"Almeida." The doctor returned five hours later, as Michelle slept.
"Yes."
"You're wife is doing fine." He told him, paperwork in his hand, "Tests confirmed she is pregnant, I'd say around nine weeks but you'll have to do a more conclusive test when you get home."
"And the baby?"
"Is doing well. There is no sign of concern. As long as she stays on bed rest for the next week or so to let the swelling go down and avoids any undue stress she should be fine."
"Thank you." Tony shook his hand. Then looked at Michelle sound asleep. "She'll be happy to hear that."
"I must stress that she isn't out of the woods just yet. You do need to be very careful, as I said limiting exercise and stress is only the beginning."
"Don't worry. We're on the first plane out of here."
"Do you mind if I asked what happened?" The doctor said, noting the wound to Tony's head, which Tony wouldn't let him touch till he knew Michelle was safe.
"Better if you didn't know." Tony said, pulling away the bandage he had been given. The bleeding had almost stopped. "Listen doc." Tony asked, noting that it was almost 3 am, "Is there someone who can sit with her? Keep her safe? I need to go and collect our belongings before she wakes up" Tony asked, looking at her intently.
"This is a hospital Mr Almeida." The Doctor began, "But I think I can help." He said calling for a nearby orderly to enter the room. He was a big man, obviously employed for his ability to lift great weights. "James can sit with her till you return."
"Thank you." He shook the doctors hand, "I won't be long." He kissed her on the forehead and went to leave. "No one gets in or out of this room James. You understand?"
"Yes sir."
"Guard her with your life."
"Safe journey Mr Almeida." The doctor replied, watching him leave. He didn't know who these people were, or why he was helping them but he couldn't turn them away.
Tony doubled back several times making sure he wasn't followed before he made his way back to the apartment, parking around the corner so they wouldn't see their car parked in the driveway. At least if they did they'd come after him and not Michelle. Tony opened the front door and went inside carefully, gun ready. There was no sign of any intruders. He started to pack their bags, grabbing their belongings from around the house, but it had been a long day and he was getting tired. He went into the bathroom to splash some water onto his face and to grab the toiletry bags. Tony noticed a small paper package in the waist bin. Unwrapping the paper from around the long thin piece of plastic his breath left him and he felt weak when he saw the tiny pink pluses that indicated a positive reaction. He sat down on the closed toilet lid and held it tightly in his hands. In one short day everything in his life had changed. He had been taken hostage, Michelle's life was put in danger and he had just found out that he was going to become a dad, a dad. His mother had always asked for grandchildren but he never truly believed that it was something he was going to have in his life, not as a CTU agent anyway. The job was so demanding, family life never seemed to win out in that battle and he promised himself he'd never put his children through what he'd seen others go through. Broken families, bitter divorces, children they only ever saw on Christmas cards. Was he ready? Were they ready? Could he provide for them if them they decided to shut down the business? He thought about his beautiful wife, asleep back in the hospital room, carrying his child. The thought put a smile on his face and he vowed then and there that from this moment on, whatever it took, he would be devoted to keeping her and his children happy and safe. They would want for nothing. He wrapped the test back up and placed it inside his toiletry bag for safe keeping.
He looked around the kitchen and tiptoed around the mess on the floor from their lovemaking the afternoon before. If he'd known he would have been more careful with her, he hoped he hadn't caused any damage. He worked quickly to clean it up before grabbing the last of their belongings and placing them at the front door.
As he pulled up to the hospital Tony noted the dark van sitting outside, two men inside as they watched intently at the people coming and going. He parked just out of sight, then used the other patients as cover to quietly slip inside. He'd been gone just over an hour and it would be dawn in less than fort five minutes. Taking the elevator to the second floor he was relieved to see James still sitting in the chair beside her when he entered.
"Thank you." Tony said handing him a small note in appreciation.
"Your welcome." He said pocketing the note and going back to work.
