Forever & a Day

"No...Jack...Jack, NO!" Laura Bristow giggled as her husband picked her up and carried her over the threshold of the Sierra Nevada cabin they were staying in for the weekend. "Jack, put me down!" She started to kick her legs and playfully hit his arm.

"Ouch... Hey! All right, all right. Okay, there. Better?" He laughed as he set her on the floor.

Laura put her hands over her mouth and gasped, "Oh my God, Jack! How did you afford this?" As she looked at the lavishly furnished interior of the spacious cabin.

"Well, I didn't. Not technically anyway." Jack rubbed the back of his neck. He stopped when Laura turned around, eyeing him suspiciously. "Well, I'm not paying for it if that's what you mean. It's Jim Collett's from work. I was telling him about how you're always complaining about how California doesn't have any weather or seasons and how you wished it would snow for once, and so he suggested that we borrow his cabin for the weekend."

"Oh, Jack." Laura said as she came running up to him, throwing her arms around his neck. "You could have told me this before we left home."

"Sorry, I wanted it to be a surprise." Laura had been kept in the dark about the whole trip up until then. Jack had come home from work the previous day and told her they were going to drop Sydney at Arvin and Emily's and to pack for a weekend of cold weather.

"I love it." She kissed him on the cheek then spotted the giant fireplace out of the corner of her eye. "Brr...It's cold in here. Why don't we start a fire?"

"Mmm...Sounds great. I'm going to go to the car and get our things." "Jack, there are two logs already in the fireplace and two more stacked up on the side. Do you think we'll need more?" Laura asked while getting a closer look at the fireplace.

"Huh? Just a sec, hon." He said, struggling with the cumbersome bags while closing the door with his foot. He set the luggage down in the entryway and came over to see what Laura was talking about. " It's starting to snow outside. You know I haven't got the foggiest idea how much wood we'll need. I saw a woodpile out on the porch with a dozen logs or so in it, so I think we'll be fine for now."

"Good. I'll get us warm then." Laura bent down and lit a match from the pack she had found on the mantle. She threw the match onto the kindling that was in the fireplace and watched as the fire quickly grew and enveloped the logs.

As she was doing that, Jack went back over to the luggage and picked up a picnic basket, brought it into the kitchen and began to unpack the food inside. Once he was done carefully putting the meat, cheese, wine and champagne away, he went over to the stereo system and started looking through the records.

"Find anything good?" Laura asked coming up behind him looking at the records he was holding.

"Yup, found a Christmas one. You know, to put us in the mood." He put the record on the turntable and set the needle down before retuning to his wife.

"Burl Ives?" She laughed,"what else is on this record?" She held the sleeve up to her face and blew the dust off so he could see the cover better, creating a cloud of dust that floated Jack's way. "ehh-Katchoo!" Jack sneezed.

"Sorry, honey. Bless you." Laura smiled at him.

"That's- Chushoo! Okay. Excuse me!" Jack smiled back as he rubbed his nose.

"You know, Christmas songs aren't really all that romantic."

"I don't know some of them could be...." He trailed off suggestively, walking over to the record and changing the song. "But no, not that mood. A festive Christmas mood. What did you think I meant?" He smiled and grabbed her around the waist from behind, rocking back and forth to the sound of Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song.

"Christmas..." Laura whispered to herself quietly. Laura thought back to her last meeting with her contact; when he had informed her that the KGB had almost all the information they needed about Project Christmas and that she would be done with Bristow. She would be able to go home in a little more then a year. In a little more then a year she would--could no longer be Jack's wife or Sydney's mother. She was afraid of what she was going to have to do when the time came for her to leave. She shuddered.

"What's that honey?" Jack said looking down at her while listening to the piano solo.

"Hmm...Oh nothing." She bent her head backwards and let him give her an upside-down kiss.

"You shivered, are you all right?" She nodded her head. "So, Christmas isn't for a week or so yet but I have your present to give to you now, like we agreed upon." Jack walked over to where he had set the luggage, opened his suitcase and pulled out a package wrapped in brown paper, tied with a string.

"If we're going to do this now let me go get yours as well." She walked to her suitcase and rummaged around until she came up with her present: a shirt box wrapped with blue and yellow paper. "I wonder what it could be?" Laura asked sarcastically as he handed her the package, knowing full well what was inside. She had gotten one of these types of presents every month since they had found the bookstore on their last trip to Prague.

