Chapter 2
Here's chapter 2 please let me know what you think.
"You've got to be kidding!" Michelle yelled, she hadn't let her anger out yet but Chappelle deserved it, he obviously had no idea how to inspire your team.
"She won't be here long but we need someone to fill Paula's position and as she was here the day of the bomb she's already up to speed, it would take longer to bring someone in and explain everything to them. Like I said I need to talk to you about the incident yesterday, so as soon as you've finished with Tony could you come and find me in holding room 1, we'll talk there and then after you can do your debrief. Tony as soon as Michelle has finished her debrief then you can do yours, I'm sure you'd rather be out of here as soon as possible," Chappelle told both of them and Tony felt like punching him, he'd be lucky if he got out of CTU in two days with all the extra work he'd been given, he knew it was going to be hard but this was too much. They better give them a lot of leave after all they were going to do this week and not only that but Chappelle had already spoiled things with Michelle, there was no way he would be able to cook her dinner tonight.
Chappelle looked at both of them and knew he had just managed to piss them off but that was his job, he walked out and shut the door after him.
"Looks like dinners off then," Michelle said and smiled at him. He couldn't believe how she could carry on after everything that had happened but then that was one of the things he admired most about her, she was so amazing.
"I'm so sorry," Tony said and took her hands in his.
"You don't have anything to be sorry for," She told him and stood up to leave, "Better get this over and done with," Before she'd taken a few steps, Tony grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. He stood up and pulled her body into his so they were touching.
"As soon as this week is over I will do anything to make it up to you," He whispered in her ear and then started kissing her neck.
"Anything?" She inquired and he looked up to see a cheeky smile spread across her face as he wrapped his arms around her. She put her hands on the back of his head and his face and then they kissed. She opened up her mouth allowing Tony's tongue to enter and explore her mouth. They kissed for several minutes not wanting to stop until Michelle finally pulled back.
"I should really go," She told him but neither of them took their hands off each other.
"Well as Chappelle has already ruined our plans I think he can wait," He told her and started kissing her again pulling on her bottom lip. Again after a few minutes they stopped but this time neither of them spoke instead they moved over to the couch. Tony sat down and pulled Michelle on top of him so their bodies didn't stop touching.
Michelle kissed him on the lips and then pulled on his bottom lip letting him know to open his mouth to let her tongue in. He did exactly as she wanted and let her take control. They continued kissing and using their hands to explore each others bodies. Tony started to lie down and began to pull Michelle down with him when the phone went. This time they didn't jump up but Michelle eventually got off Tony allowing him to get up and answer the phone even though he didn't want to.
"Almeida," He said as Michelle came and put her arms around him and lent her head on his shoulder. Tony put his spare arm around her and stroked her hair, which made her feel safe.
"Tony," The voice said. He didn't recognise it at first but as the woman continued he did. "Not that I wanted to interrupt yours and Michelle's making out session but I need a security clearance," Carrie told him coldly. The smile on Tony's face disappeared and Michelle could tell something was wrong so she stopped hugging him and took a step back.
"I'll be down in a minute," He said and hung up.
"Who was it?" She asked.
"Carrie," He told her and walked towards her, he knew Michelle had been hurt by everything that had happened with Carrie and that having Carrie work here was the last thing she needed. He put one of his hands on her waist and used the other to stroke her hair. Michelle felt so special when Tony did this but the thought of Carrie working here, knowing about them made her forget about how she felt with Tony.
"I'm sorry, I promise as soon as I can I'll get someone to take over from her," Tony told her trying to comfort her.
"It's not your problem so you don't need to worry about it. I'll be ok." Michelle told him. Tony knew she was just trying to be brave but the fact was it upset her and he cared about her so much he couldn't stand seeing her upset or hurt.
"Well I do need to worry about it because it's upsetting you and I won't let anybody do that to you," Tony told her and he felt her grip on him become tighter.
