The water rushed against the port's edge in a soothing rhythm. The town was crowding quickly with the arrival of one of the Hydrofoils. The streets were crowded with people, the noise level climbing continuously. The town was obviously alive with activity today, the only question remaining for Jack was what.
Each café and restaurant had TVs inside and out, all displaying the same image. Upon closer inspection Jack realized they were watching a soccer game. Before he could second guess himself, Jack sat down
The friendly atmosphere pulled him in and before long Jack had placed a bet on the outcome of the game with five men and two of the women seated around him. Having played very little soccer as a child and following the game even less as an adult, Jack was surprised when the team he bet on won.
Although his Greek was flawless, the locals picked up on his foreign status. The customary ribbing followed Jack's admittance that he was an American. Jack played to their humor with self-deprecating tails of his own.
As the post game wrap up ran down the crowds began to disburse. Men and women went back to their jobs or homes, still talking about the poor calls in the game. Jack checked his watch and noticed it was late afternoon. He had effectively avoided thoughts of Irina for well over two hours. The triumph of such recognition should not have been as great as it was.
Jack shook his head in an attempt to organize his thoughts. He walked through the streets, glancing in the windows of stores along the way. A small antique store window caught his eye, urging him inside. A few other tourists milled about in the store, talking amongst themselves and vacillating over which items to purchase.A bookshelf lined on of the walls with classical titles in a plethora of languages. Jack located a handful in English and considered the heavy leather bound stories. The books reminded him of Sydney and not for the first time in two days he wondered how she would react to news of her mother's pregnancy.
Jack decided to buy an aged copy of the Iliad and before he could stop himself, picked up the first addition copy of Chaucer's "The Wife of Bath". He paid for the two books and left the story, needing to stretch his legs and work off some nervous energy.
Mindful of the busy streets, Jack kept his head up; however, his mind was miles away. Sydney didn't need another bombshell dropped on her like this. She had lost one of her best friends and almost lost another, not to mention the betrayal she still felt over the departure of her mother.
Life seemed to be intent on delving out one blow after the next to his daughter. Jack knew she was strong but one person could only handle so much before their sanity imploded. There was a time when Sydney would have been overjoyed at knowing she would have a sibling, but that joy had died with Laura.
{FLASHBACK}
"Mommy, guess what? Mrs. Abbot is going to have a baby. And Jessica's mommy just got a new baby too. Now Jessica is a sister." Sydney had propelled herself out of the bus and into her mother's waiting arms.
Irina had scheduled her classes so she only taught on Tuesdays and Thursdays, making it possible to meet her four year old daughter at the bus stop the rest of the week. Sydney only attended for half days but she was never short of stories about the few hours she spent away from her mother.
"Really? Well that sounds pretty neat. Did Mrs. Abbot say when the baby was due?" Irina pulled Sydney's little backpack off and carried it, so her daughter could run if she chose to.
"Yep, she said the baby get here in July." Sydney said brightly.
"Wow." Irina smiled at her daughter's excitement. Doing the quick calculations she figured Sydney's teacher would be in her fifth month and was likely showing. With so many inquisitive students she had been force to tell them when her stomach was growing. Irina chuckled when she realized the issue of a pregnant kindergarten teacher would likely raise a lot of questions for the children's parents.
"And do you know what Jessica's new baby is called?" Irina stifled a laugh at her daughter's declaration of possession as 'Jessica's'.
"No, what is it?" Irina snagged Sydney's hand as they walked across the street. "It's Carson."
Irina had yet to figure out how Sydney aquired a Boston accent, living only in Maryland and California but it was quite endearing. Jack had admitted he pronounced his vowels similarly until the age of five, he figured Sydney would grow out of it like most children.
Sydney's chatter continued all the way to the house, where she promptly kicked off her shoes and made a byline for her play room.
"Wash your hands first Sydney." Irina watched her daughter skid to a halt and fly in the other direction to use the bathroom on the main floor.
Irina had just sat down to go over the lesson plan for the following day when the front door opened and closed. She checked the time on her watch and saw it was only four thirty and Jack was out of town until tomorrow. Her shoulder's tensed with wariness and subtle fear at the intruder but she didn't move from her seat. The footsteps coming down the hallway made her smile slightly and sigh in relief.
