Middle of 'Hourglass'

[kangeiko]

OK, so it's half an hour before Sloane gets executed. Except that, well, last conversation with Jack? Not so much.

Here's the way it plays out in my head -

Hourglass
Episode filler for Hourglass. Jack and Arvin share a drink.



*

So, what's the betting the execution gets delayed or Jack changes his mind?

In fact, I'm going with Jack changing his mind. Because he owns Sloane. And no one - no one - harms what belongs to Jack, even if he's just saving them for the pleasure of hurting them himself. If Sloane dies in any way other than stabbed or strangled by Jack, he's going to be exceedingly surprised. Irina, too. Dead by jack's hands or not at all, and that's just the end of it. And, yes, I can just see Laura smiling a little, "You should be careful, Arvin. Jack collects people who love him."

ETA: OMG OMG Some days you are just right!!! *jaw drop*

Comments

[selenak.livejournal.com]

You're really good.*g* Both with the ficlet and the prediction and the Jack analysis. Also?

You still love that bitch more than me and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it.

As Andraste said to me when she saw the episode for the first time, here (http://www.livejournal.com/users/andrastewhite/232643.html),Jack is right in that pseudo last conversation about Arvin being jealous, he's just completely wrong about the nature of the jealousy and whom it's directed at.

[kangeiko]

You're really good.*g* Both with the ficlet and the prediction and the Jack analysis.

Thank you. *g* I swear, I almost fell off my chair when I saw the resolution.

As Andraste said to me when she saw the episode for the first time, here,Jack is right in that pseudo last conversation about Arvin being jealous, he's just completely wrong about the nature of the jealousy and whom it's directed at.

Yes, exactly! But if he sees it, he's going to have to rethink everything, isn't he? All of his 'motivation' assumptions will be skewed, and...

Wait. Okay, one moment. *thinks*

If jack is seriously miscalculating Sloane's motivation re: Irina (I figure that the whole Dr Barnett thing was basically countering irina's claim over Jack, 'cause, really, that's what I'd do), then, well, he's miscalculating. Now, all we need is a scenario where that affects the outcome, and some insightful character (tm) can slap him upside the head. Like, say, Nadia.

Or Dixon.

Or *snicker* Sark.

"He has an unhealthy obsession with you, Jack."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

*pause* "You really don't, do you?" *g* "Now, this is priceless."

WTFOMGBBQ!!!!1111!!oneone!!1 (says Sydney from her corner, slightly incoherent and grossed out).

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I swear, I almost fell off my chair when I saw the resolution.

As opposed to you, I didn't know Sloane was going to be in season 4, so for all I knew, this execution was the real thing. So here I was bibbering "but... Jack... you bastard...", and the camera walked us to the room with the bodies, and I knew even before I saw him.*g*

"Because... and only because... I need you." He.

Now, all we need is a scenario where that affects the outcome, and some insightful character (tm) can slap him upside the head. Like, say, Nadia.

Or Dixon.

Or *snicker* Sark.

Dixon wouldn't, Sark so would. Nadia is in a position to do so but is usually too nice, except when very stressed out, so a late season 4 story in which she does would work.

And yes, Sydney would be grossed out.*g*

[kangeiko]

As opposed to you, I didn't know Sloane was going to be in season 4,

But all of that fell away when you're actually watching it! I felt mighty silly afterwards, let me tell you.

So here I was bibbering "but... Jack... you bastard...", and the camera walked us to the room with the bodies, and I knew even before I saw him.*g*

Ah, but he does it with such tenderness, it's so sweet. *g* And, fic! You wrote me fabulous fic for this very moment! Thank you! *bliss*

"Because... and only because... I need you." He.

*palface* If only he weren't so oblivious to himself, he'd understand how that actually came out. I want to march in there and wave Freud in his face.

Dixon wouldn't, Sark so would.

Hmmm, I was thinking of Dixon and Jack on a mission (because, well, I bet Dixon's going a bit stir-crazy just sitting around the office), and then Sloane appears (hiding behind a tree with an ineffectual disguise, or something), and Jack's clueless, and Dixon loses his temper. Nt a case of him being nasty, you understand, but just being done coddling the lot of them. (I think that Dixon puts up with a lot of faff and angst. I'd have beaten them with the 'sense' stick years back.)

