6 A.M. - 7 A.M.
This fiction takes place 3 years after Season 4 and the action has moved to Washington, DC. I don’t own most of the characters.
Act One | Act Two | Act Three | Act Four | End
“24″
“6:00 A.M. - 7:00 A.M.”
The following takes place between 6 AM & 7 AM, Eastern Standard Time, on the day of the presidential inauguration:
INT. GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE - RICHMOND, VA
A man’s dead body lies behind the counter. A masked man is examining him.
VICTOR
Alright, we’re good. He’s definitely dead.
ALEJANDRO
And you’re sure the cameras were disabled?
VICTOR
Yes. I made him do that before I shot him.
ALEJANDRO
Alright, good work.
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. GAS STATION
A RED VAN is parked outside, waiting for the two masked men.
INSIDE THE VAN
The driver, a 30-something male with olive-toned skin and dark hair, turns to the passenger in the back, whose is looking through the window with binoculars, the back of his head covered by a hoodie sweatshirt.
PEDRO
Make sure that when you are done with the girl, you kill her…we can’t afford to leave any loose ends.
JOSE nods without turning around. Pedro and Victor reenter the van as Pedro says this.
VICTOR
I thought we just needed to use her. You never said anything about killing her.
PEDRO
(harshly)
Is that a problem?
Victor suddenly becomes nervous and shakes his head.
VICTOR
No. No problem.
PEDRO
Good.
OUTSIDE:
The van pulls out of the gas station and back onto the road.
CUT TO:
BEIJING, CHINA - LOCATION UNKNOWN
A Chinese Man pulls up a profile on his computer, with the word PRESUMED DEAD splashed across it in red. A close-up of the screen reveals that the profile is the fake profile of Jack that Chloe altered three years earlier. Another man is futzing in the background when the first man calls him over.
MAN ON COMPUTER
(in Chinese)
Come see this!
The other man comes over.
MAN 2
(in Chinese)
What is it?
MAN 1
This is the man who led the attack on our Los Angeles consulate three years ago. He was killed by his own government in an attempt to protect the government from implication in the incident. Or so we were told.But look at this picture, and now look at this.
He pulls up a newspaper article from 8 years earlier, on the day of the California presidential primary. The article pictures the real Jack Bauer, identifying him as the agent responsible for saving then-Senator David Palmer’s life.
MAN 2
The photos don’t match.
MAN 1
Exactly. But, check this out:
He switches to another window, where he has what looks like a Chinese intelligence file with a picture of a man who looks like Jack, pictured with a men believed to be members of a terrorist group, who are being pursued.
MAN 2
So…he faked his own death and escaped and became a terrorist?
MAN 1
It looks that way.
MAN 2
Does the US government know?
MAN 1
They know this man is wanted for his involvement with this group, but I don’t think they know the man’s true identity.
MAN 2
Excellent.
The second man places a call to a contact in the United States. They speak in Chinese, and there are no subtitles, so the viewer does not know what they are saying.
INT. CONDO, FALLS CHURCH, VA - 06:04:38
SFX: ALARM BEEPS.
TONY ALMEIDA quickly sits up and turns it off.
MICHELLE DESSLER groans and opens her eyes slowly.
Tony leans over and kisses her.
MICHELLE
What time is it?
TONY
Sleepy?
MICHELLE
Mmm.
TONY
How unfair is it that we have to work today when most of the federal government has the day off?
Michelle groans.
TONY
The good news is, it’s only 6, so you can go back to sleep for a little while.
He kisses the top of her head.
MICHELLE
(groggily )
Why did you set it for so early?
TONY
In case I needed to go to the supermarket, to get whatever weird food you’re craving this morning. So what can I get you?
MICHELLE
I’m not hungry.
She groans again.
MICHELLE
You can go back to sleep.
TONY
Are you okay, sweetheart? Are you feeling nauseous?
MICHELLE
A little. Mostly just tired.
TONY
I guess that’s my fault, huh?
