Fighting for Salvation (2)

[failegaidin]

            When her cell phone rang, Ava pulled her eyes away from the road long enough to frown at it. Her confusion increased when she saw Jack's number on the screen, and she reached over to pick it up.

            "Connolly."

            "Ava, it's Jack."

            "The beauty of cell phones Jack – they generally tell you who's calling. What do you need?"

            "Is Kim with you?"

            "Kim? No. You know I let you guys know if she and I have plans. Why? What's wrong?"

            She heard Jack sigh in frustration. "She snuck out."

            Ava rolled her eyes. "Do you want me to go look for her?"

            There was a pause on the other end. "No. Not yet. I need you here."

            "At your place?"

            "CTU. We all got called in."

            "I didn't."

            "Nina said she called you."

            "Well, she didn't."

            "Maybe you just missed the call."

            "Jack, my phone has been right next to me for the past hour, with the volume on high."

            "Where are you?"

            "In my car."

            "Yeah. And how loud was your radio?"

            Ava growled in irritation. "Hang on. I will check my missed calls." She pulled the phone away from her ear and scrolled through her calls before talking to Jack again. "Nope. Not a single call from Nina."

            "She wouldn't lie about calling you."

            "Oh, but I'd lie about missing a call from her?"

            Jack sighed. "It doesn't matter. Just get here."

            "Fine. Be there in ten."

 

***

 

            "You're late," Tony snapped the moment she walked out onto the floor.

            "Nice to see you too, Tony."

            "That's what happens when you don't answer your cell phone," Nina said pointedly as she looked at files on her desk.

            Ava glared at her. "No. That's what happens when you lie to the boss about calling me."

            Tony looked at Nina in confusion, and was surprised to see the satisfied smirk that was on her face. Before he could say anything, Jack came up to them.

            "Alright, everybody. Listen up. We don't know yet why Walsh called all of us in, but that doesn't mean we can't get started."

            "But if we don't know what the threat is, how will we know what to look for?" Tony interrupted.

            "I think we should focus on Senator Palmer."

            "The presidential candidate? Why, because he's black?"

            "That's a major reason, yes."

            "But it could just as easily be something else-"

            "Tony, I didn't ask for your opinion. Just get to work," Jack snapped.

            As Jack walked off the floor, Tony glared at his back before turning to Nina. "I thought you called Ava," he said in a low voice.

            Nina rolled her eyes at him. "I did. You heard me talk to her, Tony."

            "Then why would she say that you didn't?"

            "I don't know. Maybe because she hates me?"

            "But to lie about a phone call? That's such an easy thing to check."

            Nina sighed. "If you're so curious, why don't you go ask her? Otherwise, we have work to do."

            Tony shook his head and walked back to his station.

 

***

 

 

            Ten minutes later, Ava felt herself being dragged down the hall by Jack. He didn't say anything as he pulled her away from the others, ignoring her glares and attempts to shake him off her arm. Eventually he found somewhere where they were alone and he pushed her up against the wall firmly.

            "Uhh, Jack? This seems kinda sketchy," Ava pointed out.

            "I need to tell you something. But no one else can know."

            "If this is a declaration of love or lust, I'm outta here."

            Jack glared at her. "This is serious."

            Ava rolled her eyes. "Fine. Sorry. Tony and Nina put me in a bad mood. I'm back now."

            "You can't tell ANYONE this."

            "Yeah, Jack. I got that. Now do you think you could loosen your grip on my arm?" Jack released his hold on her and she rubbed at the spot where his hand had been. "Besides, who would I tell around here? It's not like I'm Ms. Popular."

            "We have a problem."

            "We as in you and I, or we as in the royal we?"

            Jack glared at her again. "There's a mole," he growled.

            "A mole?" Ava asked, confusion clear on her face.

            "A double-agent," Jack clarified.

            "Oh. I knew that. Who is it?"

            "If I knew that, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

            "Is this what Walsh wanted to talk to you about alone?"

            "Yes. He told me the only person I could trust was Jamey Farrell."

            "And yet you're standing here talking to me."

            "I trust Jamey. But I trust you too. No way you're the mole."

