The Following Takes Place Between

4:00pm and 5:00pm

Sunset Hills Hospital

outside the city of Los Angeles

4:00pm "Government agencies around the country are still trying to find the perpetrators of the horrific attack on the highway that took place just a couple of hours ago. The president, who was taken to a medical facility outside of the city, around the same time of the attacks, is set to make a statement within the hour."

President Garrison was watching the news from his hospital bed. He was still recovering from the heart attack he suffered a few hours ago when he was aboard Air Force One. Kathryn, the president's wife, had just walked into the room.

She said, "Hey honey, how u feeling?"

The president replied, "I'm angry Kat, that's how I'm feeling. It's been nearly three hours and we still have no answer for the country on who did this. I need to leave here and get back to Imperial Valley." Kathryn then said, "Paul, you know what the doctor said, you need rest."

"Kat, this country was just attacked and I'm the president; you don't expect me to just sit here." Kathryn sat next to her husband and said, "Paul, you're 48 years old and you can't keep stressing yourself like this. Just a few short hours ago, you had a heart attack." Kathryn started tearing up as she said, "Paul I know you're the president but you're my husband first and I...I almost lost you."

The president embraced his wife and said, "I know Kat, I know. But America is hurting, never mind my critics and never mind this election. Something has to be done."

At that moment, Victor, the president's chief of staff and Kathryn's brother, knocked on the door. "Come in Victor", the president said.

As Victor walked in, he said, "Mr. President, I need speak to you about something, it's important."

The president said, "Ok Vic, come in." Victor walked in. He then looked at his sister and said, "I need to speak to Paul alone Kathryn." Kathryn looked at the president. The president then said, "It's ok Kat, we'll only be a minute."

4:07pm As Kathryn left the room, the president took off his reading glasses and said, "What's this about Vic?"

Victor replied, "Well sir, it's regarding the bombing on the highway and whose responsible." President Garrison quickly sat up in his hospital bed and said, "I'm listening?"

Victor hesitated as he said, "About an hour before the attack, I had my people look through certain Russian files in hopes of discovering some sort of threat. We looked through dozens of back channels and the usual terrorists traffic. But then we found this..."

Victor then pulled the transcript that he shoved into his pocket a few hours ago on Air Force One. The president put back on his reading glasses and began reading. He suddenly had a look of confusion as he asked, "What is this?" Victor replied, "It's a telephone conversation between the Attorney General and a Lieutenant John Harper. We intercepted it from NSA."

"It says that the conversation was about the Russians being behind the attacks?"

"Correct sir."

The president became angry, as got out of his hospital bed and walked to Victor. He said, "Where's the AG now, we need to speak with him immediately." Victor replied, "We don't know sir. "

"What do you mean, you don't know, he's the Attorney General?"

"We've been looking for the past two hours, we even contacted his wife and she says he left for Washington a couple days ago. But she hasn't heard from him. We've also alerted the Pentagon, as well as DOD. But whatever he's been doing has to do with the attack in L.A." The president wasn't sure what to make of all this.

He then had a thought and said, "What a minute, you said that you got this information almost an hour before the attack. Why didn't you say anything then?" Victor knew that question was coming as he responded, "Because...honestly, that wasn't my intention. I figured if the attacks were to actually happen then it would give you a reason not to pull out of the Russian Compact Act."

The president was overwhelmed with emotions, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He then said, "Victor, just a few hours ago, I told you that my decision was final and so go behind my back? You intentionally try to find a terrorist attack?!" Victor said, "Look Paul, I didn't know that this attack was..." The president interrupted, "Victor! You knew about this attack and you didn't say anything, that's the same as treason."

"You don't think I know that Paul, that's why I'm telling you now. I was just upset about you wanting to dismantle what we worked so hard to create and maintain. Then once I found out about this threat, I got scared. I promise you, this wasn't suppose to happen. It won't happen again Paul.

The president then said, "You damn right it won't happen, if you weren't my wife's brother, I would fire you. I have spent the past hour reading over the names of all the soldiers that were killed in the attack and to know that this could have been avoided, hurts me. This has been one of the worst attacks in our country's history and because of that, I need people I can trust."

The president walked over to Victor and looked him in the eyes and said, "So once this threat is averted, I want your resignation on my desk and your belongings out of the White House. Is that understood?" Victor quickly responded, "Alright Paul." The president said, "I'm the president of the United States Victor, you don't ever again call me by my first name."

