Author's note: I just thought I would offer this little fic for you all to enjoy. Let me know if you liked it or hated it. Thank you to my beta Amane Maniac. You did a excellent job with this one.
There is one more chapter.
Post season 6, I wrote this before Redemption and so it has no mention of those events. Jack isn't wanted by anyone but Chloe.
Jack opened his eyes as the front door slammed. He blinked and looked out the window surprised that it was still daylight, turning over he looked at the clock beside his bed. The display said that it was twenty to five.
Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes trying to figure out what was happening. He looked around the room trying to remember where he was. Then it all came back, his release from China, Audrey's death and return to life, his goodbye, his father's betrayals, and showing up on Chloe's doorstep and never leaving, for six months.
The slamming door must be her arriving home from work, he wondered what had happened to upset her. He understood her well enough to know when she was upset, even if his only clue was the slamming of a door.
He was about to go and find her when there was a knock at his bedroom door. "Jack are you decent? I need to talk to you for a moment," she asked with a hint of exasperation.
Running his hand through his hair he said, "Just a minute," grabbed a pair of jeans off the floor and pulled them on along with yesterday's shirt. "Come in, Chloe."
Before the words left his lips, his door opened and Chloe rushed in with two suit bags thrown across her arm. With a sigh she dropped them on the bed beside him. "I had to guess your size. You still haven't quite filled out again since China. None of your old suits would fit you quite right." She picked up one of the bags and removing the suit held it up for him to see. "You'll have to tell me which one you like better."
In her hand was a charcoal gray suit for his approval. After a minute of display time, she hung it in the closet. Crossing over to the bed, she picked up the other bag and pulled out another suit this time a black.
Jack watched her move around his room getting more confused. She must have seen the lost look on his face. "Focus Jack, which one do you want?" He could see that she was upset about something and didn't know how to ask him what was on her mind. She was defiantly avoiding something, did someone die and they now had to attend a funeral? Had Audrey or Bill died? He ran back over the last few days, nothing horrible had been mentioned on the news and Chloe had not been like this yesterday. Something had to have happened while she was at work today.
Hoping if he answered her questions she would tell him what was going on. "The black one. It is more versatile and I prefer black to gray."
"Good, I preferred the black too. Now I have two shirts and ties you can choose which one you want to wear. Both of them go with my dress."
He had inherited some of her bluntness since they had began to share this house. "Chloe, where am I going to wear that suit? I don't leave the house."
She ignored him and continued to chatter about the ties and shirts and which one she thought looked better. Dropping his head into his hands, Jack tried to remember if he had agreed to something and just didn't remember. Nothing came to mind. Standing slowly, he crossed the room to where Chloe was hanging up the shirts.
Placing his hands on her shoulders, Jack said, "What is going on? Where would I wear these things? I have no job or prospects of one, I have no girlfriend to date, no friends except you and I never leave the house." The last words were slow and said with emphasis.
Throwing the two ties on the floor she shouted, "You're not going to help me? Jack, I've sacrificed so much for you, and I have never asked you for anything. Now you won't do this one thing for me." she turned and ran from the room as quickly as her pregnant stomach would allow, but in the end it was more of a waddle.
Watching her go, his confusion multiplied and the guilt factor was fast approaching. What was happening here? He looked at the door Chloe had disappeared through and knew that all of his answers were in the other room. Entering Chloe's room he found her collapsed on her bed crying.
At the sound of his footsteps, she looked up, "Go away, Jack. If you don't want to help me just go away. What was I expecting anyway? Wishful thinking made me believe I could get the Jack Bauer to dress up fancy for just one night for his best friend," she nearly shouted the last two words.
Ignoring her, Jack sat down on the bed next to her and brushed her hair back from her face catching one of her tears. "What happened Chloe? You haven't been like this since Morris died. Who upset you and what do you need me to do? I want to help you but you never asked."
Sniffing loudly, all she said was "Oh, should I really need to ask you for help every time?" And then she sat up burying her face in his shoulder, "I was at a lunch meeting and Judy Nielson came up to me. We went to school together. I could see that look in her eyes. She had frumpy Chloe in her sights and she was so happy. I was her favorite target when we were in school together. There was that same smile on her face when she used to taunt me in school.
"Since graduation I have been able to avoid everyone from that part of my life. I didn't go to the restaurants where they would be at, but my client wanted to eat at this new fancy place. We met right when they opened and I thought I would be safe." she sighed heavily. "Anyway Judy sidled up to me and said in this honey sweet voice, 'Chloe is that you? Long time no see. It must have been what, twelve years or so?'"
