FAMILY MOVIE

"Happiness does not lie in happiness, but in the achievement of it." -Fyodor Dostoevsky

Tom and Nadia's house, San Felipe (Elysium)

Tom and Nadia Falk sit at the kitchen table with Jack Bristow. Everyone is finishing up the chicken parmesan dinner that Nadia cooked for everyone.

It's nighttime at the Falk house. Jack looks very content as he eats his dinner, much more relaxed than he was earlier in the day as he got used to his new surroundings.

He takes a bite of chicken, then looks over at Nadia and says "This is excellent, Nadia. I forgot how good of a cook you were." Nadia smiles as she finishes chewing and says "Thanks! Sydney taught me how to make chicken parm when we lived together. I thought you'd like it!"

Jack nods and says "She taught you well. This tastes just like how she made it." Jack then pauses and reflects on that statement, which Tom and Nadia both notice. Tom, sitting directly to Jack's left, pats Jack on the back and says "I know it still hurts..."

Jack shakes his head and says "I'll be fine. I was able to say my goodbyes through Nadia earlier. Plus, I'll still get to see her and see my grandchildren grow up." Jack then looks over at Nadia and smiles. "Plus, I'll get to know you and Tom more." Nadia smiles and says "Likewise! I feel there was so much more we could have done before me and Tom died."

Jack goes back to his dinner and says "You know, you could have kept in contact more..." Tom chuckles a bit and says "Funny, I was going to say the same thing, but I know you were busy at APO."

Jack looks back at Tom and says "You two always seemed busy yourselves." Nadia laughs and says "Oh, we weren't THAT busy. I mean yeah, we spent almost as many nights watching Isabelle as we did sleeping at our apartment, but..." Tom cuts her off. "To be honest, I was a little leery of coming around you, Jack, because APO was your life and we were trying our best to stay far, far, far away from APO. But I guess our worlds did cross paths after all when Nadia went to Sloane's that day." Nadia hangs her head a bit over that last fact, but doesn't say anything.

Jack then shifts his body to face Tom more. "I found it quite surprising to hear that you were this...'new arrival counselor'. Don't take this the wrong way, but I never saw you as..." Jack then pauses, trying to find the right word. Tom raises an eyebrow as finishes the sentence for him. "Compassionate?"

Jack says "Something like that. I never knew you as a very heartwarming person. I didn't think you had the patience to deal with heartache all the time." Tom laughs a bit and says "Me and you have more in common than we think, I guess. I always thought you were as cold as my ancestor Laurent." Nadia then asks Jack "Didn't Tom get to the part during your initiation about Elysium being a second chance for people?"

Jack nods and looks over at Tom. "So that's why you're different now." Tom looks at Jack a little incredulously and says "You don't think people can change?" Jack quickly replies "To a degree, yes. But this is radical." Tom chuckles as goes back to eating his dinner and casually says "You don't know me at all, then."

Jack slides his nearly empty plate forward and now turns completely to Tom. "I realize that we didn't spend a whole lot of time together, but I know you...your history..." Now, it's Tom's turn to look Jack in the eyes. "They say that I was never the 'typical' CIA agent. That I always kept a chip on my shoulder and was too brazen to be a typical CIA agent. After all, I was hand-picked to join an experimental unit that didn't follow typical CIA rules. But you know something, Jack? I was never much for suits, but I wore one anyway. I wore one at APO, I wore one in Dark Cover, and I...usually wore one at the Anti-Cartel. Do you know why I wore a suit? Necessity, Jack. Because I had to do it."

Nadia then leans forward and says "Guys, don't fight..." Tom holds up his hand and reassuringly says "No, it's ok, we're being civil." Tom looks back at Jack and, with a determined look on his face, says "Necessity. Me and you both understood what that word means. It was necessary to be something we weren't more often than not while we were in the CIA...that it was necessary to push the boundaries, to take lives, and to lie to ourselves to see that the job is done. Oh yes, I'll admit there was a time where I bought too much into the infamy I was building in Mexico...I became drunk on my own ego. But at the same time, I needed that edge to do my job and survive in a field where cruelty and death were as much a part of life as the common cold and underwear. And I got shit done. Necessity, Jack. Think about that word, think about the world we left behind...the LIVES we left behind. And think about where we are now and our lives from here on out. Save for small, petty things, there is no crime in Elysium. So do I need to be cold-blooded anymore? No. Do I need to feel like I'm carrying a chip on my shoulder anymore? No. Do I need to worry about my well-being or Nadia's? No. What I need to do is to help confused new arrivals like yourself transition into life in Elysium so we can keep a peaceful existence here, to let them know that the slate is clean, and that this is their second chance to get it right. And I also need to be a father to my daughter Maria, and to do that, I need to be the father SHE needs in her life. Necessity, and nothing else, drives me more, Jack. It drove me before I died and it drives me now. You, of all people, should understand that. Maybe my demeanor wasn't typical of a CIA agent, but my philosophy of life couldn't have made be a better fit."

Jack relaxes a bit and says "Now that sounds more like the Tom I knew." Tom's look of determination quickly fades as he starts laughing along with Nadia. Jack looks at Tom and Nadia and looks a little surprised that they're laughing, as he wasn't intending to be necessarily funny. Tom then settles down and says "Jack Bristow...you always had great timing with your deadpan humor."

Jack slides his plate back towards him and says "It's good to know you all haven't gone completely crazy on me." Nadia laughs and says "Aren't we all just a little crazy? Think about what we all have been through...I wouldn't exactly call our lives 'normal'. Besides...what's so crazy about peace?"

Suddenly, the doorbell rings. All three look towards the front door.

Nadia smiles and says "I think Maria's here!" Jack looks over at Nadia and gives her a warm smile. "I'm looking forward to seeing her finally." Tom gets up and walks over to the door. As he walks away, he says "She's a good kid...and she's definitely not shy! You'll see..."

