Jack gave his former partner an unreadable look.  Sighing, Chase accepted that the older man wasn’t going to give up anything tonight.  “I'm going to find some entertainment."   Jack sipped his drink and smirked.  Grimacing at his partner, Chase defended, "Hey, I'm younger than you.  I don't have the patience to watch something like that and keep it casual.  Keep an eye on her for me.  I'll be driving home."

               She wasn't having the worst time, she realized.  Or maybe that was the whiskey.  She loved the whiskey.  It never occurred to her to wonder why Jack slid into the booth across from her.  "Hiya, Jack," she said brightly.

               "Hello, Chloe," he replied with a gentle smile.  "Are you enjoying yourself?"

               Nodding enthusiastically she answered, "I am.  It's Chase's birthday.  We're celebrating.  He's somewhere.  I don't really know.  But if anybody fucks with me, I'm supposed to wave to the bartender.  I was nice to him.  We bonded, so he's totally got my back."

               Jack smiled at her.  "That's good.  Do you mind if I sit here for a little bit. 

My legs are getting tired."

               "No," she, patting the seat next to her.  "Sit.  Have a drink with me.  Do you like whiskey?  I love whiskey, I think it's the best."  She poured herself another glass.

               Discretely moving the bottle away from her, Jack answered, "I can see that.  But I had a beer earlier and I'm driving myself home, so I'll have to pass."

               "That's too bad.  I danced with a stripper," she said brightly.  "Did you know I danced with a stripper?  And it was fun.  But don't tell Chase because I'm totally going to make him feel bad for making me do it.  I have a whole plan.  A three prong plan.  Where is Chase, anyway?"

               Her eagerness made Jack laugh.  "I think he went to make some fun of his own."  Indicating one of the main tables with his chin, he smirked.  "He's really turned on the charm with the girls."

               “Yeah, he's like that.  Charming. That's why we're so good together, because he's charming and I'm not.  Give me that," she said, pointing to the bottle. 

               Trying to keep casual, Jack offered, "How about I get you some coffee instead."

               "No.  I don't want that.  Chase said I could get drunk, and it's his birthday so we have to do what he says.  Did you know it's his birthday?  And I am the best girl friend ever because I brought him here."

               Deciding it wasn't worth the impending battle, Jack poured her another drink.  "Yeah.  He told me.  He's damn lucky to have a girl like you in his life.

               Feeling pleasantly buzzed she giggled.  "That's so nice to say!  Everybody is being really, really nice to me. Including that really pretty stripper who taught me how to dance."

               "Well that's good.  Will you dance for me sometime?" Jack requested carefully.

               Chloe thought about it.  "Maybe. If that's what you want for your birthday.  But I think I might retire."

               Swallowing, Jack said hoarsely, "I'd really, really like that as a present.  Why do you want to retire though.  You were looking great?"

               Oh shit.  Even her alcohol hazed mind knew this was bad.  "You're lying," she said, staring at him.  "Because Chase told me nobody could see me, and he never lies to me because he loves me."

               "I'm nobody," Jack asked, faking being hurt.  When the humor didn’t go over well he reassured her,  "I'm sure he didn't lie.  Didn't he say the barman could also see you?"

               This was not happening.  "You're not a bartender, Jack.  But you can pour me another drink," she laughed.

               Obeying, Jack told her, "No, but the bartender's a friend of mine.  I spelled him for awhile."

               "No," she said shaking her head. "You couldn't see me. Chase wouldn't let that happen."

               One of her hands was carefully held in his.  "Is that a problem?" he said quietly.  "I don't want to upset you, Chloe."

               She pulled away from him. "Where's Chase?  I want to talk to him now."

               "Shh."  Jack brushed her hair out of her face.  "You stay right here.  I'll get him, okay?"

               "Because I have so much say in what you do now," she asked, rubbing her eyes.

               Moving to sit next to her, Jack carefully tried to get her lean against him.  His attempt failed and she pulled stiffly away.  "You have plenty of say," he murmured.  "Would you like me to take you home right now?"

               Feeling the familiar sensation of panic in her chest Chloe insisted, "I want.  To talk.  To Chase.  I want you to leave me alone.  You've done enough."

               Pulling back, hurt, Jack said quietly.  "Okay, Chloe.  I'll be right back."  He left the booth and disappeared into some other part of the club.

               She wanted to cry, but she was pretty sure you weren't allowed to do that in a strip club, so she settled for another drink.

               "My, your soldier was right, sugar, you are smashed."  Brandy, dressed regular clothes with her make-up wiped off slid into the booth.  Seeing the glossiness of Chloe's eyes she asked, "What's wrong, sugar?"

               Despite the other woman’s kindness Chloe wanted this to be private. "Nothing," she said, wiping her eyes again.  "Where's Chase and why the hell won't anybody let me talk to him?"

               Placing one hand over Chloe's, Brandy pointed, "Jack's got him, sugar.  They're heading this way right now."

"You know Jack?"