"Don't ruin it for me." Jack said watching as she untied the string and unfolded the paper. "It came in the mail the other day. Hope you like it."

When she finally had unwrapped the package she looked at the cover of the book then held it to her chest. "Oh, Jack. A first edition Wizard of Oz. I love it." She gave him a kiss on his cheek. She opened the front cover and read: "'Laura, All my love forever and a day. Jack.' Thank you, darling. Now open mine."

Jack carefully took the paper off and folded it up neatly, trying to create suspense. He opened the box and revealed "Another UCLA sweatshirt. Didn't I get one of these last year?"

"Yes, but this one is navy, the other one is gray." She laughed. "I'm sorry, but I get good discounts at the student store. Hold it up; let me see if it fits. Yeah, see this one is bigger, too. You've gotten a bit heavier since last year." She leaned over and poked him in the stomach.

"Hey, that's all muscle, I assure you." He laughed as well then grabbed her and pulled her in closer.

"That's all right. When we first got married you were too thin anyway." She started to tickle him. Then he tickled her; and somehow in-between all they're playing and giggling he ended up on his back, her on top of him with her head against his chest, listening to his heart.

After a few minutes of lying there in silence Jack lazily yawned and casually looked at his watch. "Oh, Jesus, I almost forgot. Get up, honey."

Laura got off of him and sat back on the opposite end of the couch once Jack had sat up straight. Laura looked at him, "What's the matter?"

"I almost forgot the most important and romantic present of all." He coughed as he dug around in his jacket pocket. Finally, he found what he was looking for. "We are going to go to the Mountaineer Ski Resort tonight. Because...I took the liberty of making reservations at the..." he paused as he opened the envelope he had taken out of his pocket. "Swanky five-star Bluebird restaurant." He unfolded the piece of paper confirming the reservations he had made.

Laura gasped, "Jack, how did you get reservations?" She took the paper from his hand and studied it. "How did you get reservations?" Jack smiled, "Just like I have the connections that got us this cabin, I have connections that got us in the restaurant." He looked back at her still reading the paper in disbelief. "Yes, I do have friends." He stood up and stretched his hand out to her, "Come on then, hurry up. The reservations are in three hours and it will take us at least and hour to get there in this weather."

She reached for and took his hand. Then remembered: "Wait, honey. I didn't bring anything nice to wear. And I can't wear this;" she looked down at her attire of jeans and a sweater.

"Well, we'll just have to do something about that, won't we?" Jack walked over to his bag and pulled out another package. This one was bigger, and wrapped in sparkling silver paper with a big red bow on top. He handed her the present. "Open it."

"Jack...what is this?" She sat back down the couch. Jack remained standing watching her face as she opened it. She untied the bow, took off the paper and lifted up the lid. Her eyes lit up, "Jack! You're spoiling me!"

Jack looked down at his feet and blushed as she took the midnight blue velveteen dress out of the box, stood up and held it against her body. "Aren't I allowed to do nice things for my wife every once and a while?" He watched her spinning around with the dress. "Jack this is really, all too much." She stopped in front of him. "Not yet, I hope." He reached into his pocket and took out a little black jewelry box. He opened the box towards her, hinges making a tiny squeak as he did so.

"Honey, no." She watched as he took the diamond necklace out of the box and came around behind her, fastening the jewelry in place. He came around front to admire her. "Lookin' good. You're missing these though." He held out the box for her to take. She took the box from his hands and lifted out the matching diamond earrings. "Put them on."

"Oh, Jack. This is really more than I deserve." She said as she put the earrings on.

"No, no...You're definitely worth it." He stared at her, amazed at her beauty.

She looked back into his eyes. Eyes that were so full of love, but yet blind to the truth. Suddenly she broke away from the stare. Unable to look into the trust that he so willing gave to her. Comrade Derevko...

She turned around and closed her eyes trying to block out the image and conversation of the last meeting with her contact. Mother Russia appreciates your loyal service.

She gulped, trying to suppress the sob rising in her chest. "Laura.... Laura, darling, are you all right." Jack's voice pulled her from the horrible thoughts.

"Yeah," she sighed. 'Get a hold of yourself, Irina.' she thought. 'You've let yourself slip twice tonight.'

"All right then. Go get ready. I want to see you in that dress." He winked.