"You're so sweet," She told him and kissed him on the lips. They both wanted more but knew they should get back to work, Chappelle was probably wondering where Michelle was and Carrie would be counting the minutes they spent together not working. Before they left his office he kissed her again and told her that if she needed to talk to him, whatever time he'd be there for her. She then told him she wanted him to be able to talk to her as well and that she'd come and find him after her debriefing.
They both went down the stairs and tried to make it less obvious how much they fancied each other. Tony went straight to tech 1 and Michelle to holding room 1. Michelle entered and saw Chappelle sitting at the table,
"What took you so long?" He asked her and she looked at here watch it had been 20 minutes since she'd told him she'd be down.
"Sorry I was helping Tony," she explained, which was the truth and as long as he didn't ask her what she was helping him with she'd be ok.
"Alright," he said and gestured at the chair for her to sit down. "Now I've spoken to Carrie about the situation and she defiantly won't be pressing charges against your brother but what I want to know is if you will be able to work together?" Chappelle asked. Of course she wouldn't be alright working with Carrie, she was a manipulative bitch. Michelle knew Carrie only cared out herself and would do what she wanted to get her own way no matter who got hurt.
"Carrie's not the person I'd most like to work with right now," Michelle told him but she wasn't sure what else to say, she knew Chappelle was right, it would waste time bringing someone else in and getting them up to speed.
"You didn't answer my question," Chappelle told her.
"I'm sure we'll both be able to work together if it's just till the end of the week," Michelle told him but what she really wanted was to never see Carrie again as she'd ruined her brother's life.
"Are you sure?" Chappelle asked.
"Yes," She told him unconvincingly but that didn't seem to bother Chappelle at all. He got up and headed to the door. Michelle wished he'd just let Tony run the office because there was no way he'd let Carrie stay and he'd listen to what she told him.
"I'll send in Richards, he'll be debriefing you and make sure you don't leave anything out," He told her and walked out closing the door behind him. What was that supposed to mean? Had Carrie told him about Tony and her or was he talking about drugging him and working with Jack instead of CTU? Well whatever he meant it didn't matter to her; she loved Tony and would do anything for him. She sat in the chair going over what she would say about her and Tony.
Meanwhile Tony walked into tech 7 and saw Carrie working at a station.
"You've got a level 3 security clearance," He told her and headed to the door.
"What? This is crap, I need a higher level, at division I have at least a four!" She yelled at him.
"Carrie you're only here to the end of the week and any work you'll be doing will not need any higher clearance and if you do then come and tell me." Tony told her.
"Shouldn't I report to Michelle?" She asked just to annoy him.
"No I want you to report directly to me and leave Michelle alone." He told her and again headed to the door.
"I don't think Chappelle would be too happy to hear that you were giving Michelle special treatment just because you were going out with her." She told him and he turned round to face her.
"Do you get some sort of kick from hurting people?" He asked her angrily.
"No you see I'm making sure no one gets hurt, if you give me a higher security level and maybe a better job then I'll leave Michelle alone. See you'd be protecting her and that's what you want isn't it?" She asked. Tony was really getting sick of Carrie and he knew he'd do anything to protect Michelle but he wasn't going to be blackmailed by a stupid bitch trying to get promoted. To be honest he didn't care if she told Chappelle, he wanted people to know he and Michelle were together.
"So would you like me to get Chappelle so you can tell him?" Tony asked.
"What?" Carrie asked trying to figure out why it hadn't worked.
"You see Carrie people like you don't get what they want, they end up alone with no friends because they're so selfish. I love Michelle and I don't care who knows so if you try and say I'm giving her special treatment then go ahead and run to Chappelle but it's not true. I'd do the same for anyone who I trusted." He told her.
"That's crap and you know it!" She yelled at him. Tony walked towards her; he couldn't be bothered with her anymore.
"Prove it," He whispered but the tone in his voice still told her he was angry.
He looked at her and she knew he was right; she had nothing to prove he was giving Michelle special treatment and deep down she knew that he wasn't really giving Michelle special treatment. Also it was just a threat that she would tell Chappelle and she could tell he knew that. He was just about to open the door to leave when he turned to face her. She was still in disbelief that he had figured her out.
