Chapter 13

Jack saw the car pulling onto the airfield and took a deep breath, wiping the sweat off his forehead. It had started again a few minutes ago and he had finally taken his jacket off. Feeling the light breeze now, he almost regretted it. But he would get some action pretty soon.

Here we go.

Next to him Nina got her cell phone out, waiting for the ring tone to go off and answering after the second time.

"Yes."

They were hiding in safe distance, observing the plane and the slowly approaching car with what was most likely Amador inside.

"Just go ahead," Nina ordered, and they watched the car moving closer towards the plane. "There's a briefcase to your left. I want you to stop next to it, get out of the car, and tell the escort to turn around."

He wasn't sure if Amador tried to object to that or deny that he had brought someone with him, but Nina either ignored his remarks or there was really nothing further being said.

The car stopped, Amador got out, his own briefcase in his hand, looking around as if he didn't feel comfortable with this at all.

He nodded towards the car and it turned around and slowly took off into the darkness. Jack followed it with the spyglasses as long as he could, knowing it would be his job to take care of them.

"I'll be right with you," he heard Nina say and hang up on Amador who was still standing next to the abandoned briefcase that he of course had to recognize. Looking up to the plane now, he was probably wondering if she was on board.

"Are we set?"

Jack jerked his head around and stared at her. Was this a mistake? Was it a good idea to let her walk over alone? Then again what could she be up to mischief? He had made sure the plane was of no use to her so it wasn't like she could take off with it. Besides, there was still Amador who had come here for one reason only: to kill her, for real this time. She would have to focus on him for the moment.

No, she was definitely bearing the bigger risk in this joint-venture. And to his amusement it had been her suggestion, only a minute ago, to call CTU now and let them know where they were. He had been surprised, of course, but then again it made sense. Her chances of staying alive might increase with more people around than just Jack and Amador, both of whom wanted to see her dead. And she knew, of course, that no unit would make it here in time to stop the meeting with Amador. At best they would arrive when it was just over. Apparently Nina was hoping that she would have managed to rewire the money by then and still be alive. He had almost laughed at her, seeing how minimal her demands had become. Even prison and arrest was an option again - as long as she stayed alive. And he realized that - for a short moment - he would almost have had more respect for her if she hadn't given up like that. But the thought appalled him and he pushed it aside as quickly as it had emerged.

Were they set?

He stared into her eyes and still waiting for an answer she returned his gaze. Feeling that she was reading him like an open book - again - he cast his eyes down and fumbled with her cuffs, his hands shaking slightly. The last thing he needed right now but she didn't seem to notice. Rubbing her wrists, she glanced over to where Amador stood.

"Jack," she started but he cut her short immediately. She had asked him for a gun before.

"Forget it, Nina."

She looked offended but didn't say anything.

"You wanted your chance - here it is," he growled. "Now move."

"Just hurry," she hissed sarcastically, getting up to her feet, "would be a shame if Amador got to kill me first."

He glared after her as she started to walk down the little hill they had been lying on, and for a moment he considered to just stay where he was. And watch things play out without his interference. But, of course, that was not an option. He needed the virus. And therefore he had to take care of Amador's escort first and then make sure that he was carrying the product with him. Nina had been pretty sure he would but convinced him that it didn't even matter. If it wasn't in his briefcase, it had to be somewhere in the house he was staying at and where she had called him. Maybe she was even counting on that, hoping to keep up her leverage, her knowledge of the address, a little longer. But it would only buy her a couple of minutes and as much as he hated admitting it, he could see her reasons. All she wanted at this point was to wriggle out of this, and if CTU managed to arrive in time, she could give up the location with them around, hoping of course that the arrest would protect her. After all, it had worked last time. He hadn't shot her once she had been back in restraints.

Well, I was busy stopping that bomb. If everything works out this time, I will have plenty of time to deal with you.

