AN: Here is another update. Hope you like it and I should have another up in a day or two. Thanks for the feedback and keep it coming…I get inspired by it (;.
VILLA - SYROS, GREECE
"What do you mean Irina? What did you do?" Jack was bent at the waist, hoping he could avoid vomiting on the deck.
"Come inside and lay down Jack. I-" Irina placed a hand on his upper back; he shrugged it off as though scalded.
"You're trying to kill me. You poisoned me." A bead of sweat slid down the side of his face as he attempted to right himself.
"I'm not trying to kill you Jack. I was angry with you after this morning. I-I simply wanted to exact my revenge. The effects of the substance I used will only last twelve hours although you shouldn't eat anything for at least twenty-four." Irina's clinical calm saved her from the hurt she felt at Jack's rebuff. She cursed her impetus behaviour for possibly crippling the progress they had made over the last hour.
Jack had kissed her. Not one of hesitance or caution, the kissed had been passionate and promising until her ill-fated plot decided to reveal itself. A thickness developed in the recesses of her throat, desperate to stop the emotion from surging forward. Irina bit her lip, wishing to step back into the elation of their kiss.
"I'm going to be sick." Jack's strangled whisper caught her attention. He blew by her, rushing to the downstairs bathroom.
Irina followed at a moderate stroll, pondering over the next words brave enough to pass over her lips. Upon her arrival at the open bathroom door, Jack turned from his position of the marble floor. His steely gaze wrapped around her with a hollow grip, not forceful enough to hold her but disarmingly enough to curb any movement.
"I'm surprised I didn't taste the arsenic, although lamb's flavor may hold the strength necessary to disguise the bitterness of your revenge."
"I told you Jack, I'm not trying to kill you. I didn't use arsenic or any other of the myriad of lethal poisons. As I said before, killing you would defeat my purposes of bringing you here and I didn't elucidate my past just to do away with you now."
"For a mere moment in time, I thought you may have truly changed your tune Irina but while the lyrics are may be new, the melody has become repetitive." Jack grappled with the buttons on his shirt, trying to loosen the fabric from the growing dampness of his neck.
Anger surged inside Irina at their circumstances, both at herself and Jack. However Jack was the easier of two targets. "Stop being such a baby about this Jack. So what, you're going to be a little sick for a few hours. You can stop whining right now a let me help you, or you can spend the night on the bathroom floor. Only minutes ago you were practically begging me for forgiveness after your parting words this morning, now you're going to pass judgment on me?" Irina was incredulous.
Mindful of her girth, she leaned down and helped pull him to his feet. Together, they moved into the living room where Jack dropped gratefully onto the couch. The grimace remained on his flushed face, as he stretched out along the cushions.
"Where are you going?" The question was a foreign blend of needy and indignant.
"I'll be right back." She walked into the kitchen, reappearing two minutes later. "Here, drink this."
Jack glanced suspiciously at the substance she thrust toward him. "So you can finish the job?"
Irina rolled her eyes; thankful both her hands were occupied as they might otherwise be around Jack's neck. "It'll coat your stomach Jack. It's over-the-counter, nothing to be worried about."
Jack did a quick survey of the bottle in her hands, finding it did indeed bare a common product's name, although in Greek. Not in the mood to fight her further, he swallowed the thick liquid then relaxed back against the sofa.
"Rest here. I'm going to tidy the kitchen, then I'll help you get settled upstairs." Irina declared gently. She watched his eyes close against the nausea, wanting to reach out to sooth his pain.
"Don't be silly, I am quite capable of taking care of myself." His actions contradicted his words, as he made no move to get up.
"True, but here you're close to the bathroom if you're going to be sick again and sometimes," Jack's eyes opened to look at her. "having someone taking care of you can be refreshing."
"Are you feeling guilty now?" Jack's anger was waning in favour of the pain.
"Guilt does seem the most prominent and common emotion between us."
Not allowing Jack the time to retort, Irina left the living room to tidy the mess from dinner. The evening had gone from salvageable to destructive in the last hour, leaving her shaken and frustrated. She never had any intention of killing Jack, only hurting him as his morning declaration had hurt her.
