Chapter 5-Fire with Fire
"I'm reporting her…" Jack mutters under his breath as we drive to CTU (why is it we always have to go there?).
"To who, Jack? She didn't really commit a crime, she just pulled a prank,"
"I don't know yet, but she'll be sorry for messing with us…"
"She didn't really mess with us, you know. She messed with me,"
"Yeah, well I was with you, and when I'm with you, it's us,"
I roll my eyes and turn to face the window.
"How's your butt?" he randomly asks.
What an inappropriate question!"Oh…uh…okay I guess,"
It had taken a while to remove the glued on chair, but Jack had managed to do it within a fifteen-minute period. Thinking of period…
I clutch my stomach and accidentally let out a moan.
"Chloe, are you okay? Do you need something? Are you hungry?" Jack asks.
I quickly think of something. "Uh…yeah, I'm starving!"
"Okay, well we'll get you something to eat when we get to CTU."
I nod and hint a smile, and Jack smiles back. He's also got a nice smile.
I feel the bottom of my dress and cringe when I think of how expensive it was and how not even the best dry-cleaner will be able to get that stain out.
"You sure you're okay?" he asks again.
"Jack! I'm fine!"
He turns and pulls up next to the security booth.
"Agent Bauer, agent O'Brian," the security guy says.
"Hi," we both say in unison.
"You're clear," he nods and Jack shakes his hand.
Jack parks, we get out and hurry inside the empty bullpen. There are only two or three people working at their stations and otherwise, the bullpen is empty. Bill isn't even there, which isn't a good sign.
"So who are you going to report Audrey to now, huh?" I ask.
"I don't know, maybe I'm being a little outta line."
"Um…hmm…let me think…yes! She didn't do anything to report."
"Sonofabitch," Jack mumbles.
"Alrighty, glad we sorted that out. I'm just going to check up on something," I say and walk over to my station.
I didn't really want to plan this, but Bill wants me to. He says it'll be good for me, yeah right. I have to plan Tony and Michelle's joint funeral, and then Edgar's funeral. I really don't want to plan a ceremony for dead people. They're dead, for heaven's sake! Just burry them and get it over with! No need to really stretch things out by having a ceremony with little crab cakes and what not.
I see Audrey walk in and run to Jack. She puts her arms around his neck and buries her face in to his chest.
Knew it!"Oh Jack!" I hear her say. "I'm so sorry! I was just angry with you and Chloe and I don't know what fuelled me to do something that horrible! Will you ever forgive me?"
Jack's hardened face turns to mush and he smiles and laughs. "Of course I will, Audrey. How could I stay mad at you forever?"
"I don't know. How could I hate the woman you love forever?"
They both share a laugh and I practically puke.
"Actually Audrey…I'm not so sure I still love Chloe,"
My ears perk up instantly.
"But…"
"Yes," Jack says putting a finger to her lips. "I liked Chloe, but now I don't. I changed my mind, alright? I'd much rather be with you."
Oh! That is it!
I march up to Jack and Audrey. "So! You still love Audrey, eh? The woman you left for me! Remember! Jesus Jack! Was I some kinda fling to you eh? You just felt like dumping Audrey for me and now you just feel like taking her back!"
"Chloe, please don't feel rejected. I just…I still love Audrey…but only a little bit."
"Oh!" Audrey cries, releasing herself from Jack's grip. "So you only love me a little bit?"
"Who do you really love?" We both demand and Jack backs off.
"Uh…Chloe…no! Audrey…no! Chloe…Audrey. I love Audrey,"
"Yippee!" Audrey says, jumping up and down.
I don't know why I'm crying; I knew this would happen, right?
Audrey and Jack start making out and I amble out of CTU, sad and ashamed.
Two months later…I stopped going to work. Okay, that's not all true. Yes, I still go, and did go to work, but I just worked normal hours. No more helping Jack or standing out. No, I've transformed myself into a monotone robotic analyst. It was hard, but I've finally accomplished that.
Jack and Audrey started dating again and are actually…brace yourself…ENGAGED. I know!
I stroll into CTU and sit down at my station. I start typing randomly until my phone rings.
"O'Brien," I mumble in my monotone voice.
"Chloe, it's Audrey. Can I see you in the conference room?"
"Yeah," I reply, not really wanting to deal with her first thing in the morning.
I sit down in one of the chairs opposite of Audrey. I hope this isn't some kind of intervention.
"Chloe, as I'm sure you've heard, Jack and I are getting married. I'm so very excited, by the way. Now, Jack is at the hotel where the reception is going to be held, and I've gotta get there. But of course, um, I haven't told anyone yet but…I'm pregnant."
The words sting at first, but I've learned to deal with Audrey being, well, Audrey: all obnoxious and repetitive.
"So?" I demand.
"So…I can't drive. I need you to drive me to the hotel,"
Holy shit! I thought that she wouldn't ever become this pathetic, needing someone else to drive her to a hotel. It's not like she's a billowing balloon about to pop (although that would be a funny sight).
I roll my eyes (for the first time in two months) and nod. "Fine, I'll drive you."
We sign out and go into the parking lot and hop in my small sedan.
"Oh, and take the scenic route, I find it prettier."
I sigh and nod.
Though a calm drive at first, cars are soon darting in front of us and cutting us off. Audrey's really lucky that I'm a good driver, otherwise, two and a half lives would be at stake.
"So, I really wanted to invite you to the wedding…" Audrey starts saying.
I gag but she doesn't notice.
"But Jack says that we can't have you there, and you know how things are, don't you? Jack's opinion counts the most,"
I turn to look at her and give her a nasty/sour look.
Just as I do that, a car runs in to the right door of the car and bashes into Audrey. Her unconscious body drapes over the shattered window.
I unbuckle my seatbelt and hers and pull her out of the window. I slap her continuously (I've always dreamed of doing so, but this isn't the time for jokes), until she chokes out some blood.
"Audrey!" I yell in her ear.
She mumbles some gibberish and I open my door and pull her out, being careful not to hurt her anymore.
The driver of the car that bashed into us (more firmly, Audrey) has his head drooping over the steering wheel and is most definitely dead.
I lay Audrey down on the grass nearby and (unfortunately) start doing mouth to mouth. I feel for a heartbeat and can't find one. And I'm positive I'm feeling on her right side.
I feel again for a heartbeat, and this time, feel two, but then it stops again.
"Audrey! Answer me!"
She curves her lips as much as she can and whispers, "Chloe…bitch…love…Jack…" before closing her eyes and collapsing.
A/N: I don't think I was planning on killing Audrey, but I saw a commercial on ABC for a show called The Nine and guess who's in it? Kim Raver aka Audrey Raines, so that must mean that the writers either kill her or write her off the show.