After dinner they decided to walk up to the local video store to rent a DVD. Once on the sidewalk, Michelle took his hand. They spent the walk talking about anything and everything. Just taking their time to learn about each other. As they approached the store Tony asked Michelle what kind of movie she was in the mood for.
"Nothing with explosions! Either like something really funny or scary..."
"Do you like thrillers?"
Michelle squeezed his hand. "I do love thrillers BUT you would have to promise not to fall asleep on me, I can't watch that stuff alone."
Tony threw his arm around her and pulled her in close. "So a thriller would mean you would want me to hold you all movie?" He gave her a cheeky wink.
Michelle laughed. "Yes. BUT a soppy romantic would mean I'd want lots of snuggling."
They stopped at the door. Tony tucked her hair behind her ear and then gently traced her cheek with his thumb. "I am thinking we are going to have to get 2 movies!" They both laughed.
They couldn't let go of each other as they walked around the shop. This is what they had wanted for so long with each other and neither was willing to miss even a second of it. Michelle just loved the feeling of him around her, just being so close to him made her feel so good. The whole time they seemed so close to kissing, they would have lingered looks like they had had at work for so long, except now their bodies were even closer. They constantly stole looks at each other but now they didn't mind being busted and when they were, they would offer the other a sweet smile.
Tony was standing reading the back of a DVD, Michelle stood next to him and slid both of her arms around his waist. He put his arm out across her shoulders keeping her close. Tony read the cover twice slowly just so they wouldn't have to break the moment.
Eventually they found a comedy, thriller and a romantic and began to make their way home. Back at his apartment Tony poured them both some more wine for the movie.
"Michelle do you umm...want something more comfortable to put on for the night?"
"Alright, that would be good."
He led her into his bedroom. Michelle looked around, everything about this place oozed Tony. No clutter anywhere, a few photos of loved ones on the drawers and everything kept simple and organized. A stack of books he was obviously making his way through sat next to his bed. She walked along his chest of drawers looking at his photos.
"Who are these of Tony?"
He took her through each picture, one was of his parents, one of his brothers and the last couple was of friends from college. She laughed at how young he looked in the one with his brothers. "Awwe look how cute you are..."
He placed it back with a small shy smile. "Yeah real cute." Not use to such compliments he didn't really know how to handle it other than brushing it of with his sarcasm. Inside though, he felt his heart flutter a little.
He pulled out a pair of his boxer shorts and one of his favorite cubs t-shirts. Michelle laughed. "What if I don't go for the Cubs?"
He clutched his heart as if he was having a fake heart attack. "What are you trying to do to me??"
"Calm down, I'm just stirring you Tony. I was actually born in Chicago as well. I guess you will live to see another day." She grabbed the clothes from him and headed into his bathroom to change.
When she was ready he was back out by the TV throwing a blanket onto the couch. He turned to look at her as she entered the room, a small groan escaped seeing her in his boxers and shirt. She walked over and looked him up and down – he had taken his jeans off and was also just in his boxers. He had left his shirt on. They both went a little quiet from nerves at being in each other's presence like this for the first time.
Every time Michelle looked at him he was watching her. "Why are you looking at me like that Tony?" Her huge smile gave away how much she liked him staring at her.
"I can't help it, you are so adorable." He looked at her with his huge dark puppy dog eyes and held out his hand for her. She was blushing as she took his hand and sat down on the couch pulling the blanket up over her body. He joined her under the covers and they started up the first movie. They started with the thriller so they could finish with the funny ones.
At the start of the movie Tony simply had his arm around Michelle and she was slightly leaning into him. Within a few minutes she was gently brushing the top of his knee and he had bought his other hand around to stroke her arm.
The movie had been going for over half an hour and Tony couldn't have told you a thing about it. All he could think about was her hands and how she was touching him and how he was going to touch her next. They were both now leaning in towards each other, her hand was running firmly from the top of his knee up and down his thigh. He had slipped his hand under her t-shirt and begun to trace back and forth across her stomach.
He could feel her eyes on him and so he looked down at her and caught her gaze. They smiled shyly at each other but then at the same time they both began to press harder with each stroke. He leaned in and tenderly kissed her neck – she closed her eyes and sighed loud enough for him to hear. He stopped and looked at her again, he couldn't remember a time that he had been more turned on. He began to lean into her and push her body back so that she was lying down on the couch. He followed and pressed his body into hers. He was now basically on top of her but just off to the side a little so that he could still rub his hand across her stomach. They still hadn't taken their eyes off each other.
