The Following Takes Place Between 5:00a.m. and 6:00a.m. on the Trial Day of Jack Bauer…

5:00:01

Just as Wang fired his shot, Frank Nixon turned around as fast as he could, just in time to watch his best friend fall to the ground.

"No!" he shouted, as Frank followed him to the ground to avoid being shot himself.

Curtis's body collapsed on the ground, with blood dripping from his back. Before Frank could think anymore, he realized he had to ignore his friend and get himself to safety. The car was just across the parking lot and if he got there before the shooter fired again, he could take cover behind it and call for help. He was only about half way there when the shooter fired again, just missing him to the left. Frank had no time to think about this and continued moving as fast as he could. There was only a few feet left, maybe six or seven. He already had started to sweat and when he finally reached the car and took cover, he was out of breath. After taking his cell phone out, he dialed CTU.

"Edgar Stiles," Edgar answered.

"Edgar, it's Frank. I'm taking cover behind the car. A sniper hit Curtis, I think he's the only shooter. Curtis is down, I think he's still alive."

"We'll send backup."

"No. There's no time for that. Once they get here, I'll be dead!"

"There's a police station about five minutes from your location. We can't get here before that. I'll send someone over there now."

"Thanks." Frank hung up and continued to wait patiently behind the car.

5:03:18

The President sat at a table, finishing his breakfast and reading the days newspaper. Leo Richards approached him and sat down.

"Has Peter sent them yet?" the President asked.

"No. I don't know what's taking him so long. He's usually never late with this stuff."

The President looked up from his meal. "Find out what's up."

"Of course, Mr. President." Leo then got up and walked down the hall where he took out his cell phone and called Peter Bernard.

"Bernard, NSA."

"Peter, it's Leo Richards. The President wanted those reports thirty min-"

"They're on their way Leo."

"What's taking you?"

Bernard didn't answer his question. "Have you convinced the President yet?"

"No Peter! Let it go! He's going and there's nothing you can do about it!"

"Goodbye," was the short answer Peter gave before putting the phone down.

Instead of putting his phone down, Richards dialed another number.

"Nelson, NSA."

"Kevin Nelson? This is Leo Richards, I work for the President."

"What can I do for you Mr. Richards?" Kevin asked.

"I just want you to keep an eye on Bernard."

"My boss? Why is that?"

"I just don't want him to do something he'll regret."

Counter Terrorist Unit

5:05:43

"So they never entered?" Tina Towers asked Edgar as she stood over his computer.

"Right. The sniper fired first. I'm pulling up the satellite now to see if there are more shooters. It doesn't appear that way."

"Who's going to help Frank?"

"LAPD will be there in a couple minutes. Frank's taking cover behind their car. He can't see the shooter, so he doesn't know where to fire back."

"I want Frank to call me as soon as he's safe. I have to talk to him."

"I'll tell him. Will they bring the suspect here?"

"Yes. I'll have someone ready to interrogate him. We will also need a translator in case he doesn't speak English."

"What about Curtis?" Edgar asked.

"What about him?"

"Well, when the paramedics get there, where will they take him?"

Tina almost laughed at how stupid the question was. "To Sea World Edgar. Where do you think?"

"Which hospital? Will we be updated on his condition?"

"Yes." She then walked off, leaving Edgar to worry about Curtis.

5:07:59

Frank Nixon's heart was beating so loudly he almost wasn't able to hear the police cars that stopped a little short of the woods. Since he had taken cover, the sniper had fired three more shots, all hitting the car and narrowly missing him. Unfortunately for Frank, Wang saw the police cars as well, and knew he had to hurry.

"I'll be quick," he whispered to himself as he pulled back on the trigger and fired, hitting the gas tank and creating a huge explosion which knocked Frank to the ground.

Wang then dropped his weapon and began running through the woods with two officer's chasing after him. The chase continued for what seemed like forever as they went around trees and through small bushes, until the police got close enough so one of the officers could fire his weapon. When he did, he hit Wang in the leg and made him fall to the ground in pain. The two police quickly caught up to him and put handcuffs on the suspect to bring him back to Frank. When they got back, they saw Curtis being put onto a stretcher and carried into an ambulance and Frank being treated by another paramedic from the almost deadly explosion that just occurred.

