24: Fresh Start

Author's Note: It gets a little sensual in this chapter, so if you're uncomfortable with these sort of situations, just skip the first few paragraphs.

Chapter 6: Troubles

Jack couldn't believe what was going on. Everything was just happening so fast. He was completely lost in their passion. The warmth resonating from Audrey's body could be felt on his. Jack broke the kiss between them for a brief moment and to take a quick breath. As they locked lips, he slightly raised his body so he could start unbuttoning her blouse. He moved down to her neck and covered it with kisses.

"Jack," she moaned slightly.

"Yes, Audrey?" he replied quietly.

"Can we go slow?"

"Of course." He removed her blouse momentarily and started using his hands to feel his way around her upper body. She moaned softly as he worked his way. As he continued to plotter kisses around her collarbone, Audrey moved her hands from his neck to the buckle of his belt. She removed the belt quickly, tugged his shirt up, and started to pull the waist of his pants down. Jack lifted up again and started to kiss her on the lips. He started to unravel her skirt and she began to giggle. Jack's hands moved to her back and were about to undo her bra when he heard a quiet ringing.

He stopped for a second. Audrey opened her eyes slowly and stared into his. She was confused and wanted to know why he stopped.

"Why'd you stop?" Audrey asked, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly.

"Didn't you hear that?" Jack responded. They paused for a second, and they could hear the phone go off again in the kitchen.

"It's mine," Audrey muttered, disappointment in her face.

"You should answer it," he smiled softly.

"Okay, fine," she sighed. Jack followed Audrey into the kitchen. She opened her purse and searched quietly. It was an awkward silence between them. He closed the gap between and slowly placed his hands around her waist. Audrey moved closer to him. After a few seconds of searching, Audrey pulled the phone out of her purse. "It's Paul…" Jack instinctively pulled back and stared at her.

"Answer it," Jack muttered and gave her a half-hearted smile. She flipped open her phone.

"Yes, Paul?" She sighed. Paul voice was indistinct, but Jack could tell Audrey wasn't happy, both about their interruption and argument that would soon ensue. Audrey walked away from him, not wanting Jack to be pulled into it. She turned around slowly, her hand on her waist, showing her irritation. "Paul, it's almost midnig—" Audrey paused as Paul continued to talk, his voice muffled by her hair. "It's late Paul… I don't… I don't want to talk about this right now…" She exhaled harshly, her temper rising. "Okay, fine. I'll call you back in a few minutes." Audrey hung up the phone quickly and stared back at Jack, sadness and disappointment in her face. Jack walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her. He didn't do anything but hug her.

"It's okay," Jack whispered into her ear. He could hear Audrey sobbing and he pulled her closer. They stood there for another 5 minutes before her sobbing stopped.

"Jack," she said softly, "I'm so sorry. I'm just so sorry." Jack held her tighter.

"Don't worry, Audrey."

"I've got to go."

"I know. Let's go." It took a few minutes for both of them to clean up. Audrey led the way to the door and she paused when she placed her hand on the knob. She turned around, looking for answers.

"I think I should go alone, I might change my mind. I wish I could, but not right now." Jack nodded. He leaned slowly and kissed her passionately. She sighed deeply, tears forming in her eyes, and turned around. Audrey opened the door quickly and left. Jack smirked and closed the door.

He walked back to his bedroom. Jack found it difficult to return to his bed. He took a deep breath and turned around—having his back facing the bed. He brought up his arms, forming a "T," and fell to the bed. It was a long day, a very long day. Closing his eyes, he hoped tomorrow would be a better one.

The annoying alarm went off once again. Jack opened his eyes slowly; the siren was giving him a headache. He was still dress in his suit from yesterday. The clock was taunting him and he wasn't pleased. The same 3 digits on the clock—7:15—glared at him wickedly. Turning to the clock, he raised his arm slowly to turn off the clock. Jack grabbed the clock, pressing the snooze would have been easier, but he wasn't in the mood. Instead, he threw it across the room, he heard it hit the wall and shatter.

He sat up and looked at the newly formed hole in the wall. Annoyance was the only thing that filled him. Jack was irritated and depressed. He was finally with Audrey and her estranged husband broke the perfect moment. The room seemed to get smaller and there seemed to be no way out from his little prison.

"Just another day in paradise," he sighed as he slowly undressed himself. The shower was warm and refreshing but it didn't make much of a difference in his mood. Everything seemed to comfort him; unfortunately he was so deep into his temporary depression that he didn't care. As he left the bathroom, he heard his phone ringing. Jack tightened his towel around his waist and picked up the wireless that was on his desk. "Hello?"

"Jack?" Heller's voice echoed.

"Yes, sir?" Jack responded instinctively.

"We have a problem?" Jack's stomach knotted up. Did he know about him and Audrey? How could he? It only happened last night and nothing really happened, actually.

"W-what wrong, sir?"

"There's an information leak somewhere in the Department."

"What's going on?"

"There's a breach in our security and the press is just eating up all the information being leaked. Turn your television to Channel 5." Jack walked in front of his television and picked up the controller from the table. When he turned on the television, a young reporter appeared on his screen. She was taking about several different policies the Department was considering on implementing. Jack's knot in his stomach worsened.

"I'm on the way, sir."

To be continued...