A/N: Hey guys, here's the next chapter…word of warning it occurs over a long period of time as I didn't want to be dwelling on the characters in the same circumstances as we've seen already…hope it flows okay, took me a while to get it all right…Thanks for your wonderful reviews and I look forward to your input on this chapter:D.
Chapter Twelve - Plans
"Tony?" Jack's voice brought him back to Earth and he immediately looked up from the pen he'd been twiddling distractedly, his eyes down on the bullpen the entire time.
Jack, true to his nature, did not comment on this. It was not his place to comment. There were about a million different things he'd like to say, but he'd keep himself in check. He had to keep himself in check.
"What's up, Jack?" Tony's expression was mild, and had neither man known any better they would've assumed Tony didn't have a care in the world.
"I was just talking to Ryan, there's a conference in three weeks in New York, everyone from all levels of government will have representatives…looks like we're Division's.' he laughed dryly.
Tony groaned. "For how long?"
"Four days he said, but then y'never know how these things go…"
"Who's gonna run CTU?"
"Ryan."
Tony nodded. "Looks like we're taking a trip…"
The voice on the other end of the phone was groggy.
"Hello?" They grumbled, clearly not taking the time to calm the hostility in their voice.
"Alicia?"
Alicia rolled over in bed and frowned. "Who is this?"
"It's uh…its Tony Almeida, Michelle's – "
"Tony what the hell are you doing calling me? It's the middle of the night here! How'd you even get this number?"
"I know I know, I'm sorry…but I had to wait until Michelle was asleep…I kinda stole her cell phone…"
He had Alicia's attention. She sat upright in bed and rested the phone in the crevice of her neck. "What's going on?"
Tony quickly scanned the kitchen, no sign of Michelle anywhere…
A week had passed since Jack had informed Tony of the impending New York City conference. It had taken him that much time to start filling in the holes.
"I need your help…"
Lisa's entry into the kitchen just as he was hanging up the phone startled him.
"Who was that?" she asked casually.
"Don't worry about it…"
Lisa looked at him skeptically, but said nothing more of the matter.
"Well I was gonna wait until tomorrow to say something but…I talked to mom and dad..."
Tony was jerked out of his daydream.
"They said," Lisa continued. "If I want to go they'll pay for it…"
"That's great!" Tony exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm.
"I just have to write the LSATs and then I can start applying…"
"Alright well you know you can stay here as long – "
"I know, thank you. But I'm going to Boston…to stay with Rachel."
Tony turned to her, obviously upset. "What are you talking about?"
"I want to get out of California. Away from everything…I want to go to school out east…It's just too hard being here, knowing Matt's still – "
"You said you haven't talked to Matt since the fi – "
"I know and I haven't." Lisa insisted. "I swear. But, as hard as it is for you to understand I loved him, a lot. And even though I know what he did was wrong, I still love him…"
Tony looked disgusted.
"And don't look at me like that. I can't help it y'know…he's been a big part of my life for over a year and there were some good times, he wasn't like this when we first started dating. I just need to get out of here Tony. I need to start fresh."
Tony suddenly became very interested with the phone in his hand, fingering the antenna.
"So I'm going to move out there next week…I've already made the arrangements."
"Do what you gotta do…"
Lisa pulled him into a strong hug. "I'll miss you…and Michelle. You'd better make sure you bring her out there to visit us…seeing as how we're probably gonna be related at some point – "
Tony face went white. "I don't know about that…"
Lisa grinned at him. "She told me about your 'big night' next week. You're actually off work before sunset!"
He chuckled. "She could do better, eh? Have someone who can actually take her out once in a while…"
Lisa laughed but shook her head. "She could do a lot worse…although a few weeks ago I might not have admitted it…" She made her way over to the fridge and pulled out two bottles of water, handing one to Tony. "How long has it been anyway?"
"Two months…give or take."
Tony was doing his best to keep a straight face but Lisa called him on it.
"You planned something didn't you? For next week…"
"Nah I didn't…I'm useless you know that…"
Lisa wasn't buying into it. "You're a liar…I know you planned something…Either that or you're cheating on her with the same person you're making mysterious phone calls to in the middle of the night…"
"I might have an idea but it's not for next week…" he assured her. "It won't be for a while…"
"Will you tell me before – "
"We'll see…"
"Tony!"
