Title: Good People Gone Bad
Summary: second part of the Michael Fitzgerald/Nicole Malone series. Jack got custody of the girls, and Nicole got custody of Mike Fitzgerald's heart. Will Michael and Nicole's relationship advance, or will someone make sure that it stops?
Disclaimer: I own none of the Without a Trace Characters, but I do own Nicole Malone and Michael Fitzgerald, and should I end up creating more characters, I will own them also.
A/N: as with many of my other stories, I'm making a lot of things up as I go along. I'm a high school student with very little money. Please don't sue.
A/N: When I say bridal-style, I mean with one arm around the back and one under the knees, like when the man carries the woman across the threshold.
A/N: This is the last chapter to this part of the Michael/Nicole series. I hope to have the next part along sometime within the next week. If anybody has any ideas, please let me know! Email me or something!
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"I hope Nicole is okay. I mean, we've all known her since she was a little baby."
"I just hope that Mike refrains himself when he sees her. Seeing the hit with the pistol was one thing, but seeing it face to face, is completely different."
"You're worried Michael is going to try something?"
"I don't know, Viv, I mean, he really, really loves Nicole. Wouldn't you freak out if someone hurt a person that you love?"
Viv just nods her head, thinking the same things that Martin was. In Ellington, dad, Michael and Sam were not having as much luck.
"I can't believe nobody has seen them. How do you miss seeing some guy drag a beautiful, unconscious girl into a building?"
The three agents walk into the town's small post office.
"Excuse me, I'm agent Malone, this is Agents Fitzgerald and Spade. We're with the FBI. Have you seen this man?"
Dad hands the clerk a picture of Anthony McManton, hoping that by some chance, he will say that he has seen him, and they'll get a break in my case.
"Well, as a matter of fact, I have seen this gentleman. I don't know his name, but he's been in town for about two weeks or so, renovating this old house."
"Was he alone?"
"When he first moved into town, yes, but then a few days ago, he pulled up with a beautiful girl in the car. I asked him who she was, and he said it was his wife, and that he didn't want to bring her to town until he had most of the work done on his house."
"Do you know what kind of car he drives, or where he lives, by any chance?"
"He drives a black ford Taurus, and he lives A few blocks up this road, but I don't have any specific details on this house. Sorry."
"No, Sir, you've been a lot of help. Thank you."
Dad, Michael, and Sam walk out of the building with a renewed sense of hope and vigor. Getting in the car, they follow the postal worker's directions and start going up the road, looking for a black ford Taurus.
"Has anybody seen it yet?"
"Not yet."
"There! To your right, Jack."
Dad pulls over, running up to the house where the car is parked. Without knocking at all, dad breaks down the front door, and Sam, Michael and himself begin searching the house. As they walk into the living room, they see Anthony with sitting in a recliner, laughing.
"Congratulations, Agent Malone, Agent Fitzgerald. You found me, way to go!"
"Where is she, McManton?"
"You will get your precious Nicole in due time, Jack, don't worry. First, I want proof that you've wiped my file clean. Then, I'll think about letting you get your daughter back."
Anthony turns around to continue mocking and making fun of dad and Michael, but while he is turned around, Sam and dad pounce on the opportunity and handcuff him.
"Michael, go check the basement, Sam, you check this floor. I'll stay with this guy and call some backup."
Each agent took special time to search their assigned floor. I see the door open in front of me, and Mike appears a few seconds later. Unfortunately, before I can be excited to be rescued, I pass out.
"Jack, Sam! She's down here!"
He yells to dad and Sam to let them know where we are. Mike walks up to the chair getting the tape off of my ankles and wrists.
"It's alright, I have you. You're okay now."
He picks me up bridal-style, and carries me up the stairs.
"Is she alright, Mike?"
"She's fine; I just need you to get the paramedics over here."
The paramedics rush over, getting me onto the stretcher, and already working on saving my life. Michael gets into the ambulance, riding beside me, and never once letting go of my hand. Dad and Sam drive to the hospital, meeting us there, then call the field office and let everyone know that we're okay. The next time I open my eyes, I see Michael sitting in a chair beside my hospital bed, his head resting on his hands which are on the bed. I adjust my body in the bed, successfully waking Mike.
"Mm…Welcome back, you."
He says, smiling up at me.
"How long have I been out?"
"About a day. Doctor said that the guy beat your head with the gun so much that you basically went into a small coma."
"Well, that's always fun."
I shrug it off, trying to down play the situation. Normally, Mike would've laughed at even the most stupid jokes, but he looked really serious, and even a little upset.
"Mike, what's the matter?"
"You know I should be the one to ask you that."
"Don't avoid me."
"Okay, fine. This whole thing has made me think, you know? Think about my job, and about my apartment, and about you. I don't want to lose you again."
He reaches down beside the bed, and produces a black velvet ring case. Mike opens it and pulls out a single diamond platinum ring.
"Marry me Nicole."
All I can do is nod my head, as Michael slides the ring onto my left ring finger. I know now that I am happy and safe, and I will remain that way for years to come.
