Won't Last Another Day
Chapter Four - Getting Out
Karen Buchanan checked the caller ID when her cell phone rang. It was unavailable. Sighing, she dried her hands from the dishes she was washing and picked it up.
"This is Karen."
"Karen? Its Jack."
"Jack!" the former National Security Advisor's eyes widened as her fingers gripped the phone tightly. "What on earth are you calling me for? This is so dangerous!"
"I'm gonna need your help. I have to get out of Sicily. I can't call anyone else, and it seems Russia has a good memory."
Karen looked out of her kitchen window suspiciously. She shook her head. "Are you sure this is a secure line?"
"No, but what can they do? By the time they trace this call, I won't be here any more."
"Well, what can we do then?"
"Just sit tight. You're gonna have to be there to help me through this one."
"All right. I'll be around when you call again."
"I'll be calling soon. Karen? Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Click.
...
Audrey and her father sat at the dining table with Chloe and Morris O'Brian, and their baby, Prescott.
"Prescott, stop being a monster and eat your vegetables," Chloe whispered to the three-year-old.
Audrey smiled fondly as the little tyke wrinkled his nose and looked at his father for vindication. Morris shrugged.
"Don't look at me, Scott. I do as your mother says, too."
Heller let out a little chuckle. "You'll be a strong man if you eat your greens, little Scotty."
"Don't call him that," Chloe replied inaudibly as Audrey's father winked at the child.
"This is wonderful, Audrey," Morris put his silverware together on his empty plate and sat back in his chair. "You'll have to get the recipe for this, babe," he nodded to his wife.
"I gave her the recipe," Chloe snapped, spoon-feeding Scott.
"So, how about those Red Sox, huh?" Heller interrupted, attempting to change the subject.
"Ugh, don't even talk to me about baseball. I've gone back to cricket."
"You'll have to teach me sometime, Morris. It sounds like an interesting game."
"Maybe we can get the ashes on cable. Want to the while the ladies, eh, continue in here?" Morris looked at his wife for approval. He received a death glare.
"Well, I'll take that as a yes," Morris rose from his chair, kissing his wife's cheek and ruffled Scott's already messy hair. Audrey clasped a hand over her mouth as she tried not to giggle at Chloe's exasperated expression.
When the men entered the next room, Audrey got out of her seat and sat next to Scott, Chloe on the other side.
"Mama? I'm so full. Can I go with Dad?"
The tired mother nodded. "Go annoy Dad for me. Just don't get sent back in here."
Scott jumped off his seat and ran into the next room, making airplane noises. Audrey laughed and looked over at her friend. "He's so precious, Chloe."
"Precious? I'll give him to you for a special discount then."
They both shared a laugh and Chloe shook her head. "No, I love them both. But it can be pretty stressful. I'm just glad I'm not working anymore."
"Chloe, when you worked for CTU...can you tell me who Jack Bauer is?"
Chloe's head spun in Audrey's direction. "You remember Jack?"
"Well, not really. I know the name. I see his face in my dreams...but who was he? Was he an agent?"
Red flags went up in Chloe's mind. "Why hasn't your Dad told you?"
"He said something about losing me once I find out. But I just wanna know. I don't think he minds me asking you. He just doesn't want me to ask him."
Audrey's companion sighed. "In answer to your question...yes. He was an agent."
"What happened to him?"
"I...don't know."
Audrey's eyebrow arched, but she continued. "How did I know him?"
She knew Chloe was hesitating, but then she spoke.
"Your husband-"
"-Paul."
"-Yeah, well, Jack and Paul knew each other. Paul wasn't an agent, but he sacrificed himself so Jack could diffuse a nuclear missile."
Audrey nodded, her brow creased with confusion. "Uh huh."
Chloe tipped her head. "Something not adding up?"
"No, its fine, its just... is that it?"
Chloe's face was telling. Her eyes widened a little as Audrey began playing with an unused napkin on the table.
"I keep having these dreams," Audrey began, "I see his face...but I also see...myself."
"Yourself?"
"I'm...kissing him. Was I in love with him? I don't understand."
Chloe bent her head and muttered something inaudible.
"What?" Audrey lowered her head, straining to hear.
"I said," Chloe replied, head coming up, "you and Jack both loved each other. He loved you, Audrey."
...
Jack drove past vineyards and valleys as he raced across Sicily in a stolen convertible. The way he justified his stealing was that it belonged to a well-known mobster that Justicia had not yet gotten around to eliminating. Stealing the car was just a taster of what the Mafia lord would experience in the weeks, months, or years to come.
The wind whipped his hair as he adjusted his sunglasses and checked the mirrors for anyone tailing him. It was midday, and he still had fifty-three more miles to drive before he reached his destination.
...
Audrey awoke from her dreams. She sighed as her head rested on her pillow. For once, she had not awoken screaming Jack's name. A cool wind fanned her face and she eased out of bed to shut the window.
"Jack...wherever you are, I hope we find each other again."
...
Jack stood outside Palermo Airport, phone held to his ear. "Yeah, its a secure line. Where do I pick it up?"
"Outside the car-rental place thats near the first terminal. There should be a man waiting in a silver ford near the entrance."
"Thanks Karen. I'll be seeing you."
Jack hung up and pocketed his phone. He headed to the rental lot, but before reaching the entrance, he crouched behind a nearby car. He pulled out his gun and lifted his head. Whoever was following him was now completely lost and confused as to where Jack was.
Coming round the corner, Jack grabbed the stranger's leg and dragged him until he fell.
"Oof" The stranger groaned in pain as Jack pressed a gun to his head. He growled.
"Dante! Dammit, what the hell are you doing here?"
"Ugh...to make sure you didn't go off and do something stupid."
"Like what?" Jack pocketed his gun and helped his friend up. "If I am, its none of your damn business."
Dante rubbed his sore buttocks and then massaged the back of his neck. "I'm your wingman, Jack. I wanna know that you get out of here safe."
Jack rolled his eyes. "I'm fine. I'm gonna get out. Now because of your idiocy, you'll have to come with me for now."
"Well, it just so happens..." Dante pulled out a passport and winked. "I brought my fake ID!"
Now, didn't I say I would update? Though I know - I'm a tad late.
A HUGE thank you to all my reviewers. I didn't even think my story would get much notice as every one seems to be big Jack x Renee fans, but I guess there is a market for such fantasies of Jack and Audrey. Well, I promise not to disappoint. Thanks again for all the reviews. I'm enjoying this!