Thanks for all the reviews. This is the last chapter of that story. I'm still thinking about adding an epilogue. If you guys read the story, please do me a favor and help me to decide.
Tony and Michelle found the staff in the situation room and joined them. Everybody turned to them and Ryan said: "Tony, Michelle. Nice of you to join us"
Michelle bit her lip trying to suppress a smile while Tony kept a straight face. Once they took their seats, Ryan started talking: "As I was saying, we secured the virus and Alvers and Amador are in custody. Alvers said that they were supposed to meet a buyer but he didn't know his name. Amador refused to talk, Richards is with him but I don't think that he is going to talk. Our only lead is Nina…."
Tony cut him off: "wait a second. We don't know that. There is a chance that she doesn't know anything and even if she does, she isn't going to tell us anything unless we have something she wants"
Ryan was clearly irritated that he was interrupted:"I'm aware of that. That's why we need to pick the best interrogator. I'm done playing games with her and there is no way I'm letting her go". He looked back and forth between Jack and Tony tying to pick one. Before he could speak, another voice interrupted him: "I'll do it"
Tony turned to Michelle with a look of horror on his face; he couldn't believe what he just heard. Michelle wanted to interrogate Nina. He looked at Ryan dreading his answer; he knew that if Ryan agreed, then that was it. Michelle would interrogate Nina and there was nothing he could do. Ryan inhaled deeply: "Michelle…"
She stopped him: "Listen to me Ryan. That's not a normal interrogation; it's a game, a battle between two minds. I know that you want to send Tony or Jack and I would have agreed with you if it were anybody else. Both of them share a personal history with her and she will use it. She has nothing to lose"
Ryan leaned back in his chair and crossed his fingers in front of his face: "You share a personal history with her too. You're married to her ex and she will use that. You don't know her ways Michelle"
Michelle glanced at Tony before replying, his eyes were pleading with her to let it go but she couldn't. She focused on Ryan: "I know that and so does she. She will think that she has the upper ground. Plus, she is convinced that I'm a piece of cake and it's easy to affect me. I can use that Ryan, I can use her pride"
Ryan thought about what she said for a moment. She had a point, her chances to get something out of Nina were higher than Tony's or even Jack's. Michelle was emotional but Ryan trusted her. He was sure that she wouldn't be offering if she thought she wasn't up to it. He decided to let her do it but a look at Tony made him hesitate.
Tony had his head in his hands and it was obvious that he didn't like where that conversation was heading. In any other day, Ryan wouldn't let that stop him but today was different. Tony had suffered a lot both physically and emotionally and Ryan didn't want him to go into an emotional roller coaster .Ryan had pushed him hard already and Tony was so close to explode.
Ryan decided to let Tony and Jack decide. He knew that if it was up to Tony, he wouldn't let Michelle interrogate Nina: "Tony, Jack, it's your call". Jack ran a hand through his hair. He was worried about Michelle, she was like a sister to him and he knew that Nina would hurt her badly but she deserved a chance. She never let him down so why not? He nodded to her and she mouthed: "thank you"
Michelle turned to Tony nervously, she knew it wouldn't be easy to convince him but she had to: "Tony, I can do it. I know I can. Listen, you and Jack can watch the entire interrogation and stop me anytime. Just let me do it"
Tony looked at her wearily and she repeated his words: "if I ever need you to trust me, it's now". Tony closed his eyes, how could he refuse after what she had just said? She didn't understand why he wanted to go back to CTU and she was worried for his health but she trusted him. He had to trust her to do her job. He had to treat her like he treated Kim or Chloe. She was very capable and he knew it but he couldn't help his over protectiveness. She was his life and he wanted to protect her from getting hurt.
Tony exhaled sharply, he made up his mind. He looked at Michelle and said: "alright but if the situation got out of your control, leave immediately. That's an order". Michelle nodded and stood up followed by Tony and Jack. The three of them made their way to the observation room and Tony and Michelle stopped as Jack entered to join Dalton.
Michelle turned to Tony: "Thanks. I promise I won't let you down". Tony tried to smile: "I know you won't". He paused for a second then reached for her hand: "she'll say some hurtful things Michelle. Just keep in mind that I didn't love her. Hell, I never knew what love was until I met you. I love you so much, more than you can imagine"
Michelle smiled and looked around to make sure no one was there then leaned and planted a kiss on his lips: "I love you too. Don't worry, I'll be fine. Go ahead and join Jack. I'll be there in a minute" Tony nodded and squeezed her hand before leaving. He stood with Jack waiting for Michelle to go in.
