(no subject)

[action_antihero]

Traffic is heavy heading into L.A.; even with everything that's been happening in the last couple weeks, there are enough people heading into work or otherwise to the downtown core to make traffic slow, if not quite the usual gridlock. Seated in the middle of the SUV, with agents in front of him and agents behind, Jack starts to get that familiar-skin-crawling feeling again, and he closes his eyes for much of the ride, leaning his head against the window.

It's a feeling that doesn't go away when they get to CTU, as they walk inside its familiar walls and for a moment it feels like the last couple years never happened, like he'd never been away. At least that's until he notices the stares of people working in the bullpen, the way everything seems to stop on sight of them.

He glances around for Kim, but doesn't spot her before he and Chris are led over to medical, where he finally lets go of Chris' hand and is led to a seat on one of the beds, where one of the doctors takes a look at his shoulder. Jack keeps his eyes firmly on the floor as he's given a local anasthetic and the wound is sewn up, glad that it's in his back so he doesn't have to watch.

He's just starting to pull a new shirt they'd given him over his head when a woman walks in--someone he doesn't recognise. He catches the look of surprise she gives his scars before he looks down, trying to put his left arm through the sleeve when his shoulder doesn't want to move. She stops and talks to Chris first for a few minutes, giving him a chance to pull on his shirt.

Comments

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

Jack's jaw tightens, anger starting to simmer again, but he doesn't want to take it out on her. He takes a deep breath, pulling her back into a hug. "I'm just glad you're okay. You shouldn't have had to go through that for us."

[agirllost]

She breathes out against him, grateful that he's not acting all Mama bear protecting her cub about what happened. After all, she has to work with these people.

At his comment, she isn't sure what to say, but she knows she won't let him feel guilty. "You're my family. And you've been through a lot worse for me," she whispers. 'And I've been through worse,' she thinks but doesn't say.

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

"Still," he says, holding her tightly, Thankfully the anaesthetic in his shoulder hasn't worn off, so he can move without wincing; she's worried about him enough for one day. "Thank you."

Another minute, then he lets go. "I should let you go; you've got work to do and I've got to be briefed on the Palmer investigation by Agent Yassir."

[agirllost]

She's silent, accepting the comfort and so grateful that he's made it back alive.

"You're welcome," she whispers, hoping that'll be the last time either of them mention it.

When he lets go, she looks up at him. "Buchanan's letting you stay?" It's irrational, but she's still sure that their chances for success have just gone up.

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

Jack nods. "It's completely unofficial and off the books. I think he realized if he didn't, I'd be working on it on my own, and I'd be taking up CTU resources anyway, calling you guys for help," he says, wryly.

[agirllost]

She tilts her head and looks up at him. "We're going to find out who really killed him, Dad, and they won't get away with it," her voice has a slight edge. She realizes that she can't show him her anger now.

"I need to get back to my station, but I'm...I feel better knowing you're involved."

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

"No, they won't," he says, in a tone that's rather similar to hers. "Thanks, sweetheart. I'm sure I'll see you later."

[agirllost]

She nods and touches his arm. "I love you and I'll see you later." She walks away, ignoring the looks of the people around them.