I found this on an old computer. I wrote this originally as a half page vignette, but have now expanded it a little with a new title. Hope you enjoy it.
THe characters belong to JJ Abrams.

HAVE I TOLD YOU I LOVE YOU TODAY?

It was late in 1982, shortly after Laura returned from a conference in Paris that Jack told her she should take time to see the sights. “After all, your school does set up these conferences in cities and you should tour them.” They were undressing for bed.

“No, I want to be back here with you and Sydney.” She kissed him. “I would rather be at home, than anywhere else.” She knew she did. She hated going abroad. The KGB always had a meeting set up. They need assurance she was still loyal to her country. They knew they had a priceless agent in Laura Bristow.

He laughed, shaking his head. “Darling,” he kissed her lightly. “I’m going to be in Washington next week. I won’t dawdle either,” he admitted. “I adore you. After ten years of marriage you somehow are as seductive as the day I met you.” He pulled her close and kissed her.

They climbed into bed. Laura smiled. “Sydney and I will miss you too.” She leaned over, kissing the nipples on his chest.

Jack caught his breath. Laura made him feel so virile and so loved. “Have I told you I love you today?” He whispered.

She shook her head smiling. He turned her on her back, kissing her repeatedly on the lips, cheeks, throat, and both eyes. He moved to her breasts, nipples, and abdomen. She moaned sucking in her breath.

“Jack?” She moaned again, caressing his head, running her hands through his hair.

“Ummm, I’m busy,” he whispered.

“You devil,” she cried as he continued exploring her body with his lips.
Finally, he could wait no longer. She adjusted her body to his, moving in rhythm to him, until they both came in an explosive climax.

An hour later, Laura’s eyes opened. Jack was in a deep sleep beside her, softly snoring. She moved slowly, standing up beside the bed, looking at him, and biting her lip. He is so good in bed, she thought. She felt queasy for a moment, thinking how she was feeling her love for him grow with every day they lived together. It was not about sex either it was everything else too. He was a great father, a patriot, and a good husband. She shook herself thinking about her handler, Valenko. She had an appointment with him early after she took Sydney to school. She listened to Jack’s breathing. It didn’t or hadn’t changed.

Laura turned, walking barefooted out of the bedroom. She stepped inside Sydney’s room, looking at her daughter, no, their daughter. She was six, going on seven, intelligent and so precocious. She was their pride and joy. Laura walked inside, leaned over, and pulled the covers up. Sydney seemed to kick them off more than she kept them on her. Maybe she’ll be a dancer, thought Laura with a smile.

She moved silently down the hall to the den where Jack had left his briefcase. There she walked to the bookcase where her books on English Literature sat on every shelf. As a Professor at UCLA, she shared the den with Jack, using the desk when he wasn’t there to set up study and class assignments. Laura pulled out her copy of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and walked to the desk where Jack’s briefcase rested. She took a small key from the book and opened it.

Laura quickly glanced at the papers. She had a photographic memory that aided her obtaining information. Occasionally she had to photograph items, but tonight there was not much in the way of new information. She would record it for Valenko after Jack left in the morning. Finished, she closed the briefcase, locked it, and stood up. Replacing the book and key on the shelf, she turned out the light and left walking silently back to their bedroom. Jack was asleep and still snoring. She slipped between the sheets, turning over to rest her head on his shoulder, and throwing her left arm across his muscular chest.

The next morning Jack left early. He had meetings all day at work. Laura did not have a class today, but did have a meeting later that evening. He said he would be home early to watch Sydney. Laura cooked some oatmeal for Sydney, who seemed remarkably happy.

“Hurry up, sweetheart,” Laura admonished. “We have to leave in ten minutes.”

“Yes, Mommy,” she said, digging into the cereal.

Laura left her at school, running to catch her friends as they entered the schoolyard. She drove quickly to the motel where she always met Valenko. She knocked on the door and it opened.

“Come inside quickly.”

Laura looked at him warily. She didn’t like the tone of his voice. She handed him the tape. “What’s wrong?”

“We’ve got to leave.” He said.

“What are you talking about?” She stared at him.

“The FBI has been investigating you.”

“What?” She sat down on the edge of the bed. Her heart began to pound as the implications flashed into her head.

Valenko nodded. He worked at the FBI office in Los Angeles. He had been there for months. Somehow, the KGB had made it possible for Valenko to become an agent. Laura did not want to know the particulars. She had her own history to remember and take care of without thinking about his. However, now she paid attention.

“How did you find out about me? And why are they investigating me?”

“I’m not sure, but I think they have been cross-checking people close to the CIA with out-of-the-country travels. Your trips abroad match certain dates they know correlate with CIA operatives who have been assassinated. They are digging into your past.” He stared at her.

“Son of a bitch,” she swore. “What are my orders then?”

