Chapter 7
Irina lay next to Jack in the bed, her arms wrapped around him as he slept. Her thoughts were bitter. How had it come to this, she wondered? Each of them alone in their pain, with no one to turn to. What had she done to that laughing young man that prevented him from reaching out when he was in need? Why had he not moved on, found someone else that could share his life, his joys, his fears? For that matter, why hadn't she?
She felt him stir restlessly in his sleep, and hugged him close, willing her strength to him. She knew the healing process would take a long time. She had lanced the boil, but the memories would remain.
GEIGER: Jack... you know how this goes. Your heart can only take one more shock, perhaps two. I've never seen anyone go beyond three. Have you?
GEIGER: I have given you enough time to reconsider.
Jack gasped a little as Geiger turned the dial. The electricity hummed.
GEIGER: Your daughter is so beautiful. Imagine what I could do to her.
GEIGER: This is your last chance, Jack, to save yourself. To save Sydney.
He put the jumpers next to Jack's sweaty cheek.
GEIGER: Who are you working for? Hmm?
Gradually Jack became aware that this nightmare was different. He was no longer in the chair, but watching himself in the chair. He could see the fear in his eyes, the sweat on his face, but he no long felt them. "Hold on!" he wanted to shout. "It's going to be okay." He felt safe, wrapped not in the chair but in someone's arms.
The torture room faded, as he segued into another dream. Laura, holding him in her arms. How often had they slept like that, Laura helping him banish the shadows from his missions? How beautiful she was. He felt himself becoming aroused, and turned towards her.
Irina watched the play of emotions across Jack's face as he slept. He seemed to be coping better with whatever memory fragment had surfaced. The furrows on his face had eased, making him look years younger. Lost in her thoughts, she was caught off guard when he turned towards her, his arousal obvious. "Laura," he murmured, his hands exploring her body. "God, how I love you."
Irina bit her lip. When they had been married he had often turned to her in the middle of the night. Half asleep, they would make love languorously, falling back asleep in each other's arms. She gasped. Even half-asleep, his hands had been unerring. She felt her nipple harden as one hand lazily played with her breast. She studied him carefully. Still so fragile. She could not leave him alone with his pain tonight.
Leaning towards him, she gently kissed his lips, opening her mouth as their kiss deepened into passion and his tongue insistently explored hers. She lifted his shirt over her head, and gasped again as he brought his mouth down to first one breast, then the next. Reaching down, she slid his boxers off with the ease of long practice. Tenderly, she stroked him, squirming as he stroked her in return.
Mentally consigning her qualms about the wisdom of her decision to the dustbin, she rolled him onto his back and straddled him, carefully lowering herself down until he completely filled her. Jack moaned as she slowly rocked back and forth, gradually picking up the tempo. Jack's hips began moving with hers as he cupped her from behind and began driving the pace. Irina felt herself losing control, felt the blood pounding in her ears. She heard his breath grow ragged and saw that he was close. She squeezed gently, and heard his shout as he came, wave on wave. Irina let herself go, and followed him there.
Jack fell almost immediately into a deep, dreamless slumber. Irina, laying next to him, was shaken. How could she have forgotten what it was like to be with this man? To not be alone? Would there ever be a time when he would turn to her and whisper "Irina," and not "Laura?" Unaccustomed tears stung her eyes. She angrily wiped them away. She had handled a lot of things on her own these past 20 years. She'd handle this one, too.