Same Disclaimer Applies. The next few chapters have been written for a
while but I go caught without the saved file for a while. I promise to
update sooner next time...that is if anyone would like my too (evil smirk).
Hope you like it.
CIA JOINT TASK FORCE CENTRE – L.A.
Marshall was quite happy in his new office. The CIA had finally given him his own area to work after he explained to them that he was more productive away from large groups of people. His music was pulsing from small speakers around the room, making him oblivious to the arrival of Kendall.
"Where the hell is Jack Bristow!" Kendall boomed, startling Marshall from his computer screen.
"Oh Mr. Kendall Sir, I didn't see you there." Marshall yelled over the noise. "Can I do something for you?" He continued.
"Yeah, for starters you can turn off that music." Kendall scowled and the music dissipated. "Now you can tell me where the hell Bristow is."
"Ummm Sir, isn't he supposed to be on vacation. I mean the Director ordered him to take a short vacation then he would return and be the boss, not that you aren't also the boss. Actually that was something I've been meaning to ask you, who do I report to? I mean do I give reports to both of you or do I just go right to Mr. Bristow? Cause I've been thinking that maybe-"
"Mr. Flinkman, I sure hope you're going to tell me where Jack is sometime between today and the end of your life." Kendall loomed over the smaller man.
"Well, do you need him to come in? Or um-" Marshall faltered.
"I just need to talk to him." Kendall calmed slightly.
"Well, why don't you just call him?" Marshall said innocently.
"Well, gee why didn't I think of that?" Kendall grimaced. "He isn't answering his cell; can you tell me where he is?"
Marshall turned back to his computer and pulled up a program. "The CIA has this really cool new program that allows us to track the cell phones of their employees by the received signal. All you have to do is call Mr. Bristow's cell phone and I should get a hit on the location." Marshall indicated the phone to his left. Kendall dialed the number and immediately a blip appeared on the screen.
"Where is he?" Kendall held the phone away from his ear as it continued to ring.
"Well, he's on his way north of L.A. Wait, he's stopped." Marshall glanced at the stationary location and cross referenced it with landmarks. "He's at a landfill. What is he doing at a landfill?" Marshall turned to a fuming Kendall and flinched.
"That son of a bitch got rid of his phone. Okay Jack, you want to disappear? Have fun while you can. I'll make you sure you're life is hell when you get back, just wait for the paperwork that is going to pass your desk." Kendall ignored Marshall and stormed toward the door, almost bowling over Dixon.
"What was he so worked up about?" Dixon raised his eyebrows.
"Mr. Bristow dropped his cell in the garbage so the CIA couldn't get in touch with him while he's away." Marshall seemed to relax with Kendall's departure.
"Good for Jack." Dixon smiled indulgently. "I think Kendall needed a reminder of just who he was working with." A glint of humour and satisfaction ran across Dixon's eyes.
"What is Mr. Bristow capable of?" The intrigue in Marshall's voice lit the mischief in Dixon's eyes further.
"Anything and Everything, Marshall. And don't forget it." Marshall watched with interest as Dixon left the office with mirth playing on his face.
SYROS, GREECE
Irina felt a chill run through her upon entering the house. The sun hadn't escaped the sky yet but the shivers she was experiencing motivated her to turn the air conditioning down. The hunger her body had ached with abated as soon as she had noticed the absence of Jack's car.
Regret rippled through every inch of her being, wishing Jack were still there to hear her apology. Defeat claimed her flawless posture; her shoulders slumped and her head stooped under the weight of her failure.
Deciding her bags were first priority, Irina ascended the stairs and walked the few feet to deposit them in her room. Shadows were cast at odd angles in the large space, heightening the ominous sensation piercing her consciousness.
At first glance it appeared as though the bed was checkered in the sun's blotchy light; however as Irina inspected the surface further the contents of her safe became visible. Pictures of Sydney at various ages, files from SD-6 and the CIA on her daughter as well as Jack, littered the bed. Irina spied her own dated file from the KGB, and the video tape that went with it. To finish off the pile, sonogram pictures, the amnio results and the DVD she had made of the baby in-utero, were on the pillows.
