Darkness came with the Almeida family on the slope, huddled precariously on a ridge against the biting wind which had sprung up around sunset. A myriad stars illuminated the sky above them distracting Michelle from Tony's failing condition. If she stared at them long enough she might even be able to pretend they were on nothing more challenging than a camping trip. His head rested in her lap, his breathing labored. He slept fitfully under the blanket they had wrapped him in once he had passed out and was no longer able to insist they all share it. Maybe if she stared at the distant stars above her she could forget he was unlikely to last more than another couple of days. A tear slid down her cheek followed by a second and a third.

'Shh, sweetie,' Marco said softly. 'We're being hunted, remember.' He settled beside her, giving her a hug. 'I'll carry him once we get to the valley. We'll just have to take our chances down below.'

'He'd need to be carried all the way. You couldn't do that,' she protested.

'I'll do whatever it takes,' he assured her.

'He won't be able to continue tomorrow,' she said softly, heart filled with pity for the best friend she'd ever had. 'You gotta leave me here and take him. He's your son.'

Marco's eyes narrowed and he shook his head. 'Sweetie, I won't pretend I haven't considered all our alternatives, but leaving someone behind is not one of them. We're going to reach this valley tomorrow, all of us.' He turned her hand over, examining the raw skin on her palm where friction with her walking stick caused a dozen blisters to burst.

She averted her gaze. 'Our feet are worse,' she said tiredly.

Marco nodded. 'Sí. Michelle, I'm going to wrap you up beside Tony now. Get some sleep. Tomorrow will be our most difficult day yet.'

'I'm not tired,' she insisted, fingers stroking Tony's hair. 'We'll have enough rest in the grave. We won't make it out of here.'

He shook his head, unfolding a corner of the blanket and wrapping her in it. 'We will. Shut your eyes now and sleep like the others.'

'What about you?' she asked, her body right up against Tony's. 'Aren't you ever tired?'

'I'm beyond it,' he admitted. 'Close your eyes now.'

'My leg hurts a bit,' she told him. It was the first time she had admitted the horrible pain that refused to leave her a moment's peace.

He appeared to understand her without further elaboration. 'I know it's bad, sweetie. I only ever fractured a finger and it hurt worse than anything before. Right now we're in hell on earth and we're all sick and injured. We just gotta keep ourselves together till we get out of here.'

She nodded, her leg throbbing too much to allow her rest.

Seeing her sunken eyes ringed by dark shadows tore his heart. 'Close your eyes, sweetie. Try to rest.' And the chances of that, Almeida, with her in that state, are about as great as being struck by a meteorite. She'll just lie there and worry in silence. You need to cheer her up! 'Did I ever tell you about the time I was left in charge of the house and kids?' he asked tentatively.

'What happened to Rita?' she whispered sleepily.

Marco looked awkward, rubbing his face in an identical fashion to Tony. 'She got summoned to jury duty. Can you believe it! A woman with seven children! She tried to get out of it, but she wasn't feeding Joey anymore so she had to go. As luck would have it she got selected for this long boring trial – something about company fraud an accountant might have followed with keen interest, but as for the people unfortunate enough to get selected…' He chuckled quietly and Michelle grinned, picturing the scene. 'She told me her attention kept wandering, she was forever thinking about home, stuff like did she remember to tell me how many bottles Joey had, or make certain Bobby didn't watch some of the older kids' programs, or that Janey actually done her homework. You can't blame her at all, she was a mother! As for me, I never realized what housework meant before. We had dishes all over the house, I managed to stain all the white clothes with this red sweater, I burned a shirt on the ironing board when the phone rang, the bath overflowed into the hall and soaked the carpet and I totally forgot to take the meat from the freezer. I ended up having to run out to the store with Bobby and Jo to get something for dinner and Bobby wandered off while I was getting some sausage rolls from the frozen section…And that was just the first day.'

Michelle wiped tears of mirth from her eyes. 'How did the second day go?'