Michelle stayed outside for a while trying to organize her thoughts. She was trying to prepare herself to hear the painful comments that Nina would say about Tony and her. She fidgeted with the necklace she was wearing then entered the holding room.
Nina smirked when she saw Michelle: "well, hello again, Michelle". Michelle ignored her and took a seat: "let's cut to the chase Nina. Who was supposed to meet Amador and Alvers at the bar?" Nina raised her brow: "how should I know? Ask them"
Michelle returned her smirk: "oh, please. That's the oldest trick in the book. Play dumb but guess what? That's not going to work with me"
Nina shook her head in amusement: "did Tony pass some of his interrogation skills to you? They won't work though, I know them all. You're wasting your time. I'm not telling you anything unless you have something to offer me"
Michelle smiled sweetly at her: "like a pardon? Sorry, not going to happen but why do I have the feeling that you already knew that?"
Nina leaned forward: "actually I was thinking about your handsome husband". Tony clenched his fists at that and glanced worriedly at Michelle but she didn't seem to be phased. She kept smiling and fixed Nina with her eyes. Nina didn't waste anytime and decided to attack from another direction: "do you think you know Tony?"
Michelle nodded and Nina shook her head in disbelief: "You're fooling yourself. I'm sure that you didn't think that he was capable of lying to you but he did. Doesn't that tell you something? How can you be so sure that he's not cheating on you? Or that he's not a mole? You know only what he wants you to. Personally I don't know him although he was very straight with me."
Michelle rolled her eyes: "Are you sure that you should be talking about that? I'm sure that he's not cheating on me and I'm sure as hell that he's not a mole. I trust my husband Nina and I know that he would never do anything to hurt me"
"So it didn't hurt you that he made you think he fled with me?" Nina shot back and Michelle shrugged: "He was doing his job. I understand and respect that. Tony put the country's best interest ahead of everything else. He didn't mean to hurt me, he wanted to protect me"
Nina sighed dramatically: "yeah, he had always been passionate, especially in bed". Tony froze as Jack's eyes widened. Both knew that Nina would attack fiercely but they didn't expect her to say that. Tony held his breath as he looked at Michelle. He hated that she would think about him and Nina that way.
Michelle stared at Nina with disgust, she was sick to her stomach. She imagined Tony kissing Nina and whispering sweet things in her ears, she imagined him sleeping with her. Waves of jealousy washed over her and she was about to lose control but Tony's words echoed in her head: "I didn't love her. Hell, I never knew what love was until I met you"
Michelle bit her lip as images of herself and Tony filled her mind. How she woke up everyday to his kisses, how he comforted her after hard days at work, how he made her feel loved and wanted by his mere touch. Tony gave her himself and never asked for anything in return. That was Tony, her husband, her lover, her rock.
She remembered that she mentioned Nina once after their marriage. He tensed up and begged her not to talk about Nina again. He said that he felt cheap every time he thought about her. Nina made Tony think that he wasn't enough and it took Michelle a long time to convince him that that wasn't true. She hated Nina for it; she hated her for making that wonderful man think less of himself.
"You didn't deserve him" escaped Michelle's mouth and Nina gaped at her, she didn't expect Michele to respond. The emotional woman that she faced a little while ago wouldn't have responded. For the first time, Nina knew that she underestimated Michelle. She stared at her as Michelle unleashed her anger: "you're stupid Nina. You had an incredible man but you didn't notice. Tony is too good for you"
Tony couldn't control his smile. Jack raised his brow as Dalton said: "man, she is so in love with you". Tony blushed fiercely and Jack put his hand on his mouth to stop himself from laughing. Both of them knew that there was no point in talking to Dalton. The guy didn't care about who he was talking to; he addressed all of them as if they were his buddies or something. Tony tried to talk to him before but Dalton didn't change. He gave up eventually and even got used to the way Dalton talked. Both he and Chloe were great workers but lacked personal skills.
Tony averted his eyes from the two men and focused on Michelle who stopped for a second to catch her breath then continued: "you had everything, the perfect job, the perfect friends and the perfect man but you were stupid enough to throw all that away and I'm so grateful that you did. I have your life Nina, the same job, the same friends and most importantly the same man. You have no idea how much I'm grateful that you didn't notice what kind of man Tony is"
Nina was stunned into total silence; she didn't know what to say. Michelle stared her down then got up to leave but she felt dizzy. She gripped the table to steady herself. Tony and Jack were by her side in a second. They made her sit down despite her protests.
