Same Disclaimers Apply. A/N: This chapter was a real bitch to write. I
just about gave up writing the Jack/Irina conversation but I prevailed!!!
Oh well, now I have to get back to my two other stories; however the next
chapter will not take as long to write. Promise.. ENJOY!!!!!!
JACK BRISTOW'S HOME - L.A.
Jack heard the phone ring and left the bathroom to catch it before the machine did. He had been in the process of preparing for bed after reviewing files and getting things in order for his return to work the next day.
"Bristow." He answered, assuming it was either work or Sydney.
"Jack." The other end replied causing him to grip the phone tighter.
"Tell me Irina, are you truly interested in stopping Sloane?" He sat on his bed.
She was momentarily stunned at his question. "I've already told you I am Jack."
"Then explain to me why you continue to waste my time with these calls when I could be working on a way to bring Sloane down?" His tone held no bitterness or anger.
"I didn't realize I was taking up so much of your time or that the CIA was so close to finding and destroying Sloane. I suppose that means you don't want any help I can provide." Irina was having difficulty containing her reflexive temper.
"The CIA has experienced your help Irina. We're up a waffle iron and down a Rambaldi study due to your help." The second use of the word 'help' was nearly spit by Jack.
"Listen to me Jack, I'm hidden and safe for the moment but I'm not naïve enough to believe Sloane won't come after the Rambaldi pieces I took from him. If it were only my life I would be willing to take risks in protecting the pieces but it isn't." Irina's voice became soft.
"Of course, how could I forget that you're pregnant." Jack rolled eyes Irina wasn't able to see. "Playing the emotional card is getting old Irina; I suggest you change tactics."
"It's your child Jack and without your help I won't be able to protect his or her life. Tell me what I can do to make you believe me Jack; I'm fresh out of ideas."
"And the songs were so creative too." Mock disappointment ran through the line. "Save everyone a lot of trouble and have your body delivered to CIA headquarters; I'll believe you then." Jack heard Irina sigh over the line.
"Now you're just being absurd Jack. You don't want to see me dead." She hoped he would confirm her statement.
"Yes I do." Irina squeezed her eyes shut and bit down on her bottom lip. "However, being that you claim to be pregnant I suppose your death could be postponed until after your due date." Irina inhaled sharply as Jack's words reached her ears.
Something had occurred since the last time she saw him. He had changed; his last proclamation had reminded her too much of Arvin Sloane and she realized she was responsible. She had once again neglected to give him any explanation before escaping in Panama. The bitterness she had seen abating during her time in CIA custody was back with a vengeance, possibly at the cost her life.
"I don't understand you Irina. You have the largest information and criminal network in the world yet you claim to need me to protect you from one man. Why not just kill Sloane? You'll no longer have to bother me."
"You know it isn't that simple Jack. I don't know where the rest of Sloane's Rambaldi pieces are located and I can't risk not finding them if he's dead."
"So it all comes back to Rambaldi. You don't want me to protect you from Sloane; you want me to help you attain all the Rambaldi pieces. You once said I was smarter than Kendall and even he wouldn't help you so what do you suppose my response will be?" Jack finally relaxed his grip on the phone, knowing he had the upper hand in their conversation.
"Go check your mailbox Jack." Irina said suddenly.
"What the hell are you talking about?" He demanded.
"Just do it." Her patience was wearing thin causing her accent to blend her words together.
Jack got up and walked to the front door. Irina could hear him pound the floor as he often did when angry.
"Another CD and I thought you had run out of ideas." Jack closed the door and turned the disk over in his palm.
"You're so quick to make yourself believe the child I carry isn't yours but you know there is a viable possibility whether or not you want to acknowledge it. I'm telling you without doubt; you are the father. You can punish me all you want Jack but don't punish our child; don't ignore he or she exists. I know you have so many regrets where Sydney is concerned, I do as well. We are being given a second chance Jack; please don't disregard that without contemplating what it means."
Silence reign over the other end making Irina wonder if Jack was still on the line. "Listen to the disk Jack." He still said nothing; Irina assumed he was putting the disk in the stereo.
Jack placed the CD in the stereo and brought his hand down and away from it. Without noticing he turned the volume high before pressing play. The speakers came to life with a quick pounding sound. Jack was confused as to the nature of the disk.
So loud was the noise, Irina could hear it on the other end of the phone line. "Do you know what this is Jack?" She didn't wait for a response. "This is the sound of our child's heartbeat."
It hit Jack with unbelievable force that there was another being involved in his dealings with Irina whether he liked it or not. "When are you due?" Jack's voice sounded shaky to his own ears but hoped Irina hadn't picked it up.