No one had ever expressed such malice for her and kept their life and yet no time before had the comments cut her so deep. Irina had long ago reconciled that despite her better judgment, she cared what Jack thought of her and more importantly she had come to depend on him.
Hearing Jack get up to the bathroom twice while she was in the kitchen lit an ember of loss. He had gotten the answers he came for. She had given him everything she had to offer, leaving little of herself unprotected. There were still things he didn't know about her; some things he would learn soon while others were likely to remain unspoken.
Finishing with the dishes and shutting off the lights in the kitchen and in the yard, Irina returned to the living room. Jack's eyes had yielded to the harsh overhead light, searching for solace from the pain. Sweat glistened over the contours of his face, frantic to expel the toxins from his body. Irina placed a cool hand on Jack's forehead, telling herself she was doubling-checking the strength of the fever.
"Done?" Jack's scratchy voice caused her to pull her hand away. She wasn't sure if the question was with respect to the cleaning of the kitchen or her hand on his head.
"Yeah." Irina sighed, deciding on the easiest answer for both. "Do you feel like moving upstairs to bed?" Her eyes drifted over his body, taking stock.
Instead of answering, Jack's gaze shifted to the stereo system set up on the same built-in shelves as the TV. The words of the song flooded his mind, as well as the sound of his own voice spilling insults of acid.
He allowed her to help him up the stairs but wasn't able to stop the swell of nausea as they stepped onto the landing. Irina ushered him into her bathroom, which was closer than his was. He lost what was likely the last of his dinner and was left dry heaving on the floor. The comfort Jack felt at feeling Irina's hand rubbing his back overshadowed the surprise. She aided him in getting mouthwash and rinsing out his mouth.
Jack leaned against the sink; his body releasing a shuddering breath "I was a bastard this morning wasn't I." His eyes closed, unwilling to watch the pain fill hers.
"Yes you were." Irina replied frankly.
"I deserved this didn't I?" His hands unconsciously rubbed his stomach.
"I thought you did. I wanted you to experience much of what I did when I had morning sickness."
"I wasn't aware burning pain accompanied morning sickness." Fatigue coloured his tone as Irina led him to her bed and sat him down.
"No, that was for driving me to break my antique plates this morning." She attempted a smile. "I shouldn't have done it though. I keep forgetting that when normal people fight, they apologize and mend the damages afterward, not plot their revenge."
"Normal people don't say the things I did."
"No, I don't suppose they do." Irina looked down at her hands. "We each carry a great deal of baggage Jack, quite a bit separately and ever more together. We can't live a life where one of us is always wary of the other. You can't live wondering whether or not I'm lying to you and I can't handle not knowing what will make you lose your temper. I've been kidding myself, I'm sorry." Irina eyes darted over his head, unable to focus.
"What about-" The resolution in her tone scared Jack. Hearing Irina giving up on them was unacceptable to him; the irony was almost sufferable.
"We'll work something out. Maybe you're right. I likely should never have been allowed to become a mother. I thought I was protecting Sydney but instead I hurt her. Perhaps you should take care of the baby." Her heart broke at the thought; however, she had long ago realized the truth was anything but pleasant. "My life grows dimmer with every day Arvin remains a free man. He's gunning for me and has no qualms about taking me out, but you…." She trailed off. "You were his friend once."
"Irina…" Jack wasn't able to form a coherent thought after hearing what she had to say.
"Here Jack." She unbuttoned his shirt and helped him off with it. "Can you stand up long enough to get your pants off?" She refused to meet his eyes.
Jack stood in reply and helped shed him of his pants. When she did look up at him, her always expression orbs stared back at him, hollowed shadows. The emptiness was so brazen that it seemed to take a piece of his soul with it, resulting in the quiver of his muscles.
"We can talk more when you're feeling better tomorrow." Irina said softly, pulling the covers over his shaking form.
"No, we can talk right now." Jack's stern voice was a departure from the pain filled timber she had last heard.
Seeing that relaxation would not come easily for him, Irina sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed, the only comfort available to her rounded abdomen.
