I am starting a new story- I am nearly finsished with a fathers journey and will get this one going asap this one will be short

Brenda

Disclaimer

all these characters belong to JJ abrams and the folks over at abc
this is just a fan fiction piece.

it is about jack, irina and sydney as a family and how they interact in non spy situations. story is in the present and in flashbacks- present being in a universe between season 2 and 3 where sydney is engaged to vaughn and none of that s 2 season finale stuff had occurred.

brenda

THE ORDINARY


It was warm sunny summer day in Los Angeles.


Jack Bristow was going to meet his wife Irina Derevko for a coffee

Ever since she had surrendered herself to the CIA last fall he had wondered about her. He knew he still loved her- infuriating as that fact was. He had no idea if she was still deceiving him but there was an attraction there. Over the last few months- since Sydney had graduated with her masters and Derevko had negotiated an immunity agreement the Bristow’s had spent a little time together- trying to develop a family relationship

It was easier with Sydney around- Jack adored his doe eyed capable daughter
And their relationship had vastly improved since the takedown of SD 6.

Realizing how close he had come to losing her- Jack had learned to be honest with himself and with his daughter. Everything had been good- plans for a wedding to Vaughn
Weekly dinner with Sydney and Vaughn and lunch a couple times a week with his daughter

Then Derevko had shown up and everything had changed. She missed her family


And she loved her husband, or so she said.

My God she was breathtaking. Infuriatingly breathtaking. Her tailored slacks, simple sleeveless blouse and long flowing brown hair were absolutely stunning.

Jack was angry at himself for feeling so attracted to her – but he had vowed to try and build something with her- so for the sake of avoiding countless sessions on Barnett’s couch coupled with matchmaking by his daughter- Jack steeled himself and went over to the table.

“hello irina”
“hello jack”

“warm day isn’t it

“yes it is – but then this is Los Angeles Jack maybe if you took of the jacket?” she smiled at him and he felt himself really starting to sweat, he wondered if taking off the jacket would reveal pit stains and then he was really annoyed with himself. He hadn’t thought about pit stains since- since, since he was courting Laura – and maybe a few times in high school . He made himself take off the jacket and he loosened his tie. No way was he giving an inch to his wounded ego or her desiring glances. A person could just take off a jacket because they were warm couldn’t they?

“Irina has Sydney been talking about wedding plans with you?”
That should be an easy subject. Irina was so excited to be part of her daughters wedding.
Jack didn’t care how much this darn thing cost him- if it made the transition from spying and lying to some semblance of a family easier then he would gladly empty his retirement account- emotional discomfort was the best way to torture Jack Bristow- {and unfortunately the women in his life seemed to have figured this out.} he thought miserably. Closeness with Sydney had come with a lot of questions, and now with Irina back- he was decidedly unsure of himself.

He remembered when Sydney was little and Laura had been away on a trip for the university on a lecture circuit. He had encouraged her to go; he was very proud that his wife was selected for such an honour but it didn’t hit him until her plane left the tarmac that he was now alone with a 5 year old, an intelligent talkative trouble seeking 5 year old.

That had been a long week. Pigtails were designed to torture men, jack had decided after trying unsuccessfully to copy Laura’s habit of braiding Sydney’s hair before school.

Unbraided loose hair got in her eyes and got tangled at the end of the day and she cried when he tried to brush it out at betime. "daddy i told you you have to put it up" Sydney had scolded. The second morning he had fashioned a slightly lopsided ponytail which wasn’t the usual but would “work OK this week Daddy”
Her forlorn look at him as she left the bathroom had hurt. Didn't she know daddies knew very little about styling hair?

The she had come home with all sorts of questions about boobs and babies because Mrs peters – Sally’s mommy- had just had a baby and Sally was telling everyone about it at recess. How the baby came out where you went pee and how it drank milk from mommy’s boobs and how daddies and mommies made babies out of love. --“did you and mommy make me out of love? “

Jack had made a mental note to put Mr. and Mrs. Peters on some sort of hit list when he got to work the next day. That had been an embarrassing night for him and he started to look ahead to the day when Sydney would be old enough to date and when she would be wearing a bra and when some boy would look at her the way he looked at his wife – he had downed a few shots the hard stuff that night. Fathers should never be left alone with daughters he thought darkly. Then he was ashamed of himself as Sydney smelling of baby shampoo and her mothers perfume came down to the study to kiss and hug daddy good night.

