Well I made it, this is the final chapter! Thank you to everyone who stuck it out with me, this was my first piece of fanfic and I really appreciate all your lovely reviews.
Usual stuff applies, I own nothing but what I wouldnt give to own Carlos!
The kiss was hungry and desperate. She couldn't form thoughts, didn't try, she just lost herself in the moment. When it finally broke she leaned into his chest and felt his arms around her.
"I'm sorry," she whispered again, "I'm so, so sorry."
He took a step back and for a moment Michelle was convinced he was going to walk away. She didn't know what she would do if that happened. Instead he tilted her face up towards his own and looked her in the eye.
"Sweetheart, it's not your fault." He kissed her forehead, and action which brought more comfort than he could ever know. "I did what I did. And I'd do it again tomorrow if I had to. I never blamed you. Not for a second. You are the only thing that kept me going."
"Then why? Why did you drink? You ignored me, I thought..." she paused, unsure if she should say it. But she had to know. "I thought you hated me."
She watched a wave of pain cross Tony's face.
"No," he said certainly "Never. Not even for a second. I couldn't if I tried!"
He took her face in his hands and gently pushed back a strand of hair.
"But then…" she began to say but was interrupted by him.
"What use was I to you? I'm a traitor, I couldn't get a job, I gave everything to my country and I'm treated like a criminal." His eyes had wondered off into the distance but he must have realised it because he brought them back to her. "I just didn't know how to handle it."
"And now?" she asked hopefully.
He gave her a small lopsided smile. "I'm learning." She smiled at that.
"Tony," he had been honest with her, now it was her turn. "I miss you."
"Me too sweetheart." He pulled into a hug.
"And I really miss your cooking." She said stroking his chest. He laughed and pulled her into another kiss. This one was slow and tender.
"So," she ventured, breaking away from him albeit reluctantly, "does this mean we're… together again?"
He gave her his trademark smile and bit his lip.
"Ya think!"
She was grinning so hard that she was sure her cheeks would burst but she couldn't stop. It seemed to be infectious because Tony was beaming back at her. Suddenly a thought crossed her mind and she started laughing.
Tony looked at her curiously, "What?" he asked.
"It's just…" she smiled up at him, "I'm really glad that we're not in some dark corridor of CTU right now." It seemed that every major landmark in their relationship had taken place in the middle of some national crisis.
"Yeah, let's try and steer clear of the impending doom."
"Deal." She grinned at him.
"Hey," he said rubbing her arms up and down, "You're shivering. Are you cold?"
"No," she looked up at him, "It's you."
He looked at her curiously before taking her hand and leading her towards the house.
"It's always you." She thought and followed him inside.
finis!