'Oh, sweetie, the rest of that trial kind of just blurred. All I can say is, the second day I managed to shrink Rita's best sweater, how was I supposed to know you don't put woolens through the wash? It ended up fitting Janey, who was then eleven. Sometime that fortnight I was so busy washing dishes I forgot to collect Tony from school. It took him two hours to get home on three buses and I never missed him! He couldn't even call me as Bob had removed the phone from the hook! Jo kept crying, Bobby was a real pest, and no one wanted to eat my cooking. Wherever I turned was a new disaster waiting to be dealt with, and the kids kept repeating: "Mom doesn't do it that way." As though I didn't know that! Then Tony and Marco fought over some toy and it broke and I lost it, I spanked them both a lot harder than usual and sent them to two separate corners and the little girls began weeping that they wanted their mother, and someone said she's never coming back. That started Anna crying and she wouldn't stop, and Jo was screaming and…I just couldn't do it anymore. I promised Anna we'd go see mom and we went.'

'You took the kids to watch the trial?' Michelle cried, intrigued.

'I did. I realize now that it was the wrong thing to do, but after two weeks the stress was killing me. We found seats in the back row and the kids got real excited seeing their mother. She looked absolutely horrified to see us there. We lasted about 15 minutes before the judge ordered us out! He was sick of hearing 'there's mom!' from the younger ones. I was just about physically finished by the evening. And then when Rita got home she was finished as well. She kept telling me she was never so bored in her entire life! I had to cheer her up. We ended up opening this massive bottle of tequila and finishing it between us. Things didn't seem so bleak after that.'

Michelle grinned at him. 'Wish we had a bottle ourselves.'

Marco nodded. 'Sí. We had an incredible conversation that night on the couch. I suggested she just tell the judge she's already heard enough, 'just throw away the key.' She shook her head and reminded me the accused was a Chicano, so I said something like he's obviously innocent then. 'Yeah, innocent,' she told me. 'He's guilty as hell, but I'm voting innocent! He's the most handsome guy I've ever seen!'

Michelle laughed heartily. 'And you weren't offended?'

'Me? I was ready to wring his neck if I could've gotten to him. And the trial went on and on, and the jury's deliberation took even longer and…'

'You were a lousy cook,' Tony whispered softly.

'Antonio, you should be sleeping,' Marco said, bending swiftly to feel his face. 'You're burning up again. I'll get you some snow.'

'How long were you up?' Michelle whispered, kissing his nose.

'Long enough to hear Papa whining about how hard it was to keep house. He wasn't real good at it. The house looked like a hurricane went through it.'

'There's no need to be rude, Antonio,' Marco told him cheerfully, rubbing a little snow against his hot face. 'I'm an architect – I design buildings, not clean them! Now get some sleep, the pair of you.'

Jack turned his GPS upside down and shook it in frustration, unwilling to believe what it showed. 'You sure they haven't moved yet, Gael?'

'Jack, it would be dark there. No one's moving. Are they in some inaccessible spot?'

'Right on top of some mountain,' he grumbled, straining his eyes to follow it. 'Can't even see the top of it. There's this narrow track.' He shook his head, muttering dire threats against Tony. 'Guess I'll have to climb up tomorrow.'

'Jack, get him back.'

Jack nodded, detecting a trace of anxiety in his colleague's tone. 'I'll get him down, alright. I'll get some sleep. Lemme know if anything moves.' He said goodbye and unrolled his sleeping bags, rifle beside his arms. Gazing at the stars he desperately hoped to meet up with Tony the next day, aware he was finding it increasingly hard to force himself to continue with such badly blistered feet. What Tony's condition could be he shuddered to contemplate, he just prayed the medicines he carried would prove useful.

Sometime during the night his sat. phone woke him. Instantly alert, he answered without a trace of exhaustion. 'Bauer.'

'Jack, it's Gael. The first bunch of civilians is heading straight towards you from the valley. They should be there in half an hour or so. Better take cover and make sure it really is the group of passengers, just in case we calculated wrong.'

