Chapter 2, a plan that didn't get a chance

A couple minutes later, Michelle made a decision. She knew that given the circumstances, no one would believe her or listen to her until their heads had been cooled down. Which, at the moment, didn't seem like it would be any time soon.

Even Jack didn't seem to be of any help. It was like they were all prepared to make Tony as guilty as sin. Michelle couldn't stand it. She had expected more from everyone that had been under his command. She expected more from Jack.

Thinking about Jack must have made him appear because he happened to be walking towards her at just that moment. "Michelle-"

"You can't honestly believe that Tony did this."

"No, I don't." Michelle sighed in relief. Hopefully she had an ally. "There's got to be some other explanation other than Tony," Jack continued, "but right now I don't know what that is and Hammond's not budging."

"Hammond's an asshole," Michelle responded causing Jack to laugh.

"Now that's the truth."

Michelle couldn't help but feel a little relieved. "So are you on board with me?"

"Do you even have to ask?"

"Well, you did attempt to stop me from following them," Michelle pointed out.

"You didn't look too stable back there. Bill and I both thought that you were going to faint. Seeing Tony taken away like that…," Jack let his voice trail off.

"I know. The past repeating itself. So you're on board. I can count on you."

Something in Michelle's tone made Jack narrow his eyes. "You know who did this." It wasn't a question.

"I can't prove it just yet but yes. I'm going to leave here in a couple of minutes. There's a corner in Westwood where certain people hang out at night—close to campus. You know where I'm talking about?" Jack nodded. "Meet me there at 1 a.m."

Michelle started to say something then closed her mouth and opened it again. "Bill."

Jack turned to see Bill and Hammond.

"I'm sorry Michelle," Bill said.

Hammond continued, "Given the circumstances, we think that you should go home until we sort this out." When Michelle opened her mouth, Hammond put up his hand. "I know you didn't have anything to do with this; however, we—I, think you're too close to this. I know you kissed Tony just before he was taken away."

Jack tired to keep a level face but couldn't help sneaking a look at Michelle from the corner of his eyes. Would the woman ever cease to surprise him? Somehow he doubted it and not for the first time, he was glad that Tony had her in his corner whether he knew it or not.

Michelle pretended to be angry which Jack was able to see right through. He had to stifle a laugh by pretending to cough. Finally, Michelle said she would go home if that's what everyone thought was best. She left CTU a couple minutes later.

On the other side of town, Tony was lost in thought. He hadn't expected Michelle to ever kiss him like that again. A part of him had hoped and he wouldn't lie to himself—he had kissed her back. It had killed him that he couldn't hold her.

And when she had told him that she loved him, he thought he was going to break. He didn't want to address those feelings right now. It brought back so much from the past. He didn't know if he could go back there. He wanted to but he didn't want to take the chance that he would be hurt—that she would leave him again.

That afternoon/early evening, Michelle decided to take a long hot shower before getting to work. She put on her computer and started a scan then hopped in the shower.

Next thing she knew a shot rang out, shattering her window. She ducked down and reached for her gun but not before she felt something hit her head and the world went black.