Same Disclaimers Apply. A/N: I'm back!!!!! Europe was great but I
think I went through a little bit of Alias withdrawal. Oh well, I had some
time to write a few more chapters for this story and begin another one.
Hope you like this; it's almost finished. ENJOY!!!!!
TORONTO GENERAL HOSPITAL - Toronto
Jack strolled down the hospital corridor with his usual severe expression; however, his step was a little lighter. Sydney and Jacqui had called to let him know they were on their way back to Toronto. He hoped Irina's spirits would be lifted upon hearing the news.
He approached the door but was halted by Irina's insistent voice from inside.
"The rest of the week! That's preposterous!" She explained. Jack ascertained she was referring to the rest of her stay in the hospital.
"Mrs. Bristow you had a very serious injury when you arrived here. I'm not willing to risk a set back in your recovery because you think it's time to be released. I'm the doctor." He crossed his arms authoritatively.
Jack's heart beat a little faster hearing the doctor refer to Irina as Mrs. Bristow but in the same moment realized Irina was about to chew him up and spit him out. Just as Irina began rallying off a string of Russian insults and curses, Jack walked through the door. He caught a few words and translated mentally realizing they were along the line of bastard and dirty little shit.
Knowing his wife would likely continue, Jack stepped further into the room. "Now, now honey, the doctor is merely doing his job." Jack smiled heartily at Irina and kissed her forehead.
Irina glared at him indignantly but decided to up the ante of his game. "But Sweetheart it's not that I want to defy the doctor's. I just," she ran her hand sensually down his arm, "can't remember the last time we went more than forty-eight hours without making love." The irony was not lost on Jack who could recount every cold and empty night in twenty years spent without his wife.
The young doctor, however seem embarrassed by the couple making eyes at each other. "I'll just come back later. So you can have some time alone." He said quickly.
"Actually, if you have a moment I would like to speak to you outside." Jack's sudden question surprised Irina and the red faced doctor.
Jack squeezed Irina's hand and left with the doctor. The door shut behind them but every so often Irina could glimpse the side of Jack's head through the window. Merely minutes later Jack reentered the room looking as though he had just negotiated a business deal.
"You leave tomorrow evening." Jack told her, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Irina indulged in a full smile. "How did you manage to persuade that little pest to release me?"
"I informed him that you don't react well when you don't get your way. And that was exactly why many of the people you encounter never see daylight again.
"I knew there was a reason I loved you so much." She grabbed the tie that adorned his every present suit and pulled him close to her. "Now, give me a real kiss."
Threading his fingers through Irina's hair, Jack captured her lips with his own in a slow, sensual kiss. "Mmm.better." She said huskily when they finally pulled apart. "What have you been occupying yourself with while I'm being held captive in this hell hole?"
Jack shook his head at his wife. "Catching up on some paperwork."
"Oh, anything I may be able to help you with?" Irina picked up Jack's hand and played with it absentmindedly.
"You may be able to. You see there's this woman that has been running circles around the CIA. At first we thought she was an international crime boss with a background of espionage and assassinations; however, now we find out that all of our intel has been incorrect. And this woman is in fact no threat to the United States or the rest of the free world. Now I'm stuck cataloging all of the people she helped during the last thirty years. Not to mention trying to avoid a potentially dangerous international incident if the Russian government were to find out the CIA held an innocent member of their royalty in lock up for over six months." Jack paused. "Keep in mind I use the term innocent loosely."
"This woman sounds like quite a menace. But it I were her I would likely not want the Russian government to know that I was alive, unless of course the country first knew with certainty that I had not intention of resurrecting the monarchy." Irina turned serious.
"I think the woman's decision to move to California permanently with her husband would be indication enough for Russia." Jack weighed in just as serious.
"Well then it sound like everything is in order." Irina grinned.
"No, I still have to complete all the paperwork." Jack's grimace brought a chuckle from Irina.
"How are Sydney and Jacquelyn?"
"They're fine. I spoke to them just before I left to visit you. "They're on their way back."
"I suppose we should make good use of the time we have remaining without the girls." Irina curled her hand around Jack's neck. Her sitting position in bed made for easier access to Jack's lips.
"Aww, aren't they cute sis?" Jacqui called after opening the door to her mother's hospital room.
Jack and Irina broke apart once hearing the arrival of their daughters.
"Well you're definitely looking better Mom." Sydney smiled.
"Thanks you Sweetheart. I feel wonderful." Making eye contact with Jack, letting him know he was in large part responsible.
"Did Vaughn not return with you?" Jack asked Sydney.
"No. He wanted to spend some time with his parents and catch up on some work at headquarters." Sydney answered.
"Have the doctors indicated when they'll be releasing you?" Jacqui took a seat in the chair across from her father.
