The road to salvation is never easy…
Day six was over, disaster was averted, but it always had a personal cost….Jack realized what he'd always known. The people may change, but the place never will. It will take all you have and then this place will always take more…
"Definition of a Tragic Hero: A tragic hero has the potential for greatness but is doomed to fail.
He is trapped in a situation where he cannot win.
He makes some sort of tragic flaw, and this causes his fall from greatness.
Even though he is a fallen hero, he still wins a moral victory, and his spirit lives on."
Finding Salvation…Living Redemption…Accepting Atonement - The Gift of Life
"Red leader come in …Red Leader"
"Sector 9 clear" "Check your six", came the voice. "We have a hostile," Another voice continued. "Jack", she called out. "I see the package…" he reported. "Jack," she whispered "… "I have the package." The light of the opening door was blinding. She stepped forward to shield him. The sound of a single shot ripped though. The siege ended as the hostile dropped to the floor. He could touch her. His arms reached out encircling her. He pulled her close to him. Doyle rushed to the pair, demanding to the unseen voice, "Hostile Down, We have the Package, Call the President, Now!"
XOXOXO
"…But you, my sweet will never be happy. Pine away, you'll never have it. Remember this is your choice; just admit what you really want and you know that it never was me… You are just blind as she…I'm sorry Chloe, we'll talk tomorrow…But you, my sweet will never be happy." The words continued to play in her mind. She couldn't make them stop. She was panicking. She felt her pulse rising. The world was spinning. "Get a grip, Chloe," she scolded herself. She was clammy and her face was reddening; she put he head between her knees. She sobbed.
In the darkness she heard a tapping at the door. She pulled herself from her bed dreading who was on the other side. She pulled the door open slightly. Not looking to who it was, she scowled. "Go away; I don't like you right now."
"Chloe, Please, I'm sorry."
"Don't lie to me…I've heard that all before. Leave me alone, I don't want to talk-"
"I heard you crying…I'm sorry."
"Damn it Morris…why…" She opened the door the door to face him. "Why, did you do that? Why did you treat Jack like that? He's done nothing to you. He saved My life…He saved Yours. Hell, he saved us all. I can't let you hurt him." She unclenched her fist long enough to point it at chest. "You're jealous Morris … Get over it!"
"Chloe," he steps forward putting his hand on her shoulder, "I didn't hurt Jack. I hurt you. I'm sorry." She drops her hand and eases back. "Yes, I was jealous, but of you. You were strong. You could, you would give everything for what you believe. I broke. You didn't."
Chloe saw the pain in his eyes. She knew this was the truth. "Morris, you did the best you could."
"Yes Love, but my best isn't good enough. I love you Chloe. I was willing to be a second. I've tried to fill the hole in your heart, I'm sorry I can't. I won't let you do this. You need to tell him. You need to tell yourself the truth! Bloody hell Chloe, we are just a time bomb waiting to happen. I will always try to run back to a bottle. You deserve more. You deserve to be happy." He picked up her phone. "Please, do this for them; do this for yourself…call him. Call him now! Please…"
She studied them for a moment and then the phone.
"Fine."
XOXOXO
"He's not answering."
"Try the hotel."
She dialed the number. "Room 2406…I don't care if there's a hold on calls, put me though. Security override two tango alpha four …" She listened. Her face became more pained. "Why won't he answer?" She was even more worried. She knew he was there. She made the arrangements herself. Chloe slammed her phone shut and threw it on the bed.
"Go to him sweetheart, I'll stay her. Don't worry. They'll be fine and so will you."
She looked at him, and then across the room. She bit her lip for a moment and sighed. "Don't burn the house down. And…" she paused, "I'm sorry."
XOXOXO
"…making a scene?" She scowled. "I'm a Federal Agent. There will be a scene when I call in a TAC team." Putting her hands on her hips, "That's TAC-TI-CAL. Big Men. Big Guns. A lot of scared people. Now…that's a scene."
She opened her phone and started to dial, she paused a moment and glared at the man. "I am reporting an emergency situation to you. Something's wrong in that room. If yo-."
The manager cut her off. "Fine, Ms. O'Brian. I will have the door opened. Security will be there to take action if there is an emergency…as you reported. Then, they will escort you out of the building."
"Whatever."
XOXOXO
Chloe entered the darkened room, she turned on the light. She saw the scattered, tear stained letters. The pictures he held so dear. He lay on the bed holding the one he took of her.
