Chapter Fourteen: As Jack Bristow Walked Away

Michael Vaughn took a deep breath outside the warehouse the next morning, steeling himself up to face Jack Bristow. He couldn't say he was looking forward to the meeting. Under the best of circumstances, he and Jack had managed to be civil to one another; under the circumstances they were currently facing, he would be surprised if Jack didn't pull a gun on him at some point.

He wasn't disappointed. He had no sooner taken his first step inside the warehouse than he found himself slammed against the wall, a gun pressed under his chin.

"Where the hell's Banning?"

"Banning's not coming," Michael said, doing his best to stay calm. He reminded himself that back in his CIA days, he'd been able to hold his own with Jack. Sometimes.

"I suppose she told you all about what she and I have talked about."

"She didn't tell me much, actually," Michael responded. "And she didn't tell me voluntarily. I followed her here yesterday, on an instinct, and later I-- well, I threatened her at gunpoint." This whole situation was so absurd, it was almost humorous. Almost.

"And why did you feel compelled to take her place at this meeting?" Jack demanded. "To tell me in person that I'd lost my contact within the Organization? I won't need her in a week's time, anyway, Mr. Vaughn. Assuming you and your wife make the right decision."

"You really think what you told Sydney makes her feel confident making the right decision, as you call it?" Never mind that he and Sydney were already planning to make that decision. Maybe if Jack thought they were teetering on the brink, he would help them. Help them make sure their children would be safe.

Or maybe he'd blow Michael's head off.

"I hope what I told her made her feel like doing the right thing was the only decision," Jack barked.

"Sure, Jack." Michael felt the gun press harder into his chin. "Do you have any idea how hard it's going to be for you to take Irina into custody? Do you realize what she could do to Sydney's and my children in the meantime?"

To Michael's surprise, Jack withdrew his gun, returning it to his holster. "If that's all the confidence you and my daughter have in me, in my ability to set things right," he said, his voice laced with a sadness Michael had never heard from him. "Then it's no wonder things have turned out the way they have for the two of you."

Michael looked away. The truth was, he and Sydney had never doubted what Jack Bristow could do. They'd doubted what he was willing to do.

"You named your son after me."

Michael looked up at his father-in-law, surprised. "Yes."

"Why?"

"It was Sydney's idea." Michael shrugged. "It wasn't just because she knew she might never see you again. Jack was a name she equated with-- you know. Strength."

Jack didn't smile-- Michael had never seen him do that. But his expression softened. "I'll bet Irina loved that."

"That's the thing." Michael smiled at the memory. "We thought she'd throw a fit, but when we told her, she just looked at us, and looked at the baby, and then she said--" he shook his head in wonder. "She said, 'That's perfect.'"

A long silence followed the words, just as it had when Irina had spoken them more than eight years before.

"I met your son."

Michael looked at Jack in surprise. "What? When?"

"Friday. I didn't tell him who I was. We only spoke long enough for me to plant a listening device on his clothes."

Michael looked at him in alarm. "What did you hear?"

"It was the day Sydney was told she'd be taking over the Organization," Jack responded. "I heard you and Sydney fighting."

Michael wasn't sure what to say to that. He stayed silent and let Jack continue.

"You were always Sydney's moral compass, Michael."

Michael's eyes widened in surprise, both at the statement and at the sound of his first name.

"With all the things she saw every day, the kind of people she dealt with, there was always the chance that she would let her dark side take over. You were there to make sure that didn't happen."

Michael found himself speechless for not the first time that day. "I'm sorry, Jack," he finally said.

"No, don't apologize." Jack shook his head. "For years, I was so angry at you. I thought if I ever saw you again, I would kill you for letting things turn out the way they had. But Friday, I realized you're no happier with the way things are than I am."

Another long silence hung between the two men before Jack spoke again. "Who's taking care of your children when you and Sydney go away on vacation?" he asked, suddenly all-business again.

"Mrs. Simmons, our nanny." It struck Michael as absurd that they were actually leaving for a vacation in two days. But they were still trying to pretend as if everything was normal, even though it was anything but. "She called Saturday to let us know she'd be able to stay."

"I'll keep an eye on things."

"Thank you."

Jack turned to walk away then, but he turned back one more time. "Despite my actions, I know that you and Sydney are facing a very difficult decision. Just know that I will do everything in my power to protect my daughter and her family."

Michael nodded. And silently watched as Jack Bristow walked away.