Thank you so much for the reviews, you guys are awesome. Thanks for reading my story. I don't own 24 etc...bad language and sexual content...not for kiddies:)
It was their first night in at the hotel. It had been a completely crazy day. Before their flight they had to go to both Jess and Michelle's apartments to get more things and then pick up Ashley. By the time they got to the hotel and had checked in it was almost dinner time.
Tony had booked a room for Jess and Ashley to share and one for him and Michelle. The girls were on the same floor as Tony and Michelle but at the other end of the hallway.
Michelle had spent most of the day just enjoying watching Tony try and keep all them in line. He seemed flustered being the only guy and he also wasn't use to hanging out with 2 20 year old girls. He knew Jess was old enough to do whatever she wanted but he still looked at her as his little sister and it was weird for him watching her fast becoming such close friends with Michelle. He loved it but already they were teaming up on him and now with Ashley as well, they were certainly keeping him on his toes.
They had eaten dinner at the resort and now Tony and Michelle were lying by the pool in a private cabana talking whilst Jess and Ashley were swimming and having a couple drinks. Tony could see Jess was already tipsy and had decided he wanted to keep an eye on them both. Michelle thought it was cute that Tony was trying to remain calm but was clearly flustered watching his little sister having a few drinks and chatting to some guys with Ashley by the pool. "Baby they are fine you know, she is not a little kid anymore."
"I know, I guess I'm just not use to seeing this side of her. Usually I just see her around our parents at family things, not drinking and flirting with a bunch of guys."
"It is good to see her having some fun after the last few days."
Tony turned so he was facing Michelle and ran his hand up her arm. "And what about you? Are you having fun?"
"Oh my God, it is so nice to be away from the office and to be here with you. I never thought in a million years this would happen. I still can't believe you and I are on vacation together!"
He grinned. "Pretty crazy huh! Just lying here with you like this makes it feel so easy to forget about everything back home."
"I'd be happy at this point to never go back!" Her voice dropped a little. "Umm Tony, what is happening with the funerals for everyone? Ryan mentioned some kind of service of something?"
"From what I understand, Division has a team of people that are putting together a big service for everyone we lost. A lot of the families are going to have their own funerals and then we are allowed to have a service for the office and different divisions. Ryan said he would call me when they have set the date."
"Ok...Tony are you worried that everything that happened at work yesterday is going to affect our positions? I mean, surely it can't be good we were both deemed not fit to return to work and then all of this stuff with David..."
He pulled her in closer so she was wrapped in his arms, "I don't want you to worry about that. Just about everyone that was in the office when the bomb went off has been put on leave, so we are no different to anyone else. And I'm glad the David shit came out because it will put a stop to it all. Ryan was very pissed off to learn the way David had been talking about you...its sexual harassment Chelle...so it is a good thing he is going to be dealt with."
"I just had no idea that any of that was going on. I thought the girls were bad with gossip sometimes in the office but it seems like the men are even worse."
"A lot of big egos in our industry baby. A lot of men out to prove how amazing they think they are in every way possible." He kissed the side of her head, "You know, I still want to deal with Jeff when we get back as well. That was so out of line."
"Baby, don't worry about it. If he bothers me again, I'll say something but there is enough to worry about at the moment."
He nodded his head but Michelle could tell he wasn't going to just forget about it. She decided to just leave it for now and deal with it when they got home. She loved lying with Tony like this. It was still so warm out and she couldn't remember the last time she had done anything like this. Just to not have to worry about the phone ringing every 2 minutes and be able to concentrate on being with Tony was the best feeling in the world. She knew they were both still very wound up but that was going to take awhile before they were both able to start calming down. Her head hurt like hell but she was taking heaps of the pain tablets she had been given, trying ignore it.
She got up and pulled the curtain closed on their cabana giving them complete privacy.
Tony gave her a cheeky grin, "What ya doin?"
She slowly made her way back to him. "Just want a little time with you without the whole complex being able to see..."
