Jack, Mike and Michelle sat on the couch. Mike grabbed Michelle another beer. "Thanks Mike, jeez, I haven't really made the best impression with you today hey? Mike let out a small laugh and smiled, "Michelle, I don't really understand any of what has gone on – but from what I hear you have been really brave in the last couple days and you should be proud of yourself. Plus, I have never, ever seen Tony act the way he has today....you must be really special to him."
"Thanks Mike, and thanks Jack. I am glad you guys are here."
Jack and Mike started talking about completely random things to try and cheer Michelle up. It was working, they were both funny guys and before long Michelle found herself laughing. A couple of drinks later and Michelle felt a lot better. Sam walked out of the study and told Michelle that he needed to check over her injuries. She got up and headed back to the study where she crossed paths with Tony. "Michelle, I'm all done. You don't need to do your debrief today...I told them you had, had enough for one day and that we can try again tomorrow." Michelle was extremely grateful, she couldn't be bothered doing the debrief now and besides she was tipsy now and that wouldn't have made things any easier. "Thanks Tony, you're the best. I've just got to do this medical check-up thing." She pulled Tony in close and whispered into his ear, "I am feeling tipsy." Tony laughed, he was so happy to see her smiling again. He had also never seen her intoxicated before....he was excited. "Really...tipsy huh? Do you want me to come in with you and hold your hand?" Michelle grabbed his hand, "Yes please."
Michelle led Tony back into the study. Sam had set up a make-shift bed and Tony helped Michelle sit up on it. Sam started checking her blood pressure and temperature. Michelle was playfully pulling faces at Tony who just couldn't keep his laughter in. Sam looked at them both wondering what was so funny. Sam asked Michelle to lay on her back so he could check out her side. When Sam lifted her top and Tony saw the bruise again it made his expression turn very serious. He took Michelle's hand, "you ok? Anything I can do?" Michelle looked like she was about to cry and Tony's concern grew and he leaned over closer in to Michelle. She looked at him and squeezed his hand, "Umm Tony, there is actually something you could do...." "What Michelle, anything?" All of a sudden a smile spread across Michelle's face, "Start figuring out what we are going to eat, because I am bloody hungry.....and you need to check on Jack, I left half my drink in the room with him and I know he was eyeing it off." All Tony could do was laugh, and he did. "Damn woman, you had me worried there for a second. If Jack finishes your drink, I'll get you another I promise...seems like I have some catching up to do!"
Sam was satisfied that Michelle was ok. She certainly had her fair share of bruises but she would be fine. He instructed Tony that he wanted Michelle to take it easy for a few days. No work for the both of them for at least four days. "Suits me perfectly Sam, thanks for everything today."
Tony showed the three men out and thanked them all again for their patience and for making the trip out to his place to take care of business. Then he joined Michelle, Mike and Jack back in the living room. "God, I am glad that's over....I need another drink, anyone else?" He looked over at Michelle who was happily parked back on the couch with drink in hand. "Not for me thanks." Both Mike and Jack piped up together, "hit me!!"
When he was in kitchen Tony rummaged up some snacks for everyone. He plopped himself back down on the couch and pulled Michelle to come back and sit in his lap like she had been earlier in the day. "Now Michelle, don't eat too much because remember you promised me I could take you out on a dinner date tonight."
The four of them spent the next hour or so chatting and laughing. It was exactly what everyone needed after the last two days. Eventually Jack and Mike said it was time that they make tracks, they both had plans for the night.
After all the goodbyes were made, it was just Tony and Michelle left back in the apartment. Tony didn't waste anytime, he grabbed Michelle, pulled her in close and started nibbling on her ear whilst whispering, "So sweetheart, can I take you out for dinner now?" Michelle kissed his neck back, "let's go....but how are we going to get there, we have both drunk far too much to drive?" Tony reached for his phone, "I'll call us a cab."