The regretful calm that had settled over Irina vanished at the blatant intrusion of privacy. Stalking to the bed, she began piling all of the documents and photos together. As she reached for one of the files she caught sight of Jack's ripped and blood stained shirt lying beside the bed.
Irina's head snapped up with interest. Her gaze perused the room, falling on the small bag beside one of the chairs. Eyes narrowing, Irina advanced on the glass doors leading to the upper level patio. She wrenched open the door and flew down the outdoor stairs.
She stopped short at the bottom as she took in the sight of Jack standing at the retaining wall, looking out over the sea below. He had changed his shirt, although they looked identical in style. Irina's ire rose, remembering the pain he had cause, making her believing he had left followed by his bold intrusion into her affairs. She sent a silent prayer up, hoping he had not watched the video that accompanied her file from the KGB.
"You son of a bitch! You had no right!" She barked as she advanced on him.
Jack turned slowly and watched her with smug appreciation. "I assure you, I happened upon your safe, purely by accident. It was my understanding that you had arranged our little rendezvous to disclose the truth of your- no pardon me – OUR past. When you became less than forthright with the information I felt I had a certain authorization."
The answer did not cool the wild look in Irina's eyes. "What the hell kind of explanation was that? I can't believe I was regretting what I said; that I was scared you had left. You don't deserve a moment's contemplation you arrogant jack ass."
The self-righteous sparkle left Jack's expression when he saw the torment in Irina's. She was losing the battle with her tears and she was having a difficult time catching her breath.
"What happened in Kashmir Irina?" Jack prodded.
"You know what happened you audacious, insensitive bastard, are you trying to torture me?" Irina hissed.
"I want you to tell me." Jack insisted innocently.
Jack watched as her whole body tensed at once. Her eyes met his and flashed with pure, untamed rage.
"You want me to tell you Jack?" Irina's voice increased in decibel. "How about I give you some numbers Jack. You always did appreciate empirical data didn't you. Twelve Jack, the maximum amount of days I could go with food. Ten, the number of electroshock sessions I had. One hundred and thirty-six, the times I had pressure point incision therapy. Have you had that Jack? It feels like your body is being turned inside out. Eighty- seven, the times I passed out during that particular torture."
Irina made no move to wipe the tears running the surface of her face. "Seven hundred and sixty-two, the number of times they threatened you or Sydney. Sixty-eight, the number of broken bones they issued me. Fourteen, the number of surgeries I had to repair the damage. Seventy-four, the number of times they raped me with me begging them to stop. One hundred and eighteen, the number of times they raped me after I gave up begging. Three hundred and thirty-seven, the number of days I spent in that hell hoping you and Sydney were safe, while at the same time, praying you would save me."
Jack caught her and pulled her to him before her legs refused to hold her any longer. He stroked her hair as her shoulders quiver with her sobs. Before he could stop it, a tear escaped Jack's moist eyes and traced a lonely path down his cheek.
"Shh." He soothed. "I know, I know. I saw part of the tape."
Just as the sun began ducking beneath the horizon Irina pulled away and wiped her face. She felt a strange sense of satisfaction at seeing another one of Jack's shirt ruined.
"I thought you had left." Irina kept her head down, ashamed at her uncharacteristic outburst.
"I was going to; however, I remembered a similar incident when you were pregnant with Sydney. Actually, there were a few of them and you always left." Jack took a deep breath. "But you always came home."
"But your car is gone." Irina's brow furrowed in confusion.
"I went out to retrieve my bag so I could change my shirt and found the little present you left me." At the bewildered expression he received, Jack elaborated. "You keyed the car when you went out. I had to phone the rental company and get them to pick it up. They're charging me three thousand dollars to get the car repainted."
"Oh right, oops." The vindication emanated brightly from Irina. "So in the spirit of retribution, you ransacked my bedroom and broke into my safe."
"No, that was merely a happy accident." Jack paused. "I wish I hadn't watched that tape." His soft response rocked Irina.
"I never have. I took it, knowing what it was but I have never been self- destructive enough to watch it." Irina walked to the edge of the pool.
