Hey, thanks for all the reviews for Chapter One. Just before I get into
Chapter Two, there are a couple of things I want to address.
1) The formatting- I know it's a pain. I type it out all nice and neat on Word, and it's all spread out well, but it just wont post that way. Believe me, I tried and I tried to get it to work for Chapter One, until I thought the chapter wouldn't post. I just cant get Quickedit to work. If anybody wants to help me out....What I will do is, when things are happening at the same time, I'll let you know where they are.
2) The Tony situation- Okay, this is how I saw things when I was planning this story- Tony was pardoned, so no treason charges, and no reason for him not to work at CTU. He was demoted, suspended and fined for his part in the initial conspiracy to obtain the virus. Now, obviously, as you'll find when you read this chapter, there are a few people within CTU who disagree with that logic...That's the way I imagined things anyway. I hope that makes a bit more sense. And you did give me a few ideas (grins evily)
3) Jack. Well you'll just have to keep reading, wont you?
Today's chapter is brought you by the new Pearl Jam album and over exposure to Love Is Hell
Chapter Two.
Ashley followed Tony back to his work station. "What do you have in mind for me?" She sat down next to him as he typed, the light from his desk lamp glinting off his wedding ring.
He clicked open a file and pictures of Samuel Williams and Alyson Rawlings appeared at the top of his screen. "We ran a list of their known associates." Tony highlight one name and another picture appeared. "We got lucky."
She leaned forward to read the name off the screen. "Aeron DuValle."
"He runs The Garage." He smiled when she looked at him questioningly. "It's a club in LA."
"Didn't see you as the clubbing sort."
"I'm not. Anyway, Williams and DuValle go way back, and he's been on the A list at The Garage for the last month."
"Is Alyson?"
Tony shook his head. "No. Why?"
"Just trying to figure out ways to get close to them." Ashley chewed on her lip. "So we're going through the club. What have you got for my cover?"
"We figured that you'd be out for the night, out for a good time."
"That's okay, as far as it goes. It doesn't give me an excuse to get to them. Let's see their profiles again."
Tony went back to the main screen. "Well that's interesting. Alyson Rawlings was arrested six months ago. For possession. Daddy's money made it all go away." He looked over at Ashley. "That give you an excuse?"
She smiled. "Yeah, that gives me an excuse."
"What do you need?"
"Some cash and some merchandise. A Zippo, knife, pipe, maybe a small calibre gun." She counted the things off on her fingers. "Give me a police record, nothing major. Just enough to give me an out if I need it." She pulled at the shirt of her suit. "What type of place is The Garage?"
"It's a rock club. They have bands on most nights." He smiled at her again. "Local ones mostly, but sometimes they get the big names."
"A rock club? Great, I'm going to have to change."
"Don't worry, we got plenty of clothes here."
"CTU, Dessler."
"Michelle, its Natasha."
"What can I do for you Natasha?"
"Just phoning to remind you about the meeting next Thursday. Have you got your diary there? Its from 9am at Division."
She fell silent. Michelle could almost hear her thinking. Working out what she was going to say. Working out how she was going to say it.
"How about Tony? How's he doing?"
"Tony? He's doing good."
"Take your wife hat off, Michelle." Despite her words, there was no humour in Natasha's voice. "How's he doing as an agent?"
"He's doing a fantastic job, Natasha." Michelle felt her temper rising and struggled to get it back under control. "You know he's one of the best at..."
Natasha cut her off. "Hammond phoned. He's still not happy about Tony being back at work at CTU. Palmer made him look like an asshole. Look, I know things must be awkward, but just tell Tony to watch himself."
"I will."
"Watch yourself as well. Anything that hits him could rebound back onto you. I'll shield you both as best I can."
"Thanks Natasha."
"Alyson, can you get me the Maguire file? And another cup of coffee."
"I'll get them for you in just a second, Mr Matheson. I just have to finish these reports for..."
"Alyson, who do you work for?" He moved to stand in front of her desk. Looming over her. Taking advantage of his position to look down her shirt.
She lowered her eyes. "You sir." She hated this game, this humiliation. Matheson took every opportunity to do it as well.
"Do you think you should get to pick and choose what work you do, just because of who your father is?"
