Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters related to 24.

A/N: This week has been INSANELY busy. Thankfully I only have one more midterm next week…I've spent pretty much every waking minute studying or writing an essay or something and I'm so glad I can relax a little bit and finally get this chapter up! If I have a lot of time tomorrow I might get around to writing the next one as I pretty much have an outline in mind already…so hopefully it won't be too long of a gap this time. Hope you guys like it and thanks in advance for the reviews!

Chapter Thirteen - Separation

"Michelle? Tony's on the phone for you. He and Jack have landed at JFK."

Michelle snatched up the hand piece. "Thanks Adam, put him through."

"Hey."

"Hey, just wanted to let you know we're here. You'll tell Chappelle?"

Michelle agreed. "He's in briefing with Division."

Tony smirked on his end of the phone. "Why do you think I waited until now to call?"

Only Michelle was capable of interpreting the real meaning of these words. To anyone else, it would've just sounded like Tony was trying to avoid Ryan...

"What are you doing now?"

"Well there's nothing really going on until tonight. They have this 'social, meet-and-greet, pretend you actually want to be here' thing…"

"Where's Jack?" she questioned.

"He just walked in actually," Tony covered the receiver and turned to Jack. "Anything you need to tell Ryan?"

Jack checked his watch. "Isn't he being briefed?"

"Yeah, I've got Michelle on the phone right now."

Michelle heard the faintest hints of this conversation and was itching to see what kind of expression Jack wore on his face.

"Nope, nothing." came the barely audible response.

Tony returned back to Michelle and pointlessly repeated what Jack had just told him.

"Well I'm sure if you think of anything you can talk to Ryan when he gets out of briefing…"

"Uh huh," Tony shifted his position against the headboard and cupped his hand over his mouth to mute the rest of the exchange from Jack who was, thankfully, in the bathroom now, water running.

"I wish you were here…"

"I understand." Michelle kept her voice monotone as someone had just walked by.

"Someone around?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I'll let you know if we need anything…"

"Fine."

"Bye."

Jack reemerged, wiping a towel over his face, having just shaved.

"What'd she say?"

"So far so good, nothing to report…"

Tony hopped off the bed and started re-lacing his shoes.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm meeting someone. I promised I'd stop by while I was here and since it looks like this will be our only free day…"

"Who are you meeting?"

"A friend. I'll be back in time don't worry…"

"What friend?" Jack stood between Tony and the door.

"Jesus I didn't know I'd be getting the third degree here. Just a friend, alright? I'll be back…"

Jack seemed to consider this carefully before moving away from the door. Tony pushed past him, all the while cursing the US government for being too cheap to splurge on individual rooms.


"Michelle!" Ryan called from the conference room. Michelle hurried over to him.

"We have an active protocol. The White House just informed us that President Palmer is being released from the hospital Thursday morning…" He handed her a series of documents, which Michelle leafed through as they continued to walk.

"Get everyone working with DOD for leads to any possible unusual activity."

"Do you really think someone's going to try to get to Palmer when he's released?" She looked baffled. "I mean the security around him for his whole hospital stay has been indisputable…"

"Well it's a distinct possibility that someone is going to try to…he was surrounded by Secret Service at that press conference and they still got to him then…"

"Alright," Michelle left Ryan at the stairs. "I'll get everyone on it." She turned back to the bullpen as Ryan hurried up to the office he would be occupying for the next week.

"Can I have everyone's attention please?" he heard Michelle call as the door swung shut behind him.


"You really want to do this?" Alicia raised an eyebrow over her mug of coffee. "I mean, no offense but it hasn't been that long…and a lot can happen in a couple of months…it's a big commitment…"

She and Tony were sitting in a small café in Soho, a short cab ride away from her office building. Alicia's lunch break had been the only time they both were free.

Tony nodded. "I know, but I want to do it…"

"There's no backing out once the ball starts rolling…If you're in now, you're in for good." she still seemed skeptical.

"Trust me…I really want to do this."

