The Party Part 2/2
Author's Note: Here is the end of this little fic. I maybe should have split it up but I didn't so here it is in its entirety.
Let me know if you liked it or hated it. ~Kelleth~
The two of them stood on the steps and Jack lifted his hand to ring the bell, but Chloe took his hand to stop him. “I need to do this,” was all she said as she lifted her hand to touch it.
After two heartbeats her courage failed her and she turned away trying to pull Jack away from the step. Tugging on his hand she said, “I’ve changed my mind. I can't do this. I was wrong; I'm not ready to do this, to see them. I thought I could relive those memories and banish them to the past where they belong. I thought I could do it but I’m…I’m not strong enough.”
Chloe went two steps before she had to stop, Jack refused to budge and he held on to her hand. “No, you're here and we are going inside. Chloe for some reason you need to do this.” He pulled her to him and wrapped his arm around her waist. She struggled in his hold bringing them flush.
At the contact Chloe stopped struggling and looked up at him. “Jack?” Her voice shook as their eyes met. His blue eyes were confusing her, they were soft and warm. He had never looked at her this way. It was almost as though...
“Yes?” his voice was husky with emotion.
“Why are you making me do this?” she asked.
“I can't slay my demons but we can kill yours. We will start with whatever lies behind that door. Let's do it together. I can't lie to you. When I tell you that it will be all right, believe me, it will. No one on the other side of that door can hurt you, unless you let them.”
He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers as he put her finger on the bell. Jack meant for it to be a quick kiss of encouragement, just like to one in her room but in a heartbeat it changed.
Her heart was racing and Chloe thought it would burst when his lips touched hers. Was this happening, was Jack Bauer kissing her? Her free hand grabbed the back of his head pulling him closer as her tongue traced his lips seeking entrance. He cupped the back of her neck in response and deepened the kiss. Her eyes fluttered closed as she enjoyed the feeling of being close to him and she forgot where they were.
Only when their lungs screamed for air did they break apart. Jack leaned his forehead against hers as their breaths came in harsh gasps.
Taking as shuttering breath Jack said, “I, uh...”
Chloe put her finger to his lips. “Don't say anything. Let's get through this night and we can talk about this then.” Afraid of what he was going to say.
He nodded and traced her lips with his thumb confusing her further. He was leaning closer and gain when the door opened and a maid stood there “Good evening.” The two of them jumped apart started.
The woman in the doorway squealed, “Miss Chloe, I thought I would never see you again!” and embraced a shocked Chloe.
“Rosa, I didn't think anyone here would remember me,” Chloe said looking at Jack embarrassed by the woman's reaction.
“We are here for the party. Can you show us the way?” Jack moved between the woman and Chloe unsure of what was going on.
Rosa still smiling said, “Miss Chloe knows the way. She can take you.” The woman closed the door and made shooing motions to the couple.
Taking Jack's hand she led him into the massive house. In the distance he could see a large ballroom filled with people. Pulling Chloe into a dark alcove he asked her, “What's going on here? The maid knows your name and you well enough to hug you. There is more going on here than some bad childhood memories. Chloe, you can trust me.” There was hurt in his eyes that told her that he knew why they were here but he wanted to hear it from her.
He felt more than heard Chloe sigh. “This is my house. I grew up here; my room is at the top of the stairs third door on the left, if they left it that way.”
“Why didn't you tell me that you were an Ellington? It would not have made any difference to me, I still would have come.” Jack tried to keep the pain from his voice.
“I tried. I haven't been back here a long time. I hated it here, I hated the way they made me feel, who I was in this house, but I knew that I had to face this part of my life, my family and prove to myself that I was no longer that scared little girl anymore. I am going to be a mom, and how can I protect my child if I fear my own childhood.”
Cupping her face gently, he said “I grew up in a place like this. I turned my back on it just like you did. I understand why you left and why you need to return now. That's why I won't let you walk away. I'm here and I won't leave your side. We are in this together.” Grasping her hand they entered the ballroom.
Judy immediately pounced on them as they walked in. “Chloe, I'm so glad that you could come. You brother Jeff wants to see you. He had missed you so much.” She leaned forward and air kissed the both of Chloe's cheeks.
Tucking a tendril behind her ear with a shaking hand she asked “Where is he?” Jack tightened his grip to remind her that he was still with her.
Judy smiled but it did not reach her eyes. “He is over there, by the doors to the garden. You remember the way, don't you.”
Chloe tired to control the shudder at the sight of her brother. He was the star of too many of her horrible memories.
“Still the same old Chloe,” and she would have said more but Jack stepped between the two women lifting Chloe's hand to his mouth, declaring that Chloe was his to protect. Jack kissed it, drawing the focus from her to him. “That's why I love her, even more.” His eyes never left Judy's as they told her that if she hurt Chloe, he would break her.
Chloe's eyes went wide at his words and she hissed, “Jack, not now.”
Looking from Jack to Chloe, Judy asked, “And you are?”