She rose from her chair at the kitchen table and ventured into the hallway to greet her surprise arrival.
"I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow." Irina smiled at her husband, who was presently trying to balance his briefcase, suitcase and coat. "I told you the coat would be wasted, you still haven't gotten used to March being warm." She took the garment and hung it on its hook.
"Well it wasn't as warm where I was." Fatigue colored Jack's light words. "It's good to be home." He sighed.
Irina wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight for a while. She finally pulled back and kissed Jack thoroughly. "I missed you." She announced softly when she pulled away.
"I missed you too." Jack kissed her again. "And our beautiful daughter. Where is she?" He smiled against his wife's lips and tightened his arms around her.
"Sydney, Daddy's home." Irina called over her shoulder. The house was silent for a second until Sydney's little feet pounded down the hallway.
"Daddy!" She squealed. Irina reluctantly released Jack as Sydney dove into his arms. "You were gone a long time this time Daddy. Me and Mommy were lonely." Sydney said solemnly.
"Mommy and I Sweetheart." Irina corrected instinctively.
"I was lonely too Sydney." Jack smiled at his daughter.
"Okay Daddy, put me down now." Sydney order. Jack lowered her to the floor and looked on with interest as she stood up straight. "I have a nunouncment to say."
"You mean announcement Sweetie and you make them." Her mother informed her.
"That's what I said. A nunouncment." Her voice demanded their attention. "It's time for be to be a sister."
Jack and Irina balked at their four year old in astonishment. Everything in her tone and demeanor was resolute, not leaving room for negotiation.
"Honey, that is a very important decision that Mommy and Daddy have to make." Irina soothed. She was waiting for Sydney's signature tantrum to start.
Without fail, Sydney stomped her foot and placed her hands on her hips. "I want to be a sister right now." She demanded.
"Sydney, that isn't how it works. Mommy's right, it's a very important decision." Jack eyed his wife over their daughter's head.
"Why do you want to be a sister Sydney?" Irina asked softly, crouching down to her daughter's level.
"Cause Jessica is one and so is Katie and Sam. They all get to be sisters but I don't and it's not fair." Her foot hit the floor again.
"Honey, being a sister is hard work for you and for Mommy and me." Jack knelt as well. "How about you go play before dinner." Jack smiled at her.
"If I can't get a baby, can I have a puppy?" Sydney's wide eyes caught her fathers in a plea.
"Maybe in a few years, you're still too young and puppies are hard work too." Irina told her.
"Fine." Sydney sighed and took off to her play room once again.
"You want to tell me what that was all about?" Jack asked as they both stood.
"Sydney's teacher is pregnant and her friend Jessica's mother's just had a baby. Sydney is feeling left out." Irina explained the bus stop conversation to Jack as he pulled something from the freezer for dinner.
"So, what do you think?" Jack wondered, trying to figure out what else to put with the pork chops.
"What do I think about what?" Irina responded. She was half focussed on their conversation and half on her lesson plan.
"About having another child." Jack returned.
Irina was thankful her head was down and Jack couldn't see the fear grace her features. Despite her best efforts, Jack saw it anyway but he chose not to comment on it.
"Now really isn't a good time." She turned to face him in her chair. "I know Sydney wasn't planned and it worked out well in the end but we both have so much going on right now it would be too much." She dropped her pen and ran a hand through her hair.
"You're on more missions out of town than every before. Sydney and I don't get to see much of you as it is and in another year I may be up for tenure at the university. If we have a baby now, I won't get it."
Jack nodded along with her arguments, understanding where she was coming from. "You're right, it's not an ideal time to have another child, but you'll tell me what is, right."
"Maybe a couple years." Irina smiled. "Hopefully Sydney's sister phase will be over soon."
Sydney's 'phase' had not ended over the course of the next two years, and in some cases gotten worse. She had tried talking one parent into the idea at a time, told her father her mother wanted another baby and in the later years told her parents she would adopt a baby.
On more than one occasion Sydney had ignited Jack's want of another child but Irina had held fast to the notion of waiting. Knowing she was the one who would have to carry the child and be primary caregiver while he was out of town, Jack didn't ask too many questions.
{END FLASHBACK}
Walking through the narrow streets, avoiding motorcycles and mopeds, Jack realized he had the answer to Irina's reluctance. He kicked himself for not seeing the obvious at the time as he had done with so many other revelations he'd had over the years.
