Chapter 14 Chase limped over to the room Tony had been in. When he walked in, Darla and Jim looked up at him. Tony was sitting in the corner talking on the phone. He looked up at Chase and held his finger up telling him to wait a minute. Tony clicked his phone off and said, "Someone hit the Warner home. Some interesting things are there, like Marie Warner. Let's go."
Chase's face lit with happiness because he did not have to fight Tony to let him come along. "Let's go."
The two walked down to Tony's car. Chase was out of breath when he reached the car, but he was not going to show Tony or anyone else that he was in pain, and probably could not do as much as he thought he could.
Once in the car Tony took off towards the Warner home. Tony knew where it was because he had attended a few parties there while Jack and Kate were still together. He began to wonder what would make Kate do what she did? She seemed like such a nice normal person, but so did her sister. Tony already knew that Kate Warner had been killed when Jack was wounded after reading that in the police report. The thought of Jack being dead still did not feel real. Jack was Superman, nothing could kill that man, but finally, someone did. Tony began to block the thoughts, he knew his emotions would get in the way, and he couldn't let that happen. Jack had taught him to always focus on the one major thing and worry about the others later. There was always the one goal that had to be reached, and after that, there was another goal more important than what you felt.
Chase was doing the same thing as Tony. Neither man spoke. Both were taking the advice of the man they both respected and both felt horrible for losing today. Jack was like a mentor to Chase. Chase had looked up to the man ever since he heard of what he did during the presidential primary. Chase thought he knew what he was doing when he was in D.C., but he did not know half of what Jack knew. When he transferred to L.A., he met the man he had looked up to and heard so many stories about. He quickly became friends with him, and then became his partner. It was not easy to be Jack Bauer's partner because Jack was a lone man. He knew what he had to do and he did it, and doesn't let anyone get in his way. He did not need anyone else. It took a while for Chase to earn his respect and when he did, Jack started to show Chase different things that Chase had never learned. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Mike dialed Sherry's number and when she finally answered he asked, "Tell me again why we have this man in a hotel room and not a hospital?"
"If he stays in the hospital, chances are that they will find out he had not died. If they find that out, they will kill him. He is our only link to the people, and David would want us to protect him any way we could."
"Why haven't we told David?"
"We already went through this Mike. Do we need to again? I am going to bring David into the equation when he gets there. His girlfriend, Ann, will be better able to understand how much damage was done to Jack, and if he really needs to be in a hospital, we can erect one in the hotel if we have to. She should be able to handle any problems that occur with him. Has he waked up yet?"
"No. None that I know of. I'm going back in there now to look him over again. I noticed he has not even moved. I'm worried there might be more damage than what you thought, and he might not make it because of what we are doing."
"Mike, believe me. If I thought for a moment he was in serious danger by me taking him out of the hospital, I would have not done it. But I weighed the consequences and it's worse if he stays, and you have to know that Mike.
"I know. When are you going to be here?"
"I'm heading out now. I'll be there in a half hour and David should be there within the next few hours."
They said their good-byes. When Mike hung the phone up, he walked back into the room that Jack had been sleeping in. He sat down and studied the man. Trying to remember the first time he actually heard of this man.

Suddenly, Jack jolted awake. His body surged with pain as he opened his eyes. He tried to turn his head to look around the room, but a great amount of pain vibrated through his entire body. He closed his eyes and opened them again hoping the blurriness in them would go away. He saw a blurry figure standing over him.
When Mike saw Jack jolt awake, he jumped also. He had not expected it, and it startled him. He got up and walked over to Jack's bedside.
Jack said barely above a whisper, "Where am I?"
"You are at the Hilton, Jack."
Jack's face showed the confusion he felt. He tried to sit up, but more pain rushed through his body.

Mike gently put his hands on Jack's unhurt shoulder and said, "You should really rest. You've been through a lot today. Do you remember anything?"
"Have you found my daughter's body yet?"
Mike did not know what Jack was talking about. "I have not heard anything, but Sherry has not told me everything yet."
"Sherry Palmer?" Jack asked confusion on his face again.
"Let me call her and ask." Mike stepped out of the room and dialed Sherry's number. When she answered he told her, "He's awake. He is wondering if we have found his daughter's body? You did not tell me she was dead."
"She's not. As far as I know, she's at CTU. I'll call Tony Almeida and ask about it. I think I have his number on the numbers David gave me earlier. Hold on." Sherry grabbed her house phone and dialed the number to CTU.
Eventually someone picked it up and said, "CTU. This is Glen speaking."

"Glen, I need to speak with Tony Almeida."
"He's out in the field at the moment."
"Is there any way you can patch me through. It is Sherry Palmer and I'm calling on behalf David Palmer."
"Hold, please." Glen began to wonder what Sherry Palmer would want with Tony Almeida. He patched the phone call through and listened in on his end.