            Ava frowned at him. "How do you know? I could be devious and have all sorts of nefarious plans."
            He smiled in amusement. "Nefarious plans?"

            "Damn. You're right. I'm too smart to be evil." At that Jack laughed and Ava gave him a small smile. "So…what do you need me to do?"

            "Actually I need your help with something else. I just wanted you to be on top of things."

            She sighed. "This is about Kim, isn't it."

            Jack nodded. "I need you to go look for her."

            Ava groaned. "Do you have any idea how BIG L.A. is?"

            "Yes. But you're the only one who has a real chance at finding her."

            "Why?"

            "Do you remember my reasons for hiring you? My exact words?"

            She thought back. "I think you said it was because I manage to have things that aren't mine, be in places I have no right to be in and know things that I have no business knowing."

            "Exactly," he looked at her with pleading eyes. "Please, find my daughter."

            She squeezed his arm reassuringly. I'm on it."

            Jack smiled at her as she turned to walk to her station. "And make sure you have your WORK cell phone with you!" he called after her.

            "Yeah, yeah."

            Back at her station, Ava began packing up some things she would need in her search for Kim. Tony came over to her with a strange look on his face.

            "What are you doing?"

            Ava glanced up before focusing on her desk again. "Jack needs me to do something."

            "And that would be?"

            "Sorry, Tony. None of your business. But don't worry, I'm pretty sure I'm not breaking any laws. At least not yet."

            "You should be here helping us."

            "And I will be back to do that as soon as I can. I'm sorry. I have to go."

            She brushed past him, heading for the exit. Tony sighed and looked down at her desk, seeing that she had left her personal cell. He thought about calling her back, but then decided against it, shrugging and going back to work.

 

***

 

            Ava pounded on the door with her fist, really not caring what time it was or who she might be waking up. Lights were on in the bedroom, and she knew that he would come down eventually – if nothing else, because she was interrupting his video gaming. As she continued to slam her fist into the door, she heard someone cursing loudly and stomping down the stairs. She put her hand down just as the door was swung open.

            "What the HELL do you want?"

            Ava smiled politely. "Hey, Vincent. Is Kim here?"

            He sighed. "Her dad already called me. I told him, I haven't seen her since he made her break up with me."

            "News flash, Vinnie. It wasn't Jack who made Kim break up with you. Turns out, she really does have some taste."

            "Who the fuck are you?"

            "Someone who's a hell of a lot more dangerous than Jack Bauer." She reached out suddenly and grabbed his throat, squeezing harder as a look of terror came over his face. "Now, you need to convince me that Kimberly is not here, that you haven't seen her and that you have no earthly idea where she is."

            Vincent's face was turning red. "I swear to God," he choked out. "I don't know where she is. Please, I can't breathe."

            Ava rolled her eyes. "Please, Vinnie. You don't believe in God. Swearing to him does not lend you much credibility."

            His voice became more hoarse as he struggled for air. "I swear! I wouldn't go through this much trouble for the bitch!"

            At that, Ava released her grip and watched as Vincent sank to the floor, gulping in great breaths of air. She waited until his face returned to its normal color before leaning down and bringing them nose to nose. "Thanks, Vinnie," she whispered with a predatory smile, patting him condescendingly on the head before moving back to her car.

           

***

 

            "Connolly."

            "Ava, did you find her yet?"

            She sighed. "No, Jack. But don't worry. I'm still looking. We'll find her."

            "Teri found an address on Kim's computer."

            "Now you have your wife hacking into your daughter's email? Jack, she's probably just partying somewhere. She's sixteen. She's stupid."

            "Did you go out partying at sixteen?"

            "Well, no. But I had no social life at sixteen, either. Hell, I don't have one now."

            "I want you to meet Teri at the address."

            "Why? If Kim is there, then you guys will have found her and everyone can go home happy."

            "Because I'm worried that there might be some trouble."

            "You're serious, aren't you?"

            "Yes. Please, Ava. It'll make Teri feel better with you there."

            Ava sighed again. "Of course, Jack. Give me the address."