The president didn't want Victor around but he couldn't bare having Kathryn find out about this, not now. He felt somewhat betrayed but still had to realize that Victor was family and the president couldn't forget that. As the president put on his robe, he said, "Victor, I need to know if I can trust you going forward, I need to know this now?" Victor was hesitant but then responded, "Yes sir, I give you my word."

4:10pm After that exchange, the president said, "Ok first, you need to alert Air Force One and let them know that I need to leave within the hour. Let them know the manifest is to be set for L.A. Next, notify Homeland and the Pentagon; tell them, we now have knowledge that this attack was of Russian intelligence. I don't want any stone left unturned, including the evidence the FBI gathered from the bombings earlier. Also, see if the Department Of Defense can get in contact with this John Harper, I want to talk to him directly, maybe he can tell us what the hell is going on? Keep looking for the Attorney General, we need to find him."

Before Victor walked out of the hospital room, the president said, "Victor, I need u to do one last thing. Contact the Joint Chiefs, as well as the Vice President and Governor Richardson." Victor looked puzzled as he asked, "Why Richardson sir? He's your opponent in the election?"

"I'm aware of that Victor. Tell them that I'm putting Section 125B into effect."

Victor was surprised and somewhat confused. Section 125B was a section of the Constitution that basically stated if the circumstances were extreme enough the president could post pone a presidential election later to a date.

Glendale, California

4:12pm

Stephen had ran about a block down the street and into a neighbor's backyard. He was limping; the pain came from his right leg, which was probably sprained from the jump out of his second-story window. He had only escaped the Russians a several minutes earlier, so Stephen knew he had to do something.

He instantly recognized a backyard; the home belonged to Rachel and Derek Miller. Stephen knew them well, he treated their twin boys a few years ago when they were sick. Once he noticed that the patio doors were halfway open, Stephen ran inside. He ran into Rachel, who was watching the news on TV.

Rachel said, "My god, Stephen? What are you doing here?"

Stephen quickly asked, "Where's the boys?"

"They're at their grandpa's today, we thought it would be the best thing after what's happened today. But Stephen, you're hurt and your bleeding!" Rachel was referring to the wound in Stephen's shoulder, from where Urie had stabbed him earlier. Stephen grabbed Rachel by the arm and said, "Look, Rachel, the people that killed those soldiers a few hours ago, are going to kill more people, I need your phone."

Rachel was frightened as she said, "Stephen, you're scaring me, maybe you should..." Stephen interrupted, "Rachel please! I need to use your phone."

Rachel gave Stephen the phone. Stephen called the police. He knew that the terrorists would attack a hospital, since they made him put on his scrubs and that's exactly what he told the 911 operator. He also told them that the hospital in question could very well be the Saint Joe's Children Hospital, which was the same hospital Stephen worked at. Rachel was so scared that, she called Derek downstairs. As Derek came downstairs a shot rang out and Derek came tumbling down the last few steps.

Stephen dropped the phone and pushed Rachel down as he yelled, "Get down!"

The Russian terrorists had tracked Stephen down and was firing from outside the house. Rachel could only scream in horror as she saw her husband's lifeless body on the ground. As more shots were being fired, Stephen said, "Rachel, I need you to run when I say so, I'm going to distract them ok?"

Rachel yelled, "But Stephen, you can't..."

"Rachel please, you need to do as I say."

Stephen waited for the shooting to stop, as it did since the masked men needed to reload. Stephen then got up and started running, it wasn't long before a masked terrorist broke through the back doors and took Stephen down. Urie, who was the only member of the group to take off his mask, said in a Russian accent, "You bastard."

Urie picked up Stephen from off the floor and shoved him against the wall. He then said, "You have pushed us back and we are now behind schedule. You do anything like that again and we'll kill you and your daughter. Do you understand me?!"

Stephen didn't say anything, the only sound that could be heard was Rachel, she was on the ground, laying next to her husband screaming. One of Urie's men, picked up the house phone that Stephen was using and said, "Urie, Stephen called the authorities, the busy signal is a recording from the L.A.P.D." Urie looked at Stephen and asked, "What did you tell them?"

Stephen still was quiet as once again, Rachel was yelling. This time she directed her anger towards Urie. She yelled, "You son-of-a bitch! You killed my husband, you're going to burn in hell for what you've done! All of you are going to burn in hell for what you've done today."

