Learning to Live Again (post s8, no spoilers for LAD)
title: Learning to Live Again
summary: A year after Season 8, a surprise visitor shakes up Jack's life on the run.
rating: PG-13 for now
characters: Jack Bauer, Audrey Raines
spoiler(s): All 8 seasons, but not "Live Another Day". I started this before I had any idea that the show was coming back or [minor spoiler (click to open)]that Audrey was coming back.
disclaimer: the characters aren't mine; the words are.
After a three-year 24 hiatus, I was inspired to resume writing 24 fanfiction and hope that there are still people interested in reading it. This story takes place about a year after Season 8.
Please review and let me know if you are interested in reading more. This part is short but most chapters will be longer.
Most of the back story will be filled in through flashbacks, but I will note a few important things that have happened since the season finale here at the outset:
1) At the end of Season 8, President Taylor said she would be giving a more detailed statement to the public in an hour. In this fanfic, she never got the opportunity to do so because someone poisoned the water she drank to prevent her from going public with the information. She died within the hour.
2) Vice President Hayworth (now president), a very cautious man, decided that rather than make the occurrences of the day public, he would go along with a plan devised by his chief of staff, Derek, to place the blame for everything that happened on Jack, making it look like he was part of the conspiracy and responsible for assassinating President Taylor. Which, perversely, means the government doesn't really want to find him, because they don't want to risk letting him tell his side of the story.
3) Chloe was released from prison at some point between Season 8 and this story under circumstances that are a bit of a mystery. More on that later.
BRITISH COLUMBIA - LUMBER YARD
Jack waits in line with the other day laborers to collect his pay for the day. From the way he moves, it is clear that the labor is taking a toll on his abused body. The foreman hands him $60 in cash and he walks toward the main road.
When he gets to the road, he is approached by a car. He quickly reaches for his gun and speeds up his pace, but does not run for fear of attracting suspicion.
The car pulls up next to him, and the driver yells "excuse me, sir?" Jack could swear he recognizes the voice. He turns around and is shocked to see former Secret Service Agent Aaron Pierce driving the car.
"Agent Pierce? What the hell are you doing here?" he asks, slightly relieved but still suspicious.
"Relax, Jack, I don't work for the government anymore. I'm only here to provide safe transport."
"Safe transport where?" Jack demands. "Am I being followed?"
"No. It's not for you, sir," Aaron explains. "It's for…someone who's moved heaven and earth to find you more than once."
Jack looks even more confused. His confusion turns to shock when Agent Pierce rolls down the back window and he sees who is in the car.
"Audrey?" he says in a voice barely louder than a whisper, staring at his long lost love with disbelief.