"Jack, you idiot-" Chappelle was cut off as Jack's fist came down on him twice, knocking him out. Jack was sure he wouldn't be waking up anytime soon, but cuffed him to make sure. He stepped over him and headed out of his office, locking the door behind him.
Down in the bullpen Milo was picking up satellite images of the compound. Jack ran over to him:
"How many are on site?"
"23 altogether, but I couldn't get a weapons count."
"Ok, good work Milo. Now call chopper command, I need a chopper like 10 minutes ago."
He ran over to the tactical room and began suiting up into SWAT gear. He pulled on a vest and began grabbing ammo to accommodate the two glocks he had taken. Baker approached him, already in his gear.
"Chopper will be here in 5."
"Good,"he replied, still loading up ammo.
"Jack. Don't we need Chappelle's authorisation?"
"Forget Chappelle. If anything happened you were acting under my authority. I'll take the heat."
"Okay."
"Let's go to the boarding space. Do you have the co-ordinates?"
"Yeah were all set."
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Michelle sat next to Kim and handed her a cup of hot coffee.
"You okay?" Michelle asked.
"Yeah, I'm just worried about Dad, He doesn't look so good and I know he wont go to the hospital. At least he's resting. I sneaked into his office earlier and he was sleeping." she smiled.
Michelle hesitated, "Kim, Jack just left in a chopper heading for the compound. I thought he had told you, but I guess he forgot. His head is in pieces," she sighed.
"What do you mean he's gone back?"
"We got the location and he said he wasn't coming back without Tony or Kate."
"How the hell did he get Chappelle to allow him to do this?" she asked bewildered.
"Kim, I really shouldn't be telling you this, but Jack got angry and hit Chappelle, he's unconscious on your Dad's office floor."
"So now what?"
"I don't know Kim. Let's just hope they all get back okay."
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The chopper touched down in the woods, just outside of the compound. Jack instructed the pilot to wait until they came back. They both set off running, keeping low. After 500 yards they came to the building. They didn't need to secure the area as the satellite images showed everyone was inside. Quietly, the two entered the building, then split up. Both knew what they were here to do.
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Palmer was arguing on the phone with Harry Dean.
"Listen. I played my part, you got Bauer back."
"I will order an attack on your organisation if I do not get my documents back. That is final."
"Fine. But come pick them up yourself."
"I will be there shortly."
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Jack ran down the deserted hallway, gun drawn. He came to a side room and kicked the door open and entered. Empty. He turned around coming out to fins himself facing 2 men. All 3 men raised there weapons and began to shoot. Only Jack remained standing. He took off in a frantic rush before others who herd the shots arrived. He didn't fancy sticking around for them to find him, he did not like the idea of being caught again. He rounded a corner and 3 men began firing. He hit the floor firing high, striking each man in the face. He quickly changed his clip and set off again.
Inside Tony's interrogation room Sal and Walker could hear the shooting.
"Sal, go outside, Walker, hide here. Whoever is there will expect there to be only me and that inside. You give him a surprise." He smiled as the two men complied.
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Jack rounded another corner and saw a man, whom he remembered as Sal, exit the room. Both men fired, and Jack watched in satisfaction as he saw a slug tear through his stomach. He would die slowly. He took his gun and entered the room. He could see Dean sat on the couch, hands up. He saw Tony laid on the table, covered in blood. Tony lifted his head up and tried to call his name.
"Don't try to speak Tony. I'm taking you back and we'll get you to a doctor."
Silently Walker crept behind Jack with his gun drawn. He stepped behind Jack and pulled the gun to his head.
"Don't move Jack."
Slowly Jack placed his gun on the ground and put his hands on his head, although it looked like surrender he just couldn't bear another knock to the head. Dean picked up Jack's gun and began speaking to him.
"Well, guess you just can't stay away from us, can you?" He and Walker began to laugh.
Walker radioed someone and minutes later Berg entered.
'10 dead sir. Not including Sal, but he's well on his way."
Jack did the math in his head and realised that this was more than he had killed, Baker was okay. Berg pulled Tony off the table and dragged him over to the couch. It was clear they had been cutting him up.
"Tony wasn't very talkative, so lets hope you are Jack. For your sake." Dean sneered.
Walker cuffed Jack's hands together behind his back. Jack began to worry. Last time he was in this situation he had died and spent a month in the hospital hooked up to different machines. Walker quickly patter him down, taking the ammo, but missing the gun in his ankle holster. This was a glimmer of hope, but he had no chance to get it.