As she got her things and went to get ready Jack wandered over to the hi-fi and turned off the record that had been playing the entire time. He then got his own bag and found another room to change in. Jack was finished changing first, into a dark blue suit, white collared shirt and navy tie with small lighter blue polka dots. He knocked on Laura's door, "Almost done, hon?"

"Yeah, give me just a sec."

"Okay, I'll be in the...ehh-Choo!- living room." He frowned as he turned and left her to finish in peace. He hummed as he walked into the room and went over to the record player again and shifted through the records. He was about to put on Barry White when the sound of Laura's shoes clicking on the hard wood floor made him turn around.

"Wow," was all he managed to say as she walked towards him. He put the record down and went to meet her half way. He whistled, "You look beautiful." He said as he took and kissed her hand.

She giggled, "Look at you. You are most definitely a sexier spy than James Bond."

"I am? Why's that...I mean Sean Connery has that accent and everything that I thought you liked..."

"Yeah, but you're mine." She pulled on his tie and he came towards her kissing her when he could reach."My favorite." She said when they broke for air. "I love this tie." She reached up and adjusted the knot in the tie and smoothed his shirt.

"Mmmm...You know, if the CIA is hiring sexy spies, I'll have to get you an appointment, because you'd blow all the ones we have now away." He said in his best Sean Connery voice then laughed as she playfully pushed him away. "Okay, ready? Got everything?" "Just let me get my coat." She ran back to her room. Jack went over to the closet and pulled out the trench coat he had brought. Laura reemerged a minute later to find Jack desperately searching in his pockets for something.

"What's wrong?" She stood next to him and rested a hand on his shoulder.

Jack fruitlessly gave up his search and cupped his hands over his nose. "I have to...HuhEshoo!" He brought his hands down and laughed. "Had to sneeze."

"Poor Jackie." She reached up and gave him a kiss. "I hope your not coming down with something."

"I hope not. It's just so dusty in this pl...place.. heh-Ehishhooo!" He sniffed; "I wonder how long it's been since they've cleaned this place?" He looked at the ceiling.

"Hon, if your not feeling well we could just stay here and not go out."

"No, I feel fine. And I'll stop sneezing once we get out of this place." He opened the door. "After you."

She stepped out side and waited for Jack to lock the door. Suddenly, Jack picked her up again. "Don't' want to get you feet wet." He said as he carried her to the car. He slipped her into the passenger seat then went over and got in his own door and started the engine. Finally on their way they talked about what had been going on in their lives, things that they hadn't had the chance to talk about yet. Laura asked Jack about work. Jack asked Laura about school. They talked about Sydney, about Arvin and Emily. And they casually reminisced about the past and their dreams for the future.

Along the way, the snow started to fall a little harder. Jack turned on the hi-beams and slowed the car to be safe. Soon after, they could see police and emergency lights flashing on the road ahead. There was a roadblock and cars were stopped; police officers were coming around to each car, talking to the driver before making them turn around and go back down the road in the direction in which they had come.

"What the hell is going on here?" Jack mumbled as the car came to a stop. A young officer approached the car and knocked on Jack's window with the end of his flashlight. Jack rolled down his window. "I'm sorry, sir, but this road is closed until we can get a snowplow out here to clear it." The officer said flashing his light in Jack's eyes.

Jack put his hand up in an attempt to block the light. "Can't we just put chains on the ties?"

"No, sir. The rangers don't want anyone using this road for fear of an avalanche." He pointed his light in the direction of the road to illustrate his point.

Jack let out a heavy sigh. "Can I talk to you, officer?"

"No, Jack." Laura said grabbing his arm as he opened his door. "Don't cause problems."

Jack put his hand up to quiet her. "Just let me see what I can do." He stepped out of the car, his shoes crunching in the snow.

"Yes, sir, is there a problem?" The officer asked as Jack approached him.

"I want to ask you something officer..."

"Thomas. Officer Steven Thomas." He looked up at Jack, a little intimidated, as Jack was a good three or so inches taller than he was.

"So, Officer Thomas, how old are you and how long have you been on the force?" Jack himself looked up as well, snow was beginning to fall more heavily.

" I'm twenty-five, sir. And I've been on the force for eight months, sir." He replied, unsure as to where the conversation was going to go.

"Right." That explained everything; he was a rookie. Jack gave a small smile. Time to see if he could persuade the rookie to let him on his way. "Son," he began, even though the officer was only four years younger than he was. "Do you know who I am?"