"Your father just negotiated my release for tomorrow." Irina told Jacqui, who in turn looked at Jack.
"Told them she would get unmanageable didn't you?" Jacqui raised her eyebrows.
"Something along those lines." He said.
"Works every time." Jacqui nodded her head.
"They did however condition your release." Jack looked at Irina. "You are to spend the next week resting. Little movement, definitely nothing strenuous and they would like to see you at the end of the week to determine your status." There was a lull in the conversation.
"Sydney has news!" Jacqui announced disrupting the quiet. Both parents turned expectantly to their eldest daughter.
"Vaughn and I bought a house." She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.
"That's fabulous Sydney." Irina exclaimed.
"Yes Sydney. I'm very happy for you." Jack's enthusiasm was severely lacking. Irina shot his a hard stare.
"Jack, at least pretend to be happy. Sydney is almost thirty years old. You can't expect her to remain alone forever."
"It's okay Mom. Dad's not really the enthusiastic type." Jack scoffed at Sydney's sarcasm.
"That isn't true. I happen to be very enthusiastic about getting your mother home and spending the next few days with her and my two daughters." Pleased with his own response, Jack squeezed Irina's hand.
"Speaking of our time together," Irina began. "seeing as though I've had little else to do while sitting here, I've complied a list of things that need to be done if we're going to be spending the next week or so at home." She paused and lifted a pad of paper with a numbered list. Sydney and Jacqui caught each other's eyes and rolled them simultaneously. "First, I want you to give all the staff the next week off, excluding the gardener, pool technician and the cleaning staff but I only want them to come on Friday. We need groceries. Here is a separate list." Irina passed the piece of paper to Sydney who glanced at it. "I ordered a television for the master bedroom; it needs to be picked up and put in, don't forget to install the digital cable box. This is the list of movies and books that I would like to have while I'm being forced to endure rest. On and Jacquelyn you no doubt have a pile of laundry that followed you back from L.A., please don't leave it lying on your bedroom floor. Do it." Irina insisted with trademark raised eyebrows. "The three of you also have an appointment with the lawyers tomorrow afternoon to go over the holdings and power of attorney issues." Irina finished.
"Is that everything Irina or would you like us to build a city while we're at it?" Jack's comment sent the girls into gales of laughter while Irina merely sulked.
"I'll have you know Jack, that I abhor having a television in my bedroom but found myself ordering one for you yesterday. I know you like falling asleep in front of it." Irina shot back.
"How kind of you, now instead of the lack of television I'll to listen to you complaining and telling me to turn it off." Jack's tone remained light.
"Jacqui and I should get on this list if you expect it to be done by tomorrow." Sydney kissed her mother on the cheek and sped toward the door. "Bye Mom. See you later Dad."
Jacqui followed her sister's example and kissed her mother before exiting as well. "What was that about?" Jacqui asked once the door was securely shut behind them.
"I just have a feeling that conversation could go on for a while. Come on, you know your way around this city." Sydney pulled on her arm.
FOLLOWING DAY
"Syd, just let me see it." Jacqui said in frustration.
"Would you just wait, I'll do it." Sydney put her arm up to ward Jacqui off.
"Why the hell did Mom have to buy the most complicated television for her bedroom? And where the hell is Dad?" Jacqui cried, falling back on her parent's bed.
"I think I've got it." Sydney exclaimed. The television turned on to an Indian network. Every other station seemed to be exactly the same.
"Well that's great. Too bad ENGLISH is out primary language. Why won't you just let me try?" Jacqui whined while staring at the ceiling.
"Maybe if you were willing to read the directions I would let you try. But you're likely to make the problem worse." Sydney continued to fiddle with the T.V.
"I hate how everyone underestimates me. It could be quite possible that I know what I'm doing but no, you don't want to listen to me. Fine, that's just fine. When you're still here five hours from now just remember that I offered to help and you didn't want any part of it." Sydney listened to Jacqui's diatribe for a few minutes more before dropping the controller on the bed and sighing.
"Fine you do it! I give up!"
Jacqui looked at the controller and the T.V. for a minute respectively before keying in something on the controller that made the T.V. retract from the ceiling and turn on. She changed the channels and they corresponded to those on the T.V. downstairs.
"Oh." Sydney said sheepishly.
"Yeah, oh!" I told you I could do it. No one ever listens to me. Just because I'm the youngest doesn't mean I'm an idiot.
"Yes, everyone bow down to Jacqui's superior intelligence. Now can we forego the 'I told you sos' and move on to the next task on our list?" Sydney huffed.
"I have to do laundry. You can start calling the staff. Numbers are by the kitchen phone." Jacqui pounded down the stairs, leaving Sydney alone in the master bedroom shaking her head.