They both wanted to say something but weren't sure what. Their hearts were racing, both of their breathing was loud and shallow and their muscles would flinch sporadically. Finally Tony allowed his face to drop so he could press his lips against hers. Things only stayed soft and slow for a moment before she slipped her tongue into his mouth heating everything up. She shifted her body a little under him, pressing into him in all the right places. He grunted and then groaned into her mouth upping the pace and passion of the kiss. His tongue explored her mouth roughly deepening the kiss, she matched his roughness firmly running her hands through his hair and pulling his head into hers.
Eventually Tony pulled himself together enough to start running his hand across her stomach again. This time instead of slipping his hand inside her top he pulled it up enough to reveal her bare stomach. At his first touch he felt her muscles jolt – he stopped the kiss and spoke between hot pants. "Is this ok?"
She bit her bottom lip and nodded her head. "Will you take your top off?"
Tony immediately sat himself up enough so that he could pull his shirt over his head ignoring the buttons. He carefully watched her reaction to his naked chest, he relaxed when she gave him an expression that told him she liked what she saw.
He let his body melt back into hers, returning his hand to her stomach. This time she covered his hand with hers and pushed it up over her chest. With their kiss still stopped Tony's eyes shifted to her body. He loved that she had guided his hand, she kept turning him on more and more.
He lifted his body again and bought her with him. They held one another's gaze as he slowly pulled his shirt from her body. She leaned into him and began to kiss his chest as he wrapped his arms around her and unclipped her bra, removing it from her body. He laid her down, never taking his eyes off her. "You Michelle are absolutely stunning." He knew he was groaning at the sight of her but he didn't care, he couldn't help himself, she was just too perfect.
She kissed him desperately and he traced his hand over her bare chest, he slowly began to hold her firmer and firmer. She gripped his back and kissed him even harder, he couldn't help himself from holding her roughly. She basically had to break the kiss so she could moan his name and lift her body into his. When she repeated his name again he slid down her a little and began to use his mouth to kiss all over her stomach and chest.
Tony was in heaven. Being with Michelle was more than he had ever even dreamed. She managed to turn his brain to mush, he was powerless to her touch. It would be agony to pull himself away from Michelle now, if she was anyone else, he wouldn't but she wasn't and the chance at a future with her was well worth any amount of pain. He didn't want to rush her, push her or take advantage of her at a time she was obviously exhausted and vulnerable. If she was ever to allow him to make love to her, he wanted it to be because she was so sure and confident it was exactly what she wanted. He spent about 5 minutes telling himself to stop but yet he didn't he kept giving himself another few moments in bliss with her.
Finally he pulled himself back and supported himself up with his elbow. He kept his one hand gently tracing her stomach, she looked at him worried, as if she thought she had done something wrong.
He tried to ease her with a smile as he spoke. "I should stop Michelle before I can't."
"Did I do something?"
"No no sweetheart. You, well...you are amazing – too amazing! I just don't want you to do something you are going to regret tomorrow."
"Regret? What do you mean?"
He kissed her forehead. "I want to be with you so much Michelle but you are really important to me and I will wait until it is the right time. I know you are not ready to give yourself to me and I don't want to rush or push you..."
"Everything that just happened felt so perfect Tony. I love being with you."
"God, I love being with you..."
"I want to give you what you want Tony – I want to make you happy."
Tony just looked into her eyes for a moment. He couldn't believe what she had just said. He used his thumb to massage her cheek. "Sweetheart, you have no idea how happy you have already made me. Everything I could possibly want is already wrapped up in my arms. You are tired and vulnerable Michelle with everything else that has been going on at the moment..."
"Nobodies ever cared so much about how I feel...."
He kissed her tenderly on the lips. "I wish I could explain to you just how much I do care Michelle."
Holding him so tightly, almost in a hug she felt nervous as she asked him, "Will you still hold me tonight?"
"Tighter than ever."
They watched the movie a little bit more bit considering neither of them had been paying attention and it was really late Tony suggested they try and get some sleep. Michelle pulled his t-shirt back on and they headed into his room. After they washed up Tony jumped in his bed, Michelle hung to the side a little nervous. He held the covers back. "It's ok..."
Michelle climbed in, he pulled her into his arms and nuzzled into her neck. "Are you alright Michelle?"
"I'm so good Tony. Thank you for having me over tonight."
