Chapter 16: A Quiet Night

Audrey's Apartment

Jack sat on the small couch, his arm around Audrey as she leaned into. They were watching a random movie that the local network was airing. Jack didn't find it very interesting, but Audrey seemed to be enjoying it so he couldn't complain. In about a month, he would be joining Secretary Heller in his annual trip to Los Angeles to give a speech. Also, Jack had a scheduled meeting with Erin Driscoll, head of CTU.

"What's on your mind?" Audrey asked as she looked up at him.

"Nothing, why you ask?" Jack was hesitant in his response. It was easy to tell he was hiding something.

"You're usually complaining by now about my choice in movies."

"You often pick the bad ones." Audrey rolled her eyes and went back to watching the movie. Jack smiled softly and turned his head to see the clock. 9:45. It was going to be a long weekend. Then his cell phone started to vibrate. Audrey sat up reluctantly when Jack pulled it out. "Sorry." Jack stood up and answered his phone.

"Who is it?" Audrey asked.

"It's your father," Jack muttered.

"What does he want?" Audrey was displeased with the way her father was using Jack. He'd been called back to office several times the past week and it was becoming more difficult to see each other. Jack shrugged and Audrey took as her cue to get a drink.

"Yes, sir?"

"Jack, I need you do something." Secretary Heller began. "I need some help with a proposal I plan to present to the President about sleeper cells." Jack felt a cold shiver run up his spine. He hated this part of his job. One of the reasons why he was picked for the job was due to his past experiences with CTU. He didn't mind discussing past operations, but somehow, someone would bring up Terri. And he needed to move on. He was finally moving on.

"What do you plan to propose?" Jack wondered. In the long run, there wasn't much they could do to prevent terrorist attacks. They could increase screenings and profiling, but there could only be so much government agencies could do according to the books.

"I'm not entirely sure yet. That's why I want you and Audrey to help me design a plan."

"Audrey, sir?" Another cold shiver went up Jack's spine.

"Yes. Is there a problem with that?"

"No, no, sir." Audrey came up from behind Jack and wrapped her arms around him. This startled Jack at first, but he relaxed when he felt her warmth on his back.

"Okay, good. We'll start the first thing Monday morning."

"What does he want?" Audrey asked again as she kissed the side of Jack's neck.

"He wants us to help him draft a proposal for the President about sleeper cells."

"What? Us?" Audrey backed away instantly. "As in, you and me… and my father?"

"Yes. He doesn't know though."

"Okay, okay."

"Shouldn't we tell him?"

"No, not yet. I just want this to be our thing."

"I understand." Jack walked up to her and kissed her softly. "Should we get back to the movie?"

"Sure, or we could do other things." Audrey whispered as she led him to the bedroom.