AN: Glad to see at least a few people are still interested in this story. After having left it for so long, I didn't expect any response.
Hope it was worth the wait.
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Chapter 8</span>
Jack's breath hitched high in his throat. He didn't know whether to feel joy at hearing Irina alive and well talking on the other end of the phone or irritated at her gall. He contemplated putting the receiver back in its cradle but decided to use the opportunity to his advantage.
"Irina, good to know you managed to cheat death once more. I would think you'd have no more soul to sell after the years of death defying acts or was it that you didn't have a soul to begin with." Jack's mouth hardened.
"Quite elementary of you Jack, I would have expected something better." Irina paused and thought to try something new. "As I understand it, congratulations are in order."
"Are we back to playing the baby card Irina. I thought I made it very clear that I had no interest in your little games and I want nothing to do with your spawn, although my sympathies are with it."
"Listen to me you idiot. Stop deluding yourself, you're wasting so much energy trying to deny the truth; what is that accomplishing Jack?" Neither spoke for a few seconds. "And I was offering my congratulations on your promotion Jack. You deserved it."
Jack closed his eyes in exhaustion. He had jumped to conclusions and had shown his hand too early; the game was becoming too dangerous and reckless. He didn't know what was happening to him but he was not operating like the strategist he was reputed to be.
"Jack?" He heard Irina calling his name on the other end; her voice had lost its edge.
Jack made a split second decision that he realized could quite possibly change his life forever. "Where are you Irina?"
"What?" Irina's surprise didn't deter him.
"You say you need me Irina, where are you?" The resignation in his voice gave Irina hope that he wouldn't turn her in with the information she gave him.
"Syros, Greece." Irina listened to their mingled breathing before speaking again. "Thank you Jack."
Jack nodded his head against the phone as though she could see it and hung up. He set to work making plans to get to Greece without anyone tailing him; trying not to mull over his decision to see Irina.
SYROS, GREECE
Irina had spent an hour after hanging up with Jack staring at the wall in disbelief. She had not anticipated his sudden change in attitude nor was she prepared for what would happen when he arrived. It was a good possibility that he would arrive on the island with a brigade of CIA agents, ready to take her into custody but that was a chance she decided she had to take.
She walked outside onto the edge of the pool deck and looked out over the cliff the house was built on, into the vast expanse of the sea. Closing her eyes she reveled in the feel of the heat on her skin and the smell of salt water coming from the water meters below. She wanted Jack with her more than anything but she would miss the solitude of the last few months. She had discovered more honesty with herself in the five months she had been away from the absurdity of the intelligence community than during the rest of her life.
VAUGHN'S RESIDENCE - L.A.
Sydney was sitting on the couch reading, waiting for Vaughn to get home from Weiss'. Weiss had invited him over to watch a baseball game and Vaughn wasn't about to turn down the invitation. Sydney had laughed at his excitement and said she had errands to do anyway, so she would see him at home.
Her cell phone rang, startling her from the pages before her. Furrowing her brow, she recognized her father's cell number on the screen.
"Hello." Sydney pursed her lips with interest.
"Sydney. I'm glad I found you, you weren't answering your phone at home." Jack's voice held a measure of disinterest that Sydney questioned.
"I'm at Vaughn's. My apartment doesn't hold the same appeal it once did." Sydney felt nervous at revealing even the slightest weakness to her father, despite the many times he had seen her cry.
"Understandable. You may think about moving permanently." Jack said seriously.
"Yeah." Sydney bit her lip in concentration. "Was there something you needed to talk to me about Dad?" Sydney asked gentle.
"Yes. I was calling to let you know that I would be going out of the country for the next two weeks of my vacation and you likely won't be able to reach me. I'll call you some time next week to check on things at the office." Jack hoped Sydney didn't ask too many questions.
"Alright. Make sure you spend some time relaxing. Where are you going?" Sydney asked.
"Somewhere warm." Was all Jack answered.
"Dad it's almost July in California. It isn't warm enough here for you?" Sydney joked with her father.
"It is not likely I'm going to be able to relax while I'm within a thirty mile radius of the Task Force. So instead of battling the temptation to come into work everyday, I figured I should get away." Jack felt horrible speaking sharply to Sydney but he didn't know of any other way of deterring her interest without raising more questions.
"No Dad, it sounds like a great idea. Just not something I see you doing frequently. Have a nice time and I'll expect your call some time next week." Sydney replied easily.
"Thank you. Don't work too hard yourself and think about finding a new place to live. I hate to see you in limbo for too long. I'll talk to you soon." Jack hit the end button on his cell phone and dropped it into the trashcan at the airport. It wasn't going to be any more use to him.
Sydney dropped her cell phone on the coffee table in the middle of Vaughn's living room and stared at it in wonder before smirking slightly and turning back to her book. She realized she would likely never figure her father out but that wouldn't stop her from trying.
~TBC~