'Thanks Gael,' he said, wrapping his sleeping bag up swiftly and gazing round for a shady spot. Concealing himself behind a rock he watched, eyes straining against the dark until the sound of shuffling feet reached his ears. Jack forced himself to remain concealed until they came in view. That the passengers would look the worse for wear had been expected. That they'd be attired in local costumes surprised him. Murmurs of conversation in Italian reached his ears as they filed past, oblivious to his presence. He stepped out wearily, aware they were armed.

'I'm Jack Bauer, U.S. Federal Agent,' he began, hands above his head as they stared at him shocked. 'Look, I could've shot you all if I planned on doing it. I'm here to find my colleague, Tony Almeida. Where is he?' Where is he, before I start shooting you?

A younger man left the crowd to speak to him. 'Paolo Bonillo, junior pilot,' he said, studying Jack's face intently. 'Tony was tortured and had some sickness. They're behind us somewhere.'

'You left them?' Jack hissed.

'Look, I offered to stay. His father insisted I guide these people out of here.'

Jack nodded, struggling against his rage. 'You all better hope he's still alive. Is there a Sylvia Smith here?'

A woman stepped forward, baby wrapped before her. Her robes sheltered it from the biting wind as she grinned at him through a dirt encrusted face. 'You're an American agent? Oh God.' The startled Jack found himself kissed warmly on each cheek. 'You're getting us out of here?'

Glancing at the infant his retort died in his throat and he nodded. 'Yeah. Just as soon as I find my colleague. Right now, he's up the top of that mountain. You people should keep moving a little further till you get to a stream. There's a cave, shelter there.' He opened his backpack. 'Is anyone in need of medication?' He left them ration packs and antibiotic creams and promised to meet them the following evening, his heart bitter. Pathetic and pitiful though they appeared, they had abandoned Tony; left him to die. Hang in there, Tony. I'll get you tomorrow.

Tony heard them moving in the morning, whispering to each other as they debated waking him. Judging by their comments he was gravely ill. Head pounding and throat so swollen he could scarcely breathe he was forced to agree, unable to stir until Michelle insisted she would remain behind and allow his father to carry him. Get a grip, Almeida. They're all gonna die out here if you don't move. Just open your eyes, how hard can it be? It took him a further minute till his swollen eyes obeyed his instructions.

Grey clouds floated dangerously close to them threatening a further deposit of snow, which would be certain to result in a broken neck. Tony forced himself to sit; aware he would collapse during the day. Calling on reserves of strength summoned only by their dire circumstances he rose, determined to head down the mountain unassisted. He would die in the valley during the night and they would grieve for him, but they would find it easier to press on. Too weary to conjure a smile he stared at them.

'Tony.'

'Let's go, mom.' He set off without an additional word to any one of them. His parents exchanged glances before his mother hastened to catch up with him.

'Tony, slow down, you'll break your neck.'

He slowed reluctantly for the sake of the rest of his family. Come on mom, we both know I won't last the day. I just gotta get you guys to the rest of the group and explain a few things about this territory to you. 'When you catch up with the others, I want you in the middle of the group,' he explained an hour later as they paused for a break. 'The ones in front will trigger the mines – don't let it be you. If you hear gunshots get down and take cover. Any cover is better than being exposed on the path. Save your shots till you get a clear target, we haven't many bullets. Never drink from a pool, only from a river or better yet a clear spring.' Worn out, he leaned against his mother.

'Why are you telling us this?' Michelle inquired uneasily.

'I might be too sick to know where I am in a little while,' he lied, eyes pressed shut against the gloomy day. Someone stroked his hair as he drifted off.

They left him to rest an hour longer in the hopes he'd gain a little strength but it proved futile. When Marco decided they were forced to move should they wish to avoid a second night on the slope they failed to raise him. Rita peeled an eyelid back and shook her head. 'He's unconscious.'

'I'll stay,' Michelle began.