And yes, Sydney would be grossed out.*g*

*g* I have yet to read Sloane&Jack (or Sloane/Jack, for that matter) where Sydney features in any great way. I think that her reaction to their dynamic would be fabulous, especially as we tend to find out important things either through her eyes or pointedly not.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.*g*

If only he weren't so oblivious to himself, he'd understand how that actually came out. I want to march in there and wave Freud in his face.

Wait till you hear him say to Sloane "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't do to you what I did to my wife". In the men's room, no less.

If you ask me, Jack's obliviousness has a lot to do with the fact that he doesn't consider himself lovable or worthy of love. Certainly not since Laura turned out to be Irina. (Before that, he was open enough emotionally to write sappy dedications on books, after all.) And that he tells himself that he doesn't want or need anyone's affection but Sydney's.

I think that Dixon puts up with a lot of faff and angst. I'd have beaten them with the 'sense' stick years back.

You mean back in the SD6 days when they were his bosses? *g* Also, let's not forget: Dixon loathes Sloane because of the death of Diane. Yes, I think he meant it when he told Sloane that he prayed Sloane would find peace, because Dixon is a good man, but that was with the prospect of Sloane dying. A living Sloane is a different matter.

I have yet to read Sloane&Jack (or Sloane/Jack, for that matter) where Sydney features in any great way. I think that her reaction to their dynamic would be fabulous, especially as we tend to find out important things either through her eyes or pointedly not.

True. Of course she has her own strong dynamic with Sloane. (Something which in turn Jack ignores as best he can.) As far as show canon goes, I think her pov on that relationship changes a bit. In early season 3, she rather confidently tells Sloane "you'll never have my trust, or my father's friendship and respect", and this is not three episodes before Jack and Sloane work together again. In season 4... well, you'll see. To put as unspoilery as possible, some of Sydney's actions prove that she does believe in Sloane's feelings for Jack at least. Mind you, as in "friendship". And in season 3 she's aware that (pre-Irina revelation) Jack doesn't share her hatred for Sloane.

Mind you, in general I think Sydney prefers not to think about Sloane and either of her parents at all. But her subconscious, to which we get another trip in the early season 4 episode "Nocturne", does some fascinating things with Jack and Sloane. You'll see.

[kangeiko]

Wait till you hear him say to Sloane "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't do to you what I did to my wife". In the men's room, no less.

He was trembly!! I wanted to pat him on the head and then run away quickly. And I loved how firmly Sloane dealt with him, actually, like calming a frightened child.

*bunny idea of tortured!jack and next-cell-over!sloane, trying to keep him from death/insanity/badness*

No, must stop writing vignettes. Must write plot.

some of Sydney's actions prove that she does believe in Sloane's feelings for Jack at least. Mind you, as in "friendship". And in season 3 she's aware that (pre-Irina revelation) Jack doesn't share her hatred for Sloane.

Oh, I think that she'd be quite happy to find out NOTHING ELSE AT ALL about the First Spy Gen's sex lives, complicated tangled webs that they are.

[andraste]

You still love that bitch more than me and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it.

So, yes, let this toast be for Irina Derevko, a woman who somehow managed to retain the love of the daughter she abandoned and the husband she duped. A woman for whom both of them would kill the one person they can be completely sure loves them. Would die for them. For them, Irina, not for you. It's galling to have to die for you.

I loved this very much, and especially this part, because it's so true. He's not jealous of Jack's relationship with Irina, he's jealous of Irina's relationship with Jack.

And when I have finished watching Season Four I am so writing the threesome. No matter how drunk I have to get them first.

[kangeiko]

I loved this very much, and especially this part, because it's so true. He's not jealous of Jack's relationship with Irina, he's jealous of Irina's relationship with Jack.

Thank you, and, yes, I read you thoughts on this and I think you're spot-on. I'm actually thinking hard as to what would make Jack think otherwise (other than the fact that he was duped, and it probably soothes his ego to think that she was just that good). I mean, there was Sloane extracting Irina - but, well, whatever - and Nadia herself, I guess, but Sloane hasn't really mentioned anything about irina. Anything at all. He talks about Sydney and Jack (and now Nadia), but no Irina. And he hasn't gone out of his way to help her in any way, whereas he's sacrificed quite a bit for Jack and Sydney. So it really does make me wonder, this willful blindness of Jack's. I want to 'tut' at him. And make someone slap him really hard.

And when I have finished watching Season Four I am so writing the threesome. No matter how drunk I have to get them first.