"Mrs. Palmer?" Tony said confused as he drove towards the Warner's home.
"Tony I was calling about Jack's daughter. I just heard that she might have been hurt badly earlier, and I was wondering if she was okay."
"She is fine. We have her in the clinic at CTU. She and another agent were hurt. They are both fine now. Why do you ask?"
"David wanted me to check on her. He will be there within the next hour or so. He wanted to make sure she was fine as far as her physical well being. I am sorry about your loss."
Sherry said "good-bye" and picked up her cell phone. "Mike, she's fine. She and another agent were hurt, but they are fine now. How is Jack?"
"He's in a lot of pain. Other than that, I'm not sure."
"I have some pain pills I forgot to put with him. I'll get there as soon as I can."

Mike hung the phone up and walked back into Jack's room. He looked at Jack wondering if he had fallen back asleep when Jack asked, "What's going on?"
"Your daughter and another agent were hurt earlier, but they are fine now." Mike said.
"Why am I here?" Jack said with some anger present. "What does Sherry Palmer have to do with this?"
"Calm down, Jack. I can not answer all of those questions for you. I know why you are here and not in the hospital. Earlier, you were in a hospital and Sherry thought it best that after you flat-lined, in all appearance you were to stay dead. The doctors were able to revive you, but Sherry had them write everything as if you had died. The people who did this to you are still after you, and must have something else planned. Sherry contacted me, and we brought you to here to recuperate. If the people find out you are still alive, they will kill you."
"You said in all appearances I'm dead? Does my daughter know I'm not?"
"Jack, the only people who know you are alive are the men with me, Sherry, and the doctors. Everyone else thinks you are dead. The news caught the story, and Sherry told David you were dead because of the possible leaks coming out of his administration."
"And President Palmer told my daughter. So she thinks I'm dead?"
"Yes. I believe so."
Jack started to sit up. Clenching his teeth to bear the pain.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going to show my daughter that I'm not dead."
"You cannot go, Jack. They will kill you."
"I'm dead, and I can't bear the thought of my daughter having to deal with that."
Jack got ready to stand up when one of Sherry's bodyguards walked up to him, and gently pushed him back down to the bed.
"You are not supposed to be moving around." Mike said to him. "Don't make this harder than it is, Jack."
Jack wanted to get up and move badly, but he knew his body would not even stand a chance in a fight with anyone at this moment. He could tell his body took quite a beating today. "Can you at least call her?"
"We can't, Jack. With your help, this will all be over by the end of the week and then you can see her. Until then, it has to remain a secret."
"I don't care, even if it puts me in danger. Call her. She already lost her mother, and I promised her nothing would happen to me." Jack said while allowing his anger to show.
"We can't, Jack." Mike answered.
"Yes, you can. Pick up the damn phone and call. She is not going to tell anyone." Jack looked at Mike, his deadly anger showing through his eyes.
Jack glared at him. He tried to struggle against the man who held him down, but that only caused more pain.
"Jack, stop before you make yourself worse. When Sherry gets here you can discuss it with her." Mike said. "Please, don't make this man have to do something to restrain you." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Sherry walked out to her car with two of the Secret Service men following her. They had tried to insist on driving her, but she refused. She said they could drive in the car with her, or they could follow her. They decided that one would ride in the car and the other would follow close behind. The others stayed at the house like she had requested.
She pulled out of her driveway and drove into the L.A. night traffic towards the Hilton hotel. The drive there was uneventful. No problems arose and she knew that she had about twenty minutes before Palmer landed to figure out what she was going to do. She knew she had to keep Jack at the Hilton and quiet. Otherwise the group will know he is still alive and that would put their one lead in danger, and possibly everyone at the hotel in danger.
When she arrived at the hotel, she said she was to wait for Palmer to show up. She figured someone was watching her movements so she did not want them to know she was there for Jack.
After being escorted to the suite that Mike was in by the Secret Service agents, she asked them to stay outside the door and let her know the minute the president had arrived. When she walked in she called for Mike, not knowing where he was.
Mike emerged from a room and said, "Hello Sherry. I was just in the room with Jack. He is awake." Mike lowered his voice and said, "He is fighting to have his daughter called. He wants to let her know he still is alive. I told him to talk to you about it. I know if given the chance he will do it himself. One of the guys is in there watching him now. He had to restrain him for awhile to stop him from moving." Mike knew that given the chance, Jack would attempt to make it to the phone to call CTU.
"I'll take care of it." Sherry said walking towards the room Mike had left. She looked at him and said, "Could you order some food up? I have not eaten all day, I doubt Jack nor have you either."
"No problem." Mike said walking over to the phone.
Sherry entered the room. She noticed Jack who lay on the bed with anger showing through his eyes. "Hi Jack. Nice to see you're awake."
