A/N: Bet you didn't think I'd ever finish this one! Here's the much-delayed final chapter. Enjoy...

Setting: Three months later

Never say never

Sunday, 4:17pm

"No!…no, no, no, no," Tony groaned.

"It's hard to imagine the score would be any worse if they hadn't bothered to show up for the game," Jack teased Tony about the creaming of his beloved Cubs at the hands of the Mets.

Sinking the rest of his beer, Tony declared, "I need another beer, you want one?"

"Yeah," Jack answered.

Walking across the open-plan living area, Tony made his way to the kitchen area to raid the fridge. As he walked past Michelle, who was seated at the island bar typing away on her laptop, he stepped behind wrapping her in his arm as he whispered in her ear, "You want something, babe?"

"Another Coke would be great," she responded, turning around in his embrace to give him a kiss.

"Hey, you've got company here," Jack called out.

Giving Michelle one last quick hug, Tony released her and continued his journey to the fridge while responding over his shoulder, "You've got 112 channels there, Jack; you can't find something else to watch."

Ignoring Tony's jibe, Jack addressed Michelle, "why don't you join us, Michelle? It's a unique chance to see Tony cry."

Holding back a laugh, Michelle responded, "No thanks Jack, I'm the middle of winning a holiday to Australia."

Placing a couple of beers on the island bar, Tony popped a Coke and refilled Michelle's glass, as he explained to Jack, "Michelle's convinced herself that she's going to win some internet holiday competition."

"Lonely Planet is running an Australia day competition to win an all-expenses paid holiday … ever since my aunt brought me back a toy kangaroo from her trip to Australia, I've wanted to go. I just have this certainty that I'm going to win."

"Michelle, thousands of people enter those competitions, you chances of winning are about on par with my boys rescuing this game," Tony responded sarcastically.

"Well, you watch every game in the hopes of that happening. And when I win this holiday, you won't be coming with me. You interested in a trip to Australia, Jack?" Michelle asked.

Laughing, Jack responded, "I can see how you'd think I'd be your best ally, but I have to agree with Tony on this one… your odds of success aren't great."

"Fine, I'll be sure to send both of you an 'I told you so' postcard from Australia," Michelle retaliated as Jack and Tony resettled themselves in front of the television with a fresh beer in hand to watch the final innings.

…

Thursday 4.20pm

"Looks like we're about to have company," Jack commented to Tony, who was seated across from him reviewing the latest standard operating procedure changes handed down from Division. Turning his gaze from the folder open on his lap, Tony glanced through the glass walls to see Michelle making her way up the stairs to Jack's office carrying a cardboard tray of coffees and a file.

Noticing that Jack and Tony had stopped their conversation at her approach, Michelle walked straight into Jack's office.

"Just the two guys I wanted to see," Michelle commented upon entering. Tucking the folder safely under her arm, Michelle handed a coffee to Tony and another across to Jack. "I also have biscotti," she added as she opened a small bag and placed it on Jack's desk.

"Not that I'm complaining- about either the interruption or the coffee- but what exactly are you doing here?" Tony asked as he popped the lid of his coffee and inhaled the intense aroma of his double espresso.

Liberating the folder, Michelle wordlessly handed a single sheet of paper over to each Jack and Tony, before seating herself down and sipping her own coffee as the guys read.

Rapidly reading and assimilating the information, Jack cast a quick confirmatory glance at Michelle, before turning his attention to Tony who was still perusing the document. Finishing a few seconds later, Tony shook his head, turned slightly in his seat to make eye contact with both Jack and Michelle, and commented, "I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?"

"That's the current plan," Michelle replied with a smirk. "So what's it going to take for us to get nine days off work?"

"Your resignations. Anyway, I thought you weren't going to take Tony," Jack teased her.

"Hey, whose side are you on?" Tony asked.

"With both of you gone, my work load will be horrendous," Jack pointed out.

"You ran this place single handed for years," Tony reminded him.

"It's not me that you have to convince. I'll be happy to support your leave request but it will need to be approved by Hammond and he's not exactly thrilled about your relationship, remember."

… three months earlier

They were in the midst of their Monday morning staff briefing, when Hammond had waltzed in and barked out, "Almeida, Dessler, I need to speak to you now."

"We're kind of in the middle of a meeting here, Brad," Tony replied sarcastically. Having e-mailed Hammond and Chappelle late Friday to inform them that he was moving in with Michelle, he'd been expecting to incur their displeasure in the course of today, although not necessarily in person.

"There are currently no active protocols; Bauer can finish up the briefing."

Deciding that this battle wasn't worth fighting, especially given the war that was to come, Tony nodded and slid his briefing notes across the table to Jack. Jack, who was aware of the situation, gave a small smile of support to Tony and Michelle before picking up the briefing where Tony had left off. Ushering Michelle out of the conference room, they followed Brad up to Tony's office where Brad indicated for them to take a seat on the couch in the corner as he immediately swung a chair around to join them. This seating arrangement made it clear that Brad was not conceding anything.

