Honestly, I have always wondered what the day was like when everyone at CTU found out about Tony and Michelle's relationship... So, here's my interpretation! This story will be posted in a few parts, and I hope to get it all up before I leave for Italy ! Thank you Katie for revising for me, and everyone, please review!
Show and Tell- Chapter One- Judgement Day
She stood in their front hallway, hands pressing down against her conservative "work-skirt". She tried to flatten the collar on the dark royal blue button-down shirt, peeking out from under the matching black coat. She looked crisp and refined. A click above what she would normally wear to work, and she had put on this particularly chic/studious ensemble with good reason. The apprehensive excitement welled up inside her.
Today was the day. Two nights before, Tony had gotten down on one knee and asked her to marry him. They had been going out for just over nine months, and nothing had ever felt so right for both of them. Michelle had cried and smiled and kneeled on the floor, gladly accepting his hand. She told him in a raspy, tear laden voice that he had just made her the happiest woman alive, and from the passion in Tony's responsive kiss, she could tell he felt the same way.
She smiled at her reflection in the adjacent wall mirror. Her life was perfect, now that she would always have Tony by her side. Michelle brought her left hand to the side of her face to prefect a stray curl, and her ring was illuminated in the early morning light and shone back to her through the mirror.
She watched as the worried, contemplative look that she had donned all morning returned when she remembered why they were leaving the house so early for work—to have a private meeting with Ryan Chappelle to tell him their news—as if she could forget. After the initial proposal, the weekend was a happy flurry of phone calls and congratulations, but this morning had been lurking at the back of her mind the entire time.
So, she knew she had to look just right, they had to look just right, keeping their long-time impressions on him as the sensible, hard workers they were. Although while dating, their personal lives almost never interfered with their work, Ryan, who was at CTU often, aiding in the re-build, was by no means comfortable with them being together, and, after discovering their relationship in a very awkward manner a few months back, had lectured them for several hours.
The night before, wrapped in each other's arms in their plush, cozy bed, Tony and Michelle had discussed what the possible outcomes of their meeting the next morning could be. Tony seemed to be more optimistic and relaxed about the pending ordeal, and Michelle was thankful that Tony could be her rock, because she was slowly turning into a nervous wreck.
She had tried not to think past the meeting with Ryan, but if all went well, soon the whole office would know they were engaged, and that they had been discreetly dating for a long time. This, she thought in her head, a single sliver of happiness swirling in a sea of more frightening ideas, is what I have been waiting months to share, soon everybody will know that Tony is mine. She smirked, reveling in the anticipation of what the day would bring.
Refocusing her attention to the important task of getting ready, the lighthearted smile dissipating from her flawless face, Michelle tried in vain to straighten a nearly invisible crease on her shirt collar.
"Tony, hon," Michelle turned her head in the direction their bedroom down the hall. "Do you think I should iron this shirt again?"
"Sweetheart, you ironed it four times last night, and once thirty minutes ago before you ate my amazing breakfast… I think you look fantastic" Tony added as he emerged from their bathroom, looking positively handsome in a dark suit and crimson Ralph Lauren Button down Polo. He smiled widely at her and pulled her in for an embrace as he reached her perch in the foyer.
Michelle was amazed at how well Tony calmed her nerves, and as she absentmindedly rubbed the ring on her left hand and imagined how happy she would be with Tony for the rest of her life. She coyly smiled up into his handsome face and he leaned down to kiss her softly.
"Ready?" Tony whispered into her mound of hair, pulling her closer.
Michelle moaned at the thought of was what to come, and relaxed into his chest. Tony laughed at her displeasured groan and extended his arms, so they could look into each other's eyes. "Everything will work out… just remember, I love you. I can't imagine life without you, and no matter what happens today, that will never change." Tony half smiled down at her, Michelle felt herself falling in love all over again.
"I'm ready," Michelle bravely told him as she slung her purse over her shoulder and swung the door open, revealing a beautiful day.
Tony noticed Michelle anxiously staring out at the view, frozen in place. He inwardly smiled and took a hold of her waist, commandeering her out of the door and in the general direction of their cars. Michelle gratefully smiled up at him; they both knew she needed extra encouraging today. Because, whether they liked it or not, this day would shape their future.
The car ride was mostly spent in a comfortable silence, both awash in their own thoughts. Tony drove, and Michelle spun her ring in circles, alternating looking out the window, then watching her fiancée. She envied how composed he was, when inside she was tied up in knots…
In reality, Tony was downright apprehensive for their impeding "trial" with Chappelle. He wasn't really sure what Ryan would say, but they were too good at their job to be let go for such a stupid reason. This is exactly what he told Michelle last night—they had run through every scenario—but deep down, Tony was sure the outcome would be positive, and that the only challenge would be getting through the rest of the day.
The car slid into the underground parking garage and Tony killed the engine. Usually they took turns climbing out of their car and entering CTU separately, but they were earlier than usual, so there was no need to sneak around, today or ever again… Silence. Their eyes met, and Michelle forced a weak grin, teeth barely showing. Tony winked back, which caused Michelle to break into an even larger smile and chuckle at how cute Tony was. How lucky she was.
As they prepared to simultaneously open their doors and take a somewhat fateful walk to CTU, Michelle realized an important issue.
"Um, Tony, are we forgetting something?" She asked him playfully, her demeanor changing instantly.
Tony's face grew contemplative, and his eyes wide, already worrying about whatever it was he didn't do.
"Our rings…" hinted Michelle with a sly smirk. They decided the night before to keep their rings out of sight—but close to heart, Tony's in his front pocket, Michelle's on a delicate chain around her neck—at least until they made their news open to the rest of their workers, and, by default, the gossip channels.
Soon, with the rings in their secure places, and after a quick, "this-is-it" type kiss, they were out of the car and on their way into CTU.
How they walked into CTU that day showed a lot about their individual attitudes, as well as their connection as a couple. Michelle walked slowly, head just under level, body rigid, a far cry from her usual smooth, confident gait. Tony walked abreast her, not so close as anyone would perceive them as being more than colleagues, though. His walk appeared normal, maybe more lethargic and antsy than typical, and Tony kept stealing sideways glances at Michelle, who looked more dejected by the second.
Screw this, thought Tony, after walking twenty feet from the parking spot. He quickly side-stepped and slithered his left arm around the stiff Michelle. She froze, and looked at him in disbelief. She was about to open her mouth to protest and say something about 'appearances' etc…, but Tony softly placed a fingertip on her lips, and continued walking, Michelle by his side.
They reached the main doorway into the security checkpoint a minute later, and with a sigh, an encouraging smile, a short kiss on the lips, they headed into the CTU bullpen.
Immediately Ryan Chappelle spotted them, and after looking suspiciously at their intertwined hands, he ordered them to follow him into a spare room. This particular one was the office Ryan would claim when he decided to wreak havoc on the entire staff by staying all day.
Michelle felt her stomach twist and turn as she sped-up to follow Chappelle's brisk, irritated stride, and she briefly wondered whether or not she could hold down her breakfast. Yet all seemed better with the reassuring squeeze of Tony's hand before he released it to hold the glass door open for her. Now Michelle realized that all she and Tony could do now was to hope for the best…
TBC