Not sure if many people are still reading this story or not. This was a realy hard chapter to write. I hope you like it. FOR ADULTS
2 minutes later Sam called Tony back and told him that if he didn't see Jess with his own eyes then he would shoot Michelle in the head. Tony tried to reason with him, tried to make him see sense that he could get out of this situation before it got any worse but it was like Sam had literally flipped and gone nuts.
Chapelle told Tony he thought their best chance was that they were going to have to bring Jess out onto the scene as well. Tony knew it was their only option. He ordered more back-up and had the car taking his family to CTU turn around and start heading out to the meeting place.
He spoke with his parents on the phone and explained the situation to them. He made it clear from the start they had absolutely no intention of Sam getting near Jess, but they needed him to be able to see her. As much as it pained Charlie he knew if there was a better option than CTU would have come up with it. He asked Tony exactly what they were going to do but Tony told him they were still sorting it out and he would explain everything once they got there. Tony asked how Jess was doing. Charlie said she was determined to do anything to help Michelle.
Michelle was in more trouble than anyone could imagine. Sam had called a friend and somehow got this guy to come meet them. His name was Ash and he was completely and utterly off his head on drugs. Sam told him they had an opportunity to make some money and Ash jumped on board straight away. He asked Sam if he had a hit on him and Michelle watched as Sam gave Ash a couple tablets and then took a couple himself. He pushed Michelle up against the wall and told her that she was going to go to the meeting place and get Jess to come back to him.
"How is that ever going to work Sam? The whole fucking police force is going to be there, you really think they are going to just let hand Jess over?"
Sam laughed. "Well, it better be as easy as that or I promise you one thing Michelle. If you don't do this, I will shoot Jess. Then I will shoot her fucking parents. Then I will shoot Tony...but I'll only shoot him in the leg so he is in pain but alive for long enough for me to make him watch as I kill you and then I will finish him off."
"You and your little stoner friend think you can take on the whole of the counter terrorist unit?"
"Counter what?"
"Sam, Tony and I are federal agents with the Counter Terrorist Unit. That means we have the most qualified and specially trained agents in the country– these are not just regular cops. They will take you and your friend out before you have even drawn your gun."
He slapped her across the face. He clearly became very panicked. He was too off his head to see any reason though and seemed intent on following through with this. She continued to try and reason with him but he kept yelling at her to shut up and hitting her.
He called Tony back. "If I see one other person beside you bringing your sister, the deal is off. I'm not alone Tony...if we see 1 cop or agent, Michelle is dead. Do you get that?"
"Yeah, I get it."
Tony punched the seat of the car. He could tell by the way Sam spoke that he was on drugs and was desperate. Dealing with someone like Sam who was in this state was almost impossible; he was too irrational and likely to make a stupid move as soon as he panicked. His family had arrived and they were gathered a few blocks away in a vehicle. All he could do was be open and honest about what Sam wanted to happen. He had tears running down his cheeks as he looked at Jess. She seemed calm, way too calm.
"Jess, if you can't do this, I understand..."
"Tony are you kidding me? Of course I am doing it. It is because of me that we are in this situation to begin with. I'll never be able to live with myself if something happens to Michelle. I'm doing it and I am fine. Just tell me what to do."
Natalie was a mess and Charlie was trying to soothe her. They put a tracker in the form of a watch on Jess. After a very heated discussion with Chapelle and everyone, it was agreed that Tony and Jess would go to the place alone. They team would keep a distance and out of sight. They only had a minute left before they were supposed to be there. Charlie and Natalie hugged Jess over and over telling her how much they loved her. She continued to stay calm and tell them she would be fine. That she would be able to calm Sam down.
Then she and Tony made the walk to the place. Tony put his arm around his little sister. He kissed the side of her head. "I love you Jess. This isn't your fault, Sam has just snapped. You have to know that it is not your fault. I am going to do everything I can to make sure you are ok. I love you."
"I love you Tony. I'm sorry this is happening to Michelle and you. Once I talk to Sam though, I am sure I can calm him down."
"I don't want you going to Sam Jess. Hopefully we have a chance to take him out...I'm just not sure what his move is going to be but I can't let you go to him."
