Hey everybody. I didn't intend to add another chapter to that story but a couple of you asked me to so I decided to add a couple of chapters. Thanks to those of you who helped me make up my mind.
The drive back to CTU was silent. Tony kept glancing at Michelle but she refused to meet his gaze, she was very disappointed but she didn't know with whom. Was she disappointed with Tony? He did nothing wrong. He was just doing his job and she couldn't blame him. As a federal agent, he was forced to do what he'd done. Both of them had sworn to protect their country at any cost so why was she upset with him?
Michelle touched her ring briefly. She admitted it; she was angry with Tony for not telling her about the secret mission and for making her believe that he wanted to be with Nina. However, Michelle knew that she was angry with herself too.How could she not notice that her husband was hiding something from her? How could she believe that the same man who almost died for his country today was a traitor?
Michelle felt as if her head was going to explode. She was going in circles and her thoughts made no sense. She felt Tony's hand cover hers. She could feel his hesitance and she hated herself for acting like that, she knew he was feeling guilty but she couldn't do anything about it. Her mind wasn't clear and she had to collect her thoughts before talking to him. She just hoped that he would understand.
Tony didn't know how to feel about the way Michelle reacted to his touch. She didn't pull her hand away which meant that she wasn't angry with him but she didn't caress his hand like she used to which meant that something was bothering her. He looked at her beautiful face and sighed. He knew that she was having a battle with herself. As his wife, she had every right to be angry but as a federal agent, she understood his actions. It was his duty to do everything in his power to find out where the virus was.
Tony knew how hard it was to keep their personal life from interfering with their jobs. He went through the same battle hours ago when Michelle told Ryan he wasn't fit to run CTU. The federal agent in him knew that she was doing her job but the husband in him was expecting her to trust him more. Tony lost his battle and as a result, he treated her like crap. He didn't know which side of Michelle would win the battle.
They were getting close to CTU and Tony knew he had to do something. They wouldn't be able to talk in CTU and there was no way they could go on like that. In the same time, they couldn't talk with Jack and Chase in the front seat. Tony didn't know what to do. After thinking for a while, he opted to the best solution. He squeezed Michelle's hand lightly then lifted it to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to her palm.
They arrived at CTU shortly after that. Tony noticed that everybody stopped working and turned to them the second they entered the bullpen. Chappelle approached them and said to Tony: "working with Bauer for so long affected you but the result was satisfying, good job"
Tony stared at Chappelle, he couldn't believe his ears. Ryan Chappelle just told him that he was pleased with his work. He was sure that both he and Michelle would joke about it later. Thinking about Michelle reminded him of their situation. He looked at her but she kept avoiding his gaze and he decided to give her some time. He just hoped that they would sort things out.
Nina was escorted with some guards into the bullpen. As she passed them, she muttered something. They didn't hear anything except Michelle's name. Michelle turned to the guards: "wait". They stopped and turned to her as Tony held his breath. He didn't want Michelle to talk to Nina but Michelle approached her:"did you just say something?"
Nina looked at Tony for a while to evoke Michelle then replied: "I said do you think it'll be the same?" Michelle crossed her arms waiting for Nina to continue: "Do you think things between you and Tony will be the same?"
Tony's blood ran cold as he glanced at Michelle. She was masking her emotions well but he could see through it. Nina was getting into her and he wanted desperately to protect her from the poison of Nina Myers.
Michelle bit her lip nervously. Nina's words affected her whether she cared to admit it or not. Nina had just voiced her worst fears and Michelle wished if she knew the answer to that question. She was scared to death but she wasn't going to let Nina know that. She looked Nina square in the eye: "why won't they?"
Nina barked a laugh: "oh please. Um, Michelle, am I right? Your husband lied to you and every time he'll tell you something, you will doubt it. Your marriage entered a circle of lies that will never end. There is no way you are going to trust him again. He didn't trust you so why should you trust him? Your marriage is doomed and there is nothing you can do about it"
Michelle's body started to shake. She couldn't do that anymore. Nina's words stung so much and she couldn't even find her voice to respond. She was losing it and she knew it.
Everybody else including Nina noticed the change in Michelle. The color drained from her face and she was taking long shaky breaths. Nina smirked in satisfaction. That's exactly what she wanted. Tony betrayed her and he was the reason she was going back to prison and she wasn't going to let him enjoy his life. She would make his wife doubt him and think that her marriage was shaken. She would make his life a living hell: "and when you marriage is over. Whose reputation will be ruined? You will be the girl who tricked the boss into marrying her for her own interests and when she got what she wanted, she divorced him. Of course some people will think that Tony was the one who divorced you because he uncovered your true face. I pity you, how are you going to deal with that?"
