This fic takes place after season three. Tony has been led out of CTU to be put into holding in Federal which in my mind is kind of like a white walled holding room with a cot in an agency like CTU or district, not an actual prison, although in this story one wall has a mirror on it but is actually a window into the cell. Enjoy and please read and review; it encourages me to keep writing!!!

Dislaimer: 24 not mine yadda yadda

Michelle didn't even pay attention to where she was going. She just drove the car, one elbow resting on the door, thinking about Tony. She loved him so much. She needed him. She couldn't imagine living without him. She arrived at Federal and parked the car; this would be the hard part, getting in to see him. Once in the front at Federal, the man in charge came to talk to her. "

What can I do for you?" he asked.

"Michelle Dessler Almeida," she said shaking his hand, realization appearing on his face as she said her last name.

Michelle went by just Almeida outside of work, but this would make more sense to him, as she went by Dessler in the professional world.

"You want to see your husband, I presume?" he said.

"Yes."

"Well I'm afraid I cannot allow that," he said, not meanly, but not completely sympathetic either.

Michelle got the impression that he was a semi-nice guy.

"Look," Michelle said, lowering her voice slightly, "I have been awake for over 36 hours, yet I can't sleep in my exhaustion knowing he's here all alone."

The man looked at her for a second, examined her set, strong expression, noticing the determined look yet also the slight pleading in her face.

"Fine," he said.

Michelle followed him into the holding cell. As soon as he opened the door, Michelle rushed at Tony, who seeing her, jumped up and ran a few feet towards her. They fell into each other's arms, gripping tightly, both scared that if they let go they would be separated again. The man smiled slightly as Tony kissed Michelle on the forehead, holding her tight, and he closed the door.

"Oh my God, what are you doing here? How-?" Tony started, seemingly lost for words.

Tears started to fall down Michelle's face, and Tony wiped them away with his thumbs.

"Tony, I know you said you could live even in prison knowing I was okay, but I can't. I can't live without you, I just can't." Michelle managed to gasp out.

"Hey," Tony said, moving his head down slightly to look at her face, which was pointing towards the ground, "It's gonna be okay."

She nodded, her crying starting to fade away as his arms continued to circle her waist. He kissed her softly on the lips. Tony lead her to the cot in the corner and took her jacket. He carefully undid her shoes; she was so tired. She began to shiver a little, and Tony took his sweater off, revealing a white t-shirt and motioned for her to put in on. She shook her head.

"Sweetheart, you're gonna get cold," she protested.

"You run colder than me; come on, I don't want you to be freezing," he said, holding it out for her so she could stick her arms in.

She loved that Tony was so protective of her. She put her arms in the sweater and let him pull it over her, turning by the hips to face him. He was careful not to ruin her hair too much. He brushed a stray curl out of her eyes once the sweater was on. It flowed on her, the sleeves too big. Michelle loved wearing his clothes though; she didn't mind that they were big. She leaned up and kissed him on the lips briefly. He settled against the wall, allowing her room to lie onto his slightly slumped body. She cuddled into his chest, Tony twirling some of her hair in his fingers as she closed her eyes. He pulled a blanket up over them and relaxed into her. She held one of his hands and with his other, Tony stroked her hair, watching her fall quickly asleep in his arms. Once convinced she was asleep, he allowed himself to drift off, holding her close to him the whole time, refusing to let go. Little did the couple know that in the adjacent room that could see into the holding cell, the people had practically brought up popcorn, calling each other to come in and see this sweet display.