This story takes place in between season 1 and season 2 of 24. It begins
about a week or so after we last saw Jack and Co. Enjoy! (F.Y.I- if not
obvious, these characters are not mine and are sole property of Fox.)
Life Goes On
It had been one week since the disastrous events that rocked California on the day of the presidential primary. The dust is finally beginning to settle and our main characters are doing their best to piece their lives back together.
Senator David Palmer has officially been announced as his party's front runner for the election in two months. He and wife Sherry Palmer are separated, but not divorced. The papers are being filed today. The action starts at David's lawyer's office.
Chapter 1
--camera bulbs flashing, reporters yelling—
"Senator Palmer, Senator Palmer: please sir we just want one statement."
"The Senator is late for an important meeting an advisor. He will be holding a press conference later today in which all your questions will be answered," responded Mike Novak, long time friend and advisor to David.
"Thanks for that Mike. I just want to handle this and put it past me. I don't need Sherry on my mind as we come down the home stretch."
"I understand sir. Everything will be taken care of."
"I appreciate that Mike. This will take no more than an hour."
"OK. I have a meeting with a party rep, but will meet up with you at headquarters by 2:00 for the press conference."
"Great. Make sure Lynne Kresge has everything she needs. We have been friends since Georgetown and she will be a great asset to the team, especially with Patty gone."
"I'll take care of it David."
"Thanks." As always, Palmer had a rather pensive look on his face; always worried about something.
--cut to CTU—
George Mason has taken over as director of CTU while Jack is out on leave. Tony has moved up to assistant to the director, Nina's former position. He has been unable to truly come to grips with what happened only a week ago. His lover turned on not only him, but their entire country.
"Tony! Tony! Tony!"
"Yea George, what's up?"
"Are you OK? You have been staring at the same screen for about 10 minutes."
"I'm fine, George. What do you need?"
"I need you to finish compiling the reports Division requested about last week by 12:00. Are we clear?"
"Whatever you need. And don't forget, I need to leave right after that. Its Teri's funeral today. Remember?"
"Just make sure you work is done." And, with that, George walked away, leaving Tony confused as to how George could be so unfeeling about what had happened. Tony just put it aside and moved to his phone.
--Ring, ring--
"Milo, you ready?"
"Yea Tony. I have everything you requested."
"Good. Conference Room A- 5 minutes."
"I'll be there." With that, Tony compiled himself and tried to put the emptiness he felt behind him.
--cut to the Bauer home—
We find our hero, Jack, straightening out his tie in front of the mirror. Out of the corner of his eye, he spots a picture of himself, Teri, and Kim at happier times. His face becomes immediately pale. Before he can begin to get overly emotional, Kim walks in wearing a black skirt and top.
"Dad, you ready to go? The car is here."
"Yea sweetie, I'll be right out." With that, Kim quickly left the room. This had been the extent of their communication ever since Kim found out her mother was dead. She didn't blame her dad, but couldn't get past the thought that if he didn't do what he did, none of this would have happened. Jack was fully aware of her feelings because he felt the same way. Although he knew he would never be ready to bury his wife, he compiled himself and left the room.
--cut to Lakeview cemetery—
The crowd is gathered around Teri Bauer's grave as the priest finishes his sermon. Kim is in tears and Jack is about two steps from it. There is an obvious look of sadness on everyone's faces. The priest has finished and the crowd disperses to give the Bauer's their condolences.
"Hey Tony."
"Jack. I am so sorry for everything. How are you holding up?"
"I have been better. I don't know Tony, I am still in shock about... everything, you know."
"Yea, I do. It's difficult to stomach. Just know that I'll be here if you or Kim needs anything, OK?"
"I know that Tony. Thank you for everything."
"Welcome. I'll talk to you soon."
Jack watched Tony go off to his car, still trying to imagine how he felt about Nina. It was easier for him to worry about Tony than himself.
"Dad, dad."
"Yea honey, what's up?"
"Ready to go? I just need to get out of here. I just want to go home."
"Let's go."
