A/N: I was away for a couple days and probably won't be back until Monday. I know its a long wait. I'm sorry. But, please review to pass the time.

Chapter 10

Audrey didn't notice herself pacing outside the hospital room. Jack had arrived in D.C. only two hours ago and was taken directly to the hospital. She was told that she'd have to wait to see Jack until after they checked out his injuries.

"Audrey, the doctor just told me it's going to be a while before we can see him. Why don't you sit in the waiting room with the rest of us?" Kim said, noticing the exhaustion in Audrey's eyes. Audrey didn't respond. She simply followed Kim into the waiting room. Chloe, Morris, Bill, Karen, and her father were sitting in chairs facing each other. Audrey sighed as she sat down across from her father.

They tried to make small talk to ease Audrey and Kim's minds. Audrey pretended to be interested in the conversation but found herself eyeing the door where a doctor would come out and tell her about Jack. She was tapping her feet in anticipation which didn't go unnoticed by the group.

"Audrey, he's going to be fine." Her father finally said breaking the light conversation.

"Then why has he been in there for an hour and a half?" Audrey asked.

"They have to check on him. Just in case." Bill added.

"Just in case what?" Audrey said feeling more and more helpless. Nobody answered. At that point a doctor came into the waiting room. He made his way over to them.

"Jack's doing well for his condition. He was obviously beaten badly. He has burn marks and almost all of his cuts were infected. We've cleaned them out. He has a severely bruised leg that he won't be able to walk on for a couple days. And, his right wrist is broken." The doctor said. Audrey shivered at the thought of Jack being beaten by the Chinese. "He can have visitors now, but only one at a time for right now."

Kim went first. She talked to him for about ten minutes. Kim returned to the waiting room to see six faces looking up with worry.

"He's okay everyone. He said he's exhausted and wanted to sleep. Sorry, Audrey, I know you wanted to see him." Kim said.

"It's fine." Audrey said.

"I told him that all of you guys were here. He seemed happy about that." Kim said.

They sat there for another hour and the doctor from earlier came back to the waiting room. "He's awake and wants to talk to Chloe and Morris." Chloe and Morris stood up and made their way to Jack's room not missing the saddened expression on Audrey's face. Audrey was holding back her tears. How could he want to see them before her?

"Jack, you're killing her out there." Morris said when they first walked in.

"What are you talking about?" Jack asked.

"Audrey, Jack, she's been really worried and instead of asking for her you asked to see us." Chloe said. "Not that we're not happy to see you."

Jack didn't respond. He didn't want Audrey to see him so helpless. He changed the subject, "Thanks. I'm sure you played a big part in getting me away from them."

"Actually, we were good at coming up with no leads. Audrey started thinking ten times as hard as she already was and figured out where you were without any of our help." Chloe said.

"Can you do me a favor?" Jack asked.

"Sure," Morris said.

"Tell everyone out there to go home. I'm done with visitors for today." Jack said, knowing exactly how hurt Audrey's expression would be. "And, tell Audrey I love her."

Morris and Chloe left the room. He relayed Jack's message and everybody left. Except Audrey. "Audrey, you should go get some rest. I'm sure Jack will talk with you tomorrow." Chloe said.

"I'm not leaving him again. No matter how hard he tries to push me away." Audrey replied.

"You wouldn't be leaving him. You need sleep, Audrey. Cheng is in jail along with all his men on the ship and the ones waiting with the car. Without Cheng, they won't be able to get to Jack. So, you won't have any nightmares." Chloe said. "I know that's why you've been avoiding sleep as much as possible."

"Goodnight Chloe." Audrey said sending her and Morris away. Once they left Audrey made her way to Jack's room despite his request. She opened the door and saw Jack's eyes open at the sound of the door. She was amazed at how much he could hear even in his sleep.

"Audrey, what are you doing in here?" Jack asked. "I wanted you to go home and sleep."

"I'm not tired, Jack." Audrey said. He could tell it was a lie, but didn't confront her on it. Audrey looked at a small scar on Jack's face. She looked towards his neck and found the start of another scar that obviously extended to his chest. "What did they do to you, Jack?"

"Nothing, Audrey. I'm fine. I promise." Jack said, hoping he sounded convincing. He knew he didn't. Audrey just stared at him with her eyes that were filled lightly with tears. Audrey sat on the left side of his bed and took Jack's hand in hers.

"I was so worried about you." Audrey said staring into his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I'm so glad you got me out of there when you did. It was horrible." Jack said, knowing full well that he contradicted everything he had said before. Audrey leaned over and kissed him passionately. Audrey rested her hand on his chest that was covered by a thin white T-shirt. He could feel pain searing through his body and Audrey immediately pulled her hand away.

"I'm so sorry, Jack. I didn't mean to hurt you." Audrey said, tears now dripping down her face. Jack picked up his good hand and placed it on her cheek. He used his thumb to gently brush away the tears.

"You didn't hurt me, Audrey. The Chinese did. I'm just a little sore." Jack said. He pulled her face close to his for another kiss. The doctor came seconds after they pulled apart and brought a reclining chair for Audrey to sleep on. They set it up just next to Jack's bed. They were still close enough to hold onto each other's hands for comfort while they slept.