"And to think all this time I thought you were so innocent."
"Hey!...You can talk!"
He pulled her down on top of him. "Baby, I don't think I have had one innocent thought about you since the day we met."
She laughed. "Almeida, are you telling me when we were sitting in your office all those times doing reports you were not just thinking about the work?"
He ran his hands down over her chest. "I'm surprised I got any work done this year. I could think of a million times I would have rather had been doing something else with you in my office then work!"
"Like what?"
He started kissing her neck. "I don't want to ruin my reputation of being a gentleman..."
She laughed as she stared into his eyes. "You have your moments, but right now I don't care about that, I want to know what's been running through that mind of yours."
He couldn't believe how much she turned him on. Just hearing her talk like this to him drove him wild. She had a very cheeky little grin and her hands were running up and down his chest firmly. He whispered, "One of my favourites is imagining laying you on your back on my desk with your legs wrapped around me as I stand. I get to kiss every inch of you before taking you..."
"Is this a gentle loving thing or a rough passionate moment you are picturing?"
He growled at her question. "Oh baby, there was nothing gentle about it...you keep begging me to go harder and faster and I am giving you everything I've got..."
"Almeida, I think it is safe to say I've had the very same thoughts..."
"Really?" His voice was high pitched and full of shock.
"Really." She sat up enough to pull his board shorts down to his thighs. She was so aware how intently he was staring at her, his mouth hanging wide open. She sat back on top of his lap and pushed herself into him. He gasped and grunted.
Michelle was in a bikini with a little skirt and singlet top on. "Baby, take off your bather bottoms...I need you." His voice had gone all deep and husky again, every word turning her on more and more. She did as he asked, the second she had pulled the bathers down he pulled her back onto his lap. They sat still for a moment as they took one another in. "God you are beautiful."
She bit her lip nervously as she smiled at him and then lifted herself up a tiny bit. Tony reached down and guided himself into her. She pushed down firmly making them both sigh. Within seconds Tony was taking the lead, he put his hands on her waist and began moving her body up and down. Right from the start it was passionate and fast. He loved watching her face, especially as she tried to keep quiet. She leaned back a little with her eyes closed and he used one hand to reach for her breasts. He was getting so caught up in the moment and was pushing himself into Michelle so hard that he worried he might be getting a little too rough with her. "You ok? I don't want to hurt you."
She kept her head back and her eyes closed, "You feel incredible. Harder..."
He grunted, tightened his grip on her and then moved his body harder and faster. He wished he could last forever, this was so powerful and amazing but with every thrust he was getting closer and closer and knew he wouldn't be able to hang on much longer. He was relieved when he heard her tell him she was close.
"Look at me Michelle."
She opened her eyes and stared into his. She begged him. "Tony...please...oh my god...Tony."
That was it, her words drove him insane. "Tell me again, tell me you want me."
She leaned her head down as much as she could, "I want you Tony, I want you to come."
She barely got her words out as he climaxed taking her with him. She kissed his chest and then up to his mouth. He opened her lips with his tongue and then slipped it inside her mouth kissing her passionately. They were both still panting and trying to catch their breath making the kiss broken but neither one of them wanting to stop even for a minute to calm down.
Eventually Michelle sat back up a little. "I hope we weren't too loud."
Tony loved that she was blushing, suddenly becoming a little shy over what had just happened. "I don't care...that was unbelievable."
"You are unbelievable Almeida, I love you so much."
"I love you sweetheart, you are everything to me."
By 1am Tony and Michelle were still lying by the pool talking, they couldn't get enough of learning about each other. They had opened the curtains back up and Jess and Ashley were now sitting in the spa laughing away. Tony went to order them another drink, on his way back he saw Michelle taking pain tablets. "Baby, you only took some an hour ago. Are you in a lot of pain?"
"It's just throbbing..."
"Why don't you tell me sweetheart?"
"I don't know, I don't want to ruin the moment, it has been such a special night."
He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "It has baby but you have to tell me how you are feeling. It is not going to ruin anything."
