The following takes place between 11 p.m. and 12 a.m.

11:00:01 --- 11:00:02 --- 11:00:03 --- 11:00:04

CTU gangway

"I can find a replacement and I think it might be a good idea." George mentally begins running through replacements. "Jennie might be available today. Jack, give me your honest opinion, do you think she's on the up and up?"

Jack reflects on it for a few seconds. Jennie, he doesn't know her too well, but she's good at what she does. And as for trusting her... Well, they'd just have to take that chance.

"Bring her in. Have her monitor Catherine's actions, every click, every phonecall, every move. We need hard evidence if we're gonna bring her down. If she's clean, it could do more damage than help. George, we can't afford to be wrong about this. I already took her off the projects list, have her run back-ups or something. Keep her away from sensitive information."

Hospital / CTU

Lisa pulls out her cell after checking the bathroom stalls for people then dials Jack. Jack moves a few steps away from George to take the call.

"Hey, it's me. We're in a holding pattern here, Michael's waiting for Michelle to give him info on an address. How are you holding up?"

"Hey... I'm fine. We've got a new lead, I might have to go out in the field soon and you probably won't be able to reach me."

Jack glances to George, who is at a safe distance. Suddenly, Jack has this fear, this strange feeling that Lisa might need him tonight and he won't be able to protect her. Thoughts of Teri come back to him. He hadn't been there for her either. He lowers his voice.

"Lisa, when you check out that address, be very careful. I couldn't forgive myself if something happened... to either you or Kim. It would be my fault, I brought you into this."

CTU gangway

George makes the call to Jennie, bringing her up on the situation - well, a summary - and what he might need her to do. "Be here in 15 minutes." He knew Catherine wouldn't like this. At all.

main office

Michelle's voice echoes throughout the building. Tony is immediately by her side. "What is it? What's wrong!"

Michelle is panic-stricken. "It's Michael. The line disconnected. I think something happened to him." She tries Lisa's phone. Busy. "Great." The only person close to the location and she's chatting. "Tony, pull up the security footage from the hospital, see if you can locate Michael. I'm going to look for Jack."

Tony accesses the Canyon Hospital's security footage and begins scrolling fast. He watches Lisa and Michael talk and then Michael walk away, towards an exit. It's possible he just lost his cell signal...

Hospital

"I'll be fine," Lisa promises Jack, "But I can't trust anyone else to get messages to you. We're getting close now and Kim'll want to talk to you when we get her. Try to be available, Jack."

She sighs then steps from the bathroom. "I don't want to lose contact with you. Not now."

Michael still isn't back. "What's taking Michelle so long?" Suddenly... it hits her that the hall seems deserted. "Jack? See if Michelle has that address. I'm heading for the car, without Michael. Something's wrong."

Jack understands the distress in her voice immediately. "Get out of there, Lisa. I'll get you the address. GO!"

With the phone still to his ear, Jack goes swiftly past George, who is also talking to someone on the phone, and over to the main office. Michelle runs up to him as soon as she spots him.

"Jack! I was just on the phone with Michael and we got cut off. I think something's up."

"I know, I'm on the phone with Lisa now. Are you checking the security footage?"

"Tony's on it."

"Good. Lisa, we're already working on the situation, I'll send out a team to look for Michael, I want you to get out of there now. Michelle, did you find the address of that woman who was with Kim earlier?"

"I was just about to give it to Michael when it happened. 24, Virginia Avenue, Santa Monica."

"Lisa, did you get that?"

"Got it," Lisa scrambles to get her ID from her pocket to show the guard at the front exit before he'll let her leave. "I don't see Michael anywhere and the car is still where I parked it next to the curb." As she enters the car, Lisa takes one more quick look around. Her heart is pounding but she steps on the gas and makes her way to the main road leading to Santa Monica. "I'll call you back..." she hopes.

CTU

"I've got Michael exiting the main floor to a stairwell after talking to a doctor. There are no cameras in the stairwells but he never exited on another floor and he didn't come back the way he came in so he's here," Tony points to the still of the ER stairwell door. "Unless he vanished into thin air." He shoots a glance towards Michelle and Jack.

Andre decides to make his announcement at this point in time. "Uh... radio traffic from Miramar Naval Air Station recorded trespassers landing within the compound earlier."

"What do you mean landing?" Tony asks quickly.

