It had been one month since the bomb at CTU and the attempt on David Palmer's life, and still Tony had not yet asked Michelle out on a date. A lot had happened since then, and he really didn't have time for petty little things like dates. The circumstances at CTU kept everyone in till at least midnight, so no one really had time for a social life. Tony was certain Michelle would understand completely seeing as she was at CTU earlier and later than everyone else.

Tony was at a bar with Jack and his new partner Chase, chugging beer and asking stupid questions to one another. They were all, most definitely drunk.

"Kim," Tony stated.

"Oh, I'd do her!" Chase laughed, finishing off his beer.

"You'd better not mean my Kim! You little sonofabitch!" Jack yelled, chasing Chase around the bar, until the male bartender stopped them.

"No runnin' in here, gents." He said.

Jack pulled out his shotgun. "What was that?" He demanded, pointing the shotgun at the bartender's face.

"Look, sir, I'm just tryin' to run a bar, 'kay?"

"Yeah, whatever," Jack mumbled, sitting back down next to Tony.

"I didn't mean it, Jack," Chase said.

"Good," Jack replied, forcing something that might have been a smile. "Michelle."

"I'd do her…" Tony said. "In a heartbeat,"

"Oooh! Tony likes Michelle! Tony likes Michelle!" Chase taunted, dancing around.

"'Course he doesn't like Michelle! He can't anyway, not after what happened with Nina," Jack said, slapping Chase on the side of his newly-shaven head.

Tony looked down. He really did like Michelle; he just never got around to telling Jack. He wasn't really the type to go pour out his feelings, especially to Jack. Tony had never told Jack about the kiss, or the date he'd promised her, and didn't plan on it.

"Tony?"

"What? Uh, yeah…'course I don't like Michelle. Nina was…a bitch…she really wrecked me emotionally…" Tony took a swig of his beer and stood up.

"I'd better go," he said, shaking the hands of Jack and Chase.

Tony walked over to the door and pushed it open. The date. Maybe he should ask Michelle out on that date sometime soon…

It was another sleepless Friday night for Michelle. Is it Tony? She wondered. He had promised her that date one month ago for goodness sake! She knew she didn't have a hope in hell with Tony, since the only reason that they'd get together is because they stopped the nuke, and not because he truly wanted a date with her. She knew that he'd probably be searching for some perfect blond to share his life with, and not some super-smart techy who's hair is knotted and curly.

Michelle sat up. A run, that's what she needed. She needed to go for a run. She never normally ran at night, in the dark, when creepy drunks and drug dealers roamed the streets, but the thought hit her like a ton of bricks. She grabbed her sweatpants and running shoes and headed out the door.

It was pretty quiet for a Friday night and no one seemed to be outside. Michelle kept running until she reached a bar. She really didn't want to get drunk, but it might ease her a little. She stepped inside and saw Jack and Chase sitting at a table near the window.

"Michelle!" Jack called as soon as he saw her enter the bar.

"Hey Jack, hey Chase," she said, "mind if I sit down?"

"No way. We were just talking about you," Chase replied, smiling.

"Talking about me?"

"Yeah, Tony was just here and he said he'd do you in a heartbeat."

Michelle blushed. She smelt the alcohol on his breath and laughed. She had never seen Chase or Jack drunk before, quite possibly because she just met both of them at least a month back.

"Well, can I get you anything?" Jack asked.

"Uh…how 'bout a beer?"

"Sure."

Jack got up and walked over to the male bartender. "Get me a beer,"

"Sir this will be your tenth," the bartender replied.

"I know, but it's not for me, it's for my lovely lady friend over there," Jack pointed to Michelle.

"She yours?"

"No. She's nobody's. Are you trying to make something out of this? That she's not mine? 'Cause mine's at her father's country club," Jack demanded, reaching for his shotgun.

"One beer coming up,"

Michelle and Chase were waiting patiently at the table.

"So…Tony said he'd do me?" That was probably the third time she'd asked Chase the question, but she had to know.

"Yup," Chase replied, swigging his beer.

"But he was drunk?"

"I dunno, guess so,"

Michelle nodded as she was handed a beer. "Thanks Jack,"

"Yup." Jack answered, grabbing Chase's arm. "I'm outta here, Kim's out with this new boyfriend and I promised I'd meet him at two in the morning."

Chase turned red, probably with jealousy. "I'd probably go too,"

Michelle suddenly felt scared. "And leave me here all alone?"

"Sorry Michelle," Jack replied as he lunged for Michelle's cheek and kissed her. Chase did the same.

Michelle pursed her lips and finally smiled, "Okay, bye."

The two men left and Michelle leaned back in her chair. Her beer tasted plain as she chugged the rest of it down and got up. She felt her stomach grumble and she walked over to the bar.

"Can I have a bag of chips?"

"Yeah sure. What kind?"

"Uh, plain, please."

"Never say please in Barry's Bar," the bartender warned, "Barry hates the word."

"Okay…"

The door swung open and Michelle felt a cold breeze on her bare arms. She turned and saw Tony enter the bar.