"Everything alright?" Brad asked, seeing the thoughtful look overcome Jacks face as Chloe left. His mind was throwing accusations at him, he couldn't face Michelle, what did that say about him? Brads words filtered through his mind and he turned to look at him, his face blatantly telling Brad what a stupid question it was he was asking.

"Sure," he muttered, a touch of humour in his voice as he sat down on the edge of the couch and began to flip through Chloe's notes on the rehab centre. He could feel Brad watching him as he skim read through the information, and it angered him. Did he think he wasn't strong enough to do this?

"What's a matter Brad?" He snapped looking up at him, his glare stared right through him, it made Brad want to look away, but he didn't.

"Nothing. I'm just thinking you've got to get going soon, so…"

"I'm aware of the time issue Brad. If you could please leave me alone to call my daughter., and then I'll find you when I'm ready, it shouldn't take too long."

Brad was fiddling with his hands, he was probably under orders to watch him, make sure he doesn't go shoot up again or run, he thought. Brad nodded somewhat reluctantly and left the room, giving Jack some privacy.

Jack sank back into the seat once alone, resting his head back and closing his eyes. Why did he feel so… what did he feel? Depressed? Angry? Disappointed? It wasn't the thought of rehab looming ahead that bothered him, he was ready to deal with that. He just couldn't stop thinking about how badly he had messed up, himself, probably his job, Tony, and of course his daughter too. Just what would Terri be thinking, if she could see the way he had turned out? He shook his head, fighting the urge which was telling him that if she was here he wouldn't be in this predicament at all, and once again he was to blame. Such a failure, he thought.

As though trying to make himself stop thinking about her he reached for the phone but didn't pick it up, instead he gently rested his hand on the receiver, was he strong enough to do this, he wondered? He laughed at himself now, if only people knew his thoughts, how shocked they would be. He was aware of the many legends about Jack Bauer, the myths of his accomplishments, the thought of him afraid to call his own daughter would seem absurd to them, but he was. He was terrified. He had already admitted his addiction to her, when they had brought Nina in, but saying goodbye before he left to go to rehab was only confirming it, making it more real. And once again he was leaving her to pick up the pieces, gluing the life's he had wrecked back together.

She would have to deal with her own problems, take care of Chase, and he would be lying to himself if he said she wouldn't worry about Tony. He knew the two had a relationship of sorts, one of trust and security. She would have all of this on her shoulders, all because of him.

Jack let out a shaky breath, he had to do this, he couldn't leave without talking to her and apologising for ruining everything. It was bad enough he would hide away from Michelle, a trusted friend, but not his daughter as well. He held his breath as he dialled her cell, she answered it after one quick ring and he didn't know what to say.

Kim was sat on a bench outside the hospital Chase had been rushed to. She needed some fresh air, she had told him, but secretly she was hoping her father would call, praying really. When she saw the number appear on her screen she instantly recognised it as his office extension line. She answered the call and was met with silence.

She could hear heavy breathing down the line, she knew it was her father. She could only imagine the guilt he would be subjecting himself to, which is why she so desperately wanted to talk to him before he left. She had to let him know she wasn't mad at him and that she still loved him. She had to make sure he knew there would be somebody waiting for him when he woke up from the nightmare.

She resisted the urge to jump right in and talk, he would have a hard enough time accepting her words as truth, she had to give him time to let it sink in, she had to give him space. It was going to be difficult to get through to him, make him understand how she felt in such a short space of time. She wasn't exactly confident about the chances of success, but she could try in the very least. The silence went on, a glance at her watch told Kim they'd been on the line for 5 minutes. She patiently waited, until she herd a sniff down the line, was he crying? If he was, he was clearly hiding it from her. As usual, she thought sadly, trying to hide his pain away.

"I'm here dad, it's okay," she said calmly, not expecting to hear him speak so soon.

The silence lasted a little while longer, until she finally herd his voice. Quiet, slow; he sounded nothing like the man who commanded teams of men in the field, his voice betrayed the pain he was feeling, the guilt which was already eating away at him.

"I'm sorry."

As much as Kim wanted to jump in and stop him right there, she knew she had to hear him out, she didn't want to hear these words but she knew he had to say them or the phone call would be for nothing.

"For everything."

Another sniff, and a sympathetic smile crept over Kim's face. She'd never seen him cry, not even after he found Terri, he'd hid the pain as he told her. He saw it as a sign of weakness but she saw it as progress, maybe I can help him.

"I took everything away from you," he started, his voice strained, "You're mom, and everything else that was important to you. I know I don't deserve you, and you deserve a better father," his words sped up as his anger grew, anger she knew which was directed at himself.

"I messed up again, Kim, and this time I don't want you're forgiveness, I don't want anything. After I got Terri killed you gave me a second chance, and I know how hard that was for you, I'm not going to make you go through it again, not for me, I'm not worth it, and you shouldn't have to turn your life upside down. Not anymore Kim, you need to live your own life, without worrying about whatever mess it is I've gotten myself into."

Kim could hear him getting agitated, she knew she had to stop him, at least try and show him she cared.

"Dad?"

"Yeah," his voice cracked as he answered.

"You are my life, and that's something you need to accept. I will always worry about you, care about you and be there for you when you can. Just like you have done for me, that's what families do. I know you're upset, and you've been through a lot, more than anybody should have to go through. But that's what you do, its what other people can't do. You're talking as though I'm ashamed of you, when I'm incredibly proud of you…"

He didn't speak, and she could imagine him, batting away everything she said with a counterpoint in his mind. He was way too good at putting himself down, it had to stop.

"Listen to me, okay. I love you, and I'm going to help you as much as I can, as much as you will let me. I'm always going to be here for you, so please, stop pushing me away, let somebody help you for once."

He was silent again, and she prayed he was accepting her words not ignoring them.

"I'm going to rehab today," he blurted, as though he had been scared to tell her yet in need of getting it out.

"I know, I already spoke to Chloe. Unfortunately you're not allowed visitors but I have the number so I can at least call you every day."

Jack moved the receiver away from his ear slightly and sat back - she'd already done this? He was dumbfounded, why would she do this for him?

"Kim, I really don't know what to say. Thank you…"

"Dad you're welcome, but you don't have to say anything, okay."

Jack nodded down the line, he didn't trust himself to speak, he felt incredibly proud that his little girl, this smart, caring woman was his daughter.

"I have to go. I'll call you tonight. I know you can do this, and I'm so proud of you for doing it. Goodbye."

She hung up, but Jack held the phone a little longer, running the conversation through his mind. Part of him wanted to forget it, but how could he? Kim had sounded sincere, and would she lie to him like that? Would she give him hope if her words had been meaningless? No, he thought, she wouldn't do that. She actually cared about him, he realised. He hung the phone up and went in search of Brad. For the first time in months he left his office with a small smile on his face, and a glimmer of hope in his eyes.