Michelle and Tony grabbed their coats and headed downstairs to meet their ride. In the back of the cab Michelle placed her hand on Tony's knee. He smiled at her and gave the cabbie directions to the restaurant. The drink was giving Michelle more confidence than she usually had and she was feeling a little frisky. She started to slowly slide her hand up Tony's leg. Tony looked at her hand, then at Michelle and then back at her hand. He wished they were back in his apartment, the slightest touch from this girl just drove him crazy. He leaned in close to Michelle, "do you understand what you are doing to me?" She smiled at him seductively and slid her hand to the top of his leg and grabbed his thigh. Tony gasped for air loud enough for Michelle to hear him. They both laughed, trying not to draw to much attention to themselves in front of the cab driver. Tony put his own hand over Michelle's to keep it in place. The rest of the trip was spent eyeing each other off. Once they were there, Tony kept a hold of Michelle's hand so that she slid across and got out his side. He opened the restaurant doors for Michelle and then even pulled out her chair for her.
Michelle and Tony ordered a bottle of red wine straight away. The sat across from each other and the chatter started immediately. Tony asked Michelle why she hadn't asked him what he had decided to do with James. "Because I trust you would make the right decision Tony. I don't know, I guess I just want to forget about it...I'd rather concentrate on you." Tony smiled, "Well just so you know, he won't be back at CTU ever again." "Thanks Tony."
Sometime during dinner Michelle and Tony begun to play 'truth' with each other. It was such a good way to learn little details about each other. It was Tony's turn, "so when did you first know that you fancied me?" "That's easy" Michelle laughed... "my first day of work! Remember you took me out for lunch to welcome me and we ended up talking for nearly 2 hours? I knew then that there was something special about you." "Good answer" Tony seemed pleased with himself. "Well what about you?" Tony took Michelle's hand, "I thought you were a hottie the day I interviewed you. That day we had lunch....I was suppose to actually be taking a couple people from the office but I cancelled on them so I could be alone with you. When we got back that day I changed all the rosters so that we would have the same shifts."
"Really? Wow.....so how come you never asked me out before now?"
Tony went a little red, "I don't know...I wanted to do, I just never thought I would have had a shot with you. Plus I liked taking my time and earning your trust and vice versa. I knew from the first minute I wanted to be someone important in your life, I just wanted to do it properly. I didn't want a fling with you Michelle, I couldn't handle that – if I ever got that close to you I knew I'd want more."
"I just can't believe how lucky I am to be sitting here with you Tony. I've never met a guy like you before...you are just so sweet and sensitive. I'm glad we waited, the bond that's formed between us is pretty special."
Michelle started talking again straight away... "Tony, what kind of other relationships have you had? You don't have to answer." "No, that's ok. Another glass of wine and I'll answer just about anything!!" He laughed, "Umm I have had 3 steady relationships. None of them were any good. The longest was about 1 year. Sarah was my first 'real' relationship, you know outside of high school and stuff. She just never did anything, never wanted to do anything, she was happy just to spend everyday sitting on the couch. After a little while I just got bored to be honest and so I left. Then there was Kate, she cheated on me. I was so stupid, it was like I knew what was going on but didn't want to face it. It's not her fault...I guess I just didn't offer her enough, if you know what I mean..."
Tony stopped himself. He couldn't believe he said that out loud. I guess the drinks had affected him more than he realised.
Michelle grabbed his hand, "Tony, don't ever say that. I am sorry she did that to you, but that was her problem, not yours – you were obviously too good for her." Michelle had been surprised to hear Tony say that, it was an eye opener for her. Tony always came across as such a strong assertive person, it was hard to imagine that he doubted himself like that.
Tony continued, "Then there was Nina. You know how that one turned out."
"Do you mind if I ask what your relationship with her was like?"
"I guess it wasn't too healthy, I don't really know what I was thinking at the time. I think I had tricked myself into thinking the relationship was something that it wasn't. Before we found out she was the mole, I always knew she didn't care for me the way she should. She never, ever did anything for me. Not that I expect my girlfriend to do stuff for me, but well...like – ok for example, you know how yesterday when my neck was sore and you gave me that massage?"
"Sure"
"Well she would have never done anything like that. No girl I have been with would have ever done that. Nina never did anything for me physically or emotionally that wasn't ultimately for her own benefit..."
Tony wanted to say more but became embarrassed. Michelle sensed there was more than he was saying, "Tony, what else do you mean by physically?