At that point Chappelle yelled: "that's enough. Take her to holding one". The guards took Nina away as Michelle stumbled to the ladies room. Tears filled her eyes and it took all of her strength not to break down in front of everybody. She knew that what Nina said wasn't true. Her marriage was strong and Tony loved her .They just had a problem like any other couple. She kept repeating the same things to herself hoping to calm down.
Tony rushed after Michelle and caught up with her just outside the ladies room. He grabbed her elbow gently and turned her to face him. Tears were rolling down her cheeks and his heart went out for her. She was in so much pain because of him and it sickened him. He pulled her to his embrace and she held into him. She started sobbing painfully and he ran his hands up and down her back: "shhh, it's okay baby. I'm here. Calm down"
Tony pulled back and wiped her tears. She raised her eyes to meet his and his heart shattered, there was so much pain in her eyes and he didn't know how to take it away. He caressed her cheek and she leaned into his touch. He traced her lips with the other hand and she gazed in his eyes until he whispered: "it's not true"
A sob escaped her lips and he kissed her forehead: "I want you to know that you can trust me. I hated what I've done. I hated lying to you and hurting you but I didn't know what else to do. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry baby"
Michelle shook her head and took a deep breath. Her voice was heavy with emotions: "I'm not mad because of what you have done with Nina. I'm disappointed with myself Tony. My husband was keeping a secret from me and I had no idea. What kind of wife does that make me? I….."
Tony cut her off: "No, you are the best wife anybody could ask for. I'm blessed to have you in my life. Sweetheart, please don't beat yourself up on that. I promise I'll never hide anything from you again. Can you forgive me?"
Michelle smiled through her tears. Tony always knew how to make her feel better no matter what. She knew that they still needed to have another conversation but that was enough for the time being.
Michelle leaned forward and kissed Tony tenderly. He pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. She ran her hand through his hair and he smiled against her lips: "Does that mean I'm forgiven?" She rested her forehead on his and whispered: "I love you so much". Tony brushed her hair away from her face: "I love you too"
They got lost in each other's eyes then Tony remembered something. He held her hand tightly as he said: "there is something else that I need to apologize for. I was so harsh on you before. I had no right to….."
Michelle put her figures on his lips to silence him: "it doesn't matter. I want you to know that I was just worried about you". Tony rubbed his nose against hers: "I know. So what's my punishment going to be? You'll make my eat one of your home cooked meals?"
Michelle gasped in mock horror: "who are you punishing exactly? Because it looks like you are punishing me not yourself ".Tony smiled and teased her: "I'm punishing both of us". Michelle tried to look offended but Tony just cocked his head to the side and raised his brow and she couldn't help but giggle at his expression.
Michelle slid her hand down Tony's face and neck. She stopped when her hand reached the bandage on his neck: "Does it hurt?" Tony shook her head trying to assure her that he was okay but she eyed him carefully:" Tony, you promised"
Tony sighed and looked at the floor: "it hurts a little. It's not that bad though. I took some pain killers". Michelle bit her lip: "promise me that you will get it checked". Tony nodded and she kissed his cheek gratefully. That wound scared her more than she cared to admit. It was a constant reminder that she was so close to losing him.
Tony reached for her hand and caressed it gently: "you're better than me". Michelle looked surprised so he explained: "you didn't mix the cards. You separated the wife from the federal agent while I failed"
Michelle smiled and brushed her lips against his: "I love you the way you are. Plus, you look adorable when you get angry and go in a bad agent mood". Tony laughed at her: "well, we should go back. I don't' think that Ryan looks adorable when he is in bad agent mood"
Michelle made a face at him but started walking. He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her temple. Suddenly, she stopped and turned to him; "Tony, was I delusional or did Ryan actually congratulate you on your work?" .Tony pretended to be thinking for a second then whispered as if he was telling her the most dangerous secret in the universe: "I think he did"
"Wow "Michelle exclaimed: "we should throw him a party". Tony chuckled: "yeah but don't tell him. It'll be better without him". Michelle threw him a bright smile and he smiled back.
Both Tony and Michelle returned to the bullpen in a better shape. They took a few minutes to express their feelings and apologize to each other and that helped both of them a lot. Now, they could deal with Chappelle and prevent Adam and Chloe from fighting. They could calm Jack down and convince him not to kill Chase. They were one team again.