“Jack Bauer.” Judy's eyes widened and Jack knew just what she wanted to ask. With a small laugh he said, “Yes, that Bauer family.” He offered Judy the hand that did not hold Chloe's. Judy accepted it and he dropped it almost as quickly. They walked away as though Judy meant nothing to him.
They mixed with the crowd. Some people were genuinely glad to see Chloe again, while others were like Judy and spiteful. A few even knew Jack from his younger days when he moved around in this circle. Behind them gossip was flowing like water. Everyone wanted to know how dumpy Chloe managed to snag the traitor's handsome son. They only knew the story the papers were allowed to tell about the day the nuke went off.
Chloe stood straight and ignored the murmur that followed her and Jack. She would not let them hurt her, they had no clue what horrors the two of them had been through together and what Jack had done to keep her and them alive. The whole time Jack held her hand, a few times she tried to pull away but Jack only held on tighter.
She was still trying to get the courage up to approach her brother while two of them were filling their plates at the buffet table.
They turned when someone called his name, “Jack?!”
He almost choked on his crab puff, swallowing, he spoke, “Audrey?” Putting down his plate he grabbed for Chloe's hand. Needing to keep her close, he was not sure what to expect from Audrey at this point.
Audrey stopped in front of Jack ignoring the woman who was hidden behind his shoulder. “I never expected to see you here. It’s like my coming out party, I am a bit of a sensation here. After all I did come back from the dead. This is my first public appearance. Did Dad call you? Why didn't you come and see me? I thought after everything....?”
Chloe squeezed his hand and tried to pull her hand from his, so he would know that if he wanted to leave with Audrey she would not stand in his away. Jack only held on tighter to Chloe, like a lifeline, he needed her right there or he felt like he would be lost.
He brought his voice to a low tone only he and Audrey could hear. “I did come and see you the morning I got you free of the Chinese. Seeing you there I realized that I would hurt you more if I stayed. I stood there beside your bed I realized that I didn't love you anymore. I left this world behind many years ago and you wanted to pull me back into it. I may have been able to live it at one time, but too much time had passed, too many things had happened. I was a different person that you fell in love with all those years ago in DC. Any chance for us to be happy together was lost the moment China took me.
“I said it that day and I say it again now. Goodbye Audrey and please be happy.” Tugging on Chloe's hand he tried to walk away.
“Chloe O'Brian is that you? You sure clean up nicely and pregnant too?” Her eyes narrowed as she took in their linked hands and the way Jack positioned himself between the two women. “Jack didn't waste any time did he? I see what is really going on. How long after China did you wait to jump into his bed or was it going on all along behind my back?”
“Audrey stop this. You are making a scene.” His voice was quiet but deadly.
Ignoring him, Audrey tried to get around him as she continued her attack of Chloe. She looked at the woman Jack was protecting and around the room. Her eyes narrowed as Audrey made the connection of who Chloe was.
No man had ever left her, she left them. Jack would pay for being the first to defy her. If she had to hurt him by hurting Chloe so be it. “I never recognized you before today. This is your house isn't it? It was in this garden that you were 'attacked' that night before you ran away? Chloe Ellington, was that why you were a blond for so long, hiding who you were? Were you ashamed of ruining that man's life that night? Funny I was all set to marry him as well. Funny how you end up with my leftovers...”
Jack felt Chloe's hand trembling in his as she stepped around him to face Audrey, “No, I was not ashamed. I tired of being some Barbie on the shelf that had to perform when my father snapped his fingers. I wanted to be more than some arm candy for a congressman or a senator like my sister. I made my own way in the world without the help of Daddy's money or name. My life was mine, every mistake and failure. I accomplished it alone. I got my job with hard work and because of what I knew not who, so back off.”
She wrenched her hand from Jack's and headed outside. The ripple of gossip followed her out the door. All eyes turned to Jack to see what he would do. He took a deep breath and spoke through clenched teeth, “I never want to see you again. This was over a long time ago. I thought that you could be an adult about this, but I see I was wrong. Go home Audrey, when we come back you better be gone.”
He followed Chloe out into the cooler night air not waiting to see if Audrey did what she was told.
Audrey watched him leave and decided that it was time to leave. She had ruined her own return. It was time to go home and lick her wounds. Jack was gone, but she had met a few prospects. She may be down but she would not stay single for long.
Jack found Chloe standing by the cliffs edge leaning on the railing looking out at the ocean, much like he had not that long ago.
“Chloe, are you all right?” Jack stopped. He did not touch her, but he was close enough that she could feel his warmth behind her.
“After that night I left. I walked out the door and never looked back. I ran away from the whispers and sly looks. They all said that it was my fault, why would he want me? He could have had any woman he wanted. Why would he attack frumpy Chloe? Nothing happened other than he blackened my eye, and I was covered in bruises. My father didn't want me to press charges because it would ruin the boy. That's what he called that animal, the boy, like he was naughty three years old who had tried to take a cookie. I didn't back down and I filed the charges, nothing came of it. My name was smeared through the mud and I ruined his political ambitions.” Jack came and stood beside her silently listening to her story. He wanted to touch her but he was worried that she would shatter.