"Oh by the way if you really want to do more work you can do this status report for me," He told her and she looked at him to ask if he was kidding, "I didn't think so, you want to get promoted and be in charge but you're not willing to work for it. Didn't you ever wonder why Michelle is your boss?" He asked, by this time Carrie was pissed off and didn't really care what she said to him as he already didn't like her.
"By sleeping with the boss?" She asked coldly.
"Is that the best you can do?" Tony asked her but she didn't answer. "Maybe it's because she works twice as hard as anyone else and she still doesn't expect anything. Think about it!" Tony told her almost yelling. With that he turned round and saw Jack standing in the door way. He had got so wrapped up in protecting Michelle that he hadn't even heard him open the door. Tony walked out and Jack followed him closing the door behind them.
"How much of that did you hear?" He asked Jack.
"Enough to know how much you care about Michelle and hate Carrie," Jack told him.
"She thinks she can get a promotion by threatening to tell Chappelle that me and Michelle are going out and saying that I'm giving her special treatment," Tony told him annoyed.
"I'm sure Michelle would really appreciate the way you stood up for her," Jack told him.
"Yeah, so did you want something?" Tony asked wanting just to go and see Michelle.
"Well I talked to Chappelle and he decided that I was going to come back and work here," He told Tony.
"That's great Jack," He said and he was really happy Jack would be working with him; he knew he was one of the people he could actually trust and rely on, "When are you coming back?" Tony asked.
"I don't know but not for a while, probably in the next couple of weeks. I have some other things to sort out first," he explained.
"Kim?" Tony asked.
"Yeah, I need to make sure she's ok before I do anything, she's the most important person in my life and I couldn't stand her hating me again," Jack told him and Tony nodded agreeing.
"I hope everything works out with you guys," Tony told him concerned about Jack.
"Thanks, look I was thinking we should go out and celebrate surviving the day and you know, pay our respects to everyone that died," Jack said and looked to Tony waiting for his answer.
"Yeah that's a good idea but I've got loads of work to do," Tony told him unhappily. He'd rather go out with Jack then getting stuck at the CTU with all the work but he'd rather just be with Michelle.
"I saw all the work Chappelle gave you," Jack told him understandingly, "But if you just want to hang out or take your mind off something or someone call me," Tony looked at Jack and he knew he thought he should tell Michelle but he just couldn't. What he had with Michelle, how he felt about her was so special and she'd probably understand but he just couldn't bring himself to tell her.
"I know I need to tell her but…" Tony started, he knew Jack understood but he found it hard to talk about.
"Look Tony Michelle cares so much about you she won't mind, I can see how she feels about you and I know you guys are meant to be together," Jack told him and Tony had to smile, he was so happy that Jack thought that he and Michelle were meant to be together.
"Thanks, look there's a game on Thursday night, It's my turn to host it so you should come over," Tony told him.
"Yeah I know I haven't really been the most social person recently," Jack said.
"So you'll come?" Tony asked.
"Of course. You know you should invite Michelle," Jack told him and Tony stood there not knowing what to say. He wanted to take Michelle out as soon as he'd finished all this work but now he'd made plans with his friends and he was sure she didn't picture their first date as watching him and his mates getting drunk and yelling at the T.V.
"Maybe, I better go and see how she's doing. This report can wait." He told Jack and headed off to see Michelle.
Meanwhile Michelle was still waiting for Richards to come and do her debrief. She wondered what was taking him so long but it didn't take a genius to figure out Chappelle had given him lots more work then he could handle like everyone else. She heard the door open and turned round in her seat to see Carrie close the door.
"Carrie, what… What are you doing here?" Michelle asked just stunned to see her.
"I work here," Carrie told her trying to be smart but Michelle knew what she was like and just wanted to go.
"Carrie what do you want?" Michelle asked as she stood up.
"To talk, you know give you some friendly advice," Carrie told her and Michelle couldn't stand her pretending that she still cared about her.