"SHUT UP!" Urie shouted, but Rachel kept talking. Stephen finally said, "Rachel please, just stop." There was no use, Rachel kept yelling and screaming. She then stood up and was yelling louder. Stephen kept saying, "Rachel, stop please! Just stop." Rachel then wiped her tears and said, "You people are..." Just then, a bullet went through her skull.

4:19pm "Jesus Christ!", Stephen yelled. Urie pointed his gun back at Stephen and said, "Do you see all the blood that's on your hands today? Now, we're going to finish this and you can either come willingly or we can just kill right here. After we kill you, then we'll go after your daughter."

Stephen then spat in Urie's face. Urie wiped his face and then punched Stephen in the face. He then looked at all his men and said, "If they haven't already, the authorities will be after us. Which means we have to move quickly, monitor all police frequency and keep your eyes open. We have less then forty five minutes to get this done. Pick Stephen up and let's move."

Lieutenant John Harper's House

Los Angeles, California

4:20pm

John had just pulled up in front of his home. He was still shaken up from today's events. From the attack on the highway, to the incident at the apartment complex. He was more determined than ever to find the truth of what was really going on. John lived in a residential area, he and his wife use to live on the base but he was transferred after John became a Lieutenant. It was quiet but John had to keep his eyes open. He walked in and saw his wife arguing with another woman. John had to assume that this woman was Chloe O'Brian, the woman he had spoke to, about thirty minutes ago, on the phone. She told John that she had information about today's attacks.

John's wife, immediately rushed over and embraced her husband. She said, "Oh my god, John!"

John replied, "Its ok Amanda, I'm alright."

As Amanda started to cry, she said, "When I saw what happened on the highway I thought you were hurt or worse. I tried calling the base but they said you weren't there, what happened to you?"

John wiped his wife's eyes and said, "Look there's some things I need to explain and I promise you, I'll explain later but right now I need to speak to Mrs. O' Brian."

Amanda looked somewhat confused, she said, "So then its true what she's saying? That she has information about the attack? Look John, even if what she's saying is true, why would let some random stranger into our house?"

"Amanda, I know I have no right to ask this of you right now but..."

Amanda interrupted, "John, you let a random stranger into our house, knowing I would be coming home? What's wrong with you? What if she's lying or being followed?"

Chloe blurted out, "I'm not lying and I'm not being followed. Look, I'm sorry for coming in like this. You probably think I'm some call girl or something but I can assure you, I'm not. I came here cause I need your husband's help in finding my friend."

Amanda wasn't hearing any of it as she responded, "Well miss, I could care less about you're friend right now. How do I know you're even telling the truth and you're really who you say you are?"

"Trust me, if you knew all the crap I've been through today, you might reconsider."

John could tell that his wife was going to interrupt again so he interjected, "Stop, both of you. Amanda, I'll explain everything, but I need here her out." He then walked over to Chloe and said, "Alright Mrs. O'Brian, you need to tell me everything you know."

4:26pm Chloe, hesitated and said, "Well its a long story, and we don't have a lot of time." John responded, "Then talk fast."

On Route: Mojave Desert

Private Jet

Flying 40,000 ft. High

4:27pm

Vladimir's men were feeling pretty proud of what they had accomplished with the attack on the highway, a few hours earlier. They were leaving L.A. and headed to the Mojave Desert. Vladimir's men were talking and drinking wine, they had to stop every few seconds to listen to Adrik Ivanov's screams. Ivanov was being attended to by a Russian physician, he was in great pain after being tortured a few hours ago but he knew the cause was far greater than the pain.

At the other end of the jet, Vladimir had begun eating his brunch. Although Vladimir's food was good, he wasn't eating alone. As he was eating, he was looking at the man that he's despised since the start of all this, Jack Bauer. Jack was sitting just a few feet away. His hands were handcuffed behind his back and ever since he was taken and placed there, he was silent and staring at the floor.

Vladimir decided to break the ice, as he said, "Doctor says that Ivanov will live. Somewhat surprising considering what you did to him earlier today. But Ivanov is fighter and he knows what needs to be done, he knows why we're doing this. Which leads me to the, as you Americans say, the explanation."

