A/N: The rating on this is T, but for some reason I decided to make this chapter pretty descriptive - maybe this chapter only should be considered M. I didn't put much plot-wise in this one, though, so if you don't want to read it you can skip it. Also, I've read several stories where Michelle calls Jack "Blondie" and I think it's cute, so I used it here, but if that idea belongs to one specific writer I'm sorry and I'll take it out if you want; I'm not trying to steal it or take credit.
Disclaimer: I don't own 24, but it would sure be great - I'm currently watching season 4 and the Tony/Michelle fighting is killing me!
That night, as Michelle and Tony got ready for bed, he thought back on their first day on the ranch. It had gone smoothly, and although he was still very aware of potential dangers, he began to let himself enjoy the unconventional vacation. They spent the afternoon touring the grounds with the brothers, pretending to pay attention to the details a good rancher would need to know, while actually just checking that all CTU's surveillance equipment was undisturbed. Now Tony was waiting for Jack's call to pass along the news that everything was in place. Both Tony and Michelle's phones were switched for new ones complete with made-up contact lists. The number Jack would call from was programed into Tony's under the name Carlos, which had been worked into his fake identity as his brother. The phones were completely secure, so they wouldn't have to worry about blowing their cover, but Jack was the only person they would communicate with directly all week. Tony jumped as his phone rang, then answered it, knowing it was Jack. "Yeah."
"Hey, Tony. Did you check up on the equipment?"
"Yeah, it's all fine - the stuff in the house, the gate, the shed, and the...barn..." He trailed off, realizing this meant he and Michelle's time in the barn that morning had doubtlessly been captured on camera. He could laugh about it if it was only Jack, but he knew the person most likely watching the feed was none other than Chloe O'Brian. Besides awkwardly bringing it up every day for eternity, she might mention the incident to the wrong people.
Jack chuckled on the other end of the phone. "Yeah...the barn. For CTU director, Almeida, you sure aren't too smart sometimes. Don't worry, I had a talk with Chloe. She said it's none of her business, and it's been incredibly obvious for a year or so anyway. You know her, she'll just give the two of you a strange look next time she sees you and that'll be the end of it."
"Thanks, Jack," Tony laughed, knowing exactly the look he was describing. "How's the progress on that end?"
"We're sending in a Recon team tonight to the Salazar ranch. They'll try to get ID numbers of the vehicles, hoping not all of them are stolen. If we have some names to go from, it shouldn't be hard to prove they're working with some shady associates."
"Nothing we should look out for tonight?" Tony asked, uneasy creeping into his voice.
"No, we don't think they suspect a thing. Two suspicious trucks have driven by today, doubtlessly checking out the new neighbors, but we're pretty sure you passed the inspection. Don't be surprised if they sent over a women tomorrow to "welcome" you - maybe named Claudia. That's Hector Salazar's girlfriend, she and her brother and father live on the ranch and I think she's in pretty deep, probably knows most of what the Salazars are up to. I know I don't have to tell you this, but she'll report back to them, so make sure there isn't anything that doesn't fit into your cover story." Jack tried to reassure his friend again, "Tony, everything is going fine. At this rate, all you and Michelle will have to do is keep up the act for a few days, and that doesn't seem to be too hard so far."
Just then, Michelle walked into the bathroom. She pointed to the phone and mouthed, "Jack?" Tony nodded, and she smiled and took the phone from him. "Hey, Blondie," she said, using the nickname he didn't even protest anymore. After listening a moment, she winced. "Oops...and Chloe knows?" A second later, she laughed and said, "I'm sure she will, but tell her thanks for not mentioning it to anybody else. Anyway, I'll let you talk to Tony again." Her mouth dropped open at something he said. "That's not true! But...hurry up." She passed the phone back to Tony. "Don't be too long," she said, looking back over her shoulder coyly as she walked into their bedroom.
Tony took the phone and said quickly, "Jack? Gotta go, sorry." His friend laughed on the other end.
"I told Michelle I knew she was just waiting till after I called to jump you...I guess I was right. Have fun, Tony." Mischief laced his voice.
Tony hung up and hurried out to the bedroom in only his boxers. Michelle was changing into a tank top and shorts, and he crossed the room as she pulled the top over her head. "Since when do you sleep in pajamas?" he said, circling his arms around her to draw her back into his chest. He pressed a kiss to the top of her hair, then pulled out the elastic holding it in a messy bun. She giggled and shook her hair out, the curls he loved surrounding her face. He ran his hands through them, twirling one around his finger before leaning in and kissing her gently. One of her hands came up to rest on the side of his face, feeling the day-old stubble. She loved the way their mouths fit together; the taste of him could always comfort her. Her tongue traced his bottom lip, memorizing every contour of the outside, then the inside. Slowly running it over his bottom teeth, she felt his tongue leap to meet hers and his hand tighten in her hair, angling her head up towards him. As their tongues twisted together gently, she felt the slight vibration as he whispered, "I love you so much."
