Bloodline

Three: Paternal Instinct

In the dim glow of the monitors in the CTU tech lab, Alex Almeida—alias Alex Cartwright—sat beside Chloe O'Brien, trying to make sense of what to him felt like archaic systems. Chloe watched him with her characteristic blend of impatience and grudging respect as he wrestled with the software of the past.

"You have to handle the code in modules, not as a whole system," Chloe explained in her notably dry tone, her fingers flying over the keyboard. "Think of it as downgrading your expectations every few seconds."

"This system might as well be powered by steam," Alex muttered, his hands hovering above the keyboard as lines of code cascaded down the monitor.

Alex slumped back in his chair, rubbing his eyes wearily. "I could honestly get my phone from 2040, hook it up to this network, and it would manage itself. And I'm a field agent, for God's sake, not a tech support guy."

Chloe glanced at him with amusement. "You've picked up the basics faster than any field agent I've seen. Most of them don't have two brain cells to rub together let alone search query without assistance," she retorted, her mouth twitching into a semblance of a smile. "You must get it from your mom."

The mention of his mother brought a flicker of pain across Alex's eyes, quickly masked by a grimace. "Maybe. But honestly, I'm probably just motivated by the fear of being stuck in this tech purgatory forever."

Chloe smirked as she handed him a stack of hard drives. "Well, enjoy your tech purgatory. These drives aren't going to sort themselves."

As they sat in companionable silence, Chloe's tone softened, "You know, I'm usually not this... friendly with new analysts. Michelle must be rubbing off on me."

Alex hesitated, picking at a peeling label on one of the drives. "Speaking of Michelle, she seems to... I don't know, tolerate me? But Tony looks at me like I'm always one step away from triggering an alarm."

"It's not tolerance," Chloe said, her voice dropping as if sharing a secret. "Michelle genuinely likes you. And as for Tony, well, it's probably some kind of paternal instinct. Totally biased, of course."

With a snort, Alex replied bitterly, "Yeah, well, whatever 'paternal instinct' Tony's supposed to have, it's oddly selective. He doesn't exactly give off warm and fuzzy dad vibes."

Chloe leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms with a look that mixed sympathy and practicality. "Don't take it personally. Tony's protective of this place, of all of us. And..." she hesitated, "with everything at stake, with the threats we're facing daily... it's compounded. Maybe he's hesitant to trust anyone new. His instincts have kept him alive this long "

Alex nodded, understanding more than Chloe realized. "I get it, really, I do. Just wish there was some way of showing him I'm not the enemy."

Chloe shrugged, her typical indifference returning. "Keep doing what you're doing. Tony will come around. Or he won't. That's on him."

Meanwhile, in another part of the CTU building, Michelle sat in Tony's office, her expression laced with concern. Tony was poring over paperwork, his forehead creased with the day's stresses.

"Tony," Michelle ventured gently, "I've been thinking about the new data analyst—Alex."

Tony glanced up, his eyes weary. "What about him?"

Michelle perched on the edge of the desk, her voice careful yet confident. "He's doing well. Good reports, fitting in, even Chloe seems to like him, which you know is rare. I just... I'd like you to maybe ease up on him. There's no evidence to suggest he's anything but what he says he is."

Tony leaned back in his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Michelle, I've got a million things on my plate right now. If Chappelle isn't breathing down my neck, then it's a ticking time bomb somewhere. I need to keep my focus. If this Alex guy rubs me the wrong way, that's just how it is."

"And that's fair." Michelle countered, meeting his stance with one of her own, composed and unyielding. "But it's not Alex's fault," she persisted, her voice gentle yet insistent. "He's not the reason for the pressure you're under."

Tony moved away from her, pacing behind his desk like a caged animal. "I know that!" he almost roared before reigning in his emotions. "But if there's a weak link, if there's an unknown, it's my responsibility. Lives are at stake."

Taking a deep breath, Michelle followed him, resting a hand on the back of his chair. "Tony, we've all been carefully vetted. Alex included. You think Division would assign someone to us without thorough checks? He's been cleared, just like the rest of us."

Tony turned, the weight of his world momentarily visible in the bags under his eyes and the lines etched deeply on his face. "I can't afford to be wrong about him," he admitted, almost to himself.

