"Dessler." she answered quietly.

"Hey. Look, don't say anything, and don't turn around." he began, staring down at her. "I know that you understand that I did what I did because we needed the information. I know that you understand that we wouldn't have been able to break her. But I also know that you don't understand how terrible I felt about it, and how the last thing in the world I wanted to do was… mess around, for lack of a better term, with the woman whom I thought I loved."

"Tony…" she interrupted.

"Wait. Let me finish." he stopped her. "I know that you've been hurt, Michelle. You've been hurt terribly, and I just hurt you again. But that hurt me too. I had to touch the woman who hurt me the most. And I had to have the woman I love sitting in the next room watching. I understand that you're upset, but I need you to understand that I'm upset too."

"Tony…" she broke in again. "I just wanted to say, that I'm sorry I was heartless. And I understand. It's just fresh in my mind. I understand that she hurt you, and we can talk about it if you want to later. I know I seemed like I didn't understand and that I was upset. It must have seemed like I didn't care. But I…I love you." she whispered, so as not to be heard.

"I love you. Thanks for listening. Listen, um… we might not stay a secret for long." he admitted.

"Why not?" she asked.

"Carrie heard us, my phone, when it was off the hook, she was listening." he confessed.

"Oh my God. She did see us yesterday, but…"

"Look, don't worry. I'll take care of it. Just, don't provoke her. I'm going to talk to Chappelle tomorrow, but until then, try to stay out of her way." he requested.

"Yes, sir." she mocked at him serious tone. Tony chuckled and hung up; still staring down at the woman he had been speaking to. Just then, Carrie walked up to Michelle's station.

"How's Tony?" Carrie asked Michelle smugly. Michelle rubbed her forehead and spun around in her chair.

"I don't know. Why don't you ask him?" she answered disdainfully.

"I know about you and Tony, and I think you should be careful." she suggested.

"Are you threatening me?" Michelle retorted.

Tony had been watching and had begun to descend the stairs. He approached the women and stopped when he reached the desk.

"What's happening here?" he asked, glaring angrily at Carrie.

"We all know what a big secret the two of you are keeping from the rest of the office. I saw you kissing yesterday and I heard you in the office this morning. You really should be more careful." she warned.

"I'll keep that in mind." Tony replied sarcastically. "Get back to work Carrie. Whatever's going on between Michelle and I or either of us and anyone in this office is none of your damn business. Now stop harassing Michelle, or I'll fire you myself."

"Wow Michelle, you need your boyfriend to stick up for you?" she asked, still staring at Tony.

"No. Her "boyfriend" isn't doing anything. I'm her boss, and yours, and you're interfering with her work. Now you can do your job and leave her alone, or you can resign." he threatened. She smirked and turned back to her station.

"Thanks." Michelle stated discretely. They watched Carrie march back to her station and sit in her chair. "She'll go straight to Vaughn if it means I'll lose my job."

"You won't lose your job. I've already got you buried in a ton of work, there's no way that they're gonna fire you. There'd be no one to replace you, and then where would we be?" he joked.

"Oh, thanks." she retorted. "Good to know I'm irreplaceable."

Tony smiled. "You know you are." he whispered. "Two hours to go. Think you can make it?"

"I suppose."

An hour and a half later and Michelle had been completely unable to focus on what she was doing. She had gotten a big chunk of her work done, but she really hadn't been paying attention. Her phone ringing was a welcome distraction.

"Michelle Dessler," she answered.

"Miss Dessler, this is Avon calling." a voice replied. She stifled a laugh and smiled.

"Hey you."

"Hey yourself. Any big plans tonight?" he asked. She turned around subtly in her seat to see him spinning fifty degrees to the left and right in his own chair. His eyes were focused on her.

"Hmmm, I WAS gonna find a really hot guy and go out for a wild one night stand, but…" she raised her eyebrows and smirked. "What'd you have in mind?"

"How about that date we talked about?" he suggested.

"Mmmm, I'd settle for a bubble bath and a snuggle. I'm exhausted. We really haven't caught up on sleep yet." she persuaded.

"That I can do. I've got a big tub." Michelle blushed and nodded. "Are you hungry?"

"Uh huh. I'll pick up some food on the way over. I want to throw some clothes into a bag -- just incase." she explained.

"Incase, huh?" he teased. She smiled again.

"I'll be there around seven. Is that okay?" she inquired.

"Perfect."