Tony awoke the next morning and sleepily checked his e-mail with a cup of coffee by his side; he hadn't slept much through the night. Hammond, true to his word, had already mailed him with his final debrief. He skimmed over it nodding approval, this would be accepted. Unless Jack gave them any problems over his being fooled, he would be okay. He checked his cell and saw he had a voice-mail from Brad too. He played it back on loudspeaker.

"Tony its Brad. Everything fine. You and Jack will probably get a recommendation for your actions this time, imagine that. The hospital called, Jack's awake. You can visit him when your ready. You had better tell Kim too, she might want to know what's been going on with her father."

He hung up the phone grinning from ear to ear as he hurriedly dressed, one more hurdle to clear then he was home free. Mission complete and Jack would be back. He prayed Jack would understand why they had done this, maybe he would finally come out of the trance he had been living in for the past 6 months. He had seemed to be very involved in this case, which was good, it had taken a while to get him to care about his work again; but it was a start. Now they had to make him live his life again. Despite his pleasure that this would be over soon, Tony couldn't help get the feeling that Jack wouldn't accept there gesture, he could very well be insulted by there implications of him and the way they were trying to help.

The ride to the hospital was quiet. Tony drove, while Chase and Kim sat in the back, engulfed in silence, each had there own worries and queries running through there minds. Tony still worried Jack would be angry with him, and would claim Tony had let his personal feelings cloud his judgement of the mission. He would say he had compromised the operation. He hadn't really, he had had control over it right from the start. He could have stopped it before any of it started, Jack would say, and rightly so. Still, Tony felt they had done the right thing, he knew Jack was already 'waking up,' as he had put his usual determination into the operation, something that had last been seen on the Mexico mission. After that day all enthusiasm had gone, until yesterday. It was a change for the better, and Tony hoped it would stay and his personal change would soon follow.

Kim had barely spoken since the operation had gone underway the day before. She had felt guilty when she moved in with Chase, six months ago, under the pretences that her father had scared her away. It wasn't true and she felt terrible. Nobody had expected it to take this long before a window came up for them to use, but that didn't matter. She had deceived him, they all had, the people he thought he could trust. He would never accept there excuse, he would be both furious and distraught. The worst thing was, she knew, he would hide it all away, from her at least.

She understood why they had done what they did, they had to tip him over the edge, make him consider doing the unthinkable, end his life. The reports from Tony indicated that was the only direction he was headed towards anyway. She found some comfort that this would, hopefully, change his line of thinking. Make him realise just what he has got, a life worth living. Although she wouldn't blame him if it did the opposite to him and make him grow even more distant and untrusting. The only person she would blame was herself, for putting him through such emotional pain.

Chase's thoughts were a mixture of the two. Guilt for he knew Jack would feel betrayal at first. But also hope, that he would recognise there actions for what they were. They had had the best intentions throughout this, thinking of him and him only. He hoped Jack would look past both his rage and his pride, and admit that he would have lost it, gone of the track, if they hadn't done this - made him realise that he did have something to live for. That people do care for him would be a start, and once he started to get better, he would realise he has to do so for himself. Chase hoped to get a chance to chat with Jack on his own, he wanted to talk to him about CTU. That was another factor in his demise, having to take weekly urine tests to make sure he hadn't relapsed would not help him move on, it was constantly holding him back. He needed a fresh start, a clean slate, and now they would be there to support him with each new step he took. He could only hope it would be enough.

When they arrived at the reception desk for the floor Jack was on they were told by another chirpy nurse that he was currently unavailable. He had woken earlier but was still groggy, the doctors had wanted to run more head scans and give him a secondary assessment before they declared him recovered from his earlier shutdown. All three of them accepted this, happy nothing more was wrong with him. They were taken to a waiting room where they would stay until Jack was back in his room and aware of there presence. If he wanted to see them, his doctor would come get them.

The wait was barely fifteen minutes, before the same man from the night before, Dr. Paulson greeted them and informed them of Jack's situation.

