INITIATION

"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance." -Alan Watts

Rambaldi's villa, Vecchiano, Italy (Elysium)

Tom and Nadia Falk both stand in front of Milo Rambaldi's desk, stunned at seeing Jack Bristow in their plane of existence.

Rambaldi has a look on his face like he's been expecting Jack, while Mary Falk has a neutral expression, no longer surprised at anything after the caper she went on over Jack.

Tom looks back at Rambaldi and asks "What is Jack Bristow doing here?" Rambaldi casually looks over at Tom and says "Do you really need me to answer that for you?"

Nadia, getting the hint, looks at Jack and says "You died..." Nadia then walks over and gives Jack a hug. Jack returns the hug and squeezes Nadia a little bit. He's happy to see her well. When she was out in her coma, Jack always checked up on her like she was his own daughter. He feels almost warm and gooey inside...not a usual feeling he gets.

Nadia, still clutching Jack, says "I'm so sorry...how did you die?" Jack looks up at Rambaldi and asks "I'm not the one you should ask."

Tom looks back at Rambaldi. Nadia releases the hug and looks at Rambaldi with Mary. Rambaldi notices everyone's looking at him. He looks back at Jack and says "I'm not sure how you died, Jack. All I know is that it was by natural causes." Mary then says "Laurent is back on Earth investigating."

Tom walks over to Jack and extends his hand for a handshake. "I'm sorry we have to meet again like this." Jack gives Tom a somewhat curious look. He notices Tom's face looks calm...relaxed...not like how he was when he was alive. Tom always wore either a cocky or an angry or a frustrated or a concerned look about him. But never relaxed.

Sensing that he's being rude, Jack returns the handshake. "It's good to see you. I understand you're the welcoming committee in this...place." Tom smirks and looks at Mary. "I see my mom's telling stories about me again..."

Everyone in the room, except Jack, chuckles a bit at that. Much of the concern and tension over Jack's appearance is eased for now.

Jack stares down Rambaldi for a bit, then says "You're not what I expected." Rambaldi cracks a small smirk as he casually folds his hands in front of him and asks "What did you expect?"

Jack replies "I expected you to be shorter, for one." Rambaldi chuckles and says "Ah, you probably envisioned a mad scientist type...someone small who piddles about amongst his inventions and has little or no social skills. Maybe I had a hunchback in your vision?"

Jack just stares at Rambaldi blankly, but internally agrees with most of what Rambaldi just said.

Rambaldi then says "Take a seat, Jack." Jack walks over and takes the left seat in front of Rambaldi's desk. Tom looks at Mary and notices she looks a bit tired. "Mom, sit down." Mary shakes her head. "No, I'm fine, I think Rambaldi..." Tom cuts her off. "Mom, I've seen that look on your face before. You're tired. Please, sit down." Mary sighs and frustratedly says "Oh fine..."

Mary sits down in the seat to the right of Jack. Tom and Nadia remain standing behind Jack and Mary.

Rambaldi takes his seat and says "I see you're taking your transition to Elysium rather well." Jack flatly replies "When it's my time, it's my time. I fully accept that." Rambaldi looks over at Mary and asks "Did he shed any tears when you informed him of his death?"

Mary freezes, surprised that Rambaldi would openly ask that question. She then looks over at Jack, who stares back at her with a bit of a menacing stare. Mary knows Jack stepped away and cried a bit...the proof is in the 5 dollars she from Laurent L'Andre in a bet that's in her pocket.

Mary then looks back at Rambaldi and, trying to protect herself from Jack's wrath, says "He...had the usual reaction." Rambaldi looks down at the table and says "I must say, even though it's tradition for people to shed tears over being informed of their death, I thought Jack might have bucked that trend."

Jack insistently says "Do you people have nothing more interesting to talk about whether I cried or not? Is this why I'm here?" Rambaldi holds up his hand and says "You're right, it's just..." Jack tersely cuts him off. "I find it hard to believe that much of my career was devoted to the prophecy of a man that finds my tears so intriguing..."

Tom steps forward and says "Jack, it's not like that." Jack then turns and looks up at Tom and angrily says "Then what is it like, Tom? You're the man with the answers!" Nadia puts a hand on Jack's shoulder and intently says "Jack, calm down! It's just us!"

Jack finds some comfort in Nadia's words and takes a deep sigh. He looks back at Rambaldi and says "I'm sorry. It's just...I'm not too thrilled about being here. I won't be able to see my daughter and grandkids..." Rambaldi says "Oh, you can. You can observe them on Earth..." Jack cuts Rambaldi off and says "But I can't talk to them." Nadia calmly says "You can through me and Tom. We can still communicate with Sydney."

Jack looks up at Nadia, then back at Rambaldi. "Ok, I'm curious: how is it that you gave Mary and Irina Derevko's bloodline the ability to communicate from the dead? I understand it's an ability that not everyone gets here." Rambaldi thinks for a bit, then says "I have my ways...ways that are not important enough to discuss at the present time."