Terror ran though her, she screamed, "Get an ambulance NOW!"
Though closed eyes he knew light that surrounded him was blinding. The sound of her voice ripped though. His head was soaked in the essence of her, a pillow of comfort and joy.
"Jack...Jack, I'm here...Jack..."
He was drawn to her, to hear her voice.
"Jack…"
He wanted…he tried to call out…"Chl…" The words wouldn't come. He could almost touch her. Tried to reach out…his arms, his body failing.
She touched him. Her arms reached out, encircling him. She looked into his graying eyes. She stared with all the hopes and dreams of love. She brushed his cheek. She pulled him to her. With tear filled eyes she brushed his lips with hers, "I love you." He felt her warmth. He felt her tears. He felt the ache in heart.
In this, a moment of truth, bathed in her tears he smelt jasmine in the air.
His world went black.
XOXOXO
"You have to tell me how he is!"
"I'm sorry Miss…I can only release that information to his family."
She glared at him. She couldn't believe how cold he was. This was Jack. Her Jack. He saved more lives in the last six hours than this man…no, more than all the doctors in this entire city would save in ten lifetimes.
"You have to tell me," she pleaded. "I'm the only person he has." Though the sobs she said it. She finally admitted it. "Please, I'm the mother of his children."
"I'm sorry Mrs. Bauer. Let me check his chart for you."
As he turned to walk away, stunned by his words, should could only mumble, "It's O'Brian…"
She jumped when she felt the hand on her back. "Chloe, are you all right?" He had a knowing look in his eyes. He finally understood the depth pain the woman carried. The man had always wondered why she let Morris back. Why her very premature twins were so vibrant and healthy. Why there was so much sadness in her eyes.
The doctor returned. "I'm sorry, He is critical. I see from his chart that he coded on the way to the hospital. They were able to restart his heart. He is currently on a respirator." Looking at her for a moment he continued. "He has sustained numerous internal injuries. A broken rib has caused internal bleeding. We are prepping him for surgery to repair the damage now."
She stood silent. Then her mind began to race. She was angry. She was angry with CTU medical for letting him leave. She was angry with herself for not staying with him. She was angry that she may never be able to tell him, he deserved to know.
The doctor interrupted her thoughts. "I'm sorry, but I need to ask. Do you know how these injuries occurred?"
Chloe cringed for a moment and then recited, "In the past 24 hours he's been stabbed, tortured, thrown down a flight of stairs, knocked unconscious, shot twice, run over, and he nearly drown, and…" She stopped when tears formed and her voice cracked. She couldn't continue.
"I see, Mrs. Bau-"
"O'Brian"
"Excuse me, I'm sorry, Mrs. O'Brian." He continued unfazed by her devastated state, "I see that he has extensive scaring and other wounds can you expl-"
"Excuse me Doctor," a man interrupted. "Mr. Bauer is a Federal Agent and that information is classified. Our resident physician can give you what medical information we can release to you for his current circumstance. " Her protector handed the man his card. "Here is the number you may call." The doctor read the card and with an understanding glance turned away.
With that said Bill turned to Chloe. Her eyes scintillated with devastating tears, she stood speechless and inconsolable.
XOXOXO
"It's only been three days Chloe," he reassured her. Taking her hand he smiled. "The doctors said it would take time. He needs time to heal. He'll pull though this. Jack will be fine."
She knew he was right, yet Chloe rolled her eyes. "I know but…"
He cut her off. "No buts now. He's safe and you're safe." He looked her straight in the eyes. He wanted her to hear this. He wanted her to believe this. She of all people was the most deserving to know this. "The people, the government…everyone responsible for this will be brought to justice." He paused and took a breath. "You don't have to be afraid anymore…It's over."
"I just want Jack to know that." Tears welled in her eyes. "I just want him to know…" She paused for a moment, wiping a tear. As Chloe stared at the ground and released her breath, she whispered, "About us."
Bill pulled her into him. "He'll be fine, you'll be fine."
XOXOXO
Chloe sat staring at the picture. A picture Jack had taken. Chloe took his hand and remembered.
She sat wanting for him. She waited as clouds passed over the water, as the waves lapped the shore. The sun was warm but the air was cool. The buildings of Chicago were behind her. The children played, the singers sang, the traffic a fading memory. She missed him. She missed his voice, his touch. She looked to the sky and smiled a sad smile. She checked her watch and wiped a tear. He wasn't coming.
