Sarah watched him sleep for a while before checking on his hand again; wishing she could x-ray him now to check the progress, rather than having to wait until his next scheduled journey to the hospital. She didn't mind too much though, she had seen how tense and fearful had had been there first hand, and from the small snippets of information she was gathering together she could understand why.
There was a ring on the door, Kim jumped when she saw who it was. Heller had followed her and invited David in, seeing the surprised look on her face. David acknowledged Jim's presence but seemed more concerned with greeting Kim.
"Kim, how are you? I'm very sorry that we have to meet again in similar circumstances."
Kim smiled embarrassed, "I'm okay, thank you," she nodded, moving into the house. She watched as the two men shook hands and almost laughed at the scene, here she was inviting the former President and the Secretary of Defence into her home. It all seemed surreal at times, but then she herd Sarah's soothing voice from down the hallway and reality was brought back to her, along with the two men who followed her into the sitting area.
"Sir when we talked I didn't expect you to come so soon. I'm sorry for not making myself clear, but Jack is still in no condition to speak to either of us yet."
David nodded gravely. "Have you talked to him?" He asked Kim, taking her off guard.
"Yes. Well, a little. He's still not conscious for very long, and when he is, Sarah needs to question him so…"
"That's okay, I didn't expect to speak to him so soon. I understand this is going to be hard for him," he said sadly, clearly hurt by the situation.
"Sir I am hopeful that our presence can help him deal with any… feelings he may have as a result of the confession."
David nodded knowing Jim had been in a similar situation; he hoped he would be able to help him through this.
"No offence sir but, what's going to happen to you/" Kim blurted; she knew her fathers reaction to what he had done would be better or worse depending on the ultimate consequence Palmer faced.
"Nothing as of yet, and it's David," he laughed; putting her at ease. "The government is working on clearing me; because of my status and history the Chinese themselves can't touch me. At the same time we have analysts discrediting the confession."
"How?" Kim asked, wanting to know all the details. "I mean, there's mine and my fathers word, of course we would take it back now free, that's obvious isn't it?"
Heller intervened. "The tape recording illustrates clear strain as Jack spoke. The signature shows force, we've done a handwriting analysis's to compare your fathers signature here to previous ones. On top of that; his medical state shows Jack didn't do this willingly. They don't have a leg to stand on. But to make sure there's no back lash on your father or David, we are pushing them so they can't push us. Were going to investigate the treatment Jack was given while held as a prisoner. We are confident that once we start rolling the ball they will decide they no longer want to play."
"So, ultimately-"
"Ultimately," Palmer cut in, "they can't touch us." He paused. "But I will not forgive myself for not realising this earlier; your father has suffered a great deal… It sickens me to learn that this could have all been prevented before it even started."
The room went silent as each person mulled over there own guilt, the role they had played in Jacks torture. Sarah knocked on the door frame before entering, clearly unimpressed but trying to show respect to the people in the room. She was comfortable about James, her father had been a good friend of his for years. But Palmer? She put on her 'doctor' front, deciding that she had to treat the two men like any other members of a patients family.
"I hate to be so rude but I have to ask you to lower your voices or leave."
"What?" Heller blurted as Palmer stood up.
"He woke up aggravated when you were debriefing Kim," she said calmly. "He settled once it was over but since your entrance sir," she said to Palmer keeping he face straight, "Jacks clearly distressed. Your voices are triggering dreams, and it is not helping his recovery."
"I am very sorry for the inconvenience," Palmer said quietly, "I wanted to see Jack but he is clearly in no state. James perhaps we should leave?"
Heller nodded grabbing his suit jacket, before giving Kim a pat on the arm. Sarah watched as David Palmer did the same, before asking permission to call her for updates on Jacks condition. Sarah watched slightly surprised as Kim bade goodbye as one would to two old friends. Closing the door she yawned exhausted. She saw the awestruck smile on Sarah's face and simply shrugged, it was still weird for her too.