Chapter 1

About a week after day 3:

Jack awoke in a tangle of sweat soaked sheets. The pain was finally subsiding, but sleeping remained difficult. It was nearly a week after the virus threat had been contained, but he was still feeling the effects of that day. After resolving the issues remaining from the virus, Brad Hammond had reluctantly given Jack a choice—take two weeks off to get his life back on track his way, or check himself into rehab. He chose the former, not wanting to visit the reasons for his addiction, but deal with the consequences privately. He was not a man who could share his feelings easily and preferred to handle things on his own.

Time off was a new concept for Jack, he did not know what to do with himself when he was not at work. It had become his reason for living, his reason for being, because he had nothing else. Nothing except Kim, but she was a grown woman now, starting a life of her own. Time away from work was way too much time to think, to reflect, and to grieve. He was going to go stir crazy.

If you want to do this job well, you have to stay detached.

In the past, his problems were overshadowed by his work, his excuse not to deal with them. It was easier that way; there were too many other important things to think about, like saving innocent lives. He had tried to quit after Teri's death, but he was reeled back in, he couldn't stay away. It wasn't just a job, it had become his life.

The emptiness of his beachfront condo echoed the emptiness in his heart. It just wasn't the same here since Kim moved most of her stuff to Chase's apartment to help take care of Angela while Chase recuperated. It didn't feel like a home without Kim, it was just a place to sleep. He still missed her even though he saw her nearly every day.

If you want to do this job well, you have to stay detached. He couldn't keep from repeating this refrain in his head. It was what he had told Chase that day, and Chase had taken it to heart. He had made a decision that Jack couldn't make, and he was proud of Chase for that. He just hoped it was the right decision, for Kim's sake.

The phone rang next to the bed, momentarily saving him from further examination of his life.

"Bauer"

"Dad, it's me. How are you?" It was Kim, concern clear in her voice.

"I'm fine Kim, you don't have to worry about me."

"I know, but I promised you I would take care of you, and now you don't have anyone there to..." she was searching for the right word when Jack interrupted.

"Kim, it's ok, I'll be ok."

"I just worry about you all by yourself. You're not—"

She was worried about the drugs. "No Kim, I'm fine, I think the worst is behind me now. I was just going out to get something to eat."

"Oh, ok, well why don't you meet me at the hospital later, I am going to visit Chase. They have moved him up to his own room and he's working on his recovery. He was able to move his finger yesterday. He's coming home in a couple of days."

"That's great news honey, I'll try to swing by later. Well, listen, sweetheart, I have to run, I'll see you later."

"Ok, Dad, I love you..." she paused and added, "Dad, I think you should call Kate."

He ignored her last statement and quickly said, "Love you too, bye" and hung up.

Now, why would she say that? As far as he knew, Kim and Kate weren't friends and didn't talk. She was just worried about him and wanted him to be happy, now that she and Chase had figured things out. That must be it.

Jack untangled himself from the wet sheets and headed to the shower. He needed to clear his head; all this thinking was getting to him. He let the water run over his head and massage his shoulders, refreshing both his mind and body. He dressed in his favorite worn-in jeans and a t-shirt, then sat back down on the bed, unsure of where to go now.

As Kim's suggestion ran through his head, he thought of Kate and how easily he had dismissed her that day when she had called offering his jacket. She didn't deserve what he did to her and he felt genuine sorrow that he had to end things the way he did before he left to go undercover with the Salazars.

To Be Continued...