The day they went back to Los Angeles was a Tuesday. The newly-sworn in President Wayne Palmer got in touch with Curtis who in turn got in touch with Jack.

At first, he had refused. He and Chloe had the perfect life; he wasn't going back to the old, rotten one. Never mind, he would be risking her freedom by bringing her back to U.S. soil. But of course, the President had sweetened the deal, promising a pardon for Chloe, completely expunging her record, and complete immunity for him. Still, he had refused, but then he thought about Chloe having to spend the rest of her life known as a traitor, and them constantly looking over their shoulders.

So, he had secured them their freedom. All they had to do was stop the newest terrorists currently trying to take over the world.

Two weeks later he was severely sorry that they had ever returned. It wasn't the job really, with him and Chloe back in charge they had gotten many solid leads and it looked as if they were only days away from closing in and arresting the terrorists. And then it was back to the beach for a permanent vacation, truly permanent this time.

Unfortunately, Audrey had chosen to blow into town, and Jack had no warning. He had come back from the field with Curtis feeling nearly home free, when he found them together. Audrey and Chloe. And he could tell the second he saw Chloe's face that whatever Audrey had said had been very, very bad.

When he entered the room, Audrey threw herself at his, planting a kiss on his lips. He rushed to push her away, but by then Chloe was out the door and running.

"Audrey, stop it," he said loudly, emphasizing the words with a gentle, yet firm push.

"What's wrong? I got here as soon as I could. My father had to keep your involvement quiet, but he finally told me a few days ago and I tied things up as quickly as possible and rushed here. We can finally be together."

As Audrey moved in again, he pushed her away, less gently this time, "No we can't Audrey. I'm not free."

Her eyes scrunched in confusion, "Not free. But who could you possibly…" he eyes widened as the realization sunk in, "Jack, tell me you didn't. Just because you're stuck with someone doesn't mean you should start screwing them."

The anger came through in his reply, "I wasn't stuck with her, and I'm not screwing her. Chloe and I are in a relationship. We have been since a few months after we left."

"I can't believe you did this to me. I waited for you. I worked on an appeal."

"I told you not to wait, not that I believe you did."

"I did."

"So, you've been alone all this time."

She was silent for a moment, "No, but my heart…"

"Don't, just don't Audrey. It's over. It was over long before either of us even knew it."

As Audrey's eyes began to fill, Jack moved toward the door, "But I love you Jack."

"No, you don't. You just think you do. And even if you do, I love Chloe. There's nothing I want but to be with her. I'm sorry."

As he left, Audrey began to cry loudly, but he just kept walking until he bumped straight into Bill Buchanan.

"Bill have you seen…"

"She's in the ladies' room," he said before the question was even finished, "Go fix whatever you did."

Jack just nodded and hurried toward the ladies room, knocking on the door," Chloe, are you in there?"

"Just go away, Jack," came the angry reply.

"I'm not going to do that Chloe. Let me in and let me explain."

Suddenly the door flew open and an irate Chloe popped out," Explain what? The fact that you and Audrey made a pact to wait for each other. Or how you really love her? Or maybe you want to explain why you've been screwing me for all this time, and pretending to love me, when really you were still hung up on another woman? Or maybe you could at least explain why you couldn't even dump me when we got back, instead of letting that….that….barracuda corner me."

Now Jack was angry, "First of all, I never made a pact with Audrey. She told me she was going to push for an appeal or pardon. She told she would keep working until we could both come back. I didn't really care about much she said, since all I cared about what getting you out of jail and to safety. Second I don't love Audrey. I haven't for a very long time, if I ever really did. I had no idea she was on her way here, or that she was still waiting after all this time, or I would have warned you." Jack stopped his tirade and stepped closer, taking her face in his hands, and holding her tight when she tried to squirm away, "And finally, I have never, ever lied to you when I told you I love you, when I made love to you. And that is all we've ever done Chloe, made love, I would never even put your name in the same sentence as the word screw."

Chloe seemed to deflate at these words and softly said, "Really?"

Jack felt uneasy at her doubt, "Don't you trust me? Haven't I always told you the truth?"

"Yes," Chloe said, her voice trembling, "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to doubt you. It's just, all those things she said, it was like all the time, like we, we never even happened. Like it was all a dream."

"It all was a dream. A dream I never thought I would have, but you made it a reality for me Chloe. All this time I thought I was saving you, but you were really the one saving me."

"I love you, so much Jack."

"I love you too, baby, more than anything."