"We evaluated Jacks condition, mentally, he is stable. He's talking and thinking just fine, his mind has completely recovered from the shutdown. Physically, he is still tired. Although the exhaustion isn't as drastic as it was yesterday, he still clearly needs to rest. Because of this, I tried to keep him in one more night. He hasn't protested yet, but I get the feeling he isn't pleased about it. Maybe one of you can convince him to stay, he really needs the rest."

"I'm sure we will talk him around doctor, thank you. Now may I see my father?"

"Yes. Before you go in, I must warn you I am very uncomfortable with him having visitors so soon. I think he will encounter some of the symptoms from yesterday, stress, pressure, even something like frustration can trigger another shutdown. It's quite likely now, due to the fact that his brain is still overly cautious of his emotions. I tried to talk him out of this visit, but he was very determined to speak to you."

"Doctor, I appreciate the concern," Tony began, "but we have information we need to tell Jack, now. This is going to stir up emotions, both good and bad. I'm sorry about this, but it can't be helped."

"Than lets hope his mind copes with the duress," Paulson said, his discomfort clear. Chase still hadn't spoken, he was very uncertain about seeing Jack, knowing the pain he would feel because of him. He had let him down, the one person he worked hardest to please, and he had done this. Chase hoped Jack really would understand.

Jack was sat in a chair by the small square window when they entered the room. Dr. Paulson announced that he would come by later and left them to it. Jack didn't move, nor did he acknowledge there presence. He didn't even look up to see who his visitors. Tony and Chase waited by the door frame but Kim took a few hesitant steps forward, making it no further than the bed.

"Do you want to tell me what's going on?" His voice was soft, low, but there was already a hint of sadness to it, and he hadn't herd anything yet.

Jack raised his head and looked at Kim, his heart felt as though it would break in two. He wanted to run up to her and hug her and apologise for making her leave, but he didn't. His pain filled eyes lingered on her for a moment before doing the same on both Tony and Chase. Suddenly everything made sense. Kim's departure, Chases anger, Tony's hurtful words, trying to belittle him at CTU. They were in this together, whatever this was.

Kim stayed by the bed, holding herself back. She wanted to throw her arms around him and cry and apologise over and over, but he had to understand before she could do that, or it would mean nothing and feel as fake as this whole charade was. Tony took a step forward, taking it upon himself to explain. This was his mess, he thought, he was responsible.

"Jack we did this for you," he started cautiously. "Before we get into the details, just remember that."

Jack said nothing, just stared at him with his cold glare that seemed to look right through Tony. He continued.

"You were falling apart, we all thought you needed to be put back together. We knew you wouldn't accept help, your too stubborn to admit you have problems. So we disguised our attempt to help you through the bomb threat."

Still nothing, he hadn't even blinked. Surprisingly, he still looked calm. Tony took it as a comforting sign, although he knew Jacks mood could change drastically.

"When Kim left and Chase took his leave, we planned it all out. We would isolate you, hoping that once the mission was over you would realise just how many people really care about you Jack. Only the mission took much longer than we expected, but it didn't matter anyway, you were already deteriorating-"

"Don't you dare tell me I was falling apart, you do not know what happens in my head, you are not my conscience." Jack snapped, his face reddening with anger.

His comments angered Tony up in turn. He wanted to prove his point, he was slightly encouraged by the fact that Jack had finally responded.

"What are you telling me, that you weren't a mess? That's questionable Jack. Turning into work was too much effort for you, when you did make it you did nothing. I saw you Jack, some days you would stare at nothing for hours. Not to mention these..." He added, pulling out the pill bottle of antidepressants Jack had thrown away previously, in his office's trash can.

"If you were doing so good why did you throw away your medication, seems to me like you were trying to make things harder for yourself." Tony knew he was challenging Jack, he hoped this would turn in his favour.

"I didn't need them." Jack muttered, quiet once more. The look on his face broke Ton's heart, he looked so tired, vulnerable, defeated; as though Tony's words were finally sinking in. He really didn't think he had any reason to live.

