failegaidin

I told you that you guys would have to wait until Tuesday for another chapter :D If all goes well, S1 should be finished in the next week or two. That makes me VERY happy.

Chapter 14

Teri and Tony tried to carry Dr. Parslow as gently as they could toward Tony's SUV. She explained that he was a friend of hers, and that he had been shot by the man that Tony had killed. The agent was suspicious of the doctor, thinking that the concern he showed for Teri was just a little too overbearing, a little too intimate. But he was bleeding, and they needed to get him to a hospital as quickly as possible.

He called Nina as soon as they got on the road, knowing that she needed to be kept up-to-date.

"Meyers."

"Nina, it's me."

"I just saw you put in a call for an agent down at Jack's. Is Monroe alright?"

"He was shot. He was barely alive when I left him."

"Left him? Where the hell are you going?"

"Nina, I've got Teri."

"Oh my God. Is she okay?"

"She's a little shaken up. There was a friend with her at the house. He's been shot too. I'm taking him to a hospital."

"A friend? Who?"

"I don't know. Some kind of doctor. His name is Parslow. I think he's going to be okay."

"Well that's a relief. Are you coming back here after you get him to the clinic?"

"Yeah. That way we can protect her."

"Sounds good. See you soon."

"Bye."

"Tony, what is going on?" Teri asked.

"We thought you were safe at the house. Obviously, we were wrong."

"Kim and I were in a car accident. We need to go back to the scene, see if she's okay. I blacked out after it happened – I couldn't remember anything. But she could be hurt, or scared-"

"Teri, Kim is fine."

"What? How do you know?"

"She called CTU a little while ago. She wouldn't tell me where she was, but we traced the call and found an address she might be heading towards. Ava is there now."

Teri breathed an audible sigh of relief.

"Thank God she's alright." Then she turned back to Tony sharply. "What do you mean, Ava is there? She was shot! Why isn't she in Medical, resting?"

"Do you want to try and make her lie down? Because I've tried twice today, and she keeps getting by me. But if you think you can get her to stay put, be my guest."

She smiled a little at that.

"She always was a stubborn girl."

"Tell me about it."

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Ava had kept herself calm for most of the ride to the police station. She sat in the back of the cop car, Kim beside her, scolding herself for not getting the two of them out of the house before the shit hit the fan. Her badge had been lost in one of the many scuffles she'd been in earlier that day, and she knew that getting the police to believe she was a federal agent wouldn’t be easy. She doubted whether she could even get them to call CTU to confirm her story.

So she sat back and tried to come up with a way to convince them and to get herself and Kim out of this mess. If she could just get her back to CTU, she could focus on finding Teri and then go help Jack kick the terrorists' asses. She could sometimes understand what pushed people to the point of doing terrible things to get their message across. But today had been about revenge, pure and simple, and she couldn't understand how anyone could justify killing someone else's family in retribution. It just wasn't right.

Ava shook her head as she realized that her thoughts were drifting. She was supposed to be coming up with a plan to get them out of there – not musing on the justifications for terrorism. She shifted in her seat, grimacing at the jolt of pain that shot through her left shoulder. Having her hands cuffed behind her back was not doing much for her wound, and the pain was starting to ebb away at her concentration. Beads of sweat were popping up along her forehead, and she was having trouble breathing. The car felt insufferably small, and the air was hot and fetid to her senses. She shook her head again, trying to clear her mind, but the movement only caused her more pain. Her frustration rose with her temperature, and she suddenly found herself loathing the cops who had arrested her.

By the time they arrived at the station house, she was clenching her fists in anger. She fumed that the cops were interfering with national security – that they were putting peoples lives at risk with their stupidity. She bit her bottom lip as she winced again. Her shoulder was throbbing now, and all she could hear was the roaring of her blood and the pounding of her heart.

When the car stopped, one of the officers got out and came to her door, opening it and reaching for her. He grasped her upper left arm and yanked her out, her head slamming on the edge of the car as she was dragged out. The pain that flared in her shoulder and head were too much. Stepping closer to the cop, she rammed her knee into his crotch, watching with satisfaction as he crumpled to the ground.

"Ava!" Kim cried.