Sam stayed back, lying down in a car around the corner so it looked empty. Ash was the one that escorted Michelle to a certain point and then he was going to have her go the rest of the way by herself. He kept the gun on her. They knew if they got seen by anyone they would be dead so their only hope in all of this was to convince Michelle if she didn't do as they asked, they would kill Tony and his entire family.
Before they had gotten there, Sam had slammed Michelle's body up against the car and then held her cheeks with such force so she would look at him. "Look me in the eye bitch. I am telling you, if Jess doesn't walk back to Ashley then I will kill you all."
As Michelle rounded the corner to make the short walk on her own to Tony and Jess her mind was racing. She believed without a doubt that Sam meant what he said and would kill at least her, Jess and Tony. But how could she ever live with herself if she handed Jess over and he hurt her...and she knew he would. She could see Tony and Jess standing together with their arms wrapped around each other. She had to stay so strong if she was going to get them through this.
As soon as they were standing a few feet from each other, Tony pulled Michelle into his arms with Jess. "I love you, I love you. Where is he?"
Michelle tried to keep her voice extremely calm. "Tony, you have to listen to me. Sam is not alone and he has completely lost it. I am going to have to take Jess back with me."
"No fucking way. Firstly, he said a trade – as if I am going to let you both go. I will not let Jess go, I never intended on doing the trade, I just wanted to try and get him here...you know protocol Chelle."
"I do Tony, I know exactly what you guys are trying to do but you have to trust me..."
Jess spoke up. "Tony, I'll go to Sam – he won't hurt me straight away, I'll be able to talk to him and try and calm him down. Michelle you are not coming though. You are back with Tony and you have to stay with him."
Michelle was shaking her head. "I won't do it. He said he will kill your parents, Jess, me and YOU Tony if I don't do what he says."
Tony felt his legs go weak and vomit rise in his throat. "He can't get to mum and Dad, they are locked down with CTU..."
Michelle raised her voice at Tony, "You don't get it. He will Kill you Tony. If he doesn't get what he wants he will kill you. I'm not even arguing with you about this. I am not going to lose you. And if I go with Jess at least there is a chance I can look after her or get us out. I assume you have put tracking on Jess?"
Tony was speechless. He felt like his whole life was about to be over. He heard Jess begging Michelle to just stay with Tony and she would go but Michelle just told her no. "Jess, I'm not letting you go back to him on your own, it is not going to happen. I just need you to follow my lead, I have some ideas."
Tony grabbed Michelle and pulled her in so he could whisper in her ear. "I can't let you go. I can't live without you..."
"Tony, I can't let your sister go back there on her own. I'll never be able to live with myself. And I'm not going to risk you, or your parents. I love you. You have made me so happy."
The phone Sam had given her rang. She opened it up, "What?"
"What the fuck is taking so long? Send Jess over now. If she doesn't start walking now, I will shoot Tony."
Michelle just hung up the phone. "He is going to shoot at you, Tony run. Run as fast as you can. I'll get Jess back to you safely, I promise."
He was shaking his head and crying. Jess squeezed his hand, "Tony you have to let this happen or else we all are going to pay the price..."
As she was finishing her sentence a bullet flew passed Tony's side and literally just caught a bit of his jacket arm. Even a quarter of an inch to the side and it would have hit him in the arm. It made them all drop to the ground. "I love you Tony." Michelle grabbed Jess and they started running. Instinctively Tony went to run after them but another bullet fired, this time it skimmed his leg and was enough to make him fall to the ground. He spoke into his com that shots were fired so that back up would all move in. He looked up to see Michelle and Jess round the corner. He told his men where they were and barked at them to move in on them immediately.
The second the girls rounded the corner, Sam pulled up next to them in the car and Ashley pushed them both from behind to get in the car. Ashley made Michelle and Jess keep their heads down so they couldn't be seen. Michelle was trying to look out the window, she was sure CTU would be pouncing on the car within a second. The car turned sharply into someone's house. Ashley grabbed Jess by the arms and pulled her out of the car, he was so rough it ripped the watch off and it dropped to the ground. Sam held the gun on them both and made them all run into the back garden of the house. They could all hear police sirens and helicopters around them. They jumped over another fence, and made their way into another backyard. Sam was panicking; he didn't know what to do or where to go.
