Title: 11:30

Author: Cindy Ryan

spoilers: everything is fair game

Pairings/catagory: Tony/Michelle, Jack/Kate, angst

Author's notes: This is set in an AU after Ali is killed.

Tony knocked once more on the door as he called out. "Auda, it's Almeida, open the door!"

Yusuf looked over at the door but remained where he was.

Tony took a breath and tried again. "I just want to talk. I'm not armed or wired."

"How do I know that?"Yusuf asked.

"You'll just have to take my word for it."Tony replied.

Slowly Yusuf rose to his feet pulling Michelle up with him. He walked toward the door holding Michelle in front of him the gun pressed to her head.

"Unlock the door."Yusuf ordered.

Shakily Michelle reached out and grasped the door handle. With the other hand she reached up and turned the deadbolt. After hearing the lock click Michelle stepped back causing Auda to do the same.

"Open it."

Michelle turned the door handle and pulled open the door. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Tony. Michelle had started to convince herself that she'd never see him again.

Before Michelle could say anything Yusuf's good arm snaked around her neck yanking her back toward him. Soon after she felt the familiar weight of the gun against her head.

Not waiting for an invitation Tony stepped into the house and closed the door behind him. His gaze never wavering from the gun pressed against Michelle's head.

Tony pulled his shirt up. "No wires, no gun. Just me."

Auda nodded as he stepped back into the living room still holding Michelle close to him.

Tony let the shirt fall back into place. He studied Auda and saw how tired the intelligence liaison was. Tony wondered if he could make a grab for the gun. At least long enough for Michelle to get away.

As soon as Tony looked back at Michelle he knew he couldn't risk going for the gun.

Not yet anyway. She looked exhausted, scared and in pain he wasn't sure how far she'd get if he got Auda away from her.

"Why did you come?"Auda asked.

"I want this to end peacefully."Tony replied as he backed toward a nearby wall. He didn't want Auda to feel cornered.

Auda gestured toward his injured shoulder. "You've already proven it's too late for that."

Tony shook his head. "I didn't order that. They went over my head."

Auda cocked the hammer back on the gun and Michelle closed her eyes. "So how do I know you have any authority?"

Tony met Michelle's gaze briefly before he said. "You've been to CTU. You know how things work. I can get what you want.....you just have to tell me what it is."

"There's nothing I can do to stop the war."Auda replied the gun never moving from Michelle's head. "I want safe passage home and immunity for what happened today."

"I can arrange that."

"You can arrange it from here."Yusuf ordered as he motioned Tony toward the cell phone that was lying on the floor. "You've got one chance, Mr. Almeida or she'll be the first to die."

Tony looked at the phone but didn't move. "I'll make the call but only if you let Michelle go."

Michelle gasped painfully as Yusuf's grip tightened sharply.

Yusuf shook his head. "I'm not stupid. I know she's the only reason I'm still alive."

Tony shook his head fighting to keep his voice even and controlled. His plan had to work....it was the only one he had left.

"No, that's not true. Everyone wants this to end peacefully. If you let Michelle go I'll stay as your hostage."

Michelle's eyes widened and she felt her heart beat triple with fear. She couldn't let him do this. Not for her...not for a relationship that only had a day.

"Tony...."Michelle protested ignoring Auda's tight grip.

Tony met her gaze. "I made you a promise."He said softly before looking back at Yusuf. "So what do you say, Auda, do we have a deal?"

Yusuf closed his eyes struggling against the exhaustion and the pain. After a few minutes he slowly loosened his grip on Michelle. As Auda opened his eyes he nodded.

"Yes."Yusuf stated quietly. "But only because I want to go home."

"I can get you there."Tony promised as he gently grabbed Michelle's hand and propelled her toward him.

Michelle planted her feet firmly and turned to face the man she was starting to have deep feelings for. "Tony, I'm not going."

Tony gripped her shoulders and moved them slightly away from Auda. "I'll be okay. But I need to know that you're safe."

The whirlwind of emotions Michelle was feeling combined with exhaustion caused tears to spring to her eyes as she shook her head. "I can help."

Tony reached up and gently caressed her right cheek. "I know, but for me will you go outside and get checked out by the paramedics? Jack's there....I need to know you're safe."

Finally Michelle nodded and stepped back from Tony.

"Please be careful."Michelle begged not caring if she sounded like a worried girlfriend.

Tony stepped toward her and gently kissed her forehead. "Always. Now please go."

Reluctantly Michelle backed toward the door. Her fingers grazed Tony's before she let her hand drop to her side.

Tony watched as Michelle turned and opened the front door and stepped outside. The door shut behind her leaving a dense silence.

Yusuf kicked the phone over to Tony the gun still trained on the CTU agent. "Make your call. I'm giving you one chance or neither of us will see home again."

Tony nodded and picked up the cell phone.

*******

As soon as Michelle started walking down the sidewalk she found herself in Jack's comforting embrace.

"You're safe now Michelle."Jack said soothingly. "It's over."

Michelle tearfully shook her head as she pulled away from him. "No, it's not over, Jack. We have to get Tony out."

Jack's gaze flew back to the house and he nodded.

"We will."Bauer promised as he ushered Michelle into the care of the waiting paramedics.