Well, I didn't plan this hiatus, it just happened. I really hope you are all still reading and please review. Since there was such a long break in between chapters, I made this one longer, especially since it's Brooke's turn to testify. Once again, I own nothing other than myself.

Author's note: Senator Mitchell is based loosely on former Senate Majority Leader, George Mitchell, who is a hero of mine. He's had an extensive career in politics and peacemaking. He was responsible for the Good Friday Accords which brought peace to Northern Ireland. Since I was just there, I felt it appropriate. Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Testimony: Part II

"Brooke, you have changed your shirt 10 times already. There's no reason to be so nervous." Jack was standing outside the closet watching me change my clothes for the tenth time. It was the day of my testimony and I was a nervous wreck.

I shrugged and put down the blouse I was planning on changing into, "You're so right." I laughed, "I must look completely ridiculous."

Jack's smile told me that he disagreed. "Well you LOOK beautiful, but yes, you are being ridiculous. Now let's go, we're going to be late."

In the car on the way to the Ops Center, Jack prepped me with questions he thought the committee might ask. To be honest, I was more nervous about answering questions about our personal relationship than anything, but if Jack could handle it, so could I.

When we arrived, we were greeted by Senator Mitchell, who wanted to once again thank Jack for his testimony yesterday and his candidness with the committee and to assure me that I had nothing to worry about. Out of all of the committee members, he was probably my favorite. He was an older gentleman with kind eyes and glasses and for someone who had been in politics for three decades; he certainly had never let Washington get the better of him. He was honest, direct and did his best to keep Senator Douglas' ego in check.

"Good morning, Director Bristow, Agent Davis" Senator Mitchell greeted us with a smile.

"Morning, George." Jack held out his hand, "Good to see you."

The senator quickly turned to me, "How are you feeling, Agent Davis?"

I smiled and shook his hand, "Please, its Brooke. And I'm better, thanks."

After the morning pleasantries, the Senator motioned for me to follow him to the conference room where everyone else was waiting. Jack grabbed my hand and turned to Mitchell, "Can we have a minute?" The senator nodded and headed into the room.

Jack turned to face me and smiled. "I just wanted to say, good luck." He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a tiny piece of paper. He handed it to me and winked. Then he walked away. I looked around quickly to see if anybody was looking. Before I went into the conference room, I read the note. It said:

"Don't let them intimidate you. You got this. Whatever happens, we will get through it. And remember two things: 1) I'm your biggest ally and 2) I love you. –Jack"

I smiled at myself and slipped the note into my purse and went into the most important meeting of my life.

"Good morning, Agent Davis. Thank you for joining us. Please have a seat." Senator Douglas spoke to me first as I came into the room. It was all the same faces from Jack's hearing the day before.

I took the seat facing the committee and poured myself a glass of water. I surveyed the room; it had been equipped with cameras. I adjusted the microphone so I could speak into it and settled into the chair.

"Agent Davis, I'm going to start the questioning. Do you know why you are here today?"

"Yes, sir, I do."

"Are you prepared to accept the committee's ruling after this hearing?"

"I am." I nodded.

With that, the questioning began. They each took turns asking me the details of the Virginia mission. It moved pretty smoothly and finally, Douglas got to the important questions.

"Were you the first to notice the manuscript?"

"Yes. I saw it out of the corner of my eye as we were running out of the building."

"Then what happened?"

"I stopped and decided to grab it."

"Did you let Agents Bristow and Vaughn know?"

"I did. They were already out of the building."

"And Director Bristow heard you and what did he say?"

"He told me not to get it since the building was rigged to explode."

"You argued with him over the coms, did you not?"

"I just explained that I was close enough to get it and get out."

"He then made it clear that he was giving you a direct order and you still disobeyed, did you not?"

"Yes."

"Agent Davis, your record has been impeccable. Your superiors and your colleagues have all praised you as an excellent agent who works hard and would never put anybody in the agency, or yourself at risk. Why did you choose to compromise that record?"

I sighed, "I wasn't thinking about my record at the time. I was thinking about how important the manuscript was and how I was pretty sure I could grab it and get out before the building exploded."

Senator Mitchell interjected, "And you did."