She turned just as the other cop came running towards her. When he was close enough, she spun her body, landing a solid to the side of his face and sending him sprawling across the pavement. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the blonde cop from the house coming up behind her. She spun to kick him as well, but he caught her ankle and held it tightly. Growling in frustration, Ava launched her body into the air and swung her foot into the side of his head. She had forgotten that she would need her hands to break her fall, though, and she cried out in pain as she crashed down to the pavement. She tried to push herself up again, but a gun was pressed against the back of her head. Turning slightly, she saw the blonde guy glaring at her, the area around his eye already turning black and blue.

"Keep this one away from the others. I want to talk to her first."

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Ava had her forehead resting against the cool table when the blonde cop came walking into the interrogation room. She didn't look up, her shoulder now screaming at her. With her hands still cuffed behind her back, there was no way for her to relieve the pressure.

"You assaulted three police officers," he commented as he took the seat across from her.

"Please undo these cuffs."

"I can't do that."

"My shoulder is killing me."

"From being in the cuffs? That's a pretty weak excuse."

Ava raised her head and looked at him like he was an idiot.

"Do you see the bandage? I got shot today."

"What were doing when you got shot?"

"Trying to get away from terrorists."

"Terrorists?"

She sighed. "I'm a federal agent. I work for CTU Los Angeles."

"Where's your badge?"

"I think I lost it when I got run off the road around midnight. It's probably burned with the rest of my car."

"That's convenient."

"You wouldn't think that if you were me."

"So…if you're a federal agent, what were you doing at that drug bust?"

"I was there to get Kim."

"The blonde girl?"

"Yes. She's another agent's daughter. She's been kidnapped and almost killed quite a few times today. I was supposed to find her and bring her back to CTU."

"Why was she at that house?"

"She knew one of the guys – Rick, I think his name was. He helped her and her mother escape earlier today when they were held captive."

"How?"

"He was one of the ones who took her and brought her to the compound."

"Doesn't it seem strange to you that she would go to him for help?"

Ava tried to shrug, but grimaced and brought her forehead back to the table. "She couldn't find anyone else to help her. Every time she thinks she's safe, something happens and she's running for her life again. She's had a shitty day."

"This is quite the story. Are you sure you didn't take some of Frank's drugs?"

"I don't do drugs."

"Oh? And why not?"

"Don't you know? They're bad for you."

"Why should I believe anything that you've told me? You don't have a badge. I found two guns on you, and a switchblade. You were at a major drug bust. You assaulted police officers, including myself."

"They grabbed me. It hurt my shoulder." She sighed, raising her head again. "Look, I can give you a phone number to call. Please. If the call doesn't pan out, chuck my ass in a cell. If it does, then get these damn cuffs off of me before my fucking arm falls off."

The cop smirked, amused at the woman sitting across from him.

"Alright, I'll bite. You give me that number and I'll check out your story."

"Thank God," she murmured, once again lowering her head.

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Teri followed Tony into CTU and onto the main floor as they headed directly for Nina's station. The agent looked up, giving a small smile of relief when she saw that Teri was okay.

"How's the doctor?" she asked when they got to her desk.

"They said he'll be alright." Tony turned to Teri. "I'm going to take you to the situation room. I need you to stay there."

"What about Kim?"

"We're doing everything we can to find her, Teri. Ava's good. She'll get to her soon."

Teri nodded, her fears slightly eased by the knowledge that Ava was looking for her daughter. The agent was young, but she usually managed to do the impossible. Tony gestured for one of the security guards, who gently took Teri by the elbow and led her off the floor. Then he took a position outside the room – his only mission was to make sure that no unauthorized person got in to see her.

"Are you okay?" Nina asked quietly.

Tony sighed and leaned against her desk.

"I was almost too late."

"But you weren't. That's the important thing."

He nodded, but before he could answer her, the phone on his desk rang loudly. Sighing again, he walked over and picked it up.

"Almeida, CTU."

"Tony Almeida?"

"Yes. Who's this?"

"My name is Duncan Shuer. I'm a narcotics cop. I have a young lady here claiming to be a CTU agent. She gave me this number."

Tony groaned. "Ava?"

"Yeah. Can you describe her to me? I want to make sure this girl's really an agent."

"Where the hell is her badge?"

"She said it's probably burned up with the rest of her car."

He chuckled. "Probably. She's about 5'8", brown hair, blue eyes. Hell of an attitude. If it's her, I imagine she's assaulted at least one officer."

"Three, actually. I was one of them."

"She didn't hurt them too badly, did she?"

"We'll live." He paused. "Was she really shot today?"

