The Russian and US Presidents are set to sign an anti-terror treaty when assassinations rock Los Angeles, a call from a distressed Chloe forces Jack into action and President Logan's wife believes there may be a conspiracy.
Jack and Chloe infiltrate Wayne Palmer's penthouse where David Palmer was assassinated, in the hopes of finding a clue to his murder. Jack convinces Wayne to cooperate and finds some information in Palmer's memoirs that leads him to the airport where the Russian president is about to land. CTU and Secret Service attempt to capture Jack, but they only find Chloe as Jack and Derek slip through their grasp. Martha tries to convince her husband that she received an important phone call from Palmer the night before his death, but a tape of their conversation seems to contradict her claims. Jack goes to the airport to find a lead, but a group of renegade Russian terrorists take hostages, including Derek, before he can act.
Jack conceals himself inside the airport hanger and surveys the Russian separatists, feeding information to Curtis and his assault team.
Jack is captured by the terrorists, who use Derek as leverage to force him to compromise CTU's assault operation. Logan refuses to give into the terrorist demands as the time of the co-signing of the treaty draws near. Martha tries to tell her husband of the evidence she uncovered about her phone call with Palmer, but Walt interferes with her efforts. A new representative from District arrives at CTU and begins to undermine Buchanan's authority.
Jack returns to CTU and has an emotional reunion with Audrey, while Curtis tracks the Russians and the stolen nerve gas.
Jack contacts Mike and asks for a secret meeting in hopes of gathering evidence against Walt.
Jack tracks down a man who has a connection to the terrorists. Logan is forced to grant him immunity in exchange for information on their whereabouts.
Jack poses as Rossler and manages to trace one of the canisters of nerve gas, but he goes against orders from the president when the terrorists target a shopping mall.
Lynn orders Curtis to take Jack into custody for violating presidential orders, but Jack breaks away from Curtis when Nathanson contacts him through Audrey and offers information on the location of the nerve gas.
Logan wrestles with his conscience when he learns that Martha is riding in the motorcade with the Suvarovs.
Jack interrogates Henderson's wife about her husband's connection to the terrorists.
Jack takes Henderson to CTU for questioning. Once there, he faces an unhappy reunion with his daughter, Kim.
Jack and Lynn must take action when they discover that the nerve gas is breaking through the protective seals that are keeping the CTU survivors alive.
Jack bargains with a German intelligence agent in order to find the woman who can lead him to Bierko.
Jack pushes Audrey for answers when evidence indicates that she may be involved with the terrorists.
Jack and Wayne locate a source inside Logan's administration who has information on Palmer's assassination. But things get complicated when they learn that Henderson is using leverage to keep her silent.
Jack and Wayne locate a recording that definitively proves Logan's involvement in the terrorist conspiracy, but Henderson corners them in the hopes of destroying the incriminating tape.
Jack shows Heller the incriminating recording in the hopes that he will help them take down Logan, but Heller has plans of his own that will save face for the presidency. Miles tricks Chloe into leading CTU to Jack and Audrey. Mike and Martha both become more suspicious of Logan's actions, while Heller confronts the president with an ultimatum.
Jack captures Henderson and attempts to force him to hand over the recording, but Henderson targets Heller to buy himself more time. Logan confesses his involvement in Palmer's assassination to a distraught Martha. Miles traces Chloe to Buchanan's home, but Hayes finds herself questioning Logan's motives as CTU closes in.
After stowing away aboard the flight containing Henderson's contact and the incriminating recording, Jack finds himself having to deal with a pilot who refuses to cooperate.
Jack searches for a safe place to land the plane when Logan gives orders to shoot it down. Hayes readies Bierko for a transfer to a secure facility, while Audrey receives some good news about her father. Logan becomes desperate as his plans start to unravel, but an unexpected ally at CTU turns the tables in his favor.
Bierko escapes from the transport taking him to Division and uses his last canister of nerve gas for a surprise strike. Jack is forced to work with Henderson to find Bierko, but Henderson wants something in return. Logan takes drastic steps to deal with Aaron when he won't go along with the cover-up.
Jack and Henderson wage an assault on the submarine as Bierko prepares to launch an attack against L.A. Chloe brings in someone from her past to aid her. Martha and Aaron enlist Mike's help in their plans to expose Logan.
Jack takes his fight directly to the President as he attempts to force a confession from him that will prove his involvement in the day's events. Martha vents her hatred for her husband in front of the press as Logan gives a eulogy over Palmer's body. Jack and Audrey share a tender moment when it seems the crisis has subsided, but Jack finds that his problems have only begun as his past catches up with him.