Michelle nods groggily.
TONY
Sorry, babe. I just can’t seem to keep my hands off you.
He leans over and presses his lips against her stomach.
TONY
And in about seven months we’re going to have living proof of that.
MICHELLE
That tickles.
TONY
(continuing to talk to her stomach )
Right, little guy? Then I can show you how much fun your mommy is to tickle.
MICHELLE
(giggling)
Tony, stop!
She grabs a pillow and hits him with it.
TONY
Alright, alright. Are you sure you don’t want me to go to the supermarket?
MICHELLE
Do we have any perogies?
TONY
Yeah, I bought some more yesterday after you ate the entire supply I bought the other day. Here, I’ll go make some coffee and read the paper and let you go back to sleep for a while, ok?
He kisses her forehead and gets up, heading toward the door.
MICHELLE
Nah, thanks to you I’m awake. Get back in bed!
TONY
If you insist…
He climbs back into bed next to her and turns onto his side. She smiles as he gently pushes her hair out of her face. He looks at her lovingly for a minute, stroking her cheek softly, before leaning in to kiss her and rolling on top of her.
INT. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM COMMAND CENTER, HERNDON, VA
JONG, a tall, thin man in his early 30’s, sits at a desk on the main floor of the command center. He yawns, struggling to stay awake. Suddenly, he is jolted back to reality by something on his screen.
JONG
Hey Steph, did you use my station at all while I was on the phone earlier?
STEPH
No, why?
JONG
There’s a file here I don’t recognize…it says it was created this morning.
STEPH
Hmm…that’s odd. Are you sure it’s not yours? Did you try opening it?
JONG
Yeah, I’m sure. I didn’t open it because I am afraid it could be a virus or something. It’s probably nothing, but I want to know how someone accessed my station.
STEPH
Yeah, that’s weird. What time was it created?
JONG
Hmmm…5:48 AM. So just a few minutes ago. I’ve been sitting here for the past two hours.
STEPH
Which means someone may be accessing your files from a remote location. We should probably alert Homeland Security.
JONG
Alright, I’ll take care of it. Just keep your eyes open.
INT. PENTAGON - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
Incoming Secretary of Defense WALT CUMMINGS sits at what is soon to be his desk, taking in the surroundings. His secretary, ERICA, comes in to deliver a message.
ERICA
Mr. Secretary, I just spoke with the Attorney General’s office. They called to respond to your inquiry.
CUMMINGS
And?
ERICA
In their opinion, past criminal acts are only legitimate grounds for firing a career employee if it’s a new revelation. In this case, all past crimes were fully disclosed during the application process.
CUMMINGS
What about his security clearance?
ERICA
It appears that Secretary Heller granted this employee a waiver to the Smith Amendment, which prohibits anyone convicted of a crime and sentenced to more than a year in prison from working for the DOD.
CUMMINGS
So can’t I revoke the waiver?
ERICA
Ordinarily, yes. But in this case, it appears the waiver was not actually needed in the first place. The employee in question was convicted but never sentenced…he was released before his sentencing hearing was scheduled to take place.
CUMMINGS
So basically, you’re telling me that we’ve got someone who was convicted of treason against the United States in a senior level staff position and there’s nothing I can do about it?
ERICA
It appears that way, sir.
Cummings sighs, frustrated.
CUMMINGS
Okay, tell the attorney general thank you for getting back to me.
ERICA
Yes, sir. Anything else?
CUMMINGS
No, that’s it for now.
CUT TO:
EXT. INTERSTATE 95 / INT. RED VAN - 06:09:08
Victor looks increasingly nervous as the van continues driving.
Suddenly, he speaks out.
VICTOR
I…I can’t do this.
Pedro stops short and pulls off to the side of the highway.
VICTOR
I’m sorry, man. He’s my cousin.
ALEJANDRO
I thought you wanted to teach him a lesson.
VICTOR
Yeah, I wanted to teach him a lesson…but I didn’t think we were going to kill her. Please, just let me go.
