"Have you talked to twiddle dee and twiddle dumb yet?" Bob asked Michelle as he walked into her office without knocking.
"No I was just getting ready to call them." Michelle said knowing he was asking about Tony and Chase.
"No objections to me calling your husband . ."
"He gets dumb once you get him, Jack, and occasionally Chase around. That's the truth."
Bob sat down and waited for her to call the two.
Tony answered his cell phone, Chase had been on the line with the lab technicians. "Almedia."
"Tony you got anything yet?"
"Jack didn't do it."
"Yeah I know that, but do you have any proof?"
"Chase is on the phone now with the lab technicians and it seems his finger prints are all over a needle."
"He's using again?" Michelle asked worried.
"No. I don't think he did it willingly. It seems that the substance in the needle was heroin and a sedative. I guess it's a pretty strong sedative and the techs are saying that amount pretty much would have rendered someone Jack's size almost paralyzed."
"Ok. But that still doesn't prove anything he could have shot Palmer than they put the drug in him."
"I know. The security guard still says Jack came in all hot headed and knocked him out after a small fight. He woke in time to see Jack shoot Palmer."
"Nothing else?"
"Nope. But I'm sure he's lying."
"Find something to prove it Tony. Any idea where Jack is?"
"None."
Jack sat in the passenger seat quiet. He was contemplating on whether or not to bring Chase into the mix. He knew he could trust him, but the problem was getting him into trouble. Jack looked at Jesse and asked, "Can I borrow your cell phone?"
"What for?" She asked wondering if she should give it to him he could very easily call a contact and have them help him get away from her or something else.
"I need to call a contact at CTU and get back up. There is no way I can take all those people by myself without a gun." He said looking at her stressing gun.
"I'll give you the gun once we bet there. Can you blame me you held me hostage earlier."
"And you held me hostage too, and you stabbed me but you don't hear me complaining." Jack said with a edge of anger in his voice.
"You just did."
"What?" Jack asked confused.
"Complained."
"Oh God save me. Not only do I have to worry about having an entire government after me for something I didn't do, a terrorist group that wants to see me suffer for something, two old enemies that want me dead, but I also have a comedian with me."
"Jack you gotta have some fun sometimes and let loose. Like in the kitchen you had so much to worry about but you let loose for a few minutes and look how much of a good mood you were in till I wouldn't give you the gun. I bet your really stubborn and hard to live with. How did people put up with you at your job? How did your wife ever put up with you?" Jesse said smiling.
Jack looked at her and once she mentioned his wife he went on the defensive again bring his guard he let fall down so easily earlier because the woman he was with was so hard to not react to. "How did you know about my wife?" Jack asked in a growl.
"When you were unconscious in my car earlier I checked your wallet. I saw a picture of you and two women. One of them clearly was your daughter the other was your wife. Are you still married?" Jesse asked confused because she hadn't seen a wedding band on his hand.
"No." Jack said not sure if he believed her.
"Divorce?" Jesse asked typically noisy because of her job.
"No." Jack said.
"Well if your no married and not divorced than how is that possible?" Jesse said than thought. "I'll just take my foot out of my mouth now. I'm sorry Jack."
"It's fine. She died a few years ago."
"How?"
"You are just full of questions."
"Occupational hazard."
"She was murdered."
"Oh I'm sorry Jack." Jesse said feeling like an idiot. She grabbed her cell phone and handed it to him. "Make your call Bauer."
Jack dialed the number to Chase's cell phone hoping he was not in CTU at the time.
"Edmunds."
"Chase I need your help." Jack said.
"Where are you at Jack? There is an APB out on you and a man search and I mean man search you're all over the news."
"Chase I need your help."
"What can I do for you sir?" Chase said in a sarcastic tone.
"I need back up." Jack said waiting for Chase to protest.
"Where at? It'll just be me and Tony."
"Fine enough." Jack gave Chase the approximate area to meet them.
