Breakfast was over but Jack hadn't surfaced from his room. Kim knocked and then entered when their was no response. "Dad?" she called out, but there was no reply, other than a small shuffle under the covers which were pulled up high over his head. She shook her head slightly, not knowing what to do. She knew he had spoken to Sarah yesterday, and then Chase the night before, but not her; was his anger aimed at her? Putting her hands on her hips she moved over to the bed, deciding that she was going to clear the air with him, she didn't want to tip toe around him any longer.
She stepped over and pulled the dark covers back and frowned for a moment as she noticed that her father was fully dressed beneath them, but he still used the pillow to hide his face from her.
"This is ridiculous," she moaned, "what the hell is going on?" she asked, not understanding why he was behaving this way when he had been fine, almost cheerful the night before.
"Leave me alone Kim, I need to think," he mumbled.
"Sarah's due over soon, Dad, don't make her wait for you."
Jack let out a snort, "tell her I'm not feeling well."
"I'm not lying for you," she said sternly, before adding, "unless you tell me what's going on."
There was no response and so Kim grabbed at the pillow and pulled it away from him. She tossed it behind her carelessly, it hit the vase on the dresser, sending it to the floor with a dull thump. "Shit," Kim whispered, crossing the room to examine the object, surprised it was still in one piece. "Talk about luck," she said grinning, but Jack just stared at her absently, the sound of the vase hitting the thick carpet making him flinch, taking him back to the sledgehammer and the small cell in China. It only lasted for a second but it was enough to dull his mind, dampening his already sodden spirits even more.
"What's wrong?" Kim asked, she sat on the edge of the bed forcing him to sit up himself, careful to keep his leg stretched out.
He sighed heavily. "I just have a few things on my mind," he said softly, examining the cuff on his cotton sleeve.
"Well so do I, especially when you're acting like this."
"This hasn't been easy Kim," he said, regretting the words the moment he spoke them, hating how sorry he felt for himself.
"I'm not disputing that," she said gently, "its been difficult for us all. But if something is bothering you so much that you result to tactics Angela's beyond, then I think you really need to speak to somebody…"
Jack smiled at her slightly, before lowering his gaze again. "I know," he paused, "I'm sorry for being like this, you have a lot to put up with."
"I don't have to do anything," Kim jumped in, "but I want to - we all do."
Jack nodded his head. "I was wondering," he started, trying to keep his voice casual, "when you last spoke to Secretary Heller?"
Kim laughed, "Oh you mean James?"
Jack smiled at her term and shook his head, "isn't that a little informal?"
"Dad, the guys made me coffee and held my hand when I debriefed, I think we are passed formalities…" she smirked.
"Yeah," Jack replied quietly, "I guess I've been selfish, forgetting how hard it was on you too-"
"I'm fine," she cut in firmly, grabbing his hand in a tight grip as though to prove her words. "Its getting you better I care about."
Jack nodded, not sure of what else to say and Kim carried on the conversation. "So why you asking about Jimmy?" She giggled again and Jack just shook his head in amusement.
"Just wondered. I think I'd like to speak to him about something. Maybe I'll talk to Sarah first…"
"Not me?" Kim said, looking a little hurt.
"It doesn't concern you," he said softly, "its nothing important anyway, it can wait."
"Good," Kim said, before getting up to peer out of the blinds and onto the street, "because I think I just heard Sarah's cronk pull up." She nodded her head to confirm her words as she watched the woman park her car.
"Cronk?" Jack asked with a raised eyebrow, climbing out of bed to straighten the covers up.
"I'm surprised her ride hasn't packed in on her - seriously dad, I'd rather get the bus than drive that thing…" she trailed off as she fluffed the pillow on the bed before going to let Sarah in, Jack hobbling behind her with the crutches, mentally banishing his earlier thoughts from his mind until the session was over. Then he would talk.