Thomas shook his head. Jack could see him swallow, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat. "No, sir."

"Well," Jack turned and reached into the trench coats inside pocket. The officer winced, half-expecting Jack to be pulling a gun on him. "I happen to be..." he pulled out his wallet and flipped it open. "An officer as well." He held out his CIA identification. Thomas let out a sigh of relief and proceeded to read the badge; mouthing the words as he read. When he was done he looked at the picture and then back up at Jack, "Sorry, Mr.-Agent Bristow, I was ordered not to let anyone, under any circumstances, use this road until further notice."

Their conversation was broken by Laura's voice, "Jonathan, get back in the car!" She had stepped out of the car and was watching when Jack half-scared the officer to death. "Jack, now!" Although only a few feet away she had to yell in order to be heard over the howling wind.

Jack looked at Laura then the officer then back at Laura before nodding and getting back into the car. He slammed the heel of his palm into the steering wheel, "Damn it!"

He glanced over at Laura who was giving him a look, her arms crossed over her chest. "I'm angry with you."

"I'm sorry, honey. I just thought that I could intimidate him enough to let us pass."

She looked him up and down. "What's the matter with you? Look, you've accomplished nothing and your cold and soaking wet." She reached over and brushed some of the snow that had collected on his coat off his shoulder.

"Laura, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I...I just wanted everything to be perfect."

"We can have a perfectly good and romantic dinner at the cabin and save a few bucks in the process." She rubbed her hand up and down his thigh and smiled her reassuring smile that made his heart melt. He couldn't help but smile back as he turned the car around and headed back towards the cabin.

Once they were back, Jack went over and, once again, picked Laura up from her seat and carried her to the porch. Laura put the key in the door and was about to open the door when Jack called to her: "Laura, come here, you have to see this." She walked over where he was standing and saw that he was looking up into the clear night sky, staring at the stars. "Look at that. It's amazing, huh?"

"Yeah, it's beautiful." She came around and grabbed his hand.

"Don't see sights like this in LA."

"No." Laura's eyes shifted from the stars to the icicles that were hanging from the gutters of the roof. It was another reminder to her how far the temperature had dropped in the last few hours. She sighed as Jack sneezed. "Come on, honey, let's get inside. It's too cold for you out here." She laced her fingers around his as they walked inside. Jack hung up their jackets as Laura went to the kitchen to prepare the food for diner.

Laura was at the counter cutting the cheese when Jack came up behind her. "I'm sorry I got so upset," he whispered in her ear. Laura stopped cutting. "Jack, it's okay, really. I'm not angry anymore. We can have a really nice time here. And we can be alone..." She turned around so she was facing him and kissed him full on the lips.

Jack however, had to break prematurely: "Ehh-Katchoo! Chushoo!" He sniffled. "I'm sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Jack, you're sneezing an awful lot. Are you sick?"

"No, I feel fine. It's just that there's so much duh...Ehh- HehkTchhhh! Dust in here." He sheepishly smiled at her as he ran a finger under his nose.

Laura didn't buy it, but played along. "Okay, honey. The food will be ready in a minute. So why don't you go and set the table?"

"I can do that." He kissed her on the forehead and went over to the cabinet to get the dishes. Jack set the table and lit the candles.

When he was done, he sat down and admired his work; proud of creating what he thought was a romantic atmosphere.

A few moments later, Laura came in carrying the platter with their dinner on it. "Want me to help you with that?" He asked standing.

"No, I think I've got it." She set the platter down on the table. "It's not much of a feast but..." Jack grabbed her and sat her down on his lap. "Jack!" She giggled. "Jack aren't you hungry?"

"No...Not...now." He said between kisses he planted up and down her neck.

"But I fixed all this food."

"Okay," he said pulling away and opening his mouth. "Grape me." She reached over to the tray and picked up a bunch of grapes. She plucked one off the branch and popped it into Jack's mouth. Once Jack was done eating the grape he opened his mouth again, asking for another. She complied and proceeded to feed him another three grapes before he had to stop and sneeze.

"Jack, honey, I'm worried about you. Why don't you lie down and I'll make you some soup."

"I'm okay. I just ate too many grapes." He made a face,"Let's eat some of this real food."