Michelle watched him for a moment, empathy and pragmatism warring within her. "I understand you're under incredible stress, but there's something about Alex. He's smart, intuitive... He reminds me a little of you, actually. Has that same determination in his eyes. He's quickly become a valuable asset."

Tony's expression was stubbornly unreadable. "That's exactly what worries me, Michelle. The best assets are often the most dangerous. We can't afford any slip-ups."

"Tony, all I'm saying is give the kid a chance," Michelle pressed on, knowing full well the balance of trust and caution that dominated Tony's world. "You might be surprised."

He sat motionless, considering her words. Finally, he sighed, a soft sound that seemed to carry the weight of the world. "Fine. I'll try to be... less hostile. But I'm watching him."

Back in the tech lab, Alex still sat with Chloe, the quiet hum of computers a backdrop to their conversation.

"Look, Alex," Chloe said in a rare moment of openness, "I've been at CTU long enough to see people come and go. Trust issues are par for the course here. You're doing a good job. Just... give it some time."

Alex nodded, staring at the screen as he ran a program Chloe had just explained. "Thanks, Chloe. I appreciate it. It's just been tough feeling like I'm constantly under a microscope with Tony. He's... not what I expected."

"Nobody ever is," Chloe replied, shifting her gaze to the code on her monitor. "Everyone at CTU has layers. You'll see different sides of people you didn't know existed. It's part of the charm—surviving here means peeling back the tough exteriors."

He laughed dryly. "Charm, sure. I'll keep that in mind."

Chloe clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "Sarcasm aside, you've managed to integrate well, all things considered. Having Michelle on your side helps, and you've even got me helping you out, which is a miracle in itself."

"I noticed," Alex said, offering her a small, grateful smile. "And honestly, I'm trying to get along with Tony. But every time I try to get on his good side, it feels like I just make things worse."

Chloe looked at him, her expression softening. "Try not to take it personally. Tony's always been tough on new recruits. Plus, with Chappelle putting the pressure on him to perform, he's wound tighter than usual. If he sent you packing, it'd look bad on him too. Tony's just... complicated."

"Yeah, I'm starting to see that," Alex admitted, frowning. "The more I try to connect with him, the more he recoils."

"CTU isn't exactly a place for father-son bonding," Chloe said flatly, pausing to consider her words before continuing. "Just keep doing your work, keep your head down, and eventually, he'll come around. You need patience."

Alex mulled over her advice as he returned his focus to the network logs. "I hope you're right."

Chloe leaned in, dropping her voice. "And between us, don't worry too much about what Tony thinks. Michelle has a good read on people, and if she trusts you, she's probably on to something. She might just be able to sway Tony's opinion."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden buzz of Alex's work phone, the vibrating alert sending a shiver of tension down his spine. Instinctively, he checked the message—an alert for a team briefing.

"Looks like the fun never stops around here," Alex grimaced as he read the alert. "No rest for the wicked, or the CTU analysts, it seems."

Chloe glanced at her own phone, the screen lighting up her face in the dim room. "Better get used to it. CTU doesn't do downtime. You coming to the briefing?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Alex replied sardonically, though the truth was that he was eager to demonstrate his value as more than just an analyst.

As they gathered their notes and made their way out of the tech lab, Chloe couldn't help but prod. "For a field agent, you sure have a knack for the tech stuff. Maybe you missed your calling."

Alex shook his head with a chuckle. "Let's not let that rumor get started."

Their conversation was put on pause as they entered the briefing room, where the tension was almost palpable. Tony stood at the front, looking particularly grave as he waited for silence.

"Alright, people," Tony began, scanning the room. His eyes caught on Alex, and there was a fleeting hesitation before he continued, "We have intel regarding a potential threat to our communications infrastructure. I want teams A and B to start looking into recent traffic—phone, internet, anything that stands out as unusual."

As the teams acknowledged his orders and began to shuffle out, Tony hesitated, then seemed to make a decision. "Cartwright," he called, gesturing Alex to stay behind. Once the room emptied, Tony's demeanor softened slightly, though his words remained guarded. "I've seen your reports. You know your stuff. I want you in on this too."

Surprised but determined not to show it, Alex nodded tersely. "Understood. Where do you need me?"

