AN: The sequel to Absolution.

You can now find the magazine covers and other photos associated with this sequel, and Absolution on a tumblr page created just for these stories. I will update the photos as they appear in the chapters. All Absolution magazine covers and photos have been posted. Remove the spaces from this url: alias absolution forever and always .tumblr

I look forward to hearing your thoughts as we continue on with this journey! Thank you in advance for taking the time to review :) It is greatly appreciated as this story was such a labor of love! And just a reminder, that I write absolutely everything, down the the tiniest of details with 'purpose' in these stories... so you may want to carefully pay attention along the way as puzzle pieces begin snapping together!- Wild

Disclaimer: I do not own the ALIAS characters presented in this story.

"Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny." - C.S. Lewis

Music for this chapter (on repeat): I Love You by Sarah McLachlan, You Say It Best When You Say Nothing At All by Allison Krause, Forever and For Always by Shania Twain, Ave Maria remix by Thievery Corporation, On An Evening in Roma by Dean Martin, O Sole Mio by Andrea Bocelli, Nessun Dorma by Sarah Brightman, Bless the Broken Road by Rascall Flatts

ONE

o

*I Love You *

"Thank God! I thought the night would never end." Irina laughed, quickly removing her heavy robe as Jack closed the bedroom door behind them, just as urgently removing his regalia and uniform jacket.

"I've been dying to get you out of that dress all evening." He smirked, grabbing her arm and whirling her to face him. Their bodies slammed together as did their mouths in a mess of tangled limbs and wet lips with hungry determination.

"Did I tell you how stunning you are?" He asked through labored breaths, pulling back softly to look into her beautiful dark eyes as he took in the gorgeous woman before him.

Irina smiled widely as her eyes took on a primal seductive gaze hearing her husband's words.

"Dance with me?" Her voice was low and smooth as she ran her hand down the back of his neck.

"We just spent the last seven hours dancing. Aren't you tired of dancing yet?" He laughed as his eyes searched her face, already taking her into his arms, her slender fingers wrapping perfectly over his.

"Not with you." She whispered into his ear, her warm breath tickling his senses as he guided her around the darkened room in the moonlight. His strong hand at the small of her back pressing ever so lightly and igniting the fire within her. "I'll never get tired of dancing with my husband."

"Nor will I get tired of dancing with my wife." Jack's deep voice hummed softly against her cheek with a smile, closing his eyes and inhaling her scent. "I can't tell you how many times I've dreamt of this, holding you in my arms again as we danced."

"In spite of what you learned about me?" Irina asked softly, pulling back but not away as they continued to float around the space.

"Yes." Jack's eyes held fast to hers, drowning as always in their dark pools. "My head may have told me to hate you during the daylight hours but my heart controlled my dreams in the night. And all it wanted, was you." He smiled softly, capturing her lips softly with his.

"And all I wanted was you." Irina reciprocated as her fingers on played with his hair, her eyes smiling as she spoke in hushed tones, revealing another bit of truth. "When you first walked into my cell, despite what I saw in your eyes, in spite of what I told myself I felt," She paused, swallowing hard as she closed her eyes and sighed softly, remembering that moment and the ones after in custody and then when she escaped and came to him. "Every time I was close to you," She forged on, opening her eyes and finding his soulful caring ones staring back at her as he held her gently in his arms. "There was too much I couldn't say…and then you'd just walk away…and I always thought…I forgot to tell you, Ilove you. And the night was too long and cold without you. I couldn't find the words," Her eyes bore deeply into his and Jack felt his heart quickening in pace, "To say, I need you so."

"You have me now and I felt the same way. I needed you then and I still need you now." Jack smiled softly, running his thumb over the back of her hand in his, his other pulling her more tightly to his body as he saw the flash of old sadness run through her eyes at the mentioning of it. "I love you. Forever and always, Irina."

"I love you." Irina felt her eyes brimming with unshed tears of happiness and pulled gently on Jack's neck, bringing him closer as her mouth closed over his, her tongue gently seeking entrance and branding it her own with a soft caress of his lower lip.

Jack welcomed the invasion and when Irina's hand left his to wrap itself into his hair, he could not quiet the moan of need that escaped his body aching for her. He needed her, just as she had needed him and the intensity of it was overbearing at times…this moment, was one of them.

Irina's tongue swept softly and eagerly through the warm cavern of Jack's mouth, her tongue dueling lovingly with his, her hands tangling in his hair. His soft mews of anticipation and need fueled her own and she moved her hands to undo the remainder of the gold buttons on his uniform.

"You are so handsome in this uniform." Irina laughed softly against his lips, brushing her nose against his softly as her cool hands collided with Jack's searing skin causing him to gasp.

"And you're absolutely gorgeous…in anything," He smirked, running his hands down her bare arms as their mouths continued to play tag between their words, "But especially, in nothing at all." His arms encircled her as their hips continued to sway together, his hands working quickly to undo the massive amounts of buttons that kept her enclosed within the dress.

She reached up and removed her crown, setting it gently on the side table they were dancing next to and then the clip, releasing the last remnants of her Chestnut waves causing them to spill wildly down her back.

The sight of her was still enough to take his breath away every time he looked at her.

They swayed in silence for a few minutes, just staring at one another with soft smiles. Irina's palms over his bare chest and his fingers brushing lightly against her own scorching skin as he continued releasing her from her dress.

He leaned forward and kissed the flesh above her collarbone and Irina threw her head back, closing her eyes as his lips worshipped her throat and neck.

"Turn around." He whispered into her ear and pushed aside the dress's train as she did what he'd asked. His hands pushed the fabric down as they splayed across her muscular back, exposing every delicious inch to him and then fell to her feet in a big puddle.

He brushed aside her long tresses and his lips found the curve between her elegant diamond-adorned neck and shoulder, marking her satiny skin with his kisses and gently nips of his teeth. His broad hands kneaded into her flesh above her bare hips and slowly made their way up her torso until they reached her naked breasts, aching and erect for his touch.

His palms grazed over the pouting flesh and Irina leaned back against him, her bare back against his chest, his arms trapping her against him. Jack's tongue traced the contours of her ear and his face nuzzled into her hair finding her heated skin once more as his fingers teased her rigid tips, rolling and pinching her into a, frenzy within.

