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Chapter 3

Two Years Ago, Los Angeles

"Agent Cortez? He said her name suspiciously as if she had no business being there.

"Agent Reilly," Ana replied matter-of-factly not looking at him nor any of the men around the conference table squarely, but still feeling there eyes piercing through her and sizing her up like fresh meat. It was so dark in the room, with only a haze of dim overhead lights and computer screens illuminating the area. She could barely make out any of their faces anyway.

She coolly pulled the leather char back and sat down, positioning the flat screen monitor in front of her. She pulled at her suit jacket and fidgeted nervously with her hands. It was only after she looked up that she realized she was the only woman in the room, the youngest in age and experience, but she rebuked letting that fact shake her confidence. She held her head up high and spoke authoritatively.

"Gentlemen," she broke the silence by greeting her colleagues, who shouldn't have been as taken aback by her presence as they acted. So obviously Jax had told none of them that she would be in attendance. She looked to Jax, her ally and former Handler, to back her.

Jasper "Jax" Jacks, who initially pretended as if it was no big deal inviting Ana to the briefing, cleared his throat and spoke. "I asked Agent Cortez to join us. She covered this area has quite a bit of in her training. I have full confidence in her abilities," said Jax in attempt to come to her rescue in his casual Aussie tone of voice.

"She has field experience in bio-terrorism," one of them asked incredulously?

The bio-terrorism unit was an elite, covert faction of the CIA. One would usually have to serve years before even knowing it existed. Jax was treading on dangerous ground inviting Ana to this meeting and everyone knew it. Ana took a deep breath and affirmed to herself that she had earned the right to be there. She had paid her dues, coming up the ranks as an intelligence operative on several covert domestic and Middle Eastern terrorist units since she joined the CIA in 2001.

"Agent Cortez has had extensive field experience in domestic and foreign terrorism, successful experience I might add. I would welcome her on my team any day," Jax answered defiantly to a clearing of throats. " You know Ana's record Agent Reilly."

"Yes I do," he answered too sarcastically for Ana's liking. "Speaks several languages fluently, a black belt, expert in weapons of war, but unfortunately her psychological profile reveals the temperament of a pit bull unleashed."

Ana cranked her neck to the side at that ascertation as if she were working out a kink. She was fully aware that her psychological profile had earned her an un-welcomed reputation. It had been difficult for her to let go of habits learned on the L.A. police force that had no place in the CIA, as well as rid herself of the demons that led her to leave in the first place. But she was working to try and change it.

"As her Handler I can say with assurance that's a matter of opinion," interrupted Jax.

"It's a matter of fact Agent Jax," interrupted Reilly. Our profiles are pretty accurate." He paused and sighed while glaring at Jax. "Since we don't have time to debate this any further, let's just get started. I will deal with you later Agent Jax."

Jax leaned back in his chair, tall handsome and smug, twirling his tie happy that he had won this battle. He winked at Ana from across the table, and flashed her a playful smirk. She knew she would owe him big time for this.

Reilly began the briefing by flashing a series of still photos on the monitors that looked as if they were pulled from a time-capsule, circa 1970.

"Alvar Hanso, a renegade scientist and philanthropist, began a foundation in the mid 1960s to study Juxtapositional Eugenics among other forms of genetic altering."

1960s? Ana realized that she was likely the only person in the room who could say that she wasn't born yet. "Human cloning? That early?" She dared to ask through a cracked voice.

"In a primitive form perhaps, more like human preservation – cryogentics – electro magnetism. Hanso's research was a bit ahead of its time, and always under scrutiny. In 1967 he addressed the U.N. Security Council in attempt to garner support and dispel suspicion and investigation. Still the foundation was issued a warning by World Health Organization when experiments in a Zanzibar facility were thought to have produced a possible new disease strain, which may have been responsible for creating a meningitis epidemic. That epidemic wipped out an entire village."

