Chapter 3

Friday night.

Restless. Sleepless. That's how he felt. As tired as he was, sleep evaded him. He turned and tossed incessantly as the night wore on, but still he lay awake. Eventually, sleep came during the wee hours of the morning. He dreamed of her beautiful face, of her brown eyes gazing at him lovingly ... she was laughing.

"It's nice to hear you laugh, Jack." she said, caressing his cheek. He caught her hand and kissed her hand tenderly.

"Aren't you gonna dance with me?" she asked. And they did. He held her hand and gently put his other hand on her back while her head nestled perfectly on his chest. She looked up at him only to graze his neck with her soft lips. He immediately felt his blood rush within him. His pulses were racing, fast. Then, he found themselves in bed, ripping each others clothes. His dream became increasingly erotic. It was bliss.

When he awoke, the sheets were tangled around him, he was sweating; he found himself aroused and amused. Grinning, he padded his way to the bathroom. If he could dream about her again every night, then sleep could be his new friend.

Saturday evening.

He had impatiently waited for this day to come and now he was a bunch of nerves. Looking at himself one last time in the mirror, he could hardly believe that it's Jack Bauer, the CTU agent but he felt good and hopeful ... again.

Moments later, he was driving along the driveway of the Senator's estate. A valet parker met him in front, he got off and handed out his key.

He quickly scanned the room in the hopes of seeing a familiar face. There … Rachel was standing beside a short, bald middle-aged man. That better not be her date. She saw him and smiled; excusing herself from the man, she approached him. Jack held his breath for one moment as he watched her, she looked gorgeous. She wore a halter-necked ivory gold dress, which hugged her curves nicely. She didn't wear any necklace, but had long, dangling earrings that emphasized her neck.

Her knees suddenly felt weak as she approached Jack, quietly appreciating how handsome and gorgeous he looked. Her job as Senior Advisor to the Senator presented her with opportunities to meet eligible men that any desperate woman would have eagerly taken advantage of, but she had taken no interest ... then she met Jack Bauer. He was different and there was something about him that instantly drew her to him like a magnet.

"Hi Jack! It's nice to see you again." she hugged him as she tried to resist the light scent of cologne or aftershave on him.

"It's nice to see you too." he said gently as he kissed her cheek.

"Come, let's get something to drink." she said as they walked through the maze of guests.

A waiter came by and stopped, Jack picked a glass and handed it to her, then he took one for himself. He brought his glass to his lips, watching her prettyl face over the rim. For a brief moment, there was an awkward silence.

"Let's go find Bill and Karen. She's dying to meet you." she started. But before they could find Mr and Mrs McBride, a familiar voice called from behind.

"Jack!"

Jack turned around, seeking the familiar voice. It was David Palmer.

"Mr President." he smiled as he shook his hand.

"I think we're past that now, Jack, just call me David."

"Okay"

"I'm glad that you could come. Bill told me about that day in Santa Barbara. I told him that he was lucky you were there. You saved the day again, Jack." He paused. "Look at you. I hope you find this more comfortable than a flak jacket." he continued as he looked at Jack admiringly.

He chuckled. "I guess I'm more comfortable with the flak jacket."

Rachel quietly observed the exchange between Jack and David Palmer who is now retired. Palmer and McBride have been friends since they met at a Senate Committee. Much later, they finally found the McBride's. They both expressed how grateful they were of Jack's bravery on that fateful day…

When it was time for dinner, Jack and Rachel sat at the same table along with some of the Senator's staff. It was after dinner that a couple of women, (not her co-workers), at the table were openly flirting with him, that she felt a little uncomfortable. He himself wasn't used to the sudden female attention that he was getting, so he excused himself and headed to the men's room.

As he walked back towards their table, he noticed that most of the guests were no longer sitting, Rachel wasn't there either. So he decided to stand by one of the open doors that led in the back to get a breath of fresh air. He lit himself a cigarette in his mouth as he searched for Rachel. It didn't take long to spot her tall figure on the dance floor. He gazed at her as she was dancing with the young California congressman, Kevin Fannon. He was in his early 40's about his age, not bad-looking, he mused.

"Are you having fun yet?" it was Palmer who quietly crept next to him.

Startled, he turned and said. "I'm good."

"Why don't you dance with her?" David asked as the music started to fade.

Jack glanced at him, feigning innocence. "Who?"

"Oh come on, Jack. Don't fool me. I saw the way you look at her, like there was nobody else in this room." David teased.

Jack slightly lowered his head and dragged his hand through his hair, realizing how true it was. He found himself speechless for a moment then he looked up at David and smiled shyly, "I guess you caught me there."

"Go on, what are you waiting for?" David chuckled.

Composing himself, he quickly found an ashtray on one of the tables, crushed his cigarette and walked over to Rachel.