2. Segment 2
FADE IN:
INT. CTU
Jack and Curtis walk toward the locker room.
Jack sees Audrey sitting in the bullpen room, looking like she has been crying.
Curtis can tell that Jack wants to talk to her.
CURTIS
Go ahead. It’s going to be a few minutes before the strike teams are ready.
Jack nods and enters the room.
AUDREY
Hey.
JACK
Hey.
AUDREY
I just got off the phone with DOD…I told them we got the codes and were in the process of deactivating the canisters.
JACK
Unfortunately, that’s not 100% true.
AUDREY
What do you mean?
JACK
We were able to remotely deactivate all but one…the last one looks like it’s going to be trickier.
AUDREY
Why?
JACK
It’s not responding to the remote deactivation sequence…we’re going to have to try to disarm it on site.
AUDREY
Where is it?
JACK
LAX.
AUDREY
Alright, I’ll update DOD. Are you going there now?
JACK
Yeah. Listen, I need you to do me a favor. When you’re done briefing DOD can you go see how Tony’s doing?
AUDREY
Of course. Where is he?
JACK
Holding 2. I had to have him restrained…he wasn’t happy that we were granting immunity to Henderson and he tried to take matters into his own hands.
Jack’s tone makes clear the anguish he feels over Tony’s plight.
Audrey sighs sympathetically.
AUDREY
I’ll go talk to him as soon as I get off with DOD.
JACK
Thank you.
He turns to go.
AUDREY
Jack?
Jack turns around. Audrey starts stuttering, trying to figure out how to say what she wants to say.
TIGHT ON her hand, trembling as it slowly rises up toward him.
The next thing they know, she shocks him and herself by grabbing his arm and KISSING HIM PASSIONATELY.
He hesitates for a moment, then kisses her back with everything he has.
He pulls her closer and starts running his hands through her hair as they continue to kiss passionately, holding onto each other tightly, knowing that this moment they’ve waited so long for may never come again.
They continue like this until Curtis speaks into Jack’s earpiece.
CURTIS (O.S.)
Jack, we’re ready to go.
Jack reluctantly pulls away, kissing the top of Audrey’s head and holding onto her hand for a moment before he lets go and starts to walk away.
Audrey opens her mouth to say something but stops, wanting to tell him how she feels but knowing it’s not the time.
Instead, she just smiles at him weakly as he leaves the room and follows Curtis down the hall.
She closes her eyes and silently prays that there will be another time for her to tell him everything.
IN THE HALLWAY
JACK
Did you get an update from the SWAT teams on site?
CURTIS
Yeah. So far they haven’t had any success with disarming the thing…it looks like it’s designed to not only effect the people on board but to spray the chemicals into the air around the plane.
JACK
Have they evacuated the airport?
CURTIS
An evacuation is underway as we speak, but if this thing’s going off at 7 AM there’s not going to be enough time to evacuate everyone…the airport’s packed at this time of day, and there are eleven flights still waiting to deplane.
CUT TO:
DOWNSTAIRS - COMM DEPARTMENT
EDGAR
You didn’t have to talk to me like that before.
CHLOE
You’re right. I’m sorry.
EDGAR
(surprised)
That’s it? You’re just going to apologize and not argue with me?
Chloe looks at him with disbelief.
CHLOE
I said I was sorry, and you’re complaining that I’m not arguing with you?
EDGAR
No…I guess I was just expecting some kind of lecture about how I always screw up or something.
CHLOE
Well, I’m sorry to disappoint. I’ve been up for too many hours to think of a witty comeback.
Chloe’s phone rings.
CHLOE
(into phone)
O’Brien.
CALLER (O.S.)
Chloe O’Brien?
CHLOE
Yeah?
CALLER (O.S.)
Ms. O’Brien, this is Wayne Palmer. I have some important information for you, and I need you to go where nobody else can hear you.
CHLOE
Um, okay, give me a sec.
She looks spooked. Edgar notices that something is off and gives her a questioning look. She mouths “I’m fine” and walks off. TRACK WITH HER to empty room.
CHLOE
Okay, I’m alone.
WAYNE (O.S.)
My brother left behind something that I’m supposed to release to the media pending your approval.
CHLOE
My approval?
WAYNE
That’s what was written in his will.
CHLOE
Do you know what it is?
WAYNE
No. According to his will, nobody is to see it or know it exists until you approve it…do you have any idea what this is about?
CHLOE
Yeah, but I can’t explain over the phone.
WAYNE
Can you meet me at the vacant parking lot at Wilshire-Fairfax in five minutes?
Chloe sighs, looking nervous.
CHLOE
Yeah…yeah, that’s fine. I’ll be waiting in a red Honda.
WAYNE
Alright. Make sure you’re discreet about this.
CHLOE
Got it.
She hangs up and walks back over to her station.
CHLOE
Edgar, I need a favor.
EDGAR
What do you need?
CHLOE
I need you to watch my station and give me your car keys. I’ll be back in ten minutes.
EDGAR
Where are you going?
CHLOE
I can’t tell you that.
EDGAR
What the hell? I’m not giving you anything until you tell me what’s going on.
CHLOE
Please, Edgar, I really need you to trust me.
EDGAR
How do I know nothing’s going to happen?
CHLOE
Don’t worry. I’m only going five minutes away…I’m not going to crash your car.
EDGAR
That’s not what I meant.
CHLOE
What did you mean then?
EDGAR
Nothing. Forget it. Here are my keys.
CHLOE
Thanks.
EDGAR
Hey Chloe?
CHLOE
What?
EDGAR
Be careful, alright?
CHLOE
Yeah, whatever.
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
AW! poor tony
but, i loved the chloe/edgar scene!
since edgar did that little smile thing earlier in the season when chloe told him off, i KNEW that they would be adorable together!
GREAT JOB!
ooh, this is getting very interesting.
thanks for giving jack the moment with audrey, he doesn’t get much of that, does he?
update asap
ooh I’m intrigued. I just got round to reading this and as with all your fics it is excellent. You always seem to be scarily close to the actual series! Poor Tony. Please update soon
Keep going. You got to get Tony out of holding! Can’t wait to see what Chloe will get.