Ana cringed a bit as he flashed photos of fallen lifeless bodies or African men, women and children.

"Zanzibar, one of the few regions in the world with relaxed laws on human genetic experimentation," offered Ana. Jax winked at her again, proud that she displaying her knowledge.

"That is correct Agent Cortez. That is the case of several African countries to this day. Intelligence discovered that Hanso may have succeeded in one of its life extension projects. They had experimented on a gorilla, making it to live a hundred years. Alvar's plane disappeared over the pacific in 1985. He was nearly penniless at the time. But recently evidence of his legacy has resurfaced by his son Alfonse Hanso, also chairman of Oceanic airlines."

Ana raised an eyebrow and sent a text message across to Jax, reading Hanso? The same as Hanso Industries, a U.S. defense contractor, to which Jax replied simply Correct. He then gave her a don't go there look from across the conference table. She found it curious that Reilly had left that information out of the briefing.

"Curiously enough today's Hanso foundation's leading mission is to develop and reasearch vaccines. They reported a lab break in five years ago. And we believe that now the foundation's research as gotten into the hands of one if not several notorious terrorist factions in Southeast Asia, including the South Korean mafia, which has been rapidly gaining international influence in various crime circles."

Ana recognized the photo of , head of the largest Korean mafia. She had worked extensively on that case, and now understood why Jax wanted her on this mission.

"We believe that the renegade forces behind manipulating Hanso's work are carrying out experimentation in unknown parts of the world. And they have been targeting people who are believed to have special powers of their own. Children of high intelligence psychic or supernatural ability, doctors reported in medical journals to have created healing miracles in genetic and spinal research."

"Targeted for what exactly?"

"For experimentation."

The meeting adjourned leaving Ana's brain swirling and hungry for more information. She paced in the hallway, waiting for Jax who had stayed behind, probably to receive a strict scolding from Reilly. But since Jax and Reilly were nearly of the same rank, Ana wasn't too worried about his fate.

As ax exited the conference room and approached her with his long tall swagger, she could tell from his twinkling blue eyes, a mischievous expression that he was up to something.

"Everything okay," she asked with trepidation?

"Of course. Reilly has a stick up his ass. Can't help himself."

She breathed an audible sigh of relief.

"I love it when you worry about me," he said playfully, tapping her with his file.

She rolled her eyes through a smirk. "Okay. What do I owe you for this?"

"Nothing. Well you can buy me a drink later. Show me around L.A."

"And…."

"And I need you to go to Australia," he answered in a more serious tone.

She raised an eyebrow. "What for?"

"We are tracking an ex member of the Iraqi Republican Army to help us thwart a suicide bombing. Sayid Muhammed. You remember him?"

"Oh," she rolled her eyes. " Yes. So I am going to do what? Dress up as a maid and bug a few hotel rooms, great."

"More than that. And why is that so bad?"

"I did the stakeout thing when I was a cop."

"And you did it well too. I need you on the field for this one. A lot of people could be saved if we pull this off. It would be good exposure. So, do this for me and I'll tell you more of what I know."

"What? Wait spill it."

"You ex fiancée, ever wonder what happened to him?"

"Danny?"

"Danny Tamayo, yes. Danny who worked for defense contractor Hanso Industries."

"Yes until he died." The wheels began to turn in her head, as Jax let her figure out where he might be going. "Danny was in a near fatal car accident. After we broke up. Was paralyzed from the waist down, died on the operating table in a risky spinal cord operation, what…" she paused as he shook his head no. "What Jax? I saw his dead body in a casket."

"Wasn't him then. Because Danny was seen alive, just last week, and he's walking."

The Island, Today.

"So Jack where are you taking me," she shouted through shallow breath as they climbed the rough, hilly terrain of the island jungles.

"You said you wanted a shower right?"

"Yes but at the hatch. I am not in the mood to be one with nature right now. I am sure you can understand."

