Disclaimer. As per Chapter One. If you recognise it……etc.
Chapter Fourteen.
Friendly Persuasion. Part Two.
Lo Cheng was sitting in his apartment drinking tea when a slight breeze wafted around the room. His immediate reaction was to look towards the window to see if it was open. When he saw that it wasn't his hand went towards his gun on the table beside him.
As his hand neared it another hand was placed upon his, startling him and halting his movement.
His uncle steadied himself and breathed deeply. "That is a truly amazing way to travel, Ms Rosenberg."
"Thanks, it does take a little getting used to though. You okay?"
"A little dizzy, but it will pass." He looked at his nephew. "Lo, this is Ms Rosenberg from America. She has brought me some disturbing news that you should hear. It is regarding Mr Bauer."
Lo Cheng looked at the pair, not saying anything. When he finally found his voice all he muttered was. "How?"
Willow and Xion exchanged looks. "Does he do this often?" She asked.
Lo Cheng snapped out of his trance. "Uncle, who is this woman. Explain your presence here, or I will have you both arrested."
Willow shook her head. "Sorry, I can't allow that. Look I brought your uncle. This is a visit for him. He doesn't get out of China much."
"I am aware of who my uncle is Miss…"
"Rosenberg. Willow Rosenberg."
"So, the Americans use sorceresses for their dirty work now, do they?"
"Not a sorceress, I'm a witch."
"It matters not. So you finally worked out how we got our captive and you thought that by making an entrance and holding my uncle captive it would persuade me to release him?"
"I am not a prisoner, nephew. I came here of my own volition." Said the older man.
"I am expected to believe that! These people have no respect for our culture, our sovereignty or our officials. They caused the death of Koo Yin. Jack Bauer was responsible for that, and he now pays the price!"
"Nephew. You have to release him. You located and took him by supernatural means, and you were duped into taking him by demons. The same ones who were coercing Logan to relinquish the governing power over to them. This is not an act of justice, it is a twisted act of revenge. Koo Yin was shot by your own men."
"They will say anything to get what they want. She is probably a spy. American women are good liars."
Willow's temper began to flare. "Do you hate Americans in general, or is it just women? How about lesbians? Got anything you wanna say against them while you're at it." She asked. Her voice showed her annoyance.
The elder man noted this and tried calming his nephew.
"Nephew. Do not take Ms Rosenberg lightly. I am powerful, but her power is far greater than you could possibly imagine. Had she wished to do so she could have taken Jack Bauer at any time, yet she chose to ask the questions and plead the case. She is honourable. As is the organisation she works for.
"And just who might that be?" Asked Cheng.
"The Watcher's and Slayers Council." Answered Willow.
"Then you are the one they call the Red Witch."
"They do, but I prefer Willow." She held out her hand in a gesture of friendship.
They shook, Lo Cheng gave her a traditional bow and his attitude began to calm. He offered them tea and they, spent some time discussing the trio of 'men' who had engineered the proceedings with Logan.
"But it was still wrong. Dr Lee asked for, and got sanctuary. He was under our protection." Said Cheng.
"If the CTU had respected that and left him with you. Marwan would have succeeded in detonating a nuclear device in Los Angeles. Where is your Consulate?" Asked Willow.
"Shatto Place. Los Angeles. Why."
"Nice area. You must understand Mr Cheng. I don't condone the actions, Jack Bauer didn't try to gain Dr. Lee by that method because he didn't care. He did it because he had no choice. Had Marwan succeeded, both you and Dr. Lee, your Consul, the people working there, and thousands of Americans would be dead now. Either by the bomb going off, or from radiation poisoning. "
Lo Cheng hung his head in thought. His uncle took up the petition.
"Each action, or decision made by each of the people in the Consul on that day brought about the death of Koo Yin. It was not the actions of Jack Bauer alone. Even Koo Yin had some part to play in it. Dr. Lee's attempt to evade the CTU forced their hand to take the action they did. If they hadn't, it would not have mattered anyway. Koo Yin would still be dead. So would you, and I would be grieving the loss of a nephew."
Willow looked at the younger man. His eyes showed the pain that he was dealing with at the loss of a friend and countryman, and the realisation that there was an inevitability about that loss. After a long pause, he spoke.
"Very well. I will have him released…….."
---------------------------------
End of Chapter Fourteen.