Tom reaches the front door and opens it...and finds someone he wasn't expecting. "Mom! What are you doing here?"

Nadia and Jack walk out of the kitchen and they both see a troubled Mary Falk standing on the doorstep. Mary despondently says "Hey Tom..." Mary looks over Tom's shoulder and sees Nadia and Jack. "Hey...I hope I didn't come at a bad time." Nadia shakes her head and says "No, we just finished up dinner. Is everything alright?"

Mary looks at Nadia for a bit, then looks over at Jack and examines him a bit...mulling over what Milo Rambaldi and Laurent L'Andre said earlier about the possibility of Nadia being Jack's daughter. Could it really be true?

Before Jack and Nadia get suspicious, Mary composes herself quickly and asks "Jack, how are you doing?" Jack just shrugs a bit and says "Fine. In fact, I just had a very pleasant dinner. Nadia's a great cook." A flattered Nadia laughs and says "Oh come on now, it wasn't all me! You helped with the alfredo!" Nadia gives Jack a reassuring pat on the shoulder, which he bashfully smiles at. Mary looks down at the ground a bit...happy that they're getting along so well, but concerned over the possibility that they're father and daughter. She has no idea how they'd take that news.

Tom notices Mary looking troubled. "Mom, are YOU alright?" The smiles on Nadia and Jack's faces disappear as they turn their attention to a concerned Mary. Mary looks back up at Tom and says "I need a word with you...in private."

Tom nods and says "Come on, let's go to the back porch." Nadia then says "Yeah, I have to start washing dishes and cleaning up anyway." An insistent Jack "I'll help you clean up." Nadia shakes her head and says "Jack, go relax on the couch, you've had a long day..." Jack shakes his head and somewhat sternly says "No, I insist."

Jack then heads to the kitchen as Nadia, seeing as there's no changing Jack's mind, just lightly sighs and follows him in. Tom meanwhile, lets Mary walk in the house. As Jack and Nadia start cleaning off the table, Tom and Mary walk by them and go out the back patio.

It's a very nice and mild winter night in the coastal desert of Mexico. The waves from the sea crash in not 20 feet from the back patio door of Tom and Nadia's house.

Tom and Mary walk out to the middle of their dark covered patio and stop. Tom notices Mary still looks despondent and concernedly asks "Mom, what's wrong?"

Mary doesn't say anything at first. She looks over the shoulder of Tom and sees Nadia walking towards the patio door. She doesn't want Nadia in on this conversation and forms a look of concern on her face.

Thankfully, Nadia didn't plan on coming out. She merely walked to the door to turn on the light switch for the patio. As the light turns on and illuminates Tom and Mary, Nadia looks out at Mary and gives her a quick grin and wave. Mary just gives her a relieved wave back. Nadia then turns and joins Jack in washing the dishes from the evening's dinner.

Tom has noticed by now that Mary seems awfully concerned with Nadia and Jack. He asks "Mom, what's going on? Is this about Jack? Nadia?"

Mary looks back at Tom with the same concerned look she just gave Nadia. She really, really wants to tell Tom about the conversation she had with Rambaldi and Laurent earlier, but she knows she can't. She doesn't want to overload Jack so early after his arrival, and she's concerned about how Nadia will take the realization that Arvin Sloane might not even be her father.

Besides...she is actually here on other business.

Finally, Mary sighs and says "No, this doesn't concern them. It's your brother." Tom tilts his head a little confused. "Eddie? What's wrong?"

Mary replies "It's Connie. Her wedding is coming up and Eddie's bent all out of shape about it." Tom hangs his head and says "I figured that's what's been eating at him lately. He tries to act like nothing's going on, but it's obvious something was up when he came over this morning."

Mary quickly replies "It's been over 10 years since they separated. He just won't move on! And nothing I say gets through his thick Falk skull!" Tom quickly looks up and says "Hey! What are you trying to say about my skull?"

Mary smirks a bit, then says "Eddie's just as jumpy as you were just now when I bring up Connie." Tom replies "That's why I don't bring her up around him. I know better."

Mary pleadingly says "Tom, you have to talk to him." Tom defensively says "Me? You mean Dad couldn't get through to him, either?"

Mary shakes her head. "Your brother is closer to you than he is your father. Your father could try, but...you know how that'd end." Tom thinks for a bit, then nods disappointingly "Yeah, Eddie would bite his head off. He still distrusts my father in some regards...especially when it comes to advice on how to cope with loss."

Mary closes her eyes tightly. She knows exactly where Tom's coming from. After all, it was her supposed death in a drunk driving accident that drove her husband into the bottle for the rest of his life. Her effect on her family because of her extraction and self-imposed exile is not lost on her.

After a bit, she exhales and, not wanting to continue that part of the conversation any further, says "Anyway, that's why I'm not having your father talk to him. But he'll listen to you!" Tom lets out a sarcastic laugh and says "Yeah right! Look at how well I coped with losing Nadia."

Mary curiously asks "When she went in the coma or when..." Tom snaps "BOTH!"

Inside, Nadia turns around, having heard Tom shout just now. Her happy, calm expression turns into one of concern when he sees Tom and Mary looking a bit on the agitated side. Jack, meanwhile, pays them no mind as he focuses on his dishes and whatever he was telling Nadia just now.

Tom, not noticing Nadia looking back at them, takes a deep breath to calm himself down and says "Listen, there's another complication when it comes to Eddie's state of mind." Mary curiously asks "What is it?" Tom flatly replies "Julieta Romero." Mary looks taken aback a bit. "Nadia's friend? The one that runs the orphanage here in San Felipe?"

Tom nods slowly. "He's got a massive crush on her that I haven't seen since he asked my ex's older sister out to the winter dance his junior year of high school." Mary winces a bit. "Ooh, that bad?"