"It's the best place. Better than bathing in the ocean where you have been, nicer than the hatch too. The water pressure sucks there." He turned to let her catch up with him. Beads of sweat lined his forehead, and his shirt was nearly drenched with sweat, sticking to all the hard curves of his chest. He always walked faster than her short legs were able to keep pace. She had to practically run to stay close, tripping over large roots in the process, and that irritated her.

She grabbed the strap of his backpack to stay close. No way was she going to lose sight of him and have him vanish amongst strange whispers. The tropical air was extremely moist and heavy now, and she craved a shower now more than ever. Going further into the depths of the jungle, fortunately the large trees overhead provided some respite from the heat. Still she prayed that they would avoid a sudden downfall.

Finally they started to slow as they came about large rock formations with alcoves and shallow caves. She heard the low roar and crash of falling water not to far in the distance and she could literally feel it running down her body and ridding her of accumulated sweat and grime. Looking around the surrounding area, she realized for the first time how beautiful the lush greenery was deep in the jungle, and how that provided such a strong contrast from the shore. The ground was damp, rugged and muddy instead of gritty and sandy. Sharp botanical scents filled the air instead of marine life and seaweed.

"So here we are," he declared while slipping off his backpack.

"It's gorgeous here, so these are the caves people have been talking about?"

"Yup."

"Why didn't you stay here again?"

Jack shrugged. He didn't have a clear answer really. "We found the hatch. This was supposed to be a safe haven from the beach. The hatch is safe, has certain amenities, so people eventually headed back to the beach."

"Oh, the beach is safe?" Ana raised an eyebrow.

"So far. The waterfalls are just a few feet away, let's keep going."

She sighed. She was getting a workout just to get a shower. The dull roar of the water grew more audible. As they climbed a few rocks, the falls magically rose before them. The majestic beauty of it all took her breath away. The water trickled like diamonds crashing to a foamy white formation, and trickling to a crystal clear pool of rippling water. This was short of paradise, or had the potential to be if it weren't for the constant tinge of death that hung in the air.

"Michael set this up," he said pointing like a tour guide. "Over there is where we get our fresh water supply. He routed the stream to create a shower over there. He's great. Great engineering." He felt a pang as he mentioned Michael, realizing that his friend was still missing without a trace, and he had yet to succeed in doing anything about him or Walt.

"Okay looks good. You miss Michael." She asked trying to get him to talk about it for no particular reason other than she wanted him to be open with her, or at least feel like he could.

He nodded. "Yea, I miss Michael," he replied in a sentimental whisper.

She saw weary sadness in his eyes and wanted to say something to him, like it would all work out. But she lacked the natural ability to coddle and say things like that, especially if she didn't believe it herself.

She looked around then noticed him taking off his shoes, and crossing his arms to pull his shirt over his head. "So you are staying to take a shower too?"

He stopped when the shirt reached his navel. "Yea I could use one." He lowered his brow wondering what her issue was. "I can let you go first."

"Doesn't matter to me."

"Okay then." He pulled a bar of Dharma logo soap, and a small bottle of hotel shampoo from his backpack, and handed them to her.

She sniffed and wrinkled her nose as the strong scent of lye from the regulation soap assaulted her senses.

"Not exactly spa quality but it will do the trick, said Jack.

She juggled the cleaning products in both hands. "So, what we agreed about this morning in my tent, have you forgotten? We are supposed to stay away from each other."

He looked at her in slight disbelief. She was serious about that? "I've been thinking Ana. Your plan will never work."

"It will. Have some faith in my abilities."

Jack lowered his brow, she was an LA beat cop not a spy, and not very subtle in her intent either. "So when I see you, I am supposed to pretend you and I don't like each other. "

"Oh so you were paying attention." He shook his head, rolling his eyes. "Yes. Shouldn't be hard Jack, you act irritated most of the time."

