I don't own 24. Adults only. I hope you like.

Everything happened so fast it was hard to keep up. Just like Josh had expected, Michelle was sedated and taken into surgery to have the cut fixed. It would be a quick procedure and Tony and his family waited in the room for her.

At one point when Shelley took Jo down to get them all some coffee, Josh sat down next to Tony, who had barely said a word since they had arrived.

"I'm sorry I bought up Nina Tony, I had absolutely no idea it would spark all that off."

"It's not your fault Dad, I'm the one that completely lost it. I just can't believe that Michelle was told all that and that she has been feeling this way for god knows how long."

"In a way then, maybe it is good it came out and you have a chance to clear it up with her."

Tony rubbed at the side of his face and sighed. "I know I never talk to you and mom about work anymore Dad but you wouldn't believe what we have been through the past couple days. Michelle and I were smack bang in the middle of it and I was hoping to be the one to help her get through all of that but then all this happens. I fucking hate CTU, all it does is hurt people."

Josh put his hand on Tony's arm. "I know it feels that way now but think of all of the good you all do. What a disaster our country would be in if it wasn't for people like you and Michelle. And you will help her get through it, she loves you so much Tony, that much is very clear."

They spoke for a few more minutes before Tony called Ryan Chappelle.

"Tony, did you check in with Michelle? Is she alright?"

"No Ryan, she was assaulted pretty bad in the bathroom. She is in surgery right now for a wound on her back."

"What? Why the hell did she keep that from us?"

"Because we sat her in a room full of men she works with every day and expected her to talk about what he had done to her. She also feels disappointed in herself because she thinks she should have been able to stand up for herself better..."

"That's ridiculous, David is huge, and nobody would have stood a chance against him..."

"Try telling that to Michelle."

"Well is she going to be ok? How serious is this?"

"I think she will be ok, some stitches and bruising. They will also do x-rays to make sure none of her ribs are broken. I wanted to let you know so you could start working on that plan B because there is no way Michelle is going in there again on Sunday."

"Let's see how she pulls up today. Tony, you wouldn't believe the chatter staff have been pulling up about this 'lunch'. Sounds like it is the meeting of all meetings..."

"I don't give a shit Ryan, just go in there and bust them, you have an address now. I am Michelle's director and I will not under any circumstances authorize her to go back in there with that man..."

"Tony, you know I am the one that calls the shots..."

Tony was losing his cool. "Ok then Ryan, you come down to the hospital and take one look at Michelle and what he has done to her, then tell me if you think she should be going back in!"

There was silence as Ryan realized how serious Tony was. He could hear in his voice how emotional he was and knew it wasn't the time to push anything. "Alright, alright. Is there anything else Michelle has said about him that we should know?"

"No, nothing..." As he was finishing his sentence, Michelle was wheeled back in. "I have to go Ryan, Michelle is out of surgery." He hung up without even waiting for a response.

Michelle slowly opened her eyes to see Tony staring down at her. His eyes were red and tired looking and his black eye was very swollen. He looked a mess but he was so most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. She was only able to enjoy a minute of happy bliss at having Tony next to her before memories of everything that had happened came flooding back into her mind. She wanted to ask if it had all been a nightmare but she already knew the answer.

"Hey you." His voice was husky and full of concern.

"Hey."

He leant down closer to her. "Everything went really well. You are all stitched up, no broken ribs and hopefully you will start to feel a lot better very quickly."

"That's great. Thank you for staying." She scanned the room to see the rest of his family was there as well. They were hanging back giving them space. "Wow, you all stayed? Thank you."

Tony squeezed her hand. "I promised you I wouldn't leave your side."

Shelley, Jo and Josh all made their way over to the bed and said hello. Michelle could see how tired they all looked. She thanked them again for being there.

Tony was about to tell Michelle that he had called her father, Jackson, when there was a knock on her door and a man slowly stepped inside.

"Dad!"

Jackson made his way over and gave Michelle a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Are you ok honey? I got here as soon as I could."

"I'm fine, thank you for coming in Dad especially when you are so busy..."

He kissed her again, "Hey, I'm never too busy for my little girl."

"Dad, I want you to meet Tony Almeida and his family..."

Tony stuck his hand out straight away and shook hands with Jackson before introducing him to his parents and Jo.

"Finally I get to meet the famous Tony Almeida!" Jackson said it with a cheeky grin as he looked back at his daughter who was now blushing.

"Dad!"

They all laughed. Jackson shook Tony's hand again, "Seriously, it is very nice to meet you, although I wish it was under better circumstances. Thank you for calling me Tony."

"I'm so happy to meet you to. I knew you would want to be here and that Chelle would want to see you."

