Disclaimer: Alias and none of the characters are mine i just write about them

Wife Swap Alias Style

The Letter

Marshall grudgingly dispensed the mail. He was a genius, a mathematical prodigy and he had been demoted to mail duty. As he walked toward Irina Bristow's office he couldn't help but wonder how Jack had managed to get his wife a job here, after all she was Irina Derevko a.k.a The Man. She had one piece of mail today. It wasn't heavy like some she had received the box wasn't unusually warm or beeping. It was a plain envelope addressed to Mrs. Irina Bristow and Family. As he got closer to her office he could hear her yelling at someone. He hesitantly knocked on her door.

"Come in." she said fury evident in voice.

He opened the door and peeped his head inside. Jack Bristow was sitting on her desk with a look of pure annoyance on his face. Irina stood in front of him with her hands on her hip and a furious expression on her face.

"Um. Mrs. Bris."

"Don't call me that. Right now I'm ashamed to have that last name."

"Irina is it that big of a deal," Jack said through gritted teeth "we can discuss this later, there is no reason to drag Marshall into this."

"Who is dragging anyone into this. Marshall knocked on the door so obviously Marshall has something he needs to give or tell me so shutup and let Marshall speak." she snapped back.

"Now Marshall what do you need." she said turning to him her expression still tense.

"This um letter came for you." he said handing it to her.

"Thank you Marshall." she took it from him only to have it snatched from her hands by Jack.

"What are you doing?" she said fury again evident as she turned toward Jack.

"It says and family." Jack said his eyes twinkling. He was having so much fun getting Irina angry and to think it all started from him asking her to get a suit dry cleaned. She had started yelling talking about how she did so much for him and she never got a thank you. How she put up with his cold attitude and stoic nonchalant personality that he possessed even when with her. She started talking bout how she wondered why she married him it wasn't the first time they had this argument about how neither of them got respect from the other and it always ended the same way with them entangled together breathless but forgiving.

"Jack did you hear me," Irina voice interrupted his wandering thoughts "I said give me the letter."

"Marshall you can go now." he said sliding off the desk and wrapping his arm around Irina's waist, he felt her tense up but she wasn't going to hurt him in front of Marshall.

"Sir are you sure." Marshall asked he wasn't sure if he should get Sydney or Nadia to come and hold the peace.

"Yeah," Jack replied kissing her gently on the lips "I'm sure, just a little misunderstanding."

"Ok." Marshall left in search of one of Bristow's daughters.

As soon as Marshall closed the door Irina struck Jack so hard with the back of her hand that he almost fell.

"Ah! Irina come on what was that for?" Jack asked holding his cheek.

"For kissing me and playing with me like I'm a toy. I'm sick of it Jack. I'm just sick of it." she said walking away from him tears brimming in her eyes.

Jack was starting to get concerned Irina didn't seem to be letting this one go.

"Irina please. I'm sorry. I love you. Sweetheart please don't be like this." he said walking up behind her hugging her. He softly kissed her neck breathing in her scent.

"Irina please."

"Jack I'm just tired. I'm tired of feeling like my husband is gone and nothing is left but this shell of a man. This guy that doesn't have a romantic bone in his body. Everything changed Jack after you slept with my sister."

Jack froze how dare she bring that up they were past that. That was it if she wanted war she got it. He turned her to look at him.

"Coming from someone who pretended to be someone else for ten years and played me like a fool."

"Oh so you're bringing that up again."

"Yeah I am you brought up Katya."

"I don't feel like arguing with you. Just get out."

"Fine just don't blame Katya I mean look at who she had to look up to a trained KGB whore." this time he saw her hand movement and caught it just in time. He spun her around and pinned her arm behind her back.

"Don't hit me again." He said teeth gritted his face red in fury. He released his grip on her arm.

"You jerk. Get out of my office. NOW! Get out! Just get out before I do more than hit you."

Jack turned and walked past her his eyes bright with rage.

"We will discuss this later." He said walking out of her office slamming the door.

She collapsed on the floor letting the tears flow freely. Why did she let him get to her so much? Why did she let him anger her to the point of violence. All she wanted was to see his passionate side again, the guy who would plan a romantic meal for her on her birthday, who would run bubble baths and hold her in his arms as they sat in the tub all the while whispering sweet nothings in her ear. But that Jack was gone now. Now he was nothing more than your typical workaholic oblivious to his wife's wants or needs. Their kisses had become less passionate and the spark that had been there since the day they met was beginning to dim. All he thought of her was a maid and someone to get him off on occasion.

Irina wiped the tears from her eyes and picked up the letter Jack had dropped. She walked over to her desk and sat down dropping the letter on her desk. As she dropped it the edge touched her mouse making her wallpaper pop up. She sighed, there on the screen was her and Jack she was wearing a white bikini and Jack was shirtless wearing black swim trunks eyes bright with laughter. His arms were wrapped around her possessively and he was smiling from ear to ear. Her hair was blowing in the wind and she was wearing an equally happy expression. She remembered that day well they had went on a family vacation to Cabo San Lucas and it was their first day after arrival. It had felt like they were kids again Jack was his light hearted self that day and had surprised her with a romantic dinner that night.

Irina snapped back to reality and reached for the letter. She froze. The letter read:

Dear Irina Bristow & Family,

One of your family friends have expressed their desire to see your family participate in Wife Swap. It has come to their attention that you do not feel appreciated by your husband. That you feel the spark is gone from your relationship. As they say distance makes the heart grow fonder.

If you accept our offer please contact us at (852) 756-8293.

Sincerely,

Vincent Smith

Executive Director