This one's dedicated to Something Not So Normal for reviewing my last two chapters so quickly!!

I think you'll like this one!

Chapter 9: Comfort

Alex managed to get Jack back into the car. They drove away quickly from the scene and headed back to their hotel. Alex did not say a word to her on the drive back. He wanted her to keep her composure until they were safely in the hotel room. Jack just sat in the car, trembling, the whole way there.

Finally, they pulled into the hotel. They whisked past the service desk and headed straight for the elevators. Once inside, Alex wrapped an arm around Jack's shoulders. She was still shaking.

"Almost there," he murmured in her ear.

Once they were inside the hotel room, Alex turned and locked the door. Jack sank on one of the beds and began to come unglued. She began to take large gasps of air and was shaking horribly.

"Jack," said Alex as he approached her, "Calm down, sweetheart. You're going to hyperventilate."

He sat down on the bed next to her and wrapped his arm around her. Jack leaned against him and began to cry.

"What have I done?" she whispered, hoarsely.

Alex put his lips on the top of her head and closed his eyes.

"Everything's going to be okay," he told her, voice cracking with emotion, "It's going to be okay."

"Alex…I killed a man…"

"I know," said Alex, pulling her closer to him, "I know."

Jack cried for several more minutes. Alex held onto her and refused to leave her side. He tried desperately not to break down himself. He would be of no use to her if he got upset. He needed to be strong now.

Once Jack calmed down a little, he drew away from her and looked her in the eyes.

"Why…why didn't you let me do it?"

"You already took care of Abruzzi," she murmured, "And I want The Company to know that I can do this…I want you to know I can do this. I just…I just don't want to."

Alex nodded in understanding.

"I don't want to do this either…never did. But I can't let them hurt my family. Not while I can do something about it."

"Me neither."

Jack leaned on Alex again, feeling comforted by his presence.

"So…is this what it feels like?" she asked, quietly.

"To what? Kill someone?" asked Alex.

Jack nodded, still leaning on him.

"Yeah…I guess it does," he said, eyes clouding with memories.

He turned slightly to whisper in her ear.

"I promise you that I will make all of this up to you. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. I won't let anything happen to you."

Jack nodded slightly in acknowledgement. Alex closed his eyes again as another wave of emotion hit him. There were now three people whose lives depended on his actions. He was not sure he could handle it. But he knew he had to…for their sake, he had to.

Just then, his cell phone rang. He gave Jack an apologetic look and answered the phone.

"Mahone."

"Alex, its Wheeler."

"What is it, Wheeler? I'm kind of busy right now."

"We need you back in Chicago…now."

"What?" snapped Alex, "The cons are here in Utah! I can't go back to Chicago. I'll run the risk of losing their trail."

"It's not my call."

"What do you mean it's not your call?"

"It's headquarters…and it's an order."