A/n: I decided to post these two chapters together simply because it gets the story flowing quicker. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy, and please do review, it really helps me to know what you guys want to see and constructive criticism is great and you guys are really great at giving it! Thank you! Enjoy!

Chapter 11 – The First Meeting

In Los Angeles…June 2005

After a few months, Michelle fully recovered from her injuries suffered at the hands of Brett. Sure she had a headache from time to time but that was nothing new. A month after her release from the hospital, she had told her parents that she was fine and that they could return home to Chicago.

Despite her parents protest, Michelle had insisted telling them that Carly and Jeffery missed their grandparents and that they should return home to Chicago. So determined were Susan and John to stay with Michelle that even when they got on the plane and were halfway back to Chicago, they called her using the airline phone and asked her if she wanted them to come back. Michelle laughed at their attempt and reassured them for the millionth time that everything was fine and that she was fine.

Michelle then started to plan her move to Seattle. Ever since she had gone to Seattle to restructure Homeland Security, she had fallen in love with the city. It was a relatively large city, but it didn't have the L.A. traffic (well, at least not as bad) and a new job as Division head of CTU Seattle had just opened up.

Upon hearing of the availability of this position, Michelle immediately applied. Within a few days CTU Seattle had called her back saying that they would love to have her join their team. She was by far the most qualified applicant and her references raved about how responsible and dependable she was.

Unbeknownst to most people, Michelle had not left California after leaving CTU. She had mainly transferred to CTU San Diego. There she worked as director of CTU, but with everything that had happened in the past few months, Michelle decided that a change in pace would probably be the healthiest thing for her. She needed to start her life again, and Seattle was the perfect place to do so.

In Los Angeles…May 2007

Jack was sitting in his living room watching the game as the Dodgers played the Yankees. His Dodgers were up by four and he was indeed very pleased. It was his first day off in a long time. However, if he did have a complaint it was the fact that he wasn't exactly able to sleep through the night. Not that he minded of course…especially when it meant him spending a blissful night with her.

She silently crept out of the bedroom after waking up and proceeded to try and tiptoe towards him. However, she was no match for him as he had already heard her approaching but for her sake he wanted to humor her and pretend he had no clue she was coming. When she reached him she placed her arms around his chest to which she sighed.

He playfully picked her up from behind the couch and swung her around until she was in his lap. He smirked at how cute she looked in his oversized Dodgers jersey and his boxers. He nuzzled his face against her soft skin and then proceeded to kiss her softly on the lips. She smiled at him in adoration and kissed him back.

Jack smiled to himself and thought about how lucky he had been to find her again. How lucky he had been that she had taken him back despite everything that had happened. And as he looked at her, she stared right back into his eyes, grateful for the fact that she was once again in the strong arms of Jack Bauer.

Jack remembered when he had told Kim he was back with her. She had been thrilled. Out of all of her father's girlfriends (as weird as that sounds its true) she had been Kim's favorite. She was attentive and caring, she was loving and funny, she was indeed the perfect woman for her father and Kim knew of this.

Soon she giggled and Jack asked her,

"And what, Miss. Warner are we laughing about?"

Kate looked at him and said simply,

"You. You looked so deep in thought for a moment. So deep in thought that you missed Derek Jeter hit that grand slam. And by the way, my Yankees are now ahead of your Dodgers 4-2."

Jack's eyes whipped towards the screen and he couldn't help as a "crap" escaped his throat as he saw none other than Derek Jeter round third base en route to his grand slam. Now if there was one thing Jack had to criticize about Kate, it had to be the fact that she was a Yankees fan. Honestly, who in their right mind would be a Yankee fan unless they were from New York?

One thing Jack loved about Kate was how she could be his everything. She could be playful and feminine when the situation called for it, but she wasn't high maintenance. Despite the fact that she had grown up quite wealthy, she didn't feel the need to buy outlandishly expensive clothing, instead, preferring to buy clothes that were comfortable. Jack also adored how she could sit down with him and watch a game and have a couple of beers. Many of the other girls he had dated demanded that a date meant that they had to go to some five class restaurant while dining with fine wine. Sure Kate liked those things, but she also liked it when they stayed home and simply enjoyed take-out and watched a movie.

However, in the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers rallied with a 3 run inning and much to Kate's dismay and to Jack's delight, pulled ahead of the Yankees 5-4. Jack cheered triumphantly as his team pulled off the come-from-behind victory which secured them a berth in the playoffs. By then, both of them had gotten quite hungry and decided to go out for lunch.

