Jack Bauer sat in his empty apartment alone. He drank the bottle of
Southern Comfort he picked up at the store on the way home. He had never
really drank alone until now. The warm liquid went down his throat.
Suddenly he couldn't stand the quietness. He went to the small back room
and grabbed his guitar. He knew a few songs on it, but for some reason he
started to play the guitar riff from the Who's Behind Blue Eyes.
The worlds began to flow through his mouth without him really recognizing that he was singing, "No one knows what it's like to be the bad man. To be the sad man. Behind blue eyes. No one knows what it's like to be hated. To be faded to telling lonely lies. But my dreams they aren't as empty as my conscious seems to be. I have hours only lonely my love is vengeances. That's never free." He hadn't played the guitar or sung in what seemed like years. In some ways he felt less whatever he was feeling. Was it depression? Or just sadness? When does sadness become depression? He thought to himself as he sang and played his guitar.
All of the sudden there was a bang on the door. He jumped back into his normal state of mind. He put the cap on the Southern Comfort and went to the door. He looked through the peep hole and saw that he did not know the person. He opened the door and said, "Hello. How can I help you?"
The woman looked up at Jack and blushed. She felt embarrassed to ask, "I was wondering if you could help me out. See I'm moving in next door and the person who helped me load all of the things into my truck left, and I know I can't get the stuff out by myself, and I have no one else to ask. I'm really embarrassed about asking you."
"Sure. I can help. Just give me a second to . . ." Jack said early hoping to rid himself of the loneliness he was feeling. Even if it was to help a stranger out; he wouldn't be sitting in his house drinking by himself.
The woman interrupted him and said, "You know you don't have to help me. I understand . . ."
Jack interrupted her and said, "It fine. I would be happy to help."
Jack left the door opened while he went back to his room and grabbed his shoes. The woman stepped inside the apartment and looked around. There were still boxes of stuff Jack had not unpacked and probably would never unpack. When he moved in he only unpacked the few essential things he needed. Other than that he did not care.
When Jack returned the lady asked, "Did you just move in?"
Jack smiled and a little embarrassed to answer, "No. I've actually lived here a year. I just never have found the time to unpack completely."
The woman smiled at him. He was wondering what she was thinking.
She asked, "Was that you just playing and singing?"
Jack answered bashfully, "Yeah. By the way I'm Jack."
"I forgot to introduce myself I'm Amber. You sounded really good. Do you play professionally?" She asked trying to find out more about her new neighbor.
"No. I haven't played in awhile, actually. We better start getting your stuff in before it gets dark. This isn't the best neighborhood to leave things unattended." Jack said trying to smile. Teri had always said his smile made him look innocent and kind.
The two worked on unpacking the over packed truck. A few hours later they finished and Amber asked, "Would you like to go out to dinner or have a drink with me? I feel like I should repay you somehow."
Jack smiled at her and answered, "I would love to, but I have someone brining dinner over tonight."
"Oh. I'm sorry I didn't know you had a girlfriend." Amber said before she knew what she was saying. She was physically attracted to this handsome man.
"No. I don't. It's my daughter Kim. She usually brings dinner over to my house every night otherwise she figured I'd never eat." Jack said feeling a sudden rush of panic. This woman actually was attracted to him, and was hurt at the thought of him having a girlfriend. He hadn't had someone look at him that way in a long time. "How about I see if she has enough for three and you can come over. She's a great cook and there is no way you'll get a pizza or anything to deliver out here."
"No I don't want to intrude I have done enough of that enough. Maybe at a later date. I need to unpack anyways." Amber said feeling somewhat better that he didn't have a girlfriend.
"Yeah. Hopefully you're better at it than I am." Jack said jokingly.
"Anyone could be better than your unpacking by the sight of things." She said, and after she said it she worried that maybe she put her foot in her mouth as she always seemed to do.
"Probably," He said smiling at her. "Have a good night. And welcome to the neighborhood."
