AN: First of all, thank you, as always, for your reviews! It's great to have someone appreciate your work! Anyways, I really didn't like the last chapter I wrote very much, but I suppose it was one of those necessary bits. Oh well. This chapter, however, is much more lighthearted and amusing. And of course, it's quite long as well! Hope you all like it!

Chapter Seven:

The same stars that were twinkling earlier began to sparkle once again in sync with the voices echoing in heaven.

I know. I know. He took the position, said Milo.

That's right. Not only that, but he threw his entire being into the job. No one could ever say that Jack Bristow couldn't get a job done, continued Joseph.

Yes, but what happened to Jack? asked Milo

Silence. A beat.

Jack took the job.

Yes, I know that, Milo started.

And he became a workaholic.

Oh really? Now he didn't give himself a bunch of grey hair, did he? Or worse, Milo gasped, he didn't start loosing his hair?

Lord have mercy, Joseph cast his eyes above, Forgive me for whatever sin I have committed to merit such punishment.

Milo looked confused.

Never mind.

The two angels looked once more at the continuing display of Jack's life. Time had clearly passed, and Jack was waiting in an airport with Ben. Ben was happily munching away at a bag of peanuts, sitting on a baggage cart, while Jack paced up and down in front of him.

Jack got four years older, working at the agency. He spent little time relaxing or enjoying himself, and rarely got a moment to himself. His friend Arvin had gone on holiday to California with his girlfriend, Emily, and Jack and Ben went to the airport to pick their friends up, Joseph narrated.

An announcement came over the PA system, announcing the arrival of Flight 940 from LAX, the airport in Los Angeles. The faint roar of a plane's engine snuck through the glass windows looking out on the runway.

Thar she blows. You know what the three most exciting sounds in the world are? Jack asked his friend.

Uh-huh. Breakfast is served; lunch is served; dinner . . . Ben said, ticking off his responses on his fingers.

Jack rolled his eyes, No, no, no, no! Anchor chains, train whistles, and plane motors.

Ben held out his bag.

A light lit up over the door where the passengers would be disembarking from the plane. Minutes later, the door opened, and tired looking men and women exit. Arvin Sloane was one of the first to get off, followed by an attractive girl about the same age as he. Jack rushed over to his friend, and the two men embraced.

"There's the joker now! Mr. 'It wasn't me' Sloane!" Jack said.

Arvin grinned, Well, if it isn't old 'double 0' Bristow! What? No beautiful women? No gadgets? He turned to the other man, who was playing with his yo-yo, Ben, you haven't changed a bit!

"Shhh! The yo-yo is sleeping!" he whispered to his friend. He sighed and wound up his toy. Nobody ever changes around here. You know that, said Ben, taking his turn to hug his friend.

Oh, am I glad to see you, Jack shook his head happily. How was California?

California was great. We stayed in a nice bed and breakfast in Sonoma, Arvin responded. Say, where's Mama B?

She's home cooking the fatted calf. Come on, let's go, said Jack.

Oh, wait, Arvin paused. Wait...wait a minute.

Arvin turned to the woman beside him, Emily Dakin, the same young lady who came off the plane with him. The same Emily who had been his girlfriend since their years in college. The same woman who was Laura's roommate, Jack thought to himself. In the excitement of greetings, she had been momentarily forgotten. She stood quietly next to Arvin, smiling and waiting.

Hello Em, Jack nodded in acknowledgment.

Ben mimicked his friend, also nodding, How do you do, my dear. He took her hand in his, and shook it as though he was a politician, catering for votes.

Jack, Ben, you remember Emily, of course, Arvin took the woman's hand.

The woman smiled, winking at Arvin, adding, Emily Sloane, if you don't mind.

Jack and Ben stared at the couple, their jaws hitting the floor, astounded.

Ben raised one eyebrow, confusion threatening to cause his ears to smoke.

Well, I called you, telling you that I had a surprise, Arvin grinned mischievously. Here she is. Meet the wife.

Jack was thunderstruck, and took Emily's hand without thinking.

Well, what do you know--wife, Ben shook his head in disbelief.

Well, well, well. Congratulations. Congratulations, Jack said, shaking the new Mrs. Sloane's hand. Then he stopped, mid-shake, What am I doing? Jack leaned over and kissed Emily on the cheek.

Jack mock glared at Arvin, Why didn't you tell somebody? He turned to Emily, What's a pretty girl like you doing marrying this two-headed friend of mine?

Well, I'll tell you...it's purely mercenary, she smirked, I'm in it for the money.

At this, Jack's head shot up, blinking rapidly in shock.

The fact that I love him, and that he's a sweet, endearing man is just a fringe benefit, she finished, a grin spreading across her face as she poked Arvin in the side and tickled him mercilessly.

Jack let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, and smiled, relieved. He turned and picked up Emily's suitcase, and watched as Ben offered their friend's wife his arm, and led her off, talking loudly and jubilantly.

Jack...I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner about Emily, Arvin said to him. You've been holding the bag here for four years, and...well, I won't let you down, Jack. I want to help you and Ben however I can...oh, wait a minute. I forgot my bag. I'll be right back. He dashed off in search of the baggage claim.

He runs out of the shot, Jack watching him. Jack turned and walked quickly to catch up with the other two.

It was a surprise to me. The new Mrs. Sloane, my friend's wife. Old, old friend, Ben mused, thinking deeply.

Oh, of course. I wasn't sure if Arvin would ever agree to settle down myself, Emily said, laughing.

And I want to tell you, started Ben.

He means warn you, interrupted Jack, rolling his eyes, knowing what was coming next.

