CHAPTER 5:

Tony carried Michelle over to the bed. She woke before he reached the bed. He gently laid her down. They looked into each other's eyes, but neither of them said anything.

Michelle started to sit up. Tony put his hand on her shoulder, "Please Chelle, you need to lie down for a little bit."

"I'm ok, really I am. All I want to do is tell you guys what was said last night and then go home."

Tony could see in Michelle's eyes that she was desperate to get out of here. He knew too, that it was his fault she felt like that. He leaned into her and gently laid her back down, she didn't resist him at all. He kept his face close to hers, she was watching him. "I'm so sorry. I am completely and utterly in love with you Chelle. I am just so sorry I have been such a fool."

Michelle thought she must have hit her head. Did he really say that? "Tony, did you just say what I think you said?"

Tony stroked the side of her face softly. "I sure did, I should have said it a long time ago. That's why I've been so out of line Chelle, I have been freaking out that I am going to lose you, yet all I have managed to do is hurt you. If only words could express just how much I love you." He didn't flinch or look away, he looked her straight in the eyes. It was time to put himself out there and concentrate on fixing all the damage he had caused with Michelle.

"Ohh Tony..." She covered her mouth with her hand and her eyes began to water a little.

Tony shook his head. "You don't have to say anything. I expect nothing. I just had to tell you. I want you to know why I have been freaking out so much, why I couldn't bare you to do the mission – I was petrified I would lose you. It's why I went nuts over the girls saying Dale was attractive and then the fact that you had to kiss him. I'm not angry with you Chelle for that, I never was – I was and still am so angry with him and the situation. I have been an absolute idiot since yesterday morning and I am so incredibly sorry."

Michelle covered her mouth again, "Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God." She lifted her body up. She put her hand onto his chest and held on to him. "I didn't think you would ever see me as more than a friend."

"Are you kidding me? From the second I met you I knew there was something was special about you. All year I've just fallen deeper and deeper for you."

Michelle was tightly gripping his shirt and their faces were so close. "Tony, I can't believe this. I always wanted....Tony, I love you too."

"Are you serious Michelle? Do you mean that? Are you really in love with me?" Everything was running through his mind a million times a second. He knew her answer would completely change his life from this moment on. He desperately searched her eyes for an answer.

"I am so scared Tony. I really am in love with you but you hurt me so much, and I don't know how much of what you said - you meant. The pain of all of this is almost too much for me, what if you're not sure? Or you change your mind? I don't want you to hurt me Tony."

Tony reached his arms around Michelle and pulled her in closer to him. He tucked her loose hair behind her ear and then he put his hands on her cheeks. "My beautiful Michelle, I'll do everything I can to make this all up to you. If you will let me, I'll explain everything to you later." He let go of her and climbed onto the bed, pulling her right into him. "Chelle I have never been more sure of anything in my life. – I am so in love with you, there is nothing in the world that could make me change my feelings for you. Give me a chance to make you happy. The kiss we had when you got back from the mission that was the most intense and passionate kiss I'd ever even imagined. It was so special and amazing. You and I make sense Chelle. We would make a perfect couple, I know just how right you are for me. I won't hurt you, I'll spend every single day trying to make you as happy as you make me."

He could have gone on for hours. They were both leaning on the wall behind the bed and they were turned in facing one another. Michelle lifted her hands to reach for him but then she hesitated and bought them back down. He didn't make a move, he wasn't going to push her. He watched her begin to nod her head, his heart started to race....She lifted her hand up again and this time Tony took it in his. She looked up at him and smiled, "I need you Tony."

He returned her smile. "Does that mean you want to give me a go?"

"It sure does – if you will have me."

He leaned in towards her and put his hand on her cheek. "Oh, I'll have you......come here." They sweetly brushed their lips over each other. Michelle slightly opened her mouth and Tony kissed her bottom lip. The continued to kiss very softly and slowly. Tony spoke while his lips were still lightly pressed against hers. "You just made me the luckiest man in the world." Michelle smiled, making it hard to kiss, she started giggling, which then in turn made him giggle too. They pulled back and looked into each other's eyes while they both giggled.