The hour was reaching seven and Jack felt hungry all of a sudden. Making another quick decision, Jack picked up dinner and took it back to the villa. He didn't feel like waiting for Irina to make dinner nor was he interested in making it himself.
VILLA, SYROSInto the mouth of the beast, Jack thought as he walked through the heavy door of the house. Depositing the bags he carried in the kitchen, Jack realized how little of the house he had glimpsed from his previous inspections. Fresh flowers adorned the kitchen table, the living room table and the hallway mantle. The Corinthian pillars guarding either side of the dining room entrance were structured of marble, the gray veins stretching delicately over them.
The main floor of the house was largely modeled after the open-conceptual idea. Although the house could not have exceeded four thousands square feet, it definitely felt larger. Jack silently admitted to himself, he appreciated the architecture while wondering where Irina had found the contractors to complete the work. He had been versed well enough in international economics for his cover at Credit Dauphane and knew how difficult it was to build in Greece, as there was a shortage of laborers and an abundance of University graduates.
The sun was still in the sky at the late hour of the day. Jack was loath to admit it but he loved the longer days of the summer, they had always been much easier to deal with. He couldn't stand the winters when the nights came quickly, forcing him to dwell on thoughts he'd rather avoid.
The house suddenly seemed too quiet; he couldn't sense the movement of Irina. Deciding to check her room to see if she had merely fallen asleep, Jack ascended the stairs, noting they too were marble but softened by a carpeted runner.
Stillness shrouded the upstairs as well; he didn't find Irina in her bedroom or the bathroom. An irrational shot of panic ran the reverse of any good drink. Burning the pit of his stomach, gravitating to his throat and leaving a biting taste in his mouth. Forcing down the betraying emotions, Jack opened the patio doors and walked to the ledge on the second story.
In the pool below, a dark outline was underwater, moving gracefully from one end of the pool to the other. Suppressing the sigh of relief, he watched Irina carefully as her head emerged from the water and her freestyle strokes began; level with the water's surface.
She still had yet to notice her audience; her arms and legs hitting the water in measured motions. The woman below had the ability to baffle Jack with only one glance although disclosing as much would mean risking his life and his sanity. In only a day her eyes had held both a startling calm and nervous energy that would make Marshall look little a meditative guru.
Jack's attention was anchored back to the pool when Irina made for the stairs and climbed out. His mouth ran dry and his heart did its best to escape the confines of his chest. The low sun tormented him further by lighting Irina with an ethereal glow. He closed his eyes and reopened them, hoping the scene had changed and Irina was wearing something other than the dark pink bikini. The material looked sturdy and sharp against her olive complexion, contrasting in the most alluring way. It wasn't fair that she could elicit such an overt response from him just by stepping out of a water filled hole in the ground. Her growing stomach seemed to add to the alluring qualities she possessed.
Without conscious effort Jack was transported back to another time and place where the woman below had a different name he was learning for the first time.
{FLASHBACK}
"Hey Jack, were you in class this morning?" Jack turned from his bag to see David Kipling beside him.
"Yeah." Jack and Dave had three classes together and often traded notes and information when one or the other wasn't in class.
"I was studying for my math midterm tomorrow and missed the class. You think I'd be able to borrow the notes?"
"There weren't any for yesterday. Dr. Van Kirk set up a workshop for us to apply what we've learned thus far. It wasn't worth the time it took to get to the class; you're lucky you missed it. Just have chapter seven read by next class." Jack pulled his shorts and shirt on over his dry swimsuit; the suit was designed for racing and therefore left very little to the imagination. Jack had never been enthused over the girl's swim team members ogling him, compelling him to cover up before they arrived for their practice time.
Being tall and lanky for much of his life had been a benefit in the sport of swimming. It often cut seconds off your time and gave Jack an advantage he was pleased with. He had been swimming for UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore County) for three years and quite enjoyed it.
The independence of swimming was interesting when you threw in a team dynamic. While away at meets you competed with other schools for the best time but while training it was your own teammates who stood in your way of being fastest. In the case of the guy's team it created a friendly competitive environment, able to push you to your limits. But on the girls' team the atmosphere was much crisper. Cliques formed quickly with competition fierce between groups and within them. The girls were friendly to each other so long as they didn't have to swim against one another. He tensed just watching their practices.
