Disclaimer: I don't own 24 or its characters.

The following takes place some time between Seasons 1 and 2. Mason works at CTU, like Jack (let's say, he's over Teri's death), but Tony's the director and always was since the end of Season 1. Michelle has been working at CTU for six months by now. Both Tony and Michelle got the hots for each other but haven't said anything yet.

He dialled her number. Hopefully she's there,he thought.

Dessler", she answered.

Hey, it's me. I was just going to double-check if you're coming to this CTU christmas party tonight." Like always, Tony was a a little nervous when he talked to her. Usually he wasn't as shy as this with women. But after what had happened, he thought it would be best to keep a wall between his personal and his professional life. But he sensed these walls were coming down.

Sure. I think it's a great way meeting the colleagues you usually don't work so much with."

Don't say too much or the wrong thing, she thought. Just tell him what you would be telling any other guy at work. But that's the problem. He's not just ‚any guy'. He is special.

Yeah, it is. Ummm, I guess, we'll see us later."

He had wanted to say something else, but he just couldn't tell her what he really felt. He liked her very much, better yet, he loved her. But how could he tell her this? Just saying it straight into her face. No, he had made the same mistake with Nina. Nina... He didn't allow himself to think about her.

Yeah. Bye."

Bye." Dammit, again, I didn't ask her if we could go together.

It had been six months by now since Michelle had started at CTU and Tony had found her attractive from the moment he had met her. He didn't believe in this whole „love at first sight" thing and even now – that it had happened to himself – he still couldn't believe it. He had never said anything because he wasn't sure how Michelle would react. If she liked him – or even loved him?

Nearly three hours later Tony started getting ready for the party. He fumbled through his dresser and finally decided to wear a simple black suit, a white shirt and a black tie. The last time he had worn this outfit had been Teri Bauer's funeral. But still, he liked it. He stepped in front of the mirror and looked in shock at the stubble that had grown in the past five days. If she sees me like this, he thought it's over before it even started. After shaving, he combed his hair back with his fingers. Another look in the mirror confirmed that he was ready to go.

Alright, let me know if and how I should continue…