Everyone was going home with someone. Chloe with Morris, Bill with Karen, Jack with Audrey. But she was not. She should have been. Tony should have been by her side, holding her, taking her home. But instead of being next to her under their sheets in their bed, he was wrapped in an ugly plastic sheet, on his way to be cremated. She was thankful to Jack for putting a bullet in Henderson's head, but was disappointed she was not there to see it.
Michelle put on her jacket, and headed towards the door. She passed Jack and Audrey, who were apparently in some sort of an argument. Curiosity getting the better of her, she halted, turning a corner so that she would not be seen.
" She needs someone to talk to right now Audrey. You should know how it feels," Jack snapped, obviously in response to something she said.
" So you're just going to give up you're first night back with me, to talk with Michelle?" Audrey exclaimed in disbelief, emphasis on the last word.
Michelle sucked in a sharp breath at the sound of her name. Registering what had just been said, she determined that Jack wanted to talk to HER. Obviously this angered Audrey. Michelle had mixed feelings for Audrey. Audrey was smart, and beautiful, which was probably why Jack fell in love with her. But Audrey was sort of bitchy; she never new her place. That was the reason Michelle had always secretly questioned their relationship. But she certainly was not one to stick her nose in.
" I'll see you tomorrow, Audrey. I promise. Look I'm her friend, and she's been there for me so I think she deserves something in return. Her husband just died Audrey!" Jack countered, temper rising.
Jack's last comment was almost out of character. Of course Michelle had been there for him on occasion, and they definetly had a good working relationship. To call them friends was not ridiculous. But Jack had NEVER talked to her just as a friend, or done anything like that. Michelle could guess he cared about her, but him actually acting on the friendship was something extremely new. Plus the fact that he was giving up a night with Audrey made it even more unlike him.
" Look Audrey, this is the end of this conversation," he finished more gently, and walked away, leaving an angry, bewildered Audrey behind.
Michelle quickly moved away, back to her workstation so that she would not be caught snooping. She had just enough time to make it look like she was finishing something on he computer before Jack arrived at her desk.
"Hey," Jack said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey," Michelle replied, not knowing what else to say.
"You want a ride home?" Jack offered.
"Sure," Michelle replied, lips turning upward to form a thin smile. So what she heard was completely true.
She put on her jacket for the second time, and allowed herself to be led away by Jack.
The ride to her apartment was quick, but also silent. But she didn't really expect anything to be said. Only when they were both seated on her couch did Jack begin.
" So are you doing ok?" Jack asked, eyes full of concern.
" I don't know. I can't believe he's gone," she choked, as Jack put an arm around her.
" Shhh," Jack whispered, stroking her hair. " It's gonna be ok."
" Jack why are you here?" Michelle asked after a moment.
" Because you just lost Tony, and I think you deserve someone to talk to," Jack replied a little taken back at the question.
" Jack I know you want to help, but you've NEVER done anything like this before," Michelle argued.
Jack sighed, obviously in deep thought.
" I'm here because I'm not in love with Audrey, and I didn't know who else to talk to."