"Sorry..."
"Don't apologize, just promise me you will tell me how you are going. That's pretty strong stuff you have got there and if it is not helping the pain enough maybe we should be getting it checked by a doctor?"
"How does it look?"
Tony sat next to her and had her turn her head toward the light. The wound was really quite red but it was hard to tell if it was more red than before or not. "It's very red baby but I don't know if it is worse or not. I think if it is not looking better in the morning I'll have the doctor at the hotel look at it."
"Ok, thanks." Michelle was really in a lot of pain. Never one to ever cause a fuss but she agreed that if it wasn't a bit better by morning she would want to get it checked out. She was going through the tablets like nothing else and it wasn't helping at all.
Tony knew as soon as Michelle agreed that she must be a huge amount of pain. He had seen her come to work with a raging flu and refuse to even see the doctor in the clinic at the office. He became quite worried. He decided to take a picture of the wound so they would have something to compare it to. He asked Michelle to come up to an area by the bar in the light so he could take a picture. After he was done he pulled her into a hug. "You ready to try and get some sleep?"
"I'm tired but I just don't want this day to end..."
"We've got a few more days here baby, we are going to have so much fun, I promise. Come on, I'm looking forward to wrapping you up in my arms."
They went over to Ashley and Jess and told them they were heading up to bed. The girls said they would be coming in soon as well. They agreed to meet up for lunch the next day.
As they were walking back to their room Tony had an email come in from his Dad who had just gotten home from a shift. He was just writing to say that he hoped they had gotten there safely and were having a good time. Tony decided that since his Dad was awake he would call him and ask about Michelle.
Michelle said she would wash up whilst he was on the phone with his Dad. Charlie immediately asked Tony to take a picture of Michelle's wound and send it to him, Tony told him he had just done it and sent it over to him. His Dad called him back a couple minutes later after looking at the picture. "Can you get another one Tony? I need it in better light and closer up?"
"Sure, I'll do it now and send it straight over, just call me once you have had a look."
When Michelle came out of the bathroom Tony was really shocked to see how pale she looked. It hadn't been noticeable when they were outside in the dark but now under the lights she was so pale. Her eye was definitely a lot more red than it had been. "Baby...I'm really worried. You are very pale. You have to be so honest with me. How are you really feeling?"
She sat on the bed and spoke with a quiet voice. "It really hurts Tony. It's throbbing so hard and it's making my eye really sore and a bit blurry. And I've taken a lot more of the tablets than I should have, I'm almost out."
"Almost out? Oh my God, sweetheart, I can't believe this. I've been dragging you on planes and out to dinner all of this...we should have stayed at home and got you rested for a few days before we came away."
"No, I wanted to come away, it's not your fault."
"Why have you been so worried to tell me how bad this actually is?"
Michelle sighed. "Tony, I feel bad. I don't want Jess to get upset about it. Every time she looks at me I see her frown, like she blames herself, I don't want her to feel that way."
Tony put his arm around her. "You are too good sometimes, you know that? You have to put yourself first baby. Jess would be more upset to think you were not getting looked after properly and getting better because you didn't want to speak up. This isn't about Jess, this is about you. I need to take another couple pictures in the proper light to send over to Dad."
Tony took 5 pictures. Some close-ups and a couple of the entire bruise and Michelle's face. He sent them straight over to his Dad. Then whilst he waited to hear back he got Michelle into bed and comfortable.
Charlie called back within minutes. Tony walked out onto the balcony and told his Dad that now that they were inside he was really surprised to see how pale Michelle was. He also told him how much tablets she had been taking to try and help with the pain. Charlie told Tony that he was extremely concerned about Michelle. That her wound most certainly was infected.
"So should I take her to the doctor?"
"Yes, you need to do it now. Don't wait until the morning. She needs to be seen straight away."
"Shit Dad, how bad could this be?"
"It depends what type of an infection it is and how high the levels are. I think the doctor at the hotel will send her to the hospital."