She glanced at Jack to take a gauge of what he thought of her words. He was so close that their noses almost touch when she turned. Stepping to the side Chloe put a little more distance between them. It was hard to think with Jack so close. “I was supposed to go to some fluffy university to learn the social graces that I had neglected so far and then marry some man. No man wanted a girl who had cried rape.
“I had applied to MIT secretly and I won a scholarship. That is where I went and for the first time ever I was me, without the false smiles and pretending. I did my masters at UC Berkley, but I never came back to this house until today. I thought that tonight I would see this place through an adult's eyes and it would take away the horrible memories and the fear I felt in this spot. That I could not feel so small anymore. My father wanted me to come to the parties that were here but I couldn't. I didn't have the courage until now, until you were here beside me.”
Jack reached up to touch her face, but she pulled away from his touch. Dropping his hand to the railing he said, “I knew that you were amazing, I just never knew how much.”
“Is that the truth? It would have to be, you don't lie, at least not to me. You are the only one, who never did. I guess that is why I am so blunt because no one ever was when I was a child. Now you know who I am. The Ellingtons are notorious now, the FCC investigation and the bribery allegations pertaining to my brother in law. People invite my family to be shocking but it usually doesn't happen at our own parties.”
“Hey, you are talking to a Bauer.” This time he caught her face between his hands. “My family are traitors who planned and executed an ex-president, and caused the detonation of a nuke in Valencia. Yours it seems are just liars. Should we keep playing whose family is worse, because I have a lot more where that came from?”
He saw her smile, but it disappeared quickly and she sighed, “I wanted to be able to leave all of this in the past, but I was wrong. I am still the infamous Chloe Ellington and that is all who I will ever be. I thought that I could feel like somebody, not the family failure.” Her tears glistened in the moonlight.
“You are infamous but not because of that boy or because of your family. You are my Chloe, my best friend. Without you I am lost, you temper, and balance me. Chloe, you are the piece I was missing. With you in my life, at my side, I'm complete.
“We have so much in common. Neither of us are what our families wanted, but we are who we wanted to be, done what we wanted to do. No one can take that from us. We have succeeded where most people fail, we are Chloe and Jack. You know if you want to banish that memory you need to make a new one here.”
She tried to pull away from his hands, but he held her fast. “Jack what are you talking about?”
“This.” She felt his breath on her lips, just before his lips met hers in another kiss.
Chloe's head spun, what did he mean when he said that she completed him, did he love her? Was this why he was kissing her or was it a pity kiss? Pulling out of his arms she sighed, but it was not a contented one. She was a pity date and now she was receiving a pity kiss. Turning away from him she said, “Can we go home now? I think I've slain enough demons for today. Thank you Jack, but I have come to see that I am unlovable.”
“You are not unlovable Chloe. I....” Jack stopped as a thought came to him. “We can't leave. There is something I need to show you.” Jack took her hand and pulled her toward the back of the house.
“Jack, where are we going? I can't run in these shoes very well.” Without a word he slowed his pace to match her stride.
Reaching the rear of the house, he asked, “Is this how we get to the kitchen?”
“Yes, why?” she asked confused at what he wanted to do inside her families kitchen.
“Are there servant stairs up from the kitchen?” She nodded still following Jack as he entered the busy kitchen.
The cooks and servers ignored them as they dodged their way through the people and trays. Jack did not stop but pulled her up the stairs and into the upper hallway, “Which one is your room? I want to see it.”
Chloe took the lead and tried to let go of Jack's hand but he held fast and let her tug him along. She stopped at one of the closed doors. Her hand hesitated on the knob. “It's probably a billiard room or something equally useless.”
Jack only smiled knowingly at her as he covered her hand and they opened the door together. The door swung open to reveal a teenage girl's room. On the wall was a poster for the X-files with Mulder and another for the first Star Trek: The Next Generation movie. Jack smiled, Chloe it seemed was always a geek, but she was his, she just didn't know it yet.
A shocked gasp came from Chloe, “It's just like I left it, except for those.” She crossed to the wall and touched each of her diplomas, her citations from CTU.
Turning to Jack she asked, “How did you know about this, that they would be here?”
“You father requested copies of these when I was your boss at CTU, the rest I guess he got from someone else. He was so proud of you, even if he could never tell you.”
Her mind whirled, all those times her father invited her over to the house, he had been trying to reconcile. From the bedside table Chloe picked up a picture of her and her father when she was about five years old. They were smiling for the camera with their arms around each other.
“How did it go so wrong between us? I loved him so much but I could not be the little princess he wanted me to be. I never said goodbye or told him that I loved him.”
“I'm sure he knew because he let you go. This is for you.” Jack held up an envelope that he found underneath the picture she had lifted. Her name was on the front written in her father's hand writing.
She took it and sat down on the bed. Twirling it in her fingers she said, “It's dated a week before he died. What could he have to say to me?”
