Title: Faithfully Yours

Author: MichelleBA

Summary: The lives of Tony Almeida and Michelle Dessler, together and apart, through the good and bad.

Disclaimer: I do not own Tony Almeida, Michelle Dessler, or any of the other mentioned "24" characters or things.

~ Chapter 53 ~

"Tony and Michelle! Dinner!" Tony's mom called.

"Ready?" Tony said as Michelle gazed at the TV.

"I guess," she said with a smile as he pulled her up off the couch and they headed into the dining room.

"Hanna and Jon are coming to dinner, she just got out of the hospital" Tony's mom said right as the doorbell rang "I bet that's them". She hurried off to the door.

Tony and Michelle took their seats "Ok everyone have a seat we are gonna bring back an old family tradition.... meal time game night!"

Tony smiled "This should be interesting"

"Ok we are playing that interesting questions game, I'll go first...you pick a card, read the question and roll the dice to see who answers it going clockwise...ok here's the question...what was your favorite childhood toy?" she rolled the dice and counted landing on Tony.

"Favorite toy" he muttered "hmmm it would have to be that one soldier action figure...I took it everywhere" everyone giggled remembering the beat up little toy "...yeah Danny the soldier had lots of adventures"

Tony took a card "Ok this one asks 'What is your favorite memory of your father?'" he rolled and landed on Jon.

"Definitely the time we went on that ferry ride and dad got the officer to let me go see the captain he smiled he told him I was dying of a rare illness"

Tony's mother gasped, "I cannot believe you!" she said to her husband that's terrible!!

The entire table laughed as Jon took the next card... "Ok last thing you got scolded for by your parents for," he rolled the dice and it landed on Michelle.

Tony looked over to her, she seemed to be in a daze thinking, not even realizing she was being spoken to "Michelle?" he said squeezing her hand gently, then he remember what Michelle had told him about the last time she saw her dad and he had yelled at her for coming.

"I just remembered that pass code for the data file Ryan was trying to retrieve" she lied as she excused herself and headed toward the bathroom.

Tony watched her go, his family was quiet for once she'll get the next one he said with small smile "I am going to go make sure everything's... cleared up" he got up and walked toward the bathroom.

He knocked on the bathroom door lightly then he heard a small voice say "Its open."

He walked in she was sitting on the edge of the tub with watery eyes "I have to get better at this" she sighed, "Look at me… I'm a mess"

"Sweetheart your doing fine" he said sitting next her and pulling her close "You have had to endure so much, and most of it alone" he kissed the side of her head "But your not alone anymore, I'm here… never hesitate to let go"

"But I have to be able to have a normal family conversation without breaking down in tears this is ridiculous"

"And you will, just give yourself a little time to heal" he looked straight into her eyes "You are the strongest person I know, you can overcome this and I'm here for you every step of the way"

She kissed him slowly then said "You might think I'm strong but I can't do this without you"

He stroked her face "You don't have to"

(Later)

Michelle headed upstairs to get the bags together as Tony headed to the kitchen "Hey mom I just wanted to let you know me and Michelle are gonna head home now"

She turned around "Ok but umm" she looked around and hesitated "Is Michelle okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"She looked like she was about to cry at the table"

He hung his head "Look she's had some really rough times with her family"

"Like what?" she asked

Michelle walked in "Heyy Tony are you ready?"

"Yeah sweetheart I'll go bring the bags out," he said leaving.

"Are you okay honey?" his mom asked Michelle.

"I've never been better" she smiled.

"You sure?"

"Absolutely" Michelle said with a smile trying to reassure her but she could tell it wasn't working.

(Later)

As they drove home Michelle's phone rang Dessler

"Michelle?"

"Elizabeth!!" Michelle squealed "Oh my god I haven't talked to you in forever!!"

"Michelle Dessler you are in so much trouble! I have been going completely insane trying to get in touch with you!"

"Worst best friend of the year award?" Michelle said with a pained smile.

"Of the decade!!" Liz laughed, "You have no idea how worried I've been! ... You never told me you got a new cell number and you haven't answered your home phone in months!"

"Oh my god it's such a long story" she said.

"This better be good" Liz said.

Michelle glanced over at Tony "You have no idea Liz"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah like to start off… I'm engaged"

"WHAT!?" Liz yelled.

Tony smiled "Geez I heard that from over here!"

Michelle smiled "Yea"

"I'm not gonna lie I had some doubts about you and Jay, but as long as your happy...."

"No no no!" Michelle stopped her "Its not Jay"

"WHAT!?" she yelled again, Tony just shook his head with a smile.

"His name is Tony," she said with a huge smile.

"Don't you think this is a little fast?"

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life"

"Wow!...Seriously?...You can trust him that much after a few months?"

"He has saved my life in so many ways...your gonna hate me for not calling, but..." her excitement died... "Last year I was kidnapped and killed"

There was silence on the other end.

"Tony rescued me and nursed me back to health while... meanwhile Jay was off cheating on me and drinking"

"I have no idea what to even say," she said quietly.

"Brace yourself..." Michelle said sadly "Remember Carrie?"

"Yea your second best friend" she said emphasizing on the second.

"Well now I could kill her so don't worry"

"Why? What happened?"

"She started dating Danny then left him and drove him to commit suicide which... almost worked"

"I can't even believe what I'm hearing...he's ok right?"

"Yeah he's actually healthy and back with his wife and kids now"

"That's good to hear...you scared the hell outta me...now who's this Tony guy?"

"You should meet him" Michelle smiled and looked over at Tony.

"Yeah?" Liz asked "When?"

"When are you free for dinner?" Michelle asked.

"Tomorrow night?" she suggested.

"Sounds good"

"Ok, I'll see you then"

"Ok bye" Michelle said hanging up.

"Why do I have the feeling I just got sucked into something?" Tony smiled shaking his head.

"I spent the weekend with your mother you have dinner with my best friend" she grinned.

He glanced over at her "Your lucky your so cute"