Tom nods again and says "Yep. Eddie usually keeps his bravado about him around me, but when Julieta stops by...he's melted chocolate in her hand." Mary rolls her eyes and says "I guess an Argentine beauty that looks like she's in her early 20's can have that effect on a man..." Tom finishes her sentence. "...especially when you've been single for about a decade."

Mary agreeably nods, then looks back inside at Nadia, who has her back turned to them still washing dishes.

Suddenly, Nadia turns around, curious over the tenor of her husband and mother-in-law's conversation. Mary gives her a reassuring smile, which Nadia returns. Feeling comforted, she goes back to drying the dishes that Jack washes for her.

Mary looks back at Tom and says "What does Nadia think about Eddie's infatuation with Julieta?" Tom chuckles and says "She thinks it's cute. But she's also finding Eddie's behavior odder than a coughing nail."

As a smirk forms on her face, Mary sarcastically shakes her head and says "Eddie has the same problem you have." Tom curiously asks "What?" Mary replies "He's too loyal. He's waited for Connie, but she's moving on in her life. He needs to move on, too."

Tom nods and says "You're preaching to the choir, Mom. What's he doing right now?" Mary quickly replies "He's...fine for now. He's home. I just tried to talk to him before I came here."

Tom nods and says "Ok, I'll go say my goodbyes..." Mary stops Tom from walking back in and says "No! Let Eddie sleep tonight. He was pretty agitated when I left him. Maybe he'll be more reasonable when he wakes up."

Tom thinks over Mary's statement for a bit...then slowly forms a smirk on his face. "What was that you were saying earlier about me and my brother's thick skulls?" Mary laughs and says "It's good to see some things that come out of my mouth stay trapped up there..."

Mary starts tapping Tom's forehead, which causes him to recoil and laugh. "Hey! Come on!" Mary laughs mischievously as she stops tapping his head and says "You never liked people touching your head!" An aggravated Tom replies "How would it feel if I started tapping on your noggin like Woody the Woodpecker?"

Mary just shakes her head and says "Come on, we've left your wife and your..." Mary freezes at the end of that last word. Much to her chagrin, Tom caught that last part and says "My what?" Mary quickly smiles and says "Your former boss, you fool! What did you think I meant?"

Now it's Tom's turn to shake his head incredulously at his mother and turn in for the patio. Meanwhile, Mary lets out a silent sigh of relief. After all, she almost called Jack his father-in-law, and that's not certain yet.

Mary walks to the patio door and Tom lets her back into the house. As Tom walks back in behind her, they see Jack and Nadia have wrapped up the dishes and have the kitchen back to looking neat. Nadia turns to Tom and gives her a playfully incredulous look. "Well, thanks for helping us clean up!" Tom flashes her a look of feign irritation and says "I was entertaining our OTHER company, thank you!"

Jack curiously asks "Is everything alright?" Mary dismissively shrugs and says "Yeah, why?" Jack replies "I looked back a couple times and it looked like you two were having a heated discussion about something." Mary shakes her head and says "Just a family matter. Nothing to be concerned about." Jack just nods but doesn't say anything. Nadia, however, doesn't look as sold, but decides to keep quiet for now.

Mary then says "Well, I guess I'll leave you three be. Have a..." Nadia cuts her off insistently. "Oh, you don't have to go! We were just about to watch our family movies with Jack!"

Tom looks at her funny and says "We were?" Nadia flashes Tom a quick look and says "Yes! Remember all that video we shot for when our family and friends joined us here in Elysium?" Tom nods and says "Well yeah, but..."

Mary gives her son a playful shove and says "Now now, don't be bashful! I know how you never liked seeing yourself on TV or in pictures..." Tom looks up at the ceiling and just lets out a dejected "Mom..." Nadia then asks Mary "We were going to open up a bottle of wine...come on, Mary! Stay with us!"

Mary goes to answer, but is interrupted by the front door knocking. Nadia smiles wide and says "I bet you that's Maria!" Mary smiles herself as she looks at Jack and says "You're going to love her, Jack!" Jack cracks a small smile and says "So I've been told."

As they chat, Tom quickly walks up to the front door and opens it. He immediately sees Julieta standing there with little Maria, still all dressed up from her attempt to impress Emilio, an orphan that she's taken a liking to. When she sees her father, Maria immediately exclaims "Daddy!" Tom squats down and lets Maria dive into his arms. He gives her a kiss on the cheek and says "Hey munchkin! How was..."

Before Tom can say anymore, Maria yells out "GRANDMA!" She forces herself out of Tom's arms and runs to a beaming Mary, who is nearly knocked over when Maria dives into her legs in a hug. As she staggers back a bit, she says "Whoa! You're almost getting to be too big to do that, Maria!"

As Maria and Mary embrace, Nadia walks over to Julieta, who's since walked in the front door. "How did everything go today?" Julieta immediately laughs and says "Naddy, you are NOT going to believe..."

Julieta freezes when she notices Jack, who's standing in the kitchen observing Mary and Maria having a conversation about something. Maria apparently has yet to notice Jack amidst the excitement. Julieta asks Nadia "Who's your guest?" Nadia turns to Jack and says "Oh, that's Jack Bristow." Jack turns over to Nadia when he hears his name being mentioned and starts walking over.

Meanwhile, Julieta's jaw drops as she says "Jack! You mean, this is Sydney's..." Nadia nods and says "Yes. He just arrived." As Jack approaches, Julieta extends her hand for a handshake. "It's a pleasure to meet you finally!" Jack cordially shakes her hand and says "You must be Julieta. It's a pleasure to meet you as well. Nadia tells me you two were close growing up at the orphanage."

Julieta giggles and says "I see Nadia's already telling stories..." Nadia gives her a playful shove and says "I haven't told him all that much!" Julieta laughs a bit and says "Well, I know Nadia has told me a lot about you, sir." Jack raises a curious eyebrow and says "She has?" Julieta replies "Yeah. Nadia has a lot of respect for you. You're the father she wished she had."