Jack ignored her quip, because if he acted irritated most of the time, he probably was irritated, and for good reason. "And this is all to get Locke and Sawyer to confide in you, because they think you hate me."

"You got it." She stood watching him with her hands on her hips in defiance as he yanked off his shirt balled it up and threw it aside. Ana scratched her temple trying to fight the thoughts of how she had her entire body wrapped around that long, hard torso just mere hours ago. She was going to have to keep herself from wanting to do that again anytime soon. He unbuttoned his pants, and she wondered how much he was going to strip off right in front of her.

"Jack, wait a second." He paused with his zipper half way down. She exhaled sharply. "I don't think you are hearing me hear."

"I hear you Ana, and I think it's a stupid idea. Now if you're not going to take a shower, I am."

"We went over this. Jack. " She stomped over to him and grabbed his hand to keep him from dislodging his zipper and further. "Look we know the two of them worked together to get control of the guns. You've said yourself that Locke always has something up his sleeve and you don't trust the guy. So I'll get him to trust me. But only if he thinks that we've had a falling out. He thinks we are building an army together. He needs to think that plan has been abandoned." She paused to catch her breath, realizing that her eyeballs were level to his chest, inches away, and it was driving her crazy. The fact that he was so nonchalantly standing before her, ignoring her, worried about a shower drove her insane. "Jack!"

Jack sighed and shook his head. "Why don't you let go of my hand Ana."

Her fist was balled around his wrist, brushed up against his crotch. And she was beginning to hate it, him. "No."

"Ana. The last person who got cozy with Locke died." He yanked his wrist from her and backed away, going for the soap and shampoo that she left sitting on the ledge. "So no I don't trust him," she said sternly over his shoulder.

She folded her arms and tapped her foot, feeling her blood begin to boil. This was supposed to be a partnership and he refused to listen or respect anything she said. "Then you don't trust me either. And that's a big problem Jack. If I have to do this alone, I will."

He looked at her for a second, not caring if she was exasperated, unfazed by her scowling, because he had seen it all before. He wasn't budging on this one. He wasn't going to let her run amuck and get hurt. Before he rounded the edge of the cliff, he paused as it came to him what this was probably about. "What's this really about Ana?"

"What?"

He knew. He knew by her suddenly inability to look him in the eye that it was more about avoiding becoming too close, because he felt the same way. Their partnership had become more intimate, it had been amazing, and suddenly she wanted to run from it. He let a long breath. "Okay Ana. We'll try it your way." He said this but in reality he wasn't agreeing with her or conceding to do anything. Except, maybe let her go.

Ana slit her eyes in disbelief. He had given in way too easily. She continued to glare at him as he disappeared around the corner.

She paced for a bit, now really feeling the denim of her jeans plastered to her, the weight and the moisture of them weighing her down. Everything was weighing her down, where hours ago with Jack, she had felt freer than she ever had. Like the weight of a thousand years had lifted. She had lost all skilled tactics of negotiation with Jack obviously, and let her temper take over. Obviously she was off her game. She began to smell sweet scents of apples wafting towards her. He was bathing and she was pissed.

Jack lathered up, as thin streams of fresh water flowed from the cliff a few feet above. He cursed himself now for going there with her last night. She was way too stubborn and pig-headed for him to deal with on-top of everything.

Ana stripped off her clothes, to upset to fully realize what she was doing. She just wanted to get clean. She crept around the cliff and stood there lurking, proud that at least he was unaware that she was getting a full on look at him all wet and naked, and she suddenly was envious of that bar of rancid soap, for being lucky enough to glide across his body. The rays of sun pouring into the cliffs, nicely illuminated the beads of water, clinging to his tattoos, trickling down his chest, making a trail down his spine and falling in droplets and over the curve of his rear. She wanted nothing more than to place both her palms on either cheek and squeeze, then snake them around to the front of his manhood and stroke and hold on tight.

She made an audible sound of pleasure, that he apparently heard.