Jack walked back to his apartment and his heart was full of joy. He wasn't sure why. The black cloud that had settled over his heart disappeared. Was it the contact with someone outside of his normal world? He had already dealt with loosing Teri that wasn't bothering as much anymore. He even got use to not having Kate around. He wasn't sure why he was depressed and now why he was happy. It was like being up and down at the same time. A weird hyper feeling over took him. He grabbed the bottle of southern comfort and hid it in his bedroom. Kim would be mad if she found out he was drinking. He walked back out to the living room and sat down. He grabbed his guitar and began to play again. This time he played "While my Guitar Gently Weeps." He was never a big Beatle's fan but the guitar to the song was a good riff. It had the blues feel to it that Jack loved.
In the middle of the song he heard the door open. He didn't look up. Ever since he left CTU to go off and do other things he had gotten sloppy and less paranoid. He knew it was Kim and there was no reason to look up and see if it was someone else.
"Hello Dad." Kim said as she walked in with a big smile.
Jack looked up while continuing to play, "Hi. How was work?"
"The usual. Michelle told me to beg you to come back. Tony and she have been working their butts off." Kim said smiling. Knowing her father had not intention of going back any time soon.
"What's for dinner?" Jack said putting the guitar down and walking to the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room.
"I brought over some stir-fry from the Chinese place by CTU." Kim answered taking the boxes of Chinese food out of the bag.
Jack walked behind her and grabbed the plates from the cabinet and forks for them. He set them on the table.
"Why are you so happy today? Playing the guitar again huh?" Kim said trying to find out what had her father floating on cloud nine. He hasn't been that happy in a long time.
"Not sure. I just felt like playing." Jack said not wanting to tell his daughter about the neighbor. For some reason he feared Kim would not understand.
"I see you have a new neighbor. She's not bad looking. Have you meant her yet?" Kim said.
"Um. Yeah. I helped her move in. She need some help carrying the boxes up." Jack said, and the instant he said it he knew he would of pissed Kim off.
"Dad! Why didn't you tell me is that why you are so happy?" Kim said a little pissed off that a stranger could make her dad happy and he couldn't.
"Yes Kim. I think so. She was real nice."
"You could have unpacked. You've been here what a year?"
"Or something like that. I just haven't needed to unpack."
They sat in silence for awhile. Both stubborn and neither willing to give in and speak. They had spent many nights like this. Kim was her father's daughter. She had the same stubbornness he had. Finally Jack broke the silence and asked, "How are things going with you and Chase?"
Kim knew her father didn't like the relationship at all, but he never told her she couldn't date Chase. "Good. We are thinking about moving in with each other. His lease runs out next month and he doesn't want to renew it so he's thinking about moving in with me." Kim wasn't sure how her father would take this news. His face didn't betray any feeling.
Jack decided to stay quite on the issue he wasn't going to tell Kim what to do or how to live her life. He wasn't even able to live his life let alone tell her how to live hers. He hated the fact that she was dating a field op agent. She saw what happened to him, yet she persisted on having Chase as a boy friend.
They finished eating and Jack washed the dishes while Kim watched. They talked about what Kim was working on, Tony and Michelle wanted to come over one day or have Jack over. They all wondered how he was doing, and they were all still shocked that he walked away from the job.
After the dishes were washed Kim kissed her father and said, "I better get home. Got an early day tomorrow."
Jack walked his daughter down to her car and watched her drive off. The happiness he had felt earlier went away. The darkness set over his heart again as he walked back to his empty apartment. He walked back to his bedroom and grabbed the bottle of southern comfort. He poured himself a tall glass and than put the bottle back. He sat on the couch and allowed his mind to drift off to where ever it took him. He drank his tall glass of southern slowly. Enjoying the warmth and the cloudiness it brought to his mind. ************************************************************************
Tony sat in his office. It was late and he was tired, but he had to finish the work of the day or he'd be behind tomorrow. He loved his job, but it was becoming overbearing. He needed someone there to help him. Jack had always been able to help him get the work done. It was a split load, but now it was all on Tony. He missed Jack. The man had brought some interesting things to CTU. There was never a lackluster moment when Jack was around.
Michelle walked up to his office she smiled at her husband buried in his work. "Honey, it's getting late. Maybe you should give up for the night. We can come in earlier tomorrow and get the rest done." Michelle said trying to pry her husband away from the papers.
"No I need to get this done. I'm almost finished only a few more lines." Tony said when his phone ring. He picked up the phone and said, "Almeida"
"Tony it is Chase has Kim left work yet?"
