Title: And Now for Something Completely Different...
Author: Aqua Phoenix1
Disclaimer: 24 and any people or places affiliated with it are not property of the author i.e. me. Unfortunately.
Rating: PG (Rated for a naughty word. Likely to change in following chapters)
Really Big A/N: As far as I'm aware, there is nothing like this in the 24 section of fanfiction net. In fact, I don't read much 24 fanfiction. This thing just attacked me one day. I'll warn you in advance: it is very AU. This is not set in the 24 universe. For those of you that run screaming in terror at this thought, fine. But for those of you that have an open mind, this might just be your cup of tea!
Being in the different universe my fic is, some changes have been made. The most obvious ones you'll have to get your head around is changes in age and relationship. For example, for the purposes of this story, Teri is Jack's sister and Kim is in no way related to him. Apart from this, I've tried to keep characters' personalities in check so they're not completely different to the people we know and love.
Feedback is everything to me. Please tell me what you think. I do accept flames (they keep me nice and toasty) but I'd prefer you had some constructive criticism. I mean, when you have to abuse the author, it doesn't say much for you, does it? However, to any flames I receive complaining about the AU-ness of the story: I will print them out and eat them. You've been given plenty of warning about that.
Anyway, on with the show...
Jack slammed against the tree trunk, pressing his back to the rough bark he could feel through his body-hugging sweater. He willed his breathing to slow as is shaking hands struggled with the clip of his handgun, the blackness of night doing little to aid his progress. The magazine seemed to scream when it finally clicked into place; Jack choked back the lump in his throat that threatened to suffocate him. Straining his ears, now he shifted into a squatting position, venturing a glance over his shoulder: black. Work eyes, he mentally growled, wiping away the sweat and blood that was trickling down his face, down into his mouth where he tasted copper and salt.
A sharp crack not ten metres from his place made Jack stop mid-wipe, the lump in his throat now replaced with his thundering heart. With all the cautiousness of a mouse avoiding the snap of the mousetrap, the sandy-haired man brought his hand back down to help steady his weapon and again peered from his vantage point, a futile attempt to scope out his enemy's whereabouts. Jack was readjusting the belt at his waist when the bush beside him exploded as the man he had so desperately been searching for caught up with him at last. Fumbling for his weapon, Jack's mouth opened in a surprised yelp before five bullets tore into his chest, ripping through flesh as if it wasn't there at all, cut off his scream. He fell, hard, against the tree, hot blood staining the wood.
Gasping with effort, Jack somehow unsheathed his standard issue hunting knife, the long blade gleaming dully in the moonlight. He knew he was on his last legs, that he was the only one that could stop this terrorist now, his knuckles were turning white. Throwing his entire body weight at his attacker, Jack plunged his knife into the other's chest. The man made no sound as the blade entered him; the blood bubbling in his mouth prevented this as he too collapsed to the ground in a writhing heap. Despite the searing fire in his chest, Jack's white teeth shone through his dirty face. He had done it. He would die a hero.
The last thought he had was of his beautiful wife, Nina Myers, before he passed into eternal darkness.
'Jack.'
His head hurt. He didn't want to face reality.
'Jack!'
This time, Jack heard the barely controlled anger in the voice and he reluctantly opened an eye. Sunlight poured in, blinding him, reawakening him to the day. Squeezing the eye shut again, he groaned before sitting up and shaking his head, his movements sluggish from sleep. He blinked a few times, testing the validity of the scene his eyes were relaying to his brain then did his best to form an apologetic expression as he stared up at the sharp man before him.
'Jack Bauer, would you care to explain what you were doing just now?'
What a stupid question! Jack thought, or at least that's what he believed he had done. Instead, he found his mouth uttering the words followed by a low undertone of snickers. The teacher gave them all a glare for their efforts, reducing them to silence. When his piercing haze returned to Jack, he snapped, 'What was that?' Jack muttered something inaudible, causing the man to turn beetroot. 'Then I think it's time you payed a visit to the principal.'