Jack sighs at his interaction with Rambaldi so far. He then leans forward and asks "Ok, how does Elysium 'work'? All I know is that everything's a replica of earth and we can teleport back and forth." Tom starts to say something, but Rambaldi holds up his hand. "Tom, you will have a chance to counsel Mr. Bristow on the ways of our world in a little bit. Your friend Chris Cooper runs the region that Mr. Bristow is from, and according to your scheduling, he has a counseling session starting in a little bit. Maybe it'd be wise to have Jack sit in." Tom steps back and calmly says "Yeah, that'd work."

Rambaldi then looks back at Jack and says "Elysium is governed by the Elysian High Council. It's a group of 5 members, led by High Councilman Aristotle. I am a councilman, along with Marcus Aurelius, Albert Einstein, and Paris of Troy."

Jack raises an eyebrow at that group. "That's quite a group..." Rambaldi smiles wide and says "Indeed it is. We all share one thing in common: the desire for Elysium to be a peaceful society."

Jack gives Rambaldi a funny look. "Paris was a man whose flirtation with Helen of Troy brought about a bloody war and I would hardly call you a man of peace..." Rambaldi cuts him off. "...I am a man that helped spare the world of Arvin Sloane's immortality. Through me and the actions of you, Tom, Mary, Sydney, and Nadia, I rid the world of some of the worst people to ever walk on Earth and made it a better, more peaceful place. It allowed you to live in peace until now and it allowed Sydney and her family to live in peace. Why would I do all that? Why would I set Sydney, Nadia, and Tom on this quest and ensure that they live in peace now if I wasn't a man of peace?"

Jack looks up at Tom, daring him to say something. Tom catches that dare coming from Jack and says "He's got a point, Jack." Jack then says "You don't harbor any resentment over what he did to you...to Nadia?" Tom shakes his head, as does Nadia. Tom says "Jack, my body was literally rotting from within because of the surgery I underwent. I could have died a pathetic replica of the man I was or I could have saved the world and given you and Sydney peace. I chose the latter and now, I get to see my baby girl grow up and be with my family." Nadia then says "Besides, just because we die on Earth doesn't mean our journey ends. Tom and Chris will explain that at your counseling session. Afterward you're done...I'll have you come over to our house in San Felipe and meet our daughter Maria."

Jack nods and says "I'd like to meet her. Sydney doesn't say much about your weekly chats." Mary smiles and says "She's a little angel." Mary then looks up at Nadia. "Where is she, by the way?" Nadia smiles and replies "At the orphanage in San Felipe, hanging out with Emilio." Rambaldi says "Ah, this must be the boy that she has found." Tom smirks and says "All I ever hear from my little girl's mouth lately is 'Emilio this' and 'Emilio that'...Emiliomania has run wild in the Falk house."

As the happy conversation kept going, Jack noticed how everyone interacted with each other. Everything was almost...too campy. Jack breaks up the vibe by saying "You people are really into the peace thing, aren't you?" Tom pats Jack on the shoulder and says "Come on, let's get your session out of the way. You'll understand why we are the way we are now."

Jack stands up, but as he does, Laurent L'Andre opens the door into the workshop. Everyone notices him, including Jack, who curiously asks "That was fast...what did you find out?" Laurent steps into the room and says "Jack, are you sure you want to know? Sometimes, it's best for new arrivals..."

Jack cuts him off and tersely says "Tell me." Laurent sighs and says "At 12:47 AM Pacific Time, you died peacefully in your sleep of a brain aneurysm." Jack sighs at the bad news and looks down. "I suspected as such..." Laurent, in a rare moment of concern for him, says "I am sorry. There are worse ways to die, though."

Jack looks up and asks "Why a brain aneurysm?" Laurent replies "I was not able to get a definitive answer. Sometimes, in cases I have found, it can be due to high blood pressure, heavy drinking, or just simply old age."

Jack looks at Laurent blankly and says "I'm only 62 years old..." Laurent just shrugs and says "I only know what I have seen. I was making no assumptions. I apologize if I came across differently." Laurent then turns to Nadia and says "Your sister seemed very upset." Nadia and Jack both form looks of concern on their faces. Nadia says "Sydney? You saw her?" Laurent replies "Yes. I was there when Sydney identified the body."

Jack closes his eyes and hangs his head, trying to fight back more tears from coming. As Nadia walks over to console him, Tom tells her "Maybe you should tell Sydney he's arrived. Maybe that will give her some comfort." Nadia nods, then gives Jack a hug. "Is there anything you want me to tell her?" Jack, getting uncharacteristically emotional, says "Tell her I love her...and that I'm ok. I look forward to seeing her again...whenever that may be."

Rambaldi, trying to be reassuring, says "I don't know what kind of comfort this will bring, but I can say that Sydney is not due to arrive for some time." Jack releases his hug with Nadia and, his voice still shaky, says "Good. I want her to live as long of a life as possible. Same goes for Michael, Isabelle, and Jack." Rambaldi smiles and says "I can tell you that it will be at least 30 years before they show up. That's how far the arrival logs go and none of them appear on the list at any point."

For the first time since he arrived in Elysium, Jack cracks a smile and says "Thank you." Jack turns to Tom and says "Maybe you can show me how I can see them again." Tom nods and says "Of course."