"Yeah, she left a few hours ago. I think she went to Jack's for dinner tonight."
"She did. But she should have been home by now and she's not." Chase said worried about his girlfriend.
"Maybe she stayed a little later than expected with Jack. Why don't you try him? If she's not there than call back and we'll try to find her." Tony said only semi-worried because he figured Kim was still at her fathers house.
When Tony hung up the phone Michelle figured out what was going on. "Maybe we should go to Jack's? If something happened he'll need someone there."
Tony agreed with her and the two left CTU and ran to their car. Tony drove quickly over to Jacks. ********************************************************************
When Chase hung up from Tony he dialed Jacks number. After about three rings Jack got off the couch and answered the phone.
Clearly he was not quite awake by the sound of his voice, "Hello."
"Jack what time did Kim leave there?"
"Um. I think a hour ago. What time is it?"
"10" Chase answered worried about what might have happened.
"Why did you want to know?" Jack said fearing the answer.
"She isn't home yet."
Jack dropped the phone and ran outside. He noticed when he got outside he didn't have his keys nor his shoes. He ran down the block and noticed his daughter's car parked at the stop sign. He looked inside and there was nothing in it. No sign of a struggle and no sign of Kim. Her cell phone was gone. Jack ran back to his apartment. He hung up the phone and dialed the number to Kim's cell phone. It rang eight times before her voice mail came on.
"You've reached Kim Bauer's cell phone please leave a message."
Jack cursed himself. He hung the phone up and started towards the bedroom to get his shoes on and the keys to his car. He knew he was in no shape to drive, he had too much to drink, but he had to find Kim. He grabbed his cell phone and called Kim's phone again, this time leaving a message, "Kim call me as soon as you get this. Call my cell phone. God where are you at." Jack said worried.
When he reached the outside he ran into Tony. Tony grabbed him and said, "Jack where are you going?"
"Looking for Kim. Get out of my way." Jack said getting ready to fight Tony.
"Jack you are in no condition to drive." Tony said noticing the heavy smell of alcohol in Jacks breath.
"Move now, Tony I don't want to have to, but I will put you on your ass if you don't get out of my way." Jack said getting ready to fight Tony. He didn't care if this man was his friend or even looking out for him, this was his daughter and he was going to find her.
Jacks cell phone rang. He stopped and his hands shook as he answered, "Kim?"
The worlds began to flow through his mouth without him really recognizing that he was singing, "No one knows what it's like to be the bad man. To be the sad man. Behind blue eyes. No one knows what it's like to be hated. To be faded to telling lonely lies. But my dreams they aren't as empty as my conscious seems to be. I have hours only lonely my love is vengeances. That's never free." He hadn't played the guitar or sung in what seemed like years. In some ways he felt less whatever he was feeling. Was it depression? Or just sadness? When does sadness become depression? He thought to himself as he sang and played his guitar.
All of the sudden there was a bang on the door. He jumped back into his normal state of mind. He put the cap on the Southern Comfort and went to the door. He looked through the peep hole and saw that he did not know the person. He opened the door and said, "Hello. How can I help you?"
The woman looked up at Jack and blushed. She felt embarrassed to ask, "I was wondering if you could help me out. See I'm moving in next door and the person who helped me load all of the things into my truck left, and I know I can't get the stuff out by myself, and I have no one else to ask. I'm really embarrassed about asking you."
"Sure. I can help. Just give me a second to . . ." Jack said early hoping to rid himself of the loneliness he was feeling. Even if it was to help a stranger out; he wouldn't be sitting in his house drinking by himself.
The woman interrupted him and said, "You know you don't have to help me. I understand . . ."
Jack interrupted her and said, "It fine. I would be happy to help."
Jack left the door opened while he went back to his room and grabbed his shoes. The woman stepped inside the apartment and looked around. There were still boxes of stuff Jack had not unpacked and probably would never unpack. When he moved in he only unpacked the few essential things he needed. Other than that he did not care.
When Jack returned the lady asked, "Did you just move in?"
Jack smiled and a little embarrassed to answer, "No. I've actually lived here a year. I just never have found the time to unpack completely."
The woman smiled at him. He was wondering what she was thinking.
She asked, "Was that you just playing and singing?"
Jack answered bashfully, "Yeah. By the way I'm Jack."
