I don't own 24 - would like 2, but I don't!
This takes place starting 1 week after season 2 but ignores season 3.
Please read and let me know your thoughts and if you would like me to continue..
TJ
Tony skulled his 6th beer hoping that maybe this would be the one that would help this night become a little easier. He scanned the bar looking for Jack but he was still a couple tables away deep in conversation with Kim. He watched Jack listening to her tell him a story, his eyes glowed more than the smile on his face. Tony felt happy for them both, for all of the horrible events that had occurred on the day of the bomb – at least the day had bought these two back together. Jack had only been out of hospital for a day but he looked good.
A hand landing on Tony's shoulder snapped him out of his train of thought. He looked up to see Ryan Chappelle.
"Tony, there is a few of us sitting just over there, you should come and join us." Ryan knew this was the last place in the world Tony wanted to be but he had hoped tonight would help lift the spirits of everyone at CTU, including Tony.
Tony nodded his head. "Yup, I might come over soon." He wished Chappelle would just disappear back into the crowd. It had been Chappelle's stupid idea to have the entire staff meet at this bar for a few drinks. He figured it would help boost everyone's moral. The office was trying to pull itself back together after the bomb had ripped them apart and for a lot of the junior staff Chappelle's idea seemed to be working. Looking over Tony could see a group of them laughing loudly with each other and he felt jealous.
Chappelle didn't look like he was going to go away until Tony made a move and so he signalled that he was going to go speak to Jack and then he slowly made his way to their table. Kim saw him coming and patted the seat next to her making him feel welcome. He slipped into the seat. "Hey, just had to make an escape before Chappelle tried to get me to sing campfire songs with the rest of them."
Jack looked over his shoulder at the group and laughed. "I tell ya Tony if I do come back we are going to have to work together on keeping that man out of the office as much as possible."
Tony skulled more of his beer and then nodded at Jack. "So you think you are going to take them up on the offer?"
Jack looked at Kim and then back to Tony. Due to Mason passing, Tony had been appointed director of CTU and now Division had offered Jack the possibility of separating the departments and making him head of Field Ops. If he took the position, he and Tony would run be running CTU together.
"Kim and I were just discussing that. It would be a more constructive way to spend my days opposed to drinking. And as you know, dividing CTU into two divisions was something I was always pushing for."
Jack watched Tony signal for another round of beer and then finish the rest of the one he was already working on. He was unshaven and he had such dark circles under his eyes that he looked like he had been punched in both of them. He knew Tony was completely wasted, he had never seen him like this before. He tried switching the subject. "So Tony, where is Michelle?"
Both Kim and Jack could see he had hit a nerve with Tony, his eyes opened up and he almost choked on his beer. Tony not realising how obvious he was being tried to brush it off. "I don't know, why would I know?"
Jack pushed him. "Well rumour is......there is something going on with you guys."
As the next round of beers was delivered to the table, Tony ordered some shots to be bought out. "Yeah well, the rumour is wrong."
"So you didn't kiss then?"
Tony's face seemed to soften a little, he even traded a smile with Jack as he lifted his eyes of the table. "Ok so we kissed. That's all." Tony shook his head as Jack's eyes seemed to be begging him for more information. "What Jack? You want details or something?"
Jack laughed. Something Tony had never really seen him do before. It was kim though that gave Tony a response he was not expecting. "Why is that all? Even I could see the chemistry between you two Tony – you don't see that often."
Although the last few years had toughened Tony up a lot, he was the sort to wear his heart on his sleeve. "Its not that I don't like Michelle, I do – it would....it would never work though."
Both Kim and Jack asked 'why' at the same time. Tony laughed watching the two of them hanging on to his every word for information.
"Have you seen Michelle? She is stunning, not exactly in my league...."
Before he could finish Kim cut him off. "TONY, don't say that. Besides you guys already kissed – doesn't that tell you she likes you?"
"It's not like that. Plus I can't see someone from work, it never works out. It's just not worth it."
Jack saw the pain in Tony's eyes, he recognised it so easily because it was the same pain he had felt the sting of as well – betrayal. He put his hand above Tony's on his beer so he couldn't take another swig. Tony gave him a look like 'what the hell are you doing?' He held Tony's stare. "Fuck Nina Tony. Fuck her. She didn't deserve you. Michelle is not like that, surely she proved that to you last week. I mean she was willing to go to jail for you, for me. You don't have to be scared of being happy Tony, don't fall into the hole I've spent the last year in."