From the kitchen, Mary winces when she hears that last part, knowing that statement might be more true than she realizes. Meanwhile, Nadia offendedly says "Julieta!" A defensive Julieta says "Well, it's true! That's what you always say!" Tom, who's been standing next to the three the whole time, says "Nadia's father wasn't much to write home about, after all..." As Nadia gives Tom a scowl over that comment, a somewhat startled Jack says "Nadia, I had no idea..." Nadia's scowl turns into a look of shame as she sighs and says "Jack, you did a lot for Sydney. I just wish..." Nadia then hangs her head. With depression evident in her voice, she says "We should talk later about this, Jack."

It gets uncomfortably quiet for a few seconds among everyone in the house. Julieta looks particularly remorseful over broaching the subject. Tom feels a bit bad as well because once again, Arvin Sloane has forced him to say something stupid around Nadia.

Suddenly, Jack feels a tug on the bottom of his shirt. He looks down and sees Maria, who looks curious over his presence. She asks "Who are you?" As everyone, including Mary, watches on, Jack casually replies "My name is Jack Bristow. I used to work with your mother." Nadia then tells Maria "This is your mommy's former boss. He's...retired and now he's going to be hanging out with us a lot more now!"

Maria listens to what Nadia says, then looks back up at Jack and innocently says "You're really tall!" Everyone gasps or looks surprised at Maria's comment. Jack just smiles and says "And you're short, little one!" Maria quickly retorts "But I'm growing every day!" Jack chuckles a bit and says "With the way your mother cooks, I can certainly understand why."

Nadia blushes a bit at Jack's compliment and asks him "Doesn't she look nice today?" Jack looks over and says "She's just as adorable you described." Maria tells Jack "Mommy helped dress me up and put make up on today!" Jack smiles, then looks back over at Nadia and says "You did a good job." Nadia smiles wide and says "Thanks!"

Maria then says "Mommy, guess what?" Nadia looks down at Maria and asks "What, sweetie?" Maria looks up at Julieta, who is almost giddy about what's about to be said. Maria then giggles and says "I kissed Emilio in the playground!"

Tom's face goes white and if jaw could have dropped to the ground, it would have. Mary delightedly gasps and puts her hand over her mouth. Nadia flashes a giggling Julieta a shocked look. Jack, meanwhile, plainly asks "Who's Emilio?" Maria, who's blushing from everyone's reaction, says "He's going to be my husband!" Mary and Nadia gasp in surprise again as Julieta keeps giggling. Tom puts his forehead in his palm and says "'Oh, Tom, we should buy our daughter this Disney princess movie! She'll love it!'" Nadia looks over at Tom a little offended at being mocked and says "You think this is from a movie?" Tom removes his head from his palm and says "Uh, where else could it come from? She watches that damn movie all the time!" Tom looks over at Julieta and asks "Ok, what happened, Miss Giggles?"

Julieta takes a deep breath to stop her giggling spell and says "They were just playing together at the merry-go-round! Maria was spinning around and Emilio kept pushing the merry-go-round around and around. I guess Maria was flying too fast because she flew off of it and landed on Emilio. I was worried at first because she was going pretty fast and they really collided with each other, but then...she gets all excited and says 'you saved me, Emilio!' And then she planted a big kiss on his lips!"

Mary lets out an "Aww!" and hugs Maria, who is still blushing and looking a bit embarrassed. Nadia is back to smiling and asks "So Emilio was the big hero, huh Maria?" Maria nods quickly and says "Uh-huuuuh!" Tom chuckles and shakes his head a bit. "My daughter...how did Emilio react when you kissed him, Maria?" Maria confidently says "He liked it!"

Julieta brushes some of her long, black hair back and says "Tom, it was the funniest thing! After Maria got up, Emilio literally jumped to his feet and started screaming 'SHE KISSED ME! SHE KISSED ME!' Then he started running around the playground screaming in joy and going up to the other kids and saying 'SHE KISSED ME!' It was a riot!"

Mary curiously asks Julieta "I thought this Emilio boy was shy?" Julieta laughs a bit and says "That's what made it so funny! I've never heard him yell out like that! And for the rest of the afternoon, they held hands and wouldn't leave each others sight. In fact, that's why I'm a little late...Maria didn't want to come home." Maria looks down and the ground and sadly says "I just want to be with my boyfriend..." Nadia reassuringly says "You can still see him at the orphanage whenever you want!" Maria groans a bit and keeps looking down at the ground.

Tom looks over at Julieta and asks "You don't think it'd be a problem if he came over to the house every now and then, would it?" Maria perks up and looks at Julieta. "Oh, please please please!" Julieta looks unsure and says "Well, it's hard for me to get away...in fact, I should be getting back..." Nadia then says "What if I picked him up?" Julieta lets out a sigh of relief and says "That would really help!"

Meanwhile, Tom cracks a smirk and looks over at Mary, like he just got an idea. He walks over to her and whispers in her ear "You want Eddie to move on from Connie? I just thought of the perfect way." Mary looks over at Tom curiously, then whispers in his ear "What?" Tom whispers back "Have Eddie swing by the orphanage and pick up Emilio. That way, he'll get to see Julieta more." Mary cracks a smirk himself and says "I like that idea."

Nadia asks "What's going on?" Tom looks over at Nadia, then at Julieta and says "On days when me and Nadia are busy, maybe Eddie can pick Emilio up and bring him over." Julieta looks down at the ground, a little bashful over the mention of Eddie. Tom looks over at Mary and slowly nods at the confirmation that Julieta likes Eddie as well. Mary smirks back at him. Julieta then looks back up and says "I never get so see him except when he's at your house, so that'd be great! He always makes me laugh!"