He got to his feet and started moving himself. He had picked the spot for a reason, and as he had expected, Amador's men weren't hiding far from him. Now all he had to do was get to them before Nina became too much of a target. She seemed convinced that Amador would want to talk to her first, to make sure she hadn't informed anyone yet about what had happened. But maybe he would just let his men shoot her as soon as they caught sight of her. And then they would be gone again within seconds. He had to be quick. Ignoring the tumult in his stomach, he crept up on his targets.

-x-

She stepped out of the shadows and quickly made her way over the brittle asphalt, approaching Amador who caught sight of her now, and turned around. Realizing he was waiting for her to catch up with him, she sighed with relief. At least she had been right and he wasn't just gonna shoot her right away. It would have been unusual for him to do it himself anyway but you never knew. Now she could only hope Jack was covering her back.

He had to have a gun though. Amador. He wasn't keen on using it but he would have one. Unlike her. She had no apprehensions against using one, but she didn't have one. Yet.

"Nina," he exclaimed when she was close enough. "I'm sorry for how things turned out but I'm sure we can find a solution."

"No need to apologize," she said in a businesslike manner. "You saw a chance to screw with me, I didn't see it coming. My bad." She walked up to him and stopped. "No harm done."

"I'm glad you see it that way. You know, of course, that it was nothing personal."

She tilted her head back and couldn't but smile as she found herself confronted with those words again. The irony was just too striking to be ignored.

"Sure," she passed it over quickly though. "Is this the real product?" she asked, pointing at the briefcase.

"Yes," he said and seemed a bit insecure how to proceed. "You still want it, or should we just skip this part and get to the payment right away?"

"Why don't you just give it to me first."

"Sure," he said and handed her the briefcase, but she noticed the quick glance he threw over his shoulder, probably thinking that there was no risk in giving it to her. He would get it back as soon as his men moved in.

"Thank you," she said and took the briefcase from him, only to smash it against his temple a second later. She had to use her left arm and was afraid not to have enough power but recalling that he was responsible for most of what Jack had done to her today, she had no problem to knock him off his feet.

He fell to the ground without a sound and she quickly stepped over him and reached under his coat, pulling out the gun from behind his back. Backing off again just as quickly, she slipped it into the pocket of her own coat.

He rolled over and shook his head, groaning from the pain, and she kept a watchful eye on him while she kneeled down and turned her attention to the briefcases. She was curious if he had really brought the virus along but she didn't have time for that now. Instead she opened her own briefcase and started setting up the laptop, her gaze brushing over the remaining contents: a second battery for her mobile, some papers and the ID she was currently using, a pen, a silencer for her gun, some money.

"What the..." Amador muttered and she looked up to him.

"Sorry, Michael. I'm sure you understand - it was nothing personal," she said factually.

He put a hand at his temple, checking for blood, and at the same time looked himself up and down, seemingly worried about the state of his suit. He was still a gentleman. He wasn't exactly used to rolling around on the floor like this.

"I just had to make sure you weren't gonna screw me over again."

"Nina," he groaned, still struggling with the dizziness and looking around with a slight note of panic in his eyes.

"Don't count on them," she remarked, focusing on the laptop again. She wasn't as sure as she sounded but the best she could do was get him convinced he was on his own.

"What...Nina, can't we -".

"Sure we can, Michael," she said and picked the laptop up, carefully walking over to him again. "I just want my money back first." She placed the computer in front of him and took a step back again.

Staring at the screen and then back at her, he seemed to fully understand the situation he was in.

"And if I don't comply?" he asked, trying to sound determined and keep at least some of his dignity.

She kneeled down again and smiled. Whom was he kidding? He wasn't the kind of guy to stand firm under such circumstances. He would break before anyone had even laid a hand on him. Just the anticipation of pain would be enough.

"There are a lot of bones in your body, Michael," she explained factually. "Now I really don't want to resort to any violence but if you force me to -" she gave him a pitiful look, "there are a lot of ways. With or without using the gun."

He stared at her in shock, losing even the remains of his composure now and finally turned his eyes back to the screen. She tilted her head and watched him sit up just enough to be able to work the keypad. Of course he complied.