"Me and you were only friends until I found out what you were really like," Michelle told her.
"Maybe anyway I just wanted to warn you," Carrie said and came towards her.
"Warn me about what?" Michelle asked.
"Tony," She told her and Michelle suddenly focused, "Both of us know the only reason you're getting promoted is because you're sleeping with the boss and I'm sure Tony doesn't mind using you. I mean it's not like you'll notice if he's using you because lets face it your family aren't the brightest people in the world. I learned that easily enough with your brother, I mean he was just so clingy but I could get him to do whatever I wanted. He left his wife and kids like that for me but then he was just so annoying always seeing if I was ok so I had to dump him and move on, you know how it is," She said knowing how much it would hurt Michelle and it was working, Michelle was emotional and Carrie would use that to her advantage. Carrie stepped closer to Michelle who was leaning back against the wall, Michelle could feel tears in her eyes but she wasn't going to let Carrie see her cry that was just what she wanted.
"Anyway as I was saying Tony's using you I mean I could have him like that but unlike you I work for my job instead of getting promoted by how good in bed I am," She smiled at her and then carried on, "Look Michelle, I can see that you care for Tony but he doesn't care about you and I thought I should warn you! Oh and also I don't think you're in any position to handle Tony's old job as well as your own so it might save you time if you tell Chappelle you can't do it but you've found someone to take your place, that way he won't think you're a slut or anything but that you just can't handle the responsibility." Carrie told her as she stepped back from Michelle so she could see it was working.
"And who would that be?" Tony asked, he had slipped in to see how Michelle was doing but had heard Carrie and decided to hear what she was saying.
"Tony, I… I thought you… you were talking to Jack," Carrie said as she faced him.
"Don't even think you can get yourself out of this, get out of here and I'll deal with you later!" Tony told her angrily. Carrie ducked her head so she didn't make eye contact with Tony and then walked out closing the door behind her.
As soon as she was gone Tony rushed over to Michelle who was just keeping the tears back.
"Are you ok?" He asked. She didn't speak but instead threw her arms around him. He put his arms around her and stroked her back. He could feel her tears on the side of his face.
"What did she say?" Tony asked softly. Michelle pulled her head back so their heads were just an inch apart and tried to wipe her tears away.
"Hey Michelle its ok, you're safe. What did Carrie say to you?" Tony asked her as he helped her wipe the tears away. Michelle didn't want to tell him, she felt so stupid letting Carrie get to her. She knew what Carrie was like and she knew not to listen to anything she said but she couldn't stop herself.
"Michelle," Tony said and she forced a smile trying to convince him that she was ok.
"I'm fine," She told him but he knew she wasn't and he didn't want her to lie to him. He wanted her to be able to talk to him about everything.
"Michelle, I know you pretty well and I can tell when your fine. I don't think finding you in floods of tears counts as fine," He told her and she smiled. He cared so much about her that it didn't matter what she did he still wanted to be around her and listen to her problems.
"I wasn't in floods of tears. Anyway it was stupid," Michelle told him but he didn't believe her. He looked straight into her eyes and could see how emotional she was.
"Michelle you can tell me anything and I won't think it's stupid. Look if you don't want to talk to me about it I'd understand but I don't think you should keep it to yourself, I'm sure there's someone else who you trust more…" Tony said but Michelle wouldn't let him finish.
"Tony there is no one I trust more then you it's just I don't want you to think that I'm crying all the time about stupid things," She explained and he pulled her in close stroking her hair.
"Michelle just tell me what she said," Tony told her, "I know you and I know you don't cry for no reason," Michelle pulled her head back so she could look into his eyes. She knew he was right and he wouldn't leave her until she told him.
"She just said that my brother was easy and she could have you like that, that you were using me and I should tell Chappelle I couldn't do your old job," Michelle told him and waited to see his reaction.
"I'm sorry but you know that none of that is true. Carrie manipulates people to get what she wants and she seems to have something against us, she tried to get a promotion out of me as well," Tony told her comfortingly and moved his hand onto her face stoking it with his thumb.