Tom then says "I have to go see Eddie tomorrow anyway. I'll see if he's up it if we need his help in the future." Julieta says "Thank you, Tom. I'm sorry guys, but I need to get back to the orphans. Have a good night everyone! It was nice to meet you, Jack!" Jack cracks a small smile and says "Nice to meet you as well. I look forward to hearing some of those...childhood stories that Nadia alluded to earlier." Julieta laughs and says "I can't wait!" Julieta then gives Nadia a hug and then heads to the front door. Maria waves and says "Bye Julieta!" Julieta turns and waves back at Maria. "Bye Maria!" Maria then says "Take good care of my boyfriend!" Nadia starts laughing and buries her head in Tom's right shoulder as he too laughs at her love-struck daughter. Julieta laughs a bit herself and says "I will! I promise!" Julieta then leaves and closes the front door.

As the door shuts, Nadia turns back to Mary and says "Ok, you're staying for family movies, and there's nothing you can say or do about it!" Mary matches Nadia's playfully stern look with one of her own. "Is that so? Well, I'll only stay if my granddaughter says I can stay." Mary then looks down at Maria. "Can Grandma stay and watch movies with you?" Maria cracks a wide, toothy grin and says "Of course you can stay, Grandma Mary!" Mary then looks back at Tom and Nadia. "Well, I guess I'm staying!"

Tom then goes to Jack and says "That wine cabinet over to your left...pick any bottle you want." As Jack nods and goes over to the cabinet, Maria anxiously asks "Can I have some, mommy?" Nadia laughs and says "No, you're too young for adult drinks! But if you promise to sit still and behave, you can have some apple juice!" Maria happily says "Ok!" Mary then says to Maria "I'll go get your juice."

Tom, Nadia, and Maria go over to the living room and start getting ready for the movie. Meanwhile, Jack has picked a Merlot to drink and heads over to the kitchen, where Mary is pouring a glass of apple juice for Maria. She also has set out four wine glasses on the breakfast bar.

Mary notices Jack walk in with the bottle of wine. She notices he was a bit quiet and timid since she arrived. He was especially quiet after Maria arrived...although she did steal the spotlight. As she finishes pouring Maria's glass, she smiles at Jack and says "You look a lot better than you did earlier today." Jack cracks a small smile back and says "I have you to thank partially for that."

Mary raises an eyebrow as she starts closing up the bottle of apple juice. "Me? Why?" As Jack pulls out a wine bottle opener from a drawer on the breakfast bar, he says "Technically, you were the first person I saw when I arrived. I saw you asleep in the car." Mary rolls her eyes as she opens up the fridge. "I had a long day...sorry you had to see me like that." Jack quickly replies "It's alright. But you and Laurent were the first ones to welcome me to Elysium and take me to Milo, along with Tom and Nadia. Thank you for that."

Mary sets the bottle of apple juice in the fridge and closes it. As she does, she casually replies "No problem. I assume Tom and Nadia are treating you well?" Jack starts pouring wine into the glasses. "More than well, actually. They've actually made me feel quite comfortable." Mary walks over next to Jack and says "I'm glad they're making you feel at home. The first few days after a person arrives can be quite rough if there isn't any guidance or anyone to make them feel welcome." Jack understandingly nods and says "I feel more than welcome, actually. I understand why Nadia seems so happy nowadays. Her child is a big part of it, but also...she tells me she feels like a part of your family." Mary laughs and says "She is! She's been a most welcome addition to the family. In fact, she still calls me the mother she never had."

Mary's cheerful and calm demeanor turns a bit sour as she says that last sentence. "I'm sure you read or heard about what I did for Nadia when she was in Soviet custody." Jack nods as he pours the third glass. "I did. I'll admit...I was quite stunned at your story...what you did for Tom and Nadia..." Mary turns to face Jack and flatly says "If it were Sydney...or someone else you loved...wouldn't you do the same?" Jack pauses from pouring the glasses a bit. Mary hangs her head and says "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I know you did a lot for Sydney in life..." Jack cuts her off and says "No, you're fine. And the answer to your question is yes."

Mary sighs and says "I'm glad you didn't have to go through what I did for Nadia, to cut yourself off from everyone you love...to sacrifice your own life for Sydney's safety." Jack then finishes pouring the last glass and says "I have to admit something...I've always wanted to meet you. And now that I have, I'd really like to get to know you more..." Mary's sadness ends as she cracks a smile and says "There will be plenty of time for us to become acquaintances. You're welcome over to my place..."

Jack cuts her off with a question he just can't wait to ask anymore: "Mary, I would be honored if I could take you out to dinner sometime."

Mary's jaw drops a bit and she looks down at the ground, both shocked and flattered. "Jack! Didn't Tom or Nadia tell you?" A now befuddled Jack asks "Tell me what?" Mary looks up and says "I'm with Tom's dad...Tom Senior. I'm not...oh, what's the expression...on the market?" Jack hangs his head all embarrassed and looks at the breakfast bar in dismay. "I'm sorry...I didn't know. They never said anything about Tom's father."

Mary pats Jack on the back and says "It's ok. But I am honored that you're so intrigued by me. Like I said, there will be plenty of time for us to get to know one another. By the way, now that you're here, there's someone here that is intrigued by you...someone who's been waiting for you to arrive." Jack looks over at Mary and asks "Who?"