She glanced around, knowing Jack wouldn't be gone for much longer, and he wouldn't exactly announce his arrival in advance.

"What account?"

She hesitated for a second but gave the number. It was a risk but Jack was not the only one being tired of playing games. A few moments later Amador was done and turned the laptop towards her again, showing her he had done what she had asked him to.

"Thank you," she said and took it from him. "Now, the good news is I have no intention of killing you. I'm not out for payback. I just want the money."

"You got it," he hurried to say. "Take it. It's all yours."

Again she smiled. Of course it was.

"I appreciate that. But there's still a problem. There's someone else who wants the virus."

"Who?" he asked, just when the sound of a motor made them both turn their heads and recognize the car that came towards them with high speed.

"He," she said and looked down at Amador, reaching out her hand. "When I got to him," she instructed.

-x-

Jack turned up the headlights and saw Nina lean forward, reaching her hand out to Amador who was lying in front of her. Of course, she had been just fine on her own.

Talking to him, she pulled Amador up on his feet and when Jack saw him take a quick step backwards a moment later and stare towards the car and back at Nina again, he could only guess what she had just revealed to him. He would shoot them both if he had to.

If you have to? He wiped his forehead and swore silently. First he had to make sure they really had the virus this time.

He hit the brakes and quickly got out of the car, taking cover behind the door.

"Put your hands where I can see them!" he yelled, but Nina's hands were already in the air and Amador's quickly followed. Cautiously and trying to hold them both at gunpoint, Jack moved closer.

"Nina, put the gun on the ground," he ordered, aiming at her but not letting Amador out of his sight either. "Slowly."

"What?"

"I know you took his gun," he yelled more insistent. "Put it down. Now!"

"I don't' - have - a gun," she replied, acting angry and annoyed, and once again, he was amazed at how good she was. But she wasn't gonna fool him. He glanced at the laptop on the ground. She had already done the transaction and Amador had hardly complied voluntarily. Of course she had his gun.

He noticed his finger starting to shake slightly as the thought entered his mind. Shoot her. Right here and now. Shoot her. They had Amador, they probably had the virus, and even if not he was sure he could get Amador to tell him where it was. You don't need her anymore. Shoot her.

She had obviously anticipated his thoughts and it didn't surprise him when he saw her going down on her knees. Only this time she didn't turn around. Instead she lowered herself to the ground, slowly, taking a sharp breath when her right arm had to support her upper body. Careful to keep her hands where he could see them, she lay down on her stomach, face to the ground, and finally she put her hands on her head.

He instantly felt he was back in that staircase in Visalia and he wasn't sure if it was his addiction or the memories that made him tremble. Was it really three years ago? But he wasn't back. Was he? Things had changed since then. Hadn't they? He had needed her back then and that's why he hadn't shot her. Now he didn't need her anymore.

Whom are you kidding? he heard a voice somewhere in the back of his head. You didn't need her any more back then than you do now. You had Faheen, you were gonna take him back to Los Angeles anyway. What did you need her for?

He took a step closer, pointing the gun down at her, trying to make the voice shut up. Becoming aware again of Amador, he threw a quick glance at him but he still stood with his hands in the air, staring down at Nina as well.

Jack took a quick step to the side and walked around Nina to have them both in front of him. He didn't think Amador was much of a threat but he didn't want to take any risk. Not in his condition anyway.

He looked down at Nina again, and his gun automatically moved to aim at her head.

Maybe you thought you didn't need her help but think about it, the voice continued, in the end she was the one who broke Faheen. And even if they hadn't found the bomb at the address she had given them later, it had led them to Ali. And to Kate. And as much as he hated admitting it, even if only to himself: if it hadn't been for Nina, Kate would have died that day. It's not like she did it on purpose, he objected in his mind but it was too late. The realization was there.