Michelle tried to keep as close to Jess as possible. Before they knew it, Sam had kicked down the back door of someone's house and barged in. Michelle prayed to God no one was home. All the lights were off and it appeared to be empty. Sam made Ashley search the rooms whilst he pushed Michelle and Jess onto the floor. "2 for the price of 1 huh?"
Michelle just stared at him.
"You could have gone Michelle, I just wanted Jess."
"You really think I was going to just let her come back to you on her own?"
He pushed the gun into Michelle's temple, "Well you are not much good to her if you're dead."
Jess started crying. "Please Sam, I'm here. Don't hurt her. I'm begging you..."
Sam's attention turned to Jess. He kissed her on the forehead. "All I wanted was for you to talk to me. Was that really so hard? I thought you loved me?"
"You scared me though Sam, you hurt me. You hurt Michelle. If you loved me, how could you hurt me?"
"It was 1 time! 1 fuck up. People make mistakes Jess. You don't just cut them out of your life because they make a mistake. I tried to tell you how sorry I was."
Jess wasn't falling for any of it but she wanted Sam to think that he was getting through to her. "I'm sorry, I didn't know what to do, and I got scared. You can understand that can't you?"
Sam stared at her for what felt like hours but was probably only a few seconds. "I love you. Now look at what you have done! We are fucked!" He pulled her body into his and kissed her on the lips. She went along with it. She felt physically ill but she figured this was her only way of calming him down.
Michelle's heart was racing. Watching Sam run his hands all over Jess made her want to kill him. She was trying to think of what CTU would be doing now. They had lost their trace but the watch was still only a couple houses at the most away from them. Surely they would be storming every house now any minute.
Sam knew that they would be found soon if they stayed in the one place. He made Ash go to the garage and see if there was a car. When Ash got nervous about going outside on his own, Sam punched him and told him to get it the fuck together or else they wouldn't get out of this situation. He told him to find them a car.
As Sam kept a look out the windows, Michelle pulled Jess back into her arms. She whispered into her ear, "You ok? We will get through this. Well done with him, I think he actually fell for it."
Jess shook her head, "He is so dumb and clearly off his head. What is he on?"
"I don't know, I saw them taking tablets but I don't know what it is."
"Do you think Tony was ok?"
That bought a tear to Michelle's eye. "As we rounded the corner I saw him fall to the ground, I think he might have been hit in the leg...he tried to follow us."
Jess was teary as well. "I knew he would. Will he be ok?"
Michelle squeezed her hand. "They would have had medical help to him within a few moments Jess. Your big brother is strong, he will be ok."
Ash appeared back inside. "Kay, I've got one. It is next house to the back in the garage. I can get it started."
Sam pulled Jess up and kicked Michelle to get up. "Let's go, we don't get out of this area we are fucked."
He kept the gun on them as they made their way to the car. A helicopter spot light was literally 2 houses over, Michelle couldn't believe how close help was. Sam noticed her looking up and slowing down. He grabbed her roughly and pushed her forward. "Don't try a fucking thing or Jess gets it."
He made Michelle and Jess get into the boot. Then once Ash had the car started he got in the driver's side and slowly rolled the car forward. He couldn't see any other cars on the street so he began driving, once he had gotten 4 blocks away he picked up the pace. He didn't want to draw attention to the car by driving too fast whilst they knew they were still surrounded by cops. Within a couple turns though he was on a main street with quite a few other cars and they blended in. Especially with only the 2 of them being seen. He stayed on the main road until it hit a highway and then he turned onto it and floored it.
Just like that, they had made it out of the CTU barriers and were free. His eyes were blurry and he could feel himself start to sweat and get shivers. He popped a few more tablets and kept driving.