She sighed, and shook her head grinning from ear to ear, starring at her side plate, imaging Michelle's reaction to what was soon to transpire.

"I'm sure I don't need to tell you this…but she's gonna be ecstatic."

Tony smiled and bit his lip. "That's the point."

"Well then," Alicia scooped out a pad of paper and a pen. "Let's get to work."


"Anything?" Michelle asked as she leaned over Jason's shoulder.

"No, no unusual activity with any of these cells. And none of the undercover agents have reported anything suspicious."

Ryan walked up beside both of them. "Well?" he asked expectantly.

"Nothing even remotely unusual..." Michelle informed him.

"Keep digging." Ryan ordered Jason. He then turned and pointed a finger at Michelle.

"Any new information I want reported directly to me."

"Ryan maybe we should try looking into some of the other terrorist cells...I mean what guarantees are there only these ones will target Palmer?"

"It's a waste of resources. We already have enough people on it. Plus, what reason would anyone else have to attack Palmer?"

"I'm not sure but if this is a big enough operation that we have every branch of DOD working on it don't you think -"

"No, I don't...that's it."

"I understand."

Michelle waited until Ryan was safely back upstairs before heading to the bathroom. She moved quickly into a stall and closed the door leaning against it, trying to stop her head from spinning. At least with Tony or Jack her input held some weight. Ryan didn't seem to care about anything she had to say. She felt more like low level analyst than second-in-command.

Two women came into the washroom and Michelle took a few deep breaths before leaving. This was going to be a very long week…


Tony, having just dropped Alicia off at her office, and on his way back to the hotel, decided to chance a call to Michelle's cell phone, not knowing when they'd be able to talk privately again.

"Dessler." She answered testily.

"Hey, how ya doing?"

"One second…"

Tony's smooth tones put Michelle at ease and she quickly moved out of her chair to the far corner of a corridor.

"Alright, I'm alone."

"Busy day?"

Michelle groaned and leaned back against the wall, Tony chuckled.

"Chappelle doesn't listen to a word I say." She told him, defeated. "I'm not even sure what the point of me being here is."

"Trust me, Chappelle will come around. Just keep doing what you're doing; it's probably having more of an impact than you think…"

"I just…" Michelle didn't know how to explain it. "I'm just frustrated."

"I know, but I know you're doing great, Chappelle sees that, even if he doesn't admit it…"

"Yeah…" Michelle faded away, not really sure how right he was.

"It's gonna be fine." Tony told her gently. "I promise…"

She smiled and moved her hand away from her forehead. "I know I know, just sometimes I need to hear someone else say it…"

The comment caught Tony totally off-guard. He wasn't accustomed to Michelle sounding so unsure of herself.

"I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Yeah, I'd better get back. Ryan's gonna wonder where I ran off to…"

"Alright…" he hesitated before continuing. "Michelle?"

"Uh huh."

"Just...if you need me…I'm here, okay?"

"Thanks."


Tony had just finished dressing when Jack called from the doorway.

"We have to leave soon."

He grumbled something about not needing a chaperone, but left the bathroom anyway to head to the event.

Many different people were already mingling amongst each other when Tony and Jack arrived, much to both of their dismays.

"Kate's better at this." Jack commented, eyes searching the room. The remark was said so quietly, Tony wasn't quite sure if he was to comment on this or not. He definitely wasn't going to comment on Michelle...Talking about that in front of Jack was just...uncomfortable. It involved too many emotions that men didn't really care to gush over in front of each other.

"How's that goin' anyway?" he settled for a seemingly unimaginative, but carefully thought out response. It could easily ask how Jack's relationship with Kate was without raising an eyebrow. After all Jack had confided in him that they were seeing each other, and he'd mentioned her name several times already since they'd gotten on the plane.

"Kim likes her."

You didn't get a more "Jack Bauer" of a response than that. So vague that one really had to peel away the layers to get at the meaning of it. It required careful dissection and consideration if you wanted to decipher it. Admitting his daughter was friendly with his girlfriend told Tony it had the potential to get serious, if it wasn't already. After all, why would Jack admit something so intimate if it wasn't going anywhere?