*g* Go watch now immediately!! And write that! I read this and went about the entirety of today thinking up scenarios where it would be only too natural for all three of them to shag like bunnies. Mmm, Jack!sandwich.

So, I'm thinking -

1) Jack has been injured (nearly drowned, say), and Irina and Sloane manage to drag him out of the river/lake/sea/bath before he's dead. But he's quite unconscious and weak, poor kitten. They're a bit stranded, he's a bit hypothermic and unsconscious, so they cuddle up to him to keep themselves alive.

Bitching happens.

Jealousy follows.

Irina totally completely gets it. And finds it hyterical.

Sloane considers killing her and saying that "she was like that when we got here!"

Irina puts Possessive Hands (tm) on Jack, to tick off Sloane.

Jack wakes up.

Mortification all around.

[andraste]

Thank you, and, yes, I read you thoughts on this and I think you're spot-on. I'm actually thinking hard as to what would make Jack think otherwise (other than the fact that he was duped, and it probably soothes his ego to think that she was just that good).

Also, on some level he's still so besotted with her he thinks everyone must love Irina. Because she is so completely loveable. He has the same anxiety about how Sydney is going to abandon him for her mother in Season Two.

He talks about Sydney and Jack (and now Nadia), but no Irina. And he hasn't gone out of his way to help her in any way, whereas he's sacrificed quite a bit for Jack and Sydney.

To anyone with eyes who is not Jack Bristow, it is obvious that Sloane does not love Irina Derevko. He respects her, certainly, is maybe even kind of fond of her when she's not sending his best friend to kill him. But when Sloane loves someone, he is very very obvious about it.

Go watch now immediately!!

Alas, the disks just arrived in Melbourne today, but I am in the country away from my letterbox. Woe.

Mmm, Jack!sandwich.

It's a nice thought, isn't it?

They're a bit stranded, he's a bit hypothermic and unsconscious, so they cuddle up to him to keep themselves alive.

Ah, hypothermia. Best beloved medical condition of slash writers everywhere.

[kangeiko]

Also, on some level he's still so besotted with her he thinks everyone must love Irina. Because she is so completely loveable. He has the same anxiety about how Sydney is going to abandon him for her mother in Season Two.

It's... sweet. *g*

To anyone with eyes who is not Jack Bristow, it is obvious that Sloane does not love Irina Derevko. He respects her, certainly, is maybe even kind of fond of her when she's not sending his best friend to kill him. But when Sloane loves someone, he is very very obvious about it.

Is there anyone in a position to see him interact with Irina, though? I reckon that Sark would have the best view of this, and wouldn't be adverse to sharing his opinion with the world. (Tacky, but true.) Everyone else tends to be at minion or supporting guest star level and don't really get to watch the big three interact.

Alas, the disks just arrived in Melbourne today, but I am in the country away from my letterbox. Woe.

*sympathy*

Ah, hypothermia. Best beloved medical condition of slash writers everywhere.

*g* It's right up there in the cliche department with, "and they're stranded in a cave/cabin/flooded apartment, and they can't leave, right, and then Stuff Happens."

Oh, wait. I used that one too. *g*

[andraste]

It's... sweet. *g*

It is, in a twisted Jack Bristow kind of way.

Is there anyone in a position to see him interact with Irina, though?

To be honest, I was thinking more of the fans than the characters. I am reliably informed that most of the fic dealing with this subject has Sloane obsessed with Irina and ... no. None of the character other than Jack seem to think it was anything serious, and Jack's perceptions are skewed all to hell where Irina is concerned.

Alas, the disks just arrived in Melbourne today, but I am in the country away from my letterbox. Woe.

*sympathy*

I get them Thursday, at the latest. Hooray!

It's right up there in the cliche department with, "and they're stranded in a cave/cabin/flooded apartment, and they can't leave, right, and then Stuff Happens."

Yeah. And hypothermia goes so well with the caves, cabins and flooded apartments too.

Oh, wait. I used that one too. *g*

I have a fondness for escape pods, myself *g*. And I think the threesome is going to have a prison cell and a cabin.

[kangeiko]

2) Someone gives Jack a clue. Or, rather, Jack gets captured by Sark, who gives him a clue, a stick and a beating. Irina features (in a bad way or good way, who cares). Sloane to the rescue! (Well, sort of.) Jack, previously denying the ridiculousness of what he's started calling "Sloane's School-boy Crush" (because, hey, petty), suddenly Gets It. And fails to freak out. Because he's just that unflappable. He asks Sloane about it.