There was a knock at the door and then Matthews and Hammond walked in. "Sorry Michelle, the doctor we called had to turn around to an emergency call at the hospital. That's why you have been waiting so long. One of us will take you into a hospital to be checked up, ok?" Matthews could tell they had interrupted something.

"I don't need a doctor now, I really am ok. I was light-headed before but I just needed to lie down for a few minutes. I'm fine. I just want to head home and get some sleep."

"We need you to tell us anything important that you heard last night. Anything that helps us get closer to him?"

"I didn't hear anything. Although I do know he has a very important business dinner meeting at 7pm. It sounds like a very big deal to him, I got the feeling a deal was taking place."

"How do you know all this Michelle? Were they talking about it in front of you? Do you know where it is?"

Before Michelle could answer Matthews jumped it. "Imagine after all this time, we got a chance to bust him tonight!"

Michelle filled them in. "Dale offered to pay me very well to accompany him to this dinner as his partner tonight. He would pick me up at 5 from the same place as last night. Whoever he is meeting said they were bringing their partner and Dale didn't want it to be awkward for him not to have anyone. He told me to just shut-up and only speak when spoken too."

They all looked like they were going to fall over. Hammond got in first. "Michelle, you got an in? Do you understand what this means? This is unbelievable! Tony could you get audio on this?"

"Audio is a piece of cake in these types of situations. You would need tracking for locations."

Michelle slid off the bed, she was going to go and find her clothes she was wearing before the mission to change into. She was getting cold. "It will never work though. I mean, no way could anyone pose as me to them and not get caught."

Matthews took a few steps towards Michelle. "What are you talking about Michelle? Why would we need someone too pose when we have you?"

Michelle looked horrified at them all. There was no chance she was going back into that situation again. "Are you guys serious? There is no way you would expect me to go back to them, right? I'll be back, I've gotta change."

The 3 men watched Michelle walk out the door. Hammond turned to Tony and Matthews, "we really need Michelle to do this. Never do you get opportunities like this handed to you on a silver platter. Tony you guys seemed very close when we came in, I'm not worried about an office relationship – what was going on between you guys?"

"I told Chelle that I was in love with her, and she returned it. We have committed to each other. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"You are going to be the best one to get her to come around then Tony. It's already 8am now, we have next to no time. I'll call in alternate shifts and get local enforcements prepped."

Tony was feeling very uneasy. "Hang on – we need to wait until we know what Michelle is going to do. I sure as hell don't want her to do it. She is not going to understand why I kicked up such a fuss yesterday about this and then today I am telling her to do it again."

"Tony, you no damn well that your feelings for Michelle can play no part of any of this?"

"Please Brad, I can't lose this girl. I'll do anything, please just keep Michelle out of this. Come on Brad..."

"Tony, Michelle is our only shot at this guy right now. We will do everything possible to keep her safe. I hate having to do this Tony, but I am giving a direct order – Michelle has to do this operation to keep her position here."

Tony was furious, "Are you seriously going to pull that shit on her again? You are giving her no respect and I'd be prepared she might walk. She hasn't even slept yet, you guys have to cut her some slack."

Michelle walked back into the room. She looked adorable to Tony, she had pulled on a CTU office t-shirt and it was about 5 sizes to big then over top of that a big jumper that wasn't as long as the t-shirt. Tony asked Michelle to come over and sit on the bed with him. She looked at him nervously and didn't move. Hammond knew why. "It's ok Michelle, we know about you two. We think it is great."

"Wow.....ok thanks."

Michelle got up on the bed and snuggled next to Tony. She found herself thinking about how lucky she was. She had always wanted to be able to go to Tony like this. He looked nervous and very red in the face. "Tony are you ok?"

