Chapter 6
"Jack put your weapon down" Doyle said cautiously.
"No! I don't want Audrey going back with him" Jack snarled at the doctor.
This was when Nadia spoke up "She won't Jack, I give you my word".
Still not lowering his weapons, Jack glared at all of them trying to work out what I do.
--
Audrey had seen the guards flood into the room. She hated them for ruining their moment they had just shared. She felt helpless. The man who she loved and cared about was trying to protect her, with whatever strength he had left. She had seen exhaustion in his eyes. He had tried to hide it - but she knew him far too well. She also knew that he would do anything to protect her. That's why she was worried now. Above all things Audrey did not want Jack dying trying to save her- not like this. When Audrey looked up again she saw Jack's eyes were full of emotions; anxiousness and determination. She knew how much he loved her. Knowing this, with all her might she lent forward and touched Jack on his shoulder. Forcing out the words "Bloomfield".
Jack spun around in a state of shock, "what did you just say".
She strained to get the words out again "Bloomfield" she repeated.
"Did you hear that? I asked her where Cheng had been holding her and this is her answer!" Jack pleaded.
Nadia and Doyle looked at each other, and then back at Jack.
"We don't know that for sure" the doctor said speaking up, "it could mean anything, another word designed by the Chinese."
Jack just glared at him. He hated the man.
"You don't know that for sure" Nadia replied, "and next time I want to hear expert advice I will ask for it, do you understand?"
Astonished at what Nadia had just said, Doyle added "I'll get Morris to do a quick data search."
Seeing that they were going to help Audrey, Jack stood up and placed his weapon down.
"Come with me Mr Bauer" one guard said hastily.
Knowing he had no choice, Jack followed. But when he got to the door he froze.
--
Audrey had seen Jack leaving, much to his dislike. She didn't want him to go. She had spent the last year looking for him and now he was only a few feet away from her. She was not going to let him go again. Audrey knew she had to get his attention. His name was on the tip of her tongue; she just couldn't find the voice. He had turned around tenderly looking at her one more time and was heading towards the door, when she forced the words out… "Jack!"
--
He had heard Audrey. He knew it had not been his imagination playing tricks on him because of the astonished look on everyone's faces. He turned around to go to her. Jack managed to dodge the guards than had run to stop him. He reached Audrey and grasped her, hugging her tightly. He rested his forehead against her, looking into her eyes, he whispered "I love you so much Audrey, I always will".
The guards got a hold of Jack and shoved him out of the room. The last thing Jack had heard Audrey say was, "Jack…I …lov…" but she had not been able to finish her words. Jack wanted to go back in there with her, he knew what she was trying to tell him and it made him smile, that after all these years she still felt the same way.
Quietly he was escorted back to the holding room. He sat down pondering on what to do next when the door opened. Jack turned his head to see who it was, and then turned around again. The image of the face was slowly sinking in. Jack knew who it was, it was a face he had not seen in over a year; James Heller.
He shot up from his chair: "Hello Sir".
Heller said nothing. He was just glaring at the man who had put his daughter at risk. My G-d he was going to suffer and pay for it. Heller didn't care what this country owed Jack.
Disturbing his thoughts Jack reassuringly said "I'm sorry about Audrey. But I can get her to open up to me like she did before. I promise I will be there for her now and after this is over. I gave her my word."
"No you won't" Heller exclaimed simply.
"Excuse me" Jack replied taken back by Heller's harsh tone.
"Your not going anywhere near my daughter again Jack. I don't care if you gave her your word. It's your fault she went to china. It's your fault she is the way she is now" Heller added "do you understand me, I forbid it."
Jack was speechless. This was the man he had worked with all those years ago. He looked up to Heller. Jack sunk into his chair. Placing his hands on the table, unable to keep eye contact with Heller.
Heller was about to leave. Satisfied with what had been said when he decided to add "your cursed Jack, everything you touch, one way or another ends up dead"
The words pierced jacks heart like a knife. He hung is head and welcomed the tears that had come to his eyes.
Heller walked out; there was nothing left to say. Thinking about the words he had just said, he regretted it. Jack hadn't even put up a fight. Deep down he knew that Jack loved his daughter and meant no harm to her and he knew that Jack was not to blame. But all that was covered by his own guilt and anger, for letting her go. She had gone over there despite him protesting, but had done nothing to stop her.
Heller turned to look at the devastated Jack one more time and then headed off to see his daughter.
TO BE CONTINUED…