Jack laughed quietly as Chloe mimicked this Judy's voice. He could hear the hostility and sadness in her voice as she spoke. With a quiet voice he encouraged her, "And then…?" He tightened his grip consciously knowing that she needed to know he was there with her. That she was not alone, just as she had done for him so many times since he had come to live with her.
"I tried to excuse myself telling her I was late for another appointment, but she stopped me saying that she just wanted to catch up and it would only take a moment. I told her that I was freelancing now and doing very well."
Chloe pulled away from Jack and wrapped her arms around herself. "She stood there telling me about her Barbie life. Her only complaint was that her father in law had been indited for insider trading, and then she told me happily that the scandal had died with him. She had 2 kids, who attend boarding school and she sees them on holidays and a few weekends a year."
Taking a shaky breath she continued, "Then she asked if I was married and I told her that I was divorced. She then said some things that sounded nice, but weren't and I tried to leave. Then she noticed that I was pregnant. She demanded to know who the father was and I told her that it was my ex-husband's, who had just died."
Tears began again in earnest, "I was just so mad at the way she looked at me with her smug face. 'Poor Chloe is a single mom. Too bad you didn't listen to Daddy when you had the chance.' I wanted to rip out her perfectly styled hair as she turned and walked away. She had defeated me again, Judy won, she always did. Then she stopped and invited me to a party tonight. She told me to bring a date if I could find one. I stood there frozen just like in high school, because she was right. I could think of no way to fight the truth. I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to find a dress that didn't make me look like a large marine mammal and find you a suit. I have to look nice so all the people I hated in high school don't think I am a loser, which I am."
She buried her face in the quilt to hide her shame. Now he knew that she was a loser, who was afraid of the people she grew up with. "I hoped that you would help me. If you're there I can make it through the evening, so will you come with me to this party? It's up by where Audrey lives now, there is a chance that you will see her father, I will understand if you don't want to go."
Turning her face to the side she looked at Jack trying to gauge his reaction to her words and she wondered if he knew the whole story. He was a smart man he may have pieced together the puzzle, he may know all about her, everything.
Jack closed his eyes; of all the places he expected his first outing to be this was not one of them. A party up in the hills not only meant Audrey but people who knew him and his family. People who would know what his father and brother had done.
He looked at Chloe, how could he not do this for her? She had risked everything for him many times and all she wanted in return was one night of his life. Lifting his head, and taking in a deep breath, he tried to decide what to do. He had to enter the real world sometime, why not now, what really was stopping him from doing so? It was his own self pity and fear. There was really no reason for him not to help her, he was just wallowing in his own misery here.
The world waited outside Chloe's door and it was time to see what it was like once again and in true Jack Bauer style he wouldn't just walk out on to the doorstep the first time, no, he would immerse himself in the world before he could change his mind.
Reaching out to touch her hair, he brushed it back to see her face. "You have nothing to prove to them. You are not a loser; you're Chloe, my Chloe. I would be dead twenty times over if you had not been there to help me." He stopped and looked at her, meeting her gaze, "Do you really want to do this? We could just stay here and watch TV like we always do. Why is this so important?" he asked trying to build a way out.
Shaking her head she said, "No that would be worse. I'm already the biggest joke of my class. I won't give them any more ammunition. Judy would have told everyone I was coming."
"Why do you care what these people think? You don't like them and you don't want to socialize with them. You're not what they say. Chloe, I have never lied to you or you to me, let's not start now. You and I both know there is more to this story isn't there?"
Sitting up, Chloe turned away, "Yes, but I don't want to talk about it. I'm sure someone there will tell you all about me and my family." Then she sighed, he deserved to know more. "My family and I didn't get along. I wanted to be, well, me and they wanted some débutante to marry some senator hopeful and create an alliance like my sister. I just couldn't do it, Jack. I left. I don't want to go back but I need to face it, face the way they all made me feel and prove to myself that I'm not frumpy little Chloe anymore."
There was something in her eyes that pulled him; there was more than just people she was trying to impress. Watching her he tried to discover what it was, usually he could read Chloe easily, but there was something hidden and she didn't want to share it.
Her eyes met his for a moment, blue eyes met brown and he saw it-pain. As he studied her he realized that it had always been there, but he had never looked, not really. She had always been Chloe, his go to girl the one person he could trust. He never asked himself if she had any pain that she kept hidden from the world. Yet there it was raw and deep, it may not have been on the same scale as what he had been through but it was there and it was real.
He knew she had nightmares but he had never thought about the cause. It had been his assumption that it was their line of work that caused them. Since Chloe had come to work for him at CTU she had seen a lot of death and destruction but it seemed that there was something more to her insomnia.
