Author's Note: So, I came up with the title ages ago, and it spun into an odd little song, so I figured "Why not makes this a Tony/Michelle story?" It kind of worked. (Rewritten/edited 7/24/2010)
Enjoy.
Every morning, Tony would glance up from his cot, for exactly two and a half seconds, at the line of people passing by.
Yes, he counted each moment. He didn't let himself devote any more time or attention than necessary to those that didn't matter. This was his world now. Everything needed a purpose, and a specific function, and his mind organized it as such.
Those guys passing his room? Half of them went to pick up trash for some community service. A few went and did some wood-working; others read and volunteered at a local school.
None of those things had a purpose in Tony Almeida's mind.
Does jail change people? He pondered that question one day, and ended up scratching a deep, heartfelt answer onto the wall, hidden by the boards of his bed. These ramblings were eventually moved to a notebook that a visitor left for him. But Tony hadn't seen the visitor. He narrowed it down to a handful of former co-workers, however.
This little book, its cover like faded denim, was what Tony lived for. And it would be his way out.
He decided that one day, while sitting in the back of the cell. He decided right there that he wanted to forget what he looked like. That was the first step to his escape and recovery.
I broke the mirror...
I was tired of the view
Of a helpless-looking me
Not standing next to you
A gentle tune enlisted itself among Tony's thoughts, and he fit some attempts at poetry to it. These, as you may have guessed, were recorded in Tony's notebook.
You were more than just a
Step out of line
I swore, that day,
In that church,
You were mine
Tony looked at the chipped paint on the ceiling above him. The book sat open on his chest, moving slightly each time he breathed. His eyes fluttered shut, and he sighed.
You always talked me out of the easy way
The one that was painless
You led to me to the tougher way
Generally, dangerous
But then what did you do?
What were you thinking,
Talking me in to you?
He recalled the day they met. Both were doing some field training, before their employment at CTU was official. So, whenever Tony thought that he should've pursued a career in music, that day always reeled him backward.
That's all that you are
My pretty little risk
All you'll ever be
But you mean the world to me
He scratched all memories of his face out of his mind. The next thing he wanted to see was her. The only face he wanted to remember belonged to Michelle. His was only a distraction. And Tony's new, analytical system warned against that.
You're the reason I'm sitting here
While you're so safe at home
I did it for you,
But I never thought you'd be alone
Those people marching by must have been clueless! They were going out to help others, and to 'give back' to a community who'd never given anything to start with. America was... ungrateful. Long ago, Tony was one of those guys, happily wearing a vest, a holster, a badge. This glamorous profession never brought him anything of gratitude, until Michelle.
My pretty little risk
You've got all my attention
And, oh
I forgot to mention
I'm coming back for you
I'm going to take a risk too
My pretty little risk
I'll be back for you
My pretty little risk...
Tony sprang up from his bed, stirred by an echoing siren. Several gunshots rang from the hallway. Tony spun and ducked behind his bed, though it offered little protection.
As he shut his eyes, a breathless woman appeared and shoved her hands through the bars. Tony's hands met hers.
"Let's go."
That voice could only belong to Michelle.
Tony grabbed his book as the door (and his eyes) swung open.
Author's Note: Yep, 'song' lyrics are by me… like 'em? Are the characterizations okay? Does the story make any sense?
I want to hear from YOU! *points like Uncle Sam*
~Sally