Jack was still staring at the floor in silence as Vladimir continued, "If you would indulge me for a minute, I'd like to take you back several years earlier. You see, you're country has tried to control us before. When you're president, Charles Logan tried to start a peace agreement with Moscow. So we, bought nerve gas from Mr. Logan, of course him not knowing what our full intentions were. But we didn't have all the pieces in place.

Jump almost four years later, and another one of you're leaders tried to control us when president Taylor tried to put together a piece accord. So once again, we knew there were people within president Hassan's own country that wanted him dead. We gave these people what they wanted and Hassan was killed but again, we still didn't have all the pieces in place. That missing piece was you Bauer. See, you've poked your nose in our business for far too long.

So where does that leave us? Thanks to your new leader, president Garrison, Russia has surrendered to the west. We have surrendered to the west, surrendered to you! Your president has enforced this, "Russian Compact Act", and now everything from our weapons, defense contracts, OUR WAY OF LIFE, controlled by you. For almost five years we've been your puppets and people within our own government dance for you. Not anymore. Your government has taken everything away from us, so we're just returning the favor. That's why we attacked your precious soldiers today, because they don't stand for freedom like you make everyone else in the world believe. I've seen this with my own two eyes; a couple of years ago, when your soldiers invaded our country, there was chaos. A kind of chaos Russia had never seen before, within this chaos my wife and daughters were killed by YOUR MEN! So I ask you, what is your version of justice?"

Lieutenant John Harper's House

Los Angeles, California

4:36pm

"So now these Russian extremist, the same ones that attacked the highway, they have your friend, Jack Bauer?" John had asked as Chloe had just finished explaining her very complicated day.

Chloe then said, "Yes, its all true. Now, you see why I need your help; Jack's the only real friend I have."

John said, "Look, I understand Mrs. O'Brian, but how can I help and how do you know they haven't already killed him?"

"I don't but the president needs the know the truth about everything and whose behind this. The Attorney General and others are dead because of these people. Now they may kill Jack, I can't let that happen." Just then, John's cell phone began to ring. John excused himself from the room and answered the phone.

Back in the living-room, Amanda kept looking at Chloe with a discomforting look on her face. Amanda then said, "Mrs. O'Brian..." Chloe interrupted, "Just call me Chloe."

"Well, Chloe, I hope you're not getting my husband involved in some terrorists plot. John's a good man and he doesn't need to get mixed up in this kind of stuff, not today. I love him and..."

Chloe interrupted again, "I'm not trying to do anything. John is the only one who knows this information, he's the only person I can trust right now. And I know you love him and everything but marriage is not everything. Especially when you're involved in this stuff, believe me."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that sometimes its better to be alone. I was married once before then I remarried only because I was having a baby. Then we got divorced again and...anyway, I'm sorry, I'm rambling. I just want to find Jack and stop these people."

4:41pm John came back in with a puzzled look on his face. Amanda asked, "John, what's wrong?" The call that John had received was from one of the officers, who was part of the mayhem, back at the apartment complex. The officer told him that Sergeant Brooks had died from massive blood loss. The Russian terrorist, that was also taken to the hospital along with Sergeant Brooks, had also died from the injuries he substantiated earlier at the apartment complex. But that wasn't why John looked puzzled. It was the other information the officer had told him.

John then responded, "There's going to be an attack at Saint Joe's Children Hospital in Glendale."

Before Chloe or Amanda could react to the horrific news John said, "I'm going down there.

Amanda quickly said, "John wait...how do you know they haven't already did anything?"

John thought for a second, looked at Chloe and said, "I need to monitor police frequency without the terrorists knowing anything can you do that from here?"

Chloe was reluctant to respond as John said, "You want to help save your friend, I need you to do this. Its the only way that we can finally catch these Russians before they attack us again. I've already told the officer to take the necessary steps on his end, I just need to monitor everything through a separate channel. So I ask you one last time, can you do this?"

Amanda was still trying to get her husband's attention as Chloe said, "Fine, I'll do it...I just need a computer."

John responded, "You can use our desktop, here's the password you need to use." As John began to put back on his jacket, Amanda grabbed his arm and said, "John what the hell are you doing?"

John said, "Amanda listen..."

"No John, you need to listen to me. Today, you have no idea what I went through when the attack earlier. I thought you were dead, don't you understand that? You're not a police officer, you're not some FBI agent. You're a solider and you're my husband and now you're going out and getting involved again. That's not what you're supposed to do John."

