Truth Takes More Than Time

Hey everyone! I heard that the episode after "A Dark Turn" was called "Truth Takes Time", so I wanted to start my own little idea on that. For a big change in style, I'm writing from Irina's POV. There might be a little I/J, I'll have to think about it . In fact, why don't you guys tell me if you want it to be I/J. Please R&R. These first chapters are going to be Irina telling her story, starting from when she joined the KGB.

Chapter One: How My Life Began

Nobody really knows who I am. I've lived so many lives, I've lost track of who I really am myself. At first, I was just Irina, a small girl from Moscow who just happened to fit the description of a good KGB agent. When I was recruited, they said it was only temporary, that I would be helping my country. Well, look how temporary it was; I lost everything I had for my stupid country.

Training was simple enough. I was a natural at almost everything I did; all the agents were amazed. I watched, as a simple month of training became a year of tests, physical and mental. I continued my studies at the academy, leaving here and there for small missions. Soon, though, my superior said that he had the "perfect" mission for me.

I was to go to the U.S. and infiltrate the CIA. No, I wouldn't become an agent; I would make one fall in love with me. I saw the profile of the man, Jack Bristow. He seemed like any girl's dream: top of his class when he was in school, model citizen, top agent in the CIA, and not too bad looking. A month before I was to leave, I was sent tapes of him working so I could learn what he was like.

The hardest part of the job was saying goodbye to my family. My mother and father thought I was going overseas to find a job and a life. My sister, Anya, was especially sad to see me go. She cried so hard the night before I left, I thought of calling the whole thing off. But then, I reminded myself of why I was doing this. The CIA was a threat to my country, so I needed to get the information for my people.

The morning I was to leave, I was told that Jack was starting some secret training program. I was to get all information on that. Finally, I was reminded that I must do all I could to get close to him. Jack didn't seem the dating type; he was too dedicated to his job. But, he did need someone, sooner or later.

The whole was to the U.S. I memorized what I was to say. I was Laura Johnson, an English teacher from Florida who had spent the last three years traveling Russia. I also looked over a few books I had been given on teaching. It seemed simple, just tell the kids what to read and learn. I, of course, wouldn't really be teaching. I was moving to L.A. to take a break and meet new people.

As soon as I stepped onto American soil, a small fear began to grow within me. What if I couldn't get close to Jack? What if I failed my first big mission for the KGB? Would I be allowed back to Russia? No, I told myself, things will go fine. I lightly tucked my hair behind my ear and headed for my new home.

The KGB had provided me with a fully furnished apartment on the south side of L.A. It was very homily; most of it was painted a pale peach. It was simple, but just right for me. I was contacted that night about where Jack would be going to dinner the next night; the KGB had tapped his line to get the information. He was going with a friend of his, Arvin Sloane, also CIA. Of course, they told people they worked for the State Bureau of Arms Control.

I got dressed up the next night and went to the restaurant. I waited at the bar for a while, ignoring most of the men that came to talk to me. America was full of insanely drunk men, apparently. Then, though, Jack came in and I plastered on a smile. I "accidentally" bumped into him and my purse "inadvertently" fell open, spilling its contents. He helped me pick the items up, and then asked for my number. At least he was a man who got to the point. I gave him my newly memorized phone number, then left. My mission for tonight was accomplished.

The next day at noon, he called, asking me to dinner that night. I agreed and found out the address of the new restaurant. When I arrived, we instantly connected, well, Laura connected with him. I had to remember not to have personal feelings, it could get me killed. We talked of our occupations and our likes and dislikes. Before I knew it, three hours had passed. We left the restaurant laughing about a story he had told. I cannot remember what the story was, but it was so funny, I had to sit down on a bench to keep from falling over. He sat down next to me and said how much fun he had. I agreed and said that we would get together again soon.

Before my eyes, a year passed of dates and outings. My favorite memory is about six months after meeting Jack. I awoke one morning to a doorbell. A delivery man was there with a dozen roses. Jack was out of town at the time, at a "business meeting." Of course, I knew it was a mission. I had begun to doubt myself, though. I was feeling what I said I wouldn't. I was unintentionally falling for Jack Bristow.

After the year passed, Jack asked me to meet him in the park nearby. As I arrived, I felt a fluttering feeling in my stomach, as if it knew what was happening before my head did. Jack found me and we sat on a bench talking. After a couple minutes, the conversation changed. He spoke of when we met and of how he felt. Suddenly, I got what my stomach had felt. Before I could speak, Jack was on his knee, asking me to marry him. Of course, keeping to my mission, I said yes. Yet, I felt I didn't say yes just for the mission.

I sent a message back to the KGB of the recent "developments". They responded that I was to stay there and go through with it. I hadn't even gotten any information and a year had passed. They said it was all right, though, that I had completed the first phase of my mission.

The wedding was small, only a few friends of Jack and mine came. I moved into his house soon after. It, like my apartment, was simple, yet homily. I adapted to the normal day routine of Jack leaving at 5 each morning and coming home at 7 each night. I, of course, was the loving wife he came home to, comforting him when he was stressed. Sometimes he had funny stories and we'd laugh together. Each night, though, I would look through his briefcase.

The first time I tried to get into the briefcase, I had problems. There was a lock on it that needed a turn-style code to get in. The next day, I sent another message to the KGB, asking for a decoder or listening device. Sure enough, two weeks later, I was sent a small device that would let me hear when the numbers in the turn-style were lined up. I mentally recorded the code: 72894.

About four months into the marriage, I was sent a letter that my new case handler would be coming twice a month for me to check in with him. I would give him any and all information I had gotten from Jack. He would come to a hotel nearby and I would go there while Jack was at work.

For three more months, things went just as planned. I met with my handler, Alexei, each time giving him a little more on Jack and the CIA's new plans. One week, though, I hadn't been feeling too well. In fact, I felt dreadful. I stopped by the store to pick up the answer to my questions and went to the meeting. I informed Alexei of my fear and he told me to do what I had to do to find out what was wrong. So, right in the bathroom, I found out the truth. The problem that could change everything I had set out for. The one thing that would change my life forever.

I was pregnant.

Okay, so, what'd you think? Please R&R!!!!