“dad – I know mom always rubs your neck at night when she says your eyes look all tired and tonight they look all tired. I can rub your neck too see ? and so she could and it had made him want to cry. She was so sweet, so doting…

“Jack Jack have you heard a word I have said” uh oh she caught you napping Brsitow. Never let a Derevko catch you napping. Could cost you an arm or a leg.

“Sorry Irina I was just distracted for a minute”

This conversation went on for about half an hour and then like any man- his boredom at talking wedding overtook his desire to stay with this fascinating woman who attracted angered and frightened him.

"Well Ok I will be going now- I have a meeting (that’s it go with that jack) with Op tech in half an hour. I need to prepare."

She leaned over and pulled him to her by his tie- and she kissed him and – and he hated it – too late he liked it. Damn.

To his departing back she called out “I love you jack”

she smiled as she watched jack try to hunch down into his jakcet as if to make himelf disappear.


---- more to come later this week maybe tomorrow if i have time

Chapter 2

disclaimer still applies


Irina’s POV

Of course he is confused when he looks at you
Look at what you did to him- he doesn’t know everything and even if he did he might love you; but he could never trust you again.

He gave everything he had of himself to you and you just disappear on him. He spends time in jail for you, he loses his daughter,he loses his credibility, he loses himself in his grief and anger.

Come on Irina- if the tables were turned could you forgive-- could you trust?

The fact that he was still conflicted ,still angry meant something was still there – that she was important to him. If that was all she ever got she would have to learn to be satisfied.

The trouble was she adored Jack and she adored her daughter and she was stubborn.
She was going to have to work very hard to regain a real life with them
a life of dinners and laundry and friday night videos. Fights over who paid the cable bill. Discussions over who to vote for in elections. Long walks on the beach as corny as that sounded- and when Sydney was married - time with her daughter and son- in- law and down the road grandchildren.

Irina derevko was motivated and she had nothing left to lose

A couple of weeks later she was at the doctor for a routine appointment before meeting Sydney for dinner. Shehad been having some pain and tiredness and Sydney had insisted she be checked out. Convinced it was the flu- irina had agreed if only to placate her daughter. Also because after a week of cautious glances- jack had finally spoken up two nights ago
"irina- you - you seem ill. it would be prudent to get a check up so you can prevent a more serious illness." Translated into what he really meant but couldn't say was "I am worried abotu you go to the doctor".
Jack knew it and was furstated on two levels- one becasue he couldn't get his mouth to speak for his heart and two- becasue his heart had an opinion.


So in order to please everyone- Irina took their advice and stopped herself from making a cryptically sardonic comment and she took their advice.

The late afternoon sun was in her eyes and she hoped off of the table to adjust the ventian blnd in the doctors office. Damn california sunshine -

I am sorry mrs Bris- mrs Derevko?
The nurse came in flustered

Irina decide to be kind. She had decided that learnignto eat crow meant doing it all the time so she could get used to it. it was getting easier, but there were times she wondered if going back to jail would have been easier than trying to re invent herslef.

"Irina is fine"- she intoned.

"Irina- your tests were inconclusive"

-----------------

ha ha

I am evil

what is wrong with spy mommy

snifff

feedback please?

should I continue this one or let it die ?


brenda

Oh u r so evil. Why??? No. You cant do that. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Hurry post more. Keep going. What did i say next lenafan. Add me 2 your pm list please. Thanks.

Hey
OK I take it Irina is free as a bird? She negotiated a full immunity agreement? With her history that was some negotiating.
Leaving us in a cliffhanger? What's wrong with her? Ummm...interesting.
Like it a lot.
B)

Great chapters. Please post more soon. Can I get a pm when you update?

obviously the disclaimer still applies
the song is ordinary day by vanessa carlton.
enjoy

more this weekend

Brenda
_____________________________________________________________

Irina cancelled her dinner plans with Sydney- feigning the flu. She needed a little time to digest this news. Sydney had wanted to come over and look after her Mom but Irina had demerred - "sweetheart honestly I have some tea and toast and soup and I am going to bed."

