They walked the city streets, holding hands, neither one really knowing where they were going.  It was a warm night and there were lots of people out and about.  There was a comfortable silence between them as they wandered.  They were a few blocks from the hotel before Irina finally spoke.  "Now that you know something about the pain I've been in for last 30 years, I'd like to know what you've been through."

He gave her a strange look, perhaps at her word choice, perhaps at the question altogether.  "What do you want to know?" he asked, a little wary.

"Everything.  I want to know just what I need to apologize for."  She would have to break her rule of no apologies, but he deserved one for all she had put him through.  She brought their connected hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles.

"I thought you said no apologies."  He didn't want to explain to her what he had been through, but she had opened up to him and she deserved the same."

She smiled at him.  "I'm willing to break the rule just this once."

Where did he start?  He took a deep breath.  "Before I knew the truth, I was in shock.  I didn't know what to do, what to do with Sydney; I was lost.  I had taken a day off work-Sydney was at school-when they came to get me.  They took me to headquarters and wouldn't tell me what was going on.  All I could think about was what would happen when Sydney got home and I wasn't there.  They took me into an interrogation room and left me there for a few hours.  Then I was moved into what would be my home for the next few months—solitary.  I still had no idea what was happening.  They wouldn't let me call Sydney and tell her where I was.  I never did find out who called my sister and asked her to look after Sydney while I was on an 'extended business trip'."

She noticed his voice was starting to become shaky and stopped walking in the middle of the sidewalk, oblivious to the people around her.  He looked at her, confused.  Why had she stopped?

"Jack, do you want to go back to the hotel so we can do this in private?"

He smiled and nodded; pleased she could tell what he was thinking.  They turned around and started to make their way through the crowded streets that led to the hotel.  Amazingly enough, they found their way back rather quickly and made it back to their room in what had to record time.

Jack started a fire in the fireplace and Irina riffled through her bag, searching for more appropriate sleepwear.  She found the pajamas she had worn when they were at the safe house.  She was headed into the bathroom when Jack's voice stopped her.  "Where are you going?"

"I'm just going to change.  I'll be right back."

In one fluid movement, Jack grabbed one of her wrists and spun her around, pulling her into him.  He took the clothes out of her hands and wrapped his arms around her, pressing his forehead against hers.

"Jack, what are you--"

"Irina, you don't have to go into the bathroom to change.  It's not like I haven't seen it before."

"Yes, but if I changed in here, we might get side-tracked and you have some things to tell me."

He let out a small chuckle.  "We might get side-tracked? Might?  Oh honey, I think there's a pretty damn good chance that we will.  It's been 20 years, Irina."

She tried to get away from him and he responded by kissing a light trail down her neck.  He wouldn't be getting off that easily and she told him so.  "You aren't going to get off that easily, Jack.  I want to hear what you have to say."

He stopped what he was doing and looked at her.  She was serious.  "All right," he said.  "Go change and then I'll continue."

"Thank you."  He still hadn't let go of her and she tried to move but he wouldn't let her.  "Jack," she said, becoming frustrated.

"But first," he responded.  He didn't finish his sentence as he moved a hand to her neck and pulled her lips to his.  The kiss was hesitant at first because Irina resisted.  Soon, though, she gave up fighting and gave into the feel of his mouth on hers.  She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.  Jack ran his tongue across her bottom lip and she opened her mouth to him, deepening the kiss.

Suddenly Jack pulled back and the loss of his touch gave her a chill.  "Go change," he said playfully, his voice just above a whisper.

She sighed, giving him what she hoped to be an evil look.  "You're incorrigible."

"I know.  And that's why you love me.  Go."  She picked her clothes up off the floor, went into the bathroom and slumped against the door.  She was breathless; she hadn't been kissed like that in 20 years.  She had had lovers, sure, but none of them ever came close to Jack.

She quickly changed and brushed her teeth.  She went back into the other room and found Jack sitting on the couch in his pajamas.  He was leaning against the arm, his legs bend in front of him.  She sat down across from him, mimicking his position.  He looked at her, ready to begin, then seemed to think better of it, asking instead, "Why didn't you wear those last night?"  He began playing with the material of her pants.

"Just to see your reaction.  Would you like me to put it back on?"

He thought for a minute.  "No.  I'll think better if you keep what you're wearing now on."

She smiled and waited for him to continue.  They were in for the long haul now.  Once Jack started talking, there was no going back; it was all-or-nothing time.  Would she be able to handle all that he had to tell her?