"How can you think I would do a better job with this baby than you could. I just about destroyed our daughter's life." Jack wince at the pain again, although it had become manageable since Irina had given him the medicine.
"You're blind Jack. Sydney's life is not ruined. She is a beautiful, intelligent, kind young woman. There has never been a child in the world that has been so perfect, and you made her that way." Unnoticed by Irina, her hand had begun caressing Jack's stomach in small circles as she had done with Sydney year's before for her little girl's 'tummy aches'.
"I was never there Irina. I never did anything to aid in her growth." Jack countered.
An ironic smile lit her features. "At least she knew you were alive. I didn't even give her that much and I don't know if I could give this baby any more."
"So we take Arvin down."
"This from the man who has been working at that very goal for over a decade." Irina furrowed her brow. "This isn't like killing a fly."
"Said the spider." Jack raised his eyebrows. "You've already take a great deal of Arvin's power from him. All the CIA has to do is locate him and take him out. There is nothing keeping us from killing him, he has no information that may be instrumental in persevering humanity." The sarcasm ebbed into his last argument. "You can help draw him into our web." Jack explained further.
"I'm not dangling myself as bait for Arvin while pregnant." Irina said resolutely.
"Only an unfit mother would." Jack watched her carefully for signs of understanding. Recognition dawned in her eyes with a slow smile forming on her lips.
"You've made your point Jack." Irina finally noticed her hand's activities. She debated whether to remove it from his chest, deciding not to, as he hadn't complained about it. "That doesn't make this situation any easier. We can't torture ourselves by trying to find common ground between us that is as unstable as quicksand."
"Irina." Jack's hand covered the one stroking his chest. "I'm sorry for what I said." He gave no other explanation, merely gazed at her with unbridled honestly.
"I'm sorry I poisoned you." She stated with seriousness, before they shared a tentative smile. A yawn escaped her before she could stifle it.
"It's late." Jack parroted his words from months before, wondering if she would take her role.
"I'm tired." Irina nodded her head, recognizing his attempt but not feeling like playing along. "I'm going to change for bed."
She got off the bed and walked into the bathroom; brushed her teeth and striped off her cloths, leaving her underwear on but adding only a tank top. The ensemble served to leave a great deal of her growing stomach exposed while keeping her at the perfect comfort level for the varying temperatures of the night.
She shut off the light in the bathroom and moved to the main room. Jack was lying where she had left him with his eyes closed. "Goodnight Jack." Her voice was hesitant as she made for the doorway.
"Where are you going?" He asked sharply.
"I'll take your room for the night so you don't have to move."
"Stay." The simple word served to suck all of the air from the room. The night stilled with the stunned silence of two of its most frequent visitors. Irina pondered the possibility of the fever making him delusional. "I'm fine Irina." He spoke to her concern. "I just want you to stay." Jack sat up slightly, able to make out her figure in the snippets of light filtering through the French doors and windows.
Irina's body moved of its own volition, to the empty side of the bed. As she grew closer to the mattress, Jack was able to see what she was wearing. He was suddenly thankful for the pain in his stomach, knowing it was the only thing keeping him from wanting more than sleep.
Getting bolder once she was under the covers, Irina slid next to Jack and resumed the soothing motions of her hand on his chest. She was caught between the need for sleep and the unconscionable thought of closing of her eyes while so close to Jack. Even if the moment turned out to be an anomaly in their relationship, she craved it.
"I got to know Dr. Maridakos; he's a good man." Jack broke through the hush of the room. "He's from New York originally."
"Humm." Irina continued running her fingertips over Jack's stomach, creating a euphoric contrast of pleasure and pain.
"He was worried when the PCR came back. He assured me the tests aren't without their flaws but that it appears as though I may not a candidate for stem cell treatment. He's hoping the RFLP comes back with different results." Jack shifted on the bed, bringing him closer to Irina. "He believes I'm dying and won't get the opportunity to watch my child grow up."
"Sounds as though he's a caring man." Irina responded peacefully.
"His wife had their last child at forty-nine a few years ago. He sympathized with our surprise." Jack allowed for the darkness to hide his smile.
