Chapter 5

After a few nights of medical observation, Nadia practically shoved Michelle and Chloe out the big doors of CTU, kindly, but firmly, telling her not to come back. Much the way Michelle had told Jack and Audrey over a year ago now. Michelle was mostly prepared, having only gone out to buy some more toddler-friendly food and toys. She'd converted the nursery back into a generic bedroom several months ago, the third still serving as a study, but most of the house was still child-proof anyway. Major was used to having kids around, so she wasn't worried about him either. The only thing she was concerned about was making sure Chloe felt comfortable around her. Michelle had practically glued herself to Chloe's side, playing with her and slowly getting to know her in the ward. She'd tried making what was sure to be an exhausting and overwhelming experience for the child, somewhat comforting. Other people at CTU would often spend their breaks sitting and playing with her. They used to with James, so it was a joy for them to have that happiness return to their otherwise highly stressful work lives. Especially considering how lucky she'd been. To escape an explosion that had killed so many people with some bruising, a cut, and some minor hearing loss, she was a walking miracle.

It was late evening when Michelle returned home. She had cartoons playing quietly, dressing Chloe in soft, mint green pyjamas, noting the match to her bright, almost entrancing eyes. Eventually, she fell asleep in her lap. Caressing her cheek a little over a faint scratch mark that hadn't quite faded yet, Michelle carried Chloe gently down the hall and placed her in the bed. She stood at the threshold of the room, Major nuzzling her leg. Luckily, Chloe hadn't seemed too bothered by Major's presence. Michelle scratched under his chin, smiling slightly at their new guest.

Turning to go back to the living room, Michelle hesitated. She was overcome with concern, deciding instead to sit in the armchair near the window, watching the little girl, who she was growing to care for more and more by the second, sleep in the bed. Nadia was right, she realised. This did feel right. She'd adored looking after James, but she'd always thought of James as 'Jack and Audrey's' son. Deep down she'd known they were out there somewhere, alive. She'd believed that at least one of them would be able to come home one day and take care of him. To Michelle, taking care of James Anthony Bauer-Heller was always a temporary position, simply because she knew she was working every day to find them and bring them home. But here, with Chloe Parker, a stranger, a child that fate had plucked out of thin air and placed into her life, Michelle felt there was something more. This child's parents were gone. Even if they did find other family eventually, although as time passed, that seemed to be less and less likely to be a fruitful search, right now, Michelle was the primary and sole caregiver for this child. And there was a bond there. An honest-to-god, genuine bond between her and this little girl.

At some point a few hours later, Michelle jolted from her half-asleep state, to find the child screaming and crying. It was ferocious, and so rife with distress, Michelle knew it could only be from a nightmare. She scolded Major, who was barking, understandably in alarm, but not helping the situation. Kneeling by her bedside, she ran a hand through her short, wavy hair.

"It's okay, Chloe, it's okay…"

Again, Michelle found tiny hands grabbing onto her shirt and face. Smiling bittersweetly and continuing to comfort her, Michelle lifted Chloe into her embrace.

"I used to get them too…they're scary, I know…" She whispered into the child's ear, wiping a tear from Chloe's cheek and kissing her temple. "Just try and go back to sleep, sweetheart, you're safe…"

Eventually, the child settled and fell asleep in Michelle's arms, who was half sitting up in the small, single bed. And for the rest of the night, she held her, feeling that heart-tugging affection wash over her. Something about caring for this child, something about holding her in her arms, being the one to keep her nightmares and fears at bay, was giving her a strong sense of purpose. To this child, Michelle was the one who pulled her out of the darkness, out of the horror that had befallen her. So naturally, Chloe had clung to her, Chloe had understood that Michelle was all she had left.

And Michelle didn't realise just how much she wanted, no, just how much she needed, this child in her life, until she got a call from Child Services.

It had come at breakfast time, Michelle finding that she had to tear herself away from the soundscape of giggles and bliss in her kitchen. They'd told her simply and directly that they'd found a guardian for Chloe Parker. Her uncle, Joel Fleming, brother of Chloe's mother, Melanie, had finally responded to the calls and letters sent to his address in New Jersey. He was flying in today, and would be escorted by Child Services to her home, where they'd sort out custody arrangements. They wouldn't tear Chloe away from Michelle's arms, no, it wasn't quite that abrupt. There would be ease, an adjustment process, so that way when Michelle had to say goodbye, it wouldn't be difficult. For Chloe at least. Michelle had replied, equally as simply, saying she understood.

But deep down, she was screaming. What she was just getting used to, what she was already so in love with, was going to be ripped from her. And then what? She'd feel like a fool waltzing back into CTU demanding to be put in charge again. The one thing she had left was slipping through her fingers.

Watching Chloe and Major from a distance, her fingers quivered as she called Audrey. She and Jack were in the process of opening a support group and centre for veterans, using James Heller Senior's public endorsement to get them off the ground. Nadia was likely busy with some kind of threat, she certainly wouldn't want to bother her. The phone nearly went to voicemail but not before she heard a familiar voice clearing his throat.

"Hello?" It was Jack. "Michelle?"

"Yeah…" She replied, digging her nails into her palm, feeling her breathing grow rapid and unstable.

"Is something wrong? Audrey's in the middle of running a session, I can get her if you-"

"N-no, it's okay." She wiped a tear that had formed at the corner of her eye.

"Michelle, what's happened?" He could tell by the way Michelle's voice was on the verge of breaking, by the sharp breaths she was exuding, that she wasn't okay. Jack's thoughts immediately went to the child he'd seen Michelle slowly fall in love with since the day she'd rescued her. He and Audrey had been so happy for her, bringing over an overwhelming amount of toys and clothes. Even if the custody was technically temporary, the fact that they hadn't found a family member within the first few days had to mean there simply wasn't a viable guardian out there. At this moment, Jack suspected that thought had been premature.

"They, um…they found a guardian for Chloe. Some uncle from interstate."

"What, he just came out of nowhere after three weeks?" His exhale came through crackled on the receiver. "So that means that…"

She nodded, her vision blurring with tears. "They're going to take her away from me…"