PEDRO
I’m sorry, but we can’t.
VICTOR
I won’t go to the authorities, I swear.
ALEJANDRO
You’re right, you won’t. I’m going to make sure of that.
Alejandro turns around from the passenger seat and points it at Victor.
He is about to shoot when Pedro stops him.
PEDRO
Not here. Take him into the woods.
Alejandro nods and gets out of the car, holding Victor at gunpoint. Pedro calls to him from the driver’s seat.
PEDRO
Alejandro, wait.
Alejandro turns around.
ALEJANDRO
You don’t want me to kill him?
PEDRO
No.
Victor sighs with relief, but his relief is short-lived.
PEDRO
Let Jose do it.
He turns around and points his gun at Jose, who had been staring out the window looking for cops with his binoculars.
PEDRO
Unless you have a problem also.
Jose sighs and shakes his head.
OUTSIDE THE VAN, Victor trembles as Alejandro holds him at gunpoint.
Jose emerges a minute later, his face concealed by a mask and sunglasses.
PEDRO
Alejandro, go with them…make sure he does it.
Alejandro nods and leads Jose and Victor into the woods and ties Victor to a tree.
ALEJANDRO
Alright, we should be out of hearing range. Go ahead.
He keeps eagle eyes on Jose, who slowly takes out his GUN and aims it, hesitating for a second.
ALEJANDRO
You heard me…shoot!
Jose’s arm trembles slightly as he lifts up the gun, points it at Victor, and SHOOTS him in the head.
Alejandro walks over and feels Victor’s body to confirm that he is dead.
ALEJANDRO
Let’s go.
Jose follows him back to the car, glancing back at Victor’s dead body when Alejandro isn’t looking.
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
PRESIDENT CHARLES LOGAN is about to leave for his morning jog when JENNY, his assistant, approaches him.
JENNY
Mr. President, I’m sorry to bother you sir, but something has come up that requires your attention.
LOGAN
What’s going on?
JENNY
I just got a call from DOD. Apparently there was some suspicious activity on one of the computers at the Air Traffic Control System Command Center. It’s probably nothing, and Homeland Security feels that shutting down any air traffic would be premature. But the secretary did recommend alerting the airlines and preparing for a possible shutdown if it looks like there’s any sort of breach in our air security.
LOGAN
Alright, have someone notify the airlines and put the FAA on alert as well. Anything else?
JENNY
Yeah, there’s one other thing. The Secretary of Defense wants you to call him…he did not give any specifics, but it sounded pretty important. Do you want me to tell him you’ll call back after your run?
LOGAN
No, I’ll take it now. Thank you Jenny.
JENNY
Yes, sir.
LOGAN
Hey Jenny, did you say the information about the air traffic control center came from DOD?
JENNY
Yes, Mr. President
LOGAN
Doesn’t that fall under the FAA or Homeland Security?
JENNY
Yes, I believe so.
LOGAN
That’s strange.
He shrugs and lets it go.
JENNY
Is there anything you need?
LOGAN
I am fine for right now. Go have some breakfast.
JENNY
Yes, Mr. President.
Logan steps back into the White House and sits down at his desk, sighing before picking up the phone.
LOGAN
Yeah?…What? That’s impossible…
He listens intently for another minute, then sighs heavily and hangs up the phone.
LOGAN
Jenny!
Jenny runs back in.
JENNY
Yes, Mr. President?
LOGAN
I need you to get a hold of David Palmer and tell him I need him to come in here immediately.
JENNY
Yes sir.
CUT TO:
INT. TOWNHOUSE - ALEXANDRIA, VA
AUDREY RAINES is laying on the right side of the bed, sleeping peacefully on her side until she feels the bed rock as her fiancee, SKIP TAYLOR, jumps up.
SKIP
Damn it!
AUDREY
(groggily)
What’s going on?
SKIP
I’m late for my meeting…I forgot when I set the alarm that my car’s still in the shop.
AUDREY
Take mine.
