A/N: So sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've been on vacation.

This next chapter might be a little weak so go easy on me…

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When Tony and Michelle arrived back at CTU, they went their separate ways: Michelle to medical, and Tony to his office. They didn't talk or cross paths for the rest of the day, and Tony couldn't stand it. Finally, he headed up to medical to check on Michelle. When he knocked on the door, Michelle motioned for him to come in.

"Michelle I'm sorry for what happened…"

But Michelle didn't let him finish. "It wasn't you fault, but look, after today, I don't think I'll be able to see you again. It would remind me too much of today or this," Michelle pointed to a tightly wrapped bandage from where the hostiles grabbed her.

Tony knelt by her side and kissed the bandage sweetly. "Please, Michelle, this one day can't dictate the future we might have together!"

Michelle weakly pulled her arm away. "You're scaring me, Tony. This day scared me and if I don't want to see you, I don't want to see you. Please, just…go,"

"But what about…?"

"Tony, I've had time to think about it and if you ask me, I think I'm being rational."

She was holding back tears and was struggling with her words. Tony blinked rapidly, obviously blinking back the tears, and got up and left.

"Okay,"

One month later…

Michelle sat on her couch after another very stressful Friday at CTU. There was a story about CTU on the news, so she turned it on. She sighed heavily when the newswoman, Brenda something, interviewed Tony. Her phone rang and she answered it.

"Dessler,"

"Hey beautiful,"

"Hey Rob,"

Rob was Michelle's new beau. He worked for Homeland Security and Michelle found him to be perfect. She felt good around him and he was a good kisser.

"Bad day?" Rob asked.

"Yeah, you?"

"Yeah,"

They often had short conversations on the phone and Michelle thought it to be kind of sweet that he didn't gush about himself or his days.

"Hey, you wanna get together?" Rob asked.

"Yeah sure,"

"Okay, so, meet me at–I mean, I'll pick you up and I'll take you to this new fancy restaurant."

"Sounds great,"

"Love you,"

"Love you too,"

Michelle had told herself many times that she loved Rob, but sometimes didn't believe it. She sometimes found herself loving Tony, although she cringed at his name.

She quickly ran into the bathroom for a shower and then into her room to get changed. She put on a nice dark blue faux-Valentino knee-height strapless. It looked great on her, and Rob would probably agree. A quick moisturizer and blush, lip-gloss and mascara was all she needed for makeup. About fifteen minutes later, Rob came by to pick her up.

"You look…amazing!" Rob said, staring at her beautiful body.

"Thanks, you too,"

Rob didn't really look good, just a regular suit with the dark blue silk tie Michelle had bought him soon after she had bought her dress.

"The tie…how'd you know?"

"I had a feeling," Rob smiled and held out his arm, which she took with pleasure.

The drive to this new restaurant was pretty quiet and pleasant. The waiter seated them and gave them a menu.

A few tables later, Jack and Kate were seated.

"Hey, who's that with Michelle?" Kate asked.

"Oh, that's Rob Smith, a guy from Homeland. Michelle's boyfriend,"

"Does Tony know?"

"Yeah, I think so. But he's pretty pissed, 'cause I think he still loves Michelle."

"Still? They were dating?"

"No, but I think he's grown to love her. They did go on one date, but Michelle ended up getting kidnapped by this terrorist Nina Myers."

"Poor her,"

Kate sipped her wine and Jack admired her as they shot glances at each other and at Rob and Michelle.

Tony popped open a beer. Another night since the day Michelle said she didn't want to see him. Damn, he thought, she's probably with RobRob. He was probably going to turn out to be a jerk, and cheat on Michelle or something. Rob. He blamed himself for what happened with Michelle, although he knew it wasn't his fault. But it was his fault that he took her to that restaurant at that time. If he had waited another day, it could've been him on that date with her.

Tony was watching the news. It was still that Brenda something standing in front of the CTU bullpen.

"Thanks to the strong leadership of Tony Almeida, America is safe…" she was saying.

Brenda was an attractive blond woman, tall and curvy, altogether nothing like Michelle, except for the attractive part. She had given him her card and insisted he 'call her'. He picked up the phone and dialed her line.

"Brenda Morris,"

"Brenda? Hey, it's Tony Almeida from CTU,"

"Oh my gosh! Hi!"

"Hi. How's it going?"

"Uh, good."

"Good, me too. Hey, look, you wanna go see a movie with me in, like, fifteen minutes?"

"Sure!" Brenda replied enthusiastically.

"Okay, I'll meet you at the Cineplex in fifteen minutes,"

"Yeah, see you,"

On his way to the Cineplex, Tony bought a pretty pink rose to give to Brenda. She was already waiting in line when he got there, wearing light, well fitting jeans and a pink long sleeve tee. Gucci sunglasses covered her eyes and a Channel purse was slung around her arm.

"Hey," Tony said, handing her the rose.

"Hey. These are beautiful!"

"Thanks. So, uh, what movie do you want to see?"

"There's this great horror that just came out, The Slash, do you wanna see that?"

"Okay,"

Tony paid for the tickets and popcorn and the usher seated them. Halfway through the movie, the first semi-scary part happened, and Brenda clung on to Tony like a lost puppy. He didn't react at first, but soon realized that he was supposed to comfort her, so he brought her closer to him. When the movie ended, Brenda pulled Tony in closely for a quick peck on the lips. Tony smiled a sort of fake smile and stood up. She was a good kisser, but no Michelle.