Title: 'Tis Better To Have Loved...

Summary: Will Tippin loved and lost. Outside the confines of L.A., will he find a new life?

Rating: PG-13 just to be safe

Spoilers: General, up through "Phase One". This is a future fic.

Disclaimer: Alias, its characters, and its plotlines don't belong to me. I do claim rights to any and all original characters. Song lyrics (fair warning, I have a terrible habit of using lyrics in my fics) are "Things Don't Always Turn Out That Way" by The Calling.

The sun filtered through the panes of the beautiful, intricate stained glass windows. Fragrant flowers perfumed the air. The music swelled as the bridesmaids, dressed in simple gowns of royal blue, slowly walked down the aisle. He watched as Francie, the maid of honor, prodded the pint-sized flower girl to throw the rose petals instead of holding them close to her nose and inhaling. When the last of the bridesmaids was in formation, the music shifted suddenly to announce the woman of the day, the bride.

God, she's absolutely beautiful.

His breath caught in his throat as Sydney, dressed in a resplendent white gown, walked down the aisle on Jack's arm. Even though her face was veiled, he could see the tears sparkling in her big brown eyes and the dazzling smile that, he was pretty certain, could shine through a brick wall. His gaze met hers, and she grinned even wider as she got closer and closer to him...

"Hey," she mouthed as she passed him on her way down the aisle to meet Vaughn. Marry Vaughn. Probably have a ton of Vaughn's kids, he thought bitterly.

Sydney arrived at the altar, flashing her smile at Francie and Eric, the best man, before locking eyes with the man who was her future. Vaughn's eyes filled with tears at the sight of his beautiful bride.

The better man won.

Oh, how that was burning him at the moment. He was perfectly aware that, indeed, the better man had gotten the girl. It was just like high school. That one perfect girl that you would have given your right arm to go out with. Sure, she thought you were cute, and considered you "a good friend." But when prom time rolled around, who bought her the stupid corsage and got to hold her close on the dance floor? The captain of the football team.

He was an adult now, but the rules hadn't changed. For all means and purposes, Will Tippin might as well be back in high school, watching the head cheerleader slow dance with the quarterback. Instead, he was standing rather sullenly in a beautifully decorated church, while the girl of his dreams prepared to pledge her life to the man of hers.

The minister invited the audience to be seated, then turned to Sydney and Jack. "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" The minister inquired.

"I do," Jack replied in a rough voice that belied his calm exterior. Will was taken aback. Who knew Mr. Super Spy could show emotion? Jack lifted Sydney's veil, kissed her cheek, and turned to take his seat next to his ex- wife.

The ceremony progressed smoothly. After a song or two, the minister addressed Vaughn and Sydney, "I believe you've prepared your vows?" They nodded, and Vaughn cleared his throat.

"Sydney, this day has been a long time coming for me. The first day we met, I knew that my life would never be the same. I didn't realize how true that was. You changed me, Sydney. All my life, I've felt like I was running toward something, something I couldn't quite name that was always just out of reach. When you walked in, yes, even looking like you did in that red wig," Sydney laughed softly, "I knew that my running was over. Loving you was what I'd spent my whole life trying to reach. You are my purpose, Syd. So I'm here today to promise myself to you forever. I wish I could give you the world, but all I can offer is this: if you have a dream you're trying to reach, then run. Run like hell. Just know that you'll never go alone. Je t'aime." His voice broke on the last sentence.

Sydney took a shaky breath. "Michael, you are, and always have been, my truth in a world filled with lies. I convinced myself for so long that I didn't need anyone, couldn't trust anyone except myself. Then, you came along. You are the one person that I both trust with my life and need like I need my next breath. And contrary to what I used to think, trusting you and needing you doesn't make me weak. I feel stronger in your arms than anywhere else in the world. You lift me up, Michael. Loving you has been the most thrilling rollercoaster ride of my life, and it's only getting better from here. I love you forever and a day, Vaughn." His eyebrows rose. "Sorry, you know what they say about old habits," she said playfully, earning a laugh from the guests.

At the minister's prompts, the two exchanged rings.

"Do you, Michael Caleb Vaughn, take Sydney as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"

Vaughn grinned widely, never tearing his gaze from Sydney. "I do."

Of course he does.

"And do you, Sydney Anne Bristow, take Michael as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"

Her beautiful brown eyes shined with love as she replied, "I do."

Of course she does.

"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride."

The entire audience stood up and applauded as Sydney and Vaughn just stood there, smiling like fools. "We did it," he whispered as he leaned in to kiss her. Will raised his eyebrow as the duration of the kiss stretched.

What's that saying? Insult to injury, or something like that?

When they finally broke contact, the minister smiled and stretched out his arms. "I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Vaughn!"

At the reception, Will sat with Francie and Eric, trying desperately to laugh and talk like a person who was happy to be there. He wanted to be happy for Syd. He knew that she was with the one person who could love her the way she deserved to be loved, without limits or conditions.

