Chapter 2
Jack watched from the comfort of the shadows, as he saw Cheng step out from the limo. The man, who had tortured him days before, was now standing in front of him. Just looking at him made Jack's skin crawl.
"Well hello Mr Bauer" Cheng retorted.
All Jack wanted to do was to wipe the smirk that had formed on Cheng's face off. In disgust Jack replied "Where's Audrey?"
"Aw Audrey, she is in the limo, I will hand her over to you once I see the component".
Jack stared at Cheng and reached into his pocket to retrieve the component. "Here" Jack replied angrily, "now get Audrey; I'm not letting you have this until I see her"
"Okay, Mr Bauer". With that Cheng yelled at his men to release Audrey from the limo.
What Jack saw next brought tears to his eyes. There Audrey stood, in brown tartan trousers, matching coat with a white cotton shirt. Her hair was ragged with damp patches. She waked wearily over to Cheng.
"Take the gag from her mouth" Jack hissed.
Cheng reached up, just as he did Audrey flinched and a look of sheer horror swept across her face. Seeing this, Jack shouted " Wait! I'll do it". Audrey steadily walked over to Jack. He couldn't believe this was the same woman he had known almost 6 months ago. Jack slowly reached his hand to her face and gently removed the gag. Audrey stepped closer to him. Keeping his hand on her face Jack stroked it with his thumb. Audrey closed her eyes briefly taking in his touch. Before taking her into his arms, Jack removed a strand of her dull blonde hair. 'What have they done to you' he thought. At that Jack caressed her in his arms and whispered in her ear "I'm so sorry".
Cheng growing impatient added "You can continue this reunion later Mr Bauer, but now I want the component."
Looking up Jack reply angrily "Fine, but first Audrey walks out of here, until I know she is out of the range of your sniper". Cheng nodded his head in agreement.
Jack took hold of Audrey again, speaking softly to her "I want you too walk out f here and keep to the right side of the road, until you get to a gas station, where a cab is waiting to take you back to CTU." Audrey looked at Jack, absorbing what he had just said, a flash of concern spread across her face. Gazing at Audrey for what properly would be the last time, taking in every detail of her, he mumbled "you need to go". With that Audrey turned around glancing at Jack one more time and walked out of the motel.
Unknown to Jack, Doyle and a few agents were lingering outside waiting for the exchange to take place. "Audrey has just exited the motel, it looks like the trade is going down now" he whispered into his phone. "All agents go!"
A shard of glass came flying through into the motel. "What the hell!" Jack exclaimed. From outside Doyle and the other CTU agents opened fire. Cheng's men came tumbling down to the ground. "the component Mr Bauer,or Audrey dies". Realising he had no other choice, Jack threw Cheng the compontent. As soon as it landed in his hands, Cheng shot Jack in the chest. Jack fell to the floor. The firing stopped outside. Jack knew that Cheng had escaped.
TO BE CONTINUED…