Tony, sitting in the front seat while Jack drove and Elle Emerson cried softly in the back seat, was experiencing myriad emotions. He had to keep his expression blank, so as not to alert Jack to what he was thinking or feeling.

David had always felt that being around his little sister was dangerous—that she was such a good person that he might influence her badly. So, he had stayed away from her, sending gifts whenever he could. Tony had been the courier and Elle's bright blue eyes had melted even his cold heart. She was twenty-two, blonde-haired, and slender. She was a Junior at Harvard and very private. Gradually, however, she had gotten used to Tony showing up at her apartment with the unexpected gifts. One night, he'd taken her out for coffee. Then, one night when his mind was dwelling on Michelle's death, he'd gone to see her. She had instantly realized that something was wrong, and the next thing he knew, he was having a secret relationship with her.

David had found out somehow. Tony wasn't sure how, but he had and he had insisted Tony never go back. It was too dangerous for Elle to be involved with people like them. Now, Tony was about to turn her over to Colonel Ike Dubaku, a man who he knew would undoubtedly hurt her before he killed her. It was more than Tony could bear, thinking about the life being strangled out of that beautiful girl. He knew he shouldn't have, especially since she was much younger than him, but he'd fallen in love with her. Truly.

I seemed to have dozed slightly, or either I passed out again. I wasn't sure which. Anyhow, the car stopped suddenly and I opened my eyes. Jack and Tony were getting out and Bauer opened the door for me.

"Get out," he ordered me.

"No," I replied evenly. He grabbed my arm roughly and jerked me out easily.

"If you follow our orders, you might actually make it out of this ordeal alive," he told me, pulling me away from the car.

"Let me go!" I cried, pulling away from him. "I don't trust you!"

Bauer squeezed my arm with all his strength and I gasped from the pain of his fingers digging into my skin.

"JACK!" Tony exclaimed, pushing him away. "Let me talk to her for a minute, okay?"

Jack stared at me for a minute, then at Tony. "You've got three minutes. Then we have to get moving."

Tony took my other arm, the one that did have a bruise in the shape of Jack Bauer's hand on it and led me around the car. Not very gently, he forced me back against it.

"You have to listen to us, Elle," he insisted quietly. " I know you're scared, but I promise you that Jack and I are going to do everything we can to make sure Dubaku doesn't hurt you. We need you to be brave, though."

"Tony, he's a mass murderer! Killing one college student isn't going to take him over a second. You don't even know why he wants me. I don't even think your friend cares."

Suddenly, Tony leaned in and pressed his lips against mine firmly. His hand immediately went to the back of my neck and he pulled me closer. I wanted to cry with joy and sadness as the memories of the hours we'd spent together came flooding back. I felt so safe with him so close to me.

When he pulled away, I was completely breathless and more shaken then before, it seemed. This had only confused me even worse.

"I love you, Elle. I really do. But right now, we have to stop this guy, and if giving him you means that we get closer to him, then that's what we have to do. But I promise, I will get you back," Tony vowed.

I leaned in once more and kissed his lips softly and lingeringly. "Just make sure I'm alive and in one piece when you do, okay?"

Someone pointed out that now Jack, Tony, and Renee seem to be working with the FBI. The next piece will be MY version of what happened. I'm making this up, so just know that it has nothing to do with what may happen in Season 7 of 24 from here on out. Check for the next chapter later today on what's going on with all this! Thanks you guys!