               "That old fly-boy, yeah.  He and Timmy go way back.  He plays bouncer on really rough nights."

               It figured.  "That's Jack, always saving somebody."

               Concerned, Brandy asked, "Sugar, are you sure you're alright?  You really don't look good."

               Why wouldn’t she go away?  "I'm fine.  This is the best day ever."

               Chase sat next Chloe.  Nodding to Brandy, he asked tenderly, "You okay, darlin'?"

               Gulping her drink, Chloe snapped, "I want to talk to you."

               There was a visible wince when Chase glanced at the bottle.  "How 'bout we go home?  That sound good?"

               "No, no, I need you to explain something to me."

               He leaned back.  "Shoot."

               It was a struggle but she kept her voice even.  “Well, you know, I don't always understand what other people do, and maybe I am a little drunk, but how exactly, did Jack happen to show up here just in time to see dance on a table in my underwear?  Because god, if that happened, that could be really embarrassing for me," unable to stop the tears anymore she wiped her cheeks.

               "Hey, darlin'," Chase tugged her down to his shoulder.  Whispering in her ear, he explained, "I didn't know until I saw him outside our booth, Chloe.  I swear to God.  I had no idea he saw you."  Carefully he used his thumb to brush away her tears.

               "If you're lying to me…"

               "Would I lie to you, darlin'?

               Disappearing into the floor would be good right now.  "He saw me, Chase!  God, I’m gonna have to quit my fucking job."

               Brandy demanded softly, "What's the problem, soldier."

               Pulling Chloe into his lap, Chase explained grimly, "Jack's our boss.  Well, her boss now.  It's going to be fine Chloe.  You won't have to quit CTU.  Jack's not going to care."

               Was he a complete idiot?  "I care!  I care.  And where the hell is my fucking glass?"

               The glass was shoved away.  "Chloe," Chase said firmly, "you've had enough.  You're upset.  I need you to breath for me.  Just take a moment and breath."

               She growled and swatted him.  "I don't want to breath.  And don't fucking tell me I've had enough.  I danced, in my underwear, on a table, in front of Jack, because of you, so I think I deserve to drink as much as I want."

               "Chloe," Chase snapped right back, "You've gone through three quarters of that bottle by yourself.  Tomorrow you aren't going to remember anything passed the quarter-bottle mark.  I'm gonna take you home now.  If you're still awake, I'll give you some of the scotch okay?"

               Things were getting worse.  She just wanted to stay here and disappear.  "Please don't yell at me," she cried.  "You know, just.  I'm fine, okay, I'll be fine.  Just go enjoy what's left of your birthday."

               Kissing her temple, he whispered contritely, "I didn't mean to yell.  Easy, darlin'.  You did great.  I had a great time.  But we need to go home now.  Okay?"

               "I just want everybody to leave me alone, okay?  I want to sit here with my bottle, that I paid for, and I want everybody to stop being so damn nice.  And if you're worried about me, I'm sure Jack will lurk somewhere and watch me for you."

               In a single heave, Chase got to his feet.  Chloe was cradled in his arms like some heroine from a romance tale.  Brandy put the almost empty bottle into Chloe's hands.  "Put.  Me.  Down."

               Nuzzling her cheek, Chase said, "I like you like this."  Keeping to more discrete edges of the club he made his way to the entrance, carrying his friend.

               "Stop it!  Jack Bauer, you remember Jack, right? My boss, that guy I have that stupid crush on?  Saw me dance on a table in my  underwear, so why don't you tell me what the proper reaction to that is?"

               "Shh, darlin," Chase pushed open the back door with his foot and darted out into the alley behind the club.  "Don't worry.  Tomorrow you aren't going to remember this.  And Jack won't say anything."

               "Jack," she said looking up. "Jack is right there.  God, what the fuck, are you actually everywhere now?"

               The pale eyes looked fearful in the lamplight.  "Chase, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to upset her like this."

               Giving his former partner a look, Chase growled, "How did you expect her to react, Jack?  Did you expect her to get up on the table for you?  You know how she is."

               "Stop talking about me like I'm not here!  Oh god Chase, I have to throw up."

               Experienced in this situation, Chase let her legs drop to the ground.  Dragging her two steps over a trashcan, he let her lean over his arm.  One hand held her hair out of her face as her stomach cleared itself of the excess alcohol.  "Oh god," she said, leaning against him.  "I'm sorry," she cried.  "It wasn't supposed to be like this, not on your birthday.  Just.  You can just go back inside.  And you can make Jack take me home.  I have to tell him I quit anyway."

               "Easy, darlin'." Chase pulled her upright.  "I'm gonna to take you home now.  You can use me as a pillow tonight.  Does that sound okay."

               "You," she said, turning to point at Jack.  "You shouldn't have watched me like that.  You shouldn't have embarrassed me like that.  Because now I have to quit my job and I'll never see you again.  But I guess it doesn't matter any more if you know I'm in love with you, because I'm not going back to CTU, not after that."