Decisions: chp. seven

Life hadn't improved much for Michelle since the call. For a while she had been angry at Tony, resisting the temptation to tear her hotel room apart in agony. But as she shouted and cursed and ripped random pieces of paper, her real feelings dawned on her. No matter how little she wanted to admit it, she still loved Tony. She always would. There would be no one else. The time they had spent together was easily the best year and a half of her life.

How could anyone replace him? I will never love again. Simple as that. I'll have to deal.

Michelle felt as if a piece of her was missing. She clutched her hand to her chest over the place where she knew there was a gaping hole in her heart.

She tried to accept the fact that these feelings would never completely go away. But what about Tony? Had he already moved on?

He has, a voice in her head assured. You heard the woman in the background, don't kid yourself.

But what if it was just a one time thing? A mistake. That had to be it. He couldn't have just forgotten about her in a matter of weeks, that wasn't the Tony she knew. He had told her he loved her many times; told her she was beautiful. He had meant it. Michelle felt sure of this. Still, she couldn't ignore the doubt that now shook all of her wonderful memories with him. Had they been lies?

Was it possible that she was really that blind?

No. I know there was something there! Don't be stupid! Something changed. He wouldn't have married me otherwise.

She felt the hole in her heart widen a little at the thought that he had never told her what happened during his time in jail. He thought that she wouldn't understand.

Michelle recalled their numerous arguments that consistently ended with Tony slamming the door with a cold remark, leaving her in tears.

This fierce debate continued in her mind. Had he forgotten her?

He loves me, he loves me not. He regrets me, he regrets me not.

This would never be solved if she didn't do something about it. Her life was in her control. She could let the rest of her days waste away along with the memory of her husband, or she could find the truth and try to move on.

BUT HOW?

"Please, just give me a sign!" her booming, desperate voice sounded through her room, "A sign is all I need! Does he still love me or want me at all?"

Right at that exact moment Tony Almeida himself burst through her hotel room door that she had left open a small crack.

For a minute they just stood there, mouths open, staring at each other- Both shocked for different reasons. Then everything went dark.

"Michelle… Michelle? Wake up, you fainted," a soft, comforting voice rang through her ears, and her eyes opened lazily.

"Tony…?"

"Yes, I'm here, it's me. I'm sorry, 'Chelle. I'm so, so sorry."

Everything that had happened flowed back through her mind. She noticed she was on the bed, with her husband and only love in the world sitting right beside her.

"How did you know I was here?"

"Oh, I was looking for my room, and I heard your voice. I'd recognize it anywhere," he consoled, warmly.

"Why did you do this, Tony, why?"

"She was nothing. I… had a little too much alcohol," he looked ashamed, "and I woke up next to this woman I didn't know. I didn't even remember her name."

"Why couldn't you have just told me what happened… you know, during your time away?"

"You wouldn't understand. Stuff happened in there that changed me. Changed everything."

"I can try. Help me understand. We are supposed to tell each other everything."

"I… can't. I'm sorry."

"If you love me, you'll do this for me."

A long, heavy silence hung in the air between them.

"If you can't trust me, then… this isn't going to work," she said, softly but truthfully.

"I know, I know."

"Well…"

"I can't."

She had known that this would be his answer, but it ripped her heart in half to hear it voiced.

"I just… I don't know if I can live without you."

"We're going to have to try. It's for the best."

"The best."

Their eyes connected for an endless, intense moment. Then he abruptly broke away.

"Goodbye, 'Chelle."

"Bye."

She watched him leave as if in slow motion. And as the door closed behind Tony, her only love, Michelle couldn't help but wonder if it really was for the best.

(A/N: Well, that was the last one. Hope you all enjoyed it. I'm really sorry it took me so long to get this up, I got a little bit distracted with another fic. Heh. And I guess I kind of lost interest after what happened to these characters…Well, you know if you are watching the current season of 24. Which sucks, by the way. Anyhow, thanks so much for reading this! Please check out my other fanfic, if you like Harry Potter.)