Tony was lying in the ambulance whilst a doctor stitched his leg. The bullet had grazed his thigh enough he needed a pile of stiches and the wound was quite wide. He felt so dumbfounded by the entire situation he hadn't been able to speak properly. Other than telling Chapelle everything that Michelle had said he couldn't talk anymore. He had lost his sister and Michelle, just like that. He was so angry that a couple thugs had managed to beat his team, rationally he knew it wasn't that simple but right now he wasn't rational. They wanted to transport him to the hospital to be treated properly but he refused. He tried to keep calm as he asked them to please just get his leg wrapped up so he could get back out there.
Michelle had Jess help her to try and break the brake lights and push them out. It was an old car and just breaking a bit of the plastic was easy. It gave them some air and Michelle could look out. They searched the boot for anything they could maybe stick out when the car was stopped at red lights and maybe draw attention from someone. Jess was beginning to really start to panic. "He is going to kill us Chelle. I've never seen him like this before, it is like he is a completely different person. The look in his eyes is haunting..."
Michelle stroked her hair, "hey you got to listen to me Jess. We can stick together and get through this ok? We are smart, we can work together. Those 2 are off their nut and will let their guard down soon, they will trip up and make a mistake. Either that or they will pass out but in the condition they are in they are not going to be able to keep this up for long."
"Where do you think they are taking us?"
"I'm guessing to Ashley's house or a motel room or something like that. They don't know what they are doing. Sam has no clue; he didn't think this thing through past being able to get you."
Jess cried a little. "I don't want him touching me Chelle. I thought I was going to vomit all over him when he touched and kissed me before."
Michelle wiped the tears from her face. "I know sweetie, I am so sorry. But try and think about it right now as the one thing that is buying us some time. I won't let him do anything more than kiss you, you have my word."
"But how can you stop..."
"Jess, you have my word, I won't let him take advantage of you."
"I can't believe you came with me Chelle. You just put your life on the line like that without even thinking twice...for me...for Tony."
"I love you guys, you are everything to me."
They hugged. Every time the car stopped at lights they stuck their fingers out as much as they could but it didn't help them.
Charlie and Natalie were with Tony in the ambulance. It seemed like Natalie had almost gone into shock. She was so quiet and tearful, like she had no idea what to say or do. Charlie was listening to Chapelle, Tony and everyone else discuss leads and plans. He wanted to do whatever he could.
He watched as Tony got so frustrated that it was taking so long with his leg that he literally just grabbed some bandages himself and got up. Charlie stood up with him. "What are you doing son?"
"It's taking them too long, I just need to stop the bleeding so I can get back out there, I can damn well do that myself."
Tony jumped down the step to the ground and let out a howl of pain. He slumped against the back of the car. Charlie took the bandages out of Tony's hands. "Here, sit down and I'll wrap it for you."
Tony did as his Dad told him to. He kept his head staring at the ground.
"Why won't you look at me Tony? You won't even talk to us?"
"How can I look you in the eye when I just let your daughter, my baby sister and Michelle, the love of my life and my baby, go into the hands of that animal?"
"Tony, they were shooting at you for fucks sake. And Michelle chose to go with Jess, you didn't have any choice. There was nothing you could do. And you know if the situation had been reversed...if you were in Michelle's shoes, you would have done the same thing."
"You get that Michelle totally just put her life on the line when she had the chance to be free to save our lives? And then to try and help Jess. That is how special she is Dad. There is no one like Michelle."
Charlie finished wrapping his leg. "You are right Tony, she is incredible. And because of her, our Jess has a real chance."
Tony nodded his head and then told his Dad he needed to check back in with Chapelle. They had found the watch which had lead the team to the house they had been in and now tactical figured the most likely scenario was that they had gotten away in one of 2 cars missing in the houses around it. The owners of the house still hadn't come home and the police were trying to track them down. Finally they found got the licence plate number to 2 possible cars and sent out an alert to all police. They had a lead, it felt like a weak one, but a lead all the same.
After what felt like a long time the car came to a stop. They heard both the doors slam shut and then the boot flew open. The girls told each other they loved each other as they were being yanked out. Sam stood with them as he sent Ash off to get them a room at a seedy hotel they had pulled up at. As the 3 of them stood there, Sam looked them both up and down. His eyes were very droopy, Michelle could tell he was losing it. She knew that with her training she would be able to take him on, she just didn't think she could take on both Ash and Sam and the gun.
