AN: Sorry about the long delay with the update. I've got exams coming up, so it will probably be awhile before the next one, too.
Chapter 11: Truth
Jack pulled into his driveway a little after 5 p.m. Finally, he thought. He'd left JTF at the usual Friday time, around four, and stopped at the grocery on the way home. As near as he could recall, all he had in his refrigerator was leftover pizza, leftover Chinese food, and some bread that had probably gotten moldy; he wasn't much of a cook. He picked up eggs, butter, bread, milk, jam, bacon, and orange juice at the store; he was capable of cooking breakfast, he just usually didn't bother. He'd almost gotten some other things, but changed his mind. Laura had been an excellent cook, and had enjoyed it, but he didn't know if that was one of the things that carried over to Irina. He could go back to the store later if necessary. He'd also stopped at an independent genetics lab to get the results from the hair tests. Kate was indeed his daughter, and Sydney's full sister. It still amazed him every time he thought about it.
He opened the door and saw a yellow rose on the end table just inside the front door. She was here, then. He glanced in the living room on his way to the kitchen; many of her books were still shelved there, and he wouldn't have been surprised to see her sitting and reading, but the room was dark and empty. In the kitchen, though, a post-it was stuck on the fridge with one word: "bedroom". He opened the fridge and was surprised to find it much less empty than it had been this morning; she must have brought groceries. As he stored his own groceries, he hoped Sydney still liked milk, since he now had two gallons.
Finished, he crumpled the note and threw it away, then headed upstairs. What did she think she was doing, directing him to the bedroom? You're mad at her, he thought. Just remember, no matter what she's wearing, you're mad at her.
He opened the door and smiled to himself as he realized his mistake. Irina Derevko lay on "her" side of the bed, fully clothed except for shoes and fast asleep. She was in the rather odd sleeping position that he had always thought of as uniquely "Laura": on her back, left leg extended, right leg tucked up so that her right foot was next to her left knee, right hand on her stomach, left arm over her head, palm up. He used to tell her that she looked like a ballet dancer when she slept.
He moved closer quietly, not sure if he should wake her. He noticed the huge bruise on her left temple and wondered how it had gotten there. He reached down and gently caressed her face; she moaned and opened her eyes.
"Jack," she whispered. She sat up, pulled his head down, and kissed him deeply.
He returned the kiss, but when it ended, he pulled away. "I missed you, too," he said, "but we need to talk."
Irina nodded. "How's Sydney? Does she know I'm here?"
"She's coming over in less than two hours."
Irina raised her eyebrows. "I do hope she's not going to turn me in."
"I'm reasonably certain that she's not."
Irina swung her legs out and sat on the edge of the bed; Jack sat beside her. She looked down at her hands in her lap. After a moment, she said, "Jack, I was pregnant when I left you." When he didn't say anything, she continued, "I would have told you before, but there was never really a chance until we were looking for Sydney. And…it seemed cruel to tell you then." She looked up at him, but couldn't read his expression. "Her name was Tatiana. She died when she was four. At least, that's what I thought until two days ago. Now, I'm not sure." Her gaze narrowed. "You don't seem surprised."
"She's alive. I met her yesterday."
Irina sucked in a rush of air. "Oh, thank God," she whispered. "Jack, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you…I just thought…"
"That I couldn't deal with two dead daughters at the same time?" He raised his eyebrows. "You're probably right."
"Wait, you said you met her? Is she here in L.A."
"She's coming tonight with Sydney."
"Jack, this is wonderful." She kissed him. "Now I remember why I didn't let the bastards kill me." She kissed him again. "How long do we have until they get here?"
Jack smiled at her. God, he'd missed her. "Long enough," he said, pushing her down to the bed and covering his body with hers. They didn't speak again for quite some time.