Who, it turns out, isn't as unflappable as Jack (Sloane traded everything for Rambaldi including, it turns out, his Clue). So, newly rescued, Jack leans in and kisses him, and it's a mark of how confused and off-balance Sloane is that he has Jack in a death-grip before he's had a chance to think. He lets go immediately, of course, but not quickly enough, because Jack is also combat-trained, and his reflexes kick in. And they're tussling a little - not really fighting, not really not - just to have something to do with themselves other than OMGthinkNONO, and Sloane is laughing a little at how stupid this all is, and jack is too - maybe it's the oxygen deprivation, or the beating, or the drugs, but Sloane had always been able to get under his skin. It's just been a while since he used his knowledge to make Jack laugh, is all, and then Jack leans in and kisses him again. And this time Sloane lets him.

And it's just... it's odd. Because, because, they know each other. Jack was the one that pulled Sloane out of that body-bag and manipulated his shaking limbs through underwear and clothing, rubbing life into his cold flesh. And Sloane is a little awed at how incongruous that knowledge must be, now, because he knows Jack too - pulling him through barbed wire and binding him up and then there was the time with the electric shock where Jack's body just gave out and Sloane really doesn't want to be thinking about the smell of burned flesh when Jack's tongue is in his mouth and it should all be familiar but not, somehow,

And that's when irina walks in. Because she has perfect timing, and because she defends the things that belong to her and, damnit, this is one thing that Sloane will not have. (Thought she knows that Katya has had Jack already, and that is already a bone of contention between them.) And maybe she'll participate or maybe watch, but either way, this isn't going to be one of those things that just 'happens' and then they'll have something to smile over (because she knows that they'll smile over it. If Irina had her way, this would be the perfect wedge to drive between them, but it doesn't quite work that way, does it? And hystrionics was never her thing, nor Jack's. Nor even Sloane's).

She hates Sloane then, just a little. Not the casual dislike and slow malice that she had previously felt, but sharp, pointed hate - only a little, she reminds herself, and it is over hurt pride rather than jealousy - and thinks, well, aren't you stupid.

For all his lack of social graces, Jack Bristow has managed to surround himself with people who love him. It is not a simple feeling, nor is it pure, but it is there nonetheless, and that is why she doesn't simply shoot them both and be done with it.

3) and then there was that thing that time -

*cough*

Sorry. You probably wanted to write this yourself, yeah? *embarrassed* A wee bit carried away... *shuffles feet*

Anyway. Where's my fic??

[andraste]

3) and then there was that thing that time -

*cough*

Sorry. You probably wanted to write this yourself, yeah? *embarrassed* A wee bit carried away... *shuffles feet*

But I see no reason why you should not also write Jack/Sloane/Irina! Or whatever order that should go in. Since you made such a good beginning and all.

Anyway. Where's my fic??

Your fic *points* is up there, being all unfinished and drafty. (Er, you know what I mean.) My fic is in my brain, percolating away until after I've actually see the rest of Season Four ...

[kangeiko]

But I see no reason why you should not also write Jack/Sloane/Irina! Or whatever order that should go in. Since you made such a good beginning and all.

LOL. I'd get their limbs tangled up again, I can never keep them all in my head. No, no, best you write the hot&smutty.

I'll just, er, sit over here and angst. :)

Your fic *points* is up there, being all unfinished and drafty. (Er, you know what I mean.) My fic is in my brain, percolating away until after I've actually see the rest of Season Four ...

So, post-S4, what're your thoughts on the matter? Doable? :)

I like the time-gap between the climax and coda - lots of stuff could fit in there. They're stranded(&waiting to be found), Nadia's very hurt, Sloane's all broken, Irina's yet to leave, Jack's all relaxed post-torture, it's idea, innit...

[andraste]

LOL. I'd get their limbs tangled up again, I can never keep them all in my head.

Well, one of them could watch and make suggestions ...

No, no, best you write the hot&smutty.

Oh, I shall. At some point.

So, post-S4, what're your thoughts on the matter? Doable? :)

Oh yes. I have a plot, even! Involving a Rambaldi device, Katya and a helicopter.

I like the time-gap between the climax and coda - lots of stuff could fit in there. They're stranded(&waiting to be found), Nadia's very hurt, Sloane's all broken, Irina's yet to leave, Jack's all relaxed post-torture, it's idea, innit...

*prods you, again*

[kangeiko]

Well, one of them could watch and make suggestions ...