"I wasn't sure if you would want to come or not..."
Michelle rolled onto her back more so that she could see his face. She traced his chin and cheek with her forefinger while smiling coyly at him. "Well I still can't believe I am here, with you....like this..."
His grin widened. "Wouldn't you love to see the look on Chappelle's face if saw us now?" They both laughed. He wanted to add something a little more sincere in actual response to what she had said. "I've thought about this...us...a lot – it feels like there has been something between us since you started."
Michelle knew she might be pushing things but she wanted to know. "You've been hesitant because of Nina hey?"
Tony wanted to ask how much Michelle even knew about it all but he hated the thought of her even thinking about him and Nina. "I guess in a way, but Michelle, she has nothing to do with how I feel about you. I never really thought you would give me a chance....I don't know..."
He hadn't said half of what he really wanted to, he didn't know how much he should say. His silence after stopping basically mid-sentence left him starting to panic. Nina was the last subject he wanted to be fumbling over.
Michelle wasn't use to Tony looking so unsure with himself. She felt guilty for making him stress, he obviously wasn't ready to talk about Nina. "Sorry Tony, I shouldn't have bought her up. I understand though..."
Tony couldn't believe he hadn't been able to save the conversation before she had spoken. He just felt so torn, he wanted to tell her how much he felt like he was falling for her but he didn't know if it was too soon. He had been hesitant originally because of Nina but Michelle had more than proven her true self to him. He cupped her face, "It's nothing like that Michelle, and I don't want you to ever worry about her. It's you...I care for you so much. I'm so happy you are here with me."
He allowed himself to breath again when he saw her relax a little and smile. Wanting to leave the moment behind as quickly as possible he started to kiss her smile. He wrapped one of his legs around hers and pushed his body into her firmly. His entire body froze for a moment as his actions made her moan his name loudly. "Tony...oh my God." The sound of her voice drove him insane, it was so sexy and so different than he had ever heard her before – he would have done anything in the world to hear her repeat it. He pushed into her with more pressure again, this time he nibbled on her ear and then he told her what he wanted. "Say that again..." He was breathing heavily into her ear and then he used his tongue and lips to explore her neck. When he pushed himself into her side for a third time, she could feel how turned on he was and as he maneuvered his lower body slightly from side to side it felt like he pushed her to that point again, "Oh Tony.... you feel so good."
Shivers ran all through her body as she heard him grunt in response to her words. Michelle had never felt like this before with anyone, there was something about him that made everything feel so 'right'. She was lapping up how incredible it was to be with Tony like this. His every touch left her desperate for more. She loved just seeing Tony like this, he was such a complex in control person at work but now he just seemed to be losing himself in her. She had always imagined he would be such a passionate lover and now she could feel that he was everything and more than she could have possibly dreamed for. Almost as a reflex reaction, when he pushed his hand up her shirt and held her firmly she ran her fingernails down his bareback. As her hand made it's way he lifted his head up in the air and groaned loudly the entire time her fingers gripped into him.
He couldn't believe he had gotten himself to this point again, he just couldn't help it with her – it was like he had no self-control around her. He wondered what she was thinking, did she want things to continue? Or did she want to stop? He was thinking about exploring her entire body, about making love to her – his mind just about exploded even thinking about how amazing it would be to have all that with her. If he felt this incredible now, he knew it would blow his mind to have all of her. No matter how he felt though, he still felt very firm about not rushing or pushing Michelle.
The phone on his bedside table rang loudly giving them both a shock. He tried to ignore it at first, they were so caught up in a deep kiss but as it kept ringing, she pulled back. "You should get that Tony, might be important." He nodded his head and cursed in frustration as he pulled himself from her and grabbed the phone.
It was Leon from CTU. He was acting director on Tony's off shifts. Tony mouthed to Michelle who it was and then rolled his eyes. He was laying flat on his back and so she lay on her stomach and began to kiss his stomach and chest. His mouth dropped open and his eyes studied her every move. His hips began to move slowly and Michelle found herself using her tongue to kiss the trail between his belly button and his boxer line. She felt his hand grab the top of her head and she looked up at him seductively. He asked Leon to hold, he put the phone down and grabbed her. He held her face with both of his hands and kissed her passionately on the lips and then he whispered into her ear. "Do you have any idea what you are doing to me?"
She smiled and whispered back, "hopefully the same as you are doing to me."