5:10:20

5:14:32

After Peter Bernard had left his office for the bathroom, Kevin Nelson stepped into his office to find out what the suspicious call to the prison in LA was about. Kevin sat in his chair and checked to see if there had been any other suspicious calls. When he saw there were none, he looked at the one to the prison. Because every call going into and coming out of NSA was recorded, Nelson decided to listen to it. Right before he was about to hit the play button, he heard a noise approaching. Kevin was scared to turn around, and when he did, his worst fear was confirmed.

"What are you doing in my office?" Bernard asked.

Kevin needed to think of a lie quickly. "I- I just remembered I left something in here last night. I was going to get it."

"Where is it?"

He then pretended to look for something on Peter's desk. "I guess it's not here."

"What are you really here for?"

"I'm serious!" he insisted.

"Kevin, do you trust me?"

"Yeah. Of course I do."

"Then you will leave quietly, and not speak of this."

Kevin had no problem listening to that, as he then got up and left the room in silence.

5:17:48

The sun was not yet up in the city of Los Angeles, so the tall, thin man who stood outside a small store just outside of the city gave a small shiver from the cool air. His acquaintance had not yet showed up, and he was getting worried. Any second the call would come and he would have to tell his boss that he was alone. The man looked at his watch and saw it was now 5:18a.m., and the payphone to his left rang.

"I'm here."

"Are you alone?" the voice on the other end asked.

"Yeah."

"That's okay. I told him to take care of something. He might be late."

"What happened?"

"He had to take care of a couple of men that may have been intruding."

"You mean he had to kill them?" he asked.

"Yes."

"He should still be here by now. It shouldn't have taken this long."

"You're right," the voice agreed. He is still seven minutes late."

"Do we wait?"

"No. Proceed with plan B. If he shows up, we revert to plan A."

"I will," the man assured him.

"Good."

There was a click, and the conversation had ended. The man walked across the parking lot to his car and opened his trunk to make sure what he needed was in there. After confirming it was, he got into his car and drove off.

5:20:09

Although he would have rather stayed in his cell, Jack Bauer was lying on a comfortable couch in a small room with two guards waiting near the door for permission to take Jack outside.

"Hungry?" one of the guards asked him.

"Shut up," Jack muttered.

The guard just shook his head.

"I know what you're thinking. Why am I so rude? Why is the greatest hero in this countries history such an idiot?"

The guard nodded.

"My country betrayed me. Now I won't do anything for them."

"Why do you think that?"

"Do you want to hear a story? Take a seat."

The guard walked over and sat down next to Jack.

"The day they tried to have me killed I escaped as you already know. When I was dropped off, I attempted to make it to Mexico. I got about halfway there when China caught up with me. How they knew where I was going, to this day I have no clue. They captured me and took me somewhere."

"Then what happened?"

5:22:54

5:26:11

Chief of Staff Bill Reynolds had been coming from Seattle where President Logan had been the day before. Reynolds had planned on staying an extra couple of days in Seattle in his hotel because he was sick, but he knew he had to help the President on a day like this. His plane was flying over northern California and he would be in Los Angeles soon. Just by looking at him you would know he wasn't feeling well. He was sleeping in a chair with tissues in one hand and an empty glass in another.

"Sir, I-" The woman who had entered stopped after noticing he was asleep. Instead of finishing her sentence, she placed a folder on the seat next to him and left the room. The slight disturbance caused Bill Reynolds to move his arms then eventually open his eyes.

"Sue. Sorry. I was just resting. What is this?"

"Intelligence reports from the President. Just to update you so you know what's going on when we land."

"Thanks." He grabbed the folder and began to read.

Sue's ringing cell phone caused her to turn around and leave so she could receive the call in private.

5:28:12

Everyone's head turned as Frank Nixon entered CTU with Wang. Tina Towers quickly approached him. "We're ready in Interrogation Room B, Frank."

"Good. I'll do it," he told her.

"What? Do you think I'm crazy?" she asked him.

"Who were you thinking of?"

"Strickland."

"You think he's better than me?"

Tina hesitated. "Well, you do have the experience, but-"

"That's what it comes down to Tina! I'm better than him, today is an important day, let me do it!" he yelled.

"Fine. We're ready for you."

Just as he began to lead Wang in the right direction, the phone coming from his desk rang.

"CTU Nixon."

"What are you doing?" the yelling woman's voice responded.

"I can't talk about it right now," he told his wife.

"I can't believe this. This is awful! You leave without-"

"I'll call you later and explain."

"If I'm still here."

"Don't do this," he started to say, but she already hung up. "Damnit." He then continued to lead Wang to the Interrogation Room and threw him into a chair when they got inside.

