“Hell, Jack, if I still can remember the first time I laid eyes on her, and I wasn’t even involved with her, I know you sure as hell must have some serious recall going on. See ya.”

As he watched Tony walk away, as much as it galled him to do so, Jack had to admit to himself the truth of Tony’s statement. It didn’t take much to make him think of his ex-lover Sabrina; he simply made a conscious effort not to. But when he did allow his mind to ‘go there’? Man, it was a nice trip…


18 months earlier…


As with most things taking place on any given day at CTU, the dynamics of any given situation shifted in a matter of minutes; the New York branch of the agency was no different. One second, Secretary of Defense James Heller was in the midst of delivering a blistering tongue lashing to the staff working the current protocol regarding a potential chemical warfare threat, the next he was swaying on his feet as if disoriented, having trouble remembering (much less repeating) the date, where he was, or even his own name.

After what no doubt had to be 300 of the most paralyzing and terrifying seconds of the government official’s life – as well as his daughter Audrey’s – it was deduced that the cause of Heller’s current state stemmed from a potential cerebral accident of some sort that while the medical doctors on staff could avert, inevitably it would require a specialist to treat—surgically. The sooner the better. As befitting a member of the President’s cabinet, naturally, no expense was spared to obtain the absolute best in the field to perform the necessary surgery. A few well-placed phone calls deduced ‘the best’ was no longer practicing in the field of Neurology and even if such were the case could not be reached as he was in Nepal.

Climbing Everest.

“So you mean to tell me the best chance we have of saving my father is on the other side of the world…on the side of a mountain?!” Audrey Raines railed. With great effort, she tore her terrified gaze away from the monitors providing a direct feed of the ongoing assessment of her father taking place in CTU’s medical unit.

The combination of frustration and fear getting the better of her, Audrey waved off any attempts at consolation from nearby staff members and instead made a beeline towards the determined man entering the conference room.

“I was down on the floor going over Intel when I heard. What the hell happened, Brian?” Jack Bauer barked.

Seconds later Audrey proceeded to launch her sobbing form against Jack’s before anyone could even attempt to offer an answer to his question. Burying her face against his chest, Audrey eked out a muffled, “Oh, Jack! What are we going to do?!” even as she instinctively snaked her arms around him.

Somewhat awkwardly, the newly reinstated Director of Field Ops embraced his softly weeping former lover, unable to prevent himself from wondering just how the hell he’d wound up in his current predicament, both literally and figuratively. He was only in New York as a favor to Heller; “on loan” from CTU Los Angeles in a strictly administrative capacity due to his first-hand knowledge of information pertaining to a few of the mission’s key players. And yet, in the span of less than 10 minutes he’d gone from offering Intel to offering comfort.

While he would in no way abandon Audrey in what was obviously a time of need, Jack could not deny that her inclusion of him in resolving the crisis regarding her father—effectively turning what was obviously a “me” situation into one that now encompassed “we”—was yet another example of how out of sync the two were when it came to the nature of their relationship post-break up. Once again, he found himself entertaining that nagging feeling that occurred whenever they occupied the same space without the common bond of work; that even though Jack had (amid her protests, and as delicately as he could) ended things between them nearly six months earlier, Audrey still harbored the belief the dissolution of their relationship was merely temporary.

“Just…calm down, Audrey,” Jack said softly, stroking her back in kind. “I’m sure CTU is doing everything they can to get your father the best possible care.” His gaze found that of the agency’s Director.

“Don’t you worry, Miss Raines,” Agent Cole Ortiz cut in. “Look, people, I don’t care if this Dr. Carsyn’s about to set the world record for the fastest ascent of Mount Everest blindfolded, without O2, in the dark, we need to get him here!” he barked. Seconds later he leveled a disbelieving but nonetheless steely gaze at the surrounding staff still standing motionless in the wake of his declaration. “Newsflash, people! We need to do it now!”

The baby-faced Director of Field Ops shot the agency Director an apologetic look, grateful he didn’t take the opportunity to put him on blast right then and there for essentially taking the helm in a matter that was above both his pay grade and security clearance. It only served to anchor his admiration and respect of the agency administrator; Cole was fully aware the Director knew he was, justly or unjustly, taking Heller’s current state personally: it was Cole’s team that had blown the surveillance of the target, failure that had resulted in the target still being at large—news that perhaps contributed to exacerbating conditions resulting in the Secretary’s current life or death state.

“You can hang up getting Carsyn down off Everest…and not just because of the logistics.” Brian Hastings’ reply was smooth, unassuming, yet direct—characteristics that were the very embodiment of the handsome CTU New York administrator. “But Agent Ortiz is correct, Miss Raines. You don’t need to worry. We’ll ensure Secretary Heller gets the very best care available.”

“How?! How are you going to do that?” Audrey cried. “Your own Intel reveals the world’s best Neurosurgeon isn’t even in the country right now.”

“That’s actually incorrect,” Hastings countered softly. “One of the best is not in the country. But the best is. In fact she not only is Dr. Carsyn’s protégé, but it gets even better. She’s right here in New York…”

“How soon can she be here?” Jack asked.

“If my connections are still as good as I believe they are, soon as I make this call.”

Seconds later, a smile threatened to ease its way across Hastings’ cocoa hued features as he addressed the party on the other line.

“Tasha…” Despite his best efforts, Hastings had to chuckle; the response was just as he expected it to be. “Hey, hey! Don’t hang up! I know…I know! I’m virtually persona non grata with you for missing your wedding. No, I didn’t know you were on your honeymoon,” he winced. “Look, you can read me the riot act over dinner when you get back. But right now, I need a favor, Tasha. A huge one. I’m talking national security-related ‘huge’.”

“Fine,” Alexis Davis Taggert relented, smiling in spite of herself. “What do you need, Brian?”

“Thanks, Tasha. I owe you. Big time.” Hastings exhaled sharply, sending up a silent prayer the answer to his request would be the one he sought. “Now, please tell me that firecracker sister of yours is still on staff at that hospital in Port Charles…”