Shelter, Part 6
+++++
Creeping across the porch to the front door, Chloe stopped and listened. The house was dark and there was no sound from within. Relieved, she inserted the key and turned it ever so slowly in the lock, expecting to find both Jack and her parents still deeply asleep and completely unaware of her nighttime expedition. But as she entered the living room and eased the door shut, supporting it so that it wouldn't squeak, her hopes were destroyed.
"Chloe.” Jack's voice came out of the darkness, just loud enough for her to hear, and startled her immensely. Chloe bit down a scream, and when she'd recovered enough to speak, she hissed, "Jack!”
"What have you been doing?” Jack asked. She heard his footsteps come in her direction, and then he switched on the lights.
"Nothing.” Wondering if she'd caught him again in the act of trying to slip out in the middle of the night, Chloe gave him a quick sizing-up, but he was only wearing a pair of sweatpants. "What have you been doing?”
He ignored her question. "Chloe, where have you been?”
"Getting a Christmas present,” she admitted, slipping off her coat.
"At one in the morning?” Jack didn't exactly scoff, but he did sound openly disbelieving. "Why couldn't you have got it when you were out earlier?”
"Because it hadn't come yet, and I couldn't go later because I wanted to give it to you to-morrow. I mean, to-day. For Christmas.”
Jack looked confused, and Chloe took pity on him. "Here, I guess I can give it to you now; it's technically Christmas morning.”
She dug the small photo out of her wallet and handed it over. As he stared down at it, Jack's expression changed to one of longing, and after a long moment, he whispered, "Kim.”
Then Jack put out his arms and enveloped Chloe in a big hug. "Chloe, thank you.”
His voice sounded quavery, as though he were holding back tears, and Chloe hugged him back, trying not to get her arms near his bullet wound. She couldn't help savouring the feel of his body against hers, and enjoying the scent of his skin. If only … she thought randomly, but before she could define her wish, Jack let go. Stepping back, he looked down at the photo again, then up at her. "This is new – where'd you get it?”
"I called Tony and Michelle yesterday,” she said. Tony Almeida and Michelle Dessler were the only other people who knew that Jack Bauer was alive. Jack had needed their help, along with Chloe's, to fake his death and disappear. "They don't work at CTU any longer, you know, they've set up their own business now. I asked them if they couldn't get a little picture of Kim for you – break into her house and steal one if they had to. Tony had a better idea, he said they asked her out for lunch to-day, and Michelle took a few pictures. This one was the best. They say hi, by the way.”
Jack glanced up sharply. "They know I'm here with you?”
"I said I'd been in touch, and would have the chance to get a few things to you, that's all,” Chloe said. She yawned ferociously, then added, "I didn't tell them where you are.”
Jack nodded, staring down at the photo again. "Chloe, you have no idea how much I appreciate this.”
She smiled, infinitely pleased that she'd done the right thing for once. Taking off her boots, she said, "I'm glad it got here in time for me to give it to you for Christmas. Tony and Michelle sent the picture as fast as they could, I guess, but the time zones made a difference, and then we were busy with supper and everything. I couldn't print it out here, so I had to find an internet café that was open. I hope I didn't wake you up.”
"No,” Jack said. "I wasn't asleep. I came out here to talk to you, and heard you drive away.”
"Oh,” said Chloe. She went over to the folded-out couch and sat down on the edge, then patted the space next to her. "What did you want to talk about?”
Jack sat down as well, turning to face her, then extended his left hand. Looking down, Chloe saw the almond in his palm, and realization dawned. "Oh, you want your fifty dollars.”
"No, actually,” Jack said with a little smile, "I was hoping for a kiss.”
Chloe scowled. She'd gone to so much trouble to be able to slip that extra money to Jack and now he wasn't taking it. She'd have to find another way to get it to him. "Well, all right, if that's what you choose.”
He leaned forward, placing one hand on the side of her neck with his thumb just in front of her ear, then kissed her tenderly on the lips. Having expected something like a grandfatherly peck on the cheek, Chloe felt as though she'd been zapped by a taser. She was still conscious and aware of everything, but she couldn't respond, couldn't think, couldn't move. Funny that her lips were still able to react somewhat.
"Gosh, Jack, I didn't know you knew how to kiss,” Chloe heard herself babble as soon as Jack broke contact.
He looked at her and burst into laughter. With mirth still audible in his voice, he said, "Kim wasn't adopted, you know.”