His voice was quiet, “Open it and find out.” Tearing it open she read the letter:
Dear Chloe:
I should have told you these things in person, but I was never sure if you would see me. Princess you declined all of my invitations to come and see me. I should have had the courage you did. I was wrong on so many counts. That boy was wrong for what he did to you, not a year after he attacked you he did it again only this time he succeeded and he ruined another girl’s life.
I should have come to you then but I was ashamed that I did not believe you that I sided with him. I came to see you at MIT. I didn't speak to you. You looked so happy and I did not want to bring up all that pain. So I let you go, I let you be you. I let you be happy.
I can't help but be proud of the woman you have become. I am glad that you left and did not allow me to crush you and your spirit.
I came to see you at your job a few times. Once I even went inside, but you were gone. I tried to find out where you lived, but they would not give me that information. The first time I met Jack Bauer he seemed to be very protective of you. He told me right to my face that, if you did not want me to know where you lived, he was not going to second guess you. Although he did show me your file and told me a little about what you did, for him and for the country.
I was amazed at you and your strength. Chloe you are a better person than me, than anyone in this family. I hope that one day you will retake our name; I never should have taken it away from you. I love you and I am proud of you. You made our name worth something again.
I'm dying and it's too late. That's my fault I should have told you a long time ago. I love you. I left you some money and I know you don't want it. If you ever need it it’s there for you.
You are a fine woman and don't ever forget it. I am proud of you.
Daddy
Tears sparkled on her cheeks. “Let's go Jack. I know all, I need to know.” She tucked her letter and the photograph into her purse. “He loved me and was proud of who I had become. I am ready to leave through the party. I’m not afraid of any of them now.”
“That's my girl.” It seemed that she just might be ready for him to finish what he wanted to say to her. “I meant what I said earlier when I told you that you completed me. I love you and without you, I am lost. Please let's face this life together because that way we are stronger.”
“Jack?!” her voice was pleading. She was not sure what to do. All her life she had dreamed of this moment. Now here they were and he was saying those words she wanted to hear, but could he mean them? He had never lied to her and why would he lie about this? He was about to say something when she spoke, “Why now, what changed? Is it because you found out I was rich and you want to spend all my money?” Her eyes sparkled with humor, but Jack knew that she really did want a answer.
“No, I just no longer want to live alone. I want someone to share my life with someone I trust and know me, better than I know myself. That's you Chloe, it always has been. I had these feelings and I always thought that they were one thing, but tonight I looked at you and I saw I loved you. I don't want to be without you anymore. I need you, and you need me. Don't say no.”
“I spun my dreams here, and now of all the places that you could have told me, you choose here. In my childhood bedroom, you have to admit it is a little weird.”
Jack laughed at her reaction, “I did tell you in the garden as well, just not so openly. It makes no difference, I love you Chloe. I will keep telling you until you believe me. I love you, Chloe.”
She turned away and touched a photograph of herself on the desk, “You think that now, but what happens if tomorrow you change your mind? I can't give you my heart Jack. You walk away from me; you come back again but not before you break my heart. I love you but it hurts so much.”
“Not any longer. I'm not leaving you or the baby. I don't have a ring but my intentions are the same. Marry me Chloe, love me and keep me sane. I want to prove to you that I will never leave you again.”
“What? Jack you don't have to do this, please.” Chloe stepped back and afraid that he was doing it out of pity and guilt, but then she looked in his eyes. There it was: the truth and she could not deny it any longer. “Yes.” was the only word she could say.
In two steps Jack was across the room and had lifted her into his arms and they were kissing passionately. Eventually they separated. “Let’s go now. I can't wait to tell Kim.” he put her back on her feet and offered her his hand.
Together they descended the stairs back to the party. Chloe could feel all eyes turn and follow them down the stairs. She tensed and wanted to bolt, Jack knowing how she felt tightened his grip on her hand to remind her that he was there beside her. He bent down and whispered in her ear, “Your better than all of them, and that's why I love you.”
She smiled at his words. He was right, these people we're nothing to her now. Chloe had her life, her baby and now she had Jack. He had asked her to marry him-Jack Bauer wanted to marry her, Chloe. Looking out over the crowd she was reminded of her coming out, only this time it was not her twelve year old cousin on her arm, but a man who loved her, and she loved him.
They reached the bottom of the stairs and Jack put his free arm around her waist making his declaration to all that Chloe was his to protect and anyone who went after her would incur the wrath of Jack Bauer.
The party guests were still watching them amazed at the turn of events and were slowly going back to their conversations, when Jack stepped closer to Chloe. She needed to know that he would back down from his earlier proposal.
Pulling Chloe close he put his lips to hers. At the contact of his body her mouth opened into an O and Jack took advantage of it.
He broke the kiss for long enough to whisper, “You're mine now and everyone here knows it.” And his lips met her again and continued their kiss.
That's it. Reviews are love and encouragement.