"No Mr Matheson." She felt tears start to well in her eyes. Every time she thought she had sank as low as she could, she found that she still had a distance to fall. And the prick Matheson usually found a way to push her over the edge.
"Just do your job and get me those files. Or I'll fire your pretty little ass, no matter who you're father is." He walked off into his office, shaking his head.
Alyson didn't have to look around to know that rest of the office had heard the confrontation. She knew exactly what they thought of her. She took another moment, wiping her eyes and nose. She just felt so low, so empty.
Her phone rang as she stood up. She sighed and answered it.
"Hello Rawlings Shipping, Alyson speaking, can I help you?" She rubbed at her nose as she spoke.
She just needed something, anything to lift her.
He knew exactly what she needed.
"I don't know if I can make it tonight. That bastard Matheson has just dumped a pile of extra shit in my lap. It's gonna take me hours to get it finished."
She was whining and she knew it. She hated it when she whined. Hated herself a little bit more. He knew it, and he knew how to twist the knife in her soul, knew how to make her come running every time he clicked his fingers, regardless of what he did to her.
"I'll be there by 9."
"Could I get some painkillers please?" Jonathan Modline wiped sweat from his forehead. It had gotten even hotter in the holding room over the last fifteen minutes. He coughed, his throat scratching with the effort. "Maybe some water?"
"In a minute." Tom Baker sat down facing him. "We've got a few more questions for you."
"Anything I can do to help you guys."
Nathan sat down in the other chair, hanging his jacket over the back. "Especially if it helps cut down on your jail time, right Jonathan?"
Modline shrugged and coughed again.
"What else can you tell us about Williams' operation?"
Modline pursed his lips. "He's got a large well equipped organisation, and a lot of people owe him favours." He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. Ignoring the sudden flare of pain up his leg. "And he'll call those favours in if he needs them. He's a ruthless bastard." He tilted his head to the side, a suddenly cunning look drifting across his features. "I got something big for you boys. But I want protection from Williams and some time from my sentence."
Tom nodded. "Give me the information and I'll see what we can do." Modline opened his mouth to protest. "It's the best I can do Jonathan. Take it or leave it."
"I'll take it." Modline didn't hesitate. "He has another shipment arriving tonight."
Nathan laughed. "Now how the hell do you know that?"
"Cos I was the one that bought it." He leaned back, self satisfied. "It's due in tonight, around 9pm at Wharf 4 in West LA. I think that might be worth some time off my sentence." He coughed again. "Can I get my water now?"
Nathan stood up. "I'll go assemble a Delta team." He glanced back at Modline over his shoulder as he walked to the door. "I'll send someone in with some water."
"Ashley's all ready to go, Michelle."
It was so strange to be back in this office. On this side of the desk. With Michelle on the other side.
Tony forced himself to continue. "We're putting her into play tonight. What do you want to do about backup?"
Michelle shook her head. "We cant have a visible CTU presence, Tony. We need her to get into their circle."
"I've given her a new phone. Virgin sim card, nothing on it for them to trace."
"Good. Thanks Tony." She rubbed at her temples again, distracted.
"Are you okay Michelle?"
"Yeah, I'm just..." she broke off. "Natasha phoned."
"Yeah?"
"Yes. She wanted to know how you were doing."
Tony stared at his wife. "What did you tell her?"
"I told her that you were a brilliant agent and we were lucky to have you back." She rubbed at her forehead again. "It's not her fault, Tony. Hammond's breathing down her neck."
"Jesus Christ!" Tony stood up, turning away from her before she could see the sudden rush of anger in his eyes. "I know what I did, but what the fuck does he want from me? Jesus." He paced across the office. "Jesus, they've done everything they could to me, even with the pardon, and he's still trying to shit on me!"
This wasn't his office anymore. It was hers.
"Tony, calm down. Both Natasha and I will shield you..."
"Shield me? That's bullshit Michelle, you shouldn't have to shield me..."
Her phone rang, almost unnoticed through their raised voices. She looked away from him and snatched the phone up.
"Dessler."
"Michelle, it's Adam. I found something in the Rawlings finances. Several withdrawals to a numbered account. Not big, not enough to draw attention unless you were looking for it. I'm starting to go through the accounts now."