Alone at last she allowed herslef time to absorb "CANCER", more tests would be run but Irina somehow knew once she heard the words of suspicion.

She honestly had to laugh- the life she had lead the chances she had taken, the bullets, the fear, the blood. Now some ordinary disease was going to claim her was it?


Cancer itself should have been afraid to attack the cells of this woman. Somehow though it was Irina who was a little afraid.

After the biopsy came back it was impossble to ignore. She had pancreatic cancer and it would advance very quickly.

She picked up the phone and called Sydney. Over lunch in a quiet restaurnat mother told daughter all she knew. Daughter tried to be brave but Irina knew she was hurt. Her mother would be leaving again. Surprisngly though it was the words of concern and love that Sydney expressed for her mother that were the most touching. Chemotherapy was not an option and the medication they could offer would only mask the pain that told Irina she was still alive and she was not a quitter.

Jack was uneasy. He had seen Sydney looking very sad the last few days and Irina had been absent. hesitantly he approached her "is it vaughn or your mother?'

Sydney looked at her dad and just melted into apuddle. She wouldn't talk except to say that he needed to visit Irina.


"What has she done now?" thought jack exasperatedly as he approached the apartment she was renting. "if she has hurt Sydney again ------

irina opened the door and swore. Jack had to jam his fot in the door to keep her from slamming it on him. Right away he knew something was horribly wrong.

first it was that she hadn't even checked to see who it was- second that she didn't appear to have the strength to slam the door on his hand and snap every bone

Irina was in a sweatsuit and she was pale and jaundiced. The apartment was messy and that was not her style.

His eyes took it all in and he looked at her-" irina what the hell kind of flu is this?"

She answered by passing out- he was so shocked that he actually let her crumple to the floor.

Alarmed now - he picked her up and put her on the couch- he patted her face and pleaded with her to wake up. It took a minute but she did. Looking into jack's deep chocolate eyes she knew he was already a little scared. She also knew if she just died without telling him she would kill him. She couldn't betray him twice.

"Jack if you'll hand me that bottle of water we need to talk."

Silently he complied and he sat and listened.

his response made her laugh for the first time in days. "Jack get out of my head- I already wondered how ironic it was that of all things this would be my swan song. Really i had imagined a bullet to the heart or my car blowing up or you throttling me"

He responded very simply "Irina that isn't funny"

"No really Jack- I am away from my family for 20 years - you hate me because I have betrayed you I finally come back and actually work at a real life with you and our daughter and now - well at least I don't have to face Vaughn's mother at the wedding. I guess I should be careful what I wish for."

Irina why didn't you want to tell me?

She paused for a moment and decidee to be honest. She owed him that much. She loved him too much to lie to him even if it meant it would hurt. She had learned that for Jack real hurt was more palatable than fiction.

"Because I love you and I am afraid. Afraid that you and Sydney will miss me when I am gone- and afraid that maybe you won't. Afraid that for all I've done I am going to hell. Afraid of death actually. Afraid that I have lost my only chance to show you how much I love you- how can I say I love you in 6 weeks"

Jack stood up and walked over to the window- he looked at at another ordinary day- how did that popular song go "just a day, just an ordinary day just trying to get by" He was going to lose her to a horribly painful disease. Nothing he could do- no backup no C4 - but there was love. Perhaps his arsenal had been full of the wrong weaponry. Love however had a price- part laughter and part tears. Today the bill came in tears.

Jack turned to Irina and spoke to her in a way he had not in years. Not since Sydney could walk. He sang "take my hand- live while you can, don't you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand. "

Irina understood and she joined him at the window and he embraced her. So tightly she almost told him it was too tight- but she decided against it.

"Irina- I - I love you. I never stopped, I was just angry and prideful. I am just as much to blame for the past as you are." Jack cupped her chin and looked into her eyes- his were fierce as was his voice when he spoke. "Cancer has to fight all three of us. You me and Sydney."- he grinned when he saw the fire rekindle in her eyes and he said playfully- "besides I heard that vaughn woman wants to kick your ass at the wedding and I understand she is hightly motivated."