 

***

 

            When Ava pulled up to the furniture store, she saw three cars sitting in the parking lot. One was Teri's, but she hadn't seen the other two before. Unlocking her glove compartment, she pulled out her gun, sliding it into the waistband of her pants and hiding it under her red t-shirt. She climbed out of the car and shut the door quietly, noting that the lights in the store were on.

            As soon as she walked in, Teri saw her and came rushing over. She enveloped the younger woman in a tight embrace and Ava returned the hug, trying to comfort her friend. Eventually they pulled away enough to talk.

            "Did Jack send you?" Teri asked.

            Ava nodded. "He said you guys might need some help."

            "And who are you exactly?"

            Ava looked behind Teri and saw a man standing there, staring at them in confusion. She frowned, already not liking him. He seemed to be middle-aged, slightly overweight and balding. Keeping a gentle hand on Teri's, she addressed him politely.

            "I'm a friend of the family. May I ask who you are?"

            She saw Teri's slightly confused look out of the corner of her eye, but for some reason, Ava had no desire for this guy to know that she was a federal agent. She watched as his features softened, noting that the effort didn't reach his eyes.

            "I'm sorry. I'm just wound a little tight. I'm Alan York. My daughter Janet is with Kim."

            Ava shook his hand as she tried to conceal her immediate dislike of him. She wracked her brain in an effort to figure just what it was that bothered her about him, but finally she just sighed and shook her head. There were plenty of people she didn't like – this guy probably just irked her.

            "So you guys haven't heard from them yet?" she asked, looking around the store. "And why on earth was this address in Kim's email?"

            Alan answered. "We think one of the boys they were meeting worked here. It looks like they were here for a while, but we missed them."

            Ava nodded, continuing her visual sweep of the store. "They left Janet's car here, which means they all went in the guys' car. Probably means they were headed to a party. And the only place that throws decent parties at this time of night is the Valley." She turned her attention back to Teri and Alan. "You two stay here. The girls will eventually have to come back for the car. I'll drive over to the Valley. You can always find a party there – just follow the string of drunken high school kids."

            Alan raised a hand to stop her. "Do you really think that’s a good idea? Maybe you shouldn't go alone."

            Ava smirked at him. "Don't worry. I can take care of myself." She turned to Teri and hugged her. "It's gonna be okay, Teri. We'll get Kim back."

            "Thank you," Teri whispered, her eyes watery.

            The younger woman patted her pockets and then groaned in frustration. "Dammit. I forgot my cell. Here, I'll give you my work number." She wrote the number down on a scrap of paper and handed it to Teri. "Call me if they show up or if you find anything else out."

            Nodding politely to Alan, she walked out of the store and got back in her car. As she pulled away, she saw Teri standing in the door, watching her anxiously.

 

***

 

            I hate the Valley, Ava thought for the hundredth time that night. She drove slowly, keeping her eyes peeled for a party or even for Kim. Maybe God would just point her out with a big neon sign so that she could bring her back to Teri and get back to CTU. She'd much rather be working on the newest terrorist threat than driving around L.A. But Kim was her friend, and now Ava needed to know that she was okay.

            She sighed again as she came to a stop at a red light. The streets were eerily deserted and she looked casually up at the van stopped in the lane next to her. Her eyes widened as she saw Kim leaning into the front and talking with the driver. Ava frowned – it looked more like Kim was arguing with the guy, not talking. She rolled down her window with the intention of yelling to the younger woman, when Kim turned her head and locked eyes with her. They stared at each other for a moment, but then the driver pushed Kim aside so that he could see who she was staring at.

Ava slowly reached for her gun as she glared at the kid, but then the light was green and the van was pulling away. Cursing loudly, she slammed her foot down on the gas pedal and sped to catch up with them. Her little car had better pick-up than the clunky van, and she was soon driving right next to him. She could see that the kid was yelling to someone, but the back of the van wasn't visible to her. She refocused on the road, trying desperately to come up with some way to make the van pull over. Deciding that taking out the tires was her only hope, Ava once again reached for her weapon.

The van suddenly slammed into the side of her car. She looked up in surprise to see the kid giving her an evil smile as he brought the van to once again collide with her. Ava tried to maneuver out of the way, yelling and swearing at the driver through her open window. But the van just kept coming, and her body was starting to ache from the force against her door. Looking in her side mirror, Ava could see the damage this was doing to her car – and she could also see that it couldn't withstand much more. She pushed harder on the gas pedal, causing the car to inch past the van little by little.