"Believe me it'll be a lot better if we do this the easy way," Frank warned him.

Wang said nothing.

"What were you doing there?" Frank asked.

Wang laughed. "You think I'd tell you?"

"I think you have to."

"I kill your friend and you think I'll just confess everything?"

Frank felt an immediate rush of anger. "He's not dead!" he shouted.

"Whatever."

"You're a real idiot."

Wang didn't respond.

"I'll be back in a minute. Think about what you want to say." Frank left the room, leaving Wang by himself.

5:31:03

5:35:28

"And you believed them?" the guard asked Jack, who was still in the same laying position as before.

"Yes. They helped me realize how no one appreciated what I had done. I save the President twice, I get a thank you. I save the city from a nuclear bomb, and return to work only to become addicted to heroin. I save the country again and get a handshake, then save the world a year later and the country decides to have me killed."

"But you do realize-"

"I knew a man once, many years ago. I worked with him for a while. Many years after I thought he died, I saw him again. I remember what he said and I agree. This country doesn't care."

"You know that's not true."

Jack was about to respond, but the guard's walkie-talkie interrupted him.

"Where are you?"

The guard lifted it from his belt and responded. "With Bauer."

"I need you both to come here now."

"But what about Bauer?"

"It's okay, he won't go anywhere."

"Um… are you crazy?"

"Just do it. That's an order!"

The two guards quickly got up and left, leaving Jack alone in the room.

5:37:57

"What did you find?" Leo Richards asked Kevin Nelson as Richards stood alone in a hallway.

"He made a call about fifty minutes ago to the jail where Jack is. The conversation included a lot of yelling. I tried to listen to the call but he caught me. I think he suspects I'm up to something."

"That's okay," Richards assured him. "Just stay out of his way. I need to make a call now." They both hung up at the same time and Leo Richards began dialing another number.

"Lancaster Prison," a man answered.

"My name is Leo Richards, I work for the President of the United States."

"What can I do for you?"

"I want you to check on Jack Bauer and make sure he has enough security on him. I have reason to believe someone might be aiding him in an escape attempt."

The man who had answered the phone turned his head to the security camera's and looked at the room Jack Bauer was supposed to be in. It was empty.

"Um… I'm going to have to get back to you Mr. Richards," he then hung up the phone and ran out of the room.

5:40:06

Frank re-entered the room and Wang showed no emotion.

"You could either talk to me or talk to the man outside this door, and believe me he isn't as nice as I am."

"Really?"

"I have nothing to torture you with, he does." Frank told him.

When Wang didn't respond, Frank added, "I don't have much time here. What's going on?"

Wang remained silent.

Suddenly, Frank jumped onto the table and grabbed the man by the throat. Wang instantly began to fight him, trying to pry his arms loose, but couldn't. When he began gasping for air, Frank finally let go.

"If you kill me, who will talk?" Wang asked.

"I thought you weren't going to talk anyway."

"We might be able to work a deal out."

Knowing immediately what he meant, the CTU Agent laughed. "Not going to happen. Either you talk now or I assume you never will and kill you."

"I'm not stupid. That's not going to happen."

Without hesitating, Frank flipped the table at Wang, causing him to fall to the ground with the table on top of him. Frank pushed it aside and put his foot down on Wang's throat.

"Blink twice, and I will stop and you will talk. Don't talk and I will kill you."

Wang's eyes remained open as Frank began to press his foot down harder. Finally, just before Wang was about to pass out, he blinked and Frank released him with the suspect holding his neck and in extreme pain.

"Ready?"

Wang got up and put his chair in the right position and sat down, still catching his breath and clutching his neck. Frank didn't like the fact that he didn't respond right away and punched him in the stomach.

"No." Wang said, bleeding from his face. "I won't tell you anything."

This time, Frank was done playing games. He took out his gun and pointed it at him. The criminal's expression did not change until Frank actually fired, hitting him in the shoulder. As Wang screamed in pain, several people rushed into the room, along with Tina Towers.

"Frank, what the hell are you doing?" she screamed.

Frank didn't lower his gun. "I will kill you this time. What is going to happen?"

This time, Wang broke his silence. "Something far worse than you could ever imagine."

Frank looked at Tina. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Wang smiled. "Ask Bauer."