Someone Chloe had trusted had hurt her badly and this was the only way she felt she could face it. Something had happened at this house, tonight was the only way out she could see and she wanted his help. How could he refuse her the chance to exorcise her ghosts and to sleep at night, when it was his own greatest wish? It was the chance to break free.
Kneeling down beside the bed, he put his finger beneath her chin so she looked at him. "You are not frumpy Chloe and I bet you never were. Being the smartest person in the room is never easy and other children can be cruel." Leaning forward he kissed her gently on the lips and stood to leave the room. "What time do we need to be there?"
Chloe touched her lips with her fingers, why had he done that? She stopped that thought and ran his words over in her mind and gave him an answer. "7:30, but I have no idea how to get ready. I don't want to look like me, I want to look fabulous." her voice was quiet as though she did not want him to hear her.
Turning back to look at her, he said "Stop that, right now, Chloe, if you want me to come with you, you need to stop running yourself down. You look beautiful the way you are. Don't forget that ever, anyone who tells you differently is lying."
His mind was still reeling from the touch of her lips. They were soft and he had felt her shock at the contact. Why had he done that? It just seemed so right, and it was. He pushed those thoughts away. Chloe needed his help, and this was not the time to bring up his feelings. "I am going to call Kim, if you want some help she is the best person I know. Unless you have someone you would like to call?"
Snapping out of her daze, she shook her head, "Really, you'll do it?"
Jack cracked a small smile for the first time in a long time. "Why not?" His face sobered. "You do know that they may know who I am. My family was well known in those circles. If anyone hears the name Bauer it will be all over the room that a traitor has come to call."
Chloe laughed, "Don't worry the Ellingtons can handle it. Their name is almost as notorious as the Bauers, just for different reasons."
Nodding Jack pulled out his phone and called Kim. After hanging up he said, "She'll be here in twenty minutes. You shower first. That way you will be ready for her to do your hair. So get started."
Kim arrived and cut his hair and by then the shower was free. By the time he was dressed in his new suit he could hear giggling coming from Chloe's room. That smile was inching back and he looked in the mirror studying himself as he fastened his tie. He was amazed at the man who stared back at him. Gone were the haunted eyes of the prisoner, who had barely survived his interment in China. In his place was Jack Bauer, a man who deserved to live and find happiness. He was alive and it was time to start living.
Kim was back in his life and she had reconciled with Chase. They lived not too far away in a house, with their two children, one a boy being born while Jack was in China. Maybe it was time to try and love again; at this thought Chloe entered his mind. His eye brows creased, Chloe?
Did he love Chloe?
Shaking off the thought he bent down to tie his shoes before leaving the room. Closing the door he decided this was the end of wallowing. Chloe could not be expected to support him for the rest of his life. He was alive and it was time to start living again.
He looked at his watch, seven o'clock. They had half an hour to get up to where the Ellingtons lived. He paced the living room waiting for Chloe, trying to control the anxiety that was building. Stopping at the window he looked out at the lights of the city. There was a whole world out there that he had locked himself away from. So much pain, hurt…love. Kim's voice interrupted his thoughts, "Dad?"
He looked at her beside him, "Is Chloe almost ready?"
"Yes, she's feeling a bit nervous. Remember when you see her she is still the same Chloe. Don't treat her any different and most of all don't hurt her dad, Chase will kill you. Going to the party is taking a lot of courage, more that you know."
Jack was about to ask what she knew but was interrupted by Chloe saying his name. "Jack?"
Turning he saw her, Chloe stood in the doorway between the hallway and the living room. She shifted uncomfortably in her heels and dress. All he could do was stare. The dress she had found was beautiful, it dulled down her pregnancy and Kim had worked miracles with Chloe's hair. It was swept up with loose tendrils fall around her face.
His mouth opened to speak but no words came out. Swallowing he tried to get control of his tongue. "Beautiful," was the one word he could force out and then he smiled.
Kim nudged him from behind and whispered. "Get a grip dad. It's the same Chloe."
Taking a step forward and breaking the ice Kim hugged Chloe. "Have fun you two. Don't stay out too late." Then she gathered her things and left the house.
Chloe looked at Jack who still had not moved. Clearing her throat she said, "Ready to go?"
He blinked twice quickly and said, "Yes, let's go. Chloe, you really do look beautiful."
She opened her mouth to say something but shut it again. His expression was one that she had learned not to argue with. This was Jack; nothing she could say would change his mind. Instead she accepted her coat and followed him out the door.
Jack helped her into the car and they drove in silence. He kept sneaking looks at her as Chloe stared out the window. It was as thought a veil had been pulled from his eyes. She was different, yet she wasn't. He was just seeing her for the first time, but she was still the same, Chloe. The person he trusted with his life and his soul. Since his return from China, Chloe had been the one to hold him when the nightmares came and he could not sleep. She listened to his ramblings and dried his tears. She was the only person who understood him and the choices he made. Most of all she didn't leave him or die. Tony, Michelle, David, Teri and even Kate had left, because of him and his choices.
The only one left other than Kim, was Chloe. Nothing seemed to be able to scare her away. She completed him and he...
Jack pulled the car over to the side of the road and got out. He ran a shaky hand through his hair and paced in front of the car. He loved Chloe. When it happened he had no clue. He stopped after a moment and looked back into the car at Chloe amazed at what he had just realized.
What could he do about it? He was a toxic man. Everyone and thing he touched crumbled to dust. He looked back at Chloe and wondered if he could risk her that way? She was Chloe, strong and beautiful but could she endure life with Jack Bauer? He had lost one wife to his world and sacrificed so many others, could he do that to Chloe and her child? His love for her was not a thing to be taken lightly, it carried a heavy burden. He had a choice to make, but what would it be?
Chloe watched him pace, illuminated by the head lights. She wondered what was wrong, was he having some kind of attack. Just before he left the car, there had been a look on his face of horror and then amazement. What could this mean?
Taking a breath he returned to the car and rested his head on the wheel. "Jack are you all right? If you need to we can go home." Chloe asked touching his arm.
Taking a breath he looked over at Chloe. Her gentle touch almost undid him. Closing his eyes for a moment he said, "I just realized something and I need to get my head around it. I will tell you about it later. What is the address again?"
Listing off the address, Chloe studied Jack. Something was different in his eyes. There no longer seemed as haunted. They looked warmer, happier-alive. Slipping her hand from his shoulder she gripped his hand. Jack smiled again and brought their linked hands to his lips. "Ready to go?"
She nodded as he lowered their hands to the console but he did not pull his away. Neither said a word, instead they enjoyed the silence together.
Looking over at Chloe Jack, he wondered if he was really feeling what he thought he was feeling. Did he really love Chloe? She was not someone you used, she was forever and she was his polar star. Only she seemed to immune to his curse.
They drove past the Heller residence and Jack was surprised that he felt nothing. It was another house, with no emotional connection to it. Audrey was in the past, just as Teri was and Kate was. Each of them were wonderful women in their own ways but none of them had been able to gain his trust- not completely. With each one of them, he had kept pieces of himself hidden locked away.
Before Chloe, Kate had come the closest. She had seen what he had to do and how the choices he made effected. In the end she could not penetrate his outer shell and to see his soul, and the broken man he hid from the world.
So he had pushed Kate away until she was gone. He hadn't been ready for that level of commitment. With Audrey, he thought he was ready and he had been. Time and the world had just not given them a chance. If he had not killed Paul and faked his death, maybe they could have made it. In the end he had not been able to love Audrey the way she needed to be loved.
Then there was Chloe, she had always been there waiting for him to see her. He had been too afraid to love Chloe, he needed her too much. That frightened him more than anything else. What would he have done if he had lost Chloe back then, would have realized his feelings too late?
A few minutes later they pulled up in front of a large mansion. From the corner of his eye he looked at Chloe, she was nervously playing with the clutch Kim had lent her, "If this is too stressful, you don't have to do this. It's not good for the baby."
Taking a deep breath she said, "Yes I do. It's not for them; it's for me and the baby. I have to face them, face my old life. Some of the worst moment of my life took place in this house and I need to prove to myself that I can do this, to see them again."
He took her hand again. "Are you sure? If not I can get us into some swanky restaurant downtown and we can go eat there."
Looking down at their hands entwined she said, "As long as the one person I trust with my life is with me, I can do anything. You are closer to me than Morris ever was. You know more of my secrets than anyone and you are still here. I just hope when you learn all of them you'll still stand beside me, because Jack, I...." She looked away. "I'm glad you're here with me. Let's get this over with; we don't have to stay long."
Refusing to let go of her hand so she could get out of the car, Jack spoke, "Other than Kim and her family, no one matters more to me than you. I wouldn't be this whole without your help. I was falling apart and you put me back together with your compassion and your patience." He brought her hand to his lips, his eyes never leaving hers. The dark blue eyes were trying to tell her something, the words he couldn't say, not yet.
He squeezed her hand one more time before getting out of the car. Crossing to her side, he opened her door. Offering her his hand, he helped Chloe from the car.
There it is. Let me know if you liked it or hated it. ~Kelleth~