SUTHERLAND ARMY BASE

BOWIE, MARYLAND

THIRTY-SIX HOURS LATER

The participants of Operation Nighthawk reached the United States Embassy in Taiwan safely. After resting there, they boarded an Army jet and were en route back to America. No one savored the rest more than Jack Bauer.

Jack had had his first decent meal and full night's sleep in over a year. He was given a haircut and cut off his beard. He wanted to appear the same way that Audrey Raines remembered him.

As the jet touched down at Sutherland Army Base, Audrey was right there waiting, along with Vice President Novick, Bill Buchanan, Chloe O'Brian and her husband Morris. The moment the door to the jet opened, Audrey went running towards it.

Jack was the first one off. He took a moment to look around. He was on American soil. A place he was starting to think he'd never see again. Cheng Zhi came so close to breaking him. But Cheng had failed. Jack was home. And what Jack was seeing was no hallucination. The love of his life was waiting for him, as Curtis had said.

"Audrey," he said. Jack jogged down the ramp of the jet then nearly sprinted towards Audrey. Jack took her in his arms and held her tight against him.

"Jack," Audrey said. "You're home." Jack gently lifted her head up so that they could look into each other's eyes.

"It's because of you I fought so hard to stay alive," Jack told her.

"I would never give up on you." Jack and Audrey's mouths met in a kiss that they had been waiting what seemed like a lifetime for. Jack pulled away, but only so that he could look into Audrey's eyes again.

"I love you, Audrey."

"Jack, I love you so much. You're my reason for breathing." They shared another passionate kiss.

"Maybe they should have dropped him right off at the Holiday Inn," Morris joked.

"Stop it," Chloe snapped. "I can't take you anywhere. Let's go." Novick led the others over to welcome Jack home.

"Great to see you, Jack," Novick said. He extended his hand. Jack shook it.

"It's good to see you, too, Mike," Jack said, then paused to correct himself. "I'm sorry. Mr. Vice President."

Novick laughed. "Mike is fine, Jack. Welcome home."

"Thank you," Jack said. He turned towards Buchanan. "Hey, Bill."

"Hi, Jack," Bill said with a smile and a handshake. "In the back of my mind, I knew I'd see you again."

"It was looking bad for a while there," Jack admitted. He looked at Audrey. "I was almost broken. But I found my way back."

"We're glad you did, my friend," Bill said. Jack smiled, then shook hands with Morris. "Hey, Morris."

"Cheers, mate," Morris greeted. "First round'll be on me, all right?"

"Morris!" Chloe said through clenched teeth. Everyone fought the urge to grin. It was always comical to see the O'Brians bicker.

"I…uh…meant a cup of coffee," Morris replied with a sheepish smile.

"Good plan, Morris," Jack said. He looked at Chloe and smiled. "If you think I can be scary, you don't want to get on her bad side."

"Hmmm, the side I seem to be stuck on," Morris mumbled. Jack hugged Chloe.

"You okay, Jack?" she asked.

"Yeah," Jack said. "I'm okay. So you and Morris are…"

"Yeah, we are," Chloe replied. "Becoming the Al Bundy of Beverly Hills made him come around."

"Will anyone ever let me live that time in my life down?" Morris asked at the heavens.

"Let's get inside, Jack," Novick said. "There are two more people who are very anxious to talk to you."

"Okay," Jack said. Holding hands with Audrey, he walked into the airplane hangar of the base. Novick took out his cell phone and made a call.

"This is Vice President Novick. Put me through to the President, please." After a moment, Novick spoke again. "He's right here, Jim. Hold on." Novick passed the phone to Jack.

"Hello, Mr. President," Jack said.

"Hey, Jack," President Heller said from the Oval Office. "Good to have you home."

"Thank you, sir. It's great to be home. Mr. President-I will always appreciate what you did for me. Thank you."

"Think nothing of it, Jack. I owed you one, remember? I just need you to do one thing for me."

"Of course, sir."

"Take care of my daughter."

Jack smiled. "It'd be my honor, Mr. President."

"You enjoy your welcome home party. You deserve it."

"Thank you again, Mr. President." Jack ended the call and handed the phone back to Novick.

"Hey, Dad." The voice came from behind Jack. He knew immediately who it sounded like. He turned around. It was her.

"Hey, Kim," Jack said. Kim Bauer walked over to her father and hugged him.

"I'm sorry for everything I said to you," Kim said.

"No, honey," Jack told her. "I'm the one who owes you an apology. I know I messed things up between us."

"We both made mistakes, Dad. But I was wrong to think you didn't care about me. I want to have a relationship with you again."

"I want that, too," Jack said. He hugged his daughter again. He looked back at Chase. "It's never too late to get a second chance to make things right."

Kim looked at Chase and nodded. "No. maybe not."

Jack Bauer had had more than his share of long days. Every time he found happiness, something would get in the way of the joy lasting. Jack was never happier than he was at this moment. He hoped more than anything that the feeling would last.

But across the world, Cheng Zhi was already planning to make sure that Jack Bauer never knew happiness again.