Tony didn't know what to say so he didn't respond, instead he muttered obscenities under his breath – all of which Kim and Jack heard anyways. When Jack removed his hand from his beer Tony finished the rest of it and then sat there rubbing the side of his face. Anger seemed to be radiating from Tony's body. Jack softened his voice so that Tony wouldn't feel like he was being attacked.
"Don't you want a family Tony? You don't strike me as the sort of person who wants to spend their life alone. You have to learn how to put what's happened in the past so you can move forward."
Surprising them both, Tony slammed his fist on the table. His tone was like he was yelling but his voice was quiet. "Of course I want a family Jack. I always thought I would have been married with kids by now but that's not going to happen. It was only last week Nina was fucking with you.....us....again Jack, so how the hell do you put it behind you? You couldn't guarantee Michelle isn't going to hurt me can you?"
"No Tony, I can't – but isn't she worth finding out?"
Tony started to stand up. "No. I really care for Michelle......more than I've ever cared about anybody. Fuck I love her, but I'll be damned if I am going to go down that path again. If she hurt me or if I wasn't enough for her.....I just....I ....I just couldn't handle it. It's easier this way.....for everyone." He stumbled back to the bar using the backs of chairs for support. He heard Jack calling after him but he just ignored him. Who the hell was Jack to be giving him advice anyway? It wasn't like he had his shit sorted out. Tony rested his head on his hand while he waited at the bar to be served. He didn't want to talk to anyone else, everyone he knew was just a constant reminder of how miserable his life had become.
Tony grabbed his beer and found a vacant table and chair at the back of the club to slump into. He raised his eyes and studied the couple sitting a few tables away. The girl was kissing his neck and the guy had his eyes closed and his head slung back just soaking it in. It was obvious they were in love and Tony found himself almost hating these strangers because he felt so jealous of them. He gripped his beer tighter as he thought about how much he wanted that. For as long as he could remember he had yearned to have someone in his life that he loved but that also loved and wanted him too. Even though he hadn't loved Nina he hated knowing through out their entire relationship that she didn't feel for him what he felt for her. He was constantly trying to make himself feel more important in their relationship. Michelle made Tony feel important, she also made him feel needed. Whenever she was around Tony always felt better about himself, in every way. She was the most incredible woman he had ever met. He had spent hours daydreaming about settling down with Michelle, what it would be like to have her as his wife, as the mother to his children. She had the ability to give Tony everything he had ever wanted, she also had the ability to hurt him more than anyone else in the world. He would never allow that to happen.
Once again Chappelle was standing next to Tony yanking him out of his thoughts.
"I'm heading off Tony, why don't you go home and sleep the drink off?"
Tony forced a smile. "I will soon. Thanks Ryan."
Chappelle lingered giving Tony a look of concern before he turned and left Tony alone again.
A couple minutes later he felt another hand on his shoulder – his hands tightened into fists thinking it was Chappelle again. He reluctantly turned his head to see Jack. His head followed Jack as he moved to stand in front of him. There was someone with Jack and Tony had assumed it was Kim until he raised his eyes to see Michelle.
Jack was the first to find words. "Look who just arrived! I'm just going to say goodbye to some of the other guys, I'll be back soon. Sorry about before Tony."
Still in shock all Tony could offer Jack was a weak, "its fine." When Jack took his hands off Michelle's arm and walked away, Tony could see her begin to sway.
"Hi Tony. I wasn't going to come, but I was drinking at a friends and she told me I really should make the effort. Everyone is pretty much gone though and now I feel bad I missed them."
Michelle was drunk, just as drunk as Tony. He had never seen her drunk before. She flashed him that smile that always made his heart pound and then took a swig of her beer. Tony sat himself straight up in the chair. "Don't worry – I was here and I didn't even really talk to them. It's good to see you Michelle."
The unbearable awkwardness that had followed them for the last week had completely disappeared. Even though things had been so crazy at work and they had barely even had any time together, tension seemed to fill the room if they were both in there together. The drink was allowing them both to forget all that.
"It is so good to see you Tony. I was hoping you would still be here, although I wasn't sure if you would want me to come or not."