Berg approached Jack and hit him in the stomach, he fell to the floor gasping for air.
"How many people did you come here with Jack?"
Jack said nothing. Walker walked over to the tray of blades, syringes, and many other weapons that did not look pleasant. He picked up a crow bar and approached Jack.
"We have a lot of time here Jack."
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Palmer boarded the chopper and sat next to Lynne, who gave him a disapproved glance.
"I know what you are thinking Lynne but you know how important it is I get those documents. It will only take a few minutes."
"I know sir."
The chopper set off.
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Jack was sprawled across the floor out cold. Dean sat on the couch next to Tony whilst Berg watched the door. Walker had sat down to take a break. Tony looked distraught as he looked at Jack. Dean turned to Tony:
"See what you have done. If you had just told us you wouldn't be in pain. And Jack, well, he wouldn't be in this mess. Look at him Tony, I bet he can't even walk. All because of you."
Tony closed his eyes, knowing what Dean said was true. He had gotten both Terri and Kate killed, and next it would be Jack. Inside Tony wanted to cry. He couldn't take anymore, the guilt was killing him and he didn't think he could take much more.
Walker left the room, and then came back in, with a bottle of water and Marie. He stood over Jack and emptied the water on him. Jack began to cough up blood as he woke. He made no effort to move, it hurt too much. Marie stepped forward.
"Hey Jack. Long time no see!"
Anger flashed through his eyes as he saw Marie. He tried to sit up but Walkers boot landed heavily on his chest, holding him down.
"Easy Jack, you don't look too good." She turned to Dean. "There is somebody next door waiting to see you."
Dean jumped up. "Walker you come with me. This is important. Berg. You and Marie keep Mr.Bauer company."
Berg walked over to the table and grabbed a syringe. He slowly began to fill it with a liquid substance. On the floor, Jack closed his eyes, dreading what was to come. Marie sat next to Tony, watching, and enjoying the show.
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"David Palmer, glad you could make it."
"The documents."
"Yes of course. First though, what assurances do I have that once you get your documents you wont just attack us anyway?"
"You delivered Jack, kept you end of the deal. So I will keep mine."
"Ah, I see. But...the thing is....there's a tiny problem with Bauer. He decided to come back. He is next door as we speak sir."
Palmer stood silent, contemplating what to do next.
"I will take Jack with me. No one is to know about this. But you do not murder anyone. I need time to think this through."
"Okay. But you have to make him understand there is nothing here to come back to. Kate Warner is dead."
Palmer was shocked. He had no idea how Jack would react to this news, but decided he would tell him himself. He owed it to him."
"Come on. He is next door."
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Walker led the way, followed by Palmer, followed by Dean. They stepped into the room and Berg moved away from Jack who lie on the ground asleep, oblivious to what was happening and the agony he was in. Palmers mouth gaped open as he saw Jack, still laid on the floor, hands cuffed behind his back. He was covered in blood and looked like hell. His skin was deathly pale and his eyes were glazed over. He looked drugged up, which he was. Palmer stepped forward.
"What have you done to him?" Palmer looked to Dean, who looked to Berg.
"I just gave him something to slow him down. Sir, I didn't want him to escape on me." He looked scared.
"Good thinking," Dean smiled.
Palmer still stood, eyes fixated on Jack. He slowly began to look around the room and saw the instruments on the table, and the crowbar hanging loosely in Berg's hand.
"You people are monsters." Stated Palmer.
"Look David. You want Jack. You can have him. So lets stop trading insults." He motioned over to Tony.
"And what happens to this man? And...Marie Warner? How the hell did you get out of prison?"
Dean began to laugh. "Come on Palmer even you know what's going to happen to him, the same as what should be happening to that." He pointed to Jack.
"No. I will not allow you to murder innocent people because they tried to protect there country."
"Ok. Listen carefully, I will not repeat myself." Dean was growing angry. "You can have either Jack and Tony or Jack and the documents. Your choice, but decide now."
Palmer looked angry. "We will honour the original deal. Get your men to move Jack to the chopper. I doubt he can move never mind walk!" He turned out and stormed through the open door, followed by Dean and the two men dragging Jack.
In the corner opposite the door hid Baker. He had herd and saw everything, and began to wonder just why the president was horse trading with terrorists.
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Hey, please review this chapter to let me know what yah all thinking! Tar x