I'm working overtime here with three stories but I love it. I even had to stop myself from starting a new story. I also have no idea what Tony's up to, but maybe they'll bring Audrey back in to change Jack's mind on having the surgery.

"Chloe its Jack, how are things over there?"

"Um there same as always I guess, but why are you calling me by a pay phone in Michigan, shouldn't you be off in Mexico by now... or at least on your cell phone?"

"I'm trying to stay on Heller's good side by being in the country. I just don't want him to take Audrey away from me, and I decided to take a walk"

"Well you'll be happy to know that CTU has stopped searching for you... sort of"

"Why would they do that?"

"After three months of just ending up in the wrong places, they've grown tired. The President is dealing with other issues, and CTU is pretty much Homeland right now."

"What about Heller?"

"Haven't heard from him in a while, I think he decided that if he waited a while he could trap you when you weren't looking"

"Yeah"

"Did President Palmer call you?"

"He called me the other night"

"Oh right"

"Chloe I'll let you go. Keep me posted."

Jack hung the phone up and pulled his gloves back on. He knew what she was going to ask next, if he had told Audrey, and he didn't really have an answer yet.

It was snowing in Michigan, and Jack was at a pay phone down the street from their hotel.

As he walked back he thought about that phone call a few days back.

Audrey had fallen asleep early with a 'mild' headache.

Jack knew it was probably worse than she let on but let it go. Her headaches were getting worse and worse by day and Jack was worried he would have to bring her to a hospital. That would mean giving himself up, but to him it didn't matter. He would do anything to keep her safe.

Jack paced around the hotel room thinking about all this. Every now and then he would stop at the foot of their bed and watch Audrey sleeping peacefully.

On his second time around the room Jack's phone rang in his pocket. Thinking it was Chloe, he opened it without another thought.

"Chloe hi, any word on Heller?"

"Jack its Wayne Palmer"

Jack stopped pacing.

"Mr. President, It's good to hear from you. Are you alright?"

"I'll be just fine."

"May I ask how you managed to get my number?"

"I called Ms. Obrien after I woke up and saw the news with your picture strewn across it. I figured if anyone knew where you were she would."

Palmer paused for a second

"I'm so sorry about everything Jack; I can't believe what Secretary Heller and Noah Daniels are trying to do to take you down for CTU."

"It's fine Sir."

"No Jack it's not. I know what you've done for this country and David especially. You deserve better than to be accused of kidnapping, though I have to ask... you didn't really kidnap Ms. Raines did you?"

Audrey was just waking up now and Jack smiled at her

"No sir, she came on her own free will"

"Good, because what I'm about to offer you involves both of you"

"How is that?"

"My last act of President was to sign off on your suicide mission to save Ms. Raines. Since Daniels made absolute sure that that didn't happen I feel like I owe you another shot to make things right"

Jack waited in silence for what he was about to say.

"I'm offering you a presidential pardon, so that you and Audrey can start a new life together."

"Sir... I don't know how to thank you"

"Don't thank me yet. It won't keep Heller away, and there's one last thing I'm going to need from you Jack so I can get Daniels to sign off on it"

"What would that be?"

"With all the chatter coming in, we've started to notice that there's been some activity in Sangala. We think Juma's raising an army there, and if he is we need to know now to stop him from destroying the new government that has just been put into place."

"What would you need me for?"

"Like I said we need to know sooner rather than later. Basically I need you in Sangala to observe the situation. I've gotten in touch with a man there who says he's been seeing Juma's men establishing themselves. His name's Carl Benton, he has a small orphanage and he's afraid of it being attacked so Juma can use the kids as soldiers."

"Carl Benton is an old friend of mine"

"I know, that's why if you go then Daniels will realize that you're the only one that could've done it and it will help him to sign off on it."

"So he doesn't know about this plan yet?"

"No, look Jack I know it's a long shot, but if it works you'll be able to walk away from all this and start your life over."

"I know"

"I'll give you some time to think about it. Call this number when you reach a decision."

"Okay thank you Sir"

Audrey looked at him expectantly. "What was all that about?"

"Wayne Palmer wants to help me get my name cleared"

"How, I mean I thought Daniels had taken over?"