"Apparently they were wearing parachuting gear."

Car outside hospital

Bill is driving down a small road in the woods. John, is in the back seat, gun in hand, Michael is seated next to him, apparently unconscious. "That's far enough." John says when the car is sufficiently hidden from view. He slaps Michael across the face to wake him up. "Get out of the car slowly."

Michael eyes him but doesn't move a muscle. "GET OUT I SAID!", John says, pointing his gun at Michael.

"You won't shoot me, you need something."

"Don't try me." He pulls back the slide, rests the barrel on Michael's forehead and stares at Michael's face.

"Fine." Michael opens the car door and complies. "What now?"

"Now we call your boss."

"John, the tracker. I have a signal."

"Good, we won't be long." John hands the phone to Michael while placing the tip of the gun to the back of his head. "Dial George Mason."

Michael takes the phone and does as told. Slowly. Trying to think a way out of this. Nothing. His mind is blank. He's never been this scared before. But he's trying to play it cool. "It's ringing."

"Thank you." John takes the phone and when George picks up, he speaks.

"Mr. Mason. Listen very carefully. We've got a collegue of yours here and we want you to do something for us. Take Jack Bauer off the case immediately. Otherwise, you lose a very capable subordinate. I'm sure you'll want proof we've got him, so here it is."

He puts Michael on the phone. "Tell your boss what I am doing."

Silence.

"Tell him!"

Michael relents."Holding a gun to my head."

"That's right. And where is my finger?"

"On the trigger."

"Thank you. Now, Mr. Mason, I expect you will make the right decision."

"And exactly what are you expecting?" George begins to choose his words carefully but knows what he must do, "I don't negotiate with terrorists and won't be bound by any demands you intend to make."

John rolls his eyes. "Oh I know you don't. But I'm offering you a deal. I already told you what we want. Send Bauer home and we might keep our hands off Kim. If he continues to meddle with our affairs, he'll get her back in the mail. Do you understand me?"

Michael can't take this anymore. For what it's worth... "George don't do it! They don't..." John knocks him unconscious with the gun.

"He's still alive. For now. I truly hope you make the right choice here, see I don't really feel like cleaning brain mass off my clothes. You have five minutes. I'll call back."

John hangs up. He and Bill load Michael into the trunk of the car and John checks his watch. Four minutes to go.

CTU

He can't deal with this. Not now, not again. George can't lose a good agent and he really can't afford to lose Jack but... Jack sure as hell doesn't want to lose his daughter.

George steps from the office where he just received the call. He takes a deep breath. "Jack, I've been thinking... you've done a great job. Lisa's got things under control with Kim, Tony and Michelle are working up the Codis lead. Let us take it from here. Go home." He takes him by the arm and begins pulling him towards the door.

"George, what are you doing?" Tony starts to follow.

"That was Division. They're on to us and have threatened to take him in if he's not out of the building in five minutes." George is still walking with Jack, "I'm not going to let that happen. And things ARE under control."

Somewhere on the road / CTU

A man pulls up beside Kim. "Hey, you look lost. Need a ride?"

Kim is immediately startled and steps to the side but looks over the car and the man. "Actually... do you have a phone I could borrow?"

This girl looks like she really needs help. "Yeah, sure." He reaches for a bag on the passenger's seat and gives a phone to Kim. "Here. Call whoever you need to call. My firm is paying for the calls. Executive perks, you know.", he chuckles.

"Thanks! I really appreciate it!" Kim immediately dials CTU but doesn't recognize the voice on the other end. "Hi, can I speak to Jack Bauer? It's an emergency. Please, this is his daughter."

Catherine had picked up the phone. She glances around before she replies. "Uhm.. He doesn't seem to be here. I think he's out in the field. Do you want me to take a message?" Then she realizes who she is talking to and that her last question was pretty stupid. Oh well... She gets up and walks into a hallway, then speaks as softly as she can. "Where are you? We'll send someone to pick you up."

the woods

The car is already in motion again. John, now in the front seat, is looking at a receiver, tracking the device he slipped into Lisa's pocket earlier.

"Looks like she's headed North. Hopefully she'll bring us directly to Kim." He glances at his watch and decides to give George a little more time.

With some luck, Jack will be gone soon.

CTU

Jack frees himself from George's grip and stops walking.

