Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
CTU searches for Jack's missing transponder signal while Tony directs the operation despite his recent surgery. Jack tells Claudia that he is still working for CTU and arranged the virus deal so it can be stopped. He promises to help her family escape, and she later tells the captive Chase what Jack is doing. Claudia cannot free Chase immediately because of the guards, but begins preparing her father and younger brother to leave the ranch.
At the meeting in the woods, Michael Amador announces that the virus will go to the highest bidder. The second buyer is Nina Myers, who orders Jack killed when she sees him. Amador keeps the parties at the table, and Jack persuades the Salazars to increase their offer. Nina wins with a larger bid. Ramon and Hector then decide Jack has become useless, but he argues that he can track Nina because he trained her and convinces them to spare him.
Palmer learns that contributor Alan Milliken wants Wayne fired over an affair with Milliken's wife. He refuses to surrender control of his staff, although Wayne offers to resign. At CTU, Kim reports apparent mistakes in Tony's work to Michelle. Michelle takes the concern to Chappelle, who questions Tony's fitness for duty. Tony explains the disputed incidents and passes Chappelle's memory check. He returns to the operation, but the argument leaves him and Michelle divided.