Irina found herself smiling into the phone. "December eighth."
"Good then I would recommend you discontinue communication with me in order to keep yourself safe in the interim." Jack hit the off button on his phone effectively ending the conversation.
Letting the phone drop to the coffee table in the middle of the room, Jack stood still listening to the beating heart continuing to play over the speakers.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
Sloane sat at his desk diligently reviewing information pertaining to his Rambaldi collection. Going on a week without any clues on Irina's location or the location of the artifacts she took with her was beginning to frustrate him. Letting his mask of calm escape him, he pulled his glasses from his face and threw them down on his computer keyboard.
The door opened to admit one of his subordinates resulting in the return of Sloane's composure. The man held up a folder without expression.
"The most recent surveillance from California Mr. Sloane." He handed the file over.
Sloane opened the folder and glanced at the pictures of Sydney, Vaughn, Jack, Dixon, and scanned the report attached.
"Have there been any further developments?" Sloane looked up at the man.
"Ms. Bristow and Mr. Vaughn spent the weekend in Santa Barbra, Mr. Dixon took his daughters to the park and checked in with the CIA late Sunday evening." He said.
"And Jack?" Sloane asked.
"Mr. Bristow didn't leave his home with the exception of runs on all three days."
"Jack took the weekend off?" Sloane sounded rightfully surprised; his employee nodded in affirmation. "Perhaps his encounter with me last week affected him more than I anticipated." Sloane narrowed his eyes at his desk top. "Jack Bristow's behavior has changed and I want to know what caused it."
"Yes Mr. Sloane."
"You've shown me nothing of Irina Derevko's status." Sloane's dark eyes narrowed at the man before him.
"No Sir, we have not been able to locate Ms. Derevko or the Rambaldi pieces she obtained while working with you but we're focusing the majority of our attention on the issue."
"Irina Derevko is not an issue; she is a menus and I want her found and disposed of." Sloane's voice was even and strong.
"Yes Mr. Sloane." Sloane looked away from the man signaling his time to exit.
CIA TASK FORCE HEADQUATERS - L.A.
Vaughn worked studiously at his computer in the centre of headquarters. He had arrived early and well rested from his extended weekend but found his concentration departing from the numerous tasks piling his desk.
Movement coming toward him caused him to raise his eyes to find the focus of wondering attention, entering the operations hub. She smiled when she caught him looking her way.
"Hey, how was Will this morning?" Vaughn spun in his chair when Sydney sat on the side of his desk.
"Better. He'll have to limit his movement for a while but the doctors said they would like to released him by Friday." Sydney said happily.
"Did you give him my gift?" Vaughn's smile made Sydney shake her head.
"I did and he said now he owes you even more. What is it with guys and video games?"
Weiss chose that moment to enter the conversation. "Syd, video games are only the single greatest invention of our time. It's like our generation's form of comfort." Vaughn and Sydney laughed at Weiss' shocked expression.
"Well, at least I know what to get you for your next birthday." Sydney said smiling.
"You're going to buy me a birthday present? I'm touched." Weiss responded in mock seriousness. "So how was the weekend?"
Sydney and Vaughn shared a knowing look and Weiss just glanced back and forth between them. "Okay, so it was great. You don't have to rub it in or anything." Weiss shook his head and began to walk off muttering to himself. "I've got to get a girlfriend."
Sydney and Vaughn watched him walk away with matching smiles. Before they could continue speaking, Jack strode into the work space with purpose etched across his face. Sydney scrutinized his appearance, knowing something was different but not able to pin it down.
His suit was smartly pressed and orderly on his tall frame; his hair sat neatly atop his head but his face told a story of fatigue and worry. Jack didn't seem to notice his daughter's eyes on him due to his impatient search of the room.
It didn't take Jack long to focus on Marshall and proceed to his desk in the corner. He spoke to him quickly in an attempt at thwarting Marshall's chance to be vocal. Handing him a set of disks he said his last sentence sternly to the younger man before walking away.
Sydney communicated her worry silently to Vaughn before following her father. She caught up with him in the hallway and called out to him.
"Dad!"
"Sydney." He said calmly. "You look much more relaxed since your excursion this weekend."
"Thanks, however I don't think I can say the same for you." Jack read the worry in his daughter's eyes and cursed himself for not masking his sleeplessness better. "I thought you took the weekend off."
"I spent the weekend at home but I took work with me. I'm fine." He saw that she wasn't buying his answer. "Really Sydney, you've got more important things to occupy your time; Sloane still needs to be found." His exterior hardened in front of her before he spun on his heel and walked down the hall.
