Author's note: This is not just a fic about what happened in Mexico… Time has past and - things have changed!

Back in Mexico Claudia and Chase's escape happens a little differently and it also takes the Salazars and Jack hours until they find out they're gone, CTU has no idea where Jack is and he's not able to contact them but that is really all you need to know - everything will be explained!

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Things Have Changed

Prelude
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Convince me…

Nina leaned forward, her hand clutching his shoulder, for a moment giving in to the kiss and all the memories it brought back. But she had to break it and focus.

"I'm sorry, Jack." I'm so sorry for what I'm going to have to do – it has to end…

But the way he was looking at her... He kissed her again and she got caught up in the sensation once more, indulging in a feeling that things could have been different, should have been different, but again she broke the kiss.

"I'm sorry, Jack. I want to think you've changed but I can feel it... you're lying."

Real desperation in his eyes now. Fear replaced the arousal she had been able to see while she was kissing him. He knew what she would do if he didn't convince her. But how could he ever think he could convince her with a lie?

When he again tried to kiss her she pushed him away. Her decision was already made - what good would it do to torture herself like this? In his kiss she had felt his self loathing for enjoying it and she knew he would never forgive her no matter how passionate his kisses were.

"You haven't forgotten anything, have you? You despise me. And you'd do anything right now to get me to go along with your plan." It surprised her that it hurt. That the fact that he despised her could make her feel so sad.

"That's not true…"

She had to smile at his futile attempts, but it was really pretty pathetic.

"It's true…" She felt a little sorry for him but then she was angry – did he think she was so stupid that she was going to walk into this trap and get herself killed? "I know you're still with CTU so why would I let you set me up?"

He stared at her and she leaned back on her heals.

"I'm not setting you up… you have nothing to do with my mission here… I don't care about you – I'm here for the virus."

She smiled and stood up. Of course he was still with CTU… So he was trying a different approach now? The rogue agent act hadn't fooled her so he better tell her the truth.

"I didn't know you were going to be here, Nina."

She nodded. He could very well be telling the truth. The day before yesterday she hadn't even known she was coming here.

"Where are they? When are they going in?"

"They don't know where I am, Nina… my transmitter broke down hours ago. I'm on my own."

"So why would I do anything to help you - the money isn't going to mean much when I'm dead… My client will hunt me down." She was standing in front of him now, arms crossed.

"I thought you would be able to figure it out, Nina… I'm your only chance." He smiled now but he was getting anxious. Time was running out. "Ramon Salazar and his men are right outside, he is not going to let this deal go…"

"I don't believe you" But she started walking back and forth, a bit restless. What he said made sense – why would he come here by himself?

"Nina, think about it – your men are dead, you even shot your last man yourself… You think you'll be able to stop them all by yourself? Not even you are that good…"

"So what do you propose, Jack? I save your ass. I help you get the virus and for what? I get to stay alive… so that you can drag me back to prison? You know I can't let you take me back… Maybe I prefer to die here?"

"What if I just let you run? CTU have no idea you're here…"

She almost started laughing. "You would let me get away again? I don't think so… and how can you trust the Salazars? Why do they trust you?"

"They trust me because I helped them set up this deal. They want power and money… they're greedy."

"So what will stop them from just killing me – or both of us as soon as they get the virus?"

"They won't kill me… Nina, whatever you think make your decision fast. Ramon will come in here any minute… He only gave me an hour to persuade you." He looked down. "So Nina, make up your mind. Untie me or kill me - live or get killed when Ramon's men come in here…" He looked up again and tried to read her expression. She wasn't convinced yet.

He signed from relief when he saw her picking up the keys to the handcuffs. She walked around him and he felt her warm breath in his ear.

"Don't make me regret this, Jack…" she whispered as she unlocked the cuffs.

As soon as he was free he got up from the chair and turned around facing her, rubbing his wrists.

"Nina – you'll have to give me the gun so that I can give it to Ramon. He doesn't trust me enough right now to let me be armed…"

She shook her head but heard someone entering the church. She picked the gun up and made a quick decision and threw it to Jack as two men burst in, guns aimed at them.

Jack smiled and raised his hands in the air. "Come on, guys… everything's fine"

Ramon came in and stared at them both. Nina had raised her arms too. He walked over to Jack and took the gun he offered him and Ramon smiled widely.

"Everything OK, Jack? Will she help us?" Ramon looked over at Nina. Her hands still in the air but she was being searched and when they found nothing she lowered her hands slowly.

Jack nodded. "She'll help us…"

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