Irina slowly walked the halls that led to the pool, trying to calm herself down. She never expected to slap him, but he deserved it. He had no right to tell her what to do. On the other hand, he did. He was right, he was in operational control. But did he honestly think she should not be allowed to leave their hotel room?

She reached the pool room and found a chair to throw her things on. She stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the water. It was relatively warm and helped to relax her, somewhat. No one else was around and she started to do laps.

While she swam, she thought about what had just happened. Jack had admitted he was awake when she kissed him. Why would he do that? Was he trying to tell her something? And if so, what? She had also gotten him to admit he had a remote trigger, even though he never actually said anything. It was something she had expected all along but also something she didn't really want to know for sure. The thought of him having that control over her scared her. She wasn't scared of him, but of the fact that he could simply press a button and end everything for her. Just like that, everything she had fought so hard for, her life, it would all be over because of a single push of a button. He was probably back in the hotel room, contemplating pushing the button that could so easily destroy her.

She stopped swimming and shook her head, both of water and of her thoughts. She couldn't see Jack being so uncharacteristically evil. He didn't have it in him to do that. He may have changed since she left, but she didn't think he had changed that much; it wasn't possible. Or was it? She smiled as thoughts of Jack playing the enforcer for SD-6 ran through her head. He must be a terrific actor for Arvin Sloane to think Jack could actually enjoy doing the things Arvin makes him do; it just isn't Jack, she thought.

She swam a few more laps, then began to swim around the pool, going in any and every direction, burning energy and trying to clear her head. She did that for about 15 minutes, just swimming around, no real purpose or form to any of it. She finally climbed out of the pool, wanting to go back to the room. She no longer felt like being in public. Knowing anyone could come into the pool area and see her so upset was not something that appealed to her. She just wanted to sit in the Jacuzzi and sulk. The mission was going nothing like she had imagined it would. But then, what in her life ever did? Even her very first KGB mission went awry; she fell in love with the man she was spying on. She let out a small laugh at the irony of it all.

She wrapped a towel around her and grabbed her things. She headed back to the room, hoping against hope that Jack was not there. She had been gone for what seemed to be a long time, so perhaps he had left. She didn't care where he was, she just wanted to be able to make it from the door to the bathroom without him trying to talk to her.

She walked slowly back to the room, trying to delay what would be inevitable if Jack was still in the room. She reached the room, slid the key and opened the door hesitantly. There were no lights on, that was a good sign. She walked into the room, turned a light on and saw a vase of flowers sitting on the bedside table. The forgotten breakfast had been cleared away.

She was momentarily stuck in place by the sight of the flowers. The momentary shock wore off and she saw the card sitting on top. She picked it up and sat down on the bed. Opening it, she saw Jack's neat writing:

"Dear Abbey, I am truly sorry for our fight earlier. It was entirely my fault. Please accept these flowers and dinner tonight as part of my apology. They in no way make up for my stupidity, but it's a start. We have reservations downstairs at 6:00. You have until to get ready. Think that's enough time for you? I know you always take your time. I will pick you up at 6 on the dot. You will not see me until then.

Love, Samuel P.S.-Your dress should arrive shortly."

Irina was stunned. She never in a million years expected Jack to apologize, let alone do it with beautiful flowers, dinner, a dress and who knew what else. Although he used 'Abbey' and 'Samuel' to keep their cover, she could feel Jack's emotions come through every word written. The man had something up his sleeve and she would be happy to find out exactly what.