Hey, thanks again to everybody that has read and reviewed so far. I've really appreciated your feedback so far.

Once again, I don't know the scale that Americans use for temperature.

Chapter Nine

Amy stared at the aftermath of the explosion, feeling it burn into her memory. Mike, stretching out his hand, that split second of horrified, terrible silence, just after Tom's shout. She slipped around her guard, darting forward. Mike could still be alive.

Nathan caught her arm, jerking her backwards, away from the flaming wreckage. "Where are you going?"

"Mike…" She coughed, the smoke searing her throat, bringing tears to her eyes. "He could still be alive…"

He shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry Amy. He was standing too close to it. He wouldn't have had a chance."

"Get her back inside, Nathan." Tom walked past them, as Nathan led Amy back into the building, trying to shield her as best he could, the wave of heat radiating from the ruined car. He pulled his phone out, dialling rapidly, still scanning the area. Was he still there? Watching the results of his handiwork?

"CTU O'Brien."

"Chloe, its Tom. Amy's car has just exploded. I need a forensic team down here as soon as you can." He looked at the wreckage, spitting, trying to get the taste of burning oil out of his mouth. "What a fucking mess."

"Was it…"

"I think so Chloe. I wont know for sure until the forensic team goes through the wreckage. How long until the team gets here?"

"Maybe fifteen, twenty minutes. I'll need to run through the protocols."

"Put me through to Michelle."

xxxXXXxxx

"Dammit!"

He made sure he had kept low as the explosion ripped through the car. He had been careful when he had chosen his vantage point. Close enough to see, far enough away to be out of danger.

He hadn't expected the bodyguard to open the door, hadn't expected her to be out of range. Careless.

He watched the CTU agents move Gardner back into the building, watched one of them move closer, examining the wreckage. He could see the agent talking on his phone and wished he was close enough to hear.

Now what the fuck was he going to do?

He continued to watch through the binoculars, his mind spinning, considering, thinking, rejecting plans. Slowly he smiled, his thin lips pulling back from clean even teeth in a parody of a grin.

His trap may have failed, but they had only one place left to run.

xxxXXXxxx

She could still feel it. Twisting, writhing inside her. Threatening to burst out of her

With an effort of will, she forced the nausea down, forcing it back under her control.

"I want a forensic team at Tom's location as soon as possible." She stopped next to a desk. "Send another vehicle to the location as well. Nathan's bringing Amy Gardner back to CTU and I want them here as soon as possible."

"Yes ma'am."

"Adam, what's the status at the Clinic?"

He leaned back in his chair, highlighting a series of images. "Local TV cameras picked this up at about two pm." He highlighted one particular image, enhancing a familiar face. "Ashley. I think that's Jackson Alexander with her."

"What's the temperature today?"

"High thirties." Adam frowned. "Pretty damned warm, anyway."

"So why is Jackson Alexander wrapped up so well. Why is he wearing such a heavy coat?" She turned quickly on her heel. "Tony? Take a team down to Lester's Clinic. I want Jackson Alexander in custody."

"What about Ashley's cover?"

She shook her head. "Doesn't matter. It's getting too hot for her. I want her out of there."

"On my way."

xxxXXXxxx

"I believe, firmly, that girls and young women who find themselves in that situation should be properly advised of all their options. They should be reminded that a child is a blessing from God, not a curse."

"Every effort should be made to persuade these women that they have other options, that they do not have to sacrifice their unborn children because of society's perceptions, that this step should be the last one taken, and should only be considered after all other options have been considered and rejected."

"I would question the morality, the humanity, not just of those people who provide a service like this, but also those politicians who would support them, protect them and condone the murder of unborn children."

"I would appeal to the people of California to remember this when the time comes to cast their votes. I would ask them to remember the expressions on those poor girls' faces as they are lead into those vile places. I would ask them to look within their souls, to ask the Lord God for guidance when the time comes to make your choice."

"I pray to God that the people of California make the right decision."

'Senator Michael Jarode, speaking earlier today.'

xxxXXXxxx

Tom stood at the door of the building, squinting against the afternoon sun. Two black cars, the windows tinted against the sun, swept into the street, sweeping through the crowds that had gathered to watch the burning wreckage.

"Forensic teams are here Nathan."

"Okay."

"I want you to take Amy back to CTU."

His words seemed to sink through the fog surrounding Amy. "What? No, you cant! I have commitments, meetings. We agreed that I didn't have to change my schedule."

"That was before your car blew up." Tom didn't look around, watching as the leader of the forensic team walked over towards him. He stepped out of meet him, shielding his eyes . Damn sun, just in the wrong place….

There. He had watched from there.

"Agent Matthews, forensics. Where do you want us?"

Tom nodded at the wreckage. "I want that car torn apart. I want to know if it was tampered with, and if that was what caused the explosion. I've got a body I want you to look at as well."

"Okay, sir."

"You got keys? Give them to me." Tom took Agent Matthews keys and tossed them to Nathan. "Take her back to CTU."

Nathan nodded, starting to lead her towards the car. Amy resisted, pulling against Nathan's grip. "Agent Baker, I don't think…"

"It's not your decision, Amy." Tom adjusted his jacket, walking after Agent Matthews. "It's mine. Get her out of here, Nathan." He glanced up again, trying to peer through the sun.

Are you still there, you bastard?

xxxXXXxxx

The walls of Clinics were starting to close in around her.

She could hear him pacing steadily around the Clinic. Walking with slow, even steps. His shoes echoing off the smooth floor. She could hear the chants coming from the outside, the walls seeming to vibrate, struggling to cope with the force of their anger and hatred.

Step by even step. Tugging at the zip of his jacket. Step. By. Step.

"I cant do this."

Jackson Alexander stopped, almost in mid stride. "What did you say?"

Ashley forced herself to stand, stumbling on unsteady legs. "I cant do this." She started to walk away from him. "I cant do this."

"Sit down."

"No!"

"Ashley…" His voice was low and threatening. She heard a pistol cock and she froze, her shoulders tensing. "Everybody stays." He waved the pistol towards the wall and she sat down, unwillingly. He unzipped his jacket. "Until we all go to face the Lord our God."

He had a bomb strapped to his chest.

xxxXXXxxx

"I want two of you around the back. Secure all the exits. Nobody goes in or out without my authorisation."

"Understood." The SWAT leader signalled to two of his troops and they darted around the back of the building, dark clothed shadows cutting through the angry crowd.

Tony walked towards the main door of the Clinic, ignoring the angry murmurs of the crowd. He dialled as he walked.

"CTU, O'Brien."

"Chloe, its Tony, I'm on site at the Lester…"

A gunshot rang out, loud despite the noise of the crowd. Instinctively Tony ducked for cover, scrambling away. The crowd, momentarily silent, scattered, ducking, running. Screaming.

Tony could hear Chloe, her voice shrieking from the speaker of the phone. He brought the phone up to his ear. "…going on Tony?"

"Shots fired at the Lester Clinic."

xxxXXXxxx

He pulled the car into the parking lot. "Amy? We're here."

She stirred. Despite the weariness that had settled across her, soaking into her bones, she was scared to close her eyes. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Michael, frozen in time, his hand….

"Where are we?"

"Back at CTU." Nathan got out of the car. "Stay there. I'll come around there and get you." He walked around the car, looking around carefully. His eyes, hidden behind sunglasses.

He opened the passenger door, reaching out a hand to help her out of the car.

She heard a short, sharp sound….

…Nathan staggered forward, his face pale, pressing her back into the car….

…blood seeping from underneath his jacket.