The Aftermath

The waves crashed over the rocks at the bottom of the cliff, the sun after what seemed to be like his longest day finally started to rise. The smell of the sea filled the air and Jack Bauer stood looking over the cliff, his eyes wandered down to the rocky edges of the cliff. Everything that had happened in the past day began to process in Jack's head. Curtis, his father and brother being the real ones responsible for the death of his friends, Marilynn, Josh, Audrey. Audrey. Jack looked back at the beach house and couldn't help to feel that James Heller was right. Was everything that happened to Audrey his fault? Jack shook his head and took one last look at the cliff. The thoughts of jumping came into mind, but then he began to think to himself. "C'mon Jack, jump. Take the easy way out." Jack grabbed the railing and started to pull himself over. "That's right, just like your father. Take the easy way out." Jack quickly shook his head and stopped moving over the railing. He took one last breath and quickly started walking down the driveway to the beach house. He shoved his hand into his pocket, took out his cell phone and dialed a number, a females voice picked up.

"CTU."

"I need to speak with Chloe O'Brien."

"May I ask who's calling?"

Jack thought about hanging up, then changed his mind.

"Jack Bauer."

"One moment."

On the other end of the phone the female desk worker placed Jack on hold and looked up Nadia's office while hitting a few numbers. Upstairs Nadia picked up the phone,

"Yassir."

"Nadia, Jack Bauer is one the line for Chloe. Should I put him through to you or her?"

Nadia looked at Bill and Bill shook his head, Nadia spoke up.

"Put him through to me."

Bill looked at Nadia,

"Nadia, let him be."

The woman's voice came back over the phone on the desk,

"Your on with Jack."

Nadia cleared her throat,

"Jack it's Nadia."

Jack kind of frowned and rose his voice,

"Damn it, I wanted to speak to Chloe. I'm not coming."

Nadia quickly cut Jack off,

"Jack I'm not going ask you to come back. I want to thank you, I looked the other way and completely ignored you. You were right the whole time and I should of listened to you, because of you a war was averted today and an innocent boy was saved. Good work today."

Jack was a little surprised, but he didn't let it show in his face as he walked down the cement road with cars passing.

"Thank you, did Bill get back to CTU with Cheng?"

Bill spoke up,

"He's here Jack, were interrogating him now."

"Good, Bill. Thank you for everything, you've been a great friend over the years."

Bill smiled,

"Thank you Jack, this country owes you more than you could ever know."

Jack spoke up again,

"I need to speak to Chloe, and Bill I'm going to need to talk to you again after. Can you be reached on your cell?"

"Yeah it will be on."

"Ok, I'll call you in a couple minutes."

Nadia walked over to the phone,

"I'm connecting you to Chloe, Jack."

"Thank you."

Jack took a right down the road while waiting, a few seconds later a familiar voice picked up.

"Jack?"

"Hey Chloe."

There was a pause,

"You're not coming back at all are you?"

Jack kind of sighed,

"No, I'm sorry. It's time I get my life on track, and well CTU is no longer apart of that life."

"I understand Jack, what do you need?"

"I need Kim's address, I want to let her know I'm back."

Chloe thought about telling Jack about her baby, but thought it would be best if she didn't say anything at all.

"One second, I'll pull it up."

"Thank you."

Jack saw a Dunkin Donuts across the street, and sat down in a bench next to him.

"Jack nobody told you about Kim and Chase, did they?"

"No, what?"

"There back together, about two months after you were kidnapped. And well…"

"What?"

"There's something she should tell you, you shouldn't hear it from me. Don't worry though, it's nothing bad."

Jack looked confused,

"Ok?"

"I got the address, it's 32 Sanford St."

Jack smiled,

"Chloe, thank you for everything, you've been a great friend."

"Thank you Jack, you too."

Jack wrote the address in his PDA and said,

"When I get my life back together, I will come visit you and see how you are doing."

"Sounds good Jack, until then. Stay safe."

"I will, thanks Chloe."

Jack hung up and dialed another number, Bill picked up.

"Hey Jack, what did you need?"

Jack fumbled around with his words till it finally came out,

"I'm putting my life together, but I have absolutely no money. I'm normally not the person to ask and I don't feel right doing so, but."

"Say no more Jack, where do you want to meet?"

"There is a Dunkin Donuts on Atlantic Beach Avenue."

"I know it, I'll be there in a half hour."

"Thanks."

Jack fell asleep sitting at the bench.