She sat in the dark hotel room, staring at the flashing lights. Her heart was breaking. She wished for one moment with him. What she wouldn't give…there was a tapping at the door. Through the silence the chain was loosened and the handle turned. A door was opened and her love came in. She breathed his essence. He traced her tears. With passionate hands their lips met, each seeking the other. Time stood still as they felt what love creates.
As the sun shone though the window washing the night away she found her love, her life was gone. She never told him what she wanted, needed to say. She met him later that week and he watched her walk away.
There were more brief moments together. Two souls brought together for comfort, because of loneliness. She never spoke the true words which welled deep in her heart.
XOXOXO
Jack opened his eyes, ever so slight. Through unfocused slits it was still a beautiful sight. Bathed in blinding light she slept. Her chocolate hair draped across his chest. He wasn't sure if it was heaven or hell. It didn't matter. Wherever they were, they were together. She stirred, he saw the tears. Jack gathered all his strength, but it wasn't enough. He couldn't move. He was trapped in his body, a body with no response.
XOXOXO
He opened his eyes. His heart sped. His palms were moist. Jack was in awe of the sight before him. He couldn't say a word. With her chocolate hair she stood at his door. Jack smiled, she rolled her eyes. There were no words spoken, each at a loss of what to say. They each stared at the sight before them…the memories of a lifetime and the promise of the future pass between their eyes.
"Hey," she broke the warm silence.
"Hey," he softly replied. Jack waited for her to disappear. "Please Chloe, sit with me."
She crosses the room and settles next to him and love takes his hand. Holding his breath for a moment Jack remembers his angel. Under his breath he whispers, "It is you…" Chloe bites her lip and closes her eyes, still not knowing what to say. She feels him wipe her moist tears. She didn't even know they were there.
He broke the tender silence. "What happened?"
"You died Jack." She simply stated.
"I know."
"You never should have left medical. Your ribs…"
He felt the bandage round his chest. He saw his hand. He looked her. The scar on her chest was gone.
"You were dead." He was utterly confused. "Chicago…the warehouse…they shot you. They killed us…"
She tucked her hair behind her ear. "You saved me in the warehouse Jack. They kidnapped me. The Chinese wanted me to release a virus. You came. You saved me…" She thought for a moment. "What does this have to do with Chicago?"
His mind, slowly discerns the distant past, "Nothing Chloe, I need to…I need…please just I need to know your real." He pulls the covers aside, beckoning her in.
Chloe heard that people who die and return to life are forever changed. She looks to him. Her heart is pounding. She feels he is different. She knows she is different. Her heart is opened. With every fiber in her being she loves him. She looks in his clear blue eyes and she sees he loves her too.
She slips in. She feels his warmth, his touch. Jack wraps her in his arms. They lay in silence, interrupted only by each other's breath.
"We need to talk." His raspy whisper filled her senses.
For now, all she wanted was to hear his beating heart, feel his warmth, and gather his essence. "Shush now, you need your beauty sleep."
He chuckled.
"What?" she murmured.
"That's what Hope said."
She cocked her head, "Who?"
With a smile that spoke of life he said, "Our Granddaughter..."
With that comment Chloe decides he is still 'delusional', that he still needs more time. "Go to sleep Jack, we'll talk tomorrow," she bites her lip and under her breath she silently whispers, "Sleep well my love, get some rest, you're definitely going to need it…"
Jack was far from delusional.
He closes his eyes and he remembers all that brought him here. He is given the gift of another chance, another extraordinary life to live. He knows that this one will be different from the last. The tormenting regrets are gone. Purged from his soul. He knows he can never change the past. The future is untold. Life has its good and bad. He knows now, its how you look at it. How you see your life. How you live your life. Jack is no longer a tragic hero. He has his present. The past, present and future came together as he holds his angel, his love. Three minutes, three days, thirty years, or as long they are given together, for as long as they love each other, they will cherish the time.
Their road to salvation was not easy. And now, wrapped in each others arms they sleep, accepting their gift of life. They dream of a new tomorrow, of love, and of happiness.
Life is God's Gift to you; how you live it is your gift to yourself.
The end? No my love, this is just the beginning…Open your eyes, its beautiful.