I haven't written a 24 fic in quite a while. Season 6 didn't do much in the way of inspiration, especially when it came to Jack and Audrey. So I decided to go back to where Jack and Audrey at least had a chance.

Summary: Post Season 5, minus the last few minutes (so no fake phone call from "Kim"). Jack and Audrey discover that sometimes the harderst person to forgive is yourself.

Disclaimer: I don't own Jack and Audrey, and sadly never will. I have come to accept that as long as I get to play around with them once in a while.

"I can't believe you're really…you're really here."

Audrey heard herself saying the words even as she looked disbelievingly at the man currently holding her in his arms. The man who wasn't supposed to be in front of her at all. The man who wasn't even supposed to be alive. The man who definitely wasn't supposed to have just kissed her the way he did.

Jack met Audrey's eyes with a smile, and stroked her cheek. He looked like he was about to say something when she heard from behind him,

"Agent Bauer?"

Audrey tilted her head slightly and saw an Asian agent standing behind Jack. Jack turned as well, but didn't let go of Audrey.

"Excuse me," the agent continued, "But I've been instructed to bring you back to CTU."

Jack tightened his hold on Audrey.

"No, there must be a mistake. I just spoke with Bill Buchanan, and he said the debriefing was scheduled for tomorrow."

"I'm sorry, sir, but those are my orders."

The agent looked almost nervous to contradict Jack. Audrey didn't blame me. Here was the man who had just taken down the President of the United States.

"Jack," Audrey said, pulling Jack's attention back around. She was startled when she saw his expression immediately soften as his eyes settled on hers. Did she still have his trust so completely? Even now, after so long apart? She was instantly reminded of what that meant for him, to place faith in someone else. She also remembered how much that frightened her, to have such power over a man. This man.

But there was no time to contemplate that now. Audrey reached up and touched Jack's face.

"It's okay," she told him. "Finish this. Do what you need to do. I'll be waiting for you when you're done."

Jack frowned.

"Audrey, I don't want–"

"Jack," Audrey said firmly, cutting him off, "Get this out of the way, and we have all the time in the world." She lowered her voice so the agent still hovering behind Jack couldn't hear her. "Just you and me."

Jack considered her words, and at last nodded.

"Okay," he said. "I'll try to make this quick."

He leaned forward and once again touched her lips with his. The feeling was just as surprising to Audrey as it has been a few minutes ago, but just as she started to lean into him, Jack pulled away. He stared at her with a half-smile.

"I love you," he declared, and Audrey had just enough time to smile in response before he turned away from her, his hand grasping hers until he at last had to let go.