He tried to think about what he should say or do but it didn't seem to matter because the alcohol was controlling him. It was doing exactly what his heart wanted but what his brain would never let him do because it always allowed the fear to over rule his hearts desires. He held his hand out to her, "Of course I wanted you to come."
Michelle put her hand in his and stepped in closer to him. His hand let go of hers and ran it down her arm the closer she got to him until it had reached her lower back. Michelle sat on his lap and put her arm around his neck. His hand ran up and down her back firmly while the other one wrapped around her waist pulling her in closer to him.
Michelle put her other hand on his chest. "Why were you sitting here by yourself?"
"I don't know....I guess I just wasn't in the mood to socialise with anyone. I just wanted to think."
"Should I leave you to keep thinking? Don't feel like you have to chat to me."
Tony laughed. "I was thinking about you Michelle. Besides I've got you now and I'm not letting you leave."
"I guess you are going to have to accompany me to the bar then because I need another drink." She winked at him and started to stand up.
"Sounds good to me." Tony stood and had to grab Michelle to steady himself – the last couple beers really hit him as soon as he stood.
Michelle led Tony to the bar and he kept a tight grip on her shoulders. It was going to be a few minute wait as there were many people there all after more drinks. Michelle rested her elbows on the counter and gently bounced along to the beat of the music. Tony stood right behind her wrapping his arms around her waist and pushing his body into her back. She took her hand off the counter and began to rub his arm.
Michelle knew what was happening but didn't really believe it. It just didn't seem possible that after almost a year of pining after Tony plus the last week of pure hell between the two of them that she could actually be standing here in his arms. They were always so nervous and conservative around each other but by the way they were acting now you would think they had been together for years. She knew that she was getting her courage from the beer and wine she had been knocking off all night but she didn't care because she was getting what she had always wanted. Never in her wildest dreams would she have soberly just sat on his lap like that or been so forward with her flirting.
She felt the stubble on his chin rest on her shoulder she reached her hand up and around so it was on the side of his neck. She ran her hands as much as she could through his hair.
Tony wanted to kiss her so much. With his body pressed into hers and her hand running through his hair all he could think about was letting his lips touch her skin. He studied her neck and a flash of butterflies entered his stomach but then left again straight away. He told himself to go for it, she had her hands all over him which told him she wanted him too. He began to nibble on her ear. He got a waft of her perfume, he had smelt it on her before and smelling it this close helped it sink in that he really was this close to her. Her skin was so soft and felt so good it made his lips tingle. When she tilted her head to the side to allow him access to her whole neck his knees went a little weak and he tightened his grip around her waist. He only got to kiss her twice before she spun her body around so that she was facing him.
He felt her hand pull him in towards her so he put one hand on her cheek and then they both began to kiss each other. The only kissed one another's lips very slowly, Tony sucked on her bottom lip and then they both pulled their heads back. He looked into her eyes, he could feel her breath on his face. He searched her face for a signal that this is what she wanted. She looked like he felt – completely shocked over what was happening. Unsure if it was the right thing to be doing but not even considering the option of stopping. He raised his eyebrows at her, knowing what he was getting at she nodded her head and started to smile.
They had crossed that line and kissed now. Yes, they had kissed before but this was completely different. They had kissed sweetly but only for a short amount of time and then they had both pulled back needing assurance that this is what the other one wanted. Seeing as this is what they both wanted and it was finally in the open the flood gates opened up for them both pouring out a years worth of lust and desires. They lunged at each other. Tony opened his lips and Michelle let her tongue wonder into his mouth – her tongue wrestled with his.
It was like they had forgotten where they were, people were bumping into them left right and centre but nothing could ply them apart now.
Tony felt Michelle press her entire body into his and then very slightly begin to move up and down so that they were rubbing against each other firmly. He was already turned on but this just blew him away. He had to have her, he had never wanted anything more in his entire life. His body was pounding for her down to his little toe. His desire to be able to be with her was turning into physical feelings. It was pulsating through out his body so strongly that he felt like he would feel actual pain if he did not act on it.
It felt like she wanted it too. By just the grip she had on him and the way she had pressed herself into him she made him feel wanted and special. The feeling of being 'wanted' that he had dreamed about for so many years were now becoming a reality. He always knew she would be the only one capable of making him feel this warm and special inside. He kissed her harder and ran his hands down the back of her body firmly to help keep her pressed as close as possible to him.