John then said, "Amanda, I'm tired of people telling me what I'm supposed to do, I only know what I can do. I've seen what these people can do first hand, I don't expect you to understand. Stay here and help O'Brian with whatever she needs, I love you."

John then kissed Amanda on her cheek and left. Amanda began to tear up in frustration as Chloe started to work on the computer.

Saint Joe's Children Hospital

Glendale, California

4:46pm

Stephen realized at this point, there was no stopping it. "Put it in there", said the Russian operative who accompanied Stephen in the hospital. The leader of this team Urie, was outside the building and communicating through earpiece. The job was simple: to plant a bomb in the hospital and Stephen was their way in.

The Russian operative told Stephen to put the bomb in the hazardous waste lab. Stephen became beside himself. Still amazed at how his day had turned out. Kim's death wasn't a accident, she was murdered. Then once Stephen tried to uncover the truth, he became part of a terrorist plot. With every step and with every move, Stephen knew he was in the mist of something he was going to regret for the rest of his life. He worked at this hospital and took care of the sick kids and now he was signing their death warrants but at the same time, he cared about his daughter and how he didn't want to leave her behind as an orphan if he didn't comply. Once the bomb was placed, the Russian operative and Stephen left the room.

As they made their way down the hall, Stephen looked at all the children and couldn't bare it anymore but when he was about to say something, a nurse noticed him.

She said, "Dr. Wesley, I thought you were taking off work for the rest of the week?"

Stephen wanted to say something but Urie, through earpiece, said, "Keep moving Stephen."

Stephen started walking when the nurse yelled, "I'm not sure if you know this but your daughter, Teri, is here."

Just then Stephen's heart sank as he stopped walking and headed to the nurse. "What are you doing Stephen?" Urie said. Stephen asked the nurse, "Teri's here?"

"Yes, she arrived about an hour ago, with her aunt. Apparently she was suffering from dehydration and she seemed a little scared but with what's been happening today I don't blame her."

The nurse then noticed that something was wrong with Stephen, she said, "Dr., you look like hell. Are you ok?"

Stephen knew there was only one thing left he could do, one thing he had to do. He then looked at the Russian operative and then looked back at the nurse and said, "There's a bomb about to go off, you need to alert hospital security now!"

The Russian operative knew that something was wrong and reacted. He took out his pistol and aimed it Stephen. "No wait!" Stephen yelled. A shot rang out but the operative shot the nurse. As the Russian operative started running the opposite direction, everyone else started running and screaming as well. Stephen yelled, "Everyone head to the front entrance now! We have a bomb in the hospital!"

As all the other nurses and doctors were helping the children, Stephen ran to the nurse that had just been shot. He said, "Look at me, you're going to be alright." He then yelled for another doctor to attend to her. Before he left her side, Stephen asked, "Where's Teri?"

The nurse could barley speak but was able to say, "Upstairs, in B-wing."

4:55pm Stephen had plant the bomb himself so he knew that he didn't have much time. As he made his way upstairs, he kept yelling and telling everyone to head to the front entrance. Once he got upstairs, he noticed a security guard and said, "Sir, my name is Dr. Wesley, you need to call the police, tell them there's a bomb in the hospital. Also tell your men to locate a man who's about six foot and wearing a dark blue scrub and carrying a black bag. He shot a nurse downstairs."

Stephen was getting worried, he knew there wasn't much time. He then saw someone down the hall, it was Teri and Aunt Carol. Stephen started running and yelled out, "Teri!"

Stephen ran further and yelled again, "TERI!" At that same second, an explosion came in between them. More explosions were coming from the floors below.

On Route: Mojave Desert

Private Jet

Flying 40,000 ft. High

4:57pm

Vladimir had just came back from meeting with his men at the other end of the jet. As he sat back down, he said, "My men just informed me that we have attacked your country again. You see Mr. Bauer, we are not doing this for anything in return. All we want is sympathy for the pain you've caused my country over the last few years and make no mistake, we will not stop. You Americans will learn that there's no such thing as justice, no such thing as heros and no such thing as freedom."

Vladimir walked over, stood in front of Jack and continued, "By the end of this day, your country will be on its knees and the only thing you'll be able to do Mr. Bauer, is watch!"

For the first time since Jack was taken, he looked up and made eye contact with Vladimir and simply replied, "We'll see about that."

5:00pm