Tony took Michelle's hand in his. "No, I am not ok Chelle. We really need you to do this operation.. I will run it and we will keep you as safe as possible."

Michelle just sat there for a few moments until she found her tongue. "Please don't make me do this Tony. Please. I'll do anything else, anything – just don't make me go back to them. You know exactly what he will want me to do."

"You know if I had it my way Chelle you would be home right now wrapped up in my arms."

"Are you ordering me or asking me to do this?"

Tony looked miserable. "Chelle I am ordering you."

Michelle just nodded her head. She knew the order had come from Hammond, not Tony. "I have to go home then and get appropriately dressed, I'll be back later." Hammond and Matthews gave her a smile but she didn't return this one. Hammond tried to comfort Michelle as she walked over to pick up her bag. "We will look after you Michelle, Tony is in charge and he will have everything covered."

"What about the 2hrs before the dinner? Who's covering that? I am assuming once again that my job is on the line for this?"

Michelle's words were met with silence. She stayed and waited for an answer. Matthews ended up being the first to offer one. "Michelle, we will track you, with the camera as well. Back up will be as close as possible. We don't have any other options, we do need you to do this."

Tony walked over to Michelle, put his arms around her and led her out of the room into an empty office a couple rooms down. He sat her down on the couch. "You don't have to do this Michelle."

"Yes I do Tony, they will fire me and probably you too for putting me up to it."

Tony took Michelle's hands in his. "Yeah probably, you would be safe though."

"What are you saying Tony? You'd give up your job for me? No way. No way, you couldn't do that." Michelle got up and walked over to the desk.

Tony walked up behind Michelle and slipped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Chelle the job is nothing compared to you. All I care about is being with you. God all I have wanted since the day we met is you......nothing will ever be worth risking that."

Michelle turned around in his arms and ran her hand on his cheek. "You.......you are amazing. What would we do though? I mean all we know is this job. I've got to make rent...."

Tony put his finger up to her lips, "I've got savings, I'll take care of you.....we both certainly have credentials to get other jobs. Maybe I could even take you away for awhile first?"

Michelle put her arms around his neck and pulled him in to her for a kiss. She pressed her lips gently against his. Her body felt so weak when she was so close to him. She felt him wrap his arms around her and then he pressed his body into her. He felt so amazing. She thought about the last year and all the times she had wished she could be this close to him. Having his body wrapped around her felt even better than she had imagined. She eventually pulled her lips apart from his.

"As much as I couldn't think of anything better than you and I away together - just the 2 of us, we can't do that Tony. You are the most beautiful person for offering all this up for me, but I can't let you do it. I know how hard you worked to be where you are Tony, you can't just give that up. You are so good at what you do, and lots of people depend on you. We can't just walk out in the middle of a mission – if he gets away so many more people will end up hurt or dead.....I can't have that on my shoulders. I am going to drag you away for some time off and a holiday, but I just can't have you walk away from all this."

"But Chelle, what about you? I couldn't handle it if something happened to you. I'm not prepared to risk you...."

"That's why I need you to run this operation for me. You are the best, and the one I trust. Let's just get through this Tony, and then we can put it behind us. We can take the next couple days off....and maybe I'll let you take me on a date!"

Hammond walked into the office. Instinctively Tony and Michelle jumped apart from each other. "Sorry to interrupt. I just....I need to know if you are on board. Please don't think I don't understand how hard this is on you both, I do. Its just there is a team of people who really need you guys and you are the best we have."

Michelle looked at Tony who had his head down. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "Yes, I am on board."

Tony lifted his head and stepped forward. "I want extra agents out on back-up. I am closing in the back-up distance by a mile. I am going to select the floor staff I want, I want 2 agents undercover at the restaurant and the next couple of days off for both Michelle and I."

Hammond didn't need to think, these were easy demands, and he expected most of them anyways. "Done. Now I suggest both of you try and get some sleep. We need you both back here by 4pm." He turned and left before either of them demanded anything else.

