milliways_bar | (no subject)

[OOM: Jack reflects on the weekend.]

Jack comes downstairs, and notices the odd mood hanging over the bar almost immediately. It seems quiet, morose. Not a good sign. But as he glances around, he spots something that makes the rest of the bar fade to a dim haze.

The door. He can see the door.

He swallows, not moving. Something tells him he should go upstairs, get him things, say a few goodbyes and leave immediately. No sense putting off the inevitable, and he knows the longer he stays, the more reasons he could find not to leave. But he's not sure he can leave Kim right now, not with Chase gone, and he hasn't talked to Tony recently, and...

He shakes his head, turning away from the door. He'll wait until Chase gets back. The day after Chase returns, he'll leave, no matter what else is going on. He can't stall forever; better to get out there and just get the next three months over with.

He heads for the bar and gets a cup of coffee after a few minutes' wait--odd, but it hardly gets through his thoughts--then heads for his usual spot by the fireplace.

[Summary: Jack sees the door but decides to wait before leaving. He and Nina growl at each other while he and Elaine discuss impending Day 4 doom and the atmosphere of the bar]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The chair's occupied, though. Guess who?

"Hi, Jack."

Jack just gives her a level stare, his face blank. "Nina."

Well, he hasn't hit her, cursed her, spat at her, or even glared at her. It's a start?

"Didn't take you long to get your drink. What did you do, bribe the bar?"

"Should it have taken a long time?" he asks coolly. He hadn't really been paying attention to how long it took, but he's not about to let that show.

"The bar's slow. Something's wrong with the head barman." Nina smirks slightly. "Don't tell me there's something Jack Bauer missed?"

It's not a very wounding remark--it wasn't meant to be. Somehow Nina's not in the mood to trade barbs today.

He shrugs. "Bar tends to do things her own way."

"She likes you, then." Nina rolls her eyes slightly and returns to her drink. "Can't see why, for the life of me."

He just keeps staring at her. "Must be my charm," he says drily.

Nina snorts into her drink. "Tell me you're kidding."

Jack just stares. Really he should go find somewhere else to sit, but he wants to sit by the fireplace, dammit, and he's not going to back down any time soon.

Elaine bounds over to Jack and even though he already has coffee, she decides to say hello anyway. "Good day, Jack. And how are you faring today?"

He makes the effort to give her a slight smile. "I'm okay. You're waitressing again today?"

"Yes. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are my days. But...you look a little...upset? Is something wrong?" Elaine is too perceptive for her own good.

His smile tunrs a little tight. "I can see the door." Of course that's not all, but there's no way he's discussing what happened with Chris with anyone else. Least of all the woman who's dating Chris' father.

"Oh," Elaine says. She knew he'd be leaving eventually.

And then it hits her. Her eyes widen. "Oh." Elaine places a hand on his shoulder. "Do you have to leave now?" Her eyes might be a little bright.

He shakes his head. "I don't think so. I think I'll wait a few days at least, see if Chase comes back first."

Elaine nods. "I'll...I'll help keep Kim company, while you are gone," she says softly.

He nods. "Thanks, Elaine. Hopefully...hopefully I'll be back. Afterward."

Elaine nods again. "I hope so, because I'll miss you." She smiles.

He smiles sadly. "I'll miss you too. You've been a really good friend, Elaine."

"Well, thank you. And you have been, as well. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"No, thanks. By the way, do you know why everything's so quiet around here?" He's grateful for the change of subject.

"No, I do not...but I am sure I shall find out soon." Elaine doesn't look very happy about finding out, though.

The quiet is rather unnerving, and he replies, "Yeah, the way news travels around here, I'm sure I'll hear about it sooner or later."

Taking note of the worried look on her face he adds, rather lamely, "Hopefully it's something that can be fixed soon, and everything will be okay."

"I do hope so. Things around here tend to go from bad to worse sometimes."

Elaine shrugs medievally. "Well, I suppose it is just the way things are...will you be all right, Jack? I really should see to my other customers."

He nods, giving her a reassuring smile. "Yeah, I'll be okay. I'd better not keep you from your work. I'll see you later."

Elaine leans over and gives him a one-armed hug. "Take care, Jack."

And then she heads off to other customers.