"I said we'll see…now drop it…" his voice was irritated but Lisa knew better, she conceded anyway.
"Alright…"
"Thank you…"
Tony considered his position for a moment. Maybe I could use Lisa's help after all.
"Actually, uh…do you think you could help me with something before you go? I need to go shopping…"
Lisa laughed. "Now that's definitely something I can help you with…"
"Where'd you go?" Michelle asked when he crawled back into bed beside her.
"I thought you were asleep…"
"I was."
"I went out for water…Lisa told me she's going to stay with Rachel…she wants to go to school out east."
"C'mere honey…" she patted the mattress.
Tony buried his face into her chest as Michelle stroked his hair soothingly.
"She's excited, she's happy, she said she needs to get away…and it's not like she's all alone out there…"
"But…" Michelle probed.
"But I like having her around sometimes…most times…" he admitted.
Michelle kissed the top of his head and rubbed back. Tony's stubble tickled the crook of her neck and she stifled a giggle. Sensing her sudden change in demeanor Tony swiftly flipped her underneath him and kissed her firmly before lying on his back and pulling her up against him.
Michelle had not admitted the reason she had awoken. She was a little embarrassed to admit it to Tony, even if it was the truth. Simply, she had awoken because he wasn't there anymore. She couldn't feel his comfortable weight beside her or his hot, even breath down her back. She'd yet to have a sleepless night since he'd come back from the field. She'd yet to have a reason to slip out for a walk as the feeling of Tony beside was too tempting to abandon for the dark, lonely streets.
Tony shifted his body and pulled her back against his chest. He rested his mouth against her mildly exposed shoulder and planted a barely-there kiss before leaning back against the pillows…
It was five days later and Lisa was placing her remaining clothes in a suitcase. Her flight was leaving later that evening and Michelle was helping her pack, whilst Tony put the rest of the luggage she was bringing with her into his car.
"Excited?" Michelle asked as she folded a few shirts.
Lisa hesitated a little. "Yeah. I mean I can't wait to see Rachel, it's been forever! I'm a little nervous about leaving LA though…I mean I've been here since I was little…"
Michelle nodded, understandingly. "At least you have your sister with you."
Lisa zipped her suitcase shut and collapsed on the bed.
"I start my LSAT prep class on Monday…"
"When do you write them?" Michelle sat down beside her.
"First week of December…"
"Nervous?"
"Getting there…I'm not good at writing tests…"
"You'll be fine." Michelle assured with a comforting pat to her back. "That's almost two months away."
"Speaking of two months…are you excited for your big night next week?"
Michelle beamed uncontrollably. "Very…we haven't really gone out out since our first date…"
"Ugh, Michelle that's so depressing…you've been cooped up inside a stupid apartment every night for two months…"
"Not every night!" She defended pointlessly.
Lisa gave her a look that said she couldn't imagine ever putting up with that. "Well I know you'll have fun…" She smiled mischievously.
Tony poked his head into the bedroom. "We should get going…" he informed them. Lisa nodded and picked up her last bag. She held back on closing the door, just for a second. Leaving, leaving Tony, leaving LA, leaving everything…was probably one of the most emotional moments of her life. It was for the best, but it still hurt. Maybe she'd come back in a few years, but for now…for now she had to go.
Saying goodbye at the airport was hard. As they stood outside the gate Lisa hugged Michelle tightly before turning to Tony. The look the shared encapsulated affection, respect, and heartfelt sorrow…though neither would ever confess to how touched the really were by those mere seconds.
"You'd better miss me!" she teased, begging the tears not to come yet. Tony pulled her against him and kissed the top of her head.
"Call me when you get there…"
"Uh huh…" Lisa was stuttering now. "I promise…"
And then, the tears came…
"Hey, hey, don't do that…"
"You're right, I'm being stupid." She hugged him again and kissed his cheek. "Love you."
"Love you too kid."
Lisa wiggled out of the embrace and wiped her eyes, before scooping up her carry-on bag and heading towards the gangway. Tony watched her walk away, with a proud smile on his face.