"I'm assuming this is in regards to my e-mail Friday," Tony commented, meeting Hammond's disapproving gaze unflinchingly.

"I've spoken at length with Ryan and reviewed his evaluation which seems to suggest that to date you've kept your highly inappropriate personal relationship from interfering with your job. However, I don't believe that you'll be able to maintain this effectiveness, especially given this latest development. There is a post just opened at Division that I recommend Agent Dessler apply for a transfer into."

While Hammond's disapproval was expected, and had been a frequent topic of conversation between Tony and Michelle since the e-mail had been sent, his suggestion was a surprise. However, Michelle didn't need more than a second to know that she had no desire to leave either the job she loved or the opportunity to work alongside the man she loved.

"I'm satisfied with my current position," Michelle responded firmly.

"I recommend that you take some time to consider your options, Agent Dessler, because I will assure you of one thing, at the first sign of any personal problems- no matter how trivial- I will except one of your resignations. Are we clear on this?" Hammond stated dispassionately.

"Perfectly. And I can assure you that no such problems will arise," Tony replied with equal conviction and confidence. For no matter how differentially Tony and Michelle viewed things, they were strongly united in their belief in their jobs as well as their ability to do continue working together.

"Fine. Consider yourselves on notice. Now, since I'm here, I want to run a full audit," Brad answered, refusing to give Tony either the last word on the matter or any feeling of control.

…

Tuesday 10:12 am EDT* (Monday 5:12 pm PST†)

*EDT= Eastern Daylight Time (GMT + 10 hours); includes Melbourne (Australia).
† PST= Pacific Standard Time (GMT – 8 hours); includes Los Angeles (USA).

Walking out of the hotel hand-in-hand, Tony and Michelle headed for the cafe recommended by the hotel clerk. They had arrived in Melbourne that morning, and after a quick shower and change of clothes, were headed off to explore. Michelle, who had slept a full eight hours on the flight, was energised and ready to go but Tony, who believed that sleeping was best achieved in a prone position, had insisted that they start the day- not that his body was necessarily convince it was morning- with coffee. Their hotel was right in the city centre, or CBD as the locals called it, and they passed the standard array of modern skyscrapers and older neo-gothic office buildings typical of the downtown area of a big city. A couple of blocks away they found the narrow laneway which was lined with cafes, all with outdoor tables. Despite the fact that the workday was well underway a bustling crowd squeezed through the laneway.

Fifteen minutes later, they were sipping their coffees and sharing a focaccia. Actually Tony had ordered the sandwich for himself but Michelle had helped herself to half.

"I thought you weren't hungry," Tony grumbled.

"It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind without due notice," Michelle teased. "Anyway, there's plenty to share and I don't want you spoil your appetite; I've picked out the perfect restaurant for lunch."

Looking across the table at Michelle's joyful smile, Tony couldn't really be upset. Furthermore, Michelle had taken advantage of the minimal foot room providing by the small cafe table to stretch out and intertwine her legs between his which was severely interfering with his ability to construct a coherent thought.

"So what are our plans for the day?" Tony asked. Since winning her dream holiday five weeks ago, Michelle had spent a large part of her spare time researching and planning the holiday. She had mapped out their days with the same intensity and attention to detail that she put into an active protocol.

"Once you're fully caffeinated, we'll start with..." Tony smiled and let Michelle enthusiastically tell him her plans for the umpteenth time; as long as she was happy, he was happy. Anyway, he had his own plans to contemplate.

... two weeks earlier

"You want to tell me what's going on?"

Looking up, Tony meet Jack's steady gaze as he entered the office and took a seat.

"What do you mean?" Tony asked somewhat defensively; he was aware that he'd been slightly distracted since his return from lunch with his sister, who was currently in town on a conference.

"You just sent me last week's intel. report."

"Shit, sorry Jack," Tony apologised as he immediately started tapping away at his computer to locate and forward the latest intel. report, happy to have an excuse not to maintain eye contact.

"Done," he stated a minute later, looking up to see Jack still sitting calmly in front on him with what Tony recognised to be his determined to get to the truth demeanour.

Glancing down at Michelle's station to ensure that she was out of earshot, Tony began with a sigh, "OK, here's the situation. My sister delivered a family heirloomfor me."

Reaching into his internal jacket pocket, Tony fished out a black ring box and placed it on the desk in front of Jack.

With a slight smile, Jack picked up the box and glanced at the engagement ring inside before replying, "Well, I can't say that I'm surprised. Just do me a favour and let me know before you tell Division so I can book a week off."

Rolling his eyes, Tony commented, "I worry about breaking the news to Ryan and Brad later. Right now I more concerned about how exactly I'm going to ask her."

Recollecting the ring box, Tony kept his eyes fixed on it as he continued, "How did you propose to Teri?"