Jack pushed his chair back with a little more force than necessary; the griding screech produced making the others cringe, and stalked down the rows of desks towards the exit. A chunk of screwed up paper whacked him in the back of the head and the room erupted in laughter. Jack paused. Didn't look over his shoulder. Kept walking.
His pace quickened now and soon Jack had left behind the angry yells of, 'Sit down right now, Mr Almeida!' and the jeering faces of his classmates: 'Jack's a wimp!' Safely out the door, he then glanced back at the chaotic scene he had abandoned. When he turned back to the empty corridor, he discovered it was not so empty at all.
Crash!
Sprawled on the ground, the blonde boy massaged his sore head, which seemed to be taking more of a beating than usual today. He tried to push himself up, winced, and fell backwards onto his elbows again. When he heard a small whimper beside him, Jack knew what had happened. 'You okay?' he found himself asking, more of a reflex than anything.
'I think so...'
'Either you are or you aren't.'
The girl he had collided with raised an eyebrow, and then recognition swarmed onto her pretty face. 'You're that Bauer guy everyone's been talking about.'
'A couple of jerks are "everyone?"' though Jack scoffed, he wondered why she hadn't run screaming in terror by now. Hanging around with someone like him was bound to bring your reputation down more than a few notches. He watched as the girl smiled and shook her head, cropped blonde hair dancing around her. 'So, where were you off to in such a hurry?'
Jack averted his gaze. When she saw his reluctance, she changed tack, 'I suppose you're wondering the same thing about me. I'm new, and hopelessly lost.'
'I can give you directions, if you want,' Jack said and watched as her face broke into a relieved smile. 'Really? Thanks!' Then, as if she had only just remembered, 'I'm Kate.'
He noted her introduction, leaning against a nearby locker. 'So... where you headed?' She snorted with suppressed laughter as she pulled a crumpled piece of paper from the pocket of her skirt. 'That's the thing. I couldn't read these timetables if my life depended on it.' Kate sighed in mock desperation while Jack fought away the smile that threatened to appear. He took the offered slip and studied it for a moment. 'You have history with Mr Mason right now,' he informed her as he passed it back. 'Better hurry. He doesn't take lateness well.'
Kate babbled her thanks, and then said, 'I didn't catch your first name.'
'Jack,' he supplied, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. After a moment's consideration, he decided to continue. 'So... what have they been saying?' he asked in what he hoped was a non-interested sounding tone, arms hugging his chest in the classical defensive stance.
'That I should stay away from you.'
This time he couldn't help but smile. 'They were right.'
Kate seemed like she was tossing up between believing him or not when the door down the hallway swung open, cracking against the concrete wall as Jack's history teacher stormed from the classroom. Catching sight of him midway down the corridor, and with a girl no less, Mr Mason bellowed, 'Bauer, don't make me say it again!' Jack glanced at Kate before turning and strolling towards the principal's office; he felt he knew the way so well by now he could walk there with his eyes closed. Behind him, the click click of Kate's shoes resonated throughout the seemingly deserted building. A strangely pleasant sound.
Jack rounded the corner and immediately skidded to a stop, his worn trainers squeaking loudly on the freshly cleaned floor. Without any warning, the dark-haired boy in front of him gulped down the last of his drink and hurled the empty bottle at Jack. It came to a sickening crash at Jack's feet, a stray shard catching him just above the eye. Warm liquid spilt onto his face. The remnants of alcohol made his cut burn.
Hector grinned at him, pushing back the sleeves of his dirtied white shirt. 'Hey, Jack.' The sound of his name in Salazar's mouth made Jack want to throw up but he managed to stay silent.
'Why don't you just clear out now before I fuck you up again.' It was hardly a question. Hector didn't ask, he demanded. Jack shifted his balance slightly, bracing himself for the punch he knew was coming. To make matters worse, if Hector was there, Saunders wasn't far behind. Jack swallowed and hoped that by doing so he hadn't given his enemy the satisfaction of knowing he was nervous.