Meanwhile, in the corridors of CTU, Michelle found herself walking beside Chloe, who carried a stack of newly printed reports. "Chloe, have you talked with Alex today?" Michelle inquired, her tone casual but curious.

"Yeah, I was just teaching him more about our systems," Chloe replied, a touch of defensiveness in her voice as if anticipating skepticism.

Michelle smiled encouragingly. "I think it's great he's getting along so well with you."

Chloe shifted the weight of the reports in her arms. "He's not as annoying as the others."

They stopped by the printer where Michelle grabbed a document. "I've spoken to Tony about giving him a chance. I'm really impressed with the way he's integrated into the team, even if Tony's still on the fence."

Chloe's brows lifted. "You actually got Tony to relent?"

"Well, I'm working on it," Michelle admitted, her face reflecting the strain of trying to penetrate Tony's stubbornness. "I think he's just got a lot on his mind right now... CTU, Chappelle, and this new intel."

Chloe took a deep breath, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Tony's always been intense, but ever since this new threat started breathing down our necks, he's been even more... Tony-ish."

Michelle chuckled softly. "Tony-ish? I'll have to remember that one. But I think he just needs time to come around. Deep down, he's got a good heart."

"Hopefully, he sees that in Alex," Chloe mused, her sharp eyes meeting Michelle's. "Because like it or not, we could use someone like Alex around here, especially with the skillset he's hiding under that analyst guise."

Michelle nodded in agreement, her eyes glinting with resolve. "I'll keep an eye on the situation. I have faith that he'll eventually see Alex for who he really is: a valuable member of this team."

Back in the briefing room, Tony's unexpected inclusion of Alex was stairstep to a working relationship, one Alex was eager to take advantage of.

"Anywhere you've got a gap," Alex responded, meeting Tony's gaze head-on. "My background's varied. Encryption, pattern analysis, electronic surveillance - you name it."

Tony studied him, the lines of skepticism etched into his face softening just a degree. "Alright, set up in Comm and start filtering through the chatter. Look for any anomalies—code language, repeated phrases, anything out of the ordinary."

"Got it," Alex said, the thrill of the chase igniting his reflexes even as he maintained the composure of a seasoned analyst.

As Alex got to work, pulling out leads like threads from a tapestry, Tony watched him from his office, a tumultuous mix of wariness and reluctant admiration churning within him. He wasn't blind to the parallels between Alex's dedication and the way he himself had once thrown his whole being into his work. It poked at something deep within him, a sense of respect he hadn't expected to feel for the new guy.

Hours passed with the relentless ticking of the clock mirroring the team's urgency. Michelle peeked over at Alex from her station, noticing the focused way he sorted through the leads. His devotion reminded her of... well, Tony. And perhaps it was that very resemblance that had initially set Tony on edge.

Later, as the day began to wind down and the frenzied pace finally allowed for a moment of respite, Michelle seized the opportunity to approach Tony again. She found him staring out the window of his office, lost in thought.

"Thinking about how to save the world again?" Michelle teased lightly.

Tony turned, offering a faint smile. "Something like that."

Michelle took a breath before broaching the subject. "It's about Alex. I saw you put him to work on the new threat. That's a big step."

Tony ran a hand down his face, the exhaustion apparent. "He's good. I'll give him that. Just trying to figure out if that's a good thing or not."

"I think it's a good thing," Michelle insisted softly. "You saw it too—his dedication, the way he jumps into the fray. You can't teach that, Tony. Some people just... have it."

"Yeah, I know," Tony admitted, his gaze drifting back to the bullpen where Alex was deep in conversation with a couple of other analysts. "I don't want to admit it, but the team could use more guys like him. The way he's handling Chloe, and now this... he's not just another analyst."

Michelle stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "I think deep down, you want to trust him. Maybe it's not about whether you can afford to take a chance on him, but whether you can afford not to."

He looked at her then, really looked at her, seeing not just his wife but a partner who had navigated the treacherous waters of CTU by his side. "When did you get so wise, huh?"

Michelle laughed, the sound mingling with the buzz of the muted office noise. "I've always been wise, Almeida. You're just too stubborn to notice."

Tony allowed himself a chuckle. "Maybe so." He then glanced back out at the CTU bullpen, his eyes lingering on Alex. "Alright. I'll keep an open mind about him. But that doesn't mean I'm going to let my guard down."

