Here is Chapter 6. Once again, I only own myself. The "bug killer" pen references Season 2, as does "Senator Douglas" who was featured heavily in Season 2 as well.

Chapter 6: New Developments

After Sydney left, it was late, close to 10. Jack was still not home and I was really tired. I wanted to wait up for him so I went to lay down on the couch with a blanket and closed my eyes. I replayed my argument with Sydney in my head. Did she really believe I deliberately betrayed her father? The thought made me shiver. But it made me consider that maybe this incident had opened up old wounds of abandonment for him. He was slowly starting to spend more time at work now that I was back on my feet.

You're paranoid, I thought. You're over analyzing everything. But what if I wasn't?

I started to doze off when I heard a car pull into the garage. I heard Jack come in through the kitchen and put his briefcase down and let out a tired but relieved sigh. He must have thought I was asleep because he was quiet walking through the house.

I opened my eyes, "Jack?"

He came through the door into the living room and I sat up with a smile on my face, "Hi" I hadn't seen him since the morning.

"There you are. I thought you'd have gone to bed already." He reached over the couch to give me a kiss hello.

"I wanted to wait up for you. Did you eat anything?"

He sat down next to me and loosened his tie, "I did, but I would have rather eaten with you."

"Me too" I sighed, "How was work?"

He turned to face me and rested his elbow on the back of the couch and smiled at me.

"What?"

"I have good news. Well some good and bad, which would you like first?"

I pursed my lips, "The bad news I guess, isn't that what I'm supposed to say?"

"Okay, well, the bad news is that we still haven't cracked the codes in the manuscript."

"Jack, we already knew that, what's the good news?"

He shifted next to me and reached into his jacket pocket for his "bug killer pen." This was quite possibly the greatest thing Marshall had ever invented. One thing about CIA agents is that we tend to be incredibly paranoid. Even at home, you never knew who could be listening. Marshall gave one to Jack and he has used it at the house for us whenever we discuss work. Better to be safe than sorry.

After turning on the pen, he continued, "The good news is that we were able to get a general idea of what's in there. It's incredible, Brooke. It outlines the entire Covenant organization, plans, blueprints, notes, who's in charge. It's like a huge manifesto. It even lists addresses of offices."

I shook my head, "But I don't get it. Why would the Covenant just leave it out there in the open? Why wouldn't they take it with them?" I asked, incredulously.

Jack shrugged, "That's what I wondered, but I have no idea. They probably rigged the place and had to get out and figured that if anyone came looking for it, they would blow the building up and destroy it anyway." He grabbed my hands, "But this is huge for us. I thought you'd be happy."

I turned away from him, "I am, honestly. But this doesn't change anything for me." I looked at him, "Don't you get it? I still can't come back to work and when I do, I'm going to get reprimanded for this anyway, which is fine, but you can't expect me to be jumping for joy when my job is still in jeopardy."

"Well after we found all of this information, I reported to Senator Douglas and I said-"

"I told you I didn't want any special treatment!" I scolded.

He glared at me, "Would you let me finish? My god, you're worse than Sydney sometimes." He paused, "As I said, I went to Douglas and gave him the information and I just simply asked that he take it into consideration. I had to talk to him about a few things anyway. He said he would. They are hoping to have your hearing scheduled by the end of this week or the beginning of next week. But everyone's been busy working on this."

I got up and walked to the fireplace, "Everybody except the person who risked her life to get it."

Jack got up, walked over and stood behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders, "Brooke, you will be. Everyone wants you involved, most importantly, me." Jack whispered. I turned around and looked up at him, "Really?" I asked. Jack reached down and tucked a strand of hair away from my face, "Of course. It's late, we don't need to figure this all out tonight, let's go to bed."

Suddenly, I realized how exhausted I was, "Good idea" and with that, he put his arm around me and led me upstairs.