Chapter 6

The Next Day

Jack woke up again tangled in sweat-soaked sheets to a crushing headache. He had not slept much the night before having spent most of it in a seedy bar near his condo, attempting to saturate his problems with alcohol. It was not the best idea, but it was better than taking a hit, which was what he had really been craving. The major withdrawal symptoms had mostly subsided now and he genuinely did not want to start down that road again, so alcohol was the wiser choice.

He knew he had a decision to make, but it was turning out to be one of the most difficult of his life. It boiled down to a choice between his job and by extension, his country, or Kate and the baby. He had come to the painful conclusion that he couldn't have both. To do his job well, he just couldn't have any further attachments and put the people he loved at risk. Similarly, to be a good father, he couldn't remain in his present position. Someone would always lose.

Kim's surprisingly mature words were replaying in his mind, "If you are going to do this, do it all the way..." He knew she was right, and wondered when she had become so insightful. She wasn't that 15-year-old girl who snuck out of the house anymore. Teri's death and other circumstances had greatly affected her, causing her to grow up quickly, creating the wonderful woman she was now.

He slowly sat up and dry swallowed several aspirin from the bottle he kept by the bed. The curtains were gently flapping in the ocean breeze through the open windows; the accompanying sunlight burned his tired eyes.

Jack let out a heavy sigh, and padded into the bathroom to take a shower, hoping to clear his head enough to find a solution. The scalding water washed over his aching muscles and lean body.

He stepped out of the shower as the phone began to ring. He quickly slipped a towel around his waist and ran to grab it.

Breathless, he pushed the talk button, "Bauer."

"Jack?" It was Michelle, she sounded shaken.

"Yeah, I'm here." Softly, he added, "How are you Michelle?"

"I'm ok, it's been hard. I finally got in to see Tony, looks like they really are pushing for a conviction. The lawyer you suggested is optimistic that the jury will be sympathetic and with all the mitigating circumstances—but just being here at CTU gets harder everyday." He could tell she was down and searched his mind for encouraging words.

"I know Michelle. I will keep trying for support from President Palmer too."

"Thanks Jack, Tony and I really appreciate all your help." She was ashamed, she had called to check in on Jack, but he ended up consoling her. He was such a wonderful man, he had been through so much and life had been hard on him. But nothing was harder on Jack than himself.

"So how are you doing?" He figured she meant his addiction and his involuntary vacation.

"Fine, I'm getting through it." Trying to keep the conversation light, he added with a small chuckle, "It has been hard to stay away from CTU."

She smiled, her mood lightened a little, "Don't worry, we can manage here fine without you. No major protocols have come in and we called in temporary replacements from the San Francisco office."

Michelle sighed, and then continued, "But Jack, that's not what I meant."

"Then what are you talking about Michelle?"

She hesitated for just a moment, then said, "Um, I just thought you might need someone to talk to..."

It clicked. "You know too? Did everyone know but me?" He did not like his personal life discussed behind his back.

"No, Kim confided in me yesterday, after you already found out. She thought you might need someone to talk to about this. And with Tony gone..." Michelle tried not to let her voice waver when she was talking about her husband, but it was an uphill battle.

"Thanks Michelle, but this is something I have to figure out on my own." He appreciated the thought, but didn't think that discussing it with her would help.

Michelle wasn't giving up on him that easily, "Jack, just hear me out for a minute. You've already given up so much for this job. No one would fault you for wanting something more from life, and now you have another chance with Kate. Just look at Tony, where he is now because of this job."

Michelle's argument has some merit, but he truly didn't know what he would do with himself if he weren't an agent. "I'll think about it, thanks. Well, tell Tony I am on his side, I'll do anything I can to help."

"Ok." She was about to hang up, but quickly added, "Oh, and Jack?"

"Yeah."

"Congratulations, daddy."

Still dripping from his recent shower, Jack hung up the phone and considered Michelle's words. He had saved many lives in his tenure at CTU, but how much longer could he keep running around playing action hero? He had to admit he was getting older and was feeling the effects of his job; his body couldn't take the constant beatings he was giving it. As much as he didn't want to acknowledge the idea, maybe it was time to step down and let someone younger take the reigns.

But what else could he do?

He would think about that later. He hurried into the closet and grabbed a pair of jeans from the floor and took the closest navy blue t-shirt off the hangers in front of him. There was only one place he could think of to get the answers he needed, and it wasn't the bar down the street, or CTU.

His mind made up, he slipped on his running shoes and headed out the door, not bothering to shave or comb his hair. He started the car and headed towards Hancock Park, but he had to make a couple of stops first.

To Be Continued...