Jack's sleepiness was put off by a surge of adrenaline as he watched doctors and nurses rush around trying to save Sam's life. He just sat on the gurney holding Kim's hand, riveted by the scene in front of him. He stood up when he heard the surgeon bark orders and then shock her again with the defibrillator. When saw another doc climb on top of her and perform CPR, pushing on her chest to get her to breathe again, he covered his mouth with his shaking hand. This couldn't be happening. Kim squeezed his hand for support, but Jack didn't even feel it.

It seemed like an eternity as Sam's life hung in the balance. Jack felt so helpless, just staring through a window. He was used to being in charge and taking command of situations that this complete lack of control almost brought him to tears. Kim noticed her father's face start to crumble and she hugged him tightly. "She means a lot to you, doesn't she?"

He managed to find his voice, "Yes, she does. I didn't realize how much until now." He breathed a sigh of relief when things seemed to settle down and he saw the rhythmic blips on the heart rate monitor begin again. His head was spinning, his heart couldn't take this roller coaster of emotions he had been riding in the past couple of days. It began with a new boss, and ended with his new lover on the verge of death, with many ups and down in between.

Kim let him go and searched his eyes, "Why didn't you tell me?"

He hugged her again and stroked her hair, "There wasn't time sweetheart. I'll explain everything later, I promise."

"I just want you to be happy, Dad."

"I know, I love you honey."

"I love you too, Dad."

The nurse, Terri, poked her head in the room again, "I just wanted to let you know that she's stable again and her pulse is strong. They've patched the lung and are closing up now." She smiled encouragingly, "You're friend's a fighter."

Jack offered her a weak smile, "Thank you."

"Dr. Keller will be in here soon, we had an MVA come in. Sorry for the wait." She smiled at Kim, "Can I get you anything sweetie?"

"No, I'm fine. But can I talk to you for a minute? Dad, do you want some coffee?" He looked at her and nodded. "Ok, I'll be right back then."

Kim followed the nurse out and crossed her arms. "I got the feeling you were holding something back in there that you didn't want to tell my Dad."

She looked at Kim sympathetically, "I didn't think that he could take any more bad news. I told him the truth, but she's still got severe swelling in her brain. They'll have to go back in and do another surgery to alleviate it, but she's not strong enough now. I'm afraid she won't wake up anytime soon. It's going to be touch and go for the next 48 hours."

Kim only nodded, knowing that she was right for holding that back from her dad. "Is my Dad ok? He would never tell me if he was really hurt."

She smiled again, "He's going to be fine, just bruising and some possibly broken ribs, but nothing a little rest won't cure. The doc will be in to suture his cuts in a minute." She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Can I ask what happened to him?" Her curiosity got the better of her, and the other nurses had been bugging her for information on the ruggedly handsome man who wouldn't leave the woman's side. She too wondered how he had come to be so beaten and his "friend" had been shot. She had also noticed the many scars that marred Jack's body.

"He's a government agent and she's FBI. They were working a case. I'm sorry, that's all I can tell you."

Kim thanked her again and went in search of Chase and some coffee. She brought the coffee back to Jack, who just held the cup, letting it warm his hands. He watched Sam's chest rise and fall, to the same rhythm as the machine on her left.