"Jonathan Bristow I would not actually fight her at our daughter's wedding"

the next sentence they both spoke together -" the reception maybe--- "


Thats all for now folks more in a few days
brenda

Boffo finish...or do we get more. It sounded like you were going to go on. :rolleyes:
Now Pancreatic cancer is not as deadly as it once was...I hope you have taken it into account..or is Irina too far gone. :( NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOooo you can't take her from us...The Bristows will fight on....
:rockband01: fIGHT ON FOR OLD S.C....(I mean Bristows)

B)

Disclaimer still applies- sorry I have been slow to update I have several WIP's and I am taking some time now to re read my stories and add only when I have proofed and spent some time thinking it over- except for the short shorts

brenda

-----------------------------------------------------------------
(A week later)---

Jack was at his desk at the JTF attempting to get his paperwork finished so he could leave early for the weekend.

Irina had a doctors appointment at 3 pm and then he was taking her out of town for the weekend- actually Sydney and Vaughn were going too – it was to be a family weekend at a cottage and everyone was looking forward to making some happy memories.

The phone rang

“Hello Jack"

“Arvin- what the hell are you thinking calling me?”

“I thought you might be interested in saving your wife.
I have finished the cancer serum Jack and I cannot use it on Emily but I can give it to you for Irina.”

It's your choice Jack.

And before you ask – yes there is a price

Once Irina recovers I will require her help in rebuilding my organiztion

You have until Monday at noon to decide Oh and Jack have a good weekend"

CLICK

Jack was dizzy.

The implication of the decision was life altering
Either way he could lose her.


TBC

well this is a very powerful story, I'm really enjoying it even though it's kinda sad. But i'm really interested in finding out what happens next, so please pm me.

Oh Brenda,
Very, very cool and an impressive cliffhanger...
Jack's Choice should be the title.
Keep up the proofing and spell checking for everything!
B)

I just caught up great chapter. Good cliffhanger. I can't wait to read more.

Thanks for the pm.

This is just a short update

enjoy

Brenda

Disclaimer still applies

_________________________________________________________----


Jack stopped the SUV and announced as grandlyy as he could- "we're here"


Sydney yawned and stretched her legs, teasingly she intoned "its about time, I thought we would never get here"

Vaughn was quiet- he was uneasy about a weekend with Irina Derevko and Jack Bristow but he decided to make the best of it. After all the woman was suffering tremendously and he knew that Jack and Sydney were worried about her.


Irina was all for this weekend- she knew Jack was worried and despite his anger at her betrayals - he loved her and had forgiven her and was heartbroken that he was about to lose her for real now.

She vowed to make happy memories this weekend.

Looking about the trees were dark and green - and the air was crisp in the seting sun. The sky was hues of colour so brilliant it was breathtaking

Jack gently encircled her waist and helped her to a deck chair- he settled her in it- covered her with a warm wool blaket and gave her a glass of merlot.

"Enjoy the view sweetheart- we'll get dinner ready." God she was pale but so beautiful when she smiled. Jack made himself smile back at her - his head was pounding with the proposal Arvin had issued.

Irina smiled as she heard the sounds of her little family behind her in the kitchen laughing and cooking - she smelled the rich smells of a good hunters stew and garlic bread. The tang of fresh greens and the odour of melting chocolate. It was heavenly she thought.

She shed the blanket and stood- shakily and walked to the edge of the deck and leaned against the fence. Suddenly she was unable to stand- pain wove through her like nothing she had ever experienced. She slumped to the deck floor pantng in pain.

It was Vaughn who noticed - "IRINA" he roared and was outside and picking her up- and bringing her inside to place her on the sofa.

Jack raced out of the bathroom where he had been washing up.

He took one look at her face and knew he had to choose

this disease was cruel and he couldn't bear to see her hurting.

TBC

Let her live, please? *begs* this is just sad. anyways nice job in the update and thanks for the pm.

OH Brenda, very very good. Yes, Jack is going to have to make the choice. It has to be the right one for her. But I know you've got it all figured out, right?
B)

Great chapter. I can't wait to read more.

Thanks for the pm.