"I know that,” Chloe retorted, piqued more at herself for letting her mouth run ahead of her brain than at Jack's answer. "It's just that I've never seen you laugh before, or kiss before, which is okay, because we only ever saw each other at CTU, and that would have been really weird, but here you are, doing both things on the same day, and it's just kind of surprising, you know.”
Jack was smiling again, and now he whispered huskily, "I didn't know you could kiss, either, Chloe.”
"Well, I can't, and I know you're disappointed, and I'm sorry.”
"Don't be. There's nothing to be sorry for.” Jack was shaking his head ever so slightly, but Chloe went on.
"I'm not sorry you kissed me, it was really good, I'm just sorry you didn't get anything out of it. I know you'd rather be kissing Audrey, 'cause I'll bet she's a really good kisser.”
Jack's smile vanished, and Chloe knew at once that she'd said something wrong, yet again. She just didn't know what it was. At work, she was used to people reacting irritably or even angrily to her all the time, but she'd never said anything that had hurt anybody – that she knew of, at least. This time it was as though she'd physically wounded Jack. She could see it, and the thought made her feel sick.
"I'm sorry,” she said, letting her shoulders slump. "I always say stupid things. I didn't mean to hurt you.”
"Audrey thinks I'm dead, and even if she knew I was alive, she wouldn't want to be near me,” Jack said quietly. "I'm responsible for her husband's death, I'm responsible for him getting shot, I tortured him for information right in front of her. She told me she couldn't deal with that, and I can't blame her.”
"I'll bet you still miss her,” Chloe said.
"Yeah,” Jack replied. "Yeah, I still miss her, but she told me to leave. I killed our relationship when I let Paul die.”
They sat in silence for a moment, and then Chloe yawned. It was contagious; Jack yawned, too, then stood up. "Chloe, thanks again for the picture of Kim.”
"You're welcome,” she said.
He crossed the living room, but when he got to hall, he turned around again. "And whoever told you that you couldn't kiss? They were wrong.”
+++++
"Hey, let me help you with that,” Jack said.
Chloe accepted his help with setting the table. It was almost two in the afternoon, and Irene and her family were supposed to be there soon, but Chloe was barely thinking about them. Ever since last night, she hadn't been able to stop replaying that kiss in her mind. And the compliment. It made her smile every time she remembered Jack's words.
Catching her eye, Jack held up two Tupperware glasses. He'd obviously caught her smiling, because he smiled back in a quizzical way. Chloe scowled in embarrassment and snarled, "What?”
"Where do these go?”
"Over there,” she said, indicating two place settings on her left. "That's where the boys will be sitting.”
Comparing the Tupperware to the lead crystal glasses that everybody else was getting, Jack nodded knowingly. "How old are they?”
"They're almost twelve. Twins.” Chloe lowered her voice, glancing towards the kitchen to make sure nobody was lurking in the doorway to hear. "And whatever you do, don't mention you were in the military. Tell them you worked as a janitor for the IRS or something boring like that.”
Jack gave her a look of confusion. "Why?”
Before Chloe could explain, the front door banged open and two figures dressed in fatigues and wearing gas masks burst into the house. They were each holding small rifles, and when they caught sight of Chloe and Jack, they took better aim. Catching movement out of the corner of her eye, Chloe looked over at Jack. He was standing with his hands behind his head, his fingers interlaced, watching the intruders very carefully. Obviously, he had no idea who they were, but he wasn't taking any chances. She was just about to tell him when one of the soldiers yelled at her, "Hands up!”
His juvenile voice completely shattered the image both boys were trying so hard to project, and Chloe wanted to laugh until she glanced over to Jack again. He'd lowered his hands and his face was blank, but she had the feeling that something was wrong as he bent down to pick up the silverware he'd dropped.
"Justin, Ben, those better not be loaded,” she told the boys sternly.
"Naw,” Justin said.
"Where's Grandma and Grandpa?” Ben asked. Justin turned to look at him, silently pointing to his eyes with two fingers, and then used the same two fingers to indicate the doorway that led into the kitchen. A moment later, they were leaping through it with another cry of "Hands up!” and Chloe heard a shriek of terror that was only half pretend.
"Merry Christmas, Chloe,” Irene said, coming in through the door with a covered tray in both hands, and shopping bags dangling from her wrists. Jack met her halfway across the living room.
"Here, let me take that,” he said.
"Well, thank you, and a Merry Christmas to you, too,” Irene cooed. Chloe scowled. Irene's husband was right behind her, but there she was, cooing at Jack. It made Chloe wish she'd learned how to vomit on command.
