This probably rated "pg-13" Some bad language – nothing to full-on though. ENJOY!!

Only a week had passed since CTU had been bombed but to everyone in the office it felt a lot longer than that. Everyone had been putting in hours of over time each day without even being asked, just to help get the office back on track. Michelle hadn't had a day off now in over 14 days. The day CTU was bombed was suppose to be her last before 3 days off, but she wouldn't dream of not showing up to work this last week. She was so exhausted she could barely even think straight, but she figured she was better off that way anyway – she wasn't interested in having to deal with last weeks events yet. Maybe that was why she was so happy to spend all her time at work at the moment, it saved going home to her empty apartment to be alone with her thoughts.

She looked up to Tony's office, it looked like he was on a pretty important call, he was rubbing the side of his face which he always did when he was stressed or nervous. As much as she wanted to be distracted from her thoughts by work at the moment, Tony was a very good reason for her to be avoiding work. Nothing had happened since that day. I mean it had completely gone back to the way things were before. The sexual tension between them was unbelievable. Every time they talked their bodies were just inches from each other, lingered looks continued after every conversation no matter how dull the topic, they constantly caught each other out for staring at each other, and he still made excuses to ask her to help him with things she knew he could easily take care of himself. Michelle didn't know if Tony hadn't made a move because of everything else that had been going on, which would be a fair enough excuse or if it was because he simply didn't want to. If he didn't want anything then she would be pretty hurt by him, the last thing she expected from Tony was to be led on. The truth be told though, she really didn't know what she could expect with Tony, in some ways she felt so close to him but on the other hand she just couldn't tell what was going through his mind at the moment. She did know that they were probably the most important person in each others lives. With the hours they worked and spent together they had really formed a special bond. She trusted Tony with her life and there wasn't many people she could say that about. The more she thought about it all, the more she almost felt herself feeling angry with Tony, how could he just not say anything to her about last week. Why would he tell her he wasn't sorry that they kissed but then carry on as if it hadn't happened? Didn't he care how much this was affecting her??

Tony was so over this conversation, just when he didn't think Hammond couldn't be anymore of an insensitive jerk he managed to sink even lower. He wanted CTU to complete a F9 task form and he wanted it by the end of the week. The problem was, the only people left in the office capable of that task was himself and Michelle. It was usually his job but now that he had taken over for Mason as director of CTU he didn't have time to do it – nor could he do it half as good as her. Michelle hadn't been offered Tony's old job yet, even though she had completely been doing it plus her own work. It would be totally unfair to expect her to do this now, it was wrong to even be think about asking her. Tony also knew she hadn't had 1 day off in over 2 weeks and if she took on this task it would mean at least another 4 days in a row.

"Brad, it's just not realistic to think this can get done by Friday. Michelle is the only one who can do it and she still hasn't had a day off!"

"Tony, that's not my problem, she can take an extra couple days when she gets it done."

"She deserves a break now Brad, she has been to hell and back and honestly I am worried about her, you have to cut her some slack."

"Everyone is doing it tough at the moment Tony, I can't give any special treatment to Michelle just because you have the hots for her."

"That's got nothing to do with anything. It's not even her damn job Brad, maybe if you would offer her the title of the work she has been doing all week anyway then it would be a little easier to ask!! You are expecting all of this from her and you haven't even offered her the job, never mind a pay rise."

"The job will be Michelle's Tony, you know that, we just don't have the time or resources to deal with these minor details right now. We will sort everything out with Michelle as soon as we have CTU fully functional again – and part of that is getting the F9 to me by Friday. I don't have time to argue with you anymore, it's an order – make sure it is done."

Tony slammed the phone down. 'What a prick' he thought to himself. He glanced down at Michelle and watched her as she explained entries and codes to the new guy Mark. She looked so tired. He felt so angry with Hammond for putting him in this position, it wasn't like he needed to give Michelle another reason to be pissed at him this week. He had been such a bastard to her since that day with the bomb. He had just completely freaked out for so many different reasons – but not one of them justified the way he was acting. He wanted Michelle, more than he had ever wanted anything in his life, he just wanted it to be right. He had this underlying fear that she had only let things happen that day because she was scared, not because she really did like him. He had nearly gotten her in so much trouble that day and he really had put her through hell that if she did still like him and would give him the chance to take her out – then he wanted it to be perfect. A real date, not something lame like grabbing a pizza at 10:30 at night because they had just finished work late again. Most importantly, he didn't want some fling with Michelle, he wanted a committed relationship. He already had such strong feelings for her and he knew if they took things any further he would fall very deeply, very fast for her and he couldn't bear to get hurt like that if she didn't want the same. Michelle was the girl he saw himself really having a future with but it scared the hell out of him that she wouldn't feel the same way. Would she give him the chance to show her how good they could be together? Then, of course there was Nina, surely he had learnt a big enough lesson from that to never have a work relationship again. Michelle wasn't like that though and he knew that deep in his heart. Nina had made it very hard for him to open up to anyone, he was scared if he let Michelle in and exposed himself again – what if she left him? 'Far out, I am one messed up person!' he almost had a laugh at himself. Michelle was done with Mark now so he picked up the phone...

"Dessler"

"Hey Michelle, it's me. How you holding up?"

"Fine thanks Tony, and you?"

"I'm alright. Do you have a minute? Can I see you? Can you come up to my office?"

"Sure, I'll be right up."

Michelle's stomach did a flip. Maybe he was actually ready to talk about them. He sounded friendly and caring on the phone - that had to be a good sign. Maybe they would go see that movie and have dinner after-all. She felt herself get a little excited as she climbed the stairs to his office and a small smile spread across her face.

"Take a seat Michelle. Are you sure you are doing ok?"

"Thanks, yes I am fine Tony. Tired, but so is everyone – besides I have the next 2 days rostered off."

"Umm yeah, that's kinda what I wanted to talk to you about. I'm going to need your help on the F9 report, Hammond wants it by the end of the week."

"By the end of the week? How does he expect it to get done that quick? He knows how big they are!"

"He is pulling rank. The thing is Michelle, my hands are kind of tied right now with taking over from Mason and all....I'm afraid I going to have to depend on you for this one."

"Me? I've never done one before though. It's not my job Tony, I don't even have access to all that information. What about Sarah or Tom? Surely they are more in a position to handle this?"

"Not really Michelle, you are the one that has taken over for me this last week. Plus you are the one I trust to get this done properly. I can give you security clearance 2 for the week."

"But not security clearance 1....because they only want me to take your position till they find someone better.....that about right?"

"I know it seems like you are being shafted right now Michelle, I promise you though everyone totally sees how much extra work you have done around here. Things have only run smoothly because of you. I just need you to do this for me.....please Michelle?"

"Have I ever said no to you Tony?........Are we done here? I had a couple appointments booked for tomorrow that I guess I'd better go and change."

"I'm sorry Michelle, I know you deserve time off. I'd been waiting till we both had some time off so that I could ask you....

Tony stopped and thought to himself, 'She won't say yes – especially not now after you just dumped this on her, don't bother'. He didn't know what to say, so he just stood there silent, not finishing the end of his sentence.

"Ask me what Tony?"

"Nothing, never mind. I'll let you make those calls."

Tony felt sick, that couldn't have gone any worse. He thought about going after her, but to say what? He had dug himself into such a deep hole. Why was it so hard for him to just be honest with her? He cared for her so much, yet from the way he was acting she must think he regretted last week and didn't care for her at all.

I hope you like it so far - I'll tey get the next chapter up soon.