Michelle and Tony were both a few minutes late to work because she needed to go home before hand to get clothes. She felt so tired she almost couldn't lift her head. Tony walked in first and then she followed. They hadn't discussed if they were going to tell people or not. Michelle wasn't too sure on how CTU viewed office relationships – she figured they were accepted considering both Jack and Tony had dated Nina and everyone knew. She decided she would just take his lead. She headed straight to her station and got stuck into her work. Tony was on the floor talking to a few of the staff, she giggled to herself when he walked off and she heard one of them comment that Tony was in a very good mood. She was sure she heard one of them comment that he must have got some.
Carrie was still filling in at the office, she would be for the next week or so until they got back on their feet. Once she heard people comment about Tony and his good mood she wasted no time in telling Chappelle that Michelle and Tony had gotten together. She gained great pleasure in doing anything that would make things difficult for them. When she arrived at CTU she had actually found herself attracted to Tony and as soon as she realized what was going on between them she didn't want to make it easy for them. She certainly wasn't Tony's biggest fan anymore after everything that had happened a couple days ago but it didn't take away the sting of knowing Michelle was with him when she had wanted him herself.
By 9:30am both Tony and Michelle found themselves in tech 1 with Carrie and Chappelle.
Tony knew this was going to be about some bull Carrie was up to. He had his hands on his hip. "What's up?"
Chappelle was treading carefully, after Michelle and Tony had really saved his ass the other day. Not that he appreciated how they went about it but either way it was the end result that the white house and division saw that pleased him to no end. "It seems it is already common knowledge around here that you two have started a relationship of sorts?"
Michelle wasn't ready for this at all. "What?" She glared at the only possible guilty suspect, Carrie. Was this woman ever going to let her lead a peaceful life?
Carrie matched her glare. "You are not going to try and deny it are you Michelle? I saw you both in the hallway let's not forget – in the middle of a national crisis mind you..."
Tony snapped. "Who the hell are you in all this? I don't believe it has anything to do with you. Let's also not forget this was all around the same time you tried to bribe me into a promotion..."
Chappelle stepped in. "Back off, both of you. Tony and Michelle, you know how these things can end up....CTU doesn't offer a good reputation for successful relationships."
Michelle just shut up and let Tony do the talking. "Ryan, Michelle and I are not just fooling around, it is not going to affect anyone here, and we can keep personal and work separate."
Carrie looked at Michelle again. "It certainly sides your loyalty in any situation..."
Michelle had to speak back at that. "Carrie, both Tony and I work with everyone in the office on a trust and loyalty relationship – its kind of important in this job....maybe that's why you are having so much trouble settling down in a position."
Tony looked down and grinned. Michelle had nailed her perfectly, and for once Carrie had nothing to say. Chappelle turned his focus to Tony.
"Tony, do I need to remind you what happened with Nina? That situation was out of your control but look at the repercussions for both you and Jack."
Michelle's stomach flipped. "I'm not like Nina!"
Carrie spied her opportunity. "That's exactly what everyone is going to think Michelle. You are Nina's replacement for Tony – I know you enjoy being 2nd pick but can you handle everyone just waiting for you to screw Tony over?"
Michelle walked out. That was not something she could handle hearing. She headed straight for the bathrooms just making it before the tears. Chappelle kicked Carrie out after advising her of an attitude adjustment if she intended on staying.
That left Tony and Chappelle to talk it out. Tony told Ryan again how much he cared for Michelle and he just wanted a chance to make it work. He told Chappelle to feel free to pull either of them up if he ever thought it was affecting their work but he could promise there would be no compromise. Chappelle respected Tony and he liked Michelle so he decided to drop everything and offer his blessing.
Tony had to take this opportunity with Chappelle. "Ryan, this might not be best timing but I'd like Michelle and I to have a couple days break. Neither of us has had a day including weekends in almost 3 weeks now. Michelle is dead on her feet, she is taking what happened the other day really hard and she has barely slept at all since."