I have been working on my fic Gone and if enough people let me know they liked this one it my spur me into finishing it or at lease posting some of it. If you want a look at it as well here is a link Gone
Let me know if you liked it or hated it. ~Kelleth~
The two of them stood on the steps and Jack lifted his hand to ring the bell, but Chloe took his hand to stop him. “I need to do this,” was all she said as she lifted her hand to touch it.
After two heartbeats her courage failed her and she turned away trying to pull Jack away from the step. Tugging on his hand she said, “I’ve changed my mind. I can't do this. I was wrong; I'm not ready to do this, to see them. I thought I could relive those memories and banish them to the past where they belong. I thought I could do it but I’m…I’m not strong enough.”
Chloe went two steps before she had to stop, Jack refused to budge and he held on to her hand. “No, you're here and we are going inside. Chloe for some reason you need to do this.” He pulled her to him and wrapped his arm around her waist. She struggled in his hold bringing them flush.
At the contact Chloe stopped struggling and looked up at him. “Jack?” Her voice shook as their eyes met. His blue eyes were confusing her, they were soft and warm. He had never looked at her this way. It was almost as though...
“Yes?” his voice was husky with emotion.
“Why are you making me do this?” she asked.
“I can't slay my demons but we can kill yours. We will start with whatever lies behind that door. Let's do it together. I can't lie to you. When I tell you that it will be all right, believe me, it will. No one on the other side of that door can hurt you, unless you let them.”
He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers as he put her finger on the bell. Jack meant for it to be a quick kiss of encouragement, just like to one in her room but in a heartbeat it changed.
Her heart was racing and Chloe thought it would burst when his lips touched hers. Was this happening, was Jack Bauer kissing her? Her free hand grabbed the back of his head pulling him closer as her tongue traced his lips seeking entrance. He cupped the back of her neck in response and deepened the kiss. Her eyes fluttered closed as she enjoyed the feeling of being close to him and she forgot where they were.
Only when their lungs screamed for air did they break apart. Jack leaned his forehead against hers as their breaths came in harsh gasps.
Taking as shuttering breath Jack said, “I, uh...”
Chloe put her finger to his lips. “Don't say anything. Let's get through this night and we can talk about this then.” Afraid of what he was going to say.
He nodded and traced her lips with his thumb confusing her further. He was leaning closer and gain when the door opened and a maid stood there “Good evening.” The two of them jumped apart started.
The woman in the doorway squealed, “Miss Chloe, I thought I would never see you again!” and embraced a shocked Chloe.
“Rosa, I didn't think anyone here would remember me,” Chloe said looking at Jack embarrassed by the woman's reaction.
“We are here for the party. Can you show us the way?” Jack moved between the woman and Chloe unsure of what was going on.
Rosa still smiling said, “Miss Chloe knows the way. She can take you.” The woman closed the door and made shooing motions to the couple.
Taking Jack's hand she led him into the massive house. In the distance he could see a large ballroom filled with people. Pulling Chloe into a dark alcove he asked her, “What's going on here? The maid knows your name and you well enough to hug you. There is more going on here than some bad childhood memories. Chloe, you can trust me.” There was hurt in his eyes that told her that he knew why they were here but he wanted to hear it from her.
He felt more than heard Chloe sigh. “This is my house. I grew up here; my room is at the top of the stairs third door on the left, if they left it that way.”
“Why didn't you tell me that you were an Ellington? It would not have made any difference to me, I still would have come.” Jack tried to keep the pain from his voice.
“I tried. I haven't been back here a long time. I hated it here, I hated the way they made me feel, who I was in this house, but I knew that I had to face this part of my life, my family and prove to myself that I was no longer that scared little girl anymore. I am going to be a mom, and how can I protect my child if I fear my own childhood.”
Cupping her face gently, he said “I grew up in a place like this. I turned my back on it just like you did. I understand why you left and why you need to return now. That's why I won't let you walk away. I'm here and I won't leave your side. We are in this together.” Grasping her hand they entered the ballroom.
Judy immediately pounced on them as they walked in. “Chloe, I'm so glad that you could come. You brother Jeff wants to see you. He had missed you so much.” She leaned forward and air kissed the both of Chloe's cheeks.
Tucking a tendril behind her ear with a shaking hand she asked “Where is he?” Jack tightened his grip to remind her that he was still with her.
Judy smiled but it did not reach her eyes. “He is over there, by the doors to the garden. You remember the way, don't you.”
Chloe tired to control the shudder at the sight of her brother. He was the star of too many of her horrible memories.
“Still the same old Chloe,” and she would have said more but Jack stepped between the two women lifting Chloe's hand to his mouth, declaring that Chloe was his to protect. Jack kissed it, drawing the focus from her to him. “That's why I love her, even more.” His eyes never left Judy's as they told her that if she hurt Chloe, he would break her.
Chloe's eyes went wide at his words and she hissed, “Jack, not now.”
Looking from Jack to Chloe, Judy asked, “And you are?”