Michelle could see Tony, walking around the airport, could see the man watching him from across the room, his weapon concealed under his open newspaper. "Tony no." She screamed but he couldn't hear her. "Tony." She screamed again. This time he turned to see who was calling his name. He smiled when he saw her and walked over to join her. "Tony." She called out again trying to stop him but he just kept walking, ecstatic to see her. She went to meet him half way, but her feet wouldn't separate from the floor. As she struggled she saw the man with the newspaper stand up and walk towards Tony. As they stood shoulder to shoulder, Tony still unaware of the danger, the man shot him and kept walking. No one came to help, or even notice as Tony fell to the ground. "No!" She howled. "Tony!" He smiled as his body fell limp to the floor. Her feet still welded to the floor, weighed down by her full term unborn child she couldn't move, couldn't go to him, couldn't help him. She fell to her knees, her head in her hands. She was watching him die and there was nothing she could do. Her heart was torn as she contemplated its meaning. Your husband or your child, she would have to choose. But what if it was a premonition? Was Tony going to die trying to save them both?
"Tony?" Michelle screamed as she began to stir.
"Shh. It's me."
"What happened?"
"We were in an accident. Do you remember?"
"No?" She said confused, then some images flashed through her mind, the car window smashing, Tony unconscious in the drivers seat, the car colliding into them. "Oh no." She screamed sitting up, her face as pale as the bed sheet.
"Shh. It's all right." Tony hoped behind her and held her tight. "Everything's all right." He soothed her.
"I don't know how much more of this I can take." She chocked back tears.
"I'm getting you out of here. I promise. Two more hours and we'll be on our way back home."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
"Michelle. You have nothing to apologise for." He said holding her close, "I'm just glad you're both all right."
"Are you hungry?" Tony asked as Michelle get dressed behind the curtain.
"Just tired." She replied.
"I'll be right back." Tony said, there was a vending machine at the end of the hall, he'd be able to keep an eye on her the whole time.
"Make it something sweet." She told him.
"You've got it." He said reaching into his pocket for some change as he closed her door behind him. The nurse in the hall smiled at him as he walked past. The hall was almost empty, but no one looked out of place. He put in his coins and selected a can of lemonade and a packet of chips, not a very healthy breakfast for an expectant woman but the best he could do for now. As he headed back to her room, certain she'd be dressed by now, two men with badges caught the attention of the nearby nurse. Tony watched them chatting as he opened her door and went in.
"What is it?" She asked, doing up her jacket as he looked through the window.
"I'm not sure." He said, distracted.
"Tony?" He was scaring her. What was he looking at?
"Wait." He said stopping her from opening up the curtain further, "Quick." He said sliding her bag under the bed and helping her back into it. "Remember, we don't know who we can trust."
"What are we going to do?" She asked, but before he could answer the door opened. Michelle pulled the blanket tight up over her chest so they wouldn't know she was dressed. Tony leaned against the side wall, watching her every move.
"Almeida?"
"Whose asking?"
"Sergeant Fredricks and Officer Henderson."
"What's this about?"
"I understand you were in a motor vehicle accident last night?"
"Yes. We were attacked on our way home from dinner."
"Attacked. By whom?"
"I'm not sure. I've never seen them before."
"I see. And your wife?" He asked stepping closer.
"Please." Tony distracted them, "She needs her rest. She was injured last night."
"My apologise. I understand she is with child?"
"We only just found out. The doctors are taking care of her."
"We'd like a statement of events. Would you mind accompanying us down to the station?"
"As a matter of fact I do. I'm not going anywhere until I know my wife is all right."
"I'm afraid I must insist. It's a matter of some importance."
"I'm not leaving my wife."
"As a family man I can understand, but maybe I haven't made myself clear. A man was found shot at the scene of the crime."
"I can't help you with that. Our attacker fled on foot."
"Leaving his car behind for you to take?"
"Who knows what's going through their minds?"
"Indeed. But until we have a clearer picture of what is going on I must insist that you remain in our custody."
"Are you arresting me?"