"George, why are you doing this? You've got an illegal chute jump over a military compound, it's very likely Codis' daughter was involved, you have no idea what they're up to and you know I'm the best you've got to lead the mission. You wouldn't be half this far if it wasn't for me. Why would Hammond call just now to take me off the case?"

"Look, I don't know, okay? But what Hammond says goes, and I do what Hammond says, whether I like it or not. It's still my job." George again grabs for Jack, knowing full well his time is running out. "We've got to go now. You think you're going to do Kim any good being in cuffs?"

Jack keeps walking this time. "George, for God's sake, forget about the chain of command for one moment. Lisa is on her way to Kim, we're closing in on Karen Codis, we'll get to the Petrovs soon."

He looks back, Tony is still following but saying nothing. They're near the exit now.

"Look, George, give me till the end of the day. Let me finish what we started here. If Hammond still wants to arrest me after that, fine. But right now, I need to be here."

Street /CTU

Kim begins screaming into the phone, "NO! NO! Don't send anyone to get me! I want to talk to my dad! If he's not there, let me talk to Tony Almeida! LET ME TALK TO SOMEONE! LET ME TALK!" She can't take this ever again.

Catherine knows full well that she could get Michelle to talk to Kim, but she hates Jack. He's going to convince George to fire her, that's for sure. So she decides not to help him. She muted the phone so that Kim's shouting wouldn't be heard. When Kim is quiet again, she speaks.

"Tony isn't here either. Listen, we're kinda in an emergency right now, so if you won't tell me where you are, I really need to get back to work."

The guy in the car is sitting there, listening. This girl seems to be losing it. She must have been through a lot today...

"LISTEN!" Kim has had enough of this woman, "I told you who I am. My name is Kim Bauer, I've been kidnapped, I need to speak to my father or Tony Almeida or someone besides you! NOW PUT ME ON!"

"Catherine, what's going on?" Michelle is behind her. "Who's on the phone?"

"No one."

"You're lying. Give me the handset."

Catherine rolls her eyes and sighs. "Whatever... Look, it's Kim Bauer. She claims to-"

"Kim? Give me that!", Michelle doesn't wait for Catherine to finish her story. She grabs the handset. "Kim? This is Michelle Dessler. I work with your father. Where are you?"

Catherine, once again, rolls her eyes and leaves.

CTU

Tony listens to Jack's reasoning but knows George isn't going to budge. He can see there are greater forces at work. "Hey, Jack... why don't you go? I can keep you up-to-date by phone and maybe you can contact some law enforcement sources at the Canyon?"

George agrees and urges Jack forward, "Do that. Try to get information in your own way. Just don't come back." He shoves Jack outside and slams the door. He glares at two guards, "Keep it locked, keep Bauer out. Tony, get back to work."

"GEORGE! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! GEORGE!" Jack is shouting outside the building. It's pointless, George and Tony are walking away. "DAMMIT!" Jack slams his fist against the wall.

The guards won't let him back in, that much is clear. "Dammit, what am I gonna do?" He sighs and runs his hands through his hair, then rubs his eyes as he allows his heart rate to slow down to a normal pace again. "What am I gonna do?"...

Street

Kim audibly breathes a sigh of relief. Thank goodness someone with brain capacity has taken over. "I'm...I'm..." she looks around for any landmarks, "Off the main road to Pasadena, the 210." The guy in the car nods. "I'm okay but really just need someone to pick me up. There's a grocery store back about two blocks. I can go there and wait. Michelle?" She's fighting back tears, "Tell my dad I'm okay."

CTU

"You could have explained to Hammond.", Tony remarks neutrally as he walks back towards the office with George.

George glares at Tony, albeit briefly. "I don't think so. Where's Catherine!" He yells at no one in particular and no one seems to notice.

"Jack's given us our best leads today.", Tony won't let go.

"And I'm still in charge and Hammond's in charge so that's it. End of discussion!" George heads for his office. There has to be a way to get reconnected with these people who are threatening Michael.

Tony takes a look at Andre's work. Then notices Michelle seems to be heavily engaged in some business of her own. Taking note, he listens closely as he nears her position. "Important?" He mouths.

Michelle nods to Tony as she answers to Kim. "I will." to Tony: "It's Kim. Call Lisa."