"I should never have brought her away so quickly. I just didn't think it was this bad."
"It will be ok Tony, you just need to get on top of this as quickly as possible. Whatever Michelle is saying, I can tell you she would be in a lot of pain so don't let her sugar coat how she is feeling."
Tony felt sick. He looked back in at Michelle who now had her eyes closed. He told his Dad he would go call the doctor. Charlie told him to call him back and let him know what was happening, no matter what the time.
When Tony hung up he called the front desk and asked them to send a doctor up to their room immediately. He was told someone would be there in a couple minutes.
He walked back inside. Michelle opened her eyes when he came in. Tony sat on the bed next to her. "What does your Dad say?"
"That he thinks it is infected and you need to see a doctor."
"Ok, well in the morning we can see if the hotel has one yeah?"
He shook his head. "No baby, Dad said we can't afford to wait that long. I've already called the front desk and a doctor should be here in a minute."
"Was your Dad worried? Should I be worried?"
He kissed the side of her head, "I'll look after you sweetheart. Now are you comfortable being in your PJ's with the doctor coming? Do you want to pull on one of my t-shirts to cover up a bit more?"
She nodded and so he quickly grabbed one of his t-shirts. She had barely got it pulled over her head when the doctor knocked on the door. Tony filled him on the situation and then the doctor went over to Michelle and inspected her. Within minutes he explained that the wound was infected and was pulling on the stitches. Michelle needed to go straight to the hospital. Tony could see how upset Michelle looked as soon as the doctor said it. She looked frightened. He took her hand in his and told her it would be ok, he wouldn't leave her side. The doctor called downstairs and organized for a car to take them to the hospital. He told Tony to gather anything he and Michelle wanted because they would most likely be at the hospital at least for the night. Tony raced around the room and put a little bag together for them. He thanked the doctor and saw him out. The doctor was going to phone the hospital and give them a heads up about Michelle.
Once he was out the door Michelle looked up at Tony. "What do you think the hospitals are like here Tony? Oh god, I shouldn't have said anything, I don't want to go."
"Sweetheart, as soon as we got inside and I saw you in the light you didn't need to say anything, I can see how bad it is. I'm sure the hospital will be ok, if it's not I'll sort something out. I'm going to have to call Jess and my Dad baby and let them know what is happening."
Michelle didn't want Tony to but she knew she would never be able to talk him out of it and so she just let it go. She felt really nervous. Tony put his arm around her and led her downstairs. He called Jess first, she didn't answer her phone so he left a message. Then he sent his Dad a text and told him they were on the way to the hospital and that he would call him once they were at the hospital and he knew what was happening.
It took an hour to get to the hospital and be examined by a doctor. Michelle had gone so quiet, he was really worried about her. He was freaking out himself. He didn't feel comfortable at this hospital. He wanted Michelle to have the best care and he didn't think she was going to get it here. The doctor came into the room and informed them that Michelle required surgery. They needed to cut around the wound where the stitches were pulling and stretching the skin and sew it back up again neatly. She then needed to be on IV antibiotics for awhile. Tears ran down Michelle's cheeks. He kissed her hand and held it tightly trying to comfort her but the truth was he was just as upset. He didn't want Michelle having the surgery here. He wished they were home. He called his Dad back and explained what they had been told.
Tony told his Dad he was really uncomfortable being in Mexico. "I want to bring her home Dad, you could do the operation, right?"
"Yes of course I can do it son, if Michelle is comfortable with that. You need to get her back here on the next flight though, this isn't the type of thing that you can let too much time go past without treatment."
"What about Jess and Ashley? Are you happy for them to stay on here without us?"
"Yes, they will be fine. They are safe there together, just concentrate on Michelle."
"Ok, I'll call you back as soon as I know what time we will be back in LA."
"Alright, I'll call my assistant and let her know what's happening."
He called and got them on a flight in 2 hours. He went back into Michelle and sat on the bed next to her. He took her hands in his. "Sweetheart, we are going home. I'm not comfortable with you having the surgery here..."