Damn, how he'd wanted to be that person.

But he wasn't, and that was the truth he had to live with. He'd tried, like a fool, to win Sydney's heart. And he had failed. Simple as that.

To make things worse, he couldn't even hate the guy who had been lucky enough to succeed. If he'd been a jerk, than that was something Will could have run with. He would have hated him with every fiber of his being. But you couldn't meet Michael and not get the instant impression that he was a trustworthy, honest, decent guy. It just wasn't possible to hate him. But Will could, of course, envy his happiness for the next lifetime. Yes, that was a workable plan, he thought to himself as he sipped from yet another champagne flute.

Sydney came over to their table, and plopped down dramatically next to Will. "No one told me being the bride would be this exhausting!"

Say something nice, Tippin. It's her day. "Well, what did you expect? Everyone wants to dance with the lady of the evening. You look amazing, by the way."

She smiled. "Thank you. That means a lot, coming from you. I was worried..." Will waved his hand, indicating that he didn't want to discuss what she was about to bring up, and she stopped. "So, does everyone include you? C'mon, you haven't spun me around the dance floor once tonight." He made a face. "Please?" She clasped her hands together, bringing them to her chest. "Please?"

He gave in. He assumed he would always give in, when it was Sydney Bristow doing the asking. Sydney Vaughn, now. "Fine. One song." He grabbed her hand and led her out to the dance floor. Placing his hand at her waist, they started to sway to the music. "So, Mrs. Vaughn, how's married life?" Wow, what a masochistic question, he realized too late.

"All four hours of it have been wonderful." Sydney got a dreamy look in her eyes. "Will, you can't even imagine how many times I've dreamed of this moment. Every time I was on a mission, and I didn't feel like I could make it through, I thought of this exact day. That thought kept me alive. And now, it's here." Her expression turned serious. "I wish you could find this same happiness."

Will shrugged offhandedly. "I don't see marriage in my near future. Love isn't exactly on my priority list...not anymore."

Sydney looked in his eyes, saw the pain in them, knowing that she had put it there. "Look, Will, I know...that you've been hurt and for that I am profoundly sorry. But I know that somewhere, there is a girl that is perfect for you. When you meet her, you'll feel like you were born loving each other. Trust me."

Will sighed, trying to lighten his mood. "I'll never find another Sydney Bristow," he said jokingly. "Are you saying I should settle?" He winked at her, letting her know that he was teasing. He gave her a short hug as the song came to an end.

She laughed. "Well, I am one of a kind."

"Thank God for that," came a voice over Will's shoulder. "I don't think I could handle more than one Sydney at a time." Will looked behind him to find Michael Vaughn, grinning mischievously.

"Hey, you and me both. Congratulations, man." Will forced himself to smile and shake hands with the man he would always see as his competition.

"Thank you, Will. I'm sure Sydney's already told you, but we're really glad you could come. It wouldn't have been the same without you." He smiled. "Now, can I steal away my wife? I haven't danced with her in," he checked his watch, "almost twenty minutes. I think I'm going through withdrawal."

"Be my guest, you crazy lovebirds," Will said, handing Sydney off to Vaughn. He went back to his table and sat down with a sigh.

How had he fallen so deeply for Sydney Bristow? She had been one of his best friends for several years, but never had it gone further. Will didn't count that one drunken kiss, because they had been just that-drunk. Aside from that one mistake, she had never given him any indication that she felt something beyond friendship for him. But despite that, he was in love with her. Couldn't remember a time when he hadn't been in love with her. And in his state of mind, he truly believed that a love that deep couldn't just be one-sided.

He remembered the day, almost a year ago, when he had finally screwed up his courage enough to tell her what was in his heart. He had sat her down, and as calmly as he could, had told her that he was in love with her. He didn't know what he had been expecting, but it definitely hadn't happened. To this day, he still remembered her reply.

She had told him that she loved him, too, but only in the way that a woman loves her closest friend. He was so precious to her, she had said, but they couldn't be anything more than friends. "Will, I'm in love with someone else." Those words had branded themselves on his heart, replaying over and over again in his nightmares. He loved her so much it physically hurt, and she felt the same way-for someone else. First it had been Danny, and now it was Vaughn. It had never been Will. And for Will, there had never been anyone else.

She's all that he wants
She's all that he needs
She's everything he just won't believe
Take away his doubt
Turn it inside out
And she can see what he's been dying to say
But things don't always turn out that way

As he watched the newlyweds laugh and spin, he knew that he couldn't take this anymore. He had come to her wedding to prove that he was supportive and happy for Sydney. But how could he be happy when his heart felt shattered inside?

He had to get out of there. She had a new life. She didn't need a lovesick puppy dog hanging around. For her sake, for his own sanity, he had to get somewhere far away.

It really didn't matter where, as long as wherever it was didn't include Sydney and Michael Vaughn.