Tom then looks at Nadia and says "I'll meet you back at the house later this afternoon. Good luck with Sydney." Nadia cracks a small, sullen smile and says "Good luck with Jack's initiation." Tom looks over at Mary and says "Thanks for helping Jack." Mary looks up at Laurent and says "Well, it wasn't my idea..." Laurent rolls his eyes and says "Like we discussed, Mary, I had prior matters..."

Jack points at Laurent and says "THIS man was supposed to be my welcoming committee?" Laurent gives Jack a blank stare, a little offended at Jack's remark. Rambaldi smirks and says "Perhaps it was best that Mary was there to help out. Laurent can make an...interesting first impression on people."

Tom snickers a bit at that, which earns him a death stare from Laurent. Tom, noticing the stare, defensively says "Hey, Rambaldi's right. You're the biggest man in this room and, knowing your history with Il Credo Divino..." Laurent frustratedly cuts him off and says "...says the man that was once called 'the Falcon Devil'."

Tom forms an offended look on his face, but before can respond, Mary steps forward and says "Ok, that's enough! That's enough! Geez, you two are like brothers..." Jack then says "You two do look a lot a like, come to think of it..." Tom throws his arms up and frustratedly says "Why do people keep saying that?" Nadia playfully says "Because it's true?" Laurent doesn't appear to buy it either. "Hmph, to each his or her own, I guess. I don't see it."

Tom sighs and looks up at Jack and puts his hand on his shoulder. "Ok, let's go to your initiation. I think we've had enough fun here..." Rambaldi, looking at Jack, then murmers "Speaking of similarities..."

Rambaldi then pauses, as if he was catching his tongue. Everyone else in the room looks at him. He innocently looks at them back and says nothing, trying to play it off. Mary then asks "What did you say?" Rambaldi looks at Mary and, trying to be inconspicuous, says "Nothing..." Tom shakes his head and says "No, no, no, you were about to say something. What is it?"

Rambaldi looks at Jack, then at Nadia. Then back to Jack. Then to Nadia. As they both start to look at him funny, he shakes his head and says "Nothing important...Jack, Tom, you two should be going, your session is starting soon."

Jack gives Rambaldi a funny look, then looks down at Nadia, who returns the curious look. They both saw Rambaldi looking back and forth between them two, like he knew something about them.

Tom, ready to get the heck out of there before more weirdness happens, says "Ok, let's head to Los Angeles." Tom then closes his eyes and, before Jack can say something, disappears with Tom.

Nadia then turns to Rambaldi and asks "Milo, what is it?" Rambaldi looks down at the table and says "Another time. Please, go help your sister."

Nadia defeatedly sighs, then closes her eyes and disappears to head to Earth.

Laurent then steps forward and says "You saw what I saw on Jack's arrival log, didn't you?" Rambaldi sits down and says nothing. Mary curiously asks "Milo, what did you see?"

Rambaldi says nothing for a bit, then looks over at Mary and says "Mary, people have to have a reason to come to Elysium. You know this." Mary nods and says "Yes..."

Rambaldi leans forward and says "Some arrive by living mostly clean lives, others arrive by virtue of having friends or family here." Mary nods again and says "Yeah, I know. And Jack would qualify by being Tom and Nadia's friend..."

Mary stops when Rambaldi slowly shakes his head. Mary looks at him strangely, then looks up at Laurent, who looks back down at her with an expressionless look on his face. Mary asks "What did you two see? Why is Jack here?"

Laurent looks over at Rambaldi, who just gives him a headnod, giving him the ok to reveal the answer. Laurent looks back down at Mary and says "When Jack Bristow's name appeared on the log, he was an automatic approval for entry into Elysium. The reason given was...'family'."

Mary gives Laurent a surprised, quizzical look. "But that's not possible, because Jack has no..." Mary then stops in her tracks when she puts the pieces together. She looks over at Rambaldi, who is looking on intently at her. Mary recalls him looking back and forth at Nadia just now. Her jaw goes agape, realizing something. "You don't think..." Rambaldi cuts her off and says "It would make a lot of sense, wouldn't it?"

Mary looks up at the ceiling in disbelief. "I don't believe this...how can we know for sure?" Laurent replies "Simple DNA test." Rambaldi then says "And seeing as Jack just now arrived, I think it's best that we wait to approach him and Nadia with this. It'd be too much for Jack to handle now."

Mary puts her hand over her mouth. "Hey, if they..." Rambaldi leans forward and says "Not a word about this to Nadia or to Jack. Understood?" Mary looks up and reluctantly nods. She then stands up and says "I have to go home...I've had enough surprises for a while..."

Laurent says "I may be calling on you again. Be ready." Mary asks "Why? Is something going to happen?" Laurent looks at Rambaldi and says "Il Credo Divino has gathered in the Vatican. They are on the lookout for the people dressed in black. I should join them." Mary then says "Maybe I can help..." Rambaldi shakes his head. "No, you should go back to your husband. He'll wonder what's going on. It's best that we allay suspicion of this matter. I didn't bring it up with Jack, Tom, or Nadia. It's best that it stays that way for now."

Mary nods and then closes her eyes. She imagines herself taking a hot bath...a reward for putting up with the craziness of the past day or two. Then, she disappears to head back home to Bunker, Missouri.