A moment longer he kept the gun at her head but in the end, he gave up. Realizing he wasn't gonna kill her. Not like that. Not now. Not yet! If he had killed her in that staircase three years ago, they might never have known about Ali's house and never have saved Kate. If he killed her now and Amador hadn't brought the virus... It was at least worth waiting a little longer.

He cast another glance at Amador before he kneeled down beside her and started to search her. He knew she had that gun.

"I'm sorry."

He froze. A whisper, faint and soft, mumbled against the ground.

"What?" he asked stunned and was just leaning a little closer when she started to move, the same instant he noticed a motion out of the corner of his eye.

It was Amador, and trying to hold Nina down and in place with his left hand, Jack jerked his head up and looked into the muzzle of a gun. He raised his own and fired, at the same time as he felt Nina slipping away under his grip and rolling around. Knowing he was too late, he squeezed his eyes shut in anticipation of the bullets he was expecting to come his way. A second later he felt himself lose his balance and then pain shot through his shoulder and he fell backwards, his head hitting the ground. He heard himself scream in pain and he knew his reaction was too slow, but he couldn't help it. When his brain understood that his hand got smashed against the asphalt, he had already lost the gun.

Slowly he opened his eyes and it took him a moment to understand that it wasn't a bullet that had hit him. Glancing at his shoulder where the major pain was coming from, he saw a pen sticking out of his shirt, blood already pooling around it. It didn't go deep, maybe two, three centimeters into his flesh, but it was enough. Noticing he was still groaning in pain, he rolled around, bringing his left hand up to his shoulder and ripping the pen out. He couldn't tell if it got better or worse once the thing was out, but he rolled back on his back and lay down, swearing once again under his breath.

His brain was slow but then everything came back to him at once. Nina, the gun, Amador... And he lifted his head and tried to sit up.

Nina was just getting to her feet, holding the gun in her left hand and clenching her teeth, her face clearly showing she was in pain as well. Her arm.

Quickly glancing over to Amador, Jack saw he was dead, lying face down on the ground, the gun still in his hand. Why didn't he shoot?

"He would have but he couldn't," Nina gave the answer, probably having read the question on his face. He turned his head back to her and saw the ammunition clip she was holding up in her hand now.

She had played them both.

Not even sure if he felt anger or despair, he watched her walking over to Amador and collecting the gun from him, slipping it into her pocket together with the ammunition.

"The cuffs, Jack. I guess you still have them?"

He just glared at her.

"Restrain yourself to the stairs," she ordered, pointing the gun at him.

Reluctantly he got up to his feet, keeping a hand on the wound to put pressure on it. It was definitely not life-threatening but still hurting. He did as he was told and realizing that he couldn't do anything except for pray that CTU would arrive in time, he slid down to the ground again. He felt too weak on his feet anyway.

Watching her coming towards him, the gun dangling in her left hand, he thought she was gonna finish it. Step in front of him and put the gun against his forehead, just like she had done earlier. But then she just walked past him and disappeared inside the plane. And he sighed with relief.

Not there was any reason for relief. The moment he had lost the gun, he had lost the virus, and on top of that he couldn't see any reason why Nina wouldn't kill him now. He was of no use to her anymore and she knew he would come after her if she didn't stop him first. He had made that very clear himself three years ago, and knowing now that she had been back in business and traveling around, he only wondered why she hadn't tried to stop him earlier. Had she been afraid to come back to Los Angeles?

Why didn't you go after her? he heard the same voice in the back of his head, he had heard there earlier. Why didn't you keep your promise?

He shook his head and tried to get rid off the thoughts, but now they were there and didn't wanna leave him alone. Why hadn't he? Why hadn't he killed her? Once again his mind traveled back to Visalia and that staircase. Had he really let her live because he had still needed her? It was true, he had wanted to bring Faheen in anyway and the little time he had given her hadn't even been enough to interrogate a common pickpocket.

And later? Had he really been too busy with the bomb? How much time would it have taken to put a bullet in her head? And he had hardly been afraid of legal consequences, considering what he had already done that day. And today - he wasn't sure about anything anymore. Had he broken her out to help him or had he planned to kill her and only changed his mind later? And why hadn't he killed her the moment he had seen her standing here with Amador? Why?