"Where did you get the pictures of Sydney?" Jack didn't expect a shocking answer and did not receive one.
"I only recently attained them. I had someone I trusted to make copies of them." Irina folded her arms across her chest when she felt Jack move beside her.
"This Larkin person." Jack concluded.
"Yes."
"What was the CD? I didn't get around to it." Jack glanced at Irina from the corner of his eye.
"It's a video copy of the last sonogram I had." Irina shrugged.
"And the amnio results?" Jack tried to sound blasé.
"Everything is normal. No anomalies on chromosome 21 or any other mutations, a perfectly healthy baby." Relief filtered into Irina's response.
"Girl or Boy?" Jack continued to question.
"Monkey." Irina replied with a straight face but eventually they both cracked a smile. She had answered Jack the same way almost thirty year before when he had asked her whether she thought Sydney was going to be a girl or a boy.
"I want a paternity test." Irina didn't turn to look at him.
"Well then, you have two options. First, you can use the amniotic fluid from the test I've already had done or wait until the baby is born because I'm in my nineteenth week, no longer eligible for another amnio."
"I'll use the sample you have already had drawn." Jack answered to the astonishment of Irina.
"You're trusting me?" This time she did turn to stare.
"For now." Jack returned the gaze. "Although I'll be testing the samples with the lab technician and while you might be good, even you can't manufacture a positive match."
"Jack." She caught his eyes and held them. "I'm sorry."
"I thought you might be." Jack smiled tentatively. "It's alright, I understand the new hormone levels are an adjustment."
"Jack." Irina said again. "Attributing everything I do when pregnant to hormones is stupid. Don't be an idiot." With that she shoved him hard. His momentum carried him into the pool with a satisfying splash.
Jack emerged sputtering. Irina chuckled at his appearance, spurring Jack on. The two took a moment to enjoy their laughter before sobering.
"Well, it's nice to know what would have happened if we had installed that pool you wanted when you were pregnant with Sydney." Jack walked up the stairs and out of the pool.
"It's past dinner time. I'm going to make something to eat." Irina made a quick exit. Her tension less palatable and steps lighter than before.
TBC
Please Review (-:
CIA JOINT TASK FORCE CENTRE – L.A.
Marshall was quite happy in his new office. The CIA had finally given him his own area to work after he explained to them that he was more productive away from large groups of people. His music was pulsing from small speakers around the room, making him oblivious to the arrival of Kendall.
"Where the hell is Jack Bristow!" Kendall boomed, startling Marshall from his computer screen.
"Oh Mr. Kendall Sir, I didn't see you there." Marshall yelled over the noise. "Can I do something for you?" He continued.
"Yeah, for starters you can turn off that music." Kendall scowled and the music dissipated. "Now you can tell me where the hell Bristow is."
"Ummm Sir, isn't he supposed to be on vacation. I mean the Director ordered him to take a short vacation then he would return and be the boss, not that you aren't also the boss. Actually that was something I've been meaning to ask you, who do I report to? I mean do I give reports to both of you or do I just go right to Mr. Bristow? Cause I've been thinking that maybe-"
"Mr. Flinkman, I sure hope you're going to tell me where Jack is sometime between today and the end of your life." Kendall loomed over the smaller man.
"Well, do you need him to come in? Or um-" Marshall faltered.
"I just need to talk to him." Kendall calmed slightly.
"Well, why don't you just call him?" Marshall said innocently.
"Well, gee why didn't I think of that?" Kendall grimaced. "He isn't answering his cell; can you tell me where he is?"
Marshall turned back to his computer and pulled up a program. "The CIA has this really cool new program that allows us to track the cell phones of their employees by the received signal. All you have to do is call Mr. Bristow's cell phone and I should get a hit on the location." Marshall indicated the phone to his left. Kendall dialed the number and immediately a blip appeared on the screen.
"Where is he?" Kendall held the phone away from his ear as it continued to ring.
"Well, he's on his way north of L.A. Wait, he's stopped." Marshall glanced at the stationary location and cross referenced it with landmarks. "He's at a landfill. What is he doing at a landfill?" Marshall turned to a fuming Kendall and flinched.
