There was an audible sigh of relief in Tec 1, when Jack was cut down.
Tony's first action was to call Chase,
'Chase. It's Tony. It's over. Jack's fine' he shouted over the static, preferring not to give details of Jack's condition.
'Your mission is aborted. Return to CTU'
He heard Chase confirm the instruction and then he put down the phone and turned back to the screen. Michelle clicked a few buttons to get a better focus on the state of Jack's hand. She curled her lip as she saw the extent of the damage.
'Do we need a temporary pull-out to get this looked at Tony?' She asked, referring to the covert operations, which were occasionally carried out to provide support for undercover agents.
'We won't be able to do that.' Tony replied.'It's not a medical emergency and any interference would be obvious. We'll let them sort it'
'That might be painful then' Gael observed dryly, since experience had already shown them that the Salazars kept away from hospitals.
Tony nodded slowly. 'Yes. It might be. But that's one risk Jack was aware of before he went out there. He can handle it. The important thing now is the mission. It looks like we've got what we wanted from this, so things might start to move a bit quicker'
'We should hear from Jack tomorrow anyway' Michelle added, 'So we'll know more then'
They watched as Ramon guided Jack out of the barn. Tony turned to Gael,.
'Monitor the other rooms now Gael – just let me know if there's any more news. I'll be in my office.'
Tony walked thoughtfully back towards his office with Michelle.
'It's a hell of a job Jack's got out there' he observed quietly as they walked along the corridor, 'I know he's Field Ops and he knows the risks better than anyone. And - I mean – he might have got what he wanted now – but what a price to pay. And after this little victory, what's waiting for him? Just more pain, like Gael says. He can congratulate himself, of course, but – it's a lonely life isn't it? – A hell of a lonely life'
Michelle nodded. 'He works well in that situation though, doesn't he? Better than anyone. He knows that too – that's why he didn't protest when Chapelle suggested it. I think he's been changed over the years, damaged maybe, by what he's seen and done - and what people have done to him – and it's made him driven and focused in a way that alienates him from a lot of people but makes him perfect for undercover work....'
'...But yeah', she conceded, rubbing her bottom lip and emitting a small sigh as she imagined Jack nursing his injuries in Mexico, 'he must feel alone right now'