"Men, don't forget your circuit before you leave. Twenty minutes on the bike, three reps of twenty of the weights of legs and arms and a good long stretch. We're only a month into the season, I don't want anyone getting injured."
Jack nodded along with his coach's words, moving to the far end of the indoor pool facility housing the weights and cardio equipment. He hopped up on the bike and began his workout. The girl's were uncharacteristically quiet behind the starting blocks at the other end of the pool facility piquing Jack's curiosity.
"Girls, we have a new member of the team trying out today. She just transferred to Maryland from St. Lawrence University." The women's coach announced simply.
Jack's eyes flitted over the female swimmers, looking for the new face, but the coach was obviously blocking his view.
"Coach Smith, the last cuts were made for this season two weeks ago. I don't think it's fair to allow someone else to try out." Jack identified the voice as Caroline. She had the fastest time on the team currently and felt it gave her rights to every male on the men's team.
"Thank you for the thoughts on the matter Caroline, next time wait until I ask for them."
Jack smirked at Coach Smith's retort. Based on her interaction with Caroline, he knew she disliked her attitude but kept her on the team because of her speed.
"Laura Myers, this is the team. Girls, meet Laura." Jack turned around on the bike to see the rest of his teammates straining to get a glimpse of the new swimmer without success.
"Okay ladies, we have shortened practice because of the under twenty meet being held here tonight. We're going right to time trails. I want to see a push right from the start, no holding back. Laura, Deb, Caroline, Jill and Linda, you'll be in the first heat. Four hundred meter freestyle."
The coach's comment got the attention of the entire men's team, working out quietly on the other side of the facility. It seemed seeing the girls in their bathing suits everyday never got old, especially among the freshmen.
"So Laura, what year are you in?" Jack heard Deb ask the question, which seemed fitting, as she was one of the few girls who was generally nice.
"I just started third. I was attending a private University in upstate New York as the coach mentioned but it didn't offer the same post-graduate work as UMBC."
Girls were lined with their backs to the men, pulling their shorts and shirts off and stuffing them into their bags before setting out to swim. Laura's deep smooth voice reached the weight area easily, making all the men glance at one another. The tone was mature and held an air of intelligence few others were capable of.
Finally Jack was able to pick the alien back from the more familiar girls and was startled. Laura was extremely tall; possible rivaling his own height, with a body expertly sculpted. Jack had never considered himself a 'body part' man but found Laura's legs and ass to attract his eye unwittingly. Her long brown hair fell loosely over her shoulders, running inches down her back.
"Laura right?" Jack rolled his eyes at hearing Caroline's voice. "I wouldn't get your hopes to high where the team is concerned, we have some of the best times in the country. But maybe if you practice you'll make next year's B team."
"Why thank you for the encouragement, I'll keep it in mind. I haven't actually swum competitively for two years. I wasn't interested in the team at my pervious school." Laura responded in the same smooth voice.
"Two years. You don't say, well this is going to be entertaining." Caroline's face split in two with a snide grin.
"No more stalling ladies, in the water." Coach Smith ordered.
The girl Jack had identified as Laura turned around giving him a view of her face for the first time. Stillness shrouded the weight area as every guy drank in the sight of the new athlete. Jack found his own feet catching on the pedals of the bike and had to alter his focus of concentration to continue.
The girl was stunning; there was no other word for it. She embodied beauty and exemplified sexiness. She was thinner than he had originally thought but curved in ways few females did. There was nothing plain about Laura; every one of his teammates had obviously made a similar deduction. She raised her arms to pull her hair into a loose bun at the back of her head to keep it out of her face while she swam.
"So Jack, what do you think?" One of his teammates whispered.
"I think Caroline is going to make an example of her." Jack cringed at the thought.
"But what an example it will be." The guy chuckled before returning to his weights.
Jack looked at the clock to check his time left on the bike but quickly returned his gaze to the pool or more specifically Laura. He suddenly wondered if she had been at the pool before the men had finished their practice. Completing the practice and getting to the weight area had been so prominent on his mind, he had not noticed who had come in.
"Up on the blocks girls. Eight laps, best time gets to leave early." Coach Smith informed them as she did every day.