“They want to extract you before the FBI arrests you.” Valenko said.

The implications were enormous. She was on the brink of losing Jack and Sydney, and more important, her life. If the FBI knew what she had been doing the past ten years—if the CIA knew…that meant Jack might be in trouble also. No, no, she thought; don’t think about that, think about saving your life.

“How?” She asked.

“You have to make sure that you have died in an accident. Then get to the Consulate. They know what to do.”

“Any suggestions?”

He shrugged, “an accident of some kind, but there can be no body found. It’s supposed to rain this afternoon…a big storm coming and will drop one to three inches of rain.”

She thought, “I have to go to a meeting…” She stood up, looking at him. “I’m going out tonight to a meeting. Jack is going to be home to take care of Sydney. I’ll do something then. I’ll find some way…” She wasn’t sure what she would do, but she would have to leave and it had to be an accident. She knew she would have to be sure her daughter never learned the truth about her mother, at least not right away.

Laura stood up and walked to the door. “I will be at the Consulate tonight.” She had her hand on the doorknob when she thought of something else. “Why are they extracting me? I would think they would have you kill me.”

He blushed because she had guessed what happened to other long time agents. “Your father is now a Colonel. He made it clear that nothing was to happen to you during the extraction.”

She smiled, said nothing, and left. Laura ran to her car, tears finally running down her cheeks. She had held them back while she was with Valenko. She didn’t want to show any weakness--not now. She knew if her father was worried about her safety from the KGB, she’d better show them she was trustworthy and loyal.

She wanted to think that some day…she would see Jack and Sydney again. Irina Derevko, the Russian spy, had no idea it would be twenty years before she came face to face with her husband and daughter.

Jack was home early as he promised. Laura had fixed dinner as usual. She told Jack she was going to a meeting in Long Beach and probably wouldn’t be home until late.

“Don’t worry.” She smiled at him over the cup of coffee she was drinking.

“You will be careful? I wish you weren’t going.” He glanced out the window at the rain that was pouring down.

“I have to, sweetheart. I’m in charge.” She stood up and shortly returned wearing her raincoat, carrying an umbrella, and even had waterproof boots on her feet.

“Mommy, I want a hug,” cried Sydney. She stood up and Laura stooped. The two Bristow females hugged each other. Laura almost cried. “I love you, Sydney, never forget that.”

Jack came around the table and held her in his arms briefly, saying, “Have I told you I love you today?” Laura shook her head. “Well, sweetheart, I do.” He kissed her, pulled her close and gave her a hug. “Just drive carefully.”

“I promise.” She answered her eyes never leaving his face as though memorizing every line, every hair. She turned running to the door, calling over her shoulder, “I’ll be home about midnight.”

The phone call came at eight. Laura never reached the meeting. The police said there had been an accident. Her car went into the river. According to a man who had witnessed the accident, she had managed to get out of the car, but then debris from the run-off, most specifically, a tree had hit her and dragged her away. They were going to search, but she might not be found for days.

Jack wanted to go with them. They assured him there was nothing he could do. He hung up the phone stunned. Laura gone? He fell to his knees and for the first time in many years, he prayed she would be found and that she was all right. “Oh God, what am I going to do without her?”

The doorbell rang. He pushed himself up, walking to the door, trying to wipe away the tears. He opened the door, hoping it was good news.

Two FBI agents stood there, badges out for him to see. “Is your wife at home?”

Bev,
It was wonderful to read, just lovely.
Happy New Year to my dear friends.
Wottamom :D :redhair: :redhair:

lenafan,
Thanks for letting us listen in on the Bristow family and to see how loving a family they were before Laura had to go back to her country.
And thanks for letting me know about this wonderful short story!
Happy New Year to you, your editor, and to all of your loyal readers.
EspionageFan :ph43r:

Wow....that was the best version of when 'Laura' died that I've ever read!! :) That was great!! I loved the title and the way you incorporated it in with Jack asking Laura that great question!! :wub:
Great job, I hope you find more of these laying about on old computers, they're great!! :D
Thanks for sharing!! :P
Colly E. :bunny:

That was great. It was very well written. I hope you find and post more of these stories.

Thanks for the pm.

Thanks for the compliments. I appreciate that. :wub:
If you haven't read I've Got To See You Again go to Page 3 of the list of stories. This particular story could be called the sequel to this story. ;)
B)

wottamom posted on January 2, 2004

Actually I watch very little TV, so that frees up a lot of time. Thanks for asking. B)

I read this before but it's even better this time, I mean how is that even possible? anyways love the bristows, especially your version, it's different, in a very good way.

:huh: :P :lol: :) That was GREAT :D :rolleyes: :redhair: :blush01: :reallyexcited:

that was really sad.
so angsty...wow.
great work