"Sorry. My fault, I meant protective custody."
"No thank you."
"I really must insist sir." Fredrick's motioned for Henderson to set up a guard post outside the door. Tony didn't feel comfortable, who's to say they didn't work for Delton?
"I really must ask you to leave now. My wife needs her rest."
"Of course. Henderson will be right outside." He said following Henderson outside. Tony closed the door behind them. The two men argued briefly then Henderson took up his position as Fredricks walked away.
"Tony?" Michelle asked when she was sure the coast was clear.
"I know." He said, they couldn't just walk out of here now. What were they going to do? He didn't tell Michelle but he recognised Fredricks from the van outside. "Michelle if I ever needed you to trust me, it's now.' Tony said picking up the phone to speak to the nurse.
"Ms Dessler." The doctor greeted her as he approached. "You are looking much better my dear." Henderson followed the doctor into the room to keep an eye on them.
"I still feel sore." She lied, trying to guess Tony's next move.
"Let me examine you again." The doctor said lifting her gown up above her waist. Michelle stopped him, looking at Henderson.
"Do you mind?" Tony asked Henderson, who was looking at her with way too much interest.
"Give her a little privacy please." The doctor added.
"Of course." Henderson blushed, heading back outside. As the door closed Tony stepped closer.
"I'm sorry about that doctor. We need your help."
"I can see that. What have you gotten yourself into?" He asked turning back to Michelle, "How are you my dear?" The doctor asked again as he checked her wound, everything looked well.
"I'm fine. I just want to go home." She said looking at tony.
"Let's see if we can help you out there." The doctor winked at her. "Here, lie back down on the bed, it wouldn't hurt if you faked a few muscle cramps."
"Tony?" Michelle hated not being told what was happening.
"Trust me." He said, helping her lie down. The doctor pressed a button beside the bed which sounded an alarm and began to wheel the bed out of the room.
"What is it doctor?" The nurse asked as she came running. The doctor had placed an oxygen mask on her for authenticity and she was taking deep breaths.
"Where are you taking her?" The officer asked.
"I need to examine her further, there may be some complications. If you'll wait here please." The doctor insisted, "I'll have a nurse come and get you once the internal exam is complete."
"I must insist." The officer continued to try and walk with them.
"No I must insist. You may wait at the door. No further. Now please, we must hurry." The officer had no choice but to comply or risk exposing himself.
"Quickly nurse." The doctor hurried them along to the nearby elevator. Stretched out on the gurney, Tony walked beside her holding her hand, the officer close behind. The wait at the elevator was only short but it felt like an eternity. When the doors opened the nurse went in first, followed by Michelle, Tony and then the doctor. There were already two other people in the tiny elevator and as the doors started to close the doctor pushed forward blocking the officer from entering.
"Sorry, patients first. You can meet us up there." The officer didn't get a chance to argue as the doors shut and the elevator started to move.
"Thanks for that." Tony said helping Michelle off of the gurney.
"It won't take long for him to realise what's going on. Get her out of here Mr Almeida."
"Will you be safe?" Tony hoped the doctor wouldn't be punished for his subterfuge.
"I'll be fine." The elevator signalled that it had reached it's destination. "Take the first stairwell to the left, go up two flights of stairs and you'll find the roof access."
"Thank you." Michelle kissed him on the cheek. The doors opened.
"Be safe my child. " Then he looked at Tony, "Now hit me." The doctor said, bracing for the impact.
"Sorry about this."
"Hurry." The doctor reminded him as Tony gave him a right hook that would leave him sore for a couple of days, then grabbed Michelle and headed for the stairwell. The door opened just as they approached, Tony pulled Michelle behind a screen and waited for the officer to pass before sneaking back around and into the stairwell before the door closed again. They raced up the stairs and made it to the roof.
"Nice." Michelle said as she saw the mini chopper waiting on top, an American pilot at the helm.
"Lift off, now." Tony ordered as he and Michelle secured themselves inside. "Jack says I'm to take you to the airport."