Los Angeles (Elysium)

Tom and Jack reappear in a dingy back alley in Los Angeles on a bright, sunny day.

Jack immediately takes note of the rather uninspiring area that he's in. "What are we doing here?" Tom casually replies "We're right where we're supposed to be."

Jack, a little frustrated, looks down at Tom and says "That's not what I asked. Why are we in a back alley?" Tom smirks and replies "One of the rules we have in Elysium when it comes to teleporting is to try to not teleport in a high traffic area. It seems no one can get used to the sight of another human just appearing out of the ether in front of them. So, we try to be discreet. Laurent, my ornery ancestor that you had the pleasure of meeting earlier, doesn't follow that rule."

Jack, almost smiling out of amusement, says "I've noticed your ancestor seems to have quite a way with people...kind of like someone I knew." Tom's smirk disappears and a serious look on his face forms. "You saw that someone die of an exploding heart in Brussels. I've been re-born since then."

Jack gives Tom an incredulous stare and says "Is that so?" Tom starts walking forward and says "Come on. After you're done with your initiation, you'll understand what it is to be re-born."

Jack follows Tom and asks "How many of these do I have to go to?" Tom, still walking forward, replies "Just this one. But me and the rest of my organization leave ourselves available to anyone needing help or advice or simply a shoulder to cry on."

Jack raises an eyebrow and curiously asks "Your organization?" Tom nods and says "I run the new arrival counseling service for the North American territory in Elysium. My Storm Crew friends and Matt Aguero run their regions and handle some of the intro meetings, and we have other staffers that work under them that handle new arrivals needs on a phone call or in-person basis. Kind deeds are the way to earn a living in Elysium, and my organization pays well."

Jack's face goes frozen in a blank stare. Has he gone into Crazyland?

Tom and Jack turn the corner. As Jack continues to process the ways of life in his post-death landing spot, Tom stops and looks up at the yellow, somewhat shabby city building they stand under. Tom says "Welcome to the former Sacred Heart Christian Church Recreational Center...now the Elysium Los Angeles Counseling Center."

Jack looks a bit surprised at the building's former purpose. "You evicted a church in order to house your counseling center?" Tom looks at Jack and says "There's no such thing as religion in Elysium, because this is the final destination for people, so it has no purpose here. This place was just empty for the longest time. It's got plenty of floor space..."

Jack looks down at the ground in disbelief and says "I thought this place was supposed to be like Earth..." Tom pats Jack on the back and says "In most ways. Come on, we don't want to be late."

Tom opens the front door to the building and holds it open for Jack. Jack walks in and Tom follows.

Jack and Tom walk up to a receptionist's desk. The somewhat husky woman behind the desk smiles wide and says "Tom! What a nice surprise, you don't come by often!" Tom smiles as he casually leans on the desk and says "Well, this is a special occasion, Kehlie. Jack Bristow has arrived, and I wanted to sit in on Coop's session while Jack got initiated."

Kehlie picks up a phone receiver and says "Well, he'll be happy to see you. I'll call him up!" Kehlie punches a couple numbers, then says "Coop, it's Kehlie, Tom Falk's here to see you with a new arrival...ok, just have them come on back then? Ok, great!"

Kehlie sets the phone down and tells Tom "You two can head on back, they're about to start soon." Tom smiles wide and says "Always a pleasure, Kehlie." Tom looks over at Jack and says "You ever need a birthday cake, call Kehlie. She makes baking an art form." As Kehlie lets out a flattered giggle, a not-as-chipper Jack just sighs and flatly says "Noted."

Tom leads Jack down a hallway past the receptionist's office. As Jack walks by, he looks over to the right and sees a large office room with rows upon rows of cubicles. Jack observes men and women on their headsets, offering advice and various condolences to whoever they're talking to on a phone.

Tom notices that Jack's no longer walking next to him and stops and turns back. He notices Jack looking in on the office room. "Ah, that's our call center. Most new arrivals get a 800 number to call in if they need advice. Don't worry, I'll give you my cell if you have any questions. And once you learn to teleport, you're always welcome to stop by my and Nadia's home"

As Tom gives Jack a few reassuring pats on the shoulder, Jack forms a somewhat disturbed look on his face. He's not liking this version of reality one bit...it's too campy for him. Still, he follows Tom back down the hallway.

Tom leads Jack down to the end of the hallway and pushes open the double doors at the end of the hallway.

Jack immediately discovers a small circle of chairs in the middle of the room, with a half-dozen people in attendance. A tall, muscular black man with a shaved head, goatee, and a rather friendly disposition (Note: I always imagined Terry Crews for this guy) stands up quickly when he sees Tom and Jack walk through. "Hey, wassup man?"

Tom smiles wide as he approaches the big guy and gives him a pound hug. "Good to see you as always, Coop." Chris releases the hug and looks over at Jack. "I know you..."

Jack, trying desperately to fit in to his new environment, extends his hand for a handshake and says "Jack Bristow. You must be Chris Cooper...I've heard a lot about you." Chris raises a surprised eyebrow as he shakes Jack's hand. "That Tom sure likes to talk, doesn't he..." Tom quickly retorts "And you don't?"