He eventually ended the kiss and pulled his head back only a few inches from her face. He bit his lip and then went to speak words that would completely shock him when he was sober. "Let's go..."
"Where?"
Tony took a deep breath. "My place." He held the breath while he waited for her response.
Michelle's heart skipped a beat. Tony had just asked her to go back to his house obviously so they could have the privacy to take things further. She knew she was going to go, she just couldn't believe she really was going to. She had never done anything like this before, she certainly wasn't the sort to go back to the guy's house on the first date. There hadn't even been a date though, there had barely even been a conversation. She was drunk and he was her boss. If he was just using her for a one night thing then she would be utterly devastated. She loved him and that would completely destroy her. Not only that but she could also be putting her job on the line. All the facts told her that it was totally stupid and wrong to say yes, yet she heard herself saying 'ok' to him.
They lingered staring at each other for an extra moment before Tony pulled himself apart and took her hand. He began to lead her out of the bar. The masses of people became a blur but she did notice Tony wave goodbye to Jack who was grinning from ear to ear at the sight of them leaving together. There were cabs waiting out the front, Tony opened the door for her. She watched him give the taxi driver directions to his house and then he slid his body right up next to hers. He kissed her passionately again but the driver interrupted by asking for him to repeat where they were going. They sat apart the rest of the way, it was more appropriate to just wait until they got to his place. For Tony and Michelle it was a very long ten minute drive.
He held her hand as they climbed the stairs to his apartment. At one point they both leaned into each other for support – saving themselves from tripping over their own feet and tumbling.
As he closed the door to his apartment behind them she scanned his apartment. It was like she pictured, very modern, conservative and clean. She loved it and she loved that it just oozed Tony. They stood a few feet apart.
"Do you want another beer or some wine Michelle?"
"Wine would be great."
They headed into the kitchen where Michelle leaned up against his kitchen counter than ran through the middle of the room. He pulled out a couple glasses and rested them next to her. She touched his arm as he leaned next to her, he smiled seductively and then stepped so he was directly in front of her. They began kissing again passionately. She tugged on his lower lip opening his mouth up so she could push her tongue in. Finally he could let his hands roam and explore her body.
His hands would go up and down the side of her body and then across her stomach. Each time they felt firmer and firmer and they edged a little closer to her chest. She stuck her hand under his shirt and felt his bare stomach feeling all of his muscles tense up almost like he flinched as she first touched him – this made her groan. She felt embarrassed for a moment upon hearing herself make that noise to Tony, her best friend, her absolute fantasy. He hesitated upon hearing her vocal approval of his bare skin and gave her a cheeky grin. She blushed and he could tell straight away she had made herself nervous. He watched her as he ran his hands over her breasts, he looked her straight in the eyes as he returned her groan. This time his was louder and a lot more drawn out then she had been and to her excitement he added her name onto the end of it.
She slid her hands further up his chest and gripped on to his pecs. They kissed swapping their heads from side to side and loud gasps for air could be heard. She pulled her hands out and began to undo the buttons on his shirt. He helped her by finishing the last couple and then ripping it off his shoulders throwing the shirt to the ground.
He slung his head back and closed his eyes just like the man at the bar had while she kissed him all over his chest and stomach. He ran his hands through her hair and then after a few moments he pulled her body back up straight. He ran his hands to the back top of her thighs and picked her up, putting her down on the counter. She had a skirt on and he moved her legs apart so that he could stand in between them, she wrapped her legs around his body and he helped pull her body into his. They still had not broken the kiss and it seemed to grow more intense all the time.
She felt him begin to pull her top up and then over her head. He went for her bra straight away unclipping it and dropping it to the floor.
"You are stunning Michelle.....I love your body." They had spent so much of the night expressing their feelings for each other physically that hearing him talk to her like that was a surprise. That was the first time he had said anything like that to her. She couldn't help but stop and just stare and take him all in. He was so unshaven and scruffy looking. He had obviously just had a haircut and she loved it. She thought Tony was absolutely gorgeous but when he had the stubble unshaven look he literally made her stomach do somersaults. He had the most well defined muscles and the broadest shoulders. Usually so hidden under his shirts she had always had to imagine what his body was really like, although she didn't think it possible, he had well and truly superseded how sexy she had dreamed he was. It still felt so strange to be in this position with Tony Almeida, her boss and closest co worker for over a year.
