Tony didn't leave his son's side those next few weeks, telling himself over and over again that he was all Michael had, that he had to show him in every way that he was there for him, and that he would love him twice as hard, and then some, to make up for the fact that his mother wouldn't be around to see it. Although he hadn't expected parenthood to be by any means easy, doing it alone was harder than anything he'd ever done in his life. He just wanted somebody else to be here with him, to have somebody else who prioritised Michael as much as he did, so he wouldn't have to constantly fear that if he took his eyes off him for even a second, something horrible would happen to him. The few nurses helped too, taking over only when Tony could barely stand on his feet without collapsing. David came and checked in on him, usually at the beginning and end of every day, but never stayed for long.

Part of Tony was still confused, still concerned about why David knew so much about him and why he'd gone to such trouble to save his and Michael's life. He would demand answers to those questions one day, but for now, his son's well-being consumed him. Tony couldn't fathom leaving him, even just for a second. He had to be there for him. He had to keep him safe from whoever had come after him and Michelle. David seemed to be mindful of this and very interested in protecting them. Tony wondered if the whys really mattered so long as they were safe. Even if David was expecting something in return, Tony didn't care, he'd gladly give him whatever he asked for.

Eventually, though, Tony did find out just what kind of things David Emerson did for a living. He didn't know the specifics but was sure David was some kind of mercenary. In his brief ventures outside the wing that contained his and Michael's bedrooms, Tony had found arrays of guns, drugs, money, and computers. While he somewhat appreciated the fact that most things weren't just left in plain sight, almost as though still trying to create a 'child-proof' house, it made Tony realise that raising his son here couldn't be a permanent option. How could he? After sacrificing so much to work for the government, to protect the country from people just like David, he was going to let his son grow up around a mercenary and his crew? He couldn't. No matter what David promised about keeping them safe, this was not going to work.

And more than anything, Tony knew this wasn't what Michelle would have wanted.

During her pregnancy, they'd had countless anxiety-riddled discussions about how to keep their child safe. It wasn't enough to remove sharp objects, cover up outlets, and put child-proof locks left, right, and centre. They had to think about anyone and everyone who might want to hurt them, might hold some grudge against them for a mission long since forgotten, and use their child against them. So Tony knew he couldn't risk anything and that he had to respect her wishes. He wasn't sure how he'd go about leaving. After all, David seemed to have stringent security around his compound. But by now, most of the other crew members seemed to know of him, so they likely wouldn't bat an eye if he decided to exit the property. More specifically, he didn't have a clue of where he was going to go. Because to the rest of the world, Tony Almeida was dead. Michael Dessler-Almeida didn't exist.

But he'd sort that out later.

For now, he left holding a sleeping Michael in a baby carrier that could also act as a car seat, as well as a small duffel bag with things they would need. Thankfully, he remembered how to fit the car seat in, having done it just a few months ago. Tony felt a little guilty since he owed David for Michael even being here, but he had to think about what was best for him. Tony didn't know where he'd drive to, given that he wasn't even quite sure where in DC he was. After studying the GPS for a while, gaze constantly flitting over to check on his son, Tony managed to find the address of a motel not too far away. He just needed somewhere to settle for the night, and then he would call Chloe tomorrow morning. She was the only one he could trust since Jack was gone.

To his dismay, Michael woke up and began to cry just a few minutes after they got on the road. While the sound of a baby crying was never pleasant, Tony swore that every time Michael cried, his own chest would hurt like he could feel his pain. He couldn't describe the sensation. It was unlike anything he'd ever felt before. Eventually, it became too much, and he pulled over, fearfully looking around him for any sign of danger, before holding his son to his chest, willing him to be okay, apologising over and over again. It hurt him to see the distress in Michael's eyes, making it clear that he couldn't even mask his fear and put on a brave face, that his son knew just how terrified he was.

After a few more stops of a similar nature, eventually, with an expression of great fatigue, he got them a room at the motel. The hairs on the back of his neck seemed to stand on end, and Tony wondered if he'd made a mistake. David hadn't had the chance to give him details, but he'd made it clear that whoever had come after Michelle and him the first time was likely still out there, even if Henderson was gone. He'd hinted at there being a much larger, much more sinister explanation for all of this. Tony cursed himself, realising he should have at least gotten more details about the situation before he'd left.

He saw a shadow moving against the walls, realising that if the people after him knew anything about his current situation, then Michael's cries would be an immediate giveaway. Tony could hear footsteps, the only sound other than the wind at this time of night. They approached nearer and nearer, and he felt his heart race. His instinct was to shield his son, to clutch him tighter against him, but he fought that urge and set him down, murmuring to him that things would be okay. Instead, he grabbed the pistol he'd found at the compound, the only weapon he'd brought with him, and moved towards the door with trembling hands.

Whoever had come for them had stopped moving. They were likely preparing to pick the lock or simply break the door down. It didn't matter. He realised he'd fucked up. Who knows how many people were after him? He was probably already outnumbered. He prepared himself for the worst. He accepted that there was a strong chance his desire to protect Michael wouldn't win this fight.

But to his bewilderment, all he heard was a quiet knock at the door. It sounded again before the person called out his name. Albeit muffled, Tony could tell it was familiar. Shakily, he looked at the peephole, realising it was David, somehow not surprised that he had managed to track him down. Sighing, he opened the door but didn't return the pistol to his side.

"Put the gun down, Tony." He said calmly. "I'm not going to hurt you or Michael."

Tony met his eyes and could tell that David wasn't lying. Still, he hesitated as the sound of Michael's cries forced him to keep his guard up.

"Michael needs you. He won't know that you're there unless you hold him."

With a shuddering breath, he obliged, hearing David shut the door behind them as he picked Michael up and started tending to him. David sat across from him on a chair near the bed and watched with a slight smile. Tony noticed this and furrowed his brow.

"I…I don't understand." He hardened his voice to hide his worry. "I don't understand why you're doing this. But I know the kind of things you do, and I won't have any part of it. Michelle and I left CTU to raise a family safely. I can't let Michael be around any of this. I-I'm grateful to you for saving his life and mine, but I'm sorry, I have to take any opportunity I can to give him a normal life. It's what Michelle would have wanted for him."

"You had a tail on the way here, did you know that?"

His eyes widened, feeling a chill course through his body.

"I took care of them, don't worry. But I wasn't speaking lightly when I said that whoever came after you and Michelle wasn't working alone." He let out a breath. "I admit I haven't been very forthcoming these last few weeks, but I figured if I told you all the details, they would have slipped your mind since you were focused on taking care of him, and understandably so. I don't blame you for not entirely believing me." In the dim lighting of the motel room, David could see the haggardness in Tony's expression, the way he was desperately fighting the tiredness trying to take over him just so he could focus on Michael. "I will tell you everything about who I am, what I do, why I know so much about you, so you can make up your mind. For now, though…I think for your sake and Michael's, you better get a good night's sleep. We'll talk in the morning. Can you at least trust me enough to keep an eye on him for a few hours while you get some rest?"

Again, Tony could see that there was no ulterior motive to any of what David was saying. He could trust him.

And really…did he have a choice?