Michelle took advantage of the beautiful day and decided to sit outside on the entertainment deck as she looked over the files. It was full of newspaper clippings, ransom notes, photos of families and even a video from the kidnappers. The case was a complete mess. These poor people, their families. What they must be going through. Tony sat with her, but darted in and out as he kept an eye on the lunch which roasted nicely in the oven.
"It seems to be the work of one, maybe two local insurgent groups." Michelle surmised.
"I agree," Tony said returning again, standing behind her he handed her a glass of champagne and started massaging her shoulders.
"Mmm. That feels nice."
"I'm glad you like it."
"What's for lunch?"
"You'll see." Tony said, looking over the data. "I can already see a few tactical suggestions we can make to help prevent further loss of personal." Tony acknowledged, changing the subject.
"So are we taking the case?" Michelle asked.
"We're taking the case." Tony confirmed. "You know what this means don't you."
"Johannesburg." Michelle didn't know why, they'd travelled overseas for work before but this time felt different.
"Are you okay with that?" Tony asked, sensing she wasn't overly enthused.
"I'm fine. I guess I just got used to being at home. I thought we'd have more time together before we had to take on such a big case like this again."
"We don't have to take it. I can tell them no thank you."
"Don't be silly. It's a good case."
"I'm not going to take it if it makes you miserable."
"I'm just tired, we should take it."
"If you're sure."
"I'm sure."
"All right. I'll call Mr Stutter back and get him to set up a meeting with Delton." Tony kissed her on the forehead and went back in to check on the oven. "Stay right here." He told her. Michelle didn't know how to respond so she just relaxed back into the chair and kept sipping on her champagne. As she looked out onto the mountains, at the birds flying in the distance and the tiny animals scurrying across the desert she thought about how perfect life was here.
Michelle could hear the music from the cd Tony had put on as it made its way through the house. It was Johnny Cash, a favourite of his and hers but this particular song caught her attention, for the first time she was truly listening to lyrics. She listened to it closely. 'Because you're mine… I walk the line… Yes I'll admit that I'm a fool for you… Because your mine… I walk the line… I keep you on my mind both day and night… and through my happiness I know that I am right… Because your mine… I walk the line… For you I'd try and turn the tide…" He'd sung it to her many times before but this time, listening to it Michelle realised that it epitomised his feelings for her perfectly. With her he was found, without her he was lost. Her heart filled with warm emotions she put the champagne glass to her mouth and smiled. She decided to go and show him her appreciation. Entering the house, she expected to see him in the kitchen, serving lunch, but he wasn't there.
"Tony" She called out searching for him but there was no answer. Walking towards the other end of the house her heart skipped a beat as she put a hand to her mouth trying to hold in a gasp. There on the floor were a hundred red rose petals scattered everywhere leading to the round dinning table complete with white table cloth, candles, and flowers. Tony stood beside the table with the bottle of wine in his hand and the cheekiest grin on his face.
"More wine?"
"What is this?" She beamed.
"I thought I'd spoil you a little. Did you like my choice of music?"
"It's perfect, it's all perfect." She blushed. Just then the music changed and 'Man in Black' started to play. Tony held out a hand towards her,
"Would you like to dance?"
"I'd love to." She smiled reaching out to take his hand. He grabbed her glass and placed it on the table, then placing his right hand in hers and his left around her waist he pulled her close. As they danced across the floor they gazed into each others eyes and rocked each other in their arms. Tony twirled her around then brought her in close again. As he dipped her, her tight black blouse threatened to reveal her breasts and the sight of her hair as he flicked her back up was captivating. She looked into his eyes and moved in to kiss him. She could barely breathe her heart was beating so fast. He kissed her back and they stopped dancing as they held each others heads in their hands, kissing passionately. Tony picked her up and took her in his arms.
"What about dinner?" She asked.
"Let it go cold." He smiled as he navigated his way down the hallway.
Laying her gently onto the bed he traced his hand slowly from down the centre of her neck, past her breasts to her pelvis before following the contours of her left hip around the side and down along her thigh. He kissed her kneecaps. Then her belly button, then each breast before kissing her neck. His hand now on her face, his thumb traced the line of her lips. She reached out and sucked on his finger before he withdrew it to brush back her hair from her forehead. She reached up and grabbed his collar, pulling him closer as she lifted her right leg towards him. He grinned then continued kissing her on the lips. She reached down with her hand, caressing the hair on his chest. Lower and lower she stroked until she reached his belt. Slowly and skilfully, she undid his belt and unzipped his pants as his tongue rolled around inside her mouth. Grabbing her hair again he continued to kiss her neck as she held him in her hands. She could feel the blood rushing to support it and with every stroke he kissed her more passionately. He started to undo her buttons and she helped him lift her shirt over her head leaving her in just a tiny black bra. Her skirt and pantyhose were the next to go. He pulled the zip down slowly and shimmed the skirt past her hips and over her feet before it was thrown on the floor. The pantyhose however did not survive the passionate rush that followed, she'd have to buy another pair. Laying in nothing but her underwear she closed her eyes as Tony moved his hand up the inside of her calve, past her thigh and to her. His hand on top his thumb stroked vibrantly back and forth igniting her inner fire further. Her back arched, inviting him in as he kissed her panty line. Then he moved his way back up, his hand on her neck again as he slid his other hand under her panties and inside of her. He knew just how she liked it. She leaned in, taking his head in her hands and kissing him as he opened her up and slid himself inside of her, stroking her hair in perfect rhythm with his thrusts. She played with his hair, her nails digging into his back as she helped him drive deeper and deeper inside of her. As the end drew closer she flipped him over, her hair flying wildly around her she sat atop of him, sliding herself up and down as his hands on her hips provided leverage. Rolling her head around on her neck she felt him shiver inside of her. His pelvis pushing into hers, then relaxing with satisfaction. She placed her hands on his chest and leaned down to kiss him, then eased herself off of him and laid down beside him, her head on his chest. He kissed her forehead gently.