"We'll be there in a half hour. You going to wait for us?"
"I don't know I'll see once I get there." Jack said knowing he probably wouldn't. They were only ten minutes out, and he knew time was of the essence. "When we get there don't pull right in front of the house. Drive past and park down the road some."
"Sure." Jesse said almost feeling like singing Secret Agent man because she felt like a spy doing all of the stuff.
They passed the house and she drove off into the wooded area parking the car and turning the lights off.
Jack held his hand out for the gun.
"Don't make me regret this Jack." She said handing him the gun.
"Will you stay here?"
"No."
"I can't protect you once we get in there."
"I'm capable. I did a tour over in the Gulf War as a report. I think it was worse there than what will happen here."
Jack nodded and got out of the car. He quickly moved through the woods quietly as he could. Jesse was behind him and not moving as quiet. Jack turned around and said quietly, "Why don't you just shoot a flare up and let them know we are coming."
"I would if I had one." She said in anger.
They reached the edge of the woods and Jack looked at the house all of the lights were off inside, he had expected that, if they were there they would be in the basement. He looked back at Jesse and said, "Are you sure you want to go in?"
"Aren't you going to wait on your back up?"
"No." Jack said.
"I'm going than." She said looking at him her eyes full of fear, but she was not one to stop because she was scared.
"Fine stay behind me at all times." He said looking at her smiling trying to reassure her.
"Let's go. What are you waiting on for them to spot us."
"Yes ma'am." Jack said taking off quickly towards the dark house. He reached the back door they had entered he tried to slowly turn the knob hoping it was unlocked. He was surprised when it was. He slowly pushed the door open looking inside his eyes already adjusted to the darkness. He moved inside and checked around before he headed for the steps. Once on the steps he slowly walked down looking past the railing the light was on in the basement, which was a disadvantage to his eyes which were focused for darkness. He moved slowly as he looked for any trouble. Finding none he moved back to the tunnel that led into the operation area of the group. He stood by the door he looked at Jesse and said, "Why don't you wait at the end?"
"I'm staying with you Bauer. You aren't getting away if this comes to light it's going to be one hell of a story, and I helped you this far I want to know how it ends."
"Fine." Jack said not having the time nor energy to argue with her. He pushed the door open quickly and walked into the empty room. He looked around the computers where still there, but nothing on them. He moved quickly back to the room they were holding Kate and him in earlier. He opened the door and ran inside hoping she'd still be there alive. Once he got through the door Jesse watched in horror as a gun came crashing down on his head and Jack fell to the floor unconscious.
The man new there was someone else with Jack by the sounds of it he came around the corner with his gun pointed at the person, not knowing who she was, "Who are you?"
"Um. Um." Jesse looked at Jack on the floor unsure of what to do she didn't have a way of defending herself. "Jesse Storm."
"How do you know Jack?" The man said in a thick Arabic accent.
"Well that's sort of a long weird story I'm sure you don't want to hear so I tell you what why don't Jack and I just leave and . . "
"Funny you are very funny lady." The man said smiling at her. "Put your hands up."
Jesse did as she was told, she continued to look down at Jack who made no sign of waking up anytime soon. "You know I really didn't like him to begin with." She started.
"Shut up." The man said walking over and searching her quickly. "Go in there and face the wall." He ordered looking into the dark room where Jack lay unconscious.
Jesse walked in stepping over Jack's unconscious body, she thought about trying to kick him to wake him, but she decided better to just let him stay like that. She wasn't sure what the man who held them had planned for them.
"Kneel down and cross your legs behind you." The man ordered once she was in the room. She heard him moving around and than heard the sound of him dragging Jack out of the room. She didn't dare turn around to see what was happening afraid that she'd turn around to see the man aiming the gun getting ready to shoot her. All of the light went out of the room as the door closed. She finally turned after it closed, but she couldn't see anything as there was no light except the small amount that came from under the door. She saw a shadow move away from the door and waited listening hoping Jack's back up would get there soon.
