Chapter 7

6 Months Later -

Allie's stressful day at CTU hadn't just begun. She'd been there for 16 hours already, and they were trying to bring in George Draft for questioning regarding a serial killer from England they had just brought down. Allie was on her way to interrogation room 6 to monitor the questioning when her phone rang.

"CTU Adams." She said gathering folders and anything else she may need.

"Allie, this is Alberta Green from Division." Alberta said in her normal ambiguous voice.

"Oh, hello. Is there something I can help you with?" Allie asked.

"Well, David Williams, the director of Division was told to bring in someone new, to help with encryptions, and everything else that you have experience with." Alberta said.

"I see. So, what exactly are you getting at?" Allie said slightly skeptical.

"We want to give you the job, a promotion. Do you except?" Alberta asked.

"Can I call you back with my answer, I was just about to go monitor questioning." Allie said trying to buy herself more time to think about it.

"Sure, but I need to know within the hour. Is that alright?" Green asked.

"Yes, thank you." Allie said and hung up the phone. She almost ran to interrogation room 6. When she got there she handed Tony the files on the man in question.

"What took you so long?" Tony asked slightly stressed.

"Sorry, I had to take a phone call." Allie said sitting down and putting the head piece into her ear to listen in. The questioning went on for 45 minutes, and Allie got out her cell and called Division.

"Alberta Green."

"Alberta, it's Allie Adams. I'll take it." Allie said smiling. A promotion, she knew hard work would pay off.

"Great, we want to move you over here as soon as possible. When can you be ready?" Alberta asked.

"Oh, well, shouldn't I finish helping with the situation that's going on?" Allie asked.

"No, we'll send someone to take your place." Green said.

"Alright, well then I guess I can be there in an hour, maybe sooner." Allie said.

"Great, we'll see you then." Alberta said and hung up the phone. Oh man, Allie thought, how on earth was she going to break this to Tony. Ever since that day, that day that Michelle decided she wanted him back, things haven't been the same with Tony and Allie. They dropped the no secrets rule, and stopped talking unless it was necessary. That's not what Allie had wanted to happen. I guess now it wouldn't be a problem. She walked quietly towards Tony, who was standing next to Michelle. Allie noticed for the first time that Michelle was wearing an engagement ring. Great.

"Tony, can I talk to you for a minute?" Allie said just a little more depressed than a fewseconds ago.

"Yeah, what's up?" He asked her.

"No, it has to be alone." She said. Tony nodded.

"Alright, we'll go in the conference room." Tony said already walking towards it. When they were secluded Allie took a deep breath in, and let it out slow.

"So, you guys are getting re-married." Allie said. Tony and Allie just stared at each other. Neither of them had forgotten what went on between them. Tony paused, but never broke eye contact.

"Yeah." He said. Allie gave a defeated nod, and another deep breath.

"Well I'm happy for you. Make sure Michelle knows that too." Allie said. Allie realized she was not saying what she was supposed to be saying to him. "But, that's not the reason I wanted to talk to you." She finished.

"Yeah, I figured. What's wrong?" He asked.

"Oh nothing's wrong, it's pretty good news for me actually. I got a call a little while ago, and it was Alberta Green." Allie said.

"Green, what'd she want?" Tony asked. He didn't like Alberta much.

"To give me a promotion. I'm leaving; now. They said that they were going to be sending in a replacement for me, so you won't be short handed." Allie said. "I'm sorry for the short notice." There was a pause before she finished. "I'll be out of my desk in 15 minutes." She said and immediately walked out of the conference room. Tony followed her in hot pursuit.

"Allie wait." He said from across the room. Many people looked up from what they were doing to see the commotion.

"What Tony, please don't make this any harder than it has to be." She said. Michelle was slowly walking closer so she could hear.

"Why? Why now? Is it because of everything that happened?" He asked.

"No, do you really think that I could leave a job that I love, because you and Michelle are back together? Well the answer is no, Tony, no I wouldn't. I am so happy for you and Michelle, so go and get re married and make babies, but while you're doing that, just know that this has absolutely nothing to do with you." Allie said. Their voices were raised slightly, so the whole office could hear what they were talking about.

"We don't want you to leave, we need you here." Tony said.

"Who's we Tony, is it you, do you need me here, or Chase, or Kim or Michelle. Is that the we you're referring to?" Allie said practically in tears. Tony had no reply. Allie nodded her head, realizing that the we was Tony. "Like I said, I'll be cleaned out in 15 minutes." Allie said. She turned around and started walking towards her station. When she started moving, everyone listening went back to what they were doing. Tony just walked into his office. He was mad, why he really couldn't figure out. As Allie was cleaning out her desk, and putting her things in boxes, Jack walked through the doors. He looked very tired. When he saw what Allie was doing, he went right over to her.

"Allie, what's going on? Did they fire you?" Jack asked.

"No, actually, I got a promotion, and I'm moving to Division." She said smiling at Jack.

"Well that's great. Does everyone know?" Jack asked. Allie let out a big sigh.

"They do now. I told Tony that I was leaving in the conference room, and when I left he followed me out here and we made a big scene. Jack, he asked if it had anything to do with him and Michelle." Allie said hurt.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Jack said putting a hand on her back.

"Yeah, well the funny part is, it does have to do with it. I mean, not everything, but it was the deciding factor. This opportunity was just thrown at me, and if I leave, then I won't have to come here and hurt everyday. Especially now that they are getting re married." Allie said, very near tears.

"Come here." Jack said, and brought Allie close and gave her a big hug. Allie broke away after a few seconds.

"Jack, will you tell him that after I leave. Tell him that this was a good chance to get away from it all, so I wouldn't have to suffer all the time, because he deserves to know the truth, but if I tell him before I leave, I'm afraid he might try and stop me." Allie said.

"Anything you want. It's been great working with you." Jack said letting go of her completely.

"You can always talk to me at Division. Could you do me one last favor? Could you give this to Tony for me." Allie said trying to feign a smile. It was her cell phone. Jack smiled back at her, squeezed her arm, took the phone and walked away. Allie turned and packed the rest of her things. She took a deep breath in and picked up the boxes, and walked out to her car. Ten minutes after she left, Jack thought it'd be safe to tell Tony. He walked up to Tony's office, which was right next to his own, and knocked on the door.

"Yeah." Tony said.

"Tony, listen, Allie wanted me to give this to you." Jack said handing him the phone. Tony took it, with a million thoughts floating in his mind.

"Did she say anything?" He asked. Losing her completely was more painful than he thought it would be. The phone was the end point. She was really gone.

"Yes, actually she did. She told me to tell you that you are part of the reason she is leaving. She said that she is really happy for you and Michelle, but she doesn't want to suffer anymore." Jack said in his raspy low voice. Tony nodded.

"Thanks Jack." Tony said getting up and going to the lounge. He walked in and poured himself a cup of coffee, but he only put sugar in it, no cream.