"Thank you for dinner." She smiled, "It was wonderful."
"I'm glad you liked it." He said wrapping his arm around her, the musk scent of her perfume filling his lungs. God she smelt beautiful. "Wait right here." He told her as he slipped out from underneath her. She pulled the sheet around her chest and watched him leave the room, bewildered. What was he up to now? He returned moments later, a cheeky grin on his face. "I've been saving this for a special occasion." He blushed, pulling out a small box from behind his back.
"What is it?" Michelle asked,
"Open it and find out." He smiled. Giddy as a school girl she held out her hand to take it. She looked at the carefully constructed ribbon tied into a bow. It seemed a shame to undo it. Looking in is eyes she saw that they sparkled with anticipation. She bit her lip, as did he, and opened the tiny box.
"Oh my god Tony." She said holding it up, amazed at how it sparkled in the light. "I don't know what to say. It's beautiful."
"I'm glad you like it." He said helping her put it on, the stones sparkling against her bare skin. She sat in front of him on the bed, running her fingers over the diamonds.
"I love it." she said pulling him closer to thank him. He lowered her back down onto the bed, it was going to be a while before they ate.
"Move."
The terrain was harsh and Jameson found it hard to find his footing as they raced through the scrub, his hands tied behind his head as the rifle kept pushing into his spine, he could feel the grazed skin and the bruises. He thought of his wife, kissing her goodbye as she passed him his sandwich. Would she ever know what had happened to him? He'd heard about what was going on, he'd lost a good friend last week, but he couldn't afford not to go to work. His doors locked and windows up he'd sped down that long windy road that led to the mine, eager to reach his destination but he hadn't counted on them shooting out the tyres. The car had swerved all over the road before it screeched to a halt. Before he knew it he was dragged through the side window, hit across the head and had his arms bound.
"What do you want?" He had cried but they only laughed. Pointing towards the dense bushes and ordering him to march. 'It'll be an adventure' he had told his wife a year ago when they moved here. Four good years and he'd make enough for an early retirement. His kids were in the best school and were receiving valuable real world knowledge, what more could he ask for he'd thought to himself.
"Move." They ordered again as the approached a clearing, He could see the small hut, several armed men, a freshly dug grave. His throat tightened.
"In." The man ordered again as the opened the bamboo cage door, barely bigger than a broom closet. He closed his eyes and took a step inside. The door slamming shut behind him. He sat down, his head in his hands and cried.
Having slept through dinner Tony had ordered some Chinese for them to eat while they went through the documents again and typed up their proposal. Michelle analysed the documents while Tony looked at schematics on the computer and noted their assets.
"According to this they spend almost an hour driving in to work and they are on their own pretty much the whole time."
"They'd be better off car pooling, or better still being picked up in a company bus with at least one armed guard on board." Michelle agreed. And it would save on petrol costs for them too."
"I think I'll make the same recommendations for their children. They can get picked up from home and dropped off at their schools."
"What are we going to do about the hostages that they've already taken?"
"Well." He said rubbing his chin with a pen in his hand as he leaned back in the chair. "I've been thinking about that. I'm going to try and get in contact with an old buddy of mine. He should be able to get us some real time satellite imagery that way we'll have a better idea of what we're up against."
"You're not thinking of going in yourself are you?" she asked concerned, nervously playing with her new necklace.
"I just what to be prepared."
"I'm not going to let you go there if you planning to do something stupid."
"Michelle, sweetheart. I promise you that I'm not going to do anything to put all of this in danger, to put you in danger." He promised, taking her hands in his.
"Good. I'm glad to hear it." Michelle always worried that he missed the action of being in the field too much, not that he'd ever tell her. She squeezed his hands back then broke free to keep looking through the documents. "According to this they've given them three more days before the deadline passes."
"That doesn't give us much time to get in there and set things up."
"I'll call Stutter." Michelle told him reaching for the phone. "I'll get him to set up an appointment with Delton for tomorrow morning."
"I'll make the arrangements." Tony turned to his computer and clicked on the airlines website.
"That would be perfect. Thank you. We'll see you then." Michelle finished her conversation with Stutter then returned to see how Tony was going. "Delton will meet with us at 2.15 the day after tomorrow." She told him as he got up and left the desk to get a glass of water.
"Good. I booked us on the 9pm flight we should be there in plenty of time." Tony informed her. Michelle looked at her watch, it was 7.20pm. That didn't leave much time to pack.
Tony threw a few things into his bag and rummaged around in his draws for some spare underwear. He picked up his gun and looked it over. As a CTU agent he'd been allowed to take his weapon with him, but as a civilian his hands were tied.
"Tony?" Michelle wondered what he was thinking. He'd never get that through security let alone onto the plane.
"I was just thinking?"
"Well don't. Eyes only remember."
"It just doesn't feel right leaving without it."
"Come on." She said putting it back in the draw, "We'll miss the plane."
"Uh huh." He checked his watch. It was ten to eight and the airport was only fifteen minutes away. Making sure the doors were locked he put their bags in the car and hopped into the drivers seat.