"I am so sorry Tony. I am so so sorry. I've ruined our holiday..."
He stopped her talking by kissing her on the lips. "Don't you dare say that. Don't you dare say sorry. I should never have taken you away so quickly. I am so sorry this has all happened to you."
"Am I going to end up with a huge horrible scar?"
"No. Baby, I have just spoken to my Dad. He can do the surgery for you. He is one of the best Chelle. I'm sure he will be able to make it as neat as possible. I've got us on a flight in 2 hours and then we just take you straight in and get this done." He paused and kissed her again. "How would you feel about my Dad doing the operation? Would you be comfortable with that?"
She looked relieved. "Yeah, I'd much rather your Dad do the operation. Whatever you think I should do Tony, I'll do."
"Well I'd feel very comfortable knowing my Dad was looking after you. I just want to get you out of here now and home where I know you are in safe, good hands."
"What about Jess?"
"Well I am going to tell her and Ashley to just stay the rest of the time and enjoy themselves."
Michelle felt so out of it she just needed to let Tony make the decisions and follow his lead. He was making her feel safe by the way he was taking control, making quick decisions and organizing everything. After Tony explained to the hospital they were going to go back to LA to be treated by his father they gave Michelle an injection for pain to help her get through at least the next couple hours.
Jess and Ashley were waiting outside of Michelle and Tony's room when they got back to the hotel. Jess ran straight up to Michelle and hugged her. "Dad called me, I am so sorry. I can't believe this is happening."
"I'll be ok Jess, your Dad is going to stitch me up real good!" She was trying her best to be upbeat but it wasn't fooling anyone.
"Well we have already packed, we are ready to go."
Tony stepped forward. "No girls, you can both stay here and enjoy the rest of the trip. It is already paid for, I want you to just have a good time."
"No way Tony. All of this is happening because of me and Sam. There is no way I am going to stay here whilst Michelle has to go and have surgery..."
"But you can't do anything Jess, and this is not your fault..."
Tony was surprised when Jess literally put her foot down, raised her voice and spoke in a very assertive tone. "I am not even discussing this. I am coming back with you." She turned to Ashley. "Ash and I have already talked about it. I am not arguing with you about this Tony, you can't make me stay. Don't make me feel any worse about all this then I already do. I am not staying on a vacation whilst you guys are going through this. You have been there for me, done everything for me this week...do you really think I'd just let you leave and not want to be there for Michelle and you? Now, Ash and I already packed up your stuff, let's go."
Tony was taken aback by Jess but also very proud. He wasn't going to argue with her, he knew he would be doing the same thing as her. "Ok, I hear you, thank you. Ash, I'm sorry this has been cut short. Once we are all back on track we will come back and give this holiday another go."
Ashley smiled sweetly. "Don't apologise. I'm so grateful that you bought me here with you but Jess is right, we need to all leave together, I am just so so sorry for what you are going through."
Tony hadn't taken his arm off Michelle the entire time. He could feel her body swaying in his, she was feeling very out of it from the injection. She was quiet and withdrawn. He had Jess hold Michelle as he gathered their bags from the room and then they all made their way back downstairs.
It was nearly 8am by the time they arrived back in LA. They were all exhausted. Michelle had dozed on and off a little in the cars and on the plane but it was clear to them all that she was feeling worse and worse by the minute. Tony felt so anxious to just get her to the hospital and into his Dad's care.
Charlie had juggled his morning around to fit Michelle in first. It should be a very quick surgery. Natalie met them at the hospital and was shocked to see the sight of Michelle. "Oh darling...how are you doing?"
"I'm ok, glad to be here now. Tony did so good to get us home so quickly."
They all hugged and then Tony and Michelle were taken off to a room for her to be prepped for surgery. He helped her into a gown and got her settled into the bed. Not long after Charlie walked into the room. He hugged Tony and took Michelle's hand in his. "Ok Michelle, now this is a very easy procedure. I am basically just cutting out the wound and stitches around it, giving it a very good wash-out and clean and then sewing it back up neatly. It should only take 20 minutes. I'll have you set up on IV antibiotics during the procedure so that when you wake up it will already be started."