A few members of DOJ approached Tony and Jack, introducing themselves. Tony's thoughts turned to Michelle...This might actually be tolerable, even enjoyable, if she was standing beside him right now. She would be likely to laugh at something he said, or shoot him warning looks if he came dangerously close to saying something he shouldn't. She would probably find some way to touch his arm or brush her hair against his cheek when leaning past him, no one else being any of the wiser. And then, when it was all over, when they were safely away from the prying eyes of anyone even remotely connected to work, she could discretely place her hand in his...or plant a kiss on the spot directly between his bottom lip and chin...teasing him until they got back to the hotel.

Tony sighed and turned back to Jack who was talking to one of their counterparts at Langley. Michelle would have to wait, for he still had another 4 days of this to get through.


Michelle was just trying to remember the last time she'd worked such a long shift. With a dry, unemotional laugh she realized it was the day of the nuclear bomb. George had been there instead though. George who, as much of a pain in the ass he could be sometimes, always kept thing interesting. Whose sarcastic comments had a way of endearing you towards him, even if it was to be purely business. She missed George. It was hard to believe he'd been gone for so long. Thoughts of him that brought a smile to her face. She wondered what he would say if he knew about her and Tony...she wondered if he'd noticed more than he revealed, working in close quarters with them both individually and together for so long. George would've picked up on it, Michelle assured herself. George, whether he let on or not, seemed to be rather good with things like that.

Now, when she looked up at the newly renovated CTU Director's office it wasn't to see George. It was, inevitably to catch a glimpse of Tony. To see if he could pick up on what was running through her mind. He always could; of course. He always seemed to know exactly what she was thinking.

Michelle, as pathetic as it seemed after less than a day, missed him greatly. She missed the small gestures he offered up as a subtle reminder of their relationship when words could not be used, and actions had to be carefully deliberated. She missed knowing that no matter how long the day was, there was something for her to look forward to at its end. In some ways it seemed so utterly romantic, something out of a movie that never really happened...the kind of dependency Michelle had always pitied.

"Stuff like that doesn't really happen", she'd insisted after a night out, during which Alicia had been reduced to tears after the hero of their movie sacrificed his life for the heroine. "I mean it's not like those are actual circumstances...it's just a movie..."

Her cynicism, essentially a little over-the-top at the time, had been her own personal mantra. Love happened, of course, but never like that. Not often anyway...her parents had always been the exception, what she'd compared every relationship she'd even been in to...Their love had run that deeply.

The thing about love was, people always made more of a deal about it than it really was. Tried to exaggerate and romanticize relationships so they sounded more passionate, more special. The whole "I'd die without you" nonsense.

Unfortunately for Michelle though, she was being proven very wrong these days. She was starting to turn into one of those people, and not by choice. She wasn't trying to make her relationship seem so perfect, or that the love shared between them was so amazing. Michelle really couldn't stand the thought of being without Tony anymore. It wasn't romanticism, it was reality. Michelle simply didn't see herself going about her life as she had before Tony, not anymore...she needed him.

Before Tony, going back to an empty house was the norm. Before Tony boyfriends would become angry if she had to work late, and even more angry when she couldn't, (whether by choice or not), tell them what was bothering her. Before Tony no relationship was worth it... After two months she would never have been able to spend so much time with someone without feeling suffocated and without them feeling intimidated, (whether they cared to admit it or not). After two months she'd still be considering whether or not she trusted them enough to let her guard down...

"Michelle, I got the rest of that info you wanted." Adam appeared, acutely aware that he was intruding her thoughts. It was already late in the day and she'd arrived before everyone else that morning.

"Thank you." she picked up the folder and began leafing through it, thoughts still elsewhere.

"Are you okay?" he asked, treading water carefully. At this job most people did not question their superior's emotions.

Michelle returned his gesture with a small, appreciative smile of her own.

"Fine, just a little tired."

Adam nodded understandingly before glancing up at Tony's empty office.

"I guess it's a lot better for you when Tony's here."