As Kate stepped out of the car in a flowing floral sundress, Jack couldn't help but be wowed by her beauty. She had delicate features that were all accentuated by the dress. She grabbed his hand playfully and led him towards the restaurant they were going to, a small bistro called Le Petit Zinc. They ordered and enjoyed their meal together as Jack wondered how on earth he had been lucky enough to meet someone as great as Kate.

Indeed, he knew that he would want her in his life for oh the next sixty? Seventy or so years? Yes ladies and gentlemen, marriage was on Jack Bauer's mind. He had already asked Bob Warner for Kate's hand in marriage and Bob had readily conceded, knowing that Jack was a good man and would be perfect for his beloved daughter. The only question was when should he ask her? Jack had debated this for many days and frankly, he still had no idea. The ring was with him at all times in case he decided that there was a perfect moment and that he should just get down on one knee and propose, but that perfect moment he so desperately wanted hadn't happened yet and he would have to wait at least a little bit longer.

After finishing off lunch, Jack and Kate made their way towards the mall. Kate needed to pick up a dress for the evening's festivities. Warner Enterprises was having an appreciation party for their employees and Kate and Jack were invited to partake in what was sure to be an evening of partying.

Kate insisted that Jack go off by himself while she shopped for her perfect dress. When he protested telling her he wanted to spend the afternoon with her, she had told him that he would just have to wait. She wanted to surprise him in her dress so he would just have to go off to the arcade or something. Jack laughed at the idea of him going and playing inside an arcade, instead opting to go to the sports memorabilia store they had at the end of the mall.

After making sure that she would be okay, Jack with a smile on his face said,

"Fine, I'll leave you. But hey you know if you finish early or something, you could you know drop by Victoria's Secret or something and I promise I'll love you forever?"

Kate laughed at him and pushed him away muttering playfully, "You wish Bauer." She then proceeded to go into her first store to try the dress she had been eyeing for months. One that was sure to make Jack's jaw drop when he saw her in it. Forget Victoria's Secret, this dress was enough to make any red-blooded male's jaw drop.

Later that evening…

Jack waited impatiently as Kate got ready. Jack had just never understood the whole thing with women and how they always needed so long to get ready. Frankly, all he did that afternoon was pick up a tux, run a comb through his hair, slap on the tux and he was on his way. Kate however, had been in the bathroom for the past 2 hours. She had showered, blow-dried her hair, painted her nails, applied her makeup, changed her hairstyle, changed it again and reapplied her makeup.

Finally, when all was done, she called down to Jack,

"I'm ready!"

Jack muttered to himself "finally" before walking towards the bottom of the steps to wait for her.

And what he saw next made him catch his breath. She looked absolutely breathtaking.

She was wearing a strapless red dress that hugged her curves just the right way and her hair was put up into a careful bun.

She looked down at Jack's gaping mouth and smiled to herself. I knew this was the right dress.

She walked down the stairs and asked,

"How do I look?"

Jack muttered something completely unintelligible before managing to get out a "stunning."

She smiled at his comment and straightened out his jacket while remarking,

"Well, Mr. Bauer, if I might say so myself, you're looking quite handsome yourself."

Jack beamed at her comment and puffed out his chest, and then he suddenly dipped her kissing her squarely on the lips and whispered huskily,

"You know I think it'd be best if we just skip this party. I mean how much can go on tonight?"

Kate playfully shoved him away and countered,

"Not a chance Bauer. We're going to this party and you know my father will come and beat you into a pulp if you're not there. Especially after I tell him what you had in mind instead of attending the party."

She gave him a sly look and then proceeded to say,

"But after this party's over, I'm totally up for coming back here and having a little fun ourselves…"

Kate then grabbed Jack's hand as he led her towards the car. Grinning as he led her down the steps, Jack thought to himself, this party can't end quickly enough…

In Richmond…July 2008

Tony woke up to the sun at approximately six in the morning. This had become a habit of his. The sun rose early and frankly Tony liked waking early in the morning. He'd go for a quick jog before heading off to work. After settling in, he had bought himself a dog as well, a German Shepherd named Big. Big had been the biggest puppy of the litter so the breeder Tony had bought him from coined him Big to which Big happily responded to.