"What do you want?" Laura slid off his lap took his plate to fill. "Mmm...That cheese looks good. And some bread and a slice of ham." She placed the plate back in front of him. "Thanks, honey. I could have served myself though."

"I know, but I had to get up anyway." She smiled as she filled her own plate then sat down next to him.

Jack picked up his fork and began eating. "You are a great cook. Did you know that?" He asked through a mouthful of food.

"So you've told me on several occasions. You a good job of setting the table. I like the candles. Really romantic." She smiled at him.

Jack felt her hand rub his leg under the table.

"Laura, I..." He stopped, unable to finish his sentence. He sucked in a deep breath. "ehh-Katchoo!"

"Honey, please go lay on the couch, you're not well. I'll clean this stuff up and we'll start a fire and relax. Okay?"

"Yeah, okay." He said slowly and reluctantly as he rose from his chair and headed to the living room, napkin clamped around his nose. Laura picked up the forgotten food and went back to the kitchen. When the soup was done, she brought out to him, expecting to see Jack sitting on the couch waiting for her. Jack, however wasn't there, his discarded blanket strewn across the floor.

"Jack," she called setting the soup down on the coffee table. She was about to go and look for him in the back rooms when she heard the front door open. At first she thought that the wind had blown it open but then a snow covered half frozen Jack appeared carrying a bundle of logs.

"Jack! What are you doing?" She asked running over to help him. "We were out of wood so I went to get more." He coughed and his face flushed, embarrassed that he wasn't able to cover his mouth with the load in his hands.

Laura took the wood from him and put it in the pile by the fireplace while Jack struggled to take off his soaking coat. "Here let me help you." Laura said while watching him. She walked over and took off his scarf.

Once he was finally free she took his hands and pulled off his mittens. It was then she noticed how cold his hands were and clasped them together and held them in her own.

"Jack, you're cold." She rubbed them against her cheek. "Come on, let's get you warmed up." She pulled his arm and led him back to the couch. "Sit." She instructed.

Jack did as he was told and sat as Laura put the new logs in the fire. She then picked up the forgotten blanket wrapping it tightly around the both of them as she sat on the couch next to her husband. She sighed as she watched the embers that were still hot from the previous fire they had heat and eventually burn the new logs. "Laura, I'm sorry I haven't been very good company lately."

"Why do you say that, honey?" She lifted her head from his chest.

"We didn't get to go out for dinner and..." He let out a long breath. "I don't know, I guess it's because this isn't what I had planned."

"Don't worry about it, sweetheart. Things don't always go as planned. Besides, I'd much rather spend the evening alone, with you, like this. The fire is dreamy, isn't it?"

"Yeah, I guess this is pretty nice."

"I'll have to write Jim a thank you note."

" We...we should." He yawned as he slouched against the cousions, trying to get more comfortable.

"Are you tired, honey?" She asked, noticing his eyes drooping. "Why don't we move to the bedroom? It'll be more comfortable." She unwrapped herself and stood.

He took her part of the blanket and wrapped himself with it as he tried to stand. "Ehtchhhhh! Ehh-Choo!" He wobbled and sat back down. "Laura, let's say that I'm sick."

"Jack, you are sick."

He frowned, "Hypothetically. Let's say that I am hypothetically sick. Since I am hypothetically sick I don't want to give you my hypothetical cold."

"Jack..."

"Someone would need to be healthy to take care of Sydney. So, if I am hypothetically sick I shouldn't sleep with you so you won't get the hypothetical cold."

"Honey, it's okay. I promise you, and for the sake of our daughter, that I will not get sick."

"Hypothetically."

She sighed and pulled on his arm, "Hypothetically. Now come to bed."

"I know, but the hypothetical cold doesn't care about promises. I don't want to take that risk, just in case my hypothetical cold becomes real."

"You are ridiculous."

He smiled at her, "but that's why you love me, right?" She couldn't answer truthfully. "That's one of the reasons." She sealed her lie with a kiss.

"No more." He looked into her eyes. "Okay, one more couldn't hurt."

Laura was used to Jack's heightened stubbornness when he was sick by now and wanted to make sure he knew what he was saying. "Okay, so let me get this right: you are going to sleep out here, not with your wife, so you will not hypothetically give me the hypothetical cold you don't have."

"That's..eh-HuhEshoo! Right."