Tony straightened up suddenly. "Yes. Why? Is she okay?"

"Yeah, she's fine. She's been complaining about her shoulder. The cuffs must be hurting her real bad, stretching her arms behind her back."

"Wait – did she assault your men before or after you cuffed her?"

"After."

"Oh God."

"Yeah, she's a feisty one, alright. Landed some pretty nasty kicks before we got her down. Look, she's got a girl with her."

Tony closed his eyes, hope flaring in his chest. "Kim Bauer?"

"Yeah. So she's legit? Your agent said this girl's been kidnapped and almost killed a few times today."

"Yeah. It's been a long day."

"Alright, so what do you want me to do with them?"

"Because of the attempts on Kim's life, I can't have you just release them. I need you to take some men and escort them here. Don't let them out of your sight. Ava can usually handle herself, but she's injured."

"Okay. We'll be on our way soon. I should probably go get those cuffs off your agent."

"If you value your life," he responded with a small smile before hanging up.

"Who was that?" Nina asked as Tony walked back to her station.

"A narcotics cop. He has Ava and Kim in custody."

"What? Why?"

He shrugged. "I didn't ask for the whole story. But they're escorting them back here."

"Are they alright?"

"I think so. Ava assaulted three officers, handcuffed. Her shoulder's still hurting her, more so with her hands tied behind her back. They should be here soon."

"Good. I'll go let Teri know that her daughter is safe."

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"Do you have any news?" Teri asked as soon as Nina walked through the door.

"Yes," Nina said gently. "We've found Kim."

"Is she alright?"

"She's fine, Teri. She got caught in a drug bust?"

Teri frowned. "How?"

"I don't have all the details. But Ava is with her. I imagine they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"What about Jack? Have you heard anything from him?"

"Not in a little while, no."

Teri peered at the other woman closely.

"There's something you're not telling me," she accused.

"Teri-"

"What aren't you telling me? Where's Jack?"

"Teri, I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"I just can't. I promise you that as soon as I can, I will come down and explain everything to you."

"Nina, please."

"I'm sorry, Teri. But Kim should be here soon."

Avoiding the pain in the other woman's eyes, Nina forced herself to turn around and walk out of the room.

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"Come in," George called when someone knocked on his door.

He looked up to see Teri Bauer stepping tentatively into the room. He was relieved to see that she was uninjured, but he could see the fear and tension residing in her eyes. A sudden wave of sympathy washed over him as he recalled all the terrors that she had been through that day.

"Mrs. Bauer," he greeted, standing up as she walked to his desk.

"Mr. Mason. I'd like to know where my husband is."

"I'm sorry. He's in the field."

"Doing what?"

"I can't tell you that."

"Please, Mr. Mason. I need to know that my family is safe."

"I can tell you that Jack is alive. And your daughter is on her way in, from what Agent Almeida tells me."

"Yes. He told me Ava is with her."

"Then you should know that she's safe. Ava would die to protect her."

"She's already come pretty close today," Teri murmured. She looked up. "What if they find her again? Kim, I mean."

"Mrs. Bauer, I highly doubt that the people after Kim have any idea where she is. She escaped from the men chasing you and went some place that nobody expected. And now she has police protection and she's on her way here. She's safe."

"Thank you. But I won't say that until she's here and I can hold her myself."

"I understand."

"Thank you, Mr. Mason. Please, if something happens to Jack, will you update me?"

"I'll do my best."

She nodded absently before turning around and leaving the office without another word. Mason watched her sadly, wishing that he didn't have to lie to her, but knowing that he had no choice for the time being. Sighing, he picked up his phone and called Tony.

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"You wanted to see us?" Tony asked as he and Nina walked into Mason's office.

"We've got a problem."

"What's up?"

"Victor Drazen just called me."

"What?"

"He has Jack. He wants to make a trade."

"For what?"

"His son. Alexis."

"What are you going to do?"

"Division is going to take too much time to make this decision. We need to move - now. I've sent a team to the prison. Jack told me that there are six of them, and that they're all heavily armed. Tony, I want you to update the team."

"I’m on it." Tony turned and moved out of the room quickly, and Nina moved to follow him.

"Nina?"

She turned around at the sound of Mason's voice.

"Are you sure you can do this?"

She frowned at him.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it's Jack. Are you too…emotionally involved to handle this?"

"I can do my job, George," she gritted out.

"I just needed to make sure."