SKIP
Then how will you get to work?
AUDREY
I’ll take the Metro.
SKIP
Your father’s going to love that.
AUDREY
I won’t tell him.
SKIP
Can you get a ride with Tony and Michelle?
Audrey sits up and sighs.
AUDREY
Skip, it’s been almost three years since the abduction. My father’s paranoia was understandable at first but at this point it’s getting ridiculous. I’ll be fine, I promise.
SKIP
Where are your keys?
AUDREY
On my makeup table, next to my cell phone.
SKIP
Alright, thanks, hon.
He pushes down the strap on her tank top and gives her a
quick kiss on the neck, then continues to dash around getting dressed. She turns over and goes back to sleep.
On his way out of the room, he picks up a cell phone and looks at the recently dialed calls, taking a note of one number before pressing a few buttons, then quietly placing the phone back down and leaving the room.
The 2 men who had talked about Jack earlier are working on the computer when a message comes through. The message consists solely of a phone number, with no explanation.
MAN 1
Excellent.
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
CHICAGO, IL - 05:31:09 AM LOCAL TIME
A BABY’S CRIES can be heard from a room away. NICOLE PALMER REESE sighs and goes to tend to her daughter. Just as the baby’s cries begin to subside, there is a knock on the door. She opens it and is surprised to find Secret Service Agent AARON PIERCE on the doorstep.
PIERCE
I’m sorry to bother you ma’am, but we need to speak to your father. Is he awake yet?
NICOLE
Yeah, I think so. Dad!
She knocks on the door of her guestroom.
PALMER (O.C.)
What is it, sweetheart?
NICOLE
The secret service guy says he has an urgent message for you.
PALMER (O.C.)
Alright, tell him I’ll be right out.
NICOLE
Okay.
She walks back to the foyer.
NICOLE
He’ll be just a minute. Can I offer you something to drink? Coffee?
PIERCE
No, thank you.
Former President DAVID PALMER enters the room, looking a little worried.
PALMER
Good morning, Aaron. Is there a problem?
PIERCE
We don’t know, sir. All I know is that President Logan asked for you to be brought in immediately. And I don’t know if this is related, but I got a call a little while ago from the DOD. It seems that incoming Secretary Cummings has some concerns about the loyalty of a few DOD personell and feels there may be a possible security breach.
PALMER
They are asking me to cut short a visit with my daughter and granddaughter to help resolve a DOD staffing issue? How does this concern me exactly?
PIERCE
The woman I spoke to gave no specifics, other than to say that it involves a man you pardoned four years ago. Would you like me to find out more?
At the last sentence, a concerned look crosses the former president’s face.
PALMER
Yes, thank you.
CUT TO:
Michelle is sitting at the kitchen counter munching on pickles while Tony is cooking something.
TONY
I have to say, of all the weird things you’ve wanted for breakfast, zucchini and perogies has to be the weirdest.
MICHELLE
Are you making fun of me?
Tony smiles innocently.
TONY
Who, me? Never!
He serves her a plate of perogies and pours her a glass of orange juice.
TONY
Here you go, my love.
She kisses him.
MICHELLE
Thanks Tony.
TONY
Anything for you, sweetheart. So how’s your tummy feeling?
MICHELLE
Much better.
TONY
That’s good. So how are you feeling?
MICHELLE
Okay…just tired.
TONY
No, not just this morning. I mean about what’s going on…are you starting to get used to the idea of having a baby?
MICHELLE
Yeah, I guess so. I mean, it still hasn’t fully hit me. I mean, my whole adult life has been focused around my career…you know how ambitious I’ve always been…and this…well, this is a big change. I know that probably makes me sound really cold-hearted and uncaring.
TONY
No, sweetheart, it makes you sound honest. To tell you the truth, I’m still getting used to the idea too.
MICHELLE
Really? You were so thrilled when I told you.
TONY
I am thrilled…but that doesn’t mean I haven’t felt conflicted about it.
