A/N: Ok here's chapter 3, just a side note, I'm a big country music fan so I thought I'd include a song in here, the song is property of Tim McGraw and associates, not me. Enjoy!

Chapter 3

During the ride to the hospital, Jack and Audrey spent the time catching up. They talked about everything and anything: the weather, sports, Audrey's job, and Jack's life while he was 'dead'. During their conversation, Audrey decided to flip on the radio and switched to the station she remembered she had liked while visiting in LA. She couldn't help but smile when she heard one of her favorite songs, Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying", starting to play.

Jack groaned when he saw what station she had put on, "See now, I was hoping that you had gotten over your country music thing during the past year and a half," he said with a sigh.

Audrey's only response to his complaint was a very smug grin. She couldn't resist teasing him, besides he was cute when he pouted.

"Come on, do we have to listen to this," he began to whine.

"Yes, and what is so bad about country music?" she asked matter-of-factly.

"Well, for starters', it's very twangy, has nothing but banjos in it, and all they sing about is losing their wives to tractors," he answered, expressing his dislike at her choice of music style.

"That is so not true, country music songs are filled with deep emotion and feeling. That's more than I can say for some styles of music out there. Plus it's fun to listen to, sounds good and makes you feel good." she said in disbelief at his response and began to sing along to the chorus.

"I went sky diving

I went rocky-mountain climbing,

I went two-point-seven seconds on Bull named Fumanchu,

and I loved deeper, and I spoke sweeter,

and I gave forgiveness I've been denying,

and he said someday I hope you get the chance

to live like you were dying."

Jack just smiled at her. He had to admit, as much as he was not, in any way, a country music fan, he did enjoy hearing Audrey sing. She was so beautiful and he loved seeing her this happy after all that she had been through the previous day.

"Fine you win, we'll listen to what you want," he eventually conceded.

"Thank you," she said with a grin on her face, "besides, if you listen to it enough, it'll grow on you."

"Somehow I doubt that," he replied.

"Yeah, you just wait and see."

As much as Jack hated when she won, he liked it when she got all defensive on him; it was cute. Twenty minutes later, Jack pulled into the parking lot of the hospital and went around to the passenger side of the jeep and opened the door for Audrey. Walking into the hospital lobby, Jack draped his arm around her shoulder, while she wrapped hers around his waist. They walked up to the main desk where a receptionist greeted them.

"Good afternoon, can I help you?" she politely asked.

"Yes, could you please tell me the room number of a James Heller?" Audrey inquired.

"I'm sorry but Mr. Heller's room is restricted to medical personnel and family only. Are you related?"

"Yes, I'm his daughter Audrey Raines."

"Oh yes Miss Raines, your father said he was expecting you in the near future. His room is number 308. Just take the elevator up to the third floor and his room is at the end of the hall," the receptionist responded.

"Thank You."

Jack and Audrey boarded the elevator, headed up to the third floor, and proceeded to the Secretary's room, where they found two secret service agents standing outside. Audrey recognized them as two of her father's most trusted bodyguards.

"Miss Raines, Agent Bauer," greeted one of the agents.

"Agent Roberts, Agent Stevenson," she replied in response.

Just as Audrey was about to knock, Jack stopped her and asked, "Why don't you go in by yourself first and I'll come in when you're ready, ok?"

"Thanks," she responded, giving him a kiss on the cheek, before knocking and hearing her father's voice, telling her to come in.

Audrey walked into the room and saw here father lying in a hotel bed, watching the news on TV.

"Dad," she said with a smile, going to give him a hug, which he heartily returned. "I'm so glad you're alright."

"Thanks Audie. How are you doing?" he asked, wondering how she and Jack were getting along after all that had happened of the course of their relationship.

"Great Dad. My arm's feeling much better."

"You know that's not what I meant Audrey," he said, looking her in the eye and waiting for an honest answer.

"If you talking about me and Jack, we're also fine. We talked it over and decided to give our relationship another try. It's what we both want," she explained, hoping that her father would approve, knowing that he wasn't too thrilled when he first found out about their relationship.

"Are you sure that's what you really want, Audie?"

"Yes Dad. I love Jack and I want to try and make this work."

"Alright, sweetheart, I just want to make sure you're happy," he explained.

"I am Dad. Now, Jack's outside, he wanted to give us some time alone. Should I call him in? I know he wanted to see you," she asked.

"Sure."

Audrey walked back over to the door and told Jack that he should come in to see her father. Jack walked in and greeted his former boss, "Mr. Secretary, I'm glad to see you're alright sir."

"Thanks Jack. How are you doing?"

"Good sir," he answered as he glanced over at Audrey and smiled, "very good."

Audrey stood beside him and leaned down to take his hand in hers. At this, her father addressed Jack on the subject of their relationship.

"Jack, Audrey tells me you two have decided to get back together."

"Yes sir. We talked about it and decided to give it another try," he responded, hoping not to upset the Secretary, knowing full well he wasn't happy that they had hidden their relationship from him before.

"Well, if it's what you both want I guess I'm alright with it, but I want you're word that you will take care of her, Jack."

"You know I will sir," he said. Jack had every intention of keeping his word by taking care of Audrey and making her happy.

"Thank you Jack. By the way, has the President decided what to do about the situation with the Chinese?" asked Heller, curious as to whether or not Jack would be able to stay with Audrey and keep his promise.

With an exasperated sigh Jack replied, "No sir, my debriefing is tomorrow morning. President Gardner will let me know then what he decides to do."

"You know I'll put in a good word for you, Jack," hoping to give him the best chance of having the life he wanted and deserved.

"Thank you sir, I'd appreciate that," replied Jack.

"Well, I don't want to keep the two of you, if you have plans."

"We were just going to go grab dinner somewhere," explained Audrey, "we both haven't eaten in a while."

"I can imagine," replied her father with a smile.

"I'll call you later and try and stop by in the next few days," said Audrey, walking over to her father and hugging him goodbye.

"Alright sweetheart, I love you."

"I love you too, Dad," she replied.

Turning to address Jack, Heller said, "It's good to see you again, Jack, and thank you for coming."

"It was good to see you too, sir," said Jack with a smile as he shook the Secretary's hand.

"Bye, Dad," said Audrey as she waved with her free hand, and held Jack's in the other. They left the room and headed towards the hospital parking lot, discussing where to go for dinner, on their way.

"There's a sports bar and grille about ten minutes from here isn't there?" inquired Audrey, remembering a restaurant that Jack had taken her to before during their trip to LA.

"Yeah and it's not that far away from the hotel either so we won't have a long drive back," he replied.

"Ok, that sounds like a good choice," she agreed, as they both climbed into the Jeep and headed off in the direction of the restaurant.