The Following Takes Place Between
10:00am and 11:00am on the day of
United States Presidential Elections
Los Angeles, California
A Disclosed Location
10:00am
Water-boarding was not working and neither was electric shock. The Attorney General was growing very impatient. Adrik Ivanov was a terrorist, in his own country of Russia for years and now he was in America claiming that there was going to be an attack today and that it was going to happen on American soil.
After the last electric shock, agent Reese stepped out of the holding room and walked into another room where the Attorney General and several other CIA men were located.
"He's still not talking General and honestly, I don't know what else to do." The agent said to the General.
The General looked to be more angry than he already was. He looked at everyone in the room and said, "I don't care, we need to get some god-damn results agent!"
"I'm am, I mean, we're trying sir, but Ivanov is not cracking and we're afraid that he's not going to. He knows how this process works sir."
"If this man says there going to be an attack today, then we need to do whatever it takes to get the information out of him." The General replied, much to the disgust of everyone else in the room. They knew what that statement meant; water-boarding, shock, threatening, yelling and screaming was as far as the agents was going to go. This entire operation was done without the president's approval so if Ivanov died on their watch and an attack did happen, they would be the ones to blame.
Agent Reese knew time was of the essence and they needed this information fast.
Reese said, "look sir, we need to find someone that can take this interrogation to the level of which we need it, someone who's good at extracting information fast."
10:08am The General didn't really want to involve other people, cause technically this operation didn't exist, at least not to the government and the president. But he knew the urgency of the situation.
"Who did you have in mind agent?"
"Well, agent Burk is already looking into the archives, trying to find someone who's good at this."
"I found someone!" Agent Burk yelled from across the room. "Is he off the radar?" The General asked as they made their way over to the computer screen.
"Yes sir, in fact he's been off the radar for years now." Agent Reese saw the name and the face that appeared with it: JACK BAUER.
Reese looked surprised and somewhat disappointed at the same time. He knew Jack Bauer, not personally but knew of his history.
"Sir we can't use Bauer, he's highly unstable, you know that. He's been out the country for years ever since he murdered several people involved in the assassination of president Hassan several years ago."
"I know that Reese, president Taylor gave him a pardon before she stepped down from office. Besides, the data-base says he's here in L.A. which means we just got lucky."
Reese wasn't sure about this, he said, "But sir, you really think that Bauer is going to want to help us, when he almost went to jail years back during the senate hearings? He almost went to jail for the exact same thing we're asking him to do now."
The General wasn't hearing any of it, "Look Reese, we need Bauer to do this, he knows how men, like Ivanov think. Today is NOT the day for a terrorist attack. So you bring me Bauer...NOW!"
Imperial Valley, California
Underground Presidential Bunker
10:15am
"This morning, we're told that President Garrison will have his final press-conference within the hour. Our sources within the republican party say that many if not all the questions that they will put against the president, will be about the Russian Compact Act, that was created when Garrison first took office. Many believe this election could have an effect on Russian and American lives but will it be in a positive or negative way. Only time will tell as the hours pass for what will be one of the most important presidential elections in decades. ….."
Just then, the president noticed that Victor, (the president's chief of staff and brother-in-law) had cut off the television. Victor then said, "Paul, why are you watching this? You need to be getting ready for the press-conference."
The president turned around, looked at his brother-in-law and said, "I need to be watching this Vic, I'm starting to think congress was right about this Compact Act."
"Look Paul, listen..." The President interrupted and said, "No Vic, you need to listen. When I first created this act it was so that Russia had no choice but to give us its national defense protocols, national security protocols, etc. But what has come out of it over the last four years? Attacks both here and in Russia, the riots got so bad that we had to send half of our own troops over to control the chaos."
Victor was beginning to think that the president was losing confidence in himself and this was not the day to have that happen. Victor said, "Yea sure we had some bumps in the road but what president doesn't after a hard decision is made? Sometimes you have to swallow some salt water to get the job done. Security has a price Paul."
"So does freedom Vic."
10:21am "Look sir, are you forgetting that the Russians were behind the assassination of president Hassan? This Compact Act needed to be set in place to insure we know everything the Russians are doing."
