Tony just watched her give him the information, not really taking it in. He was just happy that the day was over, and the threat was gone. He felt slightly guilty about forgetting about Jack, but the two agreed to ring Kim later for an update, and they would visit him tomorrow, if he was in recovery by then. At that moment all Tony wanted to do was go home and curl up on the couch with his wife tucked away safely in his arms.
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Jack had been through the surgery hours ago, and was laid asleep in the recovery room. Once again the doctors had repaired the damage done to his chest, this time repairing and replacing the stitches to the new tissue. The needed to take a bit more from his leg to repair all of the damage, then they had to deal with the thigh. It looked worse than it was, they discovered once inside. It was a simple case of restoring their work, and bandaging it all back up. They were certain his leg would be fine in a matter of days. They were also sure, however, that his chest and especially his arm were going to take weeks to heal at the best, and the arm would need further work once the outer layer had repaired itself. It would be a few months before he was back on his feet like before.
Tony and Michelle had called by earlier, for which Kim was grateful, but Jack didn't come round, he slept softly under the influence of drugs. They had left after a few hours, and Kim promised that she would ring them when he was awake. She also asked them to tell Chappelle she would go in to debrief when she had the time, but she wasn't leaving her dad. Tony said he would tell him, which pleased her as she knew he would tell Ryan that was the way it was going to be, despite his complaints and demands.
The next day Jack had finally come round from his dug induced haze, while Kim was sat patiently at his side, and Kate stood against the far wall, apprehensive about what she was going to say. After the greetings and 'how are you's' Kim hit him with some hard news.
"Dad, Charlie ripped Daniel's ear off. They weren't able to reattach it, apparently he is in a bad way.... and C.T.U is planning on prosecuting him once he is fit enough."
Jack thought about it hard, but said nothing. He knew what was coming next, Kim would want to ask him about why he kept the news of his brother away form her his entire life. He smiled at Kate who had moved across to his other side, hoping her to be a little easier on him, he didn't expect any grief from her. Little did he know, he would be getting a roasting from her too, seen as that small piece of information would have saved their entire relationship. 'Did he keep it back so we would end?' She wondered, 'At least I'll find out,' she thought, slightly bitter at the idea.
"Kate could you give us a minute?" He asked, his voice hoarse.
Once she had left Kim opened her mouth to speak, but Jack quickly shut her off. "Kimberly don't... I know I owe you an explanation." He spoke sheepishly, looking over at the wall, anything to avoid her eyes.
"I just don't understand why you never told me you have a brother."
"I know, you have every right to be confused." He broke off and sighed as he ordered his thoughts. 'Keep it simple,' he thought.
"Daniel looked after me when our parents died.... one night their was an accident and I got hurt... he had to leave or he would be arrested.... and I never saw him after that, until today. That was over twenty years ago... so I never thought their was any point in telling you.... Kim.... I know you can't understand where I am coming from... but it hurt me a lot, and I didn't want to hurt you by telling you about him, especially as it seemed as though their was no point."
Kim watched him as he explained his reasoning with her, his eyes now closed. She realised that once again, in the weird way that he did everything, he had ultimately been thinking of her best interests.
"I understand Daddy...." She kissed him on the cheek. "I'm going to get a drink and ring Tony and Michelle.... but I think Kate wants to talk to you."
"Okay hunni." He whispered, silently thanking God she wasn't angry with him and his lies. He wondered what Kate wanted to speak about, was their another chance for them? He had no idea she was also hurt with the Daniel revelation.
As she came into the room he couldn't help but let his eyes light up at the sight of her. 'She looks beautiful' he thought. She crossed the room and sat in the chair Kim had occupied earlier. She gently grabbed his hand while asking, "How are you feeling."
"All right I guess." He replied, not paying attention.
"Jack, I want to ask you something, to help me understand something... okay?" She asked, her voice sad.
"Kate what's wrong?" He asked, immediately picking up on her saddened tone.
"Why did you never tell me about Daniel?"
"Wh.... I ... I don't see what that has to do with anything?" He replied, struggling to answer.
"It would have changed everything. We broke up because of my relationship with my sister. If you had told me about Daniel... I think I would had understood why you couldn't understand.... don't you think that would have made things easier... or was it simply your chance to wriggle your way out...."
"Kate." He began, but found words were not enough.
"Please explain it to me Jack, I need to understand."
"I never mentioned Daniel to anyone, but yes, that is why I was angered by you pain over Marie. I couldn't understand why you were so upset, seen as it was literally the same between me and Daniel..... I don't know why I never told you... it was just... easier..... I hadn't seen him in over 20 year Kate, it wasn't exactly an easy thing to talk abut. But I never wanted to get out of it Kate, never. I was devastated when you kicked me out, can't you see that?" He asked, feeling his heart brake in his chest once more, it hurt just thinking about the memories.
"Jack..." Kate began, tears in her eyes. "I don't know what any of this means.... I still love you, y'know... even though my first day back in you life I find myself dragged into a terrorist plot." She laughed, trying to relieve some of the tension and take the strain off her words, she didn't want to smother him all at once.
"Can we work something out then?" He asked hopeful.
"Why don't you just concentrate on getting better, I'll stop by to see you tomorrow."
She got up and moved closer to him, giving him a brief kiss on the lips, lingering their perhaps a little longer than was necessary. She then smiled at him and made to leave the room. She stopped at the door frame and turned to face him, "I'll come by tomorrow, if that's okay with you."
The smile on his face told her all she needed to know.
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One more to go then its done! Ha ha ha!!!!