Disclaimer: I owe nothing! I'm not making any money off of this story! Special thanks to TTFN and redrose7856. I took both of your advice and did a flashback. Hope you enjoy it!

Tony knew he was driving way past the 40 mile speed limit. But he didn't care. The only thing that mattered now was rescuing Terri and Kim. Tony slammed on the breaks as the light turned red. In frustrations, Tony beeped the horn. How the hell did things get so…complicated? Of course, Tony already knew the answer to that….

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Five years, six months and three weeks after day five…..

Tony Almeida walked quickly through the dark ally in Washing D.C. to his apartment, reflecting on the past three months.

After collapsing in Jack's arms at CTU from an injection of hyoscine-pentothal, Tony thought he was a goner….until he woke up in a small padded room with a un-shaven man, David Emerson, looking down at him.

Before David said anything, the first words out of Tony's mouth was if his wife, Michelle, was alive too. Though Tony already knew the answer: Michelle was gone. David went on to explain that Tony was given hypothermic injection which saved his life.

"I've been watching you," David explained. "Ever sine you were arrested a few years back."

"Watching me?" Tony said. "Why?"

"Because I knew one day, you would be one of us."

Even since that horrible day, Tony felt as though he had been reborn. He was no longer Tony Almeida;, director of CTU or leader of a private security company. He was Tony Almeida, commander of an army of mercenaries.

Tony used all his anger from Michelle's death for a different cause; to lead Emerson's group of mercenaries for various missions. As time went on, the anger he once felt turned to numbness. "A valuable tool," David had once told him. "Especially for the work we do."

A sudden a cry interrupted his thoughts. Tony turned his head to a couple of thugs, giving a blond girl a hard time. Tony just shook his head. The old Tony would have tried to rescue the girl; But that Tony was dead and gone. After all, he was not longer an agent, and therefore didn't owe anyone anything. Tony was about to continue on, when he recognize the girl: Kim Bauer.

Ignoring a stranger was one thing: walking away from a former colleague was something else. Tony sprung into action, running towards the group. He smacked the smaller of the two with his knuckles, causing him to collapse. Yet his comrade wasn't as weak. In fact, he was about seven feet tall and well built. Tony tried to swing at the second prep, only to be blocked by his large hands. Then the giant prep grabbed him by the throat, pulling Tony from the ground. Tony struggled to get free, while Kim laid on the ground, unconscious.

Tony kicked as hard as he could at the prep's knee cap. Yelping in pain, the prep dropped Tony to the ground, ripping part of Tony's jacket. Not paying attention to the pain in his leg, Tony grabbed a piece of glass and stabbed the giant in the shoulder. Although the cut was barely deep, the prep crashed to the ground at the sight of his own blood.

Staggering, Tony rushed over to the unconscious Kim. Besides a few cuts and bruises, Kim appeared to be in decent shape. Tony gently put his hand to her shoulder.

"Kim, are you okay?"

With a moan, Kim slowly opened her eyes. She looked up at him, her eyes widening in astonishment. "Tony?" Kim pushed his arm away, backing up in shocked.

His hair was shorter and he was more tone, but it was definitely Tony.

"You're….your supposed to be dead." She whispered.

Tony knew that he should leave her there…but he couldn't. Not in the middle of D.C. when she was injured.

"Come on, let's get you some help," he said softly, extending his hand to her. Trembling, Kim took it, still not believing her own eyes: Tony Almada….alive.

The sound of police sirens rang through Kim's ears.

"You will be safe now; the police are on their way." Tony said softly. What else could one say to someone who thought they were dead?

"I can't stress this enough Kim; you can't tell anyone about me."

"But…why?"

"I'm sorry."

Before Kim could say protest any further, Tony raced away.

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Tony Almeida's apartment.........

"So this is where the dead live?" Startled, Tony almost dropped his keys. There, standing in the hallway of his apartment, was Kim Bauer.

"Kim…what the hell…"

"Am I doing here? Funny I could say the same about you." She walked closer to Tony.

