Takes place 2 months after Defeated.
Kim pranced down the stairs with a foolish grin on her face, she'd been wearing it all day. Chase put it down to her fathers return from the hospital, for good, as long as no more complications arose. Only Jack had been home close to three weeks. He shrugged and assumed she was exceptionally happy today. Grabbing his bag he shouted a 'see you,' which echoed around the house, waited a few seconds for the varied responses and then left.
Although Chase and Kim had been living together for close to a year, since Jacks initial return from China he had moved into a small apartment a few blocks away. He didn't mind, he understood and agreed with Kim as soon as she had suggested it. They both knew that once Jack was released from the medical centre he would not be able to take care of himself. Kim wanted him to stay with her, and Chase agreed it was for the best. They both thought that he wouldn't stay if Chase were there too, for a number of reasons. Fear of imposing himself on them, feelings of discomfort and embarrassment of his condition.
Chase had left before he was first brought home, although it wasn't exactly necessary. Jack had been out of it more than he was aware, and had refused to see anybody other than Kim anyway. Chase had moved back in when Jack agreed to stay in the hospital for therapy after the final surgery. He'd left again a few days before Jacks scheduled return, not wanting to make the man feel uncomfortable. He had enough to deal with without some minor problems like this.
He missed Kim but saw her more often than not. It seemed that Jack hadn't even noticed, he'd only seen him a handful of times since he was brought home. Given the pain he was in from the therapy, it made sense that he hadn't wondered if Chase was staying here or not. There were more important things to think about, and Chase understood this without complaint.
At first he stayed away, again for Jack. The man hadn't allowed any visitors other than Kim, and then Heller, later in his recovery. Chase feared imposing himself where he wasn't welcome, although Jack had been calm and polite enough when he had popped his head in the doorframe to check on him. Only the small visits didn't happen often, Chase sensed more than anything it was the last thing he wanted.
He and Tony had discussed this at work, the former also feeling disappointed and hurt because of Jacks refusals. They both subconsciously knew Jack would feel embarrassed and perhaps inferior in there presence given his much publicised confession and weak condition. Neither voiced there feelings, knowing it was easier for themselves to feel unwanted. Admitting the real reasons for his refusal would be an admission of what he had suffered through, territory neither man wished to cross unless it were to help Jack.
Jack had been declared fit enough to return home where he would continue the physical therapy, which was aimed mostly at his leg. To clinch the deal Jack had to agree to allow Sarah to continue his medical care, at times it seemed she was in there home more than Chase was.
Chase had called in to see Kim daily, as he did Angela who was stationed with her Grandma, a 20 minute drive away. It had been her choice, when Chase admitted the television in the apartment didn't get the Disney Channel, she had chosen her Grandma. She didn't want to stay at home with Kim because she would have to be well behaved and quiet. He knew it would only last a few more days before she came home with him, but for now Grandma was much more fun.
Kim admitted to Chase that although her father was doing better, he was still in bad shape. Physically he had progressed greatly, but that was the problem - he only cared about the physical side. Mentally he wouldn't speak about China to anybody. Heller had managed to pry him open slightly, and Palmer had helped too. But it seemed that he would only confess the truth to them. When Kim had asked him about it he had he clammed up. He even tensed at the mention of Heller or Palmer, in fear of them disclosing the information he had given them. Of course he trusted them immensely, but he was still to weak to fight the paranoia he was sometimes fully submerged in.
Kim tried to ignore her worried thoughts of his mental stability, pleased to hear him arguing with Sarah about the amount of work she wanted him to complete. She smiled to herself, having him here made her feel better about whole situation. She didn't know what would happen after her father had recovered, but she didn't want to dwell on uncertainty.
Although his leg treatment was progressing well she couldn't deny that at times she wondered if he would ever be well enough to go back to normalcy. Physical recuperation, then mental - what happened after that seemed like a life time away. Even Heller had tried to reassure her about his future as though he sensed her unease. His words made her feel better as did Sarah's presence, she couldn't explain the sense of foreboding she felt which always seemed to be looming ahead of her thoughts when they concerned Jack.