Michelle hesitated before responding, analyzing the comment carefully. It seemed innocent enough...

"Yeah, I'll just be glad when he's home..."

She could've kicked herself for the error made, Adam looked taken aback but Michelle attempted to recover.

"I guess I really do work here too much..." she laughed dryly. If Adam found the comment unusual he certainly didn't show it.

"I'll let you know if I find anything else..." he told her before returning to his station.

Michelle checked her watch; it was just after five-thirty. She took a deep breath and decided exhaustion couldn't result in such carelessness anymore. Adam would not cause any problems, she knew, but at the same time, throwing around implications like that were bound to get her in trouble...especially when Tony insisted she was a horrible liar...


"Almeida." Tony snapped up his cell phone.

"Tony, it's Alicia. Can you talk?" Tuesday had come and gone in a haze of speeches, meetings, and talk of "necessary changes to the system". It was night now and Tony was relaxing in front of the TV, trying to forget the dullness of it all.

He glanced around his hotel room pointlessly. Jack had gone downstairs minutes earlier to "take care of something". Tony knew he was calling Kate.

"Take down this number. You're gonna have to call so you can arrange everything once you get the days booked off..."

Alicia recited the number while Tony copied it onto the pad of paper resting by the phone.

"How much did you tell them?"

"Enough. But they'll be expecting you to call soon to confirm the plans..."

"Alright perfect...Hey Alicia?"

"Yeah?"

"I owe you big time." Tony scratched the side of his face.

"No kidding..." Alicia tried to sound irritated, but that fell apart to her enthusiasm. "I wish I could see the look on her face..."

Tony laughed as Jack walked in the room. "Alright, I gotta go. Thanks again."

"Bye."


It was Wednesday afternoon and Tony and Jack were doing their best to make it through another round of mindless drabbles of pointless conversations with some of the different representatives.

Midway into the day they were pulled away from a crowd of people conversing angrily about the changes made to immigration policies.

"Jack Bauer." Tony spun around just in time to see Wayne Palmer extend his hand.

"Mr. Palmer. I didn't realize you'd be here."

Wayne nodded. "I assured David I'd make an appearance, since he obviously can't."

"How is the President?"

"Recovering, I'm sure you've heard he's being released from the hospital Thursday afternoon."

"Yes, our office informed us of that. Everyone's working to make sure the transition goes smoothly."

Jack seemed to finally remember that Tony was still standing beside him.

"Mr. Palmer, this is Tony Almeida, Director of CTU Los Angeles."

They shook hands.

"So Mr. Almeida, what kind of procedures is your office implementing to ensure the President's safe release...

Tony outlined some of the protocols CTU would be using to ensure a successful discharge of President Palmer, never wanting to be at home, away from all of this, more in his life...


For Michelle, Wednesday was no where near boring. Her stress levels were being elevated to unhealthy levels with each passing second. President Palmers release from the hospital was a mere twelve hours away and though she didn't show it, Michelle was coming dangerously close to her breaking point. Ryan Chapelle had been breathing down her neck for the past two days and she couldn't guarantee her ability to keep her thoughts where they belonged.

Everyone was working frantically, in hopes of ensuring that no small detail went unnoticed, and that every possible contingency was discussed. The brunt of Michelle's responsibilities had been on managing every aspect of CTU internally, while Ryan coordinated with all the other agencies based on the information their people produced.

The amount of coffee Michelle had consumed since Monday was bordering on despicable. She needed the pick-me-ups though, just enough to keep her on alert for a little while longer...at least until a fresh pot was made. Maintaining her own energy levels were one thing... that she could do...but having to keep everyone else functioning at full capacity, despite obvious fatigue, that was the most draining task of all...So far she was managing it, but the worst was still to come...

It was three-o-clock on Thursday morning and Michelle had yet to stop working since the previous day. She was running around frantically trying to make sure everything that needed to be done before President Palmer was released from the hospital was covered. In just over eight hours one of the most heavily targeted Presidents in the history of the United States would be returning home after an assassination attempt. The screw-up, if it was to occur, would not be the fault of their office, she decided. Every base had to be covered and it was her job to ensure that.