She frowned in confusion as she saw the van swing out to the left, into opposing traffic's lane. Worried that they were taking an unexpected turn, Ava went to turn her car as well. It was then that she saw what the van was doing. As the headlights came bearing down on her, she desperately tried to guide the car out of their path. The front of the van collided with her right behind her gas tank, sending the car spinning. Her hood slammed into the side of the van on its way past her and then one of her tires jumped the curb on the other side of the road. The car lifted and flipped, her windows shattering and her body slamming against the door and steering wheel. By the time the car skidded to a stop, she had already lost consciousness.

 

***

 

Tony sighed as the phone on his desk rang. He glared at it before reaching over to pick it up.

"CTU Almeida."

"Mr. Almeida, I'm calling from St. Mark's Hospital. I have one of your agents in my emergency room."

Tony sat up, worry gripping him. "Who?"

"An Ava Connolly. Do you know her?"

The agent cursed. "Yeah, I know her. What happened to her? Is she alright?"

"She was in a serious car accident, Mr. Almeida. Right now she's still unconscious and we're trying to discover the extent of her injuries."

Tony stood up, grabbing his jacket off the back of his chair. "I'll be right there. If she wakes up, tell her someone is on their way." He slammed the phone down and turned to leave, nearly barreling into Nina.

"Whoa, Tony. What's going on?"

"Sorry, Nina, I can't talk," he explained as he brushed past her hurriedly. She looked at him in confusion as he yelled back over his shoulder, "If you talk to Jack, tell him to call me!"

Comments

[rorylie.livejournal.com]

This story is so very awesome. I want more!

[glorylinnemann.livejournal.com]

*applauds* You keep writing at this pace and this thing will be done before you know it.

Oh, you and your cliffhangers. Now I need chapter three - STAT. Hey, you can get another chapter up by 5, right? :P Anyway, I'm dying to see Ava jump out of her hospita bed and start kicking ass. And Tony! Eh, reading this makes me miss him, but that's okay. Geez, I'm rambling off point. Then again, I just woke up, so.

Anyway, as you know, I LOVE it, kudos again for the originality and personality in this fic. Now get on chapter three. Now. ;)

[ktswaz.livejournal.com]

More Ava, yea! I'm so happy! It was cute how Tony ran out of CTU!

[sparky-girl82.livejournal.com]

I know I already told you (multiple times) how much I love this story. But I'll tell you again...I love this story! Ava is so cool! Wish there had been a character like that in the show. Or too bad TPTB can't get their heads out of their asses long enough to write Chloe some decent storyline, helping out Jack like this! *Sigh*

[failegaidin.livejournal.com]

Writing Ava is so much fun. I can't wait to write conversations between her and Chloe. Thanks for all the support for this story, since sometimes I can get very frustrated with it.

[sej-1986.livejournal.com]

Sorry I'm so late in replying to this! I have had it with revision but unfortunately I still have 4 days till my exam! :(

This is so so good, I've said it before but I really do have respect for what you are doing! I love how you've got Tony exactly right, just how he was in S1! And I can't figure out Nina... did she call her or not???

Very excited about this fic :D

[failegaidin.livejournal.com]

The evil bitch so very much so DID NOT call her. She just talked to a dial tone when she called Ava, so that Tony would think she called.

I can't wait for Ava to pummel the bitch.

[sej-1986.livejournal.com]

Thanks for clearing that up :D

No, I can't wait either :D I also want to see her pummel other characters... ;) but I will have to be very patient for that :D

[day-dream-girl1.livejournal.com]

Wow, you have taken on a mammoth (sp?) task, but it's looking great so far! I can't wait to see where you take this, and I'm loking forward to Chloe making her entrance;)

BTW, I could be completely off the mark, but is it possible there's something between Ava & Tony that you'll be exploring as the story progresses? Just asking...

[failegaidin.livejournal.com]

Yeah. There's something between Ava and Tony. When I said this was AU, I meant it. I'm COMPLETELY screwing with canon.

Glad you're enjoying it!!