Apologies for the delay. I had finished writing this, but realized it needed another chapter. Chapter 4 is the addition.

Chapter 3/6

Jack woke early, the sun barely peeping across the horizon. He noted with satisfaction that the skies were clear. A morning run would help clear his head for the day ahead. Quietly, he rolled out of the bed and donned his running suit. As he tied his shoes, he heard Irina sigh softly, shifting her position away from the edge. He froze, not wanting to wake her. Her unexpected presence the night before had given him little time to gather his thoughts and he needed solitude to evaluate and strategize. His was a tenuous position. She was his Achilles heel and he needed every advantage he could muster to guard against his own downfall.

Irina lay in the bed half awake. She had not slept well, knowing Jack was only a few feet away. He had not slept well, either, she knew, judging by how rigidly he kept to his side of the massive bed, back turned to her. It was almost a relief when he slipped out of bed. She knew he was going for his morning run. It had been a habit of his long before they were married. Of course, there had been a few occasions where their morning activities had kept him from his routine. Quite a few, she mused with some satisfaction.

Through nearly closed eyes, she watched Jack strip off his pajamas and change into the sweat suit. Thinking she was asleep, he hadn't bothered to shield his nakedness. That he was sporting a rather glorious erection gave her some hope that her journey had not been in vain.

Chapter 4/6

Irina lay awake, rigidly keeping to her side of the bed. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so… she searched for the word... discouraged? Exasperated? Frustrated? Frustrated! That was the word. She had expected Jack to resist her request. She was not so naïve to believe he would easily agree to a trial reconciliation, so her plan was to take it slow. What she had not anticipated was their progress would be so glacial.

If he had assailed her with every grievance of their past, she would have been more prepared; but Jack avoided any mention of their personal history. Instead, he would drive every discussion relentlessly to one single theme. "Why are you here, Irina? What is your agenda? What information are you seeking?" He kept pushing and pulling back, pushing and pulling back. She knew he was a skilled interrogator; his reputation within the espionage circle was legendary. While she admired his technique, she definitely was not enjoying the experience. Always, he managed to goad her to the edge of her control and just as her hands readied to slap him, he would simply walk away. It was definitely effective. Each confrontation built upon the next, leaving her angry and unsated.

When Jack woke and prepared for his morning run, it had been a relief. Once he was out of the room, she dressed hastily, not wanting to be there when he returned.

She made her way to the terrace, hoping the fresh air would clear her mind and prepare her for the battles ahead. It was chilly on the porch, but she welcomed it, pausing only moment to draw the soft angora sweater closer. Leaning over the balustrade, her eyes swept over the serene landscape. Ordinarily she would have appreciated the beauty of the sun shrouded by the morning fog and the cloudy wisps softening the panorama below. Instead, her eyes were riveted to the couple jogging along the footpath leading down to the river. They weren't moving very fast, seemingly deep in conversation. They were too far away to distinguish their faces, but she easily recognized Jack's stride and knew that his companion had to be their hostess.

"They are good friends, no?"

Irina jumped. "Joseph. I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come out."

"Elizabeth told me that she has known your husband for many years." Joseph's eyes were unreadable.

She smiled, quickly regaining her composure. "Yes, I believe they met while Jack was working for Jenning's Aerospace."

"You knew her then, too?"

"No." Irina's senses sharpened. "Jack and I were separated at the time. We've only recently reconciled," she lied, keeping their pretense as close to the truth as possible. She smiled, ruefully. "To tell you the truth, Joseph, we are still trying to work through some of our difficulties."

"I… wondered." His eyes glanced toward the joggers. "Forgive me for my impertinence, but my wife and I are also working through some problems. I wanted to be sure that your husband was not one of them."

Irina swallowed, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. The directness of his question had momentarily taken her aback. She considered her options before deciding to answer with tempered frankness. "If you are asking whether or not my husband and your wife are having an affair, I assure that is not the case." Irina was well aware of her husband's true relationship with Liz sixteen years ago, but she had no intention of sharing that with Joseph.

"How can you be so confident? You said you were separated and I can see that all is not well between you."

Irina saw the uncertainty and doubt in his eyes. "I left Jack," she said bluntly. "It was a situation of my own creating, not his. Jack is an honorable man and a faithful husband. You have no need to be concerned." She looked him directly in the eyes and wished she could be as certain as she sounded. "Trust your wife, Joseph. She needs you to believe in her now more than she will ever admit."

He searched her face for any sign of deception. Seeing none, he lifted her hand and kissed it. "Thank you, Irina, you have eased my doubt." He smiled. "It will be a little bit before our spouses are ready for breakfast. I would be most pleased if you would join me in the morning room for coffee?"

"That sounds lovely," she agreed, thankfully. It would be good to have a normal conversation.