33 Minutes Later.

Bill's black Toyota pulled up, stirring Jack from his short but restful sleep. Jack looked down at his watch to check the time, it was now 6:42. Jack pushed himself off the bench and Bill got out holding a check book,

"Why don't we get a cup of coffee? I'll buy."

Jack smiled,

"Thanks."

The two men walked into the Dunkin Donuts, Bill getting a large regular coffee with a donut and Jack getting a large regular coffee as well with a chocolate chip muffin. They both down at a table and sipped their coffee and eating their food. Bill looked at Jack,

"How much do you need?"

"I don't know, I just need a little bit to get started, get me out of L.A. About two thousand."

Bill started writing,

"Ten thousand sound good?"

Jack's eyes kind of grew wide,

"I can't take that much from you."

"Jack, you're going to need more than two grand to get started, with this you can at least get your self a used car, some clothes and maybe a place to rent for a little while until you get a job. And I know you'll pay me back."

Bill ripped the check from his book and slid it to Jack,

"Go open up a new bank account and put that in."

Jack reluctantly took the check,

"Thank you Bill."

They both finished their coffee and Bill stood up,

"Chloe told me you were going to see Kim. Need a lift?"

"That'd be great."

"Come on."

Jack stood up, threw away his coffee cup and followed Bill out to his Toyota. The two men got in the truck, and Bill started it up. The radio started to play,

"It's six fifty seven on this beautiful Thursday morning here in Los Angeles. Today is a national day of recovery for the country. As just a little less than a day ago a nuclear bomb was detonated on US, soil and a assassination attempt was made on President Wayne Palmers life. We have been informed how ever, that President Palmer is now expected to make a fully recovery and will retake his title as President within the next few months. For now President Daniels has confirmed the threat has been neutralized, and he will remain President until Palmer is ready."

Jack looked out the window and kind of smiled,

"So, yesterday was Wednesday. I lost track of the days after about two months of being in China."

Bill didn't say anything, he didn't think there was anything to say. He kept on driving. About twenty minutes later they were in front of Kim's house. Jack extended his hand to Bill's,

"Thank you Bill, for everything. Keep in touch."

Bill shook Jack's hand,

"Ten thousand will keep us in touch."

Jack laughed,

"Well, good luck with everything."

"Thanks Jack, you too."

Jack opened the door to the truck and slowly hopped out, quietly shut the door behind him and he took around his surroundings. Everything was so peaceful, like nothing had happened the day before. People in the window's were getting ready for work, some people were already out doing yard work. He walked up to the door and knocked on it lightly, no one answered Jack expected it was because they were still sleeping. Jack knocked a little later and finally he heard Kim's voice on the other end of the door,

"Who is it?"

Jack swallowed hard, remembering the last time Kim saw him, and what she said to him. Kim shouted again,

"Who is it?"

"It's me Kim, it's your father."

Jack heard a latch unlock and the door flew open, Kim stopped and stared at him.

"Dad? I thought you.. I thought…"

"The President authorized a trade to get me out, I worked with CTU and helped them bring down the people who responsible for last night's attack. Now I'm done, I'm changing my life."

Kim lunged herself at her father and hugged him tightly, Jack immediately hugged her back and a tear rolled down his cheek. He held her in his arms for another minute or so until he finally pulled away,

"How have you been sweet heart?"

Kim looked down, still in shock that this was actually happening.

"I've been doing good, real good actually. Me and Chase…"

Before Kim could finish Chase came in the door way holding a baby in his arms. Jack looked at the baby, he knew it wasn't Angela, Chases first kid because the baby was to small. He looked at Kim,

"Yours?"

Kim smiled and nodded her head,

"I had him six months ago, his names Ryan."

Jack smiled and looked at Chase,

"Congratulations."

Chase smiled at Jack,

"Thanks."

Kim looked back up at Jack only to find him still staring at his grandson. Jack couldn't pull his eyes away,

"You want to come in?"

Jack looked at Kim and nodded,

"Yeah."

Two Days Later

Jack looked down at his cup of coffee then back up at the table, Kim and Chase were sitting across from him. Chase spoke up,

"So, what do you want to do? I know you said you wanted to get your life in order."

Jack took a sip of his coffee, looked over at his grandson who was in Kim's arm then looked back at Chase.

"I need to move out of L.A, there is to much here for me to just start over. I can't seem to get away from anything. I mean Audrey's here, CTU. The only thing that is stopping me from leaving is you guys, and Ryan."