She heard a noise of a chair scrapping against the cement floor and listened harder to hear anything. Something to give her hope that Jack would somehow rescue them. She didn't know the man well, but she knew he was her only hope at the moment.
Jack sat in the chair his arms taped down. He felt someone touch his neck and he slowly started to regain consciousness. He groaned slightly as he opened his eyes in the bright light of the room. His head pounding like the Vietcong were marching inside. He blinked a few time and looked around to room to find the mystery person who knocked him out. Jack's face conveyed the shock when he looked at the man.
"Thought I was dead?" He said smiling. "So did that stupid Jew. Shot me in the chest twice. It hurt, but luckily I had these on." Husam said showing Jack the flack jacket that saved his life.
Jack asked, "Where is Jesse?"
"Oh is this another one of your girlfriends Jack?"
"I just meant her today." Jack answered, "But I'd have to feel affully bad if she's dead, and I really don't' need another murder pinned on me that I didn't commit."
"Yes that wouldn't be good. She's in the other room. Unharmed of course."
"Than what do you want from me?"
"Do you have backup coming?"
"How could I. I'm a fugitive at the moment."
"You have your friends in CTU. How many are coming?"
"How do you know if I had any coming?"
"Because if you didn't Jack, you would have lied to me in the first place saying yes in hopes that I would leave, but since you a didn't say that I know you have people coming."
"Two people. They are good trust agents." Jack answered.
"Fine. I only want one thing from you. Where are they at?"
"Who?"
"Seth and Teddy and their boss."
"I don't know. I haven't seen them since the house."
"Palmers. I knew they caught up with you at wherever you were trying to hide. Did you get the tracker?"
"Yes it's long gone by now. They did catch up with me at Jesse's house."
"My men you killed them yes?"
"They were trying to kill me." Jack answered.
Husam walked up to Jack and hit him in the stomach twice, and than in the face once, "They were good men too. Maybe I should kill the back up you have coming just to be fair."
Jack glared at him, "I never wanted them to come after me, but they would have killed me."
"Very well. I want you to find Seth and the rest of them for me."
"And why would I do that?" Jack asked.
"Because I have your lady friend."
"She's not my friend. She was my hostage earlier and she's nothing now. And there is no way I'll be able to find them. The cops are looking for me all over with the order to shoot to kill." Jack answered.
"Than you will have to be a little more careful won't you."
"There is no way I could." Jack said desperately knowing he couldn't his eyes pleading with the man. "I'll help you, but I can't do it."
Husam thought about it he knew what Jack was saying was factual. They had most likely linked the man to his group and a traitor is something to be dealt with internally and quickly. "Fine. She stays here. You and I go and get them."
Jack tried not to smile at knowing that he had just won, Jesse would be safe. "Fine."
Husam walked over to Jack and started to untape his hands, "If you do anything I will make you watch me kill her."
"Fine." Jack answered untapping his other arm once one of them was free. He stood up and looked at Husam, "I don't have the keys to the car."
"Get them. Don't tell her anything." He said opening the door to the room Jesse was in. She heard the door start opening and stepped back from the door into the darkness hoping she could hide, she was sure he was going to kill her.
When she saw Jack in the door way she came out and asked, "How did you get free from that idiot?"
"I didn't." Jack said he couldn't help smiling.
"Oh."
Husam stood outside and pushed Jack inside. He pointed his gun at Jack and said, "Stand over there and if you move I will shoot her."
Jack did as he was told, he said before Husam was by Jesse, "Don't hurt her. She's a loud mouth that doesn't know better. If you have to hit anyone. Hit me. Not the woman."
"I would love to beat you to death Jack, but I need your help." Husam said right before he punched Jesse in the face hard sending her to the floor dazed. Jack almost involuntary went at him, but Husam turned the gun on him. "I said stay there."