Mary replies "Bill Vaughn." Jack stands up straight in surprise and says "Bill is here?" Mary nods and says "Yeah. He talks to me about his son Michael a lot and, seeing as Michael and Sydney are happily married and in love, he wants to meet you and have drinks...talk about what's going on with your kids." A very intrigued Jack says "I'd be honored to visit with him. Do you have his contact information?" Mary reaches into her pocket and hands Jack a slip of paper. "I know the numbers look a little weird, but punch them in your home phone in and he'll answer. I'll let him know to expect your call"

Jack pockets the paper and smiles. "Thanks, Mary. And sorry about asking you to dinner. I'd appreciate if you kept this quiet from Tom and Nadia." Mary rolls her eyes and says "Jack, don't worry about it...it's not the first time I've been hit on since I arrived in Elysium. Good to know I still have some charm!" Jack lets out a quick chuckle and says "You're very charming, actually. Tom's father is a lucky man." Mary gives Jack a touched smile and says "That's very kind of you to say, Jack." Mary then looks down at the ground real quick and looks like she wants to change the subject now. "Listen, I'll keep quiet about this if you keep quiet about something else, ok?" Jack nods and says "What is it?"

Suddenly, Maria runs around the corner. "Grandma! Mister! Mommy and Daddy are waiting for you!" Mary smiles and says "We'll be there in a bit, sweetheart! Here, take your apple juice, but don't run with it!" Mary hands Maria the apple juice. Maria takes a sip, then quickly walks back to the living room, holding the glass carefully so it doesn't spill.

When Maria rounds the corner, Mary looks back at Jack and says "Maria doesn't know she wasn't ever born...that she died when Sloane murdered Nadia." Jack looks a little surprised at that. "When were you all planning on telling her?" Mary replies "When she's old enough to understand. Elysium is the only reality she's known. We all think it's best not to confuse her, especially over something like death and life. We all work to keep the mentions of our lives and fates on Earth quiet around her. I'd appreciate it if you did the same." Jack nods and says "I understand. Now, I think we should be getting to the living room...I sense our hosts are getting impatient."

Mary laughs and grabs two wine glasses. Jack grabs the other two and they head to the living room, where Tom, Nadia, and Maria patiently await.

Tom, Nadia, and Maria sit left to right on the couch facing the TV. Tom sits on the left end of the couch, Nadia in the middle, and Maria in the right. Tom has his arm around Nadia as they both lay kinda slouched on the couch, looking extremely comfortable.

Tom motions to the overstuffed leather recliner to his left and says "Jack, the big chair's yours. Try not to get sucked in! It's a challenge not to!" Jack hands Tom a wine glass and says "I think I just might take that challenge." Maria gets up out of her seat and starts patting it with her hands. "Grandma, sit here!" As Mary hands Nadia her glass, she tells Maria "Only if you sit on my lap!" Mary takes her seat and Maria hops up on Mary's lap, accentuated with a "Whee!"

As Jack sits down, Tom asks him "Everything alright in there?" Jack looks over at Mary real quick, then back at Tom. "Yeah, just fine. We were just talking." Nadia turns to Mary and asks "And what were you two talking about?" Mary chuckles a bit and says "Just chit-chat. Come on, turn on the movie!"

By now, Nadia has figured out when Mary's hiding something. She tends to get a little giddy and tries to change the subject quickly. Nadia suspects there's something going on with Mary and Jack...probably nothing bad, though. They were in the kitchen for a while, though...

Still, Nadia doesn't press the issue for now and grabs the remote from her lap. She points it at the TV and turns on the movie.

The movie starts up with Tom and Nadia standing on their back patio, with the sun a little ways up in the sky, but not too far removed from its daily rise over the horizon. Nadia's holding a newborn Maria in her arms, all wrapped up in a blanket. The breeze causes Nadia's long black hair to blow around a bit. Together, they look no different than they look today...just the way they want it. Both look extremely happy in the video.

Tom starts off. "As we watched the sunrise this morning...my first morning in San Felipe since the events that took place in Brussels the day before this video was made...me and Nadia both realized that we both wanted so much to share our child's growth with you. We can talk about her with you...and we're still working on a cordial way to do that for you all...but I believe a picture speaks a thousand words."

Nadia then says "As much as we're recording this video for our own memories, you'll probably hear so many stories about Maria..." Tom laughs a bit, which causes Nadia to give Tom a scowl in the movie. "Oh, like you're not going to be talking about Maria, either!" As Tom puts up his hands defensively and backs away a bit, Nadia then turns back to the camera and says "As I was saying...we want you to put a face to the stories."

Tom then says "I know that anyone that watches this video will be feeling sad over what we went through to get here. But if there's one thing I want this video to accomplish, it's to let you all to know that you shouldn't feel bad for us. I haven't felt this good physically since I was in high school, I know Nadia feels great..." Nadia giggles a bit as she looks down at a sleeping Maria says "...especially since I'm not carrying around this little one in my belly anymore!"

Back in the living room, Maria wonderingly asks "Mommy?" Nadia quickly pauses the video and looks down at her daughter. "What is it?" In as confused a tone as a 5 year old can get, she asks "I was...in your tummy?" Nadia and everyone else gets a chuckle out of that. Nadia then says "Yes! That's how you came to be you! I carried you right here!" Nadia then points at her stomach area. Maria, not willing to believe that, looks up at Mary and asks "Is that true, Gramma? I was REALLY in her tummy?" Mary nods and says "It's true. Before you were even born, your mommy carried you inside her so you can grow and be strong when you were born. All babies grow through that!"

Maria looks down at her own belly, trying to comprehend how she can carry a human being in her own belly. At first, she looks repulsed at the thought of a human in her belly, then gets curious. She looks up at Nadia and asks "Mommy...when I was born...where did I come out?" Nadia looks up at Mary, who quickly shakes her head...a signal that they should really change the subject before they let slip that Maria was never technically born. Nadia then looks over at Jack, who remembers what Mary told him just a few minutes ago about Maria not knowing about her death. Finally, she quickly turns back to Maria and says "I think Jack would like to watch the movie, sweetie!" Maria slumps back into Mary's lap and dejectedly says "Ok..."

Back in the video, Tom picks up where Nadia left off. "...and we get to watch our baby girl grow up. We don't have to worry anymore. We don't have to fear anything. We're right where we want to be, so don't feel bad for us. And now that you're here, you can get a glimpse of the joy that our little angel brings us..."