"He has... its still complicated, I... I don't really have any of the details yet" Jack said slowly. He couldn't tell if Audrey knew he was lying.

She stared at him for a few seconds and Jack hoped that she wouldn't question him.

"Alright" Audrey answered. She had thought Jack was lying, but she wasn't sure she knew him that well anymore.

Jack nodded, almost sad. The decision not to tell her didn't come easily and he still had his doubts.

Audrey continued to watch him as he moved to sit next to her on the bed.

Jack kissed her head softly. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah I'll be alright"

Jack opened the door to the hotel and dusted the snow off of his shoulders. He had decided to tell Audrey the details of how Palmer was going to help him out

It was a long walk down the hall. This talk would not be easy for either of them, and he hoped Audrey wouldn't be too mad at him. Over the past three months he realized that he can't stand her being mad at him.

Pushing the door open, he smelt dinner cooking and smiled. Audrey was in the hotel's small kitchen cooking dinner with CNN and the radio playing in the background. It reminded him of when they were back in Washington and he would come over for dinner.

Jack stood watching her move through the kitchen for a minutes before walking up behind her and wrapping her in his arms.

Audrey jumped so much that she almost dropped the frying pan off the counter.

"Sorry about that"

Jack said letting her go and giving her some space.

Audrey leaned against the counter before turning around to face him.

Jack was surprised to find her smiling.

"I should know better by now..." Audrey said shaking her head

Jack put his hands on either side of her, resting his hands on the counter."

"Let's try this again"

"Alright, I promise not to move"

Audrey pulled him in and kissed him. Slipping her tongue into his mouth, Jack lifted her up onto the counter. He could feel her smiling before they broke apart.

Jack trailed kisses down her neck as she laughed and tried to push him away.

"Jack"

"Uh huh" he said pushing the strap of her tank top down.

"Maybe we should... we should... oh"

Jack pressed up against her, still kissing her neck. She could feel his growing excitement and put a hand on his chest half trying to push him away, and half bringing him in closer.

"I thought you said you wouldn't move?"

Jack kissed her again, and she was close to giving up and letting him have his way with her.

He finally pulled away, smiling at her flushed complexion. He helped her down off the counter and traced his thumb over her cheek.

Audrey was breathing heavily and closed her eyes as she leaned into Jack's hand.

"We should probably wait till after Dinner" she finally said letting him know with her eyes that they would continue this later.

"Speaking of that, I think it's burning, and I didn't do it this time" Jack said innocently

Audrey jumped back to the stove and pulled the pan off of it.

"Yes you did, you distracted me"

"Oh really?"

"Yep, and you're going to pay for that later"

Jack stepped behind her and wrapped a hand around her waist, kissing her neck. "Alright, just as long as you're not too mad at me"

Jack was always apologizing to her now for even the smallest of things. She wondered if he was more than just afraid of her father taking her away, but also her leaving him.

"Jack, I'm not going to leave you. I know I almost did in the past after Paul died, but in a few days I would've come back. I love you too much to be without you, I've learned that the hard way"

Any confidence Jack had up to that part soon diminished. "I know, that's not why...it's not what I'm apologizing for"

"Then what is it?"

Jack avoided her gaze, not being able to look her in the eye.

Audrey became panicked and hoped that her idea of what this could be about was wrong.

"Jack... please tell me you're not considering it best that we're apart..."

He didn't look up immediately and Audrey took it as she was right. She turned from him as a few tears fell from her eyes. Out of the few other times he had said that it would be best for them to be apart, this time he seemed serious, like he had already made up his mind.

Jack felt like his heart was being ripped to shreds as he saw her whole body shake. He turned her In his arms and wiped the tears from her eyes with his thumb.

"Shh it's okay I'm not going anywhere"

Audrey laid her head on his shoulder, holding him tightly.

"You promise?" she whispered quietly

Jack held her tight and closed his eyes briefly "I promise"

There was no way he could leave her all alone. He didn't know what leaving one last time would do to her and he was afraid of a setback in her recovery.

He had to make sure she'd be alright, and decided to call Palmer back and hear what he had to say. Once he got the rest of the information he would tell Audrey about all this.

Then it would be time to sit down and talk to Heller, weather he wanted to or not.

Reviews are loved and appreciated as always!!!