Chris laughs as he releases the handshake with Jack. Jack, meanwhile, says "Tom mentioned you were the talkative one in Storm Crew." Chris cracks a wide smirk and says "Talkative? That's the word he used? Damn Tom, you didn't have to be so modest!" Tom holds up his hands and says "You're right, I didn't have to, blabbermouth!"

Chris laughs, then turns his attention to Jack. "So, I take it you're a new arrival. Welcome to Elysium, man." Jack sighs disappointingly at being in Elysium and not on Earth. "Thank you. I understand I'm going to learn some things here."

Chris nods and steps aside. "You will, you got our word. Have a seat and we'll get started!" Chris then turns to Tom and says "Always nice to have the Director of North American Counseling in attendance." Tom smirks and says "Well, gotta see how my boys are doing in their regions...besides, I'll help you out today. I figure you can use a break."

Chris looks back at the crowd as Jack wanders over and takes his seat. " Not sure I'll need it. Normally my groups are much bigger than this." Tom shrugs and says "You know by now that the numbers vary. Come on, let's get started."

Tom and Chris take their seats next to each other, a couple of seats to the right from Jack. There's 4 others at the meeting today, two older men, an older woman, and a woman in her mid 30s.

Chris clears his throat and starts off. "I want to start off this meeting by welcoming everyone here. My name is Chris Cooper, Western U.S. Regional Counselor. Being here means you've taken another step in your new world. I know for many of you, this step was hard to make, but I assure you, you made a good decision. The man sitting to my left here is the head of this organization. His name is Tom Falk, and in addition to being a good friend of mine, he, just like all of us, had to deal with death himself."

The older woman asks "How did you die, Tom? You seem like a healthy young man!" Tom hangs his head and doesn't say anything at first. Jack looks over at Chris, seeing if he should answer for Tom. Chris picks up on Jack's look and goes to say something, but Tom cuts him off. "I died because the woman I loved dearly was murdered with my unborn daughter in her womb."

The four unknown guests stir a bit in surprise. One of the older men asks "Oh no, you didn't kill yourself, did you?" Tom snickers a bit, then shakes his head. "No! It's a long story, but in the end, I got revenge on her killer. Anyway, my wife is here and so is my daughter and to be honest, I don't view my death as a traumatic event anymore. Death was just a speedbump in life, and it helped get me here."

Chris pats Tom on the back and says "That's right, because we all have a chance to go on new journeys here! But before we go on, I'd like everyone here to get to know each other a bit. Let's go around and introduce ourselves." Tom points at Jack, the next man to his left and says "Jack, why don't you start off for us." Jack looks at Tom a little irritated. "I'm not sure I feel comfortable telling these people about me."

Tom holds up his hands and says "We're not looking for your lifestory, Jack. Me and you worked together, we both know the business we were in. We don't have to get that deep." Jack realizes that Tom must not tell people that he was in the CIA himself...that he was in APO or in an experimental unit that took the fight to cartels in Mexico in the 90s. Jack then says "My name is Jack Bristow. I live here in Los Angeles. I have a daughter, and two grandkids that I miss very much." Chris says "Why don't you tell us about your family?"

Jack pauses for a bit, then says "My daughter is named Sydney and my grandkids are Isabelle and Jack. Isabelle is now almost 7 years old and Jack is 3. That's all I really wish to say about myself." Tom pats Jack on the shoulder and says "That's fine." The older woman speaks up. "I have four children of my own, Jack." Jack asks "Do you miss them?" Before the woman answers, Tom says "Why don't you introduce yourself before you answer that, ma'am."

The woman, a little teary-eyed over Jack's question, says "My name is Margaret Kelley and I'm from Riverside. But to answer your question Jack, I miss them...but I don't miss the pain they felt in the remaining years of my life." Chris asks "You died of cancer, didn't you?" Margaret nods as she dabs some tears with a napkin and says "Yes...I had lung cancer that the doctors attributed to my nearly 6 decades of smoking! My last year was miserable...my children felt so helpless around me!"

Chris then asks "Do you feel like you could have done things differently or maybe accomplished something more?" Margaret laughs and says "Well, I wouldn't have started smoking if I had another chance!" Tom smiles and says "You do have another chance, Margaret." Margaret rolls her eyes and says "You must have never smoked then, because you don't know how hard it is!"

Tom leans forward and says "Margaret, I'm going to show you a trick. I want you to close your eyes." Margaret closes her eyes. Tom then says "Now, I need you to repeat the following statement in your mind...'there is no such thing as addiction'." Margaret laughs and says "What is this?" Tom replies "I'm showing you how things work in Elysium. Now, when you say 'there is no such thing as addiction' in your mind, I need you to believe it with all your heart. When you open your eyes, you will know what I'm talking about."

Margaret pauses for a few seconds, her eyes still closed. She then opens her eyes and then exhales a bit. "Ooh, I just felt a chill go down my spine!" Tom and Chris start clapping. Tom then says "That's the signal that it worked. Congrats! You will never be dependent on cigarettes again!" The rest of the group, even a skeptical Jack, starts clapping.