"I wouldn't expect any less," Michelle replied, squeezing his arm with a show of support.

The day's end found Alex packing up his workstation, his mind still racing with the data he'd sifted through. Chloe approached, her features less severe than usual.

"You held your own today, Cartwright," she acknowledged with a nod. "Looks like you're not just a one-trick field agent."

Alex managed a weary smile, his eyes reflecting the battle-worn pride that only intensive investigative work could yield. "Thanks, O'Brien. That means a lot coming from you."

Chloe's smirk was sly and quick to fade. "Don't let it go to your head. You're only as good as your last decipher, you know."

He laughed, the sound echoing through the now-quiet bullpen. "Don't worry, I'm well aware. I've seen enough back in my own... travels."

Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them. Chloe's gaze softened further, a sign of growing trust and camaraderie.

"Tony seemed to thaw a bit today," she added, glancing towards Tony's office. "Might not be so bad around here after all, with him not breathing down your neck."

Alex followed her gaze, noting the way Tony interacted with his subordinates—a fusion of authority and concern. "I get the feeling there's a lot more to Tony Almeida than meets the eye."

"Understatement of the year," Chloe said with a smirk before she became more contemplative. "He's protective of this place—of all of us. He's seen a lot of good people end up on the wrong side of things. Maybe it's hard for him to watch someone who reminds him of... well, you know."

Alex's expression faltered for a fraction of a second before he regained his composure. "Yeah, I understand. It's not easy to put trust in someone new, especially in a place like this."

Chloe gathered her belongings, ready to head out. "Just keep proving him wrong. And maybe try to actually impress him next time, rather than just not screwing up."

"Plan to," Alex said resolutely, his determination reignited by the challenge. "I didn't come this far to falter now."

With a last glance around the quiet headquarters, Chloe gave Alex a firm nod, the unspoken communication indicating respect and a developing friendship. "See you tomorrow, Cartwright. Keep up the good work."

Alex watched her go, the interactions of the day playing over in his mind—a complicated weave of personal struggles and professional triumphs. This new era was proving to be as challenging as his own, but he was finding his footing, one precarious step at a time.

Turning off his workstation, Alex took a deep breath, his thoughts drifting to the parents he knew and the ones he was just beginning to understand. Tomorrow was another day, and he would be ready to face whatever CTU—and Tony Almeida—had in store for him.

As he exited into the Los Angeles night, filled with hope and anxiety for the days ahead, he reminded himself of the mission that had brought him here in the first place. With each passing day, he was not just an analyst or field agent, but a man bridging the gap between past and future, between the family he loved and the world he hoped to save.

Michelle lingered in Tony's office doorway, observing him as he methodically shut down his computer and organized his paperwork. The habitual readiness in his shoulders seemed less tense than usual, a sign she took as a positive response to her earlier suggestions.

"You're not planning on taking those files home with you, are you?" she teased him with a soft smile.

Tony raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair, pretending to guard the stack of files. "What, these? Of course, I was going to study them by candlelight, my version of a mystery novel."

She chuckled and strolled into his sanctuary. "Tony, I was serious about us doing something low-key this weekend. You've managed to surprise me today, giving Alex that chance. It's evidence that you're still full of surprises, even to me... But now, I think it's time you surprised yourself."

Tony tilted his head, curious about her remark. "Surprise myself? And how exactly am I supposed to do that?"

"By allowing yourself to take a real break. To leave all of this," she gestured around the austere office, "behind, for just two days." Michelle's tone was gentle yet earnest.

He watched her, that familiar blend of affection and defiance playing across his features. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"No. I'm not," she responded tenderly. "We'll take that drive, recharge, and come back ready to face the chaos. I mean it, Tony. No briefings, no strategizing. Just the open road, the ocean, and us."

"I can't remember the last time we didn't have a weekend interrupted by a crisis." Tony said, leaning into his chair pensively.

"And that's exactly my point," Michelle replied, stepping closer and resting a hand on his desk. "We need to find those moments of peace where we can. Otherwise, what are we doing all of this for?"

Tony lapsed into contemplation for a moment; then, he exhaled a long breath as if letting go of his reservations. "Okay. Let's do it. I'm officially declaring this weekend a no-work zone."

