Thanks Angeliena :)
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Chase slipped over the rooftops just before 3am. It had been madness to go to Chloe's and put her at risk. What the hell had he been thinking? She had obviously expected him to leave; he'd awoken to find a small backpack beside the couch packed with clothing, money, sandwiches and water. Or perhaps the bag was just her hint that he had overstayed his welcome; you could never be sure with Chloe.
The news last night had portrayed him as a crazed killer bent on revenge so it was no wonder she wanted him out of her home. He wondered if she'd inform CTU of his visit. Not that it really mattered; it was only a question of time before they found him. Both CTU and SWAT would stop at nothing to find him. The media warned he was armed and dangerous so the orders would be clear; immobilize by whatever means necessary.
He lay back on the deck chair looking up at the few remaining stars. The birds' dawn chorus would begin soon, but for now it was quiet. His neighbours were away on a three week bike tour of Big Sur, so he felt no guilt at climbing the fire escape onto their roof terrace. About 4am a sea mist rolled in off the ocean but it was a simple matter to break the window-lock and help himself to a warm blanket from the house. Just add it to my growing list of crimes, he shrugged.
He still felt nauseous, yet had managed to eat most of a sandwich without throwing up again. The attacks of intense cold had decreased, he had only suffered one since leaving Chloe's, but the cloud of confusion hadn't lifted. Why would he shoot Jack? Agent Jack Bauer was a legend and he knew how fortunate he was to be partnered with him. The working relationship was very comfortable, with Jack allowing Chase plenty of latitude to use his own judgment. He found the freedom liberating after the more formal hierocracy of SWAT. Jack had treated him as an equal, as a friend, and he had thrown it all away in a moment of madness.
He looked up at the sky again, pleased to see the stars were barely visible now. He had been six when his parents died and Helen would tell him Mum & Dad were stars watching down from heaven. He rolled over so he couldn't see them, the hot shame burning his eyes.
It would be light soon and he'd be found. It was foolish to have come so close to home as it was the first place they'd look, but he had nowhere else to go. Once arrested he'd be brought before Jack to explain his actions, but how could he explain to Jack what he didn't understand himself? Really, it would be much better to go out in a hail of bullets. He didn't want to die, there were so many things he still wanted to see, to experience, but he'd already thrown his life away. He couldn't face Jack; to read the disappointment in his eyes. No he'd much prefer to take the cowards way out. He didn't have a gun but he needn't let them know that. Any sudden move on his part and it would all be over.
Yes, that would be best...