Jack walked briskly down the quiet streets with his hands huddled into his pockets savouring what little warmth he could. It was getting cold, the nights were getting darker too. The area was small and quiet, people kept to themselves, it suited Jack perfectly. Gina didn't mind, having had no real job or qualifications she had moved from town to town trying to keep up with the rent for as long as she could remember, until she and Jack met.
Their place was run down when they bought it, but it had given them shelter, which was all they had needed until Jack began to fix it up. He'd dealt with the major issues as soon as they had settled in, fixing the leaky roof and sealing up the windows. After fixing the pipes so they could have hot water he'd had to put the work on hold to get a proper job, they had needed the money. After three months working as a mechanic the money had come more easily and together they'd made their home comfortable. It was small but cosy, and held everything either of them needed or wanted.
Gina was working in a small dry cleaners store in the next town, a quick bus ride away. The garage Jack worked with was within walking distance on the outskirts of the town. Jack worked as often as he could, knowing money was important if they were going to be raising a child together.
He didn't have much left from his old life, most of having gone to Kim as he had wished. He'd saved some emergency money in a hidden account in case he needed to move in a hurry. The more time spent with Gina, the less he thought about China or ever having to run again. He didn't want to have to leave, and now with the baby on its way, he knew he wouldn't anyway, they'd have to come and get him.
Pushing through the gate Jack carefully stepped over the small rocky garden and into the house. Once inside he peeled his jacket off, throwing it over the banister he made his way into the small kitchen knowing Gina would be there as all of the other lights were out. Jack passed through the small hallway kicking his shoes off and popping them into the basket Gina insisted they used. Three tins of peach paint were stacked neatly next to their make shift shoe box, ready for his next DIY project; the nursery. Only this time it would be a joint effort, Gina wanted them to do it together and he hadn't objected.
Moving away Jack smiled to himself, it was strange living this new life, it seemed to inferior compared to the life he had once led, yet they both shared the same worries and pleasures. Smirking to himself he thought of Terri, she'd be shocked to see him living this way, almost domestically, it was still foreign to himself. He could almost describe it as peaceful, but that was only true to an extent.
If it hadn't been for his memories it could be true, but the feelings of loss still followed him around. With Gina and the baby he'd gotten better at ignoring them. He'd convinced himself that if he could go back to LA, this would be the life he would want. Only he'd be able to have his daughter and friends and conscience back too. Shaking his head he told himself not to dwell, he was lucky to have picked himself up from the floor at all, never mind create a new, fresh life for himself.
He made himself force a smile when he met Gina in the kitchen, preparing some food for them later. As he entered the room it felt false, but then when she turned to face him it became genuine and he couldn't help but start to laugh, which perked Gina's curiosity.
After a quick kiss she noticed the state of him. "Jack your filthy," she laughed, pushing him away.
"Gee thanks," he laughed, grabbing a cloth from the sink to wash his hands with.
"Jack," she wailed sarcastically, "you need to get a shower, washing you hands wont help get the oil off your face!"
"A shower it is," he said mockingly as he headed to the bathroom, not allowing any thoughts of his past enter his mind. He couldn't dwell on the past, especially not when he was happy here. Surely Kim would be happy that he was happy, rather than dead? The thought made him smile as he climbed into the shower, before he pushed all thoughts of Bauer from his mind and willed them not to return.