Jack moved back against the wall grinding his teeth ready to attack. Husam bent down to Jesse and he was so close to her she could feel his hot breath on her face, "Where are the keys?"
"In my pocket." She said grabbing her face where he smacked her.
"Get them out slowly."
Jesse pulled the keys out, Husam held his hand out and instead of putting them in his hand she threw them across the room. "Why did you do that?"
"Fuck you arshole. Do you get your kicks off of hitting women?"
Husam kicked her hard in the stomach and continued to kick her. Jack rushed over unable to watch he quickly grabbed Husam and punched him in the face once Husam faced him. Jack stopped the fight as soon as the gun was on Jesse. Husam entertained the idea of shooting the woman his face hurt where Jack hit him. He tasted the blood in his mouth, he needed Jack though, he couldn't find the men on his own. He kicked Jesse one more time while Jack stood still not going at him, just glaring at him.
Husam turned around and punched Jack in the abdomen. Jack fell to the ground and curled up in pain as Husam hit him where he had been shot. Jack felt waves of pain going through his body that hurt so bad that even the thought of moving hurt.
Husam studied the man who was curled up on the ground with his eyes shut tight. He grabbed Jack's arm and ordered, "Get up now."
Husam practically pulled Jack to his feet and held him there till Jack found the wall to lean against. Husam looked at the man wondering how a punch to the abdomen could do so much damage, but than he saw the blood soaking through the shirt. "Let's go." He said pointing the gun at the door.
Jack pushed himself off the wall grabbing his side he slowly walked out of the room. Once they were outside Husam shut the door and made sure to lock it. He looked at Jack and said, "Let me see your hands."
Jack held his hands out, one had blood on it from the gun shot wound.
Husam was going to tape them when the back door came open. He quickly grabbed Jack under the neck with one arm and pointed the gun at his head with the other. Jack's legs started to give some from the sudden movement causing pain in the gun shot wound. Husam held him under the neck choking him.
Chase came down the steps with his gun trained on Husam the minute he was in sight. Tony was not to far behind having covered the rest of the house.
"Let him go." Chase order.
"Sure than you can shoot me. We are walking out of here or he dies."
"Than you die."
"But I take out this infidel with me." He said smiling daring Chase to shoot him.
Jack's face had turned red from lack of oxygen Husam noticed a slight struggle and loosened his grip some. Jack almost fell to the floor so Husam and to tighten it again, "Doesn't look like you have long to make your decision."
Chase noticed Jack's face and made his decision he aimed his gun and fired.
Husam and Jack both fell the floor. Tony looked at Chase shocked that he took the chance. Chase stood waiting for Jack to stand up and start yelling at him for doing it. When Jack didn't get up Chase walked over to them cautiously.
Michelle was at CTU and Kim came down. "Michelle where is Chase and Tony?"
"Out looking at something for your father."
"Where is my dad?"
Chloe came by and interrupted, "Michelle the cops have a possible location on Jack should I call in the teams."
Michelle glared at Chloe and said, "No. I'll call Tony and Chase."
"Michelle where is my father and why would the police need a possible location on him?" Kim had clearly not seen the bulletin that was posted on the network.
"Kim earlier today it seems, no one thinks he did it, but the police. David Palmer is dead and your father was seen running from his house, and took a woman hostage. We are working up any background on the woman and I have Chase and Tony trying to track him down."
"Why did you tell me? I could have helped." Kim said angry that they all made the decision that she was not able to handle the fact that her father was once again in trouble because of the job.
"We thought it was better not to worry you."
"Well don't worry about worrying me Michelle. You know I can do this job under worse circumstances. I'm tired of everyone keeping stuff from me for my own good, I know what is good for me and I can handle a lot more than you all think I can."
"Fine Kim. Start looking in the area where the cops have a possible location on your father. WE need to get to him before they do. I'm going to call Tony and Chase and see how close they are."