Tony sat next to Michelle. "How long will she need to be on the IV for Dad?"
"Well for infection levels usually you want the number to be 10 or below before you are comfortable to move onto oral antibiotics. At the moment, Michelle's level is 56. I know that sounds alarming but you will be amazed at how quickly the IV can get that under control. Maybe 3-4 days but I can be certain for sure. The whole time though we can give Michelle good pain relief through the IV." He looked at Michelle. "I promise you we will get you feeling a lot better quickly."
"Thank you so much Mr Alm.."
"Charlie."
"Charlie. I can't thank you enough."
"Michelle, I'll never be able to thank you for protecting my daughter the way you did. Or for making my son so happy. I am just incredibly sad this has all happened. I'm looking forward to seeing you feeling a lot better so maybe we can all go out for a nice dinner or something together." He turned to Tony. "Actually I have a box at the Cubs game in Chicago for the weekend after next, so maybe that can be the goal to get Michelle ready to be able to come and enjoy that...you do go for the cubs don't you Chelle?"
"I sure do. Born and raised in Chicago. I've never ever been in a box at a game before that would be amazing!"
Tony gave his Dad a high 5, "I told you being a super surgeon had its rewards Dad."
They all laughed. Charlie told Michelle he would see her in the operating room in a few minutes and then excused himself. Once he was gone Tony kissed Michelle gently on the lips. "I can't stop thinking about what we did...in the cabana...that can't have helped things. I'm really sorry baby, I feel like I have let you down. I should have known better, I should have used better judgement about this whole thing. I've just been so swept away with being with you, being so close to you finally that I haven't been..."
"Hey hey Tony, please don't say all that. I made the decisions with you. I'm the one that didn't speak up about the pain. Lets both try and forget about how and why everything has happened and just look forward to the future and putting this behind us."
"I love you sweetheart. Have you ever had surgery before? How are you feeling about it?"
"Yeah, I had my appendix out a few years ago and there has been some other stuff so I know what I am in for. I am a little nervous but I'll fine...just looking forward to getting it over with."
"What other stuff?"
He could see a look in Michelle's eyes that he could only place as fear. She caught him staring at her and shifted her head down. He could sense straight away that there was something.
"Just other minor things, really, no big deal. Hey do you think you could call Danny and let him know? His number is in my phone."
Tony wanted to press her, he knew there was something wrong. What could the other 'stuff' possibly be? Why would just saying it bring such a clear emotion to her expression? It wasn't the right time though, she was about to be taken away any second for the operation. He would wait and talk to her about it later. "Of course I can call Danny, and I'll be here waiting for you when you get back."
Just as he was finishing his sentence the door opened and 2 people walked in to take Michelle down to the operating room. Tony kissed Michelle on the lips and told her that he loved her. She returned his words. Just like that she was gone and Tony was left alone in the room with his thoughts.
He knew Michelle was in good hands with his Dad. He knew she would be ok but he felt so incredibly guilty that she was even going through all of this in the first place. The whole thing made him so angry, so angry at Sam, so angry at himself for not stopping Sam before he got that close. Angry that he hadn't taken the situation with Michelle's wound more seriously and waited until she was better before going away. He let out a huge breath of air he didn't even know he had been holding in. He took a few minutes to gather his thoughts and calm down a little before he called Danny. He didn't answer and so Tony left a message explaining what had happened, making sure to impress on Danny that Michelle was ok and in good hands, left his cell number and told him to call him back. Then he went to find his mum and Jess.
Ashley had caught a cab home and so it was just Jess and Natalie in the waiting room. The all sat together making small conversation. Tony couldn't really concentrate on anything other than watching the door waiting for the nurse to come and tell him Michelle was out of theatre. A few minutes later a nurse did appear but only because she had some questions for Tony.