"We should tell him you're full battery of tests came back and you're healthy. We wouldn't want him raising too many questions about alternative treatments." Irina's mind quickly solved the problem.
"He's going to be phoning here later next week with the RFLP results; I'll tell him then." Jack nodded slightly.
"You're staying until the next week?" Jack felt Irina lift her head and look at him.
"I've got two weeks of mandatory vacation time and plenty to catch you up on from the last twenty years of my life." Jack chuckled which turned to a groan when the vibrations sent ripples of pain throughout his body.
"Is it getting worse?" Irina leaned further over him.
"No. But it hasn't begun to get better either." Jack saw the worry marring her face. "The medicine helped." He added for her peace of mind.
Irina laid down beside Jack with a sigh. The sheet had dropped as she had altered her position, leaving a portion of her protruding belly visible. The window's light highlighted the curves, making it attractive to Jack's steadfast gaze. His hands flexed, wanting to feel the changes to her body, changes he helped create.
Irina followed his eyes as they traced the rounded path of her abdomen. With nothing spoken between them, she grasped Jack's hand tightly and opened it up. Placing her hand on top, she guided them both to the surface of her stomach.
The feeling was new and old at the same time for Jack. His memory was rushing to fill in the blanks of similar scenarios twenty-eight years before. Irina stomach was a fascinating amalgamate of tenderness and strength. The skin was soft and heeded to his touch but just beneath the exterior lay a solid layer of protection.
Once Irina felt him relax, she urged his hand over, where it was instantly met with a thump of pressure. As the second ticked by the whirlwind of thumps continued against their joined hands.
"Someone's trying to show off for Daddy." Jack sucked in a startled breath at Irina's comment. The sensation grew on him as he repeated it back in his mind.
"I see the baby is following in Sydney's footsteps." Jack grinned at Irina's puzzled expression. "Definitely a kick-boxer." Irina's cry of laughter seemed to startle the baby who suddenly ceased moving. "Come on little one, I'm not feeling too great right now, the least you can do is keep your mother up with your incessant kicking." Jack spoke to Irina's stomach.
Much to the surprise of both, the baby resumed its activities, throwing in an elbow every few minutes. "Thank you for that Jack." Irina narrowed her eyes in jest.
"You're welcome; now go to sleep." Jack pulled the covers back over her body to stave off the air-conditioned chill of the evening; however his hand remained twined with hers, experiencing every kick.
"Easy for you to say, you don't have a kick-boxer using your stomach as a heavy bag." Irina laid her head on his shoulder.
"No, I have the devil jousting me with a fire poker. Now go to sleep." Jack replied with exhaustion.
The water rushed against the rocks outside, creating an earthly melody to pacify the weary worriers battling for the sanctuary of their sleep. As each wave hit the rocks, it broke and swirled in a million different directions, desperate to mend itself and try for the shore once again.
"Irina?" Jack murmured.
"Sleeping." She chide.
"Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?"
"We eat dinner together every night Jack." Irina burrowed deeper into Jack's side, feeling him sigh.
"Irina?"
"Yes Jack." Her voice was wilting, tired from the day's activities.
"Would you allow me to take you out for dinner tomorrow night?" The pain in his stomach disappeared with the thunder of blood pulsing nervously in his head.
"Like a date?" She instinctively squeezed the hand of Jack's she held.
"Yes."
"As long as you promise not to injure yourself trying to get my attention." Irina smiled into his shoulder, then suddenly remember something else. "We're going to need to get you new toiletries." Irina inched one bare leg over his in an attempt to bring them closer together.
"Dare I ask why?" Jack took deep breaths to ease the pain still raging in his digestive track.
"They made it over the property line and down the hill." Irina admitted with a shrug.
"You always were methodical." Jack quirked an eyebrow in the dark. "I'll have to spend the morning fishing my cloths out of the pool."
"What time are you picking me up tomorrow?" Irina's speech slurred with fatigue.
"Seven o'clock."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Jack held tight to Irina's hand, silently willing the child beneath to calm and allow his or her mother the rest she needed. Tomorrow was the start of a new day, the possibilities were endless.