Chase was surprised to see Jack up before him as he got ready to leave for work one morning. Sarah wasn't due today, Chase had noticed how they'd cut back on their time spent together as his recovery approached its end. "Hey," he said as his eyes caught the paper Jack was pouring over. "Still looking for a place?"
"Yeah," Jack said slowly, his eyes still locked on the paper, "there's a couple of places I wanna check out, think I'll be out of your way soon."
Chase dropped down next to him on the couch as he leant over to put his shoes on. "You know, you haven't been in our way. It's been nice, Kim's clearly enjoyed the time she's been able to spend with you."
"And so have I," Jack said as he circled a property with the biro in his hand, "but I can't stay here forever can I?"
"I guess not, no." Chase sad quietly.
"Look," Jack said, putting the paper down, "I don't want to sound ungrateful. I appreciate everything you and Kim have both done for me, I don't know where I'd be if you hadn't taken me in. I mean it Chase, you've been an enormous help, thank you."
Chase looked down at his hands shyly. "Don't mention it," he muttered modestly as he got up to pull his jacket on. "How about I come with you to check these places out?" Chase asked, "don't want you ending up in a dive," he added with a chuckle.
Jack nodded his head, "I'd like that Chase, thank you."
Later that afternoon Kim was surprised to answer the phone and be instructed to "hold for President Palmer." She wasn't nervous to speak to him, having seen him regularly when Jack returned from China, though she was slightly annoyed as she knew that her father had almost been expecting a call from the man yet it had taken him weeks to get around to it.
"Hello?" She said brightly, "this is Kim."
"Kim, its so nice to speak to you. Is Jack there?"
Kim paused for a moment, "that depends," she said bluntly.
"I see. May I ask what it depends on?"
"David," she said, dropping all formalities, "why haven't you contacted my dad sooner?"
A deep breath sounded down the line, "I've been very busy. It's no excuse but it's the truth."
"Busy sorting out the stuff with China?"
"Id be lying if I used that as an excuse. But that is partly what's been on the agenda, though I've had other matters to deal with as well."
"Ok, look - I don't want to be rude, but its just, my dads getting better, I don't want this to set him back…"
"I appreciate your concern and I will tread carefully," he said slowly, "it isn't my intention to hurt your father, but we do need to talk."
"Okay, hang on - I'll just get him for you."
Jack was surprised to take the call but he did feel relief that the man had called him, although he was also surprised to find himself nervous about why the former president was calling him. Palmer made small talk before launching into it, informing him that Jack was required to make a final written statement denouncing the signed confession that was in China's possession.
Palmer carefully explained why and Jack agreed to do so, knowing it would be the final nail in the coffin. Palmer made more general enquiries after Jack's health and his family before the call ended. Jack felt better, and was eager to make the final statement, knowing that once it was signed, his time in China would be forgotten and he could start again on an clean slate, a blank page, a fresh start.
He placed the phone back in the kitchen and found Kim seated looking anxious. "What did he want?" Kim asked, "is everything all right?"
"Don't worry," Jack said soothingly, "everything is fine. I have to make a final statement for the government, then its all over."
"Really?" Kim asked eagerly.
Jack nodded his head and smiled, feeling the relief seep through him once again. "Yeah, it really is over."
"That's wonderful," Kim replied getting up to hug him, "thank God for that," she said, and Jack smiled again not knowing what to say to express the differing emotions rumbling inside him releasing all worry from his subconscious. "Chase said you were still looking for a new place to live," she said as she sat back down. Jack pulled a chair out by her side and nodded his head before speaking carefully.
"I need to get my own place Kim, need to start living again."
"On your own?"
"Nothing wrong with that," Jack said quietly, "and I'll not be far away."
"Okay, but then, if you can move out are you going to go back to work?"
Jack sighed and looked down at the pine table. "I'm going to start looking for work, of course. I have to work."
"I know you do," Kim said sadly, "but where?"
"I don't know," Jack said honestly. "I'm going to see what is available to me within the government. It's a world I understand, a place where I belong," he explained, before pausing, "but I'm not going back into the field. Not now, it doesn't appeal to me anymore."
Kim felt her spirits lift. "Can you trust yourself to work in an environment where that option would be available to you?"
"I want the same environment," Jack said, "I'd just rather play a more passive role, behind the scenes if you like, I don't want the action."
"You sure," Kim prodded.
"Yes," Jack said with certainty. "After everything that's happened, that's just not the kind of life I want to return to, I want something more stable, something safe, I don't want to go through what I went through ever again."
"Good," Kim said, tapping him on his shoulder gently, "so you going to call Tony?"
Jacks head shot up, "Tony! No. Tony is a friend but I have no intention of returning to CTU again. I made contacts while working with Heller, those are the circles I want to move in again."
"A desk job."
Jack smiled, "yes, a desk job. After months on these crutches you have no idea how appealing a desk job is," he added laughing slightly, and Kim smiled too, believing his words to be true.
"I don't want you back in CTU," she admitted.
Jack nodded his head as he got up from his seat and made to leave, "to be honest with you Kim," he admitted, "I wouldn't wish CTU on anybody."