"That son of a bitch got rid of his phone. Okay Jack, you want to disappear? Have fun while you can. I'll make you sure you're life is hell when you get back, just wait for the paperwork that is going to pass your desk." Kendall ignored Marshall and stormed toward the door, almost bowling over Dixon.
"What was he so worked up about?" Dixon raised his eyebrows.
"Mr. Bristow dropped his cell in the garbage so the CIA couldn't get in touch with him while he's away." Marshall seemed to relax with Kendall's departure.
"Good for Jack." Dixon smiled indulgently. "I think Kendall needed a reminder of just who he was working with." A glint of humour and satisfaction ran across Dixon's eyes.
"What is Mr. Bristow capable of?" The intrigue in Marshall's voice lit the mischief in Dixon's eyes further.
"Anything and Everything, Marshall. And don't forget it." Marshall watched with interest as Dixon left the office with mirth playing on his face.
SYROS, GREECE
Irina felt a chill run through her upon entering the house. The sun hadn't escaped the sky yet but the shivers she was experiencing motivated her to turn the air conditioning down. The hunger her body had ached with abated as soon as she had noticed the absence of Jack's car.
Regret rippled through every inch of her being, wishing Jack were still there to hear her apology. Defeat claimed her flawless posture; her shoulders slumped and her head stooped under the weight of her failure.
Deciding her bags were first priority, Irina ascended the stairs and walked the few feet to deposit them in her room. Shadows were cast at odd angles in the large space, heightening the ominous sensation piercing her consciousness.
At first glance it appeared as though the bed was checkered in the sun's blotchy light; however as Irina inspected the surface further the contents of her safe became visible. Pictures of Sydney at various ages, files from SD-6 and the CIA on her daughter as well as Jack, littered the bed. Irina spied her own dated file from the KGB, and the video tape that went with it. To finish off the pile, sonogram pictures, the amnio results and the DVD she had made of the baby in-utero, were on the pillows.
The regretful calm that had settled over Irina vanished at the blatant intrusion of privacy. Stalking to the bed, she began piling all of the documents and photos together. As she reached for one of the files she caught sight of Jack's ripped and blood stained shirt lying beside the bed.
Irina's head snapped up with interest. Her gaze perused the room, falling on the small bag beside one of the chairs. Eyes narrowing, Irina advanced on the glass doors leading to the upper level patio. She wrenched open the door and flew down the outdoor stairs.
She stopped short at the bottom as she took in the sight of Jack standing at the retaining wall, looking out over the sea below. He had changed his shirt, although they looked identical in style. Irina's ire rose, remembering the pain he had cause, making her believing he had left followed by his bold intrusion into her affairs. She sent a silent prayer up, hoping he had not watched the video that accompanied her file from the KGB.
"You son of a bitch! You had no right!" She barked as she advanced on him.
Jack turned slowly and watched her with smug appreciation. "I assure you, I happened upon your safe, purely by accident. It was my understanding that you had arranged our little rendezvous to disclose the truth of your- no pardon me – OUR past. When you became less than forthright with the information I felt I had a certain authorization."
The answer did not cool the wild look in Irina's eyes. "What the hell kind of explanation was that? I can't believe I was regretting what I said; that I was scared you had left. You don't deserve a moment's contemplation you arrogant jack ass."
The self-righteous sparkle left Jack's expression when he saw the torment in Irina's. She was losing the battle with her tears and she was having a difficult time catching her breath.
"What happened in Kashmir Irina?" Jack prodded.
"You know what happened you audacious, insensitive bastard, are you trying to torture me?" Irina hissed.
"I want you to tell me." Jack insisted innocently.
Jack watched as her whole body tensed at once. Her eyes met his and flashed with pure, untamed rage.
"You want me to tell you Jack?" Irina's voice increased in decibel. "How about I give you some numbers Jack. You always did appreciate empirical data didn't you. Twelve Jack, the maximum amount of days I could go with food. Ten, the number of electroshock sessions I had. One hundred and thirty-six, the times I had pressure point incision therapy. Have you had that Jack? It feels like your body is being turned inside out. Eighty- seven, the times I passed out during that particular torture."