For the next half an hour they all chatted non-stop. Jackson got along with Tony's family very well, anyone would have thought they had been friends for years. Jackson was a financial advisor and it wasn't long before he and Josh were organizing to meet up for a round of golf together. Tony was loving this although he was worried about Michelle. After the introductions, she had barely spoken a word.

Eventually Tony's family said they would head off and get some sleep. They promised to be back to visit Michelle later in the day. Just before Josh walked out the door Michelle called him back. He came back over to the side of the bed. "Ummm, I just wanted to thank you for everything that you did. I'm sorry I was such a mess and that you had to..."

He cut her off, "Chelle, you are a very brave young woman. I am so sorry for what you have just been through and I'll be here to keep helping you and Tony through it. It got pretty scary there for awhile but you hung in there and did great. All want is for you both to be ok and happy."

Michelle smiled and thanked him again. Jackson walked Josh back to the door and stepped out with him. When they were out in the hallway, "Tony was only able to fill me in a little on what happened but it sounds like you are the reason Michelle is ok. How bad is this wound or cut on her back?"

Josh sighed, "Now that it has been closed properly it should be fine. You do know though that Michelle sustained some very serious bruising as well...?"

Jackson shook his head. "I don't know anything, other than she was hurt whilst undercover. I just know what Michelle can be like...very good at putting on a brave face..."

"Tell me about it! She should have gone straight to hospital but at first she didn't even want anyone to know how badly she had been hurt."

"Why?"

"Ummm..."

"I don't mean to put you on the spot and I don't want to keep you from your family, I just..." Jackson paused as he tried to find the right words. "I guess I'm just trying to understand what my daughter been through so I know how to help her."

"Jackson, this is the last thing a man ever wants to have to tell a daughters father but you do need to know the truth. Maybe together we can work on helping Michelle and Tony because from what I have seen last night, they are going through more than most do in a lifetime. Michelle was assaulted by some guy CTU has been trying to track down for a long time..."

"Clearly he beat her but did he touch her?"

Josh could see the same look of sadness washing over Jackson's face that he had seen on Tony's all night and felt himself. "Yes, however Michelle assures us he didn't get very far at all. It was more about this man threatening her and hitting her. I'm sorry, I don't know how else to even be saying this to you..."

Jackson's fists were clenched and he felt sick but he was trying to remain calm. "I appreciate you telling me, thank you."

Josh leaned in closer, "Maybe after you have had a chance to talk to Tony and Michelle properly you want to give me a call and we can go over a few things? I think those two are going to need some support at the moment."

"Sounds good, I'd like that."

The 2 men traded numbers and said goodbye. Jackson headed back into the room. Tony was sitting on one side of the bed holding Michelle's hand and so he pulled up a chair on the other side. He tried to lighten things up a little. "So does this mean you two have finally gotten your act together?" He smiled whilst motioning towards their hands clasped together.

Tony looked nervously at Michelle. His voice was quiet and full of nerves. "If Chelle is still willing to give me a chance after everything..."

"Tony? What are you unsure?"

He looked back up at her. "NO! Not at all, that's not even close to what I was getting at. I'm hoping you are still willing to give me a chance."

Jackson had said that thinking it would make them both smile, he couldn't believe how lost they both seemed to be. "Hey, hey...I didn't mean to upset either of you. I thought...I guess I assumed that..." He didn't know how to word it.

Tony surprised them both. "I am in love with your daughter. I've never felt like this about anyone in my life, she makes me happier than I thought it was possible to be. I just feel like I let you down so much last night baby that I have been sitting here praying for the past couple hours that you would still want me..."

"Tony, I love you. I need you."

Finally a smile washed across his face. He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. Then he looked at Jackson, "Then to answer your question, yes...we finally got our act together!" They all laughed a little.

Jackson brushed some hair out of Michelle's eye. "Good. What happened sweetheart? You both have black eyes, it sounds like you have been through hell."

Michelle looked at her Dad and started to cry. He immediately stood over her and wiped the tears. "I don't want to upset you. You're my little girl, I need to know what you have been through."

Michelle knew she wouldn't be able to tell her Dad without sobbing. "Can you explain Tony?"

Jackson sat back down but still wiped away a few tears. Tony went back to the beginning, explaining briefly how involved they were with everything Jackson would have heard on the news the last couple days. He kept that as short as he could. Then he explained how Michelle had helped him out with his sister before moving onto the mission and what had happened.

When he got to the part in the bathroom, he fumbled over his words and didn't really know what to say, or at least how to word what David had done to his daughter. He started tearing up himself and began to apologize to Jackson for not protecting Michelle and just about everything else.

Michelle couldn't believe it. Tony's version of events was all over the place and she had lost count now of how many times he had said he was sorry and that he would never let anyone near her again. Jackson was confused and hated hearing Tony blaming himself like that when he knew damn well that Tony would have done anything and everything to do the right thing by his daughter.

