Won't Last Another Day
Chapter One - This Memory and That Mercenary

The former Secretary of Defense, James Heller, watched his daughter's sleeping form as she mumbled inaudible words in her dreams. She sighed and turned over. Heller shook his head.

"Jack..." she whispered, sighing again.

Audrey Raines' condition was improving, and after six years from losing her memory, more of her past was becoming clearer to her. She began to recall memories from childhood, recognizing people and places. He chuckled to himself. She was even remembering embarrassing moments, such as her first date in high school. She was becoming Audrey again.

Two years before, Audrey had walked into the lounge of their beach house when Heller was watching Jack Bauer's trial on live television. It was cut short when FBI agents appeared on the scene. As he got into a black car with tinted windows, Audrey's brow had creased with confusion.

"Hm."

Heller turned from where he was on the couch at his daughter. "What is it, sweetheart?"

Audrey looked at her father and shook her head. "N-nothing. I just...I got a funny feeling when I saw that guy on TV. Do I know him, Dad?"

He shrugged and remained silent.

As Audrey's father watched her sleep, he shook his head again. She was beginning to become his little girl again, but he knew it would only be a matter of time when she would remember Jack.

She was already remembering her dead husband.

Heller eased out of his chair and left her room silently.

...

Jack Bauer sat back in the seat of his silver convertible that was parked outside a restaurant in Palermo, Sicily. Donning shades and shoulder bag, he exited the car and made his way into the restaurant, his companion following him inside.

"Jack, boss is gonna flip if he finds out you disobeyed orders."

"He doesn't need to know," Jack turned to his friend. "Are you going to tell him, Dante?"

The dark Italian scratched the back of his head. "No. But you know that Mario's gonna find out anyway."

Jack turned away, face stoic. He stepped into the restaurant and whispered into the Maître d's ear before they were seated in a corner. Dante slipped his hand into his jacket, switching off the safety on his pistol. Jack remained expressionless as he grabbed the wine list and covered his face, peering over the top.

"Mario wants to keep you around as long as possible, Jack," Dante muttered, sweeping his dark hair back with one hand. "He doesn't want you getting caught by some damn agents."

"Shut up and stop worrying about me," Jack muttered. "Keep your mind on the task at hand."

Dante sighed and drummed his fingers on the table. Jack cleared his throat and sized up the room. He nodded slightly in the direction of a blond-haired man in a grey suit. He drank his wine while laughing at something that his female companion just said. His eyes swept the room every few minutes, as if watching for someone...or something.

Jack smirked. "Looks like he's is expecting some more company." Jones flicked his tousled hair back as he said something to his date. They laughed again.

Dante noticed two large, burly men sitting at a table close to Jones. He nudged Jack. "Hey-"

"I know," he interrupted. "They won't be a problem."

Dante sniffed and flipped out his phone. "Clara? The Hornet is in our sight. Yeah. In about five minutes." Jack pursed his lips at the young rookie's eagerness to please. He was so formal in his speech to his peers, yet his clumsiness sometimes gave him an edge to the operations. Of course, his clumsiness almost cost Jack his life on several occasions, but all the same, Dante was like the son he never had, which gave Jack a sense of obligation to protect him and keep him close.

Jones got up from his chair and headed in the direction of the bathroom. Jack rose from his seat and walked over to the bar, watching him disappear behind the door with one of his goons. Jack looked back at Dante, who nodded and sat back in his chair. Jack followed the target into the men's room.

Being a mercenary was now all he knew.

I've decided to broaden my horizons and give my favourite TV series a try. I wanted to start with a short chapter to ease myself (and you) into it, without giving away too many details of the plot. I'm a big Jack/Audrey shipper, and this is basically how I would envision Jack and Audrey's reunion. Sigh. I'm taking a big step here. I aim to finish this multi-chap. If you would like me to continue, your reviews would be appreciated...please?