"Dessler." she snatched up her cell phone and began scrutinizing the most recent updates she'd received from DOD.

"Where are you? I called your apartment..." it was Tony.

"At CTU..."

"Michelle it's 3am!"

"I know but they're releasing President Palmer in a few hours and I have to - "

"You won't do anyone much good if you can't keep your e yes open for it."

"We can't afford a mistake..." she squeaked, sounding defeated. Had it been anyone else she wouldn't have dared admitted her apprehension. It was a sign of weakness, an indication her leadership might not be as strong as it should be to survive in this job. It was something she couldn't let anyone, especially Ryan see...at least not anyone but Tony.

"Where the hell's Ryan?"

"He left; he had to go to Division before he went home."

"Listen to yourself, Chappelle's home, asleep...if anything important comes up the night shift will contact you, that's what they're there for. You're allowed to get some rest."

"There's so much to do..." she yawned; finally slowing her pace enough to take allow such a luxury.

"And it'll get done. I know how much pressure you're under but not sleeping without having any reason not to be isn't going to help. Go home, get some rest."

"Maybe you're right..." The day was starting to overcome her, and the need to do an admirable job was succumbing to her need for sleep.

"Of course I'm right. Now c'mon...go..."

"Alright I'm going. Just have to log off my system."

"Good."

"What time is it there anyway?" Michelle suddenly realized how early it must be in New York.

"Almost six."

She distinctly placed his own yawn on the other end of the line.

"I thought you didn't have anything until that luncheon."

"I don't...I just didn't...I mean...I figured you'd be home already and when you didn't pick up I wondered - "

"You don't have to worry about me..." even though Michelle was secretly pleased he did.

He gave a tired laugh. "I can't help it. It feels like I've been gone forever..."

"I know what you mean."

Five minutes later Michelle was still on her cell phone, driving out of CTU, wondering how much the bill was going to be after this call, but not really caring either way. One irresponsible phone bill in her life wasn't the be all and end all.

"Honey go back to sleep." Michelle heard Tony yawn again. "I'll be home in a few minutes."

"Nah, I'd rather talk to you..."

"I don't even think I have anything left to say..." she admitted, laughing a little.

"S'ok, just keep talking..."

For the remainder of the drive Michelle rambled on, talking about completely random things that had occurred in the past two days, not really sure what Tony was expecting her to say. He kept encouraging her to talk though, about anything. It seemed that they had grown so used to appreciating comfortable silences that a drawn out phone conversation at three-o-clock in the morning was strangely unusual. Finally Michelle was inside her bedroom, changing into pajamas, phone cradled between her chin and shoulder.

"Well, as per your orders...I'm going to go to bed."

Tony closed his own eyes and tilted his head back against the pillows. "I guess I could catch a few more hours too..."

"I'll talk to you tomorrow then?"

"Yeah, only one more day..."

Michelle smiled and snuggled further into her pillow. It almost felt as though Tony was right beside her, easing her to sleep. If she closed her eyes she could feel his body resting against hers, his arms around her waist, and his kisses in her hair.

"Night," she barely managed to force the words out of her throat.

"Night."


"Where are we on Palmer's release?"

Ryan was finishing up what Michelle counted to be his third cup of coffee since that morning. In less than an thirty minutes President Palmer would be escorted from the hospital with full-out police escorts and Secret Service protection. Everything appeared to be going as planned; Intel was showing no signs of unusual activity.

"Nothing's changed in the last ten minutes." Michelle reeled out the statistics robotically until Ryan assured her he was satisfied.

They retained their positions in bullpen until they received a call from Secret Service head Aaron Pierce.

"They're moving him now." Ryan told Michelle. She turned to look at the video feed. Technically the President being released from the hospital was not CTU or Division's jurisdiction, but the circumstances under which Palmer had been attacked were extenuating. The White House needed everyone on the release, analyzing it from about a million different angles.

