Chapter 11:

Joseph cleared his throat and began to narrate the short version of the rest of the events in Jack's life up to the current day.

Now, you've probably already guessed that Jack never leaves his department, said Joseph.

protested Milo.

Laura had her baby, a girl; Sydney Anne Bristow born April 17, 1975, and the Bristow family's joy and happiness was complete. They lived together for six years as a happy little family. And then Laura was Laura no more.

Immediately, Milo's eyebrows knit together and the wheels in his head began turning.

Joseph quickly continued before the other angel could get a word in edgewise, explaining, Turns out Laura was really Irina Derevko, a KGB agent sent to America to obtain sensitive information concerning Project Christmas from one Jonathan Donahue Bristow. Irina was extracted and Laura died in a car accident on a bridge.

Well what about Jack? And the little girl? Did he find out the truth about his wife? asked Milo.

Jack was thrown in solitary confinement for six months under suspicion of treason, as the Agency thought he collaborated with his wife. Eventually they decided he was just a love-sick fool and let him go. But the damage was done, both to Jack and to his relationship with his daughter, Joseph paused, remembering the details he had read in Jack's file about the years after his discovery of his beloved wife's deception. Jack never really was the same after Laura's death. Night after night Jack came back late from the office. He was working himself to death to forget the pain and embarrassment that Laura's betrayal had caused. He began drinking to escape from his life.

Then came SD-6, Milo commented.

Yes, and the recruitment of his daughter, Sydney.

I know this already, whined Milo. I've been watching those silly goofs searching for my artifacts for years now. I must admit though, his face brightened, that Arvin Sloane fellow really has it bad for my work!
Rolling his eyes for the umpteenth time that day, Joseph sighed loudly.

And Laura...I mean Irina...the Man...the mother of the woman in the prophecy, hey wait, that's Sydney! Now who would've thought that it'd be Jack Bristow's...oh yes, where was I? Well, you know who I mean...she turned herself in to the CIA?

Yes, Irina Derevko turned herself in, and is currently aiding the CIA in its quest to bring down Arvin Sloane and the Alliance, answered Joseph.

Wandering back over to the two angels, God addressed Joseph, Now show him what happened today.

Yes, sir, Joseph replied.

Jack was walking into the JTF Ops Center, his footsteps making a sharp staccato upon the tiled floor. It was a raw and gusty day outside, the perfect weather for Christmas Eve. As always, Jack was clad in his suit of armor, a dark suit, a dark tie, and a dark look upon his face. While younger agents found themselves the Ops center, he marched into the building with only his business on his mind. A few brave agents waved to him and wished him a Merry Christmas, and one handed him a small wrapped package, some guy from Op Tech left it for you.

Joseph's voice rose above the sounds of merriment coming from the other agents, This evening, night before Christmas, about 10:00 P.M. LA time...

Get your head in the game, Bristow, Jack thought to himself as he walked down the long hallway to Irina's cell. Hannibal Lector's own private glass cage, he thought as he stood before the glass, drawing her attention.

She looked up from her book and walked over to the glass walls of her cell. How are your wounds healing? asked Irina, concern vaguely seeping through her veiled eyes.

You obviously had the chance to betray us in Kashmir, but you didn't, Jack stated, his face unemotional and uninterested.

Smiling, she replied, I don't imagine that means you've decided to trust me?

Jack swallowed. Our previous... he paused, dealings would indicate that your strategy here may be long-term. So for now, I trust that your behavior is predictable.

Irina's grin widened, By previous dealings' you mean our marriage? You know, technically, we may still be husband and wife.

The temperature in the room went down 30 degrees with the coldness in Jack's eyes as he glared at her.

I'm sorry, she glanced at him briefly before casting her eyes down, hoping to hide the disappointment that had suddenly and unexpectedly overwhelmed her.

Sydney's on assignment with Sark. It's my belief that he's still working for you, that you've coordinated your efforts to infiltrate both SD-6 and the CIA. Whatever you have in mind, I promise you, it won't work, Jack said plainly and sternly. So I'm going to offer you a deal. I'll see to it that you're relocated to a private residence on Puget Sound, under twenty-four hour surveillance, of course. But the illusion of freedom is better than none at all.

In exchange?

In exchange, you'll confess, tell us what you're really doing here, why you've turned yourself in. I'll give you time to consider my offer, he said, and walked away, his mind in turmoil over her unexpected aside.

A quiet Uh oh! escaped from Milo's mouth, acknowledged by Joseph's saddened face.

TBC