A/N: First off, I'd like to say that you guys are incredible. Thanks so much for all the great feedback! You definately pushed me to get the next chapter out quickly. Believe me, I'm normally horrible about updates. Thanks so much for the support! I loved your input; it's much appreciated. I hope this next chapter lives up to your expectations...

DISCLAIMER: I don't own 24, as much as I wish I did.

Chapter Two – A Matter of Trust

By the fourth date, Michelle was getting restless.

Their relationship was sweet. It allowed them to cherish each moment they spent together. It was amazing – Tony was amazing. But they'd yet to have sex. Michelle could tell by the look in his eyes at the end of each date that he wanted it. And she knew he knew where she stood. She couldn't help but think that it was a matter of trust.

She knew Tony had issues. Lots and lots of issues. A great portion of them pertaining to Nina Meyers. And she knew that if they were going to move forward in their relationship, like both of them wanted to, they'd need to talk about it. Soon, preferably. Michelle could understand where he was coming from – the last women dated betrayed him, and she betrayed her country. But she also knew that he couldn't let that rule his life, and that they could never have a relationship if he didn't trust her.

So she decided to have a talk with him. And she hoped beyond hope that it would be soon.

It was the end of their fifth date, and Tony and Michelle were standing on Michelle's doorstep yet again. Michelle leaned in to kiss him, and Tony eagerly responded. Eventually, she broke it off and reached for her keys. This was the perfect opportunity…

"Do you want to come inside? I sort of want to talk to you about something…" Michelle trailed off, unsure of how to address the topic.

"Uh, yeah, alright," Tony replied, scratching the side of his face.

Michelle opened the door and led him into the apartment as he took in his surroundings. The apartment was nice – it wasn't overly girly, nor was it overly bland. It was comfortable, with lots of earthy tones, maintaining some relaxing, soothing quality that Tony could definitely get used to, especially after all the strenuous days at work they tended to have.

Michelle made her way over to the kitchen and set her purse on the counter. "Do you want some coffee?" she asked as she put on a pot.

Tony nodded silently, still looking around. Connected to the kitchen was the den, which Tony stood in. There was a television in the center of an entertainment center, with several shelves, holding DVDs ranging from Gone with the Wind to The Godfather. Apparently she had varying taste – he liked that about her. Also in the room was a large bookcase, consisting of 4 shelves, all of which were fairly full. He glanced at some of the titles. Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma...Apparently Michelle was a bit of a Jane Austen fan. Tony knew most of the stories himself, having grown up in a household of three younger sisters, all of which, had somehow forced Tony into seeing one of the movies based off of the books. His second sister, Jennifer, especially had been obsessed with the women's works, somehow manipulating Tony into reading Pride and Prejudice along with her while she was fighting with her younger and older sister.

Tony was yanked from his thoughts as Michelle handed him his coffee, black, just as he liked it. He smiled at the thought that she had remembered that detail, without having to ask how he liked his. She'd seen him pounding back the caffeine at work enough times…

"So what did you want to talk about?" Tony asked nonchalantly, though not seeming to maintain the image very well.

Michelle sat down on her couch and curled her legs underneath her, motioning for Tony to sit next to her. He took a sip of his coffee, trying to calm his nerves.

"I-um- kind of wanted to ask you a question. I'm sorry if this seems out of line, but honestly I need to ask it if we're ever going to get anywhere with this…whatever it is we're doing here…" They hadn't exactly defined their relationship with the other yet.

Tony looked down, having a feeling he knew where this conversation was headed. It had been inevitable, of course, and it was a talk he knew they needed, but that didn't make the topic any more appeasing. He looked up at her, an apologetic expression on his face, and Michelle melted for him.

"I just," Michelle began uncomfortably, "Well, I just wanted to know...Do you trust me, Tony?"

Tony scratched the side of his face subconsciously and took another sip of his coffee. He sighed. "Of course I trust you." He didn't sound convincing to himself or to Michelle.

"Are you sure about that, Tony? Because you don't act like it…"

Tony sighed again. He knew he'd have to get over his fears and insecurities eventually, but he hadn't expected her to bring it up so soon. It wasn't Michelle, of course. Deep down, he knew he could trust her. But the insecurities Nina left were instilled in him, and a small, but significant, part of him shielded the areas Nina had damaged.

"I'm sorry for acting this way, Michelle. I want to trust you. You know that. It's just…" Tony broke off, helplessly.

Michelle sighed and took his hand lightly in hers. "Nina?"

"Nina," Tony confirmed grimly.

Michelle stared at him, and he squirmed under her stare. "I'm not Nina, Tony. I'm not going to betray you, and I'm not going to betray the country. I could never do something like that."

"I know," Tony mumbled. He stared directly into her eyes. "I'm sorry, 'Chelle."

She squeezed his hand. "It's okay," she spoke quietly.

Tony leaned in and kissed her, softly at first. But then with more passion, reminding them both with a jolt of their first kiss, taking place at CTU, in a dark hallway. They'd both needed it then, just as they both did now. The kiss was long and passionate, full of both love and lust. But there was one main difference between this kiss and the one at CTU. This time they didn't break it off. Neither of them had any plans of leaving the other's sight that night.

Tony found himself tugging at the bottom of Michelle's shirt and she fumbling with the buttons on his. She worked the shirt of him just as he began to pull her top over her head. Michelle kissed him again and moaned lightly against his lips as he responded. She pulled away for a moment and motioned to a door down the hall. "My bedrooms down the there…" she whispered. They never lost contact with one another on the way there.

Michelle looked into Tony's eyes for a moment, seeking confirmation that he was sure. She didn't need to ask. She could see it by the look on his face – he was sure.

Michelle closed the door behind them.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! I hope to get the next chapter out by next weekend, but it's likely not to happen...I have exams next week and still have tons of reviewing to do. Reviews are appreciated, as I'm sure you've noticed by now. :-)

-Laura