"Yes."

Douglas took back the mic, "Agent Davis, we don't have much time left, so I'll get right to the point. Did you think that because of your personal relationship with Director Bristow that you could disobey him and not face any consequences?"

I felt my jaw clench, "No. Absolutely not."

He continued, "Did your decision have anything to do with a personal issue you may have been having with the Director?"

"Absolutely not", I felt my face getting red but I knew I had to keep it together. "I have been doing this job for over a year and Director Bristow and I have always kept our personal and professional relationships completely separate. I have never gotten nor have I asked for any special treatment. That's the truth, Senator."

Douglas nodded, believing my answer. He turned to Mitchell and urged him to ask the final question.

"Agent Davis, we will end this with one last question. Could you explain your personal relationship with Director Bristow?"

I knew this question was coming. They'd done the same to Jack the day before. I took one long sip of my water glass and looked directly into the camera, I knew he was watching.

"We're very close, as Jack said yesterday. I know how it looks to everyone else, but it's very special and dear to us, to me. This ordeal has been very difficult and I promise you that I never meant to disobey a direct order or put anybody in the position they've been in. I made a split second decision to take a risk for my country, to look at the bigger picture. I'm paying for it now and I fully accept any reprimand for my actions, professionally. But this has taken a toll on my personal relationship with Jack and that's something I deeply regret. I can handle losing my job over this, if that's what happens as a result of this hearing. But if I lost Jack as well, I couldn't deal with that. He is everything to me." I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes.

"Thank you, Brooke. I think we have everything. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us this morning. And I think I speak for us all when I wish you the best of luck with everything."

I stood up and pushed back my chair. "Thank you, I appreciate that. Have a nice weekend, gentlemen."

I left the room and headed right for Jack's office. A lot of people stopped to congratulate me, those who had seen some of the hearing on the outside feed. I felt good about the hearing but as I got to Jack's office door, I became increasingly nervous about his reaction. I slowly knocked on the door.

"Come in."

I took a deep breath and opened the door. Jack was sitting at his desk and he looked up from the computer when he saw me. I stopped and folded my arms behind my back. We stood looking at each other, but I couldn't read his face.

"Well?" I broke the silence.

"Fantastic" Jack smiled at me and stood up from the chair.

"Really?" I was thrilled.

He came over and gave me a hug, "Really. Did you like my note?"

I opened my purse and took out my wallet where I had tucked it away, "Of course. I saved it here. I love it."

Jack put his arms on my shoulders, "I'm so proud of you. I admit that I nearly punched the computer screen a couple of times when they were questioning you, but you handled everything so brilliantly, just as I knew you would."

"Well I'm glad you didn't punch the computer." I laughed. "So what happens now?"

Jack rubbed his forehead, "Now they decide what your punishment will be."

I walked over and sat down on the couch, "And how long will that be?"

He shrugged and sat down next to me, "I'm not sure. They could decide this afternoon or not until next week. But everything will be ok, I promise."

Suddenly the morning's events caught up with me and I felt completely worn out. I was still recovering and the stress of the week with the hearings and things with Jack had been a bit much. Jack knew it, too. He gently rubbed my back as I closed my eyes. It was barely noon and I felt like I could have gone to sleep for 9 hours.

"Listen, I've got some more work here. Why don't you go home and rest and I will be home later. If there's any news from the committee, I will let you know. Okay?"

I leaned against him and for a second, I didn't want to move. "Okay." I said before I stood up. Just then, Sydney knocked on the door, "Dad? Brooke? Can I come in?" Jack went and opened the door. "Hi, sweetheart."

Sydney looked at both of us, "Are you guys okay? Brooke, you were awesome, you should have seen the rotunda during your hearing, everybody was clapping." Jack and I both smiled.

"Sydney, please do me a favor, can you run Brooke home? We drove together and she needs to rest, it's been a stressful morning. Do you mind?" Jack asked his daughter.

She nodded, "Sure, I'll be at my desk, come by when you're ready."

I put on my jacket and grabbed my purse. I scowled at Jack, "I wish you could leave with me."

"You and me both, honey. But I will see you this evening after work." He kissed me softly.

Little did I know I would see him earlier than that.