Jack answered, "Call my daughter and tell her I'm alive."
"We can't do that Jack. There are too many leaks, and if they find out you will not only put yourself in danger, but everyone around you. We need you alive because you've seen the people and know them."
"I'm not doing anything until you call my daughter and tell her I'm alive."
"Jack, don't be like that. You know you would not put hundreds of lives at risk just to make a point to have your daughter called. How are you feeling?" Sherry added on at the end.
"I'm fine." Jack said trying to hide the pain he really was in.
"No, you are not. You're always stubborn. Here I have some pills for you. The doctor prescribed them." Sherry said grabbing the pill bottle from her purse. She opened it and handed Jack one of them. "I will go get you some water."
Jack was in pain and he knew this pill would dull it, but it would also dull his senses and he knew something was not right.
Sherry returned with the water and held it out for Jack to take.
"I don't need the pill. I'm fine."
"No you are not Jack. Take the damn pill." --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------
Air Force One landed at LAX and the president got off the plane and boarded his limo. He sat in the back talking to his brother Wayne. They were discussing the current situation and what they thought might be happening. Ann had long since learned to ignore the two when they got in this type of discussion. Wayne was not fond of her and would only take any input she added as stupid comments.
The Secret Service took Palmer into the hotel the same way that Mike had taken Jack, through the back. When Palmer reached the floor that was reserved for him and his staff, he walked to the room where the two Secret Service men stood outside. He figured it was Mike's suite and Sherry must have been there. He knocked before entering the room and walked towards the room he had heard voices coming from.
When he entered the room his face turned colors due to the surprise of seeing Jack Bauer. His shock turned to anger quickly. "I thought he was dead." David said looking at Sherry.
"I had to tell you that David, and it has to remain as a secret because the people will come back for him. He knows what they look like. They will not want him to live. On top of that, you know you have leaks in your administration."
Palmer looked at Jack who lied down on the bed asleep. He noticed how horrible Jack looked. His entire left shoulder was covered in gauze, his face was bruised as were the visible parts of his chest and abdomen.
Sherry grabbed David's arm and pulled him out of the room closing the door behind her. "I think he is fine. Did Ann come with you?"
"Yes." David said staring at the closed door, "His daughter thinks he's dead."
"She has to continue to believe that because if they find out he is not they will come after him. Let's fight about this later. Can you see if Ann would be willing to look at him? He refuses to take the pain pills nor stay put. If she could just make sure, he did die David, but they brought him back again."
Biting back his anger and allowing his worry for a friend to over come him and he complied with Sherry walking out of the room towards the room that Ann was in. When he got in there he said that he wanted to show her something, still keeping the cover of Jack being dead in place. He knew Sherry was trying to do something good for once, she was a good person, she just went about everything the wrong way.
Returning with Ann, he walked into the room Jack was asleep in. He was worried for this man, and he began to feel guilty all over again. Every time he saw Jack even the first time when he wanted to fight the man at CTU, he felt guilty. He had never told Jack the entire truth about Operation Nightfall. He was not planning on ever telling Jack the truth. He knew the man would seek vengeance against him, even if his intentions were good.
Jack's eyes opened again. He did not notice that he had drifted off back to sleep. He looked around the room and saw President Palmer, Ann, Mike, and Sherry. Jack felt like a freak in a freak show, everyone looking at him. He attempted to sit up, but Ann quickly placed a hand on his unhurt shoulder and said, "You should not be moving. By the looks of it you are pretty banged up. I'm going to take the gauze off your shoulder and hand and look at it." She said knowing about this man, and not wanting to alarm him.
She gently pulled the tape off the gauze and then pulled it back. She cringed at the sight of the little hole from the nail and the other hole from the gun shot wound. She noted the discoloration in his shoulder. It was purple with green spots from bruises. She figured it had been dislocated as well. "You must be in pain. Did the doctor give him anything for the pain?" She asked Sherry.
"Yes, but he refuses to take anything." Sherry added pointedly.
Ann looked at him and said, "Why won't you take the pain pills? I know you are in a great amount of pain. Not only is your shoulder dislocated, but you have two serious wounds to it. By the looks of it, most of your ribs are broken and the list goes on."
Jack did not answer her. He did not have a good reason other than he knew it would dull his senses and he did not want that. He felt like a prisoner, he was a prisoner. He knew right now if he said he was leaving and attempted to get up they would stop him. He looked at Palmer and all the anger he felt for the man came rushing back.
Palmer noticed the look in Jack's eyes and it made him cringe inside. On the outside, he stayed cool calm and collect, but inside he knew Jack was pissed and would not be easy to deal with.
Knowing what was likely to transpire Mike asked, "Jack, why don't you tell us about what happened to you earlier?"
Palmer said while trying to break the tension, "If we can find these people quickly, the sooner you can see Kim again. She is fine. A little hurt, but she will be fine."