They kissed again quickly before he returned to the call. Within moments Leon began asking Tony questions that required not only his serious attention but also for him to actually get up and check some of his folders. He figured he'd probably hold a grudge forever against Leon for interrupting him now. Michelle lay back into the bed and closed her eyes, with him in the next room the bed all of a sudden felt huge and lonely. She curled up on her side and tried to think of nothing but Tony. It was easy when she could hear his voice but when that dropped out yesterday's events begin to creep into her mind. She heard Tony discussing some of the reconstruction ideas and that made her picture all the damage, which of course included the lifeless bodies of her colleagues.
Tony had been as quick as possible but the call had still dragged on for half an hour. He slipped back into the bed quietly, thinking Michelle was now asleep. He wrapped his arm around her waist and tenderly kissed the back of her neck. Michelle was awake, she actually had tears making their way down her cheeks. She didn't want Tony to know because she didn't want to bother him. She hated closing her eyes, it made fear envelope her whole body. It was like everything that happened yesterday, including the trouble she got in with Tony was just replaying in her mind like a movie projector.
Tony had no idea if he was just worrying unnecessarily or not but he was surprised at how tense and curled up her body was. She had tucked her knees up into her body, she was so small in his arms. It was like he sensed something was wrong. He took his arm from her waist and began to gently stroke the hair just above her ear back. With his bare chest pressed into her back he felt how short, shallow and quick each of her breaths were, this confirmed something was wrong – if she was sleeping her breathing should have been slow and drawn. He slid his hand from her hair to her cheek where he immediately felt her wet tears. He sat up quickly over her and rolled her onto her back so he could see her face.
"Michelle, you're crying.....sweetheart."
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I'm ok – don't worry."
Tony kissed the tears on both cheeks. Seeing her like this made him feel choked up. "I'm sorry, I didn't know...I thought you had fallen asleep. I shouldn't have left you."
Tony's sweetness made it even harder for her to try and keep her self in control. Michelle didn't really have anyone else that she could cry to or lean on, she wasn't use to it. She was unsure of what to do so she sat up. "I've got to go to the bathroom." She kept her head down as she slid out of the bed.
"Michelle...." She just told him she was ok. "Michelle...." He felt sick seeing her like this. He jumped off the bed to follow her. Michelle's legs didn't support her, they just seemed to fall under her as she tried to make her way to the bathroom. Tony caught her just as she collapsed. He lifted all her weight into his body and held her as tightly as possible. She was breathing so heavily and it was obvious to Tony she was trying so hard to compose herself. "Sweetheart, let it all out.... cry, yell, what ever you need to do but stop holding it in. I'm here Michelle...talk to me."
Tony loved how tightly she was holding on to him. Without loosening her grip at all she spoke softly. "I did this to you yesterday. How are you so strong? How come I can't handle it all like you do?"
He held her face up. "Everyone is different Michelle. You know what though??"
"What?"
"You have been giving me all my strength. There is just something so special about you that makes me feel like everything is going to be 'ok'."
Michelle finally let herself fall apart in his arms. She cried into his shoulder and gripped onto the front of his chest with both hands. He could feel the tears rolling down his stomach, he just kept kissing the top of her head. What she said shocked the hell out of him. "I'm so sorry I went against you and hurt you yesterday with Jack Tony. It was so hard, it tore me up inside – especially the look in your eyes when you were angry with me."
He kissed her again and held her harder. "You did the right thing yesterday Michelle. I completely respect you for everything you did, I know how hard it all was on you and I am just so proud of you. Everything worked out for the best, without you doing exactly what you did we never would have made it."
Tony surprised himself. He lifted her head so he could look into her eyes. "I was so rough on you yesterday Michelle because a small stupid part of me was so scared that it was happening again. With my feelings for you so real and then when I realized you were keeping things from me I really just flipped out..."
"Nina?"
"I guess that's why I flipped so easy. Do you understand?"
Michelle nodded her head sadly. "I hope you believe with all your heart Tony that I'll never ever betray you, or hurt you. I am completely loyal to you."
They kissed. "I do Michelle, you are the only one I place all my trust in. I want you to feel the same way about me."
"Of course I do."
Tony's eyes were a little watery. "Are you crying Tony?"
"No, no!" He straightened himself up to show her he was fine, which he wasn't at all and she knew it. "I hate that you know about Nina, I hate that you think of me being with her, I hate being associated to her at all, but I couldn't handle it Michelle if any of that bull-shit affected what I want with you."
