Notes and disclaimers in part one :)

Thanks for all the feedback.

"Was she just convenient or did you plan it?"Tony asked breaking the silence not bothering to keep the anger out of his voice.

Yusuf switched the gun to his other hand while he slid down to a sitting position. "I never intended to hurt her."

Tony's eyes flashed as he took a step forward. "That wasn't what I asked. Why her?"

Yusuf didn't look up. "If you're asking if it was because of you, the answer is no."

Tony shook his head. "It was because of me."

Yusuf looked up.

"Her interrogation of Ali."Tony continued. "That's why you grabbed her."

Auda nodded. "I thought Ali might have told her something that proves my country's innocence."

"But he didn't."

"No but I did not know that when I took Ms. Dessler."

Tony licked his lips not wanting to ask the next question but needing to know the answer all the same. "Were you going to kill her?"

"If I had too."

*********

"Thank you, Mr. President."Jack replied into the phone as he walked back toward Michelle carrying a gray blanket.

"I'll have the local L.A. station wrap the satellite feed so it only goes to the station and your location, Jack."Palmer stated as he straightened the tie he was putting on.

"I just wish there was more I could do to help."

"I'm grateful for what you've done, Mr. President."Jack said quietly as he paused just inches from the car Michelle was resting in. "I just don't know what to do next if this plan fails."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, Jack."Palmer assured his friend. "If Auda is as tired as you say he is he'll be willing to believe anything in order to come home."

"I hope so, Sir."Jack replied as he glanced at the beach house. The sun was full up now. "Will we be ready to go in fifteen?"

"We'll be ready to go in ten."Palmer stated as he stood and walked toward the door. "I just have to let the cameraman in."

"Okay."Jack acknowledged as he started walking again. "I'll call you when it's over."

After he ended his conversation with the President Jack dialed Auda's number.

"Yes?"Auda answered.

"The press conference will begin in ten minutes."Jack replied and then he hit the disconnect button and pocketed the phone.

When he reached the driver's side door he handed the blanket to Michelle. "Thought you could use this."

Michelle took the blanket gratefully. "Thank you."

Jack walked around to the passenger side and got in.

"Is it about to start?"Michelle asked as she straightened in the seat.

Jack nodded as he reached to turn on the small tv that was poised on the dashboard and plugged into the cigarette lighter. "Yes."

Michelle clutched the blanket tightly. "Is this going to look real, Jack? He's not stupid.....if he sees anything that's not.....he'll...."

Jack flashed her a reassuring smile as he found the right channel. "Palmer knows the plan. It'll work."

Michelle's worried gaze drifted toward the unfinished beach house. "This has to work, Jack. It just has too."

Jack settled back in his seat. "I'll get him out, Michelle, no matter what happens."

Michelle turned to look at the small screen just as Palmer's familiar face appeared.

**********

"It's starting."Tony commented as he reached over to the small battery powered tv and turned up the volume.

Auda rested the gun on top of his knees as he pulled his knees toward his chest. His gaze fixed on the screen.

Tony watched Auda debating if he should try to get the gun. Auda's attention was clearly on Palmer and nothing else. It'd be easy.

At the last minute Tony decided against going for the gun. Auda had to end this his way.

Tony leaned back against the wall and turned his attention to what Palmer was saying.

"Good morning."Palmer began as he rested his hands on the podium. "Yesterday our country was attacked. But due to the bravery of law enforcement agents the nuclear bomb was diverted to a place where it could do less harm.

I have troops poised and ready to strike at the people responsible for this bombing. But it will not happen today.

The information leading to our retaliatory strike was proven to be false. The country that we believed to be responsible for the bombing is innocent.

To the people of that country I offer heartfelt apologies. The error that led to the bad intelligence will be investigated and dealt with accordingly.

I promise we will find the persons responsible for the nuclear attack and justice will be served. But this is something not to be rushed into. We need to have accurate information.

That information is being gathered at this very moment and will be analyzed by the right people. When the time is right for military action we will do so. Thank you."Palmer said as he finished his speech and walked away from the podium.

*******

"Now what?"Michelle asked as Jack turned off the tv.

Jack looked over at the beach house. "Now it's up to Auda."

Michelle opened the car door and got out the blanket wrapped tightly around her.

"You have to let me talk to Yusuf, Jack."Michelle stated quietly as Bauer joined her.

Jack shook his head as he rested a reassuring hand on Michelle's shoulder. "If we need to I'll let you talk to him. But I think Auda's about to end this on his own."