Once inside the room Ash started asking Sam what the hell they were going to do. "You said we would get money man? We are screwed. Give me some more..."
Sam pulled out his stash and gave Ash another couple tablets to keep him quiet. "I just need some time to think alright. Just give me some time to think."
Ash slumped down in a chair. He looked like he was going to pass out. Sam walked over to Jess. "Get up."
Jess did as he asked. Straight away Sam pulled her in and started to kiss her neck. "This is all I've wanted..."
Michelle couldn't stand by and let this happen. She stood up next them. "Leave her alone Sam, she doesn't want to be with you. You can't force her to want..."
Sam took a step back, shocked by her words. "God, you really don't know when to butt the fuck out do you?"
She just stared at him.
Sam smirked. "Well, I need a good fuck...Jess come with me." He grabbed her then turned to Ashley and threw a pillow at him. "Watch this one would ya." He walked over and handed Ashley the gun. "Don't let her move."
Michelle pulled Jess back. "Don't touch her." Michelle looked at Jess who looked horrified beyond belief. She couldn't let this happen to Jess. "I'll do what you want."
Sam went to yell but then actually heard what she said. He looked her up and down and then smiled. He looked at Jess and then laughed at her in a dismissingly way. He walked over to Michelle and ran his hand straight down from her shoulder over her breast. He groped her hard and at the same time looked at Jess and laughed.
Jess started crying. "No Michelle...you don't have to do this. Don't Michelle."
Michelle pulled back from Sam. "Just give me a minute with Jess. You will get what you want, don't worry."
He put his finger up like they had 1 minute. Michelle pulled Jess off to the side. Jess was getting so hysterical she wasn't breathing right, she couldn't even keep her eyes still. Michelle whispered to her. "Jess, I gave you my word that I wouldn't let him touch you..."
"He is going to rape you Michelle. Tony is going to die. You can't do this. This is my mess, I'll be with him. I can do this."
Michelle looked down at the way Jess' body was shaking. She could see that she had wet herself, that's how frightened she was. She knew that if she didn't get Jess out of this traumatic situation she was going to really lose it. "Jess, no. I will not let that happen to you." She pulled Jess in even closer so she was sure Sam couldn't hear. "I'm trained Jess...I'm going to use this opportunity to try and get us out of here. I need you to wait out here and be ready for me. I might yell, I might run out, just be ready to run when I say so. Ok?"
Jess was looking everywhere like she didn't know what was going on.
"Jess, do you hear me? Do you understand what I am saying? Just stand right here and wait for me."
Jess nodded her head. "I love you Michelle. I'm sorry."
"I love you and we are going to be back with Tony soon, I promise."
With that Michelle turned and followed Sam into the bedroom. Jess watched her until the door was closed and then she just kept staring at it. She couldn't stop thinking about what he was doing to Michelle. How Tony would feel if he knew what was happening right now. She looked over at Ashley who was half watching her, half watching the TV. He was holding the gun and slowly waving it around in the air. Jess had never been more scared in her entire life. She couldn't believe how amazing Michelle was, how calm and collected she had been able to be. Ash turned the TV up so Jess couldn't hear anything but that.
What felt like hours later but was really only 20 minutes the door opened. Michelle stuck her head out. Jess looked at her shocked, waiting to see Sam appear behind her but he didn't. Michelle held up her hand to make Jess stop and not move. Then she walked halfway back down the hall towards Jess until she reached the bathroom. She disappeared inside for a moment and then stuck her head back around. Michelle mouthed to Jess to tell Ash she was going to the toilet.
"I need the toilet."
Ash barley turned his head. He was so out of it by now he didn't know what the hell was going on. All he said in return was, "huh."
Jess walked straight to Michelle who was holding her finger across her mouth to tell her to keep quiet. As soon as both girls were in the bathroom, Michelle locked the door behind them. She had already opened the window for them, it was small but big enough for them to both climb out. She helped Jess stand up on the toilet and reach up to the frame. Jess pulled herself up the rest of the way and then climbed through. It was barely a drop to the ground. As soon as she landed she turned around to see Michelle already halfway through the window. She dropped to the ground next to them.