He and Michelle lingered around the airport until the plane had taken off. When they returned home that night Michelle found Tony unwilling to let her out of his sight. They fell asleep on the couch with a movie still playing softly in the background, Tony clinging to Michelle, like he was afraid if he slackened his grip too much she'd dissipate before his very eyes. For he knew that, if that happened, nothing he did would enable him to keep his emotions in check...
"Michelle! We're gonna lose our table if you don't hurry up in there!" Tony called, having long since been kicked out of the bedroom. After spending such copious amounts of time at his apartment when Lisa was there, they'd taken to going back to Michelle's. She'd insisted she needed all of her possessions within arms reach so she could prepare for their big night out.
"I'm almost done!" she insisted.
"You've been saying for the past fifteen – "
The door opened on Tony, standing in the hallway, and Michelle emerged. Her hair had been twisted into some 'thing', he deduced, at the base of her neck, she wore a red dress. Tony would've called it blood red, Michelle would later inform him it was raspberry. It skimmed over her body, tastefully accentuating every curve. She smiled slyly when she saw his expression. It was the same dress she'd planned on wearing the night Alicia came to town.
"You look amazing."
She beamed affectionately. "Thanks."
He drew her against him and covered her mouth with his. When Michelle pulled back, taking her turn to inform them they would be late, she wiped her lip gloss off his mouth with her thumb.
"That's not really your color…"
For once, they felt like an honest-to-goodness "normal" couple. Well, as normal as relationships can get anyway... Tony's hand found Michelle's as they walked through the parking lot and did not let go until the maitre'd had pulled out her chair. Soon the wine was on the table and Michelle took what she hoped was a very delicate sip. Having decided in advance that then was the perfect time to employ the art of the seduction. The sultriness, however, gave way to sheer glee when she began selecting courses off the menu, after being told by Tony to get whatever she wanted.
By the time dessert rolled around Tony placed a small jewelry box on the table between them. Michelle looked at him suspiciously.
"What's this?"
Tony grinned. "It's for you…for putting up with me for the last two months…now mind you two months has been done before so it's nothing mu – "
"Tony, you should've have got me anything…"
Tony pushed the case towards her. "I saw it and I thought of you…really it's nothing…"
Michelle raised an eyebrow. "When'd you see it?"
Tony suddenly became very aware his cheeks were burning. "When I went shopping with Lisa to buy you a present…"
"Tony…"
"Just open it…please."
Michelle reluctantly picked the box up off the table and pulled back the lid. She looked up at him, mouth open.
"I uh…" Her mouth hung open and her lips arched into an unruly smile. "It's beautiful. Thank you." She picked the chain out of the box and held it up so the light was reflected. It was simple, white gold; with a small round diamond pendant that sparkled just enough that it's presence across Michelle's collarbone would be known.
Tony walked around the table and Michelle lifted her hair while he did up the clasp. He kissed her cheek before walking back to his seat.
Soon afterwards the bill was paid and Michelle was feeling a bit flushed.
"I need some air."
Tony grabbed her hand after placing his credit card back in his wallet and led her out into the night. Michelle barely had time to shiver before a jacket was wrapped around her and she was swaying gently in the breeze. Tony began kissing her neck.
"Do you really have to go on Monday?" Michelle gave seduction one more try.
Tony did not respond, instead he delved a little further into her neck and sucked harder on the already red patch of skin.
"You want to head home?" He asked with a throaty whisper to her ear, convincing Michelle that she would never surpass him when it came to mastering the art.
She tried to agree using words that didn't quite exist in the English dictionary, and began hurrying to the car.
Finally, she was pushing open her front door and finally, after what seemed like an entire night devoted to self-control, lips fused together. Michelle chalked it up to the wine on both their parts; after all they managed to get through work everyday without making passionate love smack on a desk in the middle of the bullpen...Though she wasn't about to pretend the thought had never crossed her mind…
When Tony picked her, any sort of logic about why she couldn't keep her hormones under control was forgotten. Instead she focused on the sensation coursing through her that was produced by hot, wet kisses to every reachable part of her body.