Ben glared at his friend, then looked back at Emily, Either way, we're going to give the biggest party this city ever saw!

Besides the Inaugural Ball, Jack added.



And besides the end of the war, he continued.

Uh huh, Ben tapped his foot, impatiently.

Besides the...

Okay, Jack, Ben sighed in frustration, I get the point. What I mean is, the biggest party we've ever given. He threw his hands up and stalked away.

Emily smiled at Ben, who couldn't help but smile back.

I'm going to go make sure Arvin didn't get lost, Ben told Emily and Jack,

Emily went over to where Jack was standing and offered him some of her popcorn. Here, have some popcorn. Jack, Jack, Jack...that's all Arvin ever talks about.

Emily, can I ask you something? Jack said in a low voice, nervously examining his hands.

Of course, Jack. Why wouldn't I? she smiled reassuringly at him.

Jack took a deep breath, How's Laura?

Oh, yes, she's very good. Happy as a clown, Jack smiled at this. She's going for her master's in literature; she wants to be an English teacher.

That's good, Jack said. There aren't, that is, she doesn't...ummm....what I mean is, he stuttered.

Emily looked away, a hint of sadness for her husband's best friend, Well, she's going with someone from Arvin's office.



I think his name is Bob...Bob Lindsay. That's it. They've been together for the past two years, she whispered.

I see, Jack said, without emotion, looking away.

The scene faded and wiped to the Bristows' house, in the beginning of the evening, after the wedding celebration for Emily and Arvin. Jack's uncle, Kenneth, was taking a photograph of the group assembled on the porch. Flash bulbs went off, and the group broke up. A small crowd entered the front door of the house, leaving Jack and Ben on the porch. The two men were sitting on the front steps, Jack looking melancholy, and Ben clearly tipsy as he swayed back and forth in his seat.

Oh, boy, oh boy, oh boy, Ben stumbles down the front steps. He stood up slowly, shaking. I feel so good, I could spit in Bob Lindsay's eye. Jack grinned slightly at his friend, privately wishing he could do more than spit at Bob. I think I will, continued Ben. What did you say, huh? Oh, maybe I'd better go home.

He spun around, looking for his hat, which, meanwhile, was sitting on his head.

Where's my hat? Where's my... he said.

Jack took the hat from Ben's head and handed it to him.

Oh, thank you, Jack, Ben said. But which one is mine?

Jack laughed, The middle one, Ben.

Oh, thank you, Jack, old boy, old boy, he clasped him on the shoulder. Now, look--if you'll point me in the right direction...would you do that? Jack?

Right down here, Jack pointed, walking his friend down the front steps. He turned Ben around, and headed him down the street towards his apartment.

Old secret agent pal, huh... Ben muttered.

Now you just turn this way and go right straight down, Jack told him.

That way, huh?

He staggered down the street, singing Beast of Burden. Jack turns around, only to hear the crash of cans and bottles.

I'm all right. I'm all right, called Ben. ...I'll never be your beast of burden...'

Jack stood at the garden gate, shaking his head in amusement at Ben's antics. He took some papers from his jacket pocket, and threw them out, obviously disturbed about the latest news Emily had given him. He opened the gate, and sat back down on the front steps, his chin propped up between his hands. Mrs. Bristow came out of the house and from behind, she kissed him on top of his head.

Hello, Mom, Jack said.

You're really the life of the party, aren't you Jack? his mother teased. How do you like her? she nodded towards the house, where Arvin and Emily, among a crowd of other couples, were dancing to the music of a record player.

She's wonderful, Jack said.

Looks like she can keep Arvin on his toes, Mrs. Bristow smiled.

Keep him out of trouble, anyway, Jack looked down at his feet and grinned.

Did you know that Laura Brown is back from school? his mother asked.

Jack's heart involuntarily sped up to his dismay.

Came back three days ago, she continued.



Nice girl, Laura, Mrs. Bristow added.



Kind that will help you find the answers, Jack.



Oh, stop that grunting, Mrs. Bristow said frustrated with her son and crossing her arms.

Jack continued, amused.

Can you give me one good reason why you shouldn't call on Laura? she asked.

Sure--Bob Lindsay, Jack spat out the name in disgust.

questioned Mrs. Bristow, mocking her son's earlier grunts.

Jack continued absently, Bob's crazy about my Laura. Been dating her for two years.

Mrs. Bristow smiled slightly at the reference to my Laura. Then, in a knowing voice, she responded, Well, she's not crazy about him.

Well, how do you know? he asked quickly, betraying his eagerness to know. Did she tell you?



Well then, how do you know? Jack asked, slightly disappointed.

Well, I've got eyes, haven't I? she fixed her son with a piercing stare. Why, she lights up like a firefly whenever you're around. And of course, she never looks as happy with Bob, as she does when she's with you.

he trailed off.

And besides, she added, Bob Lindsay's away in New York City, and you're here in Washington.

And all's fair in love and war? Jack mused.

Primly, Mrs. Bristow answered, I don't know about war.

Mother, you know, Jack said, I can see right through you--right back to your back collar button...trying to get rid of me, huh?

she nodded.

Mrs. Bristow kissed her son on the cheek and put his hat on his head.

Well, there's my hat, what's your hurry? All right, Mother, old pal, I think I'll go out and find a girl and do a little passionate necking, Jack looked at her with a cheeky grin on his face.

Oh, Jack! Mrs. Bristow said exasperatedly.

Now, if you'll just point me in the right direction...this direction? he said, repeating his friend's words. As he walked off into the darkness, he called to his mother, Good night, Mrs. Bristow.

TBC