Before they left Tony put in his positions and marks he would need the staff to prepare for him during the day. They headed to the car park together. Tony wanted to have Michelle come with him but he didn't know if she would want that or not.

When they reached the doors to the car park, Michelle asked Tony. "I don't want to be apart from you today Tony. Can we nap together?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way. How about we take my car, swing past your house and grab your stuff and then head back to mine?"

Michelle agreed that was a good idea. Tony held Michelle's hand as they drove. It took them 45 minutes to go to Michelle's and get back to Tony's. They were both exhausted. Tony started to head towards his bedroom but then noticed that Michelle was hanging back near his couch.

"Do you want me.......should I just sleep here?"

Tony didn't respond, instead he walked over to her, took her hand and led her through to his bedroom. Neither really knew what to say, for the first time ever they felt awkward with each other. They both stood next to the bed smiling shyly.

Out of nowhere Tony just started laughing. Michelle had no idea what was going on. "What's so funny?"

"Us Chelle. Look how weird and nervous we are around each other now. I mean usually you can't shut us up."

Michelle had to laugh too. "I know! I guess you make me nervous."

Tony walked over to Michelle and put his arms around her waist and lent his face in close to hers. "What can I do to relax your nerves?"

Michelle giggled shyly. "I....I...d..don't know."

Tony kissed her tenderly on the lips and then pulled his head back to look into her eyes. She put her finger up and gently traced his lips. He moved his body around her so that he was now standing behind her with his arms still around her waist.

"I can't believe how good and comfortable I feel in your arms Tony." She giggled as she spoke, "I feel so safe in your big strong arms!"

He tucked the hair away from her ear and began to speak in a strong voice. "I'll always look after you Chelle, keep you safe and happy. You don't need to worry about anything because I am going to take care of you. No one will ever hurt you again I promise."

She closed her eyes for a moment soaking in the feeling. "I wish..."

Tony started to feel a little concerned. "Why do you say that? Don't you believe me?"

"I do feel safe with you Tony but you can't protect me from getting hurt again." Her words hung in the air. He knew she was talking about tonight and he hated that he couldn't say or do anything to help her. He pulled her in closer.

"Are you scared Chelle?"

She nodded her head. A couple quiet tears made their way down her cheeks, she was glad he was standing behind her so he wouldn't be able to know she was crying. One of her tears fell and splashed on his arm. He hadn't realised she was crying, it made his sigh loudly. He nuzzled his face into her neck pressing his eyes firmly into her almost trying to block the tears. "It's going to be ok, you have to be ok."

"I'm scared this will be the last time I will get to be in your arms."

Tony tightened his grip on her and pulled her in so their bodies were pressed in as close to each other as possible. "Don't you say that, don't you dare say that. Please Chelle, you can't think like that." He kissed her neck firmly over and over. "Just you watch, you are coming home with me tonight."

Michelle nodded her head again. "Thanks Tony." She rubbed her hands up and down his arms in a gesture to show him that she would be ok. He wanted her to gorget about everything else for a while and just get some rest. They would never get through tonight if they didn't sleep. "Are you ready to sleep Chelle?"

"Yeah, I know I need to, so do you."

He loosened his grip on her and began to gently kiss her shoulder. "What do you sleep in?" He kept kissing her as he waited for her answer.

"Usually I sleep in a t-shirt. Can I borrow one of yours?"

Tony smiled as he continued to kiss her. Without breaking the kisses he leaned his arm back behind him and pulled a t-shirt out of his top drawer. He bought it round in front of her, holding it up. "How's this one?"

"Perfect." Michelle went to grab it but Tony pulled his hand back behind her.

"Here let me help you...." Tony moved his hands down to the bottom of her shirt and slowly lifted her top up. They both held their breath as the top got further up her body. She lifted her arms up over her head allowing him to pull the top over her head. He dropped the shirt onto the floor and then ran his hands across her bare back and then slid his hands around to her front across her chest. They both groaned.