MICHELLE
I guess I’m a little scared.
TONY
Scared of what?
MICHELLE
Of everything. Scared that something will happen to our child because of who we are and the things we’ve done and the people we’ve known in our lives.
TONY
Sweetheart, that’s why we left CTU. That’s why we moved across the country when Secretary Heller offered me Jack’s old job.
MICHELLE
Yeah, I guess you’re right.
She looks away.
TONY
Michelle, did something happen recently to make you afraid?
MICHELLE
No, why?
TONY
Because I know you. I can tell when you’re not telling me the whole story, and I know that you weren’t telling me the whole story when you seemed apprehensive after work yesterday and you’re not telling me the whole story now.
MICHELLE
I was just tired. I at work until 2:30 AM the night before dealing with a potential threat to the DOD networks.
She looks away, and Tony can tell she’s hiding something. He lifts her chin and forces her to look at him. He strokes her cheek gently, a supportive look in his eyes.
TONY
Come on, baby…whatever it is, you can tell me.
MICHELLE
Alright. Chloe called me yesterday.
Tony looks slightly alarmed but tries not to show it.
TONY
What…what did she say?
MICHELLE
She said that someone hacked into her hard drive and accessed the coroner’s report.
TONY
What the hell? Jesus, Michelle, why didn’t you tell me earlier?
MICHELLE
I didn’t want you to worry…she said she deleted all of the information, so there’s not much they could have found…she just wanted to give me a heads up just in case.
TONY
Even if they didn’t find anything, the fact that someone went out of their way to access that information can’t be good.
Tony’s eyes suddenly pop open, indicating that he has just thought of something.
MICHELLE
What?
Tony sighs.
TONY
Yesterday Audrey told me she thought something weird was going on with her phone…she thought someone may be monitoring it.
MICHELLE
She doesn’t know Jack’s alive…why would someone bug her phone?
TONY
Whoever hacked into Chloe’s hard drive may not know who does and doesn’t know about Jack…if they’re trying to find him, it would make sense for them to be watching in case he tries to contact her.
MICHELLE
Should we tell her?
TONY
No…we’d put her more at risk if we did. Besides, she has enough on her mind right now. I’ll keep an eye out for her at work…we don’t even know if it’s all connected…it’s possible Skip could be monitoring her because her brother’s here and he’s afraid of political embarassment.
MICHELLE
What about Kim? Is it possible they could be watching her too?
TONY
Yeah, it’s possible, but there’s nothing we can do. If we try to contact her we could attract attention.
MICHELLE
Yeah, I guess you’re right.
She looks away, clearly uptight.
MICHELLE
I thought Audrey’s last day of work was yesterday.
TONY
It was supposed to be. But she decided to stick around a little longer…she wasn’t ready to stop working and become a full-time stage prop on the campaign trail.
MICHELLE
That’s good…you must have been happy about that.
TONY
I’d be happier if she’d wake up and realize that he’s using her.
MICHELLE
I can’t say I disagree. I think she could do a lot better.
TONY
(getting worked up)
What really gets to me is that she doesn’t seem to think so. I think after everything that happened to her she felt like her options were limited…she was so relieved to meet someone that she’s afraid to question whether he’s really right for her.
He prances around the kitchen, frustrated. Michelle puts her hand on his arm, revealing matching rings.
MICHELLE
Tony…
TONY
Sorry. I didn’t mean to get so worked up.
MICHELLE
I know you promised Jack you’d look out for her, but you have to accept that this is her decision…don’t try to interfere.
TONY
I’m not…I don’t think she even knows how strongly I feel.
Secretary of Defense JAMES HELLER pulls into the driveway in a silver SUV. Audrey sees him through the window and opens the front door.
AUDREY
Dad, what are you doing here?
HELLER
Just stopped by to say good morning to my daughter before my last day of work. I brought bagels.
AUDREY
Ooh, thank you.
He walks up to the door and kisses her on the cheek.
HELLER
Where’s your car?