"Merry Christmas, Dennis,” Chloe said pointedly, making her voice sound anything but joyous. "Merry Christmas, Irene. I want you to meet my friend --”
"Nope, Chloe, don't tell me. This just has to be –" Irene paused for effect – "Edgar Stiles!”
Chloe scowled even deeper.
"Frank Flynn. Excuse me.” After introducing himself, Jack whirled away, taking the tray into the kitchen at the speed people usually reserved for escaping CTU when they were afraid that their boss was going to come after them with a demand for overtime. Chloe stared after him.
"Well, tell me all about him,” Irene demanded, demanding her attention again.
"There's nothing to tell.” Chloe listened for sounds of Jack coming back, but the excited chatter of her nephews in the kitchen drowned out everything else. Turning to her sister's husband, Chloe asked. "So, Dennis, how was the trip to the emergency room yesterday?”
"Nightmare,” he grunted. Like many men who married voluble women, he was a good listener and spoke little.
"Ben's collarbone is definitely broken,” Irene put in smoothly. "They couldn't put his whole shoulder in plaster, so they've given him a kind of harness to wear to keep it in place. They call it a little backpack. Ben was so brave, though, and barely cried at all. We gave him some painkillers this morning, even though he said commandos don't believe in aspirin, and you can see he's back to normal. But don't think you can get away with changing the subject, Chloe. Tell me more about Frank and why he's celebrating Christmas here with us.”
"He was travelling, he came down with the flu, and we met up in Chicago,” Chloe reported succinctly. "I invited him home so that he could recover here.”
Irene smirked a little. "And he survived your bedside manner? But hey, if it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger, right? That's what the boys are always telling me.”
"The boys are really tall, aren't they?” Chloe remarked. "That's really unusual for their age.”
"Well, look at Dennis, do you think he's going to father shrimpy kids?” Irene asked, beaming as she stared up at her husband. Then she leaned closer and lowered her voice, "Now, no more changing the subject, Chloe. Tell us how you know this Frank.”
Chloe was saved from answering by her mother, who came out of the kitchen carrying a steaming pan of candied yams. The boys followed, one holding a basket of rolls, and the other a jello salad. They had taken off their gas masks, and Chloe could see that they both sported military hair cuts. It reminded her of Jack's hair, which was a little too long, and she made up her mind to ask him if he wanted a trim before he disappeared again.
"Grandma, can we open the presents before we eat?” asked Ben.
"No,” Chloe's mother replied.
"Can we eat dessert first?” asked Justin.
"No,” Chloe's mother replied again.
"Grandpa always says life is short and we should eat dessert first,” Justin tried to argue.
"And Grandpa is always right,” Chloe's father stated, carrying a pie into the dining room and placing it on one of the dinner plates. He proceded to sit down at that place setting, and picked up a knife and fork.
"Well, do you know what I say to Grandpa? If you don't sit down and eat this dinner first, I'll make sure your life is short,” Chloe's mother said, moving the pie to the last empty space on the table. Chloe's father feigned disappointment, and the boys laughed.
"Now put those guns away, boys, and everybody sit down. Chloe, where's Frank?”
"Why are you asking me, when he was in the kitchen with you?” Chloe retorted. Seeing that everybody was looking at her and nobody was answering, she sighed. "All right, I'll go look for him.”
She went down the hall and tapped on the bedroom door. "Frank?”
To her surprise, he came out of the bathroom. "Just washing my hands.”
"I'm sorry about the kids,” Chloe said quietly. "I hope you didn't think it was the Chinese or somebody, coming to get you.”
Jack gave her a quick, sheepish smile. "Just for a moment.”
The simple admission worried Chloe. "I should have warned you about their little obsession, but I didn't know they were gonna come in the house like a tac team.”
"Didja really think we were like a tac team, Aunt Chloe?” Justin asked, coming up from behind.
"Didja really?” Ben chimed in.
"Jeeze, how would I know what a tac team looks like?” Chloe demanded, annoyed at being interrupted. "I'm in coms, I don't do field work. Now go on, go attack Grandma's turkey and stuffing.”
"Sir, yes, sir!” Justin replied. They raced back down the hall, shouting, "We are a go, repeat, we are a go!”
"You all right?” Chloe asked Jack.
"Yeah, I'm fine,” he replied. "We all survived.”
He didn't say that he would have fired if he'd had his gun on him at the time, and Chloe, having decided that she'd rather be sheltered from the answer, didn't ask.