After everyone stops clapping, Chris points to one of the older men and asks "Ok, you're up to bat! Tell us a little about yourself!" The man says "My name is Rick Bulger and I'm from Burbank...but I have a question for you two. Why is everything blue?"

Chris quickly claps his hands together and says "Damn! I knew I was forgetting something!" Tom laughs at Chris and says "Yeah, that's the first thing we do at meetings!" Tom then looks out at everyone and says "Ok, everyone, close your eyes. We're going to do something very similar like we just did with Margaret." Tom pauses so everyone, including Jack, can close their eyes. Tom then says "Ok, good. Now, just like Margaret just did, I need you to repeat the following statement in your head, and believe it with every fiber of your being: 'There is no blue tint in my vision. Everything appears normal.'"

Tom sits back as everyone does what Tom instructed. Soon, everyone opens up their eyes and they all looks amazed at what they're seeing. Margaret says "Oh, it worked! I can see normal again!" Richard laughs and says "Never thought I'd be so happy to see normally again! That blue was driving me nuts!"

Tom smiles and says "Well, what you all just did is the foundation for doing a lot of things in Elysium. A little later on, I'll show you how you can look like you did at any point in your life and I'll even show you how you can teleport!" The younger woman gasps. "Teleport? You mean...we can go anywhere we want to?"

Chris nods and says "As long as it's a place you've previously been to and you can clearly visualize it in your mind...you can be there." Tom says "And no cheating! If you've never been to the Pyramids and you want to teleport there...you're out of luck. You can't trick yourself, you have to have been there."

The second older man, who hasn't spoken up yet, asks "What was this you were talking about second chances earlier?" Chris asks "Why don't you introduce yourself first, and I'll answer that for ya." The man says "My name is Clyde Wallen, and I'm actually from Palmdale. I'll admit that there's quite about about me that I don't like...I don't really feel comfortable saying them..." Chris says "Ok, we're not confessing sins here or anything! It's alright!"

Tom then says "Let me ask you all something, because I know this applies to each and every one of you. Did you all think that you lost any chance you had to be a better person or do things differently in your life when you died?" Everyone nods. Tom continues. "Well, you were all wrong. Because Elysium is your second chance. Elysium can be very much like life was on Earth, only better. You will find the cities are mostly the same, the weather is the same, trees, plants, grass, sand...it all exists here. You cannot die, you can't own guns, and unfortunately, there are no pets. But besides that, Elysium is designed to give people that second chance to do it right again. There are no wars, no countries, no religion, and it's is not advantageous to be greedy. Good deeds are the only way to earn currency in Elysium. If this sounds like Utopia...well, the Elysian High Council, the governing body of all of Elysium, has worked for thousands of years to make sure this is as close to Utopia as you can get. Because we all are here for eternity, so it is important to live how we want from here on out, and you all have been brought here because you all have shown signs that you can live the peaceful lives that everyone strives for here. The slate is clean, people. This is where we can be whatever we want to be."

Everyone else seems intrigued by Tom's speech. The younger woman hangs her head and says "I wish there was a way I could see my sons again..." Jack then says "I think there's a way you can, from what Tom tells me." Tom looks over at Jack and nods, then looks back at the woman. "There is. You will not be able to converse with them, and they will not see you, but you can observe them." Chris then says "What's your name, ma'am?"

The woman replies "My name is Monica Rodriguez...I was in a car accident...I don't even know if my sons are ok..." Tom looks over at Chris. "Chris, did you check the arrival logs?" Chris nods and looks at the woman. "Monica, your kids were not scheduled to arrive in Elysium, which means there's a strong possibility they're still alive."

Monica then stands up and says "I want to check on them now!" Jack then stands up and says "And I want to see Sydney as well. Can I finish all this later?" Tom sighs and says "You're all free to do whatever you want, but it'd really be best if we did this..."

Monica says "Please...I just need to make sure they're ok." Chris tells Tom "Why don't you show Jack how to see his family on Earth while I go with Monica. Everyone else, could you hang around for the rest of the session?" Clyde, Margaret, and Richard agreeingly nod.

Tom looks at Chris and says "You show Monica how to go to Earth. I'll take Jack with me to Earth and stay with him for the rest of the day." Chris nods and says "That's cool. I can handle things from here."

Tom looks at Jack and says "Close your eyes." Jack closes his eyes. Tom then says "Now, repeat in your mind...'take me to Earth, I want to see Sydney'. Picture her in your mind...and you will be by her."

After a few seconds, Jack disappears. The rest of the group gasps. Tom looks at them and says "We're all connected to our loved ones on Earth. We'll be instantly taken to them when we ask it." Chris then says "Thanks for helping today, Tom!" Tom smiles and says "No problem! Take care everyone!"

Tom then closes his eyes and disappears.

Sydney Bristow's house, Santa Barbara (Earth)

Nadia sits next to Sydney on the edge of her bed. Of course, Sydney can't see her, but she knows she's there as it looks like they've been talking for a while. Sydney still looks extremely saddened at the death of her father.

As Sydney wipes some tears away, Jack suddenly appears before Nadia. Nadia lets out a shriek that Sydney apparently hears, because Sydney jumps up all of the sudden. "Nadia, what was that?"

