Hey everyone, I'm Ourania! I'm new to writing 24 fanfic, but I had the inspiration to do so. So I thought, hey why not? This is a one-shot that could possibly be a deleted scene in the middle of season four. Enjoy, and please review! Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Disclaimer: I don't claim to be of any affiliation with Fox, 24, etc…..
He closed his eyes. It hadn't been that long since he had last seen her, had it? She'd changed, he noted. She was different. He didn't like it. He didn't know her.
Gone was the open and easy-going Michelle; the one he used to work with, used to love. Still did, actually. She was now strict and professional. He could tell as much from her appearance – hair straight, jacket zipped up. Her features had become cold and uninviting. He had crossed paths with this Michelle once before. This was the ambitious Michelle, the one who stop at nothing to get what she wanted. She won last time, he remembered. What was she after this time? He hoped it wasn't only to capture some terrorist. He knew Michelle was capable of finding and capturing Marwan and stopping the missile. He knew she would lead CTU to get the job done, with or without his help. He didn't doubt it for a second.
He doubted she still wanted him, needed him. She had made it clear to show she didn't, but he wondered if it was a façade made to fool him. He knew she was capable of manipulating him like that, and so did she. He wondered if there was still the possibility of reconciliation, however. The fact that there might not be scared him. He had brought her to hell after his release from prison; only he never brought her back. After she left, he cleaned his act up and tried to get his life back on track. Jack knew this when he called him for help earlier. He wouldn't have called otherwise.
Now he looks at her from his temporary workstation. She doesn't look back, even though he knows she can feel his gaze. He watches her head into Tech One and follows. She can feel him following her. She turns around and is startled by their close proximity. He knows it is awkward for her but doesn't make any move to back away. Instead he looks into her eyes. He can't decipher any of the emotions running through them anymore.
"Tony."
The second she says his name he can visibly see her façade break. He's relieved that it isn't real, that he still has a chance. Her voice reminds cold, however.
"What do you need?"
"You know what I want, Michelle," he replies.
"Yeah, I get your messages everyday."
His silence is her answer.
"Look, we'll talk later. There's too much going on today. You know that." She briskly turns to walk away.
"Michelle—"
"Not now, Tony," she cuts him off. Then she's gone.
He wonders who this Michelle is and how she's become this way. He knows he can break her; he's done it before. He just hopes she gives him the chance to do it again.
He doesn't know her, but he still remembers how it used to be. He could hold on to that. For a little while, at least.