"Ana why don't you join me, instead of standing there."

She rolled her eyes to stave off feelings of embarrassment. She felt her face grow beet red. Yes, she was fully off her game. She tiptoed in and pushed him out of the way so she could experience the stream of falling water all for herself.

He stumbled as he backed up. She had pushed him hard.

"Soap please." She brazenly stood there, fully naked before him with her hand out. The water was surpisingly warm.

"He handed it to her slowly, looking her straight in the eye, not moving closer, and refusing to stretch his hand out any further than what was necessary. She had to lean in to grab it, almost falling forward.

"Jack, I hate you."

"Sure you do." Here she was naked, glistening golden wet and exquistly beautiful expecting him to stay away from her. Whatever. Although this little dance they were doing seemed juvenile to him, and grossly out of place admist the chaos that was this island, he was oddly enjoying himself for the moment.

"He began to shampoo his hair as she soaped up. He couldn't take his eyes off her, following her hands as the soap slid between her breasts, across her taught tummy and down inbetween her thights. He was certain she was purposely tempting him. After that outburst about staying away from each other, she had the nerve to temp him like this.

She only stopped to throw him an angry glare every now and then, which only made him laugh. And want her. Badly. It was now that Jack fully realized how strong and atheletic her body was despite her petite frame. Her thighs and calves were fairly thick and muscular. Still those long wavy, chocolate locks and her smooth flawless skin gave her a delicateness. The whole package blew him away. If he could just remove the attitude, she would be perfect.

"You have grays," she said flatly, shaking her hair back.

"Yes I have grays."

"Everywhere, not just on your head. I just realized that you're pretty old." She smirked and turned her back to him. She let out a suddering gasp as she felt him wrap his arms around her waist. He grabbed her entire wet mane, pulled it back and began rubbing his lips against her neck. They felf extra moist, warm and plump and his beard was slick against her skin. She could barely stand now as her legs became wobbly below her. With his palm splayed on her tummy and nearly shrouding it completely, he pulled her closed to him, and she couldn't deny his hardness against the small of her back. She leaned forward as if she were going to faint. She blamed the island heat. It had to be the heat

He pulled her back and continued to kiss then suck on her neck. She moaned deep in the back of her throat and swayed with him, shutting her eyes tight to keep from completely losing it, pretending she were somewhere else completely where nothing else mattered and time would stand still for them.

He continued on, raking his lips up to the small nook between her ear and neck. It was so tender there, and now he really had to hold her steady as she buckled.

He didn't stop. She didn't want him to.

His hand steadily found it's way between her thighs then up higher. She breathed hard, barely able to catch it as his hand moved quicker, back and forth, methodically tending to her like it belonged there.

"Jack" She moaned. Not even knowing how loudly or at all. It was just Jack. It was all Jack. It was the only thought she could form.

He latched both hands in his and urged him along, helping him take her to the edge of all reason. She thought she heard him laugh, as if he were enjoying making her this vulnerable and needy for him.

What was he doing? He couldn't just do this to her. That delayed thought of protest was in vain, and overpowered by a flash of blinding white light that exploded and shattered into a million pieces in her head. She released a long moan and breathed fast and sharply. She noticed Jack doing the same with his mouth wide open next to her ear. She noticed him rise to full mast at the small of her back.

He twisted her around and she felt drunk. Her breast tingled, brushing up against the hairs on his chest – brown, gray, it was all-good. He braced his palms under her rear and lifted her up onto his waist. She wrapped her legs around him and buried her head in his chest as he carried her over to the ledge.

He gently sat her down on the cool slick rock, then hovered over her, propping his hands up against the rock. She raised her finger and made traces of swirls and circles along her chest, biting her lip as she spread her legs. She ached for him, all of him.

He knelt and pulled her closer, swiftly entering her. She curled up into his pulsating body, moving to his cadence, letting herself go. Her whole world was filled with him, and she was lost.