Luckily, Big got along fine with Tugger and they only had the occasional squabble. Tony had settled into life quite well considering what he had left behind in L.A. Work was fine as well. His new colleagues were all impressed by the work he did in the field and he had managed to gain a lot of respect in these past couple of years. Tony was responsible for the prevention of many domestic terrorist attacks and indeed, he was to CTU Virginia what Jack was to CTU LA.

Indeed, both men were kindred souls. Although they hadn't got off to a very good start by the time they had left one another, they were more like brothers than anything. Sure neither agreed with the other on everything but they understood each other. A understanding and a respect that was deeper than just words.

Both men were tortured souls in some aspect or another. They were both forced to make difficult decisions and in their line of work difficult decisions came by the truck load. Both men had lost their first wives in some way or another. Jack for a long time blamed himself for Teri's death and couldn't move past the fact that he wasn't able to protect the one person he cared most about. Likewise with Tony. Immediately following Michelle's attack Tony had secluded himself from the world, afraid to fail someone just like he had failed Michelle.

Unknown to Tony, shortly before he left, Jack had placed a letter inside his bag. In the letter he wrote about how they had caught the guy that had hurt Michelle and that he was none other than Brett. Tony had half a mind to go back to L.A. and kick Brett's ass for what he did to Michelle but knew that it would do no good. Jack also told Tony that Brett pleaded no contest in his trial and was sentenced to twenty years in prison.

Tony had wanted to go back to L.A. but something in his gut told him that it was time to move on. What was the use of fighting for something that wasn't even there? He had wasted far too much time pitying himself over his loss and it was time for him to move on. And move on he did. Not in a romantic way though.

That was one of the things Nicole and Lisa and many of their single female friends never understood. Both women had set him up with many of their eligible friends who were more than thrilled to be going out with Tony. Tony was attentive and caring and he was respectful, but as soon as the relationship started to get serious, he shied away. He knew it wasn't fair to the woman he was dating to lead her on, but he also knew that he wasn't really ready for another serious relationship.

All of them ended the same way, as soon as the girl he dated asked the dreaded "Where are we in our relationship" question he broke it off. Citing personal issues and while Nicole and Lisa never told anyone the story of his mysterious ex-wife, they knew that she had something to do with it.

And for now, Big and Tugger were as much companionship as Tony needed.

In Los Angeles…August 2008

Jack grimaced as another floral dining pattern was presented before him,

"Red rose or dusty pink?"

To him they all looked to same. He pointed to the first one whatever color that was as the wedding planner nodded agreeing with his choice.

Where's Kate? She should be making these decisions. I should just be sitting around doing nothing. Actually, I should be sitting around watching the game. The Lakers were playing.

Jack and Kate were finally planning their wedding. After a relatively short engagement, they decided to get married. Jack however, couldn't care more about the floral patterns being shown to him. All he cared about was that he was going to marry Kate. Nothing else mattered.

Kate, however, was running around like an excited school girl. Thrilled that she would finally get to plan her own dream wedding. She watched Jack's expression as he pointed to yet another floral pattern that the wedding planner showed him. She giggled as she saw his confused and tired expression. She knew he hated this, but he was just so adorable picking out things for their wedding. Who would ever imagine the invincible Jack Bauer sitting around picking out wedding details?

However, after seeing Jack's exasperation at yet another piece of cloth being brought for him to chose, she entered the room. Upon seeing her, he sighed a huge sigh of relief and immediately went towards her saying,

"Thank God you're here. I have no idea what I just chose. It was some sort of pink crap or something like that. But it had a fancy name. And then that woman made me pick out something cream colored…"

He rambled on about how he knew nothing about what she wanted for the wedding and how he didn't want to pick out anything else and that whatever she wanted was fine with him so long as it didn't have him wearing a pink tux.

She laughed and pulled him close for a kiss to which he asked,

"What was that for?"

Kate lovingly replied,

"For making me the luckiest woman alive."

Jack beamed and kissed her again as Kate sighed in content.

Kate thought back on how Jack had proposed and couldn't help as her heart began to flutter just a bit. He had been so romantic that even she was shocked. Jack wasn't a person who was big on public displays of affection and that's what surprised her most.

They were at yet another dinner held by Warner Enterprises. This time, a late spring dinner. During dinner, Kate had noticed that Jack was a little quieter than normal, but she thought nothing of it. It wasn't unusual that Jack would be quiet around strangers…especially strangers she worked with. And when dinner ended, the appreciation awards started. All of a sudden Bob Warner had asked Jack to get up on the stage with him and Bob had said,

"This award goes out to a very special person in both of our lives. She's been an indispensable asset to Warner Enterprises throughout the years. And the fact that she is my daughter makes me even prouder to present her with this award. Jack, would you like to do the honors?"