“Jack Bauer.” Judy's eyes widened and Jack knew just what she wanted to ask. With a small laugh he said, “Yes, that Bauer family.” He offered Judy the hand that did not hold Chloe's. Judy accepted it and he dropped it almost as quickly. They walked away as though Judy meant nothing to him.
They mixed with the crowd. Some people were genuinely glad to see Chloe again, while others were like Judy and spiteful. A few even knew Jack from his younger days when he moved around in this circle. Behind them gossip was flowing like water. Everyone wanted to know how dumpy Chloe managed to snag the traitor's handsome son. They only knew the story the papers were allowed to tell about the day the nuke went off.
Chloe stood straight and ignored the murmur that followed her and Jack. She would not let them hurt her, they had no clue what horrors the two of them had been through together and what Jack had done to keep her and them alive. The whole time Jack held her hand, a few times she tried to pull away but Jack only held on tighter.
She was still trying to get the courage up to approach her brother while two of them were filling their plates at the buffet table.
They turned when someone called his name, “Jack?!”
He almost choked on his crab puff, swallowing, he spoke, “Audrey?” Putting down his plate he grabbed for Chloe's hand. Needing to keep her close, he was not sure what to expect from Audrey at this point.
Audrey stopped in front of Jack ignoring the woman who was hidden behind his shoulder. “I never expected to see you here. It’s like my coming out party, I am a bit of a sensation here. After all I did come back from the dead. This is my first public appearance. Did Dad call you? Why didn't you come and see me? I thought after everything....?”
Chloe squeezed his hand and tried to pull her hand from his, so he would know that if he wanted to leave with Audrey she would not stand in his away. Jack only held on tighter to Chloe, like a lifeline, he needed her right there or he felt like he would be lost.
He brought his voice to a low tone only he and Audrey could hear. “I did come and see you the morning I got you free of the Chinese. Seeing you there I realized that I would hurt you more if I stayed. I stood there beside your bed I realized that I didn't love you anymore. I left this world behind many years ago and you wanted to pull me back into it. I may have been able to live it at one time, but too much time had passed, too many things had happened. I was a different person that you fell in love with all those years ago in DC. Any chance for us to be happy together was lost the moment China took me.
“I said it that day and I say it again now. Goodbye Audrey and please be happy.” Tugging on Chloe's hand he tried to walk away.
“Chloe O'Brian is that you? You sure clean up nicely and pregnant too?” Her eyes narrowed as she took in their linked hands and the way Jack positioned himself between the two women. “Jack didn't waste any time did he? I see what is really going on. How long after China did you wait to jump into his bed or was it going on all along behind my back?”
“Audrey stop this. You are making a scene.” His voice was quiet but deadly.
Ignoring him, Audrey tried to get around him as she continued her attack of Chloe. She looked at the woman Jack was protecting and around the room. Her eyes narrowed as Audrey made the connection of who Chloe was.
No man had ever left her, she left them. Jack would pay for being the first to defy her. If she had to hurt him by hurting Chloe so be it. “I never recognized you before today. This is your house isn't it? It was in this garden that you were 'attacked' that night before you ran away? Chloe Ellington, was that why you were a blond for so long, hiding who you were? Were you ashamed of ruining that man's life that night? Funny I was all set to marry him as well. Funny how you end up with my leftovers...”
Jack felt Chloe's hand trembling in his as she stepped around him to face Audrey, “No, I was not ashamed. I tired of being some Barbie on the shelf that had to perform when my father snapped his fingers. I wanted to be more than some arm candy for a congressman or a senator like my sister. I made my own way in the world without the help of Daddy's money or name. My life was mine, every mistake and failure. I accomplished it alone. I got my job with hard work and because of what I knew not who, so back off.”
She wrenched her hand from Jack's and headed outside. The ripple of gossip followed her out the door. All eyes turned to Jack to see what he would do. He took a deep breath and spoke through clenched teeth, “I never want to see you again. This was over a long time ago. I thought that you could be an adult about this, but I see I was wrong. Go home Audrey, when we come back you better be gone.”
He followed Chloe out into the cooler night air not waiting to see if Audrey did what she was told.
Audrey watched him leave and decided that it was time to leave. She had ruined her own return. It was time to go home and lick her wounds. Jack was gone, but she had met a few prospects. She may be down but she would not stay single for long.
Jack found Chloe standing by the cliffs edge leaning on the railing looking out at the ocean, much like he had not that long ago.
“Chloe, are you all right?” Jack stopped. He did not touch her, but he was close enough that she could feel his warmth behind her.
“After that night I left. I walked out the door and never looked back. I ran away from the whispers and sly looks. They all said that it was my fault, why would he want me? He could have had any woman he wanted. Why would he attack frumpy Chloe? Nothing happened other than he blackened my eye, and I was covered in bruises. My father didn't want me to press charges because it would ruin the boy. That's what he called that animal, the boy, like he was naughty three years old who had tried to take a cookie. I didn't back down and I filed the charges, nothing came of it. My name was smeared through the mud and I ruined his political ambitions.” Jack came and stood beside her silently listening to her story. He wanted to touch her but he was worried that she would shatter.
