Matthews watched Tony through the glass of the offices that separated them. Tony was waiting to hear back from some superiors over at the jail that would be able to give him the information they needed on Mason Pault. Matthews watched as Tony paced the room in circles constantly rubbing the side of his face. He had known Tony for a long time now and he had never seen him so distraught before. When he had found out about Nina he had become withdrawn, he only ever spoke if it was necessary. He would still be polite but he wasn't interested in having any form of relationship with anyone at work at all. That was until Michelle started up at CTU. Everyone could see straight off that they both had feelings for each other and wondered how long it would take for them to get together. Michelle bought Tony back out of his shell and soon he had become even more open and bubbly then he had ever been. Michelle and Tony always seemed to be laughing together and spent every spare second in each other's pockets. What they had was special and Matthews often felt jealous watching them together. He saw the way both always stood that little bit closer to each other than they would with anyone else, that they discussed things in person that could have easily been a quick phone call and he would always catch them watching each other from afar.

He didn't normally agree with office relationships but after hearing they had finally gotten their act together, he would have been happy for them and wouldn't have given them a hard time. He felt guilty that he had to force Michelle into this mission, but they truly had nobody else and no other option. He certainly couldn't not send her just because she and Tony had decided to have a relationship – he could never explain that to his superiors.

Matthews watched as Tony lunged for the phone. Tony's shoulders dropped and he began pacing back and forth faster and faster. He could see his already red eyes become watery. He hung up the phone, kicked his chair and slammed his fist into his desk. He wiped his eyes and then turned for the door, he was heading to Brad's office. He could see him take a couple deep breaths to try and calm himself as he entered the office. Matthews' heart went out to Tony, as he watched the young man tried to keep the composure of a professional agent. None of the men in the office never showed emotion, it was like some unwritten rule that they should be seen as courageous, strong agents that could handle anything.

"Tony, what did you find out?"

"Matthews, they are never going to let this guy out."

"What's his story?"

"His currently in isolation for trying to stab a guard. Apparently he is the biggest problem prisoner in the whole place. He has a record a mile long of violent acts just since he has been in prison. He hasn't got just 11 years left, with all the trouble he has been in he will be serving at least another 5 to 7 without any chance for parole."

Tony looked defeated and Matthews could completely understand why, there was no chance Mason could be released from prison with a track record like that, he would be considered too much of a risk.

"It doesn't look hopeful Tony, but let me see what I can do."

Tony nodded, "Here is the file, everything you need is in here. Have we heard back from Michelle's family yet?"

Tony had known through Michelle that her parents had taken her brother Danny interstate to visit with his children. As far as Tony could recall, they were still not due home for another 3 or 4 days. CTU staff had left messages for them at the family home, her father's work and on their cell phones.

"Sorry Tony, I don't think so. Why don't you try and get some rest, it's going to be a long day tomorrow and we need you at your best."

"I'll be on one of the beds out the back – make sure you get me if the slightest thing happens. Serious Matthews, I don't care how small – I want to know."

Tony turned and left the office making his way back down to the beds. There was nothing Tony could do to get the image of Michelle from the video out of his mind. Thinking of how perfect it felt to hold Michelle in his arms as they drifted off to sleep made tears stream down his cheeks. He had her safely wrapped up so close to him such a short time ago, it hurt thinking of how alone and frightened she must be feeling now. He was so angry for not making Michelle walk away from the mission. He'd give up CTU in a heartbeat to have her safe. He had felt so willing to walk away from everything with her, he wished he had been more forceful. Tony curled himself into a ball and began to cry. He sobbed like he never had before and didn't stop until complete exhaustion over took his body sending him to sleep.

Michelle was receiving another beating for not offering any information on CTU. This time whenever they asked a question and she did not answer then they would press a lit cigarette into her skin. She had been stripped down to her underwear and bra but it was probably her saving grace that she was such a bloody dirty mess now because she was sure it was at least one reason why she had not been sexually assaulted. She looked up at the young man standing beside her body. He couldn't have been any older than 25. He was so drunk he was almost paralytic, he was drooling and he kept mumbling to himself. After a few minutes he fell onto the ground near Michelle's feet and passed out.

Michelle looked his body over and gasped in excitement when she saw a cell phone sticking out of his back pocket. She used her free foot to tap it a few times until it feel to the floor, it was easy then to kick it so it slid up near her hand. Once it was safely in her possession she held her breath to listen for any other activity around her. She kicked the man at her feet a couple times in his back but he didn't even stir. The first thing she did was check her location on the front screen of the cell phone. They were holding her in Pasadena. She could barely make her hands stop shaking enough to press the buttons on the phone. Her mind went blank and she couldn't think of one phone number she knew, she couldn't even think what the first number was for Tony's cell. She slid the phone under her back, closed her eyes and tried to concentrate. After a few minutes of taking huge breaths and trying to think calmly Tony's phone number popped into her head. She pulled the phone back out and began to dial.

Tony felt his phone vibrate in his back pocket and he had pulled it out and opened it before the 2nd ring.

"Almeida."

As soon as Michelle heard Tony's familiar voice she couldn't help but burst into tears. "T....Tony."

"Oh my God Chelle?! Do you know where you are?" Tony's heart began to race, he jumped up and grabbed pen and paper incase Michelle would have any information.

"They are keeping me in a house in Pasadena. Tony I heard them say they were going to kill me in the morning no matter what happens."

"Sweetheart, I'm going to find you. Do you have any idea where?"

"I was knocked out until I got here. I'm tied to a bed by my leg and hand. I'm sorry, I'm sorry....I'm s.."

"Chelle don't you say sorry, don't say that. I'm...."

"Tony they know I'm from CTU, they know. I didn't find anything out. I don't know anything."

"That's ok, we only care about you Chelle. Can you look around you and tell me anything about where you are?"

"There's a skylight in the bathroom which is the next room. The ceilings are high peaked, I'm on the 2nd floor. I heard tractors and hammering today so I think I'm next door to construction."

"That's good, that's good Chelle. What type of house?"

"Brick. Tony, I was going to make a run for it next time they unhook me to go the bathroom. If they catch me though, they will just kill me on the spot."

Tony's mind was racing so fast, he was trying to work out what the best advice would be to Michelle but he would never forgive himself if he told her to do something and it turned out badly. "Chelle, it's 1:15am now, I am going to have everybody possible in Pasadena ASAP looking for you. Try to hold on there until 6am, if we haven't found you then try your plan as last resort before Pault or anyone gets back. Can you do that?"

Michelle was trying to be strong but she just couldn't anymore. She began to cry and each word was broken with sobs. "Whatever you want me to do, I'll do. I....I just don't know if I can handle this Tony. I'm so scared.....I'm not going to make it out of this am I Tony?"

Tony almost couldn't breathe. Hearing her say that was the hardest thing he had ever heard and he didn't know how to deal with it. He cried, he didn't try and hide it from Michelle, he couldn't – he openly sobbed to her. "You have to be strong for me baby....I need you to stay strong. I'm going to find you Chelle, you are coming home with me because I can't live without you......I love you so much."

Michelle could hear somebody beginning to climb the stairs up to the room she was in. "Someone's coming, I love you." She hung up the phone and kicked it back down by the man's body so it looked like it had just fallen out of his pocket. She tried to pretend she was asleep so they wouldn't think she had even noticed the phone or used it.

Tony tried to run out of the room but his body wasn't co-operating, still too weak from the phone call and he fell flat on his face. He took a moment to get his breath back and calm down before he picked himself up and ran to his staff.