She beamed at him, rewarded by his rare concession. "Good. Let's find some quaint bed and breakfast by the water. Somewhere we can just listen to the waves and sleep in without alarms telling us the world's ending."

Tony's face broke into a grin. "Sleeping in sounds like a dream. But seriously, no cooking. You know I love you, but I don't have the same... affection for your culinary experiments."

Michelle laughed, nudging him playfully, "Hey! That was one time, and I told you the smoke alarm was just being overly sensitive."

He held up his hands in mock defense, "Okay, okay. Truce. We'll find someplace with a decent kitchen, or better yet, somewhere known for its local dining spots. No cooking necessary, especially not... smoke alarm cuisine."

"Very funny, Mr. Almeida," Michelle giggled, a lightness in her voice. "But fine, I'll spare you my cooking this time around. We'll focus on finding the best seafood the coast has to offer. I'm thinking oysters, fresh fish, maybe a nice bottle of wine?"

"That actually sounds perfect. Simple and perfect," Tony agreed, standing up from his chair and stretching, a sign that the conversation was drawing to a close. "And wine—definitely wine."

Michelle tilted her head, observing him with eyes full of concern and love. "Honestly, Tony, it's just... I worry about you. It seems like each new day piles more on your shoulders. I see it wearing on you."

Tony sighed and rounded the desk to stand in front of her. "I know you do, and I probably don't say it enough, but I worry about you, too, Michelle. We're in this together."

She reached out and took his hands. "Which is why we must take these moments for ourselves when we can snatch them away from everything else." Her grip tightened slightly. "I want us to remember to live, not just survive from one crisis to the next."

"You're right, as usual," Tony nodded, pulling her into a loose embrace. He gently pressed a kiss on top of her head. "Have I mentioned how lucky I am to have you?"

"Maybe not as often as I'd like," she mused playfully, looking up at him. "Yet, I never doubt it for a second."

"Then let's make this weekend about us, no distractions," Tony suggested. "You deserve it, Michelle. We both do."

Michelle's smile softened further as she leaned back to look up into his eyes. "Then it's a plan. And I'm going to hold you to that. No phone, no laptop. Just Tony and Michelle, like it's... well, like it's just a normal weekend for any normal couple."

"Normal," Tony repeated, as if tasting the word. "I'm not even sure what normal feels like anymore."

"Let's find out," she urged, her voice tinged with warmth and sweetness. "Let's discover that simplicity again. Let's remember what it's like to not have the fate of the world on our to-do list."

He smiled, a genuine, unrestrained smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes and revealed a glint of something youthful, something that the weight of his job had buried deep. "Simple pleasures, huh? I can almost remember those."

Michelle reached up to gently trace the outline of his face with her finger, her touch light but filled with intention. "We're going to have fun, Tony. We'll find a little diner with the perfect pie, watch the sunset, maybe even take a walk on the beach. Nothing complicated."

"Sand between our toes, sea breeze in our hair," Tony mused, allowing the imagery to capture his imagination. "Alright, you've convinced me. The more we talk about it, the more I can't wait for the weekend to start."

"Then it's settled," Michelle confirmed, her own anticipation evident in her bright eyes. "We're making it official. And if I see even a hint of CTU on your phone, I'm throwing it into the ocean."

Tony laughed, the sound rich and free, as he pulled her close. "Understood, Agent Dessler. The thought of saltwater damage is a powerful deterrent."

They held each other for a moment longer, seizing the calm before they stepped back into their demanding world. But this time, they had something to look forward to—an oasis of tranquility amidst the chaos that had become their daily existence.

"Let's head home," Tony suggested, releasing her with reluctance. "We've got some packing to do if we're hitting the road early."

"Yes, let's," Michelle said, her smile never wavering as she slipped her hand into his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "This is going to be good for us, Tony. You'll see. We can be more than just CTU."

He nodded, the agreement sealed between them. Together, they collected their things, slowing their pace to match the other's as they made their way through the dimly lit CTU offices towards the exit—their thoughts no longer wholly consumed by the responsibilities they left behind, but dancing ahead to the promise of rediscovering a simple

A/N: Reviews greatly appreciated if you have a spare moment.