It's the drugs. It's the withdrawal. His mind was a mess, he couldn't think straight any longer.

-x-

Danny heard footsteps and when the door was opened he looked up. It was the woman.

"We have to leave," she simply said, kneeling down to untie him.

"What is happening?" he asked angrily. He didn't understand.

First she tells him his brother and all the others are dead and that they have to leave. Then this guy she brought along whacks him over the head and ties him up, and now she comes in here like this?

"There's no time for explanations now," she dismissed his question, tearing the rope away and getting to her feet again. "We have to leave, now."

She turned around, but he quickly got up as well, and grabbed her arm. He had wanted to stop her and demand her to answer him but the look she gave him made him let go off her and lower his gaze. Mac had told him about that look. They all had.

He remembered the night Mac and the others had come home after their first job with her. They hadn't told him what had went down but they all had talked about the woman. Nina. And he had listened and wondered. He had never heard them talk about someone like that before and especially not about a woman. They used to talk about their employer sometimes, their big boss, without giving a name, of course, without knowing it probably. And they talked about other people they had been working with here and there. Assholes most of them, bossing them around, decent guys only a few of them, treating them with some respect. But when they had been talking about her, no one had even mentioned anything about how they had been treated. Instead they had wondered about her, who she was and what she had been doing before. And not one of them had made a dirty joke, way too impressed and stunned by how cold and hard she was. Sergej had said she was beautiful but that he would never dare to touch her or make a move, much too afraid she would kill him faster than he could blink. And Mac had told him to shut it and just do what he was told.

Danny had begged Mac to take him along, had done so for a long time, insisted he wanted to work with them too, make money, help. But Mac had never allowed it. Not until today.

A month ago it had been his birthday and Mac had made a big secret about his present. Only a few minutes before midnight, when they had been out and drinking in the bar, he had pulled him closer and whispered into his ear that one of the guys couldn't make it for the next job and that his employer needed another man.

He had been so excited and done everything Mac had asked him to do. He had worked harder, trained more, practiced with the gun until he was almost as good as Mac himself, and he had listened even better when the guys had sat together and talked about their jobs. Yesterday he had been so nervous, he had thrown up all his meals, and Mac had told him to get a grip or he couldn't come along.

So he had pulled himself together and he hadn't thrown up anymore. He hadn't eaten anything real either but he felt alright. Only his head hurt but no wonder - he had been knocked out by that guy she had brought along.

"I just...," he stumbled now, still not daring to look up at her again. "Who's that guy?"

"Danny," she said his name and waited, until he did look up. "You work for me, right?" She said it in a harsh voice, but something in her eyes was soft and sad and he felt his doubts melt away. "Your brother worked for me. He trusted me. What about you?"

Mac. I wouldn't want her as my enemy, he had told him one night, but if you do as she says you'll be fine.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked and she hinted a nod.

"Get the bags into the car outside. We can't take the plane."

He picked up her bag and his own, hesitated then and took Mac's instead and followed her.

The guy who had knocked him out was outside too, tied to the stairs and not looking good. He glared at him and walked to the car where he threw the bags into the trunk. He looked around and wondered where they were but it probably wasn't important for him to know. Don't ask too many questions, Mac had told him. Don't be in the way and do what you are told. And maybe you can come along again some time. He would have liked that. To work with Mac, side by side. Now it suddenly hit him that he would never be able to do that again. He would never see his brother again. And he didn't even know why. Just that something had gone wrong. Maybe she would explain it to him later.

He walked around the car again and back towards the plane, watching the woman packing her laptop into one briefcase and opening another one then. She took something out of it, a vial with a greenish liquid, and by the look on her face she was rather uncomfortable with it. Was this what the whole job had been about? He had asked Mac on the plane but he had only signaled him to be quiet. He didn't need to know. He was only watching the plane while they were gone. And then they had landed, and they all had been gone and now they would never come back.