"I know it's just…" She started but Tony stopped her, "Michelle don't ever listen to anything she says. You are so much better then her in everyway and I love you," He said and then stopped himself. The words had just come out he didn't know how Michelle would react, he loved her but he had never told her. Tony looked at her but she wasn't giving anything away, he didn't know if she felt the same way and if she didn't he knew he'd just scare her off.
"Really?" She asked him.
"Yeah," He whispered in her ear.
"I love you to," She told him and kissed him on the lips. After a few seconds they stopped.
"You probably think I'm an idiot to let her get to me," Michelle told him.
"Michelle nothing you do will make me think you're an idiot you will always be the most beautiful, amazing, caring, sexy women I know," He told her and she laughed.
"You obviously don't know what you're letting yourself in for," Michelle told him.
"Maybe but I know that I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since we met," He told her and kissed her. They both opened their mouths to each other and let their tongues explore. Michelle ran her hands up and down Tony's chest and Tony kept one hand on her face and the other one on her back.
They continued kissing for about five minutes until they heard the door handle turn. They both jumped back and saw Chappelle walk in followed by Richards.
"Tony, what are you doing here? It seems every time I'm looking for either of you I always find you together" Chappelle asked.
"I…I was just…" Tony started.
"I was just giving him some information about the report," Michelle told Chappelle and glanced and Tony. He looked at her saying thank you. It was ok having Jack know but they both knew they weren't ready for Chappelle to know.
"Right," Chappelle said and they knew he didn't believe them but on the other hand a smile had spread across Richards face, he knew exactly what they were doing and was happy for them. Everyone at CTU knew they both fancied each other and Richards knew how happy people would be when they found out.
"Tony how is that report coming?" Chappelle asked him.
"Ok," Tony said but he hadn't started it, his mind had been on other things all day and he couldn't care less. "I better go and get on with it," He told them and walked out but not before looking at Michelle. Chappelle followed him and Richards closed the door after them.
Richards looked at Michelle still smiling.
"What?" She asked innocently.
"Congratulations," He told her.
"What?" She asked again.
"You and Tony," He said.
"Oh thanks Jamie, how did you…" She started but didn't have to finish.
"We all know how much you guys care about each other and now finally you've actually got together," He told them and she smiled. She couldn't stop herself; she was so happy that she and Tony were actually going out. "I guess Chappelle doesn't know," He said and she shook her head,
"And we'd prefer to keep it that way," Michelle told him.
"Sure, it's understandable. If Chappelle had his way none of us would be aloud a personal life in case it interfered with work. Don't worry your secrets safe with me and maybe a few other people," He told her and again she smiled.
"Ok,"
"We should get on with it," Jamie told her.
"Yeah," Michelle said and sat down in the chair opposite Jamie. He started the debriefing and it all came back to her. She knew she was going to cry when she talked about Paula and George but she had no idea how painful it was to talk about them. The first time she had talked about George she had told him how Tony thought he was going so he could get out of range the of bomb and she could hear her voice changing as she tried to fight back the tears welling in her eyes. Jamie could see she was upset and stopped.
"Michelle maybe we should take a break for a minute," He told her and squeezed her hand reassuring her, "Do you want me to go and get Tony?" He asked.
"No, no I'll be ok," She said and took her hand away so she could wipe the tears. Jamie looked at her unconvincingly. He hadn't worked there for to long so he didn't know people that well and that's why he was debriefing everyone. He knew how close some people were and how hard it was for them to talk about it. Although he hadn't worked there for long the first day he had he'd thought Tony and Michelle were going out and was surprised when he found out they weren't. He had once or twice thought about asking Michelle out as he thought she was beautiful the first day he met her but he knew how much she cared about Tony and because of that he knew he didn't stand a chance. Instead he settled for being a good friend for both of them. Michelle looked up and saw Jamie staring at her, "Honestly I'm ok, I just want to get it over and done with," She told him and he agreed.