"Okay, you get ready and I'll get some blankets and pillows." Once everything was situated Jack lay down on the couch and waited for Laura to cover him up. "There you go, honey. All nice and toasty now." She said tucking the blankets around him. "I'm going to be in the bedroom," she sighed for affect, "all alone; just in case you're hypothetical cold gives you anymore problems or if you get lonely, all right?" She kissed him on the forehead.

Jack coughed harshly, "I think I can take it from here." He said while trying to reach the tissues on the coffee table.

"Here." She handed him the box. "Good night, honey."

"Ehh-Choo! Ahh-Chishoo!"

"Jack!" Laura jumped, "Honey, you startled me." She quickly closed the book she had been reading so Jack wouldn't see the codes inside. Jack braced himself against the doorframe, "I'm sorry, I just...juh...ehh-katchoo!" He wiped his nose on the back of his hand. "I don't feel well."

Laura smiled. He finally admitted it. "Oh, Jacky, come here..." She put the book down and got up to help him into bed. When he was tucked in once again, this time with her, he snuggled up next to her. "My poor, sick Jack. What's the matter, honey?"

"The fire went out."

"Oh. Did you get any sleep at all?" She asked smoothing down the wave across his forehead, finding it surprisingly cool.

"Not much. I was too busy trying to stay warm."

"You're not feverish, are you?" He shook his head. "Well now you're here with me. I'll take care of you."

He kissed her cheek and grinned, "I would like that very much."

"No, Jack. I know that smile. I know what you're thinking." Jack kissed her neck. "No, Jack, you're not well. What happened to not giving me your cold?"

"That was the hypothetical one. This is the real one. And I believe your promise about not getting sick." He was moving lower, now on her collarbone. "You are amazing."

"I have work to do. I need to finish this reading for my class."

"You...can...finish...it...tomorrow." He breathed between kisses.

"Jack," she gasped as he disappeared under the covers. She heard him sniffle then felt his hands as they unbuttoned her pajama top. Her heart began to race as she felt his touch. "No," was all that she could manage but didn't try to physically stop him. His lips were warm against her as he kissed between her breasts before moving on and kissing each one of the mounds individually. She closed her eyes and relished the feeling of him touching her.

He caressed her stomach with one hand, the other sliding beneath her waistband. It was then that another horrific memory flooded her mind, pulling her out of her pleasure to relive a meeting that she thought she had buried. She was back in the hotel room with her handler; she was pregnant with Sydney. She was Irina.

The handler was chastising her for getting pregnant, ordering her to have an abortion for the good of the mission. She had told him she would take care of it. The months went on and she eventually had the baby. Her superiors were furious that she had not listened to orders; advised her that she could still kill the baby, make it look like an accident. She thought about it in her mind: Sydney was so small, it would have been so easy. But she didn't--she couldn't. Something changed when she had the baby. She selfishly kept her. Laura's eyes stung with tears, forcing her to open them. She was vaguely aware of what Jack was doing but it didn't feel as good as it had before. A sob rose in her chest and she shook as it was released, tears pouring down her face.

"Ehh-Choo! Ahh-Chishoo!" She felt and heard Jack sneeze.

"Jack." She croaked as she pushed back the covers so she could see his head. "Jack, stop. Please."

"What's the matter? Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you?"

"No, honey. Please. Just not now, please. I--I can't." She buried her face in her hands.

They had warned her about getting too close to him. The man that was her mission. They had told her to marry him, to earn his trust and become his confidante. Initially she thought it was easy, she gave him the love he wanted and needed and he gave her trust that could only be found in such love. She began to love him more than she could have imagined. Their relationship soon became dangerous for her when she had Sydney. Jack was happier than she had ever seen him, she was too. She didn't see the harm in keeping the baby, thought it was another symbol of their love, he would trust her more if they had a child.

"Ehhh, Hetschoo!" Jack once again pulled her out. "What's the matter?" His voice hoarse.

"Oh, Jack...please not now." She looked at him, her eyes red. "Just...hold me."

He nodded and pushed her hair back as she leaned against him. She rested her ear against his chest listening, his breath rattling as he breathed in. She sobbed again. "Shhh, it's all right." Jack held her close, wiping away tears from her cheek.

"You sound so sick, honey." Her voice barely audible.

"I'm fine for now. Just rest." He breathed deep then closed his eyes. Laura sighed heavily herself, helping relieve the tension in her body.

