Title: What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Fandom: 24

Characters: Michelle Dessler/Tony Almeida

Word Count: 521

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Just a lazy summer day.

Author's Notes: This takes place post season 4, but with no bearing on anything that happens after that. Thanks to featherjean for the prompt!

She felt him smile against her back and swatted in his direction. His five o'clock shadow tickled the sun-warmed skin bared by her bikini top, reminding her both that he'd forgotten to shave that morning, and that it had been a while since she'd put sunscreen on. Undeterred, Tony nuzzled the back of her neck, vying for her attention. She had been napping on and off for the last hour or so while Tony read; apparently he was ready for her to wake up.

"Quit it, Tony."

"You're looking a little red, want more lotion?"

Nodding into her folded arms, she wiggled her shoulders. "Please."

The lotion was cold on her back as Tony's fingers gingerly distributed it across her shoulders. Once he was sure he wasn't hurting her possibly tender skin, his hand flattened and his strokes widened. His wedding ring felt smooth as he circled his left hand under her bikini strap.

This was nice, being alone together for an honest-to-God vacation in the middle of vacation season. Nothing like that had ever been able to happen while they'd been at CTU, even their honeymoon was a rushed long weekend instead of the luxurious week and a half long affair it should have been. This time, though, they'd taken over half the summer to travel and enjoy the simpler aspects of being together; all the things they took for granted the first time around. The first trip was Europe, somewhere where she could get away with wrapping a blanket around his shoulders and use the cooler temperature as an excuse for never wanting to let him go. The second destination was somewhere a little warmer, where he could get away with spending far too much on a bathing suit for her that was barely more than a few small, spandex triangles. Small towns, large towns, tourist traps and hidden treasures alike, they'd spent the last two and a half months exploring them all.

Tony's ministrations ceased, but his hands remained against her back. Turning her head, she peeked one eye open, trying to avoid the harsh glare of the sun. Tony's lips pressed lightly to hers as his light scruff brushed her chin. Crinkling her nose, she shied away when he pressed closer.

"'s too hot for that, honey," she murmured, closing her eyes and resting her cheek on her forearm again.

"We could go inside?" he suggested, lightly tugging on her bathing suit strap. His lips slid wetly across her back for emphasis.

Although she nodded, she made no move to get up. "Or we could wait for tonight. It's a full moon."

A moment later, Tony agreed, flopping onto his side next to her. Ignoring her whine that he was going to ruin her tan, he slung an arm around her back and tugged her closer on the beach blanket.

"Just as long as I can say that my summer vacation was spent making love to my wife on twenty five different beaches," he murmured huskily, running his tongue along the outer rim of her ear before continuing, "I'll be okay."

Laughing, she nodded and snuggled closer.

End.