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 54 ~

"We might as well just eat off the floor," Tony said with a half smile leaning up against the wall watching Michelle, who was on her hands and knees scrubbing his kitchen floor.

"Oh! You're back! Did you get the furniture polish?"

He held out the bag "you know you don't have to do this"

She stood up and walked over to him taking the bag "This is what I do sweetie"

"Can I help you with something?"

"Nope, I'm good…you can just focus on the food" she said pointing to the stove.

"Alright baby" He sighed "I'm gonna go shower then I'll start dinner" he stepped over and kissed her on the forehead "Go easy inhaling those chemicals"

"Haha your so funny" she patted his butt "Now get up there and hit the shower"

(Later)

Michelle glanced at the clock over the oven '6:13' She walked up the sink and glanced sideways watching Tony cook "She's late"

Tony looked up and smiled "I'm sure she'll be here"

The doorbell rang and Michelle's face lit up. Garren jumped off the couch and bolted toward the door barking. Michelle hurried after him grabbed his collar to hold him back as she opened the door. "Hey!!" she greeted Elizabeth.

"Michelle!" she answered giving Michelle a hug as Garren ran off into the yard.

"Tony! He ran!" Michelle called.

Tony came running up behind her "Excuse me" he said squeezing past them and taking off after the puppy.

Michelle laughed as she watched then turned back to Liz "It's so nice to see you!"

"So this is where you live? I didn't even know you moved," she asked looking around.

"No, actually this is Tony's house, but I basically live here" she said with a smile.

Just then Tony came in the front door with Garren in his arms, they were both out of breath "He's definitely getting faster" Tony panted.

The women giggled as Michelle took Garren "You gave him a good run for his money didn't you! Yes you did!" she cooed.

Tony rolled his eyes "I better get back in the kitchen before our food burns"

"Oh Tony this is my friend Liz, and Liz this is Tony" they shook hands.

"Nice to meet you" he said with a smile then he headed back into the kitchen.

Once he was gone Liz smiled "He cooks?"

"If he didn't we'd starve"

Twenty minutes later they were all seated and eating "So how's your sister doing?" Michelle asked Liz.

"She's good, Julie is graduating this year"

"Wow, time really flies" Michelle paused "Tony I see you"

A guilty smile played on Tony's lips "See what?"

Michelle peeked under the table "I told you not to feed him at the table…come on Garren" she called. The dog sauntered out from under the table shooting Tony a pleading look.

"Sorry buddy that's it for now" Tony said shrugging his shoulders.

Michelle shook her head "Anyway I can't believe she's already graduating!"

"Yeah we took her prom dress shopping last week she picked out a pretty blue dress"

"I remember my dress was navy blue with sparkles and-" She gasped "Tony!"

Tony broke out laughing as the dog took off from under the table chewing on a piece of chicken. "He was so hungry!"

She slapped him in the arm "He's never gonna stop begging if you keep giving in!"

"But he's so cute!"

"Oh please man up," she said with a smile "he can have leftovers when we are finished"

The phone rang "I got it" Tony said getting up. "Hello?" he answered his home phone. "No I can't… I really can't… Ryan why does it have to be tonight?.. Who did?.. and they… fine… yes I'll be there in about fifteen minutes" he hung up. "Sweetheart they need me at work"

"What's going on?" she asked.

"We have a priority lead," he said. "I'm so sorry to have to leave like this" he apologized to Liz who nodded.

He walked out of the room to go get his coat. "I'm sorry I'll be right back" Michelle said following him.

As she came down the hall he pulled her close to him "I'm so sorry" He cupped her face and kissed her gently "I will be back as soon as I possibly can, I promise"

She eyed him closely and kissed him again with a sad look in her eye she began to walk away.

"Hey" he grabbed her arm and pulled her back "What's wrong?"

She looked down, he could tell whatever it was she didn't want to say. "Just please come back as soon as you can"

He read her mind "I will be fine, and I will be home… I promise"

Her eyes were watery "I love you Tony"

"I love you too baby, I'll see you soon" he gave her one more kiss and headed out the door.

