A/N: Yes. I'm rewriting this fic slowly but surely. I've re-read the original version and wasn't happy with it. Each chapter will undergo a complete rewrite although the major theme will be the same. I'll replace the chapters as I go along and post which ones have been updated on my profile. In general, the storyline won't change (even though I may be adding a lot more detail in each chapter) and will still lead to the sequel, It's A Numbers Game.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to 24

Don't Blink

In his mind's eye, he was back on that beach. Waiting and listening to the constant gush of surf hitting shore. Listening and waiting for further instructions from Philip Bauer. It seemed like ages before the roar of an engine could be heard above the waves as a small watercraft weaved and sliced its way though the water.

What a fiasco.

He could still feel the damp sand cake under his shoes as he approached the metal case lying on the ground. The high pitched beeping emitted seconds after he had opened the component was the last sound he heard before the explosion. He barely remembered being thrown against the sand on impact.

I lost the boy. I lost the component. I got my eyes blasted to boot.

The next thing he knew, he was lying on his back writhing in pain. His eyes felt like they were filled with sand and shrapnel. Rubbing them with his hands only made it worse.

Why didn't I let the other guy open it?

And now everything was black. The anesthesia had taken effect.

An international crisis had been averted. Over the last few days, congratulations had poured in from Division, District and practically every layer of bureaucracy between them and the Oval Office. Great job pinpointing the location of the component. After almost being replaced for incompetence, she suddenly became the dark-haired golden girl of the moment, the poster child for crisis management. How quickly perceptions changed in a matter of hours.

If she were as smart and aggressive as they thought, she would be back at Division lobbying for a promotion. After all, her career might never see this much of a boost again. Instead, here she was sitting outside the operating room, putting on a brave face despite feeling sick to her stomach. In the span of one day, she had been responsible for one agent being dead and another one seriously injured.

I could have stood up right away. Why did I hesitate? Would Mike be here if I'd listened to Jack?

And so, the postmortem went on and on in her head.

She looked down briefly at the magazine that lay open on her lap. She'd been here over an hour and had yet to turn the page. The words were just not making any sense. Giving up on reading, she got up and paced aimlessly down the corridor, glancing at her watch every now and then.

Wasn't it over yet? She licked her lips nervously, anxious to know yet dreading the outcome. If Chloe were here, there would a smirk on her face at the irony of it all--Nadia being so concerned for the field agent who had accused and assaulted her that day.

But she didn't hate Mike. She hadn't for some time now. They had worked too well together that day. It would be a shame for CTU to lose him now.

The recovery room felt unusually cold. If not for the shiver that traveled down his body, he wouldn't have known he was awake. His mind felt cloudy, and all he saw was a milky white blur.

There were voices around him, but he couldn't make out what they were saying. A woman's husky voice, faintly familiar, lilted upwards like she was asking a question. A deep male voice responded, but too softly for him to hear. He could sense they were talking about him.

As he strained to listen to their conversation, he inadvertently blinked, causing a sharp pain to shoot through his eyes.

"Arggh!" Both hands went up to them, like he wanted to claw them out.

He heard a shuffle of feet as they rushed beside him.

"He's stirring. It will take him a few hours to get adjusted to the stitches." The man said.

Nadia gently pulled his forearms back down to his sides. Her touch was warm, a contrast to the cold room. He missed it instantly the moment she withdrew them.

"Mike, it's Nadia. Are you ok?" She asked.

He detected the worry in her voice, but could only shake his head from side to side. His mouth felt wooly, and he couldn't speak.

"Mike, don't worry." She said in a reassuring tone. "Dr Schaeffer is the best eye surgeon in LA. Division made sure that you got the best care possible."

"Try not to blink, Mr. Doyle. Your stitches are still fresh." The man called Dr Schaeffer added.

"Dr Schaeffer, can you tell Mike what the outcome was?" Nadia requested. She saw Mike's body visibly tense up.

"You were very lucky. We were able to remove all the foreign bodies from your left eye and salvage most of your right. With some therapy, you may be able to regain use of both of them."

"We can't thank you enough, doctor." Nadia's voice mirrored the relief that Mike felt.

"No. Thank you." The doctor said firmly. "I heard he headed up the team that averted more bombs from being set off today. I'm glad I could help. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

Nadia pulled up a chair near the bed and leafed through her magazine while Mike rested. Listening to his steady breathing calmed her nerves; and, for some strange reason, she was able to read now.

It was a while before Mike uttered another sound.

"Nadia..." Mike croaked. It felt strange having her name roll off his tongue again. "How'd it end?"

"We're not at war with Russia." She looked up at him and smiled softly.

"How come?" He asked, his voice still a little guttural.

"It turned out Philip Bauer was hiding in one of the offshore oil rigs. Vice President Daniels ordered F18 bombers to destroy them."

"Josh?"

Nadia could tell he had a hard time getting that word out of his mouth. He was probably still feeling guilty about the boy.

"He's fine. Jack and Bill commandeered a helicopter and got him out in time." She assured him. "But we lost Jack."

"No..." Mike's head jerked forward, like he couldn't believe it.

"Don't worry. Jack's ok, but he's disappeared again." Nadia clarified.

Mike nodded, but said nothing. He knew exactly where Jack had gone. Audrey.

"Mike." Nadia said in a soft voice. "I never got to thank you for your support the other day."

Mike continued to stay silent, but he stretched an upturned palm in the direction of her voice.

Nadia gently placed hers on it and squeezed lightly. Mike, in turn, put his other hand on top of hers and patted it softly.

"Yes. We make a good team, you and I." She admitted.

She could see the corners of his lips turn up slightly as he acknowledged her statement with a brief nod.

"Listen, I have to go back to CTU now." She said ruefully as she withdrew her hand from his. "But I'll be back tomorrow."

He didn't know why, but he looked forward to that.