He woke up early. He didn't want Kim to see him sleeping on the couch. At first he was relieved that his head wasn't throbbing, but he quickly realized all that meant was that he must still be a little drunk. Crap, Bauer. This is not smart. Pull yourself together. At least he didn't have to work until the late shift today.

He started the coffee maker and moved about the kitchen, closing the cupboards and tidying up the mess he had left last night. Through the window, he caught a glimpse of his SUV parked crookedly in the driveway. His picked up his keys from the counter. His hand was on the door handle when Teri came into the kitchen.

"Going somewhere?"

Head down, he closed his eyes for a moment until the wave of shame subsided. "I'm going to move my vehicle before Kim sees it."

"Good. The last thing a teenage girl needs is for her father to set a bad example for her." Teri bit her lip. That had come out a little bitchier than she intended. Jack didn't look at her as he yanked open the door, his embarrassment cloaked as annoyance. "I know, Teri."

xxxxxx

The hot water of the shower pounded over his back, numbing him as it washed away the smells of the bar. He toweled himself off and wiped the steam away from the mirror with his hand. The man staring back at him looked haggard, and Jack found he couldn't meet him in the eye.

Teri was waiting for him when he came into the living room. "Jack, we need to talk."

For a second he wished he did have to go to work early. "I know," he replied softly, sitting at the other end of the couch. She stared straight ahead, unable to meet his gaze.

"I can't do this anymore, Jack."

He was shocked. He knew last night had been bad, but he'd expected a lecture, not this. "Teri, I – "

Teri wiped the corner of her eye with her hand. She didn't want him to see her cry.

"No, I've tried. I've really tried, Jack. But something's wrong and you won't tell me what it is." Her words came out in a rush. "You've been cold, and distant. You've been staying out late and you're drinking more than I've ever seen you. Last night – "

"I'm sorry about last night," he interrupted. "Teri, I'm so sorry. I would never hurt you."

She turned her head, glaring at him. "Really, Jack? Because you have. You are." The tears welled up in her eyes.

Her words knocked the wind out of him. He knew he should go to her, find a way to comfort her, but he was struggling just to breathe. She misinterpreted his silence, and she felt anger pushing out her sorrow. "I think we need some time apart," she said flatly.

His head snapped up. "What?"

"I didn't recognize the man who walked through that door last night. And he scared me, Jack.

He clenched his jaw, barely concealing his frustration. "Dammit, Teri, I said I was sorry."

"Oh, so swearing at me is supposed to make me feel better, now?"

He sprang to his feet, turning on her. "What do you want from me? What do you fucking want me to do? I am trying here, dammit."

"You're trying?" She was on her feet as well. "You're trying? Look at yourself, Jack. I don't even think you realize how much you've changed." She searched his face, then turned, defeated. "I have to think about Kim. If you're going to lose it, I don't want it to be around us."

He rubbed his forehead. The headache was starting to kick in. "Fine. You're right, as always." His sarcasm cut into her. "I'll go."

"Thank you." She whispered. He was appalled at the relief in her voice.

Gently, she asked, "So who is going to tell Kim?" For once in a long time, he felt like he knew the right answer.

"I will."

But he was wrong. Again.

"No." She spoke firmly, coldly. "I think you should be gone before she gets home from school."

Is this how it was going to be? Everything they had been through together, and it was going to end like this? "Fine."

"Today, Jack."

"Sure, yeah, I guess so." He sighed, suddenly feeling overwhelmingly tired. "I guess that's for the best."

"For the best? None of this is for the best, Jack."

xxxxx

She was gone. Jack watched her leave, then covered the distance to the liquor cabinet in three determined strides. The decanter rattled against the glass as he poured out two thick fingers of scotch. Raising the glass to his lips, he found himself face to face with a photograph of his mother. His father's voice rang in his head. "So this is how you cope? God, woman, you are pathetic. Only the weakest find strength in the bottom of a bottle."

Jack hesitated, then raised the glass. Dammit! The sound of the glass shattering against the wall was strangely satisfying. Even though he knew it meant he now had yet one more mess to clean up.

I never thought I could act this way
And I've got to say that I just don't get it
I don't know where we went wrong
But the feeling's gone
And I just can't get it back