"Thanks Adam." She hung up. "Look Tony, I know things are weird at the minute, and I'm sorry. But they will get better. We'll just work through things until Hammond finds somebody else that has pissed him off."
"I know, I know. I'm sorry Michelle." He turned and walked out of the directors office.
Out of her office.
"Chloe, I need the schematics for Wharf 4 in West LA."
"I'm a little busy at the minute, Tom. When do you need them for?"
"As soon as possible, Chloe." He turned around and started to walk towards his office.
"Jeeze, no need to shout Tom." She spun around in her chair and started accessing data on her screens, her lower lip protruding.
He heard her just before he reached his office door. He walked back over to her, leaning over her desk. "The shipments due at 9, Nathan's putting a team together at the minute. I need those plans, Chloe. Now."
"Alright." She blinked angrily, her fingers pounding against the keyboard. "Jack never shouted at me like that."
"Jesus Chloe, I'm not Jack."
He heard the words echo around the Field Ops office. He knew he was only saying what most of CTU was already thinking.
For once, Chloe didn't answer back. She typed a few more commands and turned her chair away from him. Taking care not to meet his eyes. "I've sent those plans to your screen Tom."
"Thank you." Tom walked back to his office. "Will you send Nathan in when he gets back from assembling the team?"
"Sure Tom."
He closed the door behind him and sank into his chair. His work station beeped at him, but he ignored it for the moment. Remembering his words to Chloe.
"I'm not Jack."
THE GARAGE CLUB, LA 9PM
She felt more comfortable like this. Dressed casually, for the streets, rather than for her interview. Ashley glanced around the club, picking out the bouncers and the dealers, the pimps and the whores. Squinting through the strobe lighting.
There.
She saw Alyson, just as the lights flashed brightly through the club, illuminating everything with a harsh red glow. Walking towards a raised area, to the side of the dance floor, cordoned off with a velvet rope. As she watched, Ashley saw one of the security staff unhook the rope for her.
"Time to go to work." She gave herself a final glance, making sure that everything was in place.
Then she started to walk across the club, sliding through the crowded dance floor.
WHARF 4, WEST LA
"I know she's a bitch, but she's good at the job." Nathan passed Tom the night vision goggles, and then highlighted the visual display. "I think we should move Rodgers and Forest to here and here." He pointed at the new locations. "Gives us better fire cover."
Tom looked at the display and nodded. "Do it."
"Delta 2, this is Delta Control."
"Go ahead."
"Move your cell to new position..." he glanced at the map again. "N72, E44"
"Copy that."
Baker waited until the conversation finished. "I know she's good at the job, I just want to know why she makes everything into such a big production."
Nathan shrugged. "What time is it?"
"Little after 9." Baker stared through the night vision goggles, scanning the wharf. "They should be here soon."
"If they're coming."
Baker grinned. "Oh they're coming. Modline would have sold us his own mother if he thought that would reduce his sentence." He tightened his grip on the goggles. "I may not be Jack, but I do know that."
Wisely, Nathan kept his mouth shut.
THE GARAGE CLUB
"You can't come in here." The bouncer thrust his arm across her, blocking the way up. "Private party."
"I've been invited." Ashley smiled at him and tried to slide past him.
"No you haven't." He turned his body to stop her moving past him, putting his hands on her shoulders, pushing her away, back down the steps.
She went with the motion.
Reaching grabbing, fumbling for the rope as she fell. Dragging it and the pole down with her. She stumbled to her knees, seeing Alyson Rawlings looking at her, half on her feet, at the confrontation.
"Asshole."
She felt the dance floor, messily sticky beneath her hands as she pushed herself to her feet. She could see Alyson now at the edge of the roped off area. Ashley pointed at her. "I have something for her."
Alyson put her hand on the bouncers shoulder. Attracting his attention. She looked past him at Ashley, her eyes empty. Desolate. Longing.
"Did Samuel send you?"
Ashley could barely hear her over the band. She nodded.
"Let her through Rob." Alyson turned around and walked back to her seat as Rob moved out of Ashley's way. Replacing the rope behind as she passed him.