"You do Jack, don't you see, that's exactly why we did this." Tony said softly, moving forward and placing a hand on his shoulder. "But now you know this, and you know we are here for you, we can get you past this, you can live your life again Jack, don't you want that?"

Jack looked down at his hands, now more than aware that Tony's words were getting to him. He had to change the subject, make this less personal so he could take control.

"The whole case, you were in control of it right from the start?"

"Yes. Well, up to the second bomb, we didn't know about that. We had a lucky escape with that." He added, hoping to see a smirk or smile from Jack, but his face stayed like stone. "Hammond's now in on this, he sent you a copy of the debrief I submitted, in case Division questions you, so we're both on the same page..."

"Chase you were in on this too?" Jack suddenly asked, still keeping his eyes off his daughter, he was scared that if he looked at her he would break down.

"Yeah Jack I was. We did what we thought was best for you."

That was all that needed to be said, Chase thought. Strangely enough, Jack nodded at him. In understand or approval he didn't know, both he hoped. He hadn't expected it, so he simply nodded back, before scratching his stump of an arm to occupy himself.

"I can't just accept this guys. You lied to me, deceived me, and most of all, you played me. All of you. I know you had the right intentions, I do. But thats not the point. You thought I had fallen off the wagon, fine; but the point is, that should have been my decision to make. Nobody else's. You took that from me, and I'm... I'm just a little confused still."

Tony nodded whilst Jack spoke before adding, "We understand that Jack, we really do; we expected as much."

Jack was looking back down at his hands again, shyly playing with his fingers. "May I speak to Kim alone?"

"Yeah, we will just, get, erm, go get some coffee." Tony said, he and Chase heading out of the room. Before they left Jack called back to them and got up from the chair, walking over to them.

"I'm sorry, I can't imagine how much trouble you went to, for me. You both put your ases on the line for me. I appreciate it."

He held out his hand which Tony shook softly, before turning to Chase. He saw the stump and immediately felt his stomach clench as he looked down at his feet, trying to fight off embarrassment from his blunder and the guilt now seeping in. Chase knew the look all too well and felt bad, Jack was still blaming himself for his hand.

"Its all right Jack," Chase said softly, before doing something which surprised them both, pulling Jack into a hug. It lasted seconds before they managed to pull away and all three of them laughed slightly, Kim watching from the bed, a smile on her lips.

"Thanks Chase," Jack said, "Both of you. I mean it."

Both Tony and Chase nodded once more before leaving the room, feeling relieved about the whole ordeal. Jack seemed to have accepted there actions, and maybe, just maybe they had got it through to him that they really did care about him.

Jack watched the two men saunter down the hallway before turning to face Kim, his expression had transformed back to the one which reminded Kim of a shy and quiet little boy on his first day of school, he had so many young mannerisms it was scary.

"I'm sorry." Kim simply said, raising her hands in defeat, she knew there was no way she could show him just how bad she felt for putting him through this. The words meant so much yet at the same time so little, they both knew.

Jack watched as tears fell down from her eyes, not realising they were tracing down his own cheeks. He pulled her into a gentle hug, her head resting on his shoulder, his hand on the back of her head, holding her close.

"Sweetheart, all that matters is that you are here. I have missed you so very very much you have no idea. Please don't be sorry for anything, I understand now, I realise why you did what you did," he whispered into her ear, his tears turning into sobs as the realisation hit him. "You guys were right, another week or so and I'd probably be dead. But seeing you now, here with me, I know what I need to do sweetie, I need to start over again. With you, with life. Thank you so much for making me understand."

No more words were said between the two, they simply stood together, rocking back an forth as they cried. Tears of exhaustion, pain, relief, happiness, hope. The tears that are cried when a baby is born, by proud parents who can only imagine the life there child had ahead of them, happy they could bring something into the world. They were crying for themselves, they had a life, now they could start living it again.

The End!

Thank you very much for reading!