Marco moved away from the group, cursing in Spanish for a steady ten minutes before he felt able to return. 'Alright, this is what we'll do. I'll take Michelle for half an hour, then leave you sweetie and I'll come back for Tony. Rita, you're to stay with him. Keep him alive and keep those blasted birds away.'

Michelle gazed around, noting two large birds several yards from them. 'Oh God,' she groaned.

'They won't hurt you, sweetie, as long as you throw rocks at them,' Marco remarked, picking a large one and hauling it at the group of vultures. They scattered, flying away crying indignantly.

'What's that?' Rita asked, reaching for her rifle as she stared down the path. 'Something's moving that way.'

'Alright, into the bushes. Michelle, you're the best shot. If you miss, I'll take him out.'

They scattered, Marco dragging Tony behind a tuft of grass, the women on the opposite side of the path. Hearts pounding they awaited the arrival of the enemy who was unwilling to intercept them in the valley and had chosen to finish them off where they lay. He approached, his footsteps clearly audible to the entire little group.

'Jack, it's Jack,' Michelle yelled, pulling herself to her feet in sheer joy at the unexpected sight that met her eyes. She swung herself over to him as fast she could move, flinging her arms round him.

Jack failed to keep the smile from his own face despite his shock at her appearance. Warm tears spilt on his hand as he wiped her face, assuring her all was well. 'Michelle, look at me. Where's Tony?' he asked, sensing the presence of additional people.

'Come here,' she said, leading him off the path to a figure that lay wrapped in a filthy sheepskin. Two pairs of suspicious eyes met his as he knelt beside his friend. 'Tony's parents, Marco and Rita,' Michelle introduced and Jack nodded in their direction as he unwrapped his colleague.

'What's wrong with him?'

The women spoke at once, describing injuries and grave illness while Tony's father observed him without blinking, eyes empty.

Jack stared shocked at the sight that met his eyes, amazed Tony had survived that long without treatment. 'Alright, I got antiseptic cream and bandages. Clean him up first,' he instructed, handing a cloth to Rita while he delved further into his first aid kit. 'He can take antibiotics, right?'

'Yes,' Michelle replied, watching him fill a syringe. 'Jack he needs to be airlifted to hospital right away. What are you doing?'

Her question attracted the attention of the silent man who had not taken his eyes from him for a moment. 'No one's coming to help him, right?' the man remarked bitterly.

'We're a day's walk from Afghanistan. Our forces can pick him up from there, but he's got to last that long,' Jack explained. 'I'm sorry. There's no way our choppers can fly in here.'

'Oh. And what's so special about this place?'

'It's Pakistan, sir,' Jack replied, injecting Tony who whimpered. 'Tony, can you hear me?'

'So now you all know where we are, you've seen how he is and you still fail to get us out,' Marco continued, glaring at him.

'Sir, we cannot risk destabilizing an entire region. Any rescue would have to be undertaken by the Pakistanis from this spot and they're unwilling to risk flying in.'

Marco nodded, throwing a pebble savagely at a group of what looked suspiciously like vultures. 'I see. They can shoot us out of the sky, but they can't pick us up. Save your bullshit.' He moved closer to Tony, running his fingers through his damp hair. 'M'ijo, listen to me. You gotta be strong and last another day. This gabacho tells me you'll get picked up tomorrow.'

'I understood that,' Jack protested in gathering annoyance as he glared at Marco. 'What's your problem? I brought you food and medicine…'

'Tony needs a hospital and you know it. You could deal with these goat herders if you just wanted to…'

'So now you're blaming me, after…'

'You guys should take it easy,' Michelle interrupted, forcing herself between them. 'You should be ashamed of yourselves. Marco, you're outa line. Jack brought us food and medicine and organized a chopper to collect us tomorrow. It's the best he can do, okay? Do you notice anyone else coming to our assistance? And you, Jack. If you'd have been on that plane you'd see things differently, believe me.'