Eventually Michelle almost yelled at Tony to stop, taking them both off guard. He looked at her, "What?"

"Why are you saying all this Tony? The situation was out of your control. What happened in the bathroom was up to me to handle as a trained agent. You are not responsible for my inability to handle it. Why are you saying all that?"

Tony just blurted it out. "I'm trying to explain to your dad how his daughter was sexually and physically assaulted under my command Michelle. Everything I have said is true. I'm saying it how it is...you think your dad is interested in a pile of excuses to why you are lying here in this position?"

Jackson put his hands up to stop them both. He was dumbfounded by the rawness of the situation. Devastated at what they had both been through and sick to his stomach even thinking about someone touching his daughter. "Hey...Tony, I'm sure you did everything you possibly could have to look after Michelle. I'm not looking for anyone to blame here, except the prick that did this to her. You can't take all of this on..."

"With all due respect sir, Michelle hid what David had done to her, I had to force it out of her to even tell me what he had done and I had to force her to even let me see her injuries. I am certainly to blame for Michelle not feeling comfortable enough to come..."

"I told you Tony! I was too humiliated at work in front of everyone else and I then got scared to tell you because I feel like I let you all down. You are the last person I wanted to have know that another man touched me. Why can't you understand that?"

Tony's voice rose but he tried to keep it down, he didn't want to completely lose it in front of her Dad. "I'm trying to Michelle. I am trying to understand. It hurts, it hurts so much knowing what you went through and that I was there and couldn't stop it and then seeing you..." He stood up and walked out the door before he lost it. He leaned his forehead against the wall. Tears streamed down his face. He couldn't believe it, he wasn't capable of keeping himself together in front of Jackson. He was humiliated and angry at himself.

Jackson stood and went out to Tony. He put a hand on his shoulder and made him turn around. "Don't do this to yourself Tony."

"I'm sorry. There are just so many things I would do differently, that I wish I had done. Michelle has come to mean more to me over the last year than anyone and I just want to protect her, I want to be the one that she feels like she can count on for anything..."

Tony had started to turn away again, embarrassed to be crying in front of Michelle's father but Jackson firmly used his hand on his shoulder to make him face him. "You know Tony, I think since the day Chelle started at CTU she has told me all about you. What an honourable man you are, how much you look after her, how brave you are. You have been her rock. I've known you were the right man for my daughter for a long time now simply by the way she speaks so highly of you. Even though we had never met, I actually have felt comfort in knowing that you are there for her. Do you know how hard it is for a Dad to think about his little girl going off to a job like CTU every day? And yet Chelle has told me a million stories about times you have been there for her, helped her, comforted her and that makes it easier for me. I already trust you with Michelle and have for a long time. What happened last night sounds like it was a horrible situation that got out of control but that's life sometimes isn't it? You can't always control everything. I know my daughter and she has had a tough life without a mom and it has made her very guarded and stubborn..."

Tony smirked a little and Jackson smiled, "Yeah?"

Tony looked at him, "Yeah, stubborn for sure!"

"You are a good man Tony."

"Thank you Jackson, you have no idea how much everything you have just said means to me..."

"Well I meant every word. Why don't you come back in and we will try this again?"

Tony followed Jackson back into the room. Michelle had moved her gown to the side so she could look at the bruising. It caught Jackson off guard to see how bad it was. He felt his eyes well up as he made his way over to her. As soon as she noticed them come back in she went to cover her stomach but her Dad took her hand and stopped her, "Can I see?"

Michelle removed her hand and let her Dad look. He gently trailed his finger up her side and silence overtook the room. Finally, "how far up does this go? What about the cut?"

Tony stood next to them and helped Michelle to slightly roll so her Dad could see her back. Jackson felt physical pain seeing his daughter like that. "I am so sorry honey. I could kill that monster."

"It looks worse than it is Dad."

Jackson shook his head and helped her to get comfortable again. "Chelle, I need you to talk to me. You said you wanted to hide this because you felt humiliated, that you feel like you have let people down. Who?"

"Don't worry Dad. I'm ok..."

Tony gave Jackson a look like 'see what I mean' and Jackson's eyes widened. He knew his daughter, she had been putting on a brave front in life since she was 12 when her mother left. This was not the type of situation he wanted her to brush off though or think she had to be brave over. She had to face it and learn how to lean on people. "I am worried and I need you to talk. So does Tony."

"What do you want to hear? I told you why I didn't want to say anything..."

"Because you thought Tony wouldn't want to know about another man touching you?"

Michelle could feel herself going red, she felt so uncomfortable. "Yeah..."

