Half an hour later, Irving came out of the West Hollywood branch with a helpless look on his face. Carlos was so worried that he had no time to go rock climbing with him.
Irving drove on the streets of Los Angeles. It was already a bit cool in Los Angeles in September, so Irving added a coat to himself.
Owen remembered that he hadn't contacted Jack Bauer for a long time, so he was going to call him and ask.
"Jack, I'm Owen."
"Oh Owen, you're back from Europe?"
"Yes, it's not fun to come back early. Boss, can I be reinstated?"
"I'm afraid it's not possible yet..."
"What exactly are you going to do with me?"
"Well, let me tell you something briefly first. Wait for me a moment..."
Jack Bauer on the phone paused for a moment, seemed to have found an office, and the surroundings became quiet, and then said: "There has been a change in the CTU. Now our immediate boss is no longer Director Martin of the CIA, but the National Defense Department."
department……"
It didn't matter to hear that his immediate boss was Irving of the Ministry of Defense. Anyway, he was under the direct leadership of Jack Bauer.
I'm just a little curious. You have to know that in the earliest days, the CTU was basically a department of the CIA. Later, it developed into an independent organization. However, it is still deeply involved with the CIA. Even the training base is shared.
The last time Director Allen took the blame and resigned, Director Martin of the CIA was also in charge. How could it be turned into the Department of Defense?
However, Jack did not explain this, but talked about the arrangements for him.
"The reason why you have not been reinstated some time ago is because the CTU is preparing to set up an overseas intelligence and operations team. You are a very suitable candidate. Originally, this matter has been basically finalized, but because it was temporarily assigned to the Ministry of National Defense, it has been temporarily transferred to the Ministry of National Defense.
Shelved..."
"Overseas intelligence and operations team?" Owen asked suspiciously, "CTU still has law enforcement rights overseas?"
He remembered that the handbook on his first day clearly stated that the CTU only had law enforcement rights against terrorist organizations within the United States. All operations involving foreign countries required the assistance and cooperation of the CIA, NSA or the military.
"Of course not." Jack Bauer answered decisively, but he immediately said again.
"But other organizations also do this. The CIA also has no law enforcement power in the country, but they do a lot of things privately. The FBI, NCIS, and NSA are all similar, but they just don't put it on the surface.
CTU has never existed just because it was established relatively late.”
Owen nodded to express his understanding. Sure enough, privileged institutions will have some privileges.
To put it bluntly, it's actually very simple. As long as you can get useful information, it doesn't matter even if you press the line a little. Someone will naturally wipe your ass for you. But if you can't get the information and cause trouble, then I'm sorry...
Owen was intrigued by him, and originally wanted to ask what this overseas intelligence and operations team did specifically, and why they chose him, a quasi-newcomer who had not been in the job for a long time.
Unfortunately, Jack Bauer hung up after a few words. The place was as busy as ever. During the time they were on the phone, at least four calls came in to ask for Jack.
After hanging up the phone, Owen sighed, it seemed that he could only continue to wait.
Just as I was wondering where to go next, the phone rang again, and this time it was my mother's voice.
"Steve, you didn't say anything when you came back. Have you forgotten that you still have a family?"
Mother's voice sounded a little unhappy.
"Oh, mom, how is that possible? I came back in the middle of the night yesterday. How could your dear son have the heart to disturb your sweet dreams? You don't know how much I miss your delicious food during this time. I have long missed those boring European foods.
I’ve eaten enough, and I’m about to call you home to have some food…”
When his mother got angry, Owen immediately put on a playful smile and tried to coax him, saying nice words as if he wanted no money, until his coaxed mother laughed out loud on the other end of the phone.
"Well, it seems that my little Steve's mouth has become sweeter than before since he got a girlfriend. I will go home for dinner tonight and I will get you some of your favorite food. Oh, by the way, put your girlfriend
I also brought it back..."
"You mean Monica?"
"Why do you have other girlfriends?"
"Oh of course not. Okay, no problem. I'll take her back tonight."
After joking with his mother, Owen's mood improved a lot and he called Monica right away.
"What? You said your mother invited me to your house for dinner at night?"
Monica made an incredible confirmation on the other end of the phone.
"Yes, my mother just called and said, you don't have time, do you?"
"Oh, I do, but Owen, I...I should..."
Monica hesitated to speak. Owen still didn't understand what she meant. It was just the first time she met her boyfriend's family, and she was a little nervous and at a loss.
Owen comforted softly: "Okay, don't be nervous, honey, my family is very good, they are very kind..."
"Uh okay, then you come and pick me up now..."
"Now? Isn't it too early? My family usually doesn't have dinner until after 7 o'clock..."
"Idiot, I need to buy some decent clothes. Come pick me up right now!"
On the other end of the phone came Monica's voice that was full of hatred.
"Oh, I'll be there soon."
…
In the evening, Owen took Monica into the house. Monica was dressed in a decent little dress, which was not too formal and perfectly set off her temperament.
At first glance, they look no worse than Hollywood stars.
Mother and Amanda greeted her at the door.
"This is my mother and this is my sister Amanda."
Owen introduced his mother and sister to Monica, and her mother immediately said warmly: "Welcome, Miss Weiss, you can call me Jennifer. This is my little daughter Amanda, welcome to you."
"Welcome, it seems Steve's taste is not as bad as his own. Miss Weiss, you are so beautiful."
Amanda next to her gave her compliments while also deliberately trying to annoy her dear brother. Owen was so angry that he rolled his eyes.
"You can call me Monica. Thank you for the invitation. I will call you Amanda. Your eyes are so beautiful. There must be many young men who are fascinated by them..."
Monica handed the red wine as a gift to her mother, and did not forget to compliment Amanda.
Owen had already revealed information about his mother and Amanda to Monica. What Amanda was most proud of was that she had beautiful eyes. Monica complimented her on her beautiful eyes, which was definitely a plus.
As expected, Amanda smiled like a flower and took Monica's arm familiarly, "Okay, Monica, let's take a seat quickly and let you try my mother's cooking. Tonight, everything is Owen's favorite food...
…”
"Really, then I'm really looking forward to it..."
The family was sitting around the dining table. Seeing the stewed noodles and dishes on the table, Owen remembered that today was Thursday, their family's Chinese meal day.
"Every Thursday our family eats Chinese food. I hope you can get used to it..."
Mother served Monica a bowl of stewed noodles, and at the same time she did not forget to explain to Monica that this is also called bean noodles in some places, and it is a Chinese delicacy. Mother also made several side dishes.
Monica looked at this thing and looked at Owen for help. She had never eaten this thing, and she didn't know how to use chopsticks.
Owen was sitting next to her. Seeing that she was struggling to hold the chopsticks in her hand, he handed her a fork: "Just think of it as pasta."
Monica visibly heaved a sigh of relief, and Amanda came up with a smile and said: "Mom and Steve both eat it with garlic vinegar sauce. If you are not used to this, you can have pasta sauce like me, which is also good.
of……"
Amanda recommended her own pairing, and Monica looked at Owen. Owen simply gave her some, but after trying it, Monica still chose the same pasta sauce as Amanda, because it is said that eating garlic will cause bad breath.