Her mind was totally blank, probably due to lack of oxygen. Had it not been for the arms supporting her, Michelle doubted very much she'd have been able to make it to the bedroom. Tony seemed to sense her raspy breathing and felt her quiver in his arms. He slowed himself when he dropped her onto the bed, summoning every ounce of self-discipline he could muster under the circumstances.
He kissed his way down her dress, palms sliding up underneath the fabric, fingers running up and down her sides. Michelle moved her hands nimbly over the buttons of Tony's shirt, undoing them quickly with the skill of a seasoned professional. Soon, it was on the floor.
"You're loosing your touch there Almeida…" she taunted, refusing to let him get away with having yet to remove a single article of her clothing.
"It's the wine." He defended as he fumbled with her zipper while she tugged on his top lip with her teeth.
"And that…" he mumbled, "You keep doing that…"
After another minute of struggling Michelle flipped him onto his back.
"You're lucky I wait around for you…" she said, legs straddling his hips, undoing the dress in one fluid motion.
She lowered her lips to his and cupped his face gently.
"Kiss me…" she gasped against his mouth.
Tony chuckled. "I thought I already was?"
"No…" she kissed him again. "No like when we were at CTU…When I said – "
Her mouth dropped to his chin and Tony brought a hand around to the back of her head and pulled Michelle hard against his mouth, spinning her over as he did so. Michelle moaned and raised her hips to meet his.
"You still think I'm loosing my touch?"
The next few hours were spent making passionate, uninhibited love to each other for what felt like the first time in far too long. Michelle fell asleep just as the clock struck three. Fully celebrating the fact that, after two months, they had a whole day off together again. She'd been trying to resist her heavy lidded eyes without success for the past fifteen minutes. Tony was stroking her hair and had wrapped both arms against her abdomen, molding her back into his chest.
"Go to sleep…"
"No…" she yawned. "I'm not tired…"
Tony laughed softly, nibbling her earlobe. "I'm teaching you to cook tomorrow…you need your strength…"
"I'm not learning to cook…"
"Yes you are…trust me…"
She was too exhausted to argue.
"Go to sleep…" Tony tried again, planting an open kiss on her shoulder.
Michelle did, the instant her body settled into Tony's perfectly.
Tony lay awake for a long time afterwards. Going through everything he had to do in the next week. It was a lot of work, a lot of planning but it would be so worth it in the end. He listened to the soft, rhythmic sound of Michelle's breathing and leaned in more closely. He couldn't get enough of her, ever. Jumping through a few hoops to make her happy meant was like paying $5 for a lotto ticket and winning the jackpot…
Michelle stumbled into the kitchen late the next morning, barely awake. She had pulled on one of Tony's t-shirts, simply because she knew how much fun it was to tease him that way… if he was forcing her to cook, she was entitled to some enjoyment of her own. Her hair was curling mutinously again and she'd pulled it back into a low ponytail, yawning as she made her way into the kitchen.
"Morning," she grumbled, plunking herself at the counter. Tony was already sipping a mug of coffee, reading the paper.
"Here." he handed her a mug of her own, prepared to her liking.
"What time is it?" She asked, burning her tongue on the coffee.
"Ten-thirty."
Michelle smiled happily. Days off really were the best, especially when, on the rare occasion, they occurred simultaneous with Tony's. In fact, Tony had been given the full weekend off to prepare for the conference on Monday. Michelle was to return to work the following morning to go over some things with Ryan Chappelle...
"You want something to eat?"
Michelle shook her head. "I'll wait 'til lunch."
"Great, you're cooking omelets…"
She looked at him deadpanned. "Wonderful…we'll starve then…" she took another sip as Tony kissed her cheek.
The next two hours were spent curled up on the couch, enjoying the fact that they could do absolutely nothing. Michelle rested her head on Tony's chest and closed her eyes, hoping that if, maybe, she fell asleep again, he would take it upon himself to make lunch. No such luck…
"I still don't understand why I have to do this…"
"Because Michelle, you can do anything if you want to…"
Michelle groaned. "Flattery won't get you anywhere." She whisked the contents of the bowl and held it up for inspection.
"Alright, see, that wasn't so hard…" the pan was heating on the stove. Tony had promised Michelle he'd keep it simple, adding only parmesan cheese to the eggs in hopes of easing the most difficult part, the infamous "flipping".
