They moved Sam to ICU for observation, and Jack was only allowed a few five-minute visitations with her. He held her hand gently, but just couldn't form the right words to express what he was feeling. Her face was bruised and cut where Jose had hit her, but other than that, she just looked like she was sleeping. He wanted to beg her to wake up, but he thought she would stay asleep just to defy him.

If she didn't pull through, he didn't know how he could go on. Sam had made him want to open up again, want to try again, maybe even love again. After the difficult and strained relationship with Kate, he had resolved that he wouldn't get involved again. It was just too hard and too dangerous. But Sam had changed his thinking in a mere few days, she had gotten into his system, and like a drug, he needed her.

She was different from any other woman he had met before, more his equal than any before her. She was brave and intelligent, and sexy and alluring all at the same time. But he had put her in danger, and he swore he wouldn't do that to anyone again. Sam was fighting for her life because of him. If she was ok, maybe he should stay out of her life forever. It really would be the best thing for Sam, and Jack wouldn't have to endure these endless hours in the hospital again, not knowing if she would live or die.

Terri, the nurse came up behind Jack and softly touched his shoulder, "Mr. Bauer? They're going to take her to radiology to run some tests and do an MRI. You can visit her again later on this evening."

He brought Sam's hand up to his lips and kissed it softly, then placed it back on the bed. "Yeah, thanks." He got slowly to his feet and walked out to the waiting area, where Kim and Chase were dozing on the couch, Chase's arm wrapped protectively around her. He studied them for a while, almost jealous of his daughter's happiness. Kim's eyes opened when he sat across from them and she slipped off the couch, leaving Chase to rest. She sat down next to him. "How's she doing?"

"No change. But they said that's to be expected. They're taking her for more tests." He rested his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands. Kim rubbed his back, "Dad, you need to get some sleep. How long has it been?"

"I'm fine, I just need some more coffee."

"Dad, she's going to make it. And your walking around her like a zombie is not going to help her. Why don't you lay down, I'll go find a pillow and blanket, and I'll wake you when you can see her again."

Jack couldn't deny that his body craved sleep. He fought to keep his eyes open as he reluctantly agreed to lie down. His eyes closed the second his head hit the couch, but he grabbed Kim's arm before she walked off. He needed to get his guilt off his chest, it was eating at him. "This is all my fault."

Kim kneeled down next to him and touched his cheek. Tears formed in her eyes, but her tone was forceful. She had to get through to him, she couldn't bear to have him blame himself for something else. "No Dad, not this time. You can't blame yourself because this isn't anything like what happened to mom. She's a trained agent, she was doing her job and you were doing yours. She saved you and you saved her."

Jack lifted his heavy eyelids and looked at his daughter. He pulled her into another hug, "Thanks for being here, sweetheart."

She stood up, "I'll be right back, and I promise to wake you with any changes."

Sam made it through another surgery without any complications and the swelling finally subsided. Three days later, she was taken off the respirator and was breathing on her own, although she had yet to regain consciousness. Jack left her room only to shower and eat, but he maintained a constant vigil at her bedside. He wanted to be there when she woke up.

Chase and Kim visited when they could, but everyone had been put on the Salazar case, and with Chris Henry dead and Jack on leave, they needed every able bodied person to work. They were working closely with the FBI now in a desperate attempt to locate Jose Salazar, who had vanished without a trace after the shipment that day.

Jack looked up when the door to Sam's room opened. He almost grinned when he saw who it was. "How did you get in here? I specifically posted guards at the door so people like you don't get in." He stood up and put out his hand, "How are you doing Temple?"

"Good, thanks." He pointed at Sam, "How's the boss?"

Jack ran his hand through his hair, "As far as her injuries are concerned, the doctors are really optimistic for a full recovery. But she's being stubborn and won't wake up."

Temple chuckled, "Sounds like Murphy." He looked up at Jack and smirked, "They told me you haven't left her side, Jack. Something going on between you two I should know about?"

Jack raised his eyebrows at the kid and smiled for the first time in several days, "Mind your own business kid." He nodded towards Sam, "Do you want to try to talk some sense into her? She won't listen to me."

"I'll give it a shot." He walked over to Sam's side and took her hand, "Murphy, you in there? Listen, I really hate working under Ramirez, and I hate to say this, but you were right. Jenni is an imbecile, even if she is gorgeous." He looked back at Jack, grinned again, and leaned in to whisper. "You are really scaring Bauer here, and he's already scary enough as it is. As a matter of fact, I think he's in love with you, so just wake up and make him happy. All of the nurses are sick of his ugly mug around here."

Jack gave Temple a curious look when he leaned in to whisper something to Sam. He didn't care what he said, as long as she woke up. He was getting impatient and just wanted to talk to her, to kiss her and hold her.

Two days later, Jack was dozing in the chair next to Sam's bed, when he felt her hand move in his. He was instantly awake, "Sam? Wake up, honey. Come on, you can do it. Just open your eyes."

Jack pressed the nurse call button and then urged her to wake up. Sam finally fluttered her eyes and tried to focus on the face in front of her as the nurse rushed in. "She's waking up? I'll get the doctor." She left them alone and Jack leaned down and kissed her softly on the cheek.

"Welcome back, Samantha?"

Sam looked around the room and croaked, "Where am I?"

"St. Vincent's hospital. You've been asleep for over a week. Don't try to talk yet, you had a tube down your throat for several days." He brushed her hair out of her face and smiled at her.

She squinted her eyes at him and whispered, "Do I know you?"