The words echoed in her ears, "Tony's been shot." She felt like her world was coming out from under her. She knew she shouldn't have let him go. Thoughts raced through her head about now bad it was. Jack hadn't said he was dead but she could tell there was panic in his voice. It took all the strength she had to refocus her thoughts on the information. It needed to be retrieved and she was going to get it. She ran out of her office and found Secretary Heller.

"Sir, Jack Bauer just phoned, he and Tony are headed to the hospital but they have the information."

"Are they okay? Why the hospital?"

"Jack said Tony has been shot." She had to fight to keep her voice from cracking. "If you don't mind sir, I'd like to go get the information. I'm trained in computers and could transmit the information back to CTU straight from the hospital."

"Of course, in fact take Audrey with you, she's pretty good with computers herself and you look like you could use someone to drive you there."

"Thank you Secretary, I'm leaving right now." She walked up to get her jacket and keys and as she was opening the door Audrey met her.

"Hey are you ready?"

Michelle could hear the concern in her voice and was bothered by it. She felt like it was a false concern for after all Jack was fine. Tony was the one who was hurt and could possibly be dying. She pushed the feeling out of her heard and focused on Audrey's question. "Yeah I was just leaving now."

"How about we take my car, I'll drive and that way you can get your computer set up."

Michelle really appreciated this, she knew Audrey could tell she was shaken up about Tony and was grateful to not have to concentrate on driving. The drive took about 20 minutes and it was probably the longest 20 minutes of her life. At every red light she thought about the blood that Tony must be losing. She couldn't stand the thought of knowing Tony might die without knowing how much she still loved him.

Audrey tried some small talk; Michelle answered with one or two words and retreated back to her thoughts. When they finally reached the hospital Michelle grabbed her computer and she and Audrey raced into the ER. Michelle looked lost so Audrey went to the front desk and asked where agent Almeida had been taken. The nurse directed them to exam room 2 where Jack was waiting.

"Jack thank God you're alright." Audrey bit her lip when she realized how that must have sounded to Michelle.

"Do you have the information ready?" Michelle asked too scared to ask about Tony and why he wasn't there.

"Yeah it's on this flash drive, you should be able to pull it up without a problem."

Knowing that Michelle couldn't bring herself to ask about Tony, Audrey asked the question that she knew Michelle was wondering. "So, how's Tony?"

Michelle was grateful for Audrey now, thankful that she didn't have to ask because had she, the floodgates would open and her emotions would be released.

"He's in surgery, the bullet is in his shoulder and he's lost a lot of blood. The doctor says he'll make it through he just needs to get through surgery."

Michelle couldn't believe what she was hearing; Tony her Tony was in surgery, he had lost large amounts of blood. She couldn't take it anymore, she set her laptop down and walked out of the room. Audrey was about to go after her when Jack grabbed her arm and held her back.

Michelle went to the first empty exam room she could find and began to sob. She couldn't control her emotions any longer. Tears streamed down her face, she couldn't get a grip. She just kept thinking about Tony and how he could have died. She heard a knock and turned to see Jack in the doorway. Trying to cover up her tears was hopeless; she met his stare and just cried more.

Jack loved Michelle like a sister. Ever since that day she had trusted him for no reason he knew she was special. The day she and Tony got married he had given Michelle away and couldn't have been happier for his two friends. He was glad that they had found love like he had with Terri. When he had learned of Tony's alcoholism it broke his heart, he didn't want the same pain to come to them as had come to him and Terri. He hadn't turned to alcohol but to his work. He drove Terri away but had been lucky enough to get her back before she died. He wanted so badly for Tony and Michelle to be happy again, he could see both the pain and the love that they both felt towards each other.

Jack took her in his arms, "Everything's gonna be okay Michelle, Tony's tough and he'll make it through."

She tried to calm herself down so she could talk to him. "Thanks Jack, it's just…I…I love him so much and I hate that I can't help him. I'm scared to death that he won't make it through and he'll die thinking I hate him."

Jack took his hand and wiped her tears away. "Michelle he's gonna be okay. Maybe now you two can see how much you still need each other. Tony's crazy about you and is in so much pain not being with you."

Hearing this made Michele cry even more. Jack put his arm around her and they just sat on the exam bed. Michelle put her head on his shoulder and just cried. They sat like that for about ten minutes when Audrey walked in. She paused for a second before she told Michelle that the flash drive had loaded.

"I hope you don't mind but I sent it to Edgar over socket number 2."

Wiping the tears from her eyes she thanked Audrey and pulled herself together.

"The doctor came in and said Tony was out of surgery and is in ICU."

Hope filled Michelle and she felt a sigh of relief leave her mouth.

"I'll call my dad and give him the news, you two go see Tony."

"Are you sure Audrey, I should be doing this."

"No of course I'm sure…go."

"Michelle you go up, I'll be up in a little while."

"Thanks guys."

As Michelle climbed the stairs to the ICU her thoughts were racing. Memories of her life with Tony rushed through her head.