"Chelle I am going to be very good and control myself because you really need to sleep."

Michelle let out a small laugh. Tony took of his own shirt and then pressed his bare chest into her back. He leaned his chin on her shoulder. "You don't sleep in your bra, right?"

"Ummm....no."

Tony could tell be her voice that she felt shy or nervous. "Don't be nervous Chelle, I promised you I'd be good right now so you can sleep. It's just so nice to finally be so close to you. I don't want to let go."

"I don't want you to let go either. Do you mind if I sleep in here with you?"

"I wouldn't let you sleep anywhere else right now." He used both his hands to unclip her bra and take it off. He stayed good to his word but he felt mesmerised by her body and it took all of his will power to not run his hands all over her. Instead he kissed her shoulder and neck desperately. Things only got harder when Michelle raised one of her hands up and around his neck to play with his hair. Having her body stretched out in his arms made his whole body feel weak. He knew it wasn't just attraction or lust he was feeling, he was so deeply in love with her it felt more like a need to be close to her. He let out a very short sound, almost like a cry in frustration. He wrapped his arms around her stomach and kept her back pressed tightly into his stomach and chest. "I am so in love with you Chelle, my whole body has gone weak. I really need you in my life, I need to be as close to you as possible. You just make me so happy."

Michelle placed her hands over Tony's and locked her fingers in his. She then slid their hands up to her chest. Once Tony had put her in his hands she let go of his so that he could take control. She then ran both of her arms up and around his neck. "You are everything to me Tony, you are the most important person in my life and have been for a long time. I am so in love with you and I can't describe how happy I am that you feel the same way back."

Tony held her firmly and kissed all along her shoulder up her neck. "God you are so beautiful..."

After a couple of minutes he brought his hands back down and grabbed the t-shirt. He stood back a little so that he could slid the shirt over her arms and head, down over her body. It was huge on her and came to just above her knees. He whispered into her ear, "Thank you."

She turned around in his arms so that she was facing him. She spent a few moments taking in his body running her hands all over his stomach and chest. She couldn't believe how toned and muscly he was. She caught eyes with Tony who was giggling at her, she figured probably because he had caught her just staring at him with her mouth wide open. "Sweetheart are you just sleeping in your boxers?"

Tony's face just lit up and a huge smile spread across it, he nodded his head, almost like he was going to struggle with words. "Why are you smiling like that?"

"Its nothing....well it is...its just....I felt so good....you. Sorry I'll start again." They both laughed. "It is just that you called me 'sweetheart'. Might sound silly to you but it just felt so unbelievably nice to have you refer to me like that."

"You really are my sweetheart." Michelle watched his face as she undid his belt and began to pull his pants down. She could tell he was holding his breath and it was like he was trying not to watch her but he couldn't help it. "I'll be good cause we need to sleep sweetie, but I'll tell you what....next time you had better watch out."

Tony began to take her pants down as well. "Baby, I'm going to hold you to that." They swapped cheeky smiles and then slid their own pants off their feet. Tony jumped into bed and patted the mattress next to him. Michelle crawled up into his body, he felt so warm and she new for the first time in a long time she would be able to sleep. Tony began to set his alarm clock, "If I set it for 3, does that give you enough time to shower and be ready to leave by 10 to 4?"

"Sure does."

He turned the lamp off and snuggled his body into hers. They both lay silently for a moment. Tony had to get something off his chest though. "Things feel just perfect Chelle, but none of it makes up for how I've acted in the last 24 hours. I was such a jerk to you, to think all because I didn't have the guts to be completely honest about how I felt. Now seeing how it has all worked out, I am disappointed with myself for the way I acted. I am so sorry."

"Don't be sorry Tony. I wasn't much better. Lets just concentrate on looking forward, ok?"

"I don't deserve it.....but thanks gorgeous. Now get some sleep."

They shared a soft kiss before shutting their eyes and dreaming about each other.

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