Another Man — Chapter 2

It was his first trip to a bar without Eric Weiss in a very long time. But Michael Vaughn had felt drawn to this place for the past few days.

Ever since Sydney Bristow had strolled into the warehouse and mentioned abruptly — halfway through their otherwise normal meeting — that she and Noah Hicks had been lovers.

Shock. Jealousy. Then stone-faced. Because he had no right to tell her what to do.

But he still couldn't shake the feeling that she was somehow betraying him. Betraying what, he did not know. It wasn't like they had much beyond subtle hints and glances that revealed more than they should.

Vaughn had thought there was something between them, some sort of unspoken promise of hockey games and romance in an unforeseen future.

Didn't that make things clear? Wasn't that a declaration of love? Apparently not. Or maybe she was too impatient. Who could blame her? Possibly forever was a long time to wait.

He could blame her. There was a tall blond standing at the bar, and he approached her. Offered to buy her a drink. He had no desire to be with a brunette tonight. Or so he told himself.

The blond warmed up to him quickly, chatty and light and all smiles, obviously interested. She reminded him of Alice. 

Alice, who had known there was another woman. Alice, who had packed up her things in the morning. Alice, who the night before had cried after he clasped a hand over his mouth to keep himself from crying out that woman's name. Another woman.

Another man. A possibility he hadn't considered.

Which was why he was sucking in the cigarette smoke that floated all around him and downing another beer to combat the feeling, deep in the pit of his stomach, that he shouldn't be doing this. Betrayal.

But he could see them, this faceless Noah Hicks and Sydney, naked and writhing in bed. The thought made him nauseous and tense, and he shut his eyes to try and block out the image.

"Something wrong?" asked the blond.

"Smoke's bothering my eyes," he lied.

"We could leave." Translation: We could fuck.

She gave him one of those Alice Smiles and he felt sick again. Didn't want to make another blond cry. Didn't want to play this new game of one-upmanship. You go off with Noah. I'll screw some blond from a bar. Maybe we can stay pissed at each other until there's no more SD-6.

So he shook his head. "Actually, I've got to go."

She looked confused. His intentions had been clear.  

His intentions had changed. He was not one to do this. Only there because of anger. Only there because of hurt.

Maybe she would come back and tell him nothing had happened with this other man. Maybe the unspeakable had happened.

He wondered, yet again, if he had imagined it all. If the feeling he couldn't acknowledge as love was unrequited. If what he had thought was denial was really nothing at all.

My guardian angel.

Maybe forever was a long time to wait, but he was in no big hurry.