Part 7
Creeping across the porch to the front door, Chloe stopped and listened. The house was dark and there was no sound from within. Relieved, she inserted the key and turned it ever so slowly in the lock, expecting to find both Jack and her parents still deeply asleep and completely unaware of her nighttime expedition. But as she entered the living room and eased the door shut, supporting it so that it wouldn't squeak, her hopes were destroyed.
"Chloe.” Jack's voice came out of the darkness, just loud enough for her to hear, and startled her immensely. Chloe bit down a scream, and when she'd recovered enough to speak, she hissed, "Jack!”
"What have you been doing?” Jack asked. She heard his footsteps come in her direction, and then he switched on the lights.
"Nothing.” Wondering if she'd caught him again in the act of trying to slip out in the middle of the night, Chloe gave him a quick sizing-up, but he was only wearing a pair of sweatpants. "What have you been doing?”
He ignored her question. "Chloe, where have you been?”
"Getting a Christmas present,” she admitted, slipping off her coat.
"At one in the morning?” Jack didn't exactly scoff, but he did sound openly disbelieving. "Why couldn't you have got it when you were out earlier?”
"Because it hadn't come yet, and I couldn't go later because I wanted to give it to you to-morrow. I mean, to-day. For Christmas.”
Jack looked confused, and Chloe took pity on him. "Here, I guess I can give it to you now; it's technically Christmas morning.”
She dug the small photo out of her wallet and handed it over. As he stared down at it, Jack's expression changed to one of longing, and after a long moment, he whispered, "Kim.”
Then Jack put out his arms and enveloped Chloe in a big hug. "Chloe, thank you.”
His voice sounded quavery, as though he were holding back tears, and Chloe hugged him back, trying not to get her arms near his bullet wound. She couldn't help savouring the feel of his body against hers, and enjoying the scent of his skin. If only … she thought randomly, but before she could define her wish, Jack let go. Stepping back, he looked down at the photo again, then up at her. "This is new – where'd you get it?”
"I called Tony and Michelle yesterday,” she said. Tony Almeida and Michelle Dessler were the only other people who knew that Jack Bauer was alive. Jack had needed their help, along with Chloe's, to fake his death and disappear. "They don't work at CTU any longer, you know, they've set up their own business now. I asked them if they couldn't get a little picture of Kim for you – break into her house and steal one if they had to. Tony had a better idea, he said they asked her out for lunch to-day, and Michelle took a few pictures. This one was the best. They say hi, by the way.”
Jack glanced up sharply. "They know I'm here with you?”
"I said I'd been in touch, and would have the chance to get a few things to you, that's all,” Chloe said. She yawned ferociously, then added, "I didn't tell them where you are.”
Jack nodded, staring down at the photo again. "Chloe, you have no idea how much I appreciate this.”
She smiled, infinitely pleased that she'd done the right thing for once. Taking off her boots, she said, "I'm glad it got here in time for me to give it to you for Christmas. Tony and Michelle sent the picture as fast as they could, I guess, but the time zones made a difference, and then we were busy with supper and everything. I couldn't print it out here, so I had to find an internet café that was open. I hope I didn't wake you up.”
"No,” Jack said. "I wasn't asleep. I came out here to talk to you, and heard you drive away.”
"Oh,” said Chloe. She went over to the folded-out couch and sat down on the edge, then patted the space next to her. "What did you want to talk about?”
Jack sat down as well, turning to face her, then extended his left hand. Looking down, Chloe saw the almond in his palm, and realization dawned. "Oh, you want your fifty dollars.”
"No, actually,” Jack said with a little smile, "I was hoping for a kiss.”
Chloe scowled. She'd gone to so much trouble to be able to slip that extra money to Jack and now he wasn't taking it. She'd have to find another way to get it to him. "Well, all right, if that's what you choose.”
He leaned forward, placing one hand on the side of her neck with his thumb just in front of her ear, then kissed her tenderly on the lips. Having expected something like a grandfatherly peck on the cheek, Chloe felt as though she'd been zapped by a taser. She was still conscious and aware of everything, but she couldn't respond, couldn't think, couldn't move. Funny that her lips were still able to react somewhat.
"Gosh, Jack, I didn't know you knew how to kiss,” Chloe heard herself babble as soon as Jack broke contact.
He looked at her and burst into laughter. With mirth still audible in his voice, he said, "Kim wasn't adopted, you know.”