Jack had accepted and he invited Kate to come onstage to accept her award. Kate was genuinely surprised as no one had told her she would be receiving an award of any sort. When she arrived to the platform people in the audience started yelling 'speech! Speech!' to which she unwittingly conceded.

Kate had no idea what to say. She thanked her father, the company, her co-workers, and most importantly, Jack. She said,

"Without you Jack, I wouldn't be where I am today. You bring meaning to my life and I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. I love you."

With that, she moved towards Jack who had been standing behind her and gave him a quick kiss of appreciation. When the kiss ended, Jack told her to look behind her to a screen as he had his own little surprise for her.

Kate turned around to a large TV screen that had the words on it: "Look behind you."

Kate turned around and what she saw next made her gasp.

Jack looked up at her from one knee and said,

"Kate, you see, the thing is, I love you. And I'm going to need you in my life for quite some time. Say, the next seventy or so years. And well, the only way to ensure that some strapping young man doesn't steal you away from me is to ask you to be my wife. So Katherine Elizabeth Warner, will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Tears started to flow as Kate heard Jack's heartfelt words and she over her tears, she gasped out,

"Yes! Yes! I would love to be your wife!"

Jack's face broke out in a huge smile as he heard those words escape her lips and immediately set about to put his ring on her finger. And as he got up, he kissed her passionately. Meanwhile, all of Warner Enterprises was cheering loudly for the newly engaged couple and upon getting off the stage, Bob was the first to congratulate them on their engagement.

And that had been the most perfect night of her life…

Well, she was sure that her wedding night would be even more perfect, but up until that moment, nothing else mattered. The only thing that mattered was that she was going to become Mrs. Jack Bauer, and nothing else could have made Kate happier.

As Jack left the room to check up on invitations, something he assured her he could totally handle, she went back to talking with their wedding planner, Emily. Kate had wanted a huge wedding, but instead of wanting it outdoors she wanted it in a Church. They had talked for days about when to have their wedding and both Jack and Kate decided that they would like a fall wedding. Preferably a wedding under the October moon. Kate had thought it was romantic, while Jack had simply said that he didn't mind October.

In the other room, Jack was doing a final check through of the invitations that were to be mailed. It was now mid August and their wedding was to be on October 12th, and Kate had insisted that it was common courtesy to mail out wedding invitations early so that people were going to be able to plan ahead. He looked through some of the invitations that were in his pile. Kim and Chase and their kids obviously were to be invited. His parents. His brothers and their families. Chloe O'Brien and her boyfriend. Edgar Stiles and his wife. Michelle Dessler, other CTU co-workers that he had gotten close to in the passing years. And one of the last names on his list, Tony Almeida.

He had kept in touch with Tony throughout the years and he had hoped that Tony would be able to make the trip all the way from Virginia. Tony had told him that he loved his new life in Virginia and that everything was going smoothly, even work. But Jack knew how hard it was to get even a day off much less a couple of days off from a job like CTU. They were in constant need of personnel and just because it was someone's wedding didn't mean that they could all just drop their work and let the terrorists do their thing.

He looked over his list once more, and upon confirming that everyone that was supposed to be on it was, he proceeded to stuff the envelopes. He took one look at Michelle's envelope and remembered that he hadn't actually told her about his engagement yet.

In fact, they hadn't really kept in contact after she had left for Seattle. The occasional Christmas card was sent, but other than that, their contact was limited. He wondered how she was doing. He wondered how she was holding up. And instead of mailing Michelle's invitation out to her, he decided to give it to her personally.

Jack was scheduled to go to Seattle next week with Kate to meet with her grandparents and he figured he could spare some time and personally tell Michelle that he was getting married. After all, she had been a very good friend of his and had stuck by him regardless of the situation. He owed it to her to tell her personally. So while all of his other invitations were mailed out that day, he kept Michelle's with him. Hoping that he would be able to track her down and tell her the good news himself.

One week later…

After meeting with Kate's grandparents, Kate and a couple of her friends went off to the malls to do some shopping while Jack went searching for Michelle's house.

It hadn't been hard to get her personal information, after all, a Code 7 security level entrance didn't keep much secret from Jack Bauer. He had managed to locate the area in which she lived in but he had a little bit more problem locating the exact house. It was a quiet suburban area, a nice area Jack decided.

