Later that night
Sydney was sitting by her father's side and Nadia was sitting on the foot of the bed.
"Explain to me how you got here." Jack said wearily, those pain killers he had been forced to take earlier were starting to kick in.
"Aunt Katya called in a favor to a friend." Nadia explained again.
"Oh right. You told me that didn't you."
"Dad are you feeling ok?" Nadia asked concerned.
"I'm fine sweetheart, just tired."
"We'll let you sleep." Sydney said rising to her feet.
After the girls left, Jack closed his eyes and began to dose off. When the door opened again he opened his eyes lazily. Who was it now?
"Jack." Nick's voice said hesitantly.
"What the h*ll do you want?"
"I came to apologize."
"How do you simply say you're sorry for stabbing me? Sorry will not cut it. When I am released tomorrow I am going to hurt you."
"You won't be released for another three days."
"Jokes on you. My wife is very smart and very persuasive. Besides I'm a fast healer."
"It's impossible to heal that fast."
"Not really. I was exposed to radiation a little while ago and it altered my cells. They heal at nearly twice the rate they should. Which means by tomorrow morning I will be well enough to kick your ass."
Nick cringed. Jack through him his Bristow scowl in full force. Nick hurried out of the room. Jack smiled and got comfortable again. He smiled to himself. He was dozing off to sleep again when he heard his door open one more. This time he didn't bother to open his eyes. He knew who it was once he smelled her pomegranate shampoo.
"Irina, you finally made it back." he said yawning heavily.
He felt her lay down next to him. She rested her head on his shoulder and placed her hand on his chest.
"Yeah, I'm back." she said sighing.
"What's wrong?" he said struggling to stay awake.
"Nothing. Don't worry about it." she said. She kissed him lightly and lay back down. He put his arm around her and finally let sleep claim him, he would ask what was wrong when he woke up.
Irina's POV
She lay that way until she felt Jack's breath even out. She thought back to the unpleasant encounter she had just had. The one person she had never wanted to see again had found her and claimed he needed to speak with her. She had traveled to the ninth floor where she slipped unnoticed into the abandoned storage closet. She knew she wasn't alone.
"What do you want with me Gerard?" she said anger in her voice.
"Such hostility among friends." Gerard Cuvee said calmly.
"Friends don't rape friends."
"That was rape once, the rest was consensual." he said trying to kiss her.
She slapped him hard.
"Shit!"
"Tell me why you are here or I leave."
At that moment Katya slipped in the room.
"I needed your help."
"Katya, what is this about."
"Your country needs you Irina."
"Right now my family needs me."
"This concerns them as well."
"Tell me already."
"The Messenger has been found." Gerard said.
"What the h*ll are you talking about?" Irina said confused.
"Three months ago we found a Rambaldi manuscript. We thought we had found all of them. It seems we didn't. The manuscript tells of one called the Messenger. It says he will possess the power of regeneration and will hold the greatest power known to man. It is said that he can resurrect the dead."
"So."
"So, he could resurrect Rambaldi himself, we would finally be able to hear explanations of his theories by Rambaldi himself. It would be a crowning victory to all enthusiasts everywhere. Or have you forgotten." Gerard said beginning to get angry.
Irina rubbed the small faded tattoo on her hand. The symbol of Rambaldi, the symbol she had tattooed into her skin to show her devotion to his ideals.
"What does that have to do with me?" Irina asked finally.
"We need you to get the Messenger to willingly resurrect him."
"Why me?"
"You are that closest to him."
"You don't mean." Irina said gasping.
"Yes Rishka," Katya said placing a hand on her sister's shoulder "Jack is the Messenger."