AUDREY
Skip took it. He had to go in early this morning for a meeting.
HELLER
So how are you getting to work?
AUDREY
I was going to get a ride from Tony.
HELLER
Uh huh. Well, I need to check in with him anyway, so I’ll tell him you don’t need one…I’ll give you a ride.
AUDREY
Did you come over because Skip called you and told you I was planning to take the Metro to work?
Heller nods sheepishly.
AUDREY
Daaad!
She rolls her eyes.
HELLER
I’m sorry, sweetheart…sometimes I still get nervous…I can’t help it…you’re my baby.
AUDREY
(groaning)
I’m thirty-six years old. That’s not exactly what you’d call a baby.
Heller’s tone becomes more serious.
HELLER
I know I’m probably being paranoid, but when those men…when they were holding you at gunpoint, I was so scared…I don’t think I’ve ever been more terrified in my life…that image still haunts me sometimes. So I can’t help but be a little overprotective. I’m sorry…
Audrey smiles and gives him a hug.
AUDREY
I understand.
Heller’s phone rings. He groans when he sees who’s calling.
HELLER
It’s Walt Cummings. I guess I should probably answer it, huh?
Audrey nods.
HELLER
(into phone)
Heller here. Walt, how are you this morning? Just calling to go over last minute transition details?
A three-way split screen shows Heller, Cummings, and Audrey, who can sort of hear the conversation.
CUMMINGS
Not exactly. It seems we have a bit of a situation.
HELLER
What kind of a situation?
CUMMINGS
Well, as you know, I’m a bit uneasy about having someone who was convicted of treason against the United States working in a high level staff position.
HELLER
(Exasperated)
Is this what you are calling about at 6:30 in the morning? As I told you yesterday, Tony Almeida has worked for me for three years and I will personally vouch for his loyalty as well as his talent and dedication.
CUMMINGS
With all due respect, sir, I’m well aware that he saved your daughter’s life a few years ago, but you can’t base your judgment on that alone.
HELLER
(angrily)
I based my decision to hire him on
his long history of service to his country and the dedication and talent I witnessed personally that day. For the last three years I have been nothing but impressed with his work as well as his character. He’s been a real asset to me and to the Department, and I feel privileged to have someone with so much experience and dedication. I would not hire someone I did not believe to be trustworthy no matter what the circumstances.
CUMMINGS
That may be so, but I don’t trust him. I have been uneasy about him since I was appointed, so I had him checked out. Just this morning, I found out that he has been in contact with a man believed to be responsible for several terrorist incidents in Peru and suspected of planning terrorist activities against the United States.
HELLER
There must be some mistake. Who is the suspected terrorist?
CUMMINGS
He goes by Jose Rodriguez, though that is believed to be an alias.
HELLER
An alias?
CUMMINGS
Yes. I believe it’s an alias for someone Tony helped to escape three years ago.
HELLER
I don’t understand…the terrorist Tony helped to escape is dead…and it’s been over four years.
Upon hearing this, Audrey, who had been getting the bagels set out, stops dead in her tracks. She looks around to ensure that nobody is looking, then runs into a room and locks herself in to make a phone call.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. KITCHEN, CHICAGO, IL - 05:40:07 LOCAL TIME
PIERCE
Mr. President, we have someone from the Secretary of Defense’s office on the phone.
PALMER
Thank you. If you don’t mind I’d like to take this call in private.
PIERCE
I’ll be right outside.
PALMER
This is David Palmer.
AUDREY
Mr. President, this is Audrey Raines from DOD.
PALMER
Yes, Ms. Raines, what can I do for you?
AUDREY
Sir, we have a problem that we believe you can be of assistance with.
PALMER
What sort of a problem?
AUDREY
Mr. President, four years ago, you pardoned a former director of CTU Los Angeles who had been convicted of treason, am I right?
PALMER
Yes…
AUDREY
We received a troubling report from Incoming Defense Secretary Walt Cummings this morning that this man was responsible for helping a prisoner escape three years ago.