Michelle took Jess's hand and they both made a mad dash across the parking lot to a street across the road. It wasn't until they were out of sight of the motel that they finally stopped.
Jess grabbed Michelle. "What happened? What did he do to you?"
"I'm ok, I managed to knock him out and..."
"Is he dead?"
"No, but he isn't in good shape, he will be if he doesn't get help soon."
"You saved us. What do we do now? We don't even know where we are?"
Michelle looked around. There were no shops, nothing. She looked up at a couple of the houses along the street. She started leading Jess to one of the nicest biggest houses. "We are going to have to take our chances, knock on the door and ask for help."
Jess was nodding her head and followed Michelle. "What did he do to you Michelle?"
Michelle brushed Jess off. "Nothing, I'm fine, come on."
Jess didn't know what to say. She didn't want to push it when clearly Michelle couldn't talk about it. She felt sick to her stomach. She hoped Sam died.
They knocked on the door to the house and within a minute a woman and man opened their door in the bathrobes. They took a look at the 2 girls, bruised, dirty, shaking, and bleeding. "Oh My God, what has happened to you?"
"Please we need help. We were kidnapped a few hours ago and we just got away. Can we please come in and call for help?"
The man stood out and helped the girls inside. "Of course. I'll call the police." He locked the door behind them.
Michelle spoke up. "Actually, I'm a federal agent, do you mind if I make the call?"
The man handed Michelle the phone. The woman grabbed a blanket and threw it around Jess who was shaking. She ran to get them both some water.
Michelle called Tony's cell.
"Almeida."
"It's me."
"Sweetheart? Oh My God are you both ok? Where are you?"
"We are ok. We got away but I don't know where we are."
"Where are you calling from?"
"We knocked on someone's door. A man and lady let us come in."
Tony could tell Michelle was in shock and not thinking straight. "Sweetheart, put the man on the phone for me for one minute ok?"
"Ok...Tony, I'm sorry." She handed the phone to the man.
Tony had a million thoughts racing through his mind. He had never heard Michelle speak like that, her tone was almost unrecognizable. The man came on the line. "Hello, this Graham."
"Graham, I am Federal agent Tony Almeida. That is my girlfriend and my sister you have there, thank you so much for letting them in."
"They need help Tony. What do you want me to do?"
"I need your address and I'll have a tactical team and medics their immediately."
Graham gave Tony the address. They were less than 20 minutes away. Tony was gave the order to his men and they were all already driving in the car as he continued to speak to Graham. "Are they physically hurt?"
Graham looked over at them both and his heart sank. "Battered and bruised. Hard to tell. Extremely shaken up."
"Thank you Graham, would you mind putting Michelle back on the phone? We will be there very soon."
Michelle took the phone. "Hello?"
"Michelle, it's me Tony. I'm only a few minutes away."
"Thank you. Do you want to speak to Jess?"
Tony's heart was heavy beyond belief. What was wrong with Michelle? She spoke to him almost as though he was a stranger. He didn't know what to do, he needed to see her. He told her he loved her and then said yes he would talk to Jess.
Jess was completely the opposite of Michelle. She couldn't stop talking. She was going a mile a minute. Not even stopping for a breath. Tony was having trouble understanding her. He spoke with a very gentle tone, "Hey hey, can you slow down a little sis? I can't understand you. Are you both ok?"
"Michelle saved us Tony. She totally saved us. I didn't do anything, I just had to wait and then...and then Michelle took Sam down and we climbed out a window."
"Michelle seemed like she barely knew it was me on the phone Jess?"
Jess lowered her voice, "She's been through a lot. A lot worse than me. She protected me from everything but she won't talk about it."
Tony's heart pounded harder and harder as every possible thing ran through his mind. "Did either one of them lay finger on either of you?"
She hesitated, "like hit us?...yes"
Tony knew there was more. "Jess in any other way?"
Jess didn't know what to say. She looked over at Michelle who wasn't even listening. She was now in the kitchen wiping her face with a face cloth from the lady. "Ummm don't hate me Tony..."