Chappelle nodded. "Well I need you to anyway. It's against regulations for anyone to put in those hours without a day in between. When working your rosters from now on Tony you need to keep that in mind – 6 days in a row is the max and then at least 1 day for anybody."
Tony went to find Michelle but there wasn't much he could do seeing as she was holed up in the woman's bathroom. He headed to his desk where he could watch for her return to her station. She was there within minutes.
"Dessler"
"Hey, it's me. Are you ok?"
"I'm fine."
It was very obvious she was far from fine. He despised Carrie for her words. "Michelle I'm sorry about Carrie..."
"Doesn't matter."
"Michelle, talk to me. I know you must be upset."
"I'm just not sure how I am going to fill the big shoes your ex left for me." Michelle knew it was harsh but she was so hurt.
"Don't be like this, please Michelle. Will you come up here?"
"Just forget it. I'm sorry you got into trouble with Chappelle, that was the last thing I wanted. You know that I completely understand if you want to walk away."
Tony felt his chest tighten and his stomach drop. He could hear how seriously hurt Michelle was in her voice, she was trying to be strong but Tony knew her better than that. Things had been so perfect last night he couldn't believe it could all change so quickly. He really wasn't sure how to handle it, he was surprised at how protective he felt over her – the fact that he felt physically ill because Michelle was upset made him realize how obviously special she had become to him. He watched her across the office, she looked so upset. Her body was tense and she was all hunched over her desk. He could see Robert making his way over to her desk so he knew he only had a moment before she would have to go. "Chappelle is ok and you are not going anywhere. Michelle..."
She had to cut him off. "Tony I've got to go, Robert is at my station."
"Ok."
Michelle hung up and turned her attention to Robert. She took a couple deep breaths to try and keep herself calm. Robert looked more stressed than she did anyway.
"Michelle I know I also need to talk to Tony but seeing as it was you that filled the report.....ummm, the Rosemount report is incomplete."
"What? Robert it was meant to be in New York 4 days ago. I filled that over 2 weeks ago – what happened?"
He went to explain but she interrupted. "No wait – I need to call Tony down."
Michelle dialed Tony and told him what Robert had just told her and then asked if he could come down. Tony cursed when he heard what the problem was, there had to be a mistake there was no way this could be right. He told Michelle he was on his way and headed straight down stairs.
Michelle watched Tony approach her and Robert. He was rubbing the side of his face and his eyes looked blank and washed over. It felt horrible to Michelle to have him looking like that, it was so different to the way he had looked at her all night. She felt stupid as she didn't really no what else she expected from him, it wasn't like he could come flying down the stairs into her arms. She was just being over sensitive because of what was happening with Tony and Carrie and because she was so tired. She was so hurt by what had been said, it actually began to make her doubt taking things further with Tony. Carries words replayed in her mind, and all she could think was what if people thought Tony was so much happier with Nina than her? She hated that they would be compared. She also wondered if Nina hadn't been a mole, then Carrie was right she would be 2nd to Tony – nobody but a work colleague to him. Her mind was getting ahead of her, she wished she could just turn it off.
Tony stood with his hands on his hips. "What's going on Robert? Michelle filled that report over 2 weeks ago."
"I'm sorry Tony, with everything that has been happening, I forgot about it."
Tony gave Robert a look of utter shock and anger. "You forgot?"
"Yea, I'm sorry ok."
"Robert the Rosemount was due in New York before any of this crap happened – so what exactly are you referring to when you say 'everything that has been happening'?"
It felt strange but in a good way watching Tony in complete work mode. She loved that she knew the man underneath his guarded exterior. She knew how amazingly sweet and sensitive he was, how romantic and passionate he was – all these were things that every girl in the office wondered about. It turned her on so much watching him in director mode. He was such a natural leader, so confident and assertive and yet so calm.
