Title: Once Again
Author: Tasha
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance/Action/Adventure with a little Angst thrown in for good measure.
Summary: J/I Takes place after Endgame
Disclaimer: I do not own Alias and am not making any money from this fic.
Jack felt the cold bite of steel against his wrists, the cruel twist of his shoulders against unbending metal and instantly knew he had been captured. He opened his eyes, blinking slowly to clear the last dregs of unconsciousness from them. The room was cold and the bright light harsh against the block walls. Instinctively he pulled against the bonds that held his wrists but they held fast.
When he heard the sound of a door clanging in the distance, he closed his eyelids, so that he could see but his eyes appeared closed. It was an old trick, trying to appear unconscious, that would only fool the most inexperienced enemy, but it was the only weapon he had at the moment.
Through his slitted eyelids, he saw a woman enter the room. Despite all his training, his eyelids flew open and he uttered one word, regretting it as he spoke. "Laura?"
She smiled coolly, her eyes mocking him. "Ah, Jack, we meet again. How is our daughter, by the way?"
He had to press his lips closed so he wouldn't speak, but looked her in the eye, as if daring her to continue.
"I had begun to wonder if you would ever step into my trap. Then again, you always did take your time…with everything." Somehow, she managed to make the statement sensual and Jack had to force himself to look at her blankly.
She took two steps towards him and slipped behind the chair he was cuffed to. He could smell her, she was that close, and feel her hair brush against his neck. Running her hands over his shoulders, she whispered in his ear, "You're so tense, Jack." He didn't even breathe as he felt her hands move down his arms and a key scratched against the cuffs.
The moment he felt them loosen, his instincts took over. Jack flipped the chair over and slammed her body to the wall, neatly pinning her hands above her with one hand. He reached behind her and took the gun from where it was tucked, against her back.
"Did you really think I wouldn't try to escape?" He asked, almost disbelieving.
She laughed, a breathy sound, and looked up at him. "Of all the things I am, I'm not stupid, Jack."
He had forgotten how well she could avoid a question and anger flooded him. With his hand still holding her wrists and his body pressed so close against hers, he could feel every curve, Jack raised the gun to her head.
"Shoot to kill?" Her voice was mocking.
"You don't think I will? Of all the things you are, you're not stupid, Irina." He echoed her words of a minute ago and wasn't surprised when she smiled.
"Touché. But I know you, Jack. You can't kill me." This time she was serious.
And as he told himself to pull the trigger, he discovered she was right. Hating himself, he moved away from her. He still pointed the gun at her head, somewhat uselessly, since she knew his threats were empty. Yet, she didn't move. Irina stood against the wall, watching him back away, an expression he couldn't place in her eyes.
He woke from the dream with a start and as he remembered, cursed himself. The string of Russian floated into the still air of his bedroom. Wondering why he always cursed in Russian when he was furious, Jack forced himself not to think that Russian was her language.
Irina Derevko, who he had dreamed of nightly since he had met Elsa Caplan. Maybe because the story reminded him so much of Irina and himself or maybe because the ending was so different, he had dreamed of Irina since that day two weeks ago when he had found out about Elsa. It was always the same dream and he hated himself more every time woke up.
He, an experienced spy, the Director of Operations, for God's sake, could not terminate the life of one woman. One woman who threatened his country and the whole world. Telling himself it was a dream and that even he couldn't control it, Jack pushed his tangled mass of blankets away and lifted himself from the bed. He pushed his morbid thoughts away, not forever, but for the moment.
So, what did you think? If you like it, hate it, whatever, please review. I'm really interested in what you think, since this is my first Alias fic. Tasha