"Why would I hate you? I could never hate. I love you so much, you're my little sister."
"Chelle wouldn't let them come near me..."
He felt tears run down his cheeks. "Sam touched her?"
Jess nodded her head and then realised Tony couldn't see her. "Yes, I don't know to what extent. He took her off to another room for awhile but that's when she managed to overpower him and get us out of there."
After a minute Tony passed the phone over to his mum so she could speak to Jess. He stared out the window as he felt like his heart broke inside. On one hand he was so relieved they were both alive but now he had to deal with what Michelle had been through. Charlie tried to talk to him but he, as politely as he could, told his Dad he couldn't talk right now, he just needed to think. He felt his Dad's hand rest on his shoulder and tell him that was more than ok.
Michelle had never been more exhausted than she was right now. It still hadn't sunk in that they were safe. This was the first time in hours and hours that she felt like she could actually take a proper breath. She watched Jess on the phone and she saw her smile for a brief moment and all of a sudden it made everything feel worth it to Michelle. They had made it. She watched as Jess ran to the window and then over to the front door. Obviously they were here. Graham opened the door, the look of shock so evident on his face to be confronted with a large group of people, all in different uniforms. He held the door open and let them in.
Tony was first. He hugged Jess, as he did, he looked over her shoulder to see Michelle standing by herself in the kitchen. He let go of Jess and made his way towards her. She stood still and watched as Tony made his way to her. She could see the pile of people that had come in with Tony and it freaked her out. She didn't want to deal with everyone from work right now. The woman was still standing in the kitchen with Michelle. Michelle turned to her, "I don't want to go out there yet."
Tony had heard what she said as he reached her. The woman looked at him, "Are you Tony?"
He nodded. "Thank you so much for helping Michelle and Jess..."
She waved at him like that was fine then she stepped closer to Tony, "Why don't you take Michelle into the room off the kitchen, I don't think she is quite ready for your entourage yet?"
"Thank you."
Tony turned back to Michelle. He couldn't wait any longer, he reached out and pulled her into a hug. It took her a moment to respond but eventually she put her arms around him. Tony looked over her shoulder at all the people in the room. Everyone was starting to make their way over so he put his hand up in the air to stop them. "Just give us a few minutes."
He whispered into Michelle's ear, "Come with me into the next room."
She happily followed him into the empty room. He kept his arm around her but when he leaned back to lock the door she thought he was letting her go. 'No, don't..."
He pulled her back into his arms. "I'm not. I'm not going anywhere." His head was doing flips trying to work out the best way to handle the situation. He wanted to inspect her, find out where she was hurt and he needed her to start talking to him more so he could figure out what kind of state she was in.
"Chelle, where are you hurt?"
"Can you take me home Tony?"
He was sure she had to be in some kind of shock or something. She wasn't herself. "I need to take you to the hospital Michelle." He held her cheeks so she had to look at him, "Do you understand what is going on baby?"
"Yeah of course I do. Why are you asking that?"
"Because when we were on the phone it felt like you barely even knew it was me you were talking to..."
"I didn't know what to do Tony. I'm scared. I had to take a chance on knocking on a stranger's door for help, I was trying to watch Jess..."
He pulled her in and hugged her. "You know you are safe now, I am not letting you out of my sight..."
"What about Sam and Ashley?"
"I had a team go and pick them up straight away. Jess told me on the phone where they were."
Michelle nodded her head. Tony ran his hand down her cheek. "Jess also told me that you protected her the whole time."
"I promised you I would..."
Tony could see blood seeping through her top which was badly ripped and torn. He had to get her help. "She told me that you wouldn't let Sam touch her, that you protected her from that as well..." He held his breath, unsure of how she was going to respond.
She dropped eye contact with him. "I don't want to talk about it. I gave Jess my word and I kept true to that, that's all there is to it."
Tony could feel how angry he was, his whole body was shaking, he tried to keep his voice down and calm but he wasn't very successful. "I'll fucking kill him...what did he do to you?"
Michelle pulled out of Tony's arms. "I want to go home."