"I know that,” Chloe retorted, piqued more at herself for letting her mouth run ahead of her brain than at Jack's answer. "It's just that I've never seen you laugh before, or kiss before, which is okay, because we only ever saw each other at CTU, and that would have been really weird, but here you are, doing both things on the same day, and it's just kind of surprising, you know.”
Jack was smiling again, and now he whispered huskily, "I didn't know you could kiss, either, Chloe.”
"Well, I can't, and I know you're disappointed, and I'm sorry.”
"Don't be. There's nothing to be sorry for.” Jack was shaking his head ever so slightly, but Chloe went on.
"I'm not sorry you kissed me, it was really good, I'm just sorry you didn't get anything out of it. I know you'd rather be kissing Audrey, 'cause I'll bet she's a really good kisser.”
Jack's smile vanished, and Chloe knew at once that she'd said something wrong, yet again. She just didn't know what it was. At work, she was used to people reacting irritably or even angrily to her all the time, but she'd never said anything that had hurt anybody – that she knew of, at least. This time it was as though she'd physically wounded Jack. She could see it, and the thought made her feel sick.
"I'm sorry,” she said, letting her shoulders slump. "I always say stupid things. I didn't mean to hurt you.”
"Audrey thinks I'm dead, and even if she knew I was alive, she wouldn't want to be near me,” Jack said quietly. "I'm responsible for her husband's death, I'm responsible for him getting shot, I tortured him for information right in front of her. She told me she couldn't deal with that, and I can't blame her.”
"I'll bet you still miss her,” Chloe said.
"Yeah,” Jack replied. "Yeah, I still miss her, but she told me to leave. I killed our relationship when I let Paul die.”
They sat in silence for a moment, and then Chloe yawned. It was contagious; Jack yawned, too, then stood up. "Chloe, thanks again for the picture of Kim.”
"You're welcome,” she said.
He crossed the living room, but when he got to hall, he turned around again. "And whoever told you that you couldn't kiss? They were wrong.”
+++++
"Hey, let me help you with that,” Jack said.
Chloe accepted his help with setting the table. It was almost two in the afternoon, and Irene and her family were supposed to be there soon, but Chloe was barely thinking about them. Ever since last night, she hadn't been able to stop replaying that kiss in her mind. And the compliment. It made her smile every time she remembered Jack's words.
Catching her eye, Jack held up two Tupperware glasses. He'd obviously caught her smiling, because he smiled back in a quizzical way. Chloe scowled in embarrassment and snarled, "What?”
"Where do these go?”
"Over there,” she said, indicating two place settings on her left. "That's where the boys will be sitting.”
Comparing the Tupperware to the lead crystal glasses that everybody else was getting, Jack nodded knowingly. "How old are they?”
"They're almost twelve. Twins.” Chloe lowered her voice, glancing towards the kitchen to make sure nobody was lurking in the doorway to hear. "And whatever you do, don't mention you were in the military. Tell them you worked as a janitor for the IRS or something boring like that.”
Jack gave her a look of confusion. "Why?”
Before Chloe could explain, the front door banged open and two figures dressed in fatigues and wearing gas masks burst into the house. They were each holding small rifles, and when they caught sight of Chloe and Jack, they took better aim. Catching movement out of the corner of her eye, Chloe looked over at Jack. He was standing with his hands behind his head, his fingers interlaced, watching the intruders very carefully. Obviously, he had no idea who they were, but he wasn't taking any chances. She was just about to tell him when one of the soldiers yelled at her, "Hands up!”
His juvenile voice completely shattered the image both boys were trying so hard to project, and Chloe wanted to laugh until she glanced over to Jack again. He'd lowered his hands and his face was blank, but she had the feeling that something was wrong as he bent down to pick up the silverware he'd dropped.
"Justin, Ben, those better not be loaded,” she told the boys sternly.
"Naw,” Justin said.
"Where's Grandma and Grandpa?” Ben asked. Justin turned to look at him, silently pointing to his eyes with two fingers, and then used the same two fingers to indicate the doorway that led into the kitchen. A moment later, they were leaping through it with another cry of "Hands up!” and Chloe heard a shriek of terror that was only half pretend.
"Merry Christmas, Chloe,” Irene said, coming in through the door with a covered tray in both hands, and shopping bags dangling from her wrists. Jack met her halfway across the living room.
"Here, let me take that,” he said.
"Well, thank you, and a Merry Christmas to you, too,” Irene cooed. Chloe scowled. Irene's husband was right behind her, but there she was, cooing at Jack. It made Chloe wish she'd learned how to vomit on command.