Tony looked out the window, just to make sure David and the rest of the gang had left. Tightly, he grabbed Kim's arm.

"Look, you shouldn't be here," He hissed. "You have no idea what kind of danger you have put yourself into."

"What kind of danger I have put myself into?" Kim screamed, struggling for Tony to release his hold on her. "Give me a break, Tony! That is the kind of crap I would expect from my dad, but not you." Finally able to break free from his grasp, Kim turned away.

Tony sighed, knowing that Kim wasn't going to stop until she knew the truth. "Okay…okay. You win. Just come inside quietly." Tony quickly unlocked his door and ushered Kim in.

"So, how were you able to find me?" Tony asked as he closed and locked his apartment door. Kim looked around, taking in her new surroundings, ignoring Tony. An old bed was on the left. Next to that was a small kitchenette. While the apartment was smaller than Kim expected, she realized that it was all the space that Tony probably needed.

"It was hard at first," Kim admitted, sitting down on a stool. "At first, I wasn't sure it was even you. But the next morning, I went back to ally. I saw a piece of your jacket that those bastards ripped off that night. That is how I knew that you really were there."

With his arms crossed Tony just nodded, waiting for Kim to continue.

"Because it was late at night, I thought that perhaps you lived around the area."

"So you just decided to stop at ever apartment to see where I lived?" Tony asked sarcastically.

Kim smiled at him ruefully.

"Actually, I went to all the diners and fast foods in the area, asking if they had ever delivered to a man of your description. After 20 places later, some one at the diner remembered your face and gave me your address."

Tony raised his eye brows. "They were just willing to give you my address?"

"Well…" Kim smiled. "I had to use some money….and my charm; of course."

Tony groaned. After trying so hard to cover his tracks for the last six months, Kim had been able to find him within a few weeks.

"Now it's my turn to ask the questions." Kim stood up and walked towards Tony until they were only a few feet apart. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Tony crossed his arms and shrugged. Kim scoffed.

"That is not going to help here, Tony. The papers said you were dead. Are you in witness protection? Is the government trying to hide you?"

Tony shook his head.

" The government had nothing to do with it. Let's just say that I have a guardian angel looking out for me; who had a hypothermic solution."

"An angel that just happened to be at the right place at the right time, with the right formula?"

"Something like that, yeah."

"So after you were raised from the dead you decided to…what, disappear?" Kim shook her head. "I know you lost your wife, Tony, but running is only something a coward would do."

Tony banged the counter so hard that it practically shook.

"After losing my wife to a government I helped saved over and over again, did you really expect me to just go back?" Tony sputtered. Before waiting for Kim to answer, Tony pushed her away and walked towards the window.

He stared at the people walking by, taking in deep breaths.

"The question really should be why you are here, Kim. Are you also running from the government that couldn't protect your family as well?" Tony knew it was a cheap shot, but he was too bitter to care.

Kim felt as though Tony had punched her in the stomach… hard. Despite all that Tony had been through, Kim felt the sudden urge to slap him.

"Cut the crap, Tony," Kim snapped. "I know my dad is alive and I know you were one of the people who lied to me."

Tony turned around, felling a wave of guilt. Kim's eyes were filled with furry. Yet Tony could see there was also sorrow in them as well. For someone so young, Kim had been through too much.

"How could you all lie to me?" Kim continued. "You saw me at the funeral. You had to have known what my father's death would do to me." Kim felt herself tremble, but was determine to keep a firm voice. "Why didn't you tell me the truth?"

"You know why," Tony replied softly. "You father wanted to keep you safe; I was only trying to help my friend protect his only child."

"Is that why you haven't told my dad you are alive? Are you trying to protect him as well?" Kim walked towards Tony until she was only three feet away. "Or are you mad at him because he couldn't save Michelle?"

Tony banged on the window framed, his anger coming back. "Damn it, Kim. I've answered your questions. I'm sorry, but the topic is now closed." He turned back to the window. Tony waited to hear Kim depart, but no such luck. Tony turned around and looked at Kim. She was looking at him, no longer with accusation, but with sadness.