"I can't believe I am saying this....your drunk too right?" He laughed, but Michelle knew he was looking for reassurance that it was ok for him to reveal his deepest fears and secrets.
"Tony, yes I am drunk – but that's not the point. I want you to feel like you can tell me anything."
"I just don't want you to think I'm like, like....you know, less of a man or something. My relationship history doesn't paint me in a very good light."
"Tony, I make my own judgements and they are from what I have with you – not from how another girl treated you."
"Ok, it's just with Nina it was like I was always 2nd to everyone and everything else. She only came to me when she wanted something. We were intimate, but I know for her it was just sex.....and probably only because she couldn't get it from Jack at the time. That's all it was, she certainly never....you know....spent time on me."
"You mean she never just concentrated on making you feel good? She never went dow" - Tony cut her off, "No, never. I mean, that's ok. She said she couldn't be bothered. That's ok, it's not like I expect it or anything."
Michelle couldn't believe it, "Tony, you know what I think?"
"What?" He kept his head down, he wasn't use to being so open and exposed, especially in front of someone he cared so much about.
"I think that they are the 3 stupidest girls in the world. I mean they had you, Tony Almeida and they ruined it! Which ultimately works out well for me, but they have no idea what they gave up. You can't beat yourself up over them, it is totally their loss. Tony, I haven't been able to even look at another guy since I met you. When you smile at me, shivers run down my spine. You should expect to be looked after back Tony. You should only ever be treated like an equal in a relationship, nothing less. Nina – I don't know what to say....she is a different kind of person Tony, she never even deserved to know you, never mind have you care about her."
Michelle got out of her chair and walked around behind Tony and put her arms around his neck. "Come on, let's go."
"Where do you want to go? Do you still want to see a movie or do you want to go back to my place and sit on the balcony with some wine?
"Your place."
They both got up and headed to pay the bill. Tony spoke to Michelle as they walked, "Michelle..." "Yes Tony?" He took her hand, "Thanks." Michelle squeezed his hand.
In the cab on the way back to Tony's apartment Tony asked Michelle about her relationship history.
"After my big speech to you back there I feel kinda silly telling you about me. My track record isn't great either."
"Well, I certainly told you everything...so now it's your turn to spill."
"Ok, first there was Ben. I thought Ben was great until I found out he was lying about his age, where he lived, what he did for work – everything. We dated for like 5 months and I swear I left the relationship knowing less about him then when it started. Then there was Matt, we went out for a year. We kinda just grew apart. He was more 'friend' than boyfriend material...there just wasn't any spark. Then there was Luke – we went out for 2 years and broke up about 15 months ago. He treated me pretty bad. He had the worst temper. It seemed when he wasn't yelling at me he was ignoring me. I should've left him long before I did but...."
"But...how come you stayed Michelle? Did you love him?"
"No, I don't think so, I think at the time I wanted to believe I did – or believe that he loved me, I'm not sure which one. It's hard Tony, when someone yells at you and puts you down enough you start to believe that's all your worth. I didn't think I deserved any better than that so for a long time I didn't see a reason to leave."
"What made you leave in the end?"
"I guess during training for this job I became more and more independent. I realised how much I didn't need him. That and my friends always on my back to get rid of him. My mum couldn't stand him and I got sick of juggling them all...in the end I just made a choice."
"Michelle, did he ever push you around or hit you?"
"No, never. I'm sure if I had stayed then it would have gotten to that point but mainly he just acted like a jerk."
"I'm sorry Michelle. You know I'd never treat you like that right?"
"Tony, you are the biggest gentleman I have ever met, I'd never worry about that stuff with you."
The walk from the cab back up to his apartment felt like it took forever. Michelle and Tony just kept looking at each other and then shyly looking away. They had opened up to each other so much in the last day and they just felt so close to one another. Michelle lost her balance a little when they reached his door. She tried to compose herself but she couldn't stop laughing, "Tell me you didn't see that!?!?" Tony re-enacted her little stunt, "See what?" He pinned her against the door and leaned in so that his lips were just inches from hers.... "Do I need to ask if you need another drink?" "Well seeing as I have been wearing heels all night and I have only tripped once, yes, I think I should have another drink!" Tony brushed over her lips and starting kissing her cheek, he kissed her all the way down her neck. Michelle closed her eyes and let out a sigh and roughly ran her hands down his back. Tony covered her mouth with his and kissed her passionately. Michelle pulled Tony's body in closer to hers so they were completely pressed up to each other. Tony pulled back, "let's go inside."