"Little sisters. Apparently they're no different no matter what age you get them at.
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TORONTO GENERAL HOSPITAL - Toronto
Jack strolled down the hospital corridor with his usual severe expression; however, his step was a little lighter. Sydney and Jacqui had called to let him know they were on their way back to Toronto. He hoped Irina's spirits would be lifted upon hearing the news.
He approached the door but was halted by Irina's insistent voice from inside.
"The rest of the week! That's preposterous!" She explained. Jack ascertained she was referring to the rest of her stay in the hospital.
"Mrs. Bristow you had a very serious injury when you arrived here. I'm not willing to risk a set back in your recovery because you think it's time to be released. I'm the doctor." He crossed his arms authoritatively.
Jack's heart beat a little faster hearing the doctor refer to Irina as Mrs. Bristow but in the same moment realized Irina was about to chew him up and spit him out. Just as Irina began rallying off a string of Russian insults and curses, Jack walked through the door. He caught a few words and translated mentally realizing they were along the line of bastard and dirty little shit.
Knowing his wife would likely continue, Jack stepped further into the room. "Now, now honey, the doctor is merely doing his job." Jack smiled heartily at Irina and kissed her forehead.
Irina glared at him indignantly but decided to up the ante of his game. "But Sweetheart it's not that I want to defy the doctor's. I just," she ran her hand sensually down his arm, "can't remember the last time we went more than forty-eight hours without making love." The irony was not lost on Jack who could recount every cold and empty night in twenty years spent without his wife.
The young doctor, however seem embarrassed by the couple making eyes at each other. "I'll just come back later. So you can have some time alone." He said quickly.
"Actually, if you have a moment I would like to speak to you outside." Jack's sudden question surprised Irina and the red faced doctor.
Jack squeezed Irina's hand and left with the doctor. The door shut behind them but every so often Irina could glimpse the side of Jack's head through the window. Merely minutes later Jack reentered the room looking as though he had just negotiated a business deal.
"You leave tomorrow evening." Jack told her, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Irina indulged in a full smile. "How did you manage to persuade that little pest to release me?"
"I informed him that you don't react well when you don't get your way. And that was exactly why many of the people you encounter never see daylight again.
"I knew there was a reason I loved you so much." She grabbed the tie that adorned his every present suit and pulled him close to her. "Now, give me a real kiss."
Threading his fingers through Irina's hair, Jack captured her lips with his own in a slow, sensual kiss. "Mmm.better." She said huskily when they finally pulled apart. "What have you been occupying yourself with while I'm being held captive in this hell hole?"
Jack shook his head at his wife. "Catching up on some paperwork."
"Oh, anything I may be able to help you with?" Irina picked up Jack's hand and played with it absentmindedly.
"You may be able to. You see there's this woman that has been running circles around the CIA. At first we thought she was an international crime boss with a background of espionage and assassinations; however, now we find out that all of our intel has been incorrect. And this woman is in fact no threat to the United States or the rest of the free world. Now I'm stuck cataloging all of the people she helped during the last thirty years. Not to mention trying to avoid a potentially dangerous international incident if the Russian government were to find out the CIA held an innocent member of their royalty in lock up for over six months." Jack paused. "Keep in mind I use the term innocent loosely."
"This woman sounds like quite a menace. But it I were her I would likely not want the Russian government to know that I was alive, unless of course the country first knew with certainty that I had not intention of resurrecting the monarchy." Irina turned serious.
"I think the woman's decision to move to California permanently with her husband would be indication enough for Russia." Jack weighed in just as serious.
"Well then it sound like everything is in order." Irina grinned.
"No, I still have to complete all the paperwork." Jack's grimace brought a chuckle from Irina.
"How are Sydney and Jacquelyn?"
"They're fine. I spoke to them just before I left to visit you. "They're on their way back."
"I suppose we should make good use of the time we have remaining without the girls." Irina curled her hand around Jack's neck. Her sitting position in bed made for easier access to Jack's lips.
"Aww, aren't they cute sis?" Jacqui called after opening the door to her mother's hospital room.
Jack and Irina broke apart once hearing the arrival of their daughters.
"Well you're definitely looking better Mom." Sydney smiled.
"Thanks you Sweetheart. I feel wonderful." Making eye contact with Jack, letting him know he was in large part responsible.
"Did Vaughn not return with you?" Jack asked Sydney.
"No. He wanted to spend some time with his parents and catch up on some work at headquarters." Sydney answered.
"Have the doctors indicated when they'll be releasing you?" Jacqui took a seat in the chair across from her father.
"Your father just negotiated my release for tomorrow." Irina told Jacqui, who in turn looked at Jack.