And right on cue, baby Maria starts crying. Tom stops in his tracks and looks over at his crying newborn with concern. Nadia tries to rock her and sweet talk her to calm down, but isn't having much luck it seems. Finally, Nadia looks at the camera and says "Well, I think our little girl is ready for brunch, so enjoy!" Nadia then quickly walks off with Maria while Tom goes to the camera and shuts it off.

The next scene takes us inside the Falk house, where we see Eddie looking into the camera. With a cocky grin on his face, he says "Hi, if you haven't met me yet, my name is Eddie Falk...Tom's older brother. It's only been two weeks since he arrived, but already, he has a new favorite hobby. Let's take a look, shall we?"

As Eddie starts off down the hall in the video, Tom rolls his eyes in the living room and says "My brother, the clown." Jack looks over and says "You said before your brother was a Navy SEAL, right?" Tom looks over and nods. "Yeah, he always wanted to be a SEAL all his life. Back issues took him out of duty, though." Mary then irritatedly says "He's a good kid, but he's got a smart mouth on him sometimes..." Tom looks over and smirks. "And I don't?" Mary looks back at the TV and says "Let's just watch the movie, my other smartass son."

By now, Eddie has made it to the living room. Nadia rounds the corner from the kitchen and whispers "Eddie, what are you doing?" Eddie, off-camera, says "Shh! We're just recording Tom doing his favorite hobby!" Nadia smirks and says "Ok, but don't be too loud!" Eddie then takes the camera around right and points it in the camera.

The camera shows Tom Falk lying on the back of the couch he's currently sitting on in real life. He's taking a nap. He has his arms around a two-week old Maria, who is sleeping comfortably, with her left ear resting on Tom's chest. Suddenly, we hear Eddie's voice again. "Nadia, this definitely isn't the first time Tom and Maria have taken a nap together, has it?" Nadia, off-camera, replies "Nope. Thankfully I'm around in case he decides to stir around."

"I can hear you."

Those words are murmured by a groggy Tom on camera. With his eyes still closed and his arms shifting to ensure a good grip on Maria, he groggily asks "Nadia, what's my knucklehead brother doing here?" Nadia thinks for a bit, then whispers loudly "Nothing! Go back to sleep!" Tom quickly asks "Why? I just know my brother is up to no good..." Tom then opens his eyes and spots Eddie with the camera. Eddie grins as he looks in the viewfinder and says "Well, our hibernating bear has awakened..." Tom cuts him off irritatedly, but not loudly as to not wake Maria. "...and kindly asks that you shut off that camera before I inform the people that will be watching this later about that incident in high school with you and Kimberly Stubbs..." Eddie then turns the camera to himself and worriedly says "This concludes our adventure." The camera is then shut off.

"Mommy?"

In the living room, Maria tugs on Nadia's shirt as she goes to pause the show. Nadia asks "Yes?" Maria asks "Did daddy ever drop me?" Tom quickly and defensively shakes his head. "Absolutely not! I could never drop you!" Nadia then reassuringly tells Maria "Your daddy was very careful with you. He'd never let anything happen to you. He'd just doze off every now and then for a few minutes." Tom then looks over at Nadia and says "Besides, I caught you napping with Maria on your chest once or twice." Nadia sighs and says "Yeah, yeah..."

Maria then asks "Why did I always sleep on your chest?" Mary rubs Maria's shoulders a bit and says "Tom and Eddie liked to lay on my chest when they were that age. They liked to hear my heartbeat because it helped them sleep...just like listening to your mommy and daddy's heartbeat helped put you to sleep." Maria appears to understand this, then looks up at Nadia with a look like she's about to make a request that might not get approved. "Mommy, can I listen to your heartbeat?" Nadia opens up her arms wide and says "Of course you can! I can hold you like I did when you were a baby again!"

With a relieved and happy grin, Maria climbs off of Mary's lap and lies on top of Nadia and puts her head down on Nadia's bosom. She excitedly gasps and exclaims "I can hear it! Bum-bump! Bum-bump! Bum-bump!" Nadia calmly says "You can listen as long as you like. But I have to turn the movie back on for our guests...aren't you going to watch?" Maria thinks for a bit, then says "But I'm comfy!" Nadia strokes some of Maria's hair back and says "Then you can stay right where you are! But I have to turn the movie back on, ok?" Maria nestles in a little further, then says "I love you, mommy." Nadia, looking genuinely touched by Maria's words, gives her daughter a kiss on the forehead and says "I love you too, sweetheart!"

While that exchange was taking place, Jack was observing Nadia work her mother magic with Maria. This is the first time he's gotten to see Nadia in her role as a mother. It brings him great joy to see Nadia in her element right now, being a confident and warm mother to Maria. This is a different side of Nadia that he hasn't seen...a sign that he likes.

For the time he knew her in her life, she always seemed to have a dark, ominous cloud hanging over her head over Arvin Sloane, Sophia Vargas/Elena Derevko, Irina Derevko, and just her general lot in life. She saw signs of her emerging from that cloud in the time after she married Tom and was pregnant with Maria.

It pained Jack more than anyone knew when he discovered a five-month pregnant Nadia lying dead on the floor of Sloane's office, with a completely shattered and broken Tom Falk kneeling over her, waiting on a cue from his mother to save her life that never came. Jack eventually developed a soft spot in his heart for Nadia after at first being offended by her mere presence because of Sloane's affair with his then-wife Irina Derevko. Soon, he realized that wasn't Nadia's fault, and in the months that she was in a coma, he started caring for her almost like she was his own daughter.

No one ever knew how he felt about Nadia, partly because Jack's never been the expressive type, but also partly because, even up until she died, he was still sorting out his feelings for her.

He starts to realize that maybe he can do this. Maybe he can make the adjustment to the afterlife. Maybe he can be the person he always wanted to be for Nadia, but was too afraid to. Suddenly, there are possibilities for Jack after feeling like a fish out of water after he arrived in Elysium.