"Now, just pour half of it into the pan."
Michelle's eyes narrowed with cat-like precision. "Okay, I can do that…"
She poured and listened to the mix sizzle. Tony smirked when he saw how relieved she looked that it actually resembled an omelet.
"Now what?" Michelle asked, spatula poised to dive in and start poking.
"Whoa, whoa, hang on there, you have to let it cook first or it'll just be a big mess…You see cooking Michelle," he preached much like a lecturer would to class of students. "Requires patience…"
"Amazing…you're a genius..." She rolled her eyes and turned back to the pan. "How long do we wait?"
"I dunno, it's hard to say exactly, you just have to know…"
"But how do you know?" Michelle asked annoyed.
"I don't know, you just do…I'll tell you when…"
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard of, how can you just know…you have to be able to base it on some - "
"I think…" Tony scratched the side of his face. "I'm beginning to see why you struggle with this."
Michelle continued to watch the omelet cook...refusing to dignify the comment with a response.
"Alright, now just…" Tony took her wrist in his hand. "Just kinda lift it slowly and then flip it over." He walked her through the motion.
Michelle bit her tongue and moved in for the kill. She slid the spatula between the pan and the egg and made to turn it over like Tony had demonstrated. Somehow, it was so much easier said than done. When Michelle lifted, only half the omelet seemed to want to comply. It crumbled to pieces before her eyes and left her with four, oddly shaped pieces. Tony had started laughing the instant it broke, ceasing to be able to offer any more assistance. Michelle had been left to fend for herself while he kept laughing and, in the end, produced a pile of browned scraps of what once resembled food.
"Next time, just tell me you want to do scrambled eggs…" Tony kidded as he wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes. She handed him the plate.
"This one's yours." She scowled.
"I am not eating that…"
Michelle picked up a fork and broke off a piece.
"It tastes fine." She told him, dropping the fork back on the counter. "I mean, maybe a little burnt but it could be worse…"
She finished chewing and Tony grabbed her chin between his thumb and fingers. Michelle circled her arms around his waist and slid each of her hands into a back pocket, contorting her face into a shy smile as she slid her fingers back and forth…fully aware that the chances of Tony buying into the "innocent routine" were about as good as the chances of Michelle ever flipping on omelet successfully in her life.
Tony hung his head. "You're horrible…" he said without really meaning it.
Michelle grinned, full-out, now and stood on tiptoe for a kiss.
"Alright…fine…I won't try to teach you anymore…"
"Thank you."
"Michelle, do you agree?"
Michelle was twirling a piece of hair between her fingers, staring blankly across the room. It was almost ten-o-clock on Sunday night and she was dying to get home. Her briefing with the CTU staff had taken a lot longer than anticipated, and she still had a few one-on-one things to discuss with Chappelle. In short, the night she was supposed to have with Tony before he left for New York was shot to hell…but then, ruined plans weren't exactly uncommon between them.
"Yes Ryan I agree...we need to make sure the information on Nadia Quadir's testimony gets transferred over to Langley by the end of the week. I have Adam and Rob finalizing the report. We should have a copy ready by Wednesday."
"Alright good, now what else do we need to go over?" He began leafing through a file folder.
Michelle leaned over and pulled out a document, holding it out.
"Tony had IT working on the systems upgrades. All of the new staff will be proficient in it, but we'll have to get everyone else familiar... Some programmers will be here everyday this week giving tutorials to the different shifts."
"How long will each session take?"
"Shouldn't be more than a couple of hours…Tony and I both did it last week so we'd be up to speed before he left…"
"Good plan…"
Ryan yawned and took a swig of his coffee. Michelle rubbed her own eyes.
"It's late Michelle; you should head home and get some rest. I'll need you alert tomorrow…"
"Are we done here?"
Ryan nodded. "I'm just gonna go over the briefing package one more time and then I'll head home too."
"Alright, see you in the morning." Michelle swept her things off the table and headed towards the door. The sounds of her heels clicked persistently against the tiled floor as Ryan opened up the briefing package.