He tried not to think about it and watched the woman again. He hadn't noticed it earlier but now he saw that she was injured too. Her arm was hurt and she seemed to be in pain. He wondered if it had happened when...

No, he told himself. Get a grip. You can think about Mac when this is over.

-x-

She felt Danny stepping behind her and quickly put the vial back into the briefcase.

"Well, I don't have time to hang around and verify it, but I think this is really it," she sighed.

"I bet you thought so last time too," Jack growled, pressing a hand on his shoulder to stop the bleeding. "What makes you so sure this isn't just another dummy?"

"I don't think he had more than one."

"Whatever," he muttered, and Nina got up and walked over to him, carrying the briefcase with her.

This was it. This time, this was hopefully really it. The end. For the second time within a couple of hours she felt the memories and the thoughts washing over her, at the realization that it would all be over now.

She put the briefcase beside him and kneeled down. She knew it was a risk but she couldn't leave yet. And she had Danny watching her back.

She reached out and laid her hand on Jack's, moving it away against his weak resistance. He wasn't fighting her too seriously.

She examined the wound. It looked pretty nasty but it surely wasn't gonna kill him. And no one's gonna stick a finger into it while interrogating him, she thought, anger flashing up inside her.

"Does it hurt?" she asked and he clenched his teeth, of course not giving her an answer. But when she touched the skin where the pen had torn it apart, he groaned, and his hand shot up again to grab her wrist.

"Good," she said, pulling away. She leaned back and looked into his eyes, feeling the anger fading away. "For what it's worth, Jack - I am sorry."

She could see how he clenched his teeth, fighting the urge to hit her. But either he was too weak or he was afraid Danny might just shoot him.

"I wish there had been another way."

"Shut up," he hissed with a menacing low voice, and she smiled sadly.

"You asked," she nearly whispered. "I figured you wanted an answer."

"No, I don't. Spare me your justifications, Nina. Spare me the I-had-to and it-was-never-personal crap. Just get this over with."

"You're right," she sighed. There was nothing she could say and nothing he would want to hear anyway. "Goodbye, Jack."

-x-

The way she was staring into his eyes, the look on her face that he couldn't read - grief, relief, pity? It made his blood boil up and his vision blurry, and he knew he was out of his mind when he tried to hit her, the image of a chained and caged animal flashing his mind. But he tried nevertheless, knowing it was useless but feeling it was the only thing he wanted to do. Or could do. To hurt her. What else could he do?

She dodged the blow easily, probably having seen it coming and benefiting from the drug withdrawal and the pain that were slowing him down. She got up to her feet and without even looking at him again she turned around and just walked away.

He groaned in pain, not even sure if it was pain from his shoulder or just the fact that she would get away after all. That there was nothing he could do to stop her. Glaring at her, wishing he could hurt her with sheer willpower, he watched her walking over to Danny, picking up her laptop and saying something to him that Jack couldn't hear, slipping something into his hand. Then she moved on, making her way to the car while Danny looked at him and came his way.

The virus, he thought, realizing she had left the briefcase next to him. She probably didn't dare to come near him again after his last attempt to attack her. Instead she sent the boy over. He really was just a boy. But he was a boy with a gun.

Eyeing him suspiciously, Danny stepped closer and then cautiously bent down to the briefcase, holding a piece of paper in his hand.

"Did she tell you how your brother died?" Jack whispered.

Danny froze, glaring at him and then straightening up again. He got his gun out and aimed it at Jack.

"You killed him?"

"No," Jack stated icily. "She did."

Danny frowned and dropped his jaw as he tried to understand what he had just been told.

"Bullshit," he said. "He worked for her. Why should she kill her own people?"

"Because she doesn't give a damn. Not about him, not about you, not about anyone."

Still Danny stared at him in disbelief, but the simple fact that he wasn't trying to shut him up yet encouraged Jack to go on.

"How long have you known her? Do you think you can trust her? I've been working with her for years, we were partners. I trusted her. But she screwed me over. She screwed with everyone, and she killed everyone who got in her way. Your brother was just one of them."