"Tony, what ever happens with us is about you and me and no one else. It's hard thinking about you being with her but not because of what she did, just because I can't help but feel jealous thinking of you and any other girl. I don't care about her though, anything that is between us I take on face value...ok?"
He kissed her and then they hugged. "Can I take you back to bed Michelle?"
She nodded her head and he kept his arm wrapped tight around her as they crawled back up and got under the covers. Tony waited until Michelle was comfortable and then he positioned himself around her. Michelle kept her eyes open. "I hate this part Tony."
"It's going to get easier and easier, I promise. We just need to keep your mind distracted until you fall asleep so it doesn't have a chance to wonder."
"How do I do that?"
He gave her a cheeky grin. "Not 'I'.... it's 'we'. Want to try my idea?"
"How could I refuse that cheeky smile?"
Tony leaned in and kissed her sweetly and slowly. Then he had her turn over and lay on her stomach. "Will you remove your top?"
Michelle pulled her shirt over her head and then lay back on her stomach. Tony sat over her and began to massage her back and kiss her sweetly all over. Her skin was so soft, he just loved being able to glide his hands over her and kiss her wherever he wanted. He had never massaged anyone's back before like this. He had done just shoulders sitting up but never had he ever wanted to do something like this so much.
Michelle's voice already sounded a little drowsy. "I don't even know what to say. Tony, you are just the most beautiful person I'll ever know. I've felt so much for the 'Tony' I know at work but tonight I have gotten to see so much more of you and I keep discovering more and more gorgeous traits. You are really special to me Almeida."
Tony blushed and didn't really know what to say or even how to really accept what she had said. It was the kindest thing he had ever been told. So he lay himself down on top of her so that his stomach and chest was pressed flat into her back. He nuzzled his head into her neck. He gently stroked her hair away from her neck and began to explore it with his tongue followed by his lips. He was breathing heavily, he ran his hands down the side of her body brushing over her breasts. "No one has ever said anything like that to me before Michelle. You are such a sweetie." Her head was turned to the side on the pillow and so he reached his head down basically over her side so that he was lying with his head facing hers. "I don't want to presume anything or rush you. I hope I'm not out of line here..." He couldn't believe how nervous he was. He felt like a kid again. He stroked her face with his thumb. "Is there any chance in this world that you would commit to me?"
Tears flowed down her cheeks freaking Tony out straight away. She smiled so her whole face glowed confusing him completely. He tried to wipe her tears. She held his hand. "You want me to be your girlfriend?"
He could feel his heart starting to pound out of control. "You'd only be making me the happiest guy in the world..."
She rolled her body so that his body was now lying completely next to her. She picked herself up and pushed herself on top of him, covering his body with hers. He looked up at her with excitement and anticipation. "Yes, you are the only one for me Tony." He pulled her into him and they kissed passionately. In one fluid movement he managed to flip them over so that he was on top of her. They were both only in boxer shorts, which made it next to impossible for them not to go crazy with each other, but they needed to sleep – they had work in a few hours.
Another 20 minutes passed while they kissed before they finally pulled back. Tony had Michelle get comfortable and then he spooned her from behind. "Close your eyes sweetheart, I've got you and I'm going to stroke your hair until you fall asleep."
She did as he said, she still felt like she had to force them closed. Tony could notice, he felt bad for how hard this was on her. "What can I do for you baby?"
Michelle melted when Tony called her sweetheart and baby. "Can you keep talking to me for a bit, your voice is comforting?"
Tony started explaining all different things to Michelle, anything boring he could think of he said so that she would fall asleep not concentrate on what she was saying. It took awhile, and a number of times Tony kissed her gently on the neck or cheek. Whenever her eyes would open he would tell her to close them. At one point she finally fell asleep, he stayed watching her for 20 minutes but just before he went to close his eyes she began to shake and become upset – she was having a nightmare. Tony woke her up and hugged her, it took him a long time to calm her down again.
He felt so horrible for Michelle, he wished he could do more for her. He was trying to hold her as tight as possible, kiss her, sooth her, he stroked her hair – all he cared about was making her feel better. With only a couple hours to go before they had to get up, she finally fell into a sound sleep. Tony didn't move, he held her tight the entire time. As he drifted off to sleep he thought about taking a day or 2 off with Michelle if they could. She would be exhausted after another day of work with only a couple hours sleep, he really wanted to be able to just spend some close time with her. He decided to talk to Chappelle in the morning.