"I suppose the Tony I once knew really is dead," She said softly.

Tony let out an angry sigh. When was she going to leave him in peace?

"Why the hell did you come here, Kim?" Tony asked, turning back to the window.

"Maybe because I know there are still some corrupt people that I need help exposing," Kim answered softly. "I thought you could be one of those people who still cared about justice. I guess I was wrong. I'm sorry to have disturbed you, Tony." With that, Kim turned around and finally walked away.

Tony knew that he should let Kim go. Like David said, any friends from his past life would only put him and the rest of the crew in danger. And yet, for some reason, Tony felt that he couldn't let her go.

"Kim, wait!" Tony ran and grabbed her arm just as her hand was on the door knob. Kim turned around, this time her eyes filled with hope.

Tony took another deep breath, knowing he was going to regret this. "What is it that you need, Kim?"

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Tony finished his second glass of scotch while waiting for Kim. Tensely, he looked at his watch for the fifth time. Despite his years of experience, Tony couldn't remember the last time he felt so uneasy about a mission.

After breaking up with her latest boyfriend, Kim had moved to DC and worked in a manufacture company as a book keeper. It seemed to be a dream job until Kim realized that the company was selling stocks that didn't exist. Furthermore, Kim suspected that some of her colleges who discovered the same information conveniently disappeared.

It took a lot of convincing for David to agree to help. He first protested was that this wasn't their typical job. The crew was normally hired to be mercenaries or body guards; not investigators. Second of all, David didn't like the idea of the job being pro-bono. However, Tony convinced David to just allow himself and Masters, David's computer expert, to help Kim. All Kim wanted was evidence. Then she would return it to the police without ever mentioning Emerson's crew.

Breaking into the CEO's office to steal data from the computer was easy; decoding it was a different story. It had taken months for Masters to break the code. In the meantime, the company heads had suspected that someone was on to them. While the company had no leads, they had put surveillance on all their employees: including Kim. This made communicating with Kim extremely difficult. The only time and place Tony and Kim could met was a crowed, local bar. In order to avoid suspicion, Kim pretended to be Tony's secrete lover. Tony even wore his wedding ring to indicate that they had to sneak around.

What seemed like an eternity, Kim finally arrived. Tony raised his eye browns, amazed by how well Kim was dressed to play her role as his mistress. She wore a short, white lace tanked that barely covered her stomach. It matched well with her tight jeans and high heels. Tony only wished that he looked half as decent. He had decided to wear a dark tee-shirt under his leather jacket and dark pants.

Tony stood up, giving her a quick peck on the cheek, and then a hug.

"Are they still watching?" Kim asked.

Still hugging her, Tony glanced behind her. As he suspected, the same men who had been following Kim all week were once again at the entrance of the door.

"Yeap."

Although investigating was becoming more and more dangerous, Kim refused to give up until she had obtained the information she needed. This only made Tony more determine to help

"In that case, Let's go somewhere where we can't be interrupted," Kim whispered.

Tony released her from his hug. "Good idea."

Taking her by the hand, Tony lead Kim outside. The two men followed close behind.

Kim and Tony entered the back door into the alley. There were a many people, catching a smoke or with a significant other. It was the perfect spot for Kim and Tony to blend in.

"I have the information you need," Tony murmured. "Masters finally decoded the files."

Tony looked up. The hence men had indeed followed them. This time, two other suites had joined them. Tony's heart race when he saw one of the henchman place his hand on his holster.

"What is it?"

"Don't look now, but the crowd just got bigger; I think your co-workers are ready to move in."

Kim felt the blood rush away from her face. "What should we do?" Even if she and Tony tried to run, the men would caught up.

"Just…act natural." Tony grabbed Kim and nuzzled her neck. Kim followed Tony's lead and leaned her head back to groan.

"Where is the data?" Kim whispered.

"On my flash drive," Tony whispered back. Quickly, Tony retrieved the flash drive from his back pocket. "Don't move; I'm going to put it in your pocket."

