Disclaimer: I don't own 24, or its characters.
Chapter 1
"Come on, you stupid piece of crap! Why won't this go through?" Chloe said as she continued to plow through the uncooperative file, the normally simple task taking all her efforts to complete. "There, that should do it. Now let's see if it works." Punching in the last set of keys, she sat back and waited for the process to begin. After a long pause, the system finally began running the files she wanted.
Just then, her cell phone began to vibrate. "Dammit! I thought I shut it off." She checked the ID- caller unknown. What the hell? "Hello?" No answer. "Who is this?" Still no answer. "If this is some kind of prank, I really don't have time for this."
"...Chloe?" The voice on the other end finally spoke. She couldn't believe it. It was him.
"...Jack?"
"Yeah, it's me. Chloe, listen. I need your help."
Chloe struggled to keep the wave of disappointment that threatened to overtake her down. Of course he needed her help. Why else would he call her? Certainly not to have a friendly chat.
"Chloe, are you there?"
"I'm here, Jack. What do you need?"
"I stumbled onto something and I need your help with it."
"I'm sorry, Jack" she replied. "I don't do that kind of thing anymore. I'm out of the spy business."
"I know, Chloe. And believe me, I wouldn't ask if it wasn't really important. But I don't know who else I can trust right now."
I'm going to regret this. But Jack has done so much for the country, it wouldn't hurt to help him one last time. "Okay, Jack, I'll do it. But after this, I'm out. No more help from me."
"Okay. Can you meet me in 30 minutes at the corner of of Vista and Horton? There's an old bottling plant there we can use."
"I'll be there." Chloe hung up the phone. Without missing a beat, she put her system on standby to let it run and picked up the phone.
"Chloe O'Brian's office" the harassed voice of her secretary answered.
"Andrea, it's Chloe. I'm going to be unavailable for the rest of day, so if anyone calls for me, take a message."
"Of course, Ms. O'Brian."
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Andrea, I told you to call me Chloe."
"Sorry, Ms.- Chloe."
"I'll see you tomorrow." She disconnected the call and prepared to leave for the day. After securing all her sensitive files, she left her office and headed for the elevator. The ride down was deserted, allowing Chloe to get lost in her thoughts. What could Jack possibly want from me this time? Why does he need to see me in person?
Reaching her car, she grabbed her phone once again.
"O'Brian residence."
"Hi, Morris, it's me." He's gonna kill me.
"Hello, darling. This is certainly a surprise. I wasn't expecting to hear from you for a couple of hours at least."
"I know."Here we go."Look, I'm probably not going to be home until late tonight, so dinner is up to you. I have to go somewhere."
"Where are you going?"
"I can't tell you. It's for Jack."
"Jack?"
"Yeah, he called me a few minutes ago, said he needed my help with something."
"I thought we agreed to leave CTU to get away from all that, have some control over our lives again." Morris sounded irritated.
"We did. Look, I told Jack that it was going to be the last time. You know I don't want to go back to that."
"What if something were to happen? It's not just your life you're endangering, Chloe" he pointed out. "What about our child? I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to either of you, sweetheart."
"I know. Nothing is going to happen. I'll be with Jack. He won't let anything happen to me."
Morris sighed. "Obviously, I can't stop you from doing this. Just be careful."
"I will."
Chloe arrived at the plant 25 minutes later. Why would Jack want to meet here if he needs my help? Nothing high-tech about this place at all. Still, she trusted him. He must have a good reason for it.
Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the key to her trunk and unlocked it. Inside was a keycard for her laptop and a pistol. Ever since the attempt on her life 2 years prior she had taken to carrying a weapon with her at all times. Even though Jack was going to be there, it never hurt to be prepared.
Chloe walked into the plant and began searching for Jack. "Jack? Are you here?" No answer. Carefully making her way through the dimly lit plant, she continued to call for Jack. "Jack, it's Chloe. Where are you?" She started to get nervous as she continued through the plant and Jack was nowhere to be found. Jack, I swear to God, if this is some prank, you are so dead. She eventually reached a room that was lit up. She peeked in the room- Jack wasn't there. That jerk. He isn't here. When I get my hands on him-
She had no time to react as she was grabbed from behind and a rag with chloroform was placed over her mouth. She tried to struggle out of her assailant's grip, but it was far too strong for her, and she wasn't able to break free. Her vision began to fade as the chloroform began to take effect and she slumped lifelessly into the arms of her assailant.
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