"You can't go home Michelle. I need to take you to the hospital. What, do you just want to pretend none of this even happened?"
She raised her voice back at him. "Yes! That is exactly what I want."
"It doesn't work that way Michelle. You..." He stopped himself when he realised that he wasn't going to get anywhere by yelling. He tried to pull her into him again. "Let me see you."
Tears started streaming down her cheeks. Finally, she was letting her guard down. He almost breathed a sigh of relief. She started to breathe very heavily. "What so you can be even angrier at me?"
He felt his heart drop. "You think I am angry at you?"
Her words were broken and her voice was so weak. "Of course you are. You can't even call me sweetheart, you will only use my full name..."
Tears poured down his cheeks and he pulled her closer to him. She tried to fight him a bit but within a couple moments she gave in and allowed him to pull her into his arms. "I'm sorry sweetheart. I'm just scared to death, that's all. You are my sweetheart. My heart is in a million pieces just thinking about what you have been through. I'm angry at Sam and the situation but you...you are the most special person in the world to me. I love you sweetheart, I love you so much."
Michelle finally really collapsed into his arms. He felt his heart start to race and he held her as tight as possible. He heard her say, "I love you Tony, I just did what I had to do to get home to you."
"I know baby and you saved Jess, you saved all of us. But now I need to make sure you are ok. The door is locked, it is just us, let me see you sweetheart."
"You don't want to see..."
He pulled back so he could look at her. She was getting more and more worked up by the second. He kissed her lips and then whispered into her ear, "What about our baby? You have been through so much...you need help."
When Tony bought up their baby like that it made her even more upset. He started to worry that she was going to have another panic attack. She nodded her head, "Ok..."
Tony had already noticed she was no longer wearing a bra. He had to tell himself repeatedly to not say anything or react in a way that was going to scare Michelle off even more. He pulled her shirt off her shoulders slowly, stopping halfway through to kiss her on the lips and tell her how much he loved her. There were 2 things that caught his immediate attention. A wound on the side of her stomach that was wide, deep and bleeding a lot and secondly a large handprint on her chest, just above her breasts. It was forming a bruise but it was so prominent – he pictured Michelle being pinned against a wall and it made him want to throw up. She had other bruises and a few little cuts. He saw enough that he knew she needed to be treated as soon as possible. He pulled his top off and helped Michelle put it on. He looked her in the eyes and spoke really softly. "Did he rape you sweetheart?"
She said 'no' before he had even finished saying the words. "I can't face everyone out there right now Tony."
He pulled her into him. "Ok baby, ok." He spoke into his ear piece, "Ryan you there?"
"Yes Tony, how is Michelle?"
"Look, Michelle isn't ready to have to face everyone out there. I am going to carry her out to one of the cars and have her taken to the hospital. I would like it to be just Michelle and I with the driver. Can you have Jess and my parents follow?"
"Ok Tony."
Chapelle warned everyone that Tony was about to bring Michelle out and take her to the car but asked if everyone could just let them walk through and give her space. Everyone nodded their head. Charlie asked if they could go with them to the hospital. Ryan told him that he would take them and Jess in another car right behind Tony.
Michelle and Tony had stayed just holding one another for a few minutes. Tony felt like her grip on him just got tighter and tighter. He ran his hands through her hair and told her he would not leave her side. Then he picked her up in his arms. She rested her head against his chest. He kissed her and told her to just face in towards his body, that they would be out of the house and into the car in just a minute. She did as he said and he walked her out of the room. Everyone became quiet and watched as Tony carried Michelle out to the car. Natalie's heart broke seeing that. She wanted to hold Michelle and make her feel better. She wanted to thank her, she just wanted her to be alright.
As soon as the car had left with Tony and Michelle, Ryan got Charlie, Jess and Natalie into another one. He left Baker in charge of finishing up with Graham. They all made their way to the hospital.
In the car, Tony kept Michelle wrapped up in his arms as close as he could. He covered her in kisses and stroked her. He thanked her, told her he loved her and promised to get her through this.
Thanks for reading. Please review and let me know what you think and if you would like me to continue. Thanks so much!