AN: Sorry about the long delay...so many things going on in my life of late. Some good...some not so good. Had some, I suppose I'd call them, health issues, and then I decided to stay in the States this summer. For various reasons, I've been on something of a sabbatical from writing and reading fanfiction. But I'm back now. Sorry, you haven't quite gotten rid of me yet. ;) Oh yes, and in case you were wondering, there's some dialogue from Season 2's Dead Drop episode in this chapter in a flashback that Jack has. Just wanted to give credit where credit is due! Oh yes, and this story takes place before The Telling, just so you know and don't get dreadfully confused. So, without further nonsense, here's the new chapter!
Chapter 15:
The man wandered around his house listlessly, lost in his silent thoughts of days long gone. Before realizing what had happened, he found himself in front of a room he avoided at all costs; his bedroom. The very same bedroom he had shared for years with his wife, Laura...that is, Irina...err, whatever she was calling herself these days. The man typically spent as much time as possible in the office, on a mission, in a bar, or on the couch in his den, so as not to be forced to enter that room. However now, he stood outside the door, his hand resting tentatively on the doorknob, pondering whether or not to enter the room.
"Jack, you're fifty-four-years-old; you're not some junior agent or analyst," he mentally chided himself.
He shook his head and slowly turned the doorknob and stepped inside.
Irina sat back in her desk chair, waiting for her contact to finally pick up the telephone. She idly tapped her fingers against the stack of papers sitting upon her desk.
Ah, Yuri.
Irina, how are you, my dear?
I've been better. Tell me, have you any information on our dear friend' and his next move?
Well, our young comrade, Mr. Sark, has expressed to me Mr. Sloane's excitement about the latest Rambaldi piece that he is about to acquire. Something called the Di Regno heart.' Mr. Sloane believes he is close to completing Il Dire,' Yuri chuckled, adding But you know how close' he really is.
Irina rolled her eyes before answering, Remember, Yuri, that is between you and I. No one else may know of what we did. She paused, The Di Regno heart,' that's in CIA custody, she mused out loud. Thank you, Yuri...I have to go, Irina said and hung up the phone.
Jack stood up and went over to the night table that stood on the other side of the bed. He picked up the picture frame that had sat for years next to his side of the bed, and blew off the layer of dust that covered the photograph he knew was there. It was a picture of and Sydney sitting in a rocking chair, with Laura reading Alice in Wonderland to her daughter. The image captured Sydney looking at her mother with awe and delight as Laura read out loud. He hadn't seen that twinkle in Sydney's eyes since then, until she met Michael Vaughn.
He sat, thinking of his wife, recalling times gone by, when he thought of the last time he'd seen her. It was in Panama, when she was getting ready to leave the van and meet Sark and Sloane.
She'd looked at him for a long moment and bit her lip before finally speaking. I love you, Jack, she'd said, looking up at him cautiously.
He'd looked at her, and his lips turned upwards ever-so-slightly, I know.
Jack sighed and lay back on the bed.
Irina began to plan out her next move. If Sloane was after the Di Regno heart, then it was time to see Sydney. After all, the sooner Sloane was out of the game, the sooner I will be able to see Jack, she rationalized. One ticket to LA coming up! she thought with a wry grin.
Jack's mind wandered back to a therapy session he had with Dr. Barnett, the psychiatrist that the CIA forced him to see, where they had discussed his wi...Irina.
She went to see her mother. I tried... Jack paused, I tried to stop her. I made it clear.
Made what clear? asked Dr. Barnett.
Trusting her mother, he said simply. She's playing with fire.
Dr. Barnett rolled her eyes. We've had this discussion.
There's no one else to do this job.
Sydney went to see her mother, Dr. Barnett prompted.
Yes. She's there now... he paused again, looking for help. Continuing, he added, No one wants a happy ending to this story more than I do but I know this woman. I know her charms. I know her tricks. The way she presents herself, she disarms you. Some people have that talent. Compared to all of them, Irina Derevko is extraordinary.
She sighed in exasperation with the stubborn man sitting in front of her. Is there any chance that all she wants is forgiveness?
Dr. Barnett looked down at her notepad, Be specific about your concerns, she added absently.
Jack thought for a moment, I don't know what it is Derevko wants. Maybe something within the CIA, maybe to recruit Sydney to her side. I can tell you I know this -- Derevko is using this agency and my daughter to get whatever it is that she wants and everywhere I look people are complacent and cooperative! Listening to... he stopped, realizing how furious and emotional he had become, and tried to calm down. Taking a deep breath, he resumed his diatribe, Listening to a woman who killed operatives of the CIA. Who destroyed countless lives.
she wondered aloud, raising her eyebrows.
You asked me what I was afraid of. I can tell you, it's obvious, Jack stopped, I'm afraid of losing my daughter.
Jack stared with blank eyes out the window; Funny how priorities change, he thought, I've got my daughter, now I'm afraid of losing my wife.
TBC (One more chapter to go!)