Ashley brushed her hair out of her face and walked after Alyson.
She was in.
1) The formatting- I know it's a pain. I type it out all nice and neat on Word, and it's all spread out well, but it just wont post that way. Believe me, I tried and I tried to get it to work for Chapter One, until I thought the chapter wouldn't post. I just cant get Quickedit to work. If anybody wants to help me out....What I will do is, when things are happening at the same time, I'll let you know where they are.
2) The Tony situation- Okay, this is how I saw things when I was planning this story- Tony was pardoned, so no treason charges, and no reason for him not to work at CTU. He was demoted, suspended and fined for his part in the initial conspiracy to obtain the virus. Now, obviously, as you'll find when you read this chapter, there are a few people within CTU who disagree with that logic...That's the way I imagined things anyway. I hope that makes a bit more sense. And you did give me a few ideas (grins evily)
3) Jack. Well you'll just have to keep reading, wont you?
Today's chapter is brought you by the new Pearl Jam album and over exposure to Love Is Hell
Chapter Two.
Ashley followed Tony back to his work station. "What do you have in mind for me?" She sat down next to him as he typed, the light from his desk lamp glinting off his wedding ring.
He clicked open a file and pictures of Samuel Williams and Alyson Rawlings appeared at the top of his screen. "We ran a list of their known associates." Tony highlight one name and another picture appeared. "We got lucky."
She leaned forward to read the name off the screen. "Aeron DuValle."
"He runs The Garage." He smiled when she looked at him questioningly. "It's a club in LA."
"Didn't see you as the clubbing sort."
"I'm not. Anyway, Williams and DuValle go way back, and he's been on the A list at The Garage for the last month."
"Is Alyson?"
Tony shook his head. "No. Why?"
"Just trying to figure out ways to get close to them." Ashley chewed on her lip. "So we're going through the club. What have you got for my cover?"
"We figured that you'd be out for the night, out for a good time."
"That's okay, as far as it goes. It doesn't give me an excuse to get to them. Let's see their profiles again."
Tony went back to the main screen. "Well that's interesting. Alyson Rawlings was arrested six months ago. For possession. Daddy's money made it all go away." He looked over at Ashley. "That give you an excuse?"
She smiled. "Yeah, that gives me an excuse."
"What do you need?"
"Some cash and some merchandise. A Zippo, knife, pipe, maybe a small calibre gun." She counted the things off on her fingers. "Give me a police record, nothing major. Just enough to give me an out if I need it." She pulled at the shirt of her suit. "What type of place is The Garage?"
"It's a rock club. They have bands on most nights." He smiled at her again. "Local ones mostly, but sometimes they get the big names."
"A rock club? Great, I'm going to have to change."
"Don't worry, we got plenty of clothes here."
"CTU, Dessler."
"Michelle, its Natasha."
"What can I do for you Natasha?"
"Just phoning to remind you about the meeting next Thursday. Have you got your diary there? Its from 9am at Division."
She fell silent. Michelle could almost hear her thinking. Working out what she was going to say. Working out how she was going to say it.
"How about Tony? How's he doing?"
"Tony? He's doing good."
"Take your wife hat off, Michelle." Despite her words, there was no humour in Natasha's voice. "How's he doing as an agent?"
"He's doing a fantastic job, Natasha." Michelle felt her temper rising and struggled to get it back under control. "You know he's one of the best at..."
Natasha cut her off. "Hammond phoned. He's still not happy about Tony being back at work at CTU. Palmer made him look like an asshole. Look, I know things must be awkward, but just tell Tony to watch himself."
"I will."
"Watch yourself as well. Anything that hits him could rebound back onto you. I'll shield you both as best I can."
"Thanks Natasha."
"Alyson, can you get me the Maguire file? And another cup of coffee."
"I'll get them for you in just a second, Mr Matheson. I just have to finish these reports for..."
"Alyson, who do you work for?" He moved to stand in front of her desk. Looming over her. Taking advantage of his position to look down her shirt.
She lowered her eyes. "You sir." She hated this game, this humiliation. Matheson took every opportunity to do it as well.
"Do you think you should get to pick and choose what work you do, just because of who your father is?"
