Twenty-one—Closure

The pair slowly began to weave their way through the throngs of people, passing a cotton candy machine on their left and a hot dog vendor on their right.

"You didn't happen to know there was a carnival beginning today, did you?" Jack asked Irina, giving her a pointed look.

She smiled demurely at him.  "I've been craving the blue cotton candy."

He shook his head.  "Later.  We've got to be there in ten minutes."

"We'll make it in time; it's just a few minutes away," she disagreed as something caught her eye.  "Oh," she breathed, interrupting herself, stopping in the middle of the street.

Jack squeezed her hand as they both watched the carousel slowly wind to a halt and parents rush to rejoin their children.

"She misses you, you know.  She keeps asking me when—"

"Soon."  She sighed, her eyes misting over.  "Soon."  She noticed one little girl in particular, long pigtails, rushing to meet her parents, and for a moment she was lost in memories.  "I miss her too.  So very much."

She quietly accepted his proffered handkerchief.  "Thank you."  She dabbed her eyes and smiled resolutely.  "Let's go."

They continued to travel, past the crowds, past the rides and games, until they found themselves in front of a nondescript warehouse.  "She's not here yet," Irina noted as they pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"I'll watch for her," Jack said, and Irina nodded.  She meandered through the warehouse.

"Don't forget to thank Devlin for me," she called out, reminding him.  "Even if it took almost two years to set up this meeting," she continued in a normal voice.

Jack turned to face her and glowered.  "I'm sorry that my year in solitary was a bother to you," he said sarcastically.  "I didn't plan to be arrested the day after you asked me to set this up."

Her eyes darkened, and she opened her mouth to speak.  Jack placed a finger to his lips.  "Not now.  She's here."  He watched as Irina slowly walked away from him, a faraway expression on her face.  No doubt anticipating this final interrogation.

From his vantage point he could see her approaching the building, looking around cautiously.  At last she opened the door, her gaze unwavering when Jack greeted her.  She shook her head at him and smiled slightly at his raised eyebrow, pointing to the script on the front of the locket which rested on top of her blouse.  "You know that's not my name anymore."

Wordlessly he led her into the warehouse.  Their footsteps echoed in the empty building as Irina came in sight, leaning against a stack of crates.  Her eyes locked on those of her visitor.

"Irina," she greeted her.  This time there was no fear.

"We meet again," Irina replied in a low, controlled voice.

"Yes.  We do."

Decades of training helped Irina quickly examine the younger woman from head to toe.  The blue eyes were the same—maybe they hadn't been contacts—and the dark hair was now a light brown and reached her shoulders, parted on one side.

Both of her hands were bare.

"I am only here at Mr. Devlin's request," she said.  "To be honest, I didn't expect to see either of you again, after what happened to Sydn—" she paused, her cheeks flushing.

"You haven't heard; Sydney is alive," Jack interrupted.  "She was missing until recently, but she is very much alive."

She blinked.  "How wonderful for all of you," she said sincerely.  She shook her head ruefully.  "I should have known better than to think a Bristow could actually die."

Irina stared at her evenly.  "That was our assessment of you as well."

She nodded slightly and briefly looked downwards before returning her gaze to Irina.  "This will be our final meeting."

Irina glanced at Jack for a moment before continuing.  "I've enjoyed working with you," she said softly.  "Grace."

Irina could see her biting back a retort, could see her swallowing after hearing her old name again.  "Thank you," she said simply.  She slowly turned and began to walk away.

"There's a used bookstore a few blocks from here," Irina called out.  She stopped and turned around.

"I know," she said with a slight smile.  She folded her hands in front of her.  "But thank you for telling me."  She took a few more steps, then paused at the door.  "I'm glad your family has been reunited."  She twisted the locket between her fingers and was gone.

Irina stared at the closed door, lost in thought.  "A lot has happened since that first interrogation," she finally murmured.  "The Alliance had just been taken down, I was still in that cell, Sydney—"

"I know," Jack said over the lump in his throat.  "I know."  The two were silent for several moments as they remembered.  "We need to go," he said finally.  He placed a hand on the small of her back and guided her towards the door.

"When do you need to be back in Los Angeles?" she asked him.

"Tomorrow."  He smiled at her crestfallen expression.  "And you're coming with me."

"What?" she exclaimed, stopping and turning to look at him.

He eyed her carefully.  "It's been two years since Sydney saw you.  No matter how old she is, a girl needs her mother."

She considered his words and finally nodded her assent.  The pair continued on their journey, squinting in the bright sunlight.

She was waiting for them.

"I—you—" she paused, smoothing her hair behind her ear.

"Yes?" Irina asked, amused.

She took a deep breath.  "When—when I was a little girl, back when I was—you know—Grace," she mouthed, "I had a huge doll collection.  And I had a name for each doll."

"And?"  Jack prompted.

She twisted the locket in her hand, the name glinting in the light.  "And my favorite doll was named Laura."  She smiled a half smile.  "I . . . I thought you might appreciate the irony in that."  She slowly released the locket and shoved both hands into her pockets as she walked away.

Jack chuckled while Irina let her eyes follow the woman as she continued down the street and disappeared into the crowds of people at the carnival.  She committed to memory her bright blue eyes, her heart-shaped face, her light brown hair, and her slightly fuller figure.

"Laura," she repeated with a smile of her own.

Perhaps this interrogation had been successful after all.

~~~fin~~~

*faints*  And so, one year after "A woman comes to see Irina b/c she is being sent on a deep cover mission where she will have to marry an enemy of her country . . . just like J/I" appeared on my computer screen, it is finally, finally done.  (And who knew that it would be as twisted as it turned out to be?  Certainly not me!)

Massive hugs to the ones who put up with me in that year, especially Becky and Steph, who were along for the ride from day one.  Total insanity.

Thanks to everyone who has read and/or commented.  The comments have always been enlightening and amusing, to say the least. :)

And lastly, let it be known that I plan to never post a fic before the whole thing is written.  *hand over heart*