Disclaimer: Hey, I don't own the characters: Jack, Irina, Sydney, Sloane, and Emily or any of the other characters mentioned in this entire story. If I do insert a made up character of mine I'll make sure to let you know, but until then expect that all of the character's listed within this story are the product of J.J. Abrams or some other writer associated with the Alias team. Also, I must mention that this chapter entitled, "The White Rose," is based off of a character/situation from the Alias APO novel: The Ghost. I wrote this based off of a few things they mentioned on page 356 of the book. So, as for that I don't own that either, but other than the general ideas and characters from the book/show the story line is mine. Thank you-
P.S. I hope that wasn't too confusing.
A/n: Hey, back again! I decided I didn't like where the former Jack & Irina was going and decided to give it a somewhat different look (and plot!) but there will be a few similarities to the original work as well. As you can tell from my disclaimer I got the idea for this chapter from one of the APO novels, which I do happen to read along with the prequels. Really the book set this story in motion by mentioning Laura's pregnancy, the white roses, and something Jack said 30 years ago. The in between stuff is all me. As you'll notice I'm trying to stick closer to the Alias…what would you call it? Cannon? Anyway this entire story is going to be based off of situations refered to in the books, the show itself, or actual scenes with stuff added to it. I hope you will enjoy the new Jack & Irina story – I know I enjoy writing them. Final thought: If you don't want to know what happens in the books or "The Ghost" in particular, you probably should wait to read this story later. I don't want to spoil anything.
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Prague 1975
It rained that morning.
In fact, it had been raining since six o'clock that morning, Jack knew this as that was the time his flight had touched down. After landing he hadn't bothered to check his luggage—he didn't bring any. The only thing he had brought was the silver briefcase he had brought with him on the plane which now hung beside his body as he walked through the terminal.
He rented a car. The guy working at the counter asked him what kind he wanted, but Jack just replied with, "Black." The guy stood there for a minute, before realizing the message that Jack was trying to relay. Jack hated that question but he tried to let it go. He felt like they should know he was on business—despite the fact that most of the people believed quite the contrary about this trip of his.
He told no one why he was going to Prague, not even his wife, Laura. This was a purely private matter and it didn't help that the man he was seeing was supposed to be dead. Heck, as far as anyone knew, the man he was seeing…didn't even exist.
Jack stopped at one of the local restaurants and had something to eat before paying and resuming the last leg of his trip. It was still raining.
The meeting was in about four hours. He had just enough time to drive there and meet with his contact so he drove.
Usually, when on a way to meet with a contact Jack would go over the meet in his head and come up with every possible scenario including that of double-cross as well as all his means of escape, but this time was different. He wasn't thinking about that—he thought of the something far different.
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Finally he came across his destination, a wooded park. He turned in the drive through entrance and headed to his meet. He'd chosen this meet—only letting his contact okay the place and choose the time—He chose it partially due to the fact that the season made it an unlikely destination for most of citizens. He made another turn and pulled up seeing that his contact was already there, and he happened to be waiting outside of his car and smoking one of his trademark cigars.
Jack pulled up and turned off the engine. He opened the door and stepped out. It stopped raining. He walked towards his contact but stopped halfway. The big.. oak?... Jack guessed was now on his right only six feet or so away. The man watched as Jack headed towards him and he took another drag off of his cigar before Jack addressed him, "Still smoking those I see?"
"Yeah," the man said before extinguishing the cigar on the hood of his car and dropping it on the damp grass below he stepped on it as if he had done it many times previously but Jack noticed it wasn't quite the same somehow—he seemed nervous. "Some old habits die hard I guess," the man replied and gave Jack a smile as he walked toward Jack closing the distance between them.
"Jack," He greeted once he had stopped a few feet away.
"It's good to see you Reginald." Jack responded equally gratified. Reginald responded hugging Jack for a moment before they got to the heart of the matter.
"So, Jack, what brought you call for a meet? Nothing urgent, I hope?" Reginald sincerely stated.
"No." Jack confirmed, "though it is a personal matter I wish to discuss."
"Then by all means— what is it?" Reginald inquired.
"I just found out… last night actually, that I'm going to be a father…"
"Jack, that's wonderful. Congratulations." Reginald said, cutting off his friend.
Jack smiled briefly before continuing. Reginald on the other hand saw that whatever was coming was paining Jack in someway and so he braced himself for whatever news his friend would share with him next.
"And something I've realized since is that fatherhood does change everything. I guess I always thought it wouldn't when the time came but now that it has…" he breathed, "it's made me reconsider some things. I've decided to go straight into the espionage service and that means I can't work with you anymore, Reg I'm sorry."
Reginald stood looking at Jack, and though he was momentarily hurt that he would no longer be working with the man he called, "friend." He understood Jack's desire.
In fact, if it was possible he understood it all too well.
He had said nothing up until this point and noticed Jack – if it were possible – to be standing a little uncomfortably, "It's alright Jack. I understand. In fact, I can agree with you whole heartedly."
"Thanks, Reginald."
"How is Laura?"
"She's fine. I think she was just as surprised as I was to find out that she was pregnant but.. she's good." Something about the way Reginald had asked the question gave Jack the slightest pang of guilt.
"Have you found out anything?" Jack asked a little wary of the response the question would elicit.
Reginald just shook his head, suddenly finding interest in the grass beneath his feet. He shifted his weight and looked up only to find that Jack Bristow was now walking back to his car and removed the silver briefcase from the front seat.
Reginald just watched – he knew Jack wasn't going to do anything to harm his person – they were old friends and trusted the other implicitly. Jack walked back and held out the case gesturing for him to take the case.
He held out his hand and took the handle from his friend, eyes questioning Jack's as to the case's contents.
"Trust me." Jack spoke.
He added, "Find your family and make it up to them." Jack held his friend's gaze a moment longer as if silently telling his friend "you won't regret it."
Reginald seemed to understand and nodded. He watched as Jack turned and walked back to his car then got in and drove off in the direction from which he had originally came. The car was just driving off as Reginald finally managed to open the case where he found some files. He flipped through the files finding names and photos—everything he needed to gain a lead on finding his family.
"Thank you, Jack." He whispered to the wind as Jack's tail lights where going around the final bend to where they could no longer be seen. He closed his eyes in grateful solitude and held back a tear that had formed in the corner of his eye. Denying himself the right to stay any further in the moment he turned intending to walk back to his car. As he turned, he dropped something and continued walking to his car. He got in sitting the case beside him and closed the door. As he started the engine he picked up a flower from the seat next to the case and inhaled it's sweet scent, calming him. He put the flower in his button hole of his jacket and took notice that the sun was coming out and with that he drove off never once looking back. As the dust was arising from the wheels of his car, all that could be seen under the tree was…
A Single White Rose.
A White Rose…
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A/n: Hey, it's me- again. How'd you like the new Jack & Irina beginning?
I know I had a joy writing it! Let me know what you thought- …please? Thanks for reading!
--Vanessacarltonfan : )
Again Reginald Connors' character is from the Alias APO series: The Ghost.
And is a quote from page 356 of the book so… not mine!