"No Mr Matheson." She felt tears start to well in her eyes. Every time she thought she had sank as low as she could, she found that she still had a distance to fall. And the prick Matheson usually found a way to push her over the edge.
"Just do your job and get me those files. Or I'll fire your pretty little ass, no matter who you're father is." He walked off into his office, shaking his head.
Alyson didn't have to look around to know that rest of the office had heard the confrontation. She knew exactly what they thought of her. She took another moment, wiping her eyes and nose. She just felt so low, so empty.
Her phone rang as she stood up. She sighed and answered it.
"Hello Rawlings Shipping, Alyson speaking, can I help you?" She rubbed at her nose as she spoke.
She just needed something, anything to lift her.
He knew exactly what she needed.
"I don't know if I can make it tonight. That bastard Matheson has just dumped a pile of extra shit in my lap. It's gonna take me hours to get it finished."
She was whining and she knew it. She hated it when she whined. Hated herself a little bit more. He knew it, and he knew how to twist the knife in her soul, knew how to make her come running every time he clicked his fingers, regardless of what he did to her.
"I'll be there by 9."
"Could I get some painkillers please?" Jonathan Modline wiped sweat from his forehead. It had gotten even hotter in the holding room over the last fifteen minutes. He coughed, his throat scratching with the effort. "Maybe some water?"
"In a minute." Tom Baker sat down facing him. "We've got a few more questions for you."
"Anything I can do to help you guys."
Nathan sat down in the other chair, hanging his jacket over the back. "Especially if it helps cut down on your jail time, right Jonathan?"
Modline shrugged and coughed again.
"What else can you tell us about Williams' operation?"
Modline pursed his lips. "He's got a large well equipped organisation, and a lot of people owe him favours." He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. Ignoring the sudden flare of pain up his leg. "And he'll call those favours in if he needs them. He's a ruthless bastard." He tilted his head to the side, a suddenly cunning look drifting across his features. "I got something big for you boys. But I want protection from Williams and some time from my sentence."
Tom nodded. "Give me the information and I'll see what we can do." Modline opened his mouth to protest. "It's the best I can do Jonathan. Take it or leave it."
"I'll take it." Modline didn't hesitate. "He has another shipment arriving tonight."
Nathan laughed. "Now how the hell do you know that?"
"Cos I was the one that bought it." He leaned back, self satisfied. "It's due in tonight, around 9pm at Wharf 4 in West LA. I think that might be worth some time off my sentence." He coughed again. "Can I get my water now?"
Nathan stood up. "I'll go assemble a Delta team." He glanced back at Modline over his shoulder as he walked to the door. "I'll send someone in with some water."
"Ashley's all ready to go, Michelle."
It was so strange to be back in this office. On this side of the desk. With Michelle on the other side.
Tony forced himself to continue. "We're putting her into play tonight. What do you want to do about backup?"
Michelle shook her head. "We cant have a visible CTU presence, Tony. We need her to get into their circle."
"I've given her a new phone. Virgin sim card, nothing on it for them to trace."
"Good. Thanks Tony." She rubbed at her temples again, distracted.
"Are you okay Michelle?"
"Yeah, I'm just..." she broke off. "Natasha phoned."
"Yeah?"
"Yes. She wanted to know how you were doing."
Tony stared at his wife. "What did you tell her?"
"I told her that you were a brilliant agent and we were lucky to have you back." She rubbed at her forehead again. "It's not her fault, Tony. Hammond's breathing down her neck."
"Jesus Christ!" Tony stood up, turning away from her before she could see the sudden rush of anger in his eyes. "I know what I did, but what the fuck does he want from me? Jesus." He paced across the office. "Jesus, they've done everything they could to me, even with the pardon, and he's still trying to shit on me!"
This wasn't his office anymore. It was hers.
"Tony, calm down. Both Natasha and I will shield you..."
"Shield me? That's bullshit Michelle, you shouldn't have to shield me..."
Her phone rang, almost unnoticed through their raised voices. She looked away from him and snatched the phone up.
"Dessler."
"Michelle, it's Adam. I found something in the Rawlings finances. Several withdrawals to a numbered account. Not big, not enough to draw attention unless you were looking for it. I'm starting to go through the accounts now."