Rita opened the first aid kit without paying either man the slightest attention, examining the remaining contents. She filled the syringe again, stroking Tony's damp hair. 'Sweetheart, I'm going to give you a shot of adrenaline. It'll help keep you alive till we get you to a hospital tomorrow, okay?'

'Yeah,' he whispered, glancing away from the approaching needle. His eyes rested on the belligerent group on the path. 'Mom, tell them to come here.'

'Tony wants to tell you something if you've finished squabbling,' Rita informed them, to Michelle's amusement. Abashed at having forgotten about him they followed her back, kneeling beside him.

'Papa, you gotta relax. Michelle's right, Jack's the only one who came to help us. It's not his fault those nuts had a missile - and you know it. He's my friend, okay?' Marco met his eyes and nodded, examining the ground. 'And Jack. My father's exhausted and starving. He'll feel a lot better after a meal and some painkillers for his blisters. You guys are on the same team, right?'

'Right,' Jack agreed, glancing at the Mexican who turned crimson and held out his hand.

'Marco Almeida.'

'Jack Bauer,' he said, shaking the offered hand. 'We need to get Tony down the mountain and into a hospital.' He slipped his arm under Tony's shoulder lifting him with difficulty.

'Not meaning to be argumentative, but which hospital were you thinking of?' Rita questioned worriedly. 'One in Afghanistan?'

'No,' Jack assured her, drawn to her warmth. 'The chopper will fly him to our base in Afghanistan where they'll transfer him onto a plane to our base in Uzbekistan. They got a fantastic medical department there. Is typhus infectious?' he inquired, struggling under Tony's weight.

Rita's eyes filled with tears. 'You've been carrying him for ten minutes and you didn't know?' she asked softly.

Jack shook his head.

'It isn't. You were willing to catch it from him.'

'I gotta get him over the border by tomorrow morning,' Jack explained, glaring at the terrain. 'I can take the same medication they'll give him if necessary.'

'You just restored my faith in humanity,' Rita told him quietly. 'The others, the ones he helped, just abandoned him. You don't owe him a thing and you came.'

Jack looked away awkwardly unused to dealing with thanks.

'I'm surprised you were authorized to plan this rescue,' Michelle remarked, watching him carefully. 'It could've backfired – you could've joined Tony in the local jail.'

Jack shrugged. 'This mission was only authorized yesterday,' he admitted.

Her eyes widened. 'Jack! You mean you just came?'

Jack nodded, laying Tony on the ground. 'We need to take a break. Anyone able to cope with another ration pack?'

The Almeidas settled on the path reaching eager hands towards him, Marco forcing his a little further back until the women had one each. Silently he settled beside Tony, willing strength into him. 'Come on m'ijo. You're doing great,' he whispered, blinking rapidly at the sound of his son's labored breathing. Gentle fingers stroked Tony's damp hair as he felt the fever burning his fingers. 'He's hot again. When can he take more antibiotics?'

'In another two hours. I got something for fever,' Jack said, opening the first aid kit again. 'Come on Tony, swallow it down. You got an awful lot of people waiting for you at CTU. They're not going to last much longer with Alberta breathing down their necks.'

Tony's eyes opened slowly and he blinked, struggling to focus on his friend. 'You said Alberta?' he rasped. Jack nodded. 'Ugh. Have I still got a team left there?'

Jack grinned at him. 'You do. You wanna let them know you're okay?' He held the phone to Tony, who shook his head.

'Michelle can tell them,' he whispered. 'I can't talk.' In the end he did though, after Jack spoke to Gael who put them on speakers broadcast to every corner of CTU. Michelle explained their adventure briefly and explained he had been tortured and was sick, before handing the phone back to Jack.

'Tony's right here with me. He's pretty sick so he'd appreciate a word,' Jack said, holding the phone to his ear. The cheering brought tears to his eyes as he listened to their well wishes.

'When are you coming back, Tony?' Gael demanded, louder than the rest.

'Soon,' Tony whispered, his eyes closing. Real soon.