Robert was also a very confident person, too confident Michelle thought. He certainly didn't seem worried enough about what was going on. "Tony I've just be completely snowed under. I've been hounding division for help forever, there is too much for 1 person to handle."
"Robert, none of that is a good enough excuse. If you needed help with the report you should have spoken to Michelle when she filled it for you. You have been here for awhile now, you know how important this is. I am really surprised by you."
"I said I was sorry, what else can I do?"
Tony sighed. "It will need to be cleared by New York and then you need to make it your priority and have it to them within the next 24 hours. Michelle will run your clearance."
Tony turned to Michelle. "Can you please call New York and catch them up to speed, obviously don't tell them it was forgotten about, come up with something else."
Tony didn't feel right talking to Michelle like that at all especially considering what was happening between them but he couldn't afford to make anything obvious to Robert – not at this early stage anyways. He felt even worse when Michelle looked back at him with eyes so easy for him to read. He could see her hurt and frustration.
"That's fine Tony, I'll come up with something."
Robert headed back to his station. Tony turned to try and talk to her but different floor staff were all over the place, too many in ear shot. He had to remain professional as he told her what the plan was. "Aahh Michelle, you have the remainder of the day and the next couple off because you have worked far too many in a row. I am in the same position. We are both close to 3 weeks without a day and that is illegal. So after you have spoken to New York can you please wrap things up?"
Michelle hadn't expected this at all. "Are you sure? Really?"
"Really. You deserve the time. We appreciate the hours you have been putting in."
Tony returned to his office and began to pack things up. He waited until he saw Michelle was off the phone and then he called her.
"Dessler."
"It's me, you ok?"
"I'm fine Tony."
"Michelle I was wondering if you'd come back to my place so we can talk?"
"Ok."
Tony hated this. She just seemed so different than she had been with him. He wondered if she was just trying to keep face at work. "I can't stand this Michelle. Why do you say you are fine when you are obviously not?"
"I am trying not to cry Tony. You have an office, everyone can see me."
He felt guilty. "I'm so sorry Michelle."
"It's alright, don't be sorry."
"Michelle....maybe you could bring some clothes so you can stay the night again with me?"
Michelle turned her head to privacy and whispered. "Even after how long I kept you awake last night?"
Tony smiled, it was such a relief to hear her even just refer to them like that. "Especially after that Michelle. I want to keep you close to me...I'm really worried about you."
"Truly, you don't need to be. I guess I'll get to your place in like an hour – is that ok?"
"That's great. Looking forward to it – see you soon."
After Michelle wrapped everything up she raced home and got changed into jeans and a t-shirt and then packed a bag of everything she would need to stay a night or 2 at Tony's. She didn't allow herself to think about what had happened at work, instead she spent all of her driving time on the phone to friends. She told them about last night but failed to mention this morning.
Tony left just a few minutes after Michelle did. Carrie stared him down as he walked past and he gave her a grin, letting her know that yes he was going to see Michelle and there was nothing she could do about it anymore. He found great pleasure in her look of frustration back. He sped most of the way home stopping to pick up some food for them for lunch. He changed into shorts and straightened his place back up a little. His brother called him on his cell and when Tony told him he was heading home he asked if he could drop over later to talk to him. Tony told him Michelle would be there but his brother Matthew stressed if they didn't mind he really wanted to see him. Tony hoped Michelle wouldn't mind.
She knocked on his door and straightened herself out as she waited for him to answer. She had only just got off the phone and now she felt sickly nervous as the thoughts of what had happened snuck back into her mind.
"Hi Michelle, come in. How did you go?"
"Ok, I got everything. Sorry I am late."
He wanted to hug and kiss her, she hadn't even started to move inside and so he settled for putting his hand out to her and then leading her inside. She looked so vulnerable and freaked out. Tony couldn't waste another second before trying to talk to her again. "I am so sorry about Carrie today Michelle."
"It wasn't your fault Tony, don't worry."
He ran his hands down her arms. "I am very worried. It was so out of line – it was all total bull shit, you know that don't you?"