5:44:41

5:49:52

Jack Bauer was now outside the prison, only a few feet from the barbed-wire fence that surrounded it. For some reason, the guards had left him alone, giving him time to escape. Jack had been thinking about how to get out for a few minutes now, and decided on the one sure way. A truck sat near the gate, sure to be on its way out any minute. The driver had temporarily abandoned the vehicle and this gave Jack the opportunity he needed to sneak in. The guards guarding the gate were directly in front of the truck, so if he opened the back door, no one would notice. He opened it just a little, and sneaked into the empty back area and closed the door. Jack smiled to himself. He had escaped and wouldn't have to go to the trial. He had to forget about his happiness for a minute however, when he heard the front door open and the driver return, making Jack duck down behind the front seat. The driver turned the radio on and before long they were away from the prison. Jack continued to smile as they continued down the road and once a safe distance away, he decided to make his move. He put his hand in his pocket and took out the gun he had stolen from a guard who was watching one of the exits to the building. Jack looked at it for a moment, then jumped up and jammed it into the driver's head.

"What the hell?" The driver screamed.

"We're going to take a little detour," Jack whispered to him.

"Where?"

"Ever been to Bakersfield?"

"Yes."

"Good, so you can get us there. Drive."

The driver quickly agreed and turned the car around and began driving toward Bakersfield.

5:53:21

The tall man was still in his car, still driving. Now, he was talking on his cell phone to the man from before.

"I'm about to make the call now," he said.

"Good," the voice replied.

"I'll tell you when it's done." The man then hung up and made his next call.

"Hello?" Answered a female voice.

"I just got off the phone with him. Wang never turned up, so we're going with Plan B. Do it now."

"I will." The girl hung up and the man grinned, knowing he was about to make more money then he could ever imagine. Now, all that was left was to go home and to have success confirmed.

5:55:17

President Logan was speaking with two men in black suits when Leo Richards approached him.

"Mr. President, I need to speak with you immediately."

President Logan nodded at the two men and they left quickly, leaving Logan alone with Richards.

"What is it Leo?"

"Sir, Jack Bauer just escaped from prison."

The Presidents expression suddenly changed to one of disappointment. "How?"

"The two guards watching him were ordered to leave him alone sir."

"What? That is absurd! How did that happen?"

"I think Peter Bernard had something to do with it. He made a call to the prison a little over an hour ago. You know what he thought about the possibility of Jack dying today."

"Well, he has to be arrested. This is inexcusable."

"There's no proof, sir. But I'm working on it."

"Working on it? How?"

"Do you know Kevin Nelson?"

"Yes."

"He can get proof, but I told him to stay out of his way for now. Bernard suspects he's up to something."

"Well, tell him it's urgent now that Bauer's escaped. Make him find a way to distract Bernard so he can get the proof."

"Yes sir." Leo Richards then turned around and walked away, ready to fulfill the President's requests.

5:58:33

Bill Reynolds had once again fallen asleep on the airplane, knowing his attempt to look at the folder he was just given had failed miserably. For the second time that day, the woman named Sue entered the room woke him up.

"You wanted some water sir."

"Oh… yes of course," he said as he opened his eyes and sat straight up as if to try and hide the fact he was sleeping. "Thank you." He took it and began drinking as Sue smiled at him.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No," she said quickly and looked away at something else.

Jack Bauer still had his gun pointed at the driver, to make sure he wouldn't try anything stupid. Jack knew that in a little while, he would be a free man.

Peter Bernard sat in his chair, doing nothing. His feet were up on his desk, and he took a sip of his water as he continued to relax.

The expression on Li Wang's face couldn't be identified as a happy or sad one. He just sat in the small room, staring across the table at Frank, who was trying to get as much out of the criminal as he could.

"Thanks, this is great," Reynolds said, feeling somewhat more alert. He took a few more sips, then finished the glass, which was only about halfway filled to begin with.

"Would you like some more?" she asked.

"Yes, thank-" Reynolds stopped speaking. He suddenly felt a terrible pain in his stomach. "Ah!" He screamed. Sue quickly rushed over to him as the pain began to get worse, but instead of helping him, she picked up the pillow that was next to the Chief of Staff and began to hold it over his mouth to smother his screams. Reynolds began fighting instantly, but as he kicked at her, the pain only increased and soon it was so unbearable, he finally fell unconscious and stopped fighting. Sue kept the pillow over him for a little while longer just to make sure, then took it off. She looked down at him and felt his pulse. When she no longer felt one, she hid her smile, and yelled, "Someone come quick!" and saw two people run in to see the dead Chief of Staff, lying dead in his seat.

6:00:00