The operation hadn't started yet because on the way down Michelle had remembered that she was allergic to a medication but couldn't remember the name of it. She was feeling pretty out of it and couldn't think straight. The nurse asked Tony to follow her to Michelle.
Michelle was lying on the bed into the corridor outside of the operating room. Charlie wanted to wait until they could get an answer back on this allergy before he proceeded. The nurse explained to Tony that Michelle was a little out of it but maybe he could either help her remember or gain permission from her to access her medical records from work or her GP.
He took her hand as soon as he reached her. "Hey baby. They tell me you think you have an allergy to something?"
"Yeah, the last surgery I had, I had a reaction to something I was given either during it or after it but I don't know what it was."
"That's ok. I just need you to tell me either which hospital you had the surgery or who your regular GP is so that we can find out. All of your medical records are at CTU files, are you happy for me to call and just ask them? It would save a lot of time."
"Do the records just have what the allergy is?"
He wasn't really following but again he could see that look in her eye, she was very uncomfortable about something. "Opposed to what baby?"
"Well will CTU just release the name of the drug or are they asking for the whole file?"
He lowered his head and whispered, "What are you worried about sweetheart?"
"Nothing."
"What was the last operation you had for Chelle?"
"Just a broken arm..."
"So how come you seem so nervous about your file?"
"Tony...please..."
"There is something you need to tell me isn't there baby?"
She sighed and a couple tears made their way down her cheeks. He was shocked. He gently used his thumb to wipe the tears away. "Sweetheart, what on earth could it be to make you cry just thinking about it?"
"Sorry, I'm just tired and being emotional."
"No more walls Chelle, remember? We are being completely open and honest with each other. You want our relationship to be the best it can be right?"
"Of course I do."
"Good...now what are you so worried about?"
"If I tell you then you are going to get extremely mad and disappointed in me. I can't handle that thought but I'd totally understand if you just wanted to walk away."
He was dumbfounded by her, what on earth could she have possibly done that would make her think he would walk away from her. He was so shocked he barely knew what to say. "There is nothing in there that could change the way I feel about you baby. I love you, I love you more than anything in the world. Don't you understand how special you are?"
She shook her head and more tears made their way down her cheeks, stinging her eye. She winced in pain. "I'm not the strong person you think I am Tony. I can't say it but I give you permission to call for my records."
He told her he would be back in a minute. He called CTU and spoke to Michael in medical. He was given the name of the drug within seconds but told Michael to pull up Michelle's file and wait for his call back. He told the nurses the name of the drug and then went back to Michelle. "I've got the name, the nurses are telling Dad now. I'm going to call Michael back once you get taken in."
She nodded her head. "Ok. Ok. Just remember that I love you Tony. I'll do anything to not make you disappointed or angry, I'll always do everything I can to look after you and make sure you are happy..."
He kissed her on the lips to stop her talking. He didn't understand. He had never heard Michelle talk like this before. She sounded so defeated. His heart was pounding. "I love you baby, nothing is going to change that. Why you would ever worry about disappointing me or making me angry I'll never know. You have been the only one that has gained my trust, my heart and made me happier than I ever thought possible. So just know, I'll be in your room waiting for you when you are out."
She looked a little relieved but almost like she didn't quite believe what he was saying. The door opened and Charlie stepped out. "All clear, good thing we checked because I would have used it but there are plenty of alternatives. Let's get started."
Tony kissed Michelle again before she was wheeled inside. He spun around and called Michael back.
"Mike, what is in the file? Something is really upsetting Michelle, something surrounding an operation she had I'm guessing in the last couple years for a broken arm?"
He heard Michael sigh on the other end of the phone. "Not just a broken arm Tony. Broken ribs, a stab wound...she was..."
"She was what? How did all that happen?"
"She was beaten up Tony. She has had the public records sealed but basically she was in a relationship with a man, Douglas Reid, he was abusive and she landed in hospital on several occasions from him beating her up. It looks like she left him very early on but he stalked her for close to 9 months. She took out an AVO against him, moved house, had him charged twice for assault but it wasn't until this last time he really laid into her that he was finally charged and put in jail. Looks like he is still in there."
