The cold water felt great, even better as it began to heat up. With it being early in the morning, and still busy from the previous day the showers were deserted, and he was granted the heat which nobody else had been able to take. He took his time under the water, enjoying the feeling of the droplets pattering against his skin. After taking all of the hot water, and then enjoying some more of the cold his skin began to show goose bumps and he decided he had better get out; Brad would be getting stir crazy. He dried off with a white towel, a rough black one wrapped around his waist as he rummaged through the backpack in the deserted locker room. He found a pair of black tracksuit bottoms and a dark green tee which would do. He pulled the clothes on hastily, not bothering to look himself over, he knew of the damage he had inflicted on himself. Although he still had his physical strength he looked terrible, underweight and pale; and if his stint had lasted any longer he knew his muscle would have deteriorated too. Eventually, he would have disappeared, thank God he was doing this, before he completely wasted away into oblivion.

He was thankful to see his trainers in the bottom compartment of the bag, which he pulled on, knowing his working shoes wouldn't look right with such casual wear. He had to smile at himself, he was worrying about which shoes to wear; that hadn't happened in a long time - maybe he was ready to start living an ordinary life again?

He glanced in the mirror taped to the wall and quickly looked away, he looked as bad as he felt. He had no energy left and it showed in his drooping eyes which were rimmed with dark circles. His face was pale and thin with his cheekbones more visible than ever; he looked terrible. He couldn't let Kim see him like this. He rationalised that she had seen him yesterday when he had looked and felt as bad, but he had been in work mode then, operating with a different part of his mind. Now it was the part of his mind that held his emotions and he couldn't bare the thought of her seeing him, despite how much he so desperately wanted to see her.

It wouldn't be fair, to do it to her so he would call her instead. Call her and actually talk, now that was something he hadn't done in a while with anyone. Maybe she would notice and be reassured by his willingness to get straight, and his honesty too, she wouldn't have to worry then. He grabbed the bag and left the locker room knowing he couldn't see Kim but wondering if he was making a mistake. Would she interpret his not seeing her as him pushing her away? No, he thought, not if I explain it to her. She will understand, she has to understand.

He passed through the active floor of CTU and was more than aware of the eyes watching him, people were stopping their work to let their gaze rest on him. Some did it discreetly, or at least thought they were; others openly glared at him, why shouldn't they? He was a nobody now and they all knew it, even Kim.

Brad moved away from the window when he saw Jacks head emerge as he climbed the steps; he felt bad for being so nervous, he didn't expect Jack to run, but if he did, his ass was on the line. He tried to appear casual as Jack pushed through the door but it didn't matter, Jack had seen him; the look of defeat on his face said it all.

"Hey, you look better," Brad quipped cheerfully, plastering a smile on his face which they both knew was false. Brad caught the glare Jack threw at him and knocked it off his face instantly. He couldn't be too straight with the man in his current frame of mind, but he couldn't patronise him either, he'd see thought it immediately and wouldn't appreciate the gesture.

Jack shrugged the bag from his shoulder on to the other and Brad used to moment to study him, he really did look better, but not too much. He still seemed fragile, his causal clothes making him look even leaner than he had in the office wear; he was too thin, that was for sure. It was strange to see Jack wearing the things he was, a simple tee and some old bottoms. It seemed strangely personal to him and he couldn't help but feel an odd sensation in his mind, as though he was intruding on Jack this way, and somehow as though he understood him a little better - it was a glimpse into his personal life he had never seen before.

Or maybe it wasn't, and his mind was going crazy due to the stress and the workload and the lack of rest… He shook his head and realised Jack was standing before him, arms crossed across his chest, a curious look on his face. Almost suspicious. Brad looked away, nervous that Jack had caught him observing him, another gesture he would not appreciate; Jack was a man who liked distance, and lots of it.

Jack was about to ask Brad about what it was that was on his mind but the opening door stopped him as they both turned to see who was interrupting them.

Chloe strode into the room with a folder in her hands, she looked tired and angry and Jack couldn't help but smirk at the thought of winding her up any further than she already was.

"What's this?" He asked as he took the folder from her, resisting the urge to laugh, knowing that nothing was actually funny. Maybe they drug hadn't completely work off.

"Information on the centre you will be going to. I personally picked it out for you, I think it will be suitable."

Jack just nodded, looking up from the closed file as he herd her sigh, she intended it to be herd.

"You okay?" He asked, genuinely concerned.

"No Jack, I'm not okay. I'm exhausted and were only 30 through the quarantines and the systems are falling behind now Adams left to be with his family. We didn't all get the chance to take a long nap!"

She hadn't meant to take her anger out on him, but she had trouble concealing her feelings. And when she opened her mouth her words seemed to run away from her, making her thoughts more exaggerated than they actually were.

Brad intervened as he saw Jack's eyebrows crease up in confusion, how did she know he had been asleep? Just how much did she know about yesterday, Jack thought?

"Thank you Chloe your continuous efforts are tremendously appreciated - you and your team will be rewarded once this is over."

Chloe smiled at the compliment, but wasn't finished yet. "I appreciate that Mr. Hammond sir, but I need to rest. I'm going home to get some sleep, I've updated Michelle on the changes and I'll be back late afternoon." As she spoke she made it clear her words were not negotiable.

"Michelle's here?" Jack whispered, confusion and apprehension filling up inside of him. He wanted to apologise to her for putting Tony in danger at the mall and for getting him involved in the sting operation. He needed to apologise to her too, for making her give herself up to Saunders. Could he do it, though, face her after he had taken her husband away from her? She deserved better than that, so how could he face her at all? She would hate him, and he knew she should yet it still hurt him.

"Yes. Apparently they sedated Tony for his own comfort so she came back here to help. She understands the pressure were under to straighten this thing out."

Jack nodded but Brad said nothing.

"Well if that's all then I'm going," she turned to face Brad. "Sir, I assume I'll see you later today. Good luck, I'm sure I'll be seeing you back here in no time."

She turned and left before she had the chance to see his lips curl up in a slight smile, or hear the quiet chuckle as he rubbed the back of his head, amazed by her once more; she never failed to surprise him. As soon as the door closed behind her the dread settled back upon him. Not dread of the poison spreading through his veins; but the thought of seeing her, Michelle; he hoped to God she knew how sorry he was; because he didn't have the guts to tell her. He was a coward; a coward and a drug addict ruining everything he comes into contact with, breaking things as though they're made of glass.