She glanced at Jack to take a gauge of what he thought of her words. He was so close that their noses almost touch when she turned. Stepping to the side Chloe put a little more distance between them. It was hard to think with Jack so close. “I was supposed to go to some fluffy university to learn the social graces that I had neglected so far and then marry some man. No man wanted a girl who had cried rape.
“I had applied to MIT secretly and I won a scholarship. That is where I went and for the first time ever I was me, without the false smiles and pretending. I did my masters at UC Berkley, but I never came back to this house until today. I thought that tonight I would see this place through an adult's eyes and it would take away the horrible memories and the fear I felt in this spot. That I could not feel so small anymore. My father wanted me to come to the parties that were here but I couldn't. I didn't have the courage until now, until you were here beside me.”
Jack reached up to touch her face, but she pulled away from his touch. Dropping his hand to the railing he said, “I knew that you were amazing, I just never knew how much.”
“Is that the truth? It would have to be, you don't lie, at least not to me. You are the only one, who never did. I guess that is why I am so blunt because no one ever was when I was a child. Now you know who I am. The Ellingtons are notorious now, the FCC investigation and the bribery allegations pertaining to my brother in law. People invite my family to be shocking but it usually doesn't happen at our own parties.”
“Hey, you are talking to a Bauer.” This time he caught her face between his hands. “My family are traitors who planned and executed an ex-president, and caused the detonation of a nuke in Valencia. Yours it seems are just liars. Should we keep playing whose family is worse, because I have a lot more where that came from?”
He saw her smile, but it disappeared quickly and she sighed, “I wanted to be able to leave all of this in the past, but I was wrong. I am still the infamous Chloe Ellington and that is all who I will ever be. I thought that I could feel like somebody, not the family failure.” Her tears glistened in the moonlight.
“You are infamous but not because of that boy or because of your family. You are my Chloe, my best friend. Without you I am lost, you temper, and balance me. Chloe, you are the piece I was missing. With you in my life, at my side, I'm complete.
“We have so much in common. Neither of us are what our families wanted, but we are who we wanted to be, done what we wanted to do. No one can take that from us. We have succeeded where most people fail, we are Chloe and Jack. You know if you want to banish that memory you need to make a new one here.”
She tried to pull away from his hands, but he held her fast. “Jack what are you talking about?”
“This.” She felt his breath on her lips, just before his lips met hers in another kiss.
Chloe's head spun, what did he mean when he said that she completed him, did he love her? Was this why he was kissing her or was it a pity kiss? Pulling out of his arms she sighed, but it was not a contented one. She was a pity date and now she was receiving a pity kiss. Turning away from him she said, “Can we go home now? I think I've slain enough demons for today. Thank you Jack, but I have come to see that I am unlovable.”
“You are not unlovable Chloe. I....” Jack stopped as a thought came to him. “We can't leave. There is something I need to show you.” Jack took her hand and pulled her toward the back of the house.
“Jack, where are we going? I can't run in these shoes very well.” Without a word he slowed his pace to match her stride.
Reaching the rear of the house, he asked, “Is this how we get to the kitchen?”
“Yes, why?” she asked confused at what he wanted to do inside her families kitchen.
“Are there servant stairs up from the kitchen?” She nodded still following Jack as he entered the busy kitchen.
The cooks and servers ignored them as they dodged their way through the people and trays. Jack did not stop but pulled her up the stairs and into the upper hallway, “Which one is your room? I want to see it.”
Chloe took the lead and tried to let go of Jack's hand but he held fast and let her tug him along. She stopped at one of the closed doors. Her hand hesitated on the knob. “It's probably a billiard room or something equally useless.”
Jack only smiled knowingly at her as he covered her hand and they opened the door together. The door swung open to reveal a teenage girl's room. On the wall was a poster for the X-files with Mulder and another for the first Star Trek: The Next Generation movie. Jack smiled, Chloe it seemed was always a geek, but she was his, she just didn't know it yet.
A shocked gasp came from Chloe, “It's just like I left it, except for those.” She crossed to the wall and touched each of her diplomas, her citations from CTU.
Turning to Jack she asked, “How did you know about this, that they would be here?”
“You father requested copies of these when I was your boss at CTU, the rest I guess he got from someone else. He was so proud of you, even if he could never tell you.”
Her mind whirled, all those times her father invited her over to the house, he had been trying to reconcile. From the bedside table Chloe picked up a picture of her and her father when she was about five years old. They were smiling for the camera with their arms around each other.
“How did it go so wrong between us? I loved him so much but I could not be the little princess he wanted me to be. I never said goodbye or told him that I loved him.”
“I'm sure he knew because he let you go. This is for you.” Jack held up an envelope that he found underneath the picture she had lifted. Her name was on the front written in her father's hand writing.
She took it and sat down on the bed. Twirling it in her fingers she said, “It's dated a week before he died. What could he have to say to me?”
