Another idea I had. It was supposed to be a one shot but I'm breaking it into two parts. I've written part one already so here it is.

Post season 2 - PG

It was the worst fight in the history of their relationship. Never before had they shouted to this extent. Tony was known for his temper, but he never raised his voice to Michelle. She had her own cruel streak and she never acted upon it till this. She had said some horrible things to him. Things meant to hurt him and twist the knife in his heart even further. This was one of those fights. The kind people call "relationship killers." It had to be over something neither one of them could control. It was over something from the past that should have been left dead and buried and yet it sought its way to the top time and time again until one day Michelle couldn't take it anymore.

Nina.

If she never heard that name again it would be too soon. She was living in the shadow of someone she hated and there was nothing she could do about it. Tony's friends and family could not seem to grasp the concept that just because she worked at CTU, she wasn't Nina Myers. She was not planning on destroying the heart of the most wonderful man in the world. Did they believe that though, no. All they saw was another woman from CTU. Another woman who just might kill the last hope he had left.

It made her furious.

Tony tried his best to deflect anything coming at her but when it came to his mother, he just didn't have the heart to be stern. His mother had been there when he came home licking his wounds. She had watched him fall deeper into depression after attending Terri Bauer's funeral. She had been there to pick him up when he thought for sure he'd never be able to walk back into CTU again. He knew his mother was being harsh to Michelle but what could he do. It was his mother.

And she was exactly the last straw that broke the camel's back.

They had attended a family cookout at the Almeida's. Tony's siblings were all in town, which was rare and it was a perfect day for outside festivities. Everything started out fine until Michelle was making her way to the restroom and overheard Tony and his mother in the kitchen.

Benita Almeida was a small woman with a large presence. Having grew up in a family with 10 other children in a small town in Mexico, she had learned to be strong when she was young. They each had their part to play to help keep them afloat and age didn't make a difference. It was a hard life and it had instilled in her a sometimes stronger attitude. Nothing meant more to Benita than family. And nothing meant more to her than her first born son, Anthony. She was protective and then some.

She was bustling around gathering plates and napkins when Tony stepped into the kitchen behind her. Neither noticed Michelle stop near the hallway entrance.

"So ma, whatdya think?" Tony begin to wash and slice some tomatoes.

"No tengo gusto de ella, miejo. Ella parece mañosa." (I do not like her. She seems crafty.)

"Ma, you're gonna think that about anyone I bring home thanks to Nina."

Benita crossed herself before turning to her son and speaking with a thick Spanish accent. "Don't you dare say that name in this house. And don't tell me how I think. A mother can sense these thing and I'm telling you I don't trust her."

Tony sighed. "Ma, If you would just lighten up and give her a chance. Michelle is nothing like Nina." The last part was said with such vehemence his mother smacked him sharply on the chest.

"Don't take that tone with me Anthony! This is my house and you will respect that." She turned back to what she was doing. "Do you remember how you were before? When that mujer del diablo finished with you? You couldn't eat or sleep Tony, it broke my heart. I was worried you would hurt yourself. I won't let you make the same mistake twice."

Tony just stared at his mother. If by "the same mistake" she meant falling in love then it was too late. He'd never felt like this before. He thought he'd loved Nina. He was sadly mistaken. He would just have to wait this out. His mother would come around, it would just take some time.

They both went back to preparing the food for the grill and never knew they'd been overheard.

Tony wouldn't realize she'd been listening till that night. The entire way back Michelle had been quiet and when he tried to talk to her she'd only answer with sharp, short answers. As they were walking into their apartment he got it out of her and it turned out to be the biggest fight he'd ever had with a lover.

They were both sitting in a meeting with Chappelle and Jack, having not spoken to each other about anything other than work in two weeks. They both weren't paying attention. Each one replayed various phrases and comments that were spoken to hurt.

"What the hell do ya want from me Michelle? She's my mother!"

"It's not just her Tony, it's everyone! She was just what finally showed me that I'll never be anything more than Nina's shadow."

"Give me a break. You know that isn't true. I'm sick of having this same discussion over and over again."

"Then stop it when it starts Tony. You barely had anything to say about me to her. You just…went along with what she said and—"

"I can't fight off everyone Michelle. I'm not going to go postal on people every time they bring up similarities between you two."

Michelle threw up her hands and stormed to the front door, grabbing her keys on the way.

"Wait, where are you going?"

Michelle reached for the door knob and hung her head before twisting it. "Maybe I'm just not worth it to you Tony."

He gasped and stood there staring at the back of her head. She couldn't be serious. Did she not see how much he loved her? How he was already so far gone he couldn't even breathe without her? He was instantly so furious with her he didn't take the time to think before he spoke. A typical Almeida flaw.

"Yeah well, maybe ya aren't."

That was two weeks ago and they both looked like hell. Numerous people had asked if they were ok, only to be placated with a mumbled "fine."

The meeting ended and Michelle grabbed her binder as quickly as she could and headed out the door. Tony just sat there watching her walk away through the glass walls of the situation room. He ached. He literally ached being away from her. And he ached even worse being around her all day knowing he couldn't touch her, hold her. He couldn't do this anymore. He knew she was right. From the day they started dating it had been open season on Michelle Dessler. She was now Nina's replacement. That's how everyone saw her. Everyone but Tony. He figured it would just go away but maybe he wasn't doing enough to get people to shut up. She was right. If anyone so much as breathed a word about her and Nina in the same sentence he should be putting them in their place directly and firmly.

He needed to fix this. The question was, how?