Tony took her hand. "I hate what he did to you Michelle but because I love you, it would never change how I feel about you."

"I thought you would be angry. I look disgusting. I can see it in both of your eyes when you just looked at me...and it's not just that, you told me I wasn't up to the mission and I wanted to show you I was but clearly I was wrong. You knew I couldn't handle it and all I did was show that I am not a strong field agent..."

"Because you were tired Michelle! That's it, not because you were not capable. And I knew what this guy is capable of. The whole mission was stupid from the start, I knew all he would want from you was sex and CTU made you walk straight into that. You should never have been put in that position. And baby, after everything he did, you still didn't blow your cover, do you know how amazing that is?"

She started to cry a little. "I was so close to blowing it Tony. 1 more minute and I would have. If he hadn't left when he did I would have caved."

Jackson took her hand. "CTU is lucky to have you. Ever since you were a little girl you never wanted to let anyone down. You always put on a brave face." He turned to Tony, "You know when Chelle was just 12 years old and her mother just walked out on us, I was sitting out on the deck crying. She got Danny ready for school, made him his lunch and walked him to the bus. Then she came back to me with a box of tissues and announced that everything would be ok. I'll never forget asking her if she wanted to take the day off school and I was going to stay home, you know what she said? 'We can't Dad, I have a maths test and we have to go to Danny's play this afternoon or else he will get more upset.' Here I was, barely able to string a sentence together and my 12 year old daughter is the one trying to keep us together."

Tony looked at her in admiration. "Wow..."

"I was sick of her hurting you Dad and you always taught me when I was scared the best thing I could do was put on a brave face until I wasn't scared anymore."

"Chelle, maybe I should have taught you to also learn how to lean on people, understand that it is ok to let your guard down and be scared. That being scared isn't being weak."

"Dad I do. Can't you understand why all of this was so hard for me to just come straight out with? Is it really that hard for you guys to get why I feel so freaked out about it all?"

Tony took her hand and squeezed it. "I do, I do. I just want to know that you are accepting what we are saying, believing it...because from the way you have been acting it feels like we are not getting through to you." He hoped he wasn't being too rough on her.

From the way her voice rose he knew he had been. She also started to squirm in the bed. "I'm so sorry that all this stuffs gets to me. God, doesn't it at least show you how much I care about you and what you think? That I don't want you to be turned off me. That I don't want you to think I am a useless agent..."

"Chelle of course..."

"No, damn Tony you know I took those extra training courses so I could be better in the field. Because I thought you wanted to be with someone that was a capable agent like Nina, not just a desk jockey all the time. I was trying to better myself, be a better agent. " She started to try and get up but Jackson kept his hands on her trying to make her stay in place. That made her more agitated and she yelled at Tony again. "Am I so wrong that it upsets me that the first time you saw me like that last night was when I look like this? You don't even get that!"

"Yes I do. God Chelle, I've spent a year dreaming about our first date. What it would be like to hold you properly for the first time what it would be like to..." He stopped himself from saying more because her Dad was in the room. "You don't think I wanted it to be perfect? Instead I watched you in agony. I learnt that you have spent the past year believing all that bullshit about Nina instead of the truth, which is all I ever wanted was someone like you!"

"Then why is all this coming down on me? I'm sorry I had it so wrong. I am sorry I hid that I was hurt. I'm sorry but you are not exactly accepting and hearing everything either Tony."

"Like what?"

"That last night wasn't your fault! That you did everything you could!"

Jackson stopped them. "Everything is going in cycles here. You both realize you are just going back and forth over the same thing. What is it you need to hear from each other other?"

Tony stood at the end of the bed. "I want to hear that from now on no matter what, Michelle won't ever try to protect me from anything because it might upset me. That she will come to me first and know that she can count on me to look after her and be there for her no matter what. That you know I love you for you and exactly who you are. I want to hear that you are mine Chelle and you are going to open up to me and give me a chance to be everything you need!"

Tears ran down her cheeks. She moved and it sent pain radiating through her body. She burst into tears. "Yes Tony, I want all of those things. I'll do anything to make you happy."

He smiled, "Thank God. Thank you, I love you. What do you need to hear?"

"Just that you don't blame yourself for anything that happened and you will allow me to be there for you as much as you are for me?"

Jackson smiled. Tony smiled and leant down and kissed her on the lips. "Starting from now, let's do all that. Fresh start. Go on a real first date and begin again?"

"I'd love that, I believe you owe me dinner and a movie!"

"I believe I do. I'll even let you pick."

He turned to Jackson. "Thank you. Thanks for helping us find our way through this."

"No problem. It's not going to be easy but if you keep talking and sticking together you will be fine." He kissed Michelle on the forehead. "And I want to see you better soon sweetheart. I love you."

Thanks for reading, please review:)