Kim smiled, she knew in the two days he had been back that her father had completely fallen in love with his grandson.

"Dad, they invented planes for a reason. Where ever you go, you're always welcome back here."

Chase went out of the room for a minute, then came back holstering his hand gun and grabbing his badge. He had joined the S.W.A.T. unit of the L.A.P.D. Chase looked at Jack,

"When my father passed away, he left me his loft in New York City, it's not to big but it's paid off, I own it. If you want you're more than welcome to stay there. That should be a good starting point."

Chase grabbed his car keys, kissed Kim and Ryan.

"Think about it."

Chase walked out and Jack looked at Kim,

"I think I'll take his offer."

Jack stood up and grabbed his coat,

"Can I borrow your car, I got a loose end I need to tie up."

"Sure."

Kim got up and handed Jack her keys, Jack kissed her and said.

"I'll be back in a few hours."

Jack left the house, got in Kim's Honda Civic and drove off.

Josh Bauer ran down stairs, back pack slung over his shoulder and started to head towards the front door. Before his hand could grasp the door knob he heard his mother yell,

"Josh, where are you going?"

Josh suddenly stopped and turned to face the direction her voice was coming from,

"I'm going to school."

There was a pause and Josh heard his mothers foot steps tapping on the wooden floor, she finally entered the room. Wearing a blue shirt and a pair of gray sweatpants. Josh could tell she had been doing house work,

"Were making arrangements for your fathers funeral today."

Josh looked away,

"I don't care what you do with his body."

Marilynn frowned and embraced her son in a hug,

"Josh, I know what your father did was terribly wrong, but you.."

Josh pulled away from his mothers grasp,

"I told you, I don't care! I don't want anything to do with his funeral."

Josh ran towards the door and flung it open. Only to be stopped by Jack standing in the door way. Josh immediately stopped and looked at Jack,

"Uncle Jack, Mr. Buchanan said you didn't want to be found."

Jack swallowed and looked down at Josh,

"He was right, but I need to talk to your mother. Can you give us a minute?"

Josh looked back at his mom then back at Jack,

"Yeah, I'm going to school anyway."

Josh ran by Jack and Marilynn tried to stop him, but Jack grabbed her.

"Let him go, he needs to get used to normalcy again."

Marilynn looked at Jack disappointed, then finally backed off. Jack closed the door behind him, and walked to the living room with Jack. They both sat down on the tan, micro fiber couch.

"I thought I'd never see you again Jack."

Jack looked around the living room then back at Marilynn,

"After today, you probably wont."

Marilynn slid her hand over Jack's,

"What do you mean?"

Jack looked her straight in the eyes, he was captivated by here beauty. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her right there, but he refrained.

"I'm leaving Los Angeles, there is nothing good here for me. I need to start my life over, I keep getting drawn back in, and I can't anymore. I'm almost forty three years old. I need to start over, I can't be apart of this life style anymore."

Marilynn rubbed Jacks hand slowly, and returned his gaze,

"Jack. I still love you, I want to be apart of your life again. I want there to be an us. Josh needs a real father figure in his life, and you embody everything a father should be…"

Jack stopped her mid sentence,

"Stop, you're feeling lonely because you no longer have Graem in your life. This is the first time you have been alone in a very long ti…"

Marilynn stopped him, lunged forward and kissed him. Jack was surprised but not at all disappointed. Jack returned the kiss, leaning into her hard, he slid his hands down to her waist. Marilynn moved her hands up his chest and started taking off his shirt. She slid it all the way over his head, she then felt his back and felt all his scars. She pulled away, and looked at his chest,

"Oh my god… Jack."

Jack looked down to see all the marks the Chinese had left on his chest, he looked back up at Marilynn and grabbed his shirt.

"I'm sorry, I can't do this. I will be coming to visit Kim every now and then, I'll stop in."

Jack slid his shirt back over his body and walked out.

1 Year Later

The blazing July, New York sun beat down over the city as people went about there day. Rush hour traffic was just starting, people yelling and honking their horn. It took a while but Jack got adjusted to he, and he grew to like it. L.A, and New York were very similar, besides the cold weather and snow. But he liked it. Jack slid his hammer back into his tool belt, grabbed his bottle of Poland spring water, chugged a little bit and put it back down. He picked up measuring tape, and started measuring the frame of the window he was about to install. He had become a carpenter. It was much different, but that's what he went to high school for before becoming apart of the police force. Just as Jack was about to measure his partner came over,

"It's ninety six degrees, lets call it a day man."