"Told them she would get unmanageable didn't you?" Jacqui raised her eyebrows.
"Something along those lines." He said.
"Works every time." Jacqui nodded her head.
"They did however condition your release." Jack looked at Irina. "You are to spend the next week resting. Little movement, definitely nothing strenuous and they would like to see you at the end of the week to determine your status." There was a lull in the conversation.
"Sydney has news!" Jacqui announced disrupting the quiet. Both parents turned expectantly to their eldest daughter.
"Vaughn and I bought a house." She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.
"That's fabulous Sydney." Irina exclaimed.
"Yes Sydney. I'm very happy for you." Jack's enthusiasm was severely lacking. Irina shot his a hard stare.
"Jack, at least pretend to be happy. Sydney is almost thirty years old. You can't expect her to remain alone forever."
"It's okay Mom. Dad's not really the enthusiastic type." Jack scoffed at Sydney's sarcasm.
"That isn't true. I happen to be very enthusiastic about getting your mother home and spending the next few days with her and my two daughters." Pleased with his own response, Jack squeezed Irina's hand.
"Speaking of our time together," Irina began. "seeing as though I've had little else to do while sitting here, I've complied a list of things that need to be done if we're going to be spending the next week or so at home." She paused and lifted a pad of paper with a numbered list. Sydney and Jacqui caught each other's eyes and rolled them simultaneously. "First, I want you to give all the staff the next week off, excluding the gardener, pool technician and the cleaning staff but I only want them to come on Friday. We need groceries. Here is a separate list." Irina passed the piece of paper to Sydney who glanced at it. "I ordered a television for the master bedroom; it needs to be picked up and put in, don't forget to install the digital cable box. This is the list of movies and books that I would like to have while I'm being forced to endure rest. On and Jacquelyn you no doubt have a pile of laundry that followed you back from L.A., please don't leave it lying on your bedroom floor. Do it." Irina insisted with trademark raised eyebrows. "The three of you also have an appointment with the lawyers tomorrow afternoon to go over the holdings and power of attorney issues." Irina finished.
"Is that everything Irina or would you like us to build a city while we're at it?" Jack's comment sent the girls into gales of laughter while Irina merely sulked.
"I'll have you know Jack, that I abhor having a television in my bedroom but found myself ordering one for you yesterday. I know you like falling asleep in front of it." Irina shot back.
"How kind of you, now instead of the lack of television I'll to listen to you complaining and telling me to turn it off." Jack's tone remained light.
"Jacqui and I should get on this list if you expect it to be done by tomorrow." Sydney kissed her mother on the cheek and sped toward the door. "Bye Mom. See you later Dad."
Jacqui followed her sister's example and kissed her mother before exiting as well. "What was that about?" Jacqui asked once the door was securely shut behind them.
"I just have a feeling that conversation could go on for a while. Come on, you know your way around this city." Sydney pulled on her arm.
FOLLOWING DAY
"Syd, just let me see it." Jacqui said in frustration.
"Would you just wait, I'll do it." Sydney put her arm up to ward Jacqui off.
"Why the hell did Mom have to buy the most complicated television for her bedroom? And where the hell is Dad?" Jacqui cried, falling back on her parent's bed.
"I think I've got it." Sydney exclaimed. The television turned on to an Indian network. Every other station seemed to be exactly the same.
"Well that's great. Too bad ENGLISH is out primary language. Why won't you just let me try?" Jacqui whined while staring at the ceiling.
"Maybe if you were willing to read the directions I would let you try. But you're likely to make the problem worse." Sydney continued to fiddle with the T.V.
"I hate how everyone underestimates me. It could be quite possible that I know what I'm doing but no, you don't want to listen to me. Fine, that's just fine. When you're still here five hours from now just remember that I offered to help and you didn't want any part of it." Sydney listened to Jacqui's diatribe for a few minutes more before dropping the controller on the bed and sighing.
"Fine you do it! I give up!"
Jacqui looked at the controller and the T.V. for a minute respectively before keying in something on the controller that made the T.V. retract from the ceiling and turn on. She changed the channels and they corresponded to those on the T.V. downstairs.
"Oh." Sydney said sheepishly.
"Yeah, oh!" I told you I could do it. No one ever listens to me. Just because I'm the youngest doesn't mean I'm an idiot.
"Yes, everyone bow down to Jacqui's superior intelligence. Now can we forego the 'I told you sos' and move on to the next task on our list?" Sydney huffed.
"I have to do laundry. You can start calling the staff. Numbers are by the kitchen phone." Jacqui pounded down the stairs, leaving Sydney alone in the master bedroom shaking her head.
"Little sisters. Apparently they're no different no matter what age you get them at.
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