"You're in a good mood," Kim laughed seeing the grin on Jacks face as he tossed his keys on the side and began to rummage through the fridge.
Jack turned the smile getting bigger as he pulled out a ready made sandwich she had covered up for him.
"Thanks," he said beginning to unwrap it.
"Hey," she said laughing as she stole it from him moving away with a stern look on her face. "You don't get this until you tell me where you were last night. I had dinner waiting for you… stood up by my own father!" She mocked slapping him on the arm.
It was only then when she saw the bandage wrapped on his hand, this time the frown was for real.
"Did this happen at work?" She was immediately worried and Jack felt guilty.
"No. I got into a bit of an argument with Mark last night and the police arrested me. Sorry I missed the dinner sweetie," he said softly snatching the sandwich back with a playful smile on his face, as though his excuse was nothing important.
"You did what!" She was more stunned than surprised, this had been coming for a long time. She laughed as he shrugged at her innocently and decided to leave it; at least this hadn't happened at work. Since the 'interrogation' she constantly worried about the threat of violence which surrounded him at CTU.
"So come on hot shot why so happy? If its because you beat Mark up I'll call Carol and boy will you know about it," she snickered, curious; hoping he would confide in her.
"Nothing much," he said carefully, "things seem to be going our way on a case at work. You know how often that happens, we are all a bit excited about bringing it down." He chomped on the food again before beginning to speak.
"Dad! Eat then talk you pig!" he laughed heading for her room.
"I never called my father a pig," he called after her before coughing on the food.
Kim turned around and burst out laughing at his words, it was an ongoing joke between them. Jack watched her leave the room as a sad smile suddenly settled on his face, it was nice to see her so happy and relaxed around him again. After everything he had done he was grateful his daughter had given him a second chance; and that things were as good as ever between them.
The blaring noise blurted through the silence and Jack shot up in bed, still half asleep he almost fell out of bed as he patted the bedside table until he found his cell. He looked at the screen and saw nothing but blur, when he squinted he could make out the name 'CHASE.'
He answered the call and growled as he let his head drop down on his pillow.
"Jack?" Chases voice came down the line, enthusiastic and wide awake.
"What time is it Chase?" He mumbled his words, trying to decided if he should wake up or end the call and throw his cell out of the window.
"Its 3 AM, why?"
"Don't you sleep kid?"
Chase laughed. "No way I've been with Morgan in the coffee place. Its open 24 hours and I wasn't leaving until they showed up. Adam Tore just turned up right on schedule, he's sat sipping on a drink with Neilson right now."
"At this time?" He was instantly curious as he tried to sit up, hoping to be able to focus more. "I don't remember reading a specific time in the file."
"Well the kid who works the till through the late shift was able to tell us how sometimes come in early, if he isn't in through the afternoon. He could remember so clearly as its always quiet at this time, they don't get many people at all."
"I wonder why that is," he whipped.
"What?" Chase was confused, Jacks voice was too deep to make out.
"Nothing. Look, keep him on point Chase, if they leave I want you to go for Tore. We can afford to leave Nielson, he keeps popping up everywhere."
"Okay. What are you doing?"
"You called Bakers team yet?" He sighed, his bed was warm and he really didn't want to get out.
"Yeah they're 10 minutes out."
"Damn it… I want you to stand down until I get there, strictly surveillance. We'll see how they play out when I'm there and I'll lead the strike if necessary."
"Okay but hurry Jack I'm getting restless." He was about to snap when he herd the eager man laugh down the line.
"Sure," he grumbled before snapping the phone shut and pulling the covers up over his head as he moaned in annoyance again.