PALMER
That’s what he was convicted for, if I recall…
Palmer seems confused for a minute, then realizes what she is trying to tell him.
PALMER
Hold on a second. Did you say three years, not four?
AUDREY
Yes, sir. According to Cummings, this occurred almost three years ago.
PALMER
I’ll be on the next plane.
FADE TO BLACK.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
AERIAL SHOT shows congestion.
FOLLOW a BLACK MERCEDES SUV, which, in a daring move, cuts out of the congested lane into the carpool lane and starts speeding up.
INSIDE THE CAR
TONY
Michelle, are you crazy? The carpool lane is for cars with three or more passengers.
MICHELLE
And according to Virginia state law, there are three of us.
TONY
WHAT?
MICHELLE
Someone was telling me the other day that under Virginia state law, someone who kills a pregnant woman is charged with two murders. So, according to that logic, we should be entitled to ride in the carpool lane.
TONY
That’s not funny, Michelle. Please, get back over before we get stopped by a cop.
MICHELLE
Alright, alright. I just wanted to get you to work faster so you can figure out what’s up with your phone. Why are you so angry?
TONY
I’m not, I’m sorry…not at you. It’s just…I’ve seen that happen.
MICHELLE
What do you mean?
TONY
The day Jack’s wife was murdered, she had found out she had another child on the way. Jack never talked about it after coming back to CTU, but I know that he felt like he had lost two members of his family, even though he’d only found out an hour earlier that she was expecting a baby.
MICHELLE
Oh my g-d…I had no idea.
TONY
I know…it’s not your fault. And I know that you see the law as a backhanded way to give legal rights to a fetus that would impede the legal rights of the mother, and philosophically, I agree with you. But I know that if anything ever happened to you, I’d probably feel the same way Jack did.
Tony and Michelle’s car pulls into the Pentagon.
TONY
Are you sure you’re up for going to work today?
MICHELLE
Yeah, I’m fine. Do you want to meet me for lunch at noon at the Ground Zero Cafe?
TONY
Definitely. So does anyone at work know yet?
MICHELLE
No, and I’d like to keep it that way as long as possible.
TONY
How come?
MICHELLE
The job of federal information sharing executive for the Chief Information Officer is not one that’s traditionally held by women. My office is pretty male-dominated, and I’ve had a hard enough time getting them to take me seriously without them knowing about the baby. If they know I’m going to have to take an extended leave of absence they’ll shut me out now.
TONY
You won’t have to, Michelle.
MICHELLE
Look, I know you offered to be the one who stays home, but I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.
TONY
Well, it looks like I might not have a choice.
They get out of the car, close the doors, and begin walking into the building, hand in hand.
MICHELLE
What do you mean?
TONY
As you know, today’s Secretary Heller’s last day. And it seems his successor isn’t too thrilled at the prospect of having a convicted traitor as a special assistant.
MICHELLE
(sympathetically, with pain in her voice)
Tony…
He looks away, embarrassed. She stops walking and reaches over and cups his chin, pulling his head in to face her. He looks down with his eyes.
MICHELLE
Tony, look at me.
He continues to look down.
MICHELLE
Look at me!
He reluctantly obliges.
MICHELLE
Sweetheart, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. You saved my life…you gave up everything you had to make sure I was okay, and in my eyes, you’ll always be a hero. I am so proud of you…proud of what you did that day, proud of the fact that you quit drinking, proud of how you’ve turned things around and proud of how you’ve served your country. I’m proud that you’re my husband and proud to be carrying your child…and nothing anybody says or does will ever change that. So I want you to go into work today and hold your head up high and promise me that no matter what they do or say to you, you won’t let them make you feel like anything short of a hero. Promise me, Tony.
He sits there silently for a moment, gripping her hand tightly, clearly moved by what she said. Finally, he opens his mouth, speaking no louder than a whisper.
TONY
I promise.