Sydney was left standing in the middle of the hallway poised to speak. She decided to get answers her father was obviously unwilling to give. Turning to re-enter the main office she looked for Marshall.
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JACK BRISTOW'S HOME - L.A.
Jack heard the phone ring and left the bathroom to catch it before the machine did. He had been in the process of preparing for bed after reviewing files and getting things in order for his return to work the next day.
"Bristow." He answered, assuming it was either work or Sydney.
"Jack." The other end replied causing him to grip the phone tighter.
"Tell me Irina, are you truly interested in stopping Sloane?" He sat on his bed.
She was momentarily stunned at his question. "I've already told you I am Jack."
"Then explain to me why you continue to waste my time with these calls when I could be working on a way to bring Sloane down?" His tone held no bitterness or anger.
"I didn't realize I was taking up so much of your time or that the CIA was so close to finding and destroying Sloane. I suppose that means you don't want any help I can provide." Irina was having difficulty containing her reflexive temper.
"The CIA has experienced your help Irina. We're up a waffle iron and down a Rambaldi study due to your help." The second use of the word 'help' was nearly spit by Jack.
"Listen to me Jack, I'm hidden and safe for the moment but I'm not naïve enough to believe Sloane won't come after the Rambaldi pieces I took from him. If it were only my life I would be willing to take risks in protecting the pieces but it isn't." Irina's voice became soft.
"Of course, how could I forget that you're pregnant." Jack rolled eyes Irina wasn't able to see. "Playing the emotional card is getting old Irina; I suggest you change tactics."
"It's your child Jack and without your help I won't be able to protect his or her life. Tell me what I can do to make you believe me Jack; I'm fresh out of ideas."
"And the songs were so creative too." Mock disappointment ran through the line. "Save everyone a lot of trouble and have your body delivered to CIA headquarters; I'll believe you then." Jack heard Irina sigh over the line.
"Now you're just being absurd Jack. You don't want to see me dead." She hoped he would confirm her statement.
"Yes I do." Irina squeezed her eyes shut and bit down on her bottom lip. "However, being that you claim to be pregnant I suppose your death could be postponed until after your due date." Irina inhaled sharply as Jack's words reached her ears.
Something had occurred since the last time she saw him. He had changed; his last proclamation had reminded her too much of Arvin Sloane and she realized she was responsible. She had once again neglected to give him any explanation before escaping in Panama. The bitterness she had seen abating during her time in CIA custody was back with a vengeance, possibly at the cost her life.
"I don't understand you Irina. You have the largest information and criminal network in the world yet you claim to need me to protect you from one man. Why not just kill Sloane? You'll no longer have to bother me."
"You know it isn't that simple Jack. I don't know where the rest of Sloane's Rambaldi pieces are located and I can't risk not finding them if he's dead."
"So it all comes back to Rambaldi. You don't want me to protect you from Sloane; you want me to help you attain all the Rambaldi pieces. You once said I was smarter than Kendall and even he wouldn't help you so what do you suppose my response will be?" Jack finally relaxed his grip on the phone, knowing he had the upper hand in their conversation.
"Go check your mailbox Jack." Irina said suddenly.
"What the hell are you talking about?" He demanded.
"Just do it." Her patience was wearing thin causing her accent to blend her words together.
Jack got up and walked to the front door. Irina could hear him pound the floor as he often did when angry.
"Another CD and I thought you had run out of ideas." Jack closed the door and turned the disk over in his palm.
"You're so quick to make yourself believe the child I carry isn't yours but you know there is a viable possibility whether or not you want to acknowledge it. I'm telling you without doubt; you are the father. You can punish me all you want Jack but don't punish our child; don't ignore he or she exists. I know you have so many regrets where Sydney is concerned, I do as well. We are being given a second chance Jack; please don't disregard that without contemplating what it means."
Silence reign over the other end making Irina wonder if Jack was still on the line. "Listen to the disk Jack." He still said nothing; Irina assumed he was putting the disk in the stereo.
Jack placed the CD in the stereo and brought his hand down and away from it. Without noticing he turned the volume high before pressing play. The speakers came to life with a quick pounding sound. Jack was confused as to the nature of the disk.
So loud was the noise, Irina could hear it on the other end of the phone line. "Do you know what this is Jack?" She didn't wait for a response. "This is the sound of our child's heartbeat."
It hit Jack with unbelievable force that there was another being involved in his dealings with Irina whether he liked it or not. "When are you due?" Jack's voice sounded shaky to his own ears but hoped Irina hadn't picked it up.
Irina found herself smiling into the phone. "December eighth."