Something he had said seemed to have gotten through to Danny because he lowered the gun somewhat and stared on the ground, his eyes wide and his mouth still open.

"Think about it, Danny," Jack went on, the words just flowing out of him now. "All these people died. Down there and now here. That guy over there, Amador, he trusted her too. Now he's dead, but she's still alive. Why do you think that is? Why do you think she's the only one who made it?"

-x-

Danny felt like he couldn't breathe.

His first thought, of course, had been that it was bullshit. That the guy was only telling him shit to save his own ass. To set him up against her. But something he had said...

She killed everyone who got in her way. Your brother was just one of them.

Hadn't Mac told him that as well. That he wouldn't want her as his enemy, that you better stayed out of her way? Had he gotten in her way?

Your brother trusted me. What about you?

Had Mac really trusted her? He had seemed fascinated but also a bit stunned by her ruthlessness. Her determination, the fact that she always got what she wanted in the end. He had liked working with her because everything always worked out when she was leading. But had he trusted her?

That guy over there, he trusted her too. Now he's dead.

He remembered the look she had given him earlier when he had grabbed her arm. A look that had made him let go off her immediately, a look that didn't leave any doubt of what she was capable of.

"And what do you think is gonna happen to you?" the guy kept on talking. "Do you think she will let you live after she killed everyone else? Do you think she cares about you? She didn't earlier, did she? She wanted to get rid off you when we got on that plane. The only reason you're still alive is because I only knocked you out instead. And now she's wounded and needs you to get her out of here. Once she is, you're of no use to her anymore. And you're gonna be as dead as everyone else."

Danny didn't know what to think. Was it true? Had she been willing to kill him earlier? Would she kill him after he had helped her? He wanted to think the guy was just messing with him but... It was true, everyone else was dead. And she had lied to him earlier and let the guy knock him out. He had thought she had been forced or something when she had come to free him and seeing the guy tied up but...maybe it hadn't been him. Maybe he was telling the truth. She hadn't explained to him what had happened to Mac. She hadn't explained anything and the order she had just given him didn't make sense either.

"Do you trust her, Danny? Do you trust her with your life?"

He raised his eyes again and looked at the guy. He didn't know. Fuck! He didn't know.

"She killed your brother, Danny. She shot him. I was there, I saw it. She didn't even blink. She killed him and she'll kill you too."

-x-

"I'm alright. Everything's fine," she said and wondered in the back of her head if she should call her client and tell him she got the virus? It could buy her a bit more time. Time she might need considering that her original arrangements and the time schedule were screwed and the condition she was in.

"I won't be long," she said when she became aware of the voices and turned her head.

A few seconds. She had only turned her back on them for a few seconds but, of course, Jack was up to something again already. Talking to Danny, keeping on at him, it wasn't hard to figure out what he was trying.

She had to stop this. Repair her mistake before Jack could do any damage.

"Hold on," she said and lowered the phone, taking a step towards them. "Danny?" she called for him. She would rather not have to kill him as well.

-x-

"Danny?" he heard her call his name and he jerked around to see her move, taking a step towards him, holding something in her hand.

She'll kill you, was all he heard, and squeezing his eyes shut he raised the gun and fired. Three quick shots.

When he opened his eyes again, she was down.

-x-

Jack held his breath when the shots fired through the air and he saw Nina going down, thrown around by the impact of the bullets. Lying on her stomach, she seemed to move for a moment, trying to get up or just move somewhere. Then she collapsed and finally lay still.

He took a breath and swallowed.

Trying to let the realization sink in.

Trying to grasp what had just happened.

Trying to grasp that he had done it.

His head felt high and light and he couldn't put his finger on a thought that he felt wanted to be thought. There was something he had to do. There was something... But he couldn't tear his eyes away from her. Couldn't move. Everything seemed to stand still.

The gun, the thought finally formed in his mind and pushed its way forward in his head, finally managing to get through to his brain and his nerve center. And a second later he finally got out of his paralysis.