Tony's heart felt so heavy. Tears ran down his cheeks. He rarely ever cried but right now just the thought of someone doing that to Michelle made him want to vomit. "There must be notes...the AVO, what does it say? Reasons? Anything?"
He waited as Michael read through the AVO orders. Finally. "Tony, it looks like this guy is seriously disturbed. Everything I am reading here is saying that Michelle did everything she could to get away from this guy but every time she had an order bought against him or upset him he would become violent. In her affidavit she states that he would get angry at her for the smallest things and fly into a rage. That he would tell her she had disappointed him for not dressing appropriately, or making him the right meal and he would just lose it. When she told him she didn't want to see him anymore he beat her up so bad she was in hospital for a week. That was the first time she charged him. It goes on from there. It looks like she only dated the guy for 3 weeks before the first incident,"
Tony was trying to process everything he was hearing. He could feel his blood boiling. This guy had managed to make Michelle so scared that she couldn't handle the thought of disappointing or upsetting someone. How could she possibly think that he would be angry at her for this? He thanked Michael and hung up. He slid down the wall to the floor. His phone rang. It was Danny, he didn't want to answer it but he had to, her brother had a right to know what was going on.
After explaining the situation and promising to call Danny as soon as she was out of theatre he calmed down. He was a few hours away and Tony told him not to worry he would look after her. Tony decided to ask Danny if he knew anything about Douglas.
"Danny do you know of a Douglas..."
"What has he done now? Isn't that asshole still in jail?"
"Yes he is. I've just heard about what happened. I am trying to get my head around how someone could do that to Michelle..."
"Well I tell you, they better never let me near the guy or I'll fucking teach him a lesson or 2 for messing with my sister."
"Danny does Michelle blame herself for what happened?"
"Yeah. I tried to get her to see someone about it but she wouldn't. She said she just wanted to put it behind her. He emotionally fucked with her so much that he got her to the point that she thought she deserved to be treated like that. She was scared to death of him. I had to force her to get the AVO because she was so scared he would go crazy and he did."
"You know she was just scared to tell me what had happened. She was sure I would be disappointed and upset with her once I found out..."
"Look Tony, I am very sorry for my behaviour last week in your office. Needless to say I had been drinking as was going through a lot. I don't want you to think that's me, or what I am normally about. My sister is the most important person to me. She has been there for me through everything. But this thing with Doug, it was just so hard to reach her on it. She knew it was so wrong and she hated him but I think he just got into her head, got her to the point of thinking that everything was her fault. That the reason why he did the things he did was because she was doing everything wrong. She was so strong to keep standing up to him and finally she won and he got put behind bars but I don't think she has ever been able to understand how or why it all happened. He made her question herself, he made her feel weak, which is just so wrong because she was so strong and brave to stand up to him and have the courage to press charges and have him put away."
They spoke for a few more minutes before Danny had to go. When Tony hung up he felt like he had been hit by a truck. Although he didn't think it possible, he fell even more in love with Michelle. She was the bravest woman. She had been through so much and in all this time had never complained about it, she had just tried to get on with her life. She had been so open and generous with him from the day they met. So patient with him as he questioned himself and was depressed over the damage Nina had caused. She had just been through her own personal hell and yet she had been there for Tony in every way possible, every single day since they had met.
He was determined he was going to be the one that proved to her how strong and amazing she was. He was going to be the one to make her realize she shouldn't shoulder any of the blame for what happened with Douglas. He would help her re-build her self confidence and trust. He sat dumbfounded, trying to get his head around what the person he loved so much had been through and how he could help her move forward from it in a positive way. He remained there until a nurse came and told him Michelle was out of recovery and being taken back to the room. He went straight there.
Thanks for reading. Please let me know what you think and if you want me to continue with this story. Thanks so much!