Jack and his teammates watched all five girls get up on the blocks and take their position. The whistle blew encouraging five bodies to dive into the pool. Laura's form was straight and confident as she cut through the water's surface.
Coach Smith appeared pleased with her new recruit's entry, watching closely at the form of all the girls as they began their swim. Caroline pulled out in front quickly followed by Jill, Deb, Laura then Linda.
Laura's form was impeccable but her speed was less than impressive. She was holding her own but was a decent body and a half-length's behind Caroline. He couldn't figure out why she was so far behind; her turns were excellent and her stroke appeared natural and well timed. Perhaps she simply was not built for speed.
Glancing at the clock, Jack realized Caroline had set a solid speed, likely to shave off a second or two from her last time; the other girls were just trying to keep up. Getting off the bike, Jack moved to the weights, only placing a small portion of his attention on the quad press, while the rest belonged to the drama playing out in the water. His follow teammates were already discussing Caroline's derogatory comments to the hot new girl.
"Hey Jack, we're taking a poll, would you do the new girl?" Dave asked.
Sighing mentally, Jack turned to the other guys. "Not an option boys." Jack stated firmly. He liked that as a forth year student many of the guys looked to him for approval and as team captain, he doled out his share.
"What do you mean?" One of the second year guys asked.
"You don't 'do' a girl like that." Jack informed them. "And you can stop entertaining the idea because there is no way she would date any one of you." Jack smiled at them in jest.
"Geez Jack, you don't have to shred the boy's spirits like that." Dave admonished with a chuckle.
"Just calling them like I see them." Their attention fell once again on the pool with interest.
One the fourth turn Laura suddenly shot out from the wall and passed Deb. By the fifth turn she had moved ahead of Jill without looking strained or hurried. Her body seemed to meet the water in understanding, it letting her pass if she left it unmarred. Laura and Caroline were in the lanes next to each other with Laura gaining steadily. Both girls encountered the sixth turn simultaneously but Laura's legs seemed to propel her further.
The gap between Laura and Caroline opened wider, the latter of the girls unable to move any faster. Laura seemed to find a greater speed, hitting the final turn more than a body's length ahead of her rival. Jack had a feeling Caroline was going to be none too pleased with the outcome of the race; his belief growing stronger as he watched Laura touch the wall at least three seconds ahead of her.
"Laura, that was wonderful. This is the best time this year, possibly of last year as well." Coach Smith said bluntly. She wasn't one for great fanfare but she always congratulated her swimmers on impressive work. "With times like these and a little bit of training, you could probably make next year's Olympic team."
Laura refrained from rolling her eyes. "I've thought of that, but it would be an interruption to my year which would not be conducive to my education. And the Games have become too much of a political playground. I would rather not be used as a soldier in the Cold War, like every other athlete."
As the other girls caught their breath, Laura lifted herself from the water seemingly unfazed by her efforts. Caroline was scowling from her spot at the pool's edge.
"Two years from the water has obviously slowed me down but I would think a training regiment could remedy that." Laura sat on the deck as the next group of swimmers took their places on the blocks.
Practice ran much the same for the rest of the afternoon, with Laura proving her strength and endurance to both Coach Smith and her teammates. Most of the men's team watch in fascination as her butterfly rivaled many of their own.
Jack found himself stretching out his workout, not wanting to miss the exploits of Laura. He found her athleticism amazing and remarkably beautiful in its movements, of course it helped that she was physically gorgeous.
He hadn't been completely honest with the guys on the team when they had asked if he would 'do' her. He most certainly would, given the chance but what he meant when he said she wasn't the type, was merely she wasn't someone you had one night with. She was a woman a man fell in love with.
Laura Myers was an enigma physically. She held herself with confidence and dealt with Caroline in a quick and blunt manner, not saying enough to anger her and just saying enough to put her off kilter. She seemed proud of her abilities but content in her own accomplishment, not eager to have status and power over the other swimmers. Yet, she was quiet much of the time, shying away from the groups yelling at their teammates to swim faster or turn sooner. Laura eluded a calm, centered air, which seemed to extend to those around her, even if they refused to embrace it. She was definitely a girl you doted on; one you would se fit to give the world to.