The slightly taller boy took one menacing step forwards. 'Did you hear me, Bauer?' Jack's only response was the clenching of his jaw. This only served to further irritate the Mexican, who made to rush Jack but was cut off by a strong voice:
'Mr Salazar.'
If it had been at any other moment, Jack would have laughed: the look on Hector's face was worth more than all the money in the world. Jack watched coolly as the other boy turned to face the headmaster, the deer-caught-in- headlights expression plastered all over his ugly mug. Staring down at Jack's antagonist, Principal Palmer tossed his head in a, "Clear out. Now," gesture that sent Salazar scurrying down the corridor. As he strode by he shot Jack a venomous glare that promised they'd finish this later.
Once the older boy had vanished around the corner, Jack wordlessly, pushed his way into the principal's office, collapsed into one of the leather chairs and finally exhaled. He hadn't even realised he'd been holding his breath. As the door clicked shut, Principal Palmer cut the silence with his deep voice, 'So, would you mind telling me what's going on?' As he spoke, he sidestepped his large desk and sank into a chair of his own. When Jack didn't answer, Palmer's poker face cracked. 'It's the third time this week, Jack,' he sighed.
'I know, sir. I'm sorry.' He didn't know if it was a lie anymore. Palmer had looked out for him since day one and Jack hadn't even attempted to repay the favour. Knowing this made Jack feel as if someone was shoving a vacuum cleaner down his throat and was trying to suck his stomach out. Palmer was the last person in the world he wanted to disappoint.
The dark-skinned man's gaze remained fixed on Jack as if he was unsatisfied with that answer. Jack didn't blame him. 'Mason sent me here,' he eventually admitted.
The principal's hands came crashing down on the desk, causing the sandy- headed boy to jump. 'The third time!' he reiterated. From fear of being back into a corner, Jack couldn't help but retort with a yell of his own, 'What do you expect me to do!' His eyes stung as sweat and blood crept into them. Jack angrily swiped it away.
'Now I know you have some problems, but you have to appreciate the sacrifices I make to secure your place here.' He sounded calmer now, more like his usual self. 'Do you understand?'
'Yes, sir.' What other answer could he give?
The bell sounded and Palmer dismissed him with a wave of his hand. The last thing Jack saw before he closed the door was the principal hunched over his desk, head in hands, looking as if he hadn't slept in well over a year.
Jack's locker, no. 2448, was stuck right in the middle of the others. Every trip there was a battle in its own: shoving and being shoved in turn is an unwritten law of college life. Being shorter than half the students didn't help matters either. Dodging a stray elbow, Jack squeezed between his two neighbours where he struggled with his combination. When he threw open the door a bit too hard he heard the surprised squeal of what was meant to be Chase Edmunds. Brow furrowed, Jack peered around the other side.
'Hi again.'
Jack couldn't help but stare dumbly at her. What the hell had happened to Chase?
'It's Kate, remember?' the new girl offered, obviously mistaking his confusedness for forgetfulness. Collecting his thoughts along with his wallet, Jack voiced his question, 'What happened to Chase?'
'That guy with the shaved head? He asked if he could switch lockers with me. Something about a Tim or Kim.'
Jack shrugged nonchalantly. Chase and Kim had hung around together since Year 7. It really was no surprise they wanted to be closer to each other. Jack often wondered if they were more than just friends. A poke brought Jack out of his reverie. 'Wanna go grab some lunch? I need directions to the cafeteria anyway.' The slight waver in her voice spoke volumes. Though he knew what it felt like to be the new kid, Jack was still surprised by the suggestion. He paused a little longer than he should have before giving her the honest answer. 'I'm not the most popular guy around here. You'd do better with them,' he pointed in the general direction of Chase, who was talking energetically with two other girls. Before she could say anything, Jack had left. He always ate alone, anyway.