"Mike, have I ever told you how much I hate politics?" President James Heller said to his Vice President while he finished tying the tie on his tuxedo.

"On more than one occasion, Mr. President," Vice President Mike Novick replied with a grin. He had known James Heller a long time, and he knew that Heller was not one for political games. Sure, he had to be political from time to time, but Heller had built his reputation on backing up everything he said. He was known for at times being even brutally honest. But that was what got him elected.

"I think I'm going to issue an executive order that everyone just shut up, drink and have a good time tonight," Heller said. "Tell Aaron anyone heard discussing the economy, national security or anything that would actually make me feel sixty is to be escorted out immediately. I'm determined to enjoy myself tonight."

"I take it your meeting with the Russian Consul didn't go as you'd hoped," Novick said.

"Actually, Mike, it went exactly like I thought it would. The Soviet Union might just be a bad memory, but there are still Communists working in their government, and Markov is one of them. More than that, he's a terrible liar."

"You think he knows where Gredenko's hiding?" Novick asked.

"You're damn right I do," Heller answered firmly. "And wherever that scumbag is, he has access to nuclear weapons. He's a terrorist, and I'm gonna show him what capital punishment really is."

"I have no doubt we'll find Gredenko, Mr. President," Novick said. "Forgive me for saying so, but I thought discussing any political matters tonight was going to be a federal offense."

Heller had to laugh. "You were the one who riled me up, Mike."

"I'm sorry, Mr. President," Novick said with a smile.

"Come on, Mike. There's a celebration going on downstairs and I want to be part of it."

Accompanied by four Secret Service agents, Heller and Novick started their walk towards the main ballroom. Audrey Raines nearly ran into her father as she rushed in his direction, lead Secret Service agent Aaron Pierce trying to catch up with her.

"Dad! Stop!" she said frantically, stopping herself just short of colliding with her father, the President.

"Sweetheart, what the hell's going on?" Heller asked.

"She said it's extremely urgent, Mr. President," Aaron Pierce said.

"I can tell," Heller quipped. "Audrey, are you all right?"

"I have something to show you, Dad," Audrey told him. "It can't wait."

"It can't wait? There are a few hundred people waiting for me in the ballroom."

Audrey took the DVD Hong Wai had sent her out of her purse. "Somebody named Hong Wai sent this to me, Dad. He said you know him."

"Yes, I know him," Heller said with a sigh. "Why would he…"

"There's evidence on this DVD that proves Jack's innocence," Audrey interrupted. Heller massaged his forehead with the fingers on his left hand. He dreaded having this conversation with his daughter again.

"Honey, we've been through this before. There's nothing I can do for Jack."

"Yes, you can," Audrey said. "He's innocent, and this proves it."

"I have one soft spot, and it's for my daughter," Heller admitted. "Okay, Audrey, I hope this is worth me being late for my own birthday party. Mike, come with us."

Novick nodded in agreement.

"Sir, do you want me to say anything to the guests?" Aaron asked.

"Tell them that joke you know, Aaron!" Heller called, already walking down the hall in the opposite direction. All of a sudden, he felt his age.

TAIPING PRISON

CHINA

President James Heller suddenly felt old, but he didn't feel anywhere close to how Jack Bauer was feeling. Over a year after his capture, Jack himself was surprised that he hadn't yet succumbed to Cheng Zhi's brutal torture methods. Every day brought more pain. The physical toll on Jack was enormous, but it was nothing compared to the emotional torture Jack was fighting. Cheng Zhi was coming closer and closer to breaking him mentally. Mentally, Jack felt like he was almost dead.

It frustrated Cheng that Jack hadn't given in to him yet. No one had ever endured this long in his captivity. Cheng was too arrogant to admit it, but he had begun to respect Jack's resiliency. That made Cheng even more determined to break him.

Jack's wrists were bound by chains. He hung in the interrogation room like a piñata, the Chinese guards taking the same pleasure in beating on him that a child would find in hitting a piñata and collecting the candy that came out. His hair was disheveled and he had a beard that went from his chin to nearly his chest. His body was covered in scars. Jack Bauer looked like a beaten man.

Cheng Zhi entered the interrogation room carrying two black and white photographs. He held them in front of Jack's face.

"One of these men is a spy for the United States, Mr. Bauer," Cheng said. "Which one is it-Wai or Lee?" No response. Jack hadn't spoken a word since he asked Cheng Zhi to 'just kill him' on the cargo ship that brought him to this hell.

"Mr. Bauer," Cheng continued, the frustration becoming evident in his voice. "This doesn't have to go any farther. All I want is a name." Jack glared defiantly at his captor. No, that's not what you want. You want to break me. You've beaten me, but I won't die like this. Not here. Not for you.

"A name!" Cheng shouted. "Wai…or Lee?" Jack still said nothing. Cheng motioned to someone behind Jack. A burly Chinese guard walked up behind Jack and held two paddles containing by several hundred bolts of electricity against the prisoner's back. He held them there for several seconds. Those seconds felt like agonizing minutes for Jack as the shocks resonated through his entire body. Cheng said something in Mandarin. The guard stepped away. Jack's head slumped over. Cheng pulled him up by the hair and stared menacingly into his eyes.

"Wai…or Lee?" he repeated. Jack still didn't respond. Cheng stepped back and opened the door, nodding to someone standing outside. While he did that, the big guard reintroduced Jack to the shock torture. Another guard entered the room. He was carrying a metal rod glowing red at the top. He handed it to Cheng, who simply smiled.

"You have forced me to get creative, Mr. Bauer," Cheng said. "You see, I am a man of my word. I told you a long time ago that one way or another, I would break you. And no matter how many new methods of torture I have to come up with, you are going to break."

You're not that creative, you fool, Jack thought, looking through glazed eyes at the sharp, glowing blade of the steel. You stole this from the Russian in Rambo II. It may not have been creative, but it was still painful as Cheng Zhi slowly and methodically sliced Jack across the chest with the burning blade.

Then Cheng heard a sound he thought it was glorious. Jack never answered his question, but he gave him something that was almost equally gratifying. For the first time in thirteen months, Cheng heard Jack Bauer scream in pain.