A/N: Thank my wonderful mei-mei, Jass, for the extended chapter. I cheated and added on the next chapter, which she wrote, so the last half or so is hers.

Benny turned out to be an elderly man in a rattling pick-up that looked like it should be in a museum. A shirtless young man, with a six-pack like Jack hadn't had since he'd hit thirty, sat in the passenger seat. On seeing the two women, the younger man's face lit up with a grin that displayed a set of perfect, white teeth. The bitterness of possessive jealousy settled unpleasantly on Jack's tongue.

"Chloe! Fauve!" The pick-up came to a creaking halt and the smiling man hopped out. Rushing over, he embraced the two friends. "Chlo...Fi, why did you wait so long?"

Jack had to bite his lip to keep from commenting as Chloe hugged back with a warm smile. "Unlike some people, Tripp, I have to work."

Laughing, Fauve added, "And she's got a new computer."

Tripp's lower lip jutted out endearingly as he pouted, his puppy-eyes focused on the blonde. "If you wanted something new to play with why didn't you just call? I'll be your boy-toy anytime."

Flushing, Chloe gave him another hug. "Thanks, Tripp. But..."

"She's not in the market right now," Fauve interrupted cheerfully. "However..." Interest gleamed in her dark eyes.

Eyes wide, Tripp shook his head. "Sorry, Fauve, but you're really not my type."

Jack stood to the side, seething silently in jealousy. Chloe had her hands on a half-naked man. That wasn't really the issue though. The issue was the half-naked guy who she was touching wasn't him. And that was really pissing him off.

If looks could kill, Mr. Tripp 'I-like-showing-off-my-abs' would be a little pile of ash and Chloe would be next to Jack where she belonged. Fauve smirked pointedly at him. It would take a dumber man than Jack Bauer to misunderstand the message. 'Here's what she could have, you jerk. Here's what you've got to convince me you're better than.'

Benny, the older man, seemed to have more manners than Tripp. The first thing he did, after greeting the two young women, was move to help Jack with the luggage. Thankful for the extra pair of hands, the two piled the bags into the back of the pick-up. Once done, he was free to observe the small group of three that stood several feet away.

Chloe and Fauve were chattering with Tripp excitedly, and a few times a chorus of laughter would float out. They'd obviously been friends for quite sometime.

Benny was watching them all with an almost nostalgic smile. After a few minutes, he called them over. "Time to get out of here."

The chatter stopped, but the giggles and smiles did not. Tripp casually threw an arm over both girls' shoulders and led them towards the pick-up. Both Chloe and Fauve didn't seem fazed in the least. Though Jack felt a muscle in his jaw tighten.

Fauve broke away and pointed a finger at Jack. "Okay, you-" and then the finger moved to Chloe, "-and you. You're in the back."

Chloe gave something like a whine and looked over at Fauve with a semi-glare, who gave an innocent smile. "Chloe, honey-" Chloe winced, "-There is no way in hell I'm sitting in the back of this pick-up, with your boyfriend, surrounded by luggage. No way." Fauve paused, before adding, "Besides, you like the heat more than me, remember?"

Chloe rolled her eyes. "If I remember correctly, Benny's AC never worked in the first place. It'll be hotter inside than in the back." But she slipped away from Tripp and climbed into the back anyway.

Tripp and Fauve slipped inside, Fauve in the tiny space behind the front seats, and Jack paused briefly before joining Chloe. The window was open, and both of them had a clear view inside. Fauve reached down, pulled out a soda, and tossed it to Chloe.

Tripp turned on the radio as they began to move, and selected a country station, earning four simultaneous groans.