"Jack," she whispered after a few minutes of silence. He was asleep, snoring lightly. She gently shook him. "Jack, lay down."

"Hmm..." He mumbled something, half-awake as she helped him lay down flat. She arranged the blanket, giving him the majority, tucking him in tight so he would be warm. Laura laid down close to her husband, draping her arm across his chest, in an attempt to sleep as well.

The next morning, Laura was startled once again from a knock on the front door. She was tired as she spent the whole night reading and deciphering the codes in The Wizard of Oz. She let a curse slip in Russian as she put on a robe and slippers.

"I'm coming;" she called approaching the door. She opened it to find the officer from the checkpoint the night before.

"Good morning, Ma'am." He smiled and tipped his hat. "I'm Officer Steven Thomas of the Nevada State police. I've been going around to the homes in the area to inform residence that the highway has now been cleared and..."

"Laur, who's at the door?" Jack yawned, stumbling into the room. He came up behind her and opened the door wider so he could see. "You."

"Agent Bristow." Thomas remembered, wincing.

"I want to tell you some...some, eh, thing. Ehh-htchhhh! Ehishhooo!" "Bless you, sir." He offered, trying to make peace.

"Thank you. What's going on?" The angry tone in his voice gone.

"Officer Thomas here was just telling me that the highway is now open."

Laura looked at Jack standing in the draft without a shirt. "Jack! Go back to bed!"

"Laura, please!" He coughed. "I want to talk to the officer."

"Sir?" Thomas looked away from Jack, also noticing he had no shirt on.

"I just wanted to offer an apology; I remember what it was like to be a rookie. Sometimes intimidating, right?"

"Yes, sir." Thomas straightened up.

"Keep at it. Law enforcement is a difficult but rewarding profession." Jack wiped his palm on the front of his pants then extended his hand. Thomas took and shook it.

"Thank you, sir. I will." He said as Jack turned to go back to bed. "Feel better, sir."

"Ehh-Choo! Ahh-Chishoo!"

"Go to bed!" Laura called, laughing."So the roads are open?" She asked stepping forward again.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"You hear that, honey? I think it's time to go home."

Jack returned to work on Monday to a stack of paperwork on his desk. "Damn it," he sniffled, still not completely well.

"Hey, Jacky Boy. I brought you some coffee." Jack's friend, and former partner, Jim Collett, said coming in the door.

"Great, thanks. Just set it over there. Away from the papers, please."

"So, how was the cabin? The sights are beautiful up there this time of year, huh?"

"Yeah, the ones I managed to see were all right." He flopped down into his chair, all ready aggravated at the work he had to catch up on.

"Something tells me that you didn't have a good time. What's wrong? Didn't get the kind of action you were looking for?"

"Number one: I wasn't looking for any action to begin with." He took a sip of his drink. "Number two: this is not coffee."

"Yeah, I know they're all out. All that's left is hot cocoa. But you can pretend its coffee, can't ya?"

Jack groaned, "It's warm that's all I care." He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes.

"Didn't get much sleep? Well, you shouldn't be sleepin' on the job now. You have mucho work to make up, amigo."

"Project: Christmas."

"Project: Christmas. Yeah, that little thing we've been working on for the past five or so years? Nash wants a progress update on his desk by this afternoon."

"Thanks for the notice." Noticing a tickle in his nose he sat up straight. "ehh-Katchoo! Chushoo!"

"You sound bad, Jack."

"I probably sound better then I feel." He rubbed his nose, "Jesus. I never seem to get a break."

"Yeah, well, I should be going. I have things to do as well." Jim moved towards the door.

"Oh, wait a second. I have something for you." Jack stood and pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket then handed it to Jim.

"What's this?"

"Something from Laura. I think she really liked the cabin. Of course, she got to see and enjoy more of it." He tried to laugh but wound up coughing instead.

"Oh, okay. Thanks, Jack. Tell Laura I said hi."

"Will, eh, do. Heh-Ehishhooo!"

Jim stepped out side, Jack closing the door behind him. There he stood, in the middle of the hallway, and opened the envelope. Inside was a letter in Laura's writing which read:

'Dear Jim,
Thank you for the fun weekend. The cabin and mountains were beautiful. Do you by any chance have a house in the Las Vegas area? I think Jack would like to go someplace warm on his next vacation. I hope you and Samantha have a happy holiday. Don't work too hard.
Love,
Laura & Jack Bristow'