me? She writhes and groans wantonly. I don't think that counts as cheating…
Then she loses herself in the feel of her fingers on delicate heated flesh.
****
Vaughn lies beside Sydney and watches as she slips another finger-the finger he had in his mouth he recalls with a rush of pleasure-into herself. He is conscious of a fine trembling buzzing through his body, only an iron grip on his will-that and the knowledge they have all night-is keeping him from rolling on top of Sydney and fucking her senseless.
"Oh Vaughn!" Sydney has either given up the pretense of calling him Mike or has forgotten to in the intensity of everything. Her lids are heavy, thick lashes veiling her eyes partly when she throws her head back as she bucks against her hands. She has no idea of how unbearably sexy she is to me right now…. "I'm close. I'm so close…" He hadn't expected her to last as long as she has, she wasn't kidding about the teasing part…she must be desperate to come now. He holds her to him, he can't help rubbing against the sleek length of her as she thrashes. Why did you agree to this Mikey? This must be torture for you…The Weiss-voice doesn't sound very sympathetic, mostly just-awed. Sydney lost in the throes of her own pleasure is something to see. Because when I do get to fuck her, I'm going to enjoy it very, very much. It's all about the fine art of anticipation my friend…Sydney's desperate voice pushes all thoughts of later from his head.
"I need…I can't! I need…"
"What do you need? Tell me?"
In answer, Sydney takes his hand again and guides it between her legs.
"This?" He strokes her. She tosses her head, strands of hair stuck to her sweaty cheeks. He slides two fingers deep inside her,
"This?" She doesn't reply but the iron grip of her hand on his wrist lets him know he's found the spot. The feel of her is slightly shocking-fiercely hot and so wet, his fingers are already sticky with her juice. His mouth waters imagining what she'd taste like now. He rocks in time with her for a few beats, then curls his fingers upwards, finding the whorl of her most sensitive secret flesh and does exactly what she needs to go insane.
"Tell me." Vaughn leans close to her ear and murmurs to her. Don't know if she can even hear me now…"Tell me how it feels…"
"So good…so…good… Je-sus! Je-sus!" He can feel her winding up-muscles getting tight and ready to fly apart, she is glowing in the firelight and with the blush staining her chest and flowing up her neck. She bites her lips and strains against him trembling wildly. Everything clenches hard for one agonizing moment. Her eyes find Vaughn's, she blinks back tears and he can see the moment when the orgasm overtakes her in a great wave that sweeps her away. Her cunt beats like a heart, squeezing his fingers as she bucks her hips violently, half-sobbing as she comes. It's powerful, splendid and extremely erotic to watch. And I have to admit; I'm more than a little envious mine aren't like that…
She hasn't even caught her breath-tremors and shocks grip her body still. But Vaughn can't wait any longer. He rolls her onto her belly, takes her by the hips, fingers slippery with her come, pulls her into his favorite position-on all fours-and thrusts deeply into her. She's soaking wet, velvet walls beating slowly as the orgasm finishes with her. She cries out, she's still tender and the feel of him inside is overwhelming. He gives her a moment then he shoves forward and fucks her hard. She braces her hands against the floor, hips slamming into his.
"You are so beautiful…I love you Sydney…I love you so much…" His loving words are harsh whispers; she can only answer with passionate needy sounds urging him on. He knows he can't last, not after lying beside Sydney for so long, watching her as she touched herself. Don't think about that…you'll come…concentrate…He tries to hold himself in check, but Sydney looks over at her shoulder at him just then; her hair falls in a tangled mess about her face, her lips are parted as she moans for him, at the things he is making her feel. Her eyes have gone soft and dark with all the pleasure thrumming through her. She looks at him and he is undone. The orgasm wrenches him with its intensity and strength-it's almost painful and incredibly pleasurable-the love he has for this woman his last coherent thought. That and, I was wrong-so wrong to feel any jealousy for hers…this is too fucking incredible…
They collapse in a heap on the floor-all sweaty limbs and gasps for breath and lie there not moving for a while. Vaughn's arms tremble as he palms sweat off his forehead; I think I may have actually suffered brain damage just then…He grins, enormously pleased with himself, Hell of a way to go though… When she can do so without panting, Sydney kisses him, lips shy and sweet on his.