The sound of Jack chuckling caused Tony to lift his glance slightly to study Jack out of the corner of his eye.

Jack had likewise averted his gaze and was slowly shaking his head with an amused smile on his face. A second later, he looked up met Tony's gaze, and with a rather self-conscious smile began, "I was 18 and convinced that I had it all worked out. I'd been accepted by the army into their graduate programme which would allow me to get away from my father and the family business while still going to college. Teri and I had been together for a year, I figured that the best way for us to stay together was to get married and make the most of the military accommodation. "

Tony nodded; he'd served in the Marines with several guys who had married their high-school sweethearts for the same reasons.

"It was the end of summer so we went drove out to El Matador Beach, it's pretty secluded in the evenings except for people parking," said Jack, his grin widening.

Grinning back, Tony commented, "My first car was a cast off from my Dad, an old Valiant. It was really geeky but had the most enormous rear bench seat."

"Anyway, afterwards we went for a stroll along the beach and I told her about my plans, pulled a ring out of my pocket and asked her to join me."

Looking across at Jack's contemplative expression, Tony queried, "You ever regret it?"

"Never, I'd be lying if I said my marriage was always easy or happy but I'd never trade what we had. The feeling of satisfaction when Teri smiled and thanked me for doing the smallest of things was a hundred-fold what I've ever felt in fourteen years of service for my country."

Tony nodded; he understood the sentiment behind Jack's words.

"I'll give you two pieces of advice; remember that you're asking her to share your life so make sure that you actually do just that. And come up with a classier way of proposing because one day you might have to tell the story to your daughter."

Laughing Tony responded, "Thanks Jack."

Tony's phone rang before Jack could reply. Glancing down at Michelle's workstation, Tony noticed her phone in hand looking up at him. With a slight shake and inclination of his head, Tony indicated that he was in the middle of something and would call her shortly.

Watching the exchange Jack smiled and commented, "Don't worry; however you ask, she'll say yes."

...

Wednesday 7:40 am EDT

Opening his eyes slowly Tony smiled at the scene in front of him. Through the little window in the tent he could see the surrounding eucalyptus trees of the forest campsite. The only sounds were the bird calls and Michelle's slow, even breathing as she slept peacefully in his arms.

Tony had been surprised when Michelle had suggested finishing their holiday with a three day hike including wilderness camping in Wilson's Promontory National Park. However, the coastal walk had been a real trip highlight with stunning beaches of perfect white sand, turquoise water and granite cliffs surrounded by native eucalyptus forests and abundant wildlife. And he also had to admit that sharing a tent with Michelle was considerably more enjoyable that his previous camping experiences during his Marine Corps days.

Last night they had arrived at Refuge Cove, a breath-taking stretch of picture perfect beach. Today's plan was to have a picnic breakfast on the beach before hiking back to the rental car for the trip into Melbourne to catch their flight home to LA. So this morning, their last day of holiday, was when Tony planned on proposing. He liked to think to himself that he had deliberately waited for the last day to allow Michelle to enjoy her dream trip fully, rather than admit that he was afraid of the whole proposal ordeal. Regardless, when they had arrived at Refuge Cove he had known it was the perfect spot.

As he watched Michelle sleep he mulled once again over the exact way to propose; he wanted everything to be perfect. Michelle's slight stirring distracted his train of thought. Seeing her begin to wake up, Tony tightened his grip on her and brought his lips down to her neck.

With a soft sigh, Michelle slowly opened her eyes, "Morning. What do you think would happen if we accidently on purpose missed our flight home? I could certainly handle another couple of weeks of this."

"I could live with another couple of weeks of vacation but it may not be economically viable without jobs," Tony laughed. "I'll make you a deal; we'll do this again… just the two of us miles from the rest of the world."

"Hhhmmm," murmured Michelle as she wriggled around in their double sleeping bag until she was facing Tony. "Deal," she agreed seconds before her lips met his.

Once they'd cleared camp, Tony and Michelle made their way to a collection of granite boulders on the edge of the beach and settled down for breakfast with a view. From their vantage point they overlooked the wide sandy horseshoe shaped beach that was Refuge Cove. As Tony organised breakfast, Michelle stared out at the incredible shades of blue from turquoise to dark blue fringed by granite rocks tinged with orange lichen.

Looking across at her mesmerised face, Tony was momentarily overwhelmed by her beauty and suddenly he knew exactly what to say. Fishing the ring out of his pocket, he walked over to sit alongside her. Michelle angled her head towards Tony as he wrapped his arm around her, "it's stunning."

"Not as stunning as you," he replied. "You're incredible: strong, smart and passionate. I love you; marry me," he continued presenting her with the ring.

Glancing at the ring briefly, Michelle fixed her eyes on his, "Yes, I love you."

...

The end... one where we can only hope that on some alterative universe they lived happily ever after.