Ok, before I start, just a quick shout out to everyone who's reading and has kept track, whether i know who you are or not! You guys are great! Especially Pheonix Falconer, who has kept me going. *sniffs*

For those wanting Renee's arrival, we're getting there...she WILL make an appearance

Here we go...

Dr. Macer walked into Jack's room. She had a smile on her face. "Well, Jack. Are you ready to get out of here?"

He was sitting on his bed, fully clothed. "Yeah, I think I'm good to go. Kim's waiting for me outside."

Jack stood up and walked over to her. "Thank you, Doctor...for saving my life. "

"The pleasure is mine, Jack. If anyone deserves a second chance, you do. Even better is the fact is that now the treatment will be successful for other patients as well. I thank you for that."

Jack and Sunny exchanged a solid handshake. "Take care, Jack."

"You too."

Jack made his way out of the hospital. He looked into other rooms and other patients. Some waved or nodded at him. Others didn't give him a second look. That was alright, though.

Jack was cautious, keeping an eye out for suspicious characters, or FBI agents. He was going to take the President's warning to heart. Jack didn't want to talk, he owed Agent Walker that much.

He had thought a lot about Renee. What had he done? He had told her to make a choice she would live with. At the time, he was more concerned upon his immient death. Now, Jack just thought about how he might have given her the inspiration to imitate hiim.

Then again, now that Larry Moss was dead, Jack thought she didn't have much to lose now. She had taken his death hard.

The time they had spent together... Did she look up to him? Oh boy...

To Jack's surprise, no one stopped him on the way to Kim's car. She was waiting for him.

"You ready?" she asked.

"Yeah."

They got into her car and Kim drove out of the lot.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked.

"Yes. I have to lay low for a while." Jack looked at Kim. "You understand, right?"

"Of course," Kim said. "You want to protect me and Teri. I just don't want to lose you again, Daddy."

"Trust me, you won't this time. I want to be there for you and Teri. You both mean the world to me."

"I know."

"I just want to you to know that I'm proud of you."

She looked surprised at him. "For what?"

"For being the woman you've become."

She grinned a huge grin. "Thank you."

They arrived at the hotel that she and Stephen had stayed at during their time in D.C. He and Teri were waiting in the lobby, bags in tow.

"Hey," Stephen said.

"Hey," Kim said. They shared a kiss and he handed her little Teri. (Jack felt a little uncomfortable.) She looked around. "Where's my purse?"

"Oh, damn! I knew I forgot something. I lmust have left it in the room!"

"It's no big deal, I'll go get it." She and Teri hurried over to go get it, leaving Jack and Stephen alone.

"So," Stephen said. "What are you going to do?"

"Don't know," Jack said. "I just need some time."

"Mr. Bauer, I..."

"Call me Jack," he interuppted.

Stephen smiled. "Ok, Jack. I just really wanted to let you know that I wanted to meet you after I'd spent time with Kim. I would have asked for your blessing if I could."

"I know. Don't worry about it." He continued. "Look, I'm happy that you were there for Kim. You obviously care about her and Teri. I respect that."

"Thank you, Jack."

"Just know this, if you actually do anything to hurt either my only daughter or my granddaughter, I'll be very angry." He shot Stephen a glaring look. Jack thought he saw a little flicker of fear in those eyes. Good.

When Kim came back, they all left. Before Kim and Stephen went to the airport, they dropped Jack off at the HQ where he, Bill, and Chloe had worked a few days before. He would lay low there for a little while.

Kim gave Jack a huge hug. "Promise me you'll call me."

"I will. I love you."

"I love you too."

Jack went to his granddaughter in the backseat. "I'll see you soon, Teri." He kissed her on the forehead. She looked into his eyes again. Man did Jack love it when she did that.

"I love you too," he said. Jack bid them goodbye and went inside.

The base was just like he and the others had left it. He went over to a computer and sat down. He let out a long sigh.

There was something he had wanted to do for a while. Jack thought now was a good time to do it. He picked up a phone and found a dial tone still there.

Jack dialed the number Chloe had given him earlier...

Oh yeah! Another chapter bites the dust! I know what you're thinking...who's Jack calling? (Hint: It's not Renee!)