Using all the power he had left, he lifted his leg and smashed it against Danny's knee, taking him by surprise and making him fall towards him. With his free hand, he reached for his arm with the gun and got a tight grip around his wrist before the boy had even touched the ground. He quickly twisted it around and with a scream Danny let go off the gun. Another encounter with Jack's knee made him roll around onto his side.

Jack put the gun at the chain of his cuffs and turned his head away before he fired. A second later he was free.

He got up to his feet and looked down at Danny who was lying on his side, groaning with pain. He was still holding that piece of paper in his hand and this time Jack wondered. He bent down and ripped it out of his hand.

It was white and probably from a notepad and he immediately recognized Nina's handwriting. It was an address.

"What were you supposed to do with that?" he asked, putting his foot on the boy's chest.

"Just put it into the briefcase," he answered, his face pale and his eyes wide with panic. Either he had just realized that he had killed someone or he was afraid it was his turn now.

"She said you'll need it."

Jack was stunned.

"What?" he asked. Why should...

"She said you'll need it," Danny repeated quickly but Jack had understood the first time. He just didn't get it.

"What for?" he asked, still keeping his foot on the boy's chest and his gun pointed at his head.

"She didn't say."

"And what were you supposed to do then?"

"Go back to the car and get us out of here."

Jack sneered. "See and I think she told you to get the briefcase and kill me."

"No," Danny hurried to object. "I asked her if we weren't supposed to take the briefcase. I thought that's what the job was about. But she said I shouldn't worry about that and that we would leave it."

Jack stared at him skeptically. He had believed Danny was just lying to save his skin, denying that he had been out to kill him. But why should he be lying about the briefcase. He obviously didn't even know what it contained.

"Get the hell out of here," Jack hissed and gave him a warning look. Then he turned around and walked over to Nina.

She wasn't moving but he kept the gun pointed at her, approaching her cautiously. Her left arm was stretched out to the side, her right one a bit over her head, her hand still holding on to the phone. He couldn't see her face and walked around her.

Her eyes were closed, her face pale and somewhere blood was coming from, pooling around where her temple touched the asphalt. Probably a gash from when she had hit the ground. He had seen the bullets hitting her chest.

He took another step closer and froze.

She was breathing.

Short and sharp breaths but she was breathing. She was out but still alive.

He stepped over her and pointed the gun at her head, feeling his legs tremble and his hands shake. Shoot her! Do it now! Pull the trigger!

He clenched his teeth and took a sharp breath. What was wrong with him? It didn't matter anymore. He had the virus and even if what was in the briefcase was a dummy, he had the address to Amador's hide-out place.

Yeah, and why is that?

He winced. Thinking it didn't matter. Thinking he didn't need her anymore. For nothing. There wasn't even anyone left she could help breaking or interrogating. Amador had been the last to go. Nina was of no use anymore. It was finally over.

Is that so? Then why is she still breathing? Why are you standing here with your hand all shaking and your legs trembling and your finger can't seem to pull that trigger?

He was losing it. He knew it. He was hearing voices, would probably be hallucinating soon. He tried to focus, to keep it together.

She killed your wife! She took the mother from your daughter, destroyed your family and turned your life into hell!

Exactly. So why... He winced. And swore. And put his other hand around the gun, pointing it at her more determined.

She took the one thing from you that counted and everything that has happened to you since then, everything you have become is her fault. And all you want is...

To kill her. That was all he wanted ever since. Wasn't it?

...to hurt her.

He staggered back at the realization and lowered the gun, suddenly just trying to get away from her.

He stumbled, almost fell and stood still then. Staring at her back. Was this true?

Suddenly knowing the answer, he felt too weak to stay on his feet any longer, and he sank to the ground, down on his knees and sat. A few feet away from her. Still staring at her. Not knowing what to do.

So he waited. For the answer to come to him. For time to run out on her and take the decision from him. For CTU to arrive and... He waited.