Chapter 12

He felt something soft beneath him. He recognized the smell; it was Isabelle's perfume mixed with baby powder: Daniel. Someone was gently kissing his face. He couldn't help but smile. He started to open his eyes. Her deep blue ones were staring into his hazel ones. Her face was red from crying and immediately he felt anger. Who had made her cry? They would pay! Suddenly, the memories all came back. The abduction, the torture, Daniel…Where was Daniel! He rushed to stand up but she gently held him down.

"Shshshs… Don't move." She ordered him.

"But Daniel. Where is he?" he asked, fear evident in his voice.

"He's ok. Just relax. You need to relax, honey."

Jack repositioned himself and looked around. Where were they? There was a crib in the room. Sure enough, he could see his son's sleeping form. He felt pain but it was a detached feeling. He remembered the plane. The drug must still be working.

"Where are we?"

"L.A. My old home."

"Do you think…?"

"I'm not sure," she replied "I didn't see anyone following us and they didn't seem to be in any hurry."

"Oh. Your father?"

"Here, I think. They said they'd come to get us later." He sensed worry in her voice. Evidently, they would come get them to kill Jack. She knew her father loved her and knew he was letting her say goodbye. Cruel and kind all at the same time: that was the definition of her father.

She gently got out from holding Jack and picked up Danny. She watched him sleep for a moment and gave him to Jack. Jack took his child in his arms and reveled at its angelic face.

"I'm not giving up." He said with determination in his voice.

"I know." She replied. She was trying not to cry. They heard people coming up the stairs. Jack's determination became stronger. He would not give up. They would not kill him.

"They're coming!" she whispered with fear in her voice.

Jack looked down once more at the sleeping infant and kissed him on the forehead. He looked at his wife and whispered:

"I love you." He gave her the infant and held her in her arms. He kissed her. He hoped this would not be the last time he kissed and held his family.

The door opened and a small group of men entered the room. They immediately grabbed Jack and started to drag Jack away. He looked one last time at his little family and mouthed 'I love you' one last time to his crying wife.

Meanwhile…

"Do we have a location?" Tony asked into his phone.

"Yes, we are setting a perimeter as we speak sir."

"Good. When all is safe, send in one team to rescue Bauer and one to rescue the family. Minimal casualties."

"Yes sir."