Then she continues talking to Kim. "Kim, there is an agent out looking for you. Her name is Lisa Elliott, she's with CTU Sacramento. We'll send her to pick you up, okay? Go to that grocery store and wait there. She'll find you. Everything's going to be fine."

CTU bathroom

Catherine walks to the bathroom and after checking the cubicles, takes out a cell phone and dials a number. She waits.

"Yes?"

"It's Catherine. Kim just called. They'll be sending out a team to get her. Bauer is gone."

Nearing the 210

Lisa is fighting traffic trying to enter the freeway. She always loved LA but hated this part, the only drawback of the city, especially now. What if Kim isn't in Santa Monica? The question reverberates through her brain. It's possible the woman didn't take her there. Kim could have asked to go home, they could be going to any number of locations - maybe even CTU. And Michael. Poor Michael. She was so mean to him. Lisa lets her head fall against the headrest, momentarily giving into the stress of the day. So much had happened in so little time.

She picks up her cell to call Jack then puts it down again. What would she say? There wasn't anything new. They were all just waiting.

outside of CTU

This went down too quickly. George doesn't usually react to Hammond's orders this fast. Jack starts walking to the garage. At least make it look like you're leaving , he's thinking to himself.

This time, Jack walks, not drives, past Dave, who's obviously on the same long shift as the rest of the staff. "Hey, Jack."

"Hi Dave."

"Leaving?"

"Yeah. Nothing left for me to do here. See you 'round."

Jack finds his SUV and climbs inside but doesn't start the engine. No way he's leaving. Not now that things are beginning to make sense. Maybe...

Jack pulls out his cell and looks up a number. He reflects on it for a second or two, then dials it.

"Operator."

"This is Federal Agent Jack Bauer, 4393 CTU. I need to speak to the President."

"The President isn't available right now."

"Then find him. This is a matter of national security, it is urgent, I need to speak to him now."

"I'll see what I can do sir. Hold on."

"Thank you."

CTU

Tony scrambles to get Lisa's cell number and dials, "Lisa, Michelle's got Kim on the phone."

"What!" Lisa's so startled she has to pull over to the side of the freeway she has just managed to get onto. "Where? Tell me where."

He pulls up a transcript of Michelle's conversation and finds Kim's location. "Okay, she's near the 210 going to Pasadena and will be waiting in a grocery store."

"A grocery store near the 210...Okay, that must be the Home Food Market. I'm two miles away." Lisa hangs up without another word. She wants the line open for any further information.

Store

Kim browses the aisles as she waits for Lisa. She almost feels giddy with excitement as she passes the other customers. She's going home!

CTU

Michelle turns to Tony when she ends her call. "Tony. Don't tell Jack about this yet. Not until Kim is safe." She glances around but is puzzled when she doesn't see Jack. "Where is he?"

"Uh, we had a bit of a situation." The timing is peculiar. A little too peculiar. "George claims Hammond called and wanted Jack tossed out before he got down here." Tony glances up at George's office, "Hammond hasn't shown. But now we find out Kim is safe? Come on. Something's not right."

"It is strange... Let's just keep an eye on George, okay?" Michelle is puzzled. Just who was there who could be trusted these days? But now they have a problem. "Tony, the teams are ready to go out to Miramar. Jack was supposed to lead the mission, who's going to do it now? Is it even going to happen?"

Outside CTU main office

Catherine bumps into Jennie. "What the hell are you doing here? This is not your shift."

Jennie smirks at Catherine, "Seems someone can't do her job alone. The boss called me in and it's amazing he didn't sooner. You've always been lazy, Cathy. It was just a matter of time til someone noticed." She flips her hair and curtly turns away to head for her desk.

"Bitch!" Catherine calls after Jennie as she watches her make her way to the desk. Things are getting complicated. She goes to the bathroom to make another call.

Store

Lisa comes upon the store quickly after pulling off the freeway. Very few people remain as she parks and enters. A blonde girl is strolling in the corner. "Kim?"

"Are you...?" Kim stays put until she can verify identity.

Lisa pulls out her badge, "Lisa Elliott, a friend of your dad's. You're safe now," she smiles warmly and puts her arm around Kim's shoulders. "Let's get you home."

CTU garage

Jack is sitting in the car, impatiently drumming his fingertips on the steering wheel. Just what is taking so long?

11:59:57 --- 11:59:58 --- 11:59:59 --- 00:00:00