For the record I hate Marilyn, probably even more than I do the FBI chick. I mean honestly trying to kiss Jack? She thought Audrey was dead, but she had to have known Jack would've found out only hours before.

Jack got out of the car looking up and down the street to make sure no one was there, before moving to the other side of the car. He opened the door and led Audrey up to the large white house in front of them.

Jack kissed her quickly on the cheek before pressing the door bell. He took a deep breath, and wondered if this was a good idea. He didn't have a good track record with ex-girlfriends being around current girlfriends or wives, or for that matter fiancés.

Before he could change his mind, the door opened. Marilyn stood there stunned looking between both Jack and Audrey.

Marilyn ran to him, hugging him "Jack! I didn't expect you so soon, especially with everything on the news."

"I know, I was wondering if I could take you up on your offer. As I'm sure you've heard, CTU and the FBI is looking for us and I'm kind of out of places to go." Jack shifted uncomfortably as Audrey and Marilyn eyed each other for a second.

"Sure of course come in" Marilyn said smiling, as she moved aside to let them in.

"You both are welcome to stay for as long as you'd like."

"Thank you, really it means a lot" said Audrey trying to offer a peace offering.

She didn't know why but she had a feeling that Jack had left something out when he had told her about Marilyn.

Judging by the look Marilyn was giving Jack, and Jack tapping his fingers against his leg, Audrey was willing to bet that they had been involved together.

"Oh no, It's the least I could do. I mean just getting back from China and then having to deal with all this. I just can't imagine going through all that." Marilyn glanced at Audrey's scarred wrists which showed in clear view, before moving into the kitchen.

"Yeah well, it was worth it." Audrey said catching Jack's gaze.

He smiled and followed into the kitchen with Audrey. He knew she figured out what he had not told her about Marilyn. Hearing her say that he was worth going to China for quieted almost all his fears of her being angry at him, almost.

"Where's Josh? I still would like to talk to him" Said Jack taking the drink from Marilyn.

Marilyn handed another one to Audrey. "He's just upstairs on the computer. I'm sure he'd love to talk to you, he got a bit of a scare when you jumped off the helicopter."

Audrey raised an eyebrow at him "Helicopter?"

Jack grinned "I told you how I got to your house" he stated walking by her to the stairs.

"You never said anything about how you got off the helicopter." Audrey said watching him walk up the stairs. She turned her attention back to Marilyn, who she noticed was also watching Jack.

Marilyn turned to Audrey, a little embarrassed that she had caught her watching him "So you worked with Jack in D.C?"

Audrey nodded "Yeah for almost nine months."

Marilyn laughed "I can't see Jack working behind a desk all day. I'd think it'd drive him nuts."

Audrey remembered a conversation she had with Jack in the hotel before she was kidnapped; about how he had needed a change from his life. "Back then I couldn't picture him out in the front lines, doing what he does."

Marilyn sat down across from Audrey "You two look good together"

"Thanks" Audrey detected a hint of jealous in those words and it added to her suspicions.

"It's been since... well before Teri died that I've seen him this happy." Marilyn sipped her coffee not looking at Audrey.

"Were you two close?"

Marilyn looked a little taken back "No, we never exactly saw eye to eye on things. She never got over the fact that Jack had broken things off with her to be with me, and then Teri found out she was pregnant and Jack went back."

Audrey didn't say anything, but something told her that there were some parts missing to this story.

"Who knows what would have happened"

Audrey took a sip of her coffee choosing not to answer her.

She had, on rare occasions, told off some of the girls at the office that wanted to 'get to know Jack'. They had talked about him, fantasizing what he'd be like in various situations, and Audrey had found herself unable to keep her composure.

This was different though. Marilyn wasn't some flirty co-worker; she was Jack's sister-in-law/ex-girlfriend. Audrey knew how much Jack valued family, and wasn't about to start anything until...

"I do apologize for what happened at CTU though; but I thought he knew. I never would have kissed him had I known. I could see how hurt he was when I had to tell him that you died in China."

Audrey's eyes narrowed "excuse me?" Suddenly she didn't care if Marilyn was his sister in law or not anymore.

"He didn't tell you? Oh I'm so sorry. I just thought that he would've said something."

Audrey was debating between slapping her and telling her off, when Jack came down the stairs with a blonde headed boy, around 16.

"What didn't I tell her?" Jack already knew the answer to that question, and confirmed it when he saw the look on Audrey's face. He was going to tell her in the car, but was more worried by whatever Audrey was trying to tell him.

"Its fine I'll talk to you later" Audrey said trying to hide her anger. She wasn't mad at Jack after all. But something just didn't add up in Audrey's mind. Why would Marilyn kiss Jack if she thought Audrey was dead? Did she really expect Jack to get over her so quickly?

Jack nodded but looked worried and tried to change the subject "Audrey this is Josh, my nephew"

Audrey smiled, noticing how much Jack cared for his nephew despite his brother. "Nice to meet you"

Josh nodded and smirked at Jack "you too"

Audrey felt like she missed something as jack ruffled Josh's hair and shook his head.

They ate dinner and the conversation was light, with Josh and Jack doing most of the talking. Jack had grabbed Audrey's hand and squeezed it tightly before playing again with her ring finger, a habit of his Audrey hadn't quite figured out.

The night passed quickly and both Jack and Audrey were relived to finally make their way to the guest bedroom. They said goodnight to Josh and Marilyn before Jack closed the door and leaned against it, warily running a hand through his hair.

Audrey sat on the bed and closed her eyes for a second before picking up her bag from the floor. She pulled out a pair of pajama shorts and a tee shirt that once belonged to Jack.

Jack crossed the room but stopped just short of the bed. Jack's head dropped unable to look her in the eyes. She had every right to be angry with him. He should have told her about the kiss and he also should have probably mentioned that Marilyn still liked him.

Audrey waited for Jack to say something, anything. When he didn't she slowly closed the gap between them and when she was an arm's length away, Jack pulled her into him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, I should have told you."

"It's fine"

Jack held her tighter still "you're not mad?"

Audrey lifted her head up to look into his eyes "at you? No, but if she tries something again then I can't guarantee I won't express my true feelings for her."

He grinned leaning his head against hers. "You might have your work cut out for you. She never exactly got over the fact that I left her for Teri. She still thinks it was because Teri was pregnant, but I didn't find out till weeks after."

"So I'm guessing you don't have any lingering feelings for her?"

Jack kissed her softly, waiting for her to respond before slipping his tongue in her mouth finding hers. Audrey tangled her hand in his hair.

"So is that a no?" said Audrey breathing heavily.

Jack kissed her again, pouring all the love he had for her into it.

"There's only one beautiful, smart, sexy, woman in the world that I love, and she's standing right in front of me."

"Good save Bauer"

Jack placed soft kisses down her neck "mm I thought so."

Audrey laughed and took a step back "All right, all right, you better stop before we get carried away."

They climbed into bed and flicked off the light. Jack protectively wrapped his arms around Audrey as she snuggled into him.

But Audrey's fight with old demons faded as she focused on Jack's heavy breathing. It was Jack who would now come face to face with the demons locked deep inside of his mind, just waiting to get him in the darkness.

Reviews would be greatly appreciated and as always I'd take one word replies over nothing any day.