Author's Note: Don't own 24. Jass is the greatest, she's been with me through this whole damn thing, and Fauve belongs as much to her as she does to me. Note: This is a J/C shipper story!
Jack didn't remember exactly when he'd lost control of the situation. Probably, it was somewhere between World Way Road and the C Terminal. For the life of him, he couldn't tell anyone how he ended up playing baggage mule for Chloe and her crazy friend. He'd been swept away by the force of nature the smaller of the women seemed exert. He was just glad she let him grab his emergency duffle.
The women's conversation had been muted some by the presence of others and the bruising grip Chloe had on Fauve's arm. By sheer determination, Chloe had gotten her friend to lay off Jack on the ride to the airport. In the interest of Chloe's continued compliance, Fauve had put her rant on the backburner to simmer. She'd been pointedly ignoring Jack, actually, only telling him he'd be carrying the bags.
"How are you going to get him a ticket," Chloe hissed. "You can't just walk up to the counter and ask for one."
Smirking Fauve patted Chloe's arm. "Of course I can, honey." The continued use of the endearment made Chloe wary. Just what was up Fauve's sleeve this time?
The blonde didn't have a chance to demand answers as Fauve laid on the charm with the woman at the ticket counter. "Oh, please. I know it's a lot to ask, but my mother hasn't seen Jack since we were little. She's getting older you know..." Chloe had to roll her eyes at the cheesy sob-story Fauve was feeding the clerk. It seemed to be working though. With her rambunctious protector distracted, Chloe finally had a chance to look at Jack without Fauve's commentary.
The field agent looked dazed, as if he'd been drugged or hit over the head with something. 'He has,' a vindictive little part of her mind told her with joyful malice, 'verbally at least.' Can imaginary voices sound disappointed, or more importantly, why did it sound like Fauve?
Chloe knew her friend's approach to things usually involved applying the liberal application of overwhelming force and moving so quickly there was no time to think until it was done and over. She had never been as susceptible as others to Fauve's often heavy-handed tactics. Jack, it seemed, had no such immunity. For a moment, she considered doing the sane thing. If this was called off now, she might be able to keep her job. Explaining why Jack got dragged out would be hard, but possible. All she had to do was put her foot down and everything would go back to normal...Complete with Audrey on Jack's arm.
It was that thought that kept Chloe silent as Fauve, now with three tickets, led the way towards the gate at a run. Even laden down with luggage as he was, Jack was able to keep pace with the two as they sprinted to make their flight.