"Merry Christmas, Dennis,” Chloe said pointedly, making her voice sound anything but joyous. "Merry Christmas, Irene. I want you to meet my friend --”
"Nope, Chloe, don't tell me. This just has to be –" Irene paused for effect – "Edgar Stiles!”
Chloe scowled even deeper.
"Frank Flynn. Excuse me.” After introducing himself, Jack whirled away, taking the tray into the kitchen at the speed people usually reserved for escaping CTU when they were afraid that their boss was going to come after them with a demand for overtime. Chloe stared after him.
"Well, tell me all about him,” Irene demanded, demanding her attention again.
"There's nothing to tell.” Chloe listened for sounds of Jack coming back, but the excited chatter of her nephews in the kitchen drowned out everything else. Turning to her sister's husband, Chloe asked. "So, Dennis, how was the trip to the emergency room yesterday?”
"Nightmare,” he grunted. Like many men who married voluble women, he was a good listener and spoke little.
"Ben's collarbone is definitely broken,” Irene put in smoothly. "They couldn't put his whole shoulder in plaster, so they've given him a kind of harness to wear to keep it in place. They call it a little backpack. Ben was so brave, though, and barely cried at all. We gave him some painkillers this morning, even though he said commandos don't believe in aspirin, and you can see he's back to normal. But don't think you can get away with changing the subject, Chloe. Tell me more about Frank and why he's celebrating Christmas here with us.”
"He was travelling, he came down with the flu, and we met up in Chicago,” Chloe reported succinctly. "I invited him home so that he could recover here.”
Irene smirked a little. "And he survived your bedside manner? But hey, if it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger, right? That's what the boys are always telling me.”
"The boys are really tall, aren't they?” Chloe remarked. "That's really unusual for their age.”
"Well, look at Dennis, do you think he's going to father shrimpy kids?” Irene asked, beaming as she stared up at her husband. Then she leaned closer and lowered her voice, "Now, no more changing the subject, Chloe. Tell us how you know this Frank.”
Chloe was saved from answering by her mother, who came out of the kitchen carrying a steaming pan of candied yams. The boys followed, one holding a basket of rolls, and the other a jello salad. They had taken off their gas masks, and Chloe could see that they both sported military hair cuts. It reminded her of Jack's hair, which was a little too long, and she made up her mind to ask him if he wanted a trim before he disappeared again.
"Grandma, can we open the presents before we eat?” asked Ben.
"No,” Chloe's mother replied.
"Can we eat dessert first?” asked Justin.
"No,” Chloe's mother replied again.
"Grandpa always says life is short and we should eat dessert first,” Justin tried to argue.
"And Grandpa is always right,” Chloe's father stated, carrying a pie into the dining room and placing it on one of the dinner plates. He proceded to sit down at that place setting, and picked up a knife and fork.
"Well, do you know what I say to Grandpa? If you don't sit down and eat this dinner first, I'll make sure your life is short,” Chloe's mother said, moving the pie to the last empty space on the table. Chloe's father feigned disappointment, and the boys laughed.
"Now put those guns away, boys, and everybody sit down. Chloe, where's Frank?”
"Why are you asking me, when he was in the kitchen with you?” Chloe retorted. Seeing that everybody was looking at her and nobody was answering, she sighed. "All right, I'll go look for him.”
She went down the hall and tapped on the bedroom door. "Frank?”
To her surprise, he came out of the bathroom. "Just washing my hands.”
"I'm sorry about the kids,” Chloe said quietly. "I hope you didn't think it was the Chinese or somebody, coming to get you.”
Jack gave her a quick, sheepish smile. "Just for a moment.”
The simple admission worried Chloe. "I should have warned you about their little obsession, but I didn't know they were gonna come in the house like a tac team.”
"Didja really think we were like a tac team, Aunt Chloe?” Justin asked, coming up from behind.
"Didja really?” Ben chimed in.
"Jeeze, how would I know what a tac team looks like?” Chloe demanded, annoyed at being interrupted. "I'm in coms, I don't do field work. Now go on, go attack Grandma's turkey and stuffing.”
"Sir, yes, sir!” Justin replied. They raced back down the hall, shouting, "We are a go, repeat, we are a go!”
"You all right?” Chloe asked Jack.
"Yeah, I'm fine,” he replied. "We all survived.”
He didn't say that he would have fired if he'd had his gun on him at the time, and Chloe, having decided that she'd rather be sheltered from the answer, didn't ask.
Part 7