"Hurry." Tony ordered before turning to Michelle "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." She assured him, glad to be out of the hospital. As they took of the officer appeared on the roof top, clearly unhappy and mobile in hand.
"Damn it." Henderson cursed grabbing his phone. "I lost them."
"How the hell did that happen?"
"They had a helicopter waiting on the roof."
"They must be heading for the airport. Come on. We'll catch them there."
"Are you going to report this in?"
"We haven't failed yet."
"What about the doctor? I'm sure he was in on it."
"Leave him. Will deal with it later." Henderson put the phone back in his pocket and headed back downstairs.
"We'll never make it out of the main terminal. They'll be looking for us there." Michelle thought aloud as she saw the airport was close by.
"I know." Tony said, assessing the area as the helicopter touched down in a field at the edge of the airfield. Tony helped Michelle out of the helicopter and they looked around. There was no sign of anyone else but they couldn't be certain they were alone. "It won't take them long to figure out where we've gone." Michelle said, taking a deep breath. She reminded herself that in one short hour they would be out of Africa and on their way back home.
"Come on Jack. Where are you?" Tony whispered to himself as he watched Michelle carefully. They'd already waited too long, every moment they lingered was another moment their attackers had to catch up to them. Michelle and the pilot were waiting at the rear of the helicopter. He'd given her a bottle of water and they were watching the approach to the airfield. The first warning was the sound of the bullet ricocheting off of the helicopter. Everyone crouched down instinctively. Tony headed to the back of the plane to check Michelle. Their guns drawn, as Tony and the pilot aimed into nothingness.
"Where did that come from?" The helicopter pilot asked.
"I'm not sure." Tony told him.
"Tony." Another shot missed Tony by barely a hair. Tony took a quick look around and noticed a pile of crates nearby. Placing a hand on Michelle's back he guided her over to the shelter of the boxes, keeping his gun aimed at all times. The helicopter pilot, Jensen, followed close behind, bullets flew all around them as the moved to safety. Crouching behind the crate, Tony and the pilot on either side Michelle took a deep breath. Pregnant or not she was a trained CTU agent and they needed her help right now. She was no use to her child dead.
"Are you all right?" Tony asked, concerned.
"I'm fine. What's your plan?" She asked,
"You stay here, I'll draw his fire then Jensen can get you out of here in the chopper."
"No. Tony I'm not leaving without you."
"I'll be fine. Jack will be here soon, he'll pick me up on the way and we can rendezvous close by."
"No, No, I won't leave you. You said you wouldn't leave me. You promised."
"Sweetheart. I'm just trying to keep you safe." More bullets whizzed past their heads, Tony guessed there were at least three shooters.
"I'm not pushing our luck. If we get out of this Michelle you're on bed rest for the next six months."
"Lets just get out of here first." She said as he kissed her to calm her down.
"If we're going to do this we need to do this soon." Jensen warned him.
"Guard her with your life." Tony ordered him.
"Tony, No!" Michelle called out, standing up to watch him run into the view of their attackers.
"Get down." Jensen grabbed her and pulled her low.
"Give me that gun." She said pointing to his ankle holster. Jensen hesitated, "I'm a trained agent. I can handle it now give me that gun."
"Here." He said passing it over to her. Michelle turned around, took aim and covered Tony. He was heading for the cover of another container nearby. As he rounded the corner Tony came face to face with the shooter. Before he could think about it he pulled the trigger and the shooter was out cold on the ground. As he looked back Michelle and Jensen were still taking fire. Tony snuck around the other side and came around behind the second shooter. He wasn't quick enough though and the shooter got a shot off in his direction, just missing his shoulder, forcing him to hide back behind the crate.
"Tony!" Michelle screamed.