His burgeoning cock pressed painfully against the confines of his pants as her ass ground into him. Her body seemed to heat up under his touch and felt on fire to the tips of his fingers. Irina's core was aching for him to fill her and his firmness pressing against her only teased her into further heights.

She reached her hands around behind her and began undoing his pants as he continued to assault her neck and breasts with his hands and tongue.

The feel of her cool hand on his flaming cock at first contact sent a bolt of electricity straight through him and he nipped her shoulder with his teeth causing her to inhale sharply and squeeze him in her grasp between their bodies. He wiggled his hips causing his shaft to jerk against her palm as he maneuvered his pants down his body and then kicked off his boots and pants until he was as naked as she.

He drew his hand down her body and felt the thrum of excitement building under his touch inside her as her skin quivered beneath his palm. He teased her by lightly grazing her inner thighs with his touch, nearing her crux but never touching and making her mew with unsatisfied need.

In retaliation to the torture, she released his rock hard shaft from her grip where her thumb had been circling his head and arched her body away from him.

The unexpected movement caused his hand to collide with her already wet center and they both gasped in surprise from the mixed sensations that loss and connection created. Finding her already wet was too much of a turn on to tease her any further and he pulled her tightly against him again with his arm, crashing his erectness into her firm ass cheeks as his fingers plunged between her slick folds.

The arm holding her to him rested just below her breasts allowing him to tease her rigid tits at the same time he pressed his fingers against her clit, rubbing in rhythm with his soft thrusts into her from behind driving them both to the brink quickly as their breath became labored and muscles twitched.

Irina felt her body quivering under his touch and knew she was rapidly approaching euphoria though she tried to fend it off, trying to hold out as long as possible. She bit her lip and closed her eyes, her head rolling softly against Jack's shoulder trying to quall the rising storm within even as her legs shook.

He knew instinctively that she was resisting in taking the plunge and encouraged her to stop fighting it.

"Let go, Irina." His fingers pressed harder against her engorged clit and he bit her shoulder again causing her to shudder immediately as her body took over and climaxed in spite of her stubbornness. Jack felt the currents of her body's spasms beneath his palm and his fingers slid easily against her folds with her release, soaking his hand as he continued to tease her.

She clenched her teeth to hold in her appreciative moan and her body became stiff as it rode out the waves of pleasure.

The feel and sound of her orgasm always sent a jolt of excitement through Jack and he couldn't wait any longer to be buried inside her. In a split second he had her turned around, staring into her still exploding eyes flickering with moonlight as he grabbed her hips and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Swiftly, he picked up her lithe form and impaled her onto his rock hard shaft, her slick center sliding easily down his body and stealing her breath as he hit deeply on the first thrust. He stilled momentarily as she wrapped her long muscular legs around his hips and her internal muscles spasm and relaxed against the invading member.

She loved the feeling of him inside her, filling her completely, electrifying her body.

*You Say It Best, When You Say Nothing At All*

"I'll never get tired of coming home." Jack whispered into the thick air between them, feeling the same way about their joined bodies. "I want you to stay forever in my arms."

Her smile reached her eyes and she pressed herself further into him, her mouth devouring his as hot tongues battled between their mouths in hungry need. He rolled his hips and thrust slowly into her at first and then more quickly as the urgency for release brewed inside him at feeling her muscles contracting around him with perfect timing knowing her need was just as consuming for him, as his was for her.

She'd lost even more weight since the last trip to Kashmir and he had no trouble holding her up as they stood in the middle of the room, moving in-sync with one another towards release.

The ridges of his throbbing cock caressed her sweltering core and flamed her desire as they rubbed rhythmically against her sensitive nerve bundles inside. Their bodies becoming slick with sweat as their hips and abs rolled steadily together in a rampant pace that only increased with every moan of pleasure.

The space between their bodies, non-existent, as they drove each other home; her clit continually stimulated as it pressed roughly against his pubic bone, his fingers pressing against the small of her back as he hammered into her with wild abandon.

His need to claim her, the need to be 'one,' causing him to pound deeper and deeper into her with his possessiveness on the verge of exploding as he felt the tidal wave approaching.

One of his hands left her hips and went across her glistening back as the other arm moved under her ass to hold her up, though her powerful legs and position on top his rock hard cock kept her from sliding down; he now held her more closely, intimately as he struggled to keep his eyes open to look at her while they both approached the edge.

Irina caught his intense gaze and held it as she dug her nails into his shoulders, holding on tightly to her 'Prince Charming' as they rode each other into ecstasy.

The look of love in his eyes for her was radiating directly to her heart and she smiled even as her body shook in the first tremors of her explosion.

"I love you." She whispered looking directly at him in a rapid breath as her body finally ripped apart with passion and she dropped her head into the crook of his neck as her body convulsed and spasm around his and he lost his remaining control.

With his final thrust, his body rocked with built up need spilling out and into her and he clung to her desperately as they continued to roll in time with each other, riding out their waves of love until he could no longer stand with burning thighs and dropped to his knees on the floor.

Irina breathed heavily into his neck, her lips tasting his salty skin as she kissed the hollow of his throat and his arms held her tightly, still quivering from their exertion. His fingers running up and down the length of her pointy spine from her neck to her ass and his smile of contentment flashed with a look of concern in the darkness.

'She was entirely too thin.' His mind wondered and he internally berated the bastard-ass Cuvee for what he had done to her. He quickly pushed the thought of the dead-scum away and held her more tightly, kissing the top of her wild mane before resting his cheek against her head.

They stayed that way, holding onto each other and rocking slightly in the cascades of moonlight that fell on that spot on the floor for a few minutes as their breathing calmed and returned to normal.

Their slick, heated flesh quickly turning to goose bumps as it cooled in the air and she involuntarily shivered against him, her erect nipples pressing into his chest and tickling him as he pulled her more closely with a smile.

*Forever and For Always*

"You're cold; lets get you under the covers." Jack kissed her temple and attempted to move her off him so they could stand.

"Wait!" Irina spoke rapidly, holding him still and wrapping her legs around him tighter, not wanting to let him go. "You told me, I can stay right here… forever in your arms." She smiled and he laughed kissing her neck repeatedly as he held her more tightly with his arms.