"I forgot to introduce myself I'm Amber. You sounded really good. Do you play professionally?" She asked trying to find out more about her new neighbor.
"No. I haven't played in awhile, actually. We better start getting your stuff in before it gets dark. This isn't the best neighborhood to leave things unattended." Jack said trying to smile. Teri had always said his smile made him look innocent and kind.
The two worked on unpacking the over packed truck. A few hours later they finished and Amber asked, "Would you like to go out to dinner or have a drink with me? I feel like I should repay you somehow."
Jack smiled at her and answered, "I would love to, but I have someone brining dinner over tonight."
"Oh. I'm sorry I didn't know you had a girlfriend." Amber said before she knew what she was saying. She was physically attracted to this handsome man.
"No. I don't. It's my daughter Kim. She usually brings dinner over to my house every night otherwise she figured I'd never eat." Jack said feeling a sudden rush of panic. This woman actually was attracted to him, and was hurt at the thought of him having a girlfriend. He hadn't had someone look at him that way in a long time. "How about I see if she has enough for three and you can come over. She's a great cook and there is no way you'll get a pizza or anything to deliver out here."
"No I don't want to intrude I have done enough of that enough. Maybe at a later date. I need to unpack anyways." Amber said feeling somewhat better that he didn't have a girlfriend.
"Yeah. Hopefully you're better at it than I am." Jack said jokingly.
"Anyone could be better than your unpacking by the sight of things." She said, and after she said it she worried that maybe she put her foot in her mouth as she always seemed to do.
"Probably," He said smiling at her. "Have a good night. And welcome to the neighborhood."
Jack walked back to his apartment and his heart was full of joy. He wasn't sure why. The black cloud that had settled over his heart disappeared. Was it the contact with someone outside of his normal world? He had already dealt with loosing Teri that wasn't bothering as much anymore. He even got use to not having Kate around. He wasn't sure why he was depressed and now why he was happy. It was like being up and down at the same time. A weird hyper feeling over took him. He grabbed the bottle of southern comfort and hid it in his bedroom. Kim would be mad if she found out he was drinking. He walked back out to the living room and sat down. He grabbed his guitar and began to play again. This time he played "While my Guitar Gently Weeps." He was never a big Beatle's fan but the guitar to the song was a good riff. It had the blues feel to it that Jack loved.
In the middle of the song he heard the door open. He didn't look up. Ever since he left CTU to go off and do other things he had gotten sloppy and less paranoid. He knew it was Kim and there was no reason to look up and see if it was someone else.
"Hello Dad." Kim said as she walked in with a big smile.
Jack looked up while continuing to play, "Hi. How was work?"
"The usual. Michelle told me to beg you to come back. Tony and she have been working their butts off." Kim said smiling. Knowing her father had not intention of going back any time soon.
"What's for dinner?" Jack said putting the guitar down and walking to the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room.
"I brought over some stir-fry from the Chinese place by CTU." Kim answered taking the boxes of Chinese food out of the bag.
Jack walked behind her and grabbed the plates from the cabinet and forks for them. He set them on the table.
"Why are you so happy today? Playing the guitar again huh?" Kim said trying to find out what had her father floating on cloud nine. He hasn't been that happy in a long time.
"Not sure. I just felt like playing." Jack said not wanting to tell his daughter about the neighbor. For some reason he feared Kim would not understand.
"I see you have a new neighbor. She's not bad looking. Have you meant her yet?" Kim said.
"Um. Yeah. I helped her move in. She need some help carrying the boxes up." Jack said, and the instant he said it he knew he would of pissed Kim off.
"Dad! Why didn't you tell me is that why you are so happy?" Kim said a little pissed off that a stranger could make her dad happy and he couldn't.
"Yes Kim. I think so. She was real nice."
"You could have unpacked. You've been here what a year?"
"Or something like that. I just haven't needed to unpack."
They sat in silence for awhile. Both stubborn and neither willing to give in and speak. They had spent many nights like this. Kim was her father's daughter. She had the same stubbornness he had. Finally Jack broke the silence and asked, "How are things going with you and Chase?"