As Jack walked away, he paused in front of Teri's gravestone, still unwilling to believe how upside down his life had become in one day. Walking away, he knew a part of him was buried with his dead wife.
Life Goes On
It had been one week since the disastrous events that rocked California on the day of the presidential primary. The dust is finally beginning to settle and our main characters are doing their best to piece their lives back together.
Senator David Palmer has officially been announced as his party's front runner for the election in two months. He and wife Sherry Palmer are separated, but not divorced. The papers are being filed today. The action starts at David's lawyer's office.
Chapter 1
--camera bulbs flashing, reporters yelling—
"Senator Palmer, Senator Palmer: please sir we just want one statement."
"The Senator is late for an important meeting an advisor. He will be holding a press conference later today in which all your questions will be answered," responded Mike Novak, long time friend and advisor to David.
"Thanks for that Mike. I just want to handle this and put it past me. I don't need Sherry on my mind as we come down the home stretch."
"I understand sir. Everything will be taken care of."
"I appreciate that Mike. This will take no more than an hour."
"OK. I have a meeting with a party rep, but will meet up with you at headquarters by 2:00 for the press conference."
"Great. Make sure Lynne Kresge has everything she needs. We have been friends since Georgetown and she will be a great asset to the team, especially with Patty gone."
"I'll take care of it David."
"Thanks." As always, Palmer had a rather pensive look on his face; always worried about something.
--cut to CTU—
George Mason has taken over as director of CTU while Jack is out on leave. Tony has moved up to assistant to the director, Nina's former position. He has been unable to truly come to grips with what happened only a week ago. His lover turned on not only him, but their entire country.
"Tony! Tony! Tony!"
"Yea George, what's up?"
"Are you OK? You have been staring at the same screen for about 10 minutes."
"I'm fine, George. What do you need?"
"I need you to finish compiling the reports Division requested about last week by 12:00. Are we clear?"
"Whatever you need. And don't forget, I need to leave right after that. Its Teri's funeral today. Remember?"
"Just make sure you work is done." And, with that, George walked away, leaving Tony confused as to how George could be so unfeeling about what had happened. Tony just put it aside and moved to his phone.
--Ring, ring--
"Milo, you ready?"
"Yea Tony. I have everything you requested."
"Good. Conference Room A- 5 minutes."
"I'll be there." With that, Tony compiled himself and tried to put the emptiness he felt behind him.
--cut to the Bauer home—
We find our hero, Jack, straightening out his tie in front of the mirror. Out of the corner of his eye, he spots a picture of himself, Teri, and Kim at happier times. His face becomes immediately pale. Before he can begin to get overly emotional, Kim walks in wearing a black skirt and top.
"Dad, you ready to go? The car is here."
"Yea sweetie, I'll be right out." With that, Kim quickly left the room. This had been the extent of their communication ever since Kim found out her mother was dead. She didn't blame her dad, but couldn't get past the thought that if he didn't do what he did, none of this would have happened. Jack was fully aware of her feelings because he felt the same way. Although he knew he would never be ready to bury his wife, he compiled himself and left the room.
--cut to Lakeview cemetery—
The crowd is gathered around Teri Bauer's grave as the priest finishes his sermon. Kim is in tears and Jack is about two steps from it. There is an obvious look of sadness on everyone's faces. The priest has finished and the crowd disperses to give the Bauer's their condolences.
"Hey Tony."
"Jack. I am so sorry for everything. How are you holding up?"
"I have been better. I don't know Tony, I am still in shock about... everything, you know."
"Yea, I do. It's difficult to stomach. Just know that I'll be here if you or Kim needs anything, OK?"
"I know that Tony. Thank you for everything."
"Welcome. I'll talk to you soon."
Jack watched Tony go off to his car, still trying to imagine how he felt about Nina. It was easier for him to worry about Tony than himself.
"Dad, dad."
"Yea honey, what's up?"
"Ready to go? I just need to get out of here. I just want to go home."
"Let's go."
As Jack walked away, he paused in front of Teri's gravestone, still unwilling to believe how upside down his life had become in one day. Walking away, he knew a part of him was buried with his dead wife.