They were facing each other again, and this time Sam wanted to talk. She wanted to know more about this man that was driving her crazy. He had been through so much, but he was still going. She opened her mouth several times, but couldn't get the right words to form.

Jack watched her struggle, smiled and said, "Just ask me."

"Did you love her?"

Jack's forehead creased, "Who?"

Sam took a deep breath, then answered, "Nina."

Jack's eyes closed. He knew this was what she was probably worried about, comparing her to Nina. "I don't think so. I was going through a really rough time after I came back from a mission that went bad."

"Operation Nightfall?"

He opened his eyes in surprise, "Yeah, how did you know?"

"I read your file, there were references to it in relation to the day you stopped the Drazens from killing Palmer."

"Right. Anyway, all the men in my command died horribly, but I couldn't discuss anything with Teri, she thought I was on a training exercise. We grew apart and she asked me to move out. Nina was there for me."

Sam's eyes narrowed at him, "You didn't answer my question."

"I know, I was getting to that. I think she filled a need, she listened to me, comforted me and didn't require anything in return. So, to answer your question, I loved her as a friend, but I was never in love with her. No."

Sam just nodded.

Jack turned the question back on her, "Were you in love with your boss?"

"You mean Nathan?"

Jack nodded.

"I don't know. I knew it was wrong from the beginning. He was married, although he said they were going to get a divorce. I was young and lonely and he was my mentor, I looked up to him. I thought at the time I was in love, but looking back on it now? I don't think so."

"What happened to him?"

She looked at him pointedly, "Just like you, he was reckless, didn't follow rules." Then her face softened as she recalled the awful memory. "Went off on his own during a routine bust and some punk had an itchy trigger finger. He was shot in the head and died instantly."

Jack reached over and grabbed her hand in his, "I'm sorry. I know...it's hard. That's why I quit CTU after Teri..."

"But you came back?"

"I didn't have a choice. I couldn't let that bomb go off."

Sam put her hand on his face and met his eyes, "You're a good man, Jack Bauer."

Jack averted his eyes and looked down. But Sam insisted, "Judging from your file, I swore I was not going to like you. But you proved me wrong, just like you always prove everyone wrong about you. I think you deserve to be happy Jack."

He looked up at her, "Same for you too, Samantha."

She didn't acknowledge the comment and yawned instead. "Can I ask you another question?"

He smiled at her, indicating his consent.

"Did you suspect her at all before you found out she was a traitor?"

Jack thought about it for a minute. "That day was one of the scariest in my life. Teri and Kim were in trouble, and she helped me the whole time, up until the end. There was a point where evidence pointed at her, but she refuted it beyond question. She was a very accomplished liar. I trusted her completely."

"That must have been difficult. I'm sorry."

Jack nodded slightly, but didn't say anything. There wasn't anything else to say.

"Jack, I just want you to know that I am not that good a liar. As a matter of fact, I suck at it."

Jack laughed and pulled her close.

She yawned again and continued, "My dad always told me I would have a hard time interrogating people because I don't have a poker face."

"I'll keep that in mind, now go to sleep, we have a big day tomorrow."

Sam turned over and let Jack's arms hold her as she fell asleep.