Notes and disclaimers in part one :)

Thanks for all the feedback.

All eyes were watching them as the trio stepped through the door to CTU. Tony didn't

bother to remove his arm from around Michelle's shoulders.

Tony looked around for Chappelle and then looked up at his office. Chappelle was

motioning for them to come up.

"I wonder who he'll try to fire first me or you?"Jack asked with a grin as they

maneuvered through the desks and made their way toward the stairs.

Tony smiled. "You have a longer track record of breaking rules than I do."

"If anybody should be fired it should be him."Michelle stated angrily as they began to

climb the stairs.

"Not that it'll ever happen but we can dream."Tony muttered just as they reached the

landing.

Chappelle was waiting for them just inside the doorway. "Have a seat all of you. This

won't take long."

Tony took a step forward. "There's no reason for Michelle to be here. Let her go

home and get some rest."

Chappelle shook his head as he sat down behind the desk. "She's a witness not to

mention an accomplice to your little satellite ploy with Palmer."

Tony looked ready to protest but Michelle placed a calming hand on his left arm. Tony

looked at her briefly before taking a seat in a nearby chair.

Michelle and Jack sat in the chairs next to Tony's.

Tony opened up his mouth to speak but Chappelle held up his right hand. "I know

what you're going to say,Almeida and forget it. You and Bauer each had equal

responsibility in this. You both disobeyed a direct order."

"We did what we thought best given the situation."Jack replied his voice tight and

controlled.

Chappelle's eyes narrowed sharply as he looked over at Jack. "You always think that,

don't you Bauer? If the end justifies the means to hell with what happens along the

way, right?"

"Chappelle...."Tony began but was once again cut short.

Chappelle shook his head in disgust. "Whatever I say right now is a waste of time.

You three got a reprieve. Your friends in high places saved your necks along with your

jobs.

Make no mistake I will be keeping a very close eye on all of you. Any slip up, any at all

and you'll never work for any law enforcement agency again.

Almeida, Mason's job is yours. But don't read anything into that. It's only yours

because I don't have anybody else at the moment to replace you."

Before Tony, Michelle or Jack could say anything Chappelle rose to his feet and

walked out of the office.