"Jack, Chris and I are done. We'll see you tomorrow." Dave broke him from his revere.
"Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow, call me if you have any questions about those readings." Jack tore his eyes from the pool.
"Thanks. And you call me if Caroline looses it and beats up new girl." Dave chuckled, glad that the splashing of the water would drown out his comment.
"Nah. I have a feeling Caroline would loose that battle." Jack smirked. "Bye Dave."
"See ya Jack." Dave headed out after Chris who was still likely in the locker room.
His workout had been over for quite some time but Jack could pull himself away from the pool. It wasn't unusually for Jack to stay longer than the rest of the team. Being the captain, he made it a habit to be the last one to leave practice most days, that way if anyone had a problem they could speak to him in private. But today his only reason to stay late was standing about six feet tall and wearing only a bathing suit.
"Alright, Laura you had the fastest time today which means you're free to leave. The rest of you, another twenty laps, alternating strokes every four lengths." Coach Smith sat on the side of the deck making notes as Laura gathered her bag and pulled on her shorts and shirt. Instead of leaving the building, she made her way over to the weight area and dropped her bag on the side of the mat.
Irina knew it was the moment of truth. She had not gotten Jack's attention in class or anywhere else on campus, of course she hadn't worked very hard at it after she had learned he was on the swim team. She figured she could convince her superiors it would represent a common interest while it gave her a chance to do something she loved.
She was eighteen and in a new country that was alien to her. Her assignment seemed simple enough for an experienced agent but she was far from experienced in many ways; however she would only admit as much to herself. The tension between her country and the US was filled with mistrust, her superiors had explained to her contact would be a rare commodity in the beginning as she wouldn't have any valuable information for them.
She had gotten the chance to see Jack in the pool before. Her reward for being early for practice. Irina had been impressed by his strength in the water. He had broad shoulders and towered over most of his teammates, which she found surprisingly attractive. At her height it was rare to find many men taller. Another bonus to arriving early was the lack of concealment the swimsuits exhibited. She had been given a wonderful view of her mark's body and she currently had no complaints.
Irina held her breath and mentally steeled herself to make first contact with him. She wasn't sure how she was going to seduce him. The KGB had made it sound so easy, yet she didn't understand what this man could possibly see in her.
Jack looked up at her in bewilderment although he tried to conceal it.
"Do you mind if I stretch here?" She asked with a shy reluctance.
"Yes- I mean no, I mean yes you…." Jack trailed off in embarrassment. He was appalled at what his twenty-one year old brain was able to come up with.
"So is that a yes or no?" Irina's shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Sorry, yes you are welcome to stretch." Jack indicated the mat beside him.
A minute went by in silence, both trying to decide on something to say. "You're really dedicated to stretching. You've been here for almost half an hour."
"I like to be the last one to leave after practice and I don't want to get injured…" Jack paused for a second and changed gears. "You noticed how long I was sitting here?" He was both parts elated and astonished.
"Well, it's hard to miss someone staring at you." Irina bit down on her bottom lip and cast her eyes on the mat beneath her.
Jack's face flushed with colour at his embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was staring and I apologize if I made you uncomfortable."
Irina raised her eyes and smiled a little at his apology. "It's no problem. I'm used to stares, it happens when you transfer to a new school in third year. Don't worry about it."
"I wasn't staring because you're a new student." Jack blurted out. The next second he felt the walls closing in on him as his words played back in his head over and over.
Irina appeared confused for a moment, then it dawned on her what he meant and her smile grew a little with her confidence. "So tell me something, is Caroline always so competitive or was that just for me?"
Jack almost sighed in relief but favored returning her smile instead. "Always competitive. You don't know what you got yourself into on that team, one day they're all best friends and the next they're ready to drown each other."
"Sounds like a lovely group of ladies." Irina raised her eyebrows at Jack and changed position.
"You're an amazing swimmer, that is sure to tick Caroline off." Jack explained.
"Thank you."
"Did you spend a lot of time swimming as a child?" Jack's calf was beginning to ache from over stretching it but he wasn't ready to leave now.
"Mum hum. You could say I grew up at the pool. I love the water; there's something freeing about just floating and not having anything to depend on but your own strength of will." Irina didn't know if she was seducing Jack Bristow properly but she was more at ease talking to him. "You're a pretty incredible swimmer yourself." Irina spoke truly. She had been impressed by Jack's athleticism and his skill level.