He's starting to feel like he belongs here.

Meanwhile, as Jack observes Nadia and Maria, Mary has taken a notice of Jack's interest in her. At this point, she wants nothing more than to just tell them that it's possible that Jack is indeed Nadia's father. She respects Jack as a man from what she's seen, and for all he did for Sydney. She wants Nadia to have that kind of father figure in her life so badly. Her husband Tom Senior and her father Edward are nice enough, but they don't radiate the calm yet firm strength that Jack has, nor do they have the warmth that appears to exist between Jack and Nadia. But she also realizes that she needs to bite her tongue about the big question between them. There's a time and place for everything, and this is neither.

Jack and Mary's thoughts are both interrupted when Nadia looks over at Jack and says "Want me to restart the movie now?" Jack takes a moment to recollect his thoughts, then says "Sure. Maybe you should keep the volume down a bit if Maria dozes off." Maria defensively says "I'm not going to sleep!" Nadia laughs and says "If you keep listening to my heartbeat you will!" Maria fires back "Well I'm not gonna! I'm not a baby anymore!" Nadia and Tom laugh a bit while Mary and Jack crack smiles at Maria's spunkiness. Finally, Nadia restarts the movie.

Maria's first steps, some of her first words, birthdays, Christmases, vacations...for the rest of the movie, Jack would get a portrait of the lives Tom and Nadia have been living since they died over five years ago. It would be a very nice portrait.

Maria would indeed fall asleep on top of Nadia. Everyone rested comfortably that night, even Jack.

Little did any of them know that the people they all thought were dead and buried to them would soon act on their scheme of revenge.

Siberian Forest (Elysium)

Day has long broken in the forest of Siberia. It's a cloudy day, but no snow is falling.

Deep in the forest, the eight uninvited guests from Hell are preparing for their assault on the Elysian Council. Arvin Sloane, Julian Sark, Irina Derevko, Elena Derevko, Kelly Peyton, Gordon Dean, Mitch Hayes, and Cesar Martinez are all gearing up, and all are brandishing knives and daggers of some sort. No guns, because they're apparently hard to come by in Elysium.

Sloane speaks up. "Ok, this is our chance...a chance at redemption...a chance to abandon our fates and embrace a future again. We all know what we have to do. So now, it's time to do it."

Sloane leaves it at that. The rest of the team looks at each other a little curiously at the abruptness of his speech. Finally, Mitch says "Well, I'm inspired. Nice speech, skipper." Sloane glares at Mitch and says "I was never one for speeches. Perhaps you have a better one?"

Mitch shakes his head. "No. After we take care of these politicians, we take care of the real business at hand. Tom is mine." Cesar shoves Mitch and says "Not if I have anything to say about it, esse!" Kelly steps forward and says "Did Tom cut your heads off after betraying you, too? Yeah, thought so. He's mine." Mitch points a finger at Kelly and says "You have no idea who you're talking to, lady! You don't know the pimple on my ass that Tom was for much the better part of a decade!" Cesar steps between them and says "Hey! The guy killed me with his hand! HIS HAND! My death was more bullshit than..."

Sark steps forward. "HEY!" The bickering between Mitch, Kelly, and Cesar stops immediately. Sloane smirks at Sark's sudden display of leadership. Irina and Elena have flawed people working under them...maybe he picked the diamond in the rough.

Sark then says "Let's not forget that Tom destroyed my face, put me in a coma, gave me a stroke, and then put three bullets in my chest. Tom Falk dies by my hands." Mitch, Kelly, and Cesar start yelling at Sark now, which causes Sloane's smirk to turn into a scowl. Maybe he shouldn't be so confident in Sark.

Finally having enough of the squabbling, Sloane finally shouts out "THE NEXT PERSON TO LAY CLAIM TO ANYONE'S LIFE WILL RETURN TO HELL AT KNIFEPOINT!"

Everyone shuts up. There's an uncomfortable silence in the post-donnybrook.

Suddenly, everyone hears the crunching of snow to the left. Everyone looks over and sees a short, husky man of Latino descent approach the group. He too is wearing the customary all-black uniform everyone else is wearing. We also see a scar along his neck as well as his exposed wrists.

Still, the man appears jovial, and in a thick Mexican accent, he says "Glad to see the party didn't start without Francisco Alvarado!" Sloane, still looking irritated from trying to control his group, walks over and shakes Francisco's hand. "The former head of the Lobos Rabiosos...glad you can join us."

Francisco laughs loudly and says "A chance to kill the man that made the last minutes of my life worse than even Hell...I wouldn't miss it!" Sloane turns around to the rest of the group and says "You might have some competition for Tom Falk's head."

Francisco looks over at the group with a cocky and incredulous glare. "You gringos have an army willing to back you on your hunt?" No one chimes in. Francisco chuckles and says "I didn't think so. Well, I do." Elena steps forward and says "I take it your Lobos Rabiosos gang members are ready?"

Francisco smirks and says "Not just the Lobos...but others that Halcon Diablo sent to their graves. We're still gathering our ranks, but in a day or two, after our business with Elysian council is settled, I should be able to return to the portal and have them ready."

This latest development appears to surprise no one except Irina, who's been oddly quiet this morning in spite of the squabbling that just ended not a minute ago. She looks down at the ground a little troubled by Francisco's promise of more forces and looks like she's crunching thoughts or plans in her head. No one else picks up on it.

Sloane happily nods and says "Good. Ladies and Gentlemen...it's time. Let's go. We're going to the Vatican. When we re-appear, be ready to act."

Everyone huddles around Elena, who was the only one of them with teleporting abilities that has gone to the Elysian Council building in the Vatican. Elena closes her eyes and vanishes with the rest of the group of nine.

END OF CHAPTER