"I'm ok." He reassured her, checking how many bullets he had left. Trying again Tony got a shot off, then Jensen drew his attention back long enough for Tony to get another shot off, hitting him in the chest. Tony looked around for the third shooter but he'd gone to ground. Deciding not to go off looking for him he made his way back to Jensen and Michelle. As they sat there waiting for Jack, random shots being fired toward them and the helicopter Tony tried to come up with a plan.
The hum of Jack's twin engine plane could be heard in the distance. Tony poked his head up to check it out and was almost shot. He quickly ducked back down and covered himself and Michelle from following rounds.
"What are you thinking?" Michelle asked, noting his intense concentration.
"I know." Jensen confirmed.
"What?"
"There's no cover between us and the plane. We'll be sitting ducks." Jensen told her. "By the time we got to the plane they could have covered enough ground to take us out. We'd never take off before they reached us."
"There's got to be something we can do?" Michelle pleaded. Shoots ran out again, someone was firing and it wasn't the shooter, the shooter was the one taking the heat as the plane landed over the other side of the field. The three of them turned around to see what was going on. Tony noticed a figure approaching them from the right and took aim. As he went to pull the trigger something made him stop.
"Jack."
"Tony. Michelle"
"Glad to see you."
"What have you gotten yourself into here?"
"Your guess is as good as mine." Tony scoffed. "There's at least one hostile still out there, unfortunately he's got a direct line between us and the plane."
"What did you have in mind?"
"I'm not sure."
"Well we can't stay here. There are four of us and one of him. I say we take our chances and go for it."
"No." Tony said sharply, "We can't."
"I don't understand."
"Jack. Michelle's pregnant." They were taking fire again, Michelle sunk down low and Tony covered her with his body for protection.
"Tony. It's ok" Michelle had had enough, she was happy to take the risk if it meant getting out of here.
"Michelle no. I won't risk it."
"I don't see we have much choice here." Jack told him.
"I know you're worried but anything's got to be better than sitting here." She said, placing a hand on his cheek.
"We can keep her between us Tony…." Jack told him.
"I just want to go home." Michelle pleaded. Tony sighed deeply as he nodded.
"You keep your head down. No matter what happens, you get on that plane. You hear me?" Tony ordered her.
"I promise."
"Okay." Jack took over. "Tony you take Michelle. Jensen you lead. When you get to the plane you start it up, we'll come back for your helicopter later and I'll take up the rear."
"Won't they follow us in the helicopter?" Michelle asked.
"I've taken care of that. They won't get far with a broken tail rota." Jensen pointed out.
"All right." Jack said as they all prepared themselves to run, "Go." Michelle kept down low, Tony right beside her shielding her with his body, Jensen and Jack doing the same. They made it to the plane. Jensen got the rear hatch open and lifted Michelle inside.
"Keep down low." Tony ordered her as she moved into one of the passenger seats. Tony covered Jack as he made his way in and closed the door. In minutes, they were airborne. Shoots hit the outside hull but none penetrated the inside cabin. Tony made sure Michelle was buckled in, and then went to make keep an eye on things as Jensen co piloted for Jack.
Sitting in her chair, Michelle's hands started to shake. It was starting to take it's toll. She tried to take a deep breath, they were on their way home. They were safe. She closed her eyes and tried to stay focused on her breathing.
"Michelle." Tony asked cautiously, doubling back to her.
"Umm. I'm ok…."
"Honey. You've been through a lot today, no one would blame you for falling apart for a moment."
"I'm a trained agent. I've been in worse situations than this…"
"Sweetheart." He said taking her hand and sitting down beside her. "I don't know about you but I've never been more frightened in my life…."
"Everything's so out of control."
"This baby has changed everything." He smiled, "We're not just fighting for ourselves anymore."
"Look at me." She smiled back. "I'm a nervous wreak".
"I am too on the inside." He said, watching her left wrist in its bandage. She'd been through so much today. More than her fair share.
"Do you think it's over?"
"I don't know." He pulled her close "Get some rest Michelle." He held her for a and before long she fell asleep in his arms. Tony gently leaned her into the window, using his jacket as a pillow for her to rest on.