Irina made no move to wipe the tears running the surface of her face. "Seven hundred and sixty-two, the number of times they threatened you or Sydney. Sixty-eight, the number of broken bones they issued me. Fourteen, the number of surgeries I had to repair the damage. Seventy-four, the number of times they raped me with me begging them to stop. One hundred and eighteen, the number of times they raped me after I gave up begging. Three hundred and thirty-seven, the number of days I spent in that hell hoping you and Sydney were safe, while at the same time, praying you would save me."
Jack caught her and pulled her to him before her legs refused to hold her any longer. He stroked her hair as her shoulders quiver with her sobs. Before he could stop it, a tear escaped Jack's moist eyes and traced a lonely path down his cheek.
"Shh." He soothed. "I know, I know. I saw part of the tape."
Just as the sun began ducking beneath the horizon Irina pulled away and wiped her face. She felt a strange sense of satisfaction at seeing another one of Jack's shirt ruined.
"I thought you had left." Irina kept her head down, ashamed at her uncharacteristic outburst.
"I was going to; however, I remembered a similar incident when you were pregnant with Sydney. Actually, there were a few of them and you always left." Jack took a deep breath. "But you always came home."
"But your car is gone." Irina's brow furrowed in confusion.
"I went out to retrieve my bag so I could change my shirt and found the little present you left me." At the bewildered expression he received, Jack elaborated. "You keyed the car when you went out. I had to phone the rental company and get them to pick it up. They're charging me three thousand dollars to get the car repainted."
"Oh right, oops." The vindication emanated brightly from Irina. "So in the spirit of retribution, you ransacked my bedroom and broke into my safe."
"No, that was merely a happy accident." Jack paused. "I wish I hadn't watched that tape." His soft response rocked Irina.
"I never have. I took it, knowing what it was but I have never been self- destructive enough to watch it." Irina walked to the edge of the pool.
"Where did you get the pictures of Sydney?" Jack didn't expect a shocking answer and did not receive one.
"I only recently attained them. I had someone I trusted to make copies of them." Irina folded her arms across her chest when she felt Jack move beside her.
"This Larkin person." Jack concluded.
"Yes."
"What was the CD? I didn't get around to it." Jack glanced at Irina from the corner of his eye.
"It's a video copy of the last sonogram I had." Irina shrugged.
"And the amnio results?" Jack tried to sound blasé.
"Everything is normal. No anomalies on chromosome 21 or any other mutations, a perfectly healthy baby." Relief filtered into Irina's response.
"Girl or Boy?" Jack continued to question.
"Monkey." Irina replied with a straight face but eventually they both cracked a smile. She had answered Jack the same way almost thirty year before when he had asked her whether she thought Sydney was going to be a girl or a boy.
"I want a paternity test." Irina didn't turn to look at him.
"Well then, you have two options. First, you can use the amniotic fluid from the test I've already had done or wait until the baby is born because I'm in my nineteenth week, no longer eligible for another amnio."
"I'll use the sample you have already had drawn." Jack answered to the astonishment of Irina.
"You're trusting me?" This time she did turn to stare.
"For now." Jack returned the gaze. "Although I'll be testing the samples with the lab technician and while you might be good, even you can't manufacture a positive match."
"Jack." She caught his eyes and held them. "I'm sorry."
"I thought you might be." Jack smiled tentatively. "It's alright, I understand the new hormone levels are an adjustment."
"Jack." Irina said again. "Attributing everything I do when pregnant to hormones is stupid. Don't be an idiot." With that she shoved him hard. His momentum carried him into the pool with a satisfying splash.
Jack emerged sputtering. Irina chuckled at his appearance, spurring Jack on. The two took a moment to enjoy their laughter before sobering.
"Well, it's nice to know what would have happened if we had installed that pool you wanted when you were pregnant with Sydney." Jack walked up the stairs and out of the pool.
"It's past dinner time. I'm going to make something to eat." Irina made a quick exit. Her tension less palatable and steps lighter than before.
TBC
Please Review (-: