Alex had been pacing up and down the corridor but now he was stood still. "You're sure about this?"

"Very sure, Agent Myers. I've given you the address," the caller spoke in an hoarse voice and thick accent that Alex couldn't place.

Ending the call, he contemplated the conversation. The anonymous informant had given him "useful information" but he had his doubts. If anything, he was sure it could only lead to trouble.

Now finally retired, Jack Bauer was looking forward to spending time with his family. He felt happier than he had been in years despite the hole left by Teri. Even though it seemed impossible some days, he knew she would not want him to wallow in sadness.

Standing at the window, he was looking out at the large garden that surrounded his house. He imagined his grandchildren playing there, safe and happy with no worries. It was well kept with a wide variety of flowers that he had planted himself. An old oak tree towered above with a tyre swing hanging from a branch. It was one of his favourite places in the world, a paradise of his very own.

Approaching the office of Director Brian Hastings, Alex was thinking about the address. It was in a suburban part of nearby New Rochelle, easy enough for him to go and check it out himself. Still, he felt that an official stamp on the visit would be best.

"Brian, I've received information that I would like the loop kept tight on," he spoke as soon as he closed the door.

Hastings looked at him with interest. "Why is that?"

Alex knew the possible consequences but there was no turning back now. All he could do was hope. "It's about my sister, Nina Myers."

"We've not heard of her in several years," Hastings replied with surprise. He had assumed Nina to be long dead.

"According to my informant, she's living in the area."

Hastings nodded. "You don't want Jack Bauer to find out."

"All I ask is a chance to confirm or deny the information without it getting out."

"We'll do that, then."

As he left the room, his thoughts turned to Jack. His old friend was happy in his retirement and so he had no intention of rocking that boat. All he had to do now was find out who the woman in New Rochelle was.

Jack took a swig of coffee as he read the newspaper. He took great care in avoiding stories that reminded him of his CTU days, but it was often difficult. The news always seemed full of death and violence that brought back bad memories. Often, he would skip most of the paper and concentrate on the sports pages. Much more to his liking, they didn't have the same effect, but today there was a big story on the Chicago Cubs. He decided that he had read enough of the paper for one day.

Finishing off his coffee, he glanced at his watch. Kim would soon be on her break and they had plans to meet for lunch. This had become a regular occurrence and was one of the things he looked forward to the most. Back when they had both worked at CTU, he had tried to make it a thing but they rarely had the chance. Now it could happen as much as they wanted.

Alex was leaning against his car, studying the large and modern house across the street. The garden had a variety of colourful flowers, whilst a solitary oak tree stood not too far from the front door. In the driveway was a black Volkswagen Jetta with room for another car.

Walking down the path towards the house, he hoped that nobody had noticed him before he knocked. He could only wonder who this woman was, still unsure who he wanted her to be. As the door creaked open and a small woman appeared, he knew immediately who she was. How she had gotten to this quiet suburb was a story he hoped she would tell.

Nina looked at him in shock before glancing around, sure that Jack was about to jump out and shoot her.

"Hello, Nina," Alex said. He had no idea how he was going to stop Jack from finding out about her, but that had to wait for now.

She couldn't help but smile at the sight of her brother, the first time she had seen him in over a decade. "How did you find me?"

He was about to reply when a small boy appeared at her side. The toddler stared up at him with big, bright blue eyes as if wondering whether he was a nice person or not.

"Someone called me, saying a woman matching your description lived here."

Nina had resumed looking around for any sign of CTU other than her brother. Finally deciding that he was alone, she invited him in.

Walking into the house, Alex had several questions running through his mind. Noticing photos and a painting hung on the wall, he stopped to look at them. They portrayed Nina, a man and four children, one of those being the toddler stood near her.

"That's my husband, James, and our children. The oldest is Joseph, the twins are Sarah and Nina. The youngest is James, like his father."

Alex looked at each person in turn. James senior looked a little older than Nina, with grey hair and the same bright blue eyes as his namesake son. Joseph seemed to be a teenager with messy dark brown hair and blue-green eyes. Sarah and Nina, identical twins aged about ten, had dark brown hair and green eyes. Whilst they all looked happy, Nina seemed to be the happiest of all to him.

They walked into the living room and sat down. James junior, having decided that Alex was a nice person after all, climbed onto his mother's lap.

"How long have you been back in the country?"

"I left North Africa a few months after the pardon, lying low in Europe for a couple of years before I returned here. I met James in Seattle," Nina began, glancing every so often at the window. "He's a doctor, I work part-time as a German teacher."

Alex smiled, full of hope that things had changed. "You have no more links to terrorism anymore?"

She shook her head. "I left that life behind in Africa, I made too many mistakes. Now I'm always looking out for anyone coming to get me. My family think I'm paranoid, but they don't know what I've done."

He made up his mind with that. "Almost nobody knows you're back in the country."

"What about Jack?"

"He's not one of them, he's happy with his family now," Alex replied, smiling as her face lit up.

"Family?"

"Kim's married with a daughter, Jack's retired and lives near them."

Jack was enjoying the serenity of the suburb as he walked down the road, having seen the opposite far too much. Dingy hideouts of terrorists, dark alleyways littered with used needles and trash. The poverty-stricken towns of Sangala made worse by years of needless violence. Even though the clean look seemed almost artificial, he didn't care. He and his family were finally happy once more. It was a paradise far removed from the hell of CTU.

His old instincts kicked in as he entered the quiet cafe, scanning the entirety of the building. Telling himself that it was safe with no cause for concern, he still took a seat close to the door with his back to the wall. Years of training had took deep roots in his mind and he wondered if he would ever be able to unlearn it all. Retirement would be perfect if he didn't think danger lurked around every corner.

Kim soon arrived, kissing him on the cheek before she sat down across from him. She appreciated any break she got, but the ones spent with her father were by far her favourite.

"Hi sweetheart, how's your day been?"

"Busy, Dad, but good busy. Hows yours?"

Jack smiled. "I'm considering getting a part-time job. Got so much time but no idea what to do with it all."

"That would be great for you," Kim replied. She had hoped for this news, not wanting him to be sat alone at home all day.

Alex had returned to CTU. He knew the possible consequences of his decision but he was confident in his choice. Despite everything Nina had done in the past, he wanted to protect her present. Four children depended on her and, as long as Jack never found out, both families could go on with their lives. As he approached Hastings, he hoped that this would be the last time CTU had anything to do with his sister.

"Turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. She's a mother of four and a part-time German teacher," he explained.

Hastings nodded. "I'm glad it all worked out in the end."

Alex walked down a nearby corridor, only to slip into an empty room as his phone rang. Noticing that it was the informant, he smiled. One more little conversation and Nina could once more fade from CTU's radar.

"That was disappointing," the man croaked.

He furrowed his brow. "I'm not sure I understand? I can't arrest some suburban teacher for looking like a wanted terrorist."

The informant wheezed out a smoky laugh. "I see. You wish to protect her from the consequences of her actions. I hope you have a change of heart soon," he spoke before ending the call.

Alex sighed. Whoever this man was, he had something against Nina and the list of candidates was not exactly short. For now, he would have to keep an eye on her.