"We're almost at the door." Pierce reported into his mouthpiece. Soon Michelle, and Ryan, and half of the people at CTU who were working on it, saw President Palmer emerge from the East Entrance - a Secret Service agent on each arm - and entering the perimeter secured by LAPD.

It appeared that the journalists had been kept in the dark; as no one was around, save for security. Michelle wasn't sure whether that was necessarily a good thing, Palmer was so much more exposed when there was barely anyone else in the vicinity...

It was then that Michelle saw it - at one of the buildings across the street - a flicker of light as the midmorning sun was reflected against something. Her chest constricted and she looked to Ryan. He appeared to not have noticed.

"Ryan that building over there...I saw something."

Ryan shook his head. "Must've been the feed, the area's secure Michelle, we've got everyone on the ground and on the roofs of the hospital.

Michelle was still uncertain.

"Ryan I think someone's on that building." instincts were all she had right now.

"If no one there can see anything what makes you think you can? The feed's not very good, it was nothing..." Ryan dismissed her concerns.

"Ryan, President Palmer is almost at his car. Is it not worth sending a few people up there to check it out?" She leaned closer to him, trying to emphasize her point.

Ryan hesitated, eyeing her carefully, but then ordered Jason to get him the LAPD officer in charge of the release. Ryan told him what Michelle had seen and the officer agreed to send two men up to the rooftop. There was a brief sound of communication between the officers and Secret Service and then...

Gunshots.

Ryan grabbed the phone out of Jason's hand and immediately started yelling into the receiver, trying to figure out what had happened. Michelle ran across the room and ordered Adam to pull up satellite feed of that area, spanning the two minutes.

Sure enough about thirty seconds into the footage a small man dressed in civilian clothing, save for the black mask he wore, slithered on his belly across the roof and began putting together a rifle. He sat crouched beside the ledge that was just high enough to hide him pulling the different pieces of metal from his clothing. The barrel of the gun caught the light and Michelle knew that was what she'd seen.

"How did no one else see this?" she questioned furiously, scared to think what might've happened if the sniper had gotten a shot off.

"I have no idea Michelle; we weren't covering the satellite..."

"Who was?"

Adam quickly pulled up something on the computer. "One of the other agencies."

Michelle leaned over and looked at the screen. Ryan was beside her again shortly.

"It was a sniper."

"I know. Adam just pulled up the satellite feed."

Ryan nodded. "They have him in custody; we're sending him over to Division for interrogation. I want your people working up anything he gives us, understood?"

Michelle was counting to ten slowly in her head, trying to hold her anger at bay. She agreed

"Alright, thank you."

Ryan was back on the phone before Michelle had a chance to say anything else. After informing everyone who was needed of their impending tasks, she returned back to her station to wait patiently for the prisoner to give up any information. She took a swig of water and stared blankly at the computer.

Looked like the day was just getting started after all...


Tony was zipping up his suitcase, getting one better look at the city outside his window. Jack was already packed, and was waiting for him in the lobby. Tony sighed and leaned against it, the cool glass felt good against his throbbing head.

It had been a week like no other. And while the work had been minimal, and the hours reasonable, Tony had despised every minute of it. There was no adrenaline associated with each day, no rush to keep his energy up. Just the relentless droning of varying government officials who had now convinced him they were all talk, no action. Why Ryan had insisted on sending himself and Jack to the conference still puzzled him. There were people meant for these kinds of things but neither was them. He just wanted to get home...

Dragging himself away from the peace and quiet he'd barely experienced a minute of all week, Tony exited the room and headed towards the elevator.

"I'll get a cab." Jack signaled while Tony handed in his room key. Mercifully, it was never an issue in New York and Tony and Jack were driving along to the airport soon afterwards.

"Flight leaves at eight, right?" he checked his ticket.

"Yeah, with any luck we'll be in LA by eleven their time..."

Tony chuckled. He clearly wasn't the only one anxious to get back.


