Just a few notes: 1) This chapter ended up being a few parts, it wasn't planned, just kind of happened that way. I hope everyone still enjoys it. 2) Potbelly's is an actual sandwich place in Washington, D.C. I used to go there for lunch when I worked in the city and they have amazing milkshakes. 3) I took a slight liberty with Douglas having a crush on Irina. There's no proof of that from the show, but I figured it wasn't THAT much of a stretch since I imagine a lot of Jack's colleagues back in the 70's and 80's were quite smitten with his wife. So please forgive me, I did make that up. Once again, I own nothing but myself.

Chapter 11: A Few Surprises

In the car on the way home, Sydney couldn't stop talking about how well I did that morning.

"You completely charmed the entire committee. I've never seen anything like it."

"Well, except for Douglas, he clearly doesn't like me." I corrected her.

"Douglas doesn't like anyone. He especially doesn't like Dad."

I shifted in my seat, "Why?"

"Because he doesn't follow the rule book and because Douglas is a little jealous."

Now I was curious, "Oh?"

Sydney chuckled to herself, "If you repeat this to my father, I will kill you, but he and Douglas go back a long time and they used to know each other at CIA functions. Anyway, as I heard it, he had a pretty big crush on my mother."

My mouth dropped open, "WHAT?!" I shook my head, "It all makes sense now." And truthfully, I wasn't that shocked. Regardless of how I felt about her, Irina Derevko was absolutely beautiful.

"So don't take it personally. They have a lot of history."

"I guess so!" I couldn't help but laugh. "Wow, you learn something new every day."

We were a few minutes from the house and Sydney changed the subject, "What are you and Dad doing for the weekend?"

I realized I hadn't even thought about it. "I don't know, I hadn't made it past the hearings. What are you and Vaughn doing?"

"We talked about going for a hike tomorrow since the weather is supposed to be nice. We thought you and dad could join us."

That sounded like a fantastic idea, "I'd like to, but I'll ask Jack and let you know. Or you could ask him when you go back to the office."

"I will" Sydney answered before I got out of the car. I couldn't wait to get in the house and change out of the dressy clothes I was wearing.

"Thanks for the ride, Syd, I appreciate it." I went over to hug her. "I'll talk to you later and hopefully we'll see you tomorrow."

"You got it. Get some rest."

I went into the house, plugged my cell phone into the charger in the kitchen and headed upstairs. I changed my clothes and took one of Jack's t-shirts out of the drawer. They were always great to sleep in because they were like nightgowns on me. I got into bed, turned on the TV, and within a few minutes I was sound asleep.

Meanwhile, back at the Ops Center, Jack was on the phone in his office, trying to finish up a call with a NSC official when he saw Sydney in the hallway, waiting to speak to him. He waved at her to come in and put his hand up while he finished the call.

"I understand. Yes, I'll make sure somebody here looks into it. Thank you."

He hung up the phone and looked at his daughter, "Did you get Brooke home okay?"

"Of course, she was pretty worn out."

Jack continued ruffling papers and putting them in his bag. Sydney was at a loss as to why her father seemed to be packing up for the day. It was only past noon.

"Dad, what are you doing?" She questioned.

"I'm taking the rest of the day off, well, weekend off I guess."

"You are?" Sydney looked like a confused puppy. "Where are you going?"

"Home, to be with Brooke. I know I had you just drop her off, but I wanted it to be a surprise. I know you know we've been having problems and it's my fault. If Vaughn started treating you the way I've been treating her, I'd break his face."

Sydney sat down, "I thought things were getting better, at least from what I could see this week."

"They are, this week. It's just..I can't really get into it. I just have to go home right now. Dixon informed me the committee will have a decision by the end of the day and he's going to call my cell phone. I want to be with Brooke when he does so she doesn't have to be alone."

"I get it." Syd smiled. "Oh, by the way, I asked Brooke if you two wanted to go hiking with us tomorrow afternoon. She said she wanted to but would check with you."

Jack smiled, "That sounds great. Thanks, sweetheart. I will talk to you later."

"Bye, Dad."

I must have been asleep for a few hours when I felt a hand touch my arm. "Brooke? Wake up."

I turned over and opened my eyes, "Jack?"

He smiled, "Hi"

"Is it after 5? I slept the whole afternoon?" I quickly sat up.

"No, you didn't. It's almost 2."

I was so confused, "Did you come home for lunch?"

He shook his head, "No. Well, sort of. I took the rest of the day off. I wanted it to be a surprise."

My face lit up, "Really?"

Jack took off his suit jacket and hung it in the closet. "Yes. And I didn't even bring any work home with me." He paused in front of the doorway. "I just wanted to be with you. And also, I wanted to be here when Dixon calls with the committee's ruling."

I felt my stomach tighten, "They've already decided?"

"Apparently, I'm expecting Dixon's call by 4." Jack looked at his watch, "We have two hours. So I better get on with the rest of the surprises."

I watched him go over and take something from under his jacket and hold it behind his back.

"This is the second surprise. I realized I hadn't done this for you in a pretty long time and after this morning, I felt you more than deserved it. Of course, that's not saying you don't deserve this every day, but.."

He pulled from behind him the most beautiful bouquet of roses I'd ever seen. I sat there for a second, attempting to grasp all of this. He was never this spontaneous.

I took them from his hands and smiled, "Jack, they're beautiful! Thank you." I reached up to kiss him but he stopped me. "You still have one more surprise waiting for you in the kitchen. But first, you have to get out of my shirt before you trip on it going down the stairs."

Jack took the flowers downstairs to put them in water while I changed. When I came down into the kitchen, I stopped and laughed at myself at the sight before me. He had brought home lunch from one of my favorite places in DC.

"Did you bring me Potbelly's?"

"I did" Jack took the rest of the food out of the bag. "I thought you would be hungry when you woke up."

I walked over and looked at the sandwiches and chips on the table he had set for us, "I'm starving." I stopped and looked at him.

"What is all of this, really? You never leave work early and you never surprise me like this. Do you already know the ruling and all of this is an evasion? Am I being fired? Are you going to tell me you're not really Jack Bristow?" I started firing off ridiculous questions.

Jack slowly walked towards me. "Let me answer each question in order. First, no, I do not know the ruling," he said as he closed the distance between us, "Second, you are not being fired. The committee can't fire you, only I can do that," he was in front of me at this point, "And as for your final question, I'll let you decide for yourself."

He reached down and gently brushed his lips against mine. I closed my eyes and felt his arms around me. I kissed him back and suddenly we were making out in the middle of the kitchen.

"Well?" Jack asked after our spur of the moment make out session.

"I think I should ask that question more often."