When the visions around you,
Bring tears to your eyes
And all that surround you,
Are secrets and lies
I'll be your strength,
I'll give you hope,
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one you should call,
Was standing here all along..

I've loved you forever,
In lifetimes before
And I promise you never...
Will you hurt anymore
I give you my word
I give you my heart (give you my heart)
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow,
Forever has now begun...

Just close your eyes
Each loving day
I know this feeling won't go away
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you

Over and over I fall
When I hear you call
Without you in my life baby
I just wouldn't be living at all...

And I will take
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you baby

Every word I say is true
This I promise you

(4 hours later)

Tony walked in the door quietly and slipped his jacket off. He peeked in the kitchen and saw everything was cleaned up and the lights were off. He headed into the living room to find two sleeping women, a roaring fireplace, and snacks scattered as far as the eye could see. 'I left them alone in my house and this is what I get' he thought with a smile. He walked over, leant down, and kissed Michelle on the fore head. Her eyes shot open and she threw her arms around him "Thank you" she whispered in his ears as she hug him tightly.

"Your welcome" he smiled as he gave her a kiss. He looked around "So? Is this what slumber parties look like?"

She smiled sheepishly "Yea"

"I see your dog is doing his job protecting you," he said pointing to Garren who was fast asleep on Michelle's legs.

She smiled "he takes good care of me, keeps me company and keeps me warm"

"Good, he's doing his job, but now it's my turn to take care of you" he said sliding her out from under the covers and pulling her into his lap.

"So what happened?" she asked as he held her.

"Ryan freaked out, it really wasn't as bad as he made it sound" he rolled his eyes. "The Dyerolo cell spiked in activity and one of the members was dropped off dead in the CTU parking lot, with his dead body was an armed bomb," Michelle gasped so Tony quickly finished "But I was at Division and the bomb squad got it disarmed"

"Ready to go to bed?" She asked resting her head on his shoulder.

"Yea, wanna wake your friend up?" he asked looking over at Liz who was snoring.

Michelle smiled "yea" she stood up and swayed almost falling over "whoah"

Tony steadied her "you ok?"

"I feel a little dizzy and my head hurt, I think I'm just tired."

She rubbed Liz's shoulder and Liz woke up "Come upstairs and I'll get you a bed" Michelle offered with a smile.

As they walked down the hall way Michelle began to sway again and Tony instinctively grabbed her hips and steadied her. "You sure you're ok?"

"I'm fi-" she threw her hand over her mouth and ran into the bathroom. She threw up and Tony rubbed her back. Once it subsided she sat on the floor against the tub. "I knew it"

Liz stood in the doorway "New job, engaged, you got something else to tell me?" she asked with a smirk.

Michelle was totally out of it "What?"

"Am I planning a baby shower?"

"No, definitely not" Michelle said feeling nauseated again.

"I'm gonna get you some water ok baby?"

"Thank you" she said panting.

"Remember the last time you were sick?" Liz asked.

"Ughh I don't want to remember that" Michelle groaned.

"Man, when you get sick you really get sick" she said shaking her head.

"What?" Tony asked as he walked in.

"Michelle, she barely ever gets sick but when she does it's the worst I've ever seen"

"Here sweetheart" he said handing her the water. She gulped the water and he picked her up off the floor and carried her to his bed laying her down gently. He pulled a small trashcan next to the bed. "You want to take something?" he asked stroking her head "you're burning up"

"It won't help, it never does… I just gotta ride it out" she said with her face in the pillow.

"I hope you feel better Michelle, goodnight" Liz said heading back to the guest room.

Tony changed and snuggled up behind her and she turned her head "you're gonna get sick"

"I don't care, you need me so I'm here" he said burying his face in the back of her neck.

"Thank you, I love you," she whispered not fighting because she did need him there.

"I love you too baby, goodnight"