"Michelle?" Ryan approached her station. Michelle was still keying away at some of the leads the prisoner had finally broken down and given up during interrogation. Apparently he'd been hired by one of the terrorist cells functioning out of LA, but not the one they'd originally connected to the assassination attempt on Palmer. She was trying to see if there was any sort of relationship between the two.

"The night shift is here. Why don't you head home?"

Ryan's voice was mild for a change.

"I want to get through this first." she indicated to her screen.

"I'll put someone else on it...go home...I told Division I'd try to get you a day off sometime next week."

"Thank you, but I'm fine."

"Alright, well...you did a good job this week Michelle."

The compliment got her attention. "Thank you."

Ryan nodded. "Okay..."

He was gone before Michelle could really process what he was saying. Possibly, passing out compliments to her made Ryan Chappelle uncomfortable.


An hour later Michelle was leaving CTU, thankful to be getting home before midnight for the first time since Tuesday. Tony's flight wasn't due in for a few hours yet but she was determined to wait up for him. It had been far too long of a week without him there.

Michelle poured herself a bowl of cereal and kicked off her heels before settling on the couch and flicking through the TV channels. Her eyes were starting to droop but she forced them to stay open, continuing to chew on her spoonful of Cheerios.

Her bowl was soon empty and she placed it on the coffee table, sitting up rigidly in an attempt to stay awake for Tony's arrival. It was pointless though. Soon the weariness had overcome her and she fell against the armrest...slipping from consciousness.


"Michelle…" Tony whispered, trying to rouse her awake. She'd fallen asleep curled up on one side of the couch, TV blaring, still wearing her skirt and blouse.

He chuckled and tried again. "Michelle…"

"I'm awake! I'm awake!" she bolted upright almost banging into Tony, feeling very dizzy because of the speed at which she'd done so.

Tony grinned and brushed some hair out of her eyes, cupping her face with one hand and resting his forehead against the side of hers. "Hey." he whispered into her ear

"Hi..." she wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed tightly. Tony pushed her back against he cushions. He kissed her slowly and sweetly on the mouth before moving away and reaching into one of his bags.

As he pulled back Michelle found herself rendered a little breathless. He hadn't really kissed her like that since their first date, knowing it wasn't a means to an end but simply, a kiss. Michelle felt the impression of Tony's lips against hers as he moved away and was saddened by this. It was comforting, reassuring, it just felt right...They way they molded against her own; moist, soft, as though they alone could let her escape from reality, and make everything seem surreally perfect.

"This is for you," he handed her a Styrofoam container. "It's the best cheesecake ever…I swear."

Michelle smiled and placed it on the table, pulling Tony back on top of her. He slid between her body and the couch and drew her against him. Michelle flicked off the TV, realizing it was still on, and then rolled over to face Tony. Her hand traced his cheek, before resting against the back of his neck.

"How was your flight?"

"Fine, long, I slept most of the way."

They lay silently, entwined in each other, for a moment.

"How was your week?"

"Palmer's out of the hospital, home safe and sound…actually as I was heading out today Chappelle told me I did a good job…"

Tony looked at her seriously. "I knew he'd come around."

He squeezed her tightly against him and sighed, burying his nose into her hair.

"In case I don't get to tell you this when we get back to work…" He tilted her chin and forced her to look directly at him. "I knew you'd do great and I never doubted you for a second..."

Michelle looked up, a little misty eyed and smiled. "Thanks."

She closed her lids and rested her head on his chest. In no time at all she was fast asleep.

"Michelle?" Tony tried, feeling each rhythmic breath through his shirt. She was so tired. He watched her peacefully for a few minutes before kissing her tenderly, scooping her up in his arms and carrying her to bed. He pulled off Michelle's clothes and slipped a t-shirt over her head before tucking the blankets so they engulfed her unmoving form.

Tony changed, before slipping into bed beside Michelle and tucked his arms around her waist, much like he had the blankets, encompassing her body with his own from head to toe. He had been right about another thing too, five days was far too long.

"You have no idea…" he began quietly; fully aware she couldn't hear him. He pressed his lips into her neck, finding himself unable to let her go for too long. "How much I love you…"