"Thanks for this-for today…"
"No problem ma'am, trust me the pleasure was all mine." Delight written all over his face as he pushes damp strands of hair off her face for her.
"Oh I don't know about that…but I can tell you one thing…"
"Oh what's that?"
"You are definitely getting a tip."
****
Vaughn had gone to the bedroom to get a blanket. Sydney watched as he padded naked through her house.
Damn that man has an ass on him…
"Do you need anything-drink or something?" He is beautiful to her as he stands naked in the kitchen, twilight has come and his pale body gleams in the half-light.
How lucky I am to have him in my life… Thoughts of Danny surface then and guilt and sadness fill her.
"Well I don't know about you, but I'm starving." He continues as he rummages in her drawers. "The life of a blue-collar plumber really gives me an appetite…Pizza okay by you?" He holds up a take-out menu.
"Sure." Her voice is quiet. He looks at her,
"You okay?"
"I'm good-tired. And hungry-pizza sounds great." This morning's events-getting the letter-are stuck inside her, she needs to tell him but she doesn't know how. She hugs herself against the chill and watches the embers of the fire, lost in thought. She only stirs when Vaughn drapes a blanket around them and snuggles her close to him, his bare skin warm against hers.
"I ordered. Food'll be here soon."
"Good."
Vaughn surprises her when he holds up her hairbrush and starts brushing her hair for her.
"You're kinda tangled…" He says by way of explanation. She is silent, enjoying the sensation as he strokes the brush gently through her hair, teasing out all of the snarls and tangles until it lays in a heavy shining mass around her shoulders.
"I-I got a letter today…it was waiting for me this morning."
"Mmm…" He doesn't stop, just keeps brushing. Sydney is soothed by the motions and finds her voice-haltingly at first.
"It was from some hotel. It was months old-I guess it got lost for a while. They sent it because…Because Danny had booked the hotel for us-for our marriage."
The brush slows then continues; Vaughn says nothing. Her chest unlocks and the words pour out of her in a rush.
"And all of a sudden I found myself crying. Just weeping, Vaughn, all the old sadness came back. I still miss him sometimes, so much. It just snuck up on me. I couldn't bear going into work, so I called in sick…but then you came by today-with everything you did-for me... I love you Vaughn. So much it scares me a little. I don't deserve to feel this happy…" She doesn't know if he's understood anything she's said. She turns to him and looks at him pleadingly. He's quiet for a few minutes before he speaks.
"Well of course you're still going to miss Danny-grief doesn't follow a set schedule. Loving another person doesn't change that either." He kisses her temple and hugs her tightly. "And if anyone deserves to feel happy, it's you. You are so brave and dedicated and wonderful. Danny must've seen that. I guess it's one of the reasons why he loved you so much-I know it's one of the reasons why I do…" Vaughn stops when he sees her eyes fill with tears, "I'm sorry I'm not good at stuff like this…"
"No-No you're fantastic at stuff like this…" She kisses him, trying as hard as she can to keep from bursting into noisy grateful tears, because he gets it… Jeeze Bristow, cry some more why don't you? Sheesh some chicks…The voice in her head is starting to sound suspiciously like a certain plumber she knows.
"Good. Otherwise I was afraid I was going to have to have Mike challenge you to another fight and allow you to kick his ass again to cheer you up…"
"…Allow me!" She sputters incredulously.
He winks solemnly at her. "Fortunately for you, Mike is such a stand-up guy he wouldn't mind that one bit…" He voice warms and Sydney feels desire stretch and wake within her once more,
"Pizza will be here soon-think you can take me before then?" Sydney takes the baseball cap and puts it on Vaughn-backwards of course.
"Hell I can offer better odds than that spygirly…best two out of three?"
"You're on Hotshot!"
****
They tipped the pizza guy fifty bucks-partly for his embarrassment and partly to keep him quiet about what he'd seen. Vaughn was just thankful that it was only a pizza delivery boy and not Weiss; he knew damn sure he'd never be able to explain the frilly apron-not in a million years.
FIN
Feedback is most welcome