Moments after discovering his daughter, Kimberly, has snuck out of the house, Jack Bauer is called into work. As head of the CIA's Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit office he's told that an assassination attempt will be made within the next 24 hours on the life of presidential candidate David Palmer and it's up to his team of agents to keep Palmer alive. Meanwhile, Jack's wife, Teri, sets out to find their daughter.

Teri receives a phone call from Alan York who says his daughter, Janet, is a friend of Kimberly's and is also missing, so the two parents join forces to try and find the girls. Even as Jack is secretly called out of the office and given an encrypted key card containing information on the Palmer hit that could lead him to a dirty agent within his organization, the explosion of a 747 over the Mojave Desert becomes yet another piece in the puzzle.

Kimberly and Janet realize they are in danger after it becomes clear that their two dates have kidnapped them. Despite the threat on his life, Senator Palmer sneaks out of his hotel to meet a reporter who has damaging information that could affect his campaign. Back at the office, Jack has Jamey, a member of his team, decrypt the key card.

Jack finds that his efforts to bargain with Marwan for the location of the missile strike are futile.

Heller pushes his son for information when CTU discovers that he may have had contact with Marwan before the attacks.

Logan finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between Palmer and the ambitious Speaker of the House.

Tony and Michelle explore their rekindled passion for each other, but their hopes for the future may be short-lived when a familiar player enters the game and takes a hostage.

Mandy uses Tony as leverage to try to force Michelle to aid in her escape.

A Chinese security operative captures and interrogates one of the CTU agents involved in the raid on the embassy.

Palmer and Logan argue over the option of evacuating all major cities that may be targets for the missile.

As the missile speeds toward its destination, Mandy cuts a deal with Jack and the President to give up Marwan's location in exchange for a full pardon on all of her crimes.

Tony and Michelle share a happy reunion, but Jack finds his relationship with Audrey shattered as she makes her feelings known.

Logan's advisor suggests a drastic course of action when the Chinese government demands that Jack be handed over to them for trial. Palmer tries desperately to warn Jack of the danger against him.

Jack's life changes forever as Tony, Michelle and Chloe help him to evade the trap set for him by Secret Service.