Tony kneeled in front of her and caressed her cheek. Concern was evident on his face and she smiled trying to reassure him: "I'm okay. I just stood up quickly". Both Dalton and Ryan entered the room and Dalton said: "I called medical, they will be there in a minute"
Michelle raised her head: "what? Medical? I'm fine guys, really". She tried to stand up but another wave of dizziness hit her and she nearly fell. Tony caught her and eased her into the chair: "no, you're not. Stop being so damn stubborn"
Michelle didn't respond, she just clutched her stomach and began to rock back and forth while breathing slowly. Tony put his hand on her head: "baby, what's wrong?" Michelle answered: "I'm feeling sick"
Nina snickered when she heard that: "oh Tony, your little doll is not feeling well". Tony ignored her and focused on Michelle. He collected her in his arms and allowed her to rest her head on his shoulder. He didn't care that there were other people in the room. His only concern was about the woman in his arms.
Nina didn't miss the chance: "oh, how romantic". Tony had had enough at that point. He was about to respond but Jack was faster. He turned to Nina and roared: "I swear to God Nina, one more word and I'll make you regret the day you were born"
Nina shut her mouth and looked away. There was fury in Jack's eyes and she didn't want to evoke him. It was obvious that he and Tony became close over the last few years and he was really worried about Michelle.
Dr.Ashley Adams arrived shortly after. She saw Tony and Michelle and was about to talk but Michelle gasped and ran out of the room followed by Tony. Ashley followed them to the ladies room. Michelle was throwing up and Tony was brushing her hair away and drawing circles on her back.
Michelle was panting heavily when she finished. Ashley put her hand on her forehead but Michelle didn't have a fever. Tony was holding her and Ashley knew that he was worried sick: "I'll take her down stairs to rest. Don't worry, she'll be okay. It's not a big deal"
Tony nodded: "I'm coming with you". Michelle put her hand on his; "no, stay. I'll be okay". He looked at her worriedly and she smiled at him and whispered: "I hope that there will be no needles involved. We don't get along well". She made a face at him and he laughed: "if there is a needle involved, give me a call. I can think of something to distract you"
He helped her to the bullpen and she smiled at her co-workers. All of them looked worried and she appreciated their concern. She winked at Tony then left with Ashley.
Michelle returned a couple of hours later feeling better. Tony was still in his office working and she was about to go to him but someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned and smiled at Kim who asked:" you okay?"
Michelle nodded and asked: "so what happened?" Kim sighed: "not much. Both Nina and Amador refused to speak. Amador and Alvers were transferred to Division and Dad went to bring Nina to join them. We didn't find any new leads. We're just finishing the paper work. Go ahead and see Tony. I know that you were going to"
Michelle shook her head and climbed the stairs to Tony's office. She entered silently trying to surprise him but he saw her:" Hey, how are you doing?"
She stepped closer allowing him to wrap his arms around her petite frame: "I'm fine". He smiled and buried his lips in her hair. They stood like that for a while then she noticed some of her files on his desk:" Tony, what are those files doing here?"
When he didn't answer her, she pulled away and looked at him. She read the answer on his face and her face softened: "you did my paper work? Sweetheart, you didn't have to. You are sicker than I am"
He tapped her nose lightly: "I'm not sick. I was shot". He announced proudly and she giggled at him. God, she loved that man. Everything about him was perfect. She stared at him and bit her lip: "Tony, there is something I need to tell you"
Her face was serious and he started to worry. He waited for her to talk but she lifted his hand to her lips and kissed it then intertwined her fingers with his and placed their hands on her stomach. His eyes widened and he just stared at her. She smiled and understood that he needed to hear her say it to make sure he wasn't dreaming. She kissed his neck then whispered in his ear:" we're going to have a baby"
The next thing Michelle knew, she was being kissed passionately. Tony lifted her in his arms and spun her around. He put her down then kissed her again. As they broke apart, he whispered: "you just made me the happiest man on earth"
She smiled at him and he tucked a loose curl behind her ear: "God, you're so beautiful". She blushed and he put his arm around her waist as he turned to look at the bullpen. He took her hand: "come on, let's tell them". She wanted to tell him to wait until they told their families but she stopped herself. He was so happy; he looked like a kid in a candy story. Instead, she smiled and followed him.