He had to admit, Michelle was doing well, very well. Better than he could've anticipated…her management skills were exceptional and, had it not been for the two departments, he might've considered leaving her to run everything on her own. She had potential, Ryan decided, and he liked that. He liked that she never seemed to lose focus, that her thoughts were always where they needed to be, and that she didn't get distracted. Maybe Michelle could handle a bit more responsibility; maybe he should be challenging her more…concentrating on developing her field experience. It would certainly be something to consider once all the new staff were put in place. He would inform Tony of his impending decision when he returned with Jack. Having another agent proficient in field work could only be an advantage…
"Hey honey." Tony answered his phone.
Michelle closed her eyes just as she slid her keys into the ignition. Today had been an exceptionally long day. She was getting a mere taste of what Tony went through all those late nights at CTU… Michelle was glad Ryan would be there for the next few days. It took some of the weight off her shoulders so she could ease into the position of "acting director" little by little. He was there because he didn't think her to be capable of handling everything by herself…Michelle knew it. But she wasn't complaining. She wasn't entirely sure if she would be able to run everything alone anyway, not yet.
"I'm just leaving now." She whipped her eyes open and started the car. "Everything took longer than we thought it would."
"What else is new…" Tony shared in her frustration, knowing exactly what she was going through.
"I should be home in half-an-hour. I'm sorry I took so – "
"I've done it to you enough times Michelle, don't be sorry." They both smiled knowingly. "I'll meet you at your place at 11 then, okay?"
"Yeah, fine, I'll see you in a bit."
"So, how was Chappelle?" Tony asked when Michelle flung back the door.
"He was…" she paused. "He was Chappelle."
This got a laugh. "A whole week of just you and Ryan…I'm sorry I won't be around to watch."
"Keep that up Almeida and I'll make sure I don't miss you at all…"
Tony wrapped an arm around her, grinning adoringly. "Let's go sit outside…"
Soon afterwards they were situated comfortably on Michelle's balcony; Michelle curled up with a blanket on a chair, Tony sitting in the chair beside her with his eyes closed; thinking of nothing in particular. Michelle was starting to wonder how much longer she could stay awake when Tony pulled her out of the chair and into his lap.
"You'll miss me." He informed her as she settled between his legs.
Michelle reluctantly conceded. "Maybe a little…"
Tony drew her against him more tightly and rested their foreheads together.
"I know I'll miss you…"
"It's only four days…" she reminded him.
"Five, if you include flying time…"
"Alright, then." She pressed her cheek against his. "It's only five days…"
"Not "only"…not when I'm used to seeing you everyday…"
Their lips met.
"Come on…" Michelle's breathing was heavy. "Let's go to bed."
"Hi," Michelle rolled over and sat up, covering herself with the sheet… Tony was fully dressed in a shirt and blazer. The room smelled of cologne, air slightly moist from the bathroom door being opened a crack during his shower.
The packed suitcase Tony had brought over when he'd arrived was sitting closed, beside the door. He spun around at her words and moved back to Michelle, crawling over the bed and threatening to crinkle his freshly pressed clothes as he snuggled up beside her.
"I'm just leaving, go back to sleep." He pressed his lips between her jaw and her ear, slurping as he did, causing Michelle to squeal.
"Mhm…" her arms snaked around his neck. "Do you have to go right now?"
He cupped her face and ran his fingers across it gently. "Yeah, they'll kill me if I miss my flight…"
Michelle moved her head in agreement, nuzzling his cheek and neck in one fluid motion. She kissed the tip of his chin.
"What time are you back on Friday?"
"Late, after midnight, I guess I'll see you at wor – "
"I'll wait up anyway but…" Michelle sat up instantly and pushed around him, reaching into her bedside drawer. She felt around in the dark for the small, cool piece of metal she'd had made "just in case". Finally, her fingers scraped it…she looked back up at Tony.
"Here," she placed the object inside his hand and closed both hers around his fist. "Just…so when you come back you can…y'know."
Tony eyed her seriously, and even in the dark she could dissect the penetrating stare. His head cocked to the side and he touched her face with the back of his other hand.
"You sure?" There was no uncertainty as to what was now resting in his palm.
Michelle nodded, not wanting to speak for a moment.
"I'll miss you…" she admitted authentically this time. "Call me when you get there…"
"I promise," The last kiss they shared was lingering, and reluctantly broken.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