She blinked at the intensity of emotion in his voice. Lost for words, she just kissed him again, her arms behind his neck pulling him closer. Their whole bodies pressed together in a perfect embrace, the safest place Michelle had ever known. As he deepened the kiss and moaned slightly into her mouth, she felt the tug of desire in her body. She twirled her fingers in his hair and breathed, "Tony..." Needing no more words, he picked her up and carried her the few steps to their bed. He layed her back gently, then lowered himself on top of her, propped up by his elbows. His lips traced her collarbone, nibbling at her neck - there would be a mark there, but neither of them cared. She tipped her head back and sighed in ecstasy, spurring him on to lick down towards the scoop-cut neckline of her tank top. His tongue darted beneath the fabric, between her breasts, trailing over the left one. Finally succeeding in slipping the shirt over her head, he confirmed the suspicion that she wasn't wearing a bra. His mouth circled her breast slowly, working its way in until he got to the nipple. As he took it between his teeth and rolled it back and forth, she gasped and arched her back to him. Pleased with the reaction he was getting, Tony repeated his work on her right breast, then slid up to kiss her again.
"God, Chelle, I need to make you feel good." His words ran through her like lava, filling her from head to toe with a burning desire. She ground her hips against his, feeling his length against her. One of her hands slipped between them to grasp it through his boxers, rubbing it and feeling him tense. Her hand slipped under his waistband, dragging her fingers across the skin there. He took in a breath and pushed down against her as she took him in her hand, squeezing lightly and sliding her hand back and forth. She rolled him over and kissed her way down his chest, licking the sensitive skin just under his boxers before pushing them off altogether and taking him in her mouth. Somehow, she knew just how to use her lips, tongue and hands to send waves of pleasure through him. "You're so incredible," he groaned, lacing a hand through her hair. She continued until she felt him jerk, and right as he reached the critical point, she looked up and met his gaze. Seeing her with him in her mouth and intense love and lust in her eyes was enough to send him over the edge, and he could have sworn he saw stars.
Tony fell back on the bed, panting. "Someday you're gonna kill me," he groaned, pulling her up to kiss her again. He tasted himself in her mouth, and wanted to do for her what she did for him. Rolling them over so she lay flat against the bed, he worked one hand down her quivering stomach, tracing the line of her panties. She squirmed slightly, desperate for him to continue. His fingers slipped under the fabric, and he heard her gasp as one circled her sensitive spot. He rubbed it slowly with his thumb, and she bit down lightly on his lip in pure pleasure. Slipping one finger inside her, he continued until he sensed her getting close, then abruptly stopped. "Tony!" she gasped, frantic for him to finish what he started. She soon understood, however, when his mouth joined his fingers between her legs. This only made it better, and it wasn't long until he felt her clench around his tongue inside her. She took in a breath and tried to keep from crying out as she came, her head dropping back and face flushed. "God, Tony," she gasped, trying to catch her breath. "I want you now."
He ran his hands over her body, wanting to touch her everywhere at once. Climbing onto the bed and onto her, he let his body take over as he lifted her hips slightly so he could slide into her. "Ohh...you're so tight, so wet..." he whispered in her ear as he set a rhythm for them, moving out and back in with increasing speed.
"Faster, Tony," she said breathlessly, and he was glad to comply. He kept up the almost violent rhythm until he felt her nails digging into his back, the slight pain only heightening the amazing sensations. She tensed as she reached her climax, causing him to explode inside her at the same time. They were both breathing hard as the waves of pleasure subsided and he collapsed on the bed, drawing her into his arms. "You're so amazing," he whispered, his mind on the ring stashed in their closet. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he never wanted to be with anyone but her, and the CTU bureaucrats were just going to have to deal with it. If they tried to transfer one of them, Tony made up his mind to just quit - despite the love/hate relationship he had with his job, it was trivial compared to Michelle. He made a decision that as soon as this mission was over, he would go straight to Chappelle and explain that he was in love with her and asking her to marry him soon. A smile crossed his face at the thought, and he hugged her closer, realizing her steady breathing meant she was already half-asleep. Totally content with her in his arms, it wasn't long before he joined her.
The next morning, Michelle woke to the sun seeping through their blinds. It must be at least nine!She thought in a panic. We're going to be late for work! Then, as her mind caught up with itself, she remembered where they were. Relaxing into Tony's arms again, she cuddled against him and decided they had no real reason to get up. She drifted off and slept another hour or two, then was woken by her stomach growling. She opened her eyes and let them adjust to the light before leaning up and kissing Tony awake. "Hey, baby," she whispered. "Time to get up."
Without opening his eyes, he pulled her closer and buried his face in her curls. "Nobody will miss us if we stay here all day," he complained.
She was already wide awake. "Remember, we told Juan and Enrique we would milk the cows for them today!"
The excitement in her voice made him smile. "Right...I guess we'll have to drag ourselves out of bed then." Finally glancing at the clock, he sat up quickly. "It's already 10:00!" he said, shocked.
"That's right, sleepyhead," she laughed. "It's not my fault you kept us both up half the night."
A mischievous look crossed his face as he remembered their activities. "Don't pretend you didn't like it..."
"Oh, I wouldn't dare," she grinned. "Shower time?"
"I hope you mean for both of us," growled Tony as he lifted her off the bed and headed toward the bathroom.
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