Jack was escorting Nina to the car that would take her to Division. He stopped when he saw Tony and Michelle. Both of them looked so happy. Not that they were usually cranky but it was different. There was some kind of air around them that oozed happiness:" what's going on?"
Michelle decided to play it cool:" what do you mean?" Jack knew what she was doing and sighed: "you know what I mean Michelle. You guys look extremely happy. I had known Tony since a long time and I saw him look like that twice, when you accepted his proposal and on your wedding day. Plus, you are just…..glowing"
Tony smiled at Michelle: "well, she had every right to." He looked around and noticed that all eyes were on them: "we're going to have a baby". Nobody talked as they stared at him in surprise then Kim shrieked: "oh my God". She threw her arms around Tony as Chase hugged Michelle.
Jack stayed where he was smiling. He was so happy for his friends. He stole a glance at Nina and was pleased to see that she was angry. He knew that she was trying to ruin Tony and Michelle's life and was glad that she failed.
Jack waited until everybody congratulated Tony and Michelle then approached them and pulled Michelle to his arms then he turned to Tony: "maybe being sick isn't that bad". Tony smiled and Jack hugged him briefly and patted him on the back.
A voice came from behind: "the day was eventful to you Almeida, wasn't it?" Tony turned to Ryan: "yeah but I should have skipped the getting shot part". Ryan smiled and shook Tony's hand then gave Michelle an awkward hug: "congratulations you two. So if you finished your work, I think that you should go home"
Michelle turned to Tony and he nodded at her: "it just needs to be sent to Division". Jack rolled his eyes: "just go Tony. I'll take care of it". Tony smiled at him with gratitude then wrapped his arm around Michelle and left.
Tony entered their house with Michelle on his heels. He put the pizza they picked on the way on the counter and turned to face Michelle. He took her face in his hands and kissed her firmly. She was out of breath by the time he pulled back. He kissed her neck and nibbled on her earlobe before whispering: "come on. You need to eat. You're eating for two now"
He led her to the couch and sat with her leaning on his chest and started eating. He finished before she did and started kissing her neck. She giggled: "Hey, I thought I need to eat. I can't eat with you doing that". He buried his head in her hair and stopped. She was very tired and started to doze off after she finished eating. He noticed and carried her to their bedroom. She tried to protest but he shushed her and helped her to change.
Once she was tucked in bed, Tony changed his clothes and turned to find her asleep. He smiled and kissed her forehead lightly before lying down next to her. What he didn't know was that she was awake but decided to tease him. She was about to talk when he felt him lift her shirt and put his hand on her stomach. He caressed her lower abdomen gently then kissed it and started talking: "hey sweetie. It's daddy. I know that you are only a tiny bean inside mommy right now but I just wanted you to know how much I love you. I hope that you'll be the girl but you have to be just like your mommy. Her smile, her eyes, her hair and of course her big heart. Your mommy saved me; she showed me what love was really about, she taught me how to live without worrying about everything. She is what makes that life worth living"
Tears welled up in Michelle's eyes at Tony's words. Every time she thought that she couldn't love that man more, he did something that made her fall for him even harder. Michelle reached down and pulled Tony to face her. He was surprised but understood when he saw her face. She kissed him and whispered: "you'll make one hell of a dad. That was beautiful. God, you make me feel so special"
Tony kissed her again: "you're special. You're my wife and the most gorgeous mother to be". She smiled then started unbuttoning his shirt slowly. He kept kissing her until all of their clothes were discarded. They made love passionately cherishing every moment.
Michelle fell asleep with her head over Tony's chest. He pulled her closer and rested his hand on her stomach. He wondered what he had done to deserve that angel. He remembered what Michelle said to Nina during the interrogation. Her love was evident in her words and he felt his heart flatter at the memory. For the first time since the Drazens declared war on Jack Bauer, Tony realized that Nina did him a favor. She disappeared from his life which gave him the chance to meet the love of his life. Michelle changed him to the best. He was a better man because of her. He kissed her cheek one more time then drifted off to sleep knowing that life was perfect.
I think all of you guessed what a helpless romantic I'm. That was my try to write fluff, please tell me if it worked and don't forget to help me decide, epilogue or no epilogue.