Jack looked over at George, and smiled.

"Yeah we probably should, it's about five o'clock anyway."

Jack clipped his tape measurer to his belt and started to walk towards the latter when George spoke again.

"I'm heading over to Smitty's for a few. Meet you there?"

Jack got on the ladder and started climbing down.

"Sure."

Jack got down to the ladder, and walked over to his 1999 Navy Blue Ford Explorer and got in, he looked at his cell phone and realized there was two missed calls not even five minutes old. He went to flip his cell phone open, but before he could even do that the phone rang again. Jack quickly flipped it open and pressed it to his ear,

"Hello?"

"Mr. Bauer?"

"Yes, this is him."

"Please hold for the President Of The United States."

Jack's heart dropped, he hadn't spoken with the President in over a year, and now he is calling him out of the blue. He knew he needed something out of Jack. Jack pulled the phone away from his ear, was ready to close it when he heard Wayne Palmers voice.

"Jack?"

There was a pause,

"Jack?"

Jack still didn't say anything,

"Jack, can you hear me?"

Jack finally pressed the phone back to his ear,

"Hello, Mr. President."

"Jack it's good to hear from you. I heard you moved to New York City and have been doing good."

"Yeah."

There was a pause, then Wayne spoke up.

"Listen, Jack. This is hard for me to ask, and you owe me absolutely nothing. But I need your help."

Jack felt his throat burning, James Heller's words were playing in his head. Jack cannot get away from the game, he will always be in it. He cleared his throat,

"With what sir?"

"There is a prisoner in a New York City prison, his name is Hans Gushov, he is the brother of a high ranking Russian terrorist. His brother Shane Gushov is the leader of the terrorist group Shadow Haven."

"Shadow Haven, I've never heard of them."

"They've been around for a while, but managed to keep quite. But we recently picked up some Intel on them."

"What kind of Intel?"

"Last month we received word, from a VERY credible source that sometime within the next year and a half they are planning to launch a major attack on the U.S. We sent a man into prison last month to try to get information out of Hans. But, our man was killed."

"Was he killed because he was found out?"

"No, a certain inmate had a problem with him. And stabbed him."

Jack looked out the window, he knew what the President was going to ask of him.

"You, want me to go in and try to free Hans, and get in with his terrorist group?"

"Yes, Jack I'll understand if you say no, but you're the only person I can trust with this."

Jack was silent for about a minute, he looked around saw people walking, living out there lives. They were what he always did his job for, people in the world needed him. Jack thought about Kim, Chase, and Ryan. He knew Kim would be pissed, but he knew what needed to be done.

"How credible is this source?"

"Analyst say it's 97 percent credible."

"I'll do it."

The President let out a sigh or reliefe,

"Thank you so much Jack. I'm going to have my people come pick you up, we are going to delete any previous history we have on file of you and create a new persona. You will keep your name. We will put you in there on a small charge, you're going to be in for a year, if you find nothing after a year we will release you, and restore your current status. Since you will be out of work for a year we are putting fifty thousand in your bank, not to be touched by anyone until you get out."

"Thank you, I need to go home and call some people."

"I'll have my people pick you up in an hour?"

"Ok."

One Week Later

The New York Sheriffs van drove down the seemingly empty road towards the prison. Jack sat in the van, ankles cuffed to the floor, hands cuffed together. He wore an orange jump suit, the numbers B754032 on the back. Jack cracked his neck and stared down at the floor, he had been brought up on attempted robber charges, and sentenced to one year. The van came to a halt, a guard opened the door from the outside of the van and light came bursting in. Jack winced, and the guard beside him grabbed his arm,

"Lets go."

Jack's feet were un cuffed from the floor and he stood up. The guards pushed him out of the van, and they walked into the prison. They went through the basic routine, then walked Jack to his cell. The prison was laid out in a stacking formation. Four floors, about twenty cells on each side. They walked Jack up to the third floor and stopped in front of an empty cell,

"Your lucky, you have no cell mate."

The guard looked to the right and yelled,

"Open up on C 19."

The bars slide open, Jack was un cuffed and shoved into the cell. The bars slide closed and the guard said,

"Enjoy your new home."

Jack looked at the cell, all white. One bed, with a thin mattress. Jack put his box of sheets, pillows, blanket and magazines down. He sat on the bed, and took everything in. This is his life for one year, and he knew what had to be done.