His voice was quiet, “Open it and find out.” Tearing it open she read the letter:
Dear Chloe:
I should have told you these things in person, but I was never sure if you would see me. Princess you declined all of my invitations to come and see me. I should have had the courage you did. I was wrong on so many counts. That boy was wrong for what he did to you, not a year after he attacked you he did it again only this time he succeeded and he ruined another girl’s life.
I should have come to you then but I was ashamed that I did not believe you that I sided with him. I came to see you at MIT. I didn't speak to you. You looked so happy and I did not want to bring up all that pain. So I let you go, I let you be you. I let you be happy.
I can't help but be proud of the woman you have become. I am glad that you left and did not allow me to crush you and your spirit.
I came to see you at your job a few times. Once I even went inside, but you were gone. I tried to find out where you lived, but they would not give me that information. The first time I met Jack Bauer he seemed to be very protective of you. He told me right to my face that, if you did not want me to know where you lived, he was not going to second guess you. Although he did show me your file and told me a little about what you did, for him and for the country.
I was amazed at you and your strength. Chloe you are a better person than me, than anyone in this family. I hope that one day you will retake our name; I never should have taken it away from you. I love you and I am proud of you. You made our name worth something again.
I'm dying and it's too late. That's my fault I should have told you a long time ago. I love you. I left you some money and I know you don't want it. If you ever need it it’s there for you.
You are a fine woman and don't ever forget it. I am proud of you.
Daddy
Tears sparkled on her cheeks. “Let's go Jack. I know all, I need to know.” She tucked her letter and the photograph into her purse. “He loved me and was proud of who I had become. I am ready to leave through the party. I’m not afraid of any of them now.”
“That's my girl.” It seemed that she just might be ready for him to finish what he wanted to say to her. “I meant what I said earlier when I told you that you completed me. I love you and without you, I am lost. Please let's face this life together because that way we are stronger.”
“Jack?!” her voice was pleading. She was not sure what to do. All her life she had dreamed of this moment. Now here they were and he was saying those words she wanted to hear, but could he mean them? He had never lied to her and why would he lie about this? He was about to say something when she spoke, “Why now, what changed? Is it because you found out I was rich and you want to spend all my money?” Her eyes sparkled with humor, but Jack knew that she really did want a answer.
“No, I just no longer want to live alone. I want someone to share my life with someone I trust and know me, better than I know myself. That's you Chloe, it always has been. I had these feelings and I always thought that they were one thing, but tonight I looked at you and I saw I loved you. I don't want to be without you anymore. I need you, and you need me. Don't say no.”
“I spun my dreams here, and now of all the places that you could have told me, you choose here. In my childhood bedroom, you have to admit it is a little weird.”
Jack laughed at her reaction, “I did tell you in the garden as well, just not so openly. It makes no difference, I love you Chloe. I will keep telling you until you believe me. I love you, Chloe.”
She turned away and touched a photograph of herself on the desk, “You think that now, but what happens if tomorrow you change your mind? I can't give you my heart Jack. You walk away from me; you come back again but not before you break my heart. I love you but it hurts so much.”
“Not any longer. I'm not leaving you or the baby. I don't have a ring but my intentions are the same. Marry me Chloe, love me and keep me sane. I want to prove to you that I will never leave you again.”
“What? Jack you don't have to do this, please.” Chloe stepped back and afraid that he was doing it out of pity and guilt, but then she looked in his eyes. There it was: the truth and she could not deny it any longer. “Yes.” was the only word she could say.
In two steps Jack was across the room and had lifted her into his arms and they were kissing passionately. Eventually they separated. “Let’s go now. I can't wait to tell Kim.” he put her back on her feet and offered her his hand.
Together they descended the stairs back to the party. Chloe could feel all eyes turn and follow them down the stairs. She tensed and wanted to bolt, Jack knowing how she felt tightened his grip on her hand to remind her that he was there beside her. He bent down and whispered in her ear, “Your better than all of them, and that's why I love you.”
She smiled at his words. He was right, these people we're nothing to her now. Chloe had her life, her baby and now she had Jack. He had asked her to marry him-Jack Bauer wanted to marry her, Chloe. Looking out over the crowd she was reminded of her coming out, only this time it was not her twelve year old cousin on her arm, but a man who loved her, and she loved him.
They reached the bottom of the stairs and Jack put his free arm around her waist making his declaration to all that Chloe was his to protect and anyone who went after her would incur the wrath of Jack Bauer.
The party guests were still watching them amazed at the turn of events and were slowly going back to their conversations, when Jack stepped closer to Chloe. She needed to know that he would back down from his earlier proposal.
Pulling Chloe close he put his lips to hers. At the contact of his body her mouth opened into an O and Jack took advantage of it.
He broke the kiss for long enough to whisper, “You're mine now and everyone here knows it.” And his lips met her again and continued their kiss.
That's it. Reviews are love and encouragement.
I have been working on my fic Gone and if enough people let me know they liked this one it my spur me into finishing it or at lease posting some of it. If you want a look at it as well here is a link Gone