Michelle leans in and kisses him firmly on the lips, as if to emphasize how much she means what she said and how much she cares. He wraps his arms around her and hugs her tightly.
TONY
(softly)
I love you so much.
MICHELLE
I love you too.
After a minute, he reluctantly breaks their embrace and they continue walking into the building. He kisses her gently before they part ways and head toward different corridors.
As Tony walks down a hall, his PHONE RINGS.
TONY
Almeida.
SPLIT SCREEN
PALMER
Mr. Almeida, this is David Palmer.
TONY
(A little flustered)
Mr. President…um, what can I do for you, sir?
PALMER
I just got a phone call from a source I believe to be trustworthy indicating that some people at DOD are suspicious of your activity.
TONY
Yes sir, Secretary Cummings is nervous about having me on staff because of my record.
PALMER
Mr. Almeida, I am unable to elaborate, but I have reason to believe this may not be about what happened four years ago.
TONY
What are you saying?
PALMER
I am saying that you need to be careful. Check your phone and your computer carefully for any kind of bugs or monitors. Be wary of Secretary Cummings. He was the one who ordered Jack Bauer killed, and he may be nervous because you know that his secret service agent killed him.
TONY
Mr. President, are you saying?
PALMER
I don’t know what he knows and doesn’t know, or what he believes to be true. All I know is that you and everyone else who was at CTU that day need to be careful. I’m on my way back to Washington now to meet with President Logan. After that I will call and give you an update. Can you get your hands on an encrypted phone?
TONY
(clearly freaked out)
Yeah, I can do that.
PALMER
Alright, call 202-424-4884 with your new number when you get a clean phone. Please keep me posted on any new developments.
TONY
Will do. Thank you sir.
INT. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE’S OFFICE
Skip knocks on the door.
CUMMINGS
Good morning, Skip. What can I do for you?
SKIP
I figured out how we can put a filter on Almeida’s communications without him knowing it. I just need access to his login information.
CUMMINGS
Alright, I’ll have someone get that for you. Good work, Skip.
SKIP
Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Did you get any information from the number I got you this morning?
CUMMINGS
Yes, thank you very much. I’ll get you that information shortly.
SKIP
Thank you, sir.
Skip goes and sits at his computer. A few seconds later, the phone rings. Skip picks it up.
SKIP
Taylor.
IT PERSON ON OTHER END OF LINE
Mr. Taylor, I have the login information you requested. The username is ta9756a and the password is cubskickass.
SKIP
Thank you very much.
He hangs up the phone and logs into the computer with this information.
He types “ATCSCC” into the command prompt and gets a warning message.
ON SCREEN:
The action you have requested may not be secure and may leave both systems vulnerable to attacks. Are you sure you want to access this file?
He types “yes” and enters another password.
INT. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM COMMAND CENTER
JONG
Stephanie, what’s going on?
STEPHANIE
I don’t know…did your screen go blank too?
JONG
Yeah…and I tried rebooting the computer but I can’t get back into the monitoring module.
STEPHANIE
Same here…Dave, is your system down too?
DAVE
Yeah, just went down a minute ago.
She does a quick round of the room and finds that everyone is having the same problem.
JONG
Alright, we need to alert the White House now. If we can’t get these up and running in a few minutes, we are going to have to ground all air traffic. Stephanie, I want you to look at the log and see if anyone tried to access our server from a remote location. Dave, check the server for bugs. I’ll be in the office calling the appropriate agencies. Everyone else, keep trying to get your computers back up and running.
1) Air traffic controllers frantically trying to get their systems up and running.
2) President Logan is alerted to the situation.
3) Michelle gets a message on her blackberry.
CLOSE UP of blackberry screen:
TRANSITION MEETING MOVED UP TO 8 AM.
4) The two Chinese guys receive a message that says “Action Completed Successfully” on their screen.
WRITTEN: 07:00:00
FADE OUT.
Stay With Me
Demons
Sleeping With The Enemy
Season 6
A Life Worth Living
Alternate Season 5
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Coming Out of the Dark
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