Nadia breathes a sigh of relief and says "I'm sorry Sydney, but your father just arrived." Sydney gasps and says "Dad? You're here?" Jack looks over at Sydney and sees that she's obviously been crying. "Sydney, I'm here." Nadia reaches out to Jack and says "She can't hear you. Only me and Tom's family can talk to her."

Jack sighs and says "Oh...right. Tell her I'm here." Nadia looks over at Sydney and says "Your father just showed up. He was with Tom..." Sydney asks "Where is he?" Nadia replies "He's standing in front of me."

Sydney looks over to the empty spot that Jack would occupy. "Dad..." She can't say anymore before breaking down into tears. Jack, looking on troubled at Sydney's sadness, tells Nadia "Tell her that I'm fine. You, Tom, and Mary are taking good care of me and showing me how things are working here."

Nadia smiles at the compliment, then tells Sydney "Your father says he's fine. Me, Tom, and Mary are taking care of him and showing him how things work in Elysium." Sydney sniffles a bit and says "Thank you, Nadia. I just miss him..." Jack then says "Tell her that I'll be around as much as I can. Tell her not to cry for me...I lived long enough to see her grow up to be a beautiful mother. I did what I needed to do, no more, no less."

Nadia looks back at Sydney and says "Syd, your father says that he'll be around as much as he can. He says you shouldn't cry for him because he lived long enough to see you grow up to be a beautiful mother." Sydney wipes some more tears away at that last part as Nadia continues. "He did what he needed to do. No more, no...AAAHH!"

Nadia screams as Tom appears next to Jack. Sydney jumps up again and asks "Nadia? What happened now?" Nadia, as she catches her breath, replies "Tom just showed up! Sorry, but I still get jumpy when people appear next to me!" As Sydney laughs, imagining the sight of Jack and Tom suddenly appearing out of nowhere, Tom says "Sorry about that, I had to catch up to Jack." Jack looks at Tom and says "I'm sorry about leaving your meeting early. It was a little too..." Tom tries to fill in the blank. "Too much like a 12-step meeting, right?"

Jack nods and says "That pretty much sums it up." Tom nods and says "That's a common complaint. I haven't come up with a better solution, though. Matt suggested an introductory DVD and relying on the call-in service more, we might do that in the future. Anyway, don't worry, when you come over to me and Nadia's place tonight, we'll answer any questions you have at your own pace." Jack smiles and says "I appreciate that. I remember you saying something about you having a nice porch that overlooks the ocean...that might be a better setting for my initiation." Nadia laughs and says "It's supposed to be nice out tonight, we'll take care of you."

Sydney, noticing the silence, asks "Is everything alright?" Tom says "Everything's fine. We were just talking about how we're going to complete Jack's initiation at our place tonight."

Sydney then asks "Guys, do you know...how he died?" Tom and Nadia looks at Jack, who gives them the nod to proceed. Nadia then says "It was a brain aneurism, Sydney." Sydney sighs and says "That must have been the source of the headache at our Christmas party."

Nadia looks down at her watch, then back at Sydney. "I hate to do this, but we do need to be getting going. There's a lot that your dad still needs to be shown and we have to be home for Maria to come home from the orphanage. Was there anything else you wanted to say to your father?" Sydney takes a deep breath and says "Thank you for being there for me. I couldn't have asked for a better father. I love you, Dad. I wouldn't be what I am today without you. Oh, and you're being buried next to Tom and Nadia at your funeral tomorrow. Is that ok?"

Tom and Nadia look back at Jack, who's teared up over the kind words Sydney said. With his voice cracking a bit, he says "That's fine...tell her I love her too and I'll be around. I may not be able to talk to her, but I'll be around." Tom then says "If we're not available to talk for you, Mary, Eddie, or my grandpa Ed might be able to escort you. They can converse with you because they carry the genetic modification that enables me and Nadia to speak with her." Jack nods and says "That'd be great." Nadia then tells Sydney "Jack loves you too. He says he'll still be around. Eventually, he might bring Tom's mother, brother, or grandfather by to talk to you for him."

Sydney nods and says "Thank you, Nadia. Take care of my dad, ok?" Nadia laughs a bit and says "I absolutely will! Take care, Sydney." Tom then says "We'll take good care of Jack. Just take care of your family, ok?" Sydney smiles and says "I will. And take care yourselves!" Nadia says "That won't be a problem...we're a peaceful society. Nothing can happen to him!"

But as Tom, Nadia, and Jack teleported back to San Felipe, little did they know that Nadia's last nine words would be put to the test very soon.

Siberian Forest (Elysium)

Deep in the Siberian forest, Arvin Sloane and Julian Sark sit around a campfire. It's nighttime and there's nothing even remotely resembling civilization in any direction.

Sark looks much like he did when he died: his blonde hair in a buzzcut and scars on the left side of his head and face...scars that got there because of Tom Falk's assault on him a few days after the Sovogda mission. Those scars are a reminder that there are some things you just don't say about a man's fiancee, especially while she lies in a coma.

Sloane, meanwhile, still has the frostbite scars from his time in Cocytus Lake in the 9th Circle of Hell. Otherwise, he looks just like he did physically when he had The Horizon...and lost it to Irina Derevko, with an assist from Tom and Nadia.