... which pretty much sums up every threesome fic I've ever attempted. :)

Oh yes. I have a plot, even! Involving a Rambaldi device, Katya and a helicopter.

*bounce*

...

fic soon? *bats lashes*

[andraste]

... which pretty much sums up every threesome fic I've ever attempted. :)

Hey, there's nothing wrong with voyeurism. Or they could take turns?

*bounce*

...

fic soon? *bats lashes*

*eyes queue of unfished fics*

Uh, maybe?

[kangeiko]

Aww, honey pie! *snuggles* I wrote this before I saw your post - you just focus on feeling better. Fic can wait.

Although I am fully committed to writing you fic-to-order if it will help. *hugs*

[andraste]

Aww, honey pie! *snuggles* I wrote this before I saw your post - you just focus on feeling better. Fic can wait.

There actually are things I want to write now - I'm feeling rather better, at least until the codeine wears off tomorrow - but I'm telling myself I must get the ficathon story posted first. It's only right.

Although I am fully committed to writing you fic-to-order if it will help. *hugs*

Fic always helps. Thank you *g*.

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

You are so cool.

::stares at your words, your story, your Sloane in awe::

[kangeiko]

Hee. Thank you. :)

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

You're welcome!!

I saw you friended me, and I think we got it backwards: I adore your writing, so shouldn't I have friended you first? Confess, you just want more of my happy squees! & ;-)

[kangeiko]

*giggle* Well, I saw that you write Jack/Nadia and, ok, not seen s4 so not ready to read it yet, but i read the author's notes to 'at the foot of the throne' - anyone who painstakingly works out the geopolitical ramifications of religious extremism for fic purposes has to be on my flist. *g*

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

but i read the author's notes to 'at the foot of the throne' - anyone who painstakingly works out the geopolitical ramifications of religious extremism for fic purposes has to be on my flist. *g*

Hee! Well, I'm a) German and b) a law graduate specialising in PIL/EU Law, so of course, I angst over stereotyping and clichés and such and try to find a compromise. & ;-)

I also love my soapbox. You don't know what you've gotten yourself into...

Well, I saw that you write Jack/Nadia

See, I'm not really a writer, not like you and all the others. ::looks around furtively:: I just write because I had to (WowWrongBadHot!). *g*

[kangeiko]

Hee! Well, I'm a) German and b) a law graduate specialising in PIL/EU Law, so of course, I angst over stereotyping and clichés and such and try to find a compromise. & ;-)

I also love my soapbox. You don't know what you've gotten yourself into...

*snicker*

*points to chest* postgrad student in gender and development, at your service. I have cultural imperialist and feminist issues coming outta my arse, missy. (Also a law exam in like, four days. *shudder*) it's like we gravitate towards each other, no? we should build a really, really big soapbox. And possibly tassles.

See, I'm not really a writer, not like you and all the others. ::looks around furtively:: I just write because I had to (WowWrongBadHot!). *g*

no, no, of course not; dear lord, it's looking like it'll be tolstoy long!

Must. Get. To. Bed. *collapse*

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

I have cultural imperialist and feminist issues coming outta my arse, missy.

Hee! Bring it on! & ;-)

(Also a law exam in like, four days. *shudder*)

*pets*

it's like we gravitate towards each other, no? we should build a really, really big soapbox. And possibly tassles.

Tassles...tassles... ::brain short-circuits::

no, no, of course not; dear lord, it's looking like it'll be tolstoy long!

See, I have no idea how that happened--suddenly, they were *talking*, and enjoying it all. *g*

[kangeiko]

Tassles...tassles... ::brain short-circuits::

Now why is it that this happens whenever I mention tassles? It doesn't matter what fandom I dabble in, the moment I mention tassles someone will turn to goo. Is there a world-wide tassle-philia aspect to fandom that I've been missing?

See, I have no idea how that happened--suddenly, they were *talking*, and enjoying it all. *g*

Yeah, I hate it when characters think that they've got, like, character development and plot to get through before the sex. *sigh*

[http://users.livejournal.com/__marcelo/]

*loves your Alias* Your Sloane inner voice? *Rules*. I love how you paint Jack through Sloane's eyes, and how much you put the accent on his frustration. In that place, in that moment (and in many others), it rang exceedingly true and precise.

[kangeiko]

Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it, especially as this was one of the first pieces of Alias fic I wrote, and first one in Sloane's voice.