"Good then I would recommend you discontinue communication with me in order to keep yourself safe in the interim." Jack hit the off button on his phone effectively ending the conversation.
Letting the phone drop to the coffee table in the middle of the room, Jack stood still listening to the beating heart continuing to play over the speakers.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
Sloane sat at his desk diligently reviewing information pertaining to his Rambaldi collection. Going on a week without any clues on Irina's location or the location of the artifacts she took with her was beginning to frustrate him. Letting his mask of calm escape him, he pulled his glasses from his face and threw them down on his computer keyboard.
The door opened to admit one of his subordinates resulting in the return of Sloane's composure. The man held up a folder without expression.
"The most recent surveillance from California Mr. Sloane." He handed the file over.
Sloane opened the folder and glanced at the pictures of Sydney, Vaughn, Jack, Dixon, and scanned the report attached.
"Have there been any further developments?" Sloane looked up at the man.
"Ms. Bristow and Mr. Vaughn spent the weekend in Santa Barbra, Mr. Dixon took his daughters to the park and checked in with the CIA late Sunday evening." He said.
"And Jack?" Sloane asked.
"Mr. Bristow didn't leave his home with the exception of runs on all three days."
"Jack took the weekend off?" Sloane sounded rightfully surprised; his employee nodded in affirmation. "Perhaps his encounter with me last week affected him more than I anticipated." Sloane narrowed his eyes at his desk top. "Jack Bristow's behavior has changed and I want to know what caused it."
"Yes Mr. Sloane."
"You've shown me nothing of Irina Derevko's status." Sloane's dark eyes narrowed at the man before him.
"No Sir, we have not been able to locate Ms. Derevko or the Rambaldi pieces she obtained while working with you but we're focusing the majority of our attention on the issue."
"Irina Derevko is not an issue; she is a menus and I want her found and disposed of." Sloane's voice was even and strong.
"Yes Mr. Sloane." Sloane looked away from the man signaling his time to exit.
CIA TASK FORCE HEADQUATERS - L.A.
Vaughn worked studiously at his computer in the centre of headquarters. He had arrived early and well rested from his extended weekend but found his concentration departing from the numerous tasks piling his desk.
Movement coming toward him caused him to raise his eyes to find the focus of wondering attention, entering the operations hub. She smiled when she caught him looking her way.
"Hey, how was Will this morning?" Vaughn spun in his chair when Sydney sat on the side of his desk.
"Better. He'll have to limit his movement for a while but the doctors said they would like to released him by Friday." Sydney said happily.
"Did you give him my gift?" Vaughn's smile made Sydney shake her head.
"I did and he said now he owes you even more. What is it with guys and video games?"
Weiss chose that moment to enter the conversation. "Syd, video games are only the single greatest invention of our time. It's like our generation's form of comfort." Vaughn and Sydney laughed at Weiss' shocked expression.
"Well, at least I know what to get you for your next birthday." Sydney said smiling.
"You're going to buy me a birthday present? I'm touched." Weiss responded in mock seriousness. "So how was the weekend?"
Sydney and Vaughn shared a knowing look and Weiss just glanced back and forth between them. "Okay, so it was great. You don't have to rub it in or anything." Weiss shook his head and began to walk off muttering to himself. "I've got to get a girlfriend."
Sydney and Vaughn watched him walk away with matching smiles. Before they could continue speaking, Jack strode into the work space with purpose etched across his face. Sydney scrutinized his appearance, knowing something was different but not able to pin it down.
His suit was smartly pressed and orderly on his tall frame; his hair sat neatly atop his head but his face told a story of fatigue and worry. Jack didn't seem to notice his daughter's eyes on him due to his impatient search of the room.
It didn't take Jack long to focus on Marshall and proceed to his desk in the corner. He spoke to him quickly in an attempt at thwarting Marshall's chance to be vocal. Handing him a set of disks he said his last sentence sternly to the younger man before walking away.
Sydney communicated her worry silently to Vaughn before following her father. She caught up with him in the hallway and called out to him.
"Dad!"
"Sydney." He said calmly. "You look much more relaxed since your excursion this weekend."
"Thanks, however I don't think I can say the same for you." Jack read the worry in his daughter's eyes and cursed himself for not masking his sleeplessness better. "I thought you took the weekend off."
"I spent the weekend at home but I took work with me. I'm fine." He saw that she wasn't buying his answer. "Really Sydney, you've got more important things to occupy your time; Sloane still needs to be found." His exterior hardened in front of her before he spun on his heel and walked down the hall.
Sydney was left standing in the middle of the hallway poised to speak. She decided to get answers her father was obviously unwilling to give. Turning to re-enter the main office she looked for Marshall.
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