a sip of coffee

Tony stared in awe as the door swung open. Just knowing who was on the other side sent a shiver down his spine. Time slowed. Every second extended into a minute. As Michelle appeared from behind the door, he couldn't quite believe it. He was immediately enveloped in her eyes: huge and brown and, when you looked in them, it felt as if you were staring straight into her soul. For a moment, they simply looked at each other- not saying a word. Everything in Tony's life, problems, stresses, just seemed to dissolve in thin air. The only thing that mattered at this moment in time was her.

Tony blinked and suddenly remembered where he was. He then realized they had been staring at each other for a whole minute. He felt completely exposed and humiliated. What could I say that wouldn't sound stupid…?

Michelle had become engrossed in those deep, dark eyes. She had a strong, pulsating desire to know everything about this man. She needed to know about his life, his troubles, his childhood…

Racing back to reality, she attempted to break the silence with a witty comment, or a sexy invitation inside. How about "Wanna come in?" No, too vulgar. Nothing good came. Her body and throat became temporarily paralyzed.

Everything she had planned to say beforehand flew out the back of her mind, leaving her dumbstruck, staring at Tony who was looking incredibly awkward on her doorstep.

Before she could restrain herself, she began to giggle. Soon it evolved into a laugh. Michelle had just realized how ridiculous they must both have looked. Michelle couldn't stop herself. All she could do was continue to hysterically laugh in front of the dumbfounded, utterly confused Tony.

Tony gazed at her with shock. He had prepared himself to see Michelle break down in hysterical tears, or even collapse. Never did he imagine he would be standing on her doorstep watching her laugh.

But watching the smile on her face begin to broaden, and happy tears run down her cheeks, he couldn't help himself either. Just think of the situation you're in! For the first time since he could remember, Tony began to let loose a deep laughter of amusement. The strangeness of their position just seemed so… hilarious.

By the time they had both calmed down, their faces were streaked with tears. His throat was no longer starch dry. He could speak.

"Hey," he choked out through remaining laughter.

It was all he could say, but it was enough. The awkwardness had evaporated.

Michelle ushered him inside, closing the door behind them. The mood between the two had significantly lightened, and at this moment, all of Michelle's pain had never been farther in the back of her mind. Being with him, feeling happy, watching him laugh… It was strange how comforting his presence was. She felt safe.

Michelle watched carefully as Tony inspected her apartment. It was more like a big room with different areas. She didn't need much space. A thin curtain divided her bed from her television/sitting area and kitchen. There was a small door leading to her petite bathroom on the right.

Her friends had kept advising her to move and find a bigger space. She had the money. But coming home to such a small area felt comforting to her. She didn't need a change, or want one for that matter. Because work was so unreliable, she liked to keep her personal life from varying much.

"Nice place." Tony announced, while wandering towards the TV. He began to watch Doug Devortet sautéing some beef. His head whipped around excitedly.

"You like to cook?"

Michelle mind splintered in horror, zooming in all directions. How am I going to get out of this!

"Well… I... err..." Her eyes wandered over to the kitchen, hysterically looking for a distraction. At last they settled upon the steaming coffee pot. Perfect.

"Would you like some coffee?"

Tony could sense that Michelle was trying to change the subject, but he let it slide. Instead he concentrated on a very appealing silver pot resting on the kitchen counter. He was glad she had thought of it. He really could use some caffeine. If only he had his cubs mug... There was nothing better than a nice cup of coffee in his favorite mug. But he'd settle for anything at the moment. It seemed a little too early to admit his obsession to her.

They wandered over towards the kitchen. As Tony passed Michelle, his leg accidentally brushed against her hip. The pleasure of being in contact with her seeped through his body, and he forced himself to restrain a grin.

Michelle pulled up two stools to the counter, and poured two mugs of extremely hot coffee. They sat down and sipped their drinks, indulging in the soothing liquid running down their throats. Occasionally they would glance at each other and smile shyly. When they were both done, Michelle exhaled in a deep sigh.

"Thank you so much, Tony... For coming, I mean."

Tony didn't know how to tell her that he appreciated this moment with her more than anything. He just wanted her to know how special she was, and that he wanted to be with her, sipping coffee in her tiny, overly neat apartment… forever.

He could barely hold back the stream of thoughts that poured into his mind. He longed to hold her hand… to touch her… He knew he would do anything for her. He wanted to tell her his life story, and for her to tell him how special he was. He wanted to return the compliment. With a passionate kiss.

Whoa, whoa, whoa… Get a hold of yourself there.

The familiar urges that had taken hold of him in the halls of CTU only a few days ago returned with new strength. This time, however, he controlled himself and said nothing more than,

"I think we both needed this."

He prayed that somehow, she would know what he really wanted to say. Slowly… Cautiously… he placed his hand on hers. He immediately felt the heat pulse through his mind at her touch.

He lifted his head and gazed at her beautiful, inviting face, and he felt a place in his heart that had been iced over for far too long melt slightly.

Tony and Michelle both sat in silence, yet unlike their last silence, there was no awkwardness between them. In those moments they spent together everything they had ever wanted to say to each other didn't need to be said. They understood.