"Thank you. I can identify with the feeling of being free." Jack returned. His blush hadn't disappeared yet, so when he heard her admit she had watched him earlier and had likely seen him get out of the pool his outward appearance didn't change. There were some things he would have liked to leave to the imagination Jack thought bitterly. "I'm Jack Bristow by the way." He held out his hand despite feeling like an idiot for doing so.
To his surprise she grasped his hand and held it tightly. "Laura Myers. And I know who you are Jack." That enigmatic look was back.
"I'm sorry, have we met before?" Jack felt humiliation creeping up once again. "I would think I'd remember an occasion such as that."
"No, we haven't actually spoken before but I'm in your Political Science class and I've seen you on campus a few times." Irina informed him.
"Sorry if I'm a little surprised I haven't noticed you. I find it hard to believe I would overlook someone so beautiful." Jack said. He thought he should likely stop stretching as it was getting far too easy to get his foot to his mouth.
Irina left the comment alone, not sure what to do with it. "You sure do apologize quite a bit." She smiled at him. Her nerves had abated as soon as she realized Jack Bristow was just as anxious as she was.
"I suppose I do. It must be something about you." Jack's smile opened wider.
"I've been accused of many things but instigating apologies has not been one of them." She shifted again. "What are you majoring in?"
"Linguistics. Fourth year." Jack responded. "I know you're third year, what are you studying?"
"English major." She looked disgusted at her own words.
"Not what you thought it would be?" Jack asked sympathetically.
"Sometimes I just get sick of ripping a book apart. I mean people wrote them to be read and enjoyed, not for students and professors to make a mockery of analyzing very detail."
Jack laughed at her criticism. "That is why you're a braver soul than I. I would never be able to survive in those classes without being heavily medicated."
"That's what I keep telling my doctor but he still refuses to write the prescriptions." Irina joked. Engaging in conversation with Jack Bristow was not as difficult as she had thought it would be.
"Speaking of prescriptions, did you do the readings on the new health care reforms?" Jack hoped he knew what he was doing.
"Yes, although when you put it into context it makes no sense at all. I'm not really sure what we were supposed to get out of the material."
"I know, I spent two hours trying to decipher a meaning." Jack paused and took a deep breath. "Would you like to get together tonight and try to maybe figure it out?" Jack held his breath.
Irina knew this was what she was supposed to accomplish but the idea of being alone with Jack outside of a public setting terrified her. She didn't really think she was cut out for this kind of assignment but was too proud and interested in furthering her career to turn it down.
"That sounds great. Just tell me what time and where." Irina smiled.
"How about my place at six-thirty. I can make us dinner and we can eat while we work." Jack suggested slowly. He wanted to see what exactly Laura was going to qualify their time as and adding dinner was sure to give it a 'date' ambiance.
"Sure. Six-thirty it is." She smiled at him again and moved to get up.
Jack followed suit but grunted and grabbed his calf as soon as he tried to stand. "Shit." Jack bit his lip to keep from swearing any more.
"What's wrong?" Irina asked with concern.
"Cramp, I think." Jack breathed, while trying to loosen his calf.
"Here." Irina placed her hands on his leg and pushed his hands aside. She massaged the back of his calf and forced Jack's leg to flex. "I think you may have stretched for a little too long. You've probably strained the muscle." Irina stopped rubbing his leg when she felt him relax. Their eyes caught, neither able to move or speak.
"I had to stretch. If I hadn't I would have missed out on sharing dinner with a beautiful girl." Jack placed his hand on top of her, still resting on his calf.
"Well great, now I'm the one who should be apologizing." Irina smiled and twined her fingers through his. "Come on, you're going to need to ice that. Looks little making dinner is out of the question for you."
"No, I'm fine. We still have to review that reading and we're going to need to eat." Jack let her help pull him up. He bent to retrieve his bag but she beat him to it.
"How about I make you dinner. It's the least I can do considering you injured yourself all in the effort to talk to me." Irina teased.
"If you're not careful my next injury will be my pride." Jack feigned hurt.
"Come one, the faster we get you off that leg the faster it will heal." Irina pulled Jack as he hobbled along.
{END FLASHBACK}