"Yes, I did, you can stay right here…forever and for always." He pulled her face back with his hands, holding her gaze to his as he smiled. "I have no arguments with that at all. I'm just suggesting we move to the bed which is warmer, and softer then this hard, cold, marble floor."

Without waiting for her rebuttal, he launched back up to the standing position, with her little body still wrapped around his waist, their bodies still connected as he walked them over to the bed and flopped down on top of her, causing a deep laugh to escape from her throat.

He rolled them over and over until they were situated and somehow managed to get them under the sheets and blanket, when they were settled, Irina was perched upon him, covering him like a blanket.

His hands gently framing her face as his fingers tangled into her wild loose curls, her smile electrifying in its beauty.

"I love you, too." He smiled and brought her swollen lips to his, sucking softly on her bottom lip before releasing her. "You are simply amazing, Your Majesty." He laughed as his hands skimmed over her bare ass under the covers. "But then again, you are my drug and I'm addicted and therefore, can never get enough of your incredible substance."

"I will say the same for you." She laughed, nipping with her teeth at his jaw-line. "I can't believe you held me up like that for the entire time…that's pretty remarkable Emperor Jack." Her laugh turned into a giggle when his fingers tickled her sides in retaliation. "Gives new meaning to 'upstanding man' often used to describe you."

"Well, it wasn't exactly difficult. You're wasting away to nothing." His tickling stopped to trace the contours of her jutting spinal column and then down her exposed ribs.

"I know." Irina sighed, "I'm trying." Her doe eyes looked into his with a soft smile.

"I know you are." He kissed her lightly with a smile, knowing how hard she had been working to put weight on. "And we'll keep working on it." He smiled warmly and brushed a stray hair behind her ear, his smiling fading as he approached the next subject, knowing she wasn't going to like what he would suggest. "You know, it might help you…to keep some weight on…if you weren't nursing Lena."

"Jack, no." She immediately refused, shaking her head at the idea.

"Irina, just listen to me for a second, ok?" He wrapped his arms around her back, holding her to him, trying to offer her comfort when he saw how immediately, the idea had made her upset. "She's old enough now that she retains the majority of her calories from her solid baby food-"

"Jack, I know that." She cut him off with agitation on the edge of her voice, knowing exactly where her baby's calories were coming from and not liking that she knew, he was right about what he was suggesting.

"I know you know that." He tried to hold back his smile seeing her stubbornness rearing its head, and he cupped her face with one of his hands, forcing her to look at him. "I'm just suggesting-"

"I know what you're suggesting! You want me to stop nursing Lena so that I retain more of my calories but I'm not going to!" Her body was tensing above him and he slid his hand down her back softly, trying to calm her. "I nursed Sydney until she was 9 months old and I plan to do the same with Lena." She said defiantly, leaving little room for argument.

"I know you did, but you also weighed more then. Didn't have a thyroid problem and you didn't have diabetes to worry about." His hand brushed her long hair over her shoulder, and down her back lovingly with understanding eyes.

"Jack, I'm fine." She said quickly before reading the concern in his eyes. "You don't have to worry about me."

"But I do worry about you, My Love. Nothing will ever change that." He kissed her quickly, "May I suggest a compromise then?" He knew her reasons for wanting to continue; it wasn't about physical health but emotional…and the need to bond, not losing that connection just yet after all they'd been through.

"Ok, what is the compromise you're suggesting, Mr. Bristow?" She folded her arms over his chest and perched her chin on top them to gaze at him.

"That you can continuing nursing our baby girl, but only twice a day." He hedged cautiously seeing her eyes go wide he forged on, "In the morning when she first wakes up and then before she sleeps at night. We substitute the rest of the feedings with formula. You'll keep more calories…and you'll still get that time to 'bond." He smiled catching her flash of surprise that he knew exactly 'why' she didn't want to relinquish that time with their baby. "And," His smile grew adding on another stipulation, "You must eat twice as many calories until you stop nursing. Whether that's by protein shakes, cans of Ensure or lots of cheesecake, I don't care. I just want you to stop wasting away on me. I'm afraid I'm going to break you." This caused her to giggle and shake her head and he swatted her butt, "Well? Do you agree?"

"Yes, Sweetheart. I agree to the terms." She yelped when his hand connected with her flesh and she pinched his nipple hard with her fingers, making him jerk beneath her.

"You Little..." He rolled her over and pinned her down with his weight, dropping his mouth to claim hers. His mouth moved down her neck and over her chest, sliding his body down the bed as he went, kissing every inch of her.

With one last gentle kiss to her abdomen, he looked up and caught her eyes with a smile, straddling her and climbing his way back up her body.

"You've just burned a lot of calories and our ravenous little shark will be hungry in the morning so, I think a double dose of calories is in order now. What will it be? Can of Ensure or cheesecake left over from the reception?"

"Ensure?" Irina thought about the high calorie and protein shakes that mostly provided nutrients to the elderly and those needing more substance then they were able to eat. "Jeez, Jack, that makes me feel really old." She rolled her eyes and he laughed, and kissed the underside of her jaw. "I'll take the cheesecake."

"Excellent choice!" He drew his tongue along her lower lip, before kissing her soundly and pushing off the bed.

"I'll be right back." He had just finished tying his robe and headed for the door when Irina's mischievous nature brought forth a decadent idea…

"Sweetheart," She called out to him forcing Jack to turn and face her; naked and tangled in their bed sheets, illuminated by the moonlight, "Don't forget the whip cream." Her seductive eyes left little doubt what she had in mind for that and Jack laughed, shaking his head as he opened the door and stepped out into the darkened hallway.

"Ok that was…just…weird." Weiss pressed his back against the closed bedroom door, smile slowly spreading across his face as the champagne glasses clinked together in his hand.

"What?" Sophia asked, sitting upright in bed, her tousled hair falling around her shoulders as she pulled the sheet up around her with a curious smile.

"When I got to the kitchen, Jack was just leaving…with cheesecake and a can of whip cream." He laughed as his cheeks burned bright red.

"He's bringing Irina something to eat, I'm sure. She needs sugar remember? Cheesecake will satisfy her needs." Sophia smirked, playing with her lovers intrigue.

"True. But then why not just squirt some whip cream on the top? Why bring the whole can if it's 'just to feed her sugar needs?'" He laughed and walked towards the bed, handing her the flutes as he uncorked the bottle, his mind already running rampant.

Sophia laughed Derevko deviant like, her smoldering gaze piercing Weiss's in the darkness.

"I said the cheesecake was to satisfy Irina's 'sugar' needs…the whip cream is obviously to satisfy Jack's."

Rome, Italy

"Jack, stop drooling on my magazine. It's the only copy I have of that one." Katya teased from the kitchen where she was holding Lena in the crook of her elbow and shaking her bottle of formula in the other. The baby was smiling and fascinated with her aunts dangling earrings for the moment.

"I'll get you another." Jack smirked, setting the copy of TIME with his beautiful wife adorning the cover down on the coffee table and Marcello laughed from his seat next to Jack in the armchair.

"He's in love with his beautiful wife, Mi Amore, you can't blame a man for that." Marcello sipped on his glass of wine, chuckling as he read the article in the other TIME featuring his mother-in-law, Anastasia.

"Owe, damnit!" Katya cursed under her breath in several languages grabbing her ear where Lena had just ripped her earring out.

"I warned you to remove those," Irina laughed entering the kitchen and taking her startled baby from her sisters' arms, "She likes shiny things."

"Like a monkey with the grip of a gorilla!" Katya felt her ripped ear.

Irina kissed her baby's cheeks and neck seeing the startled look in her eyes and quivering lip, on the verge of tears.

"It's ok, baby." She pried the offending object from her chubby little fists and handed it back to Katya. "Now you're going to make her cry." Irina teased her little sister.

"I'm sorry, Sweet Girl, you've just got a powerful grip!" Katya kissed her niece's chubby little fists and handed her a set of plastic teething keys instead. "Rina, you better get moving. Weren't you supposed to meet with him over an hour ago?" Katya ran her hand over the back of Lena's silky little head as the baby gurgled and chewed on her teething toy.

"He'll wait. He was late last time, so now its his turn to wait. I like to keep them on their toes anyway." Irina smirked, kissing her baby while Katya snagged a tissue to stem the blood flow from her slightly torn ear lobe.

"Multi-tasking again, Irina?" Marcello asked with a saucy grin setting his magazine down as she approached him.

"Yes, actually. I'm taking care of Imperial business as well as checking in on my investments while on this Tour." She smiled passing the baby off to Marcello who happily took the bubbly little baby into his arms. "Today and tomorrow, I'm taking care of Imperial business…tonight I have business with one of my managers." She dropped a quick kiss to Lena's head and then her cheek as the baby bounced on her little legs in Marcello's lap, smiling madly at her Mama and drooling.

"I thought Julian was taking over the managing of your clubs?" He asked bouncing the baby and making big eyes at her.

"He is, but I want to check in with my managers one last time to inform them of the change and make certain…they know my son is in charge from now on but if trouble should arise," Her icy tone was only alleviated by the smile in her eyes, "I won't be far behind."

"Ooh, the Protective Mama." Marcello laughed, "Don't mess with Mama's Boy, huh?"

"Julian can take care of himself." She reached for Jack's hand, pulling him from his seat on the couch with a smile when she saw him taking in her sexy black dress, "But if they find themselves trying to coerce my son over to the dark side of this business again; they will answer to me." Irina stated firmly, turning to face Marcello. "He's perfectly legitimate now and I want him to stay that way."

"Gotchya." Marcello nodded in understanding with a smile and Lena gurgled and bounced.

"Thanks again for watching her." Irina kissed her baby once more and Jack followed suit, kissing his baby repeatedly in the crease of her neck making her squirm and giggle.

"It's our pleasure, Rina." Marcello smiled at the smiling baby, "We love it."

"It she gets fussy there is Baby Oragel in her diaper bag to numb her gums and Baby Motrin if she starts running a temp. I just gave her some an hour ago, so she should be fine for the next few hours." Irina inspected her baby girl with her eyes for a minute; smiling when she saw the ravenous attack Lena was giving the colorful keys.

"I remember when the twins were teething," Katya rolled her eyes and sipped her wine as she held the bloody tissue to her ear, "That was hell. She's rather calm about the whole thing though." She smiled at Lena who continued to bounce. "It's not fair you're the wild tyrant and get the angelic baby while I was the angel child and ended up with the tyrant babies!" She smiled and everyone laughed at the irony.

"Angel child?" Irina repeated and laughed, shaking her head. "I don't think you were any better then I in the 'tyrant' department, dear sister!"

"Well perhaps not," Katya shrugged and everyone laughed again, "Now get going you two! And if you happen to run into my children at the club, remind them we are having lunch with a photo session tomorrow in the Plazza so don't be 'too partied out."

What she really meant was, 'don't you dare be hung over!'

Rome happened to be the first stop after Moscow of the Imperial Family's World Tour and the kids, Sydney, Vaughn, Julian, and Sophia were all staying at Sergei's place while on this leg of the tour. Irina, Jack and Lena were staying with Katya and Marcello in their lavish home.

Irina kissed her sister's cheek, as did Jack on their way out the door.

*Ave Maria- remix*

Irina cut through the raging crowd of people with Jack on her heels after 'speaking' with her employee about the new arrangements. He was dressed to kill in his own rite wearing a black dress shirt and slacks, Irina having unbuttoned two more buttons exposing his chest in the limo on the way over.

'The Man' like way she handled herself in the office had Jack screaming with desire and upon seeing a darkened corner of the club pulled his wife's arm towards it.

"Jack…" She barely had time to state her surprise when he crashed her back against the wall in the small, darkened hallway that flashed with different colors of light from the dance floor.

Other couples were spread sporadically down its length, making out and touching, far too involved with each other to care about anyone else around them.

"I want you now." His voice commanded over the loud music, eyes boring into hers already matching his swimming desire as their bodies pressed together. He forcefully grabbed her right thigh and pulled it over his hip, as her hands worked quickly to unzip his pants and set free his throbbing cock. Her bunched black dress and closeness of their bodies covered any exposed flesh.

He slid his hand under her dress and brushed aside her thong to find her lips already wet with desire, pinching her clit roughly she bucked against him as their mouths collided again and again.

His free hand tangling into her wild mane as her nails racked over him through his shirt. With the tip of his cock exposed and posed at her entrance, the need for quick release was imminent in their setting and he covered her mouth with his to swallow the scream as he thrust up into her.

With his pants still up, and her skirt covering their connected forms, it looked as though the two were engaged in heavy petting and dry fucking, nothing more to the naked eye.

His hips worked in swiftly, shallow, fluid motions and rapidly brought both to climax with the excitement of their surroundings and so exposed to the public.

"Cum for me, Love." Jack whispered into her ear as he bit her lobe and slammed into her again, holding her leg above his hip.

The erotic encounter sent Irina's body into overdrive and she began to tremble as the first waves of her climax crashed through her body.

Only a second of her scream was released into the loud music filled space before Jack's mouth claimed its victory, swallowing the rest with manly pride as he exploded inside her moments later.

Her dark eyes flickering dangerously with intrigue as he slipped out of her casually and she put 'Panama Jack' away and slowly slid her thigh down his leg until her heel was touching the ground.

His body still pressing hers into the wall as their breath still came in rapid bursts.

"Mom? Dad?" Sydney stopped mere feet away from her parents with Vaughn beside her, both on their way to the restroom to get some action of their own on and now transfixed on the sight of her parents before her. She closed her eyes, squinting and then opening again to see if she was hallucinating or really seeing her father pressing her mother into the dark corner. Hoping to God, it was just the liquor coursing through her veins. By the time she's opened them again, Jack had taken a step back and threaded his fingers with Irina's.

Vaughn was chewing on his lip to keep from laughing, knowing they had obviously just 'missed' some heavy action on the part of the 'Spyrents' with both of their flushed appearances, her wild hair, and Jack's shirt tucked haphazardly into his pants.

"What are you doing here?" Sydney blinked hard and swayed under the effects of the alcohol and the constant dimming and flashing of the clubs lights.

"Taking care of business, Sweetheart." Irina smiled, kissing Sydney's temple, as she and Jack breezed by and winking at Vaughn, whom she knew, knew exactly what had transpired in that dark seedy hallway. "I'll see you in the morning." She kissed Vaughn's cheek, "And have fun."

Vaughn broke into a huge blushing grin, knowing his future mother-in-law knew exactly what he and Sydney were intending to do in that dark hallway as well.

"What is it with us that we keep getting busted by our own daughter?" Jack hissed into Irina's ear as she drug him through the crowd towards the Exit, smiling and laughing with sedation.

"Payback for all the torturous years we missed in her teenage rebellion?" Irina laughed and shrugged as they dipped into the waiting limo. "Although, I think its working both ways…the payback I mean. As we seem to keep catching her on the verge of or after the act as well."

"Oh God!" Jack sighed and leaned back, covering his eyes with his hand as Irina laughed.

*On An Evening in Roma*

"Well, what did you think they were going to do in that dark hallway Jack?"

"Well, I wasn't thinking about it at all until you just brought it up! Thanks!" He grumbled and eventually laughed.

"They're young and in-love, Jack." Irina hit the button, raising the separating glass before straddling her husband.

"Well, what's our excuse then?" His hands settled on her hips and then moved down to push up the black fabric covering her thighs with a devious smile.

"What are you saying, Mr. Bristow? Are you calling me old?" She asked with a dangerous gleam of her own as she unbuttoned his pants once more.

"Most certainly not, my Queen." He smiled lifting his hips with Irina on his lap so she could pull down his pants to expose him fully while he poured them glasses of vodka from the mini-bar. "Your ass-perations," He handed her a glass and used his free hand to squeeze her butt cheek, "Are admirable at any age. In fact…you take years off me every time I'm with you." He cocked his eyebrow at her and his gaze went to his rock hard cock, lying against his stomach and already recovered and eagerly awaiting another round of lovemaking with his wife.

"You're rock solid-" Irina gripped his shaft with her free hand and a seductive smile, "Recovery is what's admirable, Sweetheart…or should I call you Casanova?" She winked and downed her glass of vodka in one gulp, tossing the glass behind her and letting it shatter against the separation glass.

The rawness of her acts and look in her eyes stoked Jack's inferno of desire and he slid the straps off her shoulders, exposing her bountiful breasts to his direct line of sight.

"God, you're beautiful." He licked his lips gazing at her form on top of him. He pulled her face to his lips with one hand while she caressed his cock in her palm, spreading his liquid anticipation around and igniting another spark of lust.

Irina pushed herself up on her knees, straddling him and pushed her thong to the side, aligned herself with his shaft and dropped onto it quickly, laughing when she took his breath away this time in surprise.

"No more foreplay, huh?" Jack laughed as she settled on top of him.

"We've been in foreplay since I saw you eyeing my legs in that meeting." She began moving against him, clenching her muscles against his burgeoning cock as she pulled off him and them slammed back into him, taking both their breath away. "My fire is burning and it needs to be stoked." She bit her lip and rocked her hips back, forcing his cock to rub against her G-spot in just the right way as Jack laughed, lying back against the seat and folding his arms behind his head, thoroughly enjoying watching her pleasure her self with his body.

His hips jerked upwards when she moved one of her hands to touch and excite her own nipples and then the other to her clit.

"Oh God," His knuckles turned white, wanting to reach out and grab her, ramming her onto his shaft as deeply as possible. "You're driving me insane here."

"I never said you couldn't touch me. Why are you… holding back anyway?" She opened her heavy eyelids just enough to look at him quizzically while she leaned forward, arching her full breasts towards his face.

"Because watching you," He moaned when she drew her wet fingers from her folds to her mouth and sucked lightly, tasting her own scent, "Is a beautiful thing."

Her hand left her nipples and went to her core once more, sliding easily in her juices as she rocked atop her husband and with a naughty gleam in her eye, brought her soaked fingers to his lips, painting them with her essence, allowing him a taste and earning her a shudder and groan.

His arms unlocked from behind his head as he sucked her fingers into his mouth, lapping at her juices, and went to her hips, thrusting up into her with eagerness while she thrust down. His hand moved down to her clit and pressed madly making Irina throw her head back as he pushed her towards the edge.

His mouth closed over her erect nipple and his body burned as he worked to bring her to the brink as quickly as he knew he was going to fall.

His knuckles brushed against the flat skin of her lower abdomen and he felt the tip of his cock inside her against his hand, feeling himself moving inside her always electrified him and he grunted loudly, burying his face in her breasts as he clenched his teeth and shattered inside her,

"Oh fuck!" He spilled into her and continued to pump furiously as she fell just after him, her body rocking with fever as they rode out their ecstasy. "God damn, I love you!" He breathed heavily nuzzling her breasts as she wrapped her arms around his head, holding him their while they came down from their high.

*O Sole Mio*

"I have to tell you, you look absolutely stunning in that dress Empress." Weiss smiled genuinely at Irina as they walked up the steps to their box at the Opera the following night. He'd flown in from Los Angeles to escort Sophia as it was too be attended by the entire Imperial Family as special guests of Italy. Andrea Boccelli and Sarah Brightman, were two of tonight's performers.

"I picked it out for her." Sophia smiled boldly eyeing the pink satin fabric covering Irina's sculpted body like saran wrap with very dangerous slits on both legs. "You do look amazing Aunt Rina."

"Thank you." Irina smiled her thanks as Jack guided her into her seat and she saw Sydney and Vaughn nodding in agreement with the others.

"Fits like a glove." Katya raised her eyebrows suggestively and laughed softly, adjusting Lena on her lap and seeing the seductive heat already smoldering in the looks between Jack and Irina.

"One I can't wait to remove." Jack whispered into her ear so that only she could hear and it sent a jolt of electricity surging through her.

The lights dimmed and the opera began. It was a compilation of the greatest love scenes and songs from multiple famous operas and the romantic overtures only added fuel to the burning fires as the night went on.

*Nessun Dorma*

Irina's fingers gingerly slid along the length of Jack's inner thigh, caressing him through his black tuxedo pants and making him very uncomfortable as he hardened beneath her touch.

Her eyes never leaving the stage as her hand worked soundlessly and he quickly grabbed her fingers, squeezing them and pulling on her hand. Swiftly he stood and without word or explanation, the two quickly retreated to the darkened hallway behind the box.

The rest of the group were too enthralled in the performance to notice the exit and only Katya broke into a wicked grin as she watched her sister's rapid exit. Lena was asleep in her arms and she kissed the baby's head, chuckling at the child's parents, having it 'pegged' the minute Irina emerged from her room wearing that dress…she knew they wouldn't make it through the entire performance.

Jack's mouth crashed against Irina's in a frenzied kiss as he pushed her against the marble colonnade. "It took you long enough."

She smiled beneath his kiss, having been eagerly awaiting this for the last half hour. His strong hands gripped her through her satiny dress and before he realized what was happening, she had already freed his engorged cock and it was brushing against her soft, slick flesh.

"God, I need you…" He breathed rapidly between kisses as he thrust into her, taking her breath and claiming her body.

The mixture of heated flesh against the cold stone of the cylinder colonnade sent shivers through her body as she clutched him tightly inside her.

He pumped furiously and knew it wouldn't be long, as she had been teasing him for far too long already. Her lips sought out his ear and when she bit softly against the soft flesh below it, his ass clenched and he jerked forward, thrusting powerfully into her and erupting from within.

Irina in time, swallowed his moan of sedation and Jack's tongue thrust into her warm heat in time with his cock, still surging inside her, bringing her to her own peek and then catching her as she fell.

They climaxed at the same moment the song did by some chance of fate and when they were finished, checked each other once over and smiled.

"I love you." She kissed him tenderly, looking into the man's eyes who still took her breath away and whose presence she craved.

"As I you, My Love." He kissed her softly in return before they returned to their seats.

Irina glanced over at the others to see if they noticed their absence and only Katya, who was raised her eyebrows suggestively with a smile, seemed to know anything had happened. Irina just returned the smile, and threaded her fingers with Jack's as they watched the remainder of the performance.

"Aren't you two wearing each other out yet?" Katya asked when they stepped into the bathroom after the performance and before the reception.

"Hardly, Dear Sister. In fact, it seems to be working in reverse." Irina smiled at her through the reflection in the mirror as he finished applying her lipstick, "The more we're together, the more we crave each other. I wasn't lying when I told you our marriage before was, 'hot."

"And you have twenty years of lost time to make up for." Katya smiled widely, laughing as she handed Irina her handbag.

"Exactly." Irina smiled her famous Cheshire cat grin and kissed her sister's cheek as they went to re-join the crowd.

When they reached their table, the others were talking with Sarah about her performances and Jack got a wicked grin as Irina sat down beside him.

"I was just telling Ms. Brightman how much we enjoyed her performance My Love, wouldn't you agree?" He cocked his head staring his gorgeous wife, the image of her climaxing along with the songs', forever ingrained into his mind.

"Oh yes, very climactic…I'll never forget it." Irina said casually, eyeing Jack as she took a sip of her champagne and Katya nearly spit hers out with an eruption of laughter causing the other's to look at her, knowing they obviously missed something.

"So where are all of you off to next, your Majesty?" Sarah asked addressing Irina, thoroughly intrigued by what she was missing but moved the conversation along seeing someone needed to.

"France." Jack smiled warmly at Irina, before turning his eyes to the woman asking the question.

Their whirl-wind tour took them all across Europe and the United Kingdom over the next two weeks before they finally landed on US soil in New York, for that portion of the Tour. She was scheduled to appear on the Today Show that morning.

Jack held Lena off to the side of the camera, smiling madly at his wife as she elegantly enchanted everyone in the studio that morning with her smile and charm as she answered the interview questions with her charismatic attitude.

"God, I hate her!" Carrie mumbled under her breath, earning several looks while staring at the television screen in the Ops center as they all watched the interview. "Not really hate her! But God, does she always have to look so damn perfect? So beautiful? Does she ever have a bad hair day or something?"

"Not that I can remember." Weiss laughed, thinking back to all the times he'd seen Irina, "I mean even on her bad days…like when she was covered in the troll Sloane's blood she looked…erotically beautiful in some twisted way."

The thought sent shivers down his spine and Dixon nodded in agreement, disturbing as it was.

"See what I mean? It's just not fair!" Carrie shook her head then smiled when the other's laughed.

Matt Lauer was interviewing her and it was quite clear he was smitten with the Empress as was anyone else who she encountered and he even brought out her brilliant smile and laugh when he brought up her 'smoldering love affair with her husband' and used the Russian magazine that featured Jack and Irina 'caught' sneaking off at the American Embassy in Austria.

"Ooh, busted!" Weiss laughed and Kendall rolled his eyes, all of them thinking back to the day they'd been 'caught' doing something far more revealing in that cell. "Can you imagine if they had stills from that video? Not that anyone will ever see anything like that." Weiss quickly amended himself seeing the smoke literally coming out of Kendall's ears.

"Has it always been this 'hot?' This intense for the both of you, Empress? Or is this a recent development after the two of you reunited? Like falling in love all over again?" Matt asked with a smile blushing as Irina laughed softly looking from the magazine in his hand to Jack off stage.

*Bless the Broken Road*

"You don't have to answer if I've offended you in anyway or stepped over the line, your Majesty…" He suddenly spoke, feeling as though he might have crossed the line, realizing that this modern beautiful woman before him was the Imperial Tsar of Russia and not some other celebrity.

"No, its ok. I'm not offended…I could never be offended by someone asking me about my love for my husband." She smiled brightly at Jack, bouncing Lena on his arm and then to Sydney whose smile lit her face hearing her mother announce to the world how much she loved her father.

"Jack and I have always had this kind of relationship… very attracted to each other, very much in love with one another. My family…my husband, my daughters and my son, my sister and her family…our friends, are the most important aspect of my life." She answered truthfully, her eyes never leaving Jack's as she answered and everyone smiled seeing the obvious electricity first hand. "Our road to finding each other again was definitely broken, but the intensity of our love throughout the journey never waivered…we just channeled it into other emotions."

"Like hate…" Matt interjected softly and Irina nodded.

"Yes…it was the only emotion that matched the intensity of our love…and when we weren't allowed…or rather, refused to allow ourselves to feel that love again for fear of being hurt, we channeled that love into hate…its how we survived without each other for two decades." She said softly, still staring at his adoring eyes, "Jack and I were like magnets. We were pushing against each other when we were trying desperately to fight our feelings for one another…but we could no longer fight it…and when we stopped trying, flipped over…" She clasped her hands together tightly smiling thinking about Panama.

"Oh…there it is! She's thinking about Panama!" Weiss laughed pointing to Irina's face, recognizing the look in her eye now in reference to that night.

"There was nothing that could tear you apart." Matt smiled, finishing for her.

"Yes." Irina smiled brightly and everyone who was holding out on falling in love with the Empress of Russia, crumbled with her smile. "Even if later, we tried to deny it…we realized we'd never be able to severe that connection… even if we flipped over…"

"And started to feel hate again."

Irina nodded, "We'd eventually flip back over again…and we did."

"You found your love again…which from what I've read in the released excerpts from your book coming out on Wednesday…Your youngest daughter, and let me just say how beautiful she is," He smiled broadly pointing to the picture of Lena on the magazine and then to her off screen, forcing the camera to turn and focus on Jack holding Lena, "Is the result of that 'flip' if that's what we can call it." He smiled boldly, laughing when Irina did and the camera returned its focus on her.

"Yes, she is." Irina's smiling eyes focused on her baby currently gurgling and bouncing in her father's arms.

"The whole story seems entirely fascinating and I for one, am thoroughly looking forward to reading your book, Truth Takes Time and what a 'truth' it was." he smiled.

Her book, co-written in rapid time by Irina and Sydney with excerpts added by Jack, and Katya.

It chronicled their life, first hand accounts and the events leading to the present including journal entries. Both had been writing as a release, a way of letting 'go' and eventually, Irina decided to have it published, answering in the book, the questions the public was always asking, and answering those questions they were afraid to ask.

She was taking a brave stance by revealing what she had in detail and the enormity of what she revealed, was breathtaking to anyone who read it. She used her humor and stunning wit to charm and enchant her readers and her heart breaking reveals brought tears to many eyes as well as thunderous out-loud cheering when she detailed 'ass-kickings' on bad guys.

"I also hear, that there is a movie, currently wrapping production, based on an adaptation screenplay of your book about your life story and…" He emphasized the word, sitting forward eagerly, "And that you've been approached by a producer who wants to make your life story, and that of your family, into a Spy Series on television, is that true? There! There's a picture from behind the scenes of the film with the Assistant Director, your daughter the Grand Duchess Sydney and actor Ben Affleck playing her fiancé Michael Vaughn in the film based on your life. She's very beautiful. Oh and look at the next one!" He laughed out loud, "She's really looking lethal there!"

"Thank you. Yes, that's true. My daughter was on set a few days, showing them 'how it was done," Irina laughed, pushing her hair behind her ear, "J.J Abrams, the director of the film, Absolution, approached us with the idea and the pilot of the series titled, ALIAS for now, will be shown this fall on ABC. It will mainly be centered around my daughter, Sydney's life, as the daughter of spies and one herself."

"Do you think they'll base a character out of me in the series like they did in the film?" Marshall's eyes lit up excitedly, "Who do you think should play me?"

"I don't know but I think Terry O'Quinn from LOST should play Kendall." Weiss snickered under his breath to Dixon and gestured behind Kendall's back to his bald-head.

"If you're making reference to the fact that we're both balding and 'that's' the reason he should portray me, Agent Weiss, I'm sure you could take his place on that island and become LOST for real." Kendall countered back catching Weiss's surprised face and then smiled, teasing him.

"I'm sure the show will be a huge success." Matt turned his attention to Sydney who was blushing now that her photo was blazing across the screen behind her mother and Matt. "The Grand Duchess Sydney seems to be a remarkable human being."

"You have no idea." Irina beamed proudly as any mother would. "She is the most remarkable human being I've ever had the privilege of knowing."

"That says a lot being as how you are close relations with many of the world's extraordinary people." Matt smiled softly. "The group Hoobastank, recently recorded a song written by you, for your daughter isn't that right? And another is currently being recorded by the famous Celine Dion for the film's soundtrack?"

"Yes, that is correct, though I never wrote them with the intention of having them ever read for one thing…by my daughter and husband," She looked over to them and smiled shyly, "And two, they were poems that my editor, showed J.J. while we were finishing with the book and 'he' then jumped at the idea to make them into songs for the film. I haven't heard either of them yet."

"Why not?" Matt's brows furrowed curiously.

