" Sir," nodded Mike to Palmer, it was obvious he had been worried sick with the kidnapping.
"Mike," replied Palmer, still lost in his thoughts.
Seeing the blood that covered him he quickly ran over,
"Sir are you all right, Jesus..."
Palmer pushed him away and sat back down.
"I'm fine Mike. This isn't my blood." He paused. "It's Jack's."
"I'm sorry David. How is he doing?" he sounded truly concerned about Jack, but Palmer suspected it was only because he knew how close the two were.
"In surgery." He sighed and stood up pulling out a mobile." I'm going to call CTU, tell them to notify Kim Bauer."
Mike thought that this was not a good idea but decided to drop it, given Palmer's state of mind at this time.
Tony picked up on the third ring. The information he was given from Palmer truly shocked him as much as it hurt him.
"I'll take her myself sir. I'm on my way."
He hung up and thought of how he was going to tell Kim. He looked down from his office and could see her typing at her terminal, so he called her and asked her to come up to see him. As she entered the room she knew instantly that something was wrong with the look on his face.
" It's Dad, isn't it."
Tony nodded, then told her the news. He stood up and hugged her, telling her he would take her to the hospital. Kim nodded and followed him to the parking lot, worried sick she could feel her stomach had dropped with nervousness.
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After getting the room number from reception the two entered Palmer's room. Palmer came over and shook hands with Tony, then turned to see Kim.
"I'm sorry you and your father have to go through this again," he said solemnly. Kim nodded and sat down, wrapping her arms around herself. Inside she was full of hate as she saw the president. Secretly she despised him. He was always calling in a favour from her Dad, always taking him away from her and putting him in danger. She wished he could just leave them alone because she feared he would kill her Dad eventually.
Tony sat down next to her, "You okay?" He asked in a low voice so no-one else in the room could hear. She smiled at him, implying she was. "I'm here for you Kim," he said, before the nurse entered. Almost instantly Palmer, Kim and Tony ambushed her with questions about Jack. She took a step back and told them how he was doing.
"I'm afraid one of his main arteries were harmed during the incident, which has resulted in a very high loss of blood. The doctors feel they can mend the artery, and he has in fact stopped loosing blood. Which is a very good sign. However, I am afraid it could still easily go the other way. Anything can happen, this next hour is critical."
"Can I see him?" interrupted Kim.
"I'm afraid nobody can see him whilst he is in surgery. And it will be a few more hour at least, judging by the size of the wound."
Kim had tears in her eyes, she wanted to see her Dad desperately, but knew it would never happen.
"I'm sure we could make an exception for this lady, it is her father after all." Asked Palmer, staring at the nurse who wasn't brave enough to stand up to the President.
"Okay, you can see him, but only a minute, it is a very delicate operation." She was clearly angry at having to break procedure like this.
Palmer smiled at Kim, who muttered a "thanks" in return as she followed the nurse out of the room.
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Kim was suited up in scrubs ready to go inside and see her Dad. As she entered the room she was shacking she was so scared. She could see 4 people surrounding her dad all cutting and pulling and clamping this and that. She moved a little closer, and looked at his relaxed face. She smiled and ran her hand on his hair.
"Dad?" She said, knowing he couldn't hear her.
She looked down at his stomach and saw his insides, it was not a pretty sight. It was then she realised how serious this was, and she might not see him again. She ran out of the room and was sick. After that she didn't want to go back into the room again, she was scared she would pass out.
She pulled the scrubs off and went back to the room, sitting besides Tony she began to cry.
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The next chap will be longer, promise! Please R and R thanx