Just a quick drabble about Doyle's thoughts on Nadia during 622.

Ohhhhh… only 2 more left!!!

He'd just stood there, like a trampled dog unable to say anything. Inwardly Mike Doyle cursed himself for his inability to think a thought with attaching some sort of vile and disturbing graphic images.

"Are you alright?"

What was he expecting? Her to have an open heart to heart with him right then and there about it? It still sunk to the pit of his stomach as he edged closer beside Jack.

He'd underestimated her from the start. She was a fighter. Still hanging on, when anyone else would have quit. He'd tried to tell her as much with his eyes… but he was never much at overdoing emotion or re-expressing a sentiment that had been done to death…And then… they left. Everything happened so fast, that he thought he'd never get to have that heart to heart.

They were just people, who passed through the window of each others lives, and that was it.

Tomorrow, when this day was over, then perhaps they'd see each other again if he came back to LA CTU. Understanding smiles. Normal life. "That was quite some day yesterday".

Or perhaps he'd be as frustrated as he was now for thinking about her, when he had more important things to worry about. He'd almost gotten on Bauer's case for putting some 'broad' above the interests of the country. He would never let himself make the same mistake.

And even though he was doing the right thing with his hands, not so with his mind – as for some reason he wished he could be that guy, who could be there for her… be there for someone, at a time like this. He'd been told a hundred odd times about how much courage it took for him to do what he did, but if he really had one once of courage he would have pulled her into his arms and helped her to keep it all together.

He wasn't that guy. Perhaps Nadia needed that guy.

But for people like him… there would always be distance. Nadia wasn't so wrong about him when she first brought up his past. He liked his job. He enjoyed his job. Unfortunately, he'd just never be able to do anything but his job…. No matter how many thoughts he entertained.

I have a couple of season 6, 24 vids up on youtube - username: Easyboy201 - Check 'em out!