"Have you asked Tony that about Ava?"

George raised an eyebrow.

"I was under the impression that he was your boyfriend."

"That's up for debate."

"I haven't seen anything today to make me think Tony's too involved. If nothing else, I think he might be the most objective at the moment."

"Shows how much you know," Nina mumbled. "Was there anything else? I have work to do."

"No, that's it."

She spun on her heel and stalked out of the room.

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Teri stopped pacing as soon as Nina opened the door to the situation room. Her eyes were at once hopeful and full of fear, her face drawn and weary from the events of the day. She clasped her hands tightly in front of her, her knuckles white.

"We heard from Jack," Nina said tentatively.

"And?" She took a step back when the other woman didn't answer right away. "Oh God. What's happened?"

"He's been taken captive," Nina answered, her eyes locked on the ground, unable to meet Teri's gaze.

"What do you mean?"

The agent took a deep breath and raised her head.

"A man named Victor Drazen has him. He's the one who orchestrated your kidnapping. He wants revenge."

"For what?"

"Jack led a mission that resulted in the death of his wife and daughter."

"Oh God," Teri breathed.

"He wants to trade. Jack for his son Alexis."

"You'll do it right? You'll make the trade?"

"We'll do everything we can, Teri."

"What does that mean? That doesn't answer my question."

Nina took a step closer.

"Teri, we will get him back. Jack's been in these situations before. He'll be okay. I promise."

Closing her eyes, Teri sank into the chair behind her, her head falling into her hands.

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Tony looked up as Nina approached his station. She stopped when she saw the defeated expression on his face.

"What is it?" she asked, trying to keep the fear from her voice.

"They called it off."

"What? Who?"

"Chappelle. He called off the team at the prison. He says we can't do the trade. Jack is on his own."

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"You alright?" Duncan asked as he walked Ava and Kim to the car.

The agent glared at him.

"I'll live."

"Sorry about the misunderstanding."

"Yeah, yeah. You're lucky I'm injured. Otherwise I'd have to kick your ass just on principle."

He chuckled at that.

"Well, soon you and Kim will be safe and sound at CTU. Although, from what I hear, you'll probably manage to get yourself into trouble again fairly quickly."

"I see you've been talking to Tony."

"He might have said a few things."

Ava chuckled as she climbed into the back of the car, Kim sliding in next to her. The ride was much more comfortable this time, her arms able to rest in their normal position. Before they had left, Duncan had had someone rewrap her shoulder and give her some more pain meds. Sighing, she leaned her head back against the seat, closing her eyes. All she wanted to do was get Kim back to CTU. She knew that she would be safe there, and then she would have one less person to worry about. Ava didn't have the slightest idea of where to start looking for Teri, but she would burn that bridge when she got to it. For now, she just concentrated on getting to CTU.

The squeal of tires made her head snap up just in time to see headlights careening towards them, getting impossibly bright before colliding with their car. Kim screamed as the car spun around and was pushed backwards, the hood crunched to half its original size. When they finally came to a stop, Ava leaned forward and checked the driver, sighing in frustration when she found that he had died on impact.

"Are you alright?" she asked Kim urgently.

"I…I think so. What the hell is going on?"

"Apparently we're not out of the woods yet."

She pulled at the door handle, but was unable to open the door. Cursing, she remembered that cop cars had special locks on the backdoors – they could only be opened from the outside. The door on the other side was suddenly opened, and Ava turned to see someone reach in and grab Kim by the hair, dragging her out of the car. The agent leapt across the seat, making it out of the car before their attackers closed the door again. She struggled to her feet, prepared to fight her way out.

A crowbar came out of nowhere and slammed into her ribs, stealing the breath from her lungs. Ava doubled over, her hands clutching her stomach. She looked up just in time to see the crowbar slicing through the air toward her head, and she raised her right arm to block it. The pain was intense, and she cried out. Ava balled her fist and tried to backhand her opponent, but she was hit from behind by someone else.

Her body rebelled against her, sinking to the pavement even as she willed it to stand up and fight. Kim's screams echoed in her ears, and she saw a man put a bullet in Duncan's head as the cop regained consciousness and tried to get out of the car. The shooter walked around the car towards her, and Ava struggled with every ounce of her strength to push herself to her hands and knees. With a snort of derision, the man kicked her in the ribs, knocking her onto her back.

With one smooth motion, he aimed his weapon and fired three shots into her chest.