It was nearly an hour later before Michelle heard the front door to the beach house open and close. She dropped her head in relief. For a few moments Michelle had thought she had been left there to die.

Yusuf walked into the living room and dropped the bag of supplies in the closest corner. He retrieved the pre-paid cell phone from the bag and walked over to the wall near Michelle and sat down on the floor.

Yusuf turned the disposable cell phone over and over in his hands for a moment before setting it aside. He saw Michelle's questioning gaze and reached over and lowered her gag.

"Aren't you going to use that?"Michelle asked wearily.

"I will."Yusuf assured her as he stood walked over to the bag and retrieved a bottle of water. He walked back to Michelle and opened the bottle allowing her to take several sips.

"Thank you."Michelle acknowledged as she leaned back against the pole.

Yusuf took a sip himself before replacing the cap and placing the bottle on the floor.

"I think we both need to get some rest."Auda commented as he rested his head back against the wall.

Michelle watched as Auda's eyes quickly drifted closed and his breathing eased indicating he was asleep.

Michelle sighed as she looked at the gun lying on the floor. Here she had the perfect opportunity to make an escape attempt but the ropes binding her hands were just too tight. Michelle rested her head back against the pole and closed her eyes.
Soon she too was asleep.

********

Tony glanced at his watch, nearly four and still no further contact from Auda.

"I'm missing something here, Jack."Tony commented as he paced the area near Carrie's desk. "There's gotta be another way to track Auda down. I'm just not seeing it."

Bauer shook his head. "We've followed every lead there is, Tony. There was nothing in the rental car to indicate a destination. The bio we have on Auda is sketchy at best. We don't have any way to know what contacts he has in the States."

"We've got less than three hours left."Tony stated as he stopped. "Do you think the President was serious in his offer to help?"

Jack nodded. "Yes."

"Call him."Tony ordered. "We need what they have on Auda."

Jack picked up the phone. "This is Jack Bauer. Connect me to President Palmer."

"Right away."The CTU operator replied.

"Do you want me to have the LAPD start doing a hotel search along that section of the PCH?"Carrie asked as she leaned against her desk.

Tony shook his head. "There's hundreds of hotels along there. The LAPD doesn't have the man power to spare with all the craziness going on tonight."

"Thank you, Mr. President."Jack replied as he hung up the phone. "They're going to fax what they have."

"Good."Tony commented. "Because we're spinning our wheels."