Jack knew what Palmer had said was true, and he knew he was missing something. He had felt it for quite a while, if he went through what occurred, maybe it would come back to him. He started from the beginning leaving out the part about Amber living next door to him, and him helping her move. He started at the pickup point in the park and told the story all the way through till he was thrown out of the van. The rest was filled in by Sherry. When he was done something occurred to him. He had thought it before, but never though Palmer would be capable of it. The thought burned at him and he had lost respect for Palmer so he figured he could easily question him.
"You say the woman said she was the daughter of one of your men from Operation Nightfall?"
"Yes, sir." Jack felt like asking the question on his mind. He contemplated whether he should or not finally he caved in and asked, "Sir, there is something that just occurred to me. I always thought it was someone high ranking that set up Operation Nightfall to fail, but it never occurred to me the only people who knew about it in enough time to plan an attack like occurred would have been Ellis, you, and me. The rest of the people involved including my men were kept out of it until the last possible moment. I know I did not set the mission to fail, and Ellis would have chosen someone very incapable of leading the mission and would not of allowed some of the men to go I choose because they were the best. That leaves just you, sir."
Palmer surprised said, "What you think I helped the Drazen family out by telling them you were coming?"
"It makes sense to me sir." Jack answered.
"Why would I?"
"Because you wanted Drazen out of the picture. It was better if you got him alive and got him to tell you information. That would make sense, but it had to seem he was dead otherwise the world would know we had him, and you would not have the freedom you had."
"Jack I don't like your accusations. I would never set up a team to fail. Never."
"Maybe you did not originally mean to set the team up to fail, but when the chance presented itself, you did."
"How could I? I did not know how or when the mission was going to happen. I was just going to be told it was done." Palmer said letting more anger show than he wanted.
Jack was pissed now. He knew Palmer was the one. He was trying to hide it, but his eyes could not hide it. Jack knew and he went of the adrenaline rush that ran through him at the moment. "How could you?" Jack said sitting up.
"I didn't." Palmer tried to convince him, but knew he couldn't. He did feel guilty.
Mike walked towards Jack trying to keep him from going at the president. He could see the anger in Jack's eyes and worried he would try to attack the president.
When Mike walked towards him Jack took it as a threat and hit Mike with his good right arm knocking the wind out of Mike.
"What are you doing Jack?" The president asked while being pissed off getting ready to fight the man if he had too.
Jack was out of bed and ready to fight the President. He knew once he did he would be in deep shit, but at the moment he didn't care. All he could see was the dead bodies of all his men, the pain in their families' eyes as Jack told them what happened, or Jack sat with them at the funerals.
"Jack, don't do this. You know better than this. I am the President for Christ's sake."
Jack approached the president he was still seething with anger. He had long since lost all control of himself. He was in the mind frame he was in when he killed Drazen and Nina. He knew what he was going to do would get him into trouble, but he did not care that man had done so much and lied to him. Jack stood looking in the President's eyes for a minute trying to calm himself, trying to stop himself.
Sherry and Ann had walked out of the room when Jack approached the President. Sherry got one of her guards. They entered and saw the staring contest between the two men. The guard approached Jack he walked between the two men. He went to push Jack back away when Jack hit him with his right hand in the head stunning the man enough to be able to knee the man in the groin, sending him to the ground. The president was tired of staring at Jack and went at him to try to restrain him before he hurt anyone else.
Jack was not expecting Palmer to come at him and when he did it surprised him for a moment. Jack blocked the first punch Palmer threw at him with his good arm, but since Jack only had one arm to work with he was not ready to block the next incoming punch. Palmer hit Jack in the stomach sending Jack to the ground in pain. Ann entered the room in time to see Palmer hit Jack. Jack began to get up again when Palmer looked down at him and said, "Jack, don't do this. I don't want to hurt you and you are in no shape to fight me. I did not set the mission up to fail."
Palmer looked over at Ann who had a syringe in her hand. She looked at Palmer and he knew what she wanted him to do. He kneeled down and accidentally grabbed Jack's injured shoulder. Jack screamed in pain. Palmer placed another hand on the unhurt shoulder and held Jack down the best he could. Jack tried to struggle, but Ann inserted the needle into his good arm and pushed the plunger down, inserting the sedative into Jacks blood stream. After a few minutes Jack stopped fighting. A few minutes after his struggling stopped he had fallen asleep. Palmer took his hands off Jack. Jack's injured shoulder was bleeding again. Palmer looked down at the man and said, "I'm sorry, Jack."
The guards came into the room and put Jack back on the bed. Taking Jack's good arm, they cuffed it to the headboard. Palmer sat in a chair staring at the man. Sherry looked at Palmer and began to ask, "What was this about you setting up them to fail? Did you really set them up, David?"