Michelle's eyes dropped to the ground. Biting her lip didn't help her voice from quivering. "It wasn't bull shit Tony. You know that – she was right, that is how everyone is going to think."
Tony lowered his body enough so that he could look up into her eyes even though her head was down. "No Michelle, that is complete crap. No one is going to think like that – nobody thinks like that Michelle except Carrie. You know the staff, do you really think they would be like that? She was just trying to hurt you sweetheart, that's all."
Michelle began to cry. "Awe Michelle, come here." He pulled her into a hug pressing her head against his chest and then stroking her hair. "I'm so sorry that happened. I hate that Nina has even managed to hurt you – you have to trust me with this Michelle, nobody is going to think like that."
"I just keep picturing all these people thinking that you seemed so much happier with her than you do with me..."
Tony let out a shocked laugh. He lifted her head so he could look into her eyes. "You have got to be kidding me – I have been happier just last night with you then I was the entire time with her Michelle. That is a thought that will never cross anyone's mind – if anything they are going to think that I am the happiest I have ever been....which I am!"
"Really? Are you sure?"
"God, can't you see how crazy I am about you?"
This bought a smile to Michelle's face, she also blushed and bit on her lower lip again. She shrugged her shoulders. "You are so sweet..."
He kissed her hard on the lips. He took her a little by surprise but it only took her a moment to recover and throw her whole self back into his kiss. She pressed her whole body into his and he walked her back into the wall so he could lean into her. After a couple of minutes he pulled back just inches and rested his forehead on hers, looking deep into her eyes as he spoke. "I've been so worried about what you must have been thinking. At work you wouldn't even talk to me at all about it - I wasn't sure if you were going to just decide it wasn't worth it..."
He only needed to look into her eyes to know that something along those lines had at least crossed her mind. "You did.....didn't you?"
Michelle's eyes shied away from his. "Not like that."
Tony pulled away from her. "Like what then?"
Michelle didn't want Tony getting upset, she didn't think she could handle him being angry with her now. "I was just really hurt when Carrie said all that Tony. I don't want to be compared to Nina, and I don't want people or you just waiting to see if I stuff you around. I mean if Nina hadn't been busted, you would still be with her and I'd just be another colleague to you..."
"Michelle, you can't think like that. I'm not – you think I'd be with you if I honestly thought it was just a matter of time until you screwed me over? This is hard because everyone knows the history but is it much different then how your friends are going to compare me to your last partner?"
Everything he had said was true. Michelle felt bad, as hard as it was for her it had to be harder for him. He looked so sad standing there, she couldn't believe how much she hated seeing him like that. She wished she knew exactly what to say to see his smile return. "I'm sorry Tony. I shouldn't have let her get to me so much."
He didn't smile but his shoulders did relax a little and he took a step back in closer to her. He put his hand out for her. "Michelle, I was upset by what Carrie said as well. I understand why you have been so stressed out, I just don't want you worrying about this stuff when you really don't need to." She took his hand and he bought his body back into hers. He stroked the side of her head. "I don't know what would have happened if Nina hadn't been caught, I am sure things wouldn't have worked out either way. I really care for you Michelle, I've never met anyone so special – please give this a chance?"
"You know, I was only so upset because of how much I want to be with you." Michelle ran her hand up his chest and then rested her head on his shoulder. She felt his arms wrap around her tightly and instantly she felt better. She looked up at him and they both smiled. Instead of kissing him she moved her hands from his chest and put them around his neck bringing him in for a complete hug. They both wanted to say more but held back, still unsure of how much they could express their true feelings so early on. The hug managed to cover all bases for them anyway, offering them all the comfort and security in each other they needed.
Eventually Tony led Michelle into the kitchen. "Come on, I've got lunch for us."
They decided to sit on the couch while they ate and watch one of the movies from the night before.
Please let me know what you think so far and if you want me to continue. Thanks for taking the time!