After much searching, he finally located her house 7839 Willowbrook Crescent. He went to the door a little anxious at her reaction at seeing him for the first time in almost three years and knocked on the door. And when the door opened, he opened it to the very surprised face of Susan Dessler.

"Jack! Jack, my heavens! What are you doing here?"

Jack smiled as he looked down at the friendly woman and gave her a quick hug before saying,

"Well, I was in the area and I just thought I'd drop by, I've got an announcement to make…I'm engaged."

Upon hearing that he was engaged, Susan had wrapped him in a huge hug and said jokingly,

"Well then, Mr. Tough Guy finally found himself a lady friend! Who is she and when can I meet her?"

Jack laughed at her reaction and said,

"You'll get to meet my soon to be wife very soon Susan. I've come to invite you all to my wedding in October."

Susan clapped her hands excitedly and said,

"Michelle will be thrilled to know you're engaged! Oh, just imagine, Jack Bauer engaged! I'm so happy for you!"

Jack smiled at her excitement and then politely asked,

"Is Michelle home? I was hoping I'd get to tell her myself instead of simply mailing along an invitation. That way it'll also be harder for her to say no to the wedding invite."

Susan looked at Jack and said,

"Michelle's in the backyard. I'll take you there. She's probably reading. Oh, she'll just be so excited for you!"

Upon being led to the back yard, Jack thanked Susan for her hospitality and set about going outdoors before Susan pulled him back with a word,

"Jack. I think it might be best if you don't mention his name. I've tried to talk to her about but every time I so much as bring up his name she simply gets agitated and leaves."

Jack nodded understandingly, knowing exactly who Susan was talking of.

As Jack approached the backyard, he noticed how spacious it was. Indeed, it seemed to almost have a little forest of its own in the background. But as he approached the swinging chairs, he saw Michelle sprawled out clearly engrossed in a book.

He approached her quietly, wishing to surprise her at the very last moment and upon seeing the title of the book he asked her quietly,

"Is that any good?"

Michelle was surprised at hearing a strange but familiar voice and when her head shot up, she was even more surprised that it was none other than Jack. She ran towards him and cried,

"Jack! What are you doing here! I haven't seen you in ages! How have you been? Oh my gosh, I don't even know what to say! How have you been?"

Jack smiled at how excited she was and told her that he had something to tell her saying,

"I've got something to tell you Michelle."

Michelle eagerly awaited him telling her and said impatiently,

"Jack Bauer you know I'm not a very patient woman. So, out with it! What is it that made you come all the way up to Seattle to tell me?"

Jack looked almost shy for a moment before saying,

"I'm engaged."

Michelle let out a girly shriek of surprise and happiness as she wrapped her arms around Jack saying,

"Congratulations! Who is she? When do I get to meet her?"

Jack laughed and said,

"You know. That's exactly what your mother said when I told her. I guess like mother like daughter huh?"

Michelle giggled and asked again,

"So…who! Tell!"

Jack said,

"Kate Warner. We got back together a couple years back and I've realized that she's the one I'm meant to be with forever. And I just popped the question and thankfully she said yes."

Michelle hung on to Jack's every word, happy for her friend. Jack had gone through so much and he had risked so much for his country, it seemed only fair that he was happy now.

Just at that very moment a little boy approached Michelle and said,

"Can I go use the computer? I promise we won't play any of those shooting games like we did last time. Honest!"

Michelle smiled at him and said,

"Lucas, do you promise me you won't play any of those violent games you were given?"

The little boy Lucas nodded his head up and down in earnest as he waited for Michelle's answer.

Jack was slightly surprised at the sight of the little boy, but Michelle seemed to be completely unphased. Jack assumed that this young boy was probably another one of Danny's kids, but he felt it strange that he hadn't seen Danny or any sign of Danny in the house. But nonetheless, he looked at the young boy with great curiosity.

Michelle then took the little boy by the hand and said,

"Lucas, I would like you to meet a very good friend of mine. This is Jack Bauer, he used to work with me in Los Angeles."

Lucas' eyes were immediately drawn to Jack and his eyes widened at the sight of Jack. Lucas looked up at and not knowing what to do he simply smiled at this strange man in front of him. Jack couldn't help but smile back at the little boy who was now sitting on Michelle's lap.

And after a moment of silence between the three, Michelle finally spoke up again, saying to Jack,

"Jack, I'd like you to meet my son, Lucas."