As Sark and Sloane stare at the campfire, Sark deadpans "Don't you find it ironic that we're looking at fire right now?" Sloane looks over at him strangely. "I assume it was fiery wherever you were in Hell."

Sark smirks and says "Fiery and rocky. At least, that was the view from my cage..." Sloane smirks himself as he looks back at the fire. "I find the fire quite enjoyable...I spent over 5 years with much of my body under a block of ice. I would have given anything for fire."

Sark laughs a bit. "I noticed your scars...and here I thought we had a lot in common while we were alive." Sloane looks back at him with a somewhat angry look. "You could never be me. You wanted to be a leader, but you never could, could you? You almost were, but you became a follower again after you let your grief over...what was her name again?"

Sark flashes Sloane an angry glare. "If we're going to be working together, maybe you shouldn't try to antagonize me." Sloane leans forward and gets in Sark's face. "If we're going to be paired together, you shouldn't say things that insult my intelligence. I've waited too long for this opportunity to get revenge...I'm not going to let it get spoiled by a buffoon."

Sark stares down Sloane a bit, but before he can say anything, three figures appear in front of them. Sark looks up and notices one of them, then looks back at Sloane. "There's the very reason we're paired together, Arvin." Sloane ignores Sark and asks the lead figure "Did you find anything at Jack's, Irina?"

Irina Derevko takes off her black mask and, with some frostbite scars showing on the right side of her face, says "No, we couldn't locate Tom and Nadia's address. Jack showed up." Sloane stands up quickly. "Jack Bristow is in Elysium?" The man to the back-right of Irina takes off his back mask and says "Yes, he must have just arrived. We had to leave in a hurry."

The man's whose voice that belongs to is Mitch Hayes, Tom's former boss-turned-righthand-man-turned-betrayer in Storm Crew. Mitch has brown hair and what looks like some burn scars on his face and arms. Some look fresher than others.

The other man takes off his his hood and, in a Latino accent, says "There was a woman that gave chase after we left." The Latino man is Cesar Martinez, the shaved headed suave Argentinian gangster that once roamed the streets with a teenage Nadia Santos and a man who met his fate when he tried to shoot a bullet through Tom's titanium-boned right hand.

Sloane concernedly asks "Who was this woman?" Irina shakes her head. "I couldn't recognize her. All I know is that she was blonde and I'd guess somewhere around my age. I teleported us out of there before she could get any closer."

Mitch raises his hand and says "Why is it that you, Arvin, and Elena are the only ones that were taught to teleport?" Sloane replies "Because that's the way it works." Cesar then steps up and asks "Don't you think teleporting would be something WE should know, esse?"

Sloane gets in Cesar's face and says "First off, don't ever call me 'esse' again. Second, if you don't like the way I'm running things, you can walk back north until you reach the portal back to Hell. Or, you can enjoy freedom and do as I say. Understood?" Cesar backs off and, despite being angry at being told what to do, bites his tongue.

Three more figures in black show up next to Sloane, startling the tense group from Hell a little bit. Sloane asks "Elena, were you able to find where the Elysian council meets?"

Elena takes off her black mask and we see she looks like she did before Irina shot her in the face, complete with bullet hole scar on her forehead and a few frostbite scars from her time in Hell on the left side of her face. "Yes, we've found the building and we found the entry point Paris told us to seek. And now that I've been there, we can teleport right there!"

The other woman takes off her black mask and we see it's Kelly Peyton, who also sports a bullet hole scar on her forehead that she acquired when Tom shot her in the head after they killed the Alliance of Twelve. The other man takes his black mask off and we see it's Gordon Dean, who looks less than happy to be here. "I spotted some men in robes that were very interested in our dealings at the Novosibirsk airport...now, of course Elena and Kelly wouldn't listen to me..."

Kelly flashes Gordon a look and says "Just be happy you're even allowed to be here, Gordon." Gordon fires back "What, working with a woman and the man that helped betray me and murder me? Oh yeah...thrilled."

Sloane then shouts "ENOUGH! Now, there are some of us have grievances against one another for various reasons. Sark won't work with Irina and Mitch won't work with Elena and Elena and Irina won't work with each other, and I have issues with both of you women. But that's why we're in three teams and we've all agreed to let bygones be bygones so we can accomplish our mission. Gordon, after we murder Aristotle and Rambaldi tomorrow, you can join me and Sark..." Elena then steps forward and angrily says "You have no right!"

Sloane replies "Indeed I do. After all, it was Helen that approached me first..." Irina snaps "All three of us were there in that same section of ice!" Sloane retorts "But she didn't ask for you two, did she? Like I just finished telling Sark, if any of you have a problem with what we have to do up here, then you can always go back. I'm sure they're looking for us in Hell as we speak. But if we want to try to find a way to live in Elysium instead of Hell...if we want to get retribution for what Tom, Nadia, and in Irina's case, Mary did to all of us...we have to work together. Are we clear?"

Everyone else seems to nod their approval. Sloane says "Tomorrow morning, we accomplish step 1 of our goal. Then, the hunt begins for Tom, Nadia, and Mary Falk. Get some rest...tomorrow's a big day.

END OF CHAPTER