Kim knew her father didn't like the relationship at all, but he never told her she couldn't date Chase. "Good. We are thinking about moving in with each other. His lease runs out next month and he doesn't want to renew it so he's thinking about moving in with me." Kim wasn't sure how her father would take this news. His face didn't betray any feeling.
Jack decided to stay quite on the issue he wasn't going to tell Kim what to do or how to live her life. He wasn't even able to live his life let alone tell her how to live hers. He hated the fact that she was dating a field op agent. She saw what happened to him, yet she persisted on having Chase as a boy friend.
They finished eating and Jack washed the dishes while Kim watched. They talked about what Kim was working on, Tony and Michelle wanted to come over one day or have Jack over. They all wondered how he was doing, and they were all still shocked that he walked away from the job.
After the dishes were washed Kim kissed her father and said, "I better get home. Got an early day tomorrow."
Jack walked his daughter down to her car and watched her drive off. The happiness he had felt earlier went away. The darkness set over his heart again as he walked back to his empty apartment. He walked back to his bedroom and grabbed the bottle of southern comfort. He poured himself a tall glass and than put the bottle back. He sat on the couch and allowed his mind to drift off to where ever it took him. He drank his tall glass of southern slowly. Enjoying the warmth and the cloudiness it brought to his mind. ************************************************************************
Tony sat in his office. It was late and he was tired, but he had to finish the work of the day or he'd be behind tomorrow. He loved his job, but it was becoming overbearing. He needed someone there to help him. Jack had always been able to help him get the work done. It was a split load, but now it was all on Tony. He missed Jack. The man had brought some interesting things to CTU. There was never a lackluster moment when Jack was around.
Michelle walked up to his office she smiled at her husband buried in his work. "Honey, it's getting late. Maybe you should give up for the night. We can come in earlier tomorrow and get the rest done." Michelle said trying to pry her husband away from the papers.
"No I need to get this done. I'm almost finished only a few more lines." Tony said when his phone ring. He picked up the phone and said, "Almeida"
"Tony it is Chase has Kim left work yet?"
"Yeah, she left a few hours ago. I think she went to Jack's for dinner tonight."
"She did. But she should have been home by now and she's not." Chase said worried about his girlfriend.
"Maybe she stayed a little later than expected with Jack. Why don't you try him? If she's not there than call back and we'll try to find her." Tony said only semi-worried because he figured Kim was still at her fathers house.
When Tony hung up the phone Michelle figured out what was going on. "Maybe we should go to Jack's? If something happened he'll need someone there."
Tony agreed with her and the two left CTU and ran to their car. Tony drove quickly over to Jacks. ********************************************************************
When Chase hung up from Tony he dialed Jacks number. After about three rings Jack got off the couch and answered the phone.
Clearly he was not quite awake by the sound of his voice, "Hello."
"Jack what time did Kim leave there?"
"Um. I think a hour ago. What time is it?"
"10" Chase answered worried about what might have happened.
"Why did you want to know?" Jack said fearing the answer.
"She isn't home yet."
Jack dropped the phone and ran outside. He noticed when he got outside he didn't have his keys nor his shoes. He ran down the block and noticed his daughter's car parked at the stop sign. He looked inside and there was nothing in it. No sign of a struggle and no sign of Kim. Her cell phone was gone. Jack ran back to his apartment. He hung up the phone and dialed the number to Kim's cell phone. It rang eight times before her voice mail came on.
"You've reached Kim Bauer's cell phone please leave a message."
Jack cursed himself. He hung the phone up and started towards the bedroom to get his shoes on and the keys to his car. He knew he was in no shape to drive, he had too much to drink, but he had to find Kim. He grabbed his cell phone and called Kim's phone again, this time leaving a message, "Kim call me as soon as you get this. Call my cell phone. God where are you at." Jack said worried.
When he reached the outside he ran into Tony. Tony grabbed him and said, "Jack where are you going?"
"Looking for Kim. Get out of my way." Jack said getting ready to fight Tony.
"Jack you are in no condition to drive." Tony said noticing the heavy smell of alcohol in Jacks breath.
"Move now, Tony I don't want to have to, but I will put you on your ass if you don't get out of my way." Jack said getting ready to fight Tony. He didn't care if this man was his friend or even looking out for him, this was his daughter and he was going to find her.
Jacks cell phone rang. He stopped and his hands shook as he answered, "Kim?"