The president then said, "Vic, I created this Act as a way of bringing Russia back to the table, you know? Back on our side, not to take away their rights as a country."
"With all due respect, its that attitude that could cost you the election today, those republicans will eat you alive if they sense any doubt in your Russian Compact Act. You need to make congress along with Richardson (the president's opponent in the election) understand that things tend to get worse before they get better. You cannot show weakness."
The president had had enough of the back and forth with Victor, he said, "I'll take that into consideration but is there anything else you wanted Vic?
"As a matter of fact yes, Kathryn wants to see you in the study-room."
Los Angeles, California
Broadway Funeral Home
10:23am
The entire atmosphere directly affected everyone from all the black clothes to the tears from the immediate family. Chloe tried to retain her tears as did Marilyn and Josh. Aunt Carol constantly told herself that she wouldn't cry and she was successful until she glanced at the rest of the family, and saw tears pouring out of their eyes. Suddenly, Stephen, who was clutching Teri in his chest, couldn't hold it back and just let it all out. As they lifted his wife's coffin, he realized that he would never see Kim again.
The obituary read: "Kimberly Bauer, age 29 died at 12:46 a.m., Saturday, Oct 31 from injuries sustained in a one vehicle accident in London. She is survived by her husband Stephen and daughter Teri. As well as her father, Jack."
After the ending prayer, the priest stepped down from the stage and asked Jack, "Mr. Bauer, would you like to say a few words before we end this?" Jack quickly responded, "Yes."
As Jack made his way to the stage, all he could think about was the very last interaction he had with his daughter six years ago. Kim always knew how important her father's job was. Jack was one of those people that every time he said he was out they "pulled him back in", as they say. All he wanted was a chance to spend time with his daughter, to make up for all that lost time they had. Jack felt guilty cause Kim had put up with a lot, like Jack faking his death, then watching her father on trial in front of the senate, then not hearing from him for years.
Kim never knew about the other things, like Jack spending almost two years in a Chinese prison or being a drug addict at one point. So many things left unsaid and so much more that needed to be said.
10:27am Jack begun to speak but paused a second, his cell-phone began to rang. Jack had his number encoded several times over the years, so no one could reach him. Only someone with extreme expertise could find his number. But Jack disregarded it, today was about a lot more than a phone call. As he spoke the words, "I always hoped I would never live to see this day." All he could focus on was his granddaughter, Teri.
Imperial Valley, California
Underground Presidential Bunker
10:29am
"You look beautiful today Kat." The president told his wife. Kathryn then said, "Thank you Paul, you look handsome as well, always honey." Kathryn then noticed something was wrong with her husband. He was sweating and his right hand was shaking, she could also tell that the president was trying to ignore it.
She asked, "Paul, did you eat breakfast and take your medicine today? You're sweating again."
" No haven't, but I'm fine Kat, this will pass." The president responded.
Kathryn always wished her husband wasn't so stubborn but he was a man after all. She cared for him more than most wives did their own husbands and for good reason. For the past eighteen months, the president had a severe heart condition but it only become severe when he didn't take his medicine.
Kathryn went into the cabinet, in the study-room, and took out his pills. She said, "Paul you know what the doctor said, you don't want to have another stroke. Today is not the day for you to be pig headed, the press-conference is in less than thirty minutes."
"Kat, will you please get off my back!" The president threw the pills on the floor. He then said, "I...I'm sorry Kat, I'm just under a lot of pressure today, with the election."
10:35am Kathryn walked up to her husband and kissed him on the cheek and said, "I understand honey and I'm here for you but you need to take your medicine and I won't take no for an answer." As they began to embrace, Victor came in and said, "Mr. President, we're ready for you upstairs to go over the plans for the conference."
The president picked up the medicine and took two pills, Kathryn straightened his tie. As the president left the room, Kathryn whispered to Victor, "I need to talk to you, when you have time."
Los Angeles, California
Broadway Funeral Home
10:38am
As Jack said good-bye to Marilyn and Josh, Chloe gave Jack one last hug and said, "Jack there's something I need to give you but I'll bring it by your place later." Jack just nodded.
Jack saw that Stephen and Teri were still sitting as if they were waiting for a train. The priest told Jack that they had to leave soon, another funeral was about to take place. Jack then said, "Just give us a moment please."