Noticing she had stopped, Tony became concerned. "Are you ok?"
When Michelle was drunk she always spoke in a very bubbly animated voice which couldn't help but make anyone who heard her, smile. "I'm more than ok. It's just.....we've never, you've never.....I.....sorry.....you've never said anything like that to me before."
Tony grabbed the bottle of wine without moving, he was still wrapped up by her legs. He poured a glass of wine and offered it to her and then poured himself one. "Did you mind?"
"How could I mind that? I just had to take a moment to take it in, take you in."
"Take me in?" He skulled the rest of the glass trying to make it help with the sudden nervousness he felt. Michelle was doing the same and so he poured them more. Skulling the entire glass of wine certainly hit Michelle straight away.
"Yeah, your eyes, your body, your stubble...."
Tony laughed. "My stubble? God, as soon as I saw you I cursed myself for not shaving, I look so scruffy."
Michelle ran her hand across his chin and cheek. "I love it, I always have – it's so manly. The feeling of it against my skin gives me shivers."
Tony couldn't help but grin. She really stroked his ego, especially with the manly comment. The wine had done the trick and had taken away his butterflies. He knew without the alcohol he would be so nervous being with Michelle for the first time that he would be an absolute fumbling mess. He was flying with confidence and milking it for everything he could. A few times now he had gone to tell her how insanely in love with her he was but managed to stop himself. He needed to keep his guard up, now that this had happened between them his heart stood to be shattered into a million more pieces. Pieces he wouldn't be able to put back together. So he kept quiet and concentrated on showing her how he felt.
Tony had put his glass down and begun to trace over her stomach again. For a brief moment a flash of panic surged through Michelle – should she be worried that Tony was drinking so much? Did he feel like he had to be drunk to want to be with her? She was drinking lots as well, but she knew that she was drunk before they even met and for now it was helping with her not falling to pieces with her nerves.
He grabbed at her body roughly and then locked eyes with her giving her a look of lust. His look and touch made her worries disappear, she pulled his head in towards hers and kissed him roughly.
They became desperate for each other. Hands were everywhere and even when they kissed they sometimes missed and ended up kissing each others chin and cheeks. As their intensity rose Michelle felt Tony push his lower body into hers. Feeling how hard he was, was an incredible turn on. "Oh God Tony again...." He groaned loudly and pushed himself into her again. This time when she responded with a loud drawn out moan he slipped his hands underneath her and picked her up. She kept kissing his neck and shoulder as he carried her into his bedroom. He gently lay her down on the bed and she pulled him down on top of her. He let his weight press into her covering her body with his. He slid down her body enough to kiss her body desperately. She lifted her body into him. "Ahhh Michelle." She lifted into him again, "Michelle...."
His face begged her for more so she lifted herself a third time. This was enough to make him realise he couldn't wait any longer. He crawled off the end of the bed taking her underpants with him. She watched him remove the rest of his clothing. Michelle still had her skirt on put he just pushed it up as he crawled back on top of her. They kissed again but when Michelle felt him go to push himself inside her she stopped him. "What about protection?"
"You're not on the pill or anything?"
Michelle shook her head. She thought she had upset him. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
Tony covered her mouth with his finger. "Hey Hey, Michelle its ok."
"Do you have anything here?"
Tony rubbed his nose gently with his. "Yup. I just need to be able to peel myself off you for long enough to get one." This made her sigh and kiss him frantically. Their hips began to sway together. "Aaah Michelle do I really have to get up?"
Michelle didn't know how to take what he had just said. She didn't have time to think or worry about it though as he did get up. Once he was back in her arms they kissed. Tony pushed himself inside her and then both breathed one another's names. They made love desperately. Their breathing became so strained and shallow they had to slow the pace and allow themselves to catch their breath.
When they were done Tony stayed on top of her while they stared adoringly into each other's eyes. He wanted to say something but didn't know where to even begin. Their silence almost seemed perfect though, as they just soaked in each other and the moment.
The made love again and when they had finished they were both completely exhausted. Lifting himself off her he lay on his side pulling her body in close to him and he began to stroke her hair and kiss her neck. He whispered into her ear, "You are amazing."
"You are so amazing Tony, that was incredible."
They drifted off to sleep snuggled in each other's arms.