Jack saw the man in black out of the corner of his eye, but he was silent. Don't move, don't breathe. Don't say a word. Even a slight movement, and he would give it away. Nina would know her time was up.
It all happened in one quick motion.
Jack saw the man level his gun, and that was all. He closed his eyes and hoped he didn't miss. He won't miss. He won't miss.
He didn't miss.
The bullet caught Nina in the leg. Her lower calf? Her foot? It didn't matter, she'd be fine. She's a strong woman. Jack relaxed and spun around, knowing Nina was down, and smirked. He opened his mouth, about to speak - the words he knew Nina had wanted to hear for so long... The words he'd wanted to say for so long...
But he didn't. He couldn't. He might've been able to if they were alone again, but they weren't. It could've been his dying words. But they weren't.
Ironically, the man in black had already rushed to Nina's aid. He knew she was dying inside, knowing that she was so close, knowing that Jack's life was in her hands and it had all been stolen away from her so quickly... Well, it was enough to send her over the edge.
Just walk to the chopper. Don't turn around. Don't say a word.
It was then that the memories of Teri came flooding back, just pieces, but there was one image that stuck with him – holding Teri's lifeless body in his arms, so tenderly; the tears streaming down his face, silently praying that she would be okay... And the weeks that followed, those sleepless weeks Jack spent thinking about Nina. The times they spent together, and the times they could spend together again. In the end, he was left with nothing but thoughts of Teri, bruised knuckles, and an empty glass of vodka.
I hate myself for this.
For a split second, Jack was thoroughly convinced he was just going to leave. I'm never going to see her again. I hate her! She killed Teri! I don't care! I don't care!
But he cared, and they both knew it.
Jack stopped moving. He turned around, and slowly walked back to Nina, his heart beating quickly, breathing in short little gasps. He looked at her, just looked at her – and it said so much. He put his hand gently on her face, and pulled her close. He closed his eyes and whispered:
"I love you."