Teri was still sobbing and Stephen was trying to calm her down. But it wasn't working, her mother just died and there was no amount of sugar coating that was going to change that. Jack wasn't sure what to say but manged to whisper, "It'll be alright, I know how both of you feel. I just hope in time you'll learn that Kim loved both of you so much."
Stephen picked up Teri and put her in his arms, he then said, "Jack you should come stay with us, Teri needs you right now." Stephen could tell that Jack was going to say no so he said, "Jack please, look no offense but you've been out of Kim's life a lot and you've been gone for years. Hell, this is the first time I've seen you in years, just don't go away again, for Teri's sake."
Jack wanted to be around more than anything but he wasn't sure, he then said, "I'll think about it Stephen, I will, I just need some time."
10:45am Stephen and Teri left the funeral home. Jack took one last look at Kim's picture that was in-front of the stage, then he made his way to his car. As he put his key in the door, his cell-phone rang again and once again Jack disregarded it. He sat in the car and began to cry.
Imperial Valley, California
Underground Presidential Bunker
10:49am
The press-conference was ten minutes away and President Garrison was going over his answers to various but anticipated questions.
Kathryn didn't have long but she was finally able to talk to Victor, she said, "Vic, you need to stop putting pressure on Paul, it's not healthy for him."
Victor said, "Kathryn, what are you talking about, if anything I'm helping him. Paul needs to realize that weakness it not what's needed. He's about go out there and act like the Compact Act doesn't mean anything to him anymore."
"You're my brother Vic but Paul is my husband, and when I say it's too much for him then its too much. Maybe he's right, maybe this Russian Compact Act has run its course. We pulled President Suvarov out of power after President Taylor stepped down, the troops that we had stationed in Russia are coming home later today, we've gotten everything we needed, what more do you want?"
"Kathryn, will not be so simple minded for once in your life, this country's security has never been better, the economy has grown stronger, and out defenses has become greater. Its all from this Russian Compact Act."
Kathryn was becoming irritated by her brother, "Vic, all I'm saying is Paul is the president not you. You need to realize that."
Victor responded, "Yea? Well maybe you should learn to stay out of business that doesn't concern you. Now if you'll excuse me I need to do something you're not, helping Paul win this election."
Los Angeles, California
10:54am
Jack saw that the door to his apartment had already been opened. Not sure what to think, Jack immediately took out his Glock 19 hand gun. He quietly went into the apartment searching for the intruder. He was then startled by the ringing of his cell-phone. He looked at the phone and wasn't going to answer until he saw that it was Stephen calling.
Jack had the gun in one hand and the phone in the other. Jack quickly whispered into the phone, "Stephen, I can't talk right now."
As Jack continued to search the apartment, Stephen said, "Look Jack, I'm sorry if I sounded harsh earlier. I'm still just shocked over losing Kim. But I do still want you to come live with me and Teri."
Jack began searching upstairs; Jack then said, "Stephen you don't have to apologize to me, I understand but I don't think me living with you and Teri is the best thing right now."
10:56am Stephen became angry and said, "What is with you Jack? I actually use to defend you when Kim didn't want to see you or try to contact you. Your daughter just died and you still want to stay away from family."
Jack had a lot to say but the current situation didn't allow for a long chat. Suddenly Jack heard Chloe's voice from downstairs, she yelled out, "Jack?" Jack then told Stephen, "Look I'll get back to you." But as he hung up the phone, Jack felt a strong shock from the back of his neck and he was instantly knocked unconscious. At that same moment Chloe tried to yell out for Jack again but was stopped by a wet cloth, with the smell of chloroform on it. She too was instantly knocked unconscious.
10:59am Agent Reese yelled to his men downstairs, "We need to move quickly before someone sees us. Take the woman and Bauer to the van out back. Reese took out his cell-phone and called the Attorney General.
He said, "We have Bauer sir, we're bringing him in now. Has Ivanov said anything yet?"
"No we're still working on him but you need to bring Bauer in now." The General responded. Reese then said, "Sir, you know Bauer is not going to do this willingly."
The Attorney General simply responded, "We'll persuade him."
11:00am