THE WHITE HOUSE

"We have to save him, Dad," Audrey Raines said matter-of-factly. She had just shown her father the recording sent to her by the mysterious Hong Wai. President James Heller knew his daughter would ask him that. Rather, tell it to him.

"Sweetheart, listen to me," Heller started to say.

"Do not patronize me, Dad. And do not tell me there's nothing you can do. You are the President of the United States."

"Yes, I am, and you're asking me to declare war on China over one man!"

"That one man is in prison for nothing!" Audrey cried. "Jack is innocent, Dad. Right now, he is being tortured in a Chinese prison for no reason."

"No reason," Heller said. "He broke international law, Audrey! I feel for Jack, and I think it's an injustice, but he knew the risks when he took the mission!"

"Okay," Audrey said. "You're right. Jack did violate the sovereignty of the Chinese Consulate. But he did it because the Consulate was hiding a man who had aided terrorists. Lee Jong was working for Habib Marwan. The Consulate knew it and they still harbored him. Now who's the real criminal?"

"It was wrong, honey, but I can't change the past," Heller told his daughter.

"I know," Audrey said. "But you can do something about the present. Dad, Jack risked his life to save us. Remember?"

"Of course," Heller replied. "I'll always be indebted to him for that."

"Then help him now. Please."

Heller sighed and turned to his Vice President. "Don't get quiet on me, Mike. What do you think?"

"You know everything Jack Bauer's done for this country, Mr. President," Mike Novick said. "I've never known of anyone who's sacrificed as much as Jack for the sake of national security. I understand there could be serious consequences if we attempt to get him out of China, but the Chinese are holding an American citizen prisoner for murder, and we have evidence that he is innocent of that."

"Dad, this Cheng Zhi has to be stopped," Audrey said. "He refused to cooperate with David Palmer when he knew the whole time that Lee Jong was in hiding at the Consulate. I don't know much about Chinese law, but they're certainly not innocent in all of this."

"I know that, Audrey," Heller said. "But do you realize what you're asking me?"

"Yes, Dad, I do," Audrey replied firmly. "Jack's sacrificed so much for this country. He was willing to give his life for you, and for me. It's time America did something to help Jack. And you have the power to make it happen."

Heller thought for a long moment before he made his decision.

"I'm such a pushover when it comes to my daughter," he said with a smile that was almost sad. "Mike, I want you to call CTU Los Angeles. Tell Bill Buchanan I'm going to need his full cooperation on this mission."

"What do you have in mind, Mr. President?" Mike asked.

"I'm assembling a team of elite agents," Heller said. "All of whom have served with Jack in the past and know him well. I want Aaron in on this, too."

"Yes, sir," Novick replied.

"And Mike, this mission is strictly declassified," Heller told him. Audrey went over to her father and hugged him before he could say another word.

"Thank you, Dad," she said, fighting back tears.

"We're gonna bring Jack home, sweetheart," Heller told her. "I promise."