Chapter 3, Another Chance

About a half hour later, Tony decided that enough was enough. He looked up. Michelle didn't seem to be in the middle of anything.

"Dessler."

"It's Tony Michelle. Can I see you for a moment in the rest room?"

"Tony-"

"It won't take long, I promise. I know you have a ton of work to do."

Michelle sighed. She could use the break-just so long as it wasn't another fight. She didn't have the energy for that right now. She said as much earning a laugh from Tony. God, she loved his laugh. Were his eyes twinkling too? She wanted to look but didn't dare let herself.

"I promise-no fighting. I just want," he paused, "I need to talk to you for a minute. In private."

For some reason Michelle felt her stomach do flip-flops and she actually blushed. Calm down, she chided herself. All he feels right now is worry and maybe some guilt. Besides she was keeping something from him, alright two very big somethings—no huge three somethings from him. "Ill meet you in two minutes."

She hung up the phone and Tony smiled. He had seen her blush and bite her lip. Perhaps it wasn't hopeless afterall. Perhaps he could still tell her how much he loved her and she would tell him she loved him and forgave him. He smiled. Then he got up and made his way to the rest room.

Michelle's stomach was a bundle of nerves when she made her way to the rest room. Her stomach tightened when she felt a hand on her arm but relaxed because she knew it was Tony. "Wha-", she started then stopped as his lips claimed hers.

Tony didn't know when he decided to kiss Michelle. Was it when she walked in and he could smell her perfume or when he heard her footsteps? When he had seen her blush? No, he had to be honest with himself, it was before all that. Somehow he knew when he saw her yesterday that he wouldn't make it through his time at CTU without kissing her.

And now, here he was. Kissing her. Tony waited to get slapped but then her mouth opened and she grunted, wrapping her arms around him, pulling him closer. There was no mistaking the invitation. He couldn't get enough. She couldn't get enough.

Finally she broke away and rested her head on his shoulder. Michelle couldn't think straight. She had longed for this moment every day for the past 6 months, hell the past year. When Tony had kissed her just now there was no mistaking that he wanted her and his eyes—when they looked at her she could almost swear that they were looking at her with love. But that didn't make any sense.

Then she felt water on her face coming from his. Michelle looked up. Tony was crying. "Tony, what's the matter?"

"I'm so sorry Michelle. So sorry. This past year-"

"Tony-"

"I know Michelle, I know. I know why you left me." At Michelle's look, he said "Bill told me."

Michelle looked away. She didn't know what to say. But she knew that Tony didn't blame her for not telling him. And she knew that she loved him.

Tony started to turn away. He had blown it, he knew. There was no way that Michelle could ever forgive him. He couldn't forgive himself for not being there. How could he expect her to? "I'm sorry," he whispered again then took another step towards the door.

This time it was his turn to be surprised as Michelle grabbed him and kissed him. "Don't be," she breathed into him. "We both mad mistakes. The past can't be changed." With that she stopped talking and kissed him. "Do you know how long I've wanted this?" she groaned a couple minutes later.

"Me too, 'Chelle. I still love you. I never stopped. I know I don't deserve another cha-"

"Yes you do. We both do." Michelle's eyes twinkled. "And besides, we never know what the next couple of hours will uncover…"