"I told him I wanted to be surprised. I can't explain it, they are my words; written for my daughter and for my husband and I've heard them in my mind for a long time. To hear them sung by someone else…is an altogether different experience I think. The words carry such an important significance to me, to my life. They are my life, my truth. Both were written at extremely painful periods in my life." She smiled sadly, nervously brushing her hair behind her ear and Sydney felt tears brimming in her eyes thinking about her mother's words and when she had written them.

"But you're excited to hear them?" Matt smiled, asking cautiously and earning him a smile.

"Her letter to Sydney was amazing. I can't wait to hear that song and the letter to Jack." Weiss raised his eyebrows with a smile, "He wouldn't share that with us in Rio so I'm VERY interested in hearing that song!"

"Of course. My life is laced with music; its such an enormous part of my life and I often say, that there are many songs that make up the soundtrack of my life." She smiled honestly at Matt, "You know what I am talking about, like when you are walking down the grocery aisle and hear a song and you're suddenly taken back to a specific moment, time in your life? That song became an anthem for that time period."

"Yeah, definitely, though I've never thought about it quite like that before, 'soundtrack of my life." Matt laughed and shifted in his seat, staring at the beautiful woman before him, then shook his head, "Imagining you, the Empress of Russia pushing a cart down the grocery aisle is rather humorous though."

"Why?" Irina arched her eyebrow, challenging him. "My family needs to eat like everyone else's."

"I don't know of any other ruling Queens who scoot down the aisle at Ralph's and pick up Spagettio's, Empress." Matt laughed enchanted by her. "I mean you're a Romanov, the most prestigious royal family in the world. Isn't doing the weekly grocery shopping a mundane thing for you?"

"Growing up, my mother may have been Anastasia Romanov and yes, we grew up 'different' because of that, but not 'special' or separated from the other classes of society. We lived among the people and as part of the people; we shopped and lived like the people." Her smile took on a hint of sadness, "And as part of the people growing up under Soviet rule, we were often starving, surviving only on bread, water and the occasional Ox tail soup. So to answer your question, No, I don't think shopping for groceries is mundane or boring. It's a gift and one I enjoy immensely."

"Well, that certainly wasn't the answer he was expecting." Kendall sobered, shifting his weight uncomfortably on his heels remembering very vividly images coming out of the Soviet Union of the long food lines and families digging through trash; the thought of Irina amongst them, very disturbing now.

"That wasn't the answer I was expecting either." Dixon admitted, continuously amazed by the information he was learning on Irina.

"You're an extraordinary person, Empress, and it's easy to see why the world has fallen in love with you and your family." Matt smiled sheepishly, suddenly feeling very differently about 'going grocery' shopping. "Thank you for spending part of your morning with us."

"Director Kendall," Agent Crane approached the group from behind, smiling quickly at catching a glimpse of Irina on the television before returning her attention back to the problem. "We have a problem. Someone sold photos of a very pregnant Empress Irina in our custody being transported to Langley after arriving from the carrier."

She handed him a copy of the Russian problematic magazine.

"What? Sonofabitch!" Kendall cursed taking the offending magazine and staring at the photos of Irina cuffed, very pregnant and escorted by armed Marshalls. "Well, isn't this fantastic! Now we all look like a bunch of mean jackasses picking on the world's current 'darling! Never mind the fact this photo is completely misleading in that she could kill everyone of those armed men with her bare hands even though she's pregnant and wounded!" He rambled waving the magazine around.

"I don't know. I think she looks hot and badass! Especially with the cuffs and her very pregnant bod!" Weiss smiled, taking the magazine from him and smiling, "Jack's going to flip shit though when he sees this." He shook his head with a knowing smile, and then laughed, "Oh man, look at that! One of his least favorite people also on the same cover, Dubey! He's really going to be in a good mood when he sees this!" He pointed to the picture of Dubey.

"Who's Dubey?" Carrie asked innocently not having met the man and taking a second glance at the photo, "Wait…isn't that Vijay Dubey international arms dealer?"

"Yes." Weiss's eyes went wide as he nodded, trying not to smile, "And Irina's former 'hawt' lover who looks like The Hulk…and the reason Jack flipped out in Jakarta and she gave his ring back, refusing to marry him."

"Irina with another man...not something I really thought about until now. Though it makes sense I guess. Twenty year separation and all…" Carrie furrowed her eyebrows thinking, having only envisioned Irina with Jack an vice versa.

"Well, that was more then I needed to know." Kendall's eyes went wide staring at the photo and shook his head, realizing how much everyone in Jakarta had glazed over the details of what happened between Jack and Irina and Dubey's involvement.

"And it certainly explains the tension you could cut with a knife in the desert when we met up with him in Libya." Dixon realized, "And Jack's obvious possessiveness of Irina with the guy."

"He is pretty gorgeous." Carrie shrugged looking at Dubey's photo and another female CIA agent agreed while Marshall's brows creased. "I'm sure they were a 'hot' couple."

"You should have seen Irina and Dubey throwing each other around and beating the crap out of each other. Vaughn and I were left in stunned awe watching the interaction. Talk about liking it 'rough!" Weiss kept babbling excitedly like a schoolgirl spreading rumors.

"Well whatever the hell you do, don't talk about that around Jack for Christ-sake!" Kendall, ripped the magazine away from Carrie, "Talking about his wife's torrent love affair with hulky tyrant isn't likely to do him any favors."

"We're not insane, Kendall. I don't have a death wish!" Weiss informed him, "And it wasn't a 'love affair' from what we heard. Just plain and simple 'wild kingdom sex' was the foundation of their relationship. He wanted more, she wouldn't give and that was that."

"Well thank you, Agent Weiss! Now I really have more information then I needed to know!" Kendall huffed exasperated trying to clear his head of the mental images of Irina and 'wild kingdom sex.'

"I'm just saying," Weiss proclaimed, exasperated on his own, "That she loved Jack, always loved Jack and 'that' is why it was sex and only sex, not love with The Hulk."

"I think that's sweet." Carrie smiled.

"As do I!" Weiss smiled at her and then glared at Kendall. "And then there's you…trying to make it dirty when its not!"

"I...I…oh, never mind!" Kendall threw his hands up in the air, after failing at his attempt to explain himself and walked to his office, magazine in hand to do damage control.