-1Chapter 2

Jack had walked over to the window of his office, only to find Audrey standing there and glaring up at him. His heart had skipped a beat when he had thought she had smiled at him, but he wasn't sure. It was the first time he had seen her conscious in nearly 2 years. Jack turned back to his desk and prepared himself for her briefing but also what he was going to say to her.

---

Audrey slowly walked up the stairs, preparing herself. She reached the door, took a deep breathe and knocked. "Come in" a voice said from inside. She silently obeyed and made her way in avoiding his eye contact.

Audrey had no idea what to say to him. She wanted to ask him why he had left her and was about to but he started to speak.

"Ms Raines" Jack started Audrey was shocked on how formal he was, why didn't he just call her Audrey? Thinking about it made her even more angry.

Jack continued "You'll be working as our DOD liaison for a while. You can set up your desk at station 6. If you need anything or any help just give me a ring" Audrey stared at him. This time in his eyes. For an instance she read the true emotions in his face, pain but also love for her and then there was that look, the look that was only meant for her. How she had wished over and over again that he had stayed. They could have been married by now. But no, Jack had gone away. She worked up the courage to ask him. "Jack I.."

Jack looked up at her, he was surprised by her calling him by his first name. She quickly decided against asking him, at least for now. But she had to think of something to say because at the moment she was just making a fool of herself.

Audrey corrected herself " Sorry, erm,.. Mr Bauer" She was about to continue when he cut in.

"Audrey, you know you can call me Jack. What were you going to say?"

Just hearing her name coming from his lips made her heart race. "I..I.." she stuttered "I don't have your cell number, in order to call you?"

Disappointment flashed across Jack's face for a second. "Yeah, sure" He continued "It's 355-675-346"

"Thanks" she said, almost in a whisper.

Audrey looked at Jack one more time sighing she got up to leave. Jack got up the same time to open the door for her. Just as she was about to leave his hand shot out and grabbed her arm gently.

Just having his touch on her skin again made her feel on fire.

"Jack.. please" she croaked, trying to hold back the tears.

"Audrey i owe you an apology"

This brought back her anger "For What!" she retorted "Leaving me after China, For breaking my heart!? What Jack do you owe me an apology for!"

She stepped back in the office. Jack looked at her bewildered.

"Audrey what are you talking about? I was there for you, I was the one who got you back from Cheng, and nearly causing World War 3 for doing it."

Audrey stepped back slowly absorbing the information "Jack don't lie, my father said.."

Rage appeared suddenly in his eyes. "Your Father!" he snarled " Your father was the one who.." but then he stopped and looked down. Jack knew it wasn't worth bringing her father into this again.

Audrey was now astonished at the sudden change in his behavior and now wondered if it were true about her father. "Jack my father what?" she questioned.

"It doesn't matter Audrey, the past is the past and thats where it should stay. You moved on for the better and i think that now you should be with your boyfriend". Jack replied sadly.

How did he know about Luke? It was clear to her that he still had feelings for her. Her heart melted instantly. She didn't hate him. She loved him. But there was something more about her father that Jack was letting on.

"Jack" she said softly "For starter I'm not with my boyfriend anymore and please finish off what you were saying"

Jack looked away . "For me " she added.

"Fine" Jack said calmly "After that day, I came back for you so I could take you away and care for you. But your father had already order a restraining order against me. so I could no longer see you. Earlier on in that day he told me i was cursed and that everything i touched turned to ruin. Which is true between us, i mean with Paul and then China." Jack paused.

Audrey couldn't believe what she hearing how dare her father say all those things to Jack, after all that he had done for them. It made her cringe to think of the awful mistake of breaking off their relationship when she couldn't 'cope' with his dark side. The side that he had been hiding so well for those 6 months. But in reality she could cope with Jack being like that she was just finding someone to blame, so she didn't feel so guilty. She looked at Jack now with sympathy and love.

Jack continued " That night i went to your house and i said goodbye, because i knew that we would never be able to see each other again." He stopped and looked into her eyes. She knew that he was telling her the truth.

" I never thought i would see you again. " He blushed before saying with a slight smile " and I..I guess i never really got over you".

Audrey was lost for words. So he had come back for her, it was her retched father who had not allowed it.

"Jack you knows thats not true, your not cursed, we fell in love and if i could go back i wouldn't of changed anything. Well apart from you having to disappear and then go to China" she added causing them both to smirk. "I'm sorry i had no idea"

Jack looked into her eyes " It's fine. Don't worry, like i said its in the past now".

"Yeah" Audrey said not knowing what to do. She looked into his eyes helplessly. She regretted everything. "I should go" she muttered. As soon as she took a step forwards, his right hand shot out and held her arm, causing Audrey to jump. She slowly turned around and faced him. Jack moved his head in slightly and she did the same. Both now inches apart. Then Jack moved his lips onto hers.

God she had waited along time for this. The kiss at first was small with a lot of lingering. They were getting use to being in each others arms again. Jack moved her closer to him and deepened the kiss. Audrey couldn't help but think how right this was. Moments later they broke apart, gasping for air. He rested his forehead against hers and whispered "I love you and I've never stopped". The words that she never thought she would hear him say.

She attacked his lips again but this time with more passion. When they broke away the second time Audrey whispered "I love you too Jack".

Staring out each other one more time, absorbing what had just taken place, Audrey said "I better get back to work"

Jack laughed "Of course, I'll see you later?" Which appeared to be more of a question than a statement.

"Yeah Sure" She winked and then walked out of his office.

To be continued...