"Thanks Adam." She hung up. "Look Tony, I know things are weird at the minute, and I'm sorry. But they will get better. We'll just work through things until Hammond finds somebody else that has pissed him off."
"I know, I know. I'm sorry Michelle." He turned and walked out of the directors office.
Out of her office.
"Chloe, I need the schematics for Wharf 4 in West LA."
"I'm a little busy at the minute, Tom. When do you need them for?"
"As soon as possible, Chloe." He turned around and started to walk towards his office.
"Jeeze, no need to shout Tom." She spun around in her chair and started accessing data on her screens, her lower lip protruding.
He heard her just before he reached his office door. He walked back over to her, leaning over her desk. "The shipments due at 9, Nathan's putting a team together at the minute. I need those plans, Chloe. Now."
"Alright." She blinked angrily, her fingers pounding against the keyboard. "Jack never shouted at me like that."
"Jesus Chloe, I'm not Jack."
He heard the words echo around the Field Ops office. He knew he was only saying what most of CTU was already thinking.
For once, Chloe didn't answer back. She typed a few more commands and turned her chair away from him. Taking care not to meet his eyes. "I've sent those plans to your screen Tom."
"Thank you." Tom walked back to his office. "Will you send Nathan in when he gets back from assembling the team?"
"Sure Tom."
He closed the door behind him and sank into his chair. His work station beeped at him, but he ignored it for the moment. Remembering his words to Chloe.
"I'm not Jack."
THE GARAGE CLUB, LA 9PM
She felt more comfortable like this. Dressed casually, for the streets, rather than for her interview. Ashley glanced around the club, picking out the bouncers and the dealers, the pimps and the whores. Squinting through the strobe lighting.
There.
She saw Alyson, just as the lights flashed brightly through the club, illuminating everything with a harsh red glow. Walking towards a raised area, to the side of the dance floor, cordoned off with a velvet rope. As she watched, Ashley saw one of the security staff unhook the rope for her.
"Time to go to work." She gave herself a final glance, making sure that everything was in place.
Then she started to walk across the club, sliding through the crowded dance floor.
WHARF 4, WEST LA
"I know she's a bitch, but she's good at the job." Nathan passed Tom the night vision goggles, and then highlighted the visual display. "I think we should move Rodgers and Forest to here and here." He pointed at the new locations. "Gives us better fire cover."
Tom looked at the display and nodded. "Do it."
"Delta 2, this is Delta Control."
"Go ahead."
"Move your cell to new position..." he glanced at the map again. "N72, E44"
"Copy that."
Baker waited until the conversation finished. "I know she's good at the job, I just want to know why she makes everything into such a big production."
Nathan shrugged. "What time is it?"
"Little after 9." Baker stared through the night vision goggles, scanning the wharf. "They should be here soon."
"If they're coming."
Baker grinned. "Oh they're coming. Modline would have sold us his own mother if he thought that would reduce his sentence." He tightened his grip on the goggles. "I may not be Jack, but I do know that."
Wisely, Nathan kept his mouth shut.
THE GARAGE CLUB
"You can't come in here." The bouncer thrust his arm across her, blocking the way up. "Private party."
"I've been invited." Ashley smiled at him and tried to slide past him.
"No you haven't." He turned his body to stop her moving past him, putting his hands on her shoulders, pushing her away, back down the steps.
She went with the motion.
Reaching grabbing, fumbling for the rope as she fell. Dragging it and the pole down with her. She stumbled to her knees, seeing Alyson Rawlings looking at her, half on her feet, at the confrontation.
"Asshole."
She felt the dance floor, messily sticky beneath her hands as she pushed herself to her feet. She could see Alyson now at the edge of the roped off area. Ashley pointed at her. "I have something for her."
Alyson put her hand on the bouncers shoulder. Attracting his attention. She looked past him at Ashley, her eyes empty. Desolate. Longing.
"Did Samuel send you?"
Ashley could barely hear her over the band. She nodded.
"Let her through Rob." Alyson turned around and walked back to her seat as Rob moved out of Ashley's way. Replacing the rope behind as she passed him.
Ashley brushed her hair out of her face and walked after Alyson.
She was in.