Tony lead Michelle through the door, he closed it behind him then turned to face her. She reached to put her arms around his neck, and he picked her up, she wrapped her legs around his waist. They stood staring into each others eyes for a moment and then began kissing passionately again. As they kissed, Tony carried Michelle over to the couch, once there he lowered her down. She kept her legs wrapped around his waist and pulled him down on top of her. Tony was nervous to put any weight on her ribs so he shifted so that he was lying next to Michelle, they were still kissing.
Tony wanted Michelle so much, it was like he couldn't get close enough to her. As they kissed, shivers ran through-out his entire body. Things were getting more and more heated and Tony was soaking in every second of it. This is what he had wanted with Michelle for so long, he couldn't believe it was finally happening. He took his hand from her face and moved it down to the top of her shirt. He undid the top few buttons and slid his hand inside her top over her bra. She felt so good to him. His hands explored everywhere, taking in her stomach and her breasts.
"Tony, take your shirt off." Michelle watched as he pulled his top off over his head. She loved his body. She ran her hands up and down his chest and then took one finger and traced the line on his stomach right at his pants, and then she put her finger under his waistband and ran it across his lower stomach. She felt all of the muscles in his body tighten as she did this. He rolled over a little and put one of his legs over hers and pressed himself into her side to let her know exactly what she was doing to him. She put her hand firmly on his backside and began massaging it...slowly moving her hand up and down the side of his leg. His breathing got heavier and again he pushed himself into her hip.
He sat up a little placing one hand on her lower back so he could pull her up. He used the other hand to start sliding her top off her shoulders. She helped him undo the last couple of buttons and then he tossed her top to the ground. Reaching with both hands around her back he kissed her neck while he undid her bra and removed that too. He gently lowered her back onto the couch. "My God Michelle, you are so beautiful, you are just so beautiful."
"Tony..." She put her hand back on his leg and moved it across his whole thigh, she ran her hand across his lower stomach again and then back down the other thigh, and she let her hand move from his outer-thigh in and then back up to his stomach.
This drove Tony crazy, his kisses became more and more intense and he grabbed at her chest with more force. His breathing was so heavy. He took Michelle's hand in his and ran it up his leg and placed it on himself. He kept his hand on top of hers for a second and they both let out a groan. He was so hard in Michelle's hand, and as she began to rub him her entire body felt like it turned to jelly. He ran his hand from her neck all the way down her stomach and kept going. She rolled on her side so that she was facing Tony and then pushed his shoulder so that he was laying flat on his back. She then slipped her hands inside his pants. He let out a loud groan, "Oh My God". She leaned her face into his and kissed him softly on the lips, "Tony....do you want me to use my mouth?"
He couldn't even answer her, he just nodded with his mouth hanging open and not taking his eyes off of her. She began to slide down his chest, kissing him all the way.
Tony grabbed her shoulders, "Michelle, you don't have too, I don't expect you too... I..." Michelle placed her finger on his mouth, "Sshh, I want to. Let me concentrate on you."
She began kissing his chest again and slid down the couch. Tony's whole body was moving involuntarily and he couldn't take his eyes of Michelle, he watched her every move. She made him feel so good. Like he had never felt before. There was so much passion in her actions, it was like she was enjoying this just as much as he was. He stroked her hair and put his head back on the couch closing his eyes. He wanted this to last forever, but he knew he couldn't. He held on for as long as he could and then when he climaxed it made his entire body jerk, his breathing was short and fast. "Michelle....Michelle, you are amazing."
Michelle moved her body back up the couch and lay on top of Tony with her head on his chest where she could hear his heart. They both just stayed in that position for a few minutes reflecting on what had just happened. Tony stroked Michelle's face and her hair.
"Tony, I wish you knew how good it feels to be this close to you....to hear your heart beating, to have our bare skin touching...."
"Michelle, I am so in love with you. I didn't think it was possible to feel this happy."
"I love you Tony."
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