Trying not to let his eyes wonder from Kim's face, Tony gently slipped his hand below Kim's bare back and placed it in her back pocket. For a moment, Tony felt as though he had been shocked. How long had it been since he had touched a woman like this?

Kim continued to kiss his neck, noticing that she was trembling. Was it because it had been so long since a man had touched her like this?

"Did you get it?" Tony murmured, interrupting Kim from her thoughts.

"Yes. Are they still there?"

Tony just nodded.

Kim wasn't sure what she was thinking; maybe because she was just trying to throw off suspicion, or maybe she wasn't thinking clearly. What ever the reason, Kim gently kissed Tony on the lips. It was a quick kiss, but it surprised both of them. For a second, they both stared at each other, waiting for the other to respond. Then Tony looked behind. "There gone."

Kim breathed a sigh of relief.

The two of them pulled away quickly. For an awkward moment, they just stood where they were: stone statues. Finally, Tony's cell phone broke the silence.

"Hello? Yeah, David, she got it…..Okay….talk to you later." Tony closed the cell phone.

"I have to go."

"Okay," Kim replied, not knowing what else to say.

Tony nodded and started to walk away.

"Tony?"

Tony turned around, afraid of what Kim was going to say.

"Thanks."

Smiling for the first time since Michelle's death, Tony waved good-by and walked away.

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Kim banged on the door for what seemed like the hundredth time. After turning over the information to the police, the company had closed down; the head CEO's were arrested and Kim was out of a job.

That was six weeks ago. Since then, Kim had been trying to get in touch with Tony with no luck. Although her new job as a high school English teacher didn't make much, Kim had a small check that she wanted to give Tony personally. Despite that Emerson's crew had helped as well, Kim still didn't trust Emerson. He may have saved Tony's life, but she didn't the new career he had gotten Tony into.

Finally, Tony opened the door. His rough clothes and blood shot eyes made Kim realize what Tony hadn't answer the door before: He intoxicated.

"Hitting the bottle again, Tony?" Kim slipped through his arms, walking into the empty apartment.

Tony sighed and slammed the door.

"Maybe. What's it to you?"

"It matters because I don't like to see one of my friends waste their life away." Kim snapped. Tony scoffed.

"Friends? Is that what you call this?" Tony asked sarcastically.

"Unless you want it to be more," Kim snapped angrily.

For a minute, both stared at each other, reflecting on their last encounter.

"Kim…"

Before Tony could continue, Kim grabbed him and kissed him hard. Startled, Tony stumbled back. Shocked, Kim put her hand to her month, ashamed how forward she was. This was Tony after all. Her Father's friend. What the hell was she thinking? Did she actually care for him, or was she just looking for someone from her past to fill the void in her life?

Yet the biggest surprise of all was when Tony kissed her back. Kim reached up and pushed his leather jacket away. It fell to the floor with a light thud. Then Tony felt her warm hands on his cold chest.

Startled, Tony pushed her away again; conflicted with the emotions tearing up in his chest. This wasn't the time to fool around; not with Jack's daughter and not while he still considered himself married to Michelle. And yet…Tony didn't give a damn. He felt hollow since the day Michelle had died. But for at least for one night, he could feel something else besides the bitterness.

Without another word, Tony picked Kim up and brought her to his bed.

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The sun light peered into the window. A light breeze blew on Tony's bare chest. Tony groaned as he rubbed his eyes. He reached over to Kim, only to find her side of the bed empty.

"Kim?"

Tony sat up, looking around the room, realizing that her clothes were gone as well. Then he spotted a note on her pillow. It had three small sentences in Kim's light hand writing:

Tony,

You know this isn't what either of us want.

-Kim

I wasn't to sure how far in the love scene I should go. If you want me to go further, let me know. Keep in mind, I'm only going as far as a PG-13 